Back on the Grind

What's up everyone I am back on the mission, this time serving in Arcadia California. Showed up 5 days ago, lit as can be, just ready to absolutely grind. Being home for those 6 weeks was fun but I really did miss being a missionary. I've noticed a change immediately in myself since I became a missionary again, I feel more purposeful and just have more spiritual sensitivity. In some ways I'm glad I got sent home for a while because now I have the added perspective which helps me appreciate it more.

I'm serving in a city called Chino Hills. It's your stereotypical super nice, perfect weather, rich Cali neighborhood with the green rolling hills and 5 million dollar houses. It's honestly really nice. I'm serving in a Chinese branch and most of the people who live here are Chinese which I'm super hyped about. Our apartment could be nice except that 5 Elders have lived there in quarantine for the past 2 months so it's pretty messy. Luckily I've cleared the rubble and made my own little corner where I can feel the Spirit. The other Elders are nice guys, they're still waking up at 6:30 which is a good sign. Actually we've been waking up an hour early to go to a member's gym and working out which has been really nice. 

We woke up the first day and went on a run. The first thing I noticed was how perfect the weather was. Then I saw the picturesque grassy rolling hills right outside our apartment. As we ran around the block, it just felt good to be a missionary again, trying to make the most of every moment and finding joy in the little things. I've got high hopes for this new chapter.

My four roommates have been here a LONG time, just stuck in the same apartment going on 57 days. One of the things they've gotten really good at is Monopoly. One night during dinner we sat down to play and I prepared for the long boring game that I've always been used to, only to see the game end in 15 minutes because these guys play so dang fast. Like the dice were rolling and pieces moving around before I could even blink. Before I knew it I was bankrupt and watching the rest go all out trying to get Boardwalk. It was a little funny and a little unnerving how good someone can get at Monopoly. I wonder what crazy talents I'll have by the end of this...


Overall our schedule is as follows:
Wake up and work out. Eat, shower, study. By then it's about 9 or 10 AM. We usually have between 3 and 5 online lessons throughout the day. Usually once a day we have some kind of Zoom meeting with other missionaries.The rest of the day is all free. It's a little depressing, the other guys have just gone kinda crazy. It must have been hard to be inside so long. So far I've loved having all the free time to study. In the last 5 days, I've learned about 300 new Chinese characters. I'm really enjoying learning, and having a lot of time to study the scriptures. I also have a companion from Beijing who is a baller, my 7th native companion on the mission!



We were on a daily walk and one of the missionaries was telling a story about how earlier on his mission a member had pulled over and given him and his companion brand new shoes out of the blue. Right as he finished the story, and to everyone's surprise, a car pulled over and stopped right next to us. I couldn't believe it, I was just thinking to myself 'miracles are real'. A lady got out of the car and happily walked up to us. She just said 'okay okay just wait one second- how many of you are there... 5 okay!' then she hurried to her trunk, opened it, and pulled out 5 red envelopes. The efficiency with which she did so made it clear how often she did this kind of thing. My companions were eyeing each other knowingly as I still excitedly wondered to myself how a member could be so kind to stop and give us gifts. After she pulled away, they opened the envelopes, pulled out the CDs inside and began to calmly snap them in half. They explained that this wasn't the first time this lady had approached them. Apparently she was from a local church which actually teaches an Anti-LDS class. The CDs were full of content designed to discourage us from being missionaries. It was definitely not what I was expecting, especially after hearing the story of the nice member miracle. But, I'm actually really glad it happened because it was the most interesting thing all day. Plus I got to once again be assured that I know what I know is true, God knows that I know, and I can't deny it. Sorry CD lady, maybe next time.

It's definitely a different life than I've ever lived before, but I feel really grateful for how the Lord has helped me stay positive. I've also already begun to feel a connection with some of the members we are teaching. I love sharing about the gospel and feeling the Spirit often. I'm doing my best to make the most of this time and improve myself. Even though I'm not doing a whole lot more than I was at home, I feel so grateful to be a missionary again and be serving the Lord. 

加州的政府已把住家令延长三个月
Elder Halverson 












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