From Elder Paul Freeman, dated August 27, 2008
Note: Elder Freeman's birthday was August 26, 2008
Dear Mom,
What fantastic things you've been up to! I so appreciate everything you've done. I'm very impressed with the website and thank you for all the neat video clips. Unfortunately, the computers at the library don't have speakers and missionaries don't have headphones, so I'll have to figure out something.
But, I want to let you know that I have re-applied for BYU in Provo and Idaho. I was super excited to find that they still had my application from 2005 when I first applied. All I had to do was long on with my user name, after calling for help with my forgotten password, then I found all the information was there from 3 years ago. I only changed a few things, the ones that have to do with serving a mission, and revamped my essay. They still had my ACT score and my high school transcript.
The only thing that was no longer valid was the ecclesiastical endorsement. So I printed off the form and sent it to President Sanchez. Hopefully he will send a positive endorsement :) . The deadline for applying for winter semester in January is October 1st.
Exciting still was the 30$ I payed last time to process the application is still good. I thought about taking a shot at Hawaii, but just decided not to. You were absolutely right on the family blog when you said I change my mind with my socks. But, there are a lot of things that are drawing me to BYU and really only one thing keeping me back and that's finances. However, I'll continue to pray about it, and if BYU is the place for me I won't worry to much about money. I don't want to be impoverished, but I know that money isn't everything. I'm not even sure what I want to study.
Anyway, that stuff will all work itself out in time. It's more difficult than I thought putting it to the back of my mind. The last thing I want is to lose focus this last transfer and bum out like so many others. One of our roommates complimented me on my lack of "trunkiness" and now I feel frustrated because 1) he spoke too soon and 2) now I have to live up to that :) . But seriously, there is so much to enjoy while still engaged in this work.
Thank you for sending the package. No, I haven't received it yet but yes, I just barely got a CD player from a garage sale for 5$. And my companion can't wait to send me home so he can have all my stuff.
Thanks again for everything mom, you're the greatest.
Love,
Elder Freeman
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
I Know Heavenly Father Loves Me!
From Elder Andrey Pearce Dated: August 25, 2008
It’s been a treat to read the letters from Mom and Dad. This week has been really hard as we worked super hard. I feel like some times on the mission my faith is tried and if we pass, we gain a stronger testimony. We pushed hard this week to accomplish our goals and hope to see the progress in the future.
Dad, I started my mission 22 de Agosto. I think I am starting to learn how to be better in Spanish than English. I was thinking the other day it’s easier to write.
This week we found a lot of new converts and we had conference which was very well done and spiritual.
The other day I had an experience that led me to understand that my Heavenly Father loves me so much. So, we are walking to our appointment to eat. We are just tired, the rain is coming down and we don’t have anything to cover us. I really didn’t want to get my shoes wet. As the street are like rivers, I am jumping around, dodging the puddles. I come to one part that I have no where to go. So I start thinking, “What am I going to do?” I walked back and forth for awhile. It’s dark, I am looking for rocks to cross and nothing. At the moment that I was about to jump, up rides a man on a bicycle and tells me to jump on, so I did and he passed me through the water without getting wet. I jumped off and thanked him. He drove off and I didn’t know if he was a member or not.
I just remember what he looks like. I was thinking at that moment what love my Heavenly Father has for me, that He provided a way for me to cross the waters.
We are still working with the Munoz family but they’re having a hard time. They don’t want to change their Catholic beliefs so we are going to meditate a lot this week to see what we can do for them.
This week we had another Mutual with members. We talked about unity and it went very well.
I love this mission and all the opportunities that I have to serve, to learn and to give of myself. I hope this next year that I can give more and do better.
I was thinking the other day, when we first start out mission, we just jump in and start swinging our sword but not really hitting anything, just making noise. Then as we gain experience we sharpen our sword and with every blow we make a difference having strategy how we battle. I know this is the work of God. I love my Savior and hope to come to know him better and shape my life after Him.
Loves,
Elder Pearce
It’s been a treat to read the letters from Mom and Dad. This week has been really hard as we worked super hard. I feel like some times on the mission my faith is tried and if we pass, we gain a stronger testimony. We pushed hard this week to accomplish our goals and hope to see the progress in the future.
Dad, I started my mission 22 de Agosto. I think I am starting to learn how to be better in Spanish than English. I was thinking the other day it’s easier to write.
This week we found a lot of new converts and we had conference which was very well done and spiritual.
The other day I had an experience that led me to understand that my Heavenly Father loves me so much. So, we are walking to our appointment to eat. We are just tired, the rain is coming down and we don’t have anything to cover us. I really didn’t want to get my shoes wet. As the street are like rivers, I am jumping around, dodging the puddles. I come to one part that I have no where to go. So I start thinking, “What am I going to do?” I walked back and forth for awhile. It’s dark, I am looking for rocks to cross and nothing. At the moment that I was about to jump, up rides a man on a bicycle and tells me to jump on, so I did and he passed me through the water without getting wet. I jumped off and thanked him. He drove off and I didn’t know if he was a member or not.
I just remember what he looks like. I was thinking at that moment what love my Heavenly Father has for me, that He provided a way for me to cross the waters.
We are still working with the Munoz family but they’re having a hard time. They don’t want to change their Catholic beliefs so we are going to meditate a lot this week to see what we can do for them.
This week we had another Mutual with members. We talked about unity and it went very well.
I love this mission and all the opportunities that I have to serve, to learn and to give of myself. I hope this next year that I can give more and do better.
I was thinking the other day, when we first start out mission, we just jump in and start swinging our sword but not really hitting anything, just making noise. Then as we gain experience we sharpen our sword and with every blow we make a difference having strategy how we battle. I know this is the work of God. I love my Savior and hope to come to know him better and shape my life after Him.
Loves,
Elder Pearce
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Lehi's Dream
From, Elder Paul Freeman, dated August 20, 2008
[note: Paul's paternal grandfather died on Saturday, August 16, 2008, at the age of 94].
Dear Mom,
[note: Paul's paternal grandfather died on Saturday, August 16, 2008, at the age of 94].
Dear Mom,
Your latest letter was very much appreciated. It was masterfully composed. I found it most uplifting and reassuring. I really enjoy hearing about everything that is going on.
I found out about Grandpa's death when I called President Sanchez on Monday to ask him about something unrelated. He told me he had news that Grandpa passed and that you wanted me to know. I appreciated it very much and thanked him. The thought didn't even cross my mind to grieve or feel sad, because I know the plan of salvation. That's how amazing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that Grandpa was a good man and Grandma had been waiting, and it all makes the plan that much more real. I'm eternally thankful for the power and mercy of our Heavenly Father that allows families to be sealed for time and eternity. The last time did talk to Grandpa he said he wanted to try to make it to 100 yrs old. He came pretty dang close.
I also got excited to hear about Eric and Leanne's new arrival, even though I could have been spare a few details. :) And Adam and Ariane are finally moving in. I can't wait to see it all put together.
I'm also excited to hear about your efforts with Dallas and Lynda. I hardly know anything about want went on over the past year. But, I look forward to staying in contact more when I get I'm. I still haven't settle on what school I want to go to. I'll take a little time now to look at application deadlines for BYU.
Thanks again mom. I Love you.
Love,
Elder Freeman
Monday, August 18, 2008
Touched by the Spirit
From Elder Andrushka Dated: 08.18.08
Dear Family,
Yay! I can’t wait to get to know my new family members (He just found out about Amelia being born and Eliza being imminent).
The work goes on and it got more intensified as we dedicated to work harder here and in Leon.
This week we had an amazing baptism. His name is Guillermo. I remember the first time we talked to him. It was four months ago. He didn’t want to hear about baptism, letting us know that he was baptized and he didn’t see a reason to change. He is the husband of a lovely lady that is a really strong member and has wanted to go to the temple and to be sealed as a family for awhile now. We have come to learn that when the Spirit touches someone’s heart, they get ready to be baptized. As much as we spoke as much as we could do, without the Spirit, we could not have helped him.
The baptism was lovely as lots of members were present. This ward each Sunday looks stronger and stronger.
So this week at the end of the sacrament, the first counselor asked me if I could give the Gospel Doctrine class or the Book of Mormon class. I looked at the manual and I don’t know why I said yes, but I did. I was given 5 minutes to prepare for class. As I started thinking to myself “What am I going to teach?” The Spirit came to me and let me know what the lesson was about and what I should talk about and teach. As I stood in front of all, I started to tremble, thinking how am I going to teach in Spanish? So we sang a song and started off into the lesson. I know that the Spirit was present. The class was lovely and interesting. I know that Spirit helped me a lot.
I also learned that’s why we plan on our mission. I love the work and each progression. I hope this second part of my mission will be just as great or greater. I hope that I will learn all I need to help the kingdom of God here on Earth. Love the Savior and His work. Love being a representative of Him. Hope to be a better one. Thanks for your prayers!
Dear Family,
Yay! I can’t wait to get to know my new family members (He just found out about Amelia being born and Eliza being imminent).
The work goes on and it got more intensified as we dedicated to work harder here and in Leon.
This week we had an amazing baptism. His name is Guillermo. I remember the first time we talked to him. It was four months ago. He didn’t want to hear about baptism, letting us know that he was baptized and he didn’t see a reason to change. He is the husband of a lovely lady that is a really strong member and has wanted to go to the temple and to be sealed as a family for awhile now. We have come to learn that when the Spirit touches someone’s heart, they get ready to be baptized. As much as we spoke as much as we could do, without the Spirit, we could not have helped him.
The baptism was lovely as lots of members were present. This ward each Sunday looks stronger and stronger.
So this week at the end of the sacrament, the first counselor asked me if I could give the Gospel Doctrine class or the Book of Mormon class. I looked at the manual and I don’t know why I said yes, but I did. I was given 5 minutes to prepare for class. As I started thinking to myself “What am I going to teach?” The Spirit came to me and let me know what the lesson was about and what I should talk about and teach. As I stood in front of all, I started to tremble, thinking how am I going to teach in Spanish? So we sang a song and started off into the lesson. I know that the Spirit was present. The class was lovely and interesting. I know that Spirit helped me a lot.
I also learned that’s why we plan on our mission. I love the work and each progression. I hope this second part of my mission will be just as great or greater. I hope that I will learn all I need to help the kingdom of God here on Earth. Love the Savior and His work. Love being a representative of Him. Hope to be a better one. Thanks for your prayers!
Noche De Hermanamiento"
From Elder Andrushka Dated: August 8th, 08
Dear Mom, Dad and the family,
This week was an awesome week, with the ward, not so much with the investigators. The ward just seems to have come more together in the last 4 months that we were here. We started to do, “Noche De Hermanamiento”. It’s a gathering for everyone to learn the gospel Friday nights. We have come to form the ward together more. My comp and I have been switching off from area to area each week. It has energized the ward more. We are ever happy to be part of the work.
The other day I was driving back in a bus from on of these activities that we were in charge of. I thought to myself, “What an experience of my life to be in Nicaragua, to be speaking Spanish and to help this group of 24 feel the spirit, sing with them, and share their difficulties.” I thought, “How did I end up here?” and was ever excited to work harder in the Gospel to help more people.
It is very true out here there are many experiences to learn from Bishops. We have come to learn how each position in the church works. How truly inspired the organization of our Savior is. I know he leads this church. I have come to see the results each small part in the church has to do.
From the smallest assignment comes out the great life saving result. I have excitement to become better, to learn more. At times I get down thinking to myself how I wish I took life more seriously when I was younger, when I had all the time in the world. Instead of dibbling the ball outside for hours wishing being in the NBA. That I would have ready my scriptures, prayed more. Then I realize, I get up and do all that I can do.
I have come to realize how awesome my companion is. He supports me. All that I can’t do, he can. We have become a great team together and I have grown so much just this change. His name is Elder Flores. We have some activities coming up that we have planned out and are so excited.
The Munoz family have not yet made the choice. There are others that are just waiting for their answers to prayer.
I too can’t believe that I almost have a year on the mission. I did get the package. As I read Dan’s talk, tears streamed down my face and I had to walk outside so everyone wouldn’t see me crying.
I have come to be stronger on my mission. At times there is a lot of pressure to stand and talk to all. Through all the pressure I have come to know more who I am. What my Father in Heaven wants me to be. Stand up and be bold to this pressure.
As with my vitamins, I am great taking some almost every day now. Thank you mom for all the work you put into sending me this. Thanks Dad also for all that you do. Hope all is well at home. Seeing the photos of all the family together just missing me was sad. Don’t you worry. I love working in the Lord’s kingdom preparing for the second coming. Inviting all to partake of the atonement of Our Savior. I LOVE YOU ALL!
Dear Mom, Dad and the family,
This week was an awesome week, with the ward, not so much with the investigators. The ward just seems to have come more together in the last 4 months that we were here. We started to do, “Noche De Hermanamiento”. It’s a gathering for everyone to learn the gospel Friday nights. We have come to form the ward together more. My comp and I have been switching off from area to area each week. It has energized the ward more. We are ever happy to be part of the work.
The other day I was driving back in a bus from on of these activities that we were in charge of. I thought to myself, “What an experience of my life to be in Nicaragua, to be speaking Spanish and to help this group of 24 feel the spirit, sing with them, and share their difficulties.” I thought, “How did I end up here?” and was ever excited to work harder in the Gospel to help more people.
It is very true out here there are many experiences to learn from Bishops. We have come to learn how each position in the church works. How truly inspired the organization of our Savior is. I know he leads this church. I have come to see the results each small part in the church has to do.
From the smallest assignment comes out the great life saving result. I have excitement to become better, to learn more. At times I get down thinking to myself how I wish I took life more seriously when I was younger, when I had all the time in the world. Instead of dibbling the ball outside for hours wishing being in the NBA. That I would have ready my scriptures, prayed more. Then I realize, I get up and do all that I can do.
I have come to realize how awesome my companion is. He supports me. All that I can’t do, he can. We have become a great team together and I have grown so much just this change. His name is Elder Flores. We have some activities coming up that we have planned out and are so excited.
The Munoz family have not yet made the choice. There are others that are just waiting for their answers to prayer.
I too can’t believe that I almost have a year on the mission. I did get the package. As I read Dan’s talk, tears streamed down my face and I had to walk outside so everyone wouldn’t see me crying.
I have come to be stronger on my mission. At times there is a lot of pressure to stand and talk to all. Through all the pressure I have come to know more who I am. What my Father in Heaven wants me to be. Stand up and be bold to this pressure.
As with my vitamins, I am great taking some almost every day now. Thank you mom for all the work you put into sending me this. Thanks Dad also for all that you do. Hope all is well at home. Seeing the photos of all the family together just missing me was sad. Don’t you worry. I love working in the Lord’s kingdom preparing for the second coming. Inviting all to partake of the atonement of Our Savior. I LOVE YOU ALL!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
3 is the Magic Number
From Elder Paul Freeman, dated August 13, 2008
Dear Mom,
Dear Mom,
It has been and excellent week for us. Saturday three people were baptised into the Church. We struggled to organize two separate baptismal services, but everything turned out fine in the end. The key to having a good baptism service is preparation and good ward members. We organized the program last Wednesday with the ward mission leader and made all the phone calls and coordinated everyone for the baptisms. It was truly a miracle to have everything fall into place the way it did. Then, at the services you could tell how supportive the ward members are. They really did own those baptisms as a ward. President and Sister Sanchez came to the first baptism and that was good.
The only the we really should have done better is filling out those stupid forms. We should have just taken care of it all at one time, but I kept forgetting to bring them. First, I left them home for the baptism, and then left them again for the confirmation. But, now we've got them mostly finished and we should send them in today.
We're also working with many other people who are learning about the restored gospel and it's exciting to see those who exercise their faith and strengthen it through study of the lessons. Elder Lestarge is doing very well. He will probably end up assistant to the president.
Anyway, the Library is terribly distracting today and I'm struggling to get anything else out. Thanks again for your love and letters.
Love,
Elder Freeman.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Another Week
From Elder Paul Freeman, dated August 6, 2008
It's been another excellent week as far as the work is concerned. We've got two baptisms coming up on Saturday. Actually, it will be a total of 3 people being baptized but on account of scheduling conflicts there will be two separate services. We're excited. It truly is a blessing to come into the area with 3 people already prepared and committed. All we've got to do know is get other people moving and progressing in the gospel in preparation for more baptisms.
We're currently working with several people and the traveling elders came through and provided several more new people for us to work with. Elder Lestarge is doing very well also. He's far more helpful than I was when I first started. We're having a good time too, even though we're on bikes out here in the arid desert of Victorville. We've developed pretty good tans. I also like to think it's helping shed the extra pounds. Even if I am or not I still had to end up buying two new shirts. So, thank you very much for the additional funds.
I also couldn't resist a book called "The Inevitable Apostasy and the Promised Restoration" by Tad R. Callister. It's pretty amazing. He paints a pretty clear picture of what happened to the primitive Church. His primary source is the scriptures as well as modern day revelation from prophets. Even more amazing is the cherry on top he includes as writing from first century saints. President Sanches actually approved it as well.
It seems to be one of the major concerns that people face when learning the restored Gospel. It's difficult to accept that the authority to teach the gospel and perform its saving ordinances. People see it as God turning his back on the people, or refute it on grounds that there have always been Christians since the time of Christ. What is difficult to explain is how the people in the early days of the church actually turned their backs from the original teachings of Christ and polluted it with their own philosophies. It's hard for people to accept even when the majority of the New Testament was written because of that fact. The epistle were written in hopes to bring the people back in line with the original doctrines. Even the Book of Revelation starts off with the Lords admonitions to the Seven churches of Asia. He even warns the saints that if they don't repent he will take away their church.
But, still no matter how much evidence we produce, people will never believe the truth until they are humble enough to rely on Heavenly Father to show them the truth. The Savior Himself taught us to rely on our Father. That's the key to everything we do, and if I haven't got it then I wouldn't have made it this far.
Thanks again Mom for your constant support and prayers.
Love,
Elder Freeman
Addendum by separate cover (response to questions posited):
Dear Mom,
It's been another excellent week as far as the work is concerned. We've got two baptisms coming up on Saturday. Actually, it will be a total of 3 people being baptized but on account of scheduling conflicts there will be two separate services. We're excited. It truly is a blessing to come into the area with 3 people already prepared and committed. All we've got to do know is get other people moving and progressing in the gospel in preparation for more baptisms.
We're currently working with several people and the traveling elders came through and provided several more new people for us to work with. Elder Lestarge is doing very well also. He's far more helpful than I was when I first started. We're having a good time too, even though we're on bikes out here in the arid desert of Victorville. We've developed pretty good tans. I also like to think it's helping shed the extra pounds. Even if I am or not I still had to end up buying two new shirts. So, thank you very much for the additional funds.
I also couldn't resist a book called "The Inevitable Apostasy and the Promised Restoration" by Tad R. Callister. It's pretty amazing. He paints a pretty clear picture of what happened to the primitive Church. His primary source is the scriptures as well as modern day revelation from prophets. Even more amazing is the cherry on top he includes as writing from first century saints. President Sanches actually approved it as well.
It seems to be one of the major concerns that people face when learning the restored Gospel. It's difficult to accept that the authority to teach the gospel and perform its saving ordinances. People see it as God turning his back on the people, or refute it on grounds that there have always been Christians since the time of Christ. What is difficult to explain is how the people in the early days of the church actually turned their backs from the original teachings of Christ and polluted it with their own philosophies. It's hard for people to accept even when the majority of the New Testament was written because of that fact. The epistle were written in hopes to bring the people back in line with the original doctrines. Even the Book of Revelation starts off with the Lords admonitions to the Seven churches of Asia. He even warns the saints that if they don't repent he will take away their church.
But, still no matter how much evidence we produce, people will never believe the truth until they are humble enough to rely on Heavenly Father to show them the truth. The Savior Himself taught us to rely on our Father. That's the key to everything we do, and if I haven't got it then I wouldn't have made it this far.
Thanks again Mom for your constant support and prayers.
Love,
Elder Freeman
Addendum by separate cover (response to questions posited):
1. You already dumped more than enough in my account to qualify for a birthday present. [note: Elder Freeman's 21st birthday is August 26th).
2. I'm almost positive they have purchased a plane ticket for the 14 of October. (That means hold off your birthday festivities for at least a day). I am positive I finish on the 14th and the secretary did call and ask about which airport.
3. I took 6 pair of unopened garments I've had since I left and traded them in for a size bigger at the Beehive clothing in Upland. I'm fine mooching off my companion for sunblock, and yesterday I pulled out 3 sticks of Chapstick from of my bag.
4. I've lost the cable for my camera. So, I've got to go get prints from Walgreens. And buy stamps and envelopes.
5. You're the greatest. Love you
Elder Freeman
Monday, August 4, 2008
The Church is True and Life is Crazy!
From Elder BJ Bernards, dated August 4, 2008
Dear Mom,
I don't want to put any undue stress on you but I really need garments. I heard that if you put what you really want in the beginning of the letter it shows how important it is.
Thank you for supporting me on my mission. It is going great! We are really working hard and feeling the Spirit guide us and inspire us every day and this district were leading is doing better than ever, and so is our area. We have been able to find two more families to teach as well as a couple individuals that are really neat, spiritual all, and we got to watch them teach themselves with the Spirit.
I am excited for the move thingy but sad too. Not sad like I'm gonna mope around all the time kinda sad, but the sad that it's the end of a beautiful phase kinda sad, like you wish a awesome day or time would never end but you've got to say goodbye I guess. I say goodbye, I committed my life into the hands of the Lord and just like He is preserving you and Dad and the family from day to day and even though I miss your goodness and all the changes that are happening I know that I will be fine. God has never ever ever let me down yet and I don't think he plans on doing so anytime soon. Life passes me by, and I will wave bye-bye with sweet gratitude for my Savior and this most compelling and mind-absorbing work of his. I leave my life and give my life so that others might achieve theirs, and in doing so I achieve mine. It's true that the more you sacrifice the more committed you are to it.
Can I get some pictures from you? I would want pictures of the house, the changes made to it inside and out, my bedroom please as well as the loft and pictures taken from the windows looking out at the vista of Alpine. Pictures of all the kids and you and Dad. That may be the only time I'll ever have to look from those places with those people ever again. Would you do that for me? Or assign someone else to do so? To tell you the truth and to be frank and honest with you, I feel like my requests get sucked down a black hole and never get back. I have to fight so hard in the short space I have to get what I need. I know my problems may not be as bad or as dire as some other people, but if I could get those things I would feel grateful to you and the family.
And I always do. You have given me the things that really get me through. The supplies that never run out and the nourishment that never ceases.
I really have to go.
Thanks, Please send me that stuff if possible?
Ben sent me some pics which was really awesome, I saw Kiki had a camera. Maybe Kiki can send me some too. Don't forget!
Love,
Elder Bernards
Dear Mom,
I don't want to put any undue stress on you but I really need garments. I heard that if you put what you really want in the beginning of the letter it shows how important it is.
Thank you for supporting me on my mission. It is going great! We are really working hard and feeling the Spirit guide us and inspire us every day and this district were leading is doing better than ever, and so is our area. We have been able to find two more families to teach as well as a couple individuals that are really neat, spiritual all, and we got to watch them teach themselves with the Spirit.
I am excited for the move thingy but sad too. Not sad like I'm gonna mope around all the time kinda sad, but the sad that it's the end of a beautiful phase kinda sad, like you wish a awesome day or time would never end but you've got to say goodbye I guess. I say goodbye, I committed my life into the hands of the Lord and just like He is preserving you and Dad and the family from day to day and even though I miss your goodness and all the changes that are happening I know that I will be fine. God has never ever ever let me down yet and I don't think he plans on doing so anytime soon. Life passes me by, and I will wave bye-bye with sweet gratitude for my Savior and this most compelling and mind-absorbing work of his. I leave my life and give my life so that others might achieve theirs, and in doing so I achieve mine. It's true that the more you sacrifice the more committed you are to it.
Can I get some pictures from you? I would want pictures of the house, the changes made to it inside and out, my bedroom please as well as the loft and pictures taken from the windows looking out at the vista of Alpine. Pictures of all the kids and you and Dad. That may be the only time I'll ever have to look from those places with those people ever again. Would you do that for me? Or assign someone else to do so? To tell you the truth and to be frank and honest with you, I feel like my requests get sucked down a black hole and never get back. I have to fight so hard in the short space I have to get what I need. I know my problems may not be as bad or as dire as some other people, but if I could get those things I would feel grateful to you and the family.
And I always do. You have given me the things that really get me through. The supplies that never run out and the nourishment that never ceases.
I really have to go.
Thanks, Please send me that stuff if possible?
Ben sent me some pics which was really awesome, I saw Kiki had a camera. Maybe Kiki can send me some too. Don't forget!
Love,
Elder Bernards
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Busy, Busy, Busy
From Elder Paul Freeman, dated June 30, 2008
As for other things, I have no idea what address our apartment is, but the mission address is 8280 Utica Ave Rancho Cucamonga CA 91730. And I had no idea about any earthquake. We're too busy to worry about things like that. But, thanks for keeping me in mind.
But, I'm having a hard time focusing. This library is pretty noisey. But, thank you so much for the extra money. I may really end up needing it today, depending on when they top off our MSF. Thanks again for your love and letters.
Love,
Elder freeman
Dear Mom,
Well, we finished off the first week in our new area. We really have been blessed. It started out when the assistants told us the traveling Elders would be comming to help us out in our area. Now, there are two elders assigned to travel from area to area finding new investigators. So for 3 day[s] all four of us worked together in our new area. Now we've got solid appointments for the next week and a half. One of the elders is a good friend of mine who lived in the same apartment when I was in the Samoan ward. The other is a very good missionary and I learned a lot from him.
Elder Lestarge, my regular companion, is really taking to the work. He's keeping up every step of the way. We've got 3 baptisms set up for the 9th. We've got a whole lot to look forward to.
As for other things, I have no idea what address our apartment is, but the mission address is 8280 Utica Ave Rancho Cucamonga CA 91730. And I had no idea about any earthquake. We're too busy to worry about things like that. But, thanks for keeping me in mind.
But, I'm having a hard time focusing. This library is pretty noisey. But, thank you so much for the extra money. I may really end up needing it today, depending on when they top off our MSF. Thanks again for your love and letters.
Love,
Elder freeman
Monday, July 28, 2008
The Church is True
From Elder BJ Bernards, dated July 28, 2008
Dear Family and Friends,
I love being a missionary! Yesterday after church when we were taking a lunch break, we listened to the new Mo-Tab [Mormon Tabernacle Choir] CD called "Called to Serve" and the songs on there rang true with my soul. It stirred me up and as we went out I felt more bold than ever and the excitement of serving the Lord and proclaiming His gospel of Love filled my soul.
to work towards his baptism at the end of We were able to see some cool miracles happen too. Mike Corte didn't come to church again so we took a new elder who leaves for Switzerland in August with us to see him and he wasn't home. So right as we were pulling away he rolls in and invites us in and before we even said a prayer, a sermon comes out of my mouth as if I had practised and practised and memorised those scriptures and worked hard to organize it, and the Spirit aided us all as we taught Mike about repentance and baptism and getting a clean new life to start over with. He seems recommitted to work towards his baptism at the end of September and were seeing him tomorrow.
We were able also to see Peggy finally after a couple of days of no contact with her and she is loving us more and listening and responding more than ever. Usually she just changes the subject or refuses to answer, but her heart is softening up and she is growing and getting answers to her prayers.
Rohit Khada gave us a scare because we weren't sure if he could get baptised because he wont leave his traditions of Hinduism behind but claims that it supports his worship of God and Jesus Christ whom he believes in and prays to. So we called Pres. Newman and he told us that he is pretty sure it comes down to who you worship and keeping the commandments so he's pretty sure that he can be baptised. But, he alled the Church Headquarters to ask them for clarification and they counseled him to call India and ask them how they deal with Hindu's there so we can give Rohit good advice for his future.
We found a family last night as we followed out in our back-up plans. As we planned the night before we felt that we needed to see Dee who we had dropped from lack of interest, who lives in our apartment complex right at 8:30. Our plans earlier in the day were all shuffled around but it it all worked together for our good and ended up being there at 8:30 and her lights were on so we knew she was home! But she didn't come to the door.
Then the thought came to me to try a door of a lady we had briefly talked to in our parking lot and she gave us a date to come back but she was sick and didn't seemed too interested other times we saw her. But we knocked on her door and she said, "come in come in! This is my husband Bob, and he'll turn off the TV and here are our daughters, and sit down sit down lets talk." So we did, and had a wonderful time as we discussed revelation and answers to prayers and the gospel blessing families and extended a commitment to read Lehi's Dream and were coming back tonight with a couple in our ward.
We're also seeing Debra Baron who is a referral from Salt Lake who we saw earlier this week and who told us that she had read the chapter we had left, loved it and wanted another one and for us to come back tonight! That same couple is coming with us.
While we were over at the bishop's house last night for dinner, their neighbor girl who is 18 burst in and said, " Oh, I'm so glad you Elders are here cause I really need to talk to you guys. You remember when you ate at our house two days ago and you asked me about my friend who might be interested? She came to me with a billion questions and I was scared and unprepared and she wants to meet with you guys next Monday night at our house!" Holy cow, that is awesome.
We also had a great lesson at the bishop's home whee we taught the Restoration which never fails to invite the sweet spirit of Christ into the room and it uplifted everyone there.
I am grateful to be a servant of the Lord and know and witness that He lives and that He guides us in our daily endeavors. I got a letter from Sydney Bently who is the girl I baptised in North Platte who said " Every were I go I can feel the Holy Ghost with me! It is so awesome and I love every day. I have never felt this happy before in my whole life! Thank you and Elder Fallon for teaching me Sooooo much!"
I shared with the bishop's family last night the conversion story of Sydney and how she received a witness of the Book of Mormon's divinity as we read together 3 Nephi 11. We were inspired of the Lord to read it with her, and the Holy Finger of the Lord reached into her sweet heart and touched it and purified it and sanctified her soul and she knew then that this is the true and living church of God upon the earth, restored by the prophet Joseph Smith.
I love you family and I love your examples of enduring to the end. Please pray for me as I strive to work hard and be diligent for the next few months of my life. I need them.
Love,
Elder Bernards
Dear Family and Friends,
I love being a missionary! Yesterday after church when we were taking a lunch break, we listened to the new Mo-Tab [Mormon Tabernacle Choir] CD called "Called to Serve" and the songs on there rang true with my soul. It stirred me up and as we went out I felt more bold than ever and the excitement of serving the Lord and proclaiming His gospel of Love filled my soul.
to work towards his baptism at the end of We were able to see some cool miracles happen too. Mike Corte didn't come to church again so we took a new elder who leaves for Switzerland in August with us to see him and he wasn't home. So right as we were pulling away he rolls in and invites us in and before we even said a prayer, a sermon comes out of my mouth as if I had practised and practised and memorised those scriptures and worked hard to organize it, and the Spirit aided us all as we taught Mike about repentance and baptism and getting a clean new life to start over with. He seems recommitted to work towards his baptism at the end of September and were seeing him tomorrow.
We were able also to see Peggy finally after a couple of days of no contact with her and she is loving us more and listening and responding more than ever. Usually she just changes the subject or refuses to answer, but her heart is softening up and she is growing and getting answers to her prayers.
Rohit Khada gave us a scare because we weren't sure if he could get baptised because he wont leave his traditions of Hinduism behind but claims that it supports his worship of God and Jesus Christ whom he believes in and prays to. So we called Pres. Newman and he told us that he is pretty sure it comes down to who you worship and keeping the commandments so he's pretty sure that he can be baptised. But, he alled the Church Headquarters to ask them for clarification and they counseled him to call India and ask them how they deal with Hindu's there so we can give Rohit good advice for his future.
We found a family last night as we followed out in our back-up plans. As we planned the night before we felt that we needed to see Dee who we had dropped from lack of interest, who lives in our apartment complex right at 8:30. Our plans earlier in the day were all shuffled around but it it all worked together for our good and ended up being there at 8:30 and her lights were on so we knew she was home! But she didn't come to the door.
Then the thought came to me to try a door of a lady we had briefly talked to in our parking lot and she gave us a date to come back but she was sick and didn't seemed too interested other times we saw her. But we knocked on her door and she said, "come in come in! This is my husband Bob, and he'll turn off the TV and here are our daughters, and sit down sit down lets talk." So we did, and had a wonderful time as we discussed revelation and answers to prayers and the gospel blessing families and extended a commitment to read Lehi's Dream and were coming back tonight with a couple in our ward.
We're also seeing Debra Baron who is a referral from Salt Lake who we saw earlier this week and who told us that she had read the chapter we had left, loved it and wanted another one and for us to come back tonight! That same couple is coming with us.
While we were over at the bishop's house last night for dinner, their neighbor girl who is 18 burst in and said, " Oh, I'm so glad you Elders are here cause I really need to talk to you guys. You remember when you ate at our house two days ago and you asked me about my friend who might be interested? She came to me with a billion questions and I was scared and unprepared and she wants to meet with you guys next Monday night at our house!" Holy cow, that is awesome.
We also had a great lesson at the bishop's home whee we taught the Restoration which never fails to invite the sweet spirit of Christ into the room and it uplifted everyone there.
I am grateful to be a servant of the Lord and know and witness that He lives and that He guides us in our daily endeavors. I got a letter from Sydney Bently who is the girl I baptised in North Platte who said " Every were I go I can feel the Holy Ghost with me! It is so awesome and I love every day. I have never felt this happy before in my whole life! Thank you and Elder Fallon for teaching me Sooooo much!"
I shared with the bishop's family last night the conversion story of Sydney and how she received a witness of the Book of Mormon's divinity as we read together 3 Nephi 11. We were inspired of the Lord to read it with her, and the Holy Finger of the Lord reached into her sweet heart and touched it and purified it and sanctified her soul and she knew then that this is the true and living church of God upon the earth, restored by the prophet Joseph Smith.
I love you family and I love your examples of enduring to the end. Please pray for me as I strive to work hard and be diligent for the next few months of my life. I need them.
Love,
Elder Bernards
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Change, Change, Change
From Elder Paul Freeman, dated July 23, 2008
Love,
Elder Freeman
Dear Mom,
How many curve balls can they throw at me in one week? First, I got a phone call on Thursday from the assistants telling me I had a package waiting for me in the mission office. Lies. It was their cute way of telling me I was being assigned to train a new missionary coming in from the MTC. So, we both knew that meant one of us getting transferred.
Then, we get the phone call on Saturday and our District leader tells us that we are both being transferred. That means we get whitewashed out and wherever I'm going with my new companion, we get whitewashed in. Several minutes go by and the phone rings again with the assistants on the other end. They tell me I'm also going to be District leader.
It all left me somewhat dazed. I didn't really know what to think or expect, I just wasn't excited about whitewashing into a new area. I had just barely been in that last area 6 weeks and they just ended up turning everything upside down on me.
Then, we get the phone call on Saturday and our District leader tells us that we are both being transferred. That means we get whitewashed out and wherever I'm going with my new companion, we get whitewashed in. Several minutes go by and the phone rings again with the assistants on the other end. They tell me I'm also going to be District leader.
It all left me somewhat dazed. I didn't really know what to think or expect, I just wasn't excited about whitewashing into a new area. I had just barely been in that last area 6 weeks and they just ended up turning everything upside down on me.
Yesterday was transfer meeting, Elder Goodwin and I spent the morning packing and preparing the apartment for the new elders coming in. I was expected to be at the building where transfers were held and 2:30 for a trainers meeting, and the actual transfer meeting started at 3:00, maybe. I met my new companion before it started and got to know him a little bit. His name is Elder Lestarge from Chicago Illinois. He looks like a good missionary, soft spoken and obedient.
We ended up being transferred here to Victorville in the Green Tree Ward. I had a little experience in this area when we were working with the Samoans up here, but none of them live in this ward's boundary. Most of them are in the ward just south, so they're pretty much right across the street of where our ward ends.
We ended up being transferred here to Victorville in the Green Tree Ward. I had a little experience in this area when we were working with the Samoans up here, but none of them live in this ward's boundary. Most of them are in the ward just south, so they're pretty much right across the street of where our ward ends.
Last night we got into our apartment around 5:30, the family scheduled to feed us dropped off money so we went out to Carl's Jr. It was fun. We don't have a car. We ride our bikes. I'm very out of shape.
So, after that we went and visited a couple names the other missionaries left behind and finished off the night with a trip to the ward mission leader to introduce ourselves. We talked to at least five people who saw us and thought they had talked to us before. We told them we had just got here but all missionaries look the same. I was pretty sore though by the end of the evening. It's a good time to get in shape though. It'll be the hottest part of the season pretty soon. It doesn't help that I've already run out of money on my mission card.
So, after that we went and visited a couple names the other missionaries left behind and finished off the night with a trip to the ward mission leader to introduce ourselves. We talked to at least five people who saw us and thought they had talked to us before. We told them we had just got here but all missionaries look the same. I was pretty sore though by the end of the evening. It's a good time to get in shape though. It'll be the hottest part of the season pretty soon. It doesn't help that I've already run out of money on my mission card.
Nevertheless, we've got a lot to look forward to. Last night we met a guy named Ryan Freeman, of Irish decent, no relation though. He looked like he could use our help and he invited us back. We weren't sure how sober he was but we hope to go back before next week. Then, last night we called an investigator they'd been working with and got an appointment for tonight.
So, we're being taken care of and it's not quite as hard as I feared, yet. We've got good roommates and a real nice apartment. I'll keep you updated. Thanks for the letters and picture, prayers and love.
So, we're being taken care of and it's not quite as hard as I feared, yet. We've got good roommates and a real nice apartment. I'll keep you updated. Thanks for the letters and picture, prayers and love.
Love,
Elder Freeman
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
I'm in Trouble!
From Elder Paul Freeman, dated July 16, 2008
Everything is going great. It really has been a fun week. We work with so many people and they're all very different. It's like a kaleidoscope that keeps changing. There are plenty of ] friendly, open-minded people who recognize [as false]much of the misrepresentations of what we believe. Richard is one of these fine individuals whose mother or grandmother converted to the Church in her old age, and he seems frustrated when he hears ministers of other religions slinging mud. He said he wants to hear our side and he's great to talk to.
The second time we met Victor, another investigator, he invited us right in and listened intently to our message. And the end of our most recent visit his mother-in-law asked us to pray for a family member who is ill. It's a reward in itself to see people begin to trust us and recognize our pure intentions. Richard even asked me if I was living as honest and truthful as I possibly could. It was a relief to answer in the affirmative and gain his trust.
We found another lady who has a sister who converted and she was interested in finding out more. She's going through a difficult time in her life and we were able to teach her about how the Atonement blesses us and how we can find strength [through] the restored church that has been founded on Apostles and Prophets, the Savior Himself being the chief cornerstone.
Love,
Elder Freeman
Dear Sweet Son,
Perhaps my letter may be of use. not to chastise but to focus. The gospel is true, I know beyond all doubt you are doing the Lord's work, that for which you are uniquely qualified. You are doing what is right for this time in your life, but if you had no thoughts of next year, I'd expect you to be brain-dead. You are eager to step off into the great beyond. You're supposed to be. It's what young people do.
It's understandable that you feel this tug to get on with your life. Of the truth, I feel the tug for you myself and have been making enough plans for your next year that you would run away screaming if I told you. So, whenever you feel the pull, just think, Argh! My mom's got my future all planned out for me. I can't think about it!! I'll never go home! That should do the trick quite nicely.
All my love and prayers,
mom
Dear Mom,
Everything is going great. It really has been a fun week. We work with so many people and they're all very different. It's like a kaleidoscope that keeps changing. There are plenty of ] friendly, open-minded people who recognize [as false]much of the misrepresentations of what we believe. Richard is one of these fine individuals whose mother or grandmother converted to the Church in her old age, and he seems frustrated when he hears ministers of other religions slinging mud. He said he wants to hear our side and he's great to talk to.
The second time we met Victor, another investigator, he invited us right in and listened intently to our message. And the end of our most recent visit his mother-in-law asked us to pray for a family member who is ill. It's a reward in itself to see people begin to trust us and recognize our pure intentions. Richard even asked me if I was living as honest and truthful as I possibly could. It was a relief to answer in the affirmative and gain his trust.
We found another lady who has a sister who converted and she was interested in finding out more. She's going through a difficult time in her life and we were able to teach her about how the Atonement blesses us and how we can find strength [through] the restored church that has been founded on Apostles and Prophets, the Savior Himself being the chief cornerstone.
On the other hand, I've been getting my share of distractions. That's why I say I'm in trouble. It's frustrating because I have so much time left, the last thing I want is my mind wandering and my diligence slacking. I try to find ways to keep focused. Days like yesterday don't help though. I had a dream that I was at college and it was exciting to start new classes and everything like that. Then I woke up and felt like a race horse who's gate never opened and I'm watching everyone speed down the track.
Then we had dinner with an amazing family. The Tualatamalelagi's. Yup, the husband is Samoan, but born in NZ and raised in the States. Guess what he does for a living? He is a Conceptual Design Artist for Major Motion Pictures. He's worked on some of the new movies coming out like The Mummy 3 and Hancock, and a bunch more. He was way cool to talk to. Then they asked what other areas I served in and I had to tell them, and they got all excited and wanted to know all about it because they're planning on taking a trip next year to Samoa.
So, I'm taking the time to get it all out right now and let you write back [and] chastise me, yada, yada, and I can refocus.
Then we had dinner with an amazing family. The Tualatamalelagi's. Yup, the husband is Samoan, but born in NZ and raised in the States. Guess what he does for a living? He is a Conceptual Design Artist for Major Motion Pictures. He's worked on some of the new movies coming out like The Mummy 3 and Hancock, and a bunch more. He was way cool to talk to. Then they asked what other areas I served in and I had to tell them, and they got all excited and wanted to know all about it because they're planning on taking a trip next year to Samoa.
So, I'm taking the time to get it all out right now and let you write back [and] chastise me, yada, yada, and I can refocus.
The good thing is, I love this work too much and feel so blessed to let anything else get in the way. There is so much more to do and so little time to do it. As long as I'm careful and always watch my thoughts, everything will turn out fine. Thanks for the continued love and support.
Love,
Elder Freeman
~~~~~~~~~~
Mom's reply:
Perhaps my letter may be of use. not to chastise but to focus. The gospel is true, I know beyond all doubt you are doing the Lord's work, that for which you are uniquely qualified. You are doing what is right for this time in your life, but if you had no thoughts of next year, I'd expect you to be brain-dead. You are eager to step off into the great beyond. You're supposed to be. It's what young people do.
It's understandable that you feel this tug to get on with your life. Of the truth, I feel the tug for you myself and have been making enough plans for your next year that you would run away screaming if I told you. So, whenever you feel the pull, just think, Argh! My mom's got my future all planned out for me. I can't think about it!! I'll never go home! That should do the trick quite nicely.
All my love and prayers,
mom
Monday, July 14, 2008
Missionary Work is Hard~New Companion
From: Elder Andrushka Sent: July 14th, 2008
It sounds like the family had a blast! I will be there for the 2010 reunion.
Well the missionary work is hard. I have realized how the prophets felt as they went out to declare repentance and the people didn’t want to hear. I love standing in the places that I get experience and understanding of this gospel.
We had a baptism fall through this week and I felt heart broken. The work of the Lord is tough. It takes all mental, physical and spiritual day to day giving all that you have. I have come to realize through all the experiences, what kind of person I want to be.
We are still working with 2 great families that have been progressing very well.
My new companion’s name is Elder Flores M. He is awesome. He has been on his mission for 20 months. I will be learning a lot from him.
Well, love and miss all! I LOVE my FAMILY!
Elder Pearce
It sounds like the family had a blast! I will be there for the 2010 reunion.
Well the missionary work is hard. I have realized how the prophets felt as they went out to declare repentance and the people didn’t want to hear. I love standing in the places that I get experience and understanding of this gospel.
We had a baptism fall through this week and I felt heart broken. The work of the Lord is tough. It takes all mental, physical and spiritual day to day giving all that you have. I have come to realize through all the experiences, what kind of person I want to be.
We are still working with 2 great families that have been progressing very well.
My new companion’s name is Elder Flores M. He is awesome. He has been on his mission for 20 months. I will be learning a lot from him.
Well, love and miss all! I LOVE my FAMILY!
Elder Pearce
Great News! Family Baptism
From Elder Andrushka Sent: July 7th 2008
Well, great news!
The family that was watching TV got baptized this week. It was sad because my comp got transferred right as they decided to get baptized. It was one of the best learning experiences. I hope all my baptisms are like this. I have never felt such a strong spirit in the baptism. I knew they had the desire to be clean and a new formed family. They did everything we taught them.
Going into the baptism they were fasting. I have come to care for this family a lot. The mom got the call to be the first counselor in the Relief Society. They are an amazing family with great faith. What a great opportunity I have to be the instrument in my Father’s hands to bring them the great news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I have a new comp. He has been on his mission for 20 months. It is weird going from teaching all of the sudden to learning. I know my Heavenly Father loves me. I am so grateful to be on my mission. I love every single one of you and hope that you will have fun on the trip.
Love you Mom & Dad.
Well, great news!
The family that was watching TV got baptized this week. It was sad because my comp got transferred right as they decided to get baptized. It was one of the best learning experiences. I hope all my baptisms are like this. I have never felt such a strong spirit in the baptism. I knew they had the desire to be clean and a new formed family. They did everything we taught them.
Going into the baptism they were fasting. I have come to care for this family a lot. The mom got the call to be the first counselor in the Relief Society. They are an amazing family with great faith. What a great opportunity I have to be the instrument in my Father’s hands to bring them the great news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I have a new comp. He has been on his mission for 20 months. It is weird going from teaching all of the sudden to learning. I know my Heavenly Father loves me. I am so grateful to be on my mission. I love every single one of you and hope that you will have fun on the trip.
Love you Mom & Dad.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
A Sure Foundation
From Elder Paul Freeman, dated July 9, 2008
Dear Mom,
Things are going great. Although, it seems as if the opposition is heating up. Two days ago we had a challenging encounter. My companion and I resolved to tract a certain street. As soon as we stepped out of the car we met a gentleman who was getting ready to change his oil filter. He immediately asked if he was on our "list". We reassured him our meeting was simple coincidental and ask if he had visited with missionaries before. He said they visited him but discontinued on account of disagreements.
That should have been my first clue, but he continued to talk about what he knew about the church and said how some people viewed it as a cult. I asked him if he sympathised with that view and he said he did. That should have been my second clue.
Well, I guess I'll spare you the gory details, but when it came down to it, he was the last person we needed to talk to that day. You should know that I'm the last person who would get in a heated argument about the gospel. It means too much to me. I never argued and there were things that man said that he should have been rebuked for, but I didn't. He was so far off base he couldn't begin to fathom the significance of personal revelation. He even argued that Jesus Christ said that there would be no additional scripture after the Bible. We reminded him of course that the Bible as it exists today did not exist in the Savior's time.
He was sure to compliment our sincerity, but was very specific and deliberate when he told us that "you are wrong". He denied my personal testimony and claimed it as a preprogrammed response. Of all the things I could have said and done, I wished him well and offered free labor before leaving.
The next day I read last year's conference talk from Elder Ballard on the importance of personal revelation. Such sweet peace and comfort has entered into my heart knowing that I have built my life on the foundation that Jesus Christ Himself said would never fail. Of course it's not fun to have to test it, but it hasn't failed me yet and if hell itself should combine against me, it will all be as chaff in the wind.
I am preaching this gospel because the God of Heaven has chosen me for this work and there isn't a man alive that can tear me from it. I will continue to fear God more than man because I know this is His work. It has never been easy, but that's not going to stop me.
Thank you for all your support mom.
Dear Mom,
Things are going great. Although, it seems as if the opposition is heating up. Two days ago we had a challenging encounter. My companion and I resolved to tract a certain street. As soon as we stepped out of the car we met a gentleman who was getting ready to change his oil filter. He immediately asked if he was on our "list". We reassured him our meeting was simple coincidental and ask if he had visited with missionaries before. He said they visited him but discontinued on account of disagreements.
That should have been my first clue, but he continued to talk about what he knew about the church and said how some people viewed it as a cult. I asked him if he sympathised with that view and he said he did. That should have been my second clue.
Well, I guess I'll spare you the gory details, but when it came down to it, he was the last person we needed to talk to that day. You should know that I'm the last person who would get in a heated argument about the gospel. It means too much to me. I never argued and there were things that man said that he should have been rebuked for, but I didn't. He was so far off base he couldn't begin to fathom the significance of personal revelation. He even argued that Jesus Christ said that there would be no additional scripture after the Bible. We reminded him of course that the Bible as it exists today did not exist in the Savior's time.
He was sure to compliment our sincerity, but was very specific and deliberate when he told us that "you are wrong". He denied my personal testimony and claimed it as a preprogrammed response. Of all the things I could have said and done, I wished him well and offered free labor before leaving.
The next day I read last year's conference talk from Elder Ballard on the importance of personal revelation. Such sweet peace and comfort has entered into my heart knowing that I have built my life on the foundation that Jesus Christ Himself said would never fail. Of course it's not fun to have to test it, but it hasn't failed me yet and if hell itself should combine against me, it will all be as chaff in the wind.
I am preaching this gospel because the God of Heaven has chosen me for this work and there isn't a man alive that can tear me from it. I will continue to fear God more than man because I know this is His work. It has never been easy, but that's not going to stop me.
Thank you for all your support mom.
Love,
Elder Freeman
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Steadfast and Immovable in the Gospel
From Elder Paul Freeman, dated July 2, 2008
Dear Mom,
Dear Mom,
Thanks for all your amazing letters. You never need to worry about them being too long. You're the only one who ever writes me, and my companion always wonders why I spend so little time on the computer.
Thanks for those links from uncle Alan. I'm sure they will be useful. It makes it easier for us too. I had no idea how I would be able to figure out what he was talking about. But, like you said it may not add up to much unless he is willing to humble himself and receive a witness of the Holy Ghost. I've known that for a while now, but it never ceases to amaze me how extremely vital it is.
Especially now, more than ever, it seems like we've been facing greater and greater opposition. People we've never met before will come right out directly and boldly tell us how we are wrong and teaching false doctrine. And to be honest, it can be upsetting. Many missionaries will challenge it then and there and pretty much pick a fight. I know that never accomplishes anything, and I usually just let it go and move on to the next person. But, for a while now I've wanted to be more direct and more bold, and the tricky part is not to come off over-bearing.
This morning I was reading when Alma and Amulek were teaching the people and they really laid into the people. Now I know I'm no Alma nor Amulek, but I have just as much right to defend the truth. I don't have to argue and I don't have to get angry. I just can't let people whom I've never met and don't know me to challenge my integrity as a witness of the Savior and His Church. I've also noticed the General Authorities being bolder in conference talks. I know I can follow their example and be steadfast and immovable in the Gospel I know and love. You're a great example mom and I love you very much.
Thanks for those links from uncle Alan. I'm sure they will be useful. It makes it easier for us too. I had no idea how I would be able to figure out what he was talking about. But, like you said it may not add up to much unless he is willing to humble himself and receive a witness of the Holy Ghost. I've known that for a while now, but it never ceases to amaze me how extremely vital it is.
Especially now, more than ever, it seems like we've been facing greater and greater opposition. People we've never met before will come right out directly and boldly tell us how we are wrong and teaching false doctrine. And to be honest, it can be upsetting. Many missionaries will challenge it then and there and pretty much pick a fight. I know that never accomplishes anything, and I usually just let it go and move on to the next person. But, for a while now I've wanted to be more direct and more bold, and the tricky part is not to come off over-bearing.
This morning I was reading when Alma and Amulek were teaching the people and they really laid into the people. Now I know I'm no Alma nor Amulek, but I have just as much right to defend the truth. I don't have to argue and I don't have to get angry. I just can't let people whom I've never met and don't know me to challenge my integrity as a witness of the Savior and His Church. I've also noticed the General Authorities being bolder in conference talks. I know I can follow their example and be steadfast and immovable in the Gospel I know and love. You're a great example mom and I love you very much.
Love,
Elder Freeman
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
I Love Teaching People
From Elder Andrushka Dated June 26, 2008
I hope you are all getting my letters.
This week has been amazing. We worked so hard to finish all our goals. We had many investigators come to church which means they are ready to be baptized.
This week we have some baptisms lined up. The work of our Heavenly Father is just rolling as the Spirit touches the people’s lives. It is humbling to be learning each day something new. It is humbling to be in the gospel. It is hard work to be working with people but the reward is each day you go to bed tired. You know you gave it all you could.
There are some times you pour your love out and the people reject it. Times like that you can understand how our Savior felt. Also our Heavenly Father showing and showing His love and many reject it. How blessed I am to be learning all these things on my mission. I love teaching people. I love exhorting. I love testifying.
I have come to know that this gospel is true. That this is His work. The families we find, the people we teach are given as responsibility to us to nurture and help them.
The Juarez family I think will be going for next week if all is well. We have to teach them with the Spirit to help them progress. I will let you know next week how all went with them.
Well, hope all is well at home. I haven’t heard much. I love each and every one of you.
Elder Pearce
I hope you are all getting my letters.
This week has been amazing. We worked so hard to finish all our goals. We had many investigators come to church which means they are ready to be baptized.
This week we have some baptisms lined up. The work of our Heavenly Father is just rolling as the Spirit touches the people’s lives. It is humbling to be learning each day something new. It is humbling to be in the gospel. It is hard work to be working with people but the reward is each day you go to bed tired. You know you gave it all you could.
There are some times you pour your love out and the people reject it. Times like that you can understand how our Savior felt. Also our Heavenly Father showing and showing His love and many reject it. How blessed I am to be learning all these things on my mission. I love teaching people. I love exhorting. I love testifying.
I have come to know that this gospel is true. That this is His work. The families we find, the people we teach are given as responsibility to us to nurture and help them.
The Juarez family I think will be going for next week if all is well. We have to teach them with the Spirit to help them progress. I will let you know next week how all went with them.
Well, hope all is well at home. I haven’t heard much. I love each and every one of you.
Elder Pearce
Developing Our Potential
From Elder Andrushka Dated June 30, 2008
Dear Family,
As always it sounds like a lot is going on at home. From working to serving.
This week we changed the baptism. As I was thinking much about the family I had a revelation that they needed one more visit from the members. We will be inviting and setting up a visit with them. Their names are Briselda Rosario y Naydi. They are one of the most amazing families I have met in Nicaragua. As soon as we taught them, they were praying together as a family and reading what we would leave with them. They know they have so much more to learn. They participate and love church. So this week we will be talking about this Wednesday. (Setting baptism date?)
We are also preparing the Juarez family a little bit longer so they will have a true conversion.
I have really realized I am here to establish the church of Jesus Christ. The more time I serve, the more I understand in what manner my Father in Heaven wants me to carry out the work here. I have come to really love this area and the people. We have a lot of people that we are working with and coming to church. Love the mission work. I have been working harder and harder and am becoming a better servant of the Lord. I love reading Ensigns and learning about the apostles lives. I get ideas of what kind of values I want to develop in my life. The next step is to put them into action. I know that each one of our potentials is great here on earth. May we all see the potential we have. May we put into each day a little more effort into developing our values and serving more.
I love you all. (Hope that you can understand my English) My comps name is Elder Ramirez and he is a very outstanding missionary. I was blessed with such a great companion this change. With him this change has flown by. He also has gotten me to laugh a little.
Elder Pearce
Dear Family,
As always it sounds like a lot is going on at home. From working to serving.
This week we changed the baptism. As I was thinking much about the family I had a revelation that they needed one more visit from the members. We will be inviting and setting up a visit with them. Their names are Briselda Rosario y Naydi. They are one of the most amazing families I have met in Nicaragua. As soon as we taught them, they were praying together as a family and reading what we would leave with them. They know they have so much more to learn. They participate and love church. So this week we will be talking about this Wednesday. (Setting baptism date?)
We are also preparing the Juarez family a little bit longer so they will have a true conversion.
I have really realized I am here to establish the church of Jesus Christ. The more time I serve, the more I understand in what manner my Father in Heaven wants me to carry out the work here. I have come to really love this area and the people. We have a lot of people that we are working with and coming to church. Love the mission work. I have been working harder and harder and am becoming a better servant of the Lord. I love reading Ensigns and learning about the apostles lives. I get ideas of what kind of values I want to develop in my life. The next step is to put them into action. I know that each one of our potentials is great here on earth. May we all see the potential we have. May we put into each day a little more effort into developing our values and serving more.
I love you all. (Hope that you can understand my English) My comps name is Elder Ramirez and he is a very outstanding missionary. I was blessed with such a great companion this change. With him this change has flown by. He also has gotten me to laugh a little.
Elder Pearce
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Witness of the Holy Ghost
Sent by Elder Paul Freeman, dated June 25, 2008
Dear Mom,Things are going really great. We're working like crazy. We've got the names of just about everyone who lives in this city and we're trying to contact them all. Well, that's what it feels like.
Our area book has pages and pages of people who talked to the missionaries before [ [and] showed at least some degree of interest, and my companion and I are now trying to follow up with them all. When we contact them, we try teaching them a little more and setting up a return appointment. Those who show interest are kept on the list and hopefully we have an appointment to go back. Those who aren't interested are dropped. Most of the time they're never home and when that happens we knock on their neighbors' doors and find more people to teach. It's a huge change of pace from the Samoan ward where there is virtually no teaching pool and no finding pool. The tricky part now is getting all these people to progress and keep their commitments.
One lady we started teaching is a great prospect. She told us how she had been moving around from church to church and has never really been satisfied. We set up an appointment and it turns out even her son was excited enough to remind her and help tidy up the house before we came. We had an awesome discussion and she opened up a lot and we committed her to read the Book of Mormon and come to church. Well, she never made it out to church, but we have a return appointment for tomorrow.
At the same time, we are trying to follow up with former investigators. We went to one house where the lady had studied with the missionaries before and she seemed really excited to see us. We sat down with her and her husband it started off pretty good. She asked us why we were members of our church. It was a great opportunity to bear sincere testimony. Her husband is a really nice guy and a very smooth talker. We in turn asked why she had discontinued the lessons with the missionaries. Evidently, she had concerns about Joseph Smith and how man cannot see God and live. We referenced Exodus where Moses spoke face to face with God.
Her husband politely voiced his disagreement, with further scriptural reference reconfirming man's inability to behold the face of our Creator. He also made mention of material he had found on the Internet that was incongruous with the teaching of the Church, and cited references from Brigham Young and John Taylor. Both Prophets' remarks were said to have denied the First Vision. We told him we knew of no such references but if he were to provide them we would be more than willing to investigate the matter further. He said his research was over a year ago and said he didn't have the references on hand but could provide them on a return appointment. So, we scheduled to return tomorrow.
He was more polite than most people who present anti-Mormon ideas, and kept reassuring us that he was not challenging our faith but was simply turned off by these seeming incongruities. I referred to the Book of Mathew Chapter 16 and recited the story of Peter testifying to the Savior that he knew He was the Son of God, in attempt to show this former investigator that testimony of truth does not come from the effort of reason. I tried to tell him that truth only comes from the witness of the Holy Ghost. I'll have to let you know how the rest turns out. If he is sincere and accepts the answers we give, then we can go back. If he continues to choose to believe the Internet over the power of the Holy Ghost, well, then there's no reason to go back.
In the meantime, there are plenty of people who are willing to learn more. It's a wonderful work with wonderful things happening and I'm loving every minute of it. Thank you so much, Mom, for you and Dad making this all possible. You probably will never fully realize the effects all this will have, but know that it is all possible because you are a part.
Our area book has pages and pages of people who talked to the missionaries before [ [and] showed at least some degree of interest, and my companion and I are now trying to follow up with them all. When we contact them, we try teaching them a little more and setting up a return appointment. Those who show interest are kept on the list and hopefully we have an appointment to go back. Those who aren't interested are dropped. Most of the time they're never home and when that happens we knock on their neighbors' doors and find more people to teach. It's a huge change of pace from the Samoan ward where there is virtually no teaching pool and no finding pool. The tricky part now is getting all these people to progress and keep their commitments.
One lady we started teaching is a great prospect. She told us how she had been moving around from church to church and has never really been satisfied. We set up an appointment and it turns out even her son was excited enough to remind her and help tidy up the house before we came. We had an awesome discussion and she opened up a lot and we committed her to read the Book of Mormon and come to church. Well, she never made it out to church, but we have a return appointment for tomorrow.
At the same time, we are trying to follow up with former investigators. We went to one house where the lady had studied with the missionaries before and she seemed really excited to see us. We sat down with her and her husband it started off pretty good. She asked us why we were members of our church. It was a great opportunity to bear sincere testimony. Her husband is a really nice guy and a very smooth talker. We in turn asked why she had discontinued the lessons with the missionaries. Evidently, she had concerns about Joseph Smith and how man cannot see God and live. We referenced Exodus where Moses spoke face to face with God.
Her husband politely voiced his disagreement, with further scriptural reference reconfirming man's inability to behold the face of our Creator. He also made mention of material he had found on the Internet that was incongruous with the teaching of the Church, and cited references from Brigham Young and John Taylor. Both Prophets' remarks were said to have denied the First Vision. We told him we knew of no such references but if he were to provide them we would be more than willing to investigate the matter further. He said his research was over a year ago and said he didn't have the references on hand but could provide them on a return appointment. So, we scheduled to return tomorrow.
He was more polite than most people who present anti-Mormon ideas, and kept reassuring us that he was not challenging our faith but was simply turned off by these seeming incongruities. I referred to the Book of Mathew Chapter 16 and recited the story of Peter testifying to the Savior that he knew He was the Son of God, in attempt to show this former investigator that testimony of truth does not come from the effort of reason. I tried to tell him that truth only comes from the witness of the Holy Ghost. I'll have to let you know how the rest turns out. If he is sincere and accepts the answers we give, then we can go back. If he continues to choose to believe the Internet over the power of the Holy Ghost, well, then there's no reason to go back.
In the meantime, there are plenty of people who are willing to learn more. It's a wonderful work with wonderful things happening and I'm loving every minute of it. Thank you so much, Mom, for you and Dad making this all possible. You probably will never fully realize the effects all this will have, but know that it is all possible because you are a part.
Love,
Elder Freeman
Coming Unto the Lord
From Elder BJ Bernards, dated June 23, 2008
Dear Family,
Holy Cow we just finished a great week! I am way tired so I am sorry if I sound tired this week and make it short. We had some great things happen and know that the hand of the Lord is over us. The greatest thing that happened is that an investigator called us up and said that he wants us to baptise him!! We set him a date last night and we are going to visit him every day this week and get him going to church and help him to climb the ladder.
We soft set Peggy this week. For the first time she came over to a members house to take a lesson and she received everything really well. I could see in her eyes as she listened to the Spirit that she had a great desire to be baptised and to overcome the challenges in her life right now, but she is still not ready and needs more work and we are committed to it and love her. Hopefully, we will keep on rounding up these investigators and get them solid and progressing and stretching towards baptism. I have been learning so much about doing this work that I never knew I never knew and it is great to serve around diligent and hard-working Elders.
Oh yeh. I almost forgot! I got to baptize Shannon this last week! She had such a glow in her face and a light in her eye as a few close friends gathered together to witness her big step in coming to the Lord. It was a sweet spirit to be involved in her conversion process, and I hope to stay in touch with her. Sydney Bently who is a recent convert out in North Platte wrote and told me that a bunch of her friends are taking the missionary lessons and her best friend is getting baptised in July! She says the spirit is rocking North Platte.
I got to do some baptismal interviews this week and it was such a pleasure and an honor to visit and learn about these great new members of the Lord's kingdom.
I love the gospel and love the church and love the doctrines and love the scriptures. I know that My Redeemer lives, His name is Jesus Christ, and He is my master.
Love,
Elder Bernards
Dear Family,
Holy Cow we just finished a great week! I am way tired so I am sorry if I sound tired this week and make it short. We had some great things happen and know that the hand of the Lord is over us. The greatest thing that happened is that an investigator called us up and said that he wants us to baptise him!! We set him a date last night and we are going to visit him every day this week and get him going to church and help him to climb the ladder.
We soft set Peggy this week. For the first time she came over to a members house to take a lesson and she received everything really well. I could see in her eyes as she listened to the Spirit that she had a great desire to be baptised and to overcome the challenges in her life right now, but she is still not ready and needs more work and we are committed to it and love her. Hopefully, we will keep on rounding up these investigators and get them solid and progressing and stretching towards baptism. I have been learning so much about doing this work that I never knew I never knew and it is great to serve around diligent and hard-working Elders.
Oh yeh. I almost forgot! I got to baptize Shannon this last week! She had such a glow in her face and a light in her eye as a few close friends gathered together to witness her big step in coming to the Lord. It was a sweet spirit to be involved in her conversion process, and I hope to stay in touch with her. Sydney Bently who is a recent convert out in North Platte wrote and told me that a bunch of her friends are taking the missionary lessons and her best friend is getting baptised in July! She says the spirit is rocking North Platte.
I got to do some baptismal interviews this week and it was such a pleasure and an honor to visit and learn about these great new members of the Lord's kingdom.
I love the gospel and love the church and love the doctrines and love the scriptures. I know that My Redeemer lives, His name is Jesus Christ, and He is my master.
Love,
Elder Bernards
Friday, June 20, 2008
Training a New Companion
From Elder Andrey Pearce May 27, 2008
I can’t believe how much is going on at home. I will miss Gramma a lot. I know I will be seeing her one day. I never thought so much would change while I am on my mission. I hope all is well at home. I will be praying for the family.
Well, this last week I got my greenie companion. I will be training him. I am so excited to be training. His name is Elder Ramirez. He is from Panama. He is a really good missionary, ready to go and learn everything.
I have been having fun finding my way around the city of Leon. My Heavenly Father just keeps on blessing me. There are days I can feel the Spirit so strong. I know He is guiding me. I am excited to see miracles in Nicaragua.
We have three main families we are working with. One we found this week and they’re really positive. They are the Juarez family. I know that we were guided to them.
We have been working with a man who’s name is Roberto. He stopped progressing. We went back to find him and found the family. They’re all excited to go to church. The mom and all the kids.
Oh, I heard an update from the Martinez family. The dad holds the priesthood and he has the responsibility of blessing the sacrament and they assist each Sunday. I am so happy to hear that they’re doing so well.
Well, the work goes on. I have come to realize it’s the work of God and we are here. I am excited to learn new things and watching the miracles of God come into this work. I love this work with all my heart.
Elder Pearce
I can’t believe how much is going on at home. I will miss Gramma a lot. I know I will be seeing her one day. I never thought so much would change while I am on my mission. I hope all is well at home. I will be praying for the family.
Well, this last week I got my greenie companion. I will be training him. I am so excited to be training. His name is Elder Ramirez. He is from Panama. He is a really good missionary, ready to go and learn everything.
I have been having fun finding my way around the city of Leon. My Heavenly Father just keeps on blessing me. There are days I can feel the Spirit so strong. I know He is guiding me. I am excited to see miracles in Nicaragua.
We have three main families we are working with. One we found this week and they’re really positive. They are the Juarez family. I know that we were guided to them.
We have been working with a man who’s name is Roberto. He stopped progressing. We went back to find him and found the family. They’re all excited to go to church. The mom and all the kids.
Oh, I heard an update from the Martinez family. The dad holds the priesthood and he has the responsibility of blessing the sacrament and they assist each Sunday. I am so happy to hear that they’re doing so well.
Well, the work goes on. I have come to realize it’s the work of God and we are here. I am excited to learn new things and watching the miracles of God come into this work. I love this work with all my heart.
Elder Pearce
Teaching Families
From Elder Andrey Pearce June 16, 2008
Well, well, well,
The mission work goes on this week. We had some bumps in the road. The best part of the mission is that you find how to make the best of everything and keep loving the people that you work with.
This Sunday the Juarez family didn’t go to church but we stopped by with 4 members and sang them a hymn.
Oh, we also found another family this week. As we entered their house we could feel the spirit and what an amazing family they are. As we passed by we saw this family sitting there watching TV. We turned around and went back. We entered and taught them with the spirit what a family is.
They couldn’t understand why we were there and what made us want to teach them. I know they felt the spirit and that they will progress.
The ones that I told you about who prayed and we came to the door, they went to church this week and loved it. We will be inviting them to have a goal of baptism.
This week we went down to Managua to play soccer. We had the opportunity to play with the president.
Happy Father’s Day!!! I love you Dad. I am glad to have such a father who is an example to me in all things. I couldn’t have prayed to have a better dad. I have learned so much from you. Love and miss you. The memories that I have are always doing activities with you. The time, the love that you spent on me. I am the most grateful for every second that you sacrificed for me. Love you Dad!
Well, well, well,
The mission work goes on this week. We had some bumps in the road. The best part of the mission is that you find how to make the best of everything and keep loving the people that you work with.
This Sunday the Juarez family didn’t go to church but we stopped by with 4 members and sang them a hymn.
Oh, we also found another family this week. As we entered their house we could feel the spirit and what an amazing family they are. As we passed by we saw this family sitting there watching TV. We turned around and went back. We entered and taught them with the spirit what a family is.
They couldn’t understand why we were there and what made us want to teach them. I know they felt the spirit and that they will progress.
The ones that I told you about who prayed and we came to the door, they went to church this week and loved it. We will be inviting them to have a goal of baptism.
This week we went down to Managua to play soccer. We had the opportunity to play with the president.
Happy Father’s Day!!! I love you Dad. I am glad to have such a father who is an example to me in all things. I couldn’t have prayed to have a better dad. I have learned so much from you. Love and miss you. The memories that I have are always doing activities with you. The time, the love that you spent on me. I am the most grateful for every second that you sacrificed for me. Love you Dad!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Gospel Foundation & Carissa
From Elder Andrey Pearce May 05, 08
Dear Family,
All is well over here. I feel a lot better. I hope that none of you are worried about me. I have come to realize to trust my Father in Heaven. He has always guided me in my life. The thing that helped me the most about Carissa is talking to my Heavenly Father about it. As always He reassures my heart that all is well.
I would like to start out with something I have come to realize in the 8 months I have been on my mission. I have to realize what I needed in life is the foundation of the gospel. In my life I have studied the gospel but not until I came out here did I start to realize what I was most missing is the foundation.
Once you have the foundation you start to put everything together,. Then you start seeing that foundation in the scriptures, in the prophets and apostles lives and you are reassured
that this is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It helps me realize what this world really is and what I really need to do. I am so glad to be sharing this gospel with my brothers and sisters. The Lord has blessed my alot in the knowledge of the gospel. I can’t wait for the rest of my two years.
The work is just rolling along great. We have been working with the bishop and his counselor getting a relationship of trust so that we can work with him. They have been really great. The excitement to work here is picking up. We had a dad and his son get baptized. The dad also received the priesthood and a calling to bless the sacrament. His name is Fransisco and he is 42 years old. He has a special spirit. We could feel the spirit strong with him and the desire to change life and realize that this is the Church of Jesus Christ.
My companion has two weeks left on his mission so I am keeping the two of us working. I am so blessed that the Lord saw fit for me to serve here. I am so blessed in all that he guides me and helps me. There are days that I can feel his love around me. Like there is an army of angels walking with me. I know that this is the Church of Jesus Christ. I have had a reassurance of that throughout my life. I know that I am a son of God and my potential is great.
I love you all. Hope and pray that all is well at home. May we never forget our Final Destination of Exaltation.
Love,
Elder Pearce
Dear Family,
All is well over here. I feel a lot better. I hope that none of you are worried about me. I have come to realize to trust my Father in Heaven. He has always guided me in my life. The thing that helped me the most about Carissa is talking to my Heavenly Father about it. As always He reassures my heart that all is well.
I would like to start out with something I have come to realize in the 8 months I have been on my mission. I have to realize what I needed in life is the foundation of the gospel. In my life I have studied the gospel but not until I came out here did I start to realize what I was most missing is the foundation.
Once you have the foundation you start to put everything together,. Then you start seeing that foundation in the scriptures, in the prophets and apostles lives and you are reassured
that this is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It helps me realize what this world really is and what I really need to do. I am so glad to be sharing this gospel with my brothers and sisters. The Lord has blessed my alot in the knowledge of the gospel. I can’t wait for the rest of my two years.
The work is just rolling along great. We have been working with the bishop and his counselor getting a relationship of trust so that we can work with him. They have been really great. The excitement to work here is picking up. We had a dad and his son get baptized. The dad also received the priesthood and a calling to bless the sacrament. His name is Fransisco and he is 42 years old. He has a special spirit. We could feel the spirit strong with him and the desire to change life and realize that this is the Church of Jesus Christ.
My companion has two weeks left on his mission so I am keeping the two of us working. I am so blessed that the Lord saw fit for me to serve here. I am so blessed in all that he guides me and helps me. There are days that I can feel his love around me. Like there is an army of angels walking with me. I know that this is the Church of Jesus Christ. I have had a reassurance of that throughout my life. I know that I am a son of God and my potential is great.
I love you all. Hope and pray that all is well at home. May we never forget our Final Destination of Exaltation.
Love,
Elder Pearce
Praying for God's Servants
From Elder Andy Pearce June 9, 08
Dear Family,
Well, I won’t write much, I don’t feel too great. I have a cold or something.
This week was amazing! I know that for our efforts we were blessed. Hermana Aurora Bautizo and Fransisco received the Melchizedic priesthood. He also got to baptize Aurora. She is excited and wants to be Mormon. Hahah! She took a friend to church that has talked to missionaries before but never progressed and is now ready to progress. We are also starting to work with Aurora and Fransisco’s other kids, Alex and his sister.
This week many mercies happened. The Juarez family went to church, got to know the bishop, so they are progressing well. We found a grandma with her daughter that has a daughter. They have been talking to missionaries in Costa Rica for awhile and also didn’t progress. We went back on Sunday to invite them and she told me that the moment we showed up she was praying to know what church is true and to send her servants. That moment we knocked on the door so she has a testimony of this church.
This ward is lighting fire with the missionary work. I hope that I have at least three more months here. We are working with 6 families. We have been guided to lots of people that have talked to missionaries before, went to church, but just didn’t progress after that. We will be working really hard.
I have been feeling a little weak for a couple of weeks so I hope I will get better health. I love you all and hope you can understand my English and my excitement for this work as it picks up.
Elder Pearce
Dear Family,
Well, I won’t write much, I don’t feel too great. I have a cold or something.
This week was amazing! I know that for our efforts we were blessed. Hermana Aurora Bautizo and Fransisco received the Melchizedic priesthood. He also got to baptize Aurora. She is excited and wants to be Mormon. Hahah! She took a friend to church that has talked to missionaries before but never progressed and is now ready to progress. We are also starting to work with Aurora and Fransisco’s other kids, Alex and his sister.
This week many mercies happened. The Juarez family went to church, got to know the bishop, so they are progressing well. We found a grandma with her daughter that has a daughter. They have been talking to missionaries in Costa Rica for awhile and also didn’t progress. We went back on Sunday to invite them and she told me that the moment we showed up she was praying to know what church is true and to send her servants. That moment we knocked on the door so she has a testimony of this church.
This ward is lighting fire with the missionary work. I hope that I have at least three more months here. We are working with 6 families. We have been guided to lots of people that have talked to missionaries before, went to church, but just didn’t progress after that. We will be working really hard.
I have been feeling a little weak for a couple of weeks so I hope I will get better health. I love you all and hope you can understand my English and my excitement for this work as it picks up.
Elder Pearce
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
The Blessings of Obedience
From Elder Paul Freeman, dated June 18, 2008
Dear Mom,
Everything is going really well. I'm getting adjusted to the new area and it's pretty fun. I've almost forgotten the excitement of being completely unfamiliar with an area and its people. My companion is really cool and helps a lot. We've got a lot of names of people that have been contacted before by the missionaries and we have to follow up with all of them. I guess it's a pretty big area for the regular English wards. There are a lot of less active and part member families. In fact it used to be two wards but one of them got dissolved into the other. The active members are really great though. We are trying to familiarize them with Preach My Gospel, so they can go out and find people for us to teach.
Yesterday, we had zone conference and half the time they talked about being healthy. They emphasized diet and exercise. It really is something I need to focus on. I've gained about 30 lbs since my mission and the cloths aren't fitting anymore. It'll be easier in the palangi ward I just need to focus and be determined. I've got into a habit of stuffing my face at dinners to make the people happy, but the cost was far too great. I've already been taking small steps to get back into better habits, but I've got to step up my game if I want to see any results.
Anyway, I'm glad to hear Adam's house is going up well. That's really exciting, especially considering how the economy is going. We talk to so many people who are having a hard time. It kinda makes the future look a little dim, but I've always been able to rely on the awesome examples my brothers set. Dallas and Lynda getting married is another one. We work with so many people who cant be baptized because they're not married. Maybe there's a correlation. Everyone should just get married and we should see what happens to the economy. That's just my crazy on-the-spot idea.
This transfer we're focusing on Joseph Smith and all the truths that have been restored through him to benefit all mankind. Marriage and strong family values are definitely at the top. I'm so grateful to have such a wonderful family that has exposed me to all of that. I'll always remember it, and I love being able to use that when I teach.
Thanks for everything mom.
This transfer we're focusing on Joseph Smith and all the truths that have been restored through him to benefit all mankind. Marriage and strong family values are definitely at the top. I'm so grateful to have such a wonderful family that has exposed me to all of that. I'll always remember it, and I love being able to use that when I teach.
Thanks for everything mom.
Love,
Elder Freeman
Transfers
From Elder Paul Freeman, dated June 11, 2008
Dear Mom,
Gmail acted up today, so I revert to my back up. Hopefully you get it anyway.
So, believe it or not I've been transferred out of the Samoan Wards. It's been a pretty big change. I haven't been in a new area for over seven months and I've been used to being able to travel pretty much anywhere in the mission. But, fortunately they stuck me someplace I never been before, Ontario. My new companion's name is Elder Goodwin and he's from San Antonio. He's already been here a transfer and knows the area pretty well.
Being in a palangi ward is a lot different from being in a Samoan Ward. For one it's a lot harder to impress the palangis. All I had to do with the Samoans is chat it up a little in Samoan and they're amazed. Samoans are generally a lot more relaxed and I'm used to the culture. I know I should be used to palangi culture, but its funny how almost foreign it seems. Another funny thing, we have dinner tonight with the Freeman family. I have no idea who they are, but it sure was weird hearing my companion calling up our dinner appointment and asking for Sister Freeman. They'll get a kick out of it I'm sure.
I'm looking forward to at least two transfers here and rumor has it that they'll send me back for my last transfer. I really am excited for this last stretch. I guess President Sanchez talked to Salt Lake and they're working on getting my release date fixed, so I'll keep you updated on everything.
Thanks again Mom for all the wonderful things you do.
Love,
Elder Freeman
Dear Mom,
Gmail acted up today, so I revert to my back up. Hopefully you get it anyway.
So, believe it or not I've been transferred out of the Samoan Wards. It's been a pretty big change. I haven't been in a new area for over seven months and I've been used to being able to travel pretty much anywhere in the mission. But, fortunately they stuck me someplace I never been before, Ontario. My new companion's name is Elder Goodwin and he's from San Antonio. He's already been here a transfer and knows the area pretty well.
Being in a palangi ward is a lot different from being in a Samoan Ward. For one it's a lot harder to impress the palangis. All I had to do with the Samoans is chat it up a little in Samoan and they're amazed. Samoans are generally a lot more relaxed and I'm used to the culture. I know I should be used to palangi culture, but its funny how almost foreign it seems. Another funny thing, we have dinner tonight with the Freeman family. I have no idea who they are, but it sure was weird hearing my companion calling up our dinner appointment and asking for Sister Freeman. They'll get a kick out of it I'm sure.
I'm looking forward to at least two transfers here and rumor has it that they'll send me back for my last transfer. I really am excited for this last stretch. I guess President Sanchez talked to Salt Lake and they're working on getting my release date fixed, so I'll keep you updated on everything.
Thanks again Mom for all the wonderful things you do.
Love,
Elder Freeman
The Gate
From Elder Paul Freeman, dated June 4, 2008
Love,
Elder Freeman
Dear Mom,
It truly was a week to remember. We spent most of the week preparing the family for baptism. It was straight up crazy. We had to pretty much pull everything together last minute. But it all worked out and many prayers have been answered.
The service was packed. We didn't expect so many people. Some people had to sit out in the hall. I had forgotten how nerve-wracking baptisms can be, and by the end of it I was pretty spent. All the stress had got to me and I was somewhat disappointed when we went home that night. But the next day at Sacrament Meeting we got to confirm them. After that I was flying pretty high. I knew what the family did was right and everything had worked out.
We had been through quite a bit with this family. It'll be the last thing I forget about my mission. There were times where we were struggling pretty bad trying to figure what they need and what would help them the most. There were other times when the Spirit was strong as ever. Now, they are the newest members of the ward and have the greatest potential. I want to come back in a year and see how they turned out.
The Gospel is designed to bring us closer to our Heavenly Father and our Savior. It is also designed to bring us closer to one another. The more people realize that, the more zealous they will be about being obedient to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. I'm more grateful than ever to know this. I can look back and see what wonderful things it has done for our family and I truly can testify to other with greater power.
Thank you mom for everything that you do. I really wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for you and Dad.
The service was packed. We didn't expect so many people. Some people had to sit out in the hall. I had forgotten how nerve-wracking baptisms can be, and by the end of it I was pretty spent. All the stress had got to me and I was somewhat disappointed when we went home that night. But the next day at Sacrament Meeting we got to confirm them. After that I was flying pretty high. I knew what the family did was right and everything had worked out.
We had been through quite a bit with this family. It'll be the last thing I forget about my mission. There were times where we were struggling pretty bad trying to figure what they need and what would help them the most. There were other times when the Spirit was strong as ever. Now, they are the newest members of the ward and have the greatest potential. I want to come back in a year and see how they turned out.
The Gospel is designed to bring us closer to our Heavenly Father and our Savior. It is also designed to bring us closer to one another. The more people realize that, the more zealous they will be about being obedient to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. I'm more grateful than ever to know this. I can look back and see what wonderful things it has done for our family and I truly can testify to other with greater power.
Thank you mom for everything that you do. I really wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for you and Dad.
Love,
Elder Freeman
"Going for a Swim"
From Elder Paul Freeman, Dated May 28, 2008
Dear Mom,
Dear Mom,
It's been a good week. That family of 6 we've been working with had sucessful interviews yesterday and everything is set for their baptism on Saturday. It's the most exciting thing that's happend in a long time. It's the end of the transfer as well, so things will all wrap up pretty nicely. Rumor has it I will be getting transfered. I guess the office is still working on my release date. As much as I love this work and I know I'll miss it dearly, I don't think it'll work staying out an extra two months. I'll continue to follow up with President Sanchez and find out what's going on.
Thanks for the email. It wouldn't show me the pictures from Facebook. It just showed me the message and said there was other stuff it couldn't show me because it was private or something. But, it's good to hear that everything [a wedding open house] worked out all right. Everything is going just fine over here. I look forward to pounding out the last five months.
Thanks for your continued love and support.
Thanks for your continued love and support.
Love,
Elder Freeman
Saolatoga
From Elder Paul Freeman, dated May 21, 2008
Elder Freeman
Dear Mom,
So many wonderful things have been happening. We are preparing a family for baptism. The tricky part is that the two oldest children aren't excited about being baptized.
In the Samoan culture, the head of the household determines the fate of the entire family. Brother Young, the father, really wants all of his family to be baptized at the same time, and we are thinking that the kids don't feel like they have a choice. We've been trying to figure it out for a while, how we can help Brother Young understand that no one will be forced into the kingdom of Heaven. It's difficult for us because we are young, but we asked our Bishop to visit him and talk to him about it.
The children are really very bright and have understood everything we've taught. Elder Hafoka and I figure that the only way they will really find out if it's true and commit to act on it is if the decision is entirely up to them. If the father and mother are baptized without them and begin to progress in the gospel, the children can then decide for themselves if they want to follow the example. The most difficult part will be the parents letting them go and choose for themselves, because there is always that possibility they won't choose the right.
Well, that's the whole point of this Plan then, isn't it. I'm grateful that I was never forced. I remember long ago when I was given the choice and just now realize the affect that had on the rest of my life. Thanks for having the faith that I would choose the right. Thanks again for everything else that you do.
In the Samoan culture, the head of the household determines the fate of the entire family. Brother Young, the father, really wants all of his family to be baptized at the same time, and we are thinking that the kids don't feel like they have a choice. We've been trying to figure it out for a while, how we can help Brother Young understand that no one will be forced into the kingdom of Heaven. It's difficult for us because we are young, but we asked our Bishop to visit him and talk to him about it.
The children are really very bright and have understood everything we've taught. Elder Hafoka and I figure that the only way they will really find out if it's true and commit to act on it is if the decision is entirely up to them. If the father and mother are baptized without them and begin to progress in the gospel, the children can then decide for themselves if they want to follow the example. The most difficult part will be the parents letting them go and choose for themselves, because there is always that possibility they won't choose the right.
Well, that's the whole point of this Plan then, isn't it. I'm grateful that I was never forced. I remember long ago when I was given the choice and just now realize the affect that had on the rest of my life. Thanks for having the faith that I would choose the right. Thanks again for everything else that you do.
Love,
Elder Freeman
The Field Is White
From Elder Paul Freeman, dated May 14, 2008
Thanks again mom, for everything.
Love,
Elder Freeman
Dear Mom,
Thanks again for the emails and the pictures. I always enjoy seeing what goes on with the family. I was surprised to talk to Alora and Aaron on Sunday. They're growing up so fast.
Thanks also for the advice, I value it a great deal. I'm excited for what the future has to bring, I'm sure you well remember I always have been. But, of course, my future back home won't come for another five months and in the meantime there are dozens of people who need to be baptized. We are actually working with an entire family of 6 who are being prepared to be baptized on the 31st of May. They're all Samoan and their last name is Young. We've been teaching them for a while and hope they will be well prepared.
Being in the Samoan wards here has been such a blessing. There's a little over three weeks left in the transfer and I fear it may be my last in this area. But, whatever happens it will be for the best. I remember what President Tolman said before I was sent back out, and I realize there was a much greater purpose for me to be reassigned here.
I think I share the sentiment of most missionaries when I say this experience has done far more good for me than I could have ever done for someone else. I marvel at the tender mercies given to us by such a loving Heavenly Father, and recognize my purpose is simply to call others to attention of the same in their own lives.
Lately, our appointments with the investigators of our own area have been falling through. So, we resort to street contacting in hopes of finding people for other missionaries to teach. It reminds me also of something else President Tolman said, that I was not set apart as just missionary for a particular mission, but for anywhere. Yesterday, we were blessed to teach 10 lessons and provide 2 solid referrals for our mission. It's my testimony that with a little preparation and following the guidance of the spirit, wonderful things are possible.
Thanks also for the advice, I value it a great deal. I'm excited for what the future has to bring, I'm sure you well remember I always have been. But, of course, my future back home won't come for another five months and in the meantime there are dozens of people who need to be baptized. We are actually working with an entire family of 6 who are being prepared to be baptized on the 31st of May. They're all Samoan and their last name is Young. We've been teaching them for a while and hope they will be well prepared.
Being in the Samoan wards here has been such a blessing. There's a little over three weeks left in the transfer and I fear it may be my last in this area. But, whatever happens it will be for the best. I remember what President Tolman said before I was sent back out, and I realize there was a much greater purpose for me to be reassigned here.
I think I share the sentiment of most missionaries when I say this experience has done far more good for me than I could have ever done for someone else. I marvel at the tender mercies given to us by such a loving Heavenly Father, and recognize my purpose is simply to call others to attention of the same in their own lives.
Lately, our appointments with the investigators of our own area have been falling through. So, we resort to street contacting in hopes of finding people for other missionaries to teach. It reminds me also of something else President Tolman said, that I was not set apart as just missionary for a particular mission, but for anywhere. Yesterday, we were blessed to teach 10 lessons and provide 2 solid referrals for our mission. It's my testimony that with a little preparation and following the guidance of the spirit, wonderful things are possible.
Thanks again mom, for everything.
Love,
Elder Freeman
In Samoan we say "Faalavelave"
From Elder Paul Freeman, dated April 30, 2008 [four days prior to his brother's wedding]
Dear Mom,
Dear Mom,
Thanks for the letters and pictures. Everything is going well. I really don't know how crazy everything will be for you over the weekend. I can only imagine you running around trying to make everyone as comfortable and happy as possible. You really are a champ. I do regret not being able to be there. I'm certain Adam has his hands full as it is, and Dallas isn't going to be of any help, so I am sorry I cannot be there. Just hold out for the next week and everything should be downhill from there. I also hope you and Dad find all the happiness to make it worth while.
Mothers' Day is coming up in a couple of weeks and you can get me the real scoop on how it all went down. Send the family my love.
Love,
Elder Freeman
p.s. "Faalavelave" means a big interruption of daily life that lasts for days, like weddings and funerals.
Joy & Blessings Through Living the Gospel
From Elder Paul Freeman, dated April 23, 2008
love,
Elder Freeman
Dear Family,
This will be the 4th transfer and 6th month serving here in the Samoan wards. I hope to hold out until the end of my mission, another 7 months and 5 transfers, give or take. It all depends on which transfer I choose to go home. At least I think it's my choice. My call says I am anticipated to serve 25 October 06 to 25 October 08. I should be able to choose from the transfer that ends in early October or the transfer that ends in mid November. I'm leaning to November, but am not convinced yet, which is fine because they haven't asked me yet. The only reason I ask is because I want to be ready for when they do ask me. So, if there is any advice or events being planned, please let me know.
But as far as everything else goes, the work still goes on. We are in an exciting time in the history of the world. I can't think of any other time in the world when the gospel has been so wide-spread and so many people are enjoying the blessings it brings. Lately I've been studying the scattering and gathering of Israel and the promises the Lord made to them. Those promises are echoed in everything we do as missionaries, as members of the Church, and as children of our Heavenly Father. The Lord keeps those promises as a standard to live up to, and if we don't he can't follow through and we are no better than when we started.
So many people feel trapped in the lives they lead and can't seem to find their way out. Only the Gospel and its standards can give people the fresh start they need to improve lives. When we are obedient to its laws and ordinances, we have such a tremendous advantage. We can become new people every day, until the day we are called up to answer for they way we spent our time here on earth.
It may feel complicated and impossible, but if the Savior taught anything it was how simple it is. All we have to do is follow Him, and take his yoke upon us because his burden is light. The more people understand that and remember it the more happiness there is to be found in our daily life [and] more understanding for the things we have to suffer through, and a deeper appreciation for what he had to suffer through.
The gospel is great and Heavenly Fathers love is infinite. Thank all of you for your continued love and support.
So many people feel trapped in the lives they lead and can't seem to find their way out. Only the Gospel and its standards can give people the fresh start they need to improve lives. When we are obedient to its laws and ordinances, we have such a tremendous advantage. We can become new people every day, until the day we are called up to answer for they way we spent our time here on earth.
It may feel complicated and impossible, but if the Savior taught anything it was how simple it is. All we have to do is follow Him, and take his yoke upon us because his burden is light. The more people understand that and remember it the more happiness there is to be found in our daily life [and] more understanding for the things we have to suffer through, and a deeper appreciation for what he had to suffer through.
The gospel is great and Heavenly Fathers love is infinite. Thank all of you for your continued love and support.
love,
Elder Freeman
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
New Area
From Elder Andrushka sent April 21st 2008
Dear Family,
This week was great! We had 11 people come to church and 2 got married and baptized. What a priviledge it was to hlep this family to get married and baptized. I loved when each came out of the water. They had the biggest smile on their face.
I know that this week the Lord helped us a lot. I could just feel his love as this struggling week went by. We really got to work getting to know the bishop and the counselors. I am excited to start working. The attendence is really down. It's 66 without the investigators. So I am looking forward to working towards our goal of 150.
This week was a little stressful as I got to know my new area and all the changes (This was the week that we called and told Elder Andrushka that Carissa had passed away).
I hope all is well at home. I love you all and will write more next week.
Elder Pearce
Dear Family,
This week was great! We had 11 people come to church and 2 got married and baptized. What a priviledge it was to hlep this family to get married and baptized. I loved when each came out of the water. They had the biggest smile on their face.
I know that this week the Lord helped us a lot. I could just feel his love as this struggling week went by. We really got to work getting to know the bishop and the counselors. I am excited to start working. The attendence is really down. It's 66 without the investigators. So I am looking forward to working towards our goal of 150.
This week was a little stressful as I got to know my new area and all the changes (This was the week that we called and told Elder Andrushka that Carissa had passed away).
I hope all is well at home. I love you all and will write more next week.
Elder Pearce
Working With Families
From Elder Andrushka sent April 28,2008
Dear Family,
I am so glad to hear that Carissa’s funeral was very good. I wish I could have been there. I am sure I will get to hear all about it.
Well, about this week: I got sick but pushed through to work. I have gotten to know the members in the ward. I am very excited to work on helping many members to return to this ward.
We are doing an activity as a mission to have the members write their testimonies and give a Book of Morman to a friend, then ask them if the missionaries could come by. Our ward is doing great with missionary work.
Conan and Rosa, the ones we just got baptized are excited to work. We went with them to Conan’s mom’s house and shared a message with them. He wants to start helping his family to find the true church.
The people are amazing here. So humble and ready for the gospel. I hope to get better so I can come back and put my whole effort in. We have 2 families that we are working with. The Saenz family went to church this week and scheduled one appointment with us to return. I love when the people get touched by the spirit and they start to work for a testimony.
The other family is called Aguerr. They are progressing. We are working a lot with the dad. We hope to start teaching the whole family.
Our plan is to put a lot of work in helping the members of this ward. We are thinking of activities to put them in action. I will let you know how that all goes.
My companion is doing really well for leaving in 3 weeks to go hoe. Love having talks with him.
We are also working with Francisco and he has a really strong testimony of the Gospel. He will be getting baptized in the next two weeks. He has been looking for awhile now. He feels like he has found the church of Christ.
I love this work with all my heart. It’s not the easiest but I love it. The harder it gets, the more I look forward to it. I love my Savior Jesus Christ. I am so grateful to be helping people to find the peace and joy. I think back to the time I was looking for peace and joy that gives me the boost that I need to work.
Love,
Elder Pearce
Dear Family,
I am so glad to hear that Carissa’s funeral was very good. I wish I could have been there. I am sure I will get to hear all about it.
Well, about this week: I got sick but pushed through to work. I have gotten to know the members in the ward. I am very excited to work on helping many members to return to this ward.
We are doing an activity as a mission to have the members write their testimonies and give a Book of Morman to a friend, then ask them if the missionaries could come by. Our ward is doing great with missionary work.
Conan and Rosa, the ones we just got baptized are excited to work. We went with them to Conan’s mom’s house and shared a message with them. He wants to start helping his family to find the true church.
The people are amazing here. So humble and ready for the gospel. I hope to get better so I can come back and put my whole effort in. We have 2 families that we are working with. The Saenz family went to church this week and scheduled one appointment with us to return. I love when the people get touched by the spirit and they start to work for a testimony.
The other family is called Aguerr. They are progressing. We are working a lot with the dad. We hope to start teaching the whole family.
Our plan is to put a lot of work in helping the members of this ward. We are thinking of activities to put them in action. I will let you know how that all goes.
My companion is doing really well for leaving in 3 weeks to go hoe. Love having talks with him.
We are also working with Francisco and he has a really strong testimony of the Gospel. He will be getting baptized in the next two weeks. He has been looking for awhile now. He feels like he has found the church of Christ.
I love this work with all my heart. It’s not the easiest but I love it. The harder it gets, the more I look forward to it. I love my Savior Jesus Christ. I am so grateful to be helping people to find the peace and joy. I think back to the time I was looking for peace and joy that gives me the boost that I need to work.
Love,
Elder Pearce
Thursday, April 10, 2008
From Elder BJ Bernards, dated April 7, 2008
Dear Family,
I had a great week this week.
We were able to teach Shannon like two or three times with members. We set her a date for baptism and she is going for it! She has been reading and praying and completely open for anything we give to her. Last time we taught her we committed her to obey the Word of Wisdom. She has been smoking since she was 14 years old and she is 34 now and has only quit for nine months when she had her babies.
She came to a session of General Conference and liked it and was able to connect well with a couple of sermons.
I loved Conference and was able to connect with a couple of sermons too. I loved the one about testimony and how we gain it in the bearing of it. I also loved the one by Jeffery R. Holland about Revelation. Basically, we got to use those things in talking to people that same night! Tons of people [throw] that out against us, but what the funny thing [it]is that people are soooo lazy these days they don't even need to read or understand the Bible, but just let the [pastors] or priests tell them what to believe and they'll stick to that regardless of what the Bible says. It's kind of like the situation in the dark ages with dominating churches that ruled with a tyrannical fist, but this time people are willingly letting themselves drift with out fighting back or choosing to be enlightened. They are content with beer, beef, and cheep cable TV. MMMM BEEF
We got to do a service project for a nice lady who was sooo amazed and grateful that we would help her so much for nothing, so she loaded us up with Omaha Steaks. MMMMMM Beef! We turned her over to the Sisters in her area and hope and pray for the best to happen. I am confident that it will since she told us that she was so moved and touched by what happened and when she told us, we felt the Spirit confirm to us and her that God loves her soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much and [she] wants to feel loved and supported and to do the right thing. She told allll of her friends that worked at Omaha Steak about us and we were able to rub shoulders with them (literally) as we moved her large and heavy furniture up three flights of stairs.
Speaking of moving, we were also able to help some members of the ward move houses this week too. They had my comp and I clear out their huge freezers that were packed with beef MMMMM Beeeeefff! and we soooo tenderly maneuvered it up the tiny narrow stairways without scraping the walls. It was a miracle.
This upcoming week I get the awesome opportunity to meet [Elder] Marlin K. Jensen of the Seventy and hear him teach at Zone Conference. I am soooo stoked! He is one of my favorites! Boo ya ka sha! The Church is true!
I love my comp. He is Elder Sperry and like a brother to me. We get along great and work hard together.
We made a goal last night that we were going to find a new investigator and we focused on that all day long and worked really hard amidst the slammed doors and angry people. Towards the end of the night, the sun was set, the cold northern wind howling, I asked my companion a redundant question but one also directed to myself, " Are we going to find a new investigator?" We felt the Spirit. We had just told the members who fed us that we were going to and felt confident then as we said a prayer with them that we were.
I strengthened my resolve and knocked on the next door. We found a man who was nice and receptive, since it was the night time we didn't ask to come in but taught him on his door step of Joseph Smith and Our Lord Jesus Christ. We testified of the Book of Mormon being scripture and the wonder and miracle of its emergence. He felt the Spirit and committed to read and pray and have us come back with his member neighbor who turned out to live two doors down!
As we walked away I was screaming and yelling in triumph and my comp shooshed me in fear that our new friend might have heard me.
I didn't care. I love the Gospel. I love missionary work. I am stoked that I get to go out tonight and teach more of the people I love so much. I love them because I feel how much Jesus loves me, and I love them because I feel the tremendous blessings only the restored Gospel can bring. I love them because I have a duty to them, to teach with all my heart, might, mind and strength.
I hope to be worthy and stand before God and account before Him what I have done with His time and His resources and His talents He has given to me.
I invite all of you to exercise all of your faith and have the Lord lead you to His Children that He has prepared for you, and the ones He has prepared you for. I testify that all of us are needed in these last days. The Brethren and leaders of the church have given direction. We are to double convert baptisms. Be bold and study Preach My Gospel. No other manual that I know has soo many true points of missionary doctrine that if applied will generate success. It is inspired and divine in its scope and direction. It will guide you in your missionary efforts as it has mine.
This Tuesday, I am going on an exchange with Elder Parks who is from American Fork. I actually was in the same marching band with him back when I was in 9th grade. He has older bro's and sis' so maybe you know them. Anyway. It turns out that Dad's cousin lives in his area and we are going Tuesday to talk to them. I am going to call them tonight and see if we could set up a time with them. I am soo stoked. The ward they are in is one of the best wards in Omaha and on fire with missionary work. I am happy to see them any way to meet more of my family.
Cool story Hansel.
I love you all.
Stay safe and read your scriptures!
Love Elder Bernards
Dear Family,
I had a great week this week.
We were able to teach Shannon like two or three times with members. We set her a date for baptism and she is going for it! She has been reading and praying and completely open for anything we give to her. Last time we taught her we committed her to obey the Word of Wisdom. She has been smoking since she was 14 years old and she is 34 now and has only quit for nine months when she had her babies.
She came to a session of General Conference and liked it and was able to connect well with a couple of sermons.
I loved Conference and was able to connect with a couple of sermons too. I loved the one about testimony and how we gain it in the bearing of it. I also loved the one by Jeffery R. Holland about Revelation. Basically, we got to use those things in talking to people that same night! Tons of people [throw] that out against us, but what the funny thing [it]is that people are soooo lazy these days they don't even need to read or understand the Bible, but just let the [pastors] or priests tell them what to believe and they'll stick to that regardless of what the Bible says. It's kind of like the situation in the dark ages with dominating churches that ruled with a tyrannical fist, but this time people are willingly letting themselves drift with out fighting back or choosing to be enlightened. They are content with beer, beef, and cheep cable TV. MMMM BEEF
We got to do a service project for a nice lady who was sooo amazed and grateful that we would help her so much for nothing, so she loaded us up with Omaha Steaks. MMMMMM Beef! We turned her over to the Sisters in her area and hope and pray for the best to happen. I am confident that it will since she told us that she was so moved and touched by what happened and when she told us, we felt the Spirit confirm to us and her that God loves her soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much and [she] wants to feel loved and supported and to do the right thing. She told allll of her friends that worked at Omaha Steak about us and we were able to rub shoulders with them (literally) as we moved her large and heavy furniture up three flights of stairs.
Speaking of moving, we were also able to help some members of the ward move houses this week too. They had my comp and I clear out their huge freezers that were packed with beef MMMMM Beeeeefff! and we soooo tenderly maneuvered it up the tiny narrow stairways without scraping the walls. It was a miracle.
This upcoming week I get the awesome opportunity to meet [Elder] Marlin K. Jensen of the Seventy and hear him teach at Zone Conference. I am soooo stoked! He is one of my favorites! Boo ya ka sha! The Church is true!
I love my comp. He is Elder Sperry and like a brother to me. We get along great and work hard together.
We made a goal last night that we were going to find a new investigator and we focused on that all day long and worked really hard amidst the slammed doors and angry people. Towards the end of the night, the sun was set, the cold northern wind howling, I asked my companion a redundant question but one also directed to myself, " Are we going to find a new investigator?" We felt the Spirit. We had just told the members who fed us that we were going to and felt confident then as we said a prayer with them that we were.
I strengthened my resolve and knocked on the next door. We found a man who was nice and receptive, since it was the night time we didn't ask to come in but taught him on his door step of Joseph Smith and Our Lord Jesus Christ. We testified of the Book of Mormon being scripture and the wonder and miracle of its emergence. He felt the Spirit and committed to read and pray and have us come back with his member neighbor who turned out to live two doors down!
As we walked away I was screaming and yelling in triumph and my comp shooshed me in fear that our new friend might have heard me.
I didn't care. I love the Gospel. I love missionary work. I am stoked that I get to go out tonight and teach more of the people I love so much. I love them because I feel how much Jesus loves me, and I love them because I feel the tremendous blessings only the restored Gospel can bring. I love them because I have a duty to them, to teach with all my heart, might, mind and strength.
I hope to be worthy and stand before God and account before Him what I have done with His time and His resources and His talents He has given to me.
I invite all of you to exercise all of your faith and have the Lord lead you to His Children that He has prepared for you, and the ones He has prepared you for. I testify that all of us are needed in these last days. The Brethren and leaders of the church have given direction. We are to double convert baptisms. Be bold and study Preach My Gospel. No other manual that I know has soo many true points of missionary doctrine that if applied will generate success. It is inspired and divine in its scope and direction. It will guide you in your missionary efforts as it has mine.
This Tuesday, I am going on an exchange with Elder Parks who is from American Fork. I actually was in the same marching band with him back when I was in 9th grade. He has older bro's and sis' so maybe you know them. Anyway. It turns out that Dad's cousin lives in his area and we are going Tuesday to talk to them. I am going to call them tonight and see if we could set up a time with them. I am soo stoked. The ward they are in is one of the best wards in Omaha and on fire with missionary work. I am happy to see them any way to meet more of my family.
Cool story Hansel.
I love you all.
Stay safe and read your scriptures!
Love Elder Bernards
Missionaries' Advocate
From Elder Paul Freeman, dated April 9, 2008
Love,
Elder Freeman
Dear Family,
This past weekend was probably the best conference I've been to, just like President Monson said. Our Stake center was filled with missionaries for all the sessions. The most popular talks among us were, of course, Elder Bednar and Elder Holland. The missionaries all but stood up and cheered to hear those things come over the conference pulpit. When Elder Bednar spoke of how every member should be focused on finding people for the missionaries to teach, there were a lot of excited missionaries.
After a few fist pumps of my own, it struck me how much more pressure that really puts on us as missionaries. Especially, when the members go through so much effort to find, they are going to want results from the missionaries. Of course we are equipped with everything we need to teach the basics of the restored gospel, and we are better trained in following the Spirit than past generations, but that doesn't mean every single person the members find are waiting to get wet. But for now, we don't have much to worry about. For the past month we've had but one member referral.
After a few fist pumps of my own, it struck me how much more pressure that really puts on us as missionaries. Especially, when the members go through so much effort to find, they are going to want results from the missionaries. Of course we are equipped with everything we need to teach the basics of the restored gospel, and we are better trained in following the Spirit than past generations, but that doesn't mean every single person the members find are waiting to get wet. But for now, we don't have much to worry about. For the past month we've had but one member referral.
We finally gave up all of the people we are teaching in Hipseria and Victorville to the English elders. They've got all the teaching appointments from here on out, and will end up leading all of them into the waters of baptism. Of course, I'm most grateful for the opportunity we had to find them and get them progressing, but now it feels like we're back to square one: a thimble-size teaching pool and a finding pool of people who have already made up their mind to not listen to the missionaries.
To top all that off, we updated our report on all the Samoan people up in Hisperia and Victorville. This time we included more background and the needs these people are facing. The idea is to get the leadership in all the English units to jump on all these problems and help these people out. I hope I fed enough information into the report to catch the eye of Stake presidents and bishops. With the change in our area, our workload has doubled and doesn't give us time to face these other problems that are such a far distance off. These Samoan people have been neglected for far too long and somebody needs to do something about it are they'll all go astray. It needs to be taken care of one way or the other. If the English units can't do it, they will need a unit of their own.
Other than that, not much is changing. We got to go to the temple this morning, and had a wonderful experience. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. Know that the Lord's hand is in all things.
Love,
Elder Freeman
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Balancing Act
From Elder Paul Freeman, dated April 2, 2008
April 2, 2008
Dear Family,
Sorry, Mom, but I can’t seem to find the cable to hook my camera up to the computer to upload pictures. Elder Hafoka helped me out this morning by taking the pictures, but I couldn’t find the cable this morning. I may have to just send the whole card home in the mail, or get my hands on a card reader and upload pictures next week. Now that I think about it, you should get the card reader and I’ll just send the card home so you could get it before next week. I’ll send it out today even though the card isn’t completely full. It was funny how many pictures we had to take. My companion was trying to get it framed just right and I was worried about the silly looks on my face. You should be happy with at least one of them.*
Anyway, this week was pretty good. We’re trying to strike the right balance of where to focus our efforts. Sometimes, it feels like [we’re] spending too much time with one ward and not enough time with the other. At the same time we’re trying to figure out what to do with all of our investigators up in Victorville and Hisperia. They are all Samoan but don’t speak the language and could benefit a lot from being taught by the missionaries in the English wards. The only thing is, they don’t seem too excited when we talked about it. Even the other missionaries don’t seem to know how to handle it. We’ll end up talking about it with President Sanchez at interviews and he will help sort things out.
In the meantime a lot of neat things are happing down in the Valley. There are plenty of people to teach, especially with both wards combined. The only problem is each ward doesn’t want to have to share missionaries. The hard thing is that missionaries have a rough time finding effective things to do [that] directly affect the ward. Theoretically, you could tract a street in hopes of finding a Samoan to teach, but it’s not going to happen. So, we pretty much operate on member referrals and previous contacts. Any other finding we do usually doesn’t add to our teaching pool.
Everything has a purpose and it will all work out. Elder Hafoka and I are doing everything that we can to progress the work in this area and hopefully it will pay off sometime soon. Thanks for all of your support. Especially the letters. I update you on more next week.
Love,
Elder Freeman
* Editor's note: Elder Freeman refers to pictures requested which we will use to establish a presence at his brother's upcoming wedding.
April 2, 2008
Dear Family,
Sorry, Mom, but I can’t seem to find the cable to hook my camera up to the computer to upload pictures. Elder Hafoka helped me out this morning by taking the pictures, but I couldn’t find the cable this morning. I may have to just send the whole card home in the mail, or get my hands on a card reader and upload pictures next week. Now that I think about it, you should get the card reader and I’ll just send the card home so you could get it before next week. I’ll send it out today even though the card isn’t completely full. It was funny how many pictures we had to take. My companion was trying to get it framed just right and I was worried about the silly looks on my face. You should be happy with at least one of them.*
Anyway, this week was pretty good. We’re trying to strike the right balance of where to focus our efforts. Sometimes, it feels like [we’re] spending too much time with one ward and not enough time with the other. At the same time we’re trying to figure out what to do with all of our investigators up in Victorville and Hisperia. They are all Samoan but don’t speak the language and could benefit a lot from being taught by the missionaries in the English wards. The only thing is, they don’t seem too excited when we talked about it. Even the other missionaries don’t seem to know how to handle it. We’ll end up talking about it with President Sanchez at interviews and he will help sort things out.
In the meantime a lot of neat things are happing down in the Valley. There are plenty of people to teach, especially with both wards combined. The only problem is each ward doesn’t want to have to share missionaries. The hard thing is that missionaries have a rough time finding effective things to do [that] directly affect the ward. Theoretically, you could tract a street in hopes of finding a Samoan to teach, but it’s not going to happen. So, we pretty much operate on member referrals and previous contacts. Any other finding we do usually doesn’t add to our teaching pool.
Everything has a purpose and it will all work out. Elder Hafoka and I are doing everything that we can to progress the work in this area and hopefully it will pay off sometime soon. Thanks for all of your support. Especially the letters. I update you on more next week.
Love,
Elder Freeman
* Editor's note: Elder Freeman refers to pictures requested which we will use to establish a presence at his brother's upcoming wedding.
Laborers Are Few
From Elder Paul Freeman, dated March 27, 2008
Dear Family,
First, Thank you, Mom, for emailing me. It really is the highlight of my week. As always I don’t really appreciate what I have until it’s hundreds of miles away. I love to hear about everything that goes on at home. Good, bad, happy, tragic and everything in-between, I want to hear about. Now it seems like everything is going pretty good.
I [am] happy to report that good things are happening here. Last week was transfers and my good Samoan companion was transferred far away to Apple Valley. Well, it would be far if we didn’t cover the entire mission.
There have been other interesting developments. If you recall at the end of last year I was serving with my half-Samoan/half-New-Zealander friend, Elder Ah Wong, and we covered both Samoan wards, the big one and the small one. Then, they split our area and I got my Samoan companion, Elder Leiato, and I served with him in only the big Samoan ward and Ah Wong got his new companion and they served in the small ward. Elder Ah Wong went home in February and was replaced by Elder Hafoka. Last week they took away his companion and they took away my companion and now we are companions and cover both wards again.
That’s been a pretty big change. Before, when we only covered one ward we had enough time to spend up in the Hisperia/Victorville area. Now, both bishops are concerned about sharing missionaries again and are also concerned with how much time we spend up in the desert.
So, for all intents and purposes, it’s like covering [two] wards and a branch. The branch hasn’t been formed yet, but is desperately needed. It’s only a matter of convincing either the Area Presidency or the First Presidency.
We’ve been compiling a list of neglected Samoans in the Hisperia/Victorville area for the past [four] months and President Sanchez said he sent copies straight to Salt Lake and to the Area Authority and even all the Stake Presidents involved. We have even been teaching several Samoan families in Hisperia, but since they only really speak English they will end up being baptized in the English wards, so unfortunately we’re in the process of giving them up to the other missionaries in the English wards. That will cut our teaching pool in half, and take away a lot of baptisms, but it will give us more time to focus on the wards down here.
It seems like everyone is just waiting for approval of a Samoan unit in the Victorville/ Hisperia area, and everyone is so convinced that it will solve all the problems, and it very well may. My only concern is that while everyone is waiting, the lost sheep will get even more lost, and by the time they choose a sheep herder they can understand, they will be too far gone away from the Shepherd.
At times it feel like we’re walking on thin ice. All we want to focus on as missionaries is bringing people into the gospel. But, with the instability up in the Victorville/Hisperia area it’s very difficult to do that. The support is structured for a different language and a different culture, and the support we do have that can cater to their needs is too far away. So we either trust in the Palangi ward and stake leadership to serve their needs or we do everything we can and try our hardest not to step on anyone’s toes.
President Sanchez says if anything does happen, it won’t be for a long time, maybe next fall. Until then, we’ll continue to do our best and accomplish all that is asked of us. That way when all is said and done we can be held guiltless.
Thank you all for your continued love and support. I pray the best for all of you.
Love,
Elder Freeman
Dear Family,
First, Thank you, Mom, for emailing me. It really is the highlight of my week. As always I don’t really appreciate what I have until it’s hundreds of miles away. I love to hear about everything that goes on at home. Good, bad, happy, tragic and everything in-between, I want to hear about. Now it seems like everything is going pretty good.
I [am] happy to report that good things are happening here. Last week was transfers and my good Samoan companion was transferred far away to Apple Valley. Well, it would be far if we didn’t cover the entire mission.
There have been other interesting developments. If you recall at the end of last year I was serving with my half-Samoan/half-New-Zealander friend, Elder Ah Wong, and we covered both Samoan wards, the big one and the small one. Then, they split our area and I got my Samoan companion, Elder Leiato, and I served with him in only the big Samoan ward and Ah Wong got his new companion and they served in the small ward. Elder Ah Wong went home in February and was replaced by Elder Hafoka. Last week they took away his companion and they took away my companion and now we are companions and cover both wards again.
That’s been a pretty big change. Before, when we only covered one ward we had enough time to spend up in the Hisperia/Victorville area. Now, both bishops are concerned about sharing missionaries again and are also concerned with how much time we spend up in the desert.
So, for all intents and purposes, it’s like covering [two] wards and a branch. The branch hasn’t been formed yet, but is desperately needed. It’s only a matter of convincing either the Area Presidency or the First Presidency.
We’ve been compiling a list of neglected Samoans in the Hisperia/Victorville area for the past [four] months and President Sanchez said he sent copies straight to Salt Lake and to the Area Authority and even all the Stake Presidents involved. We have even been teaching several Samoan families in Hisperia, but since they only really speak English they will end up being baptized in the English wards, so unfortunately we’re in the process of giving them up to the other missionaries in the English wards. That will cut our teaching pool in half, and take away a lot of baptisms, but it will give us more time to focus on the wards down here.
It seems like everyone is just waiting for approval of a Samoan unit in the Victorville/ Hisperia area, and everyone is so convinced that it will solve all the problems, and it very well may. My only concern is that while everyone is waiting, the lost sheep will get even more lost, and by the time they choose a sheep herder they can understand, they will be too far gone away from the Shepherd.
At times it feel like we’re walking on thin ice. All we want to focus on as missionaries is bringing people into the gospel. But, with the instability up in the Victorville/Hisperia area it’s very difficult to do that. The support is structured for a different language and a different culture, and the support we do have that can cater to their needs is too far away. So we either trust in the Palangi ward and stake leadership to serve their needs or we do everything we can and try our hardest not to step on anyone’s toes.
President Sanchez says if anything does happen, it won’t be for a long time, maybe next fall. Until then, we’ll continue to do our best and accomplish all that is asked of us. That way when all is said and done we can be held guiltless.
Thank you all for your continued love and support. I pray the best for all of you.
Love,
Elder Freeman
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Families taking steps towards baptism
From Elder Andrushka Dated 03/18/03
Dear Mom, Dad and the Family,
What a week it has been with ups and downs. All the experiences have been stressful. Well, this week to sum up some things because I don’t have much time and it’s late, I have had changes and a new companion who’s name is Elder Grayson. He is from Louisiana. I will write about him some more in my next letter as I find out more.
We married the Lopez family who are Pedro and Gema. People here don’t really have parties for weddings but they did. As missionaries we could not be there. We found out that the plans changed and the families that were getting married decided to do it at the same time. So, the whole morning we were running back and forth making sure all was well..
The Lopez family was all well. I am more than happy that they made the decision to not drink or provide alcohol at their wedding so they are progressing well. We are hoping that they will get baptized this week.
The other family is one family that I have come to love a lot. The Martinez family started out with their plumbing breaking in the morning. We went over and dug a hole and started to work on it, then ran back to the other family. We got back and the lawyer who was going to marry them needed more papers so we sent him in a taxi to go work on the papers. We pushed the wedding back to 7 p.m. when it was supposed to be at 4 p.m. So we went out to contact and work.
We got back at 7 and the lawyer (?) judge (?) Justice of the Peace (?) was not there. So we went to his house and he was waiting for the light to come back to iron his shirt. Then we made it to the house where the wedding was being held. We started with a prayer and he had a little advice and they signed the papers. It came to be my time to give a little speech. I had been praying all day to have the Spirit fill my mind with what to say. As I stood up I had them face each other while I had a Book Of Mormon in my hands.
I told them to look in each others eyes and remember the first time they said hi. The first time they went on a date, the many memories that had together. I told them that they needed to remember this moment all their lives. Then I had the husband read a scripture about charity from the Book of Mormon. They promised to have charity in their lives.
I could never imagine in my life of having the chance to share a moment like that As I stood in front of them I realized I could add to people’s lives and their experience or I could let the time just pass me by. I know with out a doubt that the Spirit filled my heart and my thoughts with what to say and what to do.
I am doing great! Thanks for all your prayers. I hope that you all can understand my English.
Love,
Elder Pearce.
Dear Mom, Dad and the Family,
What a week it has been with ups and downs. All the experiences have been stressful. Well, this week to sum up some things because I don’t have much time and it’s late, I have had changes and a new companion who’s name is Elder Grayson. He is from Louisiana. I will write about him some more in my next letter as I find out more.
We married the Lopez family who are Pedro and Gema. People here don’t really have parties for weddings but they did. As missionaries we could not be there. We found out that the plans changed and the families that were getting married decided to do it at the same time. So, the whole morning we were running back and forth making sure all was well..
The Lopez family was all well. I am more than happy that they made the decision to not drink or provide alcohol at their wedding so they are progressing well. We are hoping that they will get baptized this week.
The other family is one family that I have come to love a lot. The Martinez family started out with their plumbing breaking in the morning. We went over and dug a hole and started to work on it, then ran back to the other family. We got back and the lawyer who was going to marry them needed more papers so we sent him in a taxi to go work on the papers. We pushed the wedding back to 7 p.m. when it was supposed to be at 4 p.m. So we went out to contact and work.
We got back at 7 and the lawyer (?) judge (?) Justice of the Peace (?) was not there. So we went to his house and he was waiting for the light to come back to iron his shirt. Then we made it to the house where the wedding was being held. We started with a prayer and he had a little advice and they signed the papers. It came to be my time to give a little speech. I had been praying all day to have the Spirit fill my mind with what to say. As I stood up I had them face each other while I had a Book Of Mormon in my hands.
I told them to look in each others eyes and remember the first time they said hi. The first time they went on a date, the many memories that had together. I told them that they needed to remember this moment all their lives. Then I had the husband read a scripture about charity from the Book of Mormon. They promised to have charity in their lives.
I could never imagine in my life of having the chance to share a moment like that As I stood in front of them I realized I could add to people’s lives and their experience or I could let the time just pass me by. I know with out a doubt that the Spirit filled my heart and my thoughts with what to say and what to do.
I am doing great! Thanks for all your prayers. I hope that you all can understand my English.
Love,
Elder Pearce.
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