31 August, 2016 - Release date email!

31 August 2016

Dear Elder Jewkes,

You may hear that other missioanries due for release in March through December of 2017 have received a notice of a change in their release date associated with a change in scheduled mission transfer dates.  This email confirms that no change is being made in your release date. It remains 27 Jun 2017.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Elder Just

31 August, 2016 - An extra long week

-My grandson Elder Lewis; my first born son Elder Doi; my second born son Elder Rose; Me (note the golden nametag Mom); my father Elder Manson; my brother Elder Tobiasson

 

 

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has felt a little long, probably because it has been a few days longer but our trip to the temple later today will be worth every bit of it. Again, it has been long, but it was a good week. So...

MONDAY- We had our mission cross-fit today in Menifee. It was fun. Elder Rose almost died (it being his first one). After there were three groups: those who played basketball, those who played volleyball and those who socialized. Me, being one who would rather play sports than socialize and being terrible at basketball, chose volleyball. I think I am pretty good at it. I had an Elder at one time suggest to go college level. Hmmm... I don't think I'm THAT good. Anyway, we had the regular P-day stuff and we had dinner. Bro. Sanchez brought us In-N-Out. Which is da bomb! He came 45 minutes late to drop it off so we didn't really go out tonight. Just did some advanced planning.

TUESDAY- We had our weekly DDM. The training was on how to help investigators attend church. It was good. Then after lunch we did our studies and went contacting when we found this guy who asked us for a Book Of Mormon! He isn't a member but he likes the Book Of Mormon because it is centered on America....I guess that's true. Then we had dinner and went out with a member who usually wears Bow-ties. He wore a neck tie this time. I honestly didn't recognized him at first. We found more less actives than investigators but that's good too.

WEDNESDAY- we had a super long meeting in Riverside. We left at 7:30am, got stuck in traffic got there with 5 minutes to spare when they asked to be there 15 minutes early so we were late but not Late late. It was a meeting where the Trainers and Trainees meet to talk about how the mission life is going. It was great. My trainer and my first greenie were there because they were training. So mission slang goes: Trainer=father, Trainee=son, Trainer's trainee's trainee=grandson and so forth. We got a great family picture with 4 generations. It was great. We didn't get back until 5, then we had dinner with the Dunn's and went contacting for the rest of the night.

THURSDAY- our plans were really messed up but we got done what we needed to get done. So that was good. Studies, Weekly Planning, especially Lunch. We went out with our Ward Mission Leader and saw both Ruben and Tony. We had good lessons with them. They are both excited to learn or at least willing to learn. We had dinner with the 3 Musketeer-ettes (Sis.
Long, Sis Scalzo a recent convert, and Sis Pierson from the Valle Vista Ward. Then we ended the night contacting.

FRIDAY- we had some pretty early service helping a less active member out with her garage. Then we had amazing breakfast burritos. Then we were able to meet with Alec and that lesson went well. Then we went seeking in the afternoon and then had dinner with the Gonzales's which is always fun. Then we went home to plan.

SATURDAY- we helped some members move a couch to the DI POD that was in the church parking lot that was fun. Then we had our studies and after lunch we went back out and tried to see a bunch of people and went contacting afterwards. We had dinner with Bro. Villareal and wen with him to see Tony. He hadn't read because the print of the book we gave him was too small so we promised to get him a large print Book of Mormon tomorrow.

SUNDAY- We had our Correlation meeting and Ward Council. NOBODY CAME TO CHURCH. Alec and Ruben had work and I don't know about everyone else. During the block I gave 2 baptismal interviews for Valle Vista. They are ready to get baptized next week! YAY!!! After church we went with Bro. Villareal to visit some people from the less active/no home teacher list from the high priests. Then we had dinner with the Stenzel's, gave Tony his large print and went in for the night.

MONDAY (29 AUG)- was not our P-day. But we did learn why P-day is usually on Monday's. NO ONE WAS HOME!!! It was so sad! We had dinner with the Wallace's and Bro. Wallace was wondering how we taught the "discussions" now so we showed him the pamphlets and told him about how we teach. It was good. After dinner we were able to talk to Ruben for a few minutes and set up an appointment for Friday.

TUESDAY (30 AUG)- We had DDM. The training was about how to grow our faith. After lunch we had studies and went out with our Ward Mission Leader and saw Eric and April, referrals from the Barnhart's. Eric is living with the Barnhart's until they can get back on their feet. It was an interesting lesson. There were times he literally jumped up for joy when we explained something and he would respond "That makes perfect sense!" It was an amazing lesson! Then we had the Fioritos give us money to eat dinner then we went contacting for the rest of the night.

TODAY- we just got back from shopping and are currently E-mailing. After, we will head to the temple, have an amazing experience there, and get back and have dinner with the Sorto's and try by some people before we call it a day.

Whew, that was our week. Long but good. It has been great. I love you all. Next week I'll talk about exchanges, Ruben, Alec, and much more.

Until Next Time,

Elder Jewkes

22 August, 2016 - Good Ole Hemet, yall.

Dear Family and Friends,

It has been another hot week here in Hemet. But that's okay. We got a lot of stuff done this past week and this week looks just like that. So, despite the heat and biking in said heat, we are on fire (hehe heat joke). Anyways...

MONDAY- was any other regular P-day. Sorry, I guess my P-days are boring. But, we got everything we needed to do done like laundry and shopping so that's good. We had dinner with the Wallace's and that was a lot of fun. I love young families with little kids. The kids are so funny!

TUESDAY- was pretty good. We went to see Debbie (new), Roger, and Samantha so we got to see some people so that was fun. Oh, while we were out and about, Elder Rose got a flat tire so we had to walk 1.5 miles back to our apartment to fix it. Luckily, Elder Rose bought some spare tubes so that was nice. We had to change our plans a little because of the flat but we still had a good day nevertheless. 

WEDNESDAY- we had our monthly ZDM. It was so crazy! Almost half of the zone is training so we had some new faces that had no idea what was happening. So we were asked to bring our whiteboards where we put people and where they are at to the meeting...our whiteboard is 3ftx5ft...and doesn't fit in a Chevy Cruiz. So we put it on top of the car and had all 4 of us put a hand on the board so it wouldn't fall off. We got some strange looks as we drove 3 miles to the meeting. Then, we went on splits that day (Elder Rose's first time) and he found Carlos! I found nothing....greenie's luck I guess. We also stopped by David, an 81 yr old Veteran. That was fun.

THURSDAY- we had interviews with President Mullen. (Again, Elder Rose's first). It went well. Then we did our weekly planning and we found Tony. He is a pretty cool guy. We gave him a Book of Mormon and he said He'll look at it. We'll see how it goes.

FRIDAY- we had exchanges!!! I stayed in my area with our wonderful Zone Leader Elder Biegle (like the dog). It was great. Elder Biegle was on bike for the first time in his whole mission...and he's been out for 21 months. I guess some are lucky. We had a blast biking around, talking to people. After lunch we get a text from some potentials if we could come by at 1:30pm. So we got there and the guy said "great you're here...we need this done and this done..." So I guess we had some unplanned service opportunities. They needed help cleaning out their house and move down a block or so. It was good, they moved out of the area so we gave them to the Little Lake Sisters to work with them. I hope it goes well. Then, we had KFC dropped off and we picked up Dorrean and Samantha. The whole day I had learned a lot from Elder Beigle and I can't wait to applied what I had learned the next day.

SATURDAY- so I applied what we had learned and we found a new investigator at 8:30 in the morning. It was fantastic. We also saw Alec that morning and he is doing well. After lunch and studies (we were approved to move studies during the afternoon when it is hot) we saw Margarita and she is on date for Sept 28. She said she wanted to learn more before making a solid commitment. That is all we ask for. Then after dinner we tried by some appointments but no one was home.

SUNDAY- No one came to church again. It was so sad because we had some amazing lessons during church and I was thinking that every investigator we have could really have their testimony grow like crazy if they were here. After church we went on some home visits with the Elders Quorum Presidency. It was a lot of fun. I was with Bro. Wallace who is a K9 officer. After we left a ghetto apartment complex, he whispered to me "I remember arresting that girl. The guy she was with looks familiar, I might had arrested him too." Hmm... sketchy. Luckily the Lord protects his missionaries!After dinner we tried by an appointment but she left for work so that was the rest of the day.

TODAY- we had our quarterly cross-fit with President Mullen. I love Cross-fit...because we get to hang out with other missionaries afterwards. No one likes during the cross-fit but afterwards...fantastic. Then we got home, cleaned up and changed and e-mailing this very precise moment...okay maybe a few minutes or a few hours ago depending on when you are reading this.

So we have a temple trip next Wednesday which means I won't E-mail again until Aug 31. Sorry, but rules are rule. Have a good week and a half. Until next time (aka Aug 31st)...

Elder Jewkes

Me after the unplanned service on Friday

using our parking space like a boss!

Walking home after Elder Rose got a flat.

17 August, 2016 - Concerns of Fire from President Mullen

17 August 2016

Dear Brother and Sister Jewkes,

As you may have heard, a significant fire is burning north of San Bernardino in the Cajon Pass along I-15, which is beyond the merger of I-15 with I-215.  We write to asssure you that it does not threaten any part of the California Riverside Mission.  The southern edge of the Blue Cut Fire, as it is called, is about 25 miles north of our mission boundary.  The major cloud of smoke it is generating is blowing away from the mission toward the north.  The air quality in the mission is about the same as on other ordinary summer days.  A few individuals on the north edge of the mission have reported a minor smell of smoke, but we have clear blue skies.

Again, we assure you of our love and primary concern for the health and safety of our missionaries. We express our gratitude to you for sharing Elder Jewkes with us in the missionary work of the California Riverside Mission.

Faithfully Yours,

President John H. Mullen and Sister Jana L. Mullen

15 August, 2016 - Another Week in Hemet

Dear Family and Friends,

It has been a relatively cool week. It rarely went over 100!!! It will this week though...not looking forward to that. It was a rather slow week, but you get those every once in a while. As long as you work hard the next week, it don't matter. Anyway, this was how my week went:

 

 

MONDAY- was Elder Rose's first P-day. We played kickball at the Park Hill building (our building). It was a ton of fun. Then, we E-mailed, shopped, and hung out with the Valle Vista Elders. I got a sick deal: 24-20oz bottles of Mountain Dew for $6.99!  I learned that I knew Elder Frisby (who came in the same time as Elder Rose) before the mission! He was on the track team my sophomore year, but didn't really see him since so it was kinda awkward because he remembered me but I didn't remember him . Anyway, the Valle Vista Elders didn't have a dinner appointment we we were just given some money so we got some pizza and ate at their apartment. It was fun. That was about it for the day.

TUESDAY- we had DDM. First, we had a training by the Just's (office staff) on how to contact and report referrals. It is fun to see the office staff because everyone misses me from when I was an Office Elder. Then, I did a training on Diligence, which explains the Nike Shirt on the Piano. I thought it made it fun. And then we contacted a referral/investigator named Edward who lived in Utah and went to a ward in West Valley for a while. Don't know why he isn't baptized but we will solve that concern soon. We got a list of Less Actives we can visit from the Moehle's at dinner. Bro. Moehle being in the bishopric and Sis. Moehle being the Relief Society President. Then we tried by referrals and went finding all day with not much luck.

WEDNESDAY- after studies, we had a luncheon with Bob Davis, the stake missionary something. It was fun to be there with 24 missionaries serving in the stake. Then, being the Elders that cover the Hemet Valley Hospital, we got called to give a blessing for someone there. The person was subdued when we got there but we did it anyways. Then, we had the Tanuvasa's drop off dinner then we saw a Less-active named John Gonzales

THURSDAY- we went seeking in g the morning, had lunch and did our weekly planning session. With Elder Rose knowing the area a bit more, it wasn't as one sided. We had dinner with a member of the Valle Vista ward and the Valle Vista Elders were there too. After we went seeking some more and that was it.

FRIDAY- we went out in the morning with Scotty Campbell and had 4 appointments... that all fell through!But we had lunch and then we were in a trio for a few hours. Elder Porter had a doctor's appointment in Riverside so I had Elder Frisby...and their car... for a few hours. We tried by a ton of people with no luck at all. Then, I gave Elder Frisby back and had dinner with the Newman's. Then, we started my first exchanges as a DL! I stayed in Park Hill to be with Elder Frisby.

SATURDAY- was exchanges with Elder Frisby. We had good studies and had a service project to help the local Elementary School plant their community garden. It was a lot of fun. We even got lunch there! Then, we went with our Ward Mission Leader to try by some people. We got to talk to Judy for 5 minutes and gave her a Book of Mormon to read. She hasn't been feeling well for the past month so some reading material will help out. Then we went seeking for 2 hours with only one potential. Then we had dinner with the Gonzale's which is always fun. Then we exchanged back at the end of the day.

SUNDAY- no one came to church!Alec was sick so that was it. It was Sione Ika's farewell and John Gonzales was ordained a priest so the chapel was packed with Mexicans and Samoans. It was sick. I gave a baptismal interview with one of Valle Vista's investigators during the second hour. Then after church we did our studies and ate dinner with the Ika's : a feast galore to celebrate Sione. So...much...food. It also sucked because we went biking afterward and I might have eaten too much. We saw Alec that night and we put him back on date. Then we reported our numbers.

It was a slow week, but that's alright. We have a ton of potential for next week. That's all that matters.

Until Next Time...

Elder Jewkes

8 August, 2016 - A New Transfer and a New Greenie!!

Dear Family and Friends,

It has been a great transfer this past 6 weeks and it is time to turn a new leaf and start off the next transfer on the right foot. It has been a great week. I am training a New Missionary!!! My second one. President Mullen must trust me a lot or something... anyways his name is Elder Rose. He is from Syracuse Utah. A little paranoid and shy but we are working on that. Anyway, here's what happened this past week:

MONDAY- was transfer P-day. So my companion and the spanish elder left so Elder Cressman and I hung out until we went to Riverside to pick up the "Strippling Warriors" (Greenies) We had dinner with a member from my ward since the spanish ward had no one signed up. It was a ton of fun. Then I spent the night at the Spanish apartment and got ready for the meeting tomorrow.

TUESDAY- We left Hemet at 11:30 to go to the trainer meeting in Riverside. We stopped by Chick-fil-a on the way since there is none in Hemet. Then we had our meeting, ate dinner with the greenies and got our assignments. There were 28 missionaries coming in this transfer! That beats us! So everyone and their dog was training. Then I got Elder Rose and drove home with 5 bikes in the back of the Frontier. It was crazy!

WEDNESDAY- we had DDM about The Doctrine of Christ. I think I did alright being the District Leader and all. Then we did 3 hours of study since we are training. Went contacting, had dinner with the De Tomaso's and stopped by a less active named John to help Elder Rose get to know some people. That was about it.

THURSDAY- I had a district leader training in Riverside so we left Hemet at 7:45 to get there on time and Elder Rose stayed in Hemet with the Diamond Valley Elders. Then we got back at around 3pm and went contacting and tried some people before we had dinner with the Johnson's. Good ole tofu!! Then we went to the Gonzales' to visit with them.

FRIDAY- we tried by some people and went seeking in the morning before we did our weekly planning. Then we had a lesson with Alec who is on date for the 23rd of August. He is looking great toward that date. Then we picked up Sabrina and Joe and had a quick lesson. Then the Campbell's dropped off pizza and then we went to see our Recent Convert named Daniel. He was having a hard time studying on his own but we helped him out.

SATURDAY- we had a sick lesson with Davante...then we found out he was YSA age so we had to refer him to the ZL's. All good. Then we tried by some people and went seeking some more. Then we went with our Ward Mission Leader to try some more with no luck. It gets frustrating when you put in the effort to get Members out and have nobody home. Oh well. Then we had dinner with the Gonzales' and taught John again. 

SUNDAY- we had MCM and we had Alec come to church...as well as President Mullen.
It was a really good meeting. President Mullen really liked it too. Then we did our studies and had dinner with President Minor from the Stake Presidency. It was great!! Prime Ribs all the way! Then we tried by some referrals and went home to account our weekly numbers and collect numbers for the district.

It has been a great week. Our numbers could have been better but that's alright. A new week is here and we will do better. Missionary Work is FUN!!! Love you all.

Until Next Time...

Elder Jewkes

1 August, 2016 - A new transfer...with big news!

Dear Family and Friends,

Well, another transfer has come and gone. I guess my streak of new companions still stands. Elder Maughan got transferred to Hidden Springs in Moreno Valley... with one of my many previous companions: Elder Smith. He is going to have so much fun. So I am staying put. However, I am training so I don't know who my new companion is until Tuesday Evening. I am so excited! This will be my second greenie! I am so excited!! Anywho...

MONDAY- was a great P-day! We went up to IDYLLWILD to go hiking! It was so much fun. I got some pictures to see what Idyllwild looks like. Then, we did the usual shopping, Emailing, dinner and went back to work. Nothing really happened after dinner  but that's ok. We just went home to plan for a great day.

TUESDAY- we had DDM. It was about How to Begin Teaching and setting expectations for investigators. It was really good because everyone participated! We are an awesome district! After lunch we went contacting for a while then started to fill up the Font. Yep, Daniel got baptized today!!! We were super excited! It was a huge turn out. Then we had some members get us some new shoes. He was high in the ladder so he got ridiculous discounts. Then we got home to plan.

WEDNESDAY- was...meh. We tried some people in the morning, had lunch. We were able to get in with Kiah and Roger today so that was good. They were both busy so they didn't have too much time. Then we went contacting and tried by more people. Then we had dinner at the Taco Shop, which is really good. Then we tried some more people before going home to plan for tomorrow.

THURSDAY- we went contacting in the morning while it was cool. Then we went to some referrals with a member. He drove us around so that's good. He then took us out to In-N-Out!!! Then we did our studies and weekly planning in the afternoon. Then we had dinner with "Grandma" at an awesome place called Abby's Diner. It was super good. Best Cheesecake ever!! Then we went home to plan.

FRIDAY- we did our seeking in the morning, then I babysat a sick Zone Leader while his companion and Elder Maughan went to fix some guy's car. Elder Maughan is a mechanic so it worked out. After that, we did studies and tried some people, then went over to Daniel's to teach him how to tie a tie for his confirmation on Sunday. Then we had dinner with the Gonzale's and had a lesson with John, A less active. It was good.

SATURDAY- while we were helping some members move, I got a call from President Mullen. He told me that I would be training next transfer. Everyone was super excited and I'm like "Eh...I've done it before". After moving, We got cleaned up and tried some people for the rest of the morning while it was cool. Then, after lunch, we went with our Ward Mission Leader to try by some referrals and then updated them at the Family History Center. Then we did our studies and had dinner with our Ward Mission Leader. Then we went back, did some contacting and got calls for who was going well. It was fun trying to tell the sisters in my district what's happening.

SUNDAY-we had church. We got Alec to finally come to church!!! His girlfriend who is a recent convert gave him a ride. It was also Daniel's Ordination so that was good. Then Kim and Ruben showed up for Sunday School and then left after. Then we got home, ate lunch, and Elder Maughan started packing while I was getting ready for the new transfer. Then we had dinner with the Greco's and stopped by the Gonzale's so Elder Maughan can say goodbye.

This transfer has been pretty short. The next one will be even shorter because training is so much fun!!! I am super excited. Next week, I'll tell you a little more about my new greenie! I love you all!

Until next time...

Elder Jewkes