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