LAST LETTER OF MISSION!

HEY!

What an experience my mission has been for me. Last night was the departing missionary fireside and it was really strange being the one getting up and bearing his testimony. I came out and am going home with an Elder Moala who is Tongan so he gave me a big lei (pronounced lay) to wear. All the missionaries going home had candy and flower leis around their necks. It was kind of cool. Elder Moala and I will actually be coming home to salt lake on the same plane so I'm positive you'll see his family there tomorrow. It was bittersweet to be sitting in the choir seats and look out on many people I knew. I saw Joey, Patricia, Buddy, the Smiths, the Carrs, Montierths, 

 

Sorry I sent that early by accident....anyways

I saw a lot of people that I've focused all I have and I love them so much. I don't know where I would be right now if I didn't take that time and serve other people with all my might mind and strength. It was pretty cool having some of the people I've helped meet each other. It was really hard not to hug all of them!...still can't hug girls. I will tomorrow though! I'll hug Mom first. 

It was really weird having a last hour of missionary work. It was Saturday night. Yesterday was church and then the fireside and today is Pday and then the dinner at President's house. My last hour we were at Orizaba park contacting people there. We were headed back to the car and as we passed this man I really felt like we should go back and talk to him. He actually really wanted us to talk to him and he said he noticed that we did a u-turn just to talk to him. He wanted us to pray for him and we did. 

Well there are a lot of people here and I have to get off. I'll see you tomorrow!! LOVE YOU

Elder Gallagher

 

Last week

I had a good week this week! The weeks feel like days now and I'm staying very busy. We had two zone conferences this week. One in Huntington beach and one in Cerritos. Elder Taylor and I gave a training on how to begin teaching. It is very important to understand the needs of the people we sit down and teach. I love teaching people and helping them with their questions about life and with what they want to achieve. I've never felt happier trying to help people achieve their goals. At one of the conferences there was an elder that forgot his tie. It was pretty funny. I asked him what happened and if he was wearing an invisible tie. He and his trainer were in a rush to get to zone conference and he ended up just buttoning up his top button and forgot to get a tie. That's a first! Luckily President had an extra tie.

This week we picked up a brand new Toyota Corolla from Torrance. It's fun leaving the mission. Weird to think there's a whole lot of places I haven't seen in two years. It is unreal to have a car with six miles on it. It smells really new. I'll probably never drive a new car for the rest of my life! SO I'm enjoying it now.

Yesterday Elder Taylor and I went by a referral that some sisters gave us. It was our first time there and there ended up being two apartments at this address so we decided to go to the one closest to us first. We walked up to the door and sitting on the ground on a stand was a tile with a Thomas S. Monson quote. We figured that it was maybe a part member family and the kid (Matt) that we were looking for lived there. A boy answered named Terrence who said Matt lived in the apartment over. So we asked him if he had made it to church and he said no because his mom was in Mexico. It was funny because we asked him what church he went to because we realized he might not really know who we were and he said cottonwood which is a mega christian church around here. Haha no one in his family was a member of the church so we set up an appointment to come back and talk to them about the guy who said the quote. 

I think in the next week I will continue to feel every emotion possible. I've put my whole heart into my mission and it is tough trying to realize I'm leaving. I love my mission. I've never done anything else in my life that has brought as much meaning and joy to my own life. I know how to work. I know how to be happy even when it's hard. I'm still Silas just better hah. At the same time I am excited to see you again! Love you!

Elder Gallagher

Hey,

Things are going pretty well over here! Right now the main person we are teaching is Brad. I really like Brad and he's already changed a lot. Right now the only thing that would keep him from being baptized this upcoming Sunday is smoking. Hopefully Joey will be able to baptize him! Joey passed the sacrament this Sunday which was exciting for both him and us. 

I'm still working really hard and trying not to think much about coming home. I honestly don't have much down time to even think about it. I have so little time to spare that I haven't thought much about everything I need to do when I get home which is stressful but I know it'll all work out! I was on more of those exchanges this week! I have one left which will make 27 day exchanges with zone leaders. So far we've been able to find a new person to teach on every one. I have learned a lot being able to go with the best missionaries in the mission. They are great examples to me! 

The pictures from the kids play looks like it went really well. Too bad I missed it! This morning we had a lot of younger members of the church come in to go on a "mini" mission for one or two weeks. So I had to get everyone together and tell them who their new companions will be. So that's my excuse for a short email. Love you!

Elder Gallagher

Happy late 4th of July!

My 4th was really great. I had dinner at the Gallops who are members of the Woodruff Ward. Hans from Blue Sky was there which was cool. I barely know him but I remember him. I was with an Elder who is from the Dominican Republic and he's super great. We were down on 5th and Cherry in Long Beach and there were a ton of people! We taught a girl named Carmen and as we asked her to pray a bunch of firecrackers went off and we all had to wait hah. It was pretty funny. It was really fun having so many people out. There are usually quite a few people but not really ever like a city until the 4th. We also taught two kids at the bus stop while they were waiting to go home. It was a good night! 

Happy Almost Birthday Eden! I can't believe she'll be 14! I also can't believe I'm 21! Time flies. I'm pretty glad the times I have to email are coming to an end because my motivation for this is declining haha. I am sad that I'll eventually have to leave this place. I love it here. I love the people I teach and talk to on the street. I love the missionaries here so much! They're good people and I've made a lot of friends here. 

Lately I have been reading in John in the New Testament and also Helaman in the Book of Mormon. I really like Helaman 13 and 14. The idea that God has done everything so we come back into His presence is very loving. We just need to decide what we're going to do, follow Him or not. I love John 3. Christ teaches the necessity of baptism and we learn that Christ came not to judge or condemn the world but that we might be saved.

Anyways... love you!

Elder Gallagher

[4 weeks to go!]

Hey!

This week I got sick which doesn't happen usually so that slowed my week down a little bit. I got up to go run and my head was really dizzy and the room was spinning. I still tried to run but ended up walking and going back to bed. I got a blessing that helped a lot and I'm pretty much back to 100%. It is amazing how tired you can get but go run and be awake the rest of the week. 

Joey asked me to confirm him a member of the church and give him the gift of the Holy Ghost which was special. If nothing else I've realized lately what a great mission the Lord has given me. I really can't think of anything that I wish would've happened or wouldn't have happened. I went on another exchange this week and after Elder Taylor and I got to work to the end of the night. We went by a member who we were asked to go visit and we weren't sure what his apartment number was. So we went up to a door that was open and met Robia. We asked if Bevon was home and she said she grew up with Bevon and that he lived upstairs. Bevon was recently baptized so we talked to her about that and asked if he had talked to her about it at all. We invited her to come upstairs with us and talk to Bevon with us!

So we went up there and he wasn't home but there were some chairs there and we ended up teaching her a very powerful lesson about the restoration. She practically taught herself as we asked good questions and followed the Spirit. I think teaching is one of my favorite things about being a missionary. 

This week I also had to give two trainings at leadership meeting and mission leadership council. One of the topics I talked about was bringing someone to church each week. I talked about ways the leaders in the mission can help their missionaries bring people to church. We read the words of Hymn #185 which for me explain why we go to church. At MLC Elder Taylor and I taught about teaching simply. It's kind of difficult having to give talks all of the time but I learn so much as I prepare for them. 

I read a talk this week about timing. Elder Oaks talked about how he planned his life and how different it was. It's important to just put the Lord first and keep the commandments and everything else will work out when it's time.

Love you! 

Elder Gallagher

I have run out of subject lines...

This week went really well. It's stressful being the senior assistant but I love Elder Taylor so everything works out. We got to pick up the new missionaries on Tuesday which was great! It is awesome to see the excitement they have!

Joey got baptized yesterday! It was a great day and tonight he's coming out to go teach with us. We're also teaching a guy named Brad who came to both church and the baptism yesterday and loved it! He's a funny guy. He's a pagan/mystic but loves the Book of Mormon and I think he likes to say that for the scare factor. He felt really welcome at the ward. He said, "I didn't know a place like this existed!" We have a lot of good people here.

I met a returned sister missionary who was visiting with her friend that knew Thomas Fischetti! Small world. 

Here's a good series of articles about why religion matters. There have been a lot of people that I've talked to that wonder about that question. Most people today claim spirituality but don't associate with a "religion":

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/why-religion-matters-making-selves-out-of-others

Shouldn't I be more motivated to write since I only have to do this five more times? Haha somehow that is not the case. Love you!

Elder Gallagher

 

Six More Weeks!?

Hey Everyone!

That is pretty scary to think! My mission doesn't feel like it should be coming to a close but it is whether I like it or not! Sometimes I like it sometimes I don't haha. This week was busy as predicted! Some highlights were the dinner at President Tew's house for all of the departing missionaries. Yesterday I was able to conduct the departing missionary fireside where over 200 people came. It's becoming pretty natural for me to speak in front of many people. That has been something that I have definitely had to develop. Now I am the senior assistant so I pretty much have to know everything haha. It'll be a great transfer and I'm looking forward being companions with Elder Taylor. 

Sunday the 22nd, Joey should be getting baptized! We're really excited for that. It's pretty cool because Elder Taylor was actually one of the missionaries that initially knocked on his door. Pray that everything goes well for that!

​ Here's a picture of Elder Jacobson and I! We were companions my 3rd transfer. So November 2012. He's headed home! I love President and sister Tew's front door it looks like a temple's door.

This pretty much sums up Elder Sturgell and I's companionship. We had a great couple of transfers together. He's going to the cambodian ward for the last two weeks of his mission then he's headed back to tennessee. Thank you for the birthday wishes. Sorry my email is shorter than I had planned. A few different things came up that took my time. 

Love you all!

Elder Gallagher

Our friend has a Lambo... He gives the missionaries going home a ride before they go so he gave E. Sturgell a ride. 

Transers!

Hi Everyone!

This past week has been a great week! Do I say that every week? That doesn't mean I'm never discouraged or stressed or really tired but it does mean that what really matters was really great! For some reason this week I've been so so tired at 6:30 but luckily the 20 minute run really helps me wake up. It feels like I've woken up at 6:30 everyday for two years....oh wait. 

This week is going to be very busy for me. We are still working on transfers and we need to have everything done on Thursday. Every six weeks there is a transfer. President Tew, Elder Sturgell and I pray and figure out who needs to go to another area, with what companion and it takes quite a bit of time to figure out. Elder Sturgell goes home a little early (July 1st) for West Point so he will be released and I am getting a new companion! My last companion! His name is Elder Taylor but he has no idea that he's coming to the office yet. He'll find out on thursday. In my setting apart it said to love my companions, for I shall have many. That has come true. I think he'll be my 17th companion which is more than usual. 

Right now I am teaching two really great people! Brad and Joey. They were actually friends in high school and we didn't know that until we introduced them to each other. Brad is the brother of a return missionary in the ward. He said he was pagan but was interested in the Book of Mormon so we read Alma 32 with him. He loved the comparison of the word and a seed. The next time we came back he had read the first few chapters and now wants to be baptized. He's a really cool guy I like him a lot.

Joey is doing really well. He is getting baptized on the 22nd of this month. He is excited! Possibly more excited than anyone I've ever taught. He has changed the most of of anyone I've taught to. He had to quit his job, quit smoking and drinking coffee and tea. It's been great to see the Gospel really change his life and help bring some peace. His father died when he was twelve and he was told that because his dad wasn't baptized he wasn't in a great place to put it nicely.

There is a speech that was given at BYU by one of the church leaders that has really helped me to work hard and understand when I am feeling down. http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=869

President Tew taught the new missionaries this month about being others oriented. Being selfless and forgetting about yourself. He shared that Jesus taught the plan of happiness in 12 words. John 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. It's only when I've applied what I've learned in my life that I have felt good. This life is hard and I see too many missionaries and people who struggle because of mental illness or depression. I know that no matter anyone's situation they will be blessed as they follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Love

Elder Gallagher

June!

I had a great week this week!

We just picked up a new missionary today who came back after a year of being home. He's happy to be back! It's great to be on a mission. It's so strange to me that it's June and in July I go home. Luckily it's at the end of July. I am excited to come home but It's very foreign to me. It's really interesting to think about possible goals for school and work. I hope to keep the good habits I've started on my mission. I know I need to keep waking up early. Luckily I have a little bit of time to figure that out! I'm glad I can see Chloe, Eden and Noah in their play!

On Saturday we had Elder Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles here! It was amazing to see all of the missionaries in this mission in one chapel. Normally we don't get everyone together so It was the first time I saw everyone. I really love the missionaries here. I was sitting on the stand with President and Sister Tew when Elder Ballard, Elder Schwitzer and Elder Acosta came in they came through a door onto the stand. Elder Ballard walked up to me and asked if we were the assistants and I got to be the first one to shake his hand. He's a funny and powerful man. We all stood and shook everyone's hand. I had never shook over 200 people's hands in a row...your hand gets pretty tired. I felt the Spirit very strong as he testified of Christ and answered some of the questions we had. One missionary told him that he had always been put with strong companions and he felt like he was worthless and not able to really pull his weight. Elder Ballard told him that he was worth just as much as his companion. That he is a son of God. He answered a lot of great questions. I thought it was funny when he said that they're doing all they can to get members to do missionary work. He said, "I've given my last two conference talks to talk about missionary work!" One of the things he said that I really liked was "you've got a message and you've got a mission!" After the meeting I went on a date.....haha President and Sister Tew were going on a date and sister Tew asked if we had dinner and then invited us to eat with them. We went to a tiny little place that makes Pupusas. I had never had any before but they were really good!

We taught Joey at President Tew's house this week. It is such a blessing to be able to teach someone at my mission president's house. Especially Joey! He is becoming so converted to the Gospel. He loves the Book of Mormon and church. That's what happens when you actually read it and experiment upon the word. Everyone I've taught that has really tried to read the Book of Mormon has been baptized. It was a great lesson. President answered a lot of his questions and he's not working on quitting smoking. 

Happy almost birthday Mom! The rest of your birthdays I'll be able to give you a hug and a present! One thing Elder Ballard said really seemed like he was talking to me. He said think about how many months you have left and give 100% of it to God. Thank you for supporting me with all the things I have been doing.

Love

Elder Gallagher

Better letter than last week

Hello!

I've been having a lot of spiritual experiences and I better share some with you. I should also find some time to write them in my journal. I've been pretty good about writing in a journal until I was transferred here. The other morning I decided to text all of the missionaries that are in our area asking if they had talked to any YSA aged people lately. Usually it's a lot of "no sorry" but this time I had a few text back with information on some people. So Elder Sturgell and I went by this guy named Joey. A week earlier the Spanish speaking elders knocked on his door looking for someone else but he invited them in to ask them some questions. He saw the musical and wanted to hear what they had to say about it. They gave him a Book of Mormon. So a week later we stop by and he sits us down and one of the first things he says is, " I can't explain this book." He said he had read the first two books and immediately I was pretty sure he meant chapters so we clarified. He's about to start Jacob. He just applied to be a Jesuit priest in the Catholic church and was denied. He's easily one of the most knowledgeable and open minded 23 year old I've ever met. 

We taught one of the best lessons I've taught on my mission. We were so excited after leaving his house that we went the wrong way to our car. We decided to keep going and just circle around. On the way we talked to a man who's niece was in the hospital. She's 16 and was playing in a construction area and fell off a three story building. Crushed her leg and her face. We prayed with him for her. He said it was funny that we came to talk to him because he just came out for a minute and really needed that. We told him we went the wrong way but that we knew why! Joey came to church yesterday and told us that normally at church he stares at his watch but that he didn't even think about how long he'd been there. He met the Bishop, plans to come back and knew two people from church that he went to high school with. Miracle! 

Leia, who was baptized a couple weeks ago is doing really well! She's going to take pictures at all the ward activities. That's her calling or responsibility in the church. I thought I 'd update you on that.

President is doing really well. He's recovered much faster after being home. He's already having interviews with missionaries again. We met with him last night to talk about the upcoming meetings and topics. Elder Sturgell and I will be training on obedience. Forced obedience does not bring lasting fruit. You have to do something because you want to do it. Especially when it comes to serving a mission. Missionaries who come here because someone else wanted them to come will eventually go home or find their motivations out here.

I went on three more exchanges with zone leaders this week. They all went really well. Elder Sturgell and I have been able to find a new person to teach on every exchange we've been on so far. I think we've been on a total of 16 so 32 new people to teach. It has been pretty incredible to see God work according to my faith. Most of the people we find on exchanges is not because I did anything special, God just put us where we needed to be. It happens because I pray really hard and I work for it. I'm hoping I can apply that to life when I get home too.

https://www.lds.org/church/leader/m-russell-ballard Elder Ballard, an apostle of Jesus Christ, is coming to the mission on Saturday. I'm really excited for that! I think it's pretty cool that God works with men. He takes ordinary men and does great things with them.

Well I promised pictures but my camera hid in the trunk all week. Hopefully this week will be different! Love you!

Elder Gallagher

Short and Sweet : )

President Tew is finally home!!! After 17 days he's back and recovering more at home which I think will help it go much faster. I can't imagine spending that much time in a hospital. Elder Sturgell and I felt a burden lifted after meeting with him about a few problems. It's nice to have him back. Sister Tew is really an amazing person too. She is a great example to me of someone who lives the Lord and keeps working with faith and hope that things will work out. Before he came home he gave us permission to leave the mission and visit him! It was fun being in Newport (which is very nice) and seeing a place I haven't ever seen before. Normally we don't leave the mission boundary for anything for the whole two years so it was pretty cool. It's funny that I'll be able to go wherever I want pretty soon! 

This week I went on three more 24hr exchanges. I've also been studying faith. I gave a talk yesterday which was fun. I talked about being a disciple of Jesus Christ. It's hard to be trying to follow Christ and be a good person but I know it's worth it. Love you! I will have pictures next week.

Love 

Elder Gallagher

Happy Mother's Day (letter to Mission Presidient)

Here's my letter to president. It's not really blog material but I figure you might want to read anything I write since I don't write much!

Dear President Tew,

Elder Sturgell and I were able to go on three exchanges this week.

First I went with Elder Taylor. It was great to work with him in his area. They do a great job getting members out with them which seems to be a struggle at times in Spanish congregations. We went with Hector, a recent convert who now wants to serve a mission from going out with them. I think Elder Taylor would be a good assistant. He's a very hard worker. He wants to do his best and help others achieve their goals. We found a new investigator named Rebeca. Her whole family has potential to be baptized. We were not able to reach our daily goals.

My second exchange was with Elder Jacobson. He came to our area and we had a night full of miracles which led to us achieving our daily goals. We taught two member present lessons, one other lesson and found two new investigators all in three hours. Everyone we planned to go by and teach led us to someone. We took out Ian, a return missionary who was able to bear testimony to the people we taught. Elder Jacobsen is a good missionary! We were companions at the very beginning of our missions and we reflected on how much we had grown. I talked with him about the mission culture.I asked him what his zone's strengths and weaknesses are and helped him make plans to help them. I talked to him about studying more for his zone than the things he wants to learn about. 

My last exchange this week was with Elder Komarek. I think he would make a good assistant too. He handles situations with love and seems very mature. Also...I trained him so I am biased. We did not achieve our daily goals but we did find on our exchange. He feels that his zone can do better with talking with everyone. I encouraged him to make that a focus with the exchanges he has with his district leaders. 

On Thursday we went to the HBN zone meeting. I thought someone that has great potential for leadership is Elder Menser. The Spirit is with him and he is very mature. 

I miss you President! I hope you're recovering at the pace they hope. We have the mission praying for you. Thank you for everything you do.

Elder Gallagher

Good Week

Hey Everyone,

Today and tomorrow will be VERY busy for me. In half an hour or so Elder Sturgell and I are going to pick up two new missionaries that are coming from the MTC in Mexico. We're going to take them to the top of Signal Hill. You can see a lot of the mission from there. And we'll go and contact some people then take them to lunch. Tomorrow the rest of the new missionaries are coming in and we'll do the same thing. 

Last night we had a baptism! Her name is Leia and she's a very nice girl. Elder Sturgell and Tewksbury have taught her for a few months now. She is very happy going to church and hasn't missed a single week the past three months. Her mom came too and said that she's noticed a big change in her attitude. She's great!

​

President Tew has been in the hospital waiting to get surgery for a problem with his intestines. It's been hard not having him around. We've had to run a lot of meetings we wouldn't normally run. He should be back in about two weeks. 

I shouldn't have this info quite yet but since I'm in the office I saw the email haha so here's my travel itinerary.

DELTA AIR LINES       29 JUL LONG BEACH CA  SALT LAKE C UT 700A    949A

DL 4640             TUESDAY LONG BEACH     SALT LAKE CITY

V ECONOMY                                  TERMINAL 2

Looks like I get to SLC at 9:49 AM on Jul 29th. Thanks for writing me about your week! Great to hear Hunter is going to Germany! That'll be awesome. I also hope Aunt Katie's treatment will work.

Here's my letter to President Tew this week:

I'm really glad I remembered to write you this week. I apologize for missing so many weeks. Things have been very busy with transfers and MLC and the new missionaries. I've felt God's hand direct us as we have prepared for the new missionaries. I've learned so much the past five weeks. It would be hard to put into words exactly what. I feel more comfortable with speaking in front of a lot of people and I feel more love for the people around me. It's a privilege to be able to minister to and think about the whole mission.

The departure fireside had me reflecting on my mission so far. I have come to know that Christ is right when he said, "he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it." I could not be more certain that this is true. I want everyone to know that when you give yourself up and work hard for him you are changed. I've never been happier and I've never given of myself so much in my life. Thank you for being a great example of this for me. Feel better President.

Love

Elder Gallagher

Hey!

Hey I know I write an email every week that doesn't really do it justice but I'm also 

interested in how all of your weeks went too! It's hard to believe that it's been so long since I've seen you. Even harder to believe that I'll be back so soon. 

I finally remembered my camera! So here are some of the pictures I've taken lately:

The Smiths! I baptized James and Ava (the little girl)

I was on exchanges back in my old area and we went to visit them and the feeling in their house was great! It's amazing what has happened to the feeling in their home. It is now more peaceful and like they said, "it feels more like home." The feeling of a spirit filled home is certainly real. I've loved spending time in President and Sister Tew's home as we've met the past few days about meetings and transfers. It feels peaceful and very comfortable. I have a really nice apartment which feels pretty good too.

This is my view from the desk I'm at in the mission office. There are a few senior missionary couples that work here and they're great! This week we got to go to the temple! We went to a pretty early session and on the way to the member that was driving us we hit a skunk with our car. I don't recommend it. Hah it was Tuesday when we hit it and it still smells a little bit. It was great to have some time to just sit and think in the temple. There were a lot of missionaries there and I thought about all the great people I've met here.

One spiritual experience I had this week was when I was on exchanges in my area with an elder from Canada. We were walking and trying to talk to everyone. A lot of people don't look like they're going to want to listen but time and time again on my mission they do. We  offered to say a prayer with a girl and her mother outside of their house and they said that we could pray for their friend in the hospital. After the prayer they gave us a few minutes to share our message. It was amazing how the questions we asked helping them understand what we were teaching. They wanted to come to church and get baptized. All from just talking to someone we were walking by. God really places people in our path that need the Gospel.

Email me back I'd love to talk to you! Hope you have a great week!

Love 

Elder Gallagher

silas.gallagher@myldsmail.net

My Week

Hello!

President called me this morning to tell me announcements that I write up for all of the missionaries each pday and today he had an exciting announcement! He told me that Elder M. Russell Ballard of the quorum of the twelve apostles is coming to the mission on May 31st. So I'll get to meet him and I'm pretty sure he'll meet with us and President Tew. 

President is feeling pretty sick so he's been in the hospital looking to get surgery in the next couple days. He'll be okay after his surgery. This past week we had three zone conferences. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. President made it to the first two but on saturday Elder Sturgell had to give his training. It felt a little like groundhog day getting up and giving the same training three days in a row but it was fun! I talked about revelation through the Book of Mormon. 

Having all of those meetings really cut down the time we had to proselyte this week. One of the times we did we had a really cool experience. We were stopping by a woman that we had taught in downtown LB and as I was knocking on the door Elder Sturgell contacted a girl walking down the road. Victoria answered the door and she wanted to listen and the girl Elder Sturgell contacted wanted to listen so we taught two different lessons at the same time. The girl that Elder Sturgell contacted told us that just before he had talked to her she was texting her friend about how she wanted answers about the tree of life and the fall. She recognized us as the answer to her prayer. We taught her yesterday and she is very interested with a lot of good questions. She should be baptized on May 11th.

Transfers are coming up so we are trying to figure out who should go to a different area, who should leave, who should be with who, who should be called or released from leadership. It's a good experience trying to fit all the pieces together.

I really like the place I live despite missing the people in Huntington Beach a lot (shout out to Danny Rasmussen) haha. Our apartment is pretty nice too. I have my own bathroom! Woo! The singles ward here is good too. A lot of good people who love the missionaries! I even found a member who knows someone with a cello so I might get to play it soon. Anyways, I love you and I know that coming closer to God, having a better relationship with Him is what brings true happiness in life.

Love

Elder Gallagher

No long letter, but lots of short emails

The Smiths got baptized on Saturday! Sadly I forgot my camera at the apartment but I'll send some next week. I baptized James and his daughter Ava. Elder Mann baptized Christina

I'm really sorry I didn't write about my week. Ill send pics next week. I did have a great week. Went on 24 exchanges with three different sets of zone leaders. I'm always busy doing something.

Made it through my first week!

This week flew by. Some highlights were meeting with President Tew in between conference session on Saturday at his house and talking about the topics of upcoming trainings. Something I think is a good skill to have is to teach the message of the restoration in one minute. So Sister Tew asked me to do that to see if you really could teach the whole first lesson in 60 seconds. It's kind of scary being put on the spot but I always find how just in a minute the Spirit can come and testify of simple truths. I love President and Sister Tew! They are great. 

It has been a real blessing to be with Elder Sturgell and learn from him. He's a very humble and strong missionary. We set a vision for our companionship with the scripture, "Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings." Mosiah 8:18. I want to bless the mission in every way that I can. I am constantly praying to know how to help reach our goal of 46 baptisms this month. I find it interesting that the scripture says that a man works might miracles which results in being a great benefit to man. I know that whatever the miracles that happen may be, it will be to help others. My investigators, the mission, everyone. 

I went on exchanges with Elder Fowler (Zone Leader) and Elder Liddell this week. They are missionaries assigned to speak Cambodian which is such an interesting language. The Cambodian population in Long Beach is bigger than anywhere else besides Cambodia itself. I got to learn a little Cambodian, eat some of their food and meet some very nice and funny people. We worked with members, found and taught together. I'm becoming more and more aware of how the Lord is in each area working on people. I know that a few missionaries walking or driving around can really be led to people who need us.

Just last night Elder Sturgell and I were out with a member from our ward and were walking around downtown LB headed to someone's house. On the way we talk with everyone, offering help, a message to bless their life etc. and we talked to this one guy who knew of some college aged kids that lived down the road a bit. He walked us there and then pointed to another place and said we might try over there. We were led to a lady named Angela who has had a rough life and has a 22 yr old daughter who needs help with her life right now. We're going back there tonight. Someone we never would have met if we weren't led there.

If you missed conference here it is! https://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2014/04?cid=HPSU040614654&lang=eng . I thought it was great! It was also weird that that was the last conference I'll watch on my mission. Follow the counsel of Elder Ballard and study preach my gospel! Time is flying by! 

Love

Elder Gallagher

Crazy Week!

My week was actually pretty normal until Friday morning. We had a meeting called MLC at the mission office and as I was getting ready President Tew called and asked if I would come into his office a little before the meeting. I thought nothing of it. I kind of expected him to release me as a zone leader because this was my sixth transfer as one. We sat down and he called me to be an assistant. Basically I will have a lot more responsibility. There are 198 missionaries in the mission and two assistants. I'm really excited to love everyone here and be able to help the missionaries that are really struggling. 

I got transferred this morning to get into the office and start making calls to the zone leaders and sending emails and all sorts of fun stuff. I've never felt so dependent on God for helping me be who He needs me to be. I find comfort in the story of Enoch and Moses and Jeremiah who didn't feel ready for their callings. I was wondering why I was called with the little amount of time I have left on my mission but I learned that it really only matters that I do what the Lord would have me do. To not be afraid and to work as hard as I can.

I felt the first two earthquakes on my mission this week in just 24 hours. I said goodbye to everyone in Huntington Beach which is sad. I love the people there! I'll attach some pictures. That's pretty much everything going on with me though. Tonight I'm going to President's house to go to the dinner for the missionaries who are going home. Thanks for your prayers! 

Love 

Elder Gallagher

 Buddy and I

 

The Carrs

Crazy Week!

My week was actually pretty normal until Friday morning. We had a meeting called MLC at the mission office and as I was getting ready President Tew called and asked if I would come into his office a little before the meeting. I thought nothing of it. I kind of expected him to release me as a zone leader because this was my sixth transfer as one. We sat down and he called me to be an assistant. Basically I will have a lot more responsibility. There are 198 missionaries in the mission and two assistants. I'm really excited to love everyone here and be able to help the missionaries that are really struggling. 

I got transferred this morning to get into the office and start making calls to the zone leaders and sending emails and all sorts of fun stuff. I've never felt so dependent on God for helping me be who He needs me to be. I find comfort in the story of Enoch and Moses and Jeremiah who didn't feel ready for their callings. I was wondering why I was called with the little amount of time I have left on my mission but I learned that it really only matters that I do what the Lord would have me do. To not be afraid and to work as hard as I can.

I felt the first two earthquakes on my mission this week in just 24 hours. I said goodbye to everyone in Huntington Beach which is sad. I love the people there! I'll attach some pictures. That's pretty much everything going on with me though. Tonight I'm going to President's house to go to the dinner for the missionaries who are going home. Thanks for your prayers! 

Love 

Elder Gallagher

Buddy and I

 

The Carrs

Hey!

I don't know why but lately people have been talking a lot about how it's rough going home. We ate at the Tingeys home and after Elder Sarver and I said we had about 4 months left he just talked about how you go home and find the same problems and it's really hard. I as actually just thinking about how being in a new place will be a good opportunity to keep going on in life and not fall back into how things were. Here are some pictures from my week!

.

Brother Monson and I! I don't have enough good things to say about the Monson family. I look up to them so much for who they are and having me in their home. Brother Monson always has a great story about anything so he's fun to listen to. He understands the Gospel very well and is a very experienced teacher. He probably doesn't know but he's helped me understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ a lot. 

This is me and the sisters that taught Julie (middle). The sister on the right got to come back to attend the baptism since she was transferred to Lakewood. I love going to baptisms! I wish I could remember mine more than I do. Brother Monson said that my family would have a fun time trying to figure out which one is my companion.

Rice Crispy treat shake :) Thanks Dallin! A member took us.

Hey!

Hey!

I don't really feel like writing an email to everyone this week. Maybe subconsciously I feel like I say things to everyone and it changes what I would just say to the family. But you can put it on the email website if you want.

Anyways yesterday the lesson for priesthood was chapter 4 in the Joseph Fielding Smith book and I really loved the quote from his wife about the kind of person he was. It got me thinking about how lucky and blessed we are to have the family we do. Too many people don't have a family at all and I think we take our situation for granted sometimes. I know I did before my mission. I thought of the times we would do the sock game haha and how much Mom and Dad love us. Take advantage of the time you have to play with each other. 

Right now I'm trying to develop my teaching skills and my love for everyone. So I've been studying the teaching methods of Christ. I spent a lot of time thinking about and reading the end of Matt 7 where it says that the people were astonished because He taught as one having authority. The word astonished means to be amazed or confounded. They were amazed at His Gospel and also because he taught with power. On page 4 of Preach My Gospel I read about where my authority and power come from as a teacher of the Gospel. Look for what brings power to teaching in the section!

We put on a zone lunch/testimony meeting on Friday and it was very powerful. It is a great unity builder to hear the people I don't know as well get up and share their thoughts about the Gospel. I know this church is true! I love you!

Elder Gallagher

Another Week at the Beach

I do find it pretty funny that I'm right next to the beach and I'm not allowed to go. Anyways,

I had a great week! I went on a few exchanges with some other missionaries in my zone. That's when I spend 24 hours with them and help them with their work. It's fun to go out and work hard in their area and increase their faith that there are people prepared even here in orange county. 

Elder Sarver, Mann and I are getting along great. We're working really well together and are always looking for ways to improve. We have fun and joke around everyday too so things couldn't be better. We've also started to buy and cook more meat. So I'm getting better at marinating and cooking which will come in handy when I don't just want quesadillas anymore haha.

One of the people we found this week is Joel. He came to church with his girlfriend and he liked it. He's from Texas so he and Elder Mann bonded over loving a burger place in Texas called Whataburger. He said we could come and teach that night. So last night we went and shared the message of the restoration and invited him to pray and ask God if it was true. He prayed and paused to listen for an answer. I looked up into the sky and saw the moon and a few stars and just thought how small we are but how important Joel's prayer was. He said he felt peace and wants to prepare for baptism on the 29th.

I wouldn't rather be anywhere else right now. I love being a missionary and being able and called to help others strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ.

Love 

Elder Gallagher

Hey

Hey!

We probably had the worst weather I've been in for 19 months. Three days of rain! It was really nice to have a little change in the weather. It'll be interesting to not be in perfect weather more often. Luckily we were mostly inside. I had a meeting at the mission office on Friday from 10 to 4 so I missed a lot of it.

Friday, we went on exchanges with one of the district leaders in the zone. We walked around in the rain for awhile looking for people to teach. We're pushing really hard to find more people to teach so I wanted to show the missionary I was with that finding here is very possible. I had remembered Elder Loutensock saying that he talked to a woman named Buffy on a road but I couldn't remember the house number. I said a quick prayer and we went to go talk to a man and a woman who were coming out of their house to walk their dog. The woman introduced herself as Buffy and I really wasn't surprised. I know God puts people in each others path for a reason. We were able to have a short conversation on the street and she told us to come back. I got up and shared that little experience in fast and testimony meeting yesterday.  The Lord is hastening His work here in Huntington Beach.

Another guy we talked to on Friday sold elephants out of Thailand. People do some interesting things! He told us that he could get us an elephant for cheaper than a car. I know he was telling the truth because he gave us his business card hahaha. 

Last night we went by Bishop Davis's house unannounced just to see if we could do anything and we walked in on their whole family studying the scriptures. It was pretty amazing to see seven kids sitting still and engaged as they talked about Ezekiel 37. The members here have been such amazing examples to me. I'm really grateful to have grown up the way I have. With examples from my family and the good people around me.

This week we taught eleven lessons to the people we're working with. I think it's the most we've ever taught in one week here. The members here are great! We had at least one with us every time we taught. Buddy is now really good friends with a girl in the ward and that's helping him a lot. He came to church and is doing really well! We teach him again tonight before FHE. Sadly the Smiths didn't come to church. It's so easy to let things get in the way of going to church and doing the simple things that make you happy.

The pictures of Snow Canyon look awesome! It'll be fun to go up there and see that. I emailed my academic adviser last week and I think I am going to graduate with an associates in business then transfer to BYU. Does anyone wiser than me see a better option? It's fun being in a trio! Especially when I came out Elder Sarver. Elder Mann is awesome too. He's a hard worker and is always thinking about how we can work harder and do more. He was baptized at 16 and his story  from what I've heard is really inspiring.

Love you!

Elder Gallagher

Me, Elder Sarver, Elder Mann

Hello!

This week I stayed in the same area but moved where I lived and got two new companions! So that was exciting. It's a town home with one bedroom and a washer/dryer unit which is super nice! I've had a great time with Elder Mann and Elder Sarver this week. We all have known each
other for a while so there was no kind of awkward time of getting to know each other. There have been a lot of laughs and jokes. We've also taught quite a bit as well. We live at the end of the mission which is the Santa Ana river so we ran down the trail next to it this morning. I've started to workout pretty consistently so I'm in good shape when I get home. 

Only Buddy came to church this Sunday but it was still good because he's doing well. He's not getting baptized this Saturday but he is making good progress. We're going to continue to help him as he searches and I know he'll find an answer. 

Anyways! That's all I got this week. Love you!

Elder Gallagher 

Howdy

Hey!

Transfers are tomorrow! So I lucked out and I'll be staying for another six weeks! I really like everything about my area right now. I love the people and the work that has been going on. I am getting two new companions which isn't very normal but sometimes that's what happens. Elder Mann is the other zone leader and I served around him when I trained Elder Komarek. He was trained at the same time by Elder Smith. So we're excited to be comps. He's a convert from Texas and loves bball and he's pretty funny. My other comp is Elder Sarver and we came out together. I think he may be with us because he's struggled a little bit but he really is a great missionary. Also, with transfers they combined the two zones in the stake so now my zone have 27 people in it. It's the biggest zone in the mission so that'll be fun!

 I'll update you on the Smiths. Sadly, they haven't been to church in the past few weeks. Sis Smith has lost most of her desire to learn right now but Bro Smith still wants to be baptized. It has been SO hard to meet with them lately. Please pray that we can. We are also teaching one other family in the Cordata Park ward. The man hadn't been to church in 25+ years but we invited him to and he came! The next week his wife who had never been to the church came and really liked it. She has a baptismal date for the 8th. They did not make it to church though which stinks. Hopefully we'll see them tomorrow. 

In the YSA ward we are teaching Buddy! He is still great and came to all three hours of church yesterday and really loved it. The third hour lesson was on the Plan of Salvation and it was a great discussion. During the lesson he said, "didn't Adam fall that men might be?" Haha already quoting scripture. His baptismal date is for this saturday and we'll see if he feels ready. Yesterday I gave a talk in the YSA ward which I was a little nervous for because friday and Saturday I had a cold that made me a little foggy. I talked about cultivating natural missionary work. I feel like a lot of the time we think missionary work is super awkward but you really just have to be nice and friendly to people. So I shared three things you can do everyday that I know can help. 

1. Pray everyday for missionary opportunities (Matt 7...ask and ye shall receive)

2. Seek to love and serve

3. Talk with everyone

People said they liked my talk so that was nice. Public speaking has not come naturally for me but I am getting better at it

 Elder George has ADEM which is an auto immune disease. He was supposed to fly home on friday but as far as I've heard he hasn't been well enough to fly home yet. The missionary who has been throwing up every day for about four months has finally gone home. He was a hard working missionary! He waited for President to make the call on whether he should stay or go. It is really too bad that the very skilled doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong. Some Elders just told me that he had a parasite and he'll rest for 2 months then come back out. I don't think I've talked about an different elder in my zone but he is struggling with clinical depression and it is really tough. His mind just doesn't think about things logically. I cant figure out if things are because he's homesick or what exactly makes him so sad. He says he questions his testimony but still works. Luckily he's getting more help from people much more qualified than me. 

Well I hope you all have a great week!

Love

Elder Gallagher

I can't help but remind you how warm it still is here ;)

Hey,

I forgot that last week we (members in CA) fasted for rain. We are in serious need of some rain. That night on Sunday we were out driving around and visiting people and all of a sudden it started to pour! It was so great to have so many people praying and fasting for rain and it raining that very same night. I'm reminded of Alma 5 when Alma, who had seen an angel, attributes his knowledge of gospel truths to much fasting and prayer. I know fasting is powerful and it's real. 

This week we taught a lot! We had about double the amount of lessons that we've taught here ever since I've been here. A lot of that has to do with the volume of people we're teaching. Right now I really love teaching Buddy. He's such a genuine guy and has great questions. He reads and comes to church and I really respect that he is actively searching for the truth. Transfers are next week and I know even if I end up staying that we are moving out of the Monsons. They have been SO good to me and I'll never forget them. I really love them like family. Great people live here. People I will be friends with my whole life. Well...I'm off to play dodgeball but I promise to repent and write more next week. Love you!

Elder Gallagher

Elder Loutensock and I

I'm wearing a sweatshirt cause its cold (68 degrees) ;)

Brrrrr,

This week one of the sick missionaries went home and now I am in a trio again. Sadly we were told that he was diagnosed with some form of cancer and that he started chemo yesterday. Also, Elder George is in the hospital with what they thought was viral meningitis. Now they're thinking it's some sort of brain lesions. I heard his parents came out to see him. The latest news I got sounded pretty positive though. So keep them in your thoughts. It is honestly crazy how many medical things are going on. There are at least two missionaries depressed in the zone and the one that is still throwing up is still working so hard. They're great people.

Things are going pretty well in or area! We are teaching and finding very regularly. We are still teaching the Smiths and they are still looking to be baptized on the 15th but we'll see. Sis Smith hasn't been for three weeks now. Bro and the kids came yesterday. We are teaching an awesome guy in his 20's. His name is Buddy. He meets with us regularly and he asks such great questions. 

One thing real quick before I have to go is something that dawned on me while we were teaching this eccentric girl in the chapel of the church. She didn't have shoes on and I happened to look and think about how dirty and honestly gross they looked. I thought of John 13 where Christ washes His apostles feet. I know He is our perfect example of love and service. I got up yesterday and bore my testimony of the happiness I have felt as I've served others. It doesn't make sense logically but the more I give of myself and think more about others, the happier I am. 

Read your scriptures! Don't forget to pray! I'm still having a great time and I love and miss you! 

Elder Gallagher

A Short One!

Hey Everyone!

This week has been great! Today has been great too! I even got to nap this morning instead of just sit around! I don't have much time but I'll share two experiences. 

On Friday we went to go teach someone that was YSA age the Spanish Elders had contacted and set an appointment with but his brother answered and said he wasn't home. That seemed to be the theme for Friday.... A lot of appointments but no one was home when they said they would be. As we walked back to our car the member we were with passed by a guy carrying some beer and the member asked if that was Buddy. We'd never met him but I felt pretty strongly that it was him. Elder Loutensock called out to him and he took the headphones out of his ears and said yeah! So we were able to teach him and he even came to church yesterday! We're going by again tonight so I'm looking forward to talking about what he thought. 

The Smith family has had some ups and downs but Bro Smith is so on board and really knows that this will be so good for his family. Sis Smith is still having a hard time changing such a big part of her life. They decided to go to their other church instead. Someone from church had an open house dessert party that they came to last night so we were able to talk to them about what happened. It sounds like they will be baptized on the 15th of February. God answered their prayers.

I am still loving HB and you all too! I hope you have a great week!

Love 

Elder Gallagher

Tuesday letter

Hey!

This week Elder Loutensock and I tried something a little different and actually found a lot of work from it. We took some time in the morning and called each of the active members in the HB YSA ward and asked if we could come and share a 10 minute message with them and just get to know them better. We want to take more of a variety of members out with us each week and we thought that would be a good way to do it. There were many that had moved away but even those who had moved were willing to give us names of people they thought we should visit. We have an appointment with one girl who moved who thought of one of her friends from high school. She's coming down for us to meet with him. All from a simple phone call. Something I've learned here is that there are so many members who are already trying to do missionary work we just have to be the ones who encourage and facilitate the work. 

There are a lot of struggling missionaries where I am right now. A few have pretty major health problems that prevent them from working very much. One Elder has thrown up everyday for over three months straight now. It is amazing how much he still want to work everyday and not go home. I would be miserable after two days. One has had back problems and probably has to go home for surgery. Missionary work is hard! I feel lucky for only having to deal with being tired and sometimes being discouraged. 

I went to Newport today and it was really nice. The temple there is beautiful. I'll attach some pictures. I hope you all have a great week. Please pray for my cousin who's boyfriend died this week and also my mom, who's skin condition is making things hard.

Love 

Elder Gallagher

 

Jan. 13th

Hello!

This week we passed the teaching of Julie off to the sisters in the ward which was hard but it'll probably be better. She's single and will probably connect better with them. I'll still keep you updated with her though.

The Smiths were sick yesterday so they didn't make it to church. They are such a great family who I've grown to love very much. They were planning on being baptized this Sunday but we may move it back a week to be more ready. Joining the church is such a huge transition that is hard especially for sister Smith. They know it's true and the people here are a great support for them as they make the transition. Pretty much everything about joining the church is uncomfortable. But I know that it's worth it. My friend Danny Rasmussen has a website called Normons.com. It's pretty funny and good!

One thing I've seen so much of is people in terrible life situations. Many are a result of poor choices that build up over the years and there are also many that are just built in to life. I talked to a girl a few weeks ago that attributed all of the problems of her life to the built it struggles and we tried to help her see that really God gives a path so we're not just putting struggles into our own lives. How grateful I am for a path to walk that leads back to my God and my family.

Love

Elder Gallagher

http://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/ye-have-done-it-unto-me?lang=eng&cid=HPFR011014343&im=true

What I wrote to my mission president

Dear President,

This week has been really great! Elder Loutensock and I are getting along really well. Although our zone found only two investigators we have plans to turn that around. The ward times changed making our schedule on Sunday very crazy. We have the family ward at 11 and the YSA at 1. We're trying to figure out the best way to cover both.

To improve the quantity of the new investigators I think the zone needs to have more focus on contacting 10 people a day. The Huntington Beach stereo-type is that there aren't that many people so I think our missionaries look less to contact. To improve the quality of the new investigators I think it may be wise to be accountable for the ratio of investigators/LA's who have/have not been asked for a referral.

Hopefully doing these things can help get the zone more fired up. I want people to be excited here and find success. I went on an exchange with Elder Haynes. He loved the revelation through prayer skills and has already been using a lot of them with Elder Torgerson. We talked about Elder Loffreda, who we are concerned about. Elder Loffreda had no proselyting time this week because he says his back is hurting. I wonder if we could possibly go on exchanges with him so Elder Guerra can go out and work.

In our teaching pool right now we have Julie and the Smith family. Julie is very willing and desires to be baptized but right now we are helping her quit smoking. She has a date for the 25th. The Smith family is doing great! They are keeping their commitments and are loving church and the focus on the family. I am so grateful to be able to teach a family! We talked to them about sharing the Gospel to their friends and they are not afraid and eager to invite! We'll see what happens with that.

Love,

Elder Gallagher

Hey! MY LETTER to you:

This week has been really great! Elder Loutensock and I are getting along really well. He is from Holyoke, Colorado. He has a great sense of humor and I'm excited for these next six weeks. He is a hard worker and is very experienced. He came out a transfer after me. Although our zone found only two investigators we have plans to turn that around. The ward times changed making our schedule on Sunday very crazy. We have the family ward at 11 and the YSA at 1. We're trying to figure out the best way to cover both.

In our teaching pool right now we have Julie and the Smith family. Julie is very willing and desires to be baptized but right now we are helping her quit smoking. She has a date for the 25th. The Smith family is doing great! They are keeping their commitments and are loving church and the focus on the family. I am so grateful to be able to teach a family! We talked to them about sharing the Gospel to their friends and they are not afraid and eager to invite! We'll see what happens with that.

So I forgot my camera again but I will bring it next week with some good pictures. I hope you have a great week and thank you for praying for me! I can definitely feel it.


Love,

Elder Gallagher