The Missionary Choir!

Christmas Eve Carolers!

A Miracle for the Mothers Out There!

Sister Bassett,
We found lots more people to teach this week. One is a girl named IZY. She is awesome and is from Serbia. She played on Serbia's national basketball team as a 16 year old. She lives with members and came to school her senior year so she could go to a good college here in America afterwards with a little basketball in college. But recently, she got denied eligibility. It's really been tough on her. (sound familiar?) The Lord sure prepares us to help others pre- mission. So, I related very well and was able to help her see that she needed this in her life.
The story of how we got her to listen is a miracle in it's self.
We work at the Christmas Lights at the temple and go around smiling and asking members if they know of anyone we can help and potential members if they would be willing to let us come over and teach them. I had talked to hundreds of people all night; mostly youth, because it was a mutual night. I had gotten tons of refferals and many others to accept missionaries, but none mattered as much to me as the experience with Izy.
Isadora had found out earlier that day that she had been denied to play her lifelong sport of basketball that year. She was down and out and was really depressed. But a wonderful youth in the ward, Mary, invited her out to go to the Christmas Lights with her that night. Izy said no because she was down. Mary insisted and came over and picked her up. Isadora had felt the spirit before while she came to church, but had never had any interest in learning more until that night. I was able to talk to a group of 15 kids. I gathered them together in a semi cirlce to invite them to hear our message or provide a reference. Then I realized Izy was there.  (I had met her at church before.) That night as I felt prompted, I was able to invite Izy to learn more by getting to know her and making a friendship, teaching her a short principle of the gospel, and testifying of its truth. The noise of the crowd seemed to fade, and it seemed as if the entire group of kids was praying she would say yes.  I asked her how she felt at church and right then around that beautiful temple. She said in her accent "Good." I told her that was the Holy Ghost testifying that this was what God wanted her to do. She said yes, and we taught her that Sunday. She has currently read over 20 pages of The Book of Mormon and is loving it. She also said she would be baptized when she knew it was true. All of this was because one good friend of Izy's from church insisted on inviting her to something she wouldn't have gone to on her own.
Isadora is the only one in her family that could help them recieve the gospel at this time. Thousands might receive the gospel because of these lessons.
May we all be a little more bold and brave to share the gospel with our friends and those we love. It made a difference for Izy.

love elder jenkins!

Merry Christmas!

  This beautiful Gingerbread Creation came to the office courtesy of Elder Shae Morgan's family. Isn't it remarkable? We were so happy to hold on to it for a couple of days before it could be delivered to him, because it made the office smell like warm, fresh gingerbread. It's just incredible.

Notice the red headed missionary? It's Elder Morgan, not Presdient Bassett. ha ha The elders are also carrying copies of the BofM and the Sisters have a big "S" for their name tags all in front of the temple teaching people. What great little details.

Thanks Ellsworth Family!

Sister Bassett,
Well, these past miracles aren't anything really specific, but it is just a miracle for us to already receive over 20 referrals from the christmas lights. It's amazing to see how many people are found through other missionaries who work diligently by talking to everyone at the christmas lights. And a lot of the referrals that we get are in  places that we would never knock if we were to go tracting. I know that God puts people in the right place at the right time to be able to accept the invitation of learning more about the restored gospel. And its so amazing to see how the Christmas spirit makes people have a broken heart to be more receptive to the feelings and impressions that come from listening to this message. It's another testimony builder to me of the truthfulness of this work.

Elder Gleaves

One of the Best Nights of My Mission

Hey Sister Bassett,
I read your comment about RM's telling about Christmas lights.
It isn't an over the top one, but it is special to me.
At first, I wasn't looking forward to the Christmas lights, but I eventually got into the mood. And early into the evening, I stopped a group of three people. After talking to them for awhile, I soon found out that they had passed a ton of missionaries, and I was the first to talk to them. And one of them was not a member and seemed kind of interested. So, I made a resolution to talk to everyone that I could. I did my best and the more I talked with people, the happier I became. And that old Christmas spirit that we all talk about, entered into my heart. It was such an amazing night. I will always remember it as one of the best nights of my mission. And the funny thing is, I didn't even receive one referral. It really does come down to how much YOU serve, rather than HOW MANY you receive. I just wish I would have known that during my first Christmas lights in the mission.
Hopefully this story helps.
And by the way, Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Tony AKA Elder Combe
photo by Richard Webb

"I Felt the Lord Guide Me"

   We've been anticipating the beginning of the Christmas Season for a long time now. We have so many new missionaries that have never had the 'Christmas Lights' experience-but they are in for a treat! Tonight, as we watched some of them, you could see the worry in their faces. Do you remember how intimidating a large group of people can be? But I have been so proud of them. Despite personal struggles, they go forward. On opening night, one of the new VC sisters that has been shy and hesitant invited a group of over 10,000 to come to the Visitor's Center. She did it. I don't think she thought she could, but she did. I was so proud of her for accepting that assignment and following through. Over the past few days, we've seen other missionaries stepping up and going beyond their comfort zones.
   Even experienced missionaries have struggles. Here's the story of one elder's personal miracle:

My Companion and I are dreaming of a "White Christmas," and that dream kept us going this past week through some difficulties and disappointments.  I am grateful for what you shared after zone leader council; that we must have it in our hearts that the Lord will bless us with those baptisms and that we must pray and work as if it already happened. 

One miracle that I experienced this week was at the opening night of Chirstmas lights.  I was excited for it the whole week, and woke up on Friday morning looking forward to working at the lights that evening.  When we arrived for the meeting, however, I was extremely nervous.  I don't know why, but I was really, really anxious and had trouble keeping still.  I haven't felt that in a while.  With a prayer in my heart, I went with my companion, and we parted to go to our assigned areas.  I did my very best and prayed for the faith sufficient to be able to talk with and invite everyone.  I am sad to say that I did let a few people pass by that I felt impressed to talk with, and will repent of that, but I felt the Lord guide me and help me as I spoke with people.  The nervousness that I had felt so strongly went away as I did my best to put into practice that which I was taught and focus on the message of the Restoration.  We were able to see and feel that we were successful as a group that night, and I am so grateful for the opportunity that we have to serve at the lights.