June 2, 2014

Hello!  and Happy June!!

This week was super wonderful!  and crazy. as usual. =D We have been working a lot with less actives- trying to find people and help them to come back. And before Sister Price and I came to the area a less active named Brother Perez called the other sisters and asked them to come over and help them to come back to church.  The sisters got transferred-but left us a note about it.  So we called and set up an appointment for last sunday.  Bro Perez and his daughter Savannah was there.  We had a boss lesson with them.  They are so prepared and ready to come back to the fold.  Savannah was talking about what she remembered from her childhood about the church.  Her dad took her when she was little a few times, all the other sundays she went to the catholic church with her Mom.  And she said that she remembered the things that they taught in the LDS church better- that is stuck to her and related to her in her life. We shared the restoration with her and she accepted a date to be baptized!! It was great.  Her dad is super ready to come back as well!  Then after we started talking about community service- and how they require 50 hours of community service for every senior to graduate from high school. (she will be a senior this upcoming year).  SOOOOO we invited our investigator to come visit our other investigator in the hospital!! -Sandie- the one that had triple bypass surgery and was staying in a nursing home to recover.  So we arranged for a member to go and pick up Savannah and to give us a ride to visit Sandie at the hospital.  I was on exchanges with a sweet new sister, Sister Acosta.  So we went! and it was such a wonderful experience.  I was a little nervous- because it was only our 2nd time talking with Savannah- so we weren't sure how she would take it.  We didn't want her to feel uncomfortable.  But it went really well.  Sandie was sooooo happy to have visitors.  We went in and asked Sandie where she was at in the Book of Mormon.  She is in 3 nephi!!!!  WAHOOOO!! that was a miracle.  We aksed her where she had finished off- and she had just finished 3 nephi chapter 10.  Heavenly father literally hand picked 3 nephi 11 to read together.  It couldn't have been more perfect.  So we read and had a little book of Mormon study.  Then Sandie started to share her testimony.  It was super powerful- how she is so ready to be baptized and how she knows this church is true...ect.  I looked over at Savannah to see how she was reacting and she had HUGE tears streaming down her face. When she saw us looking over at her- she said, "I am sorry! I don't know why I am crying.  I just feel SOOO good and happy right now!"  Overall it was a miracle.  I also took my guitar and we sang a bunch of songs.  It was a wonderful experience all around.  I am so glad that we followed the spirit and invited Savannah to come and visit our investigator Sandie!! When we follow promptings- even if they sound crazy- the Lord can work miracles and help everyone to feel the spirit.  It was great. Then on Saturday we had an awesome church tour with them.  Invited them to come to the chapel.  We took Bro Perez' home teacher with us to fellowship.  It turned out super great.  Usually when we do church tours we show them around the buildings and give a brief summary of the classes. Then end in the chapel. The focus is the sacrament- because that is the most important thing.  So we read the sacrament prayer and talk about the blessings and the role that Christ has in helping us overcome ALL the things that we need help with.  Then I usually pick a hymn to play on the piano- while they read the words of the hymn and ponder on the meaning.  Saturday I felt strongly that I should play 'Where can I turn for Peace".  It brought a beautiful spirit into the room- as they pondered on Christ.  After we asked what the song meant to them- and they both had a connection.  It made Savannah tear up.  She said, "man! I always cry when I am with you guys!!" But then talked about how this is what she needed right now. That she was ready to make the change in her life so she could feel the peace.  AND- DRUMROLLL- They came to church!!! And it was great!  I love prepared people!  

Sandie finally was able to go home this week from the nursing home.  She had a really miserable time there- So we are happy that she is home.  Right now she is preparing to be baptized on the 15th of June.  But it all depends on her recovery from her crazy heart surgery.  So pray for her!! that she can heal!!! She is so optimistic and ready to learn.

I wanted to share a scripture today that has been in my brain lately- I might have already shared it... but that's okay! repetition means it is important!!  SO- 3 nephi 11:14-15.

I love this verse because Christ is inviting us- personally to come to him.

14 Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust‍ your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel‍ the prints of the nails in myhands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God‍ of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sinsof the world.

I was thinking... hmmmmmm. Why did Christ do that?  Why did he take the time to invite every single person up one by one?  They were all there and could hear his voice and see him.  Why then, did he give them each a personal invitation? And I realized that it is because he really does love 'THE ONE'. Not 'the one' group of people- but 'THE ONE'- those individual souls.  He sees us each as we are- and loves us perfectly.  He took the time to show that personal love to strengthen every one of the people that were in that crowd.  I think it is amazing.

15 And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did‍ feel the prints of the nails in hishands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and didfeel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that shouldcome.

I was really trying to put myself in the shoes of those people.  Having the chance to walk up to feel the prints of the nails in the saviors hand.  IT would probably be a long walk to actually get to him.  What would I be thinking? What would I have said if I had the opportunity to see him face to face?  What would I DO? I am not really sure what I would do exactly.. but I can just feel the love that I have grown for the savior.  What a wonderful experience those people had!! And the invitation is the same for us- To come and know the savior.  To study his life and apply his atonement in our lives. and then in return- to go and nurture 'The One'. The friend that is struggling, the less active that you were assigned to home teach, The little kids in the primary.  The list goes on and on!  And WE have the chance to help in the wonderful work. what a blessing!  Savannah felt that when she came to visit sandie with us- and it helped in her personal conversion.  If we want to come to know the savior- we have to do what he would do- the best we can.  -That has been in my thoughts these past couple of weeks.  I have been trying so hard to focus on 'THE ONE' and do as the savior would do.  It makes such a difference. 

Last night we had a cool expierence- we were walking down the street- and Johnny was outside.  He was a referral that we had received and contacted- but he didn't have time to meet that day.  So we ran into him again and invited him to listen for a few minutes.  So we started with a prayer- and this really rough looking kid with tattoos and gages walked out the front door and asked us what we were doing.  So we introduced ourselves and invited him to listen too.  And he actually sat down with us and participated in the lesson. As we talked about the restoration and the love that God has for us- his entire countenance changed.  Completely changed.  He started to open up- and you could see his desire to be filled with God's love always.  At the end of the lesson we invited them both to be baptized- and Ryan accepted without hesitation.  We asked him Why he wanted to be baptized. he said "I just feel like this is the thing I am missing.  I want to feel like this more."  He didn't have words to describe the spirit- so we helped him to recognize it.  It was so amazing!!  It just shows the importance of loving everyone- and not judging based on outward appearance.  I love those little reminders I receive. =D  Pray for RYAN too!!

This week was a wonderful one!! I am already excited to work and see the miracles that will unfold this upcoming week.  I know that I am no where near perfect,  but I am so HAPPY that the Lord is willing to guide me.  That he is willing to let me feel the joy that comes through inviting others to come unto Christ.  There is no feeling like it in the world!  I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY.  It means the world to me.

Love you all!! Have a wonderful wonderful week.

Hermana Wiser

This is Layla!! She is wonderful little girl we are teaching.  she is soooooo sweet!!

When I went back to McAllen I got to go visit Elena and Lesly!!!! They are so wonderful!!

Here are the STL's of the TMM. =D  so fun!!

Sister Price, Sister Rich and I visiting Sandie at the nursing home!  Love all of them!!

ELder WARD!!  hahahah his grandma is in our home ward!!  We are in the same district.  He is hilarious. =D

This little boy is AJ. He is crazy.  And was running around with a bucket on his head.  Then he came and put it on me!! haha it was funny.