AUGUST 25, 2014: THE MASTER TEACHER

Howdy! Hola! 

We had zone conference this week (several zones-which consist of 18-24 missionaries-gather together to be taught by the mission president) and it was wonderful! We learned a new concept that President Mortensen calls "The Master Teacher"...It is to teach how the Savior taught..And how did he teach? He asked questions and had his learners teach him the doctrine. So the way we teach as missionaries now is to ask questions...Every person on this planet has been taught the gospel of Jesus Christ already..We all lived with Heavenly Father before and He taught us his plan! What we do as missionaries is help people uncover what has been hidden for so long- the truth! 

We have been working so hard to perfect this teaching method- it's hard to just ask questions! You have to find a balance between talking for forever and interrogating people haha...Last night we taught my dad more about prophets and the need for the Restoration. It was so cool to just watch him teach himself! After using a few scriptures from the Bible to show him that the blueprint of Christ's church is built on the foundation of prophets and apostles, we talked about the apostasy and then the Restoration. We asked, "Do you believe that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever?" he answered, yes...Then we asked, "So do you think his church would be the same yesterday, today, and forever?" He responded, "Well when you say it like that, yes..It should be the same." Our next question was, "why was there a need for a Restoration?" he said, "Because we need the priesthood and we needed to bring back the gospel that was lost during the apostasy.." Wahoooooooo! Our final question was, "So do you now see why God called Joseph Smith to be a prophet?" "Yes." 

Asking questions is the way to go! It helps you understand how much the learner has learned and what you need to teach..

Another awesome moment of the week...Last Wednesday, during an exchange, Hermana Deloya and I went to find a less active at an apartment complex..Well, we went to the wrong building of the complex and knocked on the "wrong door". The sweet couple let us inside and we began to teach them our purpose as missionaries and we talked briefly about the restoration. They were on their way out to the mercado but we set up a return appointment for this past week. On Monday (I think)...Hermana Hale and I went over and taught them the Restoration. The husband, Martin, was very stand offish and wanted to argue the entire time so we skipped over to Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. He went quiet as we explained that we need both the BoM and Bible (Ezekiel 37)..We invited them to read and we passed by on Friday..The lesson was amazing! When we asked the wife, Ana, what she remembered from the last time, she said, "We need the Bible and the Book of Mormon to have the complete gospel." We talked more about the BoM by reading the intro with them and the spirit was so strong as Ana read the entire intro. She would pause and ask questions, then continue reading..She understood it so well! When we were on our way out, they opened up and shared that they were having a hard time with their two teenage children who are living with their abuela right now..The kids are very distant from the parents and Ana and Martin just want to be a united family. We explained that the message we share unites families forever. They are so prepared! 

Also at zone conference, the "dying missionaries" go up and give their last testimony..This was so hard to watch because I had three companions go up! Hermanas Crandall, Zabriskie, and Hale..It made my heart hurt because I don't want to go home! I remember so clearly being out for like 2 months and watching missionaries go up and share their testimony..I always thought, these people are so amazing, they've let their mission change them into the people that God created them to be. I hope that when that day comes for me, I will be the person that God wanted me to become while serving here in Houston. 

I love Houston with all my heart.

The Gospel is true!

Love y'all!

Hermana Emma Seymour

hermana hale and I at zone conference...and in the back is elder hillebrant..

CRAN

the tongan mane can't be tamed.

how quick did I go through these? a month and a half...and that was with shoe glue.

during exchanges...we missed our home exit..do you know what that means? we leave the mission...oops..at least the skyscrapers are pretty!

August 18, 2014: That One Time I got pooped On

Hola Familia!

So you're probably DYING to know the reason for my email title...Let me explain..This past week, we found an inactive mom and her seven children- none of them know about the gospel..While we were teaching them about our purpose as missionaries, their cute little 4 week old puppy comes out of a room and wants to play..He was being a little annoying so one of the kids locked him in a bathroom..A few minutes later the kid went into the bathroom and shouted something that I couldn't understand.. The puppy came running out and naturally I picked him up because he was so cute. The boy came back and said in spanish, "The dog pooped everywhere in the bathroom." I looked down at the puppy and saw that I had some lovely brown stuff on my skirt and white shirt..JOY to the world. Hermana Hale and I were crying from laughing while Hermana Alvarenga (the LA mom) was so embarrassed..This was our first appointment of the day and guess who had to go to her next appointment with poop smear on her? yep. me. As we left the Alvarenga's and walked towards the car, I heard the sound of paws rushing towards me and a thunderous growl escaped the mouth of a massive dog. The dog was behind me and my brain went into survival mode. I screamed and dove head first into the car and slammed the door behind me. When I turned around, I saw that the dog was on the other side of the fence that was right next to the car. Hermana Hale was laughing soo hard..She said that it was the hardest she has ever laughed on her mission..I always seem to do that to my companions...

On Tuesday, we got to go to the temple for Jo Ann's first time! Ah...it was one of the greatest things I've done on my mission! She was so cute and so excited. I'm so grateful that I was able to be there, right next to her for the whole thing! I was also blessed to see many members from the Huntsville area and I ran into some from Parkway (my first area)..When I was in the Celestial Room, I saw Elder and Sister LeBaron (the institute directors in Huntsville) and hugged both of them..They're like my missionary grandparents..Even though Jo Ann didn't have any family members in the temple with her, she had her ward family and friends..That is what I love about the Gospel. You could be the only member of the Church in your family and it doesn't even matter because you have an entire congregation as your family too!

On Saturday, we were running low on miles (we get a weekly amount) and so we walked for a few hours. We decided to walk to a member's home (who we haven't met yet)...45 minutes later, we reach a point in the road where it ends and you have to cross the 10...a five lane highway...So....we couldn't make it to the home :\ At first, one could jump to the conclusion "ugh..this was a waste of time and energy!" but on the way there, we walked by a man and talked to him. He said that whenever he's feeling down, God always sends someone to cheer him up and we were his "pick me up" today. :) My word of advice? Always look for the little miracles and the positives and you will find joy in the journey! 

We're starting to work more with the members...this is something that hasn't been done in this ward..Knocking doors all day is pointless when you have ward members that know who the prepared people are. The purpose of a missionary isn't to knock on doors, it's to teach the members' friends and family! The members have to find!

For a while, I put off studying the life and Atonement of Jesus Christ and I noticed a huge difference..When I began my studies once again, I felt a huge change inside of me. We become the people who we admire and who we are around. The way we become more like the Savior is through studying His life and teachings and then applying it into our lives!

We also taught my dad this week about the power of prayer..Once someone understands the true and purpose of prayer, it becomes second nature. We have a loving Heavenly Father who has blessings waiting for us. All we have to do is pray and ask for them. 

I love you all so much and hope that you have a great week!

Hermana Emma Seymour :)

we went to the galleria (the mall) in downtown and it was so fun! it is three stories and all of it is underground except for the top floor..

The day I got pooped on...it doesn't look too bad..that's because most of it was on my skirt...

   

jo Anne

Rainbows in a thunderstorm

The LeBaron"s

There an ice rink in the mall too! oh it brought back such great memories! Feeling the cold air hit my face and hearing the sound of ice carving brought tears to my eyes!

futbol night! these are the missionaries that came on thursday to play with the members and investigators..

cowdog..this is one of the many street dogs that walk the streets of houston...I snapped this pic while in the car.

houston has bike routes all throughout the city and for the first time in my mission, I wish that I had my bike with me!

While walking to that member's home, we got creative and took a picture..you can't see it very well but the skyscrapers are right in front of us

August 11, 2014: OUT OF TIME!

Hi family! This is going to be a little bit short...

A little bit of trouble came up in paradise...as it usually does in this kind of work! The three sisters that were going to be baptized on the 23rd, had to drop up because their father does not want them being taught or baptized :( We had one final lesson with them at the church after a baptism and wow, it was probably one of the most powerful lessons that I've ever participated in. We brought the girls to a baptism, after knowing that they can't really continuing being taught, and everything was so perfect. Anthony, the 19 year old who was baptized, was so so happy afterwards! He stood in the water with the biggest smile and when he got out he said, "The missionaries told me that I'd feel completely new and I didn't know what to expect..But they're right, I do feel brand new." The gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives! We brought the girls into a room and began to teach them. We started out my restating our purpose- emphasizing that we teach people and we give them the opportunity to chose for themselves if they want this or not..Then I explained a very special story...My mom's conversion..I explained to them that she was in nearly the same exact place that they were all in (except her mom was supportive)..It made me realize how much the Lord knows me and the experiences that I've been through. We meet certain people on our missions that only we can help. I know that I needed to meet Sandra, Elizabeth, and Angie Morales..Even though they won't get baptized now, I know that they will come back one day and that they will remember what we've taught them. Telling the girls about my mom also made me realize how grateful I am for those two elders that chose to serve missions. I know that the Lord will provide a way for every person to hear the gospel but I thought for a few moments...Where would I be if they hadn't served? Would my mom have found the gospel? We told the girls that the decision to accept or reject the gospel not only affects them but it affects their families, future families, and their friends around them. So all I have to say is...THANK YOU MOM FOR ACCEPTING THE GOSPEL!!

We taught them the Restoration and everything was so perfect..I think the Lord had the lesson go so perfectly so that when we were rejected, we would know that we did nothing wrong. That we did everything in our power and that we had fulfilled our purpose as missionaries...To INVITE other to come to Christ.

I love this work and I love the opportunity that I have to grow and become a better person. The Lord knows best. His rules are perfect and He knows why we need to keep them, even if we think they're restricting.

Obedience is stressed so much as a missionary..Why? We try to be the most pure vessel possible so that the Spirit can work through us and testify to others that the message we carry is true. Establishing good habits of obedience as a missionary is so important for life after the mission..If we can follow the smallest rules like getting up at 6:30 am, we'll be able to handle the tough tests thrown at us afterwards..The rules that are given to us are just opportunities to receive blessings :)

I love yall!

Hermana Emma Seymour

yes

 ohh the things you see when driving on a texas highway..behind him is a sign that says, "Caution: Radiation area."

Houston skyline at night!

living the life as a spanish missionary...futbol every thursday night with the investigators and members! This little place is right in the middle of a neighborhood! This past week was my first time playing soccer in a very long time and needless to say..I had the hardest workout of my mission!

our mexican elders....Serrano and Garcia!

e!

Hermana Tu'ikolovatu and I doing some service....We stuffed 7,000 backpacks full of school supplies for Houston schools as a zon

Tongan sandwich! Hermana Tu'ikolovatu and Elder Taumoanga...Have I ever told you how racially diverse my zone is? We have 5 Tongans, 1 half hawaiian, half marshallese (marshall islands), 1 Mexican, two half mexicans, and 9 white missionaries...wahoooooo for melting pots! 

August 4, 2014: Bright Lights, Big City!

My friends and family!!! I've left the cows, chickens, goats, and horses behind and my new home is the concrete jungle where your dreams are made :) Yes, I'm serving in downtown Houston and it's the greatest thing I've ever experienced! 

Lets recap...all last Monday and the two hour drive to transfers, I was stressing out hardcore..Sweating bullets, butterflies etc..When we got to transfer meeting and the transfer sheet was passed around, I was too afraid to look..I worked up the courage and saw my name under, "Houston 3rd Ward-Heights" I literally screamed out loud....kinda embarrassing but whatevs...Hermana Crandall saw her name as well and shouted with joy, she went back to the area she came from! She was soooo excited! 

I found my new companion, Hermana Hale and we hit the road with Sister 'Aisea (she tagged along with us because she was waiting for her trainee to come on Thursday)..We turned right out of the parking lot..something I'd never done before because I always went back to the country and not to the city..We drove for like 20 minutes and then I saw the great Houston skyline...ahhhh my home..We dropped my stuff off at the apartment and holy smokes..I had to pick my jaw up off of the ground because I was in shock over how nice it is! We went to work right away, we did half english, half spanish for tuesday and wednesday because sister 'aisea serves in the same area as us, just english...oh...she and her companion live with us in our 4 man apartment :) it's a party...

There is so so so much work here. The city is filled with life and so many people! We have too many investigators to count and we see so many miracles! Three of our investigators are all sisters...Sandra, Elizabeth, and Angie..16,14, and 8...We sat a date with Sandra and Angie to be baptized on August 23rd, Elizabeth is still waiting on her answer for when she should get baptized..We have another investigator, Karen, who just needs to go to a courthouse and get married in order to get baptized...she had her two babies blessed during sacrament meeting yesterday! Her 18 month old, Nelly, is literally the fattest and cutest baby I've ever seen...Like Michellin man roll status..

Fun miracle...So this past monday, Alex Cattich emailed me and asked if I had served in the Houston 3rd ward yet because her companion's family lives in that ward...Well..now I'm serving in Houston 3rd! On Friday, we brought the Relief Society president with us to a lesson with Karen and during the lesson she mentioned her daughter serving in the dallas mission..I squealed and said, "My friend is your daughter's companion!!!!!!!!!" We had a little freak out moment and then after the lesson, she showed me pictures of Alex and her companion (hermana lopez's daughter)...small small world :)

Another miracle...We drove by a woman named Norma's house,whom the hermanas met last week...her brother is lds and she has a nephew serving a mission..She wasn't home so we decided to do some knocking...We talked to one guy who lived in Utah for a couple months and has met with missionaries in the past..We're going over there tonight to teach him and his family! wahoo!! after we had knocked the entire street, we made our way back to the car and as we walked by Norma's, I had the feeling that we needed to knock again..So we did and she opened! She had just came back from the aquarium with her family...I was blown away..It was a small miracle but it showed me that I need to listen to the most quiet thoughts that pop into my head because I'm an instrument in the Lord's hands.

The ward that I'm in is so amazing! Our ward mission leader is the greatest in the world! It's insane how much of a difference the ward mission leader makes in the work..people...do your callings!!!!!! His name is Justino and he got baptized when he was 22 and then served a mission...He's incredible..he'll come out with us at the drop of a hat..I've never known what it's like to have a ward mission leader who actually does his calling haha...so this is paradise! 

A little bit about Hermana Hale...she's 22 and goes home in....4 weeks...yep, I'm killing another companion..But the good thing is that she's one of the hardest working missionaries I've ever served with..She's from Idaho and goes to BYU-I..We're really similar and are so motivated to do this work! 

I'm so grateful to be here, I don't even know where to begin..I think the Lord sent me to Heights for my last area because He knew I would appreciate it so much more than if it was like my first area. It has been my dream to serve in the city so now I'm living the dream!

A little more about my area...the Heights district is the super wealthy part of Houston...and that's where we live..but where we work? that's a whole different story..We teach people who live in the most humble of circumstances..the only complaint I have about it all is the dogs...the wild dogs..They're everywhere..My first two days with Hermana Hale she said, "I think you're a wolf magnet because I've never seen so many dogs before than I have with you." So yeah...there are wild dogs that look like they want to eat you for lunch..Power of prayer works though! 

I'm out of time but I just wanted to say that I love yall! This is the Lord's work and we can have fun while doing it! Don't forget to look for the smallest of miracles because they're everywhere :) The more you look, the more you realize that the Lord has His hand in everything!

Hermana Emma Seymour

last pday in brazos...elder hilton made a scarecrow of himself and set it on fire...it's a tradition to burn something when you hit a milestone like your halfway point or going home..he went home on wednesday!

the zapata's!!! one of my favorite families

Hermana Hosking!! oh how I miss this girl! She went home this past week :(

                       my backyard...I love driving around and everywhere I look, there's the skyline! 

a colorful home we drove by..

                                       
 on saturday, we went to the farmers market to talk to people and my word..i think it's the closest thing I'll get to being in mexico..a guy gave us some fruit to try...he pulled this apart and on the inside was a delicious white fruit! mmmm....other fun fact....i haven't seen a white person in a few days :) I LOVE IT

                                                                     some fruit

 so last night we decided to take this picture because none of us had taken comp pictures or anything...excuse our grunginess and not looking at the same camera or smiling haha...from left to right....Sister 'Aisea (she's tongan but has lived in Oregon her whole life...she makes the poly in me come out haha)...Sister Winterton, she's brand new! And Hermana Hale and meeee!