We had zone conference on Wednesday, which was really good. Right now in our mission, we have had 50 new missionaries over the last 2 transfers, so that is 100 trainer/trainees of the 130 missionaries in our mission- so zone conference was on some of the basics of our mission and our mission culture. There were a lot of really good things talked about and reminders. It's great too, because we do role play, and as you apply them, you really learn so much about what works, and what doesn't. We were shown a video of Elder Bednar, and man, was that great! Such a strong Spirit! And we got flu shots while we were there, too. I didn't even cry.
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| Zone conference |
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| Role playing at zone conference |
Thursday and Friday were some really good working days. Doing what we can to find more people that have been or are being prepared by God to receive the fullness of Christ's gospel. We were able to have a lesson with the two people that we're teaching that are on date for baptism too, and really helped them and cleared some things up for them as well.
Saturday was a really great day! There were two baptisms in our zone, so we were in charge of filling the font. Then the time came, and we got to travel down to good ol' Woodland Hills to see Tabatha get baptized. Tabatha is one that I had the chance to help teach while I was there. It was good to see the other missionaries who had taught her as well, as well as the great ward that it is. Elder Horito and I had the chance to be the witnesses for it, while Brother Shorey, the member that introduced her to the Gospel, baptized her. Right after the ordinance, we had to scadattle out of there. We then had to drive to Burbank for the baptism of our good friend Robert, who is the one that we taught up here in Wiley Canyon , but eventually passed off to other missionaries. It was a great turnout for the baptism. I had the wonderful opportunity to perform the ordinance for Robert, and when we got out of the font, he turned to me and said. "I feel that burning in my heart that everyone talks about." It was so awesome to hear that! He bore his testimony afterwards as well, and told his conversion story , how he came in contact with us, and then whipped of the Book of Mormon and testified of it! What I felt was something similar to what a proud parent would of their kids. It was so cool to see him go from agnostic to having faith and a testimony of Jesus Christ and the plan that God has for each of us. I know the Book of Mormon can do the same for anyone who pursue's the course of reading it, pondering it's message, and then asking God if it's true. IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
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| Baptism of Tabatha |
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| Baptism of Robert |
Sunday was good, church was good as usual. After church, we did an exchange. I went with Elder Kerr's trainee, Elder Neilsen, and we were in the Valencia area. We had a good knockout, until...we knocked a door that we both had a bad feeling about. No one answered after 2-3 knocks, and as we were leaving, Elder Neilsen was almost to the gate when I hear the door open, and I turned around to introduce us, and it was a naked man. Buck naked. He chased us off his property, yelling some very inappropriate things. I didn't know what to think after, and Elder Neilson was scared for his life, I'm pretty sure. What an interesting door...we had a good rest of exchange though.
So far today, we've got everything done that we've needed to. We had a little bit of extra time, and after a lot of begging we went to take a picture in front of Magic Mountain, which is the Six Flags park out here, for Elder Nykamp and Neilson. Little did we know, the road leading up to it, was just like Dodger stadium...the street turns right into the parking lot, where we were to pay $25. Boy was it weird to explain to the lady that we needed to turn around. Things are well though, so that's good.
We've got a busy week ahead of us this week, but busy is good right?
I love you all!
Elder Martin
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| Elder Martin and Elder Neilsen |
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| Adding a 'Book' to the community library |
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| Doodling while filling the font |
" 'You could have give me diamonds or rubies, but nothing is more precious to me than this additional knowledge about the Lord Jesus Christ.' How precious is the Book of Mormon to you? If you were offered diamonds or rubies or the Book of Mormon, which would you choose? Honestly, which is of greater worth to you? " Russell M. Nelson
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