Dear my 'oh so dear yet not near' Irvine Family:
It was a very touching occasion to see Pres. Hinckley's funeral service, and it was really rouhg for me. Just being at one General Conference I gained a testimony that he was a prophet of God, and it was so sad to hear that he had passed beyond the veil, but, it was for the best. To just know that he is with Marjorie again for eternity is something that gives me solace. I am so glad that I am a member and missionary for the only church of Jesus Christ that is on this earth. As Nephi said, there's two churches: one of the Lamb of God, and the other of the devil.
This week was a bit rough. The weekend especially, because no one was home and we couldn't visit anybody for that reason. But, the work is progressing. After Pres. Hinckley's funeral, my comp complained that he should've gone to the English session and not the Spanish one so I told him to stop complaining and so he said 'well stop always commenting on everything' so I ignored him and we drove home in silence. He loves to complain, so I'm getting used to it by just keep on saying, 'it could be worse', or 'things happen', or whatever seems neutral. It is very irritating, but from his background it makes sense. Pres. Goodrich told me that he has very low self-esteem so I'm here to boost him up his last transfer. So I'll do that, but I don't exactly love doing it. We teach well, we get along fine. I am pretty stubborn and like to push him to do what I feel is right because he's indecisive, but he's cool with it sometimes. I'm getting better though. I just miss my other comp because Neira knew what he wanted to do and would actually do it. With Hansen, I feel sometimes depressed because we're not exactly working as hard as I did with Neira (but then again we skipped lunch and dinner so there's some downsides). It's getting better, slowly.
I've been reading the Book of Mormon in Spanish lately, and have been taking notes prompted by the Spirit. It's really helped me focus and actually learn from the Book of Mormon. Yes, it's in Spanish, but I like the language better (the translations). I have learned to love Nephi even more and I just love how he is so clear in his writings. His bravery, his faith especially, and steadfastness to go on when his family is weak. I have really come to appreciate the Book of Mormon more through studying in this way. When I read, everything else is blocked from my mind and I feel like a sponge. It's so great! Something that's impressed me is how Nephi loved his brothers, his family, and his posterity that he would never live to see in his life. Godly sorrow just came to my mind time and time again as I studied his words, because he knew his people would fall and be destroyed, and it hurt him to the very soul. At one point, he felt so terrible he had to gain strength again to even talk to his brothers. Little by little I am reading the Other Testament of Jesus Christ and gaining a spiritual witness as the apostles have counseled us.
The most important things happened this week. Transfers! So the most infamous apostate missionary came into my apartment and district, so this'll be a learning experience of how to fight to have the Spirit and how to really appreciate obedience. But, it's what President felt so I'll deal with it. And, one of my buddies went home, Elder Villa. So we went to his 'despedida' or departure devotional for him and some other missionaries. He ended up giving a talk, which bored me, but I really will miss him. But, we got our investigators, the Cardenas, there (we can only go if we bring investigators). They are progressing so fast it's truly a miracle! Every time we teach them, questions from the Book of Mormon come up (they've been reading like crazy!) and then we see how're they are and then we teach...it's just my absolute favorite appointment each week. They are going to get their marriage license soon so then we'll set a date for them to get married by the bishop and then get them interviewed then baptized. I can see a change in them, they're happier, excited to see us, and really love participating in the lessons and also in Gospel Principles. The father, Alberto, even said that he's felt a change in his life. There's hope, peace and joy in his life now. He has a purpose. And he said he's dealing with his children even better, and truly wants to receive the blessings of the Restored Gospel. The second counselor in the ward visited them with us, Hno. Umana, and he wants to come back to teach them. As an RM, he knows they are golden and wants to fellowship them and help them out. It's so awesome! Alberto even invited his brother to be taught by the other two missionaries that live with us, and he even came to church. It was just great! They have the fire of the Holy Ghost, and I truly love it! The Lord has blessed us too much with this family...I am so blessed! It was really strange teaching them because they are already keeping the first three commandments of the fourth lesson (commandments of God)- obedient to God's will (trying to get married), reading the scriptures (yup, they're awesome) and praying often (yup, that too!). So, it's pretty much amazing and uplifting every week. We always have the Cardenas to look forward to, when all else goes bad. It's so great! The elect are just waiting to be found!
To be truly honest, I cringe every time there's a fast and testimony meeting. Members go up and say the 'darndest' things. Last time, American citizenship and the blessings of being in America as a Latino. The same woman went up and didn't exactly scare me, but it could've been more tactful. I wish members would realize what they say can confuse or turn off investigators. Latinos don't really care, they say what they want and to 'heck' with it. Frustrating at times. Some girls went up and bore their testimonies (one of them is desperate cuz she talked about eternal marriage and that stuff and she's not even in college), it was alright. But, my comp went up at the end and bore his testimony so it lifted it up at the end. Yes! And in Gospel Principles, the first counselor basically talked to the teacher (ward mission leader) the entire time so we didn't participate much. He likes to hear himself talk to look smart. Not very uplifting at all. As was priesthood class. The teacher taught us the organization after a prophet dies, and then everyone got loud and I couldn't feel the Spirit and hear what everyone was yelling (Latinos love to be loud and heard). Then the teacher calmed it down, and bore his testimony and the Spirit was there. At the end. Just great. But, it could've been worse! I still say the Adventist church I went to with Neira had more of the Spirit than does this ward. Know what? I'm still gonna work and bring people to church even though the ward is a bit kooky. I'm the Lord's servant, not Spencer Irvine. It's so hard to suck it up and get to work...argh! The ward is getting better, but it is really a trial of my patience.
We're teaching Lesley, an easily distracted 10 year old girl, and finally finished the discussions so she's ready to be baptized (or bathetized as she says it), but man! It was really frustrating when her dog would jump onto my lap during the lesson, she'd try to get it from me...it was annoying. But we're done! Phew!
It's an odd week because we're starting to weed investigators in and out now so we are doing a lot of finding and not so much teaching. Not much else is really happening, but we are having a lot of success here. The Lord sees sacrifices, and blesses his servants that do His will and not theirs. The Lord has called me to Santa Clarita and I'll build up this ward as best as I can until the Lord sees fit to send me elsewhere. I love His work so much!
Side note, my comp is trunky! Well not super trunky, just talks once in a while about what he'll do when he gets home (which really annoys me a lot because it really makes it hard for me to focus on the work), but he does it to tease another elder who is sorta dead right now and he has 9 months left. So yeah.
I hope you all are well, and that you all are not freezing to death in cold MD! I love you all and I'm praying for you always!
Love,
Elder Irvine
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
January 28, 2008
Dear the Irvines:
Yes, I'm staying for at least another six weeks, and I'm going to 'kill' my comp Elder Hansen. So that'll make it at least 2 transfers more. Hopefully (or else it'd be whitewashing).
Maybe I should head my e-mails "dear Mom"- if that makes it sound more personal *wink wink* probably the only one that reads it. Just kidding. But yeah, we heard about Pres. Hinckley last night via local member in the English ward, Sister Flick. It's too bad, but I know that it was a welcome event due to his tough separation from his wife over the last few years. He really was a prophet of God. I have no worries, because the Church is run by God. But now the big question: Who do I say is the prophet of the Church now to my investigators? Um...we have apostles and they're prophets? No worries. It's all good. About Dad posting my e-mails online. My comp Elder Neira read them! Not good at all! He found them and told me about it...oh well. Just to let you know that my comps can read them...gosh so much for privacy Dad!
So we postponed the baptismal date for the Jaimes so they can get a testimony of the Book of Mormon, which will help them from easily getting offended and dropping off the face of the earth. We got a taste of that when we were late for their baptismal interview. Easily offended and proud Mexicans. But, great people. We went by with their fellowshippers, the Ceja's, and the Jaimes fed us pozole, which is a great Mexican dish. At least it wasn't spicy, because I would've died right there. When they say spicy, it is really spicy. And, our golden investigators, the Cardenas, still come to church, and still read the Book of Mormon. At least 5 weeks straight by now! The 'wife' Yadhira said that the prophecies are coming true in the Book of Mormon (2nd Nephi) and she has a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon, as does her soon-to-be husband Alberto. We're going to set a marriage date, and could have 3 marriages in the ward on the same day! That'd be sweet! So they're doing great! I just love that family...they're so ready to be baptized. They want to take the Sacrament, but they know from Catholic tradition they can't since they're unmarried. We talked about repentance, and then Yadhira asked us, 'are we living in sin?', to which I said, 'yes'. 'But,' I added, 'you're doing your best to get married and obey God's commandments, and He sees that.' They really want to partake of the Sacrament and get baptized. I absolutely love it! It's getting harder to teach our 10 year old investigator Lesley, because she all of a sudden just goes super distracted by everything and is easily bored. Doesn't help my comp Hansen and I sometimes quotes old English in teaching, but it's not our fault really. We're used to teaching older people, but we should simplify it so everyone can understand. Just something to improve on.
I'm so tired everyday from driving all around the place and teaching people. Now I feel like my old senior comps- it's really draining.
We had a mission tour this past Friday, and I loved it. Elder Craig Christensen of the Seventy came to visit us. So we went up to Lancaster (an hour away) and we saw the infamous snow that had rained down on the mountains up there. I was zooming too, cuz everyone goes fast. I did hit 90 mph...but immediately slowed down when I realized it. Hey, it's the desert! I saw my first Joshua tree, and as my district comp said, 'if God allowed Dr. Seuss to make a creation, he'd pick the Joshua tree', and that is very true. We got there, and studied the scriptures a bit then lined up in the gym to greet Elder and Sister Christensen. Really great people. Elder Christensen taught us about the Holy Ghost, and its several roles according to the scriptures. So I took notes, but he asked us to also write down our impressions. When I looked over them recently, I was really surprised to see that the Spirit led me to write things I needed to do to have him with me as a missionary. Things I need to do to improve. It was long, but it was really great. We heard from Sister Goodrich, and she always cracks a joke. She had prayed to know what to speak on before the tour, and so she was going to speak about the Holy Ghost. The day before, the mission tour for 3 other zones in the mission, she was going to speak. When she heard Elder Christensen give his interactional talk/discussion on the Holy Ghost, she was like, 'well you'd have to be an idiot to add to that one', so she just bore her testimony about the Spirit. But this time, she shared stories from Wilford Woodruff's life and how he had the Spirit to guide him. When he left a town to baptize hundreds in central England as guided by the Spirit. A really great talk. Then Pres. Goodrich spoke on obedience. How Saul, then David, fell due to disobedience. And especially when one time he nearly got in trouble at a local park in Missouri with the Cub Scouts. There was a cliff with water below at about 50 feet, and some people that were drunk jumped off. Signs said 'don't jump, fine of x amount of money', and it was tempting. His Cub Scouts egged him on from below. He was going to jump when the Park Ranger came out of the woods, fined the other people and then Pres. Goodrich told his Cub Scouts, 'See? That's why you're obedient!' I really love President Goodrich. It was a good reminder for us to continue to follow mission rules, so we can double convert baptisms. Sister Christensen read scriptures to us, and applied them to how Peter became a great apostle because he was chastised several times by the Lord. She then said, "You are like Peter", because we are always being chastised or corrected by the Lord's servant to improve (in a loving way of course). It really hit me. With this name badge, I represent Christ. I follow his rules, he blesses me. He corrects me through others, lovingly. It was a great message to me. Elder Christensen referred to Hebrews and how we should follow our leaders because they care for us, because they want us to improve. It was a great mission tour, and I learned a lot from it. Some missionaries were asked to give their testimonies, so they did (without previous warning of course). Afterwards, we went to Panda Express, then headed back home to Newhall. My comp Hansen fell asleep while I drove, and the glare was really bad. I was listening to some of the conference talks Dad sent me, and I nearly fell asleep. Nothing but L. Tom Perry's voice, glare, random rainfall to occupy my attention. But, we arrived safe and sound. I fell asleep for half an hour because it was exhausting. Wake up at 6:30, then out at 8 am to drive to a meeting, sit there until 1:30 then eat lunch then back by 3. Really tiring day. Spiritually exhausting, as Elder Christensen said.
Sunday was a up and down day. I had a good study and got ready for church, but when I got to PEC I just felt a burden. A feeling that I wasn't doing anything right, like I wasn't doing any good here. It was a sudden and penetrating feeling. It was the first time I've ever thought that way, and so I was sitting in PEC feeling a bit down. I thought it was because Elder Hansen never really lets me contact as much as he does, but when it boiled down to it, it was because I had not prayed for the Spirit with a sincere heart. It was like a hole my my heart, and it was really scary. And it doesn't help that my other district comp Humpherys is a bit trunky at times, so he makes me feel trunky a bit. I quickly realized my faults, and prayed to God to comfort me in my weakness, and he did. It illustrated me the importance of sincere prayer, not routine prayer as I get into doing sometimes, and that God will always answer our prayers. After that, it was just great. It didn't help all the meetings went a bit over, since the bishop spoke for half an hour in sacrament meeting and bored all of us to death (well, except the Cardenas because they love church). But, it was a good day. I love the work here, and I'm happy the Lord saw it fit to keep me here (even though if I got moved it wouldn't have made any logical sense- Hansen has 3 weeks here I have 12 so...). I just love this work!
Oh yeah, we're getting a new elder today, Elder Suarez. He is the most apostate elder up to this point in time, and President saw it fit to send him to our district to fix him up. It is going to be very interesting to say the least.
We just about survived a torrential rainstorm. It snowed up north in Castaic on the way to Bakersfield, so we got to see snow-capped mountains. The rain kept coming and coming, and it seemed a bit crazy. It never seemed to stop all week, but we kept working. Soaked, but worked hard. Weird California. My comp was freaking out because it was raining so much and he's been here for almost 2 years and never saw this before.
I love you all. I wish you well, and especially for your wonderful support! All is well in Zion!
Love,
Elder Irvine
Yes, I'm staying for at least another six weeks, and I'm going to 'kill' my comp Elder Hansen. So that'll make it at least 2 transfers more. Hopefully (or else it'd be whitewashing).
Maybe I should head my e-mails "dear Mom"- if that makes it sound more personal *wink wink* probably the only one that reads it. Just kidding. But yeah, we heard about Pres. Hinckley last night via local member in the English ward, Sister Flick. It's too bad, but I know that it was a welcome event due to his tough separation from his wife over the last few years. He really was a prophet of God. I have no worries, because the Church is run by God. But now the big question: Who do I say is the prophet of the Church now to my investigators? Um...we have apostles and they're prophets? No worries. It's all good. About Dad posting my e-mails online. My comp Elder Neira read them! Not good at all! He found them and told me about it...oh well. Just to let you know that my comps can read them...gosh so much for privacy Dad!
So we postponed the baptismal date for the Jaimes so they can get a testimony of the Book of Mormon, which will help them from easily getting offended and dropping off the face of the earth. We got a taste of that when we were late for their baptismal interview. Easily offended and proud Mexicans. But, great people. We went by with their fellowshippers, the Ceja's, and the Jaimes fed us pozole, which is a great Mexican dish. At least it wasn't spicy, because I would've died right there. When they say spicy, it is really spicy. And, our golden investigators, the Cardenas, still come to church, and still read the Book of Mormon. At least 5 weeks straight by now! The 'wife' Yadhira said that the prophecies are coming true in the Book of Mormon (2nd Nephi) and she has a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon, as does her soon-to-be husband Alberto. We're going to set a marriage date, and could have 3 marriages in the ward on the same day! That'd be sweet! So they're doing great! I just love that family...they're so ready to be baptized. They want to take the Sacrament, but they know from Catholic tradition they can't since they're unmarried. We talked about repentance, and then Yadhira asked us, 'are we living in sin?', to which I said, 'yes'. 'But,' I added, 'you're doing your best to get married and obey God's commandments, and He sees that.' They really want to partake of the Sacrament and get baptized. I absolutely love it! It's getting harder to teach our 10 year old investigator Lesley, because she all of a sudden just goes super distracted by everything and is easily bored. Doesn't help my comp Hansen and I sometimes quotes old English in teaching, but it's not our fault really. We're used to teaching older people, but we should simplify it so everyone can understand. Just something to improve on.
I'm so tired everyday from driving all around the place and teaching people. Now I feel like my old senior comps- it's really draining.
We had a mission tour this past Friday, and I loved it. Elder Craig Christensen of the Seventy came to visit us. So we went up to Lancaster (an hour away) and we saw the infamous snow that had rained down on the mountains up there. I was zooming too, cuz everyone goes fast. I did hit 90 mph...but immediately slowed down when I realized it. Hey, it's the desert! I saw my first Joshua tree, and as my district comp said, 'if God allowed Dr. Seuss to make a creation, he'd pick the Joshua tree', and that is very true. We got there, and studied the scriptures a bit then lined up in the gym to greet Elder and Sister Christensen. Really great people. Elder Christensen taught us about the Holy Ghost, and its several roles according to the scriptures. So I took notes, but he asked us to also write down our impressions. When I looked over them recently, I was really surprised to see that the Spirit led me to write things I needed to do to have him with me as a missionary. Things I need to do to improve. It was long, but it was really great. We heard from Sister Goodrich, and she always cracks a joke. She had prayed to know what to speak on before the tour, and so she was going to speak about the Holy Ghost. The day before, the mission tour for 3 other zones in the mission, she was going to speak. When she heard Elder Christensen give his interactional talk/discussion on the Holy Ghost, she was like, 'well you'd have to be an idiot to add to that one', so she just bore her testimony about the Spirit. But this time, she shared stories from Wilford Woodruff's life and how he had the Spirit to guide him. When he left a town to baptize hundreds in central England as guided by the Spirit. A really great talk. Then Pres. Goodrich spoke on obedience. How Saul, then David, fell due to disobedience. And especially when one time he nearly got in trouble at a local park in Missouri with the Cub Scouts. There was a cliff with water below at about 50 feet, and some people that were drunk jumped off. Signs said 'don't jump, fine of x amount of money', and it was tempting. His Cub Scouts egged him on from below. He was going to jump when the Park Ranger came out of the woods, fined the other people and then Pres. Goodrich told his Cub Scouts, 'See? That's why you're obedient!' I really love President Goodrich. It was a good reminder for us to continue to follow mission rules, so we can double convert baptisms. Sister Christensen read scriptures to us, and applied them to how Peter became a great apostle because he was chastised several times by the Lord. She then said, "You are like Peter", because we are always being chastised or corrected by the Lord's servant to improve (in a loving way of course). It really hit me. With this name badge, I represent Christ. I follow his rules, he blesses me. He corrects me through others, lovingly. It was a great message to me. Elder Christensen referred to Hebrews and how we should follow our leaders because they care for us, because they want us to improve. It was a great mission tour, and I learned a lot from it. Some missionaries were asked to give their testimonies, so they did (without previous warning of course). Afterwards, we went to Panda Express, then headed back home to Newhall. My comp Hansen fell asleep while I drove, and the glare was really bad. I was listening to some of the conference talks Dad sent me, and I nearly fell asleep. Nothing but L. Tom Perry's voice, glare, random rainfall to occupy my attention. But, we arrived safe and sound. I fell asleep for half an hour because it was exhausting. Wake up at 6:30, then out at 8 am to drive to a meeting, sit there until 1:30 then eat lunch then back by 3. Really tiring day. Spiritually exhausting, as Elder Christensen said.
Sunday was a up and down day. I had a good study and got ready for church, but when I got to PEC I just felt a burden. A feeling that I wasn't doing anything right, like I wasn't doing any good here. It was a sudden and penetrating feeling. It was the first time I've ever thought that way, and so I was sitting in PEC feeling a bit down. I thought it was because Elder Hansen never really lets me contact as much as he does, but when it boiled down to it, it was because I had not prayed for the Spirit with a sincere heart. It was like a hole my my heart, and it was really scary. And it doesn't help that my other district comp Humpherys is a bit trunky at times, so he makes me feel trunky a bit. I quickly realized my faults, and prayed to God to comfort me in my weakness, and he did. It illustrated me the importance of sincere prayer, not routine prayer as I get into doing sometimes, and that God will always answer our prayers. After that, it was just great. It didn't help all the meetings went a bit over, since the bishop spoke for half an hour in sacrament meeting and bored all of us to death (well, except the Cardenas because they love church). But, it was a good day. I love the work here, and I'm happy the Lord saw it fit to keep me here (even though if I got moved it wouldn't have made any logical sense- Hansen has 3 weeks here I have 12 so...). I just love this work!
Oh yeah, we're getting a new elder today, Elder Suarez. He is the most apostate elder up to this point in time, and President saw it fit to send him to our district to fix him up. It is going to be very interesting to say the least.
We just about survived a torrential rainstorm. It snowed up north in Castaic on the way to Bakersfield, so we got to see snow-capped mountains. The rain kept coming and coming, and it seemed a bit crazy. It never seemed to stop all week, but we kept working. Soaked, but worked hard. Weird California. My comp was freaking out because it was raining so much and he's been here for almost 2 years and never saw this before.
I love you all. I wish you well, and especially for your wonderful support! All is well in Zion!
Love,
Elder Irvine
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