Have You Asked Them?

Dear Sisters and Elders –

In Preach My Gospel, we are taught to find people to teach through less-active members, prospective elders, new members, current investigators, and former investigators (see Chapter 9.) Why do we receive this counsel? Because these people have established relationships with people that are not members of the Church, but could have an interest in learning more.

During weekly planning tomorrow, please discuss the following questions together as a companionship:

• Who are the LESS-ACTIVE MEMBERS with whom we are working? Have we asked each of them if they know someone that could benefit from our message?

• Who are the RECENT CONVERTS with whom we are working? Have we asked each of them if they know someone that could benefit from our message?

• Who are the INVESTIGATORS we are currently teaching? Have we asked each of them if they know someone that could benefit from our message?

If you have not asked every less active member, recent convert, or investigator whether they know someone who would be interested in your message, please develop a plan to do so this week. Even more importantly, develop the habit of asking this question every time you teach anyone. "Who do you know that could benefit from this message?" "Missionaries who apply this principle usually have many people to teach" (PMG, 159).

When you do receive a name of someone to call or visit, please "respond quickly and report the results back" to the person who gave you the referral (PMG, 162).

The Lord has already placed many of His prepared children in relationships with less-active, recent converts, and investigators. We simply need to ask in order to find them.

With much love and respect,

President Pingree

Senior Missionary Conference

The Texas Houston Mission has been blessed with A+ senior missionaries who serve in a variety of capacities, including member leader support, the mission office, medical, employment center, CES and the peanut butter cannery. Yesterday, a senior missionary conference was held at President and Sister Chappell's home for them to receive training and strengthen friendships with each other.  Testimonies were shared and presentations were made on topics such as health, companionship unity, overcoming discouragement, working closely with the bishops in the rescue effort and having faith when challenges happen at home.  Attached are a few pictures from the event.

Interviews/Training Continued

Missionaries from the Cypress, Klein and part of the West Zone were interviewed and received training on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.  We have attached a few pictures from these activities below.

ASL Missionaries

Building Positive Relationships

Dear Sisters and Elders –

As missionaries, we are taught to build positive relationships with our companions (MH, pp. 29-32), and with local leaders and members (PMG, p. 217). Certainly, without positive relationships, we are very limited in our capacity to invite and help others come to Christ. Building positive relationships with others is crucial to sharing the gospel.

Today, I would simply like to share several basic, but effective ways that help us to interact positively with others. These suggestions will not only be helpful on a mission, but throughout our lives.

1. SMILE: Make a conscientious effort to smile. Smiling is a universal sign of happiness and acceptance. A smile indicates to others that we enjoy being with them; without a smile, others feel that we do not care for them.

2. GIVE COMPLIMENTS: Seek to give sincere compliments to others. Notice the good things they do and then compliment them specifically and frequently. Avoid negative comments (even in jest) and never gossip or backbite.

3. EXPRESS THANKS OFTEN: Always say thank you and express appreciation for the kindnesses of others. When we are grateful, others will find more joy and satisfaction in our relationships with them.

4. ASK QUESTIONS & LISTEN: We show interest in others by asking them questions about themselves. When they answer, we should listen to what they are saying and look at them when they are speaking. We should seek to listen more than to talk.

5. "I AM SORRY": If conflicts, we should take responsibility for our part in them. Before arguing we should ask ourselves: "Is this worth arguing over? Is this more important than being happy? Is this worth giving up a relationship over?" Saying I am sorry requires humility and love.

I am very grateful for your efforts to build and maintain positive relationships with others -companions, investigators, and members. Positive relationships not only facilitate sharing the gospel with others, but also contribute to our personal joy and happiness.

Love,

President Pingree

Service Activity

Today missionaries from the Houston North and part of the Houston West Zones were invited to participate in a service project in downtown Houston.  In conjunction with local churches, the NBA Day of Caring and local nonprofits, missionaries provided labor to build a playground in a disadvantaged neighborhood.  The event was recorded on the local news, in the newspaper and will come out later in the church news. 

 

Interviews Begin

This week interviews and training were held with the Katy and College Station Zones, along with part of the Houston West Zone.  While interviews with missionaries were being done by President Pingree, training was presented on topics such as finding and utilizing the hymns in our proselyting work.