Pictures!
Monday, June 28, 2010
6-28-10 #1
Hello Family!
How is everyone??? How are things going? OK, so much to say but never enough time. I have more time today but so much happened this week, Jewish wedding, taught N* and C*, Hermana Cuevas, Miracles, Service, workshop I taught, day of miracles, ward party, MY FIRST TALK IN SPANISH! President Nelson, BYU-I Pathways Program, Street sweep in Park Slope, Confidence, and the list goes on and on. Hernama Carney wrote about the Jewish wedding so I am going to send her version so that is something I can skip. It was amazing. We had so much fun and learned SO much! I love the Jewish people. They are amazing and we really do have a lot in common with them. Her e-mail is bellow.
So, where do I begin. Everything is going really well. Its been a week with ups and downs but its been amazing. This morning I woke up with a great amount of Joy in my heart. I know this came as a gift from Heavenly Father. I love being here, I love this work so much. Its hard but it is so rewarding. We have been seeing many miracles this past week. It continues to amaze me how much Heavenly Father loves us and all the miracles we see as missionaries. Saturday was an extremely hot day. We had a street Sweep in Park Slope to help the Elders there. It was very interesting and I felt like it was a lot more productive than the one before. There are a lot of people that really don't know what our Church is about and are stuck on the rumors or views the world has. One woman walked by and I told her there was free lemonade if she would like some. She just shook her head as if I was a daughter who just disappointed her. It was amazing to stand on the street and be judged buy the world and harshly but I still felt joy regardless. I understand how difficult peer pressure or fears of the world can be at times, I felt it in a great amount but regardless we can feel TRUE joy and peace from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is long lasting and with out fear. This woman I invited walked back again back from where she had come from. On her way back I said very nicely, "Have a great day!" yet again she shook her head but this time said, "Are you Mormon?" With a disgusted tone. With out thinking I said as clearly as I could, "Yes we are." This was impressive with me because a lot of times my English is a little rough with learning Spanish and things come out wrong all of the time. I was hoping to be able to talk with her more but instead she shook her head again with a disgusted look. I was sad that she felt that way and that she must have heard something bad. She was about 40 feet away and then turned around. At first I just though she had forgotten something but then came to talk to us. She asked if we were the Mormons from Texas with a whole bunch of girls and many wives. Very animatedly said, "Nooooooo, that is not us." She quickly replied, "Well you dress like them." I explained that we are Sister Missionaries and serve for 18 mo and we wear skirts to respect our calling and the sacred work we do and that when we are not missionaries we look just like her. She was surprised and asked another question. I explained how many people think we are the same but we are very different. Then I attempted to give her a pass-along-card with the website on it but she wouldn't take it. It was all very interesting to me but I loved it very much.
Before our street sweep we had a surprise call from a member. She asked what we were doing at 2:30. The street sweep was suppose to end then but we told her we were open any way and thought we could just leave early. She told us she had someone she wanted us to teach and she had already set up an appointment with her friend for us to teach her with her! That has never happened to me before. It was a great lesson but I was sure humbled. I am learning more and more that when we need to speak we will be able to. I need to have more confidence in the Lord and the Spirit. I have been careful with having confidence in myself for I have been greatly humbled as a missionary but now I need to have grater confidence that the Lord will be my support exactly when I need it. I really do need to trust more. I believe and know that I will be supported and guided but I need to trust in a much greater amount.
After this amazing surprise member present lesson we met with two less-actives that showed up at church last Sunday. We had a great time getting to know them better and I fell in love with the little girl that lives there. They are from Mexico and moved here 8 mo ago and haven't been to church since they got here. It is a mother and a daughter. The daughter is in her 20's and they are living with her sister. The sister isn't a member. They asked if we would teach her more about the church so we did! It was great. Right after that we had a great ward party to celebrate Fathers day. It was so much fun and I felt that I was able to get to know the member a lot better. Its been difficult getting to know them this transfer so that was really good. They are a lot of fun as well.
And can you believe it, that was only Saturday :)
On Sunday I gave my first talk in Spanish. Sunday morning was a little difficult. I just wanted to do the best I could and knew to give this talk I had to have the spirit. We had strict instructions from our mission leader as well. My talk was exactly 7 min according to instruction and on missionary work. I was humbled by how much help and guidance I received from the spirit. I shared Luke 15:4-6 and read from President Ucdorfs talk about being the Hands of Christ. Yet again this was another lesson to me that I need to have greater trust that when I need to speak I will be able to and that I need to have greater trust in the Lord.
Overall things are going really well here. It is EXTREMELY hot but the work continues forward. Sister Carney is doing great as well. She is up to par and plugging along as well. I've been so impressed with seeing her partake of the Atonement so much. What a blessing to me. I feel as though I have been watching the atonement from a picture window.
I need not be nervous about next transfer and who will be my new companion. I know all will be well. I can't believe how much I am learning and growing. I saw President Nelson yesterday at a baptism. After he came up to me and we had a very tender experience. He shook my hand and said, "Let me quote your weekly presidents letters to you, it was another great day to be a missionary." We both started tearing up and he told me with a soft voice that he was so grateful I was serving here. It touched my heart and I felt his love and the love the Lord has for me. How grateful I am to be here. I would be no other place.
I love all of you very much. I pray for you often and can feel your prayers. Thank you so much for your love, support, concern, and help.
With Great Love,
Hermana Banaszewski
Sister Carneys E-mail home about the Jewish Wedding~
And Thursday night! Amazing! We came home dressed as Jewish as possible. And we still stood out like sore thumbs. We both had long black skirts and shirts with longer sleeves and we even wore vests to look even more professional. And even though it was hot we wore our hair down. Well, let me tell you that at a wedding they dress VERY FANCY! The suits were all materials like satin and silk. The women wore sequins and lots of jewelry and just way fancy dresses. Oh my goodness. If we had worn suit jackets we would've been better off but we still would've stood out.
We arrived at about 6:30 and hovered at the door. Harye's granddaughters saw us and recognized me. They must've told Harye they saw us cuz a few minutes later he came out and brought us in. "Don't be shy! And don't get scared by their dress! The big hats mean nothing. And the women are just very fancy. Don't worry about it! Come! Eat as much as you want!" So we got some food and sat and watched as people came slowly in. Then a woman named Z* came. H* had called her last week when we were with him. He told her that 2 girls from far away were coming and that they'd never seen a traditional wedding before so he asked her to guide us around and explain things. She was quite a blessing.
For most of the evening the men and women were separate. We even had a separate entrance. At the beginning we just ate and then Z* had us come with her to congratulate the bride. And that was an experience itself! We had to push and shove to get to the front! And I'm not kidding. We shook her hand and Z* took a picture. The men were on the other side of a wall. The fathers and the Rabbis were writing the marriage contract. They write it on a plate and it can't get broken before the ceremony. The... Chah... I think. Anyway, I guess in Europe they used to write it months in advance and then it was binding. And it was all to protect the women because they wanted to treat them like royalty and take care of them. But I think part of the reason they do it the same evening here is to give less chance for the plate to break. Convenience.
Then right before the ceremony the fathers and the groom and the rabbis come in (in a procession) and they put a veil on the bride. And when I say veil, I mean a VEIL! Like, think of the material the dress is made of and then put that on your head. She then had to have a woman on each side of her to guide her cuz she couldn't see anything. She left the room and then everyone else left after to go into the room for the ceremony. In that room we were still separated. Women sat on one side and men sat on the other. In the back of the room there was a group of men singing. It was kind of like having a live band including a DJ... but totally different, haha! I can't describe it better than that. In the front of the room was the canopy and the fathers and the groom and the rabbi and the witnesses.
We all stood when the bride came in. She was escorted by her brother and sister-in-law. She's usually brought in by her parents but her mother passed away and it needs to be a married couple. Her sister-in-law was one of the woman who stayed by her side to guide her everywhere. First the bride walks around the groom 7 times. Then different rabbis come up and say different blessings. I think there were 7 blessings as well. And the bride drinks out of a glass. And then the groom smashed the glass. That is to remember when the Jerusalem temple was broken. The instant he smashed it the bride whipped off her veil! They walked out the door and everyone was lining up trying to say Mazeltov and take pictures.
Speaking of taking pictures, we did manage to take some really good videos and pictures but it was way awkward or we would've taken more. Others were taking pictures but not very much at all. And they seemed to be looking at us and wondering what we were doing.
After the ceremony we went to the bathroom. Yes, this part is also interesting. There was a silver basin with handles in each sink. We watched the other girls washing their hands and they would fill the pot and set it aside and I saw some using the pot to pour water on their hands. We were confused so we tried to be sneaky and just wash our hands the way we know how.... haha!
Okay, then came dinner. More fish! I ate so much fish that night you wouldn't believe it! And that's the first time I had raw fish, too! (Which actually tasted pretty good.) During the meal Z* showed us lots of pictures from Israel. (She went a few weeks ago.) And then the fun part! The bride came in and we all started dancing! (We were separated by a wall again, the men in another room.) When she first came in Z* and Sis B (Rachel) and I were at the front... but let me tell you. They may look all sweet and harmless but don't believe it! Jewish women are feisty and pushy! They were pushing and shoving like nothing and suddenly we found ourselves at the back of the crowd! Well, I got a chair and stood on it cuz I wasn't about to miss my only experience at a Jewish wedding! And a few people copied the idea too. Anyway, we eventually got to join in the dance ourselves. Very simple. We just all join hands and dance around in a circle around the bride. She danced with her nieces and she danced with her friends. She just danced with different people all night. We also went and peeked in at the men and they had a circle dance of their own but with one major difference. While we were in the middle of a small battle and tons of chaos, the men were all organized and perfectly cordial.
We didn't get to stay for the "special dance" and I have no idea what would have happened there. But it was already late and we had to go home. But it was such an amazing experience!
How is everyone??? How are things going? OK, so much to say but never enough time. I have more time today but so much happened this week, Jewish wedding, taught N* and C*, Hermana Cuevas, Miracles, Service, workshop I taught, day of miracles, ward party, MY FIRST TALK IN SPANISH! President Nelson, BYU-I Pathways Program, Street sweep in Park Slope, Confidence, and the list goes on and on. Hernama Carney wrote about the Jewish wedding so I am going to send her version so that is something I can skip. It was amazing. We had so much fun and learned SO much! I love the Jewish people. They are amazing and we really do have a lot in common with them. Her e-mail is bellow.
So, where do I begin. Everything is going really well. Its been a week with ups and downs but its been amazing. This morning I woke up with a great amount of Joy in my heart. I know this came as a gift from Heavenly Father. I love being here, I love this work so much. Its hard but it is so rewarding. We have been seeing many miracles this past week. It continues to amaze me how much Heavenly Father loves us and all the miracles we see as missionaries. Saturday was an extremely hot day. We had a street Sweep in Park Slope to help the Elders there. It was very interesting and I felt like it was a lot more productive than the one before. There are a lot of people that really don't know what our Church is about and are stuck on the rumors or views the world has. One woman walked by and I told her there was free lemonade if she would like some. She just shook her head as if I was a daughter who just disappointed her. It was amazing to stand on the street and be judged buy the world and harshly but I still felt joy regardless. I understand how difficult peer pressure or fears of the world can be at times, I felt it in a great amount but regardless we can feel TRUE joy and peace from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is long lasting and with out fear. This woman I invited walked back again back from where she had come from. On her way back I said very nicely, "Have a great day!" yet again she shook her head but this time said, "Are you Mormon?" With a disgusted tone. With out thinking I said as clearly as I could, "Yes we are." This was impressive with me because a lot of times my English is a little rough with learning Spanish and things come out wrong all of the time. I was hoping to be able to talk with her more but instead she shook her head again with a disgusted look. I was sad that she felt that way and that she must have heard something bad. She was about 40 feet away and then turned around. At first I just though she had forgotten something but then came to talk to us. She asked if we were the Mormons from Texas with a whole bunch of girls and many wives. Very animatedly said, "Nooooooo, that is not us." She quickly replied, "Well you dress like them." I explained that we are Sister Missionaries and serve for 18 mo and we wear skirts to respect our calling and the sacred work we do and that when we are not missionaries we look just like her. She was surprised and asked another question. I explained how many people think we are the same but we are very different. Then I attempted to give her a pass-along-card with the website on it but she wouldn't take it. It was all very interesting to me but I loved it very much.
Before our street sweep we had a surprise call from a member. She asked what we were doing at 2:30. The street sweep was suppose to end then but we told her we were open any way and thought we could just leave early. She told us she had someone she wanted us to teach and she had already set up an appointment with her friend for us to teach her with her! That has never happened to me before. It was a great lesson but I was sure humbled. I am learning more and more that when we need to speak we will be able to. I need to have more confidence in the Lord and the Spirit. I have been careful with having confidence in myself for I have been greatly humbled as a missionary but now I need to have grater confidence that the Lord will be my support exactly when I need it. I really do need to trust more. I believe and know that I will be supported and guided but I need to trust in a much greater amount.
After this amazing surprise member present lesson we met with two less-actives that showed up at church last Sunday. We had a great time getting to know them better and I fell in love with the little girl that lives there. They are from Mexico and moved here 8 mo ago and haven't been to church since they got here. It is a mother and a daughter. The daughter is in her 20's and they are living with her sister. The sister isn't a member. They asked if we would teach her more about the church so we did! It was great. Right after that we had a great ward party to celebrate Fathers day. It was so much fun and I felt that I was able to get to know the member a lot better. Its been difficult getting to know them this transfer so that was really good. They are a lot of fun as well.
And can you believe it, that was only Saturday :)
On Sunday I gave my first talk in Spanish. Sunday morning was a little difficult. I just wanted to do the best I could and knew to give this talk I had to have the spirit. We had strict instructions from our mission leader as well. My talk was exactly 7 min according to instruction and on missionary work. I was humbled by how much help and guidance I received from the spirit. I shared Luke 15:4-6 and read from President Ucdorfs talk about being the Hands of Christ. Yet again this was another lesson to me that I need to have greater trust that when I need to speak I will be able to and that I need to have greater trust in the Lord.
Overall things are going really well here. It is EXTREMELY hot but the work continues forward. Sister Carney is doing great as well. She is up to par and plugging along as well. I've been so impressed with seeing her partake of the Atonement so much. What a blessing to me. I feel as though I have been watching the atonement from a picture window.
I need not be nervous about next transfer and who will be my new companion. I know all will be well. I can't believe how much I am learning and growing. I saw President Nelson yesterday at a baptism. After he came up to me and we had a very tender experience. He shook my hand and said, "Let me quote your weekly presidents letters to you, it was another great day to be a missionary." We both started tearing up and he told me with a soft voice that he was so grateful I was serving here. It touched my heart and I felt his love and the love the Lord has for me. How grateful I am to be here. I would be no other place.
I love all of you very much. I pray for you often and can feel your prayers. Thank you so much for your love, support, concern, and help.
With Great Love,
Hermana Banaszewski
Sister Carneys E-mail home about the Jewish Wedding~
And Thursday night! Amazing! We came home dressed as Jewish as possible. And we still stood out like sore thumbs. We both had long black skirts and shirts with longer sleeves and we even wore vests to look even more professional. And even though it was hot we wore our hair down. Well, let me tell you that at a wedding they dress VERY FANCY! The suits were all materials like satin and silk. The women wore sequins and lots of jewelry and just way fancy dresses. Oh my goodness. If we had worn suit jackets we would've been better off but we still would've stood out.
We arrived at about 6:30 and hovered at the door. Harye's granddaughters saw us and recognized me. They must've told Harye they saw us cuz a few minutes later he came out and brought us in. "Don't be shy! And don't get scared by their dress! The big hats mean nothing. And the women are just very fancy. Don't worry about it! Come! Eat as much as you want!" So we got some food and sat and watched as people came slowly in. Then a woman named Z* came. H* had called her last week when we were with him. He told her that 2 girls from far away were coming and that they'd never seen a traditional wedding before so he asked her to guide us around and explain things. She was quite a blessing.
For most of the evening the men and women were separate. We even had a separate entrance. At the beginning we just ate and then Z* had us come with her to congratulate the bride. And that was an experience itself! We had to push and shove to get to the front! And I'm not kidding. We shook her hand and Z* took a picture. The men were on the other side of a wall. The fathers and the Rabbis were writing the marriage contract. They write it on a plate and it can't get broken before the ceremony. The... Chah... I think. Anyway, I guess in Europe they used to write it months in advance and then it was binding. And it was all to protect the women because they wanted to treat them like royalty and take care of them. But I think part of the reason they do it the same evening here is to give less chance for the plate to break. Convenience.
Then right before the ceremony the fathers and the groom and the rabbis come in (in a procession) and they put a veil on the bride. And when I say veil, I mean a VEIL! Like, think of the material the dress is made of and then put that on your head. She then had to have a woman on each side of her to guide her cuz she couldn't see anything. She left the room and then everyone else left after to go into the room for the ceremony. In that room we were still separated. Women sat on one side and men sat on the other. In the back of the room there was a group of men singing. It was kind of like having a live band including a DJ... but totally different, haha! I can't describe it better than that. In the front of the room was the canopy and the fathers and the groom and the rabbi and the witnesses.
We all stood when the bride came in. She was escorted by her brother and sister-in-law. She's usually brought in by her parents but her mother passed away and it needs to be a married couple. Her sister-in-law was one of the woman who stayed by her side to guide her everywhere. First the bride walks around the groom 7 times. Then different rabbis come up and say different blessings. I think there were 7 blessings as well. And the bride drinks out of a glass. And then the groom smashed the glass. That is to remember when the Jerusalem temple was broken. The instant he smashed it the bride whipped off her veil! They walked out the door and everyone was lining up trying to say Mazeltov and take pictures.
Speaking of taking pictures, we did manage to take some really good videos and pictures but it was way awkward or we would've taken more. Others were taking pictures but not very much at all. And they seemed to be looking at us and wondering what we were doing.
After the ceremony we went to the bathroom. Yes, this part is also interesting. There was a silver basin with handles in each sink. We watched the other girls washing their hands and they would fill the pot and set it aside and I saw some using the pot to pour water on their hands. We were confused so we tried to be sneaky and just wash our hands the way we know how.... haha!
Okay, then came dinner. More fish! I ate so much fish that night you wouldn't believe it! And that's the first time I had raw fish, too! (Which actually tasted pretty good.) During the meal Z* showed us lots of pictures from Israel. (She went a few weeks ago.) And then the fun part! The bride came in and we all started dancing! (We were separated by a wall again, the men in another room.) When she first came in Z* and Sis B (Rachel) and I were at the front... but let me tell you. They may look all sweet and harmless but don't believe it! Jewish women are feisty and pushy! They were pushing and shoving like nothing and suddenly we found ourselves at the back of the crowd! Well, I got a chair and stood on it cuz I wasn't about to miss my only experience at a Jewish wedding! And a few people copied the idea too. Anyway, we eventually got to join in the dance ourselves. Very simple. We just all join hands and dance around in a circle around the bride. She danced with her nieces and she danced with her friends. She just danced with different people all night. We also went and peeked in at the men and they had a circle dance of their own but with one major difference. While we were in the middle of a small battle and tons of chaos, the men were all organized and perfectly cordial.
We didn't get to stay for the "special dance" and I have no idea what would have happened there. But it was already late and we had to go home. But it was such an amazing experience!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
OK so I'm losing it!
Here are the two pictures that didn't make it on the 14th. Im sorry for all of the duplicates. I'm trying to do to many things at one time and failing miserably.
Have a great week and I'll try to be better from now on.
J
I forgot a post and no one noticed 6-14-10
I felt like a dork holding these signs up but...I learned a lot and we were able to contact a lot of people. We had a lemon aid stand with "free Jesus DVD's" ....the Elders idea lol
I was at a different building the Park Slope building for a Street Sweep to help some other missionaries out and as I was walking by I saw a flyer for BYU-Idaho and my friend Joseph Picon was on it. I felt as though I had seen an old friend. Well, I did but...so I had to take a picture of it.
Here are some pictures. I'm not sure if they are going to work sending them. We went to Coney Island Beach and Manhatten Beach for a Zone Activity last week. It was fun. Don't worry, I didn't go in the water :)
Monday, June 21, 2010
My face hearing that it is going to be in the high 80's this ENTIRE week and then 90 next monday
A picture of a cockroach I killed. I've been going on a killing rampage in our apartment and...in the last week I've killed about...2..no 300. Its been fun. Its has been kind of addicting but its actually working. There are a lot less in our apartment now and the bate is killing them too. I have high hopes to one day not see any :)
A picture of my survivor food. Unforchunatly my box is not that full any more but...a las...life will go on. Gronola Bars are amazing as a missionary.
Cold Stone; Sister Carney had an apointment and it was super stressful for her so we "had" to go to coldstone after. It made her happy so I was ok with it.
A sign we found thinking we should just stand under it as missionaries. It fits exactly with what we are seeking to do.
6-21-10 #1
Hello from Brookly New York!
It was another great week to be a missionary! It feels like a lot happened this week but at the same time like nothing happened at all. Everyday I am amazed at all the miracles I am blessed to see. My faith is not built upon these miracles but rather it is humbling for me that Heavenly Father blesses me to see them and be a part of them.
There is so much I want to write about this week. I'll tell you about some of the neat things we are doing or have done that stood out to me this week.
First, this week Hermana Carney and I get to go to a Jewish wedding! How neat is that? We are really excited. If you are ever able to check the mission blog I heard there was a short story about Hermana Carney, Mullen, and Killpack met a Jewish man. His name is H* and I was able to meet him last week. A few months ago before I got to this area H* saw the sister missionaries on the street and asked if they were mormon. He is a teacher and so he know's some things about the mormons. He wanted to teach us more about Jewish people as well. His only point with visiting him is that he doesn't want us to try and convert him. We don't try and convert anyway, its the spirit. :) We were able to meet with him on Friday and he explained some parts of the wedding to us. It will be on Thrusday. I'm excited. We have permision from our Mission President to go as well.
We had an amazing lesson with one of our investigators, N*. I've written about her before. This was actually the first time I have met with her in her home. We decided we were going to commit her to being baptized and have a specific date for her. The lesson went really well and then we asked her if she would follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized. She said she wants to be baptized, thats not an issue its just that she doesn't feel that she should do it now. I can see how much the advisarty is working on her. I felt the spirit so strongly that I needed to be bold. So...I was. I couldn't believe some of the things that were coming out of my mouth. Wow, the Spirit is real! She has been feeling that she wants to wait for to see if she is going to get back with her boyfriend before she gets baptized. She wants him to baptize her if they get back together but honestly he has A LOT of changing to do in his life before he baptizes anyone. She is also worried about messing up after she is baptized. I'm not exactly sure what was said but the spirit was strong. We talked about not allowing our personal salvation to hang in the hands of anyone else and testified about the truthfulness of the Atonement. She needs prayers. We will be following up with her soon. We are doing what we can to have daily contact with her and help her feel to continue to feel the spirit.
A couple of weeks ago we were invited by a member in the English ward who used to be in the Spanish ward to teach there son before he is baptized in July. They are a very strong family but they wanted there son to experience what it was like to be taught by the missionaries before he was baptized. There name is the C* family. Come to find out she is the Stake Young Womans President. Their family is increadable strong. It was such a testimony to me while in their home of feeling and having the spirit in the home. I could feel it so strongly the entire time there. We were able to go back again to their home this week with the English Sisters when they taught. We ended up being there for a while as she helped us go through our ward list as she use to be the Relief Society President in our ward as well. Sister C* has become one of the greatest friends I have made her in New York. I've only been over to her home twice but have been able to interact with her at church as well. I talked with her a little big about Summer Jam in Chicago and I can feel deep in my heart that after my mission she will be a huge help in getting things started her in NY. She is a friend that I know will still be my friend after my mission.
C*, another investigator is doing so well. She has a testimony of Jesus Christ and told us the other day that she is grateful for us teaching her the right way and how to come closer to Christ. I was blown away. She is amazing. We are going to invite her to be baptized this week. She needs lots of prayers as well. We just found out that her husband doesn't know we've been teaching her.
My Spanish: I am going to do my best to put my trust in the Lord regarding my spanish this week. This Sunday I will be giving my first talk in Spanih. Eek. Actually I am not worried...yet. I know that if I prepare carefully and with the gift of the Holy Ghost that all will be well. I can feel the strength of the Lord regarding my spanish. I need to put greater trust and faith into the Lord. There are many times I do not think I'll understand people talking or be able to speak. Even thought my spanish is VERY rough it is getting a little better.
I love all of you so much. I am brought to tears thinking about how much our Father in Heaven loves us. It is increadable. He know's exaclty what we need, where we need to improve, what are capabilities are individually, and our weaknesses. Regardless He loves us. I know that we must have greater faith and put our trust in the Lord. The Atonement is real and I see it working in others lives and mine every day if we allow it.
With Great Love,
Hermana Banaszewski
It was another great week to be a missionary! It feels like a lot happened this week but at the same time like nothing happened at all. Everyday I am amazed at all the miracles I am blessed to see. My faith is not built upon these miracles but rather it is humbling for me that Heavenly Father blesses me to see them and be a part of them.
There is so much I want to write about this week. I'll tell you about some of the neat things we are doing or have done that stood out to me this week.
First, this week Hermana Carney and I get to go to a Jewish wedding! How neat is that? We are really excited. If you are ever able to check the mission blog I heard there was a short story about Hermana Carney, Mullen, and Killpack met a Jewish man. His name is H* and I was able to meet him last week. A few months ago before I got to this area H* saw the sister missionaries on the street and asked if they were mormon. He is a teacher and so he know's some things about the mormons. He wanted to teach us more about Jewish people as well. His only point with visiting him is that he doesn't want us to try and convert him. We don't try and convert anyway, its the spirit. :) We were able to meet with him on Friday and he explained some parts of the wedding to us. It will be on Thrusday. I'm excited. We have permision from our Mission President to go as well.
We had an amazing lesson with one of our investigators, N*. I've written about her before. This was actually the first time I have met with her in her home. We decided we were going to commit her to being baptized and have a specific date for her. The lesson went really well and then we asked her if she would follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized. She said she wants to be baptized, thats not an issue its just that she doesn't feel that she should do it now. I can see how much the advisarty is working on her. I felt the spirit so strongly that I needed to be bold. So...I was. I couldn't believe some of the things that were coming out of my mouth. Wow, the Spirit is real! She has been feeling that she wants to wait for to see if she is going to get back with her boyfriend before she gets baptized. She wants him to baptize her if they get back together but honestly he has A LOT of changing to do in his life before he baptizes anyone. She is also worried about messing up after she is baptized. I'm not exactly sure what was said but the spirit was strong. We talked about not allowing our personal salvation to hang in the hands of anyone else and testified about the truthfulness of the Atonement. She needs prayers. We will be following up with her soon. We are doing what we can to have daily contact with her and help her feel to continue to feel the spirit.
A couple of weeks ago we were invited by a member in the English ward who used to be in the Spanish ward to teach there son before he is baptized in July. They are a very strong family but they wanted there son to experience what it was like to be taught by the missionaries before he was baptized. There name is the C* family. Come to find out she is the Stake Young Womans President. Their family is increadable strong. It was such a testimony to me while in their home of feeling and having the spirit in the home. I could feel it so strongly the entire time there. We were able to go back again to their home this week with the English Sisters when they taught. We ended up being there for a while as she helped us go through our ward list as she use to be the Relief Society President in our ward as well. Sister C* has become one of the greatest friends I have made her in New York. I've only been over to her home twice but have been able to interact with her at church as well. I talked with her a little big about Summer Jam in Chicago and I can feel deep in my heart that after my mission she will be a huge help in getting things started her in NY. She is a friend that I know will still be my friend after my mission.
C*, another investigator is doing so well. She has a testimony of Jesus Christ and told us the other day that she is grateful for us teaching her the right way and how to come closer to Christ. I was blown away. She is amazing. We are going to invite her to be baptized this week. She needs lots of prayers as well. We just found out that her husband doesn't know we've been teaching her.
My Spanish: I am going to do my best to put my trust in the Lord regarding my spanish this week. This Sunday I will be giving my first talk in Spanih. Eek. Actually I am not worried...yet. I know that if I prepare carefully and with the gift of the Holy Ghost that all will be well. I can feel the strength of the Lord regarding my spanish. I need to put greater trust and faith into the Lord. There are many times I do not think I'll understand people talking or be able to speak. Even thought my spanish is VERY rough it is getting a little better.
I love all of you so much. I am brought to tears thinking about how much our Father in Heaven loves us. It is increadable. He know's exaclty what we need, where we need to improve, what are capabilities are individually, and our weaknesses. Regardless He loves us. I know that we must have greater faith and put our trust in the Lord. The Atonement is real and I see it working in others lives and mine every day if we allow it.
With Great Love,
Hermana Banaszewski
Monday, June 14, 2010
6-14-10 #1
Hello Family!
How is everyone doing? I sure miss everyone. This week was crazy. As I think about it I feel like nothing special or exciting happened but then I think...HOW COULD YOU FORGET??? THIS WEEK WAS AMAZING!!! It really was, its all about attitude as well. So two weeks ago I said we had an investigator at church. This week we had two but the investigator that was there last week and yesterday is awesome. Her name is C*. She just showed up at church!!! That doesn't seem to happen very much, at least not for me. It taught me many important lessons. One is that when you truly have the desire to teach and are doing all that you can to teach (but we're not outside a lot or at least not proselyting and its really hard to contact people and teach) that Heavenly Father will provide a way. I was extremely humbled. A member had met C* a couple days before last Sunday, not the 13th but the 6th. She invited her to church and SHE CAME! We taught her on Thursday with the member, Hermana R*. The lesson went really well. It wasn't a typical lesson which was good. I know she was taught according to her needs. She has 6 children, 21, 19, 14, 3 & 3 twin boys, and 1 1/2. She came to church again yesterday and we taught her in her home again yesterday as well. We taught about the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ. We used an object lesson which really seemed to hit her hard. We took a clean class of water and talked about when Christ was on the earth he established his church in its purity. After talking about His church and the 12 apostles we talked about the apostasy and how people changed the original church of Christ. They were trying to do good but as they did the church was changed. Then I put iodine into the water, each drop representing something different (baby baptisms, authority, and so forth) We asked her if she would like to drink the water-it looked really bad. She said no. Then as we held the yucky water we talked about Joseph Smith and how he had so many question wanting to know what was correct, which church was true and how he found out it was true. After we taught about the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith I held a Vitamin C. The Vitamin C represented Joseph Smith. We put it into the dirty water and it began to turn clean. With the power of God and Joseph Smith the Gospel of Jesus Christ was restored again. After the lesson we asked if she would say the closing prayer. We taught her last week how to pray and reviewed it Sunday again. She prayed and at the end just started crying and could hardly close her prayer. We knew she had felt the spirit. After she apologized for crying and talked about how hard her life is right now. She has no food for her children. She has no family here, her mother passed away and her father lives in Mexico. She just has her children and her husband. She told us she came to church because she was seeking peace and for some way to help her family. I testified of how hard life can be sometimes but that our Father in Heaven loves us very much. We told her to pray every night with a sincere desire and ask God what she can do and needs to do to help her family and that He would answer her prayers. Wow. Celia is amazing. She is understanding the principles taught and feeling the spirit greatly. One of the hardest things is to help our investigators attend church and she LOVES church already. The members have already taken her under their wing. We're teaching her again this Thursday and hopefully again this Sunday as well.
Yesterday for the first time I went fearlessing-contacting with out someone that spoke more Spanish than I. Hermana Carney and I had come back to our apartment for the night at about 6, 3 hours early but...Hermana Carney needed to be inside. She is doing much better. This last week was a little busy so the time inside was needed for her. When we got home the English sisters were home getting ready to go out to contact or FEARLESS :) I was full of energy and they asked if I would like to come with them. After making sure Hermana Carney was taken care of I went out with them. The other set of English sisters were home so Hermana Carney was not left alone. The English sisters talked to everyone in English and I talked to everyone in Spanish. While we were out I realized I didn't have anyone that could speak Spanish around me more than myself. I was humbled. My Spanish is still...lets just say sometimes people just have pity on me and listen because they see me struggling so much. lol. But it made me feel...so loved and blessed that Heavenly Father has allowed me, helped me, loved me so much that even with my thick skull I am able to speak Spanish enough. I couldn't describe how much joy I felt in my heart. Not prideful in anyway, just humbled that I was able to go out and talk to people enough in another language. I was so grateful for Sister De La Mare and Sister Isert for inviting me to go out with them.
Another AWESOME thing about serving in New York. One day this week there were four of us missionaries in our room talking. Sister Kim, Sister Mammon, Hermana Carney, and my self. As we were talking I decided to say something to Hermana Carney in Spanish. Sister Mammon started speaking Russian as a come back and then Sister Kim started speaking Korean. It was so neat! There were four of us in one room and we could speak four different Language; Russian, Spanish, Korean, and English.
How is Youth Conference preparation coming up? I wish I could go this year but instead I am on my own personal 1 1/2 year long youth conference :) I'll be praying that everything will go well. Its this weekend right? I want to hear all about it though ok?
This week was amazing. I saw so many miracles. I see them each and every day. Things are going well here. They are still really hard and I am doing my best to be exactly obedient. I've been learning a lot about love and how to apply the Atonement and help others partake of it through love. I have a picture in my mind, it's by Greg Olsen. Christ is reaching down to a young girl standing on rocks in the water. I see that picture here. I know I am far from being Christlike but I am sure learning a lot about where I need to improve. I am far from perfect.
I can no believe how much our Father in Heaven loves us. He sent His Only begotten son to die for us and live again. Can you believe how much love He has for us. Christ truly understands everything we go through. It is through Him that we can feel relief from our great pains and sorrows. Our trials are specific for our lives. We can learn great lessons as we seek the mighty hand of the Lord to overcome the trials, sorrows, and pains that we must face to learn and grow in this life.
Being a missionary is humbling, amazing, hard, and worth it. I know my time in New York is worth it. I love all of you so much, more than words could describe. I pray that you can feel my love from here and more so feel the love our Father in Heaven has for you.
With Great Love,
Hermana Banaszewski
Ps-This next week will be interesting. I'm looking forward to it. We have Zone Conference this Wed which always lifts as edifies me. I'm excited.
How is everyone doing? I sure miss everyone. This week was crazy. As I think about it I feel like nothing special or exciting happened but then I think...HOW COULD YOU FORGET??? THIS WEEK WAS AMAZING!!! It really was, its all about attitude as well. So two weeks ago I said we had an investigator at church. This week we had two but the investigator that was there last week and yesterday is awesome. Her name is C*. She just showed up at church!!! That doesn't seem to happen very much, at least not for me. It taught me many important lessons. One is that when you truly have the desire to teach and are doing all that you can to teach (but we're not outside a lot or at least not proselyting and its really hard to contact people and teach) that Heavenly Father will provide a way. I was extremely humbled. A member had met C* a couple days before last Sunday, not the 13th but the 6th. She invited her to church and SHE CAME! We taught her on Thursday with the member, Hermana R*. The lesson went really well. It wasn't a typical lesson which was good. I know she was taught according to her needs. She has 6 children, 21, 19, 14, 3 & 3 twin boys, and 1 1/2. She came to church again yesterday and we taught her in her home again yesterday as well. We taught about the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ. We used an object lesson which really seemed to hit her hard. We took a clean class of water and talked about when Christ was on the earth he established his church in its purity. After talking about His church and the 12 apostles we talked about the apostasy and how people changed the original church of Christ. They were trying to do good but as they did the church was changed. Then I put iodine into the water, each drop representing something different (baby baptisms, authority, and so forth) We asked her if she would like to drink the water-it looked really bad. She said no. Then as we held the yucky water we talked about Joseph Smith and how he had so many question wanting to know what was correct, which church was true and how he found out it was true. After we taught about the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith I held a Vitamin C. The Vitamin C represented Joseph Smith. We put it into the dirty water and it began to turn clean. With the power of God and Joseph Smith the Gospel of Jesus Christ was restored again. After the lesson we asked if she would say the closing prayer. We taught her last week how to pray and reviewed it Sunday again. She prayed and at the end just started crying and could hardly close her prayer. We knew she had felt the spirit. After she apologized for crying and talked about how hard her life is right now. She has no food for her children. She has no family here, her mother passed away and her father lives in Mexico. She just has her children and her husband. She told us she came to church because she was seeking peace and for some way to help her family. I testified of how hard life can be sometimes but that our Father in Heaven loves us very much. We told her to pray every night with a sincere desire and ask God what she can do and needs to do to help her family and that He would answer her prayers. Wow. Celia is amazing. She is understanding the principles taught and feeling the spirit greatly. One of the hardest things is to help our investigators attend church and she LOVES church already. The members have already taken her under their wing. We're teaching her again this Thursday and hopefully again this Sunday as well.
Yesterday for the first time I went fearlessing-contacting with out someone that spoke more Spanish than I. Hermana Carney and I had come back to our apartment for the night at about 6, 3 hours early but...Hermana Carney needed to be inside. She is doing much better. This last week was a little busy so the time inside was needed for her. When we got home the English sisters were home getting ready to go out to contact or FEARLESS :) I was full of energy and they asked if I would like to come with them. After making sure Hermana Carney was taken care of I went out with them. The other set of English sisters were home so Hermana Carney was not left alone. The English sisters talked to everyone in English and I talked to everyone in Spanish. While we were out I realized I didn't have anyone that could speak Spanish around me more than myself. I was humbled. My Spanish is still...lets just say sometimes people just have pity on me and listen because they see me struggling so much. lol. But it made me feel...so loved and blessed that Heavenly Father has allowed me, helped me, loved me so much that even with my thick skull I am able to speak Spanish enough. I couldn't describe how much joy I felt in my heart. Not prideful in anyway, just humbled that I was able to go out and talk to people enough in another language. I was so grateful for Sister De La Mare and Sister Isert for inviting me to go out with them.
Another AWESOME thing about serving in New York. One day this week there were four of us missionaries in our room talking. Sister Kim, Sister Mammon, Hermana Carney, and my self. As we were talking I decided to say something to Hermana Carney in Spanish. Sister Mammon started speaking Russian as a come back and then Sister Kim started speaking Korean. It was so neat! There were four of us in one room and we could speak four different Language; Russian, Spanish, Korean, and English.
How is Youth Conference preparation coming up? I wish I could go this year but instead I am on my own personal 1 1/2 year long youth conference :) I'll be praying that everything will go well. Its this weekend right? I want to hear all about it though ok?
This week was amazing. I saw so many miracles. I see them each and every day. Things are going well here. They are still really hard and I am doing my best to be exactly obedient. I've been learning a lot about love and how to apply the Atonement and help others partake of it through love. I have a picture in my mind, it's by Greg Olsen. Christ is reaching down to a young girl standing on rocks in the water. I see that picture here. I know I am far from being Christlike but I am sure learning a lot about where I need to improve. I am far from perfect.
I can no believe how much our Father in Heaven loves us. He sent His Only begotten son to die for us and live again. Can you believe how much love He has for us. Christ truly understands everything we go through. It is through Him that we can feel relief from our great pains and sorrows. Our trials are specific for our lives. We can learn great lessons as we seek the mighty hand of the Lord to overcome the trials, sorrows, and pains that we must face to learn and grow in this life.
Being a missionary is humbling, amazing, hard, and worth it. I know my time in New York is worth it. I love all of you so much, more than words could describe. I pray that you can feel my love from here and more so feel the love our Father in Heaven has for you.
With Great Love,
Hermana Banaszewski
Ps-This next week will be interesting. I'm looking forward to it. We have Zone Conference this Wed which always lifts as edifies me. I'm excited.
Monday, June 7, 2010
6-7-09 #1
Hello Family!
How is everyone doing? What an amazing week! Have I told you lately HOW MUCH I LOVE being a missionary??? I do! I love it. There are super hard things that we go through as missionaries but it is incredible the support and strength I feel from the hand of the Lord in my life. It really is incredible. As you all know the things which have been going on here it really is amazing how much Heavenly Father has been lifting, supporting, and helping me to overcome or do things that I could not on my own. Things seem to be easier than I expect. Not because they are easy but because I can feel your prayers, I know you are there supporting me through everything I go threw and because I can feel the Lord walking beside me.
Last Thursday was a great day. Not only did I get packages but I got 3 letters in the mail. It was great! But...not only did I get mail but We taught for the first time together a man named Manuel. He is around 20. He is from Guatemala and awesome. They lesson was really good only because it was lead by the spirit. There were moments where I started to freak out and not know what to say. I prayed that we would do our best and then words just came out of my mouth. Come to find out after our lesson Hermana Carney felt the same way. She freaked out in her head and was doing they same thing-PRAYING! At the end of the lesson we had answered a lot of his questions and battled his Doubts. He thought if he came to church that we would force him to be baptized because that happened to him at a different church. Anyway, I'm excited to teach him again this coming week.
My time is running short, I've been on the computer too long. Spanish-its coming. I wish it was coming faster but it still is coming regardless of the many faults I have. As well on Thursday we taught English class. Hermana Carney taught the class and I gave the spiritual thought. She was amazed after the class. She said there were a couple miracles that I didn't know about. 1st was that one of the students explained to the other student what the Book of Mormon was after I asked her. I found out later this lady has been very against the spiritual thought but instead she was helping out. The other miracle was Hermana Carney said my Spanish during the lesson was almost perfect. She said my gramme was Really good. It surprised me because, to be honest my Spanish is...I'm the person that...I struggle but as long as people feel the spirit than that's all I care about. The gift of tongues is real. The teacher in Gospel Doctrine pointed me out at church yesterday as an example of this. It was funny. I thought, yes, I know my Spanish is horrible BUT when I need to speak I can. I have to put all my trust and all I can into this knowledge that Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are my support, my all. THEY are who I must put my trust and faith in. As I do I will be OK. What I need to do will be able to be done. Sigh-now remembering that is what I need to do.
I am doing my best to become a consecrated missionary. I have a long ways to go but...I HAVE to become consecrated. I have to give my all to this work, to these people, to the Lord. This is not my work but the Lords. My time here is so short. I can not afford to waste any of it. Sunday a new investigator showed up to the church. It was another miracle from the week.
I love all of you so much. I can literally feel all of your prayers in my life. I pray for you often and love you SO much.
I think of you often and pray that all is well for you.
With Much Love,
Hermana Banaszewski
How is everyone doing? What an amazing week! Have I told you lately HOW MUCH I LOVE being a missionary??? I do! I love it. There are super hard things that we go through as missionaries but it is incredible the support and strength I feel from the hand of the Lord in my life. It really is incredible. As you all know the things which have been going on here it really is amazing how much Heavenly Father has been lifting, supporting, and helping me to overcome or do things that I could not on my own. Things seem to be easier than I expect. Not because they are easy but because I can feel your prayers, I know you are there supporting me through everything I go threw and because I can feel the Lord walking beside me.
Last Thursday was a great day. Not only did I get packages but I got 3 letters in the mail. It was great! But...not only did I get mail but We taught for the first time together a man named Manuel. He is around 20. He is from Guatemala and awesome. They lesson was really good only because it was lead by the spirit. There were moments where I started to freak out and not know what to say. I prayed that we would do our best and then words just came out of my mouth. Come to find out after our lesson Hermana Carney felt the same way. She freaked out in her head and was doing they same thing-PRAYING! At the end of the lesson we had answered a lot of his questions and battled his Doubts. He thought if he came to church that we would force him to be baptized because that happened to him at a different church. Anyway, I'm excited to teach him again this coming week.
My time is running short, I've been on the computer too long. Spanish-its coming. I wish it was coming faster but it still is coming regardless of the many faults I have. As well on Thursday we taught English class. Hermana Carney taught the class and I gave the spiritual thought. She was amazed after the class. She said there were a couple miracles that I didn't know about. 1st was that one of the students explained to the other student what the Book of Mormon was after I asked her. I found out later this lady has been very against the spiritual thought but instead she was helping out. The other miracle was Hermana Carney said my Spanish during the lesson was almost perfect. She said my gramme was Really good. It surprised me because, to be honest my Spanish is...I'm the person that...I struggle but as long as people feel the spirit than that's all I care about. The gift of tongues is real. The teacher in Gospel Doctrine pointed me out at church yesterday as an example of this. It was funny. I thought, yes, I know my Spanish is horrible BUT when I need to speak I can. I have to put all my trust and all I can into this knowledge that Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are my support, my all. THEY are who I must put my trust and faith in. As I do I will be OK. What I need to do will be able to be done. Sigh-now remembering that is what I need to do.
I am doing my best to become a consecrated missionary. I have a long ways to go but...I HAVE to become consecrated. I have to give my all to this work, to these people, to the Lord. This is not my work but the Lords. My time here is so short. I can not afford to waste any of it. Sunday a new investigator showed up to the church. It was another miracle from the week.
I love all of you so much. I can literally feel all of your prayers in my life. I pray for you often and love you SO much.
I think of you often and pray that all is well for you.
With Much Love,
Hermana Banaszewski
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
#1 Here are some pictures. I will try to send more. One is with L* L* and her family. I knew her at BYU-I and she was in our Branch in Flushing. She's done so much for me. Another one is from yesturday. We, a lot of the missionaries here went to play frisbee. As we were sitting there taking a water break because it was 800 degrees out side a member walked over and invited us to a ward bbq that was going on. To me it was a miracle. I was hungry and the members always lift me up. I love the members. I don't care who they are or where they are from but the members...they are awesome.
#2 Today we had service in the park. In Brooklyn we go to Prospect park and do different things. Last week we cut down a jungle, not really but we got SUPER dirty and messy weeding and taking out brush. This week however, what a blessing, we helped with an activity the park had for 3rd and 5th graders. They came and had different activites for them and we helped out. I was with Sister De La Mare who is one of the Sisters that lives with us. We have 6 sisters living with us. Four are English and we are Spanish. We helped with the carasell. It was REALLY fun and exactly what I needed after my crazy week of change and major stress. I'm glad I was able to take pictures so I have some fun ones to e-mail home :)
#3 The one with me in pink was just taken. this is my new companion Hermana Carney.
#2 Today we had service in the park. In Brooklyn we go to Prospect park and do different things. Last week we cut down a jungle, not really but we got SUPER dirty and messy weeding and taking out brush. This week however, what a blessing, we helped with an activity the park had for 3rd and 5th graders. They came and had different activites for them and we helped out. I was with Sister De La Mare who is one of the Sisters that lives with us. We have 6 sisters living with us. Four are English and we are Spanish. We helped with the carasell. It was REALLY fun and exactly what I needed after my crazy week of change and major stress. I'm glad I was able to take pictures so I have some fun ones to e-mail home :)
#3 The one with me in pink was just taken. this is my new companion Hermana Carney.
Brooklyn NY 6-1-10
Hello all,
It feels like its been such a long time since I've been able to write you. I have a long list of things I want to tell you so hopefully I'll be able to get it all out and give you some infomation that will help you know where I am :) I am now serving in Midwood Brooklyn. Our area is HUGE! Somedays to get to one place we have to walk, take a bus, and a train just to get there. I haven't been to far from where we live yet so I actually still don't truly understand how big our area really is. From the map its almost...I think, or more than 1/3 of Brooklyn. There are as many Jewish people here in Brooklyn as there are Chinese people in Flushing. lol. Not really but where we live there is a HUGE diversity of all different types of people. My companion is Hermana Carney. She is on her last transfer and only has 5 weeks left as a missionary.
There is a lot of planning that needs to get done in this area. We are splitting up our area into zones and then making on a HUGE map that we made. We are going to put pins and lable where all the members live along with making little note cards that have the members information, former investigators, in-active members and so forth. It makes it like a mini-area book so we figure out where we have apointments that day, for example zone 7 and then we take all the cards with us for that zone. If we have extra time we can look people up or if our apt cancels we have people to go visit and find new people to teach on the way. It is going to make our time and work 100 times more effective. I'm REALLY excited about it. So...that is how this area is going. We do have one Solid investigator named N*. She's ready to be baptized and has been investigating the church for a very long time, ok, maybe only a year or so but I think its been long enough for her :) She is 20. She used to be dating a less-active member but they just broke up which I am so grateful for. She use to be in gangs and stuff starting at age 10-a true story of a born and raise Brooklyn kid. Now she is 20, has a 3 year old and has changed her life around completely. She is really neat and...she gives me hope.
Thus, this is why I am going to continually ask for your prayers and support for the next five weeks. I see some traps of pit fall that I could easily fall into that I am very hessitant of. I want to make sure that when I have a new companion that I am still on my game, ready to go and work hard. I am determined to be 100% obedient and continue to work my hardest even if it means I'm working inside my apartment. It seems that at times in this area there has been some obidience issues. There are 8 Elders who live 10 blocks away from us right next to the church and...When I got here I just felt a peace and amazing feeling that Heavenly Father really has trust in me to be here right now. Sigh, I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father blessed me with the confirmation that I need to be here because if I didn't have that I think I would feel even more lost. I love the members here. I feel like I can speak more spanish than I thought even though I know its not all that much. Thats is one of my struggles right now as well. Hermana Carney is not to into speaking Spanish. So my spanish-I am doing my best to read EVERYDAY from the Book of Mormon out loud and I just re-ordered the BOM in Spanish to listen to it. I have to have faith that if I read out loud every day in Spanish for at least 15/20 min that I will be able to speak Spanish when I need to. I've been able to when I need to so, I will do my best to continue to study my little heart out and speak as much as I can to who ever I can. I need to be better and fearless more people. Its been...sigh...This week I have been studying all about the refiners fire, Mal 3:2-3 or 3 Ne 24:2-3. I don't think I've ever studied such a specific topic for such a long time. I wish I could discribe and share all that I've learned. To say the least, a Consicrated missionary is one that is refined by fire. Its been an amazing study. I am still determined and maybe more than before to be and become a Consecrated Missionary.
One thing I've learned- a lot is determined by attitude. When I first arrived here I felt...I went to the dark side or something but doing my best to have a better attitude I see that this place, Brooklyn is amazing. I am really grateful I am here. I really do love being here. I don't love that our kitchen is infested by cockroaches but...its all about attitude right? :) Honestly though I am so grateful I am here even as hard as it is. I can clearly see how Heavenly Father has planted people, activities, things, all around me to support me through this difficult time. The Elders that we are working with, there are two Elders and us that are serving in the Midwood 2nd Spanish Ward, they are awesome. They are both new and know nothing about the area. Hermana Carney has been her for 7 transfers. 3 from when she started her mission and then returned and had three more here and is now on her 4th and final. Sigh. I know Heavenly Father is very aware of everthing that has gone on here and what needs to happen here. Your love, support and prayers mean EVERYTHING to me. Durring this extreemly difficult time I have felt the hand of the Lord, your prayers and love carry me through situations that I knew I could not do on my own. Oh how I love being a missionary. I truly do. I would never give it up willingly.
I love you soo sooo sooooo much. Rememeber Heavenly Father wants you to be happy and feel joy.
Have joy my lovely Family for life is great and we have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness and purity.
Much Love,
Hermana Banaszewski
It feels like its been such a long time since I've been able to write you. I have a long list of things I want to tell you so hopefully I'll be able to get it all out and give you some infomation that will help you know where I am :) I am now serving in Midwood Brooklyn. Our area is HUGE! Somedays to get to one place we have to walk, take a bus, and a train just to get there. I haven't been to far from where we live yet so I actually still don't truly understand how big our area really is. From the map its almost...I think, or more than 1/3 of Brooklyn. There are as many Jewish people here in Brooklyn as there are Chinese people in Flushing. lol. Not really but where we live there is a HUGE diversity of all different types of people. My companion is Hermana Carney. She is on her last transfer and only has 5 weeks left as a missionary.
There is a lot of planning that needs to get done in this area. We are splitting up our area into zones and then making on a HUGE map that we made. We are going to put pins and lable where all the members live along with making little note cards that have the members information, former investigators, in-active members and so forth. It makes it like a mini-area book so we figure out where we have apointments that day, for example zone 7 and then we take all the cards with us for that zone. If we have extra time we can look people up or if our apt cancels we have people to go visit and find new people to teach on the way. It is going to make our time and work 100 times more effective. I'm REALLY excited about it. So...that is how this area is going. We do have one Solid investigator named N*. She's ready to be baptized and has been investigating the church for a very long time, ok, maybe only a year or so but I think its been long enough for her :) She is 20. She used to be dating a less-active member but they just broke up which I am so grateful for. She use to be in gangs and stuff starting at age 10-a true story of a born and raise Brooklyn kid. Now she is 20, has a 3 year old and has changed her life around completely. She is really neat and...she gives me hope.
Thus, this is why I am going to continually ask for your prayers and support for the next five weeks. I see some traps of pit fall that I could easily fall into that I am very hessitant of. I want to make sure that when I have a new companion that I am still on my game, ready to go and work hard. I am determined to be 100% obedient and continue to work my hardest even if it means I'm working inside my apartment. It seems that at times in this area there has been some obidience issues. There are 8 Elders who live 10 blocks away from us right next to the church and...When I got here I just felt a peace and amazing feeling that Heavenly Father really has trust in me to be here right now. Sigh, I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father blessed me with the confirmation that I need to be here because if I didn't have that I think I would feel even more lost. I love the members here. I feel like I can speak more spanish than I thought even though I know its not all that much. Thats is one of my struggles right now as well. Hermana Carney is not to into speaking Spanish. So my spanish-I am doing my best to read EVERYDAY from the Book of Mormon out loud and I just re-ordered the BOM in Spanish to listen to it. I have to have faith that if I read out loud every day in Spanish for at least 15/20 min that I will be able to speak Spanish when I need to. I've been able to when I need to so, I will do my best to continue to study my little heart out and speak as much as I can to who ever I can. I need to be better and fearless more people. Its been...sigh...This week I have been studying all about the refiners fire, Mal 3:2-3 or 3 Ne 24:2-3. I don't think I've ever studied such a specific topic for such a long time. I wish I could discribe and share all that I've learned. To say the least, a Consicrated missionary is one that is refined by fire. Its been an amazing study. I am still determined and maybe more than before to be and become a Consecrated Missionary.
One thing I've learned- a lot is determined by attitude. When I first arrived here I felt...I went to the dark side or something but doing my best to have a better attitude I see that this place, Brooklyn is amazing. I am really grateful I am here. I really do love being here. I don't love that our kitchen is infested by cockroaches but...its all about attitude right? :) Honestly though I am so grateful I am here even as hard as it is. I can clearly see how Heavenly Father has planted people, activities, things, all around me to support me through this difficult time. The Elders that we are working with, there are two Elders and us that are serving in the Midwood 2nd Spanish Ward, they are awesome. They are both new and know nothing about the area. Hermana Carney has been her for 7 transfers. 3 from when she started her mission and then returned and had three more here and is now on her 4th and final. Sigh. I know Heavenly Father is very aware of everthing that has gone on here and what needs to happen here. Your love, support and prayers mean EVERYTHING to me. Durring this extreemly difficult time I have felt the hand of the Lord, your prayers and love carry me through situations that I knew I could not do on my own. Oh how I love being a missionary. I truly do. I would never give it up willingly.
I love you soo sooo sooooo much. Rememeber Heavenly Father wants you to be happy and feel joy.
Have joy my lovely Family for life is great and we have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness and purity.
Much Love,
Hermana Banaszewski
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
