Dear Family,
Surprised to hear from me on a Monday? President Jones has changed transfer days so Mondays will still be our P-Days and instead of getting our transfer calls Monday night we get them Sunday night instead. Last night we received word from the assistants and I am pleased to report that I will be extending my mission for another 18 months. Who's excited?!....if only that were an option.
Texas has my heart. I love being a missionary. It's been another wonderful week of teaching amazing people about the restored gospel and planting seeds along the way. When I first read the story of Ammon in the Book of Mormon; when he was brought before the king of the Lamanites and told him that it was his desire to labor in his kingdom for the rest of his life, I thought: "Why would you want to do that?" Now I know. I love the Plan of Salvation and how our Father in Heaven has provided a way for us to have for an eternity, the associations and relationships we enjoy in this life.
Words aren't good enough.
I'll leave you with our TSAM motto; something I've said everyday of my mission (and remember that I was not called to speak/write Spanish:). "I have been called of Jesus Christ through inspiration to serve in the Texas San Antonio Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I will boldly invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel, through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. I will stand for truth and return with honor. Behold I am a disciple of Jesus Christ the Son of God. I have been called of Him to declare His word, among His people, that they might have everlasting life. "e aqui, soy discipilo de Jesu Cristo, el hijo de Dios, e sido llamado por el, para declarar su palabra, entre los de su peublo, al fin de que al cancien la vida eterna."
I Love you Texas,
Sister Green
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
02/21/11
Dear Family,
It's been a pretty good week. We've been blessed with wonderful people to teach. A couple weeks ago we looked up a former investigator in our area book who was taught by the Elders a couple years ago. She's a sweet older woman named Mary. When Sister Reas and I went to go see her she was excited to have visitors and as we got to know her we learned more about some of the concerns she had when she was taking the lessons with the Elders. She learned a lot from them but felt strongly that what they shared wasn't true and she gave them the Book of Mormon back. Sister Reas and I invited her to learn more but she politely declined and told us we were welcome to come back and visit her.
We waited a week or so and went to see here again this week. We learned a little more about her and then we asked if we could watch a couple videos with her on Mormon.org. The Spirit was great and I could tell He was softening her heart, especially when we watched things that talked about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. After we watched a few videos, Sister Reas and I shared our testimonies with her and we invited her to re-read the Book of Mormon prayerfully. She accepted, and we gave her another copy:)
We were also privileged to meet another older woman when we were knocking doors. Her name is Ellen and she let us right in. She told us a lot about her and she's had wonderful experiences with members throughout her life, and has been to church several times with them. She had nothing but good things to say and she enjoys reading which led her to read the Book of Mormon. She believes it could be true but was never invited or told what to do with that knowledge (until now:). She's interested in having us come back to share more with her and throughout our visit she kept saying: "I'm so glad you stopped by I was feeling really lonely today."
It always feels so good to know that we're in the right place doing the right thing, and I love that we can have that confirmed when we speak to others. The gospel is still and will forever be true. Have a great week.
Love you guys,
Sister Green
P.S. I attached a picture of the Bishop and his family (the Parkers) taken this week at dinner.
It's been a pretty good week. We've been blessed with wonderful people to teach. A couple weeks ago we looked up a former investigator in our area book who was taught by the Elders a couple years ago. She's a sweet older woman named Mary. When Sister Reas and I went to go see her she was excited to have visitors and as we got to know her we learned more about some of the concerns she had when she was taking the lessons with the Elders. She learned a lot from them but felt strongly that what they shared wasn't true and she gave them the Book of Mormon back. Sister Reas and I invited her to learn more but she politely declined and told us we were welcome to come back and visit her.
We waited a week or so and went to see here again this week. We learned a little more about her and then we asked if we could watch a couple videos with her on Mormon.org. The Spirit was great and I could tell He was softening her heart, especially when we watched things that talked about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. After we watched a few videos, Sister Reas and I shared our testimonies with her and we invited her to re-read the Book of Mormon prayerfully. She accepted, and we gave her another copy:)
We were also privileged to meet another older woman when we were knocking doors. Her name is Ellen and she let us right in. She told us a lot about her and she's had wonderful experiences with members throughout her life, and has been to church several times with them. She had nothing but good things to say and she enjoys reading which led her to read the Book of Mormon. She believes it could be true but was never invited or told what to do with that knowledge (until now:). She's interested in having us come back to share more with her and throughout our visit she kept saying: "I'm so glad you stopped by I was feeling really lonely today."
It always feels so good to know that we're in the right place doing the right thing, and I love that we can have that confirmed when we speak to others. The gospel is still and will forever be true. Have a great week.
Love you guys,
Sister Green
P.S. I attached a picture of the Bishop and his family (the Parkers) taken this week at dinner.
Monday, February 14, 2011
02/14/11
Dear Family,
Last Sunday we had Stake Conference and it was a broadcast from Salt Lake. The broadcast was through Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. We heard from Elder Marvin K. Jensen of the Seventy, Sister Ann M. Dibb of the Young Women Presidency, Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve, and President Monson; the Lord's prophet.
Elder Jensen spoke about covenants and how we need to keep them. He gave the example of Nephi and Zoram and invited us to be able to be so honest that people will know we will do whatever we say and that Heavenly Father's "fears will cease concerning [us]" (1 Nephi 4:37).
Sister Dibb spoke about virtue and she invited all of us to commit or recommit to living a virtuous life. She gave the example of Ruth and Naomi (one of my favorite stories in the Bible) and invited us to live in such a way that, just as Boaz said to Ruth, people can say of us; "For all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman [or man]" (Ruth 3:11). She also invited us to live the young women theme, PROS. Pray every morning and night. Read the Book of Mormon for at least five minutes a day. Obey all of God's commandments, and Smile.
Elder Ballard talked about the gospel and invited/cautioned us to remember to keep the gospel simple. He went over faith, repentance, baptism, the holy ghost and enduring to the end. He invited us to live the gospel fully and said if there was anything in our lives that kept us from doing that to repent. He reminded us of the Savior's Atonement and told us we should be repenting daily so that every week when we partake of the sacrament, we can be cleansed and continue to have the Holy Ghost with us.
President Monson spoke about members of the church who are not currently active. He invited us to reach out to them wherever they are and invite them to come back. It was a wonderful conference and the Spirit was strong there.
Yesterday was also a good Sabbath day. During the evening we were in a part of our area when a previous investigator came to mind. Her name is Stella and she was born and raised in China, and became a Christian there also. The previous sisters taught her but we haven't been able to have solid appointments with her because of the holidays. She's interested in learning more about the church so she can make a decision about the faith she wants to be a part of. She struggles understanding the Book of Mormon even in her own language so we read a little with her last night.
We began in 3 Nephi when the Savior comes to visit the people, and we read and explained each verse carefully. She had wonderful questions and a strong desire to understand every word. As we got to the part where the Savior descends and tells the people to come touch Him, she paused for a long time in deep thought and then she asked: "Is this true?" We bore testimony that it was and I admired her willingness to ponder and truly think about what was written. It's made me evaluate my personal scripture study and be more certain that I understand and don't just read it to read it.
It's been a great week and we're looking forward to another one. We have a lot of good things planned for the area and the ward mission is really pulling together and trying to increase the missionary efforts in the area. Hope you all enjoy your week. Happy Valentine's Day.
Love you all,
Sister Green
Last Sunday we had Stake Conference and it was a broadcast from Salt Lake. The broadcast was through Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. We heard from Elder Marvin K. Jensen of the Seventy, Sister Ann M. Dibb of the Young Women Presidency, Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve, and President Monson; the Lord's prophet.
Elder Jensen spoke about covenants and how we need to keep them. He gave the example of Nephi and Zoram and invited us to be able to be so honest that people will know we will do whatever we say and that Heavenly Father's "fears will cease concerning [us]" (1 Nephi 4:37).
Sister Dibb spoke about virtue and she invited all of us to commit or recommit to living a virtuous life. She gave the example of Ruth and Naomi (one of my favorite stories in the Bible) and invited us to live in such a way that, just as Boaz said to Ruth, people can say of us; "For all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman [or man]" (Ruth 3:11). She also invited us to live the young women theme, PROS. Pray every morning and night. Read the Book of Mormon for at least five minutes a day. Obey all of God's commandments, and Smile.
Elder Ballard talked about the gospel and invited/cautioned us to remember to keep the gospel simple. He went over faith, repentance, baptism, the holy ghost and enduring to the end. He invited us to live the gospel fully and said if there was anything in our lives that kept us from doing that to repent. He reminded us of the Savior's Atonement and told us we should be repenting daily so that every week when we partake of the sacrament, we can be cleansed and continue to have the Holy Ghost with us.
President Monson spoke about members of the church who are not currently active. He invited us to reach out to them wherever they are and invite them to come back. It was a wonderful conference and the Spirit was strong there.
Yesterday was also a good Sabbath day. During the evening we were in a part of our area when a previous investigator came to mind. Her name is Stella and she was born and raised in China, and became a Christian there also. The previous sisters taught her but we haven't been able to have solid appointments with her because of the holidays. She's interested in learning more about the church so she can make a decision about the faith she wants to be a part of. She struggles understanding the Book of Mormon even in her own language so we read a little with her last night.
We began in 3 Nephi when the Savior comes to visit the people, and we read and explained each verse carefully. She had wonderful questions and a strong desire to understand every word. As we got to the part where the Savior descends and tells the people to come touch Him, she paused for a long time in deep thought and then she asked: "Is this true?" We bore testimony that it was and I admired her willingness to ponder and truly think about what was written. It's made me evaluate my personal scripture study and be more certain that I understand and don't just read it to read it.
It's been a great week and we're looking forward to another one. We have a lot of good things planned for the area and the ward mission is really pulling together and trying to increase the missionary efforts in the area. Hope you all enjoy your week. Happy Valentine's Day.
Love you all,
Sister Green
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
02/07/11
Dear Family,
I don't have a lot of time this week. The week went well but I will wait until next week to write about it. My mission president's wife asked the departing missionaries to send her some mission pictures last week, so I spent most of my time taking care of that and reading e-mails.
I'll write more next week.
Love you guys,
Sister Green
I don't have a lot of time this week. The week went well but I will wait until next week to write about it. My mission president's wife asked the departing missionaries to send her some mission pictures last week, so I spent most of my time taking care of that and reading e-mails.
I'll write more next week.
Love you guys,
Sister Green
Friday, February 4, 2011
01/31/11
Dear Family,
It was a rough week as far as finding and teaching goes. Sister Reas and I only taught one lesson and had one new investigator. It was sad reporting our numbers to our leaders this week but they're all so encouraging and reminded us to not be discouraged and to keep building upon our faith. My mind turned to the "No effort is Wasted" section from Preach My Gospel where it talks about how we all have agency and people can except or reject the message we share. It states that as a missionary, we need to teach in such a way that they will be able to make a clear choice.
Sister Reas and I strive to "develop the faith to find [those] that will receive us." We want people to see that the gospel is for them. I've found a lot of comfort from the scriptures; especially when other missionaries experience some of the same things I am at this time. In a district meeting a few weeks ago our district leader Elder Platt, shared a scripture about Nephi and some of his struggles trying to share the gospel. We've all at one time or another felt this as missionaries:
"And now I, Nephi, cannot say more; the Spirit stoppeth mine utterance, and I am left to mourn because of the unbelief, and the wickedness, and the ignorance, and the stiffneckedness of men; for they will not search knowledge, nor understand great knowledge, when it is given unto them in plainness, even as plain as word can be."
I love that he remained diligent and continued to be a powerful missionary/leader and I love that we have his example in the scriptures. Speaking of Nephi that reminds me of a funny moment this week. Sister Reas and I had lunch with a member who is a convert to the church. She's been divorced longer than I've been alive and the thought of getting married again doesn't excite her much. We asked her how her scripture reading had been going and she told us she has also been reading in Nephi. She shared her testimony of what a good example he is and then we started talking about marriage and she asked: "Do you think Nephi is married?"...She'll find her own Nephi one day.
I've also found strengthened when the members tell us of their "missionary experiences". Yesterday during Sacrament Meeting the bishop invited the members to look at the Mormon.org and lds.org websites. These websites have been updated a lot. So much so that the first presidency has allowed us to go online for at least three hours (on a day other than P-Day) and familiarize ourselves with Mormon.org so we will know how to direct people, when we invite them to use it. We will also be given new pass-a-long cards for the website soon.
A few days ago for a dinner appointment a member showed us another website that I've never heard about before. It's www.mormonsmadesimple.com. They have two minute clips describing different things about our beliefs like missionary work and the Book of Mormon. It was really neat and it explained a lot. Go there when you have time and don't forget about Mormon.org. You can create a profile if you want and it'll be more beneficial than Facebook:)
Love you all,
Sister Green
It was a rough week as far as finding and teaching goes. Sister Reas and I only taught one lesson and had one new investigator. It was sad reporting our numbers to our leaders this week but they're all so encouraging and reminded us to not be discouraged and to keep building upon our faith. My mind turned to the "No effort is Wasted" section from Preach My Gospel where it talks about how we all have agency and people can except or reject the message we share. It states that as a missionary, we need to teach in such a way that they will be able to make a clear choice.
Sister Reas and I strive to "develop the faith to find [those] that will receive us." We want people to see that the gospel is for them. I've found a lot of comfort from the scriptures; especially when other missionaries experience some of the same things I am at this time. In a district meeting a few weeks ago our district leader Elder Platt, shared a scripture about Nephi and some of his struggles trying to share the gospel. We've all at one time or another felt this as missionaries:
"And now I, Nephi, cannot say more; the Spirit stoppeth mine utterance, and I am left to mourn because of the unbelief, and the wickedness, and the ignorance, and the stiffneckedness of men; for they will not search knowledge, nor understand great knowledge, when it is given unto them in plainness, even as plain as word can be."
I love that he remained diligent and continued to be a powerful missionary/leader and I love that we have his example in the scriptures. Speaking of Nephi that reminds me of a funny moment this week. Sister Reas and I had lunch with a member who is a convert to the church. She's been divorced longer than I've been alive and the thought of getting married again doesn't excite her much. We asked her how her scripture reading had been going and she told us she has also been reading in Nephi. She shared her testimony of what a good example he is and then we started talking about marriage and she asked: "Do you think Nephi is married?"...She'll find her own Nephi one day.
I've also found strengthened when the members tell us of their "missionary experiences". Yesterday during Sacrament Meeting the bishop invited the members to look at the Mormon.org and lds.org websites. These websites have been updated a lot. So much so that the first presidency has allowed us to go online for at least three hours (on a day other than P-Day) and familiarize ourselves with Mormon.org so we will know how to direct people, when we invite them to use it. We will also be given new pass-a-long cards for the website soon.
A few days ago for a dinner appointment a member showed us another website that I've never heard about before. It's www.mormonsmadesimple.com. They have two minute clips describing different things about our beliefs like missionary work and the Book of Mormon. It was really neat and it explained a lot. Go there when you have time and don't forget about Mormon.org. You can create a profile if you want and it'll be more beneficial than Facebook:)
Love you all,
Sister Green
Monday, January 24, 2011
01/24/11
Dear Family,
Transfer week has gone well. My new companion is Sister Reas (Reese). She's been in the field for 13 months and in her last area she was companions with Sister Rae. She was raised in the church and she is the oldest of three; she has two brothers. She was born in Hawaii but grew up in San Diego California. The ward is always excited to see the different Sister Missionaries and they're always so loving towards us.
The past few days have been great getting to know one another and working together. I've felt Heavenly Father's help with all of my companions and He's given me as well as them the ability to adapt to each other so quickly. I wanted to take a picture so I could show you what she looks like but that will have to wait until next week.
We're excited for the new transfer which officially started today. At our transfer meetings where we go to find out who our new companion/area will be the assistants always share their testimonies of the transfer process. They get to work with President Jones really closely all the time and especially during the transfer process. One of the Elders, Elder Seymour, shared a testimony that was really powerful and made me so happy.
He talked about how he enjoyed reading the Bible to know how our Heavenly Father created everything spiritually before it was created physically upon the earth. He told us that the same process happens for our transfers and how president is mindful even at the start of a new transfer, of how the upcoming transfer will be. He shared his testimony of Heavenly Father guiding our mission president and he invited us to go out and physically create what has been spiritually created already. That strengthens my testimony that we are where we need to be and we're fulfilling a part of our lives and others as well in the plan Heavenly Father has created.
The gospel is so true:)
Love you all,
Sister Green
Transfer week has gone well. My new companion is Sister Reas (Reese). She's been in the field for 13 months and in her last area she was companions with Sister Rae. She was raised in the church and she is the oldest of three; she has two brothers. She was born in Hawaii but grew up in San Diego California. The ward is always excited to see the different Sister Missionaries and they're always so loving towards us.
The past few days have been great getting to know one another and working together. I've felt Heavenly Father's help with all of my companions and He's given me as well as them the ability to adapt to each other so quickly. I wanted to take a picture so I could show you what she looks like but that will have to wait until next week.
We're excited for the new transfer which officially started today. At our transfer meetings where we go to find out who our new companion/area will be the assistants always share their testimonies of the transfer process. They get to work with President Jones really closely all the time and especially during the transfer process. One of the Elders, Elder Seymour, shared a testimony that was really powerful and made me so happy.
He talked about how he enjoyed reading the Bible to know how our Heavenly Father created everything spiritually before it was created physically upon the earth. He told us that the same process happens for our transfers and how president is mindful even at the start of a new transfer, of how the upcoming transfer will be. He shared his testimony of Heavenly Father guiding our mission president and he invited us to go out and physically create what has been spiritually created already. That strengthens my testimony that we are where we need to be and we're fulfilling a part of our lives and others as well in the plan Heavenly Father has created.
The gospel is so true:)
Love you all,
Sister Green
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
01/18/11
Dear Family,
I'm sending a quick e-mail this week letting you know how transfers have turned out. Sister Boyd and I will be separated once again. I will be staying here in Old Settlers and she will be leaving (we'll find out Thursday where she'll go). We love transfers.
One quick highlight of the week was when Sister Boyd and I got to go see Sierra again; the kind woman who let us in from the rain. We talked to her about the restoration and we talked more about our beliefs. She asked us wonderful questions. When we talked about the Book of Mormon and how we viewed it as "Another Testament of Jesus Christ" she said, " Yeah I can see that, even movies have sequels." I love that she's understanding the gospel in her own way. Sister Boyd and I have another appointment with her today after we e-mail and we're going to watch the Restoration DVD with her. She's heard some false things about Joseph Smith and how he was called to be a prophet so we love to make the truth known.
Wonderful things are happening in the Old Settlers area and all throughout the mission. Hope you all have a great week and I'll be looking forward to telling you who my next companion will be:)
Love you guys,
Sister Green
I'm sending a quick e-mail this week letting you know how transfers have turned out. Sister Boyd and I will be separated once again. I will be staying here in Old Settlers and she will be leaving (we'll find out Thursday where she'll go). We love transfers.
One quick highlight of the week was when Sister Boyd and I got to go see Sierra again; the kind woman who let us in from the rain. We talked to her about the restoration and we talked more about our beliefs. She asked us wonderful questions. When we talked about the Book of Mormon and how we viewed it as "Another Testament of Jesus Christ" she said, " Yeah I can see that, even movies have sequels." I love that she's understanding the gospel in her own way. Sister Boyd and I have another appointment with her today after we e-mail and we're going to watch the Restoration DVD with her. She's heard some false things about Joseph Smith and how he was called to be a prophet so we love to make the truth known.
Wonderful things are happening in the Old Settlers area and all throughout the mission. Hope you all have a great week and I'll be looking forward to telling you who my next companion will be:)
Love you guys,
Sister Green
Monday, January 10, 2011
01/10/11
Dear Beautiful Family,
It's been another great week. The temperature has dropped and it's been really rainy but "the show must go on." A few days ago Sister Boyd and I were on our bikes headed to an appointment when it started to sprinkle. We stopped to talk to a woman named Sierra and she was on her way to go get lunch with her little boy Ian. She told us she lived in Utah with her husband and that she has a lot of friends who are members.
Around this time it started to pour and she invited us into her home until the rain stopped. We were able to get to know her better and she told us her husband is a member but he hasn't been to church in over a decade. He wasn't on any of our lists so it was a wonderful miracle to have found them. I love "running into people" that way. Just like the lost tribes and how no one knows where they are but our Father in Heaven knows where he led them, it's the same with us. He knows where every broken heart is, every tear that's shed, every pain, every loneliness, every disappointment, every loss...everything. It's been wonderful to be led by His Spirit.
Before Christmas we were able to speak to a lot of people who told us to come see them after the holidays. Sister Boyd, Sister Rae, and I kept a list of all these people and the different ways they said we could contact them (phone or stop by, etc.) Of a list of about twenty people, two people allowed us to set up an appointment to come teach them with a member.
One of them is a man named Billy Walker. We met him one afternoon when he was getting his mail. We had a decent conversation, invited him to learn more and he told us we could contact him after the new year. He told us he is a non-denominational preacher and during our lesson he told us his sermons are put on T.V. (I don't think he's too well known so don't go looking his name up on the Internet...Dad:)
He's very sweet and he has a wonderful conversion story. He's in his 70's and he was born and raised in the Austin area. He had a rough life in the beginning but when he was in his thirty's he decided he needed to take steps to change and he started reading in the Bible for direction from God. As we were listening to him. He said " One day I opened my Bible and came across James, first chapter fifth verse; which reads, If any of you lack wisdom..." I think we all know how this ends. It was a powerful moment. The Lord is preparing people in His own way to receive the blessings of the restored gospel.
The restoration and living prophets was new to Billy as was the book of Mormon, but we shared our testimonies and invited him to read it and to ask Heavenly Father if it's true. He told us to give him a week so our next appointment is this Wednesday. I wish I had time to tell of other experiences but don't. Things are going well.
As always thank you for all that you do.
Love you all,
Sister Green
It's been another great week. The temperature has dropped and it's been really rainy but "the show must go on." A few days ago Sister Boyd and I were on our bikes headed to an appointment when it started to sprinkle. We stopped to talk to a woman named Sierra and she was on her way to go get lunch with her little boy Ian. She told us she lived in Utah with her husband and that she has a lot of friends who are members.
Around this time it started to pour and she invited us into her home until the rain stopped. We were able to get to know her better and she told us her husband is a member but he hasn't been to church in over a decade. He wasn't on any of our lists so it was a wonderful miracle to have found them. I love "running into people" that way. Just like the lost tribes and how no one knows where they are but our Father in Heaven knows where he led them, it's the same with us. He knows where every broken heart is, every tear that's shed, every pain, every loneliness, every disappointment, every loss...everything. It's been wonderful to be led by His Spirit.
Before Christmas we were able to speak to a lot of people who told us to come see them after the holidays. Sister Boyd, Sister Rae, and I kept a list of all these people and the different ways they said we could contact them (phone or stop by, etc.) Of a list of about twenty people, two people allowed us to set up an appointment to come teach them with a member.
One of them is a man named Billy Walker. We met him one afternoon when he was getting his mail. We had a decent conversation, invited him to learn more and he told us we could contact him after the new year. He told us he is a non-denominational preacher and during our lesson he told us his sermons are put on T.V. (I don't think he's too well known so don't go looking his name up on the Internet...Dad:)
He's very sweet and he has a wonderful conversion story. He's in his 70's and he was born and raised in the Austin area. He had a rough life in the beginning but when he was in his thirty's he decided he needed to take steps to change and he started reading in the Bible for direction from God. As we were listening to him. He said " One day I opened my Bible and came across James, first chapter fifth verse; which reads, If any of you lack wisdom..." I think we all know how this ends. It was a powerful moment. The Lord is preparing people in His own way to receive the blessings of the restored gospel.
The restoration and living prophets was new to Billy as was the book of Mormon, but we shared our testimonies and invited him to read it and to ask Heavenly Father if it's true. He told us to give him a week so our next appointment is this Wednesday. I wish I had time to tell of other experiences but don't. Things are going well.
As always thank you for all that you do.
Love you all,
Sister Green
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
01/03/11
Dear Family,
Quick e-mail this week but things are going well and I'm looking forward to the new month and the new year. I have one quick scripture and invitation I want to extend to each of us before I sign off. The scripture is in Ether and this is the Brother of Jared who is preparing a way for the barges he has built to receive light. I've found an interesting parallel between this scripture and the new year, when a part of our culture is to set goals for the upcoming year.
The scripture reads:.(Brother of Jared Speaking) "O Lord thou hast said that we must be encompassed about by the floods. Now behold, O Lord, and do not be angry with thy servant because if his weakness before thee; for we know that thou art holy and dwellest in the heavens, and that we are unworthy before thee; because of the fall our natures have become evil continually; nevertheless, O Lord, thou hast given us a commandment that we must call upon thee, that from thee we may receive according to our desires."
Last year President Cutler invited all of us to pray and ask Heavenly Father what He would have us accomplish in the new year. Now as 2011 is here we can do the same. The Brother of Jared was a prophet and a leader of an entire civilization but he never lost sight of his dependence upon the Lord.
What are some of the "desires of our hearts?" I invite all of us to think about them and pray to our Father in Heaven to have Him help us set goals this year that will bring us closer to Him and to our Savior. He knows us better than we know ourselves and He knows what will make us truly happy; We just have to trust in Him. I know that if we will make Heavenly Father a part of our goals for the year we will look back in preparation for 2012 and find that we've grown that much closer to who He would have us be.
I Love you all and hope you have a wonderful week.
Sister Green
Quick e-mail this week but things are going well and I'm looking forward to the new month and the new year. I have one quick scripture and invitation I want to extend to each of us before I sign off. The scripture is in Ether and this is the Brother of Jared who is preparing a way for the barges he has built to receive light. I've found an interesting parallel between this scripture and the new year, when a part of our culture is to set goals for the upcoming year.
The scripture reads:.(Brother of Jared Speaking) "O Lord thou hast said that we must be encompassed about by the floods. Now behold, O Lord, and do not be angry with thy servant because if his weakness before thee; for we know that thou art holy and dwellest in the heavens, and that we are unworthy before thee; because of the fall our natures have become evil continually; nevertheless, O Lord, thou hast given us a commandment that we must call upon thee, that from thee we may receive according to our desires."
Last year President Cutler invited all of us to pray and ask Heavenly Father what He would have us accomplish in the new year. Now as 2011 is here we can do the same. The Brother of Jared was a prophet and a leader of an entire civilization but he never lost sight of his dependence upon the Lord.
What are some of the "desires of our hearts?" I invite all of us to think about them and pray to our Father in Heaven to have Him help us set goals this year that will bring us closer to Him and to our Savior. He knows us better than we know ourselves and He knows what will make us truly happy; We just have to trust in Him. I know that if we will make Heavenly Father a part of our goals for the year we will look back in preparation for 2012 and find that we've grown that much closer to who He would have us be.
I Love you all and hope you have a wonderful week.
Sister Green
12/27/10
Dear Family,
It was a wonderful Christmas week in the field. It was great to feel of the spirit of the season. Sister Boyd and I have been praying mightily for opportunities to share the gospel. Especially around this time of year when a lot of people feel alone. Christmas day we didn't have any lessons planned but after I finished my phone calls a family from the ward picked us up and took us to the church where they had invited other families to come and play games and eat. Only one other family from the ward came by, but a wonderful "Christmas Miracle" happened.
We had been in the church for a couple minutes when a young woman walked in. She told us her name was Stephanie and she asked us if we were having any services during the day. We told her no but that she was welcome to come back Sunday and come to church with us. She seemed a little disappointed. Sister Swan (the member that picked us up) asked her if she wanted to stay and eat food and play games with us and she said "Could I?" She told us she lived a few blocks down the street but that her family didn't want to spend Christmas with her.
As the Swan's got things prepared Sister Boyd and I sat with Stephanie for a few minutes and got to know her. She's 20 years old, and she told us a little about her past and family problems. She told us she was searching and that she'd been to a lot of different churches and was raised Baptist but hasn't really felt anything yet. She's heard several things about our faith and she asked us questions about those things. She was relieved to find out none of them were true.
Sister Boyd and I invited her to learn more about the things we believe by talking to the Taylor Elders (She's in their area) and she said she wanted to. When we had a minute we called the Elders and they stopped by the church not too long after. We all answered more of Stephanie's questions while eating ham and playing Uno Jenga:) The Elders had another appointment to get to but Stephanie stayed at the church for a couple of hours and throughout the time she spent with us she kept saying "I don't know why people think ya'll are crazy, you're some of the nicest people I've ever met."
Sister Swan gave Stephanie a ride back to her home and the Elders arranged for her to get a ride to church the next morning. The Taylor Ward meets right before the Old Settlers Ward but Brother Swan goes to church early for ward business and he saw Stephanie there with the Elders.
My testimony of our Heavenly Father watching over each of us, individually, has been strengthened. Even though it wasn't a big turn out the Swan's were guided to have a little "get together" at the church. If it were not for that Stephanie would have kept walking. I'm so glad I got to be a part of something so wonderful.
After Stephanie left we were talking about how Heavenly Father reaches out to "the one." Sister Schorr (the wife of the other family that came with us) talked about how Elder Bednar once asked "Do you think the Lord would send me to a place for one person?"...Of course He would." I remember when Elder Bednar came to see us in February and he allowed us to ask him anything we wanted. There was an Elder who spoke up and he mentioned that he was a recent convert to the church. He didn't get into too much detail but his past still troubled him and he wanted to feel of God's love more in his life. I remember Elder Bednar pausing for a moment to listen to the Spirit and then he spoke directly to this Elder. He promised him blessings for keeping his covenants and told him of things to do in his life to help him feel of God's love. He also told him the Lord accepted him. It was a powerful moment.
I love the gospel. Anyone who is sincerely searching for truth will be led to our Savior's church. It's been an unforgettable holiday season. Thank you all for your warm Christmas wishes.
Love you,
Sister Green
It was a wonderful Christmas week in the field. It was great to feel of the spirit of the season. Sister Boyd and I have been praying mightily for opportunities to share the gospel. Especially around this time of year when a lot of people feel alone. Christmas day we didn't have any lessons planned but after I finished my phone calls a family from the ward picked us up and took us to the church where they had invited other families to come and play games and eat. Only one other family from the ward came by, but a wonderful "Christmas Miracle" happened.
We had been in the church for a couple minutes when a young woman walked in. She told us her name was Stephanie and she asked us if we were having any services during the day. We told her no but that she was welcome to come back Sunday and come to church with us. She seemed a little disappointed. Sister Swan (the member that picked us up) asked her if she wanted to stay and eat food and play games with us and she said "Could I?" She told us she lived a few blocks down the street but that her family didn't want to spend Christmas with her.
As the Swan's got things prepared Sister Boyd and I sat with Stephanie for a few minutes and got to know her. She's 20 years old, and she told us a little about her past and family problems. She told us she was searching and that she'd been to a lot of different churches and was raised Baptist but hasn't really felt anything yet. She's heard several things about our faith and she asked us questions about those things. She was relieved to find out none of them were true.
Sister Boyd and I invited her to learn more about the things we believe by talking to the Taylor Elders (She's in their area) and she said she wanted to. When we had a minute we called the Elders and they stopped by the church not too long after. We all answered more of Stephanie's questions while eating ham and playing Uno Jenga:) The Elders had another appointment to get to but Stephanie stayed at the church for a couple of hours and throughout the time she spent with us she kept saying "I don't know why people think ya'll are crazy, you're some of the nicest people I've ever met."
Sister Swan gave Stephanie a ride back to her home and the Elders arranged for her to get a ride to church the next morning. The Taylor Ward meets right before the Old Settlers Ward but Brother Swan goes to church early for ward business and he saw Stephanie there with the Elders.
My testimony of our Heavenly Father watching over each of us, individually, has been strengthened. Even though it wasn't a big turn out the Swan's were guided to have a little "get together" at the church. If it were not for that Stephanie would have kept walking. I'm so glad I got to be a part of something so wonderful.
After Stephanie left we were talking about how Heavenly Father reaches out to "the one." Sister Schorr (the wife of the other family that came with us) talked about how Elder Bednar once asked "Do you think the Lord would send me to a place for one person?"...Of course He would." I remember when Elder Bednar came to see us in February and he allowed us to ask him anything we wanted. There was an Elder who spoke up and he mentioned that he was a recent convert to the church. He didn't get into too much detail but his past still troubled him and he wanted to feel of God's love more in his life. I remember Elder Bednar pausing for a moment to listen to the Spirit and then he spoke directly to this Elder. He promised him blessings for keeping his covenants and told him of things to do in his life to help him feel of God's love. He also told him the Lord accepted him. It was a powerful moment.
I love the gospel. Anyone who is sincerely searching for truth will be led to our Savior's church. It's been an unforgettable holiday season. Thank you all for your warm Christmas wishes.
Love you,
Sister Green
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