Some Martin Missionary Moments: The best decision ever, back to back exchanges, and conference

Hello everyone! I hope you all had an enjoyable week and were able to watch conference!

On Tuesday we went and did some service for some potential investigators. We kinda got our foot in the door. We are going back to help them in a week or so again, and then they want to take us out to eat. We went and played some baseball, but with a tennis ball and racket. It was pretty fun for about one inning, until everyone quit. It's chill though. We had another lesson with Tabatha as well. Before baptism, she just wanted to run through the Plan of Salvation and Restoration again, so we did that, and had her teach us the Plan of Salvation after.

Wednesday we had weekly planning again. We went and helped at the maternity home again as well. We had a good knockout, which is becoming a lot more enjoyable. Minus the heat. That's no bueno.

Thursday we had district meeting and we were able to sit in on Elder Cardinal's district. He gets it! He's such a solid missionary, and knows why he's here! Elder Clark and I also made an investment, with as much soda as we buy...we got the mega mugs at 7-11. Best decision ever. I would highly recommend it.

We also did an exchange with some of the Spanish Elders. I was with Elder Garner, working in Spanish work. The quickest way to shut me up? Spanish conversations. Pretty much every door we knocked, minus two, and dinner as well, I had nothing to say except, "Gracias Hermana"...we had a pretty cool miracle as well, where we hadn't planned on stopping by an investigator, but felt the need to. Turns out she was home and right as we got there, her husband pulled up (remember, as Elders we can't go inside unless an adult male is home). Elder Garner taught her and he says it went really well. All I caught was that she read from the Book of Mormon and prayed about it! That's all one needs for conversion.

Elder Garner and...a fridge?

Friday we did typical morning things, before doing another exchange. This time...with the assistants! Back to back exchanges. I was able to go back up to the other valley for the day. I got to work in Valencia with Elder Jensen! ; ) Just like the good ol' days! During knockout we were able to find a new investigator, which was neat. We taught about the Plan of Salvation, and testified of it. Said a prayer withe her, and she started crying throughout it. People are always being prepared! Since we were in Valencia, we hit Cafe Rio for dinner, the closest thing to my favorite, Costa Vida. We were also able to hit the mall booth for a little bit up there and talk with people. Always fun!

A healthy, refreshing snack

Saturday we got up and went back to Canoga Park A$AP to watch conference. Boy was it great! The talks were all so good! It's crazy how much you get out of it when you don't actually sleep through it! In between sessions, a guy in our ward offered to take us to lunch, We told him he didn't need to, but he insisted. He told us to invite a couple other missionaries as well. We met at the restaurant, and to our surprise...the whole showed up...I felt so bad! He insisted on buying for everyone. Went back for the next session, again, it was great!

Elders Clark, Nielsen, Martin, and Jensen

We exchanged back and was then with Elder Clark again. Priesthood session was good, and following that, we had a BBQ at the stake center for everyone that came, so we got dinner that night too! We had about an hour left of the night and didn't know what to do, since we didn't have time to plan, so we went to the basketball courts at our complex. It's interesting, there is this family, 3 brothers and their dad that are always there. We've made the deal if we win, we teach, but it never really got rolling. So we thought it'd be a good opportunity. After we played, they bounced pretty quick, but there is another kid that's always there as well, and we never really tried introducing the Gospel to him. So we did. Turns out, he's at a point in his life where he is questioning if God's really there and loves him. We were able to turn it into a lesson, read from the Book of Mormon with him, and pray with him. His name is Justin, and we meet with him again on Tuesday! The Lord knows what he's doing with His children. Justin had been around all along, but we were so focused on these other 4 individuals, it never hit us, until now.

Sunday went to the church for conference. Still really good. In between sessions, a member invited us over for brunch. It was a weird casserole...chicken and cheeze-it...It was kinda good, but odd. After the next session, we went out to work again. Not much success, but it was all good.

I'll attach some of my favorite quotes from conference:

"Come as you are, but don't plan to stay as you are." Elder Holland

"When we're complacent with our covenants, we're complicit to the consequences." ElderSabin

"Let go of the world, so we can hang on the Eternity." Elder Sabin

"Overcoming the world is treasuring the greatest commandment." Neil L. Anderson

"If we aren't kind to one another, we aren't honoring our priesthood." President Thomas S. Monson

"Walk with Christ-THEN, notice how he walks with us." President Henry B. Eyring

"Children are good imitators; give them something good to imitate." Sister Joy B. Jones

"Trust that He knows the way, because He IS the way." L. Whitney Clayton

"God can make of us, what we can't make of ourselves." C. Scott Grow

If you aren't already, follow the guidance we received from the Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, and read the Book of Mormon daily. It will bless your life greatly. Start with a desire, and when it grows, you'll know it's good, and from God.

I would also add, listen to, or re-listen to Elder Weatherford T. Clayton's talk.

I love you all, and miss you!

Elder Martin

P.S. Happy Birthday to my favorite niece, Mia, tomorrow!