Week 19...........General conference & Going, Going, Going!

October 6, 2015

General Conference what is up! How nice was it to have that at this time. I actually did something pretty cool for it this time. My question for conference was pretty basic, but it actually turned out really well. My question was "How can I become a better missionary?" and from every talk I wrote how I can become a better missionary from that talk. One of the one's that was most meaningful to me was the talk by Jeffery R. Holland actually. For that I wrote to love our investigators with a motherlike-love, which is a Christlike-love. Loving our investigators no matter what. Sometimes I get frustrated inside when they don't keep commitments, but if I love them with a motherlike love, then sure I will be disappointed, but I won't be frustrated. I will just keep loving them into this gospel. And that is charity.

my week....we have been more diligent than ever before to get members out with us this week so that we can better help them come unto Christ, but also to help the members come closer to Heavenly Father by coming unto Christ as well and participate in his work. As a missionary, I am learning just how important these people are to the work of Jesus Christ. Well, this week we got 6 member present lessons! We were so blessed. We had been diligently working to get members involved, so after all we could do, the Lord blessed us! And now it's a new week, so we get to do it all over again! And we already have some members set up this upcoming week! It takes a lot of prayer and a lot of determination, a lot of planning and a lot of phone calls, but the Lord is who makes it happen in the end. This week we invited our two investigators to be baptized (with a member to testify!). The husband took over and shot us down saying he doesn't know if it's true yet and he's not setting a goal, but the wife didn't say anything. We know she knows it's true and she is reading and praying. We are hoping we can find her alone sometime so that we can talk to her about being baptized. We had another good lesson with a member after that and I think the husband's heart is beginning to soften. We also were going to drop this Christian kid, but then he accepted a baptismal date....so we will see where this goes. He went to seminary for like a year, so he's actually pretty set, but we'll see.

My companionship is doing a lot better too! (communication is key) I feel that I am letting my companion take more of the load and that she is taking it. I think we are also being more diligent. I've been picking up the pace and going going going. If I feel the pace is too slow, I get in front and just go. The spirit is also more present because I no longer feel like I am not fulfilling my full potential. I hope and believe that I am doing all I can and that the Lord is slowly making up the rest. He's just helping me to be patient. Our area is doing a lot better! The work is still very slow, but I am sure as we keep the diligence going, the work will pick up. We also have a ward mission leader now. He is from Ecuador and he was a missionary, frankly he still is! He has a lot of great ideas for the ward and I am so excited to get those going! Like I said the members came out, but now we are still struggling with investigators. It's ok that the members see us struggle a little, because maybe they will start to see how important they are to the work. Then getting them to come out might be less like pulling teeth. I always tell them that they are the miracle and we always find someone with a member if an appointment falls through. Even if it takes a couple knocks. And it's true! I've seen the importance of members by having a lack of member involvement. The work does not progress without it!

It rained a lot this week and it was awesome! It's been so cold, but its supposed to heat up here soon and I am not excited for that. I just want it to be cool already! Two summers......well at least I'll know I worked hard. My clothes will always be sweaty.

Sorry, no pictures this week. I didn't really take any, plus my ipad isn't working. 

Love,

Hermana Lapp

General Conference--October 2015

 How can I become a better missionary? 

1. Turn to Christ for your weaknesses. Don't become discouraged which will lead you to stop trying.
2. Understand that people make mistakes--even church leaders. They need the atonement as well.
3. Put away the thoughts that place Christ (and your purpose as a missionary) off-center. Always keep Him exactly in the center. 
4. Trust in the Lord enough to say "it will all work out", no matter what struggles you are experiencing. 
5. Ask the Lord what is keeping you from progressing as a missionary and change it.
6. Don't excuse yourself and follow God's will.
7. Be righteous, follow the rules, and be prepared for any opposition that will come your way.
8. Have a personal council every night about who you are and who you want to become.
9. Love others with a Motherlike love, which is a Christlike love. 
10. Learn how to teach the investigators like they are your children. 
11. Help others attend the temple, smile--even when it's hard, express love/compassion, and invite others to take the sacrament. 
12. Don't let your doubts overcome your faith. Continue making the light of your testimony brighter so that others can see it better. 
13. Help others to know (and know it yourself) to turn to him to receive an answer. Help the Book of Mormon become delicious to them. Work work work.
14. You will suffer, but use the atonement to heal and help you.
15. No matter what you are going through here, don't let your light dim.
16. Reach out in love to all people no matter who they are, what they look like, where they came from, and what they've done. 
17. Be the light of someone's life by showing selfless service and a love of all men.
18. See people through Heavenly Father's eyes to better serve them. 
19. Become a strong woman who speaks up and steps forward, who makes important things happen through faith, helps missionary work, knows how to receive personal revelation, strengthens family, and teaches fearlessly.
20. Be steadfast in the doctrine. Never make excuses for it because it is not worldly enough for the people you are teaching. 
21. Always remember Him in the work. Try to help your investigators walk in truth.
22. Do whatever you feel God is commanding you to do for Him. Be worthy of the guidance of the Holy Ghost by keeping your thoughts filled with virtue and your heart filled with charity.
23. Express to your investigators the importance of going to church in personal conversion.
24. Focus on one scripture every week and ponderize.
25. Teach that the gospel helps us meet our full potential. 
26. Trust in God's plan for you, trust the atonement of Jesus Christ, trust the whisperings of the spirit, trust the council of living prophets. 
27. Even when the trials become so difficult and you think you can't bear it, keep going. Remember that God has a specific plan for you and it will all turn out alright. 
28. Trust the council and guidance  of church leaders and general authorities. They are the Lord's mouth piece.