24 Noviembre 2014

Hola!!

I cannot believe it is almost Thanksgiving! Time has just flown by. I can't believe it. This week was so great.

On Tuesday, we knocked around. There's a sister in another ward in my stake that is leaving for her mission soon, so she came with us. She is so great! She'll be an amazing missionary.

Wednesday, Hermana Vivas and I were able to go to the San Antonio Temple and do a session. It is so gorgeous! There are stained glass windows everywhere. The layout of it is very similar to the Monticello, UT Temple.

After the temple, we went and were knocking again. We knocked on one lady's door, and she let us in. She told us she was a Born Again Christian. We talked a little of our beliefs. She grew up in Arizona, and knew quite a few LDS people while she was there. She was curious about the Plan of Salvation, and why we believe in the 3 Kingdoms of Glory. We explained that is revelation given in the Bible, and again in the Doctrine and Covenants. She really didn't agree with what we had to say, but she was really nice about it. She was a very nice lady.

Thursday, we had our Zone Training Meeting. Which was awesome. President Slaughter talked about the organization of the church, and then about the Apostasy

Organization of the Church:

1. One Church-- Christ's Church

2. Foundation of Apostles

3. Church follows living apostles

4. Continuous revelation through apostles

1."Upon this rock I will build my church"

Ye are the body of Christ. he is the head of the body (church). There is one body. (Ephesians 4:4-5)

"One Lord, one faith, one baptism"

2. "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you"

Ephesians 2:20-21 built on foundation of apostles, prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief cornerstone

The Quorum of the 12 Apostles is a continuous quorum. If one of them dies, another is called. We see this pattern throughout the New Testament.

3. 1 Cor. 12:27-28 first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers. All over the New Testament, we read of the different offices of the priesthood, 70, 12, Bishops, Elders.. 

4. The living Apostles are the living interpretation of the word of God. If you ever have a question about one of the commandments or way of living or the "un written word", watch the apostles. They will show you how to act accordingly.

The Apostasy:

What caused the Apostasy? Was it the persecution? Was it something else?

In Mosiah, we read "nothing shall overthrow the church save the transgression of the people." (Mosiah 27:13)

The apostasy came about from sin and heresy from within.

Evidences of apostasy:

*Valid baptism was lost

*The belief in the Trinity--> born of contention and census

*The idea the there's a closed cannon

*Churches without the foundation of Apostles

*The believer's priesthood

He then said, "If your mind is clear, you will never doubt this church"

 I know for a surety that Christ's church is on this earth. I know that His authority is also here, and that Thomas S. Monson, his counselors, and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles hold all of the keys necessary to run and aid this church, and that Thomas S. Monson is the only one who has the authority to use all of those keys.

Okay. So I am super excited for this Christmas Season.

The Church has made this video, called He Is The Gift, emphasizing the reason why we even celebrate Christmas in the first place-- The birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. It is so wonderful! There is this huge missionary initiative that goes along with it. Starting on 28 November 2014 (The day after Thanksgiving) this video will be on youtube. Also, on 7 December 2014, will be "youtube takeover". The Church has purchased the main advertising spot on the homepage, and will be the only advertiser that day. It will be an advertisement for the He Is The Gift, and will have a link to the website: Christmas.mormon.org . The Church has also purchased an advertisement in Times Square in New York on their video-billboards, which will be there for a month (I think). In the December Ensign, there will be 9 pass along cards that have information for the He is the Gift. As missionaries, we will also have these cards to give out.

The Brethren are pushing this on us as missionaries. They want to know how many people we are able to contact and to meet with because of this initiative. This whole thing is so amazing! Technology has really made sharing the gospel with others so easy, and so accessible. 

I am so grateful for this time of year when we can more fully remember our Savior, and His birth. I know our Father in Heaven loves us so much, that He sent His Son, so that we may have a way to return to Him one day. 

I love you all so much! Thank you for all of your support!

Love, 

Hermana Dean

PICTURES!!! :)

Hola!! Here are some pictures!! 

There's my companion, Hermana Vivas, and then there's two doggies that we live with! :) 

Barkely and Cindy

Love you!

End of Week 2

Hola!!

Esta semana fue muy bien!! 

I know I say that about every week, but it is so true!!!

This week really was so great. 

On Tuesday, we knocked around a couple of neighborhoods, and met a lot of really nice people, and a got a couple of potentials. 

Wednesday, we had exchanges! I was with Sister Powell in the Fair Oaks area. It was so great! I learned so much from her. She is one of my Sister Training Leaders in my zone.

On Thursday, we had a goal to give as many people as we met a pass-along card. We did a lot better than we had been. :) It was great. We also got a couple of potentials..

On Friday, I totally let my geeky side loose. We were going to see a LA, and in her apartment complex was a DeLorean!! And did I have my camera?? No. I was so excited and my companion has never seen Back to the Future... so she didn't understand my excitement. If we go back, and it is still there, I will definitely be taking a picture with it. 

We also knocked a bit that day too, and again, got to meet a bunch of people.

On Saturday, we taught Celeste. She was in our Area Book, and has talked to missionaries a couple times before. She is a nurse, and so she has a very different and changing work schedule.

She is so great though! She wants to be Mormon. She is going to try to come to church this coming Sunday, and then the following Friday, we are having dinner with her. So, That's all great!

I love you all so much!! Thank you for all of your support. 

Love you!

Love,

Hermana Dean

November 10 2014

Hello Everyone!

This last week was so great. I absolutely love it here.

Tuesday was so nice! It rained and rained! It was a little sketchy driving back home at night, but we got there safely.

Wednesday, we had a district meeting, and talked about how to contact people, and practiced it. It was good. ... We also had a discussion about how to study doctrines from PMG chapter 3.

The steps to study effectively:

Desire to learn

Study with real intent

Hunger and thirst after righteousness

Search for answers to investigators questions and concerns

In 1 Nephi 10:19, there are promised blessings to those who seek truth and knowledge.

On Thursday, we met with the Relief Society Pres, to get to know her a little more. She just moved here a little bit ago, and was just put in 2 Sundays ago.

Friday, we had a Trainer/Trainee meeting with President Slaughter. It was so great! I learned so much. President Slaughter talked about Fear. When we have fear, we do not have faith.

-Perfect love casteth out all fear

-Knowledge cancels out fear

-Trust in the spirit-->more confident

-Ask for help

-Role play- helps remove fear

-Understand your purpose

You can either have faith, or you can have fear and doubt. Faith should not move. It should not--and does not-- have anything to do with the members, investigators, your family- nothing. You should have confidence in Christ. Know you cannot do this on your own, and exercise your faith by turning to the Lord.

Saturday-- We knocked the majority of the day. It was really cool. We met some nice people. None of whom, at the moment, are interested in our message, but I know in the Lord's time, he will reveal those he has prepared to receive it

On Sunday, we went to church.... And after, we went to visit Ken. He was on our potentials list, and we stopped by last week, but he was busy, and said to come back later. We went yesterday, and taught him the Restoration... he is Catholic, but seemed genuinely interested in what we taught him. We gave him a Book of Mormon, and he said he would read and pray about it. I am excited for him :) Because of his crazy work schedule, our next appointment isn't for a couple weeks... But I will definitely keep him in my prayers!

I absolutely loved this week! 

Until next week!

-Hermana Dean

Hello from Texas!!!

Hello all!! 

Texas is so great!! I am loving it here. We are in the Encino Park Area. Funnily, I am in an English Speaking area... But my companion speaks Spanish, so I am still able to practice it. :)

Funny story about my companion.... So on Thursday, I got my companions. I was put into a Trio with Sister Murphy and Sister Tyree. It was great! We taught a couple people that night... And then we found out that I had to change companionships. I am now with Sister Vivas. What happened is that Sister Vivas and Sister Marble were supposed to be companions, but neither of them could drive. Sister Marble didn't bring her driver's license, and Sister Vivas is on her last transfer, so she is red-dotted, and can't drive. So, they switched me and Sister Marble, and I am the designated driver... :) it's great!

So I will have to figure out a different way to upload pictures... The computers here don't read my camera... so... I'll have to do it later. 

This week has been so crazy!

So last Tuesday, the 28th,  we had a Devotional at the CCM. Elder Clarke from the 70 came and spoke to us.

He talked about his mission, and how hard it was for him to learn Spanish. Then he started talking in Spanish, and did not realize it! His wife had to come up and tell him that he wasn't speaking English. It was cute.  

He talked about 3 principles that will help us as missionaries.

1. Diligence is 10x more important than intelligence

2. Process of work will be a great benefit in life after the mission. Know how to work. God rewards work.

3. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. If you do, Latinos-the descendants of Lehi- will help you out.

He then talked about the blessings and promises from the Lord if you fulfill your objective and purpose as a missionary:

~ D&C 84:88  Angels all around you, you'll be able to do all things

~ D&C 100:1-2 Your families are well. They are in mine hands.

He then talked about how we should include our families in our missions. As we do this, they will be blessed. He said if we have a problem with an investigator that we aren't quite sure how to solve, ask your parents. They can help you. 

Include your family on your mission. Tell them what you are studying, and invite them to study it also.

~ D&C 18:15-16  ,  D&C 15:6  Joy comes from bringing souls to Christ. These relationships last forever. You cannot pay anything to receive the Joy of saving souls. Decide today that you will be a missionary who returns to those who have been baptized.  Everything they hold dear will flow back to when you helped them become a member of the Church.

~ D&C 31:5 As we help others repent, He will help us repent. 

~ D&C 24:12 Learn to talk with everyone ---> Strength that is not known among men. As you trust Him to open your mouth, He will put those He has prepared in your path. Talk with everyone. It doesn't matter how good your Spanish (or other language is) they will feel your spirit. You don't need to be perfect in Spanish. You do need to be perfect in listening to Heaven.

Always ask, "Who do you know who we can share our message with?"

~ Matt 4:19 Follow Him and He will make you fishers of men.

You must know that Joseph Smith's experience really did happen. Your investigators must know that it really happened. If they don't know it, they won't be able to progress.

He then closed his talk with this, " May the blessings of heaven be with you and your family as you righteously serve Him"

It was so great! Such an awesome way to end my time at the CCM.

On Wed. The 29th, I left for and arrived in Texas! It was so great. The flight was good... I didn't get to talk to anyone though my neighbor on the plane was sleeping the whole time. :( Oh well.

On Thurs the 30th, I got my two new companions. Hoorah! Our area was Alamo 1st YSA. We had dinner with a LA, Riley. She took us to Firehouse subs. It was yummy. We talked about how Christ prays for her, and wants her faith to be strong. She was really sweet. 

We also got a referral that night and taught Tyson. We taught him about the restoration. He seemed really, genuinely interested. I hope they got a return appointment.

After that, we went to visit Shawn, a recent convert. He is so great. We talked about the importance of missionary work, even if we aren't set apart as full-time missionaries.

This was about the time I found out that I was going to be switching companions. So we went back to the apartment, and I packed up again... :)

On Friday the 31st, I got my new companion, Sister Vivas. She is from Reno, Nevada. She is so great! I'll definitely send pictures when I figure this computer thing out. :) During the day, we went and knocked doors. We don't have any current investigators, but a few potentials. So we didn't teach anyone. One of the members, David Arroyo took us to dinner. It was great!

We had to be in early that night, because of Halloween, so at 6, we went home.

Saturday, we went knocking again. Nothing so far. Everyone we have met says they already have religion, which is usually Catholic or Non-Denominational Christian. It is pretty interesting.

No luck so far with getting an investigator.... 

Sunday-- HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHELLY!!

Church was good. It was Fast Sunday. 

We had dinner with the Roberts family. She made Tortilla Soup. So yummy. I got the recipe to use later :)

Annnnnnd that brings us back to today! I am excited for this week. Hopefully we find someone to teach. :)

I love you all! 

-Hermana Dean