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