16 June 2014

 Hola,

So this week I was really able to realize how much we are an answer to others. We met this man yesterday that just felt this tug from us when we waved at him and then when we came over to talk to him he was uplifted and filled with the peace that he needed. It is just amazing how as long as we are willing, the Lord is going to give us opportunities to serve and uplift. We all have that ability to give off those feelings depending on the power of our spirit! This week was a crazy, but amazing one and here it is!

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Last Monday we taught the Hernandez family. Every time we teach our investigators always grow because they have friends or family over and it is great. We started reading the Book of Mormon with them and it really is softening their heart.  The things we are saying are softening their heart. It is amazing how you can see people's minds start to change, little by little. So we are excited about them!

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Then on Tuesday we finally saw Gisselle and Cindy.  We set a baptismal date with Gisselle. Cindy is her less-active mother and really wants her to learn in order to know God more. Her baptismal date is August 2nd. It has been a while since I have had an investigator with a baptismal date.  It is just a pleasing feeling to actually be working toward the ultimate goal. We when on exchanges with Hermana Hamblin and Hermana Palmer! l I was only with Hermana Hamblin, but it was a great exchange. She is a good little new missionary. One thing Hermana Vance and I have been reflecting on a lot is how fast time goes and when we look at new missionaries it is amazing how we were there once and now we have only 5 months left! It is crazy! It is amazing how fast the time goes when you are doing good!

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Wednesday was a crazy day. In the morning we started off with a first lesson of a new investigator and after explaining a few principles she said it was all too confusing and she didn't want to learn anymore,.  It was kind of a bummer. Then we taught the Hernandez Family again and picked up a few new investigators. We just shared the Because of Him video and they LOVED it. That was great! Then I started to feel really anxious for some reason and I didn't know why! I got a blessing.  It was so weird to have this strong feeling of uneasiness with nothing wrong..With time it did go away.  It just made me so grateful for the priesthood and the ability it has to counsel us in need. It was so nice to have a companion that could lift me up and help me!

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Thursday was a very simple day because we did weekly planning.  We did teach a less-active sister and it went really well. She felt the Spirit.  It was a good, powerful and short lesson.Also we went to the funeral of the man we prayed over last week. It was interesting because it was very traditional and ritual like.  We were glad to be there for the family. The Bishop knew one of the daughters, so he came too.  We felt better with him there!

On Friday we had Elder Falabella, a member of the 1st quorum of 70 tour our mission and so we had a half mission conference! It was amazing how the general authorities come with so much power and authority. So a few tid-bits of the conference are these:  In August we are starting a new pilot. The language missionaries will have apps. on their ipads to help them study. They will be through video chats and many other things. It sounds cool so i am excited to see it! Elder Falabella started with the fact that we were going to have fun>, Missionary wirj could and should be fun. He talked about how we need to make habits now that will affect us for the future. The standards we have as missionaries are standards that we should keep, like good grooming.  The hope is that we are still well-groomed after our mission. He also focused on habits like studies and prayers and things that we do that should prepare us for our life after. One of his big concerns was that returned missionaries forget their missions the day they get home, rather than letting it be a part of them always! He told us that in order to baptize more we need to invite everyone in the house to learn from our message, to not just teach the mom or the child, but everyone. Then his second point was in order to retain converts we have to teach them to be missionaries. When they are involved with missionary work their testimony grows and they learn to be focused on their belief! A few weeks before our conference he asked us to study the missionary work of Alma the older, Alma the younger and the sons of Mosiah.   We discussed what we learned from those missionaries. It was a wonderful study, on my side at least. I learned so much more of what we can do as missionaries. He told us the best way to help the members and have them on our side is to love them, just love them. (Our response to that was giving out Father's Day cards it went over really well!). One quote he said, that I loved was that, "Satan is the master of complexity and the Lord is the master of simplicity". It is very profound as a missionary and simply as someone trying to follow the Lord! He told us to think out of the box because " if we do the same thing again and again, we will get the same results". He related setting goals to our Heavenly Father and how important it is for him to set goals, make plans and be committed and for us to do the same. He gave us 2 rules of missionary work, 1) never attend sacrament meeting without an investigator or less-active and rule 2). never miss sacrament meeting. I thought that was pretty clever and that we really do need to do it! He told us to have higher expectation than our mission president. Most importantly he taught us how we need to be Full-time missionaries, asking us if we are sharing the gospel in every moment and every situation? Are we doing as much as we can? It was a nice re-commitment to know how important it is to be all in! I made a whole list of what kind of missionary I am now going to be because of this conference (by direction of Elder Falabella). It was a wonderful opportunity to receive guidance and direction. I was sitting on the second row and he just kept looking at me straight in the eyes, I loved it! Just the power and love he has in those tender eyes! It is lovely! It was fantastic! Anyway I am so grateful for the organization of this Church. It just makes sense and works together so well!

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Later in the evening we taught a lesson to Sandra and her boyfriend. We finished talking about the Plan of Salvation and committed them to be baptized.  They were unsure about that, but it was a really good lesson!

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Saturday we had a service Blitz! It was really successful and we have service planned for this week and we are excited to help them! Then we had our Ward BBQ. It was really successful. Quite a few of our less-actives and investigators came. It was a nice little event. We even found some people to go and visit this next week. I am finally learning to mingle and talk to people at parties.  I am grateful I am learning that skill so it becomes a habit for the future.

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The real miracle on Sunday was that one of the less-actives at the party came to church on Sunday. It was so great to see her there!  I translated for church. Talks are so much harder than testimonies. One Sister read from a talk from Elder Nelson about the heart and I didn't know any of the words, I tried to make it work but it was a little rough. It is fun to translate, but a little discouraging too, but I like learning and at least trying it out. Then we had a good talk with the bishop about the future of the hispanics in the Ward. It was fun to picture it growing and progressing! It was a truly, lovely day and a fantastic end to a wonderful week!

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I like to Love being a missionary.  Sometimes it is hard, but I am working on loving it always, because when  I don't enjoy it then I won't be happy. Though it is hard, it is all worth it. It all has such good endings that I am just so grateful for all that it has done for me. I love you all so much!

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Les quiero,

Hermana Cornwall

 

09 June 2014

Hola,

This week was pretty amazing! We picked up 10 new investigators, we basically doubled our teaching pool, well, actucally more. It was wonderful! We also got 20 contacts each and everyday. It was wonderful! I am so grateful for this opportunity I have to work hard and to continually learn and really improve my skills as a missionary! It is wonderful how we have the choice, sometimes with the help of others, to improve and be better at anything we are doing, whether it be spiritual, vocational, fun or just an interest, we have the ability to learn!

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Last Monday we taught Yenn and Valente. We could tell that something wasn't exactly right with their desires and testimonies. We were just re-introducing the Book of Mormon to them and with a little bit of discussion they told us that they had never really prayed to know that the Book of Mormon was true before. We got our answer of what we needed to focus on and what they needed before they could progress any further and what we needed to do in order to prepare them for baptism. All in all it was a very good lesson!

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Then on Tuesday we picked up our first family. All the children are actually adults already.  They all had a lot of curiosity to know what we're doing and what we we're teaching others. It was a pretty good lesson. We were short on time, which always makes things hard, but it was good. They had a few doctrinal issues and weren't completely ready to accept the Book of Mormon.  I felt impressed to bear my testimony that I would not leave this book with them unless I knew it was true.  While I continued to testify of it the Spirit just filled the room. They all could feel it, though they couldn't understand it.  It was powerful. Now that I think back on it I realize that I couldn't have had the Spirit with me like that unless I knew it was true.  Just so you all know, I KNOW THE BOOK OF MORMON IS TRUE, WITHOUT A DOUBT! Then we also had another lesson, that was unplanned with our less-active and her part-member family. Her usually closed boyfriend sat and watched the video we shared and it really impacted all of them! It was wonderful! Anyway so it was a pretty good day!

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Wednesday we had interviews with President and Sister Alba. I was a little worried, because I didn't know what to expect. With all that happened the past 2 transfers and without any extra responsibility like I have had in the past I was expecting much. Sister Alba she wanted me to debrief the last 3 months. She just wanted to understand more of what happened and how that can help them in the future. I was very grateful to be helpful and I hope it will help her more. Then with President, he also asked me what is it that she [Sister Santiago] needs, or what helps her.  I was able to give a little help on that too.The part that really surprised me, but made me feel useful, was that he told me the Sisters that were struggling in our 2 zones and how I could help them. I felt like I did have something to do.  I did have some stewardship.  That felt good -- to be useful.  When we went out working in the day we were in the Winters trailer park talking to people. All of sudden this girl ran through the parking lot and she was crying. We stopped her to ask what was going on and she said her father was dying and that she was looking for a Catholic priest or someone to help. We told her that we could come and help and say a prayer over them.  We start running to the trailer not really knowing what was going on. Of course they were Spanish so we were glad we could communicate. They told us that earlier in the day he had collapsed and stopped breathing.  He hadn't been to church for a while so they were worried about him.  He was slowly dying and the hospice nurse was in trying to help him. With all of the flurry we didn't know how we were going to say a prayer.  They lead us into the room, with the wife and 3 of the daughters. Hermana Vance said the prayer aloud and I said one of my own while she was praying to add to it. There was just a bit more peace when the prayer finished and everything felt calmer. WE left our number with them to help out with anything we could. It was definitely a moment when we realized that we are Heavenly Father's instruments and he places us where he needs us. We stopped by a few days later because Hermana Vance forgot her planner.  They told us he had passed away a few hours later and that they had felt the difference after the prayer.  Everyone was at peace. I was so grateful for the opportunity we had to leave their home with that prayer to help in this desperate time of need. It seems as if he had terminal cancer so they were glad that he wasn't suffering anymore. That evening we picked up another family of investigators! They are actually Jewish, kind of, because they believe it is the closest thing to Christ's church, funny huh?. In our discussion in the beginning he was hitting on questions that were answered by the gospel of Jesus Christ, the plan of salvation and especially the restoration, all of the lessons we teach. WE were so excited to teach him, to answer his questions. There were a few doctrinal things that we couldn't agree on, but he promised to pray in order to know if he should read the Book of Mormon and he accepted to be baptized if he knew that it was true. It will take some work but we know that he will accept when he knows. His prayer was a little weird at the end.  It all was great and we have hope for our future lesson. A pretty amazing day!

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On Thursday we picked up our 3rd family. They didn't have much time.  We shared the Because of Him video and they loved it and were truly impacted by it. They saw that the life of Christ is something impactful and important. It was great, so we introduced the Book of Mormon to them and they seemed excited to learn more!

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Friday we taught Kimberley.  It was great. We stayed pretty focused.  Her friend listened in for a while and she just really felt the extra strength that she needed. Also she said the most normal prayer I have ever heard.  It was great to see that she is progressing more and more, little by little. A little later we taught our investigator Sandra.  Her boyfriend was there, so we got to share about the plan of salvation and picked her boyfriend up as a new investigator.  We left with a good little feeling in their home of hope of a forever family.
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Saturday we had a blitz in Woodland! Side note it has been in the hundreds here and it has just been so HOT! We were out and about at around 2:00 and so of course it was hot then too! In the evening we taught Jose. He is doing great, but is having some drug problems.  We are a little worried about how we are going to help him with that.  I guess the most basic thing is to pray, so we are. Then we taught Sarah. A daughter of one of the people we taught in the family on Tuesday. We recapped what we had taught with her family and she felt good about it. She had her interest peaked and is excited to learn more!
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Sunday was a pretty normal day. Church was wonderful. I lead some of the songs.  I saw two visitors that had come, so right after the meeting ended  I went up to one who was a young woman and got her hooked up with the other young women.  Then went to the other and invited them to Gospel Principles and it just made me feel so useful to know people, recognize who was a guest and get them to where they needed to go! It was fun. Then we got our 12 contacts, out in the heat with only a little bit of time, but we got them! In the evening, when Hermana Vance was in her leadership meeting I got to be companions with Hermana LemMon again! It was so much fun! We just fit really well together and so it just makes for a fun hour or so!
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Anyway, things are going pretty great out here with lots of exciting things happening, but from what I hear a lot of exciting things are happening with all of you too. I love you all so Much and I hope that you are able to see more of how Heavenly Father is using you to accomplish his work! Have a wonderful week, or at least make it that way!
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Love,

Hermana Cornwall

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02 June 2014

 Hola,

Well one transfer done and another started. Time is really flying! It is already june! It is just fun how it all goes along.

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So - Monday and Tuesday were a lot of just saying goodbye for Hermana Santiago to people in our ward and investigators and things. We had just the lovely opportunity to really give thanks for everything we had and everything we did! It was a crazy two transfers, yet in the end we knew we both needed it.

 

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On Wednesday morning we took the loveliest drive through Lake Berryessa and Saint Helina. It was just gorgeous! It was our last little adventure. It just had some wonderful little parts to it! Then, because of an STL meeting my companion had Hermana LemMon and I started our 24 hour adventure. It wasn't really an adventure, but it was fun for me and Hermana LemMon to be companions for a whole day. We haven't spent that much time together since the MTC.  It was really enjoyable. The best part of it was that we got to work in my old area in Davis. I got to see quite a few of my favorite people from the Woodland Branch. Then we went home to help Hermana LemMon get unpacked.

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We spent the day in Davis on Thursday! We didn't accomplish much.  I got to see a few people, less-actives and potentials that I had seen before and really have some good conversations with people about the Church. It is just a wonderful feeling to be there for other people at the right time and to say the right thing or to have the right frame of mind to help them. I also love how I get to plant seeds with people on like a daily basis!  One day they will be a strong plant all ready to go. My companion, Hermana Vance [STL] came back from Santa Rosa and we headed to Winters to start this transfer. SO my transfer started a little late.  It was great!

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The Elders were short on miles so we drove them to district meeting  There had been a construction accident with 2 deaths that the Elders had witnessed so we had to hang out a little while to wait for them.  It was good. We had district meeting, came back to Winters and planned and then went out and worked hard! (with story to come to be explained in a little bit)

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Saturday we worked hard again, which I think will be a theme for everyday this next transfer.  We taught an awesome lesson to one of our less-actives. Jose has had a lot of struggle.  He is finally having the desire to return to Church.  Little by little we know he will get there!
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Sunday we had 2 huge miracles. The first was that a random Hispanic guy walked into church on Sunday and it turns out that he is a member that just moved here.  Now we have an actual member that is native to Hispanic culture. He is coming to a lesson with us tonight and he is so awesome. Second miracle is that someone we talked to on Friday came to church too. His name is Eduardo. We woke him up on Friday night from resting after his long work day. He wasn't very interested, but my companion was being really pushy.  I was starting to get a little worried we were offending him. SO as sincerely as I could I told him that we were really just there to serve and help and that if he saw us again to stop us because we would love to do anything. He immediately just opened up and the conversation ended with him accepting an invitation to come to Sacrament and leaving behind a pamphlet. Then he actual came to church! It was great! That meant I had to translate. I did it. I translated all of Sacrament Meeting and it was great. Then he had to leave.  In the 3rd hour we helped with the lesson in Young Womens and then I played the piano in primary.  We were just jumping all over the place and it was great. I didn't play that well in Primary, but it was fun to be in there with the kids.

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Anyway it was a crazy, but amazing week. Going out and doing the work of the lord. Always learning and growing into the person who the Lord wants me to be. I am grateful for the strengths I have in order to benefit others and to help me in my purpose as a missionary.  Also, I am grateful for my weaknesses that give me something to look forward to. I know that there is a plan for us in this life.  We have the choice of whether we will stay the course or go off a little bit. I hope to continue to work hard in the course the Lord has given me and even though it is hard to show him that I can do what he has called me to do.

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I love you all so very much. I am grateful for the lives you lead that are an example and support for me. Sigan adelante! Los Quiero!

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-Hermana Cornwall

26 May 2014

Hola,

So this week was a great and crazy one as always. I am sure all are dying to know about transfer information and you will never guess what happened. So I am staying in Winters! I am so excited because the
people here are great! My new companion is Hermana Vance, my MTC companion! I am so very, very excited! Hermana Lemmon, my buddy from the MTC is serving in Davis! So we will all be reunited and I am
so excited for the next transfer. Hermana Vance is an STL. It is just going to be a great six weeks. The crazy part about the week was that I find out I probably have a pinched nerve in my back.  It is the weirdest thing because it happens when I move my neck and I just get this vibration at my tail bone. It doesn't hurt at all, which is nice, but I can tell my back is weak  We will see what happens! Any way, there is all of my exciting news and now here is my week!
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Monday evening we picked up a new investigator. Her name is Sandra. She has a young son and is living with her boyfriend.  We just shared a short lesson about families and how they are supported in the
gospel. Something that often confuses people is he lifestyle of a missionary compared to a member. So we clarified a few of those things, like the rules that we have now are only for us as missionaries. She was happy to hear that she can get married and have a regular life and everything like that. She truly seems interested in learning. We will see how it goes! Then we helped one of the young women with a science project.
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On Tuesday we had our last district meeting..  Then one of our plans fell through so we went to go see Sister Perkins. She is a 93 year old woman in the ward. Her husband passed away last year.  We just visit to give her love and support. It was a sweet visit. We talked about mothers and she had, had a mother that wasn't very supportive and it was kind of sad story.  We hoped that we helped her that day and got to keep her company. In the evening we taught Valente and Yenn. They are former investigators.  They know a little but every time we see them we realize how much they don't understand. They have interest because they know it is good, but past that it is kind of struggle.  They are interesting investigators.
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Wednesday we went to the Maynard's house. (The ones in the picture) because Sister. Maynard was hospitalized for something with her pancreas just a few days before. We went over to go do service.
Her kids are home schooled, so they were there too. She just had us clean the house. All those little deep cleaning projects that you wouldn't do otherwise. We were there for 4 hours and it was so much fun. There kids are just amazing and so it was fun to serve with them. We went and taught Leighangela, a returning member. She has had a lot of struggles in her life.  We just taught a short lesson on missionary work. It was good especially with her new calling as a ward missionary. Then we taught Estela. She is the older woman we teach. We had to drop her daughter because she just didn't have time for us. She also has a lot of memory problems. Like she didn't remember how to pray even though we have taught her multiple times and things like that.  I don't know what to do with that one. We had an amazing night. We met with one of our new referrals named Yassir. We met in the park because his brother isn't happy about him meeting with us. We think he is in his 30s. We had a 2 hour lesson with him.  It was great. We taught the Restoration.  He had a ton of questions throughout the whole process. It was interesting, but great! We are excited to see what happens next!
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Then on Thursday we finally saw Cindy! She is that less active who has been less active most of her life. She got a new job.  That is why she was never home when we went by. She was so happy to see us and we were so happy that she wasn't avoiding us! We shared a short message and it was just great! We hoped to see her on Sunday, but she wasn't home.
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Friday we had a little bit of an anxious day. Trying to plan and things like that. We survived. We got the information about transfers very late.  It turned out great!and the beauty is everything is the way it is meant to be!
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Saturday was another good day. We started right off doing service for the Tippets. Sister Tippets works at a cemetery, so for Memorial Day they put flags on the graves. She asked us to help and so we did. It
was fun to just be her little helper and get it all done. As odd as it sounds, it was kind of peaceful to be there with knowing that there is a plan and purpose to it all.  We just did some good old finding  in the afternoon. We taught one lesson to a former investigator, but we don't think we will really be able to teach her. We found 21 new people, well at least people we talked to.  It was great! In the evening we went to a mission call opening. my companion and I said a few words and there were some non-members there. The girl got her call to Atlanta Georgia North Mission speaking English.  We are very excited for her. It is so weird to be on the other side of it all.  It is very fun to support her. The neighbors of the members, who aren't members, came.  We had a good discussion with her. She wanted to know everything about us. She is English speaking but we are still excited for her!  I will keep you updated with them.
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Sunday was a good day with lots of picture taking from my companion.  It was nice. We have amazing members and they love Hermana Santiago.  I know they will love Hermana Vance too! It was a pretty boring Sunday, on the side of missionary work.  We visited with some members and that was really fun!
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Anyway - the past 3 months have been super hard, but I wouldn't change the trials and struggles I had for any others because of my ability to become what the Lord wanted me to be. I am so grateful now that I get to continue to learn and work my hardest these last few transfers. I know it is going to go by very fast.  I am excited to just work so I leave nothing behind. I am grateful for all of your love and support. You all helped me so much.  I am so grateful for the love and the prayers. Well, have a great week! I am excited to update  you with all the changes next week!
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Love,

Hermana Cornwall

19 May 2013

Hermana Cornwall and her companion Sister Santiago

Hola,

Though time sometimes seems very slow - it is really flying. I just celebrated a year of being in the field and it is the last week of another transfer (with only 4 left after that). I can't believe it. I am understanding a little bit more what everyone else has been talking about.

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So on Monday I went to a new part of our area, well new to me. It is a teeny little town called Dunnegan. It is so far away that we rarely go.  One of the members there offered to feed us, so we went! It is a small place.  It was fun to spend time with this single sister. We did a little service for her and just helped out. Then one of the other single sisters that lives there came.  It was just a nice little gathering.

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Tuesday we taught one of the less-actives named Amanda. It seems that she hasn't been active most of her life.  When she has time, she seems to appreciate our short little messages. She has kids running all over the place. I think she knows it is good.  She just doesn't know how to get there yet. We showed her the mother video and she really liked it. I must say, some homes that we go into I am just grateful for the home I grew up in and that they still support me even now.

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On Wednesday was our first really hot day, like it was REALLY HOT. I didn't feel unmotivated, just really, really slow. We did teach Estela in the afternoon. We aren't really teaching her daughter Lupe, but we taught her. It was nice to be indoors and really just help out their family rather than just teach her. Then in the evening we built a fence. I don't remember if I said, but a new program we are using is 10 hours of service a week. So the week before we offered service to this man building his fence and we said we would come back the next week and help him, so we did. It was a really good experience. It was a little awkward because his wife was in Mexico so it was just him and these 2 girls but I think we were actually a little helpful and it just felt good to help. I must say I have gotten to be a little bit more handy with all this service I am doing!

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Thursday was also meant to be Hot, but we went to the temple! Oh the cherished temple day was just as good as ever. We spent the night in Woodland so we didn't have to wake up too early and it was fun to have additional sisters around and we woke up bright and early to go to the temple. It was lovely just to be in the temple. We were running a little late so there was the question of "Are we going to make the session?" but we got there with plenty of time,  We just enjoyed the peace of the temple. It was great! I remember one of the Elders in my zone in the MTC that was going to a mission in Mexico talked about how he might not go to the temple for 2 years.  Now that I think of it I am so grateful to go to the temple every 3 months.  It is just always recharging and joyous. There is no better place to be.

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On Friday we taught Yenn a Valente.They are former investigators. We don't know much about them  They often let us in. We can't tell how much potential they have.  We watched a video called Having Children in Faith and it seemed to touch them a little.  So, we are making baby steps. They have this little girl that is super funny, but not on purpose. She is kind of lot to handle in the lessons.  It is a good challenge.

 

Saturday we had an interesting day, because I kind of said something that was true and that my companion needed to hear, but she kind of took it badly. We had a good talk afterward, but it is just hard to know what to do sometimes. At times I just laugh because I think that is the best way to take most of it. Then we had a lesson with a less active named Jose. He has really changed his life around.  He is taking medical marijuana for not a very good reason.  We think that is holding him back a little bit. He also works on Sundays.  He talked about wanting to share his testimony and things.  He has good thoughts.  It is just making sure that leads to good actions.

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Sunday was a great day. First I spoke in Sacrament Mtg. on receiving the Spirit. When the Bishop first asked me, I asked if he meant like confirmations and things but it was about receiving the Spirit after you have received the gift of the Holy Ghost. I really liked taking it from that angle. I thought of 2 things we need to do to receive the Holy Ghost on a regular basis. The first is to be worthy, and everything that entails.  The second is to know how to receive an answer. I ended it by talking about how receiving the Spirit is part of our path to endure to the end and how the promise of it all is eternal life. I really like giving a talk, especially in English! We had a really successful day with 2 of our less-actives - Kimberley and Silvia. Silvia said that she is not ready to do family history and to go into the temple and things. I felt sad that she didn't feel ready to do that but I hope she will feel ready someday soon. Then with Kimberley we were able to teach a little about service and for her to take a good load off on us! It was good to be in contact with them and give them some spiritual strength.

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It was a consistent week. Nothing too exciting --- oh wait! I just remembered, this was a little exciting.  When we went to the temple we got a referral via text. We decided to just go and contact it right away. It was on this ranch kind-of in the middle of nowhere.  We went to go knock on the door and a man came out. He said that Jassir, our referral, lived in the apartments off of the shop.  We went over there and we actually found him. He seemed to be a little shocked that we were there.  We shared a little about why we were there He honestly seemed interested to learn about our church and to learn the truth. It was great and we are excited to see him again soon.

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So, like I was saying it was a good week, with a lot of learning and growth like always and with a good personal resolve to just be happy, because that is what it is all about! I am so grateful for all of your love and support. You all are so wonderful to me!

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Les quiero muchisimo,

Hermana Cornwall

Hermanas Bilat, Cornwall & Whitney, who all want to the MTC together May 15, 2013

Hermanas Santigo, Holguin & Cornwall

Sisters Cornwall & Vandeneit

Hermanas Anderson, Whitney, Billat & Cornwall

12 May 2014

Hola,

This week was a fun one with birthdays and Mother's Day and everything in between. I was so grateful for the opportunity I had to see my lovely family yesterday and it is nice to know everyone is doing well! This week will mark the year mark of being on a mission. It has gone by soooooo fast! The other end of the spectrum is that I only have 6 months left which is also crazy to me. Dallin said yesterday that I have done 2/3 so far and I will add with only 1/3 to go. Missions are not how I thought they would be. Every turn surprises me in some amazing way and I just can never seem to wrap my head around what it going on right in that moment because it is always changing. It is this process of always being better. Even though it is hard I would rather be better than worse, and I would rather become what the Lord wants me to be than anything else.

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Last Monday we had an FHE with some of the members in our ward. The ward mission leader lives in Esparto so every 1st Monday he hosts a FHE for the investigators and members in that area. They assigned us to teach the lesson.  We talked about coming unto Christ. None of our investigators were able to make it, but it was fun to teach the members that were there. WE had everyone write a few things that would make them come unto Christ or to fall away.  We made a little pathway to Christ where they would either fall back on a bad step or move forward on a good one. It was a fun little activity with some wonderful members of the ward!

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Tuesday we had zone meeting. That is always good to receive the help and counsel we need. I think the big message was that we are all struggling and we all have challenges, but we can't allow those challenges to hold us back from working hard.  It is that service of the Lord that truly helps. It is funny that they said that because a few days earlier I had that same thought.  It was a perfect confirmation to what I needed to do, which is to work!  Hermana Santiago had to get a blood test for her new medication so we took a little trip to Vacaville to get that done. We had this amazing contact. We were knocking doors, a normal thing to do, and a girl named Sandra answered. usually we give a spiel like "hi, how are you doing? we are servants of Jesus Christ. Do you have Faith in Jesus Christ?" A little route, but it usually gets right to the point. One thing I try to do, but is hard is to change that up as often as possible and to listen to what the Spirit is telling me that they need. We talked about eternal families and if she wanted one and she said yes.  We set up an appointment to come back and talk about the plan of salvation. It is just amazing how just taking that moment to pause and wait to hear what the spirit is telling you to do really makes a difference.

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Wednesday we had another amazing moment when we taught Urith. I think I mentioned her last week.  Sshe is a less-active, that after almost 10 weeks, I had never met. We stopped by on Sunday and she said to come back on Wednesday. We did and we brought Sister Baker, her visiting teaching companion and it was awesome. She was so excited to start doing visiting teaching. She is unable to come to church right now because of her non-member husband, but she still wants to help in some way. She asked if it was ok for her to do visiting teaching even if she wasn't coming to church and Sister Baker said that all she needed was a testimony and she said that she did have that! It was amazing to see such strength and endurance even without the constant nurturing that most of us normally have. Though church is very important we were happy to see her firm in the faith!

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On Thursday I had my first official, what I would call, door slam in the face. I have had the door closed before on me, of course, but this was the first time that someone opened the door saw us and closed it without us getting one word in.  You would think that those would hurt more but they are the easiest ones to just laugh at and move on. I hope one day she will be open to the message of the gospel, but for right now she was not!

 

Friday was my BIRTHDAY! It was a very different birthday too. No one really knew about it or did anything, at least in person, but it was a great day. I opened my presents and felt so happy and loved from everyone back home . 3 things in my gifts that I was debating what to do with was a cake mix, frosting and a birthday banner. I knew no one was going to do it for me, so I got up and made my cake and put up my banner and made my birthday as great as possible. As service for our ward mission leader we cleaned the building and he brought pizza.  We had cake and pizza. Sadly, it ended with a 2 1/2 hour comp inventory, necessary, but still sad and hard.  It all turned out ok, with just enough resolve to keep us both content. Thank you so much for all of the love from home! It was great! The members we lived with told me on Sunday that if they had known that it was my birthday they would have done something for me.  I wouldn't have it any other way! The best part is that it is done and over now.  It was all good!

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Saturday we had a little success on facebook. I remember when i was first on facebook and everyone would talk about how that we get all of these random friend requests and teach awesome lessons and baptize people.  I couldn't see the vision.  Now slowly that is happening for me on my facebook (no baptisms yet).  It is good to see that everything everyone has said wasn't a lie and that I can have success too. It is a slow process but it is a great way to reach out to people! Then we taught Lupe and Estela! So in the Hispanic culture they celebrate Mother's Day the 10th of every May rather than the 2nd Sunday.  We got to wish them all a happy Mothers Day and share a message about eternal families and that we have hope now for the eternities even in our struggles. It is funny how even when i am learning so much more about what life is about and how to feel peace even in struggle how it gives me more moral authority to promise them that there is peace, that there is help, and hope. It was a nice feeling to tell them that I know life is hard but that it is all worth it!

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On Sunday we had our lovely Mother's Day! The Bishop spoke and talked about how we make bad days good ones, and I was so grateful for that talk! Then of course, I got to talk to my lovely family, as mentioned before.  I started my 6 month count down! (not actually  - dad, don't worry) I am so grateful for the time I have served and for the time I still have yet to serve. The one thing I have learned is that the Lord has a plan for me. Everywhere I am and all that I do is with a purpose. It is all meant to be.  I am understanding more and more the purpose that Our Loving Heavenly Father has for me. He has to stretch me in order to accomplish what he needs, I am grateful for the abilities I will have after because of how much Ii have grown and stretched. It is all worth the sacrifice because it helps us to know more of the joy that comes when we don't have to sacrifice anymore! I love you all so much. Thank you for being my help and support. I definitely feel your strength and love. Hope you have a wonderful week!

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les quiero,

Hermana Cornwall

05 May 2014

Hola,

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So this week was one of personal change in order to face the lack of change from my circumstances and for the first time in a long time I am ending this week happier then when I started it! I couldn't' really describe to what caused the change or how I did it but I know it is through Jesus Christ.

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Last Monday ended well. We visited a less-active in Esparto as the last try when all of our plans were falling through and she actually let us in and let us share a short message with her. We talked about church and whether she would come and it seems that we planted a seed for her to have more interest in one day coming back to church. I don't know when that will be, but it was wonderful to have the opportunity to help her personal plant grow. Then we went to go see an investigator. They were eating dinner but of course like all wonderful Hispanics that invited us in to eat with them.  It was some cold seafood salad, but it was really good, eaten with a tostada and hot sauce! Of course we turned it into a lesson. We shared with them the Because Of Him video! They loved it.

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Tuesday we had our wonderful zone conference. I had quite a few favorite parts so I will share them. First Sister Stewart the mission nurse shared this story of the physical struggles of her cousin and how if her cousin Gertrude could have done what she did we can do what we do as missionaries. Then President Alba gave an amazing section on the worth of souls and how every soul is important. Then we watch the butterfly circus. I had heard that president alba had shown in before to some of the leaders and I remembered a little of it from when Dad showed it to us, but from the point of few of a missionary it was very impactful! I loved the attitude of Mendez and his pure goodness that was able to help and strengthen others. That we are what we believe and that we shouldn't hold ourselves back. I think that the counsel was exactly what everyone needed to hear especially myself. My little side note of inspiration from the discussion afterward was this --  The thing is that we have to change.  We can't just remain the same. We can't just give up either. Most of the time change is hard and it hurts really bad, but it is all worthy it -- Then Sister Alba focused on a lot of things we should improve on and how to teach better.  She gave us a mission miracle challenge of reading the Book of Mormon in the next 3 months before our next zone conference and focusing on the pure doctrine of Christ and the atonement of Jesus Christ. At the end Sister Alba talked about obedience ad how we need to be obedient because we love God. During the course of the day President Alba got really sick, but after the testimony meeting of those leaving.  President told us that he trys so hard to correct us with love and he ponders long and hard on how to help us and that no one will understand what we went through on missions but Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. It was such a powerful meeting! Another  Sister and I, who are struggling with companion got blessings from the Assistants.  We got the exact help we needed! Then I went on exchanges to Woodland! I got to eat dinner and teach members I knew and loved. It was great to just feel so homey especially on exchanges!

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I was with an Hermana who was in her second transfer out in the field. She reminded me so much of the desires and innocence I had at the beginning of my mission.  It really helped me to have the desires to just work hard once again. It was the smoothest change back, but we did see some great people. It was a great day to just prepare for the future.

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Thursday brought a bit of a surprise. We had a last minute trip to Stockton with the mission nurse to see a psychiatrist there for Hermana Santiago. Because of the timing we didn't get home until 8:00.  We finished teaching English class and went home. There was also another Sister with us to see the doctor as well. Missionaries can only see member doctors.  He is the only LDS psychiatrist around so that is why we had to go so far. I just got to enjoy the ride and try and keep my companion from worrying too much. The mission nurse and I talked and talked!

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Friday wasn't very eventful.  It did include some good companionship talks! It ended with us both realizing that we just want to work harder, so on Saturday that is what we decided to do.

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Saturday we has a blitz in our area and I got to be with Sister Hamilton, one of the STLs in the zone. It was nice to have the opportunity to update her on everything that has been going on. We didn't have a dinner so I went to this panini shop to get a sandwich and it was really good! It was fun to go to the little town panini shop! We got over 20 contacts and it was nice to get it going again!

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Sunday we got 24 contacts! We just kept going and going. Fast Sundays are becoming on of my favorite days because of our hour of prayer! It is such a great time to seek revelation and receive it. I learned the lesson that murmuring only hinders our journey rather than helping it and that we can have faith even when others around us don't. It was great to just feel the Lord speak to me through his chosen servants. All I can say is that I KNOW the Church is true. I don't know how I would face the trails and challenges of this life with out his help and knowledge of the plan he has for us. I am so grateful for the knowledge I have that my life means something and that I can choose to be happy and strong because the Lord is just waiting for me to ask for his help. This is how I changed. I remembered the power the Lord has to help and strengthen us and more than that, I used that power in order to help me make a difficult situation better. He is always there for us, we just have to let him in!

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Con amor,

Hermana Cornwall