All in the Tag: Week 68! "Raising the Bar"

From 5/11/15

Hola family!

This week was pretty great. Not because we had absolutely outstanding experiences (though, like always, we did) But because I`m realizing that I CAN be constant!!! Wooo! Consistency has always been a challenge for me. I like changes and adventures and challenges. But in this sector the population of investigators is different. They require perseverance and consistency. And it`s also helping me to recognize how much I`ve grown spiritually up 'til now. Now I can work until the end of the day with the same amount of perseverance as when I start it. I don`t know if that makes sense but basically it`s a good thing.

We had some really really good experiences this week, actually. We found 3 new families. That's cool. On Tuesday we found out that there is going to be a new standard in the mission that raises the bar of how we teach: we can only have lessons with people if we sit down somewhere with them, start and end with a prayer, and ensure that we teach in a way that invites them to act every time. This is not always going to be easy since many times the new people we find and teach are in the streets, in buses, etc. But the point is to do everything possible to create an environment where the Spirit can be present more powerfully. I am excited about it. It has already brought up some interesting experiences where we need to either be more persistent or more selective with whom and how long we speak with each person. It also helps us zone into our core missionary purpose which is to find, teach, and baptize...inviting all people who have the desire to come unto Christ. It encourages us to teach less with "numbers" and more with the true needs of the people.

It`s great to be a missionary. The best part is -- everybody is a missionary. :) Ahhh yeah.

Slimy and satisfying. Wait.....that`s the lion king. But yeah. It is satisfying to learn how to be bold, loving, and clear when it comes to raising the Lord`s standard :) I love it. :)

Love you all! Have an amazing week!

Hna Fernelius

"This week was great! I`m realizing how much a positive attitude really invigorates us as well as the sector we work in. Being positive makes everything seem possible and miracles more prone to appear.

For example, Saturday and Sunday were challenging because every cita and plan de respaldo was falling through. We contacted a lot, looking for the miracles awaiting us. Though it was a little tiring, we felt good about the promise that God always blesses those who put in every drop of effort they can...and we wanted that blessing.

Last night we waited for an investigator who was supposed to meet up with us at the gas station. We waited outside at 8 pm for about half an hour. No one. But then, two little girls came running up to us from down the street and told us their mom sent them. We followed them and had a brief, but eficaz lesson about the families. As it turns out, the father and mother want the gospel in their lives and accepted the invitation to prepare to be baptized. They have yet to await papers in order to get married, but are anxious to overcome the difficulties they face and enter into something much better.

It feels good to apply the new norma of what truly counts as a lesson and new investigator. It is helping us focus more on our missionary purpose and also allowing us to tune in more to the families we find. I really like the new norma!"