Insights & Updates

May 11^th

Well, you wouldn't believe it but Vancouver is warm and bright (90 degrees today!) and so is the missionary work here! We have been preparing the Arriola family for their marriage this coming weekend and plan to move their baptisms and confirmations to next weekend since the father had to work so we couldn't come teach. They came to
all 3 hours yesterday and totally loved and particpated in the classes and tonight we have a powerful lesson on the Atonement planned with the them and the Alder's (Former mission presidents in Chile and my
lifeblood out here)! :) 

Arriola's- The Beat of my Heart

Hermana Watson and I have been really seeking some guidance on how to calm Jose's (the father's) nerves when he
loves the gospel so much and knows and feels that it is everything he has been looking for, but still feels "uncomfortable"...which we have come to recognize through observation and hints from the spirit and
his wife as actually "unworthiness." He is a great man who has come an incredibly long way, but still feels guilty about some things in his past and replaces his faith with fear because of it. Our goal tonight
is to teach how to use the atonement through Repentance and it's enabling power (like you taught in a zone conference this winter). We've felt impressed to use the short video of "The Mediator" to explain how the atonement satisfies both justice and mercy...how we can feel that balance and peace. So yeah, we're pumped! :) 


Also, we have really enjoyed tracting lately; not just because of the weather, but because one day when I was on exchanges we stopped at a spanish branch member's house to use the restroom before tracting and I felt
like I should ask the daughter, Katherine Escalona (13) if she knew of an area where maybe she's seen some Latin kids get off the bus...(hahaha) and she thought for a minute and said yes and explained a complex nearby and we've been tracting and try-backing and referring from there ever since with a lot of success! So of course we have
thanked and thanked her and the best part is that she wants to be a missionary so this has been neat for her to feel a part of the work here! This has also been a great experience for me to reflect on and think about how although I didn't feel this strong push from the spirit or really even recognize me asking her as a prompting, that really it had come from service and trust we have developed with the family these past few months and because of that, I then felt like I
COULD ask. All of this reflecting has been because of a special training the mission had where "Earning Referrals" was pointed out and also made me think of talks by Elder Bednar about just being worthy of the spirit and not necessarily worrying about if a feeling is a prompting or not and also about serving your best so that the members
see that they can trust you with their referrals. 

Oh, and Transfers was full of surprises: A TRIPANIONSHIP in Vancouver, WOW! :) Of course I will serve wherever the mission needs me, but I must admit that I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to be here for the Arriola's ordinances, to continue serving with such unity with Hermana Watson and then to get Hermana Hutchinson is really exciting!

May 28^th, 2012

At a Zone training we had on Friday, President Greer said something plain and simple, but that really made me think: "We only have so many days to serve." Of course this applies to our entire life, but it made me think of my calling now and how a year from yesterday is my return date. Wow! That feels so short and so long at the same time. But either way, it is what motivates each choice I make small or big each day. He expounded a scripure from D&C 1:8-9, saying that the word "seal" here does not have to do with the temple, but with missionaries sharing the message no matter if it is accepted or rejected...it is the fact that we must testify in order to give the opportunity to accept or reject their faith for the future. This impacted me to really consider how my experiences in Vancouver could be identified...my heart has been broken countless times by investigators and less-actives who have the fruit swaying from the branch right in front of them, and then suddenly become distracted and wander away into dark mists, rejecting the Tree of Life or in other words, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, my heart has only been able to break over and over because I have also had experiences where "my joy was full" that have mended it and I look forward to the day that I will get to witness someone I had the privelage of teaching who actually partakes of the fruit and is baptized...but I'll be patient and keep the faith. :) As I've been doing our Book of Mormon challenge, I related D&C 1:8 with how they felt in Alma 48:21-24 and how I feel...we have to protect and defend the faith, even if it means "sealing" the fate of others. I constantly consider Moroni's methods as he continually avoids war and offers the Lamanites life no matter how many times they blatantly reject him and that went on for years! So, I've got a year left on my mission and that is nothing compared to Moroni's lifelong pursuit of peace, so I'm off!

Multnomah Falls-Where we went for P-Day

The other night we had a rockin lesson on keeping the Sabbath Day Holy with the Arriola's, our Branch President, Presidente Ross AND Jose's sister Guadalupe who he is super close with and has been telling her that he has found the truth and invited her to come listen and see if we could answer some of her questions! SO COOL!!! We had met her in passing a couple of times before, but she would avoid us...but she has seen the change in her brother and has felt drawn to us and there she was, TOTAL SURPRISE. So, after the lesson she asked us about fasting....how to do it right because her son is in jail and she really wants to fast for him.....it was INCREDIBLE. In the middle of the lesson I felt impressed to tell her, "As representatives of Jesus Christ, we are here to tell you that your Heavenly Father is very happy with you for seeking these answers and you have found what you have been looking for." My eyes were piercing hers and there was a power and authority and a love and sincerity that was coming out of my mouth that could only have been from God. It is AMAZING to be His instrument....this has happened to me before, but that night it was really special because she was so intent and suddenly burst into sobs when I said the last word.....wow, God is good. :)

Ok, I'm gonna get kicked off...LOVE YOU!

At a Zone training we had on Friday, President Greer said something plain and simple, but that really made me think: "We only have so many days to serve." Of course this applies to our entire life, but it made me think of my calling now and how a year from yesterday is my return date. Wow! That feels so short and so long at the same time. But either way, it is what motivates each choice I make small or big each day. He expounded a scripure from D&C 1:8-9, saying that the word "seal" here does not have to do with the temple, but with missionaries sharing the message no matter if it is accepted or rejected...it is the fact that we must testify in order to give the opportunity to accept or reject their faith for the future. This impacted me to really consider how my experiences in Vancouver could be identified...my heart has been broken countless times by investigators and less-actives who have the fruit swaying from the branch right in front of them, and then suddenly become distracted and wander away into dark mists, rejecting the Tree of Life or in other words, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, my heart has only been able to break over and over because I have also had experiences where "my joy was full" that have mended it and I look forward to the day that I will get to witness someone I had the privelage of teaching who actually partakes of the fruit and is baptized...but I'll be patient and keep the faith. :) As I've been doing our Book of Mormon challenge, I related D&C 1:8 with how they felt in Alma 48:21-24 and how I feel...we have to protect and defend the faith, even if it means "sealing" the fate of others. I constantly consider Moroni's methods as he continually avoids war and offers the Lamanites life no matter how many times they blatantly reject him and that went on for years! So, I've got a year left on my mission and that is nothing compared to Moroni's lifelong pursuit of peace, so I'm off!

The other night we had a rockin lesson on keeping the Sabbath Day Holy with the Arriola's, our Branch President, Presidente Ross AND Jose's sister Guadalupe who he is super close with and has been telling her that he has found the truth and invited her to come listen and see if we could answer some of her questions! SO COOL!!! We had met her in passing a couple of times before, but she would avoid us...but she has seen the change in her brother and has felt drawn to us and there she was, TOTAL SURPRISE. So, after the lesson she asked us about fasting....how to do it right because her son is in jail and she really wants to fast for him.....it was INCREDIBLE. In the middle of the lesson I felt impressed to tell her, "As representatives of Jesus Christ, we are here to tell you that your Heavenly Father is very happy with you for seeking these answers and you have found what you have been looking for." My eyes were piercing hers and there was a power and authority and a love and sincerity that was coming out of my mouth that could only have been from God. It is AMAZING to be His instrument....this has happened to me before, but that night it was really special because she was so intent and suddenly burst into sobs when I said the last word.....wow, God is good. :)

Ok, I'm gonna get kicked off...LOVE YOU!

Pictures!!

So P-Day changed cuz we went to the temple today! :) YIPEE!!! 


So PICTURES!!!

        Me and my District Leader Elder Pixton from NM

 Us with Annie Mower, a spanish speaking RM I met on an exchange once and we clicked and she now drives us up to a special assignment we have to teach a less-active/part-member family about 1.5 hours away
once a week and some serious miracles have happened with the Ortiz family! I'm barely getting it in my journal and then I'll write ya'll
updates of my 'gators next week ok! :)

Me and Watson at the temple today in my 1950's mama in the kitchen bought brand new retro from the second-hand store for $6....it was my Easter dress of course. :)
















K, Love ya'll! :)

CRAZY CONFERENCE!!!!!!!!

Well, let's get right to it and crack open Conference shall we?! Yeah, baby! This weekend was totally Celestial! I WANT TO HEAR YOUR TAKE-AWAYS!!! So yeah, I always love all the messages of course, but I'll list a couple of my starred talks and maybe a brief why:

Donald L. Hallstrom -
Ummm...still soaking that one in, "It is possible to be active in the church and less active in the gospel." Dang! This is what we exhaust in the WKM...internalizing the Doctrine of Christ (2 Nephi 31) and then living it! Ooo yeah, how many times was the Gospel/Doctrine of Christ brought up?! Too many to count!

Paul E. Koelliker -
This was like feeding candy to a missionary..."Love is like a gravitational pull toward heaven." mmhmmm....I would agree with that. :)

Quentin L. Cook -
The "Music of Faith" quote was crazy good, right?! Then I loved how he talked about matters of faith being building testimonies not obsessing over the possibility of a virgin birth or the Christ's Resurrection...If you have faith, you feel the truth. "Stay intune to the music of faith!" (I bet you likey this talk too mom.:)

Elder Richard G. Scott - Barely have words...I mailed you a card about
this one today.

President Thomas S. Monson -
Everywhere people are in a hurry...What is really important and what is truly trivial? Every tiny thing he mentioned pierced my soul...every teeny tiny thing. Yeah, I sustain the Prophet. :)

Ok, now I want to hear from YOU! Doesn't need to be big...just wanna hear whatever you can give me. :)

Grandma, I got your letter in plenty of time and LOVED the articles you sent...but maybe your letter just a bit more. Every time you write me it renews my faith, hope and charity. You are an energizer; you are a phenomenon. Thank you, thank you for taking the time to write me and share your thoughts and feelings...I could hear conference speaking to you...I know that the Lord loves you and that you love Him. :)

A&D,
What the random with those guys, but it was opportune and it does save on shipping! I know you are so, so, so busy....so seriously...thanks...that sounds so lame, but it's all I've got. You two are like my iron rod...I'd be lost without you out here. I pray for your success daily in all that you're involved with...rest assured that me and the Lord have got your backs. ;)

Eden....so....grandma told me that you were on your way to competition....don't leave me hanging! :)

My time with Hermana Grass has come to an end...this Wednesday is transfers and she is off to Kennewick to serve in a tri-panionship with Hermanas Hutchinson and Foreman and then I am getting hertrainer/my "grandma" Hermana Watson! What an unexpected and awesome surprise! She is a fiery, funny red-head who is full of light and love...I don't know why I have been so spoiled...Hermana Grass thinks it's because the work is harder out here than the other areas,so it makes sense to have missionaries who can face it with faith and not let disappointment turn into discouragement. That is not to say that other missionaries don't have faith...I have to renew mine daily. Anyway, running out of time...but yup, I'll still be livin' the life in the 'Couve! Oh, and Elder Fenn got called to be the new Assistant to the President! SO COOL! :)

Love you all, Happiest of Easters!!! ...Even if it is without me. ;)

In Memory of Twilight

So yeah, a lot to cover...I'll try to stay organized, but you know me... :)

I don't know how it slipped my mind last week since we have been LOVING IT...thank you Mom, Alex and Deserae for new music and scripture marker stuff (you got the exact kind I like and wanted!) and

I really needed the Holland Atonement talk and I have now activated my debit card. Great stuff, you all will definitely have a personal Love Sac in my kingdom after this life. ;) 

So, speaking of General Conference!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is awesome. I am pumped. We have no updated prophet videos, so this is a great opportunity for our investigators to actually see and hear from the living prophet and apostles that we keep telling them about, but they can't quite grasp or feel the truthfulness...but I know they will the minute they hear them if they are prepared like Mosiah 2:9 describes: mind, heart and EARS open! I am like seriously hyperventilating right now I am so ecstatic...ahhahahahahah! Anyway, let's all receive some revelation this week and then PLEASE SHARE what you feel comfortable with of course with me! I love spring conference...everything about life and the gospel blooms...there is no better way to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ...there is such wisdom in nature in how everything resurrects and we start a bright new season and the gospel of Jesus Christ is the same, we bury our sins and rise up again to a new life...conference is such a renewal! 

Ok, Alex and he Braxton should like this one: this crazy surprise of a special training came up this week...man, this transfer has been unusually full of surprise conferences and trainings! The Greer's
nephew, Brother Spencer Larsen, a linebacker for the Bronco's who served in Chile came and trained us and it was like I was seeing and hearing and laughing with Alex! Total Hercules, on fire, non-stop
energy, animated, passionate, accomplished, goal oriented and totally empowered because of his reliance on the Lord....oh, tore his ACL and said he was an impatient guy... ;) He talked about how he feels like there is a spiritual current on this earth and we can ride it...just like t

 turtles in "Finding Nemo"...LOVED IT!  I feel that way too!!!! 

Alright, I'm about to get kicked off so hopefully I can attach some pics....some awesome Twilight Saga gag pics hahahaha, total Washington creepy trees and the burst of light is definitely Edward twinkling behind me! Then one we took with Brother Larsen!

Elder Nelson Continued

I'll start out with some updates and then
end with the rest of Elder Nelson:

La Obra Misional -
So this last week was brutal...a couple of our most progressing investigators are losing the faith and one dropped us with serious contempt. It is experiences like these where we feel just a smidgen of
how sad our Heavenly Father is when His children reject the gospel and especially after they have the needed knowledge. However, we have had other tender mercies with finding other investigators and referrals
who are promising. It does not make us hurt less for those who have lost their grasp on the rod of iron, but helps us to see that God has a lot of children and they all need to hear this glad message. This morning I read Mosiah 2 and heard the Lord speaking through King Benjamin: we give the people we teach all the knowledge of the gospel, love and care we can possibly give, but their answer is up to them to
find out for themselves and to then act for themselves. Unfortunately Satan is guiding people down his path, mimicking the Spirit who guides us up God's path. I'm just rambling my thoughts now, but this week we
are focusing on trying to stay positive and moving the work forward; to make the last bit of this transfer the best it can be!

Clases de ingles-
Us and the spanish Elders have started teaching english classes 2x/wk and it is going really well. We have recent converts, members, investigators and potential investigators all attending and loving it.
It is a church kit they have  us use, so it is more memorization based than grammar since this is not a college course and we can't have it be taking up all of our time, but it is a great way to find people to teach!

La vida de Cristo -
For the past 5 years our stake has done what they call "The Life of Christ" where they transform the stake center into an exhibit of Christ's life with paintings, live acting, music etc. all depicting
vignettes of the New Testament. The purpose is to inspire the community to come unto Him and walk away knowing that we do believe in Jesus Christ who is our Savior. Like English classes, we are not teaching
doctrine here, but it is an invitation to the public and a great way to find those who are ready to hear the gospel. We are pumped, because this thing is huge...dang, I mailed you my newsletter today and I
should've included the cool invitations we're giving out...I'll send one later. Anyway, yeah big deal, lots of people and that is why I am emailing you today because our zone was helping construct a bunch of
it yesterday so our pday got switched to today. I'm excited...it makes me miss being in Jerusalem with Alex....geez that was special...not just a highlight of my life, but highlights of my life and I got to
share it all with my best friend and brother...Ok, I'm getting all teary eyed now and can't see the screen...good thing I can type well...wasn't expecting to get like that. Like I said, this week and all that's built up to it has been for lack of a better word torturous....I feel so much love it is painful...why don't these
people understand the gospel?! Why do I get that blessing?! It is the most important thing in the world to me and there are people who just toss it aside and drive the spirit out of their lives, becoming
spiritually blind and deaf...I'm extremely sad, but I am extremely grateful; grateful that I have family and friends who are Believers and who live what they believe. Especially my parents...how humbled I
am that the Lord gave me parents who know and love the gospel and who stick to it...you've never faltered and from these experiences lately I am beyond impressed with you. Hold to the rod everybody! You are a major strength and support to me...often times the only thing that gets me to smile again. :) Ok, tangent...I am taking up all of Nelson time...sorry!

*I also went on an exchange to Sister Katie Cooper's area (she goes
home in 2 weeks!!!! Alex, contact her please...she needs some
guidance.)

Ok, ELDER NELSON AND WHAT HE SAID ABOUT D&C 138:
Make sure to read verses 52-55 (54 is totally the Fenn Family) and then he read verse 55 and told us that we were there...WHOA! We are talking with the great and noble...he said it so matter of factly I almost missed it....me with Brigham Young, Adam and Eve etc.?! But the apostle said it, so I believe it. Then it is where we will be if we are faithful...yup, verse 57 where Grandpa and Abuelo are right now! I also almost missed all of this because I was in such shock that to close he just goes straight to the section that has meant so much to me with Grandpa's passing and it has also made me think so much of my Abuelo too... So yeah, we were there in those councils...numbered among those leaders and specifically sent during this dispensation...we have a lot of work to do folks....but it is amazing to realize that the Lord trusts us! I mean, everyone listed in that section are the greatest who ever lived...and that includes us! Anyway, you just gotta study that section and please, please, please tell me your thoughts. Obviously I needed all of that instruction the week before this last one...God knows and loves me and you too! K, bye!

Con toda de mi corazon,

Hermana Alard

Elder Nelson Came!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THIS WEEK WAS INSANE!!! I will do my best to stay coherent...hahaha!

1. Zone Meeting -
There have been some struggles in our zone lately and Elder Randall and Elder Fenn layed the best smack down I've heard yet from Zone leaders...they are rockin...probably my favorites, even if I have only been out 4 months! (Yeah, apparently my 4mth anniversary was last week...Hermana Alberts informed me of that...you know how I am keeping track of that kind of stuff...not so good...it just pops up somehow and then I realize...oh geez, this time last year I was feeling that
something was missing from my life and then I went to El Salvador with Carmencita and all of that got filled up didn't it!? Here I am...what the?!) Anyway, Elder Randall was amazingly heartfelt and read off "My Commission" with some extras like, "I am called of God"..."I think"....basically an awesome chastisement of the zone not taking our calling seriously etc. It was awesome...it was bold and loving...Elder Holland would've given him one serious pat on the back.

2. We had a Sister's Training in Kennewick -
So all of us sisters from the west side of the mission were picked up and driven the 4 hours to Kennewick to stay overnight at the mission home and then go to an all day training just for sister's in the mission down the street at the stake center next to the Columbia River temple (the pics I forwarded to you). I finally got to see Hermana Alberts and meet all of these other sisters I've only ever heard about. But I was ready for this training and not too into chatting because I've been praying for advice on how to become better and the Lord tidal waved heaps of instruction on me...the Lord answers prayers! hahaha!

3. And last but at the very MOST!!!! ELDER NELSON CAME!!!! (I
know...he must be the theme of my mission...MTC and here! The only thing missing was his wife...gosh I love her...she rocked my world on Thanksgiving.)Yup, you read that right...we knew he was coming to speak to the Longview stake at their stake conference, but we got called the day before that he had found time in his schedule and wanted to do a private mission conference, but could only do it with the west side...so yeah, less than 80 of us missionaries sat in the chapel and there I was front and center and his eyes pierced my soul...literally. I don't have time obviously to write it all to you, but I will forward
the apostolic blessing he left us after this. I'm quickly type some quotes from my notes:

"You know what I measure? If the messengers are worthy of the
message...and you are."

"Thanksgiving is Thanksliving."

"Conversion is never static; it is dynamic."

"When you have a bad day, read D&C 122...God changed Joseph's
perspective from the present to eternal."

"For each person you meet you may be the only person they run into to
know about exaltation. Your message is urgent!"

Why do we go 2 by 2? Because you may stand as witnesses you and your companion...will stand there when the people you meet are questioned
about the gospel in the next life....(WHOA!)

"In order to accomplish the impossible, the Lord chooses the unlikely."

"When you feel a little short of what the Lord expects of you, that's good; it means you are being stretched."

"The Atonement is the most important doctrine we teach." Romans 5:11 is the only place the bible uses the word atonement and the BOM is full of it!

"Men are that they might have joy...I read that in a book somewhere..." hahaha!

"Be joyful! Yours is a message of eternal exaltation! You're their
ticket! So you should radiate that joy!"


The rest next week...the most important, the most impactful for
me...stay tuned...read D&C 138 and we'll talk soon! INCREDIBLE! :")

More New Investigators

More New Investigators this week!

Group 1: Estella and her 2 kids Jessica 13 and Axle 11. Estella had received a pass-along card and called the number to order a "Finding Faith in Christ" dvd...when she met us she was hesitant saying that she is christian not mormon when she recognized us...but we clarified and warmed her up and asked if we could watch the video with them and she said yes! When we did, the spirit was very strong and afterwards we asked some questions and each person ended up bearing their testimonies...her kids are very intune!!! Axle's testimony made me tear up when he said, "I think Jesus is the best person that ever lived." Estella says they go to a church already, but says we can come back! It's like she couldn't even believe what she was saying...pretty amusing, but obviously the spirit speaking. :)

Group 2:
Our recent convert Carlos 19 brought his girlfriend, Zayna 17 to
church a week ago and we asked if she'd be interested in lessons and she said ok, so we taught a brief lesson with her and him before church yesterday and she is a sponge! She doesn't really have any religious background, but has faith in prayer and knows that God protects her. Beautiful girl inside and out...we're really excited. Carlos told about his conversion story and how he had no family before he was baptized and that now he does and he could never stop living the gospel because of it. She was very intrigued with this idea even though it sounds like she has a good family, she recognizes that Carlos has something special.

So, I am really studying hard in PMG on "Teaching Skills"...I am not a very good teacher...don't super enjoy "teaching" to be honest, but I do enjoy sharing the gospel...so I try to think of it like that. I have always had teaching callings (no idea why) and especially now, so I really want to improve. I am continually enlightened when I study, so I know the improvement will come line upon line etc. Most of all I love teaching with Hermana Grass...we've worked out a good flow...we keep each other smiling and laughing even when we're exhausted or disappointed. This week we are really trying to put our investigators on date after we've been discussing baptisms and their concerns now for quite some time. We are praying and fasting for the Spirit to guide.

The pictures are of us helping Amelia, the mother of one of our
investigator families make tamales! Estella reminds me a lot of how she was the first time we tracked into her...since then Amelia has told us how grateful she is for us...when we showed up they had just moved here and she was really depressed missing where they had left. She says that it was all worth it now for meeting us...that we make her feel young, and she likes the warmth she feels when we teach...but she still struggles to let go of being Catholic although her kids really love the gospel and being a part of mutual. The dad is reading the BOM and 2 other books...he feels that there are parts of God in everything and that you just have to search on your own and take what you feel good about...so yeah, we kind of agree with him and kind of not...hahaha...but we're getting there. I'm telling you, kids are the back door to the parents. I know a missionary shouldn't be proud, but I have to tell you the YM President, me and Hermana Grass got a van full of investigators and less actives to a branch youth activity Friday night and they loved it and didn't want to leave! It was a lot of work,  but so worth it...they're parents really trust us and when they're kids came home smiling it was so worth it...the parents can't deny that this is something more than good.

Love ya'll...enjoy this week...laugh for me.