A Key to Victory

Today, eight great missionaries (visa-waiters) left to serve in various parts of the world. We were fortunate to have them here for the past 3 transfers and secretly hoped they would be reassigned to the THM!  We wish them well and thank them for their faithful service.  Also attached is President Pingree's weekly email to the missionaries along with some pictures taken yesterday after the Houston West (Spanish) Stake Conference.

Off to Argentina
(Sister Carter, leaving for Australia, not pictured)



Houston West Stake Conference
(next several pictures)

 

 

Dear Sisters and Elders –

 

As full-time missionaries, we are encouraged to “pray continually without ceasing” (Alma 26:22). Moreover, we are commanded to “pray always, and not faint” and to “not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place [we] shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate [our] performance…” (2 Nephi 32:9).

 

I strongly feel that if we will pray more frequently and more sincerely for the Lord’s help, He will lift the work in this mission to a new level. Certainly, for our prayers to be powerful, we must be virtuous, obedient, and diligent. However, I believe that there are many blessing left unclaimed because we do not pray frequently or fervently enough. As missionaries, we need to be praying ALL THE TIME!

 

Preach My Gospel suggests many specific things for which we should pray regularly. While the list is not exhaustive, please find suggestions below:

“Pray for the Spirit’s guidance, and valiantly follow the promptings you receive” (91).
“Pray for [investigators] for inspiration to…understand and meet their needs” (94).   
“Pray for the members and priesthood and auxiliary leaders in your area” (94).
“Pray for your companion, other missionaries, and your mission president” (94).
“Pray for your family at home” (94).
“Pray mightily over your goals and plans” (151).
“Always begin your gospel study by praying for the Holy Ghost to help you learn” (18).
“Pray that you will be led to those who are prepared… [and] that you will recognize them” (94).
“Pray for the ability to see unplanned opportunities to serve and teach” (156).
“Pray for the faith and strength to be more bold in opening your mouth” (156).
“Pray for help in your teaching” (93).
“Pray that those you are teaching will feel the confirming witness of the Holy Ghost” (199).
“[Pray] in your heart throughout the day that the Spirit will help you know where to go...(151).
“Pray for a vision of how the Book of Mormon can be used more effectively…” (110).
“Pray to overcome temptation” (95).
“Pray for the Lord to help you develop [Christlike] attribute[s]” (123).
“Pray sincerely for divine assistance [with your mission language]” (127).
“Always pray before leaving your apartment” (150).
“[Pray and] express gratitude for your blessings” (94).

 

I invite each of you to read the “Pray with Faith” section in Preach My Gospel (93) with your companion tomorrow morning. Together, identify ways that you can pray more frequently and sincerely in your work. If you do, I promise that you will see more blessings and miracles from the Lord.

 

The Lord promises: “And inasmuch as ye are humble and faithful and call upon my name, behold, I will give you the victory” (D&C 104:82).

 

With love,

President Pingree

Hasta La Vista

Elder and Sister Bell finished their missionary service today.  They have served for the past eighteen months in the Madisonville and Crockett Branches.  The Bells have served with honor and distinction and will be greatly missed.  Among other things, the Bells will be remembered for saying, "Love Wins!"  Also, Elders Bartholomew and Lewis finished their full-time missionary service and returned home.  They needed to leave a week before transfers to get back into school.  Both have served with great faith and diligence.  Below, please find pictures of these departing missionaries along with others taken at two district meetings this morning.

Elder and Sister Bell

Elders Bartholomew and Lewis

 

Office meeting

"P" is for Preparation

Attached are a few pictures taken last week at the Houston Temple and other events.  Also, please find President Pingree's weekly email to the missionaries regarding standards for preparation day. 

 

Klein Zone

 

College Station Zone

A few members of Houston West Zone 1

Houston West Zone II

Elders visit with President Pingree at mission home

Sisters load gear at mission home

Sister Wessendorf

Kate with Sister Byron

Sisters Hara and Byron

President Pingree with Waller Ward Elders

Waller Spanish Branch Sisters

Dear Sisters and Elders –

The PURPOSE of p-day is "to prepare so that you can give full attention to proselyting during the rest of the week" (MH, p. 19).  It is not a personal day, play day, or vacation day from missionary responsibilities.  A local bishop recently wrote, “Missionaries should always act in the role of a missionary.  We understand that they have a p-day and that they have a full-time calling that is very challenging, but if members see them out of place or out of character, it casts doubts about their dedication.”  With that said, we must remember to act like men and women of God at all times. This is HIS time, not ours.  

Please follow the standards below, as well as all others explained in the Missionary Handbook:

·       "Arise at 6:30 AM, and follow the regular study schedule" (MH, p. 19).

·       "Use preparation day to take care of personal needs, such as writing to your family, washing clothes, getting a haircut, cleaning your apartment, shopping, and washing your car" (MH p. 19).  These activities should NOT be done Tuesday through Sunday.

·       "On preparation day, wear missionary clothes in public…Look for opportunities during the day to find people to teach" (MH, p. 19).

·       "Use only MyLDSMail.net...  Do NOT use any other e-mail service or any other internet service or site that has not been authorized" (MH, p. 20).  Accessing Facebook, YouTube, ESPN, or any other non-Church websites detracts from the Spirit and goes against the Church's standards for full-time missionaries.

·       “While using computers, always stay next to your companion so that you can see each other’s monitors” (MH, p. 20).

·       "Stay with your companion during all activities" (MH, p. 21).

·       "Stay in your area unless you receive permission to leave it" (MH, p. 21). 

·       "Preparation day ends by 6:00 PM.  Proselyte from 6:00 PM to the end of the evening" (MH, p. 19).  Any meal appointments should be completed before 6:00 PM, unless a non-member is present.

I urge you to follow these standards every preparation day.  If you do, I promise that you will feel a greater sense of purpose, a stronger Spirit, and more opportunities to share the gospel.  If we follow these standards collectively as a mission, we will be able to hasten the work of the Lord more effectively.

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this message.  Please take the time to review it with your companion and make necessary changes. Thank you for your efforts to represent the Lord effectively at ALL times and in ALL places.

Love,

President Pingree

 

Two Important Standards

Dear Sisters and Elders –

 

This week I want to reemphasize two EXTREMELY important sections from the Missionary Handbook: “Staying Together” (pp. 30-32) as companions and appropriate relationships with members of the “Opposite Sex” (pp. 33-34). It is critical to our spirituality, protection, and missionary effectiveness that we obey these sections with precision. 

 

Never Be Alone

As missionaries, we have been asked to “never be alone” and to “stay with your companion at all times” (MH, p. 30).  What does it mean to stay with your companion at all times?  It means “staying within sight and hearing of each other” (MH, pp. 30-31).  We are told to “never make exceptions to this standard for activities that seem innocent but take you away from each other, including being in different rooms in the same building or home” (MH, p. 31).  Please remember, you have direct responsibility for YOUR companion. 

 

Association with Members of the Opposite Sex

We are also instructed to “never be alone with, flirt with, or associate in any other inappropriate way with anyone of the opposite sex” (MH, p. 33).  This rule applies to our association with fellow missionaries, as well as anyone else.  Be extra vigilant in living this standard.  Remember that you must not only avoid an inappropriate association with someone of the opposite sex, but also avoid the appearance of anything inappropriate. 

 

In addition we are told that, "you and your companion should not visit or accept rides from individuals of the opposite sex unless another responsible adult of your own sex is also present. Always obey this rule, even if the situation seems harmless...” (MH, p. 34).  This rule is extremely important for not only spiritual reasons, but for legal ones as well.

 

On occasion, I receive questions regarding the application of this standard in teaching situations. Whether elders are teaching one female or multiple females, they need to have another adult (18 or older) with them.  Similarly, if sisters are teaching one male or multiple males, they need to have another female adult (18 or older) with them.  The accompanying adult can be an investigator or a member.  If you contact a potential investigator of the opposite sex, you may teach them if you are in a public place (e.g., a park, on the street, outside on a porch visible to others, etc.).  Otherwise, you will need to set another appointment and find an accompanying adult to go with you at a later time.

 

Thank you for your vigilance in following these very important standards of a full-time missionary and representative of Jesus Christ.  As you follow them diligently, you will receive an added portion of the Spirit, increased protection, and greater success as a missionary.

 

With love and trust,

 

President Pingree

Farewell Elder and Sister White

Today Elder and Sister White finished their missionary service.  They have been serving in the Caldwell and Hearne Branches for the past eighteen months as a MLS couple.  The Whites were well-respected in each of the branches and were influential in helping others come unto Christ.  They will be missed!  Below, please find a few pictures taken at a zone meeting, MLC, etc.

 

Elder and Sister White