Welcome to the Panther Pad

April 14, 2014

Mother dearest,

Your letters are wonderful! I have so much to tell you and fill you in on.

First off I am in Van Nuys (pronounced Van Ice) with Elder Davis and we are on bikes.

The area is wonderful.  It’s a little bit cleaner and filled with apartments.  We only have 6 blocks in our area so it will be perfect and easy to cover on bike.  It is packed with Latinos which is just what we like to see!  I am excited to really dig into it and find those families that need the truth.

Our apartment is old but really spacey.  We have 2 bathrooms and a walk in closet.  After a bit of nightly cleaning it really turns out quiet nice.  I am always trying to take Dads advice and leave it better than I found it.  There are still some roaches though...but it just adds to the fun of having a daily "kill count".

A walk in closet!

My own bathroom

Also big highlight is a huge ceramic panther resides in our home. I moved from the Zebra to the Panther Pad. I wonder what's next!

Saying goodbye to the Zebra Pad

Hello, Panther Pad

Elder Davis is a 26 year old returned Marine with a heart of gold.  He is so loving and very knowledgeable at referencing scriptures, which is something I need to be better at. He has been out 10 months and is the same mission age as my trainer Elder Speth.  I love him dearly!  We are going to do great things.  As of right now we are trying to still test the waters but our potential is great.

 Transfer Meeting with Elder Davis

My ward is great…really young and very active! Van Nuys seems to be a pretty young, family-ish city. I am excited about that. Our Obispo is very on top of things and involved in our work. As far as the District I am in, I don't know the members very well but I have worked with some in the past and I know we will do great.

Okay now that the fine print is out of the way I want to talk about what really made my week, my mission really.  Elder Kent F. Richards of the Quorum of the Seventy came and held a mission wide (English, Spanish, ASL, Korean) Conference.  He was also joined with our Area Seventy Elder Garns.  I don't even know where to start to explain the love and wisdom of our Father in Heaven.  I wish so dearly I could share with you all he taught but I have never been so close to experiencing what it would have been like personally learning from the Lord face to face.  Elder Richards is truly a man of God filled with the Spirit and amazing understanding of the mysteries of God.  I cannot get over how amazing it was.

He taught with the Spirit and it was the most pure doctrine I have ever heard.  He explained and taught deep doctrinal truths of the gospel with simplicity and power. Nothing was misunderstood or skewed.  I was taught so much.  It changed my life.

Three main points to teaching simply were

1. Teach and Testify of truth

2. Invite to Act in Faith

3. Minister (help, bless, support)

I encourage you to keep these in mind as you serve in your calling.  If it’s not true, don't say it.  If it’s not spiritually inspired it’s not what God wants you to say.  Strive to teach simple truths, pure doctrine in all that you do.  I know that as you do your class and those you come in contact with will hear the voice of the Lord.

Elder Richards changed my life.

I don't know what's going on in my old area.  Part of a transfer is leaving the fruits of your labors to be carried on by other Elders.  I won't be able to see if Salvadora is baptized but I don't need to.  I am at peace with what I left behind and I am excited to try and do the same here in Van Nuys.

I love hearing about all the missionaries preparing to leave from Utah.  Not a lot comes close to the life changing moment of opening a mission call.  Spain doesn't know how lucky they are to soon have Hermana Marsh as they're missionary.  I am so happy and proud of her.  I can't wait to hear her Spanish.  European Spanish is very sophisticated and beautiful…a lot of vosotros form and unique vocab.  I hope she's down to teach me some :)

Love you Mom…a lot.  I am so happy to hear your progress and work in personally growing your testimony and love for the Savior.  Something really great to do that you have personal control over no matter what our family does Easter Sunday is to share your testimony with Lauren and Alexis.  They would love to hear from your mouth the importance of Easter.  Also in "Jesus the Christ" it would be awesome to read the account of the resurrection.  I think it is somewhere around page 670 as well as review Elder D. Todd Christofferson’s talk on it as well.  I think that would make Easter really special.

Until next week :) I am looking forward to Mother's day too,

Elder Bagley

Sam would love these zappatrias

We look GOOD...