WEEK 101: WELL DONE MY FAITHFUL SERVANT

  This last week was very busy.  We had a ton to do and a lot of places to go.   We still saw miracles and the Lord provided. 

   On Tuesday we had exchanges.  I was with another American elder.  We worked in our area, it was so awesome!  We had a great day.  He interviewed our candidate for baptism and we were able to find other people to teach.  We even taught this super spiritual lesson in the evening about the plan of salvation.  The person we taught is fire. He asked such good questions, it was great. 

   On Wednesday we taught some recent converts in the morning about the restoration.  It was a good lesson and then we exchanged back to our companions.  The mission nurse called and said we needed to go to the MRC (missionary recovery center) and do some stuff.   That took a lot of time out of our day.  We did that and got everything squared away and got back to our area as fast as possible to visit people.

   On Thursday the whole zone had to go into the mission office to get a flu shot and after that we had exchanges again.  I went to the other area this time.   It was a productive exchange.  I learned new things and met some great people.  There is a tatay over there that works with the missionaries everyday and he is so cool.  I loved talking with him.  He knows the area so well. 

   On Friday we exchanged back.  We did our planning  and helped prepare for the baptism on Saturday.  We were putting water in the font and doing other necessary preparations.  We were also able to visit these long time investigators and the lesson was good.  They really seem to be softening and coming closer to baptism.  The day was very busy but it was good. 

  Saturday was awesome!  We had the baptism in the morning!  We had members come and support and the program went great!!  The candidate was so happy and I was so grateful we got to know him and teach him.   After the baptism, we had the opportunity  to take recent converts to the temple to do baptisms for the dead.  It was so cool to see someone we had taught previously, get baptized, then enter the temple to do baptisms for the dead.   We were able to go in with them.  The temple is amazing and the Spirit is so strong.   When we got home the person that was baptized in the morning worked with us.  He's so fire!

  Sunday was awesome too. We had miracles happen with people coming to church!  It was so exciting.  This area has so much potential!  There are great people here.  We were able to teach some recent converts and then had a lot of places to go, so we went on splits and were able to teach a great new family.  They are a referral of recent converts and the lesson was awesome.  They already committed to come to church and are so interested.  The Spirit was so strong in the lesson.  The whole week was busy and awesome. 

    This may be my last email.  I just want to say that I know this Church is the true Church of Jesus Christ. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet and called of God.  I know the Book of Mormon is true and if we read it we can find answers to our prayers.  I know Russell M. Nelson is a prophet of God and has been called at this time to guide and help us.  These have really been the best two years!  I have learned so many things.  I have grown closer to my Savior and my faith has been tested and strengthened.  I love missionary work!  I have learned that the Lord is aware of our individual needs and He will always provide. He loves us and wants to help us. The work is true.  I have seen many miracles on my  mission and I know we can all see miracles and tender mercies in our lives.  I hope you all have a wonderful week. 

Elder Snyder

WEEK 100: PEOPLE CAME TO CHURCH WE DIDN'T EXPECT

  Hello everyone!! I hope you had a great week. We had a good one.  An investigator was baptized!!!  It was so awesome. It's great to see another person come unto Christ and see their lives change. 

   Last Tuesday we had zone conference, It was great. I learned a lot. It was actually my very last zone conference for my mission, which was sad, but it was a good one. President Koster and Sister Koster said great things and I learned from the other training's.  When we got home we only had time to teach one person, which was a good lesson. 

   On Wednesday we were able to teach a person we have been trying to teach for a long time. She was just always too busy.  We taught the plan of salvation and it was great. She had so many good questions. I was so happy that she became less busy and we were able to teach her.  We also had a person we are teaching, work with us.  He is awesome.  He is getting baptized this coming Saturday and he wants to come with us as we work.  We then taught another person that is so interested, he is fire.  I love teaching him because he has such sincere questions and is really seeking.  We had a powerful lesson on the Book of Mormon.  He is coming to love the Book of Mormon.  I know that if we will all read it then our faith can be strengthened and we will know what we should do. 

   On Thursday we had district council in the morning and taught a person preparing for baptism in the afternoon. He is so fire. He is so ready to be baptized and is excited.  We were able to find some new people to teach and help teach some less actives to help them come to church on Sunday. 

   On Friday the rain was coming down hard. A storm came through and the rain was heavy.   We were walking and talked to this tatay and then the rain started pouring and he let us come in to hide and we ended up being able to teach him a short lesson.  He was great.  The Lord put us in the right place at the right time. 

   On Saturday was the baptism!!!!  We had many people show up and it was a great service!!  I am so happy for the person that was baptized.  She has shown a lot of faith to be baptized and now her family is complete.  They can prepare to be sealed next year in the temple.   We were also able to teach some really cool people later that day.  Their electricity went out and they only had candles.   This guy is searching so hard for truth and the Book of Mormon has all the answers. The message of the Restoration is awesome. It just makes sense and can give hope to all of us. 

   On Sunday we saw miracles.  We had people come to church that we didn't expect to come.  They had an amazing experience. The Lord always provides, It was so great.  We were able to teach other people and less actives.  The area is progressing and great things are happening. I hope you all keep reading the Book of Mormon and have a great week.

Elder Snyder

WEEK 99: IT'S ALWAYS WORTH IT!

  The time is going by fast.  Another week has flown by.  We saw miracles this last week and found some really great people. Missionary work is amazing!

   On Tuesday we had exchanges.  I was with a great elder, he is awesome.  We had a good day of work.  We even had 2 recent converts work with us.  It was awesome.  We can really see the recent converts progression,  but the best lesson was our last one.  We were teaching a really humble guy.  He is such an honest seeker of truth.  He asks really good and deep questions.  The Spirit was so powerful in the lesson.  He really made good commitments and we are excited for him.  

   On Wednesday we saw miracles.  We were out in the morning and got punted. The Lord still provided. We found 2 part member families and a really interested person.  We went to this person because he was written in the area book.  I had written his name a while back and as I was looking through the area book again and the name popped out to me.  We went back and he was very happy to see us.  In the afternoon we taught a great guy, he's preparing for baptism this month. we taught the word of wisdom and he was living it before he even knew what it was. We got kinda punted the rest of the day but we had a tatay recent convert working with us and even when we're punted he cracks jokes and is happy. 

  On Thursday the mission got washing machines for the apartments for all missionaries.  They're just the simple ones that spin.  No automatic stuff or anything fancy.  We helped the person from the office deliver some of them to missionaries in the zone.   Later that day our recent converts had a referral, it was awesome.  They've been members less than a month and are referring. We taught him and it was pretty good.  We were also able to find other great people. There are so many great people to teach here in the city.  

   On Friday we were able to teach some great people that are preparing for baptism. I am always so humbled and grateful that we found these people. It's great to see the faith they are showing to change their lives and live the commandments.   We taught the guy that I mentioned was written in the area book.  He is awesome.  He asked great questions and listened so intently.  It was a great lesson.   Later that day we went to teach a lesson but we had to go through small floods and heavy rain.  When we got there they had no electricity.  He said he would come to church.  Even though we weren't able to teach it was well worth it. 

   On Saturday we taught another member referral.  It was a great lesson too.   We picked up an investigator and attended a baptism of another area so he could see a baptism.  It was great!    I think he had a great experience.  He then attended the ward activity.   We were able to teach another member referral in the evening.  He was fire too.  He has lots of questions and really wants to find the truth.  It was a great day. 

   On Sunday we had miracles as some investigators came to church.  Some came that we didn't expect to come and it was awesome.  We were able to teach recent converts and found some part members.   We had a meeting with the stake presidency that the missionaries are invited to attend.  It was amazing.  The stake presidency here is so supportive of the missionaries and we were able to discuss great things and give ideas to help further the work.   Our investigator we are preparing for baptism got interviewed and she passed.  Her baptism is this Saturday!! She is the daughter of our recent converts.  I wasn't feeling to good this week. I got sick, but  pushed through.  It's always worth it. 

   I hope you all have a good week. Remember how much God loves you and push through the hard things because it will always be worth it.

Elder Snyder 

WEEK 98: REDIRECTION NOT REJECTION

   Happy 4th of July!!!! I hope you all had a great week and a good holiday. 

   Last Tuesday I had exchanges with another elder. He is a great missionary.  I learned a lot from him. He is a hard worker and knows his purpose.  We had a great day. He is the district leader of another district and their district had a finding activity and so I was there for it.  It was a fun time.  First, we were getting rejected like crazy,  then I said it's redirection not rejection and the very next person we talked to let us in so easy.  We didn't even ask to share a message and they said come in and we were able to share.  I was also able to interview one of their candidates for baptism.  It was so cool. its always so great to see these people and look in their eyes and see the growing testimony.  

   On Wednesday it was the 4th!!! Happy 4th. We just worked as usual and exchanged back.  We were able to teach a great investigator and he accepted a baptismal date. We were pumped and so happy for him.  We then went to teach another investigator.  The people at his house were being crazy and so we taught him in his jeep and it was a great lesson.  We are seeing miracles happen. There are people everywhere who are ready for the Gospel. 

   On Thursday we were able to teach some great people.  We tried to contact some referrals and find some part members.  We got some progress but the addresses were a little sketchy.   We were able to teach someone who is preparing for baptism on July 21. 

   On Friday we had a meeting at the mission home almost the whole day.  We went there early and there was breakfast.  I learned so much from the meeting. I learned things I can improve and ways to help others be better.  The best part about the meeting was that our mission president cooked burgers and had chips and watermelon for the 4th.  Even though it was on the 6th it was a great 4th of July haha. 

   On Saturday the day started out amazing.  I had an extra powerful language study.  I really felt the Spirit as I was reading about Alma and his experience.  It just seemed to apply perfectly to me.  The scriptures are amazing, especially the Book of Mormon.   We were able to visit some less actives and members. There are some inspiring members here. This one particular members house burned down but they are still happy and pushing on.  

  On Sunday we had a miracle happen.  An investigator came to church that we weren't expecting to come.  He had a great time and we were so excited that he came.  We were able to teach other great people.  We had recent converts work with us.  It's a great feeling to see recent converts progressing in the gospel.  The ward is great and very supportive.  We had a great week.  I hope you all have a great week. 

Elder Snyder

WEEK 97: HAVING FAITH, NOT GIVING UP, THE LORD WILL PROVIDE

     This week was a week of miracles.  Many wonderful things happened. Many things turned around and became great. 

   Last Wednesday we had to go the the transfer point and coordinate transfers.  It all went smooth.  The missionaries were able to transfer out safely and the new ones came in good.  We have some great missionaries here and I am excited to work with them.  When we got home we went out to work. We had a member work with us and we got punted all over the place.

   On Thursday we had a cool thing happen.  We were going to an appointment and were supposed to go left but accidently went right.  When we realized the mistake we turned back to go the other way.  We were at the right place at just the right time to talk to a guy that really wants to be taught and is totally prepared by the Lord. It was awesome.   We were also able to get other new investigators. 

   On Friday we helped a member move some stuff, then  went to a nanay and she wasn't on our plan but she now has a new friend that she referred and she was willing to be taught.  We got another new investigator there.   Later we went somewhere that wasn't on the plan because of some stuff that happened, but it was perfect timing to go back to a guy we had talked to and teach him.  It was incredible. The Lord guided the day. 

  On Saturday we taught the awesome recent convert family and he came and worked with us.  Their testimonies are awesome.  I'm  glad I have met them.   We worked hard today and it was good.  The great thing was we went looking for this really great person we talked to.  Where he lives there are no exact addresses.  We had no idea how we would find him.  We just happened to talk to the right people and they knew him and then we ran into his cousin who showed us his house.  I don't think we would have been able to find him if the Lord had not helped us and put those people in our path.  The lesson was great and he has so much potential. 

   On Sunday we had miracles too.  Members brought referrals to church and they are amazing, so interested!   Then another investigator agreed to be baptized.  At the beginning of last week we were having a hard time with the work, but the Lord gave us miracles and we saw so much progression this current week.   It was an awesome week! 

   I hope you all have a great week. Push through the hard times and trust in the Lord and He will provide. There is something good right around the corner. 

Elder Snyder

WEEK 96: THIS WAS MY LAST TRANSFER / STAYING HERE

  This last week was amazing.  We had two baptisms, a husband and wife.  They are so amazing.  Their testimonies are fire and contagious.   It was so amazing to see them get baptized and teach them. they really demonstrated great faith and are already seeing blessings come down from Heaven. 

  Last Tuesday we worked with some members and were able to split.  It  was good because we were able to cover twice as much ground and go to a lot of people.  We were able to find new people and visit current investigators, it was a very effective day. 

  On Wednesday we were able to contact a great former investigator.  They are still super nice and willing to listen. That was a tender mercy.   We also got a referral from a member and talked to a ton of people.  We planted a lot of seeds.  We hope we can go back to all of those people. 

  On Thursday we had exchanges with the assistants in their area.  I was able to go with my old companion elder Okuonghae.  We had a great day.  We worked hard and lots of funny things happened to us.  They have some really funny investigators and some really great ones.  I learned a lot going on exchanges today.

  On Friday we were back in our area and had a tender mercy and were able to find a member we were looking for.  We had been all over and then we just happened to talk to the right person who pointed us in the right direction.   We also taught the family who was getting baptized.  They were so excited and so ready to be baptized. 

  On Saturday it was the baptism!!!!!!!!!!!  It was such a good day.  The couple was so happy and excited and so were we.  The  members were awesome.  They filled the font and helped with the program and a lot of them attended the baptism.  The  people that were baptized really felt the love of the ward.  It was a great service.  I baptized the wife and a member baptized the husband.  One of the best parts of the day was hearing them bear their testimonies after they were baptized.  The Spirit was so strong. 

  On Sunday they were confirmed.  I was able to confirm one of them.  The Spirit was just as strong at the baptism if not stronger.  It was such a happy feeling and they had such a happy welcome into the ward.  Later in the day we were able to find and teach a new investigator who was awesome.  He had many questions and we were able to answer them in a way he understood.   

   Yesterday we found out who is transferring.  I will not be transferring, so I will finish my mission in this area.  Sprint to the end!  lots more to do.  Hope you all have a great week. 

Elder Snyder

WEEK 95: 101 YEARS OLD

We had a good week.  Planted lots of seeds and saw miracles. 

    On Tuesday we did some member work, it was great.  We were able to teach some good people and visited members, as they pointed us towards a lot of good people.   The members are great and super supportive here. 

    On Wednesday we taught some part members and recent converts.  Hopefully it works out, they have real potential.  Towards the end of the lesson the rain started coming down hard. By the time we left there was a very deep flood, but a nice lady let us borrow some rain boots to cross. Filipinos are the best.  We got a return appointment with the lady that lent us rain boots.   We then taught the couple that’s preparing for baptism, they are so fire.  I’m so happy and grateful we found them and have been able to teach them.   The Spirit was so strong.   Despite challenges arising they are pushing on. 

   On Thursday we had zone conference, it was awesome . I learned a lot and felt the Spirit and it was great to be able to see other missionaries.   By the time we got home we didn't have a lot of time to work but it was a great few hours.  We had great success.  We met a guy that approached us and said he wants to be baptized (miracle) and we were able to contact former investigators.  We also visited a nanay that is 101 years old and still comes to church.  Where there is a will there’s a way. 

   On Friday we hit some appointments and taught many lessons.  We reviewed baptismal interview questions with our investigator. 

   On Saturday we taught a new investigator and then we taught a relatively new investigator, seeing some progress with them.  Hopefully they keep progressing.  We even had our investigator that’s going to be baptized this week work with us, it was awesome.  Then we went to his baptismal interview.  He and his wife passed with flying colors.  They shared their testimonies, it was so powerful.  It really inspired me.  Hearing their testimonies and how happy they are makes me so happy and makes everything worth it.  There’s no substitute for it.  Missions are awesome.  

   On  Sunday we had a good day. We taught new investigators, taught recent converts and taught current investigators.  The members are supportive  and are really helping with our investigators.  Of course HAPPY FATHERS DAY.  Shout out to my dad for being awesome.  I hope all the father’s had a wonderful day. 

Have a great week. 

Elder Snyder

WEEK 94: WAFFLES

  This week was great. We had some service projects and saw miracles.  I’m really excited for the people we are teaching. 

   Last Monday we brought our investigators to a member and had an FHE.  We watched President Nelson and it was so fire.  After the FHE lesson the investigator said they were now committed to the baptismal date for sure.  It was amazing. The members are awesome here. 

   On Tuesday we had district meeting and had a service project in the afternoon.  We helped a member move to a different house.   Members bring so much power and really help the work.   We went out and a member was giving us referrals and we met one.  Really excited for what is happening.  Many great things are going on

   On Wednesday we had a meeting at the mission home.  They had waffles for us, so delicious.  President and Sister Koster are awesome.!  I learned a lot that I want to apply in our area.   It was an all-day meeting,  so when we got home we visited a few people and worked as much as we could.  It was a great day.  We can apply a lot of what we learned today to help the area. 

   On Thursday we had a zone service project.  There was a fire in our area and a member was affected.  All the houses in the whole area were completely destroyed.  It was humbling and I felt bad for the people.    It was great to go and help them with building and cleaning up.  The family is awesome.  They are so humble and nice.  I love the people here.  They are so happy no matter what happens.  In the afternoon we went to a new investigator, he is awesome.  I think  he has real potential .  We visited other great investigators too.  We talked to some new people and are really excited the direction the area is going. 

   On Friday we had many great appointments.  We saw progression in so many people we are teaching.  The power of the Book of Mormon is real. It just holds everything together.  Our bishop here in this area is awesome,  he is so involved and is so willing to work with the missionaries. 

  On Saturday we visited the awesome family we are working with.  We had a great lesson about temples, They loved it.  They put the picture of the temple up on their door,  I’m so excited for this family.  They are prepared by the Lord and we found them after being punted.  It’s not rejection, its redirection.  

  On Sunday we had miracles happen.  There was a storm and very heavy rain.  A miracle happened that the rain let up just enough for investigators to come to church.  It was awesome to see the faith of this family  come to church.  They just had a small window but they took it and came and they had a great experience and then later that night we had another FHE with the members and they shared their testimonies about temples and the Spirit was so strong. I am so grateful for temples. We also had miracles with members bringing non member family members to church and they had a great experience. So many miracles happened. The Lord provides. I hope you all have a great week. 

Elder Snyder

WEEK 93: GOING ON EXCHANGES WITH SOMEONE FROM OREM

 This week was great. We saw miracles. Had a baptism and were able to serve lots of people. 

  Last Tuesday we had district meeting, then after  we went to this great investigator’s home. We had a powerful lesson about the gospel of Jesus Christ, It was great. This man is so awesome.  He keeps commitments and just does whats right.  Later that night we were on our way home and this guy smiled at us so we talked to him and turns out that he has a ton of siblings and one of them is Mormon and he’s interested to listen and learn about the church.  Such a small thing but a great tender mercy. 

  On Wednesday  we had district service.  The whole district came and we helped some investigators move from the first floor to the second floor.   We carried some very heavy stuff in very narrow places. haha Where there's a will there's a way.  It’s more fun in the Philippines.  It was great service and then they bought us KFC, so that rocked haha. I had exchanges after our service with elder Stokes.  He’s from Orem too.  He went to Mountain View H.S.  He’s  a great guy, cool to talk with someone from Orem.  We had a fire lesson with a really progressing family about recieving revelation through the Holy Ghost.   We taught a great lesson to a recent convert.  It’s such a good feeling to see recent converts progressing in the gospel!  They’re preparing to go to the temple!!!

   On Thursday we had some answers to some prayers.  We were able to find some new people.   We had a member referral that we were able to contact (more like finally able to find his house haha) and he's awesome.  In the evening we found a great new investigator that is now living with some members. We saw progression of other investigators.  It was a great day.  It was a testimony  building day because that morning I had studied about Nephi and him building a ship. He said that if the Lord could do miracles in the past then He was able to help Nephi build a ship.  So I thought if the Lord can help Nephi build a ship and do miracles, then he can help us find new investigators and it was true. The Lord answers prayers and helps us. 

   On Friday we were able to teach the fire family again about the book of Mormon and teach other recent converts about the temple. 

  Saturday we had a baptism!!!!!!!!!!! It was amazing.  Marvin is his name.  Marvin is so awesome.  He is so fire and his testimony is great.  It's been so great teaching him and knowing him.  I am so happy he was baptized.  It was a great program.  Many members came and supported him.  I'm very excited for him.  The water was kinda shallow but it worked out. His fellow shipper baptized him.  Then after the baptism we taught some less actives and found a new part member family.  It was a wonderful day.

  On Sunday we got kinda punted in the afternoon when we started going around.  We were able to give a blessing to one member and went to a ton of people but they were all asleep.  It was very very hot and we were exhausted and then we had a great lesson with the family we are teaching and it made it all worth it.  We brought members to the lesson and it was perfect.  Their experience and testimonies were so awesome.  I'm so excited for this family. Miracles are really happening. 

  This week was great. I hope you all have a wonderful week. Remember that the Lord can and will help us in our lives.  If he can help Nephi build a boat then he can  help us in whatever we need. 

Elder Snyder

WEEK 92: ONE OF THE BEST MOMENTS OF MY MISSION

   This week had a highlight of my whole mission. A recent convert family from last year that I had the opportunity to teach and baptize came to the Manila temple and were sealed for all time and eternity. It was one of the best experiences of my life.  So full of happiness.   So cool to see this family again and even better to see them in the temple. They are amazing ,words cannot describe it.  I'm so thankful for the restoration and that families can be together forever.  The Tribucio Family is their name. They are such good examples of righteous gospel living and the blessings that come from living the gospel. 

   Last Wednesday we had exchanges.   We were able to teach a new family we found. This family was found when we were punted and we randomly talked to this tatay.  He was super nice and while we were talking  his wife saw he invited us in and they are super interested.  They asked great questions. I feel like they have been prepared by the Lord. They even testified of us showing up, because  the dad had just got out of the hospital and then we came by.  They said it was like an answer to their prayers.  It's a wonderful feeling to be a part of that and see this family's progression.

   On Thursday we had district meeting and taught another fire investigator afterwards. He is great at keeping commitments and coming to church.  We also found this guy that is pretty cool.   He's  not a member but he reads the Book of Mormon and wants to know more. Many miracles are happening here. 

   On Friday was the temple sealing of the Tribucio Family.  We met them at the temple in the morning with our Mission President. It was great to see them again.  I love that family so much.   We had some lunch and then went into the temple.  I was the escort of the father.  It was such a happy day.  I am so grateful they were able to come to the temple. The Spirit was so strong. It was so amazing to be there at the sealing. I know this church is true and that families can be together forever.  I could see it in the eyes of this family. I felt so happy.  I really can't put it into words. 

   On Saturday we had a baptism so that was another high light of the week.  This investigator that is now baptized is so cool.  He has really turned around his life, like almost a complete 180.  He is a new person,  so happy . I was so happy to see him get baptized.  He has a great testimony.  After the baptism we taught the great family again.  So many great things. 

    On Sunday that amazing family we are teaching came to church!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We were so pumped.  They said they almost didn't come but felt they needed to and they had a great experience.  They received answers to prayers and it really helped them.  Another investigator was able to be interviewed for his upcoming baptism.  Great things are happening here. The Lord is aware of each of us and wants to bless us. Stay true to covenants and keep the commandments. Have a great week

Elder Snyder

The Family That Got Sealed

WEEK 91: I AM SO THANKFUL FOR TEMPLES

  Hello everyone!! I hope you all had a great week. We had a good one here. We were very busy.  

   Last Wednesday was transfers and I got a new companion.  He is a great elder.  He is so hard working and good at teaching.  I'm excited for what will happen this transfer.  We  had some great appointments and felt the Spirit. 

   On Thursday we had district meeting in the morning, it was great. Then in the afternoon we worked very hard, it always feels so good to be out there working.   We had a member that was clutch and gave a referral and is preparing others.  The members are awesome here.  

  On Friday we had zone interviews for our zone, another great experience.  It’s  always good to be able to talk to President Koster. He is awesome and he got us McDonald’s.   After that we were able to review the baptismal interview questions for our baptismal candidate.  He is so ready.  The gospel has completely  changed his life,  I am so excited for his baptism. 

   On Saturday it was national service day,  so we joined with the ward and served and cleaned up an elementary school's outside grounds.  There were a ton of members, it was so great to see everyone.  We then were able to teach some investigators that we had found.  We really focused on the Book of Mormon.   My companion speaks their native language so the lesson  was super powerful. 

  On Sunday we saw miracles with people coming to church, so amazing.  This area has a lot of excitement happening.    We were kinda punted when we started working.  As the day was closing yet again we talked to this great guy.  We were talking outside and then his wife came out asked who we were and said to come in.   We taught the dad, mom and daughter in their home and it was a fire lesson.  They seem so prepared by the Lord, such a great lesson. They just got out of the hospital and are ready for the Gospel. 

  Monday was a regular day because we have a temple p day this week.   We had some good appointments and our investigator passed his interview which is exciting. 

   Earlier we went to the temple.  It was so amazing.  I am so thankful for temples.  They are amazing and truly bring us closer to heaven.  I met people coming from all over just to come to the temple and I would invite everyone to go to the temple as much as possible.  It’s a wonderful way to feel the Spirit and receive answers.   This week was great.  I hope you all have a good week. 

Elder Snyder

WEEK 90: 3 GUYS SITTING DOWN

  This last week was amazing.  We saw many miracles.  The Lord helped us grow and I learned a lot.   Also, it was awesome because I got to call home.     Shout out to my mom for being awesome and a happy mother’s day to all. 

  Last Tuesday we had service project as a district,  it was great.  We helped paint and move rocks. Once the service project was over, we went and taught some great investigators.  It was a great lesson.   Then after that we were punted pretty good.  We are really trying to find new people to teach and we are talking to as many people as we can, having no luck.   About 8:30 P.M. we were very tired walking some more and ran into 3 guys sitting down and they were so cool.  We just chatted and testified and they wanted us to come back and teach their families.  Another great tender mercy.   It was a great way to end the day.

   On Wednesday we taught some fire lessons.  We are really seeing the progress of some people. We are so excited because people are starting to read the Book of Mormon and their progress is skyrocketing.  

   On  Thursday we had MTC exchanges. A missionary being trained comes out and does exchanges with in field missionaries,  it was great.  I was with someone from new Zealand.  Then we had our bishop work with us and we visited a member and she came in clutch and gave a ton of referrals.  It was great!  Then we taught this investigator that is so prepared. She just asks all the right questions and is so eager to learn. The gospel has all the answers. 

   On Friday we saw miracles.  It started out with us being punted hard.  It was very hot, all the appointments fell through.  We kept in mind that we weren’t rejected but just being redirected.  It was very true.  After being rejected we found a flood of new people.  First was a dad,  he is cool and then the next were two families.  So because of being rejected we found some really great people and a new part member.  It was amazing.  

   On Saturday we had a great day.  Our day was basically planned before we began.  We taught 7 lessons to some awesome people.  We just went from appointment to appointment and it all worked out,  it was great. The Lord provides. 

   On Sunday we had many investigators come to church, it was great.  The Lord provided a way for people to come.  Also happy mother’s day.  As we looked back at the week we saw there were many many miracles.  We just kept going and doing our best and it all worked out.  

 This week is transfer week.  I will be staying and my companion is leaving.  I’m excited for what this next transfer holds. I hope you all have a great week. 

Elder Snyder

WEEK 89: WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS, MAKE LEMONADE

  Hello everyone.  I hope you all had a great week!!  Our last week was good. 

   Last Tuesday we had zone conference, it was great. I was able to feel the Spirit and learn a lot of new things.  Also Sister Koster made us rice krispy treats which were delicious.   When we got home we had a cool experience.  We got a text that a nanay was in the hospital in our area.  This nanay had a daughter in America who is a member and she wanted us to give a blessing.  We gave the blessing which was a super great experience and they want us to visit. The Lord prepares people in many different ways. 

  On Wednesday we were able to teach some progressing investigators.  One thing I learned from our investigator is to just never give up.  When life gives you lemons make lemonade and keep trying to live the Gospel. It's hard now but it will get better. 

  On Thursday we had a meeting at the mission home. It was all day, but it was good. I learned a lot and really felt inspired.  There was also a delicious breakfast of waffles.   One of us was transferred.  So now there is just two of us. 

  On Friday we had some cool lessons.  We have a cool guy we're teaching that is so sincere.  I love teaching him.  Then, randomly as we were leaving his house a guy came up to us and really wants to listen.  He was busy at the time but he showed us his house and we gave him a pamphlet.  It all just happened so fast.  

  On Saturday we were able to teach a lot. It was so great.  So cool to see people come to understand the gospel.  We were also able to teach the nanay and her family that we blessed in the hospital, such a great lesson.  We were able to teach some lessons where we testified of the Book of Mormon and the Spirit was so strong. 

  Sunday was great.  Sacrament was awesome and the members bore some awesome testimonies.  We had some great lessons.  The last lesson was power.  We taught the Restoration and it was cool.  We really felt the investigators commitment, very exciting.  The Lord is working by small and simple things in our area but He is definitely working a marvelous work.  It was a good busy week. I hope you all have a great next week. Ingat!

Elder Snyder

WEEK 88: HE'S FROM INDIA & FLUENT IN TAGALOG

 This week was great. We had a great week of teaching.  The Spirit was present and we saw progression in the area. I learned a lot of things.  

   Last Tuesday we taught some fire lessons.  We have seen the Spirit touch the hearts of our investigators and we are seeing some leaps forward in progression, it’s  so exciting.  The members are really supportive and really helping us. I encourage everyone to be a missionary.  You don't have to go out and work to be a member missionary, you can fellowship, invite, text, remind, and many more things to help people come unto Christ. 

   On Wednesday we got rained on, it was really coming down.  It felt good because it was really hot in the morning.  Nice way to cool off.  We taught a cool tatay that reads the Book of Mormon like crazy,  it’s so cool.   We were able to find some new investigators.   We are really excited with the recent convert because she is planning to go with the ward to visit the temple when it opens on may 1. So  exciting. 

   On Thursday we had a fantastic day. It just felt like God planned our day and everything worked out. I was on exchanges with another elder in my area.  We were able to find a new family in the morning that has real potential.  We felt to randomly visit a family we had taught and it was perfect timing because they had just got back from a trip and were happy to see us.   In  the afternoon we just went from appointment to appointment.  Every lesson was great.  We gave a baptismal date and it felt like the investigator was just waiting for the invitation,  they accepted so happily.  We then taught a man with some of the most sincere questions. He is really looking for the truth.   Some things happened that rearranged our schedule and it seemed like things wouldn't work out but it actually worked out better than we had planned. God is really directing the work and helps it move forward.  

   On Friday we taught a cool lesson.  This person just asked all the right questions.  Each question just moved the discussion  perfectly.   One of the elect of God.    We had a member work with us and were able to go on splits,  it was very successful.   We were able to help and find investigators and teach less actives and recent converts.  We also gave another very solid baptismal date. 

   On Saturday we got a new investigator, he’s from India and fluent in Tagalog.  He is a really cool guy and is willing to listen.  We  attended the baptism of someone in our zone and I was the one who baptized their investigator.   I was stressed but after the baptism I felt this incredible peace and joy.  Always a happy time to see someone enter the waters of baptism.  

   On Sunday we had a great day at church.  I really felt the power of the sacrament. It brought me peace and happiness and recharged me.  Our bishop worked with us,  he is so cool.  We brought him to less actives and found new people.  We taught a new family that was referred by members and they are fire.   They were asking great questions and ready to hear the gospel.   We saw so many good things happen this week.  The church is true.  It also showed me how important members are in the work. We all have something to contribute and God will help us. I hope you all have a great week. 

Elder Snyder