Week #74 - Happy Newbert

Hey everyone!

First of all, I gotta say talking to the family was absolutely splendid. I felt bad that during all the hustle and bustle of Christmas that I forgot to make a list of things I wanted to talk about but either way it was an utter delight. Sorry if I didn't have too much to say.

Anyway, life's still good in Ukiah. We're taking a trip to the Oakland Temple on Wednesday so we're way pumped about that, Devin's getting baptized on Saturday and has a ton of people from work coming to see it (at least one of which wants to start taking lessons)- so it should be pretty packed. Our investigators Tina and Dana agreed to come to the baptism as well so that will be a huge step for them- I think they'll enjoy it a lot.

Our investigator Sharon came to church for the first time yesterday and the ward was VERY welcoming. The talks were really good as well so it was a good week for her to come. She bought us really nice ties for Christmas and told us we had to wear them when she came to church- so it was a great day. The only downside was I was asked to play piano for primary on the spot, and unfortunately they do NOT sing the same songs they did when I was a kid. I knew ONE of the eight songs we sang (Give, Said the Little Stream) and it got to the point where the chorister said "We're giving our pianist a workout today!" I was sufficiently humbled. I had to ask before every song how it's supposed to sound/how fast it's played/etc. I quit primary forever.

I'm hitting my 18 month mark on Saturday! Outrageous.

That's about all I've got- thanks for everything and it was awesome talking to everyone!!

Much Love,
Elder B

Week #73 - Have a Furry Christmas

THANKS FOR THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS!!! IT'S AWESOME!
Hey Everyone!

I'm crazy excited to call home on Friday, so make sure to answer the phone when I do. It's been an excellent week before Christmas and tomorrow is our half mission conference, so that will be even more excellent. I don't even know what to write about on account of me being crazy excited to call home. Devin came out and worked with us on Saturday- he's planning on a mission next year and is way pumped about it! We went tracting and got in the first house who answered the door- so that was unusually awesome. We had a really good conversation with him and at the end Devin prayed- fantastic.
Other than that, we had a bunch of crazy awesome things happened. This computer's being way annoying and sometimes I type things and it just doesn't do anything.
Thanks to everyone sending me Christmas stuff!
I don't even know what to write. Merry Christmas to everyone and I'll talk to you on Friday!!! Other updates will be given then. YEAH! Pants.

This email's pathetic, but I'm a little low on time anyway. Next week will be the most prodigious email ever written.
Much Love-
Elder B

Week #72 - Jungle O Fun

Hey everyone!

Not a whole lot to update on this week, but things went well. Devin's baptism is still set for January 2nd (My 18 Month mark!) and we had some excellent lessons this week. We also got to clean out an apartment of two elders who are going home together.

We had leadership council on Friday and it was amazing as usual. We discussed how to improve things in the mission and talked about some new things we'll be doing/focusing on, President blew our minds with some scriptures, and then at the end all of the new and departing zone leaders bore their testimonies. It was really powerful. It was also kinda crazy because I'm rarely brought to tears in a meeting regardless of how spiritual it is (just not the real emotional type) but this one I was, and during the last testimony the spirit basically told me to keep my composure because I was going to be asked to say the closing prayer. Lo and behold, the last elder finishes, President says and few short words and then "Elder Balagna, will you say the closing prayer for us?" It was a great experience. Not only was I prepared to speak despite my emotion, it was probably one of the most heartfelt prayers I've ever given in a large group. Long story short: good meeting.

We got a new ward mission leader!!! It's also the same guy who had us over for Thanksgiving. He's going to be a huge help and already has tons of ideas for how to get things moving the way that they should. We're so excited! Not that we didn't like our last one.

We had a great and full gospel principles class in church yesterday. Always nice to see a full room for that one. Our investigators all stayed for the full three hours and loved it so that's always a major plus.

Life is great, thanks for the mail, Merry Christmas soon and the gospel's true!!

Much Love,
Elder B

Week #71 - Happy Marshday!

Hey Everyone! I'm so excited for the Marsh's birthday that I jumped into a lake yesterday. I didn't really though.

So here are the week's highlights:

1) Devin set a baptismal date for January 1st!

2) We had a new family come to church that wants to take the lessons and be baptized (the dad is the only member and has only been one for five months)

3) We had transfers and Elder Berry and I are both staying.

4) The Christmas Devotional was amazing and President Uchtdorf's talk was excellent. I also really enjoyed President Monson's story. Classic.

5) Danny Weidman sent me a letter. This is a shoutout to him. He is an utter delight. I will send him a response letter soon.

6) I came across the scripture Ether 4:15 and thought it was awesome. My new motto is Rend the Veil.

7) The trainee (son) of the first boy I trained (Elder Bush) is training next transfer!!! That means that I will have my grandson AND a GREAT grandson in this zone with me. If my great grandson trains I will then have a great great grandson, in which case I'd probably just go home early because there's not too much more to accomplish in my life.

Anyway, life is lifetastic and I hope you all have a great week!

The gospel's true!

Elder B