Week 55

Today I do not have a companion. I am staying with the Zone Leaders until I pick up a new missionary. I don't know who yet. Elder Webb is from Lehi, UT but he just got transferred back to ASL work. We did not have much in common. But that has been the same for pretty much all of
my companions. And that is awesome! I like getting a new perspective on things and to be able to find traits I like about each of them and apply it to myself. Elder Webb is a great friend to all of our investigators, which make a world of a difference!

I have been thinking about the many places I have been and was thinking about whether or not I had a favorite. I decided I cannot have a favorite. To compare two wards is like trying to compare apples
to oranges. They are all good but they are all just so different that it is hard to compare them. My first area had a great Ward council with a determined Bishop but missionary work was an afterthought. Plus, I was walking in my first ward and that make a huge difference. My second ward had a rather dysfunctional ward council but the spirit of the ward was unlike any other. And with the extremely high density of people in that area, there was always someone to talk to about Christ. And in this, my third ward, the ward council is new, but strong. Our bishop is very missionary minded and the members are very supportive. There area has hardly any places we can find investigators through our own efforts so we need to find them through members. And so far things have been working out. I think my favorite ward is which ever one I am in. The work is great everywhere and the Lord knows perfectly what I need.

The Otay Mesa Ward has been flourishing in missionary work lately and it has been because of our resent investment in finding and teaching investigators through members. We have been developing relationships with the members in a way that they feel more inspired to be a member missionary. And by result of that we have 17 investigators and 3 of them are progressing to being baptized on August 27th!

It is kind of exciting counting down the days for a new opportunity, with me getting new companion and all. But I enjoy even better the experience of making this day count. If I live every day to the
fullest the I will have no regrets. While keeping in mind the days ahead I choose to make this day the best one yet!

~ Elder Josh Alger

Week 54

Well things back here are good as always. This week has been very eventful with the fact that we had 4 investigators at church! We had Stephanie and her daughter Angelica join us in our ward and we had Amerika and Vanessa join other congregations in the area. It was a miracle! It was crazy because we spent all week pinky promising investigators to come to church and we started sacrament without any investigators and then right after sacrament Stephanie and Angelica came! I was so elated! I love the Lord's work. I really respect everything our investigators do. They have to leave behind the life they grew up with and are comfortable with for a whole new life with a whole new vocabulary and with all new people. Ultimately it is the hardest and the best thing they will ever do with their lives. It is incredible. They come from a crazy world where you can trust next to no one and everyone is only there to help themselves. Missionary work is the most rewarding work because it brings the most positive change. It is so worth it. Love you!

~ Elder Josh Alger

Notice Kiana Cullimore? That is not what I expected to find in my church building. 

What a fun surprise!

Two pics to show how many people came to the Alex Boyé / Mission Pres. fireside.

This is my area. Not much of anything huh? Lol

Week 53

This morning we went on a 4 mile run with President to ALMOST the beach. (We are not aloud at the beaches in our mission). That was tiring but fun President gave little inspiring pep talks at rest

points along the way. I love my mission President. I have been so blessed to be lead by one of the best men I know. This week has been fun! We have had lots of sunshine lately but it still isn't over 85 degrees and there has almost constantly been a lovely breeze. It is great weather for Miracles! We had exchanges this week with the zone leaders and I was able to go to Elder Maughan's area for the day. It was a wonderful day. We did a whole lot of walking talking to everyone that moved and in result we added 3 new investigators to there teaching pool. Street contact adds have a bead rep in the mission because there is no already existing connection, so you never know if  it will work out. On the other had when a member introduces a friend to the missionaries there is a much higher change that they will 1. Be more converted to the Gospel and 2. Be baptized and continue progressing in the Gospel. Now that does not mean every friend  members introduce to the missionaries will be baptized and it

also does"t mean that none of the investigators missionaries find on there own get baptized. It is just comparing good with better. Having missionaries teach people that the members have found is far more effective than through talking to random people on the street. With this new knowledge or maybe a refresher I have given you I want you to apply it to your life. What are you doing to introduce your friends to the Gospel? What are you doing to make nonmember friends? Do you know your neighbors? What can you do to become a better missionary? I want you to thing about these questions. And then do something to change yourself and repent. Become a Latter Day Saint through feeding his sheep. I want you to get started as soon as you read this. Please send me an email telling me you have committed to this and tell me what you want to do to be a better missionary and share the Gospel.

Jalger@myldsmail.net

~ Elder Josh Alger

Erasing the white board with a chair, not recommended.

Running with Pres.

We are his hands

Week 52

The Gospel is simple and true and the more we learn the simpler it gets. I had a wonderful experience last night and I would like to share it with you.

Because yesterday was Independence day we went into the apt. Early and I was able to do some deep study on faith. I think I read Ether 12  5+ times over and many other things. Along with some intense prayers. I love having time to completely dedicate my entire will and mind to a principle of the Gospel. It gives me so much opportunity to learn. While I was in my study session I realized that I have a desire to have more humility, charity, faith, etc. But I have not been asking God for those gifts in my prayers. I remembered the countless scriptures that said "ask and he shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you". With this realization in mind I have been asking for these gifts and seeking to do all I can to obtain them. It requires a lot of effort but it is well worth it. I will have to let you know what miracles occur this week according to our faith. I have a feeling this week will be a week of miracles.

I love you! And thank you,
~ Elder Josh Alger

Our Bishop

Two of our new investigators Erik and Miguel (bottom left), Mary our recent convert (bottom right), 

and our Bishop and his wife (on both ends)