¡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

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Hermana Mena