Alma 13:6...

So this past week was definitely one of revelation and learning. I made more of an effort this week to receive answers to questions and guidance during personal study. I've noticed as I've simply made an effort to get more out of personal study I have been given more. I know that as we seek we really do find. The Spirit of Revelation, that communication between God and his children is a very real thing. The Lord is So patient with us its ridiculous. Without fail as we humble ourselves and turn to Him, He is Always there, ready to help.

I had an experience where I was having a tough day and as I took the time to just get on my knees and pray it was as if the Lord was in the room with me, looking at me and asking, "Are You Ready To Talk?" He Listens, and then gives us the answers, comfort and joy we need and ask for, if we're ready to receive it.

California is Nice, it is near perfect weather everyday! I can't complain other than the fact that I've had this for the last 2 years. I think I'm ready for a little change in season. I look at my surroundings everyday and just think, "Man, this really is my home." I really do Love it here.

I'm starting to get to know the ward pretty well. The Members here are so nice, and willing to help out with anything, and they accept our help which is nice. One thing I'm really grateful for as a missionary is to be able to see so many happy families and know that one day I'll be able to have that same happiness with a family of my own, as we live the gospel. There's really no secret to living a happy fulfilled life, its simple. Live the Gospel, trust in the Lord, and serve and love others. I've found that this in my life and the lives of others brings the most joy. I'm grateful for a simple plan, for blessings on the daily and for trials that increase faith. Well, that's about it for this week ladies and Gents,
Until Next Week.
Love Y'all!

Love, Elder Page

Big Week...

So this week has definitely been one to remember. I made a list of things I wanted to mention in today's email because there was so much that's happened and I didn't want to leave out any details.

So for starters, We went again to the LA Visitors Center, this time with our investigator Elaine and her daughter Frances. They now know me at the visitors center on a last name basis. It was quite an experience. Elaine is normally pretty closed off when it comes to showing emotion and its hard sometimes to really know what shes thinking or how shes feeling, but the visitors center broke her down and softened her up like a soggy piece of bread! It was Awesome. She cried multiple times, she said over and over again how much peace she felt there and she expressed how much she loved and cared about us and what we'd done for her. It was a surprise to us to see how much she really did care about us and our visits. The spirit was strong and Elaine felt something, so therefore our mission in going there was accomplished!

Jessica our recent convert is also doing great still. Earlier this week we set up a meeting with the family history sisters here in the mission and help Jessica get started on her family history and temple work. She is so excited to go to the temple and do baptisms for her family ancestors. We got to do some sweet service at this place called Centro Salom. Basically what it is is a non profit organization that helps homeless people find work and provides food and clothes, and other things like that. Its pretty humbling going into a place like that and offering service. One thing I know for a fact the mission has done for me is help me get on peoples levels, whether it be physically spiritually or mentally, I really feel like I can talk with and love and get to know anyone. Its the savior and his example that helps all of us as missionaries become better and more like the people the Lord Needs us to be.

We had something really cool happen to us this week. We were walking down the street and we came across a woman who was clearly in distress and so we asked how she was doing, she said "Okay..." and then I said, "Just Okay?" She then began to explain why she wasn't having the best day. We sat down next to her and began reading scriptures from the Book of Mormon that we felt like would help. As we read the spirit just took over. We didn't have to say more that what the scriptures were already saying. She cried, she smiled, she laughed. It was amazing to see this change that took place in her just over a few minutes. Her name is Aeisha, she expressed thanks and we set up another time to be able to go back and see her. I Love being a mouthpiece for the Lord, and being able to do what he would do if he were her walking these streets. I Love these people, even the crazy ones. Long Beach wouldn't be the same without them. We have just seen miracle after miracle and as soon as I think it cant get any better, it does. It just keeps getting better. I Love You Guys! I love your support, and your care. Thank You.

Love, Elder Page

Alma 13:29...

Hello Everybody,

This week definitely stretched us. We've been working with a lot of different people here in downtown Long Beach. I Love going out in the morning knowing that we are going to have multiple people to visit that day. A few in particular is Brother Hoke (he is a recent convert) the stake has made it a goal to have 9 perspective elders receive the Melchizedek Priesthood. And so he is one of these 9 that we are helping. He came to church last week and we have been reading from the scriptures with him about 2-3 times a week.

Another is Bati. Bati is priest age and we have been doing all we can to get him active so he can prepare to serve a mission. That is his goal and he comes out with us quite a bit for lessons.

Jessica (recent convert) is still doing well. We have an appointment with her tonight to get her started on her family history so she can take names to the temple. And then of course there's Elaine who we had that experience with prayer last week.

Well my testimony of conversion and true change is growing even more because of what Elaine has gone through this past week. We met with her a few times, each time her appearance was better and better. She looked happier. She made dinner for us this week and allowed us to clean out her car. We are really seeing a positive change in her. She even came to church this past week! And she enjoyed herself. There are many others we are working with but these few are our main focus and really making changes in their lives little by little in order to draw near to the Savior.

I hope each of you can feel that there is a Loving Father who is in heaven and he knows you and cares for you. Everyday I have felt this Love and care. Well, I gotta go, but until next week, Godspeed Y'all!

Love, Elder Page

P.S. I forgot my camera at home so no pictures... Sorry about that. Next Week!

D&C 4:2...

So, I made a list of things I wanted to email home about this week, because as the week went on amazing things just kept happening. Miracles big and small I was able to witness this week.

To start off I just want to say I Love Being back on the west side of Long Beach. We cover everything from the ghetto down to ocean which is like the nicest spot in the mission. I few things that I've missed while being on the east was one, just being able to talk to people and have them actually except you and listen to what you have to say. People are so humble here, and just ready to receive the gospel. I also miss having to look over my shoulder every few seconds while we're walking through dark alleys. But most of all I think I've missed the south st building! Its the building the Virginia ward met in (my baby area) We have district meetings there! It was so weird to be back after almost two years! I've also had the chance to have dinner with a couple of members from the 4th ward because we get rides from the 4th ward elders and the other night we didn't have a dinner so we ate at a families house that I had eaten at back in my days of the 4th ward. The Lord is just too good, to allow me to come back to the areas where I made so many memories and had so many spiritual experiences. I am excited and ready to allow the Lord to use me however I am needed here in the 1st ward.

Elder Poirier and I have already had so many good things happen this week. I have taught more this week than I have in a while. It has felt so good to just get a fresh start work with new people. I did want to say though that I realized this week how much I really do love the Woodruff ward and the work that was done there, because I have been praying for not only those here in this area now but still for Elder Phunsaeng and the people we were working with together. Its helped me see that this work is beyond just me and other missionaries. It's the Lord's work and it keeps on even after we are gone. It is the greatest work ever to be done!

So to finish I just want to tell y'all about Refujio and Jessica, they are a couple that have been worked with for the last transfer and this past week. Jessica got baptized Saturday and Refujio has been a life long member but for the past 20 years was inactive. The missionaries found him one day while walking by his house. He at the time was on drugs, and just not in a good place, but he expressed to them that he has been praying for a way to come back. 7 weeks later after being on any and every drug you can think of and after being at his lowest with a wife and a young son Evan he is now 100% clean and sober. Since that day Refujio has been good. He is living the word of wisdom entirely and Jessica has seen this change in him and now that she is a member they are growing together spiritually with a goal to be sealed in the temple. We had the chance to take them to the LA visitors center yesterday. I don't really have words to describe what kind of an experience it was, but it was Sweet! I'll just say that. We were all in tears by the end of the tour.

I know that change is possible no matter where we are in that process. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is for each of us personally and individually to help us grow and become. I Love My Mission right now. I love these people. I love my companion (who is teaching me some french) and I just want to say thank you to my family who has been there supporting me from day one. For those of you who have loved me and helped me be my best. I hope this email wasn't too long. I just had a lot to say. Cant wait to skype on Mothers day!!! I'll give y'all the details and go from there.
Until then. Godspeed!



Love, Elder Page