Zone training meeting:

Went too well! Sister Sorto decided to try something different from what we usually do. We invited Recently baptized members, returning members and people investigating the church to come and "real play" with us. It was an amazing experience. It changed the entire atmosphere that we normally have. Sometimes it is difficult to pretend to be teaching people, especially when we role play and practice with each other everyday. The sisters, including ourselves really relied on the spirit to teach what that person needed. We asked all the sisters to prepare by studying the Atonement of Jesus Christ and God's Plan for us. Than to think about why those teachings are important them personally. 

The meeting started out so differently than usual. Instead of the piano playing and the sisters chatting with each other noisily, they were all very quite except for the sisters sitting next to our guests. Welcoming everyone after the song and prayer we had everyone introduce themselves. Then we dove right into the teaching by partnering each companionship with a guest. For 45 mins we taught. We than came back together and had open feedback time form those who we taught. It was really nice to ask directly for feedback. All of them had really positive comments including feeling the spirit, although described differently than we would. Some said, "My thoughts were just very clear, and I knew it was true." and "I could feel from how you boldly talked about it that it was something worth finding out for myself, I just didn't know how." Than we had comments that helped us learn how to be better, "I was a little confused. You talked about a lot of different things that did not connect together." or "If you were a little more confident I would feel more assured about the things I do know that are true." 

The spirit was very strong as we closed and reminded everyone of why we learn of Christ from Christ's words in 3 Nephi 11:10-15

 "Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.

  And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.

  And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words the whole multitude fell to the earth; for they remembered that it had been prophesied among them that Christ should show himself unto them after his ascension into heaven.

  And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto them saying:

  Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.

 And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come."

He has taken all things upon him. For us to happily return to our Father. That is why we do the things we do each day (this is for those  of you reading this email, yes YOU:) Not to make life hard or because you are supposed to. This is WHY.

Than right after the greatest thing happened! Our investigator sean (fake name) from California came! We finally met him! His family was doing a trip to the national parks in Wyoming and Utah so he made them stop in SLC. 

We met him over Mormon.org chat about 2 months ago. He is the one that was interested because he went to a church building to check it out while traveling through utah. We thought it was institute he went to but he explained he just saw the church logo and went inside. It was actually a seminary building. A young guy probably 17 showed him around, even though it made the kid late for school Oh man am I exited to thank that kid, if not here than in Heaven for taking that time out to give a tour to Sean who was a stranger and just wondered in. Sean was so surprized when he found out that all those kids volunteered to get up so early and go to a scripture study! Man again, you have no idea what impact you have on others. It started with that young man and now Sean is planning on being BAPTIZED in September! 

He also wants his family to learn about the church and experience the discipleship of the members as well. He brought them the next day (his parents and aunts) so they could have a tour from us and know that we believe in Jesus Christ too. They come from a non-denominational church and didn't know much about our church other than our nick name. They loved the tour and were so much fun. Than we dropped them off at the Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration movie. When we picked tem up his mother was deeply touched. She said she had watched the movie with Dale before, but watching it again it really touched her. She later made a comment of how it felt so different on Temple Square than anywhere else. I used this questions an opportunity to explain the Light of Christ. With already having a christian background she really thought it was just the Location. I testified to her that it was the truthfulness of the teachings that are here and that she can continue feeling this way as she learns at home. I could see her thinking more about it. Sean was so pleased. He really wants her to also be baptized

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Sister Lampinen (the Blond sister from Finland)

said it so well after htey left: "I feel like we knew them before." I do feel like that as well. It was really hard to say goodbye. Sean is planning on coming back for October General Conference though!  

LOVE YOU ALL 

I'm going to go on a bike ride with Hermana Sorto Now! bye :)

Canada/Independence Day!

Hey!

This week has been incredible. It was filled with fun too! We had alot to do on canada day (mission leadership council and district meetings) so we just dressed our best in white and red. Than for Independence day the mission had a BBQ with J-dawgs! I didn't know wht they were until I had them either, no worries! But they are delicious! I am sorry family but I really Like the USA. I really consider part of me to be american now! (along with all the nationalities of my companions.) 

CANADA DAY!

​4th of July! (big blue and sister sorto completed my red, white and blue outfit!)

We had the finish strong meeting. I didn't realize the time was far spent until than. We were going around saying how we would be strong. i blanked. I jokingly looked at president adn said, "what do you think about giving me a 14th?" Than i bust out crying. Like I mean ugggs crying. Nose running, shaking to catch my breath. it was weird. All I could say was: "I dont want to finish....*trying to catch my breath*...I just want to meet our baptismal goal." I guess it just hit me. Sister Sorto promised me we would not talk about that event anymore hahah.

we talked to 2 kazicstan guys the other day. They were dressed like an indie pop-rock band with fancy slacks, the sides of their heads shaved, mustaches and shades. They worked for a "non-profit". But when we asked why they chose that profession they said, "to make money (very non-profit indeed)." Than after asking more about it they chimed in, "yes yes helping people is important too." sketchy. But while we were talking the wind blew my tag around and they say the BYU, spong bob square-pants, harry potter and dinosaur stickers. They said "what is that?". Laughing I explained that missionaries do that for fun. We all laughed and than one of them said, with a thick accent, "I'm sorry seester Nelsone that I do not have any sneeckers forrr you!" hahhahahahahahahaha what a goon. 

Sister sorto and I had a powerful moment after our nightly planning on saturday night. We had met Uncle Mike and aunt linda and aunt karen on the square earlier in the day. Aunt linda and sister sorto connected right away b/c aunt linda served in El Salvador. They really reminded us of what a blessing it is to have missionaries in our countries, how we serve on sacred grounds and know God's plan for us. Sister sorto opened up to me about how her family were baptized. Her father became an orphan at a young age and had to support his 8 siblings. He was selling something on the street when 2 elders apporuched him. This was a couple of weeks after his dad died. The elders told him about Gods plan and how he would be re-united with his family again. Her dad was taught in one week adn baptized. His family also followed him after. WOW because of missionaries her family really will be united in God's King again. It really hit us in that moment that God does have a plan of us. Also how significant the impact of 1 person following the promtings of the spirit are. Tomorrow we are givning a Zone training meeting. We will focus on relating the teachings to people so they realize, like we did, how significant it in their lives. Often we underestimate the power and impanct a personal experince has on others. IT is this way that the spirit can touch hearts. I really like this definition of a testimony found on lds.org:

What is a testimony?

A testimony is a spiritual witness given by the Holy Ghost. The foundation of a testimony is the knowledge that Heavenly Father lives and loves His children; that Jesus Christ lives, that He is the Son of God, and that He carried out the infinite Atonement; that Joseph Smith is the prophet of God who was called to restore the gospel; that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Savior's true Church on the earth; and that the Church is led by a living prophet today. With this foundation, a testimony grows to include all principles of the gospel.​

And this statement by Dallin H. Oaks:

“A testimony of the gospel is a personal witness borne to our souls by the Holy Ghost that certain facts of eternal significance are true and that we know them to be true. Such facts include the nature of the Godhead and our relationship to its three members, the effectiveness of the Atonement, and the reality of the Restoration.”

—Dallin H. Oaks

I am so grateful for this powerful tool Heavenly Father has given each of us. Size does not matter, it is simply if you,"open your mouth".

LOVE YOU ALL!

Sister Friend Nelson