La Obra Misional

Hey Family!!!
  Aqui estamos andando en la obra. Hey everyone so this week I finally met my new companion Elder Terry. He's from Texas/Idaho (he moved to Idaho just barely before he left on his mission.) He's a baller and loves the Spanish culture, he is basically mejicano his Spanish is super good too, but hes only got one transfer left after this one:(. We've been working really hard in our area and have already found 1 new person to teach this week.
  This week we also had zone conference but this one was a little different because we had a general authority come. So Elder Nielson of the seventy came to our zone conference and he is the head of the missionary department for the church. He's a very spiritual person and loves the work of the Lord. We learned about several things that will be coming to missionary work soon including the new Light the World program for Christmas, as well as some updates to certain missionary functions, and the announcmement of the new Book of Mormon videos (which will come out sometime before Christmas). However the thing that stood out to me the most was how much he focused on the enabling power of the atonement of Jesus Christ.
  The one quote that helped me the most was that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is not only for those who have sinned its used to make bad men good and used to make good men better. So although most of the time we think of the Atonement as an eraser its also something that empowers us and enables us to become stronger and better. So never think that you will never not have to use the atonement in your life because its necessary for everyone.
  Another thing that Elder Nielson told us was that we need to be ready for this general conference because there will be some things that will definitely be announced that might surprise us. So I invite each of you to prepare for General Conference just as we should prepare for every General Conference because this is literally the time that we get to hear from the prophet of the Lord. Pay careful attention to what he invites us to do and things he invites us to change. I know that Russel M. Nelson is the Prophet on the earth today and he receives revelation from God today.
  I love you all so much and hope that you continue to learn and grow in the Savior every day through using the atonement that he has provided for us. Les quiero muchisimo, se Cuidan!!!!
Elder Gibbons 

Transfers - Staying in Grenada Hills

Que Tal Familia??
  Sounds like you all had a pretty good week. Elder Cook and I are doing good we are working pretty hard in our area and have been trying to find like crazy. This week has been pretty slow for us though. We weren't able to get anyone at church and we weren't able to find anyone new even though it felt like we spent hours on hours just trying to find. However Sunday night was the night that we got transfer calls, the final result is that I will be staying in Arleta area and Elder Cook is leaving to the inglewood zone. I am super happy to be staying in this area as well as the opportunity I have to continue teaching those who I've grown really close to in this area. Something that I've noticed is that the longer you are out as a missionary the less effect transfers has on you. You just know that the area that you are called to is the area that god wants you to go.
  Anyways I wanted to share with you all a scripture that I read in the Book of Mormon that might seem kinda small and insignificant but I found a lot of meaning in it. In Alma 49:4 it talks about how the Lamanites tried to attack the nephites but weren't able to because of the walls that they had put up around themselves. These walls are like spiritual walls for us in our lives when satan tries to attack us he can't. The only way that he can get in is through the door and thats only if we open it for him. So I would invite all of you to maintain your spiritual walls, read, pray, and continue going to church and to the temple because that is the way that we can strengthen our spiritual walls.Anyways thats all for this week my new companions name is Elder Terry I will tell you more about him next week. Love you all Les quiero!!! Con amor.
Elder Gibbons

Interviews, Temple, Love and Patience - The Mission Life

Buenas Tardes Familia!!!
  Our week was phenomenal!!! We had so many cool opportunities it was ridiculous. For starters this Tuesday we had interviews with president Haynie, he's an amazing man and very spiritual. However the coolest part of the whole thing was that we were able to go and do a temple session right before. The L.A. temple is beautiful and will forever hold a special place in my heart. I have seen so many hearts been opened up just by the spirit that you can feel around the temple, but when you actually enter it you feel incredible its something that you can't quite explain but you just know that temples really are the house of the lord. I learned so much from president Haynie and his advice and I can truly testify that he has been called to lead and guide this mission at this time.
  Another big focus that our mission is doing is service, so every Thursday morning we get to go to the food bank and give service for about 2 hours. Something that I've noticed does leave a big impact on other people and helps us to find others to teach. Because we have been giving service at the food drive they are going to put in article in the paper about us. Another huge opportunity we had this week to give service was at the shepherds home. Which is a homeless shelter for families who don't have anything and need a place to stay for the night. (that's what the pictures are) So we assembled about 40 bunk beds to put in these rooms. And around 15 families can stay in this shelter. Service is one of the greatest ways that we can follow in the saviors footsteps. I would invite everyone to try and give some form of service this week. And I promise as you do you will draw nearer to the savior.
  This week one of the greatest things I've learned is patience even when its hard the lord requires of us to be patient and continue faithfully. Sometimes you are gonna get a little frustrated and its going to be annoying some of the things that happen to you. But as long as you are patient you can  endure through anything that could come your way. I love you all so much have a good week and sigan fieles. Les quiero.

Elder Gibbons