I love writing home about all our AWESOME miracles! This week has beeeeeeen beautiful! :D

We went on exchanges with our Sister Training Leaders, I stayed in my area and hna Jones went to Vista. We set 2 1/2 baptism dates! We went to visit a guy we contacted before and Hna W and I made it into a game. We both set goals for the lesson and whoever did the best had to buy the other a snocone. My goals were smiling while teaching (I focus too much on the Spanish and look angry when I'm trying to teach this beautiful message haha) and not correcting my Spanish. Hna Whicker talks a lot so her goal was to teach simply in 3 sentences. We both FAILED hahahaha it was SO hard! But the main goal was to teach a brief but effective Restoration lesson and invite to be baptized and we did! August 24. Then we went to visit J, she was raised in the church but never had the chance to be baptized. We thought something that would hold her back was she was living with the father of her child and we thought they weren't married buuuuut as of December I guess they are! So we read in the BOM about baptism and invited her to be baptized on August 24. She was s excited she said yes that's what Ive always wanted, I feel like I have the Spirit with me sometimes but it's only half way and I want my husband to understand that its a commitment, im not just going to get baptized and then quit going to church. She just has to find a way to get Sundays off of work. :D Annnnd we got a member referral who said a young lady wanted to meet with us. We had to skip language study for it but it was sooooo worth it! Her name is L, she's 17 and friends with Hna A's son because they do track together. She straight up told us she was to change to Mormon. Shes English speaking so we went ahead and taught her the first lesson but explained we'd have to send the English missionaries after. She's so excited to learn. She already had a BOM, For Strength of Youth, and Faith in God for girls hahaha all in her backpack! She said she wants to be baptized but needs to talk with her family first. Shes so cute! She told me before we left, "I was kinda scared to come because S wasnt here. but then I realized you were young and pretty so it was okay." hahahahaha! We taught E, shes pretty much a dry Mormon, comes t church ever Sunday with her girls, watches GC, todos. Weve talked about baptism several times but she always says theres things in her life she needs to fix but we knew there was something deeper, we just couldnt get it out of her! Hna W helped us find her concern so we now have more direction on how we can help her reach the waters of baptism. Yay!

We set ANOTHER baptismal date after the exchange with V. August 24 tambien! Im so excited he's golden! Im so glad we've followed the spirit in finding him.

We had another lesson with J (25) and A (18) and it was great. We taught the Restoration and they really liked it. J has been through a lot but is trying to change and get everything back in order. He has so much potential. A has a close friend whos a member but she wasnt able to make it to our cita. We invited them both to be baptized but Juan is afraid hes going to do it and then screw up again and doesnt want to do that. So we asked him to pray and read the BOM to find more peace about it. When we asked A he said hes learning a lot and then J TESTIFIED to his little brother. It was beautiful. He said Ive made a lot of mistakes in my life but youve been the strong one in the family and learned from my mistakes and youre propable the best one out of our whole family and I know that baptism will just make you even stronger and help you stay on the right path. MAN! The power of a brother testifying what so incredible. J gave the closing prayer and thanked God for putting us in his path so he could learn more and have this conversation with his brother that he probably wouldnt have otherwise. awwww!

We taught R again! We hadnt heard from him in awhile so we stopped by his house Saturday night to invite him to church. He said he was debating on going and when we showed up he knew he needed to go. We set expectations and told him we're hear to teach and help him but if he doesnt want to learn anymore then thats okay but our purpose as misisonaries is to help him learn but we cant do that if he always cancels citas or doesnt do his part. So we set a cita for after church and we invited our ward mission leader to come with us. We had planned to teach the plan only because that was the next lesson (bad on our part we teach people NOT lessons) we told R (mission Leader) and he was like do you think thats what he really needs? We were like NO! We both could not study for him that morning we were stumped something just wasnt right. So R helped us figure out what he needs and make a game plan. We had our lesson and R laid it down on him (in love of course) but pretty much talked about diligence, line upon line, todos. He asked him where he wants to see himself in 2 years spiritually and what hes going to do to get there. So he now understands he has to do his part to see changes in his life and to get closer to God. We stressed how much potential we see in him and R even told him that he can see him being not just a member of the church but a leader. And its true! It was a great lesson and we will be teaching him tonight and working on setting a baptismal date he can work towards. :) Say a prayer for us!

We went to our apointment with L (the first baptismal date we set this week) and he wasnt home. BUT we were still in the right place at the right time because a member walked by who lives near him and we asked him how he was doing. He said not very good. he has a son hes been having a lot of problems with the last 2 years, he told us thats why he didnt come to church because they got in a fist fight and he was angry. I had just gotten a letter from my brother the day before that was so powerful describing the changes hes making in his life. I was able to testify to him with so much power that I know for a fact people can change. I told him I know how he feels and I understand how hard it is on the family. I told him Ive always had a spot in my heart for Alan because he does remind me of my brother. Hno R was like I understand now why youve been the one always trying to push him along, inviting him to church and lessons when everyone else just gave up. I told him that is the reason because I know he can change. I know because Ive seen the changes in my brothers life and Im going to help his son. He thanked us and gave us a time we can come over this week. I know A is one of the people Ive been sent her to rescue and Ive been pleading with the Lord to help me find a way to do that.

Our Zone Leaders were so excited this week because we met almost every single one of our goals. It was the best week so far. We worked so hard and stayed focused and Heavenly Father blessed us so much!

Man, how great is this work of our Lord and Savior?!

This week has been insane but great all at the same time. The good times outweigh the bad. Seems to be the theme every week of the mission. :)

Our district just hiked up this super steep hill that felt like a mountain today. It was intense. My calves hurt and I looked like a Mexican by the time we got to the bottom again I was so dirty haha I only almost died like 5 times but it was an adventure! So fun and then we ate donuts to make up for all the calories we burned ;)

We're teaching a lady named E, her 7 year old daughter said she wants to be a missionary just like us. :) CUTE!

We contacted a family the other day and had a beautiful miracle with them. This little 8 year old girl named L and her brother J and his girlfriend C. They said we could come back and we tried and tried but they were always busy so we've just been teaching L. She loves us and loves learning about God. One day we were teaching her and J said dont worry we want to hear what you have to say, come back tomorrow at this time. We were like well okay! We went there the next day and L answered the door and said they were about to fall asleep. We said we'd try another time but L was like "well you can just teach me if you want!" We had already taught her the restoration so we went back to the car to get the plan pics we use to teach kids the plan of salvation. We started teaching her and she was like hmmm wait a second im gonna go see if theyre awake. They were so she made them come outside and learn with her. She's our little angel miracle worker. The plan ended up being exactly what J and C needed to hear. If we had started with the Resto with them I dont think they would have felt the spirit as strong and allowed us back. But the plan ended up being perfect. In the beginning J said i just want to know what my purpose is in this life. We promised him if he would listen to our message he will feel and know what it is. By the end he said I feel something, something different, I dont know how to describe it but it feel good. He asked his girlfriend how she felt and she said good too. I testified to them that that was the Holy Ghost testifying that what we're teaching them is true and it is of God. J said I know what my purpose is I need to keep learning from you guys I need this in my life and this will give my mom the peace she needs to be able to leave us without worry because she'll know that I know God. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL! Our little angel didnt even stay for the whole lesson but she asked for a Spanish BOM so she can read with her mom. We LOVE  her!!!

We finally taught R! Hes the one who chased us down for the BOM awhile back. He comitted to baptism but not a date yet. We'll keep working with him :)

We taught V! We found him awhile back right when he found out he had cancer. He's been in the hospital ever since but we walked past his house and I felt prompted to knock his door again. He was home and feeling better and said we could come back Sunday. We did and shared the Resto with him and he comitted to baptism as well! He said hes coming to church this Sunday as well. Yay!

The work is going great here and it's amazing to see how Heavenly Father has every tine detail planned out so perfectly. I know this church is true. Every bit of it. The work is joyful, it's hard some days but these beautiful miracles make up for it even more! We walk when we don't want to walk and we talk when we don't want to talk. I love being a missionary and I love serving my Heavenly Father.

I got a blessing the other day from our DL and a part that really stuck out to me was that I need to push forward and keep working hard to find those that I promised Heavenly Father in the pre-existence that I would help find the Gospel. Tears came to my eyes as I realized this was the reason I've always had such a powerful desire to serve a mission. I promised to before I even came to earth!

Hermana Gutknecht :D

Greenie Break!

Wow. One of the most trying, insane, tiring, growing, learning, miracle weeks of the mission. I don't even know where to begin...

Tuesday we said goodbye to President and Sister Cook. We had a special transfer meeting to say goodbye and switch things around to get ready to welcome President and Sister Kendrick today. Hermana Schwegler got switched to English work... =O She was sad but she loves the work more than the language so I know she'll be okay. Remember that Hermana I went on an exchange with that was older than me in the mission but I had better Spanish? She's my companion now... Needless to say it was rough the first few days. She's Senior Companion but I feel like I am because it's in my area so I know the people and I have to be the one to plan know where to go because she's still leanring the area. I know that Heavenly Father prepared me for this through all the exchanges I went on taking "the lead" in my area.  But it was still REALLY hard.  Tears were shed, overwhelming feelings of fear, hesitation, doubt, frustration, todos. But prayer, dilligence, and hard work can fix anything! I was trained well, I know how to work, and I know how to rely on the Lord. We're both really young in the mission so sometimes it's hard to communicate in Spanish because we're both at about the same level. But I've noticed when it's something important, we're able to understand, when it's not then we don't as much but that's okay. The Holy Ghost helps us understand what we need in order to do the work. It took a few days to get on our feet but we ended up seeing miracles and having one of the best weeks we've had in awhile! I'd been praying for paciencia and Heavenly Father answered haha He's so funny sometimes. :p As I pray for paciencia (I dont know how to spell that in english anymore) and love for my companion and the people, I'm able to recognize more clearly the attributes they have that Heavenly Father loves about them. I'm learning the true meaning of "the pure love of Christ." It's crazy how much my feelings have changed for people and how I can see the good more than the annoying things that don't really matter. 

We had 4 investigators at church on Sunday! The most we've had all transfer! Miracle? I think, yes. 

C and C! Oh my goodness they are golden! They told us that they had been going to a church previously and just didn't feel right about it. They decided it was between Jehovahs Witness or Mormon. They felt like they should go to the Mormon church so they walked to the church on a weekday, banged on the door but no one was there. They wanted to know how to contact someone from this church. The landscaping people were there and told them what time it opened on Sundays, so the next Sunday they were there. They went to the English service 3 times and said they felt like this was the true church, the feeling there was different than anything, they found the love and peace they were searching for. They found out that we services in Spanish and they searched for the missionaries. They found us and asked us to teach them. We've been teaching them ever since, they come to church every Sunday, and always tell us how much they love us for helping them know the truth. We just have to finish teaching them and they'll be baptized soon! Beautiful miracle!

We have a lot of investigators who want to be baptized but something is holding them back. We're trying to find their concerns or doubts but man, it's tough sometimes! We picked up 4 new investigators this week, Escondido is the land of miracles! 

We're praying for 3 baptisms this transfer! We've been working our faces off, Heavenly Father is going to bless us to help these people come unto Him. Im so tired. But I feel like a real missionary now without my trainer, doing everything on my own. (well with the help of my comp and the Holy Ghost of course)

We contacted this man in his yard, he was looking at us so I just said Hola como esta? and he was so surprised he was like you speak spanish? We were like of course! He died laughing he was like that's so cool I would have never guessed you two white girls could speak spanish! We invited him to English class because he wasn't interested in our message BUT maybe something will come out of it if he comes. :)

It's been a rough week, I'm exhausted, but I feel good about the work we're doing here. I know Heavenly Father is pleased. :)

LOVE YOU ALLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Well tomorrow I lose my trainer and my title as a "greenie" SAD! It's been a fast 2 transfers and I got gipped a week because of the mission split :( But my trainer is so good she trained me in 11 weeks easy! I'm going to miss her so much, she's taught me so much and is such an example to me. I've learned so much be the small things she does every day, she has so many attributes of Christ that makes her such an amazing missionary. I want to be like her when I grow up! :D 

Missionary work is so amazing. There is so many changes being made to allow us to more fully help the Lord hasten His work. It's such an exciting time to be a missionary, I'm so blessed to be out here to watch everything change! In the Guia of the Spanish BOM it says so simply that missionary work is by word AND example. Never forget how much you can influence someone by your actions. Strive every day to develop attributes of Christ: Faith, Hope, Charity & Love, Virtue, Patience, Humility, Diligence, and Obedience. Pray for them as they are gifts from God that He will help you develop as you pray and try every day to develop these attributes. Member missionary work is SO important. If you lead by example, others will notice and desire what you possess. Full-time missionaries are here to assist YOU in helping YOUR friends learn the Gospel. This is so much more useful than us knocking door after door. So Members, get involved! Get excited about helping the Lord gather the harvest. Even if you don't think someone is interested, lead by example, open your mouth and invite! You have a responsibility as a member of the church to share the Gospel. You know how happy you are with the Gospel in your life, you know the joy this knowledge brings, why not share it with everyone? 

Also, I know I can't even talk about this because I was a failure at it, but as a missionary I now see the HUGE importance of Home and Visiting teaching! We're having a very hard time in our ward right now. We have the highest baptizing ward but awful retention! Missionaries can't do it all. We need the members help in fellowshipping new members and visiting inactives to help them remember what they're missing. GO VISIT YOUR FAMILIES! Right now! :D

Man, I love serving the Lord everyday! I've come to realize that we're really not teaching anything new. We are all literally spirit children of God, and because of this the Holy Ghost can testify to our spirits of truth. Before this life we all heard our Heavenly Father explain this beautiful plan He has for us, at the veil we forgot all these things so we have to walk by faith in this life. Our Spirits haven't forgotten though, as missionaries we're actually just teaching our brothers and sisters things they have already heard before this life, and the Holy Ghost can testify to them, through us, that it is of God. Amazing, right?! 

We have been finding a lot of people to teach but none are progressing towards baptism right now. We continue working with them but they have to be ready to hear and accept our message. We've had to drop a few beautiful families but we know in our hearts, one day another set of missionaries will find them again at a time that they are ready to accept the Gospel. We're planting seeds so no worries. :) 

The church is true! I see a witness of that every single day! 

Times flying!

Well I'm almost not a Greenie anymore! Time issssss FLYING! 

We are finally done with all the exchanges this transfer. SEVEN. Sheesh. I'm worn out! But we had companionship inventory this week and Hna Schwegler told me that she knows God put me with her because He knew she needed someone who knew how to do missionary work and wouldn't break under pressure and she's thankful for me and how much I've helped her this transfer. She said she's learned a lot from me and my diligence as a missionary and that I've changed and grown so much she can already see. She said I'm going to do great things in this mission if I keep working as hard as I do. :) d'awwww 

We had a huge Spanish conference the other week and went on a mission wide exchange, just the Spanish missionaries. I went with Hna Lithgoe who used to be comps with my trainer. She said she learned a lot from me about obeying promptings from the Holy Ghost. Because in a contact a guy seemed a bit iffy about us but he brought up family and I felt prompted to talk about FHE and then he said we could come back and teach him more about how he can have his family closer together. :) And We contacted these two Mexican men they were crazy haha but one was really sincere and when we were about to walk away I felt the prompting to give him a BOM so I went back and told him I wanted to give this to him and explained a little about it, told him it was free and testified that if he reads and prays about it he will feel Gods love and spirit stronger than ever. He asked me to write our number in it in case he has any questions, because he's always working and doesn't live in his area so we couldnt schedule and appointment to see him. I handed it to him and I will never forget the look on his face. It was as if I had given him the most precious gift in the world, and in reality I did. He was so thankful, it was a beautiful moment in my mission to see a change in someone within 5 mins of talking. Also on this exchange we got to help push a lady's car out of the road when it broke down because she recognized us and knew we would help. :) Pushing a car in a skirt with a BOM in one hand, what a sight!

R, the guy who chased us down for a BOM, has come to a baptism, all 3 hours of church, and the Fathers day activity! We haven't even taught him a whole lesson yet! haha The ward is doing so great welcoming him in. We have an apt with him tomorrow so we can finally teach him! 

C, the first person I comitted to be baptized came to a baptism WITH HER ENTIRE FAMILY! :D She got a new side job of tailoring clothes, not a lot but maybe it can help her be able to come to church so she can be baptized. Shes so ready! We had a lesson with her the other day and my Spanish was flowing really well. When I was teaching, her and Hna S just looked at eachother and smiled like proud parents hahahaha IM LEARNINGGGGG

We've picked up SEVEN new investigators this week! SEVEN!

I contacted a man named L on exchanges and he let us come in but there wasn't another woman so we couldn't. But 5 mins later his wife came so we were able to go in and teach him. He has let us come back 3 times, we taught him the Restoration and invited him to be baptized and he said he will when he knows it's true but wants us to talk to his wife first who is super Catholic. Theyre a sweet family! In one of our lessons his 5 year old son was eating watermelon and lost his first tooth, in the watermelon! ....Right between prophets and Jesus Christ, hahahahahha!

We got two solid referrals from the English elders, C and C, theyve already been to the English ward a few times and the first lesson we hadn't even started with a prayer yet when they said they want to be baptized HA! YUS! 

We got another SWEET referral a mother of 3 little girls 7,6, and 2. She's been to church a lot, been to General COnference, knows everything about the church, has been taught everything like 5 times, so we comitted her to pray about baptism to be that example for her daughters.

We've had a few interesting contacts lately....

Us: "Hi we're missionaries, we help people come closer to Christ"

Teens: "We help people come closer to bud"

Us: -_________-

bahahahahahaha

We contacted some drunk men in their garage who offered us beer and asked us if we were cross dressing Mormons because we're girls and apparently only Elders are missionaries. Then they told us we're brave for talking to them... I agree lol

And the best, my most favorite: Apparently we worship a god of death named Mormo which is the root word of Mormon and thats why we're called Mormons! Did anyone else know that? haha This guy was NUTS! He was like "yeah I googled it and looked on wikipedia.. but then I looked on your website and it didn't say anything about it, and I asked you two and some other missionaries and none of you have heard of it... maybe you should google it..." and again the face -____-

It's been a fun week needless to say hahaha

Love and miss you all!

C

Crystal Gutknecht

to Richard, Gutknecht,, me
1 day ago

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 forgot, we were driving and saw people walking their sheep.... SHEEP! 3 of them!

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I'm growing up!

Being a greenie with an STL (Sister Training Leader) makes me grow up fast! This week has been a week of growth and taking the lead. My DL (District Leader) told me "There's no growth in your comfort zone and no comfort in your growing zone." Sooooo true!

Well my trainer had a superrrrr long leadership meeting on Friday with Pres Cook. This was when i was able to go to the Marine base to renew my ID but when i got back I still had hours to wait. Not wanting to waste any of the Lord's time I was about to study for all our lessons for the day, finish weekly planning, call our investigatoors, reschedule appointments, make sure my DL could still give our investigator a blessing, everything! All by myself! My trainer was so proud that she had a greenie that could take care of things all day while she was busy. It felt good that I could take responsibility and my trainer could just focus on her STL calling for the day. Along with her calling she has to go on exchanges with 6 other sisters. So I get to have the car keys and take the lead in my area. It's been great and I can see how well my trainer has trained me because I know how to do everything without depending on her. My Spanish is better than I thought! I went on an exchange with a Sister who is a transfer older than me and my Spanish miiiiight be better, not to toot my own horn but TOOT TOOT. My trainer said it's because I pray for the gift of tongues every day and I study diligently. She always tells me I'm one of the most diligent hard working missionaries. That's what I know I have to do for Heavenly Father to bless me to learn the language. I know I wouldn't be doing so well without the Lord's help, without hard work, and without diligent studies. I'm trying so hard, sometimes too hard. That's my perfectionist kicking in. My trainer is helping me with that. I always think even when I'm working myself as hard as I can and doing my best I feel like it's still not enough. She reminds me that it is and the Lord doesn't require me to run faster than i have strength. So I'm working on finding that balance and being happy with my best work.

Tuesday we had a beautiful blessing. J took us out to dinner because he's an RM and knows we don't get fed much. This old couple stopped at our table on the way out and asked us where we were from and said that it's good to see so many Sisters choosing to serve. When we were done with our meal J went to pay and they told us that couple had paid our ticket and left this note: heavenly Father loves His missionaries. Enjoy. SOOOOOO SWEET! I prayed for them that night that they would be blessed for that kind secret act of service. When we were heading out J opened up to us and told us he's been struggling a lot. We had a long talk and comitted him to read the BOM. He texted us that night and said "Thank you, your words brought comfort. You are the best Sister Missionaries I've met." :)

The work is going well, trying to help our investigators prepare for baptism. Missionary work is the best! I love the little miracles we see every day!

3 months down..

Hola bonita familia y amigos!

 

Well this week has definitely been filled with its ups and downs... downs low enough that my companion and I laid in the middle of the street being dramatic yelling "WHY?!" because people are so crazy. bahahaha pictures to come, don't you fret!

Transfers were last week, we now have a Columbian DL so he's learning English from us and we're learning Spanish from him. Super great!

Sad news... A and E the amazing family we contacted that came to church, dropped us. Dropped us like a bag of rocks! All of a sudden they don't have any time.. broke my heart. But I know they're ready so one day they will be baptized. We planted a seed, they can't deny it! The same day we got dropped my our Focus 15 family. Super inactive family we were supposed to focus on but they never let us in the door. We still stopped by to share a scripture but H called and said we weren't alllowed to come over anymore... so we shall continue stalking them through phone calls ;) Another one of our Focus 15 families we just found out the dad left them and they are getting a divorce. :(

We had another lesson with R who was a referral from an Elder. We taught him the Restoration using cups and my Spanish was on fire! I felt so good! I could feel the spirit telling me what words to say and what questions to ask. I shared the First Vision and Hermana Schwegler said she felt the spirit so strong she almost cried. It was our best lesson together. c was there and they were all proud of me and my Spanish. :)

I overheard Hermana Schwegler talking to one of her old comps telling her about training me and she said "She came out knowing hardly anything, now she speaks Spanish like a baller!" hahahaha

Also at District meeting we were practicing application questions, and inviting people to be baptized after the First Vision. One of the APs said his Spanish wasn't as good when he was as young as I am in the mission. Yay :) Heavenly Father is blessing me so much in learning this language.

Yesterday we put our practice to the test - the real deal. We went to teach our investigator, A, the resto and planned to invite her after the first vision like we practiced. We taught point to point, I recited the first vision, Hna explained how Joseph Smith restored the same church to the earth that Christ had established along with the Priesthood in order to do baptisms, then I extended the baptismal invite and she said Yes, prepare me for baptism. WAHOO! She said shes been baptized twice, once as a baby in the Catholic church and once when she was 10 because all he cousins were doing it. She said none of them meant anything because she didn't understand but she is preparing to be baptized on June 22!

Random* So awhile back I don't remember if I wrote about it but I was teaching O and E, the 2 yr old said something in Spanish I didn't understand and L said it's because she's white be quiet! Soo I thought he was making fun or my Spanish. Nope, come to find out he said I have no eyebrows hahahahaha

My trainer is a Sister Training Leader so she has to go on exchanges with 6 sisters this transfer. I'm the only sister with a STL so i get to go on 6 exchanges too! I'm going to learn so much, I'm stoked! Annnnnnd I have permission to drive now! So I get to drive on at least one exchange. Movin on up... ;)

The church is true! The field is white!