Transfer Time

OK so a lot has happened over the last few weeks. Unfortunately we were not able to email last week because we skyped with our families. So for all of you that do not know I have been transferred to a new area.It was hard to be transferred one week before Christmas but where I am at is great. I am now serving in the M Ward, in M California. It is a really great area with a lot of members. I have a great companion named Elder W. He is from Albuquerque, New Mexico.  He has been out for about five months now and this is his first area.We have the biggest area in our zone and are having tons of success. I am his second companion or greeny buster (as we call it) which means that I am responsible to make sure that his trainer taught him how to do everything right. Luckily Elder W is great and needs no correction.

Christmas this last week was great. I wish I could be at home with all my family, however It was still great. We spent the day just taking it easy and relaxing opening the many gifts that my family sent me. Then we went to the F's home, a part member family in the ward. L the mom is one of our investigators along with Mher oldest son. Her other kids D and A we baptized a month ago. We went to help them patch a hole in their drywall that D made after tripping and falling. L the mom had just got out of the hospital from stress related issues a hour before we showed up and everyone was fighting when she found the massive hole in the wall. Luckily from working with my Grandpa Salmon, I knew how to fix it. So I offered to fix it for them so that she could relax an recover from her illness. She was very grateful. Then we went to the R's our Ward Mission leaders home for face timing with our families. It was good to talk with everyone and see them. Then we had dinner and the rest of the evening there.

It really could not be any better right now in the M Ward. Things are on Fire! We have lots of solid Investigators. C is one of them. She is 29 years old. She is going to be baptized on January 18. She is so excited. I have never seen somebody so excited to be baptized. She knows it is true after investigating the church for 2 years. Because of the Holiday season we have only been able to meet with her once since I have been here. However in that lesson that we had with her last night she got her husband to sit in. It is incredible. He didn't want anything to do with the church but now since he has seen changes in C's life and their families life he is more open to some of the ideas. We were original going to teach C about the 10 Commandments and Obeying and Honoring the Law. However we changed our lesson plan and taught the Plan of Salvation instead. Surprisingly he believed in most of it and seemed to have no problems with it. He is still has no plans on joining the church but I could tell it has been on his mind a lot recently and will be because of the strong presence of the Spirit In his home last night. I feel like that he will join sooner than later. I hope so because C is really worried that she will not be able to be sealed in the temple, and be with her family for eternity. Because of her husbands decision of possibly not joining the church.

Another Investigator that we have is named M. He is 18 years old. Elder W and his last companion Elder O had been working with him for some time now. We have been meeting with him everyday this last week and have been helping him resolve his concerns with joining the Church. For example he doesn't know if there is a God and has troubles with the word of wisdom. On Thursday we had a powerful lesson and helped him to realize that there is a God that loves him. Once we helped him to realize that he said that he wants to be baptized! So we asked him if January 25 would work for him. He then asked us if we could do it right then. Unfortunately we told him no and asked if then he would liked to be baptized sooner on January 11. He said yes! Things are still going great for him and he is super excited.

Love

Elder Paget

Cardiff Christmas

Over the last week had been really busy. We have been working hard. Inviting everyone we come in contact with to the Del Mar Christmas Concert. It is so great to invite people to. When we start talking to people we say "Hi How are you we are the missionaries." At that point they usually cut us off and say they are not interested and shut us down. Then our response is usually a friendly , "Have a nice day!" However over the last few weeks when they say that they aren't interested we have been able to say, "Oh we are just inviting everyone to a community Christmas Concert, it is going to be a great time. It really gets everyone in the Christmas spirit." Surprisingly their response suddenly changes and then they say "OK, I can do that." or "Sounds Great." If only that was their response to us inviting them to learn more about the gospel and help them achieve eternal life. If only right. That would make it to easy. But I would not mind.

Last Tuesday we found out that the C's are moving to Georgia. Apparently they already have a house there and they are moving in a week. We were shocked. They are trying to keep it on the down low. They don't want anyone to find out that they are moving. We had just barely got their records into our ward. Now they have to find a new spot where they don't have to worry about being tracked down by the missionaries. At least that is what it seems like.

Wednesday night we went with the young men and women in the ward caroling to people in the ward. We got on a huge trailer that Bishop T pulled behind his truck singing the great Christmas classics. Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, Away in a Manger, you name it we sang it. Unfortunately we were probably the only ones singing. They caroling was in the poor to fair range. I think everyone was too cold in the 55 degree weather here. So Cold! It has been Cold this entire week. It has dropped down into the low 50's so we all had to pull our sweaters out to stay warm. The cold is different here. It is a wet cold that I am not used to.

Sunday we had dinner with the F's, P's, and a bunch of other people in the ward, at our ward mission leader Brother J's house. We invited them to have dinner with us and then go to the stake Christmas Concert right after. Everyone had a great time. The Christmas Concert was absolutely incredible. They had an amazing choir, orchestra, and atmosphere. The spirit was amazing. I am sure everyone that was there was touched. Music is an incredible way to get into the Christmas spirit.

Another way we have been getting in the Christmas spirit is by decorating our room. We have put up lights, mini Christmas trees. We have even gone so far as to hooking up the lights to the one and only clapper. So when we clap our hands the lights come on. Two claps for the Christmas lights going around the ceiling of the room and three claps for the Christmas trees. It is awesome, we have way to much fun with it. 

Love Elder Paget

Cardiff Thankstuffing

We had a busy week this week. We had three Thanksgiving dinners. It was awesome because the holiday season and the plentiful supply of food. We decided to use this to our advantage and have a little fun. Elder S, Elder R, Elder A, and I all decided to have a competition to see who could gain the most weight in one week. The winner or gainer would get a customized surf board bench with a plaque.

 It all started off with the Weigh in after dinner at the P's home last Sunday night. Then during the week we stuffed our selves until we could not eat anymore every meal we had. We even got shakes in between the meals to try to pack on a few more pounds. We also did our best to get the least amount of exercise as possible. We did everything in our power to make sure we would win. Then we found ourselves once more at the P home for dinner yesterday. Since it was fast Sunday yesterday we had not eaten all day and were worried that it might be our downfall. Luckily the weight in wasn't until after dinner so we ate as much as we possibly could to make one last push. Then after the ice cream and the almond brownies it was time for the moment of truth. We all weighed in the same order we weighed in last Sunday. I weighed in first a nervously emptied my pockets and took off my shoes. Then I hopped on the scale. To my surprise I weighed exactly the same as I did the week before. I was shocked. I had worked so hard to add some weight but it was in vain. Elder S was next. He weighed in and he lost some weight. Then it was Elder A turn. He gained 1.6 pounds in a single week. Crazy. Last but not least was Elder R. He hopped on the scale and weighed in 1.2 pounds heavier than the week before. Elder A Won the contest and now is the victor of the First Annual Cardiff Thankstuffing. Now we decided to see how much weight we can loose by Christmas Eve when we have dinner once again at the P home. Luckily I don't have any extra baggage from the last week that is holding me down from me winning this next challenge. Missionaries just got to have fun!

Some other exciting news this week is that we set a baptismal date with J, our 93 year old investigator. She is working towards being baptized on December 13. It will definitely take some work considering she has dementia. However it is our job as missionaries to invite EVERYONE to come unto Christ. Even 93 year old ladies with dementia that thinks we are Jehovah's Witnesses. 

Thanksgiving was great! We started off the day with a exciting Turkey Bowl game. There was lot of people there, and lots of fun. Unfortunately my team didn't win. Maybe next year? Then we had to quickly run back to the Anderson's shower and run to a district meeting. After the district meeting we had lunch at Subway. Later it was the time we (all the Cardiff missionaries) had been waiting for ever since the turkey was invented. The meal above all meals. Thanksgiving dinner. We had a wonderful time at the C home. We had a traditional thanksgiving meal with a few Mexican additions. Such as rice and beans. After we had a game of real life angry birds and a spiritual message. It could not have been any better. 

On Friday we got a call from a former investigator that goes by the name Father K.  He told us that he wanted to come to church and be baptized. He said that he talked with a member on thanksgiving and felt the spirit and knew that he needed to be baptized, and that we could help him. We were shocked. We didn't know what to do. We told him that we would save him a seat at church and talk to him some more then. However when Sunday rolled around he didn't show up. Hopefully we will be able to come into contact with him soon.

Thanksgiving is always such a great time of the year. It is a time we have to reflect on all the blessings our Heavenly Father has given us. I am so grateful for our Savior Jesus Christ paying the price and suffering for us so that we would not have to. Because of his infinite sacrifice we are " And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever;therefore, of what have ye to boast?" Mosiah 2:24  Now we have the opportunity this Christmas season to reach out and to help those in need. To help slowly but surely repay a small portion of that debt we owe to him for everything he has given us. I would encourage you to do 

Elder Paget

Somethings just run in the Familly

 

 

Another week has come and gone. We have been keeping busy, trying to find new people to teach and teach our investigators. I wish that they were not so flaky. Everyone here is always busy and have something to do. They don't make learning about the gospel one of their priorities. So unfortunately we get a lot of cancellations. The only way to get lessons is to just stop by and not let them know we are coming before hand. Or else they will cancel and find something better to do. We have been trying to have a lesson with the C's for some time now. We have also been trying to get them to go to a baptism. We know if they go to a baptism and feel of the spirit there they will have a greater desire to get baptized for themselves. However we have invited them to come to 4-5 different baptisms now. They have said each and every time that they are going to go, but they have not gone to one yet. We are think that they don't want to make commitments. Hopefully this week we will get to the bottom of it and find out what the real reason is.

 

Elder Allan F. Packer came to our zone conference this last week. He told us that we are 1 of 2 missions in the world that will be doing a Family History Pilot program. I am so excited. He unfortunately didn't go into the details. But we know that we will be focusing on using Family History to find new investigators. It is really cool. Recently I have been reading about my ancestors, and it is really cool to see what they went through. They went through a lot of rough times and good times as well. It is cool to see the similarities between them and me.  For example my Great Grandmother Geneal Smith and My Great Grandfather Paul Limburg both put on a Radio show for a Radio Station. I had an internship at a sports radio station in Salt Lake City, 1320 Kfan. It is cool to see that we all had the same interest in broadcasting. I guess somethings just run in the family. I am continuing to read more about them and I can't wait to find out any other cool things. I can now say that I am hooked on family history and Cardiff better watch out because Elder Adams and I are going to get them hooked on Family History too!

 

Love Elder Paget

He Will Never Fail YOU!

This week as been really good. We are finally seeing all of our hard work over the last few weeks pay off. We have been struggling to get lessons and get new investigators. This week we have been able to get lots of lessons and also start teaching a new investigator named J. We ran into J while we were walking back from our church building after a zone meeting with Elder Ar. Elder Ar and I were on exchanges and saw J sitting on her porch in a rocking chair. We went up and started to talk with her. She was interested so we just started to teach her the restoration. The spirit was strong and she definitely was touched. She said that she would like to learn about what we know about Gods plan for us. We were so excited we finally found someone new to teach.

 

We found out this week that T one of our investigators was diagnosed with breast cancer. It has be hard for her and her family. She says that she is so grateful for everyone being so willing to help her out. We have been praying that she will be well.  It is sad to see how much it has effected them.

 

One thing I realized this week is the power of prayer. It is so important to be able to communicate with our Father in Heaven. He provides us with so much. Prayer is a way that we can show our thanks that he deserves. We also are able to ask for help or anything we need. Our loving Heavenly Father has all these blessings waiting for us but they are conditional for us asking for them. He is simply waiting for us to ask and he will give us what we need. I remember that I would pray for a million dollars or even a limousine knowing that what ever I ask I would receive. However I have not had a million dollar check dropped of at my house or had a limo pick me up from work. He only provides us with what we need and sill not satisfy our selfish desires. He wants us to get on our knees and have a conversation with him. One of the most important aspects of prayer is waiting for the response. It is just as important to listen as it is to pray. We must be in a position free from distractions where we can listen to the still small voice and receive inspiration from God. Remember HE WILL NEVER FAIL YOU because he has never failed me. I may not have get and immediate answer or have things resolved they way that I would like. However God knows what is best for us and it will always work out. He doesn't give us challenges and trials to punish us. It is an opportunity to come closer to him through prayer. That is what I have had to rely on the last few weeks. The mission has been hard, and there are a lot of things that are out of our control. Lessons and baptism dates have been canceled, investigators have not been progressing. But the one thing we are in control of is our relationship with our Heavenly Father. I keep wondering what can I do to be a better missionary and to help the people of the Cardiff ward come closer to our Savior. I have been focused on me and what can I do. I should have been asking for the Lord what would he have me do. It finally hit me when I was listening again to Elder Ballard's latest Conference talk. He said that missionaries and members need to praying for investigators by their names, and to pray for missionary opportunities. Prayer is the answer, and the key to calling down the power of heaven to help you accomplish Gods will.

 

We have started to have the Cardiff ward pray specifically for our investigators by name and I would like to invite you to do the same. I know that every miracle starts by a prayer, and miracles will start by your prayers. You just simply have to ask. Please pray for our investigators, and for missionary opportunities in your own wards. I promise you that you will see miracles in your own life, and you wills see blessings that come from it.

 

Love

 

Elder Paget

 

 

 

Cardiff Cancellations

Subject:	Cardiff Cancellations
Date:	Tue, Nov 12, 2013 2:10 pm

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Well another week has come and gone. Time flies when you are serving the lord. This week has been slow. We had 5 days in a row that every set lesson that we had cancelled on us. It was crazy. I have never seen or hear of anything like it before. We had probably 10 or more lessons cancel in a row. So we didn't do a whole lot of teaching.

 

Something I have realized lately is the power of an example. Just think about our ultimate example Jesus Christ. In his time he didn't have the Internet to share the gospel. He didn't have a telephone, or text messages. All he had was his example. His example has carried through centuries of time. Our examples matter to everyone around us and show who we truly are. There is a quote I forgot who it is from but it is, "At all times preach the gospel, If necessary use words." That is my challenge to you is to preach the gospel by your example just as the Savior did.

 

Love Elder Paget

 

 

 

6 More Weeks of Summoning Aliens

Well I have good news. I am not being transferred. So I will be staying in Cardiff for at least 6 more weeks, up to my 6 month mark. I am so glad I don't have to pack up and move. I love it here in Cardiff and I could not think of any area that could be better than this. But than again I have not been in any other area other than while I was on exchanges. So this is all that I know. I am glad to still have Elder A as my companion. He is a great missionary and a great example to me. He has taught me how to have fun while doing missionary work.

 

Things have still be slow but we might have found another new investigator to teach. His name is A, he has been a potential investigator for some time. We have stopped by a few times before but it didn't go any where. He told us that he has been praying for a miraculous event. We told him that we don't need angels to come down to us or witness miracles for us to know something is true or to strengthen our testimony. We need faith. If we knew there would be not point in this life. There would be not agency. We told him that Joseph Smith and how he saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. That is what sparked his interest and he wants to know more. At the time we were unable to talk with him because we were late to dinner, but we plan on going back and sharing what we know to be true.

 

Another cool thing this week is that we talked with balloon guy. Friday night we were by his house and noticed that he was in his back yard working on his next balloon extravaganza. I said to Elder Adams that we have to go talk to him and see what the balloons in the sky were all about. I was not going to be transferred without talking with balloon guy. It wasn't going to happen. We walked closer and saw him attaching an assortment of bright flashing lights to 15 huge black balloons. We walked closer and were standing right by his fence when Elder Adams said, "Cool Balloons you got there guy's." He didn't respond and after a few awkward seconds balloon lady, balloon mans partner in crime answered. "Yea they are cool, but they are cooler in the sky. We will be putting them up in just a little while." That is when Elder A asked " What are they for?" Balloon Lady then responded, "It is to make people happy." Elder A and I both looked at each other with confusion and thought are they on drugs. Then Elder A said, " Don't mind us we are just going to watch it over here."  We stood there as they let the balloons float into the night sky.  We still think that they are trying to hide something. So we still stand at the same conclusion. They are summoning Aliens. Luckily I still have 6 more weeks to see if they can succeed. To be Continued...

 

 

Elder Paget