Email December 10, 2013

Hello everyone! First off, I apologize for making you all wait a day to hear about my fantastic life in Yuba City, California! ;) But really, I do apologize fully! Especially to you, Mom! ;) Yesterday was transfers and the library where we usually email was working on fixing its internet. So we went to a different place to email, but I forgot my planner and list of things to write home about so I had little time to write plus nothing to write about for my regular mission email so I waited until today's half p-day because of transfers. I hope that's okay. :) One funny story from this week: On Thursday we had exchanges. So I was with our District Leader, Elder Correa, in my area, Hillcrest Ward, and we were out visiting potential investigators. While trying to meet with a current investigator, we found someone who was house-sitting for them and we talked with her about if she would be interested in taking the lessons from us. She is religious and seemed slightly interested. However, we couldn't set an exact return appointment because her schedule isn't ever really set. :( But we'll work on that. So anyway, after that we decided to tract the neighborhood. One of the doors we knocked on was answered by a short, older lady who literally only peeked around the edge of the door over her glasses. We asked how she was doing and what she was up to. She said "Cooking dinner." at which point Elder Correa and I tried to ask what it was or how it was coming along but before either of us could get a whole word out she said, "Bye now!" and shut the door slowly and firmly, still peeking around the door over her glasses. I don't know why, but I thought it was absolutely hilarious. I guess you could say that I have officially had a door shut to my face. Woot! Haha. Title story that just happened like 2 hours ago! On our (me and Hazleton) way to the library for me to email to do our online proselyting, I was biking and not really paying attention to where I was going and what was in my way. I guess I've gotten too comfortable biking and I took my eyes of the road for a second or two and when I looked back there was this big green waste trash can. For the life of me I have no idea how it got there! I honestly don't think it was there when I looked away and I wasn't looking away long enough to have covered significant ground. I think it magically appeared in my way just to make me have my first legit bike crash. So, SLAM. I had tried to turn out of the way but it still caught the front tire and right handlebar and sent the bike straight left to the ground, my forward momentum carrying me over the right handlebar and onto the ground. However, I was not going to let this inanimate garbage can humiliate me on the road in front of the passing cars, HA! So I decided I would put my James Bond skills to the test: I threw my shoulder under my body and flipping ACTION ROLLED LIKE A BOSS. I rolled over and stood up and could have started running as if in pursuit of an escaping spy, but that wouldn't fit my character as a missionary. So instead I just rolled, stood up and took a second to be proud of myself, then humbly picked up the garbage can and put all the trash back in the trash can. Haha. It didn't hurt very much at all and literally the only place I bled from was a little scuff 1/4 of the size of my pinky fingernail on the outside of my thumb. No idea how that happened, but I'm really happy because it could have been a bad one. But with the Lord's protection and momentary blessing of with a few seconds of ninja-ness I am completely fine with no injuries whatsoever. This week has been eventful you could say. ;) This coming transfer Elder Hazleton and I have rededicated and recommitted ourselves to the work. We're going to pick up where we both have fallen short. We talked a lot and figured out one of the biggest issues was that we weren't communicating enough on either side. We're working on that and have big plans for the future, have already done our best to make changes in our work and in our efforts, and will continue to do our best to carry on with our commitments. Thanks for the prayers, I have felt them a lot recently. I wish I had more time to tell you more about this week, but it'll have to wait for next week. Love you all, I hope everything on your side of the map is going amazing! I know this church is true. I challenge you all to read and study the gospel with real intent and then try Moroni's promise (Book of Mormon, Moroni 10:3-5). It has worked for me and I know that if you do it, it will work for you as well. I love you, wish the best for all of you! Love, Elder Cevering #2