Aloha Todos!
It's a beautiful freezing rainy cloudy day today. It's 14ºC. I don't know what that is in America. But its cold!
Happy Halloween in advance, eat some candy for me. Halloween doesn't exist here.
First of all, I gave my physical therapist a Book of Mormon! I gave it to him on Monday and I had written a dedicatory in it. There was also a dedicatory from a member in the ward here who recommended I go to Pedro for physical therapy in the first place. Apparently their family is really close with him because he treated their grandmother right before she died and they just became really close. So the girl who wrote the dedicatory is a returned missionary and pretty much did my job for me and told him to read and pray about Moroni 10:3-5. However, I felt like I should write in it too. First of all, I gave my physical therapist a Book of Mormon! I gave it to him on Monday and I had written a dedicatory in it. There was also a dedicatory from a member in the ward here who recommended I go to Pedro for physical therapy in the first place. Apparently their family is really close with him because he treated their grandmother right before she died and they just became really close. So the girl who wrote the dedicatory is a returned missionary and pretty much did my job for me and told him to read and pray about Moroni 10:3-5. However, I felt like I should write in it too.
So I thanked him for the work he's doing and told him that without it I wouldn't be able to stay here in Portugal and finish my mission. I wanted him to know why it is I'm here and why it's the best part of my life. He seemed really grateful for it.
So I came back for my next treatment on Wednesday and he walked in and the first thing he said was, "Thank you so much for that book! I loved it!"
"What you wrote meant a lot to me and it really touched my heart."
So I asked if he had read some and he said, "yes!" and that he started to read it a little more after had some time to ponder what he had read and then continued reading little by little and really loves it!
You guys hes so elect I can't even handle it. He couldn't come to church because he was visiting his parents this weekend but he asked if he could come later! He's gonna get in the water. Pray for him. His name is Pedro. And he's awesome.
I've just been trying to really evaluate myself as a missionary lately and figure out what changes I need to make and how to do it. So it's been a pensive week. Our new district leader and Elder Herycz have helped out a lot. The priesthood is awesome. I got a blessing last night that was such an answer to prayer. You guys, I just love the mission. But I'm trying to really work harder this transfer so that I can be the missionary I thought I would be by this point in my mission.
The work has also started to get a little better this week because we've been able to do more of it. We've met some really great people and we are so excited to work with them. Hopefully we will have a baptism soon of a recent converts son. I'll keep you updated on that. We've been working hard to make our spirits stronger than our physical bodies so we can really accomplish as much as possible.
But yeah, things are looking up for this transfer and we're both really excited about it. Also, our district is legit. Irma Patterson (from my district in the MTC) is still here, and shes with Irma Rojo who I also knew in the MTC. Elder Herycz is from England and he stayed with us and his new companion, our district leader is Elder Guanuna and he's really fun. I'm excited for our first district meeting tomorrow. I feel like this transfer is going to be one of my favorites actually.I'm excited! But keep praying for me ha ha
love you guys!
Irmã Dean
Monday, October 29, 2012
Alohaaa: Brownies & Street Contacting
10/15
Hello fam!
How are you?
Mom, you will be happy to know that my physical therapist, Pedro, likes to use Asian medicine influence so the other day he gave me a foot massage. He gave me an explanation on how oriental medicine says that everything in your body can be tied to your feet. And then he rubbed the part that has to do with the lumbar spine. And it hurt so badly I almost screamed and cried. He had to have me teach him English words that they don’t have in Portuguese to keep me distracted. He’s a good guy that one, you’d like him. He’s kind of a hippy also. Like feels things very deeply and I wouldn’t be surprised if he does tai chi and yoga. He’s a very tranquil person. And very like emotionally in-tune. It’s interesting but he’s way fun. His broken but actually very impressive English is my favorite thing ever. Like the first week he was speaking to me in English and then gets all excited and says, "my English is from movies and television." so I’m actually really impressed with him.
Anyway, things are good. I don’t really have anything to write about. Life is pretty much the same. Studies, physical therapy, rest in the house some, teach some appointments, and come back to the house. Pedro said I should be sleeping ten hours a night. Craziness. So we come back to the house and I try to go to bed an hour earlier. It’s not easy. Irma Palmer and I always talk at night so I’m staying up later anyway. We gotta get better about that one.
Other than that though, I went on a division this past week. The coordinating sister for our area is actually companions with Irma Quebbeman, my mom! So the other sister came here to Quinta do Conde to be with Irma Palmer and I went to a place called Setubal to be reunited with my mama. It was really good to see her and catch up. I got to teach some really great lessons with her.
They have a bull-fighting ring in their area. Jealous.
Ok so this week we had a really great miracle. This is the kind of thing that used to happen like five times a day in my first few transfers but hasn’t happened at all this transfer because the circumstances don’t allow for a lot of time just doing street contacting. We are always going to a planned lesson or physical therapy.
This one afternoon, Irma Palmer wanted to make the brownie mix Sommer had sent me. Sad day though, our oven is crap. The top burnt and underneath was still batter. She got so sad that she ruined my brownie mix and said we had to go to the store so she could buy me something to replace it. I really didn’t care but she was like distressed over it ha-ha so I said ok. Plus, I was super sick of being in the house so I was like yeah, I can go to the store. And then I remembered that I was being dumb, and if I can go to the store, I can be out working. So I repented really quickly for that thought and then prayed for a little and decided that I really could go out and work. So I promised heavenly father that I was going to find an elect first thing when we walked outside.
So we prayed to leave the house, and I prayed that Heavenly Father would guide us to someone he had already been preparing to receive the message of the Restored Gospel of Christ. We went outside and I turned in the opposite direction of the store and my companion was really confused but I just kept walking because that’s the direction I felt. I looked at the very end of our street and saw the little park thing there and knew that we would meet someone in that exact spot.
So I started walking over there and there was NO ONE outside. And finally we saw this one lady and we followed her down this other street like creepers because I felt like she wasn’t the elect lady but we needed to break the ice with her and then really be ready for the right person. So we talk to her and she only speaks Russian. But tudo bem, we went back around to the original place I had felt and right was we arrived, a woman and her two daughters were walking down the stairs and crossed the street to the spot I had seen. We walked over and talked to them for a minute. Her name is Lilliana and we talked to her about the Plan of Salvation and she was reading the pamphlet before we even explained what it was. And then we invited her to be baptized into the church of Christ when she knew that the things we taught were true. And she said yes!
I’ve had other street contacts accept convite suave before but not the same way. It’s always like; well yeah if someday it turns out this church is right then maybe I'd follow Christ. But she just looked at us and said yes, I want to. So we have an appointment with her today and we're really excited. And even if it turns into nothing, the spirit was there in our contact and it felt so great. It had just been a really down day and then something as simple as asking Heavenly Father to help us find someone works out so perfectly. We walked out of the house; I saw a spot, felt "that’s it. Someone is there" and we went and found her. It was really what we needed that day.
In other news, Irma Palmer also got sick and I’m talking, really, really sick. So the Elders had to come over to our house to give her a blessing. It was WEIRD. They just like knew where we lived and walked up and were banging on our windows. So we let them in and they're like, "oh it looks different in here." it was really strange. And they ate that whole pan of brownies that were burnt and not cooked all at the same time. And then 40 minutes later we were like, yeah this is strange, I mean... cool, and all but are you guys going to give her that blessing or what?
It was a strange night.
Anyway, I love you guys! It’s the last week of the transfer! Next email I’ll let you know if I get moved! Pray for us ha-ha we need it!
Hello fam!
How are you?
Mom, you will be happy to know that my physical therapist, Pedro, likes to use Asian medicine influence so the other day he gave me a foot massage. He gave me an explanation on how oriental medicine says that everything in your body can be tied to your feet. And then he rubbed the part that has to do with the lumbar spine. And it hurt so badly I almost screamed and cried. He had to have me teach him English words that they don’t have in Portuguese to keep me distracted. He’s a good guy that one, you’d like him. He’s kind of a hippy also. Like feels things very deeply and I wouldn’t be surprised if he does tai chi and yoga. He’s a very tranquil person. And very like emotionally in-tune. It’s interesting but he’s way fun. His broken but actually very impressive English is my favorite thing ever. Like the first week he was speaking to me in English and then gets all excited and says, "my English is from movies and television." so I’m actually really impressed with him.
Anyway, things are good. I don’t really have anything to write about. Life is pretty much the same. Studies, physical therapy, rest in the house some, teach some appointments, and come back to the house. Pedro said I should be sleeping ten hours a night. Craziness. So we come back to the house and I try to go to bed an hour earlier. It’s not easy. Irma Palmer and I always talk at night so I’m staying up later anyway. We gotta get better about that one.
Other than that though, I went on a division this past week. The coordinating sister for our area is actually companions with Irma Quebbeman, my mom! So the other sister came here to Quinta do Conde to be with Irma Palmer and I went to a place called Setubal to be reunited with my mama. It was really good to see her and catch up. I got to teach some really great lessons with her.
They have a bull-fighting ring in their area. Jealous.
Ok so this week we had a really great miracle. This is the kind of thing that used to happen like five times a day in my first few transfers but hasn’t happened at all this transfer because the circumstances don’t allow for a lot of time just doing street contacting. We are always going to a planned lesson or physical therapy.
This one afternoon, Irma Palmer wanted to make the brownie mix Sommer had sent me. Sad day though, our oven is crap. The top burnt and underneath was still batter. She got so sad that she ruined my brownie mix and said we had to go to the store so she could buy me something to replace it. I really didn’t care but she was like distressed over it ha-ha so I said ok. Plus, I was super sick of being in the house so I was like yeah, I can go to the store. And then I remembered that I was being dumb, and if I can go to the store, I can be out working. So I repented really quickly for that thought and then prayed for a little and decided that I really could go out and work. So I promised heavenly father that I was going to find an elect first thing when we walked outside.
So we prayed to leave the house, and I prayed that Heavenly Father would guide us to someone he had already been preparing to receive the message of the Restored Gospel of Christ. We went outside and I turned in the opposite direction of the store and my companion was really confused but I just kept walking because that’s the direction I felt. I looked at the very end of our street and saw the little park thing there and knew that we would meet someone in that exact spot.
So I started walking over there and there was NO ONE outside. And finally we saw this one lady and we followed her down this other street like creepers because I felt like she wasn’t the elect lady but we needed to break the ice with her and then really be ready for the right person. So we talk to her and she only speaks Russian. But tudo bem, we went back around to the original place I had felt and right was we arrived, a woman and her two daughters were walking down the stairs and crossed the street to the spot I had seen. We walked over and talked to them for a minute. Her name is Lilliana and we talked to her about the Plan of Salvation and she was reading the pamphlet before we even explained what it was. And then we invited her to be baptized into the church of Christ when she knew that the things we taught were true. And she said yes!
I’ve had other street contacts accept convite suave before but not the same way. It’s always like; well yeah if someday it turns out this church is right then maybe I'd follow Christ. But she just looked at us and said yes, I want to. So we have an appointment with her today and we're really excited. And even if it turns into nothing, the spirit was there in our contact and it felt so great. It had just been a really down day and then something as simple as asking Heavenly Father to help us find someone works out so perfectly. We walked out of the house; I saw a spot, felt "that’s it. Someone is there" and we went and found her. It was really what we needed that day.
In other news, Irma Palmer also got sick and I’m talking, really, really sick. So the Elders had to come over to our house to give her a blessing. It was WEIRD. They just like knew where we lived and walked up and were banging on our windows. So we let them in and they're like, "oh it looks different in here." it was really strange. And they ate that whole pan of brownies that were burnt and not cooked all at the same time. And then 40 minutes later we were like, yeah this is strange, I mean... cool, and all but are you guys going to give her that blessing or what?
It was a strange night.
Anyway, I love you guys! It’s the last week of the transfer! Next email I’ll let you know if I get moved! Pray for us ha-ha we need it!
Monday, October 22, 2012
Forgiveness... is more than saying sorry
10/22
I’m so grateful for your emails. I love hearing about what's going on. I remember when President Monson announced the age change for missionaries, the sisters we all just dropped our jaws and started freaking out. It’s so true though. We talked after about how they said not one word about "if you’re not dating" or anything about that but just that they welcome and anticipate the service of more sisters. I loved that! That was what really testified to me that things are going to get crazy soon and Heavenly Father really is sending his army with this next generation because marriage is being pushed aside. The gospel needs to be spread urgently!
I love it!
Last week I got a letter from a friend serving in India and they are getting sisters in their mission for the first time ever! Awesome!
I love you guys a ton, I’ll try and write an email to everyone even though there’s not much to say other than I’m staying in the same area with the same companion again! One more transfer together, I’m excited.
But I love you guys a ton!!!
Props to anyone who got the pop culture reference in the subject line.
There is nothing to say this week. I’m so sorry. I’ve been a bad friend/ family member. We had an amazing lesson with Galea, the woman that I told about a few weeks ago. But she said her husband won’t give her permission to be baptized. She asked if she could lie to her husband and say she was going to work and instead come to church and be baptized. I was really upset that I had to say no... That won’t fly with God. Being honest is a commandment and we aren’t trying to cause marital problems. After that one lesson we couldn’t even get a hold of her and yeah obviously things are getting harder for her. Satan doesn’t want her baptized. It was a really hard week but honestly, she wasn’t baptized because I didn’t do everything I should have. I had a lot of repenting to do.
I was praying and the spirit just said, "you’re right, you let her get away, but don’t worry. Someone else will baptize her next transfer."
Don’t worry, knife in my heart. And I was 100 convinced that meant I was being transferred.
But we got transfer calls and Irma Palmer and I are staying here in Quinta do Conde.
I got really confused and heavenly father said, "You need to be someone else this transfer. You can’t stay the same person anymore."
Pray for me.
I’ve got some changes to make and it’s not going to be easy.
Anyway, I love you guys! The atonement is real, and thank goodness.
PS: I’m giving my physical therapist a Book of Mormon today. Should be interesting.
I’m so grateful for your emails. I love hearing about what's going on. I remember when President Monson announced the age change for missionaries, the sisters we all just dropped our jaws and started freaking out. It’s so true though. We talked after about how they said not one word about "if you’re not dating" or anything about that but just that they welcome and anticipate the service of more sisters. I loved that! That was what really testified to me that things are going to get crazy soon and Heavenly Father really is sending his army with this next generation because marriage is being pushed aside. The gospel needs to be spread urgently!
I love it!
Last week I got a letter from a friend serving in India and they are getting sisters in their mission for the first time ever! Awesome!
I love you guys a ton, I’ll try and write an email to everyone even though there’s not much to say other than I’m staying in the same area with the same companion again! One more transfer together, I’m excited.
But I love you guys a ton!!!
Props to anyone who got the pop culture reference in the subject line.
There is nothing to say this week. I’m so sorry. I’ve been a bad friend/ family member. We had an amazing lesson with Galea, the woman that I told about a few weeks ago. But she said her husband won’t give her permission to be baptized. She asked if she could lie to her husband and say she was going to work and instead come to church and be baptized. I was really upset that I had to say no... That won’t fly with God. Being honest is a commandment and we aren’t trying to cause marital problems. After that one lesson we couldn’t even get a hold of her and yeah obviously things are getting harder for her. Satan doesn’t want her baptized. It was a really hard week but honestly, she wasn’t baptized because I didn’t do everything I should have. I had a lot of repenting to do.
I was praying and the spirit just said, "you’re right, you let her get away, but don’t worry. Someone else will baptize her next transfer."
Don’t worry, knife in my heart. And I was 100 convinced that meant I was being transferred.
But we got transfer calls and Irma Palmer and I are staying here in Quinta do Conde.
I got really confused and heavenly father said, "You need to be someone else this transfer. You can’t stay the same person anymore."
Pray for me.
I’ve got some changes to make and it’s not going to be easy.
Anyway, I love you guys! The atonement is real, and thank goodness.
PS: I’m giving my physical therapist a Book of Mormon today. Should be interesting.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Post-Conference Thoughts
10/8
Well let’s just get right to it shall we?
Did anyone else's brain explode with that announcement about missionaries?
Mine did.
I know everyone is already saying it, but it's true. Things are going to get crazy, because if Heavenly Father needs that many missionaries right now, it's because so many more people are ready to be baptized before Christ comes.
It didn’t hurt that my companion and I were sitting in a separate room with half of the other missionaries in our zone to watch conference in English when they announced it and we all just looked around at each other and started screaming and going crazy. We all had chills and were so excited. Irma Palmer and I will still look at each other and just be like ohhhh my goodness. I can’t believe it.
Really exciting though, our native speaking Cabo Verdian District Leader was doing accompanhimento (I don’t know what that is in English) at the end of the day and asked us in Portuguese (which translated is a lot more harsh) "Are you guys upset that all the nineteen year old women will come on missions and you guys will be really old when you go home? I think it will be harder for you guys to get married." It's fine. Thanks Elder Ribeiro.
But! Caroline Bliss, I am so proud of you! I heard about your Facebook status and I felt when they announced that, that I needed to write you and tell you to go NOW.
Other than that, Conference was just amazing all around.
ANNOUNCEMENT!
I prayed and fasted and listened to the Spirit and its official, looks like I’m going back to BYU Hawaii after my mission. During conference we watched all of the sessions except one in English. We watched one in Portuguese because we were sitting with our investigators, and let me tell you, I did not understand anything. It’s fine. My Portuguese is getting a lot worse. But when I heard that one speaker start talking about the Laie Hawaii temple, all I knew was he was telling some story about the importance of details, I have no idea what happened in the story though, but the spirit said I need to go back. So I’m doing it! I’m.... praying to be happy about it. It will be good though. And there were tons of talks about being happy to accept the Lords will so that’s absolutely what I needed to learn.
Also, Elder Holland's talk had all us missionaries SILENT. We pretty much got whipped into shape with that one.
But basically I've just been geeking out about Conference.
Also, fun fact:
My Zone Leader reminds me of Seth Cohen on the O.C.
I remembered that because I just want to tell you guys, the Priesthood is real and POWERFUL. I know all those men who spoke in Conference were called of God, especially our prophet Thomas S. Monson.
This past week was a huge testimony to me that the Priesthood is real. If you know me well, you know I don't like to show when I need help. Spending almost an entire transfer basically in the house is not easy as a missionary and it has not been easy on my companion. I've felt like a huge burden to her and to our district and zone because we are really struggling. Satan was definitely taking advantage of the situation with physical therapy to make me feel like a huge burden and thinking things like it would be better for the mission/area/my companion if I just went home to deal with this. THOSE ARE NOT GOOD FEELING/THOUGHTS. So I got a blessing from Elder Twede and it was one of the most powerful and monumental experiences I've ever had with the Priesthood and just spiritually in general. I know that the men in our church really do hold the power of God. All you priesthood holders honor it. Find ways to use it more and help those around you.
I know the church is true, I love you guys!
Also, there was some drama with the people running conference not wanting to let the missionaries watch it in English, so this week’s scripture was D&C 90:11.
Ha-ha, I’m still working on being humble and not as contentious.
One more thing and I say it because I LOVE YOU. Mom you really need to get healthy. I felt like I should tell you that while I was listening to conference. The age change only tells us that the Lord needs the gospel to spread even faster and chain opening is right around the corner. Elder Perkins who is the area president over Asia or whatever, his daughter was in this mission and went home like two months ago, and he told her and my current companion that they are so close to getting into China. I feel like its coming and you and dad need to be ready to go there the minute it does! If I could request a mission call I would go again and go with you guys! But mom really. The election, the change in missionary age, everything is adding up to the fact that Heavenly Father needs more people to get the gospel known. You and Dad can be the leaders for it in China. You need to be ready! I can’t wait for it! I’m so excited!!
There is a circus. I want to go so badly. But we are being good missionaries and resisting the temptations of Satan.
Irma Nelson, Irma Patterson (from my MTC District!), Me, and Irma Palmer after Conference
Well let’s just get right to it shall we?
Did anyone else's brain explode with that announcement about missionaries?
Mine did.
I know everyone is already saying it, but it's true. Things are going to get crazy, because if Heavenly Father needs that many missionaries right now, it's because so many more people are ready to be baptized before Christ comes.
It didn’t hurt that my companion and I were sitting in a separate room with half of the other missionaries in our zone to watch conference in English when they announced it and we all just looked around at each other and started screaming and going crazy. We all had chills and were so excited. Irma Palmer and I will still look at each other and just be like ohhhh my goodness. I can’t believe it.
Really exciting though, our native speaking Cabo Verdian District Leader was doing accompanhimento (I don’t know what that is in English) at the end of the day and asked us in Portuguese (which translated is a lot more harsh) "Are you guys upset that all the nineteen year old women will come on missions and you guys will be really old when you go home? I think it will be harder for you guys to get married." It's fine. Thanks Elder Ribeiro.
But! Caroline Bliss, I am so proud of you! I heard about your Facebook status and I felt when they announced that, that I needed to write you and tell you to go NOW.
Other than that, Conference was just amazing all around.
ANNOUNCEMENT!
I prayed and fasted and listened to the Spirit and its official, looks like I’m going back to BYU Hawaii after my mission. During conference we watched all of the sessions except one in English. We watched one in Portuguese because we were sitting with our investigators, and let me tell you, I did not understand anything. It’s fine. My Portuguese is getting a lot worse. But when I heard that one speaker start talking about the Laie Hawaii temple, all I knew was he was telling some story about the importance of details, I have no idea what happened in the story though, but the spirit said I need to go back. So I’m doing it! I’m.... praying to be happy about it. It will be good though. And there were tons of talks about being happy to accept the Lords will so that’s absolutely what I needed to learn.
Also, Elder Holland's talk had all us missionaries SILENT. We pretty much got whipped into shape with that one.
But basically I've just been geeking out about Conference.
Also, fun fact:
My Zone Leader reminds me of Seth Cohen on the O.C.
I remembered that because I just want to tell you guys, the Priesthood is real and POWERFUL. I know all those men who spoke in Conference were called of God, especially our prophet Thomas S. Monson.
This past week was a huge testimony to me that the Priesthood is real. If you know me well, you know I don't like to show when I need help. Spending almost an entire transfer basically in the house is not easy as a missionary and it has not been easy on my companion. I've felt like a huge burden to her and to our district and zone because we are really struggling. Satan was definitely taking advantage of the situation with physical therapy to make me feel like a huge burden and thinking things like it would be better for the mission/area/my companion if I just went home to deal with this. THOSE ARE NOT GOOD FEELING/THOUGHTS. So I got a blessing from Elder Twede and it was one of the most powerful and monumental experiences I've ever had with the Priesthood and just spiritually in general. I know that the men in our church really do hold the power of God. All you priesthood holders honor it. Find ways to use it more and help those around you.
I know the church is true, I love you guys!
Also, there was some drama with the people running conference not wanting to let the missionaries watch it in English, so this week’s scripture was D&C 90:11.
Ha-ha, I’m still working on being humble and not as contentious.
One more thing and I say it because I LOVE YOU. Mom you really need to get healthy. I felt like I should tell you that while I was listening to conference. The age change only tells us that the Lord needs the gospel to spread even faster and chain opening is right around the corner. Elder Perkins who is the area president over Asia or whatever, his daughter was in this mission and went home like two months ago, and he told her and my current companion that they are so close to getting into China. I feel like its coming and you and dad need to be ready to go there the minute it does! If I could request a mission call I would go again and go with you guys! But mom really. The election, the change in missionary age, everything is adding up to the fact that Heavenly Father needs more people to get the gospel known. You and Dad can be the leaders for it in China. You need to be ready! I can’t wait for it! I’m so excited!!
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Letter to President Fluckiger
10/2
Ola!
Alright, can we just discuss that it’s already October? What the what??
I didn’t even realize until we had a zone conference and President Fluckiger gave us a challenge to read all four gospels and study the life of Christ until Christmas. Christmas! IT'S SO SOON! THIS YEAR WENT BY TOO FAST. When it’s Christmas I will be half way through my mission. I’m not ready for that nonsense yet.
But my companion and I are so excited for conference! Yes. I feel a little bit like a drug addict because we have a countdown and everything. We will just turn to each other randomly and say IRM. (Yes without the “A”, idk, it’s just what she calls me) TEN DAYS. NINE DAYS. EIGHT DAYS. FOUR DAYS!!!!!! We are excited!
Life is pretty much the same, we haven’t been able to teach a whole lot because of my back and staying in the house but I’ll copy what I wrote to President about one of our investigators Galia.
Ola President!
This week was really great. I would love to share a story about our compremetido, Galia. She wasn't baptized and insisted that she had to go to work yesterday, but we had an amazing experience with her. We had a lesson with her earlier in the week and when we arrived she was talking on Skype to a woman that she knew in Bulgaria who was like her daughter. She said, "She’s from America, talk to her!" So we spoke to the woman and her husband for a little bit and Irma Palmer basically taught them the first lesson and about the Restoration. We invited them to go to Mormon.org and they said they would try and contact the missionaries there in Germany where they are living. Then Galia talked with us after we finished Skyping and she told us that she knows the Book of Mormon is true and she loves it. She said that it explains things for her really simply. We wanted to commit her to be baptized but her husband was being really destructive to the Spirit so we felt we should leave it how it was for the time being.
We came back on Saturday night and were able to talk to Galia and her daughter-in-law who is also really receptive. Galia told us that the woman we had spoken to on Skype offered her a job as a nanny to come live with them and have money to send home. Galia had been really struggling with the decision because she couldn’t bear the thought of leaving her family here even though all of her children are adults. She has always taken care of them and they don't know how to do anything for themselves. She asked how she could know if she was making a decision because of what she wanted or because of what God wanted.
We testified about the power of the Holy Ghost and that God uses the Holy Ghost to help us understand his will for our lives. We shared a few scriptures and some personal experiences and we could see in Galia such a strong desire to do what was right. She eventually told us that she felt really strongly that God had sent us to her right now because she needed the Spirit we brought to make her decision and she felt like God was giving her an answer right then. She said, God sent me Jennifer (the woman with whom we skipped) and He sent the first Irmas who talked to me on the street (Irma Brown and Irma Walker) who helped Galia reconnect with Jennifer, and now He had sent us to help her understand what she needed to do to follow Him and have the joy of being with Jennifer again.
President, I felt so strongly in that moment that Galia is why I'm here in Quinta do Conde. I feel it right now. During my first transfer, Irma Brown was in the Mem Martins ward with me and told me about how Quinta do Conde had been really hard for her but she talked about Galia and how much she meant to her. When Irma Brown was here with us the first day she practically begged us to pass by Galia and help her. I've already felt such a love for Irma Brown because she is really the reason I made it through my first transfer, and in the lesson with Galia the Spirit said, "You’re here to finish what your dear friend started. Help them both."
I know that none of the friendships or relationships we make here on the mission is a coincidence. I've learned so much from Irma Brown and I'm so grateful for the help she gave me and I feel so honored to be in the area where she worked to help with someone she loves so much. Thank you so much for this opportunity to serve here and to serve with Irma Palmer. She is teaching me so much as well and I feel as though Heavenly Father is really expecting a lot from us.
Thank you so much for everything, sorry this was really long!
Love
Irma Dean
So yeah, she’s really our big focus right now and she’s wonderful and she’s coming to conference! I’m so excited! I love her and she feels like my adoptive Portugal/Bulgarian mother here in Quinta do Conde.
In other news, I started physical therapy yesterday! It was interesting. It was normal and everything and my doctor is so great. Its going well though and President Fluckiger gave me a blessing last week and my back has already started to improve a ton!
Well I have to go and sorry it’s a day late, but I love you guys so much!
The scripture for this week is 1 Nephi 21:15-16 and replace "House of Israel" with your name, okay?
Christ loves you and is always with you!
I love you too and I’m praying for you guys!
Ola!
Alright, can we just discuss that it’s already October? What the what??
I didn’t even realize until we had a zone conference and President Fluckiger gave us a challenge to read all four gospels and study the life of Christ until Christmas. Christmas! IT'S SO SOON! THIS YEAR WENT BY TOO FAST. When it’s Christmas I will be half way through my mission. I’m not ready for that nonsense yet.
But my companion and I are so excited for conference! Yes. I feel a little bit like a drug addict because we have a countdown and everything. We will just turn to each other randomly and say IRM. (Yes without the “A”, idk, it’s just what she calls me) TEN DAYS. NINE DAYS. EIGHT DAYS. FOUR DAYS!!!!!! We are excited!
Life is pretty much the same, we haven’t been able to teach a whole lot because of my back and staying in the house but I’ll copy what I wrote to President about one of our investigators Galia.
Ola President!
This week was really great. I would love to share a story about our compremetido, Galia. She wasn't baptized and insisted that she had to go to work yesterday, but we had an amazing experience with her. We had a lesson with her earlier in the week and when we arrived she was talking on Skype to a woman that she knew in Bulgaria who was like her daughter. She said, "She’s from America, talk to her!" So we spoke to the woman and her husband for a little bit and Irma Palmer basically taught them the first lesson and about the Restoration. We invited them to go to Mormon.org and they said they would try and contact the missionaries there in Germany where they are living. Then Galia talked with us after we finished Skyping and she told us that she knows the Book of Mormon is true and she loves it. She said that it explains things for her really simply. We wanted to commit her to be baptized but her husband was being really destructive to the Spirit so we felt we should leave it how it was for the time being.
We came back on Saturday night and were able to talk to Galia and her daughter-in-law who is also really receptive. Galia told us that the woman we had spoken to on Skype offered her a job as a nanny to come live with them and have money to send home. Galia had been really struggling with the decision because she couldn’t bear the thought of leaving her family here even though all of her children are adults. She has always taken care of them and they don't know how to do anything for themselves. She asked how she could know if she was making a decision because of what she wanted or because of what God wanted.
We testified about the power of the Holy Ghost and that God uses the Holy Ghost to help us understand his will for our lives. We shared a few scriptures and some personal experiences and we could see in Galia such a strong desire to do what was right. She eventually told us that she felt really strongly that God had sent us to her right now because she needed the Spirit we brought to make her decision and she felt like God was giving her an answer right then. She said, God sent me Jennifer (the woman with whom we skipped) and He sent the first Irmas who talked to me on the street (Irma Brown and Irma Walker) who helped Galia reconnect with Jennifer, and now He had sent us to help her understand what she needed to do to follow Him and have the joy of being with Jennifer again.
President, I felt so strongly in that moment that Galia is why I'm here in Quinta do Conde. I feel it right now. During my first transfer, Irma Brown was in the Mem Martins ward with me and told me about how Quinta do Conde had been really hard for her but she talked about Galia and how much she meant to her. When Irma Brown was here with us the first day she practically begged us to pass by Galia and help her. I've already felt such a love for Irma Brown because she is really the reason I made it through my first transfer, and in the lesson with Galia the Spirit said, "You’re here to finish what your dear friend started. Help them both."
I know that none of the friendships or relationships we make here on the mission is a coincidence. I've learned so much from Irma Brown and I'm so grateful for the help she gave me and I feel so honored to be in the area where she worked to help with someone she loves so much. Thank you so much for this opportunity to serve here and to serve with Irma Palmer. She is teaching me so much as well and I feel as though Heavenly Father is really expecting a lot from us.
Thank you so much for everything, sorry this was really long!
Love
Irma Dean
So yeah, she’s really our big focus right now and she’s wonderful and she’s coming to conference! I’m so excited! I love her and she feels like my adoptive Portugal/Bulgarian mother here in Quinta do Conde.
In other news, I started physical therapy yesterday! It was interesting. It was normal and everything and my doctor is so great. Its going well though and President Fluckiger gave me a blessing last week and my back has already started to improve a ton!
Well I have to go and sorry it’s a day late, but I love you guys so much!
The scripture for this week is 1 Nephi 21:15-16 and replace "House of Israel" with your name, okay?
Christ loves you and is always with you!
I love you too and I’m praying for you guys!
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