Training Elder Moreno

November 14, 2006
Dear Family,
Hi, how are you doing? I'm doing great, thanks. We're still in the Chinese branch exclusively, and we're doing fine. Elder Moreno sounds Hispanic when he speaks English, but his Chinese sounds just like Elder Gibbons’. It's kind of funny. His Chinese can use a little work, but he's coming along. I tried to give him a good taste of mission life. We did some teaching, some tracting, some street contacting. On Thursday we taught some members about missionary work and committed 4 kids to pray that night about who the lord would like them to invite to church or share the gospel with in some way. I told them to get down on their knees and not get up until they got an answer. Each of them had a name the next day. Funny what happens when we trust the Lord's promises. I encourage you all to do that tonight - pray about who you know or are aquainted with that the Lord wants you to share the gospel with. Listen until you get an answer, even if it takes an hour, even if it takes all night. Remember Enos. Patience shows faith.

We have yet to get any new Chinese investigators this week, but we did contact many people and ultimately got about 5-10 addresses or phone numbers of potential investigators for missionaries in other wards.

We got a referral this week from one of the stake presidency of the Carlsbad stake. He gave us a referral for a Chinese husband and wife that he was going to bring to the temple to learn more about it. He met them only once, in a car shop. So, Elder Moreno and I went with Sister Pong and her companion, and taught them. They weren't interested in investigating, but we did the best we could. they're already very integrated in their own church... So we got their pastor's phone number.

Yesterday, we went to 99 ranch with our English booth and talked to a lot of people. Again, we found some people interested in the class. One Chinese lady randomly gave us flowers. And, as always, we saw a couple people I know from visiting them before.

Life is a lot different with a new missionary. They still have a lot to learn, and the MTC is a tough act to follow for a trainer. Trainers have to teach by example and explain pretty much everything, and also trust the little guy enough to let him try an important door approach or a phone call. Then again, if you think about it in a bigger perspective that's what it's all about. God could send angels to do his tracting, he could train the new missionaries with angels, but instead he leaves that work to the "weak things of the earth" like me and Elder Moreno. We have to learn that success comes from our desire and doing our best.

I am planning on going back to school in summer term, if the school will let me in for summer. If not, fall term. I'm not sure if there's some technicality in the deferment that makes it so I can't go back fall. Maybe you can check.

I don't think I'll need a bike. We secured the car for 6 days a week.

For Christmas... I still need a little thinking to do, but I have two things I've thought of. First, a Deseret Book or Borders gift card so that I can buy some good classical cds that I can listen to out here; or I could go to Borders and pick some titles that I don't have and you could order them from Amazon or something. That would save money. Second, I heard that the original releases of Star Wars 4-6 came out, as in completely unchanged from the original versions. I also heard that they're only going to be available for a limited time. So, if you could possibly get those for when I get home, that's another idea. You know how much I like Star Wars. I'll let you know if I have any other ideas. I know those aren't exactly the most useful things to ask for, but I have pretty much all the essentials for missionary work.

Well, I'm our of time. I hope you have an excellent week. Thanks for the letters. I love you too Lisa.

I love you all,
Elder Myers