Becoming Master Teachers

Hello! Another week has gone and went! We have been hard at work here in our ward. Here's some highlights from each of the days:

TUES- So it was P-Day, so we went out to get some ice cream at Handel's which was super duper good! And, they had some dairy free flavors! Also, we got to see the ocean too!

Elders Doolen, Rodriguez, Clark, Brooks, and Harvey

WED- We taught 4 member lessons this day. It's been really nice getting to know the members. They are so kind and welcoming despite this being the 739194th time that they've had a new set of missionaries.

THURS- Zone Conference! We did it over zoom and it was Spirit-Packed! I played a musical number to start it off (they called me the night before, how original). President Gimenez introduced us to a new study plan for the mission. We are going to become MASTER TEACHERS. We study the doctrine, organize our thoughts, then role play it every chance we get. It's already been doing wonders for us. President Gimenez talks with the Power of God which is also pretty astonishing.

 

Zone Conference!
See if you can find Elder Brooks

That night, one of our members dropped off steak, ribs, potatoes, and then they didn't know what to do for dessert, so they dropped off GF Brownies and Dairy Free Ice Cream. They're the best, I know.

BOMB Desserts

FRI- We had both of our lessons cancel today, but that's how it works sometimes. We were still able to stay busy by travelling to the mission office to finalize some logistics for my arrival. Sister Gimenez said in our morning devotional that 70 of the 100 companionship would be changing in our mission on Aug 4 when 30 new missionaries come in. So, hopefully I'm not getting transferred around, but you never know.

SAT- We did exchanges! Since the DLs live with us, we were able to do them in person, so I went with Elder Rodriguez and it was awesome!

With Elder Rodriguez after exchanges

Then, we did service for our members, making and dropping off some cookies. We were able to drop and go which was really nice and we got to see some of them face to face which was great.

Cookies!

SUN- We taught another 4 member lessons today. We also had the sacrament at our chapel which is always a spiritual experience with just us 5 missionaries in the chapel without anyone else. 

Our apartment after the sacrament
Elder Harvey, Rodriguez, Clark, Brooks, Doolen

MON- President Gimenez introduced us to another program which is AWESOME! Every morning at 8:45 AM, everyone in the mission will get down on their knees and pray, or wrestle with God in mighty prayer. So excited for this one. 

Elder Doolen and I filmed a French Class today at the church building. I'll be editing it and it should be on Facebook on Friday. Be sure to like The Church of Jesus Christ in Del Mar and Encinitas to see it!!!

President Gimenez says that we should be out of quarantine again on Thursday which would be really nice. But, Cali is getting worse and worse, so we'll see what really happens. We might be in lockdown pretty soon, but we're hoping for the best!

A path in our area

This week, my testimony in Jesus Christ has been strengthened and I know that He really did suffer for me. He felt my pains, my sorrows, and my joys! He is the Savior of the world!

Elder Brooks

Notes from our video calls this week:

If their quarantine is lifted on Thursday, they can start doing service again.  They already have a list of less active members that have called and want them to come and help them.

Elder Rodriguez was also reassigned to San Diego.  They enjoyed talking about it.

They are in a bike area, but the other elders in their apartment serve the Spanish ward and they have a car since their area is larger.

They have a hard time finding people to teach through Facebook, but have some ideas of things they can try.  Liking and commenting on their posts helps to increase their visibility.  But they have still been busy.  Some ward members brought over some board games for them but they haven't had time to play them yet.