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
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
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:)
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:)
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:)
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
09/14/10
Dear Family,
We got our transfer calls last night and Sister Mauer and I are staying together for another transfer in San Marcos. I知 really happy. I was fine with anything but I知 glad I get to spend six months in an area. Working with Sister Mauer has gone well so this next transfer will be great.
Things are really moving forward. Sorry for such a short e-mail but hopefully the pictures will make up for it. These pictures were taken last Monday and a couple families from the Ward invited us to spend the day with them at a nearby Lake. We of course did not do anything in the water but we had a picnic and got to play different sports on the grass. It was fun.
We're with the Lee Family (I've mentioned them in past e-mails). There's Brother ans Sister Lee. Paul who is 5. Chrital is 11 and Charlene (next to me) is 9. Elder Riley(behind me) is our Zone Leader and Elder Halversen was in the MTC with me but he's only here for a week. Hope you enjoy. I'll write more next week.
Love you all,
Sister Green
We got our transfer calls last night and Sister Mauer and I are staying together for another transfer in San Marcos. I知 really happy. I was fine with anything but I知 glad I get to spend six months in an area. Working with Sister Mauer has gone well so this next transfer will be great.
Things are really moving forward. Sorry for such a short e-mail but hopefully the pictures will make up for it. These pictures were taken last Monday and a couple families from the Ward invited us to spend the day with them at a nearby Lake. We of course did not do anything in the water but we had a picnic and got to play different sports on the grass. It was fun.
We're with the Lee Family (I've mentioned them in past e-mails). There's Brother ans Sister Lee. Paul who is 5. Chrital is 11 and Charlene (next to me) is 9. Elder Riley(behind me) is our Zone Leader and Elder Halversen was in the MTC with me but he's only here for a week. Hope you enjoy. I'll write more next week.
Love you all,
Sister Green
09/06/10
Dear Family,
Things are continuing to go well this transfer. One quick reminder before I forget; next week will be transfer week so I won't e-mail until Tuesday. I'm really enjoying San Marcos and the people that have come here now that school has started again. Things have picked up. I don't have too much time today but know that things are good:)
Love you guys,
Sister Green
Things are continuing to go well this transfer. One quick reminder before I forget; next week will be transfer week so I won't e-mail until Tuesday. I'm really enjoying San Marcos and the people that have come here now that school has started again. Things have picked up. I don't have too much time today but know that things are good:)
Love you guys,
Sister Green
Friday, August 27, 2010
08/23/10
Hello,
A lot has happened this week. For four days out of the week about half of the missionaries were sent to San Antonio to be trained by President Jones. It was something issued by the 1st Presidency to help us as missionaries become more effective teachers. Not everyone was able to go but eventually all of us will have an opportunity to participate. There are eight new lessons outside of the ones we learned in Preach My Gospel and the MTC.
We had two Sisters stay with us for a couple of nights because it was too far for them to travel back to their apartments after the meeting. They shared some of the things they learned with Sister Mauer and I and I’m so excited to learn more.
We’ve lost some of our investigators this week but the Lord has blessed us and we’ve been able to continue to find people to teach.
Among some of the things the Sisters shared with us was how to effectively use the Book of Mormon. I've grown to love the Book of Mormon even more than I did before. We went over the introduction and we focused on the 1st paragraph, the 2nd to last paragraph, and the last paragraph.
The 1st paragraph describes "what" the Book of Mormon is. The 2nd to last paragraph tells us how all men can know if the Book is true and identifies "three" things we must do to receive a witness from the Holy Ghost. The last paragraph explains "why" it's important to know. For the past few days we've been sharing this with people and we've been able to help them understand the importance of the Book of Mormon. They love their Bible but we're helping them see that Heavenly Father does not give us everything all at once. He does it "line upon line."
2 Nephi 31 has become one of my favorite chapters. This chapter (as the introduction describes), ..."puts forth the doctrines of the gospel...and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come."
Verse 21 has helped me to understand that God is a God of order and He knows that order will eliminate confusion. It shows His love for us and how He requires that we all do the same thing if we want to return to His presence.
"And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end Amen."
The truthfulness of the Book of Mormon has helped me be a more powerful missionary. I know it is the word of God along with the Bible and it is tangible evidence of the Restoration of the gospel through the prophet Joseph Smith.
Love you,
Sister Green
A lot has happened this week. For four days out of the week about half of the missionaries were sent to San Antonio to be trained by President Jones. It was something issued by the 1st Presidency to help us as missionaries become more effective teachers. Not everyone was able to go but eventually all of us will have an opportunity to participate. There are eight new lessons outside of the ones we learned in Preach My Gospel and the MTC.
We had two Sisters stay with us for a couple of nights because it was too far for them to travel back to their apartments after the meeting. They shared some of the things they learned with Sister Mauer and I and I’m so excited to learn more.
We’ve lost some of our investigators this week but the Lord has blessed us and we’ve been able to continue to find people to teach.
Among some of the things the Sisters shared with us was how to effectively use the Book of Mormon. I've grown to love the Book of Mormon even more than I did before. We went over the introduction and we focused on the 1st paragraph, the 2nd to last paragraph, and the last paragraph.
The 1st paragraph describes "what" the Book of Mormon is. The 2nd to last paragraph tells us how all men can know if the Book is true and identifies "three" things we must do to receive a witness from the Holy Ghost. The last paragraph explains "why" it's important to know. For the past few days we've been sharing this with people and we've been able to help them understand the importance of the Book of Mormon. They love their Bible but we're helping them see that Heavenly Father does not give us everything all at once. He does it "line upon line."
2 Nephi 31 has become one of my favorite chapters. This chapter (as the introduction describes), ..."puts forth the doctrines of the gospel...and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come."
Verse 21 has helped me to understand that God is a God of order and He knows that order will eliminate confusion. It shows His love for us and how He requires that we all do the same thing if we want to return to His presence.
"And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end Amen."
The truthfulness of the Book of Mormon has helped me be a more powerful missionary. I know it is the word of God along with the Bible and it is tangible evidence of the Restoration of the gospel through the prophet Joseph Smith.
Love you,
Sister Green
08/16/10
Hello all,
Another great week here in San Marcos. Sister Mauer and I are really enjoying working together and sharing the gospel. We had a Zone Meeting this past week with the eight companionship's of missionaries in the Zone. Sister Mauer and I are the only Sisters. Our Zone Leaders Elder Murphy and Elder Riley gave us all an Atonement talk last P-Day and asked us to study it throughout the week until our Meeting on Friday. The talk was titled "Atonement: All for All" and it talked about how our Savior gave "all" He had and how we need to give "all" we have if we want to return to our Heavenly Father. It's really helped me to refocus again and has given me a desire to work harder. The General Authority that gave the talk (I can't remember his name) spoke about how we can become like our Savior and achieve eternal life but only if there is nothing we want more.
Sister Mauer and I have been really excited to go our and find and we've been blessed. we received a referral from our bishop and he told us he'd gotten a call from a member in Utah (a mother) who wanted the missionaries to stop by to see her less- active son. We were given phone numbers to call and we ended up talking to this sons girlfriend who is interested in learning about the gospel. She invited us over to their house for dinner and a lesson Saturday evening.
She expressed her desires to learn more about her purpose in life was and what she needed to be doing here. We shared the restoration and watched the DVD with them. We talked to them about the BofM and left her a chapter with questions to help her as she read. She later told us that when we handed her the BofM the first thought that came to her mind was "Okay, now I can start my life". We invited them to church and they both came.
Miracles are occurring. Peter Wood is also doing great and He has gone a full 24 hours without smoking. Ginger Griggs came to church for the first time yesterday and we've been teaching her for a couple months. Sister Mauer and I were also able to teach some great people.
A few days ago we were trying to figure out how we could best use our time. We ended up having some appointments fall through and we didn't know where we needed to go We offered a prayer and felt impressed to go see some potentials we hadn't seen in awhile. I wanted to go see a man named Walter and a 17 year old named Ashton.
I was planning on seeing Walter first but on our way I felt that we should got to Ashton's. She lives in an apartment complex and we when we went to see her she wasn't there. I knew we didn't get sent there for no reason and as we were driving away we saw a woman on her porch smoking. we pulled over to talked to her and she allowed us to share more with her. She wasn't too interested at first but once we began to talk to her about how our families can be together forever and how the fullness of the gospel has been restored through a modern day prophet she opened up, and she wants to continue learning more.
I've been trying to focus on teaching more effectively and that includes following the impressions that I receive from the Spirit in every aspect of my life. It's been difficult but I feel a lot better. I'm learning the difference between teaching with authority and teaching with power. As missionaries we are given the authority but the power comes when we work for it.
The Spirit of the Lord is sensitive and he can depart from us even if we do something as simple as thinking and dwelling upon an unkind thought. It truly is the baptism of "fire" that purifies us and helps us to do away with evil things and become more like our Savior.
"...lay hold upon every good thing and condemn it not..." (Moroni 7:19)
Love you guys,
Sister Green
Another great week here in San Marcos. Sister Mauer and I are really enjoying working together and sharing the gospel. We had a Zone Meeting this past week with the eight companionship's of missionaries in the Zone. Sister Mauer and I are the only Sisters. Our Zone Leaders Elder Murphy and Elder Riley gave us all an Atonement talk last P-Day and asked us to study it throughout the week until our Meeting on Friday. The talk was titled "Atonement: All for All" and it talked about how our Savior gave "all" He had and how we need to give "all" we have if we want to return to our Heavenly Father. It's really helped me to refocus again and has given me a desire to work harder. The General Authority that gave the talk (I can't remember his name) spoke about how we can become like our Savior and achieve eternal life but only if there is nothing we want more.
Sister Mauer and I have been really excited to go our and find and we've been blessed. we received a referral from our bishop and he told us he'd gotten a call from a member in Utah (a mother) who wanted the missionaries to stop by to see her less- active son. We were given phone numbers to call and we ended up talking to this sons girlfriend who is interested in learning about the gospel. She invited us over to their house for dinner and a lesson Saturday evening.
She expressed her desires to learn more about her purpose in life was and what she needed to be doing here. We shared the restoration and watched the DVD with them. We talked to them about the BofM and left her a chapter with questions to help her as she read. She later told us that when we handed her the BofM the first thought that came to her mind was "Okay, now I can start my life". We invited them to church and they both came.
Miracles are occurring. Peter Wood is also doing great and He has gone a full 24 hours without smoking. Ginger Griggs came to church for the first time yesterday and we've been teaching her for a couple months. Sister Mauer and I were also able to teach some great people.
A few days ago we were trying to figure out how we could best use our time. We ended up having some appointments fall through and we didn't know where we needed to go We offered a prayer and felt impressed to go see some potentials we hadn't seen in awhile. I wanted to go see a man named Walter and a 17 year old named Ashton.
I was planning on seeing Walter first but on our way I felt that we should got to Ashton's. She lives in an apartment complex and we when we went to see her she wasn't there. I knew we didn't get sent there for no reason and as we were driving away we saw a woman on her porch smoking. we pulled over to talked to her and she allowed us to share more with her. She wasn't too interested at first but once we began to talk to her about how our families can be together forever and how the fullness of the gospel has been restored through a modern day prophet she opened up, and she wants to continue learning more.
I've been trying to focus on teaching more effectively and that includes following the impressions that I receive from the Spirit in every aspect of my life. It's been difficult but I feel a lot better. I'm learning the difference between teaching with authority and teaching with power. As missionaries we are given the authority but the power comes when we work for it.
The Spirit of the Lord is sensitive and he can depart from us even if we do something as simple as thinking and dwelling upon an unkind thought. It truly is the baptism of "fire" that purifies us and helps us to do away with evil things and become more like our Savior.
"...lay hold upon every good thing and condemn it not..." (Moroni 7:19)
Love you guys,
Sister Green
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