I never know what to write here.

 12-26

Well, 

I went to zone conference but surprise! Its actually a Christmas party. So, instead of trying to stay awake while President Smith and the APs Preach Doctrine to us, I had to sit uncomfortably with other missionaries while we played games and talked and made gingerbread house things.

I much prefer normal zone conferences.

But! I was able to see Elder Taufer, my companion for the MTC days. Normally we go to a different zone conference BUT we went to that one because the next day I had a Dr. Appt for my scaphoid.

At the appt Dr. Margaret Cook told me I didn't have to wear the brace anymore- well- that's what I heard. Really she said I could start weaning myself out of it. So I haven't worn it once since. I still have to take vitamin D³ but whatever.

It hurts sometimes which is concerning I guess but I'm sure it's fine.

If you ever break your hands wrists or feet or something and your in Pleasanton I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Margaret Eileen Cook. She was great to be with and made sure I understood what was going on and was genuinely Interested what I said. If I broke my wrist again I'd go to her. 

Then we did missionary work all day for the rest of the week. 

On Christmas day our deaf branch was combined with the hearing ward. So we were interpreting english→ asl the whole time. I helped with one song and I did the closing prayer almost completely on my own. It was really hard but I was told by some very honest people that I did a good job, and also the things I messed up on. Good thing I love getting constructive criticism….sometimes….

It's ok, it's ok, it's ok, I'll get there eventually.

On Christmas night we had dinner with the Branch President of the ASL branch and his family. He's deaf. So they all sign. Alot. It was kinda scary to see a 5 year old signing that good. These kids can teach me more sign than my comps can. They all speak perfect English of course amd guess what- they also know Spanish. So dinner was wonderful and then President Peterson asked us to sing for him. 

Which is interesting because he's deaf.

But it's actually a fun game. You sit right next to him and get your mouth as close to his ear and then they blast the music and you sing as loud as you can and then he pays attention to the vibrations and stuff and then guesses the song.

It was actually kinda cool.

That's the first time I've ever performed a solo like that. Like- I've never sang on my own in front of other people. 

I went twice and he was able to guess both times. So pretty cool.

And now it's pday. I'm writing my email while everybody else plays volleyball and I can't do volleyball because Dr. Margaret Eileen Cook said to avoid impacts and stay out of sports for at least a month.

So that kinda sucks but I'm OK with it.

Well, that's everything worth sharing.

Soooo please pray for me to learn ASL or not- I'll still learn either way but I know it will go faster and smoother if there's at least a few people praying for me. 

I love you guys! Merry Christmas! 

If you didn't take Elder Rasbands council to renew your commitment to read the Book of Mormon every day back in October or you did and the habit has already died---then This Day I invite you This Day to re-watch his talk and make a new years resolution based on what the spirit teaches you. Whether that's reading it daily or giving one away or helping somebody else renew their commitment to read the book of Mormon every day or whatever it looks like- do it!

Love you all

CAST on Him my every care by thy return sweet hour of prayer

 thats right everybody. i fractured my scaphoid. so now I cant do anything. i cant write legibly. i cant eat with a freaking fork. i can barely even tie my shoes. the cast smells like rotting kaka. no matter how many times i spray it with cologne the smell still there. i have to wear a plastic bags and rubber bamds every time i shower. 

but- im doing absalutley legendary happy. i love every single second of missionary. one of my friends out here named Sal stopped us on the way to a members house like "hey, havent i met you before?"

luckily, i recognized him and remembered his name, "yes, Sal, how are you doing?"

and we talked for a few minutes actually about his family and God and the  he got all philisophical and was like "happiness is always there. we just dont always see it." and THAT hit me. he then talked about how he has a mercedes but his friend has a lamborgini but he cant just be wishing he has a lamborghini too cuz he has mercedes. 

anyways. other than that- the other absolute MEME that happened- you can tell this to anybody and they will appreciate it.

president called me.....he asks how my wrist was healing.....i say it hurts......he asks me to join the ASL (american SIGN LANGUAGE) program......i say yes.....he says ok

what?????

so i go home and start packing all my stuff and trying to find out how imma sign with one hand. then next day president calls me and hes like....theres been a change, how would you feel about staying another transfer? you need time to heal that wrist

so im like "ok"

and then president like- no more scooters Elder Owens. 

so then i have to go unpack everything. 

So thas my week. 

At first i had a few thoughts like ...but arent transfer calls inspired? how could they make a cha ge to it? why president not get it right the first time??

but i nrealize- the expirence of thinking imma go be ASL missionary and just that mindset of change even for just one day- i grew a lot and my comp did too- thinking imma leave him. So i know it was part of Gods plan to yank us like that. gave us some good growth and now well be ready when it happens next transfer call. God literally knows PERFECTLY what hes doing. if you find yourself doubting his plan and whats going on i can promise you itll make sense eventually whether its tomarrow or in a year or after you die! Gods plan is perfect, excercise some faith and let God Prevail. 

go on a mission. lookn foreward to hearing where yall get called. mission is the longest ive ever been happy, happiest ive ever been, and most peace ive ever felt. find out thas true for yourself and throw your papers in ASAP.

pictures!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/DYM8hzqfMfgxUFWZ7