Leading off with the exciting news, transfers are coming up this week, and Elder Wood will be leaving Mojave and the Rosamond ward. His new assignment is in Lone Pine, California, just east of Mount Whitney. Sadly, missionaries aren't allowed to climb Mount Whitney, but hopefully he'll meet some good people there in town. The actual transfers will take place on Tuesday, when all of the missionaries involved will go to the mission office (in Bakersfield), meet up with their new companions, and then head to their new areas. We'll look forward to hearing the report on that next week. For now, we know that his new companion is Elder Haney, and that's about it.
In other news, they got snow in their area this past week (although with the rest of Southern California, it sounds like). He said that it was fun, and there was an appreciable amount, but that it didn't really cause many issues because it melted so quickly and didn't ice up on the roads. I think he enjoyed the different experience, though! It's been colder lately, but it'll be even colder in Lone Pine (but apparently not as windy, so that should help). We told him he's got his timing wrong - you're supposed to be assigned to Lone Pine in the summer, when it's broiling hot in Bakersfield itself. But maybe he'll stay there for long enough to take advantage of the cooler weather. We'll find out.
In missionary work, their finding streak continues, so he was a perfect 18 for 18 during his weeks in Rosamond. It may be harder in Lone Pine, though, with a much smaller population. The current group of friends they're meeting with regularly will take some more time to be ready for baptism, if they choose that, so he'll hand them off to Elder Erickson and his new companion to continue shepherding. He did say that the area will have a baptism relatively soon, since a previous member of the church who left many years ago has chosen to be re-baptized. But again the others will work with him and Elder Wood's adventures will continue in Lone Pine!
We had a fun experience in church this week. Our bishop was speaking and said he wanted to let the ward hear from each of the 5 current missionaries who are from our ward. So he read a short few sentences from each of them - and we realized that we didn't recognize the quote from Elder Wood - apparently the two of them had emailed each other to share his testimony, and they'd kept us in the dark so we could be surprised. What fun! So, to finish up, here is Elder Wood's spiritual thought that he wanted to share with everyone: "I testify that God is a God of efficiency and order. He gives us no teaching, no organization, and no ordinance that isn't absolutely necessary for the salvation of the children of men. God loves each and every one of us and will provide a path for us."
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| Saying farewell to one of the Rosamond ward members. |
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| Another farewell photo |
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| The latest photo of the district all together |
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| Proud of a photo he drew illustrating the restoration of the gospel |
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| Snow! |
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| Neat light coming through clouds, and a glimpse of some of the many windmills in the area |
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| This one made me laugh. He isn't sure how the dog got on the roof but he had to document that he'd seen it. |
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| Bird photo: He finally got a really nice shot of the blue heron |
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| One more bird photo - a robin who is hopefully heralding the coming of spring |
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