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!
Showing posts with label New missionary thoughts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New missionary thoughts. Show all posts
Monday, May 30, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Am I ready and qualify to teach at the MTC?
I recently received a request from the MTC to fill out a recommendation for a former missionary to he hired to teach missionaries in the MTC. In the recommendation it made mention of the qualifications that one needs to have to be considered to be hire to teach in the MTC:
The MTC needs teachers that:
- Love the Lord and sincerely testify of Him
- Have a vision of missionary work and demonstrate the principles of Preach My Gospel
- Are humble, teachable, and receptive to feedback
- Are responsible, dependable, and truly obedient
- Can effectively teach and help missionaries fulfill the purpose of their call.
Please ask yourself, "Would I want this missionary teaching the missionaries who will come to me from the MTC?"
We can turn these statement into inspired questions to ask ourselves:
Do I love the Lord and sincerely testify of Him?
Do I have a vision of missionary work and demonstrate the principles of Preach My Gospel?
Am I humble, teachable, and receptive to feedback?
Am I responsible, dependable, and truly obedient?
Can I effectively teach and help missionaries to fulfill the purpose of their call?
I invite each of us to evaluate ourselves by reviewing these questions and setting goals and making plans to become the missionaries the Lord expects us to become so that we can bring many souls unto Him. Please feel free to share with me your goals and plans and your progress in your weekly letters in the future.
We love you always,
President May.
Read more!
The MTC needs teachers that:
- Love the Lord and sincerely testify of Him
- Have a vision of missionary work and demonstrate the principles of Preach My Gospel
- Are humble, teachable, and receptive to feedback
- Are responsible, dependable, and truly obedient
- Can effectively teach and help missionaries fulfill the purpose of their call.
Please ask yourself, "Would I want this missionary teaching the missionaries who will come to me from the MTC?"
We can turn these statement into inspired questions to ask ourselves:
Do I love the Lord and sincerely testify of Him?
Do I have a vision of missionary work and demonstrate the principles of Preach My Gospel?
Am I humble, teachable, and receptive to feedback?
Am I responsible, dependable, and truly obedient?
Can I effectively teach and help missionaries to fulfill the purpose of their call?
I invite each of us to evaluate ourselves by reviewing these questions and setting goals and making plans to become the missionaries the Lord expects us to become so that we can bring many souls unto Him. Please feel free to share with me your goals and plans and your progress in your weekly letters in the future.
We love you always,
President May.
Read more!
Friday, October 8, 2010
New missionaries are learning so quickly!
What wonderful new missionaries have arrived here recently. We had our training with those who just arrived on Oct 8th. Here are some of their comments and observations in just a short time/one week:
"We walk alot. I have blisters already, but it is worth it. We are teaching so many great people. We already have 3 with baptismal dates! We met a woman with cancer. We gave her a blessing, and the pain left. I have a great companion."
"I'm learning about humility here. Wow, this is the first time I haven't been home for General Conference but I had a great view right from here!"
"I'm already going through so many large changes. Some I never thought I would. Really"
"This is really cold here. So different from my country. I'm learning that the Lord loves us, even the good and the bad. My companion is so patient!"
- Read more!
"We walk alot. I have blisters already, but it is worth it. We are teaching so many great people. We already have 3 with baptismal dates! We met a woman with cancer. We gave her a blessing, and the pain left. I have a great companion."
"I'm learning about humility here. Wow, this is the first time I haven't been home for General Conference but I had a great view right from here!"
"I'm already going through so many large changes. Some I never thought I would. Really"
"This is really cold here. So different from my country. I'm learning that the Lord loves us, even the good and the bad. My companion is so patient!"
- 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!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Phase 2/3 Training brings new insights.
Today we had the two groups of missionaries return to the mission home for their Phase 2 and Phase 3 group orientation/trainings. These are missionaries who are now in their second change, and third change respectively, and have been here 2 months or 3 months. Their Spanish is incredibly good, and parents would be amazed and happily surprised at how well they really can communicate and make themselves understood, in such a short time. These are some of their comments, in English, but the meetings are in Spanish now, after their first Fase 1 training:
H:"We found a lot of people in my first area, but they weren't progressing. We were sad. It was a real hard start for me. Now in this second change, we have felt the fruits of the work. We Baptised 4 people. We found 4 new people and they are really progressing quickly. I have to remember that they can progress and not forget."
S:"We were knocking on lots of doors and didn't have much success. Then in the street and woman finally lets us inside. She's not interested, but says there are lots of other people living in her house. Three in the house are interested, and then later, from those three, they gave us two more referrals. We always need to remember to ask for referencias, even if the person is not interested."
W:"Woman wasn't interested but gave us a referencia about her family member, and they had a son who told us he had been taught, but never was baptized. Now he's ready. Remember to ask for referencias!"
D: "Oscar...he is 70 yrs old, but has had 5 dates for baptism. We hope that for this next week it will be final. He had attended lots of other churches, and has been searching for the truth for many years. He has been reading the Book of Mormon, and now his wife is also interested, and they are reading together. This is milagros. They have 7 hijos, and 6 live nearby. The man says he wants ALL of his children to be baptized, sothey can all be together."
L: " This woman is 50 yrs old and as she let them in, she said she went to church in San Felipe 40 yrs ago, when she was 10. She had never been baptized, and always wanted a Book of Mormon, but never had one. Of course we gave her one. Now she reads every day and writes her thoughts and feelings in a study journal/notebook. She is hungry for more and reading everyday. She came to the Satellite broadcast, and said that when Elder Bednar spoke, she felt a powerful witness of Joseph Smith, and many answers to her prayers. She is thankful that God answers prayers with a strong spirit."
Read more!
H:"We found a lot of people in my first area, but they weren't progressing. We were sad. It was a real hard start for me. Now in this second change, we have felt the fruits of the work. We Baptised 4 people. We found 4 new people and they are really progressing quickly. I have to remember that they can progress and not forget."
S:"We were knocking on lots of doors and didn't have much success. Then in the street and woman finally lets us inside. She's not interested, but says there are lots of other people living in her house. Three in the house are interested, and then later, from those three, they gave us two more referrals. We always need to remember to ask for referencias, even if the person is not interested."
W:"Woman wasn't interested but gave us a referencia about her family member, and they had a son who told us he had been taught, but never was baptized. Now he's ready. Remember to ask for referencias!"
D: "Oscar...he is 70 yrs old, but has had 5 dates for baptism. We hope that for this next week it will be final. He had attended lots of other churches, and has been searching for the truth for many years. He has been reading the Book of Mormon, and now his wife is also interested, and they are reading together. This is milagros. They have 7 hijos, and 6 live nearby. The man says he wants ALL of his children to be baptized, sothey can all be together."
L: " This woman is 50 yrs old and as she let them in, she said she went to church in San Felipe 40 yrs ago, when she was 10. She had never been baptized, and always wanted a Book of Mormon, but never had one. Of course we gave her one. Now she reads every day and writes her thoughts and feelings in a study journal/notebook. She is hungry for more and reading everyday. She came to the Satellite broadcast, and said that when Elder Bednar spoke, she felt a powerful witness of Joseph Smith, and many answers to her prayers. She is thankful that God answers prayers with a strong spirit."
Read more!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Fresh, new Missionaries talk with Enthusiasm!
Today was our new missionary Fase 1 training. These great 4 missionaries have been here about 2 weeks. They return to the mission home with their trainers/companions to learn more of the basics, orientation, and details of the work in this mission.
We discuss many things, but this is what we learned from them:
These mighty missionaries; Hermana Buckner, Elder Kanehele, Elder Tialavea, y Elder Wagner all are happy, healthy and smiling with enthusiasm. We enjoyed hearing of their reports of success, where they share things they have learned and observed here in the mission, in just a short time. Quotes used, but these are paraphrased notes:
Elder W-"I was sitting in a lesson, and couldn't really understand too much of the lesson, my companion was sharing and talking with the investigator. I felt prompted by the spirit to share a couple of scriptures, about lifting up our head, and be of good cheer, and then later my companion told me that that was just what she needed. The investigator was discouraged, and sad, but this scripture was given to me to share."
Elder K-"We are teaching this woman who is very happy. He lives in a house with 18 people with barely anything in their home. She has 8 children, and they are really poor (at this point he gets teary eyed sharing how this touched him.) She was smoking 3 packs of cigaretts daily, and gallons of tea, but now that she has the gospel, you has given it all up, and is really happy. It makes me happy to see how the gospel really can change people's lives and it does."
Elder T- "A scripture my brother shared with me from Mosiah 24:14. The Lord will ease our burdens. This mission is the hardest thing I have ever done. I felt that the first week here I had the weight of the world on my shoulders and it was SO hard. I also know that if we come to the Lord, on our knees to ask for help, he ALWAYS lifts us and helps lighten our burden. I know that is true, since I have felt it again in the mission."
Hermana B-"We were talking in the street with a man who wanted to argue. We refused to get involved, so we said goodbye and walked away, continuing to talk to others in the street. Then a man made a bee-line over to us and said that he had been watching us and that he saw how we had worked, taught and talked to people. He told us he was an inactive member for more than 20 years, but now felt prompted to have us come teach his family. He has some health problems, but we have been teaching his children and wife, and she tells us when they become discouraged or fearful of the cancer thoughts, they read the Book of Mormon and find great peace."
Read more!
We discuss many things, but this is what we learned from them:
These mighty missionaries; Hermana Buckner, Elder Kanehele, Elder Tialavea, y Elder Wagner all are happy, healthy and smiling with enthusiasm. We enjoyed hearing of their reports of success, where they share things they have learned and observed here in the mission, in just a short time. Quotes used, but these are paraphrased notes:
Elder W-"I was sitting in a lesson, and couldn't really understand too much of the lesson, my companion was sharing and talking with the investigator. I felt prompted by the spirit to share a couple of scriptures, about lifting up our head, and be of good cheer, and then later my companion told me that that was just what she needed. The investigator was discouraged, and sad, but this scripture was given to me to share."
Elder K-"We are teaching this woman who is very happy. He lives in a house with 18 people with barely anything in their home. She has 8 children, and they are really poor (at this point he gets teary eyed sharing how this touched him.) She was smoking 3 packs of cigaretts daily, and gallons of tea, but now that she has the gospel, you has given it all up, and is really happy. It makes me happy to see how the gospel really can change people's lives and it does."
Elder T- "A scripture my brother shared with me from Mosiah 24:14. The Lord will ease our burdens. This mission is the hardest thing I have ever done. I felt that the first week here I had the weight of the world on my shoulders and it was SO hard. I also know that if we come to the Lord, on our knees to ask for help, he ALWAYS lifts us and helps lighten our burden. I know that is true, since I have felt it again in the mission."
Hermana B-"We were talking in the street with a man who wanted to argue. We refused to get involved, so we said goodbye and walked away, continuing to talk to others in the street. Then a man made a bee-line over to us and said that he had been watching us and that he saw how we had worked, taught and talked to people. He told us he was an inactive member for more than 20 years, but now felt prompted to have us come teach his family. He has some health problems, but we have been teaching his children and wife, and she tells us when they become discouraged or fearful of the cancer thoughts, they read the Book of Mormon and find great peace."
Read more!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Experiences of the Inexperienced!
We enjoy our orientation trainings we have with our new missionaries, in sessions we call Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3. We hold them the next week after the missionaries first arrive, and then Fase 2, during their 2nd change cycle, and 3rd during their 3rd cycle. It gives us an opportunity to see their growth, change, improvements, and also answer more of their questions as they are coming upon them. Today's 2 groups have really progressed in their language acquisition. We were so happily suprised to hear them talk about the work they are doing:
Some of their thoughts:
-"I loved the words to this song, "The Light of Truth" especially verse 3. (God has called us to serve, to all people we've been sent to go, we're going to teach with fervor in the Name of the Lord, --chorus-"The glorious light of Truth, will shine forthe eternidad, shining with the rays of sun, to all the world today!"
-"A man had a powerful spirit, we taught him of baptism. There was a lot of noise int he street and outside, kids playing, etc, and then the spirit inside the house was so powerful, the man was teachable and wanted to obey. He said, "I want to be baptized but what do I do?" Very humble to follow Christ."
-We were teaching a woman. We stopped in to visit her and another Jehovah's Witness was there in the kitchen trying to teach her before we got there. The other was trying to critizie our investigator for reading the Book of Mormon, but our investogator just got real bold and testified herself, "I know that the Libro de Mormon is the word of God." Then with that, the Jehovah's Witness left."
-"I was trying to talk to a bunch of jovenes/teenagers, and one started to put his hand in my slacks/pocket to take my cell phone. When I realized it and started to pull away, there were 3 hands in my pocket by then, and they took my phone and in the process, as I jerked away, they ripped my pants totally open in the front! I shouted to give back my phone, and they quickly did! That suprised me too."
-"We had been praying that morning where to go. We arrived to a corner and decided to pray again, because we couldn't decide where to go. The spirit told us to go across the street to the other corner house. The man had lots of problems but after we taught him, he asked that if he would feel the spirit strongly in attending our church meetings, like he does wiht us teaching him, then he wanted to go to church and feel that powerfully again!"
-"Banca Rota=bankrupt!"
Read more!
Some of their thoughts:
-"I loved the words to this song, "The Light of Truth" especially verse 3. (God has called us to serve, to all people we've been sent to go, we're going to teach with fervor in the Name of the Lord, --chorus-"The glorious light of Truth, will shine forthe eternidad, shining with the rays of sun, to all the world today!"
-"A man had a powerful spirit, we taught him of baptism. There was a lot of noise int he street and outside, kids playing, etc, and then the spirit inside the house was so powerful, the man was teachable and wanted to obey. He said, "I want to be baptized but what do I do?" Very humble to follow Christ."
-We were teaching a woman. We stopped in to visit her and another Jehovah's Witness was there in the kitchen trying to teach her before we got there. The other was trying to critizie our investigator for reading the Book of Mormon, but our investogator just got real bold and testified herself, "I know that the Libro de Mormon is the word of God." Then with that, the Jehovah's Witness left."
-"I was trying to talk to a bunch of jovenes/teenagers, and one started to put his hand in my slacks/pocket to take my cell phone. When I realized it and started to pull away, there were 3 hands in my pocket by then, and they took my phone and in the process, as I jerked away, they ripped my pants totally open in the front! I shouted to give back my phone, and they quickly did! That suprised me too."
-"We had been praying that morning where to go. We arrived to a corner and decided to pray again, because we couldn't decide where to go. The spirit told us to go across the street to the other corner house. The man had lots of problems but after we taught him, he asked that if he would feel the spirit strongly in attending our church meetings, like he does wiht us teaching him, then he wanted to go to church and feel that powerfully again!"
-"Banca Rota=bankrupt!"
Read more!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Departures and Arrivals with tears?
These are great missionaries. We know that might sound trite, but they are 'gran misioneros.' We are seeing the full gamete of feelings in these days of changes. One Monday, we see the fine missionaries who are leaving Santiago to return to their homes, followed by Tues in the airport with the new arrivals. With the departing missionares, they come to the mission home to have their final interview with Pdte. May, then followed by a beautiful meal in their honor, and then followed by a sweet testimony meeting....
As we listen to their faith, hear their heart-felt love for the Savior, Jesus Christ and what they have loved and grown to know about Him, reminds us that these have been His faithful servants, valiant and noble in sharing the truths that the world needs to know. We listen to their dedication, and we can discern their growth by the way they express themselves, not just in another language (also we had one of our Latin Missinaries share his testimony totally in English...impressive!)but by the power of the Holy Ghost. We love to hear the committment in their voices and the desires they have to stay strong, holding to the iron rod, and want to remain faithful. We love their examples of faith and determination that will carry them through the trials, challenges of the new life they are entering with this transition.
Our hearts are breaking as we have to say goodbye for now....we know we will be able to share this relationship eternally, now that we have been here together. We hug in the airport for the last (and first time for Hrma May)with each one, tenderly wanting to make this last and be eternal. We know it is.
The next day, our lives are enriched as we joyfully welcome the new arrivals. We are thrilled to see them come through the gate of customs (happily all accounted for and no one missing in action!)We notice that they look petrified, eyes eagerly searching for a familiar face among a sea of strangers, and their eyes spy a familiar missionary plaqua, and the smiles, waves, and grins begin. They all want hugs from Pdte. May. He is their leader and they look to him for the love of a father and guide. He knows how valuable each one is to Our Heavenly Father, and he loves them before they arrive, after studying and reading from their mission papers. They are enthusiastic, eager, and so willing to do whatever they are asked. This is a wonderful group who arrived, with talents, gifts, abilities and strong testimonies. These fine missionaries show us hope again, that this is the Lord's church, and that He is about this work, as we see their willingness to be taught. We all need to have that attitude. They are humble; leaving behind their previous lives in many ways, to accept the life the Lord has for them here. We are touched by their testimonies. Pdte May interviews each one privately, and then prayerfully listens for inspiration as to who each trainer should be training. The Lord knows and loves all of His missionaries, and this we see evidently in the way He pairs his companionships. IT is miraculous and inspired.
As we meet together to give a small orientation and simple guidlines this first day, we notice their innocents, faithfulness and desire to obey instantly. The missionaries want to learn, ask questions, and step forward wtih faith. We admire these fine ones also. As we testify of the Lord Jesus Christ, we remind them that we will do many things in this mission, but the most important is that we will teach and testify of Jesus Christ and His Atonement. 2Nephi 25:26. We are filled with the Holy Ghost as He bears witness of this divine errand to these missionaries. Again our hearts and eyes are filled to overflowing with love for these great missionaries!
Read more!
As we listen to their faith, hear their heart-felt love for the Savior, Jesus Christ and what they have loved and grown to know about Him, reminds us that these have been His faithful servants, valiant and noble in sharing the truths that the world needs to know. We listen to their dedication, and we can discern their growth by the way they express themselves, not just in another language (also we had one of our Latin Missinaries share his testimony totally in English...impressive!)but by the power of the Holy Ghost. We love to hear the committment in their voices and the desires they have to stay strong, holding to the iron rod, and want to remain faithful. We love their examples of faith and determination that will carry them through the trials, challenges of the new life they are entering with this transition.
Our hearts are breaking as we have to say goodbye for now....we know we will be able to share this relationship eternally, now that we have been here together. We hug in the airport for the last (and first time for Hrma May)with each one, tenderly wanting to make this last and be eternal. We know it is.
The next day, our lives are enriched as we joyfully welcome the new arrivals. We are thrilled to see them come through the gate of customs (happily all accounted for and no one missing in action!)We notice that they look petrified, eyes eagerly searching for a familiar face among a sea of strangers, and their eyes spy a familiar missionary plaqua, and the smiles, waves, and grins begin. They all want hugs from Pdte. May. He is their leader and they look to him for the love of a father and guide. He knows how valuable each one is to Our Heavenly Father, and he loves them before they arrive, after studying and reading from their mission papers. They are enthusiastic, eager, and so willing to do whatever they are asked. This is a wonderful group who arrived, with talents, gifts, abilities and strong testimonies. These fine missionaries show us hope again, that this is the Lord's church, and that He is about this work, as we see their willingness to be taught. We all need to have that attitude. They are humble; leaving behind their previous lives in many ways, to accept the life the Lord has for them here. We are touched by their testimonies. Pdte May interviews each one privately, and then prayerfully listens for inspiration as to who each trainer should be training. The Lord knows and loves all of His missionaries, and this we see evidently in the way He pairs his companionships. IT is miraculous and inspired.
As we meet together to give a small orientation and simple guidlines this first day, we notice their innocents, faithfulness and desire to obey instantly. The missionaries want to learn, ask questions, and step forward wtih faith. We admire these fine ones also. As we testify of the Lord Jesus Christ, we remind them that we will do many things in this mission, but the most important is that we will teach and testify of Jesus Christ and His Atonement. 2Nephi 25:26. We are filled with the Holy Ghost as He bears witness of this divine errand to these missionaries. Again our hearts and eyes are filled to overflowing with love for these great missionaries!
Read more!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Wonderful insights from the new missionaries!
Our new missionaries in Phase 2/3 Trainings--October 16, 2009
(They have been here just over 12 weeks or 18 weeks and all of the meeting is in Spanish today)They share their success stories/relatos de exito with us:
Elder H: “A woman was very sad when we met her on the street. She had been raining (lloviendo), I mean crying (llorando). We didn’t think she wanted to listen, but then she did and now we have 7 people ready for baptism.”
Elder S: “We spoke to a woman who had been a bit against progressing, but when we came back and taught her, we found out she had been studying the Book of Mormon and praying. She told us she knew it was true. I know the Lord is preparing people for us to find. She knew.”
Hermana P: “We were teaching this woman, whose husband didn’t really support her studying the gospel and progressing. We were fasting for her, wondering what we could say to her and to him, to help them both. We returned and talked to both of them, and we all felt the spirit. Then we were so happy to see them both come to Sacrament meeting on Sunday. We returned to teach them both, and now he has also agreed to a baptismal date, like her, and he wants to learn more!”
Elder N: “We were teaching a man who didn’t want to leave tea, coffee, cigarettes, but now he has, and is listening and progressing with the lessons. He has been prepared.”
Elder L: “I loved my other ward, where I was with my trainer. We had many baptisms, we helped grow the ward, and I really loved the families. We fasted, prayed and worked with them. I heard of one of the men we had been teaching was baptized after I left and moved to another area, and I was still thrilled and feliz for him, because I really love him and want him to be saved. We are going to have that same kind of success and members in my new area too.”
Elder C: (This great Latin Missionary who was called on to say the opening prayer and he stood and prayed in English! I have to admit I didn’t know who was called on to pray, but as I sat listening to the sweet, humble and simple English prayer, my heart was overflowing to hear him and I had to peek open my eyes to see which tender -hearted Elder was praying with such sincerity, in broken English. It was a beautiful, tender prayer, and we could understand by the language of the spirit.)
Hermana B: “We were just walking quickly down the street and saluted/greeted a woman with just ‘hello’ but she stopped us and asked which church we were missionaries of and when we told her we are members of the Church of Jesus Christ, she asked, “Los Mormones?” We said that yes, some call us that. She responded that she wanted to learn more and have classes! Wow, we know the Lord is preparing them for us, enough that they are stopping US on the streets!”
Hermana B: “We found a family who had been less active/inactive for years. They now had two young daughters 8 and 9 who had never been baptized. We started teaching the girls and the family began to really feel the spirit again. They had their baptismal date and had been attending church. Last week the parents even bore their testimonies in the Fast and testimony meeting. We were preparing all for the baptism later that day, but the father came to us and said, “The girls aren’t’ going to be baptized today.” We were so sad, but then he explained that HE wanted to do the baptism, and felt he wasn’t worthy or ready yet. The girls now want their Dad to perform the baptism and they have a family plan to have him do it soon, and then a date to go to the temple together as a family soon, too. We are glad that they want to be eternal.”
Read more!
(They have been here just over 12 weeks or 18 weeks and all of the meeting is in Spanish today)They share their success stories/relatos de exito with us:
Elder H: “A woman was very sad when we met her on the street. She had been raining (lloviendo), I mean crying (llorando). We didn’t think she wanted to listen, but then she did and now we have 7 people ready for baptism.”
Elder S: “We spoke to a woman who had been a bit against progressing, but when we came back and taught her, we found out she had been studying the Book of Mormon and praying. She told us she knew it was true. I know the Lord is preparing people for us to find. She knew.”
Hermana P: “We were teaching this woman, whose husband didn’t really support her studying the gospel and progressing. We were fasting for her, wondering what we could say to her and to him, to help them both. We returned and talked to both of them, and we all felt the spirit. Then we were so happy to see them both come to Sacrament meeting on Sunday. We returned to teach them both, and now he has also agreed to a baptismal date, like her, and he wants to learn more!”
Elder N: “We were teaching a man who didn’t want to leave tea, coffee, cigarettes, but now he has, and is listening and progressing with the lessons. He has been prepared.”
Elder L: “I loved my other ward, where I was with my trainer. We had many baptisms, we helped grow the ward, and I really loved the families. We fasted, prayed and worked with them. I heard of one of the men we had been teaching was baptized after I left and moved to another area, and I was still thrilled and feliz for him, because I really love him and want him to be saved. We are going to have that same kind of success and members in my new area too.”
Elder C: (This great Latin Missionary who was called on to say the opening prayer and he stood and prayed in English! I have to admit I didn’t know who was called on to pray, but as I sat listening to the sweet, humble and simple English prayer, my heart was overflowing to hear him and I had to peek open my eyes to see which tender -hearted Elder was praying with such sincerity, in broken English. It was a beautiful, tender prayer, and we could understand by the language of the spirit.)
Hermana B: “We were just walking quickly down the street and saluted/greeted a woman with just ‘hello’ but she stopped us and asked which church we were missionaries of and when we told her we are members of the Church of Jesus Christ, she asked, “Los Mormones?” We said that yes, some call us that. She responded that she wanted to learn more and have classes! Wow, we know the Lord is preparing them for us, enough that they are stopping US on the streets!”
Hermana B: “We found a family who had been less active/inactive for years. They now had two young daughters 8 and 9 who had never been baptized. We started teaching the girls and the family began to really feel the spirit again. They had their baptismal date and had been attending church. Last week the parents even bore their testimonies in the Fast and testimony meeting. We were preparing all for the baptism later that day, but the father came to us and said, “The girls aren’t’ going to be baptized today.” We were so sad, but then he explained that HE wanted to do the baptism, and felt he wasn’t worthy or ready yet. The girls now want their Dad to perform the baptism and they have a family plan to have him do it soon, and then a date to go to the temple together as a family soon, too. We are glad that they want to be eternal.”
Read more!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
18 New Missionaries/ Elders, from the Provo, MTC
18 New North American Missionaries arrived from the Provo MTC on Tuesday. We love them already. I love to call each one the next day, to ask how their first 24hrs in the mission have been. The following are some of the comments we hear:
These are priceless thoughts and comments:
Q: What do you think of your companion?
A: “Muy buen” (N.American trying to say, ‘muy bueno,’ very good!)
A: “My companion is GREAT!:
A: “He is so great, I’m learning so much from him already!”
A: “Wow, my trainer is such a hard worker.”
A: “El es buenisimo!”
A: “I have to chase after him!”
A: “El es super bueno, muy capo.”
A: “My companion is so good. He had us make goals and we did them!”
Q: What do you think of Chile now?
A: "It's really great here!"
A: “I love it here.”
A: "Wow, this is like a great adventure!"
A: “It is so weird, nothing like I really imagined it would be.”
A: “I’m super excited to be here.”
A: "Loco here."
A: "Interesting...we are opening a new area, it's different than I thought."
Q: How did you sleep last night?
A: "Like a Baby, sound asleep when my head hit the pillow."
A: “Like a rock, hermana”
A: “I don’t remember anything.”
A: “I was out in like 5 seconds and dead to the world.”
A: “I woke up at 3am, freezing (he’s in coldest part of mission) and pulled another
blanket on and was OK then. I’m going to be fine, if I plan ahead.
A: “I’m tired. I have to run to keep up with my companion. He walks so fast.”
A: “I think I have a fever, plus I have a bit of a cough, but I feel great, no worries.”
A: “We can’t believe the time passes so fast and then it's morning.”
Q: What kind of things did you do here for your first day?
A: “I couldn’t believe it. We made 49 contacts in one day. It was great!”
A: "It's like being beat with a cold fish...hard work!"
A: "We made all of our goals for the day. It's fun making contacts."
A" "We ate lunch with members, soup, carne, arroz, all so delicious. I love the pan!"
A: “We had some lessons fall through, and other great ones where we really felt the spirit. It was so neat.”
A: "We met the Bishop, ward mission leader, members, and lots of contacts"
A: “We taught this perfect young joven. He is super, named Diego. He has a baptismal date now, and wants to come to church with us on Sunday. Yahoooo!”
A: “We taught some good lessons. The investigators are so innocent and want to believe. Plus the members who went with us are so faithful, it was great to see.”
A: “We visited some members, met some less actives, talked with lots of investigators. It is all interesting.”
A: “This is so good. We had some great lessons. We contacted for 2.5 hrs. Then we taught, then we teach more, and then gave more contacts. All is muy buen!”
SAYING GOODBYE: “We love you, Elder…… Thanks for being here!”
“Tell the Presidente, hello.” “Give my best to the Prdte.” “Saludos a Prdte May.” “Have a great evening, Hrma, and tell Pdte I send my best.” “Gracias por llamar.” “Gracias por su amor y carino.” “I love you both too,” “Me too.” “Amor al Pdte.”
Read more!
These are priceless thoughts and comments:
Q: What do you think of your companion?
A: “Muy buen” (N.American trying to say, ‘muy bueno,’ very good!)
A: “My companion is GREAT!:
A: “He is so great, I’m learning so much from him already!”
A: “Wow, my trainer is such a hard worker.”
A: “El es buenisimo!”
A: “I have to chase after him!”
A: “El es super bueno, muy capo.”
A: “My companion is so good. He had us make goals and we did them!”
Q: What do you think of Chile now?
A: "It's really great here!"
A: “I love it here.”
A: "Wow, this is like a great adventure!"
A: “It is so weird, nothing like I really imagined it would be.”
A: “I’m super excited to be here.”
A: "Loco here."
A: "Interesting...we are opening a new area, it's different than I thought."
Q: How did you sleep last night?
A: "Like a Baby, sound asleep when my head hit the pillow."
A: “Like a rock, hermana”
A: “I don’t remember anything.”
A: “I was out in like 5 seconds and dead to the world.”
A: “I woke up at 3am, freezing (he’s in coldest part of mission) and pulled another
blanket on and was OK then. I’m going to be fine, if I plan ahead.
A: “I’m tired. I have to run to keep up with my companion. He walks so fast.”
A: “I think I have a fever, plus I have a bit of a cough, but I feel great, no worries.”
A: “We can’t believe the time passes so fast and then it's morning.”
Q: What kind of things did you do here for your first day?
A: “I couldn’t believe it. We made 49 contacts in one day. It was great!”
A: "It's like being beat with a cold fish...hard work!"
A: "We made all of our goals for the day. It's fun making contacts."
A" "We ate lunch with members, soup, carne, arroz, all so delicious. I love the pan!"
A: “We had some lessons fall through, and other great ones where we really felt the spirit. It was so neat.”
A: "We met the Bishop, ward mission leader, members, and lots of contacts"
A: “We taught this perfect young joven. He is super, named Diego. He has a baptismal date now, and wants to come to church with us on Sunday. Yahoooo!”
A: “We taught some good lessons. The investigators are so innocent and want to believe. Plus the members who went with us are so faithful, it was great to see.”
A: “We visited some members, met some less actives, talked with lots of investigators. It is all interesting.”
A: “This is so good. We had some great lessons. We contacted for 2.5 hrs. Then we taught, then we teach more, and then gave more contacts. All is muy buen!”
SAYING GOODBYE: “We love you, Elder…… Thanks for being here!”
“Tell the Presidente, hello.” “Give my best to the Prdte.” “Saludos a Prdte May.” “Have a great evening, Hrma, and tell Pdte I send my best.” “Gracias por llamar.” “Gracias por su amor y carino.” “I love you both too,” “Me too.” “Amor al Pdte.”
Read more!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Latest comments from our Newest Missionaries!
Fase 1 Training/ New Missionary Comments
These are some of the great thoughts our missionaries share as they relate the
experiences of success they are having in the mission, what they are learning and how
they love the people in Chile. We always are inspired by their great faith and bubbly enthusiasm for this wonderful work....
• “This is like living a dream. We teach and we get right to the hearts of the people. They need our help; many are sad. We ask them if we can sing them a song, right where we are, and then after that, they want us to come and teach them. They begin to want to change, make commitments and come to church. Wow.”
• “We are opening a new area that hasn’t had missionaries for a while. We rec’d so many referencias, because they were waiting for missionaries again. We didn’t know people in the branch, but people started giving us names, wanted to help and gave us lots of ideas, followed by 4 more people, 2 families and then getting them to church was a great start.”
• “Speaking Spanish and now English here today is still hard for me!”
• “Our very first day we met 8 new investigators, and we were so excited. The next day, total opposite. We decided to fast and taught more. We felt the spirit more and we see the people want us to come back, they want to go to church and return to live with God.”
• “We are way out in Curacavi (1.5 hr west of Santiago)Brand new area, and starting over since there were no missionaries there for a while. It is humbling to see the people who the Lord has put in our path. They are being prepared and we have to remember the Lord knows who and where they are. We met a great family.”
• “We remember learning in the MTC, that if something falls through, and they don’t keep their appt., sometimes right after the Lord blesses us with another ‘little miracle,’ that we see his hand, right after, helping us to find someone else He knew was right there. I feel like I see a light of Christ right in them.”
• “We went to a new area to open it. There are members who are recent converts and getting to see their newest is incredibly new for me, growing up and living in Nevada with a strong ward and background. I’m excited to see how they love the gospel.”
• “We have 2 investigators in the same house. However, it is obvious to see the one more prepared that the other; he wants to read more, devouring the pamphlet we gave him and hungry for the Book of Mormon. He told us he wanted to live the Word of Wisdom, so he started doing it himself, cutting out tea. What a miracle.”
• “Put into practice what we are learning and did learn in the CCM/MTC. Now a woman we are teaching wants to go to church. We rec’d many referrals from the Funeral that was held in the Colina chapel. People respected and honored this man, and then were impressed by the church setting of the funeral and lots of members and others sharing and teaching those who came, to learn about the church.”
• “We had a baptism. This young teenager was into satanic things, now his whole heart and countenance has changed. It’s incredible. Another woman we are teaching is so ready to be baptized. She is very prepared, felt the spirit so strongly, hasn’t ever smoked, had drinking problem, café’ etc. We took one of our recent converts to go help us teach this woman, and her strong, new testimony was so powerful. We are grateful for the members’ help.”
• “I love our sector. We have people who are really supportive and I love my companion. He is bacan. We are making lots of contacts and they want us to come back.”
Read more!
These are some of the great thoughts our missionaries share as they relate the
experiences of success they are having in the mission, what they are learning and how
they love the people in Chile. We always are inspired by their great faith and bubbly enthusiasm for this wonderful work....
• “This is like living a dream. We teach and we get right to the hearts of the people. They need our help; many are sad. We ask them if we can sing them a song, right where we are, and then after that, they want us to come and teach them. They begin to want to change, make commitments and come to church. Wow.”
• “We are opening a new area that hasn’t had missionaries for a while. We rec’d so many referencias, because they were waiting for missionaries again. We didn’t know people in the branch, but people started giving us names, wanted to help and gave us lots of ideas, followed by 4 more people, 2 families and then getting them to church was a great start.”
• “Speaking Spanish and now English here today is still hard for me!”
• “Our very first day we met 8 new investigators, and we were so excited. The next day, total opposite. We decided to fast and taught more. We felt the spirit more and we see the people want us to come back, they want to go to church and return to live with God.”
• “We are way out in Curacavi (1.5 hr west of Santiago)Brand new area, and starting over since there were no missionaries there for a while. It is humbling to see the people who the Lord has put in our path. They are being prepared and we have to remember the Lord knows who and where they are. We met a great family.”
• “We remember learning in the MTC, that if something falls through, and they don’t keep their appt., sometimes right after the Lord blesses us with another ‘little miracle,’ that we see his hand, right after, helping us to find someone else He knew was right there. I feel like I see a light of Christ right in them.”
• “We went to a new area to open it. There are members who are recent converts and getting to see their newest is incredibly new for me, growing up and living in Nevada with a strong ward and background. I’m excited to see how they love the gospel.”
• “We have 2 investigators in the same house. However, it is obvious to see the one more prepared that the other; he wants to read more, devouring the pamphlet we gave him and hungry for the Book of Mormon. He told us he wanted to live the Word of Wisdom, so he started doing it himself, cutting out tea. What a miracle.”
• “Put into practice what we are learning and did learn in the CCM/MTC. Now a woman we are teaching wants to go to church. We rec’d many referrals from the Funeral that was held in the Colina chapel. People respected and honored this man, and then were impressed by the church setting of the funeral and lots of members and others sharing and teaching those who came, to learn about the church.”
• “We had a baptism. This young teenager was into satanic things, now his whole heart and countenance has changed. It’s incredible. Another woman we are teaching is so ready to be baptized. She is very prepared, felt the spirit so strongly, hasn’t ever smoked, had drinking problem, café’ etc. We took one of our recent converts to go help us teach this woman, and her strong, new testimony was so powerful. We are grateful for the members’ help.”
• “I love our sector. We have people who are really supportive and I love my companion. He is bacan. We are making lots of contacts and they want us to come back.”
Read more!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Fase 3 missionary thoughts....learning moments!
These are some thoughts from our Missionaries in Phase 3 Training
where we ask them to share some “Relatos de Exito/ Success Stories” or things they are learning since they have now been here 3 changes,or about 4 months.This whole meeting is in Spanish, and the parents of these great missionaries who were North Americans wouldn't believe to hear their sons and daughters speaking so well in such a short time, but the thoughts and comments have been translated here into English for the blog. August 7, 2009
• “We’ve really been working with families. One house the mother was baptized but the others didn’t want to listen, and now all of them are coming into the room for the lessons and they want to be baptized too. The Holy Ghost is touching their hearts so much. ”
• “We went to a home where a man invited inside his home. He said he had been praying for us to come. He is blind, and he told us that he had lots of lessons before, we knew nothing about him, and he said he went to church but couldn’t be baptized because he was living with a woman, but now he is not. He felt like he was ready to learn more and was praying that we would come back. He told us then and there that he wanted to be baptized, and he was ready! It is like a miracle!”
• “When we have a conflict or problem with our companions, we have to be humble to ask our companion for help. This means we need to be teachable and humble. Also, we can’t just ask them to solve our problems, but we need to help THEM find the solutions for themselves. This is like what we do with our investigators. We are just teaching and showing the way to have faith, repent, and make changes in their lives for the better.”
• “We had not had any success getting into homes so we had really been praying for that. That day when we went out, we had lots of people with their front doors actually open! It was really like a miracle. Then the family that we first taught that day told us we were like Angels, and that they felt like Jesus Christ had just entered their home, when we came in. We invited them to church, and when we went by their home on Sunday, to walk them to church, the woman was in a skirt, and the man and his son both had on white shirts and ties, like our missionary ones. It was awesome!”
• “We were not being very effective, and we had been wasting lots of time in our days, not having planned very specifically. We repented, and really planned our days and time better, and the Lord started blessing us even more. We met a woman, and she set her baptism date right that day, and has now gone through so many changes, like no more smoking, leaving alcohol, and these things were hard for her, but she has done it. Obedience is a powerful principle I am learning.”
• “I’m learning we have to give our companions time to talk and share together, even if we think we have the answers. It is a companionship and teamwork as missionaries.”
Read more!
where we ask them to share some “Relatos de Exito/ Success Stories” or things they are learning since they have now been here 3 changes,or about 4 months.This whole meeting is in Spanish, and the parents of these great missionaries who were North Americans wouldn't believe to hear their sons and daughters speaking so well in such a short time, but the thoughts and comments have been translated here into English for the blog. August 7, 2009
• “We’ve really been working with families. One house the mother was baptized but the others didn’t want to listen, and now all of them are coming into the room for the lessons and they want to be baptized too. The Holy Ghost is touching their hearts so much. ”
• “We went to a home where a man invited inside his home. He said he had been praying for us to come. He is blind, and he told us that he had lots of lessons before, we knew nothing about him, and he said he went to church but couldn’t be baptized because he was living with a woman, but now he is not. He felt like he was ready to learn more and was praying that we would come back. He told us then and there that he wanted to be baptized, and he was ready! It is like a miracle!”
• “When we have a conflict or problem with our companions, we have to be humble to ask our companion for help. This means we need to be teachable and humble. Also, we can’t just ask them to solve our problems, but we need to help THEM find the solutions for themselves. This is like what we do with our investigators. We are just teaching and showing the way to have faith, repent, and make changes in their lives for the better.”
• “We had not had any success getting into homes so we had really been praying for that. That day when we went out, we had lots of people with their front doors actually open! It was really like a miracle. Then the family that we first taught that day told us we were like Angels, and that they felt like Jesus Christ had just entered their home, when we came in. We invited them to church, and when we went by their home on Sunday, to walk them to church, the woman was in a skirt, and the man and his son both had on white shirts and ties, like our missionary ones. It was awesome!”
• “We were not being very effective, and we had been wasting lots of time in our days, not having planned very specifically. We repented, and really planned our days and time better, and the Lord started blessing us even more. We met a woman, and she set her baptism date right that day, and has now gone through so many changes, like no more smoking, leaving alcohol, and these things were hard for her, but she has done it. Obedience is a powerful principle I am learning.”
• “I’m learning we have to give our companions time to talk and share together, even if we think we have the answers. It is a companionship and teamwork as missionaries.”
Read more!
Friday, May 22, 2009
New Missionary Training... Fase 1 and 2
We had great sessions with our new missionaries. Fase 1 training we hold after they have been here about 10 days. They come back the next Friday after they arrive, so they now know what questions to ask, how to do things, and what they need help with since they have arrived. We have an interactive meeting and then followed by nice lunch for each of them and their trainer/companions too. The following month, when they have been out for 1 change or about 6 weeks, then we have the new ones come back for Fase 2, this time the whole meeting in Spanish, and without their trainers/companions. They are fine by now, getting around on the metro, buses and can really converse fine and understand the majority of what people say. Here are some of their comments and thoughts about what they are learning, saw, heard, experienced in their first change here in Chile Santiago North:
1. "One woman said she had never heard of the church before, but when we started to explain about Jose Smith we felt the spirit and powerfully, as if someone else where teaching her about it, so she paid real close attention."
2. "Our investigator had a very strong prejudice against Peruvians, but she told me that even though I am from Peru, her heart was softened towards me as she always saw me smiling, and being helpful. That was what made her want to listen to us, where my companion said she wouldn't listen to just him before."
3. "A teenager started gaining more trust and confidence in his parents, after he began having personal changes in his life from the gospel. He used to be a deliquent but the gospel helped him express more love and appreciation to his parents. I did the same in my country, after I learned about the gospel. I was much more obedient and unselfish with my parents' requests after I joined the church."
4. "I really feel the power of prayers here in just these short 10 days. The Spirit was really powerful, and sometimes this is the only time I really can understand what is being said, during the prayers, by the spirit."
5. "I can't believe I'm really here, finally in the mission field. I feel like I've been waiting for this all of my life. I talked to a man yesterday who told us many things he needs to repent about, including crimes and serious stuff. But it touched me to see him crying and wanting to change."
6. "The first night we arrived, we bought some groceries, put my suitcases in the house, and we went out. It started raining, I was drenched, by my companion and I both didn't mind, we said what a great way to start out, because the people felt sorry for us, and everywhere we knocked, people let us in! I remember Pres. May telling us to go the extra mile, and then it is true...we were more than blessed!"
7. "I was not used to riding a bike like we need to in Los Andes, and I fell off 4 times when I first started, but I kept trying and now I am better at it."
8. "My trainer is so great, he practically runs to the appointments, but he knows everyone in this area, and now my leg muscles are really strong! One lady put a baptismal date and then after we were teaching her, she wants to move it up and do it sooner! We are having lots of lessons with whole families and see miracles in them."
9. "We were talking to a woman who said she was busy, and then she told us she would give us just 5 minutes. Then she soon let us in her home. Then she told us that she has attended or tried many churches all around the neighborhood, but never been in ours. She was excited to hear that we are missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ, because she loves to talk and learn about Him. She was thrilled we invited her to come and attend out meetings this week. She must really be prepared!"
10."I read DyC 11:12,15--This made me really feel that when I am testifying and trying to share my thoughts, the spirit fills me too, with joy. Just like the scripture says, and I can understand how it makes us want to share it more."
Read more!
1. "One woman said she had never heard of the church before, but when we started to explain about Jose Smith we felt the spirit and powerfully, as if someone else where teaching her about it, so she paid real close attention."
2. "Our investigator had a very strong prejudice against Peruvians, but she told me that even though I am from Peru, her heart was softened towards me as she always saw me smiling, and being helpful. That was what made her want to listen to us, where my companion said she wouldn't listen to just him before."
3. "A teenager started gaining more trust and confidence in his parents, after he began having personal changes in his life from the gospel. He used to be a deliquent but the gospel helped him express more love and appreciation to his parents. I did the same in my country, after I learned about the gospel. I was much more obedient and unselfish with my parents' requests after I joined the church."
4. "I really feel the power of prayers here in just these short 10 days. The Spirit was really powerful, and sometimes this is the only time I really can understand what is being said, during the prayers, by the spirit."
5. "I can't believe I'm really here, finally in the mission field. I feel like I've been waiting for this all of my life. I talked to a man yesterday who told us many things he needs to repent about, including crimes and serious stuff. But it touched me to see him crying and wanting to change."
6. "The first night we arrived, we bought some groceries, put my suitcases in the house, and we went out. It started raining, I was drenched, by my companion and I both didn't mind, we said what a great way to start out, because the people felt sorry for us, and everywhere we knocked, people let us in! I remember Pres. May telling us to go the extra mile, and then it is true...we were more than blessed!"
7. "I was not used to riding a bike like we need to in Los Andes, and I fell off 4 times when I first started, but I kept trying and now I am better at it."
8. "My trainer is so great, he practically runs to the appointments, but he knows everyone in this area, and now my leg muscles are really strong! One lady put a baptismal date and then after we were teaching her, she wants to move it up and do it sooner! We are having lots of lessons with whole families and see miracles in them."
9. "We were talking to a woman who said she was busy, and then she told us she would give us just 5 minutes. Then she soon let us in her home. Then she told us that she has attended or tried many churches all around the neighborhood, but never been in ours. She was excited to hear that we are missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ, because she loves to talk and learn about Him. She was thrilled we invited her to come and attend out meetings this week. She must really be prepared!"
10."I read DyC 11:12,15--This made me really feel that when I am testifying and trying to share my thoughts, the spirit fills me too, with joy. Just like the scripture says, and I can understand how it makes us want to share it more."
Read more!
Friday, April 17, 2009
"I feel like nothing more than a Toddler!" (Recent arrival)
"Hola Presidente May! Aye yi yi. What a week. Just to be clear I´M LOVING IT. But good grief! this is the hardest craziest thing I´ve ever done in my life. And by far the most wonderful. I love Hna ____. It is amazing to recognize how well the Lord knows me and my needs as I look at where I am and who I am with. I am full of a gratitude that words cannot describe. Ha!
But I believe conference was the first thing in 4 days where I completely understood what was going on. Other than that, I´m doing a lot of wondering and guessing. I´m pretty clear on who a couple investigators are (because, I was there when we found them, or I have taught them once/twice now and understand), and I know who the Bishop and Ward Mission Leader are, and at least one memeber. Other than that, I have no idea who´s who or if we´re being reunited with someone or if we´re making a new contact until we´re in the process. -sigh- I recognize that I am weak and simple and I feel like nothing more than a toddler, clinging to my mother´s skirt trying desperately to do what pleases her when I think I understand what she wants. It´s hard. It´s fun. It´s tiring. It very much wants to be discouraging. It´s scary. It´s frustrating that even when I do understand what is going on, I cannot yet express what I feel and know in my heart and am forced to stumble around tossing out simple words and not being able to get where I want to go. But I have the Lord, and a loving and patient companion, and I recognize I understand far more than I did when I got here (which was nothing). It will come. I have no doubt. I must simply maintain patience and work really really hard." (author is unknown to this writer as the Prdte sent this to be included without author's name.)
Read more!
But I believe conference was the first thing in 4 days where I completely understood what was going on. Other than that, I´m doing a lot of wondering and guessing. I´m pretty clear on who a couple investigators are (because, I was there when we found them, or I have taught them once/twice now and understand), and I know who the Bishop and Ward Mission Leader are, and at least one memeber. Other than that, I have no idea who´s who or if we´re being reunited with someone or if we´re making a new contact until we´re in the process. -sigh- I recognize that I am weak and simple and I feel like nothing more than a toddler, clinging to my mother´s skirt trying desperately to do what pleases her when I think I understand what she wants. It´s hard. It´s fun. It´s tiring. It very much wants to be discouraging. It´s scary. It´s frustrating that even when I do understand what is going on, I cannot yet express what I feel and know in my heart and am forced to stumble around tossing out simple words and not being able to get where I want to go. But I have the Lord, and a loving and patient companion, and I recognize I understand far more than I did when I got here (which was nothing). It will come. I have no doubt. I must simply maintain patience and work really really hard." (author is unknown to this writer as the Prdte sent this to be included without author's name.)
Read more!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
New Missionary Training
These great new missionaries, 11 in total, who just arrived on Mar 31st, came back to the Mission Home for Phase 1 training. We thought this was for orientation and training, but these are thoughts we learned from THEM, as they discussed what they had learned and experienced in just their first week:
"We trust much in God, and He gives us what we need."
"We were really praying for this man, and his needs, and then the Lord blessed us
with the answers, through his wife!"
A fellow missionary went to the hospital and had surgery and yet told his zone he would still follow through with his 20 contacts daily. He did that and was a great example to his zone. This new missionary was touched by this valiant example of another in his zone. They are eager to learn and follow counsel.
"We had great success this week, and I was so impressed with my trainer, who just challenged someone to baptism right at the door. They accepted right then and there and I stood with my mouth open, so impressed with my companion!" (great missionary to praise and compliment his companion right in public and give him the credit)
"I went on exchanges/divisions with a missionary who went home this past week. He taught me how it would feel to be making my last day of contacts in the mission, and I really felt his urgency. I don't want to ever forget how that feels."
"We can't really judge our contacts or investigators' hearts. The Lord knows their hearts and He is preparing them."
Read more!
"We trust much in God, and He gives us what we need."
"We were really praying for this man, and his needs, and then the Lord blessed us
with the answers, through his wife!"
A fellow missionary went to the hospital and had surgery and yet told his zone he would still follow through with his 20 contacts daily. He did that and was a great example to his zone. This new missionary was touched by this valiant example of another in his zone. They are eager to learn and follow counsel.
"We had great success this week, and I was so impressed with my trainer, who just challenged someone to baptism right at the door. They accepted right then and there and I stood with my mouth open, so impressed with my companion!" (great missionary to praise and compliment his companion right in public and give him the credit)
"I went on exchanges/divisions with a missionary who went home this past week. He taught me how it would feel to be making my last day of contacts in the mission, and I really felt his urgency. I don't want to ever forget how that feels."
"We can't really judge our contacts or investigators' hearts. The Lord knows their hearts and He is preparing them."
Read more!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
