Letter from Mother's Day!

Hola Hola mi familia y amigos...

Feliz dia de Madres! yesterday was a GREAT day! We had a very cute Sacrament meeting because the primary sang hymns and gave their testimonies. I love primary! I hope to get a calling there someday down the road. Hermana Reese and I made a card with our picture on it for all the Hermanas in the branch, because they are all our mamas! They loved it! After church, we celebrated Mother's day with Hermana Cresp, Hermana Esmerelda and Debbie. I made a gluten-free cake to take with me! They all enjoyed it. I also had the opportunity to talk to my mommy and my step mommy on the phone! All my family is doing great and I love them so much!

Fransisco and Jorge were at church yesterday. They are troopers because they stayed all three hours! Wahoo! Fransisco has a baptismal date for May 30th, Angel for June 5th and Jorge for June 6th. We are working hard to help them be prepared for their baptisms. Fransisco is pumped about his scripture study; Heavenly Father is blessing him with knowledge and the Spirit! He smiles a lot now. Angel wasnt able to come to church because of work; he told us he might change his job to be able to make church more. We didnt bring that up but he decided on his own! Well...He feels the Spirit at church and wants that more with him. We are teaching Jorge and like 10 of his friends! Out of all of them, we least expected him to progress. He has completely surprised us my keeping commitments. He knows the BOM is true and told us he wants to be baptized. Two of his friends- Juan Carlo and Norma are learning and we are trying to set a wedding and baptismal date with them! :) Norma will be having a baby in July. What would be better for that baby then to be born in the covenant of the Lord!

We are working with some other great investigators! We really see potential with Gladis and Adela's family. Gladis has two brothers in the church and is eating up every discussion. She has many spiritual gifts and one of them is her faith! She will need to be married to be baptized...she is friends with the Santanas in the branch and Hermano Santana is a dj. We are planning a dance party! haha. Adela's daughters are excited about young womens and relief society..we will see how that goes.

We did splits again on Friday with Esmerelda, Hermana Crespo and Debbie. All our appointments for the night weren't there so Hermana Crespo, Debbie, and Kevin went tracting. It was so fun! Debbie has been teaching me alot about missionary work. She knocks the doors really hard, gives everyone pass along cards, testifies without hesitation and she is 8 yrs old! We found 5 people that we made appointments with...all thanks to Debbie and the Spirit ofcourse. We were at the doorstep of Martin Luna and he wasnt buying the whole organized church thing. As he was saying his goodbyes, I whipped out the Book of Mormon. That caught his interest, because he had never heard of it before. He asked me for that copy and I gave it to him! The power of the scriptures amazes me sometimes. I hope he reading the BOM right now!

I love you all. Miss you. Muah!

Hermana Murphy

Staying together!!

hola!!!

So we are staying together in Des Moines for atleast one more transfer! Yipee! We are so excited. We are working with the best investigators and they are progressing with the help of the Lord! I have really seen the power of the Book of Mormon. Fransisco is our investigator who has been taking lessons with the missionaries for years and never connected with the BOM. We decided to give him a few specific chapters that he could read solo and understand. For example, Alma 32 about faith. Well he did it and loved it! He wants to get baptized May 30th. It was such a miracle to hear those words come out of his mouth. The Spirit touched him and he has been converted! Scriptures are very powerful.

After our district meeting this week we were asked by president to take an hour out of our day and sit alone and think about the blessings we have received by the Atonement of Jesus Christ...it was awesome! I felt the love of Heavenly Father and I am so thankful that He sent His son Jesus Christ to the earth to suffer for all of my sins. At times, it is hard to comprehend that God knows each and everyone of us individually and wants to help us and guide us through the Holy Ghost. I love being a missionary and sharing the message of the Restoration. We have the Priesthood on the earth again so we can be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ! Without baptism, repentance cannot be completely fulfilled. I was reminded of my own baptism this week because the Elders in our spanish branch had a baptism. It was a very special ordinance and Victor was made clean. Towards the end of the baptism program, members were asked to bear their testimony of the importance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I felt impressed to share my feelings on baptism- ofcourse I cried but I just talked about how much love Heavenly Father has for each of us and how He was so proud of Victor's decision to be baptized! I am so thankful for my baptism and the knowledge I have now of my true relationship with God and Jesus Christ.

We did splits on Friday with Hermana Crespo and Esmerelda. It was awesome! Hermana Reese and I split up and taught with the two other Hermanas. I went with Jenny Crespo and her two kids to see Adela and others. Having her daughter, Debbie, was a big help because everyone listened to her testimony and accepted pass along cards from her. Debbie is a great example for me because she wasnt afraid to talk to anyone! We all need to be like little children and love everyone! We are doing exchanges again this Friday. Hermana Reese and Esmerelda taught a sweet lesson with Angel- he is praying about baptism. Our investigators are doing fantastic all with the help of the Lord and the power of the Holy Ghost. A lot of the people we are teaching are praying about baptism...we want to plan two weddings :) Juan Carlos and Norma and Adela and Inocencia. We are teaching them all the importance of family and marriage. Please, pray that our investies will receive the light and knowledge they need to make the important step and be baptized! Ally was able to come to a church activity and connected with some of the young kids..We connectec with Gladis this week and she has been completely prepared by the Lord to accept our message...we accidentally knocked the wrong door and found Bertalina who has learned before with missionaries and the member with us happened to know her...oh the miracles of missionary work. I am so thankful to have the hand of the Lord in the work!

I get to talk to my family on Sunday! Yippeeee! We also found out we get to go to the Nauvoo Temple to see the Ortega family be sealed this month!

I love all of you and will write again Monday. Muah!

Love Hermana Murphy

letter!!!

Hello Spring,

Well, the rain was pouring down this week...even when us Hermanas and the Elders were planting flowers for a family..so we ran around and got soaked. It was hilarious! I woke up scared to death because the thunder and lightning storm was so loud. Hermana Reese has this weather alarm and it kept going off and telling us a tornado was coming. All I could think about was the Wizard of Oz. We survived so it was okay.

The lowlight of the week was the fact that Omar didnt follow through with his baptism. :( He is scared of committing to the Lord and being held accountable. We do take upon ourselves the name of Christ and there is responsibility with that...Christ is there to back us up if we do fall after baptism. We will never be perfect! We are made that way so we have to depend on God! (Ether 12:27) Ofcourse, it is scary! It is about faith and taking a step into the unknown and then receiving tons of blessings! I was nervous, then at my baptism I was overcome with the Spirit and knew it was the right thing! I am so thankful for my decision. Omar is going to keep reading in the Book of Mormon and praying; I know God will help him prepare more and increase his faith. Highlight of the week: Adela and Janeth coming to church and then going to Janeth's birthday party! We also went to a violin concert to a boy in the branch. It was adorable!

Hermana Reese is a wonderful companion. We are starting a 40 day fast where we sacrifice certain things for 40 days to bring us closer to the Lord. We want the Spririt more in our companionship. Itll be a challenge but its worth it. We each made our own lits and shared them with eachother.

I love you all! I get to talk to my family next week because its Mother's Day and we have transfers..I hope I stay here!

Love,

Hermana Murphy

hola!!!

hola hola hola

This week has been super busy and fun! Our investigators are doing good...Omar is ready to be baptized- we are helping him have confidence in his decision! He is nervous and excited. I explained to him how I was also nervous but we can't fear the unknown in this situation. We have to have faith in Heavenly Father and the answer we receive to be baptized and do it! He will opening a door to many blessings. His baptism is scheduled for this Saturday. Francisco is starting to understand the importance of the Book of Mormon. He is going to pray and I know he will receive his answer! He feels he needs to know everything before being baptized! So not true. We need to have a desire to follow Christ and feel the Holy Ghost testify to us that the Church is true..we continue to learn as members everday. I shared with him my experience of conversion..how I didnt know everything but felt the Spirit while reading the BOM. My favorite scripture is Alma 32:28 talking about how we plant the word of God in our soul and if it is true, the seed will grow in our heart. I also compare it to a testimony...it starts small but with daily nourishment of scripture study and prayer, it grows and grows!! Fransisco will come around, we hope to set a date with him soon. We had a great lesson with Angel. Hermano Otanez explained the restoration very clearly and Angel said if he receives an answer, he will follow it and be baptized. We had a strong lesson with Adela and her family. We watched "Finding Faith in Christ" and talked about how we can strengthen our faith. Adela wants to strengthen her beliefs, she feels like she doesnt have much faith left because of some experiences she has had. We will pump her up! We found some sweet new investies too...

Other news: The Zone leaders in our branch had a baptism. Ramon was baptized. He is going to be a strong member! I told him its the best decision he could be making. I beat Elder Finnerty at horse. The spring flowers are so nice! I love the Sunshine! I experienced an Easter aftershock thanks to Clay and Shelby..thanks!

Church was really crazy! We had a special seminary program during sacrament in spanish and english so us 4 missionaries got to translate in both languages..I taught the Old Testament class with Elder Finnerty. That was fun! I told the seminary kids they should be thankful they get to go to class every morning..I didnt have that. We taught about Moses and the ten commandments..we focused a lot on the first commandment about not having any other gods before Heavenly Father...there are many things in the world that can be considered gods..money, technology, fame..but all of that changes whereas Heavenly Father is constant. He has restored the Church of Christ again on this earth because that is His way of guiding us through a Prophet. We also acted it out where Moses went to talk to God and came back and the people started to worship a bull...I played the bull part. haha

Well lots has been learned this week and Im excited for another week of working hard and helping others grow in the Gospel.

love Hermana Murphy

Loved Conference!

Hola otra vez! Como estan?

April 5, 2010

I am in Des Moines and loving it. Hermana Reese and I are still getting all snuggled into our new apartment..its way better! This week was full of training. We had Zone Conference, which was awesome and then General Conference!! Our Zone Conference was focused on being an obedient and consecrated missionary. Hermana Reese and I are working on being as obedient as we can because thats how we will be blesses with the Spirit, and the Spirit is what converts our investigators! Ofcourse, we have faults and that is why we have Jesus Christ. Through Him we can overcome weaknesses and be the missionary Heavenly Father wants us to be! I know I wont be perfect, but I am trying to improve every day. :) We talked a lot at Zone Conference about following up on our investigators- basically making them the center of your life as a missionary. I may become a little obsessed but thats ok. :) But we are trying to call them everyday and help them to feel comfortable with the Church and doing their daily reading and praying. There are some things we are going to start implementing in this area, such as a "Our Heritage" class. We are going to start teaching a class about the history of the church, aimed at the less-actives, recent converts and investigators. In Sioux City that was a topic of interest but we were teaching the Gospel Principles class every week (that class is already provided here in Sunday school.) It'll be great! If you did not watch General Conference..you should! It was amazing. We learn so much from the leaders of our church. The talks will be available on lds.org to either listen to or watch. The big theme of the conference was Jesus Christ, families and mother/ daughter relationships. My family is the most important thing to me! I am so thankful for the church's focus on that unit. I want to study psychology and help struggling families...because the world is degrading the family unit! What each family really needs is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the guidance of the living Prophet of God. :)

Updates on the investigators: Cynthia is getting baptized on Saturday. She is very excited! We spent Easter afternoon with her and her family, we dyed easter eggs and did an easter egg hunt. It was fun! They had never dyed eggs before so it was a special experience. I do every year with Bompy and Nanny. :) We are having a baptismal service on April 24 and have set that date with Omar, Lindolfo and Christine. Omar has an amazing story. He has had a rough life, but through his faith in Christ has stepped into the light. He really wants to change for the better and continue to do whats right. We are working with him on some word of wisdom issues but we have faith he will stop drinking because he knows its the right thing to do. We are contacting him daily. He came to Saturday General Conference at The Juhls house (Bompy and Nanny's friends) with us Hermanas and our Zone Leaders. He loved conference and was able to hear the testimonies of members. The Juhls are the sweetest people and fed us a feast! I also got to say hi to Nanny and Bompy. Oh, how much I love them! I thanked the Juhls a million times for the special day. Anyways...Lindolfo is the sweetest old man! He and Christine are married-which is interesting because he only speaks spanish and she only speaks english..so I guess facial expressions work wonders for them? ha. They are both looking for the truth and felt the Spirit strongly at General Conference. We are working with Lindolfo to stop praying to Maria but to Heavenly Father instead and Christine to stop smoking. I have faith in each one of these investigators that through the Atonement of Christ and with the help of the Lord they will be prepared for their baptism on the 24th!

All is well here in Des Moines and we are going to work so hard to help our investigators progress and keep their commitments. We are their guides back to Heavenly Father, it's a wonderful calling!

Love you all,

Hermana Murphy

Changing locations!!

Hola!

Wow! So much has changed within the past few days. Transfers are nuts! Leaving behind Sioux City was WAY hard. That place is like my home. I hugged Amanda for about an hour, ate lots of Hermana Flores's food for dinner, took some date pics with Omar, stared at Hermana Brisenos mole for a good thirty minutes, stalled for about an hour to leave the Flory's house, took family pics with Celia and the girls..and ate my last bag of frito chips at Sister Browns. Very eventful! I love the Ward there and the work I have been able to be part of...I promised I will come back and visit once I am done!

After 9 hours in the transfer van (a free tour of all the cities in Iowa, nasty McDonalds and seeing a bunch of missionaries!) I arrived in Des Moines to my new companion, Hermana Reese! I am so excited to serve with her. She is my "Aunt" in the mission because my trainer, Jenny Madsen, is her "sister" since they were both trained by Hermana Beesley..Anyways...us Hermanas were surprised with the new companionships because my "daughter" is with Hermana Reese's "daughter" in Sioux City right now. We had heard lots of rumors from our zone leaders about transfers. Note to self: never listen to them! They informed us Hermana McGuire and I were both leaving Sioux City so we packed up then found out she was staying one more. It was weird! She is lucky though, because Sioux City rocks! In April they will start getting classes in Spanish and the Hermanas will be a big help with that..well back to Des Moines..I havent unpacked yet because we are moving to a non smoking apartment tomorrow. Thank you! We are excited to move in together, itll be like a fresh start for Hermana Reese since she has been here for three transfers already. We have visited some of the families here and I love them already! Maria De La Luz makes the best mexican food and we go over there every Friday! Im excited about that...then we are close with the Ortega family, they were less-active when Hermana Reese got here and now they are super strong with callings and such...Cynthia their 9 yr old daughter will be baptized April 10. That will be neat! We are workin with some really neat investigators here in Des Moines and we will be searching for new. My first sunday in the Spanish branch was fun! All in Spanish and no translating from English to Spanish. Phew! I did have to translate from Spanish to english but that is easier I feel. We had fast and tesimony meeting so I went up and introduced myself and shared my testimony. I also encouraged everyone in the ward to be brave and share their testimonies with others. I explained how I am a convert and had my sister and friends who were members and their powerful testimonies helped me to find the truth! Thanks to all. I shared the scripture, "when thou art converted, strengthen they brethren." I had an embarassing moment during announcements in Sacrament..I was talking to this cute little girl sitting by me and missed my cue when they welcomed me so I guess they welcomed me and I didnt react. haha! I am going to tell our Branch president to do it again in a few weeks. :) oooops. There are lots of missionaries here in Des Moines and its a lot bigger city. I feel like a kid from a small town going into the big city. Our zone leaders are Elder Finnerty and Nelsen and they are great! They are spanish missionaries and share the branch with us. I am excited about this branch! Lots of Spanish converts and families. I wanted to share a funny quote..our ward mission leader was sharing the story on how he met his wife and definitely told her on their second date, "I think I want you to have my babies." I died laughing when I heard that. We teased him a lot but hey thats cool, they are happily married with kids.

Each transfer we focus on a Christlike attribute to focus on as a companionship..we chose humility. We are dedicating ourselves to the Lord and letting him know we are completely dependent on Him for success. We are happy! This week-end is General Conference, and everyone reading this entry needs to watch it! BYU tv..in about 90 languages broadcasted all over the world! We get to hear from our Prophet, the Apostles and other leaders of the Church. Itll be Saturday 9am and 1pm and Sunday 9am and 1pm (West Coast). I know that as you watch it you will feel the love of our Heavenly Father and know that they really are true men called of God! You can always pray and ask as well. :) Happy Easter Everyone! We are going to dye easter eggs and go on an easter egg hunt with the Ortega family. :)

Have a great week! Love you all.

Hermana Murphy

ps happy birthday nina and congrats Scott and Jenna! I love you!

Two year baptism anniversary!!

Hola El Mundo!

I am doing fabulous! How is everyone else doing? We got our transfer call this morning and I am getting transferred to another area. Hermana McGuire will be staying here in Sioux City for another transfer, which is great because a lot of changes are happening in the ward and she and her new companion will be great help. The Spanish RS and Priesthood classes are being added April 11! Sioux City is going to take off. I am so thankful for the time I have had to serve here, 5 transfers! I was "born" here with my mom, Hermana Jenny Madsen and then I just finished training here with my daughter, Hermana McGuire. I have grown so much and am so happy with the progress of Sioux City 2nd Ward Spanish! We had a birthday party last night for Celia's daughter, Maria (11) and also Maria Briseno (60) and all the recent converts and spanish members we have been working with were there. These people have been like my family..when I refer to the Spanish members I say "we". It feels like I am leaving home again and going on my mission in another part of Iowa. :) I absolutely love the Spanish women here! Hermana Flores, Briseno, Baraza, Flory, Amanda, Celia, and Teresa. I have worked a lot with Sister Sawyer, Melissa, and Monita and I love all the rest of you women in Sioux City 2nd. I am so thankful for Ignacio, our ward mission leader, he is such a great missionary! Bishop Foster is awesome and Sister Peters as well. I will miss everyone! Today I have been packing and will continue to pack..I have a lot of stuff! I will be mailing some home to get forwarded back to me, thanks parents. We will also with visiting alot of families tonight and we get two dinners! Ill let you know Monday where I am and who I am with...I get on the transfer bus tomorrow at 845am! I am going to miss Hermana McGuire as well...it has been a privilege to train her, she is a great missionary.

Other news: We did exchanges last week with the Vermillian sisters! It was so amazing working with Sister Evans, we really are soul mates. She taught be a lolt while we were together, like how to take contacts on the street further once they say not interested. For us spanish missionaries, they are almost always interested so we dont have to say much but for english missionaries its a whole different story. We had a cool experience with a family from Vietnam. We were tracting and the mom opened the door, invited us in and we ate dinner with them! They were so welcoming. We taught the grandparents of the house in English and their grandson translated for us. They had just gotten here from Vietnam. The Hermanas will be going back there for dinner and a lesson this week. We ordered them a Book of Mormon in Vietnamese. The Zone Leaders had a baptism this week and his name is Garth. We actually contacted him on the street and reffered him to them so that was exciting! He is 18 and wants to serve a mission.

I am now 2 years old in the church! Exciting huh? My "birthday" was on March 22. I have grown so much in the faith and appreciate this time as a missionary to help others find the happiness I have!

I love you all.

-Hermana Murphy