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

Week 3 Letter and Pictures!!

Oh what an adventure this week has been. Watched a blind man wrestle my companion, caught a lizard just because, and went on exchanges and left my companion for 24 hours. But as crazy as the week has been I have enjoyed it.

On Tuesday, We went and played Rugby with the other missionaries. All i have to say about that is: Man the after effects trying to wake up the next morning and go for the morning run....man that was exciting...... Then after we played rugby we went street contacting and we went to a deaf persons house. The person's name is Jennifer. She was busy and told us to come back next week. Hopefully she will want to meet with us.

Then on Wednesday, We went to luch with Elder Felt and Elder Watchmen which are the two biggest dudes i've ever met. They are so friendly and just giant teddy bears. The are so great. Then we went and tried visisiting a less active member. His name is Chad. For the past few months he was super sick. When we saw him, he was looking  a lot better. We shared a scripture thought with him really quickly because a friend was coming over. Then we spent the day trying to contact deaf people. No luck came. Then for dinner the spanish sisters, Sister Diaz and her two companinons, invited us over for dinner. The reason was that she owed Elder Rutland and sandwhich before she leaves next tuesday. It was a good sandwich....even if it was tuna....I am still getting over the fact that i ate fish. Then we visited The Isais's (The blind and deaf guys). Thats where the wrestling match went on. Juan won 3 matches and elder rutland won 2....

Thursday came along and we again spent the day trying to contact the deaf people we know about. We got a refural and tried to check it out. On the way there we met a man who wanted who have missionaries over. He was baptized 2 years ago, but his 2 sons who are 8 and 10 havent been baptized yet. He also had fallen away and wanted to get back on track. We got his information and refered him to the other missionaries, because we can only teach deaf people (If we try to teach others that is called poaching and thats a no no). We shared a spiritual thought with him and then explained of how we are here to find the deaf people. We asked him if he knew where they lived....and turns out he is friends with them. He texted them and they actually werent home....but thats ok because now we have him, who is willing to go over and help us teach them. To reward ourselves for this wonderful experience we went to golden spoon. Free icecream to missionaries because an owner owns it!!! WHOOOHOOO!!! Then  we went contacting more. For dinner we went and had dinner with Ricardo. We had Costco Pizza and man it was good. Then we called people and set up appointments with them. Then we Traveled to the North to drop me off for exchanges.

Then Friday happened. It was the day of exchange. I was with Elder LemMon for the day. We spent the morning at district meeting, where i got to see my companion again. Then We tried to contact the refurals we had. Unfortunately no one was home. We walked to the temple for a quick bathroom and drink break, and we ran into a general authority guy. He is Elder Gordon from the 1st quorm of the 70. It was pretty sweet. Then we went to a members house for dinner. Then after that i got my companion back.

Saturday came along and not alot happened. We did Weekly Planning (normally takes 3-3.5 hours to do but because we have like no investigators it only took 2 hours). Then we went to the hospital to visit a lady named Lilia. She was in the hospital because she cut her finger (When i say cut she sliced that thing open from the top of her finger to the center of her palm). She Didnt think it was bad so she just wrapped it up and hid it from people. it ended up getting infected and she had to have surgery on it. We then shared a message with her and told her we would visit again if she wanted. She said yes. Then we did contacting for a while. Then we visited Donald. We taught him a lesson, then helped him rake his leaves in the back yard. We spent the night street contacting.

For sunday we studied all morning until church. After church we had a ward "Dinner". Then we went and contacted the refurral again to see if they are home. He is interested but was busy. Told us to come back.

Monday finaly came along. We tried to visit elizabeth, but she wasnt home. Then we tried contacting people. Only one person answered the door. Her name was Janet. She was not the happiest person because earlier we had a time set up with her, but things came up and it had to be cancelled. She now doesnt like us because of that. We then contacted a refural but the guy was super busy and said to  come back on sunday. We for sure will. Then at one house we caught a lizard and got pictures with it. Then let it go. Then we finished the night at the Isais's house where we helped them use lds.org. Because jose can see shapes and things like that, he can read the computer when it is magnified by a lot. We helped him translate from english to ASL. We also found this funny sign at a house. i took a picture and that is what it looked like.

Well that sums up my week in a nutshell i hope you all have a wonderful week!! Until Next time, Take care

Love, Elder Betts

P.S. for a spiritual thought go and watch the mormon message link:  https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2014-07-006-the-hope-of-gods-light?category=mormon-messages/mormon-messages-2014&lang=eng#2014-07-006-the-hope-of-gods-light?category=mormon-messages/mormon-messages-2014&lang=eng&_suid=141028493812407779580891623374

Week 2 in San Diego!!!!

Well I have conquered yet another week of the mission life. This week was pretty crazy. An it was so much fun. I love it out here in San Diego. Here is what happened this week:

Tuesday, Aug. 26th: My first P-Day in the field. We started the day off by going to the laundry mat. While waiting for the clothes to get cleaned and dried, we studied. After that we went to the library to email you guys. Then we went shopping so we could have food to eat for the week. Then after all that fun and exciting things, we started the real fun. All the missionaries in our area met up at a park. We got our mail and then played games. We started the games off by playing Zombie tag on the playground....just imagine a bunch of misisonaries playing on a playground running away from the zombie....yep things were interesting. After that we played a game of basketball. It was fun. After that we went back to the apartment where we changed and ate dinner. We then at 6 went to go find more people. We got a refural and we checked it out. The guy was hard of hearing, but knew sign language. We talked to him for a while. Got him to want to go to a church.....only problem is he would rather go to a hearing ward then a deaf one. We set him up with the english missionaries....so hopefully good came from that. Then we went and taught a member named James about the BOM. Then went and tried to contact people....where did we go you ask? Right next to the boarder. It is crazy down there. Lots of people there.

Wednesday, Aug. 27th: We went to chech up on a member named Chad. He has been sick for 4 months and finally went to see the doctor and is waiting on the results of that. Then we went street contacting for a while until our next appointment. While doing so...we went to an apt. complex and most of them are locked with a code. You have to type in a code and the gate opens.....anyways i was just playing around with it and the first code i typed in was 1,2,3,4,#. it worked and the gate opened up. IT was super funny and when we tried it again it worked. So if anyone needs in a gate try that code see if it works. the next appointment was with a man name  Miguel. He is a member and super cool. He is hard to understand because he uses half Mexican Sign Language....which i dont know. But i do learn a little bit from our members, they teach us lots. After that we went to the Isais's- The deaf and blind brothers. We were only at there house for 3 1/2 hours. Well......really only 2 1/2 if you take out the hour for dinner with them......anyways they fed us thes amazing mexican food called sopes (which is basicly a mini navajo taco-mexican style) they were really good.....and i only had 6 of them. Then we taught them a lesson and then spent the last hour learning brail-so cool. They have a brail type writer-which is so cool. So basicly we can use brail also.....its hard to understand and read, but i am learning still.

Thursday, Aug 28th: We started the day off with having Lunch with the Macias family. We had spagetti and salad. It was really good. We taught a lesson with them and then went on our way. We went to check on a girl named Elizabeth. Who has had missionaries in the past. She wants to hear (well...be taught) more. We are planning on teaching her more. Only problem is she has very low education.....and is a slow learner. But we will continue to meet with her and see how things work out. After that we went to Golden Spoon (which a member owns and misisonaries get the icecream for free) for only the 3rd time since i been here. It was delicious.

Friday, Aug. 29th: We traded in the old malibu we had (it got sold) and got a temporary malibu until they work our car situations. (all the malibus are being sold so we will get a different car in a few weeks). Then we had a lesson with Donald, his fiance, and his roomate/trailer house compaion personel. It went really well. This was one of the hottest days of the year...and to make it worse we were in a town called El Cajon....which is the hottest place in the area. It was fun and in the high 90's.Later that night we went to a pretty ghetto place. The first people we talked to (two elderly women) said to us "You better not stay around her too late after dark....it's not the best of places to be at night. It's pretty schetchy here!" Well that made us feel like we needed to leave, but we continued our walk around the block.

Saturday, Aug. 30th: we had our district meeting, where we had a fun talk for 2 hours. Then we went and taught the Plan of Salvation to a lady in 10 minutes. It was a great and short lesson. Later that night we went to an area....we now call it muslim country because everyone there was muslim. No luck there. Then we met a lady who wants us to come back on tuesday night...well tonight....so we are going to do that.

Sunday Aug. 31st: Went to church...tactiled(signing for the deaf and blind brothers) like a boss. Then with second hour interpreted for the deaf girl. Then during the 3 hour we had a rootbeer float party with the whole branch. It was super fun and relaxing. Then all the people we had lessons with decided not to have us come over because they had other plans so instead we went to find new people. That night we helped our new neighbor move in. It was great service opportunity. Then Juan (one of the deaf & blind brothers) texted (him through his email/ brail hooky up thingy-super cool) us. He told us he was eating chocolate icecream and asked if we craved his icecream i replied "We crave icecream, but Elder Betts says, never that discusting chocolate crap, But yes icecream is wonderful" ( He knows i hate icecream and makes fun of it. not nice. His reply is "you are crazy. You vanilla white face boy" i told him he was going to get it next time i saw him. He said i was fired and couldnt come over for 5 years. But then later texted and said he was kidding and i could still come over. He is the funniest person ever.

Monday, Sept. 1st: We had a labor day bruch with all 40 missionaries in our area at a members house. We ate food and then had a couple of spirtitual thoughts. Then we taught members emillio and estella. Then we went contacting where we found a deaf boy whos family is catholic. they were not interested. bummer. then on the way back to our car a mexican man came up to us and talked with us and applauded us for sharing the gospel with others. Then that night we went to find a deaf man. Half way there the gps died....so we had to go back to the apt to get the charger cause we forgot it. Then we find the house and we get out. There were two black ladies there who the older one was crying. We talk to her and she told us what was happening. We had an hour conversation with her and her daughter. They were southern baptist, and the nicest ladies. They also had a family language....completley made up based on different languages. refered them then went home

Thats all this week. Take Care.
Love Elder Betts