Thirty-fifth Week in the Field

Hola Everyone!!

This was week was so absolutely amazing! First of all, Ezra was baptized and confirmed! The baptismal service couldn't have been more perfect and the confirmation in Sacrament Meeting on Sunday was probably even better than the baptismal service. I've been waiting so long (about 6 months) for Ezra to finally be baptized and I'm so grateful for the chance that I've had to be here to actually see it happen. Ezra was so excited for this to finally happen and his family was probably more supportive than I've ever seen them before. During the baptismal service, our ward mission leader (who we had a few conflicts with on when Ezra should be baptized) said that Thursday was the exact right time that he should have been baptized and that the Lord was very happy with him. Hermana Shepherd and I were absolutely thrilled and touched especially all of the hard work, prayers, and tears that were involved in getting this boy baptized. When the bishop welcomed him into the ward, he talked a lot about how those who go through the most trials in life have the most in store for them. When Ezra was young, he had a lot of health problems that the doctors didn't think he was going to survive, but he was able to pull through them. He still has a few problems, but his faith and his desire to come closer to Heavenly Father are helping him to fight the adversary. Now that he's baptized and confirmed, I know that he'll be able to accomplish so many great things with even more help from our Heavenly Father. He's going to be such a great example to his friends, but most importantly to his family. Many of the comments that were made at the service revolved around the temple and how it's the next step for him and his family. When the bishop confirmed him and gave him the gift of the Holy Ghost, he mentioned also that he would serve and mission and get sealed in the temple someday. Being able to see the blessings of baptism in his life has strengthened my testimony of the power of it and of the Holy Ghost as well. 

It was kind of funny because in Ezra's baptismal interview which was on Tuesday, when Elder Atkin (our district leader) asked him if he committed any serious crime, he answered no at first, but then was all like, "Wait!  I killed a baby chicken!"  We all got a pretty good laugh at that one!

Yesterday, at church in the Spanish branch, the boyfriend (Leo) of one of the young women (Nancy) came to church with her. We were so excited especially since we had no idea that he was planning on coming. We've been teaching him when we've been able to and when he's been available, but this is the first time he's ever come to church. It was even better because he stayed for all three hours AND for the baptism of Jose Tun (the other hermanas' investigator/recent convert) after church. When we talked to him afterwards, he said that most of the questions that he came with were answered and that everything made a lot more sense now that he had actually been to church and a baptism. It was such a miracle!

This week, we were also able to start teaching the daughter of one of the members (Sister Clonts) in the English ward. Her name is Charlotte and she's 12-years-old. She's been wanting to be baptized for a while, but her dad (her mom's ex-husband) didn't want her to be. About two weeks ago, he finally said that he didn't care if she did or not, so her mom came up to us and told us to come over and start teaching her. We had such a great lesson with her and the spirit was so strong. Sister Clonts bore her testimony many times throughout the lesson and I could tell that Charlotte could feel the spirit and really does want to be baptized. We haven't set her with a date yet because she wants her older brother to baptize her and she doesn't know when he'll be able to come and do it. Hopefully, we'll be able to find out tonight at our next lesson with her. 

Hermana Shepherd and I had the chance to listen to a talk entitled "Teaching by the Spirit" by Elder Cook from the Seventy. It was really inspiring and it helped me realize not only how I could better invite the spirit when teaching, but also how I can be a much better teacher when I don't focus on what I'm actually saying. I need to let the Spirit guide me and try to be as worthy as I can to be an instrument in the Lord's hands. 

I've been a little sick again this week, but this time only with a head cold. I've been really congested and had some pretty bad headaches, but they've been getting better. It's not nearly as bad as last time, but it's still be hard to working with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. As a zone, for the past two weeks, we've been able to study more about the enabling power of the Atonement and how it can aid us in the work. Over the past transfer and a half, I feel like the Atonement has been even more prevalent and has had a stronger influence in my life than it ever has before. I can definitely feel the hand in the Lord everyday helping me to get better and pushing me to keep working. I know, though, that with pain and suffering comes immense blessings (aka Ezra's baptism) and a lesson learned. 

On a funnier note, yesterday, in the branch, the former President Parra (aka Hermano Parra) told me that while his wife was getting ready in the morning, she kept asking him if her outfit looked okay and he replied that she looked great!  In his words, "forget looking good, you look great!"  She then proceeded to ask their 9-year-old son, Josh, who happened to be in the room, what he thought.  He said, "You look good mom.  You look really good.  You look like Sister Halliday!"  When Hermano Parra told me this I busted up and he told me that he was shocked at what his son said, but it still cracked him up too!  No big deal, I have a nine-year-old as my secret admirer! :)

I've been so grateful to be able to serve here in Moorpark these past five transfers and work with the amazing people here. Everything that has happened to me here has helped me to become a better missionary and more prepared servant of the Lord. 

Thanks so much for all the love and support!  Until next week!

Con amor, 

Hermana Halliday

 Being Ganstas!

 Filling the Font!

 Ezra's Baptism!

  Ezra's Baptism!

  Ezra's Baptism!

 Interesting!

 Mission views!

  Ezra's Baptism!

 Ezra with us at church!

 Ezra, the cool kid!

 Ezra gave us flowers!

 Our new bracelets!

 Ezra's Baptismal Program

  Ezra's Baptismal Program

Thirty-fourth Week in the Field

Hola Everyone!

So much has happened this week! It's definitely a good thing, but it was a little stressful at the same time.

First of all, EZRA'S GETTING BAPTIZED ON THURSDAY!!!!!!  I'm sooooo pumped!!!!

On Tuesday, we went over to the Ramirez' home to talk with them a little bit more about when Ezra's baptism would happen. They seemed really open to having it as soon as possible (aka this last Saturday), but we wanted him to come to church the week before he gets baptized. They then said that it would be great to have in on Valentine's Day, which is Brother and Sister Ramirez' anniversary. We were so excited, but talked to Bishop about it and he suggested that we have it on the 13th instead of Valentine's Day because not as many people would come to the baptism. We did so and it's still tentitavely scheduled for this Thursday. Hermana Shepherd and I are both so excited! We've talked to Ezra about the program and already have it all set in stone. He came to church for the fifth time with his mom, this time, who hasn't come since they moved back into the ward back in August. It was really great to see them both there. His interview is scheduled for Tuesday and he's so ready. Even though his family isn't the most supportive, we feel like when he makes the baptismal covenant with Heavenly Father (one that's very individualized), he'll be able to be a better example for his parents and an even stronger desire to continue making covenants and good choices. It helps a lot as well that the ward is super supportive. In ward council on Sunday, the primary president and the first counselor in the bishopric both chimed in and said that if his parents aren't going to take him to church, then it's the wards responsibility to find rides for him and his older brother to get there. It was such a confirmation to me that he'll be in good hands when we leave the ward (whenever that is).  I'll let you all know how the baptism went next week!

On Friday, we were able to have exchanges with Hermana Romero and Hermana Wright. I was fortunate enough to go on an exchange with Hermana Romero! I love her so much! Being able to work with her again reminded me even more of what my whole purpose is here in the field. We were able to talk to so many people and invite 5 people to be baptized. The way she invited people was different than I would have done, but I loved it. Instead of inviting people to be baptized at the end of a declaration or a lesson, she invited them in the middle of the declaration. I'm definitely going to do that from now on. It seemed a lot more effective than the traditional way.

On exchanges, we were able to find this one woman, Maria, who got out of the shower to talk to us. She sat in her bath robe while we taught her the restoration and invited her to be baptized. I've never met anyone who would ever do that, so I really excited to get to work with her more. We also had the chance to teach two eleven-year-old girls, Cindy and Ruby, who are the sister and cousin of one of our formers. They are both so smart and love learning about God. They have such a desire to be a part of the restored church of Christ and come closer to Him. They're some of the most willing people that I've ever met to make and keep commitments.

Throughout this week, I've been able to realize the importance of the youth in the world and how they really are a chosen generation. Almost all of our investigators who are progressing the most are younger than 16. I love being able to watch them change their lives and know what their purpose is with such conviction. I feel like they are so much closer to the veil and have such a great capacity to help others come closer to God as well. When I first started my mission, I kind of had a skeptical attitude about working with youth, but that's definitely changed now.

Yesterday, in Moorpark 1st Ward, Hermana Shepherd and I had the chance to speak in Sacrament Meeting. She talked about faith as an action word and I talked about recognizing the spirit and acting on promptings. We had just listened to part of a talk about teaching by the spirit and it was really neat to be able to apply it directly to giving a talk. Neither of us prepared any notes and it went a lot better than how I thought it was going to go. I'm normally the type of person that will have a pretty detailed outline on what I'm going to say, so I was nervous at first, but as I was speaking my nerves went away and it gave me a lot more confidence to be able to do it again in the future. It helps a lot too that we've been working on that in district meetings too.

We've been able to keep working with Pablo, Brother Levine, and Nancy in helping them prepare to go to the temple. Seeing their excitement to go just makes me want to go all the time (even though I can't right now).

Hermana Shepherd is such a great example to me of what it means to be persistent and diligent in fighting for the souls of the people we work with. I love working with her so much and have learned so much from her.

I'm feeling so great and couldn't feel better!!!  I hope you're all doing great and I still love hearing from you!

Con amor,

Hermana Halliday

We decided to drink more water and drink a gallon everyday...i put motivational sayings on the gallons that go along with each Disney princess :)

 Stalking Pablo

Hermana Romero and Me

 Pablo is cold!

Thirty-third Week in the Field

Hola Everyone!!

This week has been great! We've been able to get better control on the balance that we want between the ward and the branch. All of the unit leaders have been really understanding and I feel like they've even bumped up their game in regards to helping us out a little bit more. They seem more willing to commit to things that we ask them to do. 

We've been able to work a lot more with Ezra and helping him set a baptismal date. At our appointment on Thursday, we went over with the Bishops wife, Sister Benton, and review the baptismal interview questions with Ezra. He understood almost all of them with the exception of a few terms that we had to clarify and remind him what they meant. His dad came in at the very end and bore such a powerful testimony on what it means to stand as a witness of Jesus Christ and take his name upon us. We were so shocked. For a while he never really had shown much support or interest in getting Ezra baptized. When we asked him what these meant, his response was so powerful. I know that he has a stronger testimony than he's been letting on, which is really good for Ezra to see. We decided to ask Ezra what date he wanted to work for to be baptized and then in coordination with his dad, they decided on either the 8th of February or the 22nd. We were so excited and still are to be helping him prepare for this big step in his life. Unfortunately, Ezra and his family weren't at church on Sunday, so we're helping him work towards just the 22nd now. When we got moved to the ward, I really wanted to help Ezra get baptized this transfer. As I prayed about it, I felt like the 22nd would be the date that would be best for him, but I couldn't tell if it was the Spirit telling me that or if it was just my own desires of wanting to see him baptized. My doubts were confirmed when Hermana Shepherd told me that she felt like the 22nd would be the best date too. It's been amazing to see the hand of the Lord in my life while being here in Moorpark. I have such a greater understanding of what it means to rely on the Lord and realize that I'm really not doing anything and that it's all Him. 

Yesterday, in Sacrament Meeting, one of the Sisters in the ward got up and told about how she gets to work in the temple in the children's area and help them get ready to be sealed to their parents. She went on and on about how all of the little kids are always so happy and she can tell that they feel closer to God there. As she was talking, I had the strongest impression/spiritual creation of Ezra in that room all dressed in white getting ready to be sealed to his parents. It was so powerful that I started tearing up. The spirit bore such a strong testimony to me of eternal families while this Sister bore her testimony. 

This week, as a zone, we've been able to study more about grace and the Atonement. In conjunction with this, we've been able to read "His Grace is Sufficient" by Brad Wilcox. Although I've read it many times before and absolutely love it, I've been able to learn so much more about grace. Being a missionary has definitely impacted my perspective on what grace truly is and simple it really is. There was a quote in the talk by one of Brother Wilcox's friends that said, "A life impacted by grace eventually begins to look like Christ's life." I thought this was so powerful because that's really all grace is. Christ has already paid the price for us. All we have to do is become more like Him.

This week we also had President's interviews!  Every time I talk to him, I always feel so uplifted and feel like he knows exactly what I was thinking.  Every question that I went with was answered.  Also, apparently he was really worried about me because he thought I was seriously thinking about going home.  He told me that he was really concerned and that he wouldn't be able to reconcile with me going home.  He told me that he was really proud of me for being strong and fighting through whatever was going on.  I absolutely love President Castro so much and love being able to serve with him in this great mission.  

Yesterday, at correlation with Brother Seguine, we were talking about grace some more and he said something really profound. He said, "Be accountable for your imperfections, but don't believe for one second that that's who you are."  Nobody's perfect, but we can't forget that we're still all children of God.  We were spiritually created by the most loving and powerful and perfect being in the history of the universe or anything.  

We had another missionary meeting with the stake presidency on Sunday.  Every time we meet with them, I feel so loved and so special to be able to be serving here in the Thousand Oaks Stake.  

Pablo is doing great as usual!  On Friday, we have exchanges and we're going to surprise him with seeing Hermana Romero!  He hasn't seen her since she left in early June, so he'll be so pumped.  

Thanks for all the love and support!  I can believe I'll be half way done this week!  The time is flying by so fast!

Con amor, 

Hermana Halliday