Week 43

After 6 months being in Fairfield, I have now left to Woodland! It looks like they're just moving me along the Geographical line! 

So I guess I'll start off with my last days in Fairfield.

I have though a lot about the things that I have learned. I have learned how to love other people, even if it was hard to love them. Even the tool missionaries that I couldn't stand, I ended up loving them. I learned a ton of Spanish. I gained a lot of scriptural knowledge. Even though we had problems, Elder L and Elder W are friends for life. Even this last week I've been missing serving with Elder W. 

 We went around and said a lot of goodbyes. To missionaries, to members, and investigators that I had taught. We went and saw J. W. (AKA "G West on the HOOOOD" As Elder L would say), Brother F, the O family, and many others that I might not have written about. I think the most important goodbye was the goodbye of the D family. It was probably one of the hardest things I have had to do on my mission. For the few months that I had taught them, I truly learned to love them. I love them like I love family. They are a family to me. I know, 100% and without a doubt, that I came to this mission, that I came to Fairfield when I did, and stayed as long as I did, to help that family enter into the covenant of baptism. They are so special to me, and to the Lord. I gave them the scriptures, and they said to thank you. They thanked me for making the decision to serve a mission, to come to them, and to learn a new language in order to help them find the Gospel. They gave us thank you cards and wrote me a letter. I plan on writing them every month until I go home. I don't think that I can fully express into words what that family means to me. When we got into the car to go, I had to make Elder W drive, because I couldn't hold in the tears anymore. 

Well, after that somber note, I will change the subject! President called me (4 days late, might I add) to be a district leader. So that will be fun. The members of my district are elder A, V, and S (my new comp) And Hermana L (who Sammie knows) and Hermana F (from Spain. Directly.). So that will be fun. Pray for me on my district meetings! 

Elder S is from Federal Way Washington. He loves planes, trucks, and guns. His Spanish is good, and he went to BYU for a year. I think President Alba sent me here with him because I know what it's like to be with Elder A for a transfer, and he wants me to repair the damage. 

Also, I am in YOLO county. There is a bus called the YOLOBUS. And so that's cool. 

The branch is cool. There are lots of youth. Lots! A good change. President P is super missionary minded. 

We are driving a 2014 Corolla with 500 miles. 250 were used my first day here, so we will be using bikes A LOT. It is the hottest area in the mission during the summer, but it's cold right now. I am always wearing a sweater or a jacket. ALWAYS. 

The water is gross in Woodland, so I am buying 3 gallons of water a week and recycling the bottles. You would too if you were here. 

There are also tons and tons of Hispanics here. A good change of pace. Our area is awesome. 

Well, that was the week. I will send you some pictures! 

Love,

Elder Foster

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Week 42

Week 42!

The other day I received revelation (if you can call it that) but a year ago last week, December 5th to be exact, I received my mission call!!! I can't believe it's been that long. Time flies when you're working hard.

So this week was a mediocre one by ths numbers. We doubled the amount of lessons we taught, but it's not hard to double one lesson! So that is good? Bad? I don't know. We worked hard though and contacted like crazy. So I feel as though I've done my part and acted in faith to work in a hard area. But! We received Transfer Doctrine. I will be going to Woodland! With and Elder who came out last transfer, Elder Sabin. He is Elder Smith's MTC comp (Elder Smith is the Elder in the picture of us with the Sharks hats). I'm excited and sad.

I'm going to go tomorrow to say goodbye to the D family. I'm sad to be leaving them. A few weeks ago we ate with them, and they made us this good coconut dessert. I told them I love coconut stuff.  This last week I was on exchanges and didn't get to visit them, but they had made macaroons for me and Elder Wright. I missed the macaroons because of the exchanges, but when I went to Stake Conference Saturday Night for the adult session, L and B had made more and given them to me! I love them so much. I will visit them when I go back. I'm pretty bummed to leave!

I'm glad though too. I've heard Woodland is awesome. My companion's Spanish is supposedly really really good.

Right now I'm writing the email, but in the background I can see the first volume trade of the new 52 Batman series by Scott Snyder. Just so you know!

It's been cold here. We wear coats and sweaters every single day. Because it's COLD. Around 45 during the day, 30s at night, and 20s on the morning walks. No snow, but colder than I would like! And it's been rainy. Not good for tracting when two guys in overcoats that look like the FBI are knocking on the door. Good for sympathy if they actually open though.

Elder Garity goes home today.

We went to another Mexican Party with O(the investigator, not President Or). There were some girls trying to perreonar with Elder Garity, so we left.

That's about it for the week. I can't think of any more crazy stories. I'm glad that I have had 6months in Fairfield. It's helped me grow and change. I love the members here, and will be sad to leave. But at the same time, I'm ready for a new adventure, a new branch, and teaching lessons!

Love,

Elder Foster

Week 41

Thanksgiving week!

I suppose everyone wants to know about Thanksgiving, so I'll start there.
We woke up at 6:30 like normal, walked for 30 minutes, showered, ate, and then... We put on normal clothes!!! To start the day off, we played Ultimate Frisbee (With the frisbee you guys sent me!) in a park. The park was cold and wet, and we all had a great time! We were all sore and worn out after. I must say, I felt really weird playing outside in a park on a Thursday morning with a bunch of other missionaries.

After that, we went to brunch with Cordelia 1st ward. We ate delicious cinnamon rolls and something really similar to poop casserole. I did eat it, but with lots of apple juice as well. The guy we ate with was a jerk though. As we left, all the missionaries were talking about how funny he was, but I'm just glad that I was raised in a family where intellect and manners are cherished, and being a Grade-A uneducated moron is a loss. Well, live and learn. I should probably learn humility, too, but it will come, surely.

We then went a raked leaves.

After that we went to dinner (a 2PM dinner) with the S. There were 11 of us, and 5of them. Their son had just been  released from being a missionary that morning (he served in Kentucky) and so he stuck with us most of the time. We played pool, darts, and a game called Labrinth. It was a lot of fun just to relax and play some games. Then came the dinner. It was pretty good! We had applewood smoked turkey (definitely the best thing there), mashed potatoes, yams, green bean casserole, peas, and cranberry sauce. The usual. There was probably more there (just imagine a normal, american thanksiving and you've got it.) Then we were were done eating we played some more in their basement with their son, and then dessert was ready. We ate apple pie, pumpkin pie, cheesecake, berry tarts, oh man it was all so delicious. I had been losing weight, but I for sure picked it all up again. Worth it? I think so. I loved it all. We also got plates to take home dessert and dinner.

Then we went and visited some members, ate some tamales, hung out for the night. It was a good day, and a sorely needed break.

 

Other than that , I would say a pretty normal week. We went tracting, and this cat came and started following us around. We named it Tiger, and it let us pet it and everything! We decided that it probaly wouldn't ever happen again, so we went back to the car to get a camera to take a picture of our new friend. while we were headed back  to the car, a member from the 2nd ward stopped us and told us to come to his house. So that scared the cat away (thus we have no pictures), and we headed to his house. There are 2 spanish people that live on his street, and he told us to visit them. Neither was home, but now we have 2 referrals. Miracle gato? I'll let you think what you'd like.

 

Also, The picture with Hermano P. Remember the P family from Napa? Well, he came here. Elder Garity is finishing his mission next week, and so he asked Elder Garity if he could take him out to lunch, and asked if I was still in Fairfield so that he could take me out too. Well,  am in Fairfield, and so he took us to Chipotle and brought us Inca Cola! And he gave us marriage/ life advice. I wrote it all down, since this was actually pretty good advice (Better than Hermana N's advice: "Hazme tamales y hazme tortillas, y depues te puedes casar conmigo!).

 

I think that's it for this week. Nothing too special, but a good week all in all. I'll leave you with a though from the Book of Mormon. So we know that Moroni was abridging the plates, he was writing on Gold plates. And you can't erase stuff that you write on Gold Plates. There's this part where Moroni messes up. It's talking about when the Lamanites were being converted and they buried their weapons. Alma 24:19 "And thus we see that, when these Lamanites were brought tobelieve and to know the truth, they were firm, and would suffer even unto death rather than commit sin; and thus we see that they buried their weapons of peace" Did you see the mistake? Weapons of peace. Since he can't erase, he continues "...or they buried the weapons of war, for peace." and that's the verse. I can just picture Moroni saying "I HAVE BEEN ABRIDGING THESE PLATES ALL GOSH DARN DAY, AND I WROTE WEAPONS OF PEACE. COME ON!!!!" Ok so maybe it's not so funny in email, but just maybe try to imagine how angry you would be.

Well, I love you all!

Elder Foster

Week 40

So this week was a fantastic week!

We were slammed with a lot of rain and doors this last week. And it was cold, too. So lots of sweaters, lots of coats, and some wet garments.  It was nice though, it has only rained here twice since I've been in Fairfield. It was a good change!

This week, we have had some great food. Last monday Hermana D made us some enchiladas, and they were so good! We are eating with them again tonight. Such a great family! They seem like they have been members for 100 years. We also ate posole, and you can't beat posole. Especially on a rainy week like last week. Also, with our branch food coordinator we ate some chiles from her garden. I might have shed a few tears. Or a lot of tears. It didn't hurt my tongue too bad, but my throat was on fire. I was tender the day after, too.

Also, I made a wonderful discovery. At 711, they have Game Fuel!!! The exact same kind as last year! I took the first sip and got a little trunky! I remember band practice with Matt and Tyler. We were fueled off of that stuff and burritos. I almost cried.

Speaking of Soda, I'm pretty sure I'm losing weight because of soda. I know that sounds weird, but hear me out. When I was in college, I drank a lot of soda. A lot. And I was skinny. Really skinny. Then I came out on my mission, stopped drinking soda, and gained 30 punds. But! I have started drinking soda again, and I have lost weight. Coincidence? I don't think so. Elder Wright thinks it's because of the protein/ nutrition powder I've been drinking for breakfast insted of eating cereal, but I think he's crazy. I might right a book called "How Soda Changed My Life: A study in the effects of soda on weight loss" By Dr. Foster and I will send you what will be my on the back cover.

Also, this week, I have seen more punx than I have seen in the last 9 months of my life! I saw a guy wearing a Leftover Crack shirt on Monday, then when we were going to do service, I say 2 guys with vests with patches, and then I saw a different guy with a Dead Kennedys shirt! And every time, we had to go to a meeting/ service or something I couldn't talk to them! What the heck???

We went to the temple this week. It was wonderful! We went with Brother A, whose brother is a member of the 70. Brother A was the head chief of security in the temple for 23 years, and everyone there knew him. EVERYONE. It was awesome.

While in the chapel, I read a part of D&C 88 63:67-78 or something like that. It really touched my heart and helped me know what more I have to do to become a better missionary.

When we left the temple, it was raining. The way the temple looked with the rain was really cool. I will send you a few pictures.

Hermana D was called to give her testimony. She shared her conversion experience. She talked about how when Elder Lopez and I walked in we carried a peace and she felt the Spirit. And how she was grateful that Elder Wright and I would learn Spanish in order to bring her family the Gospel. They are such a special family. Of everyone in Fairfield, I will be sad to leave them.

On Thanksgiving we are going to play Football for 90 minutes. After that, we are going to rake leaves until dinner at 2. After dinner, we will continue visiting families from the branch. It should be a good day. I'll send you some pictures. 

So I think that that about covers the mission this week. I am trying to think if I left anything out. I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving!
Elder Foster

Week 39

Week 39! Those numbers are getting up!

Well, it was a good week! We taught the D. family about the temple and eternal marriage. They will be going there before 2014 to do baptisms. We are eating with them tonight. She makes the best food.

I heard you got pictures from service! That family is the Ls. We ate Posole with them, and it was probably the best posole I've eaten. Normally posole is really, really, really filling and feels like you've eaten a rock that sits in your stomach and makes you fat, but this posole was light and delicious, so I ate 2 bowls and probably got more fat. But oh well! I love Mexican food so much. I could eat it all day long. This morning Hermana F. made us beans, rice, and fried bananas for breakfast as we did our laundry. It was so great!

This week we did pick up a few investigators (2), but there was one story I wanted to share!

A few weeks ago we got a referral from some missionaries in Vacaville saying that they talked to a guy named W. They talked to him for like an hour, was supposedly really interested, and gave them his address. A few weeks ago we went to visit him, but we found this guy named O. at the address. When we asked for Winston, he made it seem like he had no idea who we were talking about. So we talked to him, he accepted us to come back. The week after we met a lady named M. over there, said she would be interested, told us to come back. Nothing too promising, but when you don't have to many investigators, you take what you can get! We had a meeting at 7, and finished dinner at 6, so we had an hour. We did some work, and were in the area of his house at like 6:50. We had 10 minutes before the meeting, and we knew that if we knocked, we would be late. On a scale of 1-10, I was like a 2 on how much I wanted to go to their house. But I decided that we would at least set up a return appointment since they lived far away and it wouldn't be worth it to drive out again. So we knocked, and I thought it was O., but it was indeed W!! Who did, in fact, live in that house, and who was, in fact, very interested in the Gospel! He even hugged us he was so happy to see us! So it was a great miracle. We will teach him soon!!!!

We are going to the temple this Wednesday! And not only just going, but we are being taken by Brother Amado (whose brother is a member of the first quorom of the 70), and who, wouldn't you know, just retired from being the head chief of security in the oakland temple for 23 years! He has some amazing, crazy, sacred stories. I'm so excited to go with him. As part of that trip, for the last week we've studied the Atonement every single day. It's been really great. I read chapter 3 of Jesus The Christ, and te part of the book from the last supper to the asencion of Jesus. It's been such a great week for studies!

We also had interviews with President. Mine was really good. I got to tell him a lot of stuff that has been weighing me down and it was super nice. He gave me some advice and it was a great experience. 

Also, for a funny story, last Monday I felt like garbage at like 7:30, so we went to Wal Mart, I bought some Nyquil Severe, and we went and had language study. I took some of the hardcore nyquil and sat down in my chair, and I was staring at the wall for about 10 minutes before I was out cold on my desk. But around Wednesday I started to feel pretty good again.

Well, thanks for all of the love and support! I miss you all and love you so much!

Elder Foster

Week 38

Ok so this week... Crazy stuff!

Well to start off we have an Elder in our branch that is a tool. He drives me nuts and tests my patience but pretty much he acted like a fool at a dinner, I got ticked, and all in all President Alba called all 5 of us and rebuked us. So I was ticked. So ticked. I was very frustrated. He called us to repentance, but when I prayed I didn't feel like I needed to repent for the dinner, only for being angry.

Speaking of anger, I found a cure to it kind of. Branch council usually makes me want to carve my spleen out with a rusted saw, but this time I found out a solution! I can just look at the picture of the Oakland Temple and not focus, and it all works out!!!

Also, while tracting, we went to a place called Chula Vista. So Elder Wright and I took some Chula pictures because we weren't having success.

We also ate tacos de lengua with a sweet Recent Convert. They were super good. Probably not as good as what you were eating, but it was good. Also speaking of being angry and food, I would have been angry if you guys had visited me!  So thank you for not doing it!

Ok so now, with the D. Family....

8 Months ago E. D. stopped drinking. He had a hard time, but ever since then he had felt the need to take his family back to church. He shared these feelings with his wife, but when she tried to take the family to a church he never felt like it was right. So he prayed to know what church was the true church of God.

About 3 months ago, Elder Camper talked to a girl in the street. Her name was B. D. A few days later, he went to add her on facebook, and narrowed it down to two people, so he added both. A few days/ weeks? later he went into Del Taco, where a young women (different than the one he had really communicated with) was working. The conversation is as follows

"I think you added me on Facebook"

"No, I don't think so"

"Your name is Elder Camper, I have you right here"

"Oh wow... that's strange"

"Yeah it is."

Then continued asking about why his name said Elder, about what he does, and so they continued talking on facebook.

Then Elder Camper came here, visited her with Elder Walker, and her mom was very interested as well. So they set up a return appointment with me and Elder Lopez. We taught them the Restoration, they started reading the Book of Mormon, the atonement changed their lives and here they are with a testimony!!!

There are many other influences on their decision to get baptized (miraculous Priesthood blessings, kids wanting to change, love of the feelings in Sacrament Meeting), but the most important part is now they are members of the Church of Jesus Christ!

I baptized the 14 year old and L.

You should have seen E.'s face when he came up out of the water. I cried. Definitely the best day of my life.

President Alba spoke at the Baptism, and the spirit was so strong. Afterwards I gave him a hug and told him "Thank you for keeping me here." He looked at me with tears in his eyes and said "Elder Foster, I was going to send you away. But The Lord knew that you loved this family and He kept you here." I loved it.

The Lord has prepared people! I love my mission. I was with them from the first lesson until the baptism. It was miraculous.

Best day of my life.

Well I love you guys and miss you! I hope all is well.

Elder Foster

Week 37

I would be lying if I said this week wasn't slow, but there were some good things that happened!

This morning, I had the opportunity to give a blessing to the mother of a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy! It was a good experience.

Last week, we also had the chance to give E. D. a blessing. He stopped drinking 8 months ago, but is still having side effects. He shakes and he gets anxious at work. He told us that after the blessing, he felt really calm, and the next morning he woke up very calm. Then he went to work, and he realized that he had been doing one of the jobs that makes him anxious without even feeling anxious! He says that he knows that the blessing helped, and his mother wants a blessing too.  They are also doing missionary work already! They have invited many friends to the baptism, and they want their friends to meet us so that we can teach them! Unfortunately, none of their friends live in our area, but they will be taught! They had their interview on Friday and they passed! During the interviews, since they were one at a time, we watched Mormon Messages. And while we were watching the video Temple Blessings El Salvador Temple (OR something like that. About the kids dancing and stuff) B., the mom, and the dad all teared up. I have no doubt that they will be sealed as soon as possible after their baptism. I am 100% sure that this family is the reason I was called to Fairfield. Next week, I will write the whole story front to back. Keep them in your prayers. They are the most prepared family.

Other than that... Not much happened this week. We are talking to tons of people on the street, but everyone in our area is white or black. So we pretty much just talk to black people in hopes that we will find Spanish people that live by them. No dice right now. We found a neighborhood on the map with a street called Chula Vista, and with a name like that, how could you now tract it??? We'll see how it looks. I sure hope it's chula.

I don't think I wrote it in my last email, but last Sunday I finished reading the Book of Mormon in Spanish. There is no doubt in my mind that it is true. I learned so much this time through. It has more power than any other book that I've read. I've seen it change the lives of the D family and of L. G. I know that the honest seeker of truth will find it in the Book of Mormon.

That's everything for this week!

Elder Foster

Week 35

Do you remember that Even Stevens where Louis has to wrestle a girl, so he tries to bulk up by eating chocolate, but then it all goes to his butt and it's huge, but then that part is just a dream? Well I got a package from Chloe and I'm pretty sure one day I'll wake up and look like that.

But on another note, it's been a great week! I've been reading the Book of Mormon, I want to try and finish it this transfer (The transfer ends this Sunday!). I finished the book of Mormon (the book that he writes inside the Book of Mormon) today! It was awesome. It's really sad though just how messed up the Nephites got. But in Chapter 7, 8, and 9 there are some great promises! And some sweet parts about the Great Apostasy. I just though that the whole thing was really cool! So now all that I have left is Ether, which is one of my favorites, and the Moroni. So I think I should be able to do it! Also, this is all in Spanish. But it's so true! The Book of Mormon (the whole thing, not Mormon's book inside of the big book) is so true! There is no way that you could read it all the way through and deny that it is true! It literally has the power to make people believe in Jesus Christ!

We have also been teaching the D. family. This week we went over with the Single Branch Elders and they taught the kids while we taught E. and L. the Law of Chastity, which they had already been living, and which their daughter B. had also been living even before the missionaries taught it (which is so cool for people her age!). Then we ate with them. L. made homemade tortillas, chorizo, carne asada, salsa, crema, queso freco, chile, oh it was so good! And before we left they gathered all the family together and told us that they had a surprise... They decided as a family to be baptized on the 8th of November!!! I can honestly say that I don't think that I have ever been happier in my life. The love that I feel for this family.. I love them like they are my family! I never though that would be possible, but it's so amazing! And E. and L. (the parents) told me that they want that I baptize them!!! It is awesome.

So now here is the dillemma... I have been serving here in Fairfield for three transfers now. And it is a rare (but not super rare) when a missionary serves 4 transfers in one area... So here's what I need. Pray that President will be guided to choose the best thing for me, Elder Wright, and this family. Obviously, I want to stay. I know that the D family is why I was called to Fairfield. And I want to be there for the baptism! So I told President that, and now we'll see what he says. Also, B. made us all cupcakes. Pictures will be send. She decorated them too.

We also went to a party with our former investigator O., the gangster. We stayed for two songs of the band that he hired while we were eating, but we had a Family Home evening planned at the church and so we left. As we were walking, he came out (no imaging the most cholo, George Lopez/ Nacho Libre voice that you can imagine) "Heeeey, where you going???" It was Or. "Tenemos una reunion con unas familias en la iglesia" I told him. "Ok, pero sabes que, we're going to go check, and if no one is there, we are going back to the parties!" So we're start walking and he says "Ok, I believe you, but if no ones there, yous all coming back, ok??" "Ok O, we swear!" "No swears me! But you better come back to the parties tonight!" It was so great. 

Thank you for all the love and support! I love you all!

Have a good week!

Elder Foster

Week 34

So week 34...

We had Zone Conference this week. It was good to get a nice boost from President and the Aps. We went to Vacaville to do it, so I got to see Elder Withacker (spelling) and Elder Debora. Elder Debora was my comp in Napa, and Elder Whitaker and I came out on the same day. They are comps. It was good to see lots of the other missionaries.

So yesterday I got to watch a house burn to the ground. The Fairfield Fire Department was doing practices and burned down the house across the street.

We don't have a ton of time. Elder Wright and I don't even know what Columbus Day is. We were so confused about why the library was closed. We were almost thinking it was the government shutdown thing. Or maybe zombies in Fairfield. I'm pretty sure some of the hobos that chill outside of our church building are zombies.

Things are good. We haven't found anyone new yet, and it's not from lack of trying. We contact so many people every day it's crazy. I think that we might go back to a two companionship branch. We'll see.

My time in Fairfield might be coming to a close. This is week #5 of my third transfer, so  I might get the boot. but maybe not since it is technically a new area. We'll see.

I can't think of anything else. Elder G got the worst haircut ever last P Day. He didn't realize how bad it was until I took the following pictures. He freaked out when he saw it.

Love you all! Elder Foster

Week 33

I can't believe that this transfer is half over already! It's going by too quickly!

So this week... I'm trying to think past conference, but I can only think of about two things! We'll start there and then lead it up to conference.

Both of these happened yesterday after conference. We went to a street to go do some contacting, and I told Elder Wright that he was leading, mostly because I honestly had no idea where to go. He started walking, and wouldn't you know it a memebr from our branch was sitting and talking with a non member! Let me give you a little background so that you can picture it in your minds- C. is the member. She's about 60something and from the Dominican Republic. If you saw her, you wouldn't think that she speaks Spanish because she's black. But she also doesn't speak Spanish like most Dominicans, she speaks really slow and she has crazy eyees "She has crazy eyes..." So she was talking to her friend about why she hasn't ever talked to the missionaries, and we came up and she said "Hola Elders, we were just talking about you! this is my friend Ce, she wants to meet with you but she doesn't have a lot of time." And her friend said "Do you  think you could meet with me? Do you have time?" So I got out my planner and though really hard for all of about .009 seconds and we set up an appointment and it was great!

We also have a less active that I've been trying to get a hold of for a long  time. Well we were getting out of our car on a busy street has he was turning, and he stopped his car in the middle of the street and started talking to us! People area honking, but we did manage to get his address and talk to him for a few seconds. So it all worked out!

Ok now for the highlight of the week! Conference!

Exactly 6 months ago I made a deal with God. Normally I would think that you can't do that, but he pulled through on his part, so I think that it worked out. After going to last conference mostly in Spanish, I told him I was going to read El Libro de Mormon in Spanish every day. I asked him if I did that, would he help me get better at Spanish to the point where I would understand the next conference. Elder Garrity and I watched Priesthood and the Sunday sessions in Spanish- and I understood!!! Not just certain words, I listened to and learned from their talks with only a little less understanding than I would have had had I been watching in English! Pretty much I've been really blessed by God as far as Spanish goes.

But conference! Wow!!! It was so amazing! I loved it all! the focus on Christ and repentance, the focus on creating, as Richard G Maynes stated "Spiritual Stamina," all the talks by the First Presidency were so full and powerful! Both talks by Eyring, Both talks by Uchtdorf, All of Thomas S Monson's talks, M. Russel Ballard and S. Gifford Nielsens throwdowns about missionary work! David A. Bednar has given two conference talks in a row on different commadments (Last year's talk "We Believe en Being Chaste"). It was all so great. Prebably better than Christmas. I can't wait for the Liahona to come.

I set a few mission goals, but one goal I did set for my life is that I will never miss a session of Conference. If I have to, I will watch it as soon as possible after. I can't imagine why we wouldn't watch conference. We are litterally hearing the voice of God through the Prophet and apostles!

Well, that was my week. everything overshadowed by conference.

I love you all! thank you for your support!

Elder Foster

Week 32

I'm here still in Fairfield!

IIm trying to think of what to write, of what has happened!!! So Elder Aidukaitis came from the 70 to teach us some new things. He was the first Geneeral Authority Devotional I had in the MTC. It was really really cool. He taught us a cool technique to pick up investigators from baptisms.

Elder Wright is learning Spanish faster than anyone that I've ever seen. I think he realized that his Spanish wasn't the greatest, and now he just practices and memorizes all the time. It's honestly incredible. He is picking up the language so fast!!! He is a hard worker too. We set some great goals and we're trying to contact like crazy here. It's kind of hard since we have a huge area, but there are really only two areas where there are high concentrations of Spanish people. We have been trying to contact at least 20 a day, which we've attained a few times. We are not teaching the highest amount of lessons right now, but the ones we are teaching are super fantastic. Elder Wright takes the lead on every other door and it's going great. We've been going on bikes as well (2 Santa Rosa trips this month, we ran out of miles) and I let him lead to get to where we need to go. I need a new bike seat, my rear end hurts really bad! He is probably the best greenie that there was.

As far as teaching goes, we are teaching that family that we found through the long Facebook/ Del Taco story. They are super awesome. They read the Book of Mormon and understand it all. They are praying together to know if it is true, and all four of them (them and their two boys, the daughter attends the singles branch) came to all three hours of church. They're really cool. They loved it. This week we;re going to teach them about the Prophet and invite them to conference.

We taught a Fifth Sunday lesson yesterday. We used the June 23rd Broadcast and just told them what we need from them as a branch. I showed the Thomas S Monson clip and related his story of 6 missinoaries to what we have in the branch now. It was great.

In addition to the family that came to church, we also had both the main les active familes from our area (Each companionship got 2 families) came to church. Miracles!!!

So on Facebook a Mormon girl from Mexico added me and then suggested all her Mormon friends to me (over 100). I'm teaching a lot of people in Mexico and I'm getting better at writing in Spanish.

So I think that's it for the week. It was a busy week full of lots of door knocking and street contacting. Sorry that this letter wasn't full of interesting stories. I'll be looking for crazy things to happen so that I can tell you something funny. We're working hard for sure though.

We need your prayers to help us start finding people to teach! Every prayer helps. I love you!

Elder Foster

Week 31

So here we are in Fairfield, a new week, a new transfer, and a new companion! But to start off we'll go back to when Elder Lopez was still here on Tuesday night.

We ate with our Branch Missionary Food Coordinator. She's a recent convert, her husband was less active for a while and pretty much has the coolest conversion story (was confirmed the day before I got to Fairfield) but that is a story for another day! She made Carne Asada, which was delicious, like always, but then also made colte de camaron. It's like a giant mug, and it has shrimp and octopus in it, with a lot of liquid. It's like a cold soup. And then we put lime and avocados and pico de gallo and valentina in it, then eat it, then drink it. So that was kind of weird. But then literally 30 minutes after we ate we went to a less active's house, and she had made flautas for our appointment with her and we had to shove them down and I was literally about to throw up that night. I ate so much. And that night I was literally pn the toilet for 15 minutes. It wasn't the best day on the mission.

But then it was time to get out new comps! My new comp is Elder Wright. He's super cool. He is from Arizona. His Spanish could be better, we're working on memorizing conjugations, but it's ok! I'm patient, because I remember my Spanish and my trainer. He's very open and asks questions  I can tell he's going to be a great missionary, he's just a little hard on himself. Really humble though.

We had trouble finding people until yesterday night, where we found a family of 6 and left them a blessing and they accepted a return visit, found a less active I've been trying to contact for 3 months, and contacted like crazy! So all in all a good way to finish off the week.

It's been a sweet week! I'm excited to keep working here with Elder Wright!

Week 30

I feel like I'm all messed up numbering these emails. But I've got some crazy information!

So the area got split. Like we knew. But, like we didn't expect, I got Fairfield Spanish East! Which is technically where I was before, but we never worked on the East side too far. So I've got like 10 former investigators to work off (compared to like 100 from before) and about 10 members. Essentially, I'm opening an area. not entirely, but like 80%opening up an area. I will also be training. Elder Lopez is leaving to Roehner Park, coming into Spanish Central is Elder Garrity (A stud missionary) and he will also be training. So things are getting shaken up here!

SO another thing. Lupe G. messaged me on Facebook saying she did baptisms for the dead! I have honestly never met anyone as cool as she is. I will be there when she gets endowed for sure!

Ok now for the craziest story I might have ever sent...

So picture that you're Elder Camper. He was serving in Navato 4 months ago, and is AP now. When he was serving in Navato, he me a girl named Brenda D. He went on Facebook and found two, didn't know which one he talked to, and added both. Go back about 3 weeks- Elder Camper went to Del Taco in Fairfield after exchanges here with our ZL's. The lady helping him said "I think you added me on Facebook." He replied "Uh, I'm pretty sure I didn't." She then said "No, look, you're Elder Camper, you're right here on my Facebook." Starting to make sense, he replied "Oh I see, yeah I must have added you." Seeing that he is a missionary she said "I'm starting to think it's not a coincidence that you're here right now."

So long story short, she's Spanish and going to the Singles Branch. But, as coincidence would have it, her family is also super interested. Elder Lopez and I rode with the Single's Elders to their house to teach the family. They came to church and have a baptismal date! So I hope that all made sense. It's a miracle!

Also, we had a baptism for the Sisters' investigadora. I spoke on the Holy Ghost, and Brother West said that I looked like a professor. Maybe I should teach when I grow up.

Also, the guy next to me smells like Marijuana.

But that's it! I love you! Sorry that was a long letter. I'll let you know abou my greenie next week!!! Love you!

Elder Foster

Week 28

Here we are, starting the last week of the transfer! Pumping it up and getting ready to split it! I'm hoping I get the area Fairfield Central. I also want to be on bike!

So as far as news this week

Maria De Jesus got confirmed yesterday! I did the confirmation. She's so great! She should be moving out of the apartment she's living in (chaotic, hard to feel the spirit, messy, smelly [but it's not her, she does her best to make it a great place to live, it's her sister]) and into a new one with her different sister. Also, our investogator Hector came to church. He was wearing a suit and tie, and pretty much everyone though that he was a member visiting, not an investigator. He's changing! He'll be slow, but he'll get baptized in the future.

We also had a stake "Blue Ribbon Fair" activity that they do every year. Quite a few Latinos showed up, and we were contacting like crazy! Didn't even get the time to eat.

Remember Brother West, who gave that concert a while back? We will be going out with him literally every single day for the next few weeks. So we'll be pumping up member present lessons!

Elder Lopez is also teaching me to play soccer on P Days. I'm pretty much going to come backsuper hispanic. Also, when Hondouras beat Mexico the other day people were really ticked off and drunk and wouldn't talk to us. I just don't understand why people would drink beer instead of Tamarindo. Tamarindo is great!

Well that's about it for this week! We're working hard and hoping to find lots of people this week! Love you all!!!

Elder Foster

Week 27

This week was a crazy week. To start off, I have been teaching a person in Arizona and a person in Mexico on Facebook. It's pretty good. as far as the ipads, it's sweet. For dinner messages I've been sharing Mormon Messages and challenging people to give us referrals on Facebook. My favorite to use is "Un Cambio De Corazon" Or "A Change of Heart."

But the craziest of crazy- here's what happened this week... We had a baptism!!!!!!!

Wednesday at 7:45PM Maria De Jesus told us she was going to have to start working and that she wasn't going to be able to make her baptismal date. Satan was frustrating our plans!!! And so we told her "Marichuy, you can wait 2 more months until you get baptized, and procrastinate having the blessings, or you can get baptized tonight." So she picked the right answer, we filled up the font and baptized her! I'll mail a picture home. It's on Elder Lopez's camera. It was a miracle because the font takes 2 hours to fill up, but in 30 minutes it was filled more than it should have been. We got her baptized, and I will be confirming her next Sunday! So we had a baptism this week!

I feel like there was more this week, but that was honestly the biggest thing.

Oh!!! I decided that I am a true Spanish missionary. I went on English exchanges and a member took us to Buffallo Wild Wings, with all the sports on the TVs and stuff, and I couldn't take my eyes away from the soccer game! I know I'm in America, but I feel like a Hispanic!!!!!!!!!

This work is great. I've felt your prayers!!! We have found a lot of cool people this week. We picked up two as investigators and are just flooded with potentials. I love Fairfield. We're picking it up here!

Love you all!

Elder Foster

 

Week 26

To start off, I will say that our mission in the most obedient mission on the face off the earth, and I will tell you why, with a journal entry that I wrote on LDS.org from MY BRAND NEW IPAD!!!!!

"Today we went to Santa Rosa for a mini zone conference. The work of salvation was hastened! They told us it was a conference for teaching skills, but really it was a trick! They brought in iPads for us as missionaries! President Donaldson (SLC Missionary Department) was also there. We are they first mission that has iPads! They were piloting the iPad program in other missions, but we are the first mission where every single missionary has an iPad! The first in the world! Because we are the most obedient mission in the world. I have no doubt. We can also teach any single person that want on Facebook! Which means that there is no where in the world that is closed to missionary work. Which means that Matthew 24:14 is coming true!
"14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Matthew 24:14)"
And then the end shall come. Powerful.
L. Tom Perry also said that the broadcast on the 23rd of June was "as important as the First Vision, and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon." That means that this time is so important. I was asked by The Lord to serve in February so that I could participate in the baptism of Lupe Garza. I was called to serve in this mission so that I could be part of the first wave of online missionary work, where we can teach the whole world and have iPads. What a blessing to be chosen for this mission at this time. I have no doubt that The Lord is preparing a marvelous work. It's coming forth among the children of men! The time is now."

 

Did you hear that? The broadcast on the 23rd that announced that we would be using Facebook and such, is AS IMPORTANT AS THE FIRST VISION AND COMING FORTH OF THE BOOK OF MORMON!!!!! Said by an apostle of the Lord.

That is the big news. D&C 88:73 The hastening of the work! We are witnessing it now!

We also dropped 3 investigators this week... So we need to find more! We need prayers here in Fairfield!

Thank you for all the support! Love you!

Elder Foster

Week 25

So it's here! 6 months ago I was set apart as a missionary. It doesn't even seem that long!

So we'll start of with the bad news. Maria De Jesus didn't get baptized, but it was because she's been in the hospital all week for a kidney infection. She just barely got out, and she will be getting baptized the last saturday of this transfer. We visited her 3 times in the hospital, and let me say how much I hate hospitals. I hate the way they smell, I hate the rooms, I  hate how everyone has needles in their arms and how there's always just a feeling that for some reason, it's a bout to be a 28 Days Later situation. But other than that, she's great.

Also, remmeber the story about that temple worker? Well, he is the brother of our Branch Mission Leader's wife, and they are the siblings to three other people. One was mission president in Hondouras, but I don't know anything else about him. Their other brother is Carlos H. Amado, of the First Quorom of the 70!!!!!!! So that's super sick. Now imagine this 70, and then picture a guy that's the exact opposite. That's their other brother. We went to go visit his son, who is a less active, and encoutered this man. I'm pretty sure he's preparting the way for the Antichrist to come. So this is a super spiritual family, and then the one black sheep.

This was a miracle that we saw yesterday, this is from my letter to President Alba: "WE did see a miracle last night though. We were going to drop our investigator Hector, because he hadn't been progressing, wasn't willing to read, come to church, or stop drinking. He had never once prayed with us, or on his own, making up many excuses. When we knocked on his door, he opened it up with a big smile, his Book of Mormon and Bible. He had changed! He read the first 17 chapters of first Nefi, and when we were talking about it, he told us he felt like he should pray. He prayed right there on his porch, and told us when he was done how great he felt. We can see the atonement working in his life, so wewill continue teaching him!!!"

We do need prayers to find more people though. Ascool as our investigators are, we need more to teach, and after tracting at least every day for an hour this last week, we didn't find anyone. Prayers would be great!

That's it for this week! I hope you all are well! You're in my prayers!!!

Elder Foster

Week 24

Do you remember that episode of Even Stevens where Louis is in love with that attractive cheerleading coach? He decides to become a mascot to impress here, but one day he goes into her office and she's shaving her unibrow and it just throws him off and he can't think about anything elder but the unibrow, but he still becomes a great mascot? I feel like that's kind of like missionary work.

Anyway, the baptism never happened. There was a youth dance, and wouldn't you know it, Satan tempted more pepole toget married and now there's a wedding this coming saturday!!!! We are going to see if we can do thebaptism in the Rio Vista River here. Beause it's ridiculous! I should probably repent for being frustrated. But she passed the interview, and she's good. So we'll see what happend with her.

I don't know what happened to our cholo Ortega! I feel like he disappeared off the face of the Earth. It's not just like he's not answering the door, his phone is off and the lights are never on in his house, and I never hear his roosters crow. I have no idea where he is! But we'll find him.

We are teaching the dad of a member here. He's 87 and a Paisano. He's pretty hard to teach because all he likes to do is talk about his life in Mexico, which is pretty much talking about all the fights he got into in Elementary school and it's just weird but he's really cool. We really want him to get baptized.

We're teaching a giant group of middle aged women on a certain street. 3 of them aged 30-40. I feel like most people I end up teaching are women, I don't really know why, it just happens. When Elder Hansen came to Napa, all of our investigators were women. I have no idea why! Here it's like 3/4 are women. They are just more receptive, or maybe they're not out working when we tract before lunch. Either way, that street was super awesome. Half were Mexican Testigos de Jehova, but the half that weren't Testigos were really receptive. So hopefully in a year that street will be 50/50!!! We'll see.

We're kind of running out of places to find Fairfield isn't necesarily a Spanish Hot Spot (for saying that, I'll get sent to Fort Bragg), we have to really search for places. A lot of the people in the branch are older and not willing to do missionary work, but we'll break them into it.

This week was a little slower. A lot of finding, contacting, and tracting. We did 3 family home evenings, so that was fun!

Pray that we'll find some solid families!!!

Love you and miss you!

Elder Foster

Week 23?

Somewhere I messed up on my numbers, but here is the really week 23!

Transfer information first- The Tolenas Spanish Branch is staying the exact same! The Hermanas and us are both staying the exact same, which is super awesome. I'm so stoked.

About the baptism- We couldn't have it. Some people decided it would be a good idea to get married and have the reception on a night in order to stop the eternal progression of our investigator! Who would do such a thing? And then Satan continued his work by creating a youth dance this coming Saturday! So we're are seriously thinking of going 31 AD style and taking her to a river to be baptized. It would be easier than having to reserve the silly stake center!

On the bright side, we taught 20 lessons this week! I don't mean to be a number crucher, but it feels really good!

We found a really cool lady this last week as well. We just dropped a bunch of investigators, so our teaching pool was pretty low, and we had pretty much exhausted our formers and decided to tract for an hour. We found a lady that had met with the missionaries a little before (no teaching record though) and she was sweet! Her name is Candy (I didn't know that was a Spanish name, but we'll take it!). We taught her the Restoration, and she believes a lot of it. She's a Bible Junkie and has a hard time accepting the Book of Mormon, but she doesn't feel like there's anything bad in it. Her story is crazy though, she just feels the need to accept Christ and to center her home on him. She told us her daughter, who is 15, moved out and is living with her boyfriend. That's pretty crazy stuff, but she's so awesome and I'm sure she'll be baptized.

I also went on English exchanges this week which was fun. We put our bikes in the back of a member's home, because the neighborhood is pretty bad and he lets them do that. His son had just gotten back from BYUI and was waiting for his call (He got it the next day, Independence Missouri speaking Spanish!). We went and did work, and before we left we were visitng him for a little. His less-active daughter who is 17 came out and asked if we were about to leave, and I told her "Yeah I think we are, unless you need anything?" And she said "yeah, could I just talk to you guys for a little?" Needless to say we accepted and she told us to give her 5 minutes and so after that we went upstairs with her and her brother and we taught her. It was so cool! Such a miracle for their area. She is also super into Operation Ivy and Rancid, so hopefully I get to visit with her again on exchanges!

I think that's about it for this week. The Spanish is good for the most part, I was used to Michoacan Spanish is Napa, and people here in Fairfield are from all over, so sometimes it's been hard to understand, but for the most part it's not really a problem anymore. Right now it's vocabulary that I need more than anything else.

A guy that works in the temple shared his testimony yesterday about prophets. He is temple security, and told us he escorted Thomas S Monson into the visitor center. A little girl, 9 years old and a convert, asked our member if she could shake Thomas S Monson's hand. He said he would check, and we he told President Monson, He straightened up, fixed his tie and jacket, and said with a grin "This is the best part of my job!" He proceeded to visit with the girl, and after a few moments she asked him if he would sign her Book of Mormon. He told her no, and she looked sad. He then clarified, this is paraphrasing of course and translated from the Spanish testimony "I'm not a celebrity, and my signature will not increase the value of this book. But I will give you something even more valuable than any signature on the face of the Earth" He then bore his testimony of the Book of Mormon, kissed her on the forehead, and prayed. It was the coolest! I felt like I was there while he was describing this event. Imagine hearing Thomas S. Monson pray.

That's it for this week! Love you all!

Elder Foster

Week 23

So we'll try and keep this a little short!

As far as cool things that have happened this week... I learned how to make Tortillas with Manseca. They're pretty good. I also decided that the reason why I'm losing weight here even though I'm in a car and not bike is because I don't eat as many tortillas as I was eating in Napa. I ate a lot of tortillas in Napa. But, according to a member here, tortillas are how you find a wife. Let me explain, we were at dinner and I was telling her how much I loved the tamales. and she proceeded to say

"When you get home, you need to find a Mexican wife."

I replied, "I know! It's in the plans sister!"

"But she can't be lazy. There are some that are lazy."

"What do you mean, lazy?"

"Well, if you want to marry her and find out, just tell her this 'Make me tortillas, make me tamales, and then you can marry me!'"

I almost spit out what I was drinking because I was laughing so hard after that. The bad thing is she was being serious. Hermana Witt told me "No! Elder Foster, don't ever say that!" Needless to say, it was funny. And I don't ever plan on saying that.

I was on exchanges with Elder Albert, our Zone Leader from Guam. He is exactly 5 feet tall. We were knocking on doors, and aPit Bull bit him in the face. It was bad, but he just punched the dog, it was pretty funny. He was ok. I guess in Guam he got bit a lot, and he just found that punching dogs helped.

This is from Elder Hansen (Josh?) " There's no wife yet... There are some Potentials though... Some of them wont leave me alone haha... But really...."

The work is going good! We get transfer doctrine this week, hopefully Elder Lopez stays!

I've been reading in the Book of Mormon in Spanish where Ammon is teaching King Lamoni. It's so cool. King Lamoni pretty much tells him "Yeah, take my really, really, really attractive Lamanite daughter for your wife!!" And Ammon is all like "No, vos, I'm just here to serve you." And then Ammon proceeds to just slice off arms and bring the Spirit in hardcore while he teaches. It's pretty cool. The Book of Mormon is true!

Elder Foster

Week 22

Here I am in week 22, it was full of miracles and I'm loving it here!

To start off, our cholo investigator called us a day when we didn't have dinner, told us he made a carne asada, and to come eat with him. I'm about 98% sure on the way we got transported to Mexico while driving over there. We ate carne asada, there were stray dogs rnning around and we were giving them the bones, and then we heard a rooster crow. He then led us to the backyard, where he is raising chickens. Not normal chickens, mind you, Mexican chickens. And with these Mexican chickens, we see two large, separate cages. He is breeding Cock-Fighting gallos. Two of them now. He doesn't fight them, he sells them, but we're talking like 10 pound roosters, long feathers, huge talons. It was crazy. I'll put in some pictures. On Saturday we had Carnitas with him, which is like where they throw the whole pig into the pot, stomach skin, and all. The skin was good, but he made me try the stomach, and so I was throwing up quite a bit Saturday Nioght. It was not sanitary. I will also send a picture of that.

Maria de Jesus is also super excited to get baptized. She and the Cholo both came to church.

But that's not all! In church, I had the opportunity to give a 20 minute talk on missionary work. 20 minutes in Spanish. I pulled about 15, but it was good. People laughed when they were supposed to, and lots of people told me after that they liked it.

On Friday we ate lunch with a less active named Rafaela. We got along really well, and then she brought her neice and a friend to Sacrament meeting!

That's still not all. A different less active brought her sister, her brother in law and all their kids to Sacrament meeting. All in all, we had 68 people in Sacrament, 13 more than last week, and 20 more than my first week. The Lord is hastening his work. Our Branch President stopped us after and told us "Hey Elders, slow down! I can't keep up with the work you're doing!" I don't mean to sound prideful, but it was really good to hear that considering how slow it was when we got here. I love Fairfield! I miss Napa, but it's great.

And speaking of Napa, Lupe messaged me on Facebook and told me that she is now a Branch Missionary! I'm so stoked for her.

Ok, that's it for this week! Love you!

Elder Foster