Week #19, On Cloud 9

This week has been a wonderful week!  Training is THE best!  I LOVEEEEEEE Sister King!  She is so amazing!  It is the easiest thing to train her.  She picks things up so quickly.  From day 1 she was teaching lessons in a similar way and familiarity that I was 1-2 months in!  I was blown away!  We are the best of friends and have a blast together!  And we are having SO much success!  Just yesterday we gained 2 new investigators and have had some AMAZING lessons!  We have Jobie, Javier, and Larry who have a baptismal date, and maybe 3+ on the way!  WHAT!?!  This is AMAZING!  I can't believe it! 

When I found out I would be training, I prayed I would be blessed with a trainee who could be my friend.  And that is exactly what I got.  She is so humble.  So kind.  So loving.  So diligent.  So perfect! 

God has been answering my individual prayers and our prayers as a companionship!  We are seeing miracles happen and our investigators changing!  It is true what was said in this past General Conference in "It's a Miracle" that just as surely as the Lord has inspired more people to serve, more peoples hearts are being softened and opened to accept the gospel.  Our investigators the past month have come ready to receive baptism!  We have come in contact with Rob Iraheta, Daniel Ramirez, Jobie Overton, Annia, Javier Lugo, Larry Knox, Beverly Benlulu and her kids, Aimee Bloch, and another one or two who are so ready to receive the gospel!  Amazing, amazing! 

I was able to attend the temple today.  The spirit filled my soul and I learned SO many new things!  I can't believe how much the Lord is blessing us as we turn to him more fully and seek to be more consecrated!  This work is true!  I know it, but even more than that, I FEEL it!

Love Always,
Sister Weyandt

P.S.  Do something this week that has been on your mind to do... to call up that friend who has been on your mind, to help someone out in some way or another.  Just do it!  :D  Most likely you WON'T regret it ;)

#1. Victoria Philactos, a less active we found 2 months ago, went to the temple for the first time to do baptisms!!!!  We were ecstatic to be there with her!

#2. Sister King and I having fun during her language study-- Portugese

Week #18, I'M TRAINING!!!!!

Oh. My. Goodness- Do I have stories for you!

SOOOO-- I AM TRAINING!!!!!  And you'll never believe it... I have met my companion, Sister King before!  On mothers day this year, a family came to the ward and we chatted with them.  I spent a long time talking specifically to the daughter in the family who recently received a mission call to Brazil. We talked about New York and missions, the MTC, etc. We even got a picture with her mother for some reason.  Well... at transfers today the new missionaries walked in.  Immediately I had a feeling one girl in paticular would be my companion... I just had a feeling.  After we sat down, she said "Hey, I think I know you!  I met you a few months ago when my family was visiting here in Manhattan!  You talked with me about missions!  I'm a visa waiter to go to Brazil, but they reassigned me here!"  WHAT!?!  NO WAY!!! I TOTALLY remembered her!!!!!! THAT IS CRAZYYYYYYYY!!!!!  Woah!  My mind is STILL blown!

We just met about 6 hours ago, but I have a feeling we are gonna be BEST friends!  We hit it off right away and have several similarities.  We both have Hebrew inscribed rings given to us by family members and both of us have similar "mission decision" stories!  We get along... really well!  What a blessing!  I'm so excited to get to know her better and to be her trainer!  Woohoo!

So many miracles have happened this week!  Tender mercies right and left!  Our investigators are progressing. 2 or 3 baptism dates are on.  Our less actives are beginning to come to church.  We have a few people who have contacted us wanting to be baptized/rebaptized!!!  That does NOT happen!  It has been amazing to see how the Lord is blessing our mission as we strive to become more consecrated missionaries!  Remember our September goal to have 1 baptism per companionship?  Well, we heard today from President Morgan at transfers that 80 baptisms are scheduled for September!!!! Our monthly average is 14!  Amazing!  Simply amazing to see how the Lord is using us to be the tools he needs! 

We are excited. Oh so excited! 

Love Always,
Sister Weyandt

Pictures:

#1- "Generational Picture"-- Sister Brodrick (going home today) trained Sister Martin, who trained me, and I am now training Sister King.  Aint that special :) 

#2- Sister Skinner and Sister Barker are the Spanish sisters who live in the apt below us in Chinatown... this was our morning workout!

#3- Jobie (our miracle September baptism) and his fiance Annia!  WE LOVE THEM!

 

Here is a picture from a few months ago with Karen Slappy (our recent convert--not a member at the time this picture was taken), Sister Martin, Me, AND my new companions mother!  Sister King came to visit us on Mothers Day this year, and I actually met my new companion at that time. She had her call to Brazil, but since her visa did not come through, they reassigned her to our mission this past Friday!  So, I met her and talked to her about missions for like 10-15 minutes!  How amazing!  Glad I took the time to chat with her now :)

She's great!  So fun to know we met before now!  And to have this picture of her mother to prove it!  God works in mysterious ways, but I'm not complaining :)

Week #17, MIRACLES HAPPEN!!!!

GUESS WHAT!?!  GOD HEARD OUR PRAYERS!!!!!!  WE HAVE A MIRACLE BAPTISM TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 31ST!!!!!!!!  God works in mysterious ways!  But we are not complaining!  So....  here's the story:

About a month ago we were walking out to the Pier to meet with a less active (Victoria Philactos) for a lesson.  As we walked by a certain man, Jobie Overton, he stopped us and asked if we were the Mormon Missionaries.  We said we were.  He said he goes up to the church in the Bronx, and that he recently moved to our area.  We eagerly grabbed his information and asked if we could meet up with him sometime.  We were surprised to see him smoking, so we figured he was less active.

After our mission goal was set for a baptism in September, we decided to text every Mormon in our phone, active or less-active, to ask for their help and prayers in finding someone to teach and receive the ordinance of baptism.  Out of 70 members we texted, only Jobie replied with a "God bless....".  A week later on August 10th, we sent out a reminder text to all the members and asked if they had anyone we could teach.  Again, only Jobie replied.  He asked for us to come visit him. 

To our astonishment, we found out Jobie was NOT a member, but has been attending the ward in the Bronx since 2006, when someone simply invited him to come inside for the service.  He's 69 years old and is preparing to die.  It was AMAZING how easily the subject of baptism was brought up.  We showed in the scriptures how even Christ had to be baptized, and then he invited us to follow him and do likewise.  I explained how we then receive the gift of the Holy Ghost after we are baptized.  That resonated with him.  He said that was the thing he was missing. We invited him to be baptized on September 28th, but HE asked if we could move it up to August 31st!  WHAT!?!  Of course you can!!!!  We were thrilled!  It was an amazing experience to see how ready he was!  We are elated to teach him in preparation for his baptism!

And that is just our Monday Miracle.  This past Friday (Aug 9th) we were given a year long investigator by the ASL Elders who has a baptism date for September 29th!  Javier Lugo is his name! Sunday we had 4 people attend church with us for their first time!  FOUR!!!!!  I felt happily overwhelmed by the turnout!  They all really enjoyed the service and want to come back!  That was our Sunday miracle.  Tuesday we taught one of those men who came to church for the first time.  We taught him the Plan of Salvation and he said "it just makes sense."  We invited him to be baptized, and he said he would like to... he just wanted to crack the book first (The Book of Mormon).  YESSSSS!!!! MIRACLES!!!! 

I've been saying the last few weeks that obedience brings blessings, and exact obedience brings miracles.  Umm... IT IS SOOOO TRUE!  We have been trying out best to be more consecrated missionaries, and miracles are FLYING our way!  I stand in AMAZEMENT!  What a wonderful week! 

Sorry for the novel, but I hope it was worth every minute it took you to read it :)  I love you!  Thank you for your heartfelt prayers back home in our behalf.  It helped to change me and the missionary I intend to become, with the Lords help!  Continue to keep us and all the missionaries around the world in your prayers!  And pray for the hearts of the people to be softened!  We have many more who are ready to receive this gospel... we just need to help them along the way!

Love Always,
Sister Weyandt

Picture #1- The tiniest elevator I've seen yet...

Picture #2- The Filartigas (tall couple) just moved here from Paraguay.  Ivanna is a less active member and Fernando is not a member.  The Durans are our amazing new ward missionaries "visiting" for 18 months from Mexico!

Picture #3- Sister Martin and Me with our beloved Molly Ryan!  We adore her!  Haha-- some tourist members saw us teaching her in the park and asked if she was also a missionary.  Lol-- she's a less active member who loves the gospel.  But she thought it was funny they thought she was also a missionary with her clothing choice.

Week #16, September Goal- 1 Baptism

We are still super excited about the September goal (1 baptism per companionship within the month of September)!  The past 2 weeks, we have gone from 5 or 6 investigators to just 2 now (and one of them we are considering dropping).  The last one left is Courtney Goforth who is golden in our eyes, but she feels she needs to know everything before she gets baptized.  So, our prospects for the September baptism look small.  BUT, we are looking on the bright side-- since we have no investigators, we have TONS of time for finding now!  Every day now we are out contacting in Union Square, doing less active look up's, tracting, etc.  We are determined to find someone to find, teach, and baptize in the month of September!  

It has been amazing to see the change in us as we try to accomplish this goal.  We are talking to more people along the way, passing out pass along cards to anyone we chat with, and trying out new finding ideas.  Haha-- we have even asked 3 taxi drivers who have a "The Book of Mormon" play topper on their cabs if they would like to keep a Book of Mormon copy in their taxi in case someone asks them about it.   None have accepted our simply fantastic offer... but we'll keep trying ;)  (Just fyi- about 2 weeks ago The Book of Mormon play has been advertising like CRAZY on cab toppers!  Whenever we see them I like to squeal "MORMONS!" Haha).  

We've tried leaving a Book of Mormon on the bus with our testimony in it, and leaving a pass along card here or there around the city.  It has been fun to try and find new ways to share the gospel, even if we can't physically be there!  The work will progress!  We know that as we strive to reach this goal we will be blessed! 

Seriously though, the members help is what is truly needed.  We can teach and we can help, but when it comes to long term fellowshipping and being there for these amazing people, we can't offer that to them.  We will move from place to place and cannot physically be there help them along the way like the members can.  I know it is hard to reach out and to approach someone who you may have not talked to in years... or never even met before.  BUT, do it!  People just need a friend.  It doesn't matter if they are not interested in coming (back) to church at this point.... just be there for them!  Love them as Christ would.  Reach out!  Lift up the hands that hang down!  There is SOOO much we can do to help the work progress!  Pray to know how you can do that THIS week!  Then, simply do it!  Suck up the fear and go forth!

I love you!  God does too!  He loves all of his children.... EQUALLY!  I often look at the homeless people I come across with several times a day and realize they are my brother or my sister.  They may have had a hard life, or a turn of events that landed them there.  I don't know what happened.  I don't know what they are going through.  I just hope that one day I don't end up there too.  And if by some chance that I do, I hope someone would show love and kindness to me, and not ignore me.   I do know that they are loved though, and that God has sent me here to help those around me, whoever they may be, whatever they may look like!  Mosiah 4:16-24 has helped me learn this.  READ IT!!!  And APPLY it!  Since you may not have literal beggars asking of you like we do here in NYC, find out how it applies to YOU.  The Lord needs YOU!  Now, go to work!

Love Always,

Sister Weyandt

P.S.  The Lord is hastening HIS work... not by just changing the age of missionaries, but by having his children reach out to his other children, badge or no badge.  Remember who you are, and act accordingly :D

Pictures:

#1- Me, Pihana, and Sister Martin (we passed her off the the YSA missionaries.  SO sad)

#2- Man in the subway with probably the coolest musical invention ever! He certainly drew a crowd!  I can't even count how many instruments were on his concoction.  He had wires hooked to his feet and arms that he moved to make a beat and add to his song.  And he sang too.  Talented!  

#3- My Chinatown at 6 am this morning on our way to play Ultimate Frisbee with the Chinatown zone.

Week #15, Forever Changed

As of last Thursday, I am forever changed.  The closing remarks from President Morgan at zone conference shook my soul!  The spirit touched my heart so deeply and gave me the answers I was desperately seeking through prayer.  It was a game changer for me.

 I was prayerfully seeking ways on how to improve and do better.  The spirit touched me so deeply at the conference and I knew there were many things I could change (working out for the full 30 minutes-20 min cardio, 10 muscle/stretch, wearing clothing that is more in accordance with the standards presented on the church's website, and trying my best to keep the rules in the white handbook with exactness). 

 It has been an amazing week as I have tried to become a more consecrated missionary.  Continually I try to think of how I can be better and devote myself to the work.  Now, as thoughts come into my mind of home, life before my mission, life after my mission, etc, my thoughts trigger to being a more consecrated missionary.  When I see someone on the bus or subway who I could easily talk to or smile at, I try to.  I am finding more joy in contacting and finding.  I've heard before that obedience brings blessings, and that exact obedience brings miracles.  Well, I'm selfish, and I want miracles!  So exact I will try to be!  

This week I tried my best to be more exact in my obedience...and I have surely seen miracles!  Just yesterday we were out contacting at Union Square because one of our appointments canceled.  We prayed for help and success in finding those who were ready to hear the gospel message.  To our astonishment, we had about 10 people approach US and inquire about what we believed in!  THIS NEVER HAPPENS!!!!  Even when we were on our way to our next appointment, 2 men stopped us and asked who we were, saying they always see people with black name badges like ours walking around.  :D  You better believe we told them who we were!  Oh, and even earlier that morning we were waiting for the train when I smiled at an older woman across the way.  To my surprise, she approached me and said, " I haven't seen you in awhile."  Now, I've never seen this woman before... but she has seen me.  She said she use to see us more often and wanted to talk with us.  WOW!!!!  Blessings... miracles, really!  

President Morgan was in tears at the conference as he told us of his pleadings with the Lord in wanting to help us to become more consecrated missionaries-- missionaries who will do ANYTHING the Lord asks, and sacrifice EVERYTHING to do so (requires sacrificing our pride, fear, thoughts, etc and putting every ounce of energy we have into the work!  His announcement of asking us to commit to a goal of a baptism in the month of September for each companionship was as earth shattering as the recent missionary age change!  Why is that such a lofty goal you may ask?

In the past (before the age change occurred in October 2012), the mission taught about 600ish lessons PER MONTH, having about 14 baptisms per month as well.  Since the age change and influx of missionaries, the number of lessons SKYROCKETED to 2,000 lessons PER WEEK, but still only resulting in about 14 baptisms.  How is the number of baptisms not parallel to the number of lessons?  So, to know that President Morgan received revelation from the Lord to have EACH companionship (about 120 of us) commit to the goal of finding one individual or family to baptize in the month of September got us SO excited!  As we do all we can, the Lord WILL bless us!  What an amazing promise!  We are so excited!  Keep us in your thoughts and prayers!!!! 

We are trying to have the members help us in finding someone to teach (and hopefully baptize!) in the following weeks!  Each night as we eat dinner with a member, we are challenging them to prayerfully seek names of those who they can help share the gospel with.  Some are nervous and wary, and others are ready for the challenge!  I want to be the former member when I am no longer a missionary!  I want to be more like these faithful members out here who are ready for anything the Lord sends their way!  What powerful examples they are to me!  

What an amazing week!  I haven't even mentioned any of the other blessings we had this week, but they were PLENTIFUL!  God is with us!  This work is not the missionaries role alone, but YOURS as well (member of the church or not).  Spread God's word and love to all those you meet!  And pray for missionary opportunities!  Open your eyes to those you can help.  Even if it means being late to an appointment, follow the spirits promptings.  You will never regret it if you do!  This is your challenge this week!  DO IT!!!

  I love you!  The Lord loves you!  The gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored on the earth again today!  This is TRUE!  I KNOW that my Redeemer lives :)  Now let us BOTH go forth and serve!  God be with you till next week!

Love Always,

Sister Weyandt

Pictures:

#1: Me at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the Egyptian section.  Umm... I died with happiness!  Egypt was my favorite country on my cruise last year, and this just reminded me of the good times!  

#2:  Meet Rip Torn (man on left).  We tracted into him 2 months ago while visiting a less active in her building.  When I introduced myself to him, he replied by saying "Hi, I'm Rip Torn, the actor!"  I quickly dismissed him as a "nobody" because I thought, "Who would introduce themselves that way?!" Haha... he does.  Later, our friend Molly showed us online that he is the boss man from Men In Black.  Lol- they know how to digitally alter peoples appearance, cause he is NOT tall (he is my height) and he is NOT broad, and he does NOT look like he does in the movies!  lol!  Anyway... just so you know!  

#3: More Egyptian lovin' :D

Week #14, In a New York Minute

Another wonderful week in NYC!  I'm still in Manhattan, and still living in Chinatown.  It is AWESOME!  I love the people here that I get to rub shoulders with!  They are incredible!  So kind and friendly.  So open and welcoming!  It's great!

I love this work!  We were able to meet with Molly Ryan, one of our less active members.  We found out she goes to visit her friend, LaraLyn Moberg, (one of the other less active members of our ward) each month to do her hair.  Lara will ask Molly what we talked about at our visits.  Since Lara does not want visiting teachers, we told Molly she could be her unofficial visiting teacher by passing on the message we share with her each month. Lol!  She said it was scary how easy that would be to do.  Then she said we were conniving missionaries.  Yep!  We don't mind that title in that context :) 

Sister Woo and I got to go on exchanges again this week!  She. Is. AWESOME!  I'm wondering if I can adopt her?... Haha.  Contacting in Union Square has been one of our new favorite things to do.  We get a mix of everyone there and it is truly exciting.  Haha-- last week Elder Malm (ASL Elder) was standing a few feet away from me when a man walked right past me and aggressively approached Elder Malm, asking him if he was a Mormon.  He replied in the affirmative, causing this man to tell him how he is wasting his time and that our church is crazy.  Haha... I decided to step in and meet the friendly fellow!  He told me if everyone would just live by the teachings of the Bible, the world would be a better place.  I pulled out my Bible and Book of Mormon and showed him that we study from both.  "Oh," he said, then walked away.  We definitely are having our fair share of exciting encounters.  d welcoming!  It's great!

This has been a fabulous week though.  We have seen hearts open a little here and there.  Messages uplifting others, and people being strengthened by the good word of God!  It's amazing. 

Love Always,
Sister Weyandt

Pictures:
#1- My lovely morning face with the Brooklyn Bridge and East River (Hudson River)... this is what we see when we go running for our morning workout! 
#2- Kelly Buckmiller and her daughter, Katie, were visiting NYC for 6 weeks. Kelly and Katie were AMAZING to have fellowship Pihana (Teddy's investigator from Hawaii) for a few weeks!  They let us come over to their place and eat pizza and ice cream on their bed (since the AC worked best in their room!) lol. 
#3- Pihana Kea, Me, and Sister Woo.  Sister Woo and I were on exchanges and got to teach Pihana about the Gospel of Jesus Christ!  I love these ladies! 

#4-(?sent wrong pic) Airiana and Rafael Duran are some of our less active members who are living IN Times Square.  Ya, no big deal!  We LOVE them-- I'm in love with ALL the Mexicans here, cause it reminds me of home.  (Everyone who speaks Spanish here is from Puerto Rico or the Dominican Republic... NOT Mexico.  So when I find some Mexicans, I LOVE them :) )
#5- Eva Campbell is our 2nd Counselor in the Bishoprics daughter.  She put up welcome signs and everything for us.  She even made us little take home packets of paper "gifts" she made for us.  We LOVED this! 
#6- The Freedom Tower melts my heart every time I see it.  I stand in awe every single day as I realize what happened on that ground (9/11).  Currently it is lite up for the month of July in honor of Independence Day. The fog was covering the top, making it look AWESOME!  HANDS DOWN MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE BUILDING IN MANHATTAN!  And I get to see it EVERY day.  Blessed.  So blessed!

 

Week #13, I want to be more like them...

Another fantastic week!  Nothing extremely memorable, but I am learning a lot about the missionary I want to become after I am a "missionary".  The members here, especially the visiting members or new members to the area, are phenomenal!  I have learned so much from the example of other members this week!  Two visiting members came up to me on Sunday and asked for church teaching pamphlets they could give away to their friends.  Keep in mind, these were both separate encounters.  One man was disappointed when we only had 4 of the Gospel of Jesus Christ ones to give him.  Wow!  They were so excited to share the gospel to their friends they have met while visiting out here.  What an example to me!

Another man, President Woodhouse, told us how whenever he visits Utah he likes to ask people if they are a Mormon.  He loves to hear their response.  If they are a Mormon, he bears his testimony to them.  If they are a Mormon by baptism but nothing else, he "calls them to repentance."  If they are not a Mormon, he invites them to meet with the missionaries!  HOW BOLD!  President Woodhouse has a home in Miami, Florida.  All his 80+ neighbors know he is a Mormon.  One time we told his neighbor they should have lunch.  When his neighbor asked why, he boldly said so he could tell him more about the church.  Another time he invited them over for dinner to watch a video with President Uchtdorf talking about how to find truth.  What an amazing example of how to be a member missionary!  

I have been so impressed by the example of our Bishop's wife, Kimber Crandall.  She has been praying and waiting for the right timing to introduce her friend to the gospel.  This woman's name is Courtney, and her husband is a less active member.  After 2 months of trying to meet her and set up a time to talk with her, we have been able to teach her 3 times!  And she is ready!  She believes in SO much the church teaches, but is stuck on a few concerns here and there.  

These members we are working with are SO bold, SO courageous, and SO strong!  It is amazing to see how valiant they are.  They are the kind of member missionaries I want to become like.  They have no shame as they share their testimony.  They want to share their love for the Lord and for his teachings with everyone they meet!  What an example these members are to me!  I want to become more like them!  They inspire me :)  

Love Always,

Sister Weyandt

Pictures:

#1- My EFY girl, Kate Hales, from 2 years ago (Sandy Stay-At-Home) attended my ward for 3 weeks while she was here at NYU doing an orchestra camp!  Cool or cool?

#2- This is my genius creation for Elder Goldings 20th birthday (our District Leader). The bottom layer is brownies. The circular top part is vanilla cake.  Then we made it into a NYC street map, included with some sights, streets, and love notes from all of us in the zone :) It was great!  

#3- House sitting earlier this morning.  Our lovely Spanish sisters replaced the Chinatown sisters that were below us.  Haha... their lock on the door broke yesterday.  So, we did their laundry this morning, and they did our grocery shopping while we house sat :)  It was fun!