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