In Preach My Gospel we read “the starting point in building strong relationships with members is the bishop. Offer to help and serve in any righteous way that he asks. Regularly ask yourself, “Am I a blessing or a burden to the bishop (or stake president)?” Develop a “How can I help?” attitude. If you will look for opportunities to love, serve, and teach, the bishop and ward members will be more likely to trust you with their family members and friends” (PmG pg. 161)
I want to share this message I just recently received from a stake president:
"A FEW WEEKS AGO MY WIFE WAS OUT ON THE PATIO AND SAW TWO YOUNG MISSIONARIES SWEEPING OUR SIDEWALK, THEY WERE MISSIONARIES FROM OUR WARD. SHE CONTINUED TO WATCH THEM AND DID NOT WANT TO INTERUPT WHAT THEY WERE DOING ... SHE OBSERVED THAT THEY NOT ONLY CLEANED OUR SIDEWALK BUT ALSO THE SIDEWALKS IN FRONT OF THE HOMES OF MANY MEMBERS OF THE WARD. THIS SERVICE WAS NOT AN ACT OF ADVERTISING, IT WAS SO SIMPLE AND FULL OF LOVE THAT MY WIFE REMARKED TO ME "I FELT AS IF JESUS CHRIST WAS WASHING MY FEET” (TEARS WERE RUNNING DOWN HER FACE)”
“By small and simple things are great things brought to pass…
And by very small means the Lord … bringeth about the salvation of many souls” (Alma 37:6-7).
Thank you for who you are, true disciples of Jesus Christ.
We love you always,
President May
Read more!
Showing posts with label Missionaries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Missionaries. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Holy Ghost is our Spiritual Guidance System
One of the challenges that Sister May and I had when we first arrived in Chile was to be able to find the different chapels to attend meetings such as zone conferences, zone classes, Sunday meetings, etc. We had the blessing to have Elders Stewart and Rodriguez as assistants when we first arrived. Elder Stewart had studied arquitecture before the mission and was talented at drawing. He was able to draw maps that were very helpful to get to where we need to go.
In anticipation of the arrival of President and Sister Essig, we decided to purchase a GPS to help them as they find their way to chapels and the various places that they will need to visit. For those of you who do not know what a GPS is the following is an explanation:
“The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based global navigation satellite system (GNSS) that provides location and time information in all weather, anywhere on or near the Earth”
To use a GPS, you must turn it on before you start on your trip. You must enter the name of the place where you want to go. As you begin to travel, a voice from the GPS will give you instructions along the way to guide you to where you need to go. It will indicate to you where you need to turn, how close you are to your final destination, etc. An interesting aspect of a GPS is that if you do not obey the instructions given by the GPS, it will automatically recalculate a new and alternate route to your final destination based on where you are as a result of not following the original instructions. Another interesting aspect of the GPS is you can adjust the volume of the voice of the GPS to different levels which remain constant regardless of whether we follow the instructions given.
One of God´s greatest gifts He has for us, His children, is the gift of the Holy Ghost. It is our own GPS and it “will show unto you all things what ye should do” (2 Nephi 32:5).
Being lost is not a pleasant experience. One of the definitions of lost is “unable to find one´s way.” Sister May and I experienced this quite often in our first couple of months here in Santiago as we travelled to different points in the mission. Our hope is that this GPS will save President and Sister Essig valuable time as they travel and more importantly, minimize the stress that comes from being “lost.”
It will be the source of power for learning and teach. It will comfort us in time of trial and sorrow. The Holy Ghost will warn of us of both physical and spiritual danger. It testifies of Jesus Christ and helps us recognize truth. We can feel God´s love, guidance and direction in our lives. Faith in Christ includes having confidence in the mission and power of the Holy Ghost and that we can receive answers to our prayer and personal revelation and inspiration to guide us in our lives.
There is one very big difference between the gift of the Holy Ghost and a GPS. The volume of the voice of the GPS does not fluctuate according the degree we obey it´s instructions, the volume remains constant. When we use our free agency to choose to disregard the promptings of the Holy Ghost, it´s influence will diminish. In other words, the volume by which the Holy Ghost prompts us and influences will gradually decrease over time. It can be like a sunset, gradually decreasing until we are in darkness. We then become subject to another influence, “and the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one” (2 Nephi 9:39).
The good news is that if we fail to following the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we have a way to recalculate our course as does the GPS. It is called repentance. Repentance includes forming a fresh view of God, ourselves, the world and others. It brings our will in line with the Lord´s will. It brings the forgiveness and peace of the Lord into our lives. Our guilt and sorrow are swept away. We will be able to qualify to return to live with our Heavenly Father and His Son. We will feel the Spirit in greater abundance.
We as missionaries are called to teach by the Spirit “and the Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith; and if ye receive not the Spirit ye shall not teach” (D&C 42:14). It is my prayer that we will do all that we can to have influence of the Holy Ghost into our lives so that we can be powerful instruments in the Lord´s hands to bring many of His children to the knowledge of the truth.
We love you and we are grateful to be serving with you. You are great and faithful servants following the Lord´s path,
President May
Read more!
In anticipation of the arrival of President and Sister Essig, we decided to purchase a GPS to help them as they find their way to chapels and the various places that they will need to visit. For those of you who do not know what a GPS is the following is an explanation:
“The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based global navigation satellite system (GNSS) that provides location and time information in all weather, anywhere on or near the Earth”
To use a GPS, you must turn it on before you start on your trip. You must enter the name of the place where you want to go. As you begin to travel, a voice from the GPS will give you instructions along the way to guide you to where you need to go. It will indicate to you where you need to turn, how close you are to your final destination, etc. An interesting aspect of a GPS is that if you do not obey the instructions given by the GPS, it will automatically recalculate a new and alternate route to your final destination based on where you are as a result of not following the original instructions. Another interesting aspect of the GPS is you can adjust the volume of the voice of the GPS to different levels which remain constant regardless of whether we follow the instructions given.
One of God´s greatest gifts He has for us, His children, is the gift of the Holy Ghost. It is our own GPS and it “will show unto you all things what ye should do” (2 Nephi 32:5).
Being lost is not a pleasant experience. One of the definitions of lost is “unable to find one´s way.” Sister May and I experienced this quite often in our first couple of months here in Santiago as we travelled to different points in the mission. Our hope is that this GPS will save President and Sister Essig valuable time as they travel and more importantly, minimize the stress that comes from being “lost.”
It will be the source of power for learning and teach. It will comfort us in time of trial and sorrow. The Holy Ghost will warn of us of both physical and spiritual danger. It testifies of Jesus Christ and helps us recognize truth. We can feel God´s love, guidance and direction in our lives. Faith in Christ includes having confidence in the mission and power of the Holy Ghost and that we can receive answers to our prayer and personal revelation and inspiration to guide us in our lives.
There is one very big difference between the gift of the Holy Ghost and a GPS. The volume of the voice of the GPS does not fluctuate according the degree we obey it´s instructions, the volume remains constant. When we use our free agency to choose to disregard the promptings of the Holy Ghost, it´s influence will diminish. In other words, the volume by which the Holy Ghost prompts us and influences will gradually decrease over time. It can be like a sunset, gradually decreasing until we are in darkness. We then become subject to another influence, “and the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one” (2 Nephi 9:39).
The good news is that if we fail to following the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we have a way to recalculate our course as does the GPS. It is called repentance. Repentance includes forming a fresh view of God, ourselves, the world and others. It brings our will in line with the Lord´s will. It brings the forgiveness and peace of the Lord into our lives. Our guilt and sorrow are swept away. We will be able to qualify to return to live with our Heavenly Father and His Son. We will feel the Spirit in greater abundance.
We as missionaries are called to teach by the Spirit “and the Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith; and if ye receive not the Spirit ye shall not teach” (D&C 42:14). It is my prayer that we will do all that we can to have influence of the Holy Ghost into our lives so that we can be powerful instruments in the Lord´s hands to bring many of His children to the knowledge of the truth.
We love you and we are grateful to be serving with you. You are great and faithful servants following the Lord´s path,
President May
Read more!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Elder Scott taught about "Transforming Power of Faith and Character,"
We know that in the mission we are going to have many wonderful spiritual experiences as we go about the work of bringing souls unto Christ. We are also going to pass through some very challenging times. As we reflect upon the words of Elder Amado that with every change we will experience a particular challenge in one form or another to increase our faith.
We learned this past week in our zone conferences about the life of Nephi and how he was at his very best in terms of faithfulness to the Lord, obedience with exactness, and diligence in the most difficult and challenging of times. How was he able to do it?
In his talk entitled, “The Transforming Power of Faith and Character” Elder Richard G. Scott teaches a very powerful principle in regards to developing strength of character to continue to be faithful, obedient and diligent in challenging times.
“Faith and character are intimately related. Faith in the power of obedience to the commandments of God will forge strength of character available to you in times of urgent need. Such character is not developed in moments of great challenge or temptation. That is when it is intended to be used. Your exercise of faith in true principles builds character; fortified character expands your capacity to exercise more faith. As a result, your capacity and confidence to conquer the trials of life is enhanced. The more your character is fortified, the more enabled you are to benefit from exercising the power of faith. You will discover how faith and character interact to strengthen one another. Character is woven patiently from threads of applied principle, doctrine, and obedience.”
In the past I have used the example of bank account when describing the relationship that exists between to missionaries in a companionship. When they love and serve each other and work together in unity and harmony, they make deposits in the account. When the account has plenty of deposits in it, the relationship can withstand any great challenge or trial.
Elder Scott teaches us that when we exercise faith unto obedience with exactness consistently on a daily basis, we will develop the strength of character that we can draw from in times of great challenge and temptation. Our own personal account of faith and character will be sufficeintly full to see us through any trial or challenge. The same faith we exercise in being obedient to the little things in the mission will grow to be a powerful source of strength in times when our faith may be tested in the form of a progressing investigator no longer wanting to be taught, not finding any new people teach, or not having any baptisms for extended period of time. These are the moments where consistently being obedient with exactness to the commandments and the mission rules will give us the power to press forward with a steadfastness in Christ… (2 Nephi 31:20) to accomplish what the Lord wants us to accomplish.
It is my prayer that we will exercise great faith in Jesus Christ that will provide us the power “to do miracles according to God´s will. Faith is a principle of power. God works by power, but His power is usually excercised in response to faith (see Moroni 10:7) (Preach My Gospel pg.116).
We love you and pray for your success,
Read more!
We learned this past week in our zone conferences about the life of Nephi and how he was at his very best in terms of faithfulness to the Lord, obedience with exactness, and diligence in the most difficult and challenging of times. How was he able to do it?
In his talk entitled, “The Transforming Power of Faith and Character” Elder Richard G. Scott teaches a very powerful principle in regards to developing strength of character to continue to be faithful, obedient and diligent in challenging times.
“Faith and character are intimately related. Faith in the power of obedience to the commandments of God will forge strength of character available to you in times of urgent need. Such character is not developed in moments of great challenge or temptation. That is when it is intended to be used. Your exercise of faith in true principles builds character; fortified character expands your capacity to exercise more faith. As a result, your capacity and confidence to conquer the trials of life is enhanced. The more your character is fortified, the more enabled you are to benefit from exercising the power of faith. You will discover how faith and character interact to strengthen one another. Character is woven patiently from threads of applied principle, doctrine, and obedience.”
In the past I have used the example of bank account when describing the relationship that exists between to missionaries in a companionship. When they love and serve each other and work together in unity and harmony, they make deposits in the account. When the account has plenty of deposits in it, the relationship can withstand any great challenge or trial.
Elder Scott teaches us that when we exercise faith unto obedience with exactness consistently on a daily basis, we will develop the strength of character that we can draw from in times of great challenge and temptation. Our own personal account of faith and character will be sufficeintly full to see us through any trial or challenge. The same faith we exercise in being obedient to the little things in the mission will grow to be a powerful source of strength in times when our faith may be tested in the form of a progressing investigator no longer wanting to be taught, not finding any new people teach, or not having any baptisms for extended period of time. These are the moments where consistently being obedient with exactness to the commandments and the mission rules will give us the power to press forward with a steadfastness in Christ… (2 Nephi 31:20) to accomplish what the Lord wants us to accomplish.
It is my prayer that we will exercise great faith in Jesus Christ that will provide us the power “to do miracles according to God´s will. Faith is a principle of power. God works by power, but His power is usually excercised in response to faith (see Moroni 10:7) (Preach My Gospel pg.116).
We love you and pray for your success,
Read more!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Ways to remember citations, memorize and mark Scriptures
During the month of October, Hermana May spent time with each missionary(after they had their private, personal interview with Presidente May)to ask them for their ideas about how they memorize,remember, mark their scriptures and what really works for them individually. One dear Elder shared with her that he had the most rainbow colored, elaboratly marked set of scriptures after about 1.3 yrs in the mission, only to have them stolen! He realized that he needed to have them marked in his HEART and not just on the pages in his books. This is what these insightful, masterful teachers shared during those special conversations;
Ways to remember and mark scriptures:
Personal insights from our magnificent missionaries! Oct 2010 .
• Remember stories, problems, answers used in the stories. Remember Chpt 5 PMG, questions of the soul.
• Read the BofM stories simplified to get better overview of all the stories
• Colors used come from chpt headings in PMG. Look for themes and topics from BofM and the Bible.
• Ask for the Holy Ghost to remind me what I read. Mosiah 2:41
• Look for something personal each time, not just the chapter topics to guide me.
• Try to summarize what I read in Personal study and record that in study journal.
• Remember/memorize the topic headings of each chapter!
• Topics in lessons from PMG
• Sharing the scriptures I just studied in personal study with my companion in our study.
• When I learn for an investigator, and teach it in that day, it stays with me better
• Simple codes and clues help
• Questions of the soul answer many needs
• Highlight or I put a color dot on each question mark and they stand out to me. This shows me when others are asking questions and their answers I can use too, for myself.
• Learn by the stories in the scriptures. Those stay with me, and I find them by stories.
• All of my scripture mastery are one color. Those I can find and I use them often
• I NEVER mark my scriptures! I remember by context, where the topics took place and that reminds me where they are to go look for them again.
• I share them somewhere, after I learn them. Make use of them, don’t just store away in book!
• I don’t like to mark them, or have them messy. I bold, write over the font in letters just the part I want to remember and stand out for my investigators to read.
• When I have personal experiences with them, I can use them again in topics or themes.
• I enjoy seeing when God reveals his character to us when He gives revelations.
• I use blank copy when I go out to teach. I have to prepare ahead, remember and ask Holy Ghost to give me the insight and reminder from my studies. (Brave!) Remember them by principles and who went through the experience, then I can find them.
• I like to think of where that happened in the history of the book.
• I read somewhere that if I REALLY want to remember them, I wouldn’t mark them. That is as if you are telling yourself that you stored that information in the book, it is saved there, and now I don’t have to store it safely in my brain! Wow, what a novel idea. Don’t just mark to save in book. Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
• Remembers a story when a 70 in the church lost his copy of B of M, he couldn’t get started reading again for days. He felt like the copy he had was his life one, and the new one wouldn’t help him as much. (Elder Gene R. Cook?)
• I use the same scripture a lot to have it stay with me. Jacob 4:1-3….why scriptures stay with us. (Elder Bruce R. McConkie started a new B of M each year!)
• Enjoy the scriptures. They give me treat. Like a real comfort. They teach me during my trials.
• Every day I have a new goal. I find a few that I like, and use them during the day, many times. I also site them when I teach them. Use different themes, and they come to you, the same scripture.
• I ask how they apply to my personal life. Why do I want to mark it? I think when the people look for help and strength from the Lord, I see they are blessed, by faith.
• I like to BOLD, write over the letters with ink, in Spanish. They stand out and reinforce the words to me, as I write over them. I love the stories. Mosiah 14:7-9. Its great. Let’s memorize it.
• I write in my journal how this applies to me. Text to me….I list by topics. Then I also prepare mini talks, with my companion, 3-4 scriptures by topic, with personal stories and testimony. Ready!
• My scripture mastery/dominio are all marked, also about baptism, and preguntas del alma.
• Lots of post-it notes, with thoughts about the doctrine. Roll play with companion using new ones.
• Later I walk with my B of M, blank copy in hand. I have to rely on the Holy Ghost to remind me which ones I need to share, and can’t depend on my crutch, marked scriptures in my pension.
• Use blank copy while teaching. I have to know where each person, new identity starts teaching and talking to find it in context. I use the guide in the back, when all else fails!
• I put them in by themes. Then after I know where one great one is, I scripture chain them, and mark in the margin the next leading one, go there, add another scripture in the margin and the chain leads me along in teaching!
• Read by the numbers, not just the context?
• Alma 33:23, use my agenda often to record.
• I like to re-read my lists often. They stay fresher to me, and then I can add new ones to it.
• It’s important for me to know the story/history, so I can remember who talks when.
• Read out loud, in voz alto! Reminds me where I am, in what context.
• Learn what I got from the story, not just reading. What principle, doctrine, and insight I learned new or need to apply to my life today. That helps me to remember why I am reading right there.
• If I go to find a scripture and can’t find it, I write the thought down, search for it at home, and then when I’ve had to go find and hunt for it, usually I then never forget it again. The trick is to not forget to write the thought down, or you forget to go look for it too.
• Remember by one word themes, Atonement, Faith, repentance, etc. I try to apply the scripture of the day in THAT day. It takes faith for me to share it sometime that day.
• Sometimes I try to put it to music, like memorizing it to a song. Difficult sometimes.
• I’ve worked on learning the 100 PMG citas. When you mark them you think you already know them so you’ve stored them with the marks. Not as effective.
• Coordinate the numbers with addition, subtraction, etc and that helps me to remember. I like numbers, digits, pages, etc. Coordinate them to remember. (Only if you do study in same language!)
• I know I have to be worthy of the spirit to have the conocimiento. Hechos 8
• Mark by themes and then the story.
• Start my studies with in-depth questions. I find the response and then label that. Pdte May had us read, “Living waters ” a talk by Elder Bednar changed my mission scripture study. Now I look for questions my real investigators have before I start, and then find answers. I look for doubts and find the answers. I find answers and think of their questions, this bridges connections, like he said. Read Alma 22-homework…Set a goal to use that scripture I'm learning 3x in one day.
• I look for doctrine, principles and applications and then see them in the stories. I daily write my impressions about it, so that the study isn’t just habitual.
• Color and line the number by theme. I use a song or make a rhyme like children’s songs-helps.
• I like using my English copy to search(Latin Elder) and search for topics.
• Read out loud. I love poetry and also drama performances. So the feelings of these people are more memorized and retained as I say them as if I were the speaker expressing these thoughts. It stays with my and I feel the spirit put the gospel into action.It helps me show love for them and teaching people, not just scriptures.
• I try to have a relation with each doubt or question, the answer from someone. Then I can relate them to each other.
• Memorize citas by the chapter headings.
• Like to think chronologically. Using inspired questions, I think of where the story took place, Alma-king Lamoni, and it helps me think of topics, service, spirit, needs, questions, doubts, etc.
• Scripture mastery always stays with me. I like to practice and use them too.
• I learn by the needs of others. DyC 20.
• Use the index and search with investigators
• I love the stories in the BofM and I review Chpt 3 in PMG MANY times. Repetition, I remember
• Go into the street with a blank copy, and ask the Holy Ghost to remind me and guide me in the thoughts and scriptures I need to share.
Read more!
Ways to remember and mark scriptures:
Personal insights from our magnificent missionaries! Oct 2010 .
• Remember stories, problems, answers used in the stories. Remember Chpt 5 PMG, questions of the soul.
• Read the BofM stories simplified to get better overview of all the stories
• Colors used come from chpt headings in PMG. Look for themes and topics from BofM and the Bible.
• Ask for the Holy Ghost to remind me what I read. Mosiah 2:41
• Look for something personal each time, not just the chapter topics to guide me.
• Try to summarize what I read in Personal study and record that in study journal.
• Remember/memorize the topic headings of each chapter!
• Topics in lessons from PMG
• Sharing the scriptures I just studied in personal study with my companion in our study.
• When I learn for an investigator, and teach it in that day, it stays with me better
• Simple codes and clues help
• Questions of the soul answer many needs
• Highlight or I put a color dot on each question mark and they stand out to me. This shows me when others are asking questions and their answers I can use too, for myself.
• Learn by the stories in the scriptures. Those stay with me, and I find them by stories.
• All of my scripture mastery are one color. Those I can find and I use them often
• I NEVER mark my scriptures! I remember by context, where the topics took place and that reminds me where they are to go look for them again.
• I share them somewhere, after I learn them. Make use of them, don’t just store away in book!
• I don’t like to mark them, or have them messy. I bold, write over the font in letters just the part I want to remember and stand out for my investigators to read.
• When I have personal experiences with them, I can use them again in topics or themes.
• I enjoy seeing when God reveals his character to us when He gives revelations.
• I use blank copy when I go out to teach. I have to prepare ahead, remember and ask Holy Ghost to give me the insight and reminder from my studies. (Brave!) Remember them by principles and who went through the experience, then I can find them.
• I like to think of where that happened in the history of the book.
• I read somewhere that if I REALLY want to remember them, I wouldn’t mark them. That is as if you are telling yourself that you stored that information in the book, it is saved there, and now I don’t have to store it safely in my brain! Wow, what a novel idea. Don’t just mark to save in book. Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
• Remembers a story when a 70 in the church lost his copy of B of M, he couldn’t get started reading again for days. He felt like the copy he had was his life one, and the new one wouldn’t help him as much. (Elder Gene R. Cook?)
• I use the same scripture a lot to have it stay with me. Jacob 4:1-3….why scriptures stay with us. (Elder Bruce R. McConkie started a new B of M each year!)
• Enjoy the scriptures. They give me treat. Like a real comfort. They teach me during my trials.
• Every day I have a new goal. I find a few that I like, and use them during the day, many times. I also site them when I teach them. Use different themes, and they come to you, the same scripture.
• I ask how they apply to my personal life. Why do I want to mark it? I think when the people look for help and strength from the Lord, I see they are blessed, by faith.
• I like to BOLD, write over the letters with ink, in Spanish. They stand out and reinforce the words to me, as I write over them. I love the stories. Mosiah 14:7-9. Its great. Let’s memorize it.
• I write in my journal how this applies to me. Text to me….I list by topics. Then I also prepare mini talks, with my companion, 3-4 scriptures by topic, with personal stories and testimony. Ready!
• My scripture mastery/dominio are all marked, also about baptism, and preguntas del alma.
• Lots of post-it notes, with thoughts about the doctrine. Roll play with companion using new ones.
• Later I walk with my B of M, blank copy in hand. I have to rely on the Holy Ghost to remind me which ones I need to share, and can’t depend on my crutch, marked scriptures in my pension.
• Use blank copy while teaching. I have to know where each person, new identity starts teaching and talking to find it in context. I use the guide in the back, when all else fails!
• I put them in by themes. Then after I know where one great one is, I scripture chain them, and mark in the margin the next leading one, go there, add another scripture in the margin and the chain leads me along in teaching!
• Read by the numbers, not just the context?
• Alma 33:23, use my agenda often to record.
• I like to re-read my lists often. They stay fresher to me, and then I can add new ones to it.
• It’s important for me to know the story/history, so I can remember who talks when.
• Read out loud, in voz alto! Reminds me where I am, in what context.
• Learn what I got from the story, not just reading. What principle, doctrine, and insight I learned new or need to apply to my life today. That helps me to remember why I am reading right there.
• If I go to find a scripture and can’t find it, I write the thought down, search for it at home, and then when I’ve had to go find and hunt for it, usually I then never forget it again. The trick is to not forget to write the thought down, or you forget to go look for it too.
• Remember by one word themes, Atonement, Faith, repentance, etc. I try to apply the scripture of the day in THAT day. It takes faith for me to share it sometime that day.
• Sometimes I try to put it to music, like memorizing it to a song. Difficult sometimes.
• I’ve worked on learning the 100 PMG citas. When you mark them you think you already know them so you’ve stored them with the marks. Not as effective.
• Coordinate the numbers with addition, subtraction, etc and that helps me to remember. I like numbers, digits, pages, etc. Coordinate them to remember. (Only if you do study in same language!)
• I know I have to be worthy of the spirit to have the conocimiento. Hechos 8
• Mark by themes and then the story.
• Start my studies with in-depth questions. I find the response and then label that. Pdte May had us read, “Living waters ” a talk by Elder Bednar changed my mission scripture study. Now I look for questions my real investigators have before I start, and then find answers. I look for doubts and find the answers. I find answers and think of their questions, this bridges connections, like he said. Read Alma 22-homework…Set a goal to use that scripture I'm learning 3x in one day.
• I look for doctrine, principles and applications and then see them in the stories. I daily write my impressions about it, so that the study isn’t just habitual.
• Color and line the number by theme. I use a song or make a rhyme like children’s songs-helps.
• I like using my English copy to search(Latin Elder) and search for topics.
• Read out loud. I love poetry and also drama performances. So the feelings of these people are more memorized and retained as I say them as if I were the speaker expressing these thoughts. It stays with my and I feel the spirit put the gospel into action.It helps me show love for them and teaching people, not just scriptures.
• I try to have a relation with each doubt or question, the answer from someone. Then I can relate them to each other.
• Memorize citas by the chapter headings.
• Like to think chronologically. Using inspired questions, I think of where the story took place, Alma-king Lamoni, and it helps me think of topics, service, spirit, needs, questions, doubts, etc.
• Scripture mastery always stays with me. I like to practice and use them too.
• I learn by the needs of others. DyC 20.
• Use the index and search with investigators
• I love the stories in the BofM and I review Chpt 3 in PMG MANY times. Repetition, I remember
• Go into the street with a blank copy, and ask the Holy Ghost to remind me and guide me in the thoughts and scriptures I need to share.
Read more!
Monday, November 29, 2010
“A Tree that was Tall, but Fell Short…”
Recently one of the trees in the front of the mission home fell down during a heavy rain. The tree was one of the biggest and tallest of all of the trees in the front yard. It measured more than 48 feet tall with the diameter of the trunk being more than 2 feet. Apparently the weight of water soak leaves and oversaturated soil combined with a strong wind caused the tree to topple over. Evidently the tree did not have roots sufficiently thick and deep enough to keep the tree from falling. Because the yard has been watered regularly throughout the years, the roots were able to supply the needed water to the tree without having to grow thick and deep into the ground to find water.
I want to invite each of you to share with me in your weekly letter to me next week some of your thoughts about this story. Here are some questions you might ask yourself:
· What can I learn from this event as it relates to me personally?
· What are some of the basic gospel principles that can be applied to this story?
· How could this story be used to help an investigator or member become more converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ?
· What scriptures could I use to teach the principles from this story?
· What could have been done to prevent the tree from falling?
I am looking forward to hearing from each of you!
We love you,
President May
Read more!
I want to invite each of you to share with me in your weekly letter to me next week some of your thoughts about this story. Here are some questions you might ask yourself:
· What can I learn from this event as it relates to me personally?
· What are some of the basic gospel principles that can be applied to this story?
· How could this story be used to help an investigator or member become more converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ?
· What scriptures could I use to teach the principles from this story?
· What could have been done to prevent the tree from falling?
I am looking forward to hearing from each of you!
We love you,
President May
Read more!
Monday, November 22, 2010
We are Grateful and Thankful for YOU!
This Thursday we celebrate Thanksgiving Day in the United States. It is a time where we reflect on all that we have to be thankful for in our lives. We want to express to you some of the things we are grateful for about you as servants of the Lord here in the North mission:
We thank you for…
*Being prepared and worthy to be called as one of the Lord´s elect to serve in the North Mission.
*Developing greater charity in your lives.
*You desire for the salvation of your brothers and sisters here in Chile.
*Loving and serving your companions.
*Your love for the Lord by obeying His commandments.
*The desire you have to continually improve, be better and practice well in training opportunities.
*Sharing your talents gifts and abilities to bless the lives of others.
*Your happiness in being unselfish and focusing on the needs of others.
*Supporting your leaders.
*Being valiant and hardworking under all circumstances.
*Being great leaders who show concern for your missionaries by calling them on birthdays, giving blessings, encouraging and motivating.
*Your dedication in not just completing your mission but rather magnifying your calling.
President Thomas S. Monson in his recent general conference address entitled “The Divine Gift of Gratitude” expressed the following:
“Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love.”
I would like to invite each of you in your letter that you write home today to express gratitude for your blessings. As we do so I testify that we will unlock the doors of heaven and feel God´s love in our lives which will ultimately bless the lives of our investigators, members and all with whom we come in contact with each and every day in this great work of the Lord.
We love you and are eternally grateful for each of you,
President May
Read more!
We thank you for…
*Being prepared and worthy to be called as one of the Lord´s elect to serve in the North Mission.
*Developing greater charity in your lives.
*You desire for the salvation of your brothers and sisters here in Chile.
*Loving and serving your companions.
*Your love for the Lord by obeying His commandments.
*The desire you have to continually improve, be better and practice well in training opportunities.
*Sharing your talents gifts and abilities to bless the lives of others.
*Your happiness in being unselfish and focusing on the needs of others.
*Supporting your leaders.
*Being valiant and hardworking under all circumstances.
*Being great leaders who show concern for your missionaries by calling them on birthdays, giving blessings, encouraging and motivating.
*Your dedication in not just completing your mission but rather magnifying your calling.
President Thomas S. Monson in his recent general conference address entitled “The Divine Gift of Gratitude” expressed the following:
“Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love.”
I would like to invite each of you in your letter that you write home today to express gratitude for your blessings. As we do so I testify that we will unlock the doors of heaven and feel God´s love in our lives which will ultimately bless the lives of our investigators, members and all with whom we come in contact with each and every day in this great work of the Lord.
We love you and are eternally grateful for each of you,
President May
Read more!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Charity/Caridad in Action
Anonymous note from one of our valiant missionaries:
"In regards to Caridad:
I have really been praying for charity and the opportunity to show charity everyday, but quite possibly my spanish grammar isnt correct in my prayers, because this week people have been showing me charity. I have been sick this week, and my companion has been super sweet to me. And when I threw up at the church poor Elder **** and Elder **** cleaned it up. What great examples of charity they are. Afterwards the elders gave me a blessing of health, and thankfully it hasnt disrupted the work too much. If there is a mission medal of valor or charity, Im nominating these three missionaries. The members too show me charity everyday, and are patient with my language skills. So again, thanks for letting me serve here with this amazing district and zone."
Another wrote:
“So, tired or energetic, discouraged or excited, you just have to keep on going in the work of the lord and trust that if you do your best, the Lord will do the rest and everything will work out in the end. I love the mission and would not trade it for anything else!”
“Así que, cansado o lleno de energía, desanimado o emocionado, sólo tiene que seguir adelante en la obra del Señor y confiar en que si usted hace su mejor, el Señor hará el resto y todo saldrá bien al final. Me encanta la misión y no cambiar mi situación por cualquier otra cosa!” Read more!
"In regards to Caridad:
I have really been praying for charity and the opportunity to show charity everyday, but quite possibly my spanish grammar isnt correct in my prayers, because this week people have been showing me charity. I have been sick this week, and my companion has been super sweet to me. And when I threw up at the church poor Elder **** and Elder **** cleaned it up. What great examples of charity they are. Afterwards the elders gave me a blessing of health, and thankfully it hasnt disrupted the work too much. If there is a mission medal of valor or charity, Im nominating these three missionaries. The members too show me charity everyday, and are patient with my language skills. So again, thanks for letting me serve here with this amazing district and zone."
Another wrote:
“So, tired or energetic, discouraged or excited, you just have to keep on going in the work of the lord and trust that if you do your best, the Lord will do the rest and everything will work out in the end. I love the mission and would not trade it for anything else!”
“Así que, cansado o lleno de energía, desanimado o emocionado, sólo tiene que seguir adelante en la obra del Señor y confiar en que si usted hace su mejor, el Señor hará el resto y todo saldrá bien al final. Me encanta la misión y no cambiar mi situación por cualquier otra cosa!” Read more!
Monday, October 25, 2010
Missionaries' thoughts from their Book of Mormon Studies
What a blessing it is for me to be able to interview each of you during the month of October. As you have shared with me scriptures from the Book of Mormon that have impacted your life, I have felt the truthfulness of the scripture found in D&C 50:22
22 Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together.
Here are some wonderful scriptures shared by missionaries in interviews in the Quilicura zone:
2 Nephi 9:20-23 has helped this missionary teach the doctrine of Christ powerfully in lessons.
Jacob 7:25 teaches to trust in God and rock of salvation which has inspired this missionary to overcome trials.
1 Nephi 2:16 helps this missionary to understand the principle of praying about a commandment or mission rule to gain a testimony of it and obey it.
Alma 26:27 brings inspiration to this missionary that the Lord will bless us with success if we remain faithful to Him.
3 Nephi 5:13 reminds this missionary why he came to the mission.
Ether 12:4 assures this missionary that faith in Christ brings hope which forms and anchor to our souls to remaing strong in the Gospel.
What great examples of the power that the Book of Mormon has to bless our lives. The Book of Mormon, combined with the Spirit, is your most powerful resource in conversion (Preach My Gospel pg. 103). We will continue to be blessed as we learn through our diligent study of the Book of Mormon focusuing on its three great purposes:
“Which is to show unto the remnant of the House of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever—And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations.” (Book of Mormon, title page)
We are grateful for your wonderful examples of faith, humility, obedience and diligence in magnifying your callings in servants of the Lord in helping all come unto Christ by receiving the restored gospel.
We love you and continually pray for your success.
Read more!
22 Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together.
Here are some wonderful scriptures shared by missionaries in interviews in the Quilicura zone:
2 Nephi 9:20-23 has helped this missionary teach the doctrine of Christ powerfully in lessons.
Jacob 7:25 teaches to trust in God and rock of salvation which has inspired this missionary to overcome trials.
1 Nephi 2:16 helps this missionary to understand the principle of praying about a commandment or mission rule to gain a testimony of it and obey it.
Alma 26:27 brings inspiration to this missionary that the Lord will bless us with success if we remain faithful to Him.
3 Nephi 5:13 reminds this missionary why he came to the mission.
Ether 12:4 assures this missionary that faith in Christ brings hope which forms and anchor to our souls to remaing strong in the Gospel.
What great examples of the power that the Book of Mormon has to bless our lives. The Book of Mormon, combined with the Spirit, is your most powerful resource in conversion (Preach My Gospel pg. 103). We will continue to be blessed as we learn through our diligent study of the Book of Mormon focusuing on its three great purposes:
“Which is to show unto the remnant of the House of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever—And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations.” (Book of Mormon, title page)
We are grateful for your wonderful examples of faith, humility, obedience and diligence in magnifying your callings in servants of the Lord in helping all come unto Christ by receiving the restored gospel.
We love you and continually pray for your success.
Read more!
Friday, October 22, 2010
El Rescate/ The Rescue...includes faith to move mountains
BLOG ENTRY: “Faith to Move Mountains”
Saturday, October 16, 2010
This past week, Chile experienced yet another event to the see the hand of God perform miracles right within its borders. What a blessing to be here in this spectacular country, and observe how merciful God is to all of His children, as we watched with great interest in what took place here in a secluded and previously quite unknown pueblo of Copiapo’, in northern Chile. There are many types of disasters or catastrophes world wide, including Chile’s previous 8.8 earthquake back on Feb 27 of this same year, when news from here again rocked the world. However, the question this time is not how you drill into the seafloor and connect with a blown-out oil well like was needed in the U.S.A., but how do you drill a half-mile-long tunnel into very hard rock, and then use that hole to extract trapped men? The whole story changes to become one more with human interest when there are lives at stake.
Here the local television broadcasts all labeled the specific event that was requiring the success during the challenging feat of rescuing 33 trapped miners as ‘El Rescate” (The Rescue). We found that quite interesting, since in our notes the main theme of our dear prophet’s comments for last year was labeled, The Rescue. It is with these thoughts we would like to share some of our observations and comparisons we discovered and discussed during this process.
To share a bit of background and insight from a local here, we found many details flung at us, left and right, from the news, media, neighbors, members, missionaries, etc, all sharing their tidbits and opinions about the whole ordeal. This is a journal entry, and not a published article, so take the details and thoughts as only personal insights, not doctrine!
The accident happened on Aug. 5, where the 33 miners suddenly found themselves trapped in a copper and gold mine, that unfortunately, (and this would be considered illegal in the USA,) had no second, back up exit. They found their way to the small, emergency shelter down below, but the problem was, they had no communication with those up above, to tell them they were still alive. This was their lot for 17 days! Meanwhile, they survived off 2 days worth of rations of food, water and oxygen that was there, 700 meters below/ or 2,300 feet; practically ½ mile below the earth’s surface. This took organizational skills, leadership, patience, faith, prayer, and much more.
The newly sworn in Harvard trained businessman, millionaire President, Sebastian Pinera had the wisdom to insist they begin the work to search for the apparently trapped men. As with any mining disasters, locating these men entombed in the mine in Copiapo posed the first challenge for rescuers.They were searching in certain areas, drilling where they might imagine they could be. After another cave-in blocked a ventilation shaft, the only option rescue workers had for reaching the missing mining team was to drill six-inch (15-centimeter) exploratory holes deep into the ground. Attempts to reach an underground shelter where the miners might have sought refuge failed seven times – blamed on the mining company's poor maps – but the eighth try finally reached the sanctuary at a depth of 2,257 feet. This mountain on top of these men consisted of about 700,000 pounds of rock overhead, enough to give anyone a newly acquired case of claustrophobia!
“Drilling straight down over hundreds of feet can be tricky business, according to Jeffery Kravitz, a U.S. Mine Health and Safety Administration (MHSA) technical expert. After all, drilling just a single degree off of a straight line (perpendicular to the surface) to a target can leave one more than 40 feet off-base.”
After 17 days, there literally became a ‘light at the end of the tunnel,’ as workers sent down another probe that came back up with a tattered paper attached which was written in scribbled red pencil, “Estamos bien en el refugio, los 33.” (All 33 of us are well inside the shelter.) When the elation died down, and the reality set in, it was obvious it would take quite monumental efforts to find a way to get the men out of the mine. Chilean rescuers on Monday started sending down five-foot- (1.5-meter-) long tubes called palomas, or "doves", like carrier pigeons. A large drilling machine, donated by Codelco copper company in Chile, soon began drilling the 26-inch hole through which the trapped miners would be hauled back to the surface. This rig would be a rotary-type drill, meaning its drill rotates with several diamond-tipped, teeth-like "bits" that chew up the rock underneath. The mine's veins of gold and copper ran through quartzite with a high level of abrasive silica, rock so tough that it took all their expertise to keep the drill's hammers from curving off in unwanted directions. At one point, the drill struck a metal support beam in the poorly mapped mine, shattering its hammers. Fresh equipment had to be flown in from the United States and progress was delayed for days as powerful magnets were lowered to pull out the pieces.
On day 26, a team from the US space agency, NASA arrived at the mine to offer their advice on keeping the miners healthy. Previously the miners had been surviving on water, cans of tuna, and then after they were discovered, began to receive only glucose tablets and high-protein milk. Finally they were able to have Meatballs, chicken and rice piped through a tube, which changed their attitudes. They were told that it might be 4 months to get the escape tunnel drilled through the massive rock mountain, but now those above had goals and made plans. The workers above began to monitor each individual miner and follow his health and well-being to ensure the safety for the men. They began to have communication with their families who were all waiting anxiously, in the impromptu tent city dubbed affectionately, “Campamento Esperanza—Camp Hope.” After a total of 69 days underground, they had a new perspective on their future, as the miners really had hope to be rescued.
As we began to see the results of the rescue come to pass, we observed different actions, comments, comparisons that reminded us of the Savior and His way of rescuing us in this life. We might be listing these ideas in future blog entries, but
we continue to see sybolism in this rescue and how the Savior rescues each one of us
in our lives here on earth.
This whole miner experience was compared to the spectacular world wide phenomenon that occurred 41 yrs ago, on 21 July 1969, when mankind left the safety of the earth and took their first step to walk on the moon. Now here we were trying to send people from the safety of the world as we know it, to enter deep into the earth and help bring people from the dark, into the light.
What we learned from Gordon B. Hinckley is true, more so now than ever before, (“The Faith to Move Mountains,” Liahona, Nov 2006, 82–85,) “Increased faith is what we most need. Without it, the work would stagnate. With it, no one can stop its progress.” We know that faith can move mountains!
In this recent Oct 2010 session of General Conference, Bishop Edgely said, “When the disciples asked Jesus why the could not cast a devil out as they had just witnessed the Savior do, Jesus answered, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove. (Matthew 17:20) I have never witnessed the removal of an actual mountain. But because of faith I have seen a mountain of doubt and despair removed and replaced with hope and optimism. Because of faith I have personally witnessed a mountain of sin replaced with repentance and forgiveness. And because of faith I have personally witnessed a mountain of pain replaced with peace, hope, and gratitude. Yes, I have seen mountains removed.”
Read more!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
This past week, Chile experienced yet another event to the see the hand of God perform miracles right within its borders. What a blessing to be here in this spectacular country, and observe how merciful God is to all of His children, as we watched with great interest in what took place here in a secluded and previously quite unknown pueblo of Copiapo’, in northern Chile. There are many types of disasters or catastrophes world wide, including Chile’s previous 8.8 earthquake back on Feb 27 of this same year, when news from here again rocked the world. However, the question this time is not how you drill into the seafloor and connect with a blown-out oil well like was needed in the U.S.A., but how do you drill a half-mile-long tunnel into very hard rock, and then use that hole to extract trapped men? The whole story changes to become one more with human interest when there are lives at stake.
Here the local television broadcasts all labeled the specific event that was requiring the success during the challenging feat of rescuing 33 trapped miners as ‘El Rescate” (The Rescue). We found that quite interesting, since in our notes the main theme of our dear prophet’s comments for last year was labeled, The Rescue. It is with these thoughts we would like to share some of our observations and comparisons we discovered and discussed during this process.
To share a bit of background and insight from a local here, we found many details flung at us, left and right, from the news, media, neighbors, members, missionaries, etc, all sharing their tidbits and opinions about the whole ordeal. This is a journal entry, and not a published article, so take the details and thoughts as only personal insights, not doctrine!
The accident happened on Aug. 5, where the 33 miners suddenly found themselves trapped in a copper and gold mine, that unfortunately, (and this would be considered illegal in the USA,) had no second, back up exit. They found their way to the small, emergency shelter down below, but the problem was, they had no communication with those up above, to tell them they were still alive. This was their lot for 17 days! Meanwhile, they survived off 2 days worth of rations of food, water and oxygen that was there, 700 meters below/ or 2,300 feet; practically ½ mile below the earth’s surface. This took organizational skills, leadership, patience, faith, prayer, and much more.
The newly sworn in Harvard trained businessman, millionaire President, Sebastian Pinera had the wisdom to insist they begin the work to search for the apparently trapped men. As with any mining disasters, locating these men entombed in the mine in Copiapo posed the first challenge for rescuers.They were searching in certain areas, drilling where they might imagine they could be. After another cave-in blocked a ventilation shaft, the only option rescue workers had for reaching the missing mining team was to drill six-inch (15-centimeter) exploratory holes deep into the ground. Attempts to reach an underground shelter where the miners might have sought refuge failed seven times – blamed on the mining company's poor maps – but the eighth try finally reached the sanctuary at a depth of 2,257 feet. This mountain on top of these men consisted of about 700,000 pounds of rock overhead, enough to give anyone a newly acquired case of claustrophobia!
“Drilling straight down over hundreds of feet can be tricky business, according to Jeffery Kravitz, a U.S. Mine Health and Safety Administration (MHSA) technical expert. After all, drilling just a single degree off of a straight line (perpendicular to the surface) to a target can leave one more than 40 feet off-base.”
After 17 days, there literally became a ‘light at the end of the tunnel,’ as workers sent down another probe that came back up with a tattered paper attached which was written in scribbled red pencil, “Estamos bien en el refugio, los 33.” (All 33 of us are well inside the shelter.) When the elation died down, and the reality set in, it was obvious it would take quite monumental efforts to find a way to get the men out of the mine. Chilean rescuers on Monday started sending down five-foot- (1.5-meter-) long tubes called palomas, or "doves", like carrier pigeons. A large drilling machine, donated by Codelco copper company in Chile, soon began drilling the 26-inch hole through which the trapped miners would be hauled back to the surface. This rig would be a rotary-type drill, meaning its drill rotates with several diamond-tipped, teeth-like "bits" that chew up the rock underneath. The mine's veins of gold and copper ran through quartzite with a high level of abrasive silica, rock so tough that it took all their expertise to keep the drill's hammers from curving off in unwanted directions. At one point, the drill struck a metal support beam in the poorly mapped mine, shattering its hammers. Fresh equipment had to be flown in from the United States and progress was delayed for days as powerful magnets were lowered to pull out the pieces.
On day 26, a team from the US space agency, NASA arrived at the mine to offer their advice on keeping the miners healthy. Previously the miners had been surviving on water, cans of tuna, and then after they were discovered, began to receive only glucose tablets and high-protein milk. Finally they were able to have Meatballs, chicken and rice piped through a tube, which changed their attitudes. They were told that it might be 4 months to get the escape tunnel drilled through the massive rock mountain, but now those above had goals and made plans. The workers above began to monitor each individual miner and follow his health and well-being to ensure the safety for the men. They began to have communication with their families who were all waiting anxiously, in the impromptu tent city dubbed affectionately, “Campamento Esperanza—Camp Hope.” After a total of 69 days underground, they had a new perspective on their future, as the miners really had hope to be rescued.
As we began to see the results of the rescue come to pass, we observed different actions, comments, comparisons that reminded us of the Savior and His way of rescuing us in this life. We might be listing these ideas in future blog entries, but
we continue to see sybolism in this rescue and how the Savior rescues each one of us
in our lives here on earth.
This whole miner experience was compared to the spectacular world wide phenomenon that occurred 41 yrs ago, on 21 July 1969, when mankind left the safety of the earth and took their first step to walk on the moon. Now here we were trying to send people from the safety of the world as we know it, to enter deep into the earth and help bring people from the dark, into the light.
What we learned from Gordon B. Hinckley is true, more so now than ever before, (“The Faith to Move Mountains,” Liahona, Nov 2006, 82–85,) “Increased faith is what we most need. Without it, the work would stagnate. With it, no one can stop its progress.” We know that faith can move mountains!
In this recent Oct 2010 session of General Conference, Bishop Edgely said, “When the disciples asked Jesus why the could not cast a devil out as they had just witnessed the Savior do, Jesus answered, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove. (Matthew 17:20) I have never witnessed the removal of an actual mountain. But because of faith I have seen a mountain of doubt and despair removed and replaced with hope and optimism. Because of faith I have personally witnessed a mountain of sin replaced with repentance and forgiveness. And because of faith I have personally witnessed a mountain of pain replaced with peace, hope, and gratitude. Yes, I have seen mountains removed.”
Read more!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Great thoughts written to Pdte. May from Missionaries/Anonymously....
A quote from a trainer:
“I am trying to get out of her way a lot, but sometime I have to let her fall and I have to say that sometimes that is hard. I have learned that sometimes that is charity. If she falls, so do I. So to really love her enough to help her learn, I have to be willing to look silly too.”
Letter to Pdte. May (anonymous)
“The only real solid investigator that we have right now is a 48 year old man named victor. Wow the lord has definitely worked a miracle in his life so far... one month ago this man was in the streets selling and doing drugs and believed in being possessed by demons and it was a big mess in this mans life. We started working with him and helping him out and wow has he changed! It has been a dramatic change in the period of a couple weeks and truly I think it has been from his assistance in the church. He has 3 assistance in church (times he has attended) and came to one session of conference which he loved. This man has completely changed and although he still has a ways to go with the word of wisdom he is progressing dramatically and the lord is working a miracle in front of us here in _______! The coolest part was yesterday at church Victors prima came up to me and told me thank you for the work you are doing with my cousin, no one believed in him and he has no support at home but you believed in him and now he is changing. It was such a great experience for me for her to tell me that and it gave me that purpose of why I'm here in the mission. He even came to church sporting one of my white shirts and a tie! He was looking good and definitely felt the spirit in the church.”
Read more!
“I am trying to get out of her way a lot, but sometime I have to let her fall and I have to say that sometimes that is hard. I have learned that sometimes that is charity. If she falls, so do I. So to really love her enough to help her learn, I have to be willing to look silly too.”
Letter to Pdte. May (anonymous)
“The only real solid investigator that we have right now is a 48 year old man named victor. Wow the lord has definitely worked a miracle in his life so far... one month ago this man was in the streets selling and doing drugs and believed in being possessed by demons and it was a big mess in this mans life. We started working with him and helping him out and wow has he changed! It has been a dramatic change in the period of a couple weeks and truly I think it has been from his assistance in the church. He has 3 assistance in church (times he has attended) and came to one session of conference which he loved. This man has completely changed and although he still has a ways to go with the word of wisdom he is progressing dramatically and the lord is working a miracle in front of us here in _______! The coolest part was yesterday at church Victors prima came up to me and told me thank you for the work you are doing with my cousin, no one believed in him and he has no support at home but you believed in him and now he is changing. It was such a great experience for me for her to tell me that and it gave me that purpose of why I'm here in the mission. He even came to church sporting one of my white shirts and a tie! He was looking good and definitely felt the spirit in the church.”
Read more!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Bicentenario, 200 year Independance Day Celebration in Chile, el dieciocho/18th de Setiembre!
This year in Chile, as the Bicentenario marks their 200 years of independence, the Chileans are even more ready to celebrate. The government legally made the holiday official for this year to include Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, to make the 17, 18, 19, and 20th all holidays for everyone. This was to allow total rest and complete partying to the nth degree! Our missionaries participated in their wards.
Some of our observations we noticed throughout our mission as we visited different celebrations:
• All stores, businesses and local restaurants are closed.
• Celebration parties include typically, empanadas, to start. This should always be accompanied by a choripan/hard French roll, sliced vertically with a sausage inside. Homes have their personal hibachi set up, to the large size parilla/grilling bar-b-q that allows great quanties of meat, chicken, sausages, and completes to be cooked. Even on street corners a metal trash can, will soon serve with a grill on top to cook anticuchos-a favorite of Chileans, of shish-ka-bobs with hotdogs, and some type of meat, unknown and unimportant to most.
• People are bustling around in groups, families, with children in tow, in the dusk, early mornings, late hours, etc, that looks like trick-or-treaters on their way to some fun activity.
• Ferias and bonfires are roaring on street corners, down the blocks, in the roads and lighting the neighborhoods.
• Typically quiet neighborhoods have speakers blasting cueca music, and most people seem to know and recognize the music and we hear them singing along, with the words. It feels like piped in Christmas music, but more lively and elevates their spirit after a long winter.
• KITES: September, which is just on the brink of spring in South America, is a pleasantly breezy month in Chile. Ideal for flying a kite! And, as in some other countries (The Kite Runner, for example, describes the same passion for kites in Afghanistan), in Chile kite flying is supreme. In the past, most kites were homemade, but now more and more are commercially produced and more elaborate than those that come out of the family workroom. Nevertheless, homemade kites still, and always will, have a charm that will keep them flying. As everywhere else, the idea of kite flying is to see who can stay up there the longest and the highest. At the same time, however, the person controlling the string can experience a good run on the beach, through a soccer field, or in any open space in the neighborhood. All through September in all parts of Chile the kites fly, and sometimes besides the person flying the kite, you can still see groups of youngsters who run with long poles, gladiator-fashion, after the kites that take a nosedive and get caught in telephone wires and on tree limbs. On Dieciocho, there are kite-flying contests all over the country, with the bright colors of the airborne paper dotting the sky. One of the most popular designs for the kites is the Chilean flag.
• FLAGS: Chile’s national emblem
Chile’s flag is very similar to the flag of the state of Texas: a lone star on a blue background in the top left corner, complemented by wide stripes of red and white. On Dieciocho, flags fly all over Chile. Flags are flown on tops of houses, off the roofs of businesses, on balconies in the ‘bloques’ or housing ‘projects’, on windows in shorefronts, flapping in the wind behind vehicles or from their hoods and wearing them on pins and lapels. Before Dieciocho, there are announcements on the radio and TV about how to fly the flag properly, and, on September 18, a homeowner could be fined for not having a flag displayed in the yard or hanging on the house. This may seem quite a rigid requirement on the part of the Chilean government, but in the meantime the thousands of flags make a spectacularly colorful scene in every town and city of the country.
• CUECA Dance and Costumes: The cueca is traditionally danced by a male and a female. There are specific steps (sliding and stamping) and movements in circles and semicircles. These movements change according to the three parts of the sung cueca, so the dancers’ steps have to coincide with each section of the song. The dancing is very mathematic and geometric but also very engaging and personal. Each dancer has to end each part of the dance in the spot where he/she began. The man and woman can join arms and talk in the preliminary promenade before the singing begins, as well as when the singers have finished. However, during the dance, they can’t speak, touch each other, or take their eyes off each other, except when they make turns.
Both dancers carry handkerchiefs, which act as silent but expressively integral members of the dance. The handkerchief conveys festivity and, since the cueca is basically a dance of courtship, it acts as the “language” of the people who are dancing. The woman keeps her handkerchief near her face or at shoulder level. The man can wave his handkerchief over his head, at waist level, or around the woman’s feet. Occasionally the dancers hold their handkerchiefs with both hands. If the cueca is done correctly, what looks to the uneducated eye like a dance floor full of people just whirling around happily waving handkerchiefs is a very precise performance with a flirtatious and joyous spirit.
During Independence Day celebrations, those who really know how to dance the cueca will come to the fondas or appear in presentations dressed in traditional dance clothes. Men wear riding pants, chaps, spurs on their boots, a short jacket, a short poncho called a manta, and a flat-brimmed felt or straw hat. Women wear a long black skirt, white blouse, and short jacket, with the same type of a hat as the man’s; or a flowered dress with an apron, and no hat. The other people visiting the fonda join the experts on the dance floor, even if they aren’t sure of the cueca steps. The bottom line is that the cueca is an expression of joy, and national independence is something to celebrate happily. When you dance cueca, it doesn’t matter if you’re young or old, rich or poor, from northern, central or southern Chile. All that matters is that you’re Chilean, you love your country and you cueca proudly to show it. Read more!
Some of our observations we noticed throughout our mission as we visited different celebrations:
• All stores, businesses and local restaurants are closed.
• Celebration parties include typically, empanadas, to start. This should always be accompanied by a choripan/hard French roll, sliced vertically with a sausage inside. Homes have their personal hibachi set up, to the large size parilla/grilling bar-b-q that allows great quanties of meat, chicken, sausages, and completes to be cooked. Even on street corners a metal trash can, will soon serve with a grill on top to cook anticuchos-a favorite of Chileans, of shish-ka-bobs with hotdogs, and some type of meat, unknown and unimportant to most.
• People are bustling around in groups, families, with children in tow, in the dusk, early mornings, late hours, etc, that looks like trick-or-treaters on their way to some fun activity.
• Ferias and bonfires are roaring on street corners, down the blocks, in the roads and lighting the neighborhoods.
• Typically quiet neighborhoods have speakers blasting cueca music, and most people seem to know and recognize the music and we hear them singing along, with the words. It feels like piped in Christmas music, but more lively and elevates their spirit after a long winter.
• KITES: September, which is just on the brink of spring in South America, is a pleasantly breezy month in Chile. Ideal for flying a kite! And, as in some other countries (The Kite Runner, for example, describes the same passion for kites in Afghanistan), in Chile kite flying is supreme. In the past, most kites were homemade, but now more and more are commercially produced and more elaborate than those that come out of the family workroom. Nevertheless, homemade kites still, and always will, have a charm that will keep them flying. As everywhere else, the idea of kite flying is to see who can stay up there the longest and the highest. At the same time, however, the person controlling the string can experience a good run on the beach, through a soccer field, or in any open space in the neighborhood. All through September in all parts of Chile the kites fly, and sometimes besides the person flying the kite, you can still see groups of youngsters who run with long poles, gladiator-fashion, after the kites that take a nosedive and get caught in telephone wires and on tree limbs. On Dieciocho, there are kite-flying contests all over the country, with the bright colors of the airborne paper dotting the sky. One of the most popular designs for the kites is the Chilean flag.
• FLAGS: Chile’s national emblem
Chile’s flag is very similar to the flag of the state of Texas: a lone star on a blue background in the top left corner, complemented by wide stripes of red and white. On Dieciocho, flags fly all over Chile. Flags are flown on tops of houses, off the roofs of businesses, on balconies in the ‘bloques’ or housing ‘projects’, on windows in shorefronts, flapping in the wind behind vehicles or from their hoods and wearing them on pins and lapels. Before Dieciocho, there are announcements on the radio and TV about how to fly the flag properly, and, on September 18, a homeowner could be fined for not having a flag displayed in the yard or hanging on the house. This may seem quite a rigid requirement on the part of the Chilean government, but in the meantime the thousands of flags make a spectacularly colorful scene in every town and city of the country.
• CUECA Dance and Costumes: The cueca is traditionally danced by a male and a female. There are specific steps (sliding and stamping) and movements in circles and semicircles. These movements change according to the three parts of the sung cueca, so the dancers’ steps have to coincide with each section of the song. The dancing is very mathematic and geometric but also very engaging and personal. Each dancer has to end each part of the dance in the spot where he/she began. The man and woman can join arms and talk in the preliminary promenade before the singing begins, as well as when the singers have finished. However, during the dance, they can’t speak, touch each other, or take their eyes off each other, except when they make turns.
Both dancers carry handkerchiefs, which act as silent but expressively integral members of the dance. The handkerchief conveys festivity and, since the cueca is basically a dance of courtship, it acts as the “language” of the people who are dancing. The woman keeps her handkerchief near her face or at shoulder level. The man can wave his handkerchief over his head, at waist level, or around the woman’s feet. Occasionally the dancers hold their handkerchiefs with both hands. If the cueca is done correctly, what looks to the uneducated eye like a dance floor full of people just whirling around happily waving handkerchiefs is a very precise performance with a flirtatious and joyous spirit.
During Independence Day celebrations, those who really know how to dance the cueca will come to the fondas or appear in presentations dressed in traditional dance clothes. Men wear riding pants, chaps, spurs on their boots, a short jacket, a short poncho called a manta, and a flat-brimmed felt or straw hat. Women wear a long black skirt, white blouse, and short jacket, with the same type of a hat as the man’s; or a flowered dress with an apron, and no hat. The other people visiting the fonda join the experts on the dance floor, even if they aren’t sure of the cueca steps. The bottom line is that the cueca is an expression of joy, and national independence is something to celebrate happily. When you dance cueca, it doesn’t matter if you’re young or old, rich or poor, from northern, central or southern Chile. All that matters is that you’re Chilean, you love your country and you cueca proudly to show it. Read more!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Specialized Trainings, "Working with Members," in the Viña del Senor
During the change, Pdte. May has been inspired to help teach our missionaries great doctrine, scriptures and ideas to help our missionaries work in conjunction with our members in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ here in Santiago. Here are some of the ideas:
Pdte. May outlined a lesson following the pattern that the Brethren sent us from the Missionary Dept of the church. We taught scriptures and the doctrine, about why we need to work with members, citing Jacob 5:61, 71-75, and bringing more servants into the vineyard. These members will also feel the spirit, have joy, their testimonies will be strengthened, and they will be more active themselves, while they are teaching others. They will feel the Holy Ghost in their lives and they will also begin to remember the importance of reading the scriptures, particulary the Libro de Mormon, and also the reason to pray and attend their meetings. We reminded the missionaries of teaching teh doctrine of Love, that the Savior teaches us, DyC 12, DyC 4: 5, and then he and Hrma. May demonstrate some roll play that the missionaries also break into groups and new companionships to practice themselves. After praciticing these skills, we discuss the PMG activity, pg. 172 #5 about sharing the gospel in an activity we call, "The Vina del Senor." These missionaries are supre bright, have many insights and techniques that they were able to teach and show to one another about how to make this effective. Pdte. May passed out a form where the missionaries go into the members home and begin helping THEM identify names of people and associates, that THEY would like to think about/with prayer,how to begin steps to introduce the gospel. We domonstrated more roll plays, with options they could suggest of giving them a Liahona/Ensign, taking them to a church activity, sharing a pass along card, Book of Mormon, visit to the temple, acts of Kindness and reminded them of the PMG ideas of, "Andando haciendo bienes" going about doing good or simple acts of kindess. They were helped to see how to show service in simple ways and were able to identify new ideas themselves. very interactive and lots of zone participation. We love being with our missionaries more often. Then Pdte May reminded them of having help in the Vina, Missionary work will Multiply our blessings, DyC 104...multiplicar una multiplicidad de bendiciones!
Read more!
Pdte. May outlined a lesson following the pattern that the Brethren sent us from the Missionary Dept of the church. We taught scriptures and the doctrine, about why we need to work with members, citing Jacob 5:61, 71-75, and bringing more servants into the vineyard. These members will also feel the spirit, have joy, their testimonies will be strengthened, and they will be more active themselves, while they are teaching others. They will feel the Holy Ghost in their lives and they will also begin to remember the importance of reading the scriptures, particulary the Libro de Mormon, and also the reason to pray and attend their meetings. We reminded the missionaries of teaching teh doctrine of Love, that the Savior teaches us, DyC 12, DyC 4: 5, and then he and Hrma. May demonstrate some roll play that the missionaries also break into groups and new companionships to practice themselves. After praciticing these skills, we discuss the PMG activity, pg. 172 #5 about sharing the gospel in an activity we call, "The Vina del Senor." These missionaries are supre bright, have many insights and techniques that they were able to teach and show to one another about how to make this effective. Pdte. May passed out a form where the missionaries go into the members home and begin helping THEM identify names of people and associates, that THEY would like to think about/with prayer,how to begin steps to introduce the gospel. We domonstrated more roll plays, with options they could suggest of giving them a Liahona/Ensign, taking them to a church activity, sharing a pass along card, Book of Mormon, visit to the temple, acts of Kindness and reminded them of the PMG ideas of, "Andando haciendo bienes" going about doing good or simple acts of kindess. They were helped to see how to show service in simple ways and were able to identify new ideas themselves. very interactive and lots of zone participation. We love being with our missionaries more often. Then Pdte May reminded them of having help in the Vina, Missionary work will Multiply our blessings, DyC 104...multiplicar una multiplicidad de bendiciones!
Read more!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Sept 11th and some history of Chile
On ‘once de setiembre’ in Santiago, people typically head to their homes earlier in the evening, and hunker down with a bit of anxiety and apprehension, as they don’t know what might begin in way of destruction or vandalism. The teenagers or 20-25yr olds seem to feel that they have the right to commemorate the change in gov’t that happened back in 1973 with their own types of violence. -----------------On September 11th in 1973, the military which was then led by Augusto Pinochet stormed the presidential palace and seized power from president Allende, who was found dead soon after. A ‘junta’ headed by Pinochet was established, which immediately suspended the constitution, dissolved the Congress, imposed strict censorship, and banned all political parties. In addition, he embarked on a campaign of terror against leftists in the country, which as a result, approximately 3,000 Chileans were executed or disappeared and more than 27,000 were imprisoned or tortured and others exiled and fled the country. Now our Church Area Presidency has wisely warned us to have our missionaries return to their apartments early, by 8pm, to not be in the streets just in case some danger might arise. Our missionaries are totally obedient, and all were safely inside with no problems.This is just a simple prelude to the otherwise fabulous and patriotic, flag-waving celebrations that most Chileans feel so inclined to participate in for their Sept 18th Independance Day, that this year will commemorate 200 years; their Bicentenario. We are all looking forward to wonderful activities, events, dance presentations and songa by stakes, wards, branches, and communities. This is a wonderful and blessed country, and we are grateful to be here to share the greatest joy the Chilean people could have in their lives....the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Read more!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Have we not Great Reason to Rejoice?
This month our missionaries are memorizing in either Spanish or English,Alma 26: 12-13. All are invited to join in this effort to strengthen our testimonies and remind us of the source of our abilities and miracles that we are seeing in our lives.These scriptures are beautiful and our mighty missionaries memorize scriptures so that they can teach more powerfully. Hermana May is always impressed to hear many of our missionaries memorizing the scripture in BOTH Spanish and English. She tells them they are SUPER STARS! Do you remember these scriptures?
Alma 26:12-13 (Ingles)12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.
13 Behold, how many thousands of our brethren has he loosed from the pains of hell; and they are brought to sing redeeming love, and this because of the power of his word which is in us, therefore have we not great reason to rejoice?
Alma 26: 12-13 (Espanol)
12 Sí, yo sé que nada soy; en cuanto a mi fuerza, soy débil; por tanto, no me jactaré de mí mismo, sino que me gloriaré en mi Dios, porque con su fuerza puedo hacer todas las cosas; sí, he aquí que hemos obrado muchos grandes milagros en esta tierra, por los cuales alabaremos su nombre para siempre jamás.
13 He aquí, a cuántos miles de nuestros hermanos ha librado él de los tormentos del infierno, y se sienten movidos a cantar del amor redentor; y esto por el poder de su palabra que está en nosotros; por consiguiente, ¿no tenemos mucha razón para regocijarnos?
Read more!
Alma 26:12-13 (Ingles)12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.
13 Behold, how many thousands of our brethren has he loosed from the pains of hell; and they are brought to sing redeeming love, and this because of the power of his word which is in us, therefore have we not great reason to rejoice?
Alma 26: 12-13 (Espanol)
12 Sí, yo sé que nada soy; en cuanto a mi fuerza, soy débil; por tanto, no me jactaré de mí mismo, sino que me gloriaré en mi Dios, porque con su fuerza puedo hacer todas las cosas; sí, he aquí que hemos obrado muchos grandes milagros en esta tierra, por los cuales alabaremos su nombre para siempre jamás.
13 He aquí, a cuántos miles de nuestros hermanos ha librado él de los tormentos del infierno, y se sienten movidos a cantar del amor redentor; y esto por el poder de su palabra que está en nosotros; por consiguiente, ¿no tenemos mucha razón para regocijarnos?
Read more!
Monday, August 23, 2010
Greatest gifts of all
Elder Amado stated the greatest long term gift we have is Eternal Life in the Celestial kingdom and the greatest short term gift we have is the companionship of the gift of the Holy Ghost. Preach My Gospel states that have the companionship of the Holy Ghost should be our greatest desire.
The process of having the Spirit in greater abundance in our lives involves taking action to do two things:
Engage with greater frequency and effort in activities that bring the Spirit:
• Pray for the Spirit (see D&C 42:14).
• Keep the commandments (see D&C 20:77, 79).
• Diligently treasure up God’s word (see D&C 11:21; 84:85).
• Teach so that others understand your message and are edified (see D&C 50:13–22).
• Exercise faith (see Moroni 10:7).
• Develop Christ like attributes.
Engage with greater frequency and effort in activities that help us remove behaviors that distance us from the Spirit:
• Purify your heart (see D&C 112:28).
· Pride.
· Disobedience to the commandments and mission rules.
· Laziness.
· Negative feelings such as anger, envy, lust, or covetousness.
· Judging others, criticizing them, or saying negative things about them.
· Not following the counsel of leaders.
· Comparing ourselves with others.
Preach My Gospel teaches that we have been set apart for our sacred callings with the promise that the Spirit will be given to us as we meet the requirements set by the Lord. Enjoying the gifts of the Spirit should be one of our most earnest desires.
As Elder Costa has invited to set great goals, we must have greater faith and greater companionship of the Holy Ghost to achieve those goals to accomplish the great and marvelous work the Lord has sent us to do here in the Chile Santiago North Mission. There is no better starting point than obedience with exactness to the commandments and mission rules so that we can accomplish our purpose which is to “Find, teach, baptize and confirm people and to help them become faithful members of the Church who enjoy the presence of the Holy Ghost.”
We love you,
President May
Read more!
The process of having the Spirit in greater abundance in our lives involves taking action to do two things:
Engage with greater frequency and effort in activities that bring the Spirit:
• Pray for the Spirit (see D&C 42:14).
• Keep the commandments (see D&C 20:77, 79).
• Diligently treasure up God’s word (see D&C 11:21; 84:85).
• Teach so that others understand your message and are edified (see D&C 50:13–22).
• Exercise faith (see Moroni 10:7).
• Develop Christ like attributes.
Engage with greater frequency and effort in activities that help us remove behaviors that distance us from the Spirit:
• Purify your heart (see D&C 112:28).
· Pride.
· Disobedience to the commandments and mission rules.
· Laziness.
· Negative feelings such as anger, envy, lust, or covetousness.
· Judging others, criticizing them, or saying negative things about them.
· Not following the counsel of leaders.
· Comparing ourselves with others.
Preach My Gospel teaches that we have been set apart for our sacred callings with the promise that the Spirit will be given to us as we meet the requirements set by the Lord. Enjoying the gifts of the Spirit should be one of our most earnest desires.
As Elder Costa has invited to set great goals, we must have greater faith and greater companionship of the Holy Ghost to achieve those goals to accomplish the great and marvelous work the Lord has sent us to do here in the Chile Santiago North Mission. There is no better starting point than obedience with exactness to the commandments and mission rules so that we can accomplish our purpose which is to “Find, teach, baptize and confirm people and to help them become faithful members of the Church who enjoy the presence of the Holy Ghost.”
We love you,
President May
Read more!
Friday, August 20, 2010
“Relatos de Exito” (success stories) from Newest Missionaries
Missionaries in Phase 2or3 have been here for 12 weeks, or are in their second ‘change’ cycle or third, respectively. As the meeting begins, any are invited to share something they have learned or witnessed in their teaching or personally that demonstrates success or miracles they are participating in and observing. Here are a few thoughts, shared anonymously:
Aug 20, 2010- FASE 2/3 Training
Elder M: “We have been teaching a 15 year old girl who is a daughter of a member. When we talked about serving a mission, she asked us the question, “Can girls serve missions too?” and we of course told her we have sisters/hermanas in the mission, who go at age 21 or older and serve for 18 months.
She told us, “I’d like to serve a mission too!” and she isn’t even baptized yet. That is how powerful the Holy Ghost is in testifying and prompting of the truth.”
Elder S: “This woman we are teaching as cancer a brain tumor. She wouldn’t get out of bed. She told us she felt not point to it, as she didn’t want to waste some of her time and energy if she was just going to die soon anyway. When she talked to us, her left had trembled and shook from the pressure from the tumor on her brain, I assume. I met her on my 2nd day in Chile. We began teaching her and just 2 weeks ago, she was baptized. Now she has hope, and feels happy. She has energy and doing many things. She knows she will die, but we will all die someday but now she feels happy, with hope and peace.”
Elder T: “This is not something I have ever seen or heard of before, but in our ward last month, there was zero/0 % home teaching in our ward. Incredible. We started working with some of the leaders in the ward, and they are enthusiastic to help. They began going with us to do visits, and we are making great strides. We even met a man who had been less active for over 18 YEARS! Now we are teaching him again, with his family. Miracles when the members step in and want to help, catching the influence they can be in the other ward members’ lives.”
Read more!
Aug 20, 2010- FASE 2/3 Training
Elder M: “We have been teaching a 15 year old girl who is a daughter of a member. When we talked about serving a mission, she asked us the question, “Can girls serve missions too?” and we of course told her we have sisters/hermanas in the mission, who go at age 21 or older and serve for 18 months.
She told us, “I’d like to serve a mission too!” and she isn’t even baptized yet. That is how powerful the Holy Ghost is in testifying and prompting of the truth.”
Elder S: “This woman we are teaching as cancer a brain tumor. She wouldn’t get out of bed. She told us she felt not point to it, as she didn’t want to waste some of her time and energy if she was just going to die soon anyway. When she talked to us, her left had trembled and shook from the pressure from the tumor on her brain, I assume. I met her on my 2nd day in Chile. We began teaching her and just 2 weeks ago, she was baptized. Now she has hope, and feels happy. She has energy and doing many things. She knows she will die, but we will all die someday but now she feels happy, with hope and peace.”
Elder T: “This is not something I have ever seen or heard of before, but in our ward last month, there was zero/0 % home teaching in our ward. Incredible. We started working with some of the leaders in the ward, and they are enthusiastic to help. They began going with us to do visits, and we are making great strides. We even met a man who had been less active for over 18 YEARS! Now we are teaching him again, with his family. Miracles when the members step in and want to help, catching the influence they can be in the other ward members’ lives.”
Read more!
Monday, August 9, 2010
Having a "Passion to Find!"
Yesterday Sister May and I went to a meeting in Colina. We went through a toll road. We paid the money to the lady who works at the tollbooth. At the same time we gave her a pass-along card and invited her to attend church on Sunday. She told us that lives in Colina and knows where the chapel is located. She asked us what time the meeting starts. We invited her to attend church next Sunday. She was very friendly with us. As we continued driving toward Colina, Sister May asked the question,"What do you think is happening in her life that makes her more sensitive to the Spirit? Is she reading the Bible? Has she had some type of spiritual experience? Is it her recognizing the need to have something else in her life? Is Heavenly Father trying to communicate with her in one way or another?"
In the zone conferences last week saw the DVD of Preach My Gospel about finding people. One of the missionaries spoke of the importance of having "a passion" to find people. For me, passion is constant. The passion for finding people to teach the Gospel is not something that we turn on and off.
Elder Maynes of the Quorum of the Seventy, shared this story:
“One day I was traveling in the car with the family during the summer holidays. I had to stop to fill up the car with gas. We stopped at a gas station. While filling the car, I saw two missionaries filling their car. I approached them without telling them that I was a member of the Church. They were friendly and I asked them where they were from and what are and they doing. They answered my questions and then said goodbye to me. I thought these two missionaries really missed an opportunity to share the gospel with me. It made me think whether they really understand their purpose.”
A sample of this passion to find is whether we are talking to everyone during our preparation day. Are we taking advantage of opportunities to talk to everyone when we go on the bus, do shopping, walk among the people? The Lord will bless us when we show love for all people in every moment of every day.
Now is the time to have this passion to find those who will follow Jesus Christ. I invite each of us to pray to develop the love and charity that will create in each of us "passion for finding" all of the time. In this way we can bring more souls to the Lord through baptism and magnify our purpose as missionaries.
We love you,
President May
Read more!
In the zone conferences last week saw the DVD of Preach My Gospel about finding people. One of the missionaries spoke of the importance of having "a passion" to find people. For me, passion is constant. The passion for finding people to teach the Gospel is not something that we turn on and off.
Elder Maynes of the Quorum of the Seventy, shared this story:
“One day I was traveling in the car with the family during the summer holidays. I had to stop to fill up the car with gas. We stopped at a gas station. While filling the car, I saw two missionaries filling their car. I approached them without telling them that I was a member of the Church. They were friendly and I asked them where they were from and what are and they doing. They answered my questions and then said goodbye to me. I thought these two missionaries really missed an opportunity to share the gospel with me. It made me think whether they really understand their purpose.”
A sample of this passion to find is whether we are talking to everyone during our preparation day. Are we taking advantage of opportunities to talk to everyone when we go on the bus, do shopping, walk among the people? The Lord will bless us when we show love for all people in every moment of every day.
Now is the time to have this passion to find those who will follow Jesus Christ. I invite each of us to pray to develop the love and charity that will create in each of us "passion for finding" all of the time. In this way we can bring more souls to the Lord through baptism and magnify our purpose as missionaries.
We love you,
President May
Read more!
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Faithful, obedient Missionaries
Just to report to all the families and loved-ones of your great missionaries serving here in the Chile Santiago North Mission. They are amazing in their obedience and desire to serve the Lord. The Missionary Dept in SLC has sent all Presidents of missions all over the world a new, simplified curriculum to help us become better teachers of Preach My Gospel, including doctrine, principles, and application. The following are the 8 lessons we have been instructed to teach. We started out exactly as the brethren requested, first teaching our leaders (Assistants, zone leaders, district leaders and trainers)Now we have set the course and announced the exact dates for the month of August to continue to teach ALL of our anxious missionaries who want to learn how to be better. Here are the 8 lessons:
-----------------
1. Doctrine of Christ-your missionary purpose
2. The role of the Holy Ghost in Conversion
3. Revelation through Prayer
4. Revelation through the Book of Mormon
5. Revelation through church attendance.
6. Teach people, not lessons.
7. We invite, they commit, we follow up.
8. How to begin teaching.
These changes will also include interviews now happening trimestral and zone conferencias the same. The missionaries are eager and willing to adapt, change and become better. We love these great Elders and Hermanas
Read more!
-----------------
1. Doctrine of Christ-your missionary purpose
2. The role of the Holy Ghost in Conversion
3. Revelation through Prayer
4. Revelation through the Book of Mormon
5. Revelation through church attendance.
6. Teach people, not lessons.
7. We invite, they commit, we follow up.
8. How to begin teaching.
These changes will also include interviews now happening trimestral and zone conferencias the same. The missionaries are eager and willing to adapt, change and become better. We love these great Elders and Hermanas
Read more!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Great Missionaries in the Temple
We had a beautiful morning today, in the Santiago Temple. We have 24 wonderful missionaries who are preparing to leave to return to their homes. We have a tradition to take the outgoing group to the temple, usually the Friday morning before their Monday/Tues departures. However since the temple will be closed for the next two weeks, we had them meet us there this morning, for a lovely session together. This is what we observed....
We noticed a great outpouring of love for each one of these sweet missionaries. We are so aware of their individual personalities, talents, gifts, abilities and many of their desires are obvious by the way they worked as missionaries. We have grown to love them incredibly, and we know that the power of that love comes directly from the Savior, and His specific love for each one. We thought of how easy it is to think of these young men in a ‘group’ of 24, for the sheer numbers can be daunting as we think of the interview time required for their farewell, the meals and food quantity to prepare for them before they leave, for time for individual testimony bearing, for travel arrangements, logistics in transporting them all, luggage and baggage limits, etc. But again, we are sweetly reminded of them as individuals. The Lord knows and loves EACH one of them, not in a group of 24, but their divinity as a son of God. He atoned and made the sacrifices He did for each of us, one at a time. We too have grown to love and cherish our own relationships with them that we know will also be eternal. They will forever be ‘our missionaries.’ We also know and love them, one by one. I will list their names at the conclusion of this post for evidence of their great individuality.
We sat together in the 9am early session with them and felt of their spirits there. I was the only Hermana among us, as this whole group consists only of Elders, who are going home this change. I was amazed at the power in their deep, strong voices as they responded appropriately during the session with confidence in their answers, having served the Savior, and knowing of their commitments they have made. We were able to go into the celestial room there, to greet each one as they entered. This is a choice experience that I pray I will be allowed to remember always. As they came into the room, each one came directly over to meet Presidente May with a hug. I know that this was poignant for him, as he hugged and held each Elder in his warm abrazo/hug while he whispered into their ear how much he loves them. He told them how pleased the Savior is with their specific offering of service here in the mission. He told them that we really love them, and always will. I felt that they have made this mission great, with their contribution and that the Lord would hug them too, if He were standing in the room with them. I imagined in my mind’s eye of their parents smiling faces, many crying like I was, to see their fine son stepping off the plane, to be welcomed home after two fruitful years of service. Then as I glanced around the room, trying to memorize the scene through my tears, I noticed almost all standing again, at the ready position, with their heads bowed, some in obvious prayer and communication with our Heavenly Father, but faithful and obedient to the call they have and whatever they will receive in the future. These are outstanding men that will go on to serve the Savior faithfully in future callings, and who have strengthened their own testimonies and relationship with the Savior, that will influence their entire lives. Together these missionaries, plus our others who are staying in the mission, along with those who have gone on home before them, have helped to save thousands of souls here in the Chile Santiago North Mission. This is a direct promise in the Book of Mormon, and our missionaries have fulfilled this promise here. We recognize that through these incredible, but imperfect missionaries, the Lord was able to use them as instruments in His marvelous work here. (Alma 26:12-13) Presidente May and I feel to express like Ammon stated, after recognizing how full his joy was, in the miracles that the Lord has provided in life, “therefore, have we not great reason to rejoice?”
Although it is with a touch of sadness that we will send them home with our love and hugs goodbye we are happy they kept their promises, and for who they are. We are grateful for the privilege to work side by side with each one of them, in a variety of capacities, we will not forget, in this beautiful part of the Savior’s vineyard. We will never be the same for having had this time together.
Elders:
Argueta
Barker
Campos
Caro
Chavez
Escobar
Fuller
Hicken
King
Larson
Leatham
Lenhart
Lloyd
Mangels
Martyn
Millaqueo
Mitchell
Newton
Nicholas
Pini
Rosenlof
Skeen
Shaw
Simmons
------ Read more!
We noticed a great outpouring of love for each one of these sweet missionaries. We are so aware of their individual personalities, talents, gifts, abilities and many of their desires are obvious by the way they worked as missionaries. We have grown to love them incredibly, and we know that the power of that love comes directly from the Savior, and His specific love for each one. We thought of how easy it is to think of these young men in a ‘group’ of 24, for the sheer numbers can be daunting as we think of the interview time required for their farewell, the meals and food quantity to prepare for them before they leave, for time for individual testimony bearing, for travel arrangements, logistics in transporting them all, luggage and baggage limits, etc. But again, we are sweetly reminded of them as individuals. The Lord knows and loves EACH one of them, not in a group of 24, but their divinity as a son of God. He atoned and made the sacrifices He did for each of us, one at a time. We too have grown to love and cherish our own relationships with them that we know will also be eternal. They will forever be ‘our missionaries.’ We also know and love them, one by one. I will list their names at the conclusion of this post for evidence of their great individuality.
We sat together in the 9am early session with them and felt of their spirits there. I was the only Hermana among us, as this whole group consists only of Elders, who are going home this change. I was amazed at the power in their deep, strong voices as they responded appropriately during the session with confidence in their answers, having served the Savior, and knowing of their commitments they have made. We were able to go into the celestial room there, to greet each one as they entered. This is a choice experience that I pray I will be allowed to remember always. As they came into the room, each one came directly over to meet Presidente May with a hug. I know that this was poignant for him, as he hugged and held each Elder in his warm abrazo/hug while he whispered into their ear how much he loves them. He told them how pleased the Savior is with their specific offering of service here in the mission. He told them that we really love them, and always will. I felt that they have made this mission great, with their contribution and that the Lord would hug them too, if He were standing in the room with them. I imagined in my mind’s eye of their parents smiling faces, many crying like I was, to see their fine son stepping off the plane, to be welcomed home after two fruitful years of service. Then as I glanced around the room, trying to memorize the scene through my tears, I noticed almost all standing again, at the ready position, with their heads bowed, some in obvious prayer and communication with our Heavenly Father, but faithful and obedient to the call they have and whatever they will receive in the future. These are outstanding men that will go on to serve the Savior faithfully in future callings, and who have strengthened their own testimonies and relationship with the Savior, that will influence their entire lives. Together these missionaries, plus our others who are staying in the mission, along with those who have gone on home before them, have helped to save thousands of souls here in the Chile Santiago North Mission. This is a direct promise in the Book of Mormon, and our missionaries have fulfilled this promise here. We recognize that through these incredible, but imperfect missionaries, the Lord was able to use them as instruments in His marvelous work here. (Alma 26:12-13) Presidente May and I feel to express like Ammon stated, after recognizing how full his joy was, in the miracles that the Lord has provided in life, “therefore, have we not great reason to rejoice?”
Although it is with a touch of sadness that we will send them home with our love and hugs goodbye we are happy they kept their promises, and for who they are. We are grateful for the privilege to work side by side with each one of them, in a variety of capacities, we will not forget, in this beautiful part of the Savior’s vineyard. We will never be the same for having had this time together.
Elders:
Argueta
Barker
Campos
Caro
Chavez
Escobar
Fuller
Hicken
King
Larson
Leatham
Lenhart
Lloyd
Mangels
Martyn
Millaqueo
Mitchell
Newton
Nicholas
Pini
Rosenlof
Skeen
Shaw
Simmons
------ Read more!
Monday, June 21, 2010
Happy Father's Day, dear Mighty Missionaries of the CSNM
Since it is Father’s Day, President May gave me permission to write to all of you and share some of my thoughts. Oh, how we love and pray for you on a daily, continuous basis. Being a missionary is a unique and personal experience. Even though there are thousands who have served before you and many more who will serve after you, the eternal consequences are vital in our lifetime here on the earth.
I look at all of you who will hopefully be fathers and mothers some day. I can imagine the fathers in your own lives, and mine, and the sacrifices they have made to teach, train, guide and bless you and me, to be prepared for this important part of our lives now, to serve the Lord. But I also see in my mind’s eye, our loving Father in Heaven, who loves us all in an infinite way, which we are discovering and learning more about in this mission ourselves. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Begotten Son….that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17) As I am learning more of Jesus Christ, as one of His missionaries, and learning to serve, witness, and testify of Him more often, I am also learning more of my Heavenly Father. Preach My Gospel divinely instructs us that ‘God is our loving Heavenly Father.’ What great truth that is and all that it encompasses! We are blessed to know about His tender mercies, as we understand more of the Atonement, the perfect Plan of Salvation/Happiness, the Godhead, the Creation, the Fall, the Resurrection, the Restoration, and more of His doctrine that He has given us as members and missionaries in His restored church.
I have been receiving a better understanding of our Heavenly Father, as I have been studying the life of Jesus Christ. When I read of the way Jesus taught, His comments, His instructions, His doctrine, His character, His suffering in His personal life, I am learning more about our Heavenly Father. I see that Jesus Christ submitted all of His own personal will, in EVERY aspect of his life, including his personality, character, impulses, choices, and even gave up His life, so that we could all live with Him and our Heavenly Father again. He sacrificed His life and provided the Atonement, beginning in Gethsemane, on the Cross and in the Garden Tomb, because He loves us, but ultimately, because He loves our Heavenly Father and only wanted to do His will. Completely, perfectly, and obeying with exactness. What an incredible example of how our Savior dearly loves our Heavenly Father. “The Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ completed all that His Heavenly Father sent Him to do.” PMG, pg, 34. I love my own earthly father, Louis Orin Glazier, and he has helped to teach me also, by his Christlike example, more about my Heavenly Father.
We had a special gift this week to add to President May’s joyful Father’s Day. Most of you know that our last son, Elder Gregory May honorably finished his mission and returned here to us on Thursday, arriving from his Chile Concepcion Mission. (My cup runneth over as I think back to each of the 5 “Elder May’s” that I have been able to write to, starting with President May, when he served in the Bolivia, Santa Cruz Mission in 1978, to now have our last son reporting home honorable.) President May was able to release Elder May here, on Father’s Day, which made me again think of our Heavenly Father. Serving a mission is similar to what will be our mission in this life. Will we complete all that He has asked us to do? Will He see that we have become more like Him, during our time in this mission and throughout life on the earth? Will we be like Him in our actions, thoughts, comments, expressions of love, patience, trials, the way the Savior showed us how? Will we look to Him for our guidance, influence, forgiveness as we repent daily, and as for His constant help and inspiration in our walks through this life? ( I am going to send you some photos from Elder May’s arrival day, including the shoes of these missionaries this week, who have faithfully served and walked in the footsteps of the Savior, doing just like you are doing.)
Because we are Heavenly Father’s children, we have His divine attributes in our lives, personalities, character and dispositions. May we live our lives like His Son, to develop the love and character that they both have, because we want to be like them, when we return to live with them again, eternally. We love you Elders and Sisters. May our Heavenly Father pour out his blessings upon each of you for your goodness.
Love,
Hermana May
Read more!
I look at all of you who will hopefully be fathers and mothers some day. I can imagine the fathers in your own lives, and mine, and the sacrifices they have made to teach, train, guide and bless you and me, to be prepared for this important part of our lives now, to serve the Lord. But I also see in my mind’s eye, our loving Father in Heaven, who loves us all in an infinite way, which we are discovering and learning more about in this mission ourselves. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Begotten Son….that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17) As I am learning more of Jesus Christ, as one of His missionaries, and learning to serve, witness, and testify of Him more often, I am also learning more of my Heavenly Father. Preach My Gospel divinely instructs us that ‘God is our loving Heavenly Father.’ What great truth that is and all that it encompasses! We are blessed to know about His tender mercies, as we understand more of the Atonement, the perfect Plan of Salvation/Happiness, the Godhead, the Creation, the Fall, the Resurrection, the Restoration, and more of His doctrine that He has given us as members and missionaries in His restored church.
I have been receiving a better understanding of our Heavenly Father, as I have been studying the life of Jesus Christ. When I read of the way Jesus taught, His comments, His instructions, His doctrine, His character, His suffering in His personal life, I am learning more about our Heavenly Father. I see that Jesus Christ submitted all of His own personal will, in EVERY aspect of his life, including his personality, character, impulses, choices, and even gave up His life, so that we could all live with Him and our Heavenly Father again. He sacrificed His life and provided the Atonement, beginning in Gethsemane, on the Cross and in the Garden Tomb, because He loves us, but ultimately, because He loves our Heavenly Father and only wanted to do His will. Completely, perfectly, and obeying with exactness. What an incredible example of how our Savior dearly loves our Heavenly Father. “The Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ completed all that His Heavenly Father sent Him to do.” PMG, pg, 34. I love my own earthly father, Louis Orin Glazier, and he has helped to teach me also, by his Christlike example, more about my Heavenly Father.
We had a special gift this week to add to President May’s joyful Father’s Day. Most of you know that our last son, Elder Gregory May honorably finished his mission and returned here to us on Thursday, arriving from his Chile Concepcion Mission. (My cup runneth over as I think back to each of the 5 “Elder May’s” that I have been able to write to, starting with President May, when he served in the Bolivia, Santa Cruz Mission in 1978, to now have our last son reporting home honorable.) President May was able to release Elder May here, on Father’s Day, which made me again think of our Heavenly Father. Serving a mission is similar to what will be our mission in this life. Will we complete all that He has asked us to do? Will He see that we have become more like Him, during our time in this mission and throughout life on the earth? Will we be like Him in our actions, thoughts, comments, expressions of love, patience, trials, the way the Savior showed us how? Will we look to Him for our guidance, influence, forgiveness as we repent daily, and as for His constant help and inspiration in our walks through this life? ( I am going to send you some photos from Elder May’s arrival day, including the shoes of these missionaries this week, who have faithfully served and walked in the footsteps of the Savior, doing just like you are doing.)
Because we are Heavenly Father’s children, we have His divine attributes in our lives, personalities, character and dispositions. May we live our lives like His Son, to develop the love and character that they both have, because we want to be like them, when we return to live with them again, eternally. We love you Elders and Sisters. May our Heavenly Father pour out his blessings upon each of you for your goodness.
Love,
Hermana May
Read more!
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