Another Good Week In Cali...

This past week was filled with really neat experiences. The past few weeks its been a struggle to find new people to teach and so at the start of this week we made it a goal to find new investigators and to work hard with those we already have. We made sure that as we prayed for the help to find, we were willing to do everything to find those the Lord has prepared. I've learned this week that Faith to do anything takes action, it takes patience, and it takes hope that through faith things will happen according to the Lord's will. To make a couple of long stories short we ended up finding two new people that are both pretty interested, We talked to and taught both Roxanne and Sharee. They both are really open and willing and ready to learn. It was refreshing seeing that the Lord really does have people he prepares we just have to be willing to seek them out. "Seek and Ye Shall Find", was the reoccurring thought I had this week.

This week was a week of strengthening the ward here and it's members. It wasn't really a conscience effort we made, it felt like it just happened. It was natural. And it was Awesome to look back on the week and see all of the members we visited, had out teaching with us, and had dinner with, and to see the relationships we have with them being strengthen. I've realized more and more out here that our purpose really is to invite All to come unto Christ. That's literally everyone.

Daleen is doing really well. She is still making progress, she missed church yesterday which was a bummer, but hopefully we'll be have FHE with her and a family from the ward tonight. It really has been the small and simple things that have helped her over the past few weeks, and I know a huge help has been all of yall that have prayed and fasted for her. I know that things will work out in the end for Daleen.

Today, we are short on time so I dont have much more to say. I really am happy here doing the Lords work, thank all of you who have emailed me and given me words of encouragement and love. It really does make a difference. I'll hope to have more experiences to share next week, but until then,




Love, Elder Page

Fall is Finally Here...

Hello Everybody,

So I'll go ahead and start off by saying it's been a glorious week here in Southern California, because for the first time this year I've had to wear a sweater for three consecutive days! But really, the leaves are beginning to change, the air is changing. and it's dropped below 60*. Things are good here, I can't complain. One thing that hasn't gone that great this week has been my bike. After today I will have had to replace a popped tube 3 times! Its been one day after another. Lets just say we've done a lot of walking, haha. Which has been good, its given Elder Hart and I time to really just talk openly with each other. And of course more opportunities to talk with people we pass by. The Lord always seems to bless in ways we don't normally imagine. In fact some of our greatest blessing come disguised as curses, until our eyes are opened to His ways. The work is going really well, Daleen is continuing to progress, we had an fhe with her and an awesome family in our ward, the Gillilands. They've done an awesome job at fellow shipping Daleen. She's practically a part of their family now. We also had a fun dinner with a family from the ward, the Lozano's. Daleen really liked them. And the best part is is that they live right down the street from each other! And lastly, Daleen was able to come to a baptism of an 8 year old in the ward on Saturday. Half way through the baptism I looked over at Daleen, and she looked back, and had tears streaming down her face. So she enjoyed it. You can always count on baptisms to bring the spirit hard. Thank You All for the Prayers youve offered fro her, she needs them and has felt them. She thinks its the weirdest but coolest thing that we are doing a family 40 day fast. And it seemed to really touch her when I said people would be fasting for her.

A quick update on an investigator we've kinda had on the side for a while because he's been busy with work and out of town. His names Kevin, and He works for BMW and his last business trip ended up being quite the blessing. Before He left for Germany a few weeks ago we told him about general conf and said he could look up a church where he was at and watch it. Of course with work and everything we didnt actually think he would go and watch a session, but he proved us wrong. We finally caught him earlier this week and he had said he found the nearest stake center in Munich (where he was) and watch a session of conference! We were pretty shocked but told him how awesome it was that he did that! Kevin is pretty dang prepared but I don't think he knows it just yet. He is someone we plan on working closely with over the next couple weeks. It just goes to show that The Lord, (although its said a lot), truly is preparing people to receive the gospel. I am loving my mission, and things really are where I want them to be. I know God is looking out for me and those I love. I have been recently trying to count my blessings because I know I have been given a lot and if we show Heavenly father that we're sincerely grateful for the things we have already been given, he will eagerly and willingly bless us more. I Love Y'all! I Love Our Family and I can't wait to hear more news of whats going on with you next week. Keep things interesting! :) Until Next Time, Godspeed!

Love,
Elder Page

I love my mission with all my Hart...

Hey, Everybody!
This past week has been one of the best weeks of missionary work I've had a a good while! I cant think of a better way to start off the new transfer and My time with my new companion Elder Hart. We are already getting along great! He's a pretty quiet person for the most part but I've opened him up a little bit over the past week. When I does talk though its usually pretty funny, The Lord definitely knows who we need to be with and when. Its been different working with Elder Hart, but we seem to work well with each other and with the start of the new transfer I think I've kicked myself in the butt and have put my efforts into the higher gear. It feels good to look back on a week and know you gave it you all, set a good example for your companion and those around you and, had fun doing all of it! We made it a focus this week to have members involved more and to do more to rely on them in getting things done. Earlier in the week we had Alex, the kid that's about to leave on a mission in January come out with us to do some gardening service for our investigator Shirley. She then took us out for lunch and we had a good discussion on the need for scriptures these days, and its been awesome to see Shirleys attitude towards the book of Mormon change, she now talks about it like its one with the bible instead of our "Mormon bible". So progress definitely being made there! We did quite a bit of service this week for members of the ward too. yard work, redoing houses, and moving furniture. Its been a good way for elder hart to get to know the ward and for us to continue building relationships with them. I'm loving this ward, I really hope that we stay together till the end of the year. Daleen is doing really well. This past week was a hard one for her, but we made the extra push to just keep her on track, focus on her goals, and most of all rely on the savior. She came to church yesterday so that was Sweet! We are really making an effort to get her more involved with members of the ward, so she can feel loved and supported. So far the ward is responding well and this week we have something lined up for her Every day that will keep her on track and feeling the spirit. Including dinners with members, baptisms to attend, arp meetings twice this week, going to the beach to read scriptures, church and an fhe with a family from the ward tonight. Its honestly been exhausting working with Daleen, but I think that's why I have truly enjoyed helping her except and live the gospel over the past few months. Conversion isn't meant to be a piece of cake, but when it does occur you feel true Joy, and helping Daleen and being a part of her conversion has been such a blessing. Working with Daleen has taught me a lot of patience, I've become more understanding of how the savior must feel when we make the same mistakes over and over again but he's always there to pick us back up.

I've learned compassion, and I have really just had a greater appreciation for the gospel in my own life. Seeing Daleen get baptized will be the sweetest moment I've had yet on my mission, and I know she can make her date with continual help and effort. Please keep praying and fasting for her. We;re gonna get there with the Lords Help! Missionary has just been sweet this week, literally Sweet like sugar. And I know its because I've done a lot of relying on the Lord and trying my darndest at everything.

Well, I realize I've written quite a bit so I'll go ahead and finish up, but I Love Y'all, and thank you for keeping me in your prayers. I am lucky to have friends and family like you. I'm never alone here. I'm hopeful for things to come and cant wait to continue sharing my experiences! Until next week, tell all the nieces and nephews I love them (though I haven't met them) and give em kisses for me. Thanks! Godspeed!!!




Love, Elder Page

Ether 6:5-12...

So for this weeks email I just wanted to start by sharing something that I learned from my studies. I was reading in Ether 6 and as most of ya know Ive been studying the Book of Mormon and looking for ways the Lord is Merciful and this chapter really opened my eyes. In verse 5 it says, "And it came to pass that the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind." When I read that I first thought, man the Lord is purposefully sending waves and winds and storms their way, why in the world would he do that, maybe to try their faith... im not sure. And the more I thought about it, it occurred to me that it says, "Towards the Promise Land" The ferocious winds and the waves that tossed them were actuallt pushing them and leading them closer to where they wanted and needed to go! The spirit hit me So strong when I read that and came to that realization! A lot of times we think that trials are simply to stand as road blocks and and used to increase our faith, which they are. But here its pretty clear that the very trials that were beating down on them were Actually what got them to where they desired to go. The Lord Knows us, he knows what things will help us get to where we need to go, whether it be spiritually or literally, He Knows, and will get us there! I've really felt that the things that I've experienced and that have happened on my mission although sometimes may seem like meaningless hiccups are exactly what the lords planned for me to experience. And its those experiences that are molding me, shaping me, and helping me become the person I want to be, My Loved Ones want me and need me to be, and most of all who God wants and needs me to Become.

So that's my spiritual thought for the week. Now on to the Logistics! Haha, but really this week has been a good one. Our ward threw their Annual Halloween Party and it was Great! There were a lot of goofy costumes, and a lot of goofy members not dressed up in costumes. It was really fun, there was a chili cook off (Heartburn is Real), A guitar, banjo, and violin "sing along" (I Loved that) and of course trunk or treating. we obviously didn't have a car so people gave us a bucket of candy to walk around and hand out to kids. There were lots of no members there which is always good. Our investigator Shirley drove all the way to the church and called us a few times so we could walk in with her, but we didn't ever hear the phone and seen that she called till after the party was over, and by that time she had driven home. It kinda bummed us out, but the party was still fun and she said she'll come to the Christmas one in December. As far as other news goes... Elder Prisbreys getting Transferred :( We are both pretty sad. Its been some of the best weeks of my mission. I love Elder Prisbrey, he is definitely someone I will meet up with after the mission and hang out with. We are brothers for life. we have had experiences that have changed us and strengthened us forever. He will be going down to Huntington Beach YSA Ward, so he cant complain! As for me, I will be staying here in the Woodruff ward for another 6 weeks, and my new companion's Elder Hart, I don't know a whole lot about him. He is pretty new to the mission. He is Just getting out of training, so I'm hoping I don't corrupt him, Just kidding, I'm excited and ready to Love him and become friends with him. I know the Lord will use us as instruments in his hands to bring more people closer to him. I trust that things will be good and we will enjoy our time together! That's Pretty much it for the week guys, I'll clue you in on more things to come. God is Great, The Work is Good, and people are still crazy here in Long Beach, so I'm Lovin' It! Until Next week, Be safe and enjoy everyday!

Love, Elder Tory Steven Page