Wow His work really is hastening on!! It was craaaazy here right before that. Anything like a broadcast, general conference, p days... haha really are CHRISTMAS for missionaries! There were so many rumors before the broadcast of what they were going to change in the missionary programs. For example. China openeing. Extending the sisister´s time to two years. MEMBER MISSIONARY WORK! it was soooo exciting! And I TOTALLY called it. Kinda. I thought for sure that they were going to incorporate members and missionaries and LIFE! Wow that was the coolest WORLDWIDE broadcast ever. Ahh LILY! Have you started making your baptism invitations yet?? And mom, what you were saying about our neighbors... I think that is such a good idea. Missionary work is so important!
Something that I learned this week is that we don´t have to be intimadted or worried of offending people ONE BIT! When we are inviting with the spirit... no offense will be taken. I am praying for our family to have a missionary experiecne! The whole time during the broadcast I was thinking of ALL OF YOU! How cool is it that we are at this time in our lives. There are so many golden people on our street and around us that could use the gospel in their lives to be HAPPY! It is the best thing that we can ever give them.
Speaking of missionary experiences, let me tell you a little about SATURDAYS here in Spain. We all go to the park and go attempt to proselyte to people there, get referrals, place BOMS, and other missionary stuff haha. Anyways, so I was lucky enough to get to be in a trio this past Saturday. Anyways as soon as we got to the park, we said a little prayer, and were off on our way. The first people that we talked to were these two cute old men with canes sitting on a bench. (We always go for the people on the bench because it takes more effort for them to get up and run away hahaha.) So we go up, say hello and introduce ourselces. Sure enough both of their names were Antonio! Haha it was funny. So we started to talk to them and immediately they LOVED talking about religion. It was great I thought that we had found the perfect people! But quickly the feeling changed. They began to talk about really deep doctrinal stuff. It was interesting how the Holy Ghost left in a heartbeat. I am glad that at least one of the sisters in my trio new Spanish A LOT more than me. Anyways, these men started to ask us questions about Jesus and Mary Magdelines relationship, and polygamy and stuff. It honestly just gave me the sickest feeling and I didn´t even understand everything they were talking to us about. They even talked about ordinances and covenants.. we could just tell that they weren´t interested in what we had to say. They just wanted to bible bash with us. After about 15 minutes of this, I felt promtped to just share my testimony of the truthfullnes of the Book of Mormon. I can´t say a lot in spanish, but I can bear a simple testimony of My Savior and the love he has for everyone. Even though it was so small. And so simple. The spirit came immediately. It was such an awesome experience. We left these men with a Book of Mormon and were off on our way. Bearing simple testimony is powerful and I am grateful for that experience.
In the MTC, we teach investigators! (Pretend.) It is pretty stressful trying to teach in Spanish and be sinere at the same time with feeling. Sometimes I feel like when I speak Spanish I just sound like an awkward robot spitting words out with no feeling. But as I am learning more and more it is getting better.
Anways, my companion and I are teaching a girl named Elizabeth and another named Sarah. We had just finished the Restoration lesson and I could tell that they were interested and wanted to know that what we said was true.. but they weren´t sure. I felt prompted to share a personal experience. I shared with Elizabeth how I first came to know the Book of Mormon is without a doubt TRUE! I wasn´t prepared to share this expierence in Spanish and didn´t know how I could possibly be able to do it.. but I decided to just do it anyways. And you know what? The spirit helped me. I know that I didn´t speak perfect spanish by any means, but I shared my expierience and was actually able to share the feelings of my HEART. In spanish. I don´t know how it happened! Now thinking back to it, it seemed to me that the words kinda just flowed from my mouth at that instant. As I struggled but just tried, I was able to do it. I felt the spirt SO STRONGLY! It was a miracle to me. I felt it BIG TIME. It was the first time I really have been able to feel and experience that in Spanish. This blanket of warmness just overcame me in a way that I have NEVER felt it before. As I testified and was able to PROMISE blessings to Elizabeth, I felt suuuch happiness. I wish that I could tell you exactly how I felt. Right then I felt the spirit so strong and i decided to invite her to be baptised! That invation is something that I have been learning for a long time, and I was able to look her right in the eyes, and invite her to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized. It was AMAZING! I felt like at that moment I finally knew why I was on a mission. This isn´t about me at all. This is the Lord´s work. It is what we are here to do on this earth. This work is so important and while it is HARD I love it. I felt a strong sense of clarity.
Anways, my companion and I are teaching a girl named Elizabeth and another named Sarah. We had just finished the Restoration lesson and I could tell that they were interested and wanted to know that what we said was true.. but they weren´t sure. I felt prompted to share a personal experience. I shared with Elizabeth how I first came to know the Book of Mormon is without a doubt TRUE! I wasn´t prepared to share this expierence in Spanish and didn´t know how I could possibly be able to do it.. but I decided to just do it anyways. And you know what? The spirit helped me. I know that I didn´t speak perfect spanish by any means, but I shared my expierience and was actually able to share the feelings of my HEART. In spanish. I don´t know how it happened! Now thinking back to it, it seemed to me that the words kinda just flowed from my mouth at that instant. As I struggled but just tried, I was able to do it. I felt the spirt SO STRONGLY! It was a miracle to me. I felt it BIG TIME. It was the first time I really have been able to feel and experience that in Spanish. This blanket of warmness just overcame me in a way that I have NEVER felt it before. As I testified and was able to PROMISE blessings to Elizabeth, I felt suuuch happiness. I wish that I could tell you exactly how I felt. Right then I felt the spirit so strong and i decided to invite her to be baptised! That invation is something that I have been learning for a long time, and I was able to look her right in the eyes, and invite her to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized. It was AMAZING! I felt like at that moment I finally knew why I was on a mission. This isn´t about me at all. This is the Lord´s work. It is what we are here to do on this earth. This work is so important and while it is HARD I love it. I felt a strong sense of clarity.
Yesterday, the CUTEST Russian sister missionaries arrved!! They are just FUN people. And they all speak English so well. They really are such a blessing here! Even though they will only be here for two weeks. It is fun watching them on their first day of the MTC. A little nervous but SO EXCITED! There excitment and love realy just shines! They are such examples to me.
Another highlight of the week: I MET PRESIDENT AND SISTER JACKSON! WOW it was the greatest! During our fisical activity we were going over to the stake center to play volley ball and there was a big baptism day going on! FOUR FAMILIES (emphasis on FAMILY) were being baptized. We had the AMAZING opportunity to meet them! AHhh it was such a blessing. They are the NICEST people ever and so fun. Sister Jackson is so cute. I immediately felt there sweet spirits. The MTC President told me that the Jacksons were BORN to be mission presidents. I can´t wait to just get out in the FIELD!
Sunday´s are amazing here. It is so nice to be able to not think about the langauge as much and just attend church meetings and devotionals. A tender mercy for was relief society! It was great and I love our TEACHER! She actually reminds me so much of Dana Johnson so it is really fun to here her. We talked about faith and hope and it was a m a z i n g. Here is quote that I loved and think is so important...
¨Hope is like the sun which as we journey towards it casts the shadow of our burden behind us. Hope sweetens our memory of experiences well loved. it tempors our troubles to our growth and our strength. It befriends us in our dark hours, excites us in our fright ones, it lends promise to the future and purpose of the past. it turns discouragement into deterimination¨."
Isn´t that great¿ I really love that. It is so true. We just need hope and patience. Alma 26¨27 talks about having PATIENCE in our affictions. That verse really got me through the week. If we can just be patient in our afflictions (which we will hvae) we will have personal success. We ALWAYS pulled lower, so that Christ can lift us HIGHER!
I love you all so much.
Hermana Nydegger
PS Mom did you send a package yet?? If so YAY! But if not I forgot my piano music. They ask me to play piano all of the time here which is SO FUN FOR ME! And such a breath of fresh air. If you could send me some of those pretty arrangemnts that would be great. If not, thats okay I usually just make them up haha.
AND SAMMMMMMM!!! Ahh when I read that I seriously was SO HAPPY! I got chills! Coolest mission. I am so excited for you! Ahh write me a letter haha!
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