8 September 2014
Overview: ... Kinda don't want to email today! So here ya go!
Monday:
Labor Day! Pday: after studies biked up to Target w/ Cale and Judd to
go shopping. Couldn't decide where to go to lunch afterwards so we
settled on Taco Bell. Went to church to email and play sports. Some of
the Spanish zone came up and played. Pretty relaxed day sitting around
talking while none of us wanted to email.
Biked up and had a lesson with Asya: We showed up to their house at
the time they said we could return but they were having some dinner.
Asya came outside for a few minutes and talked to us and said that her
husband didn't want to talk to Jehovah's witnesses. We explained how
we weren't Jehovah's witnesses and she wanted to know the differences
then. She then tried to have a neighbor come talk to us and the
neighbor said that we were Mormon and then she realized that we were
Mormon but she didn't know anything about Mormons. We told her that we
just help people to have more truth in their lives. She said she'd be
interested in learning more but just not right then. She thought it
was wonderful that we don't try and force anyone but instead just have
them pray about the things we teach to find truth. We offered service
for her and she said that her and her husband are making their garage
into a house and that we could possibly help. She is still very nice
and really appreciates the work that we do.
Lesson with Aghakhanyan's: We had a wonderful discussion with them.
They had a lot of questions for us about the missionary work that we
do such as: why we couldn't drink coffee or tea, if someone made us
follow the rules, if we wanted to go home early could we, how we are
chosen to be missionaries and where we go, if our parents were
supportive. We followed up on how their family prayer was going. They
said that they had been praying every night and they said that they
felt like they have been getting closer as a family. We also asked if
they had been reading from the book of Mormon like we invited them to
do and Dalar and Devon said that they had both read a little bit but
not too much. It doesn't sound like the parents read with them at all.
We decided to teach them about the army of Helaman and's how through
the covenant that their parents had made and the covenant that the
sons made to protect their liberty they received the strength of God.
We told them that we wanted to talk about our purpose of being there
and teaching them and how we are there to help them make those
promises with our Heavenly Father in order to receive the strength of
God in their lives. We told them that the way we can enter into a
promise with God is through baptism by someone who holds that proper
authority. We asked them that if they found out that this was God's
church would they want to join it and they said yes. Souren and Hilda
weren't so much following as the kids were and said that they had
already been baptized and didn't need to again. So we explained again
how it was through Joseph smith that the authority necessary to
baptize was restored and how they could find out through reading,
praying and coming to church. They said they would think about it
because they still weren't sure but they said they would pray about it
as a family. The kids asked how they would receive an answer and we
told them that it would be through their thoughts and feelings. They
recognize their faith building, just need confirmation from their
prayers that baptism is what is needed for their next step.
Tuesday:
Lesson with Preni: We had a pretty good discussion with her. We
reviewed briefly but things that we talked last time and asked her
what she remembered from what we talked. She said she remembered that
Joseph Smith received an answer from God after he prayed. I told her
that that was the most important part! We told her that as evidence of
his divine calling he was through the power of God able to translate
the record of the book of Mormon. We read from the introduction and
helped her to understand what the book of Mormon was about. She asked
the question of how she could come to know the book was true. We
continued reading in the introduction and taught her that it was
through reading pondering and asking God that she would come to know
if you've heard thoughts and feelings or the impressions from the
spirit. We told her that as she came to know this it would strengthen
her testimony of Jesus Christ and help her come to know that Joseph
Smith was a prophet of God. She followed along pretty well and we read
from the first chapter. At this point there wasn't a lot of teaching
her as opposed to teaching a lesson. Towards the end we started asking
her what this all meant to her and she wasn't quite sure what a
difference it would make and most importantly what kind of an answer
she would get from God to let her know that it was true. We told her
that next time we would review how she would come to know that these
things were true. We also set the expectation that eventually we
invite people to be baptized and that we would invite her to be
baptized as well.
Called Hermine: Called and she said her relatives from Germany aren't
coming in anymore and we can come visit Thursday. She asked why the
Jews were the chosen people. Committed her to read Mosiah 18 about
baptism.
GCC Booth: met up with ZL's and Sisters. Made friends with soccer team
and had some good contacts.
GCC institute lunch
Something else happened that afternoon but I can't remember right now..
Service for Armen - had to look under his house for a car license
plate... Miraculously found after short time.
Dinner lesson with Avagyan's: Samvel was actually home and we were
able to share our message with him and the kids after a small meal.
Syuzanna didn't come out though which was interesting because she has
been involved both times previously when we have come over. We think
the key with teaching Syznna will have to be when Samvel isn't home
unfortunately.
Visits w/ Bradley - Samvel and Turley came
Lesson with Bella & Emmanuel: We had a nice visit with her and
Emanoel. She had been working a lot still but says she wishes she
could be with the group. I shared a scripture from Alma 8 about Alma
going into the city and finding Amulek and started helping him with
his own testimony to the point that he came back to church and
preached the gospel with him. I related it to her and how her
testimony can be of a lot of help to other members in our group and
investigators learning about the restored gospel and she said she
would love to help when she is available. We invited her to pray for
those opportunities to share the gospel and help others. We said that
next time we will come over and share with her the lessons that we
share with investigators now to help her be prepared for when she
comes out with us.
Didnt see anyone else. Found out Twelves had seen Christine Hagopian
and had a positive visit. Said final goodbye to Twelves.
Wednesday:
Super long day
Lunch w/ Brough and Cook at Glendale Market
Knocking Glenwood & W. Thompson - guy gave us free hats and took some
pictures of him and on his home made bike.
Knocked w/ Burbank 1st Elders - went with Elder Mcaughly, super slow,
had to bike up a mountain, fasting.
Tried by Anita & Pedro: couldn't go in.
Came home & took baths from the heat
Visited Azatoui and her daughter Kristina w/ Bro Bradley: We went down
there with brother Bradley so he could meet them. She welcomed us and
we were able to talk to her for a little bit. She said that she was
having a lot of pain from her arthritis. Her daughter Christina came
home Midway and we spoke with her a little. We shared a scripture from
Elma chapter 6 about coming together in much prayer and fasting for
those who knew not God. We invited them to come to the group this
Sunday and fast and pray that we might be able to find those who can
help us become a branch. They said they were throwing a surprise
birthday party for their grandma who is turning 70. But they said that
maybe next Sunday they will be able to come.
Thursday:
Lesson with Hermine: We had an awesome lesson with her. She is so
ready for baptism it is a testimony builder that Heavenly Father
places people in our path that are prepared. brother Bradley had some
small talk with her about her family which caused us to ask if the
family was supportive of her coming to church. She said that her
husband and her son tell her not to go but they don't give her a
reason why and she tells them that she likes coming she likes the
feeling and she likes the change it has brought. We asked her if she
had brought up baptism to her husband and she gave us a sheepish grin
and shook her head no. We told her we can get to that point. We
followed up if she had read from Mosiah chapter 18 like we had invited
her to do over the phone and she said she had. She had the question of
why Alma went under the water as well when that wasn't how it was done
at the baptismal service on Saturday. We explained that as we do
missionary work our testimonies and conversion his deepened and how
Alma going under the water was symbolic of that. We told her that our
members are invited to do missionary work to help their testimonies.
She didn't have any other questions but we explained and shared our
feelings on how it talks about service and doing service for one
another as a Way to show that we have truly taken it upon ourselves
the name of Christ. We told her that we wanted to go over Moron I
chapter 6 and red bag with her. We talked about prayer obedience and
church attendance. We explained spend those three things help us stay
strong in the church and establish our foundation. We briefly touched
on enduring to the end and how baptism is just the key to opening the
gates on the path of eternal life. She said she loves reading the
Scriptures and she feels the spirit very strongly while she reads
them. She also asked the question why the Jews were the chosen people
but she told us that she found her answer while reading on her own.
She said she might not be able to come to church but if she does we
can have a lesson then.
District Meeting: talked about using iPads more effectively.
Tried to go to lunch @ Gaucho's but it had moved locations. After
finding the new location we found out that it was still under
construction and not open.
Went to lunch elsewhere.
Lesson with Kristina: We had a really good discussion with her. The
day previous she had sent us a text telling us not to worry about the
questions that she had given us with her concerns on some of the
things she had been researching. We met with her regardless to answer
them but she told us that she from her studies in much prayer had
received an answer and was very happy about it. She told us that since
the last time we meant she had been receiving answers through
Institute, the temple trip where the sister missionaries gave us the
tour and seem to answer a lot of the questions and also from her
personal reading of the book of Mormon. She said that she knew that
the church was true and that her questions didn't really seem as
important as before. We went through each question however and gave
her a simplified answer and then forwarded the email to her where she
could study it herself. She was very thankful and lead that she was
able to come to us with the questions and that we were able to help
her.
Studied
Dinner w/ Bradley's
Visits w/ Bro Bradley to see Hambo (not home), Davtians (got to talk) and
Christina Avoian:She was very glad to have us come visit her. She had
recently gone into the doctor to have her heart checked out. She may
have some further visits needed. But we spoke with her and caught up
for a little because we hadn't seen her in a few weeks due to her
cataract surgery. She spoke with Elder Tavoian to help him improve his
Armenian. Then we taught her about fasting and read with her from how
much chapter 6 and invited her to pray for those who could help us
become a branch. Due to her diabetes she is unable to fast. But she
remembered that we take the money saved and give it to the poor.
Friday:
Weekly Planning
Knocked: W. Milford - used videos at the door
Met up with Elders for dinner - Saw Cynthia at Panda Express during dinner
Taught using videos during door approaches/street contacts.
Knocked: W. Stoker - met this one guy who was really cool with what we
did as missionaries and as soon as we spoke Armenian to him he said
"now that sets you apart. THAT makes you different and people willing
to listen."
Lesson with Maria & Peter: Saw on the street. Started talking to
Maria. They asked if smoking was bad, explained that our bodies were
temples and we need the spirit. Explained that is our purpose is to
draw closer to god. Maria was very interested and listening. Showed
them the because of him video. Explained the blessings we can have
because of the atonement. Emphasized a new start, despair becoming
hope and weaknesses made strengths. Wanted to see our church. Set up a
church tour for tomorrow.
Saw Ashot in the evening
Lesson with Souren and Devin: We had a good surprise visit with just
the two of them. Haybert was there for a few minutes but then he left.
Devin had questions. Souren asked the difference between the story of
the bible and BofM. Devin reading. Souren not. Still praying most
nights as a family. Agreed to tour. Showed testimonies of the Book of
Mormon video. Devin praying on his own. They agreed to having a church
tour and we said we'd bring donuts.
Elder Tavoian ripped a massive hole in the side of his pants, I
squirted soy sauce over his white shirt by accident and his pants got
stuck in his bike chain.
Saturday:
Dalar called that morning during studies and said that Devin was sick
and wouldn't be able to meet with us. I thought it was humorous how
the parents made the youngest, most adorable daughter call and cancel.
I mean, how could I be upset about that on the phone? Made me chuckle.
Had a really long afternoon. Tried by: Azat - wasn't home, tried by a
ton of potentials up the corridor and walked around to each of them
but to no avail. Biked up to Anita & Pedro. Only Anita was home but
Pedro wasn't so we couldn't go in.
Had two tours fall through.
Knocked into guy who said "suuuuuuure" when we offered to give him a
flyer for our church.
Lesson w/ Natalie & Trea Moreno: We talked for a little while and then
shared the
Mormon message earthly father Heavenly Father and focused on teachings
our children to have relationships with god. We talked about how
having family prayer will bless their lives. They agreed to do it. I
miss that family. They are still about the same except Daniel their 2
year old is getting so big. I think it scares Natalie that he is
growing up so fast and she isn't active in the church because she
wants him to be raised in it. Hopefully they will start to change
soon! It was a sweet spirit teaching and testifying of families,
especially because they were some of the ones that made me feel
motivated to have Mom invite the missionaries over for dinner.
Sunday:
Church - no investigators... Aram taught Sunday school, translated in
Relief society and translated for sacrament. Elder Smith bore his
testimony IN ARMENIAN.
Lit incense with Armen at forest lawn, he ran out of gas, rode in the
back seat with his giant stuffed animal dog.
Dinner lesson w/ Mike and Bridget: Masis was over there but he left
soon after we got there. Showed a video on how the Savior wants to
forgive. Had a good discussion about that.
Lesson with Helga: We had a really good discussion with them. They
were asking about how her weekend went and we told them about how we
had been using videos from our iPads to share the gospel with people
on the street. We show them the message of the restoration and told
them and we're testimony of how important is that we share the message
that we know to be true. We invited them to pray for opportunities to
share the gospel so that others might be able to receive of the
restoration. Helga got defensive and said that her family and all of
her neighbors and everyone she knows already knows about the church
and they still don't want anything to do with it. She said that they
have tried but nothing has ever come out of it. We had to take a step
back and just tell them that we were just asking them to pray but that
next time we go over we will talk to them about how we can help them
understand how her message so that they except what we teach and
follow the example of Jesus Christ.
Elder Tanner DeBry
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