Hello Hello,
I hope everyone had a Holly Jolly Christmas! This is the story of my life but it's going to be another quick e-mail today. Thank you all for the thoughtful gifts this Holiday season. My first Christmas away from home and it actually went very well. I'm looking forward to one more Christmas in the field!
I'll try to send some pictures off next week if I can since I'm past due! Also transfer calls are next Monday so I most likely won't be able to write until Tuesday. I feel that I could stay in Leander for another transfer but a lot of the other Sisters seem to think I'll go. It'll be interesting to see what happens :)
One of the things our Mission President asked us to do in our interviews with him this transfer is to pray and ask Heavenly Father what His will is for us. And also to ask for direction and guidance on the things He would have us do in this New Year. I would also echo my Mission President and ask all of you to consider some of the things your heart desires and then to pray to our Heavenly Father and ask Him for help. We already know the path and the great thing is that we don't have to walk it alone. If we sincerely ask, God will not withhold His blessings from us.
I'm excited to see how this year will unfold. 2009 flew by and before we know it we'll be preparing for 2011. I love (ya'll) and look forward to hearing from you. As always thank you for your love and support. 2010 is going to be a wonderful year. I can feel it!
Until next week,
Sister Green
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Hello Hello,
Because we will be spending the day in San Antonio tomorrow for Christmas Conference our P-day ends at 2 instead of 6 which means, another short e-mail this week.
This past week we've seen some awesome miracles in our area and in our disrtict. We've set goals to find more investigators and this Thursday we found a sweet familt of 6. the mom and the Grandma were not really interested at first (and the mom still isn't) but the mom allowed us to teach her four kids ages 10, 11, 12, & 13. We've taught them twice now and during the second lesson the grandma came and sat down and she read from the Book of Mormon with us. Three of the kids came to church yesterday and they loved it. The mom and grandma are Catholics but they're really nice feel that the children are old enough to choose their own religion.
We have a few other investigators as well and we've been working with them to help them progress and prepare for baptism. Heavenly Father has really blessed us and he's made up for the things we are lacking.
Other than that nothing new except of course Christmas Conference which I am so excited for!I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week and a very Merry Christmas. Thank you for all that you do.
Love,
Sister Green
Because we will be spending the day in San Antonio tomorrow for Christmas Conference our P-day ends at 2 instead of 6 which means, another short e-mail this week.
This past week we've seen some awesome miracles in our area and in our disrtict. We've set goals to find more investigators and this Thursday we found a sweet familt of 6. the mom and the Grandma were not really interested at first (and the mom still isn't) but the mom allowed us to teach her four kids ages 10, 11, 12, & 13. We've taught them twice now and during the second lesson the grandma came and sat down and she read from the Book of Mormon with us. Three of the kids came to church yesterday and they loved it. The mom and grandma are Catholics but they're really nice feel that the children are old enough to choose their own religion.
We have a few other investigators as well and we've been working with them to help them progress and prepare for baptism. Heavenly Father has really blessed us and he's made up for the things we are lacking.
Other than that nothing new except of course Christmas Conference which I am so excited for!I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week and a very Merry Christmas. Thank you for all that you do.
Love,
Sister Green
Monday, December 14, 2009
Hello all,
Super quick e-mail this week. I always spend a lot of time on here so I'm trying to go faster for my companion. We have an activity we need to be to by 1:30 for a couple of missionaries b-day celebrations and we still need to go grocery shopping after this.
Things continue to go well here in Leander. It's been challenging to get our investigators to progress but we just need to keep working with them.
We have president interviews this Wednesday which I love. I have so many questions and I always like getting his advice.
Christmas Conference is coming up a week from Tuesday and our whole mission will be getting together for a day. I'm really excited.
Sorry again for the shortness of theis e-mail but as always i love you all and hope you have a wonderful week.
Sister Green
P.S. all of you who are sick or feeling under the weather, i hope you get feeling better:)
Super quick e-mail this week. I always spend a lot of time on here so I'm trying to go faster for my companion. We have an activity we need to be to by 1:30 for a couple of missionaries b-day celebrations and we still need to go grocery shopping after this.
Things continue to go well here in Leander. It's been challenging to get our investigators to progress but we just need to keep working with them.
We have president interviews this Wednesday which I love. I have so many questions and I always like getting his advice.
Christmas Conference is coming up a week from Tuesday and our whole mission will be getting together for a day. I'm really excited.
Sorry again for the shortness of theis e-mail but as always i love you all and hope you have a wonderful week.
Sister Green
P.S. all of you who are sick or feeling under the weather, i hope you get feeling better:)
Monday, December 7, 2009
Hello Hello,
Wow, writing to my wonderful family never gets old! I enjoy hearing from all of you and I look forward to Monday mornings! I don't have a lot of time to write today but this past week went exceptionally well. I have to admit that around the holiday season I've thought a lot about all of you and at times have wished to be where you are; but I'm realizing more and more the importance and the significance of my purpose as a missionary. It took me awhile but I can honestly say that "I know" that I am exactly where I need to be.
This past week we had Zone Conference where we get together with other missionaries and our zone leaders teach us and help us find ways to improve. One of our zone leaders talked about purifying our hearts and sanctifying ourselves. He talked about how that purifying can cause us to see our Savior and "know" that he lives. He said that when we see him it's like we will see ourselves because in that moment we are just like him, pure.
I have a difficult time telling it in an e-mail but I loved it and they also talked about faithful dedicated service and about how it is important to yield our hearts to God.
After zone conference I told myself that I was going to lose myself in the work and focus my thoughts on helping others. My companion and I have been able to find a lot of people to teach this week and we've set goals as a zone, district, and companionship to measure our progress.
As we've taught the gospel to people this week and have helped them come to understand the nature of God and of the love He and our Savior have for them, I cannot explain in words what that has done to my heart. I have compassion for them and I have a desire to help them learn more.
Last night my companion and I taught a lady who has two autistic sons between 4 and 7. We met her about a week ago when we were knocking and we introduced ourselves as missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ. She told us she wasn't interested because she had two autistic sons and she brought one of them to the door to prove to us that talking to them would be a waste of time. My companion and I bore testimony to her that we are all sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father regardless of who we are, where we come from, or what we look like and we promised that the gospel would bless her life and give her strength. She agreed to have us come back and we met with her again last night.
She told us about her life and about being a single mother. She wasn't bitter and she realized and acknowleged the blessings in her life. She also told us about times where she felt peace and comfort when things were really tough and also about times where she felt without any hesistation that she had been guided to make certain decisions that ended up helping her along the way. We were able to teach her a brief restoration and it was great to help her learn more about her worth as a daughter of God.
Being a missionary reminds me of a General Conference talk titled "Teaching Helps save Lives". My companion and I have only just begun to help this woman and others like her but through our faithful and dedicated service we can help them come closer to and understand the love our Heavenly Father has for all of us.
I love you guys,
Sister Green
Wow, writing to my wonderful family never gets old! I enjoy hearing from all of you and I look forward to Monday mornings! I don't have a lot of time to write today but this past week went exceptionally well. I have to admit that around the holiday season I've thought a lot about all of you and at times have wished to be where you are; but I'm realizing more and more the importance and the significance of my purpose as a missionary. It took me awhile but I can honestly say that "I know" that I am exactly where I need to be.
This past week we had Zone Conference where we get together with other missionaries and our zone leaders teach us and help us find ways to improve. One of our zone leaders talked about purifying our hearts and sanctifying ourselves. He talked about how that purifying can cause us to see our Savior and "know" that he lives. He said that when we see him it's like we will see ourselves because in that moment we are just like him, pure.
I have a difficult time telling it in an e-mail but I loved it and they also talked about faithful dedicated service and about how it is important to yield our hearts to God.
After zone conference I told myself that I was going to lose myself in the work and focus my thoughts on helping others. My companion and I have been able to find a lot of people to teach this week and we've set goals as a zone, district, and companionship to measure our progress.
As we've taught the gospel to people this week and have helped them come to understand the nature of God and of the love He and our Savior have for them, I cannot explain in words what that has done to my heart. I have compassion for them and I have a desire to help them learn more.
Last night my companion and I taught a lady who has two autistic sons between 4 and 7. We met her about a week ago when we were knocking and we introduced ourselves as missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ. She told us she wasn't interested because she had two autistic sons and she brought one of them to the door to prove to us that talking to them would be a waste of time. My companion and I bore testimony to her that we are all sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father regardless of who we are, where we come from, or what we look like and we promised that the gospel would bless her life and give her strength. She agreed to have us come back and we met with her again last night.
She told us about her life and about being a single mother. She wasn't bitter and she realized and acknowleged the blessings in her life. She also told us about times where she felt peace and comfort when things were really tough and also about times where she felt without any hesistation that she had been guided to make certain decisions that ended up helping her along the way. We were able to teach her a brief restoration and it was great to help her learn more about her worth as a daughter of God.
Being a missionary reminds me of a General Conference talk titled "Teaching Helps save Lives". My companion and I have only just begun to help this woman and others like her but through our faithful and dedicated service we can help them come closer to and understand the love our Heavenly Father has for all of us.
I love you guys,
Sister Green
Monday, November 30, 2009
Hello again,
Thanksgiving was great here in Leander! My companion and I had dinner with members in our ward named the Poonwahs. Brother Poonwah is from Asia I'm not sure where exactly and Sister Poonwah is from Maryland. They met on LDS Singles in 2001:) Sister Poonwah is a really good cook so I was excited when she invited us over for Thanksgiving dinner two weeks ago.
For dinner we had turkey (which was fried), potatoes, vegetables, and of course stuffing. For dessert there was a pumpkin roll..and it was so good along with one of Bro. Poonwah's favorite fruit pies that he buys from a bakery in Austin. It had a regular crust and a custard middle with fresh fruit on top. That of cours was good too.
I've had dinner with them several times while being hear in Leander and Bro. Poonwah always tells us if we leave his house hungry it's our own falut, so there was more than enough to eat.
Also at dinner was one of Bro. Poonwahs' colleagues from work named Israeal and he came along with his wife and two sons. After dinner we talked a little about our religions and beliefs. Israel is from Morocco and his wife is Hispanic. She was raised Catholic but Israel is Muslim so they've been thinking about raising their sons Muslim also. He shared a little about his culrture and we were able to share/teach a little about the restoration and the plan of salvation. I don't think they're converted but it was nice to talk with them. I love it when members get involved with gosple conversations so it was nice to have Bro. and Sis. Poonwah there to share things too.
After dinner we went into the living room so my companion and I could "share a message" with everyone. We all went around in a circle and shared the things we were thankful for becasue of the restoration. Israel and his wife also shared things they were thankful for because of their belief in God. The Spirit was strong and it was nice to get to be in such good company:)
The rest of the week was a little discouraging because we're having a difficult time getting our investigators to progress. Sometimes I get really frustrated and it's hard to stay focused but the more diligent we are the easier things become. It took me awhile to learn that but I feel like I'm just now, finally getting the hang of things.
My companion and I have also been visiting with a less active family for the past month and the mom came to church yesterday. It' s been a blessing getting to know them. To see them change and get reconnected with the Spirit again. We all have the light of Christ within us so we're naturally drawn and have a desire to feel pure love that can come through the Holy Ghost.
Other than that I can't think of anything else that's gone on. People are starting to put out Christmas decorations so it's been nice to see that when we're trackting.
I love you guys and wish you all the best throughout the coming week:)
Sister Green
Thanksgiving was great here in Leander! My companion and I had dinner with members in our ward named the Poonwahs. Brother Poonwah is from Asia I'm not sure where exactly and Sister Poonwah is from Maryland. They met on LDS Singles in 2001:) Sister Poonwah is a really good cook so I was excited when she invited us over for Thanksgiving dinner two weeks ago.
For dinner we had turkey (which was fried), potatoes, vegetables, and of course stuffing. For dessert there was a pumpkin roll..and it was so good along with one of Bro. Poonwah's favorite fruit pies that he buys from a bakery in Austin. It had a regular crust and a custard middle with fresh fruit on top. That of cours was good too.
I've had dinner with them several times while being hear in Leander and Bro. Poonwah always tells us if we leave his house hungry it's our own falut, so there was more than enough to eat.
Also at dinner was one of Bro. Poonwahs' colleagues from work named Israeal and he came along with his wife and two sons. After dinner we talked a little about our religions and beliefs. Israel is from Morocco and his wife is Hispanic. She was raised Catholic but Israel is Muslim so they've been thinking about raising their sons Muslim also. He shared a little about his culrture and we were able to share/teach a little about the restoration and the plan of salvation. I don't think they're converted but it was nice to talk with them. I love it when members get involved with gosple conversations so it was nice to have Bro. and Sis. Poonwah there to share things too.
After dinner we went into the living room so my companion and I could "share a message" with everyone. We all went around in a circle and shared the things we were thankful for becasue of the restoration. Israel and his wife also shared things they were thankful for because of their belief in God. The Spirit was strong and it was nice to get to be in such good company:)
The rest of the week was a little discouraging because we're having a difficult time getting our investigators to progress. Sometimes I get really frustrated and it's hard to stay focused but the more diligent we are the easier things become. It took me awhile to learn that but I feel like I'm just now, finally getting the hang of things.
My companion and I have also been visiting with a less active family for the past month and the mom came to church yesterday. It' s been a blessing getting to know them. To see them change and get reconnected with the Spirit again. We all have the light of Christ within us so we're naturally drawn and have a desire to feel pure love that can come through the Holy Ghost.
Other than that I can't think of anything else that's gone on. People are starting to put out Christmas decorations so it's been nice to see that when we're trackting.
I love you guys and wish you all the best throughout the coming week:)
Sister Green
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Hello all,
Wow, can I just tell all of you how much I love you? I've learned so much this past week in my studies and my mind has been opened to a greater understanding of life. I've been studying the Plan of Salvation the past few days and I'm really happy because things are making more sence to me. While I try to find ways to apply the things I've learned to help our investigators I can't help but think about ways I can apply this to family also.
One important thing that I've learned and it's also been something that investigators/individuals who know a little about the church wonder, is that all of the ordinaces that we have on this earth (pertaining to the gospel) are here for us to recieve exaltation. Yes there are different degrees of glory, because we all will be rewarded for the things we do but we have before us everything we need to recieve the highest which is eternal life.
I don't know why but I've never thought about this so deeply before. Our whole purpose and God's plan for us is to become like Him. That is what he wants for us and that is why our Savior has done all He has. The only thing keeping us from receiving these blessings in abundance is ourselves.
I'm understanding more how a parent feels when they know of the blessings a child can recieve if they are obedient and how badly it hurts when they do things that could've been prevented if they would've listened the first time.
The gospel is so simple that a child can understand it which simplicity I think surprisingly keeps people away, but it can also be very profound and we can learn a lot more if we desire to. Our agency is one of the many gifts we've been blessed with and it's extremely important. I've had to turn to the Lord a lot to ask Him for patience because I know as well as He knows that the gospel blesses individuals and families but sometimes people can't or don't want to see that.
The Atonement of our Savior helps us overcome our sins and weaknesses. Life isn't easy but we were not sent here to fail. We have everything we need on this earth, at this time, to help us return to our Father in Heaven safely; so that we can recieve all that He has, and He wants to give it to us.
I'm not perfect, and for the past few months I have been blessed with the sometimes discouraging realization of just how unperfect I am. But I know that we're not alone. Heavenly Father loves us and will give us the things we truly stand in need of if we ask. Strength, patience, forgiveness, love, knowledge, understanding, anything.
I'm not the best at collecting all of my thoughts sometimes but I love all of you and I hope you've been able to understand me a little. There is nothing we can't accomplish without the help of our Heavenly Father and Savior and there isn't anything, except for ourselves, that can keep us from all being together after this life. This has made me want to try a little harder and to be a little better even though I fall short sometimes, because everything has an eternal perspective.
I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week,
Sister Green
Wow, can I just tell all of you how much I love you? I've learned so much this past week in my studies and my mind has been opened to a greater understanding of life. I've been studying the Plan of Salvation the past few days and I'm really happy because things are making more sence to me. While I try to find ways to apply the things I've learned to help our investigators I can't help but think about ways I can apply this to family also.
One important thing that I've learned and it's also been something that investigators/individuals who know a little about the church wonder, is that all of the ordinaces that we have on this earth (pertaining to the gospel) are here for us to recieve exaltation. Yes there are different degrees of glory, because we all will be rewarded for the things we do but we have before us everything we need to recieve the highest which is eternal life.
I don't know why but I've never thought about this so deeply before. Our whole purpose and God's plan for us is to become like Him. That is what he wants for us and that is why our Savior has done all He has. The only thing keeping us from receiving these blessings in abundance is ourselves.
I'm understanding more how a parent feels when they know of the blessings a child can recieve if they are obedient and how badly it hurts when they do things that could've been prevented if they would've listened the first time.
The gospel is so simple that a child can understand it which simplicity I think surprisingly keeps people away, but it can also be very profound and we can learn a lot more if we desire to. Our agency is one of the many gifts we've been blessed with and it's extremely important. I've had to turn to the Lord a lot to ask Him for patience because I know as well as He knows that the gospel blesses individuals and families but sometimes people can't or don't want to see that.
The Atonement of our Savior helps us overcome our sins and weaknesses. Life isn't easy but we were not sent here to fail. We have everything we need on this earth, at this time, to help us return to our Father in Heaven safely; so that we can recieve all that He has, and He wants to give it to us.
I'm not perfect, and for the past few months I have been blessed with the sometimes discouraging realization of just how unperfect I am. But I know that we're not alone. Heavenly Father loves us and will give us the things we truly stand in need of if we ask. Strength, patience, forgiveness, love, knowledge, understanding, anything.
I'm not the best at collecting all of my thoughts sometimes but I love all of you and I hope you've been able to understand me a little. There is nothing we can't accomplish without the help of our Heavenly Father and Savior and there isn't anything, except for ourselves, that can keep us from all being together after this life. This has made me want to try a little harder and to be a little better even though I fall short sometimes, because everything has an eternal perspective.
I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week,
Sister Green
Monday, November 16, 2009
11/16/09
Hello all,
I only have a few minutes to write to you today. Pday's gone by pretty fast and we got a flat tire last night so we spent a little while at PepBoys this morning. After e-mail we're on our way to a zone activity where my companion and I will exchange companions for a day.
The sister I'm going to be on exchanges with trained my companion and she has also served in Leander before so I'll probably learn more about the area from her when she gets here:)
This past week has gone okay. A lot of our lessons have fallen through and our investigators haven't been keeping with their appointments lately. We also had a baptism scheduled for the 21st but our investigator called us this past Wednesday and told us she wasn't ready to make the commitment.
This woman that my previous companion and I have been teaching (as well as missionaries before us in 2007) and her comapnion before me, is really sweet and has been through a lot. She questions her abilities but is a wonderful single mother with a five year old. This is the same woman I've written to you about previously who's boyfriend looked up anti things online. Through much prayer, he moved out and things were moving along but she is still worryed that she's not "LDS" material and she really doesn't like Relief Society because all the women cry and she has a difficult time with that. We've told her that they're just expressing the things in their hearts and that she doen't need to compare herself to anyone else, but she's still strugllin with that as well as some WOW (Word of Wisdom) problems.
We were able to have dinner with her on Saturday and it was good to see her. She was also happy and relieved that we didn't "hate her" for not wanted to get baptised yet. We were able to talk with her for awhile and share some hopefully strenghening scriptures with her and also let her know how much she was loved by Heavenly Father, our Savior, and us as well as the members. We assured her that we could take things slowly and she was more than welsome to continue coming to church even though our visits wouldn't be as frequent. After dinner she walked us to the door and we parked our car around the block so she walked outside with us. As we were walking away she said "Thank you for not giving up on me". When I heard that I thought "How could I"?
Before I came on a mission everyone told me that teaching people and then having them turn away was going to be one of the hardest things I experience, and it has been. I'm realizing why prayer is so important because it can be really difficult emotionally sometimes. Somedays, when no one seems to want to learn more about the gospel, it's almost like we're getting a very small but real taste of what the Savior went through or other prophets when no wanted to listen. So far this has been a great, trying experience but I'm slowly being softened and molded into the woman my patriarchal blessing promises I can become with faith and prayer:)
Sorry again if my e-mail's a little chopping but I had to type fast. Love you all and hope you have a good week.
Sister Green
I only have a few minutes to write to you today. Pday's gone by pretty fast and we got a flat tire last night so we spent a little while at PepBoys this morning. After e-mail we're on our way to a zone activity where my companion and I will exchange companions for a day.
The sister I'm going to be on exchanges with trained my companion and she has also served in Leander before so I'll probably learn more about the area from her when she gets here:)
This past week has gone okay. A lot of our lessons have fallen through and our investigators haven't been keeping with their appointments lately. We also had a baptism scheduled for the 21st but our investigator called us this past Wednesday and told us she wasn't ready to make the commitment.
This woman that my previous companion and I have been teaching (as well as missionaries before us in 2007) and her comapnion before me, is really sweet and has been through a lot. She questions her abilities but is a wonderful single mother with a five year old. This is the same woman I've written to you about previously who's boyfriend looked up anti things online. Through much prayer, he moved out and things were moving along but she is still worryed that she's not "LDS" material and she really doesn't like Relief Society because all the women cry and she has a difficult time with that. We've told her that they're just expressing the things in their hearts and that she doen't need to compare herself to anyone else, but she's still strugllin with that as well as some WOW (Word of Wisdom) problems.
We were able to have dinner with her on Saturday and it was good to see her. She was also happy and relieved that we didn't "hate her" for not wanted to get baptised yet. We were able to talk with her for awhile and share some hopefully strenghening scriptures with her and also let her know how much she was loved by Heavenly Father, our Savior, and us as well as the members. We assured her that we could take things slowly and she was more than welsome to continue coming to church even though our visits wouldn't be as frequent. After dinner she walked us to the door and we parked our car around the block so she walked outside with us. As we were walking away she said "Thank you for not giving up on me". When I heard that I thought "How could I"?
Before I came on a mission everyone told me that teaching people and then having them turn away was going to be one of the hardest things I experience, and it has been. I'm realizing why prayer is so important because it can be really difficult emotionally sometimes. Somedays, when no one seems to want to learn more about the gospel, it's almost like we're getting a very small but real taste of what the Savior went through or other prophets when no wanted to listen. So far this has been a great, trying experience but I'm slowly being softened and molded into the woman my patriarchal blessing promises I can become with faith and prayer:)
Sorry again if my e-mail's a little chopping but I had to type fast. Love you all and hope you have a good week.
Sister Green
Hello all,
Sorry I didn't get an e-mail off last week. I'm learning and was politely chastened by my dad, so next time I'll be sure to send a quick e-mail instead of nothing at all.
My Zone Conference a couple of weeks ago is still on my mind and I constantly think about the things Elder Snow shared with us. One of the things he said, that I loved was that we as members of the church are entitled to receive revelation in our stewardships. The past couple weeks have been challenging but there have also been really comforting moments too and Zone Conference was just what I needed.
My companion and I have an investigator named Diana(in her 50's) who lost her husband 18 months ago from cancer. My first companion and I heard about her thorugh a lady in our ward named Sister Haro and she along with a neighbor friend who also lost her husband a while ago went to the church to meet with the bishop. We were able to meet them that evening because we had our weekly coordination meeting with the ward mission leader.
I hadn't heard about either of them for awhile and last week we stopped by this members house to drop off books she could give to the Diana. After talking to Sister Haro we decided to stop by and visit her. We went to her neighborhood and started knocking on doors there so it looked like it wasn't set up (even though it kind of was). We were able to speak to Diana for a little bit and when we asked her if we could come back and share more she told us she would give us a call. To be honest I wasn't really convinced but the next day she called us and asked if we would stop by.
When we got there we started talking to get to know her better and she started telling us about her life. She spent 10 years as a Jehovah's Witness and has looked into many other religions since. The emotions and the pains she feels from losing her husband are still very strong and everytime she talked about him or about how lost she felt, she cried. She told us that she was stuck because she didn't want to die because she was afraid, but she also didn't want to live because she felt alone. It was really sad but we were able to testify and teach her the plan of salvation. There's still a lot of hurt there and of course it can't all go away with one visit but she wants us to keep coming back which is really good.
The day before we met with Diana, my companion and I were walking down the street to start knocking doors. We both saw a little house and my companion felt promted that that should be the first door we knocked on. A nice older lady answered and after we introduced ourselves and told here what we were doing she allowed us to come inside.
She also opened herself up and told us about her life and some of the things she had gone through. She suffers from depression and sometimes it's difficult for her to do or want to do things. We taught her the restoration and my companion and I felt prompted to talk a little more about the power of the priesthood. We talked to her about how men who have the preisthood can come and lay their hands upon her head and through the guidance of the Holy Ghost they can comfort her and tell her things the Lord wants her to hear. She agreed and two elders came to give her a comfort blessing. After they left we prayed and she said she felt lighter like everything was better. It was great to witness the faith that she had in this restored power that we've been blessed with.
Sorry if I'm rambling and some things I type don't make sence but I wanted to make sure I shared these things this week.
My testimony of the gospel as a whole is being strengthened. I'm grateful for this opportunity that I've been given to be merely and instrument in the Lord's hands to bring souls unto Christ. As members of the church we have a wonderful responsibility to share the gospel with others.
I love you all very much and thank you again for all of your support. Your prayers have strengthened and I'm grateful. As always I hope you all have a wonderful week.
Love you guys,
Sister Green
P.S. Sorry for any typos :)
Sorry I didn't get an e-mail off last week. I'm learning and was politely chastened by my dad, so next time I'll be sure to send a quick e-mail instead of nothing at all.
My Zone Conference a couple of weeks ago is still on my mind and I constantly think about the things Elder Snow shared with us. One of the things he said, that I loved was that we as members of the church are entitled to receive revelation in our stewardships. The past couple weeks have been challenging but there have also been really comforting moments too and Zone Conference was just what I needed.
My companion and I have an investigator named Diana(in her 50's) who lost her husband 18 months ago from cancer. My first companion and I heard about her thorugh a lady in our ward named Sister Haro and she along with a neighbor friend who also lost her husband a while ago went to the church to meet with the bishop. We were able to meet them that evening because we had our weekly coordination meeting with the ward mission leader.
I hadn't heard about either of them for awhile and last week we stopped by this members house to drop off books she could give to the Diana. After talking to Sister Haro we decided to stop by and visit her. We went to her neighborhood and started knocking on doors there so it looked like it wasn't set up (even though it kind of was). We were able to speak to Diana for a little bit and when we asked her if we could come back and share more she told us she would give us a call. To be honest I wasn't really convinced but the next day she called us and asked if we would stop by.
When we got there we started talking to get to know her better and she started telling us about her life. She spent 10 years as a Jehovah's Witness and has looked into many other religions since. The emotions and the pains she feels from losing her husband are still very strong and everytime she talked about him or about how lost she felt, she cried. She told us that she was stuck because she didn't want to die because she was afraid, but she also didn't want to live because she felt alone. It was really sad but we were able to testify and teach her the plan of salvation. There's still a lot of hurt there and of course it can't all go away with one visit but she wants us to keep coming back which is really good.
The day before we met with Diana, my companion and I were walking down the street to start knocking doors. We both saw a little house and my companion felt promted that that should be the first door we knocked on. A nice older lady answered and after we introduced ourselves and told here what we were doing she allowed us to come inside.
She also opened herself up and told us about her life and some of the things she had gone through. She suffers from depression and sometimes it's difficult for her to do or want to do things. We taught her the restoration and my companion and I felt prompted to talk a little more about the power of the priesthood. We talked to her about how men who have the preisthood can come and lay their hands upon her head and through the guidance of the Holy Ghost they can comfort her and tell her things the Lord wants her to hear. She agreed and two elders came to give her a comfort blessing. After they left we prayed and she said she felt lighter like everything was better. It was great to witness the faith that she had in this restored power that we've been blessed with.
Sorry if I'm rambling and some things I type don't make sence but I wanted to make sure I shared these things this week.
My testimony of the gospel as a whole is being strengthened. I'm grateful for this opportunity that I've been given to be merely and instrument in the Lord's hands to bring souls unto Christ. As members of the church we have a wonderful responsibility to share the gospel with others.
I love you all very much and thank you again for all of your support. Your prayers have strengthened and I'm grateful. As always I hope you all have a wonderful week.
Love you guys,
Sister Green
P.S. Sorry for any typos :)
Monday, October 26, 2009
Hello again,
I’m happy to hear that my letters and pictures found all of you. Dad when you get a chance please copy them so the grandparents can see too. Thank you for your letters and e-mails as well. Everyone sounds great.
We have Zone Conference this Tuesday and that’s where we take a few hours (3-4) out of our day to get in more training from our Mission President. It’s an exciting time because we all wash our cars and whoever has the cleanest car gets more miles added on for the month. There’s first second and third place. Last transfer we didn’t win but maybe this time. It’s been raining a lot lately and it’s also been cold, I got here just in time.
Our service that we have every Friday from 1-3 is for a local church called Hill Country Bible Church. (When we knock doors this is where most people say they go) It’s a little organization of volunteers, caseworkers, and others who help provide food and clothes for people in need. We go and help give people groceries when an order comes in or we stock the pantries, fold and sort through clothes, clean out sheds, etc. It’s nice to be out there helping other people in that way. We don’t always wear our shirts but we did that day so we could take pictures otherwise we’re in shirts and pants.
Things here are still going well. My companion and I have been blessed with a couple new investigators to share the gospel with. We’ve been trying to improve our approaches so we can teach more. I’m looking forward to our training tomorrow from our Mission President. We also have someone from the 70 (not sure what his name is) coming to speak to us too and he’ll also be doing random apartment checks to see how clean we are. I know my companion and I don’t have to worry about that one though. I’m still me.
Sorry this e-mails so short. I was glad that I had time to write to individually though and hopefully as I continue to manage my time I’ll be able to get in more handwritten ones. This P-day is really busy because we have a lot we need to do to prepare for tomorrow. Thanks again for your support. I love our family!
Love,
Sister Green
I’m happy to hear that my letters and pictures found all of you. Dad when you get a chance please copy them so the grandparents can see too. Thank you for your letters and e-mails as well. Everyone sounds great.
We have Zone Conference this Tuesday and that’s where we take a few hours (3-4) out of our day to get in more training from our Mission President. It’s an exciting time because we all wash our cars and whoever has the cleanest car gets more miles added on for the month. There’s first second and third place. Last transfer we didn’t win but maybe this time. It’s been raining a lot lately and it’s also been cold, I got here just in time.
Our service that we have every Friday from 1-3 is for a local church called Hill Country Bible Church. (When we knock doors this is where most people say they go) It’s a little organization of volunteers, caseworkers, and others who help provide food and clothes for people in need. We go and help give people groceries when an order comes in or we stock the pantries, fold and sort through clothes, clean out sheds, etc. It’s nice to be out there helping other people in that way. We don’t always wear our shirts but we did that day so we could take pictures otherwise we’re in shirts and pants.
Things here are still going well. My companion and I have been blessed with a couple new investigators to share the gospel with. We’ve been trying to improve our approaches so we can teach more. I’m looking forward to our training tomorrow from our Mission President. We also have someone from the 70 (not sure what his name is) coming to speak to us too and he’ll also be doing random apartment checks to see how clean we are. I know my companion and I don’t have to worry about that one though. I’m still me.
Sorry this e-mails so short. I was glad that I had time to write to individually though and hopefully as I continue to manage my time I’ll be able to get in more handwritten ones. This P-day is really busy because we have a lot we need to do to prepare for tomorrow. Thanks again for your support. I love our family!
Love,
Sister Green
Friday, October 23, 2009
Hello all,
This past week started a bit rough and I struggled a little bit. Or as my Mission President would say “You’re not struggling, you’re learning”. So I guess this past week I’ve “learned” a lot. I now have a new companion Sister John. She’s from Kaipato Arizona, close to Lake Powell. She’s Native American so she speaks Navaho and also Spanish. She’s not as good as she would like to be but the member that we live with is a native Spanish speaker and she’s promised to speak to both of us only in Spanish so we can learn faster. She’s really nice and we’ve gotten to know each other better these past few days. I had gotten really used to Sister Larrosa as my companion but I’ve learned that Heavenly Father doesn’t like us to get comfortable. He likes us to stretch outside of ourselves because that is when we are truly learning and growing. Six to twelve weeks from now I’m sure I’ll be going through the same thing. My companion Sister John told me yesterday that the only things consistent in life are the gospel and change.
We’ve been teaching a couple of new investigators that have shown lots of interest in the gospel. Yesterday while we were walking we saw this man who was working on his car with his son and we told him we were the missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ… and that we were in his neighborhood sharing a message about our Savior Jesus Christ and his restored gospel. He looked at us and said “Restored? Wow, okay. We taught him a brief restoration and he asked if we had a pamphlet we could leave him and he’s allowed us to come back this next week to teach him and his family more.
Every week we get updates from our AP’s (Assistants to the President) and this past week they were teaching a lady in her home about the restored gospel and also about the prophet and twelve apostles. They said when they told her that we had a living prophet and also twelve apostles just like when Christ was on the earth she was really excited and wanted to share it with everyone so they could know too. She went next door to her neighbor’s house and walked in without knocking while they were eating dinner. She asked them if they knew that there was a prophet and twelve apostles on this earth today and they looked at her like okay, we’re kind of eating dinner right now. The family agreed to hear more another time but our AP’s were telling us how excited this lady was to share the gospel and likened it unto us as missionaries and may I add also as members. It really made me think about my excitement and willingness to share the gospel. This lady was so happy that there was one true church and she had been seeking for it for a long time.
There isn’t a greater gift that we can give to someone than sharing the message of the restored gospel. This past week during my personal study, my testimony about the importance of bringing the gospel to all people has really been strengthened. I read in D&C where Hyrum Smith’s son (I think it’s Joseph Fielding) had a vision about the spirit world. I’ve learned the righteous followers of Christ who were once on this earth are at peace because they know they’ve lived worthy of Heavenly Father’s choice blessings but they are still teaching and sharing the gospel with others, even after death, because of the importance of the message. We’ve been asked by our AP’s to study the atonement this next week and I extend and invitation to all of you to do the same. Each day I understand more and more about the love our Heavenly Father and Savior have for us and how much they want us to return back to their presence. We still have things we each need to experience but nothing is impossible if we have faith in Jesus Christ.
I love you all and thank you for your support. Hope everyone has a good week.
Love,
Sister Green
This past week started a bit rough and I struggled a little bit. Or as my Mission President would say “You’re not struggling, you’re learning”. So I guess this past week I’ve “learned” a lot. I now have a new companion Sister John. She’s from Kaipato Arizona, close to Lake Powell. She’s Native American so she speaks Navaho and also Spanish. She’s not as good as she would like to be but the member that we live with is a native Spanish speaker and she’s promised to speak to both of us only in Spanish so we can learn faster. She’s really nice and we’ve gotten to know each other better these past few days. I had gotten really used to Sister Larrosa as my companion but I’ve learned that Heavenly Father doesn’t like us to get comfortable. He likes us to stretch outside of ourselves because that is when we are truly learning and growing. Six to twelve weeks from now I’m sure I’ll be going through the same thing. My companion Sister John told me yesterday that the only things consistent in life are the gospel and change.
We’ve been teaching a couple of new investigators that have shown lots of interest in the gospel. Yesterday while we were walking we saw this man who was working on his car with his son and we told him we were the missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ… and that we were in his neighborhood sharing a message about our Savior Jesus Christ and his restored gospel. He looked at us and said “Restored? Wow, okay. We taught him a brief restoration and he asked if we had a pamphlet we could leave him and he’s allowed us to come back this next week to teach him and his family more.
Every week we get updates from our AP’s (Assistants to the President) and this past week they were teaching a lady in her home about the restored gospel and also about the prophet and twelve apostles. They said when they told her that we had a living prophet and also twelve apostles just like when Christ was on the earth she was really excited and wanted to share it with everyone so they could know too. She went next door to her neighbor’s house and walked in without knocking while they were eating dinner. She asked them if they knew that there was a prophet and twelve apostles on this earth today and they looked at her like okay, we’re kind of eating dinner right now. The family agreed to hear more another time but our AP’s were telling us how excited this lady was to share the gospel and likened it unto us as missionaries and may I add also as members. It really made me think about my excitement and willingness to share the gospel. This lady was so happy that there was one true church and she had been seeking for it for a long time.
There isn’t a greater gift that we can give to someone than sharing the message of the restored gospel. This past week during my personal study, my testimony about the importance of bringing the gospel to all people has really been strengthened. I read in D&C where Hyrum Smith’s son (I think it’s Joseph Fielding) had a vision about the spirit world. I’ve learned the righteous followers of Christ who were once on this earth are at peace because they know they’ve lived worthy of Heavenly Father’s choice blessings but they are still teaching and sharing the gospel with others, even after death, because of the importance of the message. We’ve been asked by our AP’s to study the atonement this next week and I extend and invitation to all of you to do the same. Each day I understand more and more about the love our Heavenly Father and Savior have for us and how much they want us to return back to their presence. We still have things we each need to experience but nothing is impossible if we have faith in Jesus Christ.
I love you all and thank you for your support. Hope everyone has a good week.
Love,
Sister Green
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Hola mi Familia,
(Pretty good right?!) I'm still working on it. I'm not even sure if I've learned that on my mission or if it was from watching Dora the Explorer with little kids. Shhhh, don't tell anyone.
This past week has been great to say the least. Thank you all for the letters, e-mails, prayers, etc. Sorry I wasn't able to write to you yesterday. Every 6 weeks we have transfers and our p-days are on Tuesdays instead of Mondays. My companion forgot to mention that to me last week so I wasn’t able to warn you in my e-mail. She apologizes. My dear companion unfortunately is leaving me. I’m staying here in Leander and she is going to the most coveted area in the entire mission…...THE BORDER!! I was so happy and excited for her, as are the other missionaries but she’s not as excited. No English, all Spanish… I hope to go there someday as do most of the (English speaking) missionaries. She and I were talking last night and she said “Look at me, do I look like I need to improve my Spanish”? It was kind of funny and also comforting in a weird way to see her like that because she is such a good missionary and I’ve learned so much from her. Her testimony is amazingly powerful and it’s interesting how we are our worst critics. She knows that our calls are inspired and our mission President prays long and hard over us always but especially when transfers come.
Wow, 6 weeks has gone by so quickly. All of my firsts on the mission are just about up, except this is still my first area. Every night we get calls from our District Leader asking us how our day went and the other night he said “Well Sister Green, the longer you stay out here, the less green you look” Surprisingly I get that a lot. For the past 6 weeks I've been Sister Green The Greenie.
I don’t know who my new companion will be and I won’t find out until Thursday afternoon. Sister Larrosa my companion, is leaving early Wednesday morning and I’m going to be with a Sister who’s companion has finished her 18 months successfully and is going back home to Mexico on Friday.
We were able to have another baptism this past Saturday. One more before Sister Larrosa leaves. I’ll try to send a couple of pictures if I get the chance. Lyndsy Taquard is a sweet thirteen year old girl who has been receiving the missionaries since she was eight years old. She always felt that she should be older so she waited to be baptized until now. Her mom is a member and is really active and her dad doesn’t believe in God but was so supportive of her decision. Lyndsy was really embarrassed to come out in her baptismal clothes and we all were reassuring her that she looked fine and that this was her special day. After we took pictures in the foyer we were walking back to where her baptism was going to be and I heard her tell her dad she looked ugly. He put his arms around her, gave her a kiss and told her he thought she was beautiful, and that he was really proud of her. It was another great day.
I love you all and wish I could spend hours writing more. Things are very well and though I’m a little nervous to be getting a new companion, I know it’ll be good. My mind continues to be opened to so many different things. (Where has my mission been all my life!?) I love you all and hope you have a great week.
Love you,
Sister Green
(Pretty good right?!) I'm still working on it. I'm not even sure if I've learned that on my mission or if it was from watching Dora the Explorer with little kids. Shhhh, don't tell anyone.
This past week has been great to say the least. Thank you all for the letters, e-mails, prayers, etc. Sorry I wasn't able to write to you yesterday. Every 6 weeks we have transfers and our p-days are on Tuesdays instead of Mondays. My companion forgot to mention that to me last week so I wasn’t able to warn you in my e-mail. She apologizes. My dear companion unfortunately is leaving me. I’m staying here in Leander and she is going to the most coveted area in the entire mission…...THE BORDER!! I was so happy and excited for her, as are the other missionaries but she’s not as excited. No English, all Spanish… I hope to go there someday as do most of the (English speaking) missionaries. She and I were talking last night and she said “Look at me, do I look like I need to improve my Spanish”? It was kind of funny and also comforting in a weird way to see her like that because she is such a good missionary and I’ve learned so much from her. Her testimony is amazingly powerful and it’s interesting how we are our worst critics. She knows that our calls are inspired and our mission President prays long and hard over us always but especially when transfers come.
Wow, 6 weeks has gone by so quickly. All of my firsts on the mission are just about up, except this is still my first area. Every night we get calls from our District Leader asking us how our day went and the other night he said “Well Sister Green, the longer you stay out here, the less green you look” Surprisingly I get that a lot. For the past 6 weeks I've been Sister Green The Greenie.
I don’t know who my new companion will be and I won’t find out until Thursday afternoon. Sister Larrosa my companion, is leaving early Wednesday morning and I’m going to be with a Sister who’s companion has finished her 18 months successfully and is going back home to Mexico on Friday.
We were able to have another baptism this past Saturday. One more before Sister Larrosa leaves. I’ll try to send a couple of pictures if I get the chance. Lyndsy Taquard is a sweet thirteen year old girl who has been receiving the missionaries since she was eight years old. She always felt that she should be older so she waited to be baptized until now. Her mom is a member and is really active and her dad doesn’t believe in God but was so supportive of her decision. Lyndsy was really embarrassed to come out in her baptismal clothes and we all were reassuring her that she looked fine and that this was her special day. After we took pictures in the foyer we were walking back to where her baptism was going to be and I heard her tell her dad she looked ugly. He put his arms around her, gave her a kiss and told her he thought she was beautiful, and that he was really proud of her. It was another great day.
I love you all and wish I could spend hours writing more. Things are very well and though I’m a little nervous to be getting a new companion, I know it’ll be good. My mind continues to be opened to so many different things. (Where has my mission been all my life!?) I love you all and hope you have a great week.
Love you,
Sister Green
Dear Family,
The past three days in the field have been life changing. This past Saturday through an old case worker who was involved in my life before, during, and after our adoptions, I was able to see three of my biological brothers from Houston and the Beaumont area who drove hear to Leander to find me. I made contact with this case worker two years ago and she has since kept all of my information. Last week she ran into two of my brothers Trenton and Aaron and they both asked about us. Virginia Hill (the caseworker) called my house and was able to get my information and give it to my brothers.
Saturday afternoon the member that my companion and I live with came inside and told me there were three men outside and they said they were my brothers. When I went outside I saw Aaron (Aaron’s fiancé), Trenton, and Kevin. Aaron was the first to say hello and as he walked towards me he said “I’m your brother” and gave me a big hug and began to cry. I was able to visit with them for a little over and hour and afterwards they went back to Houston where Aaron his fiancé, and Kevin live, and Beaumont where Trenton lives.
I want you all to know of my love for you. Heavenly Father has given me strength and maturity beyond my own abilities to accept and process this experience. I don’t have much to say except I know that Heavenly Father knows all things. This truth has helped strengthen my faith in him and in myself. Know that life continues to go well for me and there couldn’t have been a better time for this to occur than now, while I’m within the safety of my mission. Aaron, Trenton, and Kevin have been very understanding and respectful of my responsibilities and we will continue to communicate through letters and e-mails until I return to Utah.
Thank you all again for your love and support. I know we each have feelings and thoughts that we may have difficulties expressing but we need to remember once again that Heavenly Father knows all things and like family; he can give us strength and bring comfort.
I love you all and hope you have a good week
Sister Green
The past three days in the field have been life changing. This past Saturday through an old case worker who was involved in my life before, during, and after our adoptions, I was able to see three of my biological brothers from Houston and the Beaumont area who drove hear to Leander to find me. I made contact with this case worker two years ago and she has since kept all of my information. Last week she ran into two of my brothers Trenton and Aaron and they both asked about us. Virginia Hill (the caseworker) called my house and was able to get my information and give it to my brothers.
Saturday afternoon the member that my companion and I live with came inside and told me there were three men outside and they said they were my brothers. When I went outside I saw Aaron (Aaron’s fiancé), Trenton, and Kevin. Aaron was the first to say hello and as he walked towards me he said “I’m your brother” and gave me a big hug and began to cry. I was able to visit with them for a little over and hour and afterwards they went back to Houston where Aaron his fiancé, and Kevin live, and Beaumont where Trenton lives.
I want you all to know of my love for you. Heavenly Father has given me strength and maturity beyond my own abilities to accept and process this experience. I don’t have much to say except I know that Heavenly Father knows all things. This truth has helped strengthen my faith in him and in myself. Know that life continues to go well for me and there couldn’t have been a better time for this to occur than now, while I’m within the safety of my mission. Aaron, Trenton, and Kevin have been very understanding and respectful of my responsibilities and we will continue to communicate through letters and e-mails until I return to Utah.
Thank you all again for your love and support. I know we each have feelings and thoughts that we may have difficulties expressing but we need to remember once again that Heavenly Father knows all things and like family; he can give us strength and bring comfort.
I love you all and hope you have a good week
Sister Green
Monday, September 28, 2009
Hello all,
This past week seemed like it went on forever. There is always good news though. I was privileged enough to have my first baptism this week. I'll post pictures so you can see Ms. Emma Rodriguez enter into the waters of baptism on Saturday the 26th. I haven’t been able to fully wrap my mind around it yet but I’m grateful to have been able to share in such a life changing experience for her.
I continue to learn more each day and although some are not receptive, I’ve met many people who are humble, willing, and ready to allow the gospel of Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice to take effect in their lives. During my personal and companionship studies each day I’ve grown to love and really enjoy the scriptures. They give me strength and help solidify my testimony of the gospel and the way that it has changed my life.
Before coming on my mission I only thought about the gospel throughout certain times, but now that I’m here in the field knowing that it is apart of my duty as a missionary to share the things I’ve learned and know to be true, I think about it all the time. It’s been humbling to meet so many different people with so many different and unique situations. Sometimes I wonder how I got here and how it is that people are willing to allow us into their homes to share the gospel with them. Then I think about how Heavenly Father blesses us and allows us to find associations with people who will strengthen and help us. The people that I’ve met have likewise done the same for me.
My Spanish still needs work and I haven’t been able to do a lot of effective language study this week but I’m learning a lot from my companion and lots of others (including the Hispanic families we teach) have really helped me feel comfortable to say a few words here and there. My reading in Spanish is good and for the most part all of the words sound like they are spelled but sometimes I need help with pronunciations. Slowly... But definitely surely, I’ll be fluent in no time.
The weather is still hot and everything, including the bugs, is bigger in Texas! I love the area and the people and I’m really excited for General Conference this coming weekend. Hope you all get a chance to watch it! Thank you again for your letters and prayers and for all you continue to do to support me. Have a good week.
Love you guys,
Sister Green
This past week seemed like it went on forever. There is always good news though. I was privileged enough to have my first baptism this week. I'll post pictures so you can see Ms. Emma Rodriguez enter into the waters of baptism on Saturday the 26th. I haven’t been able to fully wrap my mind around it yet but I’m grateful to have been able to share in such a life changing experience for her.
I continue to learn more each day and although some are not receptive, I’ve met many people who are humble, willing, and ready to allow the gospel of Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice to take effect in their lives. During my personal and companionship studies each day I’ve grown to love and really enjoy the scriptures. They give me strength and help solidify my testimony of the gospel and the way that it has changed my life.
Before coming on my mission I only thought about the gospel throughout certain times, but now that I’m here in the field knowing that it is apart of my duty as a missionary to share the things I’ve learned and know to be true, I think about it all the time. It’s been humbling to meet so many different people with so many different and unique situations. Sometimes I wonder how I got here and how it is that people are willing to allow us into their homes to share the gospel with them. Then I think about how Heavenly Father blesses us and allows us to find associations with people who will strengthen and help us. The people that I’ve met have likewise done the same for me.
My Spanish still needs work and I haven’t been able to do a lot of effective language study this week but I’m learning a lot from my companion and lots of others (including the Hispanic families we teach) have really helped me feel comfortable to say a few words here and there. My reading in Spanish is good and for the most part all of the words sound like they are spelled but sometimes I need help with pronunciations. Slowly... But definitely surely, I’ll be fluent in no time.
The weather is still hot and everything, including the bugs, is bigger in Texas! I love the area and the people and I’m really excited for General Conference this coming weekend. Hope you all get a chance to watch it! Thank you again for your letters and prayers and for all you continue to do to support me. Have a good week.
Love you guys,
Sister Green
Friday, September 25, 2009
Hey Family,
Thanks for all of the love and encouraging e-mails, letters, and packages you've sent me; it means a lot. Things are and have been going well. I still struggle with learning the language but i just have to keep reminding myself that it'll come with time.
I've learned a lot from other missionaries this past week. Their testimonies and faith have given me a lot of strength. Everyday I continue to learn of the importance of using my time wisely and being diligent. Not to have amazing stories to tell when I come home but because it'll help me be a more effective missionary in finding people to share the gospel with.
We're only teaching a few people right now but two of them have baptismal dates. One of them is Aisha Jones a lady I told you I was going to tell you about. She's a single mother with a five year old son. We meet with her every Thurday and every Sunday. Last Thursday when we got there her boyfriend who usually leaves when we get there was sitting in the living room next to the couches where we always sit. When we walked in I could immediately feel the tension that was coming from him. Aisha sat us down and he said he had some questions he wanted to ask us. My companion sensing the tention also asked if we could sing a hymn before opening with our usual prayer. He left the room while we sang I am a child of God.
After the song, during the prayer my companion prayed for the spirit like always to be with us and I too was praying exceptionally hard to be supported in what was about to come. We went into the lesson we had prepared for Aisha and about thirty minutes later her boyfriend came into the living room again. He had a lot of questions about the gospel and he was really frustrated. I don't even think he noticed how he came across but his tone was really strong. He had a packet of things he had printed off about ou church from the internet from scholars. He was concerned with the things we were teaching Aisha and didn't want his son to learn about them. Throughout the time we were there I my mind and body were at peace. Even though I could feel that he was upset my companion and I were really calm. My companion did a very good job at answering his questions and in the end we told him that we wern't there to convince him and if he wanted to know of the truthfullness of the things we shared with him then he needed to have faith and pray and ask God.
Everything surprisingly ended well and he was really calm towards the end. Aisha walked us outside and apologized and thanked us for being so patient in answereing his questions because she didn't want to. She also bore her testimony while we were talking to him which was really amazing. She told him that she needed something new and better in her life and the life of their son and because he didn't want to be the spiritual head in the house than she needed to do it on her own, truly powerful.
Needless to say the church is true. I'm amazed at the stength we are each given from Heavenly Father if we trust in him. I love that I get to be an instument in helping others come unto Christ. I love you all and pray for you as much as you do for me. Hope you all have a good week
Love you,
Sister Green
Thanks for all of the love and encouraging e-mails, letters, and packages you've sent me; it means a lot. Things are and have been going well. I still struggle with learning the language but i just have to keep reminding myself that it'll come with time.
I've learned a lot from other missionaries this past week. Their testimonies and faith have given me a lot of strength. Everyday I continue to learn of the importance of using my time wisely and being diligent. Not to have amazing stories to tell when I come home but because it'll help me be a more effective missionary in finding people to share the gospel with.
We're only teaching a few people right now but two of them have baptismal dates. One of them is Aisha Jones a lady I told you I was going to tell you about. She's a single mother with a five year old son. We meet with her every Thurday and every Sunday. Last Thursday when we got there her boyfriend who usually leaves when we get there was sitting in the living room next to the couches where we always sit. When we walked in I could immediately feel the tension that was coming from him. Aisha sat us down and he said he had some questions he wanted to ask us. My companion sensing the tention also asked if we could sing a hymn before opening with our usual prayer. He left the room while we sang I am a child of God.
After the song, during the prayer my companion prayed for the spirit like always to be with us and I too was praying exceptionally hard to be supported in what was about to come. We went into the lesson we had prepared for Aisha and about thirty minutes later her boyfriend came into the living room again. He had a lot of questions about the gospel and he was really frustrated. I don't even think he noticed how he came across but his tone was really strong. He had a packet of things he had printed off about ou church from the internet from scholars. He was concerned with the things we were teaching Aisha and didn't want his son to learn about them. Throughout the time we were there I my mind and body were at peace. Even though I could feel that he was upset my companion and I were really calm. My companion did a very good job at answering his questions and in the end we told him that we wern't there to convince him and if he wanted to know of the truthfullness of the things we shared with him then he needed to have faith and pray and ask God.
Everything surprisingly ended well and he was really calm towards the end. Aisha walked us outside and apologized and thanked us for being so patient in answereing his questions because she didn't want to. She also bore her testimony while we were talking to him which was really amazing. She told him that she needed something new and better in her life and the life of their son and because he didn't want to be the spiritual head in the house than she needed to do it on her own, truly powerful.
Needless to say the church is true. I'm amazed at the stength we are each given from Heavenly Father if we trust in him. I love that I get to be an instument in helping others come unto Christ. I love you all and pray for you as much as you do for me. Hope you all have a good week
Love you,
Sister Green
Monday, September 14, 2009
Hello Family,
I don't have a lot of time to write this week. My P-Day didn't go as well as I hoped it would've. I tried e-mailing this morning but MYLDSmail wasn't working properly. Other missionaries in the area had the same problem too. Sorry I didn't hand write letters last week and I did'nt get a chance to do it this week either. I'm hoping it'll get better as time goes by. I didn't even get a chance to read all of the e-mails that you sent to me this week. BTW please don't attach your letters anymore because some computers won't let me open them.
The past week has been good so far. I've been struggling a lot trying to get used to things. My companion is really sweet and she's been really patient with me. Her strength gives me strength. We've been teaching a lot of Spanish speaking families lately and yesterday we just got another one. A really sweet couple with their three kids. I'm picking up words here and there but since I'm not fluent all I can do is pray for my companion and the investigators to have the Spirit with them.
I need to let my comapnion use my computer now but thank you all for the love and support. I can feel your prayers. I hope everyone has a good week.
Love you,
Sister Green
I don't have a lot of time to write this week. My P-Day didn't go as well as I hoped it would've. I tried e-mailing this morning but MYLDSmail wasn't working properly. Other missionaries in the area had the same problem too. Sorry I didn't hand write letters last week and I did'nt get a chance to do it this week either. I'm hoping it'll get better as time goes by. I didn't even get a chance to read all of the e-mails that you sent to me this week. BTW please don't attach your letters anymore because some computers won't let me open them.
The past week has been good so far. I've been struggling a lot trying to get used to things. My companion is really sweet and she's been really patient with me. Her strength gives me strength. We've been teaching a lot of Spanish speaking families lately and yesterday we just got another one. A really sweet couple with their three kids. I'm picking up words here and there but since I'm not fluent all I can do is pray for my companion and the investigators to have the Spirit with them.
I need to let my comapnion use my computer now but thank you all for the love and support. I can feel your prayers. I hope everyone has a good week.
Love you,
Publish Post
Sister Green
Monday, September 7, 2009
Hey Mom,
...where to begin? Today is my first P-day in the field. The past four days have been quite the adventure. Being a missionary is truly a humbling experience. Saying goodbye to my companions at the MTC was harder than I thought it was going to be (I didn't cry though) The plane ride over here was small, I mean that in a literal way. Everyone stared at us when we walked around the airport too. I was the only sister along with 15 elders. I had a lot on my mind after I finished making my phone calls and was in line just about to board. I was thinking about the next 17 months of my life (not that I'm keeping track) and this lady walked by and said "Good luck sister, I was you 27 years ago and it was the best thing I've ever done, and I've never forgotten it". It was nice to hear that from her. After the plane ride when we went to go get our luggage our mission pres, his wife, and his assistants were all there to greet us. It was refreshing to see familiar faces. It was also nice to get a hug from Sister Cutler because we're limited on hugs these days. I could've hugged her all day. I got to ride with the president and his wife on our way to the mission home because I was the only girl and the elders rode in the vans. It was nice to get them all to myself for a minute. They'll be finished with their three years in July so I'll get a new mission pres half way through my mission. When we got there we met the other brothers and sisters who help with our mission. We had lunch and had a brief orientation. Then we went to the Alamo and we were told the story that went on there. Then we stepped over a line and committed ourselves to be just like those at war that day on our missions. After that we were given Books of Mormon and we each had to place one. I was in a trio companionship with two elders from my district at the MTC so I felt comfortable. We were all able to place ours. I saw a lady with shades and tattoos and I walked up to her and introduced myself. She took off her glasses and she looked like she had been crying. I asked her if she was okay and she said yes. I started talking about God and our life on earth and how he loves us and doesn't leave us alone. I testified of our prophet and of the Book of Mormon and I said other things I don't remember but asked her if she would be interested to learn more and have the missionaries come to her home. She said yes and gave me her phone number and she accepted the Book of Mormon. I wish I could be the one to teach her but my first area is in a place called Leander about twenty minutes away from Austin and about two hours away from San Antonio where we were.
That night we had dinner at the pres house and I received your package by the way. I spent the night with two sister missionaries who have been in the field for awhile and I opened it when I got there. Thank you so much. I was so excited when I saw the oatmeal. It's my favorite breakfast. The cranberries are great for salads which I've been eating a lot of lately, because it's quick and easy to make. Thank you, thank you. It was nice to have something from you my first night here.
We had a teaching appointment my first day in the field with a lady named Aisha Jones. I'll tell you more about her when I write you. My companion's name is Sister Larrosa and she's from Paraguay. She's been out about 9 months so far. We live with a member here in Leander. Our car is a 2006 (white) Toyota with amazing air conditioning. My first couple of days of tracking I've been sweating so much. We're told to drink 3 liters of fluids preferably water a day. My body is going to go through some drastic changes out here.
My companion is really nice. She's teaching me Spanish. Oh BTW I'm learning Spanish. I was told in my call letter that things can change when I get here and they have. My companion has been teaching a lot of Spanish speaking family's lately and I was told I needed to learn Spanish too. I've been reading the Book of Mormon in English and Spanish during my hour of personal study. After I read a few lines in English I cross reference over to Spanish. It's a slow process but we were promised that if we read the Book of Mormon in our own language as well as in the language we are trying to learn(from cover to cover) we will master that language. I don't know who said it but it was one of the apostles.
Yesterday I was so excited to go to church. I was telling my companion how nice it was to be around people who liked us. The members are great and we always have dinner appointments. I was also invited by a councilor in the bishopric to introduce myself and bare my testimony. I surprisingly wasn't nervous and enjoyed it. Everyone was so friendly and it was nice to be up there looking out at the little kids and teenagers with big smiles on their faces because I'm a missionary.
Well I should let my companion get on now she was nice and let me go first. I've been on here for awhile. It's nice to not be timed anymore. I'll write you a handwritten letter now.
Love you,
Sister Green
...where to begin? Today is my first P-day in the field. The past four days have been quite the adventure. Being a missionary is truly a humbling experience. Saying goodbye to my companions at the MTC was harder than I thought it was going to be (I didn't cry though) The plane ride over here was small, I mean that in a literal way. Everyone stared at us when we walked around the airport too. I was the only sister along with 15 elders. I had a lot on my mind after I finished making my phone calls and was in line just about to board. I was thinking about the next 17 months of my life (not that I'm keeping track) and this lady walked by and said "Good luck sister, I was you 27 years ago and it was the best thing I've ever done, and I've never forgotten it". It was nice to hear that from her. After the plane ride when we went to go get our luggage our mission pres, his wife, and his assistants were all there to greet us. It was refreshing to see familiar faces. It was also nice to get a hug from Sister Cutler because we're limited on hugs these days. I could've hugged her all day. I got to ride with the president and his wife on our way to the mission home because I was the only girl and the elders rode in the vans. It was nice to get them all to myself for a minute. They'll be finished with their three years in July so I'll get a new mission pres half way through my mission. When we got there we met the other brothers and sisters who help with our mission. We had lunch and had a brief orientation. Then we went to the Alamo and we were told the story that went on there. Then we stepped over a line and committed ourselves to be just like those at war that day on our missions. After that we were given Books of Mormon and we each had to place one. I was in a trio companionship with two elders from my district at the MTC so I felt comfortable. We were all able to place ours. I saw a lady with shades and tattoos and I walked up to her and introduced myself. She took off her glasses and she looked like she had been crying. I asked her if she was okay and she said yes. I started talking about God and our life on earth and how he loves us and doesn't leave us alone. I testified of our prophet and of the Book of Mormon and I said other things I don't remember but asked her if she would be interested to learn more and have the missionaries come to her home. She said yes and gave me her phone number and she accepted the Book of Mormon. I wish I could be the one to teach her but my first area is in a place called Leander about twenty minutes away from Austin and about two hours away from San Antonio where we were.
That night we had dinner at the pres house and I received your package by the way. I spent the night with two sister missionaries who have been in the field for awhile and I opened it when I got there. Thank you so much. I was so excited when I saw the oatmeal. It's my favorite breakfast. The cranberries are great for salads which I've been eating a lot of lately, because it's quick and easy to make. Thank you, thank you. It was nice to have something from you my first night here.
We had a teaching appointment my first day in the field with a lady named Aisha Jones. I'll tell you more about her when I write you. My companion's name is Sister Larrosa and she's from Paraguay. She's been out about 9 months so far. We live with a member here in Leander. Our car is a 2006 (white) Toyota with amazing air conditioning. My first couple of days of tracking I've been sweating so much. We're told to drink 3 liters of fluids preferably water a day. My body is going to go through some drastic changes out here.
My companion is really nice. She's teaching me Spanish. Oh BTW I'm learning Spanish. I was told in my call letter that things can change when I get here and they have. My companion has been teaching a lot of Spanish speaking family's lately and I was told I needed to learn Spanish too. I've been reading the Book of Mormon in English and Spanish during my hour of personal study. After I read a few lines in English I cross reference over to Spanish. It's a slow process but we were promised that if we read the Book of Mormon in our own language as well as in the language we are trying to learn(from cover to cover) we will master that language. I don't know who said it but it was one of the apostles.
Yesterday I was so excited to go to church. I was telling my companion how nice it was to be around people who liked us. The members are great and we always have dinner appointments. I was also invited by a councilor in the bishopric to introduce myself and bare my testimony. I surprisingly wasn't nervous and enjoyed it. Everyone was so friendly and it was nice to be up there looking out at the little kids and teenagers with big smiles on their faces because I'm a missionary.
Well I should let my companion get on now she was nice and let me go first. I've been on here for awhile. It's nice to not be timed anymore. I'll write you a handwritten letter now.
Love you,
Sister Green
Monday, August 24, 2009
08/24/09
Hello again,
Sorry I haven't written you individually but I promise I will today. I know I said that last week but I really am going to this time. E-mail is a faster way to get the word out so bare with me. This week at the MTC has been wonderful. It's gone by so quickly. Just so I don't forget to tell you, I depart next Wednesday the 2nd early in the morning. I got my travel Itenerary the other day. Also thank you all for the Dear Elder letters they've been great.
So much has happened and I'm learning lots and lots. Highlights of the week have definitely been our teaching appointments. This is where volunteers from the community who most of the time are members are given a scenario that we as missionaries have to work with and try to teach them about the gospel. They have a building here at the MTC that has individual rooms that are set up to look like living rooms and they have cameras in them so our teachers can watch how well we do. Even though I know it's "practice" I still get quite nervous. Last week my companions and I got to teach an older lady and the Saturday we got to teach a young married couple. I cried both times and now I'll tell you why. BTW sorry if I'm repeating things that you've heard before. I really can't remember some of the stories I've told told you.
Last week I memorized the first vision and they like all missionaries to, so we can explain Joseph Smith's experience in his own words. I've never doubted that Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Christ that day but before coming here I hadn't had the spirit testify that to me. I was believed and just went by faith. Last week we had a teaching appoinmet with the elders in our zone and my companions and taught the First lesson in PMG. We've been taught to mix up the lesson sop we each get a turn to teach and it was my turn to talk about the restoration and Joseph Smith's vision. As I started describing him say " I saw a light exactly over my head..." I suddenly had this overwhelming feeling of peace come over me and it became difficult to finish and my companions helped me a little bit. Even though in that moment I coudln't have forgotten the words if I wanted to. But the Holy Ghost tesified to me of the truthfullness of Jospeh Smith. We taught that lesson several other times and I the same thing has happened each time, but with less crying each time which is good.
I've realized many things while I've been here but one thing I've learned is that Faith truly is hoping for something and I don't know what the scripture is but it says something about things will be given unto you after the trial of your faith. It was a great experience.
One last thing that has also stood out to me while being here is how much Heavenly Fathaer and Jesus love each of us. The atmosphere here is incredible and the way everything is so organized is great. Not just at the MTC but also the gospel. The way everything has been planned from the beginning all the way to the end is incredible and it's all here for us.
My time is runningn short but I'll write everyone soon. Love you all and thanks again for all the love and support. I have an amazing family.
Love you,
Sister Green
Sorry I haven't written you individually but I promise I will today. I know I said that last week but I really am going to this time. E-mail is a faster way to get the word out so bare with me. This week at the MTC has been wonderful. It's gone by so quickly. Just so I don't forget to tell you, I depart next Wednesday the 2nd early in the morning. I got my travel Itenerary the other day. Also thank you all for the Dear Elder letters they've been great.
So much has happened and I'm learning lots and lots. Highlights of the week have definitely been our teaching appointments. This is where volunteers from the community who most of the time are members are given a scenario that we as missionaries have to work with and try to teach them about the gospel. They have a building here at the MTC that has individual rooms that are set up to look like living rooms and they have cameras in them so our teachers can watch how well we do. Even though I know it's "practice" I still get quite nervous. Last week my companions and I got to teach an older lady and the Saturday we got to teach a young married couple. I cried both times and now I'll tell you why. BTW sorry if I'm repeating things that you've heard before. I really can't remember some of the stories I've told told you.
Last week I memorized the first vision and they like all missionaries to, so we can explain Joseph Smith's experience in his own words. I've never doubted that Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Christ that day but before coming here I hadn't had the spirit testify that to me. I was believed and just went by faith. Last week we had a teaching appoinmet with the elders in our zone and my companions and taught the First lesson in PMG. We've been taught to mix up the lesson sop we each get a turn to teach and it was my turn to talk about the restoration and Joseph Smith's vision. As I started describing him say " I saw a light exactly over my head..." I suddenly had this overwhelming feeling of peace come over me and it became difficult to finish and my companions helped me a little bit. Even though in that moment I coudln't have forgotten the words if I wanted to. But the Holy Ghost tesified to me of the truthfullness of Jospeh Smith. We taught that lesson several other times and I the same thing has happened each time, but with less crying each time which is good.
I've realized many things while I've been here but one thing I've learned is that Faith truly is hoping for something and I don't know what the scripture is but it says something about things will be given unto you after the trial of your faith. It was a great experience.
One last thing that has also stood out to me while being here is how much Heavenly Fathaer and Jesus love each of us. The atmosphere here is incredible and the way everything is so organized is great. Not just at the MTC but also the gospel. The way everything has been planned from the beginning all the way to the end is incredible and it's all here for us.
My time is runningn short but I'll write everyone soon. Love you all and thanks again for all the love and support. I have an amazing family.
Love you,
Sister Green
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
August 17, 2009
Hello family,
Today is my P-day and I am able to set up my e-mail account. The past five days have been quite the experience for me. The first day was the toughest and but things have been going well since then. My companion never showed up on the first day and Thursday morning I found out she wasn't coming so I am now in a triple companionship with two of my roommates. One of them is from Roy and she is going to NY the other is from England and she is goingn to Oakland, CA. It's been great getting to know them, and I'm sure they've loved getting to know me just as much. They really patient with my learning and even more patient with my terrible snoring habits. We have five girls in our room and I've been keeping them all up at night. Last night I slept on my stomach to find a new way to breathe and it worked, they were able to sleep a little better last night. They've all been really nice about it though. The other two sisters in our room are going to Russia and it's cool to listen to them speak and say their prayers at night.
I've learned a lot in the past few days. We wake up at 6:30 and have to be in class by 7:00. We have personal study time for and hour and companion study for an hour also. We usually have on average 6-7 hours of calss time, whicah can include learning lessons, preparing lesson, teaching, lessons etc. Here at the MTC they have a really cool building called the Referral Center (RC) where there are comouters and phones and we get to call investigators who have received mail from us before and talk to them obut the gospel and try to place book of mormons. I was really nervous at first but the teaching here is great and they've really instilled that it's important for us to make investigators feel loved and like we care about them so that's something I've really been working on lately. The lessons in Preach my Gospel are great and we're focussing on lesson one right now. The spirit here is amazing and there is such a high level of respect for gospel ordinaces and inviduals here. The elders are very respectful. The elders in our district always open doors for us and stand for us when we come to the table with our food, and they also take our trays away when we finish. I really hope my husband is a return missionary because I'm relly liking this kind of treatment.
There is so much I wish I could right to you. SO much has happened but we only have thirty minutes of e-mails. I'll try to get it all in a letter though. Thank you Mom, Dad, Diana, everyone for the love and support. Thank you for the Dear Elder letters too that was awesome to get a letter my second day here. I'm so grateful for this opportunity. When I first got here it was a HUGE adjustment and I wished I could just skip the MTC and go straight to the field but haveing been here longer I couldn't imagine not coming here first, It's great. I love you all and will write letters soon.
Mom please tell Trey I said Happy Birthday and I love him. Tell everyone I said hello please from all sides of the family.
Love you all,
Sister Green
Today is my P-day and I am able to set up my e-mail account. The past five days have been quite the experience for me. The first day was the toughest and but things have been going well since then. My companion never showed up on the first day and Thursday morning I found out she wasn't coming so I am now in a triple companionship with two of my roommates. One of them is from Roy and she is going to NY the other is from England and she is goingn to Oakland, CA. It's been great getting to know them, and I'm sure they've loved getting to know me just as much. They really patient with my learning and even more patient with my terrible snoring habits. We have five girls in our room and I've been keeping them all up at night. Last night I slept on my stomach to find a new way to breathe and it worked, they were able to sleep a little better last night. They've all been really nice about it though. The other two sisters in our room are going to Russia and it's cool to listen to them speak and say their prayers at night.
I've learned a lot in the past few days. We wake up at 6:30 and have to be in class by 7:00. We have personal study time for and hour and companion study for an hour also. We usually have on average 6-7 hours of calss time, whicah can include learning lessons, preparing lesson, teaching, lessons etc. Here at the MTC they have a really cool building called the Referral Center (RC) where there are comouters and phones and we get to call investigators who have received mail from us before and talk to them obut the gospel and try to place book of mormons. I was really nervous at first but the teaching here is great and they've really instilled that it's important for us to make investigators feel loved and like we care about them so that's something I've really been working on lately. The lessons in Preach my Gospel are great and we're focussing on lesson one right now. The spirit here is amazing and there is such a high level of respect for gospel ordinaces and inviduals here. The elders are very respectful. The elders in our district always open doors for us and stand for us when we come to the table with our food, and they also take our trays away when we finish. I really hope my husband is a return missionary because I'm relly liking this kind of treatment.
There is so much I wish I could right to you. SO much has happened but we only have thirty minutes of e-mails. I'll try to get it all in a letter though. Thank you Mom, Dad, Diana, everyone for the love and support. Thank you for the Dear Elder letters too that was awesome to get a letter my second day here. I'm so grateful for this opportunity. When I first got here it was a HUGE adjustment and I wished I could just skip the MTC and go straight to the field but haveing been here longer I couldn't imagine not coming here first, It's great. I love you all and will write letters soon.
Mom please tell Trey I said Happy Birthday and I love him. Tell everyone I said hello please from all sides of the family.
Love you all,
Sister Green
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)