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
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.
ReplyDelete