Happy News Year!!!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Mine was quite different than what I was used to. Instead of snow being on the ground when we woke up we had to sun and the grass to look at. So it was a different experience for sure. This last week has been really slow due to the Holidays, so nothing too exciting happened. We did add a new investigator last night. His name is Josue. He is really awesome and he really is interested. We helped clear up some questions he had, taught the restoration, and committed him to read and pray about it. He accepted and he also wants to bring his cousins to the lesson next week. So things are going great. Other than that not anything too exciting has happened. The message I am sharing today deals with the new year and setting goals. First, take time to honestly reflect on the past year and then determine what you desire to achieve and, more importantly, what you desire to become in 2015. President Monson has taught: "When performance is measured, performance improves. When performance is measured and reported back, the rate of improvement accelerates." In other words, your goals should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. The best way to achieve your goals is to seek the help of Heaven and then work with all diligence – resolve that you will not return home until you have met your goals that day. As we set goals for the upcoming year lets keep this in mind. We can do anything with the lord's help. This video is about setting goals and the new year. http://www.mormonchannel.org/mormon-channel-daily/385?v=910930409001 I know that setting goals is important and it helps us to accomplish the things we want to accomplish. Love you all. Love Elder Betts

Merry Christmas!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope you all have a great week!!!! Time is short so I will be brief: Because everyone is out of town for the holidays, this week has been really slow. We met Elder Nielson of the 70 on Friday. We also had a mission wide christmas Devotional yesterday, meaning we went to San Diego two times this week. We had to wake up at 4 both times to be able to get there....so that was really fun. Other than that this week has been good!!! Christmas message this week: What shall We give him? http://www.mormonchannel.org/christmas-videos?v=2919740155001&cid=HPMO122214579 Our loving heavenly father has given us everything we have!!! What can we give back to him? Let's give back to him what we can!!! Love you all!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!

Happy Holidays!!

Happy Holidays everyone!!! This week has been a good week. We were able to have a few adventures this week. One of which was the ward Christmas party. We went at 5 to help set up and we didn't get done until about 8:45. The party started at 6:30 and it was a great party. We were able to have 4 investigators come to it and they had a great time. We had great food and wonderful entertainment. Everyone participated in the sing along program. They even made us missionaries do a special number....Feliz navidad. And of course it was the most white thing ever. It was so funny. My companion and I sang it....and it went surprisingly well. We had fun. Our investigators are continually preparing for baptism, however we are probably going to have to push the ones with dates for next week back a month or so. We haven't been able to meet with one. The others, the mom, is a coffee drinker. She said she cant give up coffee....so we are working on that. But we will see what will happen. I am loving it out here in the valley. It is such a fun place....except it is cold at night....but luckily we have our sweaters we wear. Hahaha. I hope you all have a great week. I have to go now because I have 2 minutes left until the library kicks me off. We had to use the library this week because the church wasn't working, so peace out. Love you all. Have amazing weeks. Love Elder Betts

Stand for Right

This past week i haven't too many adventures, but overall it was a really great week. To start off the week, on Wednesday we went down to Calexico to have an appointment with a deaf man named Javier. We went to his house, we met up with the spanish sisters, because they found him. We said a quick prayer, then we rang the doorbell. He came to the door, the sisters were like "that is him". they said hi and did a quick wave and Javier made it clear he was deaf. That is when i stepped into play. I started a conversation with him and we had a great time. I interpreted for everyone and it went well. We asked him if he was interested in us talking to him about Christ and his gospel, but he said he was really sorry, but he is a Jehovah Witness and he is not interested. We said it was all good. We also asked him if he had any deaf friends who we could see if they were interested. He gave us a name and address of one of his friends. We later checked that out after we finished with Javier, and no one was home, but we are going to keep trying. Other than that, nothing exciting has happened for me. We have had a few appointments with investigators, but most of our solid investigators were either super busy, sick, or out of town this week. So not a lot happened. We did have the Christmas Devotional on Sunday that we went to. We were able to watch it at a member's house. It was such an uplifting and wonder messages. It is available on lds.org if you missed it. So go check it out. And during this Christmas season, let's remember the true meaning of Christmas and how Christ is the Gift. This past week as i was reading the Book of Mormon, I came to chapter 44. This is a big battle scene with Zerahemnah. This is a scene where Moroni stands up for the truth. Because of this God made if so that they were victorious. Later on in chapter 48 it says of how if we were to be like Moroni, then Satan would have no power over us. How are we able to be like Moroni and stop Satan? We need to put on the full armor of God. As we do so we will be protected from the dangers of Satan. We will be victorious over him. We need to put on that armor and stand for the right. I know that is true and that as we do so, we can stop the temptations of Satan. Hope you all have a fantastic week!! Love you lots, Love Elder Betts

Thanksgiving!!!

Hello Everyone!!!

What a wonderful week i have had this past week!  I hope that you all have had an amazing week as well. After P-day last week we went to our ward Thanksgiving party. We had amazing food and we had such a great time. We were able to meet a lot of our members, and also we had a few non-members and investigators come. It was such a success. We are also working on re activating a less active family that we met with on tuesday, and we were able to have a wonderful meeting with them and we are now working closely with them.

On Wednesday, we had a few meetings. One with Kayla (less active who is working on now getting to the temple). Then we wrote thank you cards for the people we have been working with these last few weeks. Then we spent the day delivering them and expressing our gratitude for them. We also had dinner with a member so that was great.

Thursday was Thanksgiving. We spent our day doing weekly planning because it was thursday. We also met with a recent convert and had a great lesson with her. We Then went over to a members house for Thanksgiving. We had really great food and just a really good time.

Friday we did service for the Carrolls because they are leaving us soon ;( but we helped them clean up their apartment to be able to help them get ready for them to leave. We also had district meeting and then a lesson with Becky and Amy (our investigators). We had a great lesson with them and we were able to continue to prepare them for baptism the 27th of December. Then we had dinner with Savannah (A recent convert) and her family (who are not members, but should be). That went really well we had really great food!

On Saturday we did service for a less active family. Then we walked around a section of our area trying to visit with members and less actives.

Sunday we went to church, the Carrolls gave a farewell talk (Because they leave the 13th of December). We also taught 5th sunday on the "He is the Gift" program that is going on.  You should all go to christmas.mormon.org and check it out!! It is wonderful!! We walked around our area again and had dinner with the Burt family. Then we ended the night by going to FHE.

Yesterday we also walked around our area. We visited with a few people. Then we had a lesson with the Villalobo family (investigators). We also had dinner with the Brockwell family (The less active family we are working closely with to re activate.) Then we visited with another less active family.

So that was my week.

Spiritual thought this week is about "He is the Gift." Visit the website christmas.mormon.org to watch the coolest Christmas video about Christ!  I urge you all to always keep Christ in your hearts during the Christmas season.  Even after Christmas is over.  This time of year is a special time to celebrate His birth because "He is the Gift!"  We may receive anything to nothing this Christmas but ALL have been given something.  That something is Jesus Christ!  Christmas time is a great way to share your belief of Christ and how he means everything.  Share this video through your social media with your friends and family and remind them what Christmas really is about.  Visit the website above and check it out! :)

Love you all!! Hope you have a fantastic week!!!

Love Elder Betts

El Centro

This last week we were able to add two more investigators. Their names are Becky and Amy. Becky is the mom and Amy is the daughter. We taught them the restoration on Tuesday night and then at the end of it we asked them to be baptized and they both said yes. Their date is the 27th of December. Also Tuesday night we got Drew with the same date of Dec. 27th. Wednesday i went on exchanges with Elder Oakley and we had a fun time in his area. On Thursday we met with a Less Active member, named Kayla, and we discussed about patriarchal blessings and we also talked about preparing to enter the temple. She got super excited and is getting he patriarchal blessing soon. Friday we had all our set appointments end up cancelling by the end of personal study....so we recreated plans and had a good day. Saturday we had district meeting and had a great time. We met and had a great lesson with a recent convert, Savannah. We also visited with some more less actives. Sunday we gave talks in church and that went really well. For dinner we went to the bishop's house and had a great time. We also went to family home evening and that was a great time. Monday we talked with Tom, our baptism last week, and we helped him understand the priesthood. We helped him know what to expect and he is really excited to get it on sunday. Then we had lunch with President Jimenez, a counselor to the stake president. and then a meeting with our mission president. Then we went out and visited with some less actives. We had a really great week filled with lots of spiritual moments. Love you all Have an amazing week Love Elder Betts

Weekly Email!!!

Hey Everyone,

This last week has been a very good week. We have had a lot of success this last week.

I think that last time I talked about our lesson with Drew, but just in case I didn't here it is. On Tuesday night we met with Drew. He is a 17 yr old. He is friends with one of the youth in our ward. They invited him to take the lessons and he said yes. He has been coming with the Sanders family to church off and on since 8th grade, and he finally wants to know the truth and accept it. When the lesson was finished, we invited him to baptism, and he said yes if the answer he get from his prayers is yes. So our Tuesday night was a success!!!

We started our Wednesday off by going to the food bank and helping them bag up food to take to those in need. After we did this we met with our ward mission leader and planned the program for Tom's baptism. After that we met with some of the members still trying to get to know them and see if they have anyone who is wanting to learn about the gospel. After all of that we went down to Calexico to have a lesson with Ben. Ben is another one of our investigators who we added last week. He works with a member and asked the member to learn more about the church. Once we met with him, the lesson went well. Then during this 2nd lesson with him, when we challenged him to baptism, he said once he knows for sure he will. So that went super well!

On Thursday we went and had a lesson with a LA member, who wants to get back to church. Right now she is preparing to get a patriarchal blessing. After her lesson we had a lesson with a recent convert and his non-member son. That went really well and we invited him to church. He accepted and we hope that we will see success from him. Then we most of the day weekly planning. After all that we had a few more lessons with a few people.

On Friday, we met with Tom and explained everything for the baptism. We showed him around the font and helped answer any questions about what will happen. We also went over the program with him and he liked what we planned.

On Saturday we had the baptism and it went so good!!! The service was so nice and such a spiritual experience. Tom really enjoyed it and it was a success. After his baptism we had a lesson with a recent convert. We also talked about patriarchal blessings because she also wants one. Then we met with an investigator named Angel. Him and his mom were the only ones who were at the lesson, but normally their whole family joins. Angel has already received an answer about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. When we invited them to baptism, Angel said yes and we set a date to have that happen. His mom said that she wanted to learn more and when she got an answer it was true, she would be baptized as well.

Sunday we confirmed Tom in church and it was really cool to stand in the circle and be a part of that. It was such a great experience. Then we went to Seeley, which is where a few members and potential investigators live.

And Monday we walked around our area and stopped at less active members on the route. We were able to talk with a few of them and help them want to come back to church. We also met with Hector and Gylda- who are a couple who both are in wheelchairs. They are the most humble people. They look at the good side of this experience instead of the negative. They are the best example of humility.

So that is the highlights of the week.

I hope that you all have an amazing week!!! Love you all!!

Love Elder Betts

New Area!!

This last week has been a really good week.

On Tuesday, for p-day we just played basketball at the church building, because there is not anything to do out here....so just sports we get to play. After P-day was finished we went over to our bishop's house for dinner and a lesson/get to know them. It went really well!!!

On Wednesday we did service for the food bank. We help them bag up a whole bunch of food and get ready to be shipped to local areas in need. Then we did service for a family in the ward. We helped them mow their lawn, and do yard work for them. Then we met with another family in the ward and got to know them. Then we had a ward activity at night- "Carne Asada"- where we ate carne asada, and mingled with the ward. We had to leave the party early, because we had to travel down to Calexico to go meet with a guy. His name is Ben Horton. He works with a member, and wanted to know more about the church. He wanted to meet with us. He is super humble....and he is going to make a great ward member.

On Thursday we had weekly planning.....that was fun as usual. Then we had dinner with a member- the Bank's.

Friday we had a big long meeting with the mission president- called MTE (missionary training exchange). We met for a while, got training, then we added a companion for the next 24 hours. He went with us and taught us how we can become better missionaries. and what we can work on to improve the work in our area. We met with Tom and got him even more ready for baptism on the 15th.  We went and had dinner with a family in Calexico.

Saturday we had MTE follow up. Where we just talked about some of the miracles that we had happen during the MTE. We had Lunch with a Less Active member who wants back to church. We also had a lesson with Savannah (who is a recent convert). We had choir practice because we had to sing at stake conference at the adult session. We went to the adult session and we sang....Stake conference was a great time.

Sunday we went to the church early so that Tom can have his baptism interview...which he passed. And then enjoyed stake conference. Two general authorities came and talked to us/reorganized the stake presidency. They were Elder Lawrence and Elder Bassett. After conference we had dinner with members.

Monday we had zone meeting for 3 hours, then zone lunch afterwards. Then we tried to visit with some more members and get to know them.

Tuesday we had p-day and we played volleyball and basketball. After p-day was over we met with the Sander's Family (who ended up making us dinner-so we had double dinner because we ate before meeting with them), and the had a friend named Drew who want the missionary lessons and that is why we met with them. He is really wanting to learn about our church. He has gone to church with the sanders many times. He is ready to be a member.

So that is my week in a nutshell....

With the upcoming holiday of Thanksgiving we need to remember to continually be thankful. I suggest watching this Mormon Message about thanks. http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=910930407001

In a talk by Elder Russell M. Nelson he says: How much better it would be if all could be more aware of God’s providence and love and express that gratitude to Him.

Let us all be thankful for everything we have.

Love you all

Love Elder Betts

Transfers!!!

Update:

So my companion, his name is Elder Weber (He is from Enterprise Utah, which is near St. George area. He has been out for 1 1/2 years. He is English missionary-not ASL) , and I got "white washed" (means thrown into an area, without one of us there before) into and area. The previous missionaries left us some notes, but this last week consisted of us scrambling to get to know the area and the people in it. It has been such fun and a wonderful adventure.

As you might guess I am doing English work now (for the next little while) however, I have authorization to teach deaf people out here. We have heard there are deaf people out here, so I can teach them and baptize them :)

Oh, I forgot to say where I am at..............well I am in the middle of nowhere. We are closer to Arizona than we are San Diego. We are about a 2 hour drive to the mission office right in San Diego. We are in a place called "The Valley". We had to venture over mountains and dessert to get here. We are in a place called El Centro. If you look on the attached picture of our map you can see its out in the middle of nowhere. We also cover Calexico (which is right on the boarder of mexico). The average temperature out here in the summer is only 125!!!! Luckily in the winter time it cools down to 90's. We have perfect whether here. Actually last night....it was kind of nippy at 6 (where it is now dark) when we were out and about. We decided to put on our sweaters!!!! :) it was funny!!! We were matchy matchy!!! Our ward is the best. We are the Imerial Valley 2nd ward and the members are so great!!!! We get fed like every other night!!! Its great!!!!

So that is just a quick update on where I am!!!!

This week has been fun!!! We are working with an investigator who has a baptism date for Nov. 15th.... He is super ready and we cannot wait for his baptism in a few weeks!!!! Other than that we have just been visiting with people and getting to know them and the area.

Now for a quick spiritual thought that I read from the Book of Mormon. (I have a goal to read/study it within 3 months)

In the vision of the tree of life there are 4 different groups of people shown.

The first was immediately turned away from the tree and wanted the worldly things, like the great and spacious building.

The second group started on the path, but when the mist of darkness came, the got lost and fell away.

The third group "Clinged" to the iron rod, but then were mocked by other and fell away.

The fourth group "held fast to the iron rod" and made it to the tree of life.

So what does the Iron Rod represent? It represents the word of God-meaning scriptures and words of the prophet etc.

So what is the difference of clinging and holding fast? Well Elder David A Bednar in a talk entitled: Lehi's Dream: Holding fast to the iron rod in the October 2011 Liahona Explains it really well. He says," holding fast to the iron rod entails, in large measure, the prayerful, consistent, and earnest use of the holy scriptures as a sure source of revealed truth and as a reliable guide for the journey along the strait and narrow path to the tree of life—even to the Lord Jesus Christ."

The third group only occasionally read there scriptures, and thus fell away form the tree, but the fourth group read there scriptures often.

We need to continually Study the scriptures.

Well, I love you all and hope you all have a wonderful week.

Love, Elder Betts  :)

Elder Reger and I (the sign is chihuahua and they called me that after the haircut....so that is why the sign)

Elder Rutland and I

Transfer's!!!

Good News: I didn't die....we are just really late at getting to email you all. Because of the bad news......

So you know of how we have been in a trio the last week? yeah that fun is being ended tomorrow. The new companion has been great.....except the fun is over. Tommorrow is Transfers day and I am getting transferred. I dont know until tommorrow where it will be, but we think i will be doing english. They like to rotate those who have a language and give them a break for 12 weeks, usually at the half way mark. but because 4 of us came out at the same time we think they are just starting it early. So tommorrow i will find out where i am headed. Today we just packed up and got ready for me to leave tomorrow.

Anyways. This week has been such an adventure. We have had a crazy fun week....and its been such a blast.

On tuesday we picked up our new companion (for the week). Then after we went over to the Isais's and ate dinner with them and had a great time.

Wednesday we met with our investigator Monica, and helped her continue to prepare for baptism on Nov. 9th. Afterwards we met with our other investigator, Edwin, and we talked about baptism and the priesthood power. We challanged him to baptism......but he said heck no to the date of Jan. 25th.....instead proposed that we did it Nov. 2nd......Only problem is he wouldn't be ready by then. Instead we made a date for Dec. 14!!!!! afterwards we california burritos for dinner and street contacted.

Thursday: we met with Torie and helped her want to come back to Christ. After we went to district meeting where once we finished with that we had a chips and salsa party. That was a blast. Then we tried to visit a potential who set up an appointment, but she bailed on us so we street contacted instead. Then.....when we got back home for the night...i got shaved like a chihuahua.....because my hair was super long and i wanted it gone.

Friday: we did a service project for a family and helped them move things out of their garage to help get ready to sell things. Then we visited with Donald. Then Lilia....during that lesson a nurse came in and slipped a note saying there was a member in another room to go visit. We did and we had a great time visiting them. Then we went over to the McClellan's house for dinner......it was hot dogs.

Saturday we had G-spoon and weekly planning. We then had our ward halloween party. Monica showed up with 5 friends (3 non-members and 2 Inactive members). We had a great time mingleing and having good food. After that we had a lesson with a member named James.

Sunday: at 1 in the morning the power went out. That wasnt a problem until it cause the CO alarm to go off.....It wouldnt stop beeping. Elder Rutland and i tried to figure out what was wrong. We thought that the CO was going to kill us.....eventually we switched batteries and it stopped beeping. The reason it was beeping was because it had dead batteries and not CO. Then we slept in and then went to church.

Monday we had our car get its oil changed. ate at piology (subway of pizza's) and then met with monica. Then went and ate with the isais's.

So...im out of time.....BUt i hope you all have a great week. Love you all!!! Stay Awesome!!!

Love Elder Betts

"Come What May, and Love It "‏

Although this week we had to drop 2 of our investigators (one because they are not in our area anymore, and the other because he wouldn't keep appointments) I have learned the important lesson from Elder Joseph B. Worthlin about "Come What May, and Love It. Althought these were bummers for us....many good things have came from it. One of which was having the opportunity to committ our investigator named Monica to a baptism date. The date we set up and she is working for is Nov. 9th. If all goes well we will dunk her!!! hahaha!!!

In Elder Worthlin's talk he says a few things that can help us through our tests and trials. The first one was "Learn to Laugh". We love to laugh as a companionship. We find things to say that make each other laugh. Elder Worthlin says "The next time you’re tempted to groan, you might try to laugh instead. It will extend your life and make the lives of all those around you more enjoyable." Haha!!! We can all enjoy laughing more!!!

The next thing he suggests is "Learning to endure times of disappointment, suffering, and sorrow is part of our on-the-job training. These experiences, while often difficult to bear at the time, are precisely the kinds of experiences that stretch our understanding, build our character, and increase our compassion for others."  As we accept these trials we can learn and grow closer to our heavenly father as we come to him in prayer and we build a relationship with him.

The third thing he suggests is "understand the principle of compensation." He says, "While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude." Everything that happens will happen in its due time according to the Lord. Accept that!!!

The fourth suggestion is "put our trust in our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ." As we turn to the Lord and have confidence in him we can endure our struggles.

As we learn to accept the things that come we will be happier and we can know that we are learning and growing from all of these experiences. I know this to be true and I testify of the things that Elder Worthlin says in his talk. I suggest that you read that talk because it is wonder guidence for everyone. I know that times can be hard but lets just say "Come What May", and then just "Love it". I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Enought Spiritual-ness. Now to talk about my week.

On Tuesday we just did p-day things and nothing exciting happened.

Wednesday came along and we visited with our investigator Edwin. We taught him the restoration and he committed to church again. So that was wonderful. We also taught a less active a wonderful message. Then we had opportunities to meet random people on the streets and contact them. That is always a lot of fun.

On Thursday we met with our investigator monica and got a baptism date for nov. 9th. we also had branch council and then started exchanges.

Friday: we had exchanges and elder LemMon (english missionary-knows little asl) we took over the asl area. SCARIEST DAY OF MY LIFE!!!! Luckily we had district meeting and an activity called Blitz-where we all do only one area....that was english. Then we had dinner with the macias family (where i had to interpret for Elder LemMon) and then we gave a blessing to Donald (Yes in asl....scary because it was my first one). And then exchanged back.

Saturday we met with a few members and our investigator Lilia. Also we had golden spoon.

Sunday We had church and "linger longer" which means we just stayed and ate food and enjoyed the members. Monica and Edwin came to church also.

Monday we had more street contacting and a lesson with a member.

Today we picked up our new asl missionary...so we are in a trio until further notice. So this will be interesting.

Well, Love you all and hope you all have a great week.

With love, Elder Betts

Making Caramel Apples

Week 8 Letter!!!

"when ye are in the service‍ of your fellow‍ beings ye are only in the service of your God." (Mosiah 2:17)

This last week we have had the opportunity to do a lot of service opportunities. We were able to help people come unto Christ by these acts of service we did.

We were able to help a Senior Missionary Couple move into thier apt. and help them get settled. That was such a wonderful opportunity to help these missionaries get ready to begin their next adventure.

We also helped these elderly trim thier tree and help dig out a pole that was in their back yard. Afterwards we were able to share a message with them and help them feel the holy ghost.

Next we helped one of our members clean up the leaves around his house and help him in that way.

Then on the way out to go to the library to do some training activities we asked some people who were loading a moving truck if they would like help. We were able to gather a few missionaries and we helped them move from their apt. into a different one.

It is through these little acts of service that we can be examples to those around us and we can "Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (3 Nephi 12:16)

In a talk given by President Monson Entitled "What Have I Done for Someone Today?" He said "

My brothers and sisters, we are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness—be they family members, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us.

You may lament: I can barely make it through each day, doing all that I need to do. How can I provide service for others? What can I possibly do?

That service to which all of us have been called is the service of the Lord Jesus Christ.

As He enlists us to His cause, He invites us to draw close to Him. He speaks to you and to me:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” 14

If we truly listen, we may hear that voice from far away say to us, as it spoke to another, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” 15 ‍ That each may qualify for this blessing from our Lord is my prayer, and I offer it in His name, even Jesus Christ, our Savior, amen."

We can serve our fellow friends in many ways. We need to not be afraid to be an example to others and to help them with many things. Just like the song "Have I Done any Good" says:

Have I done any good in the world today?

Have I helped anyone in need?

Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?

If not, I have failed indeed.

Has anyone’s burden been lighter today

Because I was willing to share?

Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?

When they needed my help was I there?

If not we need to get out there and help others. Remember this as you go about your week. Think of ways that we can help others.

This week has been so great. We now have a total of 5 investigators!!! WooooHoooo!!!!

On Tuesday  we went "Lawn Bowling"-like bochi ball- On Coronado Island. That was really fun. and service.

Wednesday we had zone meeting for most of the day with service after that. also we were trying to call chad (a less active member) and we called the wrong video phone number. We ended up contacting a different deaf guy named Edwin, we invited him to church. He accepted came to church and we are starting to teach him)

Thursday we got a refurral and contacted it-they weren't interested at the time, we also added an investigator named James.

Friday we had the big service (Move) and then more service with Donald (Member) and visiting with the Isais.

Saturday we went to a baptism and Monica (now investigator) showed up and she got to witness that very spiritual experience. Also we visited Lilia (our investigator in the hospital because of her finger)

Sunday we went to church and we taught the gospel principles class. Then ate Dinner at the church before heading back to our area.

Monday we met with Monica, got scared for my life because we went to hobo land. Where there was hundreds of hobos all around. We also visited with a previous investigator named Elizabeth, all the time her mom was busy getting drunk.....so that was fun. We set up a service activity with them, so that was good. Then we went to the Isais's (deaf and blind brothers) and we watched Jose play bowling on the computer because he was doing that when we showed up.

Well My week was very busy doing a lot of service opportunities. We were able to express charity as we served our fellow man. I know that as we serve others we are coming to christ and trying to become like him. I promise that as you go about your day searching for opportunities to help other people out, you will be happier and you will be blessed for having charity. I love you all and i hope you have an amazing week. You are all so wonderful!!!!

Love ya lots!!!

Love Elder Betts

Week 7 Letter!!!!

I bet a lot of you are wondering why the title of the email.....but you will have to read the email to figure that one out. This week has been a great adventure. We have done so much and had such a blast. 

Highlights of this week:

Tuesday:

We went to Coronado island and played sports with all the other missionaries. It was super cool to go over the big bridge connecting the island and the main land. 

Then we visited with Lilia- Who we added as one of our Investigators (a total of 2 1/2 now). 

Wednesday:

Our first stop was at Miguel's house where we had a wonderful lesson with him and his wife.

Visited with Juan and Jose- always such an adventure- and had a great lesson with them....also the cookies were good!!!!

Thursday:

We did weekly planning.

Trip to Golden Spoon.

Lesson with James.

Friday:

We had lunch with the Macias'. That was amazing as usual :)

District meeting/ Interviews with the mission president.

Lesson with former investigator Elizabeth.

Met with Lilia....doing good. Went to leave, but got pulled into another room. A member was there and wanted a blessing so we gave her a blessing and that was great.

Deaf Pizza Night- that was fun. We enjoyed food and mingling with a lot of deaf people.

Saturday:

Spent all day watching general conference. We went to a stake center and watched it with all the other missionionaris. Had a lunch break and went out to a mexican resturant....of all of them we went to taco bell.....then enjoyed the rest of the time watching conference.

Sunday:

Met together with the branch and watched conference (yes in asl) with all of them. Man.....trying to do tactile with the people at general conference.....it was crazy they go so fast. But it was fun. We had a lunch break and had juan and jose try to shoot hoops. That was fun. They made a couple and it was awesome. They are so great. Then watched the rest of conference.

Visited with Donald

Visited with the Hicks- ended up having dinner with them. She made too much and it had just got done. It was chicken pot pie.....and i actually ate the corn that was in it. Thats a big improvement for me.

Monday:

We met with our other investigator Steve. We invited him to baptism...but he want to think it out and pray about it. So hopefully soon we can get it. 

Then we went and watched a car start on fire ......well that wasn't the origional plan. We went to visit a person, but as we were sitting in our parked car ready to get out a car drove past and it was smoking bad. The lady pulled over. stepped out, then went back in the car. She came out with a note and stuck it on her windshield and booked it. Next thing we know the car was starting on fire. The cops got called....firemen came, but the lady was gone. The car didn't explode.... :( which is also a good thing. Then eventually we got out of that mess. So that is why the title of the email is that. :)

Lesson with Juan and Jose. Ate more cookies. Had a great time. 

So yeah our week was amazing. The best part was confernce. It was so amazing. Isn't it awesome that we can hear our prophet and his apostles. Its truely amazing to hear the word of the lord through his servants. I know that if we follow the things from both scriptures of old (B.O.M and Bible) as well as the scriptures of new (words of prophets now days) that we can come closer to the lord and that we can also help those we see everyday. TO help them come closer to the lord as we share testimony with them, their own testimony will grow. Be not afraid to share the gospel with your friends. Share the truth we have. Help them know the truth. We need to "to stand as witnesses‍ of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in" (mosiah 18:9)

I hope you all have fantasic weeks. Stay awesome and be an example to all those around you and remember to "Therefore let your light‍ so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify‍ your Father who is in heaven." 

-Elder Betts

Week 6 Letter!!!

Hey Everyone!!! This week has been so fun. We have had many experiences that i cannot wait to share with you all. Highlights for the week:

Tuesday: After we left from email you all we went shopping as usual. Then we went to a place called Balboa Park. It has a whole bunch of museums (kind of like all the museums in Washington D.C., but a whole lot smaller and closer together) and cool things. It is also right next to the zoo....which was smelly :) But on Tuesdays they have certain museums that are free for california residents...and becuase we live here we got in for free. The first one we went to was The Air and Space Museum. That was so cool. We got to see the history of the planes and all cool airplanes. Then i got to "ride" in a helicopter (which really was just sitting in it....well it was only like the front half not a full one but it was still super cool.... and getting a picture.) Once we finished looking around that museum we went over to the automobile musuem. We saw the history of cars...a whole bunch of really cool old cars. Then we went to the Hall of Champions museum...which was a history of sports of people/teams in San Diego....more of a San Diego sports history. It was cool. Then we went and gave a blessing to a senior couple who got in a car crash...they were a little shaken up and no big injuries. Then We started exchanges and i got up in english work for the next 24 hours.

Wednesday: During that time of english work we did a few service projects. They both were non-members. The first one we pulled weeds around her yard and afterwards had yummy popsicles. The second one was scraping paint off of a garage so she could repaint it. We also had the opportunity to go and have dinner at a pizza place with a member and their family. That was a great experience. Then after while street contacting we met a muslim guy who we gave him a restoration packet. Then we exchanged back to our normal companions.

Thursday: We did an object lesson with Donald. We had a bowl of water and put pepper in it. We had him stick his finger in and take it out. That represented us going her to earth and being surrounded by sin. Then we cleaned his finger and told him to put soap on it. Then he stuck his finger in and the pepper didnt get on his finger. That represented repentance and having the holy ghost. He loved that lesson. Then we went to the Beatons for dinner....spent a few hours chatting with them.

Friday: We had zone conference where we got instruction from our mission president. We also watched the movie "Meet the Mormons" Wow that is an amazing movie. It's kind of like the I'm a Mormon videos on mormon.org but it is about 6 families and thier story of how they live their religion. It's going to be playing in theaters on Oct. 10-11. So we goty a sneak peak at it. Its not meant for prostaliting but just as an uplifting movie. You all should go and see it. We also went and gave a blessing to a guy who was in the hospital with a blod clot. then we went to a branch bbq and had a great time.

Saturday: we went and volunteered at a deaf event called "Deaf Unity Day". We walked around as security guards and made sure that everything was going good. We got to go to all the activities and have fun. Have you ever seen 4 deaf people dance? Well it is so cool. Granted because the music usually is so loud that they can feel the beat....if you aren't deaf then you will become deaf from it. It was so much fun. Then we went to the McClellans house for dinner, a 3 hour chat session, then went home with a lot of treats.

Sunday: Not a lot happened. We did however get yelled at by a man who didn't want to see us. Then we got told by a catholic man to go away and he's not interested.

Monday: We had a car appointment so we spent most the day in the car shop. Doing studies and waiting for it to get done. Then Visisted with steve and taugh him. Got a guy to meet on wednesday....seems interested. Visited with Mary Lu.

Well thats my week for you all. I hope you have a great week. Before I go i want to just let you all know that i know that this church is true and that no matter what we go through heavenly father is there for you.

Well have an amazing week.

-Elder betts

Week 5 Letter!!!!

Hello Everyone. I hope you have all had a fantastic week this week has been busy and we have done so much. We have been on so many adventures this week. It has been great.

On Tuesday it was P-day. When we finished with laundry, emailing, and shopping, we hurried up North to have our P-day activities. Because it was Sister Ueno's last day in the field before she flew back to SLC to finish her mission (she is a temple square missionary, so they go somewhere for a few months as a break) we decided to do a BBQ. So we barbequed and had a wonderful picnic with a group of us. Then afterwards we played rugby. Because it was so hot that day, we ended up not playing for the full 4 hours, but we still played for a long time. Afterwards we hurried home and got ready to go out and teach people. We had a lesson with a member named Miguel. He really enjoyed it. Then we went and taught a LA named Marilu. She too liked the lesson. Then we went around and tried to visit deaf people, but didn't have any luck with that.

On Wednesday we went to the Mormon Battalion with the new missionaries who came on Tuesday, because we had not gone to it yet, so they had us go too. That was such a neat experience. It is a little museum about the mormon battalian and their adventures to San Diego. You go through a bunch of rooms that tell the story, then afterwards you can get pictures, and then go "Pan for Gold". After we did that we went to transfer meeting, which is where every missionary in the mission meet together, people who are getting transfered stand up and meet their new companinon, then we have a few spiritual thoughts and go on with our day. Both me and my companion are staying, which is nice. Then afterwards we got a new car. Instead of the "mali-boat" (really malibu) we now have a cruz. Oh and we got a new designated driver....which ends up meaning it was me. So i have taken over the driving. It was weird getting back to driving after not driving for 10 weeks....don't worry though i didnt kill anything or anyone. So we are good. Once we got done with all that we had a lesson with Chad (LA) about the Plan of Salvation. It went really well and he was looking so much better. He was having a great day. Then we went to try to visit people, but they didn't answer.  Then we went back to our apt and had our studies for the day.

Thursday rolled along and we had our usual 4 hours of studies. But to top that off we had our weekly planning for another 2 hours. Luckily we decided to do the computer part of the studies that day. We ended up being able to get out of the apt for a while to do those things. Then we went to district meeting and was sitting inside for another two hours. Then we went to visit Elizabeth our "investigator". She wasn't doing good. We then got a feeling that we needed to drop her and focus on other people that are ready for the gospel. We will continue to visit her, but not like we have. Then we went to branch council for the night and had a good meeting with them all. During branch council we got a call from the Mormon Battallion sisters, saying there were deaf people there, who wanted to meet with us tomorrow, so  we set that up.

After studies on Friday, we went to the Mormon Battalion site again. This time to meet with those deaf people. We met them. The wife, Allysin, is a LA member. Her husband, Steve, is not. So we added him as an investigator. They also have a son named Caleb. The only problem with them is they are currently homeless. But in Oct. they are getting a place and settling down. But for now we are teaching them and helping them get back to church. After that wonderful meeting we went over to Cathy (member) house. We taught her. Then went on to visit Donald. We taught Donald about the Armor of God, so we had our demonstration guy to help us. Donald took the sword (cardboard cutout-not full sized) and tried to kill us. Luckily I had the shield so i got protected. There was no death for me. After that we went to deaf coffee night again and mingled with all the people who came. There was a lot there again, but no one was interested in learing about our church.

On Saturday we spent most of the day trying to visit with people, but we had no luck. Then we went street contacting, and the same results happened. Then we went to Golden Spoon and enjoyed a refreshing treat on a hot day. Then back to trying to visit again. With the same results. Then we went and visited with Juan and Jose. That was once again a very fun time. This time they taught me how to use the brail machine. I learned the alphabet, but i have to still use a key to do it. It's hard to remember the buttons you push for each letter. Because there are only 6 buttons. You push multiple buttons for a letter. The only one i rember is A- thats because it is just the number one. After they taught me how to use the machine, i had to type the message up for them, because they like a copy of what we teach them. I only made 3 mistakes and it only took like 20 minutes to type the paragraph. But is was all good. I loved it.

On Sunday we went to church and Steve, Allysin, and their son came to church. That was so cool to have our investigators there at church. They really enjoyed it. We also taught the gospel doctrine class because the new teacher wont start until the end of october. after church we went to try visting people again, but had not luck with the people we went for. however, at one house we met a phillipino lady who was a LA. We taught her a lesson, and then gave her a book of mormon because she left hers in vegas. Then we gave her the tagolic missionaries number to help her get with them to get a b.o.m. in tagolic.  Then on the way to our car a man who was a christian stopped us and we shared our beliefs with each other. Then we gave him a book of mormon. Then we tried to visit Chad, but he was asleep. Then we went and had dinner. and set up appointments for the week.

Monday we tried to visit Chad again, but he was in his class. Then we tried to visit potentials, but had no success. Then we had a lesson with James W. and that went really well. Then we went street contacting for the last 2 hours of the day. Then during journal writing i kept getting distracted because we got a new ringtone.....which made the journal writing not happen until the next morning.

Well thats what i did this week. I hope each of you had a great week. I hope you continue to have a great week.

-Elder Betts :)

Week 4!!!!

Hey everyone, not a lot happend this week. We spent a lot of our time in meeting with other missionaries for training and instructions from the mission president.

On Tuesday we had the usual p-day routine. We washed our clothes, then wrote home, and went shopping. We then got together with about 26 other missionaries and we went to a bowling alley. We did bowling for an hour and sat and talked with all our missionary friends we only see on p-days usually. When p-day was finished we went out for the night trying to contact people, but no one was home.

On Wednesday we had zone meeting-where about 28 missionaries are all gathered together to recieve instruction from our mission president for the next six weeks. We were there for about 3 1/2 hours talking about the things President asked our zone leaders to discuss with us. After that we hurried down to our area for a lunch meeting at costco with Emillo and Teresa. They bought us costco pizza and we had a lesson with them all while in the costco food court. It was great. Then, because we didn't have studies in the morning because of zone meeting, we did studies. about half way through that we got a text from juan (one of the deaf and blind brothers) asking us to come over for dinner. So of course we did! We went over and had another lesson with them and ate amazing food. Afterwards we went and tried to visit with chad, but he is still not doing so well. he is still sick, and hopefully will get better soon.

For Thurday we had the morning doing weekly planning. Trying to figure out what to do for the next week. Then afterwards we went over to visit with, and do service for Mary and Larry. We helped them move their beds around to vaccuum under and all around the room. Then we helped trim a tree that was out of control. After which we spent the night trying to contact people, but no success because no one was home.

Friday came along and we again tried to visit with chad, but he was asleep because he was still not doing so well. We let him rest and continued on our way. Then we tried to go visit more people, but no one answered. We then went over to Elizabeth- our investigators- house but she was out with her mom. Then back to contacting we went. After which we went to our apt. for dinner. Then we went to "Deaf Coffee Night" where all the deaf people meet up at a coffee shop if they want to and enjoy coffee, or water depending on if lds or not, and just spend three hours talking with other deaf people. Also a lot of people taking asl classes for school came and would practice asl. It was a great experience.

Saturday rolled along and we agin went to visit Emillio. We visited with him and was seeing how he was doing. Then to visit our investigator Elizabeth. We talked to her about having charity and loving all people. She seemed to understand it, but we will see when we visit her again. Then we hurried over to the hospital......because of Lilia. She is doing really well. Her finger is still pretty swollen and not looking super good. Luckily she will not loose her finger. Then we went and tried contacting, but once again no one was home. THen we visited with Donald. He was sick, but he looked a lot better than when we called him and set up the appointment with him. Then we went contacting, where people actually were home. One lady named Derilyn was just too busy to meet with us but said to come back later. Another lady named Margo was just not interested yet....we will bug her in a couple of months. Then we went to Golden Spoon for our weekly trip. It was delicious as always. Then we spent the night street contacting....trying to have success.

Sunday we went to church, and did the usual. Then after we went to visit a man named Rene. He was super busy but gave us his video phone number(a phone for deaf people, its kind of like face time) and told us to come back later. Then we went to visit a less active family, the Hicks, and we found out the reason they were LA. The wife works 2 jobs and is always at work. The Husband has a bunch of illnesses, so he cant get out too much. But they are moving to Utah to live in a cheaper place and then not have to work 2 jobs and get back to church.  Then we tried to visit a man named Aaron, but he was not home.

Monday we did service for 3 hours with Steven. We started with helping him take boxes to the post office to ship to Puerto Rico, where he is going to be vacationing for 3 months. He is going there to visit his parents and wife and to just have a great time. After the Post office, we went to a Buffett where we ate. Then we went to walmart and bummed around while waiting for his prescription to fill. Then back to his house to trim a tree and have a short lesson. Then To the Isais's (the deaf and blind brothers) for a quick lesson before we went to the Macias's for dinner. We had a food called Pho (said fu) and it was really good. Then we visited with James W. and talked about the Plan of Salvation.

So that was my crazy week for you all. I hope that you guys all have a great week full of fun things to do.

Love, Elder Betts