Monday, July 28, 2014

Week 16

Hola todos!!! :) 
Wow, I really never know what to say...
This week we had a baptism!!! Hermana E has been taking the lessons from the missionaries for the past year.  Literally I think to this day in July she had been listening to the missionaries.  Her husband is a member of the church, but no one else in her family is.  When we have been teaching her she accepts is all, and has a ton of faith, but whenever we asked about if she was ready to baptized she always said 'I don't feel ready, becasue I don't know enough'.  So multiple times we explained that we don't need to know everything in order to be baptized.  Her life is also a little busy, she is the worker in the family, because her husband is from another country and can't work in Mexico.. so she is the provider, and has a lot of stress.  So this past monday we were with her and invited her to be baptized for the following Saturday.  We ended up talking with her for over an hour or so, and she finally opened up to us!!  We truthfully gained her trust, and after that visit, we planned her baptismal interview for friday, which she passed!  And then she was baptized on Saturday the 26th!  :)  In total there were only 10 of us there.. but it was very spiritual.  Because we kind of planned the baptism the night before, it ended up that my companion and I had to give talks at the baptism.  So that was a little nerve wracking.. but went well.  And she was SO happy to be baptized!!!  My companion kept saying how this was the biggest miracle of her mission. :)  Then yesterday in church she was confirmed! 
This past week in my scripture study I've been reading a lot about the missionaries in Alma. 
Behold, I answer for you; for our brethren, the Lamanites, were in darkness, yea, even in the darkest abyss, but behold, how many of them are brought to behold the marvelous light of God! And this is the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work.
 Behold, thousands of them do rejoice, and have been brought into the fold of God.
 Behold, the field was ripe, and blessed are ye, for ye did thrust in the sickle, and did reap with your might, yea, all the day long did ye labor; and behold the number of your sheaves! And they shall be gathered into the garners, that they are not wasted.
 Yea, they shall not be beaten down by the storm at the last day; yea, neither shall they be harrowed up by the whirlwinds; but when the storm cometh they shall be gathered together in their place, that the storm cannot penetrate to them; yea, neither shall they be driven with fierce winds whithersoever the enemy listeth to carry them.
 But behold, they are in the hands of the Lord of the harvest, and they are his; and he will raise them up at the last day.


I really like the part in verse 6.  Because in the mission our job isn't just to baptize, but to CONVERT.  How important is it!!! We have a few less active members in our ward, who were baptized within the past couple years.  Something my companion always tells me is that she won't baptize anyone that won't be a strong member in the church for the rest of their lives.  I don't think a lot of missionaries realize that.  How important it is for us to make sure that when we baptize, they will be strong in the church, and be able to be leaders in the church someday.  Like in another chapter in Alma, it talks about the converts of Ammon, how after they were converted their brethren the Lamanites sought their lives.  But they buried their swords, and thought to sin no more.  So, they gave up their lives and wouldn't fight back.  How converted at we?? That we would lay down our lives for the gospel??  Just a thought.. :)

27 Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.
 28 And now behold, we have come, and been forth amongst them; and we have been patient in our sufferings, and we have suffered every privation; yea, we have traveled from house to house, relying upon the mercies of the world—not upon the mercies of the world alone but upon the mercies of God.
 29 And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again.
 30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.


haha sorry, I just really like this chapter. :)  But reading their stories were just soo good for me to hear!  :)  The work of the Lord is everywhere and needs to be everywhere, and spread to all.  I honestly haven't had much disrespect or anything like that, but I love the message, the courage, and the strength of these missionaries. 
That's about all.  :)  Some fun things-when we were excercising one more we found a friend... haha a scorpian!  How lovely, so my comp killed it, but she said that they always come in pairs of 2.. I'm pretty sure we haven't found it's friend yet, and I hope that we don't find him...
Also, I'm practically Mexican now with my tan.. just kidding.  But you should see the tan line from my shoes.  Pretty funny :)  
Also. ONE MORE WEEK OF TRAINING!!!  woohoo!  :)
Love you all tons! 
Hermana Zimmerman
 Baptism of E. :)
 I found chocolate covered strawberries!!!
 Welcome to the District (haha my district!  :))
My comp's and my name tag with churros we made... :)

Monday, July 21, 2014

Into the Fire - week 15

Haha I don't know why I titled this into the fire.. haha but we had dinner with a family last week that said that these next 40 days are called the '40 days of heat' so that's exciting. :) It actually hasn't been too hot, so that is good.  But I have another reason for calling this email 'into the fire'.
This is because this week I felt like personally I was in the furnace.  Of personal change.  I had a nice little chat with my companion about how I need to change some things.  BUT DON'T WORRY, all is well. :)  My companion is direct, but always ends with 'it's because I love you' which reminds me tons of my family.  So through her guidance I can become the person that God wants me to be.  Because right now I know for a fact that I am not perfect.  BUT, thruogh Christ and His Atonement I can become perfect. I am in the process of a change that I didn't think I needed, but I know I need now.  A part of Preach My Gospel is about the Attributes of Christ, how as missionaries we not only need to know the Gospel, but WHO WE ARE as missionaries is very important.  We can't teach just to teach, we have to know, and have a testimony of what we teach, and really be the example of Jesus Christ.  A part of the Missionary Handbook says- 'You and your companion are assigned to a specific proselyting area.  You represent the Lord in this area and are responsible for obtaining His direction in carrying out your assignment and blessing the people there.'  I LOVE this!  Because literally, as missionaries we are His representatives in our areas.  It doesn't matter what happens during the day, if we didn't have as many lessons as we wanted, if we were rejected, anything.  As long as we are trying to do what Jesus Christ would do, we can be successful. 
This week we contacted a family of 3, 2 parents and their child who is 5.  Ahhh they are so awesome!  We explained the Plan of Salvation, and the little boy is very smart, and had lots of questions. :)  During most of the lessons the mom kept saying 'how beautiful!'  Ahhh we felt the spirit very strong during this lesson.  And we hope that they will progress, because they weren't at church today.. BUT, we have lessons planned with them tomorrow! :) 
I love the Gospel, I love my Lord and Redeemer, I love my family, I love my ward, and I love my life and am very grateful for all of the opportunities that I have been given.  And I love you all!  :) 
Until next time ;)
Hermana Zimmerman
 1-sunset because I love Mexico and the sunn..
2-my comp and i are cool.

Monday, July 14, 2014

Week 14

Buenas tardes familia y amigos.
hahaha :) 
This week was a learning one for me.  Ok, every week I am learning.. but this week especially I learned or am in the process of becoming a missionary that the Lord would be proud of, can trust, and will be an instrument in His hands.  I am learning to teach the lessons well because right now I'm kind of a mess.. ok, not bad, but I complicate the lessons.  And so I am working really hard during our practices to teach clearly and simply. 
Also, it has become apparent that I don't have a certain attribute of Christ... Patience.  So this week I have been working on being patient.. haha my companion said at the beginning of the week 'I don't want to be here when you learn patience'.  haha but this is something I need to improve in my life.  And we all need.. We read this week in the Ensign (and I want ALL to read this as well) the talk 'Becoming Perfect in Christ'.  I think.. haha i don't know the title in English..
This week we had interviews with President Camarillo.  My companion and I were first (I think..) and I had an awesome interview with him.  Every time I talk with him or his wife I feel so loved.  Like I am talking to my father.  He really is the best!  I learned a ton. 
Haha also, my companion taught me how to make french toast with CHOCOLATE!  it's soo good. :) 
 
Hope all is well at home, and wherever everyone else is.  Love you all tons, and know that the Savior and Heavenly Father love you more. :)
 
Hermana Zimmerman
 
1-Lunch-Dinner with the Young women in our Ward!
2-Selfie for your enjoyment... #DeNada
 

Monday, July 7, 2014

17 miracles ;D

Querido Familia y Amigos!
Hola! :)  Haha the title of this email isn't correct, we didn't have 17 miracles, but we did have a few.  :)
This week was the baptim of O. and B.!!!  And it was very special and a little bit stressful.  When we have baptisms we're supposed to visit with our investigators every day, but the both of them work, so we could only visit with them for a few days.. Also, we just barely recieved a bishop in our ward, so he is awesome, and new.  And he couldn't do the baptism when we had planned at 5, so the night before we changed it to 7, and basically everyone knew when the baptism was except for the couple being baptized, because we needed to tell them in person, to make sure it was still ok.  We also didn't have certain clothes for the baptism. 
BUT- Lesson:  Specific prayers
When we pray it is very important that we pray for specific things, if we want specific answers.  So this saturday for the baptism we had a lot of things that we weren't sure were going to happen.  So we said a specific prayer in the morning, and literally EVERYTHING that I had prayed for-was a success!  For example, we didn't have white pants for the Brother who was to perform the baptism, plus another brother wanted to perform the baptism, so we had 2 men perform the baptisms.  Basically, all turned out all right because we said a specific prayer.  And we prayed with faith that all would be all right- I think this is the most important part of prayer.  Is that when we pray we need to have faith that all will be all right, and that we will recieve an answer to our prayers.  We teach this concept SO much, because it is very important. 
Yesterday in sacrament meeting was like Christmas. :)  O. and B. showed up for their confirmation, our other recent convert was there, and a few of our other investigators were at church as well, one even a little early!  It was also Testimony meeting, which turned out AWESOME!!!  We had a lot of the members share their testimonies, and all were special.  I want to share 2 though- 1-By R.  Our convert as of 2 weeks ago.  He was able to baptize O. and was so excited and happy to be able to do so. He bore his testimony about how he knew that this was a change, and how happy he was to make this change in his life.  And how words couldn't describe his feelings of happiness when he was able to baptize someone else.  
Then O. bore his testimony (and he was a little nervous, so he asked if we would go up with him)  and he bore his testimony about how before he met us his life a little different.  He was doing some things that he knew wasn't right, so for a few weeks when we were teaching him and his family, he didn't want to listen.  But he said that we were very persistent, and wouldn't let him go away. :)  So he said that he wanted to make a change in his life.  And that he was ready to make this change, for his daughter.  To be an example for her.  (and they have one on the way!)  
Also, both of our converts paid their tithing yesterday and were so excited to do so!! When we taught O. about tithing he had said 'well, I have a lot to pay. This house is expesive, the gas is expensive, the car is expensive, my wife is in school and that is expensive.  But I know that this is something I need to do.'  So they paid their tithing-WOOHOO!
Our new Bishop was the Ward Mission Leader, so he is absolutely awesome.  Him and his family are SO willing to help out!  We visited with him for a little bit yesterday, and he said 'Hermana Zimmerman.  Thank you very much for sharing your testimony in Sacrament meeting today.  And thank you for singing at the baptism with Hna. Garcia.  I felt the spirit very strong when you sang in English.  It was very powerful.'  This was an answer to something my Mission President had said.  A few weeks ago when we were in Guadalajara Pte. Camarillo said that I need to use my voice to help this ward, to use in this area.  It's funny because it's something I had never thought about.  We all know that Rachel is the singer in the family, not me.  Yet I have sung so much here-not yet in church, but a lot of other places.  How cool? :)

One last story.  This week we were visiting with a family who are some of my favorites!! We usually visit with the mom and her three daughters.  This week the oldest daughter (who is 7) has started reading the Book of Mormon!  She started reading it by herself, and we told her to pray and ask God if it is true.  Yesterday we visited with them, and she said 'Hermanas, I prayed to see if what I was doing was good or bad.  If reading the Book of Mormon was good.  And I received an answer in my heart, that was I was doing was correct.  And that the book was true.'     AHhhhh, how special!  So challenge- :)  If this 7 year old can read the Book of Mormon, and pray to know that it is true, so can we all.  (cough cough Eliza and Laura ;))  So my challenge is to read the Book of Mormon all the way through, or at least start reading parts.  And then pray to God to ask if it is true.  I PROMISE, that if you pray with a sincere heart, wanting to know the truth (Moroni 10:3-5) you will receive an answer.

Quiero compartir un poco de mi testimonio con ustedes.  Que yo se que el Libro de Mormon es verdadero.  Que esta iglesia es La Iglesia de Jesucristo.  Que estes dias son los ultimos dias, entonces necesitamos tratar estes dias con cuidado.  Si... :)  

Love you all!! Oh and we need more people to teach, so anyone who reads this, if you could pray for the people in Michoacan, that would be great. :)

Con gran amor,
Hermana Zimmerman
 Baptism of O & B on a Beautiful Saturday!

We found treats that are like otter pops. :P 
This one is for Sister R. Zimmerman, because she sent a pic of her with a horse last week. :)
 

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Week 12

One more week gone by..  It's weird to think that tomorrow I will have been in the mission for 3 months! 
This past week was kind of boring... a lot of our appointments fell through, I think it's because right now is the soccer world cup so a lot of people are.. not in their houses.  Or something, but when we don't have lessons we have the opportunity to talk with people in the street, so that is good!  :) 
Also, this week in my personal study I had a pretty cool experience with the story of Joseph Smith.  I was reading the testimony of Joseph Smith in the front part of the Book of Mormon, and I  had the spirit bear witness to me that Joseph Smith was a prophet.  And that literally through him we have the restaured gospel.  It was so cool, haha I started crying.  But it was very cool to read and imagine that this actually happened. 
  Sorry this is so short.. but I am ok.  When it rains, it pours.  But I bought boots last week  so I am ok there. :)  haha ok, so it rained practically every day last week except  one or two, and I didn't wear sunscreen, so right now I am pretty fried... but it's ok. :)  Oh and my espanol is super good!  I think :) yay!
Love you tons!
Hermana Zimmerman
 
 
 Call me Hermana Pan (Peter Pan, I feel like I looked like peter pan this day with my green cardigan and  my boots)

 A daughter of a member family in the ward wanted to do my hair... Don't judge :)