As predicted, I am
being transferred back to the Visitor's Center! I feel blessed to have had
a whole transfer to prepare myself and my companions for this change.
I'll be serving in the area of Mar Vista with Sister **** (from Cambodia!). I
heard we're whitewashing, but I don't actually know much about anything. It
should be another exciting transfer!
Of course I'm
heartbroken to leave this place. I don't have time to write an ode to Lynwood,
unfortunately, but I will toss ya'll this copy of the letter I just wrote
to my mission president (who goes home in a few weeks! Crazy!). I wish I
had time to write well. I feel like so much is lost in these e-mails. But
I'll work on it! Love ya'll muchisimo. The Gospel is real. The Atonement
is REAL. Heavenly Father loves you and the kid sitting next to you, and He'll
let you know the former as you express the latter.
So much love,
Hermana Wells (for
the last time...at least for a while. Mar Vista=English area=Sister Wells)
P.S. Remind me to
tell you about ********: former drug addict with a baptismal date. So
inspiring. So much strength in his spirit. "Only for Today" is
his motto. Live one day at a time.
P.P.S. Pray for me in
my transition back to the VC, okay? :)
Hello President
Baker,
Happy Transfers!
I've had the feeling that I would be transferred for some time now, and have therefore been doing some reflecting over the past few weeks in regards to what I have done with my time here in the South Gate 1st branch of Lynwood. Church on Sunday was particularly reflective. I haven't officially had any baptisms during my time in the area, which is, admittedly, discouraging at times. However, in thinking about the various "transfer visions" that we have created over the past three transfers, a great portion of our time and energy has been spent in lifting and building the members of the branch. As I sat in church on Sunday, the spirit testified to me of the fruits of our labors. This transfer, one of our goals was to reactivate 1 family to a point at which they would be worthy to enter to the temple. In looking around the chapel during Sacrament meeting, I saw the faces of a handful a families who had previously been considered less/in-active in the church--including one young man who is currently preparing to enter the temple and serve a mission; as well as 1-3 part-member families who we are either teaching, or with whom we have developed strong enough relationships to a point that missionaries could be teaching them soon. I am learning (slowly, but surely) the significance and patience required of "seed-planting", and I am figuring out (slowly, but surely) how the cycle of planting and harvesting comes about. Maybe I'll get it down by the end of my mission.
Investigator-wise, we have three investigators with baptismal dates who are consistently coming to church. We have two more with baptismal dates that are beginning to come--one of which is married to a member. And then we have a handful of new investigators with a lot of promise! The investigator pools are flowing. We have been very blessed.
And of course, most gratifying of all, is the deep love and admiration I have come to feel for these beautiful children of our Heavenly Father. They have lifted me and strengthened me in ways that are unfortunately unbeknownst to them. I am feeling the increasing faith, love, and trust of the membership, as well as an increased excitement about missionary work.
This branch is a gold mine. It deserves every one of its three companionships of missionary helpers, if not more. The work is hastening here in Lynwood, president. And I am deeply grateful for this opportunity I have had to be a part of it--to build upon the visions and efforts of my predecessors here, and now to leave the work to the incredible missionaries who remain here. Hermana ******* and Hermana ***** are what Lynwood needs right now. I am so grateful for what they have taught me, and for what they have brought to this area. They are faithful and therefore prepared for this transfer "on their own" in Lynwood. Thank you for yet another inspired transfer decision.
In terms of our short term goals, we have done consistently better in keeping our lessons shorter and in sticking to the missionary schedule.
Thank you for all you do. You're in our prayers!
Sister Wells
Happy Transfers!
I've had the feeling that I would be transferred for some time now, and have therefore been doing some reflecting over the past few weeks in regards to what I have done with my time here in the South Gate 1st branch of Lynwood. Church on Sunday was particularly reflective. I haven't officially had any baptisms during my time in the area, which is, admittedly, discouraging at times. However, in thinking about the various "transfer visions" that we have created over the past three transfers, a great portion of our time and energy has been spent in lifting and building the members of the branch. As I sat in church on Sunday, the spirit testified to me of the fruits of our labors. This transfer, one of our goals was to reactivate 1 family to a point at which they would be worthy to enter to the temple. In looking around the chapel during Sacrament meeting, I saw the faces of a handful a families who had previously been considered less/in-active in the church--including one young man who is currently preparing to enter the temple and serve a mission; as well as 1-3 part-member families who we are either teaching, or with whom we have developed strong enough relationships to a point that missionaries could be teaching them soon. I am learning (slowly, but surely) the significance and patience required of "seed-planting", and I am figuring out (slowly, but surely) how the cycle of planting and harvesting comes about. Maybe I'll get it down by the end of my mission.
Investigator-wise, we have three investigators with baptismal dates who are consistently coming to church. We have two more with baptismal dates that are beginning to come--one of which is married to a member. And then we have a handful of new investigators with a lot of promise! The investigator pools are flowing. We have been very blessed.
And of course, most gratifying of all, is the deep love and admiration I have come to feel for these beautiful children of our Heavenly Father. They have lifted me and strengthened me in ways that are unfortunately unbeknownst to them. I am feeling the increasing faith, love, and trust of the membership, as well as an increased excitement about missionary work.
This branch is a gold mine. It deserves every one of its three companionships of missionary helpers, if not more. The work is hastening here in Lynwood, president. And I am deeply grateful for this opportunity I have had to be a part of it--to build upon the visions and efforts of my predecessors here, and now to leave the work to the incredible missionaries who remain here. Hermana ******* and Hermana ***** are what Lynwood needs right now. I am so grateful for what they have taught me, and for what they have brought to this area. They are faithful and therefore prepared for this transfer "on their own" in Lynwood. Thank you for yet another inspired transfer decision.
In terms of our short term goals, we have done consistently better in keeping our lessons shorter and in sticking to the missionary schedule.
Thank you for all you do. You're in our prayers!
Sister Wells
I also wanted to let
you know how successful our most recent zone goal has been for our area. It was
centered in working with members: asking them for dinner, service
opportunities, referrals, etc...and it was EXACTLY what our area needed. It has
changed me significantly as well. It gave me the courage and motivation to more
proactively build and seek help from our branch membership. I would attribute
much of the success that we are having now to that shift in mindset. Not to
mention that it was a blast! We felt more unified with the rest of the zone,
and it gave us an additional energy in our work.
P.S. We WON. Catwoman
dominated the zone goal. With the help of her loyal district...it's a long
story. But just know that it's a big deal for the only sisters in the zone to
dominate the goal. :)
