June 2, 2014

Hola Familia/Amigos,

Wow! Everything sounds like it is going great back home! I am so happy
to hear that everything is going better with Abe and Kamryn! That will
be super exciting to hear the news about how her doctor appointment
goes next Saturday! Dad you continue to impress me with your diligence
in not drinking soda! I’m sure that KG Grocery is missing your 50 cents
every morning! However, just know your health is more important than
their business! Ha ha Mom! I’m pretty impressed with you winning the
competition at work! I sure as heck hope that the girls are being good
and staying outta trouble with it being summer time!

Well, just as things are going good at home! It’s the same here
in Vallejo, California, if not better! We are working so hard right
now, and are seeing so many miracles and blessings coming from it! For
example this past week we were able to find 11 new investigators! We
had over half of the zones new investigators! It was mind blowing
especially because of the fact that usually week 1 of the transfer is
kinda slow because of transfers!

Things truly are going great! I just want you all to know how well my
health diet is going! From the day I came to Vallejo I was weighing
about 210lbs! Saturday night at dinner I was able to check my weight
again, and I weighed in at 195.7 lbs! Now that’s what I'm talking about!
I haven't been at this weight since my senior year during basketball
season! Now I’m going to start losing more fat and gaining muscle! So
if you want to send a care package from amazon or something Protein
would be great, or a Meal supplement! That will be great!

So Monday we had a great preparation day! It was pretty fun and
interesting! But because it was transfers, and week 6
p-day means that we have to deep clean our apartment and everyone who
is getting transferred has to pack up all of their things up! We were
able to have a lot of fun though, and a good amount of relaxing for me, as I
was the only one in the apartment that was staying here in Vallejo! Ha
ha, but that also meant I had to clean everything because no one else
was willing to clean because it wasn't their apartment anymore! Kinda
frustrating, however pretty fun!

Monday night we were able to see a few families before Elder Alvarado
packed up his bags, and left to Ukiah, so he could say goodbye!
However, while we were walking we were able to contact a lady who was
super interested in our offered to leave a blessing from Jesus Christ upon
her home, and she told us she wanted us to come over right then!
It was super exciting and the entire family was great! We are hoping
to continue teaching them! As they love to watch religious views on
TV!

Tuesday, was not the kind of day I was hoping for! Elder Alvarado had in
his mind that he didn't want to walk or contact people in our area
anymore! So he decided he was going to get his hair cut! Holy cow,
that literally took all day until dinner! Don't ask me why but he had
some many things to do! So after dinner, we went to the
Lopez family’s house and we ate more food, and hung out there all night! It
was not the most productive day!

Wednesday I got left here in Vallejo, while all the other missionaries
were able to take off to Santa Rosa to the transfer meeting! Well not
exactly all of the missionaries however the majority went, because
basically our entire zone got transferred! During that time I got
Elder Jeppson as my companion for a day! We were able to teach one of
his investigators all of the commandments that are necessary for
Baptism! His investigator was then baptized on Friday! It was amazing
to see how much she had changed! I was super excited! As well as our
new companions got here! Holy cow! Things are great!

Elder Delgado, Elder Wright, And Elder Carrillo and I all live in the
same apartment! We all have the same personality! It’s kind of like
getting Dad, Jason Petersen, and all their brothers together! It would
be a party right? Well it’s the same in our apartment! We are having
fun, but at the same time are doing WORK!

Thursday we were able to put a full day of work in! Here in Vallejo
with Elder Delgado! He is getting to know our investigators however,
he is loving the work, and helping me gain more confidence with my
Spanish every day! I am super excited!

Friday we were able to teach our first District Meeting together! We
are District Leader companions which means we teach District Meeting
together! It was pretty fun to finally be able to plan and prepare for
a District considering last transfer Elder Alvarado never wanted to
plan with me! Kind of frustrating! Our District meeting went so
smooth! We were able to have so much fun, and teach according to the
plans we were giving by our leaders! (President and Sister Alba)

Saturday we had another great day! Picking up new investigators like
crazy! We picked up 11 this week! Which is mind blowing! We also were
able to set baptismal dates with Jessica and Jonathan! I’m super
excited, because we were also able to teach Javier the boyfriend
and the mother Veronica together! We talked about marriage and they
are both down for it! So many miracles are coming to Vallejo, and we
continue to be obedient and work hard!

Yesterday being Fast Sunday we were able to have tons of fun, and I
was able to have the opportunity to share my testimony! I am so
blessed to be serving Spanish speaking, and to be able to share my
testimony with others! President and Sister Alba joined us here in
Vallejo for church on Sunday! It was pretty surprising, however we had
a great meeting with them after the meeting concerning how we can
help the members become stronger!

Things are going great here in Vallejo!

Elder Delgado is my new companion! He is from El Paso, Texas! He loves
basketball, we have a lot in common and he speaks perfect Spanish, and is the
typical Hispanic! Loves making fun of Hispanics however he is one
himself! I absolutely love him!

I love you all, and thank you all so much for the wonderful support!
Love, Elder Albertson

 Elder Alvarado and I! Last night!! 

Figured we needed a picture

 to send home! 

More to come in the future!

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!!