Conference Oct 6

 

What an amazing week. 10-6

On tuesday we taught an investigator about the book of mormon and at the end I prayed that we could all know that it was true. It was truly amazing that night because we taught an investigator who ebbs and flows (?) in his progress. He knew all the FACTS about why the book of mormon wasn't true. I felt that it was true and it burned through me and radiated in the room and I knew that God had answered my prayers.

Our other investigator is going great. We realized that he has to quit smoking by october 11. and ....it slipped me to tell Him. But please pray that He will be able to do it to be repentant by October 25th, his baptism. He is so excited and tells us to come over every day. we will teach about tithing tonight.

conferencia was genial (super) ! o sea general! i watched 3/4ths in english but a bit in spanish when our investigator came. I wrote a boatload of questions for the Lord and each was answered in different talks. REALLY!  Even thinking about my eventual going home the last talk said Embrace the change. and President Monson hoped I would get home safely. But we still arent talking about that. haha my comp reminds me sometimes. its funny.

Basically we ran into the creeper the other night and he said some more inappropriate things but we are being taken care of and I am not as worried as I was a week ago. Plus, in our zone today this guy taught us selfdefense. and its pretty easy. all you have to know are the angles and the way you can pinch people in that really fat part we all have on our arms. or twist their wrists the wrong way. I will be so sore tomorrow.

so basically i hope that the Lord answered your prayers through conference ...if He didnt you didnt listen well enough and should review. thanks for all being my friends and lovely family. love to all. Hna Nokes 

Training a new missionary Sept 29,2014

I´m seeing that the Lord is doing what He needs to in His time in this sector. And I am really thrilled about it. I was starting to think that the long nights of contacting were for nothing, but we are seeing progress now and finding new people. I know it has something to do with the motivation and excitement my companion has and our obedience. I'm feeling better than I have for a while and think it's because the Lord is bettering my attitude and helping me. All in all, I see His love each day.

We have an investigator who is progressing towards a baptism and a few others who are coming to church a bit more. We are trying to bring members more with us now that we have a few more fixed appointments.
My companions training is going good. and It's good to see her growing. She is good to be with. I think that she feels as I felt when I started the mission. That I could do things, feel the spirit, teach, but then its humbling to have to do it in spanish when it changes everything.  Shes doing good and is a good Little missionary. I'm still enjoying that she won't start to pray or write in her journal until I do, so it keeps me on my toes. 
Life is good. I'm glad the mission is teaching me so much.

New Area, New Companion

One of my favorite investigators from my last area is getting baptized. Can you believe it ? Im thrilled. even though i wont be there to see it. =) 

Well I'm loving the new sector which is close to the mission home. I forgot how fun it is to be around lots of missionaries..My Companion is Hermana Nappa. When I arrived she said" I was praying for an angel and the lord sent me you." I feel honored.  My comp and I have been practicing my spanglish. I can't talk either or the other. que horror. but she's practically a gringo. the house is way to fun because we live with Hermana Davis (CA) Hna Parker (MY BFF FROM SAN FERNANDO) and Hna Arellano (MX) and of course me and my paraguayan. haha we talk all the time and do crazy things. (but not that crazy because we are missionaries, po.) 

We found some flan that had a mango taste and we kept yelling that we would eat flango. Its become somewhat of a hot item in the house and I've got to tell you Its FLANtastico en serio. 

I am glad that we are seeing miracles. I don't think it's my part but more of a team effort juntos con el espiritu. We are doing good and I've been praying to have more faith to see miracles this week and oh boy did we see them. It was kinda hard because they didn't have too many people that they were teaching but right off the bat we found a family that was interested. The two daughters and their 2 friends came to church along with a less active who said immediately YOU CAME TO VISIT ME? I WANT TO GO BACK TO CHURCH. I know that the Lord guides us. 

I was really touched because one of our goals this week was find Michelle´s Mom (the friend of the young women) and get her permission for Michelle to come to church and be baptized. We saw an older woman outside working on her fence and started talking to her Then another woman came out and asked who we were and said she had a young daughter who had went to a random church that morning. We asked and realized it was Michelle. We got her permission for her to be baptized and walked away dumbfounded and sure that the Lord had sent us there right on time. It wasn't even a street we were working in, just walking to another part. I know that every street we are on and every person that we talk to is for something. I cried after just knowing that our Heavenly Father loves us. It touched me. We will keep working with them and have more faith to find more. . We are living our dreams and working dang hard. Praying with more faith and laughing more. I came and the sector was kinda dying but we found this family and 9 new investigators. Which is a real miracle.

SQUIRREL: Also we got locked in an apartment complex while contacting. that was hillarious.

Thats it.  I hope all is well where ever you are and you see some miracles. If not, you''re not asking hard enough or waiting long enough.

                    Love always, Hermana Nokes

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Treasures

Today we went to the zoo and it wore me out. ..now i understand why we went once or twice a year as a child zooper tiring. ..I saw a walrus yelling (YES!) , a camel peeing, and tried to kiss a lama...a fish with teeth.. and yep. that was the morning. it was similar to a working day here haha just kidding.   

It really was an amazing week. We had our branch conference down here and the theme was treasures in heaven. I really learned so much. It was so funny because the Saturday session had 20ish people (lets keep in mind that 10 missionaries were there) ...the branch counselor said ¨When the church started 6 people were there, so we've at least tripled that. hahaha we died. ...of laughter that is.

Okay time for miracles. Speaking of treasures and We taught the first vision to a lady (approx 50 years) she was freaking out and said that she felt something in her chest.(her body, not her armouir)  and it moved her. She was amazed. she promised to go to church because she wanted to learn more about this strange feeling.A burning in her bosom. I'm glad she knows it exists. - she went and only stayed for sacrament because she said the feelings chewed her out so bad  (gave her stick...which doesn't translate to english...made her want to be better.) actually she had things to do......... it was so neat. We sang in the branch choir (which had 2 members and all missionaries ) and it brought the spirit there.

we met the most kappo kid ever (kappo is smart in chileno) Vicente is thirteen and was saying.. so if the point of studying is so we can go into university so we can get a good job so we can get food for our family and live happy so we can die -.---whats the point of everything. We have another appointment with their family this week. His parents were like bewildumbfoundexcited. WE WERE SO EXCITED THAT WE forgot to invite them to church... quuuaak. =( haha but they will progress little by little. 

Me and my companion got to go to the elders baptism, Mabel... and sing "I feel my saviors love". It was really beautiful.  I love that song and know that I truly can feel His love.We were stoked because Fernanda and two of her friends went to the baptism. Mabel shared some of her syrup. oak-kay that was a rather treestay joke (triste=sad) im pine, im pine.    

 I'm thinking they might transfer me this week and Im sad! Well, we will see. its about 70 to 30 that I'll go. we will see!

.....Juan Forst Nipping at your Nose......

June 16^th…..I was really excited for p day today to share my testimony. so many good things have been happening.. I’ve seen the Lord touching people and I know we are his messengers. Though the rain depresses me and with a new sector we will be outside a ton, it should be good. i feel a lot more motivated to do the Lords work now, even though I’m getting so tired.

the ideal transfer! Not leaving the ward, but getting a new sector...i was getting a little tired of the other streets! 

Funniest things My companion keeps me on my toes...she managed to lose her wallet and our cellphone this week.(and her agenda a few weeks ago ) Its a good thing that I love her. I said we are learning about justice and mercy... She is in debt and i pay the debt. haha  We joked about how she lost everything, her sector and investigators. She asked why she couldn’t lose a few pounds. i think its because of the next paragraph...

We ate a fruit called mancaqui that makes your mouth dry out and you cant smile very well. We couldn’t leave during chiles game in the world cup and had a fhe with our house (after planning for 3 hours) we ate cucumbers with merken and rice cake with pb and honey and peanuts and nachoooos. and played rhino (yes, with balloons around the waist and thumbtacks on our noses hahaha ) 

....thinking about inception.  im here in a strange place redefining who i was in strange place rediscovering who i once was... think about it.. okay we did years and years and years of preparation to come to the earth in this time.. and thank heavens we are here to save others. (Alma 13:3) I love the mission and never want it to end...so it won’t. 

.June 23^rd  Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Juan frost nipping at your nose.. it’s so cold. haha we’ve been in our whitewash and contacting more than ever. It’s amazing the people that god sends us.. We found a woman who constantly closes her eyes because she got trauma from an accident. We found a woman who is ashamed of her son who changed genders and a woman whose son commit suicide. And a few other goldens!  I am so glad the Lord has confidence in us ...plus we have the greatest message in the world that can solve any problem. that I know is true. I’m so grateful for the new start the gospel gives us... Sometimes, like Elder Holland I wonder why the only hardship that we have as missionaries is not getting pneumonia from being in the baptismal font for too long! But when my body begs for rest or when sometimes its hard for me, I (like Pres Erying) think of Christ. He always kept going and served until the end. I know our rewards are much greater than our sacrifices. so keep swimming my friends!  Not too exciting week. When CHile wins the world cup ill write more. 

It’s been cool to see the lord’s hand more in my life. Sometimes I think I cant see it too much, but i just have to keep looking.

Death , Ressurection and Exaltation

...that's what we are teaching right?

something cool i saw this week was a viewing. we went to visit our less active, whose mother died and i expected some consoling, some tears, and some hugs and chao... she says want to see my mom? we go in, to the dining room. all the kitchen chairs were lined against the wall, all the walls covered in white sheets and in the middle of the room was a casket with flowers around in buckets, cups and vases. there she was, and we met her mother. the casket had jesus christ engraved on it, and was gorgeous. there were four lights coming out of framing on the sides that im pretty sure were four of the original stones that the brother of Jared had touched to give his tight like unto a dish boats light. i thought about my sweet family and the good moments we have had. and other funerals i went to.

one night we got stuck in the rain and others we didn't enter any houses. At least we know that opposition still exists. haha The nights have been dang cold, but we are happy. My companion and I have talked about just about every topic on earth, but I love her to death... haha

 I felt a great rebirth as I asked for a blessing from the Elderly elder that looks like the man from UP. If he just wore his pants a little higher and had balloons ...this blessing reaffirmed my testimony. that was a very strong spiritual experience and I know the Lord hears us. I could not be more sure. It said that sometimes we are here to teach our companions and investigators and members, everyone. And i know that's true. Maybe to teach myself too. 

Exaltation comes every week in the branch  here, they always say OH THE SWEET MISSIONARIES; oh! if we only had their spirituality.. and their sweetness and their drive! (LITTLE DO THEY KNOW) 

also, something nasty you might want to know. last  night we were walking and saw a huge (id estimate a gallon)  puddle of blood. BLOOD! Not funny. we left pretty quickly. annnnd yep. That is it for the week.

Have a great one! Love to all,

Hermana Nokes

Cursing, a miracle?

My companion´s name is Karen del Rocío (Karen of the Dew) and I love her to pieces. She is very similar to me, but better. Every time I read about dew in the scriptures (D&C 121:45 , etc...) I think of Her. She has distilled the gospel on me! haha Such a cutie.

Hna Juarez and I had a hard night where we didn't enter houses and she pointed to a house and said Here's our next miracle. We knocked and a man came out yelling and cursing us, and told us to get out of here. The next contact asked us why we were wasting our time and told us to go home and shower. (Don't know why. But okay.) We laughed and thought of the miracles she makes.

The next day was similar. We had many people committed to church, passed for one, she wasn't home, passed for the second, no one answered. passed for the third and fourth, their brother (CONVERT) was home and told us to wait for him. ,....we ended up hitchhiking late to church without him and praying that we could get to church on time to take the sacrament. Luckily the brother in charge of the bread forgot it, and my miracle came true. I love that the Lord answers our smallest prayers and loves us enough to give us agency (even if we use it to curse missionaries) .

We learned about family history a lot this week. how cool that we need to seal ourselves to our parents and our ancestors. I was looking at photos with our convert, Lily who gave me a pic of her. Its of her on the beach in her swimming suit. hahahaha What a lady. Cracked me up so much. 

I think the greatest miracle going on here is not so much what we are teaching others, but what we are learning together. I"ve learned so much of how to truly communicate with someone (and believe me, its been hard to truly communicate in another language) We have solved so many problems, she has taught me things that i do weird or wrong, and I have taught her too. I'm looking forward to another miraculous week. Sorry for the novel. I better book it out of here. I wish someone paged me for my poor puns. but no one will pa-per me. 

haha have a good one!

Quarantined

April  27^th 2014

Sometimes when you are in a third world country you get quarantined in the house because your companion tested positive for tuberculosis that she contracted in the mission and she has a cold and everyone worries that she’ll pass it so they leave you in the house for a while and make the other sisters move out, just to take precautions. And that’s how my week was. 

We have been traveling to Santiago to take some tests for my companion. We have been twice and have at least three more times to go. Here is an experience firsthand from my journal about the metro-subway that we took this morning. 

I just survived the craziest thing, the metro in Santiago, Chile. I was going to say that I have never been that close to anyone in my mission but actually I’ve never been that close to that many people in my life. I think it was worse than sardines. They should put that ride in Disneyland and call it claustrophobe. There was a man in my chest, my shoulder in someone’s face a kid with his butt to mine. It was so close that when the metro would change velocity, I could feel him flexing to stabilize himself. To get on the metro you have to push and have no fear. People suck in so the doors can close... I made a great analogy. There were tons of people holding on to the handrails but I couldn’t. I was falling. A kid reached out to stabilize me. We each have each other to support but without a fixed bar, a stabilizer we will always fall. Whether it be the forces of where we are, where we are going, where we have been, or others around us, we cannot make it without a constant support. That’s what I learned from the metro. 

I don’t feel like my companion is sick, but we have to make sure that nothing gets out of control like it did the last time in another part of the mission. I appreciated prayers. I hope that we can leave soon to preach. It’s been 5 days, and I’m antsy to go teach. The good thing is that more recent converts went to church when we didn’t. They brought us the sacrament at home. I felt the spirit so strong.

One more story. One day when we couldn’t leave, our neighbor asked if we wanted to buy some completes (hot dogs). We said sure. I kept thinking all day how I should share my testimony with them when they delivered the completos . I wrote it, I thought NEVER POSTPONE A PROMPTING from Pres. Monson. I gave them a card with my testimony ... I asked why they were selling completos. They said it was to raise money for their brother with cancer. It was a cool moment for me and I saw them reading the card. I hope that maybe the reason we were home that day was to share with them and I hope it touches their lives. 

I know the lord has a purpose for all that he does. I have felt so much love this week. I’ve read most of Alma, most of the cards from my parents and friends from the beginning of my mission and feel close to Him. I hope you all have a good week and find the reason for your circumstances.

 May 5^th,2014

Its not tb. don’t even fret 

But I had an enjoyable week. We didn’t leave once. So there’s all my email. The Lord loved me enough to send me one of the worst colds I’ve had when I was at home (luckily not before or after.) I didn’t leave bed for two days and slept most of the days. My companion watched 5 movies, I only saw one. The rest I slept. Wow. I’ve never slept so much. Its nice when there are possible tbcations that make you have to stay home. Other than that we traveled to Santiago a few times, cooked good food and I read a lot a lot. 

I finished what I had left in Alma and read OUR HERITAGE in one day. I loved to hear about our great ancestors and to think about how truly blessed i am. Like really, we have so many blessings.

Also getting a new companion tomorrow. It always feels like if I want a companion to stay, she or I go... if i want her to go she stays... the Lord has always surprised me and I’ve grown so much. What a great opportunity we have to see quickly how His ways are better than ours. I hope you all have a week of great growth. Look for the little miracles, they really are there. its true.

If you haven't read up on your German music composers, you should probably read up. George Frideric Handel was the coolest guy who had a lot of opposition and then great inspiritation to write MESSIAH and become famous. I read about him in a random Liahona in the house from December 2010. (elder spencer j. condie)  I learned seven important life lessons from him.

         we have to be confident in ourselves but grow from criticism

          quantity is no substitute for quality and variety

           when we act with inspiration, we are doing heavens work

           we must acknowledge our source of inspiration
           we must never underestimate the power of the word

           we must invite real spiritual meaning into a work-that being invite the Holy Ghost.

           power is in God and His works, not our words.

Also, Rudyard Kipling said Trust yourself when all men doubt you, but make allowance for their doubting too.

Basically this is a great work that we have ... and it's important to trust God and trust ourselves with what we have to do. One of my friends inspired me to ask God if I were pleasing Him this week and what I could do to please Him more. I exhort you to do the same. It will bless your life!

Our two investigators, Marilyn and Tamara have baptism dates and went to church! wahoooo. Okay. thats it for this week. I hope all is well with all y'all. love ya

We have been teaching our cute recent converts how to be ward missionaries. They kept praising us and saying how professional we are to teach. I think it's the spirit. ....me and the spanish language and professional would never be in the same sentence.
We had an awesome zone conference. I loved it so much. We learned about the life of christ. I want to go to Israel. We had an awesome musical number. just kidding. I got to sing a solo. It was fun. It was the first solo I really got into and tried hard (so hard that un gallo salio) ...my voice cracked. haha but it was fun to develop my talents and many people complimented me. Someone said I sang like adele. ahha...
I felt the spirit so strong on sunday. It was so long since we had renewed our covenants and I just knew that this is his work and that the church is true. Since I know its true it's time to act, keep trying my best and share with everyone I can. The spirit gives me so much help. I love it. anyways.
We did yoga as a mission zone. The worst thing ever. I have the body of a ninety year old man. I'm all downward dogged out. hahah have a good one! love, Hermana Nokes

In like a Lion, Out like a Lamb

 They say that March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb and I think that was basically how it went for me too. It was a good March. I still can’t believe its over, but I’m stoked for general conference.

I am up here in Buin, seven hours north of where I

was last week,...(just under Santiago)  living the dream. I’m finally feeling like a better missionary and I love this companion because we are obedient and diligent and crazy. And go to bed early (earlier than the latest possible moment) what more could I ask for? Plus, she cooks way good. Arepas, Frijoles, homemade cream of mushroom. I’m in latina paradise. Something that happened to me that was neat was we taught this little recent convert about the 10 commandments.As we talked about not coveting I looked around her apartment and saw darkness (they cut her power), a few plates, a homemade table, chairs falling apart, mold, her sitting in a homemade wheelchair and the smell... 

but she went off about how many blessings she has. I know that the things we have in this earth are not what make us happy. I may or may not have left the house crying hard and feeling very touched. It was the perfect night.

My spiritual plug for today. Pray for conference, and you’ll receive an answer. I know that for sure.  Its happened before. 

The Beach ( My new area)

This week was like that horrid machine at the gym, of never ending steps. Partially because we climbed this huge hill twice this week, where my feet are too big to climb normally, so I side step the whole way. Also partially because I am taking things one-step at a time to better myself. It was hard but amazing. Sunday was a day of champions because I felt the spirit so strong. Whenever anyone said something I knew was true I felt the spirit testify to me of that thing. It was really neat. I started writing them down. I know that we have a living prophet, that Joseph Smith restored the church, that our families can be forever and that the church is true. How cool to have this little foundation in my life. 

I finally figured out my comp. It took a few weeks. Just don’t take things personally and just love her to pieces. It’s going good. haha that was a huge step.

We had a big wedding in the ward this week, and then the investigator got baptized on Saturday. It was fun to see a Chilean wedding, even though we aren’t allowed to  dance (thank heavens. I would probably  kill someone. )MY comps been teaching me how to dance. I hope to learn the salsa. She’s got the moves. In Chilean weddings they do toasts, the bride and  groom dance a waltz and most importantly they eat like vultures. 

Speaking of many birds devouring things, we got to go to the lovely beach today with 2 zones. I loved to be in the dark sand in the fresh air. It’s getting chilly, Chile, here. Well it was always Chile. This next week is more chill. Not too many things to do, I hope we get down to the nitty gritty work. I am ready for some more success! haha but life is good. Just taking it one puny step at a time. 

p.s. the best part of the week was when we were at the train station and this drunk guy was all in my face saying joseph smith, no sé como, no sé cuanto and then finally leaves. This other guy comes over and is like man! Sorry about that drunken guy, I wanted to protect you two. Then he gets going and is more drunk and worse than the first. Yelling about his son and how he wants to be a good dad and how he’s seen aliens. The best part was when he just looked up at me and yelled CACHAI?! Which means do you understand in chilean. hahah me and my comp have yelled that while fake crying all week. CACHAIIII? =) 

p.s.s. I saw a walrus

Baptisms

This week was so fun. It was amazing to see the fruits of my efforts. I was so happy for Arturo (72) and Camila (15) (not related) on their baptisms. Arturo was so happy that not knowing it was against the rules, hugged and kissed me. I´ve been kissed by a seventy two year old.- Hahah.I loved to think about how great my joy is to bring others to Christ, although I know that baptism is not the only way. I have felt that many times on my mission, so I know that even if we dont have measurable success, it is still there.

We met a cute little lady who is very deaf. We screamed all of the lesson. I wrote in her steps to pray ïn the name of Jesus Christ, Amen! haha oops. She thanked us a million times for making her know that Heavenly Father is aware of her. 

My first Baptism.. 72 years old

I was praying hard to think of God´s presence in my life and how I can strengthen my conviction. They shared Alma 30:44 in sacrament and I thought about all the times He has blessed my life. I really know that He is making his arm bare for me and helping me through my mission and my life. I am eternally grateful for the things I am learning here. I know I have changed. 

I hope you all have a great week. I hope you know that He is aware of you and you´re probably doing more than you think. 

Lots of love,

Eating Contest

This week was good. I can’t believe how good things are going. I don’t have too much time today. But this week was preparing for championships.

One- everyone and their dogs (each have about 6 here) have been feeding us so much. in the last three days I ate a whole watermelon. No joke. Hermana parker said its like we are preparing for a food eating contest.

two- I have two baptisms on Saturday. I could not be more excited. They have changed so much. Camila was a miracle disguised as a beautiful prepared 15 years old. She knows more than me I think. I love her so much. And Arturo reminds me of my grandpa. =) 

three- me and my comp are doing great. We laugh a lot more now and I realized to just LOVE her. Its been getting easier. And we have good times now and work harder than I ever have.

four- the branch got a new president. That was a miracle worth forty. I am so excited for the changes in Guadalupe. I think that new President will do well because he is very humble and has some simple approaches that will strengthen people´s testimony in Christ. That is what they need here. We met with him his first night as President and he shared with us how he wants more focus on reading the keystone of our religion- the book of Mormon and on family home evening between various families. I am excited. 

I know the Lord loves me. I have received that testimony stronger than I ever had in my life this week. I am so blessed to be serving him at this time. Give me mountains to climb, give me oceans to cross. I love the things i am learning.

 I cant believe the subtle life lessons I learned this week and am so grateful the Lord loves me enough to manifest His Hand in my life through the spirit. I prayed to feel His love for me and had a few moments for a couple days when I just felt so warm and couldn´t get the idea He Loves You out of my mind. Despite all the challenges I have and will have, I know that He is teaching me so much. Thinking about entering a body building contest...not for the body, just for my tan.. Happy 95 degrees everyone! 

Have a great week. Lots of love,

Hermana Nokes

Look for miracles

::: This week was super great. Happy New Year. I decided I wanted to be happier and more lively and all. So I have been looking for miracles everyday. 

. My dad tells me to look for the miracles everyday and I started doing that. I made a booklet with all the things the Lord blesses me with everyday. I am a bit overwhelmed. He is so good to me. There are many miracles in my life and I am so grateful for the challenges and opportunities I have so that I can learn and grow.

Happy New Years. We had to be home at seven. Party! ha-ha the Chileans were out super late. We lit matches as fireworks. and laded in bed in  extreme heat. 

We had 6 people (3 little kids, but still!) in sacrament! I was so happy. It was awesome. One investigator will be baptized the 18th.It feels like we just met her! She is my first. . I was worried with how fast her conversion has gone, but we had a lesson and she was teaching us. I know that’s what the spirit will do for someone. I can´t wait for her and am just antsy for her big day.

I had a feeling to go to a contact that we haven’t seen for months. It was his only day here in weeks and for weeks. That was neat. I know that we receive impressions. 

We got to go contacting to a gorgeous place with rivers, giant corn fields the mountains. I didn’t have my camera. The sunset there! it took my breath away. 

We finally got celestial missionary 100 percent. I think that’s why we are having success and I am learning to deal with my companion and her with me. All is going great. Thanks for the prayers and love. I love you all and wish you the best week..

Love, 

Hermana Nokes