Hello everyone,
I can't really email this week. If you do not receive a direct email from me, this is why. I am really out of it.
On Tuesday I went to the doctor to get some meds for a sinus infection and ear infection. I supposedly had a really bad reaction to the meds. and collapsed while we were walking to an appointment. I felt really, really weak, and would periodically black out. I couldn't move at all and the Elders had to come and carry me back to the car and into our apartment. I had to go to the ER because I couldn't stop shaking the next day. They didn't find anything and told me to go home and rest.
I have still been feeling really shaky, weak, and out of it, but decided it would be best to just keep going because the doctors wouldn't be able to find anything wrong. Yesterday at church I collapsed again after Sunday school and the same thing happened. I couldn't move or walk, was super loopy, and had to be carried out again. I didn't black out at all this time and was a little more aware, but still had the same things.
Today I will supposedly be going to the doctor to try and figure out what's wrong. I really hope they do, because this is beyond frustrating. I hate being like this.
If I don't respond to your emails, it's because I really just don't have the energy to and am out of it.
Love you all! Hope to have a better week next week.
Hermana Failner
Monday, May 18, 2015
Monday, May 11, 2015
One of the highlights of my week was taking Rey out teaching with us as a member to one of Francisco's lessons ~ Mission week 41 ~ Lexington week 19
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| The Lexington North Zone - Zone Leaders are Elder Eastin and Elder Trost |
Hello everyone!
I don't have a lot of time this week, but it has been a good week! Francisco is still going really strong! He basically knows everything there is to know about the gospel. He has literally been living his entire life like a Mormon would, and it truly was already his lifestyle, he just hasn't been baptized :) It has been so incredible working with him. One of the highlights of my week was taking Rey out teaching with us as a member to one of Francisco's lessons. I felt so proud!! It was so awesome and something I will always treasure.
Missions are incredible. It is my everything and I love this work so much. I am trying to treasure every day.
I love you all!
Hermana Failner
Monday, May 4, 2015
I have learned that we literally are nothing, and that God and the spirit does all of the work ~ Mission week 40 ~ Lexington week 18
Hello everyone!
This week was seriously so incredible and filled with miracles. We have been working so hard and have been so blessed for it.
Francisco is still doing amazing!! He came to church this Sunday and loved it. Sometimes I question if he is even a real person and if this is all really happening... he is so ridiculously prepared! We taught him the Word of Wisdom yesterday, and told him that he couldn't drink coffee anymore. His response was "oh, I just won't drink it tomorrow morning then." It was that simple. Everything makes so much logical sense to him. When we asked him why he thought it was important to know that the Book of Mormon was true, his response was "I would imagine that by knowing the Book of Mormon is true, that I will really know that the first vision happened, and that Joseph Smith was a prophet." Afterwards, we told him that he could also know that this was the restored church of Jesus Christ. He responded "But I already know that this is the true and restored church, and that the Book of Mormon is the word of God!" He seriously is so prepared. We literally don't have to do anything. He just knows and he just gets it. It is all the spirit. We are literally just there and just the mouthpieces. I have learned that we literally are nothing, and that God and the spirit does all of the work. He blesses us when we are prepared, but takes it over from there.
The other miracle we had this week was with another adorable woman! This was probably one of the most touching and spirit guided lessons I have ever had on my mission. It is all the spirit and never is us. We were working in our normal area, but both felt very impressed to go to a different area that wouldn't be very miles efficient and because of construction, usually takes about 20-30 extra minutes to get there. We decided to go anyway and I am so glad we did! We knocked on a door that some English people had told us was a hispanic, and Lisa answered.We introduced ourselves, explained a little bit about our message, and asked if we could come in. She instantly invited us in and we were able to teach her the restoration in about 20 minutes! It was the most effortless, easiest, most spiritual restoration lesson I have ever taught. When we invited her to be baptized she instantly accepted and told us "Absolutely yes!" She also immediately accepted a baptismal date. After wards, I had no idea why, I told her that she was a fighter, and Hermana Imlay followed by telling her that she was a survivor. After hearing these words, she started to sob. She said "it's so ironic that you use those exact words, I just left an abusive relationship, and this is exactly what I needed to hear." It was one of the most incredible, tender moments. She is so prepared and is so ready. After the lesson, Hermana Imlay and I were talking about everything that had happened. She told me that she had wanted to use the word fighter, and after she had thought that, I had said it. But that the word survivor just came out of her mouth without her even realizing it. This work is never us. The spirit, Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ are always behind it and lead us to the people that really need it. I really needed this this week.
Con amor,
Hermana Failner
This week was seriously so incredible and filled with miracles. We have been working so hard and have been so blessed for it.
Francisco is still doing amazing!! He came to church this Sunday and loved it. Sometimes I question if he is even a real person and if this is all really happening... he is so ridiculously prepared! We taught him the Word of Wisdom yesterday, and told him that he couldn't drink coffee anymore. His response was "oh, I just won't drink it tomorrow morning then." It was that simple. Everything makes so much logical sense to him. When we asked him why he thought it was important to know that the Book of Mormon was true, his response was "I would imagine that by knowing the Book of Mormon is true, that I will really know that the first vision happened, and that Joseph Smith was a prophet." Afterwards, we told him that he could also know that this was the restored church of Jesus Christ. He responded "But I already know that this is the true and restored church, and that the Book of Mormon is the word of God!" He seriously is so prepared. We literally don't have to do anything. He just knows and he just gets it. It is all the spirit. We are literally just there and just the mouthpieces. I have learned that we literally are nothing, and that God and the spirit does all of the work. He blesses us when we are prepared, but takes it over from there.
The other miracle we had this week was with another adorable woman! This was probably one of the most touching and spirit guided lessons I have ever had on my mission. It is all the spirit and never is us. We were working in our normal area, but both felt very impressed to go to a different area that wouldn't be very miles efficient and because of construction, usually takes about 20-30 extra minutes to get there. We decided to go anyway and I am so glad we did! We knocked on a door that some English people had told us was a hispanic, and Lisa answered.We introduced ourselves, explained a little bit about our message, and asked if we could come in. She instantly invited us in and we were able to teach her the restoration in about 20 minutes! It was the most effortless, easiest, most spiritual restoration lesson I have ever taught. When we invited her to be baptized she instantly accepted and told us "Absolutely yes!" She also immediately accepted a baptismal date. After wards, I had no idea why, I told her that she was a fighter, and Hermana Imlay followed by telling her that she was a survivor. After hearing these words, she started to sob. She said "it's so ironic that you use those exact words, I just left an abusive relationship, and this is exactly what I needed to hear." It was one of the most incredible, tender moments. She is so prepared and is so ready. After the lesson, Hermana Imlay and I were talking about everything that had happened. She told me that she had wanted to use the word fighter, and after she had thought that, I had said it. But that the word survivor just came out of her mouth without her even realizing it. This work is never us. The spirit, Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ are always behind it and lead us to the people that really need it. I really needed this this week.
Con amor,
Hermana Failner
Monday, April 27, 2015
Francisco really does have a true belief and faith in Jesus Christ ~ Mission week 39 ~ Lexington week 17
This week was interesting.
The highlights of the week were our lessons with Francisco! He has been progressing so fast, and it has been really amazing to watch. He is really starting to recognize the spirit and it has been cool to see. He has taken everything that we have taught him so well, and really does have a true belief and faith in Jesus Christ. We taught him about the plan salvation, and he just loved it! He had never heard of any of it before, but it all made perfect and logical sense to him. He has such sincere desires and it has been cool to teach him. The spirit is always so incredibly strong.
Other than that, our week has been filled with a lot of finding and finding mostly white people. I suppose they need the gospel too :) But I'm sure more Hispanics will come around soon. I don't have a ton of time this week.
Hermana Failner
The highlights of the week were our lessons with Francisco! He has been progressing so fast, and it has been really amazing to watch. He is really starting to recognize the spirit and it has been cool to see. He has taken everything that we have taught him so well, and really does have a true belief and faith in Jesus Christ. We taught him about the plan salvation, and he just loved it! He had never heard of any of it before, but it all made perfect and logical sense to him. He has such sincere desires and it has been cool to teach him. The spirit is always so incredibly strong.
Other than that, our week has been filled with a lot of finding and finding mostly white people. I suppose they need the gospel too :) But I'm sure more Hispanics will come around soon. I don't have a ton of time this week.
Hermana Failner
Monday, April 20, 2015
The Lord was definitely on our side ~ Mission week 38 ~ Lexington week 16
Hello everyone!
I am limited on time, so this will be a short one.
It has been a really good week! We met a new investigator, Francisco, on Wednesday, taught him the first lesson, and he showed up to church on Sunday! Things don't usually work out this easily! I was a little worried, because the gospel principles class topic was a little deep for a first timer. After church, we asked him if had any questions or concerns about his experience. His only concern was that he didn't know how to sing the hymns and that he really wanted to learn how so he could be prepared for next week :) He's seems to be taking things well!
We have found some more great people! One in particular, named Nina (she does speak Spanish!!), really caught my attention this week. We decided to go knocking at some duplexes, and her husband answered the door, we asked him if we could come in and say prayer, as we were talking to him, Nina and her family pulled up to the house. He told us that we would have to ask her if we could (this doesn't usually happen in Hispanic culture, the man of the house always has a say in who comes in first) The Lord was definitely on our side! She told us we could come in, and we had an incredible first lesson with her! During the lesson, she started to cry and told us how grateful she was that came in, and that we came at the exact right time. Her husband had been very sick and had just gotten out of the hospital. I know we were there for a reason!
Hermana Failner
I am limited on time, so this will be a short one.
It has been a really good week! We met a new investigator, Francisco, on Wednesday, taught him the first lesson, and he showed up to church on Sunday! Things don't usually work out this easily! I was a little worried, because the gospel principles class topic was a little deep for a first timer. After church, we asked him if had any questions or concerns about his experience. His only concern was that he didn't know how to sing the hymns and that he really wanted to learn how so he could be prepared for next week :) He's seems to be taking things well!
We have found some more great people! One in particular, named Nina (she does speak Spanish!!), really caught my attention this week. We decided to go knocking at some duplexes, and her husband answered the door, we asked him if we could come in and say prayer, as we were talking to him, Nina and her family pulled up to the house. He told us that we would have to ask her if we could (this doesn't usually happen in Hispanic culture, the man of the house always has a say in who comes in first) The Lord was definitely on our side! She told us we could come in, and we had an incredible first lesson with her! During the lesson, she started to cry and told us how grateful she was that came in, and that we came at the exact right time. Her husband had been very sick and had just gotten out of the hospital. I know we were there for a reason!
Hermana Failner
Monday, April 13, 2015
A seed was planted ~ Mission week 37 ~ Lexington week 15
Hello everyone!
This week has been quite interesting. We have been in the finding stages without a lot of luck. However, I know that Heavenly Father has prepared hispanic people for us here to teach. It will all happen in his own due time.
Lately this week we have been mostly talking with English people and giving a bunch of referrals. I'm not sure where all of the hispanics went! But we have had some really cool experiences. We ran into a woman named Laura, who is going through cancer and chemo. She told us how grateful she was that we came and talked to her and that she really needed it. I know we were placed in her path for a reason, and she really made my day.
In addition, we were knocking some apartments, and this lady answered. She didn't seem interested and was about to shut the door, but we asked if we could offer a prayer with her. She reluctantly agreed. As I was offering the prayer, I really felt inspired about what I should say... in fact I don't even remember what I said in it. After the prayer she looked at us for a while and then hugged us. She told us that she wasn't interested in our message but to keep doing what we were doing, and that the prayer was exactly what she needed. It was an interesting experience. At least the seed was planted.
Hermana Failner
This week has been quite interesting. We have been in the finding stages without a lot of luck. However, I know that Heavenly Father has prepared hispanic people for us here to teach. It will all happen in his own due time.
Lately this week we have been mostly talking with English people and giving a bunch of referrals. I'm not sure where all of the hispanics went! But we have had some really cool experiences. We ran into a woman named Laura, who is going through cancer and chemo. She told us how grateful she was that we came and talked to her and that she really needed it. I know we were placed in her path for a reason, and she really made my day.
In addition, we were knocking some apartments, and this lady answered. She didn't seem interested and was about to shut the door, but we asked if we could offer a prayer with her. She reluctantly agreed. As I was offering the prayer, I really felt inspired about what I should say... in fact I don't even remember what I said in it. After the prayer she looked at us for a while and then hugged us. She told us that she wasn't interested in our message but to keep doing what we were doing, and that the prayer was exactly what she needed. It was an interesting experience. At least the seed was planted.
Hermana Failner
Monday, April 6, 2015
Ray has had a great week. We're struggling to find people to teach but know we will find the elect ~ Mission week 36 ~ Lexington week 14
Hello!
Rey's baptism was great. He is such an awesome guy! I'm so proud of him! He makes me prouder every day! He teaches me so much. He has a had a great week and seems to be faring well.
We have been struggling to find people to teach. That's usually what tends to happen after a baptism. Just finding a lot. But it has been really good and I know we will find the elect.
My comp's first name is Sierra. She is from Hurricane, Utah. She is 20. We have had a good time together! We both have a great love for food :) Haha. She is also an extremely hard worker. We just have the same work ethic and it's really, really nice.
Hermana Failner
Hermana Failner
Monday, March 30, 2015
Rey was baptized and confirmed this week. I can't describe the joy and happiness I feel. I'm so grateful for his testimony ~ Mission week 35 ~ Lexington week 13
Hey everyone!! This week was absolutely incredible. Rey has now been baptized and confirmed. The amount of joy I felt during his baptism and confirmation is unlike anything I have experienced before. I would re-live every difficult moment I have had on my mission and in my life just to see the smile on his face when he was in the baptismal font getting baptized. It is unlike anything I can even describe. He was so ready and so incredibly prepared. I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to teach him. Rey has changed my life and has taught me so much. It was by far one of the happiest days of my life. I still don't think it has sunk in yet. I can't believe he is baptized! The baptism was amazing and we had a great turn out and support from the ward. The talks at his baptism were so touching. His cousin, Salmon, who was baptized back in December, gave such a touching testimony about Rey and how grateful he is for him to come to this gospel. He said that he would always tell Rey that this gospel is the only path to live with our Heavenly Father again. Everyone just loves him and can remember when they first met him. He is going to do some amazing things in this church. At the end, he was able to share his testimony. It was the most incredible and powerful testimony. He said that when we first came to teach him he literally didn't know anything about Jesus Christ or God, but that he has learned so much and wants to continue to learn and grow. He said that it has brought him so much joy and happiness, and that he is truly happy. He also testified of the Book of Mormon, and how he knows that it is true. It was very simple, but so powerful. I know that he knows that it all is true. I can't describe how much joy that brought me, to hear him testify of the Book of Mormon and of this church and to truly know it. The confirmation was also incredible. It really talked about how choice and precious of a person he is and was in the sight of God. And that he would raise his family in the gospel. Heavenly Father loves Rey so much, and I really felt the love that he had for him during his confirmation. He is so special. Rey has changed my life. I am so grateful for his example and testimony. He has taught me what it really means to give yourself completely to Lord, to serve, and to have true and everlasting happiness. That is what this gospel is all about. It is a gospel of hope and joy. I am so grateful that Rey has found that.
Hermana Failner
Monday, March 23, 2015
We showed Rey the baptismal font and he wanted to jump in and get it done then and there! His baptism is this week ~ Mission week 35 ~ Lexington week 12
Hello everyone!
I don't have a ton of time this week, but some exciting things will be happening!
Rey will be getting baptized this Saturday!! He is so prepared and ready. It has been amazing to watch his progress. He loves the scriptures. He applies the scriptures to his life, and brings up and find things I had never even thought of before. He is truly amazing. We showed him the baptismal font yesterday and said he wanted to jump in and just get it done right then and there :) Keep him in your prayers, and that everything will run smoothly. Baptisms take a a lot of planning and coordination, but it will all fall into place. It's just incredible to watch someone have so much happiness because of this gospel.
It has been a good week and we have really been able to just see Rey continually progress. He is such a prepared soul!
This gospel is incredible. I learn so much every day from the scriptures and my investigators. Rey has taught me so much and I am so grateful.
Hermana Failner
Hermana Failner
Monday, March 16, 2015
I love my companion Hermana Imlay, we have seen many miracles! Rey bore a powerful testimony, he's changed my life ~ Mission week 34~ Lexington week 11
Hello everyone!
This week has been a fantastic week! Training has been a blast and Hermana Imlay and I have seen so many miracles. She is so willing to work hard, and I just love being with her! She is truly amazing.
The two people that we found last week with our car incidents we are both consistently teaching now and it has been great! They are doing really well and we have had some great lessons with them.
The highlight of my week has been a lesson that we had with Rey a couple days ago. He is truly incredible. He will be getting baptized in two weeks, and we are already making plans for it. He is so excited and I truly believe that he is ready to make this next step. During our lesson with him, we talked about what a testimony was, and, without any invitation, Rey bore his testimony to us. It was one of the most incredible moments of my mission. He said that he may not know everything, or understand everything, but that he knew that the Book of Mormon was true. He also said that he has never had or experienced happiness in his entire life, and that this gospel and the Book of Mormon is the solution, that he has been able to find true happiness in life, something he has never before felt.
Rey has seriously changed my life. When I met him he didn't even know who Jesus Christ was, and now he is testifying of him. Rey truly has taught me so much; that through this gospel, we can find true and ultimate happiness. That we don't need to fully understand everything, but that a testimony of the Book of Mormon and recognizing the spirit is sufficient, and that all the other doctrines will fall into place. It was something I personally really needed to hear this week. I have cried happy tears for the first time on my mission because of Rey. I know I was meant to meet him for a reason, and I am so grateful that Heavenly Father has given me the opportunity to be the mouthpiece to bring him the gospel. Because of Rey, I have been pushed to limits and capabilities as a missionary that I didn't even know I had. Because of him and the spirit, I have never been able to teach quite like this, speak Spanish or explain things quite like I can to him. The spirit is truly amazing. I can't wait to see where Rey goes from here. This is only the beginning. I can't describe the happiness I feel for him.
Hermana Failner
Hermana Failner
Monday, March 9, 2015
Sister Failner prays for her Spanish to improve and becomes a trainer. The Lord answered her prayer almost immediately in a very unexpected way! Rey's Baptismal Date: March 23rd ~ Mission week 33 ~ Lexington week 10
Monday, March 2, 2015
I will be training a new missionary coming in! ~ Mission week 34 ~ Lexington week 9
Hello!
Well... this week has been crazy! I guess I will just get right to it... I found out on Saturday that Hermana Arnoldsen will be getting transferred and that I will be training a new missionary coming in! I was extremely shocked when I got the call from my President, and I am still a little in denial about it. I am still young in the mission and my Spanish is still not where I would like it to be. But... I guess this is the way for my Spanish to grow, and for me to really grow as a person. It's interesting because I had been really, really praying and asking Heavenly Father for help with my Spanish and way for it to improve so that I could have the hopes of becoming fluent. It's not that my Spanish is absolutely terrible, but that I felt that I was starting to just stay the same and that I really needed a push to improve more. Never in a million years did I see this as being the answer to my prayers! I am really quite scared, but at the same time so incredibly excited to have the opportunity to train. It will be such an amazing opportunity to grow and I can't wait to help and serve with her!
For other highlights of the week: Rey is still doing really, really well! He never misses appointments and is always crazy prepared to accept whatever commandment we give him. He is still doing amazing with the word of wisdom and was super psyched to find out about tithing. He is still progressing really well. I just love him and will be sending a picture of him this week! He is still looking solid for the 28th of March. I really feel like I was specifically sent here to teach him. He teaches me so much every day, and really pushes me to follow the spirit and to love the work. Other than Rey, we have gotten dropped a lot this week. We have taught a lot of lessons, but have been getting dropped within the next appointment. I have actually been really grateful for this. The people that have dropped us have been really upfront and honest. I really appreciate that. I feel like a lot of times people will still keep meeting with us just because they don't want to make us feel bad. When people do that it really wastes their time and our time. Entonces, I'm really grateful for the people that can tell us straight up. It also gives me comfort knowing that we truly established our purpose as missionaries, because they knew our ultimate goal was baptism. It's a bitter sweet type of a thing, but it works for me. That's it for this week. Nos vemos!
Hermana Failner
For other highlights of the week: Rey is still doing really, really well! He never misses appointments and is always crazy prepared to accept whatever commandment we give him. He is still doing amazing with the word of wisdom and was super psyched to find out about tithing. He is still progressing really well. I just love him and will be sending a picture of him this week! He is still looking solid for the 28th of March. I really feel like I was specifically sent here to teach him. He teaches me so much every day, and really pushes me to follow the spirit and to love the work. Other than Rey, we have gotten dropped a lot this week. We have taught a lot of lessons, but have been getting dropped within the next appointment. I have actually been really grateful for this. The people that have dropped us have been really upfront and honest. I really appreciate that. I feel like a lot of times people will still keep meeting with us just because they don't want to make us feel bad. When people do that it really wastes their time and our time. Entonces, I'm really grateful for the people that can tell us straight up. It also gives me comfort knowing that we truly established our purpose as missionaries, because they knew our ultimate goal was baptism. It's a bitter sweet type of a thing, but it works for me. That's it for this week. Nos vemos!
Hermana Failner
Monday, February 23, 2015
Getting stuck in the snow! Rey is progressing and preparing for baptism ~ Mission week 33 ~ Lexington week 8
Hello, hello!
Sorry for not emailing last week... it was like the end of the world around here! We were trapped in our apartment for the entire day because of the snow. It was one of the most boring days of my life. However, I did take quite the long siesta :) So that made up for it. In addition, EVERYTHING was closed the next day, and most things were closed for about a week. People don't know how to cope with the snow around here! No one knows what a plow is. The roads are scary and terrible! Because of this, Hermana Arnoldsen and I have gotten stuck about 20 times in the snow. We gotten really good at getting ourselves out of it though :) I have also learned that my Spanish is really lacking in the "car directions/instructions for how to get out of the snow" department. We had a really interesting week to say the least.
Anyway, this week was great. This gospel is great. What more can I say?
Hermana Failner
Sorry for not emailing last week... it was like the end of the world around here! We were trapped in our apartment for the entire day because of the snow. It was one of the most boring days of my life. However, I did take quite the long siesta :) So that made up for it. In addition, EVERYTHING was closed the next day, and most things were closed for about a week. People don't know how to cope with the snow around here! No one knows what a plow is. The roads are scary and terrible! Because of this, Hermana Arnoldsen and I have gotten stuck about 20 times in the snow. We gotten really good at getting ourselves out of it though :) I have also learned that my Spanish is really lacking in the "car directions/instructions for how to get out of the snow" department. We had a really interesting week to say the least.
All that being said, Rey is still doing amazing! He came to church again this week! He is rapidly progressing and is preparing for his baptism. He is doing so amazingly well. We taught him about the word of wisdom, and he has been living it and has given up coffee. Most of his co-workers drink coffee, and he was able to stand up to them and tell them that he doesn't drink it anymore. He has a lot of guts. Rey is lo mejor, or the best! Go Rey!
It has been amazing to see his progression. When I first met him, he didn't know his Savior, or even what a commandment was... and he has just been so incredible. His desire to learn has been unlike anything I have ever seen. He has been through so much in life. When we first started meeting with him, I asked him if he had had a time in his life when he had felt joy. Sadly, he told us that never in his life has he felt joy. However, during these last couple weeks, he told us that he has started to truly feel joy for the first time in his life. This gospel has helped him so much. He is truly starting to find his purpose in life and true happiness. I know I was meant to teach him for a reason. This message is truly a message of joy!
Anyway, this week was great. This gospel is great. What more can I say?
Hermana Failner
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Snowed In!!! Mission week 32, Lexington week 7
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| From the Mission Blog - Elder and Sister Rob Hymas (Area Seventy) Elder and Sister Ullisses Soares, Elder and Sister D. Todd Christofferson and The Broughs. We feel so blessed, We were taught by an Apostle. Best Valentines ever! |
Sorry, we didn't have a lot of time this week. We were snowed out and the whole town shut down. I will send a long email about it next week. I love you all!
Monday, February 9, 2015
Yesterday 3 of our most progressing investigators came to church!! It was seriously like Christmas! ~ Lexington Week 6 ~ Mission Week 31
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| February Zone Conference |
Wow. I'm not even sure where to begin this week. It has definitely been successful. Yesterday 3 of our most progressing investigators came to church!! It was seriously like Christmas! Cesar, Felipe, and Rey all came! It was a dream. In addition, one of our less actives also came to church and even gave Felipe a ride. Everything just came together this week.
One of the highlights of my week would definitely be the lessons we had with Rey. He is seriously such an amazing person and has overcome a lot in his life. I really feel like I was definitely supposed to come in contact with him for a reason. The lessons we have with him are so spiritual. We also had a member in the branch presidency, Hermano Valerio, come with us to appointment. It was absolutely amazing! Hmno. Valerio helped Rey to really feel more confident in himself to hold onto the faith and knowledge the he does have. It was incredible. Rey is super, super solid. He never misses appointments, is super humble, and always is willing to learn. Although his knowledge about God and gospel topics are limited, he has the purest desires I have ever seen. That's what counts.
We also met with Felipe this week. He seems to still be doing well. He has had a lot of questions and doubts, but with the help of the spirit, we have been able to alleviate them. And he came to church!
We also finally got into contact with Renee this week! She is still amazing and has been reading SO MUCH in the Book of Mormon. I always love teaching her and learning from her.
We also met with Cesar this week. Cesar really keeps me on my toes. He is very logical and always needs tangible evidence before he will believe something. We had a very interesting lesson about faith with him, and he admitted that he doesn't think that he has any faith at all. We were able to help him and he showed up to church!
Hermana Failner
Monday, February 2, 2015
We had a very touching lesson this week with Rey ~ Lexington Week 5 ~ Mission Week 30
Hello everyone!
It has been a great week this week!
We are still teaching Felipe, and he seems to be doing well. He is still very set on making changes in his life. He just doesn't like compromisos, or commitments. We are now calling them "buenas decisiones", or good decisions, so he doesn't get freaked out by them. A single 23 year old man living in a bachelor pad with commitment issues... shocker. But, all in all he is doing great. He loved the plan of salvation and is continuing to progress. I really enjoy teaching him. He is a really good sport. So many funny things happen to us during our lessons with him and he just laughs with us. It's a miracle he still talks to us and understands our Spanish haha.
Next, Renee is okay, but we weren't able to see her this week. There were some complications with papers with one of her daughters who is here on a work visa. So she has been in panic mode. We are praying that things will be better for her.
Rey is doing awesome!!! He reads all of the pamphlets we give him in addition to his book of mormon reading! Rey is just the best. We had a very touching lesson with him this week. I learned that he really is not confident in himself because his native language is another dialect from Mexico, and so he struggles with his Spanish. He also feels that he is unable to comprehend a lot of what he reads. It honestly broke my heart. I told him that he was a son of God and how valued he was to the Lord. The spirit was really strong, and I knew that was what the Lord wanted me to tell him. I have always been astounded by my ability to feel the love of God for others on my mission. The Lord has really blessed me with that capacity... without him I could do nothing.
Hermana Failner
It has been a great week this week!
We are still teaching Felipe, and he seems to be doing well. He is still very set on making changes in his life. He just doesn't like compromisos, or commitments. We are now calling them "buenas decisiones", or good decisions, so he doesn't get freaked out by them. A single 23 year old man living in a bachelor pad with commitment issues... shocker. But, all in all he is doing great. He loved the plan of salvation and is continuing to progress. I really enjoy teaching him. He is a really good sport. So many funny things happen to us during our lessons with him and he just laughs with us. It's a miracle he still talks to us and understands our Spanish haha.
Next, Renee is okay, but we weren't able to see her this week. There were some complications with papers with one of her daughters who is here on a work visa. So she has been in panic mode. We are praying that things will be better for her.
Rey is doing awesome!!! He reads all of the pamphlets we give him in addition to his book of mormon reading! Rey is just the best. We had a very touching lesson with him this week. I learned that he really is not confident in himself because his native language is another dialect from Mexico, and so he struggles with his Spanish. He also feels that he is unable to comprehend a lot of what he reads. It honestly broke my heart. I told him that he was a son of God and how valued he was to the Lord. The spirit was really strong, and I knew that was what the Lord wanted me to tell him. I have always been astounded by my ability to feel the love of God for others on my mission. The Lord has really blessed me with that capacity... without him I could do nothing.
Hermana Failner
Monday, January 26, 2015
It was honestly one of the greatest weeks of my mission thus far ~ Lexington Week 4 ~ Mission Week 29
Hello everyone!
It has been a fantastic week this week! It was my first week with just Hermana Arnoldsen. It was honestly one of the greatest weeks of my mission thus far! It has been awesome to have a companion that is close to my same age in the mission. I was really scared at first, because I was afraid that our Spanish wasn't going to cut it, but it has actually been great and we both know a lot more than we thought we did! In addition, our lessons truly are guided by the spirit because we don't know perfect Spanish. It is literally the Lord and us. Because of it we have had the some of the most incredible lessons. I have never had this much fun or enjoyed teaching lessons as much as a I do now. We teach really well together because the spirit has to constantly be with us so we can understand and speak Spanish the best we can. It also doesn't hurt that my Spanish is finally getting to a point where I can say what I want to say while still being guided by the spirit. It's just starting to take off! I still have days of frustration with it, but definitely not as much as I used to!
We have some solid investigators right now!
We are teaching Felipe, who is our ward mission leader's brother. We always have a good time teaching him and he has been to church these past four weeks.
In addition, we are still teaching Renee! I could go on and on about her! I just love her. She is literally one of the most prepared and intelligent people I have ever met. She fascinates me. I love talking to her. She makes me a better person. We had the most amazing lesson about the plan of salvation... she basically taught us the entire thing:) She has so much knowledge of the gospel and understands exactly what we need to do para que regrese a nuestro padre celestial. it truly is awesome! It is so fun to teach someone with so much religious knowledge but also with so much secular intelligence. I learn something from her every time I teach her. although she has her reservations, she is willing to entertain new ideas.
In addition, we are also teaching Rey who is the cousin of a recent convert in my area, Solomon. He is also awesome! He has no religious background whatsoever. It has been really interesting teaching him because he is very willing to listen and take in what we tell him. It is like teaching a child. It has helped us as teachers to simplify everything we teach him so that he understands and gets to know our savior. He wants to learn and it has been awesome to see the little light bulbs in his head go off when we explain a principle to him. He had never prayed before until we started teaching him and in our second lesson he volunteered to say the opening prayer! He is a solid man!
that's it for this week!
Hermana Failner
It has been a fantastic week this week! It was my first week with just Hermana Arnoldsen. It was honestly one of the greatest weeks of my mission thus far! It has been awesome to have a companion that is close to my same age in the mission. I was really scared at first, because I was afraid that our Spanish wasn't going to cut it, but it has actually been great and we both know a lot more than we thought we did! In addition, our lessons truly are guided by the spirit because we don't know perfect Spanish. It is literally the Lord and us. Because of it we have had the some of the most incredible lessons. I have never had this much fun or enjoyed teaching lessons as much as a I do now. We teach really well together because the spirit has to constantly be with us so we can understand and speak Spanish the best we can. It also doesn't hurt that my Spanish is finally getting to a point where I can say what I want to say while still being guided by the spirit. It's just starting to take off! I still have days of frustration with it, but definitely not as much as I used to!
We have some solid investigators right now!
We are teaching Felipe, who is our ward mission leader's brother. We always have a good time teaching him and he has been to church these past four weeks.
In addition, we are still teaching Renee! I could go on and on about her! I just love her. She is literally one of the most prepared and intelligent people I have ever met. She fascinates me. I love talking to her. She makes me a better person. We had the most amazing lesson about the plan of salvation... she basically taught us the entire thing:) She has so much knowledge of the gospel and understands exactly what we need to do para que regrese a nuestro padre celestial. it truly is awesome! It is so fun to teach someone with so much religious knowledge but also with so much secular intelligence. I learn something from her every time I teach her. although she has her reservations, she is willing to entertain new ideas.
In addition, we are also teaching Rey who is the cousin of a recent convert in my area, Solomon. He is also awesome! He has no religious background whatsoever. It has been really interesting teaching him because he is very willing to listen and take in what we tell him. It is like teaching a child. It has helped us as teachers to simplify everything we teach him so that he understands and gets to know our savior. He wants to learn and it has been awesome to see the little light bulbs in his head go off when we explain a principle to him. He had never prayed before until we started teaching him and in our second lesson he volunteered to say the opening prayer! He is a solid man!
that's it for this week!
Hermana Failner
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Buenas Tardes from Lexington ~ Lexington Week 3 ~ Mission Week 28
Buenas Tardes from Lexington!
It has been a good week, pero hoy la Hermana De La Vega se fue :( Today, Hmna De le vega left to go home from her mission! We had the greatest little trio ever! But, I am so happy and excited that I still get to work with Hermana Arnoldsen! We have a blast together!
We are still teaching Cesar and he has been doing well. We have had some really great lessons with him and should be seeing him at church this week.
A new person that we found this week that has really stuck out to me is a woman named Renee. She is literally the most Christ-like person I have ever met. We have had some absolutely amazing lessons with her. She has been through so much but never uses her trials as an excuse to be sad or to not try. She is also extremely non-judgmental and probably the most objective investigator I have ever had. She has gone into this whole process with the intentions of becoming to closer to Christ and the way for doing that is to read the Book of Mormon and to pray about it to know if this is the path she should take. She is extremely prepared and I am so excited to get to know her better. I have learned so much from her. She makes me want to be a better person every day.
I don't have a lot of time this week, but that's it for now! Remember, the church is true!
Hermana Failner
It has been a good week, pero hoy la Hermana De La Vega se fue :( Today, Hmna De le vega left to go home from her mission! We had the greatest little trio ever! But, I am so happy and excited that I still get to work with Hermana Arnoldsen! We have a blast together!
We are still teaching Cesar and he has been doing well. We have had some really great lessons with him and should be seeing him at church this week.
A new person that we found this week that has really stuck out to me is a woman named Renee. She is literally the most Christ-like person I have ever met. We have had some absolutely amazing lessons with her. She has been through so much but never uses her trials as an excuse to be sad or to not try. She is also extremely non-judgmental and probably the most objective investigator I have ever had. She has gone into this whole process with the intentions of becoming to closer to Christ and the way for doing that is to read the Book of Mormon and to pray about it to know if this is the path she should take. She is extremely prepared and I am so excited to get to know her better. I have learned so much from her. She makes me want to be a better person every day.
I don't have a lot of time this week, but that's it for now! Remember, the church is true!
Hermana Failner
Monday, January 12, 2015
First week in Lexington ~ Lexington Week 2 ~ Mission Week 27
Hello everyone!
It has been quite the week this week in my new area of Lexington! I have to admit, having a car has been absolutely amazing. I'm not really sure how I survived biking for as long as a did. It's a milagro that I am still alive!
I absolutely love it here in Lexington! It is the promised land. Our area is huge compared to my last one! There are SO many apartment complexes... and they are all filled with Hispanics! I couldn't believe how many we find and see every day! In fact, I think I contact more Hispanics than English people. I never thought in a thousand years that would happen! It's been beyond awesome! In addition, I love the branch. It has been so fun working in a Spanish Branch. The members are so solid here. It has been a pleasure working with them thus far. They also help me with my Spanish, which never hurts! I'm going to need it.... Hermana De La Vega goes home in a week and Hermana Arnoldsen is younger than me in the mission. This means that the Spanish I know, plus the Spanish she knows is what we are going to be working with. It's a tad bit scary. But I know we can do it! It's going to be challenging, but I know that God will help us.
We have a great new investigator right now named Cesar. So ironic! I think I am destined to find the Cesars in the world. He is awesome and has been taught by Hermanas before. He came to church last week and is doing well! I'm excited to keep teaching him.
In addition, Gladys is another great person we are working with. We had an amazing lesson with her that was so powerful. Teaching in a trio has been beyond amazing. I don't know how we do it, but the spirit literally is the one that guides us. The lesson we had with her was solely the spirit. And she set her own baptismal date! She's pretty fabulous!
Lastly, I have a crazy moment of the week. I am pretty sure that I am on a first name basis with the Kentucky police department. Whenever a crazy accident happens where witnesses are needed, I always seem to be there. We saw a little boy get hit by a car. It was really alarming. We stayed as witnesses and comforted him before the police came. He was the sweetest. He will be okay, but was pretty hurt. I now use the cross walks with a lot more caution.
Hasta la pasta.
Hermana Failner
It has been quite the week this week in my new area of Lexington! I have to admit, having a car has been absolutely amazing. I'm not really sure how I survived biking for as long as a did. It's a milagro that I am still alive!
I absolutely love it here in Lexington! It is the promised land. Our area is huge compared to my last one! There are SO many apartment complexes... and they are all filled with Hispanics! I couldn't believe how many we find and see every day! In fact, I think I contact more Hispanics than English people. I never thought in a thousand years that would happen! It's been beyond awesome! In addition, I love the branch. It has been so fun working in a Spanish Branch. The members are so solid here. It has been a pleasure working with them thus far. They also help me with my Spanish, which never hurts! I'm going to need it.... Hermana De La Vega goes home in a week and Hermana Arnoldsen is younger than me in the mission. This means that the Spanish I know, plus the Spanish she knows is what we are going to be working with. It's a tad bit scary. But I know we can do it! It's going to be challenging, but I know that God will help us.
We have a great new investigator right now named Cesar. So ironic! I think I am destined to find the Cesars in the world. He is awesome and has been taught by Hermanas before. He came to church last week and is doing well! I'm excited to keep teaching him.
In addition, Gladys is another great person we are working with. We had an amazing lesson with her that was so powerful. Teaching in a trio has been beyond amazing. I don't know how we do it, but the spirit literally is the one that guides us. The lesson we had with her was solely the spirit. And she set her own baptismal date! She's pretty fabulous!
Lastly, I have a crazy moment of the week. I am pretty sure that I am on a first name basis with the Kentucky police department. Whenever a crazy accident happens where witnesses are needed, I always seem to be there. We saw a little boy get hit by a car. It was really alarming. We stayed as witnesses and comforted him before the police came. He was the sweetest. He will be okay, but was pretty hurt. I now use the cross walks with a lot more caution.
Hasta la pasta.
Hermana Failner
Monday, January 5, 2015
I was transferred in the middle of the transfer ~ Lexington Week 1 ~ Mission Week 26
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| This pictures is off the internet, not sent by Jennica |
Hello everyone!
This week was beyond crazy... where to even begin? I have yet to have a normal transfer on my mission thus far. In fact, this transfer I was transferred in the middle of the transfer. Yes, that's right. Allow me to elaborate.
This past Monday night, at around 8 pm I might add, Hmna Barajas and I got a call from our Mission President. He asked if we would like to have our car back. Of course we said yes! He then proceeded to tell us that we would get it back.... but in a bit of a different way. He told us that he was closing our entire area and that we had to be completely moved out of our apartment by Wednesday morning at 7 am. This also included moving out furniture, dishes, EVERYTHING that was in the apartment, cleaning out our area book, and running around trying to say goodbye to our investigators and ward members. We had one day to do it. It was beyond insane. Luckily we did receive some help from our district leaders, ward members, and the housing coordinators! It was a miracle. Sister Roderick, the housing coordinator, told us that no one was planning on coming to help us, and they told her not to, but she decided to come anyway with her husband. It was divine revelation! Had we not had them there Hmna Barajas and I would have been up the ENTIRE night in addition to working the entire day and being up all night the previous night. I am so grateful for the area I served in and the wonderful people there. I am going to miss them so much.
First, the reasons for our area closing were because it was so small and also because of how unsafe our area was. Especially without a car. It was crazy. And our car would never be returned. The complex we lived in was not a kosher place to be living, and they finally realized that. The reason for it happening in the middle of a transfer is because some other sisters went home... and it happened to work out to transfer us right then.
Second, it was really amazing because I finally felt like the English and Spanish members have become more unified. In fact, with two of our investigators that we have had for quite a while, ward members told me that they would make sure that they weren't forgotten and that they would do everything they could for them and to fellowship them. It meant the absolute world to me, to the point of tears. I love these people so much and the fact that the English members could see that and see how important these people are really meant so much. In addition, we had lost contact with Cesar, but he called the night before we left. He said that he is still reading and still doing everything and that he won't stop doing it. It made my year that he called us to say goodbye. The ward members have been so good with him and realize that we can't lose him. I know that he will not be lost. I have realized that God will find a way to have the elect to receive the gospel. He will.
Lastly, it was pretty sad. I didn't want to leave. I didn't want to give another area all of the people we were teaching. I loved my area so much, and now it is completely closed. It was really, really hard. But there are purposes behind it and I know that the people we were teaching will somehow get the chance to receive the gospel again.
So, where am I now? I am in the great city of Lexington!! It was actually Hermana Baraja's old area. Here's the other crazy thing: I am actually serving in a trio right now with Hmnas De La Vega and Arnoldsen. Hermana De La Vega will be going home in two weeks... which is when transfers actually are, so it works out that I will just stay with Hmna Arnoldsen this next transfer. I absolutely love them!! We seriously have a blast together. I'm sad that we only get to be in a trio for two and half weeks because I love them so much. We also have a car. Praise the Lord. Life is good. It was really sad to leave my area and have it get completely shut down, but I am happy to be in Lexington. I really like it here. And we are in a Spanish branch! No more translating!
That's what I have for this week. It was insane.
Hasta luego.
Hermana Failner
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| This picture is off the internet, not sent by Jennica |
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