Elder Kaden Rees

  Because of Thanksgiving this past week felt short. We had P day and a couple days later we had Thanksgiving off and then P day again. On Thursday we were able to have a Thanksgiving lunch with the stake patriarch and his extended family. He is the same member that fed me on Thanksgiving last year when I was in Hacienda Heights. His name is Patriarch Lai and he is a great member to have on lessons because he knows the doctrine and is a bold teacher. We are teaching a guy named Max Ma. He is super cool and wants to get baptized but the problem is that he smokes 2 packs a day. We are trying to help him slow down his smoking but haven't had much progress so far. I have faith that he can get baptized before the end of the year. Scripture of the Week: Alma 34:40-41 40. And now my beloved brethren, I would exhort you to have patience, and that ye bear with all manner of afflictions; that ye do not revile against those who do cast you out because of your exceeding poverty, lest ye become...

  This was a great week. Some highlights of the week: -  Had some friends come to church and then attend the baptism afterwards. - Crazy catholic guy interrupted elders quorum. - Found some cool new friends I was sad to hear the news about President Ballards passing, but he lived a great life and endured to the end. Earlier this week I was studying one of his talks titled "His words ye shall receive". He teaches about what a blessing it is to have prophetic council and that we should always follow the prophet. I know the church is true and it is built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). I know President Ballard was one of Christ's witnesses on the earth. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and the hope it brings to all of us. Scripture of the Week: 4 Nephi 1:1 And it came to pass that the thirty and fourth year passed away, and also the thirty and fifth, and behold the disciples of Jesus had formed a churc...

  This week was the start of a new transfer. I am staying in Hacienda Heights to finish Elder Kemp's training. My old trainee, Elder Lyu, moved into our apartment and is in a trio with the other elders. Now we have 5 Elders in one apartment. Some cool things from the week: -We are in a car share and ride bikes half of the week -our friend Aodeng is getting baptized in a few weeks -Aodeng's mom (who is mongolian and is hard to understand) is getting baptized the beginning of december - I am in 3rd nephi in the Book of Mormon (always a blessing) - I finally have the living christ memorized - I talked to an old dude from Beijing about the history of Chinese dynasties and the wars with Mongolia in Chinese and understood what was going on. - I am teaching a family I taught over a year ago - my first time in Hacienda Heights. Scripture of the Week: Helaman 12:2-3 Yea, and we may see at the very  a time  when he doth  b prosper  his people, yea, in the increase of thei...