tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78772570706329955212024-03-12T17:44:49.348-06:00Love Our MissionariesThis blog is dedicated to sharing the adventures of my children and their friends during their service as missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, while educating those who are interested in the beliefs and practices of the Mormon people. This site is not an official site or an affiliate site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Please also visit Mormon.org or LDS.org.Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115431285211747753noreply@blogger.comBlogger640125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877257070632995521.post-88215544049096748162019-01-21T15:46:00.002-07:002019-01-21T15:47:35.217-07:00Spotted the Cheney Man - Sister Rebekah AveryWritten by <a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2018/11/meet-sister-rebekah-avery.html" target="_blank">Sister Rebekah Avery</a>,
temporarily assigned to the Washington Spokane Mission while waiting
for a visa to serve in the Portugal Lisbon Mission of The Church of
Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I officially have a big, white, puffy, warm, winter coat and I am SOOO
Happy!!! I had no idea how amazing it would feel to have an actual coat,
but let me tell you, I feel like a new woman! Thank you to the Wallace
Family for bringing me a coat, you are the best!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It
hasn't been terribly snowy here, unlike Utah where my dad and sister
seem to be tearing up the ski slopes, but that is just fine with me!
They can go ahead and have as much powder as they want ;)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Quick
Summary: We are teaching 7 people and working with 3 more, and have 2
people we're preparing for baptism - so we are incredibly busy and
incredibly happy! The greatest gift that we can give anyone is the
knowledge that God loves them personally, and that they aren't
forgotten.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Cheney Man: he's a random man
that walks the streets of Cheney, no one knows why or what he's doing,
but I never saw him until this past week and I can now rest easy. He's
like the bigfoot of Cheney. We said hi :) He's nice!<br /><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This
week has been yet another week of miracles! We have a Zone goal to be
more bold in testifying of the truth and power of the Book of Mormon, in
an effort to try to hand out more copies. The idea is that instead of
just handing a copy to anyone who will take them, we need to get their
names and know that they actually have an interest in reading it at some
point in their lives. It's been amazing to see how many people are
actually open to the idea of learning about the Book of Mormon. My
favorite thing is to ask if they want a personal relationship with God
and Jesus Christ, to which they usually answer, "Yes!", at which point I
can bear my witness of how I've gotten to know my Savior and Heavenly
Father on a deeper level through reading the Book of Mormon. Don't get
me wrong, plenty of people have told us no and we had a couple of door
slams, but it's all worth it for the couple of people who are open and
willing to try.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<div>
One of the people that we went
to see this week is named Z, and she's from Ethiopia. She lives on her
own and just really wants some friends, since her family all lives far
away, but is open to learning about our beliefs and said she wants to
try coming to church with us next week! It was cute to hear that after
our first visit she called her dad and told him all about us, and he
encouraged her to keep seeing us and learn more. Z is the nicest person
ever, and she is a GREAT cook! We got to try some of her Ethiopian food
before we left (just a smidgeon) and it was amazing!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We
also had a wonderful first lesson with a young woman named Ar**.
She came prepared with questions about how to grow closer to God, how to
recognize Him in her life, and why there are so many churches that seem
to have different approaches to worship. It was amazing to watch the
light and excitement as we were able to answer all of her questions. She
said that it all finally makes sense, and that she is so excited! She'd
already had a goal to start reading the Bible daily (she started in the
Old Testament, bless her heart) and praying more often, which we told
her is a great start! We gave her a copy of the Book of Mormon and
invited her to stay for the Institute dinner (which she did), and are
hoping to teach her again on Wednesday!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sister
Thomas and I are so excited for one of the people we've been teaching
(the one who switched her date, named Alyssa) to be baptized this week!
It's a little stressful, but she's so excited that she just skips
everywhere. We've also made plans to go to the temple with her about
three weeks later, so that's going to be fantastic!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I
am constantly amazed at how my mission just seems to get better and
better! It seems impossible that I could be happier tomorrow than I am
today, yet I always seem to be! It's amazing to me to see how much
Christ can change people, even little old me, into something so much
more than we ever envisioned. His grace truly has transformed me and
given me a hope that I want to share with every person that I meet. What
a privilege it is to be able to serve as His hands here in Cheney,
Washington, all day every day! We're so busy every day that I go to bed
feeling completely and utterly spent, but it's the best feeling in the
world. Nothing is so fulfilling as serving others.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The
people here are wonderful and I am definitely in love with this area!
It's not perfect, but I know that when my Visa comes that I'll be sad to
go.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Please keep Anne (pronounced like Annie)
in your prayers! She's a cute old woman who helps to run the Care and
Share, which is a charity that we volunteer at. She recently had back
surgery and has run into some complications with recovery.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I
hope that all of you know how much God loves you and how wonderful you
are. We are truly all loved children of a Father with a plan for us.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Until Next Week!!!</div>
<div>
Com Amor,</div>
<div>
Sister Avery</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2019/01/its-sherbethday-cake-sister-rebekah.html" target="_blank">It's a Sherbethday Cake!!</a> (January 14, 2019)</span></div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03177666672836703272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877257070632995521.post-75188026469439230332019-01-14T15:37:00.000-07:002019-01-21T15:48:17.977-07:00It's Sherbethday Cake!! - Sister Rebekah AveryWritten by <a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2018/11/meet-sister-rebekah-avery.html" target="_blank">Sister Rebekah Avery</a>,
temporarily assigned to the Washington Spokane Mission while waiting
for a visa to serve in the Portugal Lisbon Mission of The Church of
Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Story Time!!!<br />
<div>
Last night there was a devotional for the young adults
with the Renlunds, which we were allowed to watch because one of the
people we're teaching wanted to go. While she fell asleep a couple of
times, she ultimately decided that she enjoyed it, especially the music.
Afterwords all of the people in group had ice cream and treats. The
person we're teaching decided that she was going to mix the Sherbet and
Birthday Cake flavors, so we had a good laugh trying to figure out what
it should be called. It seems like she made some new friends and wants
to go to Family Home Evening with everyone at the Institute building
tonight!!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Quick Summary:</div>
<div>
We're
helping to prepare two people to be baptized and have a new potentially
interested person, who has now come to church twice, the devotional last
night, and institute last week. God has truly changed and inspired the
people of Cheney so much. They teach me just as much as I teach them
about what it means to love, serve, and follow the Savior. Christ gives
us the strength that we need to do hard things.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Temple Trip:</div>
<div>
On
Wednesday we went to the temple with some members of the ward and a
young woman who was recently baptized, Ai**. She is a complete
sweetheart and has been so incredibly excited to come with us to the
temple for her first time. The feeling of peace and love that you feel
in the temple is truly immediate and all encompassing. I could feel all
of the people I love with me in Spirit, celebrating with me as we
performed the greatest service of all by allowing them to be baptized,
including one of my own family names.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Afterwords
Aimee said that this was just what she needed. She had been incredibly
stressed with everything else that was happening in life, but knew from
the moment that she got to the temple grounds that she had reached her
goal. This life is so much more than our worldly stresses, and with God
all things are possible and we can have lasting peace.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It helps that we stopped to get Krispy Kreme too! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My Other Thoughts and Insights and Such:</div>
<div>
This
week has blown by so quickly, because we're so busy all day! We have
several people that we're trying to teach and work with right now. It's
incredible to see how much these individuals grow every single time we
meet, from start to finish. My favorite thing is when we're able to
share scriptures and ask questions, then they teach themselves, because
that's when you know that they not only believe it, but they're probably
going to act on what they learned.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's been
an interesting experience using technology on the mission so far. While
I'm still not sure how much I like it, it's been a blessing on the days
when Sister Thomas and I are wondering if we're really making a
difference. We'll randomly get a text from people that we saw on the
street and they'll tell us that they were glad we talked to them or
otherwise brightened their day.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AINyC_5p-W-Z_HBRVBtIzi2ZT5surERxZbPXyxphU1PJ41f9BMOSBkLG9T_giP3GJCmUHshyphenhyphenHCvw5iOeveojJ5Ubtmz6uP1Uv4WFmqon4uKwLVK0TfSa55dF4nGevTHjkE7wnkjwGg/s1600/KitKat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AINyC_5p-W-Z_HBRVBtIzi2ZT5surERxZbPXyxphU1PJ41f9BMOSBkLG9T_giP3GJCmUHshyphenhyphenHCvw5iOeveojJ5Ubtmz6uP1Uv4WFmqon4uKwLVK0TfSa55dF4nGevTHjkE7wnkjwGg/s320/KitKat.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
Seriously, I
love getting to meet so many amazing people from all over the place!
They have so many unique experiences, and I love getting to speak with
them about and strengthen their relationship with God. It's wonderful
when we're sitting in a lesson or talking to someone on the street and
ask them if they've seen God in their life, and they're able to take a
moment to reflect and realize that He's been there all along. Sometimes I
think that we have a hard time noticing the ways that God speaks to us
and shows us His love, so it's important recognize that God is in the
details. As Sister Thomas always says, every pink sky testifies of His
love for us.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's been a miracle to see people
make and keep commitments to come to church and to read, and to be able
to have a small part in directing them back to their Savior. I've loved
being able to see the difference in their lives and how it's brought so
much hope, joy, and light. While living the Gospel of Jesus Christ isn't
easy, it's beautifully simple, and we can always rely on the Savior to
help us make it back.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I love you all and pray
for you constantly! I'm happy to say that I feel as though I'm getting
better at recognizing the answers to them too. It's amazing to see how
close my Savior feels, and I promise that as you put forth the effort to
find Him in your daily life that you will. He loves you, and so do I!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Te amo com todo de meu coracao!!! (sorry, accents won't happen on this computer)</div>
<div>
Sempre,</div>
<div>
Sister Avery</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Your
Homework: Be the answer to someone else's prayer this week by doing a
random act of service, big or small, every day! e.g. make their bed,
bring them food, shoot someone a kind text</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2019/01/im-sister-cicle-sister-rebekah-avery.html" target="_blank">I'm a Sister-cicle</a> (Janaury 7, 2019)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2019/01/spotted-cheney-man-sister-rebekah-avery.html" target="_blank">Spotted the Cheney Man</a> (January 21, 2019)</span></div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03177666672836703272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877257070632995521.post-77026062087837276102019-01-07T15:22:00.000-07:002019-01-21T15:41:11.005-07:00I'm a Sister-cicle - Sister Rebekah Avery<div>
Written by <a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2018/11/meet-sister-rebekah-avery.html" target="_blank">Sister Rebekah Avery</a>,
temporarily assigned to the Washington Spokane Mission while waiting
for a visa to serve in the Portugal Lisbon Mission of The Church of
Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
I made it to Spokane! I guess they like to put a lot of Visa waiters on ice here. haha!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE753aUiKsrFLnSe02VWuL3BYqZVc5kBx0kFaM28_qZi7qf_FChxHw5DnrRaMo6lrDQNo3C_j1heghfpNGDBnXz8vaKzaUa-6qZ9Lh-VfftlM9x4JBpWqIyMN4mID0GcM5a9zDhGzJuQ/s1600/Sister+Avery+Thompson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE753aUiKsrFLnSe02VWuL3BYqZVc5kBx0kFaM28_qZi7qf_FChxHw5DnrRaMo6lrDQNo3C_j1heghfpNGDBnXz8vaKzaUa-6qZ9Lh-VfftlM9x4JBpWqIyMN4mID0GcM5a9zDhGzJuQ/s320/Sister+Avery+Thompson.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sisters Avery and Thomas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
I
think that my new favorite part of my morning routine is making toast
(you have no idea how much I missed my typical toast and apple
breakfasts) and holding my hands over top of the toaster so that they
can get warm. It's honestly wonderful.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
QUICK SUMMARY OF MY WEEK (for those who don't want to read my whole email):</div>
<div>
God
answers prayers! My trainer is wonderful, we have two on date for
baptism, including one who decided to move up her date from September to
January!!! And almost all of the less actives/recent converts that
we've been working with came to Sacrament meeting! We're going to the
temple to do baptisms for the dead on Wednesday with one of our recent
converts. God loves His children, and faith really does bring miracles,
but it requires Action!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
EXPANDED VERSION:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My
new companion is Sister Thomas, and she's is seriously the biggest ray
of sunshine and love that I have ever met! She's kept me super busy and
has told me that I must have been super faithful and blessed to have
been sent to this area, so I guess that's nice??? We've already decided
that when we get back from our missions that we're going to go to the
temple together and get Rockwell ice cream in Provo, so that's nice. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I've
loved seeing how God prepares to bless us in advance, and how the
little things in life make the biggest difference. This week we've had
lots of people say they didn't want to talk to us, flake out on lessons,
and just not respond. While it's heart breaking because I know that
this gospel can change their lives and bring them so much joy, I am
incredibly grateful for the success that we have had as we have prayed
and acted in faith.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYJpZHMIyFJP4oHAUPvltsyYWqtyw_jAf65AgfzzW9dZ3CetDyW52vo7bVxY5BLd0mE-bYVgQE_eEEUqyJ-PM71K0OyleQACYkR2A0ViXs-ZLezLGFFtPc1Jitz4LLT0NYBpLxFE-ug/s1600/Landscape+Cheney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYJpZHMIyFJP4oHAUPvltsyYWqtyw_jAf65AgfzzW9dZ3CetDyW52vo7bVxY5BLd0mE-bYVgQE_eEEUqyJ-PM71K0OyleQACYkR2A0ViXs-ZLezLGFFtPc1Jitz4LLT0NYBpLxFE-ug/s320/Landscape+Cheney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
An example of this is
yesterday, my first fast Sunday in the field (probably one of the best
days of my life so far). We'd decided that we were going to fast that
one of the people we were teaching would have a softening of her heart
and move up her baptism date (she set it for September of this coming
year back in August of last year....), and that we would be willing/able
to open to our mouths to those whom we came into contact with. We got
to church and immediately before Sacrament meeting, this sister came up
to us and said that she'd been thinking since CHRISTMAS that she wanted
to move up her baptism date, and had decided to change it to January
26th!!! We were so happy! Sister Thomas and I definitely cried, and I
said the most sincere prayer of gratitude in my life.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
THEN,
we were on our way to try to contact a man we'd met while tracting on
Thursday and ran into a man who said that he had made the decision to go
back to church for the first time in TEN YEARS, that day!!! We got his
number and he sounds interested from our communication thus far.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
AND
all of the less actives/recent converts that we'd been praying to go to
church CAME!!! Well, almost all. But you need to take joy in the
victories and try, try, try again!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
MY TESTIMONY:</div>
<div>
I
know that God sent me to Spokane, Washington (Cheney, in specific) for a
reason, and even if it was just to meet the people that I have in the
past four days then it is WORTH IT. I also know that God loves all of
His children, regardless of the mistakes that they may have made or how
far they may have strayed from the path. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ,
to Atone for us so that we can make it back to Him, have our guilt taken
away, and be able to become new. I've already seen the change that the
gospel of Jesus Christ can make in the lives of people since coming
here, and the light that it brings to peoples lives. One of my favorite
ways that someone we're teaching has described the Love of God is "It
felt like a weight was taken off of my shoulders". I know that if we
turn to Christ and humble ourselves, admitting that we need His help,
that He will lift us up and help us to carry our burdens - we can truly
do all things through Christ.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Know that I pray for all of you and that I love you with all of my heart! Have a wonderful week!!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Your very cold and very happy,</div>
<div>
Sister Avery</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2019/01/im-in-spokane-sister-rebekah-avery.html" target="_blank">I'm in Spokane</a> (January 3, 2019)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2019/01/its-sherbethday-cake-sister-rebekah.html" target="_blank">It's Sherbethday Cake!</a> (January 14, 2019)</span></div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03177666672836703272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877257070632995521.post-13615205307173902482019-01-03T15:18:00.000-07:002019-01-21T15:35:52.963-07:00I'm in Spokane! - Sister Rebekah AveryWritten by <a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2018/11/meet-sister-rebekah-avery.html" target="_blank">Sister Rebekah Avery</a>, temporarily assigned to the Washington Spokane Mission while waiting for a visa to serve in the Portugal Lisbon Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints.<br />
<br />
Hey!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have arrived in Spokane in one piece, and I am
so very excited to be serving here! It's going to be wonderful! We have
just finished dinner at the Mission home, will be spending the night
with some members, then getting our companions tomorrow by 1 pm after
receiving some training.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
All is well! I'll let you know about my week on Monday! (Our PDay)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Te Amo!</div>
<div>
Sister Avery<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2018/12/amor-e-alegria-para-sempre-inbox-sister.html" target="_blank">Amor e Alegria Para Sempre</a> (December 31, 2018)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2019/01/im-sister-cicle-sister-rebekah-avery.html" target="_blank">I'm a Sister-cicle</a> (January 7, 2019)</span></div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03177666672836703272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877257070632995521.post-36051960222541914542018-12-31T15:06:00.000-07:002019-01-21T15:19:39.264-07:00Amor e Alegria Para Sempre - Sister Rebekah AveryWritten by <a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2018/11/meet-sister-rebekah-avery.html" target="_blank">Sister Rebekah Avery</a>,
training in the Provo Missionary Training Center in preparation for her
service in the Portugal Lisbon Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints.<br />
<br />
Sister Avery has been assigned to the Washington Spokane Mission, while awaiting her visa to Portugal. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFXeLR1MlLFLXrKmAG7wv5wrOcK1AjBzaO5nVBYyZYPAiWXPnXcWe5uClGXokW9kJtyP8QTw9xmM2epEmI-KIEyRwM40Gp-YNjBhIEq9TW6UvonsRQ5OhGGu2UN93vAe_UPxuU58J8g/s1600/Christmas+VanGough+Shirt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFXeLR1MlLFLXrKmAG7wv5wrOcK1AjBzaO5nVBYyZYPAiWXPnXcWe5uClGXokW9kJtyP8QTw9xmM2epEmI-KIEyRwM40Gp-YNjBhIEq9TW6UvonsRQ5OhGGu2UN93vAe_UPxuU58J8g/s320/Christmas+VanGough+Shirt.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the VanGough Star Wars Shirt!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ola!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week has been incredibly eventful, what
with all of the devotionals and preparations for departure. It doesn't
seem real that my time at the MTC is coming to a close. I feel as though
I have been born and lived my whole life here, but soon it's going to
be replaced by new places and experiences.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This
morning my heart is full as I reflect on my time here. I have been so
incredibly blessed and have learned so much about life in a short seven
weeks.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I've learned a lot about what it means
to love and let go while in the Missionary Training Center. In many
ways, love is letting go. It's letting go of past disagreements, it's
letting go of small things that drive you crazy, and it's letting go of
those you hold most dear. It's letting go of what you think you know,
and trusting that the Lord knows best. It's letting go of your own
fears, worries, and concerns so that you can lift someone else up and
remind them that the Savior will NEVER let go.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Something
that I've struggled with is accepting that I have no control over what
happens right now, and I've found myself on my knees more than ever as
I've begged for the strength to relinquish my life and let it into the
Lord's hands. But I testify with all of my heart that God has heard my
prayers. He knows my name, He knows what I need, and He has a plan for
me that I'm only just starting to understand. There are so many things
that I can't control in my life right now and that's okay, because I'm
in His hands.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But I can control my attitude. I
don't care what happens, I have made the choice to be happy and live in
an attitude of gratitude to my Father in Heaven every single day. That
has been my greatest strength these past weeks, as I've been able to
find the joy through Christ and hope in the knowledge that every day is a
new day with new opportunities. And honestly? I have never been so
happy in my whole life as I have been these past seven weeks - doctors
visits and all. Happiness is not freedom from trials and worries, but a
knowledge that you aren't defined by them.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
While
parting ways this week has been and will be hard, I am eternally
grateful for the opportunity that I have had to love people so much that
it hurts so badly to say goodbye. The people in my District have
impacted my life forever, inspiring me and strengthening me to be so
much more than I am. I'm indebted to my teachers who have paved the way
and showed me the true meaning of selflessness and diligence. I would
not trade this experience for the whole world.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYDjmlvhseTFbomsWd-SsvPWvEN5TGoLImOSAeV3n0swRoxydjrpn4jff3i0BhJCNQMMVyeIM7BTRGhrrtgj-0O4CGXe1iPrvg800eoH1Dd71BCrkoeq9Z7ejn4BCsX-g_nJS3-nPIA/s1600/Facials.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYDjmlvhseTFbomsWd-SsvPWvEN5TGoLImOSAeV3n0swRoxydjrpn4jff3i0BhJCNQMMVyeIM7BTRGhrrtgj-0O4CGXe1iPrvg800eoH1Dd71BCrkoeq9Z7ejn4BCsX-g_nJS3-nPIA/s320/Facials.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
Sou
muito grata pela opportunidade para servir e ensinar o povo de
Washington e Portugal, e esta experiencia com meu distrito. Eu sei que
nos somos filhos de Deus, e Ele nos enviou a Terra para apprender,
crescer, e servir nossos irmaos. Sim, nos temos Pais Eternos, e nos
podemos viver com nossas familias para a eternade atraves da Expiacao de
Cristo. Eu sei que Deus sempre escuta as nossas oracoes e que nos
podemos receber as repostas de nossas perguntas por meio das escrituras e
o Espirito. Nos somos amados por Deus. Eu posso sentir o amor de Deus
em minha vida, e eu sei que voce pode tambem, se voce exercisa sua fe e
agir por nos mesmos. Seguir Jesus Cristo, e voce vai ter alegria em sua
vida para sempre.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My invitation for this week
is to ask yourself what you would give to live with your family forever.
Who would you be? What would you do? How would you act, so that you
could be with your family for eternity? I know that we have this power
through Jesus Christ, to be reunited with those we've lost or gone
before us, but we must take the steps forward and let Him into our
lives.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Take care and remember that you are
loved! You are all in my prayers and I am so excited to see what life
has in store for all of us.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Happy New Year!!! Make this one a great one! I already know it's going to be the best year of my life so far :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Amo vos com todo de meu coracao!</div>
<div>
Sister Avery</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
(Sorry, I didn't feel like typing on my iPad, so there are no accents and my Portuguese is probably awful XD )<br />
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2018/12/my-testimony-sister-rebekah-avery.html" target="_blank">My Testimony </a>(December 24, 2018) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2019/01/im-in-spokane-sister-rebekah-avery.html" target="_blank">I'm in Spokane</a> (January 3, 2019)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthwP82pod26TySx2X18Qo_56bsvL7ryOquOKiVcI7zzTdlMu4urAZ5uJfhMjPOcrWztugXruIekbdLSCi-_JdmTtbljFu3HuG081FVnSf5Opmk0YyKaRjW6Zg2l8LK26AW0zQ_mbZ4Q/s1600/Christmas+Jammies.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthwP82pod26TySx2X18Qo_56bsvL7ryOquOKiVcI7zzTdlMu4urAZ5uJfhMjPOcrWztugXruIekbdLSCi-_JdmTtbljFu3HuG081FVnSf5Opmk0YyKaRjW6Zg2l8LK26AW0zQ_mbZ4Q/s320/Christmas+Jammies.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
</div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03177666672836703272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877257070632995521.post-1778749245489592812018-12-24T14:50:00.000-07:002019-01-21T15:16:26.638-07:00My Testimony - Sister Rebekah AveryWritten by <a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2018/11/meet-sister-rebekah-avery.html" target="_blank">Sister Rebekah Avery</a>,
training in the Provo Missionary Training Center in preparation for her
service in the Portugal Lisbon Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGtF2ji7fzdBQA_I6O2ddIcI2gixhXQo3P-V1RZ6Aa3gp6SGnaaIhKO0jawN-0kmagAkfPUSKV8ma5TwEtZ5VfLDEvQm6ydXGpdJPlO7XkGialb498Kq2NL-Ar8pRIvVQg8CJg1qBpg/s1600/BOM+Rebekah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGtF2ji7fzdBQA_I6O2ddIcI2gixhXQo3P-V1RZ6Aa3gp6SGnaaIhKO0jawN-0kmagAkfPUSKV8ma5TwEtZ5VfLDEvQm6ydXGpdJPlO7XkGialb498Kq2NL-Ar8pRIvVQg8CJg1qBpg/s320/BOM+Rebekah.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
I know that God lives. I know that He loves all of His children and is<br />
mindful of all of them. I know that His son, Jesus Christ, is the<br />
Savior of the World, our Redeemer, and our brother. I know that He has<br />
a personal, specific plan for each and every one of us. I know that He<br />
is in the details of our lives and that He truly does listen to our<br />
prayers.<br />
<br />
How beautiful it is that the God of the universe, the greatest artist,<br />
scientist, architect, and mathematician chooses to be called Father<br />
before everything else. How wonderful it is that He loves us, His<br />
children, so much that He would paint the skies and fill the heavens<br />
with stars, just to remind us of the light that exists during the<br />
darkest of times. How incredible it is that He chose to send His son,<br />
His Only Begotten, to this earth that we might live in eternal hope<br />
and joy with Him again.<br />
<br />
Life isn't easy, but we shouldn't expect it to be because Salvation<br />
was not a cheap experience. It cost the greatest price of all, namely<br />
- the Greatest of them All. Christ laid down His life for us, and in<br />
doing so has secured for us a way back to the Father that no one can<br />
ever take away. In doing so, He has secured for us a way to never walk<br />
the paths of mortality alone. He will not abandon us, so we cannot<br />
abandon Him to walk these paths alone.<br />
<br />
I know that Christ is waiting for us with outstretched hands, hands<br />
which have been pierced for us and can heal the broken pieces of our<br />
hearts. He willingly took upon Himself all of our pains and<br />
infirmities so that He could have the opportunity to be our Savior,<br />
Redeemer, Light, Hope, Joy, and Salvation. There truly is no other<br />
way, means, or name by which mankind may be saved than Jesus Christ.<br />
<br />
I know that Joseph Smith was the prophet of the Restoration, and I<br />
know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God to His children. I<br />
know that it was written as a personal letter from our Heavenly Father<br />
to His children, through His servants the Prophets. I know that a man<br />
may grow closer to our Savior by reading the Book of Mormon than he<br />
can by any other book.<br />
<br />
What a blessing it is to be His hands and share the joyous news that<br />
Christ was born in a manger, the greatest treasure of all, laid lower<br />
than any man ever could, so as to rise with glory, peace, and eternity<br />
in His wings. Wise men still seek Him, and angels witness of Him<br />
still, going forth to all nations and people. Fear not - you are not<br />
alone. Fear not- Christ is come. Fear not - for there is hope to be<br />
found in the Light of the World. Fear not, and take His yoke upon you,<br />
write His name on your heart, and press forward in faith. Rest from<br />
your burdens, and walk with the Son of the Living God, for that is<br />
what it means to endure to the end - to love and walk with Him, hand<br />
in hand, until that great and happy day when we enter the kingdom of<br />
our Father.<br />
<br />
This is my testimony and witness to you, this Merry Christmas, that<br />
God the Father and His Son LIVE, and the Holy Ghost does bear witness.<br />
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2018/12/i-truggle-lot-opa-sister-rebekah-avery.html" target="_blank">I Truggle. A Lot. Opa.</a> (December 17, 2018)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2018/12/amor-e-alegria-para-sempre-inbox-sister.html" target="_blank">Amore e Alegria Para Sempre</a> (December 31, 2018)</span>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03177666672836703272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877257070632995521.post-14055977156450097172018-12-17T14:41:00.000-07:002019-01-21T14:54:07.941-07:00I Truggle. A Lot. Opa. - Sister Rebekah AveryWritten by <a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2018/11/meet-sister-rebekah-avery.html" target="_blank">Sister Rebekah Avery</a>,
training in the Provo Missionary Training Center in preparation for her
service in the Portugal Lisbon Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. <br />
<br />
Story time: Irmao Cannon struggles. A lot. So I decided to point out
this fact in Portuguese by saying "Ele luta" and when no one except me
and he understood, I translated it to "truggle" instead of "struggle",
and that pretty much summarizes my life at this point in time.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Moral of the Story: Don't point out someone else's flaws, especially if you have the same ones. Amen.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In
all reality, this week has been an amazing one. Sister Van Buskirk and I
have had the privilege of meeting so many new people and help the new
sisters in our building with the difficult adjustment to the Missionary
Training Center. I love all of the sisters SO MUCH. My heart feels like
it could burst from all of the love in it, so it's a good thing I can
serve and bequeath it to others instead.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Wednesday
was a really busy and wonderful day, because we got to teach a NATIVE
Portuguese speaker via Skype, be examples in a workshop for the new
missionaries, and also take part in our Branch's orientation (a Branch
is a group of missionary Districts/Classes, which comprise of multiple
languages and destinations. Our Branch is composed of Portuguese
speakers, Italians, and Romanians). The experience I'd really like to
focus on is when we taught the native Portuguese speaker.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The
woman we taught was named Vanessa and she's a recently returned
missionary, so we didn't need to worry about teaching her any new
information. The topic that we had chosen for our lesson was serving as
Christ served, particularly within your family. As we got to know her, I
felt prompted to speak about my experience having non member friends
and family, and how serving them and loving them has helped to build our
relationship, despite differing religious views. By the time I was done
she was crying, and she explained that she has been really struggling
because she and her mom are the only members of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints in her family, and she was just feeling
really alone and unsure of what to do. It was a wonderful moment to be
able to bond with her and remind her that God is mindful of her and her
family. He truly does answer prayers, even through two Americans who
barely speak Portuguese.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have such a strong
testimony of the love of God for His children. I encourage all of you to
find something in your life that you maybe have a question about or are
struggling with and take it to the Lord. Get down on your knees and ask
for help, then look for an answer with an open heart.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sometimes
when God doesn't "answer" our prayers, it's because He's allowing us to
try for ourselves. If we always got the answer that we were looking for
on the first try, then we wouldn't ever really learn or grow. It's
amazing to think about all of the times when a still, small, quiet
voice, or a gentle feeling, have been the true guide in my life.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Last
night I randomly felt upset, so I did what I always do: I tried to push
my feelings aside by helping someone else. I went to a room with the
idea of serving a trio of sisters who have been feeling really homesick,
but ultimately was led by one of the people in the room to help another
sister that I wouldn't have thought of on my own. I'd been told that
she was struggling with her bank account information, but when I asked
her about it I was guided to go in a completely different direction. We
both ended up having a really deep, powerful, and much needed
conversation about the love of God in our lives and I was able to
comfort her in a rough time.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I truly know that
the timing of the circumstances that led me to help that sweet sister
were not an accident. God was trying to push me out the door and into
her path so that she could receive the help she needed, and I am so
grateful that I was able to be the Lord's hands in her life for that one
moment last night.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thank you all for you love
and support, and I hope that you know how wonderful you are. You are all
loved children of a King, a Heavenly Father who is anxiously waiting
for you to turn to Him. He's so close, just have the faith to ask and I
promise that as I live and breathe, He will hear and respond.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Tchau! All of my love!</div>
<div>
Sister Avery</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixePHFZQMThM3irjO5T6vyvk1S76V4vKBfy1xPYxEJvF1Fd7HNGkWfNN_mNCcmZyDbYEbfwp_cEynlWjFXShbgqs0oIZRW8Guoavn3U6MwE6RHOVjUTOhngDLmMaFhhWjpYUzoCM76Yw/s1600/District+12.15.2018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixePHFZQMThM3irjO5T6vyvk1S76V4vKBfy1xPYxEJvF1Fd7HNGkWfNN_mNCcmZyDbYEbfwp_cEynlWjFXShbgqs0oIZRW8Guoavn3U6MwE6RHOVjUTOhngDLmMaFhhWjpYUzoCM76Yw/s320/District+12.15.2018.JPG" width="320" /></a>To the family: </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Being an STL is probably my favorite thing right now! I love the sisters that we're serving and the miracles I get to witness. This week I’ve been praying to develop the ability to look at people and know how to help them. It’s not an instantaneous thing, but I’m finding<br />
that the Lord is blessing me with the questions I need to ask in order to learn their needs and build their trust.</div>
<div>
<br />
I’ve decided if I could have any superpower, it would be that - knowing exactly what people need. But it’s amazing because I know that<br />
it’s a gift of the Spirit that I can develop with work and faith. Yes, it’s hard and won’t come all at once, but the end result will be so<br />
worth it.</div>
<div>
<br />
I have also come to realize that I didn’t need to be given a blessing with the gift of tongues in order to develop it. Not gonna lie, I was<br />
slightly disappointed when it wasn’t included in my setting apart blessing. Now, I am so glad because it has taught me to trust in and<br />
rely upon the Lord. I think that this is a gift that I’ve had a lot longer than I realized. What with my love for words and knowledge, I<br />
know it must be a gift from the Spirit to be able to for, these thoughts and say what the Spirit needs to be said. Every single time I<br />
have participated in a gospel lesson or discussion, someone has come up to me after and said that they needed to hear what I said. Which is crazy, because half of the time those thoughts are in Portuguese.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
My ability to understand this language is phenomenal. I can understand at least 70% of what Irma Miller says, and about 50-60% of what Irmão Cannon says. Yes, I’m not great at speaking yet, but the tutor seems to be really impressed with my pronunciation. Irmão Wilcox, a random teacher who will be subbing for Irma Miller when she visits her family for Christmas, doesn’t say he’s proud or impressed (neither does Irmão Cannon for that matter) but he pushes me and corrects me constantly. I count this as a<br />
blessing, because it’s really helping me to learn, although I have a long ways.</div>
<div>
<br />
We had a wonderful discussion the other day about trials and how they’re blessings in our lives, regardless of how difficult or<br />
painful. I looked around the room and while my first instinct would have been to get irritated before I got to the MTC, I was just so<br />
happy that I could bear solemn witness of the truth of that statement. Yeah, none of them have had to live apart from a beloved parent for years on end, or bury their brother, grandfathers, aunt, cousin, friends, neighbors, get uprooted and drive across the country, or battle crippling depression, but that doesn’t make their struggles any less than my own and it doesn’t make that principle any less true. I am so grateful for my trials, because they help me to serve and love as the Savior served. I can relate to people that no one can because I have faced trials that no one else has. I’ve gained witness after witness of God’s love for His children, individually, uniquely, and undeniably as I have walked through the shadows and waded in tears.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
I know that my Savior lives, and I know that God sent His son to live, serve, suffer, and die for us. The Atonement was out into fresh<br />
perspective for me last night, because I was thinking about how Christ is my brother, and how very very much I love my brothers. Whenever I see them in pain or know that they are struggling it hurts my heart. When I watch movies with similar characters, I’m a mess because all I can think is, “That’s my brother, not my brother, don’t hurt my brother”. So I thought about if it was Jared who atoned for me. Or Jacob. Or Josh. I have no doubt in my mind that they love me enough that they would do anything for me, just as Christ did. The tears flowed down my face as I was overcome with gratitude that my perfect brother, Jesus Christ, did suffer all things for me so that I might be saved and so that He might know me a little better, and love me perfectly. I am also so grateful that none of my brothers do need to go through Gethsemane, because I don’t know how I could watch that. I have no doubt that while Christ was in the garden, I was there. I was overcome with joy, love, gratitude, and concern for my dear brother. I watched with bated breath, wishing I could help, but knowing I could not, and fully trusting in Him to keep His promise. To return and live again.</div>
<div>
<br />
To be on this mission I have sacrificed the opportunity to walk alongside you physically in your trials, but I know the Lord is with<br />
all of us. I’m so grateful to know Him a little better today than I did yesterday, to understand Him a little more than before, and pray<br />
to continue to trust in Him until the very end.</div>
<div>
<br />
I love you all so very, very much. To the moon and back. You are in my thoughts and prayers always. I’m so excited to see who I become and who you become as we all continue to rely upon the Lord. He is going to to incredible things through each of us.</div>
<div>
<br />
Give everyone my love! And Blanca, I’m telling every missionary I meet that is headed to Madrid to find your family. Sorry, not sorry! But I am glad that you’re safe and doing well. Remember that with faith, we can do miracles, for nothing is impossible to the Lord.</div>
<div>
<br />
Take care, and I’ll write a mass email later! This one is purely for you :) it won’t be until later because I am helping some of our<br />
Italian sisters first, and then a Portuguese sister who is going to be solo. It’s also her birthday, so I’m trying to figure that out. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2018/12/did-you-not-tell-that-they-are-lords.html" target="_blank">Did You Not Tell Them that They are the Lord's Chips?</a> (December 10, 2018)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2018/12/my-testimony-sister-rebekah-avery.html" target="_blank">My Testimony</a> (December 24, 2018)</span></div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03177666672836703272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877257070632995521.post-90648410045299963442018-12-10T14:01:00.000-07:002019-01-21T14:43:16.219-07:00Did You Not Tell that They are the Lord's Chips? - Sister Rebekah Avery<div class="ii gt" id=":1pq">
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Written by <a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2018/11/meet-sister-rebekah-avery.html" target="_blank">Sister Rebekah Avery</a>,
training in the Provo Missionary Training Center in preparation for her
service in the Portugal Lisbon Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. <br />
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
So
one of the girls in my room, Sister Bradley, happens to have an uncle
who works for a vending machine company, so we got a huge box full of
chips that we’ve been trying pawn off. It got to the point where Sister
Bradley was going door to door in our residency trying to get rid of
them. No one seemed to want all 50 something bags, so I asked her, “did
you not tell them they were the Lord’s chips?” And she shouted back “I
never got around to it, okay?” And we both about died of laughter. But
yeah, no more chips please (anyone who doesn’t get the joke, your homework is to watch Nacho Libre)</div>
<br />
This week, I learned a lot about joy and the miracle of the Atonement in my life.<br />
<br />
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Most religions don’t talk very much about the Atonement, but I think
it’s the greatest gift that Christ ever gave, and I am so grateful for
all that it’s done in my life. The Atonement is the experience that
Christ had, beginning in the Garden of Gethsemane and ending on the
cross at Calvary. During this experience, He took upon himself the sins
of every person who ever had been or ever will be born. The pain was so
excruciating that He bled from every pore, and He was entirely alone.
His disciples fell asleep while waiting, but undaunted He still drank
from the bitter cup, for you and for me. In that time, He also felt all
of our pains - our weaknesses, failures, shortcomings, sadness, trials,
worries, and brokenness. He did this willingly, because He couldn’t
imagine a heaven without us, and He never wanted us to need to go
through this life alone.<br />
<br />
I marvel that He loved me so much that He would take a moment to feel as
I do, to feel my lack of confidence, my loneliness, my heartache, and
my mistakes. And because He loved me so much, I will never need to
wonder if I’m alone, for He is in my side. I have felt it as I’ve poured
out my soul to Him and begged for help in learning a new language. He
has blessed me with strength when I was so tired that I didn’t even know
if I could keep going. And the best part? Because He loves me perfectly
and has suffered for me, I can move forward with joy and hope, trusting
that He walks beside me.<br />
<br />
His birth was a miracle, as was His life, death, and resurrection. This
Christmas season, I sing with all of my heart: “Joy to the World!” For
the Lord came not to save us IN our sins, but He came to save us FROM
our sins. He knows us Individually, personally, and perfectly. His life
was for us, and the more I read in the scriptures about Him, the more I
hope to become like Him, with an eye single to the glory of God and both
hands outstretched to my fellow men.<br />
<br />
I have so much hope in my heart, and I know that I can do all things
through Christ. So for those who are struggling right now: Press
forward. When Life gets too hard to stand, kneel. Pour out your heart,
and know that the same hands that caused the blind to see and the lame
to walk CAN heal your broken heart. He loves you. When you walk next to
your Savior, you can find comfort and joy in any circumstance. I know
this because I have felt it in my life.<br />
<br />
I pray to see others as He does and bring the Joy of Christ to all
within the sound of my voice this Christmas season, and truly be His
servant. I especially hope to do this as I have been called to be a
Sister Training Leader with my companion, Sister Van Buskirk. This means
that we are now responsible to serve all of the sisters who will be
serving in Italy, Romania, Portugal, Brazil, Mozambique, Cape Verde, or
Angola. We get to do orientation for 28 new missionaries on Wednesday,
and ensure that nothing terrible happens. So yeah, I’m gonna be praying a
lot more, if that is even possible .<br />
<br />
Wishing all of you the best! You’re all in my prayers. Take care! And don’t forget to Light the World! <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.lighttheworld.org&source=gmail&ust=1548190256267000&usg=AFQjCNGWHcdlwbcoJDjXZHl4xdEsVm2HGA" href="http://www.lighttheworld.org/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">www.lighttheworld.org</a><br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Sister Avery<br />
<br />
A cool experience:<br />
My companion and I had to give another lesson in Portuguese, but every
time we tried to plan it, we got this unsettled feeling like it was
wrong. We erased our whole plan, prayed to know what we should do, but
felt like nothing we were thinking of our trying was what we were
supposed to teach. We woke up early the next morning to try to plan
SOMETHING, but the same thing happened. Finally it gets to be our turn
to go teach our professor, Irma Miller (pretending to be an interested
person named Maria), and we still have nothing. We prayed three times
just from leaving our desks, to preparing to knock on the door.<br />
<br />
And wow, God is real. The Portuguese flowed like nothing I’ve
experienced before, we were led to scriptures we hadn’t studied and
received inspiration on how to respond. Not only did we understand
“Maria” and the scriptures we were reading, but the Spirit was
incredibly strong. It felt like my whole body was warm and my mind was
heightened, and we gave probably our best lesson yet.<br />
It goes to show that if you have faith and are following the promptings
if the Spirit, God will work miracles through you. I believe He was just
trying to show us that He’s in charge and we are merely instruments in
His hands, and that if we are willing to trust in Him that we can do
marvelous things.<br />
</div>
<div class="gmail_quote">
</div>
<div class="gmail_quote">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2018/12/holy-que-sister-rebekah-avery.html" target="_blank">Holy Que! </a>( December 3, 2019) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2018/12/i-truggle-lot-opa-sister-rebekah-avery.html" target="_blank">I Truggle. A Lot. Opa.</a> (December 17, 2019)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03177666672836703272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877257070632995521.post-85898373020085541852018-12-03T15:52:00.000-07:002019-01-21T14:06:21.357-07:00Holy Que!?! - Sister Rebekah AveryWritten by <a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2018/11/meet-sister-rebekah-avery.html" target="_blank">Sister Rebekah Avery</a>,
training in the Provo Missionary Training Center in preparation for her
service in the Portugal Lisbon Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. <br />
<br />
Ola! Tambem!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week when Sister Van Buskirk and I
were walking in from dinner she got super excited and confused
simultaneously, and exclaimed "Holy-que!", which I think pretty much
summarizes my life right now! Every thing's very exciting and confusing,
but most of all holy. Not to mention, I laugh at myself a lot.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The
Spirit is so strong here, it's almost easy to think that I'm not
feeling it because I feel it so constantly in my life. Every day I
become more and more astounded at how my capacity to learn, grown, and
teach has been increased exponentially by the power of the Holy Ghost.
God is truly consecrating my efforts here.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
One
big example of this was on Friday, when my district decided that we were
going to have an English Fast, or um jejum de ingles. I was really
impressed with how much we were able to communicate, while also laughing
at how little we spoke during meal times because we don't quite know
enough to tell complete stories in Portuguese yet. The Lord truly does
bless His missionaries to learn the language.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I
think that one of the biggest mistakes that missionaries make is
focusing TOO much on the language, thereby omitting important spiritual
study time. Yes, it's frustrating when you can't communicate the
thoughts and feelings of your heart, but the Holy Ghost CAN! I know
this, because whenever I stop looking at the notes, open my mouth and
speak, even though I make a thousand and one mistakes, the Spirit
conveys the message of my soul to them, and if they're willing, they can
receive it. That doesn't mean that I'm going to stop learning
Portuguese, but it does mean that I'm focusing more on being that person
that can invite the Spirit and demonstrate God's love to those I teach.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Another
huge thing that I felt inspired by this week was the Christmas
Devotional on Sunday. For anyone who didn't have the opportunity to
watch it, go to <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://lds.org/&source=gmail&ust=1544481290005000&usg=AFQjCNFhN9Q_MjIJy86IZubWHcb7ZOT3xg" href="http://lds.org/" target="_blank">lds.org/</a>
and you can watch the broadcast. The music and words given truly helped
to point my focus towards the Savior as we celebrate His birth.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I
really love my Savior so much. I don't know if I've done the best job
at showing it the past couple of days, because I haven't let it show in
my countenance as much as I ought. Last night, listening to the choir
and the Prophet speak about the power of Christ's grace, I remembered
something that one of my Portuguese teachers told us. "Sometimes it's
easy to have faith that the long term will work out - like that one day
you will be fluent in Portuguese. But it's equally as important to have
faith in the short term". I realized in that moment that I wasn't
showing my faith, because I was letting my heart be weighed down by
things out of my control. Yes, I know that one day I'll be with my
family forever, that one day I'll find success, and reach those people
who need me in their lives. However, I need to have faith in the now,
that right now I am okay, and that Christ's atoning sacrifice, His
infinite love for me, has the power to change me and my heart NOW. I CAN
be happy now. And I am.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Christ didn't atone
for us so that we would be sad forever and live life as shadows and one
day receive joy. No. He atoned for us so that we could have joy Right
Here, and Right Now. It's a process, like everything else in life, but I
know that the Lord is with us ever single step of the way. He is
cheering us on, He is lifting us up, and if we lay our burdens before
the Lord then He will bear them with us.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I
really do apologize for my super long emails, but I hope that y'all know
how much I love you and how much God loves you. He knows your
weaknesses and infirmities, and He will remind you in the little ways.
Like having Mac 'n Cheese as an option for dinner on a really hard day,
your companion making you laugh until you snort San Pelligrino out your
nose, and most of all by reminding you that life is beautiful when it
snows, even if it's really really cold outside. Take a moment and
realize that God's hand is truly manifest in every detail of our lives,
and live life wondrously, knowing that you are beloved.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Eu
sei que Deus ama seus filhos. O livro de Mórmon testifica de Jesus
Cristo, e ele é lá palavra de Deus. Por meio da Expiação nos podemos
voltar a viver com nosso Pai Celestial e nossas famílias também. Por
favor, vai orar a Deus saber a veracidade do Livro de Mórmon. Você pode
sentir o amor de Cristo quando você lê as escrituras e orar. Você vai
ver o mão de Deus em sua vida, e saber que Ele ama você. E se eu consigo
aprender Português, você conegue ler o Livro de Mórmon e receber um
testemunho.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Todos de Meu Amor,</div>
<div>
Sister Avery</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
YOUR
CHALLENGE: Pray to recognize God's hand in YOUR life and BE the Light
of Christ in someone else's life. Visit the link below if you want help
getting started :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.lighttheworld.org/&source=gmail&ust=1544481290005000&usg=AFQjCNEbqfrTIK6FpE73t9mSEkip7tqNpg" href="http://www.lighttheworld.org/" target="_blank">www.lighttheworld.org/</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
*fun
fact: seja a luz do mundo is how you say "light the world" in
Portuguese, but literally translated it means "Be the Light of the
World"*<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Later in the day.......</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
I’m going to the medical clinic for another check up at 9:45, so maybe you’ll be able to keep me from getting too bored? Sister Van Buskirk and I are also planning our first complete lesson in Portuguese for tonight. Everyone lose is doing the first vision/restoration, but we felt it was important to do the doctrine of Christ and invite them to repent, so we’ll have to see how that goes.</div>
<div>
<br />
The language is coming pretty well, I officially have the basic core, mission purpose, first vision, and most Moroni 10:3-5 down. So that’s good XD Irmão Cannon and Irma Miller have been great helps and say that we’re getting the language super well. But they also have to say that, so I’m not too sure how much it counts XD<br />
<br />
Love you!<br />
Yes, I am living, don’t worry.<br />
Sister Avery<br />
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2018/11/happy-belated-thanksgiving-sister.html" target="_blank">Happy Belated Thanksgiving!</a> (November 26, 2018)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2018/12/did-you-not-tell-that-they-are-lords.html" target="_blank">Did You Not Tell Them that They are the Lord's Chips?</a> (December 10, 2018)</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115431285211747753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877257070632995521.post-29485409260578766162018-11-26T15:36:00.000-07:002018-12-09T16:02:55.474-07:00Happy Belated Thanksgiving! - Sister Rebekah AveryWritten by <a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2018/11/meet-sister-rebekah-avery.html" target="_blank">Sister Rebekah Avery</a>,
training in the Provo Missionary Training Center in preparation for her
service in the Portugal Lisbon Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. <br />
<br />
Ola!!! Happy belated Thanksgiving! This week I'm grateful that there's
no word in Portuguese for "awkward", mostly because that's one less
thing I can be described as over the next 18 months.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This
week started and ended wonderfully with only a couple of hiccups in
between. Tuesday night we had a devotional and our whole district sang
in the Choir. Wednesday night the power went out, which was actually a
blessing in disguise because Sister Van Buskirk got a migraine. Needless
to say, I was glad I had gotten my ice cream at lunch time, because by
dinner I was cold and the ice cream was warm. Thursday the power was back on and the MTC was thriving!!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Since
it was a holiday, we had<a href="https://www.lds.org/church/leader/dieter-f-uchtdorf?lang=eng" target="_blank"> Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf </a>and his wife come to
speak about the importance of having an attitude of gratitude, in which
they reminded us that "life's greatest trials are simply blessings of
refinement, meant to draw us closer to God". While we sang in the choir,
I could feel the power of those words, and my heart was full of love
for my Savior. The tears rained down as I watched him go and minister to
the one, going row by row, comforting various Elders and Sisters in the
congregation. It reminded me of how it must have looked when the <a href="http://jesuschrist.lds.org/why-do-i-need-a-savior?lang=eng" target="_blank">Savior </a>ministered to the people, and in that moment I came to understand a
little more fully the love that God has for His children.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That
is my testimony to you today. God loves us, and He is mindful of our
needs. He is so loving that He sent His son, Jesus Christ, to atone and
die for us. Because of Him, we need never be alone. Because of Him, we
don't need to fear. Because of Him, the blind can see, the deaf can
hear, and families may rejoice together forever. Because of Him, there
is comfort for the comfortless. Because of Him, death has no sting.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I
say this, because directly after this wonderful experience with an
Apostle, I received the news that my grandfather, Gerald Avery, passed
away. I'd been prepared beforehand for the news, and am so grateful that
I'd had the opportunity to say goodbye to him one last time over the
summer. He was so excited for me to serve a mission, almost as excited
as I was, so I know that he's proud of me and will help me in my service
from the other side of the veil. Oh, how grateful I am for the precious
gift I have of eternal families.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
From there,
we proceeded to do a SERVICE PROJECT! One of my favorite things :) We
made over 350,000 meals for families in need, assembly line style. It
was incredible to watch and feel the love that all of these young adults
have for people we've never met. We laughed and sang Christmas songs
the whole time. We are truly so very blessed. I'm sure you could learn
more by googling it, but feel free to ask me any questions in a personal
email!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That night we sang in the Christmas
season with a couple of volunteer performers, one of whom had appeared
on the Voice. It was really cool to hear his experience moving up in his
career, how his testimony grew as he searched and pondered the
scriptures, and then ultimately turned down a recording deal to serve a
mission in..... Portugal Lisboa!!! Sister Van Buskirk and I were both
very excited about that.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That night they turned
on the MTC Christmas Lights, then it snowed the next day, fulfilling
Sister Van Buskirk's sincere wish - she's from Southern California.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The
language has come along super well, and I know that it will continue to
improve as I keep my focus on loving and serving as the Savior did.
None of this is meant to be easy, but that's because Salvation isn't a
cheap experience. Yet, I doubt anything else could bring me as much joy
as this. I am so grateful for the faith of my parents and grandparents,
who accepted the gospel of Christ and made all of this possible.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Eu
sei que o Livro de Mormon testifica de Jesus Cristo. Tabem, eu sei que
Jesus Cristo e nosso Salvador e Irmao. Ele ama todas pessoas. Sou grata
pelas familias eternas. E desculpe, I can't spell or type or grammar in
any language anymore.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I love you all! You are in my thoughts and prayers. Keep being the amazing people you are and feel free to write anytime ;)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Tchau!</div>
<div>
Sister Avery</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
All of the pictures are just of our district this week :) Including our fabulous Thanksgiving meal!<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2018/11/written-by-sister-rebekah-avery.html" target="_blank">Week One is in the Books!</a> (November 19, 2018)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2018/12/holy-que-sister-rebekah-avery.html" target="_blank">Holy Que!?!</a> (December 3, 2018) </span><br />
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<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjsNWDEblNuWKIxx7o3BHdD1FVtJbAD-JNPCGtTvEXW-zUvatB0dKLNprNACrE47eXtdCU4YRfSdxXf6hdodWk85myB8ayrw3k_FdAP48jF-r5gPpyuXFj9PleGDI8vAzQa2ggP8R5q7Z/s1600/MTC+Elders+Sisters+2018.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjsNWDEblNuWKIxx7o3BHdD1FVtJbAD-JNPCGtTvEXW-zUvatB0dKLNprNACrE47eXtdCU4YRfSdxXf6hdodWk85myB8ayrw3k_FdAP48jF-r5gPpyuXFj9PleGDI8vAzQa2ggP8R5q7Z/s640/MTC+Elders+Sisters+2018.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elders and Sisters at the Provo MTC - Thanksgiving 2018</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipc7UoaG0zK0U6BxAwGA9XlkENSKdmCkr8sJjsvEXiOfdhcRLWQBZDjMaceAgKW25lvWas2w411-HenWiZaSLCrMFusLyujGzuxF30JqbhDzxoUGOePaQ9u5b_Pcxvcd1qEdeXAUVnaT3n/s1600/Sisters.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipc7UoaG0zK0U6BxAwGA9XlkENSKdmCkr8sJjsvEXiOfdhcRLWQBZDjMaceAgKW25lvWas2w411-HenWiZaSLCrMFusLyujGzuxF30JqbhDzxoUGOePaQ9u5b_Pcxvcd1qEdeXAUVnaT3n/s400/Sisters.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sisters at the Provo MTC - Thanksgiving Week 2018</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4KPS-O056aTPP2i0FeFMAhxKkYBznpQY29DJFOiFoUMzbAvbph04Csr3YZ1put8FkPs4xrS5iMygo2eZnvJ1730EU64_Od7ju2kFrYqF2e1up9gg56yAToCBVzcJl3ec-_4AqJIZvcSB/s1600/Thanksgiving+Elder+Garma+Sister+Avery+and+Comps+2018.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4KPS-O056aTPP2i0FeFMAhxKkYBznpQY29DJFOiFoUMzbAvbph04Csr3YZ1put8FkPs4xrS5iMygo2eZnvJ1730EU64_Od7ju2kFrYqF2e1up9gg56yAToCBVzcJl3ec-_4AqJIZvcSB/s640/Thanksgiving+Elder+Garma+Sister+Avery+and+Comps+2018.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Hyrum Garma (California Fresno Mission) with his companion, and Sister Rebekah Avery and her companion. Elder Garma is a family friend from Peru.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu8J6bIsBCZomYNYjHJkFOcRSE3UvixM6aBnlXOIGe87TXTDsI9Ni4MGJ0USW2lNmBK_hAuR91PbRKY3vXEw2PnjcTdwYn0KJEfxjROyadGMhrPzihsw1s14SyxAAlJIKZU1oRNdRNNhHg/s1600/Thanksgiving+Service+Project+MTC.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu8J6bIsBCZomYNYjHJkFOcRSE3UvixM6aBnlXOIGe87TXTDsI9Ni4MGJ0USW2lNmBK_hAuR91PbRKY3vXEw2PnjcTdwYn0KJEfxjROyadGMhrPzihsw1s14SyxAAlJIKZU1oRNdRNNhHg/s400/Thanksgiving+Service+Project+MTC.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving Service Project, Provo MTC 2018</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38O9mVTfq63MFnw9KciB3c6YsoJOy3IOXHJOEpJAF2aKrIHs49kpIuA9XkL7v3niS2erzgsADO_6NprdAauqu8keVBT2G5q3q-JyTp_czUMPobS_OSrm01TeWYsIAYbvpf8MDX0KgbDti/s1600/Thanksgiving+Meal.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38O9mVTfq63MFnw9KciB3c6YsoJOy3IOXHJOEpJAF2aKrIHs49kpIuA9XkL7v3niS2erzgsADO_6NprdAauqu8keVBT2G5q3q-JyTp_czUMPobS_OSrm01TeWYsIAYbvpf8MDX0KgbDti/s640/Thanksgiving+Meal.jpeg" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving Meal - Provo MTC - 2018</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
</div>
<div class="adL">
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115431285211747753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877257070632995521.post-60848360681658107332018-11-19T18:18:00.000-07:002018-12-09T15:47:05.214-07:00Week One is in the Books! - Sister Rebekah Avery<div>
Written by <a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2018/11/meet-sister-rebekah-avery.html" target="_blank">Sister Rebekah Avery</a>, training in the Provo Missionary Training Center in preparation for her service in the Portugal Lisbon Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Ola! Eu sou viva e muito bem!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The past five or so days have been the best days of my life. I'm not just saying that to say that either.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
From
the very first moment that I walked into the Mission Training Center, I
have felt like this is where I belong and what I've been meant to do
for a long time. It's almost as if my whole life has been leading up
until this very moment. My heart is so full of joy, light, and happiness
that I feel as though I need to share it or else I might burst. Luckily
I have an amazing companion, Sister Van Buskirk, whom I can shower with
all of the excess love I want.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Missionaries
from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints always are in
companionships of two or three, so it was a minor adjustment at first.
However, I definitely lucked out.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sister Van
Buskirk (my companion) and I have gotten along so well, it's not even
funny! She is the most beautiful, kind, wonderful person that I have
ever met. It helps that we're also very similar in interests,
personality, and temperament! But more than that, she has been a
wonderful example of Christ-like love and charity as I have needed to
visit the doctor repeatedly over the past couple of days. Even though we
hardly knew each other in the beginning, she readily agreed to stay
with me while we tried to figure out what was wrong, and has never once
complained. Her patience is exemplary and something which I pray to be
able to incorporate into my own character in the future.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
God
has definitely been with us, because despite missing the first two or
three days of classes, we haven't fallen terribly behind and the Branch
President said that her Portuguese is the best he's heard in the MTC
(she had to speak in Church on Sunday, completely in Portuguese). I
guess it helps that while I've been getting stuck with needles, she's
had the opportunity to study in the waiting room! Both of spoke French
before our missions though, so it's been quite the challenge trying to
adjust, but we're usually able to relate our Portuguese vocabulary to
our French one, saying "oh, voce is like vous, and estar is like
ester!". Up until we hear the French missionaries across the hall
speaking and our minds switch over, that is :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yesterday
was definitely my highlight though. The whole day I was able to feel
the <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/holy-ghost?lang=eng" target="_blank">Spirit</a>. I received so many revelations for how I can better myself
and improve before flying to Portugal in six weeks. Mostly I was
reminded that none of this is about me. This is about the people who
have been waiting to hear the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ,
and those who have been missing His light in their lives. Sometimes the
greatest service we can render is to simply smile and remind people that
they are loved, that they have worth, and that there is always hope.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Furthermore,
I had a very good reminder that this isn't about me. This is about the
people the Portugal. If I try to learn Portuguese for myself, so that I
can say, "Look how good my Portuguese is!" then I won't have the Spirit
with me and I won't be able to learn as well/fast. Whereas, if I pray to
learn Portuguese so that I can better love and serve the people I meet,
and be a better instrument in the Lord's hands, then I will learn. E
entao eu podema falar e apprender Portuguese par os.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now,
you're probably wondering if I'm still sick. So far, no. I am doing
much better and am taking medication that should help, but they said
that based on my blood work that it isn't contagious or anything. In
fact, they don't quite know that it is/was, so they're making some
educated guesses based on what they do know.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
However,
I would like to bear witness of the power of <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/priesthood-blessing?lang=eng" target="_blank">Priesthood blessings</a>. The
same day that I received a blessing from our Zone Leaders (two Elders
who are also going to Portugal Lisboa), I stopped having the same pains
and symptoms I'd been experiencing. I ate food for the first time in
over twenty-four hours, and the next day I was able to go to all of my
classes. The words said in that blessing were not the words of two young
men, but rather the words of my Father in Heaven, spoken directly to
me, with a mindfulness of my situation. He truly knows me personally and
has been with me through this whole experience.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Eu
sai que Jesus Cristo e o filho de Deus, e ele ama nos. Tambem, nos
somos os filhos de um Pai Celestial. Nos podemos voltar a vivar com Deus
par meio da Expiacao. Sister Van Buskirk e me somos missionarias de
Jesus Cristo, e nos podemos apprendar Portuguese!!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Desculpe, I don't know how to put all of the accents in there yet using an English keyboard.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Know
that I love each and everyone of you, and I will try my best to not
write so much in the future! Take care! And if you aren't praying now, I
encourage you to try and have an open heart to what results and answers
may come. If you expect failure, that's what you'll get, so have hope
and know that Deus sempre escuta as nossas oracoes - God always listens
to our prayers.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Tchau! Boa Sorte!</div>
<div>
Sister Avery<br />
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2018/11/sister-avery-reports-to-mtc.html" target="_blank">Sister Avery Reports to the MTC</a> (November 14, 2018)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2018/11/happy-belated-thanksgiving-sister.html" target="_blank">Happy Belated Thanksgiving! </a>(November 26, 2018) </span></div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115431285211747753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877257070632995521.post-27471879608032405812018-11-18T21:50:00.003-07:002018-11-25T18:22:07.554-07:00First Email from the MTC - Sister Rebekah Avery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG18Dn5Dxo_L2GjNpmIj1KYFIcjQuM_e8NALXIUF6pFQCw-eIkatMsQLCJN7bl09SVnAFVFqVn9AXUGngLL61rfGxLENjQ5ArCk-0YcwM_f-sYsfny5MdQ5Qy9jrrsevenVHAtw_MhWNe-/s1600/Rebekah+Leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="533" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG18Dn5Dxo_L2GjNpmIj1KYFIcjQuM_e8NALXIUF6pFQCw-eIkatMsQLCJN7bl09SVnAFVFqVn9AXUGngLL61rfGxLENjQ5ArCk-0YcwM_f-sYsfny5MdQ5Qy9jrrsevenVHAtw_MhWNe-/s320/Rebekah+Leaves.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Hey!<br />
<br />
<div>
So I know that I literally just saw you, but they told me that I
should come and email you that I made it safe. My apartment is on the
fourth floor, so lugging all of my suitcases was a nightmare. I met my
companion already and she's this super cute girl from Southern
California.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm still feeling a little nauseous, but
am fine overall. The lady started speaking to us in portuguese as soon
as I arrived in the classroom and I was like, "Uh, help help!!!". My
tongue doesn't seem to enjoy the accent as much as it did french, but I
am praying that as I continue to study and practice that I will be able
to do it. It's like President Uchtdorf said in his talk about gaining a
personal testimony, having a righteous motivation can enable us beyond
our comprehension.... or accent.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm in really good spirits
so far and hope that you are too! Give everyone my love, and let them
know that I'm going to be safe! Don't let anyone be sad or cry or worry.
It's not allowed.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I love you all lots! I don't know when our PDay is yet, but I'll let you know eventually!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Take care! Ciao!</div>
<div>
Sister Avery</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
(By
the way, I learned that Irma means "sister" but with added emphasis and
authority, like a sister training leader or teacher, so I'm just a sister for now!)<br />
<br />
<div>
I also just learned that my companion, Sister Van Buskirk, speaks
French! So that's cool! She already knows one of the other sisters from
our mission and I guess they've been in contact with the other
missionaries for several months now. I'm a little out of the loop, but
I'm praying it will get better.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The guy just said our Pday is Monday? I'm not sure. Don't count on it, but maybe!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Love you!</div>
<div>
Sister Avery</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2018/11/sister-avery-reports-to-mtc.html" target="_blank">Sister Avery Reports to the MTC</a> (November 14, 2018)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2018/11/written-by-sister-rebekah-avery.html" target="_blank">Week One is in The Books!</a> (November 19, 2018)</span></div>
</div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115431285211747753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877257070632995521.post-82709950745978287822018-11-18T21:38:00.004-07:002018-11-25T18:24:20.255-07:00Sister Avery Reports to the MTC<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2018/11/meet-sister-rebekah-avery.html" target="_blank">Sister Rebekah Avery</a> reported to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, November 14, 2018, in preparation for her service in the Portugal Lisbon Mission.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2018/11/first-email-from-mtc-sister-rebekah.html" target="_blank">First Email from the MTC</a> (November 15, 2018)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQC5PbgVyUlNarAoMGce3y8xjBeVQ5O0ngnzMlZcTOsfYNI_KWI4rWjJDFKCy9ObGn5wx5x9c-qwzlQpyAXUKs3TcjhF82DB5l5luseNm0wypTxyDcUwisUnV6YLaQ8f1QpCARWygp-rJ/s1600/Doug+Bekah+Shannon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQC5PbgVyUlNarAoMGce3y8xjBeVQ5O0ngnzMlZcTOsfYNI_KWI4rWjJDFKCy9ObGn5wx5x9c-qwzlQpyAXUKs3TcjhF82DB5l5luseNm0wypTxyDcUwisUnV6YLaQ8f1QpCARWygp-rJ/s320/Doug+Bekah+Shannon.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXFRH6uoorEv1ZJFuVN7h5Oqn2HAyokyhXsrx2sFSxCshDDMG0UPPunI5enDNdXQUz1IhPmq9MQJcrVWMAcG-qvm56vKvgt3BAtgZLXXq4hJkVd85r_Gswb5K-vsTHYdJUxjjJrX-Zouu/s1600/Heather+Abi+Bekah+Hannah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXFRH6uoorEv1ZJFuVN7h5Oqn2HAyokyhXsrx2sFSxCshDDMG0UPPunI5enDNdXQUz1IhPmq9MQJcrVWMAcG-qvm56vKvgt3BAtgZLXXq4hJkVd85r_Gswb5K-vsTHYdJUxjjJrX-Zouu/s320/Heather+Abi+Bekah+Hannah.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<br />Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115431285211747753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877257070632995521.post-36741127374213950682018-11-18T21:09:00.001-07:002018-11-18T21:39:59.232-07:00Meet Sister Rebekah AverySister Rebekah Avery was born in Maryland, and is the fifth of seven children. She moved to Utah with her family when she was 8 years old and grew up in South Jordan. Rebekah attended Itineris Early College High School, receiving an Associates Degree in General Studies, and Utah Valley University majoring in Art History. She received her mission call in June 2018 to the Portugal Lisbon Mission.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2018/11/sister-avery-reports-to-mtc.html" target="_blank">Sister Avery Reports to the MTC (November 14, 2018) </a></span><br />
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<br />Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115431285211747753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877257070632995521.post-60088007073826776072016-10-24T22:56:00.000-06:002018-11-25T23:03:27.071-07:00Last Email from the Mission - Elder Joshua Avery<span style="font-size: large;"><span><i>Written by <a href="http://www.loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2014/10/meet-elder-joshua-avery.html" target="_blank">Elder Joshua Avery</a>, serving in the Singapore Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaking Mandarin Chinese.</i></span> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Dear Family and Friends,</span><br />
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Well this is not a fun e-mail to write at all. Seeing all of you is exciting again, but I will miss this experience so much. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This
week my faith has increased as I have been reading Preach My Gospel
chapter 4. This chapter focuses on recognizing and receiving the Holy
Ghost. I also read this awesome quote by George Q. Cannon "Every man and
woman in the Church of Christ can have the gifts of the Spirit of God
divided to them according to their faith and as God wills. …</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">How
many of you … are seeking for these gifts that God has promised to
bestow? How many of you, when you bow before your Heavenly Father in
your family circle or in your secret places, contend for these gifts to
be bestowed upon you? How many of you ask the Father, in the name of
Jesus, to manifest Himself to you through these powers and these gifts?
Or do you go along day by day, like a door turning on its hinges,
without having any feeling upon the subject, without exercising any
faith whatever, content to be baptized and be members of the Church and
to rest there, thinking that your salvation is secure because you have
done this? …</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">… I know that God is willing to
heal the sick, that He is willing to bestow the gift of discerning of
spirits, the gift of wisdom, of knowledge and of prophecy, and other
gifts that may be needed. If any of us are imperfect, it is our duty to
pray for the gift that will make us perfect. Have I imperfections? I am
full of them. What is my duty? To pray to God to give me the gifts that
will correct these imperfections. If I am an angry man, it is my duty to
pray for charity, which suffereth long and is kind. Am I an envious
man? It is my duty to seek for charity, which envieth not. So with all
the gifts of the gospel. They are intended for this purpose. No man
ought to say, “Oh, I cannot help this; it is my nature.” He is not
justified in it, for the reason that God has promised to give strength
to correct these things, and to give gifts that will eradicate them. If a
man lack wisdom, it is his duty to ask God for wisdom. The same with
everything else. That is the design of God concerning His Church. He
wants His Saints to be perfected in the truth. For this purpose He gives
these gifts and bestows them upon those who seek after them, in order
that they may be a perfect people upon the face of the earth,
notwithstanding their many weaknesses, because God has promised to give
the gifts that are necessary for their perfection."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I
saw the gifts of the Spirit at work this week. We have been seeing
great success from our English Class. Not only are we getting students
but we are getting solid investigators from it. This past week we met
with a girl named Al**. She said that she has always wanted to learn
about Christianity because Christians and us at the Church always seem
happy. She said that she had wanted to learn but was always scared that
the people would be too pushy when they taught her. After coming to
English Class and participating in the gospel discussion afterwards she
talked to one of the members and said she had a good feeling and wants
to learn. We were able to teach her this weekend and it was awesome.
Then we also met with a girl from China who has been Christian for a
short time only. She told us later this week that when she had met us and
we invited her to learn English she had just had a rough day at work
because her English is not very good yet and that she has been
struggling with her confidence. She said that she has been feeling
confident after coming to English class. We are also teaching her and
she says she has been feeling closer to God.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">We
had a way awesome lesson with S** this week. It was so perfect and
just what she needed. She said she knows the Book of Mormon is true and
that the only commandments she still has to keep is the sabbath day and
baptism. haha! when she said baptism she acted almost like she had said a
swear word haha :) She said she is going to worry about keeping the
Sabbath Day Holy first. She goes back to China next month so it is a
time crunch for her baptism! Elder Boud has been amazing though, he
knows exactly how to connect with her. Everytime she meets with us she
brings treats for him haha! I think he and Elder Shirley with the
guidance of the Spirit will be able to make it happen before she goes.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Miracles:
Last night we went to see a member named D** K** that has not been to
church in a while because he recently switched jobs. We went to his
house and the owner of the apartment who's room he is renting and their
family was there. The were all from Beijing and way nice. They
immediately invited us in and fed us till we couldn't eat. It was
delicious! The daughter is learning English and is going to try to come.
We will keep in touch with them. The family wants to have us over
to have Malaxiangguo. Sweet!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Also earlier this
week we just finished making English Class flyers and then a lady walked
into the mission office and said "My friend is in the hospital and gets
discharged tonight. She said while she is in the hospital she is
willing to learn the gospel because she has a lot of free time". We went
and taught her friend because there were no other missionaries there
(she would be in Bedok Ward), and her friend was interested and we are
going to have dinner at her house tonight and teach her for the second
time.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today a recently re-activated member of
20+ years that I had helped find/teach in Woodlands took my companions
and I out for lunch. It was crazy to talk to her because when i was in
woodlands she was still not open to learning and she was convinced she
would never come back. She was glowing and so happy. One of her
daughters was just baptized and another is getting ready to be
baptized. It is amazing how important the Spirit is and how God was
preparing the family at the same time even though they were living in
different parts of the world. i also found out that another less active
family I had taught in woodlands, recently came back. Sometimes we don't
get to see how our small part plays out, but every little visit, and
follow-up is another step to someone's way back to the gospel. Every act
is important. This was an awesome week. This is the best work and I am
so excited it never ends :)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Love,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Elder Avery</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-final-countdown-elder-joshua-avery.html" target="_blank">The Final Countdown</a> - October 17, 2016</span></div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115431285211747753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877257070632995521.post-63207618471508319662016-10-17T22:47:00.000-06:002018-11-25T23:04:31.013-07:00The Final Countdown - Elder Joshua Avery<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Written by <a href="http://www.loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2014/10/meet-elder-joshua-avery.html" target="_blank">Elder Joshua Avery</a>, serving in the Singapore Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaking Mandarin Chinese.</i> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-size: large;">Dear Family and Friends,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I
have to admit that going home is not exciting at all. I am excited to
see all of you again, but leaving the mission field is heartbreaking. I
have learned so many things on my mission. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I
started my mission in Ipoh and there I learned that the gift of tongues
was real. I remember teaching an investigator named Li** who was from
Mainland China. God didn't bless me to be able to speak good Chinese to
her (it is still okay only), but through the Spirit we were able to
understand one another. Nearly two years later she is still strong in
the church and reads The Book of Mormon everyday. Her 8 year old
daughter was baptized a couple months ago and they now live back in
China. I am also forever debted to Sister Chris, President Yap, and all
of the amazing Ipoh Branch members.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In
Ipoh I also learned that when we are worthy and act in faith, God will
give us power from on high to perform mighty miracles. There was the
first time I laid my hands on someone's head in the hospital and saw
them be healed instantly. She wasn't a member of the church and she
wasn't even Christian, but God loves all his children and will bless
anyone who comes to him and exercises faith in him.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I
left from Ipoh to Melaka. Melaka was a refining fire. At times I felt
alone and felt like I was wandering in darkness but it was there that I
gained a witness of the Book of Mormon. That has been the single most
spiritual experience of my mission. My testimony of the Book of Mormon
has been the key to my motivation. If that book is true, then everyday
of life is glorious and happy if we choose to follow Jesus Christ.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I
then went to Petaling Jaya. I wasn't sure why they had Chinese Elders
there because everyone there spoke English. That was the last transfer
they opened that area for Chinese work. That transfer my companion and I
finished teaching a family who lived far away who was baptized the
weekend after the area closed. God's timing is everything. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My
next area was Johor. There I met some of the best friends I have ever
had. I love my companion Elder Pearce and my amazing Zone Leaders Elder
Hanks and Elder Lloyd. After having had a tough time in Melaka and PJ I
was ready to work and get things going. My companion and I were new, our
Chinese was not as good as some of the other missionaries, and we were
reopening the area. There I learned what it really means to talk to
everyone. After two transfers of hard work my companion and I gained
some traction and it remains to be a high performing area today. I felt I
had learned a lot in Johor. A couple days before transfers I prayed to
God expressing a desire to go and serve in Sitiawan. That has always
been a place that has been known as a "hard" area in the mission. I
committed to God that I would go there and work hard everyday. I was
only slightly surprised when I got a call from President a couple days
later to go serve in Sitiawan.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Serving
in Sitiawan was a sacred experience. Everyday I felt like I was in the
palm of God's hand. It was a secluded and quiet place, a great place for
reflection. My companions and I turned over every stone in that town.
We talked to people no matter where we were. I became good friends with
the members there and loved my companions. I will never forget the night
that Elder Brown and I were out in Pekan Gerney, which is way out in
the middle of no where. Our investigator was running late. It was
Saturday and we were sad that we still had no new investigators that
week. We only had fifteen minutes but we said a prayer and walked on a
small road that looked like it lead to nowhere, After passing a couple
houses we knocked on the gate of the house of a long lost friend of the
member who was with us. I learned that The Spirit is important in all
aspects of missionary work, including finding. I learned that we cannot
be successful without it, regardless of our talents or abilities.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In
Puchong I was companions with Elder Schwemmer. Serving with him changed
me. He is like a brother to me. That was my first and only transfer as a
Zone Leader. I learned that sometimes those who are your senior will
disagree with the choices you make as a leader, but in the end you need
to face the Lord not them. I also will never forget Sister Saffron and
all she did for me. :)</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I
was caught by surprise when I was asked to go serve in Singapore as an
Assistant to the President. I felt unqualified. To be honest I was
scared and not very excited about it, but I learned to love it. I knew
there were other missionaries who could do better than me. I still feel
that way about it, but God wanted me to have that opportunity to learn. I
hadn't seen a baptism since Ipoh at that point. My companion Elder
Spurrier and I set a vision to baptize and many baptisms followed.
Despite occasional uprising from the ward haha :), we were able to
develop a good relationship with them. They are now the strongest member
missionary ward in the Stake. I learned how to motivate myself and work
when I had nothing left. I also loved my new companion Elder Harker. He
was a great support and taught me a lot about how to help people feel
loved.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The
last 6 months of my mission were definitely the toughest. There were
struggles and challenges that I did not expect I would face on my
mission, that have tested me to my limits but I have learned patience
and faith in Christ and the enabling and cleansing power of His
atonement. I have lost count of how many times I have been stuck by
needles. But doctor visits, immigration miracles, a lot of
reimbursements, moving houses, missed plane flights, stress, and many
Chinese mistakes later I have made it to the last week. I love serving
in the Singapore 2nd ward. The YSA is amazing. Elder Boud and Elder Shirley are
amazing and I cannot thank God enough for this experience. The best part
is the work never ends! Time to go out and kill it this last week!
SPRINT TO THE END :)</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Love,</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Elder Avery </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-of-mormon-elder-joshua-avery.html" target="_blank">Book of Mormon</a> - October 9, 2016</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2016/10/last-email-from-mission-elder-joshua.html" target="_blank">Last Email from the Mission</a> - October 24, 2016</span></div>
</div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115431285211747753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877257070632995521.post-5385463304186209912016-10-09T22:39:00.000-06:002018-11-25T22:55:35.572-07:00Book of Mormon - Elder Joshua Avery<div dir="ltr">
<div>
<i>Written by <a href="http://www.loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2014/10/meet-elder-joshua-avery.html" target="_blank">Elder Joshua Avery</a>, serving in the Singapore Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaking Mandarin Chinese.</i> </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Dear Family and Friends,</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
I finished The
Book of Mormon the other day. That was only the second time I have
finished the Book of Mormon on my mission. I have spent the past year
plus studying The Book of Mormon to better understand Christ. I
highlighted every reference to him, every attribute, all of his words,
and references to the doctrine of Christ. I am amazed at how much my
understanding of Christ and my belief in Him has grown. Prayerfully
studying The Book of Mormon has done more for my testimony than anything
else. I love reading it so much. I am reading my study of Christ Book
of Mormon these next 3 weeks. I plan on finishing it before I get home
and then I will start reading a new Book of Mormon with a new
perspective. Anyone who does not believe in The Book of Mormon has not
studied it well. There is no other possible way for there to be a God
and to have a plan to return to live with him other than the God and
plan that is presented in The Book of Mormon. Other options might please
the ears, but they are impossible.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The other
day we found a super awesome prepared brother. We were on the bus going
to visit a less active. When we got on the bus I had a thought come to
my head that someone on the bus was prepared but it was not someone who
spoke Chinese. After we got on the bus a man who is paralyzed from the
waste down was trying to wheel himself on. The bus was pretty packed so
he was struggling to get his wheelchair in the handicapped section. Us
Elders helped him get situated and he was very grateful. He started
asking us who we were and why we are in Singapore. Elder Boud, who has
no fear showed him and another lady on the bus a Book of Mormon and said
"This is why we're here". He taught and bore a powerful testimony of
The Book of Mormon. The lady was not interested but the man in the
wheelchair was. He got off at the same stop at us and told us not to go
because he wanted to talk to us. He explained how he felt confused by
all the different Christian teachings and doctrines. He told us that he
had heard things on the internet and south park but he still wanted to
learn because he felt like this was what he was looking for. We taught
him the Restoration and gave him a Book of Mormon. We are passing him to
the Zone Leader's and we are excited to see where things go from there.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sister
J** and Sister S** are doing great they just won't commit to a
baptismal date. I think we are just going to focus on reading the Book
of Mormon with them. They don't want us to talk about baptism for a
while.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We had an awesome finding miracle on
Saturday. After Saturday conference the ward ordered pizza which I can't
eat so we went to get some Malaxiangguo.The food court in China Town
was packed so there were almost no seats. The only open seats were at a
table with these two 20 year old girls from China who are studying
nursing. Of course we talked to them and they were way nice and wanted
to learn the gospel. We were able to teach them yesterday with some of
the YSA members. It is always interesting to teach people from China
because they have no thoughts about God at all. It is way different than
teaching Christians. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Also A*** (an
investigator I had started teaching with Elder Spurrier before we
passed him to the Chinese Elders) is back and came to conference. That
was sweet!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The members in our ward are always
helpful. We didn't have to buy food during conference because members
would always pack lunches for us. They would even bring salad for me :)
We have also been trying to use members to help us learn the language
because Malaysia corrupted Elder Shirley and I's Chinese. Not terribly,
but it has caused us to pick up some bad habits. A lot of members have
also told me that a lot of grammar and words will not make sense until I
understand Characters. The new books from Taiwan that the mission will
be getting soon will be a big help for the missionaries, I think that
will help them get a solid foundation and help them sound more
educated. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Love,</div>
<div>
Elder Avery</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2016/10/gifts-of-spirit-elder-joshua-avery.html" target="_blank">Gifts of the Spirit</a> - October 2, 2016</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-final-countdown-elder-joshua-avery.html" target="_blank">The Final Countdown</a> - October 17, 2016</span></div>
</div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115431285211747753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877257070632995521.post-61419303105532155862016-10-02T22:32:00.000-06:002018-11-25T22:46:03.699-07:00Gifts of the Spirit - Elder Joshua Avery<div dir="ltr">
<div>
<i>Written by <a href="http://www.loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2014/10/meet-elder-joshua-avery.html" target="_blank">Elder Joshua Avery</a>, serving in the Singapore Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaking Mandarin Chinese.</i> </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Dear Family and Friends,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This
past week I learned a lot about obedience and tenacity. They go hand in
hand. Often times we are asked to do things that seem impossible in
missionary work. Like talk to strangers, learn Chinese, talk to
strangers in Chinese, and sometimes because of our weakness the
commandments or white hand book rules can seem difficult to obey. As I
have recommitted myself to all these rules and am trying to live them
with greater exactness I have been feeling greater spiritual power. It
really is the little things that make all the difference. It is the
small things like speaking English when I should speak Chinese, not
filling out all the teaching records that night, getting home a couple
minutes late, and other things like that that can add up and weaken our
spiritual armor. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We have two investigators
named J** and S** who are so good and doing great but won't commit to a
date. Keep them in your prayers.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A miracle
that I would like to share is how fast Elder Boud's Chinese is
improving. The gifts of the spirit are real and I can see him receiving
divine help every day. Last night he was going up to people from China
and initiating the contact and did a great job. There are some times he
even knows a word or two that Elder Shirley and I don't. Having a
trainee is a cool experience. I want to have a good experience but when
you have a trainee you want to work even harder because you want him to
have a better experience than you had. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was
able to meet with the Bishop and go through our ward list. Because a lot
of people in the ward move to and from China a lot of the people are
unknown. But he gave us great direction. We were able to identify all of
the key investigators and less actives and part member families. We
visited a less active who has not been to church in a long time. As we
were trying to teach him the Restoration we couldn't get a word in
because he just wanted to share his gospel knowledge. we decided it
would just be best to have him help us to teach one of our
investigators. After he helped us teach a lesson magically he was at
church this Sunday. Testifying of restored truths is a great way to help
rekindle testimonies and conversion.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Love,</div>
<div>
Elder Avery</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2016/09/study-and-miracles-elder-joshua-avery.html" target="_blank">Study and Miracles</a> - September 26, 2018</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-of-mormon-elder-joshua-avery.html" target="_blank">Book of Mormon</a> - October 9, 2016 </span></div>
</div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115431285211747753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877257070632995521.post-8354567521616707702016-09-26T22:25:00.000-06:002018-11-25T23:05:31.575-07:00Study and Miracles - Elder Joshua Avery<div dir="ltr">
<div>
<i>Written by <a href="http://www.loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2014/10/meet-elder-joshua-avery.html" target="_blank">Elder Joshua Avery</a>, serving in the Singapore Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaking Mandarin Chinese.</i><br />
<i> </i> </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Dear Family and Friends,<br />
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
We were blessed
with some great success. We were able to find a lot of people, and we
have a couple investigators that we feel could be baptized this transfer
if they decide to. I have been increasing my faith by taking time to
try to ponder the scriptures more. I have also been receiving a lot of
cool revelation as I study their opposites. One scripture that I flipped
around was Moroni 7:42. Originally it reads "Wherefore, if a man have
faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any
hope." after you view its opposite it becomes "Wherefore, if a man have
doubt he must needs have hopelessness; for without doubt there cannot
be any hopelessness." It is interesting the different insights you can
get from studying the scriptures this way.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We
had a super awesome miracle this week. After English class we were
teaching some of our investigators who attend the English Class. There
was another student who was kind of lingering around so we pulled him
into the lesson and taught him also and he loved it. It's cool how
sometimes God brings people to you and how he prepares them. When he
first came to English class he was not ready but after further exposure
to the church for a few weeks he was willing to open up and learn. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our
member work is improving we ended up being able to teach a member for
the first time in a long time here and she was way excited and is
allowing us to bring an investigator to teach in her house next week. We
also got a referral from a member in Sitiawan, and the referral is
someone that I had met and played bowling with in Sitiawan back in
February who now lives in Singapore and lives right by our house! Crazy!
Maybe they weren't ready then but I hope they are ready now. We are
meeting them on Thursday and are way excited :)<br />
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Love,</div>
<div>
Elder Avery<br />
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2016/09/new-assignment-elder-joshua-avery_18.html" target="_blank">New Assignment</a> - September 18, 2016</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2016/10/gifts-of-spirit-elder-joshua-avery.html" target="_blank">Gifts of the Spirit</a> - October 2, 2016</span></div>
</div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115431285211747753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877257070632995521.post-9004270310387911002016-09-18T22:15:00.000-06:002018-11-25T22:30:10.487-07:00New Assignment - Elder Joshua Avery<i>Written by <a href="http://www.loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2014/10/meet-elder-joshua-avery.html" target="_blank">Elder Joshua Avery</a>, serving in the Singapore Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaking Mandarin Chinese.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
Dear Family and Friends,<br />
<br />
Wow! I love the second ward. I love being a district leader too. This week was a good week. Elder Boud is doing great. I also found out he and Jared know each other. Elder Boud went to Bingham. Elder Shirley and I only speak Chinese. I already feel like Elder Boud's Chinese is improving a lot. He is not afraid to talk to people. We are talking to everyone and already are seeing a lot of success. We are shooting for three baptisms this transfer. And I am committed 100% to it.<br />
<br />
This morning I was reading the end of The Book of Mormon. Mormon laments over the destruction of his people. He says that they were fighting with all of their strength and energy but they were still losing because they would not repent and would not put their strength in the Lord. This truth is true with all of our daily battles in life. When we put our strength in the Lord we will still have some battles that we lose but ultimately we will win the war for our soul. If we put our strength in ourselves we will win some battles but ultimately we will lose the war for our soul. It comes back to pride and faith. Are we willing to submit to God and are we willing to trust God when the war is intense and we have lost some battles already? Yes. <br />
<br />
This week we found two awesome new investigators. The first one was named C**W**. We met him Friday night. He was from BeiFang China. He was so interested in what we had to say that when we met him on the train he got off the train so that he could keep talking to us. He came to a baptism the next day and we were able to teach him after the baptism. That was way cool! It's been a while since I have taught anyone from Northern China so it was hard to understand at times, but overall I think it went okay :)<br />
<br />
The second new investigator was Z**. We met her at China Town on Saturday night and she came to church the next day. We were really surprised at church when we found out she is only 14 years old. It sounds like there is a tough parental situation at home and her mom just lets her roam around Singapore all day.<br />
<br />
The member work here seems stagnate except for in the YSA. We are working with the Ward Mission Leader, he is going to start setting up appointments for us to meet with at least one member family a day. Also I don't think anyone has tried to mine the goldmine here at all. We are going to meet with the Bishop Wednesday to go through the ward list and identify which less active families are the first on his list for us to find.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Elder Avery<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2016/09/medical-challenges-elder-joshua-avery.html" target="_blank">Medical Challenges</a> - September 12, 2016</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2016/09/study-and-miracles-elder-joshua-avery.html" target="_blank">Study and Miracles</a> - September 26, 2016 </span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0BW74RSaPsrIxRWMxbHRHxLDnTocY29L2a_YgGTjftUZ99YezbRH_J3OeYmVIcrNREYWFoWK3vDm_fFJS2WKs39MWuQ2jHwhOWu5PwXnns8yIYuD4yOXPUrmt3BgAg09u6jZbHBz5K4L/s1600/Comps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="944" data-original-width="1259" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0BW74RSaPsrIxRWMxbHRHxLDnTocY29L2a_YgGTjftUZ99YezbRH_J3OeYmVIcrNREYWFoWK3vDm_fFJS2WKs39MWuQ2jHwhOWu5PwXnns8yIYuD4yOXPUrmt3BgAg09u6jZbHBz5K4L/s400/Comps.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115431285211747753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877257070632995521.post-79764604871008721432016-09-12T22:04:00.000-06:002018-11-25T22:24:02.407-07:00Medical Challenges - Elder Joshua Avery <i>By <a href="http://www.loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2014/10/meet-elder-joshua-avery.html" target="_blank">Elder Joshua Avery</a>, serving in the Singapore Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaking Mandarin Chinese.</i><br />
<br />
<i><i>This week Elder Avery sent a voice recording. The following is transcribed from the voice recording: </i></i><br />
<i><i><br /></i></i>
Alrighty everyone, it's time for Elder Avery's weekly summary.<br />
<br />
<i><i></i></i>
Monday was kind of interesting....had to go to the doctor. Same with Tuesday. We were supposed to go to Kuching on an exchange, but I was still waiting for some test results, so Elder Harker went by himself and I got to go with the Singapore Zone Leaders. It was a good day. We talked to a lot of people, and they probably got the most potential investigators that they found in one day for a very long time. That was super exciting.<br />
<br />
<i><i></i></i>
The next day I went on a full day exchange with the Singapore Zone Leaders while Elder Harker was gone, and it was a really good day. We only had one lesson and the rest of the day was finding. We felt the Spirit and got to testify and talk to a lot of people.<br />
<br />
<i><i></i></i>
Thursday Elder Harker came back, and we got to meet with our investigator, W**. If you remember, he's a young guy with a Christian background. After that we went out and found some people.<br />
<br />
<i><i></i></i>
Then Friday we had a good lesson with our investigator, M**. He was really excited and came to church on Sunday wearing a white shirt, a tie and slacks. He's getting ready to get baptized next month.<br />
<br />
<i><i></i></i>
We have an elder in Sibu who is having some heart problems. He's a really nice elder named Elder M**. He's new in the mission, is a really great elder, and he's having some heart problems. But he came here to Singapore and spent the night with me and Elder Harker. We had a really good time. We really enjoyed getting to know him. He's a really nice elder. A really good guy.<br />
<br />
<i><i></i></i>
Saturday was a busy day. We had two new investigators that day. Me** is 15 years old with a little bit of a Christian background because he goes to a Christian school. He seems pretty solid. We followed up with his Book of Mormon reading and he said he read the first bit and it was very engaging. That made me excited because you don't find many 15 year olds who read the Book of Mormon for the first time and find it very engaging. So that was good!<br />
<br />
<i><i></i></i>
Then later that day we ended up meeting with a girl from Myanmar named N**. She's Chin, which means she has a Christian background. She read part of the Book of Mormon, she understood it pretty well, and said she liked it. We taught her at a member's house, and we were able to read the Book of Mormon together with their family. She seems like she's doing really well.<br />
<br />
<i><i></i></i>
Then after that we also were able to meet with G**. He's doing good and progressing toward baptism. He'll be baptized in two weeks.<br />
<br />
<i><i></i></i>
Sunday, in the morning, we got to meet with Sister E**. She's doing amazing! She's getting baptized in two weeks, and is reading the Book of Mormon very consistently. She's from Indonesia and is giving lots of referrals and is so excited for her baptism.<br />
<br />
Also on Sunday I was able to meet with Sister R**. She's doing so well. Elder Spurrier and I found her. Her husband is still struggling with quitting smoking, but I told them don't worry about that right now. Just focus on reading the Book of Mormon everyday because that will get them in a better spiritual place, and then we can work harder on the Word of Wisdom.<br />
<br />
We had a way cool lesson last night with Sister W** M**. We've been trying to meet with her for the longest time, and she just broke down crying. She shared some things with us some things in confidence that helped us understand better where she is at, and we were able to give her a blessing. She seems to be doing good.<br />
<br />
Then we were also able to have a dinner appointment at the bishop's house, and were able to teach another investigator named M**, who is also from Myanmar. He is Buddhist, and is willing to learn, and he is really smart. He gets the apostasy and restoration - that really clicked with him. We just need to get him to read the Book of Mormon.<br />
<br />
And Sunday was also a really great day because we had lots of investigators at church. We should be having three baptisms in the next two weeks. We also got transfer news today, and I'll be getting transferred to the Singapore 2nd Ward, which is the Chinese ward. I think President was originally thinking he was going to send me to Malaysia, but after some medical stuff he's assigned me to stay in Singapore, and serve in the 2nd Ward. So we'll see how things go from here.<br />
<br />
So that's my week. Numbers wise it was one of our best, and it was only a half week. We're doing great with our finding, having great lessons, lots of people coming to church and progressing toward baptism. We feel like we're on the right track. Love you!<br />
<br />
(Note from Elder Avery's mom: The results of the medical tests he mentions turned out to be a diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes. After counseling with President Simmons and medical professionals, Elder Avery chose to remain in Singapore for the last weeks of his missionary service. He was released as an Assistant to the President, and assigned to train a new elder in Singapore.)<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2016/09/stake-conference-and-new-friends-elder.html" target="_blank">Stake Conference and New Friends</a> - September 4, 2016</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2016/09/new-assignment-elder-joshua-avery_18.html" target="_blank">New Assignment</a> - September 18, 2016</span>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115431285211747753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877257070632995521.post-54921054821193773432016-09-04T21:24:00.000-06:002018-11-25T22:09:01.178-07:00Stake Conference and New Friends - Elder Joshua Avery <i>By <a href="http://www.loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2014/10/meet-elder-joshua-avery.html" target="_blank">Elder Joshua Avery</a>, serving in the Singapore Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaking Mandarin Chinese.</i><br />
<br />
<i><i>This week Elder Avery sent a voice recording. The following is transcribed from the voice recording: </i></i><br />
<i><i><br /></i></i>
So, it's time for me to talk about my week. This week was a pretty amazing week. Numbers wise, it was the best of the transfer. We had stake conference, and had a lot of people come for stake conference.<br />
<br />
<i><i></i></i>
On Monday we had Elder Evans come, and wow, was that awesome! He shared really neat stuff about missionary work, and how to find and teach people, and gave us cool talks to read. And we had MLC (Mission Leadership Council). And in MLC he called us out, and said, "You missionaries really don't know what repentance is." And we were like, "Oh!" And then he taught us about that. I'm not going to try to explain it because if he ever saw my explanation on of it he'd think I really didn't understand it. So I'm going to be studying that for the next little while. Elder Evans was just amazing. He talked about when he was a mission president in Japan, and the experiences he had there. It was just really, really cool.<br />
<br />
On Tuesday we found a lot of people. I went on exchanges with Elder Stratton in KL (Kuala Lumpur). He's from Arizona, and he is just amazing. He blew me away! He works so well, and I just don't know how he does it. He has awesome faith, and is a really fun elder. All our lessons fell through that day, so we just talked to people all day. And we found A LOT of people. While we were on that exchange, Elder Harker and Elder Orgo (sp?) were teaching one of our investigators at a park, and they heard a gun shot. And that's really weird in Singapore, because people aren't supposed to have guns, so they were like, "What?!!" But what had happened was a raven had built a nest in a tree, and in Singapore if a bird builds a nest in a tree they call a guy, like an exterminator, who goes out with some kind of gun and shoots the nest out of the tree. During the lesson, they heard him shoot several times, so it must have taken a bit to get the nest. But in Singapore people don't have guns, so the guy must have only shot one a few times in his life, so he must not have been a very good shot. But it's okay, it's a very safe country.<br />
<br />
Wednesday we were able to teach Brother M**. He's doing really well! He's a young man we've been teaching for a while and he finally finished most of his exams. He's progressing and we're really happy with that. We also met a nice man named Brother O**. We'll see how he progresses.<br />
<br />
Thursday we had two lessons. We taught our friend, G**, which was way awesome. He's progressing toward baptism and attended stake conference. Every time we teach him something he accepts it. We taught him about the temple this week, and he loved it. We also taught one of our investigators, W**, and he's just a super nice guy. He's 21, and he loves Jesus Christ. He wants to read and pray, and he comes to church. He's just really sincere, so we're so happy for him.<br />
<br />
Then Friday, we didn't have many lessons so we were able to find a lot of really cool people.<br />
<br />
Saturday we ended up teaching G** again, which was awesome. And we had stake conference, which was really, really good. Right before stake conference, Sister S*, the stake patriarch's wife, had her baptismal interview. She won't be baptized this Saturday, but the next Saturday. And G** should be baptized the week after that, and will our other investigator, Sister E**. So they'll all be baptized in the next three weeks.<br />
<br />
Then yesterday we were able to find some cool, new investigators. Stake conference was great. President Simmons spoke, and told the stake about missionary work and how we're doing things. Pretty much the whole stake conference was about missionary work. They had people who are leaving on missions speak, and people who got back from missions spoke, and the stake president talked. And he said, "Missionaries are always asking what they can do. I'll give you two things you can do. Work with bishoprics on activation. And bring people between the ages of 18 and 30 to institute." So we're going to start bringing a bunch of people to institute and doing a lot of activation. It will be fantastic!<br />
<br />
We taught Sister E** before stake conference, and she's doing fantastic. We taught her, she understood it, and we asked her how she's feeling about baptism. She said she can't wait, and wishes she could be baptized sooner. It's always really exciting when an investigator feels that way. And then afterward, she had some referrals, so we sent the elders who live by her friends over there to meet them. Then she introduced the zone leaders to 10 of her friends who live in their area, and they are all Indonesian and Christian. So the zone leaders are excited about that.<br />
<br />
I had to go on a little exchange with the Chinese elders. We had a missionary named Elder Levitt here with us for a few days. So Elder Harker and Elder Levitt went to teach one of our investigators, and I heard that lesson went really well. And while that lesson was going on, I went out with the Chinese elders to do a baptismal interview. And I also got to help with a mission prep class, and it was so fun to speak Chinese again. After six months of not using it that much, I was a little rusty, but it was really fun. I could still get around the things I needed to say.<br />
<br />
Then we ended up going to a family home evening at the stake president's house, and we were able to take our investigator W** to that. I think he really like that there were a lot of people his age. He was way excited. He loved it.<br />
<br />
Then last night there was an investigator that Elder Harker and Elder Orgo found when they were on their exchange. They're from Myanmar. They dad and daughter are Buddhist. We didn't get to meet the wife last night. She was gone. And we also got to meet one of the other tenants living there who is Christian. They were just all sincere, and committed to reading and praying about the Book of Mormon. They accepted our invitation to be baptized when they find out it's true, so we're excited about them. They are a way awesome family.<br />
<br />
So that was our week. It was amazing. Remember who you are, and make good choices. Bye.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2016/08/an-awe-some-week-elder-joshua-avery.html" target="_blank">An Awesome Week</a> - August 21, 2016</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2016/09/medical-challenges-elder-joshua-avery.html" target="_blank">Medical Challenges</a> - September 12, 2016 </span><br />
<i><i></i></i><br />
<br />
<i><i></i></i>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115431285211747753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877257070632995521.post-20914012188508572832016-08-22T16:47:00.000-06:002016-08-23T16:48:51.416-06:00Week 3 in Nicaragua - Elder Brigham Rush<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82-_M3YYiMFI1a6lQQ7Z-2sXHaLCunVDm59xvVcvxyltldpRplahzfobasZwhHbclKee8OBO5-IyFY53O6K3_3fQAY1ojRXha_deBeXcz1fELZ1Kje0pKnq3xmeb5PA-7dOx29bn2H2sq/s1600/Brig+Group+Iglesia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82-_M3YYiMFI1a6lQQ7Z-2sXHaLCunVDm59xvVcvxyltldpRplahzfobasZwhHbclKee8OBO5-IyFY53O6K3_3fQAY1ojRXha_deBeXcz1fELZ1Kje0pKnq3xmeb5PA-7dOx29bn2H2sq/s320/Brig+Group+Iglesia.JPG" width="320" /></a> <i>Written by <a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2016/02/meet-elder-brigham-rush.html" target="_blank">Elder Brigham Rush</a>,
in the Provo Missionary Training Center of The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints. He is assigned to the Nicaragua Managua North
Mission, speaking Spanish.</i><br />
<br />
Okay, week 3 was pretty eventful so get ready for an action packed email.
So to start off the week, Elder Perry (the other white elder that got
here the same time as me) got super sick and the nurse thought he had
zika. Turns out he just drank some bad water and got some super nasty
parasites. He was out of commission for about the entire week, but now
he's doing a lot better.<br />
<br />
<div>
The highlight of my week has to do with the
funny t-shirts I was talking about last week. So this whole time I've
been hoping to see a t-shirt from a high school I recognized or
something like that, but I saw something better. As I arrived at my bus
stop on our way to our area, I saw a man in a plain white basketball
jersey that I thought I recognized. Upon further inspection I look and
see the he's wearing a JUNIOR JAZZ rec league basketball jersey. Funniest
thing I've seen all week. Along with the herd of cows walking down the
street that I sent in my pictures. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Also, if you were
wondering, the game "nose goes" where you touch your nose so you don't
have to do something, is a world wide game. Everyone here knows what it
means and it's hilarious.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
On another note, as you can imagine,
my area is a very humble place. Almost all the houses are just tin
walls and roof and a dirt floor. If you've ever seen "the Little Rascals"
just picture their club house, divide that by about a fourth in size,
and you have the houses here. Usually with cable tv though so that's
pretty cool. At least they know their priorities. Anyways, one night I
walked into this house, it was built very nicely, and the tin all lined
up well. The dirt floor was swept (I'm not sure how) and everything was
put away in its place. The first thing that came to my mind was "hmm,
this is a nice house". In that exact moment, I knew that I was getting
used to Nicaragua. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
The last funny thing I want to talk about
is the stores here, specifically the advertisements. Every single house
has some special thing that they sell, and the way that they advertise
that thing is by taping a piece of paper on the door that say "Hay"
(which means there is) and then the thing after. My personal favorite is
when people are selling popsicles. The signs say "Hay Posicle". Yes,
spelled like that. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
I want to finish with a story of a less
active member named Lucia. when we started visiting her, she though she
had cancer, had no job, and her husband left her and her daughter to be a
drunk on the street. Since then, she started going to church, found out
that she didn't have cancer, her husband came home one night and we
talked to him. He stopped drinking and smoking, and the next week they
both found jobs! Not taking any of the credit at all, but God truly is a
God of miracles. So I want to leave you with that! I'm sorry if I don't
email you back, we only can email for about an hour here so I try to put
as much as I can in here. If you were wondering, I still find some
fleas in the house, but the epidemic is pretty much over. I love all of
you! I hope you have a great week! (still no baptisms) :(</div>
<div>
Go to church, it is very important.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
- Elder Rush</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2016/08/adventuring-through-central-america.html" target="_blank">Adventuring Through Central America</a> (August 15, 2016)</div>
<div>
*currently no links available for this entry* (August 29, 2016) </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115431285211747753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877257070632995521.post-48524281995619913702016-08-21T13:48:00.000-06:002018-11-25T21:26:56.302-07:00An AWESOME Week - Elder Joshua Avery<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>By <a href="http://www.loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2014/10/meet-elder-joshua-avery.html" target="_blank">Elder Joshua Avery</a>, serving in the Singapore Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaking Mandarin Chinese.</i><br />
<br />
<i><i>This week Elder Avery sent a voice recording and several photos. The following is transcribed from the voice recording: </i></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><i><br /></i></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alllrighty! I’m a little short on time, so I’m going to have to do this AUCTIONEER style….</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just
kidding, I won’t be an auctioneer, I’ve never done that... But Monday was
an AWE-SOME day. After our preparation day activities, we went out
proselyting and we ended up being able to talk to some awesome people
and we found a really cool potential investigator, we went to see a less
active, the less active wasn’t home and then his son was, turned out
the less active moved somewhere else. The son was willing to let us
share share with him later, but so far he’s flaked out on his
appointments, because he’s scare what his wife will think, so we just
have to get him to be less scared.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then
Tuesday, was an exciting day, we ended up having our zone meeting that
day, and our zone meeting was amazing and really powerful. So we went
out and had an awesome day, found some cool people that we were able to
set up for later. One of which was, while we were walking, Elder Harker
he saw this park and he said, we have to go the park and talk to people
at the park. So we’re like, "Okay". So we went to this park that was by this
member’s house and we talked to some people that were saying “no” but
we saw this old lady and we talked to this old lady and she was like
“Hey! I’m from the Philippines and I’m Mormon and I used to be a temple
worker in the Manila temple and we’re like “What the... like, who are
you?” So then she’s like “yeah, yeah, and I live right here” She's been here
for like a month or two, and she had no idea where the church was in
Singapore or anything like that. So going to that, we were able to teach
her son-in-law who was home, who’s not a member and we taught him and
he had a couple of concerns, but he was pretty good. But he also ended
up skipping his return appointment, well I guess technically, it was
his first appointment so he ended up skipping that, so we’re going to
have to try to reschedule with him and try to catch him one of these
times, but it was an awesome miracle.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then
Wednesday, we ended up having a lesson with Sister Em*, she’s the
Indonesian that we found a couple weeks ago and she’s just cruising
towards baptism she accepts everything, we taught her the law of
chastity, the word of wisdom and all sorts of things and she just eats
it right up. She just follows it without any question, which is just
AWESOME and so… and we even taught her about modesty, which like no one
in Singapore cares about and she’s committed to modesty. Like, that is
amazing. If we could get our other recent converts, to dress modestly,
then we’d be getting somewhere. So and we also found 8 potentials that
day, so that was a really great finding day, had an awesome lesson…
really, really good.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thursday after
our weekly planning, we went out and had a lot of lessons scheduled,
some of them fell through, but the highlight of the day definitely was
teaching Annabelle, which she’s doing good. After that we ended up
teaching the Stake Patriarchs wife a lesson, she’s been investigating a
really long time and I guess this sounds weird, because people don’t
understand. So how this is working.... um, the stake patriarch married a
member and then she passed away a couple years ago so now he’s
remarried, but she is not a member and she’s pretty stubborn like “I’m
not going to join the church for like, my husband, or anyone like, only
if God lets me know if it’s true". And so this past week, she says that
she feels like it’s true and she wants to be baptized. Only concern now
is that she’s scared to give a talk or accept a calling and she and her
husband are talking about it and they’ll let us know about the baptism
date. It will either be this month or September.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then,
after that, on Friday, we ended up teaching sister S*, she’s doing
really well. Then Saturday, we had a lot of potential lessons, we were
sad because they all fell through, except for one. Um but he was way
awesome. His name is R*, and he is from Myanmar, but his English is
amazing. He’s been here for a really long time, so his English is
completely normal. And he is a Buddhist, but open and willing to learn.
We taught him about the restoration and he understood it really well
and he’s like “so, pretty much what you’re saying is that your religion
has the connection between like what your religion teaches and God and
others, it’s just like beliefs” and we’re like, "yep, that’s pretty
much it” so he’s like “Wow, okay, I’ll read this book and pray about it”
so we’re meeting him on Wednesday, I’m excited about him. He wants to
come to church next week.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And
then, Sunday was another good day, we had (yawns) quite a few
investigators at church and then another really cool thing that ended up
happening was earlier this week was on Wednesday, I forgot to say something, so on Wednesday we went and got together with Brother Y*,
he’s a recent convert that we’re teaching, so we went to go in and share
with him and as soon as we’re about to start the lesson, we get a call
from one of our investigators who’s name is G* and G*, for a
while, we were meeting with him. He’s a really nice guy, had a good
spirit, but he just wasn’t able to progress because of his working
situation and he finally got a new job, so we’ve been able to share more
with him the past couple weeks and then all of the sudden, we just get
this call from him: “Elders I need to get baptized like right away”. And
we’re like, “What?”, and he’s like, “Yeah, like as soon as I can, I need to
be baptized”, and it was way exciting, and so we talked to him about it
on Saturday, and he scheduled for baptism on the 17<sup>th</sup> of September and then Em*s on the 18<sup>th</sup>
and then the patriarch’s wife, should be sometime before then, which is
really cool, so then baptisms are coming up, but we need to find some
people. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our finding has been down, so that’s always hard, because
finding is the life-blood of missionary work. Baptisms are awesome, but
if you don’t find, you don’t baptize. So we’re a little stressed about
finding right now, but we’re gonna keep goin' strong! Great day
ahead... and next week, when I talk about all the crazy awesome finding
miracles and awesome investigators we have, just know it’s because God
loves us and He likes to test us and this was the testing week, so I
hope this next week is the miracle week. Awesome. </div>
<br />
Love you all!<br />
Elder Avery<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2016/09/stake-conference-and-new-friends-elder.html" target="_blank">Stake Conference and New Friends</a> - August 28, 2016</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2016/08/learning-malay-with-elder-harker-and.html" target="_blank">Learning Malay with Elder Harker and Elder Gara</a> - August 14, 2016</span><br />
<br />
<br />Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115431285211747753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877257070632995521.post-61699367812781226612016-08-15T15:56:00.000-06:002016-08-23T16:49:30.722-06:00Adventuring Through Central America - Elder Brigham Rush<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAWJE9zr9o7QbDpKVa-sfWwt9zQCKcqxYvnVMv2BSTJfuQFV-a3WJFlOyj4Y1__gv_xGYIVVkSevPSR42RvN35PSgSi1DnUQhY4cWysh2QP8tqoTzo7pdIYYJzVsZD71JtYWrbgmhNM2r/s1600/Iglesia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAWJE9zr9o7QbDpKVa-sfWwt9zQCKcqxYvnVMv2BSTJfuQFV-a3WJFlOyj4Y1__gv_xGYIVVkSevPSR42RvN35PSgSi1DnUQhY4cWysh2QP8tqoTzo7pdIYYJzVsZD71JtYWrbgmhNM2r/s320/Iglesia.JPG" width="320" /></a><i>Written by <a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2016/02/meet-elder-brigham-rush.html" target="_blank">Elder Brigham Rush</a>,
in the Provo Missionary Training Center of The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints. He is assigned to the Nicaragua Managua North
Mission, speaking Spanish.</i><br />
<br />
Hey all!<br />
<div>
</div>
<div>
So if you were wondering, I'm doing a lot better this week.
I'm picking up the language fast and we are getting a little bit more
work done. But I just want to share this story before I say anything.</div>
<div>
The Bane of my existence -</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
So
on Tuesday I finally got a pillow delivered to me by the wonderful
senior missionaries. I love them they are the best. Before I was just
sleeping on my towel every night. But anyways, that day we went on
splits with the Zone Leaders and Tuesday was just an awesome day. Wednesday we
woke up and I had to go get tested for parasites (I don't have any by the
way, woohoo!) because I've had some serious problems since I've got here. Turns out its just that my body isn't used to eating rice and beans
every meal. </div>
<div>
Okay, so here's the bad part. I was living life,
happy that I didn't have parasites, and we just went grocery shopping in
the nice part of town which was awesome. I even bought some fruity
pebbles to remind me of home. I finally felt like I could make it past
these next 2 years until we got back to the house and discovered that we
had fleas. FLEAS!!!!!! Literally the worst thing that has ever happened
to me. I can't sleep at night because I'm so paranoid. But today for P
day I spent the whole day mopping every thing in my house with
insecticide. They say that will work. Pray for me. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So
let me get into my missionary life a little bit. Our area is 2 little
towns called Lucida and Sor Maria. They don't have any running water and
its pretty much a bunch of jungle shacks, which is awesome. Every person
here believes in God, which is awesome, but also challenging. Most of
the time when we contact, we ask the person "do you believe in God?" and
the answer is "Of course! Everyone Believes in God!" </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
One of
the best things I saw all week was yesterday, it started raining crazy
hard, like hurricane level stuff. And instead of going inside, everyone
sprinted out of their house to get their water barrels in place to catch
the water so they can use it! It was quite a sight to see, it just
shows you how awesome the people are here.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our
Branch, (actually called a nucleus, which is a pre branch) consisting
of around 30 people held in the nucleus presidents house. Our job is
to convert that into a ward with 100 members so we can get a chapel
built in our area and our district will become the Stake of Matagalpa!
It sounds like a lot of work, but there's around 40 non active people
alone that live in the town, so our job this whole week has just been
reactivating. which is kind of sad because that means no baptisms, but
its missionary work all the same! </div>
<div>
2 of the members we
recently activated is a around 45 year old woman named Genada, who lives
with her 85 year old Mother, Juana. I love Juana so much. She is
missing her left leg, and all her teeth, and I can never understand her,
but she was very happy when we came by and told her about the new
branch that was just down the road from her house. She is confined to
her wheelchair, which is a plastic lawn chair with wheels. And we go get
her on Sundays and push her to the church at 8 am.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Another
one of our Investigators is named Juan (very common name here) and he
owns a cow and pig farm right next to the city dump. He owns 83 pigs and
around 20 cows on a little plot of rocky land! He loves visiting with
us and teaching us about his farm though. He's a good friend of mine at
this point.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Another great thing about this country is the
Shirts they wear. Not 1 person here speaks English (except one man I met
the other day from Seattle, which was awesome) and they all wear shirts
with English words or phrases on them of which only I can understand.
So that brightens my day a little, its kind of like my own inside joke. I
saw a 40 year old man walking down the street the other day wearing a
shirt that said "I traded my sister for video games". </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
My best
friend here in Matagalpa is named Elder Alofipo. He's from Highland Utah
so maybe some of you out there know him. He's been out here for 3 months
so we can kind of relate.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Here's something awesome, at the end of this change I will be over 1/8th done with my mission. Wow time is flying.</div>
<div>
I
want to end by saying that God does answer prayers! If you need help or
are having a hard time in your life, I would encourage you to pray to
your Heavenly Father. Remember, faith without works is dead. Always do
everything that you can, and count on God to make up the difference. I
have a strong testimony of this and I know its true, because I live it
every day. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Another thing. The number 1 thing that I've learned here is how to be happy as a missionary. 3 main points that came to me were</div>
<div>
1. Prayer</div>
<div>
Always ask God for help and trust in him</div>
<div>
2.Work</div>
<div>
Never think about yourself and get lost in the work - President Hinckley</div>
<div>
3.Always be learning</div>
<div>
Even
when your sitting at the bus stop or waiting for lunch, be practicing
or learning something. Read a book or contact someone.</div>
<div>
These are principles that apply directly to my life. I'll leave it up to you to try to translate that into a normal life hahaha. </div>
<div>
I
love it here even though its hard! This church is true and we are doing
the Lord's work to bring happiness to the people of Nicaragua!</div>
<div>
I love you all!</div>
<br />
- Elder Rush<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2016/08/welcome-to-nicaragua-elder-brigham-rush.html" target="_blank">Welcome to Nicaragua!</a></span> (August 8, 2016)<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com/2016/08/written-by-elder-brigham-rush-in-provo.html" target="_blank">Week 3 in Nicaragua</a></span> (August 22, 2016)<br />
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<br />Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115431285211747753noreply@blogger.com