I have been so incredibly blessed on my mission. My companion bought me a new set of English scriptures this week, I had no idea. She ordered them over the phone. I’ve been using my old seminary scriptures and she felt bad for me. I’m thinking, holy smokes, neither of us have money! I have been blessed with such charitable companions. It’s pushed me to serve more to keep up with them. The members are incredible! We get fed very well and they are always willing to feed us.
Zone conference was amazing, we have great zone leaders and the other missionaries in our zone are very respectful. We talked about commitment and working efficiently. Our zone leaders shared a story about an old trapper from Russia that tried to teach his apprentice how to trap snow leopards for the czar, but the apprentice was insistent about trying it his own way and as a result he failed to get any snow leopard pelts and was executed because, "That’s how they do it in Russia." To often we try to find different ways to follow the commandments; loop holes, justifications, and excuses just don't fly. We can do it God's way and receive spiritual blessings or we can do it Satan’s way and receive spiritual damage.
We haven't been able to visit with Sister L. Her husband doesn't want us or any one coming over. He is a pretty jealous and controlling person. We have asked if there is anything we can do to serve his family to soften his heart. We will keep thinking on it. Let us know if you have any ideas!
We have been teaching a man who's going through a divorce and is having trouble believing in God. We have talked a lot about the plan of salvation and how following gospel principles will bless his life. He has a fairly strong sense of good morals and is learning to recognize when the spirit is guiding him. Hermana Batchkoff was teaching him a few months ago and says he's made so much progress since than.
Excerpt from Lauren's companion Hermana Batchkoff's missionay blog:
"Hermana Perez told me earlier, 'One of the most handicapping things that we can do is to treat someone for who they were yesterday.' I sat there and thought. .. ..... ':O!' How often do we look back on who we were instead of looking at what we have become! If we are constantly looking back at who we were, it'll be so much easier to become who we're looking back on. It is sad that it is so hard for the world to accept a new person, a changed person."
Dad~
CONGRATULATIONS DAD for surviving the crazy hike! You rock!!! You and Brenden are rock stars! M-m-m-m sparkly (mom is going to hate that I said that) no, but for real y'all aren't sparkly. Your tough smelly men's men!
Mom & Grandma Daily~
Thank you so, so, so much for going by to visit the The H family at the Washington Veterans Transplant Lodge. You don't know how much that means to me. I'm so glad to hear he is doing well, I hope he recovers well too. They are great people, very funny. Thank Dad for arranging to have someone give Brother H a blessing while he was in the VA hospital.
Mom, Grandma Daily, & Grandma Perez~
Thank you so much for what y'all put in my debit account. Mom, I never knew you'd put anything in earlier or how much so I didn't ever really use it. Thank you my Grandmas, I really, really appreciate it.
Krys~
Vielca's kids were awesome, we went with the Elders to teach her, and the kids were super hyperactive. So we went to the adjoining room and I showed them scripture pictures. They loved it! Such sweet little hyperactive guys.
Excerpt from Krysten's email to Lauren:
"One story that I really liked from Young Woman’s Camp was one about an army aircraft during war time transporting 45 soldiers across enemy lines. They were escorted by 2 fighter planes, one on either side incase of an ambush. When they were fairly close to where the soldiers were to be dropped off about 6 enemy fighter planes attacked them. The escort fighter planes immediately went into action defending the aircraft at any cost. The soldiers felt helpless because all they could do was lay low and watch. During the attack the co-pilot of the transport plane was shot and killed. While their fighter planes were occupied defending them, one of the enemy planes got through. The pilot knew that there was no way to avoid this plane or get help in time. Everyone on that transport plane knew that the target of enemy fighter planes was to shoot down the pilots of their plane. The pilot said a prayer, not to be protected from the bullets, but that he not get shot any where vital so that he could live just long enough to safely get the soldiers to their destination. As he was saying that prayer one of the soldiers being transported wrapped his body around the pilot to do his best to protect him. All of the bullets went into that soldier. He sacrificed his life so that that pilot could safely get the 44 other soldiers to there mission. He was a young black man named Sam. He knew the importance of the mission and the danger that the pilot was in when that enemy fighter plane approached them. Jesus knew the importance of our mission here on earth and the dangers that might keep us from fulfilling our mission. He gave his life so that we could safely return to our destination (Heavenly Father). She told the story a lot better, but I’m sure you get the jest of it. I love you lots talk to you soon. (: -kryst"
Oh my word Krys your email brought little tears to my eyes! That was such a beautiful story. It is way cool that we have ancestors who have sacrificed much to give us what we enjoy today. I'll have to warn you I’ve become somewhat of a boob being on the mission.... meh.... so be patient with me when I get home. I'm not too fond of being one of those crying girls. Sometimes when I see people in terrible circumstances yet making selfless sacrifices I think sheesh, how the heck can people make it through stuff like this? We've got a billion amazing examples. There have been a few times in my mission that I’ve had moments where I’ve just been exhausted, not wanting to give up, but definitely slowing down. I'm learning that we can't afford to be relaxed or slow down in this life. We CAN'T slack off. Live every day trying to be someone else's hero Krys. The less we think about ourselves the happier we will be. As God becomes first in our lives our temporal lives improve or at least our outlook on our temporal lives improves. Hold on to that Girls Camp “happy high” and keep being amazing!
Krys you've been such a strength to me. I’ve shared a ton of experiences with companions of things you've said that have helped me make the right choice. Thank you for helping me get out here. You are amazing. Thank you for loving me even though I’ve been a turd sometimes, you rock! Thank you again for that story you shared. It really touched me. I miss you lady! I pray for you every night!
Love,
Hermana Lars Perez
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