May 25, 2011

   This past week was really good!!! We found 3 new people to teach and 2 of them were definitely spiritually guided. We had an appt with Savanah to watch the new Joseph Smith movie and she was running a little late. So we were sitting there on a rock thinking and Elder Santiago asked me if there were any houses nearby that we could knock (asking me because I know this area like no other). One house came to my mind, it was not the closest house and it had been knocked like 10 times before. Everyone told us they were "super catholic". I told him about the house that came to my mind and we went. We knocked on the door and this girl answered the door. We began to talk and she told us that they are Catholic. Then Elder Santiago told her of the little experience we had had choosing her house to knock and she looked a little shocked and invited us in. We sat down and she began to open up to us. The mom came down and began to talk too. Turns out the girl had been feeling depressed for the past while because she felt like something was missing in her life, she felt like her heart lacked something and she hadnt found it in the Catholic church. Her mom told us of how her daughter will cry and she can just feel it as she is working and she will call her daughter and ask her if she is ok. This lady has so much faith but she says she doesnt feel like her current religion takes advantage of the faith she has. She told us how she learned to pray from her heart from a Mormon friend. We bore testimony and I felt inspired to promise her that if she listens to our messgae and applies it in her life she will never feel that empitness again. Anybody could have felt that spirit. They invited us back and they want to be taught.

    We also began to teach this 17 year old boy named Ramon. He was released from prision just recently.e used to sell drugs, and just be involved in a lot of not so great stuff, but he told us that when he was in jail last time he just started praying and he doesnt know why but he prayed and he now has this huge desire to change.

    We had zone conference this past week and I heard an analogy that I really liked. I talked about us and the gospel and compared it to a puddle and a stream. A puddle is stagnent and doesnt move, it sits there and grows dirtier and dirtier. While a stream is constantly flowing and as it flows it naturally purifies itself. We must be the same, we must always be moving in the gospel, we must always be purifying ourselves. President Miller also talked a lot about loving those you serve and teach. I really have found that I have come to love the people I teach and serve. I love their culture, there Spirit, I just love everything about them and I know that is because the Spirit has given me a greater capacity to love and understand.

   I love the Lord's mission that I am on. I love every minute of it! Sometimes it is hard but there is something to be learned from every hard moment we encounter. If nothing is learned than we wasted an opportunity to understand a little bit more God's plan for us. I love you all and have a miracle filled week.

 

Love,

Elder Jolly

Three Kinds of Love

Since our English word love is used so broadly, it is helpful to distinguish between different types of love in order to gain a more precise understanding of the New Testament's message. This can be easily accomplished because the New Testament was written in Greek and there are various Greek words for love.
Eros:  Eros is probably what most people mean when they announce with a smile, "I'm in love." This type of love covers everything.   There is a very interesting characteristic about Eros love. In order to exist, Eros love is dependent upon the situation and circumstances.
Philia:   This word refers to brotherly love. This is the love of friendship, best friends, and the fellowship of being with those people you enjoy.
Agape:  This is charity or God’s love.  Unlike the previous two types of love, agape is not limited to being held hostage by its environment and someone's perception. The reason why agape can soar above these is because it is based upon the commitment of a decision. It entails the decision to proactively seek someone's well-being.  Understanding this opens up a whole new understanding of the scriptures. 

“This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.  So      when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.  He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto his, Feed my sheep.  He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”  John 21:14-17

John is giving us a clue when he tells us this is the third time the Savior has appeared.  There is significance in this number.   Now the Savior asks Peter the same question three times.  The first question translated from the Greek refers to newborn lambs and he asks Peter if he loves Him in the Agape form.  The second question from the Greek translation refers to young lambs and again Jesus uses the Agape form of love.  Each time that Peter answers “thou knowest that I love you”, he answers with the Phila form of love or friendship.  The third question the Greek translation refers to full grown sheep.  When the Savior asks “lovest thou me”, he asks in the Philia form or, in other words, he is saying to Peter “Do you only love me as a friend?”  This is why “Peter was grieved”.   
Even though we read and have some understanding of the scriptures, it takes searching and feasting on the scriptures daily to uncover the hidden messages and profound doctrine in them.  “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” John 5:39.  If you want to be free of discouragement, search the scriptures.  If you want to teach with power and authority, search the scriptures.  If you want to speak with the tongue of angels, search the scriptures.  If you want to know your Savior Jesus Christ, search the scriptures.  This is not an invitation to enjoy an appetizer; it is an invitation to enjoy a feast.

May 18, 2011

Hola,

  Yea a sensitivity to the spirit is necessary! I cannot imagine how many times I have missed something the Spirit was trying to tell me because I just wasn't listening. The Spirit is the only thing we have that allows us not to just look at the now but also the "to come". The Spirit has the vision of what is coming, and we dont; so we must listen if we are to find true happiness.

   This past week was good, it was a lot of fun. There was a huge bbq that the relief society put on and they asked us to bbq for them. We spent 4 hours bbq about 70 lbs of chicken but it was so much fun!! The party was good and I even showed off some of my white dance moves (solo of course) to the people present. I learned quickly that my white dance moves dont go well with Spanish music, but hey everyone got a good laugh out of it. Two of our investigators were at the activity, Patricia and Benito. We have been teaching them for about 2 weeks and every time we teach them and bear testimony they begin to tear up. It isn't the words we say, but the things they feel that makes brings out the emotions. The Spirit always is the real teacher and he teachs through our feelings, love, peace as taught in Galatians.

    Alberto is coming along well too! We watched a movie about the importance of families and how they can be eternal. Afterwards we bore testimony about the importance of raising your kids with principles of righteousness and principles that will make their futures bright, which principles are found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Now he was crying after that lesson but I was too, so it is all good. He is starting to understand how important the message we have is and what it offers his family. We hope to start teaching his wife this next week.

     The work is great and everyday I am learning more and feeling closer and closer to my Heavenly Father. I know this church is the only true church on the face of the earth that offers us all the blessings our Father in Heaven offers us. There is nothing more beautiful than to see the eyes of someone as they realize the love their Savior has for them. I have grown to understand that love better. I have grown more sensitive to that love, so I can feel it in my life. The love is there and it is eternal. If you havent felt it in awhile or haven't felt it at all search for it. Search and ye shall find. I love you all (like always). I feel my capacity to love and to understand is growing. Have a great week and search the scripture :)

 

Love,

Elder Jolly

May 11, 2011

 Hola,

   Well this was the first week of the new transfer with my new companion Elder Santiago de Tiajuana Mexico. The week went by so fast, I would imagine because we hardly had an extra minute to rest our feet. We worked hard and knocked about 400 apartment doors in 2 days. It was tiring but we have about 10 lessons scheduled so far this week which is way up from last week. We are getting along great and he is helping me a lot with my spanish, since we only really talk in spanish. I carry around notecards and every time he says a word I dont know I write it down and review them after the day is over. We are teaching this guy we call muchacho and his girl friend, they live with Ruby and Alejandro. The other day we went over there and we watched the movie Finding Faith in Christ with them and at the end we bore testimony about how our Heavenly Father has something very special planned for them, but they must first seek him. It was a great lesson.

   I am finally starting to be able to express myself in spanish as I do in english. I think in english the thing that makes me  well me is my sense of humor and finally I am starting to get a hold of my sense of humor in the spanish language. I told a joke yesterday at Ruby's house during dinner with Muchacho and he laughed and said "Man this kid can speak spanish". That made my day because I felt like the past few transfers my spanish has been good and I can understand but now I can be myself and talk.

     I am starting to learn and understand what the Hispanic people mean when they say "chili es bueno para las memorias". The past 4 days we have eaten incredibly hot food for dinner and every night at around 10pm I lay in my bed in pain as my stomach burns. I am just glad that the food has the same affect on Elder Santiago, so I am not alone in this.  Peptobismol and vasaline are my two new favorite things, but it doesn't completly relieve the burn. Don't worry mom I will survive, you just may see some large expenditures on my debit card for my 2 favorite items, just know I love you :) .

    I am really learning the blessings that come from hard work. When we do our part the Lord is obligated to do his part. I find when in my life I feel like God is distant I knell down ask him "God where are you" and the response is obvious "I am here, where are YOU?" I think that goes the same for everyone of us. The Lord's hand is always streched out, but a lot of the time we do not want to stretch our hand out to meet his. The Lord does not distance himself from us, we distance ourselves for him. I have really felt our Hevaenly Father's presence a lot lately and that is from me focusing on what I need to do. I know he loves us and is waiting to bless us, but it is dependant on our obedience. The church is true and this gospel is truly a gospel of love, a gospel of happiness but only when founded on the principles of the gospel. I love you all and have a great week.

 

Love,

Elder Jolly

May 4, 2011

My week was good. How is the job hunt going for dad? Transfers just happened and who would have thought that I would still be here in the same area? Well I am, I have been here for 5 1/2 months already. Elder Fordham was transfered to Taylorsville and my new companion is Elder Santiago. He is a hard working missionary and I am sure we will get along great and get a lot of work done. I am excited for this next transfer although I imagine it will be my last here in this area.

    So in my letter i think I told you about Savanah, if not tell me and I will tell you about her. Well last wed we taught her the restoration and watched the video and she loved it. She asked us if we have the faith that she will recieve and answer and know the church is true, obviously she will. Anyway we went back and taught her yesterday. We were going to hand them over to the english sisters but they are sick so the transfer will happen next week. So we were waiting for her to get her Book of Mormon from downstairs and then she came up with a visitor, her 15 or so year old sister wanted to sit in. We read Mosiah 3 with them and paused along the way asking questions and explaining. They had a lot of really good questions. At the end the sister told us that she really wanted to learn more and she has always wanted to be baptized, so we are going to help her to know that these things are true also. Hna Jimenez the grandma looked so happy to see her granddaughter be taught and then when her other granddaughter sat in and wanted to learn more, I dont think anything could have ruined Hna Jimenez's day, she looked overwhelmed with joy.

     I have officially decided to diet! Yesterday a former investigator told me I look fatter than the last time he saw me. That was the last straw so I am dieting to lose about 10lbs. Sister Estevez told me I could lose a good 10lbs, so we will see how that goes. Anyway that pretty much sums up my week. Love you all!

 

Love,

Poetry shared by Elder Jolly written by his friend James H. Lee Jr.

Because He Loves Us
8 February 2003

The Savior, Blessed Jesus, has watched for many years
To heal our tears and sorrows,
And banish all our fears.

He's sending forth His angels to gladden heart and soul,
And help us stretch beyond the mark
To our eternal goal.

He loves us each and every one, and wants us to be true,
True to God's commandments
Each day, our whole life through,

So we may be together for all eternity,
Helping Him perform God's work
For His posterity.

Since He's our Elder Brother, our Savior and our Friend,
He's hoping we will follow Him
Down to the very end,

Submitting to the Father's will, just as He did here,
So we may share in His reward
In heaven's atmosphere.

All the Father has is His, His to have and hold,
More precious than a thousand worlds,
Or all their wealth and gold.

And it is His to share with us if only we will be
Faithful in our stewardship
As His posterity.

The world and all its glory has nothing to compare
With what is waiting for us
Beyond the Golden Stair,

If only we are faithful as followers of He
Who gave His life, His love, His all,
And died on Calvary

So we, His friends and family, and all of Father's clan,
May glorify The Father,
And help ennoble man.

God help us to be faithful as His own children here,
So we may find eternal joy
In heaven's atmosphere,

And be with friends and loved ones, and with our Savior, too,
Helping build God's kingdom,
As Jesus said to do.

Dream a Dream
8 August 1980

Dreams have a way of becoming
Whatever you want them to be,
But they can only become as much
As your inner eye can see.
If your vision is very limited,
Your dreams will be limited, too,
For you can only stretch as far
As your greatest dreams come true.
So dream a dream worth dreaming,
And raise your vision higher,
And start today to open the door
To gain your greatest desire.
Envision the things you're dreaming
As having come to be,
Pretend you already own them,
And pretty soon you'll see
Your visions and dreams becoming
More glorious every day,
And things will start to happen
In a most miraculous way.
What wonders do await you?
Only your dreams will tell,
So dream a dream worth dreaming,
And let it cast its spell.

Heart Thoughts by Jim

April 20, 2011

Dear Peoples,

 

   Another week has come and gone. This past week was good and we picked up 2 new investigators Oscar and Alberto. Oscar is a part memeber family, his wife and daughter are baptized but less active so we are working to activate them, it is a tough but rewarding task. Alberto has 2 kids very young and we are hoping to start to teach his wife coming up. On sunday we had a miracle happen. There is a part member family in the branch, the son is active dad less active and the other 3 members of the family are not members. We tried teaching them about 4 months ago but they were very against the idea, so they began taking the daily dose english classes with the senior missionaries that only speak english. Eventually they gained a trust with this family so last week the senior missionaries invited them to church and they accepted. The mothers sister who is also not a member watched conference and loved it. So on sunday the whole family came to church and the branch warmly welcomed them in and they plan on coming next sunday. The senior missionaries are going to invite the family to be taught by us in the near future.

  On friday I got an intersting call from Carmen. First of all she never calls us so when I saw her name appear on the phone I was like "Huh?". I answered the phone and asked her how she was doing, she said fine. I asked her if she needed anything she said no. So we just talked for a few minutes before we had to go to an appt. I could tell something was bugging her so I called her back a little while later and asked what was wrong and she told me she was having a really rough day so she decided to call me because she said, "I always know how to cheer her up and make her laugh." Now whether she is laughing at me or with me is still to be determined but the fact she trusts me enough to call me and have me try to cheer her up touched me.

  Sunday we had dinner with the Elders Quorum Pres and his family and sister. We were talking and laughing and just having a good time. At the end the sister told us that when the hispanic members see us they think of us as angels because of what we have brought into their lives. She said we just have a different countanance about ourselves and you can see it in our faces. Earlier this week a lady we ate with told us how much she loved us in her house because it was as if the Savior himself was there because we are his representatives. The people in this area are just too loving, I think I need to be transfered.

   I hope things are going well back home and dad is having luck with finding a job.  I loved the pictures. My memory card on the camera is full so I may send it home soon. Let me know how the job hunt is going for dad. Love you all.

 

Elder Jolly

April 13, 2011

Hey mom,

 

Don't know if Makenna told you  but Fred our recent convert went to conference and while there he managed to find a ticket. He got inside sat down and started talking with a Bishop about his conversion story and an Usher invited him up to the roped off section. For more information about the story check out http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/60767/Conference-moment-Seeing-a-prophet.html because his story was on the back page of the church news!!!! It mentions how the missionaries helped in his conversion, that was me!!!! 

  

    Now about our crazy week. You wont get many letters this week because this week was just weird, but here is what happened. Last Friday night elder Fordham woke up at 5:30 in the morning and woke me up. When I woke up I could tell something was wrong, the room was really dark and there was not a good feeling inside. He told me he had a dream like the sister missionaries experience I told you about 3 weeks ago.  He said, "I dont want to be here" So I told him we could go play basketball. We left that house in a hurry. 2 nights later it was my turn. I woke up at about 2 am and the same feeling was there. I layed there in bed nervous. I could sense that someone from the other side was in the room. All of a sudden all my hairs stood on end and I had the darkest thoughts run through my mind. It was as if he had taken a hold of me. I couldn't move, I tried to scream but I couldnt even open my mouth. I had no control over my own body. This lasted for about a min before I could move. Then it happened again. It was the scariest thing I had ever experienced in my life. I had always known that the 1/3 cast out of heaven were here on the earth but I had never taken much thought as to what they could do.  I layed in bed for about an hour afterwards reading the ensign with the lights on and then at finally around 4am fell asleep with my scriptures in my hand. I have never experienced something like that before and I hope I never have to again. The harder we work to get closer to  God the harder Satan beats up on us, especially missionaries.

   Other than that it has been a good week. We talked with the stake president about doing a youth fireside to talk about how they can share the gospel with their friends. He loved the idea and it will probably happen early next month. We did some service with the sister missionaries in our area pulling out strawberry plants. The weather cant seem to make up its mind so somedays we bike others we walk. I need to bike more so i can lose these unwanted pounds. Conference was great!

    It is amazing how fast these past 7 months went past. Fastest 7 months of my life.  Oh man we have been having some problems with the branch, they want to feed us too much. We had too many dinner appts sunday (4) and they were all so good but I was so full afterwards. I went home and weighed myself in at 181.6 lbs. I think I am going to start to diet.

   Anyway, I love you all and I hope my experience didnt scare you mom. I will continue to pray for dad and the Lord will provide. 

 

Love,

Elder Jolly