Ugly Sweater Winner

So Pete and I had a great week. We picked up a new investigator.  She's totally going to get baptized. Super solid. We also had a Zone conference on Wednesday. It was so awesome. President Hall is so amazing. Its interesting to see how much work he does and how much he cares about his missionaries. Im sure that all mission presidents do. He gives up everything for us and only wants us to be the best people we can. Its interesting how that has changed over my mission. At first he was quiet about that, but now he's all for missions are for the missionaries. He started by telling us that when he was first called the First Presidency told him that the way to measure success was in the conversion of the missionary's grandchildren. And the grandchilren of our converts. That is what he focused most of the meeting on - what we can be doing now to help our grandchildren be converted and enjoy the blessings of the temple. It really comes down to our conversion and building good habits that we can later teach our children. It was really cool. He also talked about giving up our weapons of rebellion. How the thing that defined Christ was his obedience, while Satan's downfall was his pride and rebellion. He compared it to the Lamanites who burried their weapons of war, and challenged us to find our weapons, give them up and make a personal covenant with the Lord to be obedient. It was a good meeting. Yes Mom, I also sang and it went well. 

 

The first is a picture of the ward christmas party. We had an ugly sweater contest. Yes, I did win, and yes, I found it in the women's section at Goodwill. And a bunch of JW's came up to me and started teasing me for shopping in that part of the store. Doesnt matter. It was worth it. I had three different members offer to buy it from me:)

 

The second is a picture of Rebecca, my first convert. She was at the Christmas Devotional with Elder Hansen and I and asked for a picture. It was kind of cool. Earlier that day Pete and I were in the foyer (sp?) teaching a recent convert, when we heard ysa sister giving her testimony from the speaker. The voice sounded familiar so I started listening. She said, "One year ago today the elders knocked on my door. I didnt want to let them in, but for some reason I did. I will forever be grateful for the prompting I got and that I listened." I jumped in my seat a little and shouted, "Hey! That was ME!!!" Apparently everyone in the chapel heard me, because Rebecca stopped giving her testimony and said, "yes, thank you Elder Sharp!" I felt a little embarrassed, but it was still the coolest feeling ever. She is going through the temple soon and her whole family has been baptized. The picture makes me happy. 

 

Anyway. Have a good week! Be safe. Love you

Straight Valley

Family- 

 The first week in Northridge was interesting. This is STRAIGHT VALLEY!! Nothing but. Crazy people, prostitutes, drugs all over, weird college kids who think they know everything, and of course, weird, tiny, wonderful wards. There are a lot of members out here that I really like. l feel like I'm going to be here for quite a while, which is alright. The area is HUGE! SOOO much work to be done. I have completely gotten over the fear of door knocking from being in SCV, so now its time to once again get over the fear of street contacting. Should be pretty easy. I just hate talking to college kids. They are the worst. I could NOT be a ysa missionary. I feel comfortable around older or younger people, but my peers terrify me. Thats ok. I'll get over that fast.

My companion. He is a treat. Very... bland. I dont know how to read him because he never says anything. We hardly ever talk. (I will be writing more letters this transfer, btw. We would always talk during meals and any "free time" we had  in saugy, so I never had time to write, but here its different. He doesnt really like to talk, so there'll be much more time to write.) He's a great guy, a hard working missionary, and a good teacher. Im happy to work with him.  Being at the house was always so entertaining. There was always something crazy or hilarious going on. Most the time here we just go around in almost silence. Unless we need to talk. Then we do. I'll try to start conversations but his usual reply is..."Im not quite sure.' Or I dont know. Then he'll leave it at that. Or I'll ask him something about life and he'll do about the same thing. Its just interesting. It'll take getting used to. Again, he's a great guy, I'm just at the beginning stages of a companionship, which, in my opinion, is the worst part of the mission. Getting used to each other is the worst. I'll let you know how its going in about two weeks.

The area is nuts. We're supposed to have a car (bc this place is so big and there are so many hills) but the last guy who was here didnt want it anymore. He liked bike. (Hated driving in California). This place is four times the size of saugus. There really is so much to do. We found two new investigators this week. One is a 10 year old and his seriously inactive family, and the other is a crazy woman who we'll probably have to drop soon. She is really nuts, but I dont want to go into telling you about her. I've been really happy with the variety of people that we have here. There are lots of rich people up in Porter Ranch ( the top of the area) and poor people down here. Lots of different races but not nearly enough Armenians. I really miss those people. (One of my mission dreams is to baptize an armenian, so pray for that;) .

There are a lot of really humble people around here. Lots of latino people. Which are the best for missionary work. Its no wonder, too. The BOM is loaded with the promise that they would be. I love running into Mexicans because you can almost always count on them at least being nice and kissing the pass along card you give them. They usually wont tell you to go away, either. 

The greatest part of the week was last night. Father Hanz. :D He is the greatest thing in the world!! I've been hearing about him my entire mission. He is a Catholic priest turned Latter day Saint. He's been taught by the missionaries for the past 20 years and just recently got baptized. Im not sure why it took so long. Lots of different problems. But he has wanted to this whole time. When he was a priest, he would use the BOM in his sermons, he would teach from it over the pulpit, he would take his congregation to the temple and he's been instrumental in the conversion of hundreds of people. He got most of his congregation converted to the Church. He's seriously a wonderful guy. Very funny and friendly. Charming. Opens right up. We go over every sunday to teach him the new member lessons. Its funny. He's taught more lessons (with the missionaries) than I have and he knows MUCH more about the lessons. I thought I know everything about the lessons and how to teach them well. HA! Father Hans is WAY better. He is such a good teacher.

I have to go. 

Love, Elder Sharp

Pumpkin Carving

So glad he has good people to celebrate the holiday with!!

Slow Computers

The zone leaders come to the stake center instead of the library. No wait, but slow computers. I'm fine. I think I did something to my back on the way over here, though. Stupid. Hurts like a cuss. How are you? 

I'm sorry. No I'm really not kidding. I've been trying to read your email this whole time. It took 10 mins each time to scroll down. I hate this so much. No, I'll teach simply. Its an interesting situation. The ZL's live with us. We are in the 3rd ward and they're in the 2nd. One of them went home on friday. To QueenCreek, actually. So President made us a trio and called David to be ZL. We're serving in both wards right now, working two areas. When I say I'm busy in my letter, I mean it. We have the ZL and DL responsibilities to deal with on top of that. It's been mad.

I miss you too. It's a good thing, but a bad thing too. I don't have any time to let you know what's going on or how I feel. I feel bad that I can't write you as much as I'd like. (Tell Brig to check the mail this week!! Er' day.) I feel like I have so much I want to talk to you about and no chance to say it. This sucks. Sometimes. I love it, but it sucks. 

:D Elder Schroeppel just emailed me and told me that L and M were able to go to girls camp. He said they had an amazing time, that they both felt the spirit, bore their testimonies, and gave talks in church about their experiences. How amazing. They also said that they want to get baptized. Mom, I never thought that would happen. Especially not for M. I didnt think she was ever going to feel the spirit simply because she wasnt humble enough. Let alone the fact that she thought it was all garbage anyway. She wants to get baptized. Oh my goodness. The fruit tastes SOOO good!! So good!

Some poor quality photos

With one of his favorite investigators. 

This is Bear. Spencer said he is absolutely huge- like much bigger than he is. 

With his two companions. Elder Jang just went home a couple of days ago- and Elder Davidson is still there with Spence. 

This is their zone. He is loving the Santa Clarita area!!

Cheshire Cat

Dear Family- 

He didn't tell me until Friday night. AFTER I had seen the video.:) We came to the library (with Presidents permission) to find out more about it. I was able to see the video and read the email. I wrote about it in my letter and told Brig about it. I can honestly say that I have never been so happy in my life. It was amazing. I read the word Brazil in the email but it didn't really register until I saw the video. I watched it and just covered my mouth. I didn't know what to do. I wanted to start screaming and shouting at the top of my lungs. I literally wanted to jump up and down. And I wanted to cry. I couldn't email you back until today, but I really wanted to. We walked outside the library and started unlocking the bikes. I sat there just looking at the ...mission? I guess? From that spot I could see a bit of Glendale and LA. I just stood there looking. I thought about Brig getting the call I wanted (and not until then did it hit me) but as soon as the thought came I realized what I was looking at and just felt this overwhelming peace. I thought of me being here, Preston being on the other side of the world and Brig going to Brazil. It just felt good. Like yeah, this is exactly how its supposed to be. I didn't feel jealous at all. Just extremely happy for him. We unlocked the bikes and started riding away and I stopped. I wanted to go home so I could celebrate (scream & sing my head off, like I did after Claudia's baptism) but he didn't want to. So I told him I needed a minute. I stood there fighting tears and laughing. Then I couldn't take it, so I sat on the side walk and started crying and grinning like the Cheshire cat. It was quite the experience for me. I literally didn't know what to do with myself, I was so happy. I felt like I had so much energy that needed to be spent cheering, but also that I was exhausted from being overjoyed. It happens in the scriptures and I never really knew what it meant until now.

Basically I'm happy for him:)

Mom, don't feel bad for me at all. Please. Please please please. I don't need that. Just be happy for him. DO NOT WORRY!! He'll be fine! My friend Kat is literally from there. She's there right now visiting family. She says he has nothing to worry about.

Having Brazilian success and seeing that many people come to Christ is better than anything in the world. We're out here to save souls. Baptizing someone is the most amazing experience on Earth and having air conditioning isn't worth not having that. Am I happy that Brig is going there, more than anything. I know I'm supposed to be here, but I still don't know why. It still kills me at times. I still get mad and bitter, but I know I'm supposed to be here. 

A Real Letter!

Mama-

HAHAHAHA!!!! Please tell me you took a picture of that! I would love to see his face! No joke, the guy sitting next to me looks EXACTLY like Golem. Its freaking me out. That's so cool for Jake and Max!! Did you tell him that Brig's uncle served there? That makes me so happy! Tell Clayton not to worry about it! Honestly!! If he messes up a little bit its not the end of the world. He can handle it. He just needs to learn from the experience.

You ma'am have a crazy week. I don't envy you.

My birthday was great! I love my ward so much. Honestly. It felt like home. No, it wasn't a lame gift (the lasagna). I was just so surprised. Lisa just kept talking about this Amazing surprise from my parents. At one point she totally made it sound like Dad was going to walk in from the other room. I freaked out a little. The food was really good.  I loved it. They did so much work. I was super shocked to see everyone just there. Had so much fun.

Ya, he knows that I've done that several times, right? Tell him that he should enjoy being so nervous while it lasts. He needs these experiences so that he can get over them in the future faster.

Thank you for not showing up.  Ha ha.   I would have hated it and loved it if dad was there. I'm not even sure if I'd like it if you were allowed. These worlds mixing. It was weird enough seeing the picture of Dad standing next to Lisa. I don't know what I'd do if he was there while I was at the party. I think he should have door bell ditched us at our building! That would have been hilarious!! I would have been SOOO happy!

HAHAHAH!! There really was an earth quake?? A sister was upstairs while we were doing mission prep at their house and she came down screaming that there was an earth quake. None of us felt it and we all thought that she was crazy. Well she actually is a little crazy, so we weren't fazed by the event. That's funny. I've yet to feel one of the quakes here. There have been like four. I hate this! I want to feel one.

Do I need anything? Um..yeah. I guess. I could use new bathroom supplies. I'm almost out and I'll have to get new stuff soon. Just the regular stuff. Um...There isn't much I'd like to have. I'll be sure to make a list when I think of them. I know there are things, but I don't remember. Oh! I'm buying glasses. Ok? I told you about them in the letter. I finally decided to do it and I got a bunch of cash for the b-day, so I'll be doing that soon. I also am cooking for the Bents this Thursday. What should I do so I don't look like a fool? What should I make?

I think I might love this ward as much as RC2. Honestly. I love our ward so much, but this is like.. my ward. I don't know. Like my people. I love them. I really don't want to leave Burbank, but I know I am. I know they do love me. I have a very good relationship with several members. Being around them makes me happy. I get depressed for the lack of success at times, but the members are always amazing and totally my favorite part of the mission. Without a doubt. What should I make for dinner for them and where should I go to get glasses?

All of this stuff with Clayton sounds so great.  Dang it! I so badly wish that I could be there for him. Just to see him going through this stage of life. He's going to be so different when I get home and I'm missing all of this.

Tell dad thank you for the letter. I loved it. Totally what I needed. TOTALLY lead by the spirit! I have no time left. I love you! I miss you and appreciate all that you do for me. Thank you for being so wonderful and faithful. I don't know what I would do without your amazing testimonies. Thank you so much for making my birthday so good. Have a good week! Love you!

PS>please send the recipe for greek chicken with your letter. I'm not sure if the portions are right in mine.