Words from Elder Tyler Crosby in Tonga Nuku Alofa Mission

"These last couple have weeks have been pretty slow with the work, but I had two baptisms last friday! They were a learning experience because I messed up on the names a couple of times and feet came up another time so it was a little frustrating plus everyone was trying to tell me what to do so it was hecktic but in the end they got baptized and I learned alot. I have really learned alot from my studies also. I read quited a bit now and the spirit really teaches me alot. Also I received letters from Mr.Zieler and from you guys of course. Oh the packages too. I gave almost all my candy from aunt perri to a family that always does stuff for us I try to show my appreciation because I cant speak it that well. My companion also really enjoys when I get candy he gets a little crazy sometimes! haha He is one of those guys that is quiet when everyone is around but when its just me an him holy cow he is a character. He is a good guy we have alot of deep talks and he has alot of knowledge. I really love it here in Tonga, eventhoug I get frustrated and get down The lord always finds way to bring me up I am beyond blessed."

Elder Jared Anderson is off to Brazil

 

Elder Jared Anderson is flying out to Brazil on Monday, Dec 2nd. We will post his new address
when we receive it! Congrats!

Words from Hermana Sandra Thompson in Chile Santiago East Mission

"Elder Jeffrey R Holland of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles was here, along with Elder D Todd Christofferson. Elder Holland held a special meeting just with the missionaries. It was lovely, and inspiring, and touching. He is very concerned about the church collectively and people individually. He talked about an interview a long time ago with an Olympic Champion swimmer, who when asked how to be a gold metalist the swimmer said "when you don't feel like kicking, kick. When you don't feel like stroking, stroke". It made me think about Finding Nemo and when Dory says "just keep swimming, just keep swimming", I got after myself for being irreverent, but then after found out I was not the only one who has been Disney brainwashed. A scripture he shared was in 1 Nehi:1:12 "and it came to pass that as he read, he was filled with the Spirit of the Lord". I hope when I read my scriptrues that is what happens to me. Some days it does, some days not. He also

talked about the "astonishment" of a number of miraculous conversions in the Bible and Book of Mormon: Paul, Alma the younger, the Sons of Mosiah, the Nephite dissenters whom Lehi and Nephi taught (sons of Helaman). Every conversion, every time someone knowingly steps closer to God, they change and become renewed a little more. There is another scripture in 3 Nephi2:1 that talks about a people who became hard hearted and became less and less astonished at the signs and wonders the Lord provided. I hope I do not become "less astonished" at the goodness the Lord provides to me and my loved ones and those around me. Each day is a gift to me, every breath and every time my muscles moved and when my body works the way it is supposed to is a miracle, and I am astonished at the goodness the Lord brings to me."

Words from Sister Elese Hauser in Illinois Chicago West Mission

 

"What a beautiful week it was! They call this week, the Indian Summer because it gets really warm for a couple of days so that the farmers can gather the last of their crop before it really gets cold. And so we had 60 degree weather this week and it was perfect for missionary work! But yes, we had a really bad storm yesterday! We had to stay in doors in the morning because there was a tornado warning! It was so exciting!!!! My companion got a little worried, but I found it rather fascinating to watch the road become a river :) And then it cleared up right before 11:00 so we went on our way to church.

This was a rather tiring week. I feel like these past 2 months have been exhausting! And we haven't been able to find anyone to teach. Its been rather hard to not get discouraged and to not lose faith, but we continue to work hard. Because I know that when all is said and done, at the end of the night, if I can say that I labored in the Lords vineyard with all of my heart, might, mind and strength then I know that I did my best. And the rest I leave to the Lord. We hardly had anybody at church yesterday because of the storm, but we're hoping this next Sunday we can get more less actives and investigators there. We had some great miracles week with the members! I have been waiting my whole mission to get the phone call from a member and say "I did it! I finally invited someone to hear the Gospel and they said YES!!" And this week, that call finally came. It was a dark Friday night, at about 9:00pm. We were headed home down State St. when we got a phone call. Sister Spendlove answered and we could hardly say Hello before the member was telling us this story about how she was at the Chicago Temple and she was leaving when she saw one of her friends in the waiting room. Her sister was getting sealed and this lady was a long time co-worker and friend to our member. So they talked and it was the non member who said "I think i'm ready to learn more about this gospel. When can we meet?" Well, how about now is what I would have said!!!! But the member scheduled a time and we'll be going over to her house soon. I am just so grateful for the blessings of the members. I am on my mission to help the members do missionary work, not the other way around. And so we have personally extended Elder Ballard's invitation from conference. He said " We are not asking everyone to do everything. WE are simply asking that if every member, young and old, will reach out to just "one" between now and Christmas, millions will feel of the love our Lord Jesus Christ." And so I want to invite you all to do the same thing. Sit down in FHE or something and make a list of some potential people you could share the Gospel with. Remember, they don't have to be your best friends. And then just tell them about your weekend and what you learned in church. I can promise each and every one of you ( and I don't even know who reads my emails!) but I know that when we are on the Lord's errand, we cannot fail. We succeed when we invite. Feel of the love our Savior has when we share Gospel, and invite someone into your home to hear the message of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And when in doubt, bear testimony of the Prophet Joseph. I love this Gospel and I love the peace and joy that comes only from the Gospel. I hope you will all take my invitation seriously and pray for who you could share Gospel with. don't pray that I will be able to find those searching for the Gospel in this area. Rather, help the missionaries in your area find those searching. I love you all!!!! Have a great week:)"



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Words from Sister Eevanna Brown in South Carolina Columbia Mission

 

I received the news that makes my heart sing! I get to stay here in Marion Branch for another 6 weeks!!!! Sister Daniels didn't get her visa and she is staying and we are getting another visa waiter, "Sister Gearhart. Sister Daniels knows her from the MTC and they are both going to Brazil. Its really great for them, because they get to have that hour of language study practicing together, and I think that snuck out of the whole thing with the best deal, I get to have two hours of personal study!!! I have had that these past six weeks and it has been amazing. So I will be in a trio... I am grateful for the opportunity, because I definitely need to learn how to be more humble and meek. It is amazing to me that the Lord has offered me the second chance to be a better companion to not only Sister Daniels, but Sister Gearhart too. The icing on the cake is that we all three have been called to be Sister Training Leaders too. Ha the Lord really must want me to be humble ha! I am so grateful for the opportunity. It is neat, because I want to do a lot of things differently than how I did it (hen I was one my first couple transfers on the mission. It is fun to see the progress I made, line upon line. I want to be the leader the Lord wants, not the one I want. And I have great examples to look to, Marisa and her service, Dad and his delegation and people-skills, and Mom with her sweetness and sincerity and many more.

      My heart is continually singing! We have the sacred privilege to go to the temple again! Our zone hit our goal again and we have the blessing of going. I am so happy beyond words. Kendale came to church again yesterday! He is hard to get to open up, but he said it was good. He turned 31 a couple days ago and we gave him some banana nut muffins. Ha the poor fellow had made himself a cake and it was raw in the middle :) He is so child-like. Thank you for your prayers for him. His baptism is less than two weeks ago and he is struggling quitting smoking and understanding why he should live the law of chastity, but his heart is continually softening. In Gospel Principles he gave the closing prayer and it was so sincere. Those are some of the greatest moments, hearing those simple prayers of faith from those you teach. When he comes to church, he walks into the chapel and already has "his spot" ha oh I love it. And a less-active couple that we have been working with the Elder's Quorum Presidency came to church too! We have been seeing the Lord pouring out blessings. Just when I think that it can't get any better, it does. It always somehow does. The times when I am being a chump or times when I am tired, the Lord still blesses me, ha sometimes with the gentle rebuke from the Holy Ghost, yet it is blessing, one of the greatest kind actually. This talk reminds me of that, "Being Accepted of the Lord"

 

Words from Elder Kent Waters in Italy Rome Mission

"I didnt get transfered we got calls on saturday and only 2 people out of the 8 in our district were transfered anziano bennett is going to naptown (naples) and sorella piccirillo is finishing her mission i but new thing this transfer is i am now zone leader its like district leader but bigger... district leader is like a councilman and zone leader is like mayor haha should be great my zone leader companion is anzinao kasper who has been assistant to the pres the last few transfers so he will help me out alot. work is going good struggling.

work is going good we got a few new investigators this week maybe one is promising but i cant tell yet he did by me this orzo (barley) (the legit mormon coffee) it is the exact same thing as coffee but without the coffee bean.

this week should be good not really sure what we hav eplanned yet but today went great i cooked spanish rice and tacos for the district and 3 memebers and every one really liked them i know how to cook other stuff just a few members of the district have been asking all transfer so i made it all. then after we played a couple games and then came to do internet. "

Words from Sister Heather Patterson in South Carolina Columbia Mission



"This week has been rather challenging. We have a lesson tonight with the Harmon family. They are the sweetest family every. I have been fasting and praying constantly for them. I am so scared because I want them so badly to feel the spirit. We are having the lesson in a member families home. They are the Mayos. I love their family. So please include the Lindsay and Corey Harmon in your prayers. I got your Halloween gift!! and was overly happy for the candy. Sister Gearheart is much like me in that respect. She was very excited for it:)

We Zone training meeting this past week, and I cant believe how many amazing missionaries are in my mission. They are in all reality the best missionaries in the world. I felt the spirit so strongly. That is one of the things I have come to realize lately is the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. Honestly I am not worthy of that gift always, but I can rocgnize when it is with me. Elder Ah Kui talked about The Saviors ministry and how he visited the sick and the afflicted, the struggling and perishing, and he healed them. We are asked to do the same. Who amoung us is perishing? Who amung us is sick? Let us follow the Savior and seek them out, and bring them to Christ. Bring them "the pleasing word of God that healeth the wounded soul." Jacob 2:8 Linds, please go reach out to that little girl. Bring her to church, be her friend. I have a tesitmony that we are the servants of the vineyard. We are here for such a cause. To help bring souls to Christ. Jacob 5: 71 " And the Lord of the Vineyard said unto them: Go to, and Labor in the vineyard with your might. For behold, this is the last time that I shall nourish my vineyard; for the end is nigh at hand, and the season speedily cometh; and if ye labor with your might with me ye shall have joy in the fruit which I shall lay up unto myslef against the time which will soon come." God promises us that we will have joy if we labor with him. I have never experienced greater joy than that of serving others. If you ever want to know just how much God loves us, and he has in store for us, study Jacob five."