Week 17 (Rosamond)

It sounds like this week was fairly eventful for the missionaries. Elder Wood's current companion, Elder Erickson, is the district leader, meaning that he's responsible for all of the missionaries in their district (about 10 missionaries total). That means that they do exchanges regularly, so Elder Erickson can spend time with each other companionship, and Elder Wood gets to do missionary work with the other companion. They also do exchanges occasionally with the zone leaders, who are responsible for the entire zone (usually ~60 missionaries although I think this can vary) and thus do regular exchanges with each district leader (and his companion).

Also this week was a Zone Conference, meaning the entire zone meets together for a day of meetings and inspiration with their mission president. This time there was also a visiting General Authority, Elder Mark A. Bragg, who is the Area President for the North America West area (more info about what this is at https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/learn/area-presidencies). Anyway, Elder Wood reports that it was a great conference, and also that he was able to be interviewed by Elder Bragg for about 10 minutes so got a chance to meet him a little more personally (photo below).

This week we learned about a new person that Elder Wood and his companion are teaching; he is a neighbor of a member of their current ward and very interested in learning more and likely being baptized as a member of the church. It sounds like they've had some great discussions with him.

I actually got a good number of photos of people this week, which was nice (but of course a couple bird ones, too). Enjoy!

Elder Wood and his companion, Elder Erickson

Elder Wood after meeting with Elder Bragg

The entire zone at their Zone Conference

Elder Wood and Elder Park (one of the zone leaders) on exchanges, after they made a wrong turn and ended up at Edwards Air Force Base.

Their district (plus maybe a few others? It wasn't clear) at one of their weekly conferences

This week's district P-Day activity - the sister missionaries in the district had been given some gingerbread house kits, so they all got to decorate one. This is Elder Wood's creation.

Bird photo: He was proud of this nice shot of a bird with iridescence showing

One more bird photo: A close-up of a little bird; this is on the fence that surrounds the yard of the house he's living in.