Give me a week to get my thoughts together...

Elder Davis has amazing powers

Last day with Elder Davis

Hey Madre

Hope the BBQ was a success!  Sounds like a lot of fun and good food :) We actually had a BBQ out here on Monday with the ward. Soccer, sun and some real good carne asada!  YUM.  I love Latino woman. They just ask if you are hungry and then a minute late a plate full of good food appears. It's the greatest thing. We got a bit of sun though ha-ha my companion is lobster status.

Great Dane at the BBQ

Ward BBQ

So I am serving as a Zone Leader over the San Fernando Zone which comprises the Santa Clarita District and San Fernando District, 10 companionships in the Zone all together.  We cover a bit of the San Fernando Valley and the smaller (whiter and richer) valley of Santa Clarita.  My companion is Elder Worthington.  He is from Ohio and has been a Zone leader for 6 weeks, but a District leader before that for 12 weeks.  He is just like me, stuck in-between two sisters and already we are getting along great and working hard!  The area we serve in is the infamous Pacoima!  It's the highest finding area in the mission but also the highest with gang activity and sketchy stuff.  So far it's been really fun to work it.  We haven't had a lot of time in our area because of getting everyone settled in after transfers but this next week we are going to get a bunch of time to find and teach!

 

Elder Worthington cleaning out the Area book

So rough...

The great part of a new ward and area is people compliment me on my accent!  I love it ha-ha it feels great seeing people’s reactions when you say you studied Spanish for 6 weeks and then just started speaking it. We are doing all of the Meetings in Spanish too which will be great practice and experience.

I have been having a lot go on this week and my head is kind of everywhere at once but so far it has really been great. I feel excited and confident in being a Zone Leader. I really am lucky to get to learn from the special opportunities that come from this assignment. I can't wait to start learning more and more and start teaching my Zone the things we are focusing on as a mission…like teaching simply and powerfully.

 

Elder Worthington making 7:00am conference calls

I love it so far!  My apartment is a little old ha-ha but I really am so pumped for it all.  Give me a week to settle in and get my thoughts together ha-ha.  I love you Mom, you're wonderful.

Elder Bagley

Selfie in the car

Jamica! A really yummy drink made out of cinnamon and flowers. You say it like Ha-Mai-Ka

Zone Leader

Madre!

(Mitchell's Uncle got a cute new puppy and Alexis and the Murray Girls Water Polo team took second at state.)
 

Wow just great news it sounds like!  The puppy and the polo game are both great news!  I wish I could see both!  At first I thought we got a new puppy because I opened the picture email first. That would have been a surprise.  But either way I am happy Trav gets a new mate!  Congratulate Alexis for me.  I know that must be a super great accomplishment.  She is capable of some amazing things!

 So the start of this week was a wee toasty, a nice high of 102 degrees.  WOOF!  I am getting a sweet watch tan line.  It really changes the way we work.  Water and shade is needed every hour and just taking time to cool down is a must.  I want to still keep pushing hard but if there is anything sheep, Bear Grylls, and Boy Scouts has taught me is that you can't do much when you’re dehydrated.  So we pack frozen water bottles and snacks every morning to prepare and it's worked out great.

 

Sweet Coconut water

Other than that a lot of crazy stuff happened and is happening this week.  First, we came home from district meeting and our sink was clogged and flooded.  We had a fun time dealing with that.  It was a reverse sink and when you turned the disposal on it would drain one side and feel the other.  Ha-ha but our manager took care of it in like 10 minutes.  She's a saint. 

Elder Davis had to go to urgent care this week to try and get an ultrasound for some stuff that's been going on.  But they referred him to a specialist and hopefully he can get it figured out quick.  He has the worst luck with health.

We got ate pupusas TWICE this week.  The first time we begged our nonmember manager to feed us and the second our investigators hooked us up.  It was so good.  I love pupusas.  Salvadorians by far are the best cooks.  From the little I have tried at least.  I need to learn to cook like them ASAP.  Pupusas are like corn patties with meat or beans or cheese inside, whatever really.  And then you eat them with this coleslaw and tomato sauce combo and it's to die for.  YUM!

So the transfer calls snuck up fast and the big news of the week is I am going to be transferred to a car area tomorrow.  President actually called while we were busy (he doesn't usually call unless it’s important or you’re in trouble, we were a bit worried). When we called him back he said he was in the temple the day earlier and felt the impression to call me to serve as a Zone Leader.  He doesn't know 100% percent why but he is a man willing to follow promptings.  It's a little strange to call someone like me to go from junior companion to Zone Leader without being a senior companion or District Leader but I am confident the Lord will help me play the part.  He is really good at stuff like that.  Sadly I will be leaving Elder Davis behind.  It breaks my heart but I know the Lord has wonderful things ready for him.  I pray his new companion will love him like I do, He deserves it.

So after it's all said and done the Lord has decided to throw me into another crazy transfer.  I am so excited! Change is exhilarating.  I am really open to any leadership ideas or advice you can spare. A whole Zone is not quite the same as Murray’s Senior Class.  I am grateful I have divine help.  I'll let you know how the cool AC car is as well ;) what a tender mercy.  Love you Mom.  Keep up the studying.  I love hearing about what you learn.  Give Roxy a good welcome to the family.  Con amor.

Elder Bagley

My last preparation day donut run with Elder Davis

There is love at home...

Madre,

Hello Mom :) It was so great to get to Skype with you! I am grateful for that kind of technology. We should keep that a family tradition for the rest of our lives!

This week was a really great one. Like I said the new teaching method we learned in Zone Conference is really changing the game and we are seeing great results. During the Conference President chose me to give a talk on faith.  We were all supposed to prepare a talk in Spanish and then he was going to randomly pick someone to give it.  It was just like the MTC all over again, but this time I can speak Spanish ha-ha.  It was such a tender mercy.  Because of the struggles we have been having in this transfer I haven't got a lot of quality teaching opportunities and I really miss it.  So in my morning prays I asked the Lord to inspire President to pick me if that was something the Lord wanted.  Turns out the talk I had prepared highlighted 1 Nephi 11 and that was what President taught from as well in his lesson.  President Hall is spiritually sensitive and an inspired man, prayer works and Gods listens :)  It really made my week.

During Sacrament Meeting we sang “Love at home” and it really touched me pretty strong.  It happened right before we came to Skype and after singing the words "When there is love at home" a thought came to my mind that "There is love at home".  As a missionary I am blessed with a family that loves me and supports me.  I am grateful for you all and I know that at times it can be really hard being in the situations that God gives us.  But when there is love at home, we can come closer to Christ, closer to finding that eternal happiness.

I love you all very much.  Read the Book of Mormon.  It's where it all can start.  Can't wait to see you all again.  Sorry no photos this week.

Elder Bagley

The

Feliz Cinco de Mayo

Hey Mom :)

It's Cinco de Mayo but I really can't tell if people are celebrating.  I don't know if it’s just a gringo thing or not.  I mean I am down to pound some tacos or something if that's what it comes down to but honestly if feels like a normal day.  Maybe the Zone leaders have something planned out.  Quien sabe?

Things here are getting a lot better.  We are making a lot of progress with the work here and are really starting to get into our groove as companions.  The Zone Leaders have been helping out by going on exchanges and I love cracking into our area a little bit more in depth.  There is only so much they can do but what they have already done has made a world of difference.

Things are getting real hot over hear and it's not even summer.  Elder Davis says people start wearing less and less clothing which sucks because already modesty is something this valley needs to learn.  So it sounds like summer brings a lot of challenges but I am down to get a nice tan :) always a plus.  Maybe I can convince people I am from Mexico! Some people asked if I am from Argentina so I don't think it would be too hard to pass as Mexican!

Stake Conference threw us a curve ball and Elder Oaks went to another Skate just North...dagger.  But we still heard from Elder Christensen of the seventy and it was great.  I got to run into some old ward members from North Hollywood and they all were happy and doing well.  Elder Spears grabbed me and said the family we found 2 weeks before the transfer is getting baptized.  I started to cry at that news.  I am so happy that the Lord is blessing that family through what Elder Spears and I did.  YAY for them :)

I really loved getting all the granola bars in the last package.  The candy is great but sometimes it makes me sick ha-ha my body isn't use to that much sugar anymore.  Elder Davis loves Goldfish and Cheese-it types of snacks.  Honestly whatever sounds great. Quotes, talks, and church stuff are also greatly appreciated :)

I can't wait to talk with you!  I don't know the exact time yet because we have to coordinate with members but it will be sometime after 1 probably around 4 or 5.  Not sure really.  I'll sign in under my Skype and we can figure it out.  Just be prepared for some joyful moments :)  I can't believe it's been 6 months since the last time I saw you ha-ha crazy.

Love you Mom.  Thanks for all the prayers and support.  There are days when I swear I can physically feel your love and prayers carrying me through the day.  Keep reading your Book of Mormon and I'll see you soon!

Elder Bagley

I feel like my face looks fatter...not sure though

Sweet .75 cent donuts shop down the street...7am donut run:)

Not so sweet roach:(