So for transfer news . . . . I am being transferred to the Hemet Stake. I'm actually in the San Jacinto Ward which covers the nearby city of San Jacinto, but it's still in the Hemet area. On the drive over here we saw half a dozen dairy farms and hundreds of cows, but there are plenty of suburban areas too. And for my companion, it's. . . Elder Herald! I honestly didn't believe him when he called and told me before I had received my call from the Zone Leaders. I think it will be really fun to be with him again, now that I can chill a little. I don't have the same responsibility of picking up an empty area and trying to correct the errant ways of his trainer. There are a couple of really good things going in this area, including a baptism on the 30th and plenty of potentials to work with. Elder Herald has already been here for two transfers so he knows the area and the members pretty well. I am still a District Leader, and Elder Andrew and his companion are actually in my district so that will be fun.
This transfer is kind of sad because it pretty much determines a majority of the missionaries I'll serve around for the rest of my mission. I won't see anybody on the North half, and I'll only see the South half again for Crossfit in 4 weeks. So, many good-byes have already been said, and there will be more good-byes soon, and some good-byes that I just won't get to make in person. But I will see some of these people again at the mission home before I leave, including Elder and Sister Heaton. One last bit of transfer news, apparently Elder Haltli is going home, but he is going to serve the rest of his time (about a year) as a service missionary back home and I think he'll enjoy that.
Fortunately, this week we were able to teach most of our investigators. We met with Derek again and taught him the entire Restoration lesson, and he accepted baptism for May 7th. He's the one that is most solid to get baptized. He loves learning, seems to think it all makes sense, and of course he comes to church every week and learns more and more. We were able to meet with the Rivera family and share a General Conference talk with them that they really liked. They still aren't able to come to church, and she said the soonest she can consistently get Sundays off is a year from now when she becomes a regular employee for the Postal Service. He took a side job while he's "recovering" from his surgery, so he's going to be out of town for the next 2 1/2 weeks. So even though I know they have a desire to learn and love what we share, I'm not sure if they will be able to progress right now. We also met with Flo again. She's such a sweet lady, but I don't think she's progressing. They're going to bring up the Book of Mormon with her next time and if she's ready she'll accept it, but if she won't, then there's not much they can do. That pretty much sums up our week, because of transfers and everything, it was a little slow. Also we had to take time to pack, especially since Elder Riding was leaving for Australia today. We did have a blitz for our Ward and collected 19 referrals, so that will give Elder Goodrich and Elder Calder plenty of work to do for now.
I'm excited to be in the San Jacinto Ward and to continue my missionary service here. I was definitely ready for a fresh area and I think this is exactly what I need to be able to work hard to the end. I'll let you know more about the area and the ward next week.
From the West Side . . . . .
Elder Cornaby
Fortunately, this week we were able to teach most of our investigators. We met with Derek again and taught him the entire Restoration lesson, and he accepted baptism for May 7th. He's the one that is most solid to get baptized. He loves learning, seems to think it all makes sense, and of course he comes to church every week and learns more and more. We were able to meet with the Rivera family and share a General Conference talk with them that they really liked. They still aren't able to come to church, and she said the soonest she can consistently get Sundays off is a year from now when she becomes a regular employee for the Postal Service. He took a side job while he's "recovering" from his surgery, so he's going to be out of town for the next 2 1/2 weeks. So even though I know they have a desire to learn and love what we share, I'm not sure if they will be able to progress right now. We also met with Flo again. She's such a sweet lady, but I don't think she's progressing. They're going to bring up the Book of Mormon with her next time and if she's ready she'll accept it, but if she won't, then there's not much they can do. That pretty much sums up our week, because of transfers and everything, it was a little slow. Also we had to take time to pack, especially since Elder Riding was leaving for Australia today. We did have a blitz for our Ward and collected 19 referrals, so that will give Elder Goodrich and Elder Calder plenty of work to do for now.
I'm excited to be in the San Jacinto Ward and to continue my missionary service here. I was definitely ready for a fresh area and I think this is exactly what I need to be able to work hard to the end. I'll let you know more about the area and the ward next week.
From the West Side . . . . .
Elder Cornaby