A carload of
missionaries heading for the church welfare vineyard. Notice they are still
clean and refreshed. The second picture shows the grapes they cut drying on the
trays. The next picture shows five very dirty and tired missionaries. ...Yes, they are
holding each other up. It took twenty Branch members five hours to harvest this
row of grapes. And there are hundreds of rows on eighty acres for wards to
harvest.
(4
photos)Thursday, September 5, 2013
Grapes for the Welfare Farm
Tammy came to visit
Tammy came to visit for the Labor day week-end!
The first night we took her to do a family night with us to a less active/part member family. The visit went over really well. The mother wanted to see Johnny Lingo because of the old memories it brought back to her from when she was active in the church as a teenager. Tammy brought the movie with her for us.
Then we played "colors" which the children had fun with. And we served rice krispies treats which they Really enjoyed! They are looking forward to the next family night with us.
We also took Tammy on our visits to less actives and she met Pedro. His wife is working out of town so he really appreciated the visit and Glen could give him a lesson and leave a prayer there for him.
It was my turn to teach the Relief Society lesson Sunday-in Spanish of course. I taught about prayer because the sisters here were confused on using Christ's name throughout their praying instead of praying to Heavenly Father and also about the difference of praying for group things in public and personal things in private. Also I used the lesson as an example of not having to try to cover all of a manual lesson or conference talk in one class time. Rather, pick a concept and develop that. I think it worked out alright. The members here might not know as much as elsewhere but they are humble and accepting when they are taught. And they are all willing to pray and teach lessons in class!
It was fast Sunday and Tammy bore her testimony in Spanish and everyone loved having her there. She visited with the four Elder missionaries now assigned to our branch with us and they enjoyed that.
It wasn't all work and no play however. We swam in the pool three of the days and took her to Yosemite Park and also to see the giant sequoia trees. They were truly amazing and we rode around looking at them in an open air shuttle that made it even more fun. We also made it to the Cheese Factory for Tammy's birthday.
On the way back from taking Tammy to the airport we stopped at a farmer's market where Glen passed out three referral cards to some good people. We also visited a less active/part member family and gave them a lesson on faith and the mustard seed except we used sequoia trees! It went over real well. And then we gave two missionaries a ride to see the Mitchells because the missionary's bike had a flat.
It is always good to get back into a routine of missionary work and it is so rewarding and feels so great!
The first night we took her to do a family night with us to a less active/part member family. The visit went over really well. The mother wanted to see Johnny Lingo because of the old memories it brought back to her from when she was active in the church as a teenager. Tammy brought the movie with her for us.
Then we played "colors" which the children had fun with. And we served rice krispies treats which they Really enjoyed! They are looking forward to the next family night with us.
We also took Tammy on our visits to less actives and she met Pedro. His wife is working out of town so he really appreciated the visit and Glen could give him a lesson and leave a prayer there for him.
It was my turn to teach the Relief Society lesson Sunday-in Spanish of course. I taught about prayer because the sisters here were confused on using Christ's name throughout their praying instead of praying to Heavenly Father and also about the difference of praying for group things in public and personal things in private. Also I used the lesson as an example of not having to try to cover all of a manual lesson or conference talk in one class time. Rather, pick a concept and develop that. I think it worked out alright. The members here might not know as much as elsewhere but they are humble and accepting when they are taught. And they are all willing to pray and teach lessons in class!
It was fast Sunday and Tammy bore her testimony in Spanish and everyone loved having her there. She visited with the four Elder missionaries now assigned to our branch with us and they enjoyed that.
It wasn't all work and no play however. We swam in the pool three of the days and took her to Yosemite Park and also to see the giant sequoia trees. They were truly amazing and we rode around looking at them in an open air shuttle that made it even more fun. We also made it to the Cheese Factory for Tammy's birthday.
On the way back from taking Tammy to the airport we stopped at a farmer's market where Glen passed out three referral cards to some good people. We also visited a less active/part member family and gave them a lesson on faith and the mustard seed except we used sequoia trees! It went over real well. And then we gave two missionaries a ride to see the Mitchells because the missionary's bike had a flat.
It is always good to get back into a routine of missionary work and it is so rewarding and feels so great!
Sunday, August 18, 2013
A Prayer for Protection
Doug Brinley, a couples therapist and author of a dozen books, is a Senior Missionary here with us. When he and his wife were set apart as missionaries to go to Hawaii a few years ago, his Stake President said that they would become closer as a couple and more in love.
When they were called last year to come to the Calif. Fresno mission his Stake President gave him when he set him apart, "a blessing for protection".
Yep. That's our mission! Elder Pack and I have already had a man try to scam us with the "I have an inheritance coming in November and just need some money until then. I'll pay you back" scam.
We have seen drug deals happening and even had to report one that was hurting an investigating family. (Luckily no one has come to break our knee caps on that one yet.)
One young missionary told the mission President that everyone here had tatoos, piercings, just living together without being married, was on drugs or selling them, or was a criminal or gay.
So what are missionaries to do? Love them. Teach them. Invite them to come unto Christ. The Gospel is for everyone and can help anyone. One successful missionary says whenever he talks to someone he just imagines them standing there in white clothes preparing for the Temple and then he teaches them.
And the Lord protects us if we listen. As the scriptures teach us: Them that be with us are more than those that be with them. I have felt the Lord's protection here and I am grateful. With the Lord on our side we go about doing His work.
When they were called last year to come to the Calif. Fresno mission his Stake President gave him when he set him apart, "a blessing for protection".
Yep. That's our mission! Elder Pack and I have already had a man try to scam us with the "I have an inheritance coming in November and just need some money until then. I'll pay you back" scam.
We have seen drug deals happening and even had to report one that was hurting an investigating family. (Luckily no one has come to break our knee caps on that one yet.)
One young missionary told the mission President that everyone here had tatoos, piercings, just living together without being married, was on drugs or selling them, or was a criminal or gay.
So what are missionaries to do? Love them. Teach them. Invite them to come unto Christ. The Gospel is for everyone and can help anyone. One successful missionary says whenever he talks to someone he just imagines them standing there in white clothes preparing for the Temple and then he teaches them.
And the Lord protects us if we listen. As the scriptures teach us: Them that be with us are more than those that be with them. I have felt the Lord's protection here and I am grateful. With the Lord on our side we go about doing His work.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Be careful what you pray for!
Be careful what you pray for because you just might get it! Today is Sunday and Elder Pack and I are exhausted. All of our prayers for the branch came true today. That means the Mitchell family came to church and Elder Pack took them to the English speaking ward's Sacrament meeting and got them to their respective classes. Then he substituted for a primary teacher there that went to talk to the Mitchells about something their family was concerned about. But he had to get a substitute for the substitute too because he had to go pick up another investigating family for the Spanish branch meetings.
That left Sis. Pack going to Correlation meeting alone to bring many items to the Branch President that needed his attention. And she had to read the Relief Society Declaration to the class in Sunday School. Everything in Spanish of course.
In Relief Society all the chairs were full! So exciting. And then we had Sacrament meeting where we had "brother investigators" come with their families! There were 46 people there which isn't a record number, but did we mention all the men?!
After, Sis. Pack helped with commodity orders while Elder Pack helped the Branch clerk update the member records for the Branch. He also went with the President to teach him how to give a live temple recommend to a sister who is going for her own endowment now that she has completed the Temple preparation class!
It was a great Sunday but without the Lord's help it is difficult to cope with all the blessings He is sending.
Thankfully, he is sending us help all day, every day. And that is an answer to our prayers.
That left Sis. Pack going to Correlation meeting alone to bring many items to the Branch President that needed his attention. And she had to read the Relief Society Declaration to the class in Sunday School. Everything in Spanish of course.
In Relief Society all the chairs were full! So exciting. And then we had Sacrament meeting where we had "brother investigators" come with their families! There were 46 people there which isn't a record number, but did we mention all the men?!
After, Sis. Pack helped with commodity orders while Elder Pack helped the Branch clerk update the member records for the Branch. He also went with the President to teach him how to give a live temple recommend to a sister who is going for her own endowment now that she has completed the Temple preparation class!
It was a great Sunday but without the Lord's help it is difficult to cope with all the blessings He is sending.
Thankfully, he is sending us help all day, every day. And that is an answer to our prayers.
Thursday, August 8, 2013
What is the Worst that can happen?
What is the Worst that can happen to us in our missionary work? The investigator can say no. They don't want lessons, they don't want visits, they don't want what we have to offer.
On the other hand, what is the Best that can happen? Ah-- blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God through you. They will recognize the truths they were taught in their Heavenly Father's home. They will be baptized, sealed as families, and have eternal blessings.
What is that worth to us when we are tired and discouraged and dissapointed? Remember President Hinckley felt that way once and then made a covenant with Heavenly Father "I will lose myself in your service." Isaiah had no converts recorded in the scriptures and yet Christ himself quoted him.When the Savior took his First Presidency with him to the Garden of Gethsemane they couldn't stay awake for him. They missed an opportunity but went on to lead his church.
If you want to know who you are, figure out who you were. What did the Lord see in you before and what does he see in you now. Were we afraid to talk to everyone about Christ and the Plan of Salvation in heaven? Did we worry that people would think we were weird? Were we afraid they would say no?
What if Christ was almost obedient? Almost committed? Almost willing and successful in his part of the plan? I'm sure that in our premortal life we were exactly obedient, committed, and focused. Now it is time to do our part here.
Satan is satisfied if we do good things that distract us from doing great things. Step up and ask if someone would like to hear about the restored gospel here on the earth today. What is the worst that can happen?
On the other hand, what is the Best that can happen? Ah-- blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God through you. They will recognize the truths they were taught in their Heavenly Father's home. They will be baptized, sealed as families, and have eternal blessings.
What is that worth to us when we are tired and discouraged and dissapointed? Remember President Hinckley felt that way once and then made a covenant with Heavenly Father "I will lose myself in your service." Isaiah had no converts recorded in the scriptures and yet Christ himself quoted him.When the Savior took his First Presidency with him to the Garden of Gethsemane they couldn't stay awake for him. They missed an opportunity but went on to lead his church.
If you want to know who you are, figure out who you were. What did the Lord see in you before and what does he see in you now. Were we afraid to talk to everyone about Christ and the Plan of Salvation in heaven? Did we worry that people would think we were weird? Were we afraid they would say no?
What if Christ was almost obedient? Almost committed? Almost willing and successful in his part of the plan? I'm sure that in our premortal life we were exactly obedient, committed, and focused. Now it is time to do our part here.
Satan is satisfied if we do good things that distract us from doing great things. Step up and ask if someone would like to hear about the restored gospel here on the earth today. What is the worst that can happen?
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Busy or Productive?
We are really busy. Hopefully we are productive too.
Yesterday we had a district meeting and were gone from 10:00 to 2:00. Then I had a Relief Society Presidency meeting at 3:30 and then we went as a Presidency to visit a sister with a birthday and a less active sister. Then at 7:00 we went to the Temple Preparation class at the church where Elder Pack does the most work entertaining about nine kids with DVDs while the parents are in the class.
So today I thought it would slow down. And it did because I fit in the pool exercise first thing. But I had to make dinner in the morning and put it in the fridge because I wouldn't have time later. Then we drove around delivering invitations to the Singles activity, visited a less, less active and her husband, ran back to feed the District Elders before another appointment with investigators, and then lastly to an investigator who is actually getting baptized this month!
Every day goes like this. Plus we are going to parties to get to know the less actives, and encourage them to "come unto Christ." Again.
Here are pictures of people we are partying with, partying for, and being friends with. Its fun.
Yesterday we had a district meeting and were gone from 10:00 to 2:00. Then I had a Relief Society Presidency meeting at 3:30 and then we went as a Presidency to visit a sister with a birthday and a less active sister. Then at 7:00 we went to the Temple Preparation class at the church where Elder Pack does the most work entertaining about nine kids with DVDs while the parents are in the class.
So today I thought it would slow down. And it did because I fit in the pool exercise first thing. But I had to make dinner in the morning and put it in the fridge because I wouldn't have time later. Then we drove around delivering invitations to the Singles activity, visited a less, less active and her husband, ran back to feed the District Elders before another appointment with investigators, and then lastly to an investigator who is actually getting baptized this month!
Every day goes like this. Plus we are going to parties to get to know the less actives, and encourage them to "come unto Christ." Again.
Here are pictures of people we are partying with, partying for, and being friends with. Its fun.
Friday, July 5, 2013
Can you have Relief Society without a tablecloth?
I am so excited! My little Relief Society group has been delegated to a little double classroom for forever! This really upset me. Spanish often are treated second rate but not in my Relief Society! There were extra stacked chairs being stored, the windows looked out on the air conditioner unit, there were no decorations except for a tissue paper flower, etc. It was not inspiring at all.
So today my friend helped me convert it into a real Relief Society room. I knew it needed a lacy tablecloth! And my friend Jenny Vasanni (English speaking) measured, bought and hung floor length drapes. She also made up a flower arrangement. Yeah, she has the talent I lack.
Glen cleaned the chairs, disposed of the ones being stored there and hung all the pictures. He also found a songbook holder so I don't have to walk to the other side of the building to the R.S. closet each week to get the books. He also downloaded the LDS hymns on my phone so I can easily pull them up as prelude music at the start of the class. You can pretty well figure if we had nothing else we don't have a piano either. Course none of the sisters play anyway.
So what did I do you might ask? I played Robin Hood and "relocated" pictures hanging in the church house, found a beautiful tablecloth in a closet, moved hymn books to the new stand and cheered everyone else on. I can't hardly wait for the sisters to walk in Sunday. They are so worth it!
So today my friend helped me convert it into a real Relief Society room. I knew it needed a lacy tablecloth! And my friend Jenny Vasanni (English speaking) measured, bought and hung floor length drapes. She also made up a flower arrangement. Yeah, she has the talent I lack.
Glen cleaned the chairs, disposed of the ones being stored there and hung all the pictures. He also found a songbook holder so I don't have to walk to the other side of the building to the R.S. closet each week to get the books. He also downloaded the LDS hymns on my phone so I can easily pull them up as prelude music at the start of the class. You can pretty well figure if we had nothing else we don't have a piano either. Course none of the sisters play anyway.
So what did I do you might ask? I played Robin Hood and "relocated" pictures hanging in the church house, found a beautiful tablecloth in a closet, moved hymn books to the new stand and cheered everyone else on. I can't hardly wait for the sisters to walk in Sunday. They are so worth it!
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