Bonus Points

Well this week has been an exciting week. It started off well, we help a lady in our ward clean out her garage and reorganize it a little bit. Her husband, who passed away recently, had an old ford mustang in the garage and it's actually kinda cool. I have learned more about cars here in southern California than I learned my whole life previously. People here like to talk about their cars. Then later on that day we met John Butler who was walking to the park to shoot some hoops when we ran into him. So we went over with him and shot around. (Bonus points for shooting hoops and teaching at the same time!) He is 50 or so and is a movie writer. He told us he is writing a movie, it's going to be called Revealed, that is kind of like Joseph Smith and his story. This couple finds some scrolls out in the woods and it is an ancient record of a people who were in the middle east, but sailed to the America's and started their religion there. We asked him if he has read the Book of Mormon before. He said "no why?". So we told him that it's pretty much the same thing. He then apologized and said "oh, I'll have to read the Book of Mormon to make sure I'm not plagiarizing anything." We then told him we don't really care about that, but more importantly he needs to read it and pray to find out if it's true, and if Joseph Smith was really a prophet. We gave him a copy and he doesn't live in our area, so we probably won't ever see him again. It was definitely one of the more interesting experiences on my mission. Then on Friday we had to we met Jazmine who has two kids and is church shopping. She was busy, but told us we could come back. I am really excited to teach her this week. Other than that is was a pretty normal week. I love you all and hope you have a happy memorial day.
Elder Hamson

D&C 4 "For behold the field is white already to harvest"

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!

I am staying here for another transfer in Simi Valley with Elder Moser. Only this transfer will only be 5 weeks long, because President Felix is coming in right after that. It will be very interesting to see what happens. Then the transfer after that is going to be 7 weeks, So pray I get a good companion for that transfer. This last week was a pretty good week. We went on a bunch of blitzes, so I have gotten to work with all the missionaries in our district at least for an hour. That is one of the perks of being the district leaders companion. We have a really good district, and it's always fun to work with the other missionaries. On Wednesday we met this girl, Tonny, who was weeding in her front yard. We stopped to talk with her, and she told us she isn't really religious. She was interested in what we were doing though and we talked with her for a while. We taught about prayer and the restoration, and gave her a Book of Mormon. She seemed like she had some real potential until, well she didn't say it, but implied that she is gay. We didn't ask her about it, but we will just have to cross that bridge if we get there. Needless to say she is going to have to know that the Book of Mormon is true. The next day we had a lesson with the Schnebly's, who is a family in the ward we are working with. We are just going through the missionary lessons with them, so we taught the restoration. Afterwards though we played a family home evening type game with them and that was great. They are a great family, and we have been able to connect really well with them. Also they came to church on Sunday which was great. Then on Saturday we helped an inactive lady in our ward move out and into a neighboring ward. It took like 6 hours which was mildly frustrating. She needed the help and we helped so that's good. We had lots of people there to help it was just disorganized. Then on Sunday we had an interesting experience. We started talking to some guy on the street and he was a talker. He said a lot of things, but basically he wouldn't listen to us when we started talking or he would cut us off; and then expect us to just stand there and listen to us. Elder Moser started to bear his testimony, and this guy cut him off and said "no,no,no you were just brainwashed by your parents to come out here." It was at that point that Elder Moser lost it. He yelled "YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!" "You think I would give up my family for two years. . .etc" I was scared for this other guys life. I promptly ended our conversation, and we left. Basically it's like that story Elder Holland told in general conference about the sister missionary, except Elder Moser went back and said "Excuse Me!" It was an exciting way to end the week, and despite our differences me and Elder Moser get along fine. Anyways everything is going well and I am thankful for all of the prayers on my behalf. 

Elder Hamson

Happy Birthday, Alan.

well I am now 20 years old. I feel older wiser and I think I can even jump a little higher. This last week has been definitely one to remember. On Monday after emails we went for a hike to white face. It was a great hike, much more challenging than the last one. And the view was fantastic, that is always a bonus. Then on Wednesday I had a pretty good birthday. In the morning we taught Francisco who can mostly speak English and only sort of understands us. We tried to tell him that missionaries who speak spanish are going to come over next time, but I am not sure he understood. Then the zone leaders called us and wanted us to come to their apartment. They had a package for me! Also they had an assignment for us to prepare an EDPEP (Explain Demonstrate Practice Evaluate Practice again) for zone meeting the next day. Basically what we do as missionaries to practice doing missionary work or a role play. Then we went and checked the mail only to find another package was waiting for me at the leasing office. After lunch at Panda Express, which got paid for by a member, we went and worked in the other Elders area or in missionary terms we blitzed their area. I worked with Elder Anderson for an hour and we followed up with each other about our exchange and we talked to a few random people. Then we prepare for the zone meeting the next day. Overall it was a pretty good birthday. On Thursday we had zone meeting, and our EDPEP went well. Also in the afternoon we taught Alonso and Cherice. They were in the area book and they are now officially investigators now that I have met them. They are really nice born again Christians, which is unusual. We had a great lesson about the Restoration and they gave us some pizza. They are really good people who like our company more than anything. They don't get very excited when I start committing them to do stuff like read and pray. Faith without works is dead. I didn't say that but some days I want to. Then on Friday we went to the TEMPLE!! We went with the other Elders in the ward who also had a birthday. The Herrs took us and we got there early so we went through the visitors center and that was cool. Then we went inside and it's always great to get away from the world and feel the spirit of the temple. It was a great day. Then Saturday morning some guy knocked on our door and asked us if we could help him move some large furniture. We said of course and helped him a couple couches and a bed for our new neighbor Loraine. She is old and her bed is quite heavy, but we have been given a new assignment to keep an eye on her from her son. Then we went and helped with the baptism of Josh, who Elder Willis and Elder Young are teaching. It was a great service although it took the grandpa 5 tries to get it right. Then Sunday was mothers day and I was going through my day only to realize halfway through the day that I get to call my mom today. It was great to talk to all of you and I am glad everything is going well. I am still having a great time here and next week I find out if I am staying or going. I love you all!
Elder Hamson

Counting Down the Teenage Years

Well, my time as a teenager is growing short. I heard when you're twenty you have to be all responsible and stuff. That's ok I've still got a couple days left. As far as this week goes it was much better than last. I started off on an exchange with Elder Hurst on Tuesday. He is fairly new and he came to work in my area. We had a very good day together, talking with a lot of people. I have decided that I like helping other missionaries learn and grow just as much as investigators. Then on Wednesday I was back with Elder Moser, and we had 3 other lessons and in the beginning of the day we had 0 appointments. So it was a pretty good day . One of the people we ran into was Angela she is one of the members neighbor, and they told us she has come to church before. We talked for a little bit and she has a good friend in the ward. We gave her a Book of Mormon and she said she would take a look at it. (unfortunately she probably won't). Thursday we had district meeting, and that went pretty good. There is still room for improvement, but I think we are all generally moving in the right direction. Friday we had presidents interviews and that was fantastic. It was different than normal though, he interviewed our companionship. Basically we accounted for everything in our stewardship. He asked us questions like do you wake up in the morning? is your apartment clean? is your car clean? Elder Moser and I had a great interview and we talked about the district, and President thanked us both for coming and rebuilding this area. It's still under construction, but generally going up. President Castro always has the best compliments, I am definitely going to miss him. Then later that day we taught the Hussons who, after we taught the whole plan of salvation, dropped us. Bummer. Then on Saturday we went on exchanges with the zone leaders, and I went with Elder Eggleston. He is pretty cool, it was definitely an interesting experience. We had an appointment with one of their investigators, Hailey. So we walk up to the door and we hear yelling from inside. And to say that they were yelling at each other would be a gross understatement. It was Hailey and her brother going at it, they were both dropping bombs left and right. Elder Eggleston and I both look at each other like, what do we do? He wanted to listen to see how it turned out, so we did. She was defending herself on why she was meeting with us, so we were both rooting her on. After a couple minutes we knocked on the door anyways. She was glad to see us and the brother promptly stomped his way upstairs. She then proceeded to tell us all her problems. We tried to read with her a little bit, but she is a very bubbly talker. Mostly I didn't say much in fear of her yelling at me. The rest of the day seemed quite normal in comparison. I think that pretty much sums up my week. This upcoming week though I get to go to the temple and call my mom, so I am excited. I love you all, and I'll be back next week!

The Good and the Bad

Another week gone by here in Simi valley, and I am still alive (only barely). As far as numbers go this week was the worst week I have had on my mission thus far. I did have some good experiences though. In the beginning of the week I went on an exchange with Elder Anderson, I went over to his area and we had a great time together. We taught a guy named Billy and he had a lot of questions about why do I even need to go to church? and things like that. Sometimes people like him can be difficult, but by the end he said it makes sense and he believes what we are saying. We set up a return appointment with him next week, and now Elder Anderson has a new investigator. We had a stellar day together and talked to a lot of people and taught 5 lessons. It was just a really good day. Then I had to go back to my area the next day. It was a bad day. Then on Saturday we got to help with Mormon helping hands. We went to a cemetery and we were supposed to level some headstones, but the groundskeeper didn't show up. So we cleaned out a garage and put together some metal shelves. While we were putting together the shelves the press came and I got stuck with the job of getting interviewed by them. I answered all the questions and it was fine. they took a few pictures of us while we worked and one of the other missionaries was positioning himself so he was in all the pictures. It was funny to watch, then we all joked around at what the headline in the newspaper would be. "Standing Tall in Simi Valley" or maybe "Mormon Missionary looks down on community". I am yet to see what it actually says. As far as missionary work goes we have done a lot of tracting, and that is always entertaining. We have one investigator and we meet with her this week (yay!). Also we have presidents interviews this week so that is exciting. I am sure glad I like my companion though, because this place is difficult. The good news is that things moving along and if nothing else I am learning a lot about myself. I love you all and Thank you for your letter Timothy. 

Everybody needs a picture with Alan

This week has been packed with all sorts of exciting things. It went a lot better than the first week I can tell you that. Now that we know the area a little bit and we have mended some of the wounds left behind, we have started to really get to work and build this area. 

Since my companion is the district leader I will be going on a lot of exchanges this transfer which I am super excited about. Exchanges are the best, and I went on one with Elder Willis this last Wednesday. The morning started off really slow we didn't talk to anyone, because there was no one to talk to. So later on in the day we started on a Less Active hunt. We have a big list of names that the bishopric knows nothing about, so we hunt them down and find them. One of the houses we went to the person we were looking for had moved, but the lady who lives there now, Jessica talked to us for a while and after going over the restoration we gave her a Book of Mormon and she committed to read and pray. She seems to have a lot of potential, but we will find out tomorrow if she is serious about it or not. So she was one of our new investigators this week then on Friday me and Elder Moser were tracting and one of the ladies said she has some good friends that are Mormons. Her name is Tina and after talking for a little bit we set up an appointment to come back the next day and meet with her and her husband. Friday rolls around and we get in there and meet them and their family they have a really nice family, but the kids are really shy and we would just see them poking their heads in every once in a while. The lesson was ok, they aren't really willing to change anything in there life and they asked us like a million questions, and they all started with " so we heard you believe this. . .is that true?" Let's just say it was a really long lesson and me and Elder Moser were both excited to get out of there. We did help them realize that they had a lot of misconceptions about what we believe. I don't know what I was thinking, but I set up another appointment with them in 2 weeks. So they are new investigators as well. Then on Saturday I got to shake Elder Russel M. Nelson's hand! Him, Elder Bowen and Elder Garns were all there with their wives. We got to meet them all briefly at the beginning and Sister Garns said and I quote "I would love to have a picture with you!" So even the General Authorities want a picture with this Elder.(two thumbs pointing at myself) The meeting was fantastic and I took a lot of notes and I am definitely inspired to work harder and be better. It was pretty cool, when Elder Nelson got up he just answered questions we wanted to ask the whole time. 

So I am doing really good here in Simi valley, Elder Moser is great, he is a picky eater though which makes dinner appointments more fun. He doesn't say anything about it, so no one really knows that he is picky, but I know so I help him out. One of the dinners was really bad and I could tell he was really struggling to eat it. So I ate all my food then when the members weren't looking I traded plates with him and ate his food too. In the end everyone was happy. I find myself feeling at home as a missionary and more and more confident in myself. Sometimes it stinks, but most of the time I'm working hard and having fun! 

thank you all for your love and support. 

Cars and Trucks

Hello Everyone,
This week has been interesting to say the least. It started off ok we went to transfer meeting, met my new companion and he is fantastic. I was excited to go to my new area, this is the first time white washing for both of us. Then we got there. . . we have all of our stuff and we walk into the apartment and it was trashed. It looked like they were expecting to come back, and it was the most disgusting bathroom I have seen in a missionary apartment. So for the first couple of days we spent most of the time cleaning out the apartment, so we could live there. I was finally able to unpack everything and feel a little bit at home 4 days in. Its all fine now, but the apartment wasn't the only thing the Elders before us neglected. We were at a ward activity, a car show, and one of the members came up to us and said " I have a bone to pick with you." He then proceeded to chew us out for missing a dinner appointment that his wife worked hard to prepare. we apologized as he stormed off, and thankfully the other Elders in the ward talked to him and told him it's not our fault we just got here. The other Elders in the ward are great Elder Willis and Elder Young. They were so excited to see that we were coming to the ward. The good news is that we couldn't possibly mess this up, this area hit rock bottom there is only going up from here. I guess that means that the Lord trusts us to get this area back on its feet. It will be a even more difficult than I expected, but it's nothing I can't handle.
We did have some good experiences this week though. We went by this less active's house , the Mulfords, and they were excited to see us and let us in. The mother is great has been a member her whole life she just doesn't come to church because of her husband who isn't a member. They are tall too, their son Sean is 6'7" and there daughter is playing volleyball in Michigan. We connected really well and invited them to the ward activity the next day. The next day we helped out at the car show setting up chairs and helping serve the tri-tip sandwiches. I had a good time and I have learned a lot about cars too. These people in California are all about their cars. Then at the end of the car show the Mulfords showed up which was fantastic. I was also able bear my testimony in testimony meeting which went well, I told one of my usual jokes and I think the ward is beginning to trust us a little more. I am excited for the future this area has some serious potential, and I am super excited about the challenge. Also this Saturday Elder Russel M. Nelson is coming to the mission to speak to the whole mission. So I get to meet an apostle this week!
I love you all and I am doing good here in simi valley. In reference to Elder Bednar's talk, I have a big load in my truck with some serious spiritual traction going on.