tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19503642055663029622024-03-12T17:27:39.568-07:00Sister Agura -California Santa Rosa MissionAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11448110971262295288noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950364205566302962.post-59250668399847576652013-09-17T16:44:00.000-07:002013-09-17T16:44:13.700-07:00The Message of the Restoration - ELDER CHARLES DIDIER Of the Presidency of the Seventy<span style="background-color: #f9f6ed; font-family: DistrictThin, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; line-height: 28px;"><b><span style="color: red;">The message of the Restoration is [an] invitation to know why the gospel of Jesus Christ and His true Church have been restored by a prophet in modern times.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f6ed; color: #2f393a; font-family: DistrictThin, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; line-height: 28px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2003/10/the-message-of-the-restoration.p1">
Words are part of a vocabulary that we use to share feelings, knowledge, or information between people. Among these words, one is used to find the cause or the reason of a thing. When expressed, it is to satisfy our curiosity, to discover the unknown, or to receive answers to vital questions related to our mortal life. If not used or ignored, the thinking process ceases and ignorance prevails. So what is this essential word? Did you guess it? It is comprised of three letters; it is the word <i style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">why.</i></div>
<div class="" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2003/10/the-message-of-the-restoration.p2">
<i style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Why</i> is among the first and favorite words pronounced early by children and especially teenagers. A favorite <i style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">why</i> of one of my grandchildren: “Why do I need to eat vegetables?” Then, as children grow, the <i style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">why</i>s start the exploration of feelings: “Why did Grandmother die?” Then it is the search for knowledge or for confirmation of responsibilities: “Why do I need to go to church or serve a mission?” “Why are we commanded to share the gospel with others?”</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2003/10/the-message-of-the-restoration.p3">
This last question is challenging! <a class="no-link-style" href="http://mormon.org/missionary-work" style="background-color: transparent; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Missionary work</a> is also the responsibility of every member—to sound the warning voice to their neighbors, in mildness and in meekness (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/38.41?lang=eng#40" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">D&C 38:41</a>). <i style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Why?</i> So that others may receive the saving ordinances in the Church of <a class="no-link-style" href="http://mormon.org/jesus-christ" style="background-color: transparent; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Jesus Christ</a> by inviting them to come unto Christ (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/moro/10.32?lang=eng#31" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Moro. 10:32</a>). The message of <span class="highlight" id="searchQueryTerm" style="background-color: #fefbbf; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the Restoration</span> is this invitation to know why the gospel of Jesus Christ and His true Church have been restored by a prophet in modern times.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2003/10/the-message-of-the-restoration.p4">
How can you extend such an invitation to someone?</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2003/10/the-message-of-the-restoration.p5">
First, by declaring that God our Father lives, loves us, and that He is a God of revelation. How is that known? By revelation and the witness of prophets.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2003/10/the-message-of-the-restoration.p6">
The time line of religious history starts with the <a class="no-link-style" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bible?lang=eng" style="background-color: transparent; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Bible</a>. It is a record of God’s early revelation to His prophets, dealing with mankind. It starts with an account of Adam and Eve, our first parents; their creation; their fall, with its consequences—mortality and separation from God; and their first steps in the mortal world. Probably then one of their first questions was “Why are we here?” To find out, their only solution was to call upon the name of the Lord, their only source of true knowledge (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/gen/4.26?lang=eng#25" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Gen. 4:26</a>). By direct revelation, they heard the voice of the Lord commanding them that they should worship the Lord their God and should make an offering unto Him (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/gen/4.4?lang=eng#3" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Gen. 4:4</a>; <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/moses/5.4-5?lang=eng#3" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Moses 5:4–5</a>). Further revelation to Adam and Eve taught them that the offering was in similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, that Jesus Christ was the only name whereby salvation would come unto them. Then the gift of the <a class="no-link-style" href="http://lds.org/study/topics/holy-ghost?lang=eng" style="background-color: transparent; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Holy Ghost</a> was promised to them whereby whatsoever they would ask, it would be given to them (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/moses/5.6-7?lang=eng#5" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Moses 5:6–7</a>; <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/moses/6.52?lang=eng#51" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Moses 6:52</a>).</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2003/10/the-message-of-the-restoration.p7">
Later Adam obtained by the power of the Holy Ghost a sure and infallible witness that Jesus was the Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the world. There was a literal restoration of an understanding of the mortal status of the fallen Adam and Eve by giving them knowledge about their relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; knowledge about the Atonement and the <a class="no-link-style" href="http://www.lds.org/topics/resurrection?lang=eng" style="background-color: transparent; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Resurrection</a>; and further knowledge about the first principles and ordinances of the gospel of salvation.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2003/10/the-message-of-the-restoration.p8">
Because of what Adam heard and what he saw, he qualified to be called the first prophet on earth, a personal witness of revelation given to man. His major responsibility now was to preserve the truth of the gospel as well as to teach it as it was given to him. Satan, on the other hand, representing the opposition, was going to do and teach anything to deny, to reject, or to ignore the gospel received by revelation, thus inducing the people who had accepted it into apostasy, a state of confusion, division, abandonment, or renunciation of their previous faith! The rest of the story of the Old Testament became then a religious history of continuous revelation through various prophets like Noah, Abraham, and <a class="no-link-style" href="http://lds.org/ensign/1998/04/moses-witness-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng" style="background-color: transparent; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Moses</a>, at various times—called dispensations—to restore what had been lost because of renewed apostasy. These prophets were always called by God. They were given divine authority; they had the keys of the priesthood; they had a divine commission to speak in the name of the Lord and teach and prophesy of the coming and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the world (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/amos/3.7?lang=eng#6" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Amos 3:7</a>).</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2003/10/the-message-of-the-restoration.p9">
The New Testament confirms the teachings, testimonies, and prophecies of the prophets of the Old Testament. It is an account of the birth, life, and ministry of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God; His Atonement; and His Resurrection. It tells about the establishment of His Church, His divine authority, His gospel, and His commandment to His disciples to share, to “go … into all the world, and preach [His] gospel to every creature” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/mark/16.15?lang=eng#14" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Mark 16:15</a>).</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2003/10/the-message-of-the-restoration.p10">
The message of the New Testament was clear: there was one fold, one faith, one gospel, one priesthood, one church in order to be “in one, the children of Christ” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/4-ne/1.17?lang=eng#16" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4 Ne. 1:17</a>).</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2003/10/the-message-of-the-restoration.p11">
But again persecution, denial of divine identity, and rejection of Christ’s gospel and His authorized priesthood servants characterized the post-Resurrection era. And religious history shows us evidence of how rapidly the priesthood authority was superseded by the secular authority; how the divine doctrine was traded for shifting, distorted human philosophies; how the ordinances of salvation were altered or purchased for money; how revelation was replaced by a veil of obscurity leading into the ages of spiritual darkness.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2003/10/the-message-of-the-restoration.p12">
However, there came a time during this great Apostasy, which had been prophesied before, when the religious quest surfaced again—the “Why is it so?” Men of great faith emerged to try to reform false doctrines and false spiritual authority. Their honest and sincere efforts only resulted in the creation of more churches carrying their names and their protest and adding more confusion and more divisions. In reality, two major elements were missing in the reform: revelation and authority, the Lord’s only way to communicate divine truth to mankind.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2003/10/the-message-of-the-restoration.p13">
As we continue to move rapidly along this time line of religious history, we find a date and a name. The date is 1820; the name is <a class="no-link-style" href="http://mormon.org/joseph-smith" style="background-color: transparent; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Joseph Smith</a>. Pondering about the total religious confusion and church division of his time, this young man asked himself, “If any one of [these churches] be right, which is it, and how shall I know it?” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1.10?lang=eng#9" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">JS—H 1:10</a>). Why such confusion? The prophetic model was to ask of God. Religious history suddenly repeated itself according to God’s scenario of how to answer mankind’s <i style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">whys.</i> Once again a vision came as an answer, this time a vision of the Father and the Son. Once again a divine testimony of the Father was given: <i style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!”</i> (<a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1.17?lang=eng#16" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">JS—H 1:17</a>). Once again direct revelation answered Joseph Smith’s question: “Which of all the [churches] was right … and which I should join. I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1.18-19?lang=eng#17" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">JS—H 1:18–19</a>). Once again apostasy was declared from the source of truth—by Jesus Christ Himself. And once again it had to be followed by a restoration, and indeed it was.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2003/10/the-message-of-the-restoration.p14">
In the following years, by revelation, Joseph Smith received full divine doctrinal knowledge and the authority and the keys of the priesthood. Finally in 1830, the Church of Jesus Christ, with all the doctrines of salvation and the ordinances thereof, was restored. Joseph Smith qualified to be called the prophet of <span class="highlight" style="background-color: #fefbbf; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the Restoration</span> in modern times.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2003/10/the-message-of-the-restoration.p15">
As the Bible is the tangible evidence of divine revelation to the prophets of ancient times, in the same way the <a class="no-link-style" href="http://mormon.org/book-of-mormon" style="background-color: transparent; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Book of Mormon</a>: <a class="no-link-style" href="http://mormon.org/book-of-mormon" style="background-color: transparent; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Another Testament of Jesus Christ</a> is also the modern convincing evidence that Joseph Smith was a prophet receiving revelation and authority as they did. A testimony of the veracity of the Book of Mormon helps people to find an answer to<i style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">why</i> the gospel and the Church of Jesus Christ have been restored by a prophet and <i style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">why</i> we have a living prophet today, namely Gordon B. Hinckley. It also answers the ultimate <i style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">why:</i> all the ordinances of the gospel provide the greatest blessing to prepare our salvation and to fulfill our mortal purpose to create eternal families. This message of <span class="highlight" style="background-color: #fefbbf; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the Restoration</span> is true because it is divine.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2003/10/the-message-of-the-restoration.p16">
Of this I testify, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2003/10/the-message-of-the-restoration.p16">
SOURCE:</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2003/10/the-message-of-the-restoration.p16">
<a href="http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2003/10/the-message-of-the-restoration?lang=eng&query=the+restoration">http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2003/10/the-message-of-the-restoration?lang=eng&query=the+restoration</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11448110971262295288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950364205566302962.post-18368721166449426742013-06-19T04:12:00.002-07:002013-06-19T04:12:48.414-07:00Meeting of the Century!
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This week has been wonderful! (I ALWAYS HAVE A GREAT WEEK!)
Our zone meeting was super edifying, with Elder Hyde and Windholz teaching and
motivating us to move forward with the work, especially our vision 101 this
coming July (it means we are working for 101 baptisms) and what's amazing is
that Sister Alba announced that this week, we are going to have 61 baptisms!
Imagine that! Please help us pray for these people :) It gave us chills and we
are so excited for the forthcoming "meeting of the century" on June
23rd! Have you heard about it? Our Zone Leaders emphasized and quoted from
Elder Nelson, that.. "THIS IS THE MEETING OF THE CENTURY! MISSIONARY WORK
AS WE KNOW IT IS ABOUT TO CHANGE FOREVER. THE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH WILL SEE SOMETHING
THAT THEY THOUGHT THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN IN THEIR LIFETIME!" --- we were
just soooo pumped up to work harder! Everyone here is so thrilled with what is
going to happen. The First Presidency entitled it "The Work of
Salvation."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Also, this week, the Santa Rosa Stake launched the
"MINI-MISSION" for this year, it involves the youth ages 16-17, and
had them paired up with us missionaries and also live in our apartments for 3
days to experience how to be in the mission. We got Bailee and Sarah, who are
both 17, and they loved it! They bore their testimonies most of the time, and I
love their spirit! We had great time preaching the gospel and helping them
learn more about some missionary skills, we went tracking a lot for the space
of 2 days, and did some street contacting, and they had the chance to lead it,
so they pretty enjoyed every moment while on their mini-mission. I loved the
testimony meeting we had with them, I just love hearing the great spiritual
experiences that they had, and how this activity strengthened their faith and
testimonies.... The Lord is indeed hastening His Work. . They are really lucky
they had this wonderful experience and they will be MORE prepared when the time
of their mission comes. I could just imagine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">HAPPY
FATHER'S DAY</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11448110971262295288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950364205566302962.post-69846411746197867652013-06-03T19:38:00.001-07:002013-06-03T19:38:49.520-07:00The 'Joy' of Missionary Work!
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jod5nbneRAo/Ua1SAMP041I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/kaeuqLCIcmk/s1600/SAM_2752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jod5nbneRAo/Ua1SAMP041I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/kaeuqLCIcmk/s1600/SAM_2752.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tF2stuZ-CoQ/Ua1SDQql3ZI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/XRHLDgNx8cE/s1600/SAM_2756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tF2stuZ-CoQ/Ua1SDQql3ZI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/XRHLDgNx8cE/s1600/SAM_2756.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our week has been
so awesome! Mauricio got baptized last Saturday and it was really a
wonderful experience! Especially when he got out from the water and he was in
tears, oh, the spirit just filled in the room, and I was looking at him and I
really felt the joy he had. I know his soul has entered into the gates of
baptism. He told me that he was in tears and that he felt so clean and he
wanted to feel that cleanliness forever. I was soooo happy to see him change
through the gospel of Jesus Christ. The feeling really was indescribable.
Cause I felt I was also changed. I love the gospel so much. And this coming
Saturday, we are going to have another baptism, 2 souls are going to be making
the covenant of Baptism again. They are just soooo receptive, their names are
Sterling and Angel. Their mom is a member, so we are meeting with them every
night and make sure that they are prepared. They are also excited towards their
baptism!!!! I love how Heavenly Father places these "GOLDEN PEOPLE"
in our paths, and help them receive the promises and blessings the Lord has in
store for them. I am just soooo pumped up to work more every day. Thanks to
sister facer who has been helping me every day as well, I love her so much!!! I
can't believe she's leaving. Funny, we were like crying like a baby last
Thursday after our lesson with Sterling and Angel, cause Angel told us that
before he met us last Monday, he told us that he actually said a prayer to our
Heavenly Father that he wanted to change his way of life, and an hour later, we
came in and met them for the first time. He told us that we were the answer to
his prayers. So sister Facer and I, were soo touched, we just started to cry
and realized that we are really here for a purpose!! I waited for soooo many
months to get here but I always knew it has a purpose! I am just soooo grateful
that I came here at the right time, right place, with the right people! These
are the people the Lord has been preparing to receive the restored gospel. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-moQDnvBjV9I/Ua1R6Tak0cI/AAAAAAAAAJo/aaZcceHlGgc/s1600/SAM_2711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-moQDnvBjV9I/Ua1R6Tak0cI/AAAAAAAAAJo/aaZcceHlGgc/s1600/SAM_2711.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mm4rk_SwuEE/Ua1R8omrwoI/AAAAAAAAAJw/y0HSpqlzcEI/s1600/SAM_2715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mm4rk_SwuEE/Ua1R8omrwoI/AAAAAAAAAJw/y0HSpqlzcEI/s1600/SAM_2715.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We also had 2 other investigators to
attend the sacrament meeting yesterday. Kyle, was a former investigator, and we
set up an appointment with him last Friday, and he agreed. He said, he needed
to talk to people like us to give some positivity in his life, he's going
through a lot right now, and his mom is soooo ANTI-LDS so he is confused of what
to do, though he knows this is right, he doesn't want to break her mom's heart.
Anyway, we're positive that he will make it. We also met another Filipina
living here in Santa Rosa, her name is Lili Soi, she's an ILOCANO and from
Cagayan, she has an ovarian Cancer, so we came to visit her, and began to cry
when she saw us. She was really weak, but she has a great faith! I was happy to
see her, she said that we should come visit frequently, her daughter Shirlyne,
was happy to see me as well. :) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Charity has been one of the
attributes I am trying to improve on, but I know, if I desire to have it, then
the Lord will be willing to give it to me. :) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LJXVUHv3ko0/Ua1R5D17c4I/AAAAAAAAAJg/hN_07rj44Yc/s1600/SAM_2710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LJXVUHv3ko0/Ua1R5D17c4I/AAAAAAAAAJg/hN_07rj44Yc/s1600/SAM_2710.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Until next week! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">-Sister Agura<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600"
o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f"
stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75"
alt="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/images/cleardot.gif" style='width:.75pt;
height:.75pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\William\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.gif"
o:title="cleardot"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img alt="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/images/cleardot.gif" height="1" src="file:///C:/Users/William/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1" width="1" /><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11448110971262295288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950364205566302962.post-32279163432964612812013-05-22T20:29:00.000-07:002013-05-22T21:18:43.849-07:00Welcome to Santa Rosa California Mission!<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Welcome to the Santa Rosa California
Mission! And welcome to the greatest mission in the world and the most OBEDIENT
MISSION! I got here last Tuesday, marami akong kasabay na missionaries
galing sa MTC, 28 kami lahat. Sobrang bait nila at madami silang tanong about
sa Philippines. So far ako pa lang ang the only Filipino na andito sa whole
mission. We were welcomed by our mission presidents at sinalubong nila kami sa
airport nung dumating kami, ang babait nilaaaa. Sobra! :) They brought us in
the mission home and had us take a nap in what we called "the celestial
room" kasi it was sooooo ganda! hahaha then we had lunch! They had us stayed
in the hotel overnight.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nung Wednesday, binigay na sa amin
yung mga companions namin. My companion and trainer now is Sister Facer, from
Utah! And she is sooooooo Bait! Pauwi na siya this coming JUNE 25TH so ako ang
last compnaion niya. Magaling siya at marami akong natututunan sa kanya! :) So
we had a lot of appointments during my first day in the field. I met George, one
of our investigators, and taught him about the importance of the Book of Mormon.
At first, I couldn’t believe that I was teaching a "real"
investigator already! We had like a lot of role plays in the MTC, haha, but
then I thought, this is real! George is very special; he doesn't usually go to
church but he has a lot of questions about our beliefs. After that, we taught
Mauricio, he has had a lot of baptismal dates before, (he had 4) pero laging
hindi natutuloy kasi he can't quit smoking! Kind of hard for him. Now we set
another baptismal date for June 1st. We know he's been struggling with the ‘Word
of Wisdom’, but we have members here that are soooooooo willing to help. Ngayon
ko narealize yung importance talaga ng MEMBERS. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By the way, we are serving here in the
Redwoods Singles Ward! It's all new to me, well, because we don't have
"singles wards” there in the Philippines. Hehe Pero, basically, lahat ng
YSA ages 18-30 in the whole stake of Santa Rosa ay sa amin, so we have a really
wide area! Narealize ko nakakapagod din kahit my vehicle kaming gamit. Sometimes,
we have to go to the very end of the city, and then have to travel back to the
other end of the city, nakakapagod! Haha, but then I'm still grateful, sabi nga
ni Sister Facer, we are somehow being spoiled here, we have vehicles, good
apartments, good members (yeah, we have dinner appointments every single day,
we are well fed here, please make sure you also feed the missionaries, it's
really a big thing.) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The weather here is fine, parang
nasa Baguio lang ako. Mainit pero sakto lang. So the highlight of our week,
nag-attend si George ng sacrament! yey! And he stayed for the whole 3 Hours!
Isn't that sooo amazing? We are soooo happy! I love this work! I know that
saving their souls will make our Heavenly Father so happy, and I'm grateful
that I am part of this Hastening! Ang daming new missionaries coming in :) Sa
MTC pa lang sobrang dami na. Anyway, I met our ward mission leader, Kellen, and
he is soooo awesome! He always call us every single day and ask if what help
could he give. So far very eager to help ang mga members ditto. The YSA's, most
of them are RM's, and some will be going on mission! So, they really help our
Recent Converts, Less Actives, and Investigators be fellowshipped. They have a
lot of activities here every week. Every Wednesday is "Mid-week
Forum" where they can watch church movies and have indoor games, and eat.
Then every Thursday night is sports night! haha this is really a helpful tool
to invite non-members so we could meet them. Mondays are for FHE! We also have
an activity called "Linger longer" held once a month after church
service. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am really having so much Fun in
this work! Last Wednesday, we went street contacting and it kind of scares me
at first but Sister Facer told me to just be confident and follow the Spirit. We
took turns. When I opened my mouth to the first person I talked with, the words
just came out to my mouth. That was Matthew, we were about to cross the street
and he was standing behind us so I talked to him. We introduced ourselves as
the Servants of the Lord (Our mission President said we should introduce
ourselves by saying "we are Servants of the Lord” rather than we are “Missionaries
of the Lord"). I asked him "Do you want to know more about our
Savior Jesus Christ?" and he said, "Yeah, maybe yes, cause I was
losing faith these past few days...maybe i should try" :)) Made us so
happy. We got his contact number and address. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I also met an atheist! haha It was
so funny! They were like asking us a lot of questions about our church then at
the end of our conversation he said that he was actually the President of the
Atheist club-stuff. But he asked for a copy of the Book of Mormon, because they
need some resources because they're doing some kind of like research about the
different religions. Anyway, we just bore our testimonies :) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Being here in the mission is really
tough. You have to deal with a lot of stresses :) But for me, the most
remarkable thing to witness is when I see miracles happening in the lives of
these people... And that we know, the Lord will open the windows of heaven in
this mission, we have what we call the VISION 101 this July, (101 baptisms). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Anyway, I'm out of time :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">_Sister Agura</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11448110971262295288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950364205566302962.post-48477110047237701012013-05-13T00:30:00.001-07:002013-05-13T00:30:23.771-07:00Update from Sister Agura May 11, 2013:
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2sGQJW8g7Ow/UZCV4HIjeDI/AAAAAAAAAIk/n2v-eje1kMc/s1600/IMG_2268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2sGQJW8g7Ow/UZCV4HIjeDI/AAAAAAAAAIk/n2v-eje1kMc/s1600/IMG_2268.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I just want to share how my Sunday went. So we had our
branch sacrament meeting, and it's so timing cause it was fast and testimony
meeting, so of course, all of us are expected to fast (except for those who are
sick, ang dami nagkakasakit sa zone namin lately, but don't worry, di pa naman
ako tinatablan) :) During the sacrament, I was one of those who got up at the stand
and bore my testimony. What was very fascinating was to hear the different
testimonies of the missionaries; to hear some of their conversion stories just
brought tears to my eyes... (I have been just so emotional lately, but I think it
has just been the spirit… :)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anyways, we also
attended a ‘mission conference’ right after our sacrament meeting. We had 6
speakers; the MTC Presidency with their wives. What stood out to me was the
message of the concluding speaker (President Nally). He talked about the
atonement; the whole room was so reverent and each of us could really feel the
spirit. Then he had us sing one verse of the song "COME THOU FOUNT"
and I nearly cried when we sang the lyrics, "Here to rescue, me from
danger, interposed HIs precious blood." I had a clear and better
understanding of the love Jesus has for me and how He rescued us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After that, we had our first district meeting presided by
President Marion. I love his sense of humor! haha! He always cracks jokes, yet
he is also strict! When he gets serious, we all become quiet and tamed. I am
loving my zone here; all of us came from different countries which make us
international! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--3WjCcvnNpE/UZCV7-AXqYI/AAAAAAAAAI0/n6Gd5xygZjA/s1600/IMG_2213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--3WjCcvnNpE/UZCV7-AXqYI/AAAAAAAAAI0/n6Gd5xygZjA/s1600/IMG_2213.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">SUNDAY NIGHT
DEVOTIONAL:<br />
I love Sunday meetings here in the MTC! At 7pm, we had our Sunday Devotional
and our speaker was Bro. CHAD LEWIS (a football player that served in Taiwan,
Taichung mission). All of us thought he gave a great talk. I was like writing
down every word he said. Let me share a few of the words I wrote down:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He said that, "your mission will change your life and the
lives of other people and their generations." He said that, "your
mission starts here and it never ends!" Also, he added that we need to
make a commitment right now that we will be a missionary forever and that when
we return home, we need not to go back to our old way of life, we need to
choose the right friends, right movies, right music, and surround ourselves
with greatness! He also admonished us Elders/Sisters to "LOCK OUR
HEARTS" And teased us that the little ‘sparks’ the Elders and Sisters feel
here at the MTC are the ‘sparks of Gospel!’ haha Funny </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">MONDAY: <br />
During our TRC (where we teach an investigator), we taught Michelle Gioglio.
Our lesson to her was about the Restoration; it went great! My companion and I
asked her to pray about the things we taught her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tuesday:<br />
We just had our first invitation for baptism (Richard), and yeah...he said yes!
He said he would get baptized if God confirms to him that this church and the
prophet Joseph Smith is true! Anyways, we had class with our teacher Rellaford.
We had a looot of practices on how to begin teaching and had a thorough
discussion on PMG (Preach My Gospel) pages 176-177. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vPVLFtpGnog/UZCV7UUPkYI/AAAAAAAAAIs/bhxNpROnMak/s1600/IMG_2266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vPVLFtpGnog/UZCV7UUPkYI/AAAAAAAAAIs/bhxNpROnMak/s1600/IMG_2266.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sister Shamanga and I joined the choir! haha! It was funny,
it just happened so fast! We were excused from our class and just entered in
the building where the devotional would be held. We practiced for 1 hour. I
know I'm not a good singer, haha, but I just miss singing in the choir and it
makes me feel that I am actually in my home-ward in Rosales and it gives me joy
and somehow relieves my loneliness, haha, just kidding. I miss home, but I also
feel that this place is my home too. The people here are sooooo friendly and
very close to my heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We had our Tuesday night devotional speaker, Elder Eduardo
Gavarett of the Seventy, and before he spoke, the choir sang "Come Follow
Me.” He really loved it. This time I was with the alto group, because Sister Shamanga
is alto so I wanted to be with her. This day is awesome!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I really have a lot of things to say but I have limited
time! We always have something to do every minute :)) I will be leaving the MTC
on Tuesday. I will be in Santa Rosa, California on the same day. I can't
believe I'm gonna be in the real battle next week! :) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">-Sister Agura<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RYaKZWAs7Eo/UZCV8IikDAI/AAAAAAAAAI4/Ul6qC90ajgA/s1600/IMG_2329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RYaKZWAs7Eo/UZCV8IikDAI/AAAAAAAAAI4/Ul6qC90ajgA/s1600/IMG_2329.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11448110971262295288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950364205566302962.post-30577832115685183572013-05-06T03:41:00.001-07:002013-05-06T03:41:50.177-07:00Welcome to the MTC!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u7aV5DnB34c/UYeA3CcWFdI/AAAAAAAAAGE/q3QqydSWj9Y/s1600/IMG_2085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u7aV5DnB34c/UYeA3CcWFdI/AAAAAAAAAGE/q3QqydSWj9Y/s1600/IMG_2085.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WsKpeaMdxyQ/UYeBHQY4F2I/AAAAAAAAAGM/9SFp-TMa4Sk/s1600/IMG_2084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WsKpeaMdxyQ/UYeBHQY4F2I/AAAAAAAAAGM/9SFp-TMa4Sk/s1600/IMG_2084.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">First day was soooo AWESOME! They gave me my nametag, and it
has 2 stickers; a green and an orange one! The green sticker means i have a language
evaluation, and the orange means that I'm new! So everyone was just greeting us
"Sisters, welcome to the MTC!" hahaha! It was really fun, and we felt
very welcome! Ang dami kong kwentoooo! So we had like MTC orientations FOR 2
DAYS, met the MTC Presidency and we had the chance to meet a member of the
Seventy on the first day, he name was Elder Packer, and he gave a great talk! We
have our own districts now. I'm in District C, Branch 14, and our Dist. Leader is
Elder Posadas. We also have "Sister Training Leaders" too, haha They are
sooooo awesome! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Apat pala kaming Filipino dito; Elder Fernando, Elder
Posadas (from PAsay), and Sister Respecia (from Cebu). Siya ang companion ko
ngayon and supeeer bait niya! We really get along! This morning, we went to the
Provo Temple, it was so spiritual :) Anyway, there are so many things
going on here in the MTC everyday! We also met our teachers already. Tomorrow,
we're going to have practice teachings on how to teach our first investigator!
Pretty excited yet nervous :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I'll be in the field by May 14, so we only have 2 weeks to stay
here, and I'm lovin' it! I love my district, they are soooo friendly, funny,
and we're helping out each other to improve our weaknesses. Ohhh, I'm running
out of time, so until next week!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sister Agura</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hGZdEDw7COo/UYeDV-JTqnI/AAAAAAAAAGc/xhg6G1lyP0o/s1600/IMG_2077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hGZdEDw7COo/UYeDV-JTqnI/AAAAAAAAAGc/xhg6G1lyP0o/s1600/IMG_2077.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HMkFt_41eMA/UYeF2u2GAnI/AAAAAAAAAHY/IDSQF7S11ew/s1600/IMG_2103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f-_PrtNcAlM/UYeIyhxoPMI/AAAAAAAAAIA/GhPUX0eTCT8/s1600/new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f-_PrtNcAlM/UYeIyhxoPMI/AAAAAAAAAIA/GhPUX0eTCT8/s1600/new.jpg" height="271" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-trJsLZcoJoQ/UYeIziu6L2I/AAAAAAAAAII/HeJClGdOPQ8/s1600/new1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-trJsLZcoJoQ/UYeIziu6L2I/AAAAAAAAAII/HeJClGdOPQ8/s1600/new1.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VIAqtbcKRiM/UYeEsdqYhWI/AAAAAAAAAHM/X93Y36aONVg/s1600/IMG_2107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11448110971262295288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950364205566302962.post-82888596181002403652013-04-29T19:37:00.000-07:002013-04-29T19:37:03.686-07:00Welcome to AmericaToday I arrived in the United States of America! I met up with Elder Posadas in Manila; he is from Pasay. We flew to Utah together. He is serving in Provo, Utah and will be at the MTC with me at the same time.<br />
We first flew from Manila to Nagoya, Japan. From Nagoya, we took a very long flight to Detroit, Michigan where we waited for 5 hours until we boarded out next flight to Salt Lake City, Utah. I was met by my relatives there! I am so excited to be here and be a missionary!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQMQ8IedsRs/UX8tFvsTfUI/AAAAAAAAAFA/pdv5i_DJHz0/s1600/welcome.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQMQ8IedsRs/UX8tFvsTfUI/AAAAAAAAAFA/pdv5i_DJHz0/s320/welcome.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Urxz2xyMuMc/UX8tqz8z9UI/AAAAAAAAAFI/BXMtfp7Bk7c/s1600/168209_10151405245512043_73349759_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Urxz2xyMuMc/UX8tqz8z9UI/AAAAAAAAAFI/BXMtfp7Bk7c/s320/168209_10151405245512043_73349759_n.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
Family<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgBsURUuXA0/UX8triOzylI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/h6cuL9JpeK8/s1600/250057_10151405214077043_1366636997_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgBsURUuXA0/UX8triOzylI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/h6cuL9JpeK8/s320/250057_10151405214077043_1366636997_n.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
Family<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wwLIEG6lP1A/UX8t46COwdI/AAAAAAAAAFY/4CdpZfVk52w/s1600/943680_10151405249607043_73320818_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wwLIEG6lP1A/UX8t46COwdI/AAAAAAAAAFY/4CdpZfVk52w/s320/943680_10151405249607043_73320818_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Family<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W8EhtJnkuEA/UX8t6PY63SI/AAAAAAAAAFg/uutiOT0r01E/s1600/picture018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W8EhtJnkuEA/UX8t6PY63SI/AAAAAAAAAFg/uutiOT0r01E/s320/picture018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Elder Posadas</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11448110971262295288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950364205566302962.post-81797172589569083862013-04-03T07:55:00.000-07:002013-04-03T07:55:05.099-07:00Called to ServeOh well, after graduating in College, I took my Nursing Licensure Examination, and after waiting for the results, I passed! I am now a registered nurse. However, I had a goal written on my journal, one of which is that I want to go on a mission at the age of 21. I had my attention focused on that goal, and did everything to nourish and keep that deisre in my heart. I resigned in my work, and applied for my papers! It took me almost 2 months to finish my papers. The most difficult thing (for me) was to wait for my mission call. haha They said my papers will only take 3 weeks on process, and I'll receive my call in just 3 weeks, but that didn't actually happen. haha By the end of May 2012, I was really getting frustrated when my call hasn't been in my hands yet. And what added to the pressure is that, everytime people (especially the church members see me), they would ask if I have already my call. Ohh, really, my patience is being tested :) After patiently waiting for some time, I received my call at August 17 2012! That was the most exciting and nerve-racking period of my life! <span id="goog_764793265"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gD3oWP1CV3Q/UVw_sNp3h0I/AAAAAAAAACY/-gRTDwsGivc/s1600/530018_4077533549103_1766185853_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gD3oWP1CV3Q/UVw_sNp3h0I/AAAAAAAAACY/-gRTDwsGivc/s320/530018_4077533549103_1766185853_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="background-color: red;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;">I was called to labor in the California Santa Rosa Mission. :) </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-94DqcpKSFBY/UVxAc4NYOjI/AAAAAAAAACg/RkAZNhTKlf4/s1600/255433_4077490068016_1435515887_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-94DqcpKSFBY/UVxAc4NYOjI/AAAAAAAAACg/RkAZNhTKlf4/s320/255433_4077490068016_1435515887_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<span><span style="background-color: red;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"> Our Bishop, apparently was so happy :)</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-onuwt3Pdye8/UVxBtN_3RlI/AAAAAAAAACo/bfkFGmswS9M/s1600/556425_4077492788084_162319925_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-onuwt3Pdye8/UVxBtN_3RlI/AAAAAAAAACo/bfkFGmswS9M/s320/556425_4077492788084_162319925_n.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<span><span style="background-color: red;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"> Mom and my sister (wiping tears) haha</span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hsBNDIkFxEY/UVxB-16ejuI/AAAAAAAAACw/EE1MfqLBjHw/s1600/378698_4077522268821_1795455080_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hsBNDIkFxEY/UVxB-16ejuI/AAAAAAAAACw/EE1MfqLBjHw/s320/378698_4077522268821_1795455080_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
L-R: Elder Catellier, Elder Valdez, My sister Joy Grace, Mom, (ME), Caleb, Ron-ely</div>
<span><span style="background-color: red;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span id="goog_764793264"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11448110971262295288noreply@blogger.com0