April 23, 2013

Hola Everybody,

How's everyone doing? Hope everyone is doing great! So transfers are tomorrow and my companion and I will be getting different companions. I'll be in both programs Spanish and English, oh and training a new Spanish Sister. I'll be covering a stake and a spanish area. Talk about stress right? So everybody reading this, please pray for me! :D By the end of this next transfer I'll probably be bald from the stress I'm about to have. But it's okay, I know the Lord will help me with whatever I need. Right? But please pray for me! I've been freaking out since I found out I'm doing both programs. I'm not sure who I'm getting. Our mission is growing. There's a ton of sisters coming. Yay, we're taking over!  haha It's great though that the gospel is growing.

On Saturday, we did exchanges for a couple hours while my companion went to a baptism in Logan with another sister and I stayed with the sister's companion. Sister Lolofie is who I was with. She's half Samoan and hilarious! We went to a lesson. Before we knocked on the door she asked me to say a prayer. We were standing outside the door while we were praying and while I was saying the prayer we hear the door open and I didn't know how to react so I finished it like this "wesaythisinthenameofJesusChristAmen!" Sister Lolo and I started laughing because I said it so fast so they didn't think we were weird. haha It was so funny!

Well everybody, I don't have very much time but I have to go! Love you all! PRAY FOR ME!

-Hermana Marin

April 9, 2013

Hola a todos!

This last week has been crazy! The transfer isn't even over and I got ETed out of my area, meaning emergency transferred because I needed to help a sister out and re-focus. I was not happy when my zone leaders came and told me I had 5 hours to pack and be at the mission office at 8 p.m. I didn't get time to visit some families that I really wanted. It was sad to leave Logan after teaching so many amazing people but I had to stop being selfish and go help other people that need me in South Ogden. I got switched to the English program. To be honest, I've been having a hard time teaching in English. It's really difficult for me. I need to pray for the gift of tongues in English. haha Seriously. It's crazy! I have a hard time saying my prayers in English, I feel like I'm in primary all over again. I've been used to teaching in Spanish. I told my new companion that I want to help her out and do everything possible to help her be that one awesome missionary she was when she first got to the mission field.

How did everyone like General Conference? I loved it! I was able to go with some recent converts and other missionaries. It was great! I had tickets for all sessions but the Saturday Morning Session, I was inside early and it still go filled up and didn't get a seat because how packed it was. I was a little sad about it but it was ok. I had tickets for the afternoon session for saturday but I gave those tickets away. I preferred to give them to people that haven't watched General Conference. On Sunday both sessions I went with the departing missionaries that are leaving before the next conference in October of this year. I'll be going home September 30th. Crazy right? Time goes by fast. I'm not sure how I feel. I have 4 transfers left. Anyways, I was able to see some missionaries that served in the Boise Idaho Mission. I didn't see very many people from back home. Probably because the Lord doesn't want me to get distracted. Right? A lot of the talks were about families and obedience. Obedience is the key!

Yesterday, I went to the Doctors because my tailbone hurts that I can't even sit down. The Doctor said I don't even have anything but she made it worse and it hurt really bad. It hurts to walk and sit. I have to take 800 mg of Ibuprofen. I don't think it even does anything to my pain. I don't even know what to do because I can't sit down and I can't focus during lessons.

March 12th, 2013

Last week was a little difficult. We had many meetings and hardly any proselyting. On Wednesday we had Transfers and we all know that I'm staying here in Logan and will be the last one. And on Wednesday night we went to Ogden because they were missionaries about to go home because their mission ended. Each transfer the mission has a departing testimony meeting and missionaries their testimony. I went because Elder Tamale (not Hispanic he's Tongan haha) went and told me to go. Tamale Elder was one of the best missionaries in this mission. Had many baptisms and very obedient. He was an assistant to the President, my second transfer I was the first one who called to let me know I was training. He could not pronounce my last name. It was very funny. After, we were taking pictures and said goodbye. He said he would send me a shirt that says Hawaii but we'll see if it's true. haha And we came home very late because everybody stays in Ogden to say bye.

On Thursday we also had to go to Ogden because a general authority was going to speak to us and wanted to know every one of us. Elder Clayton is one of the seventys. He and his wife spoke to us. Elder Clayton spoke to us about how our investigators have to be converted to the Gospel and not us. That happens a lot here, but I'm sure that in all missions it happens. I make sure that my investigators are converted to the Gospel before they're baptized because if they are not converted to the Gospel, they will not go to church. He said we have to bury our weapons of rebellion like the Lamanites. Our weapons of rebellion represent disobedience. Things that make us disobedient we bury them and never look for those weapons anymore. It was a great talk!

On Friday we had zone study, our zone leaders speak and give us a small training. We talked about what Elder Clayton talked to us about and how we can apply those things to our area. We split into groups and one person in the group had to speak or give a 2-3 minute training and well, it was my turn ... as always. haha And then we went to eat. After going back home Hugo's wife sent a message saying that her husband wants to change the date for his baptism because her mother was not going to be there because she was going to work. And his baptism is the next day! I was very frustrated because he's changed the date 3 times. We asked if we could come over to talk about the baptism and we said yes. We talked with Brother Morales that Hugo wants to change the date and Brother Morales was not happy either. He was angry. I said I'd talk to Hugo to see if we can do the baptism earlier. We arrived with Hugo and said he didn't want to do it early. He said that he feels he should not do it early. I told him that he is making a covenant with God and not with anyone else and his salvation is more important. I know I have to be patient but it's hard. You know I'm not a patient person. Since I've been in the MTC I have been learning patience. haha Now Brother Morales said that if they change the date one more time he's not going to help. haha I understand because if I was the ward mission leader I would be angry too. haha

On Saturday we went to Smithfield to help the missionaries find people to teach because the sister missionaries are opening the area. I know a family in Smithfield, the family of Sister Hortin who was in the MTC with me. We went to ask for references and got some. Before we left we were invited to dinner on Sunday. The family of Sister Hortin are awesome.

On Sunday had a branch council. The leaders of the branch are very good and help us a lot. And then we had correlation with Brother Morales. He also helps a lot! If it wasn't for him we wouldn't have the baptisms and we wouldn't have any work.

Yesterday we had a lesson with Wendy. She is from El Salvador and has cancer. When I was with Sister Judy we went to visit her because it was a reference from President Marshall (our branch president). The first time it didn't go very well. She was preaching and would not let us speak. I was upset and Sister Judy and I decided not to go back because she was not interested. Then a ward mission leader called and said he went to visit her and she wants to listen to the discussions. Then we went again, and yesterday we had our second lesson. We taught the plan of salvation. But it didn't go too went. Then we talked about the Book of Mormon. My companion asked her if she would read it and pray and said she would read it, would not pray because she knew it was true. Then a few minutes later, says Joseph Smith just copied scriptures from the Bible to wrote the Book of Mormon. I was so frustrated. It was a crazy week!

I hope you all doing great! I miss you all!

-Hermana Marin

March 5th, 2013

Hi everybody,

How's everyone doing? Well transfers are tomorrow. Where in the heck does the time go? It goes by so fast! Next thing you know I'll be home and being an awkward missionary. haha

Guess where I'll be going? NO WHERE! haha I'll be staying another transfer here in Logan. :) Oh how I love Logan! I love the people here! Hugo is getting baptized on Saturday. He had his baptism interview yesterday and passed it. :) He's so excited. The best thing is that he wants to get sealed to his wife next year after he gets baptized. He also wants a calling. Also do you remember the family that was also going to get baptized? Well they're not going to until the 16th of this month. :/ Satan did everything possible for it to not happen. I've been praying for them since it got cancelled. So if you all can pray for them please! :)

So there's 7 new sisters coming in this next transfer. It's going to be crazy! They're also the young 19 year old sisters. It should be interesting. I'm going to feel a lot older around them. haha

I'm training another visa waiter companion. She's from Kuna, Idaho. Hermana Ericson. We actually know each other from school, BYU-Idaho. We were in the same ward. It's crazy right? When I first saw her we just stared at each other for a bit and asked each other if had seen each other before and we made all the connections. haha We're having a great time though! She told me that she was only in the MTC for a week and a half. So if you already know the language they try to get you out of there as soon as possible.

Well everybody, I gotta go. Hope you have a great week!

Love you all!

-Hermana Marin

February 19, 2013

Hey everyone,

How's everyone doing? Thank you all for the birthday wishes! I had a great time! I just did the same thing I do everyday. Work, work, and work. haha I got a lot of treats from the sisters. It was nice. :)

A couple of days ago I was doing some thinking and it just came into my head that I have about 7 months left in the mission. Holy heck! Time goes by fast! I want to give it my all and do as much as I can to share the gospel. I don't want to waste time at all. I was looking over a talk and felt very much rebuked. haha I'd like to share my notes with you all. Especially for those that are planning to come on a mission. It made me think completely different about my mission. It's a talk that was given at the MTC it's called "Becoming a Consecrated Missionary":

Becoming a Consecrated Missionary

What is a consecrated missionary?

• It is a missionary who is willing to lay everything on the altar of sacrifice and to hold nothing back. It is a willingness to give every ounce of energy, every conscious thought, and every drop of passion to this work.
• Omni 1:26
• "We have left all and followed thee" (Luke 18:18-28)
• Perhaps we have one or two things which we lack, that we hold back from the sacrificial altar, that prevents us from becoming a consecrated missionary.

Put On The Altar of Sacrifice Any Disobedience

• First, a consecrated missionary puts on the altar of sacrifice any streak of disobedience we may possess, however large or small it may be.
• If we only change our behavior, then we will be the same person we were when we left home, subject to the same problems that plagued us then. But if we change our nature we can go home a new woman, with the power and discipline to conquer our old Goliaths.
• If we only get up at 6:30 am only because our companion does, we have merely changed our behavior. If we get up whether or not she does, we have changed our nature. If we speak good words but entertain bad thoughts, we have only changed our behavior. If we also changed our thoughts then we have changed our nature.
• With the Lords help we can transform our natures.
• "It's not about what you want, it's about what the Lord wants."
• Mission: is about what the Lord wants, not what I want.
• A consecrated nature will cause us to be obedient, not because we have to, but because we want to.
• A consecrated missionary will read the white handbook with enthusiasm, anxious to obey and follow every rule with exactness, knowing that it is not a book of restraints, but a book of blessings.

Leave Our Fears On The Sacrificial Altar

• Second, consecrated missionaries leave their fears on the sacrificial altar and open their mouths with everyone.
• D&C 28:16
• D&C 24:12
• Sometimes in life we just have to square our shoulders and do it. there is no magic pill that makes us courageous, no passage of time that strengthens us, no memorized approached that emboldens us.
• The command to open one's mouth is not someone else's command. It's not the command of Preach My Gospel, it is not the command of the missionary department, it is the command of the Lord who has spoken on this subject again and again through His living prophets.
• Sometimes we just have to be like Nephi say just like what he says in 1 Nephi 3:7.
• Sometimes there are missionaries who are so worried about offending people that in the process we never ever save them.
• If we want to baptize a few people we talk to a few people, if we want to baptized a lot of people we talk to a lot of people, and if we want to baptize everyone we can, we talk to everyone we can.
• D&C 28:15-16
• The reason it is so important to open our mouth is that everytime we do we exercise faith, and every time we exercise faith we invite the Spirit and miracles into our life.
• Consecrated missionaries open their mouths with everyone.

Put Our Romantic Passions on the Table

• Third, a consecrated missionary puts their romantic passions on the altar of sacrifice, has a LOCKED HEART and a FOCUSED MIND.
• D&C121:45
• When we go home and date, we may have a romantic courtship, but one that is also clean and wholesome. And when we're married we will be loyal and a true spouse.
• If every action is preceded by a thought, then every consecrated missionary must first have a clean and consecrated mind.

Give up Pride

• Fourth, a consecrated missionary gives up their pride on the sacrificial altar.
• D&C 12:8
• Pride may manifest itself in a reluctance to confess our sins.
• Repentance is more important than our mission.

We Put our Negativism and Sarcasm on The Table

• Fifth, consecrated missionaries are willing to give up any negativism or sarcasm. Instead they are optimistic and positive. They have a 24 hour smile.
• John 16:33
• We are willing to pay the price of a repeated rejection for the hope of a single conversion. Whatever the world throws at us, we throw back a smile, because we know we have the gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Gal 6:5

Extra-Milers

• Consecrated missionaries are extra-milers. They put on the table of sacrifice every ounce of their energy, every hour of every day.
• Consecrated missionaries never give up on the Lord's work. They never throw in the towel.
• When consecrated missionaries are exhausted and nothing is left, they rely upon their faith, and they reserve tanks of energy somehow carry them through the day.
• D&C 24:7-9

What Does it Cost to Become a Consecrated Missionary?

• It costs everything that we have on the altar of sacrifice - our fears, our pride, our laziness, our disobedience, our weaknesses; we can't hold anything back.
• We came out here to change the world, to change lives but there is a cost.
• We can't have one foot at home and one foot in the mission field. The Lord demands our whole soul on the sacrificial altar. That is the price we must pay, and when we do, we then become an instrument in the hands of God.

What Is the Power of a Consecrated Missionary?

• The power of a consecrated missionary is without limit.
• Joseph Smith said: "it is not the multitude of preachers that is to bring about the glorious millennium; but it is those who are called and chosen, and faithful." (TPJ 42).

Consecrated Missionaries Serve the Savior Because They Love Him

• What is the driving, motivating force for a consecrated missionary? It is the Savior and His Atonement. If we fail to be obedient, if we fail to be humble, if we fail to be fearless, perhaps we intellectually understand the Atonement, but somehow we fail to grasp the underlying love of His sacrifice. Once we feel that, as well as understand it, we will be driven to give it our all. We will realize that our all is a small repayment for His all. 

Becoming a Consecrated Missionary

• If we are shy or reserved - God will compel us to change, to be bold. He will jerk us out of our comfort zone again and again. If we are lazy or idle, he will push us and pull us even when we are exhausted. If we are disobedient, He will press us until we have a child-like submissiveness. HE WILL NOT LET US BE CONTENT WITH OUR WEAKNESSES.
• Whatever the weakness may be that holds us back from becoming a consecrated missionary, the Lord has promised that if we have faith in Him, that He will make weak things become strong unto us.
• Ether 12:26-27.
• 2 Nephi 5:13

I hope that those that are planning on going on a mission it helps you. Coming on a mission has changed me completely but not only has it changed me but changed those people that surround me. I know this church is true. I don't have one single doubt. This gospel brings us happiness and it fixes any problems that we may have. The Book of Mormon is true and one way to find out is by reading, pondering, and praying with faith, asking God if the book is true. I know if we do this he answers us. He wants us to return to Him. We are all His children. He sent His only Son to die for our sins. That's how much Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us. Through the Atonement we can repent of our sins and change our lives. We can feel the love that He has for us. This gospel has brought me all the blessings that I've needed but I've had to do my part, follow God's commandments. I've seen those blessings that my family has received by me coming on a mission. I will never regret coming on a mission. My testimony has grown. It truly has. Thank you all for your support and those that did everything possible for me to come on a mission. I love you and and I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

-Hermana Marin

February 5, 2013

Hey,

 

How are you all doing?

 

We had a lesson with Hugo and Denise. I love them. Hugo is going to get baptized next week and I'm very excited for him. He's going to be a very strong member. He's officially stopped smoking. We taught him the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity. We gave him a pamphlet of the Word of Wisdom so he can read more after our lesson. Yesterday we went back and Denise said that after we left he started reading the pamphlets. Hugo really liked the Word of Wisdom pamphlet because it talks about how to overcome addictions. Hermano Morales (wml) came with us to the lesson and during the lesson Hugo said that sometimes he feels weak and wants to start smoking again but knows it's not worth it. I asked him if he would like to get a blessing and talked to him about how a blessing would really help him overcome his addiction. Then Hermano Morales asked him if he wanted a blessing, he said yes and Hermano Morales gave him an amazing blessing. The Spirit was incredible. On Sunday they'll be going to the branch. Hopefully they like it and end up coming to Buena Vista. Yesterday we also talked a bit about temple marriage because they brought it up. They would like for me to come to their sealing next year. Awesome right? Denise said that they're going to have another huge party after the sealing. haha Dang, that girl really likes to party. That's why Denise and I could be really good friends. ;) And they're getting married on Saturday. On Friday, we'll be helping them set up for the wedding and Saturday we'll be going to their wedding. They'll be a lot of Hispanics so we're going to try to meet new people so that we can start teaching new people.

So wanna know something funny that happened to us 4 sisters? Oh and there's for sister missionaries in the branch. Well Hermana Marcum and Hermana Fa'asavalu had the dinner calendar and Marcum made Hermana Fa'asavalu call for dinner and on Saturday it said that we were having dinner with Morales. Marcum didn't tell Hermana Fa'asavalu that there were many Morales' so she didn't ask exactly for the address or didn't even know who they were. We showed up to Hermano Morales' (wml) house for dinner and he sits us down and starts talking to us about missionary work. His wife comes up from downstairs with dye in her hair and she ends up getting in the shower. I was very confused but then I realized that it wasn't them that we were going to have dinner with. We were at the freakin' wrong house! I didn't say anything and I just waited for the other sisters to find out. haha While talking to Hermano Morales Hermana Fa'asavalu and Marcum get a phone call and it was the other Morales'. Our wml's brother calling us to ask us if we were on our way for dinner. hahaha Yup we were at the wrong house for dinner. I started to laugh and then everybody else did too. Even Hermano Morales. It was so funny. So we leave and drive to our real dinner appointment.

Lets see what else...oh yeah yesterday was Hermana Maya's birthday (my companion). The Brigham City sisters came and Hermana Marcum and Fa'asavalu. They all stayed at our apartment and it was so much fun. We laughed so hard I'm pretty sure I got a work out from laughing so much. Hermana Fa'asavalu got a makeover. Maya wanted to do a makeover on Hermana Fa'asavalu and she didn't really want to but it was Maya's birthday so that was the excuse for her to let Hermana Maya do the makeover. haha Then Hermana Maya got a makeover by Hermana Marcum and she looked like a hooker. hahahaha It was so funny. And then Hermana Marcum told her she looked like an alien. What the? haha While they were getting makeovers I was making some sincronizadas (similar to a quesadilla). Anyways, It was a lot of fun. We even played hide-n-seek. I hid up on the cubbards. I really mean, hid on top of them. Oh and guess who's trying to lose weight before they go home??? Yup, this girl right here. haha I was looking at pictures that I had in the past and I look scary now so I really have to work my butt off before I go home. We all decided to do a "biggest loser" contest between Me, Hermana Fa'asavalu, Hermana Peña, Hermana Murillo, and Hermana Maya. We all weighed ourselves this morning. haha Wish me luck my friends!

Also I can't remember if I told you about this new family we're teaching. Remember the 11 year old girl that Elder Destories and Elder Lerma were teaching? Well her parents want to take the discussions and want to get baptized as soon as possible. We'll have 6 baptisms this month! :) It's great! I love missionary work!

 

P.S. My birthday is Feb. 18 if any of you would like to send me packages I would love you forever. ;) haha If you plan on sending me a package do it through Postal Services. You can send it through UPS but it'll take me longer to get it because I have to go to the office to pick it up.

 

Well I love you all and I hope to hear from you soon!

 

-Hermana Marin

 

Pictures:

-Hermana Fa'asavalu and I having a guitar session.

-Hermana Maya having missionaries preach to her.

-Where I hid during our session of hide-n-seek.

January 29, 2013

Hola a todos,

We have transfers tomorrow. We found out today about transfers. We have a transfer breakfast and a family in the stake from one of the elder's area cooks for us and we just all eat as a zone and our zone leaders announce where we're going. It's super fun. I'm staying in the same area for another transfer. It'll be my 4th transfer. I had Sister Judy during this transfer but she got her visa and had to head out to Spain. I was SUPER sad to say good-bye. :( She became my best friend and we had a great time! We had 7 baptisms in total. :) We were a good companionship. She helped out a lot and I tried to help her with her confidence. It was a great transfer. We had a lot of memories and we both came to love our investigators. It's been snowing here since Sunday. It's crazy weather. I love Logan though it's such a great area and filled with a lot of potentials.

Yesterday we met a family that is GOLDEN. :) I believe the elders in Smithfield were teaching this family's 11 year old daughter but the parents didn't let her get baptized until she's 18 and really wanted to make this decision. But on Sunday we got a call from our ward mission leader and told us that he had a referral from us and said that this family wants to meet with the missionaries and learn more. We had to go on splits since the appointment was around the same time as a baptism interview. I taught this family the restoration and they loved it. I talked to them about the Holy Ghost and they said when I recited the first vision they felt something they couldn't describe and it was a great feeling. :) I just met them yesterday and I truly love this family already. I think while teaching them they'll let their daughter get baptized and they'll see that this gospel is great for their family and they could get sealed in the temple as a family. That would be great! Hugo is another one of our investigators. He's amazing and he wants to get baptized. Sister Judy and I tried to get him to set a date for Feb. but he wouldn't. He said in May. Sister Judy and I weren't sure why he said in May. Then after the lesson it popped into my head that it was because he smoked. But guess what? He stopped smoking! He has been smoking since he was 12 years old. He thought at first that he needed till May to be able to accomplish that but guess what? He has stopped smoking for 9 days now. He's getting baptized Feb. 16! Heck yes! He's great! He's had dreams with Jesus Christ and a dream like the vision of tree of life before he has heard of it before in the Book of Mormon. I'm super excited for his baptism.

-Hermana Marin