Week 25, January 25, 2016

Hello everybody!

How has your week been? What was exciting, or new, or funny, or something like that? How have you grown and improved?

A lot has happened for me so sit back and enjoy the stories.

Hna. Pecjak and I were walking our neighborhood because we'd been told that there are Hispanics there. As we passed a house, a man got out of his car and kinda looked at us for a bit before saying "Sisters!". He invited us in and his wife was there to greet us. He is a former bishop in one of the wards here but he was released because his wife has dementia and needs his help. As we talked and had a good conversation, his wife would interject with really weird or really funny, often both, comments. It was easy to see that she was struggling, but that she wanted to be part of the conversation. 

At the end of our time there, they offered us goody bags of tootsie rolls and mints (it was awesome!) and I was asked to give a closing prayer. As I was praying, I was suddenly hit with a lot of emotion and I found it hard not to cry as I prayed for this family. I could feel the love Heavenly Father has for these people, just like all of the people I've met, but this moment was especially sweet. I felt the Spirit really strongly there, and I think it's because of Judy, the wife. I know this is a ways away, but I had the distinct impression that I should work with those who have special needs.

What type of special needs or what age group or any other specific, I don't know. But I felt like that moment, that experience, was meant to help guide me for not just now but for the future as well. I never thought I'd work with special needs because I feel I do not have the patience, or the love, or whatever special vision they have to be able to do it. I really want to do this now. I don't know, I just wanted to share that with you.

This past week was transfers (which is when missionaries change areas. Some stay, some leave, and it's all done by revelation) and a lot changed for me. First off, a sister who was supposed to come for Spanish isn't coming because she has felt that not getting her visa means she shouldn't be on a mission. We'll miss her even though she never served here in the Ogden mission. Then one of the Spanish sisters was sent back to English (because that was her original call) which leaves the amount of sisters odd. 3 of us need to be in a trio and that is me, Hna. Pecjak and Hna. DeMaio. It's been weird.

Trios are just harder because instead of trying to become unified with one person, you're working with two. This adds to any drama (which is a normal part of mission life) and it's just an extra stress of another person. This hasn't been facilitated by the difference between mine and the other sisters' personalities. Fortunately Hna. Pecjak and Hna. DeMaio love each other and just get along really well. I do not have that advantage of a similar personality/interests so this has been an adjustment. I won't lie, I'm struggling, but I know that the Lord has put us together for a reason and I know that as I live obediently and try my best, we will be blessed. I'm doing my best to compromise and get along, it's just difficult at times. I love them both and I'm excited to work for them, but there's times where I feel like I'm intruding. My hope is that as we work together, this feeling will go away and we'll become a solid team.

Basically though, as I'm obedient and do as I'm counseled, I'll be blessed.

Another new and exciting thing I've done this week is eat a new dish called "lengua de vaca", which is cow's tongue. I was extremely nervous about it until I actually took a bite. I'm including a video so you can watch my reaction.

I feel so blessed to be serving Spanish speaking AND stateside. I get to see so many different Spanish cultures that I wouldn't have if I had gone to a different country. The Lord knows who I am an my love for people, so He has sent me somewhere I can try a lot of different cultures, learn a new language, and still have unique opportunities like indoor skydiving. I love my mission and I love being able to serve so many different people.

Life is good! Life continues forward and we try our best each day. As we take our best to the Lord, He sanctifies it and magnifies it. I hope that you're all doing great! I love you and hope that you have a great week!

Love,

Hermana Lindh

Week 24, January 18, 2015

¡Buenas dias!

Quiero compartir mi testimonio en español para ustedes, si esta bien. Yo sé que tenemos un salvador viviente hoy, Jesucristo. El es nuestro redentor, el primogénito del Padre en el espiritu, y el unigénito del Padre en la carne. El es mi mejor amigo y puedo hablar con El cualquier tiempo. Estoy muy agradecida a estar una misionera de Cristo y Su iglesia. Mi deseo y esperanza es que ustedes pueden conocer el y aceptar su evangelio. 

Okay, I'll go back to English now =)
This past week has been very interesting. We have spent a lot of time trying to contact potentials and finding so we can keep up our investigator pool. The people we have and had on date are awesome! We did run into some hard news though with one of our investigators on date, Alejó and Yairi.
We had awesome lesson with Alejó on Saturday night and it was the first time his parents were there. We tried to get them involved but they didn't join us. The lesson felt good to me, but afterwards Sis. Pecjak said that he seemed off, or different than normal. Later that night he sent a text saying that he wasn't going to church and that he didn't want us to stop by again. We kept trying to figure out what happened but his answers were very vague and we were left feeling sad because we know he's ready but we don't know what happened. We have thought about visiting him but we feel like that would make whatever is going on worse. When we asked his uncle, who's in the ward, he said that Alejó just isn't ready; I felt a bit angry at that, but I took it to the Lord and  He helped me feel better. We also haven't been able to get a hold of another investigator who was on date, Yairi.
Basically, while we've had a lot of ups, we've had quite a few downs. I know this is part of mission life, but yesterday was really hard. I love these people and watching them reject the gospel, reject Christ, for whatever reason is just painful. I'm starting to see how God sees me and I never want to cause Him or our Savior this pain. I'm trying my best each day to live well and I repent at night because I know that I mess up. I'm so grateful for the Atonement, not just for others but for myself as well. I wish that those I'm serving could just make good choices! They're getting there, and we'll keep helping them.

Besides that, life is good. I keep moving one day at a time and try to stay focused on why I'm here. If I can remeber what Christ did for me, and the confirmations I've had, I can keep working. I love this miasion, I love these people (even when they're being difficult), and I'm so grateful to be here. My advice for anyone who wants to serve a mission: expect heartache but learn to take joy in everything. His will be an extremely hard experience because of how emotionally attached you are to those you meet, but it's all worth it. The joy is so amazing, so overwhelming, that that's all you'll remember.
What could be better than serving others? (Mosiah 2:17)

I love you all and hope that you have have a great week! I hope that you learned something new and have grown this past week. Smile big, laugh out loud, and love life.

Love,
Hermana Lindh

Pictures are from an activity held January 15th in Salt Lake City and Provo (I think). Eight companionships were asked to come to SLC and/or Provo to meet with Elder Bednar, Sister Oscarson, and President Clayton to record a group discussion for the first ever world-wide missionary training that was broadcast to missionaries only on January 20th. Rachel and her companion were two of the companionships that got to be in a small group teaching situation with some of the highest leaders of our church, including an apostle.

Week 23, January 11, 2016

My attempt at an echo in the cyber world =)

How is everyone doing? How are the New Year Resolutions going? I had 2 doughnuts toady so I'm still working on mine, no need to feel embarrassed =)

This week has been really great as per the usual! This past Saturday we had the baptism of one of our investigators, Adriana Munoz. I started teaching her back in November with Sis. Lewis and now with Sis. Pecjak we have seen her take that first step in the gospel of Christ. It was such a beautiful day and all of her friends and family were there. Her boyfriend and other friends sang her favorite hymn before she was baptized and the Spirit was really strong. The ward loves her and she is so strong with her testimony. 

The best part for me was that her family was there. We had a bit of trouble the week before her baptism with getting her family's support, which is really hard on any investigator. We all want our family's approval and support in our major decisions, but this strong and valiant young woman stuck true to her revelation, her truth. She knew that she needed to be baptized and she stood for that even when her family didn't agree. We realized that this would be hard for her so we were praying that her family would have a soft heart and attend her baptism. 

To our amazement and joy, they were there and participated during the whole thing. I approached the dad afterwards and expressed my thanks to him, which he seemed a bit embarrassed about, but I really was so thankful. He made Adriana's day go so much better and now they are more united as a family, even though Adriana is the only member at this time. As missionaries, we teach that the gospel blesses families, which is true, but can be difficult to see when there's contention over whether someone can be baptized or not. I firmly believe that Adriana's decision will not only bless her life, but those of her family as well. I know that they will all be happier because of her decision and now it will be even better because they were there to see what she was doing and why. 

I love this work and I love the fruits that it brings. Just like Alma teaches in the Book of Mormon, we may know if it is a good seed by seeing what fruit it produces. In this case, going on a mission is the seed and the baptisms and changed hearts and all the other miracles are the fruit. This is good; this is right. I know that I have been called of God to preach repentance and baptism. I am meant to be here in Ogden, UT Spanish speaking to help these people, and have them change me in the process. 

I am a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ and His church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I have power and authority to go out and preach and to promise blessings from heaven. How great is my calling! 

I love you all and I pray for you everyday. I love all that you have done to help shape me and to help me reach this point. Thank you for all that you are and can be. Please remember who you are, a precious child of God. He loves you and answers your prayers. 

Have a great week and be happy!

Love, 

Hermana Lindh

Week 22, January 4, 2016

Hello? It's me, again

We recently heard the first few words to Adele's new song, and it makes us laugh a lot! We feel this way EVERY DAY when people don't answer the door, our calls, or our texts. But, it's all good, that's why we have humor!

This past week has been pretty awesome, like normal (it feels so good to say that my normal is awesome; oh that makes me happy!). The major thing for this week was obviously New Years! 

As a mission we were asked to be home by 6pm or in a member's house with our district from 6-9pm, due to the nature of New Years. What my companion and I did was really cool. That day we had a couple lessons and then we went birthday shopping for a family who recently joined the church. The young boy just turned 8, which in our church, is a pretty big deal.

We believe that children under the age of accountability, or 8 years old, are not held accountable for their actions because they do not understand the difference between right and wrong. If anything happened where a child died before they turned 8, we know that they are automatically saved into the Celestial Kingdom (the Celestial Kingdom is the highest degree of glory that we can obtain and it is where God lives and families can be together forever). This is because children cannot sin. 

"10 Behold I say unto you that this thing shall ye teach - repentance and baptism unto those who are accountable and capable of committing sin; yea, teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saced with their little children. 11 And their little children need no repentance, neither baptism. Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the commandments unto the remission of sins. 12 But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, and also a  changeable God, and a repecter to persons; for how many little children have died without baptism!" - Moroni 8:10-12

The question was then raised, what is the age of accountability; when do children become capable of committing sin? Through a modern day prophet, the prophet Joseph Smith, God gave His answer that it is when we are 8 years old or older. This is found in Doctrine and Covenants 68: 27 "And their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands." 

Baptism is the first step we take to return to our Heavenly Father, to enter into the Celestial Kingdom. We know of its importance because Christ Himself, who was perfect (see 2 Nephi 31:5) was baptized, and we want to follow His example. He was also baptized by someone holding proper priesthood authority, or the right to act in the name of God for the betterment of His children. We need to have that same authority to be baptized, and although it was not on the earth for a time, it is once again here having been restored through the first modern day prophet, Joseph Smith. 

I know that we have been asked to be baptized into Christ's true church and by the proper means. I know that we have the priesthood authority in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, because this is the same church that Christ Himself established and brought back. As a representative of Christ and His church, I have that same authority, albeit I don't hold the priesthood (please see this website for more information regarding the priesthood: https://www.lds.org/topics/priesthood?lang=eng ) 

We weren't excited just to spend time with a family we love, or to see him on a happy day, but rather we were excited because we see where he is going. He will be taking the first step to eternal life, the greatest gift of all (D&C 14:7).

For the rest of that night, we spent time with the members we live with. For 2 hours we just talked with them and got to know them because we don't have a lot of time to do that. Then their friends started showing up and we played a game called "Pirate's dice", which is based off of the dice game from Pirates of the Caribbean. It was a LOT of fun, AND I got to go to bed a little bit earlier than normal. Overall, a really great day!

The rest of the week has been fairly uneventful but good as we find and teach people. I love this work and I love my responsibilities. There are times when I wonder if I'm making any difference, if I'm doing the best I can. At those times, I pray and ask my Father and I always get an answer. He loves me, and He loves the people here. He guides me in who to visit, where to go, and what to say, so that I may help as many people as I can. There is nothing I'd rather do right now than to be a missionary. 

I love you all and I hope that you're doing well! I hope your New Years was great and that you have made some awesome goals! I love you! Remember who you are. =D

Love,

Hermana Lindh

Week 21, December 29, 2015

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

FELIZ NAVIDAD Y UN PROSPERO ANO!

I wish I could type in Spanish, but that requires a special keyboard or a special knowledge of shortcuts on the keyboard, neither of which I have so tada!

This past week has definitely been interesting, with this being my first Christmas away from home and other things. I loved Skyping with my family! Though, I did start tearing up a bit when I first saw them because I was suddenly overwhelmed with emotions I haven't had in a long while. I have forgotten what it feels like to be homesick - which is a good thing in my mind - but during that call I didn't want to leave/hang up. It was hard to say good bye again, but it was so good to see and hear my family. I can hear their voices when I read their letters and I love seeing pictures of them, but it's not the same as seeing them live. Fortunately, I Skyped at 8 that night and so I didn't need to worry about being back in missionary mode right after. It took me a little bit to feel better, but I again felt the Lord confirming to me that I am where I need to be at this time.
I am meant to be serving a mission right now; specifically I am meant to be serving here in the Ogden Utah mission in the Spanish program. There are hard days (see last week's letter) but the joyous moments out weigh them. I am able to work hard each day because the Lord has called me to this work and He has placed His trust in me with the promise that He'll help me. I am not alone (besides my companion =) ) and it's not just my efforts that are going into these people, this area, and this mission, but the Lord's. The Atonement is real; Christ actually lived a perfect life and wrought out a perfect atonement for me. He loves me and has provided me with enabling power - grace - to do His work and to fulfill my purpose.
The best part for me is that the Atonement is personal. Christ knows me perfectly and understands why I struggle, what I'm feeling, and how to help me. And it's not just for me, but for all of us. The Atonement is there to help me, my companion, our sisters, our investigators, anyone and everyone, to become the people God wants us to be. Heavenly Father is watching over us everyday; He cheers when we succeed, cries when we stumble, and probably laughs at some of things we do (because He has a sense of humor. Why else would He call me, someone who said I'll never live in Utah, to serve in Utah? =) ). He loves us and is trying to help us if we would just accept it.

I have had to turn to Him a lot more now than I have recently because of a situation with an investigator. With everything that is happening, when I pray and ask for help in how to handle this situation, I keep getting the thought "I wonder if Thou feels this way?" For example, I am personally hurt (which is something I'm working on, not taking offense because it really doesn't help anyone) by the actions and words of some people here because the haven't listened to the Holy Ghost. I feel sad that they are making, what I feel to be, poor choices and then I wonder "is this how Heavenly Father feels when I'm disobedient? Does He just shake His head at my excuses?" I am learning slowly, because I'm a bit stubborn, what charity really is. It's taking the time to evaluate your feelings and choosing to react with love rather than your natural inclinations. It's trying to see why these people are acting the way they are rather than just labeling them as "mean" or "rude". It's stopping and asking yourself "How does Heavenly Father see these people?" and "What would He do?"
I'm still learning and practicing what I learn, even though it's hard, because Heavenly Father and Christ are my examples. I want to be like Them, and They love me enough to show me how I can. Growth is hard, but it's worth it and why we are here on earth. I sometimes look back on my life and groan because it's like, "why did I do that?!?" but it's because I needed those experiences to learn and grow. This situation is the same. I still don't know the specifics of what I need to do or what I should do to make everything better, but I do know that as I try to act as Christ would, things will get better. I can move forward in faith, just this little bit, and the Lord will help me do that. 

I love you all and I hope that you can learn from your experiences, because that's why you have them. You are here to grow and to become like your Heavenly Father. He'll help you because He loves you.

Have a great New Years and set goals with the Lord. Share those goals with someone you love and trust and work hard on them, constantly turning back to the Lord. I love you!

Love,

Hermana Lindh