December 15, 2009
The work is exploding here! We’ve found so many new people here, and the members are so willing to fellowship each and every one of them. Our Ward Mission Leader is such a stud too. Every week we meet with him once or twice with a few of the ward missionaries to coordinate what it is we need to do. They frequently visit the investgators and invite them to activities and call them. It’s soooooo nice to have the support of the members. It’s much easier to focus on improving other things. It’s a beautiful thing to watch one of our investigators, excuse me, brothers or sisters, anxiously engaged in a discussion with one of the members with bright faces and smiles. I LOVE THIS WARD!!!!
I’ve been thinking how strange it is too, how fast this year flew, mostly because I’m on my mission too I guess. I’m almost 20 years old too! GAH!! I’m so OLD!!!! Just kidding! I love this work so much. Although it gets really hard to focus once in a while and sometimes my feet hurt and such, and I just have a Laman and Lemuel attitude, I remember the testimony of Nephi. I receive strength and determination that aren’t my own, and we are tools in the hands of Heavenly Father to bring to pass miracles. It’s so awesome! Maybe some of these miracles wouldn’t mean much to others, but to a missionary with very little experience they mean everything. Whether it’s finding a family prepared to hear the gospel, a very open person on the street, or even just a very interesting spiritual insight during personal and companionship studies, the hand of the Lord is in this work. How else could kids go out and teach the world the truth of the Restored gospel?
Sunday, December 20, 2009
The Power of the Book of Mormon
December 7, 2009
Time is flying! I CAN`T believe I’ve almost been out 6 months. It really doesn’t feel like it. I love being out here! I know this might sound funny, but I’ve been having scary dreams of being at home, and all of a sudden realizing NO! I need to be on my mission! Why am I at home!!!! They’re kind of funny. Don’t worry. Of course I miss you guys and home every once and a while, especially right now during the Holidays, but I repeat... I DO NOT WANT TO COME HOME!
This past week was exceptionally busy. We had an interesting goal this week as a district to share our testimonies of the Book of Mormon each time we do a contact. It’s been interesting. Also, we have a mission rule to do at least 140 contacts every week. This coupled with the Book of Mormon have brought about many interesting experiences and spiritual insights. It’s amazing how many people you find who have actually never talked to missionaries (despite the fact that the children scream "HUEVOS" at you... (Eggs)) Or even more amazing how many people have never heard of or seen the Book of Mormon. Though at first it was kind of weird to start talking about the Book of Mormon so directly, we quickly found that our contacts became more meaningful and the people more personal. I love the Book of Mormon. It really is the best weapon in the missionary arsenal. I think there is a quote by Elder Wirthlin when he says that we should NOT underestimate the power of the Book of Mormon. Though I’m still studying the New Testament (I’m in Luke, perfect for Christmas :)) I think I’m going to try and read the Book of Mormon once every month fully. It really does have all the answers to the questions of our souls.
Time is flying! I CAN`T believe I’ve almost been out 6 months. It really doesn’t feel like it. I love being out here! I know this might sound funny, but I’ve been having scary dreams of being at home, and all of a sudden realizing NO! I need to be on my mission! Why am I at home!!!! They’re kind of funny. Don’t worry. Of course I miss you guys and home every once and a while, especially right now during the Holidays, but I repeat... I DO NOT WANT TO COME HOME!
This past week was exceptionally busy. We had an interesting goal this week as a district to share our testimonies of the Book of Mormon each time we do a contact. It’s been interesting. Also, we have a mission rule to do at least 140 contacts every week. This coupled with the Book of Mormon have brought about many interesting experiences and spiritual insights. It’s amazing how many people you find who have actually never talked to missionaries (despite the fact that the children scream "HUEVOS" at you... (Eggs)) Or even more amazing how many people have never heard of or seen the Book of Mormon. Though at first it was kind of weird to start talking about the Book of Mormon so directly, we quickly found that our contacts became more meaningful and the people more personal. I love the Book of Mormon. It really is the best weapon in the missionary arsenal. I think there is a quote by Elder Wirthlin when he says that we should NOT underestimate the power of the Book of Mormon. Though I’m still studying the New Testament (I’m in Luke, perfect for Christmas :)) I think I’m going to try and read the Book of Mormon once every month fully. It really does have all the answers to the questions of our souls.
I LOVE DOING THIS
November 30, 2009
Well, this week went by much better than the last one. We’ve been working harder to schedule more of our appointments by telephone, which is working out a whole lot better now that we know the area and have talked with more people. It’s kind of rough starting a White wash, but it has been such a great experience. I love just talking to everyone. Sometimes I get nervous and it takes us a while to really get going. But when we just go for it, the Lord truly is on our right and left hand and before our faces. I really feel comfortable here now.
Well, Thanksgiving passed and I thought of you all and the family I’m thankful for. Seriously, every time I share my family pictures with families (they can’t get enough pictures here) people always comment on how beautiful our family is. I’m not saying that to boast. Just, to show you how thankful I am to have such a wonderful family! YOU GUYS ARE GREAT! WOOOO!!!
Anyways, the weather has been a little weird lately. The other day, it was pretty hot. However, it started to pour rain on us and we got soaking wet. Fortunately we knocked on a guy’s door and he offered us jackets. He was really nice, and now we have an excuse to go back and talk to him. But seriously, the people here are very awesome, although sometimes they can be a little feisty when they see your white shirt and tag, but that’s true no matter where you go. I love it! But as I was saying, the weather has been a little weird. There have been serious floods in the interior of Uruguay, but it looks like everything is calming down now. It’s sunny again and as far as I know, (which means looking at the sky) it looks like its going to get hot again.
This is going to be one awesome Christmas! I can’t believe it’s already coming! Time flies by way too fast. I hear Christmas in South America is, well..., not like anywhere else in the world. LOTS of fireworks. I’ll call you and tell you all about it on Christmas Day. Let’s see... oh yeah. The Uruguay political elections were yesterday, so we had to dodge all kinds of banners and flags (just kidding it wasn’t too bad) especially since it stormed last night. I’m so glad it’s over. I was getting a little tired of hearing so much propaganda, music and such.
On Saturday night we were planning, and this big flying cockroach flew through our window and started running all around. It ran across my bed, and Elder Gonzales and I started freaking out! I know it’s nothing like other parts of the world where bugs are like pretty much your carpet, but still... We had to move EVERYTHING in the apartment to find it again, and when we did, the hunt was on. I finally killed him with my planner. He was feisty.
SCORE Misioneros 1 Cucaracha 0
Well, that was my adventure for the week. I know it wasn’t much, but there you have it.
I can’t believe how much the Lord has blessed us while we’ve been here. I haven’t counted a day when we didn’t see at least one miracle, whether it be finding someone who gave us all their information to pass by later, a VERY spiritual lesson, having the spirit teach ALL of us, the list goes on. I know that this is where I need to be. Though I haven’t had a baptism yet, I know that it doesn’t matter. I just need to keep doing what the Lord wants me to do, and follow His commandments. I was happy to hear at the zone conference last week that many of the people we taught in our last area are making plans to join the Church and follow Christ. I’m soooooooooooo happy for them. I LOVE doing this! I am so blessed. I have learned so much about myself and others, and I hope I never forget.
Well, this week went by much better than the last one. We’ve been working harder to schedule more of our appointments by telephone, which is working out a whole lot better now that we know the area and have talked with more people. It’s kind of rough starting a White wash, but it has been such a great experience. I love just talking to everyone. Sometimes I get nervous and it takes us a while to really get going. But when we just go for it, the Lord truly is on our right and left hand and before our faces. I really feel comfortable here now.
Well, Thanksgiving passed and I thought of you all and the family I’m thankful for. Seriously, every time I share my family pictures with families (they can’t get enough pictures here) people always comment on how beautiful our family is. I’m not saying that to boast. Just, to show you how thankful I am to have such a wonderful family! YOU GUYS ARE GREAT! WOOOO!!!
Anyways, the weather has been a little weird lately. The other day, it was pretty hot. However, it started to pour rain on us and we got soaking wet. Fortunately we knocked on a guy’s door and he offered us jackets. He was really nice, and now we have an excuse to go back and talk to him. But seriously, the people here are very awesome, although sometimes they can be a little feisty when they see your white shirt and tag, but that’s true no matter where you go. I love it! But as I was saying, the weather has been a little weird. There have been serious floods in the interior of Uruguay, but it looks like everything is calming down now. It’s sunny again and as far as I know, (which means looking at the sky) it looks like its going to get hot again.
This is going to be one awesome Christmas! I can’t believe it’s already coming! Time flies by way too fast. I hear Christmas in South America is, well..., not like anywhere else in the world. LOTS of fireworks. I’ll call you and tell you all about it on Christmas Day. Let’s see... oh yeah. The Uruguay political elections were yesterday, so we had to dodge all kinds of banners and flags (just kidding it wasn’t too bad) especially since it stormed last night. I’m so glad it’s over. I was getting a little tired of hearing so much propaganda, music and such.
On Saturday night we were planning, and this big flying cockroach flew through our window and started running all around. It ran across my bed, and Elder Gonzales and I started freaking out! I know it’s nothing like other parts of the world where bugs are like pretty much your carpet, but still... We had to move EVERYTHING in the apartment to find it again, and when we did, the hunt was on. I finally killed him with my planner. He was feisty.
SCORE Misioneros 1 Cucaracha 0
Well, that was my adventure for the week. I know it wasn’t much, but there you have it.
I can’t believe how much the Lord has blessed us while we’ve been here. I haven’t counted a day when we didn’t see at least one miracle, whether it be finding someone who gave us all their information to pass by later, a VERY spiritual lesson, having the spirit teach ALL of us, the list goes on. I know that this is where I need to be. Though I haven’t had a baptism yet, I know that it doesn’t matter. I just need to keep doing what the Lord wants me to do, and follow His commandments. I was happy to hear at the zone conference last week that many of the people we taught in our last area are making plans to join the Church and follow Christ. I’m soooooooooooo happy for them. I LOVE doing this! I am so blessed. I have learned so much about myself and others, and I hope I never forget.
THANKFUL
November 23, 2009
This past week has been a little bumpy and rough, we’ve hit some hitches and snags, but still I feel blessed to be here. I’m still getting accustomed to life in the city. It’s so loud and noisy here, it’s hard to focus sometimes and listen to the spirit. I’ve come to treasure those moments I have in the morning to study and focus on bettering myself through reading the scriptures and reflecting on their message.
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve came and spoke to us at a joint conference of the two Uruguay missions. There were about 400 missionaries, and the spirit truly POURED out of the heavens as all of us learned and were taught by the spirit.
I’m truly thankful for all of you, my family. As I said, this week was a little tough, but truly I feel your love and support. Thank you so much! I am so blessed to be here, to have these covenants that have brought me even closer to know my Heavenly Father and His son. Also, to have all of you as my eternal family, I wonder sometimes WHY? Why am I so blessed? What thing do I have not to be thankful for? I better give it my all this week, and the rest of the weeks that follow. But ESPECIALLY this week of Thanksgiving.
This past week has been a little bumpy and rough, we’ve hit some hitches and snags, but still I feel blessed to be here. I’m still getting accustomed to life in the city. It’s so loud and noisy here, it’s hard to focus sometimes and listen to the spirit. I’ve come to treasure those moments I have in the morning to study and focus on bettering myself through reading the scriptures and reflecting on their message.
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve came and spoke to us at a joint conference of the two Uruguay missions. There were about 400 missionaries, and the spirit truly POURED out of the heavens as all of us learned and were taught by the spirit.
I’m truly thankful for all of you, my family. As I said, this week was a little tough, but truly I feel your love and support. Thank you so much! I am so blessed to be here, to have these covenants that have brought me even closer to know my Heavenly Father and His son. Also, to have all of you as my eternal family, I wonder sometimes WHY? Why am I so blessed? What thing do I have not to be thankful for? I better give it my all this week, and the rest of the weeks that follow. But ESPECIALLY this week of Thanksgiving.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Good things happening in Coroñas
Well, I can’t really put into words how special and insightful this past week has been. It’s been a change, but I now know this is where the Lord wants me to be. I have felt such a comforting peace during my one week here and I am sure that something special is about to happen. I LOVE the ward here! They are so caring and so organized. They all are busy about the work. We sat in a meeting for the ward mission coordination. They had representatives from everyone, and coordinated who needed to be visited and gave us some families we needed to pass by. It made me so very happy to see them concerned for those who had gone astray. I LOVE it! We had some very awesome lessons in church as well, which ended the very tiring but spiritually filled week.
My companion Elder Gonzales is from La Serena Chile. He is such a stud! We have been getting to know each other really well, and my Spanish is improving in leaps and bounds because of him. I rarely speak in English, (I need to help him learn English as well) so it’s kind of nice to help each other out. We have had some really awesome and powerful spiritual experiences. He has such a great knowledge of the scriptures and is such an insightful person. And he likes to have fun. That’s important too!
Things are going very well here. We’ve found new people to teach and lots of friendly faces. Like I said, it was a weary week (lots of walking) which was hilarious when we didn’t have a map or know who the bishop was. We had to wait till Sunday to meet the majority of the members, but they were all calling us and helping us out. It really is like a big family here. I can’t wait till next week to tell you more. I have never felt more guided by the spirit in my life. I can feel His influence every day comforting me and guiding me.
My companion Elder Gonzales is from La Serena Chile. He is such a stud! We have been getting to know each other really well, and my Spanish is improving in leaps and bounds because of him. I rarely speak in English, (I need to help him learn English as well) so it’s kind of nice to help each other out. We have had some really awesome and powerful spiritual experiences. He has such a great knowledge of the scriptures and is such an insightful person. And he likes to have fun. That’s important too!
Things are going very well here. We’ve found new people to teach and lots of friendly faces. Like I said, it was a weary week (lots of walking) which was hilarious when we didn’t have a map or know who the bishop was. We had to wait till Sunday to meet the majority of the members, but they were all calling us and helping us out. It really is like a big family here. I can’t wait till next week to tell you more. I have never felt more guided by the spirit in my life. I can feel His influence every day comforting me and guiding me.
A Surprise
November 10
We had a surprise change yesterday morning. I left Las Piedras and came to Coroñas in Montevideo which is pretty close to the neighborhood where the temple and offices are. It was really short notice. The assistants came and picked me up, and we got to our house finally, after some other quick stops, and we had to pick up my companion. Yes, it’s a white wash. (Meaning both of us are new.) And to top it all off, I have my first companion from South America. His name is Elder Gonzales from Chile. The house is really small and cozy. I was going to tell you all about Las Piedras yesterday, but oh well. I’ll go where He wants me to go. As most of you know, that’s just the mission for you. Never a dull moment. So now, we’re just going to go home, eat, and...well... do some contacts. I’m so excited. This is going to be such an adventure!
We had a surprise change yesterday morning. I left Las Piedras and came to Coroñas in Montevideo which is pretty close to the neighborhood where the temple and offices are. It was really short notice. The assistants came and picked me up, and we got to our house finally, after some other quick stops, and we had to pick up my companion. Yes, it’s a white wash. (Meaning both of us are new.) And to top it all off, I have my first companion from South America. His name is Elder Gonzales from Chile. The house is really small and cozy. I was going to tell you all about Las Piedras yesterday, but oh well. I’ll go where He wants me to go. As most of you know, that’s just the mission for you. Never a dull moment. So now, we’re just going to go home, eat, and...well... do some contacts. I’m so excited. This is going to be such an adventure!
Leaving Melo
November 3
Well, these past few weeks, it seems like the work has been exploding. We have met so many wonderful people ready and willing to listen to the gospel and changing their lives in small ways. I wish I could tell you about each and every one of these experiences!
I'm in Montevideo right now in the bus terminal waiting to meet my new companion and to head to my new area, Las Piedras just 45 minutes or so north of Montevideo. His name is Elder Hoffling. I don't know anything about him yet.
It was REALLY hard to leave Melo. We passed by a lot of our dearest friends before we left and took some pictures and taught some nice lessons. I'm so excited for them. Even though I didn’t get to see them continue all the way to baptism, I’m glad to have at least played a part in their journey and to have been a tool in the hands of the Lord to extend the good news of the gospel of Christ. There are a few couples who I know will eventually continue on and seal their families in the temple. I can’t wait to hear about it!I feel like I left part of my heart and soul back there, and I guess that means I’m doing my job.
The owner of our house Sonia (I’ve told you about her, abuela) always cries when a missionary leaves. She has only been a member for a year, but I think she understands what it means to be a disciple of Christ more than most people. She ALWAYS had a smile and was ALWAYS giving food to the missionaries. I'll never forget her either.
Sheesh, it was just that hard leaving an area. I'm going to have to get used to it! It's tough to have to leave it in someone else’s care, but really it isn’t. They are always in the care of the Lord. We are just the Laborers in the vineyard. I love this wonderful gospel. I love the light and hope it brings into our lives. Each time I bear testimony of Eternal Families and how it was made possible through Christ, my love and appreciation for you and what you have done for me grows and grows. I’m sorry if I was ever ungrateful for anything. It’s funny. We never truly appreciate how much we truly treasure something until it’s taken away from us. The beautiful thing is that through Christ and the power of His gospel, everything will be restored to us. I am so thankful to be here sharing things I've known since I was a little child in Primary, but with a whole new understanding and appreciation. Well, I love you all. No doubt I’m going to be telling you all kinds of interesting and amazing stories about Las Piedras. Elder Painter was there before he came to Melo. He told me it was just as hard for him to leave there as it was for me to leave Melo. Pretty ironic.
Well, these past few weeks, it seems like the work has been exploding. We have met so many wonderful people ready and willing to listen to the gospel and changing their lives in small ways. I wish I could tell you about each and every one of these experiences!
I'm in Montevideo right now in the bus terminal waiting to meet my new companion and to head to my new area, Las Piedras just 45 minutes or so north of Montevideo. His name is Elder Hoffling. I don't know anything about him yet.
It was REALLY hard to leave Melo. We passed by a lot of our dearest friends before we left and took some pictures and taught some nice lessons. I'm so excited for them. Even though I didn’t get to see them continue all the way to baptism, I’m glad to have at least played a part in their journey and to have been a tool in the hands of the Lord to extend the good news of the gospel of Christ. There are a few couples who I know will eventually continue on and seal their families in the temple. I can’t wait to hear about it!I feel like I left part of my heart and soul back there, and I guess that means I’m doing my job.
The owner of our house Sonia (I’ve told you about her, abuela) always cries when a missionary leaves. She has only been a member for a year, but I think she understands what it means to be a disciple of Christ more than most people. She ALWAYS had a smile and was ALWAYS giving food to the missionaries. I'll never forget her either.
Sheesh, it was just that hard leaving an area. I'm going to have to get used to it! It's tough to have to leave it in someone else’s care, but really it isn’t. They are always in the care of the Lord. We are just the Laborers in the vineyard. I love this wonderful gospel. I love the light and hope it brings into our lives. Each time I bear testimony of Eternal Families and how it was made possible through Christ, my love and appreciation for you and what you have done for me grows and grows. I’m sorry if I was ever ungrateful for anything. It’s funny. We never truly appreciate how much we truly treasure something until it’s taken away from us. The beautiful thing is that through Christ and the power of His gospel, everything will be restored to us. I am so thankful to be here sharing things I've known since I was a little child in Primary, but with a whole new understanding and appreciation. Well, I love you all. No doubt I’m going to be telling you all kinds of interesting and amazing stories about Las Piedras. Elder Painter was there before he came to Melo. He told me it was just as hard for him to leave there as it was for me to leave Melo. Pretty ironic.
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