April 21 - I Shook Hands with a Prophet!

Hola Familia,

 

I did get to shake hands with Elder Nelson and his wife, Elder Bowen and his wife, and Elder Garns and his wife as well. With Elder Nelson it was mostly us doing a Q&A. We had to eat lunch before we got to the meeting. I did get see Hermana Rubow and all my mission friends but we couldn't chat. We wanted to leave with the Spirit that we felt at the meeting.

I did get my Easter box and Thank you so much and for the shirts. They fit well and I love the card you sent and the eggs with the scriptures. I don't need my contacts right away you can just send them in the next box. 

I'm so glad you had a great Easter with some families from your ward.  It is alot more fun having holidays with people than by ourselves. On Mother's Day, I will be calling from the cell phone again and I would love to have Nan and Pop there.

I am feeling alot better. I will be sending some pics soon I just forgot my cord today :( We are doing awesome and we're on fire for missionary work!  The funniest thing that happened last week was some of the elders got a hair cut or they did it themselves.   One of them cut another's hair too short to where he almost has a bald patch. 

The most spiritual thing that happened last week was seeing Elder Nelson and the seventies. It is just amazing how someone can ask a question and they are able to just pull the perfect scripture out of their head, no preparation or anything. 

I don't really need anything right now. You are already doing way too much but you're my mom and you go above and beyond what I ask. So that is just you! 

That yard looks great and so does my Little Girl. Gracie. How is she doing? How is everyone else doing? It'll be so great to talk to you in a couple of weeks.  Not talking on skype will make the airport greeting alot more special, at least I think. 

This week has been so great. I absolutely loved it!   On Tuesday, we had so much work. We had a lesson with Luis, we read 1 Nephi 1 and 2 and we committed him to read 1 Nephi 3. He asked some very good questions that we had the answers for. At the end of our lesson, he also prayed for the very first time. We have been asking him to come to church and we keep reminding him Saturday and Sunday but he keeps making excuses. He has the faith but he doesn't want to put any effort or his faith into action. He wants to find peace but he won't gain the peace he needs if he doesn't try to find it himself first. 

We gave a refferral to the English Elders who we found. His name is Fred and he told us that any Church is true as long as they are based on God. We explained about the Restoration and how this restored gospel can bless his family. He is a grandfather and a father of alot of wonderful children. He is so willing to listen and to understand the path that God wants him to take. 

On Wednesday, We went to our new investigator's house, Jacklin and we taught about the Gospel. She didn't have much time because she was feeding her kids. We shared a ten minutes lesson and how having and taking the steps of the gospel can help her feel comfort and peace. She is going through a difficult trial because she just lost a family member this past week. She is so eager and willing to learn. She let us in after we told her it will only take a couple of minutes. But she sat down and listened. We also explained how this can bring her family to be more united. The only time her family is together is at meal times and that is it. 

We are planting small seeds in these peoples hearts. We had an Family Home Evening with Hermana Rojelia. We talked about the season of Easter and we read the Easter story with corresponding objects for ex. soap for the when Pilate washed his hands of the blood of Jesus. 

We had a lesson with Hector. We were bold but loving. We had a miracle, he came to church and partook of the sacrament. It was the first time since I have been here that he came to sacrament meeting. 

On Thursday, we had Zone meeting. It was so good and so inspiring. After zone meeting, we had a lesson with a former investigator named Magdalena. We taught the Restoration using cups and she was very receptive and asked good questions. She has a busy schedule and she said she would call us to tell us when we can stop by again. 

During our dinner on Thursday, we had a small FHE with a family and watched Mormon Messages. This was the thing that this family was lacking is just spending quality time together talking about the Gospel and the things they learn. I understand now why having FHE and family prayer and scripture study are important as it brings unity into the family.  

We saw a less active, Hermana Perez and asked how things were going. She has been pretty busy and we shared the purpose of or mission of jesus Christ. She is doing ok, we are just trying to help her right now because she doesn't want any help from the members because she got offended when she needed help and no one came to help her. 

On Friday, we had a huge miracle. Jose and Angelina are back from Mexico and so we are going to start teaching them again. It was so great. Angelina needs to get baptized again because the ward can't find her records. She came to church this Sunday. It was so awesome to see them again. 

Saturday was a day I really needed. I loved hearing from Elder Nelson, Elder Bowen, and Elder Garns and their wives. I absolutely loved Elder Bowen talk. How we have been putting false limitations on ourselves. It was a really good meeting and really what I needed to hear at this time. I can really testfiy that these men have been called of God because the Spirit just overwhelmed me when they entered the room. They know their purpose and are magnifying their callings. 

On Sunday, we had church and we reflected on the meaning of this Easter season. It means more to me now that I am in the mission than ever before. We saw a less active family and we watched The Testaments because Hermano has never seen it before. We explained that this is the reason for Easter. Not for the candy, the eggs, or the easter bunny. It's because Christ lives.   We as missionaries can say that, because we know it and we have experiences that have helped us come to this knowledge.

This week I have been studying alot of the talks by Elder Nelson. He is truely an inspired man. I have been studying in the Book of Mormon and reading Preach My Gospel. I also have been studying about Bible stories, like Job. It is truly a miracale to see the faith and the power that the prophets have.  It is really cool to know that I have that same power as well. I also read the Easter story and how Christ performed the Father's will.  He didn't wait for a little bit and then become obedient.   He did it right then and there without hesitation. 

This week I really was struggling with being a missionary and I realize that before anything amazing and good comes like miracles or an apostle coming,  Satan works really hard. When he does that I just want to sell my identity for a mess of pottage.  But after Elder Bowen's talk. I'm going to leave these last few yards running!

 

I'll write a snail mail this week.

 

Love,

 

Hermana Fitzpatrick

April 14 - We are Seeing Small Miracles Each and Every Day!

Hola Familia,

How are you? Our activity went great. We didn't have alot of turn out from members or investigators but I love doing activities because they the ward can feel where they need to focus on. But everyone that attended felt the spirit of missionary work and what we as missionaries go through rejection, canceled lessons and other things. 

I was feeling better but I have been throwing up all day today and I think I got food poisioning from some food that we ate at a member's house yesterday but other than that I'm fine. No, Hna Hernandez didn't get sick she just took care of me. 

Elder Nelson is coming this week. We are so excited. We will be there at 1:30 on saturday. Nope, no plans for this week. Our investigators are good. We are finding alot more souls that are ready to listen to our message. It is their choice whether they act on it or not. Gilbert didn't come to church yesterday but we are going to text him today and see what's up.

This week went by so fast. On Tuesday, we really went to work. During the morning we went to try former investigators and some of them asked us to come back and we set up return appointments with them. We had a lesson with one of our less active's mom and talked about what we need to do to help her son. We had correlation as well and practiced for our church tour this weekend. Wednesday was a day of miracles. We planned and knocked. It was so cool to see how the Lord open the hearts of the people that we met that day. We saw a Patricia who really needed us at this time. Her husband is sick and she is talking care of him and we just let her know that God knows what she is going through. We know that she is ready to hear our message. We also met Jaqueline who just had a family member pass and so we talked about how God has a plan for each and every one of us and we set up a return appointment with her this week to teach the Plan of Salvation. We declared to alot of people that day and some we open and other weren't but it just showed us that the Lord is preparing hearts in this part of his vineyard. 

District meeting was amazing. I always feel spiritually exhausted but ready to work. We had a lesson with one of our formers and we think he is ready to slowly progress. We read in the Book of Mormon and he asked some questions. We invited him to our activity and church.  We had a lesson with one of our less actives, Raul who is a Young Single Adult in our ward. We read Alma 17 with him and his whole entire family. I think the thing they really are missing is family prayer and scripture study. Friday, we had weekly planning and we had a couple more lessons with Less Active members. We had our Ward Mission Leaders and his wife come to our lessons with us. We had a lesson with the Rodriguez family about the Atonement. The two Young Women said that they want to go to church.  We had a lesson with Hna. Rojelia too. She is so great and is progressing little by little into coming back to church and enjoys reading the Book of Mormon. We have an Family Home Evening planned with her this week.  On Saturday, we had a lesson with the Flores family, who are so open and willing to let us come into their house to read with them and help them understand how this gospel will bless their lives.  We had church on Sunday and later during the day we asked Raul Jr. to help us with Hector to get him and his priorities straight. We are having a lesson with both of them this Wednesday. We are so excited for this week!

This week i was studying in the Book of Mormon in Mosiah all about Abinidi and Alma. I absolutely love these chapters. It was so great that Abinidi was willing to die for his beliefs just like Joseph Smith. I loved how Alma believed what was true and went against the world to help others come unto Christ. I also have been reading talks by Elder Nelson to prepare for this Saturday.

Hna Hernandez and I are great. We love working with each other and are on the same page on where we need to focus our efforts to help our ward and our area grow. We are seeing small little miracles each and every day. We are so excited for this Easter season and we are finally realizing that we are in the last miles of our mission. 

I can't wait to talk to you soon and see you in 5 months. ahhh! I definately have alot to say to our family. I will send pictures next week. Have a great week.

Con much amor,

Hermana Fitzpatrick

April 7- I Love Oxnard!!

Hola Familia,

I'm not getting transfferred. I'm staying here in Oxnard with Hermana Hernandez. 

I have been taking Sudafed. It has really helped but I just don't think my ear has fully healed but it's ok. There's always the resurrection, haha!   

Conference was so awesome. I especially loved the first session. Elder Holland is by far my favorite. We watched it at our building.  Our building isn't the building that you are thinking of.  Yep, some of the members fed us lunch between sessions.

I think the only thing i really need right now is some white shirts that I can just wear without a cardigan. But it's not that important. I need to start sending some stuff home anyways.

This week was so good. We started this week being sick and ended this week spiritually charged to keep pushing through. Thursday was our first day out and we had our last District Meeting of this transfer which was so good and so enlightening on what we need to do to be more virtuous, to help teach people to their needs and all the miracles that are happening in the great area of Oxnard. 

We had a FHE with one of our less actives, Hermana Rojelia. She was the only one there and we invited alot of people. I know that she was expecting more and I think it got her a little disheartened.  We talked about the importance of prayer and how we need to pray sincerely. After we left the FHE, we recieved a phone call from our Ward Mission Leader that he and his wife went over to Hermana Rojelia's and were enjoying her company. 

On Friday, we had a lesson with Roberto.  He and his family are really ready for the gospel and they want it. Their son, Ivan has been reading the Book of Mormon every night. One thing that I found interesting was that they have a picture of John the Baptist and Jesus when he was getting baptized that we use on our baptismal programs. It was just so cool!  This family is really searching for the truth. We went to see a couple of people that want to start learning again. 

On Saturday, we had General Conference which was exactly what I needed at this time. It prepared me mentally and spiritually to continue in this next couple months that I have. We went to try a couple of people after Conference was over because we were pumped and ready to work. Later, we had the opportunity to participate in the baptism of Maria. I was asked to play the piano. It was such a touching moment for me to see her change. When she received the gift of the Holy Ghost she had tears of Joy, especially as we sang the last song I Know That My Redeemer Lives. 

On Sunday, we received more spiritual insight and knowledge. I love Conference. We tried a referral after and she didn't want to open up at first but she explained to us where she will be every Sunday while she is washing laundry. We had a lesson with Jesus and he had two of his nephews there. They are really wanting to know more and to have this gospel. We can even see a change in Jesus.  He went from an 'I don't care attitude' to really wanting to know for himself. 

We tried a couple of people as well and they want to learn more. We have been trying Jose but he hasn't been home from Mexico for a couple of weeks so we are going to give hime a break for a while.   But, all in all, this was a really great week.

This week I have been studying General Conference talks. I especially loved Elder Holland's talk. One of the talks that I have recently found is in the 20ll November issue. Where Elder Holland is telling all the men to get their act together and be the representatives of Christ that they need to be. I also have been reading in the Book of Mormon and love the analogy of the olive trees and the vineyard. It is so cool to receive the revelation we need to be able to apply the gospel more into our lives. I have also just loved learning more about what we as Daughters of God need to do to strengthen the relationship that we have with our families and to be able to have our home be centered in Christ. 

It was so interesting how all the questions that I had had were answered more than once. It was interesting how throughout  all the many years of General Conference, the apostles and prophets have been repeating the same things. My thinking is if we were doing what we should be doing, we wouldn't need to be told more than once. It's kinda like dad telling us to clean our room but we don't do it or don't want to and he just keeps telling us until we finally decide for ourselves to clean our room.

Hermana Hernandez and I are really grateful that we are staying together again for one more transfer. We truly appreciate all the time and effort into making sure we need to be where the Lord needs us. We are ready to work and to be the gathers that the Lord wants us to be.  We are prepared and willing to fight for the Lord's side and be ready when the call comes. The time is now, our four minutes is now! 

 

Love you/ con much amor

 

Hermana Fitzpatrick

March 31 - Share the Gospel, Y'all!!

Hey Family,

We did get the boxes. Thank you so much!  Hermana Hernandez loves the Cheez-Its!  

I did get my mission card fixed.  I just haven't had time to go get my Wells Fargo card fixed.I would be thrilled to talk in Keller 2nd again. What a great opportunity. I sure do miss everyone.   Everyone looks so big and grown up in the pictures you took at your girls weekend in Salt Lake City.

How are you? This week has been crazy busy but we love it. On Monday night, we had a FHE with a family on Focus on 15. They really have been missing the spiritual side of their lives and are learning where to put their priorities. It is so great to see the change in them. They even brought friends to the breakfast that we had this Saturday for the Cub Scouts. 

On Tuesday, we got to see one of our less actives who doesn't mind the missionaries coming over but doesn't want the members to come over. We talked about the gospel and how it can help her at this time because she is taking care of her grandchildren. We also went over to Claudia's house and taught her the Plan of Salvacion. She had some really interesting questions about her and her family, because her spouse is a nonmember. 

We planned for an FHE with the Macias family but only the mom was home so we shared what we were going to share for FHE. She was really touched. She wanted to continue to read the chapter after we left. On Wednesday, we had exchanges. They were so great. Hermana Wright taught me so much. We talked to alot of people who only said if i'm here we can talk. We found a less active named Jose Ruiz who is not coming to church because he is in a wheelchair and he doesn't want the members to help him. We found a couple of new investigators. One of the most interesting is Jorge. He is interested and invited us to his Bible study.  We shared the Book of Mormon with him and he felt very interested to learn more.  Hermana Wright and I shared our experiences.  I thought about doing a progression journal becuase i can see the progress of others more than in myself. 

We had district meeting on Thursday, which was awesome. We also had a lesson with a less active family because they work on Sunday. But they are great and definately know the gospel. it just priorities. So this week, on Friday we went to go see Ivan and his family. Ivan has been reading the Book of Mormon every night and we ran into his mom this week who loves fast and testimony meeting we invited and knocked on the door but no one answered we are going to keep trying. This family is ready! We saw Jesus who is finally interested in what we have to share. He has a dry sense of humor and wants to come to church we invited him but he is on vacation but we will invite him next week as well. 

On Saturday, the Women's meeting came it was so great. Such a spirit of unity and other things. I love the words that were shared on how we should be covenant keepers. Then on Sunday, was a huge miracle. Gilbert came to church. He was so happy and grateful that he came. He got to know some of the members and he even attended YSA Class that we have in the ward. He is so grateful that we could help him make this change. He counts as a baptism in our books!This week I have been studying more of the Atonement, the Book of Mormon, and General Conference talks in order to get prepared for conference. This past few days of studying have been hard because I have been sick but I will get better.  One thing that I did learn today, is that "Cursed is the man the puts his trust in men."  So true, we need to trust God first and it will all work out. We need to have faith in his timing. I have defiantely learned this on the mission.

Hermana Hernanadez and I are so good. We have a few bumps every now and then but in the end we love one another. I think this week, we had the best companionship inventory ever. We both felt the Spirit and loved by one another. She is a great example and does what the Lord tells her without asking. She is awesome and she has helped me grow in areas where I have needed to grow. 

This week has been a growing week. I'm so grateful for this opportunity to be a missionary.  Hermana Hernandez and I celebreted our 1 yr birthday together, Mexican style. Quesidillas, jarritos(mexican soda), guacamole,, crema(sour cream), and tres leches cake. So good! I will send pics later. But it was so fun. 

Just a little sick here and there just something going around but all in all I'm good.  The members are excited and we are too!!  I hope y'all have a great week, share the gospel with friends and neighbors, I love ya'll. Thanks for the pics!

 

Love,

Hermana Fitzpatrick