I seriously love this little town so so much, our spirit prison apartment and smelly little microwave and all.
Last night we had a noche de hogar with a bunch of people in the ward. At the end we had chicken soup and some other good borequa food then all of the sudden out comes the guitar and a brother in the ward starts to sing – like the old man classic latin music kind of songs. Wow, it was really awesome and I totally wished that you guys could have seen it. Well, I guess you will because I took a video of it.
I seriously love Puerto Rico so much I can’t even handle it. I love the Gospel so much too. I just look at my scriptures and don’t understand how anyone could reject the Book of Mormon. I mean I guess I do because it happens all too often, but seriously I love that book so much. I just get so excited sometimes when I think about the Gospel. I know that sounds really missionary-cheesy but I really do mean it with all of my heart. I love this Gospel so much. I know that it is the only way that we can return to live with our Heavenly Father.
President Martineau committed us all in a very serious and special way to share the Gospel with everyone that the Lord puts in our path not only now but for the rest of our lives. I am going to do it. Before that, I always got sad thinking that after my mission I couldn’t continue to share the Gospel. But after this week I am so excited to continue doing it for the rest of my life!
I just got this fun little image in my head as I was thinking about it this week. I imagined us all in Cali just shopping and hanging out or something and me talking to someone that we just met and then talking about the Gospel and giving them a pass-along card. I can totally see the girls looking at each other like … "Oh, Maclaine the return missionary," and getting a little nervous smile… but anyway it made me smile. But, it was a fun little daydream – I really hope that it happens.
I hope all goes well this week. I imagine that Devin is graduating this week! Wow! I do have to say that I am sad that I’m not going to be there – but I know that it will be so awesome for everyone. Will you send me pictures? Wow, I can’t believe that summer is here already for you guys. Have fun in the pools and everything for me. Haha! I love you guys so much and I hope that you are all doing awesome. I love you so much and pray for you always. I am always proud to show people my picture of you on my planner. I’m always super fast to whip it out and show people.
I love you all so so much!!!! Tell everyone I say hi and that I love them!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
"I Love Being on a Mission."
Hi guys!!!
Wow!!! That is so awesome!!!!
I was totally just as excited to hear that about Sister Goodman coming over! It really makes me so happy that she could share all of the pictures and videos with you – seriously there is just so much stuff like that that is hard to transmit every week when we email, but Sister Goodman did an awesome, awesome job documenting like everything – one of the many things that she taught me.
Oh, wow – this librarian just came and told us that our time is up!!!!– I don’t know whats wrong but usually we can stay here for however long we want! Ok, I just have to finish up really fast. Ahhh! I’m so sorry! I was just getting started! I love you guys like crazy!!!!
Que Dios Me los cuide!
Sister Neff
Dear President,
Wow, it has been one of the craziest weeks in my mission. What happened on Wednesday with Sister M was definitely something that I had never experienced before. It was a testament to me that the Lord helps us grow and teaches us in the very moment what we need to do when we think that we would never be able to handle something like that. I am so grateful that she is okay. She was pretty weak and tired physically the first couple of days but is getting a lot better. We took things at a little slower pace because at first it was hard for her to be standing up for a while but even through that she has been a really good sport.
(We found out that her companion fainted and had some temporary memory loss.)
Well, like I said this week has been pretty interesting, but under the circumstances it has been really neat also. Our two baptismal dates are progressing really really really well. I am so excited especially for Elliot – he is loving everything about the church and although he is definitely feeling the buffetings of the adversary he always says “ the Devil got me once, I’m not going to let him get me again.” I think that my two favorite things that he said to us were, first he wished that the classes in church were longer and that he wanted to read more about the prophet and the words of the prophet! Its really exciting to see him progress.
As far as our finding is going – I have been trying to apply the principle of prayer in my finding this week. It has been difficult for us to be out walking around because of Hna. M’s health. But we have still been trying really hard to talk to all the people that we come in contact with. I have been praying a lot for Heavenly Father to lead us to the people that are ready and that he wants us to meet. I have felt more of a love for talking with people and sincerer desire for their salvation rather than just filling a number. But, last night something really interesting happened to us. We had just finished contacting without any success and were going to get into the car when I realized that my keys were no where to be found. They were in the car.
(This has become a little bit of a common theme, but it makes her family smile!)
Wow, I was really frustrated with myself because that is not the first time that this has happened to me. But we were able to get a hold of some members to come and help us. The problem was that we were in an area that we had never toqued before and didn’t know how to explain how to get there. Pretty frazzled, I figured the only option was to ask for help to one of the neighbors who had rejected us a couple of hours before. A little embarrassed, I called to him and he came out and was more than willing to help us not only explain where we were to the members, but to also help us get the keys out of the car. Anyway, we talked a little bit about who we were, when the members showed up. We were finally able to get the keys out of the car and the whole time I was wanting to share more about the gospel with this guy - even though he had explained to us that he went to another church.
But, he was actually the one presenting us with a way that we could share that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored and that we would love to share more. He accepted and we are going over on Wednesday to teach! I know that everything happens for a reason and I know that Heavenly Father answers our prayers in ways that we would never think of. I hope that this man will accept the Gospel. But even if he doesn’t, I know that Heavenly Father wanted him to have another chance to accept the message last night.
I have so much love for this work and for the Lord and am SO grateful that Heavenly Father has called me to serve a mission!
Thank you for everything that you do for Sister M and me!!
Sister Neff
Wow!!! That is so awesome!!!!
I was totally just as excited to hear that about Sister Goodman coming over! It really makes me so happy that she could share all of the pictures and videos with you – seriously there is just so much stuff like that that is hard to transmit every week when we email, but Sister Goodman did an awesome, awesome job documenting like everything – one of the many things that she taught me.
Oh, wow – this librarian just came and told us that our time is up!!!!– I don’t know whats wrong but usually we can stay here for however long we want! Ok, I just have to finish up really fast. Ahhh! I’m so sorry! I was just getting started! I love you guys like crazy!!!!
Que Dios Me los cuide!
Sister Neff
Dear President,
Wow, it has been one of the craziest weeks in my mission. What happened on Wednesday with Sister M was definitely something that I had never experienced before. It was a testament to me that the Lord helps us grow and teaches us in the very moment what we need to do when we think that we would never be able to handle something like that. I am so grateful that she is okay. She was pretty weak and tired physically the first couple of days but is getting a lot better. We took things at a little slower pace because at first it was hard for her to be standing up for a while but even through that she has been a really good sport.
(We found out that her companion fainted and had some temporary memory loss.)
Well, like I said this week has been pretty interesting, but under the circumstances it has been really neat also. Our two baptismal dates are progressing really really really well. I am so excited especially for Elliot – he is loving everything about the church and although he is definitely feeling the buffetings of the adversary he always says “ the Devil got me once, I’m not going to let him get me again.” I think that my two favorite things that he said to us were, first he wished that the classes in church were longer and that he wanted to read more about the prophet and the words of the prophet! Its really exciting to see him progress.
As far as our finding is going – I have been trying to apply the principle of prayer in my finding this week. It has been difficult for us to be out walking around because of Hna. M’s health. But we have still been trying really hard to talk to all the people that we come in contact with. I have been praying a lot for Heavenly Father to lead us to the people that are ready and that he wants us to meet. I have felt more of a love for talking with people and sincerer desire for their salvation rather than just filling a number. But, last night something really interesting happened to us. We had just finished contacting without any success and were going to get into the car when I realized that my keys were no where to be found. They were in the car.
(This has become a little bit of a common theme, but it makes her family smile!)
Wow, I was really frustrated with myself because that is not the first time that this has happened to me. But we were able to get a hold of some members to come and help us. The problem was that we were in an area that we had never toqued before and didn’t know how to explain how to get there. Pretty frazzled, I figured the only option was to ask for help to one of the neighbors who had rejected us a couple of hours before. A little embarrassed, I called to him and he came out and was more than willing to help us not only explain where we were to the members, but to also help us get the keys out of the car. Anyway, we talked a little bit about who we were, when the members showed up. We were finally able to get the keys out of the car and the whole time I was wanting to share more about the gospel with this guy - even though he had explained to us that he went to another church.
But, he was actually the one presenting us with a way that we could share that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored and that we would love to share more. He accepted and we are going over on Wednesday to teach! I know that everything happens for a reason and I know that Heavenly Father answers our prayers in ways that we would never think of. I hope that this man will accept the Gospel. But even if he doesn’t, I know that Heavenly Father wanted him to have another chance to accept the message last night.
I have so much love for this work and for the Lord and am SO grateful that Heavenly Father has called me to serve a mission!
Thank you for everything that you do for Sister M and me!!
Sister Neff
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Encontrare una familia
Hi Guys!
Wow, it was awesome talking to all of you yesterday! Thank you dad about saying that about the hard work – sometimes it is hard to keep going and giving it the extra mile. But Heavenly Father is always here to help me. There have been so many times when its 8 o'clock and I just feel so tired and have no idea how I will teach one more lesson, but I just say a little prayer and ask Heavenly Father to give me the strength to do it. Each time He has blessed me with the energy and strength to give it my all.
It was really great to be able to talk to each one of you and hear about how everything is going and how life is down in P-town. But more than anything to hear your voices. I’m not going to lie, I was a little bit on the homesick side after the call was done but then as I went to go write in my journal, I turned on the MoTab and remembered that we are an eternal family. I felt the same peace as I have other times knowing that even though we may not always be living near – we – well you mom and dad have made that covenant so that we can all live together forever.
Well, like mom said there isn’t too much to say that we didn’t say last night. I love you all so much and am so thankful that you are my family. I know that this church is true. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that Joseph Smith was a prophet. I want every person I meet to know that and to have the opportunity to accept that message.
We were contacting a couple of people yesterday and they actually let us into their house. We testified, invited them to learn more but they didn’t accept. But, the Spirit was so strong, I know that one of them is almost prepared and will have the chance to hear the gospel again. I know that whatever work we do for the Lord never goes unnoticed and always has a purpose.
Love you all!!
P.S. If you look at the picture of my journal, it says "Encontrare una familia," which is, "I will find a family." The other photo is the baptism of Andrea. She is doing awesome - her and David her husband are having scripture study every night for like an hour - every time I go over there I can't help but feeling so super happy.
P.S. Ok, one fun part of Mother's Day was that everyone was really nice when we were contacting. We contacted some people playing dominoes and that were having a family party - they invited us to come in and to have a soda. They were pretty insistent, so we went in and then they wanted to feed us. Well, we had a dinner appointment like two hours later, but didn't want to say no so we just had a little bit of rice. Two minutes later, out they come with a big plate of this platano oily salad thing, rice, and pork. Oh, and soda! They were really nice and we felt really loved :) Then, we felt loved again when we ate two hours later at a members house. Hahaha
Wow, it was awesome talking to all of you yesterday! Thank you dad about saying that about the hard work – sometimes it is hard to keep going and giving it the extra mile. But Heavenly Father is always here to help me. There have been so many times when its 8 o'clock and I just feel so tired and have no idea how I will teach one more lesson, but I just say a little prayer and ask Heavenly Father to give me the strength to do it. Each time He has blessed me with the energy and strength to give it my all.
It was really great to be able to talk to each one of you and hear about how everything is going and how life is down in P-town. But more than anything to hear your voices. I’m not going to lie, I was a little bit on the homesick side after the call was done but then as I went to go write in my journal, I turned on the MoTab and remembered that we are an eternal family. I felt the same peace as I have other times knowing that even though we may not always be living near – we – well you mom and dad have made that covenant so that we can all live together forever.
Well, like mom said there isn’t too much to say that we didn’t say last night. I love you all so much and am so thankful that you are my family. I know that this church is true. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that Joseph Smith was a prophet. I want every person I meet to know that and to have the opportunity to accept that message.
We were contacting a couple of people yesterday and they actually let us into their house. We testified, invited them to learn more but they didn’t accept. But, the Spirit was so strong, I know that one of them is almost prepared and will have the chance to hear the gospel again. I know that whatever work we do for the Lord never goes unnoticed and always has a purpose.
Love you all!!
P.S. If you look at the picture of my journal, it says "Encontrare una familia," which is, "I will find a family." The other photo is the baptism of Andrea. She is doing awesome - her and David her husband are having scripture study every night for like an hour - every time I go over there I can't help but feeling so super happy.
P.S. Ok, one fun part of Mother's Day was that everyone was really nice when we were contacting. We contacted some people playing dominoes and that were having a family party - they invited us to come in and to have a soda. They were pretty insistent, so we went in and then they wanted to feed us. Well, we had a dinner appointment like two hours later, but didn't want to say no so we just had a little bit of rice. Two minutes later, out they come with a big plate of this platano oily salad thing, rice, and pork. Oh, and soda! They were really nice and we felt really loved :) Then, we felt loved again when we ate two hours later at a members house. Hahaha
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Baptism.
Hello Family!!!
Well, a lot to report about this week! First off, Andrea our investigator got baptized!!! After we finished emailing last week, we stopped by her house just to see how she was and to set an appointment to go over the baptismal questions. Everything turned out great. We didn’t bring anything up but just encouraged her. Then everything went great and the service was really good. I was telling my new companion that this is my first baptism where I haven’t been totally stressed, running around all day long trying to get things set up. Everything just turned out really, really well. She looked really happy.
Also, thanks so much for the little package! That was super fun to get – I actually needed some new shoes to kick around in! And, I finally got the CD – its great Dad – you always do a great job at making a good compilation.
Well, I have a new companion from LaVerkin somewhere near St. George. It's her second transfer here in Puerto Rico. She is super cute and really laid back and just really sweet. She actually was trained by Hermana Gonzalez, my former companion in Boqueron! Crazy right? Anyway, we have had some way cool experiences this week. Some really great lessons and really great contacts with people.
We’ve been working so hard and Saturday night after we got done planning I couldn’t even think about getting ready for bed and so I went and laid down to rest before I got ready for bed. As I laid in bed just resting I thought about how tired I was but it wasn’t like a bad tired – it was a really happy tired. Does that make sense? I just felt so happy for having worked so hard. There is nothing better than working hard for the Lord – seriously nothing better.
Last night we had kind of a cool experience – it was about 8 o'clock with about an hour left and we had done everything in our plans and in our back up plans. I was tempted just to take our dinner hour because we hadn’t yet, but we decided to see who else we could visit. This inactive family came into my mind.
Like all of the little spiritual promptings I get, there is a little something that tries to get me not to do it - like a little doubt - but I just remember to be brave and trust in the Spirit. Anyway, we got to the house of the family and talked to the mom for a little bit. She was telling us about the referrals that she was going to give to us this week and then decided to give us her inactive daughter's phone number. As she was doing that, she just started to name off everyone in her phone directory and told us that we should go visit them. Wow, it was so neat. We were there for probably 20-30 minutes and walked away with seven referrals and having learned that she is going to come back to the branch. We felt the Spirit so much with her and it was so so so awesome to see her faith and her desire for her friends to have the Gospel.
Last night was just a huge testimony to me that if we go the extra mile and if we listen to the Holy Ghost, then Heavenly Father will always bless us. I am so grateful for what happened last night and I hope I always remember that principle in my life.
Thanks for all your support and all that you do for me and have done for me throughout my whole mission. I am so excited to have nine more wonderful months left here on this wonderful little island. Missions are just the greatest things ever – I’m glad that I can share this experience with you guys!
Love,
Hermanita Neff
Well, a lot to report about this week! First off, Andrea our investigator got baptized!!! After we finished emailing last week, we stopped by her house just to see how she was and to set an appointment to go over the baptismal questions. Everything turned out great. We didn’t bring anything up but just encouraged her. Then everything went great and the service was really good. I was telling my new companion that this is my first baptism where I haven’t been totally stressed, running around all day long trying to get things set up. Everything just turned out really, really well. She looked really happy.
Also, thanks so much for the little package! That was super fun to get – I actually needed some new shoes to kick around in! And, I finally got the CD – its great Dad – you always do a great job at making a good compilation.
Well, I have a new companion from LaVerkin somewhere near St. George. It's her second transfer here in Puerto Rico. She is super cute and really laid back and just really sweet. She actually was trained by Hermana Gonzalez, my former companion in Boqueron! Crazy right? Anyway, we have had some way cool experiences this week. Some really great lessons and really great contacts with people.
We’ve been working so hard and Saturday night after we got done planning I couldn’t even think about getting ready for bed and so I went and laid down to rest before I got ready for bed. As I laid in bed just resting I thought about how tired I was but it wasn’t like a bad tired – it was a really happy tired. Does that make sense? I just felt so happy for having worked so hard. There is nothing better than working hard for the Lord – seriously nothing better.
Last night we had kind of a cool experience – it was about 8 o'clock with about an hour left and we had done everything in our plans and in our back up plans. I was tempted just to take our dinner hour because we hadn’t yet, but we decided to see who else we could visit. This inactive family came into my mind.
Like all of the little spiritual promptings I get, there is a little something that tries to get me not to do it - like a little doubt - but I just remember to be brave and trust in the Spirit. Anyway, we got to the house of the family and talked to the mom for a little bit. She was telling us about the referrals that she was going to give to us this week and then decided to give us her inactive daughter's phone number. As she was doing that, she just started to name off everyone in her phone directory and told us that we should go visit them. Wow, it was so neat. We were there for probably 20-30 minutes and walked away with seven referrals and having learned that she is going to come back to the branch. We felt the Spirit so much with her and it was so so so awesome to see her faith and her desire for her friends to have the Gospel.
Last night was just a huge testimony to me that if we go the extra mile and if we listen to the Holy Ghost, then Heavenly Father will always bless us. I am so grateful for what happened last night and I hope I always remember that principle in my life.
Thanks for all your support and all that you do for me and have done for me throughout my whole mission. I am so excited to have nine more wonderful months left here on this wonderful little island. Missions are just the greatest things ever – I’m glad that I can share this experience with you guys!
Love,
Hermanita Neff
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