New Jersey Times - Hoy viene una nueva bebecita

Familia Mia!

First things first: My little sister is going on a MISSION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What?! Washington DC North...SPANISH SPEAKING?!...also serving in the Washington DC Temple Visitor's Center?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Seester, I'm SOOOO excited! I wish you could hear my voice or see my face, then you'd know for sure the extent of my excitement. I may not have actually prayed you'd go Spanish Speaking, but I did in my heart. Now we'll be able to speak Spanish to each other! I did kind of pray that you would come here...I even told my mission president about it...but Washington DC is close enough! I think your mission just about borders mine. Cool huh?! The east coast is beautiful...and even more beautiful is helping those here come to know their Savior and enter into the waters of baptism. Seester, I can't WAIT!

Second things second (that sounds weird haha): Heavenly Father has asked me to train my last transfer. Her name: Hermana Samantha Simpson. She flies in today and I get to meet her tomorrow. I. Am SO. EXCITED! I love my Father in Heaven for trusting me to take care of one of His most precious daughters. The feelings if inadequacy never seem to leave; however, I trust that Father has prepared her for me and me for her...and Hermana Fenn for the two of us (we're going to be in a trio). I had asked Him to help me focus the last couple months of my mission. As I knelt down to pray last Thursday night, I felt so strongly that Hermana Simpson is yet another answer to my fervent prayer. He listens. He knows what we need at the very moment we need it. My heart is filled to the brim with gratitude for His omniscence, for His LOVE. The last 6 weeks are going to be the best yet. I am excited to share all that I've learned. I felt that the other day. I firmly believe that Father allows us to experience the things we experience for two reasons: 1. To strengthen our testimonies and 2. To help others strengthen theirs. It has been fun preparing for this last transfer. Everything I've done the last 17 months, and really the last almost 23 years has been preparing me for now. And, what I do now is preparing me for the future. If we just trust in our God, we will know that we are always prepared to tackle any task put before us...for He does not and will not ever set us up for failure. I have received a witness of that.

Hermana Fenn is doing so well! She is remarkable. I love her so much! I'm excited to be able to be with her for the last leg of this great race. I will have served with her twice as long as I served with Hermanas Evens and Lowry, and four times as long as I served with Hermanas Sommerfeldt, Soto, Arnaud, Adams, Coley, and now Simpson. Cool, huh? :-) We must have been best friends before this life. She will be finishing Hermana Simpson's training when I go home. It's weird to finally know where I'm going to be before I come home. It's weird that I'll be coming home soon. With all this next transfer has in store, I know it will come faster that I think it will. I'm excited to end it here, surrounded by so many people that I love. New Brunswick is still as great as ever. We have been without our car the past 6 days and the members have sacrificed much to help us get around. I love them. I hope they know that. Hermana Fenn and I talk about it all the time, how wonderful they are...and we do our best to express our gratitude towards them.

I've not much else to say to you today. Know that I love each of you. Lisa Hodges, thank you for your sweet letter. Grandma Rosaline and Auntie Joy, thank you as well for yours. I love my Father in Heaven for having sent each of you to be a part of my life. Keep it up. I'll be seeing you soon.

Con tanto amor,
Hermana Word

9741 - The District. Elder Montierth, Elder Rozier (District Leader), Elder Packer, Elder Gittins, Hermana Fenn, y YO! (the camera forgot to flash)
9753 - Hermana Fenn and I at our friend Carmen's house. She lives in the same apartment building as we do.
9756 - We rode bikes to the library today. First time my whole mission...minus the bike in our gym. Haha.

New Jersey Times - Si ama a Dios...

Monday, January 23, 2012

Familia Mia!

I cannot thank you enough for your support. Honestly, I pray for help focusing on the work and Heavenly Father invites many of you to write me letters or emails and through you He answers my prayers. I love my God. And I love each of you.

Uncle Roy, I pray that all goes well with your recuperation. I know Heavenly Father loves you, that all these things will give you experience and will be for your good, for that is how Father works with each of us. I believe He gives us trials so that we can learn from them and then use what we've learned to bless the lives of others. SO, each of you...don't lose hope. Trust in your God, find the reason for the trials, make the most of them, write down what you learn, and share it with others. And remember, the Priesthood is God's authority, it has been given to worthy male members of His church and is to be used in order to bless Father's children. When times are tough, when we know that what to do, those who have been given said authority have the right to act in the name of Christ and heal us, give us comfort, counsel us. It is their duty as His servants, as His Disciples. And, I am ever so grateful to have been the recipient of countless priesthood blessings and encourage each of you to never forget that power. Father wants to bless us, for He loves us dearly; however, we must ask, we must act.

I love New Brunswick. I love every area in which I've been called to serve. They have become home to me; the people have become my family. Christian was baptized yesterday!!! His baptism was a very unique and edifying experience for me. Many of his family is still very much inactive for various reasons unbeknownst to us; yet they chose to leave their nets, even if only for a moment, and support Christian in his covenant making. Hermana Fenn said to me yesterday, "They did it for Christian because they love him." I thought about that. "Should it not be the same with God?...Should we not give up everything because we love GOD?" Should I not give up all things because I love my God--leave my nets behind, turn over my will, and follow His Son? Christian's family very much loves him. It was not easy for them to come yesterday, but they did it. And as they did, they made room for the Spirit to touch their hearts. I know not the ramifications of such an act; however, I doubt not that Father will help them to remember what they once knew to be true. The Spirit was present. As we choose to love our God more than anyone or anything else, we open our hearts and allow the Spirit to help us come to know Him. In the words of my dear Mission President, "The more we love Him, the more our ability to love ourselves and others increases." It is the great commandment, and on it hang all the laws and the prophets. I LOVE baptismal services! I LOVE how Father teaches us the things He would have us learn.

The clock is ticking...but not really. ;-) I promise you I will give my Savior my all until the very end...until that day when I get to stand before Him and my Father in Heaven. I've got nothing else. He's helping me and I love Him for it. Each of you are remarkably supportive. I have wonderful friends who continue to encourage me. Father always gives me the words I need at the very moment I need them. I think of Elder Holland's Easter talk, "None Were With Him" and it brings me comfort. We are never alone, not ever. I am and forever will be grateful for my Savior's sacrifice. I will live for the day when I get to give Him and my Heavenly Father a Great. Big. Hug. My mission doesn't end in March. My homecoming will not be for many more centuries. And until that day I will "declare His word among His people" (3 Nephi 5:13). I love my God and I am grateful that He allows me to involve myself in His work. I've never known such joy. And I venture to say neither have you until you have given your all to Him.

I love you. I love you I love you I love you!!!! Keep it up, my dear family. Let us work together until that great day :-). I'll see you soon.
Los amo,
Hermana Word

9720 - Christian's Baptism! (The kid is 10 years old, but he looks like he's 14 :-)
9716 - Also, it snowed!...finally...like, for REAL ;-)
9656 - Two of my favorite members - Hermana Marcela and Hermana Celeste
9689 - Me trying to be artistic.
9683 - My dear friend Sister Wright and I on a companion exchange (Teen, she reminds me a LOT of you)

New Jersey Times - La ultima conferencia

Monday, January 16, 2012

FAMILIA!!!!

I love you. Thank you for all your letters and emails of encouragement...they're very much needed, especially now. You each are wonderful.

I had so much fun this last week. We had 13 lessons with a member present! I LOVE our members! It has been a joy calling them, setting up team-ups with them, visiting them in their homes. I feel like we have their trust, and I'm grateful for that. Bishop Sevilla got up in Sacrament Meeting yesterday and shared a missionary experience he had just last week and invited the ward members to open their mouths and share the Gospel. He testified that the Spirit would give them the words to say in the very moment they need to be said. It was wonderful. Our two investigators set with a baptismal date have been found through the members. The 3 people that came to church yesterday were found through members. Two of our new investigators were found through the members. Thirteen of our total investigators were found through members. Member work is so important, and it makes missionary work so much more efficient. Master planning and members go hand in hand. Christian will be baptized this next Sunday and Hermana Fenn and I are SO excited! His mom and Grandma have been inactive for the past 7 years. They have had a change of heart and church is now a first priority. Christian will be baptized by his grandfather, Presidente Alegre. It is going to be a wonderful experience. I'll let you know how it goes. Just pray for them, will you? :-)



I had my last Zone Conference on Thursday. Si, my very last one. I was asked to sing at it with Elder Packer. Hermana Fenn played the cello. That in and of itself was a tender moment. President and the Assistants prepared to teach us about the Plan of S alvation. I wish I could share with you all that I learned, all that the Spirit witnessed to me; but, I haven't the time. However, I testify that Father answers our prayers; that as we prepare our minds and our hearts to receive revelation, He gives it to us in greater measure than we could have ever hoped. Just after lunch it hit me pretty hard how much time I don't have left. I asked Father to help me receive revelation in regards to my future callings, in order to prepare me for who I will need to be for Him in just a couple months. President Jeppson shared with us at the close of our conference the importance of our calling. He testified of the enabling, enhancing power we receive with the mantle of our calling. He describe what it will be like to be released, to sit before our Stake Presidents and be asked to remove our badge. When daddy and President Richards laid their hands upon my head and I was set apart as a full-time missionary, my natural abilities were enhanced. For the past almost 17 months I have been learning and growing at a greater rate than ever before, in part because of that mantle. President Jeppson encouraged us to continue to develop our talents, to learn the scriptures, to study the language while that mantle is still here. As I do so, I will be better prepared to work in Father's Kingdom when the time comes to take off my badge. I encourage each of you to take the time to develop those talents Father has given you, to consecrate them to His work. As you do so, you will discover talents and abilities you never knew you had. I love this Gospel. The Plan of Salvation is a process of progression. We are all working towards godhood. We must use this time that we have on earth to the very best of our abilities. Isn't it wonderful?!



Family, I love you. I love this work. I invite you to wear yourselves out in it for the rest of forever. There is no greater joy than that felt as you serve your God. Jesus is the Christ. I know it.



Talk to you soon!

Hermana Word

New Jersey Times - La plenitud de gozo

Querida Familia!

Oh how it flies! This week has been wonderfully rewarding. My companion is such a little powerhouse, I LOVE it! We have seen an array of miracles. Father never ceases to amaze me. We found this remarkably prepared man named Eddy last Tuesday. We had gone to contact a former investigator who, upon recognizing who we were wasted no time in telling us she was Jehovah's Witness and did not wish to hear more. (Some day she will :-). We stayed to knock a couple doors. It was one of those 3 days this winter that has been bitterly cold. Our "last door" was our miracle. Eddy came to the door, surprised to find that we were out just knocking on doors in such weather. We spent about 15 minutes talking with him, testifying of truth, and inviting him to act. It was powerful. We have since passed him on to the English Elders, so we'll see what happens :-). Father is preparing His children. The field is white and He is guiding us to those who are ready to be harvested. Each of you play an important role in helping us find those people. I've pondered a lot on the readiness of the hearts of our brethren in South America, how that part of the world has just blossomed. I venture to say that if we do our part, we as members of His church and bearers of His name, this work will move forward with greater velocity than ever before in our neighborhoods, amongst our family members, coworkers, and friends. We must be examples of the believers, we must learn of our calling, internalize the atonement, and keep the covenants we have made with our God. What better news do we have to share than that of the Restored Gospel? No movie or musical group or book is more important. I didn't understand that before my mission; but, over 16 months of preaching it has helped me to finally feel it. The Savior is coming, and we have been foreordained to prepare the way. How great is our calling! I promise you that as you pray to your Father in Heaven and ask Him what He would have you do in your little part of His vineyard, He will tell you. And to that I add that He will guide you, He will support you, He will give you the words to say and the courage to say them. The purpose of this life is to attain a fulness of joy. That joy is found in the service you render to your fellow man. I testify of it. With all my heart, I testify of it.

I find great joy in doing the work of my God. I am here to work, to give my God my all, as King Benjamin and his brethren did thousands of years ago (Words of Mormon 1:17-18). I have grown to love my Savior, I have grown to love these people, I have grown to love myself. 9 more weeks...Missionary Training Center for the rest of my life. You best have a stretcher ready when you pick me up from the airport ;-).

I love you family. I pray for you daily and trust Father is watching over you. Keep it up! That temple will be awaiting each of us on March 14th. We'll get to go together for the first time ever. Isn't that exciting?!?!?! Give it your all, and I'll give it mine.

Los amo TANTO!
- Hermana Word

9617 - This is my buddy AB. We were friends before this life. :-)
9633 - I'm learning how to make real food!
9642 - I love the vines here.
9647 - Jersey sunrise. This place is beautiful. Also, I think that's a water bottle stuck in the tree. Haha.

New Jersey Times - el tiempo es ahora

Monday, January 3, 2012

Familia!
Sorry I didn't write yesterday. Federal Holiday. Haha. Jersey is finally getting cold. It's been in the 50's lately...and it's weird. But now it's below 30 so at least it sort of feels like winter. (Why do I always write about the weather? Haha). How are you family?! Friends, school starts again...tomorrow I believe?! How exciting is that?! Enjoy it for me, will you.

This past week has been a great one. I got to go to my first ever Zone Leader Council (all Zone Leaders are Elders). President invited Hermana Fenn and I to share with the Zone Leaders certain things we've learned throughout our missions. It was a wonderful experience. I LOVED being with such remarkable leaders. 6 of the 10 missionaries that came out from my Zone in the MTC are serving as leaders in this great mission. Missionary work is the BEST! The whole meeting was focused on goal setting/master planning. It was great because I was working on figuring out my goals for the new year. Many of my goals are focused on helping me continue to do the things I've learned as a missionary after my mission. I will not fall back into old habits! :-) One of my favorite goals and one of my toughest is that of not eating sweets. I've pondered and prayed about it, thought about whether or not I could truly accomplish it, evaluated and re-evaluated my "why"...and eventually came to a conclusion. I've tried to do this before, but I didn't have the most appropriate motivation. I've thought about how many people I teach each day who struggle to give up the things they love in order to more fully follow their Savior. I am giving up sweets as a year long fast in behalf of them. I will not be a missionary for much longer, but there will forever be others who need help. I do it in order to better understand what they go through and how I might be able to help them. I pray that as with any fast, the Lord consecrate my efforts and bless the lives of my dear brothers and sisters. The concept of goal setting is something that will stay with me forever. I will use it for the building up of the kingdom of my God. As long as we have a big enough WHY we can conquer any WHAT. I have a testimony of that. I encourage you to figure out why you set the goals you've set, to take them to the Lord and invoke the powers of Heaven in accomplishing them. I promise you will find great joy in the process.

I love what the mission has taught me. I'm excited to soon be able to implement all of those lessons-learned into "real life" situations. Father has taken my weaknesses and made them my strengths. It is Him that I worship, and I will for the rest of forever. I'm excited for all this new year has in store. I'm ready to hit the pavement running faster and harder than ever before. These last couple months as a missionary are going to be the best yet. I'm dedicated, I'm determined. My gait is set, my goal is Heaven. I am enlisted in the greatest work the world has ever seen--the work of exaltation. We all get to be apart of it. Isn't that wonderful?

I encourage you to keep it up out there. Pray for opportunities to talk about the Gospel...and then take massive action to find those opportunities and make them happen. The Lord will bless you with the courage to open your mouth and the Spirit to testify of the truthfulness of your words. I love you my dear family. I'll be seeing you soon!
- Hermana Word