Back in Dallas!

LUNES - There was no where open to email so we had to drive all the way up to Nacadoges to do emailing and all the way back to hurry and drive to Lindale, what a day. I got an awesome penguin snuggie and some other things before leaving Lufkin for now, it took forever to cram and pack everything in the car so we were an hour late!!!!! Elder Peniston was not very happy, we went to a bbq on the way to Dallas and then the 2 hour drive began, me and Elder Chantry. We saw a Ferrari on the way in and drove past Casa Linda West, its good to be back in the city. We were staying with Zone Leaders and of course I went with ELDER LEE!!! It was so good to see him again, him and elder Hansen are now Zone Leaders in Plano, we talked all night about our experiences and then hit the sack.

    MARTES - We met at the church and I got to see everyone but Elder Crosby, it was so good to see them all, all of us are well on our way to progressing in our missions and we are now all the old ones in the companionships, time flies I tell you. I was picked up by Elder Chapman and Elder Rodriguez and they both are absolutely amazing people, I'm excited to work with this elder! We got back to the apartment and unpacked my stuff fixed my bike and headed out to knock doors and visit people, right to work. I love it. This elder is awesome! I love him to death and he doesnt speak much English so its a great opportunity to have him so I can learn the language even faster. We knocked on doors and then we went to Wal Mart to by food for the week with Tim Morris who is an awesome investigator that we have, he helps us out with everything. Great first day in the Area.

    MIERCOLES - We had interviews today, we had some awesome trainings from Elder Solis and Elder Field and the district leaders. In my interview with President Durrant he gave me some clues as to where I might go next transfer, it was a good interview, I told him I was so grateful for the chance I have to serve with a native and he said "enjoy it because its not going to last long, you are one of those elders who has 'leader' written all over you" so it was... a good interview! I learned a lot and I'm glad we are back to doing it all in spanish, everything! So awesome, after we were stranded, one thing I'm not happy to be back in... always looking for rides. We were at the church for 2 hours, finally we went into a room, got down on our knees and prayed for help, 3 minutes after we picked up the phone and called a random member, Hermano Cano. He said he could pick us up AND that we're lucky cause he got off work an hour early so he could do it. Miracle. When we ask for help we receive it, knock and it shall be opened unto you! We got back and were picked up by Brother Kubosumi and had dinner at their house.. it was very strange. Because they had a son just leave on his mission to Mexico and his name is Aaron so they talked about him a lot and it made me think of my family. We then went to the church to have coordination meeting with Brother and Sister Price, they are so awesome!!!!!! Got a future to look forward too.

    JUEVES - Awesome studies and then the Gamanga family canceled on us, so many weird names in the ward... anyway we had 2 lessons, one with Samuel, who of course when we were testifying of the Book of Mormon the Jehovah Witnesses knocked on the door! I think the Lord wants me to learn patience with these false witnesses! We still had a really good lesson and then went to Gabby and Fernandos for another lesson and once again did such a good job at leaving Cliff hangers and commitments and the spirit. We headed back to the Apt and had Lunch and then started planning for the next week, solid planning session and then the Lloyds brought dinner for us and we talked for a little but then had to leave to the church for the baptismal interview with Lori Holland and I got to tell you, Elder Beatty was here before me and sometimes its hard moving wards because she loved elder Beatty and so she was asking if he could come and it was awkward, I completely understand but everyone that meets me shakes my hand and then turns to Elder Rodriguez and asks "wheres Elder Beatty" But with time, it will get better I hope. The interview was really good and then we went back and my bike... se rompio otra vez. it broke. But ill fix it, back to the bike problems :) we finished planning and are just getting along perfectly!

    VIERNES - We got to teach the Gamangas and it was good, watched the restoration video and then went and visited Richard Byerly and his mom just got baptized before I came and then got mad at the church and refused to meet me.. :( but we still went over there and I met Richard her son and it was good, he is really cool, on the way back I had to pee really bad and my crank was broken so I was riding up up hill using only my right leg with my bladder about to explode! Then we were picked up by Tim Morris and we went to his house to clean out his Garage helping her aunt and raked leaves and then we got pizza and headed out to dinner with the Prices, I love them they are so cool, she is from Mexico and he is American and they are awesome, we had some good chicken and rice and then watched the Joseph Smith movie with them, it was so good, great night. Busy too!

    SABADO - We had really good studies too, i learned a lot, President Durrant gave us a challenge to read the Book of Mormon in spanish and count how many times it refers to the Godhead and says the word Heart, so im working on that right now. We got a log of referrals and we tried to visit all of them and also did some knocking. We locked up our bikes at a Baptist church or something like that and they had a court outside and elder Rodriguez doubted I could touch the rim, I went up and... grabbed it with both hands and broke the back board we were dying laughing, we went and watched Mountain of the Lord with Tim Morris and it was good. Love that movie. We had dinner with the Lieb Family and their daughter Brooke drew us pictures and then we went out with him and visited a less active, sister Taylor and watched a movie with her as well, it was another really good night. We are working hard and together just fine.

    DOMINGO - First Sunday! We had P.E.C meeting and I got to know the leaders of the ward a little better and met the Bishop as well, he is a really good guy. We had fast and testimony meeting today so I got to hear all the wonderful testimonies of the ward members today. We taught the gospel principles class in spanish and then last hour there was a lot of setting apart ordinations so we didnt do much for class, only read a little. We then waited for the bishop to get done with his meetings and then headed to his house for dinner, really really good, he actually just barely got back from Utah so he was telling about the Salt Lake Temple and stuff, it was a really good dinner and then shared a scripture and then talked about our plans. We got back and because it was 7:30 and it is to dangerous to go out at night we studied some more and my companion wasnt feeling so good so he went to bed early. Im loving the new area and the new people and my new companion, things are good.