Monday, May 23, 2016
54 - Brother McFarland
Email address (preferred):
rachael.clark@myldsmail.net
Mission address:
Sister Rachael Geniel Clark
California Long Beach Mission
6500 E Atherton St.
Long Beach, CA 90815
We had Nancy and Librada at church yesterday! That was so neat. Nancy wasn't able to be there the whole time since her husband needed her at home. Librada at the end seemed to have a good time. I hope to see them again at church. That within it's self was miracle of the week!!!!
We had 5 family history lessons this week, the most we have had ever! Lost of fun and interesting lessons each with their own challenges and perks. We taught a Samoan lady who we actually found her grandparents already on the system, and she was worried about not knowing anything about them as far as dates goes, it was amazing how she got so excited after that. It's a blessing when they are able to find out things that they never knew about before, even more so for Polynesian families due to name changes in generations and poorly kept records, same for Mexicans at least for record keeping.
We went to the Kickin' Crab restaurant with Brother McFarland (he picked it!), and I got my first try at opening up crab and shrimp and other exotic (for me anyways) seafood. You order by the lbs and they deliver it to you in a bag with a bib and with some sauce too. I got some corn on the cob, potatoes, and sausage in mine since I am not accustomed to so much sea food. Fun but messy. Sister Hinckley accidentally poured it on the table and onto her skirt, then shortly after, Sister Miller (my old companion) was trying to open up her lobster when it slipped out of her hands and landed on my lap! Scared me half to death, whole lobster! Sister Hinckley and I then took turns washing our skirts quickly enough to get most of the sauce out then dealt with a huge water spot coming out to finish our food so it wouldn't dry. The next miracle of that night was we has some set appointments that suddenly fell through which gave us a chance to run home and change clothing and was our clothing before it stained. I am happy to report it worked out. God knows we will have trials, but he always makes a way out! That is an adventure I won't forget! That would most likely be my most embarrassing/funny story of my mission!
It is interesting the growth people make and as missionaries we see that growth. Brother McFarland had a friend over who isn't active, but they let us briefly show a Mormon message on our portable dvd player (one day we will get iPads... one day), and since his friend just lost his mother, we thought it appropriate to show one on the comfort that Christ gives during these times in our lives. Only trouble is, I couldn't think of one, and our dvd didn't have a good enough one. I felt prompted to show the one we planned to show called sting of the scorpion (Link: https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-08-004-the-sting-of-the-scorpion?lang=eng). It is about the painful lessons one person learned when you ignore the counsel of others, or in his case be lazy and do the easier wrong, then the harder right choice. It also tells how we can recover when we do mess up and how to make things better. Before we had a chance to share, his friend wanted to smoke, so we kindly asked him to hold off for a few minutes. He instead said to go on without him and he excused himself around the corner of the house since we were outside. After the video, he came back and in a huff asked us "Would Christ have done what you did to me?" Puzzled, we said, "What exactly do you mean?" He then replied, "Would he make me go away like you did to me?" Then he darted on inside. We felt bad, but knew that it wasn't our fault and let him continue on his way without further talking. Brother McFarland said, "You did the right thing". Then we continued to wrap up the brief lesson.
I thought about that encounter and how ironic is was how that friend chose the easier right, then the harder wrong, and how Satan tempts us to feel upset if anyone suggests they should do otherwise (and that was what that video was on). They say that Jesus is the ultimate offender of persons, since we naturally want our way, vs. God's way, and Jesus reminds us always to follow God's way. No matter what, he loves us all, sinner or not, but he doesn't excuse the sin. Its through his atonement that we can make changes in our lives and our sins are made white through him though! I also thought back on something my seminary teacher once said. He told us that every one of us chose to come to early morning seminary, school, and other things of our day over staying home. Naturally there was some objections to that statement. He then asked the students who disagreed to then say how it was not their choice. One student said, "My parents make me do it" the teacher replied, "Well, did you parents physically drag you into the car, chain you in place, drive you here, then drag you into the classroom, then Zip tie you to the desk so you don't leave?" (Of course he was being humorous to prove a point.) The student then said, "Of course not, my parents would never do that to me!" The teacher then explained it was the choice and consequences that accompany each thing we do that WE each personally decide that make us do the things we do. that student and every one of us CHOSE to be there out of our free will. Begrudgingly or not. He then told us to man up to our decisions, and don't blame others for OUR decisions. Now if someone physically did things without our consent, we then can complain, dumb reasoning or not. If not, we have only ourselves to blame. I remembered that when that friend of Brother McFarland went past us.
What was also neat was Brother McFarland's integrity on continuing to talk with us and finish the brief lesson and even say his own comments on the subject. He truly is a man of his word, especially when it is sticking up for the missionaries or for what is truly right, even if it is the harder right to do. As missionaries we give people a fork in the road, weather it is to stop doing what they know to be wrong, or teach them what they are doing is wrong in God's view, or if it is doing something that can bring them closer to God vs. something that wouldn't. Like say going to church on Sunday, praying, quitting smoking, or even spending time to read even 1 verse of scripture a day. Sometimes that is harder then to do as they already have been doing, but it is amazing to see the blessings in people's lives that comes when they try out the things we invite them to do, pray, read scriptures, and come to church. It's life changing, uplifting, and truly is amazing to be apart of people's journey towards God and in their own life.
Exciting news, we just found out we will be some of the first (if not the first) missionaries to see and explore the new family history center experience in Huntington Beach zone/stake! I think it is the first of its kind in California! So exciting!
Monday, May 16, 2016
53 - Cute kids and gospel talk
Email address (preferred):
rachael.clark@myldsmail.net
Mission address:
Sister Rachael Geniel Clark
California Long Beach Mission
6500 E Atherton St.
Long Beach, CA 90815
This week has been interesting because we had exchanges with the Woodruff sisters (stl's) since they took out the ones in Buena park. It was fun to meet all new people and help out with lessons. It reminded me of being in Cerritos with how many people there were to teach and how friendly everyone was for the most part. We met a few long term investigators and former's who told us that they needed that exact message and that God had sent us to them because of whatever citations they were having in their life at that moment. That is always neat to hear that even though I may not be a sister in that area, I still am able to be an instrument in God's purposes in touching other people's lives. I also met a few fun ladies who reminded me of my mom and some of her friends back home, they even asked me how I knew them since they said they swore they have met me before somehow. Interesting how that works sometimes where you felt like you seem to know someone who you have never met before.
The miracle of the week was that we met Christopher (Joshua's room mate's son; they have multiple families living there). He had to sit in on the lesson so we could have Brother Arbiso and us with Joshua inside the home to teach since it was dark outside with little seating available. She gladly sat in and even said he would come to church, which they did despite their car breaking down the day before. It was noisy with some kids in sacrament meeting, but they still felt the spirit and enjoyed the talks, and Christopher afterwards said we couldn't meet on Tuesday anymore (which we worried things had gone bad in young men's, but it had gone the opposite). On Tuesday they have young men's, and he loved it so much and bonded with Aj and AC and possibly other young men so much he wanted to join them, AND come to church the next week. It was interesting because he used to live in the Philippines for a few years, and so we figured we would have Aj and AC escort him to young men's class, and they must have had a blast speaking Tagalog together and discussing gospel topics. Aj and AC have become such great fellowshippers. It makes us so happy to see this, especially in such young new members! Joshua came with us and loved the classes and felt it was just what he needed. He too said he will come next week and will even bring his children this next Sunday since his ex wife has them this past weekend. How neat!
Tony and Catherine came also. I was so happy since they got new schedules at work, making it hard to stay awake to come to church. Tony loved the lessons we had, and Catherine looks so happy lately, such a difference than before. I hope they continue to learn and grow in the gospel.
We had 2 family history lessons this week, 1 in Spanish/English, which was fun. They made phone calls right there and added information about their ancestors and even found some already in the system that they added to their tree, it's always exciting when that happens. They were so thrilled to learn how to do it and add as much as possible. Their kids where so cute too and well behaved for their age. Every now and again they would pop in to say cute things and "hello."
The other was for a young man who LOVES science and has equations for everything in life. He gave us a fun space post card after the lesson as thanks. He was especially interested in temples and had it plastered on his phone and was waiting eagerly to learn how everything works and to be able to be baptized after three years of investigating with the help of his special lady friend as support. I haven't met an individual like him since I met Brother Grossnickle (an office missionary who loves deep gospel learning) and Jeremiah (someone from home).
Other than that we went door knocking and traveling around doing the usual services of singing for bed bound people and fun arts and crafts and park Anaheim. (This week was felt kites for decorating.)
rachael.clark@myldsmail.net
Mission address:
Sister Rachael Geniel Clark
California Long Beach Mission
6500 E Atherton St.
Long Beach, CA 90815
This week has been interesting because we had exchanges with the Woodruff sisters (stl's) since they took out the ones in Buena park. It was fun to meet all new people and help out with lessons. It reminded me of being in Cerritos with how many people there were to teach and how friendly everyone was for the most part. We met a few long term investigators and former's who told us that they needed that exact message and that God had sent us to them because of whatever citations they were having in their life at that moment. That is always neat to hear that even though I may not be a sister in that area, I still am able to be an instrument in God's purposes in touching other people's lives. I also met a few fun ladies who reminded me of my mom and some of her friends back home, they even asked me how I knew them since they said they swore they have met me before somehow. Interesting how that works sometimes where you felt like you seem to know someone who you have never met before.
The miracle of the week was that we met Christopher (Joshua's room mate's son; they have multiple families living there). He had to sit in on the lesson so we could have Brother Arbiso and us with Joshua inside the home to teach since it was dark outside with little seating available. She gladly sat in and even said he would come to church, which they did despite their car breaking down the day before. It was noisy with some kids in sacrament meeting, but they still felt the spirit and enjoyed the talks, and Christopher afterwards said we couldn't meet on Tuesday anymore (which we worried things had gone bad in young men's, but it had gone the opposite). On Tuesday they have young men's, and he loved it so much and bonded with Aj and AC and possibly other young men so much he wanted to join them, AND come to church the next week. It was interesting because he used to live in the Philippines for a few years, and so we figured we would have Aj and AC escort him to young men's class, and they must have had a blast speaking Tagalog together and discussing gospel topics. Aj and AC have become such great fellowshippers. It makes us so happy to see this, especially in such young new members! Joshua came with us and loved the classes and felt it was just what he needed. He too said he will come next week and will even bring his children this next Sunday since his ex wife has them this past weekend. How neat!
Tony and Catherine came also. I was so happy since they got new schedules at work, making it hard to stay awake to come to church. Tony loved the lessons we had, and Catherine looks so happy lately, such a difference than before. I hope they continue to learn and grow in the gospel.
We had 2 family history lessons this week, 1 in Spanish/English, which was fun. They made phone calls right there and added information about their ancestors and even found some already in the system that they added to their tree, it's always exciting when that happens. They were so thrilled to learn how to do it and add as much as possible. Their kids where so cute too and well behaved for their age. Every now and again they would pop in to say cute things and "hello."
The other was for a young man who LOVES science and has equations for everything in life. He gave us a fun space post card after the lesson as thanks. He was especially interested in temples and had it plastered on his phone and was waiting eagerly to learn how everything works and to be able to be baptized after three years of investigating with the help of his special lady friend as support. I haven't met an individual like him since I met Brother Grossnickle (an office missionary who loves deep gospel learning) and Jeremiah (someone from home).
Other than that we went door knocking and traveling around doing the usual services of singing for bed bound people and fun arts and crafts and park Anaheim. (This week was felt kites for decorating.)
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
52 - Temple and meetings
Email address (preferred):
rachael.clark@myldsmail.net
Mission address:
Sister Rachael Geniel Clark
California Long Beach Mission
6500 E Atherton St.
Long Beach, CA 90815
Temple P-Day. We went with Sister Winestock again which was fun. Ended up almost going through the entire mission after having so much fun talking on the ride home when we realized we were almost in Huntington Beach when we turned around back to Buena Park. Everything worked out fine and we were only half an hour late to starting off our laundry and grocery shopping. Lots of the mission office senior missionaries were there giving rides to the elders and going through for the last time before the next mission president and office senior missionaries come to replace them. So sad to see almost everyone leave these next two transfers.
We had so many meetings this week, we spent a third of our time sitting down and learning. It is tiring business. It was really good though. We talked about the purpose of studies each day, how to prepare for the day; and how Christ's purpose is like ours and how to use his example to further our commitment to our purpose as missionaries (as well as on how Christ is so much like us and how we can turn to him when we are struggling because he understands us so perfectly).
We had our all time low on Family History lessons, and we had quite a few that last minute cancelled. It was disappointing to only have two this week.
We have met so many YSA investigators that are so great, but we have been finding a ridiculous amount lately (when will we get family ward people from them for a change, oh well). They already want to be baptized and have a testimony of how us coming to their door is a blessing from God, and how learning about us made their whole day if not life that they had no words to describe their happiness. It is so thrilling to see those people still exist. One named Joanne even said that she called us her angels from God in disguise because someone from her Catholic church told her that there were other true books other than the bible so to have an open mind, and she did; and found us. Its great, but sad to pass them off to the YSA elders. I know it is meant to be that way, but sad when we can't teach those fun people any more. Also finding lots of Filipinos still, now to get a return appointment or have them live in our area.
Miracles of the week:
1.This week has been going well, we did lots of service this week for Sister Matsen, singing at the nursing home, and helping out a lady named Faith who we talked with before and could never get a lesson set with her. We went by on mother's day and knocked, and she said that she was painting her son's room to look Star Wars themed (their family loves it), and we offered to help with painting, setting up/building furniture, gardening, and re-tiling their bathroom that flooded badly. That was a miracle within itsel, and we had a brief lesson on mother's day and helped her out on Monday since she can't do much without her husband towards progress of construction in her home and its been slow going, so we were a HUGE help to her. We look forward to helping her finish her bathroom some time next week (we hope) and gardening after that!
2. We had a wonderful lesson with a lady named Nancy. We met her a week before with her dog Torro with cancer and this time we got to go over more of the plan of salvation and how animals fit in with that, then it turned to the subject of temples and marriage since she had a co-worker who she was sad she couldn't attend the wedding of years ago, then it went to Joseph Smith and more. It was a fun lesson, and while she isn't looking to convert, she is excited to learn more about our beliefs. It was fun to also hear about her experiences with her parents, culture, and being a foster mother now empty nester.
3. We met Raul who let us back, and we tried out reading straight out of the pamphlet to teach the entire restoration lesson almost, and he loved it. He said that it opened up his eyes to a whole other avenue of belief options that he was excited to learn about. He never knew how our organization is exactly as Christ first established it and now Christ is at it's head. He also didn't know who Joseph Smith was and now has a much clearer idea of who we are.
It's crazy as a missionary to see and hear what other people really think of you when they first see you or think about rumors they have heard (which are usually outrageously outlandish and wrong) and to then take a lesson with us and then have a greater love and respect for us afterwards (usually, not always). He thought we believed in some other Jesus Christ or something strange like that, but then after the lesson, he was so excited for the next time for us to come back. He had been looking at other religions for many many years causally and never ever thought to look into what we believed until he took a chance on us when we knocked on his door.
rachael.clark@myldsmail.net
Mission address:
Sister Rachael Geniel Clark
California Long Beach Mission
6500 E Atherton St.
Long Beach, CA 90815
Temple P-Day. We went with Sister Winestock again which was fun. Ended up almost going through the entire mission after having so much fun talking on the ride home when we realized we were almost in Huntington Beach when we turned around back to Buena Park. Everything worked out fine and we were only half an hour late to starting off our laundry and grocery shopping. Lots of the mission office senior missionaries were there giving rides to the elders and going through for the last time before the next mission president and office senior missionaries come to replace them. So sad to see almost everyone leave these next two transfers.
We had so many meetings this week, we spent a third of our time sitting down and learning. It is tiring business. It was really good though. We talked about the purpose of studies each day, how to prepare for the day; and how Christ's purpose is like ours and how to use his example to further our commitment to our purpose as missionaries (as well as on how Christ is so much like us and how we can turn to him when we are struggling because he understands us so perfectly).
We had our all time low on Family History lessons, and we had quite a few that last minute cancelled. It was disappointing to only have two this week.
We have met so many YSA investigators that are so great, but we have been finding a ridiculous amount lately (when will we get family ward people from them for a change, oh well). They already want to be baptized and have a testimony of how us coming to their door is a blessing from God, and how learning about us made their whole day if not life that they had no words to describe their happiness. It is so thrilling to see those people still exist. One named Joanne even said that she called us her angels from God in disguise because someone from her Catholic church told her that there were other true books other than the bible so to have an open mind, and she did; and found us. Its great, but sad to pass them off to the YSA elders. I know it is meant to be that way, but sad when we can't teach those fun people any more. Also finding lots of Filipinos still, now to get a return appointment or have them live in our area.
Miracles of the week:
1.This week has been going well, we did lots of service this week for Sister Matsen, singing at the nursing home, and helping out a lady named Faith who we talked with before and could never get a lesson set with her. We went by on mother's day and knocked, and she said that she was painting her son's room to look Star Wars themed (their family loves it), and we offered to help with painting, setting up/building furniture, gardening, and re-tiling their bathroom that flooded badly. That was a miracle within itsel, and we had a brief lesson on mother's day and helped her out on Monday since she can't do much without her husband towards progress of construction in her home and its been slow going, so we were a HUGE help to her. We look forward to helping her finish her bathroom some time next week (we hope) and gardening after that!
2. We had a wonderful lesson with a lady named Nancy. We met her a week before with her dog Torro with cancer and this time we got to go over more of the plan of salvation and how animals fit in with that, then it turned to the subject of temples and marriage since she had a co-worker who she was sad she couldn't attend the wedding of years ago, then it went to Joseph Smith and more. It was a fun lesson, and while she isn't looking to convert, she is excited to learn more about our beliefs. It was fun to also hear about her experiences with her parents, culture, and being a foster mother now empty nester.
3. We met Raul who let us back, and we tried out reading straight out of the pamphlet to teach the entire restoration lesson almost, and he loved it. He said that it opened up his eyes to a whole other avenue of belief options that he was excited to learn about. He never knew how our organization is exactly as Christ first established it and now Christ is at it's head. He also didn't know who Joseph Smith was and now has a much clearer idea of who we are.
It's crazy as a missionary to see and hear what other people really think of you when they first see you or think about rumors they have heard (which are usually outrageously outlandish and wrong) and to then take a lesson with us and then have a greater love and respect for us afterwards (usually, not always). He thought we believed in some other Jesus Christ or something strange like that, but then after the lesson, he was so excited for the next time for us to come back. He had been looking at other religions for many many years causally and never ever thought to look into what we believed until he took a chance on us when we knocked on his door.
Monday, May 2, 2016
51 - One year older and wiser too~
Email address (preferred):
rachael.clark@myldsmail.net
Mission address:
Sister Rachael Geniel Clark
California Long Beach Mission
6500 E Atherton St.
Long Beach, CA 90815
I certainly learned that this past couple months when I sacrificed not buying something, I was rewarded with lower costing if not free better items than the one I wanted. I have a testimony of waiting for something better rather than yielding to temptations of great deals. I have had a past with spending on great deals, I never go into debt, but I then feel regret when I spent it and know I should have saved up money a little wiser than I did. On my mission I have been trying to do without and getting into a habit of not spending and god has blessed me so much as a result. I want to be a saver, a go without today, receive rewards later kind of person; just like people a couple generations ago did.
A mormon message called Becoming a provident Provider (link: https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-03-06-becoming-provident-providers?lang=eng ) made me cry inside one day about one of the apostles wanting to buy a dress for his wife, but then she put it back and did without because she knew the value of waiting. I felt guilty living in a habit of constant yielding to spending in the past and wanted that to be one of the big life impacting changes that I make while on my mission. Here I get a fresh slate and ways to try things new again with few old things to remind me of my old self. A huge blessing for me in this case.
I knew I would be trying to do without and letting go of things so I can live a simpler life with less so I can provide for my future family in order to change, which is not easy, but in the eternal sense well worth it. I think this last transfer I am 75-90% happy with the way I have gotten into spending and have learned to let go of things I got attached too. Helping out Sister Matsen and Sister Frosty definitely helped me in doing that, because they showed me their strength with letting things go, and I am honored with their examples. Letting go is never easy, but it is possible, and what better way with being a missionary. We teach about the atonement of Christ and its healing power for spiritual matters or loss of loved ones, why not the healing power of letting go of physical things as well one becomes attached to. This couple transfers our mission has emphasized change, and this last transfer I decided to make that a change as well as other things in my interactions with others and my missionary service.
I won't be perfect when I get home, and I might relapse a little and get somethings being as I went without it for 1 1/2 years, but I want to be a saver. Almost every stake president I asked what is one of their deepest regret in life, they all replied, "I wish I saved and invested more when I was your age, then I would have more means to give my family the best chance to have a future more free from worries of layoffs and losing one's home every time the economy crashes," or something to that effect. So far, I have been wiser on spending money on food each month and I got it down a lot and tried to reserve some if an emergency happens and our fridge go out, or who knows what. So far so good. I will let you know how I do as the months go by, 6 more to go.
The miracle of this week is:
1. We had met the manager of the Buena Park manor during an outdoor lesson we had with a family to give themselves as a referral (since they are a former investigator) and two girls down the road that they worried about since the member who was in the trailer park moved and wasn't meeting them for bible studies any more. We also had Sister Nau with us who knew them as well, and we got to meet them which was wonderful. It was also great because the family we were teaching was OK with it all and wants to learn more. Sadly we had to pass them off to the Spanish elders since their parents are Spanish, but it was still real neat!
2. We passed off Joanne to YSA elders, but since she let us in (when her family was still their and then subsequently left) we had to stay for the pass off lesson. It was so great, and she opened up to everyone and loved learning with the elders, so we have no worries about her. She was so impressed how we have a seminary program free to anyone (for the most part) to learn more about scriptures and bettering one's self (like pre-mission class and marriage/temple class). She also loved how we genuinely care about teaching her and want to see her succeed rather than scare tactics that she got a few days prior from some other church that shook her up in her faith. (Not bashing against other churches, just quoting her.) So many other things that made her say "wow" to each new thing we shared. It made me grateful for the things I know. It is such a blessing and a comfort.
3. We met a lady who just got home and was transporting her dog named Torro, who had cancer and who had few days left in his good long life. She was so upset and loved that dog as it were a member of her family and took good care of him. She wanted desperately to know where animals go after they die. I always wanted to know that myself since my beloved cat Oliver passed on and while we may not know everything, I do know they go to a heaven of sorts, and we will see animals up there. That within itself, while vague, was what she needed to find comfort that day of bad news and she even wants to meet with us again to talk. Just her other dog next time, but she wants to learn more of what we believe. So amazing how my background of being in a veterinary clinic came in handy and was able to testify of how we have souls and so do animals and the plan of salvation.
4. We had tony and Catherine come to church, and even Malaysia, Necie, and Zahee came as well. Even more of a blessing was that this fast Sunday and testimony meeting was the best I have ever heard (especially as a missionary you worry about what others say on occasion). A young man named Antwon came from Florida and was impressed by our ward, and was an answer to our prayer with our family since they are African American (which is a big deal seeing someone who is at church of your same background/race/hometown/ect. For me seeing someone from Utah is a big deal, so I can relate). So many great testimonies including his own made almost everyone sniffle and cry at some point of the meeting. Even during the prayer, a sign of feeling the spirit to many people (me including, proud of that, not ashamed). They couldn't stay for the whole 3 hours, but I hope they come again next week. Same with Catherine and Tony, they had to go because of his exam and study. FINALLY people at church. Took a transfer, but all our hard work is finally starting to pay off.
We got to try Korean food at the Honey Pig dinner this last week. Smaller portions than most places (which is OK when you are trying to lose some weight from big member dinners) and it was either fermented/salty or hot and spicy. All in all it was pretty good. Not my favorite, but I could do it again. It was Korean BBQ style on a WOK style pan on top around a round table. It felt weird seeing food cook on a wok top looking cooker, but neat. I can now say I had Kimchi (fermented cabbage) not that bad, just a little odd. Whatever leftovers they turned into fried rice (hot of course) and it was mostly kimchi and some little amount of bean sprouts that was left over as well (we liked those more.) Met my goal of trying one more ethnic food this transfer, last one was a flop...
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