63

Oh boy, it's been a good week. Our transfer calls came last night, and I'm leaving to Elk Grove to be a district leader. I'm being "shotgun-ed" or "white-washed" into an area, which means my companion will be just as new to the area as I am. My companion (not sure how to spell his name, I'll let you know next week) is from Mexico and was called to speak Spanish in this mission, but is being moved to English work this transfer. So, I'm not sure how much English he speaks. It will be an adventure. Good stuff! I have a feeling it will be a humbling transfer as I accept this responsibility. I just talked with Elder Muir, the missionary that was serving there last transfer, and he told me that they have a investigator with a baptismal date and a few other progressing investigators. Yeehaw!

Elder Brook is staying in Valley Oaks ward with Elder Chatterton! Elder Chatterton came out with me from the MTC. "Valley Oaks! No jokes! We be baptizing all the folks!" This Saturday is the baptisms of Jacob Lemon and Janie Mustapha. I'm hoping and praying that I will be able to come back for their baptisms.

On Sunday the Mezey family was baptized! SO happy! It's been a long road for them, but it was such a sweet, happy day. Br Mezey received the priesthood in church and baptized his wife, Amy, and four children that evening. In the picture, from left to right, is me, Alyssa, Shelbie, Elder Brook about, Br Mezey and Sis. Mezey, James, Kayleigh, and their next youngest Lilliah in her lap. They have a new born brother J.T. that is not in the picture. They are an awesome family.

Along with Br Mezey in church Tom Erps received the Aaronic priesthood. It was a blessing to be able to participate in his ordination. Edgar and his family is living in the El Dorado ward now, and he should be receiving the priesthood soon too.

Well, it's a big week ahead and I'm stoked for the adventure. It will be a challenge. I'll miss the people of Stockton. It's been real, it's been fun... it's been real fun. I love you all! Love,

Elder Andrew

PS the Stockton homicide count is 69 this year. That breaks the record, which was set last year! Last weekend there were 4 murders, and our mission president told all the missionaries in Stockton to return to their apartments by 8pm to do companion study, instead on returning at 9pm. Good stuff!

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Elder Chris Andrew

California Sacramento Mission

8267 Deseret Ave

Fair Oaks, CA 95628

62

Well, the Mezey's were not baptized this weekend. They want their father to baptize them all and he should get the Aaronic Priesthood next week, so the baptisms has been postponed until then. On the bright side, this week our other progressing investigator, Janey, quit smoking and has set her baptismal date for November 3rd! She is amazing. Jacob Lemon is still set for the third as well!

Edgar and his family moved into their new place permanently this week. They are doing great and Edgar should be getting the priesthood soon. Tom is solid... he enjoyed Stake Conference this weekend. He should be getting the priesthood soon too.

Next week is transfers, so you won't hear from me until Tuesday. I feel like I'm probably leaving, maybe to be a district leader. Our zone leaders gave us our transfer reports (how our progression, skills, growth and abilities are measured by our mission leaders every six weeks) and mine said to leave Valley Oaks and be a district leader. We'll see. I know being a district leader will be hard, but I think I'm ready for the challenge. District leaders are usually over 2 or 3 companionships and they provide training every week in district meeting. They go on exchanges with all the missionaries in their district and help them in their areas. The missionaries in their district report their proselyting efforts to the district leader, which he reports to the zone leaders. The zone leaders report to the assistants to the president, and they report to the mission president.

I sure love this place. Stockton is great. I love the people that I have taught and the ward members that I have worked with. Life is good!

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Elder Chris Andrew

California Sacramento Mission

8267 Deseret Ave

Fair Oaks, CA 95628

61

This week was awesome! Last p-day we went fishing with our recent convert, Edgar Zuniga, and the family. Elder Brook and I didn't catch anything, but it was fun to hang out and spend time with the Zunigas. They are moving out of our ward soon, and we are bummed out about it. But they will be great members wherever they are.

Tom is doing great. Janey is praying about a baptism date. We have taught her for more than six months and she has had two baptismal dates already, but she says she feels too rushed... so we invited her to set her own date. She said she would like to be baptized before Thanksgiving! :)

Yesterday we had a surprise  As Elder Brook and I were walking into our church building for sacrament, Sis. Lemon and her son Jacob (Sis. Lemon has been less-active for years and we have been teaching her three children: Madison (14) Jacob (12) and Taylor (11). They set their baptisms for next April) came walking out and said, "We have some news for you! Jacob has decided he wants to get baptized. He doesn't want to wait anymore." YAYYY! It's about time. Jacob has gone to scout camps and is in deacons quorum and loves the young men, but he really wanted to pass the sacrament. We're planning on November third! Yeah baby.

The Mezeys had their interviews last week and they are all good to go for this Saturday! Sis. Mezey, Kayliegh, Alyssa, Shelbie, and James will all be baptized.

Life is great my friends!

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Elder Chris Andrew

California Sacramento Mission

8267 Deseret Ave

Fair Oaks, CA 95628

60

What a spiritual feast we have had this week. I loved General Conference. It is always a time of self-reflection and an eye-opener to areas of improvement. I'm so glad we have it every six months. I was amazed to realize that although the leaders of our church must have a deep knowledge of gospel doctrine, their messages are always centered on the principles of the gospel -- faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, and saving ordinances. They truly love us and are inspired in their words. I especially loved the talk about the relationship between having a testimony and becoming truly converted. Becoming converted is a life-long pursuit, not a one-time spiritual event. We become converted by praying, studying the scriptures, and obeying God's commandments.

 

On Thursday Tom Erps was baptized and confirmed! He set his baptism date about six months ago to be on his birthday, October 4th. The Paul family that initially fellowshipped Tom came up from S. California to participate in the baptism and confirmation. In the picture Tom is on the left and Bro Paul is on the right. Elder Gurr came back from Jackson to be here as well. It was a great service. Edgar and his family came to watch and so did one of our current investigators, Kristina. She is working toward being baptized as well.

 

Today Elder Brook and I are going fishing with Edgar and his family. They had to move out of our ward this week, so we want to spend as much time with them before we have to pass them off to the new ward. Good thing the church is true wherever you go! We will miss them.

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Elder Chris Andrew

California Sacramento Mission

8267 Deseret Ave

Fair Oaks, CA 95628

59

Great week! Yesterday in sacrament meeting Edgar got up and bore his testimony. He shared his experience coming to the church and simply said, "I know that this is true." He talked about his experience growing up catholic, but losing his faith a little as he got older. He said that he has been feeling like he has been searching for something for a while. When we began teaching him he knew that this was it. We found Edgar through his family. We received a referral for a non-member that lived in the home and found the Alvarado family, who were baptized years ago in another ward. They had fallen away, but they caught the Spirit again after a few times of us visiting. Cynthia, one of the daughters of Br. Alvarado, asked us to baptize her oldest daughter, Lupita. After a few weeks Cynthia's husband, Edgar, came home from work in Fresno, and we began teaching him along with Lupi. And now he's here! We're so proud of him. Edgar is such a great member of the church.

This week Thomas Erps is getting baptized! His baptism is on Thursday. Elder Gurr will be coming back, he began teaching Tom. Tom is so prepared -- he even taught Gospel Principles class one week. We're excited.

And then there's General Conference this week! Pretty stoked about that.

Well, other than that, nothing much else. Love everyone!

--

Elder Chris Andrew

California Sacramento Mission

8267 Deseret Ave

Fair Oaks, CA 95628