WEEK 87: GOOSEBUMPS HEARING THE FIRST VISION

   This week was awesome.  We were able to have a baptism!!!!!  It was awesome. We also saw other miracles and learned many new things.  

     Last Monday we went to these investigators that we just talked to randomly another week.  They were awesome.  They had great questions and said they got goosebumps when we described the first vision.   The Spirit was so strong. A great lesson. 

    On Tuesday we were able to go back to another person we talked to on the street another week.  We talked to this guy really far from his house and we were hoping we would be able to find it.   We actually went the wrong way first but just happened to talk to someone that knew him and were able to find his house and he is straight fire.  Such a cool investigator.  He wants us to teach his family.   It was cool how we were able to find his house and teach him  then we taught some other great investigators. We have been focusing on the Book of Mormon with people and it has made a huge difference. 

    On Wednesday we got punted but it was great because we got to talk to a ton of people. Like a ton!  Having three of us allowed us to talk to a lot of people.   We were also able to have our investigator interviewed that got baptized. 

   On Thursday we had a miracle.  We were planning and just thought to go to a member family and because  we went there, we found a new part member that is really cool.  Such a great find.  The Spirit really tells us what we should do in our thoughts and hearts. 

   On  Friday we shared Mosiah 24:14-16 with an investigator. The Book of Mormon is power if we will liken it to ourselves. It really helped this person and I think it helped show the power of the book. The Book of Mormon becomes more useful as we liken it to ourselves.  If we place ourselves in the story and look for similarities in our own lives. I promise that it will answer our questions and give us guidance.   We taught another part member.   First she was kind of interested but now that she has been reading the Book of Mormon a lot she has become super excited and even accepted a baptismal date.  It was awesome. 

   On Saturday we had the baptism, it was wonderful.  A very good program .  Today was a busy day.  We went in the morning to fill up the font and then had to jump over to another area to do a baptismal interview and then hustle back and teach at an appointment we had set.   Then get to the baptism early to prepare.  We were able to do it.  The actual baptism was great. Members showed up and the candidate had a great time.  The speakers were good and the Spirit was strong. It was a happy day. So grateful to see another person come into the waters of baptism.  It’s also so incredible to see how people change and the happiness that comes into our lives because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

   On Sunday I was the speaker and something cool happened, I had a talk prepared. I followed it but as I spoke I felt completely  guided by the Spirit.  What I should say just seemed to pop into my mind immediately.  The coolest part was my Tagalog felt like it was stepped up a level.  I always had the word and it just flowed.  It’s  hard to describe, but I want to testify that the Spirit is always there to help us and the gifts of the Spirit are real.  later that day we were also able to find some new people and teach some great lessons.  It was a great week.  I hope you all have a great week too. 

Elder Snyder

WEEK 86: I HAD RANCH DRESSING

   Hello everyone!  I hope you all had a great week.  We had a great week here.  It was very very very hot but we survived.  Its  summer here. I also want to give a shout out to my mom and liv cause it was their birthdays last week. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

   Last Tuesday we had a good day. I was feeling sick but I still wanted to work.  I thought I couldn't work at first but by the end of the day I felt great, the Lord strengthened me. It was wonderful. We met great people and found some new investigators. There was this one man that we just engaged in a casual conversation and then he started asking really awesome questions.  People are being prepared.  There was also a very cool storm. The lightning was close and the thunder was loud. 

  On Wednesday we found many many potential investigators. We talked to everyone and were just feeling on fire.  It was partly because it was a good day and partly because it was a million degrees outside and we got roasted haha.   It ended with a great lesson with an investigator. 

  On Thursday we had exchanges. I was in the other area.  It was another very very hot day, we had a good day of work.  I was able to learn some new things and we were able to find them some new investigators.  Every area is seeing miracles. 

  On Friday we taught some good lessons. Let me just say that I am so thankful for the Restoration because many people are unaware of certain truths.  We were able to testify to many and I felt the Spirit. We were able to find a new investigator.  We were also fed dinner and they had ranch dressing and it was super delicious.  I haven't had it in a long long time. 

  On  Saturday we taught the family from Cameroon, it was so great.  The Spirit was there.  There's just a power that comes from teaching in English. They had such great questions and it was great to be able to answer them.  We found some other new people also.  It was a good day. 

  On Sunday we had stake conference, it was great. We saw miracles.  Members brought referrals to church and some less actives came back, it was spiritually powerful. They talked about the new ministering program. I think it is a wonderful idea.   It will help the work of the Lord really move forward.  It was another great week with many miracles.  Have a great week. 

Elder Snyder

WEEK 85: PUMPED TO BE A MISSIONARY

  Hello!! Another week has flown by and it was an incredible week. We watch conference a week behind here and it was such a great conference. Probably one of the best ever. I learned so much!!  We truly have a prophet of God here. This is Jesus Christ's church and He is leading it through President Russell M. Nelson. 

  Last Wednesday we were busy in the morning.  We helped organize and coordinate transfers.  No one transferred in our threesome. It will be a great transfer!  After we got home we went to a really progressing investigator. We taught the Plan of Salvation and it was amazing. This guy had questions and concerns because a family member had passed away and the lesson brought him comfort.  We also had success and progress with other investigators.  Really exciting day. 

  On Thursday we found a new family.  They are very curious and very smart.  We are so excited to be able to teach them.  We found them by talking to them at like 8:45 P.M. on our way home and they said to come back the very next day.  The Lord is always directing and helping people to learn the truth.   Also I had a great experience where we were teaching an investigator and the Spirit was so strong and I just felt like I really understood what he was feeling and like I was in his shoes.  It made it so easy to teach and it just flowed. The Spirit is the real teacher. 

  On Friday we had a meeting at the mission home.  We got some good food and received even better inspiration and learned so many new things that we can apply in our area and in the zone. There are so many great things happening here.  So many miracles!!  We didn't get home till late but we were still able to teach one powerful lesson.  It's a part member that is going through some sicknesses and we shared a Book of Mormon verse and it just seemed to talk right to him. The Book of Mormon is so powerful.  

  Saturday was so amazing!!! The first day of conference.  I cant explain how awesome it was. I learned so many new things. Priesthood session was especially powerful for me. I learned a lot and it just got me pumped to be a missionary.  President Nelson is so cool and love what he did. I felt a spiritual confirmation that he is the prophet of God.  I loved Elder Bednar's talk about being meek. Lot's of good learning. I really felt like they were answering personal questions and being taught from on high.  After conference we went on splits with a member.  The work was good, double as effective.  We found new people and got lots done. 

  Sunday was amazing too.  We went to pick up a tatay to go to church and we thought he might say he was busy but he just came to the door and said lets go!  It was awesome.  We picked up another investigator close to him and went off to watch conference.  It was great for our investigators to see the conference center and learn from the prophets and apostles.  Another great conference.  I loved President Nelson's talk about revelation.  After the conference we were able to teach some good people.  This area is cool.  we found a member from Brigham city, Utah that lives here.  Very cool to talk to someone from America. 

   I hope you  all continue to study what was said in conference.  It came from the Lord and I know that we can all find answers to questions as we ready ponder and pray.  I had many things answered and I know it can happen to each of us. have a great week. 

Elder Snyder

WEEK 84: IT'S HOLY WEEK.. 2 COMPANIONS?

  This week was great.  We had a change happen in my companionship, we are now 3 in the companionship.   He is a Filipino coming from a California mission.  His mission is being dissolved and he will finish his mission here, it’s awesome.  We are seeing many many miracles. I hope you all had a great week.  It was holy week here. lots of people were on vacation but many many people were at home and remembering Jesus Christ and his Atonement. It was cool. 

   On Tuesday we taught this really great new investigator.   The spirit was so strong.  There are so many people that are kept from the truth because they know not where to find it.   The lesson was great and he accepted a baptismal date, which was amazing.  So excited for what we are seeing in this area.  

   On Wednesday we had some exchanges and I was in a different area, but the day was still great.  I was able to learn a lot of new things.  Some things I learned were actually specific things I was trying to improve on, so it shows that the Lord can and will answer our prayers.  

   On Thursday we taught one of our progressing investigators. He is on fire and reading the Book of Mormon.  I can see how powerful of an effect the Book of Mormon has had on him.  We went to visit a less active and had a miracle happen.  His aunt is willing to be taught!  There are just so many people out there that are waiting to be found and taught.  

   On Friday we were able to find a new family. It was wonderful, people are just so receptive and even more so this week because of holy week.   We taught another fire investigator.   As she reads, comes to church,  and lives the commandments we have seen her just get happier.  The Gospel is the best.  

   On Saturday we had another miracle.   It being holy week, we had a better chance of finding some people at home (if they didn't go on vacation) because there was no work.  So we were able to find a tatay of a member and he is so interested.  He asks great questions and super sincere.  It was amazing and its super close to our house so its not hard to get there.   We went to the investigator where we speak English, it was a very very spiritual lesson.  They have lost a parent and the plan of salvation really touched them.  Especially the part about work for the dead, they loved that part.  It reminded me of how amazing that doctrine is, how important it is to go to the temple and prepare family names.    Then after that lesson they finally accepted a baptismal date!!!  We could really see the spirit working on them, such a great miracle.   Later that day we were finally able to contact a referral we had received.  He had been busy the first time we tried to contact him.   This guy is so awesome.  So thankful for all the amazing things that happened. 

   On Sunday we were fasting and I can testify that fasting and prayer works.  It really works!   We received a text right before we left for church,  if our investigator could travel with us there and he is the one who lives super close, so we gave him a ride and he had a great time at church.  He was planning on leaving early but ended up staying the whole time, which was also  Easter Sunday.  I just want to say how thankful I am that Jesus Christ atoned for our sins and died for us.  Also, that I am super thankful and happy that he didn't just die but he lives and rose again and has now restored His church. I know that Jesus Christ lives and loves each and every one of us and cares for us so much and is in the small details of our lives. I know He is our Redeemer and Savior and only through Him can we return. 

   Monday was good too.  We were able to extend another baptismal date!!!  Really saw some great progress this past week.  It’s been great working in a three some companionship. We have three brains working on things and the lessons are all so great.  I hope you all have a great week and remember how much Jesus Christ loves you. Also, keep reading the Book of Mormon and you will feel God's love. 

Elder Snyder

WEEK 83: ALL OF A SUDDEN IT DIED

  Hello everyone! I hope you all had a great week. 

  Last Tuesday we had zone conference. It was so great. Learned a lot and felt the Spirit. President and Sister Koster are so awesome and are definitely called of God. They are so inspiring.  After the conference we felt really pumped to use the Book of Mormon and so we used it immediately in our first appointment. It was so powerful. The verse brought the Spirit and taught with power. 

   On Wednesday I had exchanges with another elder, It was so great. I learned a lot. There are so many great missionaries here in this mission. This truly is the best mission ever.  We were able to find part members and less actives that have potential.  Also we were riding a jeep on a 2 lane road.   All of a sudden it died.  So me and my companion got off with 2 others and started pushing.  We push started it and kept going.  The best part was that because we stopped, there was no more traffic in front of us. Haha. 

  On Thursday we were able to find some new investigators and receive referrals.  Member referrals are so powerful and have way better results.  We are also starting to teach a great family. This family is so awesome and nice and we really feel excited for them as they read the Book of Mormon and learn about the Gospel. 

  On Friday we had some great lessons.  We have a new investigator that is so smart.  This investigator came from a return appointment that didn't work out.  The person we were supposed to see wasn't there but this person came out and is awesome. Just proves that its not rejection, its redirection.   Then we were able to teach one of our most progressing investigators.  Its cool to see her change.  She is happier as she learns about the gospel and reads the Book of Mormon. 

   On Friday we had a very busy day and a great day!!! We were able to help in a stake missionary devotional and do a proselyting activity with the youth.  It was a great success.  Then, after the activity we had a baptism!!!!!!!!!!  It was amazing.  The person baptized is awesome.  We all can see his change.   So grateful that we were able to see him be baptized into this church.  We were able to have many people attend and it was great.   There was an Easter activity where other churches were invited to sing.  It was great and we were able to meet many new people.  Such a great day.  

   Sunday was great too.  We had the confirmation and great classes.   We were able to find some new people to teach and meet some less actives.  So great to see people coming back to church.   We had a fire lesson with an investigator as he read the Book of Mormon.   If we have any problems or questions we just need to read that book and pray and God will help us. 

   This has been a great week. The Lord always provides. I hope you all have a great week.

Elder Snyder