Let the Holy Spirit Guide; Let Him Teach us What is True.

Huntsville be doing work!

We have another set of sisters in Huntsville to help with the English ward members and the YSA branch! There are already so many great miracles that have happened and so much work to be done here! Sister Hassle and Sister Lambright are going to do great things here and we are so excited to work with them! The Lord is truly hastening His work. Are you with him?

The power of the spirit

This last week we had a restoration lesson with our investigator Natasha who we met on campus. We went to go talk to us and she looked at our nametag and was like, "Wait, what?! I was meeting with missionaries down in Houston where I was from!" And so we set up a time to meet with her. :)

Right now she is really searching and seriously has no idea what she believes in... she is reading and researching everything!... I don't know how she does it and how she keeps everything straight! At the end of the lesson she asked a really good question about the Garden of Eden and the Fall of Adam & Eve. It was something that I never even thought about before, but as I was listening to her question I knew exactly how to answer it and what to tell her. I could feel the spirit testify to me and before I knew it, I had opened my mouth without really organizing my thoughts as to what I would say... And it all made sense! It made me think of the quote and scripture:

"I always know when I am speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost because I always learn something from what I've said." - Boyd K Packer

"...The time has verily come that it is necessary and expedient in me that you should open your mouths in proclaiming my gospel, the things of the kingdom, expounding the mysteries thereof out of the scriptures, according to that portion of Spirit and power which shall be given unto you, even as I will." - Doctrine & Covenants 71:1

Meet the Mormons

This last week as a mission we were able to watch a preview of the movie Meet the Mormons which is showing in theatres October 10th! It follows the lives of 6 mormons, The fighter, The Candy Bomber, The coach, The missionary mom, The bishop, & The Humanitarian! It was absolutely amazing! Really funny and also a very uplifting and inviting to the spirit. 

I would highly recommend taking your friends and family to go see it if it is showing in a theatre near you. It will be showing in theatres and then later will be on Netflix and other online cites for free! Such a great missionary tool to introduce people to the church in a non pushy way.

Watch the trailer at meetthemormons.com 

The power of the Spirit... Part II

We met two other girls on campus, Lindsay and Grace and talked to them about the church. They told us that they were strong in their faith but were interested in just learning about what we believed in. Well after a couple of weeks we were finally able to figure out a time that would work for them... They even invited a couple of their friends to join them during their lunch break.

So here we are in the third floor of the student center on campus sitting around a table. Hermana Hoj and I were nervous and didn't know how to best approach the situation because we didn't want it to be too "teachy" and "invasive" because we knew they were not interested in having us "convert" them. Well little did they know...

The power of the spirit part II... We asked each of them to share their testimonies with us in what they believe in and how they came to know of the truths they shared with us. As they each went around, I could feel the spirit as they bore their testimonies... and at about the same time Hermana Hoj and I were prompted to share the 13 Articles of Faith with them.

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul-We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

And so one by one we read each of them. As we got to #8 we explained a brief explanation of the Book of Mormon and Grace asked, "So where did the Book of Mormon come from?" And we were able to share the Restoration... at about the time we were about to talk about the First Vision, it was time for two of the girls to go to class. They both looked at eachother and said, "But this is so much more interesting. It's ok. I don't want to go to class." (Yes! it is!) And then turned towards us anxiously engaged in what we were saying. I felt like I was telling a bedtime story to 4 little girls who were eager to hear the ending! And what a great story to be able to tell them! 

They were just so intrigued and didn't know anything about the Book of Mormon. Sister Hoj and I were able to testify of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon as another testimony of Jesus Christ and invited them to read it and ask like Moroni invites us to do in Moroni 10:3-5. They have no idea what is coming their way. I pray that they will receive an answer and the spirit, essentially will "convert" them! :)

Come and Listen to a Prophet's Voice

This week on campus we made a General Conference board with prophets to be able to advertise and invite everyone to come listen to President Thomas S. Monson speak! On one board we had pictures of prophets from the Bible and Book of Mormon with the question, "If there were a living prophet, would you listen to him?" And then on another board we had a picture of Thomas S. Monson, Amos 3:7, and quotes that he shared in previous conference with the statement, "There is a living prophet, come and listen to him! 

I am so excited to continue to invite people! Please keep these students in your prayers that they will be able to come and attend, listen, and feel uplifted by the spirit! Matt was on campus inviting people as well with us! And he was so good at it! What a go getter!

Are you prepared for conference? What questions do you have prepared for the spirit to answer while you watch?

I am so thankful to have a living prophet on the earth today, Thomas S. Monson. God loves all of his children, and he still loves us today. We are able to receive modern day revelation as a guide to help us in this increasingly wicked world. What a wonderful blessing!

Love, Sister Loo

Texas State Prison Museum...

Might take place of the best p-day activity ever at the Funeral Museum a couple of transfers ago... ;)

3rd Best BBQ place in the nation! MMMMMM GOOD! 

With the new Huntsville Sisters 

Huntsville State Park P-day Morning Studies :) 

I got a new nametag! That makes 3 different languages!

Lots of Work to Do! And its Fun to Do!

YSA Exchanges

This week we had exchanges with the Texas A&M sisters and so many miracles happened! We were able to learn from each other and we ended up teaching 12 lessons on campus in about 2 hours AND getting 2 new investigators! 

One of our new investigators name is Fidel. What we try to do on campus now is we ask if they know a mormon so that they have someone they can refer to and relate to. So I asked Fidel if he knew any mormons and he said, "ya. My cousin just got baptized a couple years ago in Houston." I usually don't ask who the person is, but I felt prompted to and he said, "Marcus Castro." I was taken off guard because Marcus Castro is the person that introduced Aieliaria to the church in my last area! #smallworld We had a great lesson with him later that day. He is really searching so keep him in your prayers!

This week we made a general conference board to invite people to listen to the prophet. We are going to be broadcasting it at the Institute building on Saturday with a lunch in between the sessions to have people come to. Are you ready for the best weekend ever? Conference!!! :)

Melting Pot of Experiences

Can I just say that I have the best of all the worlds in this area! Just a few great moments this week:

We were visiting a less active Spanish family in the ward and all the while Hermana Cuellar was making homemade fresh tortillas. As we were about to leave she asked us if we wanted a tortilla and we were very quick to respond, "YES!" And oh my! It was probably the best burrito I have had in my life! I love the spanish people. They have such big caring hearts and are always so giving.

We had a lesson with 2 new investigators yesterday, Dara and Jessica. They are black and love to party. But what was so funny was their language that they used. Just like the "turn up" or in our words, party, starts on Thursday nights. Or Jessica was so prideful of were she came from and Dara was making fun of her. Jessica turned to her and just said, "When someone asks where you are from don't you just get all krunk and ready to respond?" Houston is just the best.

But Dara and Jessica are having an internal battle within themselves because they know what is the right thing to do, but they are young and want to "have fun". We are working with them on that one! 

A great quote that I read this morning in personal study that relates to them and really to all of us: 

"'The greatest battles you will ever fight will be within the silent chambers of your heart.' That is the battleground between what you want and what the Lord wants. If you surrender, if the Lord wins, you win also. if you win, if your will prevails, you and the Lord both lose. The only way to win is to lose. Lose yourself in the Lord's work, and you will win beyond your wildest imaginations." - Lawrence E. Carbridge

Investigator teaches Missionaries

Matt is just so great! Before starting our lesson, he shared with us what he had learned in his studies before he met with us. (He studies for a couple hours every day in his scriptures). He was able to watch the CES devotional from Elder Christofferson and it was speaking just to him. He talked about giving up our desires and our hearts to the Lord even in times of tribulation. 

So anyways, during the talk Elder Christofferson talked about how Christ was like a "two-edged sword" and he wanted to know what that meant. So upon further studying in his scriptures he decided to read in Alma 17 about Ammon watching over the king's sheep and guarding them against the Lamanites. 

Alma 17: 36-38 reads:

36 But Ammon stood forth and began to cast stones at them with his sling; yea, with mighty power he did sling stones amongst them; and thus he slew a certain number of them insomuch that they began to be astonished at his power; nevertheless they were angry because of the slain of their brethren, and they were determined that he should fall; therefore, seeing that they couldnot hit him with their stones, they came forth with clubs to slay him.

 37 But behold, every man that lifted his club to smite Ammon, he smote off their arms with his sword; for he did withstand their blows by smiting their arms with the edge of his sword, insomuch that they began to be astonished, and began to flee before him; yea, and they were not few in number; and he caused them to flee by the strength of his arm.

 38 Now six of them had fallen by the sling, but he slew none save it were their leader with his sword; and he smote off as many of their arms as were lifted against him, and they were not a few.

He then explains how the Lamanites had clubs and Ammon had a sword. He said, "Why would Ammon, a servant, have a sword? In relation to Elder Christofferson, sword = Christ and club = Satan. And so he told us that from this he learned that Satan can't kill us. He just tries to beat us down, while Christ can help us to drive Satan away. When we have Christ in our lives and ask for his help we have the more powerful weapon to fight against Satan. 

I had NEVER looked at that story in that way and the spirit was so strong as he shared his testimony. Ammon is one of his favorite stories in the Book of Mormon and I think it is becoming one of my favorites now too :)

Hearts are softened

Matt was so ready for his baptism and so excited. He sent us the sweetest message the morning of his baptism in how much he loves everyone and how grateful he is for them and how excited they are for him.

His parents were able to come and I wanted the program and environment to be conducive to the spirit so that they would be able to feel it.

We started off with some great songs, prayers, and scriptures. He was then baptized and the spirit was strong. We walked back into the Relief Society room to share testimonies while we waited for him to change. (He was beaming from ear to ear and couldn't stop laughing). The spirit was so strong as we had about 4 members of our branch who are the only members in their family share their testimony. Sister Hoj then gave a great talk on the Holy Ghost and Matt received the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Afterwards he hugged his parents. It was really special. 

We went to talk and thank his mom and dad for coming to his baptism. His mom was so sweet. Her heart was already softened and she started tearing up as she thanked us for all that we had done. We told her, "Thank you! We learned so much for Matt and we are thankful for the wonderful parents you are." She just started to cry and said, "I'm just so happy he isn't part of that fraternity anymore... they were not good influences." We laughed a bit.

Matt just couldn't stop smiling and smiling. I can't wait for the future ahead for him and how much he is going to bring to our branch. He told us the next day that his mom texted him and said, "I'm so happy we are on the same side." I know that meant a lot to Matt and what is even greater is that she wants to watch General Conference and hear the prophet speak! The spirit softens hearts! :)

And guess who is coming to meet Jessica and Dara at our next lesson? Matt! He is going to share his story about opposition and how the gospel has brought him the most happiness in his life!

The Church is true! Love y'all!

Sister Loo

Antique Shopping Finds

With the Bearkat on Campus with Sister McLean

Muddin' in our Jeep

Can you spot the goats on the porch? #countrylife

Momma Lesa! :) 

Matt's Baptism

In the country at Night with the Stars 

Country signs :)

The gospel brings more Smiles!

The Spirit softens hearts

On saturday we had stopped by earlier in the day to check on a less active lady we had never met before but she wasn't home. Then on our way back from dinner we passed by her house and I noticed that there was a light on inside. So I told Hermana Hoj to stop and we knocked on the door again. 

A lady came from around the side and introduced herself. We did some small chatting and then she told us that she usually doesn't answer but she saw us smiling on her doorstep and couldn't ignore us. She invited us in and we got to talking and getting to know her. Some time went by and I didn't know if we should just get to know her or bring up the gospel but Heavenly Father showed us a tender mercy and the conversation soon turned into a spiritual topic.

She then opened up to us in how she doesn't feel comfortable coming to church and we talked about Repentance and Forgiveness; how Heavenly Father grants forgiveness for anything that we may have done in the past and how the Atonement helps to move us forward. She was so sweet and told us that she usually doesn't open up to people. She was like, "My brother would be really jealous right now at the conversation we are having." And then she stopped and said, "You know what? I just love you two." I was on the verge of tears and the spirit was SO strong! In the short amount of time that we had been talking to her, I had grown a deep love for her as well! We now call her Mama Lesa. I'm really excited to keep visiting and working with her on coming to church. #miracles

Bees

So for some reason the bees just love us here... I'm still trying to decide if they are little workers from Satan or blessings from Heavenly Father. I don't know? Not sure what to think about that. But everywhere we go... bee. We talk to someone... bee. But we haven't gotten any stings yet so thank goodness!

Investigator Updates

Gabby has been taught all the lessons and is praying about baptism. She is 16 and has some concerns about being the only member in her family. She loves the scriptures and reads every night but doesn't feel like she is ready. She wants to make sure that she doesn't give up and that this is something that she for sure wants to do. She is so sweet and I know that she is ready! Please pray for her!

Matt is getting baptized this upcoming week and he told us that his parents decided to come, not because they support him but because they love him. He is going through a lot of opposition with them and it doesn't even phase him. Every time he goes home his dad has an outline of anti-mormon stuff that he gives to him and Matt just ignores all of it. He uses the spiritual experiences he has as what he calls a "cushion" to lean back on. He is just so strong! 

He is always so happy and he himself notices the change that he has made. He loves being around the members and loves coming to Institute and to the activities. He says that he watches Mormon Messages or listens to the scriptures walking on his way to class. He said, "I'm sure people just think I'm so weird... like who is this guy that is just smiling all the time." His favorite Mormon Message is The Hope of God's Light. It is SO good. If you haven't watched it, here is the link: http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=3701964025001

I'm so thankful for his wonderful example. The gospel changes us and it should continue to change us. As we receive more light into our lives, our smiles become bigger and we become happier! 

The church is true! 

Love,

Hermana Loo

Cold Front brings 70 degree weather...

...so we had to pull out the scarves!

In the country back dirt roads and horses!

Contacting on Campus

HOLA! Soy HERMANA LOO! :)

Huntsville, TX...

(Home of the Texas State Prison Museum and where 75% of the people live in trailers)

So... I got transferred to a new area in Huntsville, Texas where the joke is that there are more cows than people and 8 state prisons! (Don't worry mom, no big deal that there's one that holds death row convicts right next to the college... who planned that?) 

It is a small college town with Sam Houston State University and reminds me a lot of Cedar City. There are actually a lot of trees and hills here. YAY! This place is so unique and interesting and I have already fallen in LOVE with the area and people. It's so great!

No one can get away from these sisters... Aint nobody off the hook because we can talk to everyone... LITERALLY. Spanish, English, YSA, old or young.There is so much opportunity and room for growth. I am so excited for the work in this area! 

We are over a YSA branch and the family ward Spanish and English speaking. I feel like I am in church all day which is SO awesome! I was so nervous about being in a family ward because I love the quiet sacrament meetings, but this ward is majority old people so it is still quiet! AND i get two quiet sacrament meetings! The best of all the worlds! Can I just say again how much I love this area! :)

Soy la Hermana Loo

My new companera es Hermana Hoj. She is from Holiday, Utah and we actually came out at the same time and will be going home at the same time. We are Sister Training Leader's together and I am so excited to work with her. She is going to be teaching me Spanish. I'm excited because she speaks really well and so I know that she will be an excellent teacher. She is also a great missionary and I know there will be many miracles in the future!

We... or more... Hermana Hoj has taught a couple of lessons in Spanish. I was able to share my testimony and ask a couple of questions however. I also understand and comprehend a lot. I think that the Portuguese helps a little but the pronunciation is totally different which will take some time getting used to. 

After one of the lessons, Herman Hoj had to use the bathroom and I thought to myself, "Ok. This is gonna be awkward. I'm not just going to sit in silence with the member that we are visiting." So I just opened my mouth and tried to ask a question about how many years she lived in Huntsville.... and she got it & kept talking and talking away. 

I was pretty proud of myself but know that there is so much more studying and praying that needs to happen on my end to get this language. After trying to concentrate on learning and understanding people I get the worst headaches... haha 

Because of Him

This week we went on campus (there are about 19,000 undergraduate students) with a big white board and at the top of it was the question... What has Jesus Christ done for you? We stood at a busy part on campus and asked people if they had time to answer a question and gave them a 3x5 notecard to write on. We got so many wonderful responses, people kept saying "Everything." "Where do I start?" It was so awesome to hear all of their responses as Christ has helped with every situation and personally for each one of us. It was such a testimony builder. We also got some funny responses too. Like, "He gave me beautiful hair." That one was from a guy... But we were able to have some really great conversations with students and then invite them to Institute for "Bible Study" and dinner. We hope to be able to get more students there!

We hope that in the future when we get Ipads we will be able to show the student the Because of Him video alongside with this contacting technique. If you haven't watched it yet. Do it. The spirit is so strong each and every time I watch it and I've watched it so many times. 

https://www.lds.org/youth/video/because-of-him?lang=eng

We also had some great contacts on campus with students. We have found 2 students already from the two days who have met with missionaries and who were debating on still taking the lessons. We hope to be able to start teaching them. 

We also have been able to contact people who have already had contact with the church. For example, one girl has a grandma who is a member and another has a best friend who is serving a mission right now! I'm telling you, there are so many great things in store for this area!

It's so funny because I want to get my hair braided again because I notice that the things that I talk to people about is their hair and their shoes so that I can start a conversation with them. Do you think president will let me do it again because it would be an awesome finding tool? haha.

Applying Before Even Learning the Principle

Matt is an investigator here and he is getting baptized!!! He is seriously too great--so so prepared it's unreal. So this week we taught him the Word of Wisdom and he pretty much taught us. We introduce the topic and ask him if he knew anything about it. He told us he did, that he actually just learned about it from his friend Darrin (the member that referred him to us). He told us that this last summer he smoked every day and would drink too, however when he started meeting with us and learning about the gospel he felt as if he shouldn't anymore. He said each time he went to smoke or drink it felt wrong and he decided to stop doing it. 

Then two days later, Darrin started talking to him about the Word of Wisdom, they read D&C 89, and he straight up stopped cold turkey! He told us that he doesn't want to jeopardize losing the knowledge he is gaining or slow down his progress by smoking and drinking! It was so incredible that he had already gained a testimony of the Word of Wisdom before he even learned of it.

 He told us he was with friends and they offered him something to smoke--he turned it down. Then a little while later they offered it to him again--he turned it down. Then they offered it to him a third time--he turned it down and left! He is so amazing and so prepared! 

I feel so blessed to work with him! Then he accepted baptism and chose to be baptized on September 20th, so please keep him in your prayers!! He is going up against so much opposition, but he is soaking in everything he is learning and he knows it is true! But what is even cooler is that he is applying it all too! We are sooo excited for him! 

Love Y'all! 

Herman Loo

Because of Him Campus Contacting...

The Elders made some really cool oversized bible and book of mormon from cardboard

Cowboy Church...gidee up!

Huntsville...one more prison...7 more to go....

Safari Adventure!

We went on a "Safari Ride" at one of our member's homes.

They have 500 acres or so of land and so we stand in the back of the truck as he drives through it all!  

Do you think we have enough locks on our door?

New apartment in Huntsville... Maybe because of all the prisons? :) 

Matching one last time! I'm going to miss Sister Huber So much! 

Saying goodbye to the people of Sam Houston... 

These are a Few of my Favorite Things!

Transfers

So... Earlier this week I was pretty sure that I was getting transferred but I wanted the confirmation from the Assistants. But, Saturday night I was freaking out about packing because I hate packing... so i just decided to start. Good thing I'm getting transferred because that would have been embarrassing. 

I'm really excited for a new area but sad to leave the wonderful people that I've met here. Working with YSA's has been amazing! They have such strong testimonies and a desire to do missionary work and fellowship! I'm also really sad to leave Sister Huber. She is such a great missionary and we have become really good friends.

Miguel the Communist

We were able to meet with our Investigator Miguel twice this week. Once on exchanges with Sister Fullmer and then yesterday. He is such a funny kid. Before we met, I gave sister Fullmer a heads up that he claims he is a "communist" but he more believes in equality and love in the world... more on the lines of Law of Consecration. But he doesn't know that term... yet. 

So when she met him she asked, "So Miguel, tell me about yourself!" And the first things out of his mouth... "I'm a communist." Oh dear...

I told him that I was going to most likely get transferred an he was so sad. He said such a thoughtful prayer at the end, and I was about to cry! 

He is so smart and really thinks and responds when we ask him questions. We were able to have a thoughtful discussion with him yesterday about prayer, faith, and enduring to the end. We had invited him before to pray about a baptismal date but he said he hadn't done so.

So sister Huber asked, "well can we pray right now and ask?" So he said once again another thoughtful prayer asking Heavenly Father when he would be ready to be baptized so he could by the proper authority. He gives such awesome prayers that are so thoughtful! The spirit was so strong! We set a date for him to be baptized on October 10th! 

Recent Convert Updates

We had a lesson with KP last night and he started the lesson asking us what we learned at church! He was the one teaching us! It was so awesome! He has such a strong testimony! I'm sad that he is too old to go on a mission, but he did attend mission prep last night! :)

Danielle is the Relief Society Secretary! 

Viet fed us dinner on Friday night. He is the sweetest! He is staying strong and standing tall as he defends his faith!

YSA moment

We had a lesson with a new investigator, Edward, who I met on exchanges when we invited him to join a lesson with Miguel... that didn't work out so well so we made an appointment with him later in the day.

Pretty sure the cup he was drinking from had beer in it... haha.

He was a talker but as I spoke about Joseph Smith his whole countenance changed and the spirit was so strong. He was completely engaged and loved the story. He even came to church yesterday!

At the end, he offered a prayer and said. "Heavenly Father thank you for sending me these two beautiful ladies..." #YSAwardprobs

Carefully Passing the Sacrament

Yesterday David passed the sacrament for the first time at church. It was so cute watching him because he was so careful holding the trey with both hands and walking really slow.

Thinking back on it now, what a great example he set for all of us. How careful he was with the bread and water that represents Christ's body and blood. The covenants we make at baptism and then renewed through the sacrament are sacred and need to be taken "carefully" each sunday as we remember our Savior's sacrifice for us.

Love y'all! 

Sister Loo

Golfing at Top Golf with Kevin, Frank, The Assistants, and the Sam Houston 1st Sisters! 

Texas Sunsets Part II