From December 5

Can you believe that?!? Only 20 days until I can talk to you guys on the phone. I remember when I talked to you last time I said only 7 and a half months until we can talk again...that was seven months ago...CRAZY!!

Ty I am so proud of you and your Eagle project! That is awesome that it was such a huge success, and it is definitely a huge accomplishment.

 

As far as gifts for recent converts, what about a testimony written about the importance of the temple and how it has blessed our family?...Chris could help with translation and Momma you could write it in your spiffy handwriting...something cheap and easy but still really meaningful because there is nothing we could give them that would be more special or important than what Heavenly Father could give them in the temple, right?? What do ya' think about that?

 

I was also thinking about President and Sister B. and how under-appreciated they are, when they really have been like my parents for the past year and a half...Could we send them one of the Christmas books that we make with all those wonderful stories in one of those binders that looks like a present? I think they would really enjoy that tradition, and it would mean a lot to them because they don't get the thanks they deserve. I think the only time they hear from parents is when they are complaining or have concerns...never "thanks for taking care of my kid for two years. They have learned and grown so much."..If anything, that is what I want for Christmas :)

 

I loved the Thanksgiving box and the Christmas one. Now our office is all decorated and festive...I will send ya' a pic!

 

This past week we literally got 0 time in our area and it stinks, but we had other things to do. I guess I just hate making that excuse, but our first priority is the office and this week we had a ton to do with transfers and stuff...it still isn't done, but it will all come together I am sure...I hope haha. This week will be crazy busy with departing missionaries, incoming missionaries (btw there is an Elder V. coming in from Marietta East Stake on Wednesday who I kinda know cuz we played basketball together. I think so that is cool!) New DL, ZL, SC training, and delivery of bikes and extra luggage all over the mission. Wish me luck.

 

This past transfer went so, so fast I can't believe it. This is Elder H.'s last transfer. Elder S. has been with us for two weeks because of some stuff that went on where he couldn't stay in his area, and it has been a blast to have him with us. We are constantly laughing and having fun, and it has been a good balance/relief with the stress of transfers.

 

I wish I could give you a real feel of what doing transfers is like, but I can't. It is a giant puzzle with a ton of different factors just on paper, then the Spirit comes in to play as well as answering what will help each missionary progress, and man it is fun to do but at the same time it is a constant headache. I am not complaining, because I love it and what I am doing, but I hope that helps paint a little picture. Sometimes when we get stressed, we just put down our keyboards and take a walk around the temple and clear our minds and see the lights.

 

I guess that brings me to your question for the week. Temple Hill is gorgeous, and to be here especially around this time of the year is such a blessing. I absolutely love it. It feels amazing to be on hallowed ground for the majority of the day. The Spirit is so strong and there is just a peace that is indescribable.

 

My mission has taught me so many things, but one of the things that I have really come to understand and appreciate is the temple of the Lord. I never understood the potential that we all have to become like our Heavenly Father and there are so many things that I could say about what I have learned about it, but I can't wait to go back through the temple with you guys. I have come to appreciate the power of covenants and make so many connections and received so much revelation about the temple.

 

For example, I just came to realize that Heavenly Father's glory is to bring to pass our eternal life through temple covenants because as we make and uphold our covenants, He is then accountable to us to uphold His end of the deal. And, as we learn in Preach My Gospel, when people are held accountable then improvement accelerates. So, as we keep our covenants the Lord is held accountable. We progress and He progresses in glory even more. The gospel is a gospel of eternal progression and learning. Cool, huh?

 

Well guys, I love ya'...I really do. I am so grateful for all of you and the wonderful children of God you are. Can't wait to talk to ya' :)

 

Love,

Elder Molinaro

From November 28

Dear Family,

 

What a wonderful week I have had (but the weather is really messing with my head here as it is the end of November and yesterday was in the upper 80's). R. came to church yesterday with her son and grand kids and loved it. We weren't able to teach her this week just because her schedule is super-hectic right now and ours isn't the most accommodating either, but she is reading and praying and I just know she will get baptized.

 

Speaking of baptism...yesterday Elder C. (his previous companion) and I went back to Inglewood 2nd Ward for the baptism of Hma M. and her son L. A., who we taught for a long time. They were the relatives of Hma F. who came from Mexico while we were teaching Hmo F., and -- L. A. asked me to baptize him. It was so cool to be able to complete a part-member family (as the husband got baptized a long time ago in Mexico but had gone less active). He is now really active and now his wife and son are members with their sights set on the temple in a year...looks like I will have a trip back to Los Angeles.

 

The C. family was there and it was great to see them, too. They are loving life and the gospel, and they are stronger than ever. D. (the son) is going to Seminary, and Hma C. (the mom) is so converted to the gospel it is awesome. They, too, have their sights set on the temple and told me to tell you all "hi" and that they love being able to talk to you all on the phone every so often. Momma, how long has it been since D. (the 10 year old daughter) talked to you? Hma C. said that when they call, D. hogs the phone but she wanted you to know that she is so grateful for you.

 

I. and M. were there too, and they are doing really well still teaching primary and loving it and doing a lot of YSA activities and stuff. That is one of the greatest things about being in a small mission is that you can keep tabs on all your converts and members that you have really grown to love. Apparently S. is also doing really well and just got interviewed to receive the Melchizedek priesthood and is preparing to go to the temple pretty soon! I can't wait for the day that they all go through!

 

Thanksgiving was really good. We spent it with some investigators named G. and S. who have been investigating for a while and they cooked us a good Southern Thanksgiving. They are an African American couple in their late 60's and are really nice. She made some macaroni that was exactly like the mac and cheese from Redding Terminal in Philly that was to die for and some of the best banana pudding I have ever tasted! Dad you woulda died to taste it. I had a bite of everything for you all.

 

MLT (Mission Leadership Training) was good. It is just for us and for District Leaders and Zone Leaders, and this Tuesday we have another ZLC (Zone Leadership Conference) to plan and prep for, as well as this week is transfers week so that is what I will be doing all week. Can't believe another transfer is gone.

The best part of being in Los Angeles at this point in history is definitely the diversity. We talked about it at church yesterday, and some of the richest people in the world live here, as well as some of the poorest in the country and there are tons of different nationalities represented here, too. It is cool to see the gospel apply to and work for people from all walks of life in all different circumstances.

 

I love you all so much!

 

Love,

Elder Molinaro

From November 21

Dear Family!

This week has been terrific and it seems like I am E mailing you all every other day! Time is a weird thing right? Weird, I just hit my 18 month mark in the mission, too.

Well, before I start answering your questions, I would like to share an awesome experience with you all. Elder H. and I were able to witness a small miracle in our area with regards to an investigator. So, we had an appointment with this man at 2 p.m. and got stuck in the office working on some things that were pressing, so we missed the appointment. We went to our dinner appointment, but they said that they had mixed up the times and asked us to return in an hour so the food would be prepared.

We decided to go and check this fellow who we missed earlier in the day, and his mom opened the door and was quite startled. Her name is R. J., and she explained to us that three months ago the missionaries had left her with a restoration pamphlet and the second she finished reading the "How Can I Know?" page, we knocked on the door. She took it as a sign from her Heavenly Father that He was trying to get her attention.

Apparently her son is a bishop in Riverside, California, and has been trying to convince her to sit down with the missionaries for a while now. And, because Heavenly Father was trying to get her attention and did so in such an obvious way, she said she will read the Book of Mormon and pray about it with the knowledge that an affirmative answer means baptism. She came to church yesterday and loved it and said she would come again next week! Crazy experience, right!? The first time I saw R. J., I felt immediately that I recognized her from somewhere, and I am sure that I do. When we talk, it is almost as if we knew we would be having this conversation beforehand. I can't really explain it, but I am quite confident that she is one of the ones I told in the pre-existence that I would come and find and bring back to the fold. I know that the Lord is preparing people and sometimes reworking our schedule to put us in the right place at the right time.

So, that is one of the many things that has been keeping me busy, along with planning out MLT (Mission Leadership Training) that will be happening tomorrow. In fact, that has taken a huge chunk of time this week as sometimes at random President will call us in to talk about it, and 4 hours later we are still discussing and brainstorming and such. It is great though, fun to talk with President in a more casual setting and just throw out ideas and talk about stuff.

I dunno as far as leadership skills if I have been able to develop any yet, but one of my focuses lately has been going through different processes we have right now in the office and trying to make them more efficient. It is kinda fun like a puzzle, figuring out how things can run more smoothly and work better to move the Lord's work along.

My biggest testimony builder lately has been the Book of Mormon. It is such a great book, and I can't put it down. I started on the 11th and I am in Alma 20. Every spare second I get, I whip it out and read a few pages. It is great and really that is how It should read it all of the time, I think. I don't think that I mentioned that as part of the reading challenge we have been marking all references to the doctrine of Christ because as we learned at Zone Conference, that our ability to learn, understand and then internalize the doctrine of Christ directly affects our overall success as children of our Heavenly Father. It is petty cool, but at this pace it is my goal to read the book of Mormon and the New Testament before the first of the year and be marking the doctrine of Christ.

 

What amazes me? That is a loaded question, but it amazes me how true the statement given at the last General Conference is that compared to God we are nothing, but to Him we are everything. His plan is so much bigger and more grand than any of us can even begin to comprehend, and it is so flawless. It amazes me that any and every question that anyone has can be answered by the gospel, and it amazes me that Heavenly Father trusts me enough to share this message with His children.

 

The next transfers are December the 7th so we start figuring all of that out this coming weekend, so that should be fun. I officially have all the names and faces of the missionaries memorized with what Zone and District they're in and who their companion is, as well as where they are serving. It is something that Elder H. said comes with time, but I got sick of not knowing and having to ask/look it up so I made face cards on Excel and studied a bit and it came. Who knew APUSH (AP U.S. History class in high school) would help on the mission? haha.

 

What size shirt? Whatever size we got when I came out I guess, and white is the color of choice out here...weird how out of 200 missionaries that they all choose to wear white shirts ;)

 

The only thing on my Christmas wish list is referrals for people in my area, and maybe some sort of giftie thing for my recent converts...I don't need anything, but I want so badly for them to go to the temple and every little bit of support helps. Any ideas on how we could get something to them/what we could get them??
For Thanksgiving, I will be headed to an investigator's house and the house of a senior couple so that should be good.

 

Well Guys, I love ya', and I love what I am doing. They just turned all the Christmas lights on up here on Temple Hill, so that makes it even more fun to come to work. Giving your all to the Lord is so fun :)

Happy Thanksgiving to all, I am so grateful for all of you and all that you have done and continue to do for me.

 

Love,

Elder Molinaro

From November 14

Dear Family,

 

I am just getting the worst luck. I sat down to Email you guys for an hour and the lady comes on the intercom and announces that they are closing in 20 minutes! But, other than that, I am doing really well.

Before I get to Zone Conference and answering your questions, I want to announce that Hma S. and Hmo R. were both baptized yesterday in Huntington Park in my old area. They were investigators who were really progressing well when I first came up here. I taught them both for about a month and a half. It was awesome to see them baptized and start in the right path back to Heavenly Father, but probably even more awesome was what I found out after the baptism. Hma P., the woman who was like a mother to me in Huntington Park, told me that earlier that week she finally got her temple endowments! Now even though she was already a member, Elders K., H., and I were working with her a lot trying to get her to the temple and she made it! I wanted to scream for joy when she told me!

 

Zone Conference went really well. I learned so much, including how to set up everything that needs to be set up for President to run all of his stuff like projectors, audio equipment, etc. and I am thoroughly convinced that after this past week I could hold my own in setting up for a rock concert haha.

 

It was cool to be able to give our training to all the missionaries in the mission and hear President and Sister B's presentations three times. I learned so much. I think the main thing that I got out of it was that to God there are no winners and losers. There are only finishers and quitters. With that in mind, life perspective is changed. It isn't about finishing first or last, it is about finishing. He illustrated it well with a video clip of John Steven Acuari from the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games and talked about how it is the light within us that keeps us going when times get hard. The word "winner" isn't even in God's vocabulary because, quite honestly, He doesn't care. To suggest that someone comes in first or second in gaining exaltation is to suggest that Heavenly Father is bound by time. But He isn't.

 

I also learned that salvation can never be earned because we can't earn something that we will never be worthy of receiving alone. Therefore, our good actions don't earn us salvation in the kingdom of God, rather they simply show Heavenly Father how badly we want it. And, if we desire it badly enough then we are willing to give up ALL that we are and have and turn it over to Him. It is the consecrated core. Pretty cool, huh?

 

My biggest desire right now, and something I have been working on for a while, is letting my will be swallowed up in the will of my Father in Heaven. So, if I am trying to do something for a training or something and it just isn't working, then I know that it is not what Heavenly Father wants me to do, and I pray and try to understand how He would have me do it instead and then yield to what He tells me.

 

I also came to realize this past week that me talking to someone to share the gospel message is the most important thing that has ever happened in their life up to that very point. Now, I do not say this to be cocky, rather it drives me to talk to them because I realize that fact and the majority of them don't ...OK, none of them do haha but it is cool to think about.

 

I guess what I am trying to say is that the Lord has blessed me with a lot of experience and learning this week from setting up Zone Conference, to training a group of 75 people three times, to revelation that is going to take me weeks to fully sort through and understand, but more importantly internalize which will take a lifetime and even longer.

 

I feel so blessed to be able to serve Him and to let His will become my own as I continue in the journey to consecrate the very core of my being.

 

In this season of Thanksgiving, I want each of you to think a little bit more about the things you are thankful for in relation to the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and how we can even attempt to repay Him for His sacrifice. The only thing we truly have to lay upon God's altar is our will and desire.

 

President also challenged us to read the entire Book of Mormon between now and the end of the year, so that is the book that my nose has been in lately. I challenge all of you to do the same. It is a great book, and even better, it's true!

 

I love you all so much and can't wait to talk to ya' in a month and a half :)

 

Love,

Elder Molinaro

From November 7

Hey Guys!

 

How amazing was that extra hour of sleep on Saturday night!? Let me tell you that we have been looking forward to it for a long, long time now haha! Boy, oh boy, did it feel great!

 

Well, I only have a short time today because we are going to the airport to pick up a missionary the church flew out here to go to the Spanish Consulate, then he will fly back to the MTC tomorrow. So we are his chaperones and tour guides/sleep over buddies for a day. That is one of the things we do...little errands like that, but it should be an adventure.

 

To answer your questions, I speak mostly English now (which is really weird) but occasionally we get a language study and Elder H. and I try to speak Spanish to each other and we pray in Spanish, so that helps keep it up. I tell you what, right now in our area we are looking for Latins who speak English because they are so much more accepting of our message than the rich people around here...It is like "Where's Pedro?" instead of "Where's Waldo" haha.

 

I have learned so many things from President B. that are just so great, but one thing that he has taught me is to be positive and always take a step back and look at the bigger picture. For example, with disobedient missionaries Elder H. and I would just send them home, but President recognizes that if that can be avoided it should be because they don't learn anything from that, and the mission is a time to learn.

 

He is so patient and knowledgeable and he just loves all the missionaries so much. It really is cool to watch him work and be able to work with him and act as the Savior would. He loves these servants of God so much. He has really helped my testimony of following Christ's example. He also is decisive and can make hard decisions which is...need I say...hard.

 

But, up here on temple hill things are good. They are putting up Christmas lights at the temple, and the weather is cooling down. We had a great week in our area finding some really solid-seeming people, but our focus lately has been Zone Conferences which will be Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday of this week. Elder H. and I will be training at each of them.

 

We are teaching the missionaries about communication by the Spirit with their companions and with their investigators, and we are giving them a little sticker we made for them to put in their Preach My Gospel books that goes along with our theme. The training is based on a talk found on LDS.org called "Keeping Lines of Communication Strong." You should read it; it's really good. But Mom, you will be pleased to know that the stickers we are making to go in right next to the companionship inventory section says: "Replace the poles. Restring the lines. Ask yourself: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?" Just like you always said to us at home! :) Momma you have taught me so much and now your lessons are being taught to 200 missionaries in Los Angeles.

 

I love you all tons! Have a great week! Please, please, please have Dad give us some referrals for our area!

 

Love,

Elder Molinaro

From October 31

Hey Guys!

 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! Man, was I ever glad to get that box of goodies from you guys, pumpkin bread and all. I have been making friends with all the senior couples that work in the office as I have been sharing my spoils, and they all say "thank you so much." Thanks to the grandparents, too, for the treat they sent me in their Halloween cards! I will be putting it to good use for sure :) I just love you guys so much.

 

To answer your questions...This past week what kept me the most busy was definitely transfers. We just have a lot of things to do that nobody thinks about, but somebody has to do it. Update lists, make graphs, update baptismal records, reconfigure apartments, take cars, give cars, deal with missionaries getting hurt, or doing stupid things, rework calendars, schedule buildings and events, plan Zone Conference, ZLC, MLT, and on and on and on. I know it sounds really boring and not like real missionary work, but it is missionary work -- just a different kind.

 

I am happy to be serving the Lord, however and wherever He needs me to serve. It has been great though, being able to interact with President B. for multiple hours a day. He has taught me so much, even just by watching him and how he reacts in different situations. One day I know all this training and practice will come in handy in the business world and in Church administration and so I am trying to be as sponge-like as possible.

 

So, because of all the madness, I spent probably a combined total of 4 hours in my new area this past week so I do not know it at all...and I will have to go on exchanges with some Zone Leaders in my area this week, so that will be an adventure for sure.

 

I am getting used to the new apartment even though we are never there. We stay in the office 'til like 10:20 at night and then head back to sleep and nothing else, so a bed in a shed would be enough to keep us alive up here, but they give us an apartment anyway. I fall asleep so fast; it is great. Elder H. talks in his sleep and it is pretty funny because he just keeps working on office stuff. For example, last night he was explaining how he had the graphs organized at 2 in the morning. Elder G. said that he left the office with the "talking in his sleep" problem too. He said the office does things to your mind and you literally never stop working, even when you are horizontal and your eyes are shut haha so I guess I have that to look forward to. Actually, I refuse. I refuse to go crazy..I just won't do it...but I will keep you posted on my progress.

 

Things with Elder H. are going really well, actually. He is a great companion and very patient which is good because I still have a lot of questions while I am getting the hang of things. We are doing well together, and have a lot of fun. He really reminds me of Bennett for some reason, so that makes it even better! He looks kinda like him I guess, just taller.

 

What am I enjoying most? That is a great question...I am not really sure yet because it is all still new and I haven't experienced all of it yet, but I am liking all of it. I really like being able to work so closely with President and being able to do things and plan things that affect the whole mission. I also like being able to interact and help so many missionaries and I like joking around with the senior couples in the office. I am just loving it all.

 

The hardest part so far has been not being able to get to the area and I miss the Latin people I came to know and love, but I really am having a blast on my mission. The Zones have already gone from 7 to 9 so we are trying to keep up with all the changes, but it is going well.

 

The craziest day was definitely Wednesday when we had to get up early, load up the truck with luggage and departing missionaries and drop them off then pick up incoming missionaries and watch them come down the escalator all awe-struck and confused. Then we trained them, the trainers, the new senior comps, the new District Leaders, and the new Zone Leaders and had no time to breathe or eat or anything, but I loved every second.

 

I am sorry this email probably seems pretty scattered; missionaries keep coming up and interrupting me. I love you guys and I will talk to ya' next week.

 

Love,

Elder Molinaro

From October 24

Hey Fam!

 

So, I am pretty sure that today is the first day of the busiest week of my life to this point. Transfers are Wednesday and the board is not all figured out, and President is recently back in town so we definitely have some work to do, but I am excited to see what the Lord has in store. He has already thrown us quite a few curve balls.

 

So this past week, President B. was out of town at a Mission President's seminar for the western and northwestern regions and he and his wife were in Portland. So, Elder G., and Elder K. and I were holding down the fort, and of course things started to go wrong. It was like Satan knew that the brains of the operation was out of the picture for a while and problems started happening that I can't really talk about, but to say the least, we ended up with two other missionaries for a few days. We were babysitting until President got back. Sometimes it is hard to believe that 20 year old young men can act a certain way, but the problems got resolved and all is well right now.

 

It has been so much fun being here for the last week with my 3 companions. Three comps is only temporary because Elder K. (the referrals secretary from New Zealand who plays rugby for the country's All Blacks team) is headed out on Wednesday for New Zealand, and Elder G. is getting transferred. So our party of 4 will shortly turn into a group of 2 but we will still make sure it is a party.

 

As for your questions, I now live in Westwood in an apartment that is literally right next to the Temple which is cool. It feels weird not to fall asleep to the sound of sirens and the hope that cockroaches don't crawl on my face at night with ridiculously loud ranchera music like I had in Huntington Park, but it is going good so far.

 

My companion's name is Elder H. and he has two transfers left and goes home in January. Come to find out he is way funny and we are getting along great. He is from a farm in Springville, Utah and is a really good missionary.

 

Yes, we still have our studies, but we do them in our office...or is it a workspace? :) So for studies we can go on lds.org ormormon.org and of course read the scriptures and things, but it is cool to have resources. In fact, the other day I looked up Ash on Mormon.org and her page is way good! You should all do one!

We travel the mission for different things and meetings. For example, last night we had the departing missionary fireside where all the departing missionaries come and share their testimonies with all their recent converts/investigators/members from their missions and I was the one conducting this meeting. Holy nervous! There were easily 400 people there! But, I got to thinking about it and realized that if I messed up who cares!? I am learning, and it is just part of it, right? I ended up doing OK and I know the Lord helped me out in a big way. I could not have done that myself and especially not a year and a half ago. I am grateful for the skills I have been able to develop and fears I have been able to conquer.

 

As for my responsibilities, that is a great question. I am not quite sure on all of them, but right now it has consisted of transfers and more transfers. It is pretty fun, but you don't truly understand what goes into it until you have to do it. We have to figure out missionaries personalities matching, teaching skills meshing, what wards and stakes need, District and Zone composition, who gets what car and who is able to drive, who gets what apartment, who is ready to be District Leaders, Zone Leaders, senior companions, and trainers. There is a lot of prayer that goes into it, and it is amazing how President really cares about not just producing baptisms, but building the kind of men that the Lord will need for the future of the Church.

This week is big with transfers. We must drop off departing missionaries at the airport, pick up incoming missionaries, train Zone Leaders, District Leaders, trainers, and then pick trainers for all the incoming missionaries. I am a little nervous about driving a 12-passenger van in Los Angeles traffic, but it is a new challenge and those are always fun, right? haha.

 

We still have an area, but the office work takes priority over the area. Our area is called La Brea Park and it is by Korea Town and the Wilshire area. There are a lot of Jewish people and a lot of black people which is a big transition for me, along with the ward which is an English-speaking ward called the Wilshire Ward and we meet at the LA stake center every week. I am in the mission office a lot more, and I have my own office -- well, kinda -- it is shared with Elder H.

 

Fear Factor is still chugging along, but yesterday we helped President announce to all the Zone Leaders that we are switching from 7 zones to 9 zones. Still trying to figure out logistics and such, but it is going to be good.

 

Last night at the departing missionary fireside The P. family came, Hma I. was there, and Hma Is. came, too, along with some members from HP and Inglewood Second wards. It was so good to see them all, and so good to know that the Lord is continuing to take care of those I love so much. Hma Is. is still teaching Primary, and Hma I. is going to church with her sister. Hma E. and her daughter M. got confirmed, and Elder H. said Hma K. and Hmo H. should be baptized this next week, so hopefully I get permission to go to that.

I am loving my mission and am happier now than I have been in my whole life, I am pretty sure. I love you all so much and can't wait to live through this week and let you know how it went! Pray for me! haha

Good questions this week, excited for some more next week! Have the grandparents ask 'em, too. Like compile a list from everyone and I will try to answer as many as I can!

 

Thanks Guys for being who you are and for making me who I am. The Lord is really blessing me as He holds me in the hollow of His hand. I feel your prayers and am so grateful to be serving the Lord.

 

Love,

Elder Molinaro

From October 19

Dear Family,

 

How are things? I really don't know where to start with reporting what has gone on this past week and a half, but I might as well try, right? Last week was really good, and Elder H. and I got a lot done. Our investigators are progressing well, and Hma E.and Hma M. both got baptized! Break out the victory nachos, Ty!

 

So Sunday morning we had stake report meeting, and after the meeting, President B. said he needed to talk to me for a minute. Having no idea why, I went into a room with him and had a short interview. "Elder Molinaro," he started, "you have been in Huntington Park for a long time haven't you?" "Yes, President I have." "Well, Elder Molinaro we are so grateful for all the hard work you have put in and for all your dedicated service, but we have a new assignment for you. Elder Molinaro we are going to ask you to come up to the office to work with us and be my new Assistant, are you ready to do that?"

 

Needless to say I was surprised, but I am the new Assistant to the President (AP) here in the CLAM! That is quite the news to be told on a Sunday when I needed to finish planning a baptism and getting Hma M. and her mom baptized.

 

As if the stress wasn't already enough, it was a tough Sunday to stay focused on the here and now. The weirdest thing is that I remember it like it was yesterday when Elder W. went up to the office and left Inglewood, but it was almost 11 months ago. Well, the same thing happened to me on Monday morning. The Assistants came up to Huntington Park and grabbed me and my stuff; Elder H. is staying there with a young man who is preparing for his mission.

 

So far in the office it has been great. It's really fun getting trained on all the new things I have to do by the current Assistants. We have had several multiple-hour meetings with President B. to work on transfers, and it is like a huge puzzle except almost the opposite where the hardest pieces/missionaries to place are at the very end whereas in a puzzle the last piece is the easiest.

 

I am so sorry this Email is so broken, but I am in the family history library and keep getting interrupted by missionaries coming up and talking to me and Elder G. (the AP I am coming in for).

I have been praying really hard lately trying to align my will with the will of the Father, and I am ready to do whatever He will ask of me. I don't know a lot of the things I will be doing, but next week I will be able to update you better.

 

I love you all so much and will answer your testimony questions later. Please keep me in your prayers, I am going to need it!

 

Love,

Elder Molinaro

From October 10

Hey Fam,

Schools here are so bad, it's ridiculous. In fact, this world is just an evil place, and Los Angeles is far from the name (The Angles). I see so much bad every day, but it is such a relief and blessing to have the gospel and the perspective that it brings.

This week has been really good, and "Fear Factor" is going so great. It really works well for the District Leaders to have the responsibility of picking the District's Fear Factor weekly, and people are staying pumped and excited as they switch it up every week. In fact, yesterday the Assistants informed us that Metro Zone is on top of the mission in every single key indicator there is. The Lord is really blessing us.

Baptisms are like cookies. If you want to double the recipe, you have to double every ingredient. If you double sugar but not salt or butter, then they taste nasty. To increase baptisms each key indicator must also be increased. I think we are really starting to catch the vision of that.

Now the answers to your questions:

The best part of going on splits with other Elders is what you learn. Overall I would have to say I have learned that there is no one right way to do missionary work. Every single missionary works in a different way, and just because someone works differently than me doesn't mean they are wrong...it's just different! I have learned a lot about that on my mission. Just cuz someone does something differently doesn't mean they do it wrong.

We don't knock doors too terribly often just because lately we have had a lot of people to cuidar and visit but it is effective...It's more effective to talk to people outside on the street or in their yard, as long as they aren't drunk which is rare around these parts haha.

We are really close to the members in our area, so they do give us referrals, but the ward as a whole, not so much...not the ward's fault, but the missionaries gotta build relationships with members, and it is done through the little things.

There is no one right way to do a door approach either, just follow the Spirit and talk about whatever He puts in your mind when they open the door. It is also important not to take yourself too seriously or psych yourself out cuz a lot of the time it is way awkward but we are used to it so we remember it's awkward for two white guys speaking Spanish to knock on their door, too. The best way is to make them feel comfortable and joke around with them so they see you are normal and then just testify and if they accept they are elect. If not, they aren't ready and we can spend our time better with other people.

Most people have seen missionaries, or know a member somehow, especially the people who are from El Salvador and Guatemala cuz there are tantas missionaries there, but they don't usually have one common question...I dunno it's not a science but it kinda is. It's all about experimenting to see what works and what doesn't. It's all good.

Love you guys so much! Gotta go.

Love,

Elder Molinaro

From October 3

Family!

Hows it going? This week was a short one, especially with Conference taking two days out of the few and another I was out of my area with Elder H. on exchanges, and a lot of the other time we have been planning/prepping the zone goal for october, and we actually presented it today, and it.  was.  epic!  I will start off by telling you about that, and then answer questions...

So this month we decided to go for a Halloween theme and the name is Metro Fear Factor.  The goal focuses on raising a key indicator each week, based on which one was lowest for the week before...it is their districts "fear factor", and district leaders set goals for them to reach and overcome their fear as a district.  As key indicators consistently improve, baptisms will follow.  September went well, our baptismal goal was 11 and we pulled 10, but getting missionaries to baptize monthly is our overall vision.  So, on a personal level, each missionary will come up with something that is their fear factor, or something that scares them about missionary work, it could be knocking doors, talking to everyone, inviting people to be baptized, or speaking the language, or a number of things, but they will be striving to overcome that fear as they go throughout the month.  

So monthly personal goal, and district weekly goal.  As each missionary rises to a higher plain and overcomes their fears, we will all rise to a new level and all be blessed as we progress together.  Holy cow there is a lady yelling in Spanish at this little boy and I am laughing inside jajajaja...ok sorry, easily distracted.  So its called fear factor and we have these sweet cards that say fear factor on them and they put them in their planners and move them day to day, and there is Psalms 27:1 written on there too...look it up :)  

So the name, obviously inspired by the show, is what we played on to present it.  We had everyone walk up onto the stage, and there was an eerie red light on, and a fog machine running, and everyone sat down, and we had a black light and a ton of stuff written in highlighter so it really popped and we had three scriptures chosen from the Old Testament that introduced three different challenges that three contestants from each district had to participate in.  For example there was a scripture about the power of the tongue and it translated into a Sister Missionary wheeling out a boiled cow tongue, super nastified and the three people had to eat it.  There was a scripture about bowels gushing out, and boiled cold pig intestine followed, and worms eating flesh was the third, and we had them eat these weird korean silkworm cocoon thingys...it was so cool!  

We were like the hosts and the black light and the fog and the missionaries were lovin it and cheering and egging each other on, and I am fairly confident that the excitement will carry the goal through the rest of the month.  It was so fun to plan and throw together having limited resources and lots of restrictions obviously being a missionary.  It was definitely something I will never forget.  We wheeled the tongue out on a cutting board with a big knife sticking out of it, death to the chef style and yeah...I don't know if you can tell but I am still excited about it haha.  We timed the contestants and the district that ate their stuff the fastest won.

As far as your questions?...I really loved Conference, it was great and it is really different trying to listen to it for yourself, and trying to listen for someone else too, like Oh man I hope Sister E. heard that, or I hope Brother U. is paying attention (he actually went to Utah with his in-laws to see it so we're hoping he really liked it).  I think the themes were for sure the Book of Mormon, and the scriptures in general, and how to better my teaching abilities and relationship with God. I liked the talks about prayer, and about how there is nothing too small for the Lord to answer if I just have faith...like President Monson and the guy coming in to speak that was way funny.  I really liked his talk too about how the ten commandments are still in effect, and even thouh people think religion is outdated, it is our job to be in the world not of the world.  Always weird when people refer to their missions in talks for like 20 seconds, like my mission was great and I learned a lot...as a missionary it feels like they need to really explain all that goes into it...third period art could be great and you could learn a lot, but it is hardly the same!  Just kinda funny.

 

The new training program doesnt really affecet me, except for things we need to plan because we have two trainers that are on different schedules than the rest of us.  They study in comp study for two solid hours with a strict curriculum, and it pretty much brings the mtc into the field for a little while...12 weeks :)  In the mtc now they focus primarily on teaching skills and here they focus on the doctrine of the lessons and the trainer trains during comp study on a few different subjects.  So far it is still in the pilot stages, but as far as we can see, it is going well. 

The best thing about being a zone leader is being so busy all the time and really getting to be in a position where I can think about the welfare and progression fo so many of God's servants.  The busier I am, the more I feel like I am doing for the Lord, and there comes a greater satisfaction.  For example, today was my 7th zone goal that I have had to plan and present and execute in Metro...that seems like a lot!  And every month we think of something, and we always say man what on earth will we do next month, but when we wait on the Lord, the revelation comes in the moments of need.  

I love getting to get to know so many missionaries and care for them personally and on so many levels.  It is a lot of added responsibility and a lot of extra prayer, but it is worth every minute of it.  The hardest thing is correcting people that I have grown close to.  I become friends with those in my zone, but then they make some dumb choice, and it is my responsibility to correct and guide...that means I can't be doing anything wrong because they watch our every move...talk about pressure!  Now of course there are times when we mess up, and make a dumb choice, but I guess the most important thing is the next choice I make after that.  

My investigators are doing well, Sister E. came to Conference and the Visitor's Center yesterday and loved it, and she is preparing for baptism.  My chin doesn't go down to my chest anymore haha mom I know how you feel...guess I carry stress in my shoulders too, but it is all good. I am absolutely loving my mission and have no doubt that it is the best two years for my life too :)  Love you guys so much!

 

Love,

Elder Molinaro

September Clean Apartment Awards

September Zone Leader Council

September Zone Conference

August Zone Leadership Council

Temple P Day

July Zone Leadership Council

From September 28

Hey guys!

So, this week has been a long one because today we went to the temple, but it was a really good week.  Really good.  Brother O, Sister H. and Sister R. got confirmed, and we are still working with them, making sure they are keeping all their covenants and continuing their daily reading and study.  We have gone over there so much we just feel like part of the family, but its good...in fact, now that I think about it, everyone that I have helped to baptize just feels like family.  They are just people that I love so much and get really close to, so it isn't ever oh this person is getting baptized or this person didn't read, but its more like my best friend is getting baptized, or what can I do to help my friend understand the importance of these things...change of perspective kinda.  

I don't even know what to say about what happened this past week...you guys gotta ask questions because honestly everything feels like its the same and I have no idea of what might interest you...you should have some questions from people in the family for me to answer every week!?  That would be way easier.  While it is hard to put my finger on one specific thing that has happened, I can think of a couple general things.  

Well first off, we were teaching Brother O. and Sister H. and while we were teaching them, they watched their Chihuahua get smashed by a car!  It definitely drove the spirit away, and they were all bawling and screaming, especially Sister R, it was the first pet she had ever had...there is no scripture that says that all dogs go to heaven...we didn't know what to say, so that was really tough to see the people I love so much suffering.  Also, we have new investigators coming out of the woodwork. Since last monday we have found at least 20, and all of which are starting to progress, we are just super pumped and working harder than I have ever worked in my life/mission.  And the greatest thing is that the people we are finding aren't like one here one there, but we are finding families who want to learn and we are teaching boldly and simply so they know what we expect of them and then they do it! 

October gearing up to be a sweet month, can't wait!  Well guys it has been great to chat with all of you, I love this email thing haha can't wait for Conference, please keep Sister E. in your prayers, she will be baptized any Sunday now!  Love you guys so much :)  Can you have some questions for me on Monday?  Thanks!

Love,

Elder Molinaro