Dear Family,
I did make the Hersey's scripture things and they were a lot of fun. All the sisters and senior couples got one and loved it. Elder and Sister Brewster thought they were especially cute.
I'm glad you got to read my conversion story to the kids. I'm sure I'll have to add to it later, but for now it is a pretty good synopsis of how I got to be who I am today. Have any of you reflected on or written down your conversion stories?
Sister Kusnerik was sick for the past few days so I was able to take Sister Lawlor out to our area for a little while so that Sister Kusnerik could rest at the Trail Center. This helped me get to know the Millard area a little better and I think it also helped give each of us an extra boost. Sister Lawlor absolutely loved going back to Millard. We had a miracle day full of appointments that didn't fall through. Our very last appointment was with Kelsey, a 19 year old that grew up in the church but fell away and began wondering if God loved her. We met with her the first time last Sunday when her dad asked us to come because she was expressing a desire to come back to church. When Sister Lawlor came for our next appointment, we received a very pleasant surprise. Kelsey looked at Sister Lawlor and said "I know you ... from Utah State?" and Sister Lawlor replied "Oh my heck! Kelsey!" and gave her a big hug. Incredibly enough, Kelsey had met Sister Lawlor at Utah State over a year ago! What a tender mercy! If Sister Lawlor showing up for that lesson doesn't show Kelsey that Heavenly Father knows and loves her then I don't know what will. Actually, Kelsey is doing great. We've had some very spiritual lessons with her where we have been able to say exactly what she needs to hear and she has been able to feel the spirit. She's started praying and reading her scriptures and she even came to church on Sunday! She loved church. She said it was the first time that she listened to every word and was able to receive answers to her questions. I am so happy for her!
Sister Kusnerik had quite the miracle Sunday night and Monday morning. We were serving in the Trail Center when a man walked in with a Book of Mormon in his hand. After talking with him, Sister Kusnerik found out that Frank, that's his name, had received it from a friend and had been reading it but wanted help to understand what he was reading. So she taught him about the restoration, read with him, and invited him back the next morning to meet the Florence Elders. We gave the Elders a heads up that night saying that we'd call if Frank actually kept his appointment. When we came in the next morning, Frank showed up! I called the Elders really quick and told them they needed to set Frank for baptism because he was feeling the spirit and keeping commitments. They came right away and joined Sister Kusnerik in teaching him the first lesson. I eavesdropped almost the entire time and wanted so badly for them to invite him to be baptized. I had to leave part way through the lesson but told Sister Endemann that if Frank was still there when I got back I would personally go up and invite him to be baptized. When I got back I didn't see Frank so I asked Sister Kusnerik "Did you set him?" "January 15th." she said with a smile. I was so glad to hear that. What a miracle! The elect truly are searching for the truth and they recognize it when they find it.
Thank you for the skirt and the toasty toes. Both will come in very handy this winter. And thank you for the Reese's, you know how much I love those. A special thank you for each of the letters that you wrote. I love hearing from you! Keep up the great work. You are each so wonderful and I love you so much!
Love,
Sister Bailey Mortensen
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Christmas is almost here!
Dear Family,
Congrats to Joel and Jenna! The pictures from the wedding were so fun to see. I can't believe how big Evan is! And Will, I think you look goofy with that little beard. It was good to have a picture of Mel so that I can put a face with the name. Anyway, it sounds and looks like you're having a wonderful time and I'm very happy about that.
Things are going great! We met a man named Jesus yesterday. He has three kids and recently went through a divorce. He was very welcoming and interested in learning about the gospel. He's Catholic (by tradition) and not really looking to change religions right now but wants us to come teach his family. As we do, he will gain a testimony of the restoration and eventually recognize the need to be baptized by authority. We were very blessed to be able to meet him.
Another big miracle last night was meeting Kelsey. She's 19 and hasn't been to church in a while even though she was raised in the church. She realized a few days ago that she is lonely and not happy and wants that to change so her dad suggested she meet with us. When we visited her last night she said that she wasn't even sure if God was really there. We listened and related experiences where we had felt lonely but then prayed and felt God's love. We bore testimony that God does love her and will answer her prayers. Several times during the lesson we all had tears in our eyes. The spirit was definitely there to confirm the truth that God loves us. When we asked her how she felt and she said "good" her dad asked "Do you know what that is?" and she answered "The spirit?" "Yes." I really did feel a portion of Heavenly Father's love for her and look forward to going back and helping her continue to rekindle her testimony.
Here's a quote that President Kunz shared with us that I'd like to share with you. President David O. McKay, declared: “True happiness comes only by making others happy—the practical application of the Savior’s doctrine of losing one’s life to gain it. In short, the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit, that makes our hearts glow in brotherly love and friendship and prompts us to kind deeds of service” (Gospel Ideals 1953, 551).
I'm really looking forward to talking to all of you on Saturday. I'm not sure when I'll be calling but it will definitely be after noon (NE time) since we're having a brunch at the Trail Center. But, before I talk to each of you I'd like you to think about a present that you will give to our Savior in the coming year. I will think about it too and we can tell each other on Christmas. Okay? I hope you all have a wonderful week! I love you!
Love,
Sister Bailey Mortensen
Congrats to Joel and Jenna! The pictures from the wedding were so fun to see. I can't believe how big Evan is! And Will, I think you look goofy with that little beard. It was good to have a picture of Mel so that I can put a face with the name. Anyway, it sounds and looks like you're having a wonderful time and I'm very happy about that.
Things are going great! We met a man named Jesus yesterday. He has three kids and recently went through a divorce. He was very welcoming and interested in learning about the gospel. He's Catholic (by tradition) and not really looking to change religions right now but wants us to come teach his family. As we do, he will gain a testimony of the restoration and eventually recognize the need to be baptized by authority. We were very blessed to be able to meet him.
Another big miracle last night was meeting Kelsey. She's 19 and hasn't been to church in a while even though she was raised in the church. She realized a few days ago that she is lonely and not happy and wants that to change so her dad suggested she meet with us. When we visited her last night she said that she wasn't even sure if God was really there. We listened and related experiences where we had felt lonely but then prayed and felt God's love. We bore testimony that God does love her and will answer her prayers. Several times during the lesson we all had tears in our eyes. The spirit was definitely there to confirm the truth that God loves us. When we asked her how she felt and she said "good" her dad asked "Do you know what that is?" and she answered "The spirit?" "Yes." I really did feel a portion of Heavenly Father's love for her and look forward to going back and helping her continue to rekindle her testimony.
Here's a quote that President Kunz shared with us that I'd like to share with you. President David O. McKay, declared: “True happiness comes only by making others happy—the practical application of the Savior’s doctrine of losing one’s life to gain it. In short, the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit, that makes our hearts glow in brotherly love and friendship and prompts us to kind deeds of service” (Gospel Ideals 1953, 551).
I'm really looking forward to talking to all of you on Saturday. I'm not sure when I'll be calling but it will definitely be after noon (NE time) since we're having a brunch at the Trail Center. But, before I talk to each of you I'd like you to think about a present that you will give to our Savior in the coming year. I will think about it too and we can tell each other on Christmas. Okay? I hope you all have a wonderful week! I love you!
Love,
Sister Bailey Mortensen
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Omaha is my home-aha
Dear Family,
It sounds like you are all getting excited for Christmas. Going to Utah for Joel's wedding should be a blast and a half! You'll have to tell me all about it.
I was transferred back to Omaha this week! It feels sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good to be back at the Trail Center with all the sisters and senior couples. Honestly, as we drove closer and closer to the Trail Center, I got more and more excited. It was that wonderful feeling of entering familiar territory and then arriving at home. I love it here! I'm serving in the Millard ward with Sister Kusnerik and she is a lot of fun. Everyone agrees that she is very similar to Sister Bleazard in personality and mannerisms, which is funny because I've been companions with both of them. She's from Chicago and joined the church about two years ago. I love hearing her powerful testimony. She also makes me laugh a lot. The other big news is that I am now a Trail Center Trainer with Sister Evans. That means we give trainings every Saturday morning and coordinate the schedule and other stuff at the Trail Center. Sister Evans is helping me learn the ropes and it's funny because neither of us was called to serve in the Trail Center until the middle of our missions. I'm not really sure what to do or how to help the sisters here but I know that Heavenly Father does so I'll just keep seeking His guidance. One thing that is going my way is that I love the Trail Center and I love the sisters.
We had a baptism on Saturday for Mark. His wife Dee Dee started coming back to church about 4 years ago, but he comes from a Catholic background. Many sisters have taught him in the past but I guess Sister Kusnerik really connected with him. She was also raised Catholic so her testimony probably hit home. Also, she just came out and asked him one day "What's the deal?" and he said he had never prayed about it. He didn't like when the sisters challenged him to do things so he'd say he did them even though he didn't. Well, one day as he was driving, he finally prayed. He felt the spirit so strongly he had to pull over, and the idea to be baptized on 12/11/10 kept coming to his mind. When he told his wife he wanted to get baptized she thought he wasn't serious, but when he told her the date, she started crying 'cause she was baptized on December 11th 35 years ago. Isn't that amazing! So, Mark was baptized and it was a wonderful service. The Relief Society room was filled with ward members (there almost weren't enough chairs). Then he was confirmed on Sunday and received an early Christmas present, the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost truly is the greatest gift we can receive in this life. It guides, comforts, purifies, cleanses, warns, teaches, and does so many wonderful things to help us on our journey back to Heavenly Father. I felt very blessed to participate in Mark's baptism and confirmation and witness the joy that he and his wife have experienced as a result of living the gospel.
We did get snow and a whole lot of wind on Saturday. Thankfully, we were in the Trail Center that afternoon so we weren't out in it. I can deal with and actually enjoy snow, but the wind is killer. Most of the snow has blown away or melted by now. My first day back in the Trail Center was very exciting. Not many people came (probably because the weather was so bad), but I didn't care because I was so happy to be back. I was so eager to help with anything that I jumped at the chance to finish Sister Worthen's tour when she had to leave. The Florence Elders had brought a less-active lady and her husband in for a tour and I was able to talk a lot about the temple and making it our goal. At the end, as always, I asked them who they knew that would like to have missionaries come visit and the lady mentioned a friend that had visited with Elders before. So, after they left, I called him and he gave me his address so I could have the missionaries go see him again. I was so excited! My first day back at the Trail Center and I not only got a referral, but was able to contact him and he accepted the invitation to meet with missionaries! I guess I didn't have to be too worried about being out of practice, it all came back pretty quickly. Actually, it's not that different from missionary work out in the field. We are just blessed to have a ton of visual aids and faith promoting stories to bring the gospel principles to life.
So, how is missionary work in the Mortensen household? You know there are plenty of great missionary opportunities during the Christmas season: DVDs, parties, the nativity display, and whatever else your creative minds can come up with. I also want to remind you what President Harold B. Lee said in 1964, "Missionary work is but home teaching to those who are not now members of the Church, and home teaching is nothing more or less than missionary work to Church members." The members that you home or visit teach or work with in your callings need reminded of gospel truths just as much as anyone else. I hope you will recognize the wonderful blessing that it is to share the gospel, the most wonderful gift we can give, with those around you. You will grow so much closer to your Savior, Jesus Christ, as you invite others to follow him as well. Just follow the spirit!
I love you soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much!
Love,
Sister Bailey Mortensen
It sounds like you are all getting excited for Christmas. Going to Utah for Joel's wedding should be a blast and a half! You'll have to tell me all about it.
I was transferred back to Omaha this week! It feels sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good to be back at the Trail Center with all the sisters and senior couples. Honestly, as we drove closer and closer to the Trail Center, I got more and more excited. It was that wonderful feeling of entering familiar territory and then arriving at home. I love it here! I'm serving in the Millard ward with Sister Kusnerik and she is a lot of fun. Everyone agrees that she is very similar to Sister Bleazard in personality and mannerisms, which is funny because I've been companions with both of them. She's from Chicago and joined the church about two years ago. I love hearing her powerful testimony. She also makes me laugh a lot. The other big news is that I am now a Trail Center Trainer with Sister Evans. That means we give trainings every Saturday morning and coordinate the schedule and other stuff at the Trail Center. Sister Evans is helping me learn the ropes and it's funny because neither of us was called to serve in the Trail Center until the middle of our missions. I'm not really sure what to do or how to help the sisters here but I know that Heavenly Father does so I'll just keep seeking His guidance. One thing that is going my way is that I love the Trail Center and I love the sisters.
We had a baptism on Saturday for Mark. His wife Dee Dee started coming back to church about 4 years ago, but he comes from a Catholic background. Many sisters have taught him in the past but I guess Sister Kusnerik really connected with him. She was also raised Catholic so her testimony probably hit home. Also, she just came out and asked him one day "What's the deal?" and he said he had never prayed about it. He didn't like when the sisters challenged him to do things so he'd say he did them even though he didn't. Well, one day as he was driving, he finally prayed. He felt the spirit so strongly he had to pull over, and the idea to be baptized on 12/11/10 kept coming to his mind. When he told his wife he wanted to get baptized she thought he wasn't serious, but when he told her the date, she started crying 'cause she was baptized on December 11th 35 years ago. Isn't that amazing! So, Mark was baptized and it was a wonderful service. The Relief Society room was filled with ward members (there almost weren't enough chairs). Then he was confirmed on Sunday and received an early Christmas present, the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost truly is the greatest gift we can receive in this life. It guides, comforts, purifies, cleanses, warns, teaches, and does so many wonderful things to help us on our journey back to Heavenly Father. I felt very blessed to participate in Mark's baptism and confirmation and witness the joy that he and his wife have experienced as a result of living the gospel.
We did get snow and a whole lot of wind on Saturday. Thankfully, we were in the Trail Center that afternoon so we weren't out in it. I can deal with and actually enjoy snow, but the wind is killer. Most of the snow has blown away or melted by now. My first day back in the Trail Center was very exciting. Not many people came (probably because the weather was so bad), but I didn't care because I was so happy to be back. I was so eager to help with anything that I jumped at the chance to finish Sister Worthen's tour when she had to leave. The Florence Elders had brought a less-active lady and her husband in for a tour and I was able to talk a lot about the temple and making it our goal. At the end, as always, I asked them who they knew that would like to have missionaries come visit and the lady mentioned a friend that had visited with Elders before. So, after they left, I called him and he gave me his address so I could have the missionaries go see him again. I was so excited! My first day back at the Trail Center and I not only got a referral, but was able to contact him and he accepted the invitation to meet with missionaries! I guess I didn't have to be too worried about being out of practice, it all came back pretty quickly. Actually, it's not that different from missionary work out in the field. We are just blessed to have a ton of visual aids and faith promoting stories to bring the gospel principles to life.
So, how is missionary work in the Mortensen household? You know there are plenty of great missionary opportunities during the Christmas season: DVDs, parties, the nativity display, and whatever else your creative minds can come up with. I also want to remind you what President Harold B. Lee said in 1964, "Missionary work is but home teaching to those who are not now members of the Church, and home teaching is nothing more or less than missionary work to Church members." The members that you home or visit teach or work with in your callings need reminded of gospel truths just as much as anyone else. I hope you will recognize the wonderful blessing that it is to share the gospel, the most wonderful gift we can give, with those around you. You will grow so much closer to your Savior, Jesus Christ, as you invite others to follow him as well. Just follow the spirit!
I love you soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much!
Love,
Sister Bailey Mortensen
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Lots of people to teach
Dear Family,
I'm glad you are enjoying this Christmas season. We are too. Church yesterday was probably the highlight of our week. In the second ward, Jerome passed the sacrament for the first time. Bro. Noorlander coached him through it and he did great. I feel very blessed to get to see him progress so well in the gospel. Also, Ezra's family made it to church even though they were kinda sick. I'm so happy for them. In the first ward, we had a ton of the people we teach come to church! Sandy and James, Michelle, Bro. Hornbacher and Anna, the Favazzas, Jeb and Leif, and Sis. Cave. The fun part was that a lot of them came a bit late and the door to the chapel kept opening to let more of the people we love file in to sacrament meeting. I know it's not good for them to be late, but they came! And even better, Toni bore her testimony! That was a huge miracle! She's been going through a lot so it was great to hear her share how prayer and the gospel and the ward members have helped. She bore simple and powerful testimony that this is the true church and the Book of Mormon is true. I was absolutely beaming. What a wonderful fast and testimony meeting.
I'm sorry that I don't have time to write much more. I used the time to type the attached file. It is a Christmas Present so please don't read it until you open gifts. I love you and hope you are all very happy.
Love,
Sister Bailey Mortensen
I'm glad you are enjoying this Christmas season. We are too. Church yesterday was probably the highlight of our week. In the second ward, Jerome passed the sacrament for the first time. Bro. Noorlander coached him through it and he did great. I feel very blessed to get to see him progress so well in the gospel. Also, Ezra's family made it to church even though they were kinda sick. I'm so happy for them. In the first ward, we had a ton of the people we teach come to church! Sandy and James, Michelle, Bro. Hornbacher and Anna, the Favazzas, Jeb and Leif, and Sis. Cave. The fun part was that a lot of them came a bit late and the door to the chapel kept opening to let more of the people we love file in to sacrament meeting. I know it's not good for them to be late, but they came! And even better, Toni bore her testimony! That was a huge miracle! She's been going through a lot so it was great to hear her share how prayer and the gospel and the ward members have helped. She bore simple and powerful testimony that this is the true church and the Book of Mormon is true. I was absolutely beaming. What a wonderful fast and testimony meeting.
I'm sorry that I don't have time to write much more. I used the time to type the attached file. It is a Christmas Present so please don't read it until you open gifts. I love you and hope you are all very happy.
Love,
Sister Bailey Mortensen
Monday, November 29, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving
Dear Family,
Tell Lisa congrats on her mission call! That is wonderful and she will love it! I guess that means our missions will overlap just a little because my new release date is April 15th.
We finally saw our first snow flakes this morning. It is a very light snow, almost like the frozen version of a mist. Still, it makes me excited for the Christmas season. We are planning on decorating a tiny tree in our apartment today. We will make popcorn strings, apple and orange slices, and a foil star. It's funny how such little things bring such joy.
Sister Warner and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving! She consented to come to the Turkey Bowl and actually had a good time. It was really cold but we ran around a lot and one of the men brought hot chocolate, which I am actually learning to enjoy. We had two dinner appointments and both were super delicious. The Orrs expressed a lot of gratitude that Bro. Orr was able to survive a huge semi accident that week. His truck was the second in a 13 semi pile-up on the interstate. Needless to say, his truck was totalled but he walked out with just a few bruises. We read the scripture in Mormon that says God is still a God of miracles because it seemed appropriate. And, miraculously, Bro. Orr came to church on Sunday! He has always had the attitude that there is no point in trying to convert him, but he actually came to church. I think that expressing gratitude really does lead to miracles, just like President Monson said last conference.
Thanksgiving dinner with the Rosenlunds was also a blast because their 6 kids are so cute. And they were able to invite Cretia, a less active member that hasn't had a real Thanksgiving dinner in 6 years. She really appreciated it. All in all it was a wonderful holiday.
On Saturday, we helped the Kori family rake the mountains of leaves in their front yard. Their little four year old was wading through them, but because they are all such good workers we got it done fairly quickly and still had time to read from the Book of Mormon. They were very grateful for our help and it just made me so happy to serve them physically and spiritually.
Last night, we had an intense lesson with Sandy and James. We've been teaching Sandy for over a month now and she's kinda stuck because they are living together. She can't get baptized until they separate or get married and he can't get married again until he gets his previous marriage annulled. It's kind of a mess. But thankfully, James was very open with his concerns and why he feels it is too hard to separate. He has experienced a lot of loss in his life. My heart really went out to him. I tried to help him feel how much Heavenly Father loved him. James wants to do the right thing, but just thinks it is too hard. We did our best to help him feel that God will help him keep the commandments and that so many blessings will come if he does. You can tell how much it is tearing him apart and I know they would both feel so much more at peace if they would separate until they can get married. I always feel so good when I finally humble myself enough to repent and do things the Lord's way rather than my own way. Sure it is hard, but I am so much happier when I obey. In the end, James and Sandy said they would pray about separating. As Sister Warner and I reflected on this lesson this morning, we realized that the lesson wouldn't have gone so well and James wouldn't have felt the spirit and love of God if we hadn't been living the mission rules. We could not have testified of these priciples and have the spirit bear witness of their truth if we weren't living them ourselves. A lot of power comes when we know and they know that we are living the same principles that we are asking them to live. I know that repentance and forgiveness and the healing power of the atonement are real because I have experienced them again and again in my own life. I know that the only way to have true peace and lasting happiness is to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. And I know that the atonement of Jesus Christ can heal anything. Absolutely anything. I know Heavenly Father loves me and will help me. I know He wants me to be happy and live with Him again. I know that I have the potential to become like Him because I am His daughter. Knowing these things gives me peace and courage to do what Heavenly Father asks me to do, especially when it is hard. I wish I could explain all of this more clearly to those I teach so that they can enjoy the peace that I enjoy by living the gospel.
Thanks for always sending me emails. I love to hear how you are doing. Enjoy this special Christmas season by trying to become a little more Christ-like.
Love,
Sister Bailey Mortensen
Tell Lisa congrats on her mission call! That is wonderful and she will love it! I guess that means our missions will overlap just a little because my new release date is April 15th.
We finally saw our first snow flakes this morning. It is a very light snow, almost like the frozen version of a mist. Still, it makes me excited for the Christmas season. We are planning on decorating a tiny tree in our apartment today. We will make popcorn strings, apple and orange slices, and a foil star. It's funny how such little things bring such joy.
Sister Warner and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving! She consented to come to the Turkey Bowl and actually had a good time. It was really cold but we ran around a lot and one of the men brought hot chocolate, which I am actually learning to enjoy. We had two dinner appointments and both were super delicious. The Orrs expressed a lot of gratitude that Bro. Orr was able to survive a huge semi accident that week. His truck was the second in a 13 semi pile-up on the interstate. Needless to say, his truck was totalled but he walked out with just a few bruises. We read the scripture in Mormon that says God is still a God of miracles because it seemed appropriate. And, miraculously, Bro. Orr came to church on Sunday! He has always had the attitude that there is no point in trying to convert him, but he actually came to church. I think that expressing gratitude really does lead to miracles, just like President Monson said last conference.
Thanksgiving dinner with the Rosenlunds was also a blast because their 6 kids are so cute. And they were able to invite Cretia, a less active member that hasn't had a real Thanksgiving dinner in 6 years. She really appreciated it. All in all it was a wonderful holiday.
On Saturday, we helped the Kori family rake the mountains of leaves in their front yard. Their little four year old was wading through them, but because they are all such good workers we got it done fairly quickly and still had time to read from the Book of Mormon. They were very grateful for our help and it just made me so happy to serve them physically and spiritually.
Last night, we had an intense lesson with Sandy and James. We've been teaching Sandy for over a month now and she's kinda stuck because they are living together. She can't get baptized until they separate or get married and he can't get married again until he gets his previous marriage annulled. It's kind of a mess. But thankfully, James was very open with his concerns and why he feels it is too hard to separate. He has experienced a lot of loss in his life. My heart really went out to him. I tried to help him feel how much Heavenly Father loved him. James wants to do the right thing, but just thinks it is too hard. We did our best to help him feel that God will help him keep the commandments and that so many blessings will come if he does. You can tell how much it is tearing him apart and I know they would both feel so much more at peace if they would separate until they can get married. I always feel so good when I finally humble myself enough to repent and do things the Lord's way rather than my own way. Sure it is hard, but I am so much happier when I obey. In the end, James and Sandy said they would pray about separating. As Sister Warner and I reflected on this lesson this morning, we realized that the lesson wouldn't have gone so well and James wouldn't have felt the spirit and love of God if we hadn't been living the mission rules. We could not have testified of these priciples and have the spirit bear witness of their truth if we weren't living them ourselves. A lot of power comes when we know and they know that we are living the same principles that we are asking them to live. I know that repentance and forgiveness and the healing power of the atonement are real because I have experienced them again and again in my own life. I know that the only way to have true peace and lasting happiness is to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. And I know that the atonement of Jesus Christ can heal anything. Absolutely anything. I know Heavenly Father loves me and will help me. I know He wants me to be happy and live with Him again. I know that I have the potential to become like Him because I am His daughter. Knowing these things gives me peace and courage to do what Heavenly Father asks me to do, especially when it is hard. I wish I could explain all of this more clearly to those I teach so that they can enjoy the peace that I enjoy by living the gospel.
Thanks for always sending me emails. I love to hear how you are doing. Enjoy this special Christmas season by trying to become a little more Christ-like.
Love,
Sister Bailey Mortensen
Monday, November 22, 2010
Ezra's baptism
Dear Family,
I can't believe it has snowed in Vancouver but not Grand Island. I'm sure we'll get some soon, but so far it is just cold.
Our nine year old buddy, Ezra, was baptized on Saturday and confirmed on Sunday! I wish you could have seen the huge grin on his face after each of these ordinances were performed. He is just the cutest kid. He has such a sincere desire to follow Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He wants to do what is right because he knows they love him. One of my favorite quotes from him is that "Heavenly Father created everything! Everything we want, need, and love." He says that all the time and I just adore his high-pitched little voice. He is also being a really good example to his family, who are finally starting to come back to church. His mom cried at his baptism and his dad even said the opening prayer. His twin brothers are only two and very rambunctious but they also behaved very well at the baptism. It was a great event.
We are still teaching the Kori family and struggling to help Brother Kori understand the need to be baptized again. On Saturday, he had to go to a meeting but told us to teach his family and then come back on Sunday to see him also. We watched the Restoration DVD and invited them to be baptized. The kids and their mother said they would like to be baptized but needed to talk with Brother Kori about it. When we came back on Sunday they hadn't discussed it yet so we brought it up. Still, Brother Kori doesn't understand the need for authority in performing a baptism. We explained with analogies and discussed Acts 19 where a whole group of people are re-baptized, but mostly we testified that the priesthood was restored through Joseph Smith. Finally, he said he would watch the Restoration DVD and pray to ask if the priesthood was restored through Joseph Smith. He also said he will think about being baptized again. We hope that Thomson, a member that works with him, can help him understand.
William, the guy who recognized us last week, came to church again. Also, we had a lesson about repentance and he said he wants to set a day, after the holidays, to be baptized! We were so excited! He has been researching about the church for years and he finally wants to take this step and become a member of it. He has even started cutting back on smoking. The fun part is that we didn't really do anything. He already knows all the principles of the gospel so anything that we teach is just a friendly reminder of what he already knows is true. In our lessons, we mostly just listen to him talk things out and bear his testimony. He came to the decision to be baptized all on his own. Heavenly Father really does prepare people, sometimes over the course of many years, to receive the gospel.
So, things are going wonderfully well in Grand Island. I'm hoping that the wards here have a Turkey Bowl. I love that Thanksgiving tradition and had a blast last year! Sister Warner doesn't want to play but said she doesn't mind watching. Then we have a couple meal appointments with members and an appointment with the Kori family. It should be a great day!
Well, thanks for being so supportive! I love each of you very much!
Love,
Sister Bailey Mortensen
I can't believe it has snowed in Vancouver but not Grand Island. I'm sure we'll get some soon, but so far it is just cold.
Our nine year old buddy, Ezra, was baptized on Saturday and confirmed on Sunday! I wish you could have seen the huge grin on his face after each of these ordinances were performed. He is just the cutest kid. He has such a sincere desire to follow Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He wants to do what is right because he knows they love him. One of my favorite quotes from him is that "Heavenly Father created everything! Everything we want, need, and love." He says that all the time and I just adore his high-pitched little voice. He is also being a really good example to his family, who are finally starting to come back to church. His mom cried at his baptism and his dad even said the opening prayer. His twin brothers are only two and very rambunctious but they also behaved very well at the baptism. It was a great event.
We are still teaching the Kori family and struggling to help Brother Kori understand the need to be baptized again. On Saturday, he had to go to a meeting but told us to teach his family and then come back on Sunday to see him also. We watched the Restoration DVD and invited them to be baptized. The kids and their mother said they would like to be baptized but needed to talk with Brother Kori about it. When we came back on Sunday they hadn't discussed it yet so we brought it up. Still, Brother Kori doesn't understand the need for authority in performing a baptism. We explained with analogies and discussed Acts 19 where a whole group of people are re-baptized, but mostly we testified that the priesthood was restored through Joseph Smith. Finally, he said he would watch the Restoration DVD and pray to ask if the priesthood was restored through Joseph Smith. He also said he will think about being baptized again. We hope that Thomson, a member that works with him, can help him understand.
William, the guy who recognized us last week, came to church again. Also, we had a lesson about repentance and he said he wants to set a day, after the holidays, to be baptized! We were so excited! He has been researching about the church for years and he finally wants to take this step and become a member of it. He has even started cutting back on smoking. The fun part is that we didn't really do anything. He already knows all the principles of the gospel so anything that we teach is just a friendly reminder of what he already knows is true. In our lessons, we mostly just listen to him talk things out and bear his testimony. He came to the decision to be baptized all on his own. Heavenly Father really does prepare people, sometimes over the course of many years, to receive the gospel.
So, things are going wonderfully well in Grand Island. I'm hoping that the wards here have a Turkey Bowl. I love that Thanksgiving tradition and had a blast last year! Sister Warner doesn't want to play but said she doesn't mind watching. Then we have a couple meal appointments with members and an appointment with the Kori family. It should be a great day!
Well, thanks for being so supportive! I love each of you very much!
Love,
Sister Bailey Mortensen
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Heavenly Father answers specific prayers specifically
Dear Family,
Thank you so much for sending me weekly updates. It's so good to hear from you and know what is going on in your lives.
Our big miracle this week is a man named William. About a week ago, one of our investigators asked us to drop off a bag of clothes to the salvation army. Well, we finally put it in our plans on Thursday night and went there Friday afternoon. On our way out, we ran into some members and had a good little chat with them. Then, just as we were getting in the car, I see this man jump out of his van and walk towards us. I got out of the car and he called out "Are you LDS?" "Yes." I said with a puzzled look on my face. William smiled and told us how he had just moved from Twin Falls (where Sister Warner is from) for a job and was wondering if we had some scriptures he could read since his quad was still in a box somewhere. All we really had to give him was a Book of Mormon but he still insisted on showing us, in my copy of the Doctrine and Covenants, that he has an ancestor who is listed in section 75. We talked a lot about church history and then I finally had to ask, "Have you been baptized?" He kinda chuckled and said "No. The Word of Wisdom is something I still struggle with. Smoking." We thought "No way, that's it. You know more about the church than I do." Apparently he did a side by side comparison of the Catholic church and the Mormon church in college and gained a testimony then. He came to church on Sunday and was already in 2 Nephi of the Book of Mormon we gave him. William is amazing! The really great part is that on Friday morning I prayed that Heavenly Father would lead us to those who were prepared or that he would lead them to us. Sure enough, he sent William right to us. And to think that He organized it all for us to be there at just the right time. I am always amazed at Heavenly Father's ability to lead us where He needs us to be.
Sorry it's short. I love you and pray for you.
Love,
Sister Bailey Mortensen
Thank you so much for sending me weekly updates. It's so good to hear from you and know what is going on in your lives.
Our big miracle this week is a man named William. About a week ago, one of our investigators asked us to drop off a bag of clothes to the salvation army. Well, we finally put it in our plans on Thursday night and went there Friday afternoon. On our way out, we ran into some members and had a good little chat with them. Then, just as we were getting in the car, I see this man jump out of his van and walk towards us. I got out of the car and he called out "Are you LDS?" "Yes." I said with a puzzled look on my face. William smiled and told us how he had just moved from Twin Falls (where Sister Warner is from) for a job and was wondering if we had some scriptures he could read since his quad was still in a box somewhere. All we really had to give him was a Book of Mormon but he still insisted on showing us, in my copy of the Doctrine and Covenants, that he has an ancestor who is listed in section 75. We talked a lot about church history and then I finally had to ask, "Have you been baptized?" He kinda chuckled and said "No. The Word of Wisdom is something I still struggle with. Smoking." We thought "No way, that's it. You know more about the church than I do." Apparently he did a side by side comparison of the Catholic church and the Mormon church in college and gained a testimony then. He came to church on Sunday and was already in 2 Nephi of the Book of Mormon we gave him. William is amazing! The really great part is that on Friday morning I prayed that Heavenly Father would lead us to those who were prepared or that he would lead them to us. Sure enough, he sent William right to us. And to think that He organized it all for us to be there at just the right time. I am always amazed at Heavenly Father's ability to lead us where He needs us to be.
Sorry it's short. I love you and pray for you.
Love,
Sister Bailey Mortensen
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