My Heart is in Texas: 2 Week Catch-up!

Daily Dose

The English classes have been a success! We have had about 11-15 people at the classes each week! We are starting to change it and fine tune it so that those who come will be able to learn English as fast as possible.

I am the teacher for it too and it has been a blast! Although I have to admit that I do get a bit tired of repeating myself and trying to figure out how to pronunciate in the best way. "Hi... My name is... What is your name?" It's pretty funny and we have a good time in the class.

We are hopeful that by teaching English we will be able to receive some new investigators from the class. We already have 2 new investigators who have come and a hopeful potential of one of the less active members in the ward.

Survivor Bracelets

A couple of weeks ago we were able to make survivor bracelets on campus with paracord. It was perfect because you need 2 people to make the bracelet. So we would show them how to make the bracelet and then talk to them about the gospel for a good 15 minutes! It was so great and everybody loved it and wanted to make one.

We had advertised it earlier in the week on campus... And so of course that day the opposing team, Chi Alpha had their group on campus... It's too bad all their members were coming to our tent to make bracelets.

I had the greatest conversation with one girl, Ebonie, while we were making bracelets. She asked me about how I came to be a missionary and if I knew the gospel was true my entire life. I told her that I didn't know that it was true my entire life, and even though I grew up in the church, I still needed to gain a testimony for myself.

We ended up having a great conversation about being in the world but not of the world. We also talked about how much Heavenly Father loves us and how he provides us with all the necessary tools needed to return back to live with him again. We talked about the Book of Mormon and I was able to share Mosiah 24:14 with her as we talked about trials and how the Lord would provide a way for us and support to get through them. She confided in me on some really confidential topics and started crying. I felt the spirit so strongly as I carefully was guided by the spirit in what to say.

Yesterday we were able to teach her and it was such a good lesson! We went into the lesson with the plan of teaching the Restoration, but the spirit led us in a totally different way as we talked about the power of the scriptures and words of the prophets, especially in the Book of Mormon. We also talked about the love of God and how he knew us before he came to the earth and we all have a purpose in this life. We will be meeting again and I am excited to continue teaching her.

Power behind a Blue Book

We had a lesson with John who we met on campus. We had a really good Restoration lesson with him the week before and then had a follow up lesson with him. We always have had really good discussions with him as we exchange ideas and concerns.

At this last lesson he brought up some concerns about still believing in Evolution and not fully understanding that we have a latter-day prophet. It is just all so new to him and I think everything is really just blowing his mind... He needs time to think and ponder on all the awesome blessings we keep sharing with him!

But it all just came back to the Book of Mormon. There was no way to convince, argue, or persuade him in his beliefs. When it comes down to it, the Book of Mormon is where knowledge lies. I looked at him, pointing at the Book of Mormon, and said with conviction, "I PROMISE you that if you read this book that your questions will be answered. It may not literally answer your questions in the text, but this book has the power to invite the spirit into your life and teach you. I know it's true."

He started asking a couple more questions and it just all kept coming back to the Book of Mormon and reading it. And he just looked at us and said, "It really has that much power. I guess I just need to read it, pray, and find out for myself huh?" Yup! Pretty much! It's now up to you!

I Am a Child of God

So we started to teaching 3 kids from a part member family, the Cepeda's. Johanna (12), Juan (11), and Breanna (6). They came to church last week and this week and they absolutely LOVE it.

We were just checking up on all the Spanish families on the ward roster and we were able to finally get in touch with them. She invited us in for dinner and we were able to teach the kids about God, watch Finding Faith in Christ, and talk briefly about the Book of Mormon.

This week we were able to teach them how to pray and why we pray. They love to sing as well and we taught them "I Am a Child of God" and "Families Can Be Together Forever". We invited them to sing and have family prayer together. They all loved the songs and Breanna loved them so much that she even took them to school to show her counselor. There is so much power behind those simple primary hymns.

1. I am a child of God,
And he has sent me here,
Has given me an earthly home
With parents kind and dear.
2. I am a child of God,
And so my needs are great;
Help me to understand his words
Before it grows too late.
3. I am a child of God.
Rich blessings are in store;
If I but learn to do his will,
I'll live with him once more.
4. I am a child of God.
His promises are sure;
Celestial glory shall be mine
If I can but endure.

A few fun things

We were able to teach Annie and Carmen Aguilar the Restoration and they accepted a baptismal date for December 13th! We are so excited for them! They were able to have family scripture study and loved it! Annnie and Favian's 3 year old son, Eli, even joined them and kept pointing to the picture and saying, "Mom, that's Jesus! Is he coming?" It was so cute!

I went to a revelations Bible Study this week with Sister Hassell on exchanges with some Chi Alpha members. I was a little nervous at first, thinking that they might want to bash with us. But it actually turned out really great and we were able to learn and grow together. It was pretty basic and surface level learning. Just another testimony of how much I love this gospel and the full knowledge we have!

Family History Fair was really good! We were able to help a few people with their family history and the spirit of Elijah was working. One girl was loving it so much that she was there for 2 hours working on it. Also, another, Layne felt so comfortable at the institute building that a couple hours later came back to sit and do his homework! I love it!

The church is true! Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Sister Loo