New Jersey Times - El poder del Espiritu

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Familia Mia!!!

I LOVE YOU! Thank you for the pictures. Little Brother, you're getting so tall...it's weird. Haha. I love that you just take my picture around with you. Thank you for making me apart of all that you do there in Vegas. I have the best family for me, hands down. Three more weeks and I'll get to give you all giant hugs! Isn't that exciting? Haha. Hopefully I'm not a weirdy about hugging boys...maybe we can do our super cool daddy-Kaity hug? I told my companions about that. I still think it's the greatest thing. :-) Spaghetti Dinner here we come! It will be great to see the ward again...and to be able to thank you in person for all your support. I love you all. Also, Brother Kirk...will you at least let me take my plate to the kitchen when I'm done? Please and thank you.

Thank you all for your kind words. I'm doing alot better this week. President Jeppson is doing well. He had his surgery last Thursday to remove his right kidney. We all fasted as a mission and it turns out they were able to do it 2 hours quicker than anticipated. He is recovering really well; however, he will still need 3-5 weeks of recovery. Thank you for your prayers. I love my Mission President.

The work in New Jersey has just been wonderful. I have been having a great deal of fun. There's nothing greater than teaching with the Spirit, than doing anything with the Spirit. When we follow His promptings, we will be happy. Sunday night we left a great lesson to go to another one, our last one for the day. We had asked two members to come with us, Javier and Magaly. We left our previous lesson a little bit later than planned and weren't going to be able to get to Keyla and Wilson's house on time if we still picked our members up. We prayed about what to do and decided to still go pick them up. I am so grateful that we did. Keyla and Wilson had done their homework! We started the lesson by singing a song and having a prayer. We talked a little about what they had learned as they had read, but they didn't remember much. The last time we were there we had taught them about how much God loves them, about Prophets, about dispensations, and a little about the ministry of Jesus Christ. We had invited them to read a little more about His ministry, the Great Apostacy, and the First Vision. Javier (a fairly recent convert) shared with them all about the first two points we had left Keyla and Wilson to read. Hermana Fenn explained in a little bit greater depth how Christ's church fell after He fulfilled His mission and the people killed His Apostles. Hermana Simpson then began to explain what happened with Joseph Smith. Side note: Keyla and Wilson live in a house with central air (not a normal occurence in New Jersey). The air was blowing for most of the lesson; however, the instant that Hermana Simpson started to share Joseph Smith's experience in the Sacred Grove, the air stopped. The room was silent, all but her voice. The Spirit bore witness to my very soul at that moment the reality of Joseph's experience. He told me that Joseph Smith really did see God, the Father and Jesus Christ and that they did, in reality, speak to him. They told him that none of the churches were true, that they didn't have Their authority; nonetheless, that They were going to restore Their Church--Their Gospel in its purity--to the face of the earth through Joseph Smith. As she shared the First Vision, I thought of what it meant in my life--because of that very moment, I know Who my Father in Heaven is, I know Who Jesus Christ is, I know that I can be with my family forever, and I know how to do so...because of that moment, I have the opportunity to be a missionary, to share it with the world! I was brought to tears. I thought of how we needed to be late so that that air could stop flowing at that very moment. I testified of the Holy Ghost after Hermana Simpson was done sharing the experience. I testified that it was so very evident in that room at moment. I asked Wilson who he felt. He didn't really respond. I asked Keyla. She paused for a second and said, "Peace. I feel peace. Peace, peace, peace, peace, peace." We shared with them that the Holy Ghost was testifying to them of the truthfulness of the experience Joseph Smith had. When He was the strongest, we invited them to be baptized. They both shared with us how they had already been baptized.
"You mean, to be baptized again?" Keyla said.

"Yes," we replied.
They didn't tell us yes or no. They promised they would pray to know if The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God's church on the earth today. We're going to see them again today.

I love those experiences! That's what missionary work is all about. That is what makes it so joyful, so fulfilling. The Spirit truly is the teacher, and we are just the messengers. I want every lesson I ever teach as a missionary, as a visiting teacher, as a Sunday school teacher, as a Young Women's leader...I want them to be just like that one. I don't ever want it to end. The work is moving forward.

My companions are wonderful. They're doing wonderfully. I hope that story sheds some light on how remarkable they both are. The members continue to be awesome as well. We're having a missionary fireside Sunday, March 11, my last Sunday as a missionary. We're going to help the members learn a little bit more about HOW they can do missionary work because they're all so willing to do it. We get to use the help of the return missionaries we have in our ward--Bishop and his wife included. We're excited!

I hope all is well with all of you. Grandmother Rosaline, thank you for your cards. You are such a sweetheart! I'm sorry I didn't get to get one out to you this week...I've been kind of busy with packing and organizing and all that jazz.

Keep it up, family! I'll see you soon!

Los AMO!
Hermana Word

9861 - Us with Hermana Fenn last week
9877 - Our member friend Yazmin gave us this Hyacinth when she came out with us last Friday. We came home Sunday night and it had BLOOMED! I was super excited!
9881 - I convinced my companions to run outside with me yesterday...and they had FUN. :-)
9892 - We live right by a river...that's where we went running :-)

New Jersey Times - Un cambio de corazon

Monday, February 13, 2012

Familia!

I've got very very VERY little time, but know that regardless of how much I get written here, I love you ALL!

The last couple days have been an adventure, a roller coaster of emotions, anything and everything you could think of. Saturday we had an All Mission Conference with Elder Jay Jensen (of the Presidency of the Seventy) and Elder Jeffrey Olson. It was a remarkable experience. At that Conference, President Jeppson announced that he has kidney cancer and will be flying out to Salt Lake City today with Sister Jeppson in order to have surgery. It was an array of tender mercies from the Lord that lead to the finding of his cancer. I wish time permitted the sharing of all of them. They will be there for the next 4-6 weeks. It is a difficult thing for me to even write this to you because I love my Mission President and his wife so much. They will not be here for my final temple trip, for my final interview, nor to take me to the airport. Actually, nothing's for sure yet, but they're anticipating that they will not be able to be back by then. I trust in my Father in Heaven and I know He knows better than any of us what needs to happen, when, and why. It is still hard though. SO, I ask for your prayers. He has said that if they are still in Utah when I get back, that he would love to be able to see us (the missionaries and me that are leaving in a couple weeks) so that he can give us one final interview. If circumstances allow, I ask that a trip to Salt Lake might be considered shortly after my return. I would love for the whole family to be able to come, so you can meet my wonderful President...especially Lauren who soon will be starting her life as a missionary.

Yesterday morning Hermana Fenn came to companion study and shared with us an experience she had had during personal study. She said something about feeling like she needed to have a change of heart. In Relief Society yesterday (the meeting with all the women :-), she turned to me and said she had to go to the restroom. As missionaries, we're not allowed to leave each other's sight nor sound, so I went to the door and watched her as she went to the restroom. As she opened the door to the restroom, I heard a big thump. I looked over and realized all I saw were her feet and her legs, lying on the ground. I quickly called Hermana Simpson to come out with me and we found our companion struggling to stand up straight. She slowly made her way to the ground again and just stared blankly at the wall. We sat her up and tried to get her attention. (Maybe I'm going into too much detail. Please, stop worrying :-). Turns out as she was sitting in class she felt something happen in her heart, something weird. That's when she told me she had to go to the restroom; she just wanted to figure out what happened. We took her straight to the emergency room. They ran some tests and couldn't find anything wrong; however, they asked her to stay overnight so they could do some more tests and see if they couldn't find the reason for what happened. She is currently there. We joked with her about asking for a change of heart. She's such a trooper. We know that Father is taking care of her. I love her so much. All the doctors seemed to think we were slightly crazy because we kept telling them we "couldn't be separated." As if we have separation anxiety or something. Haha. Hermana Simpson and I had one of the security guards approach us ask us why it was so. We continued to talk to him for most of the night. He thinks we're a little strange because we send our brand new missionaries into the heart of Newark at night, by themselves nonetheless; or that we only talk to our families twice a year. :-) Billy is our new friend.

New Brunswick is wonderful. The members here have taken upon themselves the name of Christ and they understand what it means. They are remarkable. Somehow they all seem to know about Hermana Fenn and have been calling and texting us like crazy offering to help in any way. The Lord takes care of His missionaries...and I add all of His children. Mosiah 18:8-9. They exemplify it. I'm am so grateful to be so closely involved with them, to be able to learn from their example.

I love you family. Keep in up! Be the Lord's hands for the people that surround you. See you soon!

- Hermana Word
(the first ;-).

New Jersey Times - Me jactare en mi Dios para siempre jamas.

My Dear Family,

How ARE you?! I've only got 6 more of these emails and it's weirding me out. Oh, Ashley Gibson...WELCOME HOME! :-) And Mommy, thank you for your email. Sometimes I just want to share and share and share the lessons I've learned and I apologize for not sharing more experiences with you all. I learn so much each week and I just what you all to know it. My new companion is remarkable! It's been fun working in a trio again. It also makes team-ups with male members so much easier!...and if we are teaching men, we don't have to stand outside in the freezing cold anymore. You see, there's this rule in that there must always be three females ages 16 or older (or 3 males if they're Elders...the guy missionaries) present to be teaching someone of the opposite sex inside his/her house. It is for our safety, and I'm grateful for it. Sometimes it's a little difficult because we can't always get the help of our female members due to work or other activities...and we have so many male members of the church here that would LOVE to come out without, but it has been quite difficult to be able to bring them. SO, we're having fun being able to see many more people and bring many more people with us.

Yesterday we taught our friend Edgar. He's Geovanni's childhood friend (Geovanni's the one who was baptized back in December). Edgar is a spiritual giant; however, he's having a little bit of a hard time. He loves the Book of Mormon, he constantly recognizes the differences it has made in his life. He no longer drinks. His coworkers ask him what has happened. People notice. He was raised Catholic...well, sort of...until the age of 10, and then he moved out and came to the United States. He believes that the different saints that they worship have helped him in his life, for him they're just as important as Jesus Christ. He feels confused at times because He thinks (at least from what I understand) that learning from us means that all those experiences he had before in his life are void. He's had some wonderful experiences with God and he doesn't want those to mean nothing if all that we're teaching him is true. That's the thing though, those experiences have brought him to where he is right now. Heavenly Father has been preparing him his whole life. And really, it's not a matter of turning away from what you've known...it's turning back to what you knew before ever coming to this earth. I love Edgar so much. The Spirit is always present while we teach him. Geovanni even told him yesterday that Edgar is always in his prayers, that he prays that Edgar won't be so confused and that he can come to recognize this as the truth. Que mejor amigo uno puede tener!

As for myself, I'm doing pretty well. I had a little break down the other day. I told Hermana Fenn before Hermana Simpson got here that I'd probably have 5 or 6 of those before I went home. One down, only a couple more to go. Haha. I was reading Alma 26 in my personal study. Actually, I started reading it not really having realized what chapter I was in. As I continued reading, I recognized it. I love Ammon. I love his words. He seems to describe perfectly how I've felt as I've served my mission. I quote, "And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some. Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits of our labors; and are they few? I say unto you, Nay, they are many; yea, and we can witness of their sincerity, because of their love towards their brethren and also towards us...Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name. Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo...Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen" (Alma 26:30-31, 35-37). His testimony has become my own. I love my God with all my heart. I am and forever will be grateful for the gift of His Son and for the opportunity that I've had to share it with my dear brothers and sisters...and that I get to do so for the rest of forever.

I love you all. Keep it up! I'll see you in a few!

Los amo,
Hermana Word

9766 - Hermana Simpson!!!
9788 - My Zone from the MTC!...we were all at Transfer Conference. One of Father's tender mercies.
9809 - My dear Sister Cope and I...with Elder Dunleavy in the background.
9816 - Our blender exploded :-)
9819 - Harlington and Sandy...two of my FAVORITE people! (she made us dinner :-)