Chino, California: Week 75

This new transfer is off to a good start. We've been working with the members a lot more recently because President Hall is making a big push to help get the members more involved in missionary work. Also my trainee has been doing more of the leading as we go out and talk to people and do lessons and things, he's doing great. We've been super busy, it's definitely one of the most exhausting times of my mission!

On Friday and Saturday we got to help out with youth conference that the Chino stake was doing. It was actually super cool! On Friday evening we went to serve dinner, and they had this huge fancy setup, and it was Cuban style, with all sorts of cool decorations. They had meat, rice, beans, and fried plantains. Near the end of the meal they even had one of the members of the stake and his wife come out and teach some Cuban dances, and got the youth involved in it. They'd been dancing as a couple for years and it was really impressive. 

Then we went back on Saturday afternoon to serve lunch, and it was Chinese, with orange chicken, egg rolls, etc. So delicious. Again, the decorations and music made it seem really authentic. They even had live goldfish in bowls at each table. For breakfast they did France (crepes) and dinner was Italy (lasagna), but I wasn't there for those. Such an awesome activity!

Have a splendid week!

Elder Clayton

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 Chino, California: Week 74

It's definitely been an interesting week! Fun too. So one of my zone leaders/roommates, Elder Dupaix, went to his original assignment in Brazil. So for the past 4 days we've been in a trio with Elder Burbidge. He covers the Young Single Adult ward, so we got to meet a bunch of the YSA and do some lessons with them and stuff. He's also a very good missionary, so both Elder Simons and I have been learning a lot. Plus, he has a car! After biking for 6 months it sure does feel nice to drive from place to place in a car. 

This week was also the first week I got to work in a different area besides San Antonio since I got here. For the past 6 exchanges that I've done I stayed in my area. But we did exchanges for the day and I went to a neighboring ward which, again, has a car. :) 

Finally, we got transfer calls this week. I'll be staying for a 5th transfer here in English work! I'm the only one in my zone who's been here this long, I've seen every single other person leave. Feels weird. I am almost positive I'll be going back to Armenian work next transfer. 

Have a good one! 

Elder Clayton

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 Chino, California: Week 73

An Armenian man named Nabil got baptized this week into the English ward over in Glendale. It's so cool because the first contact that Nabil had with the missionaries was with me and Elder Bell back in my training over a year ago! I just barely remember him, we talked to him briefly one time on the sidewalk, and it was just a few days before we got on lockdown because of covid. We had gotten his number but could never really reach him, and eventually just figured he was another uninterested person that we'd never hear from again. But I come to find out that months later the elders in the area called him, started teaching him, and boom, now he's a happy newly baptized member of the church! 

Back then, it seemed like we weren't accomplishing anything, and that talking to Nabil was just another empty contact. I remember being discouraged back then because we didn't really have anyone to teach and it seemed like nobody was ever interested in what we had to share. But it's really cool to look back and see how us stopping and talking with him and getting his number eventually set up for his teaching and joining the church. 

Other than that, nothing much is new. We have zone conference this evening, which I'm excited for. I also got to go on an exchange with elder Bell which was fun. It's really nice that even though I am away from the Armenian work for now I have another Armenian speaking elder to talk with. I am grateful for that.

As always, have a good week! 

Elder Clayton

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 Chino, California: Week 72

Happy Easter!! 

I hope you all had a great one! I know I did!

First of all, general conference was awesome! I took the best notes I've ever taken and it was probably my favorite conference of all time. 

Ok, so remember in the Saturday Afternoon session Niel L Anderson's talk? When he talked about "The Laing Family from southern California" and their impression that they needed to have more kids? Well... The Laings are in my ward!!! We see them every week, and I have gone over to their house for dinner before! One of the people we're teaching named Olga is a referral from the Laings, and Olga watched general conference! She saw the Laing family in the worldwide broadcast and loved it! That is nothing short of a miracle!!  I am still shocked about it. 

We went over to Bishop's house to watch it. My favorite talk was Russel M Nelson's about faith. I felt the spirit so strongly the whole time he was speaking. Also, 20 new temples? Incredible! Yorba Linda is only like 30 minutes away from where I am now in Chino. 

I also had a fun birthday this Thursday. We didn't actually do a whole lot that day, but we had a Preach my Gospel lab, where we practiced teaching and learning how to increase our teaching skills, then they fed us Subway for lunch. Pretty good week overall! 

Elder Clayton

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Picture: Easter lunch with Bishop and Sister Dennis