November 15th 2010
Wow! Was this week just the greatest! Although our numbers most definitely will not reflect our efforts, this week I am officially titling my biggest "finding" week. We have met so many amazing people by knocking doors and talking to almost everyone we see on the street. Most have not been interested, but the seeds have been planted, in which with those who have shown some interest we hope to be able to add to our teaching pool this coming week. It still amazes me how powerful the Spirit is in this work. Never in my life have I met complete strangers (although they are not strangers to God) and had so many in "depth" and personal conversations with people. Multiple times throughout this week, we have met people who literally with in minutes were in tears while talking to us at their doorstep. Although with many of them we never made it past the doorstep, the opportunity to express love and comfort those who stood in need of comfort, even if just for a brief moment, has truly been such a blessed opportunity. I am often reminded of the fact that we are the Lord's hands here upon the earth. I recently read a few conference talks from the April conference and although I cannot remember who said it now, I know that even the smallest acts of kindness that may lift someone's day is indeed apart of this the Lord's work. Even just a simple smile can turn around someone's day. It is a matter of reaching out to all those within the realm of our influence: friends, family, acquaintances or maybe even strangers, that does indeed make the biggest difference. Remember, "It is when we are in the service of our fellow beings, that we really are only in the service of our God."
With Thanksgiving around the corner, I have come to recognize I have SO much to be grateful for! I am especially grateful for each and every one of you! You, my family, mean the absolute world to me. And although we cannot speak face to face or even have a phone conversation until Christmas, there is not a day that goes by that I don't think of each and every one of you. I talk about you often, especially to people that we meet. I have so much love for you and I am forever grateful for your prayers, love and support. I have also come to realize how incredibly grateful I am for this gospel and for the testimony that God has blessed me with. Rather than at times focusing on the things that I know I lack, I have been trying to focus on the things I know I have and am grateful to have. Specifically my testimony. As mentioned before, there probably has not been a day since coming out here on my mission where my testimony and faith has not been challenged, whether indirectly or directly by somebody else. But it has caused me to cling tighter to the precious truths of the restored gospel that I hold so very dear to my heart. On another note, I am also grateful for the ability we have to choose and make choices that can bring us the greatest peace, joy, and hope in this life and for the life to come. Although, the choices of others can be heart-breaking at times...I know that it is by our choices that we can experience life's greatest joys. When we make righteous choices and use our agency to continually rely upon the merits of Him who is mighty to save, the reward is eternal life. I am grateful for the Atoning sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If it were not for Him, I would not be able to make it through the days that sometimes are difficult to endure. Every morning that I wake up, I truly am grateful for another day that the Lord has blessed me to live another day and to be here in the service of Him in this, the Lord's work. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to be a missionary. I am constantly learning, changing, growing...and maturing spiritually in ways I'd never quite imagined! Lately, I have even become more unusually attached to my name badge, that inevitably does declare to the world, that I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for the opportunity that I have to represent Him. I earnestly strive to do the things He would have me to do; and the ever so constant prayer in my heart is that my words may be His words, my actions His actions, and my thoughts His thoughts. I love this gospel. I love my Savior and my Father in Heaven. Each day is a blessed opportunity for me to prove my faith and to give thanks for all the many wonderful blessings that I do have. I have 10 more months to be fully consecrated to the Lord and to serve full-time in this part of the vineyard, so I know that I am so very blessed! I want to continue to labor diligently, with all my heart, might, mind and strength...and hopefully bring many more people to a knowledge of the truth! Whatever it is that He would have me do at this time, whether it be planting the seeds in the hearts of others, making someone's day better just by a simple doorstep conversation, or teaching the restored gospel and inviting those who have been prepared to enter the waters of baptism that open the gates to the Celestial Kingdom, I will do what the Lord needs me to do!
This coming week we have many more planned finding activities again, in hopes to find those whom the Lord has prepared. We just recently set a very high baptism goal for the month of December, in faith the mission will have a very "white" Christmas this year. We are working with some great people right now. I failed to mention earlier that we very recently started teaching the Mendez family again. This is the family Sis. Naylor and I were teaching when I first came out to the mission. They are a great family, with STRONG potential. We feel that in the Lord's due time, they will most definitely come into the fold of God- as a family! It is always the ideal situation when you have the Dad who is interested in listening and interested in doing what is absolutely best for his family. Please add them to your prayer list :) Moises, Margarita, Yesenia, Julisa, and Lupe. Julisa, who is 11, looks just like Alex! It's crazy how much they look alike, and it makes me miss you baby sis even more lol.
Well, fam I gotta go now. Today we are doing up to Leavenworth to take some old fashioned photos as a district. I know I need to send pics soon, so I'll try to do that in the immediate future. I miss you all so very much! Hope you have a fantastic week! Until next week, hope to hear from ya'll soon. Hugs
Sunday, November 21, 2010
We Are So Blessed to Have the Gospel In Our Lives
November 8th 2010
Hey ya'll,Well fam here I am yet again another week has come and gone, almost within a blink of an eye. It really started hitting me this week that I only have 10 1/2 months left on the mission. I reach my 8 month mark on the 17th. Crazy right?! It seriously blows my comprehension. I am now in the start of my 2nd week of my 5th transfer out in the mission field.
This week has had it's fair share of ups and downs, as all weeks do in the life of a missionary. But, this week in particular, I feel I have spent even more time on my knees and praying for the strength and will power to get through the more trying times. As you know fam, this week we had transfers. It's been an adjustment for me, only because my new comp and I are so different, but she is a great missionary. She has a strong and powerful testimony, and she is so meek and humble. I am learning a lot from her already. Where I've seen the Lord's tender mercies has definitely been with the language. Sister Blain is kind've on the more quiet side and it's been a struggle to not over-dominate in the lessons and in contacting people. After being out now for 7 1/2 months, the language is finally starting to feel more comfortable to me. Which I am grateful for because if it weren't, our Spanish lessons would be a lot more difficult to communicate. Sister Blain has been out now for just shy of 5 months. She is from Memphis, TN. She is great! This is her first transfer serving in a twosome companionship, so it has been an adjustment for her. The difficulty in any companionship is finding a good rhythm between the two of you, and then when you throw 3 in the mix...it's even more difficult to find a balance between all 3 of you. I only have seen glimpses of the difficulities that a trio can have at times. Of course, in the MTC, my companions and I didn't have many...but I do recall that often times in our "practice" lessons it was difficult to find a balance between the 3 of us and who would teach, etc. And since coming on my mission, in the few times I've been temporarily in a trio, I've learned even better some of the difficulties that can come. But, Sister Blain and I are working hard to find what works for us and I know that with the Lord's help, we will be able to do what it is He needs us to do at this time.
In updates with the work, well we are working with these two really great girls from El Salvador. Maria Pacheco and Estefani Martinez. They are sister-in-laws. Maria is 25, and Estefani 20, but Estefani has 2 kids...Maria none. How we found Estefani was in attempt to contact Maria, who was a former investigator that the Elders before had taught and a little of the Sisters. Estefani has a lot of faith and such a great spirit about her. A few lessons ago, we invited her to be baptized. She said she wants to and since then has had a few doubts, that we are now trying to work through. Maria also accepted the invitation to be baptized, but they both have work on Sundays and so we are working to help them get to church and then hopefully we will be able to work toward a date. They are loving reading in the BOM though, so hopefully they will keep that up. They are our most progressing Spanish investigators right now. As for the English side, well we are anxiously looking for more people to add to our teaching pool. Rick is of course our most progressing investigator right now. We have a lesson with him tonight and Wednesday. He was pretty sad about Sister Olsen leaving, so now we are trying to establish a good relationship with him and Sister Blain too. It shouldn't keep him from progressing, because its not us the missionaries that we are trying to convert him to. It is to the Lord. SO considering this is the Lord's work, I know that if Rick continues to read and pray about the BOM he will eventually get baptized. We may very likely be talking about baptism in the coming lessons, which is a huge step and it is exciting. How great would that be if he were to get baptized during the Christmas season and then next year be sealed to Rose in the temple for time and all eternity. Sounds like the greatest Christmas gift to me, and how great would it be to be able to see that happen and to be able to have 2 "white" Christmases in a row.
Let's see, what else. Well, today is a day of shopping. I'm finally going to get me some boots and leggings. It's getting cold here, burr. And now with the time change it gets dark at about 4:45. Crazy right?! Yah, I thought so too! It makes it a little difficult for contacting people at night...but I suppose we are just going to have to start getting creative haha. Thanksgiving is around the corner. What are ya'll doing this year? I'm looking forward to our Thanksgiving, we are planning to be have Thanksgiving dinner with the Kings. Surprise, surprise right?! They are practically family to me now, so it will be a good Thanksgiving this year I think. Of course I will miss all of you, but hey just think in about a month and a half I will get to talk to all of you on the phone! It should be good times! I'm greatly looking forward to it.
I wanna express gratitude to all of you and for the letters and the support. Every day I am so incredibly grateful for the blessings I have seen from me serving a mission. I have learned a lot about myself, and about who i want to be. I have learned so much about the gospel and what it takes to truly take upon the name of CHrist and to always stand as a witness of him. I have witnessed the blessings that come from having a testimony of the restored gospel, and I am incredibly grateful for the testimony in which my Heavenly Father has given me. I wish so badly for the people that we are teaching, to feel what it is that I feel when I talk about this gospel and about our Savior. The message we share is the most important message I could ever share. We do have something special and something to be grateful for every day of our lives. I know that the Lord is preparing the hearts of his children to receive us. Until next week, keep us in your prayers and know that you are in mine every day. I love you!
Hey ya'll,Well fam here I am yet again another week has come and gone, almost within a blink of an eye. It really started hitting me this week that I only have 10 1/2 months left on the mission. I reach my 8 month mark on the 17th. Crazy right?! It seriously blows my comprehension. I am now in the start of my 2nd week of my 5th transfer out in the mission field.
This week has had it's fair share of ups and downs, as all weeks do in the life of a missionary. But, this week in particular, I feel I have spent even more time on my knees and praying for the strength and will power to get through the more trying times. As you know fam, this week we had transfers. It's been an adjustment for me, only because my new comp and I are so different, but she is a great missionary. She has a strong and powerful testimony, and she is so meek and humble. I am learning a lot from her already. Where I've seen the Lord's tender mercies has definitely been with the language. Sister Blain is kind've on the more quiet side and it's been a struggle to not over-dominate in the lessons and in contacting people. After being out now for 7 1/2 months, the language is finally starting to feel more comfortable to me. Which I am grateful for because if it weren't, our Spanish lessons would be a lot more difficult to communicate. Sister Blain has been out now for just shy of 5 months. She is from Memphis, TN. She is great! This is her first transfer serving in a twosome companionship, so it has been an adjustment for her. The difficulty in any companionship is finding a good rhythm between the two of you, and then when you throw 3 in the mix...it's even more difficult to find a balance between all 3 of you. I only have seen glimpses of the difficulities that a trio can have at times. Of course, in the MTC, my companions and I didn't have many...but I do recall that often times in our "practice" lessons it was difficult to find a balance between the 3 of us and who would teach, etc. And since coming on my mission, in the few times I've been temporarily in a trio, I've learned even better some of the difficulties that can come. But, Sister Blain and I are working hard to find what works for us and I know that with the Lord's help, we will be able to do what it is He needs us to do at this time.
In updates with the work, well we are working with these two really great girls from El Salvador. Maria Pacheco and Estefani Martinez. They are sister-in-laws. Maria is 25, and Estefani 20, but Estefani has 2 kids...Maria none. How we found Estefani was in attempt to contact Maria, who was a former investigator that the Elders before had taught and a little of the Sisters. Estefani has a lot of faith and such a great spirit about her. A few lessons ago, we invited her to be baptized. She said she wants to and since then has had a few doubts, that we are now trying to work through. Maria also accepted the invitation to be baptized, but they both have work on Sundays and so we are working to help them get to church and then hopefully we will be able to work toward a date. They are loving reading in the BOM though, so hopefully they will keep that up. They are our most progressing Spanish investigators right now. As for the English side, well we are anxiously looking for more people to add to our teaching pool. Rick is of course our most progressing investigator right now. We have a lesson with him tonight and Wednesday. He was pretty sad about Sister Olsen leaving, so now we are trying to establish a good relationship with him and Sister Blain too. It shouldn't keep him from progressing, because its not us the missionaries that we are trying to convert him to. It is to the Lord. SO considering this is the Lord's work, I know that if Rick continues to read and pray about the BOM he will eventually get baptized. We may very likely be talking about baptism in the coming lessons, which is a huge step and it is exciting. How great would that be if he were to get baptized during the Christmas season and then next year be sealed to Rose in the temple for time and all eternity. Sounds like the greatest Christmas gift to me, and how great would it be to be able to see that happen and to be able to have 2 "white" Christmases in a row.
Let's see, what else. Well, today is a day of shopping. I'm finally going to get me some boots and leggings. It's getting cold here, burr. And now with the time change it gets dark at about 4:45. Crazy right?! Yah, I thought so too! It makes it a little difficult for contacting people at night...but I suppose we are just going to have to start getting creative haha. Thanksgiving is around the corner. What are ya'll doing this year? I'm looking forward to our Thanksgiving, we are planning to be have Thanksgiving dinner with the Kings. Surprise, surprise right?! They are practically family to me now, so it will be a good Thanksgiving this year I think. Of course I will miss all of you, but hey just think in about a month and a half I will get to talk to all of you on the phone! It should be good times! I'm greatly looking forward to it.
I wanna express gratitude to all of you and for the letters and the support. Every day I am so incredibly grateful for the blessings I have seen from me serving a mission. I have learned a lot about myself, and about who i want to be. I have learned so much about the gospel and what it takes to truly take upon the name of CHrist and to always stand as a witness of him. I have witnessed the blessings that come from having a testimony of the restored gospel, and I am incredibly grateful for the testimony in which my Heavenly Father has given me. I wish so badly for the people that we are teaching, to feel what it is that I feel when I talk about this gospel and about our Savior. The message we share is the most important message I could ever share. We do have something special and something to be grateful for every day of our lives. I know that the Lord is preparing the hearts of his children to receive us. Until next week, keep us in your prayers and know that you are in mine every day. I love you!
Sharing Our Testimony Through Music
November 1st 2010
Ok so I am so sad because I have like no time to write, the server was down today for our email to president and I couldn't get on here for a while. Since there were technical difficulties, I now have 20 min to email you guys so I will try to type fast.
First off, Transfers!! Well, guess what?! I will be staying in Wenatchee another 6 weeks!! Yay!! This means I am still in my "baby" area and that I get to spend Thanksgiving with the people I have come to love and care for so very much! This is definitely a blessing, although I almost had myself convinced that I was going to be leaving this time around. So the verdict for my amazing comp Sis. Olsen....well, she is leaving. Sad day, i KNOW. But she will be opening up a new area to sisters in Quincy, WA- which is actually only about 45 min from Wenatchee. She will be serving with a temple square sister who is from Mexico, so her Spanish is gonna kick butt! I'm excited for Sister Olsen because I know she is going to learn and grown a lot from this experience. We have had an AMAZING 6 weeks serving together! I have learned and grown so much from her. She is a fantastic missionary and I know she will see great things as she continues throughout her mission. My new companion is Sister Blain. She has been out now for 3 months. She is from Tennessee and served with Sis. Perez this last transfer in a threesome. I do not know much more about her other than that, so I am excited to get to serve with her. I think for me, it is going to be a growing experience for sure. I will be senior companion once again and I'm looking forward to learning lots from her too. The key to becoming a better missionary is to be humble and to be teachable. I believe in a lot of ways, I will be have to take the lead on this one, especially because I know the area and the people we will be working with. But, with time I hope to be able to learn and grow together in unity with my new compie. It should be some good times! I'm excited! Other transfer news, Sis. Naylor will be training AGAIN! So I have a 4th "sister". Amazing! Sister Naylor definitely has an amazing ability to lead and to love, so it should be no surprise to me that she is training again. 4 missionaries in a row! With the exception of one transfer not training in the mix.
Ok, So in other news! Rick is amazing! He is doing so well with his reading and his testimony. We can feel that baptism for him is definitely around the corner. Hopefully this transfer. We feel so incredibly close to the Klinge's and always without fail the spirit is so strong in their lessons. Oh I can't wait until you get to meet all the amazing people out here in Wenatchee! I just love it here! Last night, we made a surprise visit to the Klinge's home and sang hymns to them. Rick really loves the song " I am a child of God", andSis. OLsen and I had sang that song earlier that day as a duet accapella in our combined rs and priesthood meeting, as we launched the ward mission plan to our small but amazing ward! The meeting was amazing! The spirit was so strong, and many people in the room were in tears by the end of the song. I have greatly enjoyed being able to share our talents with others. There is real power through music, and Sister Olsen and I have sang quite a bit in lessons and in meetings, and have seen how music can soften and open up people's hearts.
Fam, you already know, but I truly do love what I am doing right now with all of my heart. I agree with you Pops, I am trying to "leave it all out on the floor" as I did when I played ball. This gospel means everything to me. I know that this church is true and that living the principles of the gospel in our daily lives is the only way to true happiness. I love you guys so much! Letters and package coming your way. HUGS
Ok so I am so sad because I have like no time to write, the server was down today for our email to president and I couldn't get on here for a while. Since there were technical difficulties, I now have 20 min to email you guys so I will try to type fast.
First off, Transfers!! Well, guess what?! I will be staying in Wenatchee another 6 weeks!! Yay!! This means I am still in my "baby" area and that I get to spend Thanksgiving with the people I have come to love and care for so very much! This is definitely a blessing, although I almost had myself convinced that I was going to be leaving this time around. So the verdict for my amazing comp Sis. Olsen....well, she is leaving. Sad day, i KNOW. But she will be opening up a new area to sisters in Quincy, WA- which is actually only about 45 min from Wenatchee. She will be serving with a temple square sister who is from Mexico, so her Spanish is gonna kick butt! I'm excited for Sister Olsen because I know she is going to learn and grown a lot from this experience. We have had an AMAZING 6 weeks serving together! I have learned and grown so much from her. She is a fantastic missionary and I know she will see great things as she continues throughout her mission. My new companion is Sister Blain. She has been out now for 3 months. She is from Tennessee and served with Sis. Perez this last transfer in a threesome. I do not know much more about her other than that, so I am excited to get to serve with her. I think for me, it is going to be a growing experience for sure. I will be senior companion once again and I'm looking forward to learning lots from her too. The key to becoming a better missionary is to be humble and to be teachable. I believe in a lot of ways, I will be have to take the lead on this one, especially because I know the area and the people we will be working with. But, with time I hope to be able to learn and grow together in unity with my new compie. It should be some good times! I'm excited! Other transfer news, Sis. Naylor will be training AGAIN! So I have a 4th "sister". Amazing! Sister Naylor definitely has an amazing ability to lead and to love, so it should be no surprise to me that she is training again. 4 missionaries in a row! With the exception of one transfer not training in the mix.
Ok, So in other news! Rick is amazing! He is doing so well with his reading and his testimony. We can feel that baptism for him is definitely around the corner. Hopefully this transfer. We feel so incredibly close to the Klinge's and always without fail the spirit is so strong in their lessons. Oh I can't wait until you get to meet all the amazing people out here in Wenatchee! I just love it here! Last night, we made a surprise visit to the Klinge's home and sang hymns to them. Rick really loves the song " I am a child of God", andSis. OLsen and I had sang that song earlier that day as a duet accapella in our combined rs and priesthood meeting, as we launched the ward mission plan to our small but amazing ward! The meeting was amazing! The spirit was so strong, and many people in the room were in tears by the end of the song. I have greatly enjoyed being able to share our talents with others. There is real power through music, and Sister Olsen and I have sang quite a bit in lessons and in meetings, and have seen how music can soften and open up people's hearts.
Fam, you already know, but I truly do love what I am doing right now with all of my heart. I agree with you Pops, I am trying to "leave it all out on the floor" as I did when I played ball. This gospel means everything to me. I know that this church is true and that living the principles of the gospel in our daily lives is the only way to true happiness. I love you guys so much! Letters and package coming your way. HUGS
Power in Moroni's Promise
October 27th 2010
Well, I hope you can all know I have been anxiously waiting to email you. As mentioned last week, we changed our p-day so that we could attend the temple today. It was 3 hours there and 3 hours back, but well worth the trip. So naturally, right now I am kind of exhausted from the drive (definitely not used to being in a car for that long as a missionary) and we only have a little bit longer left of our prep day but just long enough to email home real quick. Dad, thank you for the email and I'm glad you enjoyed the gift.
A- As mentioned above, there are a lot of exciting things happening here in the Mission Ridge ward. This coming Sunday, we are launching the Ward Mission Plan in the combined relief society and priesthood meeting. The goal is to then have the members create auxiliary mission plans and then family mission plans. Many exciting things are happening and we love working with the members! I know that when the missionaries and the members are united in their efforts, we can and will see miracles. This is the Lord's work and no unhallowed hand will keep it from moving forward.
C- My companion is doing great! She has such a great love and passion for this work, which makes working with her super great! We definitely make a great team. She helps me to be a better missionary, and I believe that we both are learning a lot from one another. Although we have our differences at times, we both know that our strengths far out weigh our weaknesses in this companionship. Together we have grown in love and we love this work!
T- My testimony and faith continues to grow each day. I believe it is through the tests of faith when it has grown the most. I'm incredibly grateful to my Heavenly Father for all that He has been teaching me throughout this mission experience. I am grateful for the gift of charity and love. I know that when we pray for charity, Heavenly Father does bless our hearts to be more full of his love. I truly do have a deep love for the people here in Wenatchee, and wouldn't trade my time here for anything. I know that I was called to serve in this mission for a reason, and to serve here in the Mission Ridge ward for a reason. I will continue to place my trust in the Lord and go about doing His business, because I understand that it is His errand that I am on. I feel so very blessed to do so.
S- The power of prayer continues to amaze me. A few nights ago, I betook myself to deep personal prayer to my Heavenly Father. I poured my heart out to him, and prayed about the things that have been weighing on me lately. I felt the comfort and strength of the Holy Ghost, and I know my Heavenly Father was listening. It is amazing to feel His loving embrace and to be strengthened in moments when we are down on our knees. I have felt my Heavenly Father's love for me, and for others, and for that I am truly grateful.
OK, now for more updates about the work. Last friday, we had zone conference. It was all focused on the power of the Book of Mormon in conversion. I just finished reading the BOM for the 3rd time that same night. Wow, was that an amazing experience. This was the same night, that I got down on my knees and really poured my heart out to my Heavenly Father in prayer. I won't go into too many details about my experience, because it is sacred and personal, but let's just say I prayed for quite sometime. I prayed to know the truthfullness of the BOM, and once again I received that same strong conviction in my heart that leaves no doubt whatsoever that the BOM is true. My personal testimony of the BOM has been strengthened over the course of the last 7 months, and even since I first read it when I was 17. If it weren't for the Book of Mormon, I would not be as strong in my testimony of the restored gospel as I am. I would not be able to do what I am expected to do as a missionary. Reading the BOM everyday has strengthened my faith, and it goes back to the principle that we need to nourish our testimonies daily. If I were not doing that while out here on my mission, I know I would not have the strength to go out every single day and proclaim the restored gospel to every one we come into contact with on the street. Fam, unfortunately I do not have enough time to share every experience that I have had on my mission, but I will say this. Every day, my testimony is questioned by the comments or actions of others. Every day, I have to cling tighter to what I KNOW to be true, and have the strength to stand firmly and boldly. But through it all, if it were not for the BOM, I would not have a sure foundation. EVERYTHING in the church weighs on whether or not that book is true. And just like Elder Holland so powerfully stated, one cannot come to full faith in this gospel without having read it and taking account for those 531 pages, that each of us will someday be judged from at the judgement-seat of Christ. With that said, I continue to encourage you as a family and individually to study from the good book daily. And then when you finish the final pages, put Moroni's promise to the test (MOR 10:3-5) and you will receive a witness from the Holy Spirit that it is the word of God, and the most correct book on earth. It is truly another testament of Jesus Christ, and one will draw closer to him through reading the words of that book. President extended a challenge to us at zone conference, to read the BOM from the beginning and to mark every reference to Jesus Christ. So he gave each missionary a clean copy of the Book and we are to finish it by the end of the year! So that is 2 months! By Jan. 1, 2011. I will have read the Book of Mormon for my 4th time.
I'm excited!Ok in other news with mission life. Well, it is getting colder here fast. Currently I am borrowing a jacket from sis king, she may let me borrow it for a while. And I have a few places I can go to bargain shop for some boots. Time is the biggest thing at this point, so I will prob have to browse around next Monday. Also, transfers are coming up. We get calls Sunday. Updates in a few days.
Rick is really progressing in his reading of the BOM right now, and he is really coming along. The spirit is so strong in all of his lessons with his wife Rose. The Klinge's are our neighbors and a sure reason I know why we were to live at the Burnett's. Please keep Rick in your prayers. He is so so close. He has made great leaps of progression. We love them both so very very much!
Monday, we got 7 new investigators! Well, that number is skewed when we find families! But we are excited to have added new people to our teaching pool. Sometimes it is hard and discouraging when people don't progress the way we wish for them to, but such is the life of a missionary. We really teach people according to their needs, and it makes it difficult at times because everybody's needs are different! There are no "memorized" or organized lessons and many times, what we plan to teach ends up being something different than what we actually teach. Such is the power of the spirit in this work. I am learning more and more each day how to follow the promptings of the spirit. Sometimes I wish we had a spiritual GPS system so we could just "KNOW" where the people who are prepared are. But, with faith and patient perserverance, the Lord does indeed lead us to them.
Well, I hope you can all know I have been anxiously waiting to email you. As mentioned last week, we changed our p-day so that we could attend the temple today. It was 3 hours there and 3 hours back, but well worth the trip. So naturally, right now I am kind of exhausted from the drive (definitely not used to being in a car for that long as a missionary) and we only have a little bit longer left of our prep day but just long enough to email home real quick. Dad, thank you for the email and I'm glad you enjoyed the gift.
A- As mentioned above, there are a lot of exciting things happening here in the Mission Ridge ward. This coming Sunday, we are launching the Ward Mission Plan in the combined relief society and priesthood meeting. The goal is to then have the members create auxiliary mission plans and then family mission plans. Many exciting things are happening and we love working with the members! I know that when the missionaries and the members are united in their efforts, we can and will see miracles. This is the Lord's work and no unhallowed hand will keep it from moving forward.
C- My companion is doing great! She has such a great love and passion for this work, which makes working with her super great! We definitely make a great team. She helps me to be a better missionary, and I believe that we both are learning a lot from one another. Although we have our differences at times, we both know that our strengths far out weigh our weaknesses in this companionship. Together we have grown in love and we love this work!
T- My testimony and faith continues to grow each day. I believe it is through the tests of faith when it has grown the most. I'm incredibly grateful to my Heavenly Father for all that He has been teaching me throughout this mission experience. I am grateful for the gift of charity and love. I know that when we pray for charity, Heavenly Father does bless our hearts to be more full of his love. I truly do have a deep love for the people here in Wenatchee, and wouldn't trade my time here for anything. I know that I was called to serve in this mission for a reason, and to serve here in the Mission Ridge ward for a reason. I will continue to place my trust in the Lord and go about doing His business, because I understand that it is His errand that I am on. I feel so very blessed to do so.
S- The power of prayer continues to amaze me. A few nights ago, I betook myself to deep personal prayer to my Heavenly Father. I poured my heart out to him, and prayed about the things that have been weighing on me lately. I felt the comfort and strength of the Holy Ghost, and I know my Heavenly Father was listening. It is amazing to feel His loving embrace and to be strengthened in moments when we are down on our knees. I have felt my Heavenly Father's love for me, and for others, and for that I am truly grateful.
OK, now for more updates about the work. Last friday, we had zone conference. It was all focused on the power of the Book of Mormon in conversion. I just finished reading the BOM for the 3rd time that same night. Wow, was that an amazing experience. This was the same night, that I got down on my knees and really poured my heart out to my Heavenly Father in prayer. I won't go into too many details about my experience, because it is sacred and personal, but let's just say I prayed for quite sometime. I prayed to know the truthfullness of the BOM, and once again I received that same strong conviction in my heart that leaves no doubt whatsoever that the BOM is true. My personal testimony of the BOM has been strengthened over the course of the last 7 months, and even since I first read it when I was 17. If it weren't for the Book of Mormon, I would not be as strong in my testimony of the restored gospel as I am. I would not be able to do what I am expected to do as a missionary. Reading the BOM everyday has strengthened my faith, and it goes back to the principle that we need to nourish our testimonies daily. If I were not doing that while out here on my mission, I know I would not have the strength to go out every single day and proclaim the restored gospel to every one we come into contact with on the street. Fam, unfortunately I do not have enough time to share every experience that I have had on my mission, but I will say this. Every day, my testimony is questioned by the comments or actions of others. Every day, I have to cling tighter to what I KNOW to be true, and have the strength to stand firmly and boldly. But through it all, if it were not for the BOM, I would not have a sure foundation. EVERYTHING in the church weighs on whether or not that book is true. And just like Elder Holland so powerfully stated, one cannot come to full faith in this gospel without having read it and taking account for those 531 pages, that each of us will someday be judged from at the judgement-seat of Christ. With that said, I continue to encourage you as a family and individually to study from the good book daily. And then when you finish the final pages, put Moroni's promise to the test (MOR 10:3-5) and you will receive a witness from the Holy Spirit that it is the word of God, and the most correct book on earth. It is truly another testament of Jesus Christ, and one will draw closer to him through reading the words of that book. President extended a challenge to us at zone conference, to read the BOM from the beginning and to mark every reference to Jesus Christ. So he gave each missionary a clean copy of the Book and we are to finish it by the end of the year! So that is 2 months! By Jan. 1, 2011. I will have read the Book of Mormon for my 4th time.
I'm excited!Ok in other news with mission life. Well, it is getting colder here fast. Currently I am borrowing a jacket from sis king, she may let me borrow it for a while. And I have a few places I can go to bargain shop for some boots. Time is the biggest thing at this point, so I will prob have to browse around next Monday. Also, transfers are coming up. We get calls Sunday. Updates in a few days.
Rick is really progressing in his reading of the BOM right now, and he is really coming along. The spirit is so strong in all of his lessons with his wife Rose. The Klinge's are our neighbors and a sure reason I know why we were to live at the Burnett's. Please keep Rick in your prayers. He is so so close. He has made great leaps of progression. We love them both so very very much!
Monday, we got 7 new investigators! Well, that number is skewed when we find families! But we are excited to have added new people to our teaching pool. Sometimes it is hard and discouraging when people don't progress the way we wish for them to, but such is the life of a missionary. We really teach people according to their needs, and it makes it difficult at times because everybody's needs are different! There are no "memorized" or organized lessons and many times, what we plan to teach ends up being something different than what we actually teach. Such is the power of the spirit in this work. I am learning more and more each day how to follow the promptings of the spirit. Sometimes I wish we had a spiritual GPS system so we could just "KNOW" where the people who are prepared are. But, with faith and patient perserverance, the Lord does indeed lead us to them.
Laughing is Good for the Soul
October 11th 2010
Hey everyone!
So, something ironic happened to me today! I got a phone call from Bro. Curry (who we used to live with) and he said that a Mr. and Mrs. Giles had stopped by to say hello. Well at first, I was super confused on who it was. But then we made the connections. Dana Magleby's parents were passing through Wenatchee and stopped through to check in on me and see how I was doing. Way cool! We visited with them for about 25 minutes, but then had to leave. But, it really made my day. Dana, you have fantastic parents and by the way you totally have the same wink as your dad :) It was a good surprise!
So updates with the work. The work is pushing along. We are finding families to teach, and teaching alot in Spanish. Some days it comes out better than others. Sister Olsen and I are making a great team! We love serving together and there are no doubts in our minds that we are supposed to be serving together at this time. We have seen many miracles. We have met some amazing people. We have had our few share of ups and downs, but such is the life of a missionary.
Funny story for all you readers. So family, you may recall, that back home I used to talk in my sleep. Well, I still do and better yet, now I have even woken myself up from laughing in my sleep. So the story real quick, last night I had this funny dream and I started laughing...I woke myself up and kept laughing because I was laughing in my sleep. Then my compie woke up. Super confused. Was like "are you ok?" which made me laugh even harder, because I couldn't stop laughing. So for about 10 minutes, at one in the morning I laughed my little self half to death and then went back to sleep. My companion and I laughed some more about it today when talking about it. It was rather hillarious, and I guess laughing is good medicine for the soul. Sister Olsen and I have a lot of fun together. I guess we all could use a good laugh every now and then, whether it is in our sleep or not, it is still something I would highly recommend.
Hm, well unfortunately this is all the time I have right now to write. I want to say so much more! But, in the coming days, you will have a pretty sweet surprise coming your way. I'm excited! And I'm awful at keeping secrets so I will leave it at that for now. I love you all so very much.
I love you. I pray for you every day. Keep the faith and hope you have a good week. Remember to rely on the Lord for everything!
Hey everyone!
So, something ironic happened to me today! I got a phone call from Bro. Curry (who we used to live with) and he said that a Mr. and Mrs. Giles had stopped by to say hello. Well at first, I was super confused on who it was. But then we made the connections. Dana Magleby's parents were passing through Wenatchee and stopped through to check in on me and see how I was doing. Way cool! We visited with them for about 25 minutes, but then had to leave. But, it really made my day. Dana, you have fantastic parents and by the way you totally have the same wink as your dad :) It was a good surprise!
So updates with the work. The work is pushing along. We are finding families to teach, and teaching alot in Spanish. Some days it comes out better than others. Sister Olsen and I are making a great team! We love serving together and there are no doubts in our minds that we are supposed to be serving together at this time. We have seen many miracles. We have met some amazing people. We have had our few share of ups and downs, but such is the life of a missionary.
Funny story for all you readers. So family, you may recall, that back home I used to talk in my sleep. Well, I still do and better yet, now I have even woken myself up from laughing in my sleep. So the story real quick, last night I had this funny dream and I started laughing...I woke myself up and kept laughing because I was laughing in my sleep. Then my compie woke up. Super confused. Was like "are you ok?" which made me laugh even harder, because I couldn't stop laughing. So for about 10 minutes, at one in the morning I laughed my little self half to death and then went back to sleep. My companion and I laughed some more about it today when talking about it. It was rather hillarious, and I guess laughing is good medicine for the soul. Sister Olsen and I have a lot of fun together. I guess we all could use a good laugh every now and then, whether it is in our sleep or not, it is still something I would highly recommend.
Hm, well unfortunately this is all the time I have right now to write. I want to say so much more! But, in the coming days, you will have a pretty sweet surprise coming your way. I'm excited! And I'm awful at keeping secrets so I will leave it at that for now. I love you all so very much.
I love you. I pray for you every day. Keep the faith and hope you have a good week. Remember to rely on the Lord for everything!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Do We Have Enough Faith?
October 4th 2010
Well as always, I miss you. I pray for you daily. I know life isn't perfect and that each of you have your own set of trials and daily stresses to deal with. But I am emailing you today and feel strongly impressed to tell you, Be of good comfort and cheer. Be not dismayed by the challenges of daily life. Stay true to your selves and hold to the iron rod. Nourishing our testimonies DAILY, by constant scripture study and prayer, is the only way our faith can pull us through the hard times. Remember that Heavenly Father is so very uniquely aware of each and every one of you. He loves you. He will not leave you alone in your greatest hour of need. Our Savior is there for you too. The Lord took upon him every trial, sickness, and sin and it is only in and through His infinite Atonement that we can be saved.
I am often reminded of the song that changed my life, titled, "Where Can I Turn For Peace?" I do not have all the words memorized, but there is a line in that hymn that reads, "Where can I turn for peace, when other sources cease to make me whole, who, who can understand? He only one." I would invite you to read the lyrics for yourself, but that song has a lot of deep and personal meaning for me. Throughout my life, I too have faced challenges. Moments when I have felt my faith weakened and my heart burdened with distress and grief. At times, life has not been easy. And even while I've been out here on my mission, I have experienced the healing power of the Atonement take deep root within every fiber of my being. As it was mentioned by one of the Seventies during conference, I do not have a perfect knowledge of the things of God. I do not have a perfect understanding of how exactly the Atonement works. But what I do know...is that it DOES. It takes great faith to remember to rely on the Atonement daily and to stay true to our covenants we each made at baptism. Although some of us were young, and may not remember it perfectly, when we were baptized we took upon ourselves the name of Christ. We made a promise to always remember him and remember to keep His commandments. We also promised we would ENDURE to the end, no matter what life's challenges decided to present themselves down the road. SO my question I ask is how do we endure to the end? How do we turn to the Savior for peace? How can the healing embrace of the Atonement take place in each and every one of our lives? Well....as simple as it might sound....it all begins with Prayer!
Prayer is another interesting topic. Sure as members of the church, we know that we are commanded to pray always. We know that prayer is the essence and the beginning of our faith. But in taking a few moments now and making time for a little introspection, are we really doing all that we could be doing when it comes to prayer? Are we sincere and humble when we pray. Do we talk to our Heavenly Father as He is our Father. DO we pray vocally when we are alone? Do we open our hearts and give our worries and griefs over to the savior through prayer? Do we ask for guidance, but not really listen for the answer. Do we expect immediate answers to our prayers or do we wait patiently for the Lord to answer in His own due time? Do we have enough faith to pray every morning, night and day...individually and as a family? Could we maybe improve our prayers and aline our will according to the father's? Well, of course these are all questions we can ask our selves. And not to be discouraged if we realize that we could be better at praying. Something I do know is that Heavenly Father does hear our prayers! And HE ANSWERS! He answers from the littlest things, like from knowing where to find the car keys to receiving direct guidance on a path our lives should take. SOme answers take TIME and patience...all the while we are still nourishing and proving our faith. I have seen many answers to my prayers since I have come on my mission. I have seen miracles. And every day for the past 6 1/2 months, I have seen how the consistent study and prayer has nourished my faith to be as great as it is now! I now understand the great importance each and every one of us have to OURSELVES to strengthen our own faith. We cannot expect an increase in our faith if we are not willing to do our part. We must read and pray always. We must endure to the end. And we must remember who we are as children of God, and that our whole purpose and time we have on earth is a time of probation and testing. As many of the conference talks this weekend were about using our agency and nourishing our faith, I echo the warning voice they sounded. We must use our agency TODAY and choose to follow our Savior and obey his commandments. It is a commandment to read the scriptures and to pray always. It is a commandment to renew our coventants weekly by partaking the sacrament. And it is a commandment to have faith and endure to the end. Jesus Christ is the ONLY person who can provide safety for the soul and who can lead us through this life to reach our eternal destinations. We have the gift to choose! And we must remember that the choices we do make, eventually decide our futures. How great is our faith?
In life we are always striving to progress and improve. If we are standing still, then we are regressing. I feel very strongly that not only would family scripture study bless your individual lives, but it will bless the lives of our entire family. It will bless me, even while I am out here on my mission, serving the Lord with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. I know the Lord will bless you and that there will be an outpowering of the SPirit in our home. Do we have enough faith to believe and follow the counsel of the living prophet? DO we have enough faith to patiently wait for the blessings when we are faced with trials. I assume so yes and I believe in each and every one of you! You mean the world to me! I love you.
There is power that comes from a missionary's prayers and so I know that Heavenly Father is watching over you and protecting you every day, because I am praying for you.
Well as always, I miss you. I pray for you daily. I know life isn't perfect and that each of you have your own set of trials and daily stresses to deal with. But I am emailing you today and feel strongly impressed to tell you, Be of good comfort and cheer. Be not dismayed by the challenges of daily life. Stay true to your selves and hold to the iron rod. Nourishing our testimonies DAILY, by constant scripture study and prayer, is the only way our faith can pull us through the hard times. Remember that Heavenly Father is so very uniquely aware of each and every one of you. He loves you. He will not leave you alone in your greatest hour of need. Our Savior is there for you too. The Lord took upon him every trial, sickness, and sin and it is only in and through His infinite Atonement that we can be saved.
I am often reminded of the song that changed my life, titled, "Where Can I Turn For Peace?" I do not have all the words memorized, but there is a line in that hymn that reads, "Where can I turn for peace, when other sources cease to make me whole, who, who can understand? He only one." I would invite you to read the lyrics for yourself, but that song has a lot of deep and personal meaning for me. Throughout my life, I too have faced challenges. Moments when I have felt my faith weakened and my heart burdened with distress and grief. At times, life has not been easy. And even while I've been out here on my mission, I have experienced the healing power of the Atonement take deep root within every fiber of my being. As it was mentioned by one of the Seventies during conference, I do not have a perfect knowledge of the things of God. I do not have a perfect understanding of how exactly the Atonement works. But what I do know...is that it DOES. It takes great faith to remember to rely on the Atonement daily and to stay true to our covenants we each made at baptism. Although some of us were young, and may not remember it perfectly, when we were baptized we took upon ourselves the name of Christ. We made a promise to always remember him and remember to keep His commandments. We also promised we would ENDURE to the end, no matter what life's challenges decided to present themselves down the road. SO my question I ask is how do we endure to the end? How do we turn to the Savior for peace? How can the healing embrace of the Atonement take place in each and every one of our lives? Well....as simple as it might sound....it all begins with Prayer!
Prayer is another interesting topic. Sure as members of the church, we know that we are commanded to pray always. We know that prayer is the essence and the beginning of our faith. But in taking a few moments now and making time for a little introspection, are we really doing all that we could be doing when it comes to prayer? Are we sincere and humble when we pray. Do we talk to our Heavenly Father as He is our Father. DO we pray vocally when we are alone? Do we open our hearts and give our worries and griefs over to the savior through prayer? Do we ask for guidance, but not really listen for the answer. Do we expect immediate answers to our prayers or do we wait patiently for the Lord to answer in His own due time? Do we have enough faith to pray every morning, night and day...individually and as a family? Could we maybe improve our prayers and aline our will according to the father's? Well, of course these are all questions we can ask our selves. And not to be discouraged if we realize that we could be better at praying. Something I do know is that Heavenly Father does hear our prayers! And HE ANSWERS! He answers from the littlest things, like from knowing where to find the car keys to receiving direct guidance on a path our lives should take. SOme answers take TIME and patience...all the while we are still nourishing and proving our faith. I have seen many answers to my prayers since I have come on my mission. I have seen miracles. And every day for the past 6 1/2 months, I have seen how the consistent study and prayer has nourished my faith to be as great as it is now! I now understand the great importance each and every one of us have to OURSELVES to strengthen our own faith. We cannot expect an increase in our faith if we are not willing to do our part. We must read and pray always. We must endure to the end. And we must remember who we are as children of God, and that our whole purpose and time we have on earth is a time of probation and testing. As many of the conference talks this weekend were about using our agency and nourishing our faith, I echo the warning voice they sounded. We must use our agency TODAY and choose to follow our Savior and obey his commandments. It is a commandment to read the scriptures and to pray always. It is a commandment to renew our coventants weekly by partaking the sacrament. And it is a commandment to have faith and endure to the end. Jesus Christ is the ONLY person who can provide safety for the soul and who can lead us through this life to reach our eternal destinations. We have the gift to choose! And we must remember that the choices we do make, eventually decide our futures. How great is our faith?
In life we are always striving to progress and improve. If we are standing still, then we are regressing. I feel very strongly that not only would family scripture study bless your individual lives, but it will bless the lives of our entire family. It will bless me, even while I am out here on my mission, serving the Lord with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. I know the Lord will bless you and that there will be an outpowering of the SPirit in our home. Do we have enough faith to believe and follow the counsel of the living prophet? DO we have enough faith to patiently wait for the blessings when we are faced with trials. I assume so yes and I believe in each and every one of you! You mean the world to me! I love you.
There is power that comes from a missionary's prayers and so I know that Heavenly Father is watching over you and protecting you every day, because I am praying for you.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
I Love Being a Missionary
September 20th 2010
SO the exciting news for the week is we got transfer calls last night!! Ok, ok...now ya'll may not be as excited as us missionaries get in waiting anxiously for the good word, but here is the final verdict. Unfortunately, Sis. Perez is leaving me. She is going to be transfered to serve in Othello and will be in a threesome, working both Spanish and English. We both knew that it was coming and the chances of us still being together were slim, so we had kind've already accepted it. She is sad, but knows that she will love the people there just as much as she has grown to love the people here. I, on the other hand, am staying here in Wenatchee!! Yay! I'm so incredibly excited about that, and this is an answer in itself that there is still someone here who I am meant to find who I have not yet. This last transfer was hard, as far as finding new people to teach is considered, but I'm hoping all that will change in this coming transfer. So guess who is going to be my new companion!! Sister Olsen, who came out the same time as Sister Perez did. She is the one who Sis. Naylor trained right after me. SO we are "sisters" in missionary terms, and we both just knew at some point we would be serving together. I knew it from the moment I met her that last day I was in the MTC. There's something special about her and I think we are going to make a great team! We are both very excited to be serving together and a little surprised that we will be serving together this soon on the mission. Where there's room for growth and miracles to occur, well we both are not fluent in the language. SO the gift of tongues is going to have to come in big measures these coming weeks, because I'm willing to bet our Spanish is about the same level right now. She was in intermediate level at the MTC, and I've been out a transfer longer, so we shall see where the two meet up. It shall be interesting and is going to take a ton of faith on both our parts, but she is optimistic and enthusiastic about the work so we are going to see so much these coming weeks, I just know it! I sent a pic home not too long ago of the 4 of us sisters in the "fam", Me, Sis. Naylor, Perez, and Olsen. So, you should be able to get a nice visual. Who'd thought my first 3 comps in the mission would be all in that pic right!! Craziness, the Lord does indeed have a plan :) I'm very excited!
The latest with the work, lets see. Well, no new investigators this week, but we did invite one of our investigators, Dennis to be baptized. Who accepted, but we have not set a date yet. It may take some time with him, but he seems to really be trying to change his life. A little more about him on the tape, but really I dunno what is up with me teaching all these single guys, both old and young. Haha starting to notice a trend here...kind've interesting. We are working with a couple families, and trying really hard with the Mendoza sisters, Jessica and Maritza. I'm starting to lose patience, but praying to know the Lord's will for them and what part we play in bringing them unto Him at this time. They haven't been reading (again!) and haven't come to church yet, which is discouraging. There's no doubts that at some point they will enter on this path, but right now...we are trying to figure out if we should continue teaching them. If they don't start keeping commitments again, and progressing, unfortunately we are going to have to temporarily drop them, which will prob be the saddest day EVER! So this week, we are hoping to have a pretty straight forward conversation about the responsibility they have and the importance of reading and coming to church. Please keep them in your prayers, as I know you have. They need them and I need them. I love this family so much, which has been such a driving force for us not giving up but they have to do their part and have to be progressing in order for us to continue teaching them.
In other exciting news, one of the less actives we visit every week has now come to church 2 weeks in a row. She wants to work toward the temple, and we've been working with her since I first got to the Mission Ridge ward 3 months ago. She hadn't been to church in 10+ years. So this is HUGE! Although she isn't an investigator, I almost feel that she is...because we are teaching her basic gospel principles and she is progressing so well. Her name is Maggie, if I hadn't mentioned her on tapes before. We are teaching so many people both members and non members alike, so sometimes I only mention the main players we are working with at the time. But I am loving the people! I love the area! I love the ward! And I love being a missionary!
I have learned a lot since coming out here on the mission! My testimony has grown in leaps and bounds. I have been blessed with spiritual wisdom and maturity beyond my own, just as my setting apart blessing promised. I have seen miracles and seen both good times and bad. I am not a perfect missionary, but I do sincerely try my best and rely on my Savior's Atonement for the areas in which I lack. I feel so much love and gratitude for the people in whom I am serving. I am learning a lot from them. I have turned the corner and am now past my 6 months. The time is going by fast! Every day, I wake up and get on my knees and thank Heavenly Father for blessing me to have one more day out here on the mission! I love this work! And it is truly to work of the Lord! More news next week! Pray for me and the language...please please. I have faith the Lord will continue to perform miracles in and through me. The good word is true! If you haven't done your personal study yet today, I invite you to take 10 min and open the good book and read the words of the Lord. I love you all! Miss you every day :)
SO the exciting news for the week is we got transfer calls last night!! Ok, ok...now ya'll may not be as excited as us missionaries get in waiting anxiously for the good word, but here is the final verdict. Unfortunately, Sis. Perez is leaving me. She is going to be transfered to serve in Othello and will be in a threesome, working both Spanish and English. We both knew that it was coming and the chances of us still being together were slim, so we had kind've already accepted it. She is sad, but knows that she will love the people there just as much as she has grown to love the people here. I, on the other hand, am staying here in Wenatchee!! Yay! I'm so incredibly excited about that, and this is an answer in itself that there is still someone here who I am meant to find who I have not yet. This last transfer was hard, as far as finding new people to teach is considered, but I'm hoping all that will change in this coming transfer. So guess who is going to be my new companion!! Sister Olsen, who came out the same time as Sister Perez did. She is the one who Sis. Naylor trained right after me. SO we are "sisters" in missionary terms, and we both just knew at some point we would be serving together. I knew it from the moment I met her that last day I was in the MTC. There's something special about her and I think we are going to make a great team! We are both very excited to be serving together and a little surprised that we will be serving together this soon on the mission. Where there's room for growth and miracles to occur, well we both are not fluent in the language. SO the gift of tongues is going to have to come in big measures these coming weeks, because I'm willing to bet our Spanish is about the same level right now. She was in intermediate level at the MTC, and I've been out a transfer longer, so we shall see where the two meet up. It shall be interesting and is going to take a ton of faith on both our parts, but she is optimistic and enthusiastic about the work so we are going to see so much these coming weeks, I just know it! I sent a pic home not too long ago of the 4 of us sisters in the "fam", Me, Sis. Naylor, Perez, and Olsen. So, you should be able to get a nice visual. Who'd thought my first 3 comps in the mission would be all in that pic right!! Craziness, the Lord does indeed have a plan :) I'm very excited!
The latest with the work, lets see. Well, no new investigators this week, but we did invite one of our investigators, Dennis to be baptized. Who accepted, but we have not set a date yet. It may take some time with him, but he seems to really be trying to change his life. A little more about him on the tape, but really I dunno what is up with me teaching all these single guys, both old and young. Haha starting to notice a trend here...kind've interesting. We are working with a couple families, and trying really hard with the Mendoza sisters, Jessica and Maritza. I'm starting to lose patience, but praying to know the Lord's will for them and what part we play in bringing them unto Him at this time. They haven't been reading (again!) and haven't come to church yet, which is discouraging. There's no doubts that at some point they will enter on this path, but right now...we are trying to figure out if we should continue teaching them. If they don't start keeping commitments again, and progressing, unfortunately we are going to have to temporarily drop them, which will prob be the saddest day EVER! So this week, we are hoping to have a pretty straight forward conversation about the responsibility they have and the importance of reading and coming to church. Please keep them in your prayers, as I know you have. They need them and I need them. I love this family so much, which has been such a driving force for us not giving up but they have to do their part and have to be progressing in order for us to continue teaching them.
In other exciting news, one of the less actives we visit every week has now come to church 2 weeks in a row. She wants to work toward the temple, and we've been working with her since I first got to the Mission Ridge ward 3 months ago. She hadn't been to church in 10+ years. So this is HUGE! Although she isn't an investigator, I almost feel that she is...because we are teaching her basic gospel principles and she is progressing so well. Her name is Maggie, if I hadn't mentioned her on tapes before. We are teaching so many people both members and non members alike, so sometimes I only mention the main players we are working with at the time. But I am loving the people! I love the area! I love the ward! And I love being a missionary!
I have learned a lot since coming out here on the mission! My testimony has grown in leaps and bounds. I have been blessed with spiritual wisdom and maturity beyond my own, just as my setting apart blessing promised. I have seen miracles and seen both good times and bad. I am not a perfect missionary, but I do sincerely try my best and rely on my Savior's Atonement for the areas in which I lack. I feel so much love and gratitude for the people in whom I am serving. I am learning a lot from them. I have turned the corner and am now past my 6 months. The time is going by fast! Every day, I wake up and get on my knees and thank Heavenly Father for blessing me to have one more day out here on the mission! I love this work! And it is truly to work of the Lord! More news next week! Pray for me and the language...please please. I have faith the Lord will continue to perform miracles in and through me. The good word is true! If you haven't done your personal study yet today, I invite you to take 10 min and open the good book and read the words of the Lord. I love you all! Miss you every day :)
6 Months This Week!
September 13th 2010
Buenos Dias! Today is a good day :) This weekend was amazing! And overall things are going good. Mom, Dad, and to all my four beautiful younger sisters- thank you so much for sending me that recording of you guys! I loved it! It wouldn't work at first, but where there is a will, there is a way, so I found out the only way it would play would be on a computer. SO the Burnett's, being as kind as they are, let me listen to it on their computer. I loved the talks Mom and Dad, and you made me sound better than I am. But it was tender to hear from you that you are proud of me and the changes you've seen over the last 6 months. I feel so incredibly different than I was when I first entered the MTC. Through every experience, both good and bad, I have learned and grown so much. I hardly even recognize myself anymore :)
I started feeling a unique sense of spiritual maturity these last couple weeks. I have noticed these leaps in seeing myself mature more spiritually at different turning points throughout my mission thus far. But this feeling I've had these last couple weeks, stems from I think the mere-fact that I am coming up on my 6 month mark this Friday! Can you believe I have been out here for that long? Well, I can't. And for these last couple weeks, I've been really beginning to feel like an "experienced" missionary. Now, I know that I'm no where near perfect as a missionary, but I've really begun to feel like reaching this land mark of 6 months is a huge stepping stone. Of course, my goals as far as hoping to be fluent in the language by this point on my mission might have been a little incredulous, but the language has been coming little by little, day by day. And with transfers coming up this next week, I can't help but also feel that the Lord has been preparing me for another opportunity to be stretched and to grow, as well as maybe another opportunity to lead as it was stated in my setting apart blessing. Whether that means I will be leaving the area, or that I will be training again, or what...I do not know. But I do feel that there is definitely something significant in the works that will be coming my way in the near future. Maybe not this transfer, but I'm leaning toward it happening sooner than later. Sister Perez and I have now been serving together for almost 2 full transfers (that's 3 months) which is a long chunk of time in the real world. We have become very close and work well together as a team, which leaves reason to believe that now after serving this long together, it is time for us to grow a little more and share our experiences with a new companion. SO sadly, yes, more than likely Sister Perez and I could be separated..but we both have accepted the fact and will do whatever it is that the Lord asks of us. Our prayers have been with President Palmer a lot these last few weeks. If there's one thing I do know about him, is that he is truly an inspired man and that He will do what the Lord asks of him to do. So, you will all hear the verdict of what will be happening next transfer next week! Be excited! Because in the life of a missionary, these are the types of things missionaries get kind of "hyped" up about lol.
Well let's see, well now for one of the bigger highlights of the week. Yesterday, Neftali was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood in the office of Priest. Wow was this such a powerful experience to be apart of. I have never before sat in on a blessing where someone received the Priesthood. I already have a significantly strong testimony of the Priesthood, but being able to sit in when Neftali was ordained was just amazing! Brother King ordained him and the blessing that proceeded was truly inspired. Oh how amazing is it to be able to witness the gospel of Jesus Christ truly take hold on someone and change their life! I feel so incredibly blessed to have been a small part in teaching and bringing him unto Christ. Also, Koty gave his conversion story in Sacrament meeting yesterday. It was interesting to hear everything from his perspective and how he shared the different significant events that happened while we were teaching him. While he was speaking, the spirit washed over me like a warm blanket and my heart was truly touched by the power of the spirit. My entire being it seemed was full of so much joy, and it made me think of the scripture that says something along the lines of, "how great shall be your joy if you shall bring one soul into the gospel, and how much greater will be your joy save you shall bring many souls." Being able to witness the miracle of conversion take place within these two fine young men. They are going to change lives and will be the legacy who brought their future posterity into the true gospel that is here upon the earth today!
Well, once again I'm out of time. I hope you enjoyed my last 2 tapes. I miss you all so very much! Thank you for all you love, support and prayers. They are needed daily.
I know this work is truly the Lord's work. I know that this church is true and that we do have a living prophet on the earth today. Conference will be coming up in just a few weeks, so I hope you all can take some time aside to help prepare yourselves spiritually to receive divine guidance and answers to your own personal questions and concerns. I know that Heavenly Father does hear and answer prayers and that He loves each and everyone of us beyond compare. One more year family, and I will be on a plane coming home. I pray that this next year, you each will be able to discover more profoundly the beauitiful blessings that this gospel brings to us in our lives. As we are faithful and obedient, the Lord will watch over us and help us to become the men and women in whom we were foreordained and destined to become. I know this to be true! I love you!
Buenos Dias! Today is a good day :) This weekend was amazing! And overall things are going good. Mom, Dad, and to all my four beautiful younger sisters- thank you so much for sending me that recording of you guys! I loved it! It wouldn't work at first, but where there is a will, there is a way, so I found out the only way it would play would be on a computer. SO the Burnett's, being as kind as they are, let me listen to it on their computer. I loved the talks Mom and Dad, and you made me sound better than I am. But it was tender to hear from you that you are proud of me and the changes you've seen over the last 6 months. I feel so incredibly different than I was when I first entered the MTC. Through every experience, both good and bad, I have learned and grown so much. I hardly even recognize myself anymore :)
I started feeling a unique sense of spiritual maturity these last couple weeks. I have noticed these leaps in seeing myself mature more spiritually at different turning points throughout my mission thus far. But this feeling I've had these last couple weeks, stems from I think the mere-fact that I am coming up on my 6 month mark this Friday! Can you believe I have been out here for that long? Well, I can't. And for these last couple weeks, I've been really beginning to feel like an "experienced" missionary. Now, I know that I'm no where near perfect as a missionary, but I've really begun to feel like reaching this land mark of 6 months is a huge stepping stone. Of course, my goals as far as hoping to be fluent in the language by this point on my mission might have been a little incredulous, but the language has been coming little by little, day by day. And with transfers coming up this next week, I can't help but also feel that the Lord has been preparing me for another opportunity to be stretched and to grow, as well as maybe another opportunity to lead as it was stated in my setting apart blessing. Whether that means I will be leaving the area, or that I will be training again, or what...I do not know. But I do feel that there is definitely something significant in the works that will be coming my way in the near future. Maybe not this transfer, but I'm leaning toward it happening sooner than later. Sister Perez and I have now been serving together for almost 2 full transfers (that's 3 months) which is a long chunk of time in the real world. We have become very close and work well together as a team, which leaves reason to believe that now after serving this long together, it is time for us to grow a little more and share our experiences with a new companion. SO sadly, yes, more than likely Sister Perez and I could be separated..but we both have accepted the fact and will do whatever it is that the Lord asks of us. Our prayers have been with President Palmer a lot these last few weeks. If there's one thing I do know about him, is that he is truly an inspired man and that He will do what the Lord asks of him to do. So, you will all hear the verdict of what will be happening next transfer next week! Be excited! Because in the life of a missionary, these are the types of things missionaries get kind of "hyped" up about lol.
Well let's see, well now for one of the bigger highlights of the week. Yesterday, Neftali was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood in the office of Priest. Wow was this such a powerful experience to be apart of. I have never before sat in on a blessing where someone received the Priesthood. I already have a significantly strong testimony of the Priesthood, but being able to sit in when Neftali was ordained was just amazing! Brother King ordained him and the blessing that proceeded was truly inspired. Oh how amazing is it to be able to witness the gospel of Jesus Christ truly take hold on someone and change their life! I feel so incredibly blessed to have been a small part in teaching and bringing him unto Christ. Also, Koty gave his conversion story in Sacrament meeting yesterday. It was interesting to hear everything from his perspective and how he shared the different significant events that happened while we were teaching him. While he was speaking, the spirit washed over me like a warm blanket and my heart was truly touched by the power of the spirit. My entire being it seemed was full of so much joy, and it made me think of the scripture that says something along the lines of, "how great shall be your joy if you shall bring one soul into the gospel, and how much greater will be your joy save you shall bring many souls." Being able to witness the miracle of conversion take place within these two fine young men. They are going to change lives and will be the legacy who brought their future posterity into the true gospel that is here upon the earth today!
Well, once again I'm out of time. I hope you enjoyed my last 2 tapes. I miss you all so very much! Thank you for all you love, support and prayers. They are needed daily.
I know this work is truly the Lord's work. I know that this church is true and that we do have a living prophet on the earth today. Conference will be coming up in just a few weeks, so I hope you all can take some time aside to help prepare yourselves spiritually to receive divine guidance and answers to your own personal questions and concerns. I know that Heavenly Father does hear and answer prayers and that He loves each and everyone of us beyond compare. One more year family, and I will be on a plane coming home. I pray that this next year, you each will be able to discover more profoundly the beauitiful blessings that this gospel brings to us in our lives. As we are faithful and obedient, the Lord will watch over us and help us to become the men and women in whom we were foreordained and destined to become. I know this to be true! I love you!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Miracle of Conversion
September 7th 2010
It's P-Day yet again! Already, the day is flying by. This morning, our entire district went hiking up Saddlerock! It was so much fun and I really enjoyed the time we had to better get to know all the Elders in our district. My email time is short today, due to a much longer detailed email to President I gave this week, but I will try to type fast and include all the fun details of the previous week!
Now for the highlights:
1) On Saturday, us sister missionaries out here in Wenatchee had our first 24 hr companion exchange! President Palmer wanted to do a "trial run" for us sisters, and so we had special permission to organize the exchange; meaning the junior comps switched and went with the other senior comps. SO, Sis. UImer (who has only been out 4 wks) came over to this part of the Lord's vineyard. It was overall a great experience. Different not being with my lovely daughter, Sister Perez, but still good. We witnessed many miracles on this day. One of which being that I had to be the one to speak Spanish more, because I've been out much longer (trust me, that was interesting lol) But the Lord was on our side, as he always is. And we had an AMAZING lesson with Jessica Mendoza. We took her on a church tour, and the spirit was so strong that it truly took over and we were able to witness the miracle of conversion begin to take place. Many more details on the tape, but basically as we let the spirit guide us, Jessica was very touched by the spirit and told us she had never felt anything like it before. She told us that she felt like she had finally found a place where she belonged and felt she had gotten her answer. We extended the baptismal invitation, and she wasn't sure because she had already been baptized before. So we worked to resolve her concern, with the guidance of the spirit, and before leaving she accepted the soft baptismal invitation, saying she would pray about it. We helped her to recognize the influence of the Holy Ghost, and told her of all the blessings that come from having the gift of the Holy Ghost. This was a miracle in and of itself, and Jessica is progressing nicely. We are going to continue working with her and her family, as there are many more conflicting details....but in the Lord's due time, we know she will be ready to enter on the path that leads to the Celestial Kingdom. Oh what a blessing it was to be able to be apart of this. The Spirit truly is the miracle worker in conversion to the Lord.
2) We had a great day yesterday, starting out the week to a good start. We found 3 new investigators! Interestingly enough, my Spanish got better almost over night! Last night, I believe it came out better than it has my entire mission. We taught quite a bit in Spanish, but also found a new English investigator. Her name is Marcia, and she is just great! She is probably one of the most interesting people I have met on my mission. She may be a little "out there" in the stories she told us yesterday, but we are giving her the benefit of the doubt. HAHA. She brought a smile to my face, and I may have had to keep myself from busting up and laughing at some of the funny things she said, maybe more than a few times. Oh Marcia (pronounced Marsha). She is about 67, single, and lives alone. More funny stories to come, I'm sure. We also found another investigator who lives at the hospitality house (this will be our 5th one). So....I guess we are just going to convert the entire hospitality house. Eh, why not right? lol.
3) In other news, Neftali is going to be ordained to the priesthood this coming week! Yay! Exciting! Koty has been doing great, he is a rock in his testimony. Let's see...we haven't been able to find Rafael yet, unfortunately rumor has it that he started investigating other churches. We're afraid he might have gotten anti-ed or something. SO please keep him in your prayers. We really felt he was sincere in learning about the gospel and about wanting to get baptized. He was so great in our lessons and just the cutest older man I've met, but the adversary was really beginning to work on him. We haven't been able to find him or contact him for over a wk and a half now. So please pray.
Anyway, I'm out of time. Yikes! I better send this soon! Um, family thank you so much for writing! It was greatly appreciated! I will be writing back and sending a package today. Know you have been in my thoughts and prayers a lot this week! Grandma, thanks for writing too! Mel, thanks for the email. I've really missed hearing from you two so its good to hear you are doing good. Megs, thanks for the letter too! And Dana, thank you for always sharing your spiritual experiences with me and for writing me too! Love you all! Have a fantastic week! I miss you.
It's P-Day yet again! Already, the day is flying by. This morning, our entire district went hiking up Saddlerock! It was so much fun and I really enjoyed the time we had to better get to know all the Elders in our district. My email time is short today, due to a much longer detailed email to President I gave this week, but I will try to type fast and include all the fun details of the previous week!
Now for the highlights:
1) On Saturday, us sister missionaries out here in Wenatchee had our first 24 hr companion exchange! President Palmer wanted to do a "trial run" for us sisters, and so we had special permission to organize the exchange; meaning the junior comps switched and went with the other senior comps. SO, Sis. UImer (who has only been out 4 wks) came over to this part of the Lord's vineyard. It was overall a great experience. Different not being with my lovely daughter, Sister Perez, but still good. We witnessed many miracles on this day. One of which being that I had to be the one to speak Spanish more, because I've been out much longer (trust me, that was interesting lol) But the Lord was on our side, as he always is. And we had an AMAZING lesson with Jessica Mendoza. We took her on a church tour, and the spirit was so strong that it truly took over and we were able to witness the miracle of conversion begin to take place. Many more details on the tape, but basically as we let the spirit guide us, Jessica was very touched by the spirit and told us she had never felt anything like it before. She told us that she felt like she had finally found a place where she belonged and felt she had gotten her answer. We extended the baptismal invitation, and she wasn't sure because she had already been baptized before. So we worked to resolve her concern, with the guidance of the spirit, and before leaving she accepted the soft baptismal invitation, saying she would pray about it. We helped her to recognize the influence of the Holy Ghost, and told her of all the blessings that come from having the gift of the Holy Ghost. This was a miracle in and of itself, and Jessica is progressing nicely. We are going to continue working with her and her family, as there are many more conflicting details....but in the Lord's due time, we know she will be ready to enter on the path that leads to the Celestial Kingdom. Oh what a blessing it was to be able to be apart of this. The Spirit truly is the miracle worker in conversion to the Lord.
2) We had a great day yesterday, starting out the week to a good start. We found 3 new investigators! Interestingly enough, my Spanish got better almost over night! Last night, I believe it came out better than it has my entire mission. We taught quite a bit in Spanish, but also found a new English investigator. Her name is Marcia, and she is just great! She is probably one of the most interesting people I have met on my mission. She may be a little "out there" in the stories she told us yesterday, but we are giving her the benefit of the doubt. HAHA. She brought a smile to my face, and I may have had to keep myself from busting up and laughing at some of the funny things she said, maybe more than a few times. Oh Marcia (pronounced Marsha). She is about 67, single, and lives alone. More funny stories to come, I'm sure. We also found another investigator who lives at the hospitality house (this will be our 5th one). So....I guess we are just going to convert the entire hospitality house. Eh, why not right? lol.
3) In other news, Neftali is going to be ordained to the priesthood this coming week! Yay! Exciting! Koty has been doing great, he is a rock in his testimony. Let's see...we haven't been able to find Rafael yet, unfortunately rumor has it that he started investigating other churches. We're afraid he might have gotten anti-ed or something. SO please keep him in your prayers. We really felt he was sincere in learning about the gospel and about wanting to get baptized. He was so great in our lessons and just the cutest older man I've met, but the adversary was really beginning to work on him. We haven't been able to find him or contact him for over a wk and a half now. So please pray.
Anyway, I'm out of time. Yikes! I better send this soon! Um, family thank you so much for writing! It was greatly appreciated! I will be writing back and sending a package today. Know you have been in my thoughts and prayers a lot this week! Grandma, thanks for writing too! Mel, thanks for the email. I've really missed hearing from you two so its good to hear you are doing good. Megs, thanks for the letter too! And Dana, thank you for always sharing your spiritual experiences with me and for writing me too! Love you all! Have a fantastic week! I miss you.
Weeks feel like days
August 30th 2010
Well, yet again, another week has come and gone within a blink of an eye! Time is really funny how it works out here on the mission. Days feel like weeks, and weeks feel like days. I try to keep up on everything that happens daily, whether by my journal or talking on those tapes I send home, but it seems to be an impossible task. From the morning that the alarm goes off at 6:30 am to the time we lay our heads to rest at 10:30pm, it is work, work, work, and more.................work. Life as a missionary is hard and it is exhausting, but it is worth every minute because we are saving souls out here! Literally, I cannot adequately describe my feelings in reguards to how I feel about my mission, but I love it. Even though some days are hard, and it literally takes all the strength I have in me to press forward, serving a mission has been and will continue to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my lifetime!
My faith has really been tested this past week. Through many different experiences, it has been harder to endure through the trials that have come. But I have not given up, and that is what is most important. My companion and I have been experiencing similar battles against the advesary and so we have been helping one another through. We have been blessed enough to be able to recognize when the advesary is working on us and trying to bring us down. We have spent many hours in prayer and have received strength from the Lord. It has been a good learning and growing experience. And despite how difficult trials can be at times, especially when you are in the furnace of the fire, I know that there are blessings just waiting around the corner. We are working hard to continue to have faith in every footstep, and to more fully rely on the Lord in this great cause of saving souls.
Unfortunately I do not have much to write today, but I wanted to let each of you know I love you and I miss you. Some days I miss home, but I have really begun to establish a home away from home out here in the beautiful valley of Wenatchee, which has been such a blessing. The members of the Mission Ridge ward are just amazing, and I honestly feel that a big reason why I am serving in this ward is to be able to lift and strengthen them. Of course there are some amazing people we are teaching too, but we are called to serve and love all of those within the realm of our influence. I especially look forward to the day that I will be able to come back and visit the people here. I truly have grown to love them in ways I'd never quite experienced before.
We are now officially half way through the transfer! Crazy! Like I said, time is flying by. The latest updates with investigators, Rafael will not be getting baptized this coming Friday because he wasn't there in church on Sunday. So we are going to work with him and hopefully set another date in the near future. Please keep him in your prayers; he is an amazing guy but last time we met with him he mentioned to us that he could feel Satan was working on him and trying to discourage him from getting baptized. So hopefully he is ok. He is very difficult to get ahold of so we are hoping he will be there at his appointment tmrw in the park. Other than that, we are trying hard to find new people to teach. We are pressing forward in faith, that the Lord will place those whom He has prepared in our paths. We are anxiously engaged in the great cause, and so I know that in the Lord's due time He will pour out His blessings upon us. Please keep us in your prayers. They are greatly needed and appreciated. Thanks.
Well, yet again, another week has come and gone within a blink of an eye! Time is really funny how it works out here on the mission. Days feel like weeks, and weeks feel like days. I try to keep up on everything that happens daily, whether by my journal or talking on those tapes I send home, but it seems to be an impossible task. From the morning that the alarm goes off at 6:30 am to the time we lay our heads to rest at 10:30pm, it is work, work, work, and more.................work. Life as a missionary is hard and it is exhausting, but it is worth every minute because we are saving souls out here! Literally, I cannot adequately describe my feelings in reguards to how I feel about my mission, but I love it. Even though some days are hard, and it literally takes all the strength I have in me to press forward, serving a mission has been and will continue to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my lifetime!
My faith has really been tested this past week. Through many different experiences, it has been harder to endure through the trials that have come. But I have not given up, and that is what is most important. My companion and I have been experiencing similar battles against the advesary and so we have been helping one another through. We have been blessed enough to be able to recognize when the advesary is working on us and trying to bring us down. We have spent many hours in prayer and have received strength from the Lord. It has been a good learning and growing experience. And despite how difficult trials can be at times, especially when you are in the furnace of the fire, I know that there are blessings just waiting around the corner. We are working hard to continue to have faith in every footstep, and to more fully rely on the Lord in this great cause of saving souls.
Unfortunately I do not have much to write today, but I wanted to let each of you know I love you and I miss you. Some days I miss home, but I have really begun to establish a home away from home out here in the beautiful valley of Wenatchee, which has been such a blessing. The members of the Mission Ridge ward are just amazing, and I honestly feel that a big reason why I am serving in this ward is to be able to lift and strengthen them. Of course there are some amazing people we are teaching too, but we are called to serve and love all of those within the realm of our influence. I especially look forward to the day that I will be able to come back and visit the people here. I truly have grown to love them in ways I'd never quite experienced before.
We are now officially half way through the transfer! Crazy! Like I said, time is flying by. The latest updates with investigators, Rafael will not be getting baptized this coming Friday because he wasn't there in church on Sunday. So we are going to work with him and hopefully set another date in the near future. Please keep him in your prayers; he is an amazing guy but last time we met with him he mentioned to us that he could feel Satan was working on him and trying to discourage him from getting baptized. So hopefully he is ok. He is very difficult to get ahold of so we are hoping he will be there at his appointment tmrw in the park. Other than that, we are trying hard to find new people to teach. We are pressing forward in faith, that the Lord will place those whom He has prepared in our paths. We are anxiously engaged in the great cause, and so I know that in the Lord's due time He will pour out His blessings upon us. Please keep us in your prayers. They are greatly needed and appreciated. Thanks.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Faith In Every Footstep
August 24th 2010
We have another investigator on date for baptism! Yay! His name is Rafael and he is the sweetest, most tender hearted, older man I have ever met. He is on date to be baptized on September 3, so yes, please add him to your prayers. We have had 2 really amazing lessons with him and the spirit is always so strong. Which means, my Spanish is half-way decent when the spirit is there. This last week we have been teaching almost all in Spanish! We found some new investigators to add to our teaching pool, but also dropped many of our investigators who are not progressing nor keeping commitments. It was hard to drop many of them, but we know that our work is not wasted. The seed has been planted, and at some point down the road they will be further prepared by the Lord to accept the gospel in their lives. We are still searching for a family to teach, found a potential the other day, but still looking. We are working hard, but some days are proving to be more difficult than others. But we are pressing forward, with faith in every footstep and striving to find those whom the Lord has prepared. My faith has definitely wavered at moments, but I know that through the Savior's Atonement, He can give me the strength I need to press forward. I know that Heavenly Father is so very uniquely aware of everyone of His children. It passes all my understanding, but as I begin to get to know and love the people more and more each day, I have begun to see a small glimpse into His infinite and perfect love for everyone of us.
Oh in other news, we finally met the Dad of the Mendoza family. His name is Francisco and he is actually very nice. He came in last night as we were about to say the closing prayer with Maritza and Jessica. We were kneeling on the floor, bad timing-lol- when he walked through the front door. We introduced ourselves and had a nice conversation with him. It was smoothed over nicely, I thought, and then he left us to finish what we were doing. We still are slightly worried about his open-ness. Alicia has kind've been avoiding us, she hasn't sat in on the last couple lessons we've had with the girls. We think, though, it has a great deal to do with her husband and her fears in reguards to HIs reaction. If you remember family, He is an avid catholic and strong in those traditions. Alicia and the girls do not agree with the teachings of the Catholic church, but He is the head of the house so they honor and respect Him. We feel like it was a good first greeting with him, though. And will continue to pray that His heart may be open, and if possible maybe we can start teaching him. We're not sure exactly what the turn out will be, but the way things are going...we feel the way for this family to come to the gospel will be by way of the example of their daughters. If we can help them to gain a testimony of the truth and to desire to be baptized....then with the consent of the parents it could be a wonderfully magnificent journey for this family to become an eternal family. We love them so much! And as long as they continue to progress and keep commitments, we will continue to go over and teach them. It's amazing because with some people it just takes time, and for others like Rafael or Koty, they are just ready right then! But, we are servants and representatives of the Lord. We know that the message in which we share is true. And it is our job to teach and testify, and then the Spirit's job to carry our message to the hearts of our investigators. True conversion to the Lord happens when they have their own personal experience with the Holy Ghost bearing witness of truth to their spirits. It is an amazing process to see, an such a tremendous blessing for me that the Lord has allowed me to even be a small part of. I love this work!
Other updates, we had interviews with President a few days ago. Yesterday we had mission conference with Elder Christensen of the 70. Have seen many tender mercies of the Lord this week and received answers to some prayers. My companion and I have officially been together long enough that we say the same things and think the same thoughts. We're truly learning to become one together in the Lord. It's kind've freaky sometimes, especially when we wake up almost every day having put on the same color of clothes without even realizing it! It gets to be ridiculously hillarious sometimes, but I guess that's what happens when you are with some one 24/7 for over 2 months. Craziness I tell ya, it's just plain crazy!
Ok, well I'm out of time. Gotta run! We're going to play some bball with the Elders today. And for the first time in a while, I'm actually kinda excited to go play. Can't get too competitive though, cuz that makes things difficult as a missionary. Haha. It shall be interesting :)
We have another investigator on date for baptism! Yay! His name is Rafael and he is the sweetest, most tender hearted, older man I have ever met. He is on date to be baptized on September 3, so yes, please add him to your prayers. We have had 2 really amazing lessons with him and the spirit is always so strong. Which means, my Spanish is half-way decent when the spirit is there. This last week we have been teaching almost all in Spanish! We found some new investigators to add to our teaching pool, but also dropped many of our investigators who are not progressing nor keeping commitments. It was hard to drop many of them, but we know that our work is not wasted. The seed has been planted, and at some point down the road they will be further prepared by the Lord to accept the gospel in their lives. We are still searching for a family to teach, found a potential the other day, but still looking. We are working hard, but some days are proving to be more difficult than others. But we are pressing forward, with faith in every footstep and striving to find those whom the Lord has prepared. My faith has definitely wavered at moments, but I know that through the Savior's Atonement, He can give me the strength I need to press forward. I know that Heavenly Father is so very uniquely aware of everyone of His children. It passes all my understanding, but as I begin to get to know and love the people more and more each day, I have begun to see a small glimpse into His infinite and perfect love for everyone of us.
Oh in other news, we finally met the Dad of the Mendoza family. His name is Francisco and he is actually very nice. He came in last night as we were about to say the closing prayer with Maritza and Jessica. We were kneeling on the floor, bad timing-lol- when he walked through the front door. We introduced ourselves and had a nice conversation with him. It was smoothed over nicely, I thought, and then he left us to finish what we were doing. We still are slightly worried about his open-ness. Alicia has kind've been avoiding us, she hasn't sat in on the last couple lessons we've had with the girls. We think, though, it has a great deal to do with her husband and her fears in reguards to HIs reaction. If you remember family, He is an avid catholic and strong in those traditions. Alicia and the girls do not agree with the teachings of the Catholic church, but He is the head of the house so they honor and respect Him. We feel like it was a good first greeting with him, though. And will continue to pray that His heart may be open, and if possible maybe we can start teaching him. We're not sure exactly what the turn out will be, but the way things are going...we feel the way for this family to come to the gospel will be by way of the example of their daughters. If we can help them to gain a testimony of the truth and to desire to be baptized....then with the consent of the parents it could be a wonderfully magnificent journey for this family to become an eternal family. We love them so much! And as long as they continue to progress and keep commitments, we will continue to go over and teach them. It's amazing because with some people it just takes time, and for others like Rafael or Koty, they are just ready right then! But, we are servants and representatives of the Lord. We know that the message in which we share is true. And it is our job to teach and testify, and then the Spirit's job to carry our message to the hearts of our investigators. True conversion to the Lord happens when they have their own personal experience with the Holy Ghost bearing witness of truth to their spirits. It is an amazing process to see, an such a tremendous blessing for me that the Lord has allowed me to even be a small part of. I love this work!
Other updates, we had interviews with President a few days ago. Yesterday we had mission conference with Elder Christensen of the 70. Have seen many tender mercies of the Lord this week and received answers to some prayers. My companion and I have officially been together long enough that we say the same things and think the same thoughts. We're truly learning to become one together in the Lord. It's kind've freaky sometimes, especially when we wake up almost every day having put on the same color of clothes without even realizing it! It gets to be ridiculously hillarious sometimes, but I guess that's what happens when you are with some one 24/7 for over 2 months. Craziness I tell ya, it's just plain crazy!
Ok, well I'm out of time. Gotta run! We're going to play some bball with the Elders today. And for the first time in a while, I'm actually kinda excited to go play. Can't get too competitive though, cuz that makes things difficult as a missionary. Haha. It shall be interesting :)
Best Expect More Miracles
August 16th 2010
How is it going for everyone?!!What a blessing it is for us to be able to recognize that God truly does hear and answer our prayers. What amazes me the most about all the good news you shared, was that all of us in the fam had been praying for the same thing and really didn't even realize it until afterwards. What did I tell ya....first come the trials, and then come the BLESSINGS!! I hope each of you can remember that as trials will surely come again, but just know that if we are faithful and obedient, the Lord will never leave us to stand alone. It is like what Helaman 5:12 says. I know that when we build our foundation on the Savior, we cannot fall when the Devil sends forth his mighty storm to beat us down. Your testimonies have strengthened my own testimony of the principle of obedience. In reading your letter Mom, it brought tears to my eyes and I could feel the spirit bear an even stronger witness to me that Heavenly Father does love each of us and He hears our prayers. I have poured my heart out in gratitude to Him, and continually am placing my TRUST in Him that He will watch over you and bless your lives. It gives me an even stronger motivation every day as I start my day out on my knees, pleading with the my Heavenly Father to give me the strength, faith and determintation to do His will and to find His children who are ready to receive the gospel!
The gospel is pretty much amazing isn't it?!! Yes, I know! Every day, my testimony continues to grow and I feel myself maturing spiritually in ways that I had never imagined. This week has been a fantastic week! We had to AMAZING baptisms on Saturday night~! Both Neftali and Koty were baptized and pretty much the entire ward came out to support them. We had so many people there that we had to do the service in the Chapel and then move into the baptismal font room just for the baptisms. The Spirit was so powerful and I feel so incredibly blessed that the Lord allowed me to play a small part in helping them come unto Him and take upon His name. Both Koty and Neftali are powerful examples to me; they have strong testimonies and desire to do what is right! It is such an amazing experience to be able to watch them enter the waters of baptism and then enter onto the straight and narrow path that will lead us all to the Celestial Kingdom! I hope to see everyone there someday! I know that if we remain true to our covenants and remember to always take upon ourselves the name of Christ, and live in a way that is closest to His exemplary life, then we can return to live in the presence of our God again someday. Remember family, that this life is truly but a small moment. When looking into the eternities, we are so blessed to be able to have our time here on earth, to learn and grow in ways we otherwise would not have been able to had we not gained the precious gift God has given us of having a body. Every day, I understand even clearer the healing and strengthening power of the Atonement. I also know that without pain, we cannot come to know joy. We must needs have opposition in all things. The greatest part about that though is the role that the Atonement plays in each and every one of our lives. We MUST rely upon the merits of Him who is mighty to save. We must do our part to become clean from the mistakes we've made and to be healed from the wounds we may have. I know that it is only through our Savior's infinite Atonement that we can be saved. He loves us and He knows each one of us by name. He understands EXACTLY what it is we are going through at the very moment we are going through it. He has blessed us to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, to comfort us, to lead us, and to help us grow. I know that our Heavenly Father reaches out to us every day in love, by the many blessings He pours out upon us. Often times, they show their love for us through the people around us. He blesses us to have families, wherein we can build relationships that will last through the eternities and come to learn of His infinite love for us. The gospel of Jesus Christ, truly blesses families~! And I know that it is within the home, that the greatest missionary work could ever be done!
What a blessing it is for me to be here on my mission! Never in my life will I be given the opportunity again to be fully consecrated to the Lord and to building up the kingdom of God. Essentially, we all play a crucial role in building the kingdom and in missionary work, even when we aren't wearing a name tag. But, this truly is such a special opportunity that I have now, to give my heart 100% to the Lord and to truly be a vessel and an instrument in which He can perform HIs miracles through in order to bring His other children back into His Kingdom. We are all on a journey in this life, and what a blessing it has been for me to be able to find JOY in this part of my personal journey. Always remember WHO you are as a literal child of God. Rememember your worth is infinitely great in the sight of God. And better yet, remember who each of you have the divine potential to become! Trust in the Lord, and He will open up the doors for you in which you were destined to enter. Count your many blessings and remember to always rely on Him to help you along this straight and narrow path. Hold to the rod with both hands, and never let go. I know this church is true with all my heart and it is something that I know I could never deny. If ever it were asked of me, I would stand even as Abinadai and go to my grave standing as this special witness of Jesus Christ. I know that He lives. I know that He is my personal Savior and Redeemer. And I know that this is truly His work and it is His kingdom we are building upon the earth today to help prepare us for the time He will come again to personally minister and be the King over all the earth! The good word is true, and I will stop at nothing until I have done all I can do to help push this work along. I am giving my heart 100% to the Lord, and trusting in Him to work miracles within and through me, to bless the lives of His other children.
All that being said, its safe to say that due to a number of different events that have happened over the last week our entire Wenatchee stake is in store for some amazing miracles these next 5 weeks! We are working at an even higher pace, and at an even higher standard. All of us missionaries who are here in the Wenatchee zone. We have some incredulous goals, but have been confirmed by the Lord that we can accomplish them if we place our full trust in Him. I know this to be true. So, don't be surprised if you hear some crazy stroies in the coming 5 weeks of this transfer! I know there is a lot that is about to happen. I can feel it in my soul, and I can feel it in every step that I take forward. This part of the vineyard has truly been prepared, and we are the missionaries blessed enough to be here to begin reaping the harvest! Oh, I love this work!
Other news, we have a baptism on THursday. Parker Bromiley. He is from a less-active family that recently has been coming back into the church. He is 9 and we have been teaching him for a few weeks now. We're excited for him and for how this will help the family continue to grow in their faith.Also, we are deperately looking for a family to teach and to bring into the gospel. Please pray specifically for that these coming weeks. We know there is a family out here, we just have to FIND them.The good word is true. Read from the Book of Mormon daily. It will change your life!
How is it going for everyone?!!What a blessing it is for us to be able to recognize that God truly does hear and answer our prayers. What amazes me the most about all the good news you shared, was that all of us in the fam had been praying for the same thing and really didn't even realize it until afterwards. What did I tell ya....first come the trials, and then come the BLESSINGS!! I hope each of you can remember that as trials will surely come again, but just know that if we are faithful and obedient, the Lord will never leave us to stand alone. It is like what Helaman 5:12 says. I know that when we build our foundation on the Savior, we cannot fall when the Devil sends forth his mighty storm to beat us down. Your testimonies have strengthened my own testimony of the principle of obedience. In reading your letter Mom, it brought tears to my eyes and I could feel the spirit bear an even stronger witness to me that Heavenly Father does love each of us and He hears our prayers. I have poured my heart out in gratitude to Him, and continually am placing my TRUST in Him that He will watch over you and bless your lives. It gives me an even stronger motivation every day as I start my day out on my knees, pleading with the my Heavenly Father to give me the strength, faith and determintation to do His will and to find His children who are ready to receive the gospel!
The gospel is pretty much amazing isn't it?!! Yes, I know! Every day, my testimony continues to grow and I feel myself maturing spiritually in ways that I had never imagined. This week has been a fantastic week! We had to AMAZING baptisms on Saturday night~! Both Neftali and Koty were baptized and pretty much the entire ward came out to support them. We had so many people there that we had to do the service in the Chapel and then move into the baptismal font room just for the baptisms. The Spirit was so powerful and I feel so incredibly blessed that the Lord allowed me to play a small part in helping them come unto Him and take upon His name. Both Koty and Neftali are powerful examples to me; they have strong testimonies and desire to do what is right! It is such an amazing experience to be able to watch them enter the waters of baptism and then enter onto the straight and narrow path that will lead us all to the Celestial Kingdom! I hope to see everyone there someday! I know that if we remain true to our covenants and remember to always take upon ourselves the name of Christ, and live in a way that is closest to His exemplary life, then we can return to live in the presence of our God again someday. Remember family, that this life is truly but a small moment. When looking into the eternities, we are so blessed to be able to have our time here on earth, to learn and grow in ways we otherwise would not have been able to had we not gained the precious gift God has given us of having a body. Every day, I understand even clearer the healing and strengthening power of the Atonement. I also know that without pain, we cannot come to know joy. We must needs have opposition in all things. The greatest part about that though is the role that the Atonement plays in each and every one of our lives. We MUST rely upon the merits of Him who is mighty to save. We must do our part to become clean from the mistakes we've made and to be healed from the wounds we may have. I know that it is only through our Savior's infinite Atonement that we can be saved. He loves us and He knows each one of us by name. He understands EXACTLY what it is we are going through at the very moment we are going through it. He has blessed us to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, to comfort us, to lead us, and to help us grow. I know that our Heavenly Father reaches out to us every day in love, by the many blessings He pours out upon us. Often times, they show their love for us through the people around us. He blesses us to have families, wherein we can build relationships that will last through the eternities and come to learn of His infinite love for us. The gospel of Jesus Christ, truly blesses families~! And I know that it is within the home, that the greatest missionary work could ever be done!
What a blessing it is for me to be here on my mission! Never in my life will I be given the opportunity again to be fully consecrated to the Lord and to building up the kingdom of God. Essentially, we all play a crucial role in building the kingdom and in missionary work, even when we aren't wearing a name tag. But, this truly is such a special opportunity that I have now, to give my heart 100% to the Lord and to truly be a vessel and an instrument in which He can perform HIs miracles through in order to bring His other children back into His Kingdom. We are all on a journey in this life, and what a blessing it has been for me to be able to find JOY in this part of my personal journey. Always remember WHO you are as a literal child of God. Rememember your worth is infinitely great in the sight of God. And better yet, remember who each of you have the divine potential to become! Trust in the Lord, and He will open up the doors for you in which you were destined to enter. Count your many blessings and remember to always rely on Him to help you along this straight and narrow path. Hold to the rod with both hands, and never let go. I know this church is true with all my heart and it is something that I know I could never deny. If ever it were asked of me, I would stand even as Abinadai and go to my grave standing as this special witness of Jesus Christ. I know that He lives. I know that He is my personal Savior and Redeemer. And I know that this is truly His work and it is His kingdom we are building upon the earth today to help prepare us for the time He will come again to personally minister and be the King over all the earth! The good word is true, and I will stop at nothing until I have done all I can do to help push this work along. I am giving my heart 100% to the Lord, and trusting in Him to work miracles within and through me, to bless the lives of His other children.
All that being said, its safe to say that due to a number of different events that have happened over the last week our entire Wenatchee stake is in store for some amazing miracles these next 5 weeks! We are working at an even higher pace, and at an even higher standard. All of us missionaries who are here in the Wenatchee zone. We have some incredulous goals, but have been confirmed by the Lord that we can accomplish them if we place our full trust in Him. I know this to be true. So, don't be surprised if you hear some crazy stroies in the coming 5 weeks of this transfer! I know there is a lot that is about to happen. I can feel it in my soul, and I can feel it in every step that I take forward. This part of the vineyard has truly been prepared, and we are the missionaries blessed enough to be here to begin reaping the harvest! Oh, I love this work!
Other news, we have a baptism on THursday. Parker Bromiley. He is from a less-active family that recently has been coming back into the church. He is 9 and we have been teaching him for a few weeks now. We're excited for him and for how this will help the family continue to grow in their faith.Also, we are deperately looking for a family to teach and to bring into the gospel. Please pray specifically for that these coming weeks. We know there is a family out here, we just have to FIND them.The good word is true. Read from the Book of Mormon daily. It will change your life!
Transfer #3
August 9th 2010
Well can you believe it?! I am now at the start of my 3rd transfer in the mission field!! This means that I am coming up on my 5 months on Aug. 17! Crazy right?! Well the verdict for these transfers is.....................................drum-roll please.............................. Sister Perez and I are staying together another transfer!! :) So my address will be the same as it has been, 1511 Anton Pl, Wenatchee, WA 98801, and I will for sure be here for the next 6 weeks. Sis. Perez and I are very pleased to still be serving together and to be serving the people of the Mission Ridge ward and Wenatchee Valley. I love it here! I know whenever I am going to have to leave, its going to be a sad goodbye. But, I will always go wherever the Lord wants me to go and will always keep my trust in Him. I've learned out here on the mission that that is the only way. Sometimes we may question why it is we have to go through certain things, but I know that there is ALWAYS a reason. We just have to trust in the Lord, and not be afraid.
In exciting news, we have 2 baptisms scheduled this weekend! Both Neftali and Koty should be getting baptized, if all goes according to plan and if they are ready. Koty, we have no doubts about but Neftali on the other hand.....hasn't made to church in a long time and he didn't come this Sunday again. He's been many times before, but stopped going after the death of his son back in June....and hasn't been since. When we started teaching him again, he really wasn't sure if he'd be ready for baptism for a while. So we continued teaching, and in the course of a few more discussions, he told us he wanted to get baptized! So we had set a goal date for him on Aug. 21, in hopes he would get to church before then....and then when he wanted to move it up we were even more excited, but he still did not come to church. So.....we are going to be having a pretty straightforwarward discussion with him about the importance of attending sacrament meeting and enduring to the end today or tomorrow sometime. Please keep us and him in your prayers. He has a strong testimony and we feel he is ready for baptism as far as what we've been teaching him, it just would be really sad if we had to post pone it because he doesnt understand fully what he is promising the Lord when he enters the waters of baptism. Our job as missionaries is not to baptize people into the church, and then to just let them go inactive and forget the importance of enduring to the end. Baptism itself is not what saves people. We need baptism, yes, but we also need to remember our covenants that we make at baptism for the rest of our lives! That is why we partake of the sacrament weekly, so that we can always remember our Savior, to keep HIs commandments, and to take his name upon us. We must always be continually repenting and relying upon His Atonement, in order to return to live in the presence of our God someday. Living the gospel throughout our lives is a big responsibility, but I know that when we live it and strive to be obedient to ALL of God's commandments we are blessed. The gospel has blessed my life in more ways than I can even begin to describe. I honestly do not know what I would do without it!
Speaking of keeping the sabbath day holy, I am so incredibly happy to hear that you made that decision on Sunday not to go fishing and to strive to be more commited. I am so greateful that you have accepted the encouraging words I've said, and I know the Lord will bless you, beyond what you can even imagine at this time. Also, I will definitely be joining in on the family fast this Sunday, so count me in :) I know that by our faith, prayers and obedience, we can and WILL see miracles. Remember to have faith in that.
Let's see...what else. Oh, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for that awesome package you sent me! I will admit, I was kind've surprised to receive such a generous package but I am so incredibly grateful for it. It came at the perfect time too because I hadn't received a letter all week and was needing some words of encouragement, and then it came on Saturday just in time. It was a good pick me up, so thank you. I enjoy every one of your letters and emails. I'm sorry if I don't write as much to you each individually, but I promise I will try to be better. I really try to make it a priority to respond to each of your letters as soon as I can.
In other news, I forgot to mention....Sister Naylor is going to be training AGAIN! 3 transfers in a row, wow! So I have another Sister who I will meet probably in a couple weeks at a Spanish Fireside that is in Moses Lake. Sis. Naylor will forever be my motivation and role model, and so I hope to be able to be half the trainer she was to me to my companion. Technically, I am still training for this transfer, but this transfer should be a lot less stressful because Sis. Perez and I are getting the flow of things down.
The work is moving forward and we are striving to do the Lord's will. Today is a new day and this week is a new beginning. We hope to find those who have been prepared by the Lord to receive and accept His restored church. I have a sure testimony that this truly is the Lord's work. I know that I am here for a reason and will press forward in faith, trusting that at some point down the road I will be able to recognize what that reason is. 6 more weeks in this beautiful valley! O ha la mi espanol estare mejor! :) Se que este iglesia es verdadera con todo mi corazon! Les amo!Con Mucho Amor,Hermana Riggs
Well can you believe it?! I am now at the start of my 3rd transfer in the mission field!! This means that I am coming up on my 5 months on Aug. 17! Crazy right?! Well the verdict for these transfers is.....................................drum-roll please.............................. Sister Perez and I are staying together another transfer!! :) So my address will be the same as it has been, 1511 Anton Pl, Wenatchee, WA 98801, and I will for sure be here for the next 6 weeks. Sis. Perez and I are very pleased to still be serving together and to be serving the people of the Mission Ridge ward and Wenatchee Valley. I love it here! I know whenever I am going to have to leave, its going to be a sad goodbye. But, I will always go wherever the Lord wants me to go and will always keep my trust in Him. I've learned out here on the mission that that is the only way. Sometimes we may question why it is we have to go through certain things, but I know that there is ALWAYS a reason. We just have to trust in the Lord, and not be afraid.
In exciting news, we have 2 baptisms scheduled this weekend! Both Neftali and Koty should be getting baptized, if all goes according to plan and if they are ready. Koty, we have no doubts about but Neftali on the other hand.....hasn't made to church in a long time and he didn't come this Sunday again. He's been many times before, but stopped going after the death of his son back in June....and hasn't been since. When we started teaching him again, he really wasn't sure if he'd be ready for baptism for a while. So we continued teaching, and in the course of a few more discussions, he told us he wanted to get baptized! So we had set a goal date for him on Aug. 21, in hopes he would get to church before then....and then when he wanted to move it up we were even more excited, but he still did not come to church. So.....we are going to be having a pretty straightforwarward discussion with him about the importance of attending sacrament meeting and enduring to the end today or tomorrow sometime. Please keep us and him in your prayers. He has a strong testimony and we feel he is ready for baptism as far as what we've been teaching him, it just would be really sad if we had to post pone it because he doesnt understand fully what he is promising the Lord when he enters the waters of baptism. Our job as missionaries is not to baptize people into the church, and then to just let them go inactive and forget the importance of enduring to the end. Baptism itself is not what saves people. We need baptism, yes, but we also need to remember our covenants that we make at baptism for the rest of our lives! That is why we partake of the sacrament weekly, so that we can always remember our Savior, to keep HIs commandments, and to take his name upon us. We must always be continually repenting and relying upon His Atonement, in order to return to live in the presence of our God someday. Living the gospel throughout our lives is a big responsibility, but I know that when we live it and strive to be obedient to ALL of God's commandments we are blessed. The gospel has blessed my life in more ways than I can even begin to describe. I honestly do not know what I would do without it!
Speaking of keeping the sabbath day holy, I am so incredibly happy to hear that you made that decision on Sunday not to go fishing and to strive to be more commited. I am so greateful that you have accepted the encouraging words I've said, and I know the Lord will bless you, beyond what you can even imagine at this time. Also, I will definitely be joining in on the family fast this Sunday, so count me in :) I know that by our faith, prayers and obedience, we can and WILL see miracles. Remember to have faith in that.
Let's see...what else. Oh, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for that awesome package you sent me! I will admit, I was kind've surprised to receive such a generous package but I am so incredibly grateful for it. It came at the perfect time too because I hadn't received a letter all week and was needing some words of encouragement, and then it came on Saturday just in time. It was a good pick me up, so thank you. I enjoy every one of your letters and emails. I'm sorry if I don't write as much to you each individually, but I promise I will try to be better. I really try to make it a priority to respond to each of your letters as soon as I can.
In other news, I forgot to mention....Sister Naylor is going to be training AGAIN! 3 transfers in a row, wow! So I have another Sister who I will meet probably in a couple weeks at a Spanish Fireside that is in Moses Lake. Sis. Naylor will forever be my motivation and role model, and so I hope to be able to be half the trainer she was to me to my companion. Technically, I am still training for this transfer, but this transfer should be a lot less stressful because Sis. Perez and I are getting the flow of things down.
The work is moving forward and we are striving to do the Lord's will. Today is a new day and this week is a new beginning. We hope to find those who have been prepared by the Lord to receive and accept His restored church. I have a sure testimony that this truly is the Lord's work. I know that I am here for a reason and will press forward in faith, trusting that at some point down the road I will be able to recognize what that reason is. 6 more weeks in this beautiful valley! O ha la mi espanol estare mejor! :) Se que este iglesia es verdadera con todo mi corazon! Les amo!Con Mucho Amor,Hermana Riggs
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Look to the Temple
August 4th 2010
So we left this morning at about 4:45 am to drive 3 hours to Spokane and made it on time for the 830 session. It was amazing! Can I just tell you how much I love going to the temple. Today was my first time going since I was in the MTC. I have really missed it. How blessed we are to have temples so close to us in Utah. I look forward to the days I can go to the temple whenever and however often I want. I'm grateful that we were able to attend the temple today though, and it was worth the sacrafice of giving up pretty much our entire P-day for the trip. An even bigger bonus is Sister Naylor and her comp Sis. Olsen showed up at the temple this morning too!! I had no idea they were going today and so it was a super awesome surprise! I've been spoiled being able to see Sis. Naylor 4 different times throughout this transfer. When the 4 of us (me, Sis. Perez, Sis. Naylor, and Sis. Olsen) all get together it is super good times! We all click really well and we're literally one big happy "family". Sis. Naylor is my mom, and therefore Sis. Olsen is my sister...and well Sis. Perez is my child....all in mission terms...so we've got one good family pedigree going!
Big news out of the way first, before I run out of time. We have a dinner appointment with a part member family that we had to push back to 6:20...and we're going to be pushing it to make it on time.
So TRANSFER CALLS are this Sunday night! Yes, can you believe it?! It is transfers again already! Both Sis. Perez and I feel like we will be staying, but you never know. There are 3 new Spanish sisters coming in this next transfer. So who knows who will be training?? Honestly, I'm hoping not to train another missionary again so soon...just because it is a HUGE responsibility and stress on me and I'm just now getting used to things with Sister Perez. But I also know that part of the reason the Lord called me to train this transfer was to give me an opportunity to grow. Which I have...in ways I'd never imagined. And the common theme in missionary work that I've learned so far is that the moment you start to get comfortable, then the Lord gives you another opportunity to grow....so we will see what mountains I have to climb in the coming 13 months. I know that everything happens for a reason and I am just trusting in the Lord that what happens is supposed to happen.
In other news, we met with Neftali yesterday and he wants to move up his baptism date. SO we are having 2 baptisms on August 14! Both Koty and Neftali :) Thank you for keeping them in your prayers and I would ask that you continue to do so.
Another family you may want to pray for as well is the Mendosa family. I've mentioned stuff about Alicia in emails and letters, and maybe about her 2 daughters that we are teaching, Jessica and Merissa. Alicia is having some pretty big doubts right now, and she is just afraid. She doesn't want to read from the BOM to find answers, and its just so hard because we can't do it for her. Gosh darn the principle of agency. But her 14 year old daughter, Merissa is doing so well! Her testimony has grown a ton since we started teaching her too and she really wants to know the truth. She has been reading and has been praying too! She said the closing prayer at our lessong 2 days ago. Honestly, I have a very strong feeling that she will get baptized...but, it is mostly about timing at this point. Jessica is pregnant and is due in just a couple weeks. Their father is coming into town (cuz he works in Louisianna most the year) and he is an avid catholic. Doesn't want his fam to be anything but Catholic. THis is part of Alicia's doubts and fears. There are alot more details to the situation, but Sis. Perez and I have truly come to love this family and we really need all the help we can get at this point. It is so hard to teach and love people, and testify so powerfully that the Spirit bears witness through you...and then to see them not want to ACT for themselves. We can't do it for them, and it is hard when they are unwilling to do their part in order to be truly converted unto the Lord. Alicia has a lot of faith, but she also has a lot of fear. How that works?? I'm not so sure...so please. Pray. Thank you.
Let's see. Oh and sad story, Ireneo is actually moving to California this week! So just a seed was planted...we are going to try and put him into contact with the missionaries down there.
The ward is doing good and we are working hard. Lately, we have been a little discouraged because most of the investigators we have arent progressing. We have experienced more of the downside of tracting this week as well...we got our first 2 door slams in our faces! I just had to laugh at that. Although we have a decent sized investigator pool, we need more people to teach so we can find the people who are ready to receive and ACCEPT the gospel.
I know that some of you may be going through some trials at this time. I encourage you to please stay strong and remember that it is only after the trial of our faith, that we are blessed. I know these things to be true, because it is what I am going through right now and what I have experienced so much of my mission thus far!
Also, try to go to the temple sometime in the next week. I know the temple is a place that we can receive added strength and power.Hope you have a good rest of the week. Love you!
So we left this morning at about 4:45 am to drive 3 hours to Spokane and made it on time for the 830 session. It was amazing! Can I just tell you how much I love going to the temple. Today was my first time going since I was in the MTC. I have really missed it. How blessed we are to have temples so close to us in Utah. I look forward to the days I can go to the temple whenever and however often I want. I'm grateful that we were able to attend the temple today though, and it was worth the sacrafice of giving up pretty much our entire P-day for the trip. An even bigger bonus is Sister Naylor and her comp Sis. Olsen showed up at the temple this morning too!! I had no idea they were going today and so it was a super awesome surprise! I've been spoiled being able to see Sis. Naylor 4 different times throughout this transfer. When the 4 of us (me, Sis. Perez, Sis. Naylor, and Sis. Olsen) all get together it is super good times! We all click really well and we're literally one big happy "family". Sis. Naylor is my mom, and therefore Sis. Olsen is my sister...and well Sis. Perez is my child....all in mission terms...so we've got one good family pedigree going!
Big news out of the way first, before I run out of time. We have a dinner appointment with a part member family that we had to push back to 6:20...and we're going to be pushing it to make it on time.
So TRANSFER CALLS are this Sunday night! Yes, can you believe it?! It is transfers again already! Both Sis. Perez and I feel like we will be staying, but you never know. There are 3 new Spanish sisters coming in this next transfer. So who knows who will be training?? Honestly, I'm hoping not to train another missionary again so soon...just because it is a HUGE responsibility and stress on me and I'm just now getting used to things with Sister Perez. But I also know that part of the reason the Lord called me to train this transfer was to give me an opportunity to grow. Which I have...in ways I'd never imagined. And the common theme in missionary work that I've learned so far is that the moment you start to get comfortable, then the Lord gives you another opportunity to grow....so we will see what mountains I have to climb in the coming 13 months. I know that everything happens for a reason and I am just trusting in the Lord that what happens is supposed to happen.
In other news, we met with Neftali yesterday and he wants to move up his baptism date. SO we are having 2 baptisms on August 14! Both Koty and Neftali :) Thank you for keeping them in your prayers and I would ask that you continue to do so.
Another family you may want to pray for as well is the Mendosa family. I've mentioned stuff about Alicia in emails and letters, and maybe about her 2 daughters that we are teaching, Jessica and Merissa. Alicia is having some pretty big doubts right now, and she is just afraid. She doesn't want to read from the BOM to find answers, and its just so hard because we can't do it for her. Gosh darn the principle of agency. But her 14 year old daughter, Merissa is doing so well! Her testimony has grown a ton since we started teaching her too and she really wants to know the truth. She has been reading and has been praying too! She said the closing prayer at our lessong 2 days ago. Honestly, I have a very strong feeling that she will get baptized...but, it is mostly about timing at this point. Jessica is pregnant and is due in just a couple weeks. Their father is coming into town (cuz he works in Louisianna most the year) and he is an avid catholic. Doesn't want his fam to be anything but Catholic. THis is part of Alicia's doubts and fears. There are alot more details to the situation, but Sis. Perez and I have truly come to love this family and we really need all the help we can get at this point. It is so hard to teach and love people, and testify so powerfully that the Spirit bears witness through you...and then to see them not want to ACT for themselves. We can't do it for them, and it is hard when they are unwilling to do their part in order to be truly converted unto the Lord. Alicia has a lot of faith, but she also has a lot of fear. How that works?? I'm not so sure...so please. Pray. Thank you.
Let's see. Oh and sad story, Ireneo is actually moving to California this week! So just a seed was planted...we are going to try and put him into contact with the missionaries down there.
The ward is doing good and we are working hard. Lately, we have been a little discouraged because most of the investigators we have arent progressing. We have experienced more of the downside of tracting this week as well...we got our first 2 door slams in our faces! I just had to laugh at that. Although we have a decent sized investigator pool, we need more people to teach so we can find the people who are ready to receive and ACCEPT the gospel.
I know that some of you may be going through some trials at this time. I encourage you to please stay strong and remember that it is only after the trial of our faith, that we are blessed. I know these things to be true, because it is what I am going through right now and what I have experienced so much of my mission thus far!
Also, try to go to the temple sometime in the next week. I know the temple is a place that we can receive added strength and power.Hope you have a good rest of the week. Love you!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
The Language of the Spirit
July 26th 2010
The last few weeks have been crazy busy, and even today is going to be fairly busy as well. In fact this week is going to be slightly disfunctional when it comes to how a missionary's schedule normally goes. I'm excited for what the week has in store though!
For 2 days this week I am going to be going to "leadership trainings" down in Moses Lake. They are going to be from 8 am to 4 pm, Tues. Wed. and Thursday. Since Moses Lake is 1 hr 1/2 to 2 hr drive...this means we are leaving Wenatchee at about 6 am....and wouldn't get home until about 6. SO, Tues night I will be staying in Moses Lake, probably with Sister Naylor and her companion Sis. Olsen. My companion Sister Perez will be on splits with one of the other sisters here in Wenatchee and will go to the appointments we have planned here. By us staying in Moses one night, we won't have so much of a lack of sleep as we would if we were having to get up at 430am 3 days this week (time to get ready in the morning and drive to where the AP's would be picking us up). SO, one night in Moses...2 nights coming back. It shall be a very interesting series of events, but I am excited to go to these leadership trainings! Plus I will get to see Sister Naylor too, which is always a good bonus!
Today as you know is P-DAY! Today we are planning to go check out one of the tourist towns about 30 min from here known as Leavenworth. We'll prob be up there for a few hours, and then come back...finish laundry and writing letters (if we have time lol) and then have dinner. Tonight Sister Wells is taking us to get some yummy olive garden before our p-day is through. THen we have 2 amazing lessons lined up, one with Koty and the other with Alicia and her 2 daughters who we are now teaching (Jessica and Merissa). We are so very excited for all the people in whom we are teaching right now!
In other news, we put 2 more people on date for baptism this week!!!! Neftali, who I told you a little bit about via tapes. We are so excited for him! And then Ireno, who is a miracle story in and of itself. We taught Ireno for the first time last night and it was the most amazing spiritual lesson I've had thus far on my mission. Ireno is a very special guy, just something about him. When he looks at me in the eyes, I feel like I've known him before. And I got the impression last night, that reminded me of something that was said in my setting apart blessing about that I would meet people on my mission that would have a familiarity about them and that I would recognize, and they would be familiar with me too. I feel like Ireno is one of these people. I have been on the search for that ever since I've been on my mission, but have yet to really experience anything such as this. There is a unique thing about Ireno though. We're not positive on what it is exactly, but we believe he has a speach disability. He seems to understand everything when you are talking to him...but he is slower in responding and speaking. It is somewhat difficult to understand him but last night, I know it was the language of the spirit in which we were speaking. Within the first couple minutes of us teaching him I could feel the spirit so strongly and I could feel so much love for him. (ps/ Feeling christlike love for complete strangers upon first introductions is quite the experience-let me tell you) As we were talking with him, I felt as though I wasn't even speaking Spanish. Although I know it was Spanish that was coming out of my mouth, I felt I was speaking to him-spirit to spirit. I felt like I knew him and that I was supposed to be there, right time, right place. Then came the strongest impression, to both my companion and I, that we needed to extend the baptismal invitation. My comp and I found this out later, that the both of us had received the same prompting about the same time. We kept teaching and the prompting came even stronger. THis was a different scenario for us, though, and it was hard not to push back the prompting until we got further into the lesson...but finally, after my heart had been pounding for 10 min straight I turned to my comp and said in english "extend the baptismal invitation"...more or less to get the confirmation to see if she was on the same page as I was and as the spirit was directing. Turns out, she had been receiving the same prompting...and we did just that. We invited Ireno to be baptized and he said yes! He was so happy when we asked him and he asked when...we set the date for Aug. 28. We told him that there was alot we needed to teach still, but that we would help him to feel ready by that date. The spirit was so strong! I cannot even begin to put it into words! It was a miracle experience, and truly one of the most amazing things I have experienced thus far on my mission. It was one of those sacred spiritual experiences that I guess can't easily be put into words. We are seeing miracles guys! That is all I really can say more about everything that is going on with missionary work here in the beautiful Wenatchee Valley!
SO we have 3 on dates for the month of August!
Koty- Aug. 14
Neftali- Aug. 21
Ireno - Aug. 28
Please, please, please keep these people in your prayers. We are going to be fasting for them sometime this week. We know that the advesary truly tests and works on those who have commited to baptism, because he will stop at nothing to keep us from doing what is right and following the example of our Savior.
It is amazing to see how at the start of this transfer, we had about 7 investigators - none of which were progressing. Now we have I believe over 20. We got 7 new investigators this week and 8 last week! The work is moving forward. I honestly feel like I personally have nothing to do with it too. I feel that I truly have become only an instrument in the Lord's hands. This is His work, and we are only the tools set in place to help move it along. I know that my number one responsibility as a missionary is to do all that I can to remain intune with the spirit, so that He can continue to work through me to bring God's other children into His loving embrace.
I know this church is true with all my heart! My entire being is changing, day in and day out. I am learning so much and it has been such a blessing to be able to recognize the Lord's hand in my life and in the lives of all those around me, every single day that I have been blessed to be here. Each day truly is a blessing to be alive. It's one more opportunity for us to learn and grow, and to love and serve those around us. Remember family, this life is not about perfection but it is about progression. Each day we try to emmunlate our lives after the Savior, and strive to have HIs image in our countance, which gets us one step closer to our ultimate destination. We can all live in the presence of God in the Celestial Kingdom again someday, and I have the faith and the desire to do so! I love you guys!
Make today better than yesterday :)
The last few weeks have been crazy busy, and even today is going to be fairly busy as well. In fact this week is going to be slightly disfunctional when it comes to how a missionary's schedule normally goes. I'm excited for what the week has in store though!
For 2 days this week I am going to be going to "leadership trainings" down in Moses Lake. They are going to be from 8 am to 4 pm, Tues. Wed. and Thursday. Since Moses Lake is 1 hr 1/2 to 2 hr drive...this means we are leaving Wenatchee at about 6 am....and wouldn't get home until about 6. SO, Tues night I will be staying in Moses Lake, probably with Sister Naylor and her companion Sis. Olsen. My companion Sister Perez will be on splits with one of the other sisters here in Wenatchee and will go to the appointments we have planned here. By us staying in Moses one night, we won't have so much of a lack of sleep as we would if we were having to get up at 430am 3 days this week (time to get ready in the morning and drive to where the AP's would be picking us up). SO, one night in Moses...2 nights coming back. It shall be a very interesting series of events, but I am excited to go to these leadership trainings! Plus I will get to see Sister Naylor too, which is always a good bonus!
Today as you know is P-DAY! Today we are planning to go check out one of the tourist towns about 30 min from here known as Leavenworth. We'll prob be up there for a few hours, and then come back...finish laundry and writing letters (if we have time lol) and then have dinner. Tonight Sister Wells is taking us to get some yummy olive garden before our p-day is through. THen we have 2 amazing lessons lined up, one with Koty and the other with Alicia and her 2 daughters who we are now teaching (Jessica and Merissa). We are so very excited for all the people in whom we are teaching right now!
In other news, we put 2 more people on date for baptism this week!!!! Neftali, who I told you a little bit about via tapes. We are so excited for him! And then Ireno, who is a miracle story in and of itself. We taught Ireno for the first time last night and it was the most amazing spiritual lesson I've had thus far on my mission. Ireno is a very special guy, just something about him. When he looks at me in the eyes, I feel like I've known him before. And I got the impression last night, that reminded me of something that was said in my setting apart blessing about that I would meet people on my mission that would have a familiarity about them and that I would recognize, and they would be familiar with me too. I feel like Ireno is one of these people. I have been on the search for that ever since I've been on my mission, but have yet to really experience anything such as this. There is a unique thing about Ireno though. We're not positive on what it is exactly, but we believe he has a speach disability. He seems to understand everything when you are talking to him...but he is slower in responding and speaking. It is somewhat difficult to understand him but last night, I know it was the language of the spirit in which we were speaking. Within the first couple minutes of us teaching him I could feel the spirit so strongly and I could feel so much love for him. (ps/ Feeling christlike love for complete strangers upon first introductions is quite the experience-let me tell you) As we were talking with him, I felt as though I wasn't even speaking Spanish. Although I know it was Spanish that was coming out of my mouth, I felt I was speaking to him-spirit to spirit. I felt like I knew him and that I was supposed to be there, right time, right place. Then came the strongest impression, to both my companion and I, that we needed to extend the baptismal invitation. My comp and I found this out later, that the both of us had received the same prompting about the same time. We kept teaching and the prompting came even stronger. THis was a different scenario for us, though, and it was hard not to push back the prompting until we got further into the lesson...but finally, after my heart had been pounding for 10 min straight I turned to my comp and said in english "extend the baptismal invitation"...more or less to get the confirmation to see if she was on the same page as I was and as the spirit was directing. Turns out, she had been receiving the same prompting...and we did just that. We invited Ireno to be baptized and he said yes! He was so happy when we asked him and he asked when...we set the date for Aug. 28. We told him that there was alot we needed to teach still, but that we would help him to feel ready by that date. The spirit was so strong! I cannot even begin to put it into words! It was a miracle experience, and truly one of the most amazing things I have experienced thus far on my mission. It was one of those sacred spiritual experiences that I guess can't easily be put into words. We are seeing miracles guys! That is all I really can say more about everything that is going on with missionary work here in the beautiful Wenatchee Valley!
SO we have 3 on dates for the month of August!
Koty- Aug. 14
Neftali- Aug. 21
Ireno - Aug. 28
Please, please, please keep these people in your prayers. We are going to be fasting for them sometime this week. We know that the advesary truly tests and works on those who have commited to baptism, because he will stop at nothing to keep us from doing what is right and following the example of our Savior.
It is amazing to see how at the start of this transfer, we had about 7 investigators - none of which were progressing. Now we have I believe over 20. We got 7 new investigators this week and 8 last week! The work is moving forward. I honestly feel like I personally have nothing to do with it too. I feel that I truly have become only an instrument in the Lord's hands. This is His work, and we are only the tools set in place to help move it along. I know that my number one responsibility as a missionary is to do all that I can to remain intune with the spirit, so that He can continue to work through me to bring God's other children into His loving embrace.
I know this church is true with all my heart! My entire being is changing, day in and day out. I am learning so much and it has been such a blessing to be able to recognize the Lord's hand in my life and in the lives of all those around me, every single day that I have been blessed to be here. Each day truly is a blessing to be alive. It's one more opportunity for us to learn and grow, and to love and serve those around us. Remember family, this life is not about perfection but it is about progression. Each day we try to emmunlate our lives after the Savior, and strive to have HIs image in our countance, which gets us one step closer to our ultimate destination. We can all live in the presence of God in the Celestial Kingdom again someday, and I have the faith and the desire to do so! I love you guys!
Make today better than yesterday :)
A Week of Miracles
July 19th 2010
Wow! What an amazing week! I cannot even begin to describe all the many miracles we've seen this last week, but my testimony has definitely grown about the blessings that come when we work hard and are obedient.
This week we put someone on date for baptism in the first lesson!! This is probably one of our bigger miracles this week. His name is Koty, he's 18, and is living with a family that are members. We met Koty when the Docken's family invited us over for dinner earlier last week. Koty is 18 and recently moved in with the Docken family when his foster parents gave up their license. Koty was very involved in his other church, he was the youth leader for his youth group. Koty's interest about the church was sparked when he moved in with the Docken family; thos Docken's have 3 boys ages 17, 18, and 20. One of the boys gave him a Book of Mormon a day or two before we came over for dinner. We shared a message with the family (like we do at all member dinners) and then we left. As we were leaving though, both Sis. Perez and I felt that we should see about teaching Koty. We felt that he had been really receptive to the message we shared at dinner and that he might have potential. Of course, as we were leaving we didn't quite see the greatest opportunity to talk specifically to Koty about us teaching him. So as the Docken's drove us back to where we had left our bikes before dinner, we asked them if they thought Koty might be interested in hearing more about the church. They weren't quite sure, but told us that we should definitely talk to him and see. So we resolved that we would stop by in a day or two, unless by some chance Bro. and Sis. Docken felt like it was the right timing for them to approach him. Well here is the miracle. Turns out Koty wanted to meet with us without anybody asking!! The next day, we got a call from the Docken's saying Koty came up to them and asked...
"so when are the sister missionaries going to teach me?!"
Yah!! I know, amazing! Our bad for not asking him that day we first met him; but this just goes to show how great this kid is. So on Friday we taught him about the resoration. As we were teaching him, I couldn't help but be taken back a little at how "easy" he was to teach. It was like while we were teaching, he just got it. He told us he had started reading the Book of Mormon and that he felt good when he was reading it. Even though his Pator told him, "Its not a sin to read the Book of Mormon, but it is a sin to study it." That obviously didnt feel right to Koty and in talking to him, he just told us he knows its true. He said everything we were teaching him just fit, and he knew it was right! SO, in talking to him I knew he was just waiting for us to invite him to be baptized. And the most amazing part about it all...is I couldn't even get through the baptismal invitation before he said yes! It went a little something like this.
Me: "Koty, will you follow the example of our Savior...."
Koty: "Yes!!".....
Me: "............and be baptized by someone holding the Priesthood Authority of God?"
Koty then responded even more animatedly and was like, yes! SO we put him on date for August 14! We originally put him on date for Aug 7, but the Docken's family has a family reunion and he is going to that, so we had to push it back to the following week. He came to church on Sunday and he is just such a great kid! He really has it together, and I now have a true understanding of the term "golden" and also my testimony of being able to find those whom the Lord has prepared has increased. We are excited for Koty and I'm sure you will be hearing lots more about him in the future. I do hope I dont get transferred after this transfer so I can be here for his baptism, but if so...I know it will be for a reason. And I have to remember that this is not about me, this is the Lord's work. We are just the instruments in His hands to bring His lost sheep back into His fold.
Other miracles we saw this week is we got 8 new investigators this week! The highest we'd gotten in one week was 11...and that was at the end of last transfer with Sis. Naylor. The first couple weeks of this transfer were hard, because the work was slow and the numbers were way down in comparison to last transfer because we had to basically start from scratch. As you may know, the first couple weeks of this transfer were the hardest part of my mission thus far. I had to overcome a lot of doubt and discouragement, but I know it is because of the Lord that I was able to push through those rough times. I know that the reason we go through trials is so that we can learn to more fully rely on the Lord for His help. I feel so much better now and I have really witnessed miracles this week! There are people who have approached us, not us to them. People who have litterally fallen into our laps, whom are ready to receive the gospel. I know that more trials will come....but I also know that it is after the trial that we are truly blessed!! I am learning how to forget about myself and just go to work. Work hard, be diligent, obedient, and faithful. I know it is by all this that the Lord will continue to pour out HIs blessing upon the people of Wenatchee and upon us as missionaries. I will be forever changed when all this is said and done, and already I can feel the changes in which the Lord has caused in me. Being called to do the things I have been asked to do, and to find a way to endure to the end, I have truly been blessed to see His hand in all things! I love this work! I love being a missionary and truth be told I know it is going to be a very sad day when I'm going to have to leave. 14 more months! This time in my life only comes once and I'm so incredibly grateful to be here now!
In other news, we moved today! It's been a busy day, but I promise you I am working on sending you letters! I miss each of you so very much!
My new address is now:
Sister Vanessa Riggs
1511 Anton Place
Wenatchee, WA 98801
3 more weeks left of this transfer! We'll see what exciting events lie instore. Keep the Faith and strive to become the person who your Heavenly Father knows you can become.
Wow! What an amazing week! I cannot even begin to describe all the many miracles we've seen this last week, but my testimony has definitely grown about the blessings that come when we work hard and are obedient.
This week we put someone on date for baptism in the first lesson!! This is probably one of our bigger miracles this week. His name is Koty, he's 18, and is living with a family that are members. We met Koty when the Docken's family invited us over for dinner earlier last week. Koty is 18 and recently moved in with the Docken family when his foster parents gave up their license. Koty was very involved in his other church, he was the youth leader for his youth group. Koty's interest about the church was sparked when he moved in with the Docken family; thos Docken's have 3 boys ages 17, 18, and 20. One of the boys gave him a Book of Mormon a day or two before we came over for dinner. We shared a message with the family (like we do at all member dinners) and then we left. As we were leaving though, both Sis. Perez and I felt that we should see about teaching Koty. We felt that he had been really receptive to the message we shared at dinner and that he might have potential. Of course, as we were leaving we didn't quite see the greatest opportunity to talk specifically to Koty about us teaching him. So as the Docken's drove us back to where we had left our bikes before dinner, we asked them if they thought Koty might be interested in hearing more about the church. They weren't quite sure, but told us that we should definitely talk to him and see. So we resolved that we would stop by in a day or two, unless by some chance Bro. and Sis. Docken felt like it was the right timing for them to approach him. Well here is the miracle. Turns out Koty wanted to meet with us without anybody asking!! The next day, we got a call from the Docken's saying Koty came up to them and asked...
"so when are the sister missionaries going to teach me?!"
Yah!! I know, amazing! Our bad for not asking him that day we first met him; but this just goes to show how great this kid is. So on Friday we taught him about the resoration. As we were teaching him, I couldn't help but be taken back a little at how "easy" he was to teach. It was like while we were teaching, he just got it. He told us he had started reading the Book of Mormon and that he felt good when he was reading it. Even though his Pator told him, "Its not a sin to read the Book of Mormon, but it is a sin to study it." That obviously didnt feel right to Koty and in talking to him, he just told us he knows its true. He said everything we were teaching him just fit, and he knew it was right! SO, in talking to him I knew he was just waiting for us to invite him to be baptized. And the most amazing part about it all...is I couldn't even get through the baptismal invitation before he said yes! It went a little something like this.
Me: "Koty, will you follow the example of our Savior...."
Koty: "Yes!!".....
Me: "............and be baptized by someone holding the Priesthood Authority of God?"
Koty then responded even more animatedly and was like, yes! SO we put him on date for August 14! We originally put him on date for Aug 7, but the Docken's family has a family reunion and he is going to that, so we had to push it back to the following week. He came to church on Sunday and he is just such a great kid! He really has it together, and I now have a true understanding of the term "golden" and also my testimony of being able to find those whom the Lord has prepared has increased. We are excited for Koty and I'm sure you will be hearing lots more about him in the future. I do hope I dont get transferred after this transfer so I can be here for his baptism, but if so...I know it will be for a reason. And I have to remember that this is not about me, this is the Lord's work. We are just the instruments in His hands to bring His lost sheep back into His fold.
Other miracles we saw this week is we got 8 new investigators this week! The highest we'd gotten in one week was 11...and that was at the end of last transfer with Sis. Naylor. The first couple weeks of this transfer were hard, because the work was slow and the numbers were way down in comparison to last transfer because we had to basically start from scratch. As you may know, the first couple weeks of this transfer were the hardest part of my mission thus far. I had to overcome a lot of doubt and discouragement, but I know it is because of the Lord that I was able to push through those rough times. I know that the reason we go through trials is so that we can learn to more fully rely on the Lord for His help. I feel so much better now and I have really witnessed miracles this week! There are people who have approached us, not us to them. People who have litterally fallen into our laps, whom are ready to receive the gospel. I know that more trials will come....but I also know that it is after the trial that we are truly blessed!! I am learning how to forget about myself and just go to work. Work hard, be diligent, obedient, and faithful. I know it is by all this that the Lord will continue to pour out HIs blessing upon the people of Wenatchee and upon us as missionaries. I will be forever changed when all this is said and done, and already I can feel the changes in which the Lord has caused in me. Being called to do the things I have been asked to do, and to find a way to endure to the end, I have truly been blessed to see His hand in all things! I love this work! I love being a missionary and truth be told I know it is going to be a very sad day when I'm going to have to leave. 14 more months! This time in my life only comes once and I'm so incredibly grateful to be here now!
In other news, we moved today! It's been a busy day, but I promise you I am working on sending you letters! I miss each of you so very much!
My new address is now:
Sister Vanessa Riggs
1511 Anton Place
Wenatchee, WA 98801
3 more weeks left of this transfer! We'll see what exciting events lie instore. Keep the Faith and strive to become the person who your Heavenly Father knows you can become.
"Houston, We Have A Problem"
July 12th 2010
Thank you everyone for the continual updates and letters of support and encouragement. I promise I am getting around to responding soon :)
I've changed alot over the last 4 months. Already, I know I am not the same person I was a few months ago. Every day I can feel the Lord molding me into the missionary and the person He needs me to become. It is hard sometimes, going through this refiner's fire, but I am so grateful for everything that I have been blessed with and for everything that I am learning. I think sometimes the most difficult thing to learn, is that you need to change something about yourself in order to line your will up with the Father's will. I think it's the personal battles we face, that define our true character. It is when we are in the face of adversity, that we are given the opportunity to prove ourselves, as well as rely on the Lord for HIs help.
I have been definitely doing this over the last few weeks, more than I have my entire life. I have spent every morning on my knees in prayer, and pour out my heart and soul to my Heavenly Father, begging for His help. This transfer has been a totally different experience than last transfer. We are working hard, but learning the true meaning of patient perserverance. Our investigator pool is still tiny, but have been finding some of the select few whom we feel are ready to receive the gospel. One in particular, her name is Alicia and we tracted into her 2 weeks ago. We had an amazing lesson with her earlier this last week about the Restoration and the spirit was so strong. She has expressed to us many times, that she has been looking for the truth and that she has been really lost and confused. We feel that the Lord truly lead us to tract her street the day that we did, and that we were meant to find her. She has a lot of potential, and I'm excited to see the blessings of accepting the restored gospel change and bless her life.
On a lighter note, I may or may not have reached a new level of intelligence the other day when we pulled over to pump air into my companions tire. After pumping it up, my companion was struggling to get the pump off the tire. So of course, she asked for my help. Well us being geniuses thought that the pump was on the release because the lever that locks it into place onto the nozzle was up. SO we tried a couple times to maneuver it, but weren't having much luck. So me, being as smart as I am, decided to pull harder. And low and behold, we pulled the nozzle right out of the tire, and in about .2 seconds....the tire was completely flat! haha. Yeah....no worries. We just sat there and kind've laughed and then were like...well now what do we do? Considering we live on the other side of our area, we knew going home wasnt an option. We prayed and then felt our best option was to call Bishop Walters. We said, "Houston-we have a problem" and Bishop and his wife came to our rescue. He went to get a new tube for the tire, and it wasn't until he returned that we learned we had kept the pump in the lock position when we had tried getting it off the tire. It was rather embarrassing, other than the fact that this pump wasn't like other pumps I'd used in the past...so there's my excuse. That and we both felt at the time, that the reason this had happened was because we were supposed to be delayed to wherever is was we were heading next. EH, everything happens for a reason I suppose...and it was a good lesson to learn.
Speaking of bikes, I mentioned last time that riding bikes in a skirt is quite the interesting experience. I'm getting used to it now, but it sure is hot outside. It's over 100 now. No Bueno! SO we try to stay in the shade as much as we can and stop for water breaks at member's homes often.
Oh and before I foreget, let me give you the latest! We are moving!! Yay! We will be moving this coming Saturday to the Burnett's home. They live on this beastly hill at the top of our area, but it will be much better to actually be in our ward boundaries now. We are sad to leave the Curry's though. They have really helped us feel at home. SO until next P-Day you can still send mail to the Curry's address or the mission home address, and then next week I will have my new address. The good news is, if I do get mail at the Curry's after next week, I can still go and pick it up. So, there's the heads up!
Well this last Friday was zone conference. It was amazing! I got to see Sis. Naylor and her new companion Sis. Olsen. Also, the mission is now doing this new thing where they will be having leadership trainings for 3 days....which will be next week, so I will get to see Sis. Naylor there as well, since we are both training. There are alot of changes being made worldwide throughout the different missions. Zone Conferences and interviews with President will now be every 3 months, instead of every 6 weeks. And now the new leadership trainings and a few other things.
Well...I am out of time. But I want you to know I am doing good. I am safe and I am striving to serve the Lord with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. I also want you to know, that as you each are praying for me, I am praying for you too!! Every day, multiple times a day :)
Thank you everyone for the continual updates and letters of support and encouragement. I promise I am getting around to responding soon :)
I've changed alot over the last 4 months. Already, I know I am not the same person I was a few months ago. Every day I can feel the Lord molding me into the missionary and the person He needs me to become. It is hard sometimes, going through this refiner's fire, but I am so grateful for everything that I have been blessed with and for everything that I am learning. I think sometimes the most difficult thing to learn, is that you need to change something about yourself in order to line your will up with the Father's will. I think it's the personal battles we face, that define our true character. It is when we are in the face of adversity, that we are given the opportunity to prove ourselves, as well as rely on the Lord for HIs help.
I have been definitely doing this over the last few weeks, more than I have my entire life. I have spent every morning on my knees in prayer, and pour out my heart and soul to my Heavenly Father, begging for His help. This transfer has been a totally different experience than last transfer. We are working hard, but learning the true meaning of patient perserverance. Our investigator pool is still tiny, but have been finding some of the select few whom we feel are ready to receive the gospel. One in particular, her name is Alicia and we tracted into her 2 weeks ago. We had an amazing lesson with her earlier this last week about the Restoration and the spirit was so strong. She has expressed to us many times, that she has been looking for the truth and that she has been really lost and confused. We feel that the Lord truly lead us to tract her street the day that we did, and that we were meant to find her. She has a lot of potential, and I'm excited to see the blessings of accepting the restored gospel change and bless her life.
On a lighter note, I may or may not have reached a new level of intelligence the other day when we pulled over to pump air into my companions tire. After pumping it up, my companion was struggling to get the pump off the tire. So of course, she asked for my help. Well us being geniuses thought that the pump was on the release because the lever that locks it into place onto the nozzle was up. SO we tried a couple times to maneuver it, but weren't having much luck. So me, being as smart as I am, decided to pull harder. And low and behold, we pulled the nozzle right out of the tire, and in about .2 seconds....the tire was completely flat! haha. Yeah....no worries. We just sat there and kind've laughed and then were like...well now what do we do? Considering we live on the other side of our area, we knew going home wasnt an option. We prayed and then felt our best option was to call Bishop Walters. We said, "Houston-we have a problem" and Bishop and his wife came to our rescue. He went to get a new tube for the tire, and it wasn't until he returned that we learned we had kept the pump in the lock position when we had tried getting it off the tire. It was rather embarrassing, other than the fact that this pump wasn't like other pumps I'd used in the past...so there's my excuse. That and we both felt at the time, that the reason this had happened was because we were supposed to be delayed to wherever is was we were heading next. EH, everything happens for a reason I suppose...and it was a good lesson to learn.
Speaking of bikes, I mentioned last time that riding bikes in a skirt is quite the interesting experience. I'm getting used to it now, but it sure is hot outside. It's over 100 now. No Bueno! SO we try to stay in the shade as much as we can and stop for water breaks at member's homes often.
Oh and before I foreget, let me give you the latest! We are moving!! Yay! We will be moving this coming Saturday to the Burnett's home. They live on this beastly hill at the top of our area, but it will be much better to actually be in our ward boundaries now. We are sad to leave the Curry's though. They have really helped us feel at home. SO until next P-Day you can still send mail to the Curry's address or the mission home address, and then next week I will have my new address. The good news is, if I do get mail at the Curry's after next week, I can still go and pick it up. So, there's the heads up!
Well this last Friday was zone conference. It was amazing! I got to see Sis. Naylor and her new companion Sis. Olsen. Also, the mission is now doing this new thing where they will be having leadership trainings for 3 days....which will be next week, so I will get to see Sis. Naylor there as well, since we are both training. There are alot of changes being made worldwide throughout the different missions. Zone Conferences and interviews with President will now be every 3 months, instead of every 6 weeks. And now the new leadership trainings and a few other things.
Well...I am out of time. But I want you to know I am doing good. I am safe and I am striving to serve the Lord with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. I also want you to know, that as you each are praying for me, I am praying for you too!! Every day, multiple times a day :)
Skirts on Bikes
July 6th 2010
In all honesty this last week has been the hardest week on my mission. I have been stretched in ways I'd personally never imagined, but I now can see how it has been an essential part of the refining process. I know that me being called to train is an incredibly huge responsibility, but I also know that it is for a reason. And that as I have placed my complete trust in the Lord, He has helped me get through the challenges of this last week as well as the challenges that come sometimes just from being a missionary.
In all my life, I have never been so humbled. I have spent every morning this week on my knees just pouring my heart out to my Heavenly Father and asking for His help. There were a lot of changes all at once....change in companion, change in my responsibilities, change in area, change in transportation, change in my investigators in having to give them up to the other sisters, etc. But I now know that if I was able to make it through this week, then I can make it through almost anything. The Lord never gives us more than we can handle, and I also know that when He does call us in our weakness, if we remain humble and have faith, He will qualify us for the work. I know that is through Him and only through Him that we can even begin to reach our divine potential.
Despite the challenges, we've also seen many miracles this week. We are doing a lot of tracting and going through the list of former investigators. Pretty much all our previous Spanish investigators went to the other 2 Sisters who are working in the other areas of Wenatchee. So our investigator pool went from maybe about 30 investigators to about 7. So we are starting fresh, but I do know there are people ready to receive the gospel, in whom we are just around the corner in finding. With the guidance of the spirit, I know we will find them.
Our ward is amazing! It was kind've nice being able to go to an English speaking sacrament again, although I've grown accustomed to the Spanish branch. We still are working with the Spanish Branch, but we just can't go there every Sunday because our meetings are at the same time. Bishop Watlers is the greatest! And his wife too! They are taking very good care us and trying to assist in missionary work in every way they can. There is a lot of ward support for missionary work! In fact, the ward did a ward fast last Sunday for missionary work, that we will be able to find those who are ready to receive the gospel. I know those people are out there. It requires a lot of hard work and effort, alot of finding and teaching, but I know that as we remain faithful and hopeful, the Lord will lead us to find the "elect". I know without a doubt that I am supposed to be here at this time. I know there is at least one person, if not more, who I am meant to find. I'm so grateful for this opportunity to be an instrument in the Lord's hands and to truly be a representative of Him in this work.
My Spanish has improved a ton! It seems literally over night I was able to speak more fluently and communicate better with the people. I remember Sis. Naylor mentioning that a similar thing happened to her when she was called to train, that the very first day we were together...her Spanish was 10 times better. I believe this to be a tender mercy of the Lord and have definitely recognized His hand in helping me learn the language at a faster rate than what I could have ever even imagined. The gift of tongues is real, and I know that without it...I still would be struggling to formulate sentences together.
My new companion is amazing! She has a very strong testimony and a very sweet spirit about her. Her Mom is from Mexico and Dad is from Texas. SO far.....the words mentioned in my setting apart blessing ring true. I have been blessed with my companions...every single one of them. Although each of them is unique, we are each very compatible and have experienced many wonderful things together. My new companion's name is Sister Perez.
Let's see...what else...well, we haven't moved yet. The Bishop and Stake Presidency are still looking for a place for us. I love living with the Curry's; they really make us feel like we have a home, which is definitely a good feeling to have at the end of the day. The problem is, though, they live at the exact opposite end of Wenatchee and from our area. SO it makes it very difficult when transportation is thrown in the mix. Let me just tell you, riding bikes in skirts with a helmet on all day, really doesn't give me any "cool" points haha. But, such is the life of a missionary, right! It is very interesting to say the least haha.
Happy 4th of July every one yesterday! We got to oversee the valley and watched the firewroks on Sunday night. They weren't quite as cool as back home, but it made me reminisce a little bit. Hope you all enjoyed the holiday!
SO far no slammed doors in my face, but definitely have learned white people are not as nice as Spanish people! haha. Summer heat is beginning to pick up here, so my awesome missionary tan is starting to evolve. Hm, and lets see....oh, and I've adjusted to wearing skirts every day just fine...but the knee highs I could definitely do without especially in this summer heat haha.
Sidenote: speaking of compatibility with my new companion...she loves Sonic too!! SO......hehe. Just saying, that's all.
In all honesty this last week has been the hardest week on my mission. I have been stretched in ways I'd personally never imagined, but I now can see how it has been an essential part of the refining process. I know that me being called to train is an incredibly huge responsibility, but I also know that it is for a reason. And that as I have placed my complete trust in the Lord, He has helped me get through the challenges of this last week as well as the challenges that come sometimes just from being a missionary.
In all my life, I have never been so humbled. I have spent every morning this week on my knees just pouring my heart out to my Heavenly Father and asking for His help. There were a lot of changes all at once....change in companion, change in my responsibilities, change in area, change in transportation, change in my investigators in having to give them up to the other sisters, etc. But I now know that if I was able to make it through this week, then I can make it through almost anything. The Lord never gives us more than we can handle, and I also know that when He does call us in our weakness, if we remain humble and have faith, He will qualify us for the work. I know that is through Him and only through Him that we can even begin to reach our divine potential.
Despite the challenges, we've also seen many miracles this week. We are doing a lot of tracting and going through the list of former investigators. Pretty much all our previous Spanish investigators went to the other 2 Sisters who are working in the other areas of Wenatchee. So our investigator pool went from maybe about 30 investigators to about 7. So we are starting fresh, but I do know there are people ready to receive the gospel, in whom we are just around the corner in finding. With the guidance of the spirit, I know we will find them.
Our ward is amazing! It was kind've nice being able to go to an English speaking sacrament again, although I've grown accustomed to the Spanish branch. We still are working with the Spanish Branch, but we just can't go there every Sunday because our meetings are at the same time. Bishop Watlers is the greatest! And his wife too! They are taking very good care us and trying to assist in missionary work in every way they can. There is a lot of ward support for missionary work! In fact, the ward did a ward fast last Sunday for missionary work, that we will be able to find those who are ready to receive the gospel. I know those people are out there. It requires a lot of hard work and effort, alot of finding and teaching, but I know that as we remain faithful and hopeful, the Lord will lead us to find the "elect". I know without a doubt that I am supposed to be here at this time. I know there is at least one person, if not more, who I am meant to find. I'm so grateful for this opportunity to be an instrument in the Lord's hands and to truly be a representative of Him in this work.
My Spanish has improved a ton! It seems literally over night I was able to speak more fluently and communicate better with the people. I remember Sis. Naylor mentioning that a similar thing happened to her when she was called to train, that the very first day we were together...her Spanish was 10 times better. I believe this to be a tender mercy of the Lord and have definitely recognized His hand in helping me learn the language at a faster rate than what I could have ever even imagined. The gift of tongues is real, and I know that without it...I still would be struggling to formulate sentences together.
My new companion is amazing! She has a very strong testimony and a very sweet spirit about her. Her Mom is from Mexico and Dad is from Texas. SO far.....the words mentioned in my setting apart blessing ring true. I have been blessed with my companions...every single one of them. Although each of them is unique, we are each very compatible and have experienced many wonderful things together. My new companion's name is Sister Perez.
Let's see...what else...well, we haven't moved yet. The Bishop and Stake Presidency are still looking for a place for us. I love living with the Curry's; they really make us feel like we have a home, which is definitely a good feeling to have at the end of the day. The problem is, though, they live at the exact opposite end of Wenatchee and from our area. SO it makes it very difficult when transportation is thrown in the mix. Let me just tell you, riding bikes in skirts with a helmet on all day, really doesn't give me any "cool" points haha. But, such is the life of a missionary, right! It is very interesting to say the least haha.
Happy 4th of July every one yesterday! We got to oversee the valley and watched the firewroks on Sunday night. They weren't quite as cool as back home, but it made me reminisce a little bit. Hope you all enjoyed the holiday!
SO far no slammed doors in my face, but definitely have learned white people are not as nice as Spanish people! haha. Summer heat is beginning to pick up here, so my awesome missionary tan is starting to evolve. Hm, and lets see....oh, and I've adjusted to wearing skirts every day just fine...but the knee highs I could definitely do without especially in this summer heat haha.
Sidenote: speaking of compatibility with my new companion...she loves Sonic too!! SO......hehe. Just saying, that's all.
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