Week 36

This was an interesting week. First, on Saturday we received transfer calls. I will be leaving Delano and am heading to Little Rock, CA. My companion will be Elder Mendoza and I will be the district leader for that area. The Lord has a plan for me, and knows what He's doing.

On Tuesday Elder Keeney had a district leader training meeting, and I went to wasco with their district leader's companion. While there, I was on splits with Elder Brown, and we taught a lesson about the restoration, and after the wife of the family asked for a blessing of healing. When we finished the blessing, she was in tears. It was powerful. We went to Gael, and in one instance, his grandma wanted to pick up our cups, and we said "We've got it", but of course she denied, and Gael was the first on his feet to take them out of her hands and say "I'll put these in the sink." He also has been answering questions humbly and correctly, He's like well, I don't know, but I'm pretty sure Adam and Eve had to fall (the plan of salvation was taught possibly a month ago).

Esther is being a fantastic member missionary. She's sharing the gospel with everyone! We went on exchanges with Elder Tolman, and we went by Leonor, but her family was home, not her, so we taught the Restoration, and they live in Los Angeles, so the missionaries there are going to get a bomb family referral. We went to Gabriel and he asked "what are all the commandments I need to follow to be saved. We were more than willing to explain the Grace of God and all the commandments we could.

On Friday we went to a missionary-member activity where we teach all 5 principles of the Gospel in different rooms, and when they've gone to them all, they can go to the game room where we played a viking game called Kubb. It is so much fun. Elder Keeney and I taught receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. It was really cool, because we asked for attributes of the Spirit, and members and investigators were saying "Peace, comfort, assurance." We then thought about that for a moment, and said "We are blindfolded in this life, and the Spirit uses peace and comfort to bring us assurance, that we are on the right path, that Jesus is real and He is there. He gives us those feelings so we have confidence and trust in the Doctrines and principles and ordinances, and can truly follow on applying it. 

On Saturday we went on Exchanges, and Elder Vellver and I were working together. We went to Earlimart, and we saw these guys doing something to their truck,and explained that they were trying to push it into their backyard. We helped them and picked one up as an investigator. We went by Angel during a family's birthday party, and they let us join them. We also went to Gael and comforted his grandpa with his weak heart after coming back from the hospital.

On Sunday there was a guy who came in and started talking with us. He sounded cool, and we went to his home after church. His home felt evil, and he was very strange, so we quickly taught a restoration and left. We'll teach him at church from now on, if at all. That was our awesome week, and that's the update of what's been going on here.

I want to testify of studying the book of Mormon.In my personal studies recently, I've been following Elder Bednar's advice about finding a simple book of Mormon and putting one specific topic to study and focus on as I read. I am doing one book with the Topic "Who is God and what is His relationship to us?" Simple but full of doctrine and power. The other one is "Grace, especially from the talk by J. Devn Cornish about being sufficient. He says:

“‘… It is … through the grace of the Lord that individuals … receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to [do]. … This grace is an enabling power …’ [Bible Dictionary, “Grace”; emphasis added] …"

 I know the Lord is with us, and that He has a plan for all of us. I am grateful for his atonement. 

 In Jarom 1:11, Mosiah 3:13, and Mosiah 16:6. People thought of Christ as though He was already among them. We can think the same way: treat everything as though all of the Lord's blessings are already fulfilled. We're already together as an eternal family, already resurrected, already with Jesus Christ by our side. Think of all the Blessings of God like you already have them! This is real hope, the way I see it! I know this work is led by God. I love Him and His Son and the Spirit and the Prophets and families and all of you. Thanks for all you do.

Love,

Elder Sant

 

 

Week 35 - Delano

Hey, I hope everything's going alright for all of you, and I want to thank you all for your prayers for me. This week was pretty good. On Monday we went by Esther Cardenas, and that went pretty well. We taught about Laws and Ordinances. On Tuesday we went on Exchanges with the Zone leaders in oildale, my birthplace in the mission. It was pretty interesting being back in the oildale. We had a lot of fun, though. On Wednesday we had exchanges with the English elders. It was pretty fun. I went with Elder Parsons, and we were able to visit some people and have some pretty good lessons. We went by Mario Tinajero, and he's still gambling, but trying to give it up. On Thursday Esther Cardenas had her baptismal interview. Elder Labrum interviewed her, and she passed. She loved it, and has a testimony of this work. On Friday we went by Gael and his family, and taught his dad the restoration. It went really well, and Gael's grandpa is no longer in the hospital. We went by Esther Cardenas and read some good scriptures with her. On Saturday Esther Cardenas was baptized. I wanted to give her the Holy Ghost, and Elder Keeney baptized her. It was a beautiful baptism, and her family loved it. We're hoping we can teach the family as well. On Sunday in the morning Clarence de Guzman and I went to pick up Gael, because we needed a guy in the car, so Elder Keeney stayed at church. It was two towns over, and so we came to church late, and when I came in, Elder Keeney was confirming Esther a member and giving her the Spirit. I just missed it! I learned some things from this, one being that this work isn't about me. It's about people like Esther. Anyone could have baptized and confirmed her and she would have received the same blessings. That night we went by Crystal, and when we pulled up, she was just coming outside to ride the ripstick. She saw us in our car and ran back inside. It was pretty funny. We also went to the Smiths for dinner, and after to Angel, but his grandma was home, not him. She fed us mole (I don't know how to spell it, but it sounds just like "mole-ay". It was pretty good. We read the scriptures with her. We went by Esther Cardenas, and taught her about the Scriptures.

Week 34 - Delano

This week was awesome because we had conference, crying investigators, and miracles.

   We had exchanges with Elder West and Elder Vellver. I was with Elder West, and it was a lot of fun. We went by Leonor, and we started by teaching about the Plan of Salvation, and she mentioned baptism, saying that she wanted to get baptized, but knew she had many changes to make. We discussed some of those changes. We invited her to general conference, but she couldn't make it. We went by Cynthia, and we taught her the plan of Salvation. It was a good lesson. She talked about how she wanted to come to conference, but couldn't make it. Later, we taught her the law of Chastity. We asked her what that was and she replied, basically, to be clean, "Isn't it circumcision?" Hahaha, not quite. One time we asked her what the purpose of life was and she said "three things: eat, sleep, and poop." Leonor is a fun lady. She is pregnant and living with her boyfriend who leaves the room when we come, but listens to the whole lesson through the wall. 

   Esther came to general conference, and she cried there, taking so many notes. 

 We had a lesson with Esther, and we came with the plan to teach the commandments, but she had a few doubts, so we taught about some of those doubts. She began crying as we testified of the gospel, and of the Spirit. She said she couldn't tell the difference between the Spirit and emotion. We explained that when we are really trying to follow Christ, and His desires are in our heart to what we are able, then the Spirit won't let us go too far without telling us whether a decision is good or bad. I can testify of that right now too. When we'd share a scripture, she'd say, let me put a note here in my book. She is getting baptized this Saturday. We also taught Gabriel today. He had many questions about the book of Mormon, but did read! He is a really humble and cool man.
 I learned a lot from general conference. Sometimes I wonder what I'm doing here, but I know there is a reason. I hope I can find it. Also, please pray for me to have a more open understanding of things that need to be done and things that I need to do. Please pray also for Esther, and for Leonor, and Gabriel, and Crystal. We weren't able to visit her this week, but please pray for her.
 Something I learned this week was from Mosiah 15:1-5. Because Jesus Christ subjected and submitted Himself and His will to the Father, He became the Father. His thoughts and actions be came the Father's. In Moroni 7:42-48, it shares the same invitation to us: Be meek and lowly of heart, and that is how you gain charity, and that is how we can "be like Him". I read that when Thomas S. Monson shared this in priesthood session of conference. 

   Also, this week we had interviews with President. "There is no good or bad area; just dedicated missionaries. There are prepared people all over."

   "My definition of a consecrated missionary is someone who repents all the time"!!!!!

  I love you all.

Week 33 - Delano

This week was pretty good. I am not snoring anymore, maybe once a week. My shoes are holding out pretty well. One pair is falling apart, but it's still in use. I am still tired, and worn out often, but such is the work, I suppose. Our companionship is going awesome.

On Monday we had a zone activity with Nerf wars, and it was fun. We had dinner with a less active named Jorge, and he loves missionaries. He made really good molae. It was awesome. On Tuesday we went up to earlimart, and taught a few investigators there. There's one who is named Jose, and he sounds really promising. Very humble man. On Wednesday we had exchanges with Elder Ruis and Elder Tolman. I was with Elder Ruis, and he is an awesome elder. He also played rugby in high school. We went by a potential named Cynthia and Jose, and that was fun. Later in the week, we teach the first lesson, but this time was a bad time for them. Elder Keeney has taught me personally how to teach simply. It really makes simple doctrines the most powerful and clear and useful. Clear and precious things. On Thursday we did a lot of finding, but no one wanted to hear our message. We were pretty down, so for dinner we went by panda express, and we got fortune cookies. Elder Keeney opened his and shouted "I'm trying! No one wants to!" 

It said "Share good fortune with others". Hahaha. I opened mine, and I got the same fortune! Our Heavenly Father has a sense of humor at times. We went to Esther Cardenas, and we taught her the word of wisdom, and promised blessings. She is in Mosiah 18.

We had another lesson on Saturday about the importance of prophets. It was a powerful lesson, and she was in tears. It was awesome. By the way, something cool is that Ephesians 4 talks about how when Christ came, He had one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism. One understanding of the Lord, who He is, and what He does for us: One faith, in unity and brotherhood, one church: One manner or way to baptize. 

How does God accomplish it? In verses 11-14 of that same chapter, it explains it: Prophets! It then says what happens without them, we become "children tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine......" 

Also, we are like a power pole:

​Translation: God-Dios, Profetas- prophets, Nosotros- us, sacerdocio- priesthood, fe verdadera- true faith, propio entendimiento- own understanding, fe unida- united faith, sin profetas- without prophets, con profetas- with prophets.

On Friday we had service picking oranges from a tree, and we got to keep a few bags! We had dinner with Lupe Romero, and she made awesome tacos for us! Super good! On Saturday we went by Esther, where we taught the lesson on prophets! On Sunday we went by Margarito, and he is feeling the Spirit in the Lessons. He is super old though. We tried setting him on date for baptism, and he wouldn't accept one. Also, Esther went to church and loved it. Today, at 9, we had a lesson with a man named Gabriel, and he is SO SO ready. We come in, and a few days ago we gave him a pamphlet, and he said he read it and had some questions. The first thing he said, was when he opened up to where Joseph Smith receives the authority from God, and asks about it. He then says, "How can I get baptized? And after getting baptized, how can I stay in the faith, or endure to the end? He then asked, "How can I know if I am truly forgiven of my sins? How can I trust Jesus Christ more?......"? Super awesome. We set him on date. There are miracles in this work. 

I can testify of clear simple doctrines. There is a loving Heavenly Father. He knows us, and He provides His gospel for us as a path to make us happy, when applied personally. They are 5 simple steps! 

Faith in Jesus Christ: Trust He can do what He says He  can.

Repentance: Bring a change of heart and desire to something good and better through Christ.

Baptism/ the Sacrament: Create this Covenant with God that every week, you'll try to be better than the week before. It's a promise of progression, and Renew it every week. 

Receive the Holy Ghost; It is the cleansing agent from our sins, and comforts us to know that for Jesus, we are doing sufficient. He is a light for us.

Endure to the End: Repeat the following steps with full purpose of heart. 

Elder Keeney and I were thinking about prayer, a simple doctrine, but we figured this out:

We pray in the Name of Jesus Christ because we are unworthy to talk to God, but we say "In His Name", because literally without Him, and what He did, we can't have that connection. We say "In the Name of Jesus Christ" or "Because of who He is and what He did, I can talk to you. I remember Him, and I do this in His Name, by His Power." The Atonement of Jesus Christ was not only to save us, but it's so that we can keep that connection with our Loving Father in Heaven. For that reason, we pray in Christ's Name. In the Sacrament prayers, we say,"Remember Him, don't do it for us, but for what He did for us. Don't let what He did be a waste. Let us in for Him, not for us".

D&C 45:3-5 He says in the judgement "Look at me, not them. I suffered so they can come. Don't let that be a waste. Do it for me and for my suffering, not for them. I know they don't deserve it."

I love you all, and I hope all of your weeks this week go well!!!!

Week 32 - Delano

This was a good week! I am doing pretty well these days. I am just super tired all the time, but that's the work. The area is being blessed by the Lord, and we are able to find and work well here. The companionship is also doing well. Elder Keeney is a great elder, and we are able to work well and get work done. Our investigators are doing pretty good. Some aren't, but overall, they're good. Esther read Jacob 5, the allegory of the vineyard, and she didn't understand it, so she read it all again! We were like, "Hermana, we've read that many times, and we don't understand it either." She did find some spiritual connections in it though. She's in the words of Mormon, and she is also very sick. She couldn't come to church yesterday because she just laid in bed all day. We were able to come by Mario, and he's not doing too well. He has clogged veins, and they're going to put in a plastic vein. We went by Leonor, and she is doing pretty well. She'll have her baby in May. Gael's grandpa is in the hospital because he has a clogged heart, and they did an operation that was successful yesterday, and he'll stay in the hospital for the next few days. Language? It's doing pretty good. In lessons, I am trying really hard to find people's needs in lessons, instead of just going through it, God, prophets, Jesus, apostasy, Joseph smith, book of Mormon, prayer.... It'll take prayers. Favorite ward members? Still the gutierez family. They're super funny, and a lot of fun to be around. The funniest moment this week was probably with an investigator we have named Ramon. He loves going on rants any time we ask him a question, and with translating and all, we usually get lost, so we'll say "What does that mean to you?" And he'll just go off forever, and we can't keep up too well, and then he says, "But what do you guys think?" And we just go "Jesucristo es muy importante:)" It's not that bad, but it's funny. A sad moment was when we found out that Gael's grandpa was in the hospital. Pray that he'll be okay. Something happy that happened was teaching good lessons to investigators. There is an awesome lesson I learned from President Layton this week. He said that every week, we should find something we need to work on, however small, and when we go to the sacrament meeting, put it on that "alter of sacrifice". That is how the powers of Heaven are accessed in our daily lives. He then said "We are only a few sacraments away from reaching the highest of our potential". Just a few sacraments away. He also said "When you bear your testimony, He feels like His atonement was worth it." Wow. I love president. The Lord is able to bless us with the things that matter most, and the things that matter most pertain to our truest and highest happiness. Whatever the Lord wants or needs to happen can happen, and He will do it all for us. I promise that is true, and that He will accomplish His purposes. Read Mosiah 7:33. I love you all, and I know this work is of the Lord.

I especially can bear testimony of the sacraments. I love the Lord, and I want Him to trust me. That's one of the goals I've been working on. He comes to know us as we work with Him. 

Week 31 - Delano

This was the first week of a new transfer. My companion is Elder Keeney, and he's a great elder. He did come out with me, and he was with my last companion Elder Chavez while I was with Elder Canul.

Our area is doing pretty well. The week before transfers our numbers all dropped, but this week we picked them up a little, and over the next few weeks we should be able to get them up.

I do still struggle a little with the language, especially with fue and era. My favorite word right now is the following phrase: "Andale, pues, y que les vaya bien". It means "Hurry up, then, and that all goes well with you."

McFarland is now it's own area. It used to be part of Delano East, but we have another set of elders in the district now. The mission schedule is different now because we are able to do comp study and language when we can fit it in the day. We haven't played volleyball on P-Day in a while. That sounds like a good idea now. Our zone is called Bakersfield North Zone. The elders here are awesome! There are a few weaknesses in some, but they're good overall.

Can you pray for Esther? She is an awesome investigator who's in Jacob 5! She has a date for 8 of April. Also, can you pray for Mario, and for Leonor, and Gael, who has a date for 25 March. He's awesome, the chillest kid I have ever met, with a heart of gold. Can you pray that I can readily discern needs and act on it quickly and confidently. It's specific, but I think it's what I and my investigators and area need. Esther has been giving us referrals of people and she says "I think these people right here are looking for the message, or these people." We found a part-member family from her! Please pray that comfort and strength will come to me as I speak as well.

We went on splits with the elders quorum, and that went pretty well. We were able to take out and clean a 50's style kitchen, and it was really fun. It was for a family who's moving in. 

We went to Crystal, and we were teaching the Plan of Salvation, and Elder Keeney took a bunch of her stuffed animals and we basically taught the plan with the stuffed animals! It was pretty great.

We had a pretty good week overall. It's been a lot of work, but a lot of fun. I can promise that when we uphold what we believe, we are upholding the commandments and the Gospel, and that whole path back, and we are blessed that He keeps His promises. I can testify of that. Also, I testify as well that the Lord understands how we feel, and carries us as we open up to Him. I testify of that in the Name of Jesus Christ, amen. I love you all, and I hope this week goes well for you.

Love, 

   Elder Sant