March like a Lion!

First of all, I'm sorry for not writing or updating my activity as consistently as I should.   The past couple of weeks have been hectic for us, with the transfer and new area and all.  We've also had some issues with the other Elders in the area that normally give us a ride to shop and get groceries.  They have not been very compliant or willing to sacrifice their car like they should (we are on bikes)... But things should be settling down for now.

My companion Elder Downey and I are doing great! He reminds me a lot of Jonathan, we get along well. We are always having a good time and doing good things. He has been in Sierra Vista for about five months, so he probably be transferred in a few weeks.  I've only had a few companions that I've really "jelled with" and Elder Downey is a great missionary and a good guy.  I know his trainer and his trainer's trainer, they are all hard workers.

Our Ward kinda sucks, but I know their hearts are in right place.  Many of the members are very old, 70+ which is not a prime age for missionary work. There are only two or three younger families in our Ward and they are normally busy with kids. Our Ward Mission Leader has good intentions but lacks the correct direction, but he is improving (slowly with my help 😁). We only cover one Ward boundary, but it's around 9 square miles, and filled with all sorts of interesting people. There are multiple run down trailer parks (my favorite), lower class apartment complexes, and a few half decent neighborhoods. We tend to spend more of our time in the lower class area of Sierra Vista, where there are a lot of people who are willing to listen, but not ready to commit. There are a lot of high school drop outs here, people without jobs using government funding, drug users, and free loaders. These are people who have not committed to much in their lives nor have they been successful in achieving much in their life.  It's sad.  They tend to listen us and they are receptive to our message, but they are mostly not ready or willing to commit to a covenant relationship with our Heavenly Father... But we move forward.

I'm the District Leader in this region of the mission.  My District boundaries cover the town of Sierra Vista, Huachuca City and the military base. The district includes the Zone Leaders, the Sister training leaders, along with three other companionship's of Elders. I'll tell you this, preparing for missionary Training's every week and gathering numbers and reports from the companionship's twice a week is not the most fun, but I do enjoy being able to influence and help out the companionships.

Until next time.  Love everyone and thanks so much for your letters and packages!

Love, Elder West