7/28/14

I seriously can think of anything specific from this week. It went by so fast. Think think think......

Hm... Oh! I will tell you about one of our investigators. She is great. She was taking classes from the Jehovah's witnesses when she was found. She didn't understand pretty much anything. But, she kept going. She keeps trying. At first, she couldn't remember anything. Now, she remembers almost every single thing we have taught her. She loves the church. She goes to all the activities and goes every Sunday to church. She prayed to see if Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and if the church is true. She had an overwhelming feeling of peace and happiness and she knows its true. Her baptism is the last Saturday of this transfer. Oh, and she stopped drinking coffee. Shes so prepared and wonderful.

Lets see, we had interviews with President Jordan! Most people don't like interviews with the president, its my favorite. I love it. While we were waiting for our interviews, hermanan J. was chewing out all the Latins for not practicing their English everyday. My poor companion was so stressed out. But hey, its part of their mission. Its almost a commandment ;) Haha. But the interview went well. I love talking to the President. He always has such great guidance and help. He always knows what to say.

My companion had the flu Saturday, that was exciting. We were stuck in the house again. But, we went to the doctor and he gave her drugs and shes better. Random fact, here in Mexico if you're sick with pretty much anything, they give you shot. FOR EVERYTHING. you have a cold? SHOT! If you have diarrhea? SHOT! If you have a broken nail? They probably would give you a shot. Haha Luckily I have always been able to escape them, except you know when I had the blood test and passed out.. But other than that, no needles for me!


Anyways, the mission is great. God loves all of you. I wish I could express just how much, but it isn't possible. I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve my fellow men and to help them come unto Christ. Its such a blessing. This is the true church. The Book of Mormon can change lives, and it does everyday. Something I would change if I could? Help the members understand that they are a lot bigger part in the missionary work than they think. I really really just want to shake people and say, "DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE NEED FRIENDS THAT LIVE HERE? PEOPLE! THEY NEED TO BE LOVED. THEY NEED YOUR TESTIMONY! THIS IS THE LORDS WORK AND YOU WERE BAPTIZED AND AGREED TO TAKE HIS NAME UPON YOU. HELP THE MISSIONARIES!!! YOU HAVE TIME TO SIT AND WATCH THE TV OR WHATEVER, YOU HAVE TIME TO GO WITH THEM TO 1 LESSON. YOU DONT KNOW WHAT TO SAY? STUDY PREACH MY GOSPEL LIKE AN APOSTLE OF GOD TOLD YOU TOO! " Ok, I will end my rant there for now.... Its just frustrating... But, life is great and the work is moving along.

7/21/14

This week I learned a great lesson. First I will tell you the lesson, and then what happened.


I learned by very small and simple things, big things can happen. And sometimes, they aren't good. We really have to think about our choices before we make them. Think about the big picture and what could happen. I learned that Sometimes things can look harmless, but in fact be bad for you.


Now for what happened.


One day, it was ridiculously hot here. My companion and I were drenched in sweat. I saw a tree with giant beautiful leaves, so, I picked one to fan myself. I thought I was brilliant. Well, the next morning, I woke up in hives. Yes my lovely friends and family, it was a leaf from an Almond tree, you know, one of the things I am allergic to. So, off to the hospital (a few times). The doctors ordered for me to stay inside because the sun would make it 10x as worse. So, My poor companion and I had to stay home a lot of the week. It making working really hard because we couldn't really go out of our house until the sun was almost down, and we have to be home by 8:30. So, we would have about an hour to work some days... and most of our work is about a half hours walk away... So, it was really tough. But, I am getting better and all is well. So don't worry too much. And now i know what an almond tree looks like so I wont touch it again.

Lets see, what else happened this week. Oh! One of our amazing couples was progressing really great. And then, turns out they aren't married... So, looks like their baptism wont be for a little while longer. But they are wonderful and love listening and learning. And they are changing. Its amazing. They were going to come to church this Sunday, and then someone in their family had a big accident and they had to help them. Its so sad how Satan works to get people to not do the right. They were so excited and really wanted to go.


One of our other investigators is about 23 and is studying to be a doctor. At first he wasn{t sure, but every time we go he is more and more excited and he loves asking questions. He came to church Sunday. In Sunday school, something was mentioned about not drinking coffee, and he was like, why? And then the teacher explained because it was a revelation and a commandment that we shouldn't. And he was like, wow, that's interesting, because they{re finding that it has things in it that are really bad for your body. It was pretty cool. He is really interested. Its great.

That's about all I can think of for this week. We were stuck in the house a LOT. But life is good and the work continues forward. I love being a missionary even though sometimes its tough, but its a lot easier when you rely on our savior. He is always there for us. Love you all and hope you have a wonderful week. And keep studying you preach my gospel!!!

7/14/14

I miss my old area, but I love this area too!!! I am seeing a lot more miracles. To start with, we gave 8 people baptismal dates in the first contact. Pretty exciting. Maybe not a huge number for some missionaries, but for 1 week here and having only 3 investigators before... Its pretty awesome! And so many of them are so prepared! 

Another miracle. We had just fisished a lesson and were walking back to the members house. I had a strong impression I needed to contact the girl on the corner. So, I pulled out a plan of salvation pamphlet and started with the contact. When we asked where she lived, she started bawling and said she didnt have a home, her parents died and she had nothing. So, we began to explain about the plan of salvation and that she can be with her parents again. We also had been given cookies earlier in the day, so we pulled them out and gave them to her. She was so excited. Then the member said she had some clothes for her. It was really cool to be able to help this poor woman and to help her have comfort and to feel her saviors love. I loved it.
We were walking by a house and a sweet old lady yelled that she had our book and wanted to give it back. So we waited to see, expecting a book of mormon. Well, it was one, but from 1985!!!! Its so old and beautiful. And its a lot thicker, its nice they have made the pages thinner. Its a special book.

There is this one investigator. She is sweet. She has a little bit of a learning problem, so we have to take everything a lot slower, but she goes to church every week and loves it. Shes a sweetheart and Shes progressing nicely. 

Thats about all I have time for this week, but the work of the Lord is moving forward! Every memeber a missionary! Love you all!!!

Hermana Stanger

7/7/14

Transfers

Well, the day has finally come where I leave my wonderful home of Ampliacion and enter into the land of Cuautemoc. I hate saying goddbyes. But it will be good to get to know new people. My area is very close to the mission house. AH! But it'll be good. My "Mom" (my trainer) said a few days before she was sure that I was going to Cuautemoc because I have to be near a hospital.... That's comforting... Haha. Welcome to my life in Mexico. But my health hasn't been that bad....


Anyways, My little JW is progressing so well and came to church again. She loved testimony meeting. (I bore my testimony! And the gift of tongues definitely took over) I really think she will be baptized because she is so prepared. We had a lesson the other day with her, and at the end I was bearing my testimony that we had been called by a prophet and she started bawling. She was sad because she had been a Jehovahs Witness and taught lts of people the wrong thing. She wants to go on a mission. We, well, my old companion and her new companion, just have to help her understand Jehovah and Jesus are the same person.


We went to visit a less active elderly couple who I love dearly. They remind me a lot of gma and gpa Chris. Well, the woman a little while ago broke her arm. She has taken a turn for the worst and isnt doing well at all. So, my companion was talking to her daughter and she asked me to sing hymns to her. So I sat by her side and sang. It was special. I wont lie I was terrifyed she was going to stop breathing at any moment, but she didnt. So that was good. It was a tender moment.


I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve and to get to help people come unto Christ every day. It is amazing to get to see peoples life change for the better and to see the Atonement work in their lives. Its amazing to be a missionary and we always need to do his will not ours.


Love you all and hope that all is well!
Hermana Stanger

6/30/2014

The Jehovah's Witness

Well, this week I saw a miracle. Well, many, but one in particular. We had a referral to go find, and when we met her, shes a JW. Ya´ll know, the people that shove a bible in your face and tell you your wrong? Ok, Im not meaning to be rude, it just how they are here. Anyways, so, we went to talk to her. We gave her a book of Mormon and at first she wouldn´t touch it. But then we were explaining things and then she agreed to read. A few days later we went to visit her and she had read the first 8 chapers! That may not sound like a lot, but it was only like 2 days. The best part, SHE LIKED IT! So, we were teaching her and invited her to church. Sunday we texted her to remind her we were coming for her. Then the phone rang and we were so scared she was going to cancel. She had just called to say she was ready! So, we went and got her and she liked church. A few things she was really confused about, like why her bible was different, but overall she liked it and wants to go back next week! She also has baptismal date set. Its pretty wonderful. She is so prepared. She is also very intrigued by the plan of salvation.

Also, the other day we were walking and nobody was home, so we felt we should go visit a less active. When we got there, her friend was there. I had taught her with my other companion before. She said, "I was JUST thinking about you this morning." So, we taught her a little bit, and then I felt like I blew it. I aksed what her address was, and that apparently killed the lesson... But then, Sundayshe called and was ready for church and she went with us! It was just a small sign that its the lords work, not ours. What blessings.


Thats about all I can rememver at the moment, but it was a wonderful week and I feel so blessed every single day. Its amazing to see the Lords hands in everything. Literally everything. Its his work and it cant be stopped. Even by everybody watching the World cup, it cant be stopped.


Love you all!!!!
Hermana Stanger

6/23/14

This Week from the Land of the Book of Mormon

Well, this week I witnessed a miracle. We have this investigator. He is amazing. His family, they are all members. He has listened to the Elders for YEARS. And nothing. On Saturday, we went to visit him and his family. We were talking and we asked what was his doubt. And he talked about how he was afraid of commitment. So, we talked about a few things and then the spirit was so strong in that lesson. He was crying, his wife was crying, we were crying, it was powerful. And he sad he knew it was true. So we asked if he would come to church the next day. Instead of his regular excuse, he said, Yes. He would find a way that he could make it. Sunday came, and we were waiting. And he wasn´t there. So, we sat down and the opening hymn began. I was devastated. And then, he walked in with a big nervous smile on his face. Im pretty sure my heart left my chest I was so excited. He didnt just stay for the first hour either, he stayed for all 3! He loved Sunday school and wanted to look for EVERY scripture the teacher said and he was so excited. It was truly the Lords hand. It was amazing.

One of our other investigators told us a story. One day, she was really sad and just didn't know what to do anymore. So, she said a prayer that morning asking what she should do. What God wanted for her and her family. that same day is the day my old companion and I contacted her. She said she was kinda freaked out a bit because it was so fast. Then she told us about how her husband had started reading her book of Mormon and was interested too. She then told us a story about how her son, people had tried to kidnap him. He said a prayer and the people said he wasn´t the one, and let him go. She said she knows he has a plan for her family. It was wonderful. We testified that we knew he has a plan too. A little later in the lesson she asked, " After I am baptized, are they going to ship me away on a mission too?" We then explained that its a choice, and if she wanted to, she could. It was kind of funny.


We had one family that was a referral, so we went to go find them. When we got to their house, there wasn't a car or anything, but we "knocked" anyways. No one answered. So we wrote a little note and put a Family proclamation pamphlet in their door. As we turned around, they pulled up. It was kinda awkward. But, they were so welcoming and willing to listen! They are a great couple and I cant wait to go back and teach then more.

Its always a great time serving the Lord and his children. Sometimes its rally hard, but I find that is when we are more focused on what we want than what he wants. I feel so blessed everyday. Life is good. The Lord will bless you when you do what he asks. I love you all and hope you´re studying your preach my gospel. My mission presidents grandson who is 5 has read the whole thing already. You can too!! LOVE YOU!