Dear Family,
Today is Tuesday Sep. 10. I got to Ventura Yesterday, and we met the mission president and his wife, Sister Castro. I like President Castro a lot. In our interview last night, he told me how President Eyring blessed him with the gift of discernment when he was set apart. Then, he continued to tell me he could see that I was going to do great things and said a ton of things that were crazy specific for me.
Last night, I stayed at a member's home with another elder from Tooele. They lived in Ventura and I think it was the nicest house I've ever been in! It was huge and way fancy, and they all drive Priuses. Out the back door was a big hill overlooking the ocean right from their house. We stayed in a separate house right next to them that was on top of their garage. It was full of Oreos and milk that they told us better not be there in the morning, so that was sweet.
In the airport, as soon as we got to L.A., Elder Banks and I went straight to Carl's Jr. and ordered Western Bacon Cheeseburgers. Then, we had a 30 min. flight to Santa Barbara in the tiniest plane that only held like 20 people. In total, there are 32 new missionaries that got here yesterday and like 7 of us Spanish speakers.
This morning, we are filling out a bunch of paperwork, and then we will receive our assignments and trainer companions and get to work.
Last week in a Santa Barbara Stake Conference, President Eyring said this was the most obedient mission in the world...So I'm going to have to work really hard! We have 5 guidelines that I am excited to live by. We in the Great California Ventura Mission: 1) We are Preach My Gospel Missionaries. 2) We baptize. 3) We obey with exactness. 4) We seek to be trusted more than loved. 5) We teach with power and authority.
I can't wait to get started!
McKay
