A quote from a wonderful recent convert family. Every time we visit with them they tell us almost every other sentence that [if we ever need anything] [we need sunscreen] [we want to come over] [we have a question] we can ask with all confidence. They're the cutest hahahaha.
A couple weeks ago one of the little primary kids in the ward was in a terrible accident. She broke so many bones and was in very serious condition for several days. Sister Orchard and I heard about it almost right away from ward members who were so concerned for her. It was an amazing thing to see the ward come together in praying and fasting. This weekend she came home from the hospital! So many miracles happened and she is recovering at home now. As soon as the ward knew that she was coming home the ward was over there. We got a call from the relief society president and then from the elders quorum president and we went with the relief society to clean the house and then the next day with the elders quorum to paint the outside of their house and their deck and to put in a ramp for her wheelchair. It was amazing. While we were working I just kept thinking how good God is. He listens to our prayers and does miracles for us. And that He loves little children.
22 Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved.
I just have a little thought about that scripture. This is Jesus Christ right after His resurrection. He had just overcome spiritual and physical death. He was the first one to ever do that. That moment was the most important moment ever. But He didn't say anything like- "Look everyone, I'm resurrected and this is really cool. Look what I just did for you!" But He just pleaded with them. "Please come to me so that you can be saved." The whole purpose was to save us. When we with childlike faith and trust come unto Christ through repentance and covenants (and doing our best to keep them)- changing our life with His power and strength- we are saved. We are healed. And we are happy eternally.
I was on exchanges this week having a great time with Sister Hoth, feeling pretty happy and just enjoying missionary work. We knocked on a door and this little kid opens the door, probably 8 or 9. We've met him a couple of times and his parents are never home. But he looked happy to see us as he told us his mom wasn't home. We pulled out a pamphlet of the Restoration, it has a nice picture of the Savior on the front, and told him that Jesus loves him a lot and asked him to give the pamphlet to his mom. He took the pamphlet and smiled and said, "I'm gonna read this!!" I said, we'll look, it's in Spanish. And he says back all proud and excited, "that's okay-- I know how to read Spanish." It was adorable! I wonder if he read it.
We had a wonderful zone meeting on Thursday. We were reminded that this is the Lords work, that every soul is so precious, and that the field is white. There are people out there looking for the light and the hope and the happiness that this gospel can bring them. And it is Christ's mission to go and find them, to bring them in. He says "how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart." And as His disciple and representative- as imperfect and weak as I may be- I have the call to go out in His name and find and gather those souls who are seeking spiritual water for their spiritual thirst. I was so excited- "The Lord has promised miracles-- just wait,".
And so we went out with so much energy. Every time we saw the time we were sad because it seemed to be going so fast and there was so much to do, so many people to meet and find and help. We didn't find anyone that afternoon but we knew something good was going to happen. Whenever someone would turn us away or we'd be told there wasn't anyone who spoke Spanish around here we just prayed that we wouldn't give up and we wouldn't lose faith and we'd keep the spirit with us so that we could find the person God had prepared for us to find. And then after dinner one by one all of our appointments fell through. I was so bummed! I went to get back in the car and sister orchard just said maybe we should walk and try to visit a different family. So I grabbed my coat and we started walking.
A few houses down we saw a guy working in his truck, we went over and introduced ourselves. This guy was so friendly! (He also spoke Spanish and that was good.) and invited us inside. We sat with him and his wife and two little kids and his little daughter started asking us questions about God, who He is and where he lives. I'm gonna rant a little about sister orchard here-- she is SO good with kids. Oh my goodness. Just the way she answered that little girls questions. The spirit was so strong and then the dad started asking questions as well- especially about prayer. We told him about Joseph Smiths prayer and how God the Father and Jesus Christ came to earth to answer his prayer and make it possible for all of us to know that God loves us and has prepared a way for us to be with Him and our families eternally. I am so grateful that God heard Joseph's prayer, and that He heard mine and answered it with this beautiful family.
The best part was afterwards we stopped by a church building quickly and someone gave us cheesecake. I was pretty happy haha. Too many good things all at once xD.
We had a Spanish conference for all of the Spanish speaking missionaries and that was a tender mercy because I got to see all of my companions and friends from the mission. I've been so blessed with the people I have served with on my mission. Its getting crazy because a lot of them are pretty close to going home already. Where does the time go? Too fast. That's where. There's also a lot of really cool things happening to the Spanish program. We are going to be working with several couples missionaries who will help us to find fellowships and work with stake leaders so that we get more referrals and so that when we find a new investigator we have a fellowship to help us get a second and third and fourth lesson with them. That would be nice. The Lord is hastening the work- "For behold, the field is white already to harvest; and it is the eleventh hour." I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for calling me to teach the people I have taught and know the people I have met and love the people I love- and so grateful that He is helping me to learn Spanish so that's all possible. His is a perfect and beautiful plan :)
I love my Savior Jesus Christ. I think one of the best ways I have come to know Him is through prayer. Of course when we pray we talk to Heavenly Father, but it's always through faith in Christ, and it's always through His mercy that they are answered, and that we can feel of our Fathers love. When I pray sincerely I find that I am more resolved to follow Christ and I have greater love for Him. It is His strength that helps me overcome trials and discouragement and find joy and hope. I know He lives!
I hope you all can feel the arm of the Savior around your shoulders this week. He's waiting to help and lift and bless. He's the best.
Love,
Hermana Ogden
Sister Orchard: LOOK A LLAMA!
Me: a what?!
Sister Orchard: A LLAMA!!
Me: A what?!?
Sister Orchard: A LLAMMAA.
Good times.
A couple weeks ago one of the little primary kids in the ward was in a terrible accident. She broke so many bones and was in very serious condition for several days. Sister Orchard and I heard about it almost right away from ward members who were so concerned for her. It was an amazing thing to see the ward come together in praying and fasting. This weekend she came home from the hospital! So many miracles happened and she is recovering at home now. As soon as the ward knew that she was coming home the ward was over there. We got a call from the relief society president and then from the elders quorum president and we went with the relief society to clean the house and then the next day with the elders quorum to paint the outside of their house and their deck and to put in a ramp for her wheelchair. It was amazing. While we were working I just kept thinking how good God is. He listens to our prayers and does miracles for us. And that He loves little children.
22 Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved.
I just have a little thought about that scripture. This is Jesus Christ right after His resurrection. He had just overcome spiritual and physical death. He was the first one to ever do that. That moment was the most important moment ever. But He didn't say anything like- "Look everyone, I'm resurrected and this is really cool. Look what I just did for you!" But He just pleaded with them. "Please come to me so that you can be saved." The whole purpose was to save us. When we with childlike faith and trust come unto Christ through repentance and covenants (and doing our best to keep them)- changing our life with His power and strength- we are saved. We are healed. And we are happy eternally.
I was on exchanges this week having a great time with Sister Hoth, feeling pretty happy and just enjoying missionary work. We knocked on a door and this little kid opens the door, probably 8 or 9. We've met him a couple of times and his parents are never home. But he looked happy to see us as he told us his mom wasn't home. We pulled out a pamphlet of the Restoration, it has a nice picture of the Savior on the front, and told him that Jesus loves him a lot and asked him to give the pamphlet to his mom. He took the pamphlet and smiled and said, "I'm gonna read this!!" I said, we'll look, it's in Spanish. And he says back all proud and excited, "that's okay-- I know how to read Spanish." It was adorable! I wonder if he read it.
We had a wonderful zone meeting on Thursday. We were reminded that this is the Lords work, that every soul is so precious, and that the field is white. There are people out there looking for the light and the hope and the happiness that this gospel can bring them. And it is Christ's mission to go and find them, to bring them in. He says "how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart." And as His disciple and representative- as imperfect and weak as I may be- I have the call to go out in His name and find and gather those souls who are seeking spiritual water for their spiritual thirst. I was so excited- "The Lord has promised miracles-- just wait,".
And so we went out with so much energy. Every time we saw the time we were sad because it seemed to be going so fast and there was so much to do, so many people to meet and find and help. We didn't find anyone that afternoon but we knew something good was going to happen. Whenever someone would turn us away or we'd be told there wasn't anyone who spoke Spanish around here we just prayed that we wouldn't give up and we wouldn't lose faith and we'd keep the spirit with us so that we could find the person God had prepared for us to find. And then after dinner one by one all of our appointments fell through. I was so bummed! I went to get back in the car and sister orchard just said maybe we should walk and try to visit a different family. So I grabbed my coat and we started walking.
A few houses down we saw a guy working in his truck, we went over and introduced ourselves. This guy was so friendly! (He also spoke Spanish and that was good.) and invited us inside. We sat with him and his wife and two little kids and his little daughter started asking us questions about God, who He is and where he lives. I'm gonna rant a little about sister orchard here-- she is SO good with kids. Oh my goodness. Just the way she answered that little girls questions. The spirit was so strong and then the dad started asking questions as well- especially about prayer. We told him about Joseph Smiths prayer and how God the Father and Jesus Christ came to earth to answer his prayer and make it possible for all of us to know that God loves us and has prepared a way for us to be with Him and our families eternally. I am so grateful that God heard Joseph's prayer, and that He heard mine and answered it with this beautiful family.
The best part was afterwards we stopped by a church building quickly and someone gave us cheesecake. I was pretty happy haha. Too many good things all at once xD.
We had a Spanish conference for all of the Spanish speaking missionaries and that was a tender mercy because I got to see all of my companions and friends from the mission. I've been so blessed with the people I have served with on my mission. Its getting crazy because a lot of them are pretty close to going home already. Where does the time go? Too fast. That's where. There's also a lot of really cool things happening to the Spanish program. We are going to be working with several couples missionaries who will help us to find fellowships and work with stake leaders so that we get more referrals and so that when we find a new investigator we have a fellowship to help us get a second and third and fourth lesson with them. That would be nice. The Lord is hastening the work- "For behold, the field is white already to harvest; and it is the eleventh hour." I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for calling me to teach the people I have taught and know the people I have met and love the people I love- and so grateful that He is helping me to learn Spanish so that's all possible. His is a perfect and beautiful plan :)
I love my Savior Jesus Christ. I think one of the best ways I have come to know Him is through prayer. Of course when we pray we talk to Heavenly Father, but it's always through faith in Christ, and it's always through His mercy that they are answered, and that we can feel of our Fathers love. When I pray sincerely I find that I am more resolved to follow Christ and I have greater love for Him. It is His strength that helps me overcome trials and discouragement and find joy and hope. I know He lives!
I hope you all can feel the arm of the Savior around your shoulders this week. He's waiting to help and lift and bless. He's the best.
Love,
Hermana Ogden
Sister Orchard: LOOK A LLAMA!
Me: a what?!
Sister Orchard: A LLAMA!!
Me: A what?!?
Sister Orchard: A LLAMMAA.
Good times.