"I don't want that in the next life!"

Las Hermanas!!

Hello everyone! Another great week in the TSAM! 

This week was kind of a slower week, and a lot of our appointments fell through. But there's still always miracles happening every week, and we're going to be focusing a lot on finding this next week! 

Some Elders in another zone called us and said that they got a call from a lady living in our area saying that she needed help moving. So we went over the next day and after talking with her for a little bit and getting to know her, we found out that she's an inactive lady living in our ward! We tried to contact her a few weeks ago but we didn't have her gate code, so it worked out perfectly :) 

We had Zone Conference this past week, and it was filled with role plays haha! Sister Monroe and I were asked to give one of the trainings, and it went better than planned, so we were happy about that :) 

Our ward had a fall festival this weekend and also the primary program! Seriously the best :) also last night we had the funniest dinner message with this new family in the ward. We played the sacrifice game with them, it's a game that's been passed down through other missionaries. You lay down 3 cards at a time that lead from materialistic items to gospel things, and you ask them to decide together on what they are willing to sacrifice. The deal is they sacrifice it in this life, but they are guaranteed it in the next life. We'd lay down some of the materialistic things like T.V., cell phone, Wi-Fi, etc. And they kept saying "Wait but I don't want that in the next life! Do I have to have that?" So funny :) 

Sports with the zone today! 

I wanted to share a little bit from a talk that I studied this week. Of course it's from Elder Uchtdorf, everyone's favorite ;) 

“I am come,” Jesus declared, “that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

We achieve that abundant life not by focusing on our own needs or on our own achievements but by becoming true disciples of Jesus Christ—by following in His ways and engaging in His work. We find the abundant life by forgetting ourselves and engaging in the great cause of Christ.

And what is the cause of Christ? It is to believe in Him, love as He loved, and do as He did."

And it is so simple of how he summarized discipleship in 3 words: Believe, Love, and Do. I know this to be true, the gospel is simple & as we truly live & apply these 3 words in our lives, we can have that abundant life that God wants for us. 

Sister Inclan (LOVE HER! Basically our 2nd mom) 

HERMANA BOS! Love my Sister Bos :) 

Super late but here's a MLC pic from forever ago 

Blessings of the Priesthood

So pumped about all the good things that happened this past week :))) 

We were able to meet with the Erickson's this week! Hopefully soon Tyler will be able to be baptized by his dad, but we were able to visit with their family twice this week. On Monday night we stopped by because we wanted to do FHE with them, but they said that Monday nights weren't the best because of how much work they have. So we came Tuesday night instead (except I was out of the area on exchanges) but I heard it was an awesome visit haha! They played pictionary with the family and we brought a member of the Primary presidency, so such a good visit! Sadly they didn't come to church this week :( but we're hoping that in the next few weeks if they can keep their commitments, Tyler can be baptized! 

We also have another new person we are teaching! We stopped by Mary this past week, we first met her right after our dinner appointment with her next door neighbors. On p-days we also see her at the grocery store haha, but we haven't heard from her for a while, so we decided to just drop in. We were able to sit down with her for a little bit and teach the Plan of Salvation, and she had lots of questions! She agreed to let us come back so we are excited to keep teaching her! 

Michele baptism was SO GOOD. Wow, I just love her so much. Can't believe how ready she was, I'm so so grateful that I was able to be a part of her journey & a part of her special day! Her husband was able to baptize her, and then our ward mission leader gave her the gift of the Holy Ghost yesterday in sacrament meeting. You could definitely feel the Spirit there! Words just can't even describe how wonderful this weekend was, for us, for our ward, and for her & her family. Next step is the temple for baptisms and then to be sealed in a year! So excited :)))) 

Also let's just talk about priesthood blessings. My testimony has been strengthened SO MUCH this week about the reality and power of the priesthood. While on exchanges with Sister Sedgwick in her area, she asked her ward misson leader after our meeting if she could receive a priesthood blessing. So his wife drove and we went to the temple grounds and parked right outside of the gate. Sister Sedgwick and her WML switched spots in the car so he could give the blessing. What a perfect example of ministering the way the Savior would! And then earlier in the day right after our district council, the Elders gave Sister Monroe & I priesthood blessings. Just listen how cool this is! My district leader & I have only known each other for a few months. He has no clue the things I have been going through personally on my mission, but the things that were said in my blessing I know were spoken to me by Heavenly Father. In that moment I knew that Heavenly Father truly answers prayers, He is mindful of us and He knows EXACTLY what we're going through & what we need. How amazing it is that we have God's priesthood power restored on the earth today, to allow us to make sacred covenants with Him, and to also help us feel comfort when we are in the midst of trials, challenges, and sickness. I am so so grateful for the priesthood power in my life, to be able to act with that priesthood authority as a missionary for Christ's church, and to help others to enjoy the blessings of the priesthood as well.  Con Amor

 

Elmer & Michele

Elmer & Michele

"Muchachas! Muchachas!"

Well for this week's title of the email, we had a really interesting contact last night. We went up to Blanco, which is in the very top of our area and it's 40 minutes away so we don't go up there a lot. We decided to park our car near main street and just walk around, so we walked about a mile away and went to an apartment complex. The first door we knocked on, a guy answered the door not fully clothed. Haha so he said to wait at the door for 2 minutes. He came back out and was saying some words in Spanish so we switched to Spanish, and he just kept going on about how he wasn't going to change his religion and other weird stuff. He accepted a Restauración pamphlet though! But it was getting dark quick so we told him we had to leave, and our car was 15 minutes away walking distance, so as we're walking past the cemetery that's right by the apartment complex we hear him yell "Muchachas! Muchachas!" And we can see him in the dark coming towards us, so we're booking it out of there and Sister Monroe kept saying, "I can't turn off the flashlight!" Cause we didn't want this guy to see where we were going. Hahah so yeah, pretty sketch. 

Michele's still doing great! She had an amazing interview with our district leader and at our lesson last week the Kimball's helped them practice the baptism :) cutest. 

Exchanges

View from Blanco!

Also, we had exchanges with Fredericksburg this week and Sister Green came with me to our dinner & lesson with Mesha! She seriously has great potential. We taught the Plan of Salvation, and throughout the lesson Mesha would turn to Chris and say, "Why didn't you tell me this sooner?" And Chris would keep explaining how he has wanted to answer her questions, but how it's easier to start from the beginning and get the "big picture". Haha but she loved the lesson so much and she can't wait to learn more! 

I just barely finished the Book of Mormon again this morning, and I always love reading the last chapter in the Book of Mormon! I love how Moroni focuses on 3 things at the end of his writings, and the invitations for us at the end of the Book of Mormon:
1. Pray to know of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon
2. Recognize and use Spiritual gifts from God
3. Come unto Christ in all things 

I love how Moroni ended with these teachings! These are the main themes that I have come to see be of great importance throughout my mission. My love for the Book of Mormon has deepened and been strengthened each time I read, and I have come to learn a lot more about the Holy Ghost & recognize His influence personally in my life. And something I am striving to work on right now is keeping my thoughts centered on Christ and recognizing His influence in all things. I know that following these 3 invitations from Moroni has blessed my life tremendously, and by following Moroni's invitations can help us to find eternal happiness through our life's journey. 

Love y'all!

Brother Kimball helping Michele & Elmer
practice the baptism:) 

The District!

This is Christ's church!

Exchanges!

Elmer & Michelle with their selfie stick!

Wow guys, can you believe that conference?!? 2 hour church? 12 NEW TEMPLES?! The Second Coming is quickly approaching y'all, but I hope the Spirit testified to you as it did to me that our Prophet truly is called of God! All I could feel this General Conference was so much comfort, that Heavenly Father is continually mindful of us and He reaches out to us in love through the words of His servants.





We watched the Sunday morning session with Michele & Elmer (again, I love them SO MUCH. Cutest couple in the world) And after President Nelson's talk Elmer turned to Michele and asked "Are you a Mormon?" She thought about it for a second, and then said "I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!" And she's not even a member yet, you guys!! Wow. She's going to be baptized on the 20th and we are so pumped! Also Elmer had an interview with Bishop, and he can baptize Michele! yay!

And here's another funny quote from Brother Haight earlier in the week at ward coordination. We were discussing possible members that could come with us to our spanish lesson, and Brother Haight walks in.
Brother Duffy: "Habla español?"
Brother Haight: "I'm just dropping in."
Brother Duffy looks at us: "Did I say it wrong?"
Again, love this ward :)

Also some really exciting news that y'all have probably heard about already, USU BEAT BYU!!! Pretty proud USU Aggie over here in Texas right now :) Brother Burden told me earlier in the week that BYU would have an easy win. Guess not hahaha ;)

I know without a doubt that in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we can find the pure teachings of Jesus Christ. This truly is His church restored in these latter days, before His Second Coming. Our Heavenly Father has created a perfect plan for us to return to His presence, as perfected & glorified individuals that can become like God. Only through following the example of our Savior & Redeemer Jesus Christ we can have assurance we are on the right path. One of my favorite quotes from conference by Elder Rasband:
"We don't need to fear if we are on the covenant path!"

I know that our God is an eternal, just God. He will always keep His promises, He wants us to succeed in this life! He wants us to come back to Him and to find eternal joy with our families! How grateful I am for this gospel and to be continually reminded of these truths through our Prophet, Russell M. Nelson.

Love y'all!

Pretty views of Texaas

Found some cows and a Longhorn!

BACK TO THE ER

At the ER

Well we got transfer calls this morning! Guess where I'm going??? jk I'm staying here another transfer :) same with Sister Monroe. Which is SO GOOD cause the work is picking up again in this area and there definitely would have been tears if one of us was leaving haha. I went back to Lockhart again this week for exchanges with Sister Mugleston. We had a busy day up there! 2 lessons with Spanish speaking recent converts, and we got to help some non members with family history on Family Search, so that was fun! 

Lovely Hermanas

So with the title of this weeks email, I took my 2nd companion in this area to the same ER as Sister Sunderlage in the middle of the night. Lets just say Dairy Queen is THE WORST. Haha. Don't eat there. It's all good, we are both happy & healthy now and Sister Monroe is doing okay!

Our district has been doing not so hot at finding new people to teach, so last district council we made it a goal to find 10 new people before next district council between us 3 companionships. And it's pretty cool how the Lord provides a way when you're focused on your goals! We came across Manuel one day while contacting in a neighborhood. He was contacted many years ago but agreed for us to come back. And when we came back a few days later we taught him & his wife! So that was pretty cool. They're 2 new people we're teaching AND also spanish speaking. Yay! 

Also we are teaching Mesha as well! They are seriously the cutest family, they invited us over for dinner and we had Gumbo (which was actually pretty good hah!) and Dolores came with us as well. Dang, she was on fire cause she basically taught like all the lessons during our whole dinner conversation. Mesha is going to take a little bit longer cause she doesn't really believe in coming to church, but we'll get there! They want us to come over again for dinner & a lesson so we're pretty excited :)

We had MLC on Friday, ahh I just love MLC so much! It's always so much fun and gets me pumped to work harder as a missionary. We talked a lot about preparing for the celestial kingdom and how we're here as missionaries to help others do the same. We talked about the difference between "celestial traditions" and "false traditions", and how the celestial kingdom is only filled with celestial traditions, but we live in a world that is filled with false traditions, and we're striving to emulate only celestial traditions in our lives. It was a good discussion about how we can help other missionaries to get rid of personal false traditions so that we can all prepare to return to Heavenly Father & claim more of the blessings of missionary work. 

There is no unclean thing that can enter God's kingdom, but we don't have to suffer from our mistakes! We have a loving Savior who has already paid the price for us as long as we come unto Him with a sincere heart and real intent to change. One of my favorite scriptures shared at MLC: 

D&C 19: 16-19
 16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;
17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;
18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—
19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.

Con amor

Us and Tomas