Go hard in the paint! Visa arrived!!!!!!

This past week, our zone of missionaries created and signed a "hard in the paint" week contract. For a week we follow every rule associated with the contract, recognizing that not only the individual will be blessed, but the missionary work will skyrocket as well. Some of the things are

 

- Talk to EVERYBODY (Whew, still a tuff one, meet a lot of crazy people. But a lot of really nice people, really made me realize this is the "Hastening")

- Hymns only (Aw man, no more singing 'Les Miz' in the shower?)

- Use Elder/Sister

-No lingering

-Forget yourself (who me?)

-100% obedience

     ......and I will not be scared

 

I didn't know when I signed this contract, it would actually include real paint. Things started happening once we committed to it last Tuesday. Everyday since Tuesday (Besides Sunday) people have called us to do service. Yard work, painting, etc.. The crazy thing is, the people calling us usually were either less-active or not a member, and it's lead into teaching opportunities.

One day we had service for an older lady in the ward, who lives with 3 other single women (not members). They had all moved into a house together after getting a divorce and had a lot of yard work to be done.

The next day we had service (painting) for the guys we (practice) teach after. I realized there was actually 4 single men in that house, not too far from the ages of the single women we did service for the previous day. The Plan of Happiness!  We baptize them all and they meet at church, Eternal families and everyone's happy. (matchmaker matchmaker find me a match....)

It's been a cool week and we have seen miracles. I love how prepared people are at this time. Recently we had a lesson with an investigator named Kristen, who's 17 and began to listen to us and go to church because she had a best friend who wasn't afraid to invite her and open her mouth about the gospel. We showed up for our second lesson and asked "did you read?" She responded quickly "heck yeah! everyday." She watched general conference, and had her dad watch a session with her. When we started to teach the plan of salvation, she already knew a lot of it, because her best friend explained it to her one night when they were hanging out.

After seeing miracles start to happen, it only takes a couple of phone calls from a member who says "hey, I have a friend who wants to be baptized, can you come over?"

Our ward mission leader has a vision of us teaching 20 lessons a week, and we made a plan of how to achieve that. I've realized we must just do our part, do everything we possibly can, than trust in the Lord to do the Heavy lifting. I'm crossing out the word 'week' in the contract, and replacing it with 'mission'.'

 

To answer your questions. I eat good. .......uh... I just got a call right now as I was about to send this email. It was our mission president. I think I may have just got a Visa.....really high mixed emotions.....let you know for sure soon, I need to make some calls to know for sure.

 

10 minutes later we received this email from Elder Pollard

Leaving Oct 28th at 2:45pm to Dallas then to Sau Paulo Brazil to Salvador, arrive at 1:48pm, Oct 29th. Whew, long flight. :D Ahhhhh! Feel like running around singing "miracle of miracle" all over again. But I'm in my missionary clothes and don't want to scare people......save it for later.Got to go! Email ya next week. Tell Rayna and Lilly I loved their emails. Love ya'll

October 7 "the practice makes perfrect con"

Conference was tight. Sunday morning we watched it with some recent converts. Saturday we missed the first session because we were doing service and taught a lesson after. But the Dyer's (the family we stay with) record conference, so we caught up and watched it with them.

Kinda funny, the people we taught on Saturday we just met while walking down the road. A guy name Lance (early 50's) pulled up and asked if we were interested in doing service for him. He had some friends that were Mormon and they told him if he saw missionaries they will help him do things. So we did yard work with him and his roommate Roberto, they are starting to tile his house too. After doing service for a few hours he ordered a pizza for us, and as we left he offered  in much appreciation if there was anything he could do for us.

I thought for a moment, he had stated earlier that he wasn't interested in our church or anything.

So I asked "Well, as missionaries we teach a couple of different lessons. And frankly we need to practice. Do  you think that we could practice on you guys, and you can give us feedback about what you liked and ask questions and express how you feel."

He agreed that would be great, so he could help us be better teachers. So we taught them the 1st lesson. They felt the spirit testify to them, and we have two new investigators.  I'm confident in our message of the restoration. I am thoroughly convinced that anyone really looking for truth, ends up here. I know that God answers our prayers because He's answered mine. I know that Joseph Smith, though imperfect, was still a prophet of God. I have never asked a person to do something to know the truth that I haven't done and experienced myself. I know the Book of Mormon to be the words of Christ, I have received that witness of the divinity of the book over and over again. I know this is Jesus Christ church once again established on the earth. I know He leads it, He leads me. I have felt of His love. Things just seem so clear, I am happy. I am so grateful for my active parents. I love my sisters greatly.

 

O batismo é o objetivo.
A conversão é a meta.
O Amor é o motivo.
A doutrina é o ponto-chave.
O Espírito é o professor.

Hearts and hugs and handshakes,
Corações e braços,

Elder Pollard

Dinner Time

Jo!

Yo, I still got da funnies alrigh?  But I'm goin to memorize that list to get more meals.

Hmm, the times I've been fed really well, are when  we have a double dinner. Two families feed us dinner back to back. Had 3 once, like 5pm 6pm and 7pm. Those are so good. (my companions hate them, I find ways to let them happen) Member or not, it has even been my door approach before. For example

'knock knock'

"not interested" (common response, little rude way to answer, good thing they didn't say who's there, or I would have told a joke I learned from Lilly or something)

I may respond with something like " that's okay, how are you today?" or "we are service missionaries, is there anything we can do for you, we love service." If still denied, I will joke around and ask if they will feed us, because we love food too.

You would be surprised how many doors have opened.

  I'll answer your question of strangest food once I get to Brazil.

Oh, address is the same. It's the mission office is where letters go, and they get forawared to me. Love you and Nate, and mom , and dad, and everyone, and ice cream.

This is the list I sent to Daylen:

Top 10 Reasons to Feed the Missionaries 

10.  Good way to get material for your talk next week.
9.  Good way to use up outdated food storage items.
8.  Gives you someone to watch the kids while you fix dinner.
7.  Meal is tax deductible.
6.  Good way to get rid of those week-old leftovers.
5.  Can you say, "free dishwashers?"
4.  Good excuse to order pizza.
3.  Good way to "one-up" the Smiths.
2.  Better company than the home teachers.
1.  Who else will eat your cooking?

Sept 30 New area in Vegas

Ola. New area is amazing, I love my companion Elder Till, and last Friday we picked up Elder Brown who came out late from the MTC cuz he had his appendix taken out, he's as green as they come. :D I completely love and trust the both of them, we speak very open and honest with each other and have a lot of fun. I've been amazed how many homes we've gotten into together, because the Lord uses our talents to do so. Everything has been amazing, leaving the last area felt like leaving home, but I already love the people here and see a lot of potential, we have gone from 0 investigating the church to about 6 people in the past week. Many have just been placed in our path, all I have to do is open my mouth. Speaking about religion and sharing scriptures or testimony just comes out easily that I don't even have to think about it. It's just becoming a part of who I am.

We live with an awesome family in the ward, the Dyers. They have some cool cats that even have their own high chairs and stuff (little odd, I took a picture my first day I saw it). Down part is I've been allergic to cats since I've started my mission, ha-ha.

Last thought, I would love to hear a story of one our ancestors. I have a great desire to learn more about them, I know I have been helped on both sides of the veil, and have felt the Holy Ghost bear witness of the divinity and importance of family genealogy.

Picture Sent Oct. 21st:  Evil cat, I will not miss you and all your fuffy hair I was allergic to. I swear she was out to get me.

AUGUST 27th

This past week I went on exchanges with another Elder. At the end of an amazing day of teaching, my companion felt impressed to make one last stop to a family in the ward, the Jeffers. My companion told me he thinks they are waiting for a Visa to Brazil too. I came to learn, they are going to the same mission as me! They have been waiting since March. Since they are a senior couple, they don't start their mission until the Visa comes. We had a great chat in Portuguese and it was awesome to know someone going to my mission. They sent this picture to the mission president, and the mission president's wife sent me an email.

 

It rained here on Sunday! This place isn't prepared for rain, the draining system isn't so good. It flooded everywhere. The roads were inches underwater in some places where cars couldn't get through. 

While driving we saw this railroad tie or a large piece of wood in the middle of the road and cars trying to get around it. Elder Findlay suggested we moved it. It took off my shoes and socks and rolled up my pants. We pulled up near to it and I jumped out to go get, jogging on my way towards it in the flooded road, I slipped. My feet flew up and I landed on my back. Hahahah, I was fine and completely unharmed, perhaps a little embarrassed. But I went out and got the log and pulled it off the road.

People in the cars behind us were laughing, and some of them rolled down their windows and thanked me. There on the side walk was a family in our ward, the Worthen's. The mom had taken her kids to the street to see all the cars drive through the puddles. She had actually pulled out her phone and filmed part of what I did, haha.  

That's the closest to swimming as I've gotten.

I'm happy and having a great time. I've learned this week that to be humble, isn't so much denying the talents and gifts God has given us. It's not thinking less of ourselves, it's thinking less about ourselves. Something you've shown me the way of being a mother, is putting others first, and yourself last. I believe it is almost impossible to be prideful, when you have charity for those around you and love them. Pride is the sin of comparison, though it often starts with look at me and how good I am, it ends with the type of thinking of therefore I'm better than you. I am striving to serve more, and care and think of others more than I think of myself.

 

 

I love you so much!

Sept 23rd

Thanks mom! I smile and feel happy every time I hear that you talk about me. I'm so excited to share my stories and feelings with our family each week. I like to hear about how our family is doing too.

This past week has been amazing. The Poma family (parents Vic and Shelly, and daughter Kelly) have been amazing. After our first lesson, Shelly who comes from a Baptist background looks at her husband Vic who's catholic and tell him "you know were going to be Mormon right?" Haha, they are so open and have desire to learn. Their son David was baptized 10 years ago when he was 16. Vic explained how bad he felt, back then he gave David such a hard time for joining the church. He had him talk to many ministers and priests to convince him not to. He had refused to talk to the missionaries. Now, His heart has been softened. He has prayed and felt it to be right and we have had 3 lessons over there. David's came and taught with us, he's been waiting for this day for his family for a while. They have a desire to be sealed in the temple, and most likely baptized next month.

I have loved teaching this family. They ask so many questions really desiring to understand and know for themselves. To know what I know.

We had to push Patricia Watts baptism back a couple weeks, she's still pushing strong though, and one of the most amazing woman I've ever met.

A few other investigators are doing well and I've seen miracles before my eyes, just watching their lives change. I'm all pumped, because we have about 6 solid baptisms set for next month. But I received a call Saturday Morning. Transfer. Haha, a new Area that doesn't rhyme with Brazil. I'm going over to the Meadows stake (not sure where that is, entirely) but it's the same ward that Tanish and Mike Yarbrough (the jamican family we married and baptized) moved to. My new companions name is Elder Till, (Till we meet, till we meet, till we meet at Jesus Feet....plays in my head every time) I think I met him once.

I'm excited, but sad to leave. Feels like I'm leaving home all over again. Elder Findlay goes home today, I'll miss him. He's shown me great love and taught me a lot. Elder Bloomfield will stay here, I trust him to take great care of this ward. He has taught me a lot about the plan of salvation, after hearing his testimony of losing both his parents, his mom just last year. He's an amazing missionary, with love for the people here and a desire to bring them joy.

We sang in church yesterday, our companionship. It went really well. I loved it. I got at least 8 or 9 offers from the members here that after the mission they want me to come back and visit and stay with them. Some seemed sad to have us go and so we told some people things like "hey, if you get sealed in the temple, We'll bring back our trio and sing at your wedding reception"

 

I am so grateful to have been put here, in this ward I served. I have learned so much of the arms of love from the Savior. I have had many uplifting experiences that I wouldn't trade it for anything, not a trip to Brazil or anywhere in the world. I know this next area is also part of the Lord's will for me, and I look forward to it, no idea how long it may be, but I really enjoy just trusting Him, one step at a time. The song "lead thou me on." Has been like a theme of my mission, and I love it.

 

I love you mom! I love you dad! I love my sisters, and all my relatives and friends!

Sept 16

Things are the same here. We do service almost everyday this past week. Teach a couple lessons, study a lot. The joy I feel is indescribable. I love every day so much, but it's not anything really new.   The days are long, but they go by so fast and blur with each other. When people I meet here, learn I'm a Visa waiter, or they ask when I'll be leaving to Brazil. I have adapted an attitude like that of Ammon. "Yea, I desire to dwell among this people for a time, yea, and perhaps until the day I die." (Alma 17:23) We have built great relationships and trusts in our ward. I could name almost every member, and where they work, and part of their conversation story. Soon, I'll have every dogs name down. It is through our members we try to do the Lords work. I love so deeply the people here, and I pray for them so often. We have families progressing and improving that it brings me so much joy.  But despite my attitude of "I'm staying here and serving you till I die, so get use to it!" I too feel that I will be leaving to Brazil soon. Dad's words play in my head all the time, "you'll leave once you feel you are needed most." And that day is coming. With my senior Companion Elder Findlay going home in a week. I next know every member, the needs every person in this area. I connect and understand differently to people, and I feel needed already. I'm confident that I'll have to have faith, it's the Lords work and not mine, so He knows the best ways to bring about His purposes.

 

Elder Anderson (of the 12) came to our mission last Tuesday. I shook his hand, and said "como vai?" He responded with a chuckle and a "muito bem." He lived in Brazil for quite some time of his life. He spoke to us for over 2 hours, had a lot to say I guess. I'd like to share something  I enjoyed that  he said "every time you open your mouth, you exercise faith. When you exercise faith, you increase it...... if you want to baptize a few people, open your mouth to a few people. If you want to baptize a lot of people, open you mouth to a lot of people. If you want to baptize everyone you can, open your mouth to everyone you can."

 

Whenever I feel hesitant or fear of being awkward by just approaching someone, I think of this quote. "When we act in faith in Jesus to do His work, He goes with us, to serve others and blesses us to say just what they need to hear. What we actually say and actually do may feel a little awkward or not very polished....But the Savior takes our words and our actions and He carries them through His spirit into the hearts of the people. He takes our sincere but imperfect effort and turns it into something that is just right, indeed into something that is perfect."

I testify, that is true. I know the Savior is in our midst. I have felt so often the love He has for me, and for those around me. I know that our Heavenly Father hears our every prayer, and desires for us to pray continually throughout the day in all that we do.

 

I love you Mom! Thank you for everything. I love my family so much, and look so forward to the day to squeezing my parents and sisters in hugs of gratitude when I come home.

 

Ate e logo.