10/04/2010

Dear Family,

This weekend was amazing. I loved General Conference. Sister Mauer and I did our best to invite people to come see it; even people we met the day of, because it's such an important event. The weekend always seems to go by so quickly but in 6 months we'll be able to enjoy it again.

We met a young college student named Sarah a week ago today and we invited her to come watch Conference. Yesterday we went to the Institute building to watch the first session and around 10:45 Sarah walked in with her Book of Mormon, ready to hear from the leaders of the church. She was really excited to hear from President Monson and she kept asking us "Will I be able to hear from the prophet today?"

She could only stay for and hour because of obligations with a club she's in at school and unfortunately she left just before President Monson spoke. Sister Mauer and I were a little sad but then we thought about the blessing it was to have someone come and be so willing to learn. I'm grateful for technology because she'll be able to watch what she missed online when she has time.

We also have another investigator Peter Wood who we've been teaching. He went to every single session of Conference including Priesthood session Saturday night. One of his concerns was he questioned the authority of the leaders of the Church. We promised him that if he truly had a desire to know and was sincere, the Holy Ghost would testify to him that our Heavenly Father continues to speak to us today through his prophet, President Monson.

Saturday evening he called us and we spoke to him briefly about the things he had learned during the Priesthood session. He told us he was able to speak to the bishop after the session as well and he said he knew, without a doubt, that President Monson is a prophet.

Likewise after the last session yesterday we had a lesson with him at the church and he began to get teary eyed as he talked about the way conference made him feel.He said that some people choose not to believe that there is a prophet on the earth today and twelve apostles that are real but to him it's true, and it's real.

I love the Spirit and how He testifies to us of all truth. One of my favorite things as a missionary is when I'm given the opportunity to be present when someone receives a witness from the Holy Ghost that the gospel or principles we've shared or have been sharing is true, and they decide to act on what they've learned. Lives can be changed forever.

An exciting event coming up is all this week (Tuesday-Friday), half of the mission will be in Austin receiving training on the eight new lessons that the 1st Presidency want the missionaries to learn. The other half of the mission will be trained in San Antonio next week I believe. The lessons are still from Preach My Gospel but emphasis has been added to the most important things that we all need to learn. It's going to be such a spiritual feast:)

Speaking of spiritual feasts I'm reminded of something. I was reading my scriptures in 3 Nephi where the Savior appears here and teaches the Nephites. In chapter 17:1-3 He tells them He has to leave soon. He shares a lot of things and knowing they do not understand everything he says; He invites them to go home, to ponder what He shared, and then to pray to Heavenly Father for understanding.

The Savior's invitation reminds me of General Conference. Our leaders share the things our Savior would tell us if He were here. A lot is shared with us over a two day period and if we follow the counsel we receive it will eventually lead us back to our Father in Heaven.

We've been inviting families as we meet with them, to ponder the messages of General Conference and then to pray for an understanding of how they can apply the teaches individually and within their families. I'm looking forward to doing this and I invite all of you to do it if you haven't already. The Lord will bless you.

Thank you all for your love and support as always. Have a wonderful week.

Love you lots,

Sister Green

09/27/2010

Dear Family,

It has been another great week. The weather is cooling down a lot and we're supposed to be in the 60's throughout the week. When Sister Mauer and I stepped outside of our apartment this morning I was cold; and it's only 66 degrees!

We were able to go to the General Relief Society Broadcast on Saturday and that was great. A woman named Nicole has been taught by the Elders and she was baptized a few hours before the broadcast. She was and continues to be so excited about the gospel. I loved looking at the expression on her face as we watched the leaders of the church speak to us about how we can become better women. She loved listening to President Monson and she's so excited to see more of him and the twelve this weekend.

I gave a talk yesterday at the university congregation Sister Mauer and I cover. I'll post it here if I have time. Other highlights for the week were that we had our interviews with President Jones this past Friday. I love being able to sit across from him, one on one, and receive his counsel. We also just got an e-mail toady telling us that a member of the Seventy (can't remember his name) will be visiting our mission next weekend and we'll be meeting with him in San Antonio. I love it when General Authorities come to teach us.

I love you all and hope you're excited and will make time to hear from the prophet this weekend. I know the things he'll share will be beneficial to all of us because they come directly from our Savior...

Have a great week,

Sister Green

P.S. I don't have time to type up my talk but maybe I'll send it next week:)

09/20/2010

Dear Family,

I've attached some pictures of this past weeks highlights. The part member family we've been teaching for the past month has now become a full member family:) Brandon and Brooke were married this weekend and Brook and Brandon's daughter Zoie were both baptized as well.

It was great to be a part of something so wonderful. They had family members come from all over to support them in their decisions. I love to look back; the reason Sister Mauer and I ever began teaching them was because of a phone call from Brandon's mother asking to send us to their house. They were already prepared, the Lord just allowed us to be a part of it.

During the baptism and also the marriage I could feel the love our Heavenly Father and Savior have for them and of Their approval of the choices they were making together; to follow the commandments more fully so that they could partake of all the blessings Heavenly Father has prepared for us.

Sister Mauer and I got to spend some extra time with everyone back at their house and that was also nice. As we prepared to leave, Brandon's dad who traveled from New Mexico said "See you in a year." They're sights are on the temple now and they told us they were preparing to be sealed in the Salt Lake Temple next September.

Later that evening when I was writing in my journal I thought a lot about families and the gift our Father in Heaven has provided for us to all be together forever. Heavenly Father is helping me understand in many different ways that because He is the Creator and has designed our happiness, He knows how we can "truly" be happy. Life would not be as important or have much meaning if we couldn't continue in our family relationships after this life.

I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm reminded of a quote by Elder Bednar who quoted this from someone else. "The gospel is to make bad men good and good men better." The Lord is mindful of us and His arms are always outstretched, ready to receive. I'm grateful for His love and for the the opportunity I've been given to be a member of His church.

Love you all,

Sister Green

P.S. Don't forget to let your light shine this week:)