Hey Family Again!
Summer is deeeeeeeeefinately here. (that's why I used that for the subject) It's getting pretty hot over here! Getting up there at 95 and 98 degrees sometimes >_<. Man! The sand is really kickin up too. I need to wear my sunglasses as much as possible. It's also bad at my appartment too because we have NO AC!!! Guys if I come back in a glass jar as a liquid please give me a honorable ulagy. I want to be remembered as the man with honor, grace, and humility. Not as the man who served in the desert for 3 weeks and melted :P. Heheh. In desperation I try to take reaaaally cold showers to cool off. To bad it lasts maybe 20 or 30 minutes and I'm back to sweating. Ugh, guess I've got some heat acclamating to do ^_^;.
Anyway besides the steady climing of the temperature. Our investigators are steadily climing towards baptism! It's so neat to see this happening and I know it will bring them so much happiness. Right now we are looking at around 3 or 4 baptisms by the end of this transfer. I'm so excited!
This week I also got to go to the LA temple! That temple is so big, and it's very beautiful. The rooms have awesome artwork and the presentations were magnificent. I loved feeling those familiar feelings of the spirit as I did a session and feeling them with such power. I saved a couple of the temple cards so I can send them back as seuvaneers (wow lotsa spelling mistakes this week :P). It was a wonderful experience, and it was cool to be in LA for a while. It's kinda like Atlanta, except not as trashy, but it's still trashy nonetheless :P.
My companion also got a little sick during the week as well. Some stomach virus or something, so that day was a huge study day for us. It was nice change of pace and I got to learn a wonderful lesson in the Ensign comference addition. I read about Not Judging others, which was a talk by Schwitzer I believe. It was very enlighting, especially the part where he talks about creating a quite environment both externally and internally by staying free from sin. That way, we can create a good environment where we can listen to the Holy Ghost and make good judgements.
Last Sunday was also a wonderful day. It was fast and testimony meeting and I bore powerful testimony of loving others as Jesus did, and how Jesus trully died for us and lives. By him living we all can live and live Eternal Life with our Heavenly Father and our Families forever. I absolutely love bearing my testimony on my mission because I love the feeling of the spirit speaking through me. It's the coolest feeling because I know I am speaking, but they are most definately not my words. They just come out and I'm acting as a mouthpeace for my Savior. It's awesome
One last thing I'll mention is this one investigator named Trey! He is a 15 year old black kid who we were able to teacht he 1st lesson to because he had been coming to church with a girlfriend. I absolutely love teaching him because he's the blackest kid in the whole wide world. He doesn't know that much about religion at all, but everything we taught to him he totally understands. "That make sense dawg!" he would say every now and then. When we invited him to pray to know these things to be true, he did so. He really didn't know how to pray at all, but we helped him out. We asked him how he felt and he simply replied "Felt good dawg!" Ohh man I love this kid so much! We left that old run down house with barely any furnature with a wonderful gift that will last forever. I pray with all my heart that his parents will let him get baptized. They are kind of stand-offish, but I know that with him as an example they can have that oppurtunity to feel the spirit as he did. He bore his testimony (In the other ward unfortunately). One of the other Elders in the other ward told us about it. Turns out he snuck out of our ward to bare his testimony in the other ward. That sneaky investigator!!! Heh, it was great though! The other Elder told us it was the blackest and most genuine testimony ever. Trey explained how he prayed again after we left and that he felt good again. he also told the congregation how he was "kickin it" with his friends and tellin them about church. His friends started "trippin" and said. "Nah, church is lame dawg, why you be goin to dat mormon church anyway!? You ain't mormon!" He replied "Dawg! I been goin theuh fo 3 weeks. I am so mormon!" He bore his testmony that prayer does work, and that it helps us out so much. He then ended his testimony by saying "Annnnnd, that's it man!" and walked off the pulpit. MAN! I should've been there. Did I mention how much I love this kid!?"
Well that's all for this week. Have an EXCELLENT WEEK *Guitar Solo*
Mom: Mom I just want to say I really appreciated your testimony. I trully am greatful for you and dad being such an awesom example to me throughout my life. You trully gave me blessings unmeasured by living by example and bearing your testimony to me, even if you think you did or not. I believe through you guys, and by me finding out for myself really contributed to my conversion and my mighty change of heart. I owe it all to you guys. For raising me with love and the spirit that was preasent with so much abundance as I continued my life. Thank you so much mom.
Anyway now that I got you crying a little bit now :P. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed your time at Al's. He is such a great guy and it sounds like you and Dad had a blast. It's pretty sad to hear that the Krietlines are leaving. I wish them well wherever they may be. She was such an awesome Sunday school teacher. She was so genuine and down to earth. I really looked up to her. I still have the hawaiian key chain that she gave the class when she took her vacation over there. Despite the fact that everything is WAAAAY overpriced. She is such a wonderful woman and I know she will recieve many blessings for magnifiying her calling the way she did. Thanks also for the John Mayer quote. I really like it. i really wish I knew how the song goes and stuff. I don't even recognize who the heck John Mayer is ^_^;. I'm sorry, but I really enjoyed the quote. It's true. You gotta defend that silver lining because other people are going to say that there isn't one. I know that there is always a silver lining. You just have to look hard enough ^_^. Well that's it for now. I love you mom. Take care
Dad: Dad, I looooooved the pictures and it made me reeeeeeeeeeallly want to go to China. Man! You have no idea how jealous I was to see those pictures. ESPECIALLY the one of the Bruce Lee statue. I absolutely love that statue. In fact I drew it in art class once. I love how it's right there on the pier as well. UGH! I'll stop thinking about it now ^_^;.
Thanks for the pictures. I was in fact able to see them, however I don't have a flash drive. I'm thinking of getting some so that we can send it back and forth. I might send my SD card as well so you guys can get those pictures on the computer or disc or whatever.
Glad to hear you enjoyed playing for Al. Jumping in the pool sounds like something really nice. Too bad I have to wait to do that T_T. Oh well. Hope you have a great week dad. I love you so much!
Rachel: Well well well, the time of your B-day has come. 17 anos (the "n" is supposed to have a little sguigle over it) Just enjoy each year as it comes sis. It's gonna go by quick. I hope that my package will be able to make it in time for you birthday. If not, it will still be good. Plus the card will make more sense too ;). Heheh, I bet you will love it. I hope all is going well for you sis. I love you so much.
Grandpa: Well mom let me know that Grandpa is getting a little tribute soon so I'll just write some words about him. As many time as I have seen Grandpa there had never been a time where he ever raised his voice, got angry, or upset. He always has a wonderful smile on his face, and a wonderful attitude too. He seems to be happy and content in whatever situation he is in. He also never hisitates to bear his testimony and to give advice that I know is directly from the Lord himself. He trully is an inspirational and loving man. He is someone who loves his Heavenly Father, and His children so much. I know that's probably why he was a high school counsuler, so that he could share his love and give comfort and counsul to those in need. Grandpa has taught me that I should always look at the big picture. The things that matter the most, which is the love of my Heavenly Father and the love of my Family. Thank you Grandpa. Your quiete and gentle disposition has always invited the spirit wherever you went. The last and finally things I will always remember of Grandpa are two phrases that I charish every where I go. Whether it's his turn during Mexican Train, or it's time to go whenever he utters the words "Ok! Troops!" It brings a smile to my face each time. I will always remember whenever I leave to house to always "Watch for the other guy!" As well, because that is definately true. I love you Grandpa, and I hope all your days are happy and full of the love and comfort of the Holy Ghost.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Sunday, June 6, 2010
"...I herrowly escaped a slushy..."
Heeey Family!
So this week was pretty crazy. Lots of things happened.
First my companions bike chain broke. Bogus dude! But, we've commited 3 people with a baptismal date! WOOOT! ^(^o^)^ (<--- that is a simey with his hands in the air) It's so amazin how much more success I'm finding in this area. It's really great to see so many progressing. This place trully is blessed. I believe it's due to the ward being so much more unified and so concerned and passionate about missionary work. It's awesome
So besides those people. There is this one lady Varanica who is a traveling nurse for a members daughter, who is mentally disabled. She was very receptive and when she prayed to know if these things were true and if she should get baptized (by the way, she prayed in spanish because she felt more comfortable doing so) she got her answer right then and there. We asked how she felt and she told us she felt like she was floating. The most touching and amazing thing abou that experience was even though I didn't understand everything I felt the Spirit hit me like a brick wall. It was so awesome and I loved it. I also caught that she wanted to share what she was learning with her family, and we let her know how to go about doing that. It was really great, sadly we have to hand her over to Spanish Elders since her family speaks spanish and she isn't even in our area. No poaching for us ^_^;. It was really cool
Speaking of Spanish work. I got to be in a spanish area for a day! Woot! Me and Elder Davis served the day on exchanges. It was pretty strange and very nerve wracking because me and him were both gringos who were still tryin to learn spanish. Luckily we had lots of help from people who were bilingual who happened to be around us. For the most part I think I did pretty good. I'm at that stage where I can pretty much pick out the main topic of discussion and add a comment here and there. I know I have a long way to go, and I bet bein in a Spanish area where I practice every day will help 10 times a much. So yeah that was pretty cool
On a lighter note there are SOOO MANY ICE CREAM TRUCKS HERE! Every corner you take there is another ice cream truck. My companion says there are going to be more since school is out. Ohh man! The best part is some of them have sick gangsta drum beats playing over the typical ice cream truck tunes. So imagine the ice cream truck tune that we always heard in Georgia (The one where I'm screaming "DAAADDDDYYY!!!" in the famous home video of ours) and add a Gangsta beat to it and you got Lancaster Ice Cream trucks. I like to calm them "Gangsta Cream trucks" It's pretty thug nasty man! XD
Also I nerrowly escaped a slushy that was thrown at me! Can you believe it! Ohhh man I thought it was soo halerious. Pretty much we were walking to our dinner appointment and I just see this slushy cup wizz right over my head and hit the gutter on the street. My first thought was "No way! . . . That just happened!" I look up and see the car speeding off and yell "NICE TRY!!!!" Ohhh how I laughed and laughed. I should have picked up the slushy and drank it. It looked like no one drank out of it at all. Jokes on them! They just wasted a slushy! I wrote about this in my journal and I believe my words at the end of the entry was "I have to admit I would have been pretty pissed if I got hit, but I didn't because they were newbs and missed!" XD Ohhh good times. Being a missionary brings such funny attention sometimes! ^_^
Well that's pretty much all I can think of right. Time for some 1 on 1 action!
Dad: Heeey glad you made it back to the good ol' US of A! I am soooo jealous that you saw the Bruce Lee Statue in Hong Kong. I've actually seen many pictures of that statue and I think it's the coolest statue in the whole intire world. If I could get my hands on a huge poster of it I would post it up in our mission pad. That's pretty sweet though. Glad you got to eat some expensive steaks at Wooloomooloo. I bet that was a fun sign to look at.
So you asked if we do any group activities on P-day. Well I guess I forgot to mention that we went to a place called The Devils Punchbowl. I took a couple of pictures and I will send 3 (since that's the most I can attatch). It was really awesome and it was nice to hike around again, because I absolutely love hiking. It was really cool because it was a whole new invironment, completely different from the thick forests of Georgia. Other than that I have never did any cool group activity like that ever. Back in Burbank we tried to go to the LA Zoo, but something came up and we weren't able to go. It was a drag. Plus I heard from some of the members that it wasn't that impressive of a zoo anyway. Oh well. I still had fun playin baskitball and stuff. I wish I could've gone to the Holywood sign in Burbank or took some pictures of Nickolodean or WB studios. Oh well, maybe next tim ^_^;. But yeah, I am pretty close to the North Edwards base. It's not in my ward area, but it is in my mission so we can go if we wanted to. Also we got some sweet hook-ups at the Jethawks baseball field so we may go to a couple of those games as well. As for tennis, Elder Finch seems to have really gotten into tennis. he says he's gotten pretty good (besides his serve) so I hope to play with him pretty soon. We also have a couple of investigators who like to play as well. I'm gonna try my best to get as much practice so I can come back ready to beat you dad :P. heheh ^_^.
Welp, I hope you don't suffer to much from jetlag anymore. I hope Brian can catch a break as well. I will keep him in my prayers. Father's day is comin up and I just want to say that I am absolutely greatful for all that you have given me dad. I look at the frame and seeing us at the Aquarium and on our way to Memphis Tennessee to go to my freaky furry convention :P. I just appreciate how much you support me and how much you care about me. I even remember you tryin your absolute hardest to keep me happy on the weekends when I was a little kid and anxious do something with you. I kind of feel bad for treating you like some kind of activities coordinator ^_^;, but your patience and your love trully showed during those slightly difficult times. I once again wish I would've taken more advantage to spend more time with you, but it's not to late. I absolutely can't wait to come home and play tennis with you again. Until then Take Care Dad! I love you!
Mom: Alright mom glad to hear that you got a little memorial day break! I hope everything is going good for you at work as usual. Seems like Rachel is really doing great now that she's out of school and passed Algebra! Way to go Rachel :D! I also can't believe she's turning 17. I remember when I was that age ^_^;.
Try not to be to scared about me or worry about me to much. I don't think I have had that much adversity at all. I have been prepared and taught well to continue forth. As for the cops comin in and questioning me at 2:00 AM, I thought that was halerious! You have no need to worry to much. I suppose it's just the mom in you ^_^;. I'll be sure to keep in mind if I need any prayers about anything specific, but right now everything is A-Ok. just like fonzee says "AIEEEEE!" ^_^ heheh.
I'm also glad to hear that you enjoyed Sis. White's e-mail. I thought it was really touchin too when she wanted to get your contact information. She called me nonstop trying to find your e-mail and your facebook and everything. I think it's because she has had her son go on a mission before and she just wants to let all the missionarie's moms know that their sons are alright. She is a very nice lady and the ward I'm working in is very united and very much centered around missionary work. I believe that is why we are having so much success out here.
Oh and one more thing. I was watchin the videos on my frame again and I just love the one of you guys wishing me a Marry Christmas. My favorite part is when you said "I just want my two front teethe . . . ." and then you sit there for a while and then start shoutin "OK! I'M SORRY! I'M NOT FUNNY!" Mom when I hear you shout that I laugh sooooo hard! See, I've learned that bein funny isn't something that's forced. It's a natural occurance. You executed it very well mom. You are funny, and I love you for it ^_^
Well that's all I can think of. Thank you so much Mom, for everything. I love you very much
Rachel: Racheeeeeeel GAMMIE LETTERS NOOOOAA. I EAT YO FACE! Heheheh, I'm messin with you :P. I know you are busy, try not to fret.
Anyway your gonna be a big BAD SENIOR! Wooot! Also your going to be 17. Man! I can't believe it! I remember being that age. This is crazy. I hope you have a really good summer. Mom tells me you guys are goin up to Utah to hit up the clubs. Try to be safe and don't take any strange pills that strangers give out at the sweet rave parties. Ok I'm done joking :P heheh ^_^;. Let me know how the EFY thing goes. I know how much you love EFY. You gotta try to get into the talent show and film it! You got talent Rachel weather you believe it or not :P. Anyway glad to hear everything is goin well for you (passin Algebra and stuff *high 5*) and I hope everything is going good with good ol' Brady. I hope you have an awesome birthday and that all your wildest dreams come true on that day. I love you so much Sis. Can't wait see you again! All grown up :O.
Well once again that's it for this week. Have an EXCELLENT WEEK *GUITAR SOLO*
-Elder Clark
So this week was pretty crazy. Lots of things happened.
First my companions bike chain broke. Bogus dude! But, we've commited 3 people with a baptismal date! WOOOT! ^(^o^)^ (<--- that is a simey with his hands in the air) It's so amazin how much more success I'm finding in this area. It's really great to see so many progressing. This place trully is blessed. I believe it's due to the ward being so much more unified and so concerned and passionate about missionary work. It's awesome
So besides those people. There is this one lady Varanica who is a traveling nurse for a members daughter, who is mentally disabled. She was very receptive and when she prayed to know if these things were true and if she should get baptized (by the way, she prayed in spanish because she felt more comfortable doing so) she got her answer right then and there. We asked how she felt and she told us she felt like she was floating. The most touching and amazing thing abou that experience was even though I didn't understand everything I felt the Spirit hit me like a brick wall. It was so awesome and I loved it. I also caught that she wanted to share what she was learning with her family, and we let her know how to go about doing that. It was really great, sadly we have to hand her over to Spanish Elders since her family speaks spanish and she isn't even in our area. No poaching for us ^_^;. It was really cool
Speaking of Spanish work. I got to be in a spanish area for a day! Woot! Me and Elder Davis served the day on exchanges. It was pretty strange and very nerve wracking because me and him were both gringos who were still tryin to learn spanish. Luckily we had lots of help from people who were bilingual who happened to be around us. For the most part I think I did pretty good. I'm at that stage where I can pretty much pick out the main topic of discussion and add a comment here and there. I know I have a long way to go, and I bet bein in a Spanish area where I practice every day will help 10 times a much. So yeah that was pretty cool
On a lighter note there are SOOO MANY ICE CREAM TRUCKS HERE! Every corner you take there is another ice cream truck. My companion says there are going to be more since school is out. Ohh man! The best part is some of them have sick gangsta drum beats playing over the typical ice cream truck tunes. So imagine the ice cream truck tune that we always heard in Georgia (The one where I'm screaming "DAAADDDDYYY!!!" in the famous home video of ours) and add a Gangsta beat to it and you got Lancaster Ice Cream trucks. I like to calm them "Gangsta Cream trucks" It's pretty thug nasty man! XD
Also I nerrowly escaped a slushy that was thrown at me! Can you believe it! Ohhh man I thought it was soo halerious. Pretty much we were walking to our dinner appointment and I just see this slushy cup wizz right over my head and hit the gutter on the street. My first thought was "No way! . . . That just happened!" I look up and see the car speeding off and yell "NICE TRY!!!!" Ohhh how I laughed and laughed. I should have picked up the slushy and drank it. It looked like no one drank out of it at all. Jokes on them! They just wasted a slushy! I wrote about this in my journal and I believe my words at the end of the entry was "I have to admit I would have been pretty pissed if I got hit, but I didn't because they were newbs and missed!" XD Ohhh good times. Being a missionary brings such funny attention sometimes! ^_^
Well that's pretty much all I can think of right. Time for some 1 on 1 action!
Dad: Heeey glad you made it back to the good ol' US of A! I am soooo jealous that you saw the Bruce Lee Statue in Hong Kong. I've actually seen many pictures of that statue and I think it's the coolest statue in the whole intire world. If I could get my hands on a huge poster of it I would post it up in our mission pad. That's pretty sweet though. Glad you got to eat some expensive steaks at Wooloomooloo. I bet that was a fun sign to look at.
So you asked if we do any group activities on P-day. Well I guess I forgot to mention that we went to a place called The Devils Punchbowl. I took a couple of pictures and I will send 3 (since that's the most I can attatch). It was really awesome and it was nice to hike around again, because I absolutely love hiking. It was really cool because it was a whole new invironment, completely different from the thick forests of Georgia. Other than that I have never did any cool group activity like that ever. Back in Burbank we tried to go to the LA Zoo, but something came up and we weren't able to go. It was a drag. Plus I heard from some of the members that it wasn't that impressive of a zoo anyway. Oh well. I still had fun playin baskitball and stuff. I wish I could've gone to the Holywood sign in Burbank or took some pictures of Nickolodean or WB studios. Oh well, maybe next tim ^_^;. But yeah, I am pretty close to the North Edwards base. It's not in my ward area, but it is in my mission so we can go if we wanted to. Also we got some sweet hook-ups at the Jethawks baseball field so we may go to a couple of those games as well. As for tennis, Elder Finch seems to have really gotten into tennis. he says he's gotten pretty good (besides his serve) so I hope to play with him pretty soon. We also have a couple of investigators who like to play as well. I'm gonna try my best to get as much practice so I can come back ready to beat you dad :P. heheh ^_^.
Welp, I hope you don't suffer to much from jetlag anymore. I hope Brian can catch a break as well. I will keep him in my prayers. Father's day is comin up and I just want to say that I am absolutely greatful for all that you have given me dad. I look at the frame and seeing us at the Aquarium and on our way to Memphis Tennessee to go to my freaky furry convention :P. I just appreciate how much you support me and how much you care about me. I even remember you tryin your absolute hardest to keep me happy on the weekends when I was a little kid and anxious do something with you. I kind of feel bad for treating you like some kind of activities coordinator ^_^;, but your patience and your love trully showed during those slightly difficult times. I once again wish I would've taken more advantage to spend more time with you, but it's not to late. I absolutely can't wait to come home and play tennis with you again. Until then Take Care Dad! I love you!
Mom: Alright mom glad to hear that you got a little memorial day break! I hope everything is going good for you at work as usual. Seems like Rachel is really doing great now that she's out of school and passed Algebra! Way to go Rachel :D! I also can't believe she's turning 17. I remember when I was that age ^_^;.
Try not to be to scared about me or worry about me to much. I don't think I have had that much adversity at all. I have been prepared and taught well to continue forth. As for the cops comin in and questioning me at 2:00 AM, I thought that was halerious! You have no need to worry to much. I suppose it's just the mom in you ^_^;. I'll be sure to keep in mind if I need any prayers about anything specific, but right now everything is A-Ok. just like fonzee says "AIEEEEE!" ^_^ heheh.
I'm also glad to hear that you enjoyed Sis. White's e-mail. I thought it was really touchin too when she wanted to get your contact information. She called me nonstop trying to find your e-mail and your facebook and everything. I think it's because she has had her son go on a mission before and she just wants to let all the missionarie's moms know that their sons are alright. She is a very nice lady and the ward I'm working in is very united and very much centered around missionary work. I believe that is why we are having so much success out here.
Oh and one more thing. I was watchin the videos on my frame again and I just love the one of you guys wishing me a Marry Christmas. My favorite part is when you said "I just want my two front teethe . . . ." and then you sit there for a while and then start shoutin "OK! I'M SORRY! I'M NOT FUNNY!" Mom when I hear you shout that I laugh sooooo hard! See, I've learned that bein funny isn't something that's forced. It's a natural occurance. You executed it very well mom. You are funny, and I love you for it ^_^
Well that's all I can think of. Thank you so much Mom, for everything. I love you very much
Rachel: Racheeeeeeel GAMMIE LETTERS NOOOOAA. I EAT YO FACE! Heheheh, I'm messin with you :P. I know you are busy, try not to fret.
Anyway your gonna be a big BAD SENIOR! Wooot! Also your going to be 17. Man! I can't believe it! I remember being that age. This is crazy. I hope you have a really good summer. Mom tells me you guys are goin up to Utah to hit up the clubs. Try to be safe and don't take any strange pills that strangers give out at the sweet rave parties. Ok I'm done joking :P heheh ^_^;. Let me know how the EFY thing goes. I know how much you love EFY. You gotta try to get into the talent show and film it! You got talent Rachel weather you believe it or not :P. Anyway glad to hear everything is goin well for you (passin Algebra and stuff *high 5*) and I hope everything is going good with good ol' Brady. I hope you have an awesome birthday and that all your wildest dreams come true on that day. I love you so much Sis. Can't wait see you again! All grown up :O.
Well once again that's it for this week. Have an EXCELLENT WEEK *GUITAR SOLO*
-Elder Clark
Friday, June 4, 2010
Elder Pyro in the Desert
Heeeeeeey Family!
Weeeeeellll wellll welll. I'm here in the El Dorado ward in Lancaster California (Otherwise known as Sand-Blaster California) ! My new companion is Elder Finch!
So I'm in yet another English speaking bike area. It doesn't matter to me though. I'm still trying my best to keep up with my spanish and I'm still loving the work. Elder Finch is a pretty cool guy. He's from Spanish Forks Utah and he enjoys all the redneck stuff (hunting fishing etc) and he's pretty chill to be around.
My area is so much different than Burbank. Burbank was a bustling city full of life, whereas Lancaster is much like Georgia except with no trees whatsoever and lots and lots of sand. It's a DESERT! I really like the sights though. It's vast and you can see the mountains in the distance. I love it a lot. One thing that I noticed immediately that it is Soooooo windy! hence the nickname "Sand-Blaster" California. It's not bad, but it's pretty tough to bike against. Feels like i'm "Runnin against the wind" (heheh sorry had to drop that line :P).
Another difference is that we have Soooo many investigators. Burbank was a very tough area trying to find people and get investigators that would progress, but here we have many options. My companion says that they had had at least 1 baptism per transfer. It's pretty awesome! So far I've met a couple and they are very nice people. 2 of them are black which is pretty awesome because I have not seen a black person for 6 months! heh ^_^;.
One day we stumbled upon one of our investigators and his family having a "prayer service" The main guy invited us in to join and we agreed. We walk in to this intense prayer where this lady is shouting at god to end the corruption and to fix the country to help the people that they know that are in trouble. They also recognize that it's by his will and thanks him for things they have in this life. While one person is praying there were numerous of people shouting phrases like "Amen" "Yes Lord" "By the Blood of Jesus" "Hallelujah!" and so on. It was crazy! Yet strangly powerful. I kind of had that feeling of the spirit, because they trully wanted to believe the truth, and they trully wanted what was best for all people, the problem was is that they don't have the fullness. It was still nice to sit in and experience this craziness, and to see the unity they all had as the ended the prayer service with all of them singing in perfect harmony a hymn I didn't recognize. They gave each other hugs and even gave me and my companion hugs. It was very touching and they were a bunch of very nice black people ^_^. We taught Loren, the son afterwards who has been investigating the church for a while now. He seems very influenced of the traditions of his parents, but he's still willing to try. I hope he does, even though it may be hard, I know it will make him happy.
So anyway besides that happening. We also had an interesting night when some cops decided to barge in! One of the Elders we're living with, Elder VanValkenburg (V for short) opened the door to a gun in his face. He was handcuffed and put into the car. They asked Elder V who else was in the house and he said it was just a bunch kids in there. He told how old we were and then one of the cops yelled "THey're not kids! They're adults. GET 'EM BOB!" They searched the house and woke me and Elder Finch asking "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" "sleeping?" I answered " . . . Ok go back to bed!" they ordered. I had no idea it was the cops until I woke up later and ask elder V what was going on. Apparantly some of our neighbors falsely accused us of beating up a black lady and dragging her into the house. The cops let us all go and called it good. Wooow what a crazy night. Welcome to Lancaster ^_^;;. We suspect it had something to do with the Lancaster Baptists. Yeah, there are a LOT of them out here. It's really interesting the kind of religious backrounds people have here compared to Burbank. Anyway Lancaster Baptist church is a HUMONGOUS church that absolutely HATE Mormons. Ahhh geez ^_^;;. I'm sure I'll be alright though. There are a lot of people that like us more than the people that hate us. After all we are having lots of success here. I suppose it's because people are more humble here.
Well those are pretty much the highlights. I hope you all are doing well.
Here is my address by the way <44230 20th St East #1 Lancaster CA 93535>
Mom: Glad thins are still going well with work. Every time you mention DFS I miss it soooo much ^_^;. I'm glad that you are keeping busy enough to keep yourself occupied. Dad mentioned this in one of his letters that a mission life tends to really get you prepared to have good work ethic and things, and I believe it. From 6:30 to 9:30 it's work work work, and I love it. The days pretty much fly by. So I've pretty much learned that I prefer to be busy wrather than just sitting around and vegetating all the time (heheh "vegetating, don't ask. I think it's a funny word for some reason :P). So anyway I am SOOOOO jealous that I didn't get to see Rachel perform Bohemian Rhapsody. UGH! Do you have film of it or anything? Cause I am DYING to see it! If you can't don't sweat it at all ^_^;. Also glad to hear that Rachel is passin Algabra. I'm pretty sure that was the angels themselves singing when that happened. Congradulate Rachel for me and let her know to keep it up!
Well I sure love you. My new address is 44230 20th St East #1 Lancaster CA 93535 in case that your wanting to know. Hope all goes well for you. I love you so much!
Dad: Sounds like things are going good in China. I'm am once again jealous that you got to go to my dream trip yet again -_-. Heheh, glad you are enjoying the bustling city, and are getting a lot done there in Shenzhen. If you can try to send some pictures. I absolutely love the busy environment, and I'm curious to see how Shenzhen is. Well that's pretty much all I can say for now ^_^;. Hope everything is doing alright. I love you Dad!
Rachel: "If I'm not back again this time tommarow carry ooooon carry ooooon. It doesn't really matteerrrrr!" Ohhhh man RACHEL! You ROOOOCK \m/ >.< \m/. I asked mom if she could send me that video. If she can't you gotta! Anyway I'm so happy to hear that, and also that your passing Algebra *HIGH 5*!!! I'm so proud of you Rachel. I hope you continue to make good decisions in life, and that when I get back we can totally go to a Paramore concert or go party it up somewhere! I'm so excited for that day ^_^.
Anyway Just to mention one thing. I thought it was interesting how Mom mentioned your concert was kind of like a show instead of just kids standing around and singing. That's pretty interesting because in Burbank high school there is a thing called Show Choir, where they pretty much do that sort of thing all the time. The students also get an opportunity to coriograph the dances and things as well. I got to see some videos of their performances and they were spectacular. It's supposedly the finest show choir in all of the United States. I suppose that that's the kind of talent you find in Burbank where so many people are in the show biz. Well that's about it. Hope all is goin well for ya sis. I love you soooo much! talk to you later.
(Rachel P.S. "I'm not fallin for it Yomi. Flying dear don't exist! Your trying to trick me!!")
Well that's it everyone. Can't wait too see what this week holds. Until then!
-Elder Clark
P.S. Angela: just two kittens . . . *sob* . . . out on the stroll
Weeeeeellll wellll welll. I'm here in the El Dorado ward in Lancaster California (Otherwise known as Sand-Blaster California) ! My new companion is Elder Finch!
So I'm in yet another English speaking bike area. It doesn't matter to me though. I'm still trying my best to keep up with my spanish and I'm still loving the work. Elder Finch is a pretty cool guy. He's from Spanish Forks Utah and he enjoys all the redneck stuff (hunting fishing etc) and he's pretty chill to be around.
My area is so much different than Burbank. Burbank was a bustling city full of life, whereas Lancaster is much like Georgia except with no trees whatsoever and lots and lots of sand. It's a DESERT! I really like the sights though. It's vast and you can see the mountains in the distance. I love it a lot. One thing that I noticed immediately that it is Soooooo windy! hence the nickname "Sand-Blaster" California. It's not bad, but it's pretty tough to bike against. Feels like i'm "Runnin against the wind" (heheh sorry had to drop that line :P).
Another difference is that we have Soooo many investigators. Burbank was a very tough area trying to find people and get investigators that would progress, but here we have many options. My companion says that they had had at least 1 baptism per transfer. It's pretty awesome! So far I've met a couple and they are very nice people. 2 of them are black which is pretty awesome because I have not seen a black person for 6 months! heh ^_^;.
One day we stumbled upon one of our investigators and his family having a "prayer service" The main guy invited us in to join and we agreed. We walk in to this intense prayer where this lady is shouting at god to end the corruption and to fix the country to help the people that they know that are in trouble. They also recognize that it's by his will and thanks him for things they have in this life. While one person is praying there were numerous of people shouting phrases like "Amen" "Yes Lord" "By the Blood of Jesus" "Hallelujah!" and so on. It was crazy! Yet strangly powerful. I kind of had that feeling of the spirit, because they trully wanted to believe the truth, and they trully wanted what was best for all people, the problem was is that they don't have the fullness. It was still nice to sit in and experience this craziness, and to see the unity they all had as the ended the prayer service with all of them singing in perfect harmony a hymn I didn't recognize. They gave each other hugs and even gave me and my companion hugs. It was very touching and they were a bunch of very nice black people ^_^. We taught Loren, the son afterwards who has been investigating the church for a while now. He seems very influenced of the traditions of his parents, but he's still willing to try. I hope he does, even though it may be hard, I know it will make him happy.
So anyway besides that happening. We also had an interesting night when some cops decided to barge in! One of the Elders we're living with, Elder VanValkenburg (V for short) opened the door to a gun in his face. He was handcuffed and put into the car. They asked Elder V who else was in the house and he said it was just a bunch kids in there. He told how old we were and then one of the cops yelled "THey're not kids! They're adults. GET 'EM BOB!" They searched the house and woke me and Elder Finch asking "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" "sleeping?" I answered " . . . Ok go back to bed!" they ordered. I had no idea it was the cops until I woke up later and ask elder V what was going on. Apparantly some of our neighbors falsely accused us of beating up a black lady and dragging her into the house. The cops let us all go and called it good. Wooow what a crazy night. Welcome to Lancaster ^_^;;. We suspect it had something to do with the Lancaster Baptists. Yeah, there are a LOT of them out here. It's really interesting the kind of religious backrounds people have here compared to Burbank. Anyway Lancaster Baptist church is a HUMONGOUS church that absolutely HATE Mormons. Ahhh geez ^_^;;. I'm sure I'll be alright though. There are a lot of people that like us more than the people that hate us. After all we are having lots of success here. I suppose it's because people are more humble here.
Well those are pretty much the highlights. I hope you all are doing well.
Here is my address by the way <44230 20th St East #1 Lancaster CA 93535>
Mom: Glad thins are still going well with work. Every time you mention DFS I miss it soooo much ^_^;. I'm glad that you are keeping busy enough to keep yourself occupied. Dad mentioned this in one of his letters that a mission life tends to really get you prepared to have good work ethic and things, and I believe it. From 6:30 to 9:30 it's work work work, and I love it. The days pretty much fly by. So I've pretty much learned that I prefer to be busy wrather than just sitting around and vegetating all the time (heheh "vegetating, don't ask. I think it's a funny word for some reason :P). So anyway I am SOOOOO jealous that I didn't get to see Rachel perform Bohemian Rhapsody. UGH! Do you have film of it or anything? Cause I am DYING to see it! If you can't don't sweat it at all ^_^;. Also glad to hear that Rachel is passin Algabra. I'm pretty sure that was the angels themselves singing when that happened. Congradulate Rachel for me and let her know to keep it up!
Well I sure love you. My new address is 44230 20th St East #1 Lancaster CA 93535 in case that your wanting to know. Hope all goes well for you. I love you so much!
Dad: Sounds like things are going good in China. I'm am once again jealous that you got to go to my dream trip yet again -_-. Heheh, glad you are enjoying the bustling city, and are getting a lot done there in Shenzhen. If you can try to send some pictures. I absolutely love the busy environment, and I'm curious to see how Shenzhen is. Well that's pretty much all I can say for now ^_^;. Hope everything is doing alright. I love you Dad!
Rachel: "If I'm not back again this time tommarow carry ooooon carry ooooon. It doesn't really matteerrrrr!" Ohhhh man RACHEL! You ROOOOCK \m/ >.< \m/. I asked mom if she could send me that video. If she can't you gotta! Anyway I'm so happy to hear that, and also that your passing Algebra *HIGH 5*!!! I'm so proud of you Rachel. I hope you continue to make good decisions in life, and that when I get back we can totally go to a Paramore concert or go party it up somewhere! I'm so excited for that day ^_^.
Anyway Just to mention one thing. I thought it was interesting how Mom mentioned your concert was kind of like a show instead of just kids standing around and singing. That's pretty interesting because in Burbank high school there is a thing called Show Choir, where they pretty much do that sort of thing all the time. The students also get an opportunity to coriograph the dances and things as well. I got to see some videos of their performances and they were spectacular. It's supposedly the finest show choir in all of the United States. I suppose that that's the kind of talent you find in Burbank where so many people are in the show biz. Well that's about it. Hope all is goin well for ya sis. I love you soooo much! talk to you later.
(Rachel P.S. "I'm not fallin for it Yomi. Flying dear don't exist! Your trying to trick me!!")
Well that's it everyone. Can't wait too see what this week holds. Until then!
-Elder Clark
P.S. Angela: just two kittens . . . *sob* . . . out on the stroll
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