¡Hola Fonzfam!
What an awesome week Elder Silva and I had here in Tualatin, Oregon! We're almost half-way through the transfer, which is sad, but nonetheless, we are having a blast with everyone we're teaching! Before I get into things any further, I want to let you all know that our preparation days will be changing to Tuesdays starting this next week. One reason is so that we'll have the opportunity to go to the temple every pday as members are needed to give us a ride if we desire to go. It's going to be yet another change to the many that have happened in these two short years.
This Saturday was such an awesome day as we watched both Brandon and Ethan get baptized. Isn't that so cool that these two brothers got to be baptized together?! There weren't a ton of people there, but those who came all felt the same amazing spirit that comes from such a special event. Those two were so happy and they were even more excited for the gift of the Holy Ghost the following Sunday. Their ministering brother confirmed them members of Christ's Church. Their baptisms have really strengthened their family who's been going through some struggles over the last few months. Them, out of anybody, have really seen God's merciful hand help them out in some tight spots. We're looking forward to really working them so that they can all be sealed in the temple in the near future. What a blessing and miracle that'll be!
Earlier that same day we were invited to help out at the Sherwood Center for the Arts with doing concessions, setup, and ushering. That day they had a ballet company perform and a high school group perform the "Newsies". It was a pretty cool place and one that seems to really bring the local community together. Elder Silva and I were put on concessions which was really fun because we got to deal with all the little kids begging their parents for candy bars and Skittles. But it was a good opportunity to serve since our mission has been made into more of a service mission where every companionship is required to have up to 10 hours of service each week. Some companionships have 20 hours to fill for service. Service is great and it gets us out there in the community and helping those in need, but the best service I love to give is one of the restored gospel. Nothing beats hands-on missionary work and on-the-spot service opportunities.
There was this less active part-member-family I taught last year in this area that we have since reunited and begun teaching again. The mom, Gristavet, is the only member, and I remember how she was always super quiet and hard to get anything from her. But this last week we asked if we could come over just to say hi and check in on the family. We had a great conversation at the door, which seemed to be the miracle for me. Using what we learned in Zone Conference, we asked her inspired questions that got her talking about all the memories she's made with so many different missionaries over the years. She was super proud to tell us that she and her kids (she's a single mom) have been praying together multiple times through out the day. We left her with the commitment to read the Family Proclamation together before our next visit and she was excited to do that as well. There has been some good change with this family and it was confirmed to me that they are at least one of the reasons why I came back to this area again.
Easter Sunday is coming up quickly and now is the time to especially reflect on the sacred sacrifice and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I absolutely love the talk "Behold the Man" by Elder Uchtdorf, and I would like to share just a snipbit from it:
"Because of Jesus Christ, we will rise from the despair of death and embrace those we love, shedding tears of overwhelming joy and overflowing gratitude. Because of Jesus Christ, we will exist as eternal beings, worlds without end. Because of Jesus the Christ, our sins can not only be erased; they can be forgotten. We can become purified and exalted. Holy."
I echo what this apostle of the Lord has taught. Because of Jesus Christ, the limitations of this mortal life have become limitless. There truly is overwhelming joy that comes knowing that we can be forgiven and even brought back into the presence of our loving Heavenly Father. Have a great week remembering that it's all because of Him. I wish you all the best!
Con Amor,
Elder Fonnesbeck
What an awesome week Elder Silva and I had here in Tualatin, Oregon! We're almost half-way through the transfer, which is sad, but nonetheless, we are having a blast with everyone we're teaching! Before I get into things any further, I want to let you all know that our preparation days will be changing to Tuesdays starting this next week. One reason is so that we'll have the opportunity to go to the temple every pday as members are needed to give us a ride if we desire to go. It's going to be yet another change to the many that have happened in these two short years.
This Saturday was such an awesome day as we watched both Brandon and Ethan get baptized. Isn't that so cool that these two brothers got to be baptized together?! There weren't a ton of people there, but those who came all felt the same amazing spirit that comes from such a special event. Those two were so happy and they were even more excited for the gift of the Holy Ghost the following Sunday. Their ministering brother confirmed them members of Christ's Church. Their baptisms have really strengthened their family who's been going through some struggles over the last few months. Them, out of anybody, have really seen God's merciful hand help them out in some tight spots. We're looking forward to really working them so that they can all be sealed in the temple in the near future. What a blessing and miracle that'll be!
Earlier that same day we were invited to help out at the Sherwood Center for the Arts with doing concessions, setup, and ushering. That day they had a ballet company perform and a high school group perform the "Newsies". It was a pretty cool place and one that seems to really bring the local community together. Elder Silva and I were put on concessions which was really fun because we got to deal with all the little kids begging their parents for candy bars and Skittles. But it was a good opportunity to serve since our mission has been made into more of a service mission where every companionship is required to have up to 10 hours of service each week. Some companionships have 20 hours to fill for service. Service is great and it gets us out there in the community and helping those in need, but the best service I love to give is one of the restored gospel. Nothing beats hands-on missionary work and on-the-spot service opportunities.
There was this less active part-member-family I taught last year in this area that we have since reunited and begun teaching again. The mom, Gristavet, is the only member, and I remember how she was always super quiet and hard to get anything from her. But this last week we asked if we could come over just to say hi and check in on the family. We had a great conversation at the door, which seemed to be the miracle for me. Using what we learned in Zone Conference, we asked her inspired questions that got her talking about all the memories she's made with so many different missionaries over the years. She was super proud to tell us that she and her kids (she's a single mom) have been praying together multiple times through out the day. We left her with the commitment to read the Family Proclamation together before our next visit and she was excited to do that as well. There has been some good change with this family and it was confirmed to me that they are at least one of the reasons why I came back to this area again.
Easter Sunday is coming up quickly and now is the time to especially reflect on the sacred sacrifice and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I absolutely love the talk "Behold the Man" by Elder Uchtdorf, and I would like to share just a snipbit from it:
"Because of Jesus Christ, we will rise from the despair of death and embrace those we love, shedding tears of overwhelming joy and overflowing gratitude. Because of Jesus Christ, we will exist as eternal beings, worlds without end. Because of Jesus the Christ, our sins can not only be erased; they can be forgotten. We can become purified and exalted. Holy."
I echo what this apostle of the Lord has taught. Because of Jesus Christ, the limitations of this mortal life have become limitless. There truly is overwhelming joy that comes knowing that we can be forgiven and even brought back into the presence of our loving Heavenly Father. Have a great week remembering that it's all because of Him. I wish you all the best!
Con Amor,
Elder Fonnesbeck
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| Elder Silva was able to baptize Brandon and Peter (a friend of the family) was able to baptize Ethan. |
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| Can you imagine this awesome family sealed in the temple?! We can! |
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| Service at the Sherwood Center for the Arts |
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