Good, Better and Best!

Hello everyone!

Another good week in Camarillo! :) The work is pressing forward! This past week we tried the power hours with the Zurcher family. It was such a great experience and it really strengthened their testimony of missionary work. We presented the idea to our ward council and also have two families we are trying it with this week and we're really looking forward to seeing how this will help members do their part in hastening the work and help them have neat missionary experiences!

Heather is doing so great! She wants to keep learning and coming to church, regardless of when she will be baptized. This past week she told us in our lesson that everything she's been learning has come with such "force" and that she needed this in her life and it came at the perfect time. We explained to her that she's feeling the spirit and that heavenly father is so aware of her… he KNOWS her. And she is ready to receive the gospel. We had a lesson on temples and eternal families... Heather had a lot of questions/curiosity (as does everyone around here ha) about garments and we had the opportunity to show her the informative video the church came out with! It's been so beneficial for us. Heather thought it was so neat that we have that daily reminder of our covenants and that it made complete sense to her. She also LOVED the family proclamation.. she wanted a copy for herself to put in her home. We talked about how satan is attacking the family and the world is moving away from God's ways. We helped her realize that baptism is the gate... but that being sealed with her family in the temple for eternity is when she can receive the full blessings that Heavenly Father has in store for her.

We met with Joy this past week...we taught her the restoration.. she told us that she's not really sure about Joseph Smith and the 1st vision because it's something so new to her and different from what she grew up with. We couldn't have emphasized the Book of Mormon more.. that it will be key in helping her come to know if these things are true. We testified that it will help her fulfill her desire in coming to know God and developing a relationship with him.. She was very intrigued by a modern day prophet and had a lot of questions about that. She's progressing really well and our members are really reaching out to fellowship!

 Michael is ready for his baptism this Saturday!

We had a lesson with him on the Priesthood and missionary work and we asked him if he would consider serving a full-time mission.. he said, "I'm thinking about it." How cool would that be?? He would be awesome and touch so many lives. He already has such a strong testimony!

Eduardo is coming back from the Philippines today! We're excited about that. Every one else is doing well and we're seeing miracles every day!

Our ward theme for this year is "Good, Better, and Best" I've been thinking about this a lot and about how we have so many good opportunities in life.. and we may even have better opportunities.. but it's important, though difficult at times, to focus on what is best. I promise that if we strive to seek first the kingdom of God and focus on our covenants.. everything else will fall into place. We can come to understand what is best and then see the Lord pour out his blessings! He loves us and he's interested in our hearts.

Have a good week :) I love you all!

Sister James

Valentine cookies... all the way from the Orem Sweet Tooth Fairy!

Missionary work...great as always!

Hi everyone!

We have had quite the week - It has been great, as always!
A lot of miracles and a lot of learning experiences :)

 One miracle is our new investigator, Joy. We met her a couple weeks ago and we weren't sure how interested she was because she's very shy and hard to read. Well, we tried by this past week and she let us right in! She opened up about a lot of things and told us she's been struggling with knowing her purpose in life and knowing who she is. We had the opportunity to testify to her that she is a daughter of our father in heaven, who knows her... and the message that we share will help her know who she is and her divine potential - she came to church on Sunday and really seemed to enjoy it. It was pretty new to her... we had ward conference, which was amazing, but she was pretty confused about all the sustaining. We were able to explain and answer a lot of her questions. 

Michael is doing amazing! We're grateful we have the opportunity to teach him. His baptism is going to be on the 21st and he's been inviting every one. He is so prepared.. We taught him this week and as we were talking he said, "Oh this reminds me of a verse that I like in the Doctrine and Covenants." We were like who is this kid? He sounds and lives like a member of the church. He's a dry Mormon ha! :) He knows the Book of Mormon really well and has been reading diligently.. We asked him why he wants to be baptized and he told us that if Jesus Christ, being perfect was baptized, than he needed to be baptized as well. He is ready! Also, something that has been neat is his desire to perform temple work for his father who has passed away.. this is something that has drawn him to the gospel.

We had zone meeting this past week - our leaders are very inspired, especially president and sister Felix! He's really, really emphasizing working with our members. The zone leaders presented an idea called, "Power hours" Basically, you take a member out with to contact for an hour, while the rest of the family studies PMG and prays for your success. Missionaries in other areas who have done this have seen amazing things happen and have helped strengthen the ward and get the members excited about sharing the gospel. We have two families committed to try it with us this week. We're really looking forward to that :)

So, the Lucas family is doing great! And they're progressing really well… As I mentioned, Heather is struggling with some things and so we were able to discuss the verses in Mosiah 24 about how the Lord eased the burdens which were upon Alma and his people. We talked about how the Lord doesn't necessarily take away our trials when we turn to him, but that he "strengthens us in them and makes them light." Trials allow us to change for the better.. they refine our faith and our relationship with the savior. We taught the Lucas family twice this week and met with them last night.. we went through the baptismal interview questions last night with Heather and some issues have come up. We will have to postpone her baptism for now.. Sister Angimarau and I are really just trying to understand how we can help her feel loved and reassure her that she is on the right path and the Lord is very aware of her and her desire to make this covenant.  As difficult and disappointing as it is, I know that The lord has a plan for her and every thing will work out.. we don't always understand, but he sees the bigger picture. We will continue to teach them and help max and madeleine prepare for their baptism. Keep them in your prayers please!! I love this family!

This past year as a full-time missionary has been full of so many incredible experiences that have changed my life.. I'm so grateful for the opportunities I have been given to grow, learn and experience REAL, sincere joy. I'm grateful to see the atonement and the spirit at work every day.  I know that this is the church of Jesus Christ, it has been restored. I know that our father in Heaven would never leave us alone… that we have a living day prophet, Thomas S. Monson who receives direct revelation for the world. We can receive personal revelation, the Lord listens. He knows us and he loves us with a perfect, infinite love. Families are eternal. The Book of Mormon is true. Jesus Christ is our savior and he lives!

 I love you all. Thanks for your prayers!

Sister James
2-09-15


Add caption

Expecting Miracles!

Family!

 

We had another great week full of wonderful experiences and tender mercies. I'm really focusing on EXPECTING miracles and having more faith in my Heavenly Father. I've seen a miracle every day of my mission, and I've come to understand what a miracle really is..they may have been small and quiet, but they have been powerful and life-changing :)

We met with Heather and Madeleine this past week… we watched the restoration video and talked about following the prophet. The spirit was touching their hearts and as we talked about a living day prophet, Heather said, "Why wouldn't we have a living day prophet??" (I wish everyone thought like this) haha! Jesus Christ is our safe harbor,  the prophet is our light house.

She is so receptive to restored truths. Unfortunately, Heather is really facing some opposition.. she's going through her divorce and some financial issues and this past week she totaled her car. She has been texting us and saying, "Why is this happening sister's. I'm finally on the right path." We explained that the adversary will do anything to discourage her and that the Lord knows her strength. The strongest people go through hard things... the Lord knows what we can handle. We've been in daily contact with her and have been sending her verses from the Book of Mormon to encourage her and uplift her. Despite the challenges she is going through, she is pressing forward and reading and praying diligently!

Michael is an investigator that has been attending our ward, but is YSA age. His fellowship is in our ward and we have taught him once before, but then passed him off to the YSA elders. He wants to attend our ward, so the elders may be passing him back this week, He is GREAT.. he answers all the questions in gospel principles and has been attending seminary. He is committed to be baptized this month!!

We see tender mercies every day, but fast Sundays always seem to bring the coolest miracles. Yesterday we were contacting a potential.. they didn't answer and as we were walking away, their next door neighbor came out to talk to us. He asked if we were Mormon missionaries.. he then said, "I'M A MORMON!" His name is Hector and he explained that he was baptized as a teenager with his family in Guatemala, but hasn't gone to church in years. He expressed his desire to get back to church and regain his faith.. we told him we could help him do it. We're going to begin teaching him the lessons and he's coming to church on Sunday! There are NO coincidences.

We've been doing quite a bit of less-active work.. it is so important to bring back those who have already made those covenants with God and help them know that they are loved and needed. Sister Angimarau and I have really been focusing on Moroni 6:4 with them and letting them know that we are there to help them "be remembered and nourished by the good word of God. And help keep them in the right way."

Another neat miracle was that we were able to find 3 new investigators to teach this past week, one of them being a referral from a member! We were struggling to find new people to teach and as we put our trust in the Lord and the spirit, he provided. The work is pressing forward :)

I was studying the difference between conversion and testimony this past week.. As I've been pondering this, I'm coming to realize that conversion is a process. It is not a one-time event, but a life long journey. Heavenly Father has provided us with the tools necessary to experience conversion…conversion comes through sincerely studying the word of God, communicating with him, and especially utilizing the atonement of Jesus Christ in our lives. Daily repentance is becoming very important to me and I'm seeing it begin to change not only my behavior, but my very nature. This gospel is a gospel of change.. I'm so grateful for this gospel and the opportunity to share it with my brothers and sisters. Every soul is great in his sight of our Heavenly Father! Love you all :)

Sister James

2-02-2015

 

Staying in Camarillo!

Hello everyone!

 SO, I'm staying here in Camarillo with Sister Angimarau! :) I am SO grateful! The work is really pressing forward.. especially with the ward members. I feel like I have a lot of work to do here in this area and It's not quite finished.. so I'm really glad to be staying! This past week has been great :) Sister Barlow took us down to the temple for Sister Angimarau's birthday. That was really special. (I attached some photos).

The Lucas family is doing so well! We had a lesson on obedience and the Word of Wisdom with Heather and Max this past week.. Heather had mentioned to us the first time we met that she enjoys coffee and asked if she would have to give it up. We thought it may be an issue for her, but she told us that she can definitely give it up and the things she's learning and feeling will make the small sacrifice so, so worth it. She's given up everything else prior to learning about the church.. we talked about the blessings and the difference she has felt in her life. To the world, these commandments seem "restricting,"  But they truly make us free. Heavenly Father gives us these commandments because he loves us.. My testimony grows each time I see the change in my own life or in the lives of others when they choose to live them.

They weren't able to make it to church because Madeline had a cheer competition.. Heather was pretty bummed.. Max was so cute. He kept saying, "Just go mom!" And then when we talked about the Word Of Wisdom, he said "You can give it up!" Haha He's a character. We gave him a Children's Book of Mormon to read - he was thrilled! They are still on track for baptism for Feb. 21st! Heather offered a very sincere kneeling prayer at the end of our lesson.. This family is amazing.

 We also met with the Gomez family and talked about the importance of following the prophet. Sister Gomez is being her.. haha :) but she is trying to keep an open heart and an open mind. We are also doing a lot of less-active work.. Sister Knight had us over for dinner this week and gave the closing prayer. She prayed that she could have the courage and time to "Come back to the gospel... " AH. We were so happy! The spirit is softening her heart more and more.

This past week I was reading in Mosiah chapter 10. Something the spirit taught me was how the difference between the Lamanites and the Nephites affected their success. The Nephites, "did go up in the strength of the Lord to battle", while the Lamanites "knew nothing concerning the Lord or his strength. They depended upon their OWN strength."

It is only in his strength that we can do this work. This is his work and I can only do it in his way and by his power.. that takes trust! I know that the Lord blesses us  as we place our trust in him, rather than relying upon our own strength. I've also really been thinking about the difference between just working hard and working from the heart.. and what it means to work from the heart.. I'm so grateful for the things I am learning and experiencing. I love these people and I love my Savior. He lives.

 Read the Book of Mormon, It will change your life!

 Love you all
Sister James

"Celestial Place!"

Los Angeles temple January 2015

 

The gospel is for everyone!

Hello family!

 It's been a wonderful week- we are seeing miracles every day :)

 This past week we had interviews with President Felix, which I really enjoyed. He is so inspired!!  Sister Felix and he are just amazing. We also had exchanges this past week. I went to Ventura! My goal was to work on following the spirit in asking inspired questions and tailor questions to individuals. It was amazing how The Lord placed so many people in our path, who gave so much feedback.. Most of the people we met asked us questions and it was so much easier to follow the spirit and teach to their needs. The sweet sister's also planned a surprise for me... I SAW TONY! :) He is doing so well.. and it was really special for me to teach him and see that he has grown immensely! He has changed so much through the atonement - There is nothing greater than seeing that change in others :)

Heather is doing Amazing!! Our lesson on the Gospel of Jesus Christ went very well.. she has been praying and reading and feels like this is what she needs. She's so humble and has real intent.. We asked her why she wants to be baptized and she told us that she just wants to feel closer to God and start fresh and put her old life behind her.. she feels like this is what is best for her family. She is such a special person and her family is very prepared! We have committed her to be baptized on February 21st and she is determined to prepare for that date! We're hoping to include Max and Madeline in this next lesson, so that they too can prepare to be baptized as a family. The ward outreach has been amazing! We were talking to her friend, Sister Peterson, who will be moving. Something that really touched me that sister Peterson said was that Heather was the LAST person and the last of her friends she thought would be interested in the gospel.. we talked a bit about how, we must never assume who will and who will not accept the gospel. We have to share with every one and give them the opportunity to accept it. The gospel is for everyone!

We sang in sacrament meeting yesterday, so we invited every one! The Gomez family came this week, which was a blessing because it's been a little while :) and our dear Sister Knight came.. It made my week! She is the less-active that we have been working with and she hasn't been in a looong time, so that was a huge miracle! The meeting was amazing and I hope and pray that she felt the spirit touch her heart and she will have a desire to continue to come!

I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve the Lord and to communicate with him each day. I've never prayed so much in my life.. and I'm so, so grateful for the opportunity I have to ask Heavenly Father for help!  There is so much power in prayer and I could not do this work without his divine aid! I know that there is power in praying for our goals and praying to find those who are elect! It works.. Maybe not in the way we expect, but he gives us what we need. He knows best!

 I love you all!

E koaua te ekaretia (The church is true!!) :)

Sister Angimarau's birthday!

 

 

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