Week 37 in California

Hello family and friends.  The computers here are struggling a bit so I don't have tons of time.  Sorry in advance for the semi-short letter.

So the mini-miracle for this week came during a member meal.  There is a family here, the Balderas, that knows almost everyone in their neighborhood.  We have never been able to have a solid "sit-down-and-tell-us-everything" session.  So, we are there for a member meal and they say, "we have a surprise for you."  Half an hour later, a mom, Graciela, and her two kids walk in.  We finish up eating and talk with her and help her talk through what she wants for her kids and how the church can help.  Right now, her big obstacle is getting to church.  To be to church by 9:00, they would have to be on the bus by about 7:45.  Being a single mom, that's a little tough.  She was going to come this week, but her kids didn't get up. We have another dinner/lesson with them tomorrow.

Bad news, we have almost totally lost contact with the Garcias.  I have no idea what's going on.  Hector isn't answering his phone and when we stop by, only the wife is there and we just kind of yell back and forth from the front door to the back room.  That's been a little frustrating.

About two months ago, the missionaries that we were sharing the car with got moved and two missionaries were brought in. These two new missionaries weren't interested in having the car, so we have been in the car all the time for the last 2 months or so.  Now, remember how I said a few months ago that we were switching to all bike and bus?  Well, it's happening this week along with everything else. (I think something super cool is on the way.) And, we are trying to find a new apartment with desperation. Our current apartment is 3 miles out of our area, so we need to find something closer to our area since we will be on bikes 100% of the time now.

Elder Marchan is still coming along bit by bit.  He's totally opposite from my last companion in every way I can think of.  Since I was with Elder Smith for 4.5 months, the transition has been a little weird.

So ya, that's all.  Thanks for all the emails.

Elder Christensen

p.s. I saw Raul and Rosy at Stake Conference last Sunday. They are still doing awesome. Raul has the Aaronic Priesthood. I heard they are interested in getting sealed in Mexico. I hope (for my own selfish reasons) that they don't do that. ;)