Merry Christmas!

Hi!

It feels like last Christmas was only a few months ago! This Christmas will be a little different but it'll be good. I'm excited for Brother Monson's Christmas crepes. 

This Sunday we had four people we're teaching come to church which was awesome! The Smiths, Julie and a guy named Jesse. They are all great people! The Smiths really liked church and it seems to me like they'll continue to learn and join the church with their three children. It is really amazing to be the bearer of a message that can anchor a family around Jesus Christ. 

Jesse lives in a house right on the beach. There's like 15 guys that all rent out different rooms that basically cost nothing but it's pretty collegy in there. We call it the frat house. There's a guy that lives on the roof. What Californians will do to live on the beach! Jesse has been looking into the church for over a year now and just moved here recently. We started working with him this week.

I forgot to tell you but a man in my family ward gave Elder George and I a card and a big box of Hickory Farms. I didn't know what that is but it is the best cheese and sausage and crackers ever. The card also had quite a bit of money in it too. It was very generous and I feel very loved here.

Merry Christmas, I love you!

Elder Gallagher

Almost Christmas

Bad news first! No skype :( but I am excited to talk on the phone! They're cracking down on the 40 minute rule too. So the only # I really remember is Mom's cell. So I'll call that unless I get the house phone number.

This week has been great. I went on a 24 hr exchange with Elder Williams on Friday and it went really well. I love exchanges and other missionaries. I feel a little inadequate at times during the trainings I give but I am confident in the relationships I cultivate with my zone. He's a great missionary and a hard worker. We taught a very powerful lesson to a woman who only spoke Spanish. He brought a member who bore powerful testimony! Even though I speak zero Spanish I could feel the Spirit as they talked. I prayed and prayed for Elder Williams and for his investigator and I know it helped. Now I just need to know how to testify in Spanish. I was also able to learn over to him remind him to ask for referrals. The woman's name is Marylena and will be baptized on Saturday. We talked about his district and doubling the productivity of Elder Heaps and Beyer. I really do love the people here in the zone. 

On Saturday we blitzed Elder Torgerson and Haynes area. They did an amazing job organizing a great event. We were prepared and were all invited to bring members. Many sets of missionaries did and had great experiences. In the zone we report the # of members taken out with us and this week we had 25 members out. We expect to keep breaking records in that regard. 

Yesterday I went to the departing fireside. It is a meeting where the missionaries going home get up and talk about their experience for a few minutes. One of my favorite people in this world is leaving in two weeks and I'll miss him a lot. His name is Elder Dixon. He was in the Virginia ward when I was with Elder Jacobson and is now an AP. Usually when I need to make a decision or do something I think of what Elder Dixon would do. It'll be sad for me to say goodbye. I imagine getting old is something like becoming an older and older missionary. All my older friends are "dying" and it stinks. I wonder how Elder Edward is doing and wish I could go to Elder Smith's wedding on the 28th! It'll be great to reconnect with my friends. Even though I miss these people I wouldn't trade the time I've had here for anything in the world. I've learned so much about myself and who I want to be.

I'm starting to get more and more excited for transfers. I think I'll be staying and getting a new companion. Elder George has been great and I've learned from him. 

I'll pray for Chloe! I hope she recovers quickly from surgery. 

Love

Elder Gallagher

Chilly California

Hey,

Thank you for sending me a package family! It was quite a surprise to get a package and it was a great end to an already good day. The ornaments are on the mini tree that the Monsons put in our room for us. I'm excited to spend Christmas in a home. I hear they make crepes in the morning. Brother Monson was joking around saying that if we can't skype that doesn't mean that he cant skype you and I could be making a sandwich in the backround. Either way I'm excited to talk to you!

This week was zone meeting so Elder George and I and Sister Andelin (who Hans and Diedra know) got up and trained the zone. It was really fun! We had Danny, from the YSA (young single adult) ward, come and talk to us about member missionary work. He is awesome and is the type of person who easily spreads his enthusiasm. The work really is being hastened. He went to Oklahoma this weekend to attend his friend's baptism. Danny talked to his friend about the church in high school and ten years later he is really excited to join the church. 

We started teaching the Smith family this week! There's a man in the Cordata Park ward who drove us to a great family that he started sharing the gospel with. It was great to have a member so actively involved! He found them for us! And it's really funny because we got to their house and I absolutely have knocked on their door before. They are a very humble and nice family. They didn't make it to church but I'm looking forward to getting to know them better. 

Another member in LB called us and set up a time that we could meet with their friend Matt so we went and taught him too! He had met with missionaries a year or so ago and ended up going to school and losing touch. He is really excited to keep learning and come to church. Overall the work is going well!

I attended Russ Trounce's funeral on Saturday. There were so many people. The whole gym behind the overflow was full. There were even chairs on the stage that were full. It was heartbreaking to see a father give a life sketch of his first born son but he did a great job. The eight year old daughter talked about her Dad too. It was amazing how comforted the family is because of the gospel in their lives. It's comforting to know that we will be able to talk to and hold the loved ones that have passed away. What impacted me the most was seeing how many people were there to remember one man. It's really incredible how many people you can influence as you treat others nicely. I know his family will be okay despite such a hard trials.

A picture of Dad I drew

Mini Christmas tree

Love you all,

Elder Gallagher

Thanksgiving

This week was pretty good. For Thanksgiving I went to the Fuga's and then the Parkers. The Fuga's are Samoan so we ate a ton of food. We came after the feast had started but there were at least ten restaurant platters with those burners under them full of food. Turkey, ham, mussels, octopus, yams, taro, rolls, salad, mashed potatoes, cheese potatoes and then dessert. Deep fried oreos and plenty of brownies and cake. It was a mouthful. We did leave with more leftovers than we had eaten because they packed soooo much food for us to take home. Right after that we went to the Parkers! Brother Parker was the stake president and is now in the mission presidency. He is one of the nicest men I've met. He fed us turkey and cranberry sauce sandwiches. I thought Elder George was going to puke he ate so much haha.

Besides Thanksgiving my week was full of a lot of meetings. We were at the mission office a lot being trained. I'm really grateful for the leadership principles I'm learning out here. I'll be training the zone on Thursday.

Saturday morning a man in the family ward died suddenly from a heart attack. He was 46 and was in great health. He has a son on a mission and three other kids who live at home. It was very very tragic and church was full of people in tears. Death is such a hard and unavoidable part of life. It's hard even though I know that we will one day be resurrected like our Savior. Brother Monson said something that will stick with me. It doesn't matter when you die, it matters how you live. It is scary to realize how insecure life is. That has been on my mind a lot lately. I do know that we will all live again. What a great gift that we will all receive because of Jesus Christ.

http://www.lds.org/media-library/images/by-speaker/elder-d-todd-christofferson?lang=eng&cid=HPMO120213231#quote-christofferson-1173970

I hope everyone has a great week! I love you

Elder Gallagher

Before today's haircut

after

It is me again!

Hey,

I had a pretty good week this week. Transfers are tomorrow but I am staying here in Huntington Beach with Elder George. There are some new missionaries that are coming to the zone so I am excited to get to know them and help them with anything I can. Elder Komarek (who I trained earlier this year) got called to be a zone leader! He is going to do great. 

I went to the orthodontists office today and he fixed my retainer. He was pretty mad at me for going so long without wearing it. But everything is fixed so I can wear it. I can never remember what happened in my week. It was Elder George's birthday on Saturday so the Monson's took us to Claim Jumper which was really good. He turned twenty. The Monson's have been so great to live with. Brother Monson is such a character and I've learned a lot from him. I'm really lucky to be with them here in Huntington Beach during Thanksgiving and Christmas. You never need to worry about me! I forget if I've said this already but Chad Larsen, the bass player for The Aquabats, is in my ward. He's a really nice guy and I did tell him that my siblings like his show hah. 

Lately I have been trying to find ways that I can improve. I don't like the points we hit in life where we don't really know what to do next. There are a multitude of ways I can improve but it is hard focusing on one. As a zone leader, I go to the mission office before transfers and have a meeting with President Tew, his assistants and the other zl's. We find out where everyone is going so we can tell everyone the next day. The ZL's who are going home or are released get up and bear their testimonies. Elder Edward goes home tomorrow and Elder Welch was released so they both got up and it was really good. President got up and told a story about when he ran XC his senior year in high school. One race that he ran was on a golf course that was laid out with flags. At the last 500 meters of the race was a turn around a phone line. He went around the pole and "kicked" or ran as fast as he possibly could to get the best time he had ever done. He passed the finish line and his coach came up to him and told him that he was going to be disqualified. He asked why! His coach explained that when he had turned around the phone line pole he ran inside of one of the flags which was not allowed. He ran back to the pole and ran around the flag he was supposed to and as he was about to turn around to run back to the finish line he saw some runners that had never beat him. He told us that they didn't beat him that day either. The significance of the story is in the fact that the first time he ran the race he thought he was kicking as hard as he could. He didn't think he could have ran any more after that but he did. He was able to run that sprint a whole other time. Sometimes we think we are trying our hardest but really we have a lot more potential. I do not want to finish my mission in 9 months and realize that I was really only trying half as hard as I could have. I think that applies to everything. School, work, families. etc. 

So when you do something make sure you really do it! I miss you all and think about you often! 

Love 

Elder Gallagher

Here is a video from the Bible:

http://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/jesus-teaches-that-we-must-become-as-little-children?cid=HPFR111513159&lang=eng

I'm so bad at figuring out a subject

Hello!

How is everyone doing? I'm doing great! This week was really awesome. Three of the people I taught were baptized on Saturday! Eva (12), Patricia(24) and Kamala. I didn't make it to Kamala's baptism because his was during Patricia's but my cheesy smile shows how happy I am. My computer has had problems since I got on and since it is veteran's day we all have to come to the family history center. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMORROW NOAH!

Love you all

Elder Gallagher

Hi!

I've been emailing people for awhile so I better start writing a big email,

 

 I went to Newport today and it was really nice over there! I'll attach some pictures of me at the temple. Halloween was pretty fun! A lot of little kids rang the Monson's door bell asking for candy as Elder George and I hung out/cleaned out our room. We weren't allowed to go out trick or treating but I still have plenty of candy! I'm still loving where I live and how nice it is to live with a family. I love Huntington Beach!

 

This Saturday two of the people I'm teaching are getting baptized! Patricia is the girl that came to church on her own and is almost done reading the Book of Mormon. She's a really great girl who brings a lot of excitement to the rest of the singles ward. I've been really blessed to teach her and get her ready for her baptism.

 

The next girl is Eva (12). She is a quiet girl and reminds me a lot of 12 year old Eden. She's very smart and asks very good questions. Her father has MS and is in and out of the hospital. During one of the lessons we talked about the resurrection and Elder George asked him what it meant to him to know he would live again. He broke down and talked about how just that keeps him going and gives him hope. It was very emotional.

 

I have to go! Luckily a picture is worth a thousand words right?

 

Love you

 

Elder Gallagher

It's actually raining?

I didn't know it rained here! It really isn't a rain though, more of a drizzle. I promised photos this week and I remembered to bring my camera so I'll attach some. This week went pretty well! I went on exchanges with one of the district leaders in the zone. Exchanges is where we switch companions for a day. His name is Elder Pickering and he is planning on going to UVU when he gets home in March. He is in a trio with two new missionaries so I was actually with him and one of his companions. We walked around their area for the night and I ended up taking them to frozen yogurt because they were having a hard week.

This week was the Trunk or Treat for a few of the wards and it was pretty fun! We got some candy and saw some pretty good costumes. Guess what I dressed up as! Yep...a missionary! I saw a kid in an aquabats costume and I pointed it out to a missionary in my zone and it turns out that the lead singer and bass player for the Aquabats is in my stake! So I'm going to try and meet them. They weren't at the trunk or treat because they are somewhere shooting for their TV show.

Yesterday was pretty crazy. As you may or may not know the church is split into wards geographically and yesterday every single ward in the stake was redrawn this sunday. There were a lot of sad families who have been in the same ward as their friends for like 40 years. The best part was that President Tew didn't know about it so we still have to figure out where all of the missionaries here are going to go. We drove down to the mission office and met with the Elder Dixon and Tewksbury the AP's and tried to figure everything out. I think we'll meet with president tomorrow. I guess with the ward changes one of the aquabats will live in my ward. One of the people in the bishopric got up to bear his testimony and he talked about change. He talked about how we're like a house that is being built. We might picture our house becoming a little cottage but if we yield to God He will build us into much more than we can imagine. I'm seeing that happen in my own life. 

Patricia came to church yesterday and talked to her parents yesterday about her baptism. They're supportive and she's really excited for the 9th! She is really amazing! She reads her scriptures for over an hour a day and is really sure that she knows it's true. She's getting all the people in the singles ward really excited too.

Next week I'm going to the temple on tuesday so I'll be on to email on tuesday not monday. I get to go to the Newport temple which will be awesome! It's almost Noah's birthday!

Love you all!

Elder Gallagher

 

 

 

 

1. Pic of me and Elder George in the car

 2. Me today post hair cut

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. my room

Great Week!

Hope you all had a great week!

I'm pretty much all settled and used to living in this area now. The Monson's (the people I live with) are really great people! They have a nice home and I'm learning lot about what I want my house to be like from them. We also live next to the Carr family. They have a daughter on a mission in FL and they have been so nice to us too! They make cookies every sunday night which are very good. It is really different in a great way to live with members. I've missed the feeling of really being in a "home" and now I feel a little more like I'm home. Sister Monson buys me milk and it's like home where I didn't have to worry about buying milk or timing out how much I use. It is great!

Chelsea came to church and really enjoyed it. She met a lot of the other girls from church and the talks were really good too. One girl talked about developing charity. Elder George and I saw a miracle at church yesterday too! There was a girl who was there for the first time. Her name is Patricia. She moved here from San Diego and her friend told her about the church and invited her but she just wanted to go for herself. She's already reading and praying and marking her scriptures. We're meeting with her tomorrow! I've been really distracted today and I'm somehow already out of time! I promise pictures next week. I forgot my camera. 

Life is good here and I love and miss you all! 

Elder Gallagher

Huntington/Fountain Valley

Hey everyone!

 

I moved to Fountain Valley on tuesday and it has been really great! I live with an ex mission president who is very witty and great. We live in his old movie room and I feel pretty blessed to live in a nice house. The ward here is fantastic. Everyone I've met in the family ward is really motivated to do missionary work and share what brings peace into their lives. Even the Young Single Adult ward seems very missionary oriented. My new companion is Elder George (from Ogden, UT) and we're doing great. This sunday we ran around trying to attend the most of two wards in two different places. It was fast and testimony so I got up and bore my testimony.

 

Since it is columbus day I don't have too much time because other people need to email but I do want to tell you about my week! I've been meeting so many people and getting used to handling two different wards. We taught a girl that other missionaries contacted on the street. Her name is Chelsea. She's from Salt Lake and she surprisingly isn't very familar with what we believe. She's been to church before for her extended family. We were able to sit down and talk with her and teach a great lesson. I felt the Spirit really strong and it felt so good to teach someone again! I feel like I haven't taught very many people in awhile. She's getting prepared to be baptized on the 2nd of November. I'm greatful for all of the love that I feel from God. I have to get off now but I love you all and Ill have pictures and more great things to talk about next week. Look up Kevin Monson that's who I live with. Im safe and doing great!

 

Love

Silas

HB Bound [I'm guessing HB is Huntington Beach]

Hey!

I hope everyone's week was great. We had to move apartments on Friday just basically down the road so that took up a lot of my time. We moved into a pretty nice apartment with a lot more room than our old one. It is also right in the middle of little India so our neighboors are all Indian. I won't be living there anymore though because this was my last week in Cerritos. I found out Friday morning that I am being transferred to the Fountain Valley 1st ward and the HB singles ward. I've never served down in Orange County so I'm pretty excited! I know my companion too! His name is Elder George. He came out with Elder Komarek (who I trained) and he was just here in my zone a month and a half ago. We get along well and I'm really excited to work hard over there. I've also never served in two wards or a singles ward so I'm excited. I move tomorrow morning.

I'm still a zone leader and I know a few of the Elders in my zone. Elder Edward, one of my previous companions will be there so that will be fun. He goes home in just 6 weeks now. I was his companion when he was out for 13 months and now he's already going home!
 

We also got to watch the General Conference sessions this weekend which I thought was really inspiring. Here's a link:

(http://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2013/10?cid=HPFR100413105&lang=eng)

Some short quotes of what I liked from conference:

"Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith" - President Uchtdorf

"Our destiny is not determined by how many times we fall down but by how many times we get up" - President Uchtdorf

"It is impossible to fail when we do our best and when we are on the Lords errand" - Elder Ballard

I also really liked President Eyring's talk about the parable of the good Samaritan. Being able to care for others and feel the love the God has for others is really uplifting. It has made me a much happier person. http://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/whosoever-will-lose-his-life-for-my-sake-shall-find-it?lang=eng As we lose our lives in the pursuit of helping others we also lose our problems and loneliness.

I will be living with a member which will be great! He used to be a mission president and I've only heard amazing things about them. His name is Brother Monson haha. Last night I went to the departing fireside for missionaries who are going home. They get up and talk about their experiences and there are also musical numbers. I got to see a few people I haven't seen for a long time! I saw William, the guy I baptized in Whittier, and he is doing fantastic. He looks so happy and is now a ward missionary. He said his mom is taking the lessons in Spanish. Sometimes I get discouraged and forget about the people I've touched and will never forget. It was a good reminder for me to work hard no matter what. The pictures are of me outside our apartment, Me and Gilbert Mendoza ( a member of the ward) and the Lakewood zone.

Hope you all have a great week! I love you!

Silas

Elder Gallagher

My email doesn't like to work anymore so I haven't gotten any responses but there is a chance I'll be on later. Or is it just that you forgot about me? I hope not! I had a pretty good week despite the week being a little slow.

On Tuesday I took Elder Welch to get some Indian food in little India. It was pretty good but not as good as the place that we went to in NYC. He had never had Indian food before. It's a strange but tasty Gallagher tradition. Not many people I know love Indian food as much as us. I remember the time that I took Rach to Bombay house in Provo UT with Grammie and Aunt Heather and she liked it I think? She's good at trying new food now!

This is the last week of the transfer so I will know next week whether I am leaving or staying and what's going on. It's kind of weird to have a chance of being uprooted and put in another spot. I'm pretty used to it by now though. My official new release date is JULY 29th 2014! So already there are 10 months left. So that will be the day I get on a plane! I really can't picture that but It'll happen. Last night I had a dream and it only had people I know from my mission haha. It's weird that a year ago I was in Long Beach helping Nicole Reed quit smoking. As far as I know she is still doing really well and goes to church now! 

Last night Elder Welch was on the phone while we were walking and I started talking to a woman named Ruth who was walking home from somewhere. She was a very nice and we talked about the church and walked for about 15 minutes. I explained that I was from NY and what I was doing and that Elder Welch didn't have the same first name as me (Elder). Most people ask if we're brothers since we have the same first name. I'm not exactly sure how that clicks in people's heads... Anyways! She was really genuine. It felt like we were friends before even though she was probably in her 40's and I'd never seen her in my life. She expressed concerns about how all the churches say they are right and how there is a lot of hypocrisy which turns her away from religion. I really do understand all of the confusion when it comes to religion in the world. There are literally thousands of churches that all preach essentially the same thing: Love your neighbor etc. I think there are more Christian churches here in Southern California than maybe any other place. It looks a little ridiculous to put faith in just one or in any at all. That is kind of where she was coming from. I think most people expect me or anyone from a specific church to just literally hate people from a different faith and sadly, that is sometimes the case. I know that all churches speak some truth. They make better, happier people. The difference, I explained to her, between the thousands of other churches and the one I represent is priesthood authority or basically the power of God. She was right when she answered and said that most churches claim that power and authority. We usually always think we are right. It is pretty awesome despite that fact to have evidence of the claim that we make and I was able to talk to her more about the Book of Mormon (http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=1256696369001) and a modern day Prophet. No one can know of spiritual truths without prayer so I invited her to pray about what we talked about it and see what God wants for her.

Most of the things that are going on with me are about church though haha I bet you wouldn't have ever guessed. I heard that the church may be shortening the church block from 3 to 2 hours from a member that was sent a random survey. This might be the only time in my life that I get really excited about church news. This morning as we were doing laundry at "fiesta laundry" the English news was on which surprised me. It looked not so good so I'm a little curious to what is going on. It is pretty nice to not have to worry about anything but the people I help.

I'll probably be on later so email me back! Love you!

Silas

I'm pretty bad at thinking of subject lines...

Hey everybody,

My week was really great! Each week we set goals for the things we want to do and how many people we want to teach or talk to and this week we achieved a lot of our goals. I don't think I've ever learned so much about setting goals in my life. I've always been really bad at thinking of what I want to do with my future but what I'm learning here is going to help me a lot. I'm learning how to improve day by day. This past week my personal goal was to not speak negatively about anyone. I don't have a big problem with that but I want to always think good things about the people around me. Actually figuring out how I can improve and then doing it is really empowering. It is a great feeling to achieve a goal.

On Wednesday I got to drive down to Huntington Beach with some Elders in my zone who were getting a car from some other missionaries down there. I got to see the beach and I can't wait to come back here and swim! Sadly I didn't bring my camera so you'll just have to look up pictures of Huntington beach.

On Friday and Saturday I went on "exchanges" with a new missionary name Elder Brooks. Exchanges in where you switch companions for 24hrs to learn from a different person. He is only here in this mission until he gets his visa then he's headed to Vanuatu which is near the Solomon islands. He's going to live on tiny islands for two years with people who don't really wear any clothes and who stopped eating people in the 80's. I think his mission will be a tad different than mine hah. I had a good time with him and I'm glad I could get to know him a little bit before he heads there.

I forget when President Tew was talking about maturity but I think what he said was really interesting and true. I don't see him that often so it must have been a few weeks ago. As a baby all we care about is ourselves. We only think about when we're going to be fed and who's going to do what for us. But over time we grow up and start having to help other people. Watching siblings, doing chores. Then a person has baby and gives everything instead of takes. Maturity is based on how much we care about others and not ourselves. President Tew calls it being others' oriented. As we become more like Christ, who is completely selfless, we mature into who God wants us to be. It is not human logic to think that the less we think about ourselves the happier we will be but I know it's true. I've never been happier and I'm still probably thinking too much about myself.

I really like these videos. They are straight out of the scriptures which is why I think they are so good. And a plug for Noah...I think Jesus looks a little like Batman. Hopefully lightning doesnt strike me ha.:

http://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/the-greatest-commandment?lang=eng

http://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/sermon-on-the-mount-treasures-in-heaven?lang=eng

And I read this talk this week about having an abundant life. I really like the speaker Elder Wirthlin:

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2006/04/the-abundant-life?lang=eng&query=the+abundant+life

I'll attach some pictures this week! Elder Welch and I went to Jamba Juice and they gave us free shirts so that's why we match haha. These are random pictures we took at night instead of write in our journals...

Love and miss you

Silas

Bits from emails to Mom...

The work is pretty good. The first door I knocked on Friday was a girl who took a Book of Mormon and set up a return appt. But yesterday we knocked the rest of the street and stopped by and her Mom told us not to come back. She didn't speak any English...some sort of Asian language but that stunk. There's good work here though. No baptismal dates right now.

Crazy Week (no letter last week)

Sorry about not writing last week! I'll try and make up for it now. This week was pretty good and the end of it was pretty crazy. On Thursday, Elder Welch and I gave a "training" to the other missionaries in our zone. It's called zone meeting. It was only my second time being the missionary at the front training other missionaries but I thought we did really well. I like that I'm getting over my fear of talking in front of large crowds. Our zone is doing really well compared to other parts of the mission and I'm proud of the hard work that everyone does everyday. It has been really really hot and it would be miserable outside in the sun if I didn't know that what I'm doing can really help people.

Yesterday I had a good day at church. There was a man and his fiance who came for the first time. They moved here from LA and have been going to a Chinese branch (congregation) for the past month or so. They plan to get married in China at the end of he year and then be baptized so it was nice to have new people! The rest of my Sunday was a little crazy. I went to a baptism for a man and his wife who I interviewed for baptism. As a zone leader I have the opportunity to interview some of the people who want to be baptized in my zone. This was actually my third interview and I really love them. It is amazing to see the happiness and excitement people have to change their life and choose to follow Christ. The missionaries who taught them were pretty new and had never baptized anyone before. So they were very happy and it was a good service.

Later that day we got a call from other missionaries in the zone and they told us they got into a car accident and needed a ride. I didn't think it was going to be that bad but we got there and one of the missionaries (out of the three) was taken to the hospital. The driver was totally fine and the missionary in the passenger seat thought he was fine but on the drive over to the hospital he started having back pain. The missionary behind the driver was the one who went in the ambulance. They were doing a U turn and a car hit them right where he was sitting. So we went to the hospital from 7 to about 11:45. Normally I am in my apartment by 9-9:30 so it was strange being out so late. Our mission president and his wife came and worked some things out as we waited. The Elder behind the driver fractured his cheek bone or something and the Elder with back pain has a lot of muscle strain I guess. They're at the library and planning on going to UCLA for the doctor today. It was scary to realize how quick something bad can happen. I finally got in bed around 12am and I woke up at 6 so studying this morning was pretty hard!

I've been pretty happy this week. As I focus on other people the things I tend to worry about disappear. As we realize that being happy is really about doing things for others we'll be happier than we've ever been. I've never thought more about others any other time in my life and I've never been deep down happier. I know the only way I could be happier is to be with the people I love too. So I'm going to try and be a better and happier person everyday because I have a feeling that before I know it I'll be on my way home.

I hope everyone is doing well. I think about each one of you every week. Please excuse how bad I am at writing letters and emails too. If last week wasn't that great decide that this week will be different!

Love

Silas

New Transfer

Happy Monday!

These past six weeks have been the fastest six weeks of my life! I can't believe it is already time for another transfer. I'm staying in the Cerritos first ward with Elder Welch. I'm excited to stay and to keep working hard. This past week a member from the ward had us go and visit with a woman named Shirley. She is a very sweet lady who let us into her home and since it was late, briefly went over what we talk about with people and told her we would come back the next day. She was actually homeless a few months ago and has had a pretty rough life. She lives in Hawaiian Gardens which is a pretty rough place. We were looking for someone else and the address was where all these gangsters were laying around pretty much doing nothing. Walking into their hangout would be dangerous for pretty much anyone besides missionaries so I'm glad I've had experiences like that. We walked in and asked them where this person was and they told us after asking us if we want a beer. They do that a lot. I always say yes and get a funny reaction and then tell them that I would probably just poor it on the grass though. I love that even the roughest of people are likeable when you talk to them after a few minutes. I firmly believe that if you don't like someone you just don't know them enough.

Our ward had a "picnic in the park" activity this weekend and it went pretty well! It was amazing how much food the man serving me piled onto my plate. I've still only gained a few pounds which is good. Shirley came and I think she had a good time talking to some people. Another woman from Brazil who we are teaching came too! She seriously looks like she is in her 20's and she's actually 45. I was shocked when I found out. She's a very sweet lady who wants to join the church but there's a lot going on in her life right now. She's applying to work, getting a divorrce, trying to move to Cerritos and raise her four year old daughter at once. I get stressed out when she talks about everything on her plate and I don't get mad when we can only meet about once a week.

Yesterday I gave a talk in church about following Christ. It was based of the talk "Followers of Christ" by Elder Dallin H Oaks. I just talked for about ten minutes about what it means to follow Christ and why we choose to follow Christ. I think the most fundamental characteristic of a Christian is love. He loved everyone completely and gave His life for us. He was all about service.

Well I love you and I have to go now! Hope you have a great week!

Silas!

short!

Hey!

I hope everyone is doing great! I have little time to write today but I'll do what I can. This past week was really great. I had zone conference on Thursday which went really well. President Tew spoke to us about one of the most basic traits of a follower of Christ. He talked about being other oriented. I have to get off now haha but I'll write more about that next week sorry!

Love

Silas

Elder Gallagher

Family!

Here is what I wrote in my weekly letter to the mission president plus what I'll add in now:

My family recently moved from Brewster, NY to St. George, UT and were able to visit a few temples along the way. They went to the Kirtland and Nauvoo temples. See pictures of those temples made me really appreciate the early saints and the hard work they gave to the Lord. I haven't been to the Nauvoo temple but the Kirtland temple has a special spirit there. It was on a youth conference trip there that I felt the spirit very strong. I know Christ stood in that temple and important keys were restored. D+C 110 has always been one of my favorite scriptures. I like the description of the Savior.

I am trying to follow the example of those early saints and work! Elder Welch and I have absolutely seen the blessings of diligence this week. The drought of investigators that we were experiencing the past few weeks is over. The Lord will make things happen for you as you trust in Him and go to work. That was part of the message that we shared at zone meeting this past Thursday. Thursday was the first day I gave a "training" on my mission and it went pretty well. I'm usually a bit nervous when I have to speak in front of people but after a few minutes I relax.

One of the people we found this week was a referral from the Anaheim mission. His name is Gerry and he was just pulling up to his driveway as we were leaving his front door. We taught him a first lesson and it went very well. Elder Welch and I taught the best we have taught together. Gerry felt the Spirit and accepted a baptismal date for September 7th. He came to church yesterday and we plan on having him go over to the El Dorado ward which is a congregation of people around 25 years old.

On Saturday, all of the missionaries in the Lakewood zone worked in Sister Fulgham's area because they are having a hard time finding new people to teach. I feel like it was good for everyone to go and work had for someone else. People get excited to give charity. I think that we often forget that we are and should be working for someone else. I went on an exchange with Elder Pollard and Gutierrez who are both in the training program and it was great. They are good missionaries! Elder Pollard is a great contacter and teacher. Elder Gutierrez is not mad his visa hasn't come for Brazil and is trying his best. I invited them both to study the lesson pamphlets and make a list of inspired questions they can ask. I love getting to know the missionaries in my zone better and being to serve them.

Today I am going golfing with a few missionaries and that'll be fun. I haven't golfed in two years and I wasn't good then so we'll see what happens. Next week I'll be on to email on Tuesday because we're going up to the LA temple next week. Happy Birthday to Dad on the 14th! The last birthday I wont be able to talk to you on! I hope you all had a good week and I want you to know that I miss you!

Love

Silas

Another Great Week!

Hey

This week Elder Welch and I worked hard but didn't have as much success as we've had the past few weeks. We're having some trouble finding investigators but I know as we are diligent, we'll be led by the Spirit to the people who are ready to receive the gospel. One man we contacted on the street does seem very promising however! His name is Victor and we talked to him about eternal families. He told us that his wife had had a miscarriage and was upset with God. He agreed that families are forever and we were able to explain that the same power that Christ gave Peter to seal on earth and in heaven was restored through a prophet. It is so easy to see how the Gospel could bless Victor and his family so we are excited to teach him about the restoration.

This week I went to mission leadership council (MLC) which is where the zone leaders and the sister trainer leaders meet with President Tew and It was really great. I took my voice recorder in there so I could listen to what he said again. He talked mostly about how to set goals. We've been learning a lot about having a vision, then setting goals, making plans and being accountable. I'm learning a lot about how to make dreams become reality. Obviously that doesn't just apply to missionary work so I'm learning a lot of life skills too. He talked about what a vision is. Dreamy and non-specific. Like a child's dream to play on the NFL. Most people get far enough to have dreams but I think most of us stop there and kind of just hope that the things we do will maybe get us there. So he talked about identifying what is standing in your way from the vision being a reality and called it a "barrier analysis" It's pretty simple but I am not good at that and setting goals that will really get me where I want to go yet. I imagine that if everyone knew how to see what was truly stopping them from achieving our dreams we would all be more successful. I like that what I'm learning about setting goals with a vision can apply to the rest of my life. I know it's so important that we involve the Spirit with the goals we set and I'm excited to share that with the missionaries in my zone this week. Elder Welch and I are giving trainings on that and a few other things. Wish me luck!

He also talked about helping people who can't/have a really hard time forgiving themselves. Talking about this he said that Satan tells two lies. One before we sin saying, "everyone does it. One time won't really hurt, What's the big deal?" Then, after we sin he says, "Look what you've done. You're worthless. just give up" If we fall for the first lie we don't need to fall for the second. It's so important to trust in the power of the atonement. We have to believe that Christ can take away our sins and make us clean. I'm grateful for our Savior and the chance he gives us to repent and change for the better.

I was thinking about Grandpa too this week and how it has been a year since her passed. Please let Grandma know I'm thinking about her. I'm glad Mom and Dad are almost done with their week long trip! Hopefully Noah has a good time on high adventure! I'm glad Mrs. Zurheide is doing alright and I hope she feels better soon! I miss you all a lot!

Love

Silas

Cerritos!

Hi!

My week went by very fast. I'm trying to remember what  I did so I can at least tell you something fun or interesting. Where Elder Welch and I live is pretty cool. There are a few pretty interesting people that we regular interact with now. One of them is an old Filipino lady who is sometimes on the sidewalk just outside of our apartment complex. She always wears a pink beanie and asks people passing for the time. The first time we contacted her on the street she just asked us what time it was so we told her. She kept asking even though we told her so we asked if we could do anything for her. It's kind of hard to understand her because she doesn't really have any teeth and I'm not sure how much English she speaks but it sounded like she asked us to take blood. Haha so we told her we had to go. I like talking to "time" because she's nice and she brightens up my day.

There are a lot of really great people here. It has been so interesting for me to meet so many people from so many different backgrounds and beliefs. Something I have really learned on my mission so far is that no matter the circumstance, following Jesus Christ will change your life for the better. It is simple. As we follow Him we will receive blessings both spiritual and physical. I feel blessed to be in a position where I can be an instrument in God's hands as I invite people to follow Christ just like He would if He were there. Where I can show people how living the Gospel could really bless them and their family. I also like having a message that I don't have to prove. I don't go into someone's home and make them believe what I believe because of a scripture or how flattering the words I say are...I go talk to people about what God has done and what we believe God has done recently and give them evidence of that and invite them to find out for themselves.

I'm going to attach pictures this week of Elder Welch and I drinking a sketchy basil seed drink that he bought at "H Mart" an Asian market very close to our apartment. It was pretty gross. We also picked this giant lemon that wasn't ripe but was actually the size of a football. We cut that in half and there was not fruit in there so that was a bummer. So besides working very hard we are having fun too!

There are a lot of Polynesians in our ward and they love to feed us as much as possible. We visited the Tupu family and they got us a big bowl of three scoops of ice cream and three cookies. We talked to them and after we were done we were given three more cookies and scoops as big as the first helping. I can't believe I could still bike after that ha. They are really great people. Very giving and very loving. There have been many people here who want to give us dinner whenever we don't have someone to feed us.

I've liked being a zone leader so far. We get to answer any questions the missionaries have about the work and we get to help them. I like helping people a lot so why not help the missionaries who are trying to help people too? This morning we got a call from some elders that had their car towed last night. He was pretty mad at himself for parking in a tow zone so we got to cheer him up and spend some time with them as we drove to where there car was this morning. There are a lot of fairly new missionaries in my zone and I think they are really great.

Can you believe I've been gone for a year on Thursday? Me neither. I also can't believe we're moving and I hope you travel safe! Well I love you all and I hope you have a great week.

Love

Silas

First Week in Norwalk/Cerritos/Lakewood/Artesia/Hawaiian Gardens

Yes,

There are five different cities in my area. I really like it though! We have "little India" in our area so that was fun to discover. We were riding our bikes down Pioneer and I started smelling curry. I'm excited to try one of the restaurants and eat some chicken tikka masala again.

This is what I wrote to President Tew:

"It has been a week full of miracles as Elder Welch and I have come into our new area. It is a neat experience to white wash. It has helped me develop trust and hope that God will put us in the right place as long as we get out there and minister. I've already enjoyed having the responsibilities of a zone leader. I like getting to know and really care about them like Christ would if He were in my place.

The Lakewood Zone is full of great missionaries that work hard. I'm excited to get used to being a zone leader and being able to inspire them to be the best they can be. Something Elder Moala taught me is that we should work the hardest we can to show God the love that we have for Him."

We went to the mission office on saturday for a Mission Leader Council and it was really good. All of the zone leaders and sister trainer leaders met with the assistants and the mission president. One thing that's kind of funny is that now we're not going to use back packs anymore. So I'll be shopping for something else I guess. There was a missionary with a nice fossil brand satchel and it looked pretty nice actually. I think I'll look silly but I'll probably get used to it.

Elder Welch and I get along really well and we're having a good time. He's a good companion and I think we'll have a lot of success here. I'm excited for the next few weeks. Good luck family moving! Sorry my email this week is short!

Love

Silas

Transfers! (letter from 7/15)

Hey everyone,

This is my last P-day is Whittier! I am moving to the Cerritos 1st ward. My new address is: 16031 Pioneer Blvd #B13 Norwalk, CA. This week was pretty good. Wednesday night President Tew called Elder Moala and I to be zone leaders. That basically means I get to help not only people around where I live but also the missionaries that I serve around. So I get to help missionaries with any problems that they have and  try to be an example to them. The general area or zone where I'm going is "brand new". Last transfer there was one pretty big zone and now there will be two zones with about 20 missionaries in them. 

I'm excited to have the opportunity to be in the Lakewood zone with my new companion Elder Welch. He was Elder Moala's trainer and he said I'm going to really like him. I am sure I will have a lot to learn from him about being a good zone leader. I'm very humbled to be put in this position to serve and do so much good for others. I've been studying chapter 12 of Preach My Gospel in the hopes that I'll have the chance to interview my first baptismal candidate! 

I know I'm leaving the Colima ward in good hands. Elder Jensen is a good missionary and he knows where he wants to take the work. Yesterday I glanced over and saw Grace take the sacrament and renew the covenants that she made just two weeks ago. I am so happy to have had a chance to help her come closer to Christ. Every time I leave an area I realize how much I have enjoyed knowing the people that I've met. There are many families that I've grown close to and I've had a few chances to take pictures with them. I'll post some.

I finished the Book of Mormon this week and applied Moroni's promise. I'm grateful for the witness of the Holy Ghost of the Book of Mormon. I feel that same witness as I get ready to leave for the Lakewood zone. I've also been reading through the Old Testament still and I am in Jeremiah right now. It's interesting how the Lord speaks to the people in Jerusalem through Jeremiah. I like how God is very straightforward with us. If we're doing the wrong thing we won't receive blessings and we may go through trials to help us repent. On the other hand if we're following God He'll give us all He has. 

I took a picture with the Budge family. They asked Mom what my favorite food was and made me french toast for my birthday. I'll miss them! I couldn't get a picture with the Montierth's because they are in Utah. I'll miss them a lot too. I'm sure we'll keep in touch though. Well I hope everyone had a great week. Can you believe I'm only two weeks away from being out for a year? 

Love 

Silas

Last Week of the Transfer

What an interesting couple of months this has been for me! 

I am now in a trio again! That makes for five companions in two months which is pretty extreme. One of the missionaries in my ward (there were 4) went home so the lonely one came and is now with Elder Jensen and I. His name is Elder Moala and we actually came out together! He is a great guy with a big heart from Tonga. He lived in UT for four years before he came on a mission but he is still very Tongan which is cool. I'm learning some Tongan. Fakalongalonga means be quiet haha so we like saying that to each other. Tuku means stop. Afu is love. 

I met my new mission president and his wife and I really like them a lot! President Tew is from Wyoming and he is a very spiritual/intense man. He gave a training to my zone and as he talked to us he would look straight into each of our eyes and it seemed like he looked into our souls. He interviewed Grace for baptism and while they were in another room, we had a lesson with her daughter Gracie with Sister Tew. Grace's daughters are very sweet girls who are also looking into the church and they came this past Sunday.  The baptism on Saturday went really well. Grace was really happy and she said she felt the Spirit really strong. Her boyfriend Steven baptized and confirmed her and his family showed her a lot of support. 

HAPPY ALMOST BIRTHDAY EDEN! I can't believe you are almost a teenager! That is crazy! I miss you and I wish I could come to your my little pony party....kind of. I would come for you not the decorations. I love you! 

My 4th of July was pretty fun. We had dinner at the Kings and there were a bunch of people there. They have a ping pong table and I found myself playing ping pong! It was really fun. I can't wait to play Dad again! Everyone there who played really wanted to beat me. 

The pictures are of the bike bath right next to our apartment with Elder Moala, and Grace and Steven right before the baptism! 

I hope you have a great week! 

Love

Silas

11 Months!

Hey!

I always get excited to email you about my week. I feel like I've been getting worse at writing about my week but I'll keep trying to write a lot. Today I have been on my mission for 11 months. It is amazing how many experiences I've had in these short 11 months. The people I've met and loved will always be a part of my life and who I am. I am lucky that I made the decision to leave everything and come on a mission. 

This week Elder Jensen and I have gotten to know each other a little better and have been able to teach Grace a few times. Sister Cossio has been a really great friend to her and they are there to strengthen each other. Grace is really excited to be baptized this Saturday! She is changing her life around and she can feel how much it's blessing her life already. I'm really grateful for all the blessings in my life right now.

There was a woman at church yesterday who gave a talk on recognizing the blessings that God has given her. She talked about how she would keep a blessing journal where every once in awhile she would just write a few things she was thankful for. She said that recognizing the blessings in life have helped her with the trials she has gone through. I would guess that everyone that I know and meet is going through a trial right now. Whether that is physical or spiritual, counting your blessings can help you see God's hand in your life. 

I'm grateful for the priesthood that has been restored for the salvation of God's children. It's that priesthood that will wash Grace's sins away and allow her to covenant with God to always follow and represent Him. I'm just about out of time but I hope you all have a good week. I miss you a lot. I can't believe it has almost been a year since we've said goodbye.

Love,

Silas

Birthday Week!

My dear Elders and Sisters,

What a privilege it has been to serve as your mission president. I have learned and grown right alongside of you. The greatest lessons I have learned have come by watching you. Thank you for your hard work, dedication, obedience, consecrated efforts and for never giving up. You and I have been touched by Elder Tad Callister's talk on integrity. Let's get this Christlike attribute to sink deep down inside of us, to the very "fiber of our beings," to change our nature so that our behavior is changed as well. I am so thankful for the Spirit that encourages me to want to do better every day of my life. I have watched that happen to you as well.

I testify that setting our sights on becoming more like our Savior everyday, by acquiring Christlike attributes, will bring us safely home. Listen to the Spirit. Follow the promptings and directions you receive. Teach these marvelous principles to everyone you find in your path. Place yourself in the paths of others, intentionally, then teach, testify and invite them to live that principle.

Bless you all to continually filling your minds with all the beauty, fullness and completeness that is only found in the Lord's kingdom.

Our Savior is our Savior and Redeemer. We are all "hardened, fallen and lost" and would remain so without his atoning sacrifice. He is "the keeper of the gate," we have a living prophet. Keep learning and trusting and battling through the tough times. You will get to know the Father by living the gospel he has taught us so simply and so beautifully from before the foundations of this earth.

You have forever changed my life. 

All my love,

President Bubert

700+

Hey everyone,

That is the email that President Bubert sent everyone as he prepares to leave on Saturday. I'm excited and sad to have a new mission president. We'll see how President Tew is. My week was pretty crazy because I got a new companion. Elder Jensen is from "good ole" Utah. He's lived in St George before so I was talking to him about that. He's been out as long as Elder Komarek! Almost 6 months. We had an awesome lesson with Grace and she's going to be baptized on July 6th. She has become really good friends with a member who has been in her exact same situation before so it has worked out great. It has been amazing seeing God's hand in the people's lives that I have taught. I know it's not me getting people to believe something. I just invite them to learn for themselves and help them have spiritual experiences. I love seeing the Spirit change lives. 

My birthday was really good so thank you! I liked all the silly Spider Man toys Mom and the notes from the Ward was nice too. I had a pretty good day. The 18th I had to sleep on another Elder's apartment floor which stunk but I slept surprisingly well despite the hard wood floor. I was tired during the day but I had a good birthday dinner and a pretty good day. I missed you all a lot though. The members here were really nice on my birthday! One made me a cake and card. One bought me mango cheesecake with my name spelled out and everything. And one had me for dinner and made me tortellini. I'm glad that I have a good relationship with the people here. They are very nice and want to do all they can to help us. 

I read in John 15 this morning during my study time. Christ is the true Vine and we are the branches. I like that it says that if we bring forth fruit, God purges the branch so we can bring forth more fruit. I'm glad that there are answers for why we all go through hard things. God puts us through trials so we can become better people. I was a little down this week but I know that it's just so I can be a better person. Thank you for your support! I love you.

Silas

June 17th

Hey everyone,

I had a pretty good week! Since I bought an odometer for my bike in Feb I have biked 1000 miles. Crazy right? I've gotten pretty used to riding my bike everyday in the sun. It wouldn't be worth it if I was doing anything else. Last Monday President Bubert gave a training about a talk called Becoming Men and Women of Integrity by Tad R Callister. I think everyone should read it. Integrity is probably the most difficult Christ-like attribute to develop. It is literally our nature. What we would do when we think no one is watching. Adherence to a strict moral code.

This week we started teaching Lola and her two children Alex and Daisy. They are very interested and are really fun to teach. Her kids are 11 and 12 which means that we have to teach very simply. I really love teaching and answering people's questions. We are also still teaching Grace and she is doing great. There are a lot of people who we're working with that I love very much! I don't have too much more time so I may have to keep this short. Thanks for the birthday wishes!

Love you

Silas

Greenie! (forgot to post this June 10th!)

Hello,

I got a new missionary on Tuesday which was fun! I also got to see Elder Komarek pick up his new missionary so I was proud of him. In the mission the people you train are your "sons" so my "son" Elder Komarek had a "kid" so I'm a grandpa. Something has to keep us entertained right? 

This has been a great week. We're back on bike since Elder Hermansen and Heise left. We biked about 55 miles since wednesday. I've almost biked 1000 miles since Feb. Elder Allphin and I hit the pavement and we're already teaching very well together. It makes such a difference when a missionary has already had some experience knocking doors and contacting people. He sold security systems last summer so he developed some great skills that can apply to missionary work. The first lesson we taught was a lesson to Matt who has a baptismal date for the 23rd. We talked to him about faith and repentance. It was a great lesson with inspired questions and great teamwork. We also met Tabitha through a great family in the ward. She went to church with the Montierth's and they invited us over yesterday to teach a lesson. She committed to prepare to be baptized on the 30th. 

Grace also came to church! She is a single mother of three young women aged daughters who found a great friend at church yesterday! Sister Cossio is also a convert and single mother so they got a long really well. They sat together, exchanged numbers and are planning on getting together to read. It makes such a difference when members go out of their way to meet people who are new at church. We'll keep working hard.

I have a feeling that Elder Allphin and I will be pretty successful together. He's a good worker and is very personable. I forget that he's brand new so I'm excited! It is weird though because he's seen Iron Man 3 and that literally just came out ha. I guess I've been on my mission for a little while now. Thanks Mom for all the pictures you sent me! They're great. I'll send a picture of us that I took this morning. 

I miss you all and hope you have a great week.

Love

Silas