Generosity of Members

Queibole Familia,

So today we get a half P-Day till 1, which means we get to e-mail! We will also have a P-Day on Thanksgiving, we might come back for e-mailing again. I'm not sure. But anyways this week was an alright week for us. Our area as it is right now doesn't have much going for it. We have some potential people to work with, but nothing too solid right now. The title says Day of the Turkey or it may be Turkey. (Guajolote is another word for Turkey in Mexico, they have a lot of names for it in Spanish) Oceanside is pretty cold compared to the rest of the areas I've served in. Where I'm located/our area isn't too hispanic. There are a lot of white people haha. I think I took for granted Escondido at times, because you could walk outside and there be hispanics everywhere. Here there's fewer and further between talking with hispanic people. We'll see what transfers brings in a week. This Saturday we'll find out who's getting moved out and if there are any changes in areas and stuff like that. All in All I like Oceanside, it has nice weather, good members, and its a good city. Right now there just isn't too much work to do. This week we were having dinner at the Vargas' and I got salsa all over my shirt. Hermana Vargas quickly ran to her room and brought me one of her husbands shirts. It was funny at the time because I thought everyone was making a big deal about it but it was good. I washed my shirt when I got home and it seems to be fine. Hispanics don't really celebrate Thanksgiving too much. They're kind of ignorant about the whole giving thanks day. They just think it's a day when Americans and Gringos get together to eat a bunch of food. They're not wrong, they just don't celebrate the specialness of giving thanks on that day. Por que los hispanos dan gracias a Dios cada dia jaja. Well we've had a lot of members invite us over for Thanksgiving so I don't think I'll go hungry that day. Elder Rodgriguez got two things in the mail. Both were wedding invites. One from his trainer, the other from his brother. The one from his brother completely took him by surprise. It was funny to see him open them. At least I won't have to worry about stuff like that for a while. A week or so back we had a General Authority come and give us some trainings/ insight on how we can become a better mission. He put a heavy push for re-activating people. After all finding through members, even the less active ones is the best way to find new people to teach. Not too much stuff to report on this week. I'll be sure to talk more about transfers next week. I'll tell you if I'm getting transfered out of the Carlsbad Zone (doubt it) or if our area gets changed. (plausible/likely) Anyways I'll send some pictures. Have a great Thanksgiving!!!

Elder Emerick

P.S. Solomente Recibi como 1 correo esta semana. Que paso? jaja

Me, Elder Rodriguez, Elder Romney, Elder Schow, Hermana Andrade, Hermana Adkins, Hermana Frei, Hermana Parker

Ocean Side View of Pier

Ocean Side View

Same old Same old

Querido Familia,

This past week we had just a normal week in the mission! We had an investigator drop us, so that stank. But we've got some potential this week so as President says, forget the last shot and move on! This week he sent us a particularly good e-mail. He told us that we need to stop worrying about results so much and start focusing on trying our hardest. And then when we try our hardest is when the Savior will do the rest. But if we're focusing mostly on what the turn out will be, then most likely we'll end up being disappointed with not reaching our expectations. So Elder Ramos is being transferred. I know how that feels! It felt like I just got into Escondido, then I got shipped out! I felt like all that work I put into that area, was just going to be reaped by another missionary. HaHa Elder Ellsworth is actually in that area now, he's companion's with Elder Banana. Anyways I got invited back for Lucy's baptism as you saw, and from what Elder Ellsworth told me Gloria is getting baptized in a couple weeks too. So I'll get invited back for that as well! I really did feel sad about leaving Escondido, but I knew that I would be able to go help other people in my next area. So you want a story? Ok, I'll tell you about this one missionary named Elder Stewart. He was Elder Rodriguez's (My current companion) last companion. He is a legend amongst Spanish missionarys for being the most ridiculous Spanish missionary out of all of us. All Spanish missionary's are cooler than your average Elder, but Elder Stewart is a legend. He's 26 yrs old, and he is crazy. He like's to knock doors all the time. He eats anything, and thinks the Jaredites were 8ft tall black people. Anyways this Elder has been an influence on many missionaries, just from being himself. One story is that while he was in Oceanside tracting a person asked him how much money he gets paid for each baptism. He replied by saying 'You want to know how much we get payed!? For each baptism we get payed.......... $0!!!!' Needless to say the man wasn't very happy with him and actually spit on him.  Have a great week!

Elder Emerick  

p.s.

Old Catholic Mission on Mission Road Ocean Side CA

Pastel de 3 leche's for Elder Rodriguez's 20th Birthday

Oceanside at night

Over looking Oceanside at night holding Spanish version of Book of Mormon

Me and Natalie Vargas

Also just as a side note, my Bishop is Brothers to the guy who was just made President of BYU-Hawaii. Obispo Tanner is my bishop he's a really straight forward guy. You can read the article of his brother being inaugurated on Deseret News.

The land of Milk and Honey

Hola Familia,

The land of milk and honey? Perhaps. That's the title. So, we went to the temple. That was awesome. So great to serve in the Temple and feel the spirit so strong. There I met Elder Ramos' brother. He's the Ward Mission Leader in the YSA ward. He said it was so weird talking to me because over the past couple of weeks he's heard about Dad and our family. He's says that Elder Ramos loves you guys and the branch. That was good to hear about considering the branch is historically a tough place for missionary work. But that's good to hear that you guys are being the missionaries' best friends. That's great. Also the weather here is crazy temperate. It's always in the 70's and the only time it gets hot is when the Sun gets strong. Other than that there's always a breeze and its super fresh. I finally feel like I'm in Southern California. So this week we have Spanish Conference, I'm so excited. It's when all the Spanish missionaries in the mission get together and talk about Spanish stuff. It's going to be great. Also we are going to have a Zone Conference with half the whole mission with a general authority. It'll be cool as well to see other missionaries and talk to a seventy. Dang hopefully Kaitlynn gets better. We picked up an awesome new investigator this week! Her name is Sonya and she has had a pretty tough past. Needless to say she needs the gospel in her life right now. She couldn't make it to church this past week but we'll meet again with her this Saturday. Also we went on Exchanges with the traveling AP Elder Smith. He was my Zone leader when I was back in Temecula and we were in Spanish Zones. He's a great teacher and spanish speaker. I can't even explain how much I learned from him in a short 24 hours that he came with Elder Rodriguez and me. Well I better get going hope you all have a great week!

Elder Emerick

Ocean Side

Hola Familia,

So, I got transferred to Oceanside. It was a big suprise for me to get moved out of Escondido so soon. The transfer meeting was good and I'm in Oceanside with Elder Rodriguez.  I live off of Mission and Old Grove. The area we work in is pretty mixed. Not only hispanics like in Esco but there is still some which is good. I sure hope I wouldn't be transferred into an English area!!!! Remember I told you about OUTER DARKNESS!!! There is a chance/possibility I could return to Escondido. Everyone returns during the latter parts of their mission, especially if you haven't spent too much time there to begin with. But I'm almost possitive that I'll never be put into English work. But to be honest it won't happen. It was pretty tough eating wise. We only had a couple of dinner appointments. I know the YSA Elders that go to the Ward where Elder Ramos' brother is the the Ward Mission Leader. Our Bishop is a cool guy, he's white and super rich. (Lives right by the ocean in Carlsbad) The ward is pretty awesome we had an outstanding sacrament meeting with awesome talks. One of our investigators was there too so hopefully he felt the spirit. E. Rodriguez is from Mexico, but he's lived his whole life in Utah. I think I might speak better Spanish than him. He's pretty cool though. The weather here is nicer than anywhere I've served on my mission. Almost always in the 70's. The only thing that could make it better was if we switched areas with the Hermanas, they have the super sketchy hispanic part of Oceanside that has all the gangs and stuff. I want to go see how it is sometime. We hit 32.4 MPH going down a huge hill by our appartment. It was crazy. ALSO Lucy got baptized! I got invited back to Esco just for the baptism and it was great. Elder Banana performed the ordinance. It was crazy to see someone get baptized in such little time! It was like 2 1/2 weeks after we met her that she was baptized. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to be a missionary. Don't have much more time so I'll just start sending pictures. Les quiero!!

Elder Emerick

P.S. Temple trip tomorrow!!!!

Lucy's baptism

Jacob looking impressed by Bishop's house

Moving along

So the Title says, Dang I'm already going! You know what that means! I'm getting transferred! It was kind of a shock when we got transfer calls on Saturday but I'm leaving! It's super weird because I've only been in Escondido for 2 transfers, but still it'll be cool to go to another place, meet more people and stuff. I'm pretty sure I'm going to Oceanside but we'll see. I'll be sure to tell you next week! Remember Elder Wockenfuss? My CCM companion? Well he's training this transfer! Elder Ellsworth said that'd it be good for him because he's a pretty shy guy and it might help him to start doing some things on his own. By the way that picture of us and the Nietos was Me, Elder Banana, and Elder Schooff, not Elder Ellsworth. But dang it's gonna be sad not seeing the Nieto's anymore. If they invite me back though when she gets baptized I'll be able to come back for that! So let's hope it's soon! Elder Banana is going to take over pretty much half of Escondido, they're taking out a companionship so he's going to cover a lot of area. As far as Lucy goes the person who we got a baptismal date with she might have to wait a little bit. Everything looked good for her to be baptized this weekend but the Ward Mission Leader knows them and want's to make sure that they'll be keeping the commitments to be baptized and stuff like that.I love interviews with President. President only meets with us for regular quarterly interviews, he asks the same exact questions every time. "How's your family? How's your teaching pool? How's your health? How's your testimony? Anything else Elder? Alright your great Elder! Love you." That's how EVERY INTERVIEW is haha So yeah it'll be different but like Julian told me yesterday, 'I'll meet new people and be able to help them out." That's the best way I can put it in English. Well I hope you all have a great week!

Elder Emerick

Me Bishop Parra and his family

Julian Rivera Hermano Castillo

Our district

family letter follow if you can.

Gloria and Radolfo Neitos

 Elder Schoof, Elder Banana, Elder Emerick and the Nietos

Que Tal Familia,

So the title says Jesus said, Simon Peter. It´s a joke because in Chilango (Mexico City slang) Simón means `yes´. I´ll explain it to you when I get back. So to start off by answering your questions, I sent a picture of the dog because it was a dog that the Yellow Deli people had, My favorite conference talk was probably Deiter F. Ucthdorf´s talk from Priesthood session, he was really straight forward and was very powerful on why we have to walk by faith in this life. I still have my bike, but we haven used it much this past transfer, because we cover 2 areas the AP's gave us more miles and full time car to use. So we use the car more often, park somewhere and walk. I'll get you more pictures of us. Kaitlynn te extraño mucho, when we have money we go out to eat, usually during the beginning of the month because that's when we get payed, but usually it depends on the companion on how much you eat out, there's a lot of Panda Expresses here I wouldn't mind having a gift card for there or Chik-fil-a, I've been driving since I've been with Elder Ellsworth, I know my drivers license expires next year, how are we going to renew it? Yep we excercise cada dia, Yeah I've been having ton's of experiences when I say something in English that you normally wouldn't say but say in Spanish, for example you say '¿se van a cellar?' that means 'are they going to ceal  themselves' (Temple), but usually you'd say "are they going to get cealed together?" Anyways I've had tons of experiences where I say stuff that you say in Spanish but not English, that needless to say has been freaking awesome. I know the language pretty well, I'm still making some mistakes but I know when I've made them which is good. Yeah we all know that the Hermanas have the worst spanish in the Ward, I've gotten a few compliments from other Older Missionaries on my language, but I'm not getting a big head about it. ;) Yes I still love tamales, Carne Asada is still my favorite though, when I come home I'll show you how to do tortillas and stuff like that. Nope I didn't know that you have a Dairy Queen/Grill. Sure I miss eating dinner with my cousins but eating with Spanish people is way cooler. No ones rich in Escondido, at least none of the hispanics. Ask him if he's heard of Hungry Bear, the Yellow Deli, Aztec Tacos, Pan Asia, just some of the best places to eat. Transfer calls are this Sat but I'm about 99% sure I won't leave the area. But I hope to be transferred to Oceanside next. Yep every day my testimony grows. In the Carlsbad mission we're more than Exactly Obedient, we're Consecrated missionaries. jaja But yes I am. And for that last question I'll tell you in Spanish. Ok, ustedes tenian razón por algunas cositas, y estoy agradecido por todo que me han ensenado. Alright so, this week we found a new investigator, she's the wife of a less active member. She we started teaching her and last night we had our second lesson. It was on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and towards the end of the lesson we invited to baptism in 2 weeks. We felt that it might have been a little early but still we invited her. Within the first 2 seconds of inviting her she accepted to be baptized on the 24th of Oct. We were all kind of speechless. Her husband couldn't even believe it, he's just starting to get re-activated and now his wife want's to be baptized! She for the next week we'll be focusing on Lucy! Her date is for the first Sat of the next transfer but I'm pretty sure I'll stay here. We'll be meeting with the Nietos again next Thursday because they're on vacation in Mexico City, but we're pretty sure that they'll be baptized next transfer as well! So our work is starting to pick up again which is great. I'm so thankful to be serving a mission, it's helped me so much and I've learned a ton. I hope that everyone has that desire to share the gospel. Well, that's about all for this week! I'll tell you more about transfers and what not next week! Les quiero mucho!

Elder Emerick   

General Conference, bunnies, and chapulines

Hola todos,

So the title says, general conference, bunnies, and chapulines.(I'll let you google that last one) I'll get more into that later. So General Conference was good, I love it on my mission. It's better than the World Cup! haha maybe not that far. But I love it! I love to hear from our apostles and prophets hoy en dia! Going back to the bunny, Radolfo and Gloria came to conference sunday morn with us. When we invited them on Friday, she gave me and my companions gifts. They were glass bunnys that were containers for tie cllips, cufflings, etc. The thing is, we don't wear tie clips in our mission, so we can't wear them when we're out and about! So we'll have to carry them with us and when we knock on their door slip them on. haha The tie clip is a sign that's on every temple, it's the sign of melchezedek. I'll send a picture. On Saturday though we went to a Oaxaquena restaurant that made Chapulines. I ate one, so now I can say on my mission I ate chapulines. I didn't really like it, It's not that it was gross I just didn't really like it. Elder Banana ate a ton but then got an allergic reaction to it. After the men's session we got him benedrill and then when we got back to the apartment he got sick so we just stayed in after. Good thing too, because he threw them all back up. I'll just tell you that chapulines don't dissolve in stomach acid. But all in all the restaurant was really good! I sent a ton of pictures so I hope you like them. Some are of the Yellow Deli restaurant, they remind me of the amish back home. Scenes from Valley Center which is the largest proselyting area in the mission, it's giant! Also pictures from the Oaxaquenan restaurant. Enjoy them and have a great week!

Elder Emerick