Hey family! We had an AWESOME week! We saw many miracles. The whole week it rained, EVERYDAY! But regardless, we went out and worked! Monday was rough,we went to the doctors, and we had bad colds, so the doctors gave us some antibiotics and now we are feeling great. But we couldn't even go work on Monday. But the Lord still blessed us!
Thank you for your prayers! We had 9 people at Church!!!!! Isn't that great news! It's because of your prayers and faith that we had so many people there! Many miracles!
We set 4 people for baptism as well! We found a family named the Ah Chees, they are a part member family. And we set the children for baptism! Chandler 14, Alex 11, and Nathan 9!!! they are getting baptized on the 21!!!!!
And this wonderful lady named Patricia, we found her a few weeks ago. Her story is just like Corrin. She had been taught in the past but didn't get baptized because of her partner. But now, she is determined to get baptized! She is getting married on the 18 and baptized on the 28!!!!! A huge miracle! Another person that many missionaries had taught, but now is HER TIME to get baptized!!!!!!!!!! And her 8 year old son is getting baptized with her. And her sister just moved in with her, and she is KEEN! She came to church as well, and we are hoping to set her for baptism as well! Maybe today!!!! So wish us luck! We are being very blessed!!!!
Gail came to church as well! She is doing ok! I called her yesterday before church, and this is how the conversation went. "Hi Gail, you coming to church?" "Do I have to?" "YES!" "Boy, that was bold." "Going to church is a commandment." "Well I already went to church today." "Did you go to mass?" "Yes." "Well, that's good you went to mass, but now you need to come to God's church!" And she sighs, "Arggg." "We could argue all day about this." "FINE. I'll come to church, bye!" lol!! How funny is that?! And she enjoyed it! Man I hope she gets baptized!!!!!
We had a really good week! Things are going great! Thanks you all so much for your prayers!!! We are being very blessed!!!!!
Transfers is this week!!!!! So pray for me! lol!
LOVE YA TONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MISS YA LIKE CRAZY!!!!!!!
BUT I'M DOING THE LORD'S WORK AND I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!1
Elder Belnap
:) Smile!
Monday, August 9, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
WE'RE SICK!!!!! :(
KIA ORA WHANAU!!!
Hope all is well back home!
So this week has pretty much sucked! Whaanga got sick on Tuesday! Like really sick with the flu/cold. But he trudged through it and we still made it to all of our set appointments. Then Friday, I got sick. So that was no good. And over the weekend I just got worse. And today at 4 me and Whaanga are going to the clinic to get some medicines. We just have the cold. Bad sore throats. President told me 1/3 of the mission is down sick. But we still have been working. Saturday we went and worked hard out til we just couldn't go anymore.
On Tuesday, at District Meeting, I gave a training on the Spirit in Conversion, pg. 92 Preach My Gospel. And I'm not going to lie, I did a dang good job. I love doing trainings. That's where we as missionaries get together and give trainings on the work. I just think of it as getting up in a DECA competition and teaching the gospel.
We had INTERVIEWS with President on Friday! It was soo good! I love Pres. Porter! We talked about Rainbow Gardens and about Huntsville lol! And how when he was younger he spranged his wrist on the tramp at Rainbow Gardens lol! But we had a good chat. Then we talked more about the mission. And he was just so pleased with me. I don't know how many times he said he was so happy with what I've done, the progress I've made, and how proud he was of me. He talked to me a lot about being a leader. And what makes a great leader, whether in business or as a missionary. And he said, which makes sense, the difference between a bad leader, a good leader, and a Great leader, is 2 or 3 strengths. So he told me to focus on my strengths. He said that my reputation with him is Great! He said, "Elder Belnap, do you want to know what your reputation is with me?!" He said, "It's a good one. Your a man of integrity. You have a contagious excitement and enthusiasm about the work that rubs off. Other missionaries explain it to me as contagious. You are faithful, obedient, willing to do the work. And I am very proud of you and especially how you have progressed."
He told me why I'm with Elder Whaanga. And he said, "Elder Belnap, yourcompanion just really loves you. He thanked me for helping him out. And i had no idea what I was doing, I was just being me. But Whaanga has progressed a lot with me, he's a great missionary. And I can tell that he loves the work.
Even though we were sick this week, we still had 22 lesson, which i think leads the district. And we found 9 New Investigators!!! A great week!
We have transfers next week, on Thursday!! It's coming up! I love this area, but i honestly feel like i'm moving, that it's time for me to move on, and start a new adventure. So we'll see what happens. From what Pres. Porter was hinting at, it looks like i might be called to be a District leader in another area, but we'll see what happens. So keep praying for me!
LOVE YA TONS!!!!!!!!!
THE CHURCH IS TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Belnap
:)
Hope all is well back home!
So this week has pretty much sucked! Whaanga got sick on Tuesday! Like really sick with the flu/cold. But he trudged through it and we still made it to all of our set appointments. Then Friday, I got sick. So that was no good. And over the weekend I just got worse. And today at 4 me and Whaanga are going to the clinic to get some medicines. We just have the cold. Bad sore throats. President told me 1/3 of the mission is down sick. But we still have been working. Saturday we went and worked hard out til we just couldn't go anymore.
On Tuesday, at District Meeting, I gave a training on the Spirit in Conversion, pg. 92 Preach My Gospel. And I'm not going to lie, I did a dang good job. I love doing trainings. That's where we as missionaries get together and give trainings on the work. I just think of it as getting up in a DECA competition and teaching the gospel.
We had INTERVIEWS with President on Friday! It was soo good! I love Pres. Porter! We talked about Rainbow Gardens and about Huntsville lol! And how when he was younger he spranged his wrist on the tramp at Rainbow Gardens lol! But we had a good chat. Then we talked more about the mission. And he was just so pleased with me. I don't know how many times he said he was so happy with what I've done, the progress I've made, and how proud he was of me. He talked to me a lot about being a leader. And what makes a great leader, whether in business or as a missionary. And he said, which makes sense, the difference between a bad leader, a good leader, and a Great leader, is 2 or 3 strengths. So he told me to focus on my strengths. He said that my reputation with him is Great! He said, "Elder Belnap, do you want to know what your reputation is with me?!" He said, "It's a good one. Your a man of integrity. You have a contagious excitement and enthusiasm about the work that rubs off. Other missionaries explain it to me as contagious. You are faithful, obedient, willing to do the work. And I am very proud of you and especially how you have progressed."
He told me why I'm with Elder Whaanga. And he said, "Elder Belnap, yourcompanion just really loves you. He thanked me for helping him out. And i had no idea what I was doing, I was just being me. But Whaanga has progressed a lot with me, he's a great missionary. And I can tell that he loves the work.
Even though we were sick this week, we still had 22 lesson, which i think leads the district. And we found 9 New Investigators!!! A great week!
We have transfers next week, on Thursday!! It's coming up! I love this area, but i honestly feel like i'm moving, that it's time for me to move on, and start a new adventure. So we'll see what happens. From what Pres. Porter was hinting at, it looks like i might be called to be a District leader in another area, but we'll see what happens. So keep praying for me!
LOVE YA TONS!!!!!!!!!
THE CHURCH IS TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Belnap
:)
Monday, July 26, 2010
Set 3 People For Baptism!!
Hey Everyone!!!!!
We had a solid week! We taught like crazy! And we set 3 people for baptism!
We had a lesson with these 2 kids (Buck 12, Charles 13) and we had a really good lesson on baptism and we set them for August! We are really excited!
Then we had another investigator named Grant, 18. And on our list, we ranked him about number 19 on our list. So we were a ways down. But then we had a good lesson with him about baptism and we set him for the end of August! It goes to show, that all of these people are God's children and they all need to be saved, no matter where they are at on the list!
We have been really working hard on getting one of our investigators named Nove to come to church. He's the most sincere/spiritual guy. He knows without a doubt what we've taught is true. But he has been having a hard time committing to church. We set him for baptism a while back. But then he told us how he's having a hard time committing. So on Saturday we had a lesson with one of our really good fellowshippers named Simi Taumololo. He's the man, Simi comes out with us pretty much every day. And he's getting ready to go on a mission. But he's the best, he's 23 and he's really like my best friend... Anyway, he came to the lesson, and Elder Whaanga and I poured out all of our hearts and souls into this lesson, sharing personal experiences, bearing bold testimonies, promising blessings etc... and still no progress. Because in Tuvalu it's a man's heart, not the will or committment. But Simi just jumped right in, and he said in the most incredible way, where the Spirit was clearing putting the words into Simi's mouth, that it's not about our committment, it's about our love for Christ, and that's what makes us go to church (basically that in a nut shell.) It was a really good lesson!
We had another really good lesson with Gail. I felt the Spirit so strongly in that lesson. Like pretty much every word that I said, was put in my mouth by the Spirit. I don't really know what I said, but the Spirit was so strong in that lesson. You could say I totally broke down the Catholic church. Telling her that everything she believes in is wrong, and in the scriptures, it talks about that being a sin etc... But I did it in a way where the Spirit completely guided. And at the end of the lesson, she was like, "Wow." And I asked her if she knew that this is God's church. And she said YES!! I was like, "Boy ya!" The Spirit is the man! But we still are having a hard time getting her baptized. She's like 90% of the way there! I just know that she will get baptized soon! It hurts so bad that I can feel it!
This Sunday was killer for us. We had no one at church!! I couldn't believe it! After such an amazing week, then no one showed up! I was and am still shocked. But this week we are going to go hard out and make sure we get everyone at church. Please pray that our investigators will come to church!
This week we have interviews with President Porter! Can't wait for that!
Thanks for all of your Prayers!!!!
They are truely heard and answered by our Heavenly Father!!!!
I know that this work is His and when we live the commandments, we will Prosper in the Land, and that is my testimony!
Love Always,
Elder Belnap
P.S. :) smile
We had a solid week! We taught like crazy! And we set 3 people for baptism!
We had a lesson with these 2 kids (Buck 12, Charles 13) and we had a really good lesson on baptism and we set them for August! We are really excited!
Then we had another investigator named Grant, 18. And on our list, we ranked him about number 19 on our list. So we were a ways down. But then we had a good lesson with him about baptism and we set him for the end of August! It goes to show, that all of these people are God's children and they all need to be saved, no matter where they are at on the list!
We have been really working hard on getting one of our investigators named Nove to come to church. He's the most sincere/spiritual guy. He knows without a doubt what we've taught is true. But he has been having a hard time committing to church. We set him for baptism a while back. But then he told us how he's having a hard time committing. So on Saturday we had a lesson with one of our really good fellowshippers named Simi Taumololo. He's the man, Simi comes out with us pretty much every day. And he's getting ready to go on a mission. But he's the best, he's 23 and he's really like my best friend... Anyway, he came to the lesson, and Elder Whaanga and I poured out all of our hearts and souls into this lesson, sharing personal experiences, bearing bold testimonies, promising blessings etc... and still no progress. Because in Tuvalu it's a man's heart, not the will or committment. But Simi just jumped right in, and he said in the most incredible way, where the Spirit was clearing putting the words into Simi's mouth, that it's not about our committment, it's about our love for Christ, and that's what makes us go to church (basically that in a nut shell.) It was a really good lesson!
We had another really good lesson with Gail. I felt the Spirit so strongly in that lesson. Like pretty much every word that I said, was put in my mouth by the Spirit. I don't really know what I said, but the Spirit was so strong in that lesson. You could say I totally broke down the Catholic church. Telling her that everything she believes in is wrong, and in the scriptures, it talks about that being a sin etc... But I did it in a way where the Spirit completely guided. And at the end of the lesson, she was like, "Wow." And I asked her if she knew that this is God's church. And she said YES!! I was like, "Boy ya!" The Spirit is the man! But we still are having a hard time getting her baptized. She's like 90% of the way there! I just know that she will get baptized soon! It hurts so bad that I can feel it!
This Sunday was killer for us. We had no one at church!! I couldn't believe it! After such an amazing week, then no one showed up! I was and am still shocked. But this week we are going to go hard out and make sure we get everyone at church. Please pray that our investigators will come to church!
This week we have interviews with President Porter! Can't wait for that!
Thanks for all of your Prayers!!!!
They are truely heard and answered by our Heavenly Father!!!!
I know that this work is His and when we live the commandments, we will Prosper in the Land, and that is my testimony!
Love Always,
Elder Belnap
P.S. :) smile
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Corrin's Baptism!!
HEY EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!
We had an AWESOME week! Corrin Got BAPTIZED!!! It was wonderful! You wouldn't believe everything that she has been through to get baptized, but it finally happened! Remember last week I told you how a miracle happened and she kicked out her partner? That was one of the biggest miracles!!! Well this week we've been working really hard to make sure that everything goes through! We had her baptismal interview on Wednesday. The only day that President Porter could interview her was at our Zone Conference because he was so full on. And so I had to organize a ride for her to get to the chapel. So I was thinking who was the most reliable lady in the ward.... And no doubt, the new relief society President!!! Just called this last Sunday! So I rang her and she was down for it. Well you won't believe what happened! Corrin comes during our lunch break. And next thing I know she is telling us how there was this person in the car that was telling her to really look into the church, this is a big step in your life, the church will change you, we're a cult, and all this stuff! It was crazy! And I couldn't believe it! So we had to calm her down and help her regain her confidence! Then we had a prayer and President Porter called her in... Come to find out, the Relieft Society President brought her sister with her, who is inactive, and no longer believes in the church. And Sister Iosia went in the chapel and left Corrin for, no joke, 5 mintues. And during that time, Satan, using her sister, was trying his hardest to bring Corrin down. And luckily she has a strong testimony and passed her interview! I just couldn't believe it. It went to show me how much Satan is in the detail just as much as we are!
Then Corrin asked me to baptize her! So Saturday moring at 10 o'clock, we went down into the nice warm water. And she had her BIG smiling face, and then Corrin Melva Philipp got baptized! It was wonderful! She has waited a long time for this, 1 1/2 years! And Elder Whaanga and myself were privileged to baptize her! Yesterday, Elder Whaanga gave her the Holy Ghost! And this lady's life has forever changed! I wish I had enough time to tell you all the crazy things that she has been through in her life. But she went from her life being literally turned upside down to a member of God's church we she has truly found that she IS a daughter of God!
We had a really good Zone Conference! The Brethren from Salt Lake have changed some things worldwide for missionaries. We no longer have interviews with President and Zone Conferences every transfer, they have changed it to every other transfer. And have made some other changes that will allow the Miss President to be more hands on, in working with the missionaries!
We took Gail (the Catholic) with us and she thoroughly enjoyed it! She is so close to being baptized, I can feel it! She's come such a long way! So we are praying our guts out for her!
I saw Elder Nipko last night at the fireside, he's doing great! He's just loving it! He's up in the city too, another part of it!
New Zealand is opening up the NEW MTC next month! And they've asked the missionaries to help with it! So we are hoping that we get to go help, we'll see what happens! But it's a once in a life time opportunity!
Things are good!!!!!!!!!!!
The area is doing really well!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANKS FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOVE YA TONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
XOXOXOXO
Elder Belnap
We had an AWESOME week! Corrin Got BAPTIZED!!! It was wonderful! You wouldn't believe everything that she has been through to get baptized, but it finally happened! Remember last week I told you how a miracle happened and she kicked out her partner? That was one of the biggest miracles!!! Well this week we've been working really hard to make sure that everything goes through! We had her baptismal interview on Wednesday. The only day that President Porter could interview her was at our Zone Conference because he was so full on. And so I had to organize a ride for her to get to the chapel. So I was thinking who was the most reliable lady in the ward.... And no doubt, the new relief society President!!! Just called this last Sunday! So I rang her and she was down for it. Well you won't believe what happened! Corrin comes during our lunch break. And next thing I know she is telling us how there was this person in the car that was telling her to really look into the church, this is a big step in your life, the church will change you, we're a cult, and all this stuff! It was crazy! And I couldn't believe it! So we had to calm her down and help her regain her confidence! Then we had a prayer and President Porter called her in... Come to find out, the Relieft Society President brought her sister with her, who is inactive, and no longer believes in the church. And Sister Iosia went in the chapel and left Corrin for, no joke, 5 mintues. And during that time, Satan, using her sister, was trying his hardest to bring Corrin down. And luckily she has a strong testimony and passed her interview! I just couldn't believe it. It went to show me how much Satan is in the detail just as much as we are!
Then Corrin asked me to baptize her! So Saturday moring at 10 o'clock, we went down into the nice warm water. And she had her BIG smiling face, and then Corrin Melva Philipp got baptized! It was wonderful! She has waited a long time for this, 1 1/2 years! And Elder Whaanga and myself were privileged to baptize her! Yesterday, Elder Whaanga gave her the Holy Ghost! And this lady's life has forever changed! I wish I had enough time to tell you all the crazy things that she has been through in her life. But she went from her life being literally turned upside down to a member of God's church we she has truly found that she IS a daughter of God!
We had a really good Zone Conference! The Brethren from Salt Lake have changed some things worldwide for missionaries. We no longer have interviews with President and Zone Conferences every transfer, they have changed it to every other transfer. And have made some other changes that will allow the Miss President to be more hands on, in working with the missionaries!
We took Gail (the Catholic) with us and she thoroughly enjoyed it! She is so close to being baptized, I can feel it! She's come such a long way! So we are praying our guts out for her!
I saw Elder Nipko last night at the fireside, he's doing great! He's just loving it! He's up in the city too, another part of it!
New Zealand is opening up the NEW MTC next month! And they've asked the missionaries to help with it! So we are hoping that we get to go help, we'll see what happens! But it's a once in a life time opportunity!
Things are good!!!!!!!!!!!
The area is doing really well!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANKS FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOVE YA TONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
XOXOXOXO
Elder Belnap
Sunday, July 11, 2010
MIRACLE WITH CORRIN!!!!!
Hello Whanau (family)
We had a GREAT WEEK!!! Heavenly Father was pouring out the blessings for us!!! We hadn't seen Corrin in like a week and a half. I've been so upset with her because she didn't get baptized, but I knew that it wasn't God's time, yet... All of our lessons were falling through and we were talking to tons of people, but then I was like, "I am sick of talking to people. I want to go teach a lesson, because that's what I got called to do." lol! So I was like, "Corrin! We'll go see her." And when we were walking over to her house I said, "We'll probably just read a chapter with her and make sure that she comes to church." We get in, and I asked how her week had been. And she tells us all about her crazy week! How she kicked out her partner!!! And I was like, "WHAT!!!!!!!" So I asked her to turn off the TV and the music and stuff and start over lol! And sure enough, I did hear her right! Because it was her partner that was holding her back from getting baptized! But now with him gone, she is going to get baptized THIS SATURDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was one of the biggest miracles!!!!! So I'm stoked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for your prayers, they were and are being answered!
I got a special invitation to go to the Leadership Training last Thursday! I was like, "WHAT!" The Zone leaders told me that President wanted to give me a special invite and to attend. This meeting is only for the Leaders of the Mission, District Leaders, Zone Leaders, and Assisstants to President. And as I found out, for future leaders... So I was excited to be a part of it. And because there is a big turnover at this upcoming transfer President wanted his future leaders to attend the meeting. And guess what, Elder Keyes was there as well! Along with Magleby! It was really good. This mission is doing some AMAZING things and the Lord is blessing us like none other! Remember when President Hinckley said that we can DOUBLE our baptisms?! Well I believe he said that in 07 or 08? So President Porter put on the slide show the numbers for that year. And you won't believe it! But we are on track to DOUBLE, yes, I said DOUBLE the baptisms that they had during the 07-08 year! I remember when everyone thought that was impossible, but all things are possible with the Lord's hand in the work! We baptized 156 souls last month, and we have roughly around 180+ set for this month! The goal for the mission, and from the President Monson is for EVERY COMPANIONSHIP TO BAPTIZE MULTIPLE SOULS A MONTH! And were are getting around 72% of the companionship doing that! I am so blessed to be a part of this mission. This mission is growing so fast! And I am lucky to say that I am in the New Zealand Aukland Mission! So continue to pray for our mission, that we can fulfill what the Prophets have said! Pray that the Lord will continue to prepare people for the missionaries to teach and baptize! I know that as you pray for us, that the Lord will see the effort of His children around the world praying for us here in New Zealand and we WILL be blessed for it!... At the end of the conference President was talking to Keyes and I and said that we are his future leaders! Man my stomach dropped! It's really exciting, but it's so much work. And lots of responsibility. But if the Lord calls me to a leadership position then that's what I'll do. And I serve with all my heart, might, mind, and strength.... So pray for me lol!
I got in a stupid bike accident. I hit a tree stump and crashed and I bruised up my left wrist. It was a bit swollen but I think I really sprained it. Because I can move it slightly, so I think it'll be okay, Whaanga gave me a blessing, so I will be fine.
We taught 27 lessons which is the most I've taught in this area, and we found 11 new investigators, we almost reached my record lol! Like I said the Lord blessed us so much!
We had another cool experience where we were teaching this Tuvaluan and I didn't know if he even understood what we were teaching or if he liked what we were teaching (we taught the restoration) but at the end we asked him if he would pray about the Book of Mormon, and he said yes. So we knelt down and he said a prayer, and he said it in his Tuvaluan language. And afterwards I asked him how he felt. He said, "I know the book is true." I said, "The Book of Mormon?" And he said yes, and I knew he knew it, because both Whaanga and I felt the Spirit as he was praying! It was such a cool experience! In a different language the Spirit is still the same, it was awesome to be a part of that!
LOVE YA TONS!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AND ALL YOUR SUPPORT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
XOXO
Elder Belnap
P.S. Smile :)
We had a GREAT WEEK!!! Heavenly Father was pouring out the blessings for us!!! We hadn't seen Corrin in like a week and a half. I've been so upset with her because she didn't get baptized, but I knew that it wasn't God's time, yet... All of our lessons were falling through and we were talking to tons of people, but then I was like, "I am sick of talking to people. I want to go teach a lesson, because that's what I got called to do." lol! So I was like, "Corrin! We'll go see her." And when we were walking over to her house I said, "We'll probably just read a chapter with her and make sure that she comes to church." We get in, and I asked how her week had been. And she tells us all about her crazy week! How she kicked out her partner!!! And I was like, "WHAT!!!!!!!" So I asked her to turn off the TV and the music and stuff and start over lol! And sure enough, I did hear her right! Because it was her partner that was holding her back from getting baptized! But now with him gone, she is going to get baptized THIS SATURDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was one of the biggest miracles!!!!! So I'm stoked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for your prayers, they were and are being answered!
I got a special invitation to go to the Leadership Training last Thursday! I was like, "WHAT!" The Zone leaders told me that President wanted to give me a special invite and to attend. This meeting is only for the Leaders of the Mission, District Leaders, Zone Leaders, and Assisstants to President. And as I found out, for future leaders... So I was excited to be a part of it. And because there is a big turnover at this upcoming transfer President wanted his future leaders to attend the meeting. And guess what, Elder Keyes was there as well! Along with Magleby! It was really good. This mission is doing some AMAZING things and the Lord is blessing us like none other! Remember when President Hinckley said that we can DOUBLE our baptisms?! Well I believe he said that in 07 or 08? So President Porter put on the slide show the numbers for that year. And you won't believe it! But we are on track to DOUBLE, yes, I said DOUBLE the baptisms that they had during the 07-08 year! I remember when everyone thought that was impossible, but all things are possible with the Lord's hand in the work! We baptized 156 souls last month, and we have roughly around 180+ set for this month! The goal for the mission, and from the President Monson is for EVERY COMPANIONSHIP TO BAPTIZE MULTIPLE SOULS A MONTH! And were are getting around 72% of the companionship doing that! I am so blessed to be a part of this mission. This mission is growing so fast! And I am lucky to say that I am in the New Zealand Aukland Mission! So continue to pray for our mission, that we can fulfill what the Prophets have said! Pray that the Lord will continue to prepare people for the missionaries to teach and baptize! I know that as you pray for us, that the Lord will see the effort of His children around the world praying for us here in New Zealand and we WILL be blessed for it!... At the end of the conference President was talking to Keyes and I and said that we are his future leaders! Man my stomach dropped! It's really exciting, but it's so much work. And lots of responsibility. But if the Lord calls me to a leadership position then that's what I'll do. And I serve with all my heart, might, mind, and strength.... So pray for me lol!
I got in a stupid bike accident. I hit a tree stump and crashed and I bruised up my left wrist. It was a bit swollen but I think I really sprained it. Because I can move it slightly, so I think it'll be okay, Whaanga gave me a blessing, so I will be fine.
We taught 27 lessons which is the most I've taught in this area, and we found 11 new investigators, we almost reached my record lol! Like I said the Lord blessed us so much!
We had another cool experience where we were teaching this Tuvaluan and I didn't know if he even understood what we were teaching or if he liked what we were teaching (we taught the restoration) but at the end we asked him if he would pray about the Book of Mormon, and he said yes. So we knelt down and he said a prayer, and he said it in his Tuvaluan language. And afterwards I asked him how he felt. He said, "I know the book is true." I said, "The Book of Mormon?" And he said yes, and I knew he knew it, because both Whaanga and I felt the Spirit as he was praying! It was such a cool experience! In a different language the Spirit is still the same, it was awesome to be a part of that!
LOVE YA TONS!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AND ALL YOUR SUPPORT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
XOXO
Elder Belnap
P.S. Smile :)
Sunday, July 4, 2010
New Comp!!
Kia Ora Whanau (family)
Hey everyone!
Big News on the block.....Keyes got transferred and I got a new companion! His name is Elder Kevin Whaanga (funga) he's from New Zealand, from the bottom of the North Island. He's full Maori. He's a really cool guy. Hard worker, so that's a great thing! Well President lied about keeping me and Keyes together for another transfer LOL! He went to the area right next to me. Which is funny, so I'll still see him all the time which is cool! In fact he went Senior companion! He's the man, and he was definitely ready to go Senior..... I don't know what it is with me getting a new companion every transfer. I guess I scare off my companions or something lol! Or we get along too good LOL! And I got another companion from another country. Only 2 legit American companions. But I don't mind having foregien companions. So That's the big news!!!
I'm doing great! We had a stellar week! We set 5 people for baptism! And we set a family of 4 all for the 24th of this month! They'll be a handful, but we'll get them there! A LOT OF PRAYER!
There is this one investigator named Gail. She's from South Africa and we've been teaching her for quite some time. She has read the whole Book of Mormon!!! She's a stanch Catholic, like for 62 years of her life all she's known is her religion. And it's hard for her to go to another church. But I know that she has felt the Spirit and that's why she still has us over. We invited her to be baptized, but she said that she wants to come to our church first and see what it's like! And yesterday she came to church!!!! And she stayed the whole 3 hours! We are seeing her tomorrow and hopefully we can set her!!! At least that's the plan! She's awesome! And she asks all the right questions! Just a really fun investigator to teach because she knows her Bible and she really tests us! So it's pretty fun!
The weather isn't that great. It's the middle of Winter! I just need to make it through this month and I'll be fine, because then we'll be heading into Spring! Can't wait for August and September!! It's really windy and rainy, but I know that the Lord will bless us for going out and working in it!
Last Monday I gave my first hair cut to Keyes! And I have to say it wasn't that bad lol!
On Tuesday I wasn't feeling that great. I felt really sick to my stomach, so I laid down for a bit and then I had Keyes give me a blessing and we went to work. And I feel much better now! I have a very strong testimony of the Power of the Priesthood!
THINGS ARE GOOD IN NEW ZEALAND!!!!!!!!
LOVE YA TONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
XOXOXO
Elder Belnap
Hey everyone!
Big News on the block.....Keyes got transferred and I got a new companion! His name is Elder Kevin Whaanga (funga) he's from New Zealand, from the bottom of the North Island. He's full Maori. He's a really cool guy. Hard worker, so that's a great thing! Well President lied about keeping me and Keyes together for another transfer LOL! He went to the area right next to me. Which is funny, so I'll still see him all the time which is cool! In fact he went Senior companion! He's the man, and he was definitely ready to go Senior..... I don't know what it is with me getting a new companion every transfer. I guess I scare off my companions or something lol! Or we get along too good LOL! And I got another companion from another country. Only 2 legit American companions. But I don't mind having foregien companions. So That's the big news!!!
I'm doing great! We had a stellar week! We set 5 people for baptism! And we set a family of 4 all for the 24th of this month! They'll be a handful, but we'll get them there! A LOT OF PRAYER!
There is this one investigator named Gail. She's from South Africa and we've been teaching her for quite some time. She has read the whole Book of Mormon!!! She's a stanch Catholic, like for 62 years of her life all she's known is her religion. And it's hard for her to go to another church. But I know that she has felt the Spirit and that's why she still has us over. We invited her to be baptized, but she said that she wants to come to our church first and see what it's like! And yesterday she came to church!!!! And she stayed the whole 3 hours! We are seeing her tomorrow and hopefully we can set her!!! At least that's the plan! She's awesome! And she asks all the right questions! Just a really fun investigator to teach because she knows her Bible and she really tests us! So it's pretty fun!
The weather isn't that great. It's the middle of Winter! I just need to make it through this month and I'll be fine, because then we'll be heading into Spring! Can't wait for August and September!! It's really windy and rainy, but I know that the Lord will bless us for going out and working in it!
Last Monday I gave my first hair cut to Keyes! And I have to say it wasn't that bad lol!
On Tuesday I wasn't feeling that great. I felt really sick to my stomach, so I laid down for a bit and then I had Keyes give me a blessing and we went to work. And I feel much better now! I have a very strong testimony of the Power of the Priesthood!
THINGS ARE GOOD IN NEW ZEALAND!!!!!!!!
LOVE YA TONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
XOXOXO
Elder Belnap
Sunday, June 27, 2010
TALOFA LAVA SI OU AIGA PELE
Hello in Samoan! It means Hello Mom and Dad, it's a courtesy to address the parents first instead of family, just for your information.
We had a pretty good week! Full of ups and disappointments! But that's the way the mission goes.....
I had a tradeoff again in the Samoan program. It was pretty fun! And it was my first time to drive in New Zealand! On the OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD!!! Hahaha it's so different! It was nice to be back in a car again (for a day)... And because the Samoan Elders cover the whole Zone we went all over the place. But everything is totoally different driving in New Zealand. Even the traffic laws and stuff. Ha I was praying the whole time for safety! We had some really cool miracles in the Samoan area. Got to have some Coco Samoa, really good! Pure coco bean, just like hot chocolate. It was fun, learned some Samoan.
Our week was good. We taught 25 lessons and found 8 New investigators!! Which is GREAT! So that was our highlights!
I got a letter from Elder Chad Fowers!!!! it's about time, it must take like two months to get a letter from Paraguay! Chad is doing good! He's still Chad lol! Which is good! He's just in a missionary form lol! He's doing good!!
We taught this guy named Gordon. He been aetheist all of his life, 47 years! And he said that he felt like something was missing in his life. So we taught him the Plan of Salvation. And when we taught about the Celestial kingdom and how you can be with your family together forever he said, "That sounds good to me!" And throughout the whole lesson he was asking all the right questions! Like I didn't know what to do lol! Because we practice for situations like that, with questions and such. But it never happens like that in a real life situation. So when he was asking all those questions I couldn't believe it lol!
We are teaching this family, and we were asking them to pray about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon and when I got to Charles (13) he said that he wasn't going to pray. And he was adiment about it! I was like, "Why aren't you going to pray?" And he says, "Because I already know that's it's true, and I dont' need to pray!" I asked, "Do you believe that Joseph Smith is a prophet?" He says, "Yes!" This kid is keen, and the rest of the family is doing well too! So we are really excited about them!
We are teaching a few Tuvaluan families. And there is this one family, they are so sweet! All the kids, there are like 10+ people staying at this house. Six of them sat in the lesson only two of them are above the age of eight, but it was so cute to see the whole family listening! It was really fun! And then they sang this really cool Tuvaluan church song to us! We are getting excited about them! They are thinking about getting baptized!!!
I should've kept learning Spanish! We ran into this lady that is from Spain, and she speaks Spanish!!! And her english isn't that good. But we went back to go see her because she is very patient with us, she wants to learn! So we ordered Spanish materials. And when we went back to her house, I tried my best to speak in Spanish. But I was praying for the gift of tongues....it never came.....I was even at the door, and I looked up and said while she was standing at the door, "I really need the gift of tongues!" But I didn't have enough faith because I didn't get it lol! But I'm trying to remember all my Spanish! But it's the Spirit that does the testifying, not me! Her name is Daisy!
We are helping some less actives come back to church. They have a serious smoking addiction, so we made a plan for them to quit, and then I gave both of them a blessing! It was a very powerful blessing, where I know the words I spoke were of the Spirit!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOVE YA HEAPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
XOXOXO
Elder Belnap
We had a pretty good week! Full of ups and disappointments! But that's the way the mission goes.....
I had a tradeoff again in the Samoan program. It was pretty fun! And it was my first time to drive in New Zealand! On the OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD!!! Hahaha it's so different! It was nice to be back in a car again (for a day)... And because the Samoan Elders cover the whole Zone we went all over the place. But everything is totoally different driving in New Zealand. Even the traffic laws and stuff. Ha I was praying the whole time for safety! We had some really cool miracles in the Samoan area. Got to have some Coco Samoa, really good! Pure coco bean, just like hot chocolate. It was fun, learned some Samoan.
Our week was good. We taught 25 lessons and found 8 New investigators!! Which is GREAT! So that was our highlights!
I got a letter from Elder Chad Fowers!!!! it's about time, it must take like two months to get a letter from Paraguay! Chad is doing good! He's still Chad lol! Which is good! He's just in a missionary form lol! He's doing good!!
We taught this guy named Gordon. He been aetheist all of his life, 47 years! And he said that he felt like something was missing in his life. So we taught him the Plan of Salvation. And when we taught about the Celestial kingdom and how you can be with your family together forever he said, "That sounds good to me!" And throughout the whole lesson he was asking all the right questions! Like I didn't know what to do lol! Because we practice for situations like that, with questions and such. But it never happens like that in a real life situation. So when he was asking all those questions I couldn't believe it lol!
We are teaching this family, and we were asking them to pray about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon and when I got to Charles (13) he said that he wasn't going to pray. And he was adiment about it! I was like, "Why aren't you going to pray?" And he says, "Because I already know that's it's true, and I dont' need to pray!" I asked, "Do you believe that Joseph Smith is a prophet?" He says, "Yes!" This kid is keen, and the rest of the family is doing well too! So we are really excited about them!
We are teaching a few Tuvaluan families. And there is this one family, they are so sweet! All the kids, there are like 10+ people staying at this house. Six of them sat in the lesson only two of them are above the age of eight, but it was so cute to see the whole family listening! It was really fun! And then they sang this really cool Tuvaluan church song to us! We are getting excited about them! They are thinking about getting baptized!!!
I should've kept learning Spanish! We ran into this lady that is from Spain, and she speaks Spanish!!! And her english isn't that good. But we went back to go see her because she is very patient with us, she wants to learn! So we ordered Spanish materials. And when we went back to her house, I tried my best to speak in Spanish. But I was praying for the gift of tongues....it never came.....I was even at the door, and I looked up and said while she was standing at the door, "I really need the gift of tongues!" But I didn't have enough faith because I didn't get it lol! But I'm trying to remember all my Spanish! But it's the Spirit that does the testifying, not me! Her name is Daisy!
We are helping some less actives come back to church. They have a serious smoking addiction, so we made a plan for them to quit, and then I gave both of them a blessing! It was a very powerful blessing, where I know the words I spoke were of the Spirit!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOVE YA HEAPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
XOXOXO
Elder Belnap
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