Tuesday, June 30, 2015
A Step of Faith-A Day of Joy
From: Joseph Weiss <joseph.weiss@myldsmail.net>
Date: June 28, 2015 at 9:05:40 PM MDT
Dear Family,
Yesterday was a day of joy. Ally the first investigator I taught on my
mission came to church after nearly two years of worrying and
wondering she took a step of faith. I think she enjoyed it and I
really hope she felt the spirit. We went into Relief Society to
announce our activity and I was looking around and barely found her
because she fitted in seamlessly. It brings tears to my eyes to know
it all pays off.
As well the Sisters from the English Ward had a guy
named Kevin come to church also. A few weeks ago Elder Jones and I
were having a rough day and we just wanted to knock some doors to get
the spirit back. The first door we knocked on was Kevin's. As we were
driving away we saw the sisters walking and gave them the information
and the return appointment we had set.
Saturday night the Sisters
called and told us that he would be coming to church the next day.
Their sacrament mtg had already begun and we were in the foyer waiting
for Ward Council when the Sisters stepped out followed by Kevin to
show has that he made it to church.It all seemed surreal.
Much of the
time we don't see the good that we do, but there are times when God
decides to reassure us that our effort and sacrifice counts. Those who
are familiar with this work know that there exists no price too high
for the worth of one soul. It's a feeling that no words can explain.
These investigators may never know how invested we become in them.
These feelings cannot be bought with money. They are bought with our
own personal sacrifice. But sacrifice is a strange word... in the
Lords work it's never a loss... just a step of faith in the right
direction.
This week we put out our radio announcement for our activity.
Wednesday our poster should be in the paper as well. #wegohard
Love you all!
Elder Weiss
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Perseverar hasta el fin!
From: Joseph Weiss <joseph.weiss@myldsmail.net>
Date: June 21, 2015 at 9:30:41 PM MDT
Perseverance is the true test of desire. I'm being tested. I look at
myself now and I feel like I've been better in other times of my
mission but I think I've never been more self critical either.
Everybody asks you "So how long have you been out?" or "When do you go
home again?". I still can't grasp how long three weeks will be or even
stopping doing this. Perseverar hasta el fin! These last weeks are
critical. They will show what sort of a man I am. They will chart my
course for everything following. Let's stop talking about it.
Yesterday I translated at church for the first time. It went good. The
guy gave a talk about the power of music. Later that day we went to
the rescue with Bishop Espinoza to a part member family. The mum is a
former investigator and the daughter is a member. We rocked up and she
told us she wasn't interested in learning more and her daughter
either.
We stood there listening and then the spirit brought words
back to me that I had translated in sacrament meeting. I remembered
the power of music. I asked her if we could come in and sing a song.
The three of us sang "I am a child of God" and then bore our
testimonies. Subtly and bit by bit the spirit began to fill the room.
My companion asked if we could come by the following week and she said,
“Yes”.
BOOM! Take that evil influences of Satan. Get thee hence bro!
Every day there is some sort of miracle like that.
On Thursday we went
to teach Ally with Sister Espinoza. I think I asked maybe a question
or two the entire lesson but Elder Jones was so inspired I don't even
remember what he said but it was powerful and then Sister Espinoza
shared her conversion story and it was full of miracles and built
Ally's faith. She committed to pray about what she reads in the Book
of Mormon and to come to church this Sunday coming. She was the first
person I taught in Australia so this is two years in the making. I
hope she makes it.
Lately I've been sharing my testimony straightforward to people. The
power of the spirit in testimony always amazes me. I feel like it's
something I didn't know how to use till this last week. As we say in
the spanish ward "Chupa Chupar". I don't even know how they even let
me come on a mission. The patience that God has with us is just...
whuff... I don't not if I could handle a pet turtle let alone billions
of spirit children. How he does it is beyond me.
Well if you’re still awake at this point in the letter congratulate you.
And if not, "Wo, wo, wo!!"
Love yous heaps maties! Let’s go till tha wurld lahds!
Date: June 21, 2015 at 9:30:41 PM MDT
Perseverance is the true test of desire. I'm being tested. I look at
myself now and I feel like I've been better in other times of my
mission but I think I've never been more self critical either.
Everybody asks you "So how long have you been out?" or "When do you go
home again?". I still can't grasp how long three weeks will be or even
stopping doing this. Perseverar hasta el fin! These last weeks are
critical. They will show what sort of a man I am. They will chart my
course for everything following. Let's stop talking about it.
Yesterday I translated at church for the first time. It went good. The
guy gave a talk about the power of music. Later that day we went to
the rescue with Bishop Espinoza to a part member family. The mum is a
former investigator and the daughter is a member. We rocked up and she
told us she wasn't interested in learning more and her daughter
either.
We stood there listening and then the spirit brought words
back to me that I had translated in sacrament meeting. I remembered
the power of music. I asked her if we could come in and sing a song.
The three of us sang "I am a child of God" and then bore our
testimonies. Subtly and bit by bit the spirit began to fill the room.
My companion asked if we could come by the following week and she said,
“Yes”.
BOOM! Take that evil influences of Satan. Get thee hence bro!
Every day there is some sort of miracle like that.
On Thursday we went
to teach Ally with Sister Espinoza. I think I asked maybe a question
or two the entire lesson but Elder Jones was so inspired I don't even
remember what he said but it was powerful and then Sister Espinoza
shared her conversion story and it was full of miracles and built
Ally's faith. She committed to pray about what she reads in the Book
of Mormon and to come to church this Sunday coming. She was the first
person I taught in Australia so this is two years in the making. I
hope she makes it.
Lately I've been sharing my testimony straightforward to people. The
power of the spirit in testimony always amazes me. I feel like it's
something I didn't know how to use till this last week. As we say in
the spanish ward "Chupa Chupar". I don't even know how they even let
me come on a mission. The patience that God has with us is just...
whuff... I don't not if I could handle a pet turtle let alone billions
of spirit children. How he does it is beyond me.
Well if you’re still awake at this point in the letter congratulate you.
And if not, "Wo, wo, wo!!"
Love yous heaps maties! Let’s go till tha wurld lahds!
Monday, June 15, 2015
New Beginnings-Bishop Espinoza
From: Joseph Weiss <joseph.weiss@myldsmail.net>
Date: June 14, 2015 at 10:20:05 PM MDT
Dear Family,
Big news from the Spanish Ward this week. Our main man, Brother
Espinoza, is now Bishop Espinoza. New beginnings and a fresh start to
try and make things happen.
Last Sunday as he was bearing his
testimony I thought to myself, "He could be our next bishop". He was
so emotional he wasn't able to finish his testimony that day. He's not
a good talker... and for that I am so grateful.
There are three kinds
of members:
Those that make it happen.
Those that watch it happen.
And those who ask "what happened?”.
The more of the first kind of person you have in your ward council the
more your ward will progress.
Dad has got me worried about plateauing spiritually when I go home. Today I
made a bubble chart to try and organize what my vision of what I want
to do/be as a Returned Missionary. Time is ticking waaay to fast!
This week we found 4 new investigators. I hope with all
my heart that they progress. Not
that I don't love contacting for countless hours but it's nice to
teach every now and again.
This week I had a big break through about Prayer. Sometimes as
missionaries we say prayers but we don't really mean it. For example
we are supposed to pray every time we leave the flat... some
missionaries pray every time they get out of the car... But just like
the novelty of a cake wears off when you work in a bakery the same
thing can happen to prayer if we aren't careful.
The realization was
this; What good does it ever do to pray and not be able to feel the
Holy Ghost in your prayer? I'm sure in some way it does something but
I feel like praying just for praying's sake is like someone talking
just for talking's sake. It misses the mark. If I don't feel the Holy
Ghost during a prayer it's because I'm not tuning in.
Why have a radio
if you don't tune in? Why get baptized and have the Gift of the Holy
Ghost and not tune in? If you aren't tuning in during a prayer, when
are you planning to tune in? ARE you planning to tune in? As Elder
Pearson would say, "It's something to think about..."
Love you all! Pray that I don't think about home at all! I have four
good weeks to give. The final kick starts now.
Elder Weiss
Date: June 14, 2015 at 10:20:05 PM MDT
Dear Family,
Big news from the Spanish Ward this week. Our main man, Brother
Espinoza, is now Bishop Espinoza. New beginnings and a fresh start to
try and make things happen.
Last Sunday as he was bearing his
testimony I thought to myself, "He could be our next bishop". He was
so emotional he wasn't able to finish his testimony that day. He's not
a good talker... and for that I am so grateful.
There are three kinds
of members:
Those that make it happen.
Those that watch it happen.
And those who ask "what happened?”.
The more of the first kind of person you have in your ward council the
more your ward will progress.
Dad has got me worried about plateauing spiritually when I go home. Today I
made a bubble chart to try and organize what my vision of what I want
to do/be as a Returned Missionary. Time is ticking waaay to fast!
This week we found 4 new investigators. I hope with all
my heart that they progress. Not
that I don't love contacting for countless hours but it's nice to
teach every now and again.
This week I had a big break through about Prayer. Sometimes as
missionaries we say prayers but we don't really mean it. For example
we are supposed to pray every time we leave the flat... some
missionaries pray every time they get out of the car... But just like
the novelty of a cake wears off when you work in a bakery the same
thing can happen to prayer if we aren't careful.
The realization was
this; What good does it ever do to pray and not be able to feel the
Holy Ghost in your prayer? I'm sure in some way it does something but
I feel like praying just for praying's sake is like someone talking
just for talking's sake. It misses the mark. If I don't feel the Holy
Ghost during a prayer it's because I'm not tuning in.
Why have a radio
if you don't tune in? Why get baptized and have the Gift of the Holy
Ghost and not tune in? If you aren't tuning in during a prayer, when
are you planning to tune in? ARE you planning to tune in? As Elder
Pearson would say, "It's something to think about..."
Love you all! Pray that I don't think about home at all! I have four
good weeks to give. The final kick starts now.
Elder Weiss
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Blasts from Pasts and New Adventures #elderedmondson #elderjones
 |
| The Legend of Jones |
 |
| Next level of street contacting. |
 |
| We are as the Armies of Helaman |
Date: June 8, 2015 at 9:36:39 PM MDT
Dear Fambamstantran,
I asked President, "If me and my companion say we hate each other
does that mean we won't get transferred?" I'm not looking for to
transfers I'll let you know. It's not really bitter sweet going
home... just bitter. There are constant reminders that I'm not
permanent... I imagine like aches and pains remind old people that
they are going to die... and that they aren't permanent here and there
is something greater in the hereafter. It's just one thing at a time.
First we live life and then we die. So i'm just trying to get used to
life feeling like an old person.
We took a massive El Libro de Mormon
to Fairfield to GQ. Pretty hectic. Good responses from the Assyrian
community because it was a bad day for find South Americans. While we
were there I had a blast from the past. At the beginning of my mission
Elder Edmondson and I were walking one day in the urban jungle of
Liverpool when we met a Persian lady named Amina. She identified us as
Americans and wanted to tell us how much better our country was that
Australia. I always take compliments, but it was quite surprising to
the custom feelings of the average demographic.
We told her a bit
about what we did and she accepted to let us go to her house later
that week to teach her more. The day of the appointment she called and
said it wouldn't be a good idea as her husband was a devoute muslim
and he would be angry if we came. And so it went. But almost two years
of nik' minuts later Elder Jones and I are walking through the train
station with our grande El Libro de Mormon and who do we meet? AMINA!
We got her address and set a return appointment. Turned out she lives
on the same street as a member we know. Turned out she knew the member
and she lives three houses down. Turned out we won't be the first
missionaries to teach her. # Noeffortiswasted. You always wonder about
the people that don't pan out... well they do. She has been divorced
for some time now and is in a much better place to listen to our
message of hope.
We also will be interviewed for the radio this
week.#turnuprage #I<3eldermills We took them a thank you card for the
announcement that we paid them to do and they said they'd interview us
for free. BINGO. Pays to be courteous.
Hope things are good back a HQ,
Elder Weiss
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
We woke up and did something good
From: Joseph Weiss <joseph.weiss@myldsmail.net>
Subject: We woke up and did something good.
Date: June 1, 2015 at 8:10:17 PM MDT
Our (“Meet the Mormons”) activity was a blast! So stressful, so much work, so much
planning, so much miracle, so worth it!
We had over 100 people attend our event. A third of which were less active
members and non-members. BINGO!
One of our members gave a ride to one of our potential
investigators and set us an appointment for tonight @ 7! The spirit at
the activity was so sweet and positive which was a stark contrast from
the norm.
The members were so pumped up and said "when are we doing
this again?”
Six weeks time we are thinking about doing a Soccer Ball
donation activity for kids in South America that can't afford their
own! The ward says we are good to use budget to do another radio
announcement so we are going big time again!
The earlier we start the more we can fine tune the details and market it better.
Man, Eagle projects are such good preparation for missions!
Elder Mills got transferred. Elder Edmondson will
be training which makes Elder Jones my companion again!
The world better get ready for the Spanish take
over because nothing can handle us! Hope you enjoy the pictures!
Love you heaps!
Elder Weiss
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