From: Elder Andrushka Dated: 10.20.08
Thank you for your letter Dad.
Dear Family well this week i have learnd alot as always you see whean you have more presure if you realy have become a better person and a better missionary the lord ask us to do the work with a chearful hart. This week we had the chance to go to the market and to shine peoples shews and to ask for refrence. It was a realy good experiance that we did as a zone the poeple came to realize that we practice what we teach as we were humbled to bring about this work and the poeple were humbled also they at first thaught we were trying to get somthing but it was awsome experiance. My camera is full but i will send some pics all that i have. I only have of the other activity that we did. We worked realy hard this week. I feal joyfull to see the result of our work. THis week we filed our rented chapel full that there wasent anyamore room. What a joy it was as 96 or so asisted the church i love this little town with all my hart. We have pout a project in to action and hoping that it will double the asistencia i dont have much time to epxlain the plan. We devided Nindiri in 11 sectore. Each sectore we called al lider and he has a team of 5 people or so. They are 2 with pristhood and 2 of sociedad de socoro. Evryone is realy exited to work with this plan as we spent some time working with branch president and chorum president to get this plan going. We as missionarys will be helping suprevise this work. Its to help retain our efert. Love this work and i am exited for the next week. We had a baptism he has 88 years old and he is just needs to go to church one more tim e he has 2 in the church and he needs 3 to baptize some one. The reason he cant go to church is that he has bad health.This week we will try to get permission from the president to baptize him. Also found two new familys i will let you know how thats going next week. Love you all. Be ye all strong in doing good and keeping the commandments.
Love Elder Pearce
Showing posts with label Savior. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Savior. Show all posts
Monday, November 10, 2008
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 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
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
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
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
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
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
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
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
End of Another Transfer
From Elder Paul Freeman, dated March 12, 2008
Dear Family,
Dear Family,
We're coming to a close of another transfer. While planning for this 6th week my mind was called to reflect the past 11 weeks Elder Leiato and I have been working together in the Inland Empire ward. It occurred to me that we didn't have very much to show for it as far as typical missionary work is concerned. Our ward has yet to have a baptism in 2008. So, I thought to myself if I wanted anything to show for the hard work we've been doing it would be at least one person with a baptismal date by the end of this week. The new transfer begins on Monday and we still have yet to commit someone to a baptismal date.
Tonight we are going up to Victorville and staying until Saturday. Our only hope is one family we've been teaching for several weeks now. His name is Vi (Vee), and his wife is Nina and they have 6 children. They have taken to the church more than anyone expected. Last week Vi told us he knew that the Book of Mormon is true and that he knew Joseph Smith was a prophet. I just about stood up and danced. After teaching about faith, repentance, and baptism we invited him to make the decision. He said he knew it was the right thing, but he wanted to learn more and improve some things. We told him to set a goal and pick a date where he would want to be ready by. This week we go back to follow up with that and set the date. The funny thing is, they probably will end up being baptised in a different ward. They don't speak Samoan and they've been attending the English ward for a few weeks now.
We also went into the mission office on Monday to update our report on all the Samoans we're finding in the Victorville/Hisperia areas. We've recorded about 230 people complete with names and addresses. It includes members, non-members, and less actives. About half are active, so we're not sure if Salt Lake will approve a new unit, but that's what we're hoping for. President Sanchez seemed very pleased with the work we've been doing regardless of the fact that we haven't had any baptisms.
So, we'll continue plugging away at things like we've been doing already and hope more good comes out of it than we're seeing. President also told us it would probably take a lot more time and if anything did happen it sounds like I'd be long gone. Nevertheless, I'm confident that we are doing the Lords work and, while we're far from perfect, I hope He is pleased with the effort we put forth and the things that are happening. Everything happens in His own time and we may not even see the fruits of our labor fully realized in this life.
But, thank you all for your love and support.
So, we'll continue plugging away at things like we've been doing already and hope more good comes out of it than we're seeing. President also told us it would probably take a lot more time and if anything did happen it sounds like I'd be long gone. Nevertheless, I'm confident that we are doing the Lords work and, while we're far from perfect, I hope He is pleased with the effort we put forth and the things that are happening. Everything happens in His own time and we may not even see the fruits of our labor fully realized in this life.
But, thank you all for your love and support.
Love,
Elder Freeman
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Back in the Saddle
From Elder BJ Bernards, dated January 7, 2008
Dear Father,
I love you. Thanks for being my dad. I read through some old letters from you and gleaned great support from them. I love your testimony and your example as a father.
It was great to talk to you. Thank you also for the spending money. It has been a great support to me. I promise to take better care of it.
We have been seeing miracles here.
Let me tell you of my special calling I've been given. I feel that I have been called here to raise the moral and the spirituality and obedience and the faith of the missionaries here in West Omaha. My companion is Elder Hill who is from Burley, Idaho, and a great man. He lacks faith in himself, and gets discouraged. We have been working hard and have been seeing these miracles and been raising our bar. Before I was here this district was in shambles. We have a good new district leader who is from Sacramento, California, and some great elders here. We have the best wards in all of Nebraska in this district. We are going to see wonders here. We have an abundance of returned missionaries and strong priesthood leaders here to go forth proclaiming the gospel.
I have been able to see the growth that I am contributing and am fulfilled in my service. I know that even though I am not baptizing yet, we are doing a work that eventually affects that. Every week we have been getting stronger and stronger. I feel a fire that is unquenchable in my bosom that won’t let me rest or falter. It is the Love of my Savior. It is the seeds of the fruit of the Tree of Life that swells within me! It is a well of living water that quenches my thirsty soul and it floweth forever. I am grateful for your dedicated service for my behalf that has brought me to this gift. I am grateful for your righteous lifestyle of keeping covenants and upholding your priesthood oaths which have granted me access to the atoning blood of Christ.
I just wanted to say I love you and pray for you and apologize for my horrible teenage years. I am sorry for showing the kids such a bad example. I have made it my life goal to rectify those choices and show and be the best example to everyone I see. I never want to lead into unrighteousness again! I love truth. My heart rejoices in it! I cleave unto it and my understanding of it grows and grows. One day we shall sing in praise of our God and His righteousness and our praise will last forever and ever. We shall obtain the fullness of the stature of Christ by and by. We have great reason to rejoice because nothing shall separate us from the Love of Christ Jesus (Romans 9) That is one of my favorite chapters.
I also am grateful for Joseph Smith who I know is a true prophet called for us in these latter days.
Love,
Elder Bernards
Dear Father,
I love you. Thanks for being my dad. I read through some old letters from you and gleaned great support from them. I love your testimony and your example as a father.
It was great to talk to you. Thank you also for the spending money. It has been a great support to me. I promise to take better care of it.
We have been seeing miracles here.
Let me tell you of my special calling I've been given. I feel that I have been called here to raise the moral and the spirituality and obedience and the faith of the missionaries here in West Omaha. My companion is Elder Hill who is from Burley, Idaho, and a great man. He lacks faith in himself, and gets discouraged. We have been working hard and have been seeing these miracles and been raising our bar. Before I was here this district was in shambles. We have a good new district leader who is from Sacramento, California, and some great elders here. We have the best wards in all of Nebraska in this district. We are going to see wonders here. We have an abundance of returned missionaries and strong priesthood leaders here to go forth proclaiming the gospel.
I have been able to see the growth that I am contributing and am fulfilled in my service. I know that even though I am not baptizing yet, we are doing a work that eventually affects that. Every week we have been getting stronger and stronger. I feel a fire that is unquenchable in my bosom that won’t let me rest or falter. It is the Love of my Savior. It is the seeds of the fruit of the Tree of Life that swells within me! It is a well of living water that quenches my thirsty soul and it floweth forever. I am grateful for your dedicated service for my behalf that has brought me to this gift. I am grateful for your righteous lifestyle of keeping covenants and upholding your priesthood oaths which have granted me access to the atoning blood of Christ.
I just wanted to say I love you and pray for you and apologize for my horrible teenage years. I am sorry for showing the kids such a bad example. I have made it my life goal to rectify those choices and show and be the best example to everyone I see. I never want to lead into unrighteousness again! I love truth. My heart rejoices in it! I cleave unto it and my understanding of it grows and grows. One day we shall sing in praise of our God and His righteousness and our praise will last forever and ever. We shall obtain the fullness of the stature of Christ by and by. We have great reason to rejoice because nothing shall separate us from the Love of Christ Jesus (Romans 9) That is one of my favorite chapters.
I also am grateful for Joseph Smith who I know is a true prophet called for us in these latter days.
Love,
Elder Bernards
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Amelia's Baptism
Elder Andrushka ~ sent December 31, 2007
Dear Family
It was wonderful to talk to you all. It sounds like life is just passing by great.
Dad I have chosen not to listen to the elders. I have learned in my life that with sacrifices comes blessings. With more sacrifices we make in our life that are correct and for the building up of the kingdom of our Lord and Savior. We receive blessings and happiness. I know it’s true the more I try and be obedient in my life the more I am blessed.
This week has been great we baptized Amelia. We have been talking to her mom for a while to gain permission. After we gained permission she lost her desire. So we rebuilt the desire and had to again help the mom understand how a baptism would bless her daughter’s life for time and all eternity.
With every week I seem to grow and stretch not as much as I would like to learn. Patience is one thing that I have learned out here. I have been working on recognizing the spirit and working to improve to act on the prompting as i receive.
I love you all! Elder Pearce
Dear Family
It was wonderful to talk to you all. It sounds like life is just passing by great.
Dad I have chosen not to listen to the elders. I have learned in my life that with sacrifices comes blessings. With more sacrifices we make in our life that are correct and for the building up of the kingdom of our Lord and Savior. We receive blessings and happiness. I know it’s true the more I try and be obedient in my life the more I am blessed.
This week has been great we baptized Amelia. We have been talking to her mom for a while to gain permission. After we gained permission she lost her desire. So we rebuilt the desire and had to again help the mom understand how a baptism would bless her daughter’s life for time and all eternity.
With every week I seem to grow and stretch not as much as I would like to learn. Patience is one thing that I have learned out here. I have been working on recognizing the spirit and working to improve to act on the prompting as i receive.
I love you all! Elder Pearce
Eye Opening Experience
Elder Andrushka sent December 24, 2007
I will be calling so I just wrote an eye opening experience. Happy Christmas I will be calling I am so grateful for all of you.
I had and eye opening moment. I realized this life is a fight but many people don’t know that. They move through life like there is no purpose. Yes many have faith in Jesus Christ but not understanding (that) with this faith they need to grab the sword and stand ready to fight (against) the world of evil. Every day I walk outside. I see the devil fighting with his might but the people not knowing that he is fighting. Not understanding there is the biggest war of their lives going on.
Then there are the valiant ones. The missionaries (and others) on the front battle field. The weak and the simple with our giant swords of faith, standing on the front battle field. Each day we wake up, gain more experience and go out to fight the evil. As we share the gospel, some join the ranks to fight the evil. Some just don’t understand. They are so blinded to all that is going on.
In these last days the evil is at its worst. If you’re not moving you are just swept away. The best part of it is the Savior, our brother leading this fight with his example. Completing the greatest part of this fight, the death and sin.
I love this gospel I am truly thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ. I truly don’t understand all that he fulfilled, all that he has sacrificed, all that he prepared in pre- mortal life. I can’t comprehend this. But I have faith in him. I know that because of him I will return to my Father in Heaven. With all the experience in life, I thank him for being with me every step of the way. I am honored to be a soldier in his army.
Elder Pearce
I will be calling so I just wrote an eye opening experience. Happy Christmas I will be calling I am so grateful for all of you.
I had and eye opening moment. I realized this life is a fight but many people don’t know that. They move through life like there is no purpose. Yes many have faith in Jesus Christ but not understanding (that) with this faith they need to grab the sword and stand ready to fight (against) the world of evil. Every day I walk outside. I see the devil fighting with his might but the people not knowing that he is fighting. Not understanding there is the biggest war of their lives going on.
Then there are the valiant ones. The missionaries (and others) on the front battle field. The weak and the simple with our giant swords of faith, standing on the front battle field. Each day we wake up, gain more experience and go out to fight the evil. As we share the gospel, some join the ranks to fight the evil. Some just don’t understand. They are so blinded to all that is going on.
In these last days the evil is at its worst. If you’re not moving you are just swept away. The best part of it is the Savior, our brother leading this fight with his example. Completing the greatest part of this fight, the death and sin.
I love this gospel I am truly thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ. I truly don’t understand all that he fulfilled, all that he has sacrificed, all that he prepared in pre- mortal life. I can’t comprehend this. But I have faith in him. I know that because of him I will return to my Father in Heaven. With all the experience in life, I thank him for being with me every step of the way. I am honored to be a soldier in his army.
Elder Pearce
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