Hello Ladies and Gents,
Sorry I accidentally sent a one liner. Whoops.
Well this week has been loooong. Basically I have felt like a fish out of water not knowing where I am going, or where I am. Haha it is great. So good news, I mean yes this is he. Idle of nowhere, but it isn't also. And there is Hispanics, you just have to track them down. Luckily though, there has been about 8ish months since this area was opened so they already have found a lot of them. So we do actually teach, in Spanish! But we can also teach in English, that's a nice
break. Haha we are in a English ward. It's great. Apparently when I pray in English I pronounce some words weird, so it sounds like I have a British accent, it happens when I read the scriptures too they tell me. So there is an Elder serving in this area, that served in my last area, and when he found out I was getting transferred down here, he told the whole ward about it. Haha so first thing they do is ask me to say the closing prayer in sacrament meeting. So I am like sure. Then I get to church on Sunday and am meeting people and such and they are like "oh Hermana Simmons we have heard about you, you pray in a British accent"......I was just like great....haha I know I do it. It isn't intentional, but it has gotten worse since I have stopped speaking English, or praying in English. Haha I feel like I just sound awkward speaking in English now. For example when we go to members houses and share a little message with them and such, and of course it is in English, I just feel so like blahhhh, haha I can't talk, or I fumble over my words, at least in my head. Haha
So we have some great people in this area. I am definitely excited to be here. First is this girl named Carla, she is 20, and has a little 3yr old. She speaks English better then Spanish so we teach her in English, but she is engaged to this guy named Carlos, and he only speaks Spanish. Anyway, they're great. We got them to come to church on Sunday, and Hermana Figueroa was in the back translating, but I got to sit next to them. It was the best. They just soaked it all in. Especially Carlos, we haven't really been able to teach him, but Carl got him to come to church, and he loved it. He is a super nice guy, and he just loves Carla's little girl to death, they're an adorable couple. Anyway, it was so great to sit next to them because it was testimony meeting and he was feeling the spirit, but you could tell he just didn't know what to do. But he liked it. And someone got up and started talking about eternal families, and he reached over and grabbed Carla's hand. It was just the best. They were going to leave after the first hour, because originally Carlos said he would only come if they left after the first hour. But then he said he wanted to stay, so they came to the second hour. Which is in Spanish. Usually one of the members who speaks Spanish teaches, but he wasn't there, so we taught. It was such a good lesson. We just wanted to invite them to be baptized right there, but it would of been weird haha with the other people in class too. Haha so we didn't. Anyway, it was a really great Sunday.
Hermana Figueroa is great. She just speaks Spanish, all the time. She prefers it more then English sometimes, so it's a nice combination of listening to Spanish a lot, but also being about to talk in a language I am comfortable in, English. Haha she is an interesting person. Very random. Haha but funny, and we laugh and get along well.
We also ride the bus here. When we don't have the car we ride the bus it is usually about 2-3hrs of our day riding the bus, because we live out in the boonies, literally. And we do all our work in downtown Bloomington. But I love the bus. It's so fun. All the drivers know us, so we teach them lessons as we drive. They know all the missionaries. So they always say, hey we say those two other boy ones. Haha or the other girls. Etc. We call them district investigators since we all teach them. We also meet really interesting people. It's great. But
since we live so far away we rarely come home for dinner....this week we ate out a lot. But normally we are feed almost every night of the week. She never gets hungry and I am over here like, hey I am going to need to eat very soon, or I will start to get quite grumpy. Hahah it's fun.
So the struggle in this area is that most people work ALL DAY/ALL WEEK. Literally. We can never contact them, much less them come to church. So when we find people who can come to church, we work with them at all costs. We have been focusing on the youth, because they speak English and can be fellowshipped by the ward, and will eventually lead their parents to the truth, and since that we have
found really awesome youth. I mean just great!
So yes, this week was good. But long. We dont knock doors as much as I thought. I mean not anymore then I did in my last area. This is gonna be good.
We have a washer and dryer in our apartment! And wifi, and I have my own bathroom and closet. What more could you want? I mean to live closer, but that's okay. Also the English sisters live right next door to them, so we spend a lot of time with them. That's also who we share a car with.
Anyway, not much else for this week. But skyping on Sunday!!! It will be best for me between 5-7 your time. Cause we have almost 2hrs. So yeah! I love you. Fight the good fight.
Love,
Hermana Simmons
Sunday, May 11, 2014
The week our Wish Was Granted and We Saw Geese Take Flight - Mar 31, 2014
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This week sucked, and I don't want to talk about how all of our miracles, and everyone we love, dropped us. Not kidding. Everyone.
So instead I will write about the exciting things coming this week :)
So this coming week, lots of exciting things :)
First, on Friday we have mission Conference. It's going to be (wait for it) legendary. It's called "The Restoration". So we will all be going to this forest, on Friday, and we are going to have what president calls 'a sacred grove' experience. Illinois is an interesting place, and I loved that we are so focused on the Profeta Joseph Smith in this mission since this is the place he died. So
anyway, I digress, in December President Fenn gave us all a Book of Mormon challenge. On Christmas (or somewhere around there), we all started a fresh copy of the Book of Mormon, and he have 3 colored pencils. Red, blue, and yellow. Each went with different topics, which we would highlight as we found while we read. The red signified the Atonement, and the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. Blue signified our missionary purpose, anything that would help us be better missionaries, examples of missionary work etc (I never knew here was so much about missionary work in the Book of Mormon). And yellow signified the gospel of Jesus Christ, so faith, repentance, baptism, gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. It has been awesome. I will finish the Book of Mormon tomorrow probably. Reading the Book of Mormon by topic, and searching out for these different things has really opened my eyes. It has also really helped my love for the prophet Joseph grow. Anyway so with that as our back drop we are all heading to this forest, and none of us are exactly sure what's going to happen. But you could say we are all pretty pumped about it.
President Fenn is the best, so anytime you can hear from him is
awesome. So I will fill you in on what happened next week :)
Also so pumped for general conference. Honestly we are so blessed to having a living prophet Thomas S. Monson, and living apostles, same as they had when Christ was on the earth and organized his church. I hope you will all prepare spiritually that your hearts might be opened, and that you might receive revelation on how you personally need to become more Christlike in your lives.
This week was hard that is not a lie. I got more mad then I have been on my mission yet, and I also got so burnt out with this area. But that being said, there is always another miracle. For example, I am really grateful for my companion. She has been super helpful and has let me work through my struggles this week, without trying to "fix" me. She has just been really understand that sometimes being a missionary is hard. Especially since she felt pretty much how I felt this week, minus the mad, she doesn't really get mad. And I am grateful for the Book of Mormon, all I wanted to do, was read the Book of Mormon all the time. It bring a such peace to my heart. My relationship with my Savior grows every time I open that book. My relationship with my savior also grew this week, and I turned to him in prayer more fervently to help me. I am grateful to be a missionary, thick or thin. I am grateful for the hard times as well as the good,
because that is when we grow the most. We don't grow very much if at
all when things are easy. I am grateful to be stretched and to be refined, so that I may become the women The Lord has prepared we to become, and wants me to become. How merciful is He that He, "shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he shall purify [us], and purge [us] as gold and silver, that [we] may offer unto The Lord an offering of righteousness"(3 Nephi 24:3). I am grateful for our own private Gethsemane's and Calvary's. For the opportunity to become more like our Savior.
Keep fighting the good fight.
I love you
Hermana Simmons
This week sucked, and I don't want to talk about how all of our miracles, and everyone we love, dropped us. Not kidding. Everyone.
So instead I will write about the exciting things coming this week :)
So this coming week, lots of exciting things :)
First, on Friday we have mission Conference. It's going to be (wait for it) legendary. It's called "The Restoration". So we will all be going to this forest, on Friday, and we are going to have what president calls 'a sacred grove' experience. Illinois is an interesting place, and I loved that we are so focused on the Profeta Joseph Smith in this mission since this is the place he died. So
anyway, I digress, in December President Fenn gave us all a Book of Mormon challenge. On Christmas (or somewhere around there), we all started a fresh copy of the Book of Mormon, and he have 3 colored pencils. Red, blue, and yellow. Each went with different topics, which we would highlight as we found while we read. The red signified the Atonement, and the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. Blue signified our missionary purpose, anything that would help us be better missionaries, examples of missionary work etc (I never knew here was so much about missionary work in the Book of Mormon). And yellow signified the gospel of Jesus Christ, so faith, repentance, baptism, gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. It has been awesome. I will finish the Book of Mormon tomorrow probably. Reading the Book of Mormon by topic, and searching out for these different things has really opened my eyes. It has also really helped my love for the prophet Joseph grow. Anyway so with that as our back drop we are all heading to this forest, and none of us are exactly sure what's going to happen. But you could say we are all pretty pumped about it.
President Fenn is the best, so anytime you can hear from him is
awesome. So I will fill you in on what happened next week :)
Also so pumped for general conference. Honestly we are so blessed to having a living prophet Thomas S. Monson, and living apostles, same as they had when Christ was on the earth and organized his church. I hope you will all prepare spiritually that your hearts might be opened, and that you might receive revelation on how you personally need to become more Christlike in your lives.
This week was hard that is not a lie. I got more mad then I have been on my mission yet, and I also got so burnt out with this area. But that being said, there is always another miracle. For example, I am really grateful for my companion. She has been super helpful and has let me work through my struggles this week, without trying to "fix" me. She has just been really understand that sometimes being a missionary is hard. Especially since she felt pretty much how I felt this week, minus the mad, she doesn't really get mad. And I am grateful for the Book of Mormon, all I wanted to do, was read the Book of Mormon all the time. It bring a such peace to my heart. My relationship with my Savior grows every time I open that book. My relationship with my savior also grew this week, and I turned to him in prayer more fervently to help me. I am grateful to be a missionary, thick or thin. I am grateful for the hard times as well as the good,
because that is when we grow the most. We don't grow very much if at
all when things are easy. I am grateful to be stretched and to be refined, so that I may become the women The Lord has prepared we to become, and wants me to become. How merciful is He that He, "shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he shall purify [us], and purge [us] as gold and silver, that [we] may offer unto The Lord an offering of righteousness"(3 Nephi 24:3). I am grateful for our own private Gethsemane's and Calvary's. For the opportunity to become more like our Savior.
Keep fighting the good fight.
I love you
Hermana Simmons
The week I turned 21!! Woohoo!! - Mar 24, 2014
Hello hello hello,
I have a lot to write this week, so I am just going to get going. I am going to break it down by days which I don't normally do, but there was a lot this week, so I'm doing it :)
Monday: jeez, Monday feels like a lifetime ago. Honestly. Well as most of you know Monday was not my favorite day of all time, it was kind of a bummer day. Not sure why, just feeling the blues. But can I just say that I love all of you so much. When I got home that night and had a billon emails from all my family and loved ones saying happy birthday and being all encouraging and supportive, I was casi in tears. (Well I was when I read my brothers....okay, I am human, occasionally I cry.....just get off my back...haha). So basically all I have to say about Monday is that. I love you guys. You're the best, and I am so lucky and grateful to have such supportive and loving people in my life. Thanks :)
Tuesday: MY BIRTHDAY! I mean I don't know if you know thus, but I turned 21 this week. It was pretty great. Not in the missionary work part (no one let us in, and we only scheduled our favorite people that day). No importa, it was a great day. We went to the care center and visited with Angie, hopefully you remember me telling you about her. Love her. So that was happy :) then we went to Taco Bell, McDonalds, and Panda Express for lunch (we got our favorite things from each). Then I can't remember what else happened until that night. So around 5 we stopped at home because I knew that Tammy was suppose to come drop something off, and when we got there it was already there. Can I just take a minute to say, I LOVE MY MOM. She is the best, without fail she has always figured out how to get me corned beef and cabbage for my birthday every year, at college, and even here on the mission. It was so great. And thanks to Tammy for bringing it all the way from Elgin, and bringing a cake, and cookies :) I about died. I just kept saying wow I love my mom, wow I love my family, I have the best family. :) just so you know. Anyway, then, we went to Hermana Padilla's. And her house was all decorated, and we got here first...awkward, but it was suppose to be a surprise party. It was basically the best thing I could have imagined. They all went around the table and told us why they loved us individually, and the difference we had made in their lives(Hna Padilla is our mom here, we have an awesome relationship with her, the girls, Thalia, we baptized her sister last transfer, and David of course our recent convert). It was awesome! :) best birthday I could have imagined on the mission.
Wednesday: went to district meeting where I got packages :) you guys are the best seriously. I loved everything, shout out to Gina, and Aj, and Dylan, and Hermana Jacobson :) mom, I should get yours Wednesday, no one is going to the office again till tomorrow, so they'll pick them up.
Thursday/Friday: we went on exchanges with the Hermana training leaders, I went with Hermana Davies again (I went with her my first transfer). Gosh I love her so much. She is a kindred spirit, we think the same, say the same things, and have the same sense of humor. Aka, we would never do well as real companions, no work would get done. But her birthday was on Monday, fun fact. But anyway, I always learn so much from her. Since I see so much of myself in her, but then she also has attributes that I really admire, and want to emulate, it is really cool to work with her. Plus we both just like to work. P.S. Mom and dad, I was thinking about this a lot this week, I am SUPER grateful for the way I was raised. It has effected me so much on my mission. I know how to take care of myself, and how to work, but also how to laugh and joke and have fun while I do it. I love you both a lot, and could not have asked for better parents. You helped me to stand on my own, and settle it in my heart, and President Fenn always says, that I will do what's right thick or thin. At least that's what you always tried to teach me, even when my stubborn teenage ears wouldn't listen. Haha I am getting it now, it's like the things I was taught have always been there, and now I have to actually use them and rely on them.
Well that is actually really all. This week Juan Carlos came to church all on his own, and he loved it. Someday I will take a picture of them all, and his adorable little boys. But our two investigators who had a baptismal date, fell off date because they didn't come to church. I don't want to talk about that. It feels relatable to getting dumped.....not kidding. My heart breaks for them. But on Sunday we taught in young women's, I love the youth of his church. Seriously love them. I just have so many hopes and dreams for them, I just want to impart all my wisdom on them and see them choose he right, and be good. Anyway, so we taught about testimony. It was awesome. We had a Mormon message called "Waiting on the road to Damascus" it's really good, I encourage you all to watch it. At the end I felt like we should call on one of the girls to give her testimony, she is 13, she comes from an awesome family, her mom is relief society president, her brother is on a mission, and her other brother is preparing to go, but her dad isn't a member. But she is awesome. Anyway, she got super weird, and then she says, Hermanas, I don't have a testimony, and then she started crying. It was a really touching moment, and Hermana Barlow and I were able to give our own testimonies, about how basically, you know enough. You start small, and then you grow, you don't have to know all the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ, to have a testimony, you can start with just knowing God is real, Jesus Christ lives, and is His son. It was a cool moment. Later after church I went and found her because I didn't want her to think we wanted to embarrass her and I wanted to apologize, and she was so sweet, we had a really tender moment. That girls has a testimony, she just doesn't know it yet. It was interesting, preparing our lesson for the young women, I had so much anxiety, I just want to say exactly what Heavenly Father wanted them to hear, I wanted it to be perfect. I want with all my heart to help them learn and grow. It was cool.
And here we are to Monday again. I love you all. Fight the good fight. Pray for me, cause you know I got your back in my prayers. And let me know what's going on out there in the real world, I didn't even know Ida was having a girl till she wrote me making it seem like I knew.........awkward. But it's cool. I love you :)
Love,
Hermana Simmons
p.s. I will try to write back as many people as possible, but ya know, sometimes I just wanna take a nap on p day.....judge me. Haha
The week we decided was actually the pre "the dream" week - Mar 17, 2014
Hi there,
So I kind of thought about writing you my whole email in Spanish, haha. But then I realized that wouldn't be very nice for those of you who can't speak Spanish, or read Spanish. So here it is, English. I feel like there isn't much to say this week. Well transfers are tomorrow, and guess who is getting transferred........not me........or my companion......but probably some other missionaries. Haha had you going for a singular scone didn't I. Haha but yeah, anyway, I am staying in Arlington heights 3rd north, also know as Wheeling,
Illinois. And Hermana Barlow is staying as well, we are both relieved about that. Good things are happening here, who wants to leave when good things are happening? Plus I wanted to spend my birthday here, with the members who I know and love, and who know and love me. Plus with Hermana Barlow, since we have the same birthday. I was actually fine with staying or going. I am getting ready for another adventure in another area, but also, this place is home so when I leave it I'll be like leaving home again.
So on to this week, well first, we changed our car share so, we don't have to go the whole week without the car, so that's great. But we still walk a lot, but I don't really care, it has been beautiful here. And you would be surprised, I never complain, I mean not for real. Haha sometimes just for jokes. My companion and I will take turns dropping to the ground and saying, "uhhhh, I just want to go to the spirit world for a little while" haha......and by take turns I mean it's me, I do it, not her. Haha
But on Thursday, we went and did service, this service consisted of going to an old folks home and talking to old people for an hour. ITS THE BEST THING. We're going to go back every week. We met this women named Angie, and she just told us all about her life. She says to us, "I have been alive for 3/4 of a century. That's a long time." Haha she is so sweet, I mean we talked with her about nothing really but I just had such a good feeling, like I was doing something right. When I come home (in 14 years) I am totally going to visit with the people in those homes. They're awesome, and so many of them don't have any family, like Angie, and they don't want much of your time, they just want to talk to you. Angie told us, talking to us makes her feel young. When we went to leave she said, "I love you guys, can you come back next week?" She kept saying, now I have 2 new friends :) she told us about her life, which was sad, she grew in foster homes, but she always said, but I had a pretty good life, I lived a pretty good life, nothing she said was a complaint. She was happy, and then of course, she went unto the drama about everyone that worked there. Haha she's the best.
Also, JUAN CARLOS CAME TO CHURH. best day ever. Literally. When your investigators do show up at church, it is the best feeling, up there with when hey get baptized. It is surpasses the sadness you felt at them not coming. He is awesome. We are going to invite him to be baptized again, this week. Since when he didn't come to church last week, he fell off date. But he has two little boys, Fernando and David, they are 5, and 4. And for some reason they are obsessed with if people have boyfriends. They first time we met them they asked both me and my companion if we have boyfriends. Haha and they still ask us all the time. So I asked Fernando is he had a girlfriend, and he said yes, and pointed at me......then started holding my hand......haha I was just well sure, you're 5. Haha and I lived with Calvin.....hahah :) (you're beautiful, I love you, always touching you...etc...) haha but anyway, so at church, we were sitting with them and two funny things happened, first our recent convert David, came and sat with us, and he sat by me, and when he sat down Fernando says, "el es tu novio? (he is your boyfriend?)"......it was awkward haha. Then the little one, David, was coloring a picture, and he looked up and saw the girl who was about his age sitting behind us and says, really loudly, "Ella es Bonita"(she is beautiful). And then just went back to coloring like it was no big deal. It was pretty funny. But yes, the best.
So anyway, last but not least, I had a cool experience I wanted to share. So on Tuesday we were teaching a jovencita names Iris. She is 18, but lives with her parents, and they always listens, but they aren't as interested as her. She is dating a boy in our ward, and has been coming to church for a year. So whenever we try and teach her, or something her parents always control/dominate the situation, they talk a lot about how they feel, and what's it's lie for them being catholic and such, and it becomes like Iris isn't even there. So on Tuesday, I was noticing this, and it bugged me, and I felt really strongly like I
needed to ask Iris how she felt, and what she believed, what she felt in her heart. Something she doesn't usually just offer up especially in front of her parents (they are perfectly nice, and supportive, they just don't let her get her word in). Anyway, so I asked her, and right in that moment, the spirit came so strongly, there was no denying it. She hadn't even said anything, and only like 2 seconds had passed but she was almost in tears, and when she answered she said, she didn't know, that it was hard, and she just kept saying that. But that was
okay, because I listened to her, I felt the words come into my mind, I knew what to say next. But then her mom interrupted and said something, but that was okay, because I shortly cut her off, and spoke, and let me tell you, just because you are a missionary doesn't mean every testimony you bear cuts people to the core, or is something you feel burning inside, so far on my mission that has only happened a few times. It's moments like this when you know, without a doubt that you are saying exactly what God wants you to say. And as it says in the scriptures, the spirit constrains you that you cannot shut your mouth, that you have to speak the words. This was one of those moments. I told her, I knew she believed. And what was weird is I did know, same as I know I have two hands, or the sky is blue, I knew. And I told her that Heavenly Father knew who she was, and he knew she was afraid, and that she still had some doubts, and concerns, but that he loved her, and if she continued down this path she would have all the
happiness this life has to offer, and in that moment, I had this little vision in my mind, of Iris coming out of the temple with her future husband after they had been sealed for time and all eternity, and I almost cried, I couldn't talk for a minute, because I knew that was what was in store for her. I don't know I said some other things, but I can't remember. But it was so cool. I felt course through my veins how much Heavenly Father loved her, and how much he wanted her
personally to return to Him. I just felt the spirit working through me so strongly. And it was honestly one of the best experience thus far on my mission. I love that girl a lot, and I desire for her salvation so much. It was crazy. But cool.
Anyway, not sure why I shared that, but the mission is the best. Hard work, mental exertion, and sacrifice of oneself, yes, but the best. When we keep the commandments, when we strive to be exactly obedient, when we seek the spirit, and strive to live the gospel of Jesus Christ fully day to day, it isn't a sacrifice, it is pure happiness. I can't describe it, but living the commandments, and being obedient, it sets you free, it liberates your soul from the bondage of the natural man or women in each of us. It allows our souls which are good, to take control, and lead us on the path back to our Heavenly Father. Because though some of you might not remember right now, you once also longed to return to your Heavenly Father's presence. You were there, you agreed to come here, you were eager to prove yourself, and you sat in the presence of our Beloved Father, and your soul mourned to leave Him, but rejoiced to have the opportunity to come to this earth, and have these experiences that would help you become more like Him, and would help you have the life He has. Don't forget, do not allow the world to pull you from your true potential, your true destiny. You are children of the King. And your soul longs to return to His presence. So be good, and do good. Fight the good fight.
The church is true. Father in Heaven loves you. I love you. :)
Hermana Simmons
So I kind of thought about writing you my whole email in Spanish, haha. But then I realized that wouldn't be very nice for those of you who can't speak Spanish, or read Spanish. So here it is, English. I feel like there isn't much to say this week. Well transfers are tomorrow, and guess who is getting transferred........not me........or my companion......but probably some other missionaries. Haha had you going for a singular scone didn't I. Haha but yeah, anyway, I am staying in Arlington heights 3rd north, also know as Wheeling,
Illinois. And Hermana Barlow is staying as well, we are both relieved about that. Good things are happening here, who wants to leave when good things are happening? Plus I wanted to spend my birthday here, with the members who I know and love, and who know and love me. Plus with Hermana Barlow, since we have the same birthday. I was actually fine with staying or going. I am getting ready for another adventure in another area, but also, this place is home so when I leave it I'll be like leaving home again.
So on to this week, well first, we changed our car share so, we don't have to go the whole week without the car, so that's great. But we still walk a lot, but I don't really care, it has been beautiful here. And you would be surprised, I never complain, I mean not for real. Haha sometimes just for jokes. My companion and I will take turns dropping to the ground and saying, "uhhhh, I just want to go to the spirit world for a little while" haha......and by take turns I mean it's me, I do it, not her. Haha
But on Thursday, we went and did service, this service consisted of going to an old folks home and talking to old people for an hour. ITS THE BEST THING. We're going to go back every week. We met this women named Angie, and she just told us all about her life. She says to us, "I have been alive for 3/4 of a century. That's a long time." Haha she is so sweet, I mean we talked with her about nothing really but I just had such a good feeling, like I was doing something right. When I come home (in 14 years) I am totally going to visit with the people in those homes. They're awesome, and so many of them don't have any family, like Angie, and they don't want much of your time, they just want to talk to you. Angie told us, talking to us makes her feel young. When we went to leave she said, "I love you guys, can you come back next week?" She kept saying, now I have 2 new friends :) she told us about her life, which was sad, she grew in foster homes, but she always said, but I had a pretty good life, I lived a pretty good life, nothing she said was a complaint. She was happy, and then of course, she went unto the drama about everyone that worked there. Haha she's the best.
Also, JUAN CARLOS CAME TO CHURH. best day ever. Literally. When your investigators do show up at church, it is the best feeling, up there with when hey get baptized. It is surpasses the sadness you felt at them not coming. He is awesome. We are going to invite him to be baptized again, this week. Since when he didn't come to church last week, he fell off date. But he has two little boys, Fernando and David, they are 5, and 4. And for some reason they are obsessed with if people have boyfriends. They first time we met them they asked both me and my companion if we have boyfriends. Haha and they still ask us all the time. So I asked Fernando is he had a girlfriend, and he said yes, and pointed at me......then started holding my hand......haha I was just well sure, you're 5. Haha and I lived with Calvin.....hahah :) (you're beautiful, I love you, always touching you...etc...) haha but anyway, so at church, we were sitting with them and two funny things happened, first our recent convert David, came and sat with us, and he sat by me, and when he sat down Fernando says, "el es tu novio? (he is your boyfriend?)"......it was awkward haha. Then the little one, David, was coloring a picture, and he looked up and saw the girl who was about his age sitting behind us and says, really loudly, "Ella es Bonita"(she is beautiful). And then just went back to coloring like it was no big deal. It was pretty funny. But yes, the best.
So anyway, last but not least, I had a cool experience I wanted to share. So on Tuesday we were teaching a jovencita names Iris. She is 18, but lives with her parents, and they always listens, but they aren't as interested as her. She is dating a boy in our ward, and has been coming to church for a year. So whenever we try and teach her, or something her parents always control/dominate the situation, they talk a lot about how they feel, and what's it's lie for them being catholic and such, and it becomes like Iris isn't even there. So on Tuesday, I was noticing this, and it bugged me, and I felt really strongly like I
needed to ask Iris how she felt, and what she believed, what she felt in her heart. Something she doesn't usually just offer up especially in front of her parents (they are perfectly nice, and supportive, they just don't let her get her word in). Anyway, so I asked her, and right in that moment, the spirit came so strongly, there was no denying it. She hadn't even said anything, and only like 2 seconds had passed but she was almost in tears, and when she answered she said, she didn't know, that it was hard, and she just kept saying that. But that was
okay, because I listened to her, I felt the words come into my mind, I knew what to say next. But then her mom interrupted and said something, but that was okay, because I shortly cut her off, and spoke, and let me tell you, just because you are a missionary doesn't mean every testimony you bear cuts people to the core, or is something you feel burning inside, so far on my mission that has only happened a few times. It's moments like this when you know, without a doubt that you are saying exactly what God wants you to say. And as it says in the scriptures, the spirit constrains you that you cannot shut your mouth, that you have to speak the words. This was one of those moments. I told her, I knew she believed. And what was weird is I did know, same as I know I have two hands, or the sky is blue, I knew. And I told her that Heavenly Father knew who she was, and he knew she was afraid, and that she still had some doubts, and concerns, but that he loved her, and if she continued down this path she would have all the
happiness this life has to offer, and in that moment, I had this little vision in my mind, of Iris coming out of the temple with her future husband after they had been sealed for time and all eternity, and I almost cried, I couldn't talk for a minute, because I knew that was what was in store for her. I don't know I said some other things, but I can't remember. But it was so cool. I felt course through my veins how much Heavenly Father loved her, and how much he wanted her
personally to return to Him. I just felt the spirit working through me so strongly. And it was honestly one of the best experience thus far on my mission. I love that girl a lot, and I desire for her salvation so much. It was crazy. But cool.
Anyway, not sure why I shared that, but the mission is the best. Hard work, mental exertion, and sacrifice of oneself, yes, but the best. When we keep the commandments, when we strive to be exactly obedient, when we seek the spirit, and strive to live the gospel of Jesus Christ fully day to day, it isn't a sacrifice, it is pure happiness. I can't describe it, but living the commandments, and being obedient, it sets you free, it liberates your soul from the bondage of the natural man or women in each of us. It allows our souls which are good, to take control, and lead us on the path back to our Heavenly Father. Because though some of you might not remember right now, you once also longed to return to your Heavenly Father's presence. You were there, you agreed to come here, you were eager to prove yourself, and you sat in the presence of our Beloved Father, and your soul mourned to leave Him, but rejoiced to have the opportunity to come to this earth, and have these experiences that would help you become more like Him, and would help you have the life He has. Don't forget, do not allow the world to pull you from your true potential, your true destiny. You are children of the King. And your soul longs to return to His presence. So be good, and do good. Fight the good fight.
The church is true. Father in Heaven loves you. I love you. :)
Hermana Simmons
A week full of gratitude - Mar 10, 2014
Hello everyone!
How I are all of you? You're the best. You're doing wonderfully awesome. Choose the right, do good, be good. Ya know the usual. I just thought I would start with that this time instead of end with it. :)
This week was awesome. Well every week is awesome after all is said and done. I mean here the mission life, at least for me. Sometimes things suck, and then tomorrow comes. And if you take a minute to be grateful, you realize that even when it sucks The Lord is blessing you immensely and there is small miracles, all throughout the day. Tender mercies, just for you, all throughout the day. I have been studying a little about being grateful this week. Here are some things is
relearned. First, if you are a sour puss, and are walking around all 'woe is me' all the time, you are obviously not being grateful. Because when we are grateful, it is impossible for us to be negative nacy's.
Second thing, I learned this from one of the senior missionaries, Elder Schmidt (I think I know him) he has a very dry sense of humor. It cracks me up. (Him and his wife are leaving this week, they're from Montana and ya know what, I admit it, I hugged him...........haha). Anyway, he says all the time, "Life sucks and then you die". Which I think is hilarious. But there is actually is a good lesson in that, life is not fair. It wasn't intended to be. Sometimes it sucks, a lot, for a long time, so what? Then you die, and all is made right. Heavenly Father takes all of your if.ictions and shows you how they are for your gain.
Now I don't wish to be insensitive. Sometimes life is really hard. And sometimes weaping will endure for the night. But if we spend to much time focusing on the negative, we will have our head in the mud, and we won't see the sun come out. We have to remember to turn to The Lord. As I will write about later.
So that what I learned this week. Be happy. Smile. Smile till you feel like smiling, till you feel happy. This life is meant to be enjoyed, and The Lord said that knowing that we would have struggles.
So onto my week. Well it was awesome. We put four people on date for baptism. Which was sweet!!!! And then they didn't come to church.......not a singular one. So two of those people are now not on date for baptism. Let me tell you, sitting in sacrament meeting, waiting for investigators who promised they would come, who know if they don't come they can't get baptized, and who you love so much.....to get there, and then they never show up, well it's the worst. And that whole meeting your heart is just broken, and every time the door opens you look hoping it will be them. So there was that. But it's okay, they're still awesome. We will keep working with them.
This week we have taught a lot of people that have just the most heartbreaking stories, a man whose wife died three years ago and left him with two boys, 5 & 4. A family who is struggling, because their 13 year old son is bullied in school, and tried to commit suicide 2 times last year. An older husband and wife, who were separated for a year and are working on fixing there marriage. A less active who doesn't come to church because she doesn't have any friends, and no one in her family supports her being a member, so she feels all alone, like God doesn't love her. It is heartbreaking. Sitting there, listening to them talk, you heart hurts, it is filled with their pains, and you just want to take it all away. But guess what, the message we as missionaries bring, it does take that all away. It heals people, or shows them the way to be healed. When they begin to read in the Book of Mormon, and they begin praying with all the sincerity of their hearts, and eventually when they make covenants with God, like baptism, all that pain, and heartache, and guilt, and whatever else they feel, it's swallowed up. It's swept away. They are encircled about in the arms of our loving Savior, who already suffered all their pains, all their heartaches, who already laid down His life for them, and was only waiting for them to come unto Him so He could heal them.
As Christ says to the people in 3 Nephi 9:13(Book of Mormon) "..Will you not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?". This is the message that we bring to people. This is what the gospel of Jesus Christ offers. It is for everyone, for everything. Not just for some people, or something. Everyone. No matter who you are, where you are in your life, whether you think you are content or not, whether you are desperately searching, you need peace, or healing, you need to feel Gods love more abundantly, no matter your questions, or your doubts, no matter you past, or your mistakes, this gospel is for you. So come unto Christ, that he may heal you. And be grateful that his hands of mercy are extended out towards you.
I love you all so much. I want desperately for all of my loved ones to come unto Christ, to keep His commandments, and to return to live in our Fathers presence, which is where I intend to be. I love you. This church is true. It is right. It is the only true church. The only church where we can make saving covenants with God. I am grateful to be here. I am grateful for those of you who have helped me get here. I so often am reminded, and feel so grateful for the large number of people I have in my corner, waiting to lift me up when I fall, and supporting and encouraging me always. If there is every anything I can do for any of you, I hope you will let me know. I love you all so much! Don't forget my birthday, March 18th :) 21!!!! Woohoo, I will be out here walking the streets of Illinois. Haha
Fight the good fight.
Love,
Hermana Simmons
How I are all of you? You're the best. You're doing wonderfully awesome. Choose the right, do good, be good. Ya know the usual. I just thought I would start with that this time instead of end with it. :)
This week was awesome. Well every week is awesome after all is said and done. I mean here the mission life, at least for me. Sometimes things suck, and then tomorrow comes. And if you take a minute to be grateful, you realize that even when it sucks The Lord is blessing you immensely and there is small miracles, all throughout the day. Tender mercies, just for you, all throughout the day. I have been studying a little about being grateful this week. Here are some things is
relearned. First, if you are a sour puss, and are walking around all 'woe is me' all the time, you are obviously not being grateful. Because when we are grateful, it is impossible for us to be negative nacy's.
Second thing, I learned this from one of the senior missionaries, Elder Schmidt (I think I know him) he has a very dry sense of humor. It cracks me up. (Him and his wife are leaving this week, they're from Montana and ya know what, I admit it, I hugged him...........haha). Anyway, he says all the time, "Life sucks and then you die". Which I think is hilarious. But there is actually is a good lesson in that, life is not fair. It wasn't intended to be. Sometimes it sucks, a lot, for a long time, so what? Then you die, and all is made right. Heavenly Father takes all of your if.ictions and shows you how they are for your gain.
Now I don't wish to be insensitive. Sometimes life is really hard. And sometimes weaping will endure for the night. But if we spend to much time focusing on the negative, we will have our head in the mud, and we won't see the sun come out. We have to remember to turn to The Lord. As I will write about later.
So that what I learned this week. Be happy. Smile. Smile till you feel like smiling, till you feel happy. This life is meant to be enjoyed, and The Lord said that knowing that we would have struggles.
So onto my week. Well it was awesome. We put four people on date for baptism. Which was sweet!!!! And then they didn't come to church.......not a singular one. So two of those people are now not on date for baptism. Let me tell you, sitting in sacrament meeting, waiting for investigators who promised they would come, who know if they don't come they can't get baptized, and who you love so much.....to get there, and then they never show up, well it's the worst. And that whole meeting your heart is just broken, and every time the door opens you look hoping it will be them. So there was that. But it's okay, they're still awesome. We will keep working with them.
This week we have taught a lot of people that have just the most heartbreaking stories, a man whose wife died three years ago and left him with two boys, 5 & 4. A family who is struggling, because their 13 year old son is bullied in school, and tried to commit suicide 2 times last year. An older husband and wife, who were separated for a year and are working on fixing there marriage. A less active who doesn't come to church because she doesn't have any friends, and no one in her family supports her being a member, so she feels all alone, like God doesn't love her. It is heartbreaking. Sitting there, listening to them talk, you heart hurts, it is filled with their pains, and you just want to take it all away. But guess what, the message we as missionaries bring, it does take that all away. It heals people, or shows them the way to be healed. When they begin to read in the Book of Mormon, and they begin praying with all the sincerity of their hearts, and eventually when they make covenants with God, like baptism, all that pain, and heartache, and guilt, and whatever else they feel, it's swallowed up. It's swept away. They are encircled about in the arms of our loving Savior, who already suffered all their pains, all their heartaches, who already laid down His life for them, and was only waiting for them to come unto Him so He could heal them.
As Christ says to the people in 3 Nephi 9:13(Book of Mormon) "..Will you not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?". This is the message that we bring to people. This is what the gospel of Jesus Christ offers. It is for everyone, for everything. Not just for some people, or something. Everyone. No matter who you are, where you are in your life, whether you think you are content or not, whether you are desperately searching, you need peace, or healing, you need to feel Gods love more abundantly, no matter your questions, or your doubts, no matter you past, or your mistakes, this gospel is for you. So come unto Christ, that he may heal you. And be grateful that his hands of mercy are extended out towards you.
I love you all so much. I want desperately for all of my loved ones to come unto Christ, to keep His commandments, and to return to live in our Fathers presence, which is where I intend to be. I love you. This church is true. It is right. It is the only true church. The only church where we can make saving covenants with God. I am grateful to be here. I am grateful for those of you who have helped me get here. I so often am reminded, and feel so grateful for the large number of people I have in my corner, waiting to lift me up when I fall, and supporting and encouraging me always. If there is every anything I can do for any of you, I hope you will let me know. I love you all so much! Don't forget my birthday, March 18th :) 21!!!! Woohoo, I will be out here walking the streets of Illinois. Haha
Fight the good fight.
Love,
Hermana Simmons
The week I learned some really important things - Mar 3, 2014
Hello Ladies and Gents,
How are you all? Fantastic I hope!
So this week was great, I mean all weeks usually end up being great, but some weeks are just better then others. This was one of those weeks. I will get into that later. But first I want to talk a little about something's I learned. I will start with a story that happened on Thursday night at about 8:45. Last person before we went home. So the area books on the iPads have a lot of member records on them that the ward doesn't have because they come straight from Salt Lake, so we have been working on tracking those people down and seeing if they live there still. So Thursday night we went to visit this family who records we have. And they let us right in, and they know who we are. They are super friendly, and seem really great. We sit down, and start getting to know them, finding out their story and such. Long story short, they aren't less actives, they had left the church. They go to another church now. So we start talking about the Book of Mormon because that is our message. And she says to me, "Yeah, well with all due respect, I am not interested, I am focusing on trying to understand the Bible, and that book lies about the Bible". My heart starting pounding. I seriously thought maybe I swallowed a marching band. I think everyone must have been able to hear it, because they all looked at me like I was about to talk. Which was convenient because of course I was. So I opened my mouth, and words just started flowing out. I wasn't even sure what I was saying (cause sometimes I can't understand myself in Spanish). But I spoke with the power and authority that I have as a missionary, and with boldness, and I told that women what I will now tell you. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. It is the most correct book on the face of the earth. It fully supports the bible as does the bible support the Book of Mormon. You cannot fully believe in the bible and not in the Book of Mormon because they go together. They support each other, and with both we have the fullness of the everlasting gospel. I told her, there is no way for us to enter into Gods presence without the Book of Mormon. The bible is not enough. If it were enough there would not be so many church's. Because everyone would know the right way. Now I said some other stuff, but you get the jist. I know some of you who read this email are not members of our church, and I know that you do not read or believe in the Book of Mormon, and I would like to say something to you all :) Mormons believe in the bible, and we cherish it as the word of God, but we also know that through the years it has been changed, and very precious parts have been removed. For this reason God revealed the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ. It doesn't not take away anything the bible teaches, but adds to it. It helps us to better understand the bible, and the commandments, and the role of our Savior Jesus Christ in our lives. This book was not written by Joseph Smith, he merely translated it, through the power and authority of God. This book was written by prophets of old as was the bible. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that he was commanded to translate the Book of Mormon for us, for our benefit. It is through this book that we're learn how we can return to live with our Father in Heaven. It is through this book that we learn how we can stand blameless at the great judgement seat of God. I encourage, and invite you all to read it. To ponder it, and to pray about it. That is all we as missionaries ask, for people to find out for themselves. God does not lie, so he will tell you the truth, he will tell you if this book is true. I promise you will get an answer, and it will change your heart, and your lives. So often we think that we are fine. Life is good. But there is more. More happiness them you have ever before felt, and it is waiting for you in the Book of Mormon.
Now for those whose read this and are members of the church. We meet to many members of this church, who fall away, who don't have a solid testimony of the Book of Mormon. Read it. Pray about it. Cherish it. Quite taking this book for granted. It is a treasure. This gospel is a treasure. There are so many people who don't have the great knowledge and testimony that we have. So many people who haven't experienced the blessing that we have. Read the Book of Mormon. Because if you don't, you will fall away. That is how serious it is. The Book of Mormon is the foundation. I invite you all to begin the Book of Mormon this year, and read the whole thing, and pray about it. Even if you have done it a hundred times, and if you haven't done it ever, well no time like the present.
And everyone should watch this awesome video.
https://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages?lang=eng#testimony-of-the-book-of-mormon
But this week was so awesome. We put a lady on date for baptism on March 29th. She is awesome. Finding her was a miracle. We also have two more awesome investigators that we are planning to commit to dates this week. This is the Lords work. We see his hand in our work all the time. I am so grateful to be here. To know these people. To speak this language, and to find Gods elect.
This is the church of God. The same church Jesus Christ established when he was on the earth. I know it.
I love you all
Con Amor,
Hermana Simmons
How are you all? Fantastic I hope!
So this week was great, I mean all weeks usually end up being great, but some weeks are just better then others. This was one of those weeks. I will get into that later. But first I want to talk a little about something's I learned. I will start with a story that happened on Thursday night at about 8:45. Last person before we went home. So the area books on the iPads have a lot of member records on them that the ward doesn't have because they come straight from Salt Lake, so we have been working on tracking those people down and seeing if they live there still. So Thursday night we went to visit this family who records we have. And they let us right in, and they know who we are. They are super friendly, and seem really great. We sit down, and start getting to know them, finding out their story and such. Long story short, they aren't less actives, they had left the church. They go to another church now. So we start talking about the Book of Mormon because that is our message. And she says to me, "Yeah, well with all due respect, I am not interested, I am focusing on trying to understand the Bible, and that book lies about the Bible". My heart starting pounding. I seriously thought maybe I swallowed a marching band. I think everyone must have been able to hear it, because they all looked at me like I was about to talk. Which was convenient because of course I was. So I opened my mouth, and words just started flowing out. I wasn't even sure what I was saying (cause sometimes I can't understand myself in Spanish). But I spoke with the power and authority that I have as a missionary, and with boldness, and I told that women what I will now tell you. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. It is the most correct book on the face of the earth. It fully supports the bible as does the bible support the Book of Mormon. You cannot fully believe in the bible and not in the Book of Mormon because they go together. They support each other, and with both we have the fullness of the everlasting gospel. I told her, there is no way for us to enter into Gods presence without the Book of Mormon. The bible is not enough. If it were enough there would not be so many church's. Because everyone would know the right way. Now I said some other stuff, but you get the jist. I know some of you who read this email are not members of our church, and I know that you do not read or believe in the Book of Mormon, and I would like to say something to you all :) Mormons believe in the bible, and we cherish it as the word of God, but we also know that through the years it has been changed, and very precious parts have been removed. For this reason God revealed the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ. It doesn't not take away anything the bible teaches, but adds to it. It helps us to better understand the bible, and the commandments, and the role of our Savior Jesus Christ in our lives. This book was not written by Joseph Smith, he merely translated it, through the power and authority of God. This book was written by prophets of old as was the bible. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that he was commanded to translate the Book of Mormon for us, for our benefit. It is through this book that we're learn how we can return to live with our Father in Heaven. It is through this book that we learn how we can stand blameless at the great judgement seat of God. I encourage, and invite you all to read it. To ponder it, and to pray about it. That is all we as missionaries ask, for people to find out for themselves. God does not lie, so he will tell you the truth, he will tell you if this book is true. I promise you will get an answer, and it will change your heart, and your lives. So often we think that we are fine. Life is good. But there is more. More happiness them you have ever before felt, and it is waiting for you in the Book of Mormon.
Now for those whose read this and are members of the church. We meet to many members of this church, who fall away, who don't have a solid testimony of the Book of Mormon. Read it. Pray about it. Cherish it. Quite taking this book for granted. It is a treasure. This gospel is a treasure. There are so many people who don't have the great knowledge and testimony that we have. So many people who haven't experienced the blessing that we have. Read the Book of Mormon. Because if you don't, you will fall away. That is how serious it is. The Book of Mormon is the foundation. I invite you all to begin the Book of Mormon this year, and read the whole thing, and pray about it. Even if you have done it a hundred times, and if you haven't done it ever, well no time like the present.
And everyone should watch this awesome video.
https://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages?lang=eng#testimony-of-the-book-of-mormon
But this week was so awesome. We put a lady on date for baptism on March 29th. She is awesome. Finding her was a miracle. We also have two more awesome investigators that we are planning to commit to dates this week. This is the Lords work. We see his hand in our work all the time. I am so grateful to be here. To know these people. To speak this language, and to find Gods elect.
This is the church of God. The same church Jesus Christ established when he was on the earth. I know it.
I love you all
Con Amor,
Hermana Simmons
The week full of Sunshine - Feb 24, 2014
Hello :)
So this week was awesome :) full of sunshine. Thanks family for the package :) I loved it! And DAVID GOT BAPTIZED :) hallelujah. He is seriously so awesome. So prepared. He is literally the definition of golden. He wants to start doing missionary work, and he said to us that he wants everyone to feel how he feels since being baptized. He was like I just feel so clean, so happy. I want everyone to feel this way. So he is excited to be able to start coming out with us when he
gets confirmed on Sunday (he had to wait a Sunday because we had stake conference). But I honestly just feel so blessed to be one of the missionaries that got to participate in his conversion. It was such a testimony builder that people really are ready, and The Lord's hand is constantly directing us and guiding us. He just gave me this big hug after his baptism (not technically against the rules, but still a little weird haha). I just wish everyone could have been there. It is moments like that, that make all the hard stuff worth it. When you see people you have grown to love so much, take those first steps, and
make those first covenants, and be baptized. When you see how incredibly happy it makes them. Those are the moments of inexplicable joy. And then after it has all settled down, I also feel this great homesickness, cause I wish everyone I love could have been there, and just shared in my joy with me. It was wonderful. Pretend you were there.
But that being said this was a week I was a little more homesick then I normally am. I mean I always love you and miss you of course, but sometimes it is a little more prevalent, and little more of a pang in my chest. So I just want you all to know how much I love you. I am always praying with all the intensity of my heart for my family and my loved ones. I was so happy to get that package. It really lifted my spirits. The funny thing is I got this "Sunshine package" on a day that it just poured rain ALL day. So you're the best.
But on this topic of homesickness, I was reading this scripture that is now on my wall. The one from Moroni that says, "Perfect Love Casteth Out All Fear". I love this scripture because it is so true for so many reason. First and foremost, perfect love for our Savior and our Father in Heaven, casteth out all fear, and uncertainty, all doubt, all discouragement, or lack of courage. Perfect love for our Father in Heaven drives us to do that which we would not normally do. And also His perfect love for us motivates us, builds us, it allows us to do hard things. His love edifies, and perfects us. And our perfect love for Him allows us to trust implicitly, to put our lives in his hands, to in my case leave my concerns, my worries, my preocupaciones, at the alter of The Lord. It is amazing feeling, the brief moments when I feel such a deep love for my Father in Heaven that I am overwhelmed with gratitude, and I know He will guide my life in the best way. The other thing this scripture makes me think of is in relation to all of you. Perfect love casteth out all fear. All fear that you will fall, all fear that anything would happen to you, all fear. Perfect love gives us comfort, that loved ones will be okay. It provides us with the revelation we need to uplift and edify, strengthen and support those we love. Because perfect love is charity. It is the pure love of Christ. It is being filled with compassion and love, the kind of love that drives you to save souls and teach people the gospel, and share our testimonies.
Also some random thoughts thoughts/things I learned:
When it comes to doing things out of your comfort zone o algo: We have a list of things we think we can do, and things we think we can't do...without remembering that through The Lord all things are possible. An impossible thing is only impossible until we do it. You may think you don't have those talent and so you can't do it, but talent matters less then hard work, and what matters more then hard work is believing in yourself, and that you can do it, and the most fundamental thing of all is having the faith, remembering that God lives and loves you, and has your back, and if God is with you, who or what can be against you.
Also so done said this is stake conference and I loved it:
"Take the time to believe, and to gain a testimony, because this is what keeps us going when things get hard"
"The Lord occasionally gives us a Red Sea to cross, he does it to help us develop talents, strengthen our testimonies, increase our faith. We need to trust that he will open up the Red Seas in front of us"
And last but not least I am in love with this years youth theme (and song):
"32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God. (Moroni 10:32)" honestly what more could you want. So all I can say is Come unto Christ. Our Savior, Our Redeemer, Our Friend, the one who has made an intercession for us, the way, the light, the peace, the hope, the love, the joy, all that we all deeply desire and yearn for, all of it is in Christ. So Come Unto Christ.
I love you all. I know this church is true. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Read it. I know Joseph Smith is a prophet. It is simple, it is basic, but it true. The only truth. Every church isn't good. There is one God. There is one truth. There is only one true church.
I love you all so much,
Hermana Simmons
Sorry this is weird, we have been driving the Hermana training leaders around all day.
So this week was awesome :) full of sunshine. Thanks family for the package :) I loved it! And DAVID GOT BAPTIZED :) hallelujah. He is seriously so awesome. So prepared. He is literally the definition of golden. He wants to start doing missionary work, and he said to us that he wants everyone to feel how he feels since being baptized. He was like I just feel so clean, so happy. I want everyone to feel this way. So he is excited to be able to start coming out with us when he
gets confirmed on Sunday (he had to wait a Sunday because we had stake conference). But I honestly just feel so blessed to be one of the missionaries that got to participate in his conversion. It was such a testimony builder that people really are ready, and The Lord's hand is constantly directing us and guiding us. He just gave me this big hug after his baptism (not technically against the rules, but still a little weird haha). I just wish everyone could have been there. It is moments like that, that make all the hard stuff worth it. When you see people you have grown to love so much, take those first steps, and
make those first covenants, and be baptized. When you see how incredibly happy it makes them. Those are the moments of inexplicable joy. And then after it has all settled down, I also feel this great homesickness, cause I wish everyone I love could have been there, and just shared in my joy with me. It was wonderful. Pretend you were there.
But that being said this was a week I was a little more homesick then I normally am. I mean I always love you and miss you of course, but sometimes it is a little more prevalent, and little more of a pang in my chest. So I just want you all to know how much I love you. I am always praying with all the intensity of my heart for my family and my loved ones. I was so happy to get that package. It really lifted my spirits. The funny thing is I got this "Sunshine package" on a day that it just poured rain ALL day. So you're the best.
But on this topic of homesickness, I was reading this scripture that is now on my wall. The one from Moroni that says, "Perfect Love Casteth Out All Fear". I love this scripture because it is so true for so many reason. First and foremost, perfect love for our Savior and our Father in Heaven, casteth out all fear, and uncertainty, all doubt, all discouragement, or lack of courage. Perfect love for our Father in Heaven drives us to do that which we would not normally do. And also His perfect love for us motivates us, builds us, it allows us to do hard things. His love edifies, and perfects us. And our perfect love for Him allows us to trust implicitly, to put our lives in his hands, to in my case leave my concerns, my worries, my preocupaciones, at the alter of The Lord. It is amazing feeling, the brief moments when I feel such a deep love for my Father in Heaven that I am overwhelmed with gratitude, and I know He will guide my life in the best way. The other thing this scripture makes me think of is in relation to all of you. Perfect love casteth out all fear. All fear that you will fall, all fear that anything would happen to you, all fear. Perfect love gives us comfort, that loved ones will be okay. It provides us with the revelation we need to uplift and edify, strengthen and support those we love. Because perfect love is charity. It is the pure love of Christ. It is being filled with compassion and love, the kind of love that drives you to save souls and teach people the gospel, and share our testimonies.
Also some random thoughts thoughts/things I learned:
When it comes to doing things out of your comfort zone o algo: We have a list of things we think we can do, and things we think we can't do...without remembering that through The Lord all things are possible. An impossible thing is only impossible until we do it. You may think you don't have those talent and so you can't do it, but talent matters less then hard work, and what matters more then hard work is believing in yourself, and that you can do it, and the most fundamental thing of all is having the faith, remembering that God lives and loves you, and has your back, and if God is with you, who or what can be against you.
Also so done said this is stake conference and I loved it:
"Take the time to believe, and to gain a testimony, because this is what keeps us going when things get hard"
"The Lord occasionally gives us a Red Sea to cross, he does it to help us develop talents, strengthen our testimonies, increase our faith. We need to trust that he will open up the Red Seas in front of us"
And last but not least I am in love with this years youth theme (and song):
"32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God. (Moroni 10:32)" honestly what more could you want. So all I can say is Come unto Christ. Our Savior, Our Redeemer, Our Friend, the one who has made an intercession for us, the way, the light, the peace, the hope, the love, the joy, all that we all deeply desire and yearn for, all of it is in Christ. So Come Unto Christ.
I love you all. I know this church is true. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Read it. I know Joseph Smith is a prophet. It is simple, it is basic, but it true. The only truth. Every church isn't good. There is one God. There is one truth. There is only one true church.
I love you all so much,
Hermana Simmons
Sorry this is weird, we have been driving the Hermana training leaders around all day.
The week I learned something's about evilness - Feb 18, 2014
Hello Everyone,
How are all of you? So this has been an interesting week, with lots of interesting thoughts. Sorry I didn't email yesterday, we moved our P day this week to Tuesday so we could go to the TEMPLE! woohoo! :) the temple is just he best place ever. The peace there is unlike anything else. It is a place to truly escape all the evil in the world. I love the temple. The Chicago temple is really small, and everything is one floor, but it is beautiful. We went with the whole zone. Speak of the temple, and the opportunity to escape the evil in the world. I have been thinking a lot about the evil in the world and how it comes in contact with our lives so often. There are times especially here on the mission when you hear so much about the evil that people encounter in their lives and how they are effected by it. I have heard about things going on at home and I have been thinking of that too. I just was thinking last night about how sometimes it feels like Satan is winning a lot of battles, and there is so much evil, how can we ever come out unscathed. I have come to these conclusions.
The Atonement is real. Not only can people come back from the vilest of sins, but the atonement also has the power to heal us when darkness touches our lives, and help us overcome. The Atonement of Jesus Christ gives hope. Hope of a better place, or living with God again in the eternities in perfection. And inner peace that the world cannot provide. The calmness and peace you need when the world is crazy, when it seems like satan is winning. Through the Atonement we realize the he is not winning.
Sometimes it seems like the world is wicked, and that everyone is losing, and how could we possible overcome. But this is simply not so. Satan is losing more battles then he is winning, there are more good people then there are bad people. If we can't see this them we are dwelling in the darkness, our perspective is all wrong. Because Christ is winning, and people are changing their lives and coming closer and closer to him. I see it everyday. As Elder Utchdorf said, we have to
acknowledge that darkness exists, but choose not to dwell there.
The second thing this made me think of is actually something my mom said in her email yesterday, so I will quote that. She said, "We are all human and not perfect, how wonderful it is to show mercy and compassion to people when they are having a rough patch, or make a mistake, or just don't show us their best. It is a gift to remember that people are more important than _________." This is one of the most important principles of this gospel. They is having charity. Recognizing that everyone is fighting a hard battle, and sometimes they lose ground. But it is not our responsibility to judge people based on their sins. It is only our responsibility to overcome our own weaknesses. Sometimes people make mistakes, and at that moment is when we need to pull all the mercy and grace, and compassion we can muster and allow people to change. To recognize the good. To recognize the power of the Atonement. To pray with all the" energy of heart that you will be filled with this love".
Anyway that's my 2 cents.
So my miracle this week. Hopefully this will make sense. Last transfer Hna Jacobson and I knocked into this man named Victor who is so awesome. But it has been hard to meet with him because a women doesn't live with him. But he said he really wants his daughter to learn, so he gave us her number. We called her once and she said she would come and then she never did. So we didn't really worry about that for awhile. But the last week, Hna Barlow and I were tracking down all the less actives on our records and we went to one who lived in our apartment complex and she doesn't live there anymore, but guess who does.....VERONICA, Victor's daughter. We had no idea she lived there. But she was super interested and wants us to come back. It was just crazy that we 'randomly' found her. It was awesome! Also other random facts. February 15th was a year since I got my call. Wow a lot has happened.
Also I don't know if I told you this, but Hna Barlow and I have the same birthday!!!! Like crazy right? I was actually kind of worried before transfers that I would get a companion that didn't understand how much I loved my birthday. Guess what she does. Haha same one March 18th. But she turns 20, and me 21!!!!!
Anyway, sorry not much time to write. But I will write more next week.
I love you! Fight the good fight.
Love,
Hermana Simmons
How are all of you? So this has been an interesting week, with lots of interesting thoughts. Sorry I didn't email yesterday, we moved our P day this week to Tuesday so we could go to the TEMPLE! woohoo! :) the temple is just he best place ever. The peace there is unlike anything else. It is a place to truly escape all the evil in the world. I love the temple. The Chicago temple is really small, and everything is one floor, but it is beautiful. We went with the whole zone. Speak of the temple, and the opportunity to escape the evil in the world. I have been thinking a lot about the evil in the world and how it comes in contact with our lives so often. There are times especially here on the mission when you hear so much about the evil that people encounter in their lives and how they are effected by it. I have heard about things going on at home and I have been thinking of that too. I just was thinking last night about how sometimes it feels like Satan is winning a lot of battles, and there is so much evil, how can we ever come out unscathed. I have come to these conclusions.
The Atonement is real. Not only can people come back from the vilest of sins, but the atonement also has the power to heal us when darkness touches our lives, and help us overcome. The Atonement of Jesus Christ gives hope. Hope of a better place, or living with God again in the eternities in perfection. And inner peace that the world cannot provide. The calmness and peace you need when the world is crazy, when it seems like satan is winning. Through the Atonement we realize the he is not winning.
Sometimes it seems like the world is wicked, and that everyone is losing, and how could we possible overcome. But this is simply not so. Satan is losing more battles then he is winning, there are more good people then there are bad people. If we can't see this them we are dwelling in the darkness, our perspective is all wrong. Because Christ is winning, and people are changing their lives and coming closer and closer to him. I see it everyday. As Elder Utchdorf said, we have to
acknowledge that darkness exists, but choose not to dwell there.
The second thing this made me think of is actually something my mom said in her email yesterday, so I will quote that. She said, "We are all human and not perfect, how wonderful it is to show mercy and compassion to people when they are having a rough patch, or make a mistake, or just don't show us their best. It is a gift to remember that people are more important than _________." This is one of the most important principles of this gospel. They is having charity. Recognizing that everyone is fighting a hard battle, and sometimes they lose ground. But it is not our responsibility to judge people based on their sins. It is only our responsibility to overcome our own weaknesses. Sometimes people make mistakes, and at that moment is when we need to pull all the mercy and grace, and compassion we can muster and allow people to change. To recognize the good. To recognize the power of the Atonement. To pray with all the" energy of heart that you will be filled with this love".
Anyway that's my 2 cents.
So my miracle this week. Hopefully this will make sense. Last transfer Hna Jacobson and I knocked into this man named Victor who is so awesome. But it has been hard to meet with him because a women doesn't live with him. But he said he really wants his daughter to learn, so he gave us her number. We called her once and she said she would come and then she never did. So we didn't really worry about that for awhile. But the last week, Hna Barlow and I were tracking down all the less actives on our records and we went to one who lived in our apartment complex and she doesn't live there anymore, but guess who does.....VERONICA, Victor's daughter. We had no idea she lived there. But she was super interested and wants us to come back. It was just crazy that we 'randomly' found her. It was awesome! Also other random facts. February 15th was a year since I got my call. Wow a lot has happened.
Also I don't know if I told you this, but Hna Barlow and I have the same birthday!!!! Like crazy right? I was actually kind of worried before transfers that I would get a companion that didn't understand how much I loved my birthday. Guess what she does. Haha same one March 18th. But she turns 20, and me 21!!!!!
Anyway, sorry not much time to write. But I will write more next week.
I love you! Fight the good fight.
Love,
Hermana Simmons
The week I realized how much I love being a missionary - Feb 10, 2014
Hello Family & Friends,
How are all of you! I miss you :)
Well this has been a pretty great week. I love my new companion. I mean of course I miss Hermana Jacobson, but I also love my new companion. She just has something about her that makes me love being a missionary. So many times this week I have found myself thinking, ah I love being a missionary, or today is a good day to be a missionary. I can't really explain it. But I love being a missionary. I love being able to share my love of God and His Beloved Son Jesus Christ, with other people, I love being able to share my testimony with others. I love being able to study the doctrines of His kingdom so much. I love how much I am changing and growing. Honestly being a missionary is the best thing. I mean it is hard, and this week we walked miles in the snow, but I love it. I just have been so happy all week. It is great.
Honestly, can I just take a second to express how much I love Our Savior. I mean I have always loved him, but it is personal now, real. I understand a little better than I have understood in the past. My heart has just been filled with so much love for my Savior and my Father in Heaven, and his children. It is an incredible feeling. I am full of so much gratitude so much of the time, as I realize the opportunity I have to be an instrument in His hand and as I realize how much it is blessing my life, and as I have come to realize my own nothingness. It just fills me with so much desire to go and find His children that don't know Him, have never kneeled down and prayed to him. Have never felt the overwhelming love I feel when I pray to Him.
I guess I should have started with that. This week I have been trying really hard to pray more fervently and with more faith. It has made all the difference. I start my prayers by asking for the guidance of the spirit and then I try really hard to rely on the spirit and say the things that come to me mind. It has allowed me to better express the feelings of my heart, and has really become a significantly more edifying experience. I would encourage you all to try it. Pray is a revelatory experience, or it should be. The time we take to talk to our God, our Father, should be precious and meaningful, it shouldn't be something we just do because we have been taught to pray. Make your prayers more meaningful, remember who you have the honor to talk to and your life will change, the windows of Heaven will be opened with the blessings you need, and your relationship with God will grow.
I just wish I could adequately express the feelings I have. This is real people, this is eternal salvation. This isn't a joke. This is literally make or break. We were sent here to walk by faith. To make covenants, and to be obedient so we could live with our Eternal Father again for eternity. This is the most important thing in life, no. It is the ONLY important thing in this life. It is literally the whole reason we are here, and if you aren't progressing towards that end goal, by making necessary covenants like baptism, and being obedient to the commandments He has given us, then let me be frank and say, you are failing. If that was hard to hear then I guess you have some repenting to do. But take courage, there is still hope. His merciful hands are always extended towards you. He is always waiting for you to turn your hearts to Him more fully. He does not expect perfection, He expects progression.
Anyway, sorry haha,
This has been a pretty good week too. We got one of our investigators on date for February 22nd. He is awesome. We found him knocking doors two weeks ago. His name is David, and he came to church before we even taught him. He is just so prepared. Sometimes we are in a lesson with him, and I just think to myself am I the missionary or is he? Our first actual lesson with him he said, why haven't you asked me to be baptized yet? I want to get baptized as soon as I can. So we made him a calendar with everything he had to do to be baptized. And so far everything has gone smoothly. So let's all pray it stays that way. He is just definitely the elect, one time we went to his house, and he opens his door, and he tells us, I wasn't going to open my door, and then I just figured why not....the elect open their door and answer their phones. He is awesome. We were just walking and I felt like we needed to knock on this door, and David was behind it. He has such a strong belief in the bible, and as President Fenn always says, you can't honestly in your heart believe in the bible and not believe in the Book of Mormon. They go together, they support each other. If you haven't read the Book of Mormon, give it a try you will see what I'm talking about. If you have, well read it again :) but I can see this in him. He just loves the Book of Mormon because he truly understands the bible, and vice versa. Yesterday in our lesson he was telling us how he had studied this his whole life in the bible, but reading about it in the Book of Mormon just made it click, and he grasped it, like he never had before. That is the power of the Book of Mormon.
This is the testimony in me. Through the Book of Mormon we come to know our Savior, not just know about him. Through the Book of Mormon we have the fullness of the gospel. The parts that were lost of changed about the bible are made clear in the Book of Mormon. And when we read it, we feel a power come into our lives that has never before been there. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. It is the keystone of this religion. If the Book of Mormon is true, then Joseph Smith was a prophet, and this is His restored church upon the earth, and if the book isn't true, well then our religion has nothing to stand on. But it is true. I know this, this spirit of The Lord has testified of this too me, and Joseph Smith was a prophet of The Lord, and we do not worship him, but we revere him because he, "has done more, save Jesus Christ only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it...he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God..." (Doctrine and
Covenants 135). I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of The Lord. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I know this is the only, true church on the face of the earth, the only church that has the authority to administer baptism and other saving ordinances in the name of Jesus Christ. I would like to invite you all to find out for yourselves to 'experiment upon my words' as Alma says, "Now, as I said concerning faith--that it was not a perfect knowledge--even so it is with my words. Ye cannot know of their surety at first, unto perfection, any more than faith is a perfect knowledge. But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words." (Alma 32:26-27).
I love you all. I am so grateful for the big circle of supporters I have. You are the best. I am praying for you. Your prayers are appreciated, especially for David. Fight the good fight.
Con Amor,
Hermana Johanna Simmons
How are all of you! I miss you :)
Well this has been a pretty great week. I love my new companion. I mean of course I miss Hermana Jacobson, but I also love my new companion. She just has something about her that makes me love being a missionary. So many times this week I have found myself thinking, ah I love being a missionary, or today is a good day to be a missionary. I can't really explain it. But I love being a missionary. I love being able to share my love of God and His Beloved Son Jesus Christ, with other people, I love being able to share my testimony with others. I love being able to study the doctrines of His kingdom so much. I love how much I am changing and growing. Honestly being a missionary is the best thing. I mean it is hard, and this week we walked miles in the snow, but I love it. I just have been so happy all week. It is great.
Honestly, can I just take a second to express how much I love Our Savior. I mean I have always loved him, but it is personal now, real. I understand a little better than I have understood in the past. My heart has just been filled with so much love for my Savior and my Father in Heaven, and his children. It is an incredible feeling. I am full of so much gratitude so much of the time, as I realize the opportunity I have to be an instrument in His hand and as I realize how much it is blessing my life, and as I have come to realize my own nothingness. It just fills me with so much desire to go and find His children that don't know Him, have never kneeled down and prayed to him. Have never felt the overwhelming love I feel when I pray to Him.
I guess I should have started with that. This week I have been trying really hard to pray more fervently and with more faith. It has made all the difference. I start my prayers by asking for the guidance of the spirit and then I try really hard to rely on the spirit and say the things that come to me mind. It has allowed me to better express the feelings of my heart, and has really become a significantly more edifying experience. I would encourage you all to try it. Pray is a revelatory experience, or it should be. The time we take to talk to our God, our Father, should be precious and meaningful, it shouldn't be something we just do because we have been taught to pray. Make your prayers more meaningful, remember who you have the honor to talk to and your life will change, the windows of Heaven will be opened with the blessings you need, and your relationship with God will grow.
I just wish I could adequately express the feelings I have. This is real people, this is eternal salvation. This isn't a joke. This is literally make or break. We were sent here to walk by faith. To make covenants, and to be obedient so we could live with our Eternal Father again for eternity. This is the most important thing in life, no. It is the ONLY important thing in this life. It is literally the whole reason we are here, and if you aren't progressing towards that end goal, by making necessary covenants like baptism, and being obedient to the commandments He has given us, then let me be frank and say, you are failing. If that was hard to hear then I guess you have some repenting to do. But take courage, there is still hope. His merciful hands are always extended towards you. He is always waiting for you to turn your hearts to Him more fully. He does not expect perfection, He expects progression.
Anyway, sorry haha,
This has been a pretty good week too. We got one of our investigators on date for February 22nd. He is awesome. We found him knocking doors two weeks ago. His name is David, and he came to church before we even taught him. He is just so prepared. Sometimes we are in a lesson with him, and I just think to myself am I the missionary or is he? Our first actual lesson with him he said, why haven't you asked me to be baptized yet? I want to get baptized as soon as I can. So we made him a calendar with everything he had to do to be baptized. And so far everything has gone smoothly. So let's all pray it stays that way. He is just definitely the elect, one time we went to his house, and he opens his door, and he tells us, I wasn't going to open my door, and then I just figured why not....the elect open their door and answer their phones. He is awesome. We were just walking and I felt like we needed to knock on this door, and David was behind it. He has such a strong belief in the bible, and as President Fenn always says, you can't honestly in your heart believe in the bible and not believe in the Book of Mormon. They go together, they support each other. If you haven't read the Book of Mormon, give it a try you will see what I'm talking about. If you have, well read it again :) but I can see this in him. He just loves the Book of Mormon because he truly understands the bible, and vice versa. Yesterday in our lesson he was telling us how he had studied this his whole life in the bible, but reading about it in the Book of Mormon just made it click, and he grasped it, like he never had before. That is the power of the Book of Mormon.
This is the testimony in me. Through the Book of Mormon we come to know our Savior, not just know about him. Through the Book of Mormon we have the fullness of the gospel. The parts that were lost of changed about the bible are made clear in the Book of Mormon. And when we read it, we feel a power come into our lives that has never before been there. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. It is the keystone of this religion. If the Book of Mormon is true, then Joseph Smith was a prophet, and this is His restored church upon the earth, and if the book isn't true, well then our religion has nothing to stand on. But it is true. I know this, this spirit of The Lord has testified of this too me, and Joseph Smith was a prophet of The Lord, and we do not worship him, but we revere him because he, "has done more, save Jesus Christ only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it...he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God..." (Doctrine and
Covenants 135). I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of The Lord. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I know this is the only, true church on the face of the earth, the only church that has the authority to administer baptism and other saving ordinances in the name of Jesus Christ. I would like to invite you all to find out for yourselves to 'experiment upon my words' as Alma says, "Now, as I said concerning faith--that it was not a perfect knowledge--even so it is with my words. Ye cannot know of their surety at first, unto perfection, any more than faith is a perfect knowledge. But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words." (Alma 32:26-27).
I love you all. I am so grateful for the big circle of supporters I have. You are the best. I am praying for you. Your prayers are appreciated, especially for David. Fight the good fight.
Con Amor,
Hermana Johanna Simmons
The week that we saw miracles! - Feb 3, 2014
Hellllo Everybody :)
So just forewarning. This is going to be a long email. A lot happened this week! I will save the best for last :)
So let's gets real THE SEAHWAWKS WON THE SUPERBOWL! Like whaaaaaat. They didn't just win, they destroyed, how embarrassing. Everyone over here loves the Broncos, and I was just like NEVER doubt my team again. Haha but really I was so excited I was running around the apartment! Pumped.
Anyway, so.....transfers.....I am just going to cut to the chase, my companion/trainer is getting transferred..... :( we were pretty bummed. I mean she has been here awhile, but we weren't expecting that really. Everyone in our zone except the zone leaders is getting a new companion. It's weird at transfers because I realize how sad it is for the ward to keep telling missionaries goodbye. So many tears yesterday (none of the mine). Anyway, so she leaves tomorrow. My new companion is Hermana Barlow. She is apparently awesome. I met her once this week because we have sisters conference (I will talk about that later). She sings beautifully, and apparently plays the piano, so my ward is very
excited about that. But I am kind of stressed out because I am staying here, and I will be senior companion, since this is my area and she doesn't know it. But I still have training. And I don't really know the area that well, and Hermana Jacobson is taking her GPS and I am not buying one cause they are like a million dollars. So we will figure it out. My poor new companion though she comes in on a week we don't have the car. So we will have to find rides everywhere and by we I mean I since she doesn't know anyone. Understanding Spanish on the phone is a challenge. Oh boy. I mean I am really starting to understand Spanish a lot better, and by a lot better I mean I think I am being significantly blessed since finding out she is leaving because it is like something just switched on inside of me and now my brain/ears are in tune to comprehend Spanish. Don't get me wrong not super well, but yesterday, I actually held conversations with people
without her help. For those of you who have learned another language, you know it's super exciting. So anyway, what I am saying is I am anticipating a slightly stressful week, and your prayers are much appreciated.
Now drum roll please, the most exciting news :) we had a surprise BAPTISM!!!!!!!!!!! :) do you remember me telling you a little about Ligia, her family is from Ecuador? She is the women we met my first month here, she is from a part member family, her daughter is a member. She has come to church a bunch and we taught her a bunch and then she just dropped us randomly. But she is the one that just randomly showed up to church a couple weeks ago. Then we taught her that Tuesday, and it was good. But she didn't come to church last week. So we stopped by this last Tuesday and taught her and she said, I want to be baptized. (Side note, she has had 4 baptismal dates! 4!). So we were like okay well we want you to pray about it and make sure. We called her on Thursday and she said she prayed and she knows she needs to make this covenant. So we spent Friday and Saturday teaching her the last two lessons, and preparing her baptism, and getting her interviewed. And then Sunday came, and she showed up and got BAPTISED! It was so awesome. It was seriously a miracle. We set crazy goals for ourself this week, and it really helped us to raise our vision and work harder and though most of our goals we didn't reach, we had a surprise baptism! The whole time I was just thinking to myself, this is what it is all about. It is so true what President Fenn always says, the mission is a series of disappointments occasionally interrupted by moments of inexplicable joy. That was last night. It
can't be explained. When you work with someone and love them, and then they drop you, but The Lord is working in them still, and you see them make those covenants. It is pure joy. She got out and she hugged me all sopping wet and told me she was so happy we had never given up on her because she felt like she was in Heaven. It was a super awesome experience. The baptism was so spiritual. Everyone's talks, the music all of it. It was made more cool (I know that isn't the right way to say that, Spanish brain) by the fact that everyone in the ward knows her daughter who is 17 and loves her and everyone was so excited to see a family being brought together in the gospel. That was what made it better. Salvation is a family affair. Oh gosh, I wish you could have all been there. It was so cool. Those are the pictures I included, of her baptism.
So also this week we had sisters conference. Which is basically when all of the sister missionaries in the mission get together and are instructed by our sister training leaders, and President and Sister Fenn. It was awesome, except they talked a lot about not being to hard on yourself, and getting depressed, apparently that is a big thing. But it was really cool, and there was a few random things that were talked about that I was like oh! That was for me, it would be something that directly related to something I had been praying for. It is moments like that when you can be assured that our Heavenly Father knows us personally, and He wants to help us. Then of course we were instructed by President Fenn, he never writes talks or anything, he just gets up and talks. Usually about faith, obedience unto becoming consecrated and sanctified, and Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. Those are the things he is super passionate about. It is always awesome. He speaks with such passion. That was the first time I was listening to him speak and I just thought to myself, I feel sorry for everyone that doesn't have President Fenn as a mission president. He is just so noble, and he always talks about how much he loves Sister Fenn(they are high school sweethearts). How he is only getting into the celestial kingdom because he is sealed to her and she is getting in. If it wasn't for her, he wouldn't be the man he is. He goes on and on. It is very tender. So husbands love your wives, and wives love your husband. You need each other.
Being a missionary is the best, even when it is the hardest thing you have ever done. I want my brothers and my cousins and all those preparing to go on missions, or thinking about it, to know that it is the best thing. It is hard, it seems like a sacrifice, but is the best thing. The relationship I have already developed and cultivated with my Savior is amazing to me. I hope you will all go. Well as for my brothers, you will go! ;) but it will be the best thing for your life. I would never take back the struggle it was to get here, because now that I am here, I realize that no sacrifice is to great, No price to high, for the opportunity to serve The Lord. So sanctify yourselves as Elder Holland says, and go on a mission so The Lord can work wonders with you.
Anyway, I have lots to do today, so I will write more later maybe. I love you all. Fight the good fight.
Love,
Hermana Simmons
So just forewarning. This is going to be a long email. A lot happened this week! I will save the best for last :)
So let's gets real THE SEAHWAWKS WON THE SUPERBOWL! Like whaaaaaat. They didn't just win, they destroyed, how embarrassing. Everyone over here loves the Broncos, and I was just like NEVER doubt my team again. Haha but really I was so excited I was running around the apartment! Pumped.
Anyway, so.....transfers.....I am just going to cut to the chase, my companion/trainer is getting transferred..... :( we were pretty bummed. I mean she has been here awhile, but we weren't expecting that really. Everyone in our zone except the zone leaders is getting a new companion. It's weird at transfers because I realize how sad it is for the ward to keep telling missionaries goodbye. So many tears yesterday (none of the mine). Anyway, so she leaves tomorrow. My new companion is Hermana Barlow. She is apparently awesome. I met her once this week because we have sisters conference (I will talk about that later). She sings beautifully, and apparently plays the piano, so my ward is very
excited about that. But I am kind of stressed out because I am staying here, and I will be senior companion, since this is my area and she doesn't know it. But I still have training. And I don't really know the area that well, and Hermana Jacobson is taking her GPS and I am not buying one cause they are like a million dollars. So we will figure it out. My poor new companion though she comes in on a week we don't have the car. So we will have to find rides everywhere and by we I mean I since she doesn't know anyone. Understanding Spanish on the phone is a challenge. Oh boy. I mean I am really starting to understand Spanish a lot better, and by a lot better I mean I think I am being significantly blessed since finding out she is leaving because it is like something just switched on inside of me and now my brain/ears are in tune to comprehend Spanish. Don't get me wrong not super well, but yesterday, I actually held conversations with people
without her help. For those of you who have learned another language, you know it's super exciting. So anyway, what I am saying is I am anticipating a slightly stressful week, and your prayers are much appreciated.
Now drum roll please, the most exciting news :) we had a surprise BAPTISM!!!!!!!!!!! :) do you remember me telling you a little about Ligia, her family is from Ecuador? She is the women we met my first month here, she is from a part member family, her daughter is a member. She has come to church a bunch and we taught her a bunch and then she just dropped us randomly. But she is the one that just randomly showed up to church a couple weeks ago. Then we taught her that Tuesday, and it was good. But she didn't come to church last week. So we stopped by this last Tuesday and taught her and she said, I want to be baptized. (Side note, she has had 4 baptismal dates! 4!). So we were like okay well we want you to pray about it and make sure. We called her on Thursday and she said she prayed and she knows she needs to make this covenant. So we spent Friday and Saturday teaching her the last two lessons, and preparing her baptism, and getting her interviewed. And then Sunday came, and she showed up and got BAPTISED! It was so awesome. It was seriously a miracle. We set crazy goals for ourself this week, and it really helped us to raise our vision and work harder and though most of our goals we didn't reach, we had a surprise baptism! The whole time I was just thinking to myself, this is what it is all about. It is so true what President Fenn always says, the mission is a series of disappointments occasionally interrupted by moments of inexplicable joy. That was last night. It
can't be explained. When you work with someone and love them, and then they drop you, but The Lord is working in them still, and you see them make those covenants. It is pure joy. She got out and she hugged me all sopping wet and told me she was so happy we had never given up on her because she felt like she was in Heaven. It was a super awesome experience. The baptism was so spiritual. Everyone's talks, the music all of it. It was made more cool (I know that isn't the right way to say that, Spanish brain) by the fact that everyone in the ward knows her daughter who is 17 and loves her and everyone was so excited to see a family being brought together in the gospel. That was what made it better. Salvation is a family affair. Oh gosh, I wish you could have all been there. It was so cool. Those are the pictures I included, of her baptism.
So also this week we had sisters conference. Which is basically when all of the sister missionaries in the mission get together and are instructed by our sister training leaders, and President and Sister Fenn. It was awesome, except they talked a lot about not being to hard on yourself, and getting depressed, apparently that is a big thing. But it was really cool, and there was a few random things that were talked about that I was like oh! That was for me, it would be something that directly related to something I had been praying for. It is moments like that when you can be assured that our Heavenly Father knows us personally, and He wants to help us. Then of course we were instructed by President Fenn, he never writes talks or anything, he just gets up and talks. Usually about faith, obedience unto becoming consecrated and sanctified, and Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. Those are the things he is super passionate about. It is always awesome. He speaks with such passion. That was the first time I was listening to him speak and I just thought to myself, I feel sorry for everyone that doesn't have President Fenn as a mission president. He is just so noble, and he always talks about how much he loves Sister Fenn(they are high school sweethearts). How he is only getting into the celestial kingdom because he is sealed to her and she is getting in. If it wasn't for her, he wouldn't be the man he is. He goes on and on. It is very tender. So husbands love your wives, and wives love your husband. You need each other.
Being a missionary is the best, even when it is the hardest thing you have ever done. I want my brothers and my cousins and all those preparing to go on missions, or thinking about it, to know that it is the best thing. It is hard, it seems like a sacrifice, but is the best thing. The relationship I have already developed and cultivated with my Savior is amazing to me. I hope you will all go. Well as for my brothers, you will go! ;) but it will be the best thing for your life. I would never take back the struggle it was to get here, because now that I am here, I realize that no sacrifice is to great, No price to high, for the opportunity to serve The Lord. So sanctify yourselves as Elder Holland says, and go on a mission so The Lord can work wonders with you.
Anyway, I have lots to do today, so I will write more later maybe. I love you all. Fight the good fight.
Love,
Hermana Simmons
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