Hey family and friends! How is everything?! It seems like it has been a while...this week passed by fast but seemed like it had like 10 days in it. Kind of a weird sensation. Anyways, I have our transfer news. Woo! Elder Gleason is staying and will have to companions, Elder Johnston from Bountiful (he came in this morning) and Elder Ballam from Logan Utah (we just got here after picking him up from the station, a long 30 min bus ride from piso because it's on the other side of the city from us). And I...will be staying and training! I go to Barçelona tomorrow to pick him up.
We're excited to have a full piso again! One day has already been fun! It will be nice to be back to full force (and even one extra!) and already just having another throughout today has lightened the burden of our load haha. I'm a little nervous about training, I don't know why. I'm always just super nervous I won't train him to be the missionary he needs to be or that I'll give him an incomplete perspective on what a missionary should be... I'm sure it's all just in my head though and it will be fun =) I'm just a perfectionist and want everything to be just perfect and that's hardly ever possible.. I am excited though. I'm sure he'll be great! I'll find out tomorrow who he his.
A miracle this week: I don't know so much if it was a miracle we saw, but it has been on my mind about what a miracle it is to be able to receive revelation, and just that the principle of revelation itself is a miracle. It is key as missionaries that we receive revelation on a daily basis and even hourly or minutely basis, and yet in many other things God trusts us to make the right decision. It is necessary that investigators learn and understand the principle of revelation. It is their chain that connects them to the Rock of Christ. Nobody ever sneaks into the Church or leaves from an exposure to it without the adversary noticing...he always knows and always sends opposition. If the investigators don't understand how to pray, receive answers, and receive daily inspiration from scripture study, they won't be able to see through the clouds of darkness, especially if "their missionaries" leave or if they are for whatever reason distanced from the Church for even a week or two, and they are prone to be deceived. It is important that we strive to understand the thoughts and ways of God, how He works with us and through us, and what His will is for us.
This week I am going to repent on this, and strive to deepen my revelatory experiences. We have a lot of work to do! I've been thinking between various points, mainly "Would it be worthless to strive and bring people to the Church if it won't be able to retain them? Will God guide us to His prepared children if he knows the members aren't prepared to fellowship them?" and "new converts can help the members kindle their conversions and faith. They can be what turns them around!". In any way, I feel like the Ward has been making good steps of change. Our relationship with the Bishop has been improving a lot, and he seems a lot more open, trusting, and even talks with us! We have seen a lot of good in him these last couple weeks and even the way that he runs things has been changing. I think he sees our willingness and our efforts to help. We have been struggling to find a time to meet with the Ward mission leader however, which is not good haha. We do have a big activity planned for this Friday that should be great for all who come!
Thanks for everything. ¡Qué tengáis una semana fantástica! Un saludo!
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
February Updates
Feb 3rd
We had a really neat miracle this week. We were teaching María Angeles, one of our recent converts, about temple and family history work. She had said that she felt comfortable to do the work for her brother who was open and passed away at a young age, but was hesistant if she should do the work for her father, worried that he was "pure 100% catholic" and impossible to change. We were explaining the principle to her, and was still kind of unsure. In part of my example about how it works, I used "Juan" as an example (being the random name that came to my head) as someone who had passed through to the Spirit World, heard the Gospel message, and wanted to progress but couldn't until someone did his ordinance work. Then the most interesting thing happened: I had no idea what her father's name was, but apparently it was Juan. She said when she first heard it she got the chills, and thought, "Oh, it was probably just an example. Next he will say "Pedro" or something. When I kept using the name Juan 3-4 more times, she was just overwhelmed and knew it was the Holy Ghost inspiring me. She understood not only in her mind she said, but then also in her heart. As we read scriptures from DyC about the ordinance work and binding the families on earth together, she understood perfectly. Then, Elder Gleason extended a bold invitation and promise: That if she would prepare to enter the temple and begin preparing names, that her desires to smoke will leave her (her big challenge still). It was such a powerful lesson! The member who was there with us, Bishop's wife Karen, had a little booklet to help get her started and was explaining it to her. It was such a powerful lesson!
As far as charity grows, it is interesting. In one of the talks they invited us to think about our goodly parents. As I thought about my great parents I was filled with love and apreciation for all that you do. I also imagined you both teaching, in Sunday School and in Elders Quorum, and I'm proud of the great teachers you are. It was also funny, President Pace said something that reminded me a lot of grandpa Valberg. I wish I could remember what it was, but I can't.
My thing to work on this week are my 3 things I took away from Specialized Training:
1. Use the Sacrament as a moment for revelation.
2. Pray earnestly for the ward and stake leaders. Work with them to build them up!
3. Consecrated obedience for personal sanctification.
There was a neat experience we had in the second day of our zone conference. President Pace had invited one of the counselors of the Lleida Stake Presidency to come and share something. He shared his family's conversion story and it was so inspiring. After he finished, President Pace felt inspired that we all kneel and pray. It was such a powerful moment!!
Feb 10th
We had a good week. It felt like we worked a lot and then it seems like we didn't because we didn't get a lot of huge changes, but hey, I figure most things happen a slower pace than we want. We passed by a lot of names on the lists, but not many of them were home or still live there so that was a little frustrating. There also seemed to be an unusually large amount of mockers and fingerpointers this week haha. They always come on harder weeks, those weasels... Nice faith refining for us I guess =)
A miracle this week was trust that we've been starting to see from some of the ward leaders. We decided to start supporting Hno Diaz in his institute class and it seems he talks to us more. He even got a hold of a guitar and a saxophone for us to play for a little bit today during preparation day, even after we said it wasn't necessary (I hope that's ok haha...I probably don't remember how to play anything by memory...I guess I can play through the whole hymnbook haha). We've also seen the Bishop become more energized and active in the work. The past couple ward councils have seemed to be a little more productive. We gave him an organized list of menos activos and he's been starting to assign us few to go and seek out.
We had an Enfoque de zona that talked about faith and hope, which was good. Now it's just a matter of exercising that faith, which sometimes feels harder than exercising muscles, but obviously the first is more worthwhile haha. Speaking of which, Elder Gleason is starting to worry about his coming home appearance and wants to get in top shape again, so we're probably going to kick on some more crazy workouts in the morning than push ups and situps haha.
Have a great week! I pray that God bless you all with the strength and ability to do everything you need to! Keep up the great work in everything. Love you all! Un abrazo.
We had a really neat miracle this week. We were teaching María Angeles, one of our recent converts, about temple and family history work. She had said that she felt comfortable to do the work for her brother who was open and passed away at a young age, but was hesistant if she should do the work for her father, worried that he was "pure 100% catholic" and impossible to change. We were explaining the principle to her, and was still kind of unsure. In part of my example about how it works, I used "Juan" as an example (being the random name that came to my head) as someone who had passed through to the Spirit World, heard the Gospel message, and wanted to progress but couldn't until someone did his ordinance work. Then the most interesting thing happened: I had no idea what her father's name was, but apparently it was Juan. She said when she first heard it she got the chills, and thought, "Oh, it was probably just an example. Next he will say "Pedro" or something. When I kept using the name Juan 3-4 more times, she was just overwhelmed and knew it was the Holy Ghost inspiring me. She understood not only in her mind she said, but then also in her heart. As we read scriptures from DyC about the ordinance work and binding the families on earth together, she understood perfectly. Then, Elder Gleason extended a bold invitation and promise: That if she would prepare to enter the temple and begin preparing names, that her desires to smoke will leave her (her big challenge still). It was such a powerful lesson! The member who was there with us, Bishop's wife Karen, had a little booklet to help get her started and was explaining it to her. It was such a powerful lesson!
As far as charity grows, it is interesting. In one of the talks they invited us to think about our goodly parents. As I thought about my great parents I was filled with love and apreciation for all that you do. I also imagined you both teaching, in Sunday School and in Elders Quorum, and I'm proud of the great teachers you are. It was also funny, President Pace said something that reminded me a lot of grandpa Valberg. I wish I could remember what it was, but I can't.
My thing to work on this week are my 3 things I took away from Specialized Training:
1. Use the Sacrament as a moment for revelation.
2. Pray earnestly for the ward and stake leaders. Work with them to build them up!
3. Consecrated obedience for personal sanctification.
There was a neat experience we had in the second day of our zone conference. President Pace had invited one of the counselors of the Lleida Stake Presidency to come and share something. He shared his family's conversion story and it was so inspiring. After he finished, President Pace felt inspired that we all kneel and pray. It was such a powerful moment!!
Feb 10th
We had a good week. It felt like we worked a lot and then it seems like we didn't because we didn't get a lot of huge changes, but hey, I figure most things happen a slower pace than we want. We passed by a lot of names on the lists, but not many of them were home or still live there so that was a little frustrating. There also seemed to be an unusually large amount of mockers and fingerpointers this week haha. They always come on harder weeks, those weasels... Nice faith refining for us I guess =)
A miracle this week was trust that we've been starting to see from some of the ward leaders. We decided to start supporting Hno Diaz in his institute class and it seems he talks to us more. He even got a hold of a guitar and a saxophone for us to play for a little bit today during preparation day, even after we said it wasn't necessary (I hope that's ok haha...I probably don't remember how to play anything by memory...I guess I can play through the whole hymnbook haha). We've also seen the Bishop become more energized and active in the work. The past couple ward councils have seemed to be a little more productive. We gave him an organized list of menos activos and he's been starting to assign us few to go and seek out.
We had an Enfoque de zona that talked about faith and hope, which was good. Now it's just a matter of exercising that faith, which sometimes feels harder than exercising muscles, but obviously the first is more worthwhile haha. Speaking of which, Elder Gleason is starting to worry about his coming home appearance and wants to get in top shape again, so we're probably going to kick on some more crazy workouts in the morning than push ups and situps haha.
Have a great week! I pray that God bless you all with the strength and ability to do everything you need to! Keep up the great work in everything. Love you all! Un abrazo.
January Updates
Jan 20th
It was a nice week for us. It seemed like we were busy and yet that we were not at the same time...kind of a strange sensation. We did have a couple visits though. We have our new fecha, Favour, for the 1st of Feb.. He is the friend of a member who came to church last week. We taught him about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith, and he said that he understood it all and was going to read. We couldn't have our second visit with him though, and he didn't come to church yesterday.
We also finished our planning with the WML all of the activities we are going to do this year. It seems like it should be pretty successful if we can get the members to come out to the actvities. I think our miracle for this week was being able to meet with the Bishop, Elders Quorum President, and a couple other members who always tell us they don't have time during the week!
Elder Gil takes a train into Barcelona tonight and I still have no idea who my new companion is or when he's coming. We might have to sit around in a trio again for a bit. I am excited for Elder Gil though, because I know what he has been passing this past month and a half, and probably more since I waited triple his time and closer to home haha. He seems to be pretty excited, although not looking forward to the long flight. He leaves to Paris at 6:30 in the morning, then waits until 1:30 or so, and flys to Mexico. Although it is like a 13 hour flight he will get there at 6 or 7 in the evening haha.
Jan 27th
Buenos días! What a crazy week! I don't even know where to start. First off, thanks for your messages as always. I love to hear news! It sounds like lots of great things happening back home.
We had a pretty good week here. It seems that just when I get a grasp of how we are going to do things the Lord throws me another curveball and it's back to square one. Haha it's good for me though, change always keeps one on his toes! We were in a trio this week with Elder Roberts and Elder Gleason, because there wasn't any other missionaries to send our way here. Then, Sunday morning on the way to church we get a phone call from President. (Yeah, I know right? "What's next?" Is the first thing you think!) There is an Elder who is going into the office to be a trio and start getting trained in his duties there, and Elder Roberts is going to take his place in Terrassa. He left this morning =( I am going to miss Elder Roberts though! We had a lot of fun this week and lots of laughs and had some really good visits. It is weird though, because I got here to make 5 in the piso, than Elder Gil came and we had six, then with E. Wiscombe, Dixon, Gil, and now Roberts leaving one by one it puts us down to 2!
The areas will be interesting. Mine is in the top of Zaragoza right by our piso and the church, so it is easy to work in, just that we don't have very much going right now. The other Elder's is the bottom of Zaragoza, like 30-40 min in bus, depending on where we have to go. I can tell that they have been talking with a lot of people though...there have been a lot of people saying hi to us in the street down there! A lot in our area know us because of the church and everything. We have a few investigators to work with, lots of new references and people to start with, who have been hard to contact by phone recently.
Elder Gleason has a good memory of things that he has talked about with people. He can always remember what they talked about last and follow up and also to help people. He will be great for Zaragoza in his time here. We are praying for 2 more great missionaries that the Lord needs here when the transfer comes around. It is fun to work with him though, he reminds me a lot of Kaleb Rassmussen. He did MMA stuff and has a similar personality and everything. So we get along pretty well =)
It was a nice week for us. It seemed like we were busy and yet that we were not at the same time...kind of a strange sensation. We did have a couple visits though. We have our new fecha, Favour, for the 1st of Feb.. He is the friend of a member who came to church last week. We taught him about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith, and he said that he understood it all and was going to read. We couldn't have our second visit with him though, and he didn't come to church yesterday.
We also finished our planning with the WML all of the activities we are going to do this year. It seems like it should be pretty successful if we can get the members to come out to the actvities. I think our miracle for this week was being able to meet with the Bishop, Elders Quorum President, and a couple other members who always tell us they don't have time during the week!
Elder Gil takes a train into Barcelona tonight and I still have no idea who my new companion is or when he's coming. We might have to sit around in a trio again for a bit. I am excited for Elder Gil though, because I know what he has been passing this past month and a half, and probably more since I waited triple his time and closer to home haha. He seems to be pretty excited, although not looking forward to the long flight. He leaves to Paris at 6:30 in the morning, then waits until 1:30 or so, and flys to Mexico. Although it is like a 13 hour flight he will get there at 6 or 7 in the evening haha.
Jan 27th
Buenos días! What a crazy week! I don't even know where to start. First off, thanks for your messages as always. I love to hear news! It sounds like lots of great things happening back home.
We had a pretty good week here. It seems that just when I get a grasp of how we are going to do things the Lord throws me another curveball and it's back to square one. Haha it's good for me though, change always keeps one on his toes! We were in a trio this week with Elder Roberts and Elder Gleason, because there wasn't any other missionaries to send our way here. Then, Sunday morning on the way to church we get a phone call from President. (Yeah, I know right? "What's next?" Is the first thing you think!) There is an Elder who is going into the office to be a trio and start getting trained in his duties there, and Elder Roberts is going to take his place in Terrassa. He left this morning =( I am going to miss Elder Roberts though! We had a lot of fun this week and lots of laughs and had some really good visits. It is weird though, because I got here to make 5 in the piso, than Elder Gil came and we had six, then with E. Wiscombe, Dixon, Gil, and now Roberts leaving one by one it puts us down to 2!
The areas will be interesting. Mine is in the top of Zaragoza right by our piso and the church, so it is easy to work in, just that we don't have very much going right now. The other Elder's is the bottom of Zaragoza, like 30-40 min in bus, depending on where we have to go. I can tell that they have been talking with a lot of people though...there have been a lot of people saying hi to us in the street down there! A lot in our area know us because of the church and everything. We have a few investigators to work with, lots of new references and people to start with, who have been hard to contact by phone recently.
Elder Gleason has a good memory of things that he has talked about with people. He can always remember what they talked about last and follow up and also to help people. He will be great for Zaragoza in his time here. We are praying for 2 more great missionaries that the Lord needs here when the transfer comes around. It is fun to work with him though, he reminds me a lot of Kaleb Rassmussen. He did MMA stuff and has a similar personality and everything. So we get along pretty well =)
This week I am going to work on charity. Elder Roberts gave an excellent talk about love and charity on sunday and it has impacted me from other talks and messages. I feel it is something the Spirit would have me think about throughout the week. And that was even more confirmed when you sent me all of those quotes by Pres. Uchtdorf haha.
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