Bye Bye Brazos

   It was quite the week this week...We were homeless...and then we were carless haha..yes that's right, our engine almost blew up on us and now we've been walking around in an area that is allotted 400 miles a week in a car..sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven right? 

Anyways, it was really fun to walk around town and stuff but here's the big news- I'm getting transferred...and then there's a twist...so is Hermana Crandall..Needless to say, we've been freaking out for the past twelve hours! We don't know if they're closing down the area or putting new missionaries in..But we found it a little ironic because earlier in the week, Cran and I were discussing how this ward only needs one companionship. And now look! I guess this is happening in other areas as well throughout the mission. I'm dying to know where i'm going..I've been praying for the city haha...i've been in the country for the past 10 months so change would be nice :) but wherever I go, I know it's where I'm needed and I know it'll be the best area for my new companion and I!

EMMA WAS SENT TO HOUSTON HEIGHTS, THE CITY!!! We received word that she has the nicest apartment, she's safe, and she's so excited about her new companion.

Okay...fun miracle of the week? We got to go to the temple this past wednesday! As we walked up the stairs inside the temple, I saw the greatest surprise ever...HERMANA HOSKING. She was sitting on a couch, waiting for her companion and I ran to her. We were shaking with excitement because we thought we weren't going to see each other until we were back at byu..Oh how I love Hermana Hosking! She's going home this week! It's insane how fast the time goes by...cliche I know...but it's the truth.

                                                    Hermana Crandall and I at the temple!

                                                               I love these kids!

while contacting in a trailer park...the inner kids in us came out and we played on the swings :)

It has been so much fun living with the Bryan sisters, we've gotten really close and so I'm sad to leave them :\ slumber party on the mega bed!!!!!!!

We spent yesterday saying goodbye to people; I had the feeling I was getting transferred..Poor Hermana Crandall, she didn't get to take any pictures with the members because we all assumed that she'd be staying..

Today is going to be a crazy day trying to get everything done before tomorrow..It has been a wild four months here in Bryan, Texas. I've loved every second of it and it's crazy to think that I have the same amount of time left as what I just spent here in Brazos..It's nothing. I made a commitment to myself to finish strong and so I'm excited for this fresh start. A lot of missionaries have the tendency to die out at the end because it's so exhausting but something a member once said has always stuck with me- The last three years of the Savior's life were the most important. So I should make these last three transfers my best, the most important. I intend to collapse in the arms of my parents when I get off that plane and in order to do so I have to give it my all. When we give up ourselves to do the Lord's work, we automatically become more like Him. We leave behind the things of the world and become the people God created us to be. 

                                                            The Gaspar family!

This is the Urbina Family...Hermana Urbina is like my second mom..They're from Nicaragua and she's so blunt it's hilarious..absolutely zero filter

the Segundo family! (minus Ana)...This woman makes the best food in the world. I love her so much...she calls me "Mi guera" (my white blonde girl)..

                                                  two year olds know how to work iPads

  

The more we serve our fellow friends, the more we grow to love them. Serving the members and everyone here feels like another section of my heart has been opened up. I love these people so much and they will always be in my heart. I'll never forget the first time I met Hermana Gaspar and Hermana Segundo- we were in the temple and I told myself, I want to go to their ward..and hey, I got my wish! I love this work and I love the people!

last night, we visited Tio and Norma and Tio said, "do you have any appointments after us?" nope..."Okay, lets go to the lake and have a lesson!" It was a wonderful way to end my last sunday here...

Humbly, 

Hermana Emma Seymour

July 21, 2014: Finding The Tens Of Thousands

Hola!!

 

We had a wonderful, super duper week this week! To start out...we've been temporarily moved to...the Bryan sisters' (Sister Schellhous and Sister Newhouse) apartment! Four girls in a one bedroom, one bathroom apartment? It's like BYU all over again! let's just say...it's a little bit of a challenge to get to bed on time. We're living with them because let's face it...our apartment was located in the armpit of Bryan, Texas usa..We said goodbye to the dump on Thursday and we'll be moving into our new apartment August 1st..Which happens to be like three days after transfers so I might not even get to live in it! Oh well! It's about how you serve, not where you live, right? RIGHT!

 

 Anyways, we ventured to Caldwell on Friday and we found so many new people to teach! The following day, we had a ward talent show that we missionaries planned and it was a hit! My favorite act of the night was definitely Andres Bustamante..That boy can sing! He needs to be on La Voz kids (the voice kids).. I wish I could send videos home...One day you'll see! We had some others show up and some people that we've been teaching as well..One of the great miracles of the week happened when we were contacting (walking around, talking to people)..

 

We found a beautiful family with six kids that had literally just hopped the border from Mexico..We were talking to the dad, Jose, and he said, "El libro de Mormon?!? Ya lo tengo!!" (the book of Mormon? I already have one!) wahoooo..He was so excited but then there was a downside...the only contact info he had to give was the name of his neighborhood because they just got here..We told them about English class so hopefully they come or else, we're going to find them some way!!!!!!!!

My favorite moment of the week was last night...We taught "dad"...This past week at district meeting we learned about applying the experience of Joseph Smith to our lives..He was a young boy, wanting to know which of all the churches was the true church..With the many churches pressing their beliefs upon him, he couldn't decide for himself..So he decided to ask God. Sounds similar to our lives, right? We read the first 17 verses with him and the scriptures came to life, it was amazing! We taught that everyone has their own "verse 15", where the adversary attacks and tries to prevent something wonderful from happening. Ever since we've begun teaching him, our family has been going through some hard times...So I asked him, "Do you think that the things that have happened since we began teaching you are a coincidence?" He had never put the dots together but he saw them very clearly at that moment. We testified to him that his answer is going to come, he just has to continue doing what the Lord has asked him. We asked him, "Do you believe that Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?" He paused and said, "I think it could have happened.." That's my dad saying yes without saying yes ha-ha...We then asked, "And what would that mean?" He said, "It would mean that the Book of Mormon is true.." And what would that mean? THIS IS CHRIST'S CHURCH. We helped him put the puzzle together and realize that it is one big domino effect that drops its last brick into the waters of baptism ha-ha...As we taught and testified to him, I felt so strongly, "This is why I'm here. To help my family." I find it so interesting that I've had the biggest impact on my dad when I'm thousands of miles away! I know that his change would not have happened if I had just continued my studies at byu...How grateful I am to be here!

 

Fun/crazy moment of the week? Thursday night, after sports night, it was down pouring. I had never seen it rain so hard in my entire life! As we stood behind the doors of the church, looking outside, we decided, let's play in the rain! We ran to the car and threw our nice clothes inside and then went nuts..Yes people..missionaries can have fun too! The water was up to our knees as the Bryan sisters, our Elders, and Cran and I ran around..The scary part was the lightning! It was EVERYWHERE. It was strike so close that there was no separation between the flash and the thunder and it was so bright, you couldn't see anything for a moment..It was kind of like a strobe light on steroids...okay...we were kind of dumb for doing that...we're still alive though!

 

side note from Mom::: Emma is deathly afraid of thunder and lightning, she has been fearful since birth. in a baseball game or softball game, soccer golf, she would run off the course or field not caring for anything but her safety--not in a dugout, but a care, with rubber tires. I only thought of the movie Caddy Shack, when the Priest is playing golf in the biblical storm.

 

Guess what happened on the way back to our apartment? FLASH FLOOD. The water rose half way up our car doors and did we got stuck..All the cars around us were stuck and people were beginning to ditch their cars..Well, our car kept on coasting through the waters..how? hmmm angels? I really think that there were angels pushing behind the car because how else can a car go up hill when there is no gas pedal? With God, nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37)

 

Well......that's that....I hope you all had a wonderful week! oh and ps....my mailing address is still the same for now..we still have the mail key :) JUST KEEP SWIMMING! The Church is true.

Love,

Hermana Emma Seymour

 

July 6 and July 13, 2014 I LOVE AMERICA,

Hola Familia!!!

This week was so flipping awesome!! I'll start with Friday, the fourth o' juuuly..We woke up a little bit earlier than usual to get down to houston in time for our "meet the president" meeting..We met President Mortensen, his wife, and five of his six kids (the oldest is serving a mission)..President Mortensen is the complete opposite of President Pingree lol..but guess what? He's the perfect mission president that I need for the last five months of my mission. He reminds me so much of some coaches that I've had in the past. He's the kind of person who pushes you to your limit because he knows you're capable of something great..

After the meeting, Hermana Crandall and I met him and the first thing he said to us? "How many contacts do you get each day?" wow..the number of people we talk to each day is probably our weakest number that we count...and he knew it just by looking into our eyes..We responded, "Umm..four or five.." He said, "okay..promise me that you'll contact twenty people today." GULP. okay..So we committed to doing it and guess what? We went nuts and contacted 21 people! 21 people doesn't sound like much but out in the country, it's hard! We found a lot of new potentials out of it too!

At night, we watched the fireworks at the George Bush library at Texas A&M..so fun! we figured it'd be a great opportunity to find people but it was so dark we couldn't exactly tell who was hispanic, indian, asian, or white...i swear i'm not racist! I just didn't want to go up to a "dark skinned" person and say, "Hola! Somos misioneras de la Iglesias de....." and have them look at me like I'm a racist fool...On the bus ride back to the stadium where we had parked, we did some bus contacting :)

We got to teach Olga and Elvia this week (english class students)!! They were so receptive to the message and we can't wait to teach them again..

One miracle...We were contacting at HEB one night and as we "shopped" around, we saw this super cute mexican family..They helped Hermana Crandall pick out the perfect watermelon and then we continued on..In my head, I was thinking, "You just passed off the perfect opportunity! What were you thinking?!?" So I told myself and God, that if I saw them again, I'd talk to them. As we checked out, I saw the family walk outside..Shoot. I missed my chance...But as we approached our car, we saw the family loading their groceries in the car that was parked RIGHT NEXT to our car. I looked up to the sky and said in my head, "Okay..you got me.." I mustered up my courage and talked to Julio..He was totally interested!!! 

As for teaching my dad...We taught him about fasting and also about the Book of Mormon. We explained how instead of trying to comprehend everything that's going on in the stories, to focus on how he feels while reading it. For those of you who do not know my dad on a personal level, he isn't exactly the kind of guy who focuses on what he's feeling lol...but the wonderful thing about the gospel of Jesus Christ is that you CAN teach an old dog new tricks! Happy news! He fasted yesterday! The day before, he expressed his concerns because "he is a member of the no meals skipped club". We asked him how he felt while fasting and he said, "calm"...Wahooooo he was feeling the spirit! I feel like his conversion is going to be gradual...Line upon line...not an overnight BOOM kind of thing..And you know what? I'm perfectly okay with that because I know that the day will come when he will say that this is the truth.

Part of the training we received from President Mortensen was absolutely mind blowing...for example did you know....that the Book of Mormon is a covenant? And if we're not reading it every day, we need to repent..When I heard this I was like jeeeeeepers! There are so many people who do not read it on a daily basis! 

Anyways...I'm so excited to work with our new mission president and continue growing into the person Heavenly Father wants me to be!! I hope all is well where ever you may be! 

Love,

Hermana Seymour

          Blue Bell Ice Cream Factory round 2!

                                     

                                                         Meeeeet President Mortensen!

isn't texas the most beautiful place ever?

                                             

 los misioneros del barrio brazos

Elders being Elders

.

                                                     Elder Barney and Elder Alexander..

                         We sat right behind the orchestra that played patriotic music while the fireworks were                  shot off of the roof of the library...i love texas pride.

Fireworks

                     Mexican tradition #154? Shove the birthday boy/girl's face into a tres leches cake.

rainbows and big texas fields!

                                      road trip to Caldwell...post toe surgery..ignore my gross foot..

 ​we teach primary. coloring and nap time! :) a Missionary's dream

teaching primary...is that even allowed? we do what the ward asks of us...

this is kind of blurry but...this is what some of the houses look like in Caldwell!

                                   
                                                 Finding The Tens of Thousands

Hola familia! Como le va??

I can't even begin to express how much I love the area that I get to serve in. I seriously think it's the best in the entire mission. So our area is so big (we cover an entire stake except for the Huntsville area) that we can drive nearly two hours in any direction and still be in our area. But for the past year that our area has had missionaries in it, we've only worked in Bryan and College Station..There are literally THOUSANDS of hispanic people in our area that have probably never seen spanish or english missionaries. There are several towns that we've never worked in so this week Hermana Crandall and I felt like it was finally time to do some exploring. On Friday, we drove to Caldwell which is about 25 miles away from Bryan...Population? 4,000...Hispanic population? Nearly all of that. We know for a fact that there are people there just waiting to hear the gospel..We didn't have much time to explore, we tried to get a map but all of the civic buildings were closed but we talked to some people and we asked one guy, "This might be a weird question, but do you know where all of the hispanics live in this town?" He looked at us and said, "From this street (pointing to the street that we stood at) all the way down..There are a lot." Sometimes when we're contacting in Bryan, we talk to people from Caldwell who come to the city for work...Soooo we're super excited! Please pray that we'll be led to those who are ready to hear the gospel!

Due to some events that have happened lately, Hermana Crandall and I have received a lot of Priesthood blessings..In those blessings, it talks about the great work that Hermana Crandall and I have to do here. From the way the Lord is talking to us, I think I'm going to be staying in this area for a long time...I feel like this could be my last area! 9 months in the Brazos Ward? Bring it!

The night that we came home from Caldwell, Hermana Crandall had a dream where we were in a house and there was a beautiful family sitting on the couch..But the husband wasn't there..he was in Mexico..The mom had let us in and said, "We've been looking for missionaries ever since we left Mexico and we've been waiting to be baptized.." The mom left the room and an angel came in and told us, wait to baptize them until the father returns from Mexico. Later in the dream, it was shown to Hermana Crandall that this family is in Caldwell.

There are no such things as coincidences..This family that she saw is real and we're going to do our very best and find them. Pray that we do!! I'm so excited to begin working in Caldwell...The town is so beautiful and historic..yall should google it or something! It reminds me a lot of Cumberland (my home town)..

We had interviews this week with President Mortensen. He spent fifteen minutes with each of us and during that time, he challenged us to invite 25 people to learn about the gospel each day..This is a hard thing to do! It has shifted our focus from the less active/ inactive members to finding new people to teach..He told me that he doesn't care about the numbers, he cares about my best. He looked me dead in the eyes and said, "The Lord knows the desires of your heart." At that moment, my family flashed through my head. There is nothing more in this world that I want than an eternal family. And I know one day, it will come.

There is so much that I have to be grateful for..When I reflect back to my life before the mission I think, "Holy cow, I really didn't know the Savior!" But doing His work and His will and brought me so close to Him. There is only one way to true happiness and that is through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Everything else, it will come to an end. There are no true endings in Heavenly Father's plan, only everlasting beginnings.

Con Amor,

Hermana Emma Seymour

JUNE 30, 2014: ONE YEAR

Hello family! 

Can you believe it? I've been on my mission for one whole year (july 3rd). Every time I try to comprehend it, I kinda freak out..It's not possible!

This past week was filled with so many awesome experiences...where to begin...How about Tuesday! So we woke up at 2:30 am...yes you read that correctly...to get ready and drive down to houston for our temple session that started at 6:30..It was one of the coolest experiences thus far on my mission...President and Sister Pingree joined us and it was like we were all one big happy celestial family, dressed in white. Before we left, he and his wife hugged each of us and everyone was just crying their eyes out. I'm going to miss President so so much..He has changed my life forever..He is by far the most christlike person I've ever met. When he looks at you, you instantly feel the love of the Savior fill you up! Our new mission president, President Mortensen arrives today with his family..pray for them por favor!

On the way back from the temple, everyone except for Hermana Crandall (the driver) passed out from exhaustion. I slept for an hour and a half straight until I heard a firm voice say, "You need to wake up, right now." I was jolted awake to see Hermana Crandall resting on the steering wheel, nearly asleep. I said, "Hermana, are you okay?" She sat up straight and nodded her head. To keep her awake, we told stories lol...After we got home she said, "You woke up right when I was about to fall asleep."

There is no doubt in my mind that we are watched over 24/7 by heavenly angels..There have been so many instances on my mission where we've been protected by the hand of God..Thank you for your prayers too!!

 On Thursday before english class, Hermana Crandall and I decided that we should invite Elvia and Olga (two young girls in their 20s from mexico) to be taught the lessons. They seem super prepared and open to hearing more about the gospel. They were the only students that came to class and at the end of class, Elder Barney began to ask questions about religion and whatnot...He turned it over to us and guess what? We get to teach them tomorrow! I love these girls so much and I hope that will have the desire to come closer to the Savior..

Friday was amazing...why? Because I got to go on an intercambio (exchange) with my mission mommy!! That is.....Sister Schellhous! It was just like old times and we could not believe that it had been a nearly a year since the last time we were companions..We had a really cool miracle that day too..So one of the ladies they're teaching, Aneliese, wants to get baptized after only having like 3 lessons..The problem is, she smokes..She called us during our lunch hour and said, "Hi sisters, I'll be able to meet with you on Monday and Wednesday but I won't be going to the addiction recovery meeting on Thursday." Our hearts dropped for a moment..Does she not want to give it up? She continued, "I quit." She quit smoking that morning! She said that when she got up and prayed and then went to smoke, she got half way through a cigarrette and it tasted AWFUL to her. She completely lost the desire! She couldn't stop her grateful praise...From this I learned: When there's a desire to change to become more like the Savior, the Lord helps us in any way possible. With God, nothing is impossible. (luke 1:37)

Last night was quite the night...After we ate dinner with Norma (recent convert), we had an hour before our lesson with Dad..We hadn't done our studies because usually on Sundays, we have meetings, church, and then its go go go..But we felt like we needed to go home and do a half hour of personal study and a half hour of comp study. As I knelt down to pray, I asked God, "Should we teach him this lesson?" We were planning on teaching him about baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost but something just didn't feel right to me. I studied and prepared for the lesson but when we came together as a companionship, it just did not work. It didn't flow at all. We were out of time and I felt so scared. What in the world were we going to teach him?? We prayed, left the apartment, and went to the Gaspar's to use their computer. I felt so much fear at that instance. I didn't feel connected with Hermana Crandall and I felt like she didn't care. I told myself to stop. This was the adversary trying to throw us off. With tears in my eyes, we prayed and went into the Gaspar's house. We connected with Dad, had some small talk and then started with a prayer..I still didn't know what we were teaching..I opened my mouth, praying that the Lord would give me the words and said, "Alright Dad, today we're going to teach you about...." I said the first thing that popped into my head, "Repentance and baptism." HOLY COW. I turned to Hermana Crandall and we both gave each other surprised looks.

 We let the Spirit guide us through the lesson..It was so special to be so in tuned with the spirit..We did whatever the Lord wanted us to do and it was the exact lesson that my dad needed to hear.

We invited him to be baptized on August 1st and he said, "I'm going to have to decline...I don't know if I'll know by then and I don't want to say yes and change my mind." From there, we were able to dig deep and see what was holding him back. What did it come down to? Family. He is afraid of what his family will think and not being able to keep the Word of Wisdom. He said, "Would you rather me be a bad mormon or not a mormon?" We told him, "You're going to make mistakes after your baptism. You will not be perfect. That is why we have the Savior."

After he shared his concern about his family, I felt prompted to ask, "Dad, do you seek to please God, or man?" His eyes went big and he said, "Well, I'd like to say that I want to please God more.." He took the question to heart as we continued to ask, "What is it going to matter in the eternal perspective of things? The approval of man? Or being able to live with your family forever."

I know that the words we shared touched his heart...He told us that the senior couple in Virginia asked him why he hasn't gotten baptized lol...He said, "If I were to get baptized, it would be right to wait for Emma to get home." Wahoo!!!! He has been giving it some thought! He also said, "Maybe there's something in the Book of Mormon that I haven't read yet, I'm only in Alma.." Oh daddy... :)

I'm so grateful for the time that I've had so far to teach my dad...It has taught me so much...The greatest thing I've learned? Patience. Everyone receives their answer in the Lord's time. The important thing that matters though is that everyone who seeks an answer, receives an answers that this is the true church of Jesus Christ. I know that this is true.

                             Haircut-5 inches gone-feeling refreshed.bye bye 5 inches....and it's                                             still long! wahoo!! #longhairdontcare

Last day with President Pingree

                                                          Sister and President Pingree

                                                       English speaking Missionaries

                                                                   chunky kids on elliptical...best idea ever.

                                                               After......

                                                     a member owns a taqueria...best sunday dinner ever

                                                       I found Prince Charming

at the temple before the sun is even up...

 

I love you all!

Hermana Emma Seymour

June 23, 2014: Staying put!

It's officially summer! Wahoo! 

        This week we saw a lot of miracles in finding new people to teach..Seeing that we're the only spanish speaking sisters in bryan/college station, all of the english missionaries pass off the spanish speaking people to us.

        On Wednesday, we planned to meet with a 24 year old girl named, Karina. Her aunt in Mexico is a member and has been trying to get missionaries to visit her niece for a long time. The Church sent the info to the english sisters for some reason and so they went over and taught the first lesson. We planned on all being present for the "pass off" lesson but Karina wasn't home. We gave her a call and set up an appointment with her for the next day. She began to speak english with us but as soon as she found out that we could speak spanish, she switched and she was able to understand us a lot better. We taught her about the Book of Mormon, it was something simple but to someone who has never even heard of the Book of Mormon, it's a lot to take in. She grew up Catholic and her "husband" (don't know if they're actually married) is hard core catholic. But we think he's interested because when the sisters taught them the previous week, he was there but couldn't understand a word of what was being said..But he said that he could feel the Spirit so strongly from them. That's what I love about the gospel. It doesn't matter what language you speak, you can still connect with the people in a way you never imagined before..

The english sisters also gave us another referral for someone that they just met on the streets and we're hoping to teach him and his family tomorrow night! It's amazing to see how the Lord blesses you in His own perfect timing..All last transfer we prayed so hard for referrals and now we're finally receiving them.

Yesterday, I gave my first talk in spanish! I was kind of freaking out when I was preparing for it but when I got up to speak, it just flowed naturally! I've been working so hard on perfecting my spanish and I think the Lord is seeing my efforts and is helping me out greatly! 

Last night, we did what I call "super splits"...Members of the ward council, the elders, and us met at bishop's house and we all split off and visited the members of the ward. I went with Hermana Segundo and Hermana Crandall went with Hermana Mar. Hermana Segundo and I visited the Faz family...While there, we taught about the Atonement of Jesus Christ..We went off on a tangent and talked about how strong the Guillen family is (their son has leukemia)..Hermana Faz said, "They have a sure knowledge that their family will be together again one day..They know that whatever is thrown at them in life, it'll all be worth it as long as they keep the faith." I don't know why but this hit me so hard and it felt like my mind was opened. This life is so incredibly short. The trials thrown at us make us stronger and all we have to do is live the gospel of Jesus Christ and boom. Eternal life with our families. We have a tendency to forget what really matters most and then our sights aren't sent on our heavenly goal. I'm so grateful for the mission that I've been able to serve. I feel like I've learned who I am and why I'm here. 

During district meeting, our district leader (Elder Barney) spoke of how we didn't come to this earth to change who we are. We came to remember and become who we were before we came to this earth. Mind blown. 

We each have a divine purpose and potential. We truly are children of God.

I love you all!!! The Gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives!

Hermana Emma Seymour

Can you imagine driving by and seeing this!