July 14, 2014

Hello Familia!!

This week has been legitimately crazy and wonderful. hmmm where to start.  Well- from the title you can probably guess that I contracted another sinus infection!! yay!! So that was the first adventure of the week.  My dear sweet companion took really good care of me- don't worry.  This one was pretty strong- I lost my voice- haha so imagine a very congested sister wiser, testifying between coughing fits in a 3-pack-a-day- smoker voice. It was pretty great. We saw some huge miracles from it though!!  First of all- we had planned to go to Beeville to do an exchange with some hermanas up there... but with my snotty state we rescheduled it for this upcoming week.  At first I was super bummed- because I was excited to go and help the sisters- and I hate it when plans are messed up because of me- BUT it turned into a wonderful miracle.  Since we weren't in Beeville we went out and worked with Debra (I know in the past I have spelled her name like 12 different ways- I found out that this is the correct spelling).  She is great.  She smokes about a pack a day- So we bumped up the word of wisdom lesson in our teaching schedule so we could start to help her give it up.  We took a wonderful member with us Monday- to teach about the gospel and repentance- it went really well.  AND- before we had even taught the word of wisdom

 lesson our dear member said "sister, I notice that you have a smoking problem!  don't worry we are here to help you overcome it!"  You have to realize that the member is a legit Texan- She is fancy with bleach blonde hair, wears her cowgirl boots to church- Always done up.  After that sentence she started talking about the negative effects of smoking to your beauty and health. It was pretty funny.  She brought it up with love though.  The next day we went with a different member to teach the Word of Wisdom.  His name is brother burke- and he is probably one of my favorite people that I have ever met on my mission.  remember the squirrel story in elders quorum?  We are talking about the same guy.  he has long surfer dude hair, he is in his late 50's, and he is hilarious. So we go through the things that we can't have, and talk about the blessings- THEN we start to make plans with her to help her quit.  She just kept looking at us like "you really wanna take my cigarettes away from me too?"- we sad puppy dog eyes. we just smiled.  SO THEN (this is the best part) Brother Burke started using this analogy.  Here it is.

          "One Day a lady got a brand new puppy.  The puppy was cute and white and little.  She took it to the vet because it had to get its tail cut off.  While she was in the waiting room she - waiting for her little doggie to go back, she kept hearing the yelps and barking of the other dogs in the back- who were undergoing the same procedure. The owner got more and more anxious as the moments past.  Finally her turn arrived and she walked her cute little puppy back to see the vet.  She felt so bad that it had to have the procedure that she asked the vet, "Please!! don't hurt it tooo much!  Only take off a little today. Then we will come back next week, and you can take a little more. So the Vet only cut up the first little bit of the puppy's tail.  The following week she took the dog back.. and the procedure was repeated until the entire tail was cut off of the poor little puppy."  -Gruesome right!!  But it makes a great point!  Debra was like "oh my word!  that is horrible!!! just cut it off all at the same time." then she had the realization that that was what she needed to do with the smoking and said "OHHHHH that is what I should do too!! Drat!"  Haha it was pretty funny.  She wouldn't go cold turkey- but she has cut down to half this past week.  we took a jesus card and wrote the number 10 on it and stuck it in her cigarette box.  Then we gave her a picture of jesus to look at when she smokes.  She has been doing really great- and got a blessing on sunday from the elders.  it was really beautiful.  pray for her to stop smoking!!!  Her daughter Breanna had a birthday party this week too.  we (meaning I)

will send you pictures. =D

So we went through out the rest of the week- and went to teach Debra the 10 commandments on Saturday- and one of Breanna's little friends sat in on the lesson.  At the very end of it Arwin(her little friend) said, "Man, my mom and sister need to hear this.  can you talk to them too?"  So right after the lesson we went and started talking to the mom and sister.  The mom wasn't interested. But the sister, Jessica started asking us questions.  So we went and sat down with her and had a BOSS restoration lesson.  She really is going through a hard time- and she felt the spirit super strong. You could tell by the way she changed.  She struggles with same gender attraction- and has been super lost and alone.  We invited her to prepare to change her life and be baptized- she accepted right away.  THEN she committed to come to church.  SO sunday morning- We were running around like crazy (getting ready for Izabelles baptism, and practicing for the special musical number that we sang for ward conference)- we walked into sacrament meeting and Jessica, Arwin, Debra, and Breanna were all sitting in the second row!! SUCH A MIRALCE!! After we left they were all outside talking and decided to carpool.  So wonderful- because debra didn't have a ride.  God works in mysterious ways!!  So bottom line- I was blessed with a sinus infection so that we would stay home from Beeville, so that we could find Jessica. =D  QUE MILAGRO!!

ALSO- Izabelle got baptized!! It was SOOO wonderful.  Her non member family came- Her dad is catholic.  But he seemed to be really touched by the spirit.  AND her younger brother (who is 8) mentioned that he wanted to get baptized too.  So many miralces! All because Savanna invited her family to her baptism.   Izabelle is so sweet!  She was so excited too.  We asked a brother, who is a recent convert of about 3 years, to baptize her.  And they had to do it 3 times because her arm kept sticking out.  But the 3rd time was perfect.  She is squeaky clean. =D  It was a beautiful service- and we had wonderful ward support.  The ward is just on fire!!  I will send pics in a sec. 

Then to top of the night- we were crazy busy all day and we weren't able to go to the Spanish  branch to see if rosa and her family went.  We called and the phone wasn't working.  I got asked randomly to play the piano in primary- so we ended up staying in the English ward. (we were also juggling Jessica, Arwin, Debra, and Breanna. Getting Debra a blessing to help her overcome her addiction, AND doing Izabelles interview- All at the same time) it was crazy.  So we were doing follow-ups with our district leader and he was like- Good job getting Rosa to church.  And we both were like.." uh.. Huh??  ELder, Rosa didn't go to church, the four that we sent in for the actuals was Jessica Arwin, Debra, and Breanna."  He just started laughing and said.  "sisters, Rosa came to church!  We thought you knew!"  SO WE HAD 8 INVESTIGATORS AT CHURCH YESTERDAY. Such a blessing. The elders said that she loved it. SO prepared!!! we are super excited!!  we were so sad before- because we were going to have to drop their baptism date for the 27- but since they came they are still good!! wahooo!!  The lord is blessing us with so many miracles.  I love being a missionary!! Even with a sinus infection.  Keep on keeping.  Enjoy the week! have fun at EFY  Stanton and Shelby!!  Learn something great.  LOVE YA!!!!

-Over and out

--Sister Wiser

Stanton- you probably cant see the sign on the building in the background0 but it has your name on it!! that is the best picture I could get. hahah. =D

This is me... being a Texan!  haha =D with a boot.

We gave a helmet safety training in District meeting.  With a watermelon.  =D hahah. it was great.  Wear a helmet and tighten it correctly!!

This is Debra- if you look really close in her cigarette box you can see the picture of jesus sticking out at the top. =D  haha she is hilarious.  During the entire WOW lesson she was cracking jokes about rumcake and stuff. love her.

Sandie made me this quilt!! haha =D I love it.  =D such a treasure.

this is us during lunch. hahah that is our apartment.  your are welcome momma. =D

She is SOOOO sassy!  haha. We love her. =D  happy 10th birthday!!

THis is Breanna's birthday party!  she LOVES hello kitty.  We make her the pink and white "prayer" bracelet.

Izabelles baptism!!!

Savanna and I- yay for selfies

We lost the keys- for 45 minutes.  we literally tour the house apart to find them.  All the congestion was messing with my brain.  So I said a prayer- and I looked at the wall.  And Grandma Wiser was watching them for me!!  Thanks Grandma!  hahahaha we laughed pretty hard. love ya granny!

July 7th, 2014

Howdy Folks!

This week was super wonderful! We took another road trip down to Mcallen for MLC.  That was super fun. We went down Tuesday afternoon to go and blitz some of the other sisters areas.  I got to work in Mission East with sister Campbell.  She is wonderful!  We had a great time.  We were going to find one of their investigators- but she wasn't home.  BUT- the lady gave us a referral for the neighbor.  SO we immediately went to knock on the door. This girl answered and after a few minutes of talking with her she said, "hmmm I think I want to join your church, do you have time to come inside?".  MISSIONARY DREAM COME TRUE!! We went in and taught her and her twin sister.  in the middle of the lesson their mother walked in- turns out she was a former!  We set them on a date and left.  I am excited to see how they are progressing.  The Lord blesses us with miracles!!

MLC was really great. It is always really great.  The AP's gave a training on fasting- and reminded us of the experience that we had last November- when we hit out goal of 113 as a mission.  We had a mission fast in order to reach the goal- and we received SOO many blessings.  Elder Grant (one of the AP's) asked all the missionaries that were in that MLC to raise their hands.  AND only sister Kreis, Elder Grant, and I were in that meeting!  All the other zone leaders and STL's are new.  You can call me Abuelita Wiser- haha most of the sisters do.  Pretty crazy.  This month we are reapplying these principals so we can hit our goal this month.  We had like a 6 hour training on setting and reaching goals.  It was pretty legit.

We had another wonderful lesson with Izabelle!  She is SOOO prepared!  Her original baptismal date was for the 20th of July- BUT we moved it up to the 13th!!!  Our ward is taking a youth temple trip and Savanna and Isabelle want to go!! SO EXCITING!!! So we moved up Izabelle's baptismal date so they can go do baptisms for the dead.  IT is such a miracle. AND- Savanna told us that she wants to go on a mission!!! Sister Price and I were dying.  We are So excited!  Looks like we might be coming back again to go through the temple with Savanna in about a year and a half.  SO exciting.  She is going to be the most wonderful missionary.  She is already sharing the gospel with her friends and family. Pray for her that everything works out. 

Debra came to church this past Sunday with her daughter!! that has been another wonderful blessing. She even signed up to bring food to a ward activity that we are having in a few weeks.  Pretty great!  We had a church tour with her- and some of the greatest members came with us.  The cornwell family-  Brother Cornwell is a convert of 3 years-  His wife helped him to find the truth!  AND THEY ARE SO STRONG!!  It was a wonderful experience to have them there, testifying.  Keep Debra and Breeana in your prayers. 

We had to go in early on the 4th of July.  Texans go BIG on the 4th.  So for safety reason we had to be in early.  We didn't know what to do with ourselves.  So we ate a huge tub of ice cream and read the scriptures!  Yay book of Mormon read-a-thon. I have really been enjoying reading it through it again.  I decided to read it for the "read the BOM before Sister Wiser gets home challenge" in English. It is super weird!  I haven't really read the BOM in English for more that a year.  But is has been fun.  I love the Book of Mormon! It really is another testament of Jesus Christ. =D

We get a normal work week this week without meetings!! So that is fun.  We are ready to pound the pavement.  On Friday and Saturday we are going to a little town called Beeville to work with some sisters there.  (Sister Welch and her greenie) So that will be fun!  Beeville is the most northern city in our mission.  They are closer to the San Antonio mission home than to ours. hahaha. Pretty crazy. 

All is well is Corpus!  I love being a missionary! 

Have a wonderful week.  Invite someone to learn more about the savior.

-Hermana Wiser

The one car shot when we look crazy is when we found out that our investigator Rosa is on page 50 of the book of Mormon!  We gave it to her on sunday.  =D  cool!!

June 30, 2014

Me and sister Moffat!  We did this selfie- then realized after that Jesus was in it too. 

Sandie- the day of her conformation!  she is so wonderful!!

Brother and SIster Hull! Newest member of the Church in Corpus Christi!

This is a brown recluse we had to kill before we filled the baptismal font!! AHHHH.  We sent sister nail after it.  =D

Savanna's baptism!!! Love her so much!!!

THis is a gluten free fruit pizza thing that Sister hull make me! SO SWEET! Love them! 

These are my Chilean gorditas!!  Love them both!! Sister Acosta and Sister Sarmiento.  I am Chilean too. =D hehehe.

All the sisters of Corpus!!!  WAHOOO SISTER POWER

Wiser and Price =D yay compi's

Wonderful sister Neil from the office!  love her so much!!

Sister Price and I finished part of the Spanish program!!! wahoo!! Captian and Mayor!!

Hello family!!

This week was really wonderful!  We took a little road trip down to McAllen with ALL the sisters in the mission.  It was like a family reunion.  It was so great to see all the sisters together.  It was a wonderful uplifting meeting. Tuesday evening after the meeting we drove home (as quickly as the speed limit would permit) to make to it the lesson we had set up with Savanna!! She is such a Gem!  She invited her cousin Izabelle to come over to learn more.  We started by going over the restoration.  Savanna was such a strong help too!  She just kept testifying left and right.  There was a beautiful spirit in the room.  At the end of the restoration- we invite people to pray about it- so they can receive a spiritual confirmation.  So we invited Izabelle to pray- after teaching her how to pray.  She said the most sincere beautiful prayer.  it was so wonderful.  After her prayer, before we could even help her recognize the spirit, Savanna jumped in and said, "Do you feel it?  Did you get it? Did you get your answer? That good feeling is God talking to you."  Best Member present friend ever!! Izabelle looked so happy!  She had such a light in her eyes!  She accepted a date to be baptized the 20th of June.  Her and savanna had a sleep over that night and picked out their outfits for church together!  haha so cute. typical girls. It is so amazing to see the fire of a recent convert!!  Savanna is so solid!  So strong!!  And she is helping to bring her non member family AND her less active family back into the fold.  So wonderful. 

Thursday we had another meeting.  Zone conference.  It was really amazing.  Sister Price and I gave a training about being  humble and having companionship unity.  We role played having a companionship inventory.  It was fun (kinda awkward) but fun!  I always learn more in trainings than the other missionary humans do.  President Maluenda is such a powerful teacher!  I just love listening to him open up the scriptures and learning from the spirit.  He really emphasized that- Always listening to the spirit- not the words he said.  I played the piano for sister Sarmiento to do a musical number. and I had a stupid spanish greenie moment. haha We were practicing. and I was trying to tell sister sarmiento (in Spanish of course)  to use the microphone.  so I said, "Hermana sing into the microonda". She instantly started laughing and I realized that I had said Microwave.  Durdadur- sing into the microwave. hahaha.  The real word for Microphone is Microfono.  I have been teased ruthlessly all week. ;) hahaha.

THEN- the unthinkable happened.  At the end of every zone conference the missionaries that are leaving the mission get up and share their testimony.  The missionary name for that is 'Dying Testimony'. (because when you leave the mission it is kinda like dying? I don't know- haven't done it yet.) Anyways- they called for Sister Price's group. AND THEN THEY CALLED FOR MINE. I didn't believe it so I just sat in my pew.  Then I saw sister welch get up and walk to the front. She was beckoning for me to follow.  So I started walking up and as I passed President Maluneda I asked him if he was sure that it was my turn to give my dying testimony.  and he said "Si, Hermana".  And my jaw literally dropped off my face and hit the ground.  I was so surprised.  SO I was in shock and had tears from the shock, rolling down my face.  and had to give my dying testimony. It was the weirdest feeling in the entire world.  The time goes fast. I am just grateful for my mission.  I LOVE BEING  A MISSIONARY.  I am going to be a missionary for the rest of my life.  WATCH OUT PROVO NON MEMBERS.  I WILL FIND YOU. =D

So then after the meeting we had a feeling to go back to a potential lady- and we went in and she is super prepared. Her name is Myrna. Her and her son are learning more- so that was a testimony builder- FOLLOW THE SPIRIT. Her name kept coming back to Sister Price's head so we went and we saw a wonderful miracle!!

Saturday I got to do an exchange with my sweet little sister Sarmiento!!  The one from chile. I love her so much!!  We saw another huge miracle!! We were out pounding the pavement in the wonderful texas heat- AND we received a referral for this house.  So we stopped by and found a family of 8!  5 of them are baptismal age!  So exciting!  Sister price and I have been praying to find a family that can get baptized her last sunday in the mission.  And we found them!!!  They are preparing to come to church with us this upcoming sunday and accepted baptismal dates for the 27 of July.  Such a miracle!!  I will tell you more about them next week. But they are darling.  THey have 6 little kids. OH!! And they speak Spanish!!! We found a Spanish family in the great white north!!! haha such a miracle!!

Then Sunday after church- we were on our way to an appointment and we felt the impression to go by this lady that we had randomly met.  And she opened the door like she was waiting for us.  We taught her as well and she accepted a Baptismal date for the 27th as well.  SO many prepared people.  Her name is Deborah.  She is new to corpus and you can just tell that she has been struggling.  We are excited to help her find the peace. =D 

Well I hope you all have a wonderful week!  Keep doing good work!! Help the missionaries!

Love you!

-Hermana Wiser

PS- Happy 4th of July. Stanton- don't blow up anything important. ;) hahahaha

June 23, 2014

This week has been a wonderfully crazy week! The work is moving here in south texas!!  We have just been seeing sooooo many miracles! Savanna was baptized yesterday!!  it was such a wonderful service.   She was so ready for it too.  She showed up Saturday for her interview all ready.  Before that she went to buy a new dress to wear.  So cute. =D you will see it in the pictures. She invited a bunch of her non-member family members.  SO that was wonderful.  She is already spreading the gospel!!  Her cousin wants to learn too!  So we are going to start teaching her this upcoming week.  It is amazing the difference that one person makes.  Savanna is helping her family sooooo much!   She is such a wonderful example.  Her families home teacher, a brother from the ward, was able to baptize Savanna after working with their family for 4 years.  HOME TEACHING IS IMPORTANT!! It took four years- but now their family is even closer to heavenly father.  They (Savanna and Bro Perez) are preparing to go on the youth temple trip in about a month!  SO WONDERFUL!!!! It has been such a blessing to work with them.  At savannas baptism we took the guitar and did a rendition of 'when I am baptized'. the primary song that talks about rainbows and baptism.. haha =D it turned out really good.  And brought the spirit into the room.  it is amazing how much music can add!  Such a blessing.

Sandie was confirmed a member of the Church yesterday as well in sacrament meeting.  They are just the sweetest. They have become our Corpus Cristi  grandparents.  I love them so much!  Sister Price and I sang 'how great thou art' in sacrament.  It is brother Hulls favorite hymn.  So that was a nice little touch. 

Basically we have just been working our guts out in the blazing texas heat!  I forgot how HOT it is in the summer.  Haha it is character building. =D

This upcoming week we have an ALL sister meeting in Mcallen.  Road trip! hahah it is crazy having to drive so far for a meeting.  Then we have zone conference after that.  So that is going to be super fun. =D I am excited to go!  And I am ready to learn more!!

We had a crazy miracle this week!  literally crazy.  Haha so we had a member with us- her name is Morgan.  She is wonderful. She is engaged right now- and comes out with us every week.  So we had this crazy experience.  WE were going to a lesson with our new investigators that we found, Arnold and Brittany.  And we had planned to teach them about the book of Mormon.  BUT..... we forgot to put more copies in our car.  I had checked the night before and the car was completely out of copies of the Book of Mormon.  As we were driving over to their house I realized that we didn't have a Book of Mormon for the lesson! MISSIONARY NIGHTMARE!! (whoops.. lack of preparedness- don't worry I repented. :p)  Anyways So I said "Sister Price! Hurry say a prayer.  we need one!"  So she said a prayer right that moment.  She literally prayed for a 'random book of Mormon."  So we got out of the car to look in the trunk AND THERE WAS A RANDOM BOOK OF MORMON THAT APPEARED OUT OF NO WHERE. Heavenly father answers our prayers.  We went and had an awesome lesson with them!  Such a miracle.  Morgan, sister price and I were all so shocked!  Prayer works if you have faith! 

Well I hope you all have  a wonderful week! 

Love you all so much!!! enjoy this last week of JUNE. AHHHHH.  Time is flying.

-Hermana Wiser

June 16, 2014

Hello family!!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!   LOVE YOU DADDY!!!!

SOOOO- Transfers came in and I get to stay with Sister Price for her last transfer!! I am super excited for the upcoming weeks!  We have been so blessed.  This past week was incredible! We saw so many miracles!! Sandie Hull got baptized!! We had her interview on Thursday- then planned her baptism to be in a tiny town called kerville. (I have no idea where that is- except that it is in the San Antonio Mission) Sandie's Father in law is a super active member that lives in Kerville. Both Sandie and Brother Hull wanted him to be at the baptism- so we planned everything through our leaders for the baptism to be in kerville- and that night we got a call from President Maluenda to make sure all was well- THEN we got a call from the mission president of San Antonio!! So that was crazy.  It all went well, and was a beautiful experience for the Hull family. We wished that we could have been there- But were so happy that her father in law could be there. She is SOOOO sweet.  Sunday morning she sent us a text that said, "next time you see me we will ALL be members of Christ's Church."  She is so great!  When we went over for her interview- she made Gluten Free Fried chicken. She went to the store (yes this is the one that just had a triple bypass surgery a month ago) and found gluten free flour and made us all a huge dinner.  Then she had her interview.  After the interview she came out and said to her husband, "Jim! when do we get to get married again?"  She was talking about their temple sealing!  SO plan on coming with me to texas next year so we can go to Sandie's sealing!! WAHOOO!!

This is Savanna This past week she tried to open a window- and it shattered and cut her up.  Here are a few of her battle wounds.  crazy right?  Pray for the stitches to be out by the time of her baptism!!

Then Savanna!  She is preparing for this upcoming sunday! She is also SOOOO prepared!  We have taught her everything, she just needs to have her interview and she is ready for Sunday.  She has been loving church and keeps a scripture journal as she reads.  You can see the light in her eyes more and more every single day.  The cool thing too is that her Dad was baptized when he was 17.  His conversion story is really hilarious.  He said that when he was in high school he had a crush on this pretty girl.  he really wanted to talk to her- so one day he followed her home.  She was probably freaked out- so she sent her big brothers out to talk to him.  They took Bro- Perez in the house, sat him at the kitchen table and said, "You cant talk to our sister unless you read this book." -You got it!  it was a Book of Mormon!  AND HE READ IT.  He said at first it was to talk to the girl, but the more he read the more he knew it was true.  He called the missionaries and was baptized.  He is coming back too with Savanna.  SO that has been amazing. The ward is fellowshipping them wonderfully as well. Yay miracles!!

We found these sisters this week.  Their names are Iris and Margie.  Last week the elders did a blitz in our area- and contacted Iris.  They set a return appointment for last Monday evening.  We took a member with us to go to the appointment on Monday and it was so powerful! They are probably the most prepared people ever.  We were all in tears.  The spirit was SOOO strong.  Margie- the younger sister- said the last prayer, and She thanked the Lord for answering her prayer from the night before.  She had been praying for help, direction, and light.  We showed up the next day! It is amazing to be on the other end- being a tool to help answer peoples prayers.  Their family is going through a really really rough time right now- and the gospel is just what they need.  We met with them Wednesday and gave them their copies of the book of Mormon- Then had a boss church tour with them on Saturday!  It has been a miracle. Keep them in your prayers.  They are both so wonderful.

We have been incredibly blessed this past week.  There are so many more miracles that I want to share!! We were able to find 9 people this week.  Which is craziness.  Our planners are chuck full and we are staying busy!  Pray for the people! They ALL need the gospel. 

I had a really cool insight as I was reading the scriptures in my personal study this week.  Look up these two scriptures.  Mosiah 27:25-26 (one of my favorites) with 3 nephi 9:17.

 25 And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters; 26 And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.
Put with this scripture-17 And as many as have received me, to them have I given to become the sons of God; and even so will I to as many as shall believe on my name, for behold, by me redemption cometh, and in me is the law of Moses fulfilled.
I have been thinking about how we can really become sons and daughters of god lately- how we can develop our divine potential and do ALL we can to become like Heavenly Father in this life. The Mosiah scripture tells us that we need to be born again- changed from a carnal state to a state of righteousness. -  The nefi scripture tells us HOW we can be changed.  By receiving Christ. =D  And when we receive Christ we receive his gospel.  By living the Principles of the gospel we are literally changed.  We are all in a journey to become more like the savior.  by following his example and developing his attributes we are changed through his atonement.  And we become the Sons and Daughters of God.  This was on of my little light bulb moments this week!  =D makes sense right?
Well I love you all!!  hope you have a wonderful week!  I love being a missionary!
-Hermana Wiser

funny sign in Corpus. hahaha oh Texans.

having fun!! =D

I was being a hippie missionary!  My companion convinced me to try a middle part. weird.

found this funny sign!  fitting! hahah- keep it humble sister wiser. =D

This is Sandie hull!  She sews a lot and showed us a wedding dressed- so I could 'prepare to find my future husband'.  SO I tried on the veil she made. hahahaha  LOVE HER

Corpus Christi North District!  Elder Casteel, Elder Ward, Elder Esklesen, Elder Flores, Sister Welch, Sister Nail, Sister Price.  SO FUN! =D

June 9, 2014

This week is the last week of the transfer!! Super crazy!!  This transfer has just flown by! MAN. We took another road trip to McAllen this week for an STL meeting and MLC.  It was really great!  President Maluenda is such an inspired Mission President! The changes he is making are really helping the mission to grow. =D We went down to McAllen on tuedsay- and worked with the La Vista sisters for the afternoon and evening. I Got to work with my querida Hermana Kreis!! Haha it was just like old times.  I felt like I just went on a really long exchange then went back to work in La Vista. hah  it was fun.  We were walking around- trying to find prepared humans- and there were 4 boys outside. They were all around 14-15 years old.  And they wanted to learn about the message and ALL accepted baptismal dates.  We set appointments with all of them and their families to go back.  So that should keep them busy for a while. =D  One of the boys- Robert- was talking about how the sisters had been teaching his family not to long ago- and how THAT VERY MORNING- they were talking about getting baptized and finding the sisters again.  God knows where we need to be- when we need to be there.  That was super great.

The theme that I pulled from our meetings was the power of prayer.  President Maluenda shared a really really cool experience from his life. (he has tons of cool life experiences).  We were talking about the importance of ASKING for what we need. Like it says in the scripture Matthew 7:1-13

 7Ask, and it shall be given‍ you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:  8 For every one that asketh receiveth; andhe that seeketh‍ findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give goodthings to them that ask him?

He then shared an experience.  When Pres. Maluenda was little he always loved studying English.  When he was 12 he asked his dad to enroll him in English classes. And he ALWAYS wanted to serve an English speaking mission.  So from the time he was about 12- until he put his mission papers is he prayed that Heavenly father would send him to an English speaking country.  At the time that was really rare for Chile- ALL the Chilean missionaries would serve in a different part of Chile.  But President Maluenda prayed with faith that he would get sent to an English speaking place.  He said he bought an old video cassette in English.  Every night he would listen to 20 minutes of it before he went to bed.  After a year he could understand the entire dialog! Crazy right?  talk about determination.  Anyways- he put his papers in and he was the 1st missionary to be called to an English speaking country from Chile.  He served in Washington state.  How cool right!! His experience really touched me. It reminded me of how I prayed to serve Spanish speaking!  yay!  I LOVE SPANISH. =D 

He then talked about how the Lord does hear our prayers.  And IF we ask him.  he will grant the things that we desire and need.  I know its true! It has really helped me to be more sincere in my prayers.  I have really learned how to converse with my Heavenly Father on my mission.  He already knows everything- but He expects us to tell him, and ask him for the things we need.  A lot of times- we don't receive simply because we don't take the time to ask.  PRAYER changes things.  Prayer is more that just I list of things.. It is a communion with God. =D

So we had a super ODD moment this week.  haha we were walking in this little neighborhood of our area right by a park.  And out of no where this big old snake slithered out of the weeds and started chilling in the middle of the road. it was pretty big- like 3 feet long. (I am not exaggerating here!) and it was all coiled up and as cars were driving by it was striking at the cars. Randomly all these people came out side- there were probably 14 people standing on the side walk just watching it. and then a HUGE beefed up- Texan truck  ran over it. It died. with a crunch.  I think that all the 14 people( and us) were in shock.  When sister Price and I gained our composure again we walked around and gave Jesus cards to all the people that were staring at the big dead snake.  Hahaha. Yay missionary work. =D  it was really interesting.  after we started giving out cards and talking to people a lady came out with a rake and put the thing in the rain gutter... I am not sure how healthy that is for the environment... but seems legit!  haha.   Yay big snakes in texas.

Well I am out of time for today!  Love you all!  Keep praying for Savanna and Sandie!  They are getting baptized this week!!! PRAY FOR THEM!  Thanks. We are seeing so many miracles every day.  This is the Lords work.  We can all be apart of it if we are willing to act!! 

LOVE YA'LL

-Hermana Wiser

Also- our mission is receiving a TON of sisters!!  This transfer we will be getting 8.  Next transfer 14.  The transfer after that we will get 9.  They are opening up new sister areas!!  wahoooo sister power!  =D  Get ready to serve Hermanita Shelby Sue!  You will be great!

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.