First off, the New Orleans Saints are going to the Super Bowl on Feb. 7. Last night after the play-off game there was fireworks going off and people screaming and yelling. It was pretty funny. It is the first time in history they have gone to the super bowl so it is pretty cool. We might be put on lock down because everyone is going to be drunk and basically not wanting to talk to us. President will let us know tomorrow at Zone Conference. Mardi Gras is in about 3 weeks so that will be another lock down. Louisiana is so crazy about partying and parades all the time.
(On the new companion) We have a lot of fun together and we talk a lot. It definitely isn't boring and we are really really busy all the time with something going on. She was a cheerleader and is peppy like one. She is very health aware. It is kind of funny. She is so small sometimes I feel like a hippo around her and I am not even big. She is just so small in every aspect. We get along really well and I think it will be a great transfer. I am learning a lot from her and becoming a better missionary.
Last preparation day was a bit stressful trying to get everything done that we needed to get done for Sister Dalley leaving, but it was a lot of fun. We played volleyball with the elders and then we went fishing with some members. I didn't catch anything, but it was a bit cold. I almost caught a nutrea though. They call them nutra-rats here. They are so ugly. Sister Dalley got to say good bye to everyone she wanted to and then on transfer days I sat at the church for about 3 hours by myself with just elders. It was fun, but weird without a companion. Sister Riddle came and then we went straight to work and went tracting and tried to introduce her to as many members as possible.
We taught Loreta this week and she said she knew the church was true and she loved church last week and is going to continue to come and learn. She said she wants to get baptized, but wants her husband to do it with her. Well, Emic doesn't seem to interested. He is a catholic and wants to die one. Dang. People around here and their traditions. So stupid. Tradition isn't always right. Anywho... She said though she would only wait so long before she would do it without him.
We also taught Kristen this week and it was a great lesson. She even came to church this weekend. It was stake conference though so I think it was a bit overwhelming for her. I mean she hasn't been to church in over 5 years and it is a new church with 2000 plus people there. I think she enjoyed it, but she was pretty nervous. But she came!!! She said she knows it is true. Um... We taught her about the word of wisdom and she is working on it. She has some goals set to quit smoking and drinking coffee so that is really great. Hm... We are hoping to get her baptized soon too!!! She just needs to obey the word of wisdom and come to church on a regular basis.
It was so cool because we went tracting in this neighborhood and we knocked on the door and this lady opened it and then was like the mormons, and kept repeating it over and over again. I thought she didn't like us, but then she invited us in and said she loves the mormons. She hasn't seen missionaries in over 20 years. She was so excited she was going to call her daughter. So, there may be a lot of potential there.
Then we went and taught a referral from the elders. They had taught Rheedt and Lindsey a restoration so we taught them a plan of salvation. They had a lot of really good questions. We asked if they had prayed and had gotten an answer or not, well Rheedt said he had. He said he was praying and asked if it was true or not and then there was a popping sound from the kitchen. He didn't know what it was so asked again and got the same answer. He said he knew it was true. Lindsey made fun of him though. I didn't really like that part, but I hope he sticks to his answer.
We also taught a guy named Wayne and he is reading and asking a lot of great questions. He is very humble and is willing to listen and learn. I am not sure what will happen with him, but he is a joy to teach and so amazing.
We have been meeting a lot of wonderful people lately who just want to talk to us. Now, if they will progress I don't know because we haven't taught them a first or anything, but goodness. The work is moving forward here. We are so busy with contacting people and teaching that we barely have time to eat. All is well.
This week has been very good and busy. Hm... although I have been sick all week again. With a bad cough, sore throat etc... I am going to the doctor today. I think it might just be allergies but I am not sure. It is just really annoying to talk to people and I just feel tired. But all is going well and I am loving the ward.
We had stake conference this weekend and it was so good to be surrounded by so many amazing people and strong members. They talked a lot about the importance of the temple and the small and simple things like daily prayer and scripture study. Those things seem so simple, but they can and do work miracles.
It is not easy all of the time, but I am loving it. The weather warmed up which is nice. Love you and have a great week. Pray that I will get well soon.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
New Companion
Well, to start off I am staying here in Gonzales for another 6 weeks, and I am getting a new companion, Sister Carly Riddle. She is from Grants Pass, OR and Sister Dalley trained her. She says she is really cool and I don't doubt it. She was a cheerleader and all that good stuff, but I guess she is very bubbly and it should be a really fun transfer. I am a bit nervous though because now I am in charge of the area and I hope I don't mess anything up. I will have to really know where we are going and kind of take a step up to help us get the work going for awhile.
Alan Nichols is doing so well. They are the apple of my eye right now. They are going to go places and I am so proud to be the ones who taught them. Well, more blessed than proud. They are an amazing family, and I hope I can be there when they go through the temple in a year.
Um... President Woods gave us new instruction that we are to contact 20 people a day and not 80 people a week anymore. That means 140 people a week. I think I am going to be sick of talking to people by the end of my mission and become a hermit or something. Somedays you just don't want to talk to people, but well, you don't have that choice on your mission. Oh well. I am loving it though. So, the only really news about the people we are teaching is that Kristen Waterman, we thought we were going to have to drop her, but then we taught her twice this week and dang she surprised us. She told us she quit drinking two months ago and was working on quitting smoking by tomorrow. She went from two pack a day to 4 cigarettes a day. She is doing so good. And read all of 1 Nephi in about 4 days. She had a lot of good questions and it was amazing. She told us that she found herself at a crossroad in her life and she needed to choose which one to go down. She said she could choose the easy one but then she felt something bad would happen. So, she said she was going to join the church. She knows that it is true and she loves the Book of Mormon. Good things are going on and I am excited to hopefully see her be baptized this transfer. She needs to come to church though. Um... I can't really think of much else. There have been a few less actives who came to church who we have been working with.
We tracted into a family on Saturday named the Stifflemyers who told us they have been inactive for up to 11 years. They became inactive in California because the people were not very nice or friendly or something like that. They just one day decided to not go anymore. They have strong testimonies, but they can't even go to the temple anymore and she loves doing family history work. It breaks my heart because she has had so many spiritual experiences and she is depriving herself of blessings by just not going to church. People are not nice sometimes, but it isn't about the people it is about God and that is why we go to church. Never let someone who offends you ever keep you from church.
I can't really think of anything else. We have met a lot of cool people and I am looking forward to a new start with a new companion, but will miss Sister Dalley a lot. It is a bitter sweet moment. Sorry, I don't have much to say about this week, but it was a bit slow. Love you all.
Alan Nichols is doing so well. They are the apple of my eye right now. They are going to go places and I am so proud to be the ones who taught them. Well, more blessed than proud. They are an amazing family, and I hope I can be there when they go through the temple in a year.
Um... President Woods gave us new instruction that we are to contact 20 people a day and not 80 people a week anymore. That means 140 people a week. I think I am going to be sick of talking to people by the end of my mission and become a hermit or something. Somedays you just don't want to talk to people, but well, you don't have that choice on your mission. Oh well. I am loving it though. So, the only really news about the people we are teaching is that Kristen Waterman, we thought we were going to have to drop her, but then we taught her twice this week and dang she surprised us. She told us she quit drinking two months ago and was working on quitting smoking by tomorrow. She went from two pack a day to 4 cigarettes a day. She is doing so good. And read all of 1 Nephi in about 4 days. She had a lot of good questions and it was amazing. She told us that she found herself at a crossroad in her life and she needed to choose which one to go down. She said she could choose the easy one but then she felt something bad would happen. So, she said she was going to join the church. She knows that it is true and she loves the Book of Mormon. Good things are going on and I am excited to hopefully see her be baptized this transfer. She needs to come to church though. Um... I can't really think of much else. There have been a few less actives who came to church who we have been working with.
We tracted into a family on Saturday named the Stifflemyers who told us they have been inactive for up to 11 years. They became inactive in California because the people were not very nice or friendly or something like that. They just one day decided to not go anymore. They have strong testimonies, but they can't even go to the temple anymore and she loves doing family history work. It breaks my heart because she has had so many spiritual experiences and she is depriving herself of blessings by just not going to church. People are not nice sometimes, but it isn't about the people it is about God and that is why we go to church. Never let someone who offends you ever keep you from church.
I can't really think of anything else. We have met a lot of cool people and I am looking forward to a new start with a new companion, but will miss Sister Dalley a lot. It is a bitter sweet moment. Sorry, I don't have much to say about this week, but it was a bit slow. Love you all.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
BRR COLD!!!
I am so happy to be learning from gospel principles because you would be surprised how many members don't know it and don't know how to answer their nonmembers friends questions. I mean I didn't really until I came out on my mission. I wouldn't change this experience for anything. I am learning so much and truly coming closer to my savior as I learn about him and his mercy. I also learn how true the gospel really is because it isn't confusing and it makes sense. Anywho... Transfers are next week and it should be interesting to see what happens. Somedays I don't want a change, but other days I do. But I do love Sister Dalley and if one of us does leave it will be a sad day.
This week has been pretty crazy. I was sick at the beginning of the week, but I am better now. I still couldn't breath and I was just miserable. Um... It has been so cold all week. It has been in the 20's as a high. And we are outside with skirts on and nylons. AH!!! Very Very cold indeed. Colder than Utah because it is humid and it is bone chilling. We went tracting out in the rain on Thursday and oh my goodness we froze and no one would let us in. Go FIGURE!!! President told us to not let the rain stop us so we went out. Also, this week one of our investigators Dan from the band Boston decided that he wanted to look us up on the internet. Well, he googled Cult and guess what was #1, mormons. And there was a bunch of stuff on there about plural marriage and etc... It told him not to pray to know if Joseph Smith is a prophet or not, but pray for guidance. UM... I am sorry but you have to pray for a specific thing to get a specific answer. But Dan said he was praying for guidance when we showed up. HM... HELLO!!! He is in Boston for a week with the band Boston for a reunion and he said he was going to read the Book of Mormon so hopefully he will let the power of the book of mormon into his heart and it will help convert him. It also made us mad because his neighbor who we haven't taught yet, but was going to was over when he was looking stuff up online so who knows what he thinks. It makes me so mad when people read things on the internet and don't go straight to the horses mouth. So stupid. You shouldn't believe anything you hear unless it is a reliable resource and even then explore it yourself. Just like other religions a lot of people down here say Catholics aren't christian, well I know that they are. So ANNOYING!!!
Anyway... enough of my ranting and raving we had our mission tour this week. Elder Condie from the seventies came and spoke to the entire mission about what we need to do to get the work moving forward in the year 2010. He is such a funny man. He sat next to us at lunch and was talking about Avatar and Napolean Dynamite. He is a normal person, but called of God for sure. His wife is from Germany and is so sweet. She is quiet, but when she talks she has a spunk about her. Elder Condie told us we need to be more bold and tell these people they are not saved. There are a lot of faithful people down here in the south, however, they all think they are saved. They say, "I was saved on August 10, 1998 with evidence of speaking in tongues." You can't be saved on a specific date. Anyway... he said we need to help them see that, but I am struggling with how without breaking down their faith. We are hear to build up on their faith and no break it down. Elder Condie said this is a very unique mission in that people believe in Jesus Christ, that isn't the problem, but they just don't get that there is one true church. He said he has never been in a mission like this one. He is right, this mission is very unique. So, if you have any suggestions please let me know.
Elder Condie also gave a fireside on the external and internal evidences of the Book of Mormon. It was really good, but what he said was that you can have all these facts, but it is through the spirit you will know it is the word of god. It was an inspiring weekend. There was also a baptism in the ward of a mom and 2 daughters. The elders were teaching them and they are such a wonderful family. Um... this ward is amazing and I will be sad to leave whenever the time comes. Baptisms are why I am here and to see people go to the temple. This work is an amazing thing and I am blessed to be a part of it right now.
Well, we have taught a few new people, but no one is progressing a lot right now. We are trying to get out of this leveling off and continuing to climb so that is a bit of a struggle right now, but good things are happening. Tell everyone hi and I love them.
This week has been pretty crazy. I was sick at the beginning of the week, but I am better now. I still couldn't breath and I was just miserable. Um... It has been so cold all week. It has been in the 20's as a high. And we are outside with skirts on and nylons. AH!!! Very Very cold indeed. Colder than Utah because it is humid and it is bone chilling. We went tracting out in the rain on Thursday and oh my goodness we froze and no one would let us in. Go FIGURE!!! President told us to not let the rain stop us so we went out. Also, this week one of our investigators Dan from the band Boston decided that he wanted to look us up on the internet. Well, he googled Cult and guess what was #1, mormons. And there was a bunch of stuff on there about plural marriage and etc... It told him not to pray to know if Joseph Smith is a prophet or not, but pray for guidance. UM... I am sorry but you have to pray for a specific thing to get a specific answer. But Dan said he was praying for guidance when we showed up. HM... HELLO!!! He is in Boston for a week with the band Boston for a reunion and he said he was going to read the Book of Mormon so hopefully he will let the power of the book of mormon into his heart and it will help convert him. It also made us mad because his neighbor who we haven't taught yet, but was going to was over when he was looking stuff up online so who knows what he thinks. It makes me so mad when people read things on the internet and don't go straight to the horses mouth. So stupid. You shouldn't believe anything you hear unless it is a reliable resource and even then explore it yourself. Just like other religions a lot of people down here say Catholics aren't christian, well I know that they are. So ANNOYING!!!
Anyway... enough of my ranting and raving we had our mission tour this week. Elder Condie from the seventies came and spoke to the entire mission about what we need to do to get the work moving forward in the year 2010. He is such a funny man. He sat next to us at lunch and was talking about Avatar and Napolean Dynamite. He is a normal person, but called of God for sure. His wife is from Germany and is so sweet. She is quiet, but when she talks she has a spunk about her. Elder Condie told us we need to be more bold and tell these people they are not saved. There are a lot of faithful people down here in the south, however, they all think they are saved. They say, "I was saved on August 10, 1998 with evidence of speaking in tongues." You can't be saved on a specific date. Anyway... he said we need to help them see that, but I am struggling with how without breaking down their faith. We are hear to build up on their faith and no break it down. Elder Condie said this is a very unique mission in that people believe in Jesus Christ, that isn't the problem, but they just don't get that there is one true church. He said he has never been in a mission like this one. He is right, this mission is very unique. So, if you have any suggestions please let me know.
Elder Condie also gave a fireside on the external and internal evidences of the Book of Mormon. It was really good, but what he said was that you can have all these facts, but it is through the spirit you will know it is the word of god. It was an inspiring weekend. There was also a baptism in the ward of a mom and 2 daughters. The elders were teaching them and they are such a wonderful family. Um... this ward is amazing and I will be sad to leave whenever the time comes. Baptisms are why I am here and to see people go to the temple. This work is an amazing thing and I am blessed to be a part of it right now.
Well, we have taught a few new people, but no one is progressing a lot right now. We are trying to get out of this leveling off and continuing to climb so that is a bit of a struggle right now, but good things are happening. Tell everyone hi and I love them.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
New Years Eve I was on lock down and didn't do anything too exciting. I have been sick with a bad head cold all week. I am on antibiotics and I am getting better, but it has been sort of a miserable week. I couldn't breath out of my nose at all and I hate that. I would rather be coughing up a storm then not be able to breath. Well, I was coughing a lot and my chest hurts because of it. I have been trying to take care of myself so that it doesn't develop into something different. It is hard to get well here though since it is so cold and I am outside most of the day. But don't worry I am on the up hill to recovery.
This week was good minus being sick. We taught a guy named Johnny in the members home and the member was really bold and just let him have it. Well, he just told him this church was true and why etc.. The testimony was really strong and he had a lot of knowledge about how the bible was put together. Like Revelations only made it into the Bible by one vote. Kind of crazy. And there are tons of scriptures that were left out. HM... who says the bible is complete. It is most definitely not. That is why we need the Book of Mormon so much. It is becoming more and more important everyday. It is hard because there are a lot of good christian people down here, but they don't understand the importance of the Book of Mormon and I don't know how to make them see it.
At interviews this last week president told us of a survey done about strong religious people. It did it by states and asked questions like do you attend church regularly and I forget the other questions, but then it ranked the states and guess what. The top 11 states on the list who were devote Christians were all southern states and Utah was number 12. Interesting I thought. There are a lot of devote people done here, but it is just getting them to see the truth and that there is more out there. The vision of the south will come true one day.
We also taught Loreta again this week and she had read the book "Search for Happiness" and asked us about Heavenly Mother and told us how she had never thought of that before and asked why it wasn't in the scriptures. Well, we explained it to her and she was excited about it, but said she needed to pray about it. She said it could be true and she is just an amazing woman. She knows all the basics so we are teaching her about more deep doctrine. Things you wouldn't typically mention to an investigator. But she has the milk already and is ready for some of the meat. It is really cool. We love teaching her and she says she knows it is true, but that god hasn't told her it is true. We have been having problems with getting people to come to church lately. We tell them how important it is, but then nothing. They say they are going to come and they don't.
After interviews on Friday President Woods told us to invite people to be baptized on the first lesson. Well, that is what we did. Well, second lesson. We decided to be more bold and so Dan the preacher. We taught him a plan of salvation and invited him to pray about baptism. We were really bold about the authority and how he doesn't have it etc... He seemed to understand and said he would have to pray about it. It was a really good lesson. We shall see how it all turns out.
Hm... we taught a lot of first lessons this week in the ghetto area. A town called Darrow. It is practically all black people and not the best looking town, but we have had a lot of success teaching there. It is amazing how just like with Alma it is the poor and humble who will listen and not the rich typically. We have more success in poor areas than in these subdivisions.
People are so interesting to me. Oh and this week our frig went out and we had to throw away half of our food, but it is okay because the ward takes care of us and gave us some more food. I love the ward here and the area. I just want to see things progressing here. Only 2 more weeks and then there is a transfer. It will be interesting to see what happens.
This week was good minus being sick. We taught a guy named Johnny in the members home and the member was really bold and just let him have it. Well, he just told him this church was true and why etc.. The testimony was really strong and he had a lot of knowledge about how the bible was put together. Like Revelations only made it into the Bible by one vote. Kind of crazy. And there are tons of scriptures that were left out. HM... who says the bible is complete. It is most definitely not. That is why we need the Book of Mormon so much. It is becoming more and more important everyday. It is hard because there are a lot of good christian people down here, but they don't understand the importance of the Book of Mormon and I don't know how to make them see it.
At interviews this last week president told us of a survey done about strong religious people. It did it by states and asked questions like do you attend church regularly and I forget the other questions, but then it ranked the states and guess what. The top 11 states on the list who were devote Christians were all southern states and Utah was number 12. Interesting I thought. There are a lot of devote people done here, but it is just getting them to see the truth and that there is more out there. The vision of the south will come true one day.
We also taught Loreta again this week and she had read the book "Search for Happiness" and asked us about Heavenly Mother and told us how she had never thought of that before and asked why it wasn't in the scriptures. Well, we explained it to her and she was excited about it, but said she needed to pray about it. She said it could be true and she is just an amazing woman. She knows all the basics so we are teaching her about more deep doctrine. Things you wouldn't typically mention to an investigator. But she has the milk already and is ready for some of the meat. It is really cool. We love teaching her and she says she knows it is true, but that god hasn't told her it is true. We have been having problems with getting people to come to church lately. We tell them how important it is, but then nothing. They say they are going to come and they don't.
After interviews on Friday President Woods told us to invite people to be baptized on the first lesson. Well, that is what we did. Well, second lesson. We decided to be more bold and so Dan the preacher. We taught him a plan of salvation and invited him to pray about baptism. We were really bold about the authority and how he doesn't have it etc... He seemed to understand and said he would have to pray about it. It was a really good lesson. We shall see how it all turns out.
Hm... we taught a lot of first lessons this week in the ghetto area. A town called Darrow. It is practically all black people and not the best looking town, but we have had a lot of success teaching there. It is amazing how just like with Alma it is the poor and humble who will listen and not the rich typically. We have more success in poor areas than in these subdivisions.
People are so interesting to me. Oh and this week our frig went out and we had to throw away half of our food, but it is okay because the ward takes care of us and gave us some more food. I love the ward here and the area. I just want to see things progressing here. Only 2 more weeks and then there is a transfer. It will be interesting to see what happens.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Christmas Week
I didn't eat gator gumbo, but I was able to eat some Caribbean food and also a lot of Polynesian food. That was all really good. Our ward is very diverse when it comes to culture. It was a wonderful day though. We got to go caroling on Christmas eve and to see the people's faces light up was just so wonderful. I had one of the best Christmas ever. And it was wonderful to be surrounded by so many amazing people who I can call family. They made us feel so welcome, it was a great experience that I will never forget out here.
After district meeting we went to the Marks home to teach one of his friends. He was an 18 year old named Leman and he had a few friends over who are also members. He has been going to church the last year and is thinking about baptism. We taught him a restoration and it was such great lesson. The spirit was so strong and we were able to teach in unity. It was great to have the friends there and the members. Members being there makes all the difference in the world. But it was such a great lesson.
The week was good and uneventful. We don't have anything amazing planned for this week, but we do have a lot of teaching appointments. Oh and on new years eve we are on lock down for the entire night. Not a really exciting day, but oh well. I hope this week goes better.
After district meeting we went to the Marks home to teach one of his friends. He was an 18 year old named Leman and he had a few friends over who are also members. He has been going to church the last year and is thinking about baptism. We taught him a restoration and it was such great lesson. The spirit was so strong and we were able to teach in unity. It was great to have the friends there and the members. Members being there makes all the difference in the world. But it was such a great lesson.
The week was good and uneventful. We don't have anything amazing planned for this week, but we do have a lot of teaching appointments. Oh and on new years eve we are on lock down for the entire night. Not a really exciting day, but oh well. I hope this week goes better.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Christmas Week
This week has been really good. We have been teaching a lot of people lately that are really stretching our brains. Our top investigators are really Bible smart and know their scriptures. None of them are confrontational, but it feels more like a Bible study. One of the people we are teaching is named Johnny and he had a vision like Lehi's dream and also a voice told him other sheep I have which are not of this fold etc.. It was really cool to talk to him. He is in his 70's so we shall see how stubborn he is in his old age.
We also taught this guy named Dan. I think I forgot to tell you last week, but we tracted into this guy who was the original drummer from the band called Boston. I couldn't believe it. He had the drum set and played for us and he also had the album etc... I think he is the real deal, but now he is living in a trailer park somewhere. He has done a lot in his life, but is really sick now and is a preacher. He also did Tattoos. Worlds famous Snake tattoos. I don't know if you have heard of him. He is a really great guy and hopefully he will be our next baptism. LOL He also loves learning and the first thing he brought up was the multiple wives thing. So, we had to explain that. It went really well though.
Um... I think this week I have gained a really strong testimony of the Law of Chastity. Goodness gracious. We talked to this lady who, well I won't get into the details, but basically like 3 women we have talked to have to deal with so much stuff now due to not living the law of Chastity. What a blessing the commandment is and not only a physical blessing, but emotional and spiritual. We spent two hours with one our investigators while she cried and just let it all out. She had never told anyone some of these things and she was so ashamed. But what was really cool is she asked us to say a prayer with her. Well, I said the prayer and it was amazing. The words I spoke were not from me. The spirit was just so overwhelming and the love of God was undeniable. I was able to see this woman how the Lord would have me see her, how he sees her and what an amazing person she is. What a great experience. The power in the prayer was real. I will never forget this experience. I have never had a prayer so powerful. But yea the law of chastity if lived says a lot of heartache in the future. What a blessing this gospel truly is.
This week I have been praying for charity and a great desire to be a missionary and I have been doing a lot better. I am becoming a missionary and not just being on a mission. I am more bold and loving. I am not afraid a lot of the time anymore. I am truly growing out here and becoming a much better person. I am so grateful for the opportunities I am having.
I can't really think of anything else really amazing that happened, but I want to wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Don't forget what the season is all about. It is about the Savior and not about presents etc.. Be a little more loving and do some service. Service is the best way to get into the Christmas cheer.
I love you all and I am so grateful for all your support and love. I hope you all have a wonderful season and know I will be thinking about you all.
We also taught this guy named Dan. I think I forgot to tell you last week, but we tracted into this guy who was the original drummer from the band called Boston. I couldn't believe it. He had the drum set and played for us and he also had the album etc... I think he is the real deal, but now he is living in a trailer park somewhere. He has done a lot in his life, but is really sick now and is a preacher. He also did Tattoos. Worlds famous Snake tattoos. I don't know if you have heard of him. He is a really great guy and hopefully he will be our next baptism. LOL He also loves learning and the first thing he brought up was the multiple wives thing. So, we had to explain that. It went really well though.
Um... I think this week I have gained a really strong testimony of the Law of Chastity. Goodness gracious. We talked to this lady who, well I won't get into the details, but basically like 3 women we have talked to have to deal with so much stuff now due to not living the law of Chastity. What a blessing the commandment is and not only a physical blessing, but emotional and spiritual. We spent two hours with one our investigators while she cried and just let it all out. She had never told anyone some of these things and she was so ashamed. But what was really cool is she asked us to say a prayer with her. Well, I said the prayer and it was amazing. The words I spoke were not from me. The spirit was just so overwhelming and the love of God was undeniable. I was able to see this woman how the Lord would have me see her, how he sees her and what an amazing person she is. What a great experience. The power in the prayer was real. I will never forget this experience. I have never had a prayer so powerful. But yea the law of chastity if lived says a lot of heartache in the future. What a blessing this gospel truly is.
This week I have been praying for charity and a great desire to be a missionary and I have been doing a lot better. I am becoming a missionary and not just being on a mission. I am more bold and loving. I am not afraid a lot of the time anymore. I am truly growing out here and becoming a much better person. I am so grateful for the opportunities I am having.
I can't really think of anything else really amazing that happened, but I want to wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Don't forget what the season is all about. It is about the Savior and not about presents etc.. Be a little more loving and do some service. Service is the best way to get into the Christmas cheer.
I love you all and I am so grateful for all your support and love. I hope you all have a wonderful season and know I will be thinking about you all.
Week Before Christmas
Um... this week has been really busy. It has been raining a lot this week. Our toilet overflowed multiple times and also it wouldn't flush half of the time so that was fun to try and figure out. Oh goodness!!! Oh and we got three new elders here in the Gonzales ward I am serving in. One of the elders is really nice, but a bit serious and it seems like he has a stick up his butt. But Sister Dalley and I have taken a challenge among ourselves to try and loosen him up a bit this transfer. Maybe it is because he has never served with sisters. Sometimes the elders don't know how to act around us and won't even sit next to us. It is pretty funny especially at like zone conference and interviews. Nope, no one will talk to us. Well, some will once they understand we aren't going to bite them or give them cooties. I respect them trying to serve honorable missions, but come on we need to socialize too!!! LOL : ) Anywho... we will get him to lighten up and have some fun. I haven't seen him smile once yet or laugh. He is like the complete opposite of his companion. He is a great missionary, but needs to have some fun.
The weather here is crazy. One day it was raining a lot and like 30 degrees and then yesterday it was in the 70's and it was too hot to wear a sweater. Today it is back to rain and coldness.
This week we have been teaching a man named Bently Toppin. He is from Jamaica and he came to church yesterday and we were able to teach him the gospel of Jesus Christ. We were over there with Sister LeMonde and it was a good lesson. We invited him to pray about baptism after explaining the authority aspect and he said he was just now beginning to learn about this church and wanted to think about it. He said he has read like 20 pages in the Book of Mormon and found it really interesting. It was cool to hear that. Not everyone wants to keep their commitments. He leaves today to go off shore till after the holidays, but he is taking a packet we made him of materials to study while he is gone to keep him learning. He is a prime investigator.
It seems the trend of the week has been to tell Sister Hill and Sister Dalley their life stories and all the bad things that happen to them. One lady was telling us about how her daughter is in an abusive relationship for the last 7 years and keeps getting back with him. GRR!!! Um... another lady told us how she wanted to kill herself, and how her life sucks!!! Too many sad stories, but I am grateful that they feel comfortable with us enough to tell us.
There was one lady in particular that her name is Kelly and she has a son who is three and his name is Hunter. She was in a bad accident a year ago and has been unable to work since then. She can't live with any of her family and so she is living with this guy in a small trailer who she doesn't know really at all and he wants a relationship with her, but she is just there for her son. Um... we went over to teach her, but there was someone high in there that she didn't know and said to come back and then continued to tell us that she was planning on leaving after Christmas and we told her if she needed anything to give us a call. Well, she called us the next day all day to ask for help. We didn't know how to help her and we wanted to so badly. What ended up happening is she left him on Friday night and her cousin payed for her to stay in a hotel for two nights and then we payed for her bus ticket to TX so she can get away from everything and Sister LeMonde took her there. That is all we could do to help. Where she went in TX we are not sure, but I do know she was really grateful for what we did for her. I hope all is well with here. We also gave her a Book of Mormon and hopefully she will read it and will remember the small act of service we gave her. It felt good to be able to help no matter how small the act was.
Hm... Oh and one of the highlights of our week is that we were trying one of our investigators and the neighbor told us he wasn't going to be home until 6pm. Well, he was wearing a BOSTON sweatshirt and I asked him if he was from Boston. He said yes, but I was also in the Boston band. He was the original drummer from the Boston Band in the 70's. He showed us his original drum set and also some posters etc... Then he told us his whole life story. He owned a tattoo shop and tried to commit suicide and has MS and is now a preacher. That is the short version. He is now our investigator. Pretty SWEET!!!
We also met with Kristen again this week and she is doing really well. She isn't getting baptized this weekend like we had hoped because she hasn't been to church. She is afraid to come and said her stomach feels sick anytime she thinks about it. Not because of our church, but just church in general because she has had so many bad experiences in church's. She tried going a lot and they were always hypocrites I guess and she knows the church is true, but it is just getting her there what will be hard I think. Hm... If you have any suggestions let us know.
We also are still teaching this lady named Loreta. She is baptist/Mormon. She feels good when she talks to us and she is studying from the D&C. She is an amazing woman. The biggest concern she has is the speaking in tongues and being filled with the Holy Spirit. She thinks that is the main reason that a lot of people disagree with our doctrine. I think she believes you have to speak in tongues to have the holy ghost and that it isn't a quiet thing, but a very loud experience. She is crazy. No, I love her, but we don't really know how to address it. So far that is her only concern. She believes in Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon, but this one piece of doctrine is holding her back. If you have any suggestions again please let me know.
Um... we had a pretty ghetto moment this week. We had taught this 17 year old boy named Aaron who got kicked out of high school and just hangs out at home with no job. Um.. we went over to teach him again and it was awkward at the door and then finally one of his friends invited us in and then talked to us while Aaron went back to his 5 friends in his room. You could hear them in the back yelling Satan and Praise the lord. They were making fun of us but whatever. Then they kept coming out one by one to see what we were like. Well, then we just got up and left and he was like leaving already?! oh yes you idiot. Anywho.. they made some remarks when we left, but I look at my life compared to theirs and I am grateful for mine.
We are also teaching a hispanic lady named Jeanette. We are teaching her because her first language is english and she connects with us better than elders. She has been investigating the church for over 9 years and no matter where she moves the missionaries always find her. She said she didn't even know there were sisters and she loved it because she connected more with us. She is such a sweet lady. We are hoping we can get her baptized sometime soon. She has an 8 year old son too!!!
Also this week people have told us a lot of stories about racism and stuff like that. What a horrible thing that is. With all the stories I have heard this week I am definitely more aware and grateful for the life I have and have had. I am so blessed compared to a lot of people I meet. If you feel like your life sucks tell me and I will tell you some of the problems these people have and you will think your life is pretty amazing. Oh and Lisa Jones has a boyfriend which I think is really cute. She asked us if it was okay to kiss etc.. It was a funny conversation in Wal-mart.
But, we have a lot of great things going on out here and hopefully it will continue into this up coming week. I appreciate all of your prayers and support. Continue to be missionaries yourself and don't forget about what Christmas is all about. I love you all and hope you have a great week.
The weather here is crazy. One day it was raining a lot and like 30 degrees and then yesterday it was in the 70's and it was too hot to wear a sweater. Today it is back to rain and coldness.
This week we have been teaching a man named Bently Toppin. He is from Jamaica and he came to church yesterday and we were able to teach him the gospel of Jesus Christ. We were over there with Sister LeMonde and it was a good lesson. We invited him to pray about baptism after explaining the authority aspect and he said he was just now beginning to learn about this church and wanted to think about it. He said he has read like 20 pages in the Book of Mormon and found it really interesting. It was cool to hear that. Not everyone wants to keep their commitments. He leaves today to go off shore till after the holidays, but he is taking a packet we made him of materials to study while he is gone to keep him learning. He is a prime investigator.
It seems the trend of the week has been to tell Sister Hill and Sister Dalley their life stories and all the bad things that happen to them. One lady was telling us about how her daughter is in an abusive relationship for the last 7 years and keeps getting back with him. GRR!!! Um... another lady told us how she wanted to kill herself, and how her life sucks!!! Too many sad stories, but I am grateful that they feel comfortable with us enough to tell us.
There was one lady in particular that her name is Kelly and she has a son who is three and his name is Hunter. She was in a bad accident a year ago and has been unable to work since then. She can't live with any of her family and so she is living with this guy in a small trailer who she doesn't know really at all and he wants a relationship with her, but she is just there for her son. Um... we went over to teach her, but there was someone high in there that she didn't know and said to come back and then continued to tell us that she was planning on leaving after Christmas and we told her if she needed anything to give us a call. Well, she called us the next day all day to ask for help. We didn't know how to help her and we wanted to so badly. What ended up happening is she left him on Friday night and her cousin payed for her to stay in a hotel for two nights and then we payed for her bus ticket to TX so she can get away from everything and Sister LeMonde took her there. That is all we could do to help. Where she went in TX we are not sure, but I do know she was really grateful for what we did for her. I hope all is well with here. We also gave her a Book of Mormon and hopefully she will read it and will remember the small act of service we gave her. It felt good to be able to help no matter how small the act was.
Hm... Oh and one of the highlights of our week is that we were trying one of our investigators and the neighbor told us he wasn't going to be home until 6pm. Well, he was wearing a BOSTON sweatshirt and I asked him if he was from Boston. He said yes, but I was also in the Boston band. He was the original drummer from the Boston Band in the 70's. He showed us his original drum set and also some posters etc... Then he told us his whole life story. He owned a tattoo shop and tried to commit suicide and has MS and is now a preacher. That is the short version. He is now our investigator. Pretty SWEET!!!
We also met with Kristen again this week and she is doing really well. She isn't getting baptized this weekend like we had hoped because she hasn't been to church. She is afraid to come and said her stomach feels sick anytime she thinks about it. Not because of our church, but just church in general because she has had so many bad experiences in church's. She tried going a lot and they were always hypocrites I guess and she knows the church is true, but it is just getting her there what will be hard I think. Hm... If you have any suggestions let us know.
We also are still teaching this lady named Loreta. She is baptist/Mormon. She feels good when she talks to us and she is studying from the D&C. She is an amazing woman. The biggest concern she has is the speaking in tongues and being filled with the Holy Spirit. She thinks that is the main reason that a lot of people disagree with our doctrine. I think she believes you have to speak in tongues to have the holy ghost and that it isn't a quiet thing, but a very loud experience. She is crazy. No, I love her, but we don't really know how to address it. So far that is her only concern. She believes in Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon, but this one piece of doctrine is holding her back. If you have any suggestions again please let me know.
Um... we had a pretty ghetto moment this week. We had taught this 17 year old boy named Aaron who got kicked out of high school and just hangs out at home with no job. Um.. we went over to teach him again and it was awkward at the door and then finally one of his friends invited us in and then talked to us while Aaron went back to his 5 friends in his room. You could hear them in the back yelling Satan and Praise the lord. They were making fun of us but whatever. Then they kept coming out one by one to see what we were like. Well, then we just got up and left and he was like leaving already?! oh yes you idiot. Anywho.. they made some remarks when we left, but I look at my life compared to theirs and I am grateful for mine.
We are also teaching a hispanic lady named Jeanette. We are teaching her because her first language is english and she connects with us better than elders. She has been investigating the church for over 9 years and no matter where she moves the missionaries always find her. She said she didn't even know there were sisters and she loved it because she connected more with us. She is such a sweet lady. We are hoping we can get her baptized sometime soon. She has an 8 year old son too!!!
Also this week people have told us a lot of stories about racism and stuff like that. What a horrible thing that is. With all the stories I have heard this week I am definitely more aware and grateful for the life I have and have had. I am so blessed compared to a lot of people I meet. If you feel like your life sucks tell me and I will tell you some of the problems these people have and you will think your life is pretty amazing. Oh and Lisa Jones has a boyfriend which I think is really cute. She asked us if it was okay to kiss etc.. It was a funny conversation in Wal-mart.
But, we have a lot of great things going on out here and hopefully it will continue into this up coming week. I appreciate all of your prayers and support. Continue to be missionaries yourself and don't forget about what Christmas is all about. I love you all and hope you have a great week.
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