Mis Queridos Hermanos-
Hola from Texas, even though the weather has become bitterly cold and is resembling Utah! This week was absolutely and purely a work of faith. We received training from our President, his assistants, and then Elder M Russell Ballard this week. They spoke to us about working with the ward more effectively, working through less actives and part-member families. I'll paste the email recap of Elder Ballard's visit since it's hard to tell everything he said. We strove really hard to pray in faith to find the people who are ready to receive the gospel and we taught 30 lessons and found 13 new investigators this week!!! It was truly a miraculous week.
Just a small little note- on Friday evening, we ran home to our apartment to grab something before a lesson. In our haste, my thumb got shut in the car door. It broke my nail in half and well, lets just say... it was a mess to clean up. Hna Rife was wonderful in helping me clean and bandage it. I've been putting on oils for wounds, antibacterial stuff, etc. Luckily, I got my package today and can put Frankincense on to help with the swelling and healing. It's stiff and hurts a little still, but I'm ok : ) Onward and upward.
This work is such a sacred privilege and every day I feel the guidance on my Heavenly Father. Moroni 7:33 says, "And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me." This was a powerful week. Our struggle now is to balance and teach everyone that we have found. Also, we are struggling to get our investigators to church. Something always happens- cars break down, family shows up to visit, work call and offers overtime if they come in. The adversary is really working hard to stop his children from progressing, but as we continue to act in faith I know we will have power to do all things- including helping our investigators come to church.
Love you all lots,
Hermana Koerner
This is the recap from President Pingree about Elder Ballard:
Dear Sisters and Elders –
We were blessed to hear from Elder Ballard, Bishop Davies, and Elder Nielsen this past weekend. Certainly, they shared many important thoughts and concepts with us. Hopefully, you were able to receive personal revelation from the Spirit concerning the things that were most important for you.
Today, I would like to summarize some of the principles taught by Elder Ballard that I feel are especially important for our mission at this time. Some of the quotes below came from the tri-mission meeting and others from meetings with Elder Ballard that took place later in the day with area priesthood leaders.
BUILDING THE WARD
"Build a strong relationship with the bishop, ward mission leader, and ward council. Help them to lift and build members of the ward."
"Be a resource to the bishop."
"Bishops should invite the missionaries into the first 15-20 minutes of ward council and PEC in order to discuss the names of part-member, less active, and new member families. Missionaries should engage the ward council to find solutions to the needs of those they are teaching."
"Leave each ward better than when you got there."
GAINING THE TRUST OF MEMBERS
"To gain the trust of the members, you must be men and women of dignity."
"At church, don't group with other missionaries. Reach out to the members."
"A missionary's personal presentation makes a huge difference in the ward's willingness to use them."
"No member should get into the chapel for sacrament meeting without first being greeted by a missionary."
FINDING PEOPLE TO TEACH
"You will find, teach, and baptize more people as you are anxiously engaged in lifting, building, and inspiring others."
"Find opportunities to teach people who need a spiritual lift."
"What they feel matters more than what they know. Help others to feel the power of the gospel."
ON TEACHING
"Teach simply, with love, and by the Spirit."
"Have an excitement for the message you have to share."
"It is critical for missionaries to teach every day. If missionaries do not have an appointment with an investigator, they should arrange to teach the first lesson to a member of the ward." This lifts the member and also helps the missionary to improve their teaching skills.
PERSONAL CONSECRATION
"Once you internalize your love for Christ, you will do anything to bring souls to Him. You will do anything to extend the blessings of the Atonement to others."
"There is a greater urgency to preach the gospel than ever before."
"Don't do anything to dull the promptings of the Holy Ghost."
"Commit today to turn the balance of your mission over to the Lord. It is not your time, it is His."
These are words from one of the Lord's chosen witnesses in our day. The Lord explained: "Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same" (D&C 1:38). I testify that as we strive diligently to apply the principles shared by Elder Ballard, we will be blessed and the Lord will hasten the work in our area.
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