Hi momma!
How are you?! Thank you for the sweet email this week! I love hearing how everyone is doing (STILL) Don't feel like just because the time is drawing nigh that those need to stop. Keep the letters and support coming. Especially in these last couple of months. We are working harder than ever to find those that the lord wants in his church. We ARE finding them. Where to even start with all the Miracles and experiences of the mission?! I don't think I could. Like I say, it has truly all just been one sweet experience.
You wouldn't recognize Wencesloa if you knew him 5 weeks ago. He is a completely different person. He is 52 years old. When we walked into his home for the first time you would have thought that he was at least 82. That is not a lie. He had no life in him. He could barely speak and now... wow. I can't even begin to tell you what the knowledge of the gospel has done to him. The knowledge and testimony of his Savior Jesus Christ. He's amazing and happy. One of the many miracles that we witnessed this week was from Wencesloa. He has been separated from his wife for many many years. They are still married but not living together. She lives in Veracruz Mexico and they haven't had a sweet relationship since they were married 30 years ago. He called her yesterday before church to tell her about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. She told him that for the last 2 weeks she has been receiving visits from the Elders of the Mormon church and they visited for 2 HOURS about it! He was so happy and excited to tell us. He said that he wants to go back to be with his wife and he also told us how close the church is there from his home in Mexico and that the temple is not far either. Is that just the greatest news that you've ever heard! That is some sweet joy right there.
There are many more stories that I want to share from this week but I have to go cut a few of the elders hair.... Yay for service!
I love each of you so much. I'm so thrilled to hear that all is going well and that you're healthy and happy. I'm excited to hear your voices on the recorder. That will be too fun. Mom, I'm so thrilled that you had the opportunity to talk to Tabitha in the temple! Oh my word, what an amazing person she is, and in the Celestial room of all places! She was one of my favorite companions. If you ever see her again tell her that I love her and think that she is just the very greatest. I feel like I'm missing something... Like there is something I need to tell you but my mind is drawing a blank so it must not be that important. I love you and hope to hear from you soon! Hug Ryan for me I miss that boy! Kiss him too!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Lindsey: Letter 57
Hello Hello!
It sounds like everyone is doing wonderful! So good to hear! Mom, will you please tell Lisa thank you thank you for sending me the simple truths forward about staying positive? I loved it and It made my day.
I'm so glad that Ryan had the opportunity to go to EFY. My word, I absolutely loved every summer of my youth because of EFY. One with Heather, one with McCally, one with Britt. Too much fun. Its something that every youth needs to experience at least once.
Momma, what a relief to hear that your heart is feeling better. I knew that everything would be fine. You are loved and watched out for.
I think this week has been the very fastest one on the mission. I truly felt as though I was sitting here in this same spot the day before yesterday, typing out a few words of report and here I am again doing the exact same thing. This better not be a pattern for the next little while or I'll just bawl! I don't know what else to do. The harder we work the faster the time goes and if I choose to ignore it I go to sleep, wake up and realize that its one week later. It is just the most bizarre thing and I will never understand it.
We've experienced quite a few miracles this week. Truly the blessings are pouring down here in the hafer area. We were going through some old investigators in the area book the first week I came to the area of Hafer and pulled 3 from the pile, we decided to stick them in the car and if there ever came an opportunity to go and find them that's what we would do. Well yesterday we were on our way to an appointment that lived out of our area and I wouldn't be able to tell you why other than I just felt like we should do something else with our time.. (the holy ghost) We grabbed our pile of old investigators and realized that we were on the exact street as the first paper on the top. His name is Rafael. We drove into his apartment complex and knocked on his door. I can't describe the feeling that overcame me when he opened his door. It was just sweet. He had a big smile on his face. What a sweet man! We asked if we could speak with him outside. There were already two chairs so he went to grab another one. When he came back he had two plates of Papusas and two glasses of Gatorade. We visited for a min about his experience with the missionaries and then testified that everything they taught was true. We went on to give our own testimonies and committed him to be baptized on the thirteenth of August. He accepted and we walked away feeling humbled and grateful that we are apart of this glorious work. It is GLORIOUS! Even the greatest thing any of us could ever hope of doing. Being in the service of god. Being in tune to the whisperings of the holy ghost. Finding those that are ready to accept the lords gospel and join in building the kingdom of god on the earth. There is no way that my time ends in two months. The lord will continue to put people in my path and I will continue inviting people to come unto Christ. It is our job as members of his church to find those that are ready. That is our responsibility. Keep your eyes open. There are hundreds of thousands around you that have been prepared. Start opening your mouths. Talk about family home evening, talk about mutual and youth conference, Ryan, talk about EFY. People will get curious and start asking questions. You don't need to come right out and invite people to church but give them a reason for why you're so happy all the time, why you're so confident in your future, why you're so confident in your kids future. I don't know? Just pray. Pray for the opportunities and then take them when they come. This is not your work, it is the lords and he will take care of it. He will give you the ideas and the words. Just open your mouth and he'll take over from there.
I love you dear family. I love you for all that you do and have done and will continue to do throughout your lives because of your love for the Lord and his work. Stay strong. Read your scriptures, say your prayers, and go to church. Lift those around you and you will be happy. Have an amazing week!
It sounds like everyone is doing wonderful! So good to hear! Mom, will you please tell Lisa thank you thank you for sending me the simple truths forward about staying positive? I loved it and It made my day.
I'm so glad that Ryan had the opportunity to go to EFY. My word, I absolutely loved every summer of my youth because of EFY. One with Heather, one with McCally, one with Britt. Too much fun. Its something that every youth needs to experience at least once.
Momma, what a relief to hear that your heart is feeling better. I knew that everything would be fine. You are loved and watched out for.
I think this week has been the very fastest one on the mission. I truly felt as though I was sitting here in this same spot the day before yesterday, typing out a few words of report and here I am again doing the exact same thing. This better not be a pattern for the next little while or I'll just bawl! I don't know what else to do. The harder we work the faster the time goes and if I choose to ignore it I go to sleep, wake up and realize that its one week later. It is just the most bizarre thing and I will never understand it.
We've experienced quite a few miracles this week. Truly the blessings are pouring down here in the hafer area. We were going through some old investigators in the area book the first week I came to the area of Hafer and pulled 3 from the pile, we decided to stick them in the car and if there ever came an opportunity to go and find them that's what we would do. Well yesterday we were on our way to an appointment that lived out of our area and I wouldn't be able to tell you why other than I just felt like we should do something else with our time.. (the holy ghost) We grabbed our pile of old investigators and realized that we were on the exact street as the first paper on the top. His name is Rafael. We drove into his apartment complex and knocked on his door. I can't describe the feeling that overcame me when he opened his door. It was just sweet. He had a big smile on his face. What a sweet man! We asked if we could speak with him outside. There were already two chairs so he went to grab another one. When he came back he had two plates of Papusas and two glasses of Gatorade. We visited for a min about his experience with the missionaries and then testified that everything they taught was true. We went on to give our own testimonies and committed him to be baptized on the thirteenth of August. He accepted and we walked away feeling humbled and grateful that we are apart of this glorious work. It is GLORIOUS! Even the greatest thing any of us could ever hope of doing. Being in the service of god. Being in tune to the whisperings of the holy ghost. Finding those that are ready to accept the lords gospel and join in building the kingdom of god on the earth. There is no way that my time ends in two months. The lord will continue to put people in my path and I will continue inviting people to come unto Christ. It is our job as members of his church to find those that are ready. That is our responsibility. Keep your eyes open. There are hundreds of thousands around you that have been prepared. Start opening your mouths. Talk about family home evening, talk about mutual and youth conference, Ryan, talk about EFY. People will get curious and start asking questions. You don't need to come right out and invite people to church but give them a reason for why you're so happy all the time, why you're so confident in your future, why you're so confident in your kids future. I don't know? Just pray. Pray for the opportunities and then take them when they come. This is not your work, it is the lords and he will take care of it. He will give you the ideas and the words. Just open your mouth and he'll take over from there.
I love you dear family. I love you for all that you do and have done and will continue to do throughout your lives because of your love for the Lord and his work. Stay strong. Read your scriptures, say your prayers, and go to church. Lift those around you and you will be happy. Have an amazing week!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Lance Letter 7.5.11
Happy 4th!
Happy birthday Ryan!! 16 years old......wow....Are you driving and dating and working hard and getting a job and everything that comes with being 16!??!! I'm sure you are. You are the sweetest kid I know and I'm honored to be called your brother.
Mom I will pray for you. I'm sorry to hear you were not feeling well. I know the Lord loves you and will comfort you at this time.
We are working and striving to find the elect. President Watkins is way different then president Jackson but the mantle, power, authority and zeal are all there. I love him already.
I'm still in Gilroy (my 2nd area) with Elder Bludworth. He's my 5th companion. We get along great! I Love Gilroy and would stay here forever if I could but transfers are in two weeks and I might be transferred then.
We are trying to teach Brandon's mom and step dad. Hopefully they will accept the message as Brandon did.
I'm so glad that Mom and Dad will have the opportunity to visit Nauvoo and other places. Let me know how it goes. I'm going to send the tape recorder back as soon as I can. I'll also send my camera chip so you can look at the pic's and videos I've been taking.
I Love the Gospel. I know it's true. Reading the Book of Mormon has built my testimony leaps and bounds. Being able to teach people a way to improve their lives brings the greatest joy to me and I wouldn't trade it for the world! I love you all and thank you for all the support you have given me.
Love, Lance
Happy birthday Ryan!! 16 years old......wow....Are you driving and dating and working hard and getting a job and everything that comes with being 16!??!! I'm sure you are. You are the sweetest kid I know and I'm honored to be called your brother.
Mom I will pray for you. I'm sorry to hear you were not feeling well. I know the Lord loves you and will comfort you at this time.
We are working and striving to find the elect. President Watkins is way different then president Jackson but the mantle, power, authority and zeal are all there. I love him already.
I'm still in Gilroy (my 2nd area) with Elder Bludworth. He's my 5th companion. We get along great! I Love Gilroy and would stay here forever if I could but transfers are in two weeks and I might be transferred then.
We are trying to teach Brandon's mom and step dad. Hopefully they will accept the message as Brandon did.
I'm so glad that Mom and Dad will have the opportunity to visit Nauvoo and other places. Let me know how it goes. I'm going to send the tape recorder back as soon as I can. I'll also send my camera chip so you can look at the pic's and videos I've been taking.
I Love the Gospel. I know it's true. Reading the Book of Mormon has built my testimony leaps and bounds. Being able to teach people a way to improve their lives brings the greatest joy to me and I wouldn't trade it for the world! I love you all and thank you for all the support you have given me.
Love, Lance
Lindsey: Letter 56
Hello hello!
I just wrote a letter to you and so I feel like I would be repeating myself here in the email if I wrote it all over again. First of all. My sweet momma. Your little heart is going to be just fine because guess what? I have those heart problems too! Surprise surprise. It is a little scary but I feel and have felt for a long time that the lord is not finished with me and he still has a few people I need to talk to here on the earth. My children being a part of the group.... Speaking of my children and the necessities of their lives. They will indeed need their grandmother to love them and spoil them as they sneak out of the house for fear that their impatient mother will continue spanking them. Are you excited for little slumber parties with you future grand kids?! Even the cutest grand kids you've ever seen. I know Lucy and Logan are pretty dang cute but you've forgotten how good looking mine are. The veil gets a little thick in that area. Don't worry, it will all come back to you as they come down one by one. I will pray my little heart out that you feel comforted and that you won't worry for a second about this little health issue you're having. The lords got it taken care of my sweet mother.
I don't know that I wrote a whole lot about my area in my letter. The area I am currently serving in now is called Hafer. The address will be on the letter that I just sent. I love it here! We are seeing success left and right. Miracle after miracle. We knocked on a door across the street of our appointment that "cancelled" and to our pleasant surprise found a man on the other side grinning from ear to ear and filled with the light of Christ. What a special person. We had a sweet conversation about the gospel on the door step and set up an appointment to come back this Saturday. His name is Fransisco Lopez. He'll come to church with us on Sunday and feel the power of the spirit and he'll then ask us where the font is... We'll fill it right up, grab one of the men that hold the aaronic priesthood and down into the water they'll go! That is what is going to happen. I'll write you next week and let you know how it went;) If all doesn't go as planned, we'll at least give him a book of Mormon and he will read it and have heaven sent questions for us and we will have heaven sent answers and all will be edified and it will be a sweet experience.
We had 4 investigators come to church last week, 3 of which have baptismal dates. A few health issues seem to be getting in the way of a couple of them but with the lord all things are possible. Our frail bodies, aren't they funny?
Honestly everything is going great! My companion and I could not be getting along better. We're both just happy and enjoying every second of the work and each other. Honestly, Hermana Casaday is one of the most pleasant people to be around. We just laugh and laugh and laugh. She is so funny! The lord has blessed me with the greatest companions while on the mission.
I wrote you an entire page about the new President and his family in the letter that I sent yesterday. I don't think I will repeat everything I wrote but know that we're just excited to have him. Even thrilled! He's incredible and excited as ever to be here.
Carlee! How exciting that you and Tim are going to be in Provo for the next three years! Congratulations! I'm so happy for you both and know that there are amazing things to come. How fun that you'll be dirt poor through law school. Isn't that exciting?! Maybe I'll come and live with you:) That might be awkward.... I know you're still in the newly married stage and may be for quite some time. I may have to rethink that thought.
I'm glad to hear that Ryan had such a wonderful birthday! Tell him to be extra careful. Did he get my card?
I love you all! The gospel is true. Its true its true its true. You're all so wonderful and I hope to hear from you soon!
I just wrote a letter to you and so I feel like I would be repeating myself here in the email if I wrote it all over again. First of all. My sweet momma. Your little heart is going to be just fine because guess what? I have those heart problems too! Surprise surprise. It is a little scary but I feel and have felt for a long time that the lord is not finished with me and he still has a few people I need to talk to here on the earth. My children being a part of the group.... Speaking of my children and the necessities of their lives. They will indeed need their grandmother to love them and spoil them as they sneak out of the house for fear that their impatient mother will continue spanking them. Are you excited for little slumber parties with you future grand kids?! Even the cutest grand kids you've ever seen. I know Lucy and Logan are pretty dang cute but you've forgotten how good looking mine are. The veil gets a little thick in that area. Don't worry, it will all come back to you as they come down one by one. I will pray my little heart out that you feel comforted and that you won't worry for a second about this little health issue you're having. The lords got it taken care of my sweet mother.
I don't know that I wrote a whole lot about my area in my letter. The area I am currently serving in now is called Hafer. The address will be on the letter that I just sent. I love it here! We are seeing success left and right. Miracle after miracle. We knocked on a door across the street of our appointment that "cancelled" and to our pleasant surprise found a man on the other side grinning from ear to ear and filled with the light of Christ. What a special person. We had a sweet conversation about the gospel on the door step and set up an appointment to come back this Saturday. His name is Fransisco Lopez. He'll come to church with us on Sunday and feel the power of the spirit and he'll then ask us where the font is... We'll fill it right up, grab one of the men that hold the aaronic priesthood and down into the water they'll go! That is what is going to happen. I'll write you next week and let you know how it went;) If all doesn't go as planned, we'll at least give him a book of Mormon and he will read it and have heaven sent questions for us and we will have heaven sent answers and all will be edified and it will be a sweet experience.
We had 4 investigators come to church last week, 3 of which have baptismal dates. A few health issues seem to be getting in the way of a couple of them but with the lord all things are possible. Our frail bodies, aren't they funny?
Honestly everything is going great! My companion and I could not be getting along better. We're both just happy and enjoying every second of the work and each other. Honestly, Hermana Casaday is one of the most pleasant people to be around. We just laugh and laugh and laugh. She is so funny! The lord has blessed me with the greatest companions while on the mission.
I wrote you an entire page about the new President and his family in the letter that I sent yesterday. I don't think I will repeat everything I wrote but know that we're just excited to have him. Even thrilled! He's incredible and excited as ever to be here.
Carlee! How exciting that you and Tim are going to be in Provo for the next three years! Congratulations! I'm so happy for you both and know that there are amazing things to come. How fun that you'll be dirt poor through law school. Isn't that exciting?! Maybe I'll come and live with you:) That might be awkward.... I know you're still in the newly married stage and may be for quite some time. I may have to rethink that thought.
I'm glad to hear that Ryan had such a wonderful birthday! Tell him to be extra careful. Did he get my card?
I love you all! The gospel is true. Its true its true its true. You're all so wonderful and I hope to hear from you soon!
Monday, July 4, 2011
Lance Letter 6.28.11
Dear Porters
President And Sister Jackson are on their way home as we speak. Our new mission President is Pres. Walkins. I haven't met or heard from him yet. But on Friday we will meet him. He's from Alpine Utah. He's a young, retired, wealthy accountant. He will be great. I will miss pres. Jackson.
We are teaching several people who are all really cool but wont come to church. so we have a lot of work to do.
Ryan is in good hands. He has the best parents in the world to rear him in the right ways. But it's the little things that keep people on the straight and narrow. (read the scrips and pray) if your doing those things it's hard for the adversary to get to you.
The gospels true,What more can i say. I Love you all .
Thank you for your love and prayers
Love Lance
President And Sister Jackson are on their way home as we speak. Our new mission President is Pres. Walkins. I haven't met or heard from him yet. But on Friday we will meet him. He's from Alpine Utah. He's a young, retired, wealthy accountant. He will be great. I will miss pres. Jackson.
We are teaching several people who are all really cool but wont come to church. so we have a lot of work to do.
Ryan is in good hands. He has the best parents in the world to rear him in the right ways. But it's the little things that keep people on the straight and narrow. (read the scrips and pray) if your doing those things it's hard for the adversary to get to you.
The gospels true,What more can i say. I Love you all .
Thank you for your love and prayers
Love Lance
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)