Hello from SLO

Hello people of the forest.  It's been a wonderful week here in the SLO zone. Been adjusting well to the new work, new area, and new companion. The work here is soooooo different. We are not teaching nearly as much as Thousand Oaks which is sad, so we find find find most of the day. The good thing about finding here is that 1. There are lots of YSA and 2. Everyone is so polite. So I love running into the YSA aged guys because they are all so nice, a few have been interested and passed off to the YSA sisters, but even if they aren't they at least let us talk to them about school, what they are up to etc. It's very different than any other work I've done in the past. Much more relaxed and they are very respectful of what we do. Although we did get offered acid on Saturday, that was neat. Anyway even the people who aren't younger are still generally nice and polite to us. The vibe here is so wonderful. It's busy, but no one is rushed. People give us the time of day which is a huge blessing. Literally they are walking, we ask to talk, they pause and then turn and say yes. Never has happened before in my other areas as much as it does here. 

So we live in a basement of a member's home. It's dark, big and very very dirty. Idk why missionaries don't just clean things. I have been doing little bits here and there when I have time during lunch etc but still gross. Like really old food in the fridge, yah not a fan. But we do have a truck. She blows the Corolla out of the water. She has 50600 miles on it so it's going to get taken here shortly. Just a matter of time. 50000 is the limit before the church sells them. 

The ward is pretty old. But the good thing is that all the young families are really wonderful so they make up for it. Not that having an old ward is bad they just aren't as friendly for some reason. Idk if friendly is the right word but they seem to judge us hard core. Whatever. Our ward mission leader just got released and is moving to mesa AZ which is so sad because his family is my favourite. His wife is from Calgary and she knows the James' in our ward, the Spackmans (Jeff and Ben and a few others) and we talked about dances on 17th Ave and Peters. It was quite fun actually. And they are both super funny. But they leave in a week so that's really sad. 

It's been an exhausting week. I'm very tired. Lots happened including our stake report meeting and interviews. So lots went down. Interviews were the 4th day of the transfer because Elder Nakken is coming home from Lima Peru and Pres and sister Nakken want time with their son. Weird having interviews so soon but we discussed the basics. And it was very good but I'm going to apply it to everyone and everything. So background, here in the great California Ventura Mission we have been elevating and elevating. And many many things have been added to our "plates" it seems too much was added because people stopped doing very fundamental things. And in 3 weeks we dropped significantly in the mission. 3 weeks! And so the lesson here is to not get ahead of ourselves. Be diligent in what works, doctrine and covenants 10:4 "Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength and means provided to enable you to translate; but be diligent unto the end." 

This was revelation to Joseph Smith after he had just received back the gift of translating from when the pages were lost. but it applies to all. Be diligent! "Take the things that work and keep plugging again" P. Nakken. We have been given what we need, all of us. 1 Nephi 3:7 or whatever it is where Nephi knows he can do all he is commanded. The importance of not skipping things is so crucial. In the mission about a month ago we reached 101 new people to teach in 1 week. That is our record. This last week was 47 and the week before that was low 50's. That's a huge drop and it's because people aren't taking what has worked in the past, they are eating the steak and forgetting to eat their vegetables!! And I fall into this as well, kind of, well not really but trying to not sound stuck up. Anyway whatever. 

Be diligent and bold up from the bottom. Elder Holland has said, "Before we get to the people, we need to get to the missionary." and that applies so us all, our actions need to sprout from our heart. We need to love all, embrace all, minister to all! I don't care if you're popular or too busy. Christ went about doing good and we sure can as well. 

Elder Clegg and I ran into a homeless man from Syria 🇸🇾. He's been in America 4 years and he's 21. His Bro kicked him out of their home and took his car and he was very lonely. He has skitzophrenia and we helped him to the bus station, then to another bus station, then to the police station. The story was a bit weird but the thing is, he was lonely, he had peed his pants, he didn't have any food, and he just needed someone. So we talked about Christ, prayer, what he liked to do, and it was really wonderful. 

This is scattered and doesn't make too much sense I'm sure, but be diligent, take the things that work and keep doing them. Make sure you are converted and it comes from the heart and all will be okay... Probably. 

I know this is the church Christ established. It's no one else's except His. He lives! And He loves us, he cares for us and he will be there for us. Literally a prayer away. We are all entitled to personal revelation, and what a blessing. He speaks to us! I know he does. I love this great work with all my heart. It's hard, it's hot, I'm Dead tired, I haven't even eaten breakfast yet but I love it. It's all I think  about, pretty much. Occasionally bikes or something but you get it. I don't want to go home, I'm Scared as heck for my time to go home because I know it's just around the corner. This next year will be the craziest of my life thus far and I can't wait haha. 

P. S. 

Oh so last night we got chewed out by some lady telling us how false our religion is because apparently no women are allowed leadership positions. That was fun, and she also asked us who our parents were because of how privileged we apparently are being here in CA. Just about slapped her for that comment. She was like "oh I'm sure your parents are high in the church and that's how you got it so easy" well lady how about you... Anyway we ended up just walking away. It's all fun! 

Love you all and enjoy your week. 

Elder Pilling 

2375 Johnson Ave

San Luis Obispo, CA 93401