Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Getting Crazy. But only for an hour or two.
In a letter to home, Maclaine confessed that last week, she and her companion painted their fingernails pink on Pday. Once the day was over, the polish came off and she went back to work!
Monday, February 23, 2009
When a Picture is Worth a Thousand Words. But there are Still a Few Words Anyway.
It has been one really great week. Once someone asked me what my favorite part of the day is in missionary work. My answer was the little miracles that I get to see everyday. Last night as I was giving our report to our district leader, I was amazed by how many things that we have been blessed with this week and how many little miracles that we have seen.
The first little set of miracles came from the missionary lessons we are teaching the members.
During a closing prayer, I felt the impression to ask a member for a referral - even though he hardly ever gives them even after you ask. But, when the prayer was finished, without me asking, he told me of a woman whose husband died about a month ago and who needs the gospel. The Sanchez family also asked us if a new investigator family to be taught in their home. And, the bishop, after we taught a combined lesson with his family and a new convert family, assigned our new convert Melvin to be the 1st counselor in the institute program and motivated him to attend! Melvin then asked me later in the week how he can get a manual, the Doctrine and Covenants, and a new bible. Wow, I was bursting with energy and happiness when I found this out. What huge answers to my prayers.
My companion and I are doing great. We are really focusing on finding people and have been really blessed this week. We found 7 new investigators! At the end of last night I was really grateful for all of the great things that have happened this past week. It has been a really good week.
One of our new investigators is Angie - she is the daughter of the awesome family that we helped come back to church (emphasized - helped because we really didn't do it - but we get to participate in the joy that comes from seeing them active). Anyway, Angie turned 9 last week and hasn't been baptized. We were going to have dinner with their family yesterday and when we were planning, my companion said that we could teach the first lesson and that she could become a new investigator. I said "sure," so we planned on that. Then I was kind of nervous to bring it up with them, so she did and it was really neat because Angie's father said, "I was thinking that and was actually going to ask you both if you could start teaching her".
I love it when the spirit says the same thing to two different people and you know it's the spirit that's communicating.
Most of all I am just grateful to Heavenly Father for this opportunity to preach the gospel and to give this year and a half to Him to help my brothers and sisters here. I was talking to Hermana Ortiz about why I came on a mission and I remembered that this is the biggest and most important opportunity that I have to give everything to the Lord and to help the people here change their lives through Christ.
I will strive to be more obedient and the best missionary that I can be.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Caballo en la calle.
Hellooooo!
So, the title is "Horse in the street". We always see horses in the street - well, people riding the horses in the street and there is always horse droppings in the street as a consequence. But, the moment of enchantment is just sumpin' lil' but it made us laugh a lot. We were leaving town and getting on to the highway when we stopped at the stoplight. The stoplight is a pretty big one, and its a pretty big highway, but when we pulled up, we stopped next to three guys waiting for the light to turn green - but they were all on horses! I don't know if you have ever seen a horse waiting for the light to turn green but its pretty awesome. We wanted to take a picture but we were right next to them so didn't get a chance to without being totally obvious.
Anyway, thanks for your letter it was awesome!
Ok. Something funny just happened. I'm sitting here writing to you in the library. I'm in the middle of all elders and my companion is using the computer on the other side of the room a few computers away - just had to set the stage.
So they are talking and I'm writing. This next part happened in like 2 seconds - All of the sudden someone comes up behind me and gives me a big hug, putting their arms around my neck. first thought: companion? No. too big of arms. Well, with no one else but elders here that was the only other option for me to guess! "What? its one of the elders?!", I thought. I gasped so loud that the librarian told us to be quiet. ... Come to find out it was a young woman in the ward who is here. Oh, wow. I went bright red. Anyway, a long explanation for something really little.
This week has been a really great week. I have really felt the love of our Heavenly Father this week. When we were driving to church this Sunday I woke up kind of having a bad morning and kind of missing home a little bit (I think it was the fact that one year from today, exactly, I'll be home) and just kind of feeling, well not the best. But in church, we also had two lessons on missionary work. What a blessing that was. I remembered why I am here. I love my Heavenly Father and I want to help His children return to live with Him. I love Him and my Savior Jesus Christ so much. I know that they live. I know that this is their church. I am excited for this whole next year I have to be spreading the good news of the gospel.
Thanks for all of your support!
Love,
Hermana NEff
Dear President Martineau,
It has been a great week. Despite the fact that our numbers don't reflect it, we have had some really great spiritual experiences this week. I was talking with my companion this morning and we were talking about what we were going to write today in our letters - there have been too many [experiences] to tell all of them.
But we have had some really great lessons with members this week and some great experiences contacting. Sunday was probably one of the best days this week. For the last couple of weeks I have been preoccupied and praying a lot for my recent converts. When I leave here, I want them to be strong in their testimonies and involved in the church - so that they will stay active.
Sunday was an outward manifestation that Heavenly Father has heard my prayers. It was a great day in church for fellow shipping and we all felt the spirit very strongly. Also, we had to ask the bishop a couple of questions, and so we went into his office to talk to him for a few minutes. Almost everything that he said was in reference to the recent converts that I have been worried about and praying for. Institute has been changed to a night that Melvin can go. He also wants to start a once-a-month family home evening for the people in our area and asked for suggestions for who could be responsible for heading it up. Edwin and Carmen! - I suggested. That will be a great responsibility for them and also a great way to keep all of the members of this area strong and united. There were a couple other things that he said that will help also. Anyway, I left church being so grateful, knowing that these things were answers to my prayers. It was one of those moments when you can almost see the spirit working in this marvelous work!
Also, we have been studying the Christlike attributes as a companionship. It has been such a blessing for me to be studying more about the person I want to become. I feel so much more the pure love of Christ in my life. When I contact, when I teach, I love the people so much more and desire with all my heart that they will accept the gospel.
We were contacting on Saturday and were rejected by a very nice elderly couple but as we left, even though had just I barely met them I felt an enormous amount of love for them and desire for them to listen to our message. It was a great experience to be able to feel the pure love of Christ. I know that Heavenly Father loves His children. I am here because I love Him and I feel His love as I serve Him here.
So, the title is "Horse in the street". We always see horses in the street - well, people riding the horses in the street and there is always horse droppings in the street as a consequence. But, the moment of enchantment is just sumpin' lil' but it made us laugh a lot. We were leaving town and getting on to the highway when we stopped at the stoplight. The stoplight is a pretty big one, and its a pretty big highway, but when we pulled up, we stopped next to three guys waiting for the light to turn green - but they were all on horses! I don't know if you have ever seen a horse waiting for the light to turn green but its pretty awesome. We wanted to take a picture but we were right next to them so didn't get a chance to without being totally obvious.
Anyway, thanks for your letter it was awesome!
Ok. Something funny just happened. I'm sitting here writing to you in the library. I'm in the middle of all elders and my companion is using the computer on the other side of the room a few computers away - just had to set the stage.
So they are talking and I'm writing. This next part happened in like 2 seconds - All of the sudden someone comes up behind me and gives me a big hug, putting their arms around my neck. first thought: companion? No. too big of arms. Well, with no one else but elders here that was the only other option for me to guess! "What? its one of the elders?!", I thought. I gasped so loud that the librarian told us to be quiet. ... Come to find out it was a young woman in the ward who is here. Oh, wow. I went bright red. Anyway, a long explanation for something really little.
This week has been a really great week. I have really felt the love of our Heavenly Father this week. When we were driving to church this Sunday I woke up kind of having a bad morning and kind of missing home a little bit (I think it was the fact that one year from today, exactly, I'll be home) and just kind of feeling, well not the best. But in church, we also had two lessons on missionary work. What a blessing that was. I remembered why I am here. I love my Heavenly Father and I want to help His children return to live with Him. I love Him and my Savior Jesus Christ so much. I know that they live. I know that this is their church. I am excited for this whole next year I have to be spreading the good news of the gospel.
Thanks for all of your support!
Love,
Hermana NEff
Dear President Martineau,
It has been a great week. Despite the fact that our numbers don't reflect it, we have had some really great spiritual experiences this week. I was talking with my companion this morning and we were talking about what we were going to write today in our letters - there have been too many [experiences] to tell all of them.
But we have had some really great lessons with members this week and some great experiences contacting. Sunday was probably one of the best days this week. For the last couple of weeks I have been preoccupied and praying a lot for my recent converts. When I leave here, I want them to be strong in their testimonies and involved in the church - so that they will stay active.
Sunday was an outward manifestation that Heavenly Father has heard my prayers. It was a great day in church for fellow shipping and we all felt the spirit very strongly. Also, we had to ask the bishop a couple of questions, and so we went into his office to talk to him for a few minutes. Almost everything that he said was in reference to the recent converts that I have been worried about and praying for. Institute has been changed to a night that Melvin can go. He also wants to start a once-a-month family home evening for the people in our area and asked for suggestions for who could be responsible for heading it up. Edwin and Carmen! - I suggested. That will be a great responsibility for them and also a great way to keep all of the members of this area strong and united. There were a couple other things that he said that will help also. Anyway, I left church being so grateful, knowing that these things were answers to my prayers. It was one of those moments when you can almost see the spirit working in this marvelous work!
Also, we have been studying the Christlike attributes as a companionship. It has been such a blessing for me to be studying more about the person I want to become. I feel so much more the pure love of Christ in my life. When I contact, when I teach, I love the people so much more and desire with all my heart that they will accept the gospel.
We were contacting on Saturday and were rejected by a very nice elderly couple but as we left, even though had just I barely met them I felt an enormous amount of love for them and desire for them to listen to our message. It was a great experience to be able to feel the pure love of Christ. I know that Heavenly Father loves His children. I am here because I love Him and I feel His love as I serve Him here.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Companion Prayer in the Strangest of Places.
How could Maclaine not make a funny face for a camera? Impossible.
Melvin's Baptism
Melvin and his familyDear Familia,
Hi guys! Wow, a lot of news to respond to! First of all, weather - it has been pouring rain the past few days. At first I kind of liked it but after a while its not as good as being in the sun. I think I like being wet from the sweat more than being wet from the rain. Anyway, just a little factoid randomness.
Well I don't have a ton of time today because we spent the entire morning at Pep boys getting car things worked out. It was pretty fun - we studied in MacDonald's with the Latin music going and all. We even sang a hymn really quiet and then went into the bathroom to say a prayer for our companionship study! Haha.
This week, my companion said goodbye to all of our members and investigators. It's a weird feeling being the one that stays and I'm kind of freaking out, "un chin" (a Puerto Rican saying) or in other words, "un poco," or translated, "a little."
You can definitely feel that it was one of those nights-before something changes nights - like when you move or leave on a vacation or something. But I'm excited to work with my new companion and find a ton of people to bring to the gospel. Well, time is drawing to a close, but I love you all and hope you have a great week.
Love,
Hermana Neff
P.S. Tell DeeDee and all the cousins thanks SO Much for the Valentines! It made me SO Happy! Thanks Rub for the Titanic lyrics too on my heart! And Gabe, I wear your necklace all the time and it reminds me of you!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
New Companions and Updated Skirts.
My companion and I went to the mall... I bought two new skirts with the Christmas money - thanks Grandma and Grandpa! We went to Marshalls and it was actually pretty fun. Haha. We actually ended up getting the same skirts. They are a little bit more modern than the other ones I bought from the missionary mall in Provo.
It was funny, my companion said, "You look like a missionary now... not like you didn't before, but you looked like you were from the 90's, now you look like a missionary from the 2000's" I don't think she meant it to come out that way but it made me laugh inside! I love being a missionary! (When we see pictures of the other sister missionaries in Puerto Rico, their clothes look a little more casual than what Maclaine brought with her.)
Well, the baptism [Melvin] went really well on Saturday! I am so glad that he finally took that step. I have some great pictures that I'm going to send this week.
But, finally for the news... I am staying here for another month! President Martineau said that he has never left a new missionary in their first area for five transfers, but I will be the first. I really feel like there is something more for me to do in this area. I am going to work hard to do everything I can to do this transfer, as well as find the people in my area who are ready to be baptized.
My new Companion is from Panama. She came out in the same transfer as me. She is a great missionary - she actually trained a new missionary after only two transfers being on the island! Anyway, I am super nervous but I know everything will work out great!
Well, I am out of time. But I love you all so so much and am so grateful that you are my family. I know I say it in every email, but I feel it stronger each week, that I know that this is Christ's true church and only through its ordinances we can be saved. Missionary work is the most important work in the world!
I know that Heavenly Father will let us know what we need to do. I know it. I am working harder on following promptings of the spirit and to have the courage to act on them.
I love all of you like crazy and keep praying for you!
It was funny, my companion said, "You look like a missionary now... not like you didn't before, but you looked like you were from the 90's, now you look like a missionary from the 2000's" I don't think she meant it to come out that way but it made me laugh inside! I love being a missionary! (When we see pictures of the other sister missionaries in Puerto Rico, their clothes look a little more casual than what Maclaine brought with her.)
Well, the baptism [Melvin] went really well on Saturday! I am so glad that he finally took that step. I have some great pictures that I'm going to send this week.
But, finally for the news... I am staying here for another month! President Martineau said that he has never left a new missionary in their first area for five transfers, but I will be the first. I really feel like there is something more for me to do in this area. I am going to work hard to do everything I can to do this transfer, as well as find the people in my area who are ready to be baptized.
My new Companion is from Panama. She came out in the same transfer as me. She is a great missionary - she actually trained a new missionary after only two transfers being on the island! Anyway, I am super nervous but I know everything will work out great!
Well, I am out of time. But I love you all so so much and am so grateful that you are my family. I know I say it in every email, but I feel it stronger each week, that I know that this is Christ's true church and only through its ordinances we can be saved. Missionary work is the most important work in the world!
I know that Heavenly Father will let us know what we need to do. I know it. I am working harder on following promptings of the spirit and to have the courage to act on them.
I love all of you like crazy and keep praying for you!
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