Hello from Monterey, California! Yup, that is where I got transferred to...poor me. I'm pretty sure this is the most beautiful area to serve in of every area in the entire California San Jose Mission. Our area is right on the ocean and I would send pictures today, but I forgot the cord to connect my camera to the computer, so you'll have to wait until next week. This week we had a dinner appointment at a member's home and they live off of 17-mile drive. It was a pretty incredible drive to their house (I'm not on a bike anymore).
If you're wondering, Sister Kim was transferred to Pleasanton and she is in a trio with Sister Zorn (she came with me from Temple Square) and Sister Rawlinson. My companions are Sister Eller (from Utah) and Sister Haycock (from Colorado). I think they put Sister Zorn and I in trios because we're leaving part way through the transfer here.
In Monterey we're serving in both a Family and a Singles ward so we have lots of people to work with. We have some really great investigators here too. This Saturday we have a BAPTISM for Aaron*!!! Aaron was introduced to the gospel by his friends from school. He attends the Defense Language Institute (DLI) which is the reason that lots of people in both wards are here. Aaron just soaks up the gospel like a sponge. Basically all that we do is share the lessons with him and he is just so ready that everything makes sense to him and he feels the Spirit when we teach eternal truths. Something that really touched him was the knowledge that in the pre-earth life he chose this plan, he already chose to follow Jesus Christ. He is super excited for his baptism and I know that his activity in the gospel is going to bless his future family beyond anything he can imagine right now.
We are also teaching Eric* and Emma*. Sister Eller and Sister Haycock found them while contacting people. They were kind of interested because they were looking for a church so they gave Sister Eller and Sister Haycock their address, but they weren't too committed until Eric's six-year-old son, "Bear", asked if they could go to church. That was the catalyst for their learning. Eric and Emma aren't married yet and they have two children from previous relationships but they are really looking to strengthen their families. Sister Eller and Sister Haycock taught them the Restoration and the Plan of Salvation before I came and they loved it. Yesterday was Eric's first day of quitting smoking to prepare for baptism. We watched the last session of General Conference at their home and it was great. It is so neat to see how the gospel of Jesus Christ is really going to strengthen their family.
Speaking of General Conference, it was wonderful! We watched the first three sessions in the church building and it was neat to be able to hear all of the talks. I wasn't out working at Temple Square but I got to hear everything instead, so there are trade-offs. I can't say that there was one in particular talk that stood out to me, but I just really loved President Monson's talk. He seems to speak on similar topics all the time: pay attention to the most important things in life because that is where true happiness comes from! I can't wait until the May Ensign comes out and we can read all of the talks. They were pretty great.
Thank you so much for your support! I'm a really lucky missionary.
*I changed their names
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