First Week in Mission Field - 10/2/2017

Hola Everyone,

I hope everyone's doing ok. This week has been crazy. It all started when we got our flight plans to leave to our missions. Everyone who was going to San Fernando looked at theirs and our jaws dropped. We had to be at the reception desk at 1 in the morning so we could get to our flight that departed at 6:45. So after a refreshing 3 hour nap we woke up and left to reception so we could head to the airport. We all didn't sleep at all on the ride over there and we couldn't sleep in the airport because we thought our stuff would get stolen. So when we finally boarded our plane we were out cold. I don't even remember taking off or landing because we just went straight to sleep. We landed in San Francisco and had a 4 hour layover until our next flight. We finally got into Burbank around 3:30 and met with our Mission President. He's a cool guy and is really nice. From the airport we got driven to the mission office where we picked up all our supplies bikes and companions.

My companions name is Elder Lytle and he's an awesome trainer. He's about 6'3'' (Dang it) and loves basketball. He's from New Hampshire and loves Maple Syrup because they make it straight from the tree where he lives. He's super funny and is fluent in Spanish. Our area is the Van Nuys 1st area and we are over the Van Nuys 5th ward. I haven't been able to meet anyone from there yet except for the Hernandez Familia because they fed us dinner last night. Elder Lytle goes home in about 6 weeks.

So when I arrived we drove to our apartment at about 7PM and I was just about ready to sleep on the floor but then we got a text from the Encino Hermana's and they needed help putting together a bed. So, we drove over there and it turns out they didn't have the whole bottom part of the bed so we drove back and I was out cold. The next day was difficult because I was so tired but I learned so much. One of the things that we do here in the mission is a “Knock Out” which is where we stop and knock doors from 4 to 6. Knock outs are my favorite part because we just get to talk to everyone.

I also got to go on my first shopping trip the day after we flew in. We were only allowed 22 dollars so I got a loaf of bread eggs cereal and yogurt. Something that I've really learned how to do from my companion is how to love the people even if they aren't nice to us, or they don't listen to us. Whatever it is all you can do is love them. My invitation to everyone is to have a little more charity in your life and I promise you that you will receive blessings.

Con Amor,
Elder Gibbons