Transfer Day but I'm Not Packing!

May 19, 2014

 

Hey so it's been a fun day. Transfer P-days are always so interesting. It's always a mixture of emotions. I'm always sad to see people go, and anxious for the changes. The hastle of packing didn't affect me this time around. I'm staying here with Elder Prieto! I was shocked at first, but I'm excited to be staying! This will be my 5th transfer here. So that equals out to be 7 and a half months here. That's quit a long time in mission standard, and I've done it twice now, Moreno Valley and here. It's kind of hard cause I start to feel like I've talked to the whole city, and there's no one left to talk to here, but I know that God will help us find those that will progress. So I'm pretty excited! And I love being with Prieto so that's a plus :) Almost all the sisters are leaving from our ward. It's super weird to see people come to the zone, and then leave it, and you still be there.. I hope the ward isn't too tired of me!

 

We played basketball with the zone for one last time this morning. It was great! My buddies Elder Johansen, and Elder Harrison are leaving the area. So it was sad saying goodbye to them! It will be cool though because I will still be able to be in the zone leader meetings, and work with President as he leaves. That will be fun! My good friend Elder Moss is one of the new AP's. We saw him this morning because his new area is basically ours but in English. He was pretty overwhelmed by all the stuff they have to do! He'll do great though, and I'm sure there will be perks to having your best friend in the mission as AP! :)

 

This week was awesome! We visited S-- and her daughter everyday this week. She was able to quit smoking for a week, and felt pretty confident in herself that she had control over the addiction, and was able to be baptized. It was awesome to see her desire to follow God grow. She really wants to change and help her kids grow up in this church. I know she felt the Spirit pretty strongly. I swear there was a unique glow about her when the baptism was over and everyone was welcoming her into the ward. It was a sweet baptism. We also helped A previous convert give a talk at the baptism. She did a great job teaching about baptism. It's been cool to see Her progress all this time while I've been here. I confirmed R-- a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints yesterday as well. That's always a neat experience.

 

The ward is putting on some exciting activities this week. We're having a ward wide noche de hogar tonight and on Tuesday the young men and their leaders are taking us to visit less active Priests and invite them to come back. They wanted us to come so we can help the young men teach these less active people, and they can see how great missionary experiences are. So that will be fun! Other than that I don't have anything else to add.

 

Well, Thanks for everything! I sure love you.

 

Love,  Elder Higgins

It was Awesome to See you this Week!!!

May 12, 2014

Yeah we won't be Emailing for long. We spent most the day playing basketball, and bowling. We thought we would take more time playing, instead of Emailing because we talked with you yesterday! 

 

It was so awesome to see you this week! I loved seeing all of you together, and smiling. Eli was adorable. It was good to see him smile!

 

Thanks for being a great family. I love all of you. 

 

Well, that's probably it for this week. I'll update you on all things riverside mission next week. 

Love you!

Mother's Day Skype Call

May 11, 2014

Missionaries get to call home two times a year, on Mother's Day and Christmas Day.  Our family gathered around the screen and it was fun for Elder Higgins to "meet" his new nephew Eli for the first time.  His fun personality still shines through!  He shared special experiences he has had.   His mission president encouraged them to share the message of the restoration with their families so he shared this heartfelt message with us in Spanish and his testimony of Jesus Christ.  As his family we are so thankful for his service to bring others unto Christ.

Showing us his new shoes he bought, missionaries get excited about new shoes! 

Eli's new shirt "I Love my Uncle" worn to "meet" Elder Higgins!!!

Anything is Possible with the Help of Jesus!

May 5, 2014

Well, this letter is going to be short, because it's a really busy day, but hey we'll see each other on Skype Sunday! So no worries.

 

This week was good. We didn't really find anyone, mainly because we had a ton of meetings, but the people we are teaching are progressing well.  An Investigator came to church again and absolutely loved it! She wants to get baptized with her daughter, and she wants her kids to be raised in the church. We went over last night, and she said she believes that anything is possible with the help of Jesus, and that she isn't going to smoke this week so she can get baptized with her daughter. She is very sincere and I think she'll be able to do it. We're going to see her at least once a day this week to help her. I promised her that if she did quit this week and was baptized, that the desire to smoke would be gone after her baptism. I feel like I was prompted to say that. Anyway, we are really hoping for a miracle with her. So keep her in your prayers.

 

Remember to ask me about our boy scout experience on Sunday. It's a fun little story! But Email wouldn't do it justice!!

I'm  super excited to see the whole fam this week on Skype for Mother's Day.  We'll have a lot to talk about!!

 

Thanks for everything!

 

Love,  Elder Higgins :)

 

Mission Leadership Council

May 1, 2014

                                                 Zone Leaders 

I'm learning to be patient ...

April 28, 2014

Well, this week was good. We went on exchanges with the Chinese missionaries. I went with Elder Yeung to China land. It was fun. I just read my scriptures while he taught. He was able to bring members to some lessons, so I didn't feel too bad about not participating. We also taught an English class that day. It was super fun! They teach English two days a week, and have a good turn out of about 15 - 20 people each time. They have members bring their friends, and they are able to turn a lot of them into investigators. It is working really well. They've baptized multiple people each month since I've been here. It's really cool to see how different the work is, and how it's still progressing so quickly.

We saw a few miracles this week. I'm learning as we're teaching that everyone has concerns, and needs, and while some might seem small to some, to others they are significant. I'm learning to be patient, and to help people lovingly as they progress in the Gospel. 

An investigator had a surprise birthday party this week. We got invited to it, and were able to stop by and say happy birthday. It was pretty fun. We requested they playGhangam Style. So while it played they were trying to get me to dance. I was hesitant to dance because I'm a missionary, but I finally had to break out a few moves. Nothing too fancy. No worries, I didn't show them my whole arsenal or disgrace the Higgins name or anything :)

We taught some investigators the Word of Wisdom this week. They smoke. So we invited them to pray everyday for strength, read the Book of Mormon, and to cut it down to one cigarette everyday.  They accepted to work with us, and to be baptized on May 11 if feeling prepared. So I think it is very possible that they make it...

That's about it. This week we're going to the temple, and we have the monthly MLC meeting with President, and Zone meeting with the zone. So it will be a busy week. I'm excited!

Love,  Elder Higgins