There's No way it's been a year....

(Elder Page & Elder Anderson before church)

Hey There Everyone!

Hope the past week went well for all. Over here in California things are still going good. Suns been out, Summers back again, although it never left, and I can't complain. I can't believe it's already the 3rd week of this transfer with Elder Anderson. I swear it just doesn't slow down!

(p-day, email)

Things really are going great though! Me and Elder Anderson are getting to know each other better and better everyday, we are working in unity, we're having fun, and I feel like we are just doing what the Lord wants us to be doing everyday. Simply because we have just been blessed a boat load this week. Prepared people have just been falling outa the sky for us to teach. The Lord has just been putting us in the right places at the right time. For example we were walking down the street the other day and this family was unloading their car bringing groceries in and I can't tell you how many times I've offered to help people with their groceries and just been rejected over and over again. But I guess as a missionary its just something you do, Always offer help even when you think it might not happen. So we asked them if we could help them take some stuff in and They Actually let us Help! I almost couldn't believe it! So after we brought all of their things in we simply asked them if they'd ever talked with missionaries before and they said no. So we ended up teaching them and they are very receptive and sincere.

Another experience we had was with a Phillipino man named Ed. We saw him outside his house working on some stuff so we started talking to him, at first he was kinda shy, but the more we talked the more he opened up and even made the realization that his aunt is a member of the church and not only that but she goes to our ward! So we got him a Tagalog Book of Mormon and he said he will read it every night and wants to come to church with his aunt. We talked to his aunt yesterday at church and she was Sooo excited, and we're planning on going over tonight with her to see Ed, so hopefully things go well there.

(they could not resist the puppies)

I know this is a lot to take in, but there one for thing I want to share. There's this family the Sotelo's that missionaries have kind of talked to in the past but never really got around to teaching them. There's Adriana (the Mom) Brenda (17 year old daughter) And Alexa (11 year old daughter). Well, we went by to see if we could share a message with them and they were more than ready! We sat outside with them, they pulled up chairs for us and they listened intently. They were so focused on what we had to say and when we would ask them questions they would really think and answer from their hearts. The spirit was so strong! The lesson ended up going really well and we went back for a second time this past week with a member. The member and Adriana hit it off! The member also brought her 11 year old daughter so that worked out well. We ended up teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them, focusing on Faith, Repentance, Baptism, and The Gift of the Holy Ghost. To make a long story short, we had the member bear testimony, we had each of their daughters engaged and answering questions and the spirit was just so Thick! As soon as we felt like the spirit was prompting us we invited her to be baptized, and she said Yes! She told us that she wants nothing but the best for her family and she really feels like this Gospel and the church would be the place to find the peace and happiness she is looking for. Her date is August 8th, which is just before the start of the new transfer, so if everything goes well and Adriana is ready, me and Elder Anderson will both be here for it.

(a stray dog jumped in their car, looks like the dogs can't resist them either)

I have just felt So blessed over the past couple of weeks. It's just been Good (with a capital G). I know the Lord is Hastening his work, I know this work is true. And I'm grateful for the hard times I have had on my mission that have helped me be grateful for times like these and experiences like these. I'm Lovin' it! I'm praying things keep looking up for us, this area and the ward. Thank y'all for all the Love, support, prayers and examples. I can't ask for more.

(Long Beach)

Well, until next time, Godspeed!

Love, Elder Page

P.S. Congratulations Matt & Kimber. I'm Excited to Meet Mr. Jack. He will be a Stud.