This is what Californians do all day

April 24, 2007

Dear Family,

Well, my second son, Elder Burton, was born today. Elder Archibald got transferred so I'm training a new missionary straight from the MTC. He's from west valley and I think he will do very well. Brother Ek the ward mission leader in Cardiff ward drove 4 of us from transfers, bought us in-n-out burgers, and we ate them in the car on a cliff over the ocean and watched some dolphins. "This is what Californians do all day," claimed brother Ek.

Elder Archibald's last week in the Cardiff ward went well. The Mastergeorge family in our district got baptized. We gave the baptismal invite. The Twiggs slipped - and the thing about alcoholics is that once you've slipped a little bit, you go all the way down. We gave them blessings and helped them pull themselves out of it - after they had that first drink, for six days they'd fight the urge until the withdrawal pain and shakes were so bad they'd go drive down to the liquor store and buy more. The recipe for getting out: Scriptures, Prayer, Priesthood Blessing, and.... taking their car keys, with permission. The next morning, they were through the worst of it, and wanting even more not to fall again.

We taught a few other part member families this week, but didn't get any new investigators. Lots of long-term projects in this area. The Twiggs AND the Linkowskis all came to church this week. That's very good.

They split the area of the other two missionaries in my district, so now there are two more elders. Elder Baadsgaard is training a missionary from the Phillipines. I served near Elder Baadsgaard in orange county; he used to serve in my current area and is all the members' hero. He goes home next transfer also.

The bible study that I lined up at the carwash postponed till this week. We're still planning on going.

We met this lady a couple days ago named Elsie Whitnack who is pretty much an 80-year-old dry Mormon. ("Just add water," you're familiar with that term, right?) Her late best friend was a member. That family is the Wilsons, who own Wilson Diamonds in Orem. She has read the Book of Mormon several times, subscribes to the Church News and Ensign, and encouraged both of us to marry active members of the church in the temple. She's trying to get her kids to convert too. I think her husband is holding her back. How strange. She'll be baptized -- someday.

On Friday we rode in the rain to the Zamoras. My pants were soaked. My Mr. Mac jacket kept the rest of me dry though. The parents still, despite all the assurances they could give that they'd be there, didn't come. The kids have to come to church to join it.

That's about all that I can remember. The other investigators I haven't mentioned this letter we've been keeping track of by phone until they can meet. That should work out soon.

Elder Gibbons is coming to BYU during summer term too. He might come over to Grandma and Grandpas once or twice.

Elder Moreno got called to a Spanish area. He'll do great there. The new Chinese missionary is finally in Chinese, and he couldn't look happier about that.

Well, the work is going well here. I'm enjoying myself. I love you all.

--Elder Myers