Week 54 - Turlock

So, first off, miracle.  We have been having problems with our car's battery so this morning we were sent into Modesto to get it checked out.  As we were waiting in line, a lady that looked really really family walked in and stood behind us.  The name 'Ana' came to my mind and I remembered that she was someone I had talked to when I was in Modesto.  She recognized me and gave me a big hug. Her house was given as a referral.  She is a single lady with 7 children.  Every time we had gone by her house​, the gate was locked and nobody outside.  She does live in a dangerous area so it made sense.  Well we continued to try over 10 times all with the same results.  Me and Hermana Carpenter prayed specifically the next day that it would for some reason be open, well 8 pm that next day, we went and there it was unlocked.  God wanted us to be there.  We knocked that door over 7 times until she would answer.  I knew she was there and I knew we shouldn't leave.  She opened the door and we taught her but due to business we had never been able to follow up with her again.  Today was the first day since.  I know God loves us.  I know he is aware of our situation.  I know that as we love God more, our love for his children grows too. I know we are brothers and sisters. On the same team.

I love you all,

Hermana Waters

Week 53 - Ceres, Hughson

Transfer calls came, I will be going to Turlock with Hermana Rodas and Hermana Trejo will be going to Ceres with Hermana Robison!!! We both are saying bye to Hughson.  It's been good in the small town of Hughson, I am going to miss it that's for sure. I have served in the same branch as Hermana Rodas before but never as a companion.  I'm excited though, she is super sweet and guatamalan.  All these native companions I don't even know what to do.

This week we saw many miracles and I have felt great love from my Heavenly Father.  I have been reflecting on Alma 17 as well as the circles of influence and concern (see below picture).  I hope many of you have already seen these circles. 

If anyone knows me, they know that I am a perfectionist.  and that I am pretty downright hard on myself and others.  This past week, I was able to meet with President Palmer and reflect on how I can better work as a missionary.  After much contemplation, the reminder of what my MTC branch president had shared with us in a leadership meeting came to mind.  That was these circles.  We have a very small circle of influence-the things that we can control such as how we feel, what we think,, what we say, and what we do.  Around that circle we have the circle of concern-things that we worry about but nevertheless are out of our control. Then outside of the circle are the things we don't have control over and that we don't seem to care about at all. 

I found myself getting so hung up on the things I worried about and related everything that happened wrong and that didn't work out to something that I or we had done wrong.  My circle of influence may be small but there are several things I can do.  These circles really helped me as I specifically put things I could change into goals.  

I want to say that if you don't feel happy where you are, doing what you are doing, then make your own circles of influence and concern and study the doctrine of Christ.  Combined, they are great sources to further feel the peace and love Heavenly Father has for you.  Agency isn't just given to everyone else but us too.  As we focus on bettering ourselves, the satisfaction here on this fallen world will grow.  We will arise from the dust and feel an awakening.  I know that God is in charge of all.  I know that Satan is going to work hard with us to convince us that our weaknesses are to great or by saying you've done enough.  I love Heavenly Father and in closing Moroni 7:48:

 48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

love you,

Hermana Waters

xoxo

Week 52 - Ceres, Hughson

It is already Winter time and I'm not sure I'm quite ready.  We will be staying on bikes the whole winter so we are starting to get bundled up.  Pobrecita Hermana Trejo since she's from Mexico and this is the coldest she's ever lived in.  I am officially adapted to the California heat and I am a Utahn full of shame since even in 70s I'm shivering and wearing a coat and boots. I'm expecting a rough transition when I return.

Well I hope all got to see General Conference this past weekend. The message that stood out to me the most was from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Elder M. Russell Nelson's talks.  

Think of the first time when you truly knew and understood that you were a child of God.  Think of the time when you truly felt God's love.  Or that Jesus Christ willingly suffered for your sins, so that you can be clean again.  That the priesthood power is real and binds our family together for the eternities.  Think about a living prophet here on earth today.  

"Isn't it wonderful and amazing? considering all of this, how could it ever be possible that we of all people would not be excited about attending our church worship services or get tired of reading the holy scriptures, I suppose this could only be possible if only our hearts are past feeling to experience gratitude and aw for the sacred and supplying gifts God has granted us..... Too often we let ourselves get distracted... Instead of following the example of our master.  We tread a path covered with diamonds but we can scarcely distinguish them from ordinary pebbles."

There is no need to be discouraged.  When we recall our spiritual moments that we have had as well as the eternal love of God, we can press on.  In a world where they say the hope is over, it is not.  We are promised that Jesus Christ is going to come again.  He is going to heal us and he is going to repay all that has been made wrong.

In Mormon 8

 19 For behold, the same that judgeth rashly shall be judged rashly again; for according to his works shall his wages be; therefore, he that smiteth shall be smitten again, of the Lord.

 20 Behold what the scripture says—man shall not smite, neither shall he judge; for judgment is mine, saith the Lord, and vengeance is mine also, and I will repay.

I love you all.  keep your heads and hearts up.

hermana waters

xoxo

Dieter F. Uchtdorf -

Russell M. Nelson -

Week 51 - Ceres Hughson

Hola a mis queridos hermanos y hermanas. Espero que se encuentren bien. Y bien listos para la conferencia en general.

Okay it has gotten chilly.  I am adjusted here and 70s just feels like 20s.  Christmas time is coming up and even our members are starting to choose Christmas songs in the sacrament meeting to sing... There are some mixed feeling about that but hey I just play what they tell me to play.  

We had a miracle with one of our investigators, Claudia. Her best friend from San Jose called her up and shared her testimony with her about The Book of Mormon.  She didn't even know her friend was a member but surprise! She was so excited.  We were able to talk with her friend over the phone and found out she is coming up to visit Claudia in October! Claudia now is progressing and we hope to see her continue, knowing that she has the support of her friend.  They will be coming to church together the Sundays that she is here!

We did a family home evening with the Sanchez family.  I sent some photos. We cut out and made people for the prophet, his counselors, and the 12 apostles in preparation for General Conference.  It was highly effective so we are keeping up with the crafts for them to help the children understand.  They are working on learning all their names for conference.  I cannot wait to return and do more spiritual crafts with them.

 

The General Woman's conference was this past Saturday. It was beautiful. I wish it had lasted longer. It mentioned a lot about the Doctrine of Christ and how we need more people who understand this doctrine. This doctrine includes the Master's ability to heal all. The story of the bipolar woman whose mom said she'd give everything to take away what her daughter was facing touched my heart. I can recall several times when my very mother has said the same thing. 'I would do anything to take all your pain away' Carole M. Stephen continued to say that this mature woman facing a great storm of bipolar disorder responded, 'You don't have to, someone already has' in reference to the Savior. I know that Heavenly Father carried our sufferings of all kinds. I feel that God loves us and hope that in our moments of trial we never forget of that love.  No matter how hard it might be to think it still exists.  

Dieter F. Uchtdorf said something I really liked,

 'There are more ways to see than with our eyes, there are more ways to feel than with our hands and there are more ways to hear than with our ears. '  Just because maybe we can't see, hear or feel God's love does not mean that it is not there.  LISTEN HARDER he reminded us.

I love you all,

Hermana Waters

xoxo

Week 50 - Ceres, Hughson

Cheers to ​a year.  Weirdest things ever filled with mixed emotions.

I was able to see Socorro this weekend in Modesto which brought such joy.  I have been reading a lot from Mosiah/Alma and can really say that the joy the sons of Mosiah and Alma Jr. felt in sharing the gospel is real.  just as real as the sadness. But nothing can beat the feeling of knowing these people and getting a peek at how God sees every single one of them.  I am currently on a Libro de Mormon high.  I cannot put it down.  I finally feel like I am understanding and remembering the stories. I feel that it has all the answers.  This past week, Hermana Trejo and I taught Gospel Principles class on la obra misional, missionary work.  Principios del Evangelio is where less actives, recent converts, and investigators go for Sunday school.  Due to my current Book of Mormon rave, I insisted that we really focused in on learning directly from the scriptures.  So I wrote some questions on a chalk board such as what is missionary work? and how do we do it? Then we had Luis, a recent convert (baptized 2 weeks ago) choose a random chapter of the Book of Mormon.  He chose Alma 8.  One of my MTC teachers Hermano Clark shared with us a promise.  He promised us that no matter what question we had, what doubt, concern, formatted as a question could be answered by ANY chapter from the Book of Mormon.  I had done it several times before since that point and all throughout my mission.  It worked every time.  So I really was banking on this promise for the class this Sunday.  I wanted them to learn 2 things:

1. what missionary work is

2. that the Book of Mormon could answer whatever question they may haveI felt as though in this class of about 20 recent converts, less actives, and investigators, it would be a great opportunity for them to feel of the power of the Book of Mormon and the need to share it with others.  

Time flew by and it was a success in my eyes.  Every single person made a comment, connecting how this story of Alma being rejected in the city of Ammonihah and his return to what missionary work is and how they could do it.  It was beautiful I could have cried.  

I love you all and hope that you put the Book of Mormon challenge to the test.

Hermana Waters

xoxo

Week 50 - Ceres, Hughson

Cheers to ​a year.  Weirdest things ever filled with mixed emotions.

I was able to see Socorro this weekend in Modesto which brought such joy.  I have been reading a lot from Mosiah/Alma and can really say that the joy the sons of Mosiah and Alma Jr. felt in sharing the gospel is real.  just as real as the sadness. But nothing can beat the feeling of knowing these people and getting a peek at how God sees every single one of them.  I am currently on a Libro de Mormon high.  I cannot put it down.  I finally feel like I am understanding and remembering the stories. I feel that it has all the answers.  This past week, Hermana Trejo and I taught Gospel Principles class on la obra misional, missionary work.  Principios del Evangelio is where less actives, recent converts, and investigators go for Sunday school.  Due to my current Book of Mormon rave, I insisted that we really focused in on learning directly from the scriptures.  So I wrote some questions on a chalk board such as what is missionary work? and how do we do it? Then we had Luis, a recent convert (baptized 2 weeks ago) choose a random chapter of the Book of Mormon.  He chose Alma 8.  One of my MTC teachers Hermano Clark shared with us a promise.  He promised us that no matter what question we had, what doubt, concern, formatted as a question could be answered by ANY chapter from the Book of Mormon.  I had done it several times before since that point and all throughout my mission.  It worked every time.  So I really was banking on this promise for the class this Sunday.  I wanted them to learn 2 things:

1. what missionary work is

2. that the Book of Mormon could answer whatever question they may haveI felt as though in this class of about 20 recent converts, less actives, and investigators, it would be a great opportunity for them to feel of the power of the Book of Mormon and the need to share it with others.  

Time flew by and it was a success in my eyes.  Every single person made a comment, connecting how this story of Alma being rejected in the city of Ammonihah and his return to what missionary work is and how they could do it.  It was beautiful I could have cried.  

I love you all and hope that you put the Book of Mormon challenge to the test.

Hermana Waters

xoxo

Week 50 - Ceres, Hughson

Cheers to ​a year.  Weirdest things ever filled with mixed emotions.

I was able to see Socorro this weekend in Modesto which brought such joy.  I have been reading a lot from Mosiah/Alma and can really say that the joy the sons of Mosiah and Alma Jr. felt in sharing the gospel is real.  just as real as the sadness. But nothing can beat the feeling of knowing these people and getting a peek at how God sees every single one of them.  I am currently on a Libro de Mormon high.  I cannot put it down.  I finally feel like I am understanding and remembering the stories. I feel that it has all the answers.  This past week, Hermana Trejo and I taught Gospel Principles class on la obra misional, missionary work.  Principios del Evangelio is where less actives, recent converts, and investigators go for Sunday school.  Due to my current Book of Mormon rave, I insisted that we really focused in on learning directly from the scriptures.  So I wrote some questions on a chalk board such as what is missionary work? and how do we do it? Then we had Luis, a recent convert (baptized 2 weeks ago) choose a random chapter of the Book of Mormon.  He chose Alma 8.  One of my MTC teachers Hermano Clark shared with us a promise.  He promised us that no matter what question we had, what doubt, concern, formatted as a question could be answered by ANY chapter from the Book of Mormon.  I had done it several times before since that point and all throughout my mission.  It worked every time.  So I really was banking on this promise for the class this Sunday.  I wanted them to learn 2 things:

1. what missionary work is

2. that the Book of Mormon could answer whatever question they may haveI felt as though in this class of about 20 recent converts, less actives, and investigators, it would be a great opportunity for them to feel of the power of the Book of Mormon and the need to share it with others.  

Time flew by and it was a success in my eyes.  Every single person made a comment, connecting how this story of Alma being rejected in the city of Ammonihah and his return to what missionary work is and how they could do it.  It was beautiful I could have cried.  

I love you all and hope that you put the Book of Mormon challenge to the test.

Hermana Waters

xoxo