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 a bit of a slower week due to Zone Conference. They instituted the Tiwi box on all the cars and went over how they are used. Sister Miller was so depressed when she had to drive the exact speed limit or lose her driving privileges eventually. Its amazing how sensitive those devices are.
We also had lots of meetings and practices for the musical fireside, sounds like it should be good from what I have heard so far.
We have been going through the last few lessons for the Dalaguits and Aisha. We had to push Aisha's baptism date a week so her parents could both be there, so it was for a very good cause. A good end to the transfer I say (less stressful for us as well.)
Lots of our investigators have fallen off the face of the Earth, and we are concerned where they even are so at least if they moved we can pass them off to wherever their local missionaries are. So confusing. Dianna and Debbie have also sadly disappeared from our regular visits and fallen into inactivity. Debbie I am not so concerned because of family situations, but Dianna I am. LOTS Of canceled meetings and lots of driving time lost with our TIWI box failing and keeping us from driving this week some times had made a huge hit in our work as well. We did find several people who we had to pass off, so we did do that at least.
One person named Reynold we had a lesson with yesterday who is connected to Brother Arbiso greatly loved the message of help, hope, and strength that we can have when we come to church, take the addiction recovery program, and work towards baptism. While he wasn't addicted to something bad, his drinking beer was noticeably to him keeping him from his family and creating a strain in his family that he wanted so badly to fix and was already looking into programs that would help him. I look forward to helping him progress towards that goal. Its so great when members we bring with us connect and instantly want to investigate further because of them. It's the best way to have converts!
We also did a stake wide youth splits day yesterday as well for an hour (which was more like half an hour), and while we didn't find anyone, we did get to talk about missions, the Bible on some rather interesting topics, and got to contact on the street a bit.. Not many youth did this (or even knew about it), so I hope that they do this again sometimes again and we could have more fun for 2 hours or so or something like that. I think it would be way fun and would help them get more used to missionary work and ease any worries they have that could possibly keep them from going.
Monday, February 22, 2016
Monday, February 15, 2016
40 - Valentine's 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
Happy late Valentines Day!!!
We had a busy week with three transfers almost back to back. We found 12 investigators though this week!
We also took part in a huge service project with the American family housing and helped clean up a lot that they had abandoned 2 years ago when the community garden project closed, and it is now being turned into housing for 16 homeless veterans. We had to pull down huge vines that were taking over the buildings and trees nearby, pull out a few trees and bushes, and all the dead plants and weeds that are EVERYWHERE. It took the whole day, and now we can see the outline of the place, but we still have another day or so to finish the job within the next few weeks. So exciting. I also caught an alligator lizard (not an alligator, but a type of lizard), and I found that they don't make the best pets from what the volunteers said. They don't like being held, but they aren't fast; making them easy to catch!
We found some amazing people, especially one on exchanges at Whittier the last half hour that discovered groundbreaking research on the human genome who now believes in his own spiritual beliefs, but after talking with him, he realized we have so much more in common and is willing to let us come by again. It is amazing how they say that science truly understood ALWAYS proves there is a god! I hope those sisters get to teach him, he was so nice and polite and was excited to hear someone else's religion. He doesn't think he is crazy about there being more to this world's creation and our own purpose to life than others ridicule him for. It felt like I was just like Ammon speaking with King Lamoni and how at first we misunderstood one another, but once we made that connection that we were thinking about the same person, then we were able to testify and teach by the spirit and have them be open to what we had to say. SO COOL!
We also had the first ever (that I have ever seen) stake conference covering south California broadcast from Salt Lake City. The video wasn't the greatest, but being the first one, I can see how technical problems would arise. It was neat to hear the messages about how we can have fear and not and keep our eyes fixed on Christ so we don't fall like Peter did when trying to walk to Jesus on the water. Though the storms may be around us in our every day lives, we need to stay firm and fear not because Jesus Christ will fight our battles even unto the 3rd and 4th generation past us. That doesn't mean all will be well, but it means we need not be afraid of the things going on. Jesus foresaw this in the bible and with the apostles about our day and age, but the counsel he gave them is the same for us. We also had a great talk on how we need to use the message of the restoration, especially when talking to others about subjects like the word of wisdom, chastity, and so many other things that the world thinks we don't need. When we don't, we will always fall short when talking to others.
Another talk on how Satan will stop at nothing to put "plan stoppers" in our way to keep us from receiving the fullness of joy heavenly father has set up for us to receive from His Plan of Salvation. No matter what we need to stay firm and realize that the people around us, even ourselves aren't perfect, and that the church itself is true. Not to be swayed by clothing styles, food fads, drink choices, parties, or other temporary happiness things that are in fact "plan stoppers". Even that there is hope if we get caught up in one or more of these deterring things, that we can come back because of Jesus Christ's atonement and sacrifice, IF WE ACT on our part. His gift is open for all, it is our choice to accept it and act on it.
Our stake in particular did a neat handout on using family search's new features to do as President Monson and others have counseled to do our family history. Our stake here has only 2% participation to bringing names to the temple, a sad thing when things have been made so simple for us now more than ever. It was a VERY bold and a huge call to repentance like I had never seen before on the subject. Humbling too. God has commanded this to be done. It's his way of hastening the work. They are waiting patiently for their work to be done, and the missionaries there in spirit paradise have worked hard, and now we need to do our part. Be a part of the missionary effort for those who we love who have departed by doing family history. No age nor other requirements are needed to be this kind of missionary. This work is one of THE BEST ways to protect our families from falling away or being caught up in the ways of the world around us. That talk was one of the most powerful ones I had ever heard since I have never myself experienced a talk of calling to repentance that I can recall of this magnitude. Just thought I would share the highlights.
WE ALSO HAD THE BAPTISM OF AJ DALAGUIT!!!!! So cool!!!!! It went so well and he was smiling the whole time. I could tell the moment we met him that he would be the leader in his family to bring them to a higher ground starting with baptism and that he was prepared in his life to make that step. We had wonderful music and talks by the young men and others his family knew. After, he said he felt so lifted up and happy! He can't wait to receive the gift of the holy ghost next week and to see his mom and brother get baptized on the 28th! AJ even said when we introduced the temple lesson, he thought it was the neatest concept ever, to be able to be bound together as a family forever, and one day be married for time and all eternity. Not just till death do we part (which when you get down to it, it is basically a divorcement at death). So amazing how God in his plan created a way for us to all be together forever.
We even got word that Aisha's father gave permission for her to be baptized as well, and we are so happy for her, she will be baptized on the 27th!
Heavenly father has blessed us so much for these past few months. I hope they all continue to strengthen their testimonies and continue on towards the temple some day!
rachael.clark@myldsmail.net
Mission address:
Sister Rachael Geniel Clark
California Long Beach Mission
6500 E Atherton St.
Long Beach, CA 90815
Happy late Valentines Day!!!
We had a busy week with three transfers almost back to back. We found 12 investigators though this week!
We also took part in a huge service project with the American family housing and helped clean up a lot that they had abandoned 2 years ago when the community garden project closed, and it is now being turned into housing for 16 homeless veterans. We had to pull down huge vines that were taking over the buildings and trees nearby, pull out a few trees and bushes, and all the dead plants and weeds that are EVERYWHERE. It took the whole day, and now we can see the outline of the place, but we still have another day or so to finish the job within the next few weeks. So exciting. I also caught an alligator lizard (not an alligator, but a type of lizard), and I found that they don't make the best pets from what the volunteers said. They don't like being held, but they aren't fast; making them easy to catch!
We found some amazing people, especially one on exchanges at Whittier the last half hour that discovered groundbreaking research on the human genome who now believes in his own spiritual beliefs, but after talking with him, he realized we have so much more in common and is willing to let us come by again. It is amazing how they say that science truly understood ALWAYS proves there is a god! I hope those sisters get to teach him, he was so nice and polite and was excited to hear someone else's religion. He doesn't think he is crazy about there being more to this world's creation and our own purpose to life than others ridicule him for. It felt like I was just like Ammon speaking with King Lamoni and how at first we misunderstood one another, but once we made that connection that we were thinking about the same person, then we were able to testify and teach by the spirit and have them be open to what we had to say. SO COOL!
We also had the first ever (that I have ever seen) stake conference covering south California broadcast from Salt Lake City. The video wasn't the greatest, but being the first one, I can see how technical problems would arise. It was neat to hear the messages about how we can have fear and not and keep our eyes fixed on Christ so we don't fall like Peter did when trying to walk to Jesus on the water. Though the storms may be around us in our every day lives, we need to stay firm and fear not because Jesus Christ will fight our battles even unto the 3rd and 4th generation past us. That doesn't mean all will be well, but it means we need not be afraid of the things going on. Jesus foresaw this in the bible and with the apostles about our day and age, but the counsel he gave them is the same for us. We also had a great talk on how we need to use the message of the restoration, especially when talking to others about subjects like the word of wisdom, chastity, and so many other things that the world thinks we don't need. When we don't, we will always fall short when talking to others.
Another talk on how Satan will stop at nothing to put "plan stoppers" in our way to keep us from receiving the fullness of joy heavenly father has set up for us to receive from His Plan of Salvation. No matter what we need to stay firm and realize that the people around us, even ourselves aren't perfect, and that the church itself is true. Not to be swayed by clothing styles, food fads, drink choices, parties, or other temporary happiness things that are in fact "plan stoppers". Even that there is hope if we get caught up in one or more of these deterring things, that we can come back because of Jesus Christ's atonement and sacrifice, IF WE ACT on our part. His gift is open for all, it is our choice to accept it and act on it.
Our stake in particular did a neat handout on using family search's new features to do as President Monson and others have counseled to do our family history. Our stake here has only 2% participation to bringing names to the temple, a sad thing when things have been made so simple for us now more than ever. It was a VERY bold and a huge call to repentance like I had never seen before on the subject. Humbling too. God has commanded this to be done. It's his way of hastening the work. They are waiting patiently for their work to be done, and the missionaries there in spirit paradise have worked hard, and now we need to do our part. Be a part of the missionary effort for those who we love who have departed by doing family history. No age nor other requirements are needed to be this kind of missionary. This work is one of THE BEST ways to protect our families from falling away or being caught up in the ways of the world around us. That talk was one of the most powerful ones I had ever heard since I have never myself experienced a talk of calling to repentance that I can recall of this magnitude. Just thought I would share the highlights.
WE ALSO HAD THE BAPTISM OF AJ DALAGUIT!!!!! So cool!!!!! It went so well and he was smiling the whole time. I could tell the moment we met him that he would be the leader in his family to bring them to a higher ground starting with baptism and that he was prepared in his life to make that step. We had wonderful music and talks by the young men and others his family knew. After, he said he felt so lifted up and happy! He can't wait to receive the gift of the holy ghost next week and to see his mom and brother get baptized on the 28th! AJ even said when we introduced the temple lesson, he thought it was the neatest concept ever, to be able to be bound together as a family forever, and one day be married for time and all eternity. Not just till death do we part (which when you get down to it, it is basically a divorcement at death). So amazing how God in his plan created a way for us to all be together forever.
We even got word that Aisha's father gave permission for her to be baptized as well, and we are so happy for her, she will be baptized on the 27th!
Heavenly father has blessed us so much for these past few months. I hope they all continue to strengthen their testimonies and continue on towards the temple some day!
Monday, February 8, 2016
39 - Miracle of the week
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 wasn't much for finding or lessons, but we had lots of willing members to come out with us. Its hard when the members come and do so much for us, but then our lessons fall through. You just have to take a step back and realize things like that are out of your control and to just be glad even a single member could come out. There have been areas where it was almost like pulling teeth to get even one member to come out with us for a brief lesson.
Eddie surprised us by coming to church this Sunday! He fell off the face of the planet for a week, and we worried we wouldn't hear from him again, but then he just showed up in the parking lot. We found out he does driving for Filipino care takers as a part time job since he is retired, and that is why he disappeared for some time and we couldn't reach him. He said he loved the friendliness of our ward and enjoyed the messages that cheered him up. It also helped having Sister Culala teach him in his native tongue so he better understood what we shared. He even stayed for the second hour, too, and is pretty good friends with some members now. We even found out that Brother Dalaguit and him grew up in the same providence of Sebu in the Philippines! I love it when members fellowship our investigators, it means so much more to them to come and feel loved like a ward family! This ward is super good about it with almost everyone we bring.
AJ passed his baptismal interview and we are working out the rest of the lessons before his baptism next week!!!! So exciting! His whole family is so proud of him, especially his mother Marlene who would have never thought of him to be the first to ask for that. I knew from the moment I met him and his family that they were special and it was their time soon to be baptized. I could just tell. Its amazing how you can see the Light of Christ in people even when you have only just met. Marlene and AC are also working towards their baptism in May and everyone is having fun with our lessons!
Aisha and Ashley came to church and with their mom as well. Aisha was also able to stay all three hours, and the young women are so excited to have her come to young women's with them. They almost demanded that they had to stay and have fun in the lessons with them since they are also friends at school. I am so happy to hear they have such great friends to enjoy classes with at church and more. Aisha is also getting close to her baptism on the 27th, so hopefully things don't pop up that make it so we have to move the date back. She has such a testimony, so it was amazing to see how much she has changed and grown since I first met her and her family only a few months ago.
The miracles of the week are:
1. We went by a potential we contacted and later found out that he wasn't there and his wife was very hurt over something he had done. At first she was very rough when talking about him to us, then after we shared a scripture she broke down crying and was in great deal of comfort. She even said she would love to have us come back and teach her instead. It's amazing the comfort and peace that comes from scriptures about our savior Jesus Christ! Many people who never read the book of Mormon, let alone the bible; hear what it offers to them. It truly is one of God's greatest gifts to us, both scriptures and his son Jesus Christ! So much more, even. It never ceases to amaze me and strengthens my testimony each time I have an experience like this.
2. We went by some less actives and they said we could teach the family, then as we were about to finish, their friends came in and they all said it would be good to hear it again so their friends could hear the message of the restoration for the first time and of the Book of Mormon. I could tell they had apprehensions about them hearing it, I have felt the same way in the past, too... I can relate.... but it went real well and said we could even teach them further again as a whole group and possibly more friends next week! SO AMAZING! I hope things work out that they can all come again. It would be great to reactivate and possibly bring others to come to church and baptism as well. It's the greatest gift any friend could give!
It suddenly went from cold to 80 to 90 degrees this week! Crazy for February from were I come from...... California is a strange place. No wonder why they were bringing out the swim suits just after Christmas in the stores... I just thought that was weird but now I see why.
rachael.clark@myldsmail.net
Mission address:
Sister Rachael Geniel Clark
California Long Beach Mission
6500 E Atherton St.
Long Beach, CA 90815
This week wasn't much for finding or lessons, but we had lots of willing members to come out with us. Its hard when the members come and do so much for us, but then our lessons fall through. You just have to take a step back and realize things like that are out of your control and to just be glad even a single member could come out. There have been areas where it was almost like pulling teeth to get even one member to come out with us for a brief lesson.
Eddie surprised us by coming to church this Sunday! He fell off the face of the planet for a week, and we worried we wouldn't hear from him again, but then he just showed up in the parking lot. We found out he does driving for Filipino care takers as a part time job since he is retired, and that is why he disappeared for some time and we couldn't reach him. He said he loved the friendliness of our ward and enjoyed the messages that cheered him up. It also helped having Sister Culala teach him in his native tongue so he better understood what we shared. He even stayed for the second hour, too, and is pretty good friends with some members now. We even found out that Brother Dalaguit and him grew up in the same providence of Sebu in the Philippines! I love it when members fellowship our investigators, it means so much more to them to come and feel loved like a ward family! This ward is super good about it with almost everyone we bring.
AJ passed his baptismal interview and we are working out the rest of the lessons before his baptism next week!!!! So exciting! His whole family is so proud of him, especially his mother Marlene who would have never thought of him to be the first to ask for that. I knew from the moment I met him and his family that they were special and it was their time soon to be baptized. I could just tell. Its amazing how you can see the Light of Christ in people even when you have only just met. Marlene and AC are also working towards their baptism in May and everyone is having fun with our lessons!
Aisha and Ashley came to church and with their mom as well. Aisha was also able to stay all three hours, and the young women are so excited to have her come to young women's with them. They almost demanded that they had to stay and have fun in the lessons with them since they are also friends at school. I am so happy to hear they have such great friends to enjoy classes with at church and more. Aisha is also getting close to her baptism on the 27th, so hopefully things don't pop up that make it so we have to move the date back. She has such a testimony, so it was amazing to see how much she has changed and grown since I first met her and her family only a few months ago.
The miracles of the week are:
1. We went by a potential we contacted and later found out that he wasn't there and his wife was very hurt over something he had done. At first she was very rough when talking about him to us, then after we shared a scripture she broke down crying and was in great deal of comfort. She even said she would love to have us come back and teach her instead. It's amazing the comfort and peace that comes from scriptures about our savior Jesus Christ! Many people who never read the book of Mormon, let alone the bible; hear what it offers to them. It truly is one of God's greatest gifts to us, both scriptures and his son Jesus Christ! So much more, even. It never ceases to amaze me and strengthens my testimony each time I have an experience like this.
2. We went by some less actives and they said we could teach the family, then as we were about to finish, their friends came in and they all said it would be good to hear it again so their friends could hear the message of the restoration for the first time and of the Book of Mormon. I could tell they had apprehensions about them hearing it, I have felt the same way in the past, too... I can relate.... but it went real well and said we could even teach them further again as a whole group and possibly more friends next week! SO AMAZING! I hope things work out that they can all come again. It would be great to reactivate and possibly bring others to come to church and baptism as well. It's the greatest gift any friend could give!
It suddenly went from cold to 80 to 90 degrees this week! Crazy for February from were I come from...... California is a strange place. No wonder why they were bringing out the swim suits just after Christmas in the stores... I just thought that was weird but now I see why.
Monday, February 1, 2016
38 - Standard of Excellence
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
Things are going fairly well out here. We finally made the standard of excellence by being perfectly on time with studies, mornings, and nights. We also had to have at least 3 progressing investigators at church and one of them had to have been new...... Quite the task to get all of the above in one week's time.
Our car keeps giving us trouble. Each transfer we have to go without a car for a couple days and it creates chaos each time.... I really dislike Fords.
We met many new people and sadly had to drop quite a few as well. It was real hard saying goodbye to Aarti and Diya because they weren't progressing enough. Due to Aarti losing her baby and her culture, she can't go to church until she is done grieving. If it were only my choice I would still teach her, but my companions insist on moving on to other people who are ready NOW and not in a short while. Diya is all progressing, if it weren't for her being unable to go to church alone. I know she will make it one day, it's just hard to say goodbye to people you have grown close to.
The Dalaguits surprised us by saying they wanted to be baptized in the middle of our last lesson and even more by picking out their date. Marlene will go on her birthday (Joel says it is the birth of her salvation also jokingly) along with AC. AJ however wants to be baptized on valentines day! We are going to make it work, and we are so excited for them!!!!
Eddie got a lesson while on exchanges with Sister Culala and he understood so much more in Tagalog and that was so helpful! We haven't been able to meet with him since, but he accepted to be baptized so we hope all is well with him until we see him next.
Everyone else we kept missing or they got sick and had to cancel, but it has been a good week overall. We also found a shortcut we never knew existed because in older maps it was covered up in two of our areas (sections of our area) and that will help save on miles and time. I finished working on the new map for our ward boundaries so it should help a lot with navigation and helping the new elders on the other side of the ward figure things out (their new map wasn't the most accurate or good sadly) so I am very glad to have done that and finished it finally. I knew that extra effort would bring rewards, it just took time.
rachael.clark@myldsmail.net
Mission address:
Sister Rachael Geniel Clark
California Long Beach Mission
6500 E Atherton St.
Long Beach, CA 90815
Things are going fairly well out here. We finally made the standard of excellence by being perfectly on time with studies, mornings, and nights. We also had to have at least 3 progressing investigators at church and one of them had to have been new...... Quite the task to get all of the above in one week's time.
Our car keeps giving us trouble. Each transfer we have to go without a car for a couple days and it creates chaos each time.... I really dislike Fords.
We met many new people and sadly had to drop quite a few as well. It was real hard saying goodbye to Aarti and Diya because they weren't progressing enough. Due to Aarti losing her baby and her culture, she can't go to church until she is done grieving. If it were only my choice I would still teach her, but my companions insist on moving on to other people who are ready NOW and not in a short while. Diya is all progressing, if it weren't for her being unable to go to church alone. I know she will make it one day, it's just hard to say goodbye to people you have grown close to.
The Dalaguits surprised us by saying they wanted to be baptized in the middle of our last lesson and even more by picking out their date. Marlene will go on her birthday (Joel says it is the birth of her salvation also jokingly) along with AC. AJ however wants to be baptized on valentines day! We are going to make it work, and we are so excited for them!!!!
Eddie got a lesson while on exchanges with Sister Culala and he understood so much more in Tagalog and that was so helpful! We haven't been able to meet with him since, but he accepted to be baptized so we hope all is well with him until we see him next.
Everyone else we kept missing or they got sick and had to cancel, but it has been a good week overall. We also found a shortcut we never knew existed because in older maps it was covered up in two of our areas (sections of our area) and that will help save on miles and time. I finished working on the new map for our ward boundaries so it should help a lot with navigation and helping the new elders on the other side of the ward figure things out (their new map wasn't the most accurate or good sadly) so I am very glad to have done that and finished it finally. I knew that extra effort would bring rewards, it just took time.
Monday, January 25, 2016
37 - Still here
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
rachael.clark@myldsmail.net
Mission address:
Sister Rachael Geniel Clark
California Long Beach Mission
6500 E Atherton St.
Long Beach, CA 90815
Short on time today so this will be short. (My companions are terrible about time and spent it lingering in the clothing isle of the store.... as usual...)
We went to the LA visitors center with the Dalaguits and Dortheos, I went with the Dortheos, but sadly the sisters there had to change with their shift ending and the new ones went off the wall with baptismal inviting.... (hunting in this case).... and drove them off a bit and they didn't show up to church the next day. I was frustrated to say the least. We already know how Mary Lou felt and wasn't the most comfortable with that subject yet, and we told her that was fine right now, then those sisters ruined everything by making it sound like that is all we ever care about. So disappointing.
The Dalaguits trip went well though, they loved it and enjoyed our time with them and even took us out to dinner afterwards to an Asian buffet (which was truly Asian and mostly was all sorts of seafood. I finally figured out how to eat crab and other good foods. Asian places in Utah are very tame and boring compared to this place with food. This might become my favorite food place here in Buena park besides Portillos that you don't have anywhere else in the mission). We got to know their family real well and had a spiritual time with them afterwards discussing how the trip went and it looks very promising they will be baptized with what they told us. The mom may take awhile, but that's ok because it's on their time, not ours.
We met with Debbie and helped her a bit getting on to reading Doctrine and Covenants as well as family history. She is looking so forward to working towards going to the temple for baptisms!
We didn't find many people this week. We were focusing on the people we had and most of the people we've dropped from our teaching pool or the more part, passed off to YSA or Spanish. Good for them!
I found out that I will be staying. That is a relief, and its the first time in a long while that I will be staying in one place. There are so many people I have grown close to that we are teaching and families, it would have been so hard to leave them.
Monday, January 18, 2016
36 - Scriptures and Prayer
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
Things have been going along very well. No service due to emergency mini exchange with some other sisters, but we still got to have Tressa or Naomi for almost all day some days to work with us so we could cover more lessons and find more.
We got to meet Eddie, a Filipino elderly gentlemen who lost his wife and parents to cancer and old age 2 to 5 years ago. he lives with his black pit-bull and was most interested in how he can see his wife and family again one day in heaven (Celestial Kingdom). He loved the plan of salvation lesson and was thrilled at the thought of him seeing them all again and that life isn't the end. He even came to the first two hours of church and loved looking at all the photos of Christ in our church building.
The Cronejos all came to church, minus the father and son at baseball practice. They only stayed for the sacrament meeting, but they loved the talks and being able to have the sacrament.
Aisha and Ashley were on the lesson a few days earlier and Sister Nau came with us that day, and it was such a blessing since if it weren't for her, the mom and them wouldn't have gone to church most likely. They had met each other last year and it was so neat to see them reunited after whatever memorable time they had. Aisha is so excited to learn more and read more, I hope they all get to be baptized sooner than latter.
Sirus is so cool. We brought Marcus with us and they found out they had a similar friend and bonded almost immediately. They both love basketball, too! We went over some scriptures on baptism, and he opened up on how he had already had thoughts of being re-baptized for things he regretted in his past. He also said he picked time for our lesson over partying with some friends and other things that are losing him friends, but he said he knows it's the right path to take. He also is in the band for his church and looks forward to working with the youth in his church as well. I hope that he can come to our church some time. I know it would be a huge sacrifice for him, but it would be worth it.
Aarti and Diya are progressing along quite well. They are more and more interested in what we had to say and Aarti was excited to come to Relief Society and church to learn more on how to be a better mother and person.
The Dalaguits came and loved coming to church as a whole family. We didn't have a chance to have a lesson this week other than with AJ, but they are really enjoying the lessons as a whole.
We met with Rick again, and he asked us if there was a sin too unpardonable because he did things that he deeply regretted and felt like he could not be forgiven. He cheered up a bit when we taught about Christ's atonement and how even Alma the Younger told his son about how he had felt so much sorrow for the damage he caused before he was truly converted and obedient to what God had intended for him to do. He said he felt like he felt the bitter pains awaiting the dammed soul for bringing so many souls to disbelief in what the church and his father taught, then through Christ's atonement he was able to remember and feel those pains no more and felt the wonderful joys after. I know that no matter what, if we repent and use Christ's atonement and be baptized, we won't have to feel the pains of our mistakes anymore. The hard part is keeping up on the repentance and continuing onward in good deeds. Rick goes into Surgery soon for his left leg that after his Motorcycle accident years ago fused his bones together at the knee and now they are working on making him a new knee so he can hopefully walk one day on that and a prosthetic leg for the one he lost. It's amazing what science has come to these days and is such a blessing form God to learn continually and refine heath care so we can be happy living life more naturally.
Something I loved from one of the talks this Sunday was on what successful people all have in common. It was given at a convention/seminar for business people, many were millionaires in attendance or contributing with courses.
They said almost all have these two things in common:
1 They give thanks for all they have.
2 They take time each day to read something positive.
The speaker than said how he was stunned, the very thing that he was basically taught in seminary, church, home, and more was reading scriptures (positive material) and praying (giving thanks) was what would make him successful.
Scriptures and prayer not only heal us when we are sad or hurt, give us guidance and direction when lost, but it also helps us to be happy and successful in life. (And it's a commandment from God for our good. )
Not much in the way of finding this week, but many pass offs to other missionaries to further the work.
rachael.clark@myldsmail.net
Mission address:
Sister Rachael Geniel Clark
California Long Beach Mission
6500 E Atherton St.
Long Beach, CA 90815
Things have been going along very well. No service due to emergency mini exchange with some other sisters, but we still got to have Tressa or Naomi for almost all day some days to work with us so we could cover more lessons and find more.
We got to meet Eddie, a Filipino elderly gentlemen who lost his wife and parents to cancer and old age 2 to 5 years ago. he lives with his black pit-bull and was most interested in how he can see his wife and family again one day in heaven (Celestial Kingdom). He loved the plan of salvation lesson and was thrilled at the thought of him seeing them all again and that life isn't the end. He even came to the first two hours of church and loved looking at all the photos of Christ in our church building.
The Cronejos all came to church, minus the father and son at baseball practice. They only stayed for the sacrament meeting, but they loved the talks and being able to have the sacrament.
Aisha and Ashley were on the lesson a few days earlier and Sister Nau came with us that day, and it was such a blessing since if it weren't for her, the mom and them wouldn't have gone to church most likely. They had met each other last year and it was so neat to see them reunited after whatever memorable time they had. Aisha is so excited to learn more and read more, I hope they all get to be baptized sooner than latter.
Sirus is so cool. We brought Marcus with us and they found out they had a similar friend and bonded almost immediately. They both love basketball, too! We went over some scriptures on baptism, and he opened up on how he had already had thoughts of being re-baptized for things he regretted in his past. He also said he picked time for our lesson over partying with some friends and other things that are losing him friends, but he said he knows it's the right path to take. He also is in the band for his church and looks forward to working with the youth in his church as well. I hope that he can come to our church some time. I know it would be a huge sacrifice for him, but it would be worth it.
Aarti and Diya are progressing along quite well. They are more and more interested in what we had to say and Aarti was excited to come to Relief Society and church to learn more on how to be a better mother and person.
The Dalaguits came and loved coming to church as a whole family. We didn't have a chance to have a lesson this week other than with AJ, but they are really enjoying the lessons as a whole.
We met with Rick again, and he asked us if there was a sin too unpardonable because he did things that he deeply regretted and felt like he could not be forgiven. He cheered up a bit when we taught about Christ's atonement and how even Alma the Younger told his son about how he had felt so much sorrow for the damage he caused before he was truly converted and obedient to what God had intended for him to do. He said he felt like he felt the bitter pains awaiting the dammed soul for bringing so many souls to disbelief in what the church and his father taught, then through Christ's atonement he was able to remember and feel those pains no more and felt the wonderful joys after. I know that no matter what, if we repent and use Christ's atonement and be baptized, we won't have to feel the pains of our mistakes anymore. The hard part is keeping up on the repentance and continuing onward in good deeds. Rick goes into Surgery soon for his left leg that after his Motorcycle accident years ago fused his bones together at the knee and now they are working on making him a new knee so he can hopefully walk one day on that and a prosthetic leg for the one he lost. It's amazing what science has come to these days and is such a blessing form God to learn continually and refine heath care so we can be happy living life more naturally.
Something I loved from one of the talks this Sunday was on what successful people all have in common. It was given at a convention/seminar for business people, many were millionaires in attendance or contributing with courses.
They said almost all have these two things in common:
1 They give thanks for all they have.
2 They take time each day to read something positive.
The speaker than said how he was stunned, the very thing that he was basically taught in seminary, church, home, and more was reading scriptures (positive material) and praying (giving thanks) was what would make him successful.
Scriptures and prayer not only heal us when we are sad or hurt, give us guidance and direction when lost, but it also helps us to be happy and successful in life. (And it's a commandment from God for our good. )
Not much in the way of finding this week, but many pass offs to other missionaries to further the work.
Monday, January 11, 2016
35 - Miracles and callings
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
Things are going well here. Sadly there won't be any more departure firesides anymore, so lots of missionaries are either relived they don't have to bear their testimony or almost devastated over losing that last opportunity to see their favorite ward members, recent converts, or investigators from their areas they served in.
We did lots of walking around in the rain this week. There was so much rain that fell that the streets in most areas were flooded on up to a foot at the curb. I am so glad I got some quality shoes, otherwise I would have been prune-ish footed all day. We had to drive a lot this month so far, so we wanted to save miles by walking, and we were on exchanges so contacting was fun and interesting in that way. So many sisters with different personalities, it gives me a great opportunity to see what is and is not effective when teaching and contacting.
We also dropped many investigators. No surprise there, but I never met almost all the ones that where dropped, so they went to the area book for some other missionaries to pick up again. We had so many at one point I couldn't name let alone remember all of them. We now have a much more manageable amount, and I really like them from what I have had experiences with them.
We watched Prophet of the Restoration (1 hour version of the restoration video plus the entire life of Joseph smith beginning to end) with the Dalaguits. It was at the request of brother Dalaguit because he said it was so inspiring and makes one almost cry because you truly feel for and love the people and stories in it. After we were going to leave a commitment and leave since it was just over an hour, then we felt prompted to stay longer. We asked Sister Dalaguit to say the prayer. Half way she switched to Tagalog, but I felt the spirit so strongly then. While I didn't know what was poured out of her heart, I do know it had to have been, as they say, a great wrestle with God, crying and pouring out of one's heart in prayer. I will never forget that experience. I was about crying afterwards. Sister Dalaguit said that she felt so conflicted because she knew that all that we taught was true, but she wanted to stay faithful to her father's request never to change her religion when he passed. Thankfully, brother Dalaguit was there to help her through and share his testimony and scriptures.
Naomi spent quite a bit of the week with us, most often for half or almost the full day. She wants to go on a mission after her 1 year mark, so she is getting a feel for what everything is like with us. She came to Park Anaheim with us as well for service. It was hand print penguins or coloring with the residents. Naomi sadly had a bad run in with a lady who has quite the reputation with her dimensia, but in the end we all laughed about what she said. She didn't know not to talk to her or she will say some of the most vulgar or insulting things ever. I don't hold it to her though. Some things people can't help when they have dimensia. I sat with a lady who I played bingo with, she is so nice and funny. She told stories of her adventures with her roommate lately.
Miracle 1 of the week, we found Sirus and his friend while they were playing basketball. Sister Skelton made a deal that if we made three shots in a row, we got to teach them. If they got three in a row, they got to pick whether or not we taught them. In the end, none of us got it, but they still let us teach them. He told us about how his father passed away and that no matter what he lost him forever, but then we briefly mentioned about the plan of salvation, and that being what we taught and after that he seemed more interested in what we had to share. He even said we can teach him again and would definitely read The Book of Mormon. It reminded me of the story about truly converted converts, in an area where they fell away quickly after baptism; found while playing basketball and taught during the game after a couple months in south america. (Though I think I won't be playing any game to try and convert any time soon or at all.)
Miracle 2 is after that we went to a more wealthy area to find a less active who moved, but we bumped into Michael walking and training his dog. (Best trained dog I have seen here in California so far.) He was talking about all these beliefs that Christian churches always get wrong, and that's why he left the Catholic church years ago. It was so surprising because he was almost LDS the things he talked about. He reminded me of brother Rex SO MUCH. He agreed to talking some other time with Brother Rex. Hopefully he will take lessons after that, sadly he got some misinformation and read some things in The Book of Mormon wrong and got a totally different idea of what we believe and are. He was real nice though.
Stake conference was interesting with one of the area 70 who came. He would stop every now and again to call someone up to bear their testimony on something, to teach, or to even read a song. One thing I thought was interesting was he called on the stake presidency to act out and relate Moses and his holding up his hands and how the presidency works supporting the president up. It was neat. Lots of families and a couple LOUD kids running around at the back, great testimonies on how sacrament meeting should be used to come closer to the savior and feel the spirit give you guidance, peace, and comfort. To not focus on your faults during the sacrament, but to move on. To be mindful of your kids' behavior and others around them. An amazing talk on temples and how visiting the temple is one of the best ways to strengthen your families and children from the things that are out in the world trying to tear down morals, families, and good teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. So many ways to be a member missionary. For example, California on average have 50,000 people that aren't members in stake boundaries. Utah has much less than that. Hopefully this will encourage our members to do ?more and find lasting memories and friendships while reaching out to others. (And possibly finding more service projects we can do... we only have 1 right now......I miss doing so much service) And lastly singing the Cyprus Stake anthem.... yep, I have seen everything here. This stake goes above and beyond the call of duty with art gallery like hallways, anthem, fundraising for the ysa to go to Palmyra this summer..... such a stark contrast to my first stake where they had to have a fast so the members would accept even a single calling. They are right next to each other, but so different. I am convinced that the more the members are involved as a ward family, the more love, service, caring, and fun happens. It just takes some time and effort, but when all are putting in a little bit, it makes a world of difference. I can now see why it is so important to accept a calling. It makes everyone happier!
rachael.clark@myldsmail.net
Mission address:
Sister Rachael Geniel Clark
California Long Beach Mission
6500 E Atherton St.
Long Beach, CA 90815
Things are going well here. Sadly there won't be any more departure firesides anymore, so lots of missionaries are either relived they don't have to bear their testimony or almost devastated over losing that last opportunity to see their favorite ward members, recent converts, or investigators from their areas they served in.
We did lots of walking around in the rain this week. There was so much rain that fell that the streets in most areas were flooded on up to a foot at the curb. I am so glad I got some quality shoes, otherwise I would have been prune-ish footed all day. We had to drive a lot this month so far, so we wanted to save miles by walking, and we were on exchanges so contacting was fun and interesting in that way. So many sisters with different personalities, it gives me a great opportunity to see what is and is not effective when teaching and contacting.
We also dropped many investigators. No surprise there, but I never met almost all the ones that where dropped, so they went to the area book for some other missionaries to pick up again. We had so many at one point I couldn't name let alone remember all of them. We now have a much more manageable amount, and I really like them from what I have had experiences with them.
We watched Prophet of the Restoration (1 hour version of the restoration video plus the entire life of Joseph smith beginning to end) with the Dalaguits. It was at the request of brother Dalaguit because he said it was so inspiring and makes one almost cry because you truly feel for and love the people and stories in it. After we were going to leave a commitment and leave since it was just over an hour, then we felt prompted to stay longer. We asked Sister Dalaguit to say the prayer. Half way she switched to Tagalog, but I felt the spirit so strongly then. While I didn't know what was poured out of her heart, I do know it had to have been, as they say, a great wrestle with God, crying and pouring out of one's heart in prayer. I will never forget that experience. I was about crying afterwards. Sister Dalaguit said that she felt so conflicted because she knew that all that we taught was true, but she wanted to stay faithful to her father's request never to change her religion when he passed. Thankfully, brother Dalaguit was there to help her through and share his testimony and scriptures.
Naomi spent quite a bit of the week with us, most often for half or almost the full day. She wants to go on a mission after her 1 year mark, so she is getting a feel for what everything is like with us. She came to Park Anaheim with us as well for service. It was hand print penguins or coloring with the residents. Naomi sadly had a bad run in with a lady who has quite the reputation with her dimensia, but in the end we all laughed about what she said. She didn't know not to talk to her or she will say some of the most vulgar or insulting things ever. I don't hold it to her though. Some things people can't help when they have dimensia. I sat with a lady who I played bingo with, she is so nice and funny. She told stories of her adventures with her roommate lately.
Miracle 1 of the week, we found Sirus and his friend while they were playing basketball. Sister Skelton made a deal that if we made three shots in a row, we got to teach them. If they got three in a row, they got to pick whether or not we taught them. In the end, none of us got it, but they still let us teach them. He told us about how his father passed away and that no matter what he lost him forever, but then we briefly mentioned about the plan of salvation, and that being what we taught and after that he seemed more interested in what we had to share. He even said we can teach him again and would definitely read The Book of Mormon. It reminded me of the story about truly converted converts, in an area where they fell away quickly after baptism; found while playing basketball and taught during the game after a couple months in south america. (Though I think I won't be playing any game to try and convert any time soon or at all.)
Miracle 2 is after that we went to a more wealthy area to find a less active who moved, but we bumped into Michael walking and training his dog. (Best trained dog I have seen here in California so far.) He was talking about all these beliefs that Christian churches always get wrong, and that's why he left the Catholic church years ago. It was so surprising because he was almost LDS the things he talked about. He reminded me of brother Rex SO MUCH. He agreed to talking some other time with Brother Rex. Hopefully he will take lessons after that, sadly he got some misinformation and read some things in The Book of Mormon wrong and got a totally different idea of what we believe and are. He was real nice though.
Stake conference was interesting with one of the area 70 who came. He would stop every now and again to call someone up to bear their testimony on something, to teach, or to even read a song. One thing I thought was interesting was he called on the stake presidency to act out and relate Moses and his holding up his hands and how the presidency works supporting the president up. It was neat. Lots of families and a couple LOUD kids running around at the back, great testimonies on how sacrament meeting should be used to come closer to the savior and feel the spirit give you guidance, peace, and comfort. To not focus on your faults during the sacrament, but to move on. To be mindful of your kids' behavior and others around them. An amazing talk on temples and how visiting the temple is one of the best ways to strengthen your families and children from the things that are out in the world trying to tear down morals, families, and good teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. So many ways to be a member missionary. For example, California on average have 50,000 people that aren't members in stake boundaries. Utah has much less than that. Hopefully this will encourage our members to do ?more and find lasting memories and friendships while reaching out to others. (And possibly finding more service projects we can do... we only have 1 right now......I miss doing so much service) And lastly singing the Cyprus Stake anthem.... yep, I have seen everything here. This stake goes above and beyond the call of duty with art gallery like hallways, anthem, fundraising for the ysa to go to Palmyra this summer..... such a stark contrast to my first stake where they had to have a fast so the members would accept even a single calling. They are right next to each other, but so different. I am convinced that the more the members are involved as a ward family, the more love, service, caring, and fun happens. It just takes some time and effort, but when all are putting in a little bit, it makes a world of difference. I can now see why it is so important to accept a calling. It makes everyone happier!
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