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

Week 72 - Rise to the Challenges (And Take Lots of Pictures)

Morning missionary hike

Dear Mom,

That's one trait I love about our family. We don't give up or back down, even if things get tough. I actually wrote one of my BYUI application essays on that haha I'm glad that all of you were able to speak! It is true that we can do really good talks on short notice! The holy ghost is awesome at doing that!

I got the opportunity to talk to President Kendrick this past week, because there were several things weighing on my mind that I needed to talk to him about. He sat and talked with me with the most love a person could give! He helped me feel so much better about everything! And now those issues aren't on my mind anymore :) I also found out from him that my official return date is now December 14, the original date I was supposed to go home anyway haha :D

Would you mind praying for our district and our ward? we need some help working together.

In our mission, we have something called the Vision & Culture Document. In one of the points, it talks about how we can't blame other people or circumstances for what is happening to us, or for the lack of work that is happening. All we need to do is have a positive attitude, and any day can turn around to become a better one. But, there's also a part of this document that says that we're all in the same boat, and we need to not speak unkindly of others. So when someone has been evil to you for years and has made it so that you fear what's gonna happen next, I personally see that as time to hit the road. I've been wanting to move from there for quite a while. God wants us to pass through trials, yes. But he also wants us to be happy! Many times God has commanded his people to move when they were in danger or when it obstructed living freely and happily. Maybe there is something that still needs to be learned, perhaps relationships need to be set at peace, I don't know, but I personally believe that our family doesn't have much longer in Arkansas. Maybe that's just me. I know that we've been saying that for years, but when you talked to me about ya'll moving with me to BYUI, it just felt right. That's something that I love about the hispanic culture, if one moves, the whole family moves too haha so maybe that's what's supposed to happen with us, maybe we were meant to be hispanic :P  What do you feel? Is this right? or am I just crazy? Okay, I know I'm crazy, but I want to know if this is from God or not haha well, the Book of Mormon does say that whatever is good comes from God, and Elder Bednar says concerning the difference between personal thoughts and promptings from the spirit "Does it matter? If it invites to do good, it comes from God."

I did get the package with the camera and fun goodies! I LOVE THE HOGAN'S HEROES SHIRT!!! Thank you Katie!!!!

I'll send pics I took this week in just  a moment :D

Please continue to write when you can! I love you very much!

With much love,

Elder Patrick Wockenfuss



[Some long-awaited pictures]

"Very first picture on my camera. Why that one happened, I don't know."

"My Batman wall... Yep!"

DOUBLE ICE CREAM CONE!!!!!!! It was soooo gooooood!

fancy little quote that Hermana Hawkins gave out as part of her discussion in DM last week! She extended an invitation to write about little positive things, or "tender mercies" that God gives us

This is a picture that Hermana Terron drew of our district as Power Rangers! It is super goofy! 

Yes...I am the Red Ranger....Squeezing a toad haha

Last night I ate the most food ever! 2 chicken legs, lots of rice, 4 Elotes (corn on the cob with mayo, Parmesan cheese, and Tajin seasoning), 5 pieces of watermelon, and then that night, I ate 3 slices of pizza haha All the missionaries were wondering "where on earth does it go?"  I answered that it's probably one of those great mysteries that God talks about in the scriptures haha

Mine and emerick's tshirts that Carlos gave us!!!

Week 71 - Grace, Changing Focus, and the Christlike Captain Moroni

Dear Mom,

I never realized (and still don't realize) what effect I honestly have on people. I just am myself and I do what I believe Christ would've done. I had no idea that Carlos thought THAT greatly of me! But of course, he did buy us awesome tshirts, and gives us food, and gives us rides anywhere we need to go, and keeps us updated on things we would like to know, and gives us a tie he has just because we say we really like it, and is just awesome all around so I guess that's a good indicator of great friendship haha Carlos really is the best! We love him to death! He's the best member ever! He is a truly good friend here, and I love that he really wants to help us and wants the best for us! Carlos is one of my absolute best friends ever! :D

Thanks for the email about GRACE. When I first came to Vista, I was very trusting, like I always was back home, but since then, I have slowly stopped trusting so many people. I feel like I've been backstabbed one too many times. I only really trust a select few. But that doesn't mean I'm not still nice to people. Of course I'm nice to everyone! I sometimes struggle with forgiveness as well. But a while ago, I found myself in a situation similar to what I've faced on my mission, but in which I was the offender this time. When I realized I was on that end, I did everything I could to make up and apologize for it. Thankfully, I was forgiven by this missionary. Later, I realized that I really needed to forgive my offenders. Not just say I did and continue to stew and be grumpy about it. This missionary that I had hurt was so gracious to have forgiven me, and we still have the same closeness and trust that we had before the incident. I realized that if I want so badly to be forgiven, I need to forgive those that offended me. I used to think, why was I in that situation? Can't I just rewind and remove it? But it needed to happen. I needed to be put on the other side of the coin, so that I could know what it's like, so I could learn this lesson.

I agree that perhaps I need to be focusing on other things instead of finding non-elect people. We as a district are struggling in this factor, so we all talked and have come to the conclusion that we need to help the youth of this ward. Because we have discovered that many of them don't have testimonies, and don't plan on serving missions. We've been almost ignoring them this whole time, and I don't even really think they have relationships with any missionary. So this is where we're gonna start. Save the youth, save the ward. One of our responsibilities as missionaries is to strengthen the ward in which we serve, so we're gonna focus more of our attention on that now.

I absolutely LOVED the wockenflockite pics!!! Like L O V E D them! With a capital L O V E D x100!!

I was sitting in my chair laughing hysterically! We have the best humor ever! I can't wait to make Wockenflockite pics with ya'll!

In April, the Wockenflockites buried our swords. Look what has come up in their place!
Plastic forks, knives and spoons!

Captain Jack Sparrow, guardian of the garden, challenged Wockenflockite Buddy, Inflictor of Boo-Boos,
to a duel.

Even the bird feeder expresses its astonishment!

I totally forgot to take pics with our new shirts, I'll put a reminder in the phone to do it tonight with the new camera!

Did I pick up the [Amazon Prime] pantry boxes? Yeah, and they're heavy! haha there was even a sticker on them that said HEAVY   < -- just like that :P Thank you so much for all the much food! I won't need to buy cereal for quite a while, unless others need a cereal box in a pinch, in which case, I'll help them out.

As for the garments and the temple trip, I can exchange unopened garments at the distribution center at the temple [mom ordered the wrong ones], which we'll be going on the 28th I believe. The last week of the month.

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

Hogs & Quiches

Elder Patricio Pie De Nubes

[Mary had mentioned in her e-mail to Elder Wockenfuss that she was planning to organize her room this week and warned him to watch out for the nasty weather that's sure to come from such a rare event. heehee Here's his response.]

THE BAD WEATHER ALREADY STARTED! Just thinking about it activated the weather-ness haha IT"S 100 DEGREES OVER HERE! We normally think of bad weather as a storm that wreaks havoc on everything with a downpour of cats and dogs that speak klingon. But no.... not Vista.... I would love that right now... Our bad weather is the Death Ray Gun of the Sun. haha But I'm in a full time car this week, so I'm okay haha

I am starting to learn about Captain Moroni, my number one role model! In Alma 48:12 - "Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people."

"upon his people"...Interesting. Not "upon him," but "upon his people." So Moroni was a selfless man (obviously), so to the extent that he didn't thank God for "me me me", he thanked God for what He had done for his people. He was truly a Christlike man, who turned out ward, and not inward to self. That's something I never quite realized before. I can't wait to continue to find out more about him this week!

Week 70 - Agua de Sandia, a Metal Death Contraption, and Sleeping Through an Earthquake

Dear Mom,

To be honest, this week was kinda boring... except for a few things!

We had dinner with the Montiel family for the first time, and it was SO GOOD!!! That was probably the best dinner ever! AND they served the best agua ever! Agua de Sandia (Watermelon)!! Should you desire to try this Agua de Sandia (yes you do want to try it, just saying), cut up a watermelon, put it in a blender with water, and enough sugar for your liking, zizz it up, and voila! you're welcome for the new addiction!

We helped a member move this past week, which wasn't too bad, and then I dropped a metal death contraption on my big toe... I would not recommend doing that, even if it's "all the hype" these days :P My toe is fine, it's not broken, I just got a small bruise. Then we helped them put their table together, and then they gave us pizza! It was super great! :)

We had dinner with the Bernal family again this past week, and Hermana Bernal told me that I was her favorite! That made me feel really good! That was the first time that a member told me I was their favorite since Escondido :) She says that she really loves it when I get excited about her food, and when I eat and eat her wonderful food haha :) Good to know I make people happy in some way!

There was a few days this past week that were rough. I just had a hard time because the area in Vista that we work in is very small, (it's the smallest area I've been in) and I've been here for 5 months, doing the same things over and over again. I got to the point where I felt like I was beating a dead horse here, and that there was nothing to do that I haven't done in this past half year. So I was pretty down for a couple days. I'm doing my best to keep myself occupied and not be down. I've decided that when you send that camera to me, I'm gonna bring it everywhere and look for the little joys and funny things to keep my spirits up, and so that I can send random stuff home haha

O! O! And Carlos (The best member in the world) gave us awesome T-SHirts!! :D I'll send pics next week, but mine was an awesome Superman vs Batman shirt, and a cool comic book-y Captain america/Iron Man shirt! :D

You guessed it! I slept right through the earthquake! I had no idea that it happened until everyone was texting about it the next morning! That brings to mind what Elder Clark said, that I could sleep through my own death and not even know what happened haha

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

With much love,

Elder Patrick Wockenfuss

O yeah, and we cast out a demon from a members house yesterday, so that was interesting haha

the Wockenflockite pics are super funny!!! They always so much joy to my life haha I love how a couple of the cats are even joining in the fight!

We may have buried our swords, but nobody said we couldn't fight with sea creatures. *wink wink*

Now being sweet and friendly with our flower whirly wing-dings. Will it last?

Nah!

Week 69 in the Carlsbad California Mission

Dear Mom,

I have sunblock in the apartment, I will be fine! haha

Tell Katie Happy Birthday for me!! :D

Yeah, in our district Elder Emerick and I are the oldest missionaries, such a weird feeling! And then it's weird that we have about 6 months left!

I'm so excited for Henry!! When I first opened the email, I so was surprised! Like I exclaimed my surprise out loud haha When did he first start investigating the church?? Tell him HI for me!

I AM GETTING A HAIRCUT TODAY!!! :D You don't know how excited I am for this!! I really really really need a haircut!! I've been needing to get one for like 3 weeks, but I haven't had time or money to do it! But now I do! :D

I loved the package from last week! I had been wanting to ask you to send some tan slacks out to me, because I cannot find anything out here! So thank you so much for that! As for a straw fedora, I probably won't get one, sorry. I feel like I would look ridiculous with it, and then people would confuse us with Jehovah's Witness's even more haha plus, right now in our mission we still can't wear sunglasses outside the car or the straw hats, but once the new mission president comes in, he'll address it, and we'll go from there! :) But thank you so much for preparing me for it!

O BTW, could you tell AJ Gregory that the Bernal family in Vista say Hi? They talked about him the other day at dinner. They mentioned Elder Gregory from Arkansas, and my ears immediately pricked up. We were all tickled that we had a common connection! :D

Also, My Recent Convert in Escondido is trying to prepare for the temple, but she's having problems with a certain member of the ward who she says is hypocritical. Do you have any wise words to help her let go of this issue, or anything related to it? 

Please write and email when you can, I love seeing and reading the emails!

Hogs & Quiches!

Elder Patrick Wockenfuss