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