Find the spirit in violent places

Howdy folks

This week was quite exciting!

We talked to several black friends, more drunk friends, more high off their minds friends, and as you can imagine, that was very fun. LA is loud, gave a blessing to the sick, Elder Hwang crashed his car, did an exchange with Elder hosea 230 ib Tongan boy. 

I have a slight correction so I am based in Compton but I'm in the Figueroa ward, I was mistaken from the first email, 

Anyways the infamous Figueroa street is a great place to find and do bad things, (which we never do) although we have several friends who live on or near that street so at least twice a week we are walking on that street, just to give some insight on Figueroa street: a nice man offered me some fine coke I graciously declined, several prostitutes surrounded our car, we handed them some law of chastity pamflits and told them God delights in the chastity of his daughters, and swiftly drove away!!! And another drunk guy hit me on the shoulder but it was in a loving way.

So! That's Figueroa street, very exciting, once again I'm the only white person out here, the only ones here are Latino, Chinese, or black folks.

We have a friend named Julian who lives on the this street he is about 23 or so and he is so sweet and is a bit shy. Our area is right in line with the LAX airport so literally every 4-6 minutes an aeroplane 800 yards above us comes cruising in for a landing, julian and several other of our friends prefer to have lessons outside so ITS LOUDDDD.

Hence the subject title, a constant miracle I've seen this week is how the spirit stays with us even when that loud plane is over us, when a drug dealer pops an F bomb around the corner, or when the cholos are blasting their sweet Latino music making their little trucks bounce. 

The spirit dwells in peaceful calm scenarios although here in LA that is rare and I can testify that the holy ghost dwells in people if they are willing to listen, no matter the circumstance.

I had an awesome opportunity to assist in giving a blessing of health I am very grateful for that experience, the gift of tongues is real, I didn't give the blessing but I anointed the oil so it wasn't much Spanish but when Elder Robledo gave  that blessing I understood everything, and I could tell that wasn't his words, it was the words and blessings of our heavanly father, main reason I say that was because afterwards I asked him if he remembered what he said, 

 and he couldn't remember.

This week we got to go on an exchange, my companion is district leader so I've gone on 3 so far, this time Elder Robledo went with Elder Hwang and Elder Hosea came with me, now some back story, I've been here in LA for 3 weeks ish same for Elder Hwang. Robledo has about a year, and Hosea 23 months (he's about to die) that's just what they say, and about a year ago Elder Hosea lost his driving privileges for the whole mission, so Hwang has been driving them around.

Until last week Elder Hwang ran into a light pole on church property so he lost his privileges just for 2 weeks or so, and there wasn't a need for me to drive so I haven't got my driver card thingy set up yet

So I was in charge of leading one of the largest areas with 3 week experience, no car, and a 230 ib Tongan Elder. I have a bike. Hosea does not, we borrowed a bike from some elders, he sat on it and popped the tire. Borrowed another bike, it stayed true.

A block down the road he shouts "uhhh is it bad to ride on a flat tire??"

I'm thinking oh great!

So we walked the bikes home and began to walk, hopped on the bus, walked some more and finally made it to Rodolfos house. In which, we got to our 2:30 appointment around 5:00, it was great though! Elder Hosea is hilarious and we get along super well! We met a lot of great people that day! 

Sidenote black and Latino cultures are so fun and sooo different although somehow they work well together in this crazy city

Anyways thanks fo readin foos 

      Elder Sandberg 

-Obtenimos los ponchos

-Elder Hwang y sus tijeras grandes 

-Elder Hosea y yo

-Elder Hosea y su bicicleta roto

-Elder Robledo y yo

-Ay muchos perros aqui

-La ciudad de Los Angeles a las atardece

Where to start?

 LA is pretty crazy 

That's where to start

We find people who are suprisingly nice, we find people who think they are flying, swimming and singing an opera at the same time and we find people who are very not nice, but sometimes being bold is the way to go.

This week we bought a whole group of homeless friends McDonald's, I was happy to do it! And I could tell they really needed it, in that same McDonald's we met a black man named Steven he was very kind and honest, he was wearing a white shirt and a tie; and had a Bible full of notes on the table. He waved us over and we began to talk about our church and I was surprised he hadn't heard of this church. We began a discussion, we told him about Joseph Smith and I could tell tensions began to arise and a Bible bash was at our midst, before things got too crazy I bore my testimony of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith; said we had an appointment, and got out of there.

I was surprised, I've only been here for 2 weeks and I've had several conversations with people trying so hard to find flaws in the book of mormon and our church, this I expected. The thing that surprises me is how little these people know about the book of mormon and even the Bible, 

My favorite thing to do is help our confused friends through the Bible and they say "oh I've never read that verse before"

I try to avoid Bible bashing though because it gets no where, a true waste of time for both of us.

Elder Robledo's English is great but when it comes to gospel topics, he shuts up so it's been exciting when we meet English speakers because I do most of the talking which is a great way to learn, baptism by fire

Anyways I'm doing well my district is tight, my companions awesome

I hope you all are well.

Piece the frootnattlecrackle out 

       -Elder Sandberg

Ps. Niños y abuelas love Elder Gringo, they say Elder Gringo esta aqui!!!!

And one of our friends had puppies!

I gOo CaLfOrYa!

 Que Pasa ladies and gents!

I missed the past month of emails so this will be long overdue

This week has been awesome  we flew in on Monday to LAX airport in Los Angeles California, where we were greeted by 4 very kind Elders and a Senior missionary couple! Their spirits were so strong!

Slept at the mission home for a night, next day, met my companion: Elder Robledo. He is awesome! He was born in mexico city so he speaks fluent spanish (obviously) and his English is fantastic.

First day out in the field we had 2 lessons, a meal with a member, and met 3 new friends and talked with them about this wonderful church and the book of mormon. Elder Robledo and I created a saying: Hablamos con todos, sin importa. Which basically means, we talk with everyone, no matter what.

This past week I have spoken and listened to SOOOOO much Spanish, it is HARD but I absolutely love it. I got put into the town of Compton, smack in the ghetto, it is so great! Sisters are not sent here. I can testify that Jesus christ watches out for his missionaries.

I have had many exciting interactions, with drunk and high people they are always so fun! For example we were walking the street and a drunk black dude comes up and say yo what's up ma n**** (you know), punches me in the shoulder and he fell over, we helped him up and sat him on a bench.

We gave him a card with our number and the address of the church, not expecting much but hey you never know.

We are in Figurosa ward no. 1 this ward is split into two: English and Spanish,

We share the spanish ward with 2 other elders so it's Elder Flores, Elder Chirinos, Elder Robledo and I, I have already come very close with these Elders they are very nice and so funny! 

One thing I learned is Latinos,  especially older Latinos love to Joke! So I have gotten quite good at joking around in Spanish which helps build their trust even more. this is a very important thing to do. So every time I meet someone new and they ask where I'm from, I say, soy de Oaxaca Mexico! And they say: what?? Un gringo de Oaxaca?? Then I say, noo soy de Utah, and they laugh its silly but I love it!

Side note, I haven't seen a single white person that's not affiliated with the church so I often stick out like a sore thumb. 

I also haven't met a single Latino who can pronounce my last name besides Robledo. So when they struggle I say, that's OK you can call me Elder Gringo they absolutely love it haha!

One sister we met, said I belong in a soap opera starring el gringo muy guapo con manos fuerte, 

Almost every Latino father that I shake hands with asks if I worked construction, they say they can tell just by my handshake, one brother always asks if I will come work with him after my mission. I say ya veremos hermano which means, we shall see brother.

80% of us talking with members, friends, and street contacts haven't even been about the gospel its mainly just been friendly, kind conversations getting to know people! We are simply  representatives of Jesus Christ which I love! 

This place is basically a foreign mission! I love the people here! they are suprisingly friendly and very humble!

The same type of people Jesus taught who were ready to be taught. I have felt the spirit in every lesson and message that we've had! And I can tell our friends felt it too, its only been a week and  there is already such a strong trust with our friends, they open up to us which is very brave of them to do, but that's also how we can help them the most!

     Nos vemos

           Elder Sandberg