Cali Things

 Ok. So-

The MTC was absolutely amazing. But now I’m in California and its real and so much better. My last days in the MTC were nonstop blast and also really hard cuz we all knew that we only had a little bit longer together and then we wouldn’t see them for at least two years. 

On Wednesday we woke up at 3 so we could say bye to some elders who were leaving, Then me and Elder Taufer woke up again around 5:00 so we could get ready and go. I felt amazing. I thought I would have been scared, but I knew that everything was going to be ok and that I was doing the right thing and that gave me courage and strength to keep going and not be scared. We rode a big bus, a train, and then another big bus and then we got in a plane and it took us to San Jose

The rest of the day was taking pictures and getting to know missionaries who are already here and we got our comps. I feel real sorry for all the other new missionaries because they didn’t get my trainer. Elder Prestwich is literally the absolute best. He is super bold, really funny, and is so patient with me. He keeps me far enough out of my comfort zone that I’m growing but also close enough that I’m not freaking out. He has a really strong desire to be here and make a difference and Its been like 6 days and were best friends. He’s definitely the exact trainer I needed. 

We had a lot of classes at the mission office, basically just more orientation and making sure we’re all aware of the new rules and stuff. One of the main themes of the California san Jose mission is ‘Love, Consecration, and Obedience.’ Consecration is the one that keeps standing out to me. I already am familiar with the other two, but consecration is a little more new to me. I think of consecrated oil and how it is set apart for a specific purpose and nothing else. I think its important for us as missionaries because we are to consecrate 2 years of our lives. We consecrate our mouths, our actions, our time, and everything. All set apart for our purpose as missionaries. 

SO- while I was in the MTC I was able to get my hands on some Olivia Rodrigo song files. I PROMISE I only listened to then once! And that was while I was waiting for laundry to finish. In my mind I think satan had helped me to validate those songs and think ‘its ok as long as I dont listen to them alot- I’ll just save them for a bad day. I desreve to be able to listen to what I want to sometimes’

ANYWAYS. After learning about consecration, those songs just kept coming to my mind and I KNEW I needed to get rid of them. . .I just really didn’t want to. Well then guess what. My companion, Elder Prestwich talked to me about how he has gained such a strong testimony of obedience and how happy it makes him. So- I told him about the songs. He let me make my own choices and the next day I pulled my phone out and deleted all of them. And you know what- I feel happier and I’m glad I made that choice. 

We’ve done alot of street contacting and tracrting (well, at least alot compared to the amount I did back home) and thats just so tough and uncomfortable for me. About 80% (it feels like) just want us to go away and dont like us. It hurts, of course, because they make it obvious that they dont like us. But also because they dont even know or understand they joy, peace, and comfort that they’re missing out on. If they would just let us talk with them for 1 minute then they would feel the spirit and if they had actual intent to listen to what we say I know it would change their life. But nope. They close their doors, they walk away, they keep saying no. Alot of people give a little speech about how they’ll ‘be honest with us’ because ‘we’re still so young’ and that we ‘should do our own research’ and they ‘respect what we do’ but ‘nobody wants to hear you guys over here’ 

And we just smile. We say “Have a good day!” and we walk away trying to stay happy. Its been super discouraging but eventually we find somebody who lets us pray with them or read a scripture or who will at least talk to us for a bit. So far only one person has let us leave a book of Mormon with them and I love him a bunch. His name is Rodney and he was so enthusiastic. He was totally uninterested at first but he listened and I think the spirit pushed him to be a little curious.

I love being a missionary, even though the sight of my name tag makes people hurry away and turn around, even though being a missionary makes people forget I’m a person and makes them just see me as something to be avoided, even though I spend all day trying to get to know people and have about 5% success–I love it. I have never felt so ALIVE. THIS is what life is about! What could be more important than the gospel?? What could be more important than trying to help people come closer to God? 

OH YA! OK, S Mark Palmer spoke st the mtc. He's this super cool member of the 70 and from New Zealand. Then my first dinner with members....was his brother's family. So guess what. They called him for us. I got to tell Elder Palmer that I enjoyed his talk! He was like "Elder Owens! I'm so glad to talk with you! Tell me about yourself!" It was so cool.

If you're considering going on a mission, don't let anything stop you. If you feel like you need more gospel knowledge, just go! Please just go onna mission! You will learn more about the gospel on a mission them at home. If you feel like you need to earn more money, then just go on your mission now! Your ward and family and friends will tak3 care of you. Sacrifice brings blessings and if you let others help pay for you then they are richly blessed. God will make sure that there's a way for you to be supported throughout your mission.

A mission is the best thing you can do with your life. Don't let ANYTHING or anyone stop you from going on a mission. Go pray about it now.

I love you all and miss you alot. 

It's p-day btw

So text me on messenger or Google chats!