Week 51

One year down, one to go...

Week 2 in Otay Mesa and things are going Great! The area is doing rather well. We have been adding a lot of new investigators and teaching some promising less actives.

One day we were knocking doors all morning with no success but we still kept trudging on. We had a no show and we were driving away when I saw an open door, literally! It was the home of a previous investigator and I figured it was worth a shot so I told Elder Webb to turn around because a former's door was open. We parked and went up to the door and knocked. A wonderful lady came up and said she wasn't interested in hearing a message about Jesus Christ but she was nice enough to offer a cold drink. To our surprise she came back with Ice tea! So we had to say no. She was surprised and asked why we don't drink it. We explained it was because a prophet from God told us that we shouldn't. That led to some friendly conversation and a Church invite and a bible study invite and a sharing of conversion. All and all it was worth not talking to another soul the rest of the morning.

We have some promising people but we haven't been able to get a lot of people to church yet or commit to a baptismal date but we are getting close. I can feel it. Lately, I have been learning how to play the Ukulele and the guitar and getting better at playing basketball in the mornings with exercise. My mission has been hard with a variety of large challenges but it has been more an worth it with all that I have learned and been able to accomplish. I love my mission it has been the best year of my life!

Love you all!
Elder Josh Alger

Week 50

This week has been a fresh experience. A new Ward a new companion. A new area. A new companion. All and all it is great! My companion is Elder Webb. He is a cool guy. He is fun to be around. He likes keeping to himself sometimes but I think deep down he likes being social. 😆
The Ward is fantastic! Some of the members of the High Council are members from previous wards of mine and they are stellar people. The Bishop is great! He gave us a referral and invited his friend to dinner that night and to take the missionary lessons! We added him and we are rolling! We have tremendous member support. I am loving it. It is hard though. Both Elder Webb and I don't know the Area very well, but we are still seeing great things. It has been getting warm the past few days getting into the hundreds. (Not very fun if you have no A/C) but we have lots of fans so we are
surviving.

Right now we have 3 really promising investigators. 1. Amerika- she is a super sweet girl and has committed to being baptized on the 23rd of July! 2. &3. Kathy and William Romero - they are mother and son and are really getting on board for the "if this is true I will be baptized" thing. No real promising Less-Acitve or Recent Convert people yet but we will find them!

I am personally doing great! My spirits are high and I am excited to do WORK!

Love ya,
~ Elder Josh Alger

Week 49

Indeed I am transferred! I am now in the Wonderful Otay Mesa Ward. I know absolutely nothing about it as of right now other than our apartment and car need a sprucing up. I have really enjoyed my time in SD4th Ward and will always remember that area. And I will defiantly not ever forget Elder Anderson.

I am sure I will have a wonderful time in Chula Vista and with my new companion Elder Webb. That is really it for now. This last week has been full of miracles and I'm sure they will not stop any time soon!

~ Elder Josh Alger

Week 48

Boy o' boy! Life has been crazy over the last 3 weeks! We had 3 General Authorities visit the missions and 2 of them were Apostles! (Nelson and Holland!). It has been a ball and I have taken so many good notes. One of my favorites was 'When times look glum look at it in a positive light. Count every moment as a blessing.' It is so true! Sometimes you don't have anyone to teach and sometimes people don't want to listen to you but look at all of the opportunities you have given them. You have given the full right and ability to be saved for time and all eternity. But they have their agency to choose as they will.

But missionary work is not all disappointing. We have 2 investigators right now who are solid rockstars! One named Lisa is super prepared and if it weren't for her medical complications we would likely baptize her within the month! But we are taking it one joyous bite at a time. The other amazing investigator is William. William is a recovered homeless man and boy did he recover. He is a very intelligent fellow and and he is one of the tidiest people I know. He is eating up the Gospel and it is wonderful.

All of my recent converts are doing swell! Well at least the ones in the San Diego 4th ward.... From what I have heard Carlo and Dina are having a hard time with the Gospel. So please pray for them. Michael's health is getting much better! Thank you all so much for the prayers! And Joseph has been having a lot of "ah ha" moments lately. He is really starting to understand the Gospel! Hurray!

We also had an amazing fifth Sunday presentation by our wonderful Ward Mission Leader, Brother Nielsen. We have had some amazing results from it and we have some good motivations for them 😇😆. It has overall been a wonderful week.

Let me finish by say how truly wonderful Brother Nielsen is. He is constantly looking for how the Ward can be better missionaries and almost every time we call him to come out with us, which is usually 2 to 3 to even 4 times a week! He never fails us. And it is all possible because of the Angel of a wife he has at his back. Thank you Nielsens! You are Da Bomb!

That's All Folks!

~ Elder Josh Alger

Artwork from Laney!