Sorry we're late getting back to ya! The Libraries were closed on Tuesday
for the holiday so we weren't able to write. We're getting it in now though!
Things have been pretty crazy this last week. We had a couple of exchanges
that blew my mind, and now we're working harder than ever! For the first time
in a long while, we've been meeting or exceeding the standard of excellence on
declaring. I went out to Nipomo with Elder Eggleston, which was awesome! He
was with me in Simi Valley, and it's been great having him in the district
again. He's grown BUNCHES; that Elder isn't scared of anything!!! His
strategy for dealing with people that are angry is to keep declaring restored
truth to them until the Spirit calms them down. (SUPER good idea!!!) That
exchange was one of my funnest days out here; we talked to almost literally
everybody we saw to offer them the Gospel. The only exception was when we were
on a street with about 13 people walking on it; so we couldn't catch them all.
It was a real testament to me that if you work like mad, you'll be happy. Elder
Bautista was here with Elder Dollar who is also on his first transfer.They were
a bit nervous, but they really rocked it; and Elder Bautista is on fire now.
I'm afraid I'm the one holding him back from being truly effective! We're
stepping up our game this next coming week though, and we'll see miracles like
crazy. Elder Bautista has been really helping me loosen up and relax about
myself and my progress, which is great.
We've not had any luck getting people to church so far, but we've got a man
named Alonzo who REALLY wants to come. He's an older Mexican guy, who lives in
an old unfinished basement like I used to (I told him it reminded me of home!)
;) He's way receptive, although teaching him will be rough, because he can't
read.
As far as how we're doing; we're doing great out here! Thanks for offering
to help some missionaries out here, but everyone I know of is pretty well
supported. (Elder Kidd is the one you remember; and he's returned already.) I
actually am going to need another journal soon; the one I'm writing in only has
enough to MAYBE finish off this year. I can't believe I've almost finished it
already!! It's super weird.
Tell Sara Judkins and her new husband congradulations for me! That's super
exciting for them! I hope everything is going well at home and that Dad holds
out against all this traveling! I love you all, and I'll write you next
Tuesday! Love ya!
Love,
Elder Matthew David Clough
