"NOW IS THE TIME for members and missionaries to work together"

HOLA TODOS! 

What a wonderful week its been full of many miracles.  We have really been working hard this week to work with our members.  They are so wonderful and I love them a lot!  We have been able to see a lot more success as we've been working together to find the prepared!  I want to share a miracle that happened this week.  A couple weeks ago we gave a member a restoration pamphlet.  We told him about the impression we had received to work in the city that he lives in and asked him to read over it and pray about who he knew that needed the message of the restoration.  Well, he came to us this past week and told us he set up an appointment for us with his less active brother (Carlos) and his non member girlfriend (Stacie).  We went to the lesson and the member came with us and bore a powerful testimony of Joseph Smith.  Both Carlos and Stacie were touched and agreed to come to church this week.  BUT THATS NOT ALL!  30 minutes after we left Stacie texted us and said she had a few more questions and really wanted us to come back before we went back home that night. We were able to return after our other appointments and ended up teaching her the plan of salvation to answer her questions.  She was so amazed and excited to learn more. She told us as soon as we left that she would start reading in the Book of Mormon.  We are excited to meet with her again this Thursday!  

We've found a lot of new investigators this week and I've never been so busy on my mission going from appointment to appointment!  It's the best!  We had another lesson with Brenda and we taught her the Plan of Salvation.  She ate it right up and said "Sisters this makes so much sense!"  We invited her to come to church this Sunday!  

I had the wonderful opportunity to go on exchanges this week with my amazing Sister Training Leader (Hermana Larsen). I went to her area (Eagle Pass) and we saw so many miracles together and we taught a lot of people and were able to do some service for a family in their ward. I learned a lot from her!  Also this week our members that we live with made Tripa (cow intestines) and Mollejas (spit glands of the cow) and I ate it!  Lets just say it wasn't my favorite texture but it tasted fine.  

We had another miracle happen this week.  We were trying to find people to teach and we were at these apartment complexes and there are so many stray cats and dogs here in Carrizo Springs.  Sometimes dogs will follow us and yap at us and it's a little scary but while we were at these apartments this lady was putting a bunch of cats in her car because she was going to take them home with her. She told us she already has 16 cats at home (like she doesn't have enough already).  All the same, we as diligent finders (and true hufflepuffs) offered to help her catch a cat hoping we could teach her a gospel lesson too.  Mear moments before we captured the cat in question, a woman came outside and told us that her mother (the cats owner) would not like it if she discovered her cat was missing. The owner came outside as well.  After many apologies from the cat catcher she took off with the cats already in her car, leaving us to talk to the cat ladies. We struck up a conversation and we were able to teach the restoration as the cats coated our ankles in their hair. Long story short they invited us back yesterday to teach them more and so we did!  There names are Pearl and Anna. We are excited to report that it was a wonderful lesson and we have a church tour with them this Tuesday.  We are stoked! 

Our wonderful mission President came to Eagle Pass on Saturday and we had interviews with him and then he gave us a training about working together with members, and he quoted our beloved Prophet and said, "Now is the time for members and missionaries to come together and work together".  It is so important for us all to work together to bring souls back to Christ! I want to challenge all of you if you haven't gone out with the missionaries to call them right now and set up a time to go with them!  DONT BE AFRAID TO SHARE YOUR TESTIMONY! 

We had a lesson with Chris Poff this week and we read Lehi's dream together and talked about enduring to the end.  She is so close to getting baptized!  She also told us she will teach us how to rope next pday because it's raining really hard here today.  We can't wait!!

    WOW what a wonderful week it's been!  I know the Lord is preparing people here for us to meet!  I can't wait to find them!  I have been asked to prepare a talk to give this upcoming Sunday at Church and I've decided to talk on JOY!  I wanted to share with y'all what I've gathered throughout my studies this week. 

Ultimate Joy in Spite of Proximal Problems.

We learn early in the Book of Mormon that "men are that they might have joy." (2 Nephi 2:25)  We can find great comfort in knowing that our very purpose in this life is to be joyful. But in spite of this knowledge it seems that we spend much of our times in the doldrums, wondering to anyone who will listen, "when will I receive that promised joy?"  It is these moments when we failed to grasp the bigger picture.  When Joseph Smith pled for relief in Liberty Jail, the divine response was not "Oh, I did not intend to give you an experience that you would not enjoy." Rather he received the motivating, although a bit intimidating promise that "all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good" (D&C 122:7). 

If times of trial and experience are required for our greater good, what does it mean to have joy?  Are we just meant to suffer through as many trials as we can bear so that when the marathon is finally run we may rejoice?  As we face each hurdle must we grit our teeth and "just hang in there"?  I do not believe this is how it it meant to be!  To quote Elder Kevin J Pearson of the 70 to “hang in there” is not a principle of the gospel." (Stay by the Tree, Apr 2015) However enduring to the end is a principle of the gospel. And endurance requires joy.

See the Good

As the Israelites sought the promised land twelve men were sent ahead to scout their path to safety. When these twelve returned they came with fruit from the promised land, stories of it's beauty and reports of the dangerous people who currently possessed it.  Ten of these scouts emphasized the strength and size of the Cannanites saying, "We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we." (Numbers 13:31)  Only 2 chose to see the possibility in such a challenge. Caleb boldly declared before the people "Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it." (Numbers 13:30)  Now the people of Moses had a choice, would they see the land as half full of invincible enemies or optimistically remember that it was fully promised to them by an omnipotent God?  The people chose the lesser part, gave into fear of the unknown and as a result were condemned to never posses the promised land but instead to wander in the wilderness for forty years.  In this instance the choice between optimism and pessimism turned out to also be a choice between life and death. The case of the Israelites may seem extreme but I believe it is not so different from our choice today. I know many people who because of seemingly insurmountable trials wander in the wilderness of despair for many years simply because believing that things could turn out well requires too much work.  At times the happy choice is not the easy one!  Had the Israelites hopefully marched into the promised land, there would have been wars waged and much tribulation to obtain the land of promise. But that land was indeed promised to them. Just as we are promised joy! 

As Christ explained to his disciples that he must leave them for a time he saw the worry in their countenances and comforted them saying, "and now therefore ye have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy shall no man take from you." (John 16:22)  What joy can no man take from us?  The joy of eternal life.  This joy is ours to choose. 2 Nephi 2:27 teaches us that "men are free according to the flesh ... And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself."  Our Heavenly Father has gifted us agency, the ability to choose. A choice is placed before us.  Joy juxtaposed against misery.  Light in perfect contrast to dark. There is no confusion as to who is the source of either of these. All that is needed is for us to choose. 

Sweet is the Joy the Gospel Brings

How do we make such a choice? There are days when everything seems to go wrong and despair seems to be the only option.  I'm sure you have experienced such days. First thing in the morning you discover your favorite sweater has shrunk in the wash, the battery of your car has died, you smash your thumb, jam your toe, shout at a loved one, and your next door neighbor has the nerve to walk out of his house with a smile on his face, whistling to no one in particular.  In spite of the way it may appear, we can choose joy even on these days.  Perhaps these are the days in which it is most important to make such a choice. 

I am reminded of a principle taught by Elder Neal A Maxwell to Elder David A Bednar.  Elder Bednar tells of a visit during which Elder Maxwell stayed with him.  During this trip Elder Bednar asked what lessons he had learned through his struggle with cancer.  To which Elder Maxwell replied, “I have learned that not shrinking is more important than surviving.”  In Elder Maxwell's general conference address in October of 1997 he taught, “As we confront our own … trials and tribulations, we too can plead with the Father, just as Jesus did, that we ‘might not … shrink’--meaning to retreat or to recoil (D&C 19:18).  Not shrinking is much more important than surviving!  Moreover, partaking of a bitter cup without becoming bitter is likewise part of the emulation of Jesus” (Ensign, Nov. 1997, 22).  

Choosing joy is an important step on our path to discipleship!  Each time we over look the disappointments which seem to surround us, choosing instead to press forward with faith, confidence, and a smile on our face, we become a bit more like our Savior. 

Oh how tempting it is when we are mocked and tried, beaten and trodden upon, to cry out "Lord! This is more than I can bear!"  But we must remember "The Son of Man hath descended below them all." (Doctrine and Covenants 122:8)  He knows exactly how we feel and desires to constantly bless us.  When we close our hearts in anger we create a barrier between ourselves and the blessings he desires to give us. "In reality, Heavenly Father is constantly raining blessings upon us.  It is our fear, doubt, and sin that, like an umbrella, block these blessings from reaching us...The Creator of the seas, sands, and endless stars is reaching out to you this very day!  He is offering the grand recipe for happiness, peace, and eternal life!" (President Uchtdorf Ensign Nov 2014)  Will you follow this recipe?  There are 4 simple ingredients and one step. Those ingredients are faith, repentance, baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost. Add each of these to your life and then endure to the end.  Can ye not see?  The guaranteed path to happiness, to eternal joy, is the gospel of Jesus Christ.  His life was dedicated to showing us, by example, how we might have joy.  The plan of happiness is not for us to burden ourselves with some grand to do list. The plan is to enjoy the journey. 

Jenkins Lloyd Jones said years ago, “Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed. 

“Most putts don’t drop. Most beef is tough. Most children grow up to be just people. Most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration. Most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. …

“Life is like an old-time rail journey--delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed.

“The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride.” (Deseret News, 12 June 1973.)

Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude 

David A Bednar taught, "Character is revealed in the power to discern the suffering of other people then we ourselves are suffering; in the ability to detect the hunger of others when we are hungry; and in the power to reach out and extend compassion for the spiritual agony of others when we are in the midst of our own spiritual distress."

Gordon B Hinkley taught, “The best antidote I know for worry is work. The best medicine for despair is service. The best cure for weariness is the challenge of helping someone who is even more tired” (“Words of the Prophet: Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel,” New Era, July 2000, 7).

"Because I have been sheltered, fed, by thy good care; I cannot see another's lack and I not share. My glowing fire, my loaf of bread, my roofs safe shelter overhead that he too may be comforted."

Enjoy the Journey

The story is told of a woman who approached the gates of Heaven and was asked by the guard standing there, "Sister, do you think you will be welcomed here?"

"Of course!" She quickly replied, "I received all the necessary covenants, I served in the relief society presidency for 4 years, raised 5 children in the gospel, went to the temple every week, paid my tithing faithfully, and helped in the conversion of 18 others."

"That is wonderful sister!" Said the sentinel, "Did you enjoy it?"

She thought for a moment then carefully responded "Well...I did it... I also make quilts for 4 for homeless children, taught seminary for a year, cared for my mother in her last years, sent each of my missionary children a letter every week and a package each month, and whenever my sons were responsible for bringing bread for the sacrament I sent a homemade loaf." 

"Yes, that is very good" the guard said, "but, did you enjoy it?"

Again the woman thought and then, realizing the missed opportunity, woefully answered, "Well...I did it."

This is not how our lives were designed to be. "Life is meant to be enjoyed, not just endured." (Gordon B Hinkley)

How much good can we do without enjoying a moment of it?  We must turn our focus outward on the the good that there is in the world, as well as the good that we can do, rather than spending our time reflecting only on the cost of our sacrafice. 

"enter into my joy, and sit down on my throne"

This gospel brings me true JOY in my life!  I know it's true con todo mi corazón!  I hope y'all have a wonderful week!  Be safe!

Con Amor,

Hermana Mann 

I know it! God knows I know it! And I will NOT deny it!!

Hola Todos!

    WOW what a wonderful week it's been!  I can't believe my 13 month mark
is this week!  Why does time fly by so fast when preaching the gospel!?
We have found lots of new investigators this past week and we are
excited to continue teaching them!  On Monday we had to travel to San
Antonio to switch out our truck and get a new car!  We got to stay with
the Lead Sister Training leaders that night (Sister Jones and Sister
Jensen) and that was a wonderful experience.  The next morning we went to
the mission office and picked up our new car!  A 2017 Chevy Malibu (wow
it's a nice car).  We've been taking good care of it!  We still like
to bike in our area because it gives us a chance to stop and talk with
people!
    We've had so many miracles this week!  We taught Jesse Gomez again
and he felt the spirit so strong during the lesson!  Hermana Russo
came with us and Jesse really liked meeting her!  We were able to teach
him the restoration while reading the introduction to the Book of
Mormon together.  He had lots of questions that we were able to talk
about with him and Hermana Russo bore a powerful testimony of the
restoration to him.  He has also been praying to know if this is the
path he should be taking.  We have another lesson with him tonight!
We received a referral this week!  Her name is Betty Garcia.  Wow, she's
amazing and so prepared!  She met with missionaries in Virginia a few
times while visiting her daughter (who is a member) just a little
while ago, and she wanted us to come over and continue teaching her!
She has been reading the Book of Mormon and said she received a
confirmation that this church is true!  Also she has been sharing what she is
learning with her Fiancé who will be getting home from a business trip
soon, and he told her "if this is the church for you then this is the
church for us!"  WOW (miracle)!  We can't wait to meet him soon and teach
them both!  We had a lesson with Chris Poff at the church on Thursday
and we taught her about repentance and baptism.  We invited her to pray
about baptism.  She is progressing so well and loves coming to church
every week!  It's been raining a lot and flooding everywhere!  People
have been letting us in to teach them and their families and it's been
a blessing to be able to meet so many new people who are willing to
listen to the message we bring!  We had the wonderful opportunity to
watch the Face to Face with Elder Holland and Elder Eyring this week with
the Russo's.  They are men called of God!  I learned a lot from the
things that were discussed and I would invite all who didn't have a
chance to watch that to go watch it!
    We had district meeting this week out in Eagle Pass and it was
great!  We had what is called 'District Council' where we talk about any
questions that we may have about our investigators or any doctrinal
questions.  I learned a lot and I'm excited to be apart of this
district!  We also celebrated Hermano Valdez's birthday!
    Every week we have the wonderful opportunity to volunteer at the
local library and hospital for service!  It's been a lot of fun so far
to get to do that and we've been able to meet a lot of wonderful
people and also see familiar faces!
    On Sunday we heard lots of wonderful testimonies and I was able to
translate for the first time!  I was really nervous but I didn't do as
bad as I thought I would!  I'm still not perfect but I will continue to
learn.  President Garza (fist counselor to President Polley our
Mission President) came to church with his wife and then stayed for
dinner with us and the Russo's that night.  Sister Russo made Purple
cows for dessert too, which were so yummy (a smoothie made with vanilla
ice cream, grape juice concentrate, and milk).  Y'all should try it!
    I would like to share with y'all a part of a talk that I read this
week that I loved and felt the need to share it.  It's called "If ye
love me, Keep my commandments" (October 2015 General Conference)

By Carole M. Stephens

    "When our oldest daughter, Jen, brought her third daughter home from
the hospital, I went to her home to help. After getting her oldest
daughter off to school, we decided that what Jen needed most was rest.
So the best help I could give was to take her daughter Chloe home with
me so her mom and new baby sister could have some quiet time.
    I buckled Chloe into her car seat, secured my own seat belt, and
drove out of their driveway. However, before we reached the end of the
street, Chloe had unbuckled her seat belt and was standing up, looking
over my shoulder, and talking to me! I pulled the car over to the side
of the road, got out, and buckled her back into her seat.
    We started again but had gone only a short distance when she was out
of her seat again. I repeated the same steps, but this time before I
could even get back into the car and fasten my own seat belt, Chloe
was already standing up!  I found myself sitting in a car, parked on
the side of the road, having a power struggle with a three-year-old.
And she was winning!
    I used every idea I could think of to convince her that remaining
fastened in her car seat was a good idea. She was not convinced! I
finally decided to try the if/then approach.  I said, “Chloe, if you
will stay buckled in your car seat, then as soon as we get to
Grandma’s house, we can play with play dough.”  No response.  “Chloe,
if you will stay buckled in your seat, then we can make bread when we
get to Grandma’s house.”
    No response.  I tried again. “Chloe, if you will stay buckled in your
seat, then we can stop at the market for a treat!” After three
attempts, I realized this was a futile exercise. She was determined,
and no amount of if/then was enough to convince her to remain fastened
in her seat.  We couldn’t spend the day sitting on the edge of the
road, but I wanted to be obedient to the law, and it wasn’t safe to
drive with Chloe standing up. I offered a silent prayer and heard the
Spirit whisper, “Teach her.”
    I turned to face her and pulled my seat belt away from my body so
she could see it. I said, “Chloe, I am wearing this seat belt because
it will protect me. But you aren’t wearing your seat belt, and you
won’t be safe. And I will be so sad if you get hurt.”
She looked at me; I could almost see the wheels turning in her little
mind as I waited anxiously for her response. Finally, her big blue
eyes brightened, and she said, “Grandma, you want me to wear my seat
belt because you love me!”
    The Spirit filled the car as I expressed my love for this precious
little girl. I didn’t want to lose that feeling, but I knew I had an
opportunity, so I got out and secured her in her car seat. Then I
asked, “Chloe, will you please stay in your car seat?” And she
did--all the way to the market for a treat! And she stayed buckled all
the way from the market to my home, where we made bread and played
with play dough because Chloe did not forget!
    As I drove back onto the road that day, a scripture filled my mind:
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” We have rules to teach, guide,
and protect children. Why? Because of the great love we have for them.
But until Chloe understood that my desire for her to remain securely
fastened in her car seat was because of my love for her, she was
unwilling to submit to what she considered a restriction. She felt her
seat belt limited her freedom.
    Like Chloe, we can choose to see commandments as limitations. We
may feel at times that God’s laws restrict our personal freedom, take
from us our agency, and limit our growth. But as we seek for greater
understanding, as we allow our Father to teach us, we will begin to
see that His laws are a manifestation of His love for us and obedience
to His laws is an expression of our love for Him."

    I KNOW that God loves each and every one of you.  He is our Father and
we are His literal children.  He knows each and every one of us and He
is fully aware of us.  Prayer is a powerful thing.  I know you can
receive answers from Heavenly Father when you ask Him with real
intent.  He is there to listen to you!  I know our Savior Jesus Christ
atoned for each of us so that we CAN return to live with our Father in
Heaven again.  I love this gospel with all my heart!  Stay strong!  Be
safe!  I love y'all!

Also, it's my wonderful mother's birthday tomorrow!  Everyone give her a
big hug for me!!  LOVE YOU MOM!!

Con Amor,
Hermana Mann

Hello Carrizo Springs!

Hola de Carrizo Springs!

    Todo esta bien en esta area!!  Wow, what a wonderful week it's been!

It was so hard to say goodbye to the Lake Travis area. What a blessing it
was to be able to serve there for so long and have come to love those
people so much!  I will miss them dearly!  As a farewell for now to all
those people back in Lake Travis, I wanted to share a part of a talk
given in the General Conference back in October 1997 in my email
today.  It says, "When true friends sing the well-known hymn, "God be

with you till we meet again," we offer a prayer that the Holy Ghost will
accompany our loved ones after we leave them.  This hymn is a deeply
moving expression of our need for companionship with one another and
with the Spirit of God.  Our most common English expression of
farewell is the word "Good-bye" and this came to us over the years as
contraction for the expression "God be with you."  In a day when people
recognized our dependence on God more publicly, this wonderful phrase
was used at times of departure to express love.  It is still a sweet
expression invoking the companionship of God during periods of
separation.  The phrase "good-bye," then, when fully understood,
means, "If we can't be together, if we must part, if I can't be with
you--then may God be with you." 

    The last night that I was in LakeTravis we were invited to come and teach

the restoration to the Young Woman in the ward and then have them do role

plays with each other.  It was a lot of fun and a wonderful experience for them

and for us.  I hope all went well for them this week as they continued to be
missionaries and share the gospel with their friends!
    Thursday morning we packed up the rest of our stuff and headed to
Rutherford Chapel in Austin where I would say goodbye to my wonderful
companion Sister Loveridge who I will forever miss.  I got into the
van with some other Elders and Sisters and headed to San Antonio where
I met my new companion Sister Landon (wow I love her)!  When we got
there we got into another car and headed to Eagle Pass where we would
pick up our truck and head to Carrizo Springs.  The whole trip took about
6 and 1/2 hours.  We finally made it down here!  What a culture shock
it is here!  We are pretty much the only white people.  There is about
5 different fast food places including Subway, so I am grateful for
that!  There is nothing for miles but it is really pretty!  We cover
the area of Carrizo Springs, Crystal City, Catullua, Asherton,
Encinal, and BIg Wells, which are all little cities about 30 minutes
in opposite directions from Carrizo Springs.  We live in a little blue
house (shed) in the back yard of a wonderful family in our Branch
(the Russo's).  They have a cute little dog named Twister and they love
cooking us yummy Mexican food!  I have spoken way more Spanish down
here then I ever have.  It is great because I feel like I'm learning it
again and getting to practice more!  It is less humid here because it
is more South but it definitely seems a lot hotter.  It got up to 99
degrees this week!  We are in a very small English/Spanish branch and
we translate for those who don't know English, which is a lot of fun.
    So about my new companion Sister Landon!  Wow, what a wonderful person
she is with such a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
She is from Northern California and is the youngest of 7 kids (first
girl to go on a mission).  She is 21 years old and loves to make me
laugh!  She plays the Ukulele (YAY), eats peanut butter excessively,
and loves to quote movies with me!  She is also on a Spanish speaking mission

and has been out for 7 months now.  Wow, we've seen so many miracles
together this week already.  We've met a couple new investigators and have
been able to have a lot of lessons.  It was good to get back on my
bike again!  I love it because its easier to talk to people along the
way.  It's mostly dirt roads in some of the cities out here so
hopefully my tires won't pop!  I want to share a couple miracles with
y'all!  One day I received an impression that we needed to knock on
this trailer door.  We started walking over to it and a man walked up
beside his house and we stopped to talk to him.  He told us his name
was Jesse Gomez.  As we continued to talk he said he wasn't too
religious and he had lost some faith when his parents both passed away
recently.  He invited us inside where we met his cute grandma.  We sat
them both down and taught them the Plan of Salvation.  Jesse felt the
spirit because he was so into learning about what we were teaching
him.  He told us that he wants to gain his faith back in God and
wanted our help, and is willing to learn more about the Restored Gospel
of Jesus Christ.  He accepted a copy of the Book Of Mormon and was
eager to read it and meet with us again this week (Milagro - miracle)! Also, we
met with Brenda (another one of our new investigators that we found).
We taught her the Restoration, and during the lesson she told us that
she was confused why there were so many churches, but wanted to know
which one was the true and right one to follow (Milagro)!  She was so
excited about what we had discussed and accepted a copy of the Book of
Mormon as well, and asked us if she could read more than just the
introduction and we said "of course!"  She is excited for us to come
back and teach her and her family this week!  She has a bunch of cute
little kids and she also just had a new baby girl.

    Many people are prepared in this area and I can't wait to continue
finding them!  It has been wonderful so far being able to serve here
in Carrizo Springs!  I'm beginning to love it here and am excited for
the journey ahead and for the people we will meet!!  Last thing I
wanted to share with y'all in my email today is about true conversion.
    Bonnie L. Oscarson said this, "True conversion is more than merely

having a knowledge of gospel principles and implies even more than just

having a testimony of those principles. It is impossible to have a testimony

of the gospel without living it. Being truly converted means we are acting upon

what we believe and allowing it to create “a mighty change in us, or in our
hearts.”  In the booklet True to the Faith, we learn that “conversion
is a process, not an event. You become converted as a result of …
righteous efforts to follow the Savior.” It takes time, effort, and work.
    The prophet Moroni, in the Book of Mormon, taught, “I would show unto
the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen;
wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness
until after the trial of your faith.” In our world where instant
gratification is the expectation, we are often guilty of expecting the
reward without having to work for it.  I believe Moroni is telling us
that we must do the work first and exercise faith by living the
gospel, and then we will receive the witness that it is true. True
conversion occurs as you continue to act upon the doctrines you know
are true and keep the commandments, day after day, month after month."

    As a representative of Jesus Christ we don't convert others.  We
invite others to act for themselves and see the blessings that come
from living the Gospel of Jesus Christ and begin to have their own
conversion. I know the blessings and happiness that come from living
the Gospel.  I know it's true because I have received a witness from
God that it is true.  I have acted on my faith and KNOW the truth!  I
would invite all of you to act on the faith you have and find your own
conversion. I hope y'all have a wonderful week!  I love you!  Be safe out
there!

Con Amor,
Hermana Mann

Transfers!!

Hola Todos!

       This morning we got transfer news!  DRUM ROLE!!  I'm getting shipped
down to the border by Mexico!!  YAY!  The area I am going to is Carrizo
Springs and my new companion will be Sister Landon!  I've never met her
before and I'm so excited (so I will tell you all about her next week)!
Sweet Sister Loveridge will be leaving as well and she is heading to
Anderson Mills with the amazing Sister Newman (my first companion)!  I'm
so excited for them to be companions and I love them both so much!  I
will be leaving Lake Travis on Thursday morning!  Wow, it's been an
adventure in this area!  I have loved every moment of it!  I have come
to love the people here so much and I can't wait to come back and visit
them one day!  I know the Lord will continue to prepare people for the
missionaries to meet!  It's going to be hard to leave them, but I'm so
excited to see the work move forward!
       This week has been an amazing week!  I got to go on exchanges with
Sister Jones on Valentine's Day and we were able to see miracles
together!  What a wonderful opportunity it is to get to spread the
gospel to everyone we talk to!   We met some great people and we were
able to Skype one of Sister Jones' converts back in San Antonio after
her baptism!
  We had what's called "Missionary Week" for the youth in our Stake!
It started on Friday last week and will go until Sunday this week! One
of the young woman from another ward came out with us on Friday night
then slept over and got to live the life of a missionary.  Then on
Saturday a different young woman from another ward came out with us
all day and that was also a lot of fun!  Both of them had amazing
testimonies!  On Friday night one of the members fed us muscles for
dinner (not a big fan of seafood), but I ate it (wow miracle)
and so did Sister Loveridge, and also Andrea (the young woman who was with
us).  It was a great experience for all of us!  Yesterday they had a
missionary fireside at the stake center and all the youth who want to
go on missions, the full time missionaries serving in the stake, and
our mission president got to come!  We sang "Called to Serve" on the
stand with the Seniors and it was so awesome!  The spirit touched my
heart as we sang that wonderful song!  Then they played a slideshow of
all the missionaries serving from the stake who are out on their
missions, and then they showed all the pictures of us who went out with
the youth in the stake!  For some reason I've become more emotional on
my mission so of course I cried watching it!  Our wonderful Mission
President (President Polley) got to speak and he spoke about crying
repentance.  He is very inspired and I loved what he told those youth!
I want to let all those who are preparing or even thinking about
going on a mission to know that it will change your life in many ways!
It is literally the hardest most rewarding thing I've ever done in my
life!  The gospel makes sense because I know it is true and It brings
me happiness and joy!  Being prepared to come on a mission is very
important and these are the ways I found that helped me prepare  1.
Spiritually ready 2. Mentally ready 3. Physically ready 4. Emotionally
ready.  I know that as you do these things in your life as you prepare
to go on missions that it will be a greater blessing to you!   Missions
are the best!
    As the week went on we saw many miracles!  We were able to have a
lesson with Jonathan with one of the young woman and it was a really
good lesson!  We talked more about the Book of Mormon and he was stuck
with a lot of questions, but as we talked with him more and invited him
to read on his own and pray, he seemed to be feeling the spirit and
knew that all his questions will be answered!
    I will definitely miss Brandon!  We were able to go over a few things
with him this week to get him preparing to go to the temple soon!  His
testimony is amazing and I can't wait to continue to see him learn and
grow!  God be with you till we meet again!
    Last thing I want to share with y'all is a talk that I read this week
and I feel like I need to share it!!
    Its called "Turn to Him and answers will come" By Elder James B.
Martino Of the Seventy.  "When I was a young man, my parents joined The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We knew that the
missionaries had been teaching them, but my parents had taken the
missionary lessons alone.  After this surprising announcement, my
brothers and I began to listen to the missionaries as well, and they
each received the message of the Restoration with gladness. Although I
was curious, my heart was not into changing my life. I did, however,
accept the challenge to pray about whether the Book of Mormon was the
word of God, but I did not receive an answer.  You might ask why
Heavenly Father did not answer that prayer; I certainly wondered. I
have learned since that the promise made by Moroni is accurate. God
does answer our prayers about the truthfulness of the gospel, but He
answers them when we have “a sincere heart” and “real intent.” He does
not answer just to respond to our curiosity.  Perhaps there is
something in your life that you have a question about. Perhaps there
is a problem you do not know quite how to answer. Today I would like
to share some thoughts that may help you obtain the answers or help
you are seeking. The process begins with being converted to the gospel
of Jesus Christ.  Receiving Revelation Depends on the Condition and
Intent of Our Hearts I have thought about the accounts of several
individuals in the scriptures. Take, for example, Laman and Lemuel.
Like Nephi, they were “born of goodly parents” and taught “in all the
learning of [their] father.” Yet they murmured because their father
was a visionary man. From their point of view, his decisions defied
logic, for they knew not the things of God, and therefore they would
not believe.  It is interesting to note that their choices allowed
them access to potentially faith-building experiences. They left their
home and their riches. They suffered through wanderings in the
wilderness. They eventually helped build the boat, and they agreed to
journey to an unknown land.  Nephi passed through these same
experiences. But did these actions build their faith? Nephi’s faith
was made strong, but Laman and Lemuel grew more cynical and angry.
These brothers even saw and heard an angel, but alas, they continued
to doubt.  Mortal life is not easy for any of us. We are placed on
earth to be tried and tested. Our response to life’s experiences will
often greatly influence our testimonies. Consider some of the
reactions of Laman and Lemuel: They murmured when their father asked
them to do hard things. They attempted to obtain the brass plates, but
when success did not come, they gave up. Their attitude was “We’ve
tried; what more can we do?”  There was even a time when they were
sorrowful for doing wrong and asked for forgiveness. They prayed and
were forgiven. But the scriptures record that later they returned to
complaining and they refused to pray. They came to Nephi and said they
could not “understand the words which [their] father [had] spoken.”
Nephi asked them if they had “inquired of the Lord.” Notice their
response: “We have not; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto
us.”  Continuing Obedience Allows Us to Receive Answers.Nephi’s reply
to his brothers is a key for us to receive continual answers to
prayer: “How is it that ye do not keep the commandments of the Lord?
How is it that ye will perish, because of the hardness of your hearts?
“Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?--If ye will
not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall
receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these
things [will] be made known unto you.”  I know some returned
missionaries who have had undeniable spiritual experiences, but the
lack of certain spiritual habits seems to have caused them to forget
the times when God has spoken to them. To those returned missionaries
and to all of us, if you “have felt to sing the song of redeeming
love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?” If you do not feel it now, you
can feel it again, but consider Nephi’s counsel. Be obedient, remember
the times when you have felt the Spirit in the past, and ask in faith.
Your answer will come, and you will feel the love and peace of the
Savior. It may not come as quickly or in the format you desire, but
the answer will come. Do not give up! Never give up! Let us compare
Laman and Lemuel to the sons of Mosiah. Both groups of men were raised
in righteous families, yet both strayed. Both were called to
repentance by an angel, but what was different about the experience of
the sons of Mosiah?  Trials Will Build Our Faith. Their missionary
success is unforgettable. Thousands were converted to the ways of the
Lord. However, we often forget that as they began their missions,
their “hearts were depressed, and [they] were about to turn back,
[but] the Lord comforted [them].” They were counseled by the Lord to
“bear with patience [their] afflictions.”  The Study of the Scriptures
Tells Us God’s Will.  Why did the trials of these sons of Mosiah
strengthen their faith and commitment rather than cause them to murmur
or doubt? The key is that “they had waxed strong in the knowledge of
the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had
searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of
God.” We will all face trials and have questions, but remember that we
must be “continually holding fast to the rod of iron.” “The words of
Christ will tell [us] all things what [we] should do.” We must make
scripture study a daily part of our lives, as this will open doors of
revelation.Prayer, Combined with Fasting, Invites Revelation. For the
sons of Mosiah, “this is not all; they had given themselves to much
prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and
the spirit of revelation.” Prayer and fasting will allow us to be
susceptible to spiritual promptings. Communicating with Heavenly
Father while purposefully abstaining from food and drink allows us to
“loose the bands of wickedness [and] to undo the heavy burdens.”
Prayer, combined with fasting, will provide so that when we “call, …
the Lord shall answer; … [and when we] cry, … he shall say, Here I
am.”  Turn to Him.  These personal religious habits--obedience,
scripture study, prayer, and fasting--strengthened the sons of Mosiah.
The lack of these same personal religious habits was a major reason
that Laman and Lemuel were left vulnerable to the temptation to murmur
and doubt.  If you have been tempted to murmur, if you have had doubt
that leads to unbelief, if trials seem more than you can bear, turn to
Him. If you are one who has turned away or rationalized your behavior,
turn to Him. Can you remember when He did “speak peace to your mind …
? What greater witness can you have than from God?” Ask yourself, “Am
I as close to living like Christ now as I was before?” Please, turn to
Him.  May I return to my personal story. Eventually I began to be
sincere. I remember when the missionary who was teaching me asked if I
was ready to be baptized. I replied that I still had some questions.
This wise missionary told me that he could answer them but that I
would have to answer his question first. He asked me if the Book of
Mormon was true and if Joseph Smith was a prophet. I told him that I
did not know, but I wanted to know.  My questions led to increased
faith. For me, the answer came not as an event but as a process. I
noticed that as I did “experiment upon [the] words” and began to
“exercise a particle of faith,” the Book of Mormon became “delicious
to me” and it did “enlighten my understanding” and truly did “enlarge
my soul.” Eventually I had that experience the scriptures describe as
a swelling within your breast. It was at this point that I desired to
be baptized and to commit my life to Jesus Christ.  I truly know that
the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know that Joseph Smith was a
prophet. Oh, I still have things I do not comprehend, but my testimony
of truth draws me closer to the Savior and builds my faith.  Brothers
and sisters, remember Nephi and the sons of Mosiah, who had spiritual
experiences and then acted in faith so that answers came and their
faithfulness grew. Contrast this with Laman and Lemuel, who doubted
and murmured. Even though they sometimes acted in worthwhile ways,
work without faith is dead. We must have faith with works to receive
answers.  I hope as you have listened this morning that the Spirit has
impressed on your minds and hearts something that you might do to have
your questions answered or to find an inspired solution to the problem
you face. I bear a solemn witness that Jesus is the Christ. Turn to
Him and your prayers will be answered. In the name of Jesus Christ,
amen."

    I know this Church is true with all my heart! I am so excited to go
share my love for the Savior with the people in Carrizo Springs and I
will be excited to see all the Milagros (miracles) and speak lots of
SPANISH!  I love y'all and hope you have a wonderful week!

Con Amor,
Hermana Mann