¡Hola de Perú! Yo escribo más en español. ¡Y yo hablo español con más claridad y fluidez! Though I’ll try to not have too much Spanish in my messages, but English spell check is non-existant, it's all Spanish.
It’s been a fantastic first week here at the CCM! Last night there was a devotional with Elder Oaks from Provo, so fantastic and so simple! Be an instrument in the Lord’s hands, don’t try and write your own message, be the pen that is filled with the ink to share His message. He also quoted PMG for over half of his talk, it’s important stuff if an Apostle is only sharing it instead of something else!
Flying in a plane is amazing! It was probably a little rougher than usual, but I loved all of it! Also, humidity is a thing that exists, that I never experienced before… But after the first day I was used to it, just really hot in Lima.
Praying in Spanish is really cool, you say the same things, or more better things, in a different language, and Heavenly Father is thankfully polylingual, and omnilingual, because He can also understand Spanglish or Englasnol.
The first couple days I only spoke Spanish, and that was awesome, the Gift of Tongues or el Don de Lenguas is real! Although I realized that I wasn’t bonding enough with my district since we’re all still newbies at Spanish. Por tanto, mas Ingles ahora.
My companion is Elder Boelter from South Jordan, he was a quarterback and pitcher in High school, so he’s teaching the Latinos how to play Football Americano a lot during physical activity. He’s 19 and everyone else in the district is 18 besides Elder Murri who just had his Cumpleanos en Lunes!
The names of everyone in the district are Elders Epenesa (DL) and his companion Elder Avery, then Elder Moore and Elder Murri and Elder Boelter and I. Elder Moore is not related closely with Presidante Moore. Y la Hermanas en mi districto nombres es Hermana Lawrence y Hermana Richardson (no close relation to my neighbors) y Hermana (E) Springer y Hermana O’Brien. And our zone has 6 other people, Elders Suosa, Walker and A Samoen name I don't know how to spell. Y Hermanas Bowe (who is 90% similar to Becky Reeves, at least 90%) Blackmore y Oliveros.
Y Presidante y Hermana Moore es mucho Bueno y mas amor por todos misioneros! They’re quite awesome! And it’s awesome talking with them. It’s nice to have mountains to the East still, it’s kinda like home, which hasn’t been bugging me, but it’s nice to have a touch. Also, I’ve had Déjà vu a couple times, pretty sure I’m supposed to be here, like, 100% certain! That and other things, like wearing blue instead of red or pink ties yesterday…
Nobody has gone to bed on time so far, the Latinos party it up each night and make it kinda hard for the rest of us, who are talking with and learning Spanish from them, to get to bed on time, but I’m trying to be obedient and get to bed by 10:30PM. Poco a poco. We taught our first investigator this week, Stalin! He should be getting baptized, though we’re no longer teaching him, el don de lenguas es real! Y todos personas es nuestros familia!
Interpol yesterday, nothing significant, just learning more about the culture and people. Although I am pretty sure I’ll never drive in Peru! They’re crazy! I thought Provo was bad, the craziest part though, is I haven’t seen a single accident, they have VERY good brakes apparently! And reflexes, cut off, cut off, cut off…
You’re all awesome, follow the one true and ultimate path, which is right along with the Iron Rod, the Word of God. Read the Book of Mormon, pray about it and go to church! Be good and happy too! Love everyone! Follow Christ and be baptized if you’re not already, and if you are, keep following Him!
Hasta luego! Mucho Amor y nos vemos!
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Mission Preparations
The past couple months leading up to leaving on a mission have been filled with reading books such as Jesus the Christ, The Holy Temple, Articles of Faith and Preach My Gospel. All of which are really great reads, regardless if one is preparing to go on a mission, and even if you're not LDS I would recommend reading any of them if you wish to learn more about the subjects that they talk about.
And of course I've been reading in the Book of Mormon, I just finished a particular studying style where I mark each name used to refer to Jesus Christ, (hint, more than 1000 references!) also marking all His words and when there is reference to His life or mission. It has been a fantastic experience that has strengthened my testimony of Jesus Christ.
Since the beginning of the month has been especially busy getting ready, shopping for clothes and stuff, catching up on Institute readings, learning more about relationships from a couple excellent mentors, learning Spanish, finishing preparations and mission training and putting everything in order. I've also had the special opportunity to work at the Provo Temple. The work done there is so sacred and amazing, the spirit is always there so strongly. I hope that everyone will be able to receive the blessings that are received there and to become closer to God.
I've been trying to use my time to the best, bringing the phone around with me to listen to conference talks for Institute whenever I'm not engaged in something, listening to relationship helping CDs while exercising and on the elliptical, trying to not just stand around doing nothing, always being involved in good works and preparations.
I keep making lists and adding to them as I find things that need to be done. And I'm accomplishing the things on them because I consistently accomplish my goals.
A couple neat experiences from today and yesterday are these: Yesterday after my Temple shift I was waiting for my ride to come out to the lobby. As I was waiting I was watching people come and go, looking for people I knew and spreading smiles around. And then I looked over to the other place that people were coming out of, and I saw the parents of my buddy I had been with when I was a councilor for Special Needs Mutual! I'd had it in the back of my mind to call them since that was my only contact method I had for them, but then all of a sudden God helps us to meet up in His house! Then tonight I had an interview with a councilor in the Stake Presidency, and as I was at the Stake Center I ran into the missionaries, whom I'd been meaning to try and go out with on exchanges, so now I should have that opportunity before I head to Peru!
A few tools and techniques that have helped keep me in good spirits and focused on good things are these, first of all, prayer and scripture study. Prayer has become more meaningful for me when I imagine myself or envision myself sitting down and talking with Heavenly Father face to face, it has helped me build a stronger relationship with Him to actually see what I picture Him to be, instead of just praying out into space. Focusing prayer towards Heaven is great and I've done it many times, certainly better than just giving a quick, rote prayer for whatever you're needing; however, I've found a stronger relationship with actually praying (talking) to God face to face, especially when I am genuinely thankful for things I've been blessed to receive from Him and the talents He's given me.
Scripture study is so insightful if you'll just look. Too many times I just scan instead of looking. As I've been working on finding references to Christ's name, words and mission it had helped me dig deeper into the scriptures and find more meaning in them. Find what works for you.
A couple other things that have helped me stay positive instead of sinking into the despair that likes to find preparing missionaries is each morning and night, right before and right after going to or getting out of bed, I'll declare who I am. I've taken negative comments that I've been being told, by myself, others or the little voices in my head, and I've turned them around and doubled them into two positive statements about myself. So instead of my handwriting sucks, which I've said for all but the first couple years of being able to write, I say that I create beauty and my handwriting is elegant! And guess what? It's changed! It's legible now! I can write quickly and clearly, my letters flow! I've also changed my health and energy, my observance and use of time, my ability to sleep and alertness, becoming decisive and confident. And now I'm working on consistently accomplishing my goals, having good sleep habits, being patient and forgiving, being discerning and perceptive y hablo Español con claridad y fluidez! (this last one is key for learning a language for whatever reason, say that you can speak the language you're learning with a couple good adjectives attached, and say it in the language!)
I also have a vision board, a success journal that I'll write at least 10 successes from the day before I go to sleep, a vision statement that says who I'm becoming as well as a black journal to capture all the negative thoughts that try to invade my head and putting them in their place, on paper, visible to me as evidence that there is an enemy and he wants to get into our heads to make us hopeless and useless. I could write a ton about all these tools, I could share more on all of them, prayer, scripture reading and declarations included; but for the sake of yours and my time I'll refrain right now. But I would love to answer any questions that you have about any of them, or about anything that I have written or will write about preparing for and serving a mission as I head out to the field.
Know that God is there for you. He won't force you to do anything, but as you desire to improve yourself and become more like Him, He will bless you with what you need for you goals. Speak positively, your words shape your reality. Go and do, a half a step and sometimes the thought of a step will start to bring Heaven's help, and as you keep going it just gains momentum and it will take you on the ride of your life. Live long and prosper, and go make it a great day!
And of course I've been reading in the Book of Mormon, I just finished a particular studying style where I mark each name used to refer to Jesus Christ, (hint, more than 1000 references!) also marking all His words and when there is reference to His life or mission. It has been a fantastic experience that has strengthened my testimony of Jesus Christ.
Since the beginning of the month has been especially busy getting ready, shopping for clothes and stuff, catching up on Institute readings, learning more about relationships from a couple excellent mentors, learning Spanish, finishing preparations and mission training and putting everything in order. I've also had the special opportunity to work at the Provo Temple. The work done there is so sacred and amazing, the spirit is always there so strongly. I hope that everyone will be able to receive the blessings that are received there and to become closer to God.
I've been trying to use my time to the best, bringing the phone around with me to listen to conference talks for Institute whenever I'm not engaged in something, listening to relationship helping CDs while exercising and on the elliptical, trying to not just stand around doing nothing, always being involved in good works and preparations.
I keep making lists and adding to them as I find things that need to be done. And I'm accomplishing the things on them because I consistently accomplish my goals.
A couple neat experiences from today and yesterday are these: Yesterday after my Temple shift I was waiting for my ride to come out to the lobby. As I was waiting I was watching people come and go, looking for people I knew and spreading smiles around. And then I looked over to the other place that people were coming out of, and I saw the parents of my buddy I had been with when I was a councilor for Special Needs Mutual! I'd had it in the back of my mind to call them since that was my only contact method I had for them, but then all of a sudden God helps us to meet up in His house! Then tonight I had an interview with a councilor in the Stake Presidency, and as I was at the Stake Center I ran into the missionaries, whom I'd been meaning to try and go out with on exchanges, so now I should have that opportunity before I head to Peru!
A few tools and techniques that have helped keep me in good spirits and focused on good things are these, first of all, prayer and scripture study. Prayer has become more meaningful for me when I imagine myself or envision myself sitting down and talking with Heavenly Father face to face, it has helped me build a stronger relationship with Him to actually see what I picture Him to be, instead of just praying out into space. Focusing prayer towards Heaven is great and I've done it many times, certainly better than just giving a quick, rote prayer for whatever you're needing; however, I've found a stronger relationship with actually praying (talking) to God face to face, especially when I am genuinely thankful for things I've been blessed to receive from Him and the talents He's given me.
Scripture study is so insightful if you'll just look. Too many times I just scan instead of looking. As I've been working on finding references to Christ's name, words and mission it had helped me dig deeper into the scriptures and find more meaning in them. Find what works for you.
A couple other things that have helped me stay positive instead of sinking into the despair that likes to find preparing missionaries is each morning and night, right before and right after going to or getting out of bed, I'll declare who I am. I've taken negative comments that I've been being told, by myself, others or the little voices in my head, and I've turned them around and doubled them into two positive statements about myself. So instead of my handwriting sucks, which I've said for all but the first couple years of being able to write, I say that I create beauty and my handwriting is elegant! And guess what? It's changed! It's legible now! I can write quickly and clearly, my letters flow! I've also changed my health and energy, my observance and use of time, my ability to sleep and alertness, becoming decisive and confident. And now I'm working on consistently accomplishing my goals, having good sleep habits, being patient and forgiving, being discerning and perceptive y hablo Español con claridad y fluidez! (this last one is key for learning a language for whatever reason, say that you can speak the language you're learning with a couple good adjectives attached, and say it in the language!)
I also have a vision board, a success journal that I'll write at least 10 successes from the day before I go to sleep, a vision statement that says who I'm becoming as well as a black journal to capture all the negative thoughts that try to invade my head and putting them in their place, on paper, visible to me as evidence that there is an enemy and he wants to get into our heads to make us hopeless and useless. I could write a ton about all these tools, I could share more on all of them, prayer, scripture reading and declarations included; but for the sake of yours and my time I'll refrain right now. But I would love to answer any questions that you have about any of them, or about anything that I have written or will write about preparing for and serving a mission as I head out to the field.
Know that God is there for you. He won't force you to do anything, but as you desire to improve yourself and become more like Him, He will bless you with what you need for you goals. Speak positively, your words shape your reality. Go and do, a half a step and sometimes the thought of a step will start to bring Heaven's help, and as you keep going it just gains momentum and it will take you on the ride of your life. Live long and prosper, and go make it a great day!
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