11.24.08
Hello...
Im not really sure where to start. Honestly I dont feel like writing this week. This has by far been thee craziest week of my mission. Today I got a phone call from the A Coruna police station. They are looking for my friend Cristina. The one that is suppose to get baptized in a couple weeks. I wont go into to details about whats going on. But we had been trying to get a hold of her all week and then I got that phone call today. Im kind of just in shock not really sure what to do and Im really sad. I hate how close I get to people sometimes. Im still praying for her but she is in a lot of trouble. There was a lot of stuff going on that we didnt know about. I know she really felt the Spirit though and I believe that for the first time in her life she felt loved and accepted. I guess I have to believe that for my own santity.
Oh business stuff....I will ask if I can call on Christmas Eve. I got letters from tiff, mom, and my dear Grandma. I think thats all, cant remember, sorry. Emails I of course have from pops. Thank you for your love.
Today I have been cooking. I made some bread, potatos, yams, and a turkey tomorrow. We are going to have a big feast together before transfers. Im not leaving this week but in three weeks, 3 hermanas are leaving and Im pretty sure I will have to leave. I didnt want to leave but now Im kind of ready to go to a new city.
We met a guy named Joni this week. He cried through the whole visit and just told us all about his horrible life. I couldnt sleep that night after thinking about him. Now with all the problems with Cristina, I dont know what Im going to do. He was a drug addict and still is an alcoholic. He told us how badly he wants to be good but feels like satan has like taken over his body. He cried as he told me that he doesnt think God loves him or listens to him. It hurt me so much to listen to him. I felt pain for him and the life he has lived. I just started crying and tried so hard to explain how much God loves him. We tried to teach him how to pray but he couldnt focus. He told us that he knows he was suppose to be with us and it wasnt a coincidence but because he was doing something good satan would try to help him be bad. During our 30 min visit he got a bunch of phone calls from friends asking him to go drink and do bad things. It seemed like I could literally see him fighting with his body between good and bad, it was horrible. He wants so badly to be good but doesnt know how.
Some more good news is that as a companionship we picked three people to work with out of the ward. All of them have told me NO. One of them even explained to me why. She said she has helped with the obra before and never seen the results from her efforts and so she refuses to help us. THANK YOU. What do you think we are doing everyday LADY. Please be good member missionaries. They need you, the new people and the missionaries.
I feel exhausted again. Its so hard to have everyones problems on your mind. I dont know how the Prophet worries about the whole world.
Well I have a lot more on my mind but my time is almost up and I dont really feel like typing anymore. I guess we will talk in about a month. That seems unreal but man I cant wait.
I love you all so much. Sorry if this email stinks. Please keep praying for me. I know the church is true. A young man prayed and God answered him. No doubt in my mind. Keep helping those new members mom and dad thats wonderful.
Mom...will you call mel tomorrow and tell her happy bday for me and that I love her and miss her. Ive been tyring to write her for a couple weeks but havent had time. thanks.
love,
the sister
Monday, November 24, 2008
Logan - Elche Week 2
11.24.08
This week we had interviews with the President which I always enjoy and we also did service for a Doctor that lives in the campo. I am really enjoying the other Elders I am living with. It makes everything so much easier. We cook great meals togther and are having a good time. We are making our christmas card this week so I will try to send those out as soon as possible. The only thing I am not enjoying is our small shower. The water pressure is so low that when you turn the shower head toward the ceiling it stops. WE changed the hose and the head but the pressure is just really bad. You have to decide between a cold powerful shower or a hot trickle. Other then that everything is amazing. I feel like I have family in the ward and they are excited to help us with missionary work. We pass by the members, teach them short powerful lessons from the Book of Mormon, and then we tell them we are not supposed to be wasting time looking in the street for people to teach. We tell them we are here to teach and then we ask for names of friends and family to teach. Very blunt but it has been getting the job done. We are teaching members friends right now and it helps to have the members helping us so much and just being their friends.
We had a great time doing service on saturday. We built a dog cage thing for a doctor that hasnt had a lot of time to finish it. He has a little raft that he goes out in the ocean to fish with and also does scuba dives from it. He hunts fish with harpoon which is pretty common here. So for lunch we had Sardines that he just threw in the fire and they tasted great. He just cooked the fish whole and you pick everything off you want. My Companion was disecting it and I dont think he enjoyed them too much but I really liked them.
We are now teaching a skin head who is less active and his Girl Firend who is a non member. The first lesson went well and I am excited to get back and meet with them again. I feel more comfortable with my spanish everyday and I feel like my accent is pretty good. Its amazing how much help we recieve from the Holy Ghost in all things we do. We are having a big thanksgiving dinner at the church this week so we are excited for that. Everything is well here. Love you all
Elder G
This week we had interviews with the President which I always enjoy and we also did service for a Doctor that lives in the campo. I am really enjoying the other Elders I am living with. It makes everything so much easier. We cook great meals togther and are having a good time. We are making our christmas card this week so I will try to send those out as soon as possible. The only thing I am not enjoying is our small shower. The water pressure is so low that when you turn the shower head toward the ceiling it stops. WE changed the hose and the head but the pressure is just really bad. You have to decide between a cold powerful shower or a hot trickle. Other then that everything is amazing. I feel like I have family in the ward and they are excited to help us with missionary work. We pass by the members, teach them short powerful lessons from the Book of Mormon, and then we tell them we are not supposed to be wasting time looking in the street for people to teach. We tell them we are here to teach and then we ask for names of friends and family to teach. Very blunt but it has been getting the job done. We are teaching members friends right now and it helps to have the members helping us so much and just being their friends.
We had a great time doing service on saturday. We built a dog cage thing for a doctor that hasnt had a lot of time to finish it. He has a little raft that he goes out in the ocean to fish with and also does scuba dives from it. He hunts fish with harpoon which is pretty common here. So for lunch we had Sardines that he just threw in the fire and they tasted great. He just cooked the fish whole and you pick everything off you want. My Companion was disecting it and I dont think he enjoyed them too much but I really liked them.
We are now teaching a skin head who is less active and his Girl Firend who is a non member. The first lesson went well and I am excited to get back and meet with them again. I feel more comfortable with my spanish everyday and I feel like my accent is pretty good. Its amazing how much help we recieve from the Holy Ghost in all things we do. We are having a big thanksgiving dinner at the church this week so we are excited for that. Everything is well here. Love you all
Elder G
Monday, November 17, 2008
Logan - Elche Week 3
11.17.08
Buisness: Thank you everyone for all the letters! I recieved letters from P=atriarch Chambers, Aunt Laura, Jenny, Emily, Mom, Jessica, and The Hepwor=th Family. Thank you it was a great boost durning the week. Oh and mom I=got a package form you today it looked like. =20 Emily, the 1st counselor in my ward is Alfanso Sanchez, His daughter is liv=ing with you in your piso right now I think. How crazy is that! Well this week has been a lot of fun. Elder Ramsay and I get along great a=nd I feel like the ward likes us a lot, or at least the people we ve met =thus far. We have been working a lot and have seen some progress in a fe=w of the people we are visiting. We havent had a cell phone because our =sim card is in Barcelona still so that has made thinks very difficuilt bu=t we are getting by without it for now. Saturday night I read Jessesicas=letter and I really enjoyed it. I started laughing when I read about Br=enna and you Laughing at eachother. The whole concept of babies is just =so strange...small people. I dont know, but when I read about you too si=tting togther and her laughing at you while you were singing it made me s=mile. Then Yesterday we had a class on how families can be togther forev=er. As I sat there I thought why are families so important and so many d=ifferent ideas came to my head. Just looking back at Adam and how God cr=eated Eve to be with him because it was not good for man to be alone. Th=e social unit of the family is so important and to think that we wont hav=e families after this life I think is kind of crazy. A lot of peole say =in heaven we ll have anything we enjoy here on earth w=C3=A9 ll defiently=have in heaven but even better. While I was thinking of my family and h=ow some of the greatest times I have ever had and the happiest times in m=y life have been with my family I thought there is no doubt in my mind th=at we will be with our families after this life throught the sealing powe=r of the priesthood that Christ gave to Peter in Chapter 16 of Matt. And=said what ever you seal on earth will be sealed in heaevn. I am so grea=tfull to be sealed to my family and have the opurtunity to live with them=after this life. Every week is just seems like I have a big realization=of one thing or another and I always end up sharing in my letters becaus=e its on my mind.=20WE ate at a Mexican food restraunt this week and I started talking to the=owner and he had a funny spanish accent so I asked where he was from and=he said France. Then I asked how he knew how to cook mexican food and h=e told me we worked with one in Italy. I thought it was pretty funny to =be eating mexican food from a french man in spain. Lets just say I will =be greatful to get some real mexican food back in P town after the mish. =I love you all very much. I love seeing the blessings that come from li=ving the gospel in the lifes of others. This work is very rewarding in s=o many ways. I use to think I was giving two years of my life but know I=realize I am reciving much more in so many ways. The church is true. W=hat a simple but yet powerful statement. Anyone can know if they seek an=d knock. Love you all Elder G =20
Buisness: Thank you everyone for all the letters! I recieved letters from P=atriarch Chambers, Aunt Laura, Jenny, Emily, Mom, Jessica, and The Hepwor=th Family. Thank you it was a great boost durning the week. Oh and mom I=got a package form you today it looked like. =20 Emily, the 1st counselor in my ward is Alfanso Sanchez, His daughter is liv=ing with you in your piso right now I think. How crazy is that! Well this week has been a lot of fun. Elder Ramsay and I get along great a=nd I feel like the ward likes us a lot, or at least the people we ve met =thus far. We have been working a lot and have seen some progress in a fe=w of the people we are visiting. We havent had a cell phone because our =sim card is in Barcelona still so that has made thinks very difficuilt bu=t we are getting by without it for now. Saturday night I read Jessesicas=letter and I really enjoyed it. I started laughing when I read about Br=enna and you Laughing at eachother. The whole concept of babies is just =so strange...small people. I dont know, but when I read about you too si=tting togther and her laughing at you while you were singing it made me s=mile. Then Yesterday we had a class on how families can be togther forev=er. As I sat there I thought why are families so important and so many d=ifferent ideas came to my head. Just looking back at Adam and how God cr=eated Eve to be with him because it was not good for man to be alone. Th=e social unit of the family is so important and to think that we wont hav=e families after this life I think is kind of crazy. A lot of peole say =in heaven we ll have anything we enjoy here on earth w=C3=A9 ll defiently=have in heaven but even better. While I was thinking of my family and h=ow some of the greatest times I have ever had and the happiest times in m=y life have been with my family I thought there is no doubt in my mind th=at we will be with our families after this life throught the sealing powe=r of the priesthood that Christ gave to Peter in Chapter 16 of Matt. And=said what ever you seal on earth will be sealed in heaevn. I am so grea=tfull to be sealed to my family and have the opurtunity to live with them=after this life. Every week is just seems like I have a big realization=of one thing or another and I always end up sharing in my letters becaus=e its on my mind.=20WE ate at a Mexican food restraunt this week and I started talking to the=owner and he had a funny spanish accent so I asked where he was from and=he said France. Then I asked how he knew how to cook mexican food and h=e told me we worked with one in Italy. I thought it was pretty funny to =be eating mexican food from a french man in spain. Lets just say I will =be greatful to get some real mexican food back in P town after the mish. =I love you all very much. I love seeing the blessings that come from li=ving the gospel in the lifes of others. This work is very rewarding in s=o many ways. I use to think I was giving two years of my life but know I=realize I am reciving much more in so many ways. The church is true. W=hat a simple but yet powerful statement. Anyone can know if they seek an=d knock. Love you all Elder G =20
Emily - A Coruna Week 15
11.17.08
Hello Everyone...Yesterday I completed 10 months in the mission. I just cant even believe it. Its so weird to me and I know brother said that I talk about the time in every letter but its just so weird. Its fall and this year is almost over. I have emails from both sisters, Grandpa Gogarty, Pops, and a letter from sister Jess with the memory card. I have watched the videos about a hundred times. There is a little bit of space left so Im going to put a couple videos on there and send it back. Or what exactly am I suppose to do with this memory card? Anyways thanks for the letter sister. The lack of letters was made up with the videos. It was weird to hear someone say Aunt Emily. I know Im an aunt but Ive never met the reason why I am an aunt. We had some really great experiences this week. We met up with an old investigator from a couple years ago. We have really been focusing on having the inv. pray in the first visit. She couldnt do it, she believed that God had more important things to do than listen to her, a sinner. I tried so hard to explain to her how much he loved her and wanted to listen to her but she wouldnt do it. We went back a couple days later and read about prayer in the BOM. I tried with everything in me to explain to her how much God loves her and wants to hear from her. She finally said she would do and I could tell she was really nervous. She bowed her head and the her 35 year old son that still lives at home rang the timbre. I wanted to take him out when he came in, especially when he told her that he had prisa. He was waiting for his dinner. She closed the door and said okay you do it. I just looked at her and said please do it Carmen. She grabbed my hands and PRAYED a beautiful prayer. It was wonderful. It felt so good to listen to her talk to her Heavenly Father. Cristina is still doing really well. I love her so much. She came to church on Sunday in my skirt after working all night long. She had like three piercings in her face and there all gone. She just really changed over night. Its been amazing to watch her and be a part of her conversion. She just looks different and I know that she will find even more happiness through living the gospel. She told us while we were teaching the Plan of Salvation that its like a map. We were like yep exactly, a map that you can follow to return to your Heavenly Father. When we taught the kingdoms of glory I told her that God wants her to return to His presence and I want her to return to His presence. She is reading, praying and you can really see that her faith in Christ is changing her. I pray for her a million times a day. I hope that I can do everything to help her feel prepared for her baptism on the 6th of December. Its been amazing teaching her and loving her so much. We went to a pueblo the other day to check up on a family that we havent had time to get back to for a while. We had an amazing lesson with them and I felt very guided in what to say. I love what we have been taught recently about having the inv. pray. We talked about that and she prayed at the end. It really makes the whole experience so much better. Sometimes we feel the Spirit and they do too but dont recognize it. It is a wonderful way for them to act, feel and it gives us the opportunity to explain what they felt. The mom told me that they have been waiting for us to come back because they want to hear more about this book. I feel bad that it has taken us so long to get back there. We have a visit with them tomorrow and I cant wait to tell them about the BOM and how it can change their lives. I love the gospel! I love you all soooo much!Love,
Hello Everyone...Yesterday I completed 10 months in the mission. I just cant even believe it. Its so weird to me and I know brother said that I talk about the time in every letter but its just so weird. Its fall and this year is almost over. I have emails from both sisters, Grandpa Gogarty, Pops, and a letter from sister Jess with the memory card. I have watched the videos about a hundred times. There is a little bit of space left so Im going to put a couple videos on there and send it back. Or what exactly am I suppose to do with this memory card? Anyways thanks for the letter sister. The lack of letters was made up with the videos. It was weird to hear someone say Aunt Emily. I know Im an aunt but Ive never met the reason why I am an aunt. We had some really great experiences this week. We met up with an old investigator from a couple years ago. We have really been focusing on having the inv. pray in the first visit. She couldnt do it, she believed that God had more important things to do than listen to her, a sinner. I tried so hard to explain to her how much he loved her and wanted to listen to her but she wouldnt do it. We went back a couple days later and read about prayer in the BOM. I tried with everything in me to explain to her how much God loves her and wants to hear from her. She finally said she would do and I could tell she was really nervous. She bowed her head and the her 35 year old son that still lives at home rang the timbre. I wanted to take him out when he came in, especially when he told her that he had prisa. He was waiting for his dinner. She closed the door and said okay you do it. I just looked at her and said please do it Carmen. She grabbed my hands and PRAYED a beautiful prayer. It was wonderful. It felt so good to listen to her talk to her Heavenly Father. Cristina is still doing really well. I love her so much. She came to church on Sunday in my skirt after working all night long. She had like three piercings in her face and there all gone. She just really changed over night. Its been amazing to watch her and be a part of her conversion. She just looks different and I know that she will find even more happiness through living the gospel. She told us while we were teaching the Plan of Salvation that its like a map. We were like yep exactly, a map that you can follow to return to your Heavenly Father. When we taught the kingdoms of glory I told her that God wants her to return to His presence and I want her to return to His presence. She is reading, praying and you can really see that her faith in Christ is changing her. I pray for her a million times a day. I hope that I can do everything to help her feel prepared for her baptism on the 6th of December. Its been amazing teaching her and loving her so much. We went to a pueblo the other day to check up on a family that we havent had time to get back to for a while. We had an amazing lesson with them and I felt very guided in what to say. I love what we have been taught recently about having the inv. pray. We talked about that and she prayed at the end. It really makes the whole experience so much better. Sometimes we feel the Spirit and they do too but dont recognize it. It is a wonderful way for them to act, feel and it gives us the opportunity to explain what they felt. The mom told me that they have been waiting for us to come back because they want to hear more about this book. I feel bad that it has taken us so long to get back there. We have a visit with them tomorrow and I cant wait to tell them about the BOM and how it can change their lives. I love the gospel! I love you all soooo much!Love,
Monday, November 10, 2008
Logan - Elche Week 2
11.10.08
Uncle Mike thanks for the email! Today we took the train down the coast to Alicante to play some soccer with the other Elders. It was nice to relieve some stress playing. Opening up a closed area has been hard. Normally there is someone to show you arond and introduce you to everyone and people that were already being taught, but we are starting from sctrach. Luckily the city is not too big and is pretty easy to get around. THis morning we had to clean our piso, it was filthy but now un monton mejor. My comp and I get along great his Mom actually works in the lds book store in springs so maybe you could pass by and say HI because I want a certain highlighter thing they sell there. Its like an mechanical pencil that has different color lead for marking scriptures. WE are pretty excited for la navidad over here we already have our christmas tree up and ready. We live with the Zone leaders and it has been a great change. The maturity level went up 100 points compared to my last piso. We live the law of concencration practically and it is so much better. Everyone helps clean and we all share food and do shopping as a piso. When there is dishes whoever sees them does them. It is quite the change from my last piso where I was having to hide my dishes becasue no one would wash theres and steal mine. We also just speak in spanish now so my ability to speak has increased immensely and of course my english has gotten a lot worse sometimes when I speaking in english spanish words slip in its so weird. Elche is very pretty and I enjoy the city a lot. THe ward is great and warmed up to us very quickly. The Bishop is very missionary orienanted which I think has made his ward very strong and helped others become members. From the ward missionarys they had 5 people baptized last transfer. Its incredible was we can do when we all work togther. Not too much has happened right now we are just trying not to get lost and getting to know all the members. We were able to find 5 new people to start teaching this week miracoulsly so we will see how that goes. I hope everything is going well and I love you all. For christmas I cant think of anything really. I will try to think this week. Its not worth sending things because of how much it costs so maybe just letters from the whole family and some candy. Oh and of course some money on the old card lol I just need a new tie, sueter, y pantalones. Creo que ya esta muchas gracias. Os quiero Elder G
Uncle Mike thanks for the email! Today we took the train down the coast to Alicante to play some soccer with the other Elders. It was nice to relieve some stress playing. Opening up a closed area has been hard. Normally there is someone to show you arond and introduce you to everyone and people that were already being taught, but we are starting from sctrach. Luckily the city is not too big and is pretty easy to get around. THis morning we had to clean our piso, it was filthy but now un monton mejor. My comp and I get along great his Mom actually works in the lds book store in springs so maybe you could pass by and say HI because I want a certain highlighter thing they sell there. Its like an mechanical pencil that has different color lead for marking scriptures. WE are pretty excited for la navidad over here we already have our christmas tree up and ready. We live with the Zone leaders and it has been a great change. The maturity level went up 100 points compared to my last piso. We live the law of concencration practically and it is so much better. Everyone helps clean and we all share food and do shopping as a piso. When there is dishes whoever sees them does them. It is quite the change from my last piso where I was having to hide my dishes becasue no one would wash theres and steal mine. We also just speak in spanish now so my ability to speak has increased immensely and of course my english has gotten a lot worse sometimes when I speaking in english spanish words slip in its so weird. Elche is very pretty and I enjoy the city a lot. THe ward is great and warmed up to us very quickly. The Bishop is very missionary orienanted which I think has made his ward very strong and helped others become members. From the ward missionarys they had 5 people baptized last transfer. Its incredible was we can do when we all work togther. Not too much has happened right now we are just trying not to get lost and getting to know all the members. We were able to find 5 new people to start teaching this week miracoulsly so we will see how that goes. I hope everything is going well and I love you all. For christmas I cant think of anything really. I will try to think this week. Its not worth sending things because of how much it costs so maybe just letters from the whole family and some candy. Oh and of course some money on the old card lol I just need a new tie, sueter, y pantalones. Creo que ya esta muchas gracias. Os quiero Elder G
Emily - A Coruna Week 14
11.10.08
Hello My Beautiful Family...November is here and before I know it and you all know it, December will be over. The leaves are beautiful here right now but man we are getting rained on. It rained for like 3 days straight and then it finally let up for a little while. I cant remember if I liked rain before the mission but I might hate if after the mission. Being in the streets all day is already tiring but then when there is loads of rain its just the cherry on top. Sarah needs to serve a mission in northern Spain and then tell me that she loves rain. No it hasnt been that horrible but I must say I dont know how I lived with out these boots. They keep my feet so warm and dry.I have letters this week from Tiff, mom, my trainer, and Aunt Laura. E-mails from POPs and pics. from my sister. Im still waiting to hear from my sisters. They think if they send one letter a transfer they are doing well. Everyone is going to see some major beatings when I get home, especially Dad. He writes me every week but for some reason its just more fun to beat him up. I dont know what I want in my Christmas package. What do you do for Jess? I cant think of ideas right now. I really enjoy the shopping here though. If you want to just send a lil package for Christmas and then put money in that would be great for me. I have something very wonderful to tell you. Remember that girl that I wrote to you about last week, she is going to get baptized. She changed completely after the first visit. She is like my best friend now and asks us when we are going to come back. She has done everything we have asked her to do and I am so thankful for the opportunity to teach her. In about the 3rd visit we left her with the promise from the BOM and asked her to read 3 Nefi 11. When we came back I asked her if she had read and she said yes. We read over it a little together because she had some questions. Then we went to the promise and I asked her to tell me about her experience of praying to know if it is true. She pointed to her chest, close to her heart and she said, I felt something right her that I dont know how to explain. We read in the BOM and explained to her that she felt the Spirit. Then we read another verse from 3 Nefi 11 and I asked her to be baptized in to the true church of her Savior Jesus Christ. I tried what Grandpa wrote to me about in his last letter. The Spirit was so strong. She was waiting for me to ask her. She said yes and gave me the biggest hug ever. I was crying and I just promised her that she just made the best decision of her life. Her face has changed and she just looks better in every visit. We visit with her three times a week and I love her more every time I see her. The gospel of Jesus Christ is really going to change her life. She told us she feels so good that its weird to her. I cant wait to teach her all the commandments and watch her enjoy the blessings that come from living a pure, clean righteous life. Im so thankful for the opportunity to teach her who her Savior is and that His church is restored through a Prophet. Every time I talk to her about Gods love for her she just stares at me like she has never heard that before and if feels so good to her to hear it. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. We had a district meeting with President and Hermana DuVall a couple days ago. We are starting a new focus in the first lesson on prayer. I learned so much. We practiced teaching so that the investigator would have the desire to pray at the end of the lesson. With that prayer they are acting for themselves on faith and will have a spiritual experience. I taught H. DuVall and I felt prompted in what to say. Ideas came to mind in how to teach and what to say. It was a neat experience and I feel really strongly that what they taught is very important. People need to know that they have a loving Heavenly Father that is waiting to hear their voice. I know He will answer any of His children, that ask with faith and a sincere heart. H. DuVall called me yesterday and thanked me for my example. She said it was the best she has heard in the whole mission and that I am becoming a master teacher. I appreciated so much her phone call. I know that I taught with power not because of my own abilities but because of the Spirit who guided my heart, my mind and my mouth. I know the church is true. I have no doubt in my mind. I have a feeling that I cant describe that runs through my entire body as I testify of Gods church restored on the earth today. I know I represent my Savior. I love you all so much. I miss you with all of my heart but I know we will be together soon. Thank you for loving me and praying for me. H. Truscott is here now with me and its wonderful. She is an answer to my prayers. Love, TheSister
Hello My Beautiful Family...November is here and before I know it and you all know it, December will be over. The leaves are beautiful here right now but man we are getting rained on. It rained for like 3 days straight and then it finally let up for a little while. I cant remember if I liked rain before the mission but I might hate if after the mission. Being in the streets all day is already tiring but then when there is loads of rain its just the cherry on top. Sarah needs to serve a mission in northern Spain and then tell me that she loves rain. No it hasnt been that horrible but I must say I dont know how I lived with out these boots. They keep my feet so warm and dry.I have letters this week from Tiff, mom, my trainer, and Aunt Laura. E-mails from POPs and pics. from my sister. Im still waiting to hear from my sisters. They think if they send one letter a transfer they are doing well. Everyone is going to see some major beatings when I get home, especially Dad. He writes me every week but for some reason its just more fun to beat him up. I dont know what I want in my Christmas package. What do you do for Jess? I cant think of ideas right now. I really enjoy the shopping here though. If you want to just send a lil package for Christmas and then put money in that would be great for me. I have something very wonderful to tell you. Remember that girl that I wrote to you about last week, she is going to get baptized. She changed completely after the first visit. She is like my best friend now and asks us when we are going to come back. She has done everything we have asked her to do and I am so thankful for the opportunity to teach her. In about the 3rd visit we left her with the promise from the BOM and asked her to read 3 Nefi 11. When we came back I asked her if she had read and she said yes. We read over it a little together because she had some questions. Then we went to the promise and I asked her to tell me about her experience of praying to know if it is true. She pointed to her chest, close to her heart and she said, I felt something right her that I dont know how to explain. We read in the BOM and explained to her that she felt the Spirit. Then we read another verse from 3 Nefi 11 and I asked her to be baptized in to the true church of her Savior Jesus Christ. I tried what Grandpa wrote to me about in his last letter. The Spirit was so strong. She was waiting for me to ask her. She said yes and gave me the biggest hug ever. I was crying and I just promised her that she just made the best decision of her life. Her face has changed and she just looks better in every visit. We visit with her three times a week and I love her more every time I see her. The gospel of Jesus Christ is really going to change her life. She told us she feels so good that its weird to her. I cant wait to teach her all the commandments and watch her enjoy the blessings that come from living a pure, clean righteous life. Im so thankful for the opportunity to teach her who her Savior is and that His church is restored through a Prophet. Every time I talk to her about Gods love for her she just stares at me like she has never heard that before and if feels so good to her to hear it. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. We had a district meeting with President and Hermana DuVall a couple days ago. We are starting a new focus in the first lesson on prayer. I learned so much. We practiced teaching so that the investigator would have the desire to pray at the end of the lesson. With that prayer they are acting for themselves on faith and will have a spiritual experience. I taught H. DuVall and I felt prompted in what to say. Ideas came to mind in how to teach and what to say. It was a neat experience and I feel really strongly that what they taught is very important. People need to know that they have a loving Heavenly Father that is waiting to hear their voice. I know He will answer any of His children, that ask with faith and a sincere heart. H. DuVall called me yesterday and thanked me for my example. She said it was the best she has heard in the whole mission and that I am becoming a master teacher. I appreciated so much her phone call. I know that I taught with power not because of my own abilities but because of the Spirit who guided my heart, my mind and my mouth. I know the church is true. I have no doubt in my mind. I have a feeling that I cant describe that runs through my entire body as I testify of Gods church restored on the earth today. I know I represent my Savior. I love you all so much. I miss you with all of my heart but I know we will be together soon. Thank you for loving me and praying for me. H. Truscott is here now with me and its wonderful. She is an answer to my prayers. Love, TheSister
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Emily - A Coruna Week 13
11.4.08
Hello my Family...
Dad-Could you please send those pics to everyone. Thanks!
This week I have letters from Tiff and Mom. Also emails from Pops, Grandpa, and a forward from my long lost sister whats her name. Her daughter is really cute and she is getting really big.
It is raining raining and raining. I dont know how I survived the beginning of my mission with out these boots. They keep my feet really warm and DRY.
Mom did you like the secret phone call? I couldnt stop them and I didnt really want to. They wanted to thank you for the medicine and help me by getting the recipe. I could hear you crying and it made me cry a little. Katherin was almost in tears just listening to your voice. Jakelin told me that I have to do the same for her when Katherin is a missionary in the US.
We met a girl this week as a reference from a member. I think its the first reference I have received in my whole mission. We came the next day to visit her. She is a 19 year old girl from Spain. When we arrived she was hiding under a blanket. The member pulled the blanket off her head, handed her a BOM and told her to listen to us. Then he said I got to go, dont leave before I get back. We have some of the most random experiences as missionaries. Anyways you could tell that she was super scared of us. I just started talking to her like we were best friends. Then I pulled a pic of our family out and was like, hey do you want to see my family. Then I plopped myself down on the couch next to her. We talked for a while to help her feel more comfortable and then we began teaching. I love telling people that they are children of a loving Heavenly Father. I almost cry every time I tell someone that. I can just feel His love for them. She hasnt talked to her mom in two years and I could tell she has had a hard life. I loved telling her how special she is and how much God loves her. Her eyes were just set on mine as I talked and I realized at that moment that she hadnt heard anything good about herself in a long time. When we left she gave me a hug and I could tell that she felt very comfortable. We invited her to come to church and she said she was really scared to come. She also said she doesnt have a skirt. I gave her one of my skirts but told her its okay if she comes in jeans. I was so excited to see her walk in on Sunday. I sat right next to her like I told her I would. We go back tonight to teach her some more.
Im really starting to enjoy myself a lot more as I learn more Spanish. I finally have friends that I can talk to and joke around with. Im thankful for the chance Ive had to learn so mush Spanish with my companions. The two new hermanas will arrive on Wednesday.
We had a ward activity on Saturdays with a huge barbecue. I played basketball with like ten guys and got a bunch of them out. It was so much fun. I was trying to hide how much fun I was having as I slammed the poor things. H. Rafa the ward mission leader tried to give me a brownie but I was having too much fun whipping the boys. He mad a comment about it on Sunday in class. He said he has never seen an hermana play like me. It was really fun and I was laughing so hard my cheeks hurt. I think the Elders saw another side of me. WOOPS!
I sure love you all and I have to go. The hour always goes so fast. I miss you a lot!
POPs-sorry but I need more money. The boots were 150 euros and the exchange rate sucks. I gave her 100 and didnt want to take anymore out just in case it would overdraw. Thank you and sorry they were so expensive.
I know that this is Christs church. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that we can be freed from Sin.
Thank you for your love and support.
Love,
The Sister
Hello my Family...
Dad-Could you please send those pics to everyone. Thanks!
This week I have letters from Tiff and Mom. Also emails from Pops, Grandpa, and a forward from my long lost sister whats her name. Her daughter is really cute and she is getting really big.
It is raining raining and raining. I dont know how I survived the beginning of my mission with out these boots. They keep my feet really warm and DRY.
Mom did you like the secret phone call? I couldnt stop them and I didnt really want to. They wanted to thank you for the medicine and help me by getting the recipe. I could hear you crying and it made me cry a little. Katherin was almost in tears just listening to your voice. Jakelin told me that I have to do the same for her when Katherin is a missionary in the US.
We met a girl this week as a reference from a member. I think its the first reference I have received in my whole mission. We came the next day to visit her. She is a 19 year old girl from Spain. When we arrived she was hiding under a blanket. The member pulled the blanket off her head, handed her a BOM and told her to listen to us. Then he said I got to go, dont leave before I get back. We have some of the most random experiences as missionaries. Anyways you could tell that she was super scared of us. I just started talking to her like we were best friends. Then I pulled a pic of our family out and was like, hey do you want to see my family. Then I plopped myself down on the couch next to her. We talked for a while to help her feel more comfortable and then we began teaching. I love telling people that they are children of a loving Heavenly Father. I almost cry every time I tell someone that. I can just feel His love for them. She hasnt talked to her mom in two years and I could tell she has had a hard life. I loved telling her how special she is and how much God loves her. Her eyes were just set on mine as I talked and I realized at that moment that she hadnt heard anything good about herself in a long time. When we left she gave me a hug and I could tell that she felt very comfortable. We invited her to come to church and she said she was really scared to come. She also said she doesnt have a skirt. I gave her one of my skirts but told her its okay if she comes in jeans. I was so excited to see her walk in on Sunday. I sat right next to her like I told her I would. We go back tonight to teach her some more.
Im really starting to enjoy myself a lot more as I learn more Spanish. I finally have friends that I can talk to and joke around with. Im thankful for the chance Ive had to learn so mush Spanish with my companions. The two new hermanas will arrive on Wednesday.
We had a ward activity on Saturdays with a huge barbecue. I played basketball with like ten guys and got a bunch of them out. It was so much fun. I was trying to hide how much fun I was having as I slammed the poor things. H. Rafa the ward mission leader tried to give me a brownie but I was having too much fun whipping the boys. He mad a comment about it on Sunday in class. He said he has never seen an hermana play like me. It was really fun and I was laughing so hard my cheeks hurt. I think the Elders saw another side of me. WOOPS!
I sure love you all and I have to go. The hour always goes so fast. I miss you a lot!
POPs-sorry but I need more money. The boots were 150 euros and the exchange rate sucks. I gave her 100 and didnt want to take anymore out just in case it would overdraw. Thank you and sorry they were so expensive.
I know that this is Christs church. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that we can be freed from Sin.
Thank you for your love and support.
Love,
The Sister
Logan - Elche Week One
Hey mom thanks for your letter and Grandpa for your email.
Dad dont worry about the shoes they are fine.
THis Morning I am in ELche! My companion is from COlorado SPrings Elder Ramsey and He looks like a fun kid. WE have been called to white wash this area. Which means we are re opening an area where there hasnt been elders for a while we both arrived this morning and will be living witht the Zone leaders. The train ride was beautiful as I came down the coast this morning with the sun coming up. The piso is nice and big so I am excited about that as well. My new adress is
Elder Gogarty
C/ Martin de Torres
14,1 der
03202
I am very excited to be here the city is beautiful with a ton of palm trees. WE ended our last week in Valencia very strong and I am going to miss those guys there. I learned a lot from them even though it was a little rough at first. I had a funny experiance this week lol I was praying for a family that we had just finished having a cita with and I thought the wife said her name was destiny but it turns out that was the name of her baby that is still in her stomach. So as I am parying I give thanks to destiny for her hospitality and love for us. Everyone was laughing when I finsihed praying it was great. WE had a great week though and got to work with demion who is a 16 yr old in the ward a lot. I am going to miss him a lot. THere are a lot of people I am going to miss its hard always saying bye. You leave friends and family at home then make new ones and then have to do it all over. It is fun to get to know so many people though. WE had a great eating cita with a man that has one leg. He woke up at 5 to prepare us all the food. IT was incredible, We brought an investigator and he had printed out litle tabs for each of us to sit and for the investigator he had a tab that said investigator lol I thought that was funny we use a lot of lingo in the church that seems normal to us but to the rest of the world it is not. The love and charity that man has though was just amazing. He was so willing and happy to get up at 5 and roll around all morning with one leg cooking us lunch. I will really miss some people form Valencia. Well I dont have much to say I am excited and nervous to work this area, we have to start from scracth and really work hard. I am expecting on seeing amazing things happen here. The church is true, if you want to know then live by some of the principles and see the difference it makes in your life John 7:17 I think it is. Well Love you all I hope to get lots of mail here shortly. The spanish is going well I feel comfortable with it. I want to learn another language after the mission that is latin based. Love you all take care
Love
Elder G
Dad dont worry about the shoes they are fine.
THis Morning I am in ELche! My companion is from COlorado SPrings Elder Ramsey and He looks like a fun kid. WE have been called to white wash this area. Which means we are re opening an area where there hasnt been elders for a while we both arrived this morning and will be living witht the Zone leaders. The train ride was beautiful as I came down the coast this morning with the sun coming up. The piso is nice and big so I am excited about that as well. My new adress is
Elder Gogarty
C/ Martin de Torres
14,1 der
03202
I am very excited to be here the city is beautiful with a ton of palm trees. WE ended our last week in Valencia very strong and I am going to miss those guys there. I learned a lot from them even though it was a little rough at first. I had a funny experiance this week lol I was praying for a family that we had just finished having a cita with and I thought the wife said her name was destiny but it turns out that was the name of her baby that is still in her stomach. So as I am parying I give thanks to destiny for her hospitality and love for us. Everyone was laughing when I finsihed praying it was great. WE had a great week though and got to work with demion who is a 16 yr old in the ward a lot. I am going to miss him a lot. THere are a lot of people I am going to miss its hard always saying bye. You leave friends and family at home then make new ones and then have to do it all over. It is fun to get to know so many people though. WE had a great eating cita with a man that has one leg. He woke up at 5 to prepare us all the food. IT was incredible, We brought an investigator and he had printed out litle tabs for each of us to sit and for the investigator he had a tab that said investigator lol I thought that was funny we use a lot of lingo in the church that seems normal to us but to the rest of the world it is not. The love and charity that man has though was just amazing. He was so willing and happy to get up at 5 and roll around all morning with one leg cooking us lunch. I will really miss some people form Valencia. Well I dont have much to say I am excited and nervous to work this area, we have to start from scracth and really work hard. I am expecting on seeing amazing things happen here. The church is true, if you want to know then live by some of the principles and see the difference it makes in your life John 7:17 I think it is. Well Love you all I hope to get lots of mail here shortly. The spanish is going well I feel comfortable with it. I want to learn another language after the mission that is latin based. Love you all take care
Love
Elder G
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