Week of July One-FIVE: Kate is almost home & Christian is THANKFULLY still ALIVE!!

Elder D!

Subject: I am fine and I can feel your prayers.

Hey,

As you have already heard from Sister Y----, I have asthma.  It sounds like I am going to be in need of an inhaler for the rest of my life, in case something happens.  I know you are worried and this is not what you want to hear, but I am healthy, I just have to be careful.  I am grateful for your concern.  I am on a steriod called Prednisone, it is used to help build up the immune system.  I have been really energic for the last few days and that has not been really fun to deal with when you are trying to relax, my brain and my body is going t fast to slow down.  I am more energizes than normal. :)  Oh well, it happens I guess.

This week is all about doing all I can to make sure that I am healthy.   I feel an overwhelming calm and I can testify that it has been from prayers from home and from those that I love.  I am certain of it!  I am thankful for every single day.  As I read my scriptures I begin to realize more of the true principles that pertain to the happiness that comes to the freeing souls to know that the gospel is true.  I say, "free" since it isn't truly saving unless they think they are bringing them to a better place.  The one thing I fee that we are freeing souls from the sadness that comes from the adversary.  The best thing about the conclusion of this week was we did have a baptism.  E---- was baptized and confirmed a member of the church.  I am certain that we are blessed through our willingness to serve the Lord and put our whole might, mind and strength.  The power of the spirit is able to testify the change and we are able to spark that fire, what we feel is joy, the joy is truly eternal!  The happiness is eternal.  The way to be happy is through all that we do and knowing when we do the Lord is going to bless us immediately.  I may not be 100% yet, I am more than able to say that every single moment that we are doing what we can to bring or help change one soul, freeing them from the bonds of mortality.  That truly comes from the powerful saving strength of the Savior Jesus Christ and that is my greatest happiness and greatest joy.

Love,

Elder Christian James Delis

------------------------

Hermana Kate Delis

Subject:  ASTHMA?????

What the heck?  Christian, we are praying for you.  I cannot believe that.  I think you might be a version of Job with all these illnesses, my friend.  I cannot believe that.  Thank heavens they know what's up, that is so crazy.  We're praying hard NOTHING ELSE HAPPENS.  As if there was something else that could happen--honestly, what more is there?  Haha.

So today. We are goiong to the city city real soon as a little "Goodbye hermana delis" adventure...haha. Details to come about that later. But my fav girl Hna D-- is going to be there, and I am so excited to see her. But that also means that this little email is going to be a bit brief. But alas, I will see you SOON. :) (Side note: so weird, huh?) TOTALLY WEIRD.

Great news: V----- M----- set a date to be baptized!! I can't tell you how excited I am about that. It's been so awesome to see him progress. He does literally eveything we ask him to, and always gets awesome answers to prayers--so simple, but awesome because he knows from where the answers came. AWESOME. Pray that he keeps going strong!

A--- F-----, my favorite guy that got baptized recently said something cool last night. Background: We had his FIRST NEW MEMBER LESSON (WOO!!) yesterday, and he asked awesome questions about the priesthood. It was so great. At the end we asked if there was anyhting we could do to help them before we left, and him and his mom (another recent convert) just said "KEEP COMING!!!" like at the same time and way excited--such a good feeling as a missionary. And then Abel said something that I was just so grateful to hear: "And hermana Delis, when you go home, just get on a plane and come back Saturday and sunday nights to come teach us more! I am almost positive that is your personal commandment from the Lord. You gotta do it." I laughed and we all teased about it for a minute, it was cute. But man, I left so grateful to know that he appreciated the message I had the priviledge to bring to him. I am so grateful to serve these people, and I realized last night that some of them are grateful for me, too, and it was so so sweet for me. I love being a servant of the Lord. I love His message of hope and redemption. I love His children.

Life is too cool. :)

Okay, to Chicago we go! I love you lots and will see you soon!!

(for real!)

Hna Delis

Week of July EIGHT: Another email from Elder D & Hermana KATE

Elder D!

Subject:  Hey!!...That's not fair I was dancin' there!

Hey family!

Well, from all your emails I can tell you are wondering how I am doing.  I am fine.  I am not 100%, but I am doing better than I have been.  Sorry for the email delay, I was at the beach all day yesterday (Monday) and that's why you are hearing from me today.  Yes, don't worry I have pictures for you guys, a member took them for us and they will be in 3D, it will be really cool. 

Here's a quick run through on the week and then I will tell you what happened on Saturday.  To begin with, it was a funky week.
Monday: we did not have a P-day...that threw me for a loop...it was moved to Wednesday because of the 4th of July.  We did spend time meeting with our less-actives, we can never get a hold of them, so that was pretty awesome.
Tuesday: tracting was hard because most people were out of town for the holiday.
Thursday: was meeting day and we went to Coos Bay and had District meeting, tracted and then did splits.
Friday: did some finding, but we are not seeing new people right now, a lot of old investigators are appearing out of nowhere.
Saturday: was a interesting day.  In the morning we helped a newly wed couple in our ward with their yard.  We helped them mow their yard with a weedeater (that was my job).  After running back to our apartment to change, we left for Myrtle Point.  We had planned to see K-------, but she wasn't home, so we left and visited people with Brother O'C------.  We got to his house for dinner and while we were there I had a hard time breathing.  Throughout the day I was struggling, it just felt hard to breathe.  I had just finished eating dinner and I was having a hard time talking.  I started to cough uncontrollably and as I sat there it got worse, so went outside and tried to see if that would make a difference.  It didn't.  So we went to the ambulance and they looked at me and gave me, what is called an updraft, it is like a shot of adrenaline, just to my lungs.  We then drove to the ER and I didn't have pneumonia or mono so they were unsure.  The doctor was told I had an updraft and then he assumed it was allergies since I don't have asthma.  So we got back and we talked to Brother W----- in our ward, he is a doctor, and he said it was my allergies to grass that caused my lungs to close.  And he said it doesn't help since it is hay season either.  I am fine.  I just have to be careful!

I love you and you are always in my prayers!

Love,

Elder Christian James Delis

----------------------

Hermana Kate Delis

Subject:  WHAT A CRAZY WEEK!!

Hey family, HAPPY TODAY!

Okay, super short on time once again over here, but I will try to give you a wrap of our cool week.

1. A--- is a member!!!! His baptism was beautiful. Absolutely crazy behind the scenes, but great. Absolutely wonderful. I am so thankful for his conversion. It was an absolute privilege to have been a part of. He is going to be such a strong priesthood holder. One of the members came up to me and told me that after the baptism, and I just swelled with pride (as if he were my son or something, haha)--but it is so so so true. He will be a faithful, strong priesthood holder. :) I am so thankful for that man.

2. We found so so so many people to teach this week!! I am so grateful for that. I feel like we just walk in all the right places these days, and it's been such a blessing to meet so many people who are so interested in learning more. We recently started teaching Lupe, and she is just the sweetest little blessings for me. I feel like every time we go in to teach her, she is just open and ready to learn. She's fun. We would totally be friends outside the mission. So grateful to be teaching her.

3. The best thing I learned this week: We must RUN back to the Lord to thank Him for ALL we have been given. Our trials are just that--JUST trials. Don't focus on them! Focus on ALL that He has given you. You will be happy. :)

4. The trio is rockin' it as always. I can't wait to tell you about some of the miracles we've seen in each other this transfer. IT's been pretty cool. :)

Okay, love you loads and talk to you all soon! Hey! I'll even give you a hug in a few days! WEIRD!!

Keep smiling,
Hna Delis

Week of July ONE: Partying without Power was not FUN!

Elder D!

Subject:  Well ... I am glad all is well!

Hey family,

It was really hard for me to hear on Friday that the East Coast was going through a lot of bad weather.  It about broke my heart that I couldn't do anything to help.  And that I was not able to go to you and be with you while it was happening.  On Sunday a lot of people were coming up to me to asking if everyone in my family was alright, and not knowing and truly I wasn't sure was a real shock to my system.  For me, yesterday, that was a major part of my fast.  I am glad all is well.  It was hard to continue to do missionary work when I could feel that you were in a ruckus.  I spent most my spare time praying all would be well.  The funny thing is, that on Saturday morning I was not feeling so good and normally I am alright.  I couldn't think straight and while I was doing my scripture study, I felt like I should just relax.  To be honest, I had no idea what that meant, but I just sat there and thought about the things that can and DO bring joy to my life...and I thought about my FAMILY.  The most incredible feeling of peace came over me and I felt the most blessed person to know that my family is safe.  I felt like it couldn't hurt to fast that all other problems at home would be resolved.  PHEW!

Well, our week was pretty busy.  We were trying to make sure that we did everything needed to be sure Elder F----- knows the area.  This is his last transfer as a missionary, he goes home at the beginning of August.  Please pray that I stay for another transfer after his departure so this area does not get doubled transferrred.  That would stink because this area is having so much success. 

I am so glad the Lord is able to direct us.  I am grateful for the Gospel.  And I am glad to have such a loving family!

Love,

Elder Christian James Delis

------------------------------------

Hermana Kate Delis

Subject:  PRAYING FOR YOU!!

Hey fam!

I cannot believe that you had a storm that crazy and are still without power--what a crazy week.  You are in my prayers.  I am not surprised that it happened on Friday.  I had knots--HUGE knots I tell you--in my back literally all day long.  All day!  They actually still haven't totally gone away.  I got a blessing the next morning because I was pretty sick and stressed out, and it talked a lot about you guys.  I know you are safe.  And I am praying hard for all of you. :)

This email is going to be pretty short--I am so sorry that this won't be a very lengthy letter after a stressful week!  But let me tell you about some fun things happening over here:

A--- is actually getting baptized this Saturday!  Cool changes.  It's at 7 o'clock and it's going to be the bomb. :)  He is a changed man.  MAN it is so cool to talk with him.  He was talking yesterday about goals and what it means to have a goal that is big enough to capture your focus even when trials are hard. IT WAS INCREIDBLE to hear him talk about the power of humility and coming to trust the Lord and follow Him. INCREDIBLE! He gives me hope that even I can change, too. Haha. The gospel is true!!

This morning I finished my almost 16 month study of the Book of Mormon in Spanish. :) Yes! Can you believe it? It is a true book, even in another language! Haha :) I will forever be grateful for the Book of Mormon. And Spanish, haha. I get so teary-eyed when I think about how much I love Spanish, haha. I can't wait to show you my book of mormon in Spanish. I remember opening a Book of Mormon that W--- B--------- let me borrow before my mission and looking at the words in there and just wondering how on earth I could ever learn this language. And in the start of my mission, I would read it all the time and not really understand what it was telling me. So I would pray to just PLEASE one day be able to REALLY study and learn from the Book of Mormon in Spanish. Now, literally just a bit later, I feel so blessed to be watching all of these little, heart-felt prayers be answered. My gospel study is completely in Spanish, and I can communicate what I love about the gospel in a different language. I feel like I have talked about this my whole mission, ha, SPANISH SPANISH SPANISH. It's that I feel like Heavenly Father just HANDED me this priviledge of knowing another lanugage--He just gave it to me. Cake. I didn't do a thing to earn it, deserve it. But as my faith in Christ grew, so did my Spanish progress. I can't explain to you how grateful I am. It has taught me so much.

ANYWHO, fun little moment in the life of Hna Delis. :) Also, V----- came to church again and he is reading and praying!!!! I LOVE that he's praying. He's pretty open about his experiences with prayer and it ROCKS. He was like "It was weird the first time I did it, but then I did it every day before I went to work and before I read the Book of Mormon and I like it." YEAH!! We were so excited. He's reading the Book of Mormon like CRAZY too! :) We've got lots of friends who are having experiences like that these days, and it's been so fun for us to be apart of it all. We are loving on our investigators big time these days, they are too great. :) TOO GREAT!!

News as well: We have new mission presidents! Pres. F--- and his wife. :) We meet them in a few days! Crazy. :)

Well fam, you are in my prayers. :) I love you lots and lots, and please keeping praying for us here--we ALWAYS feel your support. You can expect the same from us. :)

Love you,

Hna Delis

Week of June Twenty-FOUR: Each new transfer brings Changes GALORE!

Elder D!

Subject:  Transfers!  Yes again ... No more Elder D---- :/

WOW!

Six weeks just flew by and I am just praying that all will go well for the next six!  My new companion is Elder F-----, I don't know much about him, but he is going home soon, I am told.  I pray that we willcontinue to see success.  It is sad to see Elder D---- go and leave Coquille, but the good news he will be in a temple area!  He was kinda excited about that! 

So this week was not super eventful.  We spent our time and effort into finding.  We are focusing on Part-member families and Less-actives.  An analogy I have been trying to use is "building of a house."  How as we are baptized and attend church it builds a foundation for us.  As the house's foundation begins to cure it gets stronger.  As we receive revelation, we then start to build our homes brick by brick, so that we are comfortable and we gain a stronger testimony of how much the Lord loves us and here is there.  And how everything we learn is to help us understand about the kingdom of heaven.  I am still working on the analogy, but I hope the message is coming across correctly. :) 

Yesterday in church we set 2 dates for baptism.  One for E----, she was taught the lessons in Klamath Falls.  And also J--- L------ was taught in the past, but now feels ready.  OHHHH I almost forgot the coolest experience ever!  Elder D---- and I were tracting on Tuesday, we had no set plans for the day and we were really just focusing on the less-actives.  We went to one of their homes and while we were there a man named H----- C----- came to us asking if we would come to his home.  He called the ward a couple of weeks ago during splits.  He was a minister for a while, but has since retired.  He explained to us how he know the Gospel is true and that there is something missing in his life.  That was so incredible!  We saw him Thursday and Saturday.  Watching these kind of miracles are awesome!

Well family, I love ya and I miss ya!

Love,

Elder Christian James Delis

-----------------------------

Hermana Kate Delis

Subject: WOWZA!  Sorry this is coming so late!

Hello!

Sorry for the delayed letter!  I know that stinks.  We are going to the temple later today, so we switched our preparation days.  So sorry for the no notice.  It was short notice for us, too.  But alas.  Here we are. :)

Okay, so I just cried reading about my setting apart time!  So crazy!  I hear THE MISSIONARY has to take their own tag off.  That's how it should be, but OUCH!  Pray for me lots that day, ha.  Anyway, good mini-cry, but a cry nonetheless.  I just love this calling.  I love this work.  One time Elder H------ said that "the mission is as real as it gets" -- how true!  We learn what heaven is like out here.  It's a powerful and very happy place. :)

This transfer has started off INCREDIBLY.  I am loving co-trainging--Hna W------ is the trainee and Hna R----- is my partner!  It's been wild, but so so SO fun.  We are a fiesty team.  :) I couldn't ask for a better set-up this transfer: we work hard, let me tell you, (Side note: I am going to come home so tired. I repeat SO TIRED, ha.  I am exhausted), we teach like crazy still, talk to everyone, invite everyone, we DO MISSIONARY WORK.  And we're doing it well and with the Spirit.  Man, I didn't think the mission could get better, but it always does. 

As always, the biggest struggle is just learning what the Lord wants for the area and my companions.  I know the mechanics of missionary work--you pick up on those quick enough.  I have my personal "style" at this point, I know the language well.  But it's the revelation and guidance and the acting on what you receive that really motivates what happens in the work.  AKA your faith, prayer, and spiritual staying power is what is tough!  Anywho, I've felt so strongly these past days that He's given me some weighty responisibilities that I was NOT expecting or that I would not naturally prefer, haha, but I feel empowered by the Lord's trust in me and the strength and wisdom that He has given me these past few days especially.  He is so mindful.  I love that HE takes care of me out here.  I can focus on everyone else, and when I pray--even if just for a moment--I feel His guidance and overwhelming love for me and His children.  I am never forgotten.  I am thankful that he lets me take care of His children as well!  I work hard to be mindful of them.  I am learning my role and I am grateful that I am being strengthened in the tasks I've been given.  I had no idea the spiritual, emotional, physical strength inside me.  So crazy what we learn, the lessons we need.  It's just so cool that we always keep learning.  We are NEVER a finished product while here on earth.  I love that.  TAKE THAT PERFECTIONSIMS! Haha :)

So do we all want to hear some awesome news?  I think yes... :)

A--- IS GETTING BAPTIZED!!!!

I can't tell you how awesome that is.  Just let that truth sit in your mind for a few seconds, and smile. :)  I keep doing tht when I have asec, haha. :)  On JULY 14, read his favorite scripture (Ether 12:27) and say a little prayer for him!  He will feel your love. :)

So many good things happening over here. :)

My newest favorite truth to remind myself of when I want to feel STRONGER:  This is CHRIST'S church!  Just make the decision to believe that, and you will be happy.  Guaraunteeed. :)

Anywho, love you all big time.  I am so grateful for your love and support, and please pray for my companions!!  Love you love you love you, have an awesome week!!

Hna Delis

Week of June One-SEVEN: Hearing from our missionaries is always HEAVEN!!

Elder D!

Subject:  Man this has been a week of things to do.

Howdy!

Well, this was a good day!  I am so grateful for the miracles that I have been able to be apart of!  On Tuesday we baptized M------- R-----.  That was an awesome experience, we confirmed her on the spot and we were able to have such a wonderful moment when the testimonies were bore that night, they testified to everyone of the truthfulness of the work.  So that was a spiritual feast for the week.  The baptism set the stage for the rest of the week.  We have been spending time searching for those ready for the message of the restored Gospel.  The hardest thing is that we are able to do all the Lord needs us to do.  It is a blessing that comes from obedience and diligence.  We found some people and we also were able to do the necessary portions to work hard in this section of the Lord's vineyard. 

Friday was also a very cool day, we had another baptism!  H--- C----- was baptized.  That baptism, too, was wonderful!  The most amazing things about baptisms is the feeling that as we work diligently, we are rewarded openly.  We have to act on our promptings and the Holy Ghost has been moving hearts one soul at a time. 

This week was busy and I am grateful for the gospel, it is truly a blessing.

I am glad all is well!  I love you all and I hope you are able to feel my love!

Love,

Elder Christian James Delis

---------------------------------

Hermana Kate Delis

Subject:  Hello, hello!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY A DAY LATE!!

There is a card in the mail--hope you don't think it is too dumb.  Normally Father's Day cards are pretty lame.  You know, fart jokes galore.  Don't get me wrong--I love myself a good fart joke--but that's all the dad's seem to get!  The card I sent is no better, haha.  BUT, I sent it with love.  Hope it gets there soon. :)

Until then, let me just tell you that I love you.  VERY MUCH!!  I tell people almost daily what a cool person you are.  In fact, let me tell you right this minute 3 reasons why I am grateful for you:
1.  You listen to me.  Even when I am totally dumb, haha, and I am so grateful that my opinions matter to you.  It helps me to feel loved knowing that what matters to me matters to you, too.
2.  You lead by example.  I LOVE that you live what you believe, and you don't have to say a thing.  You teach me honesty, hope, integrity, diligence, and love by just being YOU.  I love that.  I want to be like that, too.
3.  You love mom so much!  I want to marry someone who takes care of me like you take care of mom.  I've learned so much about how important that is since I left, and I know a lot better that I am worth that sort of treatment.  I cannot settle for less.  I am grateful that you have given me a standard to look to in that regard, and hope that someone like that is REAL!  And in my very own home, even.  Thanks. :)

I'll give you a big hug SO DANG SOON!!  Until then, I hope you feel my prayers. :) And anywho, it sounds like you guys had an awesome week--AND COOL WEEK coming up in Chicago!  I'll wave towards O'Hare today. :)

I'm grateful for a Heavenly Father that is super, super mindful of me. I heard this quote by president monson recently, and he said that he always wanted the Lord to know that "if there was a task that the Lord needed to get done, Tom Monson would do it." I started to pray to be able to do that, too. I noticed throughout the week that sometimes I didn't want to do what the Lord wanted me to do--I think that's where my lack of confidence and faith came in and therefore my little bit of sadness today. BUT I did a lot, if not most of what I felt like needed to be done. I think I can point to multiple things daily that were tasks the Lord needed to get done. And I did them well. I wish I wasn't such a perfectionist!! So many good things happen, but I am so fixated on what went wrong!! I always want to be perfect instantly and I have a hard time being patient with myself. And others. I am grateful to at least be GROWING. I feel like a whole new creature from the one that came out here, and that I am grateful for. I am rambling about dumb stuff today, I am sorry. :) Anywho, the problems in my life are so little by comparison to what is really out there in the world, ha. I think Hna Day and I should just go get ice cream for preparation day after this, ha. :) Decision made. 

SPEAKING OF COMPANIONS, I am getting TWO NEW ONES TOMORROW. I am team-training a new missionary the last transfer in the mission. :) I am stressed, which also probably adds to my hyper-sensitivity to all the things I am doing wrong, ha. :) I am a crazy person, sorry you're getting a dumb email from me today. I just want to do good. Any and all prayers would be great. :)

I love you all lots, and I am grateful for you. Thanks for all you are doing. I love this work, and I love the Savior. I love representing Him and learning how to do it better. What a special task. :) 

Love you, love you!

Hna Delis

Week of June ONE-OHHH: Our Missionaries GO and GO!

Elder D!

Subject: Ummm can I just say what a spiritual powerhouse!

WOW!  (Yes, the stake conference with Elder O---- was that awesome!)

The reason we learn in the Gospel is that we are willing to drop all that we have and feed His sheep.  Peter went from a fisherman to an Apostle putting all that he had behind him and putting the Savior first.  His example is of a true disciple and how I think it is important to be Diligent and Obedient.

This was an intense weekend!  We did all we could to get people to come hear Elder O---- in the evening session.  Noone we invited showed :(.  The coolest things said in the Stake Conference was amazing!  On Saturday we had very cool interviews with President Y----.  As always they are a very spiritual learning experience.  The cool thing is that I am glad I have a super spiritual mission president.  We discussed a couple of things I need to work on.  Then when the conference talks began, it felt like two of the speakers were speaking directly to me.  Their messages were exactly what I needed to hear!   I am going to try harder to not just go through the motions, but know that the things I do are to help us feel a constant joy, to make us feel the consistent powerful witness of the Holy Ghost and of the Lord's atonement.  This is the goal I am going to set on how I plan to finish my final months serving my mission. 

When Elder O---- was talking, you can feel how strong his testimony is, I can say that every moment was teaching me better ways to help those my companion and I teach.  We sat there listening to the words that he said and it was not at all far from what we teach.  The words that filled my soul are much of what I know we need to teach to our investigators and I can testify that Elder O--- has been called of our loving Heavenly Father as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.  What was really cool is that Elder O---- seems so stern when I watch/listen to him at General Conference, but he is very energetic when he was speaking at stake conference. 

On Sunday we were able to get a new investigator to come.  That was awesome!  J------ and M------ brought a friend, J---, and he said he wants to know more!  We also had two other investigators there!  That was so cool!  Having them at stake conference was really really incredible!  The general session was session taught the simple message that the gospel has been restored on the earth. 

Well, this was really a huge excitement for the week!  We have been busy and blessed! 

Love you,

Elder Christian James Delis

---------------------------

Hermana Kate Delis

Subject:  Chipper note this week, mom!!

I don't know why I am laughing so hard about this--Hna D-- and I think we are like slap happy half the day because we are SO TIRED from all that's gong on--but your letter made me laugh so hard this week, mom!  "I'm quite stinky today!"  It just tickled my funny bone. :)  I am SO GLAD to hear that you are so happy.  Truly--you and dad sound AWESOME!!!  That makes me so so happy.  You just sound great.  I love that.  Thanks for your great examples.

I am bummed that I haven't heard from Christian yet!  I wanted to hear about the Elder O---- mission vacation!  Haha, the random joys fo the mission: apostles, an old man calling you to tell you he is interested in learning about Christ, getting permission to do a tour of the church, getting a call from someone telling you the want to meet with you (1. they called YOU and 2. it is NOT to cancel an appointment!!) ... life is so funny as a missionary. :)  I am proud to be apart of this funny little culture for a period of my life. :)

Okay, well let me tell you about a fun thing we did this morning. A big group of elderly living places (I don't know what to call them--retirement homes?) came to the chapel in Wilmette Chicago to learn more about the church! So we hosted this little "get-to-know-you" presentation of the church and the gospel for 45-50 senior citizens. NO ONE was under 60. Not a soul. They told me the "spring chicken" of the bunch was like 65, haha. It was SO MUCH FUN. One of the English wards set it up, and their bishop was there, the ward mission leader, and a speaker--recent convert Brother Spaulding, some young men to help with cleaning and guiding, and then us. It was a BLAST! Who would've thought. Not me, haha. But they asked awesome questions (some fairly controversial, that made ME sweat a little bit, haha), but ALL were super nice, TONS took a copy of the Book of Mormon...it was just fun. It was fun giving tours, I've enjoyed doing that on the mission. It was kind of fun to do it in English, too. It's nice to not have a language barrier--it's a privilege to be able to communicate! It's humbling to think that I've been handed this blessing to communicate well in TWO languages, now. That floors me. What a blessing. I hope one day I can be REALLY good at Spanish. One day. :) Lots of good practicing going on over here for now...

It's so funny to even say this, but we don't have enough time to teach everyone that wants to be taught right now. It sounds crazy, ha. But we are just literally non-stop these days, and I feel crazy a little bit, haha. But it's fun. And we are STILL finding people that want to be learning. They just fall in our place, and it's incredible. Oh, this work is true. This work is true. 

 

Okay, well we have to get going, I hope we can take a nap today.  PLEASE! Haha, say some prayers for us. :)  Have an awesome day, and we will chat soon!!

 

Love you,

 

Hna Delis

Week of June-TWO: Missionaries Work is Hard Work To DO, To DO!

Elder D!

Subject: Well this is a week of miracles!!!

Hello!

Well family, I am glad all is well!  I was able to look through the emails.  I am excited you got to go to a baseball game Hermana Delis.  And I am sure you will do fantastic in two English wards as well as your Spanish ward.  To cover that many wards is a real trust that the Lord and your mission president has given you and your companion.  I am excited to hear how it goes!

Spiritual Thought:  Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement.  Save it be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption.  Wherefore, the first judgement which came upon man must needs have remained to an endless duration.  And if so, this flesh must laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more. ~Jacob the Younger Brother of Nephi

Well, on with the week!  This week was a really cool and eventful week!  We have been spending as much time as we can helping individuals be successful in their spiritual growth.  The funny this is that all we are doing is helping people see the great opportunities that the Lord provides them.  Last week we talked about setting a baptismal date for M------- and this week we were  blessed to set two more.  We set a soft commitment with L----- S-------, she is in her 60's.  We tracted into her when I first came to the area.  The date is set for June 23rd and we are praying that it all goes through.  The other date is with H--- C-----, she is friend of the R----- sisters and that date is June 16th.  We are very excited!  There is another possibility for a guy named, J--- L-C----, we've been teaching him for three months.  We think he might be ready because he is engaged to a member of our ward.

This past week was a fairly good week of studies, I was reading and I came across some very interesting things of how we can become better examples of the believers.  I have been rereading the Book of Mormon again.  I am in 2 Nephi chapter 9.  As I read that today, I came to much of the conclusion that we are very much a people that must live a righteous life.  And as we do, His grace is sufficient for all the children of men.  His grace is truly a strength and a huge gift far greater than we can ever imagine!

This upcoming week is going to be a very awesome week!  We have a lot that is going to be happening.  We are going to be spending our whole week getting ready for an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, Elder O----.  He will be here all day Saturday and Sunday.  We are going to be at a wedding on Friday evening, then on Saturday we are going to be having interviews with President Y-----.  Afterwards we are going to be doing our weekly planning and attend the General Session that evening listening to Elder O----!  Then, Sunday morning we go back to North Bend and conclude the Sunday session and eat lunch at the church with Elder O----!  This will be an exciting week!

I love you and I pray for you!

Love,

Elder Christian James Delis

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Hermana Kate Delis

Subject: Hello hello!

Hello, familia!

Happy today :)  Thanks for your letters--everyone sounds great!  Elder Delis--your area sounds AWESOME!!  And an apostle is coming to the mission!!  How Cool!!  I'm excited to hear about it all soon.  So so cool!

Well everything here is very good--VERY busy, but very good.  I like being busy.  We don't have very many investigators in the English wards, but the wards are so awesome--the English program is so different from the Spanish program.  This little assignment has made me think so so much about the blessings that I've received from being with Hispanic people for the past year of my life.  Let me tell you a few...

1. I have never met people with such great faith. As soon as we start up a religious conversation with someone who speaks Spanish, almost without knowing it, they just start baring their testimony to us. They talk about how central their Heavenly Father is in their life. It is so easy for so many of them to believe. I love that so much. :) 

2. They are so grateful. As soon as we are on the conversation of religion, it takes like 3 seconds for them to bring up the fact that their Father in Heaven has given them EVERYTHING. They just believe in their Heavenly Father, and better yet, they are grateful for Him.

3. These people are so humble--and it's not just in what they have or don't have, it's inherent to the way they think and live. It's not a matter of material, it's also a matter of personal integrity. In their culture, humility just runs at their center. It's very special to be in a ward like that. It's very cool. 

4. I like that so often time is not a huge issue, ha. At the start of my mission it drove me crazy that people were not on time to ANYTHING. If we set an appointment at 6, it would start at 630. It drove me insane. BUT, eeven though it is still better to be punctual, for me personally it taught me where to place my priorities. "My" schedule is not the priority. THEY are the priority. It also taught me how to pick and choose my battles. Should I get stressed over someone not being at their cita or focus my energy on helping them get over their word of wisdom problems? Does that analogy make sense? It also taught me to relax. If their not there, THEY ARE NOT THERE. It's fine. We'll just try back in two hours. Haha. :) 

5. They are giving!! They have three things in their home to eat, and they some how manage to give me ALL three things in LOADS on my plate, and send me home with more. It embarrassed me at the start of my mission--I didn't eve nwant to take it because I felt so dumb--"PLEASE just eat this! I have my food." But I'm learning that it's how they tell me that they love me. THey just want to serve me. It is an honor to be someone they want to serve. 

6. Their sense of humor is the best. Just a few words can be SO funny--they are a quick bunch. :) 

 

I think I just feel so blessed that I've gotten to be so close to the Spanish culture for these months--I've loved it.  These people are just so special.  They have provided me with my personal humble heroes.  I love them very much. :)

 

Okay, well I am sorry for the short-ish email today.  But we have got to run.  I think the laundries done and we gotta go. :)  Love you lots and lots, and we will talk soon!!

 

Love,

 

Hna Delis