SUNNY CALIFORNIA

"This week has been better, and I know that things are going to start to pick up in our area. 

I know that if we RELY on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, that is how we are going to find success. 

This is THEIR work, and OUR JOB is to SPREAD THIS PERFECT MESSAGE, for all to hear."

Ni Hao!! Sorry the caption to this email is the lamest thing ever, but the weather here today in California is amazing, so I thought I would let you all know. It's been a real rainy, wet and cold winter here and I'm focusing on small blessings and a bright sunny day is one. :) This week has been pretty good. Things are looking up here in the UCR area and I am super DETERMINED to find, teach and BAPTIZE and get things picked up in this area!  I know that will happen as we show Heavenly Father our work and faith. 

The glass are from a Valentines Day package from Kenzie

Elder Nelson's mom, Sister Nelson, sent us some awesome ties!

On Thursday, after going to the Temple, we had a Weekly Correlation Meeting. We discussed the work in our area and how we can improve. It was awesome! We have an awesome Ward Mission Leader. His name is Brother Haren. He has tons of energy for the work and helps us a lot. 

Friday we spent quite a bit of time hitting the good old streets of campus at UCR. :) We talk to a ton of people, but the level of interest in the Gospel tends to be pretty low, which is why we are doing our best to push English Class, which will help us to open up new opportunities in the work. We had a really cool tender mercy though. Towards the end of our seeking with faith time (contacting), we had one more English Class card to give out, before we were all out for the day. We decided to stop, and in the middle of campus, in the middle of all those college students milling around, we stopped and said a prayer. On our way back, we were able to find two Chinese people, and gave them our last English Class card that we had. Cool little story :) Heavenly Father answers prayers!!! We also were supposed to have "class that evening, but no one showed up. :( We are working on getting some better materials to pass out on campus.

Right outside our apartment. Lots of homeless live in the deserted lot.

Elder Willes and Elder Phister wearing their matching sweaters from Ross

Getting the apartment cleaned up

Saturday we spent a lot of time walking around the UCR Campus. Since it was Saturday and the weekend, there weren't a ton of people out on the streets. We didn't really find anyone to talk to that afternoon. That night, we did our weekly planning session and came up with a lot of great ideas that can help our area. I know as we continue to show our faith, we will be able to see miracles. 

Sunday was pretty awesome. We had some really great talks given in Sacrament Meeting about the importance of forgiveness. Forgiveness is so important, and we constantly need to seek forgiveness, or give it to others. Anyways, super cool. I could feel the spirit. Sunday afternoon, we had a lesson scheduled with William, who we taught the Restoration to in our car a couple of weeks ago. We were super excited, but he ended up not showing up. It was a bummer. That is okay though!! We just keep seeking. We are doing all that we know to do and I know we will find those that are prepared :)

This week has been better, and I know that things are going to start to pick up in our area. I know that if we RELY on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, that is how we are going to find success. This is THEIR work, and OUR JOB is to SPREAD THIS PERFECT MESSAGE, for all to hear. Love you all have a great week!

Elder Willes