Still "Sunny California"

New investigator, Helga.

Hello everyone!  Hopefully, all is going well so far at the beginning of this holiday season.  It's still "sunny California" here, still hitting the 90's.  This week we happened to be out of our own area quite a bit, but still got some things done.  We had a short little lesson with our investigator Juan this week.  We were able to answer some questions he had, all through teaching the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  On Tuesday we had MLC with all the zone leaders and sister training leaders, and so we didn't get too much time in our area aside from a little bit of knockout.

Wednesday we had our weekly planning session and were able to plan for all of our investigators and the things we can do to overcome their obstacles.  We had a couple lessons in the evening as well and had a really good one with Vince and Megan.  Vince is the one we talked to in the parking lot one day and turns out he's a member, but his wife wasn't, so we've been teaching them.  We've seen her heart softened as she's read the Book of Mormon.  I've loved seeing this change in people throughout my mission.

Thursday was district meeting and Friday was interviews.  Those are both great learning opportunities to see what we can improve on and become better advocates for the Lord in his work!

Saturday we did an exchange with the Assistants.  I was with Elder Smith, in their area, and we were able to find and teach all day!  It was awesome!  We saw miracle upon miracle and were able to find a couple of new people to teach and also put 2 individual on a date for baptism.  It was a long, hard working day, but so worth it, as it always is.  We truly can find joy in the service of the Lord!

Elder Smith, after the hard working day.

Sunday was a great day!  We had stake conference and there was a visiting general authority for the Church.  Elder Adilso De Paula Parrella came and spoke.  (He also spoke in General Conference a couple weeks ago.)  We were able to get VInce and Megan there as well.  We had members all set up to come and fellowship and sit with them and everything.  Not only that, we introduced them to Elder Parrella and he encouraged them to act on their feelings from the meeting.  It was such a cool experience, I won't forget!

We've got some good things rolling here in the Wiley Canyon Ward and in the Valencia Zone!

I hope all is going well for you, wherever you are.

I love you all!

Elder Martin

The view from the balcony.

"The Lord will reward and richly bless you as you humbly and prayerfully serve him.  More happiness awaits you than you have ever experienced as you labor among

 His children."  Preach My Gospel