Well this week we saw many miracles!
Joyce committed to read the BOOK OF MORMON! We have been trying to help Joyce understand that the Book of Mormon and the Bible are separate books. Both testify of Christ and His teachings, but are a record of 2 separate people. Those in Jerusalem and the ancestors of the american Indians. This week we have hope that she will read !
Ceci Is progressing moving forward with desire to know if the Book of Mormon is true and if she should be baptized. She committed to read and pray to know by the 25th!
I got to go on 2 exchanges this week, which means you and your companion spend 24 hours with another companionship. I go with one and he goes with the other. We have a district leader who we go with and spend time with him receiving help in becoming a better missionary and see new ways of teaching. Our district leader, Elder Benfell, has a new companion, Elder Shields, who has only been out on a mission 2 weeks. There is something great to work with a new missionary and desire to help him and share what you have learned in your mission with them. I really wanted to have a great exchange with him, but also with Elder Benfell.
When I prayed the night before for help that it could go well and we could find success! When I woke up that morning we ran 2 miles and had such a great time together. We taught 3 people Found someone new to teach and committed one of the member's in the congregation in the ward to share the gospel with their friends. When we talked to people that day they were open and felt confident talking to them!
While on exchanges with Elder Benfell, the day all came together. We had made plans to find at least 1 new person. Elder Benfell has been trying to get a hold of someone for a while and last night was about to "drop" them or try contacting later on in the future. While with him we decided to go by and just as we were walking away from his door, after not answering, we gave him a call! He answered and said we could meet with him at the church building later that day at 2! After 4 months of no contact he agreed to come to church again and this Saturday have another meeting with him! The greatest part of the day was the night time! We had been on exchanges since the night before so normally we only do 24 hours which in this instant would have been 5pm Friday to 5pm Saturday. I had called a person randomly in our phone book that had talked with us before, but I personally did not know and set an appointment up with him. We were able to extend exchanges so Elder Benfell could be with me that night; since he covers a ward that teaches single people between the ages of 31-45. This person was in this age group. Unfortunately he was not available that day.
While in his complex we decided to go see a member that had not been to church in a while. Normally he is not home, but tonight he was! He had just gotten back from a funeral for his friend who just died of a heart attack at age 40 as well as had a newborn. His comments were very solemn and an acknowledgement of the reality of life and how short it can be. He said," it is not him that needs comfort but the family". Continuing he is fine but the family needs it. This was profound and then the scripture John 11:35 "Jesus Wept" came to mind. Jesus knew the purpose of life yet when at the tomb of Lazeres, one of his dear friends, he wept. Jesus knew he would see him again yet still felt the pains of separation from this life to the next. There are hard times in this life. Jesus Christ has felt those pains and knows what we need. This is a blessing we can have in our lives as we apply the atonement. Heavenly father can help us in our lives as we pray for help to love!
This week I felt that power/success from prayer. It gave me the confidence to talk to people and love those I talked to on the street to love them and help them come closer to Jesus Christ. It can give us the confidence and energy we need to move forward.
Love you all. I hope all is well! I read your letters. I hope to reply to as many as I can! I love the teachings of Jesus Christ. They bring so much joy!
Elder Van Kammen
Picture: This is Elder Vicenteno (Spanish speaking missionary on the left) and Elder Shield's On the right. Elder Bryce is covered by my head :P We just finished eating 30 tacos from a taco truck called El Chavito.
Joyce committed to read the BOOK OF MORMON! We have been trying to help Joyce understand that the Book of Mormon and the Bible are separate books. Both testify of Christ and His teachings, but are a record of 2 separate people. Those in Jerusalem and the ancestors of the american Indians. This week we have hope that she will read !
Ceci Is progressing moving forward with desire to know if the Book of Mormon is true and if she should be baptized. She committed to read and pray to know by the 25th!
I got to go on 2 exchanges this week, which means you and your companion spend 24 hours with another companionship. I go with one and he goes with the other. We have a district leader who we go with and spend time with him receiving help in becoming a better missionary and see new ways of teaching. Our district leader, Elder Benfell, has a new companion, Elder Shields, who has only been out on a mission 2 weeks. There is something great to work with a new missionary and desire to help him and share what you have learned in your mission with them. I really wanted to have a great exchange with him, but also with Elder Benfell.
When I prayed the night before for help that it could go well and we could find success! When I woke up that morning we ran 2 miles and had such a great time together. We taught 3 people Found someone new to teach and committed one of the member's in the congregation in the ward to share the gospel with their friends. When we talked to people that day they were open and felt confident talking to them!
While on exchanges with Elder Benfell, the day all came together. We had made plans to find at least 1 new person. Elder Benfell has been trying to get a hold of someone for a while and last night was about to "drop" them or try contacting later on in the future. While with him we decided to go by and just as we were walking away from his door, after not answering, we gave him a call! He answered and said we could meet with him at the church building later that day at 2! After 4 months of no contact he agreed to come to church again and this Saturday have another meeting with him! The greatest part of the day was the night time! We had been on exchanges since the night before so normally we only do 24 hours which in this instant would have been 5pm Friday to 5pm Saturday. I had called a person randomly in our phone book that had talked with us before, but I personally did not know and set an appointment up with him. We were able to extend exchanges so Elder Benfell could be with me that night; since he covers a ward that teaches single people between the ages of 31-45. This person was in this age group. Unfortunately he was not available that day.
While in his complex we decided to go see a member that had not been to church in a while. Normally he is not home, but tonight he was! He had just gotten back from a funeral for his friend who just died of a heart attack at age 40 as well as had a newborn. His comments were very solemn and an acknowledgement of the reality of life and how short it can be. He said," it is not him that needs comfort but the family". Continuing he is fine but the family needs it. This was profound and then the scripture John 11:35 "Jesus Wept" came to mind. Jesus knew the purpose of life yet when at the tomb of Lazeres, one of his dear friends, he wept. Jesus knew he would see him again yet still felt the pains of separation from this life to the next. There are hard times in this life. Jesus Christ has felt those pains and knows what we need. This is a blessing we can have in our lives as we apply the atonement. Heavenly father can help us in our lives as we pray for help to love!
This week I felt that power/success from prayer. It gave me the confidence to talk to people and love those I talked to on the street to love them and help them come closer to Jesus Christ. It can give us the confidence and energy we need to move forward.
Love you all. I hope all is well! I read your letters. I hope to reply to as many as I can! I love the teachings of Jesus Christ. They bring so much joy!
Elder Van Kammen
Picture: This is Elder Vicenteno (Spanish speaking missionary on the left) and Elder Shield's On the right. Elder Bryce is covered by my head :P We just finished eating 30 tacos from a taco truck called El Chavito.