MERRY CHRISTMAS from Montrose, Colorado!

December 22, 2014

Hello all and Merry Christmas week! It has been so awesome to get to spend my FAVORITE holiday in the mission field sharing the most important message in the world!

 

 

This week was another great week. Tough on the lesson count front, but we were able to do a TON of service for the branch. I reeeeeally love this area and am so in love with all of the people here. I feel so at home with the members and really would be sad to leave. Transfers are next Tuesday (ALREADY!?) and I think I will be staying for one more transfer... BUT, President has been known to surprise us a time or two!

Here is the daily breakdown:

Tuesday evening we had a dinner with a member (The Hatch's) and a MEMBER REFERRAL! It was so wonderful! That is the second member referral we have received this transfer and let me tell you... they are awesome! The investigators that joined us for dinner are named Josh and Cindy. Remember their names because I will talk about them a ton as long as I stay in Montrose! THEY are an answer to my four and half months of prayer for this area. After dinner we shared He is the Gift with them and Brother Hatch bore powerful testimony about how the Gospel has helped him to become a better father. I think Josh has had a really tough past so that hit him really hard. Afterwards, we left and spoke with Brother Hatch about it a few days later. He told us that Josh said he wanted to be BAPTIZED. If there was a better Christmas miracle, I wouldn't know what is. I was so happy to hear that and KNOW they will be baptized in January. I really hope I get to stay and be a part of their wonderful conversion process.

 

 

For Dad: GO BRONCOS!

Wednesday we just did some service at Tammy's thrift store and visited with people in the evening. Sister Flores was sick :( so we had to come home a little early that night. Pobrecita.

 

 

 

Thursday we had district meeting, did some service at Dewey's thrift store in Delta, and in the evening found ANOTHER family. They are really receptive. THEY asked US to come back!!! It was great and we are excited to see them progress in the gospel!

 

 

#YOLO!

Friday we went over to one of my favorite member's homes and helped Sister Archer make rolls for the Branch Christmas Party! (Mom... you would be so proud of me! I helped make all the bread! Sister Archer reminds me SO MUCH of you so I enjoy going over there and spending time with her :)) Then that evening we had the Branch Party! It was a blast! We got asked last minute to participate in helping with the primary kid's live nativity. It was a little different twist than I have seen in the past, including children dressed up as African safari animals instead of sheep. It was truly a great time! As the closing number, we graced the audience with a sing along production that was led by yours truly. It was a wonderful rendition of "I heard the bells on Christmas Day" and "Feliz Navidad." It may have also included me throwing confetti when we switched from the hymn to the old time classic. It was a blast for all and Josh and Cindy also attended :)

 

 

On Saturday we went and did some more service for Tammy and got to have pictures with Santa :) I sure do love doing service here... it is so wonderful to see how much it has made a difference in other's lives. That afternoon, we decided to get together with the Elders and make a package for a less active family. They have about 5 kids and the mom is a single mother who is an alcoholic and drug abuser who uses their grocery money to buy drugs and alcohol. It has been so sad for us to see these poor children suffer day after day. So, we decided as a group to pool all of our Christmas goodies together to give to them. We spent the afternoon tearing through our rooms to find things of ours to give them. We took all of the candy/goodies we had received from our families for Christmas and put it all in a box and wrapped it up real nice. It felt so good to take something that I had received and give it to someone who would appreciate it even more. When it was all said and done, we had quite the prize prepared to give to them.

 

 

Santa photos at the thrift store

Yesterday night, we headed over to their house and met with the oldest son. We had tried all day to get the whole family there but it just wouldn't work. So, we met with the oldest son and shared He is the Gift with him. He is about 16 and really needs some guidance. He is a great kid but is being greatly influenced by his environment. The Elders and Sister Flores and I bore SUCH a strong testimony to him of the power of Jesus Christ and how it has changed our lives, I can't fully explain the peace and overwhelming spirit that was there as we created a refuge for just a moment out of his tattered trailer. At the end we invited him to pray and to give a "gift" to each of his "CREW" members this week. We then told him that we had a gift for his family that he could share with his friends to make their Christmas a day of love and acceptance. It was an amazing experience and I felt the spirit so strongly. I have no idea if the family will begin to accept us into their home or not, but we know that we did everything we could to make their Christmas memorable.

That's all I've got for this week! I love this gospel and I especially love the opportunity to serve others during this Christmas season. This is the most important work in the world. Never forget that HE truly is the GIFT.

Lots of love from CO,

Hermana Pierce

Christmas MIRACLES!

December 15, 2014

Wow! This week was amazing!!! Why do I say Christmas Miracles? Because we found 3 families (14 NEW INVESTIGATORS!!!!). Now THAT is a miracle. We are being so blessed for our service here in San Juan.

Christmas fun!

Tuesday of this week we had interviews with President and then a wonderful Christmas Luncheon with Montrose North and South Zones and President/Sister Murdock! We sang our Special Musical Number (Silent Night- I sang my verse in Spanish :)) and it went really well! We then were able to watch a little Christmas movie called "Christmas Mission" and then had an amazing lunch and Christmas Karaoke! It was such a fun day :) My interview with President Murdock went really well. He is such an inspired man and reminds me a lot of Dad actually! Both are super PASSIONATE. I sure do love serving here in the CDSM!

 

 

Christmas Luncheon

Singing "Silent Night" at the conference.

Throughout the rest of the week we were just doing a ton of finding! We received a ton of referrals and were able to contact the majority and they became new investigators! The He is the Gift Initiative has been where most of our new investigators are coming from. It is so powerful and has about a.... 100% success rate!!! Not too shabby! The Lord truly is hastening HIS work.... now we are just trying to keep up!

On Saturday morning we had Zone meeting in Delta and the ZL's gave amazing trainings on the principles we must follow in order to baptize. It's a little frustrating for me sometimes because I feel like I am truly pouring my heart and soul into this work and never see anyone progress towards that covenant. BUT, I KNOW that the Lord will provide on His own time and that as long as I am doing my part, He will do His.

 

 

Zone Meeting Dec 2014

Last night we had a lesson with our brand new investigators, Leslie and Ruperto. It was our second lesson with them and they are AMAZING. They are already progressing and have SUCH a sincere desire to learn. It is so refreshing to meet people who APPRECIATE our message. People almost always let us in here (that's just how the Hispanic culture is) but sometimes it seems like we're pulling teeth to get them to understand the importance of our message. BUT, Ruperto and Leslie (Dad and Daughter) are different. They listen intently and hang on to every word we say. Our lessons THRIVE on the Spirit and they are always eager to learn more. I could feel the Savior smiling down on us yesterday as we testified of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. I know this is the TRUE gospel of Jesus Christ and I LOVE sharing it with others.

Sister Flores and I at one of the Christmas parties we attended.

I know I didn't have a lot to share this week, but just remember that I love each and every one of you and pray for you daily. I am SO grateful for my Savior and the sacrifice HE CHOSE to make for each of us. It's mind-boggling to me that ONE MAN could impact so many people. I know I am just little 20-year-old Hermana Pierce, but, THIS is the most important work I could ever do. Thank you for your support and love. It really does make all the difference, especially at this time of year. Count your blessings everyone, and make it a great week!

Hermana Pierce

"Christmas must not be an annual event, but the PATTERN for our daily lives."

December 8, 2014

I hope everyone had a great week and enjoyed the #LDSChristmasDevotional as much as I did. The title of this email is a quote from Elder D. Todd Christopherson, which was my favorite talk from last night. IF you didn't get a chance to see it, go check it out! :)
 

So this week we found 8 new investigators! It was awesome to hit that goal two weeks in a row! Unfortunately, the two most SOLID investigators EVER moved to mexico for four months (it's a common thing here lol) so that was a major bummer, BUT... the work is hastening!

Tuesday was exchanges! Sister Gregerson came to San Juan and we partied it up. It was fun and I love her so much! She is an English sister so I was teaching all on my own in Spanish, but it was cool to see that I actually do know this language and that the GIFT OF TONGUES is real.

Wednesday we had Sister's conference, which was awesome! I got asked to sing again (I've sang a special musical number EVERY SINGLE TRANSFER so far... why do people suddenly think I can sing??) and it actually went pretty well. Sister Gregerson and I arranged this awesome version of Joseph Smith's first prayer and Come to Zion! So that was fun! Then, later on that day we went to do some finding and found a FAMILY! It was such a miracle! It is so crazy how the Lord's timing works. Just when you least expect it, he provides you with yet an even greater blessing.

 

 

Singing at Zone Conference

 

Thursday we had district meeting and then that evening had dinner and a lesson with a member referral from our branch president's wife! That was cool and went pretty well and we are teaching them again tonight! We hardly ever get member referral's here so we take advantage of it when we do!

Friday evening we had weekly planning and then in the evening went to the Delta Christmas parade! The Delta Ward set up a whole "He is the Gift" booth at the end of it and also had a FLOAT! Sister Flores' and my jobs was to go and talk to people during the parade and hand out pass along cards. So, we go to the other end of the parade where the start was and started handing them out. We get half way down main (about 11 blocks) and realize we are about to run out of pass along cards.... SO, we SPRINT back to the base where they were stocking them, grab more, and sprint the other 6 blocks back to keep handing them out. It was good fun and the people were SUPER receptive and loved the float. We also got a potential FAMILY out of it so that was awesome too :)

 

 

Delta Parade

On Saturday, our branch mission leader's wife had her BABY! It was so exciting to go and visit them in the hospital! He is precious and I just adore their family to death. So we went and visited her for a bit and then headed to the Montrose parade. We brought the float up there and did the same thing for this one expect it was all missionaries at the float so we actually walked the parade! The whole town comes out for it so that was cool. But, the Montrose parade wasn't as successful as delta and we didn't really get to talk to anyone. BUT, still a good time nonetheless :)

 

 

 

All the missionaries at the Montrose Parade

 

Yesterday we had a great day at church and in the evening got to watch the Christmas Devotional, which I loved. We even got to make some Christmas Cookies with the Evensen's, one of my favorite stake families :)

 

 

Cookies at the Evensens

That about wraps up the week! We have interviews with president tomorrow morning and then a double zone Christmas lunch, which I'm really excited for! (I got asked to sing in a trio... wish me luck on the high notes of Silent Night..... yikes.) I love you all and know this is the true gospel. Go DISCOVER the truth for yourself and then SHARE the gift.

With Hermana Flores at the "He Is The Gift" float in Montrose.

 

Love,


Hermana Pierce

Effective prayer requires an extensive amount of EFFORT!

December 1, 2014

Hello one and all and HAPPY DECEMBER! I literally can't even believe as of tomorrow that I am 1/3 done with my mission. Exactly 1 year left until I come home... now THAT is crazy! See ya in 12, Texas ;) 

 

Black Canyon

Pictures don't do it justice

 

This week was great! I don't have too much to update as far as investigators go because basically none of them are progressing right now, BUT, we did a LOT of finding this week! 8 New Investigators! Woooohooo! Most of it stemmed from the #HeIsTheGift initiative. If you haven't seen the video yet... go check out christmas.mormon.org (mormon.org/spa/navidad if you're watching in Spanish).  Ready.... GO! Okay, so you watched it? Wasn't it amazing!? Yeah, I think so too! That's why I'm pretty sure I've seen it about 328429301643 times! And it gets better every time!!! I am so passionate about it and know that it is such a blessing for each of us to have the opportunity to remember our Savior during this Holiday season! I love this gospel with all of my heart and know that we will be so blessed by living the commandments of the Lord. 

In other news, last night we had quite the experience. We went to go and teach the Padilla family and let's just say that it didn't end well... This family was my pride and joy. I LOVE them. Well... last night we decided to bring the Elders with us to the lesson to maybe get through to them in a new way. We spent 2 hours preparing the lesson and had a recipe for success. Well...unfortunately,  it wasn't so successful. Marta (the mom) went off on us for about 20 minutes about how she didn't like how we were trying to get her to change her religion, etc etc etc. It was really sad and a complete curve ball. Needless to say, we won't be visiting them anymore :( I had a good cry and moment of self pity, and then moved on. I know that this is the true restored gospel and I love sharing it with everyone. It is often times a lot harder when they KNOW it is true, but won't act on it. However, I have so much faith in this area and in the Lord and KNOW that He will deliver the prepared unto us. 

 

 

Me and Hermana Flores

On a happier note... We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Carolina ended up having to work so she couldn't come with us... BUT, we still had a great day :) We went over to the Osorio's house to help them cook for 2 hours, then went to the Burr's for our actual meal, did about another hour of dishes after, (yes, Dad, I DID THE THANKSGIVING DISHES! It was wonderful... I have developed a new passion for washing dishes on my mission!) and then went to the Evensen's and decorated their Christmas Tree for 2 hours! It was a FABULOUS day filled with love, gratitude, and food :) I thought I would be super homesick, but I actually really enjoyed the whole day. I love Sister Flores and we had a great day with all  of the members. I truly have such a great love for this area and can't imagine ever saying bye to all of the wonderful people here. 

 

 

Sister Burr and I after the Thanksgiving meal at her house

I am so happy serving the Lord and know that although this work is HARD, it is where I need to be. I hope you all have a wonderful week! Don't forget to check our christmas.mormon.org and #ShareTheGIFT! :)

--

Love,

Hermana Pierce