Monday, June 16, 2014

Our Miracle Family




Hey my sweet family. I have wonderful stories for this week. So listen.
 
Once upon a time there was a missionary who was just having a hard time. She was working really hard, and not seeing the fruits of her labors. For the purpose of our story we'll call her Hermana Watts, because that's her name. So this Hermana Watts is getting discouraged. With herself, with the work, with her investigators that seemed to be so cool and just aren't progressing. She just can't seem to figure out what she is doing wrong. but then she reads a scripture in Mosiah 23:21-22
 21 Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith.
 22 Nevertheless—whosoever putteth his trust in him the same shall be lifted up at the last day. Yea, and thus it was with this people.
So this little Hermana does the only thing she can do. She prays. She puts every last little ounce of trust she has in the lord. Her and her sweet Japanese companion begin to pray that they will find the elect. The people really searching for the gospel. Not only that, but that the will find a family.
So what happens with this cute little companionship of downtrodden hermanas? The Lord says I think I will bless them with a miracle. I think they're ready. And along came Lyneth.

Lyneth is a referral we received. So Miracle #1 we never ever receive referrals. So we schedule an appointment with her, and we go and teach her. She is absolutely amazing. She doesn't have a religious background, but believes in God and Jesus Christ. She has been looking for a church. So we get to know her, and right as we are about to say the opening prayer Miracle #2 her husband comes home. and instead of being very against missionaries like some spouses tend to be, he sits down with us, and says oh yeah I went to the Mormon school in Mexico. I almost was baptized but my mom wouldn't let me. WHAT? So we teach them the message of the restoration. Miracle #3 We were able to teach the perfect lesson perfectly tailored to their needs, and they loved it. The spirit felt was incredible. We set a return cita for the next day. Miracle #4 they were actually HOME for the return appointment. Miracle #5 her two sons were also home, and so we taught them as well. We taught them all about the book of Mormon, and they all promised to read it. Miracle #6 when we went back the next day Lyneth had read more than her assigned reading. She read right past the introduction and through all of the testimonies! miracle #7 Lyneth came to church. miracle #8 she brought her whole family! Our miracle family of 4! miracle #9 Lyneth and her family came super late, but for some strange reason, the Obispo decided to have all the youth get up and bear their testimonies BEFORE the sacrament, so the sacrament started late and our miracle family didn't miss a minute of the best part of the meeting:) Miracle #10 Lyneth wants to be baptized:)
I know God hears and answers prayers. I know he is mindful of us. Lyneth was an answer to our prayers. She is an elect. Not only did he bless us with the opportunity to teach an elect, he blessed us with a family to teach. I know trials strengthen us, and I am so grateful for the blessing that comes from each trial of our faith. I love you all so much! Keep being wonderful, and pushing through your trials, because there are great blessings in store.
Love Ness

Sunday, June 15, 2014

WattsX2


Hey Fam! What's new? So get this. In this zone of mine we have two Hermana Watts. How cute. And I just happen to be her sister training leader, so logically, we are going to have to go on exchanges! And what does that mean? WATTS X 2 (or watts squared whichever you prefer...) It was a blast! We introduced ourselves all day "hey we're the Hermanas Watts" or "Hi nice to meet you my name is sister Watts.... my name is also sister watts". People were just all sorts of confused! One investigator, cute Mayra asked us, are all the misioneras going to be called Watts now? ha. Too fun.
 
Lets see what else happened this week. Well we had a great Mission Leadership council with president Hall, where we learned how to teach better. I tell you the gospel is so amazing and I am learning so much about it every day. But it's so hard to teach! okay false, it's hard to teach it simply! I just want to tell everyone everything I know, but that just doesn't go down well. And then you have to factor in teaching with a companion, and then of course the spirit is the real teacher, why should we even worry about teaching? yikes. The struggles of teaching the beautiful gospel. I'll be good at it one day, just you wait!
 
Lesson that I learned this week, is that if you invite people on the street to come tour the chapel it is not a great finding activity. No one came to our church tour... :( I know saddest days. Except! our atheist investigator Carlos. he is the sweetest. He knows basically everything about the gospel, he just can't feel that it's true. So everyone, Pray that Carlos Can feel the spirit!!
 
okay yeah my time is gone, love you lots and be good and happy!!!
 
Love, Ness

Saturday, June 7, 2014

"It was the load"


Hey Fam. what's new? Well. The email today won't be too long, because to be honest this week was kinda hard! I don't have any crazy stories, no incredible miracles occurred, it was just a rough week in the life of a missionary. Had exchanges with Hermana McGlothin, and then Hermana Larsen. two great hermanas. We are teaching an atheist, and that's fun, and then last they were filming a movie right by our house Friday night, and they crashed a bus on the corner of our street. So I guess that was pretty cool.
 
But something I have learned a lot this week, is about trials. Why we have them, and how amazing they are to us. Really trials our a vital part of our mortal journey. God gives us trials and burdens to help us learn how to depend upon the atonement. I love the talk by Elder Bednar from this conference "Bear Up Their Burdens with Ease". I invite you all to read it. he says "We are not and never need be alone. We can press forward in our daily lives with heavenly help. Through the Savior’s Atonement we can receive capacity and 'strength beyond [our] own.'" One thing I have been learning is that we can receive so much strength through the atonement of Jesus Christ. We don't need to carry our load alone. The savior is our constant companion, and he has done everything possible to help us live with heavenly father again. I am so grateful for trials. I am so grateful for my savior. I know this gospel is true, and I love my calling as a missionary.
 
Thanks for all your love and support. I love you with all my heart!
 
Love,
Ness