Sept 28 - Oct 1

To answer your questions:

Yep, there's a little more Spanish use here. My district of six is actually entirely Spanish missionaries in this ward. No, I don't usually teach a class, but the first week we were here we taught the teachers. We pretty much have normal church on Sunday. Well, we also have Coordination and PEC in the morning.

I'm learning a few things about bikes. I already one flat tire in the first week, and I bought a replacement tube, and another in the second week, but I didn't need to get a new tube (it was one of those self-healing ones). I also bought a bike pump, since I'm going to need it. I hear being on bike can be expensive. But I should keep the pump for the rest of the mission, of course.

At least I've managed not to have to buy another tube since, though I'm not sure if it's being better at bike or more familiar with the self-healing slime now. I have had to remove a couple other thorns at one point, but I was able to keep the tube.

My companion is from Phoenix, Arizona, but he was born in Mexico. His name is Elder Lopez. He's been out only one transfer longer than me, though he went through the MTC in three weeks, because he already knew Spanish, so he's been out in the field two transfers more than me. It's actually just me and him in this new apartment. And we still have a washer and dryer, so I'm happy about that. I'll get a picture of him and send it home eventually.

At zone conference we talked about using the Book of Mormon as evidence and helping investigators understand their purpose. One analogy I liked was: One man convinces another to run a race, however, he then proceeds to show up at random times of the day and tells him to run laps. As missionaries we need to lay things out as clearly as we can.

'Til next time, Adrian

new location and baptism invitation

Email of 9/20/09

"So... what makes you think that your parents may have a tendency to
over-stress... ;-)" - Oh, I don't know, maybe nineteen years of living with them. ;-)

Thanks for your work on the blog (& facebook) and your relayed comments. It was cool to get and hear about, since I don't do internet other than e-mail anymore.

Yes, I'll probably get to travel back to see Raul's baptism. You do get to do that. I have a pretty cool story/mission experience, though, that I'll be sending in this week's letter. (see below)

I was right about going to the valley. I'm actually in San Bernardino itself, now, and yes, I'm on bike. The good news is that I'm six months into the mission and it hasn't been stolen yet! I have learned a little bit more about bikes, though. And the U-lock is pretty neat. I carry it everywhere now.

Letter of 9/14/09 -

Hey, I'm in my new area! I'm now actually in San Bernardino! I'm also on bike and I've already had a flat and had to buy a replacement tube.

Apparently, this area hasn't had any baptisms for a while, but my first week here we got to set a baptismal date! I was meeting a part-member family, the father's an investigator and the mother is a less-active member. It is the second time he has investigated and the topic of baptism came up. We were both busy resolving concerns as they were mentioned. He had worthiness concerns because he didn't feel as patient as the brothers he saw in the church.

The concern was real to him and I thought about the invitation by Alma senior at the waters of Mormon. I brought out and read that scripture. It was one of my neatest experiences so far. I looked up in the middle of reading the scripture to see his face staring intently at me. We were able to set a baptismal date for October 11th. It was a spiritual moment and though the investigator is a good and jovial guy, I could tell that he felt the Spirit.

I keep remembering looking up and seeing him looking at me. My own recognition of the Spirit there jumped up a notch. I'm glad I could be here at this time.