Missionaries Work, Work, Work!

"I have often said one of the greatest secrets of missionary work is work! .....Work, work, work-there is no substitute!" (President Ezra Taft Benson in Preach My Gospel) These sister work very hard. 

I felt I needed to post about the work. Usually we are too busy to take pictures unless we are having a birthday, breakfast or farewell celebration. However, I wanted to show the work done in the Mesa Temple Visitors' Center! It is amazing! 

The missionaries teach in the center, on the phones, on Skype, on their iPads on chat and Facebook. They teach people from around the world, large groups or the one. They work in their areas when they are not working 6 hour shifts in the center to find people the Lord has prepared to hear His message. (We seniors just work in the center so our experience is similar in some ways but not all ways)

They work within their assigned wards to train members to be better missionaries and assist them in this work of Salvation. The wards are blessed by the service they give to the missionaries, bringing them dinners or having them over for dinner, coming to lessons, finding and inviting others to hear the good news.

There are five missions in South Central Arizona and many Elders and Sisters bring their investigators to the center to use the exhibits and movies available to teach gospel principles and strengthen faith. We have opportunities to consult with them to make their time there beneficial.

We are so blessed to have people coming to us all times of the day and evening for a variety of reasons; to see the beautiful temple and grounds, to feel the peace, to be taught, looking for something they are missing, or wanting to learn more about our Savior Jesus Christ. 

We experience daily miracles and see people change when they receive the gospel of Christ and let the Holy Ghost touch their hearts.

Our mission statement is:

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of Him to declare His word among His people, that they might have everlasting life (3 Nephi 5:13)

We are a Preach My Gospel mission!

We live by consecration. We sow exact obedience. We grow mighty faith. We harvest precious souls.

We expect and facilitate daily miracles.

We talk with everyone. We find with faith. We teach with power. We baptize monthly.

We are happy, dignified and hard working.

We love God and show charity for all His children. 

We are Arizona Mesa Missionaries.

Our statistics for July were 20 baptisms and 79 referrals. Referrals mean 79 people wanted to learn more and were referred to the missionaries in their areas to follow-up. We surpassed our goals!

Hermanas Greene and Luna teaching on the phones

Sisters Taumarawa, and Grow, Hermana Jeppson and Castello working at the desk answering phones,
scheduling reservations, and greeting visitors  

Hermanas Castello, Jeppson and Alcocer on the phones

Sister Beaudette and Sister Pickett completing some early morning scripture study, companionship study and planning,

Sisters Ganta and Finau planning their lessons for the evening and the next day. If you don't plan it, it doesn't happen.

Sister Beaudette and Pickett on chat and phones

Sisters Rios and Pajaro taking their turn at the back desk. The sisters rotate each hour so they do it all!

Sister Tingey is working in the field this transfer and loves to bring her investigators to the
center to use the many resources to help them teach the gospel.

Our current training leaders, Hermana Jeppson and Sister Pickett. They work diligently to facilitate a weekly training with the Camerons to increase our skills as missionaries. They work on the schedules and they have to coordinate the schedules of 20 sisters continually. A big job! They do this in addition to their missionary work. 

The Tempe mission brought their new missionaries to experience the many ways they can use the center
to help them in their missionary work.

Hermana Embley and Sister Beaudette share their love of the Savior with these sisters.

Hermana Brons and Leon also working with new Tempe missionaries.

Missionaries receiving more instructions. We also had a group from Scottsdale last week. It is so fun to see all these new missionaries!

Sister Pickett is our only August Birthday! Happy Birthday!

Interesting Weather in Mesa Arizona

The weather here can be extreme: hot, dry, haboobs, monsoons, wet, windy, humid. We just have to enjoy it. The winter is like summer in Utah! That is another extreme.

Started out mild rain,

Then it was pouring, Hermanas Leon and Brons just couldn't resist!

Sometimes you just have to dance in the rain! Hermanas Leon, Duffin and Brons

Sister Pajaro joined them! 

Got this one to show the background. It was coming down so hard and the wind was blowing it sideways.
Elder Ballard was at the back desk and he said he couldn't even see the temple through the rain!

Trees we snapped in half by the wind. Our phone, internet, and displays went down for a while when our power surged and the lights went out momentarily. Made for an exciting evening!

We had a swimming pool at our front steps. I may or may not have been splashing in the puddles. The humidity was 70% this evening.

This was one of my favorite trees with beautiful purple flowers.

The temple groundskeepers got this cleaned up so fast you wouldn't even know it happened the next day.

Hauling off the limbs

Boy Scouts, New Sisters, More Matches!

Elder Ballard and I got to work with these darling Cub Scouts

We cherish these moments when we get to teach and testify of Christ.

They were so interested and made very informed comments. What a treat!

More matches for Sister Andrus, Hermana Orr and me! I always
match someone when I wear this outfit.

Sister Pajaro from the Philippines came to Mesa. Her companion is Sister Rios.
We are thrilled to have her here with us! Her english is wonderful and she loves, loves loves the work!

This is Sister Ganta from India. Her companion is Sister Finau. Her english is
wonderful as well! We are getting to know her and more about India.

Sister Kohler is from Utah and her companion is Sister Younce. We love
her willingness to work and her great attitude!

They even did matching lace skirts for a half/match. 

Oops we found we left out some more matching! If only I had worn my white skirt!
Sister Cameron, Sister Andrus, Sister Kohler and me!

Sister Ganta and Hermana Luna too! Wow, the color of the day. 

Farewells - A Time to Reflect

               "How blessed are they who have labored diligently in his vineyard."
                Jacob 6:3

As missionaries leave Mesa and return to their homes, we reflect on the wonderful service they have given for 18 months or two years, teaching and testifying of Christ. They have touched the lives of many people through their testimonies and watched as they were converted through the Holy Ghost. Oh, how we will miss them all! We pray for their future success and happiness and may they find joy in who they are becoming! We love you!

Sister Weedman and Beaudette came over for dinner. Sister Laura Weedman (on left) is
beginning a new adventure. She has served valiantly. We will miss her so much!

The two in the middle Sister Ani Avanesjan and Sister Emily Brown are returning to their homes with honor. We celebrated at dinner with their companions Sister Finau and Sister Pickett. We will miss them and their examples!

Hermanas Mayorca, Hourrutiner, Leon, Lund and Sister Younce with Sister Taboada hidden in the back

We had egg McMuffins, juice and fruit. The Andruses with Sister Tingey, Hermana Luna, Sisters Avanesjan and Finau enjoying the delicious breakfast!

Hermana Embley, Duffin and Sister Pcikett and Rios

Hermana Mayorca and Sister Brown

Sister Brown shared her testimony giving us a great message about keeping covenants and making commitments. She knows her Savior and will always have that missionary spirit.

Sister Ani Avanesjan will return to Germany. She shared many of the miracles she has experienced as a convert and as  a missionary. She has set a goal to have a baptism each month in her future. 

Sister Thompson was the campanion of VC sister Taumarawa. She received her visa and will finish her service in Brazil. She shared her testimony of how much she loves the work and has a strong testimony of the gospel of Christ.

Sister Laura Weedman will go home to Hendersen Nevada. She shared the great love she has of her Savior and her Heavenly Father. Her testimony is sure and she has loved serving. She motivated us to serve well.

Our traditional good-bye picture, making wonderful memories!

They needed one more picture with Brother Tietjen

Sisters Tingey, Beaudette, Finau, Weedman, Brown and Avanesjan

Sister Luna, Pickett and Greene joined in

Smiling through the tears

The departing Mesa Missionaries. We have enjoyed getting to know them and it has been a privilege to serve with them. They have touched many lives and will be missed and remembered.

The Hansens served in the mission office and their work and dedication has been
outstanding. They live here in Arizona so we hope to see them once in a while.

We were thrilled to receive a visit from the Brown family. They came from St George to pick up their daughter Emily. What a wonderful and talented family. We enjoyed meeting them and hearing them sing in perfect harmony.