Elder D
Subject: Hello family of the Delis Kind!
So this week we had interviews with our new mission president. I am going to write a letter to you guys about the things we talked about. But I will tell you that the things my mission president said were very profound! The spirit bore witness that he said what he need to say to me personally. Booooo YA! I was reading D&C 18:5 this morning during scripture study. You know it talks about bringing one soul unto Christ and how we are blessed. Well, I realized this morning that the first person we need to bring to Christ is ourselves. I was really thinking about my soul job as a missionary for the last couple of days and I now know that one of the reasons I should be serving a mission is that I bring myself unto our Savior Jesus Christ. And now I understand the importance of me being closer to the Savior and the impact it will have on me as a missionary.
We have a new couple that is investigating the church. It is interesting because we found the husband first, but now that we are teaching his wife too, it seems like she will get baptized before he will. Well...that was my week! I love you! I hope you have a great week. Sorry for the short email (remember I will write a letter and mail it to you), but my companion and I need to go to a funeral today.
Love ya!
Elder Christian James Delis
-------------------------------
Hermana Kate Delis
Subject: Home Sweet Home!!!
Buenos tardes familia!
Soy la Hermana Delis...y tengo una nueva companera!!! Y estoy TAN animada trabajar con ella. :) She's great! (I'm not sure Katie remembers that her mom does NOT speak any spanish...only her dad and Nicholas! Or she probably thinks I have been given the gift of tongues while she serves!) She's been in the mish for almost 9 months, and this is her SECOND area. WOW! I've been praying for her for three weeks now, and I just know that she is going to be PERFECT for this area. Everyone ends up in the right place, so it's not a big deal if I feel that way or not I guess, ha, but I just know she is here now for a reason and I am so grateful. Woodstock is going to be so great!!! I am so excited.
Will you pray for one of my investigator families? Their daughter is in the hospital, and she is very very sick. There's something wrong with her blood, and her parents don't know exactly what's wrong. They need a lot of love right now, and I know they will feel your prayers. We have lots of new investigators which is awesome. They are all great!
This week has been SO HOT. Imagine Florida humidity. EVERYDAY!!! I take off my backpack to sit down at lessons and I am literally soaked in sweat on my back. It is so sick, ha. No wonder people don't let the Mormon missionaries in their house--I will stain their couches with my sweat! So gross. But those days--I kid you not--are the best. We leave at the end of the day SO hot, sweaty, tired, BLAH and I am so happy to be a missionary. It is awesome. Those days I just KNOW we rocked it, and we loved walking around in our sweaty skirts, haha. The Spirit (I couldn't remember how to say that in English, what the heck? Ha, I am at an in between zone in languages--I don't remember anything in either, ha) just guides us. So we just go and do. And the people get taught. Hearts change. It's seriously a miracle every day. Ah, blows me away. I am grateful to be a missionary. :)
Okay, well I don't have a lot of time today. Sorry for a short-ish letter. I hope everyone is doing great, and know that I love you very much! I pray for you often and hope you are well.
Hna Delis
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Week of July TEN: My Missionaries are busy knocking doors AGAIN & AGAIN!
Elder D!
Subject: The work is getting done!!!
Howdy!
Well family, this was a fairly good week. We still went tracting for extended hours--way to many that I am getting tired of teaching power lessons. Power lessons are when we teach principles of the lessons like super speed. So basically my companion and I are teaching lots of lessons by talking about a little bit of information on each. So onto the good part....My comp and I have TWO INVESTIGATORS! Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! Such happy news! It really was getting pretty depressing to have doors continually shut in our face.
With that good news, I also had a week of realization. I am learning that I am not here to be me, but the man that God wants me to be. I can say that I am not only going to be different from who I was when I went into the MTC, but far exceed that. I know it is not going to be easy, but I am striving to better myself. I am finding that there really is no "I can do that" in being a missionary, it is "how can we help you." I am not only getting more focused on the way Heavenly Father can make things happen.
Well family I love you!
Love!
Elder Christian James Delis
------------------------------
Hermana Kate Delis
Subject: Entranables misericordias cada dia!!!
Hi family!
OKAY, this week is the week of ENTRANABLES MISERICORDIAS! Tender mercies! I just want to tell you about them today:
My most favorite miracle of the week: FAMILIA MARTINEZ HAS BAPTISM DATES!!! Thank you so much for all of your prayers. I know they make a difference. We met with Hilda and Juan yesterday evening, and we talked about Christ--just CHRIST and who He is, and why it's important to know Him and teach our children about Him and live His gospel. We read scriptures, they asked questions about baptism, the Spirit taught them all the answers, and when we invited Hno Juan to follow His example and be baptized, he said yes!! This family is incredible. Peace just radiates in the walls of that home because of the love they have for each other. When we invited Hilda to be baptized the week before, she said so many times that she knew the Book of Mormon was true because she felt so peaceful every time she read it. I know that peace comes from the love that is inherent to it's words. I know that all of the words in the Book of Mormon testify of Christ, and Familia Martinez knows it, too. They are so great, fam, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with them and know them. Ah, I love this family so much. :) Life is going to get hard for them real soon, I know it, and so PLEASE keep praying for them. They are so great, family. They are going to receive every blessing the Lord has to offer them--I just know it. I am so so excited for this family. Keep praying for them, please. :)
A funny one: We were driving between cities and decided that we would stop and knock the houses amidst cornfields. No one answered on any. Then we drive pass this--I kid you not--MANSION. it is GI-NORM-OUS. Just huge. I'll have to get a picture of it, ha. So we're getting out of the car and I make some smarty-pants comment like "This is the biggest door I have ever knocked. He better speak Spanish!" So it takes us like 8 minutes to walk up this driveway, we knock on some random side door, no one answers, and so we leave a card and start walking away. THEN! This guy comes out and ANSWERS. So we go talk to him, AND HE SPEAKS SPANISH. He was trying to tell us he's not from here in broken Enlgish, and so I said "De donde es?" (Where are you from?) And he mumbles "Aqui o Mexico" and then he realized I was speaking Spanish and mumbled under his breath something like I can't believe they speak Spanish, and so we all started to laugh, and he invited us in! Turns out he's so confused about religion! He says everyone says something different and he doesn't want to sin, and stuff like that. He's searching. OF COURSE HE IS, ha. I don't know why I'm surprised when things like this happen, they just do! But he is working on the castle of a house, and he invited us back to learn more. YAY!! His name is Jose Reyes, so I call him "JOSE EL REY DE LA CASA"--Jose the King of the house. I should look up the word for castle, ha. :) He's great, and I am excited to teach him. :)
A weird one: We pulled up to this street and parked. We all looked to the right at the house to our side, and watched as--I kid you not--TWENTY YORKIES, like the dogs--come running down the porch. Not one was barking. Just staring at us. We just stared back. Haha it was so WEIRD. Who the heck has 20 dogs? Well, Glynnis. And you would think Glynnis would be weird, right? SHE IS AWESOME. One of the most down to earth people I have ever met--I am not kidding. She is great. She's from England, worked with Mormons her whole life, has two grown kids, and her mom had passed away just three days before. It was so awesome to talk to her. She has so much faith, and she is just beautiful. Ah, I love this woman. Turns out normally the dogs are always barking, but when we walked up they just listened, ha. Anyway, crazy. But we are meeting with her again soon. :)
Well, moments like these are like 15 minutes, if that, in our day. They are SHORT. They don't last forever, and believe it or not the feelings fade. But those minutes are divinely inspired, and they are for all of us. I know Heavenly father is in our lives, and He knows us. :) He knows these people, and I feel so blessed to watch these miracles unfold. It is so humbling, and I am so grateful for this time in my life. :)
I am so happy to hear that everyone is doing so well. I love you so much, and I pray for you all the time!! Oh! speaking of prayers, the other day--Monday--I was saying my prayers and I felt SO safe. I just knew I was safe. We had a huge storm later that day, and I just wanted you to know that the Lord is taking care of me. Thanks so much for your prayers. :) They make a difference :)
I love you lots!
Hna Delis
Subject: The work is getting done!!!
Howdy!
Well family, this was a fairly good week. We still went tracting for extended hours--way to many that I am getting tired of teaching power lessons. Power lessons are when we teach principles of the lessons like super speed. So basically my companion and I are teaching lots of lessons by talking about a little bit of information on each. So onto the good part....My comp and I have TWO INVESTIGATORS! Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! Such happy news! It really was getting pretty depressing to have doors continually shut in our face.
With that good news, I also had a week of realization. I am learning that I am not here to be me, but the man that God wants me to be. I can say that I am not only going to be different from who I was when I went into the MTC, but far exceed that. I know it is not going to be easy, but I am striving to better myself. I am finding that there really is no "I can do that" in being a missionary, it is "how can we help you." I am not only getting more focused on the way Heavenly Father can make things happen.
Well family I love you!
Love!
Elder Christian James Delis
------------------------------
Hermana Kate Delis
Subject: Entranables misericordias cada dia!!!
Hi family!
OKAY, this week is the week of ENTRANABLES MISERICORDIAS! Tender mercies! I just want to tell you about them today:
My most favorite miracle of the week: FAMILIA MARTINEZ HAS BAPTISM DATES!!! Thank you so much for all of your prayers. I know they make a difference. We met with Hilda and Juan yesterday evening, and we talked about Christ--just CHRIST and who He is, and why it's important to know Him and teach our children about Him and live His gospel. We read scriptures, they asked questions about baptism, the Spirit taught them all the answers, and when we invited Hno Juan to follow His example and be baptized, he said yes!! This family is incredible. Peace just radiates in the walls of that home because of the love they have for each other. When we invited Hilda to be baptized the week before, she said so many times that she knew the Book of Mormon was true because she felt so peaceful every time she read it. I know that peace comes from the love that is inherent to it's words. I know that all of the words in the Book of Mormon testify of Christ, and Familia Martinez knows it, too. They are so great, fam, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with them and know them. Ah, I love this family so much. :) Life is going to get hard for them real soon, I know it, and so PLEASE keep praying for them. They are so great, family. They are going to receive every blessing the Lord has to offer them--I just know it. I am so so excited for this family. Keep praying for them, please. :)
A funny one: We were driving between cities and decided that we would stop and knock the houses amidst cornfields. No one answered on any. Then we drive pass this--I kid you not--MANSION. it is GI-NORM-OUS. Just huge. I'll have to get a picture of it, ha. So we're getting out of the car and I make some smarty-pants comment like "This is the biggest door I have ever knocked. He better speak Spanish!" So it takes us like 8 minutes to walk up this driveway, we knock on some random side door, no one answers, and so we leave a card and start walking away. THEN! This guy comes out and ANSWERS. So we go talk to him, AND HE SPEAKS SPANISH. He was trying to tell us he's not from here in broken Enlgish, and so I said "De donde es?" (Where are you from?) And he mumbles "Aqui o Mexico" and then he realized I was speaking Spanish and mumbled under his breath something like I can't believe they speak Spanish, and so we all started to laugh, and he invited us in! Turns out he's so confused about religion! He says everyone says something different and he doesn't want to sin, and stuff like that. He's searching. OF COURSE HE IS, ha. I don't know why I'm surprised when things like this happen, they just do! But he is working on the castle of a house, and he invited us back to learn more. YAY!! His name is Jose Reyes, so I call him "JOSE EL REY DE LA CASA"--Jose the King of the house. I should look up the word for castle, ha. :) He's great, and I am excited to teach him. :)
A weird one: We pulled up to this street and parked. We all looked to the right at the house to our side, and watched as--I kid you not--TWENTY YORKIES, like the dogs--come running down the porch. Not one was barking. Just staring at us. We just stared back. Haha it was so WEIRD. Who the heck has 20 dogs? Well, Glynnis. And you would think Glynnis would be weird, right? SHE IS AWESOME. One of the most down to earth people I have ever met--I am not kidding. She is great. She's from England, worked with Mormons her whole life, has two grown kids, and her mom had passed away just three days before. It was so awesome to talk to her. She has so much faith, and she is just beautiful. Ah, I love this woman. Turns out normally the dogs are always barking, but when we walked up they just listened, ha. Anyway, crazy. But we are meeting with her again soon. :)
Well, moments like these are like 15 minutes, if that, in our day. They are SHORT. They don't last forever, and believe it or not the feelings fade. But those minutes are divinely inspired, and they are for all of us. I know Heavenly father is in our lives, and He knows us. :) He knows these people, and I feel so blessed to watch these miracles unfold. It is so humbling, and I am so grateful for this time in my life. :)
I am so happy to hear that everyone is doing so well. I love you so much, and I pray for you all the time!! Oh! speaking of prayers, the other day--Monday--I was saying my prayers and I felt SO safe. I just knew I was safe. We had a huge storm later that day, and I just wanted you to know that the Lord is taking care of me. Thanks so much for your prayers. :) They make a difference :)
I love you lots!
Hna Delis
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Week of July THREE: My babes are BUSY as can BE!
Elder D
Subject: Day Never to be Forgotten
The good part of the week is we met our new mission president, President and Sister Young who are now here. On Friday we met them for the first time. I am confident that he knows what needs to be done. The reason for my subject line this week is because this is what President Young focused on. He taught us that if we have honest desires, and desire it the Lord will make it happen.
Since I have my new "greenie" companion, I feel that this next period in my life is all about learning. I have learned so much already. I really feel I have been able to learn so so much more than any time in my life and since I have been on my mission. I am really trying to do all I can to find out more. It is amazing to me how much the spirit teaches. I can say this transfer I have learned more on spiritual level than any other time. The strength I am feeling has really helped me endure these past few weeks. I know that I am where I am suppose to be. I needed here and I am becoming the person I am suppose to be.
I was just thinking. I haven't bore my testimony for you in a while, so here goes...I know that there is a Savior and He is the redeemer of the world. He sacrificed his life for ALL of us and paid the price for us. I know that his life was "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of men" (Moroni 1:39). And that is why God sent His Son to sacrifice on behalf of our sins. I know that through prayer and studying each day we can come to fully understand God's plan for each of us. I know He loves you! I know that the Atonement was out of true love for each and everyone of us. Without that love we could not return to live with Him.
I love you guys and hope all is well!
Love,
Elder Christian James Delis
----------------------------
Hermana Katie Delis
Subject: Call me "ZEBRA"
Well, me llame "Zebra"--that's what you call people who teach in Spanish and English I hear. It is crazy! I love it! I am learning to speak Spanish! In all honesty, I'm learning that it's almost unfair how well I can speak it for only having started learning four months ago. The Espiritu amplifies EVERYTHING. Can you believe the lessons are being taught by someone who literally JUST started speaking Spanish?
Want to hear some AWESOME news?! LA MAMA DE LA FAMILIA MARTINEZ VA A SER BAUTIZADA!!! She said this week that she read the BOM and EVERY time she was so peaceful. She said that she knows the book is true and she knows it teaches of Christ. Her life is so hectic--thier baby girl has disabilities and she is so sick. Yesterday she was talking about how her daughter is coughing all the time and veins are popping in her face because she cannot control it, she's so frail and so sick.
One other huge thing that I have learned this week is that I was called to Spanish speaking for a reason. There are people I am just suppose to teach in Spanish, and I can feel it. There have been so many times in the last week when we've been on an Englis doorstep, and I feel like I can say something here or there, or just bare my testimony and invite them to act because that's what I'm called to do. But so often, not always, we'll get to talk to someone in Spanish, and it's like a light goes on--I just talk and talk, listen for real, I hear them better, I'm laughing with them, this little grandma gave me a hug yesterday on the doorstep just because she was having a great conversation, haha--I'm just suppose to teach these people! It's so neat to see.
Okay, I love you very much :) I am so grateful for you all, and I pray for you all the time. And thanks for your prayers--they are working. :) I love you :)
Hna Delis
Subject: Day Never to be Forgotten
The good part of the week is we met our new mission president, President and Sister Young who are now here. On Friday we met them for the first time. I am confident that he knows what needs to be done. The reason for my subject line this week is because this is what President Young focused on. He taught us that if we have honest desires, and desire it the Lord will make it happen.
Since I have my new "greenie" companion, I feel that this next period in my life is all about learning. I have learned so much already. I really feel I have been able to learn so so much more than any time in my life and since I have been on my mission. I am really trying to do all I can to find out more. It is amazing to me how much the spirit teaches. I can say this transfer I have learned more on spiritual level than any other time. The strength I am feeling has really helped me endure these past few weeks. I know that I am where I am suppose to be. I needed here and I am becoming the person I am suppose to be.
I was just thinking. I haven't bore my testimony for you in a while, so here goes...I know that there is a Savior and He is the redeemer of the world. He sacrificed his life for ALL of us and paid the price for us. I know that his life was "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of men" (Moroni 1:39). And that is why God sent His Son to sacrifice on behalf of our sins. I know that through prayer and studying each day we can come to fully understand God's plan for each of us. I know He loves you! I know that the Atonement was out of true love for each and everyone of us. Without that love we could not return to live with Him.
I love you guys and hope all is well!
Love,
Elder Christian James Delis
----------------------------
Hermana Katie Delis
Subject: Call me "ZEBRA"
Well, me llame "Zebra"--that's what you call people who teach in Spanish and English I hear. It is crazy! I love it! I am learning to speak Spanish! In all honesty, I'm learning that it's almost unfair how well I can speak it for only having started learning four months ago. The Espiritu amplifies EVERYTHING. Can you believe the lessons are being taught by someone who literally JUST started speaking Spanish?
Want to hear some AWESOME news?! LA MAMA DE LA FAMILIA MARTINEZ VA A SER BAUTIZADA!!! She said this week that she read the BOM and EVERY time she was so peaceful. She said that she knows the book is true and she knows it teaches of Christ. Her life is so hectic--thier baby girl has disabilities and she is so sick. Yesterday she was talking about how her daughter is coughing all the time and veins are popping in her face because she cannot control it, she's so frail and so sick.
One other huge thing that I have learned this week is that I was called to Spanish speaking for a reason. There are people I am just suppose to teach in Spanish, and I can feel it. There have been so many times in the last week when we've been on an Englis doorstep, and I feel like I can say something here or there, or just bare my testimony and invite them to act because that's what I'm called to do. But so often, not always, we'll get to talk to someone in Spanish, and it's like a light goes on--I just talk and talk, listen for real, I hear them better, I'm laughing with them, this little grandma gave me a hug yesterday on the doorstep just because she was having a great conversation, haha--I'm just suppose to teach these people! It's so neat to see.
Okay, I love you very much :) I am so grateful for you all, and I pray for you all the time. And thanks for your prayers--they are working. :) I love you :)
Hna Delis
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Week of June Twenty-SIX: Onward the time TICKS!
Elder D!
Subject: I have gotten the news...The past week...my mind is racing a lot!
So this week is just another week of my companion and I doing all that we can to find people. I am starting to wonder how can people be so set in their religion sometimes (all the time). It is truly just a fact that I can't even express how many people are close to accepting, but have found a religion with its doctrine of Christ has been twisted for their lifestyle.
It is hard to find people. We have knocked on a total of 500 or more doors. Getting rejected so many times is exhausting. It makes me feel sad some days to know that so many do not want to hear the message of Christ. When I am trying to teach the people seem to be saying, "Ummmmm I am not going to accept it, I really don't want to make such a life change." My focus right now is not to offend anyone or make them an enemy to the church. All I want to do is have them as a friend and see the church as a positive influence. I am trying to do everything I can to be positive in my efforts and with those I come in contact with.
So basically, my week was just seeking to find investigators. I am sure there is no way to even come close to expressing how hard it is. Well family, I gotta go...got lots of errands today!
Love you all!
Elder Christian James Delis
-----------------------------
Hermana Katie Delis
Subject: Happy days :)
Well, my companion is home and safe!! (Katie's trainer was sent home sick because of her celiac's disease) I am so happy. Ah so so happy. She is being taken care of--phyiscally, emotionally, spirtiually--she can finally rest. It was so special to be apart of her life right at this time. It was so hard, but really a sacred experience for her and I just know the Lord guided her through every minute. I felt it all the time! I learned so much about faith and the power of testimony from her. I will always remember her as this force for truth with such a strong desire to SHARE her happiness in the Savior. She acts on her desires and just GOES. She rocks.
And soooo...my new companions! They are awesome! Here's the wild news: they are English sisters in Woodstock! So guess what that means?! I AM STILL TEACHING MY INVESTIGATORS!!!! I am so happy--ah, so happy. I didn't have to leave them yet. ;) But! Guess what else that means! I am the only Spanish speaking sister in my area! ... Yeah! Scary! One of my new companions took French for a while and can understand what is going on in the lessons and so we are learning the language together right now. So we cover English and Spanish, and I basically teach the Spanish (I'm not) or a good teacher (SO much more to learn)--I make mistakes galore, my vocabulary isn't expansive, I don't even totally have cultural things under my belt. But I do all I can, I know I am obedient, and so the Lord just carries me. I have to give up my fears, my worries, my insecurities. The Lord takes those, too. I didn't really ever think about that. How awesome is that?
I love you much, and I pray for you daily. :) I hope all goes well, and I will keep you posted on the area!
Hna Delis
Subject: I have gotten the news...The past week...my mind is racing a lot!
So this week is just another week of my companion and I doing all that we can to find people. I am starting to wonder how can people be so set in their religion sometimes (all the time). It is truly just a fact that I can't even express how many people are close to accepting, but have found a religion with its doctrine of Christ has been twisted for their lifestyle.
It is hard to find people. We have knocked on a total of 500 or more doors. Getting rejected so many times is exhausting. It makes me feel sad some days to know that so many do not want to hear the message of Christ. When I am trying to teach the people seem to be saying, "Ummmmm I am not going to accept it, I really don't want to make such a life change." My focus right now is not to offend anyone or make them an enemy to the church. All I want to do is have them as a friend and see the church as a positive influence. I am trying to do everything I can to be positive in my efforts and with those I come in contact with.
So basically, my week was just seeking to find investigators. I am sure there is no way to even come close to expressing how hard it is. Well family, I gotta go...got lots of errands today!
Love you all!
Elder Christian James Delis
-----------------------------
Hermana Katie Delis
Subject: Happy days :)
Well, my companion is home and safe!! (Katie's trainer was sent home sick because of her celiac's disease) I am so happy. Ah so so happy. She is being taken care of--phyiscally, emotionally, spirtiually--she can finally rest. It was so special to be apart of her life right at this time. It was so hard, but really a sacred experience for her and I just know the Lord guided her through every minute. I felt it all the time! I learned so much about faith and the power of testimony from her. I will always remember her as this force for truth with such a strong desire to SHARE her happiness in the Savior. She acts on her desires and just GOES. She rocks.
And soooo...my new companions! They are awesome! Here's the wild news: they are English sisters in Woodstock! So guess what that means?! I AM STILL TEACHING MY INVESTIGATORS!!!! I am so happy--ah, so happy. I didn't have to leave them yet. ;) But! Guess what else that means! I am the only Spanish speaking sister in my area! ... Yeah! Scary! One of my new companions took French for a while and can understand what is going on in the lessons and so we are learning the language together right now. So we cover English and Spanish, and I basically teach the Spanish (I'm not) or a good teacher (SO much more to learn)--I make mistakes galore, my vocabulary isn't expansive, I don't even totally have cultural things under my belt. But I do all I can, I know I am obedient, and so the Lord just carries me. I have to give up my fears, my worries, my insecurities. The Lord takes those, too. I didn't really ever think about that. How awesome is that?
I love you much, and I pray for you daily. :) I hope all goes well, and I will keep you posted on the area!
Hna Delis
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