"Come Thou Fount" - October 27, 2014

Howdy Howdy Family and Friends!!

Wow, this week has really FLOWN by!!! We have really just had SO much happen!! I put my awesome boots to work on an actual farm this week! We had exchanges, and I was reunited with Sister Plante again, and I was humbled to lose the Oreo Contest to Sister Smith :P, we had a 2 hour drive in some wicked rain to Amarillo for interviews with President Heap, lots and lots of biking, and we got to go to the temple with Danny on Saturday! What an experience!! :D

I just feel so blessed to be here, to be working hard, and to be seeing with a little more clarity just how beautiful the Lord's hand is in my life. 

It is so humbling and so wonderful to be able to just feel so deeply the truth that the Spirit teaches us! :D

The highlights of the week definitely centered around our exchanges, interviews and then our temple trip.

Before exchanges we were able to help out the Wyatt's on their farm (they are the cutest old couple!) They are the ones who started the Childress branch two generations ago with primary (the children's class) in their living room!! Brother Wyatt is about 74 years old, and he's been clearing some mesquite trees off a few acres of land they have, and we went to help them out so we could bring some wood to some of the people of Childress :) It was fun to get those boots to work, and then take a little ride around the property on his tractor! :D

During exchanges, we biked all over Childress, and it was quite the experience, we've been teaching this amazing youth, Eric, who is just waiting on some time to pass before he can be baptized, and we were with him, and his best friend, Richard, sat down with us, and he is about 14 years old, and has lost his faith in God... and for being here in the south, that's kind of a big deal. It was amazing to listen to his questions, and see what stuck out to him in what we were reading with Eric, and notice the parallels that stuck out to me when I was learning from the missionaries. I don't think I had nearly the intelligence in the questions he spoke, but something that stood out to him was in  Alma 13:28 when we were talking about repentance: "...ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit..." I love that Richard's spirit recognized that he really isn't alone, and it stood out to him that he could not be tempted above that which he could bear. That stuck out to me too, even before my faith ignited, how could I have been able to bear all the sorrows of the world? Well, the good news is we don't have to, not by ourselves anyway, we have a Savior, and He helps us through every single step!

Interview were great! I realized even deeper something we all already knew, I'm a little crazy :P haha but it's good. After the interview, Wednesday evening, I had an experience like the people of King Benjamin in Mosiah 4, as they viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even as less than the dust of the earth... whew, was that an experience, it's true what Ether wrote in chapter 12 verse 27 that if we come unto Christ we will be shown our weaknesses. And now, my testimony is even greater that the Atonement is real, and is truly for us to use, we just need to learn how to... and it's not something you learn from a book, you experience it, you really do get to experience conversion while gaining an understanding of the Savior.

And to top off the entire week, we went to the temple with Danny and it was amazing!! We were able to help him with his genealogy a little, and we were able to do some of the work for his family! :) It was an amazing experience, and I kind of feel like a proud mom haha! The cherry on top of the icing on the cake was that when we were in Lubbock, I was able to see some of the members from Midland, and Hobbs! 

This entire week was just an incredible experience, and I know that Heavenly Father's timing is perfect, I'm grateful for the Lord's hand in my life, and I'm grateful for the relationships we are able to forge and edify while we are here on this earth. His love is real, the way is perfect, and we get to grow a little more each day.What more could we ask for in life? 

:)

With all my heart,

Sister Heather Ann Lagrosa

Pictures:
1- Danny-boy and his two spirit moms at the temple! :D

2- Me and Brother Wyatt cruising after clearing some mesquite trees! 

3- Exchanges = Oreo Contest... I lost.. TWICE! :( haha

4- The SPIDERS are bigger in Texas! :P Found this little guy... (the size of the palm of my hand!!) while we were hauling wood and clearing brush on the farm. :)

4 Attachments

"I'll be what you want me to be." - October 20, 2014

Howdy howdy family and friends!

We had a very exciting week this week! :D Brother Danny Lee Maynard a.k.a. Danny Boy got baptized, and it was amazing, and it made me soooo happy! (see picture 1 for a more specific visual of how happy-making it was) :D We got up really early Sunday morning to fill up the font, made cinnamon biscuits from scratch, and had a wonderful service. :) After Danny was confirmed in sacrament meeting he was given the Priesthood, two callings, and an opportunity to bear his testimony. And when that man spoke... wow, he spoke with power! His testimony was short, but everyone in that room had tears in their eyes, and it wasn't eloquence, or allergies, but it was the Spirit that Danny spoke with that just testified to our spirits that his words were true. He has come such a long way from where he was, that he perfectly embodies the promise we have to become "new creatures" in Christ, from the projects of Dallas, to a little trailer in the cotton fields of Carey, all old things have truly passed away for this man (2 Cor 5:17-18). 

I don't think writing verbatim any of his words would do justice to what he said, but I do want to expand a little on something very profound that he spoke about. Danny talked about how Satan has sought after him since he was a kid, the struggle is real. But, he very simply explained the gospel's weapons of truth empower us with love, and that overcomes ALL things that Satan could every throw our way. It's humbling to be able to see this man, who has experienced many unspeakable sorrows, be able to look back at his life and really see how everything has prepared him for receiving the fullness of the gospel at this time in his life. He is no more hardened by the negative, and dis-sensitized to the bad, but he is able to put into balance that which has been sorrowful with the joy he has experienced, and is now able to fully appreciate his life. He's looking forward now, empowered by that love, and has the unspeakable peace that Christ describes in John 14:26-27. 

Danny described his change by describing how he loves at a higher level now, and it made me think of these verses, which I have been pondering on for a couple weeks now:

Moroni 7:42-48 Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope.

And again, behold I say unto you that he cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be meek, and lowly of heart.

If so, his faith and hope is vain, for none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart; and if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity.

And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Wherefore, my beloved bretheren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail--

But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

Wherefore, my beloved bretheren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hat bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

I know that was kind of long, but it really describes the initial and continual change that we go through as we embrace, and live the gospel to its fullest. Our lives change because we become more kind, patient, humble, more enduring because of the new perspective of love we are able to enjoy. We are able to feel more fully all things without being consumed by negativity.

It is truly incredible how powerful truth is... and how having the fullness of the truth allows us to receive more fuller, or complete blessings of our Heavenly Father's love. We know Christ came to redeem us, full of grace and truth (2 Ne 2:6, John 1:14), and He is how we truly get to live with our Heavenly Father again! His plan is perfect, and I know His authority is on the earth today, keeping everything in order in this chaotic, fallen world we live in.

God is great, I know He loves each and every one of His children, and He is patiently waiting for them to make those choices they need to do so, picking us up when we fall, like a patient parent helping out their baby who is just learning how to walk. It really is more amazing to me every day how perfect His plan is, and how simple it is that we only need to act to make it take effect!

So get out there this week, and look for His love, I know you'll find it, and I think you'll be able to find ways where you can be an instrument in His hands to show love to another one of His children.

Hey, and don't forget this little missionary in Texas loves you!

With all my heart,

Sister Heather Ann Lagrosa

Pictures:

1- :D

2- Danny's baptism

3- We're just missing a redhead :P

"Do I have to serve a mission?" - October 14, 2014

Howdy howdy my lovely family and friends!

Happy post-Columbus-day e-mail! :D The library was closed yesterday, so we get to e-mail today. It's been quite a week! ...not as eventful as last week, but filled with lots of insight and learning. :) The highlights of it consisted on some really amazing insights on relationships from one of the members of our mission presidency, seeing the relief society in action, and finding strength in weaknesses. (And of course, the title of this e-mail :P)

President Loveitt, of the TLM mission presidency came to Childress this weekend and talked with Sister Carroll and I a little about our area, and our companionship. He and his wife are just two amazing people, and it was a pleasure to be around them! As they gave us a little instruction on companionship communication, he applied a scripture in a way that I had never thought of before. (Ether 12:27) He said, "Just remember your purpose isn't to point out each other's weaknesses, the Lord does that for us as we draw closer to Him, but you are here to make each other happy." I love it when people tell you something you already knew, but they remind you that it's important to remember. :P There's a balance in our growing process, it's not always comfortable, but you can find peace in your afflictions, through the grace of our Savior Jesus Christ. I personally think that the happiness we are able to share with each other comes from moving in the same direction of growth, looking forward to the positive. That was a nice little gem I think I'll hang on to for awhile... or forever, :P

A woman we met a couple weeks ago, Dorthy, had her daughter give birth to her newest grandchild this week! We were talking on the phone with her and had an idea to ask the relief society to make her family dinner, and then called our wonderful relief society president, and it was done! I love it when people actually mean it when they tell you "If you need anything ask me!" And I love that, with how the church is organized there is always someone to call to take care of a need, like dinner for a hungry family. :)

My testimony that the Lord shows us our weaknesses as we draw closer to him has increased greatly, haha. This week I've been pretty humbled by my asthma. I think I might be too allergic to these white fields! :P haha, but the struggle has been real, trying to breathe lately, and with the seasons changing, and temperature going up and down, I think my lungs just went into a little rebellion haha. So that was interesting, but as always, weaknesses are made strengths. I was told by Sister Heap (the mission president's wife) that I'm not allowed to run in the morning until I can breathe better, so I've been learning patience, and I've had a little more time in the morning to read my scriptures... I'll let you know what I learn, when we get there, I'm still in processes being made strong with this one I think, ;P

And last but not least, the title of this week! :D 

So we had a lesson with Danny-boy last night, we've been teaching him for about 10 weeks, and he's all set up for baptism on Sunday, and as we were planning his service, he asked: "...So what happens after this? After I get baptized... Do I have to serve a mission?" Oh man, it was the best question ever! Simply, because, Danny's already the best missionary ever, and he's been through it all and back again, already receiving some discrimination for being "Mormon", and I have no doubt that he would still be getting baptized on Sunday if we had said: "Yes, you must go on a mission!" haha but, just the very sincere humility that man has never ceases to amaze me. It's really not fair how much we are able to learn from those we are called to teach out here.

 

And I have no doubt Christ's restored gospel, the good news we are called to teach, is the absolute truth. I know it, I'm trying to live it, and I love it! Every day.

With all my heart,

Sister Heather Ann Lagrosa

Pictures:

1- Awkward District meeting pictures are the best :) (and I'm still the shortest!) :P

 

 

 

Meet the Mormons! - October 6, 2014

Howdy howdy my lovely family and friends!!

I hope this little e-mail today finds you well! I don't even know WHERE to begin becasue there was just SO much that happened this week!

We had monday night miracles, Tuesday we got to see the new Meet the Mormons movie that will be coming out this weekend! Wednesday night we had the most peaceful drive out in the country EVER, and when it was dark and we were returning home, it looked like it was snowing grasshoppers because of all the bugs that were out. We saved our neighbor's goat on Thursday (just let her back in to their fence :P) Also, we BIKED 22 milesss! Friday we had a miracle lesson with a new investigator. And then Saturday and Sunday we got to attend 8 hours of amazing instruction from the prophet, and the apostles! It was amazing, and the entire theme and Spirit of General Conference was an answer to prayers. :)

First I want to talk about Meet the Mormons! Wow, oh wow, was it a blessing to be able to see it! They talked about how it is coming out in church last week, and they siad that missionaries would not be in or around the theatres it'd be playing in. Then, we get news that we have a surprise Zone Conference and we get to watch the movie! I LOVED IT!! There were 6 touching stories about a Bishop, a Coach, a Fighter, a Pilot, a Humanitarian, and a Missionary Mom. :) I'm pretty sure there wasn't a dry eye in the chapel when that last segment came on.... it was just really inspiring. My favorite story was the fighter and her family, it was pretty nifty, becasue you don't see a lot of LDS women strapping on gloves and getting into a ring. :D I just can't wait for EVERYONE to see it! Seriously, go see it, and then go see it again, it is amazing. Plus, all the proceeds are going to the American Red Cross, who I literally give my blood to, so you should see it, and maybe then go give blood too. :P

Second, I wanted to talk about something I studied this week, that I've kind of been learning a little bit at a time over the past year or so... but I've been pondering a lot on the Spirit, and how the Spirit is what really does all the testifying of truth. As I was reading in Preach My Gospel (to help guide and focus some of my studies in teh scriptures) it caught my eye that there are 2 fundamental parts of being converted: there is the doctrine of conversion, and the experience of conversion. The doctrine is knowledge, we know things are ture that we read, that we hear, and that we pray about. We get peace. But the expereince of conversion is actually applying that doctrine to my life! What a novel thought huh? Well, this week, I had a little bit of an Enos moment where "the things which I had often heard sank deep into my heart", and it was pretty enlightening. We learn a LOT of docrinal conversion through the Holy Spirit out here as missionaries, and that is also what we teach in lessons, but it is completely our choice to actually expereince and choose to let this amazing truth and knowledge not only lighten our minds, but also our path. We have to choose to carry it with us, and to continually replenish the fuel source from which this amazing light comes!

And the last thing I wanted to talk about was General Conference! It was so, so, so truly amazing, and I loved how there was a very distinct theme of finding your own spiritual witness of truth, with a lot of talks about following the prophet- taking time to emphasize that what they teach are not the things of the world, but they are of God... and we need to ask Him to know the truthfulness of their words. It was amzing. I also had a thought about laws during conference, with all this talk about truth, and the importance of following God's commandments, or His laws... two lines stood out to me, one was about truth, I'll paraphrase it, but someone said: "We believe in absolute truth in world that disdains absolutes." The second about finding answers: "Where should I turn for answers?"

This made me think... in our miracle lesson on Friday, with a wonderful man named Jeremy, we were sitting out in the back yard, and about 20 minutes into his lesson she literally throws open the door, cussing up a storm, yelling at us, and viciously demanding: "YOU KNOW YOURE A CULT RIGHT? THEY DON'T EVEN BELIEVE IN JESUS! THEY ARE A CULT! ASK MY PREACHER!"

[the miracle of this lesson, was that Jeremy did feel the Spirit and recognized the difference between the hate in his mother's voice and the comfort and peace from his Heavenly Father.]

Also, one of the young women in our congregation went to a youth activity at a local church this weekend where the preacher yelled at the kids, I guess they do that eveyr week in church, but he told them: "You have to have faith, if you don't, then you're just a Mormon, or a Muslim."

I was really grateful that the Spirit was present in both of these occassions to give some peace and comfort to Jeremy, and our wonderful young woman, as their faith was tested. I am also glad to know that they don't go to a preacher for answers, but they are both seeking direction from the Lord. It was reaffirmed to me in Conference, that to fully recieve guidance from our leaders, so are called of God, we need to go to the source of all truth, we need to go to God in prayer to gain the knowledge we seek, and not lean unto our own understanding.

Don't worry, this all comes back to my thought on laws -- something I realized way back when I was a teenager was that people are mean. The gospel, however, brought light into my life enough to see, and then experience the good. It boggeled my mind, how a man, claiming to be a man of God, could try and enstil so much hate towards a very specific group of people while preaching to his congregation, I kind of went back to high school and asked myself why can't people just be nice to eachother? And then I thought of the Savior, He led by example, He led with love, and He never said anything that was unkind, and always testified that what He did was of His Heavenly Father. Would a loving Father want any of His children, wayward or not, to ever be discriminated against?

I thought of God's laws. Yes, the two great commandments, to love God, and to love your neighbor. Like gravity, and faith, God's laws are not anything we can physically see, but we are all subject to the effects of them. Even if I didn't believe in gravity, I'm still stuck to the ground without a considerable amount of effort and energy, and if I ever made it to space, I'd be stuck in orbit... the effects of God's laws on us are sometimes like being in orbit (we don't really notice where we are in relation to the sun during the year right?) but sometimes God's laws are more apparent, like the gravity. I just thought that was pretty cool!

People often put science and religion in contrast with one another, but faith really is like gravity, you can't see or measure them, but you CAN see and measure their effects, both compel to motion, and keep you grounded, though sometimes you've got to break through the atmosphere before being able to fully feel the grounding effects.

I love this gospel, and I love that we have not just some absolute truth on the earth today, but we have the fullness of the gospel on the earth. The fullness of Jesus Christ's good news and His and our Heavenly Father's love for us.

We are blessed.

With all my heart,

Sister Heather Ann Lagrosa

p.s. go see Meet the Mormons!

meetthemormons.org

p.s.s. Elder David A. Bednar's talk was directed specifically towards those who are not members of the church! Check it out at:

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2014/10?cid=HPSU100514465&lang=eng

Sunday Afternoon Session (almost to the bottom) it's David A. Bednar (right before President Monson) in a couple days it'll be up :D
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Pictures:
1- I love the fun billboards on these TX highways! :D :D :D

 

 

 

 

 

Here's my heart. - September 29, 2014

Hello Hello my beautiful family and friends!

I hope this e-mail finds you as well as I am doing this fine, fine day! Wow, there is just SO much that happens every week, it's crazy!! I love it so much! It's just really amazing to see how the Lord's work really WORKS! hahahaha This week was humbling and full of learning and teaching, and I think excitement for General Conference is part of it, but I'm just feeling especially jovial today. :)

We had dinner this week with the true pioneers of this beautiful Childress branch! The Wyatt's! They are really something else, we got to hear about how everything started with them trying to start the children's program (primary) for their kids, and then after some period of years, they were able to have church, and their meetings were in the Wyatt's home! It's humbling to hear these pioneers stories, and how everything progressed, and the trials that were faced as these amazing people got the church going here! It is true that the Lord gives us 100x back whatever the sacrifices that we make, and I feel really blessed to be here 3 generations later helping the work progress even more.

With that fun fact, we had our general women's broadcast this week! It was INCREDIBLE!! :D Our little branch is so amazing, we had two families with 4 generations of sisters in that room! Something that stood out to me in the broadcast, besides my joy in thinking about returning to the temple again, was when Sister Marriott encouraged all the primary aged young girls to remind their parents to pray! :) I thought to myself: Well, I'm 6.5 years old... I'm in primary! I've gotta remind my parents to pray on Monday! :D haha so this is a reminder to all you parents out there, Pray! <3 your 6.5 year old little buddy Sister Lagrosa :)

Also this week we've been extremely blessed to have found quite a few new people to teach from all walks of life, one woman preparing to go to rehab, to a man who has been a Pentecostal preacher! It's interesting to feel how the Spirit works with each of the people we talk to, and with, and how true it is the promise that if we are seeking truth we will find it! 

I discovered this week that citing sources in not only something you need to do in long research papers or if you're writing journal articles. I was really humbled this week when we tried to teach a man who had dozens and dozens of questions, and years and years of learning. While we talked with him, whenever we would give him an answer he would immediately as something else, searching for faults in our imperfect use of words... it seemed the longer we spoke the more excited he got, not really happy excited, but more of a friendly I'm-smarter-than-you-and-I-WILL-prove-it-but-hey-you're-God's-people-too-so-I'll-be-nice excited. It made me think of how the Savior taught the gospel, who we need to try to emulate as His set apart missionaries, and looking back, I'm a little surprised at my responses I gave to him. Being the Sister Lagrosa we all know and love, you know a lot of my imperfection comes from an inclination to argue (probably because it happens in my mind a lot), but I get pretty emotionally invested, especially when it is something I have sacrificed (metaphorical) blood, sweat, and tears, to learn for myself. Also, it's a little intimidating talking to a man who has preached to congregations larger than the number of people we meet in a single day! I know I've not received any formal religious training, but I know the gospel is simple. And I was surprised to realize, even though I was slightly more sobered in my mood, I had peace with me during and after our lesson.

This man asked us two questions that really stood out to me:

1- Why would they send you out when you don't know EVERYTHING about what you believe?

and 2- If what you are saying is true, that this is God's one true church in it's fullness, why are people rejecting it?

My answers came from some of my favorite passages of scripture

1- 1 Corinthians 2:9-16; Isaiah 28:13, 2 Nephi 28:30; John 14:26-27; John 15:16

2- Basically all of John chapters 14-15 but specifically John 15:17-22

It is simple our purpose as missionaries to help others come closer to Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel. It's not my good news that I'm sharing, it's the good news of Jesus Christ that we teach, and He will always qualify whom He calls. I have no doubt of my imperfection; however, I know that I don't know everything, I won't for a very, very, very long time. What I know is simple, and sure, it's peaceful, and it brings me closer to my Heavenly Father as I understand His love better. Jesus Christ did not call scholars of the law of Moses, or religious leaders of the time to be His disciples to share His gospel, He called the meek and lowly in heart, the humble ones who would rely on Him to be guided and not their own wisdom. I think sending young kids out here reflects that, even though we are stubborn, and and the height of "knowing it all", we are quicker to remember the help we've needed as we've grown to where we are. I know I am not the teacher, only a messenger, and it is the Spirit that teaches and helps us to remember the things that we already learned before we came to this earth to walk by faith.

As for his second question that stood out to me, it did seem unfair that this truth, not even just one truth, but the fullness of Christ's true gospel is so widely rejected. As I pondered in sacrament meeting yesterday about this a thought came to my head: It really doesn't make sense... it's too much to comprehend that this could possibly be true, there couldn't be one truth for everyone to agree on! After a deep exhale I felt my heart warm up. I knew deep down, without words, but I knew that there was something more than just "agreeing"... As I looked around the room and thought of some of the stories of these amazing, yet imperfect individuals I shared this space with... That's man's understanding Sister Lagrosa, you know better than that, and you know you won't find truth relying on that thinking alone.

This thought sobered me up, I'm grateful for the trails of faith we face, from the shorter ones in our minds to the longer ones that take some time to overcome... It's incomprehensible to imagine how the Lord could have this hard-headed stubborn missionary out here to teach anything... but as Isaiah wrote (55:8-11) His ways are higher than ours... and nothing that goes forth from His mouth will return to Him void.

I know Who called me to serve here, and I know Who gives me all the strength and energy I need to do so... it's a little scary to realize the amount of humility needed as we wield the power of the Spirit out here.

My Heavenly Father loves me. Those 5 words are what brought me to understand the importance of the message we share, it is all simple, and the fullness of the truth always and forever will return to that simple statement.

I love you each, and I'll leave you with a little challenge this week to reaffirm Heavenly Father's love for you... if you need some help, I'm sure there's a couple of kids wearing black badges that would be happy to give you some inspiration.

I love you each so so much, and I hope you have an incredible week! :D

With all of my heart,

Sister Heather Ann Lagrosa

Pictures:

1- Sister Carroll made me LOL when I found this in the phone! We decided to have 5K Friday this transfer, and we both aren't the best at running, but she hates it ahahahaa, I need it though :P

2-  We destroyed some concreted and moved a lot of wood this week! I got to put my AWESOME 3-dollar boots to work! :D

3- Awesome Sister Missionary picture huh? :)