10/28/14

This week we worked like mad women and were able to see miracles. It has been a little discouraging serving in Livermore because people keep breaking my heart. Mainly investigators and less actives who promise to come to church but never actually do. Sister Balderree has been studying Jacob 5 lately and we decided that we would make "Dig, Prune, Nourish" the theme for our week. We have been contacting everyday and specifically asking in prayer to be able to find more people to work with. As part of that we are going to areas of the city we don't normally go to and looking for new people there. We are also pruning or cleaning out our list of investigators and setting aside for a time those who are not yet ready to make and keep commitments. We are focusing our lessons on really helping people understand the doctrine of Jesus Christ (faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the holy ghost, and enduring to the end). With these goals in mind we set off to work harder and more intelligently. We spent a whole hour and a half calling people and dropping by their houses to get them to come to church because what is faith without works, right? 

We were super stressed and excited running around like headless chickens but we were blessed to be able to have two investigators and 4 less active families at church. Sorry I ran out of time but I'd like to share with you some pictures from our halloween activity.

10/21/14

Well yesterday we had a visit from Elder Pino from the 70 and his wife who is super funny and cute. Sister Mella talked about how we can have the Spirit more. She talked about how we need to stop comparing ourselves to other people and talked about the parable of the talents. There are many talents and He doesn't give all the gifts to a single person so we cannot compare. She also said that the question we need to be asking is "Is the Lord happy with what I did today?"

We only have 69 hours to proselyte a week and often times we do not take advantage of them. The time we have to serve our Heavenly Father as full time missionaries is extremely short.

President Mella talked about how behind everything we do is the mission and atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Elder Pino talked for a total of 2 and a half hours... after 90 minutes president Mella started hinting that the food was ready in the gym but he kept talking until President Mella stood up and very kindly reminded him that we hadn't eaten in over 6 hours and were hungry (He takes such good care of his missionaries). But Elder Pino's talk was just what I needed to hear. We read DyC 15 and 16 and he talked about how even though they say the same things the message is intimate and impressively personal.

We talked about how we have been recommended for this mission and how we must leave all personal affairs behind. He talked about how the reason we came on a mission should be to fulfill our missionary purpose (the gospel of Jesus Christ). He also said "if you came on a mission for the wrong reasons, stay for the right one." 

Lastly we talked about how we have qualified for the call letter but we must remain worthy to obtain the promised blessings.

After hearing his talk I have resolved to become a more consecrated missionary. I need to study and embrace the gospel so that I can make it mine. So that it can be a part of who I am.

Another great thing that happened yesterday was that we were able to find two less active families who are willing to take the missionary lessons so "sister Balderree can practice teaching in Spanish" (haha).

This was the most perfect way to start a new week after the roller-coaster that was last week (Marylin's family who had promised Sundaymorning to come to church bailed out and decided to go to the Catholic one last minute). But Heavenly Father reminded us that "His ways are not our ways" and led us straight to a former investigator who desperately needs the gospel back in her life.

'tis all for now folks!

Hermana Quintana

Meet the Mormons 10/13/14

Last week we had the amazing opportunity to watch Meet the Mormons before it came out on theaters. I really enjoyed the whole thing. I even started tearing up, I didn't cry (mom would say I have no soul) but there were a whole lot of Sisters and even some Elders who were wiping away tears when the lights turned on :)

We also got to go to do a session in the Oakland temple! Sister Adams took us and the English Sisters (she is truly an angel) and we had a lot of fun taking pictures in the garden as well as in the parking lot which overlooks the bay area. It was really clear that day so I was able to see San Francisco in the distance. It is marvelous to see the contrast of the white temple on the hill and the gray and foggy city below.

This week at our Zone Training Meeting we reviewed our mission culture which is: Obedience, Hard Work, Technical Competence, and Positive Attitude. Sister Balderree and I recommitted ourselves to be more obedient and we were truly blessed by our efforts. We are working with two sisters who are 10 and 12 years old. We had a lesson outside in the front lawn. We sat on towels and ate gluten free brownies and after the lesson the girls and their inactive member neighbors gave us a makeover. We had dinner at Chili's with a member afterwards and so we were trying to wipe our faces in the car outside. It was super funny. 

General Conference 10/6/14

GENERAL CONFERENCE WAS AMAZING!!!!!

I absolutely loved General Conference this weekend. I always feel like I love a part or two of a talk here and there but this conference I felt like the spirit was just screaming "pay attention!" to everything everyone said.

This week was kind of crazy because one of the sisters in the zone got transfered and her companion got a training call so we were in a trio covering two areas for three days until we went to pick up the new missionary. Her name is Sister Carter and she is super classy and funny.

Also, remember how I said I've been kind of sick lately? well it was actually more than just kind of so finally went to see someone about it and she asked me to go gluten free for a week and all the symptoms disappeared! I didn't realize just how bad I was feeling until I didn't feel that way anymore. I even got free Gluten-free brownie mixes from Sister Gregerson. Heavenly Father loves me!

I ran out of time this week with emailing but i just want to express my love for General Conference. I believe that God loves us and He has called a prophet to lead and guide us today. Today the prophet is Thomas S. Monson. He receives revelation from God on how to lead and direct Christ's church and the people this day. Because God loves us, He wants us to receive our own personal witness of His prophet, our testimony will grow as we listen to the prophet and heed his words.

Remember to "Live the Gospel Joyful!"

Hermana Quintana

9/29/14

Things are picking up here in Livermore. Last week we had exchanges with our Sister Training Leaders. Sister Stegelmeier came up to spend the day in Livermore with me. She is an incredible missionary and as sweet of a person as it gets. She is amazing and I feel so lucky that I got to be her temporary companion. She really helped me to figure things out and the rest of the week had a completely different feel. Sister Balderee and I decided that we wanted (actually, we really NEEDED) miracles so we fasted. We spent our lunch timeon Sunday running around inviting people to come to church. When Sunday school started there was no one there and in relief society only one nonmember was there. Just as the doors were closing for the sacrament a family sneaked in and I felt like I was going to cry with excitement and humbleness at the love Heavenly Father showed me in granting us this. I had to give a talk on prayer and personal revelation and I noticed a family walk in and sit down as I stood up to give my talk. I talked about Joseph Smith and how he had a question. I mentioned his preparation (scripture study, research...) and of his faith. I also talked about how after he received an answer ( a vision!) he followed through and did as Heavenly Father commanded him. After Sacrament I found out the second family had been the previous sisters investigators and she had randomly showed up without us even talking to her. She was super shy and didn't want to talk with us but her kids ran over to get food from the linger longer we had right after sacrament and she ended up staying for a whole hour! Our little branch was more united this last Sunday than they have been for at least the past 6 weeks. There was SO much food and the company was so pleasant. My heart was overflowing with thankfulness and I felt like I was floating the rest of the day. I was feeling so good and nice we gave our car to the Elders so they could say good bye to people faster and I rode a bike for the first time in a skirt. That turned out to be a huge blessing because as we rode our bikes we were contacting and we happened upon two of our investigators. If we had been in a car we would have gone straight to their house and would have missed them. We got to meet their parents for the first time and got the OK to keep teaching them (the kids are 10 and 12).

These last 6 weeks have been crazy and it has definitely been the toughest transfer on my mission but just when I feel like I can't take another step Heavenly Father wraps me up in his arms and shows me that He loves me and that everything is going to be just fine. Thank you all so much for your love and support.

Hermana Quintana

Also, remember the little kid who sat all by himself and it broke my heart? It turns out his parents really are active but they had just been sick that day :)

9/22/14

Livermore is a very sleepy town full of very rich people. It is hard to find people to talk to on the street but there are some very nice people we've found who, although they do not want to meet with us, are willing to stop on the street and listen to us. One thing that is really great here is that there are a lot of service opportunities for us in the community. Also, the food here is incredible. Because the people are so fancy, there are a ton of really classy places in downtown and it looks like it could easily be in a movie. There are lights hanging on the streets and warmers by the outdoor tables (hehe). There are also a lot of vineyards in the outskirts of the city and that reminds me of good old Greenfield.

We had to drop the baptismal date that the Sisters had because Pedro won't come to church and was avoiding us for a while. We finally caught him outside of his house last Saturday and had what I thought was a very spiritual lesson. When we tried to recommit him to baptism he was quiet for a bit then went off on some crazy story about how the Virgin Mary appeared to him and gave him the power to look at the sun without burning his eyes. He claims that he gathers electricity which helps him to be able to detect liars. I am not sure if he is calling us liars or what but he was in gangs and into heavy drugs and alcohol so I am sure that there were some mental repercussions... 

We are also teaching my very first full American investigator. I am pretty sure we are supposed to hand her over to the English elders but my companion loves her a ton so I'm not quite sure what to do because she would not understand anything if she came to our Spanish branch. She is a single mother of three adorable little babies and has indigo hair. She has a really cool Dark Crystal t-shirt and she actually read the pamphlet and went online to do some research before our appointment. It kind of worries me that she is not going to mormon.orgto do her research but I love her desire to know for herself.

This Sunday there was a young man who passed the sacrament who reminded me of my little brother (his name was actually Gustavo too!). I noticed that when they sat down with their families he went to sit by himself in the second pew, he pulled out his scriptures and started to read. It broke my heart to see this young 12 year old boy sitting there all alone. I wondered where his parents where and I appreciated so much more the courage and dedication of this young boy. He probably got himself up in the morning, shinned his shoes, tied his tie, picked out his white shirt and khaki pants, gathered his scriptures and made his way to church. He said the closing prayer in Sacrament and I have never known such a mature young man. He prayed for all of those who had not made it to the meeting and asked a blessing for their safe return.

This is the Church of Jesus Christ, here we learn of His Gospel which is centered on the family. I am very grateful for my family and the support that they have been to me through my ups and downs and just-plain-crazy times. We are like an old battered quilt which at times has holes and is patched by duck tape but it is very warm and it is stitched together with love and woven through with Christ as the centerpiece. I am so grateful for all of you who have put up with me and become family through our experiences. May you always remember that there is a network of people ready to help you through whatever you are facing and that the Savior is always there to wrap you in his loving embrace.

I love you all so much.

Hermana Quintana

Game Changer! 9/15/14

Last Monday morning I received a call from President Mella informing me that a missionary was very sick and had to go home so I was emergency transferred to Livermore. There was no one to come fill my spot in El Camino so our brand new area was left alone and Sister Boyd was put back in a trio with in the other sisters' area. I was very sad to leave but very grateful for the 21 days of miracles I was able to witness in Mountain View. The people there are ripe for the picking and I know that Sister Boyd will find a way to get herself to Mountain View to take care of those people.

Another thing that added to my newness is that I am training a new missionary who has only been out 3 weeks so it is like whitewashing... again. I know Heavenly Father always has a purpose to everything that happens but I am starting to seriously look at my missionary life and try to figure out what lesson I am supposed to learn from all of these white-washings. At the very least, I have faith that this is Heavenly Father's work and that he won't let me mess it up too bad.

The new missionary is very young, just 19, she is very bold and very excited to be a missionary. I honestly have no idea what I am doing but hopefully I can get some advice from other people who are training at advanced orientation.

Anyway, please send those stories soon along with any advice you may have.

Love you lots,

Hermana Quintana