¡Feliz Navidad y Prospero Año!

Everything will be okay :)

So apparently cats are the "sign" Sister B. has chosen to remind herself that everything will be okay. You have no idea how many cats we have seen!

Thank you all for all the birthday wishes and messages and everything. I am grateful for all you do and who you are. Thank you for you example to me. You have become a part of me! I love you all! -Hermana Mena

Send Me

Esta semana la disfrute tanto. El Señor nos está ayudando a sobrellevar las pruebas y dificultades que a veces tenemos que enfrentar. Tuvimos un Musical Fireside y vino a hablar el Presidente Matt Holland de la universidad de UVU. Fue increíble. El vino a relatar la vida y las pruebas que José Smith tuvo que pasar. Como algo que yo no supe fue que cuando La madre de José Smith y sus hijos salieron a reunirse con su esposo que ellos tuvieron que hacer el viaje a Nueva York y que los trataron muy mal, y José Smith había recién había tenido su serugia y que el hombre que manejó el coche aventó a José Smith del coche. Y con mala suerte después de sufrir tanto dolor él se había quedado en el suelo en un pozo de su propia sangre. Y un desconocido lo cargo hasta su destinación Nueva York. Fue en realidad un Musical hermoso. El coro estuvo bello. Se escucharon como ángeles cantando. Recitamos el Cristo viviente y cantamos la canción de la misión que se llama "Send Me" Mándame a Mi

El Señor nos está moldeando, cambiando, refinando. A ser mejor. Estoy muy agradecida por el poder comunicarme con mi padre eterno. La oración sincera y de corazón es una herramienta tan poderosa. Nos da fuerza, nos da entendimiento y luz y paz, felicidad y calma a nuestras almas.

Hermana Wendy

"Take on the World with a smile on your face!"

So... We had word yesterday of there being lots of bloodshed in France. My heart goes out to the people in France they are in my prayers and thoughts. Have there been storms in Virginia because I saw an article of how the church is helping with supplies that are needed. You kinda really don't hear much of what is going out here like not much at all. You hear everything is fine when you kinda know there are somethings that you all may be going through. But I pray for you all that you may have strength and that you may be guided by the Lord. 

 

With this cold day today - it's a little windy outside, it reminds me of the true darkness and cold that there is out in the world. And just as we are inside, outside we can hear the trees hitting the side of the house and can see the wind and some flurries in it. If it were not for the coldness we feel in here we would not know there is a little storm outside. In the same way although our lives at the moment are not being directly affected by the calamities that are going on around us we can feel the cool air setting around us. This morning when I woke up at 5:00am again I turned on the little heater we have because it was chilly. 

Yesterday during sacrament meeting I glanced next to me to see a Sister we went by to see two weeks ago. She sat next to me and I was surprised. I did not see her earlier. I hugged her and I could feel how weak her spirit felt. As we sang the hymns I could hear her breathing as when a baby does after crying, inconsolable. We both sat at her sides and she thanked us and said she loved us. We have come to realize that everyone around us is in need of a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen. And who can provide that? We can. As in you and me. Look out and seek opportunities to reach out to others.

As my companion and I were discussing yesterday the only thing that brings us hope and strength is the gospel. YOU KNOW WHAT? It is also a time of happiness because we can be comforted through Christ's atonement. We can have happiness as we stay optimistic and look to God. 

 

I like an article I read from the Ensign it had the following tips:

BE OPTIMISTIC

LOOK FOR COMPENSATORY BLESSING

FIND WAYS TO SERVE

HAVE FAITH IN THE LORD'S TIME

In being optimistic we were told to laugh in the mornings. I have tried and I feel funny doing it. So I try giggling so my companion won't hear. But I guess I'll do it right, haha starting this week.

My companion has helped me notice and see even the smallest of blessings. And I can feel God's love. We are finding many opportunities to serve :) How can we find these opportunities? By seeking them out! There are many ways to help and everyone needs that help. Heavenly Father knows. He is aware of all things. We just have to have faith and trust, and have hope that there are good things to come. 

 

Although it is now super windy and snowing now. I can keep calm and bundle up in my coat. The warmth comes through the gospel. Joy :) 

 

 A quote I like from the meeting we had with Elder Russell M. Ballard was the following:

"Take on the World with a smile on your face!"

 

As it was said to us I extend this invitation "Be Grateful and energetic and take on the world with a smile on your face. 

Enjoy every moment. :)

Hermana Mena

Lift

This week was great. We met a brother whose name is Luis (name has been changed) 

He was outside and we came to speak with him. We testified of how the gospel has been restored and how we have the Book of Mormon as evidence of that restoration. We offered to say a kneeling prayer and he felt the spirit. He felt a happiness and a feeling he could not explain. He wanted to learn more so we went back and taught him that night. He knows this is true and wants to hear more and to be baptized.

I wish to write more but there is no more time. 

I ask that you all share the gospel with those around you. The Lord is preparing souls.

 

May the Lord bless you in all your efforts. My prayers will be with you.

 

Jesus Christ set the ultimate example of selfless service. In this original short film, we meet people discovering the power of living that simple principle.

 

Hermana Mena

 

 

The Lord is aware of us always.

This week's been a good one.

 

Something I am working on is simplicity. I have gotten rid of quite a few things that I do not need. I have to send home a few things. like books and what not.

 

My companion Hermana B____ is "originally from Heaven, but is from the state of TX." She was actually MTC companion's with my past companion Sister Mc______. and She was companion (Sister B______) with my MTC companion Hermana B2______! Crazy, crazy. 

 

She's pretty great. This week we have learned a lot of the importance of time management and the importance of having unity in all things. She has been out for 14 months. It's kind of daunting to think of. So we don't think about it.

This week we were heading over to an appointment and as we were driving I saw a man sitting on the side walk. In a split of a second I received an impression. Turn around. We were still going and then I asked my companion to pull over. We turned around, said a prayer and walked to where he was. We spoke to him for a little while and we asked him if there had been any questions or concerns on his mind lately and he then said, "When will there be relief???" at that moment I felt an overwhelming feeling of the love that H.F. has for him. We testified that God is there and hears him and that he will not leave him. He also said he was wanting to read the Bible but that he didn't have one. So just as his ride pulled up we quickly ran to the car to get him a Bible and a Book of Mormon :) He was happy and very appreciative.

Heavenly Father directed us to him. He used us to answer his prayer.

The Lord is aware of us always. He never forsakes us.

Other awesome things that happened this week:

-We got to hear the Apostle: M. Russell Ballard. We got to give him air handshakes. He told us to write that in our journals hahaha. He is hilarious 

-Interviews with President Killpack

-WE GOT TO GO TO THE TEMPLE as a mission :)

The temple is the house of God. I felt His love and felt such comfort in my heart. 

Daily Message:

"I testify that life is a gift. God has a plan for each one of us, and our individual purpose began long before we came to this earth."

—Rosemary M. Wixom, "Discovering the Divinity Within"

Hermana Mena

Inspiration from General Conference

So this week has been filled with many wonderful blessings. 

We had exchanges this past Tuesday so my companion both were joyous to receive some counsel from our Sister training leaders*

 

Sister O. is simply wonderful she is so wise and from her countenance one can see that she is dedicated to this work. When she testifies you can feel such strength and power. Something that she helped me understand is that we must use our weaknesses to our benefit. Personally I know there is much for me to learn but I can keep things simple because simple is what I know. Simple is the way to go. 

 

I felt good about not having to know everything.

 

We went to visit Y and she set up an appointment with us!

later in the week we went to see her. She is accepting our invitations and exercising her faith.

 

J who is the husband of a sister that is not very in church decided to meet with us this week. We invited him to baptism and although there was some hesitation he accepted the invitation!!! B is so excited to see that her husband is finally willing to hear the message of the gospel. We want them to reach the temple to be sealed as a family to live together forever. 

https://beta.mormon.org/beliefs/temples.php

Because that is why the Lord has ordained our families. Death is not the end. through the

ordinance​ of the sealing our families can be together forever. 

We also had the wonderful opportunity to hear and watch the general conference.  During the course of two days Saturday and Sunday, the first week in October and April, we get to hear the prophet and our leaders speak to us. They through revelation prepare messages to share. During this time the membership of the church comes together in homes, chapels (church buildings) or anywhere to hear via radio or watch through satellite, online, or the television to hear these inspired messages. We invited many to prepare questions for conference this week. And one of the members we are teaching really had some questions about things she had been thinking a lot of lately. We invited her to pray about them in preparation for conference. She did. and the first two talks (discourses or addresses) where directly what she needed to hear.

I GOT TO GO TO THE SUNDAY MORNING SESSION

​At that moment when conference started I felt the realness of it all. I came to realize everything that it has taken me to get where I am today I felt a rush of emotions at that moment. As I viewed and heard the Mormon tabernacle sing I saw reflected my desires, all the things I have longed for and have come to have, (peace, happiness, God's love, understanding of my purpose here on earth)  who I am becoming and the changes I have made in my life. I also saw my potential. I felt embraced by God's love. When we arose when the Prophet walked in I felt the Spirit testify that he is called of God. I love President Monson. I sustain him. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of the Lord, he is God's mouth piece here on earth. Heavenly Father hears us and answers our prayers. As we listen to his counsel and follow him we will be guided.

Daily Message:

​

"Life rarely goes exactly according to plan for anyone…it is still important to understand and teach the Lord’s pattern."

—Bonnie L. Oscarson, "Defenders of the Family Proclamation"
Topics: Commandments

--

Hermana Mena

The Book of Mormon is the Word of God

Mt. Timpanogos

This week has been pretty great. I have had a lot of time for introspection this week.
 
I want to become better and to learn to rely more fully on the atonement of Jesus Christ.
 
I loved the General Women's session of conference.
 
We are currently teaching an investigator whose name is F. He is golden.
This week we went to visit I. at work she was really happy to see us and she let us know what days we can come over to see her. We also went over to the J. boys. We walked to church with them. We got to give a talk in Bishop M's Ward. This Sunday was wonderful.

We made a Sabbath day "cans" can for the B family. They are working to getting to the temple.

We had the mission tour zone conference and learned so much about the Book of Mormon. It is truly a treasure. The Book of Mormon is central to a lasting conversion. It helps us develop a deeper testimony of the Savior it guides us and helps us receive personal revelation. 

I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. It is another testament of Jesus Christ of his divinity, his life, and his mission here on earth. As you read the Book of Mormon you come to feel the reality of the gospel of our purpose on earth. 

 

I invite you all to read the Book of Mormon, use study guides to help you. If you are already doing so then find someone to read with a family member, a friend, anyone. You will feel the Holy Ghost and they also will do so. 

 

I love you all and have you in my thoughts. 

Daily Message:

• "Jesus Christ can help us fix anything that needs fixing in our lives."

  —M. Russell Ballard, "The Greatest Generation of Young Adults"
  Topics: Atonement

 

You Are Loved!

-hear with your ears

-see with your eyes

-feel through your soul

-love with all your heart

+ look to the Savior= great joy and peace

We moved this past week. And finally have things in place. 

This week I have learned much about deepening my relationship with my Heavenly Father. During my nightly prayers I am writing down impressions I receive and acting. 

We are having to memorize The Living Christ document

The Lord's example is one great to follow. I am grateful for his sacrifice, to put down his life to take it up again. 

This week we had a regional stake conference. 

Bishop Dean Davies, Sister Linda K. Burton, Elder Hallstrom and Elder M. Russell Ballard. 

They spoke of 

-Reading the Book of Mormon

-Include the pattern of prayer

Linda K. Burton

Asked the question: What did you do with the last gift you received?

Donald Hallstrom:

Spoke of the great sacrifices people make to join the church to come every Sunday for 3 hrs when maybe before they didn't, having to pay 10% of income for tithing when struggling to make ends meet, when they have cared for themselves all their life they are expected to serve in callings to give of their time, to teach other to give of themselves. (I had not ever thought about that) but they do all these things because they believe they have felt something they feel the confirming influence of the reality of these things. 

 

Missionary work, temple work, member missionary work, retention, activation, family history work, teaching the gospel is all the Lords work it is not one against the other "the Lords work is one eternal round"

I want you all to know you are loved. You are great, never let others tell you otherwise. 

I testify that the Book of Mormon changes lives. Read the Book of Mormon. Pray to your Father in Heaven. I know that as we keep the Sabbath day Holy by keeping it the Day of the Lord you will find a greater joy therein. 

I love this work. I love my Heavenly Father. 

Daily Message:

• "Happy and successful homes cannot be built on immorality."

  —Ezra Taft Benson, "Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson"

• "Selective obedience brings selective blessings."

  —Jörg Klebingat, "Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence"
  Topics: Obedience

https://www.lds.org/youth/music?cid=YS-C-music&lang=eng

Listen to the song named Glorious :) it's great.

I can feel their love.

President Killpack and Sister Killpack are wonderful. I love them. They care so much about us. And I can feel their love.

I can feel it as they speak to us. It is as though love pours out of their eyes. I feel So close to Heavenly Father. Yesterday was beautiful. I love the Sabbath and fasting tops it off. It is the cherry on top.

We are staying another transfer together. We knew it was coming. I love this area, my companion and feel this transfer will be so great.

At the beginning of my mission I felt it got hard. It does get hard there is no denying that. The mission does have its ups and downs. You see great joy but you do also come to feel sorrow. What Sister M. and I were thinking about the other day was that we truly are set apart. 

Set apart from the evil, we have been set apart as His servants. We are protected by Him because we are set apart to proclaim his word and to do what we do. We want the Salvation of all of Heavenly Father's children and it pains to see how some do come to know that this is the Truth and set it aside and choose to do what they know they should not do.

Diligence and Obedience

These past few weeks have been a little crazy. So do excuse me for not e-mailing/writing

To explain, we had to move one p-Day with like only 24 hrs notice :) and we had appointments that Sunday and had to pack and move all of P-Day.

Last week we had to go to the nurse and had a meeting with President Killpack which was so wonderful. Then we had to drive out of our mission to go to the Doctor and drive back and Bam most of our pday was gone.

And this last week we had an appointment again :)  but we got to go to President Killpack's home we had lunch and got a tour of the mission home and got to do some activities.

This past month has been a great one. I have been able to reflect on my true purpose as a missionary. Why am I here? Because the Lord has sent me to declare His word unto the people here. During the course of this past month I have come to reflect greatly on the missionary training center, when I was preparing to come out, when I got my mission call and all the decisions and preparations I made the decision to serve the Lord during this time on my mission. I have been out for seven months already. It seems like just last week I was having a moment where I may have freaked out when I realized it had been six months.

A word that has come to mean so much more to me has been obedience.

Through obedience we show Heavenly Father we love him. It is a reflection of our commitment to always follow him. In one of our DTMs (District Training Meetings- where a few missionary companionships receive training led by the district meeting) we were learning more about diligence. Diligence can mean - hard work, close attention, careful and persistent work or effort. Historically it also means a "public stagecoach" from the French "carrosse de diligence"

Putting the two into context: in order for the coach of speed to continue on speedily on its course, there must be a diligent effort to keep it going. An imagery that came to mind was two hands on the type writer speedily typing. In order to keep up the speed in typing you must first know where the keys are, and practice and practice and practice to type at a set speed. Once you begin off you go and you can type at a set speed. But it takes diligence. You must have your mind set on what you are typing or else you will not be able to type anything. If you are distracted you might click the wrong keys. If you try to type too fast you will also not be able to type it. As a missionary we type. We first must come to listen to Heavenly Father's voice. We must recognize his voice.  As we make a constant effort to keep the spirit. To be on the Lord's errand, we will always have his spirit to be with us.
I know the Lord is there and hears us. He provides us a way. As we are diligent in our obedience we will be blessed. I have come to see miracles as I am obedient. Our obedience must be consistent.

Sorry for not being able to email. I love you all. Next week I will get back to emailing. And we did get permission to email today for a little while.

My Week in Photos!

This is a huge thing!!

So this week has been wondrous. We are working with V____ and R_____. They are both preparing to be baptized on August 15th. They are continuing to read and pray. They are attending church and it is so great to see them progress. I have started to get nervous because it is coming up so soon!  This is a huge thing - to commit to baptism, to follow Christ, to do a 180, to change everything in your life around. They really are trying. It will be very different for them but I know they will be blessed and will see the blessings, as they are merely beginning to see. They will be surrounded by those that love them. They are in all our prayers.

Cool Plates from Mexico

I love the branch it is great. We are seeing excitement beginning to pick up. The youth are great. As are the leaders. This Sabbath day was especially wonderful. I felt so great after church. It is wonderful to see what great things the Lord does to bring about His purposes. We may not know why at the moment but we will one day at some point. I am grateful for all we have been given. Journaling down details is such a blessing. As I have been more constant with it I am seeing abundant blessings. I love this work.

Get-Along Sticks

"Lemonade, lemonade 25 ceeeeents!"

¡Bueno!

Primeramente... Les quiero dejar saber que los quiero tanto. Gracias por todo lo que son, gracias por estar allí para mi. Gracias por su amor, su apoyo.

I love ya'll. I am saying y'all because every one thinks I say y'all even though I say you all...
Then when they ask me where I am from they are like ohhh that's why.
I do not even explain myself and I guess y'all slips out sometimes now since I have 3 of the 5 other missionaries in my district are from the South. Elder L resides in Fort Worth Texas, his companion Elder T resides in the UK somewhere (those two are my zone leaders). Elder C (our district leader is from Jacksonville Florida. And although you would think Florida is not like southern.... It so is. Because he is hahahaha. Apparently you know only in the cities with all the tourism there is some more diversity; and Elder S which is from Michigan, I promise he will be a Mayor sometime in his life. He is one of the younger missionaries in the field.

Anywho. This week has been great.

Sunday: it looks like I was a bit lazy with journaling. It appears I saw a dead raccoon. Papa como se llama el Raccoon en español?

Monday: we had FHE at the D's house. M_____ es un hermano de Honduras. Que barbaridad el me hace casi llorar de la risa. Las cosas que dice...
El y la mama de la hermana D siempre andan discutiendo. Ti is seriously the funniest things ever. Aquel día estavan discutiendo de quien tenía tenía más sangre azul. No seque voz nos entendes!

El Martes tuvimos una lección con Yesenia. Ella no entendía porque íbamos a su casa y ni siquiera lo que creemos.... Que significa que durante todo este tiempo que ella a estado recibiendo las misioneras ella no entendía el propósito de nuestras visitas. Tuvimos una lección muy buena. Cuando le invitamos a bautizarse ella dijo que ella se quiere a cometer a vivir el evangelio. Ella será bautizada. Lo verán. Vendrá a saber, a sentir, y ver las bendiciones para ella y su familia y serán bautizada.

Miércoles
Que es el plan de salvación para ustedes. Para mi es un consuelo. Es un plan de amor para cada uno de nosotros. No estamos solos, no somos desamparados. Nuestro Padre Celestial quien nos ama nos a proveído una manera de regresar a su presencia. Nosotros podemos tener paz en este mundo y felicidad eterna en vida venidera. Con nuestras familias.

"Lemonade, lemonade 25 ceeeeents!"
A little echo repeated the end of the words and another one would say paaaa paaaaaA!
La Hija de una hermana menos activa estaba vendiendo lemonaaaaaade.
Se escuchaba como las niñas en el mercado vendiendo limonada. Es la cosa mas chistosa que he visto. Mas reírme no podía...  Mientras que carros pasaban con ventanas abiertas o cerradas. Ella cantaba. LemonadeLemonade twentifive seEntsss" con el eco de su hermanito y el bebe al final de cada ves decía paaa paaaAHhhhh

Jueves:
Venimos a conocer a un hermano que no es miembro de la iglesia. El quiere tomar las discusiones/platicas. Quiere aprender y tiene un gran deseo que se le mira en sus ojos. El no sabe pero se que el quiere una vida eterna, de ser sellado a su esposa y hijos.

Viernes- el anochecer y la mañana fueron el primer día
En la noche nos preparamos para el día que viene y como usamos el tiempo en la mañana dice al Señor cuanto valoramos su tiempo. En como estudiamos las escrituras y nuestras oraciones en la noche y mañana. Damos cuentas al Señor de como hemos usado su tiempo este día y hacemos metas para hacer mejor. Damos gracias.

Sábado
Háganme una promesa. Que ustedes seguirán con ese testimonio que alumbra de sus seres. Que siempre se mantendrán fuertes. Que no pierden lo que conocen, y lo que han sentido. Háganme esa promesa. Un hermano de Columbia. Compartimos mensaje con la familia al terminar la cena. Pero sus palabras y su deseo para nosotros me llego al Alma.

Escuchen/lean la sigiente platica
“Sí, Señor, ¡yo te seguiré!”

Esta semana fue una linda. Una hermosa. Doy gracias a el Señor, mi Padre Celestial, al eterno Padre de la Creación. Doy gracias por su amor a mi. Por rendir bendiciónes sin fin sobre mi.
El amor de el es grandioso y infinito. Mando a Cristo para nosotros. Para que regresemos.
Jesucristo es mi Salvador. Mi redentor. Se que por medio el, podremos todos regresar al Padre.

I love you.
I love Being here.
These days on a mission are numbered. But are beautiful. And the best days I have had. I love Jesus Christ and his love for me.

Find Opportunities Around Us

Okay so first off, these transfers are going by so fast. It is crazy. After each 6 weeks there are transfers, which means there is always a chance every 6 weeks that you may be transferred to a new area. So Sister M____ and I have been anxiously waiting to see if the email comes. But seeing that we are now in a new mission and have a new secretary and things still have not settled down... We probably will receive it until like at 4:00 p.m.

But we must continue with our p-day.

We have had some pretty great lessons this week.

Great things that happened this week:

So R______ and V_____ are two investigators we are teaching and during last week's lessons the D______ invited them to come to the FHE they usually have. And yes, you guessed it.... They show up to FHE at the D______!!!

We had exchanges I went to the other sister's area with Sister I____. We had quite an interesting day :) We went to a sister's home who is less active. We listened to her concerns and tried to explain certain things she was struggling with. And the Lord filled our mouths with the things to say. She asked us to come back. She is pretty great. May seem a little intimidating but once you get to know her she is so great. I learned to listen. You show your love for someone when they listen.

One other lesson we had this week that stood out. Was with a recent convert. V_____. He is making some life decisions right now, like deciding whether or not he should serve a mission. H has a wonderful conversion story. He has a strong testimony of prayer and that God hears us. We shared our testimonies with him of how much our testimonies have changed our lives. And the scripture we read with him in Alma 42:30-31, really got to him. He is going on a mission!!!!

On Thursday we had parked our car a little ways away from a referral to walk some. We walked by a sister's home whom we had previously offered service to. We heard her calling after us so we dropped by. We shared a message with her of service. And thanked her for the drink of water and watermelon she offered us. She started crying and told us to stop by anytime because she always needs to hear an uplifting message.

We should always find opportunities around us to serve. Even though it may appear as though they may not want or need help, you never know how much one kind act will touch one's heart.

Watch this new Mormon message it is great.

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2015-05-003-lift?category=mormon-messages-2015&lang=eng

Every week we seem to be growing closer and closer together as a companionship

The Lord prepares those who are ready, little by little.

I love you all. Know that you are loved from on High.

Keep doing what you do and thank you for who you are.

Les quiero,

Hermana Mena

Daily Messages:
"The gospel of Jesus Christ and the covenants we have made inevitably cast us as combatants in the eternal contest between truth and error. There is no middle ground in that contest."
—Dallin H. Oaks, ""Loving Others and Living with Differences""

"First observe, then serve."
 —Linda K. Burton, "First Observe, Then Serve"
Topics: Service

God Loves You!

What wonderful weather we have had as of late. 

And what great blessings we have!

This week was simply great. We had 9 lessons this week and each of them were great miracles. P___ is one. We came for an appointment with N___ and found him
instead. He completely opened up to us. And told us he wants to get
his life together. And that he wants to be a good father of his future family. 

We looked him in the eye and told him that God loves him, that he is great in his eyes and that He will help him in his journey back. He is fatigued due to his work and lifestyle. But he had a vibrant gleam in his eyes that is yearning to start anew. He has a strong testimony of Christ and His atonement. We invited him to pray and pour his heart out in prayer. We know he will go to the temple with his family.

Padre Bello Mío

The following are segments from a letter Wendy wrote to her father:

Padre bello mío,

Gracias por recordarme de lo que debo de hacer. En realidad hemos tenido un tiempo algo difícil en hallando a personas de enseñar. Me preocupo ha beses pienso de el gasto del tiempo, de las personas que han de estar esperando por nosotras. Y me aflijo. Pero papi si tiene razón. Que al orar y ayunar encontraremos a personas. Nos hemos fijado que tenemos que trabajar por dentro y ir afuera. Comenzando con nosotras. Tenemos que tener fe de poder. Todo esta en nosotros. Dependiendo en la fe que nosotras tengamos podemos hacer todo lo que el Padre deseé de nosotros. Mediante la fe en Jesucristo se pueden efectuar milagros, mediante la fe podremos discernir sus pensamientos y lo que anhelan escuchar. Las almas de los hombres son grandes ante los ojos de Dios. 

Que responsabilidad tenemos. Tenemos en cada momento proclamar la palabra del Señor, testificar de el, hablar de el, regocijar en el, predicad de el. 2 Nephi25:23&26 

Debemos de laborar todos los días en trayendo almas a el. 

Trabaje con los misioneros(as), ore por oportunidades de compartir su testimonio. Ore a el Padre que le de la valentía de hablar con personas en su alrededor. Ellos son sus hermanos y hermanas.

Este Sábado que paso, estuvimos en el desfile de el 4 de Julio en Provo. Las personas aplaudieron para nosotros. Estaban emocionados. Los niños felices. Nosotros les dimos high fives.

Nos sentíamos un poquitos cansados, con sed, y los zapatos nos molestaban nuestros pies al caminar, pero el sentimiento que sentimos vale todo. Papi. Estoy agradecida de estar en la misión. De poder ayudar a las personas. Habían algunas cuando caminábamos por ellos ellos gritaban "Thank you missionaries! Sisters you rock!" Chiflaban,  aplaudían y era algo bien awesome. 

Todos pasamos por pruebas y desafíos. Esos siempre vendran pero nosotros tenemos que seguir fieles. Tenemos que combatir. Tenemos que ejercitar fe en el Señor. Hasta el último suspiro de nuestras vidas aquí en la tierra. Deberemos seguir firmes. Hasta los profetas en sus últimos momentos de vida piden que puedan ser fieles, que Dios les de la fortaleza y que puedan tener su ayuda para ser fieles hasta el fin. Sátanas nunca se dará por vencida. El siempre estará allí, pero al escuchar, obedecer y hacer lo que el Padre pida el nos rodeara con ayuda de el Espíritu Santo, ángeles que no se ven y las personas que pone en nuestro camino, la fuerza que nos dan nuestros antepasados y El Salvador. 

Se que el esta allí, el nos escucha y nos ayuda. Siga leyendo todos los días. Lo quiero. Siga fiel. Confié en el Señor.

Wendy

18 Days... Seems like it's been months!

Can you say whaaaat????

June has come and gone. As of today I am now in the Orem Utah Mission. My former Mission President McCune has left the mission home and is heading to his home. President McCune has been so great. From him I have learned so much. I love the McCunes and I know I was initially called to the Utah Provo mission because they had be a part of it. They have forever changed my life. My Mission President as of 8:00 today MST (mountain standard time) is President Killpack. I love President Killpack. I have not met him yet but I just love him and am so excited to meet him. I know President Killpack is called of the Lord to lead His work in this area. We will meet him tomorrow. We have been praying for him. 

This week was a little crazy here and there. 

We got to go to the Mt. Timpanogos temple this month. The Adventures of Hermana McD and Hermana Mena will be told of in the coming week... Because I apparently have forgotten to write in my journal, which helps me remember things.... So forgive me. I will improve, there is always room for improvement. 

We are working to have organizational skills. We have been attending various stake meetings. One meeting really had an impact on me. The stake president was grieved. He stated, "Brother and Sisters we are in a rut!" His eyes looked around at each one of us. 

He went on to explain the great work that is around each one of us. He said it was time to lift up our gaze. To truly dedicate ourselves to serving the Lord. He shared of the experience his father had as a mission president in Brazil and how he strived to be obedient to President Kimball's counsel. As he recounted his memories of his father's devoted service tears filled his eyes.  "You must have faith of Power... Pray to know what it is each of us should do in our own stewardship.." A spirit filled the room. 

We have a great work to do. Do you feel an urgency? Do you see the need? There are souls to reach out to and people to find. We must be guided by the spirit in all things. 2 Nephi 25:23&26

As we do all things in the name of the Lord, pray for his divine guidance, and turn over everything unto the Lord having faith, he will weak things become strong. He will be our support. 

I invite you all to pray today, pray to know who it is the Lord is preparing. Pray with all the energy of heart you posses. And the Lord will bring names to your mind, faces will come to your remembrance. And go and act in faith. Work with the missionaries. And be not afraid for the Lord shall direct thy ways. 

Members and missionaries can see themselves in the work as they live the gospel joyfully and as they invite others to participate in activities, Church services, and other occasions. Capture the Vision We are all in this together. With fellow ward members and missionaries, we plan and pray and help one another. Please keep the full-time missionaries in your thoughts and prayers. Trust them with your family and friends. The Lord trusts them and has called them to teach and bless those who seek Him. Elder Neil L. Andersen See Yourself in the Work Change Your Life through Missionary Work Share the Gospel Online Contribute to the General Missionary Fund Youth, Your Role in the Work of Salvation"

Shout out to a wonderful beautiful Sister, Sister S_____. She has been our mission nurse. She has been so great. So loving, patient, and caring. She has patiently dealt with 200+ missionaries. Thank you for your service Sister S!. I am so grateful for all she has done. May the Lord bless her endlessly.

New Mission President!

This week has been great. And so today I had an accident. So I was in the room and then I heard the door somebody at the door., And then I ran towards the living room. And I didn't even notice that there was water in the hallway so I slipped and hit my knee on the wall and then I hit my hip and I think it's going to bruise really bad. 
We had a great lesson yesterday with V_____ and R_____. And they are so great. They understand quite a lot. So my companion Sister M and I are trying our best to speak the Language all the time. 
We are getting our new mission president next week President Killpack. I love President McCune. He is so great. I will seriously miss him and Sister McCune. She is wonderful!

New Area!

So I am now serving in the American Fork Utah Spanish speaking area. We cover American Fork, Alpine, Highland and little bit of Draper. The population of the area without the little the bit of Draper is 55,739. And I guess we need to find the Spanish speaking in the area. There is a branch here. So there is a ton of work to do here. But Preach My Gospel is handy dandy.

(Tiwi is a mentoring device for driving. Everyone is getting them.)

Marvelous, a blessing and beautiful!

I am so grateful for all that I have learned in this area. I am so grateful for the beautiful members I have been able to work with. For their testimonies and their diligence. I thank Heavenly Father for having allowed me to work at the Open House and see how much it has blessed the lives of the people in our area. For Sister D______ and her wonderful example and for her great desire to follow the Lord. I am thankful for Sister F________ and her sweet spirit. This area has been wonderful. I have learned to strengthen my testimony. I have felt the redemptive power of the atonement at work and have been able to see how it has blessed the lives of those around me.

Last week we hiked up West Mountain! IT WAS AWESOME! I was not able to reach the top because my companion was exhausted. So we were like

it was about 100 yards away from the top :( But it was fun. and so worth the trip up there.  When we were coming back down the mountain. my legs could not take it haha. I prefer going uphill because my legs were just like noodles and I simply could not just walk down the whole way because I guess they just gave up. 

This week was marvelous, a blessing and beautiful. One of the investigators that was dropped a transfer ago has been attending church, so we went to visit her again. It is so crazy to see how the Lord prepares people. She is humbled. She truly believes in the Restoration of the Gospel and that Joseph Smith was indeed a prophet of the Lord. When we read in the Book of Mormon with her, you can just see the great desire she has to learn more and to do all she can to prepare to be baptized. Because she wants her family to go to the temple. (it was she that brought up the temple not us) She says she went through twice and that she felt it. She felt the Holy Ghost. She wants to be sealed in the temple with her family.

The area is getting there! We have been able to cut to the core of our teaching pool because it was large. We are finding the jewels in between all the fog. I hope that this area is blessed because it has truly blessed me and will forever have a place in my heart. I got THE E-MAIL I am being transferred out of my baby area! (tear tear) BUT I am excited about transfers. I knew it was coming and have a really good feeling about it.

The Cultural Celebration was so great. I about cried as I watched some of the youth I know perform in it. and to see the dedication of the members to have a temple here in Payson. I love Payson. This temple has become a huge part of my life. Temples are heaven on earth. a taste of the Heavens on the earth.

https://www.lds.org/church/news/youth-fill-the-world-with-love-for-payson-temple-cultural-celebration?lang=eng

I know God lives. He is our loving Heavenly Father, who knows us in and through. As we rely on the Savior we can feel the redemptive power of which 2 Nephi 2 speaks of.

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/choose-to-believe?lang=eng

Daily Message:
"The weakest among us, through God’s grace, can become spiritually strong, because God “is no respecter of persons.”"
—President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "On Being Geniune"

Hermana Mena

Point of No Return!

Hello Hello Hello:

This week has been great!

So this week we had just a few lessons. but they were great! We had dinner with the newly called Relief Society President and it was the best. We were able to share the info we knew about the families in the ward and we were able to build up trust with her. She is wonderful.

Back when Sister F____ was here, we were trying to figure out ways we could serve Bishop and his family but were not very successful with figuring out how. About 3 weeks ago they introduced us to their grand-daughter and we were in awe how much she knew and to see the desire she had to be baptized. Despite her immediate family's situation we were so impressed how she has been prepared. We were able to finish teaching C____ and she was baptized just this Saturday. I can just feel and know that she will work wonders. She is a special soul of Heavenly Father, and I know that she will help her family and strengthen them.

Sister D_____ is so wonderful. She is always on top of things and knows just what to do in almost any given situation.

I know that our leaders are so inspired and that all of the programs, resources and aids we have are from the Lord. TIWI is the best. (Sis. Despain - I have no idea what TIWI stands for...) It is simply just like the Holy Ghost. There is always room for improvement, always :)

Updates:

Exchanges are the BEST!

I love Sister L___ she is awesome. I hope to serve with her one day.

We went to her assigned area and this is my second time. I love it there I love the people. I also hope I get assigned to labor there :)

I reached the point of no return!

We were driving back home down the hill the other day and I saw the sunset and the beautiful majestic mountains and then I knew. I love Utah I love the people and I think I love it here more and more and I kinda do not want to go back home.

Crazy/Interesting things that have happened:

So with one of the families we are working with we have been unable to get appointments with and each time I go over the kids want to race with me because I did one time before and they were like "please teach me a lesson and once we are done we can race!" It made me laugh because he was like I want you to teach me! hahaha and he was so eager. But I sense he wanted to race just a tad bit more than to hear us teach a lesson.

 

There is Excitement in the Air in the Ward

Our P-day activity today: Hike West Mountain with the District

I am so grateful for the Sabbath, the day of rest we have been given. Thankful for the atonement and what is has done in my life. I know this is the Lord's true church on the earth and am so grateful for all that I have.  I invite you all to read in the Book of Mormon. Ponder its message and ask the Lord with a real intent to act upon the answer you will receive and you  will receive an answer. 

Daily Message:
"The Savior’s Atonement cannot become commonplace in our teaching, in our conversation, or in our hearts."
—Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Gift of Grace"

I Love you all!!

Hermana Mena

Photo Update

You just feel it!

Elder Carlos Amado and wife

Hello! 

 So the last few weeks have been pretty crazy and we have been working a lot of days at the Temple Open House. This is our last week and I am sad it is coming to an end but happy we have been able to be a part of it. The Payson Temple is beautiful. We got to go through with a family yesterday, and it seems as though every time we walk through the instruction room you just feel it. You feel the Holy Ghost. It is crazy. The dedication will be on June 7th and we are looking forward to that too!

https://www.lds.org/church/temples/payson-utah?lang=eng#gallery=construction-photo-2---640x480

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/payson-utah-temple-opens-doors-to-the-public

This week as a Zone we got to go to "Jerusalem"  The place where they film the Bible Videos and it was amazing! I can't send pictures because the whole set is copyrighted. but it was so great. 

Zone Conference was amazing!!

I have a New Companion Sister D. from Florida she is great. 

​Daily Messages​:

• "Family is the center of life and is the key to eternal happiness."

  —L. Tom Perry, "Why Marriage and Family Matter--Everywhere in the World
• Hermana Mena