Hello, familia.
I've had a week and a half of p-days and I think I'm about over it! I feel like I've been away from home (Brooklyn, I mean ...I keep calling it home) for five years! I miss putting my tag on every day, the smelly subways, teaching...I miss teaching. Guys, seriously cherish the time given to serve. I feel like I've grown up a lot in the last two weeks and for me, now I see serving a mission as a privilege, not a right.
Last week I had three different appointments and I got the green flag from each to return to New York! My awesome stake president has been sent all of the reports/recommendations and has been in steady contact with the missionary department over the last few days. Entonces, hopefully I will be back out soon but it might be another week because my stake presidency is out of town for a leadership conference and won't be back til this Saturday. It is possible for me to leave before then and be set apart by my mission president once I arrive in New York but the odds of that being the decision made are few.
As far as in-the-field events go, the twins were baptized Sunday!! I could not be happier for them. That family, they are such studs. Also, transfers are this week. I will probably get to New York
sometime next week but most likely will not be back in Dyker. I'm excited to see where I'm called and what the Lord has in store.
We are given the opportunity to labor in the Lords vineyard for such a short time as missionaries, I can't wait to get back to work!! However, I'm trying to remember and apply the teachings of President
Monson right now: “Life is full of difficulties, some minor and others of a more serious nature. There seems to be an unending supply of challenges for one and all. Our problem is that we often expect
instantaneous solutions to such challenges, forgetting that frequently the heavenly virtue of patience is required.” All things in the Lord's timing. It's always better His way anyhow :) I hope all o'y'all have a great week!
Mucho amor,
Hermana Karra Gourley
Enviado desde mi iPad
Monday, June 27, 2016
Monday, June 20, 2016
Come what may and love it
¡Hola!
What a week this has been... Last Saturday after the sealing for the family we did...... uuuuuh...... missionary work. We did missionary work:) (let's be honest, I don't remember what we did). But Sunday was something else! We had high hopes for this day. It started off great with several of our less actives and investigators attending church with us. We also had a lesson with the twins after church on the plan of salvation. Those little girls...I did not know you could have as many questions as they had! We were able to help them understand their questions and I could feel the Spirit testify of what we taught. They said they understood everything and were very eager to schedule our next lesson. It was also awesome to see the girls debating over whose turn it was to pray (as they both wanted to) because the first time we taught them they didn't even know how to pray. Seeing the growth in them and their desire to learn, that's what it's all about.
After our lesson with the girls, we had six or seven different ladies (referrals and less actives) who we were going to try and look up. We wanted to be able to contact at least three. Well...we got none. Every door remained shut and every phone unanswered. That was a tad discouraging, and as we were in the middle of Jewville, there was not even the option to street contact. The sun was setting and we were far from home, so we headed for the bus stop. The blessing was here as in this nearly entirely Jewish area, there at the bus stop, we found a Hispanic woman with her daughter. We jumped at the opportunity to talk with someone. They had been waiting for the bus for quite some time so we joined in the wait and there had the opportunity to teach the mom a bit of the restoration. She was incredibly interested in what we taught her, and we gave her a pamphlet to study. Just as we closed, there came the bus. That was a good way to end the day.
Monday was deep clean. Oh and did we deep clean. While we were singing and dancing to our blasted EFY music, I noticed something on the ceiling in one of our closets. I told my companion I thought there may be a door up there. She insisted otherwise. I said again I thought there was something else in the black abyss of our closet. Declaring her intent of confirming me wrong, my companion began her ascent up the ladder found also in the closet where she did indeed find a door
on the ceiling. Anticipating a dusty attic or a stuffy storage space, we were, needless to say, surprised when we pushed open the door and rays of light shot down through the cracks. We climbed up and out to find ourselves on the roof of our building! It was awesome. We even had wifi better than we had it in our house hahaha! We took a few pictures and then climbed back down to continue our deep clean.
Following deep clean, we planned on going to a lesson at six after dinner, however she called us up and insisted we get dinner together beforehand. We picked her up and headed off to the diner she had selected. We were able to have a really great lesson with her and we could feel the Spirit guiding the conversation as topics shifted and we were able to talk and testify of the things she needed to hear. I am so thankful for the role the Spirit has in this work.
Unfortunately, this day did not end as I would have liked, but life rarely goes as we would plan. Monday was a trying day for me as I strived to remember that God's ways and thoughts truly are higher than my own. I received a call that night from my mission president. The result of this call was that despite the efforts of my mission president, parents, and stake president on my behalf, missionary
medical had determined an inaccurate diagnosis was to send me home for a time. I have had a lot of time to reflect and think on the fact that I am now home. I was a mess after getting that call and finding there was nothing I could do to stay. After receiving a blessing from the elders, I felt the peace and gentle prompting from the Spirit that all would be well and I needed to go back for one reason or another for some period of time. That was not the answer I wanted at the time haha! However, I had been given the prompting and I couldn't fight the Spirit. Even though I had felt that, it did not make leaving any easier. After face-timing my parents it was determined my mom would come out and meet me so we could fly home together.
Monday night the time was spent more on my knees than in my bed as I petitioned God for another path if possible. When I knew this was not His plan for me, it was time to implement what I had taught a few weeks previously in a workshop: submit to the will of the Father. My prayers changed as I accepted His will for me and I began to seek comfort and peace as I promised I would follow Him down this seemingly dark and lonely road in the exact opposite direction --so I thought-- from where I should be heading.
Tuesday consisted of packing and my final lesson with the girls. We ate dinner with them and then taught the gospel of Christ. This was an amazing lesson. As they asked questions and answered ours I could feel the sweet spirits of these girls developing testimonies. Seeing the Spirit work in them and how their desire to learn grows is amazing. Concluding our lesson I told them I would not be able to be at their baptism but that I would need lots of pictures. They were sad I couldn't be there but understood me needing to go.
After lots of tears, I finally found some peace. The Staten zone leaders were kind enough to drive us to the mission office in Rego so that we wouldn't have to take the luggage through the subways. We
arrived a tad after twelve Wednesday morning and the first person I saw was my mom. She gave me a big hug and said "I don't think you're done yet". I felt like I was in a bad dream... I was called into
President's office for my final departing interview. I was asked to say the opening prayer, which I did as I struggled through keeping back the tears. I have never had something so good, so precious to me,
and something I thought was so in line with God's will and then have Him ask me to give it to Him for a time. I couldn't understand why He would want me doing anything else, but I chose to make the decision to submit and follow even thought I couldn't see how this could possibly be His will. Leaving the mission was the biggest leap of faith I have ever taken with my trust in God alone but my mission president also gave me some comfort in the counsel he gave me. He too said he didn't feel I wasn't finished and that they'd be anticipating my return.
After the goodbyes were through, we headed out with Sister Reynolds who drove us to JFK. Her note to me also said they would keep me in their prayers until I returned to the mission. This was all very
confusing for me as I had previously thought I was not to return and had tried to accept moving on as a way to cope with the fact that I was going home. Now, with my leaders having received the revelation I was to return, I began to think on it. On the plane home I looked into D&C 124 trying to find a scripture my mission president had shared with me. Instead I found verses 16-18. I knew I was to go back.
After talking with the stake president that night I was released for the time being. I continued to battle the thoughts that I would not be able to go back or that it wasn't supposed to happen. I received a blessing from my dad and was able to find some peace again. Thursday was not free of discouraging thoughts and feelings, but by the afternoon I finally felt peace again. Friday was the day of anticipation as I would meet with the first therapist who we could schedule with. This was a miracle meeting... The therapist told me at the beginning that he was not there to get me back into the field but to help me adjust to being home and to make sure I was in a good place mentally. However, after the hour and a half meeting we concluded with him saying that when I come back Friday to see him again that he will be preparing me for when I go back and that he will help me prepare for what it'll be like going back into the field (VICTORY!). He also gave me a few professionals to call and set up with. After a bit of frustration as we could not get a hold of any of them, one lady called us back. I will be seeing her this Thursday. This lady is the one who actually will have to say that with her profession in eating disorders that I do not have one. Once she knows and believes that, her witness,
along with that of the first guy I saw, will be used by my stake president as he petitions the missionary department for me to go back out.
Thus, así es, y estamos aquí. Entonces, things are looking very bright and I have learned a lot of lessons from this journey. It has been exactly a week from when I received the call I was being sent home but it feels like so long ago because of the growth that has taken place so rapidly since then.
I know that this is God's plan for me. It is certainly not what I expected of my missionary call but it is most definitely what is best. I will be returning to New York a new missionary and the better for this trial. Just goin through a bit of the refiners fire is all :) I love this time I've been blessed with to see my family and reflect on the last four months, to see from the experiences I had how I will be different because of them. I have learned so much about myself and God, His plan for each of us individually... I have never felt so close to my Savior. I know that this is the work of God and that I am only going to be better because of this trial He has placed in my path. I know that God does not give us any trial we cannot bear with His help. It is only through His grace that I have borne this one. I love this gospel. I know with all my soul it is true. I am honored to be able to serve and represent my Savior in New York, I can't wait to put my tag back on and get to work! But for now, we will be patient and trust in the Lords timing.
I hope everyone has a fabulous week, I love you all and I'm so thankful for your support of my decision to serve. We will keep y'all updated :)
Tanto amor,
Hermana Karra Gourley
(Yes, I'm technically released....no, I'm not removing the "Hermana" haha)
Enviado desde mi iPad
What a week this has been... Last Saturday after the sealing for the family we did...... uuuuuh...... missionary work. We did missionary work:) (let's be honest, I don't remember what we did). But Sunday was something else! We had high hopes for this day. It started off great with several of our less actives and investigators attending church with us. We also had a lesson with the twins after church on the plan of salvation. Those little girls...I did not know you could have as many questions as they had! We were able to help them understand their questions and I could feel the Spirit testify of what we taught. They said they understood everything and were very eager to schedule our next lesson. It was also awesome to see the girls debating over whose turn it was to pray (as they both wanted to) because the first time we taught them they didn't even know how to pray. Seeing the growth in them and their desire to learn, that's what it's all about.
After our lesson with the girls, we had six or seven different ladies (referrals and less actives) who we were going to try and look up. We wanted to be able to contact at least three. Well...we got none. Every door remained shut and every phone unanswered. That was a tad discouraging, and as we were in the middle of Jewville, there was not even the option to street contact. The sun was setting and we were far from home, so we headed for the bus stop. The blessing was here as in this nearly entirely Jewish area, there at the bus stop, we found a Hispanic woman with her daughter. We jumped at the opportunity to talk with someone. They had been waiting for the bus for quite some time so we joined in the wait and there had the opportunity to teach the mom a bit of the restoration. She was incredibly interested in what we taught her, and we gave her a pamphlet to study. Just as we closed, there came the bus. That was a good way to end the day.
Monday was deep clean. Oh and did we deep clean. While we were singing and dancing to our blasted EFY music, I noticed something on the ceiling in one of our closets. I told my companion I thought there may be a door up there. She insisted otherwise. I said again I thought there was something else in the black abyss of our closet. Declaring her intent of confirming me wrong, my companion began her ascent up the ladder found also in the closet where she did indeed find a door
on the ceiling. Anticipating a dusty attic or a stuffy storage space, we were, needless to say, surprised when we pushed open the door and rays of light shot down through the cracks. We climbed up and out to find ourselves on the roof of our building! It was awesome. We even had wifi better than we had it in our house hahaha! We took a few pictures and then climbed back down to continue our deep clean.
Following deep clean, we planned on going to a lesson at six after dinner, however she called us up and insisted we get dinner together beforehand. We picked her up and headed off to the diner she had selected. We were able to have a really great lesson with her and we could feel the Spirit guiding the conversation as topics shifted and we were able to talk and testify of the things she needed to hear. I am so thankful for the role the Spirit has in this work.
Unfortunately, this day did not end as I would have liked, but life rarely goes as we would plan. Monday was a trying day for me as I strived to remember that God's ways and thoughts truly are higher than my own. I received a call that night from my mission president. The result of this call was that despite the efforts of my mission president, parents, and stake president on my behalf, missionary
medical had determined an inaccurate diagnosis was to send me home for a time. I have had a lot of time to reflect and think on the fact that I am now home. I was a mess after getting that call and finding there was nothing I could do to stay. After receiving a blessing from the elders, I felt the peace and gentle prompting from the Spirit that all would be well and I needed to go back for one reason or another for some period of time. That was not the answer I wanted at the time haha! However, I had been given the prompting and I couldn't fight the Spirit. Even though I had felt that, it did not make leaving any easier. After face-timing my parents it was determined my mom would come out and meet me so we could fly home together.
Monday night the time was spent more on my knees than in my bed as I petitioned God for another path if possible. When I knew this was not His plan for me, it was time to implement what I had taught a few weeks previously in a workshop: submit to the will of the Father. My prayers changed as I accepted His will for me and I began to seek comfort and peace as I promised I would follow Him down this seemingly dark and lonely road in the exact opposite direction --so I thought-- from where I should be heading.
Tuesday consisted of packing and my final lesson with the girls. We ate dinner with them and then taught the gospel of Christ. This was an amazing lesson. As they asked questions and answered ours I could feel the sweet spirits of these girls developing testimonies. Seeing the Spirit work in them and how their desire to learn grows is amazing. Concluding our lesson I told them I would not be able to be at their baptism but that I would need lots of pictures. They were sad I couldn't be there but understood me needing to go.
After lots of tears, I finally found some peace. The Staten zone leaders were kind enough to drive us to the mission office in Rego so that we wouldn't have to take the luggage through the subways. We
arrived a tad after twelve Wednesday morning and the first person I saw was my mom. She gave me a big hug and said "I don't think you're done yet". I felt like I was in a bad dream... I was called into
President's office for my final departing interview. I was asked to say the opening prayer, which I did as I struggled through keeping back the tears. I have never had something so good, so precious to me,
and something I thought was so in line with God's will and then have Him ask me to give it to Him for a time. I couldn't understand why He would want me doing anything else, but I chose to make the decision to submit and follow even thought I couldn't see how this could possibly be His will. Leaving the mission was the biggest leap of faith I have ever taken with my trust in God alone but my mission president also gave me some comfort in the counsel he gave me. He too said he didn't feel I wasn't finished and that they'd be anticipating my return.
After the goodbyes were through, we headed out with Sister Reynolds who drove us to JFK. Her note to me also said they would keep me in their prayers until I returned to the mission. This was all very
confusing for me as I had previously thought I was not to return and had tried to accept moving on as a way to cope with the fact that I was going home. Now, with my leaders having received the revelation I was to return, I began to think on it. On the plane home I looked into D&C 124 trying to find a scripture my mission president had shared with me. Instead I found verses 16-18. I knew I was to go back.
After talking with the stake president that night I was released for the time being. I continued to battle the thoughts that I would not be able to go back or that it wasn't supposed to happen. I received a blessing from my dad and was able to find some peace again. Thursday was not free of discouraging thoughts and feelings, but by the afternoon I finally felt peace again. Friday was the day of anticipation as I would meet with the first therapist who we could schedule with. This was a miracle meeting... The therapist told me at the beginning that he was not there to get me back into the field but to help me adjust to being home and to make sure I was in a good place mentally. However, after the hour and a half meeting we concluded with him saying that when I come back Friday to see him again that he will be preparing me for when I go back and that he will help me prepare for what it'll be like going back into the field (VICTORY!). He also gave me a few professionals to call and set up with. After a bit of frustration as we could not get a hold of any of them, one lady called us back. I will be seeing her this Thursday. This lady is the one who actually will have to say that with her profession in eating disorders that I do not have one. Once she knows and believes that, her witness,
along with that of the first guy I saw, will be used by my stake president as he petitions the missionary department for me to go back out.
Thus, así es, y estamos aquí. Entonces, things are looking very bright and I have learned a lot of lessons from this journey. It has been exactly a week from when I received the call I was being sent home but it feels like so long ago because of the growth that has taken place so rapidly since then.
I know that this is God's plan for me. It is certainly not what I expected of my missionary call but it is most definitely what is best. I will be returning to New York a new missionary and the better for this trial. Just goin through a bit of the refiners fire is all :) I love this time I've been blessed with to see my family and reflect on the last four months, to see from the experiences I had how I will be different because of them. I have learned so much about myself and God, His plan for each of us individually... I have never felt so close to my Savior. I know that this is the work of God and that I am only going to be better because of this trial He has placed in my path. I know that God does not give us any trial we cannot bear with His help. It is only through His grace that I have borne this one. I love this gospel. I know with all my soul it is true. I am honored to be able to serve and represent my Savior in New York, I can't wait to put my tag back on and get to work! But for now, we will be patient and trust in the Lords timing.
I hope everyone has a fabulous week, I love you all and I'm so thankful for your support of my decision to serve. We will keep y'all updated :)
Tanto amor,
Hermana Karra Gourley
(Yes, I'm technically released....no, I'm not removing the "Hermana" haha)
Enviado desde mi iPad
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Teaching, training, and temple trippin'
Hello hello!
¡Estamos temprano con nuestras cartas por qué hoy, vimos al templo! But this week...this was something else. We started the week off amazingly and ended it with a beautiful sealing, overall I'd say it was pretty great!!
Monday we had a lesson with a less active sister's kids. She's got three. The girls haven't been baptized and the mom wanted them to be so she invited us to go teach them. We showed up Monday and the kids just loved us! After getting to know them a bit they came and sat right in front of us and said, "so you guys are the teachers!" We explained why we were there and went over everything about baptism with them, then we invited the girls to be baptized. They were super excited about it and asked when. We talked with their mom and proposed the 26th of June (just before they get ready to leave for a month long trip in Mexico) and they accepted! The girls were super excited to learn about the church and asked when we were going to come back, we scheduled for Thursday:) We had to get home so we taught them how to pray as we closed the lesson en were off to catch the bus!
We looked over some weekly goals after we got home and decided we wanted to try and stretch a little bit further this week. So far we have been very successful. It's another testimony to me that when we plan something out with the Spirit and ask the Lord to help us in accomplishing what we have set out to do, then work our butts off to get it done, He helps us do more than we could do on our own (*cough cough* enabling power of the Atonement!!) and stuff gets done!! We have the potential to teach seven lessons today and tomorrow alone (that has not happened in Dyker...ever), assuming people exercise their agency correctly haha:)
Tuesday we had our first district meeting as Dyker Chino-Spanish. It was good, Elder Brenkman is our unofficial-official district leader haha, but he did a good job. He's doing his best with what we have all been thrown into and I'm thankful for that. After district meeting we taught the first temple prep lesson on the plan of salvation. That was awesome.
After we taught that lesson we headed to another sister's for dinner and a lesson. She had a massive migraine when we got there but had prepared food and wanted a message. We ate quickly and quietly, then left her with a quick message before running out. Right after we walked onto the street, we literally had been outside two seconds, a man walking by in the crowd said "hi sisters", then just kept walking by. We were like, "wait what...?" We didn't even have time to think about it or chase him down to talk to him cause right after that was said a big tough-looking tattoo-clad man five feet away or so said, "are you guys Mormons?" We fished through the crowd to him and were like, "yeah we are!!" He asked where the nearest chapel was and after we told him he said he'd go look it up. Interesting. So that was a fun time haha! So after a few unexpected seeds, we headed to English
class. We have a few new students so that's awesome!
Wednesday we had service, which is always great. They were worried we'd get rained out so we tried to work fast. But, the job they had for us we did too quickly I guess cause the rain wasn't coming and we finished with an hour to go... So, they put us to weeding --we are really good weeders haha! We're all scattered in this field weeding around these new trees when an elder calls out, "hey...what do we do with baby bunnies?" We all ran over and sure enough, five baby bunnies are chillin under some weeds! The ranger people took care of it and right about then the rain began. And oh did it begin. Sopping wet, to the point that we were wringing out our hair and shirts, we returned home to change and get to work for the rest of the day. We did some finding and met up with a less active. She has two kids, a son whose nine (not baptized) and a special needs girl whose four. This was our first time meeting her, so we got to talk with her and get to know her a little bit. We will be going back to teach her next week same time.
(Also found out at service that one of the sisters was in the army for four years before the mish and played professional soccer for Brazil for four years before that!! Can you say cool?? I was like dude, this girl is so much cooler than all of us 😂😂 ) We also talked a bit with Sister Provard and Sister Seay while waiting for our trains. This was more of a just me kinda thing that made me feel a little better haha cause they were all surprised when they realized I was still training and it made me feel like maybe I don't look like as much of a mess as I feel like hahaha 😂😂)
Thursday we had our lesson with the twins and that was awesome! It's kinda awkward how the lessons go though cause the kids básicamente don't speak Spanish. They understand it but can't read it or speak it really at all. No problem, you say. Teach them in English, you say. Whelp, their mom doesn't speak English! So, we just teach them in English and their mom throws in a little bit here and there as we translate bits and pieces for her. But anyway, the lesson was on the restoration and the kids loved it. They had tons of questions but said they understood it all in the end. We left them a chapter in the children's Book of Mormon to read as their tarea and those kids were so excited they started right then!! We're going to walk with them to church tomorrow and teach them afterwards as well. This family is awesome.
We met up with Sister Fouts and Sister Taylor for lunch before zone training meeting. We got our Chinese food to go and ate at the church until everyone came. Training was good, as always. It was just really odd with so many people missing. Our zone is now only two districts. I mean, we only lost three people recently, but we lost a lot more at transfers it feels like than we got in. I guess it's just the people missing now we're big people in more ways than one, so it felt kinda empty at training. Just a little not right... But it was good.
Today we went to the temple!!! Yay!! We got there around 8:30 for the sealing at nine and it was beautiful. The family is simply amazing. They have a daughter who's passed away. It made seeing them be sealed even more special. It was awesome. Just being in the temple alone was a great feeling, but then the fact that we were there for the sealing of the Andrade family made it even better. Aaaaaahhh. It was amazing. We are over here still just smiling!! 😊😊
We waited in the church side of the building for them to come out and guess who I saw? Elder Hunt from my zone at the CCM! He's serving in New Jersey. They were there with a person they baptized a month or so ago for her to do baptisms. We talked for a bit and then the family came out. It was great to see a familiar face! We took some pictures outside then all headed back together. It was funny to see this big herd of people (it wasn't really that many people tho) all dressed up going through the subways. We got our share of stares for sure haha!
Y estamos aquí. We've got a few people set for finding tonight, so hopefully that can go as planned! Man. Missionary work is awesome. I have forgotten what it's like to not put on a skirt and a tag
everyday. Every thought we have is dedicated towards someone else and how we can help or serve them. It's amazing. It makes me think of how the Savior lived. He was the perfect missionary and we are doing our best to try and follow what He did and taught through His example. When you try to live like the Savior I think you come to understand Him better. As I'm coming to understand how He lived my love and appreciation for Him has grown. It's crazy how much I've learned in the last few months. About everything.
Pero, eso es, y quiero compartir una escritura con ustedes. Mosiah 24:15 "And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord." I love this scripture. I know it is true, and I know when we seek help in times of difficulty we can ask for the Lord to change us. Thus, we become agents unto ourselves to act rather than objects to be acted upon. Through trials we can be changed. And that's what we want, right?:) Change. Or conversion. Changing constantly as we improve --continually becoming more converted into the Lord-- until the day we become perfect as our Father. I love that we have the hope that this is possible because of this gospel. Church is so cool, guys. Don't be ashamed of it. "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou
partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God". I love this gospel and I love serving in New York. Sorry for gettin all preachy on y'all haha. I hope everyone has a fabulous week!
Love you lots!!
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Karra Gourley
-Post zone training (Sisters Fouts, Taylor, me, Sheobara (sister training leader), Bugingo)
¡Estamos temprano con nuestras cartas por qué hoy, vimos al templo! But this week...this was something else. We started the week off amazingly and ended it with a beautiful sealing, overall I'd say it was pretty great!!
Monday we had a lesson with a less active sister's kids. She's got three. The girls haven't been baptized and the mom wanted them to be so she invited us to go teach them. We showed up Monday and the kids just loved us! After getting to know them a bit they came and sat right in front of us and said, "so you guys are the teachers!" We explained why we were there and went over everything about baptism with them, then we invited the girls to be baptized. They were super excited about it and asked when. We talked with their mom and proposed the 26th of June (just before they get ready to leave for a month long trip in Mexico) and they accepted! The girls were super excited to learn about the church and asked when we were going to come back, we scheduled for Thursday:) We had to get home so we taught them how to pray as we closed the lesson en were off to catch the bus!
We looked over some weekly goals after we got home and decided we wanted to try and stretch a little bit further this week. So far we have been very successful. It's another testimony to me that when we plan something out with the Spirit and ask the Lord to help us in accomplishing what we have set out to do, then work our butts off to get it done, He helps us do more than we could do on our own (*cough cough* enabling power of the Atonement!!) and stuff gets done!! We have the potential to teach seven lessons today and tomorrow alone (that has not happened in Dyker...ever), assuming people exercise their agency correctly haha:)
Tuesday we had our first district meeting as Dyker Chino-Spanish. It was good, Elder Brenkman is our unofficial-official district leader haha, but he did a good job. He's doing his best with what we have all been thrown into and I'm thankful for that. After district meeting we taught the first temple prep lesson on the plan of salvation. That was awesome.
After we taught that lesson we headed to another sister's for dinner and a lesson. She had a massive migraine when we got there but had prepared food and wanted a message. We ate quickly and quietly, then left her with a quick message before running out. Right after we walked onto the street, we literally had been outside two seconds, a man walking by in the crowd said "hi sisters", then just kept walking by. We were like, "wait what...?" We didn't even have time to think about it or chase him down to talk to him cause right after that was said a big tough-looking tattoo-clad man five feet away or so said, "are you guys Mormons?" We fished through the crowd to him and were like, "yeah we are!!" He asked where the nearest chapel was and after we told him he said he'd go look it up. Interesting. So that was a fun time haha! So after a few unexpected seeds, we headed to English
class. We have a few new students so that's awesome!
Wednesday we had service, which is always great. They were worried we'd get rained out so we tried to work fast. But, the job they had for us we did too quickly I guess cause the rain wasn't coming and we finished with an hour to go... So, they put us to weeding --we are really good weeders haha! We're all scattered in this field weeding around these new trees when an elder calls out, "hey...what do we do with baby bunnies?" We all ran over and sure enough, five baby bunnies are chillin under some weeds! The ranger people took care of it and right about then the rain began. And oh did it begin. Sopping wet, to the point that we were wringing out our hair and shirts, we returned home to change and get to work for the rest of the day. We did some finding and met up with a less active. She has two kids, a son whose nine (not baptized) and a special needs girl whose four. This was our first time meeting her, so we got to talk with her and get to know her a little bit. We will be going back to teach her next week same time.
(Also found out at service that one of the sisters was in the army for four years before the mish and played professional soccer for Brazil for four years before that!! Can you say cool?? I was like dude, this girl is so much cooler than all of us 😂😂 ) We also talked a bit with Sister Provard and Sister Seay while waiting for our trains. This was more of a just me kinda thing that made me feel a little better haha cause they were all surprised when they realized I was still training and it made me feel like maybe I don't look like as much of a mess as I feel like hahaha 😂😂)
Thursday we had our lesson with the twins and that was awesome! It's kinda awkward how the lessons go though cause the kids básicamente don't speak Spanish. They understand it but can't read it or speak it really at all. No problem, you say. Teach them in English, you say. Whelp, their mom doesn't speak English! So, we just teach them in English and their mom throws in a little bit here and there as we translate bits and pieces for her. But anyway, the lesson was on the restoration and the kids loved it. They had tons of questions but said they understood it all in the end. We left them a chapter in the children's Book of Mormon to read as their tarea and those kids were so excited they started right then!! We're going to walk with them to church tomorrow and teach them afterwards as well. This family is awesome.
We met up with Sister Fouts and Sister Taylor for lunch before zone training meeting. We got our Chinese food to go and ate at the church until everyone came. Training was good, as always. It was just really odd with so many people missing. Our zone is now only two districts. I mean, we only lost three people recently, but we lost a lot more at transfers it feels like than we got in. I guess it's just the people missing now we're big people in more ways than one, so it felt kinda empty at training. Just a little not right... But it was good.
Today we went to the temple!!! Yay!! We got there around 8:30 for the sealing at nine and it was beautiful. The family is simply amazing. They have a daughter who's passed away. It made seeing them be sealed even more special. It was awesome. Just being in the temple alone was a great feeling, but then the fact that we were there for the sealing of the Andrade family made it even better. Aaaaaahhh. It was amazing. We are over here still just smiling!! 😊😊
We waited in the church side of the building for them to come out and guess who I saw? Elder Hunt from my zone at the CCM! He's serving in New Jersey. They were there with a person they baptized a month or so ago for her to do baptisms. We talked for a bit and then the family came out. It was great to see a familiar face! We took some pictures outside then all headed back together. It was funny to see this big herd of people (it wasn't really that many people tho) all dressed up going through the subways. We got our share of stares for sure haha!
Y estamos aquí. We've got a few people set for finding tonight, so hopefully that can go as planned! Man. Missionary work is awesome. I have forgotten what it's like to not put on a skirt and a tag
everyday. Every thought we have is dedicated towards someone else and how we can help or serve them. It's amazing. It makes me think of how the Savior lived. He was the perfect missionary and we are doing our best to try and follow what He did and taught through His example. When you try to live like the Savior I think you come to understand Him better. As I'm coming to understand how He lived my love and appreciation for Him has grown. It's crazy how much I've learned in the last few months. About everything.
Pero, eso es, y quiero compartir una escritura con ustedes. Mosiah 24:15 "And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord." I love this scripture. I know it is true, and I know when we seek help in times of difficulty we can ask for the Lord to change us. Thus, we become agents unto ourselves to act rather than objects to be acted upon. Through trials we can be changed. And that's what we want, right?:) Change. Or conversion. Changing constantly as we improve --continually becoming more converted into the Lord-- until the day we become perfect as our Father. I love that we have the hope that this is possible because of this gospel. Church is so cool, guys. Don't be ashamed of it. "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou
partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God". I love this gospel and I love serving in New York. Sorry for gettin all preachy on y'all haha. I hope everyone has a fabulous week!
Love you lots!!
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Karra Gourley
 | ||
| Waiting for the train on Sunday. I swear we spend 50% of our day waiting for public transportation. Ugh. |
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Monday, June 6, 2016
When you don't know how to call another week...
Hello familia!
What a week this has been. Well, since I don't know where to start we will begin with the big news on my mind... Well, the reign of the (Dyker) Heights of the Round Table --as the elders dubbed us at our first district meeting haha-- has come to a dramatic end. Our district leader, Elder Boden is going home. He has three discs in his back that are out of place and básicamente he can't even walk anymore without pain. We were hoping he would just get transferred to a car area and not have to leave but mission medical decided he's gotta go home. He leaves today. We found out Saturday. Because Elder Boden is going home and there's no Spanish trios already in the mission to pull an elder from, Elder Caballero is leaving too. Yeah. We found that out last night when we called in our numbers. He will be transferred to a different area and make a trio elsewhere. Thus, we now have seven missionaries remaining in Dyker with no district leaders. Since they're taking Cabbi out and not bringing someone in we will either remain as a "dating district" just us and the Spanish elders or they will combine us four with the remaining three chino elders.
So, there's that! I'm honestly still in shock about it all but I trust God. I know He puts people into our lives --for whatever time is expedient in Him-- for a reason and I've learned a lot from all these people I've had the opportunity of serving with.
Whoo! So now that we've got all the downer stuff outta the way haha... This week honestly was just crazy. Saturday we had the chance to go serve at the Bishop’s storehouse in Midwood so that was cool! (The elders also brought my package then too --THANK YOU!) Serving there was way cool, but the lady who was kind of in charge for that day was...interesting. Tried really hard to just remember we are all doing what we think is best to get the job done, but there were a few times after she'd said or done something when I had to bite my tongue --literally-- and just work to control my temper. Between packing people’s things, we played outside with the kids of some families who were there helping. It was a lot of fun and overall a great experience, even if I did get a little irritated on a few occasions. ☺
On the way back from the storehouse, we were waiting for the bus and this little girl came over and sat by me. She asked if I was waiting for the bus and I told her we were. She said she was going home with her grandma who was standing off to the side. For the next twenty minutes this little four-year-old girl named Ariana talked to me about anything and everything. She was so precious. Her grandma told her it was time to go and she ran over and gave me a big hug. We said goodbye and she ran off ahead of her grandma, continuing to skip up to every person she passed to say hello. Little kids are amazing. When the scriptures say to become as little children there are numerous applications. Here, what I learned from this little girl was to be happy and to live life. To talk to everything, sharing your light. She simply radiated with love. You could not look at her and then not smile. She was exactly the little ray of sunshine I needed and I'm sure she helped numerous others with her sweet spirit as well.
Friday (sorry, I'm kinda going backwards with what I can remember) we were invited to a birthday party. There were so many people there, it was crazy, but a really good opportunity for seed planting!! It was really fun, and I think it meant a lot to her that we came. We also had service Friday and Thursday at the senior center. When we were eating me and Caballero talked music a little bit. Guess what, dad? He loves Def Leppard too!! I told him the people we've seen in concert together and needless to say, he was surprised when I named them off, but it was Def Leppard that made his eyes get all wide haha! Reminded me of when people from soccer would think you were some stiff who only listened to classical music cause you always showed up to games in suits haha! I guess we don't necessarily project the image of classic rock (maybe that's a good thing haha!)
Anyway... We had a lesson Tuesday with a less active in the ward. We talked to her about temples and she's decided she wants to go through the temple!! We set a date with her and she even came to church Sunday with one of her sons. We've got high hopes for her. We also taught another couple Sunday after church. We're starting over with them. We taught the restoration with Obispo Mendizaba (he was the last bishop). It was really odd. Lots of prayers for them are being said.
Wednesday we had park service and got Five Guys after. It wasn't bad. I love when we get to go do service at the park, getting outside, working, being with people, it's great. We also got a few more less actives to go and see from Hermana Morales who was in this area over nine months ago. We've got an appointment set up with one, but another we can't contact because both numbers we have are wrong and the only way into the area she lives is with a key or if someone lets you in... The door for the apartments is between two stores right by a bus stop we go to every day by our house so we're going to just check every time we're there to see if anyone is going in or at the door who could let us in haha.
We got a few lessons in this week and were really able to feel the Spirit, but we also had a lot fall through. We just gotta keep pushing. I love what mom said in her email, the idea that we are "pressing forward" implies that there is opposition. This work isn't easy and it's not supposed to be!! But it's in the hardest moments when you learn to appreciate the little blessings and tender mercies of every day. That's when I come to know my Savior better. We have been invited to come unto Him and take His yoke upon us, to take His load, His burden, instead of our own by ourselves. In an article I read this week from the Ensign it talked about how a yoke functions. It said the purpose of a double yoke is "to harness a pair of animals so that they can drag a load together as efficiently as possible." It also said when they are made the wood "is fitted to a particular ox’s shoulders, maximizing comfort and pulling force." This custom fitting makes it so that "oxen of unequal size or strength to pull together without one being dragged by the other." I learned a lot from that.
In my personal study this week I learned a lot. There have been so many times I've been able to feel of God’s love this week, I think I needed it. I'm rereading the BoM and the New Testament together. So I've had when I read a few times now where I'll read something I've heard and studied a million times before but I'll have questions come into my head. This happened with something in Matthew 6 this week. I was like, "what am I supposed to be getting from these verses?? I've heard them so many times...what does this set mean?? How do I apply them??" But I got an answer. Of course I did. We always do. Whenever we ask with real intent and search diligently the Spirit will enlighten our understanding.
The same day, literally two minutes later when I was alone, I started to read another talk by Elder Bednar, it took me to 1 Corinthians 1:27 which took me to Jacob 4:6-7. This was a super special experience for me because I read these verses, and when I read in Jacob, I finally, for the first time I can remember, felt like those verses apply to me. I honestly believe that I can do those things because of my faith. I feel that they apply to me. That was a huge tender mercy for me because I've been feeling since being out on the mission that I am lacking in the faith category. But here when I read those verses, coupled with everything else I've been reading, learning, experiencing, I could just feel the Spirit testifying to me, "you know enough. All these things you've been learning are true. Keep goin." I was sitting there and I was just smiling. I looked up and just said a little thank you, and I kid you not, I could feel the hug. I have had many amazing spiritual experiences, nothing grandiose, just little things, but that was all I needed.
I am trying to always remember how I felt then and do my best to make Him proud. In another talk I read by Elder Maxwell it said "meek Enoch reached a point in his discipleship, wrote Paul, when he received a testimony that he pleased God (see Heb. 11:5). Ponder that. One can come to that point where one knows that he or she pleases God." I read that and just thought, WOW. I want to be at that point. I want to know what I am doing is pleasing to God always. I know I'm human and I will make mistakes but because of the Atonement I can repent, and because of the Atonement I can have access to additional strength and power beyond my own capabilities to do His will. Wow.
So this was a great week for personal growth. That makes me excited because once I'm taken care of I can serve others more effectively. I love in Moses 6:31-34 when Enoch asks God, why me?? Why would you choose me?? And God tells Enoch of the blessings that await him and says simply, "therefore walk with me." I LOVE that. He makes our weak things become strong. Now our invitation is to trust Him, take comfort in His strength and ability to make us who He wants/needs/desires us to become, and walk with Him. Man, I love scriptures.
The church is true, guys. Never been more sure of anything in my life.
Well, now that I've got this novel here, I'll send it off haha! Love you lots!!!
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Karra Gourley
Enviado desde mi iPad
What a week this has been. Well, since I don't know where to start we will begin with the big news on my mind... Well, the reign of the (Dyker) Heights of the Round Table --as the elders dubbed us at our first district meeting haha-- has come to a dramatic end. Our district leader, Elder Boden is going home. He has three discs in his back that are out of place and básicamente he can't even walk anymore without pain. We were hoping he would just get transferred to a car area and not have to leave but mission medical decided he's gotta go home. He leaves today. We found out Saturday. Because Elder Boden is going home and there's no Spanish trios already in the mission to pull an elder from, Elder Caballero is leaving too. Yeah. We found that out last night when we called in our numbers. He will be transferred to a different area and make a trio elsewhere. Thus, we now have seven missionaries remaining in Dyker with no district leaders. Since they're taking Cabbi out and not bringing someone in we will either remain as a "dating district" just us and the Spanish elders or they will combine us four with the remaining three chino elders.
So, there's that! I'm honestly still in shock about it all but I trust God. I know He puts people into our lives --for whatever time is expedient in Him-- for a reason and I've learned a lot from all these people I've had the opportunity of serving with.
Whoo! So now that we've got all the downer stuff outta the way haha... This week honestly was just crazy. Saturday we had the chance to go serve at the Bishop’s storehouse in Midwood so that was cool! (The elders also brought my package then too --THANK YOU!) Serving there was way cool, but the lady who was kind of in charge for that day was...interesting. Tried really hard to just remember we are all doing what we think is best to get the job done, but there were a few times after she'd said or done something when I had to bite my tongue --literally-- and just work to control my temper. Between packing people’s things, we played outside with the kids of some families who were there helping. It was a lot of fun and overall a great experience, even if I did get a little irritated on a few occasions. ☺
On the way back from the storehouse, we were waiting for the bus and this little girl came over and sat by me. She asked if I was waiting for the bus and I told her we were. She said she was going home with her grandma who was standing off to the side. For the next twenty minutes this little four-year-old girl named Ariana talked to me about anything and everything. She was so precious. Her grandma told her it was time to go and she ran over and gave me a big hug. We said goodbye and she ran off ahead of her grandma, continuing to skip up to every person she passed to say hello. Little kids are amazing. When the scriptures say to become as little children there are numerous applications. Here, what I learned from this little girl was to be happy and to live life. To talk to everything, sharing your light. She simply radiated with love. You could not look at her and then not smile. She was exactly the little ray of sunshine I needed and I'm sure she helped numerous others with her sweet spirit as well.
Friday (sorry, I'm kinda going backwards with what I can remember) we were invited to a birthday party. There were so many people there, it was crazy, but a really good opportunity for seed planting!! It was really fun, and I think it meant a lot to her that we came. We also had service Friday and Thursday at the senior center. When we were eating me and Caballero talked music a little bit. Guess what, dad? He loves Def Leppard too!! I told him the people we've seen in concert together and needless to say, he was surprised when I named them off, but it was Def Leppard that made his eyes get all wide haha! Reminded me of when people from soccer would think you were some stiff who only listened to classical music cause you always showed up to games in suits haha! I guess we don't necessarily project the image of classic rock (maybe that's a good thing haha!)
Anyway... We had a lesson Tuesday with a less active in the ward. We talked to her about temples and she's decided she wants to go through the temple!! We set a date with her and she even came to church Sunday with one of her sons. We've got high hopes for her. We also taught another couple Sunday after church. We're starting over with them. We taught the restoration with Obispo Mendizaba (he was the last bishop). It was really odd. Lots of prayers for them are being said.
Wednesday we had park service and got Five Guys after. It wasn't bad. I love when we get to go do service at the park, getting outside, working, being with people, it's great. We also got a few more less actives to go and see from Hermana Morales who was in this area over nine months ago. We've got an appointment set up with one, but another we can't contact because both numbers we have are wrong and the only way into the area she lives is with a key or if someone lets you in... The door for the apartments is between two stores right by a bus stop we go to every day by our house so we're going to just check every time we're there to see if anyone is going in or at the door who could let us in haha.
We got a few lessons in this week and were really able to feel the Spirit, but we also had a lot fall through. We just gotta keep pushing. I love what mom said in her email, the idea that we are "pressing forward" implies that there is opposition. This work isn't easy and it's not supposed to be!! But it's in the hardest moments when you learn to appreciate the little blessings and tender mercies of every day. That's when I come to know my Savior better. We have been invited to come unto Him and take His yoke upon us, to take His load, His burden, instead of our own by ourselves. In an article I read this week from the Ensign it talked about how a yoke functions. It said the purpose of a double yoke is "to harness a pair of animals so that they can drag a load together as efficiently as possible." It also said when they are made the wood "is fitted to a particular ox’s shoulders, maximizing comfort and pulling force." This custom fitting makes it so that "oxen of unequal size or strength to pull together without one being dragged by the other." I learned a lot from that.
In my personal study this week I learned a lot. There have been so many times I've been able to feel of God’s love this week, I think I needed it. I'm rereading the BoM and the New Testament together. So I've had when I read a few times now where I'll read something I've heard and studied a million times before but I'll have questions come into my head. This happened with something in Matthew 6 this week. I was like, "what am I supposed to be getting from these verses?? I've heard them so many times...what does this set mean?? How do I apply them??" But I got an answer. Of course I did. We always do. Whenever we ask with real intent and search diligently the Spirit will enlighten our understanding.
The same day, literally two minutes later when I was alone, I started to read another talk by Elder Bednar, it took me to 1 Corinthians 1:27 which took me to Jacob 4:6-7. This was a super special experience for me because I read these verses, and when I read in Jacob, I finally, for the first time I can remember, felt like those verses apply to me. I honestly believe that I can do those things because of my faith. I feel that they apply to me. That was a huge tender mercy for me because I've been feeling since being out on the mission that I am lacking in the faith category. But here when I read those verses, coupled with everything else I've been reading, learning, experiencing, I could just feel the Spirit testifying to me, "you know enough. All these things you've been learning are true. Keep goin." I was sitting there and I was just smiling. I looked up and just said a little thank you, and I kid you not, I could feel the hug. I have had many amazing spiritual experiences, nothing grandiose, just little things, but that was all I needed.
I am trying to always remember how I felt then and do my best to make Him proud. In another talk I read by Elder Maxwell it said "meek Enoch reached a point in his discipleship, wrote Paul, when he received a testimony that he pleased God (see Heb. 11:5). Ponder that. One can come to that point where one knows that he or she pleases God." I read that and just thought, WOW. I want to be at that point. I want to know what I am doing is pleasing to God always. I know I'm human and I will make mistakes but because of the Atonement I can repent, and because of the Atonement I can have access to additional strength and power beyond my own capabilities to do His will. Wow.
So this was a great week for personal growth. That makes me excited because once I'm taken care of I can serve others more effectively. I love in Moses 6:31-34 when Enoch asks God, why me?? Why would you choose me?? And God tells Enoch of the blessings that await him and says simply, "therefore walk with me." I LOVE that. He makes our weak things become strong. Now our invitation is to trust Him, take comfort in His strength and ability to make us who He wants/needs/desires us to become, and walk with Him. Man, I love scriptures.
The church is true, guys. Never been more sure of anything in my life.
Well, now that I've got this novel here, I'll send it off haha! Love you lots!!!
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Karra Gourley
Enviado desde mi iPad
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