September 12, 2011

Well tansfers just happened and Elder Bowers is out. He is now serving in Murray covering 10 stakes. My new companion is Elder Bolivar, straight out of Columbia. Well he left Columbia about 5 months ago so not straight out of Columbia but pretty close. This is his third transfer and one of the first things he told me is "I am shy so you will need to help me to open up". Haha President wrote me and the first sentence was "You will have to get your companion to talk more", so I guess I have a new challenge on my hands. He is a great kid though, hard working, knows the scriptures, just needs to open up a little more. His dad just finished serving as a mission president in the Columbia, Cali mission so he knows how the mission is run.

This week we had a lot of success, so things are looking good. Alonso was baptized last sunday and confirmed yesterday. On Wed. we had a lesson with a less active Iris, her roommate Stephanie and her daughter Isabel. The lesson went really well and they accepted baptism on the 25th of September. Yesterday at church Stephanie was telling people how she is excited for her baptism. We met with Lizeth Moran on thursday, she is excited for the wedding, but they are saving up money so they can have a little party and invite friends. She hopes it will be at the end of sept so she can be baptized on Oct 2nd with her husband. Christian, told us that he will get baptized since we cant find his records so we are just trying to decide on a date that works for him. We have a few more investigators that are progressing well. Gabby is doing good, she came to church yesterday with her daughter. She asked me if Elder Bowers will ever come back and I responded "of course, for your baptism" haha she looked shocked but smiled and said "ok". We have an appt with her tomorrow and we are going to extend a date and see what happens. She is ready, she is just very scared to take the step. Two returned sister missionaries were called last week and man they are a huge help. They ran around yesterday picking up investigators for church and getting them rides home. It felt good to relax a little. They are also going to be teaching the new member lessons so we can focus on finding more people. Yesterday in Ward Council the Bishop and Auxillary leaders gave us like 15 families to go by. The conversation went a little like this "Well none of us can get in the house...hmm.... lets send the missionaries" haha some of the names have kids that are not baptized so it looks promising there. There is just so much to do.

When we taught Iris the other day she was talking about how life is tough since her husband is in jail, so we shared a scripture with her. At the end she stopped for a secod and then said "wow, I felt that, it felt good when I read that scripture" she then told us that it was the same feeling she gets when she takes the sacrament. I know that that was the Spirit! The Spirit is the converter, it teaches truth and speaks peace to the mind and to the heart. That is what these people are looking for, peace and comfort in a world where life is so hard. That true peace is only found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, there is no subsitute there is no other way. The experiences I have had on the mission have grown my testimony, just like the seed of faith, it has been nourished and now it is growing. I love you all and thanks for all the bday wishes.

Love,

Elder Jolly

August 22, 2011

Hello Hello.

This past week was a great one! We had a speacial mission conference about music and the power and influence it has with regards to the Spirit. The 2 people who created the music and conducted Messiah in America came and talked to us. I love one of his quotes "Anyone who has been elevated to a standard of excellence will never again be complacent with mediocraty". He talked about how Boyd K. Packer said we grow up on musical french fries when we could have a gourmet feast. At the end we all sang "We need thee every hour" and it was very powerfull.

On tuesday we did splits in the afternoon and I went with an RM named Manuel and we had a pretty crazy experience happen. I learned to follow the Spirit of the Law more than the letter of the law. Right before I left the house I had this feeling like I should grab the chapel keys, I had no idea why but I did. We went to our first couple of appts and then for some reason we both felt the impression to deviate for our route and scheduled appts to go visit Patrichia an inv that is not progressing. We went by and she was busy so we set up an appt and asked for refferals. She gave us a refferal for 2 of her neighbors. We went an knocked the 2 doors to no avail. As we were walking back to the car. This hispanic man came running up to us. As it turns out he had broken his car key and saw us walking and asked us to give him a ride to get his key fixed. We said "sure" as this was the perfect opportunity to trap him in the car and teach him. As we drove we began to talk about religion. The first place we went to didnt cut keys so we continued on, eventually leaving my area. We talked about the restoration and Jospeh Smith, he had a few differences of opinion. As we continued along we could not find a key place but then a guy told us of a key place about 10 blocks north, which was outside the mission. Manuel asked me what we should do, I thought about it for a minute and said "lets go". We get to the key place and the guy only has a dollar, he have just arrived form Mexico and about a dollar in change was all he had left. So we left him at the key place to go get $10. When we came back he was outside with the key, saying "this is what you call faith". The owner had decided to give him the key free because of his circumstance. As we drove home the guy began to talk about how hard his life was and how he felt so depressed and like there was nothing he could do. I pulled out the Book of Mormon and told him to read Ether 12:27-28. He began to read and got quiet, 5 minutes later he was still quiet. I then looked back to see this man (Juancarlos) staring at the page tears running down his face. Manuel then leaned over to me and said "We r taking this man to the chapel, do you have the keys?" Suprisingly I did because I had grabbed them earlier. We took him to the church building and asked if we could show him around he said yes and I asked if we could start with a prayer. Right then he broke down bawling. He was going through some really tough stuff in his life, leaving his kids in Mexico to come here to find work to support them. He felt like nobody understood him and that there was no purpose to life. I gave him Alma 7:11-13 to read and he read the whole chapter. The Spirit was very strong. Manuel then bore testimony of what he was feeling. I told him a personal experience with the spirit and then Manuel invited him to be baptized. Right then and there the first time we met him, but the Spirit testified to this man that this was right and ture. He accepted baptism and told us he needed to make this step. He then opened to a random page and began to read. Manuel started to say something but Juancarlos stopped him and said "Let me read, this book speaks to me, I understand it". I was a crazy experience! We ended in prayed and then took him home. Afterwards the car was quiet as we we shocked at what had just happened.

Lulu was baptized saturday night! Her baptism was awesome. Her dad who is not a member came and supported her. Lulu asked me to baptize her and it was so amazing to see how this girl knew and wanted to follow Jesus Christ. In the process of teaching her she would say the most sincere prayers asking for help to learn so she could be baptized. I loved every moment of teaching Lulu and her family.

This is what missionary work is all about, helping people find Christ in their lives. It is so rewarding and I find my love for Christ grow as I help others find that love in their lives. I know this Gospel is true, this is THE church of Jesus Christ restored to the earth through his servant and prophet Joseph Smith, I know it and I feel its truth!

Love,

Elder Jolly

August 15,2011

well we are coming to the middle of august, and today marks 11 months. This past week was decent teaching wise but extremely hot! I am super tired of all this hot weather and I cant believe I am saying this but I am ready for winter. Everybody who lives in Utah says Oh Utah is the best because it has all four seasons. Those people are liars!! It has 2 seasons, hot and cold. There is no spring and no pretty fall where the leaves change color. This past week we went out teaching a few times with a guy named Jesus, he just got back from his mission to London last week. He is a mexican with an english accent. He made me realize how blessed we are here teaching wise because England is one of the hardest missions in the world. He came to a lesson with Monica a less active and her son Alonzo and we put Alonzo on date for the 28th of August. Lulu is still set to get baptized this sat, and she is all prepared for her interview thursday night. Alonzo is really solid to get baptized but the 28th may be a little soon just because he has to make it to church both times in order to be baptized on that date. The Moran family is still looking solid and our new goal for them is Sept 4th (good day). Alicia is solid but she wants to wait for her kids to come up from Mexico and she is really set on that idea so we honestly have no timeline for her.

Two weeks ago we went back to my old area to a baptism for Layli De La Rosa and it felt so good to be back in my old area. Everyone came up and shook my hand at the baptism. It also happened that the branch was having a picnic that day so we went to that too. It was awesome! Hermana Burquez ran up to me and said asked me if I had come back for good and I had to tell her that it was only for an hour or two. She then asked if she could hug me lol I told her after the mission she could hug me as much as she wants but right now I am off limits. Afterwards we went and saw Carmen, Israel and Ared and aww it was soo good to see them. We talked for a bit and then Israel took us out for ice cream.

On wednesday we did service for this lady who had just moved here from Texas and man it was tough work. We redid her sprinkler system and built a patio. I got super fried but it was all good because she invited us to a bbq on sat and it opened up a teaching opportunity for the german speaking sisters because the ladies mom isnt a member and understands german a lot better than english.

Yesterday we had to speak in sacrament meeting with Pres Pineda from the mission presidency and it was fun. I talked about the importance of a testimony and shared parts of my experience finding a testimony and afterwards pres pineda told me it was a very inspired talk.

Man this past week I have been thinking a lot about who I want to be and what I want to change in my life to become a better person. I can see I have changed some but I am not yet where I desire to be. I think the biggest thing I have learned is patience and how to love everyone. The other day I was walking to church and my comp was mad at me because well he loves to wrestle and I hate it so he tried to wrestle me and he got hurt. So he wasnt talking to me and I was thinking of all the things he did wrong and why it was his fault and then I realized. How can i think this way and expect to have the Spirit. You can't. The Spirit follows thoughts of love and kindness and actions of service. It brought me back to the mote and beam analogy. You can't expect people to be perfect, we all have our own faults and the moment you expect perfection you have to give perfection. Anyway, I love you all for realz and hope you can look for the good in every person and every situation.

Love

Elder Jolly

August 8, 2011

So this past week was not the best. I was super sick tuesday and wed and so I had to stay inside all day. I found myself reading and watching all the church movies we have in portuguese and Italian. It was suprising how much I understood. We went hiking today up to some waterfalls in sandy near brighton and it was a tough hike. THe elevation gain was about 2,000 feet in a little over 3 miles. I am so ready for a nap and I am super sunburned (sorry mom). I took a lot of pictures, so you should be happy about that mom. I am surprised at how fast the time is going by because at the end of this transfer I will be hitting my one year mark. Oh btw mom and Megan I hope you had great birthdays, I remembered on the days but when it came time to email I totally blanked. I dont have too much time because I have to get home and shower before our next appt in an hour but I will talk more next time. I love you all, always hold on to to iron rod.

Love,

Elder Jolly

August 1, 2011

Well the weeks keep passing fast. This past week was not a great teaching week but when we did teach we had great success. Lulu's parents want a few more weeks before her baptism so her baptism has been pushed back until the end of August. We went by Erik and Lizeth and taught a great lesson. We asked them all the baptismal questions and they answered perfectly, they even told us that they are not married but want to be married so they can be baptized. They have a date for Aug 14th so hopefully we can get the marriage and all that good stuff done before then. They came to church and loved it, the kids enjoyed their classes and everything for them is looking up.

Monica is a less active who is starting to become more active. She is an awesome lady and we are teaching her 11 year old son who is unbaptized. He came to church yesterday with his mother and siblings and he loved primary, the kids took him in and showed him around. This kids is amazing, his mom has 3 kids besides him, 2 are babies and the kid (Alonzo) is always more than willing to help his mother out.

Yesterday after church we were running from appt to appt and it began to dump rain on us. We spent about 3 hours walking in the rain going from appt to appt. When we got home Elder Bowers and I both took warm showers because we were freezing.

Recently I have been trying to focus on my prayers and making them more personal. I have noticed a very strong difference between the spirit of my prayers when I make it personal and heartfelt and when I just ramble off some words because I am tired and want to go to bed. As I have slowed down my prayers and thought about my feelings, needs and blessings, I have been more emotional. I find myself tearing up in my prayers and sometimes I dont even know why, but my heart feels full. I know that our prayers have more power as we ponder and let the spirit guide our words. I heard someone say that you know when yours prayers are heartfelt because the spirit will guide your words and you may say things you were not expecting. It is so true! I love you all and pray that the Lord will guide and protect you.

Love,

Elder Jolly

P.S. Tansfers just happened and Elder Bowers and I are still together

July 25, 2011

Wow how the time goes by, of course the last p-day was only 4 days ago but still what a quick 4 days. So this past week we witnessed the baptism of Sergio Figeroa and it was an awesome experience. He bore testimony after his baptism of how one little scripture and a heart felt prayer led him to be baptized because it was through the scripture and prayer that he felt it was true.

Lulu was at church on sunday with her family and she should be ready for her baptism next week. So ever week we have to wrtie president and tell him about life and all that jazz, so I wrote him and told him about our out of nowhere baptism and he wrote back and said, "You deserve that miracle". Kind of made me feel good. He had Elder Bowers and I do I special fast yesterday to get members involved more and to move the work forward, it was probably one of the more spiritual fasts I have done before because my mind was focused on the purpose the whole time.

I think over the course of the mission so far I have realized that the mission is not about who you are or what you do, but more about who you will become. If we leave the mission with 100 baptisms but have failed to change ourselves then our mission was a complete failure. As Elder Holland told us, that our most important convert is ourself and if we go home having failed to convert our own self then we have failed as a missionary. I feel myself getting firmer and firmer in the gospel everyday. I am amazed to see the sacrifices some have made to accept the gospel and I can only hope that one day I can say I would do the same. I love this gospel and I love being a missionary. Sometimes it is tough, but I am always learning. Always press forward and always endure.

Love,

Elder Jolly

July 20, 2011

Well so another week in the good ol slc of utah has gone by and guess what!!!??? We have a baptism this week!!!! One of our investigators who has been taught for over a year came up to us at church on sunday and said "Elders I am ready to take the next step, when can I be baptized?" We were shocked but Elder Bowers asked when he wanted to be baptized and he said this friday. So this friday we will have the baptism of Sergio Figeroa.

   Sadly the Moran family didnt come to church so looks like they will have to be baptized August 14th the week after Lulu which is August 7th. We have been teaching a less active girl and her friend, well she is not less active because she does everything she needs to to be considered active but she lacks that testimony. Anyway, her friend Christian is a member but also lacks that testimony and well the church cant find his records, so we are trying to help him find his testimony and then we will have to rebaptize him. He seems ok with the idea although he is not super excited. They love us coming by though and I am not exactly why because Elder Bowers and I are just 2 goofy missionaries, but I feel like they really trust us. Yesterday they asked us when we were leaving (transfers) and we told them we dont know but that we will both probably be here until september at least. Liz the girl seemed excited and asked us if we would come back and visit them after we finish our missions. We told them of course. I think after my mission I will come visit the wards I have served in often.

    So our friday night dinner was a pretty cool experience. I attended my first ever Quincinera. It was for a girl in the ward and was held at the church building and was fun. It was crazy fancy, catered food, practiced dances, tuxes, professional photogrpahy and videos. It was cool because the family loves the missionaries and so well they signed up to feed us friday and so we had to attend the quince.

    Other than that it was just a normal hott week it the wonderfull valley of utah. A few weeks ago we went up to Park City for p-day and wow during the summer it is gorgeous up there, green everywhere, but not trees more like green bushes everywhere. I took some pictures for you mother and will send them up on my memory card in a few weeks. I have really gained a fancy for taking pictures recently and I dont know why. I think it is because Elder Bowers is addicted to pictures. Sorry this email is not crazy spiritual, it was just like a normal week in utah, but I often found myself staring at the sky and mountains and saying a little prayer in my heart about how beautiful this world is. I dont know if you guys have ever caught yourself doing that before but it was cool. I just walked and it felt like I had a lil conversation with God about the beauty of the earth and how I know it was all created for us. Well I gtg because I just got an email from President Miller asking me to call so we can have a little chat, hope it is a good thing! Love you all! Remember the most rewarding blessings can only be found in the true church of Jesus Christ! There is no other way to reciecve the blessings of Salvation and Eternal Life .... well..... cya!

 

Love,

Elder Jolly