October 17, 2010

Dear Friends and Family, October 17, 2010

This week was one full of interviews. Interviews are now held every three month and are to last around 10 minutes. Elder Stearman our secretary had a nice schedule for the week and tried to keep President on time. It is very difficult though when many missionaries need a bit more time. From Friday a week ago to this past Friday , Mark interviewed 126 missionaries. We will go outside of Asuncion this next week to complete the rest of the interviews. He loves the time with the missionaries and seems to have more energy at the end of the days full of interviews. I enjoy the chance I have to visit with missionaries who are waiting for their turn also. Sister Quartino and Troesh both shared with me blessings that are coming to their families as they serve here. Elder Sellers always gives me a little chocolate!Some have health questions but mostly it is good to just connect with them all a bit more. I love hearing a bit more about the lives of our missionaries and their joys and challenges. It is also a time when we can see the newer missionaries and see how they are doing. The miracle of the language learning continues as many tell me the progress they are making. Some improve more quickly than others but every missionary can have the help they need to learn the language as they spend the time and effort they need to. The newer Elders we saw this week are working hard and doing well.

During the time the missionaries are waiting for their interviews they spend their time in practices and also watching some of the DVDs “The District 2” which focus on teaching skills for missionaries. The missionaries tell us they are enjoying learning and using the 8 simplified lessons from Preach My Gospel. Again they focus the doctrine of Christ, the role of the Holy Ghost in conversion, the process of revelation through prayer, Book of Mormon and church attendance, teaching people not lessons and how to help people make and keep commitments. All of these things not only make better missionaries when learned and applied but everyone benefits from their study and application.

Friday President interviewed a couple preparing to be sealed in the temple. He is a returned missionary and they are excited to make those sacred covenants in the temple. Those are especially sweet times when we see people making the right kinds of choices that lead them to the temple.

Saturday we went with Hermana Cozzens and Troesh as they taught a young man in Lambare. Part of the focus on improving the teaching abilities of the missionaries is for President to go out with the missionaries when he can to observe their teaching. It was a nice experience and we enjoy it every time we can go. The hard part is to be a support and observers and not jump in too much! We wait to be invited by the missionaries who are teaching and then after the lesson we have a visit with the missionaries to have a little post evaluation so we can all see how we might be able to improve. It really helps us know how the teaching is going throughout the mission.

Today we attended sacrament meeting in San Isidro. Elders Rodriguez, Eddy, Nelson and Nolet are serving there. We try to attend a different ward or branch each week so we can see the missionaries and meet the people around the mission. I love the way the Lord works in that we are often blessed to hear exactly what we personally need in these sacrament meetings through the talks the members give. Today we heard some messages by two sisters about keeping our covenants and the important role we have as parents to teach firmly but with love. I know Heavenly Father is aware of each one of us and is so willing to help us as we try to fulfill our responsibilities. I know the Lord is here to help all of us as missionaries as we try to help others find and know the Savior and He is also here to help us personally in our lives. We are grateful for the things we are learning, the wonderful missionaries we are serving with and growing to love more each day and for our family who supports us in so many ways!! Have a great week! Love, Mark and Sandy