3 Months Out - 19th Birthday

Well. 3 Months out. Am I still a greenie? yes.

Twas a good week. It's amazing how little we actually do as missionaries. And I mean that in the sense that this is the Lord's work, and we are simply here to harvest the field. There will always be ups and downs, disappointments and success, but this is the Lord's work. 

Due to unexpected circumstances, Bobby was not baptized this Sunday. But we will continue to work with him and get him there! :) We are seeing a lot of progress in the lives of our investigators and I can't believe the things that happen when you turn to the Lord. Simple things like prayer and reading have so much influence in our lives. We may not be able to see it now, but they are there. 

Birthday! Thank you all for the birthday wishes. I don't feel any different, but now when I tell people I am 19, its not as surprising as 18, but I'm still a baby. Twas good, although it was just like any other day, and honestly I wouldn't want it any other way. On Thursday, the 24th, my favorite member family, the Godinez family, took Elder Guerrero and I to In N Out and we had cake after at their house. They are awesome! 

Book of Mormon, I'm read through Alma 9 this morning, how bout you? I also went to church this week. How bout you? It's never to late to start. There is power in the little things. By small and simple things are great things brought to pass. 

Miracle of the week: We tried to see one of our investigators, but they weren't home. Luckily we had planned to go see some former investigators as backup. We decided to walk, even though they were kind of far away, it was a nice day. So we went, no one was home, on to the next. Eventually we got down to the last name, a bit further away than we thought. So we had the choice to either walk back to the car, or go ahead and walk it. We both felt like we should hit up the car. As we were walking, we stopped to talk to this guy Tony. After talking awhile, we showed him "The Hope of Christ's Light" video. Tony IS the guy. He had cars, houses, girls, money, everything, but still felt like something was missing in his life. He knows it is God, but doesn't quite know how to go about doing it. Next, he told us that he saw us across the street stop and talk about which way we should go, and he said a prayer that we would come by his way and talk to him about God. Tony doesn't live in our area, but we were able to leave him with a Book of Mormon and the number of the missionaries in his area. We also gave his number to the missionaries over there, he will get baptized. I know it. I love the work and the mission. Time flies, I miss and love all of you but I'm glad I'm here! Thank you for everything! :)

CHURCH!!

Guadalupe came to church! FINALLY! We have been teaching her for about a month, and honestly the only thing holding her back has been coming to church, and she finally came! After we walked in the hot LA sun to church with her.. BUT she came!! WOOO! And so did Hermano Chiguichon, who hasn't come to church in awhile because of his foot, and another less active! It was a great day. :) 

Braulio. Bobby. Bobby also came to church, and he is a stellar guy. AND he is ready for baptism! We have an interview scheduled for him this week, so next week we expect to have our first baptism! WOO! We made a trip to the Visitors Center with him and had a killer lesson. Love this man. Love the mission. 

This week also full of small miracles. We met a lot of awesome people, set a few baptismal dates, and made some real progress on our investigators. 

I've been thinking a lot this week about what I should work on to become better. There are always things we can work on to improve ourselves, but what should I start with? In all reality, everything that we are doing to become better, to follow the example of Jesus Christ is a great step. And what I've decided to do for the next little while is to really get to know my Savior. I know I can't know everything there is to know about Him, and that I will never be exactly like Him, but getting to know Him, and striving to be like Him, is what I need to work on right now. Its all in the little things. Pray, read, attend church. As we do the little things, they become easier, and we will want to strive to do more and be better.



 Are you reading the Book of Mormon? 

Spanish? Its coming. As everything is, with time. 

I love you all! Thank you for all the birthday wishes! Thank you for everything!

Shirts they got from a street vendor. 

1st Transfer Comes to a Close

This week was HOT. Had some hard days, but had some great progress here in the area. Hermosa Liahona, the Spanish Ward here in Torrance has about 120ish active members, and they are absolutely wonderful. However, a good portion of our work is working with members and less-actives. Our ward is strong, but there is always room for improvement, and to help our friends come to church. 

We found a family of 5 this week, Dad, Mom and 3 kids (1 can be baptized) and they are absolutely awesome. We met with them twice, one was just to see if they were interested, we call it the "How to Begin Teaching" Lesson, out of PMG (HBT). We showed them the "Because He Lives" video.  I love that video, go watch it!  And then we set a return appointment with them and we taught them the Restoration, and they accepted to be baptized!! Woo! :) It was awesome. We really think this family is awesome and can go a long ways :) What a tender mercy. 

We also set a date with our bud Francisco.  He is going through a lot, but he knows he needs God in his life. He even beat us to church on Sunday! 

About half the week was miss after miss. It seemed like no one was home, and no one really was interested. It was hard. But those days, Elder Guerrero and I learned a lot about what we can be doing better. There are always things you can do better, but what's important is that you are a better person tomorrow than you were today. 

Sunday, (last night) we decided to hit up Compton, go through our former investigators in the area book. We stopped by Ernest's house. He is a 19 year old ganger who joined "The 6". The missionaries had stopped by almost 3 years ago and helped him make some good steps in his life, but after losing contact.. a lot happened. We talked with him, showed him some videos and man was the Spirit strong. He wants to change. He wants God in his life, but he feels like he has gone too far and he can never come back. That is never true. We left him knowing how to pray, reading homework, and a return appointment this week. What an awesome guy and what a cool conversion story he'll have in the future. 

Transfers: I have been assigned to serve in the LA 3rd Ward (Korean Ward). Just kidding, Elder Guerrero and I are staying here in Lawndale/Compton for at least one more transfer. Let's go!!  I'm excited for this next transfer, we have so much potential!!  Let's get to work! 

As of now I started Mosiah in the BOM. Where are you at? I love the Book of Mormon and how simple it is. It not only is an account of the people and what they did, but it's how they did it. It's a "HOW TO LIFE" Book. Read, apply, repeat. Its amazing and you can learn something new everyday. It is true. Read it. 

I love the mission! It's crazy how fast this transfer has gone by, and I only know that each one will get faster and faster. 3 months down already, 21 to go. 

Japanese Pens

Happy Labor Day! This week has been filled with the usual Compton/Lawndale fire.

Sunset at church

So, two of the Hermanas in our ward, Hermana Otte and Duncan, have been teaching this guy, Oscar, for about 2 months. He was kind of hit and miss and then he told them he was going to be out of town for work for 3 weeks. SO, he got back this past week, and called the Hermanas up and asked to be baptized!! WHAT?! Anyway, so they taught him the rest of what he needed to be taught, and Elder Guerrero interviewed him on Tuesday. PASS. Then Oscar came out with us to teach some lessons because he was on fire! We went over to one of our investigators house, and were a little disappointed that she didn't have time to talk to us. BUT, we started to talking to one of her sons, Ivan, and before you know it, he was telling us EVERYTHING that was wrong and he didn't know where to turn. So, we sat down and started talking more and more, showed him the video about finding the light of Christ, and then OSCAR bore his testimony. It was something along the lines of: "Man! Two weeks ago, I thought this crap was weird and not for me. I mean, being a Mormon?! A baptized Mormon? That's crazy! But man, it feels good. I feel wonderful and I don't exactly know why, but it does! I love going to church, hanging out with these guys (us, the Elders) because it feels good. I promise you that if you go to church once, you will feel it too." It was pretty crazy. Turns out that night, Ivan, watched the Light of Christ video 5 times and read the Plan of Salvation pamphlet. Craziness. 

I had the opportunity to go on splits with one of my Zone Leaders, Elder Snyder. Love that guy. I learned so much from him and how to just love people. We went and did service, offered to help change a tire, and shared the Restored Gospel with others. Gahh. The mission, I love it. Also, Elder Snyder converted me to using Japanese Pens, they are so cool. I can't really explain it. 

No update on our Tongan Gang leader... it takes time to talk with Bishops, other Elders and such. 

Oscar's Baptism! It was super cool, he was so excited to get baptized! We got permission to also confirm him the same day because he is going on another 3 week work trip. So, Elder Guerrero got to baptize, and I got to confirm him! That was an awesome experience, and I surprised myself with my Spanish. Not gonna lie, I was pretty nervous, performing my first ordinance in Spanish, but the Spirit has a way of telling you that all is well. I love the Spirit. I will try to send pictures later. 

Anyway! I hope all is well out there in Babylon. Just remember that even when we are surrounded in what seems like endless darkness, we can establish Zion in our own lives. Be a light to others. Do the small things, they really do matter. Do them with full purpose of heart. It really does work, I promise. I love you all! :)

Piano Jams

Elder Ekberg sent some photos this week, but they didn't come through.  However, this Jam video did.   I don't know about you, but I've missed this!  

 I'll post the photos if he is able to send them again.  

Drugs, Amputees, Firecrackers, and Big-Time Gangleaders

This week was fun. We had many experiences with all of the above and much much more. Lets just say that Compton has some interesting people. 

We had a new missionary orientation this week. The LA mission is an iPad mission, and all the old missionaries got them when they arrived, but my generation will get them 9 weeks in, so for me, the beginning of October. But, we also found out that Elder Guerrero and I will (most likely) be companions for my second transfer! Which is good, we get along really well and have fun together. 

On Friday, Elder Guerrero and I got sick, probably something that we ate on Thursday, because, I'm not too sure that everything we eat is always cooked 100%, BUT I'm grateful for the members who feed us! :) Anyway, so it was about 3pm and Elder Guerrero had to use the restroom, so we made our way over to McDonalds, and we met this Tongan guy. Tatted up, sweet beard with those little beads in it, ponytail, Tongan fire just everywhere. We started talking with him, and finally he stopped us and told us that he wanted us to teach him. He has been in and out of prison, was the top Tongan gang leader in LA for __+ years, EVERY Tongan knows him, and some other background info (that will not make the letter, but it sufficieth me to say that the man which we did talk with had street-cred of much magnitude). ANYWAY, he is a member! Well, born into the church, his cousin is the bishop, BUT, he got out of prison in January and wants to turn his life around. Missionaries have always stopped by his house, for 20+ years thanks to the bishop (cousin love), but he never wanted to talk with the missionaries. But, he told us that when we walked into McDonalds, something told him to talk with us. So he did, and he told us that he wants US to teach him because we have a really good "vibe" about us. So, we will see our new Tongan Mobster this week. :) 

We have a new investigator, Bobby, and he is doing amazing!! His baptism date is for September 26th, but he could be baptized in 2 weeks, we will have to see how this week goes! :)) We have two other strong investigators and again, this week is kind of the deciding week, so we will see. :) 

This week was SO hot.. BUT Spanish clicked! Well, I leveled up. Does Spanish have levels? I think it should. But I leveled up and I am way more confident in speaking the language. There are always good, better, and best days, but I'm definitely having better days more often. :) 

BoM - I finished 2N9 this morning, what a great chapter. Its amazing how many small nuggets of eternal truths that you can skip over if you aren't all in. :)  

This is my take on obedience out here in the field. Obedience, yes, we need to be exactly obedient. However, that doesn't mean be a robot, or be unhappy. Why should we obey? Because we love the Lord. We should be obedient, but not unwilling to change. Not change for the worse, or to be disobedient, but rather change how we do things. Be teachable, be willing to say, Yeah, maybe there is another way that yields the same, if not better results. Live, work, play, jump, limp through life in such a way that we can allow and permit the Spirit to be with us always. When we are obedient, we have heaven at our back, pushing and leading us the way we must go, we truly envelope what it means to be a representative of Jesus Christ. Always be worthy of the Spirit. Do the small things, even if YOU think they aren't important, they are there for a reason, because someone else knows better than we do. 

To be brief, I know God loves us. He has created a perfect plan for us to be happy. Why not enjoy all of the blessings that are promised to us now? Do the small things, they make the difference. Make today better than yesterday, and hope for a brighter tomorrow. I love you all! God Speed. 

Elder Ekberg

*Note from mom:  The "amputee" is Bobby, the investigator.  He only has one foot.  The "drugs and firecrackers" part of the title belongs to a lady that they met who was high and has been holding onto an unlit (waiting to be lit) firecracker since the Fourth of July!  

2 Months In!!

2 months in! 9ish weeks, why does it not break down evenly?? That's frustrating..

This week was great! I am beginning to see the Lord's hand in everything. He is leading and directing this work. I am so blessed to be His representative. 

We live in a crappy apartment. Like, I'm pretty sure our Zone Leader said it was one of the worst in the mission. Just Elder Guerrero and me, but it's home. haha, but don't sit on the couch. We fight roaches, and have 3 fans we have to turn on at night, No AC, but it's great. The shower head is mid chest level for me, so it's great. Really no complaints though haha. :)

As far as car and miles go, we have enough to get around. We don't have to stress and stress about going over, we have enough and we have a big area. We do go to Santa Monica, to the temple with investigators (Visitors Center), meetings with the President, etc. but for the most part we drive 4 or 5 miles to an area and stay for a couple hours, dinner, then drive to our appointments at night, so its good. 

Brenda and Daniela did not get confirmed... So Elder Guerrero and I have decided to turn them over to the Lord. Give them a little while on their own, and check up with them in a week. We don't want to force or push them to do it, or seem pushy, but we just want them to have the blessings so bad. It's ok though.

We found a family of 4. Parents speak Spanish and the kids learn better in English, so we are the perfect missionaries for that. Actually that is pretty typical around here, because all the kids have to know English for school so.. Yeah! They seemed really interested the first lesson, were disappointed that something came up for the return visit, but we have a lesson tonight with them! Wooo!

There is a recent convert, Adan, who is like a famous Latino singer or something. He gave us his CD and his home studio is pretty sweet, I kind of fan-girl-ed for a little bit, haha. We met with him on Tuesday, and after our lesson with him, his HUGE family came and we got to teach 10 or so people the Restoration! We got one solid baptism date out of it and we need to follow up with the rest of them, really there were so many and that lesson was awesome. 

This week was the week of the "Deep Doctrine Talks". We met a guy on the street, Al, who is 55 and is one who would stand up in church and tell it how it is. We talked for a good long while about the differences in Catholic (Al's take on it) and Mormon doctrine, and really there is a lot in common. It is just a testimony to me that, yes, people wanted to follow Christ after he was crucified, however, no one had the priesthood authority to lead His church.  Hence, the restoration. We also talked with a guy about theology and questions that made my head hurt. <Don't overshoot the mark>. 

This week all of our "high-priority" investigators had commitments or other stuff going on, so it was hard to meet with them...disappointing, but it gave us opportunities to find new people to teach and to simply share the gospel with everyone we came into contact with. Honestly, as long as we as missionaries, and children of God are doing all we can do, it is enough, and Christ will do the rest. We can't do it all ourselves, we need to put it in the Lord's hands. 

Last night, we went and contacted another big family. We taught them the restoration and the dad, uncle, (idk what he was), HE GOT THE WHOLE THING!!! LIKE PERFECTLY. Usually people, understand that someone needs to have authority and such and are timid about learning more, but this guy was all in. Crazy. Left with some solid commitments and high hopes for next visit. 

So with my Book of Mormon reading, I have been asked to look for commitments or things the Lord commands and the promised blessings, or consequences of the commandments. In such, I have found some pretty cool stuff, I would like to share about Nephi and the ship story. The Lord will always take care of us, He will provide, nourish, strengthen, and bless us as we keep His commandments. Construct a ship. "But a ship is huge", "why now?", "can I really?"..NO. Nephi didn't ask any of these things. HE KNEW that if he did as the Lord commanded him, He would be blessed. So Nephi asked first, "where do I go to start?" The Lord will be our light (1N17:13) and will always prepare a way. And as we do as we are told, with faith that we shall receive, we shall know that it is by Him, that all things are possible. We need to strive to keep the commandments, pray oft, study, feast upon the words of Christ, do those things that we KNOW will bring us closer to Christ. That's really all it is. Come closer unto Him. Come unto Me, and I will give thee rest. If we can only do one thing in this life, it should be to become closer to Him. Missionaries can hope for baptisms all they want, but the most important thing is to bring people unto Christ. If a person is Catholic and simply wants to come closer to Christ, and you help them start praying again, you did your job. Come unto Him, that's really all it is. If we can love the Savior enough to put Him before ourselves, and come unto Him, turn out and help others do the same, we will be blessed. He will provide, and we will be changed. He wants us to turn to Him, because He is the only way. He knows you and He loves you. Come unto Him. 

I love the mission! Thank you for everything! I love you guys! :)