Week 94

San Jacinto Transfer 2 Week 4

April 28, 2014

 All
So today I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, it was pretty awesome.
The zone leaders have been saving up their miles and invited me to go on a trip to Idyllwild (Elder Snider wasn't able to go because of his allergies. Idyllwild is a little town up in the mountains past Hemet. It was amazing. The mountains up there are forested and look very similar to eastern Washington and parts of Utah. We drove up the scenic highways into and past town through the mountains then we drove onto a dirt road to get to the PCT trailhead. It was a really fun drive. We went 8 miles up this windy, dirt road that was in pretty poor condition. We also saw and played in all the snow up there. Along the way we stopped and climbed some of the massive rocks off the road. Finally, we got to the trail-head and hiked for about an hour. I was so happy to be back out in the woods again, breathing in clear air. We met a couple through hikers, (going from Mexico to Canada) which re-affirmed my desire to do that as well within the next 5 years. We were up at about 7500 feet and were able to see all of the valleys (and cities/windmill farms in them) on the West, North, and East side of "Black Mountain". I would send some pictures, but my SD card reader broke so I wont be able to do so.
I also decided that I want to live in a little town in the middle of nowhere Washington or Oregon. Like Cougar or something. 

Also awesome from this week was Tommy's baptism and confirmation (I would also send pictures of that, but... See above). The baptism was super spiritual. Once he came up out of the water Tommy hugged his brother (who was baptizing him) for a long moment and the spirit hit everyone like a wave. Participating in his confirmation was great as well. He was beaming for the rest of the day. There is a man who understands the redemptive power of the atonement. I wish that everyone we talk to could see what the gospel has done for him. I don't think most members understand the gospel as well has he does and he's only been going for six months. He's already read the entire triple combination and has restarted the Book of Mormon.
We also picked up a new investigator named Serena. One of the Spanish Elders talked to her at Wal-Mart and referred her over to us. She's a middle aged black lady who is very relaxed in attitude, We taught the restoration and she really liked it, and totally recognized the Spirit. We went over again and taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She accepted the invitation to be baptized on the 22nd of next month. Most importantly, she came to church and liked it! Church is probably the best indicator for someones conversion that I can think of. IF they are willing to to come to three hours of church there is a reason for that, they have a testimony (they may not know that yet, but they do)!
Big news! (I almost forgot) So my companion, Elder Snider and I were getting some ward lists from the Ward membership clerk when I recieved a phone call from President Smart. He started out by asking about the details of Tommy's baptism (he's been very involved with Tommy for the last 6 months and so that wasn't odd) then he said "Elder Johns, I have a new assignment for you"... my heart dropped. I was thinking: Things had been going so well, President is going to Emergency transfer me somewhere for the last 8 weeks?! "What is it? I asked, a little dumbfounded. But he said "We have a new elder coming in on the 30th, (halfway through the transfer) I need you to train him." "okay" I said, "where?" "You'll be there with Elder Snider. Make sure to go through the 12 week training program with him. The Office assistants will bring a bed and things soon."
So, I'll be training a greenie in a trio as of Wednesday. We heard some rumors about why he is coming in during the middle of the transfer (health issues we hear) but we wont find out for sure until we meet him. The OA's dropped off a bed and a desk the other day. However there was no where to put them so we re-arranged everything. Now the bunk bed and the new bed are in the living room. We used the box spring, mattress and the fouton cushion to make an awesome couch (that's where I sleep, it is super comfortable).
The cool thing is though, that I have wanted to end my mission training for the whole time. I "killed" my trainer (He trained me and then went home) and he "killed" his father, and I have always wanted to keep the tradition going. I asked president about it several months ago and was a little disappointed this last transfer when it didn't happen. (there were no new missionaries in our mission) but President remembered and I got my wish! Hopefully it turns out well. I've never been in a trio before, and we will probably be in a trio for just a couple weeks  till the transfer ends. Should be fun!
I received a simple but cool answer to prayer this last week. A couple months ago the SD card with most of my mission photographs got corrupted and I was worried that they would all be lost. At the time I prayed that I would be able to get them back. This week a recent convert recovered all the photographs on the SD card. It was awesome! Prayer works. 8)

Love, Elder Bryce Johns

PS
We also painted a gazebo for Mormon helping hands. 'Twas fun.