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

I'm Going to Be a Murderer Again...

Hola! 

FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS PARA: Marilena! I hope you have a wonderful birthday!!!!!! 

So I killed my mamá! And now she is back in her home! And my new mamá is from Perú, Arequipa! And this is her last transfer! So I'm going to kill her, too. But she is the only member in her family! She converted to the gospel (just to be clear she was baptized in FOUR days!), completed one year and then left for her mission! Isn't that incredible?! I don´t have a pic of her this week but the next I promise I will! She has a strong testimony and she is SUPER enthusiastic about finding new investigadors and so we contact a LOT. She reminds me a lot of Mom, lol. Her conversion, her enthusiasm, her powerful testimony- it's awesome:)

Also I got a hair cut which I also don't have a pic of... but she cut off all my dead hair (which was like 4 inches) so its definitely shorter, but it's soooo healthy and I love it! 

And I just want to give you all a little challenge... Yes it is the missionaries job and calling to teach and find people but the members are a HUGE part, too. Because we are only in an area for a short amount of time and so our converts need friends in the church! And a lot of old people too! We have a recent convert/less active, Luis Plaza, and he lives alone because his wife is in the hospital and everytime we visit him he starts crying because he feels so lonely! It's terribly sad! And he doesnt have friends in the church! So if you see that the missionaries have brought someone to church please try to befriend them! Every convert needs to have an awesome hand-off from the missionaries to the ward! Because we aren´t going to be there for very long. So I DARE you to jump out of your comfort zone and befriend those special spirits that the Lord has prepared to receive the Gospel. So... DO IT! :) 

This week I have seen and the felt the hand of the Lord in my life SUPER strong! I have only been in Chile for 7 weeks almost 8 and I can almost understand everything that people say! It's amazing! Like last week and the week before I was struggling big time with understanding and talking (because I couldn't understand a lot) and now it's like a 180! I feel like the Lord has definitely blessed me with extra strength and power this week and I am SUPER SUPER grateful for this ENORMOUS blessing in my life! Granted, I can´t understand everything, and some people I understand almost nothing because they talk differently or something, but for the most part it has been a great improvement! 

So I am soooooo glad that all of you are doing well and I want you all to know that all is well with me:) Yes a mission is HARD, harder than testimony hill during Trek, (yes Mom and Ron it's true!) but I wish I could explain how it feels to be able to sit down in a house everyday with someone and feel the spirit super strong! It's an incredible feeling and it's going to be something that I miss when I come home. I love this gospel, the hope and true joy it brings to people, and the opportunity I have to share it with the people of Chile! 

les quiero y amo muchísimo!!!!!

Con todo mi corazón y alma,

Hna Logan

A cute little boy!

Killing off my mamá!

Two Conferences and a Death

Hola!

FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS PARA:

Raechel, Jen, and Ron!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope all of you had (and will have) an amazing and awesome time on your bithdays and know that I am thinking of you and wishing you a happy birthday with REALLY good cake:)) I LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Also that picture of Jane is SUPER ADORABLE! She looks SO much bigger! Someone needs to tell her she cant get any bigger until I get home and then she can grow as big as she wants!

And I have officially killed my mom (mission-wise, since your trainer is called your mom and her trainer is your grandma, etc.) and will get my second mom on Wednesday night! So for right now I am in Compañías with the sister training leaders in a trio until then. And I should find out tomorrow night who my new compañera is, her name, etc. So I am super excited for the new change and I know with the Lord that all will be well! 

 

And can we all just stop and be in awe for a minute at HOW AMAZING COFERENCE WAS?????!!!!!! Man it's like when you're on your mission Conference is ten times more spiritual and ten times faster than usual! Or maybe I just haven't appreciated it as well before now... but MAN I had three questions that I wrote down before and ALL were answered during the conference, like the promise, and even more! However, We didn't have ANY of our investigators show up:( But I did find two new members that we can have at our lessons which is a huge blessing because we have been struggling in that area these past couple weeks! 

And I really can't spend the entire time saying what I love from General Conference the most so I will tell you that I REALLY loved these talks:

Jorg Klebingat

Jeffery R. Holland

Elder Christofferson

President Uchtdorf

Lynn G Robbins

The prophet!

Richard G. Scott

DAVID A: BEDNAR

and again the Prophet!

And really I love EVERY talk, but these talks I received personal revelation that was awesome and their perfect stories, analogies, etc.

Okay and also this week I had my first Zone Conference with the President and his assistants and the message he gave was AWESOME for me! Because my first transfer I have had quite a few doubts about myself and my abilities and thats EXACTLY what he talked about! We read this talk and I don't remember the name cuz I didn't bring it with me, but it was AWESOME and exactly what I needed! 

And during the zone conference I got my mail! So I got 3 dearelders two from mom and 1 from Ron and one letter from my friend Kelsey and it was like christmas! Thank you! And don't worry about how far behind they are because I only get mail twice a month so they add up until then. So feel free to send me more and longer ones:) and that applies to everyone! 

And now I just want all of you to know how much I love you! How much God loves YOU and that He, the all powerful creator of all things and people, KNOWS YOUR NAME! TAKE the time to read the scriptures and pray. It is not a matter of IF you have time, it is a matter of your priorities! If you say you don't have time for these things that means you are putting other things above Heavenly Father. So take the initiative to talk with Him and read His holy words! I can testify that they are the WORD OF GOD HIMSELF, that Heavenly Father IS ALWAYS LISTENING AND WAITING to hear from you! 

I love you all and am so glad everything is going well! 

con todo mi corazón,

Hermana Logan