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 are finally moved into our new (old for me) apartment. Took forever, but we got that done. We also on Sunday had 5 lessons, the most we have had for the entire day out of this transfer, out of the week, or even at all. It has been most discouraging to have to move one's apartment, shuffle beds around (we had the bunk bed and no one wanted to be on it and it was needed elsewhere in the mission. Our apartment is just big enough for us to fit three beds in nice enough in). Made contact with lots of investigators, and at the very least met most of the less actives we teach. (Sister Montague approves of our teaching pool, she is so funny.)
Not much to report on since almost our entire week was family history lessons once again and moving, but we did help out with the St Irenaeus catholic Church's 52nd annual Fiesta (Olympiad theme this year) carnival. We were working in the Smoothie booth with two ladies and had a blast. It was especially fun since every time they had to clean out the blenders when there was a lull in a particular flavor combination and someone wanted a special one they had to empty it of it's contents. When that happened we got the extra's. I ate almost 3 smoothies, definitely was hydrated and had my fruit and dairy intake for the day! It was lots of fun just to talk with them and every now and again they would ask about our mission life and what we do without getting into doctrines or anything. it was fun! Unfortunately we could go only that one day due to family history lessons and other things going on at the same time, but I am glad we could help out that day. We also sang at the Anaheim crest nursing center to new people who recently came this last week and played lots of Uno with the residents at park Anaheim. Lately they have wanted to play Uno more than do art's and crafts, but that could change next week with the usual residents coming once again.
Our miracle of the week is that we were able to see Aarti again. When we first came, she had a bad headache, but she still wanted us to come share a lesson briefly with her. She even put some calls on hold that were important, because she knew what we had to share was more important than a phone call or two. Afterwards, she said her headache went away and said she would love us to come again and talk more with her. So good to see her again.
This week our companionship is considering a reboot on the transfer since the last three weeks has been madness. Hopefully we can get more things done in our area's and see more people.
Sister Bedford's birthday is today! Went to Ferrell's earlier to celebrate.
Monday, June 27, 2016
Monday, June 20, 2016
58 - Father's day and baptism!
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 absolutely crazy with slowly moving Sister Bedford into our apartment, managing two area's at the same time, and doing several hour and a half long training's on family history this week for the entire mission. We made it through though and most everyone enjoyed the lessons, and it seemed to adequately work for simplifying family history lessons so that any missionary with good notes will be able to do what we do, possibly more even with their own stakes' family history centers.
We didn't have many actual lessons because they all seemed to fall through or they dropped us since Sister Price and Sister Hinckley left.... so we went around trying to even set return appointments for those people who we didn't have the phone numbers for or wouldn't answer their phone so we could see if they even wanted to meet with us anymore.
Miracle of the week was that Debbie, my recent convert gone less active, came to church! We were told by her husband that she didn't live there anymore and we were told that she was now a do not contact for everyone else living there. We then didn't bother going by and Sister Nau (a member in our ward) felt like she should come by and see how she was doing. We then found out she was sad that we didn't visit anymore and wanted to come to church but still doesn't have a car... and still lives there.
It was an amazing father's day program with children singing and lots of great talks (many were quite informative for ways we can help dad have a better Father's Day). Some examples I can remember were to say, "Sure thing dad, I would love to do [fill in chore here]," or to allow your dad to have 1 channel of the radio that is in his own car he lets his children use, have a desire to try out or enjoy your father's favorite songs, like [name bands and singers here], be nice to your father and his geeky haircut because he is trying to fit in with his fellow coworkers, not your friends.
Lots of other great stores like one of this father who is an engineer and his asking his wife the purpose behind a Wonzie for their baby daughter that had cute lace ruffles on the bottom. The wife said it was purely for looks and design, while the husband said, " Oh I thought it was to make it skid proof." Things like this make up fatherhood and the many fun and funny tales. Also they talked about our Heavenly Father and Abraham and how he had to wait for forever to have a son of his own, even though he showed for his time the best examples of fatherhood despite his own father trying to sacrifice him to idol gods in Egypt. He surpassed his upbringing to become a role model and got close to his Heavenly Father (God) and learned what it means to be a good and true father.
We also got told this same week that Sister Bedford is our official companion now and we are a Trio. We got to pick which car to drive (we picked the Toyota over the Chevy for many reasons) and which district to go to for meetings, and preference of apartment... in the end that wasn't our call unfortunately. we will be moving AGAIN to the more central apartment, but its louder, has a loud parrot squawking next door 24/7 and loud everything. We do get to see Knott's everyday though. The other one had faster travel due to freeway which made up for the fact it was outside our boundaries. So frustrating to move back and forth.
We had a Baptism! It was Sister Price and Sister Miller's one, but they both left so it became ours and at least I got to teach a few lessons for it to feel like I did teach Guillermo. He is just old enough that we could teach him even though his mom is a member and help him get baptized (and get his mom active again coming to church). Everything that could have gone wrong did, but it worked out well and lots of his family that aren't LDS came and even had church tours of the building. That was real fun to do!
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 absolutely crazy with slowly moving Sister Bedford into our apartment, managing two area's at the same time, and doing several hour and a half long training's on family history this week for the entire mission. We made it through though and most everyone enjoyed the lessons, and it seemed to adequately work for simplifying family history lessons so that any missionary with good notes will be able to do what we do, possibly more even with their own stakes' family history centers.
We didn't have many actual lessons because they all seemed to fall through or they dropped us since Sister Price and Sister Hinckley left.... so we went around trying to even set return appointments for those people who we didn't have the phone numbers for or wouldn't answer their phone so we could see if they even wanted to meet with us anymore.
Miracle of the week was that Debbie, my recent convert gone less active, came to church! We were told by her husband that she didn't live there anymore and we were told that she was now a do not contact for everyone else living there. We then didn't bother going by and Sister Nau (a member in our ward) felt like she should come by and see how she was doing. We then found out she was sad that we didn't visit anymore and wanted to come to church but still doesn't have a car... and still lives there.
It was an amazing father's day program with children singing and lots of great talks (many were quite informative for ways we can help dad have a better Father's Day). Some examples I can remember were to say, "Sure thing dad, I would love to do [fill in chore here]," or to allow your dad to have 1 channel of the radio that is in his own car he lets his children use, have a desire to try out or enjoy your father's favorite songs, like [name bands and singers here], be nice to your father and his geeky haircut because he is trying to fit in with his fellow coworkers, not your friends.
Lots of other great stores like one of this father who is an engineer and his asking his wife the purpose behind a Wonzie for their baby daughter that had cute lace ruffles on the bottom. The wife said it was purely for looks and design, while the husband said, " Oh I thought it was to make it skid proof." Things like this make up fatherhood and the many fun and funny tales. Also they talked about our Heavenly Father and Abraham and how he had to wait for forever to have a son of his own, even though he showed for his time the best examples of fatherhood despite his own father trying to sacrifice him to idol gods in Egypt. He surpassed his upbringing to become a role model and got close to his Heavenly Father (God) and learned what it means to be a good and true father.
We also got told this same week that Sister Bedford is our official companion now and we are a Trio. We got to pick which car to drive (we picked the Toyota over the Chevy for many reasons) and which district to go to for meetings, and preference of apartment... in the end that wasn't our call unfortunately. we will be moving AGAIN to the more central apartment, but its louder, has a loud parrot squawking next door 24/7 and loud everything. We do get to see Knott's everyday though. The other one had faster travel due to freeway which made up for the fact it was outside our boundaries. So frustrating to move back and forth.
We had a Baptism! It was Sister Price and Sister Miller's one, but they both left so it became ours and at least I got to teach a few lessons for it to feel like I did teach Guillermo. He is just old enough that we could teach him even though his mom is a member and help him get baptized (and get his mom active again coming to church). Everything that could have gone wrong did, but it worked out well and lots of his family that aren't LDS came and even had church tours of the building. That was real fun to do!
Monday, June 13, 2016
57 - People can change eventually
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 crazy busy with Sister Hinckley and I having to meet up almost every day to put together the training for the mission on family history. Why they split Sister Hinckley and I is beyond me. We all are wondering and scratching our heads.
During the week Sister Price went home unexpectedly so Sister Bedford is our temporary companion until further notice. Good thing with that is that we are in the same ward so it makes life so much easier. What is hard is that we have to share areas and so the amount of teaching in our area is much smaller than usual and on top of that we had and will have more service so things are going to be crammed for time. For now things are OK, but a bit up in the air.
The service we did that was fun was helping a less active move into his apartment/car garage workshop. We were so confused getting there since it is in the business district in our ward, then they explained he would be living above the garage in a nice loft space. We moved several 300 LBS car engines, metal presses, furniture, fish tanks, and other appliances out of a big truck that took 8 days for elders in another zone to pack and 3 hours to unload for our whole zone helping out. It was also fun since his father who is in Whittier stake was there with a fork lift to assist in moving the heavier objects around. Definitely the most greasy and fun service for moving thus far!
Other than that, I had meetings, driving around the mission, singing service at Anaheim Crest Nursing Center and arts and crafts/UNO game day at Park Anaheim as usual the whole week..... and helping Sister Bedford move into our apartment until further notice.
We did however teach a few lessons and found some new investigators and even a former I met almost 8 months ago who said we can come back. Last time was another story.... Goes to show that people can have a change of heart, especially when they listen to us for a moment and understand what it is that we share or offer to help them with.
Not much else to report though, but it has been an interesting week!
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 crazy busy with Sister Hinckley and I having to meet up almost every day to put together the training for the mission on family history. Why they split Sister Hinckley and I is beyond me. We all are wondering and scratching our heads.
During the week Sister Price went home unexpectedly so Sister Bedford is our temporary companion until further notice. Good thing with that is that we are in the same ward so it makes life so much easier. What is hard is that we have to share areas and so the amount of teaching in our area is much smaller than usual and on top of that we had and will have more service so things are going to be crammed for time. For now things are OK, but a bit up in the air.
The service we did that was fun was helping a less active move into his apartment/car garage workshop. We were so confused getting there since it is in the business district in our ward, then they explained he would be living above the garage in a nice loft space. We moved several 300 LBS car engines, metal presses, furniture, fish tanks, and other appliances out of a big truck that took 8 days for elders in another zone to pack and 3 hours to unload for our whole zone helping out. It was also fun since his father who is in Whittier stake was there with a fork lift to assist in moving the heavier objects around. Definitely the most greasy and fun service for moving thus far!
Other than that, I had meetings, driving around the mission, singing service at Anaheim Crest Nursing Center and arts and crafts/UNO game day at Park Anaheim as usual the whole week..... and helping Sister Bedford move into our apartment until further notice.
We did however teach a few lessons and found some new investigators and even a former I met almost 8 months ago who said we can come back. Last time was another story.... Goes to show that people can have a change of heart, especially when they listen to us for a moment and understand what it is that we share or offer to help them with.
Not much else to report though, but it has been an interesting week!
Monday, June 6, 2016
56 - Getting to know each other
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
Somehow I managed to stay in Buena Park and Sister Hinckley is going to YSA in Whittier and family ward in Santa Gurtrudes. (She is the ultimate YSA magnet so this will be great for her.)
My new companion will be Sister Montague, and we will be the Family History sisters for the entire mission still. That was a complete surprise, especially since Sister Hinckley and I will both be doing trainings for family history specialized training in a few weeks for the whole mission all at once.
I will miss her a lot. We finally got along completely and understand one another, and now we get transferred. Reminds me of Nanny McFee and how when you learned as much as you can and get along, you now don't need to be with one another. I know I need to be with Sister Montague for family history, and Sister Hinckley for YSA, so it will be OK. We got along by overcoming obstacles in our way and helping one another get over them.
Goes to show there should be troubles in any relationship in life, because then we can grow closer to one another, whether that is friendships, family, or marriages. Without trials, we do not grow.
Elders Bruce E. Ghent and Robert C. Gay came and spoke to us. We had a mission conference this last week where for the first time ever that I have seen in my time in the mission, EVERYONE came to the single meeting to see two general authorities from the Quorum of the Seventy. Elders Bruce E. Ghent and Robert C. Gay came and spoke to us. Elder Gay told us a story I would like to share. (The people's names may or may not have been changed.)
This is a true story of Brother James. He was born in Idaho to a family who where members of the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints. At age 15 he left home and joined the Hell's Angels group, and for 20 years he traveled with them. One day he woke up in a motel in New York not knowing how or why he was there and then started to rethink his direction in life. He decided to then travel to California to a safe house that the Hell's Angels owned. That home was guarded by two very well trained Doberman pincer dogs that were chained up and had just long enough chain to stop any intruder coming in and intimidate just about anyone who got close enough to the fence. While there, he was out the porch one day when two elder missionaries came past. He thought it would be interesting to watch and see what happens when the young men tried to possibly come in to talk to him and proceeded to try to come up to the gate. The elders came to the gate and immediately the dogs pounced onto the fence and the elders then went on their way. A few moments latter they stopped, talked among each other; and turned back to the gate once again. This time the dogs both got down, walked over to their patch of grass, and laid down almost as if sleeping. One elder came to Brother James and told him they felt prompted to ask him if he knew someone. The someone was none other than his father, and he asked how he knew that man. The elder then said that he was brother Jame's brother he never met because he left home before he was born. He then said something to this effect, "Is this not the hand of God in this work to bring a man from New York, to California, so that he can meet his brother he never met?"
Just recently brother James has gone through the temple for himself and is fully active to this day!
I know that God sees the divine potential that each of us has, and knows us each on a personal and loving level. He knows all the things in this life we can come up and accomplish, in this case he needed Brother James to realize his divine potential as a son of God and all the blessings he could have. He needed to have him see that the life he was living kept him from the infinite possibilities and blessings he had waiting for him. We all deserve more than what the world gives, and we deserve all of God's blessings as we follow his commandments. May we all be well to remember that change can bring us to higher ground if we allow that to happen with God's help and Christ's example. God loves us and never ceases to want the best for us. (Conveniently that was the theme of the stake conference was about, so I tied it into this neat story we were told.)
Have faith and remember, God is at the head of all we do as missionaries.
Miracle of the week:
We were able to meet lots of people everywhere with members and on our own. It seemed this week we found more when we were JUST about to leave and had little time, but then people wanted us to come back and talk more, AND they showed up to their return appointments (most of them anyways).
My favorite story is of Sister Tucker and how I felt prompted to visit even though it was after dinner, and she said not to visit since her family is always doing things together (I love that her family does so much together, many families I meet have never done that even a single night a week regularly). The rest of her family aren't members and aren't interested, but we caught her right as her husband was heading out to pick up some things. She let us in for a few minutes and we only shared a brief scripture when they came back, and we ended up staying for a while longer getting to know everyone else in the family. We even got a book that her husband wrote, and he signed it for us. We got to talking, and he was quite interested in what we do as missionaries and offered to have us as a guest for his podcast called 91 reasons (which is named after the 91 freeway that is close by that he used to take 2 hours back and forth every day for work at Knott's. Very famous road for taking FOREVER to get anywhere on..... almost as bad as the roads so people suffer through it to get around long distances). We have to talk with our mission president if we can do that, but it is neat he is interested in doing that! He wants us to talk about what we do, what life is like, and things like that. Either way I hope to continue to see them; I love that family so much! Opportunities to teach and share come in the most unexpected places and ways!
rachael.clark@myldsmail.net
Mission address:
Sister Rachael Geniel Clark
California Long Beach Mission
6500 E Atherton St.
Long Beach, CA 90815
Somehow I managed to stay in Buena Park and Sister Hinckley is going to YSA in Whittier and family ward in Santa Gurtrudes. (She is the ultimate YSA magnet so this will be great for her.)
My new companion will be Sister Montague, and we will be the Family History sisters for the entire mission still. That was a complete surprise, especially since Sister Hinckley and I will both be doing trainings for family history specialized training in a few weeks for the whole mission all at once.
I will miss her a lot. We finally got along completely and understand one another, and now we get transferred. Reminds me of Nanny McFee and how when you learned as much as you can and get along, you now don't need to be with one another. I know I need to be with Sister Montague for family history, and Sister Hinckley for YSA, so it will be OK. We got along by overcoming obstacles in our way and helping one another get over them.
Goes to show there should be troubles in any relationship in life, because then we can grow closer to one another, whether that is friendships, family, or marriages. Without trials, we do not grow.
Elders Bruce E. Ghent and Robert C. Gay came and spoke to us. We had a mission conference this last week where for the first time ever that I have seen in my time in the mission, EVERYONE came to the single meeting to see two general authorities from the Quorum of the Seventy. Elders Bruce E. Ghent and Robert C. Gay came and spoke to us. Elder Gay told us a story I would like to share. (The people's names may or may not have been changed.)
This is a true story of Brother James. He was born in Idaho to a family who where members of the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints. At age 15 he left home and joined the Hell's Angels group, and for 20 years he traveled with them. One day he woke up in a motel in New York not knowing how or why he was there and then started to rethink his direction in life. He decided to then travel to California to a safe house that the Hell's Angels owned. That home was guarded by two very well trained Doberman pincer dogs that were chained up and had just long enough chain to stop any intruder coming in and intimidate just about anyone who got close enough to the fence. While there, he was out the porch one day when two elder missionaries came past. He thought it would be interesting to watch and see what happens when the young men tried to possibly come in to talk to him and proceeded to try to come up to the gate. The elders came to the gate and immediately the dogs pounced onto the fence and the elders then went on their way. A few moments latter they stopped, talked among each other; and turned back to the gate once again. This time the dogs both got down, walked over to their patch of grass, and laid down almost as if sleeping. One elder came to Brother James and told him they felt prompted to ask him if he knew someone. The someone was none other than his father, and he asked how he knew that man. The elder then said that he was brother Jame's brother he never met because he left home before he was born. He then said something to this effect, "Is this not the hand of God in this work to bring a man from New York, to California, so that he can meet his brother he never met?"
Just recently brother James has gone through the temple for himself and is fully active to this day!
I know that God sees the divine potential that each of us has, and knows us each on a personal and loving level. He knows all the things in this life we can come up and accomplish, in this case he needed Brother James to realize his divine potential as a son of God and all the blessings he could have. He needed to have him see that the life he was living kept him from the infinite possibilities and blessings he had waiting for him. We all deserve more than what the world gives, and we deserve all of God's blessings as we follow his commandments. May we all be well to remember that change can bring us to higher ground if we allow that to happen with God's help and Christ's example. God loves us and never ceases to want the best for us. (Conveniently that was the theme of the stake conference was about, so I tied it into this neat story we were told.)
Have faith and remember, God is at the head of all we do as missionaries.
Miracle of the week:
We were able to meet lots of people everywhere with members and on our own. It seemed this week we found more when we were JUST about to leave and had little time, but then people wanted us to come back and talk more, AND they showed up to their return appointments (most of them anyways).
My favorite story is of Sister Tucker and how I felt prompted to visit even though it was after dinner, and she said not to visit since her family is always doing things together (I love that her family does so much together, many families I meet have never done that even a single night a week regularly). The rest of her family aren't members and aren't interested, but we caught her right as her husband was heading out to pick up some things. She let us in for a few minutes and we only shared a brief scripture when they came back, and we ended up staying for a while longer getting to know everyone else in the family. We even got a book that her husband wrote, and he signed it for us. We got to talking, and he was quite interested in what we do as missionaries and offered to have us as a guest for his podcast called 91 reasons (which is named after the 91 freeway that is close by that he used to take 2 hours back and forth every day for work at Knott's. Very famous road for taking FOREVER to get anywhere on..... almost as bad as the roads so people suffer through it to get around long distances). We have to talk with our mission president if we can do that, but it is neat he is interested in doing that! He wants us to talk about what we do, what life is like, and things like that. Either way I hope to continue to see them; I love that family so much! Opportunities to teach and share come in the most unexpected places and ways!
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
55 - Family history, service, vacations
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 we had so many last minute meetings with President Tew trying to figure out if we would have a training on family history with the whole mission, or if we were going to do something else, then what would it be on, and what would be the next big step to helping the mission with retention of information and new converts.
Lately it has been hard with so many new converts who have little to no access to the temple or family history centers, but we hope to reverse that and hopefully help people not only stay active in the church, but happy and progressing to the full blessings that the temple can bring to their lives. In the past it was very hard for converts to get a limited use temple recommend and a calling, now we hope to have that are available right after baptism. So many people we teach and meet are so thrilled to have the opportunity to serve others and go to the temple to serve as well. We even have been trying now with President Tew to see new converts go through the temple fully after 1 year of baptism too. That is the most exciting thing ever to help with, that is really the end goal as missionaries, not baptisms so much. Lately, missionaries have forgotten that and haven't helped other missionaries' recent converts with their progress towards the temple for themselves as well as they should be doing. It is lack of experiences with recent converts and lack of passing on knowledge to the next generation of young new missionaries that could be the cause.
We also want to help with the newly made family history center in Huntington Beach that is a miniature visitor's center for family history for the entire family. They have tons of great learning materials and things to show and share. It's the first of it's kind in the world so it should be interesting to see what happens in the future.
Other than family history, we had to let go of Librada sadly. Due to lack of diversity in our particular ward (which was quite diverse considering all things) and lack of a full on bible study, she decided to go back to her church. We are happy to hear she is going back to a church, just sad it ended that way. I worry it may have also been due to some comments in a class we had, but that can't be helped. everyone is on their own spiritual journey back to Christ, you just have not take offense of what others say because the gospel is true, people are flawed.
Everyone is having vacations, so almost every lesson has cancelled this week. We did however help out with a member who is moving soon and needed help weeding her back yard and fixing a palm tree which needed trimming badly from a neighbors yard hanging over. (I figured out I really dislike palm trees; messy, pokey, dirty trees that really look horrid if you don't trim them regularly which cost an arm and a leg to get done. They also don't like to be trimmed without a chain saw, and their leaves are designed to repel any attempt to cutting the branch off from the tree. We had to use tree nippers) We had a third of the zone there to help clean up the place, and by the end we almost had no weeds left.
We also helped Sister Spencer paint her home, literally, and put in mulch and a garden so that they could put their home up for sale. They had to move out by Thursday, and so half the zone came to help tackle the project. Brother Spencer got a job designing theme parks for universal Beijing, so he will leave for Florida for two years, then to China for the rest till the park is finished I imagine. I don't think I could ever do a move like that, and I took Chinese for a year. I will miss them in the ward, they are great.
The Dlaguits moved, but thankfully it was just down the road a ways to a house instead of an apartment and are still in the ward. Sister Fox is leaving soon as well for Colorado, I will miss her, too. Everyone great in the ward is leaving it seems this summer.
We have already seen some fireworks shot off, during the daytime mostly. We even caught a glimpse of the fireworks at Knotts as well. Boy do they celebrate here in California, everything gets decked out in fourth of July decorations in June. In Utah not so much, but then agin, most people are going to the gravesides and cleaning them instead of vacationing like here (as far as I have noticed).
Miracle of the week:
We bumped into George who we met a long time ago with Sister KJ, and he said he would come to church. HE DID! Not only that, but he said he loved how genuine everyone seemed during the talks given, and despite the children all around us, he said he would like to come again. Next time he would make arrangements to stay longer! It is a rare day someone keeps their word when they say they will try to make it to church, so I am impressed and thrilled.
rachael.clark@myldsmail.net
Mission address:
Sister Rachael Geniel Clark
California Long Beach Mission
6500 E Atherton St.
Long Beach, CA 90815
This week we had so many last minute meetings with President Tew trying to figure out if we would have a training on family history with the whole mission, or if we were going to do something else, then what would it be on, and what would be the next big step to helping the mission with retention of information and new converts.
Lately it has been hard with so many new converts who have little to no access to the temple or family history centers, but we hope to reverse that and hopefully help people not only stay active in the church, but happy and progressing to the full blessings that the temple can bring to their lives. In the past it was very hard for converts to get a limited use temple recommend and a calling, now we hope to have that are available right after baptism. So many people we teach and meet are so thrilled to have the opportunity to serve others and go to the temple to serve as well. We even have been trying now with President Tew to see new converts go through the temple fully after 1 year of baptism too. That is the most exciting thing ever to help with, that is really the end goal as missionaries, not baptisms so much. Lately, missionaries have forgotten that and haven't helped other missionaries' recent converts with their progress towards the temple for themselves as well as they should be doing. It is lack of experiences with recent converts and lack of passing on knowledge to the next generation of young new missionaries that could be the cause.
We also want to help with the newly made family history center in Huntington Beach that is a miniature visitor's center for family history for the entire family. They have tons of great learning materials and things to show and share. It's the first of it's kind in the world so it should be interesting to see what happens in the future.
Other than family history, we had to let go of Librada sadly. Due to lack of diversity in our particular ward (which was quite diverse considering all things) and lack of a full on bible study, she decided to go back to her church. We are happy to hear she is going back to a church, just sad it ended that way. I worry it may have also been due to some comments in a class we had, but that can't be helped. everyone is on their own spiritual journey back to Christ, you just have not take offense of what others say because the gospel is true, people are flawed.
Everyone is having vacations, so almost every lesson has cancelled this week. We did however help out with a member who is moving soon and needed help weeding her back yard and fixing a palm tree which needed trimming badly from a neighbors yard hanging over. (I figured out I really dislike palm trees; messy, pokey, dirty trees that really look horrid if you don't trim them regularly which cost an arm and a leg to get done. They also don't like to be trimmed without a chain saw, and their leaves are designed to repel any attempt to cutting the branch off from the tree. We had to use tree nippers) We had a third of the zone there to help clean up the place, and by the end we almost had no weeds left.
We also helped Sister Spencer paint her home, literally, and put in mulch and a garden so that they could put their home up for sale. They had to move out by Thursday, and so half the zone came to help tackle the project. Brother Spencer got a job designing theme parks for universal Beijing, so he will leave for Florida for two years, then to China for the rest till the park is finished I imagine. I don't think I could ever do a move like that, and I took Chinese for a year. I will miss them in the ward, they are great.
The Dlaguits moved, but thankfully it was just down the road a ways to a house instead of an apartment and are still in the ward. Sister Fox is leaving soon as well for Colorado, I will miss her, too. Everyone great in the ward is leaving it seems this summer.
We have already seen some fireworks shot off, during the daytime mostly. We even caught a glimpse of the fireworks at Knotts as well. Boy do they celebrate here in California, everything gets decked out in fourth of July decorations in June. In Utah not so much, but then agin, most people are going to the gravesides and cleaning them instead of vacationing like here (as far as I have noticed).
Miracle of the week:
We bumped into George who we met a long time ago with Sister KJ, and he said he would come to church. HE DID! Not only that, but he said he loved how genuine everyone seemed during the talks given, and despite the children all around us, he said he would like to come again. Next time he would make arrangements to stay longer! It is a rare day someone keeps their word when they say they will try to make it to church, so I am impressed and thrilled.
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.)
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