12 April 2026
VOLUME 14 – NUMBER 642
Gloria with new companion, Sister Garcia
Gloria
Holy moly, what a week! I got transferred out of Temecula. I had my last noche de hogar with La Paz ward, and then we went and did some stop-bys so I could say goodbye. I'm going to really miss the ward and our friends, especially Dora and her family and Márcio and his family.
But I'm here in Corona now. It's so different; the sidewalks are dirt because people use horses a lot. We are both new to the area, so Hermana Garcia and I are trying to figure things out. Our area is small, but there are so many Spanish people here. So that's good, and we're only in charge of one ward. Also, I'm driving as well. It's a bit nervy to drive, but I'm not dead yet, so that's good.
My comp is so, so awesome. She's in her last transfer. She's so fun, and we are also very alike. She's so chill but very obedient. We have also been working out a lot, and we run a couple miles every day as well.
Gloria with friend
General conference was so good. We went to the church for the first couple of sessions. We listened to one session in Spanish. I was able to focus more on the talks, and I was actually able to understand pretty much everything they were saying. We went to the bishop's house for the last session.
This week we had zone activity on P-day. Our zone is huge, so that's a lot of fun. We played volleyball for most of the P-day activity. I really did have so much fun. I actually hit it over the net so many times in the front. I'm getting so good at it.
This week has been a lot of finding and knocking. We were able to get some of our key indicators, but not weekly sacrament attendance. It's okay because there's always more weeks to come.
Gloria and Sister Allen with couple
I did go on an exchange with the Sister Training Leader, which was really fun. I really do enjoy exchanges because they really help me to get to know all the other sisters that are in my zone a lot better than just seeing them on P-day.
We've been teaching this one friend, Josefina. She is going through a lot right now. Her living situation is kind of sad. Her friend has six kids that are younger than eight, and whenever we're there, all the kids are running all over and getting all over us.
We also have this one lady named Terri, and she's in the English ward, but she always has missionaries over at her house. And this week, we were able to do a sisters lunch with her, and that was actually really fun. We just got to know her a little bit, and you know, she's a really cool old lady.
Gloria with Sisters Allen and Giles
We also had sports night on Friday! We played soccer, which I haven't played it in many, many years, but afterwards, we did volleyball for like the rest of the night, which was actually so fun, because I've gotten so much better.
On Saturday morning, we had a zone breakfast, and it was actually really good. We just had pancakes, eggs, bacon, just the usuals for breakfast. It's really cool being able to hang out as a zone and get to know one another.
Miss you all. Remember Jesus loves you so very much, and you are a child of God with a divine nature and destiny. Love y’all so very much.
Selvin’s birthday/housewarming party
Ashton
It's been an eventful couple weeks. Yarima and Selvin's new house is so nice! We had a housewarming party over there and definitely went crazy with some foosball. Then on Saturday, we had conference and watched the college basketball championship.
Classes end next week, so this was my last full week of classes in college, which hopefully means forever, haha. At one point I thought I wanted to do grad school, but I have 0 desire to do that as of now. So, at least for now, this is the last week of classes I'll be taking!
Massage chair moved to Bunkhouse
They have this thing called the Grad Bash where all seniors are invited to LaVell Edwards Stadium. We got to go down on the field for yard and carnival games, food, and drone shows. Me and my friend threw around a football, so we said we have played football on that field.
So excited to be done with classes next week. It really is a crazy thought, and then I can finally just focus on work.
Selvin’s birthday/housewarming party
Isaac
I’ve been working a lot this week, which is really good, but really tiring. I was surprised at how much I would like my current job and thought I was only gonna be there for a bit. But I genuinely enjoy working there. That’s not to say it isn’t difficult at times, but I still love it.
The residents are all super nice and kind, and fun to be around. My plan is to stay working there till I leave on my mission, unless we move somewhere that’s too far for me to travel. Then I’ll have to quit, and I’d be super sad to leave.
So I’m hoping I stay close enough so that wherever we move for the time being, I can still work there!
First dinner outside
Veidi
Rima did a housewarming party, and her house is really nice. Me, Yaretzie, Isaac, and Jen played a board game called Hues. It was fun. I went home with Ashton and Caleb, and we talked about Ashton’s and Caleb’s dates (very interesting).
We went to see the a possible new house in Eagle Mountain. It was beautiful. I never realized that a butler’s pantry existed, and now I am in love with them. I really liked how big the house was, and I really loved the back porch.
Braden’s birthday celebration
Kai
Some people came over for Braden’s birthday celebration this Sunday. One thing that was really fun was when Isaac put together a try not to laugh. The challenge was to see who could hold their water in the longest without spilling it.
At one point, I threw up because of how hard I was laughing! Didn’t know that could happen!
Troy and Smith nephews trimming trees
Troy
This past week was very busy because we got to 11 dogs at one point, but we managed it pretty well. General conference was very good. My favorite talk was by Henry B. Eyring, called Prayers for Peace. He talked about how prayers can give you guidance and peace whenever you want, and that they don't have to be huge prayers. They can be small ones in your heart.
I finished school, kinda. All of my courses are completed except one, and I've got straight A's. The one I haven't finished yet is Character Ed, so basically, once a day, sometimes two, I do what's called a mindfulness activity. Then I have to type my experience once I finish the activity.
Mom and Troy cleaning dog crates
So I am basically done with school, and I am working on a project that I got inspiration for from playing Monopoly with Quinn. I am starting to make a map on Google Sheets, and that way we could play basically whenever, and it would be way easier to play online instead of having to set everything up.
So that is the project that I have been working on. The problem is that it is going to take so long to make the maps, but now that I have finished school, hopefully I will have more time.
Itzel, Emma, and London at climbing wall
London
Itzel and Emma came and spent a couple of days with us for their spring break. We had so much fun playing lots of games. Their favorites were Monopoly Deal and Sea Salt and Paper.
We, of course, had to take them rock climbing. Since the pool was closed, we ended up going back a second time as well! It’s so entertaining having those two around.
They love updating me on all their favorite music, and they even gave me a couple of stickers for my water bottle!
Emma on climbing wall
Quinn
It’s General conference weekend! It was also Easter Sunday. President Oaks is the new prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We all got up and got everything ready to listen to General Conference. We turned it on when the choir was singing. When we all got seated, we listened to it.
While we were watching, President Oaks told all the adults to stand, then told the priests to stand, then the Primary. It was kind of funny when he asked us to stand. We were not actually there, but we did it anyway.
We also lit and talked about the candles of Easter weekend. We talked about the atonement and the crucifixion.
Girls eating Easter candy
Monte
Throughout this week, Elder Larson got sick. Did that stop us from working? No! Okay, maybe it sorta slowed us down a bit, but we still worked as hard as we could when it was possible. For that, we saw many miracles.
We were able to set three fechas this week, and they are potentísimo! Their names are Valeria, Raquel, and Brittany. There are others in the family who are interested in hearing more, but we haven't had the chance to extend the invitation.
General conference was so good. I was always taking notes, and before I knew it, it was over. It's so weird how, as a kid, I would sometimes pick up a few talks that I thought were good and then check my watch for when it was going to end, but now there really isn't enough time in a session!
Monte and Elder Larson with friend
I loved the focus on the resurrection of Christ. There truly wouldn't be any meaning to the things we do without the atonement of Jesus Christ, and by the Atonement, I mean all three parts: His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, His death on the cross, and His resurrection from the tomb.
Without these three things, there is no purpose, and there is no hope. But He did suffer for each and every one of us. He did die on the cross for each and every one of us. He did rise from the dead for each and every one of us.
He has risen! He lives! And because He lives, so will we. There is hope in this world because of Him. He loves us. I am out here with the sole purpose to bring others closer to Christ, to help them feel the love that He has for them.
Monte with sister missionaries
Oh how great is the mercy of the Lord. Whenever you feel the weight of the world crushing you, just remember that there is hope, there is relief, and there is peace in our Lord, Savior, and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
And now on to other news. Elder Hill finally got himself some guarachas (sandal shoes)! They are so comfortable and breathable. I love them so much.
We've been focusing this week on involving members in more of our lessons, so whenever we can, we have members join us in person, or have them send us videos of their testimonies so that we can share them with our friends in teaching.
Elder Hill
We've seen miracles through these lessons, and they've truly helped our friends understand that there are more people who believe in what we are sharing than those two güeros (white boys) in white shirts and ties.
We've been working with one of our friends named Tabatha. She was able to talk to one of the members, and it turns out that they live fairly close to each other! We have a lesson planned in person with her for tomorrow, ojalá que todo pasa bien.
I've been loving my time here with Elder Larson. I really hope that I will be able to stay another transfer with him. That's not to say that if changes happen, I won't go and do it without a smile. I have trust in God and in His plan for me, and He will put me right where I need to go. Trust in Him and all will go well.
Selvin’s birthday/housewarming party
Caleb
I joined, with my friend Jack, a three-versus-three intramural basketball team. The first week, it was just us two who showed up. If I remember right, we won one out of three that week.
It was tough because all the other teams had three to four people per team, so they could sub pretty often. They kept fresh guys on the court at all times. It's been fun, though. It's one of my weekly highlights.
Joanna and Dad at first outside dinner
Dad / Arkin
As I have mentioned before, our dog business has been growing. However, as we have come to depend more and more on this income, we are worried, because West Jordan only allows four dog per home.
We’re not sure what to do about that. We have a dog-breeder friend who was shut down recently because they were not complying with city ordinances.
To try and mitigate risk to our business, I started doing a little researchy. To my dismay, most cities around us have similar rules. However, I did find one local city that has rules that would allow us to continue with our business. Eagle Mountain will allow eight or more dogs in a home on any property of one acre or more.
Selvin’s birthday/housewarming party
So these past couple weeks, I have started to look at options in Eagle Mountain, and we found a beautiful home on an acre of land that we think might work very well for us. This past week Andrew Nelson (our nephew and also our real estate agent) took us out to see the property. We are very impressed.
It’s kind of crazy to even contemplate moving after 27 years in the same ward and neighborhood, and 19 years in our current home. We’ll see where this eventually leads!
6639 Unity Way in Eagle Mountain