Monday, March 29, 2010
March 29-2010
Hello My Loved Ones,
This week was another great week. It was filled with...I'm not even sure what. It was a busy week with a lot of food. Yesterday we had a dinner appointment at 3 and then we went to visit the family of C*-who was baptized. Her mother in law is in our branch and invited us over. When we got there they fed us MORE. I thought I was going to pop. Then we went to meet with an investigator-R*. She is awesome. She works a LOT like everyone else here and has been really hard to get a hold of so we actually haven't seen her in about a month. When we got there she was making tortillas and I thought, no, please, anything but more food. We watched her make them and had a great conversation. I really felt like we gained more of her trust. But then...the question, "How many would you like?" AHHH!!! Meal number 3-THREE! "Please just one." When eating there food it is a sign of acceptance and love. When I get home I'm working out for 4 hours a day. :) When Hermana Crandell and I were eating R* was in the kitchen. Needless to say, I stuffed the food, cheese and all into my pocket. She is a great woman that believe a lot in Christ. Then we went to visit a member family, the S* family. They are wonderful. When we got there guess what- More food. We had an appointment right after the S* family as well so we told them we couldn't eat so they gave us some pupusas to eat later. Whew!
The work is going great. Y*-one of our past investigators returned from El Salvador. She brought us back a picture of Christ and had engraved on the back Las Missionaras. She is a single parent with two young boys. She has an extremely soft heart as well. I have really high hopes for R* and Y*.
This mission is so unique. I have the blessing of being able to experience about EVERY culture. If not EVERY culture then all of the Spanish speaking ones. Its not like serving in Chili or Columbia. Here I have the opportunity to eat foods from everywhere and get to know all types of cultures.
Zone Conference- We had Zone Conference this week. It was amazing. This transfer we have been focusing on the Atonement. The transfer ends the 12th and we all think Hermana Crandell will be leaving. She's been in Flushing for 6 mo and has talked to every Spanish person here about 4 times :) Anyway, The Atonement is amazing. Christ truly suffered for us, for our sins, for all that we will, have, and are going through. We talked about applying the Atonement more in our lives as missionaries. It seems that as missionaries we are able to teach people about the Atonement and help them partake of it but do we let it affect our lives? Its difficult to describe all of the lessons and knowledge I gained. Most importantly I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, the Savior of the world. He is exactly that for us, our Savior. He saves us from our sins, our pains, the times in our lives we can't carry on and all the other times as well. We need to focus EVERYTHING we do around Christ. The Atonement can effect every part of our lives, even with my Spanish :) When we don't partake of the Atonement and feel that after we work on our own or seek to let Christ in our hearts once we are better people is like when we are sick saying we will wait to take the medicine until we are better.
I wanted to say something profound-something that would move your hearts to feel of the spirit, to have the desire to come closer to our Savior Jesus Christ but my words are inadequate. Feeling of the spirit and partaking of the Atonement will come when one is ready and willing. When one Comes unto Christ, is shown his weaknesses, humble, had faith, and then made strong (Ether 12:27) More than ever before I have been shown how weak I am, how many faults I have, and how inadequate I am but it is through and with the Atonement of Jesus Christ that we are taken from who we are to where we need to be.
My heart bursts for all of those I love. Things are going really well. Spanish is coming more and more although I know I still have a LONG way to go. I know there are times ahead that I am going to need to struggle but it is applying the Atonement even with my Spanish that will help me and allow this work to continue forth.
Jesus is the Christ, He is our Savor, He loves us and knows each one of us personally. He is here to succor His people. He stands knocking at the door. Are we letting Him in.
I love you so much. Have a wonderful week and love/enjoy conference.
Much Love,
Hermana Banaszewski
This week was another great week. It was filled with...I'm not even sure what. It was a busy week with a lot of food. Yesterday we had a dinner appointment at 3 and then we went to visit the family of C*-who was baptized. Her mother in law is in our branch and invited us over. When we got there they fed us MORE. I thought I was going to pop. Then we went to meet with an investigator-R*. She is awesome. She works a LOT like everyone else here and has been really hard to get a hold of so we actually haven't seen her in about a month. When we got there she was making tortillas and I thought, no, please, anything but more food. We watched her make them and had a great conversation. I really felt like we gained more of her trust. But then...the question, "How many would you like?" AHHH!!! Meal number 3-THREE! "Please just one." When eating there food it is a sign of acceptance and love. When I get home I'm working out for 4 hours a day. :) When Hermana Crandell and I were eating R* was in the kitchen. Needless to say, I stuffed the food, cheese and all into my pocket. She is a great woman that believe a lot in Christ. Then we went to visit a member family, the S* family. They are wonderful. When we got there guess what- More food. We had an appointment right after the S* family as well so we told them we couldn't eat so they gave us some pupusas to eat later. Whew!
The work is going great. Y*-one of our past investigators returned from El Salvador. She brought us back a picture of Christ and had engraved on the back Las Missionaras. She is a single parent with two young boys. She has an extremely soft heart as well. I have really high hopes for R* and Y*.
This mission is so unique. I have the blessing of being able to experience about EVERY culture. If not EVERY culture then all of the Spanish speaking ones. Its not like serving in Chili or Columbia. Here I have the opportunity to eat foods from everywhere and get to know all types of cultures.
Zone Conference- We had Zone Conference this week. It was amazing. This transfer we have been focusing on the Atonement. The transfer ends the 12th and we all think Hermana Crandell will be leaving. She's been in Flushing for 6 mo and has talked to every Spanish person here about 4 times :) Anyway, The Atonement is amazing. Christ truly suffered for us, for our sins, for all that we will, have, and are going through. We talked about applying the Atonement more in our lives as missionaries. It seems that as missionaries we are able to teach people about the Atonement and help them partake of it but do we let it affect our lives? Its difficult to describe all of the lessons and knowledge I gained. Most importantly I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, the Savior of the world. He is exactly that for us, our Savior. He saves us from our sins, our pains, the times in our lives we can't carry on and all the other times as well. We need to focus EVERYTHING we do around Christ. The Atonement can effect every part of our lives, even with my Spanish :) When we don't partake of the Atonement and feel that after we work on our own or seek to let Christ in our hearts once we are better people is like when we are sick saying we will wait to take the medicine until we are better.
I wanted to say something profound-something that would move your hearts to feel of the spirit, to have the desire to come closer to our Savior Jesus Christ but my words are inadequate. Feeling of the spirit and partaking of the Atonement will come when one is ready and willing. When one Comes unto Christ, is shown his weaknesses, humble, had faith, and then made strong (Ether 12:27) More than ever before I have been shown how weak I am, how many faults I have, and how inadequate I am but it is through and with the Atonement of Jesus Christ that we are taken from who we are to where we need to be.
My heart bursts for all of those I love. Things are going really well. Spanish is coming more and more although I know I still have a LONG way to go. I know there are times ahead that I am going to need to struggle but it is applying the Atonement even with my Spanish that will help me and allow this work to continue forth.
Jesus is the Christ, He is our Savor, He loves us and knows each one of us personally. He is here to succor His people. He stands knocking at the door. Are we letting Him in.
I love you so much. Have a wonderful week and love/enjoy conference.
Much Love,
Hermana Banaszewski
Monday, March 22, 2010
3-22-2010
Hello Hello from New York City!
How is everyone? I sure do miss your smiling faces. This week was a great week. Hermana Crandell and I worked extremely hard. I don't know if I shared this experience yet or not but I'll do it again anyway. One day, a day that wasn't so pleasant Hermana Crandell and I were outside walking to and from appointments and looking up people that were once interested in the message of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ but for some reason do not have contact with the church anymore. As we were contacting anyone we saw that spoke Spanish we had some good conversations but overall no one really wanted to talk with us. We walked passed a Chinese man and all of a sudden I heard, "Church...Church" said with a VERY heavy Chinese accent. I literally stopped in my tracks and turned right around. This man was standing there and said are you a church? I chuckled and thought, I'm not a church but I represent the message of a church. We spoke to him a little bit about the church, gave him a flyer for free English class and a pass along card. Later that evening as we were walking to and from different appointments again in a different area the SAME man, about 24 passed us again. I said hello and this time HE stopped in HIS tracks. He was so surprised to see us again. We talked to him a little more and he showed us he had put the pass along card which had a picture of Christ on it in his wallet because Christ meant so much to him. I think that was on a Friday. We invited him to church. We latter found out that he came to church! We were so excited. Later on Tuesday Hermana Crandell and I were cleaning out the Baptismal Fount, one of the neatest things I have ever done and we saw him at the church being taught by the Chinese Elders. The next day I asked how he was doing. He is planning to be baptised next Sunday :) I am so grateful that Hermana Crandell and I were out working. That morning as we prayed before we left we prayed that those who see us will recognize us as representatives of Jesus Christ. Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers.
This week has been really good. Being a missionary is incredible. I am so humbled that I have the blessing to be called as a missionary. I can not even explain the lessons I am learning and the miracles hat I see each and every day. My Spanish is coming along. Its slow but at least its improving. Hermana Crandell is great. We spend about 3 hours extra a week studying Spanish. She is a teacher so she loves helping me learn more and its such a blessing.
I love you all so much.
I'll sign off and Sign back on.
Love
Hermana Banaszewski
How is everyone? I sure do miss your smiling faces. This week was a great week. Hermana Crandell and I worked extremely hard. I don't know if I shared this experience yet or not but I'll do it again anyway. One day, a day that wasn't so pleasant Hermana Crandell and I were outside walking to and from appointments and looking up people that were once interested in the message of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ but for some reason do not have contact with the church anymore. As we were contacting anyone we saw that spoke Spanish we had some good conversations but overall no one really wanted to talk with us. We walked passed a Chinese man and all of a sudden I heard, "Church...Church" said with a VERY heavy Chinese accent. I literally stopped in my tracks and turned right around. This man was standing there and said are you a church? I chuckled and thought, I'm not a church but I represent the message of a church. We spoke to him a little bit about the church, gave him a flyer for free English class and a pass along card. Later that evening as we were walking to and from different appointments again in a different area the SAME man, about 24 passed us again. I said hello and this time HE stopped in HIS tracks. He was so surprised to see us again. We talked to him a little more and he showed us he had put the pass along card which had a picture of Christ on it in his wallet because Christ meant so much to him. I think that was on a Friday. We invited him to church. We latter found out that he came to church! We were so excited. Later on Tuesday Hermana Crandell and I were cleaning out the Baptismal Fount, one of the neatest things I have ever done and we saw him at the church being taught by the Chinese Elders. The next day I asked how he was doing. He is planning to be baptised next Sunday :) I am so grateful that Hermana Crandell and I were out working. That morning as we prayed before we left we prayed that those who see us will recognize us as representatives of Jesus Christ. Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers.
This week has been really good. Being a missionary is incredible. I am so humbled that I have the blessing to be called as a missionary. I can not even explain the lessons I am learning and the miracles hat I see each and every day. My Spanish is coming along. Its slow but at least its improving. Hermana Crandell is great. We spend about 3 hours extra a week studying Spanish. She is a teacher so she loves helping me learn more and its such a blessing.
I love you all so much.
I'll sign off and Sign back on.
Love
Hermana Banaszewski
Monday, March 15, 2010
3-15-2010 #2
The first two things that need to come out of my mouth are two true principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The first person I saw that spoke spanish I was determined to be better and to testify and then talk with them more. The first person I saw was a short woman with her son. As I approached her I said, "Hello, This is a card for a video about the life of Jesus Christ. He is very important in my life. I know He lives and loves us." I know she felt of the spirit. After that we started talking with her more. She was interested in our message and we asked her if we could come by and tell her more about it. She said yes. After talking with her we headed up to College Point to look up some more people. I had written down some names of people that missionaries had taught before but for some reason stopped teaching, mostly because they couldn't get a hold of them. As we were going to the last home Hermana Crandell said, "Wait, this name looks really familiar." As we thought about it it was the name and address of the lady we had talked to earlier on the street. It seems that we really needed to come in contact with her that night. :) It was amazing. We had asked her for her name and address and the whole time I had it in my pocket un-knowingly.
Most important I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. I see miracles each and every day. The Gospel gives me hope on the days there seems there isn't any to be found. I know our Savior Jesus Chirst lives and invites us to come unto him.
I love all of you so very much. Thank you so much for your letters. They make all the difference.
Life as a missionary is really good. I can not believe how blessed I am to have Hermana Crandell as my companion. She has so much patience with me. Spanish is coming along. I need to have patience with myself and keep plugging a lot. I have days that are better then others. Please keep praying for my Spanish. Its not where it needs to be but I know if I keep trying it will come. I understand better most of the time but speaking is slow.
Keep working hard and Center EVERYTHING you do around our Savior Jesus Christ.
Much Love,
Hermana Banaszewski
Most important I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. I see miracles each and every day. The Gospel gives me hope on the days there seems there isn't any to be found. I know our Savior Jesus Chirst lives and invites us to come unto him.
I love all of you so very much. Thank you so much for your letters. They make all the difference.
Life as a missionary is really good. I can not believe how blessed I am to have Hermana Crandell as my companion. She has so much patience with me. Spanish is coming along. I need to have patience with myself and keep plugging a lot. I have days that are better then others. Please keep praying for my Spanish. Its not where it needs to be but I know if I keep trying it will come. I understand better most of the time but speaking is slow.
Keep working hard and Center EVERYTHING you do around our Savior Jesus Christ.
Much Love,
Hermana Banaszewski
3-15-2010 #2
Hello!
I've printed out the e-mails I've received but haven't read them yet. There is a long wait for the computers today so while I wait for my last 1/2 hour I'll read them and then hopefully respond back :) So I'm writing this with out having read them first.
This past week has been pretty good. It was a toughy but we worked hard. It seemed that almost everyone we were meeting with weather it be less-actives or investigators were all in the hospital. lol. So we spent a lot of time visiting people there. We had a couple funny experiences too. There is one woman named Laura that we visit. She is a less-active, about 70+ years old and is sweet. She doesn't talk much but she loves it when we sing to her. (Thats been one miracle on my mission, people actually feel the spirit when I sing :) ) Anyway, she is very sweet. The other day we were walking to her apartment to visit her and she was walking in at the same time. I said hello energeticly and then...ooo...I was exptreemly confussed. She was yello. I thought, was she painting something? Was she using dye? She was YELLO. SHe spoke to us in Spanish and all I got was that she didn't feel well and she walked inside. I just thought, ok, maybe we wont visit her today. Hermana Crandell turned to me and said, she's on her way to the hospital. WHAT?! Hermana Crandell, Did...did she look yello to you? We turned to each other with confussed faces, "What just happened?" We were both so confussed. She was up and walking around just fine. A few days later we went to visit her again. She wasn't home but her son was. He isn't all there sometimes. We asked him if his mom was home and all he knew what that she was in the hospital but didn't know which one. So the hunt began. We had another less-active the the hospital as well so we went to visit her, her name is Flor. Flor was there but we couldn't find Laura. We found out by making a couple phone calls that Laura was in a differnt hospital. We went to go find her. We went to the other hospital and found what room she was in. As we were looking for the room some nurses were wheeling a bed down the hall. All I could see of the person was the top of there hair. I knew it was Laura. The bed passed and we followed. Her son was there with her. He said she had some tumor thing in her stomach and the doctors thought it might be cancer. She didn't look yellow anymore witch was good. A couple days after we went back to visit again. She doesn't have many people that would visit her so we thought we'd sing a song and give a little comfort. Her two sons where there when we came. She looked a lot better but was yellow again. We sang and I told her to have hope, it will all work out. After we sang we spoke with her son in the hall. He said thank you so much for coming, (her son is not a member) she always talks about the two of you come by and visit with her. It felt good that it seemed we were making a difference in someones life and they felt the love of our Father in Heaven through us. He then said, (this was on Wed.) that they wake would be on Friday between 6-8 and that he'd call us with more information later. Well...we left offering our services for whatever we could do to help. As we left I turned to Hermana Crandell..."SHE'S GOING TO DIE!" Hermana Crandell, "WHAT?!?!" How'd you get that? Me: Who else could the wake be for? HC: Whats a wake? me: A place where people...its like a viewing. HC: WHAT??? We were both stumped. I questioned, "How could someone plan a wake when the person is still alive? We were both so confussed. I didn't understand how Hermana Crandell just stood there when her son told us about his MOTHERS wake and then we left. We didn't know what to do. I though, do we have his number, maybe we can go back and get his number and ask some more non-direct questions. Basiclly this is all we know after talking with him again: Someone died, the wake is not for Laura, she will be reliesed sometime but we don't know when, she going to live with her son but we don't know where he lives, and she is still yellow. :)
I thought you might like a funny story from last week. Along with the stories like this are spiritual ones but this gives a picture of what a life like a missionary is like.
The other day we were out going to look up a referal that the Elders gave us. As we were walking we were also talking to people we saw on the street. I have been working to be much better when talking with people. Instead of here is a free video to, You are a son/daughter of God, Jesus Lives and loves you. THe first two things that ....
OK-I'll continue soon my time is up.
I love all of you SOOOOOOOOO much. I pray for you EVERY day.
Much Love,
Hermana Banaszewski
I've printed out the e-mails I've received but haven't read them yet. There is a long wait for the computers today so while I wait for my last 1/2 hour I'll read them and then hopefully respond back :) So I'm writing this with out having read them first.
This past week has been pretty good. It was a toughy but we worked hard. It seemed that almost everyone we were meeting with weather it be less-actives or investigators were all in the hospital. lol. So we spent a lot of time visiting people there. We had a couple funny experiences too. There is one woman named Laura that we visit. She is a less-active, about 70+ years old and is sweet. She doesn't talk much but she loves it when we sing to her. (Thats been one miracle on my mission, people actually feel the spirit when I sing :) ) Anyway, she is very sweet. The other day we were walking to her apartment to visit her and she was walking in at the same time. I said hello energeticly and then...ooo...I was exptreemly confussed. She was yello. I thought, was she painting something? Was she using dye? She was YELLO. SHe spoke to us in Spanish and all I got was that she didn't feel well and she walked inside. I just thought, ok, maybe we wont visit her today. Hermana Crandell turned to me and said, she's on her way to the hospital. WHAT?! Hermana Crandell, Did...did she look yello to you? We turned to each other with confussed faces, "What just happened?" We were both so confussed. She was up and walking around just fine. A few days later we went to visit her again. She wasn't home but her son was. He isn't all there sometimes. We asked him if his mom was home and all he knew what that she was in the hospital but didn't know which one. So the hunt began. We had another less-active the the hospital as well so we went to visit her, her name is Flor. Flor was there but we couldn't find Laura. We found out by making a couple phone calls that Laura was in a differnt hospital. We went to go find her. We went to the other hospital and found what room she was in. As we were looking for the room some nurses were wheeling a bed down the hall. All I could see of the person was the top of there hair. I knew it was Laura. The bed passed and we followed. Her son was there with her. He said she had some tumor thing in her stomach and the doctors thought it might be cancer. She didn't look yellow anymore witch was good. A couple days after we went back to visit again. She doesn't have many people that would visit her so we thought we'd sing a song and give a little comfort. Her two sons where there when we came. She looked a lot better but was yellow again. We sang and I told her to have hope, it will all work out. After we sang we spoke with her son in the hall. He said thank you so much for coming, (her son is not a member) she always talks about the two of you come by and visit with her. It felt good that it seemed we were making a difference in someones life and they felt the love of our Father in Heaven through us. He then said, (this was on Wed.) that they wake would be on Friday between 6-8 and that he'd call us with more information later. Well...we left offering our services for whatever we could do to help. As we left I turned to Hermana Crandell..."SHE'S GOING TO DIE!" Hermana Crandell, "WHAT?!?!" How'd you get that? Me: Who else could the wake be for? HC: Whats a wake? me: A place where people...its like a viewing. HC: WHAT??? We were both stumped. I questioned, "How could someone plan a wake when the person is still alive? We were both so confussed. I didn't understand how Hermana Crandell just stood there when her son told us about his MOTHERS wake and then we left. We didn't know what to do. I though, do we have his number, maybe we can go back and get his number and ask some more non-direct questions. Basiclly this is all we know after talking with him again: Someone died, the wake is not for Laura, she will be reliesed sometime but we don't know when, she going to live with her son but we don't know where he lives, and she is still yellow. :)
I thought you might like a funny story from last week. Along with the stories like this are spiritual ones but this gives a picture of what a life like a missionary is like.
The other day we were out going to look up a referal that the Elders gave us. As we were walking we were also talking to people we saw on the street. I have been working to be much better when talking with people. Instead of here is a free video to, You are a son/daughter of God, Jesus Lives and loves you. THe first two things that ....
OK-I'll continue soon my time is up.
I love all of you SOOOOOOOOO much. I pray for you EVERY day.
Much Love,
Hermana Banaszewski
3-15-2010
Hello!
I've printed out the e-mails I've received but haven't read them yet. There is a long wait for the computers today so while I wait for my last 1/2 hour I'll read them and then hopefully respond back :) So I'm writing this with out having read them first.
This past week has been pretty good. It was a toughy but we worked hard. It seemed that almost everyone we were meeting with weather it be less-actives or investigators were all in the hospital. lol. So we spent a lot of time visiting people there. We had a couple funny experiences too. There is one woman named L* that we visit. She is a less-active, about 70+ years old and is sweet. She doesn't talk much but she loves it when we sing to her. (That's been one miracle on my mission, people actually feel the spirit when I sing :) ) Anyway, she is very sweet. The other day we were walking to her apartment to visit her and she was walking in at the same time. I said hello energetically and then...ooo...I was extremely confused. She was yellow. I thought, was she painting something? Was she using dye? She was YELLO. SHe spoke to us in Spanish and all I got was that she didn't feel well and she walked inside. I just thought, OK, maybe we wont visit her today. Hermana Crandell turned to me and said, she's on her way to the hospital. WHAT?! Hermana Crandell, Did...did she look yellow to you? We turned to each other with confused faces, "What just happened?" We were both so confused. She was up and walking around just fine. A few days later we went to visit her again. She wasn't home but her son was. He isn't all there sometimes. We asked him if his mom was home and all he knew what that she was in the hospital but didn't know which one. So the hunt began. We had another less-active the the hospital as well so we went to visit her, her name is F*. F* was there but we couldn't find L*. We found out by making a couple phone calls that L* was in a different hospital. We went to go find her. We went to the other hospital and found what room she was in. As we were looking for the room some nurses were wheeling a bed down the hall. All I could see of the person was the top of there hair. I knew it was L*. The bed passed and we followed. Her son was there with her. He said she had some tumor thing in her stomach and the doctors thought it might be cancer. She didn't look yellow anymore witch was good. A couple days after we went back to visit again. She doesn't have many people that would visit her so we thought we'd sing a song and give a little comfort. Her two sons where there when we came. She looked a lot better but was yellow again. We sang and I told her to have hope, it will all work out. After we sang we spoke with her son in the hall. He said thank you so much for coming, (her son is not a member) she always talks about the two of you come by and visit with her. It felt good that it seemed we were making a difference in someones life and they felt the love of our Father in Heaven through us. He then said, (this was on Wed.) that the wake would be on Friday between 6-8 and that he'd call us with more information later. Well...we left offering our services for whatever we could do to help. As we left I turned to Hermana Crandell..."SHE'S GOING TO DIE!" Hermana Crandell, "WHAT?!?!" How'd you get that? Me: Who else could the wake be for? HC: Whats a wake? me: A place where people...its like a viewing. HC: WHAT??? We were both stumped. I questioned, "How could someone plan a wake when the person is still alive? We were both so confused. I didn't understand how Hermana Crandell just stood there when her son told us about his MOTHERS wake and then we left. We didn't know what to do. I thought, do we have his number, maybe we can go back and get his number and ask some more non-direct questions. Basically this is all we know after talking with him again: Someone died, the wake is not for L*, she will be released sometime but we don't know when, she going to live with her son but we don't know where he lives, and she is still yellow. :)
I thought you might like a funny story from last week. Along with the stories like this are spiritual ones but this gives a picture of what a life like a missionary is like.
The other day we were out going to look up a referral that the Elders gave us. As we were walking we were also talking to people we saw on the street. I have been working to be much better when talking with people. Instead of here is a free video to, You are a son/daughter of God, Jesus Lives and loves you. The first two things that ....
OK-I'll continue soon my time is up.
I love all of you SOOOOOOOOO much. I pray for you EVERY day.
Much Love,
Hermana Banaszewski
I've printed out the e-mails I've received but haven't read them yet. There is a long wait for the computers today so while I wait for my last 1/2 hour I'll read them and then hopefully respond back :) So I'm writing this with out having read them first.
This past week has been pretty good. It was a toughy but we worked hard. It seemed that almost everyone we were meeting with weather it be less-actives or investigators were all in the hospital. lol. So we spent a lot of time visiting people there. We had a couple funny experiences too. There is one woman named L* that we visit. She is a less-active, about 70+ years old and is sweet. She doesn't talk much but she loves it when we sing to her. (That's been one miracle on my mission, people actually feel the spirit when I sing :) ) Anyway, she is very sweet. The other day we were walking to her apartment to visit her and she was walking in at the same time. I said hello energetically and then...ooo...I was extremely confused. She was yellow. I thought, was she painting something? Was she using dye? She was YELLO. SHe spoke to us in Spanish and all I got was that she didn't feel well and she walked inside. I just thought, OK, maybe we wont visit her today. Hermana Crandell turned to me and said, she's on her way to the hospital. WHAT?! Hermana Crandell, Did...did she look yellow to you? We turned to each other with confused faces, "What just happened?" We were both so confused. She was up and walking around just fine. A few days later we went to visit her again. She wasn't home but her son was. He isn't all there sometimes. We asked him if his mom was home and all he knew what that she was in the hospital but didn't know which one. So the hunt began. We had another less-active the the hospital as well so we went to visit her, her name is F*. F* was there but we couldn't find L*. We found out by making a couple phone calls that L* was in a different hospital. We went to go find her. We went to the other hospital and found what room she was in. As we were looking for the room some nurses were wheeling a bed down the hall. All I could see of the person was the top of there hair. I knew it was L*. The bed passed and we followed. Her son was there with her. He said she had some tumor thing in her stomach and the doctors thought it might be cancer. She didn't look yellow anymore witch was good. A couple days after we went back to visit again. She doesn't have many people that would visit her so we thought we'd sing a song and give a little comfort. Her two sons where there when we came. She looked a lot better but was yellow again. We sang and I told her to have hope, it will all work out. After we sang we spoke with her son in the hall. He said thank you so much for coming, (her son is not a member) she always talks about the two of you come by and visit with her. It felt good that it seemed we were making a difference in someones life and they felt the love of our Father in Heaven through us. He then said, (this was on Wed.) that the wake would be on Friday between 6-8 and that he'd call us with more information later. Well...we left offering our services for whatever we could do to help. As we left I turned to Hermana Crandell..."SHE'S GOING TO DIE!" Hermana Crandell, "WHAT?!?!" How'd you get that? Me: Who else could the wake be for? HC: Whats a wake? me: A place where people...its like a viewing. HC: WHAT??? We were both stumped. I questioned, "How could someone plan a wake when the person is still alive? We were both so confused. I didn't understand how Hermana Crandell just stood there when her son told us about his MOTHERS wake and then we left. We didn't know what to do. I thought, do we have his number, maybe we can go back and get his number and ask some more non-direct questions. Basically this is all we know after talking with him again: Someone died, the wake is not for L*, she will be released sometime but we don't know when, she going to live with her son but we don't know where he lives, and she is still yellow. :)
I thought you might like a funny story from last week. Along with the stories like this are spiritual ones but this gives a picture of what a life like a missionary is like.
The other day we were out going to look up a referral that the Elders gave us. As we were walking we were also talking to people we saw on the street. I have been working to be much better when talking with people. Instead of here is a free video to, You are a son/daughter of God, Jesus Lives and loves you. The first two things that ....
OK-I'll continue soon my time is up.
I love all of you SOOOOOOOOO much. I pray for you EVERY day.
Much Love,
Hermana Banaszewski
Monday, March 8, 2010
3-1-2010 #4
This is a letter written by Hermana Crandell to her parents regarding Claire's* baptism...
Querida Familia!
Wow, I do not know how to start! We had an amazing week this week with Claire* . She was actually Baptized yesterday!!!!!!. Well, anyway, we tried to go see her last Thursday night, but she said that she was going to be really busy because she was helping with the activity with the primary that was going to be friday. We were sad about this because she said over the phone that she had been reading in the Book of Mormon. We were so excited for her. (Hermana Banasweski was really bold with her about two weeks ago and told her that she needed to start reading in the Book of Mormon if she was ever going to find out the truth and know what she needed to do. We gave her a little Book of Mormon that Hermana Banaswski was inspired to give get at the mtc. We marked some scriptures about ten of them and wrote little questions on tags by the scriptures.)When we called her, she said that she had been reading the Book of Mormon last Tuesday, and Hermana Banaskweski asked how her reading was going. She said that she had read three sections and that she was making up for lost time. She also asked her how she felt about it, and she said that she would talk to us later about it. We knew that the Spirit had been working through her. At this time on the phone, we asked here if there was anything that we could do to help her for the Priamay activity that she was doing. She asked us to make cupcakes (48). We told her that it would not be a problem. She was so thankful. We went to the store Thursday night to do the cupcakes for the actividy. We finished while we were studying in the morning. We then got a text from her that said that the activity was canceled because of the snow( 8 inches) like 20 minutes after we finished the cupcakes and that we needed to call her. We called her and then asked if we could come over that night. We were so happy that she said that we could visit here Friday night. We got there, and she told us that she thought that we were going to be in all day because of the snow and so she felt bad about giving us the assignment to make the cupcakes, but she thought we were going to be inside. We told her , "no" we are usually out, but we gave some to her and her family, and then we just saved the rest to give the priamary Sunday. So we were talking to her a long while about random things Friday night at the lesson. She seemed like she had something on her mind that she would like to talk about, but she love to tell us the latest news.Then finally, we asked her how her reading was going. She went to go look for the small Book of Mormon in her bag. Her husband siad, what are you looking for. She brought out the book. He had not known that she had been reading this last week since we gave it to her. She said well, and that she had a few questions and thought some things were very interesting. She said that one verse of scripture really touched her heart. It was Alma 32:21 about faith that we had marked (we both felt like we needed to mark it in her little Book of Mormon) She said that it really made her realize that Faith is not to know everything, but to have a desire to believe. She told us that this is what President Perez told her about faith and that she did not have to know everything to be baptized. She started crying, and I knew that the Spirit had touched her heart and answered her pray. She asked if there was anything that she could do to know if she was ready for baptims because she felt like she really did not know. I read with her Mosiah 18:8-10 and told here that with her good heart and with her example that she was more prepared than anyone that I have ever known. She said to her husband, "Well I guess you will have to be ready to plan a party." He said, "Yes I will be ready when you are. Conversion takes a long time, and it all does not have to happen all at one. Baptism is like the beginning." He said that he would be ready anytime that she was to have a party. Claire* and Hermana B. and I looked at each other, and we knew that she ment that she wanted to be baptized now. Juan* just kept talking about in the future when she was ready. Just then, she looked at him, and said, " Did you hear what I just said?" He said yes, but we knew that it was a moment thta he was just not grasping that his wife said that she wanted to be baptized right away and that he needed to be ready. He then said, "I heard you, but I was so taken back." Reality did not register. I then asked her when she would like to have the party. She said, "tomorrow" She wanted to be baptized the next day. She realized that she had waited long enough. Well, then Juan* said that they could not do it on 'tomorrow because he had a stake meeting that he was going to where he would be receiving the Mel. Priestood. (He had been inactive until his wife helped him go back to church about 2 years ago after the birth of their son Gabe*.) He wanted to be the one to baptize her. It is amazing the timing of things. Sister Twitchell and I knew that she was ready. We felt it. We had so many spiritual experiences of the lessons that we needed to teach her since December. Juan* pleaded before then for the missionaries to teach her because he did not want to give up. He wanted to try one more time. He was desperate. So through divine inspiration, We knew that we had to visit her starting in December. Then SIster Twitchell and I had a strong feeling that Claire* was ready and prepared, but Juan* was not and that he needed to have the faith and prepare himself. The next time that we went over, he stopped us in the middle of a lesson and then he said, "I just had an epiphany)He said, "I need to be the one to change. If I ever expect her to. He said that he need to live the gospel more and he needed to be the example in the house and that he need to share things that he learns and his testimony with her. He said he was afraid before to talk and share with her thinking that it was off limits, but he knew then that he had to change. So, he began changing his life to be worthy to help her accept the gospel too. I have seen such a big change in him as well of the last few months. Well anyway, about two weeks ago, we were talking with him at church and he said that he was going to get an interivew to get the Mel. Priestood so that he could be worthy and ready to baptize and confirm her. He said he did not know when she would be baptized, but he wanted to be ready> He said that it could be a week or years, but he wanted to be ready for it. Well he got the priesthood on Saturaday night- one night before her baptism, and now he can confirm her next week. This familiy is amazing!!!! I love them so much. I would love to come back to see them in the Temple in a year. We have been really busy the last few days making phone calls to make sure everything went well and was planned. It happnend wonderfully. Claire* wanted her mother in law to speak at the baptism and I told her as we did the program that she would have to tell her monther-in law about the baptism. She called her and told her that she was going to be baptized and tears flowed down her face. She then gave the phone to me because she could not talk anymore. I started talking to her mother-in-law on the phone. I knew that she was crying to and I told her that it was true and asked her if she would give the talk on baptism. She said that she would. With the greatest emotion in her voice she said thank you to us as missionaries form the bottom of her heart of the work that we had been doing. At this moment. The tears flowed from me as well, and I am so thankful to be a missionary. There was no where else I would have rather been than to here that over the phone when she told her that she was going to be baptized. The Baptismal service was very special almost the whole ward came. The primary sang songs for her. Sister Nelson came (Our misson President's wife). Juan* gave his testimony and it was beautiful. He said that she was the example to him. And he is so thankful that he choose her to be his companion in life, and now he can have her forever. (The met in Junior High, and he said that he always loved her since then but it was not until college that she paid attention to him:) It was the sweetest momemnt to realize that their family can now make the steps to be a forever family. I know that there were angels in the room yesterday of many generations to come. This is the work of angels. I love it so much. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be here in Flushing, espcially with Herman B. Because I could have never done anything without her help. SHe is an amazing missionary, and I know that she had a great role in her conversion as well. She needed to be there at that time with me now. I love her to pieces. She has become a great friend.
Oh, and by the way. We have a mission blog now. It is www.nynysouthmissin.blogspot.com) You can see if it works if not just google. New York South Mission Blog. There is a cool video about pictures in the mission. that the missionaries did.
Querida Familia!
Wow, I do not know how to start! We had an amazing week this week with Claire* . She was actually Baptized yesterday!!!!!!. Well, anyway, we tried to go see her last Thursday night, but she said that she was going to be really busy because she was helping with the activity with the primary that was going to be friday. We were sad about this because she said over the phone that she had been reading in the Book of Mormon. We were so excited for her. (Hermana Banasweski was really bold with her about two weeks ago and told her that she needed to start reading in the Book of Mormon if she was ever going to find out the truth and know what she needed to do. We gave her a little Book of Mormon that Hermana Banaswski was inspired to give get at the mtc. We marked some scriptures about ten of them and wrote little questions on tags by the scriptures.)When we called her, she said that she had been reading the Book of Mormon last Tuesday, and Hermana Banaskweski asked how her reading was going. She said that she had read three sections and that she was making up for lost time. She also asked her how she felt about it, and she said that she would talk to us later about it. We knew that the Spirit had been working through her. At this time on the phone, we asked here if there was anything that we could do to help her for the Priamay activity that she was doing. She asked us to make cupcakes (48). We told her that it would not be a problem. She was so thankful. We went to the store Thursday night to do the cupcakes for the actividy. We finished while we were studying in the morning. We then got a text from her that said that the activity was canceled because of the snow( 8 inches) like 20 minutes after we finished the cupcakes and that we needed to call her. We called her and then asked if we could come over that night. We were so happy that she said that we could visit here Friday night. We got there, and she told us that she thought that we were going to be in all day because of the snow and so she felt bad about giving us the assignment to make the cupcakes, but she thought we were going to be inside. We told her , "no" we are usually out, but we gave some to her and her family, and then we just saved the rest to give the priamary Sunday. So we were talking to her a long while about random things Friday night at the lesson. She seemed like she had something on her mind that she would like to talk about, but she love to tell us the latest news.Then finally, we asked her how her reading was going. She went to go look for the small Book of Mormon in her bag. Her husband siad, what are you looking for. She brought out the book. He had not known that she had been reading this last week since we gave it to her. She said well, and that she had a few questions and thought some things were very interesting. She said that one verse of scripture really touched her heart. It was Alma 32:21 about faith that we had marked (we both felt like we needed to mark it in her little Book of Mormon) She said that it really made her realize that Faith is not to know everything, but to have a desire to believe. She told us that this is what President Perez told her about faith and that she did not have to know everything to be baptized. She started crying, and I knew that the Spirit had touched her heart and answered her pray. She asked if there was anything that she could do to know if she was ready for baptims because she felt like she really did not know. I read with her Mosiah 18:8-10 and told here that with her good heart and with her example that she was more prepared than anyone that I have ever known. She said to her husband, "Well I guess you will have to be ready to plan a party." He said, "Yes I will be ready when you are. Conversion takes a long time, and it all does not have to happen all at one. Baptism is like the beginning." He said that he would be ready anytime that she was to have a party. Claire* and Hermana B. and I looked at each other, and we knew that she ment that she wanted to be baptized now. Juan* just kept talking about in the future when she was ready. Just then, she looked at him, and said, " Did you hear what I just said?" He said yes, but we knew that it was a moment thta he was just not grasping that his wife said that she wanted to be baptized right away and that he needed to be ready. He then said, "I heard you, but I was so taken back." Reality did not register. I then asked her when she would like to have the party. She said, "tomorrow" She wanted to be baptized the next day. She realized that she had waited long enough. Well, then Juan* said that they could not do it on 'tomorrow because he had a stake meeting that he was going to where he would be receiving the Mel. Priestood. (He had been inactive until his wife helped him go back to church about 2 years ago after the birth of their son Gabe*.) He wanted to be the one to baptize her. It is amazing the timing of things. Sister Twitchell and I knew that she was ready. We felt it. We had so many spiritual experiences of the lessons that we needed to teach her since December. Juan* pleaded before then for the missionaries to teach her because he did not want to give up. He wanted to try one more time. He was desperate. So through divine inspiration, We knew that we had to visit her starting in December. Then SIster Twitchell and I had a strong feeling that Claire* was ready and prepared, but Juan* was not and that he needed to have the faith and prepare himself. The next time that we went over, he stopped us in the middle of a lesson and then he said, "I just had an epiphany)He said, "I need to be the one to change. If I ever expect her to. He said that he need to live the gospel more and he needed to be the example in the house and that he need to share things that he learns and his testimony with her. He said he was afraid before to talk and share with her thinking that it was off limits, but he knew then that he had to change. So, he began changing his life to be worthy to help her accept the gospel too. I have seen such a big change in him as well of the last few months. Well anyway, about two weeks ago, we were talking with him at church and he said that he was going to get an interivew to get the Mel. Priestood so that he could be worthy and ready to baptize and confirm her. He said he did not know when she would be baptized, but he wanted to be ready> He said that it could be a week or years, but he wanted to be ready for it. Well he got the priesthood on Saturaday night- one night before her baptism, and now he can confirm her next week. This familiy is amazing!!!! I love them so much. I would love to come back to see them in the Temple in a year. We have been really busy the last few days making phone calls to make sure everything went well and was planned. It happnend wonderfully. Claire* wanted her mother in law to speak at the baptism and I told her as we did the program that she would have to tell her monther-in law about the baptism. She called her and told her that she was going to be baptized and tears flowed down her face. She then gave the phone to me because she could not talk anymore. I started talking to her mother-in-law on the phone. I knew that she was crying to and I told her that it was true and asked her if she would give the talk on baptism. She said that she would. With the greatest emotion in her voice she said thank you to us as missionaries form the bottom of her heart of the work that we had been doing. At this moment. The tears flowed from me as well, and I am so thankful to be a missionary. There was no where else I would have rather been than to here that over the phone when she told her that she was going to be baptized. The Baptismal service was very special almost the whole ward came. The primary sang songs for her. Sister Nelson came (Our misson President's wife). Juan* gave his testimony and it was beautiful. He said that she was the example to him. And he is so thankful that he choose her to be his companion in life, and now he can have her forever. (The met in Junior High, and he said that he always loved her since then but it was not until college that she paid attention to him:) It was the sweetest momemnt to realize that their family can now make the steps to be a forever family. I know that there were angels in the room yesterday of many generations to come. This is the work of angels. I love it so much. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be here in Flushing, espcially with Herman B. Because I could have never done anything without her help. SHe is an amazing missionary, and I know that she had a great role in her conversion as well. She needed to be there at that time with me now. I love her to pieces. She has become a great friend.
Oh, and by the way. We have a mission blog now. It is www.nynysouthmissin.blogspot.com) You can see if it works if not just google. New York South Mission Blog. There is a cool video about pictures in the mission. that the missionaries did.
3-1-2010 #3
Cont...
OK-SO, it was incredible. She was made a promise that if she read every day for a week she would know, with out a doubt that this church was true and that it was time for her to act on it. She had been asked three other times to be baptised. It was time to act and she knew it. The spirit was incredible strong. The following week Hermana Crandell and I prayed and prayed and prayed that she would read. We saw her at a Relief Society activity and she said she had been reading! We were so excited. Anyway, time went by and we stopped by her house on Friday, (I think Hermana Crandells version will be more detailed) To say the least, she read Alma 32:21 and knew. The spirit was so strong. We didn't need to ask if she wanted to be baptised. She wanted it and asked us. We asked her when and she said tomorrow! Her husband said, we can't do it tomorrow because tomorrow night I'm receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood! The Lords hand and timing is in everything. So alas, Sunday Claire* was baptized. It was spiritual beyond imagine. Claire* was ready. Her testimony was strong, her husband had prepared himself and was worthy to baptise her with the proper authority. A year from now they will be able to enter the Temple and be sealed together as a family with there little son. It was exhausting to get everything together so quickly for the baptism but it was perfect. The spirit was there, angels filled the room and I could hear the choirs in heaven singing. How blessed I feel that I had such a small part in all of this. I can not believe that our Heavenly Father has blessed me to see such great miracles and watch this event take place and His hand in it all.
I know that this work is good, its better than good. There are people being prepared to hear the about the message of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Members make all the difference with the work. All is going well for me :) Better than well :) Yesterday was the last day of the transfer. How blessed we were to end the transfer on such a note. :) Hermana Crandell and I are doing great. She is an amazing companion.
Spanish is coming along. I've seen a great difference these last couple of weeks. I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers and pleads. I am so grateful for all of your prayers, I sure need them. Know that I pray for you ever day.
I love all of you so very much.
Love,
Hermana Banaszewski
* names changed to protect privacy
OK-SO, it was incredible. She was made a promise that if she read every day for a week she would know, with out a doubt that this church was true and that it was time for her to act on it. She had been asked three other times to be baptised. It was time to act and she knew it. The spirit was incredible strong. The following week Hermana Crandell and I prayed and prayed and prayed that she would read. We saw her at a Relief Society activity and she said she had been reading! We were so excited. Anyway, time went by and we stopped by her house on Friday, (I think Hermana Crandells version will be more detailed) To say the least, she read Alma 32:21 and knew. The spirit was so strong. We didn't need to ask if she wanted to be baptised. She wanted it and asked us. We asked her when and she said tomorrow! Her husband said, we can't do it tomorrow because tomorrow night I'm receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood! The Lords hand and timing is in everything. So alas, Sunday Claire* was baptized. It was spiritual beyond imagine. Claire* was ready. Her testimony was strong, her husband had prepared himself and was worthy to baptise her with the proper authority. A year from now they will be able to enter the Temple and be sealed together as a family with there little son. It was exhausting to get everything together so quickly for the baptism but it was perfect. The spirit was there, angels filled the room and I could hear the choirs in heaven singing. How blessed I feel that I had such a small part in all of this. I can not believe that our Heavenly Father has blessed me to see such great miracles and watch this event take place and His hand in it all.
I know that this work is good, its better than good. There are people being prepared to hear the about the message of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Members make all the difference with the work. All is going well for me :) Better than well :) Yesterday was the last day of the transfer. How blessed we were to end the transfer on such a note. :) Hermana Crandell and I are doing great. She is an amazing companion.
Spanish is coming along. I've seen a great difference these last couple of weeks. I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers and pleads. I am so grateful for all of your prayers, I sure need them. Know that I pray for you ever day.
I love all of you so very much.
Love,
Hermana Banaszewski
* names changed to protect privacy
3-1-2010
Hello!
I'm going to attemp to send some pictures this time. Guess what??? WE HAD A BAPTISM!!! Ahh!!! It was so good. ok. I'll tell you more about it after I try to send these pictures. I want to
I'm going to attemp to send some pictures this time. Guess what??? WE HAD A BAPTISM!!! Ahh!!! It was so good. ok. I'll tell you more about it after I try to send these pictures. I want to
3-1-10 #2
Hello My Loved Ones!
Wow, I'm going to write this letter first and then look over all the e-mails sent because I want to make sure I can tell you about some neat experiences. First off, this week has been increadable. Its been difficult but WOW...what a week it has been. On Tuesday we had one of the neatest experiences. Our cell phone was breaking so we needed to go back to the mission office on Tuesday. Usually we only go on personal day-Monday but we had gone on Monday and the phone system was down to get it switched. So after study and service on Tuesday morning we went to look up a member who is less-active. We knocked on her door. No answer. Usually we wait longer or try again but instead Hermana Crandell and I just felt like we should go. So we went to get on the bus to the subway. As we walked out of the building the bus was right there! Ahh!!! Hermana Crandell and I are always running for the bus. I said, I don't think we're going to make it this time but right then the light changed so we could cross the street and we just barely caught the bus in time. That day was really muggy and wet. We had a lot of rain so the bus was really packed full of people. When we got on we could there was only room to stand. There was a man sitting down and I saw him read my name tag a couple of times. He had a little room next to him and he invited me to sit down next to him so I did. He then saw Hermana Crandell standing up and stood up and invited her to sit. He was about 28-30ish, hispanic looking. He then stood up and kept reading his book. I knew he spoke spanish because I asked him how he was doing and he siad bien :) He was reading a book titled, "How to become more like God" I thought, "We HAVE to talk to this man but what could I say, Spanish...hmmm...spanish." I turned to Hermana Crandell, "You HAVE to talk to him, he speaks spanish and look at the the book he's reading." She didn't say anything to him. I though, "This is either a test on my part or she's trying to get me to try more, speak more spanish." I couldn't take it. The only thing I knew I could say was, "Do you believe in God?" in spanish. After that the windows of heaven openned. And guess what? He spoke ENGLISH too! Hermana Crandell and I have never met a more prepared person that is ready to hear of the message of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. We talked about the Book of Mormon and how it helps you to become more like God. He wanted to know more about it. He asked us eagerly more and more about other topic of the church which he had know idea we believed in. He asked us about topics like eating heathy, abstinance, drugs, our purpose in live, remorse after sin, repentance. Its hard to even discribe, it was increadable. We were able to get his information and the Elders are going to teach him more.
Ok-10 min left. We had a baptism! Hermana Crandell wrote a lot about it and I'm going to forward you what she said too. To say the least-AMAZING. It was unexpected and then expected all at the same time. Claire* Claire* has been investigating the church for more than two years now. Her husband was a less-active and after they had there son they decided they wanted to find a church to go to for there family. Claire* is amazing. I can't express the love I have for her. She is so involved in the church that people were so surprise she was getting baptized because the members already thought she was a member as well. She hadn't been ready in the Book of Mormon like she'd been needing to to receive an answer about being baptised. After teaching her once together Hermana Crandell and I knew that we needed to figure out a way to get her reading more. I had bought a mini-BOM at the MTC for some reason. I didn't know why but I did. We took that little book and marked about 10 sections of verses in it and wrote little questions next to them on tabs. The next time we taught her...it was amazing. Mind you-she has been taught for about 2 1/2 years off and on. I knew boldness was going to be needed. As we met with her we talked to her about the Book of Mormon we had prepared for her. I can not believe the things which came out of my mouth and later that night I though, "did I REALLY say that to her?"
OK-To be continued-I have to log off and log back on
* Names are changed to protect privacy
Wow, I'm going to write this letter first and then look over all the e-mails sent because I want to make sure I can tell you about some neat experiences. First off, this week has been increadable. Its been difficult but WOW...what a week it has been. On Tuesday we had one of the neatest experiences. Our cell phone was breaking so we needed to go back to the mission office on Tuesday. Usually we only go on personal day-Monday but we had gone on Monday and the phone system was down to get it switched. So after study and service on Tuesday morning we went to look up a member who is less-active. We knocked on her door. No answer. Usually we wait longer or try again but instead Hermana Crandell and I just felt like we should go. So we went to get on the bus to the subway. As we walked out of the building the bus was right there! Ahh!!! Hermana Crandell and I are always running for the bus. I said, I don't think we're going to make it this time but right then the light changed so we could cross the street and we just barely caught the bus in time. That day was really muggy and wet. We had a lot of rain so the bus was really packed full of people. When we got on we could there was only room to stand. There was a man sitting down and I saw him read my name tag a couple of times. He had a little room next to him and he invited me to sit down next to him so I did. He then saw Hermana Crandell standing up and stood up and invited her to sit. He was about 28-30ish, hispanic looking. He then stood up and kept reading his book. I knew he spoke spanish because I asked him how he was doing and he siad bien :) He was reading a book titled, "How to become more like God" I thought, "We HAVE to talk to this man but what could I say, Spanish...hmmm...spanish." I turned to Hermana Crandell, "You HAVE to talk to him, he speaks spanish and look at the the book he's reading." She didn't say anything to him. I though, "This is either a test on my part or she's trying to get me to try more, speak more spanish." I couldn't take it. The only thing I knew I could say was, "Do you believe in God?" in spanish. After that the windows of heaven openned. And guess what? He spoke ENGLISH too! Hermana Crandell and I have never met a more prepared person that is ready to hear of the message of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. We talked about the Book of Mormon and how it helps you to become more like God. He wanted to know more about it. He asked us eagerly more and more about other topic of the church which he had know idea we believed in. He asked us about topics like eating heathy, abstinance, drugs, our purpose in live, remorse after sin, repentance. Its hard to even discribe, it was increadable. We were able to get his information and the Elders are going to teach him more.
Ok-10 min left. We had a baptism! Hermana Crandell wrote a lot about it and I'm going to forward you what she said too. To say the least-AMAZING. It was unexpected and then expected all at the same time. Claire* Claire* has been investigating the church for more than two years now. Her husband was a less-active and after they had there son they decided they wanted to find a church to go to for there family. Claire* is amazing. I can't express the love I have for her. She is so involved in the church that people were so surprise she was getting baptized because the members already thought she was a member as well. She hadn't been ready in the Book of Mormon like she'd been needing to to receive an answer about being baptised. After teaching her once together Hermana Crandell and I knew that we needed to figure out a way to get her reading more. I had bought a mini-BOM at the MTC for some reason. I didn't know why but I did. We took that little book and marked about 10 sections of verses in it and wrote little questions next to them on tabs. The next time we taught her...it was amazing. Mind you-she has been taught for about 2 1/2 years off and on. I knew boldness was going to be needed. As we met with her we talked to her about the Book of Mormon we had prepared for her. I can not believe the things which came out of my mouth and later that night I though, "did I REALLY say that to her?"
OK-To be continued-I have to log off and log back on
* Names are changed to protect privacy
3-1-10
Hello!
I'm going to attemp to send some pictures this time. Guess what??? WE HAD A BAPTISM!!! Ahh!!! It was so good. ok. I'll tell you more about it after I try to send these pictures. I want to make sure they send and then I'll tell you more about it :)
Love,
Hermana Banaszewski
I'm going to attemp to send some pictures this time. Guess what??? WE HAD A BAPTISM!!! Ahh!!! It was so good. ok. I'll tell you more about it after I try to send these pictures. I want to make sure they send and then I'll tell you more about it :)
Love,
Hermana Banaszewski
3-8-10 #2
Dear Family-
I was just now able to read the letter that Hermana Crandell wrote that I forwarded to you. She was so very kind. I am humbled for the blessing it has been to watch Claire* change the see the spirit working in action.
More and more I am feeling love for the members in our branch. They are increadable. Memebers truly make the difference in the work. We were on the street contacting a genlement before we went into a building. We gave him a pass-along-card and were talking about the Book of Mormon with him, how much it has made a differnce in our lifes and bearing our testimonies with him. Right then Hermana Duerte came up behind us. She reached in and said hello to the man. It made the BIGGEST difference. She brought so much energy to the conversation. She then said, "Did they give you a copy of the Book of Mormon yet?" We hadn't yet. SHe said, "write your number in it" to the man, "Read this and when you have questions call them." She then said some other things which I'm sure were great but they were all in spanish so I'm not exactly sure what it was and then the man left. It was a great testimony to me about how important members are in this work.
I want to tell you more about Jerry*. I'm not exactly sure what else I can say but it was such a neat experience with him. He has spent some time in his life doing things he know's he shouldn't do (if any of this gets put on the blog PLEASE change the name :) thank you) He use to be involved in drugs, drink a lot, and he got involved with a girl he use to like in Columbia but she was married when he started likeing her again. To say the least they moved in together even though she was still married. He had a job before in NY that he would dance in a "Party Bus". It not a good place to be. He told us that while he was living with his ex-girl friend that they were going to a Christian church. More and more he felt that what he was doing was wrong. He decided that he wanted to start living a life of abstinace-no sexual relationship until after marriage. On his own he moved out from his girl-friends home and moved back in with his family in NY. He's doing all he can to not work at the "Party Bus" and find other work. He feels such remorse for the things he has done in his life. What 20 something year old male willingly moveds out and is seeking to become more like God ON HIS OWN??? Can you see how much our Father in Heaven is preparing him for The Gospel? It is increadable. His story goes much more. He feels like such a loser for moving back home and living with his family again after having his own place in Florida with his girl-friend and a great life. I told him that there is no reason he should feel like a loser and that God was very happy with him right now. Hermana Crandell-an AWESOME missionary pulled out Alma 37. We gave him the scriptures about Alma being wracked with pain and torment. He read it silently to himself. His eyes teared up. He felt the spirit. He has such a desire to be better and be clean again. The thought came into my head, the way he can receive the cleanliness that he is looking for and seaking is to be baptised. I didn't want to through baptism at him but I knew it was a prompting of the Holy Ghost. After Hermana Crandell bore powerful testimony I said, "I can see how badly you want to be cleansed from your sins. Threw repentance you are able to feel a release because our Savior Jesus Christ died for us but we need to be baptised." We then talked briefly about baptism. I'm excited to see what is next for Jerry*. I pray that his heart will continually be softened and that he will recognize that the answers to his questions and relief of pain is threw and with this Gospel.
Spanish-Its coming but I need to have greater patience. I am realizing that I am afraid to say something wrong-stupid. In the MTC I said a lot of...not so good things in spanish and now I am holding onto doing that in front of people that matter. It is coming but I need to work harder and speak more. I think I understand about 50% of what is being said and sometimes more-well, sometimes none at all but...the gift of toungs is real. It really is. I pray that it will keep coming. By the end of this transfer-5 weeks-I NEED to be speaking spanish and able to understand most of it. I know that is something I need to be able to do.
I love this work. Being a missionary is increadable. As I seek to be obedient, diligent, and do my best blessings are poured down from heaven. This week I feel Heavenly Father was testing me to see how willing and how much dedication I have with out having everything go how I want them to.
I love all of you so very much. Your letters and e-mails mean THE WORLD TO ME! They really do. THey make the biggest difference in my day, week, and time out here as a missionary.
With all my Heart, I love you,
Hermana Banaszewski
3-8-10
Dear Family,
How is everyone doing? I hope all is well. This week has been one of great struggles but many great things have happened as well. To say the least its been an interesting week. I think one of the biggest lessons I've learned being a missionary that this mission is more for me than anyone else. We do our best to not think of ourselves and go out and serve other people but more and more I see my weaknesses, my faults, my pit-falls. I want to have confidence in myself as a missionary but I find that I don't have confidence in myself but rather in the Lord. This is a very humbling work to say the least.
This week Claire* was confirmed a member of the Church. It touched and softened my heart so much to see the changes that are occurring in her life and her families life. We were also able to find Jerry* again! We gave his name to the Elders because in our area (only) we are not suppose to teach single men. They haven't been able to contact him. We all decided we were going to go full force with Jerry* and all of us look him up when we can. Well, yesterday we knocked on his door and he was home. Jerry* is an AMAZING man in his 20's I think, maybe early 30's. The best and only way to describe Jerry* is that he is Alma the younger. Almost exactly to the T and is in the stage of his life of feeling remorse for his sins and wanting SO badly to feel a remission of his sins and be clean again. It was an incredible time meeting with him yesterday. He is planning to come to church this Sunday and I am praying that he will make it. I have never met someone more prepared for the Gospel and needing it so much right now.
I have to sign off but I'll get back on. Life as a missionary is amazing but it is difficult. Anything worth it takes work, effort, change, and energy. This work is DEFINITELY worth it. I can not believe that Heavenly Father knew how badly I needed to serve a mission and has allowed me to see so great miracles each and every day.
* Names are changed to protect their privacy.
Ps-PLEASE SEND ME PICTURES-You can send them on the e-mail but printed ones would be awesome as well. I just miss all of your faces.
How is everyone doing? I hope all is well. This week has been one of great struggles but many great things have happened as well. To say the least its been an interesting week. I think one of the biggest lessons I've learned being a missionary that this mission is more for me than anyone else. We do our best to not think of ourselves and go out and serve other people but more and more I see my weaknesses, my faults, my pit-falls. I want to have confidence in myself as a missionary but I find that I don't have confidence in myself but rather in the Lord. This is a very humbling work to say the least.
This week Claire* was confirmed a member of the Church. It touched and softened my heart so much to see the changes that are occurring in her life and her families life. We were also able to find Jerry* again! We gave his name to the Elders because in our area (only) we are not suppose to teach single men. They haven't been able to contact him. We all decided we were going to go full force with Jerry* and all of us look him up when we can. Well, yesterday we knocked on his door and he was home. Jerry* is an AMAZING man in his 20's I think, maybe early 30's. The best and only way to describe Jerry* is that he is Alma the younger. Almost exactly to the T and is in the stage of his life of feeling remorse for his sins and wanting SO badly to feel a remission of his sins and be clean again. It was an incredible time meeting with him yesterday. He is planning to come to church this Sunday and I am praying that he will make it. I have never met someone more prepared for the Gospel and needing it so much right now.
I have to sign off but I'll get back on. Life as a missionary is amazing but it is difficult. Anything worth it takes work, effort, change, and energy. This work is DEFINITELY worth it. I can not believe that Heavenly Father knew how badly I needed to serve a mission and has allowed me to see so great miracles each and every day.
* Names are changed to protect their privacy.
Ps-PLEASE SEND ME PICTURES-You can send them on the e-mail but printed ones would be awesome as well. I just miss all of your faces.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
