I love Yuma! I’m so glad to be in a new area, but esspecially an awesome area like the Yuma Valley Ward!

Okay, okay, let me back up just a little bit before I get ahead of myself. So, the week started with my last P-Day in the Phoenix Zone. We had a pancake breakfast and played glow in the dark sprout ball as a zone which was totally awesome! There’s something so oddly satisfying about running around in the dark covered in glow sticks while tossing a glowing ball at people.

Tuesday was my fourth sick exchange of the transfer where I got to hang out with Elder Wilson and finish packing before I left the next morning. 

Wednesday morning was the beginning of this transfer and the beginning of a new chapter in my mission. After saying goodbye to my old area, housemates, and meeting up with my new companion, we packed my stuff into the back of a Tacoma and drove 3 hours to Yuma, Arizona only stopping to grab a burrito at this cool little Mexican shop. 

The drive down was fun and I got to know my housemates who happen to be the Zone Leaders in Yuma. It was during the drive that I found out our zone covers half the mission, and where I also learned that my area in the Yuma Valley Ward is only four square miles, mostly flat, and pretty easy to bike which makes things much less stressful and a lot more fun! Elder Cochran (my new comp) and I spent the rest of Wednesday evening visiting some members and friends. 

Thursday morning we volenteered at the Yuma food bank sorting and bagging food as a zone which was actually really cool! The food bank out here is much bigger and has a cool rolling counter system for bagging their food which was fun to be a part of. 

Friday morning we helped clear some trees out of one of our friends backyards and spent the rest of that day and most of Saturday tracting and visiting members (you can see the pattern by now). One member we stopped by had some really cool Lego sets, and another one that we did a service for lives in the sliver of california thats part of our mission so we got to visit California and travel back in time (a.k.a. different time zone) and help them out. Sunday was about the same (tracting, member work, etc.) with the exception of going to church and getting to meet the Ward. The Yuma Valley Ward is fenomenal from what I can tell so I’m excited to work with them these next few weeks. 

It’s crazy to think that I’ve already been out for five months now! Sometimes I think back to when I first started and wonder where the time’s gone. It also makes me glad that I still have plenty of time left to be out here growing my testimony and sharing the gospel with those around me. What a blessing to finally feel like I’ve found purpose in so great a cause. 

I love you all and I’ll send another update your way next week!

Sincerely,
Elder Whitchurch
D&C 128:22