August 11, 2014
Dear Family:
We had a crazy awesome week. Only down side is I don't have
much time to write about it so I will just have to give you the highlights. I
am getting transferred today back to Corona! I knew I would go back to serve in
Corona, but I thought it would be at the very end of my mission. I will take it
early I guess! I am going to the Corona Ward this time instead of Temescal
Valley. Brown Wood is actually going to Temescal Valley so that should throw
them off for a little bit haha.
Jr and his Family
The Bishop and his Family
The Parohinog Family (our old Home Share)
I am just going to hop right into Tuesday. One of those very
boring DDMs again. I drew more pictures... I drew pictures of a pirate and his
ship this time haha. That district leader has been released. I doubt he will be
one again. It would have been different if he actually tried. He just didn't
care. We had a super good lesson with Seth! We gave him 3 dates to pray for
baptism. We also had him write down his testimony as homework. That was one of
his concerns. He kept saying he wants to have a testimony first, but he already
does! It was kinda a slow day. We saw other people as well.
Wednesday we had exchanges. I stayed in my area with Elder
Montague. The Olson's left for a few days so we took care of the dogs. I got to
learn how to give the blind and diabetic one shots! I got to do it twice a day.
I was afraid I was going to find the dog dead though. We always joke about that
with the Olsons. He always looks dead. He just lays down in weird places and
doesn't move for anything. We found the Erik Roblez finally. He is a recent
convert. We taught him and his brother (Juan) a little bit. I would go back and
teach him, but I won't be here!!
Thursday Elder Hugie did the ice challenge. Ya know the one
you see on youtube. So we picked up 30 pounds of ice and went to Jr.’s house
and used his coolers. His face was blue an hour after it was done. We had to go
get tickets early for "Mormon Night" at storm stadium. We were in
charge of getting stuff set up. We had to find somebody to speak for all the
missionaries, somebody to "chase the squirrel", and a bunch of
tickets. We had already spent some time on the phone with a rep from the
stadium. When we got there it turns out he is a member! And he actually used to
live next to an Elder in the zone before the mission. Elder Gillette has only
been out about 7 or 8 months. We called him and asked him to speak at the
stadium. He didn't believe us. We told him about his neighbor who works there
and he started to get pretty nervous. We weren't going to actually make him do
it, we were just messing with him. We hung up with him and called him back like
2 minutes later. His comp said he was freaking out. Don't worry he can take a
joke, we didn't freak him out to bad. It was pretty funny though. I called Bro
and Sis Hoyt earlier in the week and asked them to come down for dinner because
I was thinking I was going to get transferred to the opposite side of the
mission. It was fun. They surprised me with TJ. I didn't know he was out of the
Navy. So that was cool.
Mormon Night at the Baseball Game
Elders Hugie, Wood and Feist
Elders Hugie and Wood and some photo bomber
Friday we had some really good lessons. At night we had a
tailgate party for the Lake Elsinore Storm game. Elder Feist had to get special
permission, but got to come down with a recent convert of his who used to play
AA ball. It was fun to hang out with him at the game. The Lake Elsinore and Menifee
zones were there. All the missionaries got to go down on the field at the first
of the game while Elder Bushman spoke. He is the one from Midland. He did a
good job, all we were asked to talk about it why we are out here and what we
do. We couldn't really teach much. Elder Hugie "chased the squirrel".
It was a mascot who is a college runner. He has never been beat at the game. If
somebody beats them they get 500 bucks. He gave Elder Hugie a head start and a
good lead, but then kicked it into gear and smoked him. I went with a few other
Elders to mess with one of the mascots. They took us in through the dugout, so
I got to stand in there with the players for like 5 minutes. Then they had us
run out and distract the mascot and so one of the huge Poly Elders could come
in and tackle him. People really liked that one. Even our new mission
president.
Saturday I got to go to San Diego Temple unexpected!! I was
so excited! It wasn't for anybody I taught. I got to go with Elder Hugie with a
less active person he worked with at the first of his mission. That is a new
rule that we can go with our companions. I should be going back with Elder
Feist soon with Pat. That was by far the coolest building I have ever been in!
I really want to go back! I got a call that morning telling me I was training a
new missionary again!! I am excited for that! Elder Hugie is getting switched
to being a Chinese missionary. He picked up the language a little bit in
Riverside. Saturday night I found out I am getting doubled into Corona. I will
be opening up another area. For the 3rd time. I dunno why this keeps happening
to me ha. 3 brand new phones. 3 brand new area books. Also this is the 3rd time
I will be training a new missionary! I guess I am supposed to learn really well
how to start from scratch. I think I got the curse from my trainer Elder Allan.
He was a plower. He told me I would probably get the curse. They get sent
somewhere to plow the way and then people come in after things are going. I am
ok with it I guess. I am super excited about getting doubled in! I like it
better. I have only not been doubled in once and that was here and I dunno if I
really liked it.
Sunday we spent all day saying bye to people. It was sad but
it was time for a change. I have been there for 6 months. We have things set up
really well for the next elders. The investigators all have a connection to the
ward that will help them get used to the new missionaries. Also everybody is
really close to getting baptized. So I expect to come back soon!! Well I am out
of time, gotta go! Love ya bye!!!! Elder
Wood
