Thursday 26 April 2012
Hello everyone!
So this week I've been called to repentance, and started setting Baptismal dates, my previous companion was rather slow to do them, but after a few trainings, a call to repentance by my leaders and a new companion, I've repented, and started setting them, and it's really blessing the work! We have two people working towards Baptism at the moment, and we'll have a fair few more by the end of the week, if I get my way! But something that has really hit me is how important they are for investigators progression. With one, we've been talking about Baptism, but she wanted to wait, still she's finished the Book of Mormon, till she's done this that and the other. We decided to set a date with her, and hope she'll accept it. She said she'd think about it. Well, she came back with that received an answer to her prayers, that she needs to be Baptised on that date! With a solid and concrete date to work towards, she'll be able to progress even faster!
It's interesting how having dates, deadlines and goals can really help our ability to grow to become what we want to be. It' something I've noticed so much on the Mission. As President Monson said, as results are measured, results improve. One of my main goals this week is to started putting deadlines for all my goals, so that I can push myself to be a better Missionary, and a better person. I'd encourage you all to do the same!
I love you all!
Anziano Nelson
Hello!
So this week has been great! I beat my transfer record as of Sunday, 120 lessons taught, and I still have a week left :) It's been a week of miracles. One that we hit our goals for numbers of lessons, but also one of our investigators. She's always been "brava" (I'm sure you can figure out the meaning of that word, if not, googletranslate!), but yesterday I found out how. We sat down in a park with her and started talking. I asked her how her reading of the book of Mormon was going. She apologised and asked forgiveness because she only read it through one time. Curious, I asked what she'd read, the response really surprised me. She'd read the introduction to the Book of Mormon, and the first TWELVE CHAPTERS!!! She asked me if she'd done something wrong because both my companion and I were looking at her in shock. He fell off the park bench. Recovering I reassured her she was doing great, then she started talking about Baptism and when she wanted to be Baptised!
That really showed me how much we should appreciate the word of the Lord, whether it be the scriptures, General Conference, or any other form, we should have this desire to soak in it, and recognise that "man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of the Lord doth man live". I know this week I'm going to work on developing my love of the Scriptures!
I love you all!
Anziano Nelson
Thursday 12 April 2012
Hello!
So this week, after getting rather frustrated with one of our investigators because he wouldn't let go of his problems and think about something else, ie Christ, the real solution of all his problems, I came up with a scriptural story and applied it to his situation. It's Numbers 21;6-9. It's the story of the Brazen Serpent.
6 And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
7 ¶Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.
8 And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
The fiery (and flying, according to Alma) serpents represent our problems. They are too many to handle, and a single bite is enough to kill us (spiritually) if left untreated. Unfortunately, too often we think about taking a sword, and killing each one individually. But there is no way we can do that; there are too many, and the consequences of failing are too high. But God sent His only Begotten Son for us, so that if we look at him, we might live. Be healed, and find a real solution to our problems.
Helaman 8:14-15
14 Yea, did he not bear record that the Son of God should come? And as he lifted up the brazen serpent in the wilderness, even so shall he be lifted up who should come.
15 And as many as should look upon that serpent should live, even so as many as should look upon the Son of God with faith, having a contrite spirit, might live, even unto that life which is eternal.
While it is understandable to be looking at the fiery flying serpents who can kill you with a single bite, there is a more excellent way. Something I'm learning to do is not to look at the most terrible and frankly the downright most terrifying beasts imaginable (kudos to whoever thought that fiery serpents were not enough to scare the Israelites, but decided to make them fly too), but look at the author of our Salvation, even Jesus Christ. We face a lot of opposition, but it's important that we let that go, and just focus on the one person that does matter: Jesus.
So this week, after getting rather frustrated with one of our investigators because he wouldn't let go of his problems and think about something else, ie Christ, the real solution of all his problems, I came up with a scriptural story and applied it to his situation. It's Numbers 21;6-9. It's the story of the Brazen Serpent.
6 And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
7 ¶Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.
8 And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
The fiery (and flying, according to Alma) serpents represent our problems. They are too many to handle, and a single bite is enough to kill us (spiritually) if left untreated. Unfortunately, too often we think about taking a sword, and killing each one individually. But there is no way we can do that; there are too many, and the consequences of failing are too high. But God sent His only Begotten Son for us, so that if we look at him, we might live. Be healed, and find a real solution to our problems.
Helaman 8:14-15
14 Yea, did he not bear record that the Son of God should come? And as he lifted up the brazen serpent in the wilderness, even so shall he be lifted up who should come.
15 And as many as should look upon that serpent should live, even so as many as should look upon the Son of God with faith, having a contrite spirit, might live, even unto that life which is eternal.
While it is understandable to be looking at the fiery flying serpents who can kill you with a single bite, there is a more excellent way. Something I'm learning to do is not to look at the most terrible and frankly the downright most terrifying beasts imaginable (kudos to whoever thought that fiery serpents were not enough to scare the Israelites, but decided to make them fly too), but look at the author of our Salvation, even Jesus Christ. We face a lot of opposition, but it's important that we let that go, and just focus on the one person that does matter: Jesus.
Wednesday 4 April 2012
Hello everyone!
Wasn't General Conference great? I love how everyone, if they pay attention, gets something from it. We were sitting with an investigator, an Albanian, who's been having problems. The whole time during one of the sessions we were sweating, because all of the talks were blatantly directed STRAIGHT AT HIM. And they were not gentle either! All the people who knew him were praying that he wouldn't take offence. When we got out, I timidly asked how he liked it. He turned round, looked me in the eye with a frown on his face, and said, "I liked it. I've found the strong words I've been looking for! Why can't church be more like this?" I instantly sent a prayer of gratitude up to God for that! I love the words of the Prophets! Even when I listened in Italian, I felt the Spirit so strong! They always know what I need to know and learn. I'll be studying their words for days on end once I get hold of the Conference issue of the Ensign, I'll learn Spanish if I have to!
I love you all, Brothers and Sisters!
Anziano Nelson
Wasn't General Conference great? I love how everyone, if they pay attention, gets something from it. We were sitting with an investigator, an Albanian, who's been having problems. The whole time during one of the sessions we were sweating, because all of the talks were blatantly directed STRAIGHT AT HIM. And they were not gentle either! All the people who knew him were praying that he wouldn't take offence. When we got out, I timidly asked how he liked it. He turned round, looked me in the eye with a frown on his face, and said, "I liked it. I've found the strong words I've been looking for! Why can't church be more like this?" I instantly sent a prayer of gratitude up to God for that! I love the words of the Prophets! Even when I listened in Italian, I felt the Spirit so strong! They always know what I need to know and learn. I'll be studying their words for days on end once I get hold of the Conference issue of the Ensign, I'll learn Spanish if I have to!
I love you all, Brothers and Sisters!
Anziano Nelson
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