Family History, Saying Goodbye...and transferring to Camarillo

So this week was real good, but I forgot to write a reminder sheet, so I am going off of memory. And my journal, I have not missed one day since I started, just so you know (I reminded him to make sure he is writing down all the experiences he is having on his mission :) ). 

With Sister Englemen 

Monday was pretty cool. We went and played kickball and that was fun. I scraped up my whole leg, and that is always fun, scars for sure. 
We had a nice dinner and a fun family home evening, and I have been praying for you and dad all week. I want you to know that I love you and am grateful for you both. Please just don't forget to do the little things. (2000 miles away and he's still keeping us on track <3). 

Elder Routledge & Marlon

Tuesday was pretty good. We had service today and after that I went and did some family history. I got some names added on Papa's side so that is cool. I am loving it so much and learning so much about our family!!! 
We went and saw Marlon and Sister Englemen and had a great visit with the Barba's this week. We had a nice talk, they are doing so good compared to when I first got here. 

Wednesday we went back to that farm place and did more service so that was really cool. I got to use a chain saw and cut stuff up so that is always a fun day. I also put one of those blow up life vests on and I pulled the cords and squished my face hahaha. (only my son...). 

Thursday was good. We did some service, our weekly planning and just had a fun old time. 

With Brother Chamberlin

Friday we had an amazing district meeting. We watched some videos, we talked about finding and to end it off, we went into the chapel and bore our testimonies. Everyone was crying and I talked about Grandpa and Grandma Routledge, it was just a very strong, spiritual day. 
After we went and saw this older lady who I have seen a hundred times and when we walked in she was like, "you have a new guy". She had no clue who I was, and started saying stuff like "the last one never talked" thinking I was gone. That was harsh and sad. 
We also said goodbye to people just in case and we took one of the youth out tracting with us. 

Saturday night I got my call to leave. All day Saturday we said bye to people, not knowing if we were leaving or not because they call us at night now. 
Saturday I was ABLE TO DO A BAPTISM INTERVIEW!!! That was the coolest thing. It was for a girl in the first ward and I had her bear her testimony and it was so strong, she was even tearing up. It was a very cool experience. 

Sunday was Easter so we had a really good meeting. I got more pictures with people and had an awesome day. I am sad about leaving but happy because I am going to Camarillo and I will be in the same zone as Kenna and Josh so I'll get to see them all the time. 
Sunday was a really great day, saying bye to a few people really got to me. 

Well, sorry this is short. I love you and miss you so much. Love you all mom, dad, scott and Shel. I love the pictures. 
I'll talk to you soon !!

The Peterson Family 

8 Baptismal Dates...and working on a Farm

UPDATES!!! So many crazy, amazing things happened. First, our district has 8 people with a baptism date so for 10 missionaries, that is really cool. 

Always with the
open mouth!!

Monday we played basketball, had nachos and that is all. Oh and lots of yelling. 

Tuesday we had a really great zone conference. Our Mission President is really pushing family history of our own and as a new teaching method. In May we have to dress in the era of a story we are going to be telling about our ancestors, so if it's 1600's, we have to dress like they did. I am pretty excited and have been searching lots on Mama's side. (My mom, Heather's side). We also had another lesson with Sister Engelmen and she has been going hard on family history as well. We had a great lesson with Anthony this week too. He is a fun, fun guy!!

Elder R. shrunk...apparently

Wednesday we did lots of family history on the computer as well as having two awesome lessons with Thania and Marlon. Then we had to drive down to Carillo for an appointment for my comp. So 2.5 hours down south and traffic was at a literal 1 - 2 miles an hour for like an hour of it. 

Giddy Up!!

Thursday was pretty good. On St. Patrick's Day we pulled green weeks, had a nice not-green lunch and did not do green weekly planning. (He's so funny..sort of). We had dinner at the Barba home where we played Pie Face, all of us, including his little baby child hahahahahaha. Oh my gosh, I so wish I could show you the video. He is just like, what is happening. He is such a cute kid and such a good sports freak. It was so funny and man, that kid is so great!!! In these photos, it looks like you got pie faced a well jeez haha. (I sent him a photo of me and my sisters doing facials hahaha). 

In a tree

Friday we had district service at a farm with animals. We split wood, pulled weeds, fed animals and built a tree stand. It was like being home in the small town area and we'll be going back to do more work there. We also had a nice visit with Antonia, the guy who has my car :)

Elder Levis

Saturday really nothing crazy or eventful happened. We saw the Stoddards, had dinner with the Leversons and kept pretty busy. We saw some redneck cowboy guy wrestle a dog that chewed up his hand. We had stopped to talk to this guy and his next door neighbor's dog got out. He was nice until the dog got barky and loud and the guy grabbed the dog and the dog went crazy. It was fun, fun. (Not sure if he is being serious or sarcastic here...). 


Sunday was our ward council. It was all on family history so that was really cool. Get on it mom, haha. It was a cool meeting and church was great, as always. 

Well mom, today was a really good week. I love you dad, so much mom, I love you and my two great siblings and family. Muah. Trish, Star, Momma, I am replying to your letters, so you should get a letter this week. Marilyn should as well. 

Okay bye bye muah. 

Birthday, Upcoming Baptisms, and Promptings

Yummy birthday cake

So, Yes, I am NOT ready to come home yet, not do I want to for 10 months. You can maybe, possibly keep the countdown to you and dad. I don't like reading how long I have left. (Okay...mom's been told...no more countdown...at least not for him...) It is hard to think how fast time goes. You have no idea how much this is blessing my life. (Yes, I really do <3).

Birthday Love from his District

Monday was my birthday and boy, oh boy, was it freaking great!!! So my comp had a lot of confetti in the apartment and I had a lot of cake and candy. Today Anthony, well Emily, made me a cake, we did some mini-golf, we did some ball and it was just a really good birthday. (I'm so happy to hear this!!) Anthony bought me a Star Wars shirt and my collection of Star Wars stuff is growing haha. 

Tuesday was really cool. I was on another exchange with Elder Harper (exchange #4) and we had a great day. We had an awesome lesson with J., a girl we just started to teach. We had a really great lesson with Sister E, the girl that just started coming back to church. We also had a great dinner with this freakin' awesome older man and ended off with my FRIEND, Anthony. 

Gifts from Anthony 

Wednesday we had service at the Food Bank and that was real normal. We had a nice dinner with Cashmore's and tonight was cool. We taught the youth, who are getting ready for their missions, the restoration and had them practice to get them excited about going out. 

The best day ever!!! We saw Anthony again and did some service for him. We had to chase his crazy dog, Chewy (named after Chewbocca from Star Wars), down the street and instead of coming to Anthony, his master, he came to Elder Levis (my companion) haha!! It was kinda funny. 
After the service he bought us Panda Express so that was pretty great. We also had a great lesson with Brother Sawyer. He is going to be baptized April 2 and then we had another lesson with J and it turns out that she read the first 3 chapters of the Book of Mormon and loved it! She has been praying and is going to be baptized on April 16th, all after only the second lesson!! Oh, Mom, she is so prepared! I feel like she is the reason I am here in Santa Maria (This just makes my heart melt. I hope our missionary, David, knows that's how we felt about him). 

Friday we had a really good zone meeting. The Church has come out with another new video and we want to share it with everyone. It is called, https://www.mormon.org/easter Please check it out, it is really good. 
We also had a ward auction and I got 2 survival bracelets for cheap, cheap. Like 5 bucks so that was cool. Some really cool stuff was being sold to raise money for Scouts. Oh, you better be glad they said no credit cards because if they did, you would have had a $2000.00 debt hahaha. Just kidding. Kinda. 

Saturday was really cool. We saw a lot of people and we kept busy all day. Tonight (last Saturday evening) we were driving and I was like, "Who do I see?" and I had no idea but I got a feeling to go see Anthony. He lives across town so I ignored it. Well round 2, I get the feeling again, but I said, "No, he is too far". Round 3, another feeling, so I think, "Okay, I'll go see him". And it's not that I didn't want to see him, we were just trying to save car miles. Anyway, we go see him and it turns out that he was having a hard week, just some little things bothering him, and so it was very cool to get the prompting when he needed help. I love how revelation works, it is just so perfect. 

Peterson Family 

Sunday, Sister Peterson (we just LOVE Sister Peterson!) her son came home from his mission and I was able to hear him talk, and it was just so cool. I am just so blessed to be a member of this Church. I am so grateful to be a missionary, it is such a blessing. Prayer played a big part in this week and we saw so much success from it. Time and time again I keep getting witnesses of this true church and I know this is true and righteous work. I have been blessed with an amazing family who supports me so much, so thank you. I love you all so much. 
Shel, I love your pictures. Scott, I loved your post. Thank you, it really touched me, and Mom and Dad, you're the best, but I encourage you both, mom and dad, to go get yourself endowed in the Temple. Mom, you are already, but dad, before I come home. 

Have a great week

Love, 
Elder Routledge

Fire Badges, An Unexpected Baptism and...Happy Birthday, Elder

So updates from last email...why do I have 17 new friends and I saw some of these girls I don't know. Have you been adding potential dates for me? haha. (No, I haven't been, but I have been trying to keep his facebook sort of updated...might have to re-look at these 17 new friends :) ). 

Fire badges for his dad

Monday was really kind of cool. We went and got 3 new patches, then went to Barb's house and played pinball so that was really cool. After we played kickball with half of the district. We also had a part member family tell us, out of the blue, that their youngest daughter wanted to be baptized. She had all the lessons, so I baptized her on Saturday. That was a random amazing miracle!!!! A good day. 

Tuesday was great. I had a mouse jump at my face and hit me in the chest at the food bank. They get random boxes of food and one had a mouse in it, so that was a challenge for me hahaha. We also had to get our car checked out which took a while, so that was lame. We had another lesson with Sister Englemen, she is the one coming back to activity and is going full force back to church, so that is amazing. She is just full of questions and she wants to know so much. 

Pinball Wizards 

We also saw Anthony and he reads my blog, so make sure he reads this: "Anthony is the coolest Star Wars fanatic and best member in the ward and his wife, Emily and his two kids, Logan & Declan are the best kids I have EVER met!!!". He really is great though, no lies, by far the coolest member. 

Kenna & Josh

Wednesday we had food bank service and service at Sal's. We also went to Carrillo for a doctor's appointment which was 2 hours down south, and I went through Oxnard and I was able to stop by and see Alicia and my two converts. They are the coolest kids in the world, I was so happy to see them!! It was a fun drive down, but the way back I was tired and it was rainy so the roads were not very good, but I am still alive. (good to know...for me and his companions mom!!)

Thursday was pretty cool. We had the baptism interview for S., that part member family girl (she is 9). We also did our weekly planning and that was really good. We did some service pulling poison weeds, so that was a fun, fun time. We also had a really good dinner with the Leverson's. 

Friday we had a really awesome district meeting and I feel like it went very well. We also had a DL (District Leader) council and that was really good. We talked about how to help the districts and how to really grow together, so it was really cool. Then we had to get my companion some medicine, which was fine until the pharmacy had us drive to 3 different outlets and waste 3 hours. Not only did I feel bad for my comp, but they made it more stressful for us both, so that was no good, but we got it all figured out and then we had a good rest of the day so it kinda worked out. 

Saturday I was on an exchange with one of the Zone leaders and that was very cool. I learned so much on how to plan better and to really apply what I have learned. Elder Parkinson is a really soft spoken Elder, but he has so much knowledge and he was able to teach me a alot. We had a really great day and saw so many members and investigators, it was so great. 

Sunday I was able to bear my testimony and that was cool. I also got a blessing of comfort from my 3 Elders in the district, so that was really needed and I was able to go see Anthony. He said that he is going to give us a mini golf birthday today, so AGAIN HE IS THE COOLEST AND SO IS HIS FAMILY!!

Happy 20th Birthday, Elder Routledge <3

Well, you are all so great. Don't worry, my birthday has been great so far. I love it hear, besides rain, it has been a great day. I love you all so much back home and I'll see you soon!!  

Muah  

Elder Routledge

Birthday hints, Exchanges & Plan of Salvation

DAD, so there is this member and he has a '79 Camaro in really good condition and he is selling it for...3 grand, that is all...hint, hint...birthday gift hehe. Just saying, cough, (I want it) cough :-D

Monday..so I sent a lot of letters home last week, so I hope you get them all. Today we did our shopping and all that good stuff and then played ball at church and I spent most of the time just dunking it over and over. We also had a good meal with a member..so yep.

Elder Harper possibly?

Tuesday was good. I was on an exchange with Elder Harper and that was freaking great! This is our 3rd exchange in 3 areas, hahah, so that was cool. He is one of the coolest missionaries I know. We also had a great dinner with Barb. I'm sure you have heard of her, she is pretty cool. (Yes, we have!! She has sent us quite a few pics of Elder Routledge)

Elders Levis
& Routledge

Wednesday was pretty great. We had fun service with Brother Sawyer moving his freaking huge back yard and somehow, something hit me in the face or something. Well, I started to bleed from the nose region of my face, so that was lame sauce. After that we did more service with this non-member. She is interested I think, so that is really cool. 

Thursday was pretty okay. We did our weekly planning and that was pretty great. We also had dinner at the Olive Garden, my first time, and it was pretty yummy. I won't lie, I ate a lot, but hey, I am loosing weight now finally. 
We are also teaching a 65 year old less active, who has decided to come back to church, her name is Sister E. and you will hear lots about her in the next few weeks. We also had a really great visit with Brother Kim. He has decided to come back as well. 

Plan of Salvation in chalk

Friday we went down to Santa Barbara for Life Training and, oh man, that was great. I saw Elder Huston and Elder Bronson so that was great. We were taught life skills, cooking, cleaning, taking care of the car, how to give talks, how to be healthy and manage stress. It was just a good reminder for all the missionaries. That night we had a lesson with a little family. He is the one with the '79 Camaro, and they have decided to come back to church, so the work is really going in this are now. We had 6 less actives, and 4 non-members at church this week. 

Sisters in Santa Maria District

Saturday we went and did a chalk drawing of the Plan of Salvation at one of the public parks and that was really cool. A few people came and asked about it, so that was really cool. We had the whole district come out. We also had a really good ward party with food and a Family History theme. 

Sunday was great. We had a really good Sunday meeting and church was surprisingly fun. 
Well, mom, I love you so much. Dad, you're the best. Scott and Shell, remember the goose, don't forget it. Hang on goose. (I have NO idea what this is about..may have to ask Scott and Shel) 

MUAH

Bye bye love you so much
Love Elder Routledge