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