We just learned that Sister Davis has been transferred to Marina Del Rey. A ward member sent us this message with a picture, and a secretly recorded video of Jenna singing a solo in church on her last Sunday in the Pacific Palisades Ward.

 Hi, Your daughter, Sister Davis, has been valiantly serving in our ward in the Palisades. She's lovely, and a blessing to us all. She wanted me to let you know she got transferred this morning to Marina Del Rey. That's a beach community closer to LAX. It's a nice/safe community. I took a picture of her when we were out for frozen yogurt last week. I also had my daughter video tape a little of her solo last Sunday. I'll send that separately. She sure has a gift for singing. Thank you for supporting her, this work isn't always easy!

(Pic- 9-11 at Pepperdine. A flag for every person that was killed.) 

 Friends and Family,

Well, I'm repenting. This week has been full of tender mercies and I'm very certain that the Lord does not allow us to be tested beyond our limits. Nearly every day something came up for us to do. Whether it was a lesson or someone allowing us to render service we had something to do. It was so much better! One day we were going from appointment to appointment and the time just flew! Otherwise we always had at least one appointment. In my previous life I would have never imagined that I would be begging people for service opportunities. There's an elderly man in our ward who has suffered a few falls recently and we were able to go with a member a few days this past week and clean up. His son is also in our ward and when we offered to come help he didn't want to waste our time... Waste our time?! I hope my pleading wasn't too obvious, but finally he agreed and it was so nice to be there and feel like we were helping someone. It's funny how sometimes getting people to allow you to serve them is like pulling teeth. Anyway, we also finally spoke with some potentials(a couple) that we have been after for months now and have an appointment with them tomorrow at a member's home. We're excited to teach them and I certainly hope it sticks. It's been very difficult to get appointments with people this summer so now that school is in session hopefully our work will pick up. Speaking of that, we also met Isaac! Isaac is a grad-student at Pepperdine Universtiy who we met tracting. His father is a pastor, but he says he is not at all Christian. He is very well-versed in the bible and has come to the conclusion that there is no God, or if there is he doesn't like him. Can you say challenge? He has a lot of extremely difficult questions and I have learned a lot just trying to figure out how to answer him. Still, we know that the one way for him to understand the nature of God for himself is to pray, and to ask. I don't know that he is ready to do that quite yet, but we will continue to invite him. The great thing is that he is open to talking with us, and has a good friend that's a member who he met on a study abroad trip to Israel. He's extremely busy and we have only been able to meet him at the cafeteria where he is studying, which isn't the ideal setting for a lesson, but better than no lesson! He is curious about how we are different from other Christian religions, and so far seems to like the differences. He tells us that there is no convincing him about God because of the terrible things he saw when he was in the service. More than once he has stared me down and said " You can trust in God, but I'm keeping my gun powder dry." Long story short, he is a tough cookie... I know that he has had gospel discussions with his member friend since meeting us and he said that he would read the Book of Mormon. He has a lot of issues with the fall of Adam and Eve and the concept of agency so we gave him 2 Nephi 2 to read. I hope he does because I want to see what he thinks and I'm sure that he won't find the contradictions that bother him so much about the bible. Richie is still struggling and said he didn't know if he will feel like coming to church on Sunday. I'm singing for ward conference and once I told him that he said he would be there. I wish he was coming for other reasons. Sister Hara and I were both feeling pretty hopeless last week. We don't have a lot in common and often have a difficult time understanding each other. However, we are trying hard and when we were discussing all that has and hasn't happened this transfer we were able to look back and see how much we have grown in just five weeks. The only thing I can compare it to is a growth spurt in a teenage boy(maybe Christopher :) I feel like I have been forced to change so rapidly this transfer and honestly it's been a little painful. Sometimes it can be difficult for me to be grateful for a trial or smile through all the stretching, but I do know that it's never for nothing. Today I can say that I'm thankful for these difficult opportunities to grow and after a set of growing pains I hope I will be able to stand a little taller and be a little better. People are always willing to go to great lenghts for an extra couple of inches right? I love you all and pray for you always.

Sister Davis

Last Week's Post

Friends and Family, Greetings from the great and spacious building! Not really, but it feels that way sometimes. It's difficult to understand why if this church is true, and it is, people want nothing to do with it. Needless to say we had a trying week with many hours trying to speak with people who were too busy and "have everything they need." I have way too much time to think between the lack of interest in our area and the language barrier between my companion and I. It is so difficult to stay positive and focused all of the time, and if I'm being honest I didn't do very well this week. I struggle to understand what it is that I'm supposed to be learning and why it is so hard/ I'm so slow to learn it! I was about at my breaking point when Sister Christensen(a roommate) came to the rescue. She explained to me something she once learned about shepherds and how when a sheep consistently wanders off or tries to find a path of its own the shepherd actually breaks it's legs and carries it until it learns to trust in him and stay. Really? I don't know how people know all these analogies. I think I must be more simple minded, but I didn't like the concept. If someone broke my legs I'd just be ticked! When I found out we would be going full-field in Malibu I thought to myself that either a bunch of people would be coming out of the woodwork that we would need the extra time, OR that I was in for yet another lesson of humility. The latter has proved to be the case and I am clinging to the hope that I've learned because I feel that I'm reaching my limit. I know the scriptures teach that we won't ever be tempted or tried beyond our capacity to endure, but sometimes I wonder. I feel guilty thinking of my mission experience as a trial and am trying to change my heart. To be humble and submissive. Richie decided to "take a break" again this week and then called us and asked us to come over, but even with us teaching again I feel like he has kind of quit trying. We got a new Bishop this week and he seems like he will be great. It will be interesting to make some changes with working with him and the new bishopric. The meeting on Sunday of course consisted of testimonies from both bishoprics, newly called and released, and their wives. The theme that hit me from all of them was how when you are serving the Lord you get so much more than you give. I felt the spirit testify to me that that would be true in my life. I feel a little exposed sharing this, but in that moment I disagreed. I felt that after each long day of doing everything all that I could all I feel is my body falling apart and my fuse shortening. I want to experience the joy of missionary work. I want to see people come closer to Christ, but I just feel like my opportunities to really participate in this great work have been limited. It's especially difficult to see the success of other areas and missionaries and wonder "why not us?" I know that in order to be happy I need to lose myself in the service of others. Focus on other people. But, after seven months here I find myself having less faith that it will be the next person that rounds the corner and I just want to throw my hands in the air, look to heaven and scream "What people?!" This is all probably too candid and I may regret being this honest, but it's how I feel. Maybe I'll have some kind of positive conclusion for all this venting next week. Then again maybe not. I do want to say that I love you all, and I appreciate your prayers. Sister Davis

Sister Lagos

There were some areas closed recently in our mission due to gang wars. Malibu wasn't affected, but I do sometimes worry about the coyotes that roam the neighborhood streets?

Friends and Family,

This week was out of the ordinary as well! We were able to have yet another companion exchange and once again I got to go to Lynwood! This time I was with Sister Lagos from Santiago Chile. I learned a lot from her as well. She has been here since May and is an incredible teacher(most everything was in Spanish, but I could tell). I was impressed with her story of how she ended up coming on a mission. She was engaged, but prayed and felt that she needed to serve a mission. She said that she really didn't want to, but knew that she needed to be obedient. I'm lucky to be getting to know all of these sisters who are incredible examples and faithfully respond to the Savior's call to serve. Richie has been dealing with some difficulties with his family this week so it has been difficult to have lessons and he gets discouraged feeling that learning the gospel is one more thing on his plate. We have been trying our best to really listen to him and help him apply the principles of the gospel in his life in simple ways. I feel like a bit of a hypocrite when I talk about that with him though because I'm probably the queen of over-complicating things and making it more difficult for myself. At least I can relate right? We have been trying to contact potentials and begin teaching someone since I came. No one has accepted a return appointment until this past Monday! We had nearly visited all the potentials in our area book and I was beginning to lose hope that it was going to be a successful use of our time. Finally we found Pete at home and he said we could some back later in the week. He was raised Catholic, then decided to be Presbyterian, and is now Methodist. He read the Restoration pamphlet before our lesson and we were able to teach most of it in our first visit. He asked a lot of really good questions about what was different about our church and why we felt that others needed to know about it. It was a really good experience teaching him, but unfortunately he cut us short and kind of rushed us out the door. He did say that he would read the Book of Mormon and when we asked if we could follow up with him about it he halfheartedly said maybe in a couple of months... ??? It was somewhat of a disappointment naturally, but I did learn that our efforts are never wasted. We certainly aren't giving up on Pete, but if nothing else he has made a big step in opening up to learn more and being willing to read the Book of Mormon. If not now I'm sure that he will come to accept the gospel in the future, and I'm grateful that I was able to be there assisting in one of the checkpoints along the way. I still wonder sometimes why people don't just feel the truth of what we are saying! I received some good news from some other sisters this week! My friend McCall(hope you remember her) is finally meeting with the missionaries! I'm so excited for her. I feel like we've always been friends and while I did teach her numerous times at the Visitors' Center she seems like a friend from home. I do daydream about being transferred into her area though. I don't know what will happen with her, but I'm grateful for her friendship and I'm elated that she is taking this step. I think I've pretty much covered everything apart from a. lot. of tracting. I think we will be regulars at the frozen yogurt shop in Pacific Palisades. At least until it cools down.  Oh I almost forgot. I was awakened last night around 3:30 am by a loud noise and our apartment building shaking. I slept through the last earthquake so I'm glad I experienced a few seconds of this one. I hope the next one happens during the day! I don't feel like this is asking a lot... :) Love you all! Have a great week!

Sister Davis

Family and Friends,

With Sister Olivo (She is going to Byu-I. Take care of her :)

We passed the Watts towers while on splits

Family and Friends,

Things are going a lot better now that we have adapted to our new schedule and gotten into the groove of things. My favorite thing about this week was going on splits for the first time! My companion stayed in Malibu and I was able to go down to Lynwood(Spanish area) and serve with one of our Sister trainers, Sister Olivo. It was fun to experience something new and I learned a lot. I was blown away with how many people we were able to talk to in just a few hours and reminded of just how unique our area is. It was also a bit of a confidence builder for me because in Malibu we can go for... a while without talking to anyone about the gospel despite our best efforts, but in Lynwood we spent over an hour on just one small street and were able to teach five people and refer someone to the Elders serving in the area in English. It was exhilarating and helped me realize more how the Lord is able to use us as instruments in His hands. While our areas couldn't be more different I was able to apply some of the things I learned from her which resulted in a positive experience in our area. My favorite part of the exchange was teaching a recent convert family how to conduct family home evening. They showered me with hugs and kisses and after the fact the mother said she felt as though an angel had entered her home. Hispanic people are so loving it amazes me! I don't speak Spanish so I was only able to greet them, but I shared a scripture with a little help and was more or less able to sing with them. I understood most of what was being said to some extent and the spirit was very strong. The children spoke English and we became good friends. Sister Olivo said that she doesn't understand why I'm not Spanish speaking... Neither do I! :) Anyway, we're needed where we're needed. Richie was unable to make it to church this week because he didn't sleep the night before, but he did say that he would like a blessing. We taught him about the Priesthood and have been hoping that he would want one at some point because we know that it will be a faith building experience for him and help him understand the purpose of the Priesthood and how powerful it is. We have been meeting with him a lot more often which has been good. He has a lot going on in his immediate family right now and are trying to help him understand that the gospel can help. Right now he knows that it is something that he needs to be doing, but he still feels that it is one more thing that he has to worry about. We have been trying to help him have spiritual experiences that will help things click. He struggle with wanting to know everything about everything before he can know that it's true. We have found that he is a visual learner and this week took him to the VC to watch "On the Lord's Errand" about the life of Thomas S. Monson. It was definitely a success. We have been able to meet more often with members. We are working to help them participate in missionary work and we're starting a 40-day fast in September with that in mind. I'm crossing my fingers that it results in some referrals and good teaching opportunities. The weather has been a cooler this week which has been welcomed by us. I'm so grateful that we're right near the ocean and have that breeze. Even if it means experiencing a little envy toward all the surfers and beach combers. Well, as always I love every one of you... unless you're a stranger... How available is this blog anyway? ;) Well if you're a stranger I guess I love you too! After all, it's the greatest commandment. Have a great week!

Sister Davis

Seven and a half months doesn't buy a heck of a lot(only Mom will get that) but hey! You can't beat our view. 

Friends and Family,

Surprising news this week! I'm still in Malibu, I'm still with Sister Hara, but there IS a twist. We're off-site! No Visitors' Center assignment this transfer. It's going to be an interesting transfer! I was hoping to go full-field at some point for the experience, but usually that involves going to another area entirely and serving with a full-field sister. Needless to say Sister Hara and I were very surprised, as was everyone at the VC. I will miss a lot of things like seeing all the sisters everyday and soccer in the mornings. Plus we had to give all our online/call-center contacts away! We did move to another apartment though which is nice because it is closer to our area and we have another companionship for roommates. I enjoy having roommates, but they are Visitors' Center sisters and it's a little weird not to go with them. We had a very trying week otherwise. At least I did. Every last one of our potentials dropped us, leaving us with just Richie(I'm so grateful for him)! We tried to find new people all week to no avail. I think that one of the most difficult parts of missionary work is when you work until your just toast and when you account for the day you don't feel like you served or taught anyone. That's a gross feeling. I'm struggling to find the reasons behind this change when we barely had enough work with our Visitors' Center assignment. I guess that's where faith comes in and trusting in the Lord's timing and purposes. I hope you are all doing well. Love ya!

Sister Davis

Sister Davis CLAM News

Six month mark! With Sister Cole

Me and Sister Baeza. We also did a few chores in the VC

Me and McCall

Our ward mission leader and his wife

Friends and family,

Things have gone really well this week, but I'm anxious to see what will happen with transfers. The VC is at a turnover point right now, which means that all the older sisters are going and new ones are coming in just a few transfers. My group was kind of the first of the "new generation" and we feel a little bit of pressure because we still feel new and yet we are quickly becoming some of the oldest. The temple has been closed for cleaning, but the center has not been as slow as it was at the last closing AND we were able to spend a few hours helping out this week. I was able to clean the chandelier crystals in the sealing rooms adjacent to the celestial room so needless to say that was a great day. I have to tell you all about my new friend McCall. She came in a few weeks ago because she is studying religions and needed some information for a paper she was writing. We hit it off immediately and ended up talking for over two hours(I think to the dismay of my companion- ha ha :s). Anyway, she said that she would come back to visit and bring me some classical music. I thought that was sweet, but didn't necessarily expect to see her again. Long story short she has been back twice and become a very dear friend. She laments that we can't actually do anything together for another year, but we show her a little more of the visitors' center each time she comes which she always enjoys and she said that she would read the Book of Mormon. I'm praying that I serve in her area at some point. We had a good lesson with Richie this week. He chose the topic when he asked the question, "So what exactly will be expected of me once I'm baptized? Do I have to go on a mission?" Ha ha, it was a good segway for talking about enduring to the end, and I think he was relieved to know that he is past the cut off age to serve a mission... After his lesson we met a woman(Helen) just sitting on a bench who seemed very happy to talk with us! She didn't speak much English, but we made an appointment to bring her the Book of Mormon in Farsi. A few days later we went to see her and ran into another Persian woman(Parvin) walking her dog. When she introduced herself I tried not to visibly react because I recognized her name. She is a potential that Sister Olsen and I had tried to contact. She invited us to her home and once we were inside she insisted that she feed us. Our dinner appointment had fallen through and we had JUST eaten out. I was dying. She wasn't very interested in our message, but she did say that she was feeling lonely and then we showed up! We will try again with her. As it turns out Helen and Parvin live in the same apartment complex and know each other. when we invited Helen to church she said she would come if Parvin does. I hope, I hope! What would be really wonderful would be if Parvin could translate so we could really teach Helen. Helen was very happy to see us again, but she is Jewish and I worry that if we are able to get someone to translate she won't be interested once she knows what we're actually saying. Not really. I have faith! She did say that she loves to read, so I'm praying that she will feel the spirit as she reads the Book of Mormon. I don't feel like I'll be transferred this go around, but i have been in Malibu for nearly six months now so you never know. We joke that I won't until I've taught a lesson in Young Women. I had done everything else in the ward but Relief Society which I taught yesterday. It was my first time ever and I was nervous, but it ended up being really fun. A mission is good practice for future callings among other things. Like everything in life... I had a funny phone call in the teaching center this week. I finally got ahold of a referral I've had since basically the beginning of my mission. Unfortunately he wasn't interested in meeting with the missionaries, and when I offered to mail him a Book of Mormon he said, "Oh I have one of those. I had a big crush on a Mormon girl once and when I asked her for a date she gave me a Book of Mormon." Ha ha I couldn't help but laugh. Go team! Well I love you all. My favorite six year old is turning seven this week! Love you Isaac. Watch for my letter.

Sister Davis