Week 14

So another week here in the mission field, but with some exciting news! This week we are having interviews with President Alba, and he's bring Elder Hansen and I a special surprise... A new companion! He's coming strait out of Mexico and he doesn't speak English! So I'm training in my second transfer! It's crazy. Elder Hansen is training me, and I'm training the new guy! I'm very nervous and very excited.

As far as this past week went, we did good things! We had a ton of referrals to visit and a lot of lessons. We also met e most prepared person for the gospel in the world. Her name is Lupe, she lives with the family whose house we skyped from. She pretty much told us she wants to get baptized, she's reading the Book of Mormon, she's going to church and she believes! I honestly cannot believe, every prayer I give thanks that we found her! We're going to set a date with her soon, I honestly think she. Could be baptized this Saturday she's so ready. I'll let you know what we decide to do though.

W also taught a lesson that was absolutely awful. We brought our ward mission leader, Max (who is on tv? I don't really know. He has crazy stories). He started just going off and it just hit out if control and turned into an argument between the lady we were teaching and Max about the Virgin Mary. Oh man it was so weird and Elder Hansen just started texting our next appointment saying that we were going to be late. He told me there was no way to bring the spirit back and that was why he was texting. It was so silly.

Also, I got offered weed. Which was funny.

OK guys, love you! Have a good week!

Week 13

Wheh! Another week gone by.

So I think the best way to start this email would be the worst day of my life as far as exercise goes. So we had to go to the Stake Center from our apartment, which is about 40 minutes from our apartment. After, we went over by church on Chapel Hill for dinner, which is not only the worst hill ever, but another 40 minute bike ride. Then we had to go see President Ceballos, who lives over by the stake center. A half mile from his house, we saw him in his car, and said he was going back the Chapel Hill church. So we went all the way from over by the stake center back to Chapel Hill (worst hill to ride a bike on ever) to meet him. All in all, it was over 30 miles of biking and I was exhausted. This was all still with Elder Alvarado.

But, the good news, is I have a new companion! His name is Elder Hansen. He really is awesome. He only has one transfer left, but he's so excited to work here and his enthusiasm is contagious. He is always ready to talk to people and it's just been so good. We contacted 27 people on Saturday, which is alot considering we don't get out of the apartment until 1. He's really awesome. I kind of have to push him in our studies, but he's willing to work always and is helping me out a ton. He's actually training me! Which is a change. This is what I was expecting my mission to be like. It's hard, but we're always doing good work. This is also the first area he;s been in that is a bike area.

We're still working with Hortencia, we have a lesson with her today so  we'll see how that goes!

Oh and as far as success goes, I had the best day of my mission on wednesday! It was after Elder Alvarado left and before Elder Hansen came in. I was with Elder Payne, and I got a text from a less active named Jesse. It said "Hey guys I'm coming back to the church, will you come visit me?" And without getting into too many details about his life, he recieved answers to his prayers and it was just awesome! He's 22, and in my favorite family in the ward. I was just so excited!

So this is good. We're doing good things here in Napa!
Love, Elder Foster

Week 12

Dear Family,

Another week has come and gone here in Napa. The work is continuing, I'm still riding my bike, and I'm still gaining weight! I don't have a lot of time to write a letter, but the biggest news this week is that my companion is getting transfered this week. The companion I'm getting has been out here almost two years, and this coming transfer will be his last. I think that'd be really hard, to pack up six weeks before you leave, but I'm still excited to learn and grow by having him as a companion! That also means I'll be here for probably two more transfers, but that remains to be seen! But most likely, yes I'll be here for awhile still. There's a lot of work to be done here and I'm excited to do it!

Elder Mufosta

Week 11

Hello!

So the mission is continuing on! It's weird to think that after being here for a month that I'm already struggling trying to find things to write. We're still teaching, riding bikes, and being missionaries! I guess I do have one interesting story. I was riding my bike, and I rode past a girl that had a Bad Brains shirt on, so I was slowing down so we could contact her (the first punk I've seen since I've been out here) but then a car pulled right in front of me, I had to stop really really fast, so I turned to I wouldn't hit the car, hit the curb, popped my tube, and tore a hole in my slacks. It was right next to the bike shop, so I bought a new tube. I think that's probably the most interesting thing this week!

Also, more about food. Tamarind is awesome, seriously one of my favorite things drink here. People here always say "Quieren agua?" And we say yes, because we always do because everday it's like 95 degrees, and then they bring out Tamarind. It's not water, but it's way good. I don't like the Jarritos as much, because it's carbonated, but really we are always drinking it. As far as bad food, the worst thing that I've eaten here was watermelon with chili powder/ salt whatever. It was awful. But so far, that's been the only thing that I haven't liked.

Sorry this is short, there isn't a whole ton to write this week, so I guess I'll share a scripture. Mosiah 4:27 (you can cut and paste it in for the blog, I don't know exactly what it says). I like it, because we need to do the best we can, and be diligent, and that's all that matters. It's been helping me out this last week!

So I guess that's it, but I love you all and hope everything is well!

Love,

Elder Mufosta!

As far as Cinco De Mayo, it was fast Sunday, which means for Spanish missionaries we hardly get out at all! We went to church, then we leave at 1:30 and go to the other missionaries' apartment, study the language until 2:30, do the 12 week training program until 3:30, study together until 4, when we have the hour of prayer to break the fast. At 5 we go to dinner at the church building where a bunch of old people feed us until about 6:30, when we go to the Stake Center to do numbers, and then at 8 we go to scone night with the Perez Family! So Cinco de Mayo was shot before it began. But everywhere around our apartment people were listening to loud music and it was crazy. And also, a few times a week we hear gunshots and there are always stabbings around our apartments. People here tell us we live in the most dangerous part of Napa. I think  that as long as I stay out of Vallejo, I'm fine!

Week 10

Week 10 was an awesome week here in Napa! I'll start with some good news- 8 new investigators!!! 2 with a baptismal date! It was quite incredible, and it is Elder Alvarado's new record for investigators in one week! It should be a great week coming up, teaching them all and helping out the branch!

So to answer some questions- Our branch is awesome. About 98% of the people here (in the Branch, but also just in Napa) are from Michoacan. I have no idea how to spell that. If they're not from Michoacan, they're from Jallisco. Literally everybody here.

As far as the food we're eating here, it's really really really really good. There honestly has not been a meal here that I haven't loved. Usually whatever we eat comes with corn tortillas and queso fresco. And if you guys haven't had queso fresco, go to the store right now and buy some. Make some rice and beans, and put all three in a corn tortilla (the good kind of corn tortilla, soft but warm!!!). It will change your life. I eat lots of avocados and tomatoes in the apartment. We cook our own food for lunch and breakfast, but there have only been three days where we haven't eaten dinner with a member/ investigators! Really, it's awesome. Tonight we're eating Peruvian food, I'm excited!

So I don't think I have too much to write this week. We've just been doing work! I'll do a better job of writing down stuff that I want to write home.

The Spanish is getting better, I just have to practice everyday!

The lady across from me is crazy, she's just talking to herself and it's distracting! But I love you all, I'll do a better job of writing next week! Love you!

Elder Mufosta!!!

 

PS. There is a family here, and the husband was baptized a year ago. The wife has been baptized for awhile, and they have a five year old kid. Honestly, one of my favorite familys in the branch, they're great. But his little brother is serving in the Salt Lake City South mission, so if you ever see an Elder Corro from Napa, tell him I know his family!