Siverlake Transfers 3

Hey ya'll!

There where some awesome days this week! Partly because missionary work is the best and partly because it was a little cooler this week! Biking around town is actually quite enjoyable when you are not an oven on wheels! Plus, Sister Bearnson and I have a lot more energy when we are not being zapped by the heat in the afternoon. 

We are grateful for the kinda-sorta-somewhat of fall weather that is happening. Just watch.. now that I said this tomorrow is going to be up in the 90's with 100% humidity again.... haha But, like I've said Texas does what it wants. 

One of the moments this week where I realized that God is looking out for his children happened on Monday. A member invited over their neighbor for Family Home Evening and we came along as well. The friends name is Christian and he is a professional clarinet player in the Houston Symphony and the Boston Symphony. Music is his entire life and he really takes it seriously! He said he could get us free tickets if we wanted to go and could get permission! (not sure if that will happen, but isn't that so nice!!) We had an awesome lesson and invited the friend to church on Sunday. Tuesday comes along and the members call us saying that Christian fell and broke his elbow! He had surgery on Friday, and STILL came to church on Sunday. This week we are going to teach him again and help him out with some chores around the house along with the members. We are really glad we could be there to help this guy out. He recently went through a divorce and now that his elbow is broken he might have troubles playing his clarinet. Look at the timing of this event.. there is no way this was just by accident. God really knows us. He knows what we need and he knows that Christian needs this. :) 

This week we also taught Haleys siblings (Haley is a recently baptized girl) Her sister Megan is very interested in the people at the church. She realized that the people care about her so we are making some progress. She even opened the Book of Mormon this week and read some! We are confident that she will feel the Holy Ghost the more she opens herself to it. 

Tyler (Haleys brother) is a big gamer. He is almost always in front of the TV playing some new game. The funny thing is even though you would never guess it Sister Bearnson is a big gamer too! :) She loves video games and has played pretty much every single one you can name. She has been relating gospel topics to video game talk so that Tyler will stay interested. It is actually working! Tyler is slowly starting to realize that we have something that is sorta interesting. :) Sister Bearnson is amazing. 

Speaking of Sister Bearnson!! It was her Birthday this week!! She turned 23 on Friday. I made sure the entire ward was aware so she got a ton of calls and texts on Friday saying Happy Birthday! :) It was a great day for her and I am glad that we got to celebrate it! I love being able to find things to celebrate. It doesn't matter what it is. I just love being happy and so Friday was an extra happy day! We are opposites in a lot of things, but we really get along really good and can use each other to relate to different people. God really is in control. I needed to meet some of these people here. :)

Today for Preparation Day we went to check out Buc-ees. It is this store where everything is covered in Beavers.. and I hear people talk about it all the time!! We were expecting a little more since we have not heard the end of his place since we got here.. but it was still pretty cool. We got a good laugh at all the Beaver things. 

                                               Sister Bearnson at Buc-ees!!!  Wall of Beavers

Talents

Ola :)

Great week this week. One of the highlights was the

Ward ARTS NIGHT!

It was a big talent show that also involved visual art like paintings and quilts. It was so much fun to see the random talents that people in our ward have. We brought some investigators so we got to see it all! Some members sang Opera (and I was actually impressed) One of them was in Italian and I thought it sounded pretty good, but if anyone has heard me try to speak Italian then you would know I have no idea. haha 

Some of the youth danced. There was a lyrical dance that was pretty good, but my favorite was one of the guys doing a hip-hop locking dance. He is a less active that we have been working with to come back to church. He mentioned a couple weeks ago that he use to dance and so of course I had to ask him what he does and why he stopped doing it. He said that he didn't know why he stopped, but it was something he missed. We had a a little conversation about it and pretty much at the end Sister Bearnson and I talked him into taking up dancing again. At this point I had never seen him dance and I totally forgot about the conversation. Then in the talent show he is called up on stage and he says in the microphone, "I love to dance and it is a talent that I have been given from God. The sisters have helped me to see that I can use my talent in good ways that uplift others. I will forever be grateful to my Father in Heaven for his gift" :D It was such a  cool looking dance and he choreographed it all himself. We were impressed and we are glad he is getting more involved with the ward. 

Other than singing and dancing there was a couple piano pieces played and there was even some stand up comedy. It wasn't the best thing I have ever heard, but it was still pretty funny. There was even a violin and viola duo by a pregnant mom (due in 3 weeks) and another lady in the ward. I was impressed at all the talent.   

At the end of that night I realized that so many people had talents that I would have never even realized. Then I thought about spiritual talents. There are a ton of people in the world who have certain talents, whether it is something they have really worked to develop or it is just something that comes naturally, God gives everyone a talent. My companion, Sister Bearnson is very good at listening. She almost always knows exactly what investigators are feeling because she can listen in a way that really allows her to understand them on a deeper level. Some people are blessed with teaching skills or people skills. There are talents of being great helpers, of always being considerate of others. All of these talents as a whole can come together and benefit all of us. 

God never intended for us to get to heaven all alone. We need each other to learn and to grow. If we were all individual people fending for ourselves then we would never have the need to be anything other than what we are. The talents and abilities of others challenge us to be better than we are. It is a wonderful system that God knew would help us out in the best way. 

 

Other than that we had our first Cottage Meeting this week! This a smaller group of members inviting their friends over and we all eat goodies and talk about the gospel. It actually was really awesome and we are planning another one in a couple weeks. 

We also got to help out at the library this week! We got to sort through book for 2 hours! haha It wasn't the most wonderful job, but we were happy to see the librarians smile when we were done. Service really is the best medicine. 

                                                                Pearland District!!
                                                                     

Don't worry...we never go over the speed limit!!!! 

 

 

 

 

 

Transfers

I feel like my life should be the next season of "The District" So much has happened and it would be so much easier to show you than to type it all out on this here computer, but here it goes. :)

So first off last week we got in contact with a family who we were teaching before summer hit. This family is awesome and really wanted to be baptized a couple months ago, but when summer came along and they all went to Mexico we really didn't have anything we could do for them. They came back and we went back to see them as soon as possible, but they were not as excited as they were before. We went back a couple times, but they were always busy and having to reschedule appointments. This Tuesday they officially told us to go away and not come back.. We were a little depressed about it because they were so awesome and we know how much this message can really bless their lives. 

Hopefully down the road a little they will come back. I know God knows how to help them. They will be willing to learn again a little later. 

My favorite thing about this week was going on exchanges. I got to go to a SPANISH area for a couple days! I just talked it Portuguese and anything that didn't exactly translate Hermana Carlson would help me with. It was sooo much fun and I actually surprised myself with how much Portuguese I know.. and how much Spanish I understand! I was definitely seeing the grace of God helping me to communicate with those humble people. If I don't go to Brazil next transfer I would really love to serve in a Spanish area! Sure it would be a little bit of a stretch, but I have full confidence in my Heavenly Father. He knows what I need to be doing. :)

While we were on exchanges I was talking to this lady about the Holy Ghost. She asked what it feels like and as I was thinking how to say what I wanted to say in Portuguese the video we watched in the MTC came into my head. In the video there is a lady who is talking about the feeling she has is almost too big for her body. It fills her up and makes her feel peace. I was able to remember how the lady talked about this feeling in spanish... and told her. Right now I couldn't tell you what I said, but I know that it was exactly what that video said... hah Sister Carlson was impressed, but I was just so grateful. The only way to describe that moment is to say that it was not me. God brought that to me and I was able to do it only because of Him. 

I love being a missionary. I see so many blessings everyday! 

Speaking of blessings- Haley (new convert) brought her entire family to church on Sunday!! Her brother and sister stayed the entire meeting and they had an awesome time. We also had a couple less active families come to church on Sunday. 

Church is the place where we really gain a greater understanding and appreciation of our Savior. So many times during the week people say, " I just don't see the reason to go to church. I can study the scriptures on my own. I can have a relationship with God on my own."

Yes, a relationship with God is very important, but church is your time once a week where you can really let go of everything else and completely focus on the gifts from your Father and your Savior. Church is a place where you meet other people who will support you in your beliefs. You have a family and a support system. 

Church is a gift from God, not an annoying obligation. 

I would rant some more, but you get the picture. I love my Savior. I love His gospel. I know that this church is true because I have asked and God has given me my very own personal witness of the truth. I know that families are meant to be together forever, but you need to correct priesthood authority to do so. I know that we are so blessed and that more blessings are in store for those who keep the commandments with a happy heart. 

Have a great week everybody!

Eu amo voces! 

Sister Earl

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                                                  This is a miracle....never has had a tan!!

                                             Birthday Cake from Mom and Dad and family

September 9 2013

Hello all my lovely friends,

This week has gone by especially fast since P-day was on Tuesday last week. Luckily the entire week has been awesome, with the little rocks in the road to keep it interesting.. just like always. :)

I think we finally figured all the stuff out with the apartment. We have gone a couple week now with no late fee notifications or last minute faxes to the mission office. Thank goodness for that. 

This week was filled with more and more learning opportunities that I am so grateful for. I am really trying to keep up with my journal so I can record all the blessings I see everyday. Really if you look anything can become a blessing. 

One of my blessings this week was went I was in a lesson with a member and her friend. We were talking about reading the Book of Mormon and the member piped up with this little nugget of wisdom. 

She said " The Book of Mormon talks about Jesus Christ just like the Bible does. When we read them both we get a better idea of who Christ is. When we know someone better we naturally trust them. So the more we can know about our Savior the easier it will be to turn our pains and worries over to Him. We will trust Him and know Him as an individual."

Wow, when she said that the spirit just flooded into the room. Her friend talked about the desire she has had to know the Savior better. I couldn't believe how strong the spirit was... I seriously felt like Jesus was right there personally inviting her to read the Book of Mormon and I was just the person speaking the words. It was powerful and I know that I was not in charge of that moment. That was completely the Spirit taking over. :) 

This stuff is powerful. We are not talking about a Book that simply makes us feel good when we are reading it. We are talking about TRUTH. It contains the Truth and there is nothing more powerful than that from our loving Father in Heaven. 

I testify that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that it will help you to know Jesus Christ right along with the Bible. When you know Him then you can trust Him and he really can lift you up. 

The Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know it and I know God knows it. He wants everyone to know. 

Eu Amo Voces!

-Sister Earl

PICTURES

 

                                                          Transferred to the MOON!!!

                                                                        NASA

                                                                         NASA

                                                             BIRTHDAY GOODIES

                                                                 BACON POPCORN!!!

Missionary on the moon

What a wonderful week!! So many great things are happening everywhere I go. All you people are people I look up to. I admire your leadership and your influence on me. I truly believe that every one I meet has something to teach me. Everyone has strengths and the way those strengths shine through teaches me more about myself and about the love of my Heavenly Father. 

Just as an example: This week I had the opportunity to meet a Less Active member of our Silverlake Ward. She invited us in and we began to talk. She talked about how a long time ago she was married to a member of the church. She said how she pictured it to be a wonderful story book marriage, but he was abusive and the marriage ended in flames instead of roses. She said for a long time she was angry with God. She decided that He didn't love her and didn't want anything to do with him. My heart went out to this nice lady. She was obviously still in pain from the incident. She went on to say that she has since then forgiven God, but she learned a very valuable lesson. She said "Your religion needs to start from your inner most self. If you are running through the motions then you will see blessings, but you won't feel them. You won't understand the fullness of Gods love until you capture it inside you." I was thinking about that and I realized that she is completely right. She is a wonderful lady and I already love her so much. We talked a lot about the Love God has for her and the way to feel it through the Atonement. It was such a wonderful time. We could literally feel the Love of God filling in all the open spaces in that little room. :)

God lives. 

Now you are probably wondering why the topic of this email involves the Moon. Well.. for my birthday today we went to NASA! It was sorta crazy because last week we were talking about how Preparation day was changed to Tuesday (my birthday) and so we should do something really cool. The idea came up that we should go to NASA and all of us jokingly said that would be awesome, but we didn't think it would actually happen. Then I decided that I could make it happen... and so we did! 

It was pretty cool because we got to see the original mission control room and a bunch of videos of space travel and historical things. My companion and I got NASA shirts and we took tons and tons of pictures!! 

I am so completely amazed at the progression we have had in technology since the first launch to space. The knowledge of all this new and improved awesome stuff just makes me in complete awe at the great power of our Father in Heaven. We can make human-like robots that can turn a single page of a book without ripping it and type on a touch screen phone with no mistakes! We can create a machine that can travel 5 miles per second! We can create an environment in which we can live in space! We have technology that can hold tons of data that is now the size of a quarter! It is incredible and yet still people doubt the existence of a higher power. God is the source of all knowledge and all creation. He created us! He made our bodies and created our planet for us.

One of my favorite quotes is "Compared to God, man are nothing; yet we are everything to God."

God knows everything. He literally understands all and yet he counts us as His greatest creation. He loves us more than we understand and He will continue to be there for us and help us. He is the founder of all truth and the source of all this wonderful technology that we have today. 

What a blessing. 

Today as I learned all about the Space expeditions I gained a greater appreciation for His divine love. Just think He seriously knows everything about everything, but does He ever focus on that? No. In our prayers He asks that we address Him as our Heavenly Father not as the most intelligent, all knowing being in the universe. Even though that is exactly what He is. Doesn't that just open your eyes to the love He has? I feel so blessed and happy to have this knowledge. :)

Anyway, God loves you ok? If I haven't made that clear yet feel feel to ask me again. hah He really does though! And he wants to hear from you! :) Talk to Him it will make all the difference to you. :)

Have a great week everyone. Smile a little bigger :)

Love you all

-Sister Earl

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.