Additional Scriptures? Why, Yes!

The last few weeks, we have run into people who are opposed to the Book of Mormon.  In my entire mission, I have never run into so many people with the same doubt and they have no hesitation bringing it up as soon as we open our mouths.  Because of this, however, my companion and I have practically perfected our approach to that doubt, and I think God is rewarding our diligence, because yesterday, we ran into a guy who literally asked us why there weren't more books than just the Bible.  With smiles on our faces, we eagerly told him that there were more books. I love those moments on the mission!

Family History! Are You Doing It?

This week, we were asked by a member in our area, who is also a member in the stake presidency, to help out both wards we are over with family history.  I am super excited about that.  We want to use family history more in every aspect of our work - from contacting people on the streets to member lessons.  We're still trying to figure out the best way to do that.  I will welcome any suggestions --- especially when it comes to OYM (open your mouth; AKA tracting).

Scripture Study Blesses Your Life!

In my personal study, I have been focusing a lot on how to study because in order to help our investigators study the scriptures, I need to know how to do it myself.  Every morning, I read a chapter of the Book of Mormon.  It has become such a part of my daily routine that I can't believe there was a time when I didn't read the scriptures.  There is so much in them.  It takes time to really get to a point where you believe they actually help you, but if you exercise a little bit of faith on what the prophets have said and actually read and study them every day, you will begin to see how they will bless your life.

Reading both the Book of Mormon and the Bible is so important especially in preparing for a mission.  You need a knowledge of both.  I love reading the Bible because it explains where our beliefs as Christians came from.  It's like a philosophy book.  The Book of Mormon has a great story line.

She Likes Us!

We recently got in contact with a sister we haven't seen for awhile.  We stopped by her house and spoke for only a few minutes.  By the end of our short visit, she told us that we could stop by whenever we needed anything.  We took that as a sign she likes us!  Yay! :)

They're My Favorite..., Too!

The members here are really fantastic!  Every time we drive up to a member's house, I'll be giving my companion a little background about who they are, how many kids, etc., and every time I always say, "And they're my favorite family!"  And it is 100% true.  I think every family in our ward is my favorite and for different reasons.  I learn so much from each of them every time we visit.  

Exchanges With the STL's!

We had exchanges this week with the Sister Trainer Leaders (STL's).  It was a really productive day and we focused a lot on how to work with members better.  I stayed in the area with  a sister missionary from Ogden.  We were able to sit down with a lot of different people.  We did not have any time to tract that day! (Those are the best days :D)  We talked about some of the struggles we've had, referrals, etc. and then talked about ways we could help build the members' faith to do missionary work.  I want to focus on Less-Active work with them.  We have some amazing less-active families with lots of great potential!

Great Week!

This week has been great!  We were able to find some promising families!!!! :D :D :D And one of the families has already attended church!  We also had a man who we have been working with tell us that he wants to be baptized by the end of the year.  He's praying right now about a baptismal date.

Potential Investigators!

Something that I am thinking about is giving our members a Potential Investigators form.  That is something that we use to keep track of all the people we come in contact with who have the potential of becoming an investigator.   Then, they could write down all the people they know who have potential of being interested in the church.

A True Invitation to Learn

The Prophets and Apostles of the Lord have taught the need for missionary work throughout the whole world. The importance of the participation by all members, both missionaries and members. We are to invite all to participate in the great work of Salvation, as well as invite others to partake of the greatness of Christ's Atonement. Through Faith in His name, Repentance, Baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. It is not about pushing people to the truth, forcing people to listen, but truly inviting everyone to come and learn. As well as taking every opportunity to share why the gospel is needed for them in their lives."

Member Missionary Work Continues!

There has been an added emphasis on member missionary work in our mission.  The President wants us to really focus on working with the members.  We're having our members read Preach My Gospel.  Every time we visit them, we share a little message, talk about the chapter they read, and commit them to read another chapter.

Stanford Bound? Let Me Tell My Brother!

Yesterday, after church, we stopped by a member's home.   She has been busy with college applications, homework, work, etc.  She told us she was applying to Stanford....I told her to let me know if she got in because that's where my brother goes.  They would probably be in the same ward!

The Work Continues...

Yesterday, one of our recent baptismal candidates got confirmed!!!! :) :) :)  It was a sweet experience.  She has started going to Young Women's, and is now good friends with the Mission President's daughters.  We want to start working through her to help the rest of her family set baptismal dates soon.

Hectic Week! New Greenies!

This week, was pretty hectic.  We had interviews with the President, a long zone meeting on Saturday, two new greenies in the house.  The greenies this time arrived from the Mexico MTC.  Apparently, they are now sending Spanish-speaking, stateside missionaries to Mexico. 

New Companion :)

My new companion is from Mesa, Arizona.  She is 21 years old and is 4'11'' and a quarter - just like my mom!  She comes from a family of 10 kids!

I love my fellow Sister Missionaries!

Training Again! :)

Well, I'm happy to still be in my area.  I'll let you know who my new companion is!  I can't believe I'm training again!  I have never heard of someone training twice in a row!

Are You Truly Converted?

We need to reach out to our nonmember and less-active friends.  If we are not doing that, we are not living up to our full potential.  If we are not living up to our full-potential, we are not becoming the people that God wants us to become.  So, think of ways you can help out others.  Go visit less-actives, get to know the missionaries, or share a spiritual thought with a friend.  A true measure of your conversion is your willingness to share the gospel.  Prayerfully consider the best way you can do it right now!

I Hope You Speak Spanish!

Yesterday, we stopped by to visit a family we have been working with for quite some time.  I spent a little too much time telling this story in the letter to the President, so I don't have very much time to write about it.  I could send you what I wrote to him.  The only problem is that it's in Spanish.  Either way, here it is:

También, hemos trabajado con una familia parte miembro. Ya están asistiendo a la iglesia regularmente. Sin embargo, el hermano todavía no ha aceptado una fecha bautismal. Pero, ayer, pasamos por su casa. Estaban arreglando una televisión grande y nueva. Lo primero que nos dijeron cuando entramos por la puerta fue, "Ahorita estamos listos para la próxima conferencia!" Nos dijeron que vieron a la conferencia general en la casa de unos amigos y habían asistido a un servicio bautismal de los élderes en nuestra zona. Le preguntamos si había pensado más en el bautismo. Estaba en camino fuera de la casa para comprar algo para la TV, pero empezó a sonreir y dijo, "Pos, ya me voy, pero quiero fijar una fecha!" Nos quedamos un poquito más en su casa hablando con su esposa. Nos dijo que él ya sabe quien quiere que lo bautice. Nos hizo re, re, re feliz! No hemos tenido que hacer mucho. Todo este milagro ha sido a causa de los miembros. Pero, estoy emocionada que podemos verlo!

I thought for sure I was being transferred, so the entire time, I was thinking, "This is fantastic, but I'm leaving." 

Decisions Determine Destiny!

General Conference was fantastic!  I loved the last session. I really loved Elder Andersen's talk and Kevin S. Hamilton's.  I absolutely loved the emphasis on missionary work.  As strong members of the church, we have the responsibility of helping others - nonmembers and members alike. 

I liked Russell M. Nelson's talk when he said that decisions determine destiny.  Every little decision we make is so important.  We're never too young to learn and never too old to change.  We need to be consistently striving for self-mastery everyday.  Satan will try to cheat our souls by filling our time with things of little importance.  We need to beware of those fillers and try to develop our talents and spiritual attributes.

Miracles!

I am actually super excited to stay!  Last night, we saw some serious miracles.  First off, we found a family of 6 on Monday and 5 of them have Baptismal Dates! :D  We set dates with the Mom and four of her children.  They are fantastic and super willing to act.  They weren't able to come to church yet, but we are hopefully going over today to talk with them again.

Transfers Mean Change!

So, it is transfer time!!!!!!!! And did we get some news this morning!

My companion is off to Laredo :(

My first companion in Texas - "my mom" is dying (going back to Ohio)

My first companion's "mom", my "grandma" - who has been living with us the last two transfers is also dying (going home)

I am staying in this area for probably the next two transfers because I am training again!!!!!  We were not expecting that one!

Pictures!

Since I found my camera, I'm sending y'all pictures!!

Happy to see each other!

Friends Forever

Carlotta - Our Pet Spider!
(She was a lot bigger than she looks in the picture!)

Planking, Part 2

We had a former investigator who we have not been able to contact text us asking if he could still get baptized this Sunday.  Because we only taught him twice and he has yet to attend church, we told him no, but we'd be happy to set another baptism date with him!  I have never seen anyone so willing to do what we asked!  We're excited to start working with him again.  He's sooo funny!  He's the one who I mentioned asked if baptism was like planking under water.

The Spirit Changes Lives!

We were going through our area book the other day and there's a section where we put down all of our potential investigators.  We found our two recent baptismal candidate's names there.  It made me smile to remember how they started out when we first met them.  Both of them have told us that at first they were not super interested in our message, but something during one of our lessons caught their attention.  It happened for each of them at different times, but when they recognized the Spirit we brought, they knew they had to be baptized. It is amazing to see how just one small moment with the Spirit present can change someone's life.

Another Baptism!

This week we had another baptism!!!!!! :D It was such a sweet experience.  After the baptism, the stake was doing a fireside for the youth and our recent baptismal candidates stayed for it.  We stayed for a bit to help the youth pass off Scripture Mastery.  Right before we left, the sister that was baptized gave us a big hug and told us thanks for changing her life.  That made me so happy.  I can't describe it in words.