I Feel My Savior's Love

I have just recently seen this video of these precious children

singing I Feel My Savior's Love.  I know it is not new, but

because it is new to me, and touched my heart so much,

I'd like to share it here on our mission blog.  

As missionaries, we seek to represent our

Savior Jesus Christ in all that we do and say.

I love the words of this song that remind us to

do just that.  I especially love the words to the

fourth verse.

I'll share my Savior's love,

by serving others freely.

In serving I am blessed,

in giving I receive.

Chorus

He knows I will follow him,

give all my life to him.

I feel my Savior's love,

the love he freely gives me.

Updated LDS missionary dress and grooming guidelines

    5-20-16

Dear parents and missionaries,

The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have made updates to the dress and grooming guidelines for missionaries.  

The updates include permission to wear "simple and conservative" sunglasses and "approved wide-brimmed hats" while proselyting.  These changes have been made to provide protection from the sun.

Additionally, the Church has announced, that sisters serving missions in countries threatened by mosquito-borne illnesses may now wear dress slacks, or long dresses during proselyting activities,to cover their legs, to protect against mosquito bites. These new guidelines will apply to us here in the Mexico Guadalajara Mission.

Sister missionaries will continue to wear skirts or dresses when attending the temple and during Sunday worship services, leadership, zone conferences and baptismal services.

What a wonderful opportunity for both our missionaries and parents to revisit the missionary clothing website and ensure that our clothing standards are within the guidelines provided.

Please visit the missionary clothing website for the updated information at:

missionary.lds.org/clothing. (Dress and Grooming)

with love,

Sister Clayton

This letter went out to all of our missionaries, to be read this coming Pday:

                                                                                                                        5-23-16

Dear missionaries,
We love you!  

This week the First Presidency, and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints have issued several updates to the missionary clothing guidelines.  Please be advised of the following updates.

SUNGLASSES: Missionaries may now wear simple and conservative sunglasses outdoors. Missionaries are instructed to not wear sunglasses while speaking with other people and are to avoid sunglasses with bright-colored rims or mirrored lenses.

HATS: Wide-brim hats with at least 3-inch brims are now allowed when necessary for protection from sun. Baseball, cowboy, bucket, newsboy and fedora hats are not acceptable.

DRESS SLACKS for sisters: Sisters serving missions in countries threatened by mosquito-borne illnesses may now wear dress slacks, or long dresses during proselyting activities, to cover their legs to protect against mosquito bites. Our mission has been approved for these changes.

The mission will provide funds for all young sister missionaries called prior to June 5, 2016, to purchase 3–4 pair of approved dress slacks. Sister missionaries called after June 6, 2016, will be instructed to purchase their own dress slacks.

Sister missionaries will continue to wear skirts or dresses when attending the temple and during Sunday worship services, leadership, zone conferences and baptismal services.

As you will recall, during our last zone conferences, we provided each companionship with permethrin insecticide and clear instructions on how to apply it in your apartment and on your clothing.  We will be investing in, and distributing additional supplies of the repellent for our missionaries use.

We will be giving specific details concerning these updated guidelines, and also answering questions in our mission council on June 1st.  All missionaries are asked to wait to purchase sunglasses, hats and approved dress slacks for the sisters, until after our June 1st mission council meeting.

Additionally, information and continued direction will be forthcoming from our Mexico Area Presidency.

I have posted this information on our mission blog. For complete details, and guidelines, you may go to the lds.org site and look under dress and grooming at:

missionary.lds.org/clothing. (Dress and Grooming)

With love,

Sister Clayton

Sayula Branch Conference

We are off to Sayula today for their Branch Conference.
We were packed and off by 8am.  It's little Ava's birthday today. Our precious little one year old granddaughter.   We were thinking of our kids and grand kids this morning as we drove. We had a sweet morning and a lovely drive together.

We got to Sayula and couldn't quite remember what street to turn on. We have been to this little House of Prayer before, but it's easy to get confused with all those one way streets, they start to all look the same.  We finally called the Elders after we circled the city center and cathedral twice.  We were very close.  They walked one street down to the city center park, and met us.  They hopped in our car, we made 2 left turns and we were there.

This little House of Prayer is right off a moderately busy, but very typical neighborhood, here in Sayula.  The front door is just another doorway along the sidewalk.  The church plaque distinguishes it as our church, but you don't see the plaque until you are right there in front.  This House of Prayer has one large rectangle room with small rooms shooting off the sides for classrooms and an office.  It has a pretty fountain inside the large room.  It isn't working now, so they have it filled with plants. Elder Rider, Elder Haynes, Hermana Lopez and Hermana Flores are serving here now.

I was so proud of Hermana Flores for playing the hymns for our meeting on the small key board as she sat on the front row in a folding chair.  She did a wonderful job.

As we began the sacrament potion of the meeting. The young man, a perspective missionary closed, and I think locked that main front door and stood there in front of it with his hands folded.  Several people arriving late, found the door shut and locked,  stood on the sidewalk right outside and knocked and knocked.  This young man just stood there protecting that door.  When the knocking continued, I saw him finally turn and whisper something through the door, and the knocking stopped.

As the Branch President began his talk, and the door was opened wide again to the street, we saw several folks file in, including an older man carrying his bike in through the front door, and set it along the back side wall.

As we sat on the stand looking out into the congregation, President Clayton leaned over to me, as he does at the beginning of each of our meetings (something he learned from Elder Bednar's teaching in the MTC), and asked me what I was thinking and feeling. Many of the faces of these good saints looked wind worn, and tired, some faces seemed full of worry, many seem stoic and quietly faithful. Today, many of these good folks looked down as they listened.  I was anxious to watch their faces as President would begin his talk because he always, always helps the members we meet with smile and feel loved, as he shares the light of the gospel, his love for the Savior and for this glorious work.

We had a great conference.  President had numerous interviews, after the meeting, and I visited with the missionaries and members while we waited.

Here are some pictures from today.


I try to always take a picture after the meeting to add to my mission history.

Here is the sweet Primary presidency. 

The nursery class.

The 6,7,and 8 year old class.

The next class of 9, 10 and 11 year olds.

The youth class

Hermana Flores and Hermana Lopez, who I love so much.

The sisters with Elder Haynes and Elder Rider, wonderful

missionaries all.

With President and I in front of the inside fountain. :)

Follow Up Training today

Another great day with our newest missionaries who have been here for four weeks already.  They are doing wonderful, and we are proud of their determination to learn and stay focused and to work hard!

Here are some pictures from today.

The assistants introduced the

 Celestial Habits Challenge!

 Think fast and name one of the 7 celestial habits

that hasn't been said yet as the ball is tossed to you.

       1.  Always give the baptismal challenge

2. Teach lessons in order

(3-5) Name three ways to receive revelation

3.  Through prayer

4.  Reading the Book of Mormon

5.  Attending church

6.  Ask for referrals

7.  Evaluate and set goals

Some possible answers might be:

Do your neighbors know that you are a member of the church?
Who do you know that would be blessed by living the gospel?
Who is the last person you talked to about the church?
Of the people you know here in the city, who do you think
should receive a visit from the missionaries, And be baptized?
Have you ever given out a Book of Mormon?  To whom?
Are all of your family members, members of the church?
Do you know any active or inactive members who have
non member friends or family members we could visit?

team 1

team 2

team 3

President, and our two assistants

Elder Petersen and Elder Teichert have their

checklists out to double check the answers

our three finalists

a quick brush up..

ready, begin

down to two

and the winner is... Elder Torres!  

Mother's Day

Happy Mothers Day!

Look what our two assistants have made for us!  They have been sneaking around for weeks collecting pictures from our missionaries, and from our children.  This afternoon, they had me sit down and surprised me with this precious video.  I love it!!!  I loved seeing the missionaries sweet notes to their mothers, and picture after picture of them with their moms.  I treasure this gift and hope you enjoy it as well!
Thank you Elder Petersen and Elder Teichert!!!

May Mission Council

Great. Day. Today.

President Clayton-

Doctrine and Covenants 24:12

And at all times, and in all places, he shall open his mouth and declare my gospel as with the voice of a trump, both day and night. And I will give unto him strength such as is not known among men.

*Here are some highlights from our teachings and discussions today.

*Teaching Repentance and Baptizing

*What is repentance?

-The second principle of the gospel

-A change in our hearts, our desires, beliefs, actions, and behavior.

-As we come to know more of Christ, we will want to follow Him, we will desire to change our lives to conform to His teachings, and to submit our will to His.

*What repentance isn’t:

-Many people incorrectly believe repentance means just confessing sins.

*Incorrect traditions:

-all we need to do to be forgiven, is to just stop sinning

- repentance is a punishment.

- require that people pay money to the priest/church to pay for their sins.

-the priest is the focus.

-relying on trinkets or other items that falsely teach will aid in the forgiveness process.

- a focus on the virgin Mary, or other saints, claiming that they are more sympathetic and understanding of our problems, and that they can approach God for us.  

*Full understanding comes as we learn the doctrine of Christ.  

-Our focus must be on our Savior Jesus Christ, and His atoning sacrifice for us.

-Our Father in Heaven is the One who offers forgiveness, through His Son Jesus Christ.

-Our Savior understands our sins, our guilt, worry and problems perfectly.

*Steps:

-recognize, confess, feel Godly sorrow, leave the sin behind, restitution, continue forward in faith.

-Every single step is required, not just a change in our behavior, we must have a change of heart

-God only has the power to forgive sins.

-As missionaries, we represent the Savior as we teach of His doctrine

*What helps us to make changes in our lives to become clean from sin?

-Faith through the atonement of Jesus Christ (faith unto repentance)

-Faith brings hope in Christ

*Why must we repent?

-to become clean

-no unclean things can dwell with God (1 Nephi 10:21)

-this is the process to become purified

-Ultimately our goal is to become like God.

*What kinds of changes must we make to draw us closer to Christ?

-Changes in our thoughts, our works, our attitude, our habits and our will.

-This process of improving continues throughout our lives.

-Ezekiel 36: 25-26 I will give you a new heart

*What do we as missionaries have to do with this repentance process?

-We must learn it, live it and teach the correct doctrine

-Once we fully understand repentance ourselves, we can teach it with greater clarity.

-2 Nephi 2:8 How great the importance to make these things known…

-Moses 6:57 Wherefore, teach it unto your children...

*This clear understanding of repentance is not found in the bible.  We must teach these precious doctrines and truths from the pages of the Book of Mormon.

Sister Clayton-

*What are some evidences of your faith?

*Romans 1 :16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. For it is the power of God, unto salvation, to everyone that believeth.

*Three powerful examples of faith being manifested.

*Helaman 5 - Nephi and Lehi brothers and missionary companion (went through chapter)

-blessings, divine help, power, and miracles were given them as they ministered in great measure according to, and because of their faith.

*Ether- a mighty prophet who demonstrated faith as a principle of power

 - He could not be restrained because of the spirit of the Lord that was in him

 - He did cry from the morning until the going down of the sun, exhorting the people to believe

 - He taught the people that it is faith which anchors the souls of men

  -He prophesies great and marvelous things

  -But, the people would not believe, because they could not see.

 -They had no faith.

*2 Chronicles 20:1-22 is the story of King Jehoshaphat, who became king of Judah when he was 35 years old.

-the people come running to tell him that a vast army is coming toward them

-alarmed, and terrified, this faithful king, resolved to call upon the Lord

-he gathered his people together - all the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, and stood there before the Lord.

-he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah

-the next day, the people gathered in the house of the Lord, and King Jehoshaphat prayed aloud

-We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us, we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you our God.

-God answered them.

-Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army.

* For the battle is not yours, but God’s.

-Tomorrow march down against them. They will be coming, but you will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you

-Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, your God will be with you.  

-Jehospaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground and fell before the Lord.

-Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa.

-As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said to his people, listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem.  Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.

-King Johoshaphat appointed singers to praise the Lord as they went to battle

-When they got to a lookout point, they saw that, that vast army, coming toward them to battle, had warred among themselves and had destroyed each other.

-There was not one soul left alive.

-It took them 3 days to gather the spoils

* For the battle is not yours, but God’s

*Notwithstanding these mighty men of valor, and these courageously fought battles, we too are in battle. We are in the final battle for the souls of men.  

*You have been called as a missionary in Guadalajara Mexico. You are on the front lines of this Latter Day Battle.  

*1 Peter 1:2  You are here now because you were elected to be here.

*Isaiah 62:2-3  You were born for glory.  You were born to lead.

* You were foreordained to perform missions, the Lord knew in His wisdom you had a talent for, and a capacity for.

*You are like a runner, who has been chosen to run the last leg of the race.  The last leg of the race, because that is where the coach puts his strongest and fastest and most reliable runners.

That is you. You are in the most important place, serving the God of Heaven and earth. (Sheri Dew)

*God wants a powerful people

*God gives power to those who are faithful

*I testify that when you do your part, the Lord will add His power to your efforts.

*For those who seek after, and use God’s power…. nothing is impossible.

Our fabulous Assistants taught-

Three Main Focus Points:   How to Fix Goals, Finding New Investigators, Setting Baptismal Dates.

How to Fix Goals:  Be realistic. Measure your progress. Teach your district leaders the same.

Finding New Investigators: PMG Chapter 9: “Talk with everyone”.  We need to make a greater effort in finding new investigators. D&C 24:12. Rejection Practice. Don’t be afraid of rejection, make the personal decision to talk with others. D&C 6:29-37 with 1 Nephi 19:7,9.

Setting Baptismal Dates: Why is it important to put a baptismal date? Without a baptismal date, we are teaching without a purpose; like sending a letter out without an address written.  Practice: How to set a date. Practice: How to maintain a baptismal date.  Help them understand what they will need to do to be prepared.  Where can we find requirements for baptism? D&C 20:37.