This has been a great week! Well, it has been a great weekend! The work is slow with us right now; we're still trying to figure out the best way to do missionary work in our area. But I've been learning a lot as I have recommitted myself to reading "Preach My Gospel" (focusing on prayer), and improving my scripture study (focusing on "heart" and "goodness"). Our numbers this week have been the best since we began our companionship together, so that shows our improvement, and I'm noticing a better focus on missionary work as I change my perspective and focus. I've still gotten discouraged this week, but this weekend really brought me up again. For the Broadcast, we had been invited a few months ago to attend the Orlando South RS Meeting to be able to meet more of the leadership. Their meeting started at 5:30pm, with the broadcast at 8pm. We came early because we knew they were preparing dinner so we decided to offer some helping hands. The Stake Relief Society President wanted me to tell you, Mom, that she is grateful for everything you've taught me. We were such a great help, they called us their "two angels". It was just simple things like putting food on the tables, serving drinks, cleaning up, etc. It was a lot of fun! Also, they had an amazing program as a member had written a script about the stories of Book of Mormon women. It was beautiful! I love scriptural adaptations! It brings the stories alive! I also really enjoyed the broadcast. It gave me a lot of great ideas (which I've also been learning on my mission) about how to become a better visiting teacher. In college, I was awful at it. I was always busy, anti-social, and didn't fully understand the meaning of it; but as a missionary working with members, I began to understand the importance of visiting teaching and I can't wait for the opportunity to become a visiting teacher.
Sunday was amazing! It was our Fast and Testimony meeting and we had committed our members who attend ASL class to try and interpret a testimony. So, we did "musical chairs" switching interpreters for each testimony. Instead of me typically being the only person interpreting, we had seven people changing in and out. It was so much fun! They did so well! They may have felt nervous, but it was great! I even learned from their way of interpreting.
This week was really good for me. I had my ups, I had my downs, but I have learned more about what areas the Lord has helped me grow in. I have great church leaders and missionary leaders teaching me a lot and also helping me grow. So, we are ever onward and upward!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Re: A Reminder to Answer these Questions . . .
Sorry about being unable to access my email account. Two weeks ago, we tried to get on my account on a non-P-day for office stuff. I forgot my password, and my account got locked; and I was trying to figure out how to fix that. Then when I tried to email on Monday, I couldn't access my account. So I changed my password, and after ten minutes or so I finally figured out how. Sorry. I did get the original email.
I received the package and thank you! Don't worry about a GPS. We'll survive. I've got the Orlando area memorized in my head anyways. I just need to figure out how to find the new streets that are constantly being built in Lake Nona. I'll start asking members and office couples to print off google maps for us. I also got the letter on Wed. That was a surprise, getting to me so quickly, but it came at great timing. I was in the office waiting to talk to Pres. so I was able to read through your letter before sitting down with him. All is well.
We are still living at our rented house. It's a lot of fun. It will be hard to move to a small apt after spending over six weeks in a mansion of a house. We keep it clean and organized. For the transfer, there are no changes for the ASL program. The work has turned very slow for Hunters Creek due to some difficulties that have arisen, but we are working through it. We'll see what this new transfer will bring. I think things will start getting a lot better. Sis. Snyder and I have been together for a whole transfer, we've become really great friends, so now we can use our strengths to help the work greatly progress! We are excited!
The greatest news for this past week was our opportunity to attend a Sign Language Media Expo. We were able to learn about more resources available to the Deaf; we met one of our members there and ran into many people that we knew. It was a lot of fun! I've become more social, because when I'd typically sit and watch people, I was able to get up a few times, approach people, and start conversations. We also have heard of two more Deaf events for this upcoming week. I hope this will help Sis. Snyder with her signing communication skills. It can get overwhelming, and watching so much signing can lead to headaches when trying to learn the language; but she is getting better. I remember being in her shoes. She will improve, especially the more we are able to interact with the Deaf.
Life is going well. I had a hard first half of the week trying to understand myself and figure things out, but as I put my trust in the Lord and put Him first, I know He is always there to bless and guide me.
I received the package and thank you! Don't worry about a GPS. We'll survive. I've got the Orlando area memorized in my head anyways. I just need to figure out how to find the new streets that are constantly being built in Lake Nona. I'll start asking members and office couples to print off google maps for us. I also got the letter on Wed. That was a surprise, getting to me so quickly, but it came at great timing. I was in the office waiting to talk to Pres. so I was able to read through your letter before sitting down with him. All is well.
We are still living at our rented house. It's a lot of fun. It will be hard to move to a small apt after spending over six weeks in a mansion of a house. We keep it clean and organized. For the transfer, there are no changes for the ASL program. The work has turned very slow for Hunters Creek due to some difficulties that have arisen, but we are working through it. We'll see what this new transfer will bring. I think things will start getting a lot better. Sis. Snyder and I have been together for a whole transfer, we've become really great friends, so now we can use our strengths to help the work greatly progress! We are excited!
The greatest news for this past week was our opportunity to attend a Sign Language Media Expo. We were able to learn about more resources available to the Deaf; we met one of our members there and ran into many people that we knew. It was a lot of fun! I've become more social, because when I'd typically sit and watch people, I was able to get up a few times, approach people, and start conversations. We also have heard of two more Deaf events for this upcoming week. I hope this will help Sis. Snyder with her signing communication skills. It can get overwhelming, and watching so much signing can lead to headaches when trying to learn the language; but she is getting better. I remember being in her shoes. She will improve, especially the more we are able to interact with the Deaf.
Life is going well. I had a hard first half of the week trying to understand myself and figure things out, but as I put my trust in the Lord and put Him first, I know He is always there to bless and guide me.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Trudging Forward
We have had some great opportunities to get to know the members more in the ward and stake. There were several activities planned for the Relief Society Sisters, and we were blessed to take part in a few of them. There is so much we learn on our mission, I'm curious how much I will be able to apply later on in life. Our first focus with members, that is mission wide, is to invite everyone to look at mormon.org and create a profile. I know I've already touched on it before, but I think it is an amazing resource! I wish I could get on and create my own profile! It is a wonderful advancement on the Church's part in technology to really help people feel comfortable and more willing to learn about the Church. They don't have to read page after page of doctrine, but they can read bits and pieces of other people's lives and how the Gospel and Jesus Christ has blessed them. Props to Allison, who already has her profile on mormon.org - it's nice to have the name search field :-D Even though members are typically friends with members, so member missionary work really is hard to do, this is an opportunity to do member missionary work. We can be an example online. We can show how the gospel blesses our lives by what we write on our blog, on facebook, other networks, and also by adding to the profiles found on mormon.org. This site was updated not only to help investigators learn of the church, but also to help members know how easy it is to share the gospel in simple terms and also to feel like they are taking part by having their profile accessible with their testimony written for all to see. I hope I'll be able to find more of my family and friends on mormon.org soon :-)
From one of the events we attended this week, I heard an amazing analogy. The speaker was talking about a rope, a strong, thick, sturdy rope. We could hold it in our hands, look at it, and say it is the strongest rope we have ever seen and it could never break. It is firm, it is strong, and there is no doubt it could hold up in any situation. But when the need arises and we have to be dangled off a ledge by that rope, we start to reconsider how strong that rope really is. We begin to look deeper into how the rope was put together and if it really can withstand the weight we are putting on it. She compare this to the gospel. When times are easy, and we have the gospel in our lives, we see that it is strong, it is true, and it can carry us through anything; but when a huge struggle hits us, we begin to look more closely at the gospel and if it really can sustain us through that time. The speaker said that she believes one of the main parts of that "gospel" rope is prayer. We can try to overcome a trial without it, but if we will truly succeed and have the strength necessary, we must rely on prayer and communication with our Heavenly Father. I really liked that analogy.
The work is slow right now, but I fear it may have to do with the way we are working. I really don't like to take the reins and have full control over what we do, where we go, and how things need to be done. There is just so much to learn, so much to do. Every night, I still end my journal entree with a "tender mercy" and I've also added "something I've learned" that day. I truly love the members and I love to sign. I'll continue forth. I'll put it in the Lord's hands. We do make great progress with the leadership and the members, but I wish I knew how to touch the hearts of the people and our investigators. But, ever onward...
From one of the events we attended this week, I heard an amazing analogy. The speaker was talking about a rope, a strong, thick, sturdy rope. We could hold it in our hands, look at it, and say it is the strongest rope we have ever seen and it could never break. It is firm, it is strong, and there is no doubt it could hold up in any situation. But when the need arises and we have to be dangled off a ledge by that rope, we start to reconsider how strong that rope really is. We begin to look deeper into how the rope was put together and if it really can withstand the weight we are putting on it. She compare this to the gospel. When times are easy, and we have the gospel in our lives, we see that it is strong, it is true, and it can carry us through anything; but when a huge struggle hits us, we begin to look more closely at the gospel and if it really can sustain us through that time. The speaker said that she believes one of the main parts of that "gospel" rope is prayer. We can try to overcome a trial without it, but if we will truly succeed and have the strength necessary, we must rely on prayer and communication with our Heavenly Father. I really liked that analogy.
The work is slow right now, but I fear it may have to do with the way we are working. I really don't like to take the reins and have full control over what we do, where we go, and how things need to be done. There is just so much to learn, so much to do. Every night, I still end my journal entree with a "tender mercy" and I've also added "something I've learned" that day. I truly love the members and I love to sign. I'll continue forth. I'll put it in the Lord's hands. We do make great progress with the leadership and the members, but I wish I knew how to touch the hearts of the people and our investigators. But, ever onward...
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Onward
This week was a slower week for us. We focused on how to work in Lake Nona, meeting the members who live there, and we continue to try to figure out how to help each other with our similar weaknesses. In this companionship, we both agree on what we don't like to do, so neither of us have the desire to push each other to do it. Sometimes, maybe it's a good thing, but sometimes, it isn't. So, we're trying to figure things out. Sigh...
We were able to go to a baptism for the ASL North Sisters. It was an investigator that I had helped teach. It was a great baptism. I helped sign interpret and voice interpret. If the need arises, I jump to it. I love to interpret. I want to help, but sometimes I worry I am helping too much. The baptism was great, though! It was the third baptism in Oviedo, so the work is really progressing up north! In our area, it's slow. My fear is because of three recent converts almost a year old and they are all less-active. If we can't retain them, how can the Lord trust us with more? They have a willingness, but they lack in fellowship and rides. We're trying to figure it out. It's hard.
But, President has been putting a lot of trust in me and has been asking me about the area and how things are going. I was able to write up a few pages with information on the area and my opinion on a few matters. It seems like new changes are on the horizon. The ASL Motto is "The Lord's Program", but I'm tempted to add another motto: "Changes are on the Horizon" because there is always something new. But change is good!
Also, I'm still tempted to get a GPS. But it'd be nice to be able to have it update by satellite, not computer because I can't just hook up to a computer for map updates. We're surviving, but it'd help to know how long it takes to get places and to find streets that aren't on our car map. So, if someone has an old GPS they don't use, I wouldn't complain getting that. But again, I can live without.
Well, gotta go! :-)
We were able to go to a baptism for the ASL North Sisters. It was an investigator that I had helped teach. It was a great baptism. I helped sign interpret and voice interpret. If the need arises, I jump to it. I love to interpret. I want to help, but sometimes I worry I am helping too much. The baptism was great, though! It was the third baptism in Oviedo, so the work is really progressing up north! In our area, it's slow. My fear is because of three recent converts almost a year old and they are all less-active. If we can't retain them, how can the Lord trust us with more? They have a willingness, but they lack in fellowship and rides. We're trying to figure it out. It's hard.
But, President has been putting a lot of trust in me and has been asking me about the area and how things are going. I was able to write up a few pages with information on the area and my opinion on a few matters. It seems like new changes are on the horizon. The ASL Motto is "The Lord's Program", but I'm tempted to add another motto: "Changes are on the Horizon" because there is always something new. But change is good!
Also, I'm still tempted to get a GPS. But it'd be nice to be able to have it update by satellite, not computer because I can't just hook up to a computer for map updates. We're surviving, but it'd help to know how long it takes to get places and to find streets that aren't on our car map. So, if someone has an old GPS they don't use, I wouldn't complain getting that. But again, I can live without.
Well, gotta go! :-)
Monday, August 30, 2010
Focus on Members
So, trying to make a list in my planner of what I did during the week causes me to need to bullet my comments:
And that's an overview of this past week! All is well here in the ASL program. We've still got a lot to learn, but we're getting better. We're trying to open up more and get out of our comfort shells, and we're allowing the Lord to truly guide us.
Sis. Coleman: We were able to visit with Sis. Coleman and her daughter on Friday. It was an interesting situation because we had traveled to Windermere that morning to visit with leadership over there. So when she called, we were at another Sisters' apartments. But she had already visited them before, so she was willing to make the trip to the depths of the Lakes of Windermere to come visit us. It was a lot of fun! One term I have heard on my mission is "the Mormon Mafia" meaning that we are so united wherever we go, if you are a member, you feel included instantly. Again and again we see proof of that. I noticed it when I use to tour around the world and be welcomed in host families to spend a night or two, or when we'd go to church. I think it is amazing how members truly understand the principle of unity and love. Just this morning, I made a comment to my companion on how our understanding of tithing and fast offerings is an example of how well we are coming to live the law of consecration. At the beginning of the church, the Saints were poor and somehow were able to build both the Kirtland and Nauvoo temple in beautiful splendor. I don't know if they'd ever comprehend the growth of the church today in how we have so many saved funds to help so many people worldwide that are in need. It's phenomenal! And it's all because of each member paying a simple 10% and a fast offering equivalent of two meals.
Exchanges: We went on exchanges with the Waterford Lakes sisters on Wednesday. Sis. Snyder and Sis. Schow stayed in Waterford, while Sis. Higginson and I worked in our area. We started the day with all four of us serving a member in Waterford Lakes. She had a huge collection of baby and young children clothes that she wanted to donate to Good Will, but she wanted to write down and inventory everything first. She has an IRS approved program that gives prices to everything donated to better estimate for taxes. She says most of the prices are what we'd never expect for clothes and items, and it gives a lot more taxes back. So, I may consider in the future to start inventorying my donations to help with taxes :-D Then, Sis. Higginson and I traveled to Lake Nona to look over the area and try to contact a few people. We quickly learned our maps are too out of date - so now we are considering a GPS - and most of the places are gated, even some are guarded. It reminded me of Boca! Oh the memories! Then, I taught ASL class and Sis. Higginson LOVED it! It wasn't too bad of a class. I still have no confidence in teaching, but I am learning, slowly...
We had a good experience trying to help an investigator fix his car by calling and driving around, getting a hold of another investigator who owns a shop, and trying to see how we can help and serve him. It still hasn't been fixed, but we are working and seeing how we can serve him. As soon as that car is fixed, he can get to his new job and be able to drive to church!!!
Our biggest focus is the members. We continue to try to visit and find ideas to help support them. Especially in Lake Nona and in Deaf work, there is little success except through the members. We are learning a lot on how to work with members through the new mission focus on member work. We'll see what we can do to help the members become better member missionaries. I was really impressed with the Ensign being full of member missionary articles. Even the Brethren are focusing on member missionary work. We were told that the door to tracting is closing. The only way to truly find success in conversion and retention will be through the members. I am learning so much on my mission on what kind of member I want to be afterwards.
As we continue to focus on meeting with leaders, we are having some great success! It's amazing how a simple 15 minutes with leadership, both RS Presidents and Ward Mission Leaders, can bring some great insight and ideas to helping the missionary work and ASL work move forward. I'm excited to see what will develop in the upcoming months from these simple visits. I hope soon to be able to understand our role with our High Counselor and Stake Leadership. But slow and steady wins the race.
We've heard about the new changes in Mormon.org, and I read a bit about it in the Ensign. I think it is amazing! I am so excited for how this will really help the members and non-members! Wow! Our new focus is to invite all the members to go onto Mormon.org and create a profile! I wish I'd be able to do it, but I'll wait until after my mission or until the Mission President grants approval.
So, President Hall, as many know, use to be a Football Coach; so many comments we receive from him are typically football analogies. It's a good thing I started learning about football in college (which funny enough, I did to get to know some of the boys I hung out with. HA!) But now, I've got to study up more because I'm starting to notice some of his analogies and comments are going over my head. I recognize them as football analogies (sometimes), but it's not quite clicking in my understanding. I'll get there! :-D
And that's an overview of this past week! All is well here in the ASL program. We've still got a lot to learn, but we're getting better. We're trying to open up more and get out of our comfort shells, and we're allowing the Lord to truly guide us.
Monday, August 23, 2010
RE: Some questions for you . . .
First off, answering the list of questions:
Where is your companion from? What are some of her interests, talents, and character traits?
We are exactly the same... okay, not exactly the same, but we have a lot of the same interests and weaknesses :-D We both are use to our companions taking the lead in the past. Sis. Snyder is from Pleasant Grove, Utah. She is a graphic designer with the dream to go to Japan and study on anime graphics. She also loves to write fantasy stories.
What is your new apartment like?
Right now, we are living in a 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath house with a garage and backyard. We are renting it from a member for a time until we can find the right place to have a central ASL apt. It's going great! We really love it!
Do you strictly do ASL missionary work? (Most ASL missionaries I know about spend a lot of their time doing regular missionary work to English-speaking investigators and with English-assigned companions since their contact with deaf and HH is limited. How does that work with you? Is there enough work to keep you busy with ASL-related activities all week -- especially now that you are not having to drive so much?)
We still drive a lot, because it is 24 miles to Ocoee or Waterford Lakes where we work often with investigators. But our focus areas, Kissimmee especially, is only 14 miles away; so it's a lot better on miles. We do a lot of work with the ASL area - mainly because it takes us an hour to drive to our investigators - but we do have hour blocks here and there with little to do, so it would be nice to have hearing work. Therefore, we have just been assigned an English area to work. It is the Lake Nona area (I call it the Narcoossee Rd area). We'll start working there, but it is full of gated communities and No Soliciting areas. Too bad Sis. Snyder and I believe in obey and honoring all laws - which includes not sneaking into gated communities and not leaving a sour taste in people's mouths because they think we are soliciting. It'll be fun! But amazing members live over there, and this Zone Conference will be focused on receiving member referrals.
What did you do fun for p-day last week? What will you do today?
Hmm... fun? What's that? There isn't any time to have fun on p-day! Also, there aren’t a lot of activities that asks for no money. Eventually we will go to Gatorland and Holy Land Experience. I just don't want to use my money. We spend most of our time waiting to get on the computer to email, then shopping, then laundry and letter-writing. There isn't a lot of time for fun. Our district leader tried to commit us to having fun, but he knew he couldn't accomplish that; so he didn't try too hard. Just having a huge house to ourselves is fun!
Who are some of the elders in your district? DL? ZL?
So, I guess it's time I sent home some pictures, huh? I can get a Zone picture with everyone's name. Maybe I'll try to do that today. My district leader is Elder Wilks and he's awesome. The Zone Leaders are Elder Dahle and Elder Dyer. They are really great as well!
Are you eating well and sleeping well?
Sis. Campbell [senior missionary in the office] use to get after me for not eating well, so she made me promise I'd start eating breakfast. That was the start. Then, a few weeks ago, some of the Elders in our zone wanted to go on a colon cleanser by only eating fresh fruits and nuts (but one Elder was allergic to all tree nuts), so we had fun making fun of them for a week. Then, Sis. Lovejoy told us about a great healthy diet that works for her and her mom, so we got a copy and now have a protein, carb and raw vegetables for meals, and protein or fruit for snacks. We've been eating really well this past week. And shopping is a lot of fun as we check nutritional labels and serving sizes. No worries. Sis. Campbell keeps checking up on me making sure I'm eating well. With sleeping, eh, it's the typical. I don't ever feel rested, but I'm able to get up and function through the day, so it's well enough.
How are your shoes holding up? Do you need new ones?
Hmm... shoes? I only have one pair of sandals that I wear every day. I bought them in May and they are becoming a sad sight, but still comfortable and functional. On Sundays, I still wear the black or brown ones I came out with and they seem to be just fine. I just need to polish them ...
So, I've mentioned the diet and the house and the new English area. Now, I want to mention if you could ask Grandpa how we are related to the Ellsworths who started the Church ranch here in Florida. I'm constantly hearing about the Ellsworth Ranch and the Ellsworth Ward, and I thought I should at least know the family connection.
Also, I was actually going to try harder at emailing better from now on, but this week was question answering - which made it so much easier! I don't think I've written anything worthwhile in my emails for the last six months! So, I'll start making a list of what I want to write each week and work harder at that! :-D
Well, time is gone this week! Loves!
Where is your companion from? What are some of her interests, talents, and character traits?
We are exactly the same... okay, not exactly the same, but we have a lot of the same interests and weaknesses :-D We both are use to our companions taking the lead in the past. Sis. Snyder is from Pleasant Grove, Utah. She is a graphic designer with the dream to go to Japan and study on anime graphics. She also loves to write fantasy stories.
What is your new apartment like?
Right now, we are living in a 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath house with a garage and backyard. We are renting it from a member for a time until we can find the right place to have a central ASL apt. It's going great! We really love it!
Do you strictly do ASL missionary work? (Most ASL missionaries I know about spend a lot of their time doing regular missionary work to English-speaking investigators and with English-assigned companions since their contact with deaf and HH is limited. How does that work with you? Is there enough work to keep you busy with ASL-related activities all week -- especially now that you are not having to drive so much?)
We still drive a lot, because it is 24 miles to Ocoee or Waterford Lakes where we work often with investigators. But our focus areas, Kissimmee especially, is only 14 miles away; so it's a lot better on miles. We do a lot of work with the ASL area - mainly because it takes us an hour to drive to our investigators - but we do have hour blocks here and there with little to do, so it would be nice to have hearing work. Therefore, we have just been assigned an English area to work. It is the Lake Nona area (I call it the Narcoossee Rd area). We'll start working there, but it is full of gated communities and No Soliciting areas. Too bad Sis. Snyder and I believe in obey and honoring all laws - which includes not sneaking into gated communities and not leaving a sour taste in people's mouths because they think we are soliciting. It'll be fun! But amazing members live over there, and this Zone Conference will be focused on receiving member referrals.
What did you do fun for p-day last week? What will you do today?
Hmm... fun? What's that? There isn't any time to have fun on p-day! Also, there aren’t a lot of activities that asks for no money. Eventually we will go to Gatorland and Holy Land Experience. I just don't want to use my money. We spend most of our time waiting to get on the computer to email, then shopping, then laundry and letter-writing. There isn't a lot of time for fun. Our district leader tried to commit us to having fun, but he knew he couldn't accomplish that; so he didn't try too hard. Just having a huge house to ourselves is fun!
Who are some of the elders in your district? DL? ZL?
So, I guess it's time I sent home some pictures, huh? I can get a Zone picture with everyone's name. Maybe I'll try to do that today. My district leader is Elder Wilks and he's awesome. The Zone Leaders are Elder Dahle and Elder Dyer. They are really great as well!
Are you eating well and sleeping well?
Sis. Campbell [senior missionary in the office] use to get after me for not eating well, so she made me promise I'd start eating breakfast. That was the start. Then, a few weeks ago, some of the Elders in our zone wanted to go on a colon cleanser by only eating fresh fruits and nuts (but one Elder was allergic to all tree nuts), so we had fun making fun of them for a week. Then, Sis. Lovejoy told us about a great healthy diet that works for her and her mom, so we got a copy and now have a protein, carb and raw vegetables for meals, and protein or fruit for snacks. We've been eating really well this past week. And shopping is a lot of fun as we check nutritional labels and serving sizes. No worries. Sis. Campbell keeps checking up on me making sure I'm eating well. With sleeping, eh, it's the typical. I don't ever feel rested, but I'm able to get up and function through the day, so it's well enough.
How are your shoes holding up? Do you need new ones?
Hmm... shoes? I only have one pair of sandals that I wear every day. I bought them in May and they are becoming a sad sight, but still comfortable and functional. On Sundays, I still wear the black or brown ones I came out with and they seem to be just fine. I just need to polish them ...
So, I've mentioned the diet and the house and the new English area. Now, I want to mention if you could ask Grandpa how we are related to the Ellsworths who started the Church ranch here in Florida. I'm constantly hearing about the Ellsworth Ranch and the Ellsworth Ward, and I thought I should at least know the family connection.
Also, I was actually going to try harder at emailing better from now on, but this week was question answering - which made it so much easier! I don't think I've written anything worthwhile in my emails for the last six months! So, I'll start making a list of what I want to write each week and work harder at that! :-D
Well, time is gone this week! Loves!
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