May 26, 2014

Hola Familia/ Amigos

Holy Cow! This week has been quite interesting! Especially with
transfers on Wednesday! And the fact that what I said last week about
things starting to heat up here in Vallejo is really starting to come
true! Last night as I was writing in my journal, we heard a helicopter
roaming the area looking for someone on foot, as well as about 6 or 7
gun shots! They sounded pretty dang close to our apartment as well!

Last Monday was another success, with such a great number of
activities! I am so happy and a lot less stressed, when we are able to
play some serious basketball on P-days! I’m not really sure why, but it
just allows my mind to go free, and be able to focus on something
other than our Missionaries and the work for a few hours! Elder Alvarado is a
pretty good player! He is a scrapper but I guess growing up and
playing basketball for Compton High school is probably what you
learn to be! ha ha

Tuesday, was quite the interesting day! We got an interesting phone
call from President Alba, concerning a few things that had happened
this transfer in our District, and that we need to take care of before
transfers! He mentioned to us, that a lot of the emails to him, this
week were pretty bad, towards a lot of thing in our District! So
district meeting, even though it was our last one together consisted of
just talking and figuring everything out! When it all came
down to it, The 3 things we narrowed it down to were...
Communications, Pride, and Obedience! So we set goals so we could
change all that this week, and end the transfer with success! We did a
great job, and everyone is getting along great now! I didn't even know
it was an issue, until President Alba, brought it to our attention.
However, that is probably because we never called our District! Which
is our fault! I’m glad I am getting another chance to lead this District, so that I can learn
to be the best District Leader possible!

After District Meeting I was able to go on exchanges with Elder
Foster! Which was a great exchange, we were able to go and do some
service at a Baptist soup kitchen which was a ton of fun! Man, it is so
weird how much they talk during your prayers, and everything! However
it was a great experience, and we were able to share scriptures and
even preach to the people! Pretty exciting!

Wednesday and Thursday were pretty much just regular days! Although we
were able to teach some great lessons! I am dang excited to be here
for the next transfer to see where all our investigators will be, and
where they are going to be able to progress towards!

Friday was quite a wild day! I was able to start the day off, with
such a blessing! Agustin my recent convert from Santa Rosa, drove down
here to Vallejo to see me! He took Elder Alvarado and I out to
breakfast, and we were able to visit for about an hour or so! It was
so much fun, and such a blessing to be able to catch up with him,
and see how he is doing progressing in the gospel! He is doing
absolutely amazing! AHHH I LOVED IT!

Friday during the day we were able to weekly plan! It was kind of weird
because Elder Alvarado was pretty positive that he was going to stay
here in Vallejo! However, he will end up getting transferred to Ukiah
for his last transfer of his mission!

Friday night our entire District came over to our apartment, so we
could all listen to the transfer doctrine phone call together! It was
pretty interesting because, our Zone leaders both got transferred.
Well 1 is going home the other got transferred, and now our Zone
leaders live with me and are Spanish! This is going to be a little
different! However I really like both the Zone leaders that are coming in,
and one of them used to be an Assistant to the President! My new
companion coming in is Elder Delgado! He has been out the same amount
of time as me! We actually sat by each other on our way here to
Santa Rosa, on the plane! He is from El Paso, Texas, and speaks fluent
Spanish! So I am super excited to finally be able to work on my
Spanish!

It was super hard to do language studies with Elder Alvarado, because
he didn't really enjoy studying but he also wasn't really willing to help
me! So next transfer is going to be great! My Spanish is going to
improve so much! I cannot wait!

Saturday we did a blitz in the Zone for the American Canyon Spanish
Elders! It went pretty well, and was pretty successful! I was able to
run into a black man, by the name of Frank! Frank reminds me of
Grandpa Dean so much! He has 3 Mustangs that are like 1967’s and has
completely restored them all by himself! He told me he has been
offered $45,000 dollars for 1 of them, and about $40,000 for the other!
Then he took me around back and he has so many cars the exact same! It
was ridiculously crazy! I’m pretty sure I drooled on my tie pretty bad,
while I was there! I just wanted to drive one so bad! Aww!

 Sunday was just a regular Sunday in the mission! Except for
the fact that it was 4 out of the 8 elders last Sunday here in
Vallejo! Ha ha! So, it was a little weird! Also our Sunday night meeting
was super weird! Because I am the only leader that is staying here in
Vallejo! Ha ha

Well tha’ts my week in a glimpse! I hope you all are doing well, and
that you all can enjoy another week back home, and continue to share
the gospel with those who are waiting to hear about the wonderful
message!

Shout out to Trey! BIG T! Going to Honduras! My Companion Elder
Alvarado is from Honduras and he says you’re going to love it! My only
suggestion, is make sure and work hard with the Spanish, it doesn't
just come because you have the gift of tongues! You still have to
apply your faith and work towards it! Also you’re going to eat of ton of
fruit! Man it’s all delicious! Also Pollo Con Tajadas! Just remember
that, and let me know when you eat it, because it’s amazing! Love you
man! Keep it real! Leave your heart with the people of Honduras!

Love you all!
Love, Elder Albertson

May 19, 2014

Hola Familia/ Amigos

Well to be completely honest this week, has felt like it has went by
so slow! I don't even know why, but holy cow, I feel as if it has been
forever since I Facetimed  with my family, but in reality it was just
last Sunday! This week was great though! Things are really starting to
heat up here in Vallejo! It’s starting to get interesting, and I'm
really starting to enjoy it!

Last Monday was probably the best P-day I have had since I have been
here in Vallejo! We finally had the opportunity to play some
basketball! It’s definitely not the same as when I was serving in Santa
Rosa, however it was still very fun! I was able to release some stress
and continue on for the week! I was sick as well, so it was great for
my sinuses to be able to loosen them up and get some real good
exercise in! Later that night, we were able to walk around, and saw
lots of potential investigators as well as formers! I can
definitely say that as we strive to work as hard as we can, the Lord
truly is blessing our area!

Tuesday, we were blessed not to have District meeting! Okay, not
really, because District Meeting is probably the most
important meeting in the mission! It’s where we are able to evaluate
each other and how we are doing, and discuss how we can become better!
Howeve,r Elder Alvarado and I didn't have to teach it this week! Which
is kind of relieving every once in a while! We were both able to teach a
few lessons on Facebook this week as well!

Tuesday Night I heard my first set of Guns shots going off here in Vallejo!

Pretty interesting! Things are starting to heat up weather wise, and as kids get closer to
getting outta school things start to get more and more crazy!

Wednesday, we were able to travel by ourselves to the wonderful city of
Napa! It’s funny, every time I have to announce that I am from Nampa,
they always ask... Wait your from Napa? Ha ha No! Nampa! It was great!
We were able to join with the Napa Zone and be able to have a
wonderful Zone Conference! We were able to receive new
revelation and guidance from our wonderful leaders here in the
mission! They are so great to be able to learn from, and I love how
they always apply everything to sports terms! That way I can learn!

Otherwise I seem to sometimes get lost in  wonderland! It’s
always such a great thing, because Zone Conference truly can refuel
our Missionary Fire! So we can continue to do the Lords work!

Thursday we were able to have another great day! Elder Alvarado and I
treated ourselves to some wonderful Pizza Hut, stuffed crust! It was
just a small treat so don't worry we are still on our diet, but we
just felt it was necessary to reward ourselves after a long day of
hard work! However, Dad that doesn't mean you can reward yourself
with a pop after a few weeks! You can however, reward yourself with a
Gatorade if you would like! ha ha We had a wonderful day!  Our area is
really doing well! We are still working with that family! We were able
to teach them, and talk to them about the Word of Wisdom! After the
lesson, we talked with Mom (Veronica) to get a final result on whether
or not she was willing to allow the kids to be baptized! She agreed!

Friday was weekly planning Friday! More guns shots were fired! More
crazy things went on that night, so we will see how things go! We were
able to meeting with a few potentials and be able to get some return
appointments! I am so excited! This area has so much potential!

Saturday! We had a great sit down lesson with Veronica where we were
really able to discuss the Baptism of Jonathan and Jessica! For some
reason she was pretty hesitant this time! Not really sure why, I
think it was because the fact she thought she was going to be getting
baptized as well! So we had to explain that she needed to marry Javier
first! Hopefully we can get working on that, and then be able to teach
Javier more often as well! We left her the invitation to talk to
Jonathan and Jessica and truly pray to know that if Baptism is for
them! We then told her we will talk tomorrow at church, and then we
can either announce the Baptism or not! Well...

Well sure enough Sunday came rolling around, and here came Sacrament
meeting, and next thing we knew, Veronica and the kids never showed up
to church! So they will not be getting baptized this week! So we will
be planning to talk to them this week and see what the deal is! I was
able to buy a bike from a dying missionary last night, that I have
made plans to sell to Elder Zach Reeder who is coming into the mission
in June! I got him a pretty good set up!

Well that’s my week in a glimpse! I havn’t slept a complete night for
quite a while! However, I don't feel tired so I’m not going to worry
about!

I love you all! Thank you so much for all your prayers... and the Support!
Love, Elder Albertson

May 12, 2014

Hola Familia/Amigos

Well as you all know! Yesterday was Mothers day, which means I had the
opportunity to speak with my mother! It was a great time, to be able
to catch up on a lot of things, and be able to tell her how much it
means for me to be able to have her as my mother! She is amazing, as
are all of the Mothers who may read this email!

This past week, we saw some great miracles as well as had some struggles!
The Miracles definitely out blow the trails but a long run. However as
we all know that good things always have to come with hard things as
well in life!

Well last Monday, we had a half P-day which is where we basically only
get to do the things that are necessary! However in my mind, playing
sports on a P-day is necessary, because without it, I'm pretty sure

I would go crazy! However I made it! Just because I felt it was necessary
in my mind, doesn't mean that it was actually necessary! Although, I like
to think it is! The reason we had a half P-day is because on
Thursday we were able to go to the temple! Definitely worth it!

Tuesday we had a wonderful Zone meeting where we were able to learn
more about the HIGH EXPECTATIONS that have been placed on us,

 and how we all need to look at it as HIGH EXPECTATIONS from The Lord. 

Tuesday Night we also had the wonderful opportunity of teaching our Investigators

Veronica, Jessika,and Jonathan! Who all have wonderful goals set for Baptism!
Surprising enough or could we say Miracle! The fact that Javier,
Veronica’s boyfriend actually participated in the lesson! During the
lesson he also proposed to Veronica! Basically saying he was ready to
marry her, and be the Father of her kids! Such a blessing, because
when that happens, the family will be able to be Baptized together!

Wednesday, nothing really too crazy happened! We were able to
have a good time! I was able to go on exchanges with Elder Smith! He
is a great missionary from Utah, and is here for the correct reasons!
He is going to do great things! I cannot wait to see his growth and
potential!

It is so stressful being a District Leader! Although it is very
enjoyable! You are able to get to know all the Elders in your district
so well from exchanges! So many new friends are being made! I love it!
I also love being able to serve others, and to help them all achieve
there potential as missionary! As well as a Son of God!

Thursday we had the wonderful opportunity to take a trip to the
Oakland temple! It was so enjoyable! However, I do like the Boise Temple
a lot more, it is smaller, and I feel you can feel the Spirit more
powerfully when there is not as many people in each session! Such a
blessing to be able to go the temple on a mission, and be able to
receive revelation for each and every one of our investigators as well
as for ourselves!

Saturday we had a nice big Mother’s day party here in the Branch! The
Husbands or the Men were able to serve the food to the Mothers, and to
be able to provide them with anything that they needed! It was such a
great experience! The food was absolutely amazing! It was some Carne
Asada as well as grilled chicken! So delicious! Aww I’m starting to
love Hispanic Food!

Sunday was Mother’s day and I was able to talk with my family! They are
doing so well! They all look great!

Love you all! Thank you so much for all the support and prayers! Sorry
this week is short but

it feels like I Just told everyone everything!
Probably because I Skyped home yesterday!

Love,
Elder Albertson

Screen Shot I took of my Family!!

May 5, 2014

Hola Familia/Amigos

Holy Cow! This week has been full of good surprises, and some

not so good surprises! It has been pretty interesting! I will tell you

all about it! It will get pretty interesting though!

So be Prepared!

So, this past week I was able to get over my little bladder infection
or whatever they want to call it!  All I know is that it was super
painful and I had absolutely no desire to do anything,

Everything I did do, I was just in pain! However, I got over it!
It’s all gone and I'm feeling good!

Monday, during P-day is when I finally noticed that most of my pain was gone
from the infection. Unfortunately, Tuesday morning I woke up, with a horrible
cough, and stuffy nose, and all the dang symptoms of a cold! Yep,
welcome to the mission life! GO SO HARD, THAT SATAN’S GOTTA KILL YA! I
know! If you know what I’m saying that’s a song quote with a few word
changes however it’s real! I can barely get over one infection before I
get another one! I just want to feel good, and go hard in the Lords
work!

Tuesday we had district meeting! I think this is about when the
epidemic started! Tuesday morning I received a call from some Elders
in my District saying they weren't going to be able to make it to
district meeting, because they were sick! Oh boy! ha ha So District
meeting was pretty lame, because things just felt so weird not having
Elder Foster and Elder Minkler there with us!

Tuesday we were also able to teach 5 lessons! It was a killer day! We
are doing so well here in Vallejo! I absolutely love it! The
only bad thing is I’m probably going to wear the insoles out in my
shoes real quick! They are definitely dying! We were not able to
do exchanges because I was feeling sick, and I felt it was best
probably not to spread it to another apartment, that way we wouldn't
get another apartment of Elders sick! As you know though, it wouldn't
have mattered, because at this point the entire zone is sick! Ha ha

Wednesday! I was feeling absolutely horrible! I wasn't able to hardly
walk! However we did pick up a new sweet investigator! The
only hard thing is the fact she lives in Benicia! Which is part of
our area as well! It’s about a 30 minute bike ride from our apartment,
and we can only make it out there 1 time each week! She also works on
Sunday, but is going to start coming to Vallejo on Wednesday night for
our "Study Class". Then we will teach her before or after that! She is
amazing, however she loves to talk and talks about the most random
things in the world! I think she will be very solid. Except the Work
issue might be hard!

Thursday! Was another great day! We were able to talk to that family
of 5 that came to church again! The Mom has a very strong testimony of
the Church, and has a desire to be baptized! However the only
situation with her, is the boyfriend! We have talked to her about talking
with him, however when it comes down to it! She has to do it herself!
The kids however, all want to get baptized! We talked with our
Branch President and he thinks it would be a great idea for them to
get Baptized to keep Mom active and eventually she will make that
decision! So we have Baptismal dates with Jonathan and Jessica for the
17th of May! I’m almost positive those Baptisms will happen! I am so
excited! They are such an amazing family!

Friday! Was another day of weekly planning! You know how that goes!

We pretty much just chill in the Apartment until about 2 in the
afternoon planning for everything we are going to do for the next
week! Weekly planning truly is a blessing in the eyes of a missionary
though! That’s truly where our investigators receive what they need! We
are able to receive revelation for them at that time and teach them
exactly what they need to be able to progress.

Saturday! Oh my gosh! Saturday I think I had the best food I have ever
had in my entire life! No offense father! However, we found a family
from Honduras and they invited us over for a party they had, and they
fed us "Pollo con tajadas" It’s Deep fried chicken with deep fried
bananas slices, with this sauce made out of Mustard, Mayonaise, and
Milk! OH my goodness! I ate it with my hands and it was so stinking
good! I cannot believe how wonderful it was! The family absolutely
loves me! They told me I should marry a girl from Honduras, and then
they were like oh wait our niece in coming into town tonight, can you
come over and meet her tomorrow! I told them thanks! but no! Ha Ha

Mom I’m pretty sure I’m still stuck on my 6 foot blonde haired blue eyed
girl! Ha ha

Sunday, we didn't have the chance to bring any investigators! However
church was great! I love fast Sundays! Sometimes they are a
little hard to be able to do missionary work after church, because you
just have absolutely no energy! However last night we did have
the opportunity to finally knock a door that I have been feeling
impressed to knock for quite a while! When we did so, a man opened the
door and told us he has been waiting to talk to us! I was so
impressed! He is great! We are going to begin to teach him, however we
do know he has quite the drinking problem, because he can’t drive.

He's gotten to many DUI’s!

Well that’s my week in a glimpse! It’s been good!

***Just a quick reminder! No Gift Cards, or candy! I’m on a diet, and
trying to eat healthy! You can send cash or check if you are going to
send something!***

Love you all!
Love, Elder Albertson