Fancy cars, Morning hike....and more YSA fun

So, I heard you got notification of when I get home. That is kinda sucky but anyway. This week was crazy, still loving the YSA ward, and Elder Stewart is down to 3 weeks til he finishes his mission. 
He is pretty good but like this morning, oh man, we talked about our moms and I told him how I used to stick my finger in your ear and boy, I can not wait to do that again and to just drive you crazy! (He DID actually do that...and I can't wait either <3). I honestly think it keeps me sane to annoy you. 
Alright, now I will tell you about me and my companion getting mugged. Just remain calm, we're both fine because it never happened. Now see, you're probably jumping through the roof and knowing that is making me giggle hahah. Man, I love you Mom so much!! (Even from thousands of miles away this kid likes to make me crazy! haha)

Bentley / Rolls Royce
Dealership

Wow, there is a lot going on right now. Time has run almost completely out!! Crazy. So this week..the cool stuff. 

Monday we went to a members house in one of the family wards and we played pool, air hockey and table tennis in her game room. I did so good at air hockey, so good that I actually threw out my shoulder hahaha. Pretty tough guy, right?!!
We had dinner with the Sherwoods. He is the one born in Calgary, but moved here to be a fancy lawyer. Pfft Canada is better!! ;)

Tuesday..man, I am just in a goofy mood this day of the day of Monday. Jeez. So this day we tracted in 109 degrees. Yea, yea go the Lord's servants. It was actually not that bad because we got some cool, cool YSA Contacts...yea. We also did ultimate Frisbee and went to Institute but we have decided we are only 

More fancy cars...

going to go to the activities with non-members, or ones that are effective for us to go to, so we're cutting out a lot of them to find more so WE can baptize.

Dad, this is for you. There is a Rolls Royce & Bentley dealership in our area. That is how rich the area I live in is, so yea hahaha.  

Wednesday I was on an exchange with a missionary I served around in Oxnard. He goes home soon and seems to be focused on that, so it was okay. 

Thursday was better. I have to finish this email because it has taken me like 40 minutes to write because I keep getting distracted (sounds like my Kevin). Lots of weekly planning. Dinner I had ribs. They were good, I met with a YSA, got some good info on some people. Good day!!

Friday morning hike..

Friday we went on that hike for morning workouts and I was like, "lets go down the hill this way" (not the way we came up) "let's be adventurous, come on Elders". Well, we got lost in the Cali hills and ran an hour to get back on time, so I was a bit tired haha. We also had a great district meeting but we had 6 Elders at our place for lunch. The 2 we live with and 2 more and 5 of us did sock wrestling, which is all of us in one big pile trying to get each others socks off. I lost and we all got scratched up pretty bad and dinged up...#soo fun!! Yep I just # that's how cool I am. 

Californian deer...NOT
Canadian deer

Saturday and Sunday. The only thing I feel like telling you are 2 things. First, we met 3 people from India that were in their 20's who just came here for school, and we talked to them for 40 minutes. That was so fun. They were like Raj from Big Bang Theory with the accent. They made us laugh good. 
Second, one of our YSA who served in Independence, Missouri told us that he got chased by dogs, held at knife point and shot at, had an ex-bishop try to pay him $50,000 to leave the church so....earthquakes and fires are not looking so bad, are they? ;) Yep. Safe and sound haha. Yea, I'll end on that note!!

Mom, Dad, Shelby and Scott, you 4 are my life, my family, my friends and I love you and pray for you daily. Have a great week. Say hi's and send my love out to all my family and friends.
Muah!!

Love, 
Elder Routledge 

Elder Kevin Routledge......
my favourite missionary <3

Morning Hikes, the Sauna Game...and YSA fun

Man oh man, this week. 

Monday was good. We played the sauna game after a long, sweaty game of soccer. Now, that is where you crank the heat in the car and roll up all the windows. Least to say, when the car stopped, I jumped out so fast I bruised my knee. We also went to FHE (Family Home Evening) and that was cool. We played mini Olympic games with our members. We played races, did some dancing and all that stuff. hahaha it was cool. 

Tuesday was long. My companion had to sign up for school all morning at BYU-I so that took a while. We played ultimate Frisbee and one got stuck in the tree, so I climbed it and got thrashed by the tree. It was cool. We also went to institute that night. 

Sauna game...

Wednesday we had a really long meeting with our WML (Ward Mission Leader) and it was good. We talked alot about how to grow the areas. It was really cool. We had street tacos that night and it was so good. Yumm. Street tacos from a taco truck are the best and I still lived to tell the tale!!

Wow, this is a kinda getting boring...emailing nothing too exciting happened. I did go by a RC (Recent Convert) and her sister is Lilly, from Oxnard, so I sat with Lilly and Gustavo for a bit and chatted. That was cool. Ummm...I love lamp. Brick, do you really love the lamp or are you just saying things you love that you see...I love lamp!

Morning Hike in Westlake 

Friday was actually pretty spiritual, now away from worldly movies, back to mission. So Friday was cool. We had a great zone meeting about working with real intent and I think honestly, this is what I struggle with the most. Having real intent when I work, so it was really cool. There were some really solid testimonies behind the intent talks and sad to say, me and Elder Stewart are so much alike that we both don't want to be wrong. hahaha. It's kinda funny, but not. He bore his testimony because he goes home in 3 weeks and he had a hard time. He was choking up pretty hard. It was kind of sad. I won't lie, I do not envy him right now. (He might now, but THIS Momma sure is envious!!! Can't wait for the 3 week mark!)

Saturday we did nothing too bad. Just tracted and contacted in 103 degrees, so it was cool. We got a new YSA (Young Single Adult) potential, her name is Emily. It's cool because they all go to school in Malibu and live here, so they are everywhere. (I'm thinking he means possible YSA members). We are going to see her this week. We also picked up a new Investigator. he is sweet and his name is Ronni. We had to pass him off to the other YSA ward, but he is cool. 

Morning Hike

We also got in contact with and set up some dinners with some of the YSA in the family wards that should be at YSA. We like never get fed, but when we do, it sure is grand haha. One of the YSA hopefuls (that's what we call them), dad is from Calgary and we had dinner with him tonight (Monday). With him and his family. 

Sunday was oh my man! Have you ever had a drunk less active YSA from Santa Monica come visit your ward and get a little friendly with one of the YSAs while you're trying to teach non-members in a gospel principles class? Well, that is exactly what happened on Sunday.
After the girl ran out and I talked to the guy and smelled alcohol on his breath, he took off. It sure made Sunday very interesting!
The girl is fine, but man, it was so weird and we didnt' know what was going on until after and he left before we could talk to him. Buy yea, fun YSA wards, right? Besides that, it was a good Sabbath. There were very good talks and just a good meeting. 

Mom, I love you so much. Keep up with the letters and updates from home. I love you so much and am so thankful for you. Say hi to everyone for me. MUAH.
Dad, Shel bell, Scott and mom. I love you all. Have a great week. 

Love, 
Elder Routledge 

New Area (Westlake), YSA Ward...and lots of fancy cars!

OH MY HECK THIS WEEK!! 
So this area is the best and Elder Stewart is the bomb! It is going to be interesting. My companion is a big football jock, it is so fun just being around him. The YSA (Young Single Adult) ward is the coolest!! We live in one of the richest areas in the whole mission and we cover the whole stake. I have literally seen 4 Ferrari's, 2 Lamborghini's and like 100 Porsche! 
It is heaven for me and the YSA are so cool. I must say, my ward is gorgeous, like the area, the cars, the people, everyone. Boys and girls all look so good. The guys are all in slim suits with slim ties and flashy socks and the girls...well they are girls...my heart is locked. I am safe, don't you worry. (lol...my boy knows his mom so well!)

Monday I finished things up in Camarillo, packed and said goodbyes and all that fun stuff. I said bye to Elder Gregory who went home this week :(, and I down sized. I got rid of like 50 ties, I just gave them away, so I have like, maybe 60 ties and they are all slim and sweet. Except the ties I got for Christmas. Those are safe and sound. 

Tuesday we got in the new area, did our shopping and got all settled in. Except my companion, who did not get his bags for 2 days. It's like 90 here all day and he had to wear the same clothes for 2 days, poor kid, but he said it felt like Heaven when he showered haha. 
We played ultimate Frisbee and I sucked. It was so weird to play with kids my age but fun haha. I also gave a blessing to a non-member YSA who is showing lots of interest and then I ended the day with Institute. The best day. (I've heard that a few times on his mission lol). 

Wednesday was cool. My companion is on his last transfer so he has to prep for going home by doing this 'My Plan' stuff which helps you prepare for it. While he did that I made a mormon.org profile. A slower day, but good. 

Thursday was cool. I had to go to Oxnard for the day for a big training on how to be in YSA and my comp had DL (District Leader) training as well. It was cool, I got some good insight from it. We had a lesson with a RM (Returned Missionary), oh that's another thing. RM's are everywhere! It is so cool. We have so many people to use for lessons. We also gave a blessing this week (that was my second this week) and it was cool. To another YSA. I love it. The spirit resides so strongly in this ward!

Friday we had a district meeting and it was okay. Elder Stewart kind of goes off on these random topics so it was kinda all over the place but it was good. We had district lunch and that was good. I just had gross orange chicken from Wal-Mart so yep :)
We went to one of the complexes to tract and we got 5 really solid contacts. 3 gave us their numbers, so yea, things are picking up here. We also met a RC (Recent Convert) as well tonight, oh that's another thing, everyone is a convert haha. Or a lot of them are!!

Saturday we went back to that complex and I got 5 more solid contacts so yea, go YSA. All of them were pass offs to other missionaries but we're still helping them out. We had dinner with Elder Hubbard and Htman (missing the vowel..not sure of Elder H's actual name :) ) and I love Elder Hubbard. I hope we're companions one day, he is the funniest kid!

Sunday I bore my testimony and we had a big taco 'break the fast'. so yea, YSA is the best x3 or however many times I said that already. We went to a game night tonight but ended up getting to know our members, so activities are alal the time and...wait for it...I love YSA. 

I love you Mom and Dad. I could not ask for better parents (how sweet. I love this kid so much!). When you read this, give each other a hug and kiss, just don't tell me about it. Did you do it? I am waiting...okay now that you have done that and you know you love each, know that I love you too so much!
Scott and Shel, I love you too. So much. You're my family and I would not change you for 100 billion dollars!!! 
Have a great week. I am safe, happy and sound. MUAH!!

Love Elder Routledge 

Transfers, Sunburn...and Goodbye Once More

Well this week had its ups and downs, more ups though. I am going to a YSA ward in West Lake. A very rich area where a lot of famous people live. Apparently Selena Gomez walks or drives around all the time, as well as Sylvester Stalone, so that's pretty cool. 
My new companion is Elder Stewart, I am not District Leader anymore, I am DL comp, so I am junior. 

Hernandez Family <3

Monday was cool. For zone activity we played broom hockey, so that was cool and I got to feel like a real Canadian again. We also had some bomb pulled pork with our Bishop for dinner. 

Tuesday was cool. We had to go to Ventura for an appointment for my comp, then dinner was at the Dubin's. They have a big house and a strong love for hockey so that was pretty fun. They are such a cool family!

Wednesday I got burned to a crisp! So for 4 hours straight, we walked and walked and man, that was so crazy. I think we walked 15 miles and talked to people. I carried a 25 pound bag of Book of Mormons and I LOVED IT!!! I felt like a down in the dirt real missionary so that was so worth the blisters, the rash, the sunburn, the pain in my back and neck, just to find 4 of the coolest people who might as well be members hahaha!!! I am getting out of the car more and that night I slept like a rock, so pretty great day!

Bro. Fisher, WML

Thursday we just did planning and prepared our area for transfers. We had a great lesson with John, a very busy LA (Less Active) but he is what I want to be when I retire. He has a nice boat, big family, is busy all the time, is super fun and has a beard! We also had some good home made BBQ burgers for dinner so all in all, not a bad day!

Friday was a day worth remembering. We had a district meeting only on the Book of Mormon and it was so good. The talks and the trivia games we played and the testimonies of all the Elders just made me love these young missionaries who are going to lead us one day. It was one of the coolest meetings and the Spirit just dwelt so strongly in our hearts. 

Saturday was a very hard day for me! So, I am not going to go into details because they do not matter, but basketball got me mad and we got into a fight with the ZL's over transfers and I was really mad about not being DL anymore. I was being very prideful and very dumb today, but I am never going to let my anger take me to the place I was at this transfer. I am going to be, and do my best the next few months. I really want to remember these days. I also realized it does not matter what or where I am, I am no better than anyone else. We are all tools in the Lord's hands and work the same, so it was a hard day, but a growing day for me. 

Woods Family, fellow Canadians

Sunday was just so great. From the speakers to the 5th Sunday lesson we gave on family mission plans to saying goodbyes and getting photos and making plans to come back in February, it was just such a good day and I am around solid, good people. It was real cool. 

Well Mom, Dad, Shel, Scott and others in Canada. I love you all. I love my friends and family. I pray for you all. I love you all. Have a great week. I'll talk to you soon. 

Elder Routledge

Back on Track, District Meeting, & Canadians!

So things are back on track for me, and I got a bright new smile (he went to the dentist). I have not taken a lot of photos, so next week I'll try to get some out for you. Picture shy this week..sorry. 

Monday. My gosh, today was so good haha. So this is for my group of friends. 
I played grounders today. It has been too long since I have just played tag at the park. It was so fun, 7 of us 20 year olds running around like children, getting beat up and cut, falling off things. Just what I needed haha. It was so great! 
We had dinner with this newly married couple tonight and it was good. Omar is his name and boy, he is a real big boy. We talked about working out almost all dinner haha. 

Yay Canadians!!

Tuesday I was on an EXCHANGE WITH 2 OTHER CANADIANS TRI-PAN CANADA!! It was by far the coolest thing. We sang O Canada in the morning, it was fun. 
So 2 weeks ago now, I did a baptism interview for a handicapped person (not sure if I told you), but it was cool. I had a lesson with her today. She got baptized last week, and she is so cool. 
Last week some guy came to the Oxnard Elders and said he had been excommunicated and wanted to come back and I was there for the first lesson and oh man, he just started crying and said for 30 years he had been without the Spirit. He knew it was there and just cried as we taught him. It really touched my heart in a new way. 

Wednesday was good. I was feeling sick so I did not do much. 

Thursday I had to go to urgent care because I was feeling sick and had an earache, then my left side started to hurt so I went in. They said it was vertigo or something, I don't remember, but it was good. They got me all fixed up and I am back on track now. We also had interviews with President Felix and that was so good to just talk things out with him. Sister Felix trained me on using my planner more and my plans have been getting a lot better, so that is pretty cool. 

Marina 

Friday we had another spiritual bomb drop on us. We had one of my best district meetings. We all talked about how to be better and how we can elevate the mission by doing small things and the Elders that bore testimony, did it with such joy and power. We had a lot of Elders just leave in deep thought, me being one of them because it was like a giant self check for me and how to improve and it was a well needed meeting, a definite inspired meeting. 
Then we had KFC and a lesson with Curtis and Pauline and nothing goes better than that. Serious, can you think of anything better? Well, mom, you might, but ssshhh..don't say hehehe. 

Brother Fisher (WML)

Saturday we had a sports afternoon that got really intense, as always. We had a pioneer day BBQ and events and it was fun. I got some good food, played games with kids and raced a missionary across the field and lost, but wait...I could not take that, so I did it again and WON! But threw my back out. For the rest of the day I hurt so bad haha. I have been beat up so much this week, but yet again, I am recovered and am fine now hahaha. 
We had a coordination meeting with our WML (Ward Mission Leader) and he is probably one of my favourites. We think he has ADHD because he will just to off topic and it is so funny. He is so great!

Sunday we just had a real great, relaxing Sabbath with some really good lessons in church. 

Well, I do love you all so much. Muah. I will talk to you all soon and pictures to come. 
Muah, Muah. 

Love Elder Routledge