Monday, November 9, 2015

Week 5: Cooler Weather, Finally...

I'm happy to say that it's finally cooling down out here in So. Cali. My blood's still pretty thick from the Utah winters, so I'll need to acclimate and get used to the heat haha. 

Monday was my first day out here where we got a small rain shower. It was refreshing. But Tuesday was CRAZY!!!! All the storm drains couldn't handle how much rain was coming down, so there were GIANT puddles that would span the whole length of a street! Elder Gunnerson and I got pretty drenched, we had to wade through water just to get back to our apartment! We had to change our shoes and socks because our feet and lower legs had been completely submerged in the process of trying to cross the street at several street intersections. And while our pants were still soaked, a member of the ward took us out to Red Robin for dinner haha. And the crazy thing is, this is only the beginning! El Nino is coming this year, so were are going to get A LOT of rain! I just might have to buy some rain boots haha. 

Later in the week Elder Gunnerson felt impressed to visit a former investigator, so we did. His name is Ronnie; really nice guy, but he's got the mental capacity of about a 10 year old. He struggles with reading, writing and understanding concepts, but he's just one of the most polite people I have ever met. Last stake conference, the stake president challenged the stake to read the whole Book of Mormon before the next stake conference, and on the morning of the Sunday session to read Moroni chapter 10 (particularly verses 3-5), and pray to know if the Book of Mormon is true. Incredibly, Ronnie had read the entire Book of Mormon, and told us that he believes it is true. And when we asked him to read verses 3-5, he didn't mess up on or mispronounce a single word! It was practically a miracle! It's amazing how reading the Book of Mormon can bless a person's life! I challenge all of you to read it, and pray to know if the Book of Mormon is true. And if you faithfully do so, with a true desire to know, you will know by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Stake conference was cool; Elder Grow from the Seventy came and presided at our conference, as well as Elder Wilde (who is the local area authority). They were here because the stake presidency was released, and the called new brethren from the stake. The most spiritual part of the meeting was when the released presidency, as well as the new presidency, bore their testimonies. And when they spoke, they bore with power and conviction, I was in awe. It was an incredible experience. 

Yesterday Elder Gunnerson and I were able to teach the Castro children about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And I was blown away by how many intellectual questions they had for us haha. But once we got the lesson rolling along, they settled down and listened to our message. And it was then that I could feel their sweet, innocent spirits, and I could tell that they truly do have a desire to learn more about our Church and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was a very spiritual experience for me. 

Well, other than that, nothing big has been going on lately. Thank you for the emails that you have sent to me. I enjoy hearing from you all! Choose the right, be proactive, and study the Gospel!


-Elder Ruiz


Visiting a Hindu Temple on P-day

RAIN!!
Teaching English


1 comment:

  1. Haven, I'm always amazed at the spiritual growth that takes place in the lives of missionaries. I love reading your weekly updates and hearing about your missionary experiences. Keep up the good work.

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