Hey everyone!  This week was pretty interesting......on Tuesday we were driving home and stopped at a red light.  There was another car slightly in front of us and to our right.  The guy in the drivers seat looked back at us and then did a double take, and then as quickly as he could (not very quickly. he had some trouble getting it out) He put his seatbelt on!, the whole while, glacing at us.  he totally thought we were undercover cops.  The next day we had to run get Elder Meyers a pair of socks at the store because it was an emergency.  When we walked in, a young girl thought we were security guards and was yelling at her mom, "It's the securities!  It's the securities!"  According to another Elder we are the most intimidating pair of English Elders in the mission, so I guess it's kind of understandable.                          

On Wednesday we had a sort of open house at the stake center, where people could come in and learn more about what we believe and eat free food. Yaaayyyy! Free food! So this guy comes in that is stoned out of his mind. Some guy comes by a couple minutes later and yells at him for harassing his wife. A couple minutes later, a cop pulls up, so I offered him a hot dog, and he said no thanks, and then asked me if some guy that was harassing someone is in the building and I said yeah. Then he came out and the cop pulled him aside, talked to him a bit, and then arrested him. It was great. Cali life!

On Thursday I taught my first District Meeting! It went alright if I do say so myself. On Friday we went to work at a soup kitchen! That's always fun. I got to wash dishes with a big spray thingy!!! On Saturday I had the opportunity to confirm 8 year old Elias, a kid in the ward, a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

It was an incredible opportunity. It was an amazing thing to use the Priesthood of God to allow someone to experience and have the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Sunday, I had the opportunity to play a violin at the seminary graduation for the seniors! I played Savior Redeemer of My Soul, while sister Atkinson sang, and Elder Seegmiller (the AP) played the piano.

Two days before, sister Atkinson had called up and asked if I could learn a piece for the graduation on Sunday, so of course I said yes, and she told me what it was! I already knew it, so there were no kinks to work out and it went amazingly. Also, the surfer from the Mormon message was there! For those of you who don't know who that is, if you go on to Mormon.org or Los.org, and find Mormon messages, it is the one entitled 'No Regrets'. It is also on you tube I believe. But I met THAT GUY! I got a picture to prove it. Here is my thought for the week. Starting with a quote by Boyd K. Packer, the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

"I said there was a question that could not be taken lightly nor answered at all without the prompting of the Spirit. I have not asked that question of others, but I have heard them answer it--but not when they were asked. They have answered it under the prompting of the Spirit, on sacred occasions, when “the Spirit beareth record.” (D&C

1:39.) I have heard one of my brethren declare: “I know from experiences, too sacred to relate, that Jesus is the Christ.” I have heard another testify: “I know that God lives; I know that the Lord lives. And more than that, I know the Lord.” It was not their words that held the meaning or the power. It was the Spirit. “… for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men.” (2 Ne.

33:1.) I speak upon this subject in humility, with the constant feeling that I am the least in every way of those who are called to this holy office. I have come to know that the witness does not come by seeking after signs. It comes through fasting and prayer, through activity and testing and obedience. It comes through sustaining the servants of the Lord and following them."

I want to simply add my testimony to President Packers, that gaining a witness of truth comes by the Spirit, after we do our part of fasting, praying, searching, and pondering. This is the kind of testimony I have of the truth and divinity of the Book of Mormon, and of Joseph Smith's calling as a prophet of God. This witness is not reserved for any particular person, or group of people. Only those people that work for it. Many people argue that you cannot trust the witness of the Holy Ghost, because it is the devil manipulating your feelings. This is a lie conceived by that very person. A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit. If the Book of Mormon is true, if Joseph Smith is a prophet, if this church is Gods Kingdom on the earth, the devil isn't going to tell you that, but God will. In the name of Jesus Christ, who I have a witness of from the Holy Ghost, that He is the Savior of the World, amen. I love all of you! Enjoy the pictures.....

1 Me and a little wabbit!

2-3 Some guy we saw on a bike. Why he was wearing a whole bunch of body armor we don't know....unless he wrecks as much as I do and just can't take it like a man.

4 Me, Elder Halle (who baptized Elias), and Elder Meyers. From this, you can see why we are an intimidating duo. My suit coat makes me look a bit bigger than I actually am, but I've gotten pretty cut while I've been out.

5 Me and the surfer dude! Right when I got there I went up to him and said "Aren't you the surfer dude from the Mormon messages?" Nailed it. My tie is a bit sloppy because I just finished playing my violin.