March 5, 2012
BUSY, BUSY
I have had quite the busy week! Where to begin?
I'll start with the most recent things. Sunday:
Yesterday we taught the High Priest Quorum about missionary work (for those who don't know what High Priest's Quorum is, it's basically teaching the old men in the ward). It was a little intimidating at first. We were asked to teach the whole class. What do you say to 60 year old men that they haven't heard for the past 60 years of their life? Well, Sister Ma'umalanga and I prayed really hard to know what to share. We were inspired to share a video that shows missionaries teaching. It shares a story about a family who didn't have any religion in their lives. The husband was LDS, but not active. It shows the sister missionaries teaching them, and then you hear commentary from the family and from the missionaries about their experience. It is such a touching video. I cry every time. The most amazing part of it all is how they change. You can tell that they become happier throughout the video. At the end, the wife (Sister Robles) is at the temple grounds and says, "When I'm here, I just feel happy. I feel complete. If this is what earth feels like, can you imagine the heavens?" It was so powerful! After the video, we saw many of the men wiping away tears. We then proceeded to share our testimonies and how we came to know about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was so wonderful! A brother said, "Honestly, in the past, we lost hope in the missionaries. But now, our hope is renewed. I have someone for you to visit." I felt so inadequate, but the spirit truly helped strengthen me. I had no fear and was able to teach without any problem!
After church we were invited to a "Break the Fast" dinner. It was a dinner for older singles in the area. There were just 6 people there. It was a new experience hearing 50-60 year olds talking about dating. We definitely felt young and out of place. Oh the joys of the mission... :)
Speaking of feeling out of place and talking about dating, we went to a stake young womans standards night. We went to support the young woman in the ward. The wives of the stake presidency spoke about standards; especially dating standards. It was a wonderful program, but kinda weird as a missionary.
Saturday:
How many missionaries does it take to move things from someone's yard?
We helped a woman we're teaching move. We asked the Elder's to help as well. Even with 4 missionaries, and the couple we were helping, it took us 5 hours! It was so nice to give service. I think it really helped their hearts open up.
Friday:
We had a mission conference in Kalispell (which is 3 1/2 hours away). It was so wonderful and spiritually uplifting! I did something for the first time in my life....I sang a solo! There's an elder who had asked me to sing WITH him a few weeks earlier for the conference, but I never heard from him. I figured that it wasn't happening. However, 10 minutes before the start of the conference, this elder told me that he wanted to sing "A child's prayer". He wanted me to sing the first verse as a solo. I was shocked! Without any practice? He didn't even have a piano player! It was crazy. But I couldn't back down, so I went with it anyways. I was so afraid to sing, I was shaking. It was pretty bad. I couldn't hit any of the notes. I felt really embarrassed. I would say it may be one of the most uncomfortable experiences of my life!
Wednesday:
We had the best lesson ever! We have a couple investigating (learning more about our beliefs) who are wonderful! Bill and Colleen have been searching years and years for religion. They have attended just about every truth. They told us that they have never felt in the other religions, the peace they have felt as they've been learning about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Teaching them was a tender moment that I shall never forget. I cried a lot because I felt the spirit so strongly! Colleen has a lot of doubts because she was raised by an avid atheist. They told us that they are worried about what happens with their marriage after they die. Bill was married before, but Colleen wants to be with Bill forever. We taught them about the temple and how they can be sealed (or married) for not only time, but for eternity! Their faces lit up and they said, "Wow, that brings us so much hope!" They never liked the wording of the marriage ceremony where it says, "til death do you part". Now they know that death doesn't have to separate them. They told us that they went to Temple Square and felt so much peace when they saw the temple. Now they know why. We had a great lesson filled witht the spirit. We are scheduled to see them Wednesday. They told us that they, "can't wait until our next visit. They look forward to it all week". I can't express the joy I felt after I met this wonderful couple who are seeking to follow their Savior.
Also on Wednesday, we were invited to an elementary school concert from a 11 year old we are teaching. As I listened, I just couldn't help but feel so much love for all of God's children. Children are just so innocent and pure. They just bring me so much joy!
All-in-all, I am happy and well!
I love you all lots.
I have had quite the busy week! Where to begin?
I'll start with the most recent things. Sunday:
Yesterday we taught the High Priest Quorum about missionary work (for those who don't know what High Priest's Quorum is, it's basically teaching the old men in the ward). It was a little intimidating at first. We were asked to teach the whole class. What do you say to 60 year old men that they haven't heard for the past 60 years of their life? Well, Sister Ma'umalanga and I prayed really hard to know what to share. We were inspired to share a video that shows missionaries teaching. It shares a story about a family who didn't have any religion in their lives. The husband was LDS, but not active. It shows the sister missionaries teaching them, and then you hear commentary from the family and from the missionaries about their experience. It is such a touching video. I cry every time. The most amazing part of it all is how they change. You can tell that they become happier throughout the video. At the end, the wife (Sister Robles) is at the temple grounds and says, "When I'm here, I just feel happy. I feel complete. If this is what earth feels like, can you imagine the heavens?" It was so powerful! After the video, we saw many of the men wiping away tears. We then proceeded to share our testimonies and how we came to know about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was so wonderful! A brother said, "Honestly, in the past, we lost hope in the missionaries. But now, our hope is renewed. I have someone for you to visit." I felt so inadequate, but the spirit truly helped strengthen me. I had no fear and was able to teach without any problem!
After church we were invited to a "Break the Fast" dinner. It was a dinner for older singles in the area. There were just 6 people there. It was a new experience hearing 50-60 year olds talking about dating. We definitely felt young and out of place. Oh the joys of the mission... :)
Speaking of feeling out of place and talking about dating, we went to a stake young womans standards night. We went to support the young woman in the ward. The wives of the stake presidency spoke about standards; especially dating standards. It was a wonderful program, but kinda weird as a missionary.
Saturday:
How many missionaries does it take to move things from someone's yard?
We helped a woman we're teaching move. We asked the Elder's to help as well. Even with 4 missionaries, and the couple we were helping, it took us 5 hours! It was so nice to give service. I think it really helped their hearts open up.
Friday:
We had a mission conference in Kalispell (which is 3 1/2 hours away). It was so wonderful and spiritually uplifting! I did something for the first time in my life....I sang a solo! There's an elder who had asked me to sing WITH him a few weeks earlier for the conference, but I never heard from him. I figured that it wasn't happening. However, 10 minutes before the start of the conference, this elder told me that he wanted to sing "A child's prayer". He wanted me to sing the first verse as a solo. I was shocked! Without any practice? He didn't even have a piano player! It was crazy. But I couldn't back down, so I went with it anyways. I was so afraid to sing, I was shaking. It was pretty bad. I couldn't hit any of the notes. I felt really embarrassed. I would say it may be one of the most uncomfortable experiences of my life!
Wednesday:
We had the best lesson ever! We have a couple investigating (learning more about our beliefs) who are wonderful! Bill and Colleen have been searching years and years for religion. They have attended just about every truth. They told us that they have never felt in the other religions, the peace they have felt as they've been learning about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Teaching them was a tender moment that I shall never forget. I cried a lot because I felt the spirit so strongly! Colleen has a lot of doubts because she was raised by an avid atheist. They told us that they are worried about what happens with their marriage after they die. Bill was married before, but Colleen wants to be with Bill forever. We taught them about the temple and how they can be sealed (or married) for not only time, but for eternity! Their faces lit up and they said, "Wow, that brings us so much hope!" They never liked the wording of the marriage ceremony where it says, "til death do you part". Now they know that death doesn't have to separate them. They told us that they went to Temple Square and felt so much peace when they saw the temple. Now they know why. We had a great lesson filled witht the spirit. We are scheduled to see them Wednesday. They told us that they, "can't wait until our next visit. They look forward to it all week". I can't express the joy I felt after I met this wonderful couple who are seeking to follow their Savior.
Also on Wednesday, we were invited to an elementary school concert from a 11 year old we are teaching. As I listened, I just couldn't help but feel so much love for all of God's children. Children are just so innocent and pure. They just bring me so much joy!
All-in-all, I am happy and well!
I love you all lots.
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February 27, 2012
LEARNING LESSONS
This week has been wonderful! I just wanted to share how I have truly come to love the people here in Stevensville. I was sitting there during sacrament meeting and just looking around at all of the people in the ward. I just felt so much love come over me for all of the people. I have never felt more love for people I know so very little. I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me. The whole time I was sitting during the rest of the meeting, I just had a continual prayer of gratitude in my heart. I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who has helped me come to love his wonderful children. I don't know how much I have helped them, but I have truly learned a great deal from these wonderful people. They have made me want to be more like the Savior: more kind, more loving, and more patient.
This past week we stopped by a house of a less active family. They are so wonderful. The first moment I met this sister, she and I connected. She has just gradually found herself getting off of the Gospel path. She had a wake up call a couple of weeks ago because she was put into jail for a couple of days. Since then, she has changed her life. She told us her story about how being in jail has helped her to reopen her eyes to the reality of things. She appreciates her family more, she appreciates God more, and she appreciates life more. For the first time in many years, their whole family came to church on Sunday! It was such a beautiful site. The speaker gave one of the best talks I have ever heard about the Atonement- and our striving for perfection. It was perfect for this family who needed to be reminded that they don't need to be perfect, they just need to be trying and allowing the Savior to make up the difference. I know that it was not a coincidence that she was speaking on that subject on the very same day that this family decided to come to church. Yes, I do believe it was a miracle! Oh, going back: after our visit with their family, I was asked to give the prayer. As I prayed for their family, I just felt overcome with love for them. I couldn't help but keep back the tears. In that moment, every trial washed away. Every effort, every day filled with exhaustion, every discouragement seemed to wash away. Yes, I am indeed here for a purpose. If only for this one family.
Somebody stopped me in the hall yesterday and said, "You look happier than I've ever seen you". It was great to hear! Yes, I feel happier. Do you know why? I'm finally beginning to understand what President Hinckley's father told him on his mission, "forget yourself and go to work". The selfish and prideful parts of me are beginning to melt away. Instead of thinking about myself, I am striving to think of others. It has been a lifelong goal to be less selfish (because I believe every human being is inherintley selfish in some way), but I think I'm finally GETTING it...I mean, it's just starting to make sense. Yeah...life is hard sometimes. Yeah, it's no fun to be rejected. Yeah, I have struggles. But I'm beginning to see that none of that matters. No matter how hard we try sometimes, nothing we do can change those things. But we can change our attitude. Living in a teeny tiny room: no problem. Having to be with someone not of your choosing for 24/7: well, I guess you're never lonely. What seemed like mountains at the beginning of my mission are beginning to seem like molehills. None of those things I worried about so much even matter in the long run. What DOES matter is how we treat others. What DOES matter is if you're finding joy in today. What DOES matter is if you helped someone in need today. It has only taken me 11+ months, but now I'm beginning to see what things are of eternal significance, and those that will not matter in the grand scheme of things. I tell my companion, I'm not perfect. I'm still learning lessons every day. Please just be patient with me. As we've gained that mutual agreement to accept each other's weaknesses, but to focus on each other's strengths, we have been able to see the joys in all of our experiences.
In other news, we are moving this week. So...yet again, here I go a'packing. Yep...I have not stayed in the same room/bed for over 6 weeks in the past 11 months. I think that has to be some sort of mission record or something.
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February 20, 2012
A WEEK OF RECOVERY
This week has been a week of recovery. My companion had surgery last Monday, and has been ordered by the doctor to stay in bed for 4 days. However, those 4 days were not long enough, so it ended up being a week. I'm not sure what next week will bring, but we're at least attempting to go to Wal Mart and to do something today. Yesterday we went to church, but since we cover two wards (another term for a congregation), we have a lot of sitting to do! 6 1/2 hours of it! However, after 3 hours, my companion was ready to go back to bed and rest. So...for the first time on my mission, I left church early. It felt a little strange. Haha. Two missionaries playing hooky... ;)
Anyways, since this week has been slow-paced, I have had a lot of time to figure out the area (since I am the driver now). I finally think I know where all of the major roads are located. I must say, it sure is frustrating to be somewhere and not know how to get from point A to point B. Thank goodness for maps.
I learned a very important lesson this week. Since we couldn't do much teaching this week, I decided to just call people and see how they are doing. I simply wanted to let them know that we were thinking of them and hope they are doing well. A lot of people responded very well! It's amazing how, when you show love to someone, they are more willing to open up. I also have used facebook to "stalk" some members of the ward and to send them messages just to see how they're doing. It has been great! Even people that I have never met have told me their life story (via facebook messaging). Thanks to facebook (and showing my fellow brothers and sisters love), there are two families that say they want to come back to church. They have for a while, but now they have just an extra support to help them get there. Oh! And thanks to addresses.com, I have found 10 families that were missing addresses in the ward list, and have probably been overlooked for years. I felt like a devious detective...mwahaha...no one is going to escape being loved by these missionaries. Even though most people come to Montana to get lost (seriously...I can't tell you how many people have told me that's WHY they moved to Montana), they will not be lost any longer. A lot of people have had rough lives and have lost the light, peace and joy that comes from knowing that we have a loving Heavenly Father. Even if they don't ever come back to church, I pray that those we meet can at least be reminded of God's love. I hope to place their hands in the Savior's so that they can find hope in this life.
One of our investigators dropped us this week. That would be investigator #9 that has told us that they don't want to meet with missionaries (that number is totallying everyone from all of my areas in Montana). I broke down the other day because I lost all hope. 11 months on my mission and I have yet to see anyone come back to church or to be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. One really begins to wonder WHY they're on a mission at this point. I did. But then I prayed one of the most heartfelt prayers of my life. I needed to know if I was a failure. I needed to know what I was doing wrong. I didn't receive an answer immediately. I received it when I was given a blessing on Sunday. I was told that something wonderful is about to happen, and that every disappointment and sorrow will be forgotten. Where once there was darkness, soon light will fill it's place. I felt the spirit very strongly during my blessing. It brought me the peace and hope I so desperately needed. Then, it hit me: I may not have seen "success" on my mission, but I HAVE helped God's children feel loved. So that's my focus. I'm going to love like I've never loved before; I hope to be filled with Charity, even the pure love of Christ. And if I never see any fruits of my labors, so it will be. I shall go forward with faith and know that I did my best. I may only be sowing seeds for later missionaries to harvest. Either way, it's the LORD'S work, not MINE; so I shall trust in His purposes.
Well, I love you all. Thank you for reading my sometimes very lengthy emails. :)
-----------------------------------------------------------------Anyways, since this week has been slow-paced, I have had a lot of time to figure out the area (since I am the driver now). I finally think I know where all of the major roads are located. I must say, it sure is frustrating to be somewhere and not know how to get from point A to point B. Thank goodness for maps.
I learned a very important lesson this week. Since we couldn't do much teaching this week, I decided to just call people and see how they are doing. I simply wanted to let them know that we were thinking of them and hope they are doing well. A lot of people responded very well! It's amazing how, when you show love to someone, they are more willing to open up. I also have used facebook to "stalk" some members of the ward and to send them messages just to see how they're doing. It has been great! Even people that I have never met have told me their life story (via facebook messaging). Thanks to facebook (and showing my fellow brothers and sisters love), there are two families that say they want to come back to church. They have for a while, but now they have just an extra support to help them get there. Oh! And thanks to addresses.com, I have found 10 families that were missing addresses in the ward list, and have probably been overlooked for years. I felt like a devious detective...mwahaha...no one is going to escape being loved by these missionaries. Even though most people come to Montana to get lost (seriously...I can't tell you how many people have told me that's WHY they moved to Montana), they will not be lost any longer. A lot of people have had rough lives and have lost the light, peace and joy that comes from knowing that we have a loving Heavenly Father. Even if they don't ever come back to church, I pray that those we meet can at least be reminded of God's love. I hope to place their hands in the Savior's so that they can find hope in this life.
One of our investigators dropped us this week. That would be investigator #9 that has told us that they don't want to meet with missionaries (that number is totallying everyone from all of my areas in Montana). I broke down the other day because I lost all hope. 11 months on my mission and I have yet to see anyone come back to church or to be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. One really begins to wonder WHY they're on a mission at this point. I did. But then I prayed one of the most heartfelt prayers of my life. I needed to know if I was a failure. I needed to know what I was doing wrong. I didn't receive an answer immediately. I received it when I was given a blessing on Sunday. I was told that something wonderful is about to happen, and that every disappointment and sorrow will be forgotten. Where once there was darkness, soon light will fill it's place. I felt the spirit very strongly during my blessing. It brought me the peace and hope I so desperately needed. Then, it hit me: I may not have seen "success" on my mission, but I HAVE helped God's children feel loved. So that's my focus. I'm going to love like I've never loved before; I hope to be filled with Charity, even the pure love of Christ. And if I never see any fruits of my labors, so it will be. I shall go forward with faith and know that I did my best. I may only be sowing seeds for later missionaries to harvest. Either way, it's the LORD'S work, not MINE; so I shall trust in His purposes.
Well, I love you all. Thank you for reading my sometimes very lengthy emails. :)
FEBRUARY 13, 2012
FEELING THE LOVE
Wishing all of you a wonderful week full of love. I hope that at this time when you are focusing on the love you have for others, that you will take the time and reflect upon the love you have for God. I also hope you can pray to feel Heavenly Father's great love for you, His child. A wonderful chapter in the Bible that talks all about love is 1 John 4. I invite you all to read it when you get the chance.
7 Beloved, let us alove one another: for blove is of God; and every one that loveth is cborn of God, and knoweth God.
7 Beloved, let us alove one another: for blove is of God; and every one that loveth is cborn of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not aknoweth not God; for God is love.
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might alive through him.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he aloved us, and bsent his Son to be the cpropitiation for our sins.
12 aNo man hath bseen God at any time. If we love one another, cGod ddwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
19 We alove him, because he first loved us.
20 If a man say, I love God, and ahateth his bbrother, he is a cliar: for he that loveth not his dbrother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not eseen?
21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who aloveth God love his brother also.
There's a portion of the chapter. My favorite verse is 18 which states, "Perfect love casteth out fear". That is very helpful to me. When I love others around me and when I love God, then I have no need to fear.
Anyways, I guess you may all be curious about me (I didn't write last week). I am now serving in Stevensville (my last area before Kalispell) with a wonderful companion from Tonga, Sister Ma'umalanga. She is wonderful! We get along very well! I am the happiest I have been since I have been in Montana! :)
I have learned a lot these past few weeks. I have faced some opposition. The biggest lesson I have learned is that happiness comes from the inside. If we allow our outside circumstances to determine our worth or our happiness, then we will never truly be happy. I have come to see that God wants us to be patient with ourselves. We are not perfect human beings. None of us are. Due to this fact, we need to be patient with ourselves and with others. There are things I wish I would have done differently in the past. However, I need to focus on the positive. To summarize a quote from Elder Anthony D. Perkins: God will never make us feel discouraged. Only Satan will make you feel that. Heavenly Father will make us feel hope for a positive change. This is going to be my best transfer ever!
Oh! fun things from the week! We had a baptism! Well...the Elders from a neighboring area had a baptism, but their chapel doesn't have a font. So, they asked us to fill up the font in our ward building for them. It was exciting! Since I have never seen anyone enter the covenant of baptism on my mission, I was at least grateful for the opportunity to witness one. The spirit was very strong! The man Mike, was a 40 year old who has really been touched by the spirit! He has such a strong testimony. I was touched as I sat there and pondered on the WHY of baptism. It isn't to show others that you have faith. It is a sacred, special opportunity that you are willing to follow the Savior Jesus Christ and the example He set of obedience and faith in His Father's will. It is a chance to wash away all of your sins and all of your rebellious ways, and to accept God's wonderful plan of happiness that He has prepared for all of His children. It is a fresh start. It is a new life. However, it is not a new life alone. It is a new life with the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. The thing that touched me the most was the confirmation. The confirmation is when the individual receives the gift of the Holy Ghost. The baptism is not complete without the confirmation. I was so happy that this wonderful child of God, Mike, can start his new life of discipleship with the gift of the Holy Ghost. It is truly one of the best gifts from God. I am so grateful for the guidance of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Spirit brings peace to my soul, understanding to my life, and guidance when I need it. I was so touched to feel of God's love for His children. I guess that's one of the main reasons I invite you to think about and feel the love God has for you this week (not only because it's Valentines day soon).
Well, just know that I am happy and well! I'm so happy to be back to the wonderful town of Stevensville! When people ask why I am back, I respond, "Well...I have some unfinished business that God wants me to take care of."
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ANYONE CAN CHANGE
I gave a talk in sacrament yesterday. It was a very spiritual experience. I studied and prayed for a long time to know what to say because the ward here needs a lot of help in order to light their non-existent missionary fires. It was amazing! I was the first speaker and during the sacrament I still had no idea what to say. Then, I prayed for spiritual guidance and for love. The spirit helped me see the congregation with spiritual eyes. I saw that they were all struggling in some way. Everyone was holding burdens. Everyone was imperfect. Then, I thought about the sacrament. I thought about the Atonement of the Savior. Bingo! I knew what I needed to talk about! The spirit guided me to write down, "The Gospel is so important, not just for food storage or to have a place to go on Sundays or for the social aspect, but the Gospel is vital because it shows us how we can be forgiven of our sins, so that we can ultimately return to live with Heavenly Father. The reason we share the Gospel is not just to mark off something on a to-do list. Instead, it is so we can share this message of hope: to help our brothers and sisters know that they too can be forgiven of their sins". I stood up and gave a 7-10 minute talk without once looking at my notes. I have no idea what I said, but I felt that I was a literal mouthpiece for the Lord. The Lord fulfilled His promises when He said that He would fill my mouth, I just needed to be willing to open it. It was so amazing! Sister Davidson started crying when she got up and she said, "I am so grateful for my companion. She truly is here on her mission for the right reasons and she sees missionary work for what it really is- it's not about numbers or baptisms, it's about healing souls". It really touched me. She gave a very powerful talk as well and it was led by the spirit. A lot of people came up to us afterwards and thanked us. They said it really touched their souls. I was so glad that Heavenly Father was able to magnify my talents. I know that it wasn't from me. If I were to be the one giving the talk and I was left to my own efforts, then it would have been boring and unmemorable. I am grateful for the spirit and that God is by my side.
I also have an amazing experience about a less active couple that has changed dramatically. They went from swearing at the missionaries who came to the door--telling them to get off their steps--to letting us in and telling us everything about their trials and how they have been offended by people in the church. Yesterday we met with them and it was one of the best experiences of my whole mission. There is a light in their eyes where there once was darkness. They have started reading the Book of Mormon! We were reading the sermon on the mount. Jared told us to pay attention to the part that talks about being a light on a hill. He told us that we are that light on a hill that have brought their family hope. It really touched my heart. They told us how they were never comfortable with the other missionaries to open up this much. However, they were able to feel our love and that we wouldn't judge them. They even invited us both to come to their sealing that will one day happen in the Vernal, Utah temple. It's amazing the changes that the Gospel have brought into their lives. Not too long ago Jared told his wife Cameo that he would rather die than bring up their kids in the Church. Now they are planning to have their new baby (she is pregnant) blessed and they one day wish to get sealed in the temple. It strengthened my testimony in the atonement. I know that everyone and anyone can change. I know that the atonement is real. I really came to see them not with my natural eyes and where they are now, but I saw them as God sees them-with the potential they have within them.
