Email after Christmas...

So, I find it hard to really know what to say after talking to everyone on Christmas. I guess I can say that I really appreciate everything that was said to me, words of encouragement, old jokes that were told, talk of the future, just everything left me feeling really good. I felt so much Love from everybody, and although we are (in distance) far apart, I felt closer to y'all than I ever have while being out here. It was the best Gift I received on Christmas! Scarlett and Jack were both looking adorable. Boy I cannot wait to play with those little babies and love 'em and kiss them than hug them when I get home. I've been an uncle for almost 18 months and I haven't even had the chance to spoil any of my nieces or nephews! All 4 of them better be ready for me when I get home.

One thing I realized I missed out on was being reunited with daisy. As soon as we ended the call I realized that I hadn't seen him and it made me pretty sad, but as long as he is still his cute fat self I can wait to see him in May. Tell him I miss him.

Anyway, as far as missionary work goes for this week, things I haven't already shared. we did get a chance to meet with Daleen the other day and it went really well. She read 2 Nephi 31 on her own and said that the Lord told her that she needs to be reading and praying more. And that's one thing that both Elder Hart and I had thought of going into the lesson, so it worked out perfectly. She knows that when she is doing the little things that make a big difference she is happier, she is better able to resist temptation and she is closer to baptism. So just keep praying that she will keep moving forward in faith.

We also had a chance to go back last night and teach the older couple Art and Libby, their 14 year old granddaughter was there as well (the sister of Sarah)(the one whose a member and referred us to Art and Libby) It went pretty well, we taught them the full blown plan of salvation lesson and the best part was is that it all made sense to them. we were helped by the spirit in asking good questions to get them thinking and that helped them understand everything that was shared. They agreed with it all, and it was a perfect way to lead into the Restoration talking about how we have the plan of salvation and why we need it. They invited us to come back next sunday and share some more and they already had a Book of Mormon so Libby said she would start reading it. Its always good to be able to share the gospel at its finest, the restoration, the Plan of Salvation, faith, repentance, baptism, holy ghost, and enduring to the end. The spirit ALWAYS Testifies of the truth and Both Libby and Art As well as Daleen and others that we are teaching feel that, and it makes me Happy, and I Know it makes the Lord Happy.

I Love You All A Ton, beyond words I can use to describe, especially from my vocabulary. But just know That I do and more than that I pray that y'all will feel it. Until Next week. Happy New Year! Bring It On 2016! Godspeed!!!

Love, Elder Page

Cold and Rainy in CA

Merry Christmas...

Hey Everybody!
I can't say I believe its Christmas this week already, but I guess it is. Man, the past month has flown by faster than any other I think. Its been a good week, partly because of the work that Elder hart and I have been able to do, partly because we had our mission Christmas Conference, and I think the other part is just because I know Christmas is right around the corner and my inner child is starting to come out! Christmas on the mission is unlike any other Christmas I've ever had and I cant believe its my second one. I'm excited for the time I'll have to spend with members, opening gifts, Christmas caroling as a zone, the time I'll get to Skype home, and of course just the spirit of not only acknowledging Christ, but sharing his gospel with others.

This week has been a lot of that. Just last night Elder hart and I experienced what I would consider a miracle. We had planned to visit a family from the ward and teach them and spend some time with them, unfortunately though they were running a little late, so we had this awkward 1/2 hour to kill. We were in the area that had an older couple living in it that had been referred to us about 2-3 months ago. We had been by there house multiple times but could never catch both of them there. They're special because, their own granddaughter actually referred them to us, and so its a nice lead in. Of all the people we could've stopped by we both felt that it was a good idea to stop by them and see if once and for all we can catch them both at home. We knocked on the door and sure enough they were both home, they invited us right on in, sat us down, and began feeding us Christmas Cookies and milk. We were both pretty full from dinner but ate and drank on. We talked with them for a bit, and whats crazy is that right as we had knocked on the door, the wife Libby was just finishing up a call with their granddaughter (the one who referred them to us). It was perfect timing. She said over the phone to her granddaughter, "The Elders Are here! The Elders Are Here" So we decided after getting to know them both a little better (Art & Libby) We watch the Savior is Born video with them and they loved it. After watching it we asked them how they felt and their responses were warm, tingly, at peace and so on. It was awesome! I almost felt like I was dreaming here, but I knew I wasn't. We asked them what other times in their life they've been able to feel the spirit of Christ and Libby instantly started to get emotional. She had explained that recently her cousin and Sister had passed away and its been hard to cope with it. We began Sharing a bit of the plan of salvation and the spirit was so strong. I could just tell by the look in their eyes that they knew that the words we were speaking were true and good. we said a prayer and set up another time to return and visit them next week.

I hope this little story wasn't too long, I hope y'all can see just how perfect everything played out. It goes to show that although our plans may not always work out the way we expect they always work out the way the Lord wants them to. And it will always be for our good and for others good. The Lord has prepared Libby and Art to receive the gospel, I know That Much! And its awesome to see my brothers and sister except it so willingly. That for me was the highlight of the week, so I don't see a need to say much more. All I know is that I am where I need to be, I am Happy , and that Heavenly father knows each of us, better than we know ourselves. He Loves us. Until Friday when I Skype Y'all, Godspeed!!!! Have A Great week and Merry Christmas!

Love, Elder Page

P.S. I'll get back to y'all later in the week as to when exactly we plan to Skype

Bronchitis...

A Week of Gratitude...

Oh My Goodness, where do I even begin with this week. This week has been Heaven Sent! I had to just write down the major things I wanted to mention because There's so much that's happened that I wanted to tell y'all about. To Start off, on Thanksgiving we had the chance to meet as a mission and were introduced to the new Christmas initiative the church has come out with. It was overall a really Awesome meeting, but what I really loved was at the end we sang "Because I Have Been Given Much" And as a room full of a couple hundred missionaries sang that together I couldn't help but tear up a little, because at that moment I realized among all of the things that could ever go wrong about life, if we put the Lord first his blessings will Always out weigh the hardships. I felt that while singing, I am So grateful for the many blessings the Lord has given me and the blessings I know he will continue to give as I'm faithful to him and his gospel. What A better way to show that I'm thankful than to share what I have with other, like the song says.

Speaking of Sharing, we went to the temple today and the spirit there was Strong not only around but I really could feel it within myself. The Lord really can and will give revelation to us and our lives if we ask for it. And This is something I really want for the people I'm teaching right now, is to feel even just a little bit of that same spirit. We've been able to work out with a couple of members in the ward to take Daleen and our other investigator Shirley to the La visitors center on the 14th of December. And the coolest part about it all is that we get to go with them! Its a new change in policy where as long as we are taking people, we can go! We're Super excited and so Daleen and Shirley.

Another really amazing opportunity to share the Gospel we got the week was, believe it or not, through the Boy Scouts in the area. Yep, good ol Boy SAcouts. So all of the local troops were doing a "commandment walk" this week. So they go to different churches in the area and they are taught about the 10 commandments. Elder Hart and I as well as the Sisters in the ward were put in charge to run the whole thing. We gave them a church tour (about 150+ people!) and then had everyone sit down in the chapel and we were lucky enough to teach the 6th commandment (Thou Shalt Not Kill) it was fun, haha. It gave us a really great chance to share out testimonies of the Restored gospel as the asked questions at the end, the spirit was doin' work! It was a really neat experience that I won't forget.

One of the last things, a while back I had shared an experience Elder Prisbrey and I had of finding and teaching JP, young guy, searching for truth, 8 month old daughter and married, Awesome little family. Well until last night it had been a little while since we could catch him at home, but last night we witnessed a miracle! I'll save y'all the long story, but just know how things worked out was miraculous! And so we caught him and his wife and their little baby at home together! We shared with them the Christmas video, and a few other videos, after feeling the spirit they immediately started asking really sincere questions about the Book of Mormon and prophets and every things. It was amazing to see that the spirit was helping us answer their questions and to see their hearts really soften and open up. It was a great meeting with them and they want us to come back next week and have a lesson on the gospel of Jesus Christ using chapters out of the Book of Mormon. We were all for it! Its not everyday you have your investigators making You lesson plans for you, haha, they are an awesome couple and so we plan on bringing a family from the ward with us next time. Our wards full of young couples so things should go well!!

All in All This week has been The Lord All day. He just keeps showing me that he is there and always will be. He really is The good Shepherd. It seems that when we all begin to lose our way or our focus, as we look to him he is able to guide us back to the trail, back to the path that leads to happiness. I Love Him and am getting to know him better everyday. I wouldnt trade these experiences for anything. I hope y'all got an idea of what a week it was for us. I cant wait to share more in the weeks to come, until next time,

Love, Elder Page

P.S. I wrote Adriana a letter a couple of weeks ago and I saw Elder Anderson at the meeting on Thanksgiving and he said Adriana is doing well and she thanked me for remembering her. It was nice to see that she appreciated it and that I can do even something as small as a letter to keep her flame glowing bright. She is an awesome member now!