September 19, 2016 - Erringer Ward - Simi Valley Zone

#Elect

Howdy.

Elder Harvey here. Again. I never know how to open these dang emails. Except for saying that this week has been really really good. One of the best weeks I have had on my mission. This whole training thing is a blast, and I am just loving the area I am in! We have been teaching a lot this week, found my family of five (more on that in just a minute) and I absolutely love the ward I am serving in. Oh, and yes Dad, I am still a District Leader! I am loving it though. Makes the calling a lot more interesting :)

So, I am going to skip Monday. Not much happened, just a typical Monday before transfers. A lot of running around. We had dinner with the Huse family, my absolute favorite family here! The husband, Dan, served in Vancouver actually! And, even better than that, HE SERVED IN ABBOTSFORD. So cool. He knows Bob Murley! I found that out my first day here, but have always forgotten to mention it! He also knows the Irwins, and other older families. But, we had a great last night together, Elder Alder and I. He lives only a couple of blocks away, so I still see him pretty often, but he was definitey my favorite companion.

Tuesday morning was agonizing. I had to wait....and wait.... and wait... JUST TO LEAVE THE APARTMENT. We didn't have anything to do, so it was quite boring. But, we finally made our way up to the Mission Office in Oxnard, and had a lunch with all of the new missionaries, trainers, and even got to see some of the missionaries that were returning home! I got to say goodbye to Elder Dorius, one of my very good friends, and he was also my first Zone Leader. Anyways, lunch was good, and then we started our training meeting! It was good, reminded me a lot of the transfer meetings we used to have. Which was nice, I really miss those meetings. We got split off from the trainees at first, had some instruction from the Assistants, Elders Weiss and Summers, and President Felix, and then went in to get introduced to our companions! I was super excited, and I got the biggest missionary there! His name is Elder Campbell. Love him to death. He is from Blackfoot, Idaho, just like Elder Leavitt! Actually, Elder Campbell played football with Elder Leavitt's brother! Cool little connection. So, we met, got some more training, took pictures, and headed home! We had dinner that night with the Armstrong's, and went shopping and unpacked and all of that fun stuff. It was a good night. 

Wednesday though. That was a booked day. We introduced Elder Campbell to the Hull's, had a council with the Zone Leaders and the other District Leader about our Zone Goal for this transfer, and then went and helped Brother Huse paint his doors! Had dinner with some members. It was funny, we were waiting at this restaurant for the couple to show up, and another member from a different ward came and offered to buy our dinner for the four of us! Super sweet. It was with the Darley's, and the husband loves hockey and the wife actually just started doing LuLaRoe! Went out and tried to see some people, did some inspired knocking and such, and ended up talking with a guy named Steve for about 40 minutes. Not insanely interested in the Gospel, but loves being kind to the missionaries. That night during planning we were able to set up a lesson with Jesse for the next morning, and that morning with the Hull's, we got permission to teach a couple that we weren't allowed to teach in the past the next day as well! So we had a bomb Thursday planned out!

So, our lesson with Jesse went super well. We taught about the Plan of Salvation (he actually taught it himself. It was sweet. These lessons are super easy when someone has already taken them like four times!) and the Sabbath Day. The Sabbath is hard for Jesse to live right now. He is starting up a plumbing business, and it seems that when everything is going up and he is going to be able to come to church, something happens and just goes completely downhill. But, he has come to church many times before, and I think he knows how important it is to live the Sabbath Day as much as he can. It's a tough situation because he can't just drop the business and let his family suffer for it, and he has to work Sunday's in order to keep the business going! So, we have the go-ahead to baptize him. He understands the doctrine behind the Sabbath, so everything will be golden! We did our Weekly Planning, and then had our lesson with Marissa and Stanley! There's a complicated divorce situation going on there, and so we can't set them with a baptismal date until a divorce happens, and then they can't be baptized until Stanley and her get married, so it's kinda complicated. But it will work out! We were asked to teach the Law of Chastity, and so we did! It went well, and they became our two new investigators!

Friday we had our first District Meeting of the transfer, and it went really well! We learned about invitations, and then the Zone Leaders introduced our Zone Goal for this transfer! We are really focusing on the baptismal invitation, and so we are trying to invite someone to work towards baptism every day! And yesterday, as part of the goal, we all fasted to know how may people we could have set with a date in two weeks, and our goal is four! Exciting times. We had district lunch afterwards, and then tried by some more people to no avail, and then planned out a solid Saturday!

We got a call Saturday morning from Brother Huse, and he needed help putting up his greenhouse! So we were able to go over there and help him out. After that, we went out to work and saw the Vasquez family. It was cool, because I took a wrong turn, and then the thought came to my mind that a family on the ward list lived on the street I was now on, and so we just went by and saw them! We only got to talk with the husband, and shared about temples and eternal families, and invited him back to church! We will see how that one goes. Went by some more people, and then got a text around 5:30 from Jesse, and he wanted us to come by that night and teach him! So we got to go by and teach about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was fantastic! Then we went for a late dinner with Jayson Andersen (he was in the YSA ward I was in) and his girlfriend who lives in the ward! It is awesome to be able to see him so much. 

And finally Sunday. Church was pretty good, and I was able to conduct a baptismal interview for a 16 year old girl named Dani right after! She was awesome. Super prepared, and very excited to be baptized on Saturday! After that, we had another lesson with Marissa and Stanley, figured out that we were going to start teaching three of their kids as well, this time teaching the Restoration to just the two of them! And let me tell you, this was one of the most powerful and spiritual Restoration lessons I have ever been a part of. The Spirit was so strong. As I shared my conversion story to the Book of Mormon, and talked about how it helped me to know why I needed to go on a mission, I felt the spirit strongly testify to me that THIS was the family of five I had been praying for. That these were people I was sent to individually touch and bless. Stupid crying gene hit me hardcore too. But it was an amazing lesson! Then we had a very awesome General Priesthood Meeting for the Stake. I will attach a link to the video they shared. One of my favorite Mormon Messages about Canada :) 

And that's my week! The Lord is working wonders. He really is. I am in awe as He guides me to where I need to be exactly when I need to be there. I am not doing anything special, just following the Spirit when I feel it's guidance and opening my mouth! He is filling it. He is preparing the people to hear this glorious message of Restoration. And I am able to stand here and watch it unfold right before my eyes. This Church is true. The work truly is rolling forth. Nothing will stop it, nothing will hinder it, and Zion in her beauty will continue to rise!

I am glad to hear about Emerson's mission papers being submitted. And excited to hear that Zoe is serving in Winnipeg! 

Love you all!

Elder Harvey

Elder Campbell & Elder Harvey

September 12 - Erringer Ward - Simi Valley Zone

#13/11 #FreshMeat

Hey All!

Let me tell you. God is real. He really is. This past week has been a rollercoaster of a week, but everything has seemed to work out. Transfers were also this week, so I bet I gave President Felix quite the headache as he didn't know what was going to happen with me until Thursday! But, I am very excited for my new assignment and for the ward I am in!

So, it sounds like you all had an amazing week! I love zoo's. The only one in the mission is in Santa Barbara, and I never went. But, I definitely wish I had! Hopefully football goes well for Hudson. He's a great athlete, and I know he will be blessed for the hard work he has put in. Whether it's as starting Quarterback or not, he will be blessed.

So, Monday was fun. Nothing really happened after I emailed you. Tuesday was when we first went to the doctor's office, when he prescribed the MRI. Doctor Payne at first told me he thought it was an inflamed joint, and yeah. So that was fun. That night, we had a dinner with some former investigators, the Clarke's. They were very nice, until I instigated a discussion about the Gospel.... Then it got hectic. They both went off on a bunch of controversial topics and such. Their main concern was that God didn't need a church, He just needed people to love Jesus. I was really not in the mood for arguing, so we left pretty quickly. It was fun though! So, on Tuesday after my appointment, I made an appointment for an MRI in Thousand Oaks on September 22. Didn't like how far away that was, so I made an appointment in Simi Valley for the 12th, and cancelled my appointment in Thousand Oaks. Shouldn't have any contact, nothing from them.

Wednesday rolled around, and we are getting started on companionship study, and we get a call from the Thousand Oaks location about a cancellation that happened, and they wanted me there in half an hour. It was insane. I cannot adequately explain the miracle that was. We got there real quick, and everything worked out! Got an appointment with Dr. Payne on Thursday, and we were golden. I don't think anything else really happened on Wednesday though.

Thursday rolls around, we do Weekly Planning, and then head out to my appointment! Dr. Payne hands me the MRI report real quick and tells me to read it while he sees another patient. I do, and I see the words "Chronically torn." My heart sunk. Honestly, those were the only two words on the report that made any sense. And Sister Hardy (the mission nurse who was there with me) and I thought that was it, that I was heading home. He came in and told us that everything was good, and that I could wait until I get home to have the surgery needed. I was overjoyed! There really isn't anything that can explain the events that happened in the past few days,except that God really does love His children, and He really does bless His servants. That night, we had Ward Splits, and Elder Alder and I went out and found four new potentials! One Less-Active Part-Member family, and one referral from the YSA Sisters! Peter (from YSA) wanted to meet with us on Saturday but had to leave town for the weekend. So, we will hopefully see him this week!

Meanwhile, throughout all of this we were trying to meet with Jesse and Harley, and Jesse kept bailing on our appointments. Too bad. 

Friday, we had an awesome District Meeting on Finding people to teach! It was great. I loved learning more and more about being able to find. Great last District Meeting, and I really grew to love each member of my District! We had our missionary coordination meeting afterwards, and we then went to the Ford's and helped them out. That was real hectic! But, I really do love that family. That night was leadership calls, and I found out that I have been assigned to.....TRAIN A NEW MISSIONARY! Dang, am I ever excited! Elder Alder also has been assigned to train, and I am so excited for him! It will be a neat experience, and I am really excited to help a missionary start off his mission right! Saturday was when we found out that I would be staying, and Elder Alder is just going to a Ward that is in the Zone. We weren't able to do much more on Saturday. All of our appointments cancelled on us.

Sunday was great. Have I mentioned to you who our Bishop is? Grandpa Shirley might know who he is. His name is Mitch Voges, and he used to be a professional golfer! He is super funny. One of my favorite Bishops. Anyways, Elder Alder said a lot of goodbye's, and we plan on doing the same tonight, and tomorrow I get my new missionary!

I will miss Elder Alder, that's for sure. He probably has been the companion I have gotten along with the most. Such a solid missionary. I am excited for him, and excited for what lies ahead!

I love you all. Just so you know, I will be trying to sell my bike, and I will be buying some organizational things. Shouldn't be more than 20 bucks.

Thank you so much for all of your prayers. I know these next 10 months will be a trial and a half, but I am just so dang grateful to be spending them in the greatest situation I could be: serving the Lord. This truly is His work that I am engaged in, and I know that this truly is His true and living Church on the earth today. 

Have an amazing week!

Love,

Elder Harvey

September 5, 2016 - Erringer Ward - Simi Valley Ward

#313Dollars #WorthIt

Buenas Tardes! 

It's been an off week that's for sure. But things are going well! I forgot to mention this last week Mom, but I did get the package of garments! Thanks for that. It's pretty weird. Thinking this is the last Labor Day of my mission. Just trying not to think about things like that! Time goes by so quick. I am overjoyed to hear that Emerson's papers were submitted today! I hope he gets that call soon. 

Also glad to hear that the Butlers were able to come and visit! That must have been fantastic. I was thinking about how much I miss football this past week. It's football season here, and it's everywhere.

I also liked Dad's story about the Miracle of the Basketball Net. It's so true, something that may not seem like a miracle to one person really is a miracle to another! We had Sister Ford share her testimony yesterday. She had two big accounts just walk out on her this past week, and talked about how a steel cooking table that was up for grabs was a mini miracle to her. Something that happened that really told her: "God loves me." It's definitely the little things that makes the difference! 

I'll talk about the ankle now. Everything is pretty good! It is super annoying for me though. You know the feeling where you are trying to decipher if the thoughts you have are the Spirit or if they are just your own crazy thoughts? It's kind of like that. I have a hard time trying to tell if I am being a complete lazy wimp and just want to take a break, or if I really should limit time off of it. But, I lean towards the latter. Doctor's orders, right? It is super nice to have a car now though. We have been able to get quite a lot of work done. But, all is well! The cortisone injection has helped substantially with the pain, although it isn't completely gone. My boot also helps, although I hate not being able to drive. Just the little things! 

As a direct consequence of my ankle, this week has been one where we have worked really hard with what we were given, we just weren't given a whole lot. We got the car on Wednesday, and that was the day we had an exchange with the Zone Leaders. So, halfway through our exchange we had to drive to Ventura to pick up the car. It was a good day with Elder Rosenlof though. I loved it. We taught a few lessons, and spent some quality time in the car on the way back from Ventura. 

Friday was our Special Training. We learned about Communication, Health, and the Assistants taught us how to communicate with Spanish speaking people! The last one was my favorite. Learned how to get a solid contact with those Espanol peeps. 

Saturday I went on an exchange with Elder 'Iongi, who is a new missionary and can't drive. So, we weren't able to do anything all day. Except.... We went out to eat with some other Elders. What did we eat? WELL... All-You-Can-Eat SUSHI. It was my first time having sushi on the mission! We uh ate a TON. We each paid about 28$ (the total being around 140) and we calculated what the cost would have been if we paid for each individual roll.... 313 DOLLARS. Now, if that doesn't make Dad proud I don't know what will. It was awesome. Elder 'Iongi is a great Elder. He's Tongan, and just full of fun and energy. I love being surrounded by younger missionaries sometimes. They may lack in experience, but they are just so chalk full of energy! 

Sunday we had our meetings. Our Bishop really loves us. I love this ward, I really do. I might even venture to say it's been my favorite ward. Elder Alder and I have just taken what missionaries have done in the past and threw it for a 75 Yard Touchdown Pass. It's been great fun. Did I tell you about the referral that the Zone Leaders gave us last week? The man at the gas station? Well, HE CAME TO CHURCH YESTERDAY. We were going to meet with him that night, but he got called into work. After the meeting we talked with him and he loved it so much that he wants to come every week! 

Anyways, it's been a great week. I am going to go and see the doctor tomorrow, and hopefully will receive good news. But, I think I said it last week, I am not going down without a fight. 

I love this gospel. I really do. Mom, something I loved about the New Testament was learning about all of the miracles of Jesus. I loved being able to take what Jesus taught and Sister Guenther was able to help me apply those teachings into my own life! I think my notes from that seminary year is somewhere in my stuff. You can use it! 

I love you all. Thank you so much for your fasting and prayers. THIS GOSPEL IS TRUE.

Love,

Elder Harvey

PS- I made steak.

Elder Harvey & Elder McCurdy

August 29, 2016 - Erringer Ward - Simi Valley Zone

We got an email on Wednesday, August 24th from Pres. Felix asking us to call him because Jaxon hurt himself.  We called, and were informed that he hurt his ankle again and they were going to see a doctor the next day.  We got to chat a bit with Pres. Felix and asked how Jaxon was doing.  He said he was great - and keeping his spirits up - that he's a great missionary and strives to do his best always.  It's so reassuring to know that he is being looked after and loved :)

#SOMANYMIRACLES

Whaddup.

Hey all. It's me again. The weeks just keep getting shorter and shorter! I seriously can't believe that it's almost been six weeks again.

Anyways. So, as you know, it's been a trying week. But holy, has it ever been a GREAT week! The Lord truly is hastening His work in the Erringer Ward! 

Okay Mom, here's some answers:

1)  how did you hurt it?  Was it on the bike "accident"?

1) I hurt it in another little fall. Not really hurt, as much as I just tweaked it a little bit! 

2) do you still have to bike half of the time?  or have they allotted a car to you?

2) So, now I am not allowed to be on a bike. But, there are no extra cars anywhere. So, we are waiting for our car to be replaced this Wednesday!

3) we were told you will need to go to a specialist...has that appointment been booked?

3) I just saw the specialist. Super awesome miracle happened to allow that to happen, but basically he said I don't have any ligament problems it looks like, but he gave me a cortisone injection in my ankle, and I am going to go and see him again next Tuesday! He isn't sure what's wrong, but hopefully the injection will show what's wrong! If not, I have an MRI approved

4)  Did you still have that air cast?  What did they put on it?

4) I am in a boot again! YAY....

5)  Did you get the parcel? :)  Sorry it was just full of random stuff - hope you got the VISA card okay and you have probably already enjoyed the chocolates :)  Aydan took it down for us.

5) I did git the package! It was a nice boost as I have been in the apartment quite a bit lately. I also changed the address on my card.

Anyways. Let's go through the week shall we?

Nothing really happened on Monday. We had dinner with the Carpenter's, nothing too spectacular. Except I got to go on an exchange with Elder Willis that night! I was mucho excited.

Tuesday started really really well! We were zipping around on our bikes and talking with a ton of people. Then, Julio happened. We were talking with this guy, and I went to get off of my bike to give him a card, and my leg caught my seat and I fell and rolled my ankle! I STILL GAVE HIM THE CARD THOUGH AND INVITED HIM TO INCREASE HIS FAITH. It was great. But that kind of gave me some good incentive to get this darn thing checked out! So we didn't do much the rest of the day!

Wednesday wasn't much of anything really either. We got a blitz approved, and I ended up going with our Zone Leaders for a few hours! It was fun. We taught one of their investigators, Noelle, about the Plan of Salvation. It was a powerhouse of a lesson, and she really loved learning about the Plan God has for each of us! The rest of the day was spent in our apartment.

Thursday morning, President and Sister Felix picked us up and we headed to an orthopedic doctor, who said that he can't really do anything to help and so I needed to go and see a Podiatrist. We did service at the Ford's, and dinner at the Armstrong's! It was fun. Good day, but didn't do much again. Super awesome miracles started happening though. The Zone Leader's burst into our apartment with a phone number on the back of a receipt. They ran into a guy who had just moved into our area from San Francisco, and was interested in meeting with us and such! We haven't been able to get with him yet, but we also figured out that Jason moved. So he's gone! 

Friday. Holy cow. Remember how I said that last District Meeting was the best I've been to? Well, this District Meeting topped that. We learned all about our Purpose and Finding people to teach. I love my District so much, they are all so amazing. The Spirit was so strong, and we learned so much. Had our meeting with Brother Hull, and this time he made us some spam with pineapple. Haha, it was really good! 

Saturday I was able to go to the baptism of the man that I interviewed last week! It was a great meeting, full of the Spirit, and President and Sister Felix even came! It was awesome. On their way home, they stopped for lunch, and a member Podiatrist was at the same place! Prior to this, my appointment was set for Sept 6. But, President talked with him (Dr.Payne) and he got it set up to have me in today! So I went. It was cool! We had a ward activity that night, that was pretty decent. Always fun to see the Ward!

Sunday was great. Elder Alder and I spoke in Sacrament Meeting, and I talked about Nehemiah. "We are doing a great work and cannot come down!" President Uchtdorf gave a great Conference talk on it. Go look it up! After church we were able to see Hans, our Recent Convert, and taught him the Plan of Salvation and that night we taught Jesse and Harley the rest of the Restoration! It was a great lesson, and we set them with Baptismal dates for October! 

Anyways, it's been a fantastic week. I have loved my trials, and have loved just feeling the Savior's love for my and love for this area! The church really is true, and I know it.

I love you all. I have felt the prayers that have been offered as I have gone through my week, and I am so grateful for all of the prayers sent up to our Father in Heaven in my behalf.

Love you all!

Elder Harvey

Splits for the day...not sure on Elder's names...

August 22, 2016 - Erringer Ward - Simi Valley Zone

#AskAndYeShallReceive #CloseCall!

Howdy.

Man.

It's definitely been a week. Another fast one, but I have loved this week for sure. We were able to see the fruits come from our labors, and I was able to have my first almost crash! It was awesome. 

Glad to see that you're week has gone well! Dad seemed like he had a good time on the camp! It looked like a beautiful place, but I am sure that it is hard to not have the same organization that was present in BC. Sometimes, you just have to work with what you got. I think that's when the Lord really starts to bless us. I think of my past week, and as we worked with what we had, we received so much more. Kinda like Nephi and his bow. When his steel one broke, he had nothing to work with except for some wood. When the Brother of Jared wanted to have light in his barges, he went and used what was around him! Just a little thought :)

So, the week has been amazing. I'll come out with it already, we found 3 new investigators! The first one came on Tuesday with us trying to go by a less-active we had heard about living on Appleton, and so we went to go contact them! As soon as we got to the house, the Elders who gave us the lead called us to see if we had gone by. And I said, "We are right outside the house, we'll call you after we knock." So, clearly the hand of the Lord was in this one. We approach the door, and it swings open! A man is standing there, and asks "Are you Jesus people?" Of course, we answer affirmatively. He then comes out, and ends up asking where our church is, what time services start, and if we could get him a ride next Sunday. So, we sat down on his driveway for about half an hour and taught him the first half of the Restoration! He is looking for guidance in his life. He like JUST got off of the streets about a week ago, and is getting himself sober and clean! Elder Willis and I are going back tomorrow. I am really loving life here though. We had dinner that night with the Ford's, a great family. They are the ones that run a cake business, and we ended up helping them again on Thursday! That was a blast. One of my favorite families for sure. Right before that, we stopped a guy on the street, ended up speaking only Spanish, so I was able to show off my rudimentary Spanish skills to Elder Alder. He was impressed. Let's just say, I have picked up a thing or two :)

I went on exchanges with Elder Liddiard on Wednesday, and that Elder is just a ball of energy and puns. It was a really fun day, and we were able to go around and talk with everyone we met! One incident comes to mind. We were walking down a street, and we hear someone call out "HEY! OVER HERE!" So, we turn around and it's this guy on his porch. So, we go over and he asks for a picture, so we give him one of our cards. He likes it, and then goes on to tell us about his visits from Jesus. He then goes on to talk about when God called him to be the beginning, and how he had a dream where God told him he could create anything, so he created Whales. But, God got angry because he ended up making dirty whales, and God only likes pretty whales. Yeah, so pretty much this was my conversation of the week. Loved it! We ate at the same lady's house, Nancy, that fed us moldy corn. Thank goodness I didn't have any repercussions from that! But we had a really good dinner actually. Except for big green lumps in the rice. But we picked it out :)

Thursday we helped the Ford's out, and we did Weekly Planning. Weekly Planning was great! We have set some really great goals to be able to find more and more people to teach. School started up again this past week, so we were unable to visit that family of five referral. It just didn't feel like the right time for some reason. This is the week for it though, we both feel that. Anyways, we set a goal to increase our faith as a companionship! This week, we are going to knock on 10 unknown doors every day. This will help us be able to talk with more people, and to stretch ourselves. I love being with Elder Alder. He has been a great help to me being able to learn and grow, and I have been able to remember the huge impact that Elder Leavitt had on my mission. 

Friday was the most spiritual District Meeting I have ever been to. I was really happy with it! We had a great meeting on the importance of the Restoration in our finding and teaching, and were able to talk about how important it is to refer quickly to the message of the Restoration! We had our Ward Mission Meeting afterwards, and as we pulled out of the church on our bikes, I started to lose control! It was terrifyingly exhilarating. My bike started going into the road, and then I straightened it, then it went the other way, then I started flailing my legs to stop myself from moving, and then I TOTALLY LANDED IT. Didn't even fall. Pretty proud of myself for that one, although my pedal slammed into my right calf, and so that gave me a good charlie horse. And the next day I spent a couple hours icing up, but it's all good in the hood! That night we started teaching Hans Euler. Really confusing situation about him, but I won't bore you with that. He was baptized about a week ago and now we are teaching him the new member lessons. Doesn't seem to remember too much about the lessons, so we are starting real fresh with him! 

Saturday was a great day too. We went out and played Disc Golf with a potential investigator named Ed. He is a super nice guy, and we are hoping to start teaching him soon. Iced for a little bit, and then we went for dinner with Brother Spencer! He is a funny guy. I am glazing over all of this because I had a pretty cool milestone that day too. Right after dinner, I was able to conduct my first Baptismal Interview. This man's name is Bryan! He is 27 years old, and has been very much prepared by the Lord. He has taken the lessons for about a month and a half, and didn't know that God existed until about three months ago. Very wise and amazing person, and I am excited to attend his baptism on Saturday! 

Sunday was a great day at church, followed by a bunch of studying and being able to go to the Lee's for dinner! After dinner, we had an appointment with Jesse and Vanessa Neal, a less-active part-member family! Jesse wants to be baptized, and wants to be able to baptize his daughter, Harley. So we did some How To Begin Teaching, and then we were able to teach some of the Restoration! They loved it, and we are seeing them again on Sunday! Two more investigators!

That's pretty much it on my end. The Lord's hand has definitely been in my life this week. I definitely know that after we do all that we can, the Lord then magnifies what we have done. He loves us, and He only wants the best for us!

Love you all! Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Harvey

August 19 - Letter from Brother Hull :)

We received this letter from the current Mission Leader in the Ward Jaxon is serving in.  It was a nice surprise and we are so grateful for members reaching out to our family.  I have to remember to do that more for the missionaries in our area - I know how much I appreciate it and I'm sure their mom's would to.  So...when you see a missionary - take a picture and send it to their mom's or send a quick note!! :)

Dear Harvey Family,

I am Bro. Hull, the ward mission leader of the Erringer Ward where your son is currently serving part of his mission and would just like to thank you for sharing him with us. 

Elder Harvey is doing a great job in his missionary efforts in our ward.  He is working with one of the strongest "greenies" that I have had the pleasure of working with. Your son has been extremely beneficial to Elder Alder, giving him the finishing touches that will help him to be a very successful missionary.  Together, this companionship, has caught the attention of our Bishop.  They are working hard to reactivate the less active and to increase our teaching pool.  Your son has a great personality, is a hard worker and has a good sense of humor.  Today after our weekly correlation meeting I opened up a new package of Oreo cookies, 36 count.  I ate three and I think the other 33 went to quick for me to keep track of which of the companionship ate the rest...I've never seen a package of Oreos vaporize before. . 

We are treating your son like we would like our missionaries to be treated and want you to know that we love having your son working in our ward.

Sincerely George Hull

August 15, 2016 - Erringer Ward - Simi Valley Zone

#Grand #Theft #Auto

Aaaaaayo!

Haha. So, this email subject could worry some people I guess. But, don't be worried. Everything is fine. I will explain later :)

It's been an interesting week. A week where it has been a ton of fun to be adjusting to District Leader life again! But, I liked hearing about your week! I am glad that you and Dad could get away and celebrate your anniversary! Sorry to hear that Hudson didn't have as good of a time at YLC! Wish it could have been better! How is Emerson doing with his Mission stuff? Oh, to answer your question, that would be really really awesome to be released by President McKenzie. That's really the only part I would really like. Being able to report back to my home stake and ward... It would be fantastic. I am unsure about my return date, so you can call the mission office and figure all of that out if you want. I am pretty sure I leave on the 4th though. (We are going to BC for a family reunion next summer and trying to figure out how to co-ordinate everything...having Jaxon return to BC could be an option...but not sure if it's a reality...still figuring things out)

Anyways, I am sure you are all just dying to hear about my week. Well, it's been very weird. But, we have been working hard! Monday was a good day, we had dinner that night with the Wilson's, and they invited some others over to eat with us, including a less-active member of the ward! So that was great! We also organized ourselves. I don't know if I mentioned this last week, but we are planning to see every member of our ward that is on our ward list! So, we have been able to hit 31 of them this week. Pretty awesome! 

Tuesday was a busy day. We had plans made, but then we needed to go and do some emergency service at one of the Zone Leaders Recent Converts house, because the Zone Leaders were in Oxnard at MLC. So we went and helped out there, and we also were able to visit three families that evening! The Hull's, who we committed to giving a Book of Mormon out. The Armstrong's, who we committed to inviting people over for dinner with us. And the Alvord's, who we committed to inviting some of their friends to having dinner with them! It was great. Got home, and learned that the Elders that we live with got rear-ended that night really badly, and that we were out of a car for a little while... I packed up real quick, and headed to the Spanish area for an exchange with Elder Mata!

Wednesday was a day where we were driving the Simi 4th Elders around so that they could figure out some things with the accident they got into. That was most of our day, but then we were able to meet with a Less-Active lady named Nancy. We had a lesson with her, and she fed us dinner! It was an interesting dinner. She fed us moldy corn on the cob. Except.... I didn't notice the mold on mine. SO I ATE IT. And we noticed that the corn was moldy AFTER. Ugh. But, I was okay! 

Thursday was a little annoying. We did Weekly Planning, and our toilet was getting fixed, so the drywall guy came to patch everything up in the bathroom. He was going in and out a lot, so we had to be there with him, so he didn't lock himself out. He was there from 11-1, and then went on a TWO AND A HALF HOUR lunch break! Annoooooooying. We then were able to meet with our Bishop and talk about invitations with him and his wife! 

Friday was Zone Meeting. We talked about Real Intent and Repentance! It was a great meeting, as usual. I gave a talk on commitment, and it went well! We then had coordination with our WML, and we met with some more members! Had dinner with the Halladay's! They are so awesome. Everyone in the ward seem to be working with someone, we just need to be able to have the members invite! 

Saturday morning. Remember the Elders who got rear ended? Well, they woke up that morning.... Aaaaaand their bikes were gone.... Sigh. Those Elders had a bad week. We spent the morning trying to help them out. We were doing some phone work, calling some people on our list, and then we got a call back from Sister Athmer. She went on to tell us about her Sister who had just passed away, and then invited us over to help her that afternoon! So, we did, and it was a great visit! Even better? SHE CAME TO CHURCH! It was awesome! Had dinner with the Huse's, and and they gave us a referral. Who is this referral? Well... It's a family. Of five. They haven't been home all weekend, but you sure as heck better believe we will be contacting them like crazy until we get in.

And, that was pretty much my week. I am loving it out here, and Elder Alder and I are getting along great! I haven't been able to call the Visa people yet, but I will do that! As for anything else I need, I wouldn't complain to have some Gatorade powder :) Or anything else! 

I love you all. Thank you so much for your prayers! I am feeling them work through me. We will be having tons of miracles this week!

Love,

Elder Harvey

Contact List...lots of work to do!