We have 30 missionaries assigned to teach Spanish-speaking people. They receive three months of Spanish lessons in the Missionary Training Center. But upon arriving in the mission field most are shocked and initially discouraged at the difficulty of living and breathing Spanish all the time. When paired up with an experienced, older missionary who has mastered the language, the fear factor diminishes and the language skills quickly improve.
All of our Spanish-speaking missionaries belong to a "Spanish only" zone called Si Se Puede. Typically half the missionaries in a zone will have been on their mission for at least a year. This provides lots of "big brothers" to help the younger missionaries.
Due to a quirk in timing, only 5 of our 30 Spanish-speaking missionaries have been on their missions for more than a year. The majority have been here only 6-7 months. And of the 5 experienced Spanish-speaking missionaries, 2 go home next week and 1 goes home in March. Yikes!! We are quickly running out of experienced Spanish-speaking missionaries
So today we held an all day "Boot Camp" for Si Se Puede missionaries. They received training in language, culture, teaching skills and essential communication skills. They were also asked to think of Spanish as their native language. They are requested to live an "all-Spanish" life while in the mission field.
I was greatly impressed with the quality of the training and the effort of all the missionaries. Habla Espanol? Si!!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Message about the Storm from Mission President
Called to Serve
Mike and Joyce Murray's experiences while serving as Mormon Mission President for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the the Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission from July 2007 - July 2010.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Once More, With Feeling
I'm to blame for the massive snow storms in the Mid-Atlantic states. You see, it was time for me to get a new mission car. The church manages their large fleet of cars with great precision. My old car had maxxed out on miles. I asked, "Say, do you have any all wheel drive cars on the list?"
To my surprise, I was given a new Chevy Traverse. I'd never heard of it. But it's no car -- it's a rig. And rigs love snow.
So for the past few weeks I've been praying madly for snow. I wanted to take my Traverse on a true test drive.
I've learned an important lesson -- mission presidents seem to have more sway in the prayer department than I realized. I have now officially stopped praying for snow!
The Mid-Atlantic snow siege ended yesterday with record-breaking snowfall and blizzard conditions . Places such as Washington, DC, Baltimore, MD, Philadelphia, PA, Wilmington, DE and Atlantic City, NJ have all topped their previous snowiest winter season snowfall totals (at least in recent recorded history).
at 9:38 PM 1 comments
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Snow
Our mission is smack dab in the middle of the "Mid Atlantic" snow storm. The first two photos were taken early this morning looking out the front door of the mission home. I had to dig a path for Ruby, the mission dog, to pee. She lives for adventures like this.
The rest of the photos were taken yesterday. Two are of our patio and the rest were taken as I traveled to Souderton and Reading. I was often the only car on the road. Luckily my mission vehicle is a new Chevy Traverse, a very dependable all-wheel drive "rig".
Officially, 28.5 inches was measured at Philadelphia International Airport, just shy of the all-time record and vaulting the winter of 2009-10 to No. 2 for snow in 126 years of record-keeping. This winter is within 10 inches of becoming the snowiest ever. Another storm is possible Tuesday night into Wednesday.
Mike and Joyce Murray's experiences while serving as Mormon Mission President for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the the Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission from July 2007 - July 2010.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Once More, With Feeling
I'm to blame for the massive snow storms in the Mid-Atlantic states. You see, it was time for me to get a new mission car. The church manages their large fleet of cars with great precision. My old car had maxxed out on miles. I asked, "Say, do you have any all wheel drive cars on the list?"
To my surprise, I was given a new Chevy Traverse. I'd never heard of it. But it's no car -- it's a rig. And rigs love snow.
So for the past few weeks I've been praying madly for snow. I wanted to take my Traverse on a true test drive.
I've learned an important lesson -- mission presidents seem to have more sway in the prayer department than I realized. I have now officially stopped praying for snow!
The Mid-Atlantic snow siege ended yesterday with record-breaking snowfall and blizzard conditions . Places such as Washington, DC, Baltimore, MD, Philadelphia, PA, Wilmington, DE and Atlantic City, NJ have all topped their previous snowiest winter season snowfall totals (at least in recent recorded history).
at 9:38 PM 1 comments
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Snow
Our mission is smack dab in the middle of the "Mid Atlantic" snow storm. The first two photos were taken early this morning looking out the front door of the mission home. I had to dig a path for Ruby, the mission dog, to pee. She lives for adventures like this.
The rest of the photos were taken yesterday. Two are of our patio and the rest were taken as I traveled to Souderton and Reading. I was often the only car on the road. Luckily my mission vehicle is a new Chevy Traverse, a very dependable all-wheel drive "rig".
Officially, 28.5 inches was measured at Philadelphia International Airport, just shy of the all-time record and vaulting the winter of 2009-10 to No. 2 for snow in 126 years of record-keeping. This winter is within 10 inches of becoming the snowiest ever. Another storm is possible Tuesday night into Wednesday.
Not Much to Say
Just for the record, the east coast has had record snow fall this past week~two to three feet in some areas. Philadelphia was one place that got hammered. As much as Chase loves the snow, we are sure he's been out shoveling and enjoying being there.
hey guys
sorry i dont have much time to write but all is well. we are having a blast and helping a lot of people. im goin to get the package either today or tomorrow from ups depends on if the buses are running but the train has been running all week so thats been nice. but we have had a great week except my companion had an alergic reaction on tuesday so i studied a lot. i have an awesome talk for you guys and valentines day about love, and no not that kind of love sarah, but all is well thanks a bunch you guys are awesome.
love elder nielson
hey guys
sorry i dont have much time to write but all is well. we are having a blast and helping a lot of people. im goin to get the package either today or tomorrow from ups depends on if the buses are running but the train has been running all week so thats been nice. but we have had a great week except my companion had an alergic reaction on tuesday so i studied a lot. i have an awesome talk for you guys and valentines day about love, and no not that kind of love sarah, but all is well thanks a bunch you guys are awesome.
love elder nielson
Thursday, February 4, 2010
A Close Call
Hey como estan?
well thats great youre sending me some stuff but i hope you havent sent it yet cuz we moved this past week and i forgot to give you the new address. its 1854B Carlisle St Phily, PA 19148. but we moved on friday and we live up stairs and the english elders live downstairs so its pretty fun. the only bad thing was the first night we didnt have heat and it was about 30 in our apartment. but then the horrible landlord, who is a member, gave us a space heater so we've been fine. we still dont have heat or hot water but the english elders do so weve been showering/eating down there.
But thats great brooks that your team is doing so awesome. keep up the good work. oh by the way ill get your letter tonight cuz we have a lesson by our old house.
but this past week has been crazy and really awesome. it was awesome on tuesday we had zone conference and i learned a lot and had a great experience. then on sunday we had church but since it snowed half an inch on saturday and was a little cold on sunday, we only had 4 latinos show up to the branch so it was really depressing. i was gonna kill the landlord at church because hes just such a slimy businessman whos known about us moving in for the past month and he didnt even make sure we had heat or water. then on top of that we had to join with the english side for sacrament meeting. so it was a rough day and i was glad for a lesson our spanish gospel principles teacher gave cuz that helped me focus and forget about the other stuff.
This week has been really good though and its been cool finding new people who are awesome and playing basketball in front of Genos cheese steaks trying to get some guys interested in coming to church. we also have had some great lessons with less actives and investigators where you can just see them being taught by the Spirit and knowing they need to change.
I had a close call on the subway on tuesday coming back from the conference. we were sitting there and this kid across from us was eating a mcdonalds burger and dripping sauce all over the floor, making a mess. i told him to clean it up and have some respect for the train. he kinda looked at me like what are you talking to me? and then his buddys got into it and they were saying some stuff to me but then things calmed down and he picked up his bag but still left a mess after he got off. my companion thought we were goin to get in a fight but it was a cool feeling being to only white guy on the train and my heart pounding fast and sticking up for what i believe in. it was an interesting experience and hopefully it made a difference in those guys lives. but other than that nothin to crazy has happened.
we are going to go play basketball today and this morning we cleaned, washed clothes at laundromat, and bought food. then tonight we start working again at six and have lessons at six seven and eight. so its going to be a good night. hope you guys have a good time and keep working hard. sorry to hear about the van. hope you arent too happy sarah. have a great week and Have you done any good in the world today?
les quiero, love
chase
well thats great youre sending me some stuff but i hope you havent sent it yet cuz we moved this past week and i forgot to give you the new address. its 1854B Carlisle St Phily, PA 19148. but we moved on friday and we live up stairs and the english elders live downstairs so its pretty fun. the only bad thing was the first night we didnt have heat and it was about 30 in our apartment. but then the horrible landlord, who is a member, gave us a space heater so we've been fine. we still dont have heat or hot water but the english elders do so weve been showering/eating down there.
But thats great brooks that your team is doing so awesome. keep up the good work. oh by the way ill get your letter tonight cuz we have a lesson by our old house.
but this past week has been crazy and really awesome. it was awesome on tuesday we had zone conference and i learned a lot and had a great experience. then on sunday we had church but since it snowed half an inch on saturday and was a little cold on sunday, we only had 4 latinos show up to the branch so it was really depressing. i was gonna kill the landlord at church because hes just such a slimy businessman whos known about us moving in for the past month and he didnt even make sure we had heat or water. then on top of that we had to join with the english side for sacrament meeting. so it was a rough day and i was glad for a lesson our spanish gospel principles teacher gave cuz that helped me focus and forget about the other stuff.
This week has been really good though and its been cool finding new people who are awesome and playing basketball in front of Genos cheese steaks trying to get some guys interested in coming to church. we also have had some great lessons with less actives and investigators where you can just see them being taught by the Spirit and knowing they need to change.
I had a close call on the subway on tuesday coming back from the conference. we were sitting there and this kid across from us was eating a mcdonalds burger and dripping sauce all over the floor, making a mess. i told him to clean it up and have some respect for the train. he kinda looked at me like what are you talking to me? and then his buddys got into it and they were saying some stuff to me but then things calmed down and he picked up his bag but still left a mess after he got off. my companion thought we were goin to get in a fight but it was a cool feeling being to only white guy on the train and my heart pounding fast and sticking up for what i believe in. it was an interesting experience and hopefully it made a difference in those guys lives. but other than that nothin to crazy has happened.
we are going to go play basketball today and this morning we cleaned, washed clothes at laundromat, and bought food. then tonight we start working again at six and have lessons at six seven and eight. so its going to be a good night. hope you guys have a good time and keep working hard. sorry to hear about the van. hope you arent too happy sarah. have a great week and Have you done any good in the world today?
les quiero, love
chase
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Didn't Punch Companion
well hello everyone,
i know you all thought i probably wouldve punched my companion or done something that was dumb, but i am glad to say that we both are still missionaries and have a good relationship. we had a great past week and President Murray really helped me with this obstacle i had. he told me to get rid of my pride and repent. so i have been trying to break down this wall in between my companion and i and we have really had some great studies lately and days.
We had a record number of people at church for the time ive been here of 25 so that was exciting. also we found some sweet investigators that are preparing to be baptized. one investigator we found we gave the book of mormon to and committed him to read it. when we came back and asked how his reading was he told us he was only able to read a little. he showed us the book and he had read 11 chapters. haha it was awesome we were really shocked and he is doing great right now. also we were able to find some long time less actives who have been endowed in the Temple but are less active because of word of wisdom and chastity problems. its pretty sad and they are very prideful but we are working with them.
my companion has been getting frustrated though with spanish because i tell him to go talk to people and he struggles through it and then another person and then another. in lessons its hard because ill have him teach two principles and then i have to teach the rest of it. also he doesnt understand very much either so its hard for him to answer their questions.
we havent had any crazy experiences lately, just really busy and having to call people constantly. i dont know how youre on the phone so much dad i hate it and its even worse because my companion doesnt speak much spanish so he cant talk to them. the only experiences that i have had are learning/spiritual experiences that were awesome. it is amazing when you study a talk or scriptures and you are so focused in on the pages that you forget where you are. i have learned a lot about myself and what i can do and what i need to do. we have talked in our trainings as DLs and ZLs about finding out who you really are? it has really been interesting to think about it and its hard because it is a never ending process. we learn little by little by keeping the commandments and praying with sincerety and hope to recieve this inspiration and know a little more and more.
But i hope you guys have a good week and have good attitudes. one thing that has helped me have a better attitude is writing in my planner or singing "Have I Done Any Good In The World Today?" but keep up the good work and brooks i got something to send you but it probably wont be sent til tomorrow or when we find time. but thanks for the letters and package, i havent opened em yet but thanks.
love yall.
normandy
i know you all thought i probably wouldve punched my companion or done something that was dumb, but i am glad to say that we both are still missionaries and have a good relationship. we had a great past week and President Murray really helped me with this obstacle i had. he told me to get rid of my pride and repent. so i have been trying to break down this wall in between my companion and i and we have really had some great studies lately and days.
We had a record number of people at church for the time ive been here of 25 so that was exciting. also we found some sweet investigators that are preparing to be baptized. one investigator we found we gave the book of mormon to and committed him to read it. when we came back and asked how his reading was he told us he was only able to read a little. he showed us the book and he had read 11 chapters. haha it was awesome we were really shocked and he is doing great right now. also we were able to find some long time less actives who have been endowed in the Temple but are less active because of word of wisdom and chastity problems. its pretty sad and they are very prideful but we are working with them.
my companion has been getting frustrated though with spanish because i tell him to go talk to people and he struggles through it and then another person and then another. in lessons its hard because ill have him teach two principles and then i have to teach the rest of it. also he doesnt understand very much either so its hard for him to answer their questions.
we havent had any crazy experiences lately, just really busy and having to call people constantly. i dont know how youre on the phone so much dad i hate it and its even worse because my companion doesnt speak much spanish so he cant talk to them. the only experiences that i have had are learning/spiritual experiences that were awesome. it is amazing when you study a talk or scriptures and you are so focused in on the pages that you forget where you are. i have learned a lot about myself and what i can do and what i need to do. we have talked in our trainings as DLs and ZLs about finding out who you really are? it has really been interesting to think about it and its hard because it is a never ending process. we learn little by little by keeping the commandments and praying with sincerety and hope to recieve this inspiration and know a little more and more.
But i hope you guys have a good week and have good attitudes. one thing that has helped me have a better attitude is writing in my planner or singing "Have I Done Any Good In The World Today?" but keep up the good work and brooks i got something to send you but it probably wont be sent til tomorrow or when we find time. but thanks for the letters and package, i havent opened em yet but thanks.
love yall.
normandy
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Hannah Montana
hey que chido no?
so i am still here in South philly. ill be here for awhile i think. still am the district leader but also i am training this transfer too. my companion is from Salt lake and hes a whole lot different than me. he likes to dance, basketball and football, real city boy, was a cheerleader in high school and at utah state for a year. he is mixed white and black so thats cool. hes a good guy though and has great motives. his spanish is really bad though so i am going to be speaking a lot of spanish this transfer. he sleeps with a hannah montana pillow case and blanket, and works out with his shirt off. so i am a little worried but nothing has happened yet.
but this week i am really going to have to learn to love and have charity and patience. this is probably going to be the hardest transfer of my mission i think but we'll see. We get along good and its been a good 2 days. this past week was awesome though. we had 22 people at church and a couple investigators so that was aweosme. also we made great strides with some investigators and less actives so things are going great. on monday and tuesday i was with an older elder who im good friends with and hes from argentina but lives in utah, but we had a great two days and i learned a lot from him.
i wish i could show you a video of my mind of all the things that i have learned this past week. read some great talks and scriptures in my personal study. it is awesome when you are teaching an investigator and they ask you a question and you read that chapter that morning in personal study. you whip out the book and teach them, clear their doubt and move on. its really cool how the Spirit brings back to rememberance those things you have learned. But if you would like you could read "Jesus: The Perfect Leader" by President Kimball 1977 it is an awesome talk about leadership and how to help those you serve.
but thank you guys for the food from christmas, i still have it and love eating it on the grill. the grill works really good and also i now sleep with those long socks on that you gave me. they help alot and my feet dont get cold ever, i sleep like a rock when i wear them but have a hard time when i dont. but God is real and i hope you guys look for His hand in your lives everyday. have a good week, look for a package brooks and keep up the good work.
norman
so i am still here in South philly. ill be here for awhile i think. still am the district leader but also i am training this transfer too. my companion is from Salt lake and hes a whole lot different than me. he likes to dance, basketball and football, real city boy, was a cheerleader in high school and at utah state for a year. he is mixed white and black so thats cool. hes a good guy though and has great motives. his spanish is really bad though so i am going to be speaking a lot of spanish this transfer. he sleeps with a hannah montana pillow case and blanket, and works out with his shirt off. so i am a little worried but nothing has happened yet.
but this week i am really going to have to learn to love and have charity and patience. this is probably going to be the hardest transfer of my mission i think but we'll see. We get along good and its been a good 2 days. this past week was awesome though. we had 22 people at church and a couple investigators so that was aweosme. also we made great strides with some investigators and less actives so things are going great. on monday and tuesday i was with an older elder who im good friends with and hes from argentina but lives in utah, but we had a great two days and i learned a lot from him.
i wish i could show you a video of my mind of all the things that i have learned this past week. read some great talks and scriptures in my personal study. it is awesome when you are teaching an investigator and they ask you a question and you read that chapter that morning in personal study. you whip out the book and teach them, clear their doubt and move on. its really cool how the Spirit brings back to rememberance those things you have learned. But if you would like you could read "Jesus: The Perfect Leader" by President Kimball 1977 it is an awesome talk about leadership and how to help those you serve.
but thank you guys for the food from christmas, i still have it and love eating it on the grill. the grill works really good and also i now sleep with those long socks on that you gave me. they help alot and my feet dont get cold ever, i sleep like a rock when i wear them but have a hard time when i dont. but God is real and i hope you guys look for His hand in your lives everyday. have a good week, look for a package brooks and keep up the good work.
norman
Thursday, January 14, 2010
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