Dear familia & friends,
Let me humbly start this email with that I forgot to brag about last
week we had 32 lessons & this week we reached 20 lessons by Thursday &
we had 30 or 35 lessons by he end of the week, woot woot!
Elder L Tom Perry expects missionaries to be having 20 lessons every
week & 8 baptisms for every missionary. I'm grateful my companions
before I came to the area had already determined that with the Lord's
help they would accomplish this. So far we have been able to
accomplish this goal & above it :) God is real.
Speaking of which while I was with Hermana Brough & Daines (While my
companions go on exchanges, I go with the other Sisters close to our
area, I kind of feel like a dork that's getting baby sat for the day
but whatever :) I love the Hermanas & it's fun to visit Spanish land.
We had an awesome lesson with their investigator Pedro & he told of an
experience that testified to him that the Hermanas were of God. He had
received a text from his Pentecostal friend saying, "God is not dead,"
right after he finished reading the text, he received a text from the
Hermanas, how cool is that!!! I think he is going to get baptized. The
Hermanas also had a movie night at the church & had a great turn out &
Pedro came to that as well. The movie was "The Testaments," he had
tears in his eyes after & woot!
So, President Cusick is the best, interviews went great & I had asked
if for a blessing, he gave me such a comforting & sweet blessing. He
is the best. In the blessing he gave me he said The Lord is pleased with me. He
blessed me with a lot of neat things, he blessed me with health &
strengthen & he blessed me to follow & trust my capabilities of
spiritual promptings I get & to be patient in the spiritual promptings
that the timing will come. It was awesome. He is definitely an
inspired man of God because I remember thinking how random it seemed
that he blessed my health about 2 or 3 times, ha ha well it made sense
the next day. After working out my body was in a ton of pain & it was
pretty bad but my concerns went away when I remembered that the day
before I received a blessing for my health. It calmed any worries & I
feel so grateful to have the Priesthood bless my life, I am much
better because of it.
After my companions & I oh & the Hermanas were done with interviews &
we were about to leave to make the drive to our areas & before
President Cusick was going to interview some Elders he came out &
talked to all of us Sebring sisters & 4 elders. He asked what's the
difference between going to bed at 10:29 or 10:30 or 10:35? He said a
lot of cool/great things about Exact obedience. I liked what he said
about missionaries & their experiences with being never going back to
being just obedient, they have seen the miracles from Exact obedience.
I am committed to never going back, from now on, I too have felt &
seen the difference, I love God's love too much to give that up. Being
exactly obedient is the way I can show my love for God & for you my
familia! True happiness.
There is a whole other level of happiness that comes from knowing that
you are doing what's right the best you can, there is an immense
difference.
I have found once again the immense difference that God's love does.
We can only be exactly obedient if we realize God's love for us, that
is motivation & peace. I had to remind myself of that a lot this week
& I again am much happier because of it, I feel it & pray to remember
& feel it every day. It helps a lot & the way I can give back that
love is through my obedience & hard work on my part. Ether 12 was a
nice read as well on faith by the random :) tee hee instead of by the
way, I think I'll use that more, by the random....
Brother Snellenburger (ha ha best name) said he knows he sitting on a
fence & said it looks like the road by the church. :) He still hasn't
come to church yet but we are persistent on inviting him & I know
he'll come at least before he dies! Here's another little snippet from
his sweet prayer this week...
"Here we are sitting together again Heavenly Father. It's one of your
sons John again. I'm in good company, with my friends. Thanks for
sending them back, since I asked you to bring them back. I do want
them back. Thank you for these angels I do like them."Awwww he just
fills my heart up with warm fuzzier every time, love that love him.
We had a great Lesson with the Coghiel family!!!!!! :) unfortunately
Marvin wasn't there for it but it was awesome!!!!! They are from New
York & ha ha there is always a different member of the family we meet
when we go over (there's 2 or 3 different families there, lots of
cousins). I am so grateful for the 14 year old, Brandon not only does
he have saweet dreadlocks he has a pure light in his eyes. And most of
the family has already prayed about it & feel good about it & just
pray they will be diligent in reading the Book of Mormon. I can't wait
to teach them lesson 2 & it's my prayer they will come to general
conference. Speaking of which general conference is a perfect way to
invite people here a MOdern day living prophet!!! How exciting is
that, we Have a Modern day prophet, ha ha love it!!!! Thank heavens
for a mission I didn't really appreciate the basic things about our
church but when you take time to think about it it's really cool,
"holy cow, we have a Prophet!" I love seeing people's reactions when
we tell them there is a prophet on the earth today, it's priceless &
special. When that realization hits them as to what that means, ohhhh
man it is so cool! Some people are skeptical but a lot of people are
sincerely changed by just hearing that.
Oh wow, here it go again this email is huge, ok I will wrap things up
real fast, ahhh just so many awesome things & miracles happened this
week. We had a Church tour with Ramona & she loved it & she was
talking herself through things/ teaching herself for example she said
things like, "if it was not true how would it have lasted this long,"
& "I have a problem with Joseph Smith but I'm praying to be open & I
realize that God has always had prophets,so why not now? He doesn't
change." Can we say the Holy Ghost was at work or what?! :) made my
day & it was a very powerful spirit in the chapel as Sister Westberg
played hymns on the piano & Sister Beck & I sang. I got really choked
up while singing "How Great Thou Art," because that's been how I have
felt lately to God. Ramona was definitely touched & I pray she will
accept a baptism date next time we see her! She is a little older &
with here sincere & open heart desires to know truth, I know she is
not set in her ways, I pray she will accept that she has already
received the answer that it is true. Keep her in your prayers please
:) oh & Brother & Sister Carter( who are her neighbors & friends) said
she had told them for 2 hours all about the church tour & how special
the experience was to her! Woooooot, the church is true!!!!!!
Ok to wrap up again ha ha had a great lesson with The Lyons family I
love, love, love this family, Coleen & Amir are so prepared & At the
end ha ha we were treated with a beat box improve by Amir & his 2
older sons who surprised us with an improved religious rap, say
Whhhhhhaaaatttttt. Epic! And Coleen said that we always show up when
she is having a hard time, that we always come at the perfect timing,
God's hand is inspiring how He works things out perfectly.
Oh & one last thing ha ha We had a successful day in the rain on
Saturday & before it rained ( it was our walking day & we forgot
umbrellas mind you ha ha) we went to this Springtime on the Mall which
is outside on the main street of cute little Avon Park. Anywho, we met
a lot of great people & even bumped into a person who use to be a
member & talked about how he wants to come back & his wife is not a
member, no worries or big deal, we are just giving them a church tour
this week & one of our members met them on Sunday, woot. Oh & he
(rick) is a bee farmer.
Ahhh I can't forget, ha ha ok no wrapping up for me, this is the
coooollllest thing ever!!!!! At this Springtime on the Mall I had seen
this guy & we had made eye contact & I was going to give him a card
but my companions & I were in a conversation already. Well later on we
were at this one tent & he came up to us, I gave him a card & we
started talking & he knew a little about the new temple in Fort Lauder
Dale & we were able to get his contact info & invited him to church.
It wasn't that long of a conversation but to our surprise he actually
came to church & even bore his testimony. Ha ha here is the experience
in Sister Beck's words,
"Javier Hernandez came to church! We met him yesterday!! He came and
it was fast and testimony meeting... I was definitely more nervous
than ever in my entire life, because we haven't been able to teach him
or tell him what to expect at all, I didn't want him to be freaked out
ya know. So, I prayed and prayed and prayed the entire sacrament. It
WORKED!!! During one testimony, he touched my leg and said, "Can
anyone go up there?" I of course told him yes and was blown away that
he would even want to. I got a bit antsy because the testimonies born
today were quite long and not the most spiritual testimonies either.
But, in the end, he got up very last. He bore his testimony. He
explained that he was a prideful man now humbled. That he wanted to
learn about the church, if we would have him... Well for 5 months
because of his contract. :) I know that God answers prayers, His
spirit will touch everyone and will testify of truth every time it is
presented. God's plan is perfect and He knows His children perfectly.
Javier came up to us yesterday. God placed us perfectly in Javier's
path. By the way, Javier already looked up Mormon.org... No big deal."
YEEHA! He even said he was sure there would be a church some where
else for him too when he leaves after 5 months, how cool is that? Oh &
he said he liked it a lot said he asked if we would have him. Ummm
yes, yes God will have you good sir. How great it that? We are
teaching him this Tuesday & I think we will be preparing for a baptism
:) I am so happy general conference is is week!!!!!!!!!
Ok & one more fun,delightful story that made my day. Let's just start
is one with "Oh my," as sister beck says, ha ha. On Saturday, while we
were walking in the rain to an appointment I saw a guy sitting on his
front porch. He didn't look the happiest but was kind & said hi back
to us. I went up to him & gave him a Mormon.org card & told him to
check it out, that it had a lot of great things about Jesus Christ on
it. I asked him if he needed a prayer for anything & he kindly
declined so we continued on our merry way. Tee hee the rain was
pouring & I was loving every minute of it, seriously it is a blast to
be drenched, I want to walk in the rain more without umbrellas.
Anywho, on our way back from the lesson we had walked pass the house &
the man wasn't there. We had made it to Main Street & were crossing
the street by the gazebo & were about to start running because the
street light was about to change when we heard someone shout out,
"wait!"
We turned around & saw this guy running bare foot after us. He asked
out of breath, "where's your church at?" He told us of how he hasn't
really had God in his life ever since his mom passed away & he was
thinking he should try God again. Of course we were all excited &
gladly told him & then came the funny. He then looked at me & he
started with, "I know this might seem really weird but" oh my giggles
my face expression must have been priceless in that moment & in my
mind, I was thinking, ohhhh no because at first I thought he wanted to
get baptized but then I realized wait a second...I knew what I was
going to have to say & I felt really bad because that was soooo sweet
of him to coming running in the rain bare foot.He continued to then
say, "will you go out with me sometime.?" I apologetically told him,
"I can't, I'm a missionary but that was really kind of you." Lol I
awkwardly said "but hey we can give you a church tour & come to
church." Lol oh man, but it ended really well we were able to get his
number & we will be stopping by With a member to teach him, well I
hope he'll let us come by & teach him & not be embarrassed from it. Ha
ha My companions & I all had a really good time after laughing about
what just happened, don't worry not in front of him & we weren't
laughing at him just the random situation of it all. It made my day &
heck it would have been a super cute story had it not been on my
mission. I mean come on, in the pouring rain on the Main Street of a
little town? How cute is that? Yeah, NOT on my mission, lol lol LOL.
Hope ya'll get a good kick out of that one, I sure did :) oh but keep
Bryan in your prayers that he'll recognize the spirit & to study more
about the church on Mormon.org.
Alright that's enough Utah & what not! LOve you with All my heart &
pray & hope you feel God's love today!!!!
MUch much loveeeeeeee So much Love,
Sister Bush
P.s. Cool quote that I really like, "He who takes offense where no
offense was intended is a fool. He who takes offense where offense was
intended is a greater fool." -Brigham Young
Woot for God's love & no offense!
P.s.s. If any of you are curious here is the interview work sheet we
have as missionaries, it is awesome, I mean that because there are
always ways to improve as a missionary. It's a long checklist & I
thought it'd be fun for the grand kiddos to get a sneak peak of the
obedience we have as missionaries.
Interview Worksheet
1. I diligently arise no later than 6:30 AM each day.
2. I start my day with 30 minutes of physically demanding exercise
every morning except Sunday.
3. I begin serious personal study each day at 8:00 AM (Start varies on Sundays).
4. We start meaningful companion study every day at 9 AM (Time varies
on Sunday).
5. I make good use of my time as outlined in Preach My Gospel.
6. I diligently retire to my bed at 10:30 PM, having concluded my
personal prayer.
7. We have meaningful planning every day, focusing on our goals and
activities to accomplish our Missionary purpose.
8. I have personal prayer day and night.
9. I read the Book of Mormon daily.
10. I adhere to the rules, processes, and guidelines contained in the
Missionary Handbook and Preach My Gospel.
11. I use my mobile phone only for approved proselyting purposes within my zone.
12. I use my internet and e-mail time appropriately as outlined by the Church.
13. I accurately report my key indicators in the Missionary Portal weekly.
14. I write my Mission President report weekly.
15. I report to my DL, ZL, weekly on time and accurately of my stewardship.
16. I am faithful to my mission president and to my temple covenant of
obedience.
17. I believe I am recognized as a highly obedient missionary by my
fellow missionaries.
18. I consistently ask "Who do you know that could use a message about
Christ or a blessing on their home and family?".
19. I earnestly strive to speak to everyone.
20. I encourage the head of the household to pray at the conclusion of
the lesson.
21. We always extend a baptismal commitment with a date that we have
prayed about within the second lesson.
22. The bishop, counselors, and WML know me well and are familiar with
my diligent efforts.
23. My testimony is growing.
24. I seek God's acceptance of my work each night during prayer.
25. If the Savior were my companion would I be comfortable with my efforts.
26. My personal appearance including hair, dress, and grooming is
always consistent with that of a representative of the Church.
27. My apartment is always clean and uncluttered, being free of
inappropriate personal items.
28. If I listen to music, it is always appropriate, uplifting, and
does not cause companionship conflict.
29. My car and/or bike are always clean and well maintained.
30. I am doing all I can to create a culture of obedience in the
Florida Tampa Mission.
31. Online Missionaries - I am exactly obedient to the rules and
guidelines of being an online missionary.
32. I use my planner appropriately daily to plan and set goals.
33. I use the Preach My Gospel tracking page to keep track of my
studies as it applies to investigators.
34. I use the area book daily as outlined any in my daily planning.
35. I am using my Facebook time appropriately.
36. I use my iPad appropriately to study, plan, and teach.
37. I am using my electronic Area book to keep accurate track of all
my contacts and lessons.
38. I am using my electronic planner to plan my days and record everything.
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