Tonight Glen and I were a part of a miracle. We had spent all day in an inspiring seminar about how the Lord can help us find those he has prepared to hear the Gospel. So we decided to take a walk on Main St in Merced at about 8:30pm to see if we could find someone to teach. We found one couple that was really nice and gave us their phone and address to come by. Then we found an older couple and their 30 year old son and the dad had a lot of questions for us and is taking us to see the play (West Side Story) that their son is in Saturday.
Walking back to the car Glen saw a family that he really felt like we should approach. We dallied around for a minute and then thought of an idea. We went up to them and asked what was in one of the nearby buildings. The dad said it was kind of a pub. So Glen said "is it somewhere we could go with us being missionaries?" And the man said quickly, "No". Then he said, "Maybe you can answer something for us. Our son here has been fasting for five days." I looked at the 18 year old boy and asked, "What are you fasting for?" and he said "Guidance." And I said, "The Lord just answered your prayer". It was amazing. He cried, his 16 year old brother cried, his 14 year old sister cried, his mom cried, and the dad had great questions for us. Glen was able to explain briefly about our Spirits and our gospel message. He told them about eternal families and that their familly was obviously special. I told the boy "you can eat now because we are going to give you His guidance." And he said OK. The dad asked what we taught about America. We didn't know what he was searching for so we just said we knew the Constitution was inspired of God and America wouldn't be free if it wasn't for God and the land was special for the restoration of His gospel. They wanted us to come tomorrow early and teach them. I told the boy he must have an amazing spirit to have God send us to him.
It was such a spiritual experience with the Holy Ghost that neither Glen nor I had strength to even go to the mailbox when we got home. We barely got in the door and our knees still are shaking and we have no strength. We are so, so grateful to be led to this family and to be a part of sharing the Gospel with them. God hears and answers prayers. I know he heard this young man's prayer for Guidance. And I know he heard ours to be of service. I know God lives and answers prayers.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Who am I really?
It is interesting to think back on our pre-earth life. There were a lot of people there. And just like here, some were fighting to convience others to be on Christ's side. That means we were fighting for moral choice. We were in training for what we would be doing down here on earth. Every Priesthood holder was for-ordained to that office in that life. Every missionary was for-ordained to that call.
So, think about it. Right now they figure in 2013 there are 7,123,497,504 people on the earth. And when they figured it in January of this year there were 58,000 missionaries. So up in Heaven, Heavenly Father looked out over his children. He looked over 122,819 of them and said "I will choose one to teach all of the rest of you about the Gospel on the earth. One out of 122,819. And apparently I raised my hand and said "here am I. Send me." And so did each missionary that has served, is serving now, or will serve.
In John 21:15-17 we read where three times, Jesus told Peter to Feed His Sheep. Christ died, was resurected, and came back to teach the apostles. It was important. Feed His Sheep. What does the Lord see in us that we usuallly can't see in ourselves?
He knows that when we were in the councils in Heaven and were asked who would take the fight down to earth to teach the people there, some raised there hands and said, "Here am I. Send me."
So, think about it. Right now they figure in 2013 there are 7,123,497,504 people on the earth. And when they figured it in January of this year there were 58,000 missionaries. So up in Heaven, Heavenly Father looked out over his children. He looked over 122,819 of them and said "I will choose one to teach all of the rest of you about the Gospel on the earth. One out of 122,819. And apparently I raised my hand and said "here am I. Send me." And so did each missionary that has served, is serving now, or will serve.
In John 21:15-17 we read where three times, Jesus told Peter to Feed His Sheep. Christ died, was resurected, and came back to teach the apostles. It was important. Feed His Sheep. What does the Lord see in us that we usuallly can't see in ourselves?
He knows that when we were in the councils in Heaven and were asked who would take the fight down to earth to teach the people there, some raised there hands and said, "Here am I. Send me."
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Hurray!
We had forty people come to Sacrament meeting today! I was so thrilled I thought about kissing their feet but didn't want to scare them off.
We tried a new plan yesterday. Besides visiting the Less Actives through the week, we took around a flyer Saturday with a scripture thought ( D&C 6:32) and the time schedule of the church meetings. These people can say they don't want to come but they sure can't say they didn't know about it.
Also the one Less Active we are working with down in the Chowchilla branch came today and is really doing great asimilating into the branch. The fellowshipping of the ward/branch makes such a huge difference.
I see some wards/branches where no one pays any attention to the person next to them. Everyone should say hi to absolutely everyone within arms reach. You don't have to hug them like they do in the Spanish speaking wards but you do have to smile and shake hands.
And then I see wards where everyone comes up and calls them by name and offers to take them to class and makes them feel wanted. These new people will come again.
As a missionary trying to reactivate Less Actives I can tell you that it is a real concern in wondering what the new people will think about the regular attenders in the ward. Will they be friendly to them? Will they be reverent around them? Will they accept them regardless of their clothes? Will they draw them into the ward family and show the kind of love Christ would give them?
Try saying hi to twenty people every Sacrament meeting. That will be about ten more than is in your regular inner circle. It changes a good ward into a great one.
We tried a new plan yesterday. Besides visiting the Less Actives through the week, we took around a flyer Saturday with a scripture thought ( D&C 6:32) and the time schedule of the church meetings. These people can say they don't want to come but they sure can't say they didn't know about it.
Also the one Less Active we are working with down in the Chowchilla branch came today and is really doing great asimilating into the branch. The fellowshipping of the ward/branch makes such a huge difference.
I see some wards/branches where no one pays any attention to the person next to them. Everyone should say hi to absolutely everyone within arms reach. You don't have to hug them like they do in the Spanish speaking wards but you do have to smile and shake hands.
And then I see wards where everyone comes up and calls them by name and offers to take them to class and makes them feel wanted. These new people will come again.
As a missionary trying to reactivate Less Actives I can tell you that it is a real concern in wondering what the new people will think about the regular attenders in the ward. Will they be friendly to them? Will they be reverent around them? Will they accept them regardless of their clothes? Will they draw them into the ward family and show the kind of love Christ would give them?
Try saying hi to twenty people every Sacrament meeting. That will be about ten more than is in your regular inner circle. It changes a good ward into a great one.
Friday, May 24, 2013
Can a leopard change his spots?
We have been visiting Less Activie members and finding investigators along the way. Life is so hard for some people and so that I can understand. But others have it really good and still don't bother with having Heavenly Father in their lives. But this all can change and that's the nature of missionary work.
We have a wonderful AP. He is an Assistant to the President of the mission. To be an AP means you were a missionary, District leader, and Zone leader first. It means you are EXACTLY obedient to the mission rules and what the Lord is requiring of us on the mission. It means you love the Lord, and the other missionaries. It means you conduct many meetings and teach many trainings and still find time to go out and do missionary work AND learn the new language (in this case, Spanish).
Like I said, he is amazing. But this Elder has to always wear long sleeve shirts here on this mission where even Elder Pack wears short sleeves. That's because his body is covered in tatoos. In his "former life" he didn't know the Lord. But the gospel changes people. The trick is to turn around, accept the gospel and stick with it and the Lord will literally shower you with blessings.
We have a wonderful AP. He is an Assistant to the President of the mission. To be an AP means you were a missionary, District leader, and Zone leader first. It means you are EXACTLY obedient to the mission rules and what the Lord is requiring of us on the mission. It means you love the Lord, and the other missionaries. It means you conduct many meetings and teach many trainings and still find time to go out and do missionary work AND learn the new language (in this case, Spanish).
Like I said, he is amazing. But this Elder has to always wear long sleeve shirts here on this mission where even Elder Pack wears short sleeves. That's because his body is covered in tatoos. In his "former life" he didn't know the Lord. But the gospel changes people. The trick is to turn around, accept the gospel and stick with it and the Lord will literally shower you with blessings.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Navajo Missionaries
We met another senior missionary couple who are Navajos. They put in their mission papers and requested the Navajo reservation. Surprise, they were called to the California Fresno mission! They accepted the call and came anyway. They arrived and were assigned to Porterville, California. And they discovered there are some Navajos there. They have already met the chief and got his OK to proselyte the people. They also have found some Navajo members and are visiting them. The Lord has a plan and all we have to do is have the faith to follow it!
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Party Animals
Glen and I drove around to 17 families' homes to invite these less actives and investigators to our Branch mother's day dinner on Thursday. On Friday we had the dinner. Not everyone came. But some came!
One of the sisters hasn't been to church in over a year. She brought her mom, sister, and four kids. And says she wants to come back into the church. Tomorrow will tell.
Another sister is an investigator that we saw for the first time this week with a member accompanying us. She brought her mom, sister, and kids. The mom is 86 and when we visited Tues. she said she felt something telling her to ask this man (Glen) to give her a blessing. She has great pain in her legs. So Glen did and I knew it was going to help her and it did! At the dinner she said the pain is much less.
We also worked hard to get a family to come that had been offended by a church member and wasn't coming to church anymore. And they came!
We also had district and zone meeting on Tuesday morning. I was asked the day before to give a 10 minute talk on Accountability. Giving talks is nothing anymore if I can just do it in English! So I gave the talk and near the end I was talking about the accounting that is done in the Temple ceremony and I had the best experience with the Holy Ghost! It is so wonderful to be on a full time mission and have the opportunity to work so close with the Lord.
I would like to take a moment to wish my daughters and daughters-in-law a Happy Mothers Day. These mothers are the best mothers I know and I love them. Keep in mind that Adam called Eve the mother of all living and God agreed. And this was before she had any children! And Happy Mothers Day to all you good women reading this too.
One of the sisters hasn't been to church in over a year. She brought her mom, sister, and four kids. And says she wants to come back into the church. Tomorrow will tell.
Another sister is an investigator that we saw for the first time this week with a member accompanying us. She brought her mom, sister, and kids. The mom is 86 and when we visited Tues. she said she felt something telling her to ask this man (Glen) to give her a blessing. She has great pain in her legs. So Glen did and I knew it was going to help her and it did! At the dinner she said the pain is much less.
We also worked hard to get a family to come that had been offended by a church member and wasn't coming to church anymore. And they came!
We also had district and zone meeting on Tuesday morning. I was asked the day before to give a 10 minute talk on Accountability. Giving talks is nothing anymore if I can just do it in English! So I gave the talk and near the end I was talking about the accounting that is done in the Temple ceremony and I had the best experience with the Holy Ghost! It is so wonderful to be on a full time mission and have the opportunity to work so close with the Lord.
I would like to take a moment to wish my daughters and daughters-in-law a Happy Mothers Day. These mothers are the best mothers I know and I love them. Keep in mind that Adam called Eve the mother of all living and God agreed. And this was before she had any children! And Happy Mothers Day to all you good women reading this too.
Monday, May 6, 2013
A much better Sunday
We broke 30 for our attendance at Sacrament Meeting Sunday. Don't laugh. That's a 20 percent increase! One of the young men that we got there passed the Sacrament which is a big help. And the sister we are working with in the Chowchilla branch (30 minutes away) who hadn't been to church for thirty years, came for the second time, stayed all three meetings, and bore her testimony in Relief Sociey on Fast Sunday.
The two less active families that we were helping move (along with the missionary Elders and some members of the branch) finally got moved! Now we can move on to other things. But those two families were really grateful and now introduce us as their friends from the church. That's exactly right.
We sure do enjoy hearing that our children and grandchildren are doing well. The family is coming along nicely and we really appreciate their support of our mission. Dana's family sent these beautiful flowers for Mother's Day a week early which really confused Lori so she fixed Grandma B a great mother's day dinner-yesterday. Kind of funny really. But nice.
The two less active families that we were helping move (along with the missionary Elders and some members of the branch) finally got moved! Now we can move on to other things. But those two families were really grateful and now introduce us as their friends from the church. That's exactly right.
We sure do enjoy hearing that our children and grandchildren are doing well. The family is coming along nicely and we really appreciate their support of our mission. Dana's family sent these beautiful flowers for Mother's Day a week early which really confused Lori so she fixed Grandma B a great mother's day dinner-yesterday. Kind of funny really. But nice.
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