Week 77 in LA--This Week Brought to You by Elder Leavitt

Zach sent me a few messages in the afternoon, all about college, and then radio silence. 😂😂 He then sent a few more messages and asked how life was and if I got the picture file Elder Leavitt sent and then he said he didn't feel like sending an email (big surprise 😂😂), and then radio silence for good. Elder Leavitt did send me a file with pictures and his mom forwarded his email to me as well. So, this week we hear from Elder Leavitt instead of Elder Cox but I'll take what I can get. So, here is what Elder Leavitt had to say about this past week:

Hello beautiful people that I love!

      This week has been pretty cool! We had a fantastic Zone Conference on Thursday where Elder Cox and I gave a training on how to teach that God is our Loving Heavenly Father. We also got knew tiwis in our cars and I talked to Brother Dibb during lunch. Hes in charge of all church vehicles so he came to reinstall the tiwis. And it's cool because he is Ann Dibb's son and President Monson's grandson! He said in all the missions he went to, which was most of the west coast I think, I was the only one who made the connection! Can you believe that? Not one missionary asked if he was Ann Dibbs son, and he even looks like her! 

     On Tuesday we made some cookies and lemon bars and went to deliver them in the evening. We decided our first stop should be Sheri and Burt who live all the way down Topanga canyon. It's about a 30 minute drive to their house. We got there and found out they were living in the small house next door while they remodeled the entire house! Sheri is a member but not active, and no one else in the family is a member. They were so happy to see us even though they were super busy. We had probably an hour long conversation and Burt had so many questions! We basically taught the Restoration and half the Plan of Salvation. Burt wants to read Jesus the Christ so we got him a copy. They have a really shy 12 year old daughter named Katelynn who is super sweet. Burt said to her "do you know why you feel comfortable around them? It's because they're good, they would never do anything rude or hurtful" I'd have to say, the best feeling in the world is having no feelings but Christlike love for people. And its evident when it's there and when it's not!

     Something cool probably happened on Wednesday, but I can't recall.

     Friday morning all the Elders got to go do service at the temple involving some invasive plant removal. No better place to remove invasive plants! Then we had District Council and I went to Elder Oswalds district. That man is literally an angel on Earth! I could probably punch him in the face and he wouldn't even react. 

     Saturday we had Zone Service at Operation Gratitude! It was a blast! Most the Zone goes there on different days of the week and they asked if we could come help teach volunteers  how to stuff bears. We split up at tables with about 200 volunteers and got to talk with a small group for 2 or more hours! What more could a missionary ask for?! It was so cool! I sent a referral named Roxana to the Granada Hills Elders.

      On Sunday Virg drove us and Jose down to the VC to a fireside by the 13 Crowns, the Wolfgram family Band! The Dad was in the band The Jets. 

     Gotta go! Love you all, have a great week! May your hammer be mighty, and go love someone who needs it!

Love Elder Leavitt 

And here are the pictures that Elder Leavitt sent me:

Week 76 in LA--Phone Call

Zach didn't send an email yesterday because WE GOT TO TALK TO HIM ON THE PHONE!!!! It was so amazing to hear his voice!! I am so grateful for a living prophet who listens to our Heavenly Father to know what is best for the church. I am so grateful that I get to talk to my missionary (which he said is so much easier for him than writing) and hopefully next time video chat with him. 

A few things he said during the call: We mostly talked abut college because he only has 6 months left and before they leave the mission, they have to have their life plan filled out--which is a great thing in my opinion. We talked about several different options and Matt and I are going to do some research for him (since he only has P day's to do that kind of thing) and talk again next week about what we find out (did you just read that--TALK AGAIN NEXT WEEK this is seriously the best thing ever). He also said that they are teaching a few people but none that are really committed (so pray for those he is teaching). Transfers are March 5th and he thinks Elder Leavitt will be transferred since he has been serving in that area for 6 months and that he will stay. We will see what happens. He said that his body is able to handle gluten again. It took a while but he "can eat bread without getting wrecked". He is doing so, so good and loves being a missionary!! 

He did send me some pictures with 1 minute to spare (typical) 😂😂. I am super grateful that he had time though since that is how I "see" him. 

Week 75 in LA--P Day

Hello!!! How is everything? 

This week I got to go on a lot of exchanges with other missionaries and learn a lot of things. I went with Elder Maya one of the assistants to the president (he is super cool). Then I went with Elder Dehlin (a super awesome guy from Apline) and then with Elder Meraz (he is an awesome missionary)! We got to have our P day today because our Zone is going to the Getty Museum which is super exciting. We are also going to this super cool classic car museum and I will take some pictures to send to grandpa and dad. I don't have any pictures to send today so I will write my weekly and I will send it with some Pictures from today! For my birthday i was thinking of getting a pair of huaraches which are cool hispanic braided leather shoes. They are only like $35-$40. Almost every Elder in the mission has a pair and I think it would be cool to have a pair to bring home to wear. (Because my mission pairs are like getting wrecked). Then if you want to I can also get people things from here if you want. But other than that just add some more money to the savings account. I was also thinking about college and I might take the semester off but I have been told that it is harder to adjust that way. So I will keep thinking about it. Love you a lot! 

Elder Cox

**He didn't have time to send a group email and promised to double up next week (we'll see about that). He did end up sending pictures from his P day yesterday though (yay).**

Week 74 in LA--It's Rainin'

This week has been pretty well. It's wet and we don't have much time to email. So this week was well but nothing too cool happened. We are doing stuff for college but I'll send a better email next week. 

Elder Cox 

Pics 

Exchanges in the rain