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