Dear Friends and Family,
It's been another good week here in Guatemala. Church was fantastic on Sunday, and we've been doing alright so far this week as well.
Today I'll be going on divisions with Elder Pearson, my current district leader, and one of the mission secretaries when I entered the mission. He's from Ohio, and he's really great. We both have Mexican companions, so today we're going to have a competition, Mexicans vs. Gringos: who can get more contacts? The winners get ice creams, bought by the losing companionship. We're going to get going at full speed and talk to as many people as possible to be able to get the ice cream, but mostly because we need to talk to more people, because every single one of them needs the Gospel.
This week, I really gained a testimony of the reality of Jesus Christ. I thought I knew, but now I really know. It was during companionship study, and we were studying the Plan of Salvation, of which Jesus Christ is the central part. Usually, companionship study doesn't really excite me, but this day, it was absolutely amazing. For me, there are lines in several hymns that best express how I feel about my Savior.
"I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine,
to rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,
That he should extend his great love unto such as I,
Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!"
(Hymn:I Stand All Amazed)
"He lives, all glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior still the same!
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
'I know that my Redeemer lives!' "
(Hymn:I know that my Redeemer lives)
Also, the hymn "Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me" really touches me. I would write the words, but I only know them in Spanish, because we hardly ever sing this hymn (they don't sing it much here, either).
I'm getting close to the point where I can't "bear the thought that even one soul should be lost," as with the Sons of Mosiah in the Book of Mormon. I still have a ways to go, but I'm really seeing the need that every single person has to be able to accept the Gospel, and be baptized with the proper authority, that of the Priesthood of God. I am seeing prophecies fulfilled from the Bible as well as the Book of Mormon, for the better and the worse. I know that the people of Guatemala need this gospel more desperately than they need anything else in their life, or more desperately than anything else they could possibly ever need. As we read in 2 Nephi 31:21
"And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen."
I'd like to close with my testimony in Spanish.
Yo sé que Jesucristo vive. Yo sé que no hay otro nombre dado debajo del cielo por medio de lo cual nos podemos salvar in el Reino de Dios, solo el de él. Yo sé que La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días es la única iglesia verdadera sobre la faz de la tierra hoy en día, Y que Jesucristo la Dirige por medio de un Profeta viviente. Ninguna otra iglesia tiene la autoridad del Sacerdocio para poder recibir revelación de Dios, para efectuar las ordenanzas salvadoras del Evangelio de Jesucristo, y para poder sellar familias por la eternidad. Yo sé que solo hay una senda, Y no hay ninguna otra por lo cual nos podemos salvar, y regresar a vivir con nuestro Padre Celestial, o sea, regresar a casa. Y se lo dejo en el Nombre de Jesucristo, Amén.
I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know there is no other name given under the heavens through which we can be saved in the Kingdom of God, only his. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only true church on the face of the Earth today, and that Jesus Christ directs it through a living prophet. No other church has the authority of the Priesthood to receive revelation from God, to perform the saving ordinances of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to seal families for eternity. I know there is only one path, and there is no other path by which we can be saved, and return to live with our Heavenly Father, or rather, to return home. I leave this with you in the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. They are being felt, and are always much needed.
Yours in the Faith,
Elder Banks
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Another Great Week in Training...
Dear All,
This has been a pretty great week.
First of all, the conference. Elder Maynes of the Presidency of the Seventy came to the conference, and he and his wife spoke. On the stand were also Elder Falabella, Elder Amado, and Elder Martino, the Area Presidency of Central America. Also on the stand were President Brough, President Watts of the North Mission, President Stay of the South Mission, and President Nikolaysen of the CCM. And their wives. And I was the closest missionary to them, because I was on the Piano! (That also meant that we got front row seats! Normally those are only for the Sisters, but we got to sit there!) They put some pressure on me when they left a half hour before the meeting to play prelude. I thought that there would be another pianist from one of the other missions, but it was just me! I played the prelude and it went off well, as did the opening hymn. The closing hymn was the surprise, and it went pretty well. I played it with mistakes, but I held it together, and I don't think that anybody noticed. President and Sister Brough both told me "Good Job!" afterwards. The message was inspiring, and edifying. I know that I need to keep working hard and not despair!
This Sunday we had a conference that I liked even more. Stake conference. The speakers included President Brough and his wife, President Ocampo, one of the counselors in the Guatemala City Temple Presidency, and Elder Cesar Morales, an area authority seventy from Guatemala. He spoke to us in the CCM, so I knew we would be in for a treat. Every single talk was inspired, and I really felt the Spirit. Stake conferences are amazing here. After the conference, we went to lunch with the Peña family, our neighbors. Bro. Peña is a temple worker, and has cars, so he invited President and Sister Ocampo to lunch as well, before driving them back to Zona 15, where they live near the Temple. So I got to have lunch with a member of the temple presidency!
Sunday we also learned that sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven. We normally don't pass by a certain part of the area (where most of our work is) for investigators, because both the chapel and this neighborhood are far from the house, and it takes a lot of time. This Sunday, we went there to get investigators, and nobody we visited that morning could come to church. After the conference, we saw 2 of our investigators who had arrived late and listened in other rooms of the chapel, who came of their own free will! After that, we had a delicious lunch with a member of the temple presidency, and we had an awesome day. We worked hard. We contacted 26 new people, and we had 7 lessons, and 9 new investigators. That's an awesome day. Once, Elder Caceres showed me his planner from the best day he had in the mission, in which he had 9 lessons, which is basically unheard of. 7 lessons is a lot, and only once have I had more than 9 new investigators in one day. It was literally one of the best days of my mission thus far, and I'm really excited to see what we can do this week!
Now, there's no way we can't go pick up investigators from the area far away, because we need those blessings!
We also had a funny experience this week. To give some background, a few months ago, some members gave me a big umbrella that's red and white and says "Colgate" on it. I recently bought another, because I didn't want to have to carry those colors around all day, and the colgate umbrella had already started to break. I had been lending it to my companion. I walk fast, and he's usually a bit behind me. President Brough taught us that dogs always attack the person in the back. I learned that from experience a few weeks ago, but my companion learned it this week. I walked right past a couple of dogs, and they didn't bother me at all. About 15 seconds later, I heard barking and growling, and turned around to see the dogs bothering my companion. He tried to defend himself with the Colgate umbrella, but the dog bit it, and pulled it away. My companion then backed off, and I told him to leave the umbrella there if he didn't care about it. Nobody was hurt, we just lost an umbrella and got a funny story to tell. The whole thing really did look funny from in front, and we're still laughing about it. My companion has told some of the other missionaries and other people that "A dog ate my umbrella!"
Also, the Peña family ran out of space to park their cars. They have about 7, so they parked one in the driveway of our house. Sadly, they didn't leave the keys (just kidding!), but we've been joking about "Shall we take the car today?" And when we see the Peñas, we say "Thanks again for the car!" It's fun. They're a great family, and I absolutely love them.
This week we're on track to have another fantastic week. We've got lessons planned, and we've got members coming to accompany us. We're going to get to know all of our converts at least by phone if not in person so we can take better care of them. Our responsibility doesn't just end with Baptism, it includes keeping them in the church, but we can't do that without the members. I've written letters to some of my converts from Jerusalén, almost all of whom were baptized after I left! I also wrote to my family from La Corona, and I keep seeing Elder Guandique, because he's also training and we see each other at the training meetings. He became the district leader as well when I left.
Overall, as you can tell, everything is fine here in Guatemala, at least as far as Elder Banks and Elder Luna are concerned. Just like my stake president, President Richards told me, "The mission is the hardest fun you'll ever have." It's true. I love it here. It's not easy, by any stretch of the imagination, but in the Book of Mormon Moroni 7:33 says (translated): "And Christ has said: If ye have faith in me, ye shall have power to do any thing that is convenient in me." I have learned that this is true. If we have not faith, we have nothing. I exhort you to have more faith, and put it into action sharing the Gospel with your friends and family, and for those who can go to the temple, to go often, because the ordinances performed there are part of the same missionary work.
Thank you for your faith, for your love, and for your thoughts and prayers. You will never know how much they are appreciated.
Yours in the faith,
Elder Banks
This has been a pretty great week.
First of all, the conference. Elder Maynes of the Presidency of the Seventy came to the conference, and he and his wife spoke. On the stand were also Elder Falabella, Elder Amado, and Elder Martino, the Area Presidency of Central America. Also on the stand were President Brough, President Watts of the North Mission, President Stay of the South Mission, and President Nikolaysen of the CCM. And their wives. And I was the closest missionary to them, because I was on the Piano! (That also meant that we got front row seats! Normally those are only for the Sisters, but we got to sit there!) They put some pressure on me when they left a half hour before the meeting to play prelude. I thought that there would be another pianist from one of the other missions, but it was just me! I played the prelude and it went off well, as did the opening hymn. The closing hymn was the surprise, and it went pretty well. I played it with mistakes, but I held it together, and I don't think that anybody noticed. President and Sister Brough both told me "Good Job!" afterwards. The message was inspiring, and edifying. I know that I need to keep working hard and not despair!
This Sunday we had a conference that I liked even more. Stake conference. The speakers included President Brough and his wife, President Ocampo, one of the counselors in the Guatemala City Temple Presidency, and Elder Cesar Morales, an area authority seventy from Guatemala. He spoke to us in the CCM, so I knew we would be in for a treat. Every single talk was inspired, and I really felt the Spirit. Stake conferences are amazing here. After the conference, we went to lunch with the Peña family, our neighbors. Bro. Peña is a temple worker, and has cars, so he invited President and Sister Ocampo to lunch as well, before driving them back to Zona 15, where they live near the Temple. So I got to have lunch with a member of the temple presidency!
Sunday we also learned that sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven. We normally don't pass by a certain part of the area (where most of our work is) for investigators, because both the chapel and this neighborhood are far from the house, and it takes a lot of time. This Sunday, we went there to get investigators, and nobody we visited that morning could come to church. After the conference, we saw 2 of our investigators who had arrived late and listened in other rooms of the chapel, who came of their own free will! After that, we had a delicious lunch with a member of the temple presidency, and we had an awesome day. We worked hard. We contacted 26 new people, and we had 7 lessons, and 9 new investigators. That's an awesome day. Once, Elder Caceres showed me his planner from the best day he had in the mission, in which he had 9 lessons, which is basically unheard of. 7 lessons is a lot, and only once have I had more than 9 new investigators in one day. It was literally one of the best days of my mission thus far, and I'm really excited to see what we can do this week!
Now, there's no way we can't go pick up investigators from the area far away, because we need those blessings!
We also had a funny experience this week. To give some background, a few months ago, some members gave me a big umbrella that's red and white and says "Colgate" on it. I recently bought another, because I didn't want to have to carry those colors around all day, and the colgate umbrella had already started to break. I had been lending it to my companion. I walk fast, and he's usually a bit behind me. President Brough taught us that dogs always attack the person in the back. I learned that from experience a few weeks ago, but my companion learned it this week. I walked right past a couple of dogs, and they didn't bother me at all. About 15 seconds later, I heard barking and growling, and turned around to see the dogs bothering my companion. He tried to defend himself with the Colgate umbrella, but the dog bit it, and pulled it away. My companion then backed off, and I told him to leave the umbrella there if he didn't care about it. Nobody was hurt, we just lost an umbrella and got a funny story to tell. The whole thing really did look funny from in front, and we're still laughing about it. My companion has told some of the other missionaries and other people that "A dog ate my umbrella!"
Also, the Peña family ran out of space to park their cars. They have about 7, so they parked one in the driveway of our house. Sadly, they didn't leave the keys (just kidding!), but we've been joking about "Shall we take the car today?" And when we see the Peñas, we say "Thanks again for the car!" It's fun. They're a great family, and I absolutely love them.
This week we're on track to have another fantastic week. We've got lessons planned, and we've got members coming to accompany us. We're going to get to know all of our converts at least by phone if not in person so we can take better care of them. Our responsibility doesn't just end with Baptism, it includes keeping them in the church, but we can't do that without the members. I've written letters to some of my converts from Jerusalén, almost all of whom were baptized after I left! I also wrote to my family from La Corona, and I keep seeing Elder Guandique, because he's also training and we see each other at the training meetings. He became the district leader as well when I left.
Overall, as you can tell, everything is fine here in Guatemala, at least as far as Elder Banks and Elder Luna are concerned. Just like my stake president, President Richards told me, "The mission is the hardest fun you'll ever have." It's true. I love it here. It's not easy, by any stretch of the imagination, but in the Book of Mormon Moroni 7:33 says (translated): "And Christ has said: If ye have faith in me, ye shall have power to do any thing that is convenient in me." I have learned that this is true. If we have not faith, we have nothing. I exhort you to have more faith, and put it into action sharing the Gospel with your friends and family, and for those who can go to the temple, to go often, because the ordinances performed there are part of the same missionary work.
Thank you for your faith, for your love, and for your thoughts and prayers. You will never know how much they are appreciated.
Yours in the faith,
Elder Banks
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Another Great Week
Dear All,
It's been another good week here in La Sonora. We had the confirmations of the two who we baptized last Sunday. Their parents are preparing for baptism, and we're trying to keep looking after them well, so we can get them there this month. It's really cool to see how people change, and apparently they were a lot different before I got here.
We had a good week. We found a few great investigators, including a couple young guys who are brothers. One is 18 and the other is 16, and they're really cool. They have the true desire to investigate and find out what God wants for them, and they're willing to search for it to find it.
It reminds me of a hymn, which is popular here, but a little less popular in the States. It's called "Oh say, what is Truth?"
The first two verses are as follows:
Oh, say, what is truth? 'Tis the fairest gem
that the riches of worlds can produce.
And priceless the value of truth will be when
the proud monarch's costliest diadem
is counted but dross and refuse.
Oh, say, what is truth? 'Tis the brightest prize
to which mortals or gods can aspire.
Go search in the depths where it glittering lies,
or ascend in pursuit to the loftiest skies.
'Tis the aim of the noblest desire.
The other two verses I can't remember in English, so you'll have to look them up in the hymn book. The meaning is the same in Spanish, but it loses the power with the words if I translate it back into English.
So, today I am writing at an earlier hour because we're going to a conference in Montúfar, which is in the center of the capital. I'm still in the capital, but I'm basically in the suburbs, even though they count my zone as the coast. At this conference there will be some general authorities and mission presidents, and basically all the missionaries from Guatemala City. A few weeks ago, President Brough assigned me to play the hymn "We are all Enlisted" in this conference, and I've been practicing. Saturday he called me and told me that they put me on the final agenda playing two hymns: the above, and "Called to Serve." I practiced both like mad yesterday to be able to be prepared for today, and I think it'll go pretty well. President said to me "Now, I don't want you to feel pressure, Elder Banks, but there will be four general authorities and their wives and three mission presidents on the stand." That's pretty big. If I goof up, everyone will know, but the Lord will help me. He's worked miracles with me playing the piano before (see one of my letters from the CCM) and since I've practiced, I expect he'll help me again. President even gave me permission to practice during the week this week, which I did, and it helped a lot.
As for my companion, he's progressing great. I think I said last week that I see a lot of me in him, when I was a new missionary (Wow, I'm not a new missionary anymore!), so we understand each other pretty well. He's learning really fast, and he contacts and teaches pretty well already. I feel like all I have to do is give him a few pointers, set a good example, and teach him the rules. Yes, it's hard sometimes, but "I know that the Lord giveth no commandment unto the Children of Men, save he shall prepare the way that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." (1 Nephi 3:7) I've seen it this week, and since I've been with Elder Luna.
We also had the chance to get to know a few more members this week. We met the Romero family. They're young, and they're really enthusiastic and faithful in the Church. He's on the High Council, and amazing, because he can't be more than about 26 years old. He has a wife and a couple of small kids. We also met the Porras family, who are also great. As missionaries, there's not a lot of time to get to know the members, but it's important because we need them to work with the investigators. Our lessons have so much more power when we have members with us, because it's another testimony that the Church is true, and they can see that members of the Church aren't just monks running around in white shirts all day visiting people, but that we're actually normal people who have jobs and families.
Thank you for your prayers. They are much needed and much appreciated.
Keep the faith. Press forward. Pray always, that you may come off conqueror. (D&C 10:5)
Yours in the faith,
Elder Banks
It's been another good week here in La Sonora. We had the confirmations of the two who we baptized last Sunday. Their parents are preparing for baptism, and we're trying to keep looking after them well, so we can get them there this month. It's really cool to see how people change, and apparently they were a lot different before I got here.
We had a good week. We found a few great investigators, including a couple young guys who are brothers. One is 18 and the other is 16, and they're really cool. They have the true desire to investigate and find out what God wants for them, and they're willing to search for it to find it.
It reminds me of a hymn, which is popular here, but a little less popular in the States. It's called "Oh say, what is Truth?"
The first two verses are as follows:
Oh, say, what is truth? 'Tis the fairest gem
that the riches of worlds can produce.
And priceless the value of truth will be when
the proud monarch's costliest diadem
is counted but dross and refuse.
Oh, say, what is truth? 'Tis the brightest prize
to which mortals or gods can aspire.
Go search in the depths where it glittering lies,
or ascend in pursuit to the loftiest skies.
'Tis the aim of the noblest desire.
The other two verses I can't remember in English, so you'll have to look them up in the hymn book. The meaning is the same in Spanish, but it loses the power with the words if I translate it back into English.
So, today I am writing at an earlier hour because we're going to a conference in Montúfar, which is in the center of the capital. I'm still in the capital, but I'm basically in the suburbs, even though they count my zone as the coast. At this conference there will be some general authorities and mission presidents, and basically all the missionaries from Guatemala City. A few weeks ago, President Brough assigned me to play the hymn "We are all Enlisted" in this conference, and I've been practicing. Saturday he called me and told me that they put me on the final agenda playing two hymns: the above, and "Called to Serve." I practiced both like mad yesterday to be able to be prepared for today, and I think it'll go pretty well. President said to me "Now, I don't want you to feel pressure, Elder Banks, but there will be four general authorities and their wives and three mission presidents on the stand." That's pretty big. If I goof up, everyone will know, but the Lord will help me. He's worked miracles with me playing the piano before (see one of my letters from the CCM) and since I've practiced, I expect he'll help me again. President even gave me permission to practice during the week this week, which I did, and it helped a lot.
As for my companion, he's progressing great. I think I said last week that I see a lot of me in him, when I was a new missionary (Wow, I'm not a new missionary anymore!), so we understand each other pretty well. He's learning really fast, and he contacts and teaches pretty well already. I feel like all I have to do is give him a few pointers, set a good example, and teach him the rules. Yes, it's hard sometimes, but "I know that the Lord giveth no commandment unto the Children of Men, save he shall prepare the way that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." (1 Nephi 3:7) I've seen it this week, and since I've been with Elder Luna.
We also had the chance to get to know a few more members this week. We met the Romero family. They're young, and they're really enthusiastic and faithful in the Church. He's on the High Council, and amazing, because he can't be more than about 26 years old. He has a wife and a couple of small kids. We also met the Porras family, who are also great. As missionaries, there's not a lot of time to get to know the members, but it's important because we need them to work with the investigators. Our lessons have so much more power when we have members with us, because it's another testimony that the Church is true, and they can see that members of the Church aren't just monks running around in white shirts all day visiting people, but that we're actually normal people who have jobs and families.
Thank you for your prayers. They are much needed and much appreciated.
Keep the faith. Press forward. Pray always, that you may come off conqueror. (D&C 10:5)
Yours in the faith,
Elder Banks
 |
| Elder Martinez baptized Helen and Diana, the two daughters. |
 |
| Elder Luna and I baptized the older sister, Marilin, and her husband Carlos. |
 |
| Me and Elder Martinez |
 |
| Me and Elder Guandique |
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
First Week as a Trainer
Dear All,
This has been an amazing week. I have really felt a change come over me. In becoming not just senior companion, but a trainer as well, the charge of basically controlling what happens with our investigators in the area is my responsibility. The Spirit is different being in a leadership position, and it's really an amazing feeling. I really feel like the Spirit is always with us, except for if we're disobedient. Then he leaves and we have to earn his confidence again.
Speaking of confidence, that's something I've really found this week. Both with Elder Martinez and with my new companion, I really feel like this is what I'm here for. I really feel more like I was born to do this, not just that someone found out that I have a testimony and threw me into a strange Central American country (just kidding on that last part). I
really do feel great here, and now I'm going to tell you about my new companion, and the really cool experience we had this Sunday.
My companion is Elder Luna from Puebla, Mexico. He's amazing. Since I'm assigned as a trainer, he's brand new, and he reminds me a little of me when I entered the mission. Just that he's already ahead of where I was. I've already got him contacting, and we're working hard. We're finding new investigators, and we've got some who we hope to be baptizing soon. Since we're in the training program, we've got an hour of extra study time every day, so we can learn lots about the Gospel, and how to be a missionary. It's cool to go back and see what I can learn by going through the training program again, and how I can help Elder Luna to progress as a missionary.
We had a baptism this Sunday, the sister of the girls who were baptized last week, and her husband. I baptized the wife, and my companion baptized the husband the first weekend of his mission. How cool is that?
I feel humbled that the Lord has assigned me to be a trainer, and that he trusts me with part of the future of the Mission. I'm reminded of a quote that Elder Calta shared with me, which I may have shared before, but I'll share it again:
Peter had a temper,
David had an affair outside of marriage,
Moses stuttered,
Saul was a murderer,
Martha stressed herself out,
Jonah ran from God,
Miriam was a gossip,
Zacchaeus was small of stature,
Abraham was old,
and Lazarus was dead.
Now, what's your excuse?
Can God use you, Yes or No?
God doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies the called.
(there are more names, but I don't remember them all.)
I testify that this is true. He's been qualifying me this week to be a trainer. I feel like my entire mission has changed this week, and I feel that it will stay this way, and even keep improving.
I love you all.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!
Yours in the Faith,
Elder Nicholas Banks
P.S. I really want to send pictures, but the internet here is pretty slow as far as uploading goes and makes it difficult. I'll try and send pictures next week.
This has been an amazing week. I have really felt a change come over me. In becoming not just senior companion, but a trainer as well, the charge of basically controlling what happens with our investigators in the area is my responsibility. The Spirit is different being in a leadership position, and it's really an amazing feeling. I really feel like the Spirit is always with us, except for if we're disobedient. Then he leaves and we have to earn his confidence again.
Speaking of confidence, that's something I've really found this week. Both with Elder Martinez and with my new companion, I really feel like this is what I'm here for. I really feel more like I was born to do this, not just that someone found out that I have a testimony and threw me into a strange Central American country (just kidding on that last part). I
really do feel great here, and now I'm going to tell you about my new companion, and the really cool experience we had this Sunday.
My companion is Elder Luna from Puebla, Mexico. He's amazing. Since I'm assigned as a trainer, he's brand new, and he reminds me a little of me when I entered the mission. Just that he's already ahead of where I was. I've already got him contacting, and we're working hard. We're finding new investigators, and we've got some who we hope to be baptizing soon. Since we're in the training program, we've got an hour of extra study time every day, so we can learn lots about the Gospel, and how to be a missionary. It's cool to go back and see what I can learn by going through the training program again, and how I can help Elder Luna to progress as a missionary.
We had a baptism this Sunday, the sister of the girls who were baptized last week, and her husband. I baptized the wife, and my companion baptized the husband the first weekend of his mission. How cool is that?
I feel humbled that the Lord has assigned me to be a trainer, and that he trusts me with part of the future of the Mission. I'm reminded of a quote that Elder Calta shared with me, which I may have shared before, but I'll share it again:
Peter had a temper,
David had an affair outside of marriage,
Moses stuttered,
Saul was a murderer,
Martha stressed herself out,
Jonah ran from God,
Miriam was a gossip,
Zacchaeus was small of stature,
Abraham was old,
and Lazarus was dead.
Now, what's your excuse?
Can God use you, Yes or No?
God doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies the called.
(there are more names, but I don't remember them all.)
I testify that this is true. He's been qualifying me this week to be a trainer. I feel like my entire mission has changed this week, and I feel that it will stay this way, and even keep improving.
I love you all.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!
Yours in the Faith,
Elder Nicholas Banks
P.S. I really want to send pictures, but the internet here is pretty slow as far as uploading goes and makes it difficult. I'll try and send pictures next week.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
First week in Sonora, and Responsibilities
Dear All,
This has been a pretty good week here in Sonora. I've met all of the investigators, and some of the inactives we visit. We've got some appointments today with new people, and we'll be doing divisions with two men from the ward, because today is my companion's last day of proselyting. Tomorrow are the changes, and he will leave for his home.
Speaking of the ward, it's huge. The attendance Sunday was 204, and the mission leader is worried because that was pretty low. It gets as high as 300 sometimes. In my other two areas, 200 would have been a miracle. It reminded me of Utah, honestly. They even have a digital piano that can sound like an organ, so I can play the "organ" in sacrament meeting, which is a first for me in Guatemala. The leaders are great, and I love the members. We have some really great people here, including brother Peña, who will be driving us in his car to the change meeting tomorrow, where I will receive my new companion, and Elder Martinez will be going home.
Also, this ward has a ward choir. The first ward choir I've seen in Guatemala. It's small, but they have some strong singers, and they're full of enthusiasm. The other elders had a baptism on Sunday, and I had the chance to be able to accompany them, which was fun. Sis. Soto, the choir director, asked me to practice with the choir, but it's at the same time as our missionary correlation with the ward, so I can't. That's okay, though.
Speaking of my new companion, President Brough called me Wednesday night. He cut right to the chase. "Elder Banks, your Heavenly Father has called you to train." I will be helping a new missionary to do what I did just 7 1/2 short months ago. It's a big responsibility, and I'm pretty nervous, but I'm also kind of excited in a way. It will be hard, but if the Lord has called me to do it, he will make it so I will be able to do it. My previous companion, Elder Guandique, will also be training, which is probably why President separated us. He will be training in La Corona, and I will be training here in Sonora 1.
Saturday, we had some baptisms. We went to the chapel about 10am to get the font filling. It fills fast enough, but we needed to set up chairs, and get everything ready. If they want hot water, we have to take a few hours to let the heaters run so the people don't freeze. We baptized two girls, Helen and Diana. Their older sister and her husband are going to be baptized this Sunday, and their parents will hopefully be baptized soon. I really love their family, and I am going to work to get every one of them into the waters of baptism. Baptism is the only entrance into the path that leads to eternal life, and after entering the Temple, to an eternal family as well.
But when we went to fill the font, my companion found a bird inside the chapel. Someone had left a window open, and it had gotten into the baptismal room. We opened the window and got it out of the building, but not before it left me a present all over my tie. It washed right off, and it was pretty funny.
We just came from a really great district meeting, where we shared testimonies, and the Spirit was definitely in attendance. It was a really great experience.
Overall, this is a great area. My great copmanion will be leaving, but I'll receive another. I'm humbled because the Lord, as well as President Brough, have a lot of confidence in me to have called me to train another missionary. I don't feel ready, but the Lord knows better than I do.
I am reminded of a poem:
"Come to the edge," he said.
They said, "We are afraid."
"Come to the edge," he said.
They came.
He pushed them, and they flew.
Those who love us may well push us when we are ready to fly.
-Guillaume Apollinaire
Also, it doesn't seem like I'll be completing 9 months as a missionary this week, but that's what happens. Time flies in the work of the Lord.
I know our Heavenly Father lives, as does his son, Jesus Christ, who suffered and died, atoning for all of our sins, errors, mistakes, and pains. They love us immensely, and are active in our lives. I know I'm where the Lord wants me to be at this time, in this place. Even though it's hard sometimes, there's no place I would rather be, because the Lord wants me here.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Also, thank you for your letters. I have about 4 or 5 letters sitting on my desk that I need to respond to, and I will do so as soon as I have time.
Yours in the Faith,
Elder Nicholas Banks
This has been a pretty good week here in Sonora. I've met all of the investigators, and some of the inactives we visit. We've got some appointments today with new people, and we'll be doing divisions with two men from the ward, because today is my companion's last day of proselyting. Tomorrow are the changes, and he will leave for his home.
Speaking of the ward, it's huge. The attendance Sunday was 204, and the mission leader is worried because that was pretty low. It gets as high as 300 sometimes. In my other two areas, 200 would have been a miracle. It reminded me of Utah, honestly. They even have a digital piano that can sound like an organ, so I can play the "organ" in sacrament meeting, which is a first for me in Guatemala. The leaders are great, and I love the members. We have some really great people here, including brother Peña, who will be driving us in his car to the change meeting tomorrow, where I will receive my new companion, and Elder Martinez will be going home.
Also, this ward has a ward choir. The first ward choir I've seen in Guatemala. It's small, but they have some strong singers, and they're full of enthusiasm. The other elders had a baptism on Sunday, and I had the chance to be able to accompany them, which was fun. Sis. Soto, the choir director, asked me to practice with the choir, but it's at the same time as our missionary correlation with the ward, so I can't. That's okay, though.
Speaking of my new companion, President Brough called me Wednesday night. He cut right to the chase. "Elder Banks, your Heavenly Father has called you to train." I will be helping a new missionary to do what I did just 7 1/2 short months ago. It's a big responsibility, and I'm pretty nervous, but I'm also kind of excited in a way. It will be hard, but if the Lord has called me to do it, he will make it so I will be able to do it. My previous companion, Elder Guandique, will also be training, which is probably why President separated us. He will be training in La Corona, and I will be training here in Sonora 1.
Saturday, we had some baptisms. We went to the chapel about 10am to get the font filling. It fills fast enough, but we needed to set up chairs, and get everything ready. If they want hot water, we have to take a few hours to let the heaters run so the people don't freeze. We baptized two girls, Helen and Diana. Their older sister and her husband are going to be baptized this Sunday, and their parents will hopefully be baptized soon. I really love their family, and I am going to work to get every one of them into the waters of baptism. Baptism is the only entrance into the path that leads to eternal life, and after entering the Temple, to an eternal family as well.
But when we went to fill the font, my companion found a bird inside the chapel. Someone had left a window open, and it had gotten into the baptismal room. We opened the window and got it out of the building, but not before it left me a present all over my tie. It washed right off, and it was pretty funny.
We just came from a really great district meeting, where we shared testimonies, and the Spirit was definitely in attendance. It was a really great experience.
Overall, this is a great area. My great copmanion will be leaving, but I'll receive another. I'm humbled because the Lord, as well as President Brough, have a lot of confidence in me to have called me to train another missionary. I don't feel ready, but the Lord knows better than I do.
I am reminded of a poem:
"Come to the edge," he said.
They said, "We are afraid."
"Come to the edge," he said.
They came.
He pushed them, and they flew.
Those who love us may well push us when we are ready to fly.
-Guillaume Apollinaire
Also, it doesn't seem like I'll be completing 9 months as a missionary this week, but that's what happens. Time flies in the work of the Lord.
I know our Heavenly Father lives, as does his son, Jesus Christ, who suffered and died, atoning for all of our sins, errors, mistakes, and pains. They love us immensely, and are active in our lives. I know I'm where the Lord wants me to be at this time, in this place. Even though it's hard sometimes, there's no place I would rather be, because the Lord wants me here.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Also, thank you for your letters. I have about 4 or 5 letters sitting on my desk that I need to respond to, and I will do so as soon as I have time.
Yours in the Faith,
Elder Nicholas Banks
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Elder Amado, Transfers, and Elder Martinez
Dear All,
Some pretty big things have happened this week, so I'll start in chronological order.
Thursday: We went to a zone conference where Elder Carlos H. Amado spoke to us. He is a Seventy, one of the counselors in the Central America Area Presidency of the Church. He gave us some amazing inspiring instruction, and at the same time, he was really funny. He told us some jokes, but the greatest thing was that what he taught me, he didn't say. The Spirit indicated it to me.
I also had the opportunity to direct a basically impromptu choir number in the same conference. We sang the EFY medley of "As Sisters in Zion" and "We'll bring the world his truth" in Spanish, with part in English. It went over really well and really invited the Spirit.
The other big news was that President Brough called us Thursday night. First, he asked me "Elder Banks, I heard you know how to play the Piano. Is that true?" I told him yes, and he asked me to play an intermediate hymn in a conference we're going to have in June. I'm excited, but also pretty nervous, since it'll be in front of a lot of people. But it'll be good. I know I'll be able to do it.
After the deal with the piano, President Brough said "This next part I don't think you're going to like so much." The next part was news of a transfer. My transfer. As of yesterday, I am no longer in La Corona, Zona Villa Hermosa. I am in Sonora 1, Zona Amatitlan. This transfer is out of the ordinary because there were some changes in the mission, and the President shuffled around some of the Elders, sending me here. He told me I may go back for the weekend to La Corona, but I don't think it'll happen. Nor do I want it to. I'm here now, I want to focus on here. Here, by the way, is counted as the Coast, but it's basically still the Capital. My comp said we can see Peronia (Jerusalén) from the roof of the house, and I could see Lake Amatitlan from Jerusalén. Therefore, as I consider it, I'm still in the Capital. Lake Amatitlan is NOT Lake Atitlan, which is commonly considered to be the Waters of Mormon from the Book of Mormon. Lake Atitlan is in the mountains, in a zone called Sololá, also part of the Central Mission.
My companion here in Amatitlan is Elder Martinez from Honduras. He and I have already really hit it off, and we have something in common, because he was in Jerusalén about a year before I was. He baptized some of our favorite families there, and it was really great. He and I work well together, but the bad news is that the official transfers are next Wednesday, and he goes home. His time is finished. He's still giving it all he's got which is amazing.
Since he goes home, I have this week to learn the area, meet the members and investigators, and be able to teach it to a new companion. The President hinted that I may be receiving a junior companion. This will be a big challenge, but I also think it will be a great blessing. After all, if things are easy, we should be worried, because God always teaches us in our challenges. Like President Eyring mentioned in General Conference, I think it was President Kimball that said "Give me another mountain." This will be my mountain for the time being, and it will be a good one. We've got tons of support here, and it's a beautiful place. The chapel is basically a stake center, even though it's not actually the stake center, and there are 2 wards and 8 missionaries just here in this chapel. The Sonora ward, where I am serving, has an average attendance of around 250, which is HUGE. The Bishopric and Mission Leader are apparently also amazing (I haven't met them yet) so it looks like we've got plenty of support. And the investigators I've met are really amazing. There's a great family whose daughters are going to be baptized this weekend, and the parents probably as well, but they have to make a firm decision.
Overall, I'm happy, and a bit nervous, but I know it's not President Brough that put me here, it's the Lord. He has a purpose, and he has a plan. In addition, I am doing my best to take the attitude of Nephi from the Book of Mormon when he said "...I will go and do the things which the Lord has commanded. For I know that the Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men save he shall prepare the way that they may accomplish the thing which he hath commanded them." (1 Nephi 3:7) I know that the Lord will help me, and that through him, all things are possible.
Thank you for your prayers.
I love you all!
Yours in the Faith,
Elder Nicholas Banks
Some pretty big things have happened this week, so I'll start in chronological order.
Thursday: We went to a zone conference where Elder Carlos H. Amado spoke to us. He is a Seventy, one of the counselors in the Central America Area Presidency of the Church. He gave us some amazing inspiring instruction, and at the same time, he was really funny. He told us some jokes, but the greatest thing was that what he taught me, he didn't say. The Spirit indicated it to me.
I also had the opportunity to direct a basically impromptu choir number in the same conference. We sang the EFY medley of "As Sisters in Zion" and "We'll bring the world his truth" in Spanish, with part in English. It went over really well and really invited the Spirit.
The other big news was that President Brough called us Thursday night. First, he asked me "Elder Banks, I heard you know how to play the Piano. Is that true?" I told him yes, and he asked me to play an intermediate hymn in a conference we're going to have in June. I'm excited, but also pretty nervous, since it'll be in front of a lot of people. But it'll be good. I know I'll be able to do it.
After the deal with the piano, President Brough said "This next part I don't think you're going to like so much." The next part was news of a transfer. My transfer. As of yesterday, I am no longer in La Corona, Zona Villa Hermosa. I am in Sonora 1, Zona Amatitlan. This transfer is out of the ordinary because there were some changes in the mission, and the President shuffled around some of the Elders, sending me here. He told me I may go back for the weekend to La Corona, but I don't think it'll happen. Nor do I want it to. I'm here now, I want to focus on here. Here, by the way, is counted as the Coast, but it's basically still the Capital. My comp said we can see Peronia (Jerusalén) from the roof of the house, and I could see Lake Amatitlan from Jerusalén. Therefore, as I consider it, I'm still in the Capital. Lake Amatitlan is NOT Lake Atitlan, which is commonly considered to be the Waters of Mormon from the Book of Mormon. Lake Atitlan is in the mountains, in a zone called Sololá, also part of the Central Mission.
My companion here in Amatitlan is Elder Martinez from Honduras. He and I have already really hit it off, and we have something in common, because he was in Jerusalén about a year before I was. He baptized some of our favorite families there, and it was really great. He and I work well together, but the bad news is that the official transfers are next Wednesday, and he goes home. His time is finished. He's still giving it all he's got which is amazing.
Since he goes home, I have this week to learn the area, meet the members and investigators, and be able to teach it to a new companion. The President hinted that I may be receiving a junior companion. This will be a big challenge, but I also think it will be a great blessing. After all, if things are easy, we should be worried, because God always teaches us in our challenges. Like President Eyring mentioned in General Conference, I think it was President Kimball that said "Give me another mountain." This will be my mountain for the time being, and it will be a good one. We've got tons of support here, and it's a beautiful place. The chapel is basically a stake center, even though it's not actually the stake center, and there are 2 wards and 8 missionaries just here in this chapel. The Sonora ward, where I am serving, has an average attendance of around 250, which is HUGE. The Bishopric and Mission Leader are apparently also amazing (I haven't met them yet) so it looks like we've got plenty of support. And the investigators I've met are really amazing. There's a great family whose daughters are going to be baptized this weekend, and the parents probably as well, but they have to make a firm decision.
Overall, I'm happy, and a bit nervous, but I know it's not President Brough that put me here, it's the Lord. He has a purpose, and he has a plan. In addition, I am doing my best to take the attitude of Nephi from the Book of Mormon when he said "...I will go and do the things which the Lord has commanded. For I know that the Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men save he shall prepare the way that they may accomplish the thing which he hath commanded them." (1 Nephi 3:7) I know that the Lord will help me, and that through him, all things are possible.
Thank you for your prayers.
I love you all!
Yours in the Faith,
Elder Nicholas Banks
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Baptism and Mother's Day
Hello All,
It's been another fantastic week here in Guatemala.
First of all, we had some baptisms. We had been teaching some 8-year-old kids whose parents are members. It turns out that they weren't investigators, but one of the kids asked me to baptize him. The other two asked their uncle, Luis, to baptize them. It was a really neat experience, especially being the first time I actually had the opportunity to baptize someone.
Our chapel doesn't have a baptismal font, so we had to go to the stake center to use the font there. While there, we ran into the lawyer who is going to marry a family that we're going to baptize next week. The family was there as well, and they had some questions for her, so they chatted, then we talked to her for a minute, and she casually mentioned that she had just come from Jerusalén, marrying some couples there as well. I asked her a couple of names, and she said that they were who she had just married. I worked with this family for my whole 6 months there, and they were about to get married and baptized when I left. She told me that they had been baptized as well, which was amazing news for me! I was so happy to hear that Jairon and Vilma had chosen to enter the waters of baptism, and start on the path that leads to an eternal family! Apparently, after she marries the couple here in Ciudad Real, she's going to return to Jerusalén the same day to marry yet another couple. How cool is that?
Those were really the biggest events of this past week. Yesterday we had a good, relaxing P-Day, which was a nice change. We've been pretty busy the last few weeks.
The other big news, of course, was the Mother's Day phone call. It was really great to talk to the family, and to tell them everything that's been happening here in Guate.
We also had the chance to have a lesson with a new investigator yesterday. His name is Wilmar, and he's a good friend of one of the families in the ward. He's 16, and he looks pretty rebellious on the outside, but on the inside, he appears to have a good heart, and a true desire to do the right. I'm excited to continue teaching him, and I think he'll be baptized if we take good care of him. We've talked to him a few times before in the street, and he came to church once as well, and really liked it. He seems really cool and I'm stoked to help him come unto Christ.
The family who will be baptized this Sunday is the Hernandez family. They're really, really great. They even invited us to lunch last Saturday. We'll be working hard this week to make sure that the two parents, as well as their 8-year-old daughter, are prepared to be baptized. They also have a 1-year-old son, but he's got to wait about 7 years until he can be baptized! I love the whole family, and I'm really excited to see them make covenants with our Heavenly Father.
In the past few months, I've realized how much I really love this Gospel. First of all, it's true, and second of all, it makes so much sense. It answers all the important questions we may have as to what we need to do here to be able to dwell with God once we leave this world, and how we can become eternal families. I love it because I know it's true. I know there are people here waiting for it, and it's my job to find them. After all, who doesn't want eternal happiness? There's only one way to find it, and that's through the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. Knowing and living the Gospel, and the Commandments of God is the only way we can be happy. Not just after this life, but right now, we can feel peace and security in knowing where we may go, and what we need to do right now. I tell you this because I've found the happiness (i.e. the Gospel). If you haven't found it, or you don't think it makes you that happy, seek it. Once you've found it, seek to understand it better, and I promise you, you will find peace. No matter what mistakes you may have made, you have a Heavenly Father and a Savior waiting to forgive you and help you to be better, and to obtain the happiness, the joy, the peace, and the security that will make you shout for joy!
As Christ told his apostles, "Come unto me, all ye who are labored or heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, for I am meek and lowly of heart, and you will find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
I testify to you that these things are true. Don't be afraid of God or his will, but remember how much he loves you. He is your father, and he misses you, and wants you to come back home to him. Trust in him, hand him your burdens, and he will help you to overcome, and to do so with a smile on your face!
I love you all. You are amazing. Never forget that you are a child of God, and he loves you more than is possible to describe.
Thank you for your prayers. The results are being seen very strongly here in the mission.
Yours in the Faith,
Elder Nicholas Banks
It's been another fantastic week here in Guatemala.
First of all, we had some baptisms. We had been teaching some 8-year-old kids whose parents are members. It turns out that they weren't investigators, but one of the kids asked me to baptize him. The other two asked their uncle, Luis, to baptize them. It was a really neat experience, especially being the first time I actually had the opportunity to baptize someone.
Our chapel doesn't have a baptismal font, so we had to go to the stake center to use the font there. While there, we ran into the lawyer who is going to marry a family that we're going to baptize next week. The family was there as well, and they had some questions for her, so they chatted, then we talked to her for a minute, and she casually mentioned that she had just come from Jerusalén, marrying some couples there as well. I asked her a couple of names, and she said that they were who she had just married. I worked with this family for my whole 6 months there, and they were about to get married and baptized when I left. She told me that they had been baptized as well, which was amazing news for me! I was so happy to hear that Jairon and Vilma had chosen to enter the waters of baptism, and start on the path that leads to an eternal family! Apparently, after she marries the couple here in Ciudad Real, she's going to return to Jerusalén the same day to marry yet another couple. How cool is that?
Those were really the biggest events of this past week. Yesterday we had a good, relaxing P-Day, which was a nice change. We've been pretty busy the last few weeks.
The other big news, of course, was the Mother's Day phone call. It was really great to talk to the family, and to tell them everything that's been happening here in Guate.
We also had the chance to have a lesson with a new investigator yesterday. His name is Wilmar, and he's a good friend of one of the families in the ward. He's 16, and he looks pretty rebellious on the outside, but on the inside, he appears to have a good heart, and a true desire to do the right. I'm excited to continue teaching him, and I think he'll be baptized if we take good care of him. We've talked to him a few times before in the street, and he came to church once as well, and really liked it. He seems really cool and I'm stoked to help him come unto Christ.
The family who will be baptized this Sunday is the Hernandez family. They're really, really great. They even invited us to lunch last Saturday. We'll be working hard this week to make sure that the two parents, as well as their 8-year-old daughter, are prepared to be baptized. They also have a 1-year-old son, but he's got to wait about 7 years until he can be baptized! I love the whole family, and I'm really excited to see them make covenants with our Heavenly Father.
In the past few months, I've realized how much I really love this Gospel. First of all, it's true, and second of all, it makes so much sense. It answers all the important questions we may have as to what we need to do here to be able to dwell with God once we leave this world, and how we can become eternal families. I love it because I know it's true. I know there are people here waiting for it, and it's my job to find them. After all, who doesn't want eternal happiness? There's only one way to find it, and that's through the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. Knowing and living the Gospel, and the Commandments of God is the only way we can be happy. Not just after this life, but right now, we can feel peace and security in knowing where we may go, and what we need to do right now. I tell you this because I've found the happiness (i.e. the Gospel). If you haven't found it, or you don't think it makes you that happy, seek it. Once you've found it, seek to understand it better, and I promise you, you will find peace. No matter what mistakes you may have made, you have a Heavenly Father and a Savior waiting to forgive you and help you to be better, and to obtain the happiness, the joy, the peace, and the security that will make you shout for joy!
As Christ told his apostles, "Come unto me, all ye who are labored or heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, for I am meek and lowly of heart, and you will find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
I testify to you that these things are true. Don't be afraid of God or his will, but remember how much he loves you. He is your father, and he misses you, and wants you to come back home to him. Trust in him, hand him your burdens, and he will help you to overcome, and to do so with a smile on your face!
I love you all. You are amazing. Never forget that you are a child of God, and he loves you more than is possible to describe.
Thank you for your prayers. The results are being seen very strongly here in the mission.
Yours in the Faith,
Elder Nicholas Banks
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