Week 20- Lesson After Lesson

This week was so crazy and so interesting! 

We had a lot of people to teach and luckily kind of just went from lesson to lesson all week. It is pretty exhausting but awesome at the same time. This week we had a lesson with a family who is the cousin of our ward mission leader. The family seems really interested and they have two little girls- one who is 9 and can be baptized and the other who is 7 so she will have to wait but the best thing is that when we were teaching the mom, Rayna was just listening so intently and like she just had this spark in her eye and she made it feel like the message was so important- like she was hanging onto every word. It was really awesome. Funny thing #1 is that we brought their cousins son and they all didnt know eachother so we basically hosted a family reunion! Pretty funny. And funny thing #2 is when we were saying the closing prayer I just opened my eyes just a peek (i know, bad missionary) but all four of them were looking RIGHT at me and so then I closed my eyes really fast and was trying so hard not to laugh but i hardly knew what to do! 

Let's see, what else? A member gave us a referall- her son is a less active who is married to a non-member and she told us to go ahead and stop by. So we went to his house and we pretended like we had no idea anything about him (haha) and then we asked him if he had ever talked to missionaries before and that kind of stuff but he basically just said that he only had for a few minutes and that he wasn't interested so we were like oh OK. And left. Well the next day we were eating dinner at his Aunt's house and he walked in the door and we all made eye contact and just were like uhhhh hey! hahah talk about the greatest awkward moment in the world but geez it was so funny. I think Hermana Villalobos and I both wanted to kinda disappear.

Saturday was pretty brutal- 8 appointments canceled and so we literally ran around getting rained on begging people to let us in to their house. Keeps us humble, its good for us haha. Sometimes Missionary Work is as hard as nailing jello to a tree. (stole that from mom)

Something that I definitely learned this week is that we have to teach people and not just lessons. It is sometimes hard to imagine what learning about our religion would be like if we had never heard anything about it before but it can sound kinda crazy. Joseph Smith himself said that maybe if someone else had told him and he hadn't experienced it himself, he might not even believe it. But he had experienced it, and he could not deny it. Well we had the opportunity to be reconnected with two different investigators last week who had chosen to stop the lessons. In both cases when we began to talk to them again they struggled with the Book of Mormon. And now looking back on the first time that we had taught them we just taught the Restoration and we get to the part of the First Vision the feeling is so strong- I get warm from the inside out- and so we assume that the lesson was awesome but sometimes that one good feeling doesnt soothe all the questions and concerns and doubts. I believe that we have these two investigators back because the Lord is super merciful and like in Ether even though we are weak in words those that are truly meek will see around that to the truth  - and I couldn't be more grateful. I hope that they can be directed a little better to answers this time (which only comes through personal prayer and reading, for reals.) 

Well I guess that's about it. You're the best. Loves! 

Hermana J

Week 19- Natives

Drumroll pleaseeeeeee..... 

The new comp IS HERMANNNNAAA.................. Villalobos. She is super amazing. She was born in D.F. (Mexico City North)- so Ryan you definitely know her home! And she moved to America when she was 11. She is super pretty and it has been so fun wearing all her clothes haha and she is switching things up here in McMinnville and pushing me and the area to grow and be better which I just love. 

We have a lesson in literally three minutes so I will have to keep this so short- I am sorry but I just wanted to share this experience. 

We had the Stake Presidents daughter with us and we were driving to a lesson and we saw two women walking with some little children riding around on some bikes. And I was like I dont know why but we have to talk to them. So we pulled over and jumped out really quick and when one of the kids saw me she started to run towards me and gave me the biggest hug and I didnt see her face so I wasnt sure who it was but then I realized that it was the youngest daughter of a father we had been teaching who we had lost contact with. This fmaily had been taught by Elders years ago but the mother passed away from cancer- she was diagnosed right after they had set a baptismal date. She left behind 4 kids and the family chose to stop investigating. They were just being taught again about 6 months ago. I was so grateful in that moment that God asked us to stop and talk to those people because there is no doubt that every soul is precious in the sight of God and that he loves his Children.  We were able to make an appointment and I hope with all my heart that the members of this family will decide to be wrapped in the arms of Christ which offer comfort and happiness. May we all be a little more willing to go where he wants us to go and do what he wants us to do.

All my love,

Hermana J

Week 18- Breaking Up The Dream Team

Well everyone they are taking my mom away, again. Hermana Barrios is leaving McMinnville and I am going to try and fill in her VERY big footsteps. We find out tomorrow where she is going and who our new companions are. Its basically the worst because she has been in MAC for 9 months and I love her more than anything so basically everybody in the whole town has been crying for three days straight. Man but all's well. This is part of missionary life. 

This week was a good week. We have been trying to work hard and we are pretty lucky to be in just about the best area ever. Our Ward Mission Leader, Brother Alba, has been the leader for a lot of years now and I think we are pretty blessed to have him because he is willing to do whatever he can to help and sometimes he is like oh you havent met this investigator? sorry, i have only taught him a little. haha well ok then. thats definitely a problem that we dont mind having. But some things that Brother Alba has taught me is that every person has strengths and all though they might not do it the way you would- they are going to be able to do it in a way that is good. 

The West family took us to dinner at this really awesome place called McMinnimins. It was a roof top restraunt and so you could see the view all the way over MAC- it was so awesome. 

Yesterday we had a very good lesson with a young couple who were baptized a few weeks before I came- they moved to Portland right after they were baptized and moved back just a few weeks ago. This couple was taught by the Newberg Spanish Elders and the way that they started was that the guy- Mario who is only 22 decided that he wanted God in his life so he went up to the elder in the car and asked for a bible. After that him and his 18 year old girlfriend Andrea were married and baptized within a few months. Crazy show of faith. And both were struggling a little bit with the Plan of Salvation so we had alesson at the church with the Elders to help clear up their minds. I have never, ever felt the Spirit so strong as I did in that room. They are two very special people and they will do amazing things. But definitely something I learned was that how merciful and kind and loving must God be to love all his Children so much to each give them an opportunity to be comfortable and happy no matter what our choices are.  It must have seemed somewhat appealing the plan that Satan presented- that everyone could return but it just wasnt right. How beautiful the gift of agency is- and it is such a responsibility! 

Welcome home Derrick! 

Love, Hermana Johnson

Week 17- Oh Diablo and Love For Real

This week was quiet and eventful. Last Monday we went and enjoyed all the little shops on 3rd street which in turn made me slightly depressed because I am broke and could not buy anything. 

Then on Tuesday we had exchanges and I went with Hermana Aubrey and Gifford to North Salem. It was PRETTY interesting. It was a good day and I learned a lot but just about the funniest thing in the world happened- We were knocking on a door and then the door to the house next to us opened and a man walked out singing OHHHHH DIABLOOOO! and we were like oh no.. haha and he was definitely drunk and he asked us HEY arent you those Jesus Freaks? and we were like um well we are missionaries. and he goes oh well i dont like that jose smith of yours- go read the last chapter of revelations and it will make you change your religion. we were like ok thanks! and then he said somehting else as he was walking away and heremana aubrey asked WHAT? and he turned back around and she says ahh man hes coming back. haha so funny. 

lets see what else? Gustavo got his endowments out on Saturday and we had the opportunity to go with him. It was such a good day and we are so excited to hear where his mision call will take him in the next couple of weeks. Hermana Kitchen- a missionary that went home when I came back came to his endowments because she was the missionary that taught him and it was awesome because she gave us about 50 referalls and totally pumped us up. 

Well all that I have more to say is that we get out what we put in! 

Love ya,

hermana j

Week 16- Families Can BE Together Forever

this week was a really good week. We went to Salem for Hermana Barrios to do some STL duties and we looked everywhere for Love Love Teryaki because one of the ladies at Dr. Simpsons recommended it to me back home but we couldt find it! So Gustavo is going to bring us some next week. TEll Dr. Simpson I miss him and that I really actually floss every night. 

We also had a really awesome exchange this week with Hermana Phelps who was in the MTC with me. She came to MAC with me and Barrios and it was the best. We laughed so much and it is always super refreshing to get another person in on this work of salvation! 

Then we had Zone Conference with President and Sister Samuelian which was really good. They talked a lot about having the ability to act and not be acted upon- Agents Unto Ourselves. HEres a Quote:  “Usually the Lord gives us the overall objectives to be accomplished and some guidelines to follow, but he expects us to work out most of the details and methods. The methods and procedures are usually developed through study and prayer and by living so that we can obtain and follow the promptings of the Spirit. Less spiritually advanced people, such as those in the days of Moses, had to be commanded in many things. Today those spiritually alert look at the objectives, check the guidelines laid down by the Lord and his prophets, and then prayerfully act—without having to be commanded "in all things." This attitude prepares men for godhood.Sometimes the Lord hopefully waits on his children to act on their own, and when they do not, they lose the greater prize, and the Lord will either drop the entire matter and let them suffer the consequences or else he will have to spell it out in greater detail. Usually, I fear, the more he has to spell it out, the smaller is our reward.” Ezra T. Benson – (1965) 

And finally we had a BAPTISM! woot. It was so awesome. It was definitely one where I cried but Karina the mom and Alexa the 14 year old both decided to be baptized and both said after that they just felt happy. and that is definitely enough for me! 

And last the funniest thing is that Hermana Barrios translates every sunday from spanish to English in church and then those that dont speak spanish wear headphones. well a lady started singing during her talk- count your many blessing and barrios goes shoot! I dont know this song in english! SING! and passed me the microphone so i started to sing and you see everyone wearing headphones turn their heads towards the back of the chapel where I was sitting and just start laughing! NEVER SING TRANSLATING AGAIN HAHA 

Have a good week love you, 

Hermana J

Week 15- Baptisms are Bomb

Hello all of everyone. This week this letter is going to be a little short because i have a lot of pictures to send and also we have a lesson today so...perdon. 

The bestest and biggest thing that comes to mind that happened last week is that.....KARINA AND ALEXA DECIDED TO BE BAPTIZED. woot. It was so crazy because Hermana Barrios was on exchanges with different sisters so Hermana Gifford and I were together and she came out the same time that I did so our Spanish is literally a REAL STRUGGLE. But when we said we have prayed and we feel like February 14th is the date that you should be baptized, afterward Hermana Gifford said that she literally felt like the Spirit was pushing her up against the wall and I got all hot from the inside out. it was the coolest feeling. Anyways Karina and Alexa both said that they definitely felt like they were ready. So that is coming up this week! 

We went to Catholic Church on Thursday because one of our investigators invited us and it was super interesting haha. So I hope this isnt bad to say but American Catholic church and Mexican Catholic church are definitely a bit different. It felt kinda like a party because they were dancing at some parts like the Hokey Pokey and I wont go into too much detail but it was definitely weird stuff. 

Something that I am really grateful for this week is the fact that we have a prophet who leads us and guides us today. There is a picture in our apartment of President Monson and he is just smiling with his counselors sitting by him and I just think that someone so holy and inspired is funny and kind and personable. It makes me realize how much I feel like this church is for real people today and that it is encouraging rather than damning. I think that is important. That it talks more about ways we can be better despite our sins rather than how much trouble we are going to be in because of our sins. 

Also I am so glad that Bishop Hansen is still Bishop after the big split!!!! but I am sad they seperated us. Our ward was the best ward in the world. 

All is well. Sorry it is short. have a good week. 

Week 14- Super Bowl and Super Full

Hellllooooo.

Welp this week was a good one with lots of ups and downs. Last Monday after I emailed, Barrios and I went to work out with our Colombian friend, Marta. Well lemme just say, NEVER AGAIN. hahaha I couldn't walk for two days. Halfway through she told us that we had to say, Estamos agradecidas para nuestros piernas entonces podemos hacer este. (We are grateful for our legs so that we can do this.) I don't know if that is proper Spanish but you get the gist. We were suffering! lol but afterwards we had an hour nap and that almost made up for the pain. Almost.

So this week was a little hard because we have been trying to catch up with Miguel, the young man who has been really committed. Well the last time we met with him, the lesson went kinda rocky. Its kinda weird to think sometimes that lessons DONT go good when we are missionaries with like the Spirit and all that- but sometimes it doesnt go good. haha But anyways that Sunday he didnt come to church and that was last Sunday and then we had a lesson with him this past week that he didnt come to as well and then at church he wasnt there either. So we are really worried about him. We hope that we can catch up with him this week and sort things out. He has got so much potential and I think his mom is interested as well. I know that he is thinking about baptism but is also a little confused because his mom told him he doesnt need to be baptized again because he already has. But we can fix that if we can find him! 2

Karina and her family are doing REALLY great. Noe is having a little bit of a hard time with Joseph Smith and the family has been sick on and off so it has been a little rocky but slowly and surely we are making progress. We hope that this week we can set a date for baptism but this family is so awesome. They have such a faith. It is really awesome though that the 6 year old, Kimberly, loves to pray. She always volunteers at Family Home Evening and just loves to do it. I love prayer and the power that comes behind it. We had a lesson with a teenage recent convert yesterday and he said that everybody talks about the power of prayer and how amazing it is but that he had no idea if it was even real. And I got so warm all over and I started to share about how I was even here on a mission, how I made that decision, and how it felt to receive an answer from God. Then we left him with a challenge to pray for himself that night. I know that I felt that Spirit so strongly in that moment because I had such a strong experience with the fact that God answers prayers. Wow does God answer prayers. 

We got to take some investigators to the Visitor Center on Saturday and watch Meet the Mormons. It was in Spanish so (I think) it was good. But we had 9 investigators come and I just love that we have that opportunity to go there because it is such a powerful place. As we pulled up, Karina said WOW I love that statue of Christ. I do too. The Christus is so beautiful. And something that Liz sent me the other day was in my mind from 1 Nephi "Behold, i have graven thee on the palms of my hands." How powerful that sentence is. We are a part of him on the marks that he has. As he looks at those scars, he personally feels for us and loves us and understands us. And something that Hermana Barrios says sometimes is so true that even if you were the only person that came to this earth and Christ only came and suffered and died for you, he still would have done it and it would have been worth it to him. Se que el vive. 

Well I know that I missed about the biggest Super Bowl party ever and dont worry, I am just a little depressed about it. We were visiting Gustavo and we got their right at kick off and I could hear the whistles blowing haha talk about torture. But we also went to a birthday party and I have never been so full in my entire life. Three different families brought enough food for Thanksgiving 8 different times and I ate it all because, hey its mexican food, and it is delicious. ha 

Love ya,

Hermana J