Season 7 Episode 5: I'm pretty well "liked".

Hello Friends & Family

Admittedly it has been a slow week, as I am sure it has been for most everyone. I thought it would be worthwhile and fun to post some videos of me sharing simple Gospel principles using ASL. After a few days of success I thought my luck was out. 

My post then overnight gained 3,000  more views. 

This was a huge surprise to me, and I found my inbox filled with messages asking me to help teach ASL (whether basic ASL, or interpreting for baptisms) because these people who saw my video knew someone who relied on ASL. 

I then realized how effective of a tool Facebook can be for missionaries. I would have never had the opportunities I have now to share, had I not been willing to put myself out there and try. 

I am making a video a day, and they are all semi-successful. I am excited to share more and feel effective when I do so!

I'm not actually famous, but I will admit this has stroked my Ego slightly. In a quarantine apartment to get a "like" actually makes me feel like some one in listening and that my work here might be helping someone out there!


-Elder Vance

Season 7 Episode ?: I wouldn't touch you with a 39 and a half foot pole!!

Hello Friends & Family,

It seems the world is adjusting to the Coronavirus. I remember at first the exciting news that the Chinese missionaries who were Visa waiters would be returning to this mission. Then their problem became our problem, and now it seems to be everyone's problem.


We have also been adjusting. We rearranged our apartment, and Elder Lewis "Got so bored" he deep cleaned the kitchen. Overall the apartment is much roomier and looks quite a bit better.
We have started a "Jesus the Christ" book club. We were all very excited to do so, but when it came to the discussion, no one seemed to have the energy to share. I will begin to write discussion questions, in Hope's to spur some excitement in the  zone. 

The past few days have been an interesting introduction to what I assume will be the next few months. I'm not sure how long this will last, but missionary work is significantly harder.
Challenge accepted!

I have decided to start using facebook as a means to teach ASL. Many people are interested, and I also have shared some messages in ASL (with subtitles). This seems to be something many people enjoy (myself included) so I will continue to share for the duration of this social isolation. If you have any requests, questions or ideas on what I might do differently, send them my way on facebook.

From what I heard last, roughly 30 missionaries are headed home from our beloved mission. They will be dearly missed. A lot of my friends are also being relocated, I'm not sure if they will be sent out again (due to Coronavirus being everywhere) but I trust in the Lords hand to guide us all.

 It is my privilege to stay in the field, even though it will be hard (and already has been) I wouldn't want any different. I am being shaped to something greater than what I can imagine for  myself.

To all my Brothers and Sisters headed home:
Keep your chin up, the Lords vineyard is the entire earth, you are needed somewhere else. Please continue to do what you know to be right, and help accelerate the Gathering of Israel.

Somewhat bored,
-Elder Vance

Season 7 Episode 3: Quarantine here we come!

Hello Family & Friends

As for our week: Elder Barnes and I went on exchanges! We attended another Deaf event. Everyone asked if he played basketball, which was humorous for me, he is 6'7. There was also alot of students there (learning sign language), so when I was signing, he was able to talk to some possible YSA members! It worked well and we sent some referrals to Murietta.

When we received the emergency funds,
the zone leaders picked us up and
we went to a rather panicked
Walmart.

Everyone was grabbing whatever
they could and we scavenged up
some cans of beans and soup.
 I am happy to say that we are
prepared in case of quarantine,
but my selection of food consists
 of Beans, Chili, Grean beans,
and potato soup.

With Church Canceled, all of us missionaries have many questions. Most of the work
relies on getting people to church.
We have been given instruction that we can still have very small baptismal services and then confirm then directly after (as opposed to the next day in sacrament meeting).

Missionaries still do all the same work, we just avoid coughing/sneezing people now (I did before anyway).

                                                The rain here was quite entertaining.

I thought for a while that I was supposed to be In Hemet, not RIVER-side! (Sorry for the poor pun)

We still went to our appointments, and were both soaking wet. I laughed the entire way there, and people probably thought I was crazy. Oh well, I was having a joyous time! I felt bad for the homes we visited because we tracked In water, but they were very kind and brought in a heater aimed directly at us. I was about 70% dry before we embraced the rain again.

Still not sick!!
-Elder Vance


Oh also I am 19 now, thanks for the Birthday wishes

Season 7 episode 2: Temple Trip!

 Hello friends & family,

Every 6 months as a missionary, we are
able to attend the temple.The temple today
was amazing! I am fairly certain that the
Redlands temple is a "Hinckley" temple.
It was much smaller than I am used to,
but then again I am from utah and have
the SLC temple 10 minutes from my
house. I always get new insights every
time I go.

One thing that I have learned while listening

to Elder Bednars talks, is that Revelations 

typically come slowly. I realize this now, 

as I look back and see how many things I understand that I never previously had. 

It is not a giant idea or event that simply

 happens, but a process of learning and 

deciding.

To quote Bishop Howdy (Christiansen)

"Did you see your tree grow from yesterday?"
Have you seen your seed of faith grow? If you look back far enough, you can remember the time the tree was a seed, but when looking 1 day back, you dont notice any growth.
Please take a minute to see how your faith has grown! It is worth the time to ponder on your progress.

This week we were able to attend a Deaf event! Starbucks was packed!! And yes, I only got a hot

chocolate. My hands felt so free! This event was honestly better attended than most in Riverside. I was pleasantly surprised! We met a new friend Nacho, who really wanted us to join his bowling team. Maybe...

Stake conference was this weekend, I was anticipating being an interpreter during conference, but none of our ASL friends showed up.

No, I do not have the Coronavirus(yet). But I do have a few previsions.

I am still eating and finding some great new combinations.  My 2 favorite pizza and burgers!

We helped out with a Marathon this last Saturday. It was an excellent scene behind us, with a giant reservoir being the inside of the track. We ended up getting left behind from the shuttle, and stayed for an extra hour.

Hopefully the pictures from this week fill in my lack of words!


-Elder Vance

Season 7 Episode 1: Hemet=Heaven

Hello Friends & Family,

We had a great week!

Biking is a lot more fun than I had anticipated. 

Not to mention, it really helps the work. 

It is so much easier to stop and talk to people on bike than it is to stop in the middle of traffic, Park a car, and run over to someone. 

My legs will still have to do some adjusting.

We have somewhat figured out the car issue.
We will likely borrow a car this wednesday to go to some ASL appointments, and also our first Deaf event of the transfer. Elder lewis and I are both very excited.

My Mom sent me an add for "Six Flags" hosting a national Deaf and Hard of hearing awareness day. I will Nixay this myself. I will have to go after the mission! 


Hemet has recieved alot of Hype. I have heard stories of murders, witnessing drug deals, missionaries being chased, but so far I have only seen one of those.

Service here is one of the most unique things I have heard of this far in my mission. There is a Historic theater that we help clean/maintain. Also a "miniature horse sanctuary" (self explanatory). 

We met up with Elder Hallsted and had 2 ASL lessons. Even though Blanca and José remembered me, José's parents forgot they had met me. For some odd reason, whenever I am with Elder Hallsted everyone assumes I am his trainee, or that i am learning sign language. It is true that I continue to learn everyday, but they are always extremely surprised when I have full fledged conversations with my hands. We will probably meet with them again this Wednesday.


The ward has been very nice to us, and we have many home visits line up this week.
Let it be on the record, that I beat Elder Barnes in basketball. He has 4 inches on me and stands at just over 6'7". But in the one and only ball game we played I won. I will retire for the time being, until my excitement dies down. This will likely be the only time I win, so I just wanted everyone to know while it lasted.

DLT was on friday, a long meeting in which many suggestions were given and answers were received. On the way home, us 4 district leaders drafted a zombie apocalypse survival team. So far we have a hacker, a fireman, a tools specialist, and a trapper. 

Also Elder Barnes can reach all the tall shelves, so we are ready for anything. If the Coronavirus turns people into zombies, we are set.


-Elder Vance