Weekly Email - 8 July 2019

Michael was busy and forgot to send out a weekly email last week so here is his group email.

Hello hello hello,

Just another day here in paradise. Sorry that I didn't email last week we had a lot of things we had to get done (and I forgot) but 2 weeks ago we had the 1st baptism in the Persian Branch. And that baptism was really cool and the spirit was so strong and the words that were spoken were so powerful and strong. I was conducting so I had the privilege to listen really well to everything and was able to sit next to President Clark his last night which was really cool to sit next to him and talk to him. The rest of the week we were running around busy like crazy which was fun and really really tiring. Then this week was really exciting on the 4th of July we had an earthquake! Not strong enough to hurt anything but not week enough to not be noticed. It was definitely noticed. Then we had a zone activity for the 4th and that was really fun. I really appreciated our freedom of religion that we have in this blessed country. And just how blessed we are to live here. We all take it for granted just how good we really do have it. Then on Thursday we were at the Persian branch president's house and there was another earthquake that was stronger than the last one! I had never felt an earthquake before this week and now I think I'm good. I don't need to feel one ever again. It's a weird experience. Well I love you all and hope you have a great week because I'm going to have a great week!

Elder West

MIssion Leadership with New Mission President and Sister Reeves - 29 June 2019

Michael's mission was changed from the California Irvine Mission to the California Newport Beach Mission. This change is in effect on 1 July 2019. This change took part of the California Carlsbad mission which is to the south and brought part of that mission into the Irvine Mission. Michael's address is still the same except for the name of the mission has changed. I updated this on the heading of his blog. Here is a picture of all of the mission leadership with the new Mission President and Sister Reeves.

Zone conference was held the next week and here is Michael with the Newport Zone missionaries.

Last Leadership Meeting with President and Sister Clark - 27 June 2019

President and Sister Clark have finished their mission as Mission President of the California Irvine Mission. President and Sister Clark are amazing people and I am personally grateful for the love and support that they gave Michael. Thank you President and Sister Clark!!!

Weekly Email - 24 June 2019 (Transfer Again)

Michael has been amazing. He transferred again into a new area. He has a new assignment to assist a fairly newly formed Persian Branch in his mission. He is still a zone leader and will also make sure that the branch is operating properly because all of the leadership in the branch are fairly new converts to the Church. He is not assigned to learn Persian but he has been working on it anyway. He has been looking for ways to cross-link scripture references with his Book of Mormon and a Persian edition of the Book of Mormon


Hi everyone,

So after this 2 weeks in Rancho Santa Margarita I am back in Newport but now I am in the Persian branch! This week was good we did a lot of good teaching and had a really good time. President and Sister Clark (mission President) goes home this Saturday and the leadership gets to meet the new mission president on Saturday as well so I am really excited! I am really excited to work with a new culture and atmosphere of people and to help the newly created branch progress!
thanks so much for all of your support!

Love Elder West

Weekly Email - 17 June 2019 (Miracles)

Hello!

I hope all of your weeks went well. Mine was very full but also very miracle filled! Yesterday we were helping with a baptism and we filled the font and then watched over it so no one would jump in. And while we were waiting I was telling my companion am that we should have someone to bring and that we should just go to the baptism or leave and he said we can wait a little. So we did and a woman walked in and we invited her to the baptism and she came and we are going to teach her on Tuesday! Miracles happen when you follow the spirit!

Love Elder West

Mission Leadership Council - 14 June 2019

This is the beginning of "lasts" for President and Sister Clark. This is their last Mission Leadership Council, held on 14 June 2019, before they go home. This meeting is with Assistants to the President (AP's), Zone Leaders and sister Training Leaders. Michael is a Zone Leader in Rancho Santa Margarita.

Weekly Email - 10 June 2019 (Titled: 97 degrees!!!!)

Hello hello hello!

I hope yall are doing good because im doing great! I got transferred today and am with a guy named Elder Pixton! We are the zone leaders for Rancho Santa Margarita and im pumped! This past week was crazy. I was still in Newport but in a different wards than i usually was before so it was all kind of new but it has been really cool to learn this past week in a new area and from a new companion! But now I have a new companion again and it is going to be super great! I really learned how to really minister to the one even more it was great. I also got the opportunity to read the Book of Mormon with a man that is less active every day and that was a super cool experience that was great to apply every chapter to whatever he was going through that day! Well thats all for today folks! If you have any questions feel free to ask! Love you all and stay cool. Its about 97 degrees here! 

Love Elder West