December 30, 2013

oh hello creepy santa!

A great family- the Merwin family- invited us, and ALL the missionaries in our ward to come over for Christmas eve dinner

HAHA i am so spoiled!! Thank you!!!

This is Edgar opening his presents from Santa!! =D haha he is darling.

This is Hilda =D she was recently reactivated! i love her!! She spoils us. =D

Christmas Eve lunch with la familia Cano

Christmas Morning!! haha spoiled! Chifladas!!

Thank you Sterling for the Covers and the key chain!!

The snowflakes Grandma made! they were a hit grammy! thankyou!!

When we went to visit the Jiminez family- she pulled out this little keyboard and asked me to play some christmas hymns.  haha So i played the piano on my lap. =D

la familia jiminez

Last sunday together!

Us getting ready to go out in the rain!!

i found this sign. hahahahah. =D

Hello!  Family!

It was so great to see your faces! haha Skype is a wonderful creation.  We should write a thank you letter to the human that came up with it. =D haha  It was So great to talk to yall!  Shelby and Stanton- you both are growing up so much!  and Mommy and Daddy!  Ah i just loved it.  =D  Thank you for talking with me.  It was so ODD not to have Elder Wiser there! Man.  I am so proud of him! He is doind a great job though.  The humans of england are lucky blokes (hahah that is a british word.. right?).  It was wonderful.  I was in a daze for about an hour after that.  I kept asking Sister Ninataype "are you sure that I already talked to them?  Did that really happen?" Haha.  It did.  =D it was great.  I liked all of your texas pride shirts as well. WASSSUP TEXXXXAS. 

So I will start with Christmas Eve.  =D haha A great family- the Merwin family- invited us, and ALL the missionaries in our ward to come over for Christmas eve dinner.  Sister Merwin is legit.  She is from Korea, grew up buddist- found the missionaries when she came to america for college, converted, then served a boss mission.  She was married in the temple and all! Their family is super cool. We had the oddest christmas dinner ever.  But it was great.  Haha it was just all these different dishes- but all together. kinda like a potluck.  Like we had baked beans with bacon- and mashed potatoes. and tamales and potatoe salad. and stuffing.  =D haha i love texans.  it was great. Then after we sat and read the Luke chapter 2- story of Christ's birth.  Then we all sang songs around their piano.  I got to play again. (remember the show little women? in one part of that movie they are all standing around the piano singing christmas songs.  yeah I pictured myself in that movie. =D)  So that was fun.  Then- they made ALL 12 of us stockings.  it was so nice of them.  So I opened up a stocking on christmas morning.  =D  so fun.  Then all 12 of us decided to go Caroling to President Maluendas house (aka the mission home). So we walked up singing and they opened the door and took pictures of us. haha.  It was great.  I really just felt the spirit of Christmas.  =D it was wonderful.

Christmas day was really good.  It was different!  But great.  We woke up super dang early to go play basketball with the zone.  So that was fun.  I actually made some cool shots! (pretty good, coming from a little white girl eh?) Then sister Ninataype and I came home and took turns opening the Christmas packages.  It was really fun.  It is always nice to receive things from home.  Thank you so much for all the Christmas Packages!!  They were wonderful!!  I will write thank you notes! haha it just takes me 20 years. =D  But thank you really. =D Than after that we went caroling to some people.  Which was really fun. then we went and visited a lot of different families.  i really love the area that i am serving in! La Vista is the Best!!! Christmas was wonderful. =D  I love Jesus.

SO- I have news!!! Sister Ninataype is getting Transferred.  BAH.  She is leaving me tomorrow morning to go to Corpus! To be companions with my Mission momma- Sister Sanders.  And Her mission Daughter- Sister Kreis- Is coming down to be my companion!  So the mommies with the mommies and the daughters with the daughters. =D  I am looking forward to the next transfer and the new year.  But I will miss my lovely Sister Ninataype so much.  She has been the most wonderful companion.  I love her so much.  It is crazy- I have to re-learn how to teach with someone! Haha Sister Ninataype and I are at the point where we finish eac hothers sentances. in english and spanish. We don't even think about it anymore.  But that is how it works- Whenever you get comfortable- That is when God Says "OKAY!! time for a change!".  I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father that helps us to progress.  That is one thing that I love about the gospel- That it stretches the comfortable. helps us grow. There is a quote about that... but I can't remember it right now.=D maybe next time. 

That is basically what happened last week! SO- Remeber Patricia? The lady with the stage 4 breast cancer?  I have an update on her.  Her faith is SOOOO strong.  So about 2 weeks ago she went in for the mastectomy to remove the cancer. the surgery went well.  And She stayed the afternoon in the hospital recovering.  Around dinner time ALL of her family left the hospital to grab a bite to eat.  When they were all gone- she said that she started to feel a 'bag of water' filling up around her neck.  It turns out that she had a hematoma.  The aortic vein ruptured and she was bleeding out internally.  AND- the little remote thing that you use to page the nurse was across the room. She was trying to scream- but the bood was coming up her throat. (sorry graphic).  But miraculously- a nurse was walking down the hall- and randomly decided to check on her.  He saw the problem and called for help.  So she went back into surgery and they had to give her 3 units of blood. And the tiny cut from the masectomy turned into a cut from her Sternum clear back to the middle of her sholder blade. CRAZYNESS. a HUGE cut.  It was really crazy. But the Doctors were able to repair the things that needed fixing.  The next morming she texted us and asked us to bring the Elders to give her a blessing. The AP's came with us to the hospital. She told us the story (with a ton of energy- by looking at her you never would have guessed that she had just gone throught a major surgery) The elders gave her a beautiful blessing.  That hospital room became a holy place. The spirit was there super strong.  AND now- she is back to working part time, taking care of her family- and just doing normal life.  AND- the cancer is ALL gone.  There is not a bit of cancer left in her.  So she doesn't need Chemo or radation or anything.  It was a miracle- especially because 5 years ago when she was diagnosed with stage 3 on the left side- she had to go through chemo and radation. Even though the Hematoma was a huge trial- I think it was a blessing- because any of the cancers cells that might have been swimming around in her blood were taken out. And she is Cancer Free! YAY! God is a God of miracles!  I love the Gospel.  I love the Savior- Jesus Christ.  I know that La iglesia de JesuCristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias has the FULLNESS of the gospel.  The doctrine is clear, simple and precise.  IT IS TRUE! I know it. =D 

I love being a missionary! 

Happy new year to all!  Have a wonderful party. haha=D  love ya!! have a great week! happy 2012!!!! AHHHH!

-Love

Hermana Wiser

December 23, 2013

Buenas Tardes From Mcallen!!

And Merry Christmas!!!! How crazy! It is already Christmas.  =D I am looking forward to this Christmas in the Mission- and that I have an opportunity to serve my Savior.  It has been such a blessing.  Thank you for the packages and the letters and the Christmas cards!! 

So- here is the funny story for the week.  So Sister Ninataype and I decided to go walking one morning for exercise.  So we went- and i was half asleep- and on our way back we encountered this dog that i hate.  It doesn't have a owner or a leash- and it is always messing with me.  I am actually kinda afraid that it will take a bit out of my leg. We had to walk by it in order to get back to our apartment.  So we started walking by it- and i decided to try and talk to it.  Never too late to make friends right? So i am walking- talking to this little demon dog- and all of a sudden it CHARGED US!!  Strait up charged us. its ears were back and its teeth were all sorts of showing.  it was terribly scary. hahahaha.  And Sister Ninataype and i just started running and screaming. hahahahaha. and it was chasing us. I was so freaked out- i turned around and started kicking rocks and dirt at it and yelling at it in spanish.   It was ridiculous.  And we looked so dumb.  But i still have both of my legs- puncture free. So that was good.  haha hopefully that gave you a funny mental picture. =D

We have been Crazy busy these past few weeks.  But it has been wonderful.  I believe that people are a lot more open during this part of the year.  I love the extra emphasis on the Lord Jesus Christ.  I only wish that we had that all year round.  We should. =D  I would like to share a few scriptures that have really stood out to me this week.  in Alma 7 Alma goes around and he is teaching and prophesying of Christ. (i always new that the book of mormon prophets testified of the birth of Christ- but i never really realized it. haha that sounds silly.  But it is true!! They were definately prophets- called by God- or they wouldn't have been able to testify of Christ.  They didn't have satelites!  They had revelation from God. it is great)  In verse 10 it says:

 And behold, he shall be ^aborn of Mary, at ^bJerusalem which is the ^cland of our forefathers, she being a ^dvirgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and ^econceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God. 

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and ^aafflictions and ^btemptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will ^ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

 12 And he will take upon him ^adeath, that he may ^bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to ^csuccor his people according to their infirmities.

These three scriptures testify of the divine mission of Jesus Christ.  I know that he is the savior of the world.  That he was Born of the virgen Mary.  He lived a Perfect Life and gave us the perfect example.  During his mortal ministry He taught with boldness and the authority of God.  He taught by example.  Then- after living a perfect life- he suffered for he sins of every human being that has ever walked the earth.  Every pain, affliction, and temptation.  He was perfect- but so that he could know how to 'succor' us- he chose the long and lonely road- he chose to feel every pain, sin, mistake and sorrow that we have felt.  I know that he suffered the atonement because He loves each one of us.  He loves me. Even if there was only 20 people in the world he would have done it. He gave up his will- to do the will of the Father.  He literally loosed the bands of death- Both spiritual death and physical death. So that one day we can live in the presence of God- With out a stain.  He died so that we may live again.  AH!! i LOVE THE GOSPEL!!  I love the plan that our Heavenly Father has blessed us with. We are so blessed. 

I feel so blessed to share this wonderful message every day.  A message of Hope, peace, and love.  A message that literally can save us from the crazy world we live in. We are so blessed to know the things we know!! Don't take it for granted.

I love you all!  and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.  Remember the reason we have Christmas-  Because the Lord Jesus was born in a manger. Yay!

 

HoHOHO!!! Merry Christmas to all! and to All a great week! (haha that was super cheezy)  

Feliz Navidad!!

 

-Hermana Wiser

 

PS-I GET TO TALK TO YOU SOON!!! YAY!!!! wahoooooo christmas!!!!

Dec 16, 2013

Buenas Tardes Familia!!

I can hardly believe that it is already the middle of December! The days are slipping through my fingers.  I am offically an old missionary. I have more that 9 Months in the mission.  It freaks me out, frankly. I always just hope i am doing enough. 

This past week was wonderful.  Exaustingly wonderful.  I enjoyed every moment. First of all- We had a mission tour- With Elder Tad R. Callister- who is a president of the 70.  HE IS A BOSS.  Oh my word- that man.  He is definately called of God to be a general authority.  I am grateful for the opportunity I had to listen to him and his wife, and our area 70- Elder Villareal, and Presidente Maluenda.  It was wonderful.  This always happens to me-  I start to feel like I know what i am doing, that i know my way around the scriptures, that i can teach the restoration.... But then- A loving Heavenly Father lets me know that i have a lot of work to do.  =D  I am grateful for the opportunity to be a missionary.  To be able to learn ALL the things that i am learning.  And let me tell you- i am learning A LOT. About the Gospel- and Just life in general. Elder Callister talked a lot about the atonement.  IT IS SO DEPTHY.  It is always nice to learn  from other people's experiences and insites.  He talked about the atonement being the ability to CHANGE our nature. This is the first sentance he said.   And it has really made me think for the past couple of days. That we can literally CHANGE our nature.  We know that the scriptures say that the Natural Man is an enemy to God... and therefore he(the natural man) cannot dwell with God. Heavenly Father is so loving- and he knew this little problem that we would face here in this mortal life.  So he gave us his son, Jesus chirst to help us overcome our personal 'natural man'. We can change.  Through the Atonement of the Lord Jesus.  I have always know this-  but it means so much more to me now.  I think- as a missionary- everything is magnified.  We have a lot more rules, hight expectations, a hefty daily schedule, AND- the biggest one- We are on the Lords errand. (even though i have been here and doing this for 9 months- This still blows my mind!  That the lord would entrust me to help spread the good news) I have really learned that I am not a perfect human being (I just picture Sterling, stanton, or shelbs saying "Duh, sister wiser.. I could have told you that one!! hahaha).  I guess the point of this is that i am grateful for the chance that i have to repent every single day.  When we do all we can, and can't quite make it all the way- the lord carries us the rest of the way.  And when we mess up and make really lame mistakes- we can repent and start again. I think it is great.  And i have seen it work in my life. I have literally seen old habits and quirks that i had in the past- improve-or literally go away.  Not all of them- i still have a lot of work to do.  But it is cool.  -Sorry- i just started writing all the things in my brain.  So that is why it is all over the place- Welcome to my life. haha it is so entertaining.-

Anyways- Elder Callister-  probably my favorite thing he said was this "There is no such thing as a spotted or a cream colored repenter."  I LOVED THIS.  There is no such thing as half way repentance.  You either repent- and through the Merits and Mercy of the Savior you can change.  OR you don't.  You stay subject to what ever frailty, mistake, and weakness that we have as humans. I just really love the Gospel.  We know exactly what we need to do- in order to live with God again in his kingdom.  It is such a blessing!  I hope that made sense- if not- you can ask me in 9 days.  =D hah weird.

This week was really really really great.  So remeber the Rangel family of 10?  Yeah we went and found them again! So it was saturday night after the christmas party for our english ward (I sang 'mary did you know' with Valeria maluenda-Pres. Maluenda's daughter. it was fun) We went to find them.  We knocked on the door- and the dad (who we hadn't met yet) Answered.  And we basically just asked if we could come and share the message with him. And he let us in.  Then he gathered the entire clan! it was like the lesson of every missionaries dream.  Haha there were 10 people crammed in their tiny living room.  And I will admit that i was nervous- because it was kinda a do or die lesson-  but i just prayed the entire time.  And we focused on jesus christ.  And then we went around the room- and re-invited them to be baptized- one by one.  name by name (yes i know ALL of their names).  And the dad- whose name is Simon- accepted with tears in his eyes.  AHHHH the spirit was so strong!! such a blessing.  After the lesson- as we were getting ready to go, the dad stopped and said "i just want you girls to know that i don't let people into my house.  But when i opened the door- i saw the light of the lord in your faces, and i knew that i had to let you in. Thank you for coming to my family." I think Sister Ninataype had to scoop my jaw off the floor. It was really great.  Pray for them! (he also invited to feed us.. so we are going to do a fhe with them.)  

AHH i am out of time!! more for next week!  Love you all.  I am seeing miracles.  I know with my whole soul that God is  God of miracles.  My faith in this grows every single week.  I know that the heavens have been re-opened and that as we do our homework, and pray- we can receive the personal revelation that we need to guide our lives.  Our Heavenly Father is only a prayer away- he is waiting to help all of us.  All we need to do is ask!

-Onward and Upwards.

-Sister Wiser 

December 9th 2013

HOLY MOLY MIRACLES!!!

Hello Family!!

How is everyone doing??  We are really great here! it is a little chilly.  Down to 40 degrees.  And this weird misty rain stuff.  it is odd.  But we are doing good =D SO I HAVE GREAT NEWS!!! On Christmas i get to skype to talk to you!!!! yay!!!! i get to see your faces!!!!  I will have 45 minutes on christmas.  I will let you know when i will be able to skype home on the P-day before christmas.  =D so i will set that up.  maybe start thinking about when would be good for you guys and let me know next p-day. I was so excited to tell you that.  =D haha anyways-

THIS WEEK WAS LITERALLY INSANE. AND WONDERFUL. AND INSANE!! We started the week off- pretty normal.  Working hard and praying- the usual missionary stuff.  AND THEN- we have MLC on wednesday.  it was a great Mission leadership council.  I love them! President is so inspired.  We had some really great trainings- then we started talking about the mission goal for baptisms. Since we reached our goal (+3) last month with 113(what a blessing!!) everyone started talking about raising the vision even more.  Especially in the beautiful month of December!! So as a mission (drum roll) we decided to have the goal of 150 for december!!!!!! can you believe it!!!  150 of God's Children will have the opportunity to enter the waters of baptism and partake of the special blessings that come with that covenant.  IT is CRAZY!! So if y'all could- pray for 150 in december for the TMM. =D yay!

So after MLC- Sister Ninataype and I were super pumped and excited about the work.  At this point of our week- we only had 1 investigator (martin) that has been missing in action since the day we met him.  So we were in serious need of some miracles to find people to teach (and help them progress to baptism).  So we went out with all the fire and enthusiam we could muster.  We had an appointment with the Jimenez family.  So we went there.  And on our way to their apartment complex we saw a couple waking towards us.  President is always telling us to talk to EVERYONE.  So we did.  haha and we were super excited and whatever.  We introduced ourselves and started talking witht them about the gospel.  It was great. Haha at first they looked kinda freaked out- like "who are these odd girls in skirts talking to us about Jesus on the sidewalk, in the dark?" But as the conversation went on they were eventually lauging with us and talking with us.   And we invted them right there to be baptized! and they accepted!  Then we found out they werent in our area.  haha so we gave the referal to the other sisters. But it was still cool!   Then we went to go and try to find Martin.  He wasn't home.  So we went to a potential in that same apartment complex.  and they weren't home.  So we went to these referrals that we have (also in the same complexes) and they weren't home.  So i was writing little notes to them. and all of a sudden we saw this HERD of people walking down the street.  So sister Ninataype and i looked at eachother- and i quick slipped the note in the door. and we RAN down the stairs.  We were walking on the sidewalk of the apartement complex- and they were on the normal side walk. And we we met them at the corner! and started talking to them!  It was a mom and her 5 children. =D So we just started talking to them. =D it was great.  we ended up walking them home.  She invited us in and we sat down and set 5 baptismal dates for the 29 of december!!!! WAHOOOOO!!!  AND- they have 10 people in their family.  The only one that is not old enough to get baptized is their youngest son (who is 6).  CRAZY RIGHT!!! a SMALL FAMILY OF TEN!!  AND THEN!! haha it isn't over yet.  The next day we found another family!  Our District leader did a blitz on our area- and found this family and gave them to us as a referral.  So all last week we were trying to find them. One day we found the kids outside. (their names are Naomi, Nahum, Hiram, and Hiromy)  We asked if their mommy was in- and they said she was buzy.  So we taught them how to sing "Soy un Hijo de Dios" (i am a child of God).  and told them to sing it to their mom.  So a few days later we came, and Sister Gricelda comes out (the mom) and starts talking to us.  We started the lesson with singing 'Soy un Hijo De Dios" then a prayer.  It was a boss lesson. and Naomi, Nahum, and Hiromy and Gricelda have baptismal dates as well for the 29th of december!! it is going to be a white christmas!! And we found a couple other single investigators with bd's as well.  This week has been such a blessing.  We went from 1 shaky investigator to 14.  yes FOURTEEN.  It is crazy.  We are SO blessed. It isn't us at all either- it is simple a blessing from heavenly father.  I know that he knows us.  He knows our needs.  he wants us to have success.  And when we do our part and have faith suffecient to rely on him- he provides us with miracles.  I LOVE IT!  I love the mission!  Me encanta la obra misional!! It is such a blessing to be a missionary. 

On sunday- we were asked to speak in our english wart and 9:00 and I was asked to sing in our spanish ward at 10:00. It got  a little bit crazy. haha.  But we made it.  And Gricelda and the kids came to church!! it was so cute! we were a little late to spanish ward.  But when we got there Hiromy was like "Hermana Wiser! Wiser! Ven aqui!!" (come here!) haha they had saved us seats.  it was so great.  miracles. =D 

Well i have to run! know that i love you! and i pray for each of you! have a wonderful week.  Let me know if there is anything i can do for any of ya!!

-Love Sister Wiser

December 2, 2013

 This is Sister Stradling! She was the new sister missionary that we welcomed in at the beginning of the transfer. =D -Its crazy- because her mom found my blog i guess- so she had been reading parts of it.  SMALL WORLD. oh- and she is from snowflake. =D

 This is Eric blacks baptism! yay!

 This is an odd picture of me making the bows,. haha nerd central. =D love ya mommy!

 

So- See the bows?  This is your christmas present.. So sorry that it wont be a surprise.  but they are for your christmas tree.  Pati- She insisted on helping us- so that you can have a beautiful tree and that in some way i could help you with the decorating.  She loves you.  =D i told her about you.  So- when you get a random box of ribbon- fix it to look like the bow on the top. and then all the little bows are to go around. I wasn't sure if you were going to do a red tree or a blue one! so i chose this one.  I hope you like it! merry Christmas!

 I LOVED THE CHRISTMAS TREE MOMMY!! tell all the couzins thanks for the ornaments. =D that it is so cute!! we loved it. =D

HELLO FAMILIA!!

It is offically December 2. I can hardly believe it! November just started. time goes so fast.  This past week was really great.  We had a wonderful thanksgiving.  I was so stuffed they literally had to roll me home. haha.  We had 4-yes FOUR- dinner appointments on thursday- right in a row.  I prayed all week that my stomach would stretch. haha i will send pictures of all the families that we had dinner with.  It was a really great thanksgiving. One of the ladies was GF too! So i even got Gluten Free pie. Yay thanksgiving miracle. =D haha.

The first appointment was with the Andraskos at 1:30. It was really great.

This is the first family we ate dinner with- The Andrasko family! super fun!

 This is Kelsea Andrasko- we all matched! so we took a picture. =D yay!

at 3:00 Then with the Newey's- and some recent converts- Lupe, Hilda(member) and her daughter Kassie.  Then the Harding family was there as well.  It was really fun. =D They made everything Gluten free too.  It was SOO nice of them.  After the Newey's i was pretty dang full but we had another one.

This is our 2nd thanksgiving. with the Neweys, Hardings, Hilda, Lupe, and Kassie(the one with the curly hair and glasses) i love them!!

So we went to the familia Jiminez at 4:00- it was good they had tamales too. IT was so funny.  Their 4 year old son Brandon is SO cute.  He speaks puro Tex-Mex.  As his dad was leaving for work he said "Bye Papi, Cuida you en the trabajo" -Which is basically 'be safe at work'.  But it was literally half and half english and spanish. Both of their boys love me because i always give them stickers. haha It is crazy.

This is the Jiminez family! I LOVE THEM SO MUCH.  Elder Garcia and Elder Knighton were invited as well. =D i was sooo full. =D

This is the Jiminez Christmas tree! i made the bow on top. =D it was fun to decorate it.

Then at 6:00 ALL the missionaries in the Mcallen 1st ward got together at the Hernandez home. There were 12 of us there. it was great! and I ate a TON. literally. but i put it all down.  I even out ate Hermana Ninataype- and most of the Elders. haha when there is a will there is a way i guess.  After we all ate- everyone gathered around the piano.  I played and we sang Christmas hymns!  It was great! and the spirit was there super strong. I LOVE CHRISTMAS MUSIC.  It was a really great day.   And that was our thanksgiving.  =D

this is our last thanksgiving! ALL the missionaries

This is Hermano y Hermana Hernandez. =D

 everyone again! haha =D

haha this is me...at the piano. i don't know why my eyes are closed. haha. asian painist? yup. =D

SO WE HAD A HUGE MIRACLE AS A MISSION!!! So- a month ago in MLC (mission leadership council) We literally took an hour and a half to set a mission baptism goal.  With the help of President and a lot of faith we set the goal for 110 children of God to be baptized in the month of November. We had a mission fast that first sunday of the month (imagine 200 missionaries fasting for the same purpose! powerful!)- Then prayed every single day that we could reach our goal of 110. and we did! We found 113 of God's Children that were ready to be baptized in the month of november.  It was a great miracle. We haven't baptized such a huge amount in a really long time.  It just tells me that God is mindful of me, and of the missionaries in the TMM.  That he cares and wants each of us to suceed.  When we have the Faith- we love the people- and we work hard- we can CALL down the miracles from heaven.  God is a God of miracles! YAY!

Sister Ninataype and I taught young womens yesterday in Mac 1. It was really great.  I loved quoting the theme. it takes my old soul back. =D haha. The lesson was on 'Building the Kingdom'.  I found a great mormon message- its called 'Stand'. Shelbs look it up. it has a video of a young girl and a young boy- and it shows them preparing for their lives- then how the scriptures helped them.  there isn't words in the actual video- but the song is great. =D look it up.

Recently in the Book of Mormon I have been reading in Mosiah- and I just love it.  And i was thinking about Abinidi. because of Abinidi- Alma was converted. Alma then went and wrote the words of Abinidi- and started teaching.  Because Alma shared his testimony- 204 souls entered into the waters of baptism. then 400-something people left the city.  From Alma- Alma the younger (after his rough patch) and the sons of mosiah helped to build the kingdom- Then the sons of Mosiah went and taught the lamanites. THEN NATIONS were converted to the LORD and BAPTIZED.  Then I got thinking about the power of 1.  Because of one man sharing his beliefs and standing up for what was right- Nations were effected.  It is great.  Each one of us can be that '1' that God needs.  We may not see the fruits of our labors right away- but GOD KNOWS ALL.  And as we trust in him we will be able to see miracles. Our children and childrens children will have the beautiful truths of the gospel.  So lets go out and open our mouths! yay!

That is pretty much what happened this past week. All is well in south texas!  Love you all! have a wonderful week! I LOVE the Lord and i LOVE being a missionary! ( hi from sister vargas feliz navidad!) haha Go do some missionary work! Invite someone to hear from the missionaries!

-LOVE YA!!

-Sister Wiser

This is a funny picture. haha we were at oscar and mina's house. and they walked us out to the car. then all of a sudden we saw this little old lady dumpster diving. and she was pulling out these brand name shoes. it was crazy!! So- sister Huskinson just hopped in. and started helping her. hahaha. oh the adventures of a missionary. they were all mis matched though. -hence the reason why they were in there. funny.  =D don't worry we used hand sanitizer and stuff.

November 25, 2013

Hello everyone!!! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!

How crazy. November is almost over.  I would like to give a shout out to my cousin Zack Empey! He is heading out on his mission soon! love ya kid! tear it up in Korea.

All is well in texas! It has actually been super cold here this past week.  Like in the 40's. Haha i know that doesn't seem cold compared to the lovely utah weather- but when you are used to upper 90's and it is 40's with 60% humidity- it is cold.  haha and we don't have any warm clothes.  So i look like a dangus. I have been layering everything.  I am grateful for the little cardigans i brought. =D It has been crazy- and no one has really been out on the streets.  My little texas has seemed a little lonely.  But its all good! 

This week ERIC BLACK GOT BAPTIZED!!!!! Wahooooo!!! it has been a month of miracles! The baptism was super great.  A bunch of YSA kids showed up to welcome him into the church.  it was really great.  After the baptism- we asked him how he felt and said "ah, i feel fresh.'' Sister ninatype was like 'Fresh like 'hey! wassup!'- or "Fresh like a vegetable?" He laughed and said "Fresh like HEYA WASSUP."  So that is great.  Feeling fresh after your baptism. That is what we like. 

We had a wonderful little miracle this week!  We have a member- She was baptized like 4 years ago. Her missionaries helped her and her husband Jose get married and baptized.  And for the past month we have been working with her.  She has a fear of praying out loud.  LIke she will start by saying "padre celestial.." then the words wont come out of her lips.  It just terrifies her.  So about a month ago we started giving her little progressive committments to pray out loud. First by herself, then with her babies, then with her husband.  And we kept following up.  The entire time we were sharing stories and personal experiences and just encouraging her.  Then this past week we went and were sharing a little thought with her about faith. we both shared our testimonies and a scripture in ether.  At the end of the lesson we asked if we could leave her with a prayer, and aksed her who she would like to offer it.  And she said 'I will." Sister Ninataype and I were both super surprised! haha. and she started to pray.  And the most beautiful spirit entered the room.  And Sister Jiminez offered the most humble, faith filled prayer i have ever heard.  When she finished we all had little tears running down our cheeks and started hugging and stuff. (like any sister misisonarie would)  It was so great!  And it was a testimony builder for me- because through faith Heavenly father can HELP us overcome our fears.  I wish you could have seen sister Jiminez' face! AH the light in her eyes was so bright and beautiful. It was a wonderful experience.  I live for those little moments as a missionary! 

I love the work! I love the lord!  I KNOW that all things are possible with him.  We can overcome any doubt, trial, fear, or weakness. if we have trust in the our Savior- who has already payed the price.  Have a wonderful week! and an attitude full of gratitude!! I am so grateful for the gospel in my life, for a Savior who would walk the lonley road to pay for our sins.  I am grateful for Family and friends that support me, and for the prayers.  I feel them every day.  Thank you. thank you all! have a wonderful thanksgiving. consider yourselves hugged!

-Sister WIser

ps- funny/stupid spanish moment for the week.  Sister Jiminez invited us over for thanksgiving(yay!) and she was asking us what we like to eat with our families.  So i was like "pos, usualmente comemos polvo." - I was trying to say turkey- which is 'PAVO' - but instead i mixed the word "pollo"- which is chicked- and something else.  "Polvo= dust.  So i guess we eat dust for thanksgiving. haha embarrassing.  We had a pretty good laugh out of that one.  Yay. =D

 

Have a great one!! 

November 18, 2013

hahaha funny picture.  Oh ps- sister garry and I want to be roommates at BYU. And if we dont get into byu we want to go to Uvu but live in byu housing. so yea. we decided that.  =D lov eyou!!

Yay louis got baptized!!! yay!!!

HELLO!!!!

 Another week down.  SO crazy. =D So- we got transfer news.  And sister Ninataype and I are staying together for another 6 weeks. We are super pumped! We already have our christmas cards planned out!  I love my companion. So fun. 

So this week has been literally the craziest/weirdest/most draining week of my entire mission so far.  Remeber Louis? Yeah.  We have just had a crazy week with everything. So last monday- during his interview the doctors called his wife into go.  We found out that she was being tested for cancer.  So after the interview, the elders gave Hermana Patricia a blessing. All was well.  Louis super passed his interview and was ready to get baptized. Our district leader also talked to the ward mission leader and the bishop- and all was well.   So we came and emailed and did the rest of the random things that we needed to do.  Then we were going to go bowling for a zone activity.  So we get to the alley at 3:15.  we walk through the door and say hello and whateves.  Then we get a call from hermana Patricia.  And we both just got this sinking feeling.  I just kept thinking 'oh no!!'. Sister Ninataype answered the phone and I instantly knew that something was wrong.  She was speaking rapid fire spanish, and was totally freaking out. She kept saying that Louis wasn't going to get baptized.  So Sister Ninataype finally got a word in and said "where are you? we are coming right now." So we left the activity and went to their house.  We got there at 3:30 and didn't leave until 7:30.  It was probably the longest day of my entire life. We found out that Patricia has STAGE 4 breast cancer. And that she had a appointment the next morning to figure out what she needs to do about the treatments.  It is her second bout with it. (the first time was stage 3.  She had a Mastectomy and 3 hefty stages of chemo.)  And because of the tension they were both freaking out.  Both just scared out of their minds.   With the tension came fighting, and he ended up leaving, slamming the door behind him.  We stayed another hour, just praying and talking with sister patricia.  It was crazy.  I just felt so helpless, and I don't have very many life experiences.  But we were able to testify of Christ and his healing power and his miracles.  And actually we had a crazy thing happen.  We went to walmart before this entire thing- to print off some pictures, and so Oscar and Mina could get their pictures from their wedding.  And when I was paying for the pictures I had this feeling to get 20 dollars in cash, I knew there was some in their from my birthday.  I usually don't do that, but I did and put it in my wallet.  And while I was sitting there talking with her, I remembered the 20 dollars in my wallet. and had this strong impression to give it to her.  At first I was really worried about it, because people get offended and stuff, and I didn't want to seem weird.  So I dismissed it.  But like five minutes later the same impression came back- but even stronger. So I gave it to her, and at first she wouldn't take it.  But then I shared our story.  When Mom had cancer.  And just asked her to take it.  Then I was able to share my testimony again.  So we left her that night, and she was feeling somewhat better (i hope anyways).  and on the way out we saw Louis.  So we talked to him as well. Left him with a prayer.  And even though it was crazy- i just knew it would work out.  So the next day we go over again. at 8:30.  and we sit down.  And both of them are super chill, holding hands. So everything was good.  Then Patricia looked me straight in the eyes and said "Sister Wiser, thank you for the 20 dollars you gave me yesterday" Then she went on to explain that the appointment was going to cost 75 dollars.  So her son pulled 80 dollars out of her account.  But when they got there they found out the appointment was 100 dollars.  If  I wouldn't have followed that prompting, and given her the 20 dollars, she wouldn't have been able to have her appointment.  And the most they could pull out of her son's account was 80, because of rent and stuff.  It was crazy.  She just kept saying thank you. That was a wonderful birthday miracle. I feel so blessed to be able to take part in little miracles.  And Heavenly father always provides for his children when they have faith.  That experience was a little tender mercy for me. I wouldn't have wanted to use the birthday money in any other way.  Heavenly father is SOOOO great!! He just gets everything right- even to the tiny dollar amounts.  We didn't bring up the baptism that night- because it was 9:00 and we had to get back home.  But on exchanges on wednesday (with sister Garry and Sanchez) Sister Ninataype when over and re-set the Baptismal Date for Saturday!  So all is well. and we had the program, once again and the ward all on board, we had plans to combine it with another baptism that our district leader was having.  So all is well, then Firday night rolls around. and we were sleeping. and all of a sudden the phone went off.  At 11:45.  Patricia said that Louis got called into work tomorrow. and that he couldn't change it or get it off.  We were like NOOOOOO!!!  Satan did not want this man to get baptized! so we got out of bed and had a prayer that everything would work out.  We went back to sleep and woke up saturday morning.  We literally tried everthing in our power to have the baptism, but every single thing we tried fell through.  We literally did ALL that we could do.  So sunday rolls around and we call patricia and find out that Louis got out of work at 3:00.  So we set up the baptism for Sunday night at 5:30.  AND we were determined to make it happen.  So was Louis and Pati. So sunday rolls around. and I was literally praying ALL DAY LONG. 4:15 rolls around and we still hadn't heard anything from them.  So we called Pati. and she was like "hermanas!! he just got home from work!! we are coming!!".  I was so happy.  We said a thank you prayer.  Then prayed that their car wouldn't break down, or that a T-rex wouldn't fall out of the sky and eat him. literally- with all the craziness, anything could have happened.  So he Got there and was baptized at 5:30 on sunday.  It was beautiful.  Sister ninataype and I gave the talks, then we sang.  Then he was baptized by a brother in the ward. The spirit was beautiful. And he looked SO happy and at peace after his baptism.  We talked to him after and he said that he felt 20 pounds lighter.  That the burden he had carried for so long was completely lifted.  That is the miracle of the atonement.  That is why I am a missionary.  I love this work! I know that God works miracles.  We see them every single day.  It is such a blessing.  Love you all sooooooo much! have a wonderful week.  There was so much other stuff that happened this week to. but i just don't have time to tell it! dang.  O well. Erick is getting baptized this following sunday- and he is already doing missionary work.  He is our neighbor, and he knocked on our door at like 10:15 at night.  and we answered it (after we looked through the peep hole, don't worry daddy) and he was like "hey sisters! my friend here wants to know about Joseph smith. Can you talk to him?' haha so we set up a return appointment with him. It was great! miracles miracles!!

Love yall!

-Sister wiser

Hello family and Friends!!!

Thank you ALL so much for the birthday cards, letters, and packages!! I am such a spoiled missionary!! Thank you all!  You will all receive a letter- haha it might take me a few weeks- But you will.  Thanks for making my birthday special!

ALSO!!- I would like to give a shout out to my new cousin ADAM!!! He was born on my birthday!! YAY!! Congrats Deana and Michael!! He is beautiful!!

SOOOO this week was literally INSANE. and GREAT. and really insane. =D So we had the 3 day leadership training.  And we always see crazy miracles during the trainings. So all the Zone leaders, district leaders, and STL's come from all over the mission- and it is like 3 days of intense spiritual learning (like the MTC) compacted into 3 days.  Then during the evenings- they put us with a different companion- to go out and work and see miracles.  and MY oh MY!! we saw miracles!! last week we found 8 new investigators.  it was literally crazy.  And I got to work with my mission mom! Sister Sanders!! It was so fun to get to work with her again. She is such a wonderful BOLD missionary.  Man- President has really focused a lot on opening your mouth and talking to everyone- so we have been.  and it has been really cool.  There was one guy though- that had got a hold of anti-mormon- material- and he was... difficult.  But Sister sanders just testified boldly I loved one thing that she said "Brother, we are called as representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ, by a living prophet.  We are here to call people to repentance." then we both shared strong testimonies with him..and basically called him to repentance (with love. bold love) . and left. but it was crazy! But it is true!! WE ARE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SAVIOR!! Our calling is real- and the time is now!!  I have really tried to start teaching and inviting with more urgency.  Because- really the salvation of human souls is at stake.  I feel so blessed to have this calling! yay!! I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!!  So my birthday was tuesday! and our zone leaders and district leader and his companion (E. barrionuevo, barth, garcia, and knighton) came and knocked on our door at 7:00.  We were kinda of exercising so we had to run and put decent clothing on. haha.- but we answered. and they made a Gluten Free bithday cake for me! it was so nice!! and sang.  Hahah it was the first cake any of them had ever made- and I knew it was GF because one of them muttered (yeah.. it was kinda expensive) haha. YUP. I thought it was great.  Then they sang to me in english and spanish.  Then- at the training ALL the missionaries sang to me at lunch time.  Ha I actually turned red in my face. it was fun though.  Sister Ninataype worked with sister myers- and they set a baptismal date with our next door neighbor and his brother! Erick is SOOOO prepared it is nuts.  We have had a lesson every day with him since- and he came to church.  It is so cool- because he has really truly been searching for this.  and he loves the book of mormon.  You will hear more details in the future.  But he is super cool! and he is going to get baptized this month!!

THIS IS THE CRAZY PART!!- Remember our investigator louis?  We we lost contact with him since last sunday- he just found a new job and has been working like crazy. (if you dont remember- he is the husband of patricia- that was taught and baptized by Johnny Crimm)  And our commitment for him last time was to pray with his wife- about a date. Because he is literally ready for any day this month.  So- we weren't able to follow up with him until last night.  We didn't have any plans to go over and see their family- but We had a tiny little spiritual prompting to go over.  And he had walked in moments before we went and knocked on the door.  So we started with a prayer and started up with following up- seeing if he prayed.  And he said that he had prayed and that he wanted to as soon as possible- But his new work schedule takes up ALL of his evenings- including sundays.  But then he said "but i have tomorrow off." Then Sister Ninataype and I looked at eachother- then asked "Louis, would you like to be baptized tomorrow?" and he said YES!!! and got the biggest smile on his face! and his wife looked SOOOOO suprised!!  So we called the ward mission leader- and prayed a lot- ALL is well for the baptism tonight!  We set up the program- and he passed his interview. SO he is getting baptized today!!!! It has been such a miracle!!!!! So you will get pictures next week.  It has been a crazy day.  But at 5:30 Louis Saucedo is getting baptized. happy day!!

It was a great great week!  Thanks again for all the birthday wishes!  I know that God is a God of miracles!  He answers prayers. He knows the things that we need- and when we pray- FULL of faith- he will answer.  Love you all!!

Do some missionary work!

-Love

---Sister WIser =D

 Best package ever!! Thanks mommy and grandma!!! i am spoiled for sure

 This is the present lay out. haha- we had so much fun opening all of them!! it was great

 This is a super ugly picture of me.  But it was at 7:00 in the morning... haha and i was happy! because i got cake!! thanks Elders!! They sang to me then we all ate cake and ice cream at 7 in the morning. haha only on the mission. how great. =D

 this is the birthday cake. yummy

  This is me and sister ninataype, and elder barrionuevo after they all sang to me at lunch! thanks for the dress momma!

this is me holding a toad.  it was super freezing this day! and had rained all night long- and there were frongs in the back of the elders truck.  i am not sure why. haha funny.

Culebra-snake/Corbata-tie- What the!! im 21 this week!!

 Oscar and Mina invited us to carve pumpkins for halloween! it was fun! we made up some pretty great analogies of how we are like pumpkins- and applied it to the gospel! super fun!!

 This is a little girl that helped me play the piano at a baptism. hahaha. it was. interesting. So cute though. =D

 Here is a picture of all the STL's. we had a meeting with President and the ap's

 The entire cast. =D haha

This is a picatures of the Mcallen zone!!! As a zone we surpassed our goal for the month of october and helped 26 souls enter the waters of baptism!!

These are all the 'arboles' y 'jose smith' from the play. hahaha =D 

Hello wonderful family and friends!!! 

Thank you all for the birthday messages and cards. =D I feel so loved. This past week was literally crazy! and wonderful. and crazy!! I have some great miracles and a pretty good embarrassing one. so here we go!

This week we had a bunch of great lessons and things set up.  Remember JC? his real name is Jose Carlos- but everyone calls him JC. Anyways he went MIA for about 2 1/2 weeks. And we could not find him anywhere.  But then this week on Sunday we went over to Oscar and Mina's house and he was there! So we sat down and had a lesson with them.  At the first of every lesson we follow up with the commitments/invitaions that we left them with the time before (like baptismal date, reading the scripts, praying, church...ect.) The past visit we had invited mina and Oscar to read the book of mormon together.  And it was the 3rd or 4th time that they hadn't done it.  We were SOOOO sad. Before we started the lesson- we were all laughing and telling stories and stuff- but after we found out that they hadn't been reading their scriptures Sister Ninataype and I got really serious.  Because as missionaries- our role is truly to invite people to come unto Christ by making and keeping commitments.  Commitment helps people to repent and to change. Helps them to apply the basics of the gospel and truly come closer to christ.  When they don't do the little things like come to church- read the scriptures- pray...ect- they are litterally shutting themselves off from the Lords help and blessings. So anyways- we are sitting in Oscar and Mina's little tiny one bedroom apartment, - we had planned to do a recap of the plan of salvation- but sister ninataype and i both knew that if we let it slide they would never see the importance of the scriptures.  So we both bore strong and very bold testimonies on reading the scriptures- and the importance of doing the little things.  - All of this was done with love, don't worry.  Sisters always love. =D-  There was this one point that i looked at oscar.. and i could just tell he wasn't getting it.  So i called him by name and said 'Oscar, the book of mormon is another testatament of jesus christ.  It is holy scripture that can speak directly to you and answer any questions that you have. When you don't take time to read the scriptures, it is like you are looking God in the face and telling him that you don't want or dont have the time for the answers and the revelations that he has put in there directly for you.' bold right? man- I didn't realize what I had siad until after I said it. I then followed that up with a strong testimony how the book of mormon and had answered the questions that I have had in my life. and how God would answer their specific questions if they would take the time to read. After that- we read the chapter that we had invited them to read last time.  it was 3 nefi 11.  Which is when Christ comes to the Americas! what a powerful chapter!!!! We took turns reading it out loud, and the spirit was there super strong.  It was wonderful. We were once again able to testify of the truth of the Book of Mormon. That it truly is another testament of Jesus Christ.  And that he loves us enough to invite us one by one to feel the prints of the nails in his hands and his feet.  he loves us.  I know he does... because he loves me.  I have seen the power of the atonement work in my life and in the lives of my loved ones.  The atonement truly can heal any broken heart or wounded soul. No matter the damage it can be fixed throught the merits and mercies of our Lord Jesus Christ. What a blessing!! It was so powerful! Especially with our Recent Converts.  And JC was in there the entire time as well.  After we had read a little bit it started talking about baptism.  And oscar and Mina both turned and started teaching JC about the imporance of baptism!!!! it was AWESOME!!!!  We then invited him again to be baptized.  he is preparing for November 24. Pray for him!! he needs this and wants it. Wahooo!! miracles!!!

THEN- we were at church last sunday- and there is a lady, names Patricia, that was baptized in April with her daughter by Elder Crimm- who went to high school with me and Sis. Ninataype.  And her husband, Louis, has been coming to church, and wants to change his life. And so we are teaching him!! Tonight we have a lesson planned with him and we are going to set a baptismal date with him sometime in the next 2 weeks.  Pray that he can feel the spirit!  it is amazing the miracles that we witness! God truly does put prepared people in our path.  It is crazy- because we don't even have to worry about getting him come to church- because he has already been coming.  He is an amazing man- and he has had a very very tough life. But God has really led him.  Every time he see's us he tells us thank you for coming.  It has been such a blessing to teach him!  oh!! also- he is a professional chef.  So he cooks really great gluten free things for us. YAY. =D haha blessing all around.

AND- I work in the best ward in the world.  I LOVE MY SPAINISH WARD SOOOO MUCH!! Ah man they are great.  This week they did a ward FHE- for us to invite our investigators to and for members to come.  And they asked us to do a play of the restoration! SO- yup- I directed and wrote a play on my mission. Odd. haha sometimes the mission is odd.  But I made this legit script of the restoration and put music to the entire thing.  We only practiced once but it was great.  We have 6 companionships of missionaries serving in our ward. So it was a blast. The spirit was there super strong as well. I was happy with it- and i got to play the piano the entire time. so that was fun.  haha my favorite part was during the part of the actual first vision.  We didn't have any costumes- so i made signs with everyone's characters on it.  So there was one for 'Jose Smith'(joseph smith) and 'Arbol'(tree) and then we had narrators that did the speaking parts and all the other missionaries would act out what aws happening in the script.  In the part of the fist vision- Joseph smith was holding a picture of the actual 1st vision (we thought that would be more appropriate) with all the other misionaries standing around them in hilarious tree poses.  With their Signs on their necks that sais 'arbol'. it was super funny- but also very spiritual. After elder Montiel had recited the 1st vision- they all sang the last verse of Joseph smith's first prayer.  it was very powerful.  It was a great experience. and fun for everyone. =D

And here is the embarrassing story for the week. it is a spanish mistake. So- we were at the ward activity with Louis and Patricia. and for some reason they were telling us about this odd TV show they were watching about how these crazy animals would bite people. Like lions.. and bears.. and lizard/snake things.. So i Decided it would be fun to share my experience when i was like 9 and got bit by the boa constructor at Grandma's neighbors house.  Do you remember that?  haha i guess i can't really forget it.  So i start to explain it and i say 'Si, y mi mordio una corbata!!!'  everyone pauses for a moment and then just starts laughing their heads off. and i was confused- because that is not the normal reaction i get when i tell that story.  So i think about what i said- and sister ninatayped was laughing so hard that she was doubled over.  And then i realized that i had said  'Yeah! and then a neck tie bit me!' oh m an.. I was so embarrassed! but it was all fun.  So watch out ye humans that wear ties- they might bite you.

Haha well. I have to run! i hope you all have a wonderful week! love you! and thanks for the all the birthday-ness.

LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU ALL!!

-Sister Wiser