Hello Family!! Yesterday was seriously one of the best days ever. It was the first meeting for the Lakeville 2nd Branch and I felt the Spirit stronger than I probably ever have felt it in a Sacrament Meeting. Total there were 48 people there including the Stake Presidency and also President and Sister Clements! There were also a few others that normally go to Lakeville that came so it wasn't all native Spanish speakers, but still! For us it was a big deal that we had more than 15 people haha! The new Branch Presidency was called and the Spirit definitely confirmed that those were the people that were meant to be called. We are so excited to work with them and this new branch!
Today we found out about transfers and Hermana Rawlins and I are both staying here! We were 99% sure we would be, and then 100% yesterday when we talked to President Clements yesterday. We have a ton of work to do and are really happy! Also, President is going to bring in two new Spanish speaking Elders next transfer! I hope that with all of the changes that I will be able to stay more time too. I can't believe this is my 6th transfer! Time is going too fast.
A and her family came to church yesterday and loved it! Her husband's name turns out to be Jo M but he actually goes by M. The kids loved primary and they stayed for all 3 hours. We are teaching them tomorrow and then A also signed up to feed us dinner on Friday! How sweet?! They are both preparing to be baptized on May 24. Keep them in your prayers!
O has had another little episode of having too much work. We are seeing him tomorrow as well so hopefully it goes well. It's difficult because he is ready and knows it is true, but he just won't consistently follow through with his commitments. We still have hope for him, but we'll see! When elders do come into this area they will teach him instead and hopefully will be able to have success.
The rest of our investigators are continuing to do well and we are also praying hard that we can continue to find more people, especially families that we can teach and bring to our ramatita (little branch). This week has been kind of crazy trying to meet with active members and less actives to let them know about the changes and so there aren't too many updates with them! The work is moving so fast and we are so grateful to be a part of it! Have a great week, love you tons!
Love, Hermana Pierce
Monday, April 28, 2014
Monday, April 21, 2014
We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us
Querida familia, Another awesome week gone by!! So many miracles. As Spanish missionaries we cover a pretty huge area. There are about 12 sets of English missionaries that work within the area we work in. When any of those missionaries find Spanish-speaking people they give them to us. That's what happened this week with an incredible little family. Their names are J and A and they also have 2 young kids. A wants to get baptized and she has a date set for May 24. J is still a little apprehensive but is really nice and hopefully her (A's) huge desire will help him too. They went to church last week in Apple Valley but this week just A came to Lakeville. She is excited that it will be all in Spanish starting next week!!! She also came to a baptism with us on Saturday and loved it. It's crazy that we didn't even know them a week ago but the Lord has opened so many doors with both them and other people we have recently met as well.
This branch is going to be the biggest blessing that could ever happen right now. We have a busy, crazy week ahead of us as we are going to try and recruit as many people as possible that live within our area to come... both members and investigators. We have no idea who will be the President, or even who is planning on coming at all so we have a lot of work to do, but I know it will all work out somehow because the Lord is in charge!
On Wednesday we went to the Temple which was very nice. I love the temple! Easter was great yesterday too. Thanks so much for the package! This whole Easter season has been wonderful and symbolically the weather is so much better too. I think Spring is finally here!
I can't remember if I ever told you about R. We had been teaching him for a while and things were going well but then we lost contact with him. He finally texted us this week and apologized for not returning our calls. We stopped by last night and were able to meet with him. He still is interested, but has been busy and another friend had invited him to another church. We had a good visit and then halfway through his roommate came out and joined us. We had talked to him before and so had some other missionaries before in Rochester. He had refused to take a Book of Mormon because he felt like it would be completely against everything he had grown up with. He is a super nice and sincere guy, but pretty stubborn. I felt the Spirit as Hermana Rawlins, our joint teacher, and I all testified of the truth of the Book of Mormon. I watched as the Spirit worked in him, and after spending about 20 minutes telling us he couldn't read the Book of Mormon he finally decided he would read it. He said he felt like maybe this was what God wanted him to do and that he was willing to try. I was amazed! The Spirit is so awesome! :)
Yesterday practically out of no where we had a ton of people to church. Heavenly Father really is opening so many doors and we are more excited than ever to be a part of this work and to build this little part of the kingdom. Never forget how important this work is! Because it is true! Also, I want to tell you how happy I am without some of the 'worldly things' in my life. I realize that being a missionary there is a much higher requirement- we can't listen to any music besides church music, no TV, internet, etc. But honestly, that stuff isn't important. Although it can be useful and it isn't always bad, I encourage you to be careful and make sure that those things aren't in the way of other priorities. And if it keeps you from the Spirit, quit it.
I love you all and hope you have a great week!! :)
Love, Hermana Pierce
This branch is going to be the biggest blessing that could ever happen right now. We have a busy, crazy week ahead of us as we are going to try and recruit as many people as possible that live within our area to come... both members and investigators. We have no idea who will be the President, or even who is planning on coming at all so we have a lot of work to do, but I know it will all work out somehow because the Lord is in charge!
On Wednesday we went to the Temple which was very nice. I love the temple! Easter was great yesterday too. Thanks so much for the package! This whole Easter season has been wonderful and symbolically the weather is so much better too. I think Spring is finally here!
I can't remember if I ever told you about R. We had been teaching him for a while and things were going well but then we lost contact with him. He finally texted us this week and apologized for not returning our calls. We stopped by last night and were able to meet with him. He still is interested, but has been busy and another friend had invited him to another church. We had a good visit and then halfway through his roommate came out and joined us. We had talked to him before and so had some other missionaries before in Rochester. He had refused to take a Book of Mormon because he felt like it would be completely against everything he had grown up with. He is a super nice and sincere guy, but pretty stubborn. I felt the Spirit as Hermana Rawlins, our joint teacher, and I all testified of the truth of the Book of Mormon. I watched as the Spirit worked in him, and after spending about 20 minutes telling us he couldn't read the Book of Mormon he finally decided he would read it. He said he felt like maybe this was what God wanted him to do and that he was willing to try. I was amazed! The Spirit is so awesome! :)
Yesterday practically out of no where we had a ton of people to church. Heavenly Father really is opening so many doors and we are more excited than ever to be a part of this work and to build this little part of the kingdom. Never forget how important this work is! Because it is true! Also, I want to tell you how happy I am without some of the 'worldly things' in my life. I realize that being a missionary there is a much higher requirement- we can't listen to any music besides church music, no TV, internet, etc. But honestly, that stuff isn't important. Although it can be useful and it isn't always bad, I encourage you to be careful and make sure that those things aren't in the way of other priorities. And if it keeps you from the Spirit, quit it.
I love you all and hope you have a great week!! :)
Love, Hermana Pierce
Monday, April 14, 2014
Adios Barrio de Lakeville
Hello Family!!! This week I have some pretty crazy news. I will no longer be serving in the Lakeville Ward. Instead, I will be serving in the Lakeville 2nd Branch! We have known for a long time that something was in the works, but yesterday they officially announced this new branch which will be 100% Spanish!!! This whole time we have been working in the English Ward with translation for Sacrament Meeting (but with bad equipment and often times bad translation done by myself hehe) and then a separate gospel principles class but nothing for third hour. Needless to say this will be a huge improvement! In the letter they read from the Stake Presidency they mentioned how this will be a great opportunity for people to learn the gospel in their own language. It was very much focused on missionary work and Hermana Rawlins and I are so excited and feel so privileged to start this! We have faith that it will help so many people- active members, less active members, and investigators! :):):)
Not a ton has changed with O or R or P... our most progressing investigators for the time. They all are still doing good! This week we had some good experiences with them and other people! One lady's name is H. The first couple of times we met with her she was very closed off. She was nice, but wouldn't really answer our questions. She basically has no knowledge about God. We have gone very slow with her, but we have started to see her open up. This past week we saw her and for the first time she let us in to her house. She even had questions about the Plan of Salvation. Hermana Rawlins and I both have felt such an incredible amount of love for her. I honestly love everyone I teach, but there is something different about her. I think maybe it is because there is a strong feeling that she has been through a ton in her life and that this message really is meant for her at this time. We are excited to see how things go with her.
We have also found some other people recently. Last night we taught an adorable family: W, G, and their two kids J and P. G especially really gets it and they accepted the date of May 31 to work towards baptism!
On Wednesday we had New Missionary Training which went really well. It is a meeting with President for new missionaries and their trainers and we learned a lot of great things! Also, a definite highlight of this week was going to the Lamb of God concert performed by the Minnesota Mormon Chorale. It was absolutely amazing. If you haven't heard the Lamb of God, go look it up and listen to it because it is so good and perfect for this time of year with Easter!
Things are all good here! I am seriously so excited about the new branch that I kind of can't remember anything else that has even happened this week. Haha. We have one more Sunday that will be in the Lakeville ward and the next Sunday, the 27th, will be the first Sunday as a branch!
Love you all! Have a great week and happy Easter!
Not a ton has changed with O or R or P... our most progressing investigators for the time. They all are still doing good! This week we had some good experiences with them and other people! One lady's name is H. The first couple of times we met with her she was very closed off. She was nice, but wouldn't really answer our questions. She basically has no knowledge about God. We have gone very slow with her, but we have started to see her open up. This past week we saw her and for the first time she let us in to her house. She even had questions about the Plan of Salvation. Hermana Rawlins and I both have felt such an incredible amount of love for her. I honestly love everyone I teach, but there is something different about her. I think maybe it is because there is a strong feeling that she has been through a ton in her life and that this message really is meant for her at this time. We are excited to see how things go with her.
We have also found some other people recently. Last night we taught an adorable family: W, G, and their two kids J and P. G especially really gets it and they accepted the date of May 31 to work towards baptism!
On Wednesday we had New Missionary Training which went really well. It is a meeting with President for new missionaries and their trainers and we learned a lot of great things! Also, a definite highlight of this week was going to the Lamb of God concert performed by the Minnesota Mormon Chorale. It was absolutely amazing. If you haven't heard the Lamb of God, go look it up and listen to it because it is so good and perfect for this time of year with Easter!
Things are all good here! I am seriously so excited about the new branch that I kind of can't remember anything else that has even happened this week. Haha. We have one more Sunday that will be in the Lakeville ward and the next Sunday, the 27th, will be the first Sunday as a branch!
Love you all! Have a great week and happy Easter!
Monday, April 7, 2014
This is the true church!
Buenas tardes familia mia!
This week was full of wonderful experiences, miracles, revelation, and growth! Of course, so is every week, but somehow things just keep getting better and better.
One day this week started out pretty challenging after tons of appointments fell through and no one really wanted to talk to us. At one point we needed to set up an appointment with an investigator so I called her number. She didn't answer, but the name on the voicemail was someone different than who I was trying to call! I looked back in my planner and realized I had called the wrong number. It was someone that Hermana Wiggins and I had met about a month before. I thought, "well, that's embarrassing," but then continued to call the correct number. A few hours later after meeting with and teaching some different people, we looked at the phone and realized that this person had tried to call us back. His name is R. We called back and he asked if we could come over that night. Since our appointment for that time had fallen through, we could. He also has a wife and 4 kids, most of whom are grown up. His wife goes to a christian church, but he doesn't go. He told us that recently he has had a huge desire to go to a church, he just doesn't know which one. Also within the past month he took a trip to LA. On the way back his car had broken down and an LDS couple stopped and helped him. They gave him a ride 15 miles to a hotel and also gave him a Book of Mormon. He was very impressed by their kindness. He told us he feels like something is missing in his life and that he thinks he needs to come closer to God. He had been thinking about which church to join when we called him. :) There is nothing better than being an instrument in the Lord's hands. I thought it was an accident, but it turned into such a sweet miracle!
We also had the opportunity to have some training/interviews with President Clements. Normally he does a questionnaire and has us rate how we are doing in relation to obedience, spirituality, etc. This time he had us prepare 3 questions that we could discuss. They could be about doctrine, missionary skills, or something more personal. It was really great!
O is doing great! Actually, he is doing pretty bad because he fell and hurt is hip and back. But, he is addicted to reading the Book of Mormon. :) He has used it to replace his addiction to playing games on his phone. He usually reads it at night and is so tired but just wants to keep reading one more verse. My testimony has increased so much of the importance of reading daily from the Book of Mormon. There is real power in reading it. Read from the Book of Mormon every day no matter what!!! He watched General Conference from home in bed yesterday since he fell, but we talked about it a little afterwards and he liked it a lot! Especially President Monson.
We watched Saturday in English, but Sunday morning in Spanish at the church. P came also and really liked it. She is the one with the two little girls and is going through a lot. We have been teaching her for a while, but we think this hopefully was able to answer some questions and doubts she has been having. We had a little lunch at the church afterwards with members and investigators and it was really good! Manuel and Diana and all of their family came. Diana is having a girl by the way! :)
I absolutely loved Conference. I don't know if it was because I'm a missionary or because that really was the best thing ever. Probably both, but either way it was awesome! I feel my testimony strengthened that truly this is the Lord's church and that the prophet and apostles are called of God. They have such power and authority. I noticed some themes of faithfully standing strong no matter what the circumstances and also having more charity and being Christlike. It's hard to choose a favorite, I liked all of them!
I love you all and am glad things are going well! Thanks for you emails, prayers, love, and support! :) Hasta el proximo lunes!
♥Hermana Pierce
This week was full of wonderful experiences, miracles, revelation, and growth! Of course, so is every week, but somehow things just keep getting better and better.
One day this week started out pretty challenging after tons of appointments fell through and no one really wanted to talk to us. At one point we needed to set up an appointment with an investigator so I called her number. She didn't answer, but the name on the voicemail was someone different than who I was trying to call! I looked back in my planner and realized I had called the wrong number. It was someone that Hermana Wiggins and I had met about a month before. I thought, "well, that's embarrassing," but then continued to call the correct number. A few hours later after meeting with and teaching some different people, we looked at the phone and realized that this person had tried to call us back. His name is R. We called back and he asked if we could come over that night. Since our appointment for that time had fallen through, we could. He also has a wife and 4 kids, most of whom are grown up. His wife goes to a christian church, but he doesn't go. He told us that recently he has had a huge desire to go to a church, he just doesn't know which one. Also within the past month he took a trip to LA. On the way back his car had broken down and an LDS couple stopped and helped him. They gave him a ride 15 miles to a hotel and also gave him a Book of Mormon. He was very impressed by their kindness. He told us he feels like something is missing in his life and that he thinks he needs to come closer to God. He had been thinking about which church to join when we called him. :) There is nothing better than being an instrument in the Lord's hands. I thought it was an accident, but it turned into such a sweet miracle!
We also had the opportunity to have some training/interviews with President Clements. Normally he does a questionnaire and has us rate how we are doing in relation to obedience, spirituality, etc. This time he had us prepare 3 questions that we could discuss. They could be about doctrine, missionary skills, or something more personal. It was really great!
O is doing great! Actually, he is doing pretty bad because he fell and hurt is hip and back. But, he is addicted to reading the Book of Mormon. :) He has used it to replace his addiction to playing games on his phone. He usually reads it at night and is so tired but just wants to keep reading one more verse. My testimony has increased so much of the importance of reading daily from the Book of Mormon. There is real power in reading it. Read from the Book of Mormon every day no matter what!!! He watched General Conference from home in bed yesterday since he fell, but we talked about it a little afterwards and he liked it a lot! Especially President Monson.
We watched Saturday in English, but Sunday morning in Spanish at the church. P came also and really liked it. She is the one with the two little girls and is going through a lot. We have been teaching her for a while, but we think this hopefully was able to answer some questions and doubts she has been having. We had a little lunch at the church afterwards with members and investigators and it was really good! Manuel and Diana and all of their family came. Diana is having a girl by the way! :)
I absolutely loved Conference. I don't know if it was because I'm a missionary or because that really was the best thing ever. Probably both, but either way it was awesome! I feel my testimony strengthened that truly this is the Lord's church and that the prophet and apostles are called of God. They have such power and authority. I noticed some themes of faithfully standing strong no matter what the circumstances and also having more charity and being Christlike. It's hard to choose a favorite, I liked all of them!
I love you all and am glad things are going well! Thanks for you emails, prayers, love, and support! :) Hasta el proximo lunes!
♥Hermana Pierce
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