Week 48

One more transfer down! I'm moving onto my eighth transfer in the field! i can't believe it. 

So just a little info on what's happening with transfers- I'm staying in Woodland with Elder Sabin, still as a DL. Elder Alvarado is going to Vallejo, Elder Verdugo is staying here (for two weeks, then he goes home) with Elder Fonseca, and Elder Contla. In addition to that, the ZLs are changing from the Elders in our apartment to the elders in Davis. Which means- Exchanges in Davis! I'm very excited for that. The Hermanas in my district are staying the same. Also, Elder Wright is going to Santa Rosa as a District Leader! My son! He and I came out of our last transfer as way good friends. I'm so proud of him! 

 

This week... It was pretty crazy, I guess! We had two investigator families text us and tell us they weren't really ready to hear the lessons. One family I was ok with, but the other I'm way confused about. I need to text her back still and find out what's up, because they were solid. We'll see what happens. So pretty much our new plans are instead of putting backups for people to see, we will visit one person every hour, and then just pros walk or tract until the next hour if they are not there. 

 

One of our less actives is really frustrating us. His name is Fidel. He is always chasing after this other married member (also less active) who just leads him on. He needs to move on! But we saw them go into a taqueria, so we followed them in and then they bought us tacos. It was sweet. The Horchata there was just in buckets and you just scooped it out with a ladle. It was delicious. So even though he went there with the lame lady less active, we were happy.

 

The next day we had an appointment with this part member family. We went over to their house, and they weren't there. I was ticked. Then we went to a different investigators house and they weren't there. Then we went to a different less active's house, and he was not there. So, I'm pretty chapped by this point. I just wanted to go to the apartment and make some calls, because I thought it would be more productive. On the way there on our bikes, we passed Fidel's house. We decided to see if he was there. He was. We went in and started to talk to him. He told us that he though we had left 2 pros copies of the Book of Mormon in his house. That wasn't true, since I never carry English ones, but whatever, so we had them on the table. I felt prompted to say that Elder Sabin was going to share his favorite scripture, so I was like nah, but then I felt it again. So Elder Sabin starts opening up his scriptures, and lo and behold, Fidel's English speaking roommate walks out and says he felt like he should listen. Well, what do we have on the table, but 2 copies of the Book of Mormon in english! So we gave him one and pretty much taught him all about the Book of Mormon. It was sweet. The English  elders are going to start teaching him. It was sweet. So even though no one else was home, there was a reason! 

 

Ok so in addition to that, Hno Joel continues to say funny things. Yesterday it was "No uso el internet mucho. No importa en cual pagina este, siempro veo Find Singles in Your Area! Hijoles, ya encontre mi futura esposa, no voy a buscar mas singles in my area!" It was hilarious. I can't spell in spanish on the computer. Sorry! 

So that is what I have for you all today. It was a good week. I'm excited for a new transfer. I'm going to be putting in work!

Elder Foster 

Week 47

Well, after 5 weeks of being here we finally had an investigator at church! It was awesome. Her name is Alicia. She's super cool. She's a pretty cool old lady. For the last few weeks she has been watching kids on Sundays, but her granddaughter just had a baby (so now she is a great grandma) and her granddaughter watches the kids on Sunday while she comes to church! She liked it a lot. I taught Gospel Principles as well. It was awesome. It was Branch Conference as well. 

We were super worried, we weren't sure if she was going to be able to come. She has a super good fellowshipper named Evangelina. She is a solid member with an awesome testimony and impressive knowledge of the doctrine. She comes with us to every lesson, and this last week she told Alicia that she was going to be able to give her a ride. The problem? She just got a new job and was scheduled to work Sunday. So we prayed and fasted with Evangelina that she would get work off, and she did! So it was an awesome Sunday. 

I also gave my first baptismal interview on Saturday to two sisters. They got baptized, and our branch is baptizing weekly now! Which is awesome, since in the last year they only had 6 convert baptisms. Alicia should be getting baptizes either the 25th of this month, or the next week. She will be ready. We are trying to bring Joel to lessons on with her so that she will pick him to baptize her (she is a large, large woman.). 

In addition to that, we began teaching the husband of a less active woman. When they got married, he made her pick him or the church, and she picked him. But, unlike most situations, she kept her testimony very strong. She still says her Mormon style prayers every night with her daughter, and studies from the Book of Mormon. We have to be pretty... unbold (if that's a word) with him, though. He does have potential though. 

However, we have begun to notice a problem in the branch... Everyone in the branch thinks that it's a sin to drink caffeine. I don't know where they are getting that belief, or what's going on, but just a strange thing that I haven't seen in any other branch that I've served in. 

Elder A and Elder Vwere at leadership training at Camp Liahona for 3 days, a long with 3 of the 4 sisters from the branch, so there was pretty much no one in the branch for a little while. We held it together pretty well, if I do say so myself. Except for Elder S was sick, so we did have to take it a little slow. 

All in all, a good week. Finding some new people, and teaching lots. It's about to be week 6 of the transfer. We will be baptizing in 2-3 weeks, and so far we have 3 less actives that are becoming active again. So a lot of success here in Woodland! 

Elder Foster 

Week 46

One more week down and into a new year! I can't believe that it is 2014 right now. It's super crazy. It feels like only a few weeks ago that I spent the New Years at a ska and cheese party. I can say that I celebrated like I did last year a little. Last year Jake and I bought some Lemonade and Honey Arizonas. This year, I bought a gallon of Lemonade and Honey Arizona, and I drank half a gallon (Diabetes, I know. It was a new years splurge.) . I can say that I didn't throw up, but I stayed up until about 11:30 urinating because I drank so much of it right at 9. It was a good day! 

Elder A and Elder V have both been sick, so they have been chilling at the apartment all week long, and this next week all of the Zone Leaders are going to MLC in Camp Liahona for 3 days, so Elder S and I have the apartment to ourselves for 3 days. It will be a little weird. 

We had a really succesful week as far as proselyting goes. We found quite a few new investigators, set a baptismal date in our area and a baptismal date for a lady in Mexico through Facebook! She is meeting with the missionaries down there currently. 

The bad thing about this week was pretty much the whole town of Woodland is sick. We had 2 investigators that were pretty solid to come to church yesterday. On Saturday night we went to visit them to see if there was anything we could do to help them attend. We walked into the first lady's home, and she told us that she was sick and couldn't go. You could tell that she was being serious. We watched a Mormon Message with her and got out so we didn't get sick. We then went to the second lady's house, and she was even more sick! I was so chapped because they need to come to church gosh dangit! So right now, I am taking 1,500% of the daily amount of Vitamin C just to be safe. But for real. Both of them sick?? Come on!!! 

But now for the good part- We had 8 less actives at church. One family, and two other guys came. It was sweet to see the results of our efforts. They really enjoyed it. 

Good thing #2- Old Spice is now making shampoo. I have said always that the only problem with Old Spice is that they don't make shampoo. But now they do. I am currently using Wolfthorn deoderant, body wash, and shampoo, and Old Spice pomade. Should I be an old Spice salesman??? 

#3- we ate dinner this week with the elders Quorom President. He is hilarious. His name is Joel R. He was converted at age 8, served a mission in Mexico, then came to the states a few years after. He is 34, speaks good but funny English. The dinner was pizza and juice, and I don't think I've ever laughed so hard. He told us things like "Sin el bautismo, you don't even can see the Celestial Kingdom. You don't even can see it!" or when telling us the story of how he met the lady to whom he is now engaged "La vi, y empece a mirarla como un fox!" I was dying the whole dinner. But he likes me a lot, and pretty much told me that whenever we need him for a lesson to call him. Score!!!! 

Well, it's been a good week. I miss you guys!!!! Hope all is well. 

Elder Foster 

Week 45

Christmas week! 

So I'm sure everyone wants to know how Christmas went! To start off, thank you for all of the presents. I'm a spoiled little kid ;) And I willl probably never have to buy shaving stuff again! I might actually be able to grow a full beard before this 2 years ends!



Skyping you guys was definitely one of the most positive experiences I've had on my mission. I miss you guys, and that gave me the strength I need to keep going and keep working! Even though I wasn't with you guys, I felt your love on Christmas.

After we Skyped, we went and visited some less actives who don't have families and gave them Christmas cards. One of the guys was really really thankful, and he came to church yesterday! So that felt really good. It felt nice to get out and spread some of the Savior's Love on Christmas Day.

After that we went to a park and played Ultimate Frisbee for about an hour and a half. It was really fun, good to get out in the sun (it was warm for the first time in a long time!!!) and play some sports.

 

Then we went to a member's house in Esparto. There were 10 missionaries! All of the spanish missionaries from the Woodland Spanish Branch, and then one companionship of Spanish sisters from Winters. It was crazy! In addition to us, the Branch President and his family came. It was awesome. We ate chicken, tortillas, tamales, carne asada, menudo, and pozole for dinner. After that we ate dessert, which consisted of flan, milk jello, and this weird sweet potatoe stuff  that is awesome. So it was a huge Mexican party, and it felt like family.

As far as the rest of the week goes, just normal work. It has been slow as far as teaching lessons with the holidays. but from 6PM-9PM tonight we have 4 lessons planned, and 2 with members coming. I don't know how that's all going to work, but it should be good! Finding has been good, we are contacting lots, but I like knocking doors, and Elder A and Elder S didn't do that as much, so we are going to start doing that more! We are finding lots of cool people though.

My district is really cool. I have the Hermanas from Dixon (one of which is from Spain, the other knows sammie, her name is Hermana L), the zone leaders, and Elder S. District Meetings are in Spanish, which is fun and a good challenge.

It's been a good week! Hopefully this next week will be an awesome one for you guys as well.

Elder Foster

Week 44

Sooooooo a lot of stuff happened this week.

To start off, we had the Christmas devotional! It was a wonderful, uplifting experience. I don't think the actual talking about Christmas had too much of an effect on me. It was touching and spiritual, but nothing incredible for me. And then!!! We had some special musical numbers. I can honestly say that I have never felt the spirit that strongly when I listen to music. It was wonderful to hear all the missionaries singing and praising the birth of Jesus. 

Then, we had the party. It was so great to see all of the missionaries that have made a difference to me on my mission. I saw Elder L (who I haven;t seen since he left), Hermana B and W, Hermana Ch Elder W,F, and S, Elder W, and just so many missionaries that have blessed and changed my life. If I had never decided to come on a mission, I never would have had the opportunity to meet these missionaries. I loved it.

 

Woodland is great. It is a large branch with many youth. We had a Christmas party with over 100 people show up. We had 10 people that we invited show up. It was so successful! And the tamales were great. I don't know why we can't be hispanic!!! We are mostly biking. The area is good. There was not a lot of finding done last transfer, so we are trying to build up the teaching pool! Elder S is awesome. A little republican, but I can deal with it. That's why we're on missions! But it did teach my that I would like my wife to be on my end of the spectrum. Darn politics. 

We have so many members willing to teach with us, and the branch is on board with missinionary work. I love it! 

I don't know what else to write about. I'm super excited for Christmas. I love you guys and hope all is well! 

Elder Foster 

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