Words from Elder Bo Mullenaux in the Califonia Santa Rosa Mission

"Another week has come and gone. It just seems to go faster and faster. This week i will hit 6 months! I know that this past 6 months and the next 1 1/2 years of my life will be ones that i will look at for the rest of my life. I am so glad i made the decision to serve.

This week is transfers! I am so excited to be staying here in Vacaville for at least another month and a half. My companion is migrating all the way to Winters. My new companion is still in the MTC right now probably not having a clue what's coming ha ha. I love having the opportunity to train because i know that i learn more than the new missionary. It will be another humbling experience.

So i heard an analogy this week that i really love and i know is true. Our testimonies are like us going up a down escalator. If you want to make progress, you have to keep walking. not just walking, but walking faster than the escalator. If you stand still, or walk slow, you will move backwards. The same with our testimonies. If you continually work to strengthen your testimony you will make progress. as soon as you slack off. it starts to go the other way. It starts to become weaker. That is why something as simple as reading scriptures and praying daily makes the world of a difference. Those small and simple things are how great things come to pass.

I love you all so much. I'm so thankful for all of your love and support. I hope you all have the best week! But really, that's up to you :)"

Words from Sister Elese Hauser in Ilinois Chicago West Mission

 

"Hello Everyone!

Well we had a very eventful week with many ups and downs. But overall, it was a busy, but good week for us in Belvidere! Well, Christmas is fast approaching. I honestly haven't even thought about being able to Skype home. So transfers are one week from tomorrow but we'll find out this Saturday night what's going to happen. A few weeks ago I was terribly nervous that I would be the one leaving one week before Christmas. But this week I had the feeling that I probably will be the one going but I think its time. One thing my trainer taught me is that you can feel when its your time to be transferred. And if I'm completely honest with myself, I think its time. That doesn't mean that I want to leave at all!!! I love Belvidere with my whole heart. The members are fabulous, but we'll see what happens. And so with transfers being the week before Christmas I have no idea what time and if it will be calling or Skyping. They may let us Skpye from our iPads, but we'll see. So next week let me know what works for you. I do believe we are one hour ahead of you and so remember that. But we are allowed to call from our cell phone or to Skype and I would prefer to Skype. So next week let me know what time works for you. And Mom- what is your Skype name so I can look you up?

Well it snowed about 3 inches last night and its pretty cold today. The picture i'm sending is of me with the coolest ear muffs ever!! They really do keep your ears warm. I didn't even know that they made ear muffs like that anymore! And that's my big puffy winter coat. I don't think I've ever owned a coat so warm, but its already in the negatives here. And Mom, those tights you sent me are like warm awesomeness on my legs! So thanks for the package:) I will look for your Christmas packages next Tuesday when we have transfers.

Well this week we were able to teach this awesome family that was a referral from a member. And it was the most awesome lesson! We taught them about the Book of Mormon and invited them to be baptized and they said they would!! I could feel the Spirit so strongly as we testified of the Book of Mormon. As I reflect back on my mission, and my life, I have realized how much the Book of Mormon has healed me. When we deepen our own conversion of the Book of Mormon then that is what leads us to want to share it with others. As I have emailed home about missionary work, and the how to, I want you all to know that being a true member missionary comes first from reading the Book of Mormon. President Fenn always teaches us that a doctrine Satan does not attack is not worth teaching. Think about how much the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith are attacked in this world. That's because they're the most important things in our Gospel. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. And nobody can ever take that knowledge away from me. I have seen miracles come about because of that book, and there is no better thing to read, ponder, or to pray about in this entire world. I know that the message we have is the most important message anyone will ever hear in their life. We have the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We offer Salvation. And we have the greatest gift to give for Christmas, the knowledge that God speaks to us today. That He loves us, and that love is unfathomable. So share that precious gift we have this Christmas season, what a better gift to our Savior than to share His love with all of His children. Well we received a call last night from this family we taught earlier this week. They are having extensive medical problems and the Dr, has told them to not add any more stress to their life, so they want to hold off on the lessons. I think my heart broke a little bit last night. What this family doesn't realize is that baptism will help them. Having the Holy Ghost will comfort them. And reading the Book of Mormon will bring an enormous amount of peace into their lives that will help with any problems. When I found out last night I just wanted to run over to their house and start teaching them the Plan of Salvation. Everything will be alright! We aren't sure what to do at this point.. But you can all be my witness that we will not give up. This is too amazing, too much of a miracles to just walk away. From the moment I met them I knew they would be baptized and it will happen, you can all be rest assured.

This week was also Stake Conference and President and Sister Fenn came and spoke. The Saturday night session was for ages 12 and up and it was all about missionary work!! I felt so proud as our mission President told all the missionaries to stand up and then told all the members that they can trust us with their friends. I know that member missionary work is the only way this work will succeed! So don't give up! This work is incredible. And I am so grateful for all your support! I love all so much!!!!"

Words about Elder Austin Davis in Oregon Portland Mission

 

 

Missionaries spotted doing good in the community! Thank you Elders!

Words about Elder Tyler Crosby in Tonga Nuku Alofa Mission

 Its a small small world! Ron’s a dentist and goes to Tonga two weeks every year and works with the Tongan people. Tyler’s companion was one of the people he worked on while in Tonga.

Ron is a relative of Justin Lee. It was interesting two people tied to St. Johns meet in Tonga.

 

Words from Hermana Amanda Greer in Chile Osomo Mission

 

 

"I had a great week.

There is one boy(13 years old) who came with his mom to church last week. In a lesson we had with him this week we asked he and his mom to be baptized. He didn't hesitate as he said "Yo. Si!" And he wanted to know everything we knew about more classes at the church. He would be baptized next week I'm sure, but baptism is a big deal, and if he doesn't have the support from his family it would be really hard to stay active. His mom is interested in the church but doesn't know for herself it is true, but I think with a little more time they will both be baptized.

The husband of the young couple we have been teaching from the beginning came to church this week, even though his wife couldn't come because she was sick, and even though it was day lights savings time and we lost an hour, and he stayed for all three hours and really liked it, and was given a book of the teachings of Lorenzo Snow and has already read the beginning of the book. It is inspiring to see his example of desire to have the light of the gospel in his life and his families, even though his friends and family aren't encouraging. He was baptized when he was 8, with his mom and brother but has{t gone back to church until yesterday.

Today we had lunch with him and his wife and little 3 year old son. They are great. It was really nice of them to invite us over for lunch. It was fun being able to sit and talk with them more than we usually can when its not p-day. We ate rice and hotdogs, which is typical. but it actually tastes pretty good the way he prepared it. Tonight we have FHE with them and the new bishop;s family. It should be good. I wish that the wife was as excited about reading the book of Mormon as her husband.

I had a humbling experience this week too. There is a woman who served a mission but then married a non member and hadn't gone to church for 15 years, that is until yesterday. When she found out there were sister missionaries in this ward she got reeaalllly excited. Her husband left her/she kicked him out this past week. She has decided she wants to live a life conducive to the will to the spirit, following gods will. Her husband is a nice guy but sometimes gets really drunk and it causes him to do things he shouldn't do. She still loves him, but told him she doesn't want anymore of that in her house. So they are trying to figure things out. She lives in the sector of the elders in our ward, but we went to visit her a few times this week, and are now really good friends. She has a strong testimony and is great. Last night we actually shared a message with her, and at the end she told us how she has been praying for her husband with all of her heart, and she thinks that sister missionaries would be perfect for him because he is too much of a gentleman to turn them down. She also said that just maybe we are the ones meant to teach him, so asked us if we might start praying for him and for an opportunity to be able to teach him and that he can have an open heart. It hit me, how I have a grand responsibility to be that missionary she has been praying for and he unconsciously waiting for. I know that through the help of God and the power of the spirit all things are possible, I only hope I don't mess it up too bad. I need to be prepared and worthy at all moments. Right after she asked us to pray for her husband, there was a knock on the door, and it was her husband. She had a huge grin on her face, and then invited him to sit and talk with us as she got ready to get her stuff together to give us a ride home. It was perfect timing. He was great to talk to. She told him that I had a beautiful voice, and she asked if I might be able to sing something for him. I sang for him "I Am a Child of God", first in English(he kind of knows English) and second in Spanish. The spirit was there, and hopefully his heart was touched.

This hermana refers to us as her angels. This last week in church several different people referred to us as their angels, and how great of a blessing it is to have servants of the lord, who are so close to God, walk into their homes. Its humbling."

Words from Elder Bo Mullenaux In the California Santa Rosa Mission

  " So one thing that i really was able to see and learn this week is that obedience brings blessings. There has been a few elders that i have seen the light of Christ in them slowly diminish. The Light of Christ is real. Everyone has it. When you make right choices, the light of Christ that you have within you grows. When you choose to disobey, that light goes away. The more light you have, the easier it is to feel promptings from the Holy ghost. The less light, the harder, until you eventually have no light. Before my mission, i thought that all missionaries were happy-go-lucky. Ive quickly come to learn that this is not true. I am striving to keep my light, not only keep, but build my let and let it continue to grow. I am so thankful for how merciful the Lord is to each and everyone of His children."

 

Words from Elder Lamar y Hermana Sarah Jean Gray in the Dominican Republic

 

"We are serving in the Santo Domingo Dominican Republic Temple and live in an apartment building near the temple that also houses the MTC,

Area Presidency office, family history center, and the distribution store.

 We work every day in the temple except Sunday and Monday. On Monday Elder Gray drives the temple van and takes the temple missionaries to do their shopping. 

Sundays we serve in a small branch, Los Llanos, which is about 50 miles from Santo Domingo. Elder Gray is the branch president. The average attendance is 50. They are a loving, gentle people. For example, we also go on Tuesday evenings where I 'teach' the keyboard. My Spanish is limited and one day I was frustrated and said, "Mi español es muy malo." They all quickly said, "No importa, Hermana Gray, no importa" and expressed their appreciation for my effort. We currently have 4 Elders from the Santo

Domingo East mission working in Los Llanos and helping us in the branch.  We enjoy

their enthusiasm and support. 
 
The workers in the temple are also very patient with those trying to learn Spanish. The natives feel it is such a privilege to work in the temple. Many come a long way on motorbikes, buses, taxis, metro, etc. Few have cars. 

 One of our favorite days is Thursday because the MTC missionaries come to the temple. They are awesome, humble young people and, like all missionaries , there are lots of challenges ahead of them. We are in awe of all of the missionaries in the world!

 On the weekends, many wards and stakes come to the temple. They come off the guaguas (buses), taxis, vans and public transportation in their Sunday best--white shirts and ties and dresses. Many have traveled at least 4 hours to get here.  The building we live in has rooms that they can rent ($3.00 US) and lots of them come and stay a week at a time, especially those from the other islands.  It’s interesting to see them cook meals in the kitchen of the MTC and gather around as one happy family. 

 This temple serves all of the islands in the Caribbean and there are many languages spoken, the main 3 are Spanish, English, and French.

 Many temples in the world are closed on holidays, but here the members stream to the temple on holidays. 

Well, here it is December 1, and the temperature at 10:30 pm is 84 degrees. One of the reasons we love it here.

 Merry Christmas to you all."