Week 80 - New Investigators, Lessons on Fasting and Prayer, and Comfort in Sacrament

Dear Mary,

It sounds like that party was such a great time! :D I always love doing surprise parties! They are so much fun! [Mary's note: it was a surprise joint birthday party for me and another young lady from church. We share a birthday. And she leaves on her mission in a few short weeks.]

I'm not sure if I told you, but I got released as a District Leader this transfer, and they combined our district with the YSA district, so it's a little bigger now. But it's going well I believe! Norberto has not been baptized yet, sadly. He hadn't been responding to our texts or phone calls until yesterday. So we'll be working with him this week about getting ready for his baptism.

We picked up 3 new investigators this week!! :D the granddaughter of a member in our ward mentioned how she wanted to get baptized, so we went by and started teaching her, her brother, and her mom. They have a lot of potential! I can't wait to see what happens with them!

I finished Mosiah this week! :D I was reading in the chapter where Alma the younger was persecuting the church, and after the visit of the angel didn't move for several days. I thought it was interesting that it doesn't just that say that the priests just fasted and prayed for Alma in a general sense, but they were specific in what they fasted and prayed for: That his mouth would be opened, that his limbs would receive strength, so that the eyes of the people would be opened to see the glory of God at work. That reminded me how our personal prayers and fasts should be specific as well. That there should always be a purpose and that we should state that purpose clearly in prayer as well. If we ask or tell God something in a general sense, He's gonna give us a general answer. That's what I learned this week! :)

Yesterday, I was struggling a bit since it's been a month of Mom's passing. But there was a wonderful talk in church yesterday about the Plan of Salvation and how our loved ones help us! The speaker told of how her mother had passed away while she was in her first year of college, and how it was hard for her as well. I believe she said that her mother had written her a note telling her she was always going to be there now to help her, that she won't leave her alone, and that she still had a responsibility as a mother towards her. I can't remember everything that was said in the talk, but it helped me feel so much better! The spirit was very strong and said that talk was for me. Everything about the talk applied to us, and made me feel good. I even felt Mom sitting next to me, so it was a good sacrament meeting :)

Write when you can, I love hearing from ya!

With mucho love,

Elder Patrick Wockenfuss

Week 78 - Service, a Hike, and Puzzles

Dear Mary,

Honestly not much happened this week. Our investigator Norberto came to church yesterday!! :D So we were super happy about that!

We helped one of our neighbors move in a couple days ago, and then they gave us domino's pizza for dinner!

Today we went on a hike with the Vista District, which was so  much fun!! I haven't seen them in quite a while, so it made super happy to get to hang out with them, and then we went to breakfast at IHOP afterwards. It was wonderful to be surrounded by friends!

Hermana Parris (an hermana in the vista district that I know) made me a planner for next transfer! It's all batman-ified, and it looks so well done and just wonderful! I definitely plan on using that haha

We have this 2000 piece puzzle in our apartment that other elders had left unfinished, so I've been working on it over time, and I'm almost done with it! It made me remember how much I actually love puzzles! And it reminded me of all the time that we spent putting puzzles together as a family. Good times!

President Thomas really is a great mission president! I love him and Sister Thomas so much! They've been so helpful to me, and I feel like I've gotten really close to them already!

Write when you can, I'll be here! I love reading everything you send!

With much love,

Elder Patrick Wockenfuss

Week 79 - Good Times

Dear Mary,

The weather has actually not been that horrible here! Which is surprising because of the major deep dish cleaning that you all did haha [Note: It's a family joke that when we do any kind of cleaning (the bane of our existence), terrible weather occurs somewhere.]

It is so wonderful to hear and read all the wonderful progress that is being made, and how we are all learning to stand up on our own. It's just great to see how God helps us when we need it the most!

My birthday was soooooo awesome!! I wasn't able to get the packages ya'll sent then, but I should get them today. We had a birthday lunch at the stake center here, which was awesome!! I got permission to invite the Spanish missionaries in Vista to come for the lunch! (Because I'm friends with all of them.) I made Sloppy Joe's for the main dish, and everyone else brought chips, buns, macaroni salad, soda, and Carlos brought an awesome cake! It was honestly the best birthday ever!! Carlos took a lot of pictures and some videos, I'll see if I can send them to you! [pics at the end of the post]

We also went to the Delaveaux family for dinner, and it was such a great time! They are a fantastic family!

We had dinner with the Crump family this past Thursday, and they are just a wonderful family! I ate with them once before, my first week here, and that was a good time as well! They didn't know that Mom had died until the Thursday that I was coming back, because Elder Sedgwick showed up to dinner with the YSA elders, and they asked where I was. Sedgwick said that I should be on the plane coming back this way pretty soon. Then that started more questions, because they really had no idea that had happened.

So they invited us to come eat with them and hang out this past Thursday, and it was such a good time! They seem to have taken a much greater interest and care for me since they found out that news. I almost feel like a part of their family, because they want to make sure that I'm okay.

I also found out that Sister Crump is an Ambassador for BYU-I, and so she can help me out with all the registering and everything. BLESSINGS!! :D

They also let me borrow their guitar, since they hardly use it. I'm really the only one the ever touches it, so they let me take it to the apartment to borrow :)

Thank you for sharing what you learned! It's so good to hear how it's all going! I've been reading about how the people of Limhi had escaped bondage, and it made think of how God expects us to do something after we ask for help. We can't just sit back and expect God to do everything, but through prayer and doing something, God can inspire us what we can do to overcome trials in our lives.

Thank you writing! I love to hear from you!

With much love,

Elder Patrick Wockenfuss

Yeah!!! We had to go to Vista to take care of something, and their Zone had just finished with their ZTM, so we went to the Yellow Deli with them! SO delicious!!

O yeah, we also got together then to eat at this place called ZigZag's Pizza before a baptism [on Saturday]!! That was pretty good food too!

Playing "If, Then". Everybody writes down a silly "If" statement and a silly "then" statement
 and toss them into two piles. Then draw one from each pile, read them off, and have a good laugh!

hugs and sillies

Bunny ears!!!

Right after his face got smashed into the cake.
It's a tradition called Mordida (sp?), where the birthday person takes a bite of the cake
 to see how big their piece will be. But as they do, someone comes up behind them
 and shoves their face into the cake, getting a faceful of frosting!

Silliness. And hey, it fits right in with us.

She gave him a frosting beard. Right after he'd wiped the other frosting off! haha!

What's a birthday without hugs?

Weeks 76-77 - Safe Return to California, and A Baptism Date

[Note: On July 22, our mom passed away. Last Monday, Elder Wockenfuss was on a flight home for her funeral. He returned to California on Thursday to finish his last few months.]

Dear Mary,

 I did get to California okay, although I had a very long day getting there haha I got back to Cali at 11:30 my time... So many plane delays and switching gates and such, and then I was in Houston for 4 1/2 hours, so it was a very interesting day!

I love the pic of the grave!! It is totally mom's style!! [Mom loved Christmas, gardening, and pink flamingos. So we painted a garden gnome, that our uncle and aunt found for us, in Christmas colors, with pink flamingos on the hat and back of the coat. We're going to paint the other gnome in the same colors, just reversed. Another aunt finally found some pink flamingos that we had all been anxiously searching for, so Sunday evening we all went out to the cemetery and placed everything on mom's grave.]

I still miss her a lot... I go from being happy, to being sad, to being at peace, to feeling angry, to feeling happy again, to feeling tired, so I get the whole Emotional Roller Coaster, and it's not fun... It makes the time pass by, but it's not fun! I have felt her close by sometimes, other times I know she's off doing something good :) I also took the poem at the back of her funeral program and put it to music :)

We've been teaching Norberto, who has a baptismal date for 2 weeks from now, he's in the hospital right now, but we still visit him and teach him a lot! He's right on track to getting baptized! :)

How has it been going with what we discussed in our family counsel? Scriptures, prayers, cleaning, and all?

Thanks for writing! Please keep it up! I love hearing from ya'll!

With much love,

Elder Patrick Wockenfuss

[From his e-mail to Buddy:]

For Mom's birthday[July 30], we took Elders Talbot and Gantner to Einsteins Bagel Bros, cuz I know that Mom loved that place a lot! We used to go there every morning before class at UCA :)

Week 75 - New Investigators

Dear Mom,

Things are still all over the place like a roller coaster.

I think I'm becoming quieter.

My mind is just thinking about a billion things at once concerning the district, issues that really need support and help with, my future, my hermanas, the ward, our area, what I can do better, how I can fix and strengthen relationships here, how I can become more trusting again, and lots of other things.

[Rough week. Deleted paragraphs not for general knowledge. And now the good parts:]

ANYWAY, We went from having 0 investigators this week to having 3 new investigators, one of which has a baptismal date! :D We prayed to have 3 people ready for baptism in this transfer, and these 3 could be those people! All 3 of these investigators came from member referrals too! We didn't even have to do anything to get them! we just showed up and they were like "hey we have people to be baptized for you!" it was pretty great haha

I loved the packages! I got the one with the jones soda and all, and I loved it!! Especially the new Toad Suck shirt! It's so great! And I love the new GENTRI CD that you sent as well, thank you so much! I'm actually listening to it with Talbot right now haha It's really awesome! Have you heard it yet?

I love the new snowman tie as well! I'm wearing it right now! the snowman going to so many different places and different things happening to him is super funny!

The snowman tie

 Distribution Center package didn't come with last week's mail, so it should be in today's mail! I'm excited! :D

O and actually, we took Carlos to lunch this time haha he does so much for us that we decided to take him to eat! :) He actually works in Carlsbad, so he was really close.

Please continue to love me in all the ways you do! I love being loved haha :P [We always tell him that we love him beyond all reason.]

Con amor,

Elder Patricio Pie de Nubes

[Some photos of Elder Wockenfuss and Elder Sedgwick taken by one of the sister missionaries in their district and shared with us through her mom.]

Week 74 - Restoring Positive Relationships in Carlsbad, Hard 1st Week

Dear Mom,

So I have no idea what to think about this week...

Sooo I'm glad to be here in Oceanside/Carlsbad, so far the ward is great! But there are a few relationships that I need to help fix between some members and us. I didn't do anything wrong, but because of recent experiences, some members aren't very fond of Elders. But reparaciones are in progress! The member had us take the trash out for her, because I told her that I personally feel awkward when I'm not doing anything but others are helping out. So she gave me that to do! :) I also found out from Hermana Young that that member likes me, she said that I was nice. SCORE!! Progress is being made!

Hermana Young said that she loves the gloves! She didn't say anything about the crowns yet, but I didn't know that she got them at that point. I don't really feel unified in this district right now, but we're gonna fix that! isn't it interesting that ALL of my districts so far have had that problem? Maybe God's trying to tell me I'm good at fixing this problem haha I don't know, I don't want to be prideful about it.

[Struggles in his area at this time. Please pray for him.] I actually cried on Saturday morning because I felt alone with everything that happened in my transition here.I prayed for help in this time, and then I looked on my desk and saw the quote that Hermana Hawkins had given in her discussion a few weeks ago. "Be of good cheer, for the future is as bright as your faith." That helped to rekindle hope and joy. I can do this, God will never leave me alone.

I'm so glad that you loved the pics and the video! Carlos is so great! It's also wonderful to see the pics that ya'll LOVE the Chile Rellenos!! :D Reading your emails and seeing your pics has made my entire week!

I got to meet several members this past week. They were all good people! Some were English and some were Spanish. We ate with one English family who owned a guitar! Of course I got to play it for them after dinner! I played "When I am Baptized", "I Love to see the Temple", "Classical Gas", and "Three Wooden Crosses" for them. They much enjoyed to hear the music! They said that next time, they'll have some Mormon Guitar sheet music ready for me to play haha

I didn't take many pics this week, so sorry! But I did take a pic of the ocean sunset! enjoy!!

So there's been a lot of everything this week, I just need to focus on the good!

I'm also going on exchanges tonight with the Zone Leaders! I'm going with Elder Richards in his area! He was my Zone Leader in Temecula! So it's just the good ol' days again haha

Also, Elder Talbot is in my zone!!!!! We were beyond happy and excited to see each other!!! Friends reunited again!! :D

And Elder Sedgwick and I are doing this awesome workout program together, so we're not gonna be gangly spaghetti men for very long! haha :P

Please continue to write and email when you can, I love to hear from you!

With much love,

Elder Patrick Wockenfuss

(E-Mail to Buddy)

We had someone from the Seventy come and speak to us at church yesterday! It was wonderful! His wife served her mission in Ecuador, and she's kept it over the years, so she was able to speak it perfectly in her talk. The area Seventy, her husband, was not able to speak Spanish, so we had translation devices for those who didn't speak English. But his talk was very good as well! I can't remember everything that he spoke about, but I remember that he mentioned how Elder Holland ordained him to the office of Seventy, and to be a Special Witness of Christ. At the end, he bore his testimony of Jesus Christ, and the spirit entered my heart with such a great force and it filled my whole soul. Wow! It's always good to be reminded that God still speaks today, and that the Spirit can enter into the hearts of men to testify of truth!

Week 73 - Temple Trip, Transfers, and More!

Dear Mom,

Yes, I am getting transferred to CARLSBAD/OCEANSIDE!!!! :D I'm soooo happy and excited!! And guess what? This will be the last time I move to a new area before I come home.... Think about THAT one for a minute haha I'm now on my deathbed :P ("Dying" is what we refer to when a missionary finishes his/her mission) Yes, I will still be a DL in Carlsbad! :)

I absolutely LOVED the wockenflockite photos!!! XD SO funny and goofy! I love the Wockenflockite names that you all have!! 

Our new Mission President, President Thomas, is soooo awesome! aaaaannnd, HE SPEAKS SPANISH!!!!!!! :D :D :D we are all soo freaking happy!! At least all spanish missionaries are haha He is so great! I already love him, and am so excited for what he's gonna do!

This week was the best last week that anyone could have in an area!!

Monday: We had a bonfire/FHE at the Ang Family house! With smores! It was super great! It reminded me of camping back home, and of the bonfires and smores that we would make back home! So that made me super happy!

Tuesday: TEMPLE TRIP!!!!! :D Unfortunately, I was not able to do Granddad's work then, because I've never done my own family names in the temple before, so I didn't notice that I had to do initiatories first. Only Barzilla was able to get done. Elder Emerick did his endowments, because his initiatories were already done. Carlos told me that the next time the missionaries have a temple trip that I can call him for a ride and that we'll go early so that we can do the initiatories first. He's such a great guy! After the session, we went to the distribution center so that I could exchange my garments, but I also noticed there that the church is selling Spanish quads now!!!! :D and mini Spanish quads!!!!!! :D :D :D It took every fiber of my soul to not snatch one up! Could you get me one for my birthday please....or sooner? haha Mini tabbed spanish quad. He also took us to the Deseret Book store, where I found awesome music that I would like for my birthday, or whenever. and he took us to Jamba Juice, and he took us to eat at this awesome restaurant called Tip-Top. And he took us on the ocean scenic route back home. It was awesome!! We had such a great time with Carlos! He is simply the best person in history!

ROAD TRIP!!! :D

At the San Diego temple

"Emerick and I being awesome."

ME!!!

Del Mar Fairgrounds

We would feel at home there :P

Wednesday: Elder Emerick got a trainer call!! :D So I knew that I was leaving just from that! I basically packed up everything that day I didn't need to use for the week haha

We took our final pics after the DM

Our district! Plus a mini missionary!

"Cute" Praying Pic from PMG [Preach My Gospel]

Nefi's [Nephi's] family around the Liahona

Thursday: Elder Emerick had to go to a leadership training meeting, because he's gonna be the DL here now. So I chilled with another elder that I knew until they got out of the meeting.

I got be one of the last missionaries to hug President and Sister Kendrick good bye. Sister Kendrick was crying as she hugged me. I've NEVER hugged Sister Kendrick before, but she was leaving, and I'm like one of her children, so of course we hugged. We watched them get into their car and drive off into the sunset. It was weeeiiiird to not have them there anymore.

And then we went and took pics by the railroad tracks

"Your robot is done charging."

Friday: We got to meet with President Thomas for Zone Review!!! :D He was so awesome!!! He couldn't figure out how to work the microphone, so one of the AP's pushed a button on the side and he just laughed and laughed that he couldn't figure that out! We knew at that point that he was gonna be a great mission president haha

We ate with the Bernal family again, and she made me my favorite mexican food by my request! Chile Reyeno (or however it's spelled) I was so stinkin happy!!! I ate tons of them! And again, Hermana Bernal told me that I was her favorite and that she loves to see me eat all the tons of food that she makes! She says that she'll never forget me, that made me super happy to know that :)

Saturday: We got our transfer calls!!! For a while I was kind of expecting to get sent to Murrieta, which I really really did not want! I already spent last summer in the terrible non-mexican heat of Temecula, and I didn't want to do it again. But about 9:30, Elder Sedgewick called us. ES: "hey have you got your transfer calls?" Me: "No, not yet." ES: "okay. I'll see you on Tuesday." *hang up* Wait what???? So I call him back and made sure that I heard him right. We were both excited that I was going there! I was literally jumping for joy to be going to Carlsbad!!!! So many good things that I can't count right now are gonna be there!!

We had dinner with the Montiel family!! And they always make super delicious food!! And of course, I ate tons and tons of food there as well!! I continued to be the happiest clam in the world all day!!

The Reyes Family

Sunday: Hermano Reyes who is super awesome member, who loves batman just as much as I do, came up to me and said that he had something to show me. he lifted his wrist to show a super cool batman watch that he got. I commented how super cool it was, and I told him that I had a batman watch too, and then he took his watch off, handed it to me, and said "well, now you have another one" ....what??? O my gosh, thank you!!! "yeah no problem! It actually matches your suit better than it does me. So it's yours" :D 

Monday: July 4th, always an awesome day!! We had a ward party in the church parking lot with tons of american burgers and hot dogs and "sweet home alabama" with backwards ball caps. The Hispanic people know how to celebrate America! haha It was so fun!

Gomez family with Hermanas Kasen and Ingram

And we ate with Hermana Gomez who made us wonderful Hawaiian Bacon Burgers!! Homemade burger, cheese, grilled pineapple slice, and bacon on top. SO DELICIOUS!!! I ate 3 of them haha and we had Agua de Melon again!

The Marin Family

We went to the Marin family's house to say good bye to them as well, and they taught us to play a certain game called Sequence. ya'll should get it, it is ridiculously fun! At least I think so, mostly because I won haha

Well, that was a lot to tell! So I probably won't be able to email Buddy and Mary today! So sorry!!!

I also found out that I'm gonna be in Hermana Young's district again! and She's gonna be training again too haha what an interesting world haha

Please continue to write and email when you can, I love to hear from you all! :D

The Mariano Family

All the stuff that I'm moving with me haha

Loading the truck

With much love,

Elder Patrick Wockenfuss

PS You asked how I liked the Wild And Ferocious Wockenflockite Turkey tie... Well... let me just say... The Turkey beguiled me!!!

The Wockenflockite Patrick, King of Neon

Saying goodbye

Carlsbad missionaries