Dearest Elder from the same Mother,
The biggest news of the week for Sarah and me is that we found an APARTMENT! We'll know for sure if we got it tomorrow (Monday), but we are pretty sure we got it in the bag, because they're only checking for criminal records, prior evictions, and megan's law. And you know, we have all three of those so we won't get it, j/k. It's a nice small apartment. It's being renovated before we start living there. It's a one bedroom one bath apartment. The living room and dining room combine into one. It has a stove, a dishwasher, and we're getting a fridge, thanks to mom and Dana Pew, this thursday from Irvine. Oh, and the apartment is located in Bloomington in between the Swap Meet and Bloomington Post Office. It's close to DQ, so you know where we're going to get our food from. No really, we live close to Food 4 Less. The apartment costs $950, and the deposit was $500. We are really looking forward to living there. Sarah and I have been talking about attending the Spanish ward, so we can improve our spanish and help the ward out with whatever they need. Technically, we would be in the Oleander Ward where we live. But we know the Spanish ward needs all the help it can get. I'm hesitant because my Spanish isn't that good, but I'm also looking forward to starting a new life with Sarah in whatever ward is nice for us. So yeah, 20 days, can't believe it. Time is just flying by.
For date night this week, Sarah and I went to the Living Nativity as put on by the Rancho Cucamonga Stake. It was pretty cool. And Sarah and I went to it again tonight (Sunday) because Dad wanted to take Mom, Jesus, and Lucy. They came, except mom. And afterwards they talked about going to Thoroughbred to see the lights. The Living Nativity presentation was great. They had two or more loudspeakers declaring the Christmas story with Handel's Messiah in the background along with several Mormon Tabernacle songs. It was cool to see the structures that they put up. The only thing is this last week has been so windy that on Thursday and Fridays before it, they had to re-set-up the structure of old Jerusalem, fixing it up. I know my Bishop was calling for help from the members of our ward to help set it up again. I heard there were two stories but they decided not to put the second story up again because it was sort of a hassle. They had also set up bleachers for the presentation. Afterwards, they let the audience walk up to see the manger and other shops of people in Jerusalem. The innkeeper told us that he had no room in the end. There was a shop with spices and wheat to be grinded. And they even had a pottery master making clay pots and beakers and other things. Sarah was mesmerized by her and her skill. Karen Martinez and Andrew Sanders were Mary and Joseph again from Fontana Stake.
Also, on date night, we watched Wonder Woman from Redbox. I only spent 27 cents for it because I had an access code. Sarah really enjoyed it. We saw Justice League together, but I really liked Wonder Woman a whole lot.
I told you that Dad took Lucy and Jesus to see the lights on Thoroughbred. Well, on Monday, Sarah and I had the opportunity to see the lights on Thoroughbred for ourselves, along with have Hot Chocolate and sit by a warm fire. All for FHE at the Nowa's house because a couple weeks ago, our ward help them set up the lights and displays in their house. My pride and joy was seeing their countdown to Christmas that I helped them set up. It was a nice night to be among the lights and see the house in all its glory. And it was nice to walk among the lights and feel the Christmas cheer.
We have been following the #LighttheWorld initiative as closely as we can to feel the Christmas spirit and do something good for people and be that light. I was so happy that on Thursday I could complete the suggestion of making a child smile. Of course, in my line of work, if I'm doing it right, I get to see a kid smile everyday. On Thursday, the sub manager changed the class I was subbing for on me. I had originally gone in to teach a 2nd grade class, but she moved me to 4th grade. Which was the class Laurel's daughter is in. And she was like, my daughter is like me, kinda kook-ie. The day was difficult, as I didn't have lesson plans until midway in the day, so I had to ad-lib and I had been added 6 fifth graders to my class. Well, after a relatively chaotic day, I talked to Laurel's daughter while others were on the computer and she asked if we could play hangman. I did "Hello, my friend." Which was nice, but then she surprised me with her phrase, which said "Today was Fun!" It really made me feel good, and that I hadn't really failed the day with these kids.
Brother Rasmussen, the high councilman for the YSA ward pulled me aside and thanked me for my work in the Elder's Quorum and bishopric as Executive Secretary. It also really made me feel good. He did that because, next week is my last sunday in the YSA ward because the 24th the YSA isn't having church, and the week after is our wedding. Today was my last bishopric meeting, because I am going to watch Mom and Dad speak in church. My time with the YSAs is coming to a steady close. Christmas party and that will be the end. Of course, I'll see them at the wedding. Sarah and I had our living ordinance recommend interview with the stake president this afternoon. He was so cool, down to earth kinda guy.
Sarah and I had the missionaries over for dinner at a Pizza place they recommended in Rancho. The pizza was super good, but it was apparent that they liked to go there because of the fact that they had TVs that showed the ongoing sports. It was Saints against someone else, NFL football. The one elder, Elder Pierce was into watching the game. They were in a threesome. It was still fun to have them for dinner, and we got two pizzas for the price of one because the Elders had a coupon.
Sarah and I weren't able to go to the temple endowments with the ward on Wednesday because Sarah got a flat tire. Hopefully we can go next week to baptisms, our last, this Wednesday. I got AAA to come help us replace the tire with the donut. We took it to Firestone tire and they said that the reason it "looked" flat, was because it had a dent in the metal and they showed it to us. They were wondering if we had hit it against something, but we couldn't remember ever doing that.
Well, I hope this letter finds you well and on your way to a college town, like you wanted. Drop me a line or two.
Oh, I wanted to tell you about limits I have. Most of the time I volunteer for stuff in church. But I also know what stuff can trigger anxiety attacks. Like for this Living Nativity presentation, they asked for volunteers to help with the parking for Sunday; wear the yellow/orange vests and direct traffic. Even though I usually volunteer, I knew that that might be too much for me. So, I was like one of the only ones that didn't volunteer, and I felt bad for a second, but then I realized that it's okay because I know my limits. Sarah felt it was a good decision too. It may have caused me a lot of anxiety to do, I'm sure of it. So, sometimes, you can say no, or not volunteer if you know it's not something that will make you feel good. You know your limits.
I love you. You're great! Keep being great, as always.
Love,
John
