This week was a crazy one...

Are you my mother?

So good to hear from you. Thanks for all the love :)

This week was a crazy one but next week will be even crazier.  To start we visited a cactus farm.  It was so sick ha-ha I wanted someone to like give us a tour and teach us about cacti but turns out it was like some guy’s back yard and we were trespassing.  Ha-ha we were just following the lead of a missionary that had been there before...goofed on that one.  BUT still it was awesome.  There was a lot of rustic wielding and old western type things everywhere.  I really dug it.  It's hard finding cool things to do around here.

Next big thing… Bigger thing really was the temple.  We had are bi-annual mission trip so all the Spanish speaking missionaries came.  Oh mom, it was so great.  So needed.  I had a really beautiful personal revelation that I am never going to forget.  I loved it.  A lot.  There is something infinitely powerful about seeing a chapel full of missionaries all dressed in white.  President say's it's his favorite thing to do as a mission president.  I can see why.

 

Getting ready for the temple...personal hygiene is important.

We met with the Valencia stake committee to talk about the work Sunday morning.  It was an hour long meeting at 7 in the morning all the way in Santa Clarita which is like a 30 minute drive with LA traffic.  Long story short, I loved it so much.  It wasn't a "meeting" it was a counsel of faithful men discussing the Lord’s work.  I felt so lucky I got to sit with them and just enjoy the spirit and drive that they have.  It was for the English stake so that was a little different but in every side of this work there are very powerful, faith driven men.  I hope one day that my testimony and my faith can serve others the way they serves their respective stewardship.

A really great blessing we saw this week was that every companionship in San Fernando district got the chance to talk with at least 140 people, which is the number prescribed specifically to our mission from Elder Ballard in order to double our baptisms.  One week won't do it but it was great to see the progress.

Small miracle we saw this week…Fransisco is staying here for the summer and not going to Mexico.  I am so happy about it but I feel bad about praying for his passport to get messed up.  Ha-ha we were praying and praying he could stay and the Lord saw it fit :)  Can't be mad about that.  I asked him why he thought God didn't give his dad money for his passport and he said "Well, I probably think it's because God wants me to stay with you guys a little longer."  Right you are Fransisco!

This week we have been seeing a huge increase in resistance to our work.  A lot of abuse that comes from people who care very little about our work.  A few examples include: people throwing things at our car, blowing smoke into our faces, telling us to worship Satan, and the usually sling of curse words.  It's hard Mom.  It's hard not just tearing them to shreds, rebuking them, hating them, or calling them to repentance.  I've been struggling with that.  We are teaching a group of teenagers in the Projects and I love them so much.  They are so tender and willing to learn.  What really gets me is that my testimony will be fine.  My faith will not be broken by evil people who wish to fight against us.  But in one particular moment as I was walking away from an angry contact I felt nothing but rage in my heart.  I'll be fine but what happens when we baptize these teenagers and they become the receiving end of what I experience.  How will their new, gentle testimonies hold up to that?

It's a hard thing being a faithful missionary, because if you are going to be faithful that means you are going to be tested.  I love what Elder Holland spoke about in this past conference when he said "you will one day find yourself called upon to defend your faith or perhaps even endure some personal abuse simply because you are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ‍ of Latter-day Saints."  His talk has given me a lot of insight and I am grateful for living day prophets.

I have received the most strength by coupling Elder Holland’s talk with Pres. Monson’s, “Between discipleship and love”.  I really feel I can learn to love this people that hate us so bad.  I do not understand their lives.  I don't understand their reasons for rage and anger but maybe I can understand how to help them.  How to love them.

Thank you mom for the fire you have given my testimony.  For the constant example and love you poured into my life.  I love sharing what you have given me to others.

This next week is going to be a crazy one.  Transfers (no changes with our companionship)  :) on Tuesday, MLC on Wednesday, and ZTM on Friday.  Oh the beautiful life of a Pacoima Zone Leader.

I love you

Elder Bagley

Helping President with interviews

Hi Mom :)

It’s so good to hear from you.  Sounds like things are well.  Thanks so much for the package!  The Reese's bits melted but they still taste the same frozen ;)  Sorry summer is flying by!  Try to enjoy it while you can and I'll do the same.

This week was a great one.  I really feel this week I grew more than usual.  My prayers have been more faith based and grateful, and my desire to share the gospel has increased a lot!

We helped President with interviews this week. He goes to every zone and interviews all the missionaries personally for about 15 minutes all day. Even though he is tired and has been doing interviews all over the mission for 200 some missionaries, he is happy and cheerful. I love that man. He is wonderful.

During the interviews we gave a training on teaching doctrine simply and then we taught about the atonements enabling power. I really enjoyed testifying of that. Sometimes it's hard to know you have a testimony until you can see the affect it has on someone else. Until the words leave your mouth and they feel so right and so true. It was great…a lot of work but great.    

Because of interviews taking up a whole day we had a pretty packed week for finding and teaching. A lot of our investigators aren't progressing just for the fact that we can't get a good appointment set with them or they have random things happen. Like a new baby or a vacation to Mexico. It's hard to see but I am happy I am doing my part. That feels good.

 

Fransisco our investigator.  I love him so much.  I have never taught anyone so spiritually sensitive to the truths of the gospel.  Sadly he is going to mexico for 2 months :,(

This week I have been really tired. I haven't been sleeping very well because of our house situation. We live in the hood and so noisy there.  There are a lot of sirens and other noises all night. The bank down the street almost got robbed. But don't worry 12 police cars got it under control. Needless to say we are looking for a new pad to live in. Somewhere in the next month or two we will hopefully be out!

We are teaching a big group of teenagers that live in the projects. It has been so fun being able to give a young group of people and opportunity to have a better chance at live. The projects are basically the hood of Pacoima and a lot of drug and gang activity happens every day.  But seeing these kids understand the restoration and be happy about just having a friend has been so fun for me.  I love them a lot!  Hopefully we can get them to church and baptism :)

The work is moving forward :) who would have guessed? I’m so sorry “missionary time” is crawling for you. Sometimes it seems that way right before something great is going to happen.  I love being a missionary.  It's really hard.  It's a personal struggle everyday to be better, but it's nice to know I have divine help.  I have a patient kind Father in Heaven who wants me to succeed. That helps. Love you mom!

Elder Bagley

YUCK!  Fish! Usually it is cook it in a fillet and it's really yummy...not into heads being attached

Lavandaria

Shout out to Dad...Happy Father's Day

Hi Mom

First off shout out to Dad! Happy Father's day :) I've been thinking a lot about him over here and I am really blessed to have had such an amazing example in my life. I feel that largely because of him I am able to understand the importance of values and standards that I am still striving to keep even now. I will never be able to say thanks enough for the example of love he has shown me in the way he loves you Mom. That is priceless to me. All in all, give him a big hug and a thank you from me!

This week has been a crazy one!  I don't know if it's as crazy as hiking Donut Falls but it's pretty close. First topic is cenas (dinners)!  We are eating with the members a bunch!  This next week we have a dinner planned every single day of the week.  This is incredible if you think of the 10 companionships this ward is feeding every single week.  It's been a great blessing.  But I am going to miss cooking for myself, I have really liked doing that. But, it's a good trade :)

We found 11 new investigators this week which was a really great feeling.  I am excited to see the progression of these people.  Lots of teaching in the future...woof!  Ha-ha we'll be needing to do a lot of great planning.  Sadly we had to drop the baptismal dates we had for two of our investigators. They didn't come to church this week and so the 3 required times aren't going to happen for their baptism. It really was a sad day.  We felt so good about Paquito coming to church but he didn't answer when our member went to pick him up…sad day.  But silver lining we had Maria, who we taught only 2 days earlier come to church.  It really makes a difference when investigators understand doctrine and then can receive support in acting on those truths.  Everyone would come to church if they knew it was true.  Wouldn't they?  They'd beg you to be baptized if they truly understood it is the gate to the celestial kingdom, right?  Doctrine drives discipleship.  I hope I keep getting better at teaching simple doctrine.  I love it.

Exchanges have been going really well.  Unfortunately, as it played out I have left my area for the past 4 times which doesn't help with homesickness, because not only am I away from Utah, I am away from my temporary home here in Pacoima.  It's going to take some time to get use to it.

The other day it was 90 degrees with a nice breeze and it felt like heaven.  The heat is not a big deal anymore.  I don't know what I am going to do when I see snow again.  It's going to be weird having to put on a jacket!

Side note…Our investigators need to quit Googleing the gospel.  It's the dumps.  We always know when they do this because they start asking crazy weird questions about polygamy, and exaltation, and temple worship.  They must not understand we represent the church, not Google...woof.

Things are about to get real, real good. Elder Worthington and I are committed to refocusing our zone back to baptizing and working in faith to achieve our goals.  We feel very strongly that missionaries are acting in routine and not in faith.  It's hard to see.  I have learned that when we want to teach investigators we teach Joseph Smith and the restoration.  But when we want to teach missionaries, we teach Jesus Christ and the Atonement. I feel so passionately about that.  No statements or solid direction for the zone comes to mind but the stirrings in my heart are a wonderful start.  It's hard to except that a year ago I was painfully working through the Atonement to repent and be worthy for a mission and now I am charged with teaching others the atonement in empowering and enabling missionaries.  Everyday my faith grows and I honestly can't keep up with it.  The best way I can describe it is I am "growing up too fast".  I feel like mission wise I am growing up to fast.  But it's a wonderful thing, not a bad thing.

One last thought, and I promise when I get home we can have hours of stories and campfire chats, but for now it needs to be filtered ha-ha.  So Santa Clarita had a baptism and after the man was baptized he just stood in the water.  He was holding his hands and just bowed his head.  I started to tear up.  For about a minute no one talked.  Gosh it was just simple and beautiful…a son of god just humbly standing quite in the waters of baptism. It doesn't get better than that.  

Love you Mom! Still can't wait for that hug :)

Best library ever!

Strange Selfies

Love Elder Worthington's expression in the background

One Crazy week...MLC and ZTM

Hey Mom!

Congratulations to Alexis on graduating! Those citizen grades can really sneak up on ya... :) but I am proud she made it.

This week has been a crazy one. We had MLC (mission leadership counsel) this week as well as ZTM (zone training meeting). During MLC president trains all the zone leaders and sister training leaders in the mission. It was so great to learn so intimately from president. In MLC his true self comes out more clearly and the revelation is wonderful! After MLC we went home and planned for ZTM which is a 3 hour training that Elder Worthington and I give with the Sister Training Leaders. It went really well. I like being able to teach other missionaries. It's just a little crazy to think that 10 months ago I wasn't a missionary and now I am teaching others how to be missionaries. That sounds crazy but when you add Christ's sustaining influences into the mix it starts to make a lot more sense. Heads up on this email though, I got stuck with the keyboard with a broken backspace and it is driving me nuts. Hopefully I can keep it together here.

So because of MLC and ZTM we haven't had a ton of time to work in our area. It's been on and off for a while but we now have a lot more time to get back into the actual missionary part of missionary work. Its hard being the leader of the zone and having the lowest conversion numbers out of everyone. This week it's going to be so nice getting back into the groove I miss.

I had a really great exchange with the Santa Clarita Zone Leader this week. He is from Draper and actually lives like 10 minutes away from Discount Tire. Cool story huh? Anyways I am learning a lot on exchanges. They are really starting to grow on me.

Selfies on exchange

We are eating close to 3 meals a week with the members which are more than I have ever eaten in my mission! It's a real blessing. Latina women can be really touchy when it comes to food but for the most part it’s been a smooth operation. Obispo has called ward food coordinators to help things continue on.

Our last week Zone activity went great. It was hard to plan but everyone seemed to have a fun time! It kind of reminded me about being back in student government.

Ice blocking for Zone activity

It's been hard keeping in contact with some of our investigators this week. Some of the people who have dates to be baptized aren't quite progressing fast enough to keep their dates. But we are doing all we can to give them every opportunity we can. It's hard but its how agency goes. One small miracle though, we found this woman on the street and ended up teaching her whole family on the first visit about the atonement of Christ. It was such a blessing to be the voice that could testify to them of the power and truthfulness of the atonement. I haven't cried a lot on my mission but during that moment I really felt the spirit sanctify my words. It was beautiful.

I am still adjusting to the new Zone Leader stress. Part of this all makes me want to jump back to some of my old stress relief methods…long-boarding, drawing, music. Homesickness is creeping around. But all and all I am doing well at keeping it at bay. Love you Mother. Thanks for the constant love and support.

Elder Bagley

...That kind of Zone Leader

Hey Mom!

It sounds like everyone is getting ready for summer.  So much fun :)  Sorry I don't have too much time to respond to everything but I am happy you are all well and happy :)  Don't worry about my address.  Just send it to the mission office.  23504 Lyons Ave Ste 107 Santa Clarita CA 91321-2530 Now that I am a Zone Leader we spend more time down there and I really don't trust our mailbox...it's a wee bit sketchy. Ha-ha that's Pacoima for you :)

Coppers keep the streets of Pacoima safe

Things here are going great!  I am learning a lot but still not enough.  It's kind of like I am a new missionary again.  I am having to re-learn how I do things.  I didn't get a lot of time last week to explain Zone Leader stuff to you so I'll take some time now.

Elder Worthington and I hold stewardship for the success, progress and needs of the missionaries in our zone.  That is achieved by being an example in finding, teaching and obedience as well as holding 24 hour exchanges with District Leaders and other missionaries.  Long story short we just need to know what's going on in the zone so we can teach to make it better.

On exchanges

We had two exchanges this week went really well.  One was in my area and the other wasn't.  It's a lot better to exchange in your own area because you can control a lot better the teaching and finding opportunities that there will be.  Plus you know the people and area better.  But either way exchanges are growing on me.  I am younger than every Elder in my Zone so at first I had to deal with being able to teach and learn from people who were older than me but it turned out not being a problem.  The missionaries here at very humble and great at learning and taking correction.  The pressure of being an exactly obedient missionary is a little bit stressful though.  But it will work out if I just keep working.

Our district had a baptism yesterday.  It was great!  During the ordinance there was a earthquake and right when he was baptized it stopped ha-ha pretty fun :)

We have two really solid investigators that we are working with and setting dates for baptism.  It's hard because we don't get a lot of time to work in our area but even still we are finding and teaching a lot!  It's wonderful :)  One is a 9 year old that is just so easily taught by the spirit.  We sat back and watched himself teach and understand the important of the Book of Mormon.  He even said, "Wow the prophets really wanted to protect this book huh?  I really like it.  They really want me to know about Jesus more."  If we can just get out of the way, the spirit will truly teach what the investigator needs.

One thing I am learning more and more as a zone leader is "it's not about me."  Last night we were up until 11:30pm sending in monthly numbers and making calls.  I was dead.  Then we wake up and have to make sure the other Elders can get time to shop for food and have fun preparation days even when we still have things to do.  Everything just gets enhanced as a Zone Leader.  The trials are a lot bigger and more stressful but the growth is priceless.  I already feel like a more powerful and Christ like tool.  I just have to put others before myself.  I'll get use to it.  And I have Elder Worthington by my side.  He is wonderful.  We get along great and he really is such a help to me.  I love him a lot!

 

Elder Worthington completely worn-out

Thank for everything Mom!  I have to go now and get everything ready for the zone activity!  We are going ice blocking ;)  Yeah, we're those kind of Zone Leaders. Love you!

Elder Bagley

The nicest library, we can check out laptops...

We got 22 extra bucks on our cards.  SO sweet :)  Eating like kings!