July 28th, 2014

 

Hey everyone!

 

Well first off, you will not believe what happened at transfers! I am staying in the area, but it's not a sister training area anymore. And I'm in a trio! Sister Jarmen and Sister Warner are my companions! Haha crazy right?!! Three times with Sister Warner. I think this is a sign that we will be part of each others lives forever! And I'm totally fine with that.

I'm so sad to not have Sister Young anymore. She is incredible. But thank heavens everyone is from Utah so we can all hang out there :)

 

Well yesterday was one of those days that one will never forget. Omar was baptized yesterday. It was such an incredible experience. He was so excited and so happy. He looked great in white! But there was such a special spirit there. I was just so grateful that I had the opportunity to meet Omar and to be able to share my testimony with him. I feel so blessed, and so grateful. After the baptism, the Lamberena family came up to Omar and they all knew each other before from some past job or something. And they invited Omar over for dinner that night. So we all had dinner together last night and Omar brought his little boy Alex, who is three. It was such a tender mercy for Omar to have someone in the ward that he knows and loves. And he has so many other fellowshippers in the ward too. They have taken him in and have helped him so much. Omar is incredible. Please keep him in your prayers. We all know that once something good happens, Satan is right there and will try to tempt and distract.

Also Jenifer came to church yesterday and her oldest son Jr, who is 9, came as well. They all loved it! We talked to Jenifer after and she asked us if we have to tell her she's ready for baptism or if she decides that for herself. Haha she is so ready. So we told her to pray about a specific day and that we knew she would be ready for that day if she did her part.

And last night we went to the departing missionary fireside. There were 26 missionaries going home!!! There were so many people there it was crazy. But it was so good. the testimonies were so powerful. It was sad to see so many of the missionaries I love get up there. It's weird to think that that will be me in four weeks. Not sure how I feel about that.

 

I want all of you to know that God really does hear and answer our prayers. I know that He does because He has answered mine this last week. Some answers came through quiet thoughts, and others through priesthood blessings, but they came. I love the priesthood. It can help us so much. I know that if we are stressed, worried, sick, confused, a blessing from our Heavenly Father given through his worthy sons, can help us and uplift us. If you're struggling in anyway, ask for a priesthood blessing.

I love you all so much. Thank you for your love and support and your prayers. I really can feel them and the strength they bring to me every day. Keep on keeping on :) I LOVE YOU THE MOST!

 

Hermana Wright / Kiera lynn   

 

 

 

July 14th, 2014

 

Hi Everyone!

 

Such an amazing week! We saw so many miracles!

 

First, OMAR CAME TO ALL THREE HOURS OF CHURCH! It was such a happy day! We had taught him on Saturday about the priesthood and then told him that he had a responsibility to be at church every week. We invited him to fast with us that he would be able to get work off so that he could come. And he did! And the topics that were discussed at church were so perfect for him! He is doing so good. But please keep him in your prayers, he needs a lot of help this week to be able to make his baptismal date. He needs to get Sunday's off or quit his job. But we know he will be blessed for putting his faith in the Lord.

 

This next story is amazing!

So two weeks ago we were fasting and praying for Omar that he would be able to come to church. We were also praying that we would find new people to teach. We were about to end out fast and walking back to our car, when we almost got hit by a car! This guy was backing out in the parking lot and almost hit us. But he saw us, then asked "Are you bible people?" of course we said yes! He asked us to wait while he re-parked his car and that he wanted to talk to us. So he parked again (and almost hit us again) and then got out and started talking to us. He was speaking English, but then asked if we spoke Spanish because of our name tags, we said yes, and he said "oh good, Spanish is way easier for me!" (miracle #1). He then went on to tell us that he saw us walking and something told him in his heart that he needed to talk to us. Then then said "so what do you have for me, because I know it's what I need." (miracle #2) We told him a little about what we do and explained that we had specific areas and that he probably wasn't in our area cause he said he lived ten minutes away, but he told us his address, and it was totally in our area! (miracle #3) We set up a return appointment and this last Friday we were able to meet him and we set a baptismal date! When I asked if he would be baptized, he said "Yes. I want to be happy." We asked how he was feeling and he told us that he felt a warmth and peace come over him and we were able to testify that that was the spirit telling him that that was what he needed to do. (miracle #4) And then on Saturday, there was a man getting baptized and we called to invite Joaquin (oh that's his name fyi) and he said he would be there in 30mins. Luckily the baptism started an hour late, and he was able to see a baptism. He said he felt so much peace and loved it! (Miracle #5) I can not even tell you how incredible this had been. God truly is a God of Miracles. I feel so humbled to be a part of this incredible work! Please keep Joaquin in your prayers. He too will have a lot of trials to get over before he is baptized. But we know he can do it!

 

And the other person we are working with right now is Jenifer. She too has a baptismal date and is just amazing. We love her and her 4 boys! They are so cute. Ages 9 to 1. They are crazy but a ton of fun. They love singing with us. This last week we taught them "once there was a snowman" and "popcorn" they loved it! Jenifer has so much faith. But is a little nervous about the change and how her family will take it. If you could keep her in your prayers too, that would be wonderful :)

 

I love being a missionary. I love serving the people here and I love the Lord. This is his work. More than anything, I've learned this last week that we are only tools in his hands. It's not us. It could never be us. But God loves us enough to use us to help his work along so that we can be changed and strengthened in His gospel. What an incredible blessing. I know that Christ lives. He is how we can change, and how others around us can change. I kow that this is his church.

I love you all so much! Thank you for all your love and support! I LOVE YOU THE MOST!

 

hermana wright / kiera

 

 

July 7th, 2014

 

Happy July Everyone!

I am so happy that June is over, because here there is this horrible thing called June gloom, and its all this smog and humidity and mucky stuff that makes everything grey and ugly. (so if you ever want to visit LA, don't go in June) But it's all gone now! The only down side is it's super hot now! We started showering at night cause we are so gross when we come home. But it's fun. I'm starting to get a watch tan line :)

 

Well this week, like every week, we say miracles. The first one I would like to share is that one of our investigators, Jennifer, accepted a baptismal date!!! We love her and her family so much! She has 4 little boys, 9, 4, 3 and and one year old. They are so cute, a little crazy, but we have a lot fun. And last night we were able to have a FHE with them and another family in our ward who also have four young boys! So perfect. It went really well. She was also at churh yesterday!

 

The second miracle is that Omar was at church!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He was about 15 minutes late, but when we turned around and saw him walking in, in his chef uniform and apron, we did not care how late he was! He came! And we found out that there was someone who didn't show up to work that day, so he didn't think he was going to be able to leave for an hour, but they still let him! What a tender mercy. And he was able to meet the stake president, who speaks spanish, and the bishop. And he told both of them when he was getting baptized! Haha he is so great. Omar is amazing. We love him so much.

 

Another fun thing. we found out in MLC this week, that the First Presidency has made changes to  what missionaries teach. Missionaries now have to teach lesson 5, "Laws and Ordinances" before baptism. It used to be that it was just after baptism lesson, but now it has to be taught before. I am so excited about this! Because in this lesson, they learn about priesthood, temple work, missioanry work, and teaching and callings in the church. I know this will really help investigators understand that baptism is just a step, and that the temple is the real goal. We have already started teaching Omar these things, and it is so apparent to see that he has that mind set of getting to the temple in a year.

 

Well I can't believe another week is gone. They keep going faster and faster, and I can't seem to make it slow down. How does time do that? Isn't it comforting to know, that is the eternities, there won't be "time" to stop or end our happiness. That we will be able to have a fulness of joy with our families, with no worries of saying goodbye, or waiting to be reunited. That principle alone, brings me so much peace and joy, and I know that it's true. I know that we can really be with each other forever. Everyone! Every person that we love in this life, we can be with them forever, IF we all keep our covenants.

I know that God lives. He has a perfect plan for us and loves us perfectly. What a blessing to be part of His true church. And if you aren't yet, or aren't keeping covenants, simply ask yourself "what is holding me back?" I promise that there is nothing more important than this gospel. Nothing more important that making and keeping covenants with our Heavenly Father. He is ready to bless us, all we have to do is act.

And if we are active and keeping our covenants, what more can we do? Are we following the council given by modern day prophets to share the gospel, to invite and follow up. There is always more we can do :)

I love this gospel. I know that it's true because I've lived it. I've lived it and I've seen the blessings that come from it. I love my Savior, I know that he lives, I have felt his love. I love representing Him and His church, and I am going to try to be the best I can be for these last six weeks, and help others have the happiness that I do.

I love you all so much. Thank you for all your love and support. I LOVE YOU THE MOST!

 

Hermana Wright / Kiera

 

June 30th,2014

 

Hey Everyone!

 

Well I really can't think of anything else other than Chase getting his call to PERU! So amazing! I am so excited for him. He will be a great missionary!

 

Well this week we had so many amazing things happen!

First on Tuesday, we were able to go to the Visitors Center with Omar, and that in itself was a battle! He was running late, and then something happened with the car, and a whole buch of other things, but we finally got up there and it was awesome! He loved it! The whole tour was focused on the Atonement and repentance. He loved it.

So then on Wedensday, at english class, the topic was on law and order. So at the end of the class, Omar shared his expereice with everyone at the Visitors center, and told about justice and mercy and pretty much bore his testimony of change and repenting! After the class, we taught him the word of wisdom. He has no problems with any of them, except coffee! But we had a member walk by and she shared her expereince of how she quit coffee before she was baptized. Such a miracle. So then on Saturday, Omar came to english class again, and he told us that he hasn't had any coffee in four days!!! He also said he had a lot of headaches, but that he was gonna keep going! Then we had a ward missionary activity where we had a couple members come to the church and then we were going to go out with them and have them meet our investigators and meet their friends. Omar asked if he could stay and see what it was all about. So he stayed for the little pre meeting. There was a brother there who had asked for a blessing, so the elders were going to give him one before we left. Our ward mission leader, then simply explained to Omar what a blessing was and why we have the power to give them. He then asked Omar if he would like a blessing to hlep him progress in the gospel. and Omar said yes!!!! The blessing was amazing! It was exactly what Omar needed to hear to help him. We asked how he felt after and he didn't have words! Which is rare cause Omar loves to talk :) So then Omar decided to go with the elders and a member to make a visit, but could only go for one visit cause he had stuff to do. So we all left and we went out with our memeber to visit one of our investigators, which went really well, then she introduced us to her friend. Then all of us met back up at Hno Madrids house to eat and share testimonies. And in comes OMAR with the elders! He had stayed for the whole thing. We sit down to eat and start sharing what happened. Omar went first and went on to tell everyone that he had felt the spirit so strong that he decided to stay with the elders. And then has they were driving back, he said he had the thought to take the elders to go see his brother. So they did! The elders then told everyone how Omar told his brother that he has felt something different in the church and has been so much happier since he has been meeting with me and Sister Young, and that he should listen to the missionaries too!!!!!!!!! WOW that was so long! but it was such an amaizng story. Omar is incredible. He has a lot to work on, but he is making great progress. Please keep him in your prayers. He works three jobs and works Sundays, so he hasn't been able to come to church yet. We need a miracle for him to be able to come this Sunday!

 

Also this week we met and guy named Wilow.( I always think of "peck peck peck peck" everytime I say his name :) and he owns a food business, and gave us the BEST orchata I have had on my entire mission! He said he'll give us more when we go back to teach him tonight :)

Oh I also spoke in Sacrament meeting yesterday, and sang. haha it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. And i think everyone understood my spanish.. i hope :) but my topic was on the "importance of the family" and i loved being able to talk about the family. It was such an easy topic because I have seen how the gospel blesses familes, because it's blessed my own family so much. I am so grateful to have an incredible family who are firm in the gospel and are making decisions that will greatly bless their lives forever. I know the church is true. I know that Christ lives. I know that we can all live with our families forever. I love you all so much! Thank you for all you do! I LOVE YOU THE MOST!

 

Hermana Wright/ Kiera :)

 

June 23rd, 2014

 

Hi Everyone!

 

Well this week was awesome!

 

To start off, last monday we had a lesson with a man and his wife we had met the week before. We brought a member with us and the rest is downhill from there. haha! We started out just fine talking about God and prophets, and then we get to Joesph Smith, and wow he had a problem. He just kept telling us that ALL the truth was in the bible and that anyone who said there was more was of the devil and not of God. He then handed each of us a little flyers that said "Nadie tiene tiempo para Dios!" No one has time for God. He then kindly told us that he did not think there was a reason for us to meet again. I graciously and 100% agreed with him very quickly. We said a prayer, and then right as we ended, he started praying in a very...interesting way that kinda scared me actually. haha I will not forget how happy i was to walk out. But it really just makes me sad in the end that some people are so hard hearted to not even try to learn for themselves.

Tuesday was a little different, President called and asked us that morning to come to the District leader trainng and give a training to the DL's!! President started out by comforting everyone by telling them that we weren't new district leaders and that we didn't have the preisthood. haha it was funny :)

Wedensday we went to the Temple! It was so beautiful and so needed. I love the temple. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be able to go to such a sacred place and feel the spirit so stong.

We went on exchanges this week too. I went to the Redondo area with Sister Smith, I love her so much! She is one of the funniest missionaries I've ever worked with. We contacted people right on the beach! It was so beautiful. We also talked to a couple of crazy people, but some normal ones too :)

We also had interviews with President Weidman this week. He talked to me a lot about the Gospel of Christ. The Gospel of Christ is what we live every day to be able to live with Heavenly Father again. He told me that that is what I needed to focus on now and when I'm home. Is living the gospel of Christ. Having faith daily, repenting daily. Renewing and keeping covenants, and following the holy ghost. It was amazing advice!

I love you so much!Tthank you for all you do and for all the prayers and support. I love you the most!

 

Hermana Wright / kiera lynn