Learning Life Lessons

Hello!!! I hope you are doing well and enjoying life. We, here are desperate for some rain....It is the time of rain and it hasn't....so we are a little worried about that. Hopefully it rains soon or Nicaragua will be in big trouble!!! 

How do you feel about Germany winning the world cup? Here everyone is super bummmed...they wanted Argentina. But what can you do when the Germans are just so awesome :) But at least people won't have the excuse of watching fútbol to not listen to us :) 

It has been a good week!! I notice that we have been working harder and harder. Trying to keep up with the reglas de exelencia (goals of exelence). It is hard sometimes because I feel like I am working the hardest I have ever worked in my mission, but seeing less results. I try to analyze the work we do to see if maybe there are things we need to change. We have lessons, contact, invite people to be baptized but they just are not interested!!!!Saturday while we were walking trying to find people to teach the thought came to my head that I am learning things that will help me after the mission. The Lord has things for us to learn here, so we just gotta do our best and make the best of it!!! But really, at the end of the day there always is a little miracle that we just have to look for them. But we know there are people waiting for us, we just gotta keep working, working working, and walking, walking, walking, contacting everybody. 

WE were able to have another miracle in church Sunday. 2 of our families actually came!!! One husband told us that he wanted to get baptized when he was 9 but his uncle told his mom no. Then he stopped going and got into bad habits. He told us he really likes the church and that his whole life would have turned out differently if they would have let him get baptized. They both enjoyed it a lot. We hope they and the wife of a less active accept their dates tongight!! They want to know more, now they just need to demonstrate their faith by accepting the goal!! Thank you for all your prayers for us!!! They really do help. 

I was asked to teach District Meeting on Friday (which I don't love too much) But I really had had one planned for a long time. I had them write down a name of somebody they loved who isn't member then they practiced inviting investigators to do something. Then I talked about the importance of the goals we put but how we cannot get so lost in the numbers and trying to impress others that we forget that they are people. Aksing them to analyze what is our true, deep desire. Help people, or have high numbers? Then we practiced again, this time imagining the investigator was this person they loved. Trying to emulate that love they feel for that person, to their investigators. AS they practiced the spirit was SO stron. I could feel them realizing that it really is important. That they are children of God and we cannot forget that in all the work we do. They need salvation and the blessings we have. It was a good experience. Now we just have to put it into practice!!!! 

Other than that nothing too much is happening. I can't believe the change is ending and we will see what happens for the next 3 months!!! I am doing well and determined to work hard up until the last day!! I know I can rest to my hearts content at the end, but here I cannot get the time back. 

I know that this is the true Church. I know that our HEavenly Father loves EACH and every one of us. He is willing to reach out and give us a little push when we need it, hold our hand when we need it. I have felt that love that he has for me, and the love he has for his children. I hope we can all feel it. I am SO grateful for the gospel. Grateful for el Libro de Mormon which helps me feel that love. I know that our Savior lives! and that through him we can do EVERYTHING!!!! 

I sure love you all. Thank you for everything!!!!! Have a great week!!! 

Love, your nicaraguan sister 

        Hermana Morey

P.s. If you want a good talk to read. https://www.lds.org/ensign/2013/06/improving-your-personal-prayers?lang=eng

The Power of Words

Hello!! I hope you were able to have a good 4th of July!!! I kind of forgot about it :) 

This week has been a week of testing our faith, diligence, and obedience. The goal is to find new families (that means inviting them to be baptized and them accepting and we don't have ANY) So we spent lots of time contacting and searching for that family, putting faith in the Lord that we would be able to find that family. Friday Night we actually spent until 9:30 out working trying to find them. Sadly we were not able to find them, but we will continue working. The Lord has some people prepared to listen to our message. WE just have to keep going until we do. It was hard to not have any families accept the invitation we made for them, but we felt good knowing that we tried our best. And that is all we can ask for: the Lord's approval. 

But we did have a miracle Sunday. WE had about 11 people commited to come to church (the goal is every week 5). And they were for sure about 9 of them. As we left the house to look for people one by one they fell. Not at home, not ready...etc. I felt SUPER frustrated but kept my calm. Praying for a miracle. We were able to bring 2 and a convert brought his son. Then as the reunions ended, we found that 2 more really had come. One that we had commited, and a less active we met Saturday brought her husband. I was shocked. It didn't turn out as we planned, but the Lord blessed us for our hard work and faith and fasting helped. I just told my companion that the Lord blessed us with a miracle and we could see the blessings of fasting. It showed me that Lord has his own ways of doing things!!! 

We are working super hard, and enjoying the work. REally forgetting ourselves and giving everything of ourselves. It isn't always easy...it really never is easy, but we just keep chugging along :) We are happy together and happy in the work!!! 

I was studying a talk by Eler Holland this week about the power of the words we say. REally they have a power and effect on the people around us. Saying something nice and lift somebody's day and help lift them out of their gloom. Saying something harsh and biting can hurt someone for years to come and very hard to take back. Christ is an example to us of the type of words we need to use. I know  I can always work on the way I say things and thinking before talking. 

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2007/04/the-tongue-of-angels?lang=eng

I sure hope you know how much I love you!! The time is going by SUPER fast. I can't believe I almost only have 2 changes left. But we are making the most of it here in Rosario. You are all incredible examples to me!! Keep up the awesome work!! I love hearing your stories. Have WONDERFUL weeks!!! 

Love, 

  Hermanita Morey  

Paying Attention

Hello, Hello!!! this week has been a good one!! It wasn't so good in numbers, but I know we worked our hardest. I can't believe about Clair. My heart sunk a bit. We don't always understand why we have to pass the things we do, but he is always there to help us and NEVER will give us anything that we cannot bare. He truly loves us and wants to help us. I will be praying for you tons!!! I love you!! 

We were able to have the baptism of Estiven this past Saturday. He was SUPER excited. Everything went well. Neither of his parents came :( But his cousin and one of his friends from the ward baptized him. He was nervous and wanted to go last, but his face was the best when he came out of the water. Then he kept telling us he was a member now. he will be a GREAT missionary. The joy they feel makes it ALL worth it. All the hard times. Hopefully his family will feel the desire to go to church and join him in this great Evangelio (Gospel). (And guess what....we completed with the goal as a mission to baptize 200 people. Exactly 200 people got baptized!)

We had Zone meeting this week and talked about how we can better complete with the goals that President has established. We have been working on seting better commitments so that the people really do follow through with them. The key really is asking them what their hopes and dreams are, and then helping them see that the Gospel brings them all those things (the things like peace and unity in the family, not really cars and money :). And then they really have a desire to complete and really do it, because these are the things they REALLY want. And this week in training (the 12 weeks) we have been studying about teaching people, not lessons. I love learning that. Sometimes we forget that they are people. They have lives and problems. We get caught up in completing the goals we have set and don't realize they are people, not numbers. Like Elder Holland said they are not lifeless objects. We must treat and think of them as children of God, our brothers and sisters. That will help them progress, when they feel the love we have for them. Something that every missionary needs to work on no matter where they are!! 

I am really loving the work here. 2  surprise people came to church yesterday! One had a dream about not being able to go and woke up feeling the need to go. She loved it. The other was the wife of a less active (that was a surprise!). They both could feel the spirit of going to church. We are working super hard. We don't always see the results we want, but the Lord ALWAYS blesses us in some way. Maybe just feeling content that we did our best that day. Maybe it is someone accepting. There are so many frustrations in the mission and life, but if we look for the good things, we will be able to feel happiness. 

   You can become blind by seeing each day as a similar one. Each day is a different one, each day brings a miracle of its own. It's just a matter of paying attention to this miracle.   Paulo Coelho

One more thought. I was studying this week about using the scriptures in teaching because I am not always that great at it. And I found a scripture in Jacob 2:8. It is really good. The scritprues really heal us and help us feel peace and the love God has for us!!! They are really were written for us!!! 

I sure love you all. I know there are always crazy things going on, but thanks to the Gospel we can find peace and joy and happiness. Things that material things can never ever give us. I am grateful for my Heavenly Father that I have this oportunity to share the Gospel with His children in nicaragua!!!! 

I love you!! 

Love, tu chelita, gringa, Hermanita Morey

P.S. Happy Birthday James!!!!! 

Adapting to the World Cup

Hey there!!  How are you doing?1 Just so you know....it isn't so fun to preach the Gospel when the World Cup is going on. Are you watching it there? Everyone watches is here. So in the morning, mid day, and evening people tell us they are busy and to come back :) A whole month of this!! But I am sure it is WAY worse in Brazil. Imagine the excitement there! But everyone tells me the U.S is doing well :) Good to know :) 

So....miracles DO happen :) Like all months, the goal is that we baptize 2 people. but this month there is more pressure to reach it because the goal as a mission is 200 so that we reach the goal of 1800 by the end of the year. All our possibilities fell through and we just had one teenager (Estiven or Steven) who is timid and has a fear of baptism. I told my companioin that he would probably not get baptized this month because he was so nervous and not ready. But with animating him by visiting with a great joven preparing for his mission he is now excited!! What lack of faith on my part!! His fears were his clothing after baptism (white shirt and tie that he does not have) and that there would be tons of people there. We helped him feel relaxed about them both. We taught him the Word of Wisdom and at first he said it would be hard to stop drinking coffe (what else are you supposed to drink in the morning and night when you are cold?) but then when verifying how he is doing with it he told us confidently "I don't think it will be very hard for me to stop drinking coffe!" he is awesome. So he will be being baptized Saturday! he has permission and everything! Miracle #1

Miracle #2: There is a another jovencita (teenager, girl) who has been going to church for over a year. Her dad says he wants her to wait 3 to 5 years before getting baptized.....parents and their children!! We haven't been able to find her lately, but this week we found her dad. I asked if he had prayed and asked when Francis should get baptized, and he told us whenever she wants to. It is her decision. One of her friends in chruch (who was there with us) told her and she said she wants to get baptized!! so maybe 2 baptisms this week!! 

Why have we been seeing miracles? Because we are working so stinking hard!!! Really, the success and happiness all comes from hard work. The time passes quickly and we feel good. But if we lazily work, we feel bad, and the time passes SUPEr slowly. Hard work is hard (strange, right?) but it is so worth it.

We have had to drop some people who at first felt good, but decided that changing was too hard and told us they didn't want us to come anymore. It is REALLY hard to see that. When people feel something, but then decide staying as they are is easier. I have been reminded many times this week : Many are called, but few are chosen. And I know that includes me! I have to work very hard to be obedient and do the correct things in the small things. The big things are what everyone sees and notices, but god notices the small. The small things will be our downfall in the end. So I am working hard to not even think doing something small is alright. the path is narrow and straight! 

I love this Gospel, and it is so cool to hear about how many teens from the ward are deciding to serve and family as well! Spencer is home! Wow!! Can't believe it!! Before I go, I wanted to share something I read in Our Heritage in my personal study that I LOVE! 

 There is no cure for the ills of the world except the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our hope for peace, for temporal and spiritual prosperity, and for an eventual inheritance in the Kingdom of God is found only in and through the restored gospel. There is no work that any of us can engage in that is as important as preaching the gospel and building up the kingdom of God on earth

          Joseph Fielding Smith 

I sure love you all!!! Have incredible weeks!!! And don't forget to watch the world Cup!!!! :) 

Love, Your Hermanita Colachita, Morey

Hermana Morey worked with this little girl her whole time in Juigalpa, and she finally got permission from her mom to get baptized!

Expect the Unexpected

So this week was changes!! We were pretty darn sure that we would stay the same, that I would kill my companion. Turns out when you get a long with your companion is when they change you :) But my companion left the area to die in Boaco....it is part of Juigalpa but has hills much much worse than Juigalpa. She and Hna. Ordoñez are the first Hermanas there in Boaco!! They say that we have SO many hermanas here in the mission.! We will talke over soon, I think! :) But guess what....I am training....again. I was sure Hna. Ordoñez would be my last, but it turns out the Lord has much more for me to learn....maybe for all the children I will have after the mission :) But my new companion is from Quetzaltinango, Guatemala and is 19. her name is Hna. Mejia. 

We are working SUPer hard here. I hope my companion is doing alright!! But we are going to find the people here and help the area progress. WE were able to bring 3 people to church yesterday! We did have to go out looking for them after sacrament meeting, but they came!! My companion is dying from the mosquito bites, I remember that. I am hoping she can get used to the mission alright and that I can help her feel loved and able to do it all!! 

This week we passed by a man who at first told us he knew nothing of the church, only to tell us he knew EVERYTHINg. All of his family are members. He would be if he could stop smoking and drinking coffe. It is interesting how close we are sometimes to Salvation. We could make it, but we let some things keep up back in the world (money, bad habits, work, etc). I have been thinking a lot this week how we have to let the things of this world go, and put our thoughts and desires in the Celestial Kingdom. Like Jesus told a rich man: it is harder for a rich man to make it into heaven than a camel through the eye of a needle. We need to be in the world, but not of it. yes, we need things of the world like medicine, clothes, house, but what really is more important to us? god or these material things. I have been trying to make sure that I let go of the material things, and put all my thoughts and desires on the things of this Gospel!! 

I really am so grateful for this gospel. It means everything to me. With the knowledge I have, I am happy and have peace and lots and lots of hope. and throught the Atonement, I CAN change and be a better person week by week! 

Thank you all for your great examples and love for me!! 

Have a WONDERFUL week!! I love you!

Love, Hermana Morey

Hermana's posteridad and their companions

Her desk!

Hermana Morey's newest companion! 

We Must CHOOSE to Be Happy

Hello on this beautiful day!!! WEll, at least here it is. It has started to rain a little, but not as much as it usually does at this time of year. Usually it starts in May, it is June, and it isn't raining much, just a few nights. I am remembering how much I don't like preaching in the rain, but at least the people let us in their houses because they feel bad for us :) 

One thing I have been wanting to tell you is how GOOD the fruit is here. There isn't tons, but it is good. The Mangos are very good. When they are green we eat them with salt and chile, when ripe, you just eat it as it is :) The bananas are good too. We usually don't eat much fruit and vegetables, but when we do they are delicious!!! Apples and grapes and pears and strawberries are VERY expensive here because they inport them. Just thought you would want to know a little about the fruiet :) 

This week we have been working to make sure that the investigators we have really come to church on Sunday and helping them receive their answers. Most of the people we had with dates fell yesterday because they ended up not coming to church. Even thought it was hard, we had the knowledge that we did everything we could to help them and teach them well. Larry keeps coming to church, but they have to get married (and they fight over which Chruch to get married in and on't want to get married civily) and he feels like he hasn0t received a good enough answer to get baptized. We had a VERY good lesson with them and the bishop. He explained to them the importance of marriage and the blessings it will bring and how they will get their answer if they read the BOM and pray to see if it is true! Hopefully things go well!! 

I think that this is the hardest I have ever worked in an area without results. But we work hard to not get discouraged and to just keep working hard. We know that it can't always be success and we have the satisfaction to know we are doing our best. I try to focus on the 10 evidences of a successful missionary in PMG and not just on the numbers. 

We had a very good lesson in district meeting on Friday. I really love those. Our zone leader is finishing his mission on Wednesday. Even though I have only known him for one transfer, he has been an incredible example. he is extremely obedient, works very hard, but has a great attitude and is always happy. So he talked about how we need to have a good attitude while doing the work and how we CHOOSE to be happy. The companion, the area does not make us happy. We will be happy because we decide to, and because we are obedient. Nobody can make us happy, only us. The people really don't understand, that is why they reject us and don't listen. We have had a lot of time to prepare oursleves and learn what is important, and we expect them to do the same in a short number of weeks. I really enjoyed it and have been focusing on that this week!!! 

That is all for this week!! I hope you know how much I love you! Thanks for everything!! I hope Clarissa can get better. I pray for her every single day. I know she  can do it!! I hope everything is going well with all of you!!! 

I love you!! 

Love, Your Nicaraguan Hermana Morey 

Rabbits!

Rabits!!! I win!!! :) Hopefully I have good luck all month!!! 

This week has been good!! I have been focusing on being grateful everyday and working my hardest. Tuesday we were able to go to Managua to have a mulizone activity. Hna. Russell talke about how the love we show the people is the most important thing. They will want to join the church because of the Love they felt from us. Which is so important to remember. We have to get after them sometimes, but life is hard for them, they need a reason to change their lives and everything they know. They need to feel that this is where they WILL receive Eternal Life. Then President talked about the 15 habits that we need to have as missionaries to have success. It was good and good to do something different!! 

A cool experience from this week. Last week I said that sometimes I just HATE contacting. Trying to talk to people who really don't want to listen. About 2 weeks ago we contacted a house and a man came out and talked to us for about 30 minutes. We talked about how there are so many churches and how we can know where really is the truth. He accepted a date and said he would come to church (he didn't). We tried to find him during the week without luck. When an appointment fell through we decided to look for him Saturday. He was there. We shared the Restoration with him. We finished and asked him how he felt. He told us I really appreciate the time you have sacrificed to come here. Your message is good...etc I was preparing for 'but I really am not too interested' then he finished by saying he had felt something when we passed by and he had all intention to keep learning more. AWESOME. Moments like that make all the bad contacts worth it. I will keep looking to find more people like that:) 

Remember Larry? The men in the ward went to give his baby a blessing and is better, and he found a job. They say they see the blessings of the Gospel but still don't feel answers. We don't know if he understands that there is only one true church and if he understands the need to be baptized...we will se what happens with this family. 

Things are going well her! We are working hard and trying to find new people. I was reading in 3 nefi when Jesus  comes to the Nephites and Lamanites. One of my favorite parts of the BOM!! And I am reading Our Heritage which I love! I am learning more about our history and feeling more appreciation for them. 

That is all for this week!! I sure love you all!! I hope you are doing well in school and work and life!! If you need anything, just let me know!! 

Love, Your hermanita Morey