Hello, everyone!
I hope that you all had a Happy Mother's Day. For myself, the suspense has been there for about 4-6 weeks now and it became a reality yesterday evening that my final phone call home was complete. I loved having the chance to speak to those who I was able to speak to. For those of you who I have yet to speak to, our time is coming soon. Our day went by rather quick: We prepared for the day in the morning, went to church, made some calls home, had lunch, did some Facebook, had dinner with a family, took someone the sacrament, and made a few more phone calls and preparations in the evening. Church services were good. As expected, the speakers spoke on their moms and the role of motherhood in their lives. Two young men preparing to serve a mission spoke on how their mom has helped them get to where they are at today. Afterwards, each woman received a mother's day gift.
It has been a while since my last letter! Time has been a problem in the past with updating you all and it certainly has not been slowing down at all. Let me see what I can get you up to date with. Transfers were last week, I am still in Arcata but now watching over the family ward with Elder Nuckles. Yes, my address is still the same if you wish to write. On our last Sunday at the branch we had a potluck as a summer farewell for those who have graduated and are moving on or for those who are going back home for the summer.
A pair of missionaries in McKinleyville are now working with the McKinleyville congregation and the Young Single Adults. Elder Nuckles and I have our work cut out for us since we are teaching families in a college town. The work and principles of the work are all the same, we'll still have a chance to work with the young single adults. We teach anyone who has an ear to listen and if they qualify for the branch then we let the McKinleyville missionaries know of them.
The northern most part of California is beautiful. There are beaches, red wood trees, mountains, and yes, a lot of unique people that contribute to the area's appeal. Elder Nuckles and I had the opportunity to teach a man named Tony this week. Me and another missionary first talked to Tony a month or so ago when we were in his apartments visiting some people. He has a strong desire to be baptized but teaching him is going at a steady pace. He has difficulties reading but he's progressing well. He gets so excited when we come over, because he gets the chance to learn about God and things spiritual while also improving on his reading. I am excited to see his progression over the next 5-11 weeks and I'll be sure to keep you all updated as well.
Before I wrap this up, I do have a couple photos I'd like to share but they are on a computer in McKinleyville. The building is having the carpets cleaned so I am e-mailing you all from Eureka. There is one photo I am including though. On Saturday, every missionary in the Santa Rosa, California mission did a run for a cause. The Bunkers went down to Sacramento to participate in a run for Breast Cancer Awareness.
It was a bit of a challenge to get 160+ young men and women from Crescent City, San Rafael, Benicia, and every city in between to Sacramento. Therefore, we all gathered within our boundaries and did a 3K run. One of the elders has a portrait picture of us and I have yet to get that from him. Enclosed is a photo of us running and us at our halfway point (with Elder Nuckles doing some sort of karate kick ^_^). Sisters Lim & Cluff were absent because one of them was under the weather but they were there in spirit.
It's the same with you all! You all have been with me during these many months past. There's some miles ahead, it will not be easy but it will be rewarding. I look forward to the reunions. I send you all my love and my very best. Take care ov yourselves and each other.
- Elder Gallegos
