I don't want to come down - 06/11/13

So, sorry for being a day late. The library's computers weren't working. So, here I am a day late. 

Things have been pretty good here with Elder "O". Our one alcoholic investigator dropped us via text message, which was sad. And my favorite 13-year-old girl will be spending most of the month with her real dad, so we won't be able to teach her at all. Which is also sad. But there are cool things happening and I'm excited to see how they turn out! One investigator seems to be searching for the truth of what we say, but he's stuck in his Christian paradigm. I think he will progress. We are really enjoying teaching him with a recent RM. We also had another member bring a friend to church, who will probably be taking the lessons soon. 

The two girls from the part-member family that we love are a bit more finicky than I thought. I previously thought one of the girls was a slam-dunk but it doesn't seem that way anymore. I just really hope that my companion stays here for another transfer or else I will struggle to hold the family's attention and trust. 

That's another thing. On Saturday, we will have a live transfer meeting. Every missionary in the zone will be meeting in one spot and President Smart will tell us who's getting transferred where. Then we can say our goodbyes to everybody going to the new missions and have a big going-away party. The central location is actually going to be our stake center, so that'll be convenient. I'm looking forward to seeing some of my old friends. 

Elder "O" and I are still marvelously good friends. The work is relatively slow, but enjoyable. I got in a little bit of a funk when we were stuck inside being sick for so long. But God always knows how to pick me back up when I am low. 

We hiked a pretty strenuous hike on Pday. There's a giant M up on the mountain nearby for Moreno Valley, and we hiked to it. Well, six of us did. The other six were sick or made some excuse not to come. The six of us that were really manly all went up an enjoyed a really great hike. Pictures are on somebody else's camera, but I'm told they're pretty great. I was carrying the water and Gatorade, not my camera. 

My old companion Elder "A" goes home after this week. I've seen some growth and improvement in him.  I hope he adjusts well to the real world. 

Well, I'm not sure what else to say. I'm expecting to stay here another transfer, and I hope my companion stays with me, but anything can happen. Wherever we end up this transfer is where we will be when the mission boundaries get split into the three new missions. 

Biking isn't too bad, in fact I kind of like it, but it sucks how sore I am after that hike. I need to get back in shape! Actually I think it was just a really hard hike. 

Life is a lot like a hike. Sometimes it's tough. Sometimes the path splits, and you have to make a choice. If you don't know where you're going, it's easy to get lost. If you're not prepared, you could get hurt. Personally, I got pretty sunburnt on our little excursion. The toughest parts always have the best payoff when you get to the top. If you need help, there's always somebody who's been there before. And if the footing is unsure, you should stand on the rocks. Like the rock of our redeemer, who if men build on, they cannot fall. 

I love you all tons, and I hope that you have a wonderful week!