Holy WOW. This week was not real...

This week was actually so busy and a little wild. Like you never know what you're going to get here in YSA lul.

We had a big meeting with some people from the missionary department Wednesday for Mission Leadership Council so that was super super good! It was 8 hours though so my brain almost exploded.

At the end of that, a missionary in my Stevenson Ranch told me that one of my old investigators there died in a car accident over the weekend. So that was really sad. I cried a lot of tears, but it's okay. We're going to the funeral Tuesday. 

MLC Training Meeting

So many crazy amazing things but I mostly want to talk about C.

A couple weeks ago we were going to meet with one of our investigators in a complex. This side of town is predominately Hispanic and the complex is like the ones you see in movies, like the Blind Side. Run down. Little kid's bikes laying around the lawns. Rough guys standing around looking for trouble. Waves of weed. Cops in and out. It's quiet for the most part- but not peaceful.

We were walking past this car full of dudes smoking and listening to some rap; so we stopped and talked to them and invited them to church. Nice conversation but we didn't really think much of it. That following Sunday, they didn't come but it wasn't a shocker.

On Saturday, we went back for a lesson with our investigator there and we ran into them again, but this time just C and his friend J. They said they were bummed they didn't make it to church last week and they were talking all this past week about how they wanted to go... And sure enough, yesterday they came!!! :) ...

In black snapbacks, button-ups, Jordans, and big diamond earrings; they came. 

They stayed for all 3 hours, break the fast, and then we had a lesson in the chapel after. J is partially deaf so he was mostly just taking it all in but C kept saying how much he loved it. How it's disturbing at other churches that they all go and say they love God but they're all on their phones or talking the whole time and once they leave-- they're back to their dirty lives. But that there's something different here and he'll keep coming back. 

He's going to take the lessons and wants us to help him clean up his life and prepare for baptism!! :) AHHHHHHH HE'S SERIOUSLY THE COOLEST. Everything he said I just couldn't stop thinking about how much God had been preparing this young man and what a change is about to come to his life.

We taught lots of lessons and yesterday was one of the best days of my life! We had 5 investigators at church so I almost melted out of excitement. That's unheard of in the mission!

Then we went to the LA Temple visitor's center with one of our girls scheduled for baptism and she cried the spirit was so strong. 

LA Temple at night

I think about all the different circumstances people are born into in this life. The people I've met from Honduras that would wake up every morning living in fear hoping they'd live another day. I think about the people I've met from the Philippines that had to wash their clothes by hand in buckets of cold water they had to fetch and warm up coals to iron them for church. I think about all the broken families without a deep belief in anything trying to find purpose in life. And Families that keep trying every day to have peace and follow Christ.

I know the gospel doesn't totally change circumstances or fix our problems but I do know everything can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. 

I seriously am taken back every day by the miracles before my eyes and the message of hope that we share so freely with everyone we meet. People everywhere are searching for SOMETHING and we give out a blue book of answers to people for free. It just blows my mind.

We were going home last night from the visitor center with our investigator Michelle and my heart physically hurt I was just so happy. I just love these people so much and love this gospel I have no words. 

Love you babes! Expect miracles :))