Hello Family!
My prep day is on Thursdays this transfer. Because there always needs to be someone serving in the visitor center our p-days amongst the sister missionaries get swapped around every 6 weeks. You don't really get that anywhere else in the mission. It's interesting scheduling appointments, when I'm not actually sure if we're going to be able to make it, because the visitor center schedule might get changed over the next couple weeks. But most of the time we still make it to all of those appointments and are scheduled at the vc for the other half of the day. It's a miracle really that it works out that way.
I'm in Main House with 3 other companionships. There's a big map with all the vc sister's names on it who've served there and where they're from. Thus far I am Colorado's only representative. However, I was talking to Moua Talamatasi the other day in Blue Mills Ward and she said SheDaisy's lil brother served in that ward a while ago. So Mom, feel free to confirm that. I've never been so 'in the know' about the goings and comings of a ward and pretty much everything about everybody in it, as I have here in Independence. I've grown accustomed to my role in life as 'the last one to find out.' On one hand, it's a nice change; on the other hand, some times I wish I was still 'the last one to find out' about a lot of people's histories.
We're going to Science City today and I'm bound and determined to be a better member missionary on my p-days and talk to someone at the library and a few people at Walmart and somebody at this Science City place. My companion is dying and going home in 5 weeks, so this transfer we're doing everything she's been meaning to get around to doing her whole mission. Supposedly this is like the ultimate 5th grade field trip. She's excited. I'm up for any excuse to wear p-day clothes.
Oky-dokey, spirachel stuff.... we've been really blessed as we've talked to everyone this week. The girl I referred to the singles branch 3 weeks ago that I met at Cold Stone on a p-day, we finally contacted and she's a new investigator (with a pet ferret :-) and she really liked the first lesson. Except she was so on it with her questions that it really was a discussion. It was great. Then we went back and she missed the next appointment, but we talked to some people in her parking lot and they were really open to meeting with us, so we got their info and are going to make an appointment with them this next week. And even though that appointment didn't work out, the teamup we brought, who used to work with her, was up for coming to teach with us, but as we talked in the car I came to realize that she's probably less active and so it was a good teaching experience and I hope we got her motivated to go back to church in her ward.
So things work out the Lord's way. Sister Durrant, my new, very awesome VC leader/companion, made a good point in companionship study this morning about how we should always be teaching. Even if it's not who we were planning to teach or if it's not a real lesson. Like talking in the car in between appointments we should bear testimony and teach each other. Every conversation can be a teaching opportunity, even if it's with Bishop. And she mentioned this as we were reading “Mothers Who Know” from last conference. It said something like, “mothers who know, teach.” So even after the mission, especially with kids I should constantly be teaching, though not necessarily preaching.
Like in the car with that less active teamup, Sister Durrant chimed in, “So this is off subject, but I was thinking today, like what is faith? And how are we supposed to actually get it?” Perfect. The best lessons are really conversation topics. Well-placed questions. I'm working on that this transfer. Coming up with simple questions that aren't like, “What's the purpose of life?” but like, “Are you happy with how things are right now? That's the point right? You think you could be happier? That God has something more for you than work and school?” I've spent half my mission trying to come up with some good questions and they're finally starting to come as I let my lil personality shine on through.
I'm really in a unique situation here. Our branch could potentially have 600 members, there's actually about 100 on the list and about 20 who come every week. Ay yay yay. So I went to church on Sunday and stilldon't really know anyone, but it was good. And there's been a lot of baptisms in this ward and so sticking with the recent converts is fun. Plus a couple of them live in Riverview ward, which is in Kansas City and is a little more exciting. It's the ethnic quarter. In 5 blocks there's15 taquerias, 2 middle eastern shops, a couple African export stores. I like driving through there, but do my best not to slow down.
Life's good and the church is true. Missouri is thinking about warming up and I hear it's actually pretty in Springtime. Things are going to get busy. I'm excited to teach little old ladies by the busload! I'll keep praying for you all. Thanks for all the support.
Love you,
la Hermanacita Deb
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
7.5 months--I shouldn't count, that's just so you know how long you canprocrastinate writing me :-)
Hi everyone...I
'm not sure who everyone is anymore, who all does this email get to?
It has been a good week for missionary work here in Independence 4th ward. We had A LOT of investigators at church on Sunday. They brought their friends, so it was really cool. This little family we're teaching that's super cute and the mom speaks some English, were the ones that came. I think I might have already talked about them in my last email. The daughter has already memorized “Did You Think To Pray?” and some other hymns and the little bro had read the first few chapters of the Book of Mormon. Beautiful beautiful beautiful. We love 'em.
The man from Guerrero that we're teaching English/The Gospel, came with us and a member to the Visitor Center on Monday and wow. It was awesome. He felt the Spirit and opened up about his family that he's not going to see for another year. He's been trying to read the Book of Mormon on hi sown. It's in vosotros (thou thee), so he's not really getting it. But he's tryin. It's too bad he can't come to church. He works Sundays and it's not exactly one of those choose your own hours jobs. We're just doing service for him, planting a seed of faith. If he builds enough here he can go home and bloom in a year. But of course, I'm not that patient, so for now I'm going to try to find him a different job, through employment services.
This morning we had the dreaded VC goodbye breakfast. The Meachams are going back to Morgan Utah and Sister Madsen is headed home to Sandy. This one was a lot less teary though. More humorous. I'm glad they've changed the format. Sister Madsen said something really cool in her testimony. She quoted Brigham Young saying Zion is like a ship sailing into the harbor of Celestial Bliss. She said each of us has an individual and necessary role to play on that ship. Our individual talents are what brings success. She said, Maybe you're not the missionary that needs to baptize the universe, maybe youre role is to keep the recent converts going," but she was thankful when the Lord blessed her to still be part of those baptisms. And as I've thought about that, I really really want to be the previously-mentioned missionary, but I've noticed a pattern of service and foundation-building and I'm happy with the progress I've seen those two areas. I'm happy with the progress I've seen be made in myself. I'm exhausted and I have to keep saying “6 more weeks, 6 more weeks,” like Dad told me before I went into the MTC, but that mantra has served me well and things are steadily better one transfer (6 weeks) at a time.
Speaking of which, transfers are next Thursday. I want to stay in this ward, but I got a fortune cookie last week saying I'd be 'travelling for business and pleasure,” so I know my fate is sealed. Not really, but I see a lot more reasons for my companion to be in this ward than me to be here, so if somebody's going, we know who it is. I actually like transfers. I mean I hate saying goodbye, but it keeps life interesting and different missionaries are led to different parts of their area. There's some sections it just doesn't seem like we ever get to within our ward boundaries, so hopefully the next misionera does. My address won't change for the next 11 months. No worries. They have to keep us close to the VC.
Life's bueno. Missouri's cold. Church is true. Thanks for the Valentines.
Ofa 'atu. Love ya,
Hermana Deb
Hi everyone...I
'm not sure who everyone is anymore, who all does this email get to?
It has been a good week for missionary work here in Independence 4th ward. We had A LOT of investigators at church on Sunday. They brought their friends, so it was really cool. This little family we're teaching that's super cute and the mom speaks some English, were the ones that came. I think I might have already talked about them in my last email. The daughter has already memorized “Did You Think To Pray?” and some other hymns and the little bro had read the first few chapters of the Book of Mormon. Beautiful beautiful beautiful. We love 'em.
The man from Guerrero that we're teaching English/The Gospel, came with us and a member to the Visitor Center on Monday and wow. It was awesome. He felt the Spirit and opened up about his family that he's not going to see for another year. He's been trying to read the Book of Mormon on hi sown. It's in vosotros (thou thee), so he's not really getting it. But he's tryin. It's too bad he can't come to church. He works Sundays and it's not exactly one of those choose your own hours jobs. We're just doing service for him, planting a seed of faith. If he builds enough here he can go home and bloom in a year. But of course, I'm not that patient, so for now I'm going to try to find him a different job, through employment services.
This morning we had the dreaded VC goodbye breakfast. The Meachams are going back to Morgan Utah and Sister Madsen is headed home to Sandy. This one was a lot less teary though. More humorous. I'm glad they've changed the format. Sister Madsen said something really cool in her testimony. She quoted Brigham Young saying Zion is like a ship sailing into the harbor of Celestial Bliss. She said each of us has an individual and necessary role to play on that ship. Our individual talents are what brings success. She said, Maybe you're not the missionary that needs to baptize the universe, maybe youre role is to keep the recent converts going," but she was thankful when the Lord blessed her to still be part of those baptisms. And as I've thought about that, I really really want to be the previously-mentioned missionary, but I've noticed a pattern of service and foundation-building and I'm happy with the progress I've seen those two areas. I'm happy with the progress I've seen be made in myself. I'm exhausted and I have to keep saying “6 more weeks, 6 more weeks,” like Dad told me before I went into the MTC, but that mantra has served me well and things are steadily better one transfer (6 weeks) at a time.
Speaking of which, transfers are next Thursday. I want to stay in this ward, but I got a fortune cookie last week saying I'd be 'travelling for business and pleasure,” so I know my fate is sealed. Not really, but I see a lot more reasons for my companion to be in this ward than me to be here, so if somebody's going, we know who it is. I actually like transfers. I mean I hate saying goodbye, but it keeps life interesting and different missionaries are led to different parts of their area. There's some sections it just doesn't seem like we ever get to within our ward boundaries, so hopefully the next misionera does. My address won't change for the next 11 months. No worries. They have to keep us close to the VC.
Life's bueno. Missouri's cold. Church is true. Thanks for the Valentines.
Ofa 'atu. Love ya,
Hermana Deb
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Hey there mi familia,
How are things? I got some interesting pics this week of Mom being eaten by an elephant in Thailand and Lisa with her evil chubby-cheeked hamster twin. Lisa, I hope you're feeling better. I am. I was snuffelupagusin'(new verb) this week and hiding under my covers wasting copious amounts of our worlds irreclaimable, precious kleenex resources. About two trashbags worth. We still went to a couple of appointments, but I was on Benadryll and they were more like member lessons with missionaries present.
Our ward mission leader called Friday, since my brain was dead and hadn't called him in a few days and he asked if I needed a blessing. He brought another young man prepping for a mission and they gave me a priesthood blessing that evening. As well as oranges from his wife. I love Brother Tonga. He's like the missionaries' little island grandpa. I slept like a rock that night and am feeling a lot better this week.
Let me tell you about our ward mission leader and his role in the historyof Independence. Brother Tonga and his wife moved here in '62 before any other Polynesian. A few family members quickly followed, such as the Ahmu's who helped build/design the New Zealand temple. He was the bishop of 3rd ward for years and years, which I personally believe is why 3rd ward is so much bigger than all the others. He knows absolutely every less active in every single ward. He's retired now and is THE OTHER full time missionary. He actually requested to be ward mission leader. He and his wife have donated the upper/main floor of their house to the A.P.s to live in. They live in the basement. We started teaching an older man this week, whose wife died a year ago. She was LDS. Less active. We were talking about what to teach him next in correlation and of course he knows Brother Tonga. Everyone does. This is why we love him. When I grow up, I want to be Brother Tonga.
The Midwest is a surprisingly multicultural place if you haven't caught that from other letters. I think because the cost of living is cheap and there's lots of construction jobs, etc. I feel like I've been called toMexico, Central America, Tonga, Korea, Eastern Europe... I talked to a Korean lady in the laundrymat today for 15 minutes about Kim chi and the beaches at Pusan and Kia mini vans. And how to properly pronounce the words I remember in Korean.
The elders from Kansas City brought in an investigator from Kansas City and he was as shiny gold golden as golden gets. Anyway, it gave me renewed hope for finding someone here that prepared for the word. There's not Spanish missionaries in that area, so the elders have just been having teamups translate, but to teach the commandments before baptism, I think they wanted just missionaries present. Guess who gets to translate? ...and it's my favorite...Repentance and The Law ofChastity/Word of Wisdom. Me, two elders and an older Mexican gentleman from Acapulco. There's nothing like the mission. There really isn't. When would I ever possibly be in a situation like this again? It wasn't bad, he's a great guy, but I imagine committing to live the Law of Chastity, would be really tough for him, because he can't get married here. He has to go back home to Mexico if he ever finds a fiance to get married. The chances of a girl being up for that are slim. They might not make it back. He was completely sincere though when he promised to live the commandments and said he'd quit smoking asap and he knew it was all true so it wouldn't even be a problem. I was just amazed and wondering where this man found all of his faith so fast. It was just neat. Spirit was strong. He prayed out loud with the elder for the first time. That was a good day.
Well I love you all family. Have a fun Valentines! Share the Love of the Gospel 0:-) Keep me updated. Work with your missionaries to find people to teach.
Hermana Deb
How are things? I got some interesting pics this week of Mom being eaten by an elephant in Thailand and Lisa with her evil chubby-cheeked hamster twin. Lisa, I hope you're feeling better. I am. I was snuffelupagusin'(new verb) this week and hiding under my covers wasting copious amounts of our worlds irreclaimable, precious kleenex resources. About two trashbags worth. We still went to a couple of appointments, but I was on Benadryll and they were more like member lessons with missionaries present.
Our ward mission leader called Friday, since my brain was dead and hadn't called him in a few days and he asked if I needed a blessing. He brought another young man prepping for a mission and they gave me a priesthood blessing that evening. As well as oranges from his wife. I love Brother Tonga. He's like the missionaries' little island grandpa. I slept like a rock that night and am feeling a lot better this week.
Let me tell you about our ward mission leader and his role in the historyof Independence. Brother Tonga and his wife moved here in '62 before any other Polynesian. A few family members quickly followed, such as the Ahmu's who helped build/design the New Zealand temple. He was the bishop of 3rd ward for years and years, which I personally believe is why 3rd ward is so much bigger than all the others. He knows absolutely every less active in every single ward. He's retired now and is THE OTHER full time missionary. He actually requested to be ward mission leader. He and his wife have donated the upper/main floor of their house to the A.P.s to live in. They live in the basement. We started teaching an older man this week, whose wife died a year ago. She was LDS. Less active. We were talking about what to teach him next in correlation and of course he knows Brother Tonga. Everyone does. This is why we love him. When I grow up, I want to be Brother Tonga.
The Midwest is a surprisingly multicultural place if you haven't caught that from other letters. I think because the cost of living is cheap and there's lots of construction jobs, etc. I feel like I've been called toMexico, Central America, Tonga, Korea, Eastern Europe... I talked to a Korean lady in the laundrymat today for 15 minutes about Kim chi and the beaches at Pusan and Kia mini vans. And how to properly pronounce the words I remember in Korean.
The elders from Kansas City brought in an investigator from Kansas City and he was as shiny gold golden as golden gets. Anyway, it gave me renewed hope for finding someone here that prepared for the word. There's not Spanish missionaries in that area, so the elders have just been having teamups translate, but to teach the commandments before baptism, I think they wanted just missionaries present. Guess who gets to translate? ...and it's my favorite...Repentance and The Law ofChastity/Word of Wisdom. Me, two elders and an older Mexican gentleman from Acapulco. There's nothing like the mission. There really isn't. When would I ever possibly be in a situation like this again? It wasn't bad, he's a great guy, but I imagine committing to live the Law of Chastity, would be really tough for him, because he can't get married here. He has to go back home to Mexico if he ever finds a fiance to get married. The chances of a girl being up for that are slim. They might not make it back. He was completely sincere though when he promised to live the commandments and said he'd quit smoking asap and he knew it was all true so it wouldn't even be a problem. I was just amazed and wondering where this man found all of his faith so fast. It was just neat. Spirit was strong. He prayed out loud with the elder for the first time. That was a good day.
Well I love you all family. Have a fun Valentines! Share the Love of the Gospel 0:-) Keep me updated. Work with your missionaries to find people to teach.
Hermana Deb
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)