Specialized Training

This week, some specialized training was held throughout the mission.  The focus of the training was on teaching gospel principles and extending commitment invitations effectively.  We discussed principles from PMG and role-played teaching scenarios.  We also watched a DVD of a talk given by Elder Bednar at the MTC in 2009 about recognizing and following the Spirit. 

Elder Abadillo

Yesterday, a new missionary joined the Texas Houston Mission.  Elder Abadillo is from Guatemala City, Guatemala and will be serving in the Spanish program.  He arrived early from the MTC because of his language capacity.  Welcome!

 

Elder Abadillo and President Pingree

Joseph helps with luggage

Elder Abadillo in front of mission picture board

Power of Spontaneous Service

Dear Sisters and Elders – 

In last week's letters to the president, one of you shared the following experience with me:

"Last Thursday we were out and a few of our lessons fell through.  We were preparing to knock doors when my companion spotted a family painting their house.  She asked me, "How would you feel about doing some painting?"  I said, "Of course!"  We parked our car and walked across the street to their house.  We introduced ourselves and asked if we could help them paint their house.  They were slightly confused since we were wearing our proselyting clothes.  We explained that a part of our work as missionaries is the opportunity to serve others.  They put us to work.  We painted until we ran out of paint and they invited us to come in and eat with them.  We met the rest of the family and were able to talk to them about why we are on missions and why we decided to serve.  They were touched by our testimonies and invited us back next week to teach them.  Service with a smile opens doors and hearts alike!"

In Preach My Gospel it explains: "As you seek to do good, you will be led to people who are being prepared for the restored gospel" (168).  Certainly, this promise was fulfilled to these missionaries who noticed a need and offered to serve.

In addition to finding people to teach, providing service also brings us joy.  President Hinckley explained: "Do you want to be happy?  Forget yourself and get lost in this great cause.  Lend your efforts to helping people" (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, 597).

As we are out and about, "listen to the Spirit to recognize opportunities for small, simple acts of kindness that you can offer to God's children.  Pray to be aware of opportunities throughout each day to do good" (PMG, 168). As we act, God will place people in our paths who will receive the restored gospel (PMG, 169).  I know this to be true.

With much love,

President Pingree

"How may I help you?"

"You have been called of God to serve His children.  That service can take many forms.  You should look for opportunities to serve those around you - investigators, church members, your companion, and the people you meet.  In addition to unplanned acts of service, you should seek opportunities for service projects in the community each week" (MH, pg. 39).  Today we are posting pictures of some missionaries who have found ways to serve in the communities to which they are assigned.  

So, What do the Members Think?

Dear Sisters and Elders –

In one of your weekly letters to me, a missionary explained the following: "It seems like the ward is really beginning to trust us! Yesterday, multiple members came up to us and asked if we wanted dinner and to see if we could give them a lesson in their homes. We also received three new member referrals! I have come to know that the more we look and act like missionaries and the more the Spirit is with us, the more the members want to work with us. They see us as true servants of Jesus Christ."

We cannot fulfill our purpose as missionaries unless we gain the trust of the members. Two of the stake presidents in this area told me on separate occasions what they believe missionaries must do to gain the trust of members. One explained, “Missionaries need to act and speak like men and women of God. They need to have the Spirit with them.” The other mentioned, “Missionaries should be friendly with the members, but not casual. They always need to maintain a level of dignity and respect because they represent Jesus Christ.” For members to trust us, they need to feel the Spirit when they are around us, sense our concern for them, and see that we are serious about representing Jesus Christ.

One of the most effective times we have to demonstrate our devotion to Christ is during Sunday church meetings. This is when the most members interact with us and make judgments about our commitment to Christ and to sharing His gospel. The way we act at church makes a huge difference in the level of trust the members have in us.

There are a number of things we can do at church to demonstrate our commitment to Christ and to build the trust of the members, including:

• Arriving early to church and greeting members as they walk into the chapel,
• Calling members by name and asking them about how their families are doing,
• Sitting up straight and paying attention to the speakers during sacrament meeting,
• Singing the hymns,
• Bearing our testimonies of the Savior on Fast Sunday,
• Contributing to class discussions, and
• Staying after church to talk with members and to identify ways to serve them during the week.

These are only a few suggestions and certainly, you could list many more. The important thing is that we really utilize our time during Sunday church meetings to demonstrate our devotion to Christ and to building the trust of members.

I am so grateful for your choice to consecrate yourselves to Christ during this period of your lives. It is an honor to serve with each of you!

With much love,

President Pingree

Transfers

It has been a big week in the Texas Houston Mission with meetings, firesides, meals and trips to the airport.  On Monday, Elders Anderson, Baker and Sister Vance left to Brazil as their visas finally arrived (first picture). We thank them for their faithful service here in Houston.  On Tuesday and Wednesday, we said farewell to six of our own - Elders Fisher, Hicks, Yu and Taylor, along with Sisters Latu and Crandall.  Each have served faithfully and will be missed. We wish them the very best as they move forward with their lives.  Later on Wednesday, nineteen new missionaries arrived - Elders Field, Contrys, Harms, Hillebrant, Larsen, McKell and Mortimer and Sisters Allred, Barker, Daniel, Gregson, Lockhart, McCleary, Ogden, Parry, Phillips, Priddis, Wahlen and Wessendorf.  An additional missionary, Sister Pedersen, arrived on Friday evening (see picture below).  We are thrilled to welcome this new group and hope they each find great joy and satisfaction in their missionary service.  A big thanks to all who helped with transfers this month!

 

Departing Missionaries

New Missionaries

 

New Missionaries with Trainers

Sister Pedersen arrives