Ghost Pepper

This last week was really great. After our District meeting, we got pizza and cake. This was due to our zone reaching our goal of 50 new investigators (we hit 61) and for winning the mission cleaning assignment. We had the highest percentage of clean missionary apartments each week in our zone. After that, we helped out at the thrift shop. I found some more great stuff to put on and take a picture of, so look out for that photo. There was a lot of sorting donations to do, and this day they had some music pumping in the back. On Wednesday, I spent the day with Elder Hancock in his area. I work out each morning, but it is nothing crazy. But, we, in the morning, went on a run- like 3.5 miles through Upland. UPland- it was something! I literally mentally pushed myself through this as my right shin bone seemed to be detaching from my shin muscle. Then we biked a ton during the day, as well, in the heat. We taught some great lessons though and had a fantastic dinner that night. The family had an amazing bird named Precious, and I got to hold it. So cool. One lesson we shared was from a section of the Book of Mormon that is about the voice of Christ. I love being able to come to recognize his voice through the scriptures.

Thursday we helped a family move in the area, and that went very well. Not too tough of a move, and they gave us In-n-Out for lunch. At this home, they have a plant growing right outside the door, a ghost pepper plant. This is the hottest natural pepper on earth.... and I ate one. Why? I have no idea. It was terrible. Searing pain for at least an hour and a stomach ache for the next two. But, I did it, and that is what matters. I am glad to say I ate enough dairy to avoid the adverse effects on the way out :). In the evening, we taught Ted. It was great to catch him as he left the next day for Montana. The lesson focused on the Plan of Salvation with an added focus on the Atonement. I love my Savior so much for performing the Atonement. It is because of that act of love that we can return to live with Him again. Ted loved this fact, and said he will love to meet with us again after his vacation. On Friday, we met our new mission president and his wife. They are fantastic. Sister Taylor will pick right up where Sister Hobbs left off. She is so sweet, and I know for a fact already that she really loves us. President Taylor likes pictures and likes to smile. Even President Hobbs joked he hated these things, so he knows that P Taylor will be great for us. You can tell that President Taylor has run a meeting or two in his day. He is so loving and loves us as well, and he knows that this mission can do great things. I look forward to getting to know both of them better. That same day we ran into Jay who is moving at the end of the month. We were able to share with him how loving people like Christ did makes life so much better for us and for others. I got news this night that I would be leaving the Upland area to serve in another area but didn't get told where yet.

Saturday we had a lesson with Johnny at the church. We just want to get an idea of where he is at. He had come to church a couple of times then fell off the map. Then, last week, he came back to church. So we met with him and told him about the expectations and qualifications of baptism. He knows what he has to do, and we pray he can do it. It will be very hard for him. After this, we had lunch with Elder Parry and his comp. They cover a huge area, so they stopped by and ate with us. He is doing very well and is liking the Tongan ward.On Sunday, we had a great church service, and I got to say goodbye to a lot of people. It was hard- 6 months led to me making a lot of great relationships in the ward. I will miss them a ton. It was particularly hard to say goodbye to Brothers Reed and Cook. We had a lot of meetings with them, and I really love both of them and them me. I will keep in touch with them for sure. We had dinner with the Janusz family which was great. They are awesome. Then we met with the Spencers and got to take some sweet pictures with some awesome Star Wars stuff. I also got the news of where I would end up.

I got transferred to the Adelanto ward and the Mojave Samoan ward in Victorville, CA. We have been told that we will focus our efforts on the Samoan ward. I am companions with Elder Ockey. He is from Canada and came out on his mission a month and a half after me. My first night there last night, we had two dinners and have leftovers that could feed us for the next year. Boy do they eat! I am blessed though as we live in a house. The garage has a pretty well versed gym, and we have a good workout plan. Scripture of the week is Mosiah 11, verse 7, "Yea, and they also became idolatrous, because they were deceived by the vain and flattering words of the king and priests; for they did speak flattering things unto them." I read this this morning, and I really loved it. The people just blindly followed their wicked leader, and it led them to destruction. We need to be careful of what we see and hear. If we have a question go to a trusted leader, or better yet, go to the Lord. He knows how to perfectly answer your question. I love you all so much. Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Thelander

photos- me with the Felix family and another with Precious the bird