Welcome Home, Hermana Avery! - Sister Hannah Avery

Sister Hannah Avery arrived home on February 11, 2015, after serving 18 months as a full time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Vina del Mar, Chile.

Following is a link to her final letter from her mission:

The Hardest Thing I Ever Loved To Do (February 2, 2015)

Sister Avery Says Goodbye for 18 Months (August 13, 2013)

Happy Birthday, Elder Avery! - Elder Jacob Avery

Written by Elder Jacob Avery, serving in the Peru Lima West Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaking Spanish.

Birthday Mango!

Dear Mom,

I haven't gotten the package yet. We'll see when we get stuff up here from Lima.

I cannot believe that I'm going to be 20 tomorrow...... I feel so old. Especially with my 18 year old companion. I got my call on Valentine's day in 2013, and this week will be 2 years since I got my call. Woooow. Hannah's going home too. It's just like the end of the world when I think about ending my mission. Sometimes I just need a pause button.

This transfer was soooo rough!! Can I just say that? I called President on Wednesday and we talked for a bit about the area, the district, and me. He told me that we have to be happy and edifying. ''The Spirit always edifies,'' he told me. He also talked about being consistent. He told me that we have to be constant and persistent. It's kind of tough when I have people looking to me for answers and I don't really have anything to offer. My companion is a fireball, which helps tremendously. We're having baptisms this transfer, no matter what!

I'm glad that things are going good at home. I just feel overly spoiled with all the blessings and privileges I've had in my life. Going without a shower because there's no running water is hardly a setback when I consider all of the blessings the Lord has given me. I'm trying to get through all of Preach my Gospel again and do all the activities at the back of each chapter, and I'm realizing that I will never get done before the end of my mission. It's a great book but there's so much to it. That's what I love about it. It helps a new missionary learn how to do simple things, but it helps more experienced missionaries appreciate the gospel, rather than just teaching it.

Anyways, I can ramble forever.

The Ga** family is being disagreeable. We're going to try to save them this week. We had a night to talk to their 30 year old kid who is a Catholic missionary. I don't know whose side this kid is on because sometimes he says that the Catholic church is bad, then sometimes he says that he'd never get baptized again, but either way I can't wait until he goes back to Cusco.

The Si** family is super interesting. The mom, Ca**, is super interested in why there are so many churches. We taught them about the first vision and they were soooo blown away. I was just thinking, ''Finally! Someone understands the magnitude!'' They had questions about how the Spirit works and how they can know if Joseph's testimony is true. We didn't even get around to teaching them about the Book of Mormon, but next time we will.

We helped one lady named Em** harvest sweet potatoes, and helped another lady chop down corn, then we played jump rope with a huge family. We're visiting them this week!!

Mom, share this with Dad. I just decided to make this my weekly report. I love you so much and I'm so grateful that you and Dad have been so valiant and have taught us so much about the gospel. Most moms aren't like you. I remember you reading to us for years and years, and I remember seeing you be at the top of your bio chem class and just thinking that I wanted to be super smart like my mom. I love you so much and hope you have a great week!

P.S. I'm spending my birthday money today!!

Love,

Elder Avery

Put the Lord First (February 2, 2015)

We Are Here To Baptize  (February 16, 2015)

Best Week So Far - Elder Brian Burgess

Written by Elder Brian Burgess, serving in the Mexico Puebla North Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaking Spanish.

Hey Everyone!

So on Friday we went to another leadership council at the mission home! Super amazing and spiritual conference! Always amazing breakfast and lunch as well, thanks to Sister Christensen!

But I heard some of the best news thus far on my mission on Tuesday....I was on divisions with the elders from Tezoquipan (our district leader) and President Christensen calls me..... so normally on the mission after we leave an area we can't go back. Even if it's for a baptism of a convert... But President Christensen called me and said he talked to Lo**, an investigator from my last area, Resurgimiento. And that he also talk to the Stake President and he invited me to go back to my area to be able to baptize Lo**. As a special once in a mission opportunity. So I took it!!!!

I went back to Resurgimiento on Saturday to baptize Lo**! She was and is one of the best investigators I have ever had. She is what we call a Golden Investigator. And I am so happy and privileged to have baptized her! She was crying to see me walk into the church again, and cried again to see Elder Mendoza my last companion show up as well! A very amazing day for her. A life changing moment that she decided to share with us again!

Then yesterday was the stake conference in Tlaxcala! Amazing day. I was able to see members from Zacatelco and Teotlalzingo (my two past areas) at the conference. And including the members I saw Saturday at the baptism. I was able to see three past areas in two days! I am so blessed!

Mi** is progressing toward her baptism this next Saturday. Pray that everything will go as it should. She is so excited!

I am so grateful for every single day and minute and second I have to be a missionary!  I love being a part of this great work.

Know that you are loved.

Elder Burgess

Mole: Not the Animal (February 2, 2015)

Stellar Week  (February 16, 2015)

Trust God - Elder Joshua Avery

Written by Elder Joshua Avery, serving in the Singapore Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaking Mandarin Chinese.

Elder Josh Avery - Singapore Mission

Dear Family and Friends,

This week I can't wrote as much because I failed to listen to the advice of my Mom and countless others who told me to learn to type.

I am really starting to like the new elders in our apartment, especially Elder Baker. He is sooo funny. He served in the Army for two years and gets deployed to Afghanistan 3 months after he gets back. He is an awesome district leader!

Things have been great in Ipoh. Yesterday Elder Li and I taught a recent convert after church. This lesson was in Mandarin and we were told that we only had 15 minutes. I was a little worried because my stutter has been really bad when I try to speak in Chinese. I said a little prayer in my heart and went into the lesson feeling confident. I was amazed as I taught. I didn't even have to think about the language as I taught because the words just came out and she understood almost all of what I said. The biggest miracle of all was that I didn't stutter in the lesson. I was so happy that we could be edified by the Spirit without my stutter getting in the way.

I have learned a lot about Asian culture, and one of the big things is Chinese people (specifically, the men) like to keep to themselves. When you knock on a Chinese person's gate, the last thing they are thinking is, "Please, white guy speaking broken Chinese, baptize me." It's a miracle that from time to time we find someone prepared who will let us in. The gospel overcomes all cultural and racial differences. The bond that comes from knowing we are all children of our Heavenly Father can soften even the hardest and most introverted hearts.

Love you all!

Elder Avery

We Are All Broken (February 2, 2015)

Happiness and Prosperity  (February 16, 2015)

The little creature Elder Li is holding is a chichoc, which is Malay for lizard. They are everywhere!

Happy Wall - Elder Kolby Madsen

Written by Elder Kolby Madsen, serving in the Denmark Copenhagen Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaking Danish.

Mor!

I was just in Copenhagen today because I dropped  Elder Ogden off to be the new Assistant to the President. Haha! Two in a row! I am so blessed to have the opportunity to stay in SLAGELSE!! It's great. My new companion is Elder Wright.  He is great and we will do some great work.

Well, this week was hectic. We had a ton of stuff to do. It ended up being way good! We started off with some great appointments and kept tabs on our friend Jo** to make sure that he got all his stuff taken care of for the temple. We will get to that later. But the week was way good!

We had a good time with our friend Na**.  She took us to play badminton and it was good. Badminton is way competitive here. It was great, and we had a blast. Next week we are hoping to go boxing, so that should be fun.

We had a good day on Wednesday, but somehow I got a bug because I was way sick. I threw up like five times, but it takes more than that to keep me down, Satan! We just bounced back and taught the people any way.

After that, the Lord blessed us and we were able to have some great lessons with people, as well as some great experiences. One of them being that we were able to go to the temple with Jo** as he received his endowment. The change in him has been so amazing - from not going to church because of a headache to the morning of his big day at the temple.  His head was hurting, but he was not going to allow a little head pain to hold him back. The next day he had another head ache. But he powered through, came to church, and taught an amazing lesson. This is the same guy that should not have left his house three months ago due to head aches. Does the Lord bless His children? YES! Does He help those who help themselves and rely on Him? YES! Does he endow his children as they have made the decision to serve a mission and prepare by going to the temple? YES! We had a great time in the temple with him. He was so happy and smiling from ear to ear. He was so grateful and excited! He told us that he was so happy to have his eternal friends with him in the temple.

It was a very touching moment to see how much he has grown and the strong spirit he has with him. Just being allowed to be with him through it all makes inviting others to come unto Christ have a whole new meaning. Through his example, he has invited me to come closer to Christ. It’s never too late! His arms are always open! We had a great zone training this week. President Sederholm gave us live transfers and told us what was going to happen again - really bitter sweet.  I was so happy to hear that I was staying and that Elder Ogden was going to be the new assistant to the President, but it was bitter to see him leave. I love that kid! But hey, time to love Elder Wright! It's way good.

Well, it's been a great week. Many great things!  It started out great, got a little sticky, but throughout it all very good.

Well, sorry this is short. We had to get everything going and get Elder Wright from Copenhagen, so yeah. Love you! Have a great week. The church is true!!!

Photo: What happens when you give four missionaries two hours to walk the streets of Copenhagen on a preparation day, while waiting for their new companions? #DisciplesofChristMission

We made this on the big green wall in the center of Copenhagen - it was way fun! #happywall

Love,

Elder Kolby Madsen

I Am Not Trunky (February 2, 2015)

Valentine's Day in Denmark  (February 16, 2015)

Put the Lord First - Elder Jacob Avery

Written by Elder Jacob Avery, serving in the Peru Lima West Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaking Spanish.

I have some good news! V** told her relative that she wants to get married this Valentine's Day. It's hard to find people to teach because they work all day! J** and D** did a tour of the church with us and basically accepted our invitation to be baptized the 28th of Febrero. I say "basically" because they said yes, but they aren't committing to attend church. Faith, faith.

We had interviews with President Archibald, and he told me a few interesting things. Before I share them, I want to explain that these things are not to offend, but to get an idea of what we're really doing as missionaries in this part of the world. President told me that the people here work too much. A burro can work all day, and can even work harder than a person, but that's all they do. Animals sleep and eat, just like people. A dog can get drunk and you can even teach a monkey how to smoke a cigar. All these things that people think is "life" is the same that stuff animals do. We're human, and we're children of God. It takes a child of God to think about spiritual things and to do other human things. When was the last time you wrote a poem? When was the last time you even read a poem? So, when people are working all day and night trying to put a 3rd floor on their house, they should remember that it's better to stick with 2 floors and live like human beings.

Well, I guess that sums it up. As missionaries we can help people realize what they really are. We are not animals at all, but I feel like we sometimes live like them. I'm trying to find a good way to share that with investigators.

Vi** is a newer investigator we found. I've only taught him twice, but he's such a good guy. He gave us a ride in his motor-tricycle. We gave him a Book of Mormon and he was excited to have it.

Ve**, a rescued member, got her first few ancestors added to her family history account. The branch is starting to understand how to retain converts and help less active members better. All in all, I'm doing okay. But, like President told me, ''you're in for the long haul.''

I love you so much! I'm not trunky yet (**this means to be excited to come home), but I have had dreams about the family several times this last week. I also had a dream that I was trying to get a guy to pray. Like, insisting relentlessly. Welcome to the mission ;) I hope things go well :) I can't believe how fast time flies! Let's put the Lord first and He won't put us last :)

Love,
Elder Jake Avery

Beans, Water Balloons, and Old Folks (January 26, 2015)

Happy Birthday, Elder Avery!  (February 9, 2015)

We Are All Broken - Elder Joshua Avery

Written by Elder Joshua Avery, serving in the Singapore Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaking Mandarin Chinese.

Elders Lallemant, Avery and Li

Hello Family and Friends!

This week has been another great week full of miracles. We got two new missionaries because the previous English speaking elders were whitewashed (that means they were both transferred out at the same time). I am so impressed by these two new elders. They work so hard and are full of gratitude for the blessings God has given them. I could talk about a lot of different things this week, but I think I want to focus on what I have learned from the members this week.

We have a very old man in our branch named Brother On**. He has been in charge of teaching the priesthood class since I got here and I hate to say it, but he is not the most lively teacher. He is monotone, talks really softly, and sometimes says things that are not exactly church doctrine. I must confess, I had some unkind feelings towards him because of this.

I was humbled this week when we helped an older lady in our branch scrape the old paint off of her gate. After we helped her, she told us how she has been a member of the church since her kids were small. While her kids were still little, her husband left them. She lived far away and had no way of getting to and from church. Brother On** and another guy in the branch (who I have also struggled with) were the two men who would always come out of their way to give her family a ride to church.

So, this week Elder Li and I invited Brother On** to come to two of our lessons, and he enthusiastically accepted. The first person we visited was Iv**. Brother On** shared a powerful testimony of the priesthood and what it means to hold the priesthood. I thought it was so great for Iv** to hear that, and we made sure to let Brother On** know how much it meant to us that he would take the time to come with us.

Frogs - YUM!!!

Two days later, Elder Li and I were helping at the church with the institute class when Brother On** knocked on the classroom door. Elder Li and I walked out of the class to see what was up, and noticed there was another man with Brother On**. The man introduced himself as the owner of a multimillion dollar bed and breakfast under construction next to the church. He said that he wants his daughter to meet with us, and he wants her to come to English class with us. I don't know how Brother On** talked to him or what happened before that, but it was a miracle!

I want to tell you that I know God truly does love broken things. Yes, Brother On** is the same every Sunday. Yes, his nose hairs are far out of his nose and some of the things he says aren't perfectly in line with church doctrine...but, so what? Aren't we all broken in some way? Had I not let go of my pride, I would not have had the privilege of getting to know a great man. Every person has a part and place in the kingdom, and God uses the weak things of the world to confound the wise. Those weak things are you, me, and the guys in our branch/ward who we struggle with.

To answer your question, I am not dreaming in Chinese, but it is getting better. I wake up in the middle of the night praying in Chinese, so that's different, haha. This past week I memorized Ether 12:27 in Chinese. It is a great tool. I can understand people pretty well now, but it is hard for me to talk to them still. I stutter really bad in Chinese :/ Don't know why.

Feng Jun Jie

The photos: The white stuff on my bag is the salt from how much I sweat, haha :) The food with all the green stuff on it is sting ray, and the one in the bowl is frog. Stingray is great, but doesn't have much meat. The writing is Feng (my last name) and Jun Jie (my first name).

Love you all!

Elder Avery

Transfer News  (January 25, 2015)

Trust God  (February 9, 2015)

Elders Sanford and Avery

President and Sister Mains came to visit us in Ipoh

Stingray

Elders Avery and Li, Singapore Mission

Sunset in Ipoh, Malaysia

View from our balcony in Ipoh

I Am Not Trunky - Elder Kolby Madsen

Written by Elder Kolby Madsen, serving in the Denmark Copenhagen Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaking Danish.

Elder Kolby Madsen

Mor,

Well for starters, I do not have any information about transfers. President sent out a message saying we will be getting the call on Friday, so I am guessing we will find out right after zone training. I will just tell you next Monday. I could be somewhere else... I guess that is just how it is, haha.

That’s so great to hear about Maren and Lindsey. I'm excited for Maren. The experiences she is getting now with be a strength to her throughout her life. (**Maren is serving in the temple until her mission to Arkansas.)

This week was super fast, but a little slower work wise. We had some people who were sick, and we had two days this week that we had to be in Copenhagen, so that was okay.

We also had some crazy things happen. Elder Peterson finally got out of the hospital and went to the mission home with President Sederholm. He will be going home early this week instead of next week, due to his health problems. Pretty sad, but he is in good hands and everything will work out. He is fighting through it all, just like a champ. It’s great to see that his last week in the land a lady that he has taught and been able to talk to almost weekly got baptized after about four years of telling the missionaries that she did not believe in God. And she was able to go to the temple to do baptisms for the dead on Saturday, so that was way good. We are way happy for Elder Peterson.

We had a great week, despite people being sick. It all went well. We were able to have Jo** in church yesterday. He blessed the sacrament, bore is testimony, then talked to bishop. We found out that Jo** had already been through the temple preparation class, and he came out of his interview with a big smile and his endowment temple recommend in hand. He plans on going to the temple to receive his own endowment on Saturday, so that should be way good. Making covenants. And to think that he was completely inactive about two months ago! The Lord knows His sheep!

We had a meeting in Copenhagen and it was the last time I will see Elder Earl until I go home. That was way weird, saying good bye. He leaves next week.

We had a good time meeting with Na** this week. We were able to talk to her friend again, and we were able to get her to give us her address. We are excited to get the information. She will one day be baptized. She believes in many of the same things, just has a problem with the "rules" of the church. But she will one day get it all figured out. No doubt.

We had another opportunity to see "The Other Side of Heaven" this week, and it was great. I recommend that you all watch that movie because there are parts in that movie that are very relate-able to most missionaries. It’s funny to see the struggles that he goes through and to think, "Wow, that reminds me of so and so," or of a similar situation.

There are at least three things in that movie that I know I will experience. They just come later on in life. One that hit me was at the very end when he is saying goodbye to everyone on the island. I could not help it....the thoughts just came. I AM NOT TRUNKY. I could just see how hard it was for him to leave, and it was not a fun feeling thinking that will be happening to me at some point. But it's just a part of life. It was hard to watch this time because I put myself in his shoes, and it was not fun.

Well, anyway, as I watched the movie this time, I thought of Moroni, chapter 7, in the Book of Mormon. It's a very good chapter, and there is a section of the chapter that talks about how anything that is good comes from God. As I was watching this, I was thinking about this scripture and how it's going to be hard, but it’s also going to be good. There is a reason that we come out here, get so attached to a new place, new people, and a new us, then get thrown back into a mixture of who we are at that moment and a life that seems to be the same as it was before, but in all reality is much different. In all phases.

I am trying to accept the fact that it will all come to an end, without being negative towards going home. I'm going to roll with the punches. I think the hard part is when you get transferred, for example, you get a new companion and new people to find and teach, but you have the same focus, the same work, and the same guide. The same purpose.

Our purpose should always be the same. Rely on the Lord, involve Him in our lives and our actions, and always preach the gospel. We should preach the gospel at all times and, if we have to, use words! Show charity to those around us, always thinking what Christ would do. It does not matter what their background is, their story, or their family situation. They are God's children, just like us. God loves us all the same. I know he does, and he wants what is best for us!

Med Kærlig Hilsen

Ældste Madsen

 Temple Trip (January 26, 2015)

Happy Wall  (February 9, 2015)