Back in Business

 Hey everyone,

Hope you are well. Things over here in California are amazing. The virus is a non-event; although we have to wear masks and everything, the Lord's work can't be stopped. Somehow the entire mission simultaneously decided that we don't really care about making excuses. When out and about, it would be easy to say things like 'we shouldn't talk to that person because we don't want to spread the virus', but the desire to share the gospel always pushes us to do it. 

Many missionaries have already gotten the virus and recovered from it, so now they are like a branch of super soldiers. They are immune and also can't spread it so when we are in our district meetings and stuff they don't even have to wear masks. Part of me wants to get COVID just so I can have the immunity too. 

The work moves forward. We had a baptism for our friend Oz last week. He experienced a total 180 from when we found him to when he got baptized. He started out by saying he wasn't sure if all this 'religion stuff' was worth his time. But as he experienced the process of repentance, he had a desire and a commitment to follow Jesus Christ. After his baptism, he told me about how he was so grateful to have the opportunity to start again. He desires to be a husband and father, and to become the man God would have him become. 

The way we found Oz in the first place was completely guided by the Spirit, involving meeting a random guy on the street, who introduced us to a friend, who lived with Oz and introduced us to him. Oz had been in jail and had prayed that he could have a second chance. We showed up spreading the message just 3 days later. I know that miracles are real and I'm grateful to be a part of a work that is so evidently being led by the Lord.

My mindset on missionary work has changed as I grow in love for my Savior. As I internalize principles and truths of the gospel, my love for those around me increases, and I feel a desire to help others come into Him. One of my favorite aspects of being a missionary is the opportunity to focus 100% on the work. As I leave all other things behind, I feel joy. I've never felt so focused on one thing before, and it's truly powerful.

Our mission president used to be a partner in a large company and so sometimed he views managing the mission like he viewed managing the employees in his company. Back in his career, he and the other company higher-ups were trying to train new employees in an efficient way. They ended up buying a huge hotel down in Texas that became converted into the 'university' just for his company. New employees would be sent there for 3-4 days at a time for intensive training and case studies. Our mission president presented this idea to my companion and I and asked us to make it happen. We got to work and ended up with the prototype product of 'the Preach my Gospel Lab'. President wanted us to expand our reach. As assistants, one of our responsibilities is to teach and train other missionaries, and it's hard to do that when everyone is spread out. So we began with this idea of 'the Lab' and began inviting select companionships into the mission office for a half day. We would begin a session with about 20 missionaries, and their zone leaders would help us teach as well. We spent the day doing lots of hands on practice, like roleplays and other activities. As we prayerfully tried to improve our skills, the Spirit was very strong. The Lab became an environment where each missionary became more confident in their teaching skills and had a desire to improve. Even the mission president came in to do an hour long roleplay with 2 young Elders.

Each missionary left feeling so confident and I was grateful for the opportunity to learn and to teach. We have done this 'Lab' three times and now many missionaries are trying to sign up for a spot. It's like a mini MTC in the field. An awesome opportunity for learning and growth. Over the next few months, our mission president plans to expand the concept, so we will see where it goes.

It's a blessing to be a missionary at this time. I've seen how the pandemic has affected and softened the hearts of those we meet. I know that Christ offers the healing balm that people are seeking. California is beautiful and there's honestly enough random stuff that happens here that you could probably consider it to be a foreign country. 

There's always random music playing from houses, drugged up people on the street yelling at nobody, people driving super nice cars with all sorts of modifications, 12 year olds buying beer from the 7/11, palm trees right next to evergreen trees, and just a general sense of 'do whatever you want- you're in California'. It's a lot of fun.

We are helping this less active member get off alcohol and start changing his life, so we go over every so often and read the Book of Mormon with him. This past week we ended up having a bit of a situation. Apparently he had gotten in a drunk rage, kicked an electrical box and knocked out the power and then the local gang threatened him. So when we showed up for the lesson he had a lead pipe hidden in his shirt. He said it was for self defense. We had to take it from him and now we just have it in our car. But he's doing good and after he prayed he felt much better.

We meet all sorts of awesome people and generally just have a good time. Being a missionary is the best.

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Elder Halverson