Elder Brandon & Sister Sarah Wilson
HOME!!!!!!
Both Brandon & Sarah have returned with honor after serving excellent missions! It’s so good to have them home. They both reported to the High Council and did a wonderful job and then both spoke in Plano 4th Wards Sacrament meeting a few weeks ago. It’s so good to have them home! They are both busy making plans to get back to school. We love you Wilsons!
Elder Nick Jones
Nevada Reno Spanish Speaking
I hope everyone is well! We had Zone Conference recently. We got to prepare a zone training session on conversion and commitment. It was both nerve wrecking and rewarding. But we're putting it use.
We have seen some really awesome miracles lately. We street contacted this mom, and she referred us to her 11-year-old son. After just a few lessons, some fellowship by members, and attendance by the boy, his sister, and his dad, the 3 of them are wanting to get baptized! Now we just have to figure out how to get the mom involved too.
I'm enjoying being a Zone Leader. It is both challenging and rewarding, and I know I'm receiving guidance from the Lord and revelation about how to lead effectively.
We recently had to do some biking, in a monsoon, uphill for about 2 miles. I was a chubby kid on a bike with water in my shoes, a bloody elbow from a slip, and rain going horizontally up my nose. Pretty miserable? No! All I could think of while biking uphill was that I had a great calling! My comps and I even started singing hymns! We could feel the spirit so strongly that no weather or challenges or anything could separate us from the Lord's work.
I testify that this church is true and the work that we are doing is truly considered "the Lord's errand." I share this with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
We have seen some really awesome miracles lately. We street contacted this mom, and she referred us to her 11-year-old son. After just a few lessons, some fellowship by members, and attendance by the boy, his sister, and his dad, the 3 of them are wanting to get baptized! Now we just have to figure out how to get the mom involved too.
I'm enjoying being a Zone Leader. It is both challenging and rewarding, and I know I'm receiving guidance from the Lord and revelation about how to lead effectively.
We recently had to do some biking, in a monsoon, uphill for about 2 miles. I was a chubby kid on a bike with water in my shoes, a bloody elbow from a slip, and rain going horizontally up my nose. Pretty miserable? No! All I could think of while biking uphill was that I had a great calling! My comps and I even started singing hymns! We could feel the spirit so strongly that no weather or challenges or anything could separate us from the Lord's work.
I testify that this church is true and the work that we are doing is truly considered "the Lord's errand." I share this with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Elder Aviel Heridia
Our sweet Elder Heridia is home on a medical leave recovering from a bus accident on his mission. Please keep him in your prayers.
Sister Annika Crandall
Russia Samara Mission
привет and Happy Thanksgiving!! I just love this time of year because you focus on loving others, including them, and everyone is full of gratitude! Then, it is perfect timing because then the Christmas spirit starts as Thanksgiving ends and everyone begins to turn more to Christ and serving others. I hope all y’all have been enlisted in doing the 25 days of Christmas. If not, go look it up and begin!! Mission life in Russia is so incredible and humbling. The work is going so very well. As most of y’all know, we still have the law that we need to abide by so there are many more restrictions, but despite this, it is incredible to see the hand of the Lord here in Russia. Miracles are happening every day. Well, as of November 24, I will hit my 6 month mark. I can't even believe it. I have developed a great love for this not only this gospel and my Savior, but also for the incredible people of Russia. They have taught me so much and have been such an incredible example to me. Despite the thoughts before the mission, we are not doing much volunteer work because we are too busy with finding (contacting) and teaching lessons. This is not something that I will complain about at all. We have been so blessed in the work. It is so very true that the Lord loves and cares about each and everyone of us no matter who we are, where we are, or what we've done. His love is unconditional. As the Christmas season rolls around and as we focus more on our Savior, I would like to challenge yall to turn outward and serve others. I promise as you look to serve others your love for them will grow and the joy of the Christmas spirit will grow in your families and homes more than you have ever experienced before. It will fill your life with light that will then be shared with others. 1Nephi 19:6- For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Elder Ethan Harris
West Virginia Charleston Mission
Well, turns out that I'm getting transferred. I didn't see it coming but I know it's the hand of the Lord guiding me where I need to go. I'm going to miss all the members [in Lynchburg] so much. I'm so thankful for letting me serve them, especially Julia. I've never experienced more happiness in my life than watching her come closer to Christ. She did it all by herself, I was lucky to come along the ride. The Lord truly does do His own work. I wish for the best for her and all the members as I leave them as I move onto my next area.
Changes happen all throughout our life. Whether it's through moving, death, or pain, we cannot avoid change in this life. That's why we must have faith. Next time you're in pain, don't ask yourself if you have enough faith to be healed. Do you have enough faith not to be healed? Do you have enough faith and trust in the Lord to accept your challenges?
Faith is the basic unit for success, it leads to so many positive outcomes. Faith leads to repentance, commitment to follow the commandments, blessings, trust in the Lord, knowledge, and salvation. How do we gain such an important substance for survival? Preach my Gospel has a wonderful formula for growing and cultivating faith.
"Your faith will increase through diligent study, prayer, dedicated service, and obedience to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and the commandments. Your faith in Jesus Christ grows as you become better acquainted with Him and His teachings. As you explore the scriptures and search them, you learn of His ways, His love for all people, and His commandments."
I know it's bread and butter, but it's easily overlooked. Don't overlook the small things. If you are good in the small things, you'll be fine when the big things come. Love, Elder Harris
Changes happen all throughout our life. Whether it's through moving, death, or pain, we cannot avoid change in this life. That's why we must have faith. Next time you're in pain, don't ask yourself if you have enough faith to be healed. Do you have enough faith not to be healed? Do you have enough faith and trust in the Lord to accept your challenges?
Faith is the basic unit for success, it leads to so many positive outcomes. Faith leads to repentance, commitment to follow the commandments, blessings, trust in the Lord, knowledge, and salvation. How do we gain such an important substance for survival? Preach my Gospel has a wonderful formula for growing and cultivating faith.
"Your faith will increase through diligent study, prayer, dedicated service, and obedience to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and the commandments. Your faith in Jesus Christ grows as you become better acquainted with Him and His teachings. As you explore the scriptures and search them, you learn of His ways, His love for all people, and His commandments."
I know it's bread and butter, but it's easily overlooked. Don't overlook the small things. If you are good in the small things, you'll be fine when the big things come. Love, Elder Harris
Sister Katee Perez
China Hong Kong Mission
Here is an excerpt from one of her last emails dated Nov 13th before leaving the Provo MTC:
So this Tuesday for devotional, they were stricter with security, our dress and for choir making sure we were all tightly seated...which meant an Apostle was coming to speak to us. President Russel M. Nelson of the quorum of the Twelve and his wife came and it was pretty cool, they spoke a lot about making the most of our mission, but I really liked what he said about measuring your success on a mission, something like "the measure of your success won't come within your mission or even the months following, but in years to come when the children and the grandchildren of your converts are making those sacred covenants of baptism and in the Temple".
I'll also leave you with some words from the 1st counselor of our branch here, Brother Tuttle:
"God will hasten his work, Satan cannot stop it. He could not stop it in biblical times, or while Joseph Smith was restoring the church, and especially not now. Our only job is to have faith in Jesus Christ, because having faith in Him means being called to action." (again I'm paraphrasing). but I just both these talks, it seems like this week was a bunch of motivational inspiration from everyone, getting me ready to get out into da big city.
ngoh ngoi leihdeih✌❤So this Tuesday for devotional, they were stricter with security, our dress and for choir making sure we were all tightly seated...which meant an Apostle was coming to speak to us. President Russel M. Nelson of the quorum of the Twelve and his wife came and it was pretty cool, they spoke a lot about making the most of our mission, but I really liked what he said about measuring your success on a mission, something like "the measure of your success won't come within your mission or even the months following, but in years to come when the children and the grandchildren of your converts are making those sacred covenants of baptism and in the Temple".
I'll also leave you with some words from the 1st counselor of our branch here, Brother Tuttle:
"God will hasten his work, Satan cannot stop it. He could not stop it in biblical times, or while Joseph Smith was restoring the church, and especially not now. Our only job is to have faith in Jesus Christ, because having faith in Him means being called to action." (again I'm paraphrasing). but I just both these talks, it seems like this week was a bunch of motivational inspiration from everyone, getting me ready to get out into da big city.
From yours truly, Sister "rushing forth"
