The Lord is hastening his work!

Hi family!

 hope everyone is doing well! We had a great week here :)

 We had Zone meeting and some changes have been made regarding our standard of excellence. President Felix is really emphasizing the importance of working with members. We will be focusing on having more member presents a week and we won't be recording our declarations.. ( a declaration is when we pass out a card and share a restored truth).. they're basically failed lessons haha. He would rather have us spend time building member trust and working with them, instead of spending time tracting/ street contacting. We're working with bro. Barlow and figuring out new ways we can help the members become excited and involved with the work!

 We had a lesson with Heather in the Peterson's home this week.. The spirit was so powerful.. especially when the member's bore testimony to her. We taught her and Madeline the Plan of Salvation.. and it just completely clicked for her. She told us that it made so much more sense than what she was taught growing up. She told us that if God is really all loving.. then this would be his plan. So cool! She is so prepared.. she's very special and everything seems to be "familiar" to her. She's been praying and keeping her commitments and has already felt a difference in her life. She is praying about baptism for February 14th.. keep them in

 We finally caught Enrique!!!  He didn't show up to church yesterday...but we have an appointment this week. The bishop is going to go by and we are really focusing on strengthening him through the members. The Gomez family is not quite progressing at this point.. Sister Gomez told us she wants time. We are still going by weekly and teaching the lessons. They are such a wonderful family and we'll continue to work with them and pray that she will feel ready to accept the gospel!

 We had a cool experience this week with Eduardo's family! We've been trying to figure out how we can share the gospel with his whole family. He lives with his wife, 2 sons, daughter-in-law and 2 grandchildren. This past week we went over to teach Eduardo the Plan of Salvation.. One of his son's, Edrik was in the room. He started listening and pretty soon he was asking several questions about missionary work, Joseph Smith, and the Book of Mormon. We gave him a copy and invited his family to church. His children go to Sunday school on Sunday's at 11:00 a.m, right when we have church, But he told us that he would be willing to come with his family! We explained how primary works and he seemed to be really interested. We're excited to continue to work with him. Eduardo will be going to the Philippines for a month... he leaves this week, but we will continue the lessons with Edrik!

 The Lord is hastening his work.. I know that we absolutely must strive to align our will with his. He wants nothing more for us to come unto him and to help others come unto him as well.

 I love my savior, I love you all! Thanks for the prayers!! Have a good week :)

 Sister James

Jan 12, 2015

Happy New Year everyone!

Happy new year everyone! :)

 

Here were some things that happened this week:

Heather came to church again this week with both of her children, Madeline (11) and Max (8)! We had our first lesson with her this past week.. She's going through a divorce right now and is really looking for structure in her life and just wants her family to feel closer to God. Her husband has always mocked the idea of religion, so it's been tough for her. She is so pure in heart.. and prepared. We taught her the restoration and the spirit was so strong. We taught her about Joseph Smith and she says, "so he's just a prophet then? That makes sense." It just clicked for her. We invited her to pray and read the Book of Mormon and she said, "I'll do it tonight." And she did!" We're meeting with her in a member's home this week (Her fellowship, the Peterson's) and are planning to invite her to commit to a baptismal date. We teach the restoration over and over.. all day, every day, but this lesson was very special.. it reminded me of the truthfulness of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

I feel extremely blessed to be companions with Sister Angimarau. She is a very special missionary! This past week we had an experience where the spirit left the room of an investigator's home due to contention. I wasn't sure what to do or what to say.. right away, she suggested we sing a hymn. You could feel the spirit again enter the room. I'm grateful she was so in tune. We're looking forward to the temple this week! (It was her birthday, so we get to go). She doesn't have on in her country.. talking about it with her really made me think about how it can be so easy to take the distance of our temples for granted. We are so blessed!

 

We are getting a little worried Enrique. He went to Mexico for Christmas and came back on Dec. 23rd. We've called, sent several texts, and have stopped by a few times.. and we haven't heard from him. Bro. Barlow has also been trying to get in contact with him. He was able to catch him on Saturday afternoon and Enrique said he would be at church, but he didn't show up.  We're praying and keeping the faith that everything is okay and hope that we can get in contact with him this week! We're thinking something may have happened while he was away or that he is nervous about receiving the priesthood and his calling. Please, please keep him in your prayers!

 

I've been studying what it means to "become a consecrated servant of Jesus Christ" and have been thinking a lot about CONVERSION. Every one, read the talk given by Elder Bednar titled, "Converted unto the Lord." .. it's amazing! He talks about the difference between a testimony and conversion and uses the example of the Lamanites, who were "converted and never did fall away." We visited a recent convert in our area and she told us that the sister missionary who played a key role in her conversion, decided to leave the church. Seeing how devastated she was, really made my think about the importance of two things.. 1. Being truly converted (Or striving to get there.)  and 2. Our choices affect not only ourselves, but those whom we love.

 

I have many imperfections and weaknesses, but  I will never be able to deny the miracles I've seen on my mission and the truth.. I know that Our Savior lives and that our heavenly father directs this work. I'm so grateful to be a part of his work!

 

I love you all! Have a good week!

Sister James

Sister James and Sister Angimarau

Sisters on Christmas Eve

 

Happy 2015!

Hello family!

 I hope everyone is doing well and enjoyed their Christmas! :) This Christmas was really special.. one I will never forget! We had our Christmas devotional on Christmas Eve. That was great!

We went Caroling on Christmas Eve with The Zurcher's. They are from Mexico, so we sang all our hymns in espanol.. we caroled to the Gomez family and sister Gomez was in tears! It was priceless.. she was very touched. We also visited with several active and less-active families. We are definitely taken care of.. Everyone was so generous!

One of our zone goals this transfer is to spend as much time with members, as we do finding.. we have already seen miracles come from it! Members are KEY :)

We had a lesson with Dave this week in a member's home. He really seems to like what he has been learning! We invited him to pray about baptism for the end of January.. He said he would pray about it. He's very genuine and sincere, but we still have quite a bit to teach him..  Something that we really want to focus on in our next lesson with him is priesthood authority and WHY authority is necessary for baptism.

Eduardo came to all three hours of church yesterday! We had our bishop check if he was a member.. because he knows so much and he gets a little confused.. haha he checked and he's not, so we're good to go!

Another miracle was Heather. She is a potential in our area, who I've never met. Sister Brown talked about her and said she was very interested, but we never caught her at home. Well, her daughter, Madeline, is friend's with a member and they both came to church yesterday!! She stayed for all 3 hours and said she would be there next week. We explained that we have discussions and we set up an appointment this week for Friday. We really look forward to hear more about her experience at church and to teach them this week.
We have a great service opportunity in our area- we helped out at the Camarillo health care center with the elderly people. We did room visits and helped out with their Christmas party! It was great and they just loved it., they were hilarious. I love old people :)

I can't believe we are approaching a new year.. insane! As I have reflected on this past year and all of my experiences as a missionary.. my life has changed completely.
If I have learned anything, it is that Heavenly father KNOWS his children and that the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ is real. There is joy in obedience and keeping the commandments.. I had a testimony before, but now I am experiencing what it means to be converted unto the Lord.. I love that it never ends. Conversion is eternal! We can always strengthen our testimonies and progress and the Lord will help us.

thank you for all the mail, prayers and love!!

I love you all!

Sister James
12-29-2014
 

Christmas 2014

Making Bunuelos!

 

 

Merry Christmas!

FAMILY!

It's been quite the week!! Transfer meeting was so powerful.. I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to go to this one. There were many testimonies shared and we received amazing counsel from President and Sister Felix. My new companion is so great!

Sister Angimarau (a lot of people call her sister A) is from Christmas Island in the pacific islands and her language is I-Kiribati.. so she has learned English on her mission! We've already had a lot of fun... she's been teaching me her language and I taught her “Rudolph the red nose reindeer” and shared her first experience eating Wendy's haha. She has an amazing singing voice, so we've been singing to every one we meet and caroling with the members as well! She is so humble and sweet and I have already learned so much from her love for people and our savior already. I really look forward to this transfer with her!

 We did a lot of finding this week and focused on sharing "The Gift." People seem to be more receptive at this time of year, which has been nice! We're focusing on finding new investigators. Unfortunately, Charlie dropped us this week :( He called us and dropped us over the phone.. he said he did some "Research" and that the church is not for him. We went over and tried to help him have the desire to continue to meet.. and address his concerns .He said he doesn't have the desire to change and that it's just not for him.. he tried to give his Book of Mormon back, but we refused ha! We had a good discussion, and as disappointed as we were.. I know that trusting in the Lord's will and his timing is the best thing we can do at this point. He always provides a way if we are faithful and place our trust in him!

 On a brighter note, Dave came to church this week! And Eduardo wants to be baptized! He will be going to the Philippines and so he wants to do it when he returns in a month! He's 86.. it is never too late to follow the example of Christ :) We visited with him this week and he knows the Book of Mormon stories better than some member's. He's been reading it every day since he received it in 2001.. So crazy! There are no coincidences. I know the Lord placed him in our path for a reason.

 We did a lot of caroling this week, which was fun!  We also helped out with the mudslides in Camarillo springs. Several homes were just destroyed... I will have to send pictures next week, when I have more time. We were happy to have the opportunity to help out!

 I'm so grateful to be serving the Lord at this time! What better time to testify of our savior, than this Christmas season. Something that was really emphasized to me this past week was that we can't do it on our own, but in his strength, we can do ALL Things. The atonement combined with our faith can carry us and shape us into what our Heavenly Father would have us be. Our Savior knew his purpose and he did the will of his father because he loves us perfectly. I'm grateful for the experiences that help me draw closer to him! He lives!

I hope everyone enjoys their Christmas :)

HE is Christmas.

Love you!!
Sister James
12-22-2014

My new companion sister Angimarau

 

Our Christmas tree


 

 

 

Camarillo for Christmas!

Hey Family!

 

So, as you can tell from the subject line.. I'm staying in Camarillo!! :) unfortunately, they're splitting up the JAMES BROWN :( Sister Brown is getting transferred to Thousand Oaks.. just over the hill! She will do great things there! I don't know my new companion, but she just finished training. I look forward to serving with here and the things I will learn from her!

22 missionaries are going home this transfer and only 7 are coming in. They're making a lot of changes in the mission!

 

It sounds like every one is enjoying their Christmas season! I can't believe my best friend returns from his mission this week?! Crazy! And that Katie will find out the gender.. My final guess is a GIRL :) What an exciting week!

 

We've had such a busy week! We've been busy with a lot of less-active work and appointments. We have had such an incredible transfer.. I've learned so much these past couple transfers.. I've been thinking a lot about the importance of taking every situation as a learning experience and an opportunity to grow. We've seen so many miracles these past three months.. the work is really progressing here and that is a testimony to me that the Lord is in the details of this work. He knows his children and he knows his missionaries and is continually pouring out his blessings. I'm so grateful!
 

So, cool miracle!
I mentioned in my email a few weeks ago about a miracle that came from our service. We were helping a family in our ward move and their friend (who is a non-member) was there and asked for the missionaries to be sent to her home in San Diego. Well, we found out yesterday that the missionaries got in contact with her and she is now taking the lessons! She has never had any type of religion in her life and has always wanted the joy that she saw members of the church have.
The members of our ward were also very excited.. they aren't very active and they've been coming the last few weeks. Their experience with their friend is strengthening them and motivating them to be good examples. Member missionary work is the best. By small and simple things are great things brought to pass!

We taught Charlie the restoration this week and he came to all three hours of church yesterday! He is progressing really well. He's already read past 2nd Nephi.. he said, "I'm usually not a fast reader.. but I can't put this book down." You can just see the spirit working in him.. it's been so great. He has a lot of sincere questions, but his hang-up is that he won't pray about the Book of Mormon. We are going to be meeting with him this week and hope that we can figure out exactly why.

Eduardo also came to church again! We're not sure how much he comprehends and understands, but he has great faith and we love having him at church!

 The gomez family wasn't able to make it. We met with them and had a lesson focused on keeping Christ the center of our Christmas.. we showed them the "He is the gift" video and they really felt the spirit. Jessica and Suzette (the daughter's who are 13 and 11) Bore such powerful testimony.. they are so strong and they know the church is true. We asked Brother Gomez about how they would feel about being baptized and how sister Gomez would feel about it. He hasn't got back to us, but we really feel that they are ready. They love church, they love the gospel, they have the desire.. but we want it to be okay with their family!

We had many opportunities to do service this week and to "do good". There is no greater joy than seeing some one come unto Christ.. Whether it be a member, an investigator, a less-active member. I've especially seen my faith grow in my Savior these past couple weeks as we've been sharing the gift! I love this gospel and this work and I absolutley love the Book of Mormon. I know that it is the word of God!

What gift can you give the savior this Christmas season?

 

Love you all!!

Sister James

12-15-2014

Reuniting with my former companions

Saying goodbye to sister Brown

Ventura missionaries from Orem

Zone Conference
(notice we are the only sisters)

 

My dear "sister Knight"



 

 

HE IS THE GIFT

Family!!

 It has been a great week full of miracles and tender mercies! Every day just gets better and better :)

The Gomez family is doing well! We had FHE with them and a member from our ward in their home. The ward outreach has been amazing.. Their friends with everyone in the ward! They also came to the ward Christmas party and really seemed to enjoy it.
Enrique is also doing really well! He has been out of town and will be for these next couple weeks, but he met with the bishop yesterday and will be getting the priesthood soon. We had a quick meeting with him this week and he was asking a lot of questions about fasting and the temple as well... He said his goal is the temple and he wants to do all he can to prepare to go! He's great! :)

Our area is doing really well! The 2nd ward elders investigators got married and baptized this weekend.. It was super neat and the spirit was so strong. Our district sang.. and that was a little rough, but that's okay :) haha So, Dave came to the Goyneche's baptism and also came to church for the first time! He really seemed to enjoy it and had several questions about the baptism and preparing and such. He kept asking about temples and the sealing power.. he is so genuine. He's also reading the Book of Mormon! He's just so busy with his work schedule, but we are hoping we can meet with him more consistently because he is GREAT!. Eduardo, (the 86 year old Filipino man) also came to church again! We weren't able to catch him to have a lesson this week, but he just showed up to sacrament meeting! We hope to meet with him and his wife this week.

I absolutely love the "He is the gift" video/ pass along cards that the church has come out with! We've already seen it help hasten the work here. Almost every one we meet in Camarillo has belief in Christ, so it really has helped others understand that we our message is completely centered on Christ.

One experience we had was on Saturday. We met this man named Charlie. We showed him the video and after talking for a while realized how familiar he was with the church. He told us he has been to Provo several times for work and would read the copies of the Book of Mormon placed in the hotel rooms. He said he found the Book of Mormon to be very interesting. We gave him another copy and asked if he would come to church.. he said, "Sure I'll come!" And he came the very next day.. He also read through 2 Nephi the day we gave him the Book of Mormon! He stayed for Sunday school and the lesson was on the restoration.. it was perfect. Such a miracle! We are very excited to meet with him this week and teach him more.

 I really enjoyed having the opportunity to attend the temple this week.. It is a learning place and I feel like I learn something new each time I go. It helps me gain eternal perspective and especially helps my learn more about the covenants I have made.. It was so nice to just be away from the world and feel closer to my Heavenly Father there! 

I'm so grateful for this time of year and to be doing the Lord's work.. we have seen so many miracles and I know that this season, to focus even more on our savior Jesus Christ and his atonement is hastening the work. I'm grateful for the opportunity we had to watch the Christmas devotional last night! I felt like it was completely focused on the importance of emulating the life of our savior through our actions and developing his attributes of love, patience, obedience.. I know that he lives and that the greatest manifestation of God's love is the gift of his son Jesus Christ. Never hesitate to share the gift by sharing your testimony of Jesus Christ with others.. We have the ability to touch lives through our testimonies.

I know that this gospel is true and this is the Lord's work.. I know that we can help build his kingdom. I've never been happier! Thank you for the prayers & support :) I love you all!!

Sister James

12-8-2014

"If the savior were among us today, we would find him where he always was- ministering to the meek, the down cast, the humble, the distressed and the poor in spirit, during this Christmas season and always, may we give HIM by loving as he loves. May we remember the humble dignity of his birth, gifts, and life. And may we, through simple acts of kindness, charity and compassion, fill the world with the light of his love and healing power."

President Ucthdorf

A drawing of Sister James from niece Kate Jacobson

Trip to the Temple

Los Angeles Temple

Baptism on the beach

 

 

 

 

 

Listening with Love

Hello everyone!

I can't believe it's December.. blows my mind. I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving!! Ours was GREAT :) With the holiday, we were able to get in contact with a lot of people and a lot of less-actives we've been trying to visit were home. One miracle that we've seen is the progress we've made with a less active member, sister Kight! I have a testimony that service opens up many opportunities and softens hearts. In the past, sister Kight hasn't been as receptive or open to missionaries, but because we've been helping her in her home, she has let us share the lessons with her. She is absolutely HILARIOUS.. so blunt. Haha. She really opened up about some concerns she has with the church.. most of them involving the "social aspect." She is a really sweet lady with a firm faith in Christ and I know that as we continue to do service for her, her heart will soften even more! Plus we're having taco Tuesday this week, so we're looking forward to that! 

Thursday was awesome.. we had district meeting, which was completely centered on gratitude. We also went to the Waidmann's home (Sis. Kight's daughter who's also in the ward) and they had several non-member friend's there. We spent time talking to them about our faith and what we do as missionaries. We spoke to one of their friends, Jerry for awhile and we actually ended up giving him a copy of the Book of Mormon! He lives in LA and said he would contact the missionaries if he had any more questions. It was just a blessing to be able to share our testimonies with several people in this member's home. This work is the best.

We also went to the Gomez home… they went all out for us! It was so nice and I'm so grateful I could spend it with them. We talked about what we are thankful for and really focused on the savior…we're praying that sister Gomez will continue to have the desire to know for herself.. she's one stubborn lady! (But we love her) :) They came to church yesterday and she stayed for 2nd hour! We will be having an FHE with them and a family in our ward tonight, so we're excited about that!

MIRACLE:  Eduardo! We met Eduardo a couple weeks ago.. he's an 86 year old Philipino man. When we first met him he said, "Hold on!" He ran into his house and came out with a copy of the Book of Mormon and said, " this book saved my life!" a few years back he was very sick in the hospital and someone gave him the Book of Mormon.. he said he would read it and even sleep with it and that it truly gave him the hope he needed. We weren't sure if he was completely there (since he's 86) but He was explaining book of Mormon stories to us?! We were like, "Who is this man??" Haha! And he said he STILL reads it! We invited him to church and he came with his wife yesterday. We're excited to meet with him again and begin teaching him!

We were finally able to have a lesson with Dave! We've been trying to meet with him for awhile.. he's so BUSY. We had a lesson in his home with a member yesterday and it went really well! He was introduced to the church by his girl friend, Julie. She's a member who lives in Salt Lake City and Dave is just fascinated with the church.. he loves it. He has a strong catholic background, but is interested in learning about other religions. We taught him the restoration and he had many sincere questions.. he's very genuine and has been reading and praying. He said he would be baptized if he comes to know that it is true!! We're just trying to help him see the importance of priesthood authority at this point, but he is awesome.. very pure in heart.

Something that I've really been thinking about this week is the power that comes from Listening with Love. I'm focusing on listening with real intent when our investigators are expressing their concerns and thoughts.. so that I can respond by the spirit. I love this quote by elder Bednar, "The gift of discernment operates best when we are listening. To really understand the questions and the intent, ask clarifying questions and be prepared to do as much listening as you do talking." I love that last part about being prepared to listen. I'm so grateful for the spirit in this work.. the spirit is the teacher and I hope that I can be an instrument in the hands of the Lord by being a better listener.

Christ-like love will change the world!  I'm so grateful for this season, where we can focus on serving those around us and reaching out. Charity is the pure love of Christ (Moroni 7:46-48)  I know that if we pray to be filled with this love, the Lord will grant that to us and we will be able to change someone's life for the better.

 I know that my savior lives! I love you all!! Have a good week :)

 Sister James

Thanksgiving with the Gomez family

Winter in Camarillo!

12-01-2014

Camarillo district