Elder Griffin's bike was out of commission due to a messed up pedal and crank, so we did some walking for a couple days, and talked with a lot of people. No one really solid or interested, but we are going to keep going, because we know the Lord has someone for us who is. 

J---- attended Church and we had a lesson with him on Thursday.  Afterward, we weren’t quite sure if it would be a good idea to baptize him on the 11th of January or not, so we did a lot of fasting and praying to know what to do. Sunday after church, we sat down and talked about everything to discuss what to do.  We went over the baptismal interview questions and discussed each one. Afterward, we felt like indeed it is the right thing to do for him to get baptized this Saturday. He's changed so much in the months that we have been teaching him and hasn’t ever missed a Sunday. He said he finally has learned all of the things that he had no knowledge of growing up.  Obviously he still has a whole lot more to learn, but he has really come so far and is a completely new person. I’m excited to see him come up out of the water even "newer" :)

We had a Spanish training in Solvang.  It was great and exactly what I needed.  Plus, we got to drive through the mountains. I saw 2 deer, does.  They were only #2 and #3 that I have seen my entire mission.  I can’t believe how stupid I am for getting excited over seeing a doe. (haha.)  The Spanish training just focused on making study plans and striving for the gifts of the Spirit.  I was trying to avoid the point of hitting a plateau and being content, so it was really good.  Elder Griffin and I have been speaking Spanish as much as we can ever since, and it’s nice to realize that we actually can get along without speaking English. 

I was asked on the spot to give a priesthood blessing to an investigator for a nasty sore that she has had on her leg for years and that doctors can’t fix.  I was nervous and just had the John Tanner movie miracle playing in my head, but I gave the blessing and I guess it went well. Yesterday, we were asked to give a cancer patient in pretty bad shape a blessing too.  Also, I gave R--- one for his addiction.... My patriarchal blessing was in my mind. It says I will bless lives by placing my hands on many heads.