Christmas Church Video, Upcoming Apostle Visit...and Home talk

Well mom, I destroyed my camera. It fell off a selfie stick...but you know Scott, yea my brother, him, do you know him?? Okay, well, he gave me his camera just before I left and I have never used it because I had the Canon but I had it and it works and now I have a camera so pictures will still be coming thanks to Scotty!! (Thank you Scott!). I did have quite the adventure trying to find a card for it,but I found one. 

Elder R's Zone

I also had another doctors appointment this week and finally I got some decent information after ten doctors. Not really, but after like 4, he told me it was a pinched nerve and if I do these good, but very painful, stretches for 2 months, I'll be fine. So that's good to hear. 

So as for February, I don't think I am going to come out after all. I have been thinking and I think I want to wait until maybe August and just see my folks (Yeah!!) I don't want to rush back, I want to get settled in and spend time with all of you at home. I've also been thinking about school this week, and Hawaii is really feeling right so I am going to look into that here soon as well. But enough about home talk. 

Things here are going good. We killed a Satan spider this week. It was on the roof and we squashed it but it didn't die. It fell on my bed so we decided to vacuum it up and then the vacuum started to smoke billows and so we ran outside. It was crazy, haha, a crazy spider adventure. 

We got training this week from President on the new church Christmas video. It opens on November 25 and is called, 'Serve 25 ways over 25 days'. The church wants us to do one act of service a day this season. Go to LDS.Org, it should be on there, check it out, it's going to be so cool. We also have an Apostle coming to our mission on the 10th, then a big mission Christmas party, so it will be busy for me haha. And I won't tell you which Apostle, you will get a bit jealous haha.  

It is going to be a busy last 8 weeks. Elder Mitra is a visa waiter and he goes to India in a week, so I'll have to get a new comp for a week. It has been busy haha no stop, go, go, go. 

Elder Stormtrooper

Well, I love you all so much. I am doing good. I am at a high point right now. Things are moving forward, still a bit nervous for the next few months, but it's good. I love you all so much. 
Take care, keep busy and I'll talk to you soon!!

Love Elder Routledge

Sushi, Needles...and Future Plans

Sorry I am late again, man, I am just getting popular. People are like, "hey coming home? Sweet, how's life?"...so yea that's fun. 
There are so many pictures of my mission you have never even seen because of sending issues. It took too long to send, so I couldn't send them, but Barb and Sister Peterson can help you out there. We'll go through my camera and I'll explain all the thousands I have sent, or have not sent, and I'll show you the 100's of videos I have taken that you have never seen.

This week was good. I was busy talking to Sister Halliday again...sorry haha. I'm kind of kidding. I have a potential investigator for the YSA, so I have to keep in contact..see missionary work :) 
Let's see..oh haha..so Monday we stopped by to see Anthony real quick and well...it turned into us having dinner with his family. It was so cool to see them. 
Let's see...we saw Barb this week and man, she just loves you and dad. 

On Wednesday I tried sushi and that was crazy. The first time, it was not too bad. I am not super converted, but maybe over time haha. We got some cool referrals this week so that was pretty cool. You know, this week was good. We had a great zone meeting in which we received some training on how to have the Spirit with us more. We tracked into this girl named Kathy and she is from Guam. We gave her a pamphlet and we went by to see if she liked it and she said she just felt that it was true. 

We got to go to an all you can eat buffet and I did not eat all I could. I have turned into a wimp. I honestly think the 20 meds I take a day take away my appetite. The first 4 needles were not too bad. It just went in and out and is supposed to help release the tension of the nerve. It did make me way nervous, so nerve nervous, see yea, it works hahaha. 

Man, mom, I don't even know. I have, like, so much to tell you but it's like I just want to wait to tell you in person haha. 
I hit 22 months and I have no desire to email haha..what the heck. So a few things...ummm February. Who is coming and when did we want to go, or I go or whatever? Do you know how that's all going to work? I have also been doing a lot of praying for career plans in my spare time and stuff. You are not going to like this, but a police officer is really sticking with me. It seems like all the members we eat with have some relation to that and we talk about if for the whole hour. It's weird but yea, I am not sure yet, but that's what I am feeling right now. Maybe go to school for criminal justice or something like that.
It's been good, we're seeing some good success. I was looking back at my early mission this week and realized how much has changed, it's so crazy. 

Well mom, you know I would talk your ear off if I could, but I am getting email lazy haha. I love you so much though. Barb could not tell me enough how great you are. You're doing amazing, keep it up mom. Dad I am sorry I did not email you, but I love you, my man. I love you so much, you're my hero and if I do become a cop, I will every time. I'll be bigger and stronger haha. 
Shel, you're on fire girly!! Keep it up, you're a rock star!! 
Scotty and Brittney, love you guys. Miss you Scotty, keep going man, I'll make a trip out to see you. Love you so much, Scott, you have no idea how much I look up to you!!

I love you all. 
Love your Friend, Brother and Son, Elder Routledge

No photos...and Shortest. Post. EVER!!!

I just got back from Santa Barbara this morning. I had to go there for medical tests. It has been a long morning. So I have a pinched nerve and the doctor is pretty nervous that it has lasted 3 months. I have to inject myself with a needle every week for the next 4 weeks so that sucks, but I'll get to do it myself haha so yea. 
The doctor is a member and super confident that these shots will get me fixed, so we'll see. I have seen so many SM (Santa Maria) members this week and it has been awesome. My email is going to be maucho short, but Mom, I am better finally !!! 
I met with President for interviews this week and it was amazing. I just had so many burdens lift from me. We will all have struggles but things are going so good. I am definitely out of the rut I was in. Mom, I am in Santa Maria not Barbara haha wrong Santa (oops...I knew it was Santa something). 
Elder Mitra is a great man. He is awesome. He is a visa waiter and is going to India, hopefully not anytime soon, but yea he is pretty awesome. 
Alright, the Atonement can allow us to forgive, so forgive me for this email haha. 

I love you all so much. You all make me so proud. I hope things are going good for you all today. I have not really emailed anyone, I have been all busy. 
Well Muah mom, dad, Shel and Scot!!!

Reconnecting with old friends, Becoming District Leader once more.....and extending by 6 weeks??!

A few of your questions from last week. I have been writing Sister Halliday every week for the past few weeks, she is pretty cool. I am also writing Elder Hubbard's sister, cause why not haha. 

YSA Halloween Party 

I am going to Santa Barbara to go see a doctor this week to get more meds, but I think it is getting better. It is hard to walk at times, the pain alot of the time goes down to my right leg and it's a challenge to move, but I think it is getting better. 
So that's good, life is good here. Do you think Sister Halliday will end her mission there. That would be cool, but the fact that you all want her to probably means she will leave. That is how it works. Shel is doing great as always, that is so good to hear, keep her strong. Her and I are going to YSA it up in a while. So...I talked to President and I am extending my mission 6 weeks....so yea. (That had BETTER be a joke!!!) 

This week was pretty good. Life is still moving forward sadly. I am really trying hard to stay focused and each day I get more nervous and just not excited to come home to the world. I love it here, but I have been dreaming alot about home life. The whole ward knows I have like, 3 months left now...thanks to Elder Mitra, my companion. Barb is sure happy to have me back and being in the old area is pretty cool, weird but cool. The first 4 days here were hard, I just wanted to go back to YSA, it was so hard for me to leave all of them. The missionaries I served with, and the members, it was a challenge for sure, but I am getting better now. Meeting the members here was good, they are all really awesome. 

I am back as a District Leader and that is really cool. My whole mission I have either been a DL, or a DL comp besides two transfers when I follow up trained the first time and when I was with Elder Bronson. 

District meeting on Friday was a bit rusty, I have to get back into the swing of things but it was good. We have some amazing missionaries in the district so that is cool. I have seen some old friends, and I still have to see the Barba's before I go. I am so excited to see those 4. Yeah, it is cool to be back and be around some great missionaries. Life is going good, my back is getting better finally and yea, it's picking up!

Elder Routledge & Elder Mitra

Well mom, Barb told me you had a rough week...but know that I love you. She told me 80 something days. I can not believe you have a day count haha love you mom so much (What he doesn't realize is I've had a countdown since the day he left!!) Dad you fireman I love you so much. SHELBY YOU'RE AMAZING GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah, that's all my excitement for you. We're going to go to the Temple some day. Don't get overwhelmed, just keep doing the little things, listen to the Sisters, they receive revelation for you girl. Keep it up I am SOOOOO PROUD of you, so proud. I have told LITERALLY everyone about the change you have had. Muah girly, muah!! 
Scott my brother, I love you. Thank gosh you finally got settled haha. I hear you're never coming back, well January, ugh no home talk. Anyway I love you brother. Keep it up, and hey, if you have time, you should check out a restoration pamphlet ;-) Love you Scott. 

Love your Brother and Son, 
A disciple of Jesus Christ 
Elder Routledge  

Baptism, Saying goodbye to WestLake and Hello to Santa Maria !!!

Man, I had 38 emails this week and it was crazy haha, so I am here now. Jeez, mom, it has been such a crazy week!! 

Jake's Baptism 

So I am going back to SANTA MARIA!!! I can't even begin to describe my excitement! So, I am going to be DL again and I am follow up training so I am stoked. And yea, you will get lots of pictures again from Barb. I am so stoked to be in her ward, man, life is good. 

Elder Routledge & Jake 

Jake got baptized and confirmed this week. Man, he progressed so fast and he is just a stud. I love that kid so much. The confirmation and baptism were both so good and he was just glowing. He is one of the coolest kids I have met on my mission for sure. I also had to say bye to him this morning, along with a lot of the YSA's at FHE tonight which makes me sad. There are 2 or 3 that I am really going to miss, but I am going to come see them in February so it will be all good. I, Elder Routledge, ate the WORLDS HOTTEST PEPPER!!! I lived to tell the tale, it was so incredibly hot, I could not feel my tongue for like 5 minutes hahaha. But hey, I am alive! I beat you dad, try some of these peppers haha. Man it was crazy, hot but good. 

I did go to the doctor today, or Tuesday, or whenever it was and I got x-rays. There is nothing noticeably wrong with the spine, they do want to do an MRI and that would mean I would have to come home early. They have me on meds, and so far, no improvement, but I am going to stick it out and I am going to go back to the doctor in a week, so it is going good. I am going to try to stick it out, I only have 12 weeks, so I think I can do..no I can!!! It was good though, they have me in a brace and on muscle relaxers so it's not as bad. Life is great!! 

Steampunk Birthday Party 

We went to the first part of a birthday for Lauren, it was a steam punk murder mystery. When the murder started we left, haha, but it was fun. Jake and Kevin (our other investigator) came and it was so much fun, they had a blast. I got calls that night and heard I was going to SM and I just flipped and screamed out cheers. Man it made me just leap for joy!! Mom, I am in Barb's ward!!! You know how cool that is. Oh it's going to be great. I am going to see Anthony and Joanne and them all, I am stoked. 
This week, despite a few downs was still pretty great. I actually had a great week, I am doing so much better than I was a few weeks back. I am finding more Joy. I do have to work on smiling more, but I am getting there haha. 

Mom and Dad I love you both so much. Thank you so much Thank you!! Have a great week. 
Muah Muah 
Love your son, Kev

Elder Routledge 

Elders Mitra & Routledge 

5.5 hour hike, Pumpkin Carving..and Finding Joy

Life has been crazy this week my gosh!! So first off, my back is not doing good at all. I am going to see a doctor to get x-rays and they even said something about an MRI. I don't, nor does my mission medical nurse think I need one, but man, I'll let you know, or have Sister Floyd inform you how it goes, so you're not in a panic all week haha. But nothing can slow us down. 

We set Kevin (haha) with a date this week, making us 3 with a date. He is set for November 26 and he said 'yes'. Jake passed his interview this week so on Saturday he is making covenants, it is too cool. Even with a bad back, I won't stop or slow down!! The back is getting bad and has moved to parts of my leg, but honestly, I am willing to accept whatever comes my way, it is growing time. 

Elder Bradley

Monday we went on a killer 5.5 hour hike that did a number on me and my body (back more than anything). I did not think it was that big, but the view, oh my. It was truly heavenly!! It was so worth it...kinda haha. 
We had a member make us a big dinner but we were so late because the hike took so long. 

Tuesday I went to the chiropractor again. It did not help, but I did make up for it when we taught Jake and got him ready for his baptism, and mom, I wish you could meet him, he is so humbly prepared. He is just such an amazing kid. 

Wednesday I truly had a change of heart. I was on an exchange and had an okay day, but that night I talked to Elder Judd, the Elder I was with that day. We talked about Christ and why I am serving and I kept saying because it has helped me and that was WRONG. I realized I need to serve because I love Christ and that is all and my heart softened for Him. My companion and I truly just sat all night in awe thinking and pondering and realizing that was it the whole time. Because I have changed my mind set, I cannot even begin to describe the joy that is coming back to me. It feels good to be me again and to be happy and love this work again. 

Friday we had a zone meeting on...JOY of course haha. So it has just been coming to me over and over and it is, I don't even know how to describe it. I feel so good right now, even with the trials I am facing. I feel so much love from Christ and my Father in Heaven. Satan, himself, could not put out this flame and boy, is he trying. 


Saturday I was able to work with Elder Whatcott and he is a great missionary. So young, 2 transfers ot, but already so strong. He gave me a pink slim tie and I gave him a tie that both of us loved so much. He is a great Elder, very outgoing. We picked picked up another LA named A as well this week and the lesson we taught her was so great. Elder Whatcott was bearing his testimony and we both talked about what brought us to missions and it was so good. I honestly had a pretty good week. Our members keep giving me slim ties haha. 
Emma, keeps telling me about this clothing store, Zara. I went to it today, it was cool! Yah, I swear I am not distracted by clothes, well, yea, no hahaha. 

I love you all SO MUCH!!! Keep it up, I love you all !!

Love Elder Routledge

Finding Joy, setting Baptismal dates...and Little Hands??

This week was crazy. I have spent so much effort into applying joy into my life and it has been working so much. We are going on a massive hike today, so I have, like, no time and you're first. Kinda. 
Jake has a date for 2 weeks. He is so excited, his interview is this Saturday. He is stoked to be baptized and cannot wait, it is just so great. We also set another kid, named Adam, with a date for November 5th and he said 'yes'. He is a former investigator and now he is getting baptized. I tell you mom, I am putting my all into these last 3 months, no holding back. 
We are also working with another less active named Jake. He told us he wants to work towards a mission, so we are helping him with that and he is looking really good right now. 

Wha...I...don't even...??

We had a great district meeting this week. I gave a talk on member missionary work and showed pictures of the Gregsons and told them all about how they fellowshipped us after the Elders were gone. 
I went on like 3 exchanges this week and so it was busy, no down time. 
We just had a really good week. A week of miracles for sure and for growth. 

Elder Bradley 

Elder Bradley is so great, I love him so much and have learned so much from him. He is just so patient with me and we talk a lot about how we can grow more, it's pretty great. We had just a rock star week, it was so cool. I love this work, it is just so great! The joy is coming back to me and it is like my first few transfers. It's good. I am good. 

Shel, I love you girl! You have made me so proud, you are just filling my heart full of joy. I cannot wait to go to Institute with you! love you girly. Dad. Congrats my man, you're so great! Keep moving forward, oh man, I love you so much! Scott, have fun in the foreign land haha (Toronto..pretty foreign lol). Love you brother. Mom, muah muah. Take care. I love you SO much mom, so much!

Love
Elder Kevin Routledge  

Special Message for Will Chapman
Love, the Ventura, California Mission Elders