Merry Christmas Y'all

Christmas Conferences were held this weekend - half the mission met on Friday, the other half on Monday. It was wonderful to be together to celebrate the Savior and His birth.  A member took some pictures at the conferences which we will post in the near future.  For now, enjoy a few pictures of a district meeting and service activities.  Also included is President Pingree's weekly message to the missionaries.  Thanks so very much for your ongoing love and support. Merry Christmas Y'all!  

Dear Sisters and Elders –

King Benjamin taught: “There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ” (Mosiah 5:8). 

At baptism and when we partake of the sacrament each week, we covenant to take upon us Christ’s name. However, as full-time missionaries, this covenant takes on an extra special meaning.

In our missionary call letter is states: “You have been recommended as one worthy to represent the Lord as a minister of the restored gospel. You will be an official representative of the Church” (MH, 3). It is humbling to know that our Savior and Redeemer has called each of us to represent Him and His Church. Christ is the Creator, our Savior, and our Judge.  He performed the Atonement for the Father and for each of us.  All mankind would be lost without Christ.  And, we represent Him!

With such an awesome calling comes a sacred trust. “Conduct yourselves at all times in such a way that everyone who sees you will recognize you as a representative of Jesus Christ” (MH, 8). “You will be expected to maintain the highest standards of conduct and appearance… You will also be expected to devote all your time and attention to serving the Lord, leaving behind all other personal affairs. As you do these things, the Lord will bless you and you will become an effective advocate and messenger of the truth” (MH, 3-4).

While this responsibility to represent Christ is daunting, He enables us when we pray for His help and when we seek to serve with “all [our] heart, might, mind and strength” (DC 4:2).  He wants us to succeed and will help us to do so!

As a companionship, please discuss those groups (e.g., investigators, members, local leaders, other missionaries, etc.) to whom you represent Christ.  Do they recognize you as a representative of Jesus Christ?  Identify ways that you are representing Him successfully to each of these groups.  Determine any ways that you might represent Him more effectively.  As you go through this exercise with real intent, He will help you identify ways to represent Him more powerfully.

Please know how grateful we are for the opportunity to serve with each of you.  We are thankful for your examples of consecration and devotion to Him.

We love you!  Merry Christmas! 

President Pingree

Our Noble Purpose

Dear Sisters and Elders –

“Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18).

As full-time missionaries, God has given us a very clear mandate - to bring souls to Christ.  Our purpose drives our goals, plans, and accountability, and also provides the meaning behind our missionary activities.  

Elder D. Todd Christofferson explained: “When missionaries have internalized the purpose of bringing people to Christ through the principles and ordinances of the restored gospel, they will understand that missionary work is not a program, it is a cause—the cause of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They will understand that they are not salesmen or technicians but divinely authorized and commissioned teachers of righteousness. They will understand that the world has no access to atoning grace and salvation but through them and the Church they represent… They will understand what they and this work are all about, and they will be up and about their Father’s business” (“Our Missionary Purpose,” Seminar for New Mission Presidents, 22 June 2008).

While we know the importance of our purpose, “It is remarkably difficult to reach the point where the missionary purpose drives missionary work… It is so easy for the means to become the end, for us to lose ourselves in missionary activities such that they become ends in themselves” (Christofferson, ibid).

Since our purpose is so critical to our success as missionaries, what practical things can we do to internalize our purpose more fully?  Please find below a list of suggestions from our discussions this past week during specialized training:

• Have regular and personal experiences with the Atonement.
• Study and live the Doctrine of Christ.
• Focus on people and their needs.  Love them.  Pray for them.
• Evaluate the value of each activity by asking: “Did I build someone’s faith in Christ?”
• State missionary purpose often when finding and teaching.
• Bear testimony frequently, especially of Christ, His Doctrine, and the Restoration.
• Study Preach My Gospel daily.
• Memorize and recite each day the missionary purpose (PMG, p. 1) and other pertinent scriptures (3 Nephi 5:13, Moses 1:39, D&C 4, 3 Nephi 11:31-35, etc.).
• Always point people to Christ in your teaching.
• Qualify for the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.
• Pray for a deeper appreciation of our purpose (1 Nephi 2:16; D&C 4:7).

As a companionship, please review the list above and consider other practical things you can do to internalize the missionary purpose.  I invite you to prayerfully select one or two things and then implement them into your life.  As you do, the Lord will increase your capacity and effectiveness as a missionary, and help you to be more productive and happier in your labors.

It is an honor to serve the Lord with you.  We have a noble and incredibly important purpose!

With much love and respect,

President Pingree

Christmas Calls

With Christmas around the corner, missionaries may make one call to their parents (or one to each parent if they do not live together).  We thought it might be helpful for you to read guidelines from the missionary department regarding calls home.

"We want to remind you that your 'missionaries may telephone their parents on Christmas and one other time during the year, usually Mother's Day or another significant holiday' (Mission President's Handbook, 22).  These calls should be kept 'short (preferable not longer than 30 or 40 minutes)' (see Missionary Handbook, 37) and should not distract missionaries from their service.

For many missionaries, it will be most convenient to use the mission-provided phones.  However, in some areas of the world such phone calls can be difficult to arrange and/or be very costly.  Therefore, missionaries are authorized to use Internet options, like Skype, to make their calls.  If a video option is available, they are also authorized to use the video feature in their call.

As always, these calls should not create an inconvenience to members or others.  Neither missionaries nor members should purchase any additional equipment in order to make these arrangements.  Weekly letters home should continue to be by postal service or e-mail only."

Using Time Productively

This week we held specialized training throughout the mission.  Our topic of focus was using wisely the time the Lord has given us on our missions to bring souls to Him.  We discussed our missionary purpose, goals, planning and accountability.  We also discussed how we can rely more on God to do His work more powerfully.  Please find below pictures of the missionaries that were involved in each of the eight training sessions.

And, of course, the best part is getting
back to work and fulfilling our purpose!

Consecration

Dear Sisters and Elders -

A full-time mission is a unique time in our lives. We have the opportunity to consecrate all of our time and talents to building God’s kingdom on the earth. We have a chance to show Him (and ourselves) that we are not only willing, but also able to put His desires and interests ahead of our own.

In the full-time missionary call letter that we each received, it states: “You will...be expected to devote all your time and attention to serving the Lord, leaving behind all other personal affairs” (Missionary Handbook, p. 4). The chief measure of success on our mission is not the leadership callings we receive, the friendships we gain, or even the baptisms we have. It is the level of personal consecration we give to God the Father and to His Son, Jesus Christ. This is the real measure of a successful missionary, and a true disciple of Christ.

Each day we confront many decisions, and each of these decisions is an opportunity to demonstrate devotion to God and His will, or to hold on to our own fears, preferences, or points of view. As full-time missionaries, God has asked us to live a higher standard during our term of service. These higher standards are contained in the Missionary Handbook. They are not mere guidelines, but commandments for us as missionaries. We should strive to live both the letter and the spirit of the law contained in the Missionary Handbook.

(If you do not have a testimony of the importance of the standards in the Missionary Handbook, I invite you to kneel down and humbly ask God if they are inspired by Him. He will answer you. I bear witness that He wants you to live them.)

We have many opportunities each day to put God first. Do we plan each evening and seek revelation for those we are teaching? Do we get up by 6:30 AM and stay up? Do we follow the morning schedule each day, including exercise, personal, and companion study? Do we leave the apartment on time and strive to use our time effectively until we get home at 9:00 PM? Do we follow the missionary standards for music, dress and grooming, Internet usage, cell phone use, and vehicle use? Are we completely clean and worthy? Are there any "personal affairs" that we still need to leave behind?

I invite each of us to ask the Lord: “What can I do to submit myself more completely to Thy will?” When we ask with a sincere heart and with real intent, He will show us what to work on. In fact, we may already have received some impressions from the Spirit. As we strive to implement these changes in our lives, God will help us. Then, as we become more consecrated, we will feel closer to Him, gain added wisdom and strength, and be able to help more people.

I respect the love you have for God and the way you work to consecrate yourself to Him! I am grateful for your righteous examples.

With much love,

President Pingree

Sisters Hudgens and Wahlen

Conroe missionaries after a baptism

Woodlands 3rd Spanish Ward missionaries
after the Houston West Stake's Daily Dose Training

After the Houston North district meeting

An organized missionary apartment

MLC

Sisters Collard and Wessendorf

Missionaries with members and investigators at a Christmas Open House
sponsored by the Klein Oak, Olde Oaks, Spring and Spring Creek Wards

Houston 5th Hermanas help at a Nativity Open House
at a member's home

Waiting for Ephraim's Rescue to begin, our Thanksgiving
preparation day activity (next several pictures)

Drawing by Elder Larsen

A picture sent from Houston West II 

Finding at Christmas

Dear Sisters and Elders –

As explained in the Missionary Handbook: “Holidays are excellent opportunities for finding and teaching because many families are together and are at home” (p. 17).

Christmas is a wonderful time to find and teach people about Jesus Christ and His restored gospel! Please find below some ways that you can find people to teach during this important time of year:

1. Ask others: “Would you be willing to listen to a brief Christmas message?” or “Who do you know that would be willing to listen to a brief Christmas message?”  

2. Encourage members to invite their friends to previously planned Church Christmas events:

• First Presidency Christmas Devotional (Sunday, December 8, 2013)
• Ward Christmas dinner
• Ward service projects
• Stake musical events
• Youth Christmas activities

3. Introduce members to mormon.org/Christmas.  Invite them to refer friends to the site.

4. Encourage members to provide a gospel gift bag (i.e., DVD, Book of Mormon, The Living Christ, etc.) to neighbors and friends in lieu of other presents.

5. Set up a booth at a local holiday festival or event.  (Make sure to receive proper approvals.)

6. Invite members to include friends in holiday activities where other members will be present.

7. When knocking doors, offer to sing a Christmas hymn or to share a message about the Savior.

Please review the suggestions above and discuss additional ways to find people to teach during the Christmas season.  Prayerfully develop a specific plan to find new people to teach through the members and through your own efforts.  Share the finding plan with your ward mission leader.  As you implement an inspired finding plan, the Lord will help you to find those He has prepared.

With much love and respect,

President Pingree

When Visiting Members

Dear Sisters and Elders –

One of the great blessings of serving a mission is the opportunity to meet, work with, and serve local members of the Church. We represent the Savior to the members in our assigned areas.  Each interaction we have with them either strengthens or weakens our ability to fulfill our divine commission.  Please find below a few important points regarding our visits with members:

First, “when you visit, talk to, or eat with members, your primary purpose should be to strengthen them and help them fulfill their missionary responsibilities” (MH, p. 36).  When visiting members, we are not there to simply say hello, hang out, chat or pass time.  Please keep your visits short and remember that the purpose of our visits is to build members’ faith in Jesus Christ and help them to share the gospel with others.  Always remember to ask: “Who do you know that can benefit from our message?” (PMG, 159).

Second, “meal appointments should be an hour or less and should not interfere with prime proselyting time” (MH, p. 36).  Finish member meal appointments before 6:00 PM, unless an investigator or a nonmember friend is present.  This allows us to be more effective missionaries and more productive during prime proselyting time.

Also, only attend meal appointments in your assigned area.  When more than one set of missionaries serve in a ward, do not schedule dinner appointments together as a group; only one companionship should attend a dinner appointment at a time.  Please help members understand that separate meal appointments allow us to reach more families and to fulfill our missionary purpose more effectively.

Third, “do everything you can to build their confidence in you as a dedicated, powerful servant of the Lord” (MH, p. 36).  “Maintain the highest standards of conduct and appearance” (MH, p. 3).  When visiting members, teach doctrine, bring the Spirit, be positive, and give thanks.  Do not stay longer than is needful.  Always ask: “How can I help?” (PMG, 161).  

As a companionship, please prayerfully consider the principles above and make any adjustments you deem necessary.  Following these principles will help us to gain more respect from local members and to fulfill our missionary purpose more effectively.

Thank you for your diligent efforts to represent the Lord honorably and for the trust and confidence you build with members.  It is a great blessing serving with you.

With much love and respect,

President Pingree