October 25, 2010

Hello Family!

How is everyone doing? This has been a fun week. We had our ward activity where we celebrate all Hispanic countries. Our work with the members is picking up. Both Hermana Winfield and I were really sick but feeling MUCH better now, I am learning a lot about...everything!

Where to start? This week we were able to meet with the Mi* family again. They are doing well. We have really seen some good progression with them lately. They have had some really good lessons on baptism as well from Relief Society and Priesthood lessons. Last week we talk about the importance of the Book of Mormon and how it would feel if we came face to face with Christ right now in our lives. We used the Testaments movie to help teach. There are so many times we get complacent with how we are doing and don't think about how it would be to face judgment. This week we also used a Mormon Message from Mormon.org called, "Choose ye this day" There are things I am personally working on that I have always wanted to work on but said, "someday I will be better at that" instead of, "I am going to start today to be better at that" Anyway, the Mi* family is doing well. They are ready for baptism but don't believe it. They are more active than a lot of the active members.

We have really been focusing on Part-member families in this ward. There are a lot of people in our ward and we've found that almost all of them have someone in their family that is not a member. Every day we finding out that someone we thought was actually a member isn't! The other day we went over to our High Priest Leaders home to visit with his wife. She is a recent-convert. Hermana Winfield thought that their daughter was a less-active member. When we got there we found out they actually have a 21 yr old son as well and both are not members. We are finding a lot more people we could teach this way, the catch is to find those that are interested in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, people that aren't complacent and have a desire to improve there lives.

So, just as a funny note because I realize I don't always make my e-mails as funny and crazy as life really is here in New York. Every morning I get up and get breakfast after I'm ready to go for the day. Lately I've been eating bagels for breakfast. However, in New York we do things a little differently. Before I even get my bagles out which are in the refrigerator to keep them away from cockroaches, I "pre-heat" the toaster. :) Yes, it is a necessity here. I've found when I do that most of the cockroaches come out of the toaster before I put my bagle in...otherwise sometimes my bagle is just a little "extra" crunchy. :) Fun stuff hu?

The other day Hermana Winfield and I walked into our apartment and found Sister Mammon and Sister T, the other sisters we live with at home screaming. I looked up and thought, "Whoooow! That is a huge cockroach....I've seen them REALLY big before." Sister Mammon was in the kitchen with a can of Raid and I saw something running across the counter towards me! It then ran behind the microwave and I said, "what are you doing?" It was a mouse! Funny how one can confuse a mouse for a cockroach! After running around and taking the can of Raid away from Sister Mammon we still we not able to get rid of the mouse...I'll update you on that next week...hopefully :)

Things are going a lot better here for me. It has been a process for sure. The work is getting better but I think that is because of the attitude we have about it. I LOVE the members here. There are people here that I connect instantly with and know that I was sent here for them. Hermana Dexter, Armand, Hermana Bustos and the list goes on. The members mean so much to me. At times when I am down or just need a little extra boost they say something nice or just help out. Remember that you anything you do for the missionaries really does make a difference for them.

One thing I've really come to know this week is that I have been putting my weaknesses and faults right in front of my face. I recognize that there are a lot of things I don't do really well, my mission has sure taught me that, but there are things that I can do really well. The past four weeks I have had a pile of faults, weaknesses, struggles sitting in font of my eyes. I have focused so much on them that I haven't been able to see all those other things behind them. I realized this while I was attending a baptism on Saturday and President Nelson was talking about having joy, becoming perfect, enjoying the journey. I realized that I haven't felt that joy that I love so much. I use to feel so much joy I just couldn't contain myself! I need to truly trust in the Lord more, have grater faith and do my best, being OK at where I lack and just doing my best. I love this work. I love being a missionary. Sometimes I think this mission is more for myself than those we are teaching.

I know the Gospel of Jesus Christ is real, I need to apply it in my life more and more. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints is how we can feel that joy once again in our lives. It is through the gospel that we overcome our trials, our struggles, our temptations. New York is so much fun. There are crazy things that go on here. How grateful I am for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I love all of you so much! I pray for all of you individually. Oh how I love this Gospel!

Have a wonderful week!
Much Love,

Hermana Banaszewski

Pictures:
Hermana Winfield & Hermana Banaszewski
Love messages
Images from a ward activity from different cultures and countries

October 18, 2010

I got pooped on by a pigeon while teaching someone at the park. It was really funny. I was having a super hard day but things just seemed to be getting better. It was funny because I could see my attitude changing to where it needed to be regardless of what was happening all around me.

Hna Winfield and I waiting for a train.

One picture is from the Jamaica Chapel. Some of the class rooms have windows that open up to a food court. One sister missionary said, "No wonder our member have a hard time keeping the Sabbath day" Some of the church buildings here are really funny.

We made pupusas with one of our investigators, Hermana Pa*. She is from Honduras. She is SOOO neat! I love that woman so much!

A couple got sealed in the Manhattan Temple and we sung at there reception. The spirit was so strong. Their reception ended up being a fireside and then eating afterword...but Hispanic style meaning TONS AND TONS of food. We sang a compilation of Families can be Together Forever, I am a Child of God, and Love at Home. We had a missionary from another area come in and play the piano for us. We also sang with the Elders in our ward. It was so good. When we were done singing I thought, "There were angels singing with us." There were a lot of non-members there that were family members.



Hello Family!

How is everyone doing? I always feel like I never have enough time to e-mail or express myself the way I would like. I will do my best this week. This week has been really good. I realized last week when I got of the computer that I was a real downer. I'll be honest, I've been having one of the hardest times on my mission but at the same time I am learning a lot and being tested like crazy. The most common thing I do and I think most people do as well is to think, "What am I doing wrong, or what did I do to cause all of these things to happen?" Sometimes we are just being blessed with trials so we can learn and grow, sometimes it is because of other people, and other times...I don't know but we learn a lot don't we :) A quote that has helped me out this week was, "Sometimes the Lord through our trials and challenges allows us to hit rock bottom just so we know that the rock at the bottom is Him." This week really has been a lot better. It has been a very busy week and I wish I could describe all of the miracles I saw and experienced.

This week I've been a little sick. However I've seen the blessings from heaven come down. I've been given strength when I didn't think I could do it. On Saturday we had a street sweep again and I felt like I was myself again. Even though in the morning I felt horrible I knew we needed to go. We weren't able to stay the entire time but while we were there I didn't feel sick or tired at all. We were able to get two new investigators in the 20 or 30 min. we were there. How incredible. It may seem small but to me they are miracles. It is difficult to describe or write because they are more of feelings and things working within that creates the miracle.

I wanted to tell you a little more about Richmond Hill. I know I haven't said much because I've been so consumed with those things I've been struggling with. Richmond Hill is awesome. It is like living under the L train in Chicago. There are little shops everywhere. There are people from every country you've ever heard of plus from places you never knew existed. There are a lot of Indians here as well. In Brooklyn most of the members were from Mexico. Here there is a great balance. People are from El Salvador, Ecuador, Honduras ( A lot of people from there), Mexico, Guatemala, just everywhere. It is so fun. This Friday is our, "Dia de los Pieses" The day of countries-kind of. Every country is represented in a ward activity and people make food and they dance their traditional dances. I'm REALLY looking forward to it. OK-I only have 10 more min-

The members here are incredible. Last night we had an appointment with Hermana Pa*. She is so neat. We have been working with their 28 yr old son as well. They are strong in the church. I have seen so many changes in both of them. Hermana Pa* hasn't been to open with us but last night she opened up. She expressed her love and...it was just one of those moments. On Tuesday we had an apt with Ke* and Me*. They are both from the DR. She served a mission there 13 yrs ago and he is a new member. Their home felt like heaven on earth. They cooked traditional DR food for us...it was so good! I keep asking everyone to teach me how to make it so when I go home I wont miss it because I can make it myself. The people here are amazing. More and more they have my heart. I have been study charity this week and praying for more charity. I have felt an increase as I have been studying and praying for it. What makes my mission is not the amount of people that accept the gospel but the people, whether they be members, investigators, or less-actives. The people make this work what it is suppose to be. I feel so much love for them, more than I ever thought possible. It takes work on our ends as missionaries and we have to put ALL-ALL we have into it but it is ALWAYS worth it in the end.

I've seen a huge change in my attitude this last week. A test of that for me was when I got pooped on by that pigeon. lol. The work is becoming what it should be and has been in the past. I don't know exactly what the trials have been but those things that I can change and improve have been happening. What a process! I've come closer to the Lord through my trials.

This week we also had a couple in our Ward be sealed! There are not many people here who are sealed or who have gone through the Temple at all. We could not go but we were able to help with their reception and sing for them. That is the long range goal.

Our investigators are doing well. The Mi* family is progressing. Hna Winfield had a great idea to teach a "silent lesson" with them. We went into there home and said hello and then told them what we were going to do. We had scriptures, songs, and questions all typed out and all we did was hang up the paper and give the lesson with out talking. They had to write in journals we got them as they went through the lesson. It went really well. Hno Mi* has a date to be baptised on the 24th. We're not sure if he is going to be able to make that date or not but we're trying. They have been investigating the church for over a year now. Their 16 yr daughter is a member. They always come to church and are stronger than some members here. Hna Pa*, the one we made pupusas with is the same way. We went into the lesson really focusing on Hno Mi* feeling that Hna Mi* isn't ready yet. When we left we felt that the lesson was more for Hna Mi* than Hno. :) We could see that she felt the spirit and it gave her more of a chance than usual to participate. Usually Hno Mi* talks and rambles.

I feel myself changing. I know one reason why I have been struggling so much is because I have not been allowing the Lord to be in charge. Hna Winfield and I talked for a long time about that. We are really learning and growing a lot together. I know that both her and I need to be here at this time. The work is progressing, not the way we would like it to be but the way the Lord would have it done. We have begun working with the Relief Society President and Bishop more. About 75% of our ward is in active. The members that come are absolutely amazing! There is a lot of work to get done here and I LOVE it!!!

Family, I know this is the work of the Lord and not my own. I am learning more than I could ever describe and doing my very best. Oh! :) I gave a talk on Sunday! In SPPPPANISH!!! My Spanish is still pretty bad but...it is there when it needs to be. Hna Winfields Spanish is amazing so with us together we do OK. I know that the only way to TRULY be happy is with the true and full gospel of Jesus Christ. How grateful I am to have what is most important. It is now our responsibility to share that with others and invite others to come unto Christ. Thank you for all of your prayers. I have felt them this week. I love all of you so very much. Have a great week! I'll be praying for you.

With Much Love,

Hermana Banaszewski

P.S.
This is Hermana Winfields info to link her blog to mine or share it with other people. The e-mail address is her mothers if you can't find it.

www.SisterRachelWinfield.Blogspot.com

jmwinfield@msn.com

10-11-10

A baptism on 10-10-10 of a 10 year old girl
I love NY!
Richmond Hill Chapel


Hello family,

Again this week I don't have as much time as I wish I did. I spent more time responding individually to e-mails. This week has been good. Honestly it has been a struggle. I know this work is important to the Lord.

Al* was baptized this Sunday! Yeah! It was a great feeling. We were able to teach her and it went so well. It was really cute what she said as we were teaching her as well. We asked her the baptismal questions and asked her if she had ever committed any crime. She said yes! (did I tell you this already) I thought, what?! We talked about it and she said when she was in kindergarten that she stole her friends money and used it to buy ice cream. She was so funny. I was impressed with the great testimony she has of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She is an incredible young girl and I pray she will stay faithful for the rest of her life.

This week I have seen so many of my weaknesses. I have struggled in every way I possibly could. I know that I need to develop greater love. I need not be selective with who or when I love someone. So, this week I am going to study charity.

I wish I could describe some of the experiences that I've had this week. There were two people that really stand out to me. As we went over to teach them they opened up to us and cried. They cry because they feel the love of our Savior for them, how much our Heavenly Father has for them, how much they want to change and improve their lives. It is incredible to me to watch these people. To be able to get to know people on such an intimate level. I love this work. I recognize I am nothing but a servant of the Lord all at the same time. I have so much to improve in my life. I pray that this week I will be able to do so.

How is everyone else doing? All I ever do is get on and talk about how things are going. How is home? Those I miss and love? Anything fun, exciting, hard going on?

This week Hna Winfield and I have both found comfort in watching some of the Mormon messages. We have been doing our best to work and do what the Lord would have us do.

I love each one of you so much. My heart aches at times for the wretched person that I am. I have so many weaknesses, my Spanish is horrible, and my Christlike attributes are not where they need to be but I am doing my best. I will keep each one of you in my prayers. Thank you for all of your prayers. They keep me going when I can not go on my own any more.

With Much Love,

Hermana Banaszewski

10-4-10

I am currently serving in Richmond Hill. My companion is Hermana Winfield from WA. She graduated in Financing from BYU in Dec.

The picture with food is what I ate. I ATE A FISH HEAD!!!! What? Yep. The power of prayer is real. lol

Hermana Winfield and I on Sat before conference

A view from our Apt



Hey Family!

OK-lets see how much I can write out in 20 min. Thank you for all of your beautiful e-mails. They lift and inspire me. There is so much I would like to tell you about. Right now I am serving in Richmond Hill, NY. There is a Spanish ward and an English branch here. There are a lot of people from Peru, Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico, and...everywhere. In Brooklyn the people were mostly from Mexico. My companion is Hermana Winfield. She's great. This is her 2nd transfer. She has only been out for 6 weeks but her Spanish is great. Honestly it is better than mine but that just means another opportunity for me to learn more humility.

The area here has been struggling. Last transfer they had two baptism which were great. It was a mother named Cl* and her 9 yr old daughter. Coming into this area with Hna Winfield being so new has been as if we have been whitewashed or blinded in. There are a lot of things that both of us want to change and improve upon. Its really exciting to change things up and have a companion that sees the need for it as well. That is on thing I've been really grateful that Hna Winfield is willing to do. We both see a great need for change here. We have spent a lot of time planning, printing off maps of the area, and setting goals. Last week we went through lists of people and made a list of our own of who is closest to baptism. As of right now we only have 1 investigator but there is a lot of hope for other people. There are a lot of part member families and people that have come to church for a long time but have never been baptized. I feel like this has been a personal calling of mine. As Hna Winfield and I were making a list of people that could realistically be baptized this months, this is the last month of year for the goal our mission has, we both felt very strongly about a girl who is 10 yrs old.

Her name is Al*. Her mother, sister, and grandma are members. To make a long story short we both felt that this was her time to be baptized and that we needed to start working with her more. On Wen. we saw her at the church as we were making copies of ward lists, maps, and everything else you could think of. She was taught by missionaries before and was asked to pray about a date she would get baptized. She said she wanted to do it on her birthday in Feb but then after she prayed she had a dream and said she wanted to be baptized on Dec 9 and thought that would be cool. Hna Winfield and I both felt the spirit. It was not a typical setting for us to feel the spirit, children were running around, Al* was dancing as we talked to her, I then said, "How cool would it be to be baptized on 10/10/10." She thought about it and then Hna Winfield said, will you pray about it tonight? She agreed. Yesterday we talked to her mother about Al*. Her mother said she wanted to be baptized this Sunday, 10/10/10. All we did was suggest the date and ask a little 10 yr to pray about it. She did and with out us asking had already talked to her mother and the Bishop. Miracles do happen. We will be meeting with her every night while her older sister is in seminary. They have seminary at night in the ward.

I have realized more and more that I need to have greater faith and trust in the Lord and in this work. I have felt more and more that to develop the greater spirituality that I need that I need to read the entire Book of Mormon this transfer. It is going to be difficult but I will do it. Things are going great here. It has been hard and I sure do miss Brooklyn but as hard as it is to say, I know this is exactly where I need to be right now. I apologize for this letter being so short. We don't have as much time to e-mail here. What a blessing it was to attend conference.

I love all of you so much. Have a wonderful week and don't be shy to drop a letter in the mail :)

With great love,

Hermana Banaszewski

9-27-10 #2

9-27-10

Dear family!

Well, I'm getting transferred! Noooo!!! It is really good to be moving to a new area but I am really sad to be leaving Hermana Reed and leaving all those I love so much. I must first apologize because I have a lot in my mind right now so I hope this letter will be alright. Hermana Reed and I have worked so well together the last two transfers, 3 months.

A lot has happened this week. Na* was not baptized despite the faith we exerted. She will be baptized someday. When I was saying good bye to her I told her that I would come back for her baptism when ever she gets baptized. We've had some really good teaching apt with her this last week though. She will be baptized some day. Hopefully it is just sooner than later. As a missionary I invite people to be baptized because of the joy, love, comfort, and salvation they can receive. When I remember how much Heavenly Father loves these people and want them to return and live with him once again I feel like inviting everyone I see.

That was one of the messages Hna Reed and I gave as we visited 9...NINE different people yesterday to say good bye to and set up apt for next week. I expressed my love for those we have worked with so much. They have progressed and I will miss all of them very much. However, I found that I haven't been as sad with leaving because all of us have the opportunity to see one another when we return and live with our Father in Heaven. We invited all to live there lives in such a way, applying the Atonement of Christ so that we will all be able to live together again as a family. What a blessing the Gospel of Jesus Christ is in our lives. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church of Christ and it has the Authority of Jesus Christ.

There are so many things that I could say about this last week but instead I think I'll send some pictures. This will probably be the last time I have e-mail for more than an hour. So just so everyone knows, try to e-mail early, before I get online on Monday and hopefully my e-mails wont be to scatter brained.

The work here has improved so much. It has been incredible to me to see the difference in the area, the members, the less-actives, the investigators. Oh! We had two investigators come to church yesterday and some less-actives as well. I really feeling like I'm leaving this area on a good note. Is* is still doing really well. She should be baptized pretty soon and I'm hoping to come back to see it. Her ex-boy friend, which is her ex now because she is committed to living the law of chastity, called on on Tuesday night. He is from Columbia, one of my FAV places, their food is so good. He called us and told us he wanted to be baptized! What?! Where did this man come from? He hasn't lived the greatest live so I was pretty hesitant about his desire to be baptized. After talking to him for a while on the phone and answering his questions about the Plan of Salvation and if we could live with our families after this life he told us again that he wanted to be baptized. What? Well, he was serious. He had been taught a little by the missionaries in Columbia before he came to the USA and watch General Conference there before moving. When he saw and read Is*'s pamphlets that we had given her he called us saying he wanted to be baptized. He asked when we had church serves and on Sunday our Ward Mission Leader picked him up and came to church! Woot!!!

Ok, I need to go. Hermana Reed is already done with e-mail and is waiting for me to get done. The area here has improved so much. Honestly the key to anything is work. That is one thing I've really learned here. Work is the solution as we also apply faith. Work is the application of Faith.

I love all of you so much. Have a wonderful week! This next will be interesting but I know that I need to serve in another area and I will do so with all of my heart.

I love you!

Hermana Banaszewski

Sept 20, 2010

Hey Family!!!

Wow! I am just loving life right now! I've spent a lot of time responding to each of you personally so my time to write a huge e-mail isn't very much. That is ok, I'll be simple today. Most importantly I've realized that I need to have more faith. This week Hermana Reed and I have been working really hard to help our investigators that have a baptism date; Na*, Is* and Hu*. Is* is AMAZING!!! Her desire to be baptized is still increadable. Last week we had a lesson with her that was clearly guided and directed by the spirit. She has such a strong spirit. Hermana Reed and I were exhausted but we felt we needed to see Is*. When we got there she told us about how much she has read in the Book of Mormon and began to cry. She feels such a heavy guilt from all that has happened in her life. She is just amazing. As we talked about her life and the Atonement we were also able to laugh as she said, "I have made such a mess of my body. What have I done?" Hermana Reed and I both gave all we could in the lesson. I bore my heart out about the Atonement. I know that because Christ is our Savior, died for us, suffered for our sins, our pains, and lives again, that we can feel a relief from our grief. Words could not describe how I feel about our Savior, Jesus Christ. Needless to say, Is* is doing great! The only problem is that she is still in the hospital which means she hasn't been able to go to church yet.

This morning our Zone Leader called and talked to us about those we have committed for baptism. We've had a lot of good success with having people commit to be baptized however helping them keep this commitment has been one of the hardest things I have ever done. Satan does not want these people to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized. As I was talking with Elder Flores on the phone we came to the conclusion that this week Hermana Reed and I are going to do ALL we can to help Na* to be baptized this Sunday. She has investigated the church for over a year now, she knows its true, and has gone to church about 30+ times. She could be baptized this week. We have been struggling contacting her and her desire to be baptized has gone down. As I hung up the phone I realized that I need to have greater faith. Do I really believe that Na* will be baptized this week, this Sunday??? YES! It is going to take more faith than I have. This morning I spent my entire personal study on faith. For companionship study Hermana Reed and I took some special time to talk about what needs to have happened for Na* to be baptized. I know that I lack so much as a missionary, as a person in general but I know that if this is the will of God, which I believe it is that Na* will be baptized this week. I have to recognize that she has her agency but Hermana Reed and I are going to do all we can and focus all of our efforts on helping her to make her first covenant with God.

This last week I have felt more and more love for and from the members here. The members are amazing. I have seen such a huge difference in the area here. Hermana Reed and I both feel that the members trust and love us as missionaries very much. We have been bringing members with us more and more to teach. On Friday we were also able to go to an activity where most of the members were. My heart swelled for these people. It is increadble to me how much love I have for them. On that note, this coming week is the last week of the transfer. :( I have been here for 3 transfers and 2 with Hermana Reed. I am really...I don't want to be transfered but...I know I can't stay here forever. I pray that what every happens I will feel at peace and the pain of leaving these people I love so much wont hurt as much as I am anticipating.

On a funny note, Hermana Reed and I have ate so much food I...I am determined to work out like crazy when I get home. We ate so much food one night Hermana Reed and I both threw up. Sick hu? Companionship unity right?

I have so much more I could say but I will leave it at that. I love being here. We have A LOT of work to do this week and I need to have greater faith. I love hearing how everyone is doing and I miss all of you very much. I know the church is true and that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way we can have and experience true joy and happiness.

Much Love,

Hermana Banaszewski