May 26 - Week 42 Zone leader plan, Eden, Christy, OYM in Chinese Market, Brother Miao

This week was pretty stressful.  We are covering all of the Chinese work in the mission except for the Eastvale 1st ward that Elder Heaton and Elder Schoonmaker cover on bike.  So we have to try to fit in all the work that Elder Heaton and I were doing in Riverside before, plus the rest of the stuff Elder Yeung was doing here.  Add to that trying to figure out Zone stuff.  (Elder Yeung has never been a ZL either, so we are both new to it.)  It is a lot.  

Alright so Eastvale... it is nice to have a change of scenery.  It reminds me a lot of where Amy and Jay live.  A lot of really rich people living in houses that all look the same and are really close together, intermixed with lots of nice parks and landscaping.  The only difference is it is full of Chinese people!  They say that 25% is Chinese.  I don't know if I believe that, but there are a lot.   It is so cool to meet all the Chinese members here.  I had my testimony strengthened this week.  This gospel really does change people's lives and blesses them.  I am so grateful for the chance I have to share it.  One thing about Eastvale is that it is really new... less than 10 years, and it was built on what used to be old dairy farms.  So if you inhale deeply you can smell the cow crap... I can't spell manure.  

So on Tuesday this week we went to Oym at this Chinese market.  It was really cool.  I bought a huge bag of rice that should last for a good while.  We talked to a lot of people.  I talked to a member who goes to a branch in Irvine.  Tuesday we also met with the ward mission leader here named Brother Miao.  He is super cool.  

Wednesday I went on exchanges with the APs.  It was fun.  We met with a few investigators it was fun to watch them teach. They also spent some time and trained me on how to be a ZL.  I feel a little more confident now.  We made a good Zone plan, I'm excited about it.  

Thursday we met with Eating... (I don't know if I have talked about her before)  We helped her carry some groceries one time, and she came to English class.  She became good friends with Hiro.  (Hiro is home in Japan now real bummer)  Anyway Eating who recently at the suggestion of a member changed her name to Eden wants to be baptized.  She came to church last week and really felt good, and this week when we met with her she said she felt really good and wanted to cry, when we told her that Heavenly Father loves her and will lead her in her life as she tries to make decisions.  Pretty awesome!

Friday we met with Christy.  I am sure I have written about her before.  We have met with her a long time.  Well on Friday she out of the blue said she should like to be baptized too!  She told us she feels peace at church and when she meet with us.  Her only concern was her parents and her friends.  She called us in tears on Saturday because her friends were giving her a hard time.  We told her to keep praying.  On Sunday she was a lot better.  She still is a little unsure though.  

Saturday we had lunch at a member's house.  They made us some really good noodles.  We also met with a guy that Elder Snyder helped baptize, but has gone inactive Brother Deng.  He hasn't been reading the Book of Mormon at all.  We read chapter 30 about Corihor and how he didn't believe in God, but couldn't deny his existence so he led people away from the church.  Brother Deng then said.  I agree with Corihor... it was a bummer, because his wife is investigating right now.  We committed him to read and pray everyday.  I know if he really does it, it will help him.

Sunday we went to both the Eastvale and University heights ward.  It was a fun time.  On the way there I did a Chinese fire drill with a Chinese person.  Elder Yeung had to translate a talk, so he asked if I could drive.  I said heck yes!  It was fun to drive again I haven't done it in a while.  I love you guys! 

-Elder Murray

May 19 Week 41 - Onward to Eastvale; Elder Yueng and Elder Murray companions and zone leaders; Temple Tuesday and Cafe Rio, Henry's Grandmother Died, Jia Jia, Sharpay and Frank,

Well it finally happened. I have been transferred to Eastvale.  I am e-mailing you from the computer lab of our apartment community.  Eastvale is a pretty new city, and it doesn't have a lot of apartments.  So they work really hard to put us into home shares.  Right now they can't find a home share so we are in a really fancy apartment place called Homecoming.  It is like a hotel.  I wish I had some pictures, but you guys can look it up probably.  It is really nice.  I can't believe missionaries live here.  President told me it is the most expensive apartment in the mission, but it is all they can find for now.  

This week was interesting.  On Tuesday we went to the temple.  It is always nice to go there.  I really like the feeling there.  I still don't understand it at all, but I know I do  feel good when I go.  After the temple  we hit up Cafe Rio again!  So good.  One of the many pros of serving down here.

Wednesday was pretty good.  We met with Sharpay and Frank after English class.  She is still really worried about making a commitment, we committed her to reading and praying about it.  She couldn't come to church yesterday which was really a bummer.  Frank couldn't either.  He is doing ok, but is struggling to recognize the spirit.

Thursday was good. We met with Henry again.  His grandmother died this week.  He told us that he believes in our message a little more now.  Slowly but surely.  Keep him in your prayers.  Thursday was also really hot... 104...

Friday was also good. There is a RM who is from Tonga named Joe Ipola that comes to help out at English class.  He has a girl friend named Jia Jia who is from China.  He said that he has tried to share the gospel with her, but she isn't interested.  He brought her to English class this week.  She enjoyed the message about the spirit at the end of class, and they came to church on Sunday!  She has a lot of potential.  I really hope we can help her and Joe.

Saturday we got transfer calls!  All 4 Chinese Elders are in Eastvale.  Elder Yeung and I are together and we are going to be Zone Leaders.  (I didn't see the Zone Leader part coming,  I am excited)   Saturday we also helped a family move.  They had 4 inside dogs. It was a really hairy move.  We also met with this family and committed them to come to church, we even had a ride set up.  But no luck.  

Sunday was awesome we had 8 non members at church!  Two of them were these 2 people we just OYMed on the street.  They really liked the gospel principles class.  That is pretty much all for this week.  

Today I have been moving and packing and unpacking so I haven't had time to write a letter.  If I don't get to it I am sorry.  I love you all!

-Elder Murray 

May 11 - Week 40 - Mother's Day call, Hiro trip to Vegas, Tian and Sabbath, Exchange with Elder Yeung, Christopher, Apple roommate with Shell, Exchange with Elder Lunt, Irene, Su gets priesthood,

Nice to talk to you again!  It was so fun to talk to you guys yesterday.  I am always worried I will get super sad and down after calling, but the past two times I walk away feeling really happy and satisfied.  Here is a quick rundown of this week.

Tuesday we had a good lesson with Hiro to make sure he was ready to be interviewed the next day.  He understands everything now, and was fully prepared.  Also on Tuesday we met with a girl named Apple.  We had contacted her in a parking lot right after conference, and hadn't heard from her.  Then Shell moved into a new apt. and just so happens Apple is her room mate.  Cool huh?  So we had a lesson with them.  Apple doesn't really have a lot of interest right now, but we will keep trying.

Wednesday Elder Heaton and I taught a lesson to Tian.  Right now we really want her to come to church, but she has work.  We tried to see if she could change the time or ask for Sundays off, but she said it will have to wait until fall when she gets a different job.  After that lesson we exchanged with the other Chinese Elders.  Elder Yeung (pronounced like young) and I stayed in Riverside, and the other 2 went to Eastvale.  Elder Yeung and I went and did some service in our proselyting clothes for an old Taiwanese couple.  We planted a small tree and weeded their garden.  It was a lot of fun.  Then after Elder Yeung translated for Hiro's baptismal interview.  He passed!  Then right after he told us he would postpone his baptism till next week, because he was going to Vegas... bummer....

Thursday Elder Yeung and I were together still and we taught Hiro.  We taught about the importance of keeping commandments and committed him to living them this weekend as he went to Sin City.  We are going to follow up  with him  tonight.  After that we exchanged back.  At night we had a lesson with Su.  After meeting with Su, Christopher randomly showed up.  We had tried getting in contact with him, but with no luck all week.  It was so cool he just came to the institute.  It was nice to talk to him.  He said he couldn't come to church again since he was in San Diego.  We tried to get in contact with the bishop/missionaries there, but no response... frustrating.

Friday we exchanged again.  This time with the office Elder's since they are in my district.  I went with a guy named Elder Lunt to our area.  He was really cool.  His family owns a time share in Hawaii so week talked about that, and he is an apple/mac lover so I was able to talk a little about that with him because of Parker.  It was a slow day we walked around a lot.  I think I got him sun burned, but I took him to uncle chuangs bakery to make up for it.  Whops.  We did get a really cool new investigator that day.  His name is Frank.  He has only been here one month.  He is really receptive and came to church yesterday!  He is a really cool guy!

Saturday we met with Irene.  We committed her to living the Word of Wisdom.  It is one of her biggest hold ups to getting baptized.  I really am praying that she keeps it and is able to feel the spirit more strongly and increase here testimony.  We also met with Su and his friend named Lion (a girl.)   She is really nice but is really not willing to come to church.

Sunday!  Su got the priesthood and Shell and he both got temple recommends for this Saturday when they go to do baptisms.  I am really excited for them!  Then I got to talk to you guys.  Afterwards Elder Heaton refused to go out.  So I called all the people giving talks next to get outlines so that we can prepare for translation better.

Today is good.  I did get to go on a run really quick with a Spanish Elder who got told by his family he needed to loose weight.  We didn't go far, but it was nice.

ILY have a great week!

-Elder Murray 

April 28 and May 5 - Weeks 38 and 39 Tian, Hiro, Yi Ting, Sharpay, Grateful, Coconut Ice Cream Bar

Highlights of April 28th week:

New investigator named Tian.  She has been here for 9 years.  She is really cool.  I hope she progresses well.

Hiro is doing good so far.  He might have to go back to Japan soon which would be a bummer.  But he is living all the commandments and he came to church this week!

Friday had a training on being a good DL.  I went on exchanges with the ZL.  He was cool.  It is nice to have a car.

May 5th week- The more and more time I spend here in Riverside the more and more I like it.  There are a ton of people from all over here.  We went to a Mexican grocery store today where all the signs were in Spanish.  I bought a really good coconut ice cream bar.  Everywhere I go I can find a Chinese person to talk to, and there is always a pretty good Chinese place to eat.  There are also a lot of people from India and the middle-east here.  Last P-day we ate at an India market place that was really good.  The weather here is pretty nice (it got pretty hot this week, but it wasn't so bad.)  Not to mention all the cool people I've met here.  The missionaries here are awesome, I am really grateful I was called to this mission.  

Well this week on Tuesday we met with Hiro!  (On date for this weekend) we went over the questions with him.  He got really caught up on Thomas S. Monson out of all things.  He said believed everything and was willing to keeping the commandments. He even believed that Joseph Smith is a prophet, but wasn't sure about President Monson.  Well after talking with him for a while and watching a talk from conference we helped him resolve that concern.  Everything was good.

Wednesday we met with Tian (last week's new investigator) again.  She hadn't been reading or praying, and she works on Sundays so she can't come to church.  It is a real bummer because she is one of the most humble/ really searching for an answer investigators I've seen.  Keep her in your prayers.

Thursday we met with another investigator named Yi Ting.  Her English name is Eating because it sounds like here Chinese name.  No joke.  She is nice, but she is mostly interested in practicing English, so we invited her to English class.

Friday was really hot. In the morning we had ZDM.  We had a big discussion on setting our Zone goal.  It was silly.  We met with a guy named Ricky after.  He was also just an "English Leech" as Elder Heaton calls them.  It is hard to figure out who is really interested, and who just wants so practice their English on you.  Friday Eating came to English class with Hiro.  They have become pretty good friends.

Saturday was really hot again, and we only had 2 appointments.  We spent a lot of time biking around and trying to find potential investigators.  That day there was a huge party/concert on campus.  You could hear the music all day long.  

Sunday was a bummer.  Hiro was all set to come to church and then just cancelled to go to LA.  However, Shell brought her friend Sharpay for the 3rd week in a row.  She is really hesitant when we bring up baptism, but we will keep working with her.  

Notable Quotable:

Chinese Mistake:  So one investigator asked me at church if I had the priesthood.  I said "Yes I already have it."  Well it turns out the way I said it is a phrase women say to mean that they are pregnant....

ILY can't wait to talk to you with week!

DeX

April 21 - Week 37 Forgot Camera, Easter, Su Friend Alex already has testimony, Service works, Su gets Holy Ghost, Gospel blesses families

I forgot my camera … 2nd week in a row.  I am kicking myself for not bringing it.  I have pictures from Su's baptism and us dyeing Easter eggs for you guys.  Oh well next week I will bring it for sure.  Thank you so much for the Easter package. It was perfect; everything I miss about Easter at home with you guys.  I ate too much crap this week though.  This morning I went on a run with one of the AP's; I definitely was slowed down by all those whopper eggs.  Too good.

This week was crazy and stressful.  We said a bunch of prayers, and spent a ton of time texting and calling and arranging rides and all that fun stuff and we hit standard!  

Tuesday we had a lesson with one of Su's friends named Alex. He had met with us before and said he wasn't really interested.  We asked if he had read any of the Book of Mormon, he hadn't.  So we started explaining why it is important to read to gain a testimony and all the sudden he says.  "I already have a testimony."  We both stopped and listened to him tell us about how when he came to Su's baptism he felt the Spirit and now he believes in God!  We said awesome, so will you read and pray about the Book of Mormon to grow closer to God, and strengthen your faith.  He said no... too much homework.  He said "God wouldn't want me to be more stressed out."  We bore our testimony of the positive influence it would have on his life.  And got him to commit to at least try. We will keep working with him. 

I got to get out a little early today, so I will summarize the rest of the week.  English class struggled again.  Not very many people.  Su is doing great!  He got the gift of the Holy Ghost yesterday.  Shell brought friends to meet with us, and one came to church yesterday!  Li Rui hit her year mark of being a member.  We got a new investigator yesterday by helping carry some groceries earlier in the week.  Service works!  

This week in PMG I studied the gospel blesses families section.  I know that this gospel really does help families develop stronger relationships.  I think it is because we all have the same goal of living together forever as a family. I really want to help others see that.  Knowing that I will get to live with you all forever is the greatest thing I have.  I work hard everyday to strengthen this testimony and do what is right so I can be with you guys, because you guys are what make me happy.  I love you all so much!  

-Elder Murray

April 14 - Su Baptism, Working with Christopher, Mulit-zone Breakfast, Possibly last interview with President, Exchange with Elder Yeung, Slurpee and sunburn, Repentance like Endless windex

Well it was a stressful week, but like I was talking about last week.  Things work out in the end.  

Tuesday we had to each lunch in 10 minutes so we could make it to an apppointment.  The appointment was ok.  It was two new investigators; they listened to the first lesson, but we haven't been able to get in contact since then.  In the evening Elder Yeung came to translate for Su's baptismal interview and Elder Heaton went to translate for another baptismal interview.  It was fun to be with Elder Yeung for a while.  We talked to a lot of people, he taught a lesson in Cantonese which was interesting.  I could  pick out and guess some stuff, but it is so different from Mandarin.  Su passed his interview no problem.

Wednesday we had interview with the President.  This is probably the last one we get with him.  He leaves after next transfer.  He is really cool.  We talked about how he had been really worried when Elder Jiang (The old Chinese elder that trained elder snyder)  left for home and there were only two white Elders that had been learning Chinese for 5 months.  However, he told me the work didn't skip a beat.  He said that we try our best and the Atonement makes our best more than good enough.  So he told me just to try my best.  

Thursday was weekly planning and we had a few lessons, we met with Su just to get everything all set up for his baptism.  Oh I forgot on the day before we had met with Christopher.  We went over the baptismal questions, he passed.  He did express that he was worried that he couldn't come to church every week because he is graduating in June and he is really busy.  We bore our testimonies of being helped and supported when we try to do what Christ wants us to do first.  After that he said he was ready to be baptized.

Friday we had Christopher's baptismal interview.  He also passed no problem.  Friday we didn't have any appointments in the afternoon, so we stayed outside and talked to people walking to and from class.  It was really hot that day so I got a slurpee at 7/11, and Elder Heaton chugged 3 water bottles. At night we had a really good English class.  A lot of new people came and they all really liked it.  When we got home Elder Heaton realized he was really sunburned, he was not happy.  So I have been lending him my sunscreen.  It has been really hot here.

Saturday we had a multi-zone breakfast with the first assistant in the mission presidency's house.  It was really fun. They did an Easter egg hunt for us.  The rest of the day we met with some potentials.  They listened and accepted Book of Mormon's but they didn't commit to a return appointment.  It is hard, but we are still looking for people that are looking for the gospel, and not just to understand American culture.  

Sunday was really good, and really stressful.  At one point we had 6 people that were going to come to church and some wanted to go to singles ward, and none of them had rides.  It was crazy stressful. In the end we had a bunch of people cancel, and we ended up with 3 at church and one came late for priesthood and Sunday school.  Biggest bummer was Christopher cancelled and said he had too much homework.  So he didn't get baptized yesterday.  We are meeting with him again today to see what we should do next.  The good news was that Su got baptized!  It was really good!  All the recent converts came.  He said he felt really warm afterwards.  The bishopric member came and congratulated and said he would get the priesthood soon.  Shell explained the priesthood as the authority to give the bread and water in church, and Su was pretty excited. 

Today has been fun.  The chapel has been closed for cleaning so we went and played tennis.  I stink but it was fun anyway.  Hope you guys have a great Easter Sunday!  This week in PMG I studied Repentance.  I like the reference to the BD which says that repent means forming a fresh view of God, the world, and ourselves.  I have felt this as I repent,  Everything feels better, I am happier and more grateful for what I have.  I am able to notice more blessing in my life.  It is awesome that through the Atonement we can form fresh views as many times as we need.  It is like a bottle of windex that never runs out.  And running with the window cleaning analogy sometimes you don't realize how dirty your windows were until after you clean them. Ok that is all for this week.  

ILY

Dexter

April 7 Week 35 General Conference in Chinese, Su Interview for baptism, Exchange with Spanish Elder Taylor - Dinner appointment without host, Christy and Liu Cancelled, Tomato Basil Wheat Thins

Hello everyone!  Conference was awesome!  It was so nice!  I was really able to feel the spirit and learn some new ways to improve.  I hope you guys enjoyed it.  Dad's letter was awesome I loved seeing the program from Parker's performance.  Hope he had a fun time on the music trip.

This week started off really good, ended sort of bad, but we had conference to pick us up.

Tuesday we put Su on date... and he accepted.  His interview is tomorrow!  He is doing awesome!  He is reading the Book of Mormon everyday and watched conference with us yesterday.  He is a really cool guy,  he has a lot of faith.  He agreed to live all the commandments without hesitation.  Keep him in your prayers.

Wednesday I went on exchanges with Elder Taylor, our Spanish speaking DL's companion.  It was pretty cold and rainy, we had a good time though.  We biked all over Riverside, we biked past this giant cup looking monument next to a wearhouse.  I will send a picture.  Dinner was weird though.  The food was awesome, but the lady just served us the food and then left us in the kitchen to eat without her.  Elder Taylor said all of the members in their ward do that.  It was a different experience.

Thursday we did weekly planning, and we met with Shelly.  She is still doing good.  She recently got her driver's license and is apply for an internship here after she graduates.

Friday we had ZDM which took up most of the morning.  In the afternoon we had some appointments set with Christy and Liu (both of whom really have potential, but have been unwilling/too busy to meet.)  They both cancelled and Liu said that he is too busy to set up a time.  It was sad.  English class was also poorly attended that night.  I was glad we had conference the next day.

Saturday conference was really good!  I really liked Elder Eyring's talk.  My favorite part was that he said both Pres. Hinckley and Monson, have positive attitudes and when others bring up problems or stressful situations, they have an attitude of "it will all work out."  I really need to be better at this.  Also Saturday was the last day of the transfer, so everything is all switched up.  Our ward will only have 2 sets of missionaries now.  Elder Heaton and I and Elder Reber and a new one coming tonight named Elder Fransen.  Also Elder Reber and I are both going to be district leaders.  I am excited, and a little nervous... but hey "everything works out."

Sunday was good we watched conference in Chinese at the institute.  I could understand a lot of it.  We also had subtitles though, but they would get so far behind or ahead.  For lunch I brought a sandwich and I got a box of tomato basil wheat thins which I shared with the Chinese there.  They loved the wheat thins.  They said they were the best snack they've eaten here  They ate the whole box... 

Ok that is all.  I love you guys... oh in keeping with conference.  In PMG I studied Bear testimony frequently.  It is really true that the best way to invite the spirit is to testify or "a simple declaration of belief."  This week I am going to work on bearing testimony more frequently.  

ILY

Dex