Dear Family,
I feel overwhelmed with different feelings right now. This week has been one of the most incredible weeks of my mission. There are so many things that happened. I can hardly contain myself and feel full of love and humility to be blessed to be experience miracles. To start off this week Hermana Reed and I worked as diligently as we could while focusing on our faith and applying all we've been learning together from Preach My Gospel. We had Zone Conference this week and we also have three people committed to baptism. The words joy and humility are the only way I know of to describe how I'm feeling.
So many things have happened this week. Hermana Reed and I have had some really fun times this week. Wed we were waiting at a bus stop after we taught N*, she committed to be baptized on the 26th of Sept, and we started talking to a woman from El Salvador. I always get SOOO excited when I meet someone from there and tell them that Kevin served there. We started talking about pupusas, my favorite food from El Salvador, they are SOO good. As we sat there I said, "I LOVE pupusas, I need to learn how to make them.....I need to have a friend who can teach me how to make them.... :) Pause...." The woman than turned to us and said, "I know how to make them" "Really??? That's great, they are SOOOO GOOOD!" Pause, "I really need to learn how to make them...some day." She then said, "I can teach you!" "REALLY!!!....REALLY???" The bus then came and we set up a time to meet her at her house and make pupusasa together. She has seen missionaries before in El Salvador so she knew who we were. We said, "you teach us how to make pupusas and we'll teach you about the Gospel of Jesus Christ." :) Her name is Bl*. We met with her on Saturday and has such a fun time making pupusas and sharing a spiritual message. She is looking for a Christian church to go to. She hasn't been to church in 4 years since she moved here. I have really high hopes for her and she has become a great friend of ours.
This week as I said before we have seen and experienced miracle after miracle. It has been incredible. On Wed we had our Zone Conference. It was amazing. President Nelson taught all of Zone Conference and we went over our 8 lessons from the simplified curriculum. I felt the spirit very strongly. Hermana Reed and I both felt as thought we received inspiration on what we needed to do to help our investigators progress and follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized. Right after Zone Conference we left and taught N*. She has been investigating the church for over a year now. The lesson was directly guided by the spirit. I don't even have words to be able to explain how the lesson was. Needless to say we invited her and...it was incredible...she accepted to be baptized on the 26th. We have a lot of work to do to help her feel prepared for baptism. She is prepared but she jut needs to feel for herself she is ready. We reviewed the baptismal questions with her. Her testimony for the church is increadably strong.
Yesterday was a day full of miracles. Hermana Reed and I have been working as diligently as we possibly can be and having the faith that we need to have. I don't have words to discibe all that I want to share. Most importantly is that I know that Heavenly Father is in charge of everything. All that happens has a purpose. We need to do all we can to work hard and act with faith. This is not just about missionary work but about life. I know that our Savior Jesus Christ lives and that all is possible as we allow Him to walk beside us. Life might not change or become any different but Christ will carry our burdens as we turn to Him and follow His example.
Yesterday the Cu* Family invited us over for dinner. Hermano-Brother Cu* has his mother visiting from Porto Rico. She has been taught by missionaries before and gone to church many times with the Cu* family but is not a member of the church. They wanted us over to eat dinner but to also have there mother be exposed to the missionaries again. The entire week before we went over to eat with them I thought, "She could be baptised. Her son holds the priesthood, the Authority of Jesus Christ to baptise her." Dinner was great. We really enjoyed getting to know their mother more. She is an amazing woman. We taught about the blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and then about what we need to do to receive these blessings. We asked how she felt about baptism and if she would follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized. She talked about her faith but did not accept...right off. Hermana-Sister Cu* then began to testify and talk more about the Gospel. This was one of the most spiritual moments of my mission. We were all crying. Hermana Cu* then invited her again and she accepted saying that she needs to pray about it first. Hermana Cu* said they could pray tonight about it and then I suggested that we pray right then. We did. Hermana Cuevas offered a heart felt prayer. After the prayer we sat there in silence. The silence was broken with her Grandson came in the room and gave her a hug. We then testified about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and told her we would begin planning her baptism. She returns to Porto Rico on the 6th of Sept. We are going to teach her again tonight and probably almost every other night. We need lots of prayers to have this happen. Words can not describe this sacred experience and I am so grateful for it. I feel un worthy to be able to see such great miracles happen right before me.
Later that night we ran from the Cu* home to the Acosta home. We had a member with us. The lesson was incredible thanks to the member who came. Time is running short but so I must go but H* accepted the commitment to be baptized on the 26th of Sept with N*.
I am humbled with all of the change that have been happening in this area. I love my mission. It is hard but incredible. Nights like yesterday keep me going through all of the difficult times. I know that this is the work of the Lord, not my own. I am blessed and...humbled that I have the opportunity to experience miracles in my own life and watch miracles performed in front of me.
I know this is the work of the Lord. I know He lives, I know the Atonement is real. We must continually be seeking to follow His example and have greater faith. I love all of you so much. You mean more to me than I could describe.
With Much Love,
Hermana Banaszewski
Monday, August 30, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
8-23-2010
Hello Family,
I don't even know where to begin today. I am feeling very sentimental right now. This week was great. Hermana Reed and I worked very hard and I know we were in the right place at the right time. I am beginning to love the members in Mid-wood more and more everyday. This week we had some neat experiences with them.
Starting on Monday night: We decided to go to one area that we were in last week that seemed to have a lot of Spanish speakers, look up some people the Bishop asked us to work with and drop off some Tupperware containers that Hna C* had given us the week before to take food home when we ate with her. We first stopped off at Hna C*'s home. She wasn't expecting us. We ended up only going to her home but we were where we needed to be. As she opened the door she was superized to see us. She is an older woman, but still has a lot of energy and mind. She asked for us to come in and then asked us if we wanted to eat. We told her that we were just planning to drop off her containers and she didn't have to feed us. She wanted to, that is how they show thier love, so we ate. As she was preparing a soup for us to eat she began telling us how she was having a hard day. It was amazing to me that Heavenly Father really directs us to where we need to be as we are willing to listen and act. She told us that she had prayed and asked Heavenly Father for help. Low and behold two Sister missionaries who are just trying to return Tupperware show up at her door. I know that Heavenly Father answers are prayers and that as we are willing we can also be an answer to someones prayer. Heavenly Father knows exactly what we stand in need of along with what our capabilities are to serve and help others. I need to stop being supprise every time a situation like this happens but need to have greater faith that I am truly being guided by the hands of the Lord. When we saw Hna C* yesterday at church she had the biggest smile on her face and gave both Hna Reed and I a great big hug. She told us that she loved us and tonight we will be eating with her once again :)
A very similar experience happened this Friday as well. After our weekly district meeting we had an apoinment to teach an investigator that lives close to the building. We had tried to call and remind her about the apointment but her phone did not have service. We went to teach her and we were juked as the missionaries call it here. She was not home. We decided to go visit a member in the same building but on a different floor. As we walked down the hall there was another member who had her door open to get a brease during the hot afternoon. As we walked by I said, "Hola Hermana! Como esta? She saw us as we were walking by and asked us to come in. She told us that she had just prayed for someone to come by because she wasn't feeling well. She called us her angels. I felt extremely humbled that anyone would call this 24 year old sweaty, probably stinky missionary an angel. We were able to talk with her for a little while as she also fed us an unexpected snack and share a scripture with her about Christ. Everyday I feel privileged to be a missionary and to be able to have these experiences.
Yesterday we were blessed to have dinner with Familia C*. They are one of my favoret families here. It was amazing to feel the spirit in thier home. As we shared a spiritual message with them before we left I could feel the spirit speaking through us. We used an object lesson with a bar of soap I made up. We are like the brick like bar of soap, a rectangle with rough edges. As we do things like prayer, scripture study, service, and so forth we become as the Savior would have us become. As we are talking and asking them things that we need to be doing to become more like Christ I was carving a heart out of the soap. Soon I held a smooth beautiful heart. It was fun to do with thier kids but then there was more. The C*'s are a very strong couple. We have talked about perfection, dedication, and consicration before. I then held the molded heart. As we do those things we can become more like the Savior. It is all with in us but we must have the faith that is required to do those things to become "the heart". However there is only so much we can do on our own. As we allow Heavenly Father to consecrate us we can become something much grater than we could ever become on our own. We then put the heart into the microwave :) and the heart become a plate full of puffy cloud, something they heart could not become on its own. We must have faith and allow Heavenly Father to consecrate our acts, our efforts to become that that which only He can do. I have been thinking a lot about all of these things lately, faith, works, miracles, becoming how God needs us to become, not what we want to become, applying the Atonement more into our lives. I recognize that I must exhort a greater faith into my life and especially in this work. There is so much to do. So many miracles to happen.
I have felt a great change in this area lately. My heart has felt full of love for these people. I feel as though I am becoming a better missionary. I recognize that I still lack quite a bit...a lot...but I am doing what I can. I must continue to work hard and have greater faith in the Lord.
Right now we are working with three investigators, N*, H*, and Familia G*. We need to find more people to teach and help follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized. Both Hermana Reed and I feel that there are people out there waiting for us to find them and teach them. We have been working hard with finding people through the English classes we teach. The last two weeks we have both had a lot of fun teaching English class. We teach every Thursday and the Elders teach Tuesday. THere have been more people coming and we have been working hard publising for it.
Family, I love all of you so much. Please let me know if there is anything you want to hear about that I haven't mentioned or any questions you have. I love all of you so much. You are continually in my prayers. Please continue to pray and help Hermana Reed and I to find those people who are prepared and ready to hear about the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love this work because I know it is true and helps people come closer to Jesus Christ. I love all of you very much. Have a wonderful week. Work hard and keep spreading the Gospel.
Love,
Hermana Banaszewski
I don't even know where to begin today. I am feeling very sentimental right now. This week was great. Hermana Reed and I worked very hard and I know we were in the right place at the right time. I am beginning to love the members in Mid-wood more and more everyday. This week we had some neat experiences with them.
Starting on Monday night: We decided to go to one area that we were in last week that seemed to have a lot of Spanish speakers, look up some people the Bishop asked us to work with and drop off some Tupperware containers that Hna C* had given us the week before to take food home when we ate with her. We first stopped off at Hna C*'s home. She wasn't expecting us. We ended up only going to her home but we were where we needed to be. As she opened the door she was superized to see us. She is an older woman, but still has a lot of energy and mind. She asked for us to come in and then asked us if we wanted to eat. We told her that we were just planning to drop off her containers and she didn't have to feed us. She wanted to, that is how they show thier love, so we ate. As she was preparing a soup for us to eat she began telling us how she was having a hard day. It was amazing to me that Heavenly Father really directs us to where we need to be as we are willing to listen and act. She told us that she had prayed and asked Heavenly Father for help. Low and behold two Sister missionaries who are just trying to return Tupperware show up at her door. I know that Heavenly Father answers are prayers and that as we are willing we can also be an answer to someones prayer. Heavenly Father knows exactly what we stand in need of along with what our capabilities are to serve and help others. I need to stop being supprise every time a situation like this happens but need to have greater faith that I am truly being guided by the hands of the Lord. When we saw Hna C* yesterday at church she had the biggest smile on her face and gave both Hna Reed and I a great big hug. She told us that she loved us and tonight we will be eating with her once again :)
A very similar experience happened this Friday as well. After our weekly district meeting we had an apoinment to teach an investigator that lives close to the building. We had tried to call and remind her about the apointment but her phone did not have service. We went to teach her and we were juked as the missionaries call it here. She was not home. We decided to go visit a member in the same building but on a different floor. As we walked down the hall there was another member who had her door open to get a brease during the hot afternoon. As we walked by I said, "Hola Hermana! Como esta? She saw us as we were walking by and asked us to come in. She told us that she had just prayed for someone to come by because she wasn't feeling well. She called us her angels. I felt extremely humbled that anyone would call this 24 year old sweaty, probably stinky missionary an angel. We were able to talk with her for a little while as she also fed us an unexpected snack and share a scripture with her about Christ. Everyday I feel privileged to be a missionary and to be able to have these experiences.
Yesterday we were blessed to have dinner with Familia C*. They are one of my favoret families here. It was amazing to feel the spirit in thier home. As we shared a spiritual message with them before we left I could feel the spirit speaking through us. We used an object lesson with a bar of soap I made up. We are like the brick like bar of soap, a rectangle with rough edges. As we do things like prayer, scripture study, service, and so forth we become as the Savior would have us become. As we are talking and asking them things that we need to be doing to become more like Christ I was carving a heart out of the soap. Soon I held a smooth beautiful heart. It was fun to do with thier kids but then there was more. The C*'s are a very strong couple. We have talked about perfection, dedication, and consicration before. I then held the molded heart. As we do those things we can become more like the Savior. It is all with in us but we must have the faith that is required to do those things to become "the heart". However there is only so much we can do on our own. As we allow Heavenly Father to consecrate us we can become something much grater than we could ever become on our own. We then put the heart into the microwave :) and the heart become a plate full of puffy cloud, something they heart could not become on its own. We must have faith and allow Heavenly Father to consecrate our acts, our efforts to become that that which only He can do. I have been thinking a lot about all of these things lately, faith, works, miracles, becoming how God needs us to become, not what we want to become, applying the Atonement more into our lives. I recognize that I must exhort a greater faith into my life and especially in this work. There is so much to do. So many miracles to happen.
I have felt a great change in this area lately. My heart has felt full of love for these people. I feel as though I am becoming a better missionary. I recognize that I still lack quite a bit...a lot...but I am doing what I can. I must continue to work hard and have greater faith in the Lord.
Right now we are working with three investigators, N*, H*, and Familia G*. We need to find more people to teach and help follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized. Both Hermana Reed and I feel that there are people out there waiting for us to find them and teach them. We have been working hard with finding people through the English classes we teach. The last two weeks we have both had a lot of fun teaching English class. We teach every Thursday and the Elders teach Tuesday. THere have been more people coming and we have been working hard publising for it.
Family, I love all of you so much. Please let me know if there is anything you want to hear about that I haven't mentioned or any questions you have. I love all of you so much. You are continually in my prayers. Please continue to pray and help Hermana Reed and I to find those people who are prepared and ready to hear about the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love this work because I know it is true and helps people come closer to Jesus Christ. I love all of you very much. Have a wonderful week. Work hard and keep spreading the Gospel.
Love,
Hermana Banaszewski
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
August 16, 2010
Hey Family,
I have to start out with saying that my heart has felt very full today. I feel that I have been so blessed the last few days to feel so close to the Spirit. A lot is changing right now in our area. Sister De La Mare, on of my good friends who lives with us is being transfered. Next week we will be moving into a new pad and it will be just Hna Reed and I. We will have fun. It is the first time I will only be living with my companion. A lot of people from our Zone are being transfered. This will be my third transfer in Brooklyn. I love Brooklyn so much. We have been working harder than I ever have before. This transfer besides an ASL Elder I will have been here the longest in this area out of all the missionaries and that isn't that long. The Elders that we work with are both being transfered out as well.
This week we have worked and worked and worked. We have seen many miracles and there have been many times I've said, "I know we'll be blessed for this, I don't know how and I don't know when but we will be."
Yesterday I was thinking a lot about the lack of baptisms we have had here. We have been working as hard as we can. The natural man thought came to my mind, " What am I doing wrong? Where can I improve." As I laid on my floor exhausted and only had 40 min to eat and get ready to go back out I began to ask myself questions. I felt as though I was having a conversation with the Lord as I would ask a question regarding our work here, how I am doing as a missionary, and more so as a Daughter of God. This last transfer I have been more of a baptism focused missionary than ever before. Inviting and committing more people to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be Baptized. The distinct impression came to my mind, "I do not need to worry about the baptisms. I need to keep being a Baptism focused missionary but more so I need to focus on our overall larger purpose, to invite others to come unto Christ." The tears flowed from my eyes as I felt humbled for the oppritunity to represent Jesus Christ and offer the world the best thing that can be offered, The True Gospel of Jesus Christ.
As I studied personally this morning I read over the scripture that is on my missionary plaque. Alma 29
1 O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the atrump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!
2 Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and acome unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.
3 But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.
9 I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do anot bglory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.
I felt just as Alma. If I could only, how badly I want to cry unto this people with a voice of a trump. Learning Spanish has increased this desire and helped me want to speak even more. But then, in verse three, oh how I sin in my wish. I realized again that I must be content and happy with where I am. I am a missionary, what an honor it is for me to be here, be a missionary. I ought to be content and happy with the work. I have so many weaknesses that get in the way of being able to do what I wish and want to do but I ought to be content with what is happening. It is hard to explain my thoughts and feelings in words but I pray you will feel the spirit which I felt this morning.
This week has been really great. On Thrusday we had 9 NINE new studets in English class. I LOVE teaching English while trying to speak spanish. lol, it is so fun. We teach english for 1 hour and then close class with a spiritual message. I know there is going to be someone from our class that will accept our message and want to be baptized some day. 9 might not seem like a lot but my first day here, 3 mo ago we had 0.
On Saturday we had a street sweep up at grand army plaza. We were walking around inviting people to have some free lemonaid. this was a converstation with a woman, "Hi, there is a table right up the side walk with free lamonaid if you'd like some" "I don't believe in Jesus Christ." I thought, I didn't even say anything about that. My heart sunk and with out thinking said ,"You don't???" It came out as if I was a wounded puppy. Then as she walked away I said, "Wow, that physically hurt me." It really did. I was so taken back.
I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Siants is His church restored on the earth once again in its fullness.
I am excited that Hna Reed and I will be together for another 6 weeks at least. She is a great missionary and we have a lot of things we want to do together.
Yestday we were looking up a referal and walking and walking and walking for forever. We could smell the ocean amoungs the garbage. I thought ,by the time we find this man he is going to be in a cardboard box on the beach. Then...a miracle. I looked up and the address really did exist! It was the last building on Ocean Pkwy and litterally on the beach. We were not able to go up because he had family there but...I have high hopes for this referal. We then walked on the board walk and tried to contact people as we went home. I love this area. We literally have the whole world in our area.
I love being a missionary. I love my family. I love my Savior Jesus Christ.
Much Love ,
Hermana Banaszewski
I have to start out with saying that my heart has felt very full today. I feel that I have been so blessed the last few days to feel so close to the Spirit. A lot is changing right now in our area. Sister De La Mare, on of my good friends who lives with us is being transfered. Next week we will be moving into a new pad and it will be just Hna Reed and I. We will have fun. It is the first time I will only be living with my companion. A lot of people from our Zone are being transfered. This will be my third transfer in Brooklyn. I love Brooklyn so much. We have been working harder than I ever have before. This transfer besides an ASL Elder I will have been here the longest in this area out of all the missionaries and that isn't that long. The Elders that we work with are both being transfered out as well.
This week we have worked and worked and worked. We have seen many miracles and there have been many times I've said, "I know we'll be blessed for this, I don't know how and I don't know when but we will be."
Yesterday I was thinking a lot about the lack of baptisms we have had here. We have been working as hard as we can. The natural man thought came to my mind, " What am I doing wrong? Where can I improve." As I laid on my floor exhausted and only had 40 min to eat and get ready to go back out I began to ask myself questions. I felt as though I was having a conversation with the Lord as I would ask a question regarding our work here, how I am doing as a missionary, and more so as a Daughter of God. This last transfer I have been more of a baptism focused missionary than ever before. Inviting and committing more people to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be Baptized. The distinct impression came to my mind, "I do not need to worry about the baptisms. I need to keep being a Baptism focused missionary but more so I need to focus on our overall larger purpose, to invite others to come unto Christ." The tears flowed from my eyes as I felt humbled for the oppritunity to represent Jesus Christ and offer the world the best thing that can be offered, The True Gospel of Jesus Christ.
As I studied personally this morning I read over the scripture that is on my missionary plaque. Alma 29
1 O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the atrump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!
2 Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and acome unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.
3 But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.
9 I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do anot bglory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.
I felt just as Alma. If I could only, how badly I want to cry unto this people with a voice of a trump. Learning Spanish has increased this desire and helped me want to speak even more. But then, in verse three, oh how I sin in my wish. I realized again that I must be content and happy with where I am. I am a missionary, what an honor it is for me to be here, be a missionary. I ought to be content and happy with the work. I have so many weaknesses that get in the way of being able to do what I wish and want to do but I ought to be content with what is happening. It is hard to explain my thoughts and feelings in words but I pray you will feel the spirit which I felt this morning.
This week has been really great. On Thrusday we had 9 NINE new studets in English class. I LOVE teaching English while trying to speak spanish. lol, it is so fun. We teach english for 1 hour and then close class with a spiritual message. I know there is going to be someone from our class that will accept our message and want to be baptized some day. 9 might not seem like a lot but my first day here, 3 mo ago we had 0.
On Saturday we had a street sweep up at grand army plaza. We were walking around inviting people to have some free lemonaid. this was a converstation with a woman, "Hi, there is a table right up the side walk with free lamonaid if you'd like some" "I don't believe in Jesus Christ." I thought, I didn't even say anything about that. My heart sunk and with out thinking said ,"You don't???" It came out as if I was a wounded puppy. Then as she walked away I said, "Wow, that physically hurt me." It really did. I was so taken back.
I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Siants is His church restored on the earth once again in its fullness.
I am excited that Hna Reed and I will be together for another 6 weeks at least. She is a great missionary and we have a lot of things we want to do together.
Yestday we were looking up a referal and walking and walking and walking for forever. We could smell the ocean amoungs the garbage. I thought ,by the time we find this man he is going to be in a cardboard box on the beach. Then...a miracle. I looked up and the address really did exist! It was the last building on Ocean Pkwy and litterally on the beach. We were not able to go up because he had family there but...I have high hopes for this referal. We then walked on the board walk and tried to contact people as we went home. I love this area. We literally have the whole world in our area.
I love being a missionary. I love my family. I love my Savior Jesus Christ.
Much Love ,
Hermana Banaszewski
August 9, 2010
Hello everyone!
Ok, this week I have sent some individual e-mails and tried to spend more time on those. I don't have a lot of time but I'll do my best this week.
This week was pretty hard. We were able get a lot done but for some reason, unknown to me, the week was just extra hard. We had an investigator come to church again, hi name is Hugo. I've talked about them before, the Acosta Family. They are really neat. We have high hope for them and for Hugo to be baptised. We taught them last night and taught about the Plan of Salvation. The lesson went really well but I felt that I lacked so much. I am so grateful that we are not the one teachings but instead the Holy Ghost. I felt the spirit while teaching and I know they did as well. As we left thier home I felt as though there was so much I could have done better. Feelings of inadeqicies have helped me be even more grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Even though I lack so very much, expecially as a missionary, I know that as I do my very best and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost all will be made up for through Jesus Christ.
This last week we were able to go to Manhattan for a Doctors appointment for Hermana Reed. She is just fine it was just for a persciption. When we go to Manhattan we are only allowed to go to the appointment and back home. We got off at Herold Square and got there 45 min early. We brought our lunches and ended up eating at herold square. It was neat to see a little more of Manhattan. I was very taken back by the world. I am so grateful to be a missionary and to not think about the world. I saw more and more how important it is to never be part of the world. We have to live in the world but never be part of it. My stomach litterally turned while there thinking about the state of the world. I am so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that it is such a part of my life. It IS my life.
This morning I woke up and while doing my morning streches the words, "I can speak spanish!" came out of my mouth! What?! I can what? I still don't believe or think I can. I asked Herman Reed what she thought. She just laughed at me and said you can have a conversation, you can speak spanish. So, from now on, I'm saying I can speak spanish! I still struggle A LOT with it and there is a lot I don't understand and can not say correctly but I'm doing my best. I know that when I need to speak Spanish I can. I am so grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
This year in our mission we have had a goal to baptize 800 people. When I first got here I thought, that is not enough. The end of this "year goal" is the 31st of Oct. We have about 450 people that need to be baptized from now until the end of October. Elder Tacxiea of the 70 came and spoke to the missionary leaders. He said that this goal is still possible to reach and succeed. We might not understand how it will happen but it can. I know it can. We need to continually be praying to reach this goal, that people will be ready to hear about the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and that they will accept the invitation from a Representitive of Jesus Christ to follow His example and be baptized. I've greatly realized that I must exhort greater faith and trust more fully on the arm of our Savior Jesus Christ.
I am weak and can do nothing on my own but with the Lord I can do all things. Following the promtings of the Holy Ghost, being rightous, and serving feels so good. We helped two families move on Sat. They are both moving to Mexico and are great families. Our Ward is really going to miss them but it felt so good to help them move to where they need to be. It is right for them to be moving. THey had everything extreemly organized and ready to go. Even though I know it was stressful for the parents you could feel their excitement and happiness to go where they are needed.
I have high hopes for this week. We will continue to work as hard as we possibly can. There is so much work to be done here. I love all of you so much. The work is moving forward. I need to apply the Atonement of Jesus Christ more fully in my life and trust in Christ more fully. I am doing my best and working as hard as I possibly can. The work is exciting to do and feels so good knowing that others can feel the joy the gospel blesses my life with.
I love all of you so much and continue to pray for you. I can't wait to hear more from you.
Much Love,
Hermana Banaszewski
Ok, this week I have sent some individual e-mails and tried to spend more time on those. I don't have a lot of time but I'll do my best this week.
This week was pretty hard. We were able get a lot done but for some reason, unknown to me, the week was just extra hard. We had an investigator come to church again, hi name is Hugo. I've talked about them before, the Acosta Family. They are really neat. We have high hope for them and for Hugo to be baptised. We taught them last night and taught about the Plan of Salvation. The lesson went really well but I felt that I lacked so much. I am so grateful that we are not the one teachings but instead the Holy Ghost. I felt the spirit while teaching and I know they did as well. As we left thier home I felt as though there was so much I could have done better. Feelings of inadeqicies have helped me be even more grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Even though I lack so very much, expecially as a missionary, I know that as I do my very best and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost all will be made up for through Jesus Christ.
This last week we were able to go to Manhattan for a Doctors appointment for Hermana Reed. She is just fine it was just for a persciption. When we go to Manhattan we are only allowed to go to the appointment and back home. We got off at Herold Square and got there 45 min early. We brought our lunches and ended up eating at herold square. It was neat to see a little more of Manhattan. I was very taken back by the world. I am so grateful to be a missionary and to not think about the world. I saw more and more how important it is to never be part of the world. We have to live in the world but never be part of it. My stomach litterally turned while there thinking about the state of the world. I am so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that it is such a part of my life. It IS my life.
This morning I woke up and while doing my morning streches the words, "I can speak spanish!" came out of my mouth! What?! I can what? I still don't believe or think I can. I asked Herman Reed what she thought. She just laughed at me and said you can have a conversation, you can speak spanish. So, from now on, I'm saying I can speak spanish! I still struggle A LOT with it and there is a lot I don't understand and can not say correctly but I'm doing my best. I know that when I need to speak Spanish I can. I am so grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
This year in our mission we have had a goal to baptize 800 people. When I first got here I thought, that is not enough. The end of this "year goal" is the 31st of Oct. We have about 450 people that need to be baptized from now until the end of October. Elder Tacxiea of the 70 came and spoke to the missionary leaders. He said that this goal is still possible to reach and succeed. We might not understand how it will happen but it can. I know it can. We need to continually be praying to reach this goal, that people will be ready to hear about the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and that they will accept the invitation from a Representitive of Jesus Christ to follow His example and be baptized. I've greatly realized that I must exhort greater faith and trust more fully on the arm of our Savior Jesus Christ.
I am weak and can do nothing on my own but with the Lord I can do all things. Following the promtings of the Holy Ghost, being rightous, and serving feels so good. We helped two families move on Sat. They are both moving to Mexico and are great families. Our Ward is really going to miss them but it felt so good to help them move to where they need to be. It is right for them to be moving. THey had everything extreemly organized and ready to go. Even though I know it was stressful for the parents you could feel their excitement and happiness to go where they are needed.
I have high hopes for this week. We will continue to work as hard as we possibly can. There is so much work to be done here. I love all of you so much. The work is moving forward. I need to apply the Atonement of Jesus Christ more fully in my life and trust in Christ more fully. I am doing my best and working as hard as I possibly can. The work is exciting to do and feels so good knowing that others can feel the joy the gospel blesses my life with.
I love all of you so much and continue to pray for you. I can't wait to hear more from you.
Much Love,
Hermana Banaszewski
Monday, August 2, 2010
8-2-10 #2
Here is Hermana Bana and Reed in an investigator's native dress.
Rachel's first attempt at a Spainish decorated birthday cake and C* birthday celebration.
Brooklyn Public Library and neat statue in front of it. We had to go there for an apointment. We were told it is the biggest public library in all of NY
8-2-10
Hello Family!
How is everyone doing??? I love hearing about everyone and the fun experiences people are having. This week has been one of the most amazing weeks of my mission. We saw many amazing miracles and I feel that we are feeling the effects of our extreemly hard work. It conntinues to feel so good working as hard as we possibly can. Regardless of how hard we work it is still not enough. How grateful I am for the Lord, for the Atonement which makes up for all that I lack.
I am loving the people here in Brooklyn more and more every day. I feel the love the Lord has for these people. I am amazed at how much I truly love them. A lot of really neat things happened this week. I'll do my best to share some of the experiences with you.
Starting on Tuesday night. Sister Smith and I were together for about two hours. Sister De La Mare is her companion and we share an apartment together. They are the only English Sisters in this area right now. Sister De La Mare was sick so I went out with Sister Smith for a little while. As we went out and looked up referals and contacted people on the street testifying of Christ and about His restored church we experienced a miracle. We walked by a shop that had a lot of people outside the front of it. Later we found out it is a barber shop. As we walked by I thought I heard someone speaking spanish. I turned around and was looking to see who was talking. One of the men outside asked if we were lost or where we were going. We stand out, two nice wemon dressed up walking around a...not so nice area. I love New York. I told him we were good and was just looking around because I thought I heard someone speaking Spanish. I asked if he did and he DID! We walked back and found out all of the people outside the shop spoke spanish. They are all from Panama. We started talking to them in English and spanish. Sister Smith only speaks English. We ended up teaching them a lot right on the corner of the street. They were sitting on crates and broken chairs and we taught them about the restoration and recounted the first vision. It was really neat. They had a lot of really great questions as well. We then left them with our information and where they church is and then started to walk away. As we were walking away I thought, "I wounder if we could set up a return apoinment. Should we? Why not?" So we turned back around and then asked when we could come back. We went back on Sat with a member. Unfortunatly there was only one of the original guys there but we were able to teach him and one of his friends as well. He has some really good questions. We are planning to go back on Wed and teach them again. It was really fun and I felt the guidance of the Holy Ghost as we talked and began teaching them. Usually we do not, as Sister missionaries, stop and talk to a big group of mostly men together but the prompting was there.
My testimony and gratitude for the gift of the Holy Ghost has grown so much. I am so grateful to be worthy to have this gift and to have the added direction I need as a missionary to know who to talk to, what to say, and how to sat it in Spanish.
We have had so many experiences like the one above. I could go on and on. The other day we were knocking doors in a building and looking up people that were taught by the missionaries before. As we were walking by a door the door flew open. It was a member that I didn't knew lived there. They invited us in but over and over we said, "Its ok, we were just walking by." The husband said, "no, you can come see my wife" as if we had an apointment with her. We came in and found out that she had just gotten back from the hospital and has cancer. We were able to talk with her for about an hour about her life, her sorrows, her goal. She wants to go to the temple so bady and be sealed with her family before she dies. It was a miracle to me that we were able to be there right when she needed it. I could feel the spirit grately in my heart as this woman talked about things she despratly wants to change in her life. I was so grateful that I was able to understand what I needed to as well. When we left I realized I understood everything she had said in Spanish. What a great blessing from Heavenly Father.
I really could go on forever with experiences like this but I must end. We are working with some really good people right now. We are going to continue to have miracles for the people here to understand and make the decision to follow our Savior Jesus Christ and be baptized. The work is moving forward in might ways. More and more I realize that I need to continually be applying the Atonement into every aspect of this work. I am not strong enough to do all that is requeired alone but with the Lord it is all posible.
We are working as hard as we can. Hermana Reed is great and keeping me on my toes. I know that this is the work of the Lord. I love my family so very much. Thank you so much for your prayers and support. I know that the Church is true. Yesterday a man came up to me at chruch and told me to thank my parent and all those that are supporting and sacrificing for me to be here. He said, "It is a sacrifice for them to not have you around or to be able to talk with you and have your help." I hope all of you know how grateful I am for your love and sacrifice as well. This work can not be done alone.
I love you so very much. Have a great week, find the joy in the journey and remember that regardless of how difficult every day is, its still a great day to be alive!
Much Love,
Hermana Banaszewski
How is everyone doing??? I love hearing about everyone and the fun experiences people are having. This week has been one of the most amazing weeks of my mission. We saw many amazing miracles and I feel that we are feeling the effects of our extreemly hard work. It conntinues to feel so good working as hard as we possibly can. Regardless of how hard we work it is still not enough. How grateful I am for the Lord, for the Atonement which makes up for all that I lack.
I am loving the people here in Brooklyn more and more every day. I feel the love the Lord has for these people. I am amazed at how much I truly love them. A lot of really neat things happened this week. I'll do my best to share some of the experiences with you.
Starting on Tuesday night. Sister Smith and I were together for about two hours. Sister De La Mare is her companion and we share an apartment together. They are the only English Sisters in this area right now. Sister De La Mare was sick so I went out with Sister Smith for a little while. As we went out and looked up referals and contacted people on the street testifying of Christ and about His restored church we experienced a miracle. We walked by a shop that had a lot of people outside the front of it. Later we found out it is a barber shop. As we walked by I thought I heard someone speaking spanish. I turned around and was looking to see who was talking. One of the men outside asked if we were lost or where we were going. We stand out, two nice wemon dressed up walking around a...not so nice area. I love New York. I told him we were good and was just looking around because I thought I heard someone speaking Spanish. I asked if he did and he DID! We walked back and found out all of the people outside the shop spoke spanish. They are all from Panama. We started talking to them in English and spanish. Sister Smith only speaks English. We ended up teaching them a lot right on the corner of the street. They were sitting on crates and broken chairs and we taught them about the restoration and recounted the first vision. It was really neat. They had a lot of really great questions as well. We then left them with our information and where they church is and then started to walk away. As we were walking away I thought, "I wounder if we could set up a return apoinment. Should we? Why not?" So we turned back around and then asked when we could come back. We went back on Sat with a member. Unfortunatly there was only one of the original guys there but we were able to teach him and one of his friends as well. He has some really good questions. We are planning to go back on Wed and teach them again. It was really fun and I felt the guidance of the Holy Ghost as we talked and began teaching them. Usually we do not, as Sister missionaries, stop and talk to a big group of mostly men together but the prompting was there.
My testimony and gratitude for the gift of the Holy Ghost has grown so much. I am so grateful to be worthy to have this gift and to have the added direction I need as a missionary to know who to talk to, what to say, and how to sat it in Spanish.
We have had so many experiences like the one above. I could go on and on. The other day we were knocking doors in a building and looking up people that were taught by the missionaries before. As we were walking by a door the door flew open. It was a member that I didn't knew lived there. They invited us in but over and over we said, "Its ok, we were just walking by." The husband said, "no, you can come see my wife" as if we had an apointment with her. We came in and found out that she had just gotten back from the hospital and has cancer. We were able to talk with her for about an hour about her life, her sorrows, her goal. She wants to go to the temple so bady and be sealed with her family before she dies. It was a miracle to me that we were able to be there right when she needed it. I could feel the spirit grately in my heart as this woman talked about things she despratly wants to change in her life. I was so grateful that I was able to understand what I needed to as well. When we left I realized I understood everything she had said in Spanish. What a great blessing from Heavenly Father.
I really could go on forever with experiences like this but I must end. We are working with some really good people right now. We are going to continue to have miracles for the people here to understand and make the decision to follow our Savior Jesus Christ and be baptized. The work is moving forward in might ways. More and more I realize that I need to continually be applying the Atonement into every aspect of this work. I am not strong enough to do all that is requeired alone but with the Lord it is all posible.
We are working as hard as we can. Hermana Reed is great and keeping me on my toes. I know that this is the work of the Lord. I love my family so very much. Thank you so much for your prayers and support. I know that the Church is true. Yesterday a man came up to me at chruch and told me to thank my parent and all those that are supporting and sacrificing for me to be here. He said, "It is a sacrifice for them to not have you around or to be able to talk with you and have your help." I hope all of you know how grateful I am for your love and sacrifice as well. This work can not be done alone.
I love you so very much. Have a great week, find the joy in the journey and remember that regardless of how difficult every day is, its still a great day to be alive!
Much Love,
Hermana Banaszewski
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