He is the Gift

Letter from December 1, 2014

Hola!!!

HAPPY BITHDAY MOMMA! 

And Im super glad you all had a wonderful thanksgiving!!!!!

Okay so this week was interesting. First of all we found this young guy (25 years old) who has a ton of problems. He's a drug addict, a smoker, an alcoholist, and he is addicted to robbing. He has three kids from three different women and he doesnt live with any of them. And so we were talking with him and asked him if he really wants to change, to see his kids more, to be free of these horrible addictions. And he told us yes, yes, yes I want to change, I want a better life, but Im not a bad person, yada yada yada. And really we shared with him that no, he isnt a bad person, he is really special. That he has a father in heaven who really loves him. Who really knows him. And that we want to help him and everything. And by the end of our prayer with him he was in tears. But the bad thing is there isnt much we can do for him. He lives in a place where there is constantly people coming in and out with drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, all of it. And its just horrible for him. We told him that he needs to leave this place and get clean. But who knows if he will actually do it. And he has been in prison for robbing and such so it would be a REALLY long process for his baptism and everything. But not impossible. But the ward told us that we cant visit him without another member with us. But I feel really strongly that we need to keep up with him and help him. Because really he wants this. But there is only so much we can do for him. Its just so sad that he is so young and has all of these problems! All of these harmful addictions! Ugh, its aweful! 

But on the other hand we found these two kids the other day when we were tracting and they kept asking us questions about God and Jesus Christ and everything. And they each are 11 years old so we answered their questions and off we went. And a little while later we were helping a women to clean her garden and these kids came to us again. And asked us if they could come to our church. And so we gave them the address and we didnt really know if they would come because they need the permission from their parents, ect. So off we went. Then came sunday. And the sacrament finished and we thought, yeah okay they arent coming. But suddenly there they were! And the topper, WITH THEIR PARENTS! And so after sacrament meeting we talked with their parents and they told us that they have no problem taking their kids to church for all three hours and that they can come to but can only stay for the first hour, but they will come pick them up afterwards. Literally it was a miracle! So this week we are for sure going to their house and hopefully we can teach their parents, too! 

And I dont know if you guys have heard but there is this huge thing happening with the church on the 7th of December. The church has bought youtube for this night to show a video called "He is the Gift" and its going to be shown in Times Square and all sorts of things. But its a christmas video, really short, but powerful. And I dont really know that much about it because I just found out in reading the emails of my freinds on their missions. But Im sure we are going to have a training on it soon. Here is the link to watch the video http://www.mormon.org/christmas and really its about the true spirit of christmas. That all the gifts in this world on Christmas started with ONE. The gift of the Lord Jesus Christ from our Father in Heaven. Its really a beautiful thing. And really something that I have learned this week is that many people know about Jesus, what He did, about His life and teachings, but they dont know WHO He is. Here in La Serena, Chile most of the kids go to a Catholic based school. And so they watch videos about Christ and learn of His life. But they dont understand WHY. That really God GAVE His son to suffer for our sins, to die for us. EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US. And because He suffered for us, we can repent, we can be free of our sins-clean of our unperfect and sinful state, and most importantly we can live once again in the presence of our Heavenly Father. And He was resurrected so that after our mortal death our spirits can be reunited with our bodies. That we can have a perfect and immortal body. And all of this because HE CAME, HE LIVED, HE SUFFERED, AND HE DIED. FOR. YOU. And this is the Gift. HE IS THE GIFT. I KNOW IT. And I know that every single person can know it for themselves. 

So this Christmas find out about this grand gift that you have been given. And remember WHY we even have CHRISTmas. To remember HIS GIFT. 

I love you all with all my heart and I am so thankful to have you all in my life!!!!

Until next week, con mi amor, testimonio, y corazón, 

Hna Logan

Surprise! I had a baby!

Letter from November 24, 2014

Hola todos!

Yeah so first I killed both of my "moms" and now I am training a new missionary!

But the funny part is, usually when you are going to train the assistents to the president call you first to tell you... and they didnt call me... so my new companion arrived and on our way to out house I asked her how much time she has en her mission. She said, Um this is my first day... and so here I am, lol. A suprise pregnancy for me:) But my new companion is super! She is from the south of Argentina and she is 21 years old. 

And this week was interesting... at church yesterday I was looking around at all the people and I just felt this grand love for everyone. Especially for those people that I have a good relationship with. And then yesterday we were talking with Brenda (the mom of my convert, Alan) and I felt like this is my last transfer in this area. And I just started crying, lol. Because first of all Alan and Brenda... I LOVE them. They are like my family. And the feeling that I have to leave them is pretty devestating. But I know that for the mission we need to change areas and there are different people I need to meet. But man. Now I understand how Andrew felt on his plane home where he just started to cry. Because really this love that I have been able to feel is soooooo powerful. And it makes me just want to stay here forever, but at the same time I know I have to leave. And I dont know if I really am going to leave or not, but I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father that I have been able to feel a small part of His love for his children. And I know that I wouldnt have been able to feel it like this if I hadnt decided to serve a mission. So basically I am just full. Full of love and the spirit and everything, IDK. Basically the love of God is REAL. That is all:)

And are you guys SUPER excited that we get to skype in like a month???? WOOOHHHOOOO! And christmas, I am super excited! 

Well thats pretty much all for this week. I hope you all have an amaaaaaaaaaazing thanksgiving full of lots of turkey and food and pie and yummy goodness! I will miss it with all of my heart! But give everyone a hug for me and everyone can eat a piece of ham and pie for me:) 

I love love love LOVE you all! 

Hna Logan

The Power of the Book of Mormon

Letter from November 17, 2014

Hola todos!

Okay so this week was pretty good. I have officially killed my second mom, and for these next 3 days I am training a latina that has only been out on her mission for a month. But she is super sweet and I really am being trained by her, lol. 

But this week we found a couple new investigaters and so the investigaters that we have are awesome. Really they are all just reading the Book of Mormon and waiting for an answer to know if it is true. I had an amazing experience with one married couple. They are reading the BOM and they asked us on our second visit how we came to know that this church is true. Because they really want to know which church is true. And so my companion and I were able to bear our testimonies. And the spirit was SOOOOOOOOOOOO strong! And then we asked them if they would pray on their knees with us in that very moment if the church was true. And let me tell you I was balling during her prayer because I could feel that Heavenly Father was answering her prayer. And after they both expressed that they were feeling peace, love, and calmness. And after they both shared experiences of how they knew that God exists. And we were all crying hahaha. But they didnt say that they felt like they knew it was true, yet. But I know if they continue to read and pray and attend church they WILL know its true. Because its the promise that Heavenly Father gives to us. And I know if our lessons continue to have the same powerful spirit, they will know. But they also need to attend church, partake of the sacrament, and feel the spirit that is in the church. Becuase I have recieved COUNTLESS revelations and experinces during church that are the foundation of my testimony. 

And so in other words if any of you are reading this and dont know (notice how I say know and not believe, because they are two very different things) for yourselves if the Book of Mormon is true, which church is true, or even if God exisits... and you really WANT to know and are willing do all you need to in order to find out for yourself... READ THE BOOK OF MORMON! AND PRAY TO KNOW IF IT IS TRUE! There are SERVERAL books about Christ, about God, religion, all of these things. HOWEVER, The Book of Mormon is the ONLY testiment of Christ that invites us to read and ask Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ if it is true AND PROMISES us that if we do so, WE WILL RECIEVE AN ANSWER THAT IT IS TRUE. I know that this promise is REAL. Becuase I have done as this book asks. I have read it. And I have prayed to know if it is true. And I can testify to every person in the world that the Book of Mormon is true. It is the word of God.  I know it with every fiber of my being, and I CANNOT and I WILL NOT deny it. 

I love you all SOOOOOOOOOOO much and I hope you all have an amazing week this week! 

Until Monday and with all my love, heart, and soul,

Hna Logan

El Amor de Dios

Letter from November 10, 2014

Hola todos!

Wow, so this week has been awesome! I have officially had my first baptism and confirmation! The boy(Alan)  that I said we were teaching and his mom who is a less active! But more that my first baptism I had the chance to truly see the light that the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings to us. When we first showed up at their house the mom was very sad. She was inactive because when she and her husband separated she felt very judged, no one said hi to her, or visted her when she was sick and so she just fell away. And she had anger towards the members of the Church for this. But it was never because she didnt have a testimony. And as we started teaching Alan she would teach him too, explain things so he could understand them, and she would bear a STRONG testimony of what she was talking about. And so when we committed her to coming to church for her son, she agreed. Because she wanted him to get baptized because she knows how important it is. And literally every day that we would teach him she would be a bit happier and share more intimate feelings and her testimony. New experiences she has had with revelation. Until we were having a ball with each other! And Alan! He is wonderful! Super shy but wonderful! He would go to his mom on sunday morning and try to get her to wake up for church! He even made a half box (our of half a cereal box) to hold all his church books and put pictures of Jesus and the prophets around it! Hes adorable! And this week he too has been sooooo happy! He literally just glows sometimes! And the second week at church his mom (Brenda) was very silent. She would be very warm with us but at church we would come in jeans, with sunglasses and wouldnt say hi to anyone. But this week the change... I cant even describe how different it is! When Alan was baptized she wore a skirt and gave a talk that was SO powerful! And now she shares with us how she wants to share the gospel and help other less actives. Oh man! I literally have watched light enter their eyes and begin to glow! And something special she shared with me was this:

She was asking me about my family so I showed her the photos I carry with me and one of them is the pic of all of us with our hand guns (except Andrew of couse because hes the white wone in our family:)) ANd when she saw this photo she started crying. She said I LOVE this photo. This photo is God. I can literally see the Love of God in your eyes. And I want to share this photo with everyone. And she told me, you need to share this photo with those you teach. That this what they are missing. A family full of JOY. And she told me how lucky I was to have such a blessed family. And it just really touched my heart. Because I know that I have an amazing family but to have someone else cry when they saw a pic of us... It made me really want to say that I am So grateful for you guys. For my AMAZING family! I think, that we have definitley come a long way, but just look at us. We are so blessed and we have so many amazing memories. SO I just want to say thank you for all you have done for me. For being the best family in the world!

And really thats why I am here. Its like that plaque that says "Missonary: Someone that leaves their family for a short time so that other families can be together forever" Because that is the joy and the hope we get to share with the world. That if one of their family members dies tomorrow, its NOT the end. That we are all going to be together forever! I know this Gospel is true. I know that God exists! That he is just WAITING for you to talk to Him. Because He is ALWAYS listening. And when you open that door, the blessings you recieve are so grand "you wont even have room enough to recieve them!" I love the fact that I get to share that message with the world and that we as members have that responsibility! Becuase that is what God is all about. LOVE.

I LOVE ALL OF YOU WITH ALL OF MY HEART!!!!!! And hope you have a wonderful week!

Con todo mi alma, amor, corazón, y fuerza,

Hna Logan

How Firm a Foundation

Hola familia y amigos míos!

How Firm a Foundation has been running through my mind this entire week! Because of the one line that says, "Fear not, I am with thee, oh be not dismayed, for I am your God and will still give thee aid! I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand. Upheld by my righteous, upheld by my righteous, upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand!"

I remeber singing this at womens coference with Mom, Raechel, and Ashley and we were all balling, lol. And now I am full of gratidud for my God who has been with me this week, given me aid, strengthened me, helped me, and caused me to stand. Gosh, this week has truely been one of milagros! 

First of all Alan (our investigator with a baptismal date) has recieved all the lessons this week and we had a pre-interview with him and he passed with FLYING colors! And his baptism is this saturday! And honestly the best part has been seeing how happy he and his mom are. I remember the first time we taught his mom and she was so depressed, timid, and reluctant. And Alan was SOOO shy he would barely say anything. And now everytime we go to their house There are huge smiles on their faces! Alan is constantly giggling, moving around, and you can just see the changes that the Gospel brings into the lives of children of God! I LOVE going to teach them! 

Then there is Antonia (9 years old) and her mom Araceli. Her mom is kind of a less active. She works out of town for 2 weeks every two weeks and her parents are hard core catholics. So when she is gone her parents wont let Anotnia go to church. But Antonia is this sweet, smart girl who really wants to do the right thing. So she is our other investigator with a baptimal date! For the 29th of Nov. Because her mom leaves this friday for work. 

Then there is Manwel Jesus. He is an older guy. He doesnt really understand a lot at first, so we have to explain things really well. But he definitley has an intrest in learning more about our church, etc.

And this week as most of you know was fast sunday. And we were fasting with all our hearts that these people would all come to church yesterday! We have worked  VERY hard this week with them and they all said they would come. So then came sunday. And we waited and waited, and waited and no one. But we didnt give up hope. We knew we needed to have faith. So we were sitting in the sac meeting. And first comes Alan and his Mom. Then during the testimonies comes Manwel Jesus, then lastly comes Antonia and her mom! I was SOOOO full. Full of gratitud, of love, of the spirit. And on top of that our recent converts were all there and most of our less actives! In fact there is this 9 year old girl (Catalina) who is a recent convert and her mom is a less active, but her grandma is super active. But Cata hasnt been coming to church. And there she was on sun! And her Grandma told us that she didnt say anything to Cata, but that she woke up, got dressed and ready all on her own! So I am sitting there full of gratitud and happiness when Cata gets up, walks over to where we are sitting, and tells me she wants to bear her testimony. And I say, "Oh, you want to bear your testimony? okay..." but I didnt understand why she came over to us to tell me. Then she asked, "Will you come with me?" Ugh, I was so honored that she wanted me to go with her, but then I knew I was going to have to bear my testimony... but I couldnt say no to her. So we went and she gave the sweetest testimony! I didnt even tell her anything to say! And then I gave my testimony and it was short and simple. But really I just wanted to cry I was so happy! 

So I just want you all to know that when we truely have faith and do OUR part (this is very important!) God WILL be with us, lift up us to do the impossible, stregthen us, and cause us to stand. He hears our prayers, and he DOES answer them! 

I love you all with all my heart and I know that Heavenly Father has you all in mind. If you dont believe me read Alma 26:37. 

Con todo mi corazón, fuerte, amor, y mente, 

Hna Logan 

Me and my compañera. 

Our investigator Alan with his mom.

Alan again.

Alan made a cardboard cover for his scriptures!

Antonia was a zombie for halloween.

Us with Alan and his mom after he passed his pre-baptism interview!

Me with Antonia and her mom.

Classic God, Another Milagro!

Hola! 

So where to begin... ? First of all time is starting to pass super fast! The weeks are like this: Monday, Tues, Wed, Sunday, Monday, Tues, Wed, Sun... Really I cant believe that my compañera leaves in less than three weeks! 

So on to our week:

Remember how we didn't have anyone at church last week and that our person with a baptismal date didn't show up either? Yeah, so we went by his (Jaunito) house this week and taught him to keep the Sabbath day holy. Then we gave him a new date and told him *firmly* that he needs to come to church and partake of the Sacrament. He said yes he would and that he would for sure be at church this week. 

Then we were contacting and we came a cross this old lady who only has one tooth (reminded me of Grandpa, lol) And turns out she is a member (active I might add) but I had never seen her before in our ward... it was weird. But she told us she lives with her daughter who is a less active and her grandson who isnt a member but REALLY loves to go to church. So we asked her if we could accompany her to her house and teach them and she said, sure! So we went to her house and taught her daughter who really has a SUPER awesome testimony but she has had some trouble with members and she is in the middle of divorcing her husband and so she just stopped going to church. So we taught her and committed her to going to church with her son this week. 

So sunday comes around and we are waiting and waiting and biting our nails for Jaunito... and he didnt show *typical chileno flojo* but the less active and her son did! So this was our miracle! Because throughout all of my time here I havent had an investigator come to church! So after church we went to their house and taught them both. And Alan (age 10) committed to a baptismal date! And really he is a such a special spirit! And we are reactivating his mom who REALLY wants this for her son.

So what I learned this week:

-God gives us miracles. ALWAYS! He really does hear our prayers and though he doesnt always answer them how we want or think, they are ALWAYS answered! 

-That the people here are "flojas". Which doesnt really translate well but the closest thing is "lazies" lol. They are all talk but no action! So it is really nice to see that there are people here who have a desire to change strong enough to act.

-The importance of the Sacrament. With all this time of our investigators not coming to Church is has given me the chance to reflect just exactly HOW important the Sacrament is. We have the opportunity to be CLEAN and new EVERY week! We are totally forgiven of our sins when we worthily partake of the Sacrament and remmber the Sacrafice of our Savior! Not to mention that partaking of the Sacrament and keeping the sabbath day holy are commandments! And what do we do if we love God? KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS! 

Also, we had intercambios this week! Which was really great because Hna Cook was my companion and I was able to speak english for a short while! We had some fun:) We found a new family to teach so I am super stoked to teach them! 

I want all of you to know that I love you all! That the Atonement is REAL. It is infinite. It is personal. And it applies to EVERYONE. His Atonement is always there, we just need to apply it in our lives. Go to church! Its a blessing and a commandment! 

Thank you to all who write me and read my emails. I am truly blessed to have you all in my life! 

Con todo mi gratitud, amor, y corazón,

Hna Logan

This is a delicious fruit called Chirimoya

The Strength of the Lord

Hola!

Ok so this week was pretty interesting... it had its ups and its downs... And your probably ALL wondering what happened??!! Because you have nothing better to do than read my exciting letters(right Bishop:))? So, this week none of our investigators are progressing. None are assisting church and none had a baptismal date. But this week we went to the house of the 17 year old named Jaunito. My first mamá and I went to his house many times but he never had time to sit down and have an actual lesson. But this time he did. So we taught him and it was amazing! During the lesson my compañera asked him if he had any questions for us. Guess what he said?? HOW CAN I BE A MEMBER OF YOUR CHURCH? So we went ahead and taught him Lesson 3 (The Gospel of Jesus Christ: Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Endure to the end) and invited him to be baptized on November 2nd. And he said YES! So we were stoked! Like, full of the spirit and rejoicing! Then on saturday our Zone had a fast for all of our investigators, etc. And so we fasted especially that we could have at least 1 investigator at church and especially Jaunito because they have to assist church at least 2 times before they are baptized. And guess what happened??? NOTHING. We had NO ONE attend church this sunday. And so you can imagine how disappointed we are. And I´m having to learn how I can deal with this whole agency thing...BUT, now he is sick and I believe its because he didn't come to church, but thats just me. But we are going to try to figure out how we can help him and what exactly his need is. 

Also one day we were contacting and this guy came up to me and said, "Yeah, tell me your message." And I was pretty taken aback and so I started sharing pretty shakily our message. Then he said, "How long have you been in Chile?" And I said, "Seven weeks," and he said, "Okay, tell me your message in English because it will be more sincere." So I was still a little in shock, but I did. I shared our message in English and gosh the difference in the Spirit was SO apparent. And after my compañera told me that my testimony in English was super powerful. So I learned this week something that I had been struggling with a lot lately. Because Satan has put in my mind many doubts of why I'm here on a mission and whether or not I can really do this. But after that I remembered why I'm really here. That I do have a powerful testimony to share with the world and I just need to rely on it. It's there, waiting to be shared and I'm worrying to much on HOW to say it than what TO say. 

Also, this week my compañera and I had a few REALLY powerful lessons. The spirit was SO strong and I have definitely found that Heavenly Father has been helping me and supporting me SO much this week. There have been times where I feel like I just can't take another step, like I can't go on but there I am still going. And I know it's because of my Heavenly Father and your prayers for me.

Also I feel impressed to tell you that you should read Preach my Gospel. Really it isn't only for missionaries. It is for EVERYONE! The apostles spent YEARS praying over what should be in the book. And it is truely all we need to know! So your homework this week, is to start incorporating PMG in your lives. The words are simple but powerful. And I know you will find in there things you really need to know. 

I love you all SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much!!!!!! And think about you every day! 

Con todo mi corazon y amor,

Hna Logan