Malosoifua!
WOW!!!!!!!!! What a crazy week! We had zone council on Wednesday, leadership training and a baptism... I just have to say that this might be the craziest week of my mission. So the assistants asked us to drop off a missionary. So on Wednesday morning, Elder Moss and I were up at 2:50 a.m., yes that's in the morning.... and we went to bed at 11 p.m. So you can do the math, we only got just over 3 hours of sleep. Then we got back to the flat and it was time to get ready to go to Takapuna for our meeting with President Porter at 7. Then we hit the bed at 10:30ish that night, I WAS WASTED!!!! Being up for 20+ straight hours, and being busy out of our minds, I've decided is unhealthy. Especially when you can't catch up on sleep, lol!!
But anyway, we had to get ready for our baptism. So get ready, this is crazy. Everything that could've went wrong, went wrong, NO JOKE! We filled up the font, then we got a phone call that the font had drained! So we had to go back and fill it up, not to mention the baptism started in 40 minutes.... Then I got a phone call that Malia (the girl getting baptized) got sick. We had just seen her at 2 and she was all good. But out of nowhere she got sick, so we had to go get Brother Leakehe and give her a blessing (45 minutes before the baptism).... I had a baptism program on my hard drive and went to plug it into the computer and for some reason, the computer wouldn't read my hard drive. Come to find out, the computer was too old and didn't have the update! So ten minutes before the baptism, I was freaking out! There were 50 people outside waiting to get started with no program. But I looked down and there was a sacrament program. So Elder Belnap's brain began to work. And you'll think this is funny, but I took the sacrament program, got on the computer and changed all the stuff to make it look like a baptism program and got it done just in time.... Wow! I'm getting tired just tell you all of this! But it gets better. Malia started to get really nervous, so I was rushing to get into the water and quickly baptize her.... so I want you to imagine, this little tiny font, maybe 4 ft. x 3 ft. It was small. And it has these little plastic steps that lead right into it. Well, as I'm rushing in, I SLIP, and go gracefully on my butt right into the font, LOL!!!!!!!!!! I hope you are laughing, because the whole Thomas Road Ward was, lol! But don't worry, it gets better! So my whole mission, I've never had to baptize anyone more than once.... well, there's a first for everything. Malia was my lucky number one, I got to baptize her TWICE! UNBELIEVABLE! But at the end of the day, both Malia and Jaysyn got baptized!!! And everything was fine! And they both got confirmed yesterday!!!!
On the 25th, the two sisters, Ashleigh and Leisa will be getting baptized! Can't wait! The Tafiti family is my favorite family that we are teaching! They are so fun! Love them!
It was just a crazy week! Just glad it's over to be honest! I haven't had 2 seconds to myself to just relax.
Tomorrow we are going to the temple!! Can't wait, haven't been in ages!!
ALOFA ATU (love you/samoan)
Elder Belnap
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
MIRACLES!!!!!!! 2 GIRLS SHOW UP TO CHURCH, WANT TO BE BAPTIZED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MALOSOIFUA!!! (hello in Samoan)
Wow what a week! It was crazy. Elder Stucki left the mission home. I was without a companion for a couple days but I've got the best ward ever! The Thomas Road Ward treats me like their son, lol, and takes great care of me. My boy Pepe and George came on splits with me while I didn't have a companion and it was mean to just hang out with the boys and do some great missionary work. Both are RM's and have been home for just a little wihle! But I got my new companion. His name is Elder Jeffrey Moss from Boise, Idaho. Yes, he's a farm boy hard. He's completely opposite from Elder Stucki, but he's super righteous! And we're going to get along great! So now I'm the senior companion over the zone, and the most pumping zone in the mission mind you. So it's been stressful. I forgot how much pressure that comes with being senior, but God always provides. And I'm training another zone leader. Elder Moss is young, only been out under a year, and he reminds me of myself when I first came except he's super into consecrated, if that makes sense. So I'm sure I'm here to help level him out and President Porter told me to teach him the ways. I'm really amazed. God put a lot of young district leaders (2 new ones) along with the third that has been out under a year as well. He loaded us up with heaps of young people and young leadership. I was a bit taken back by this just because I thought he'd bring in experience to help us keep things going. But it's all good, God qualifies those He calls. So now, we just have to train up the whole zone. Right now, things aren't going great. We've only got 24 set in the zone, not where we should be. But God will provide, we just need to make sure that everyone has the faith to have some serious miracles and God will give us what we ask for.
So sit back and buckle up for this miracles story... Elder Moss and I prayed and fasted that someone would come to church that was prepared to be baptized for this month! Our pipeline wasn't doing great, we had some good people we are teaching but we needed to find some new ones to keep our pipelines flowing. And we wanted to set the example right away for our zone. So we just believed and expected that it would happen. We got to church and didn't see anyone new, so we went to the back and glanced over everyone again just to make sure that we didn't miss anyone, but still I didn't see anyone new. A bit disappointing, but still held the faith. After sacrament, I was on my way to class and Brother Tafiti comes up to me and says, "Elder, these two girls want to be baptized. They have been coming to church the past couple weeks and want to be taught." I was stoked!!! An answer to my prayer! So I took Ashleigh (19) and Patrisha (17) to our class, and I taught them while Elder Moss taught the other class. Our lesson was really good. We had their cousins come in with us, Nisa (19) and Eva (17) and Demaris (17). They were great in the class. And I brought my Tongan brotha, Brother Leaheke to help me teach. We had a lesson on the Atonement and what keeps us form going to heaven and how Christ provided a way for us to be baptized and to be cleansed from sin and to live with God and our families forever. The Spirit was strong, and then the Spirit told me to ask Nisa to bear her testimony. And WOW, her testimony was very good. It brought the Spirit in very strong and then I closed and bore my testimony. And I shared with them that I was praying and fasting for someone to come to church today that we could baptize. And I was overwhelmed with the Spirit and got a bit emotional and then I told them that God lives, and thanked them for being an answer to my prayer. God is so merciful! I know that as long as we BELIEVE, God will bless us with whatever we ask. I have a VERY STRONG testimony that whatsoever thing we ask the Father, in Christ's name, that's right, it shall be done unto us. Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you.
But it didn't just stop there. Sister Sua told us that her grandson turned 8 on Sunday, and that his parents weren't member but he's been coming to church for two years. So we told her that we would fast with her that her son would allow her grandson, Jason, to be baptized. And at church she says, "Elders! Our fast worked!" So if all goes well, we will be having Jason's baptism this Saturday!
And then there is more.... My Tongan brotha, Brother Leakehe came with us and we taught Aki and Malia. We taught the Law of Chastity very boldly with her and her partner. And they are thinking about it. And she still has some things that she needs to overcome, but I then asked if it would be okay if her daughter Malia could be baptized. She said yes! So she will be baptized this weekend!
We asked God to help us baptize weekly before district meeting on Tuesday so we can go to each companionship and tell them that we are doing it and that they can too! Well, last night, we set 4 people! Baptizing weekly baby! God is a God of miracles and will ALWAYS ANSWER OUR PRAYERS AS LONG AS WE BELIEVE!!! PERIOD, END OF STORY!!! Now, there were trials and it took some serious faith, but it happened, and will continue to happen. So if you want to find someone to baptize, pray for it, be bold and invite. And BELIEVE!!! And it WILL HAPPEN! I bear you my witness of it!
Not to mention Saturday we needed new investigators. We were guided down a street, knocked on a door, they let us in and they are keen. When we left, Elder Moss felt like we should knock on another door, and they let us in. There are people prepared everywhere!
I LOVE MANGERE!!!
I LOVE THOMAS ROAD WARD! I feel like I am just part of the family here! The Leakehe's always take care of us. Not to mention she makes the meanest Tongan bread! Almost as good as yours Mom! haha! But I call her my Tongan Mum! But everyone here is great!
LOVE YOU ALL HEAPS!!!!!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!!!!!
Elder Belnap
Wow what a week! It was crazy. Elder Stucki left the mission home. I was without a companion for a couple days but I've got the best ward ever! The Thomas Road Ward treats me like their son, lol, and takes great care of me. My boy Pepe and George came on splits with me while I didn't have a companion and it was mean to just hang out with the boys and do some great missionary work. Both are RM's and have been home for just a little wihle! But I got my new companion. His name is Elder Jeffrey Moss from Boise, Idaho. Yes, he's a farm boy hard. He's completely opposite from Elder Stucki, but he's super righteous! And we're going to get along great! So now I'm the senior companion over the zone, and the most pumping zone in the mission mind you. So it's been stressful. I forgot how much pressure that comes with being senior, but God always provides. And I'm training another zone leader. Elder Moss is young, only been out under a year, and he reminds me of myself when I first came except he's super into consecrated, if that makes sense. So I'm sure I'm here to help level him out and President Porter told me to teach him the ways. I'm really amazed. God put a lot of young district leaders (2 new ones) along with the third that has been out under a year as well. He loaded us up with heaps of young people and young leadership. I was a bit taken back by this just because I thought he'd bring in experience to help us keep things going. But it's all good, God qualifies those He calls. So now, we just have to train up the whole zone. Right now, things aren't going great. We've only got 24 set in the zone, not where we should be. But God will provide, we just need to make sure that everyone has the faith to have some serious miracles and God will give us what we ask for.
So sit back and buckle up for this miracles story... Elder Moss and I prayed and fasted that someone would come to church that was prepared to be baptized for this month! Our pipeline wasn't doing great, we had some good people we are teaching but we needed to find some new ones to keep our pipelines flowing. And we wanted to set the example right away for our zone. So we just believed and expected that it would happen. We got to church and didn't see anyone new, so we went to the back and glanced over everyone again just to make sure that we didn't miss anyone, but still I didn't see anyone new. A bit disappointing, but still held the faith. After sacrament, I was on my way to class and Brother Tafiti comes up to me and says, "Elder, these two girls want to be baptized. They have been coming to church the past couple weeks and want to be taught." I was stoked!!! An answer to my prayer! So I took Ashleigh (19) and Patrisha (17) to our class, and I taught them while Elder Moss taught the other class. Our lesson was really good. We had their cousins come in with us, Nisa (19) and Eva (17) and Demaris (17). They were great in the class. And I brought my Tongan brotha, Brother Leaheke to help me teach. We had a lesson on the Atonement and what keeps us form going to heaven and how Christ provided a way for us to be baptized and to be cleansed from sin and to live with God and our families forever. The Spirit was strong, and then the Spirit told me to ask Nisa to bear her testimony. And WOW, her testimony was very good. It brought the Spirit in very strong and then I closed and bore my testimony. And I shared with them that I was praying and fasting for someone to come to church today that we could baptize. And I was overwhelmed with the Spirit and got a bit emotional and then I told them that God lives, and thanked them for being an answer to my prayer. God is so merciful! I know that as long as we BELIEVE, God will bless us with whatever we ask. I have a VERY STRONG testimony that whatsoever thing we ask the Father, in Christ's name, that's right, it shall be done unto us. Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you.
But it didn't just stop there. Sister Sua told us that her grandson turned 8 on Sunday, and that his parents weren't member but he's been coming to church for two years. So we told her that we would fast with her that her son would allow her grandson, Jason, to be baptized. And at church she says, "Elders! Our fast worked!" So if all goes well, we will be having Jason's baptism this Saturday!
And then there is more.... My Tongan brotha, Brother Leakehe came with us and we taught Aki and Malia. We taught the Law of Chastity very boldly with her and her partner. And they are thinking about it. And she still has some things that she needs to overcome, but I then asked if it would be okay if her daughter Malia could be baptized. She said yes! So she will be baptized this weekend!
We asked God to help us baptize weekly before district meeting on Tuesday so we can go to each companionship and tell them that we are doing it and that they can too! Well, last night, we set 4 people! Baptizing weekly baby! God is a God of miracles and will ALWAYS ANSWER OUR PRAYERS AS LONG AS WE BELIEVE!!! PERIOD, END OF STORY!!! Now, there were trials and it took some serious faith, but it happened, and will continue to happen. So if you want to find someone to baptize, pray for it, be bold and invite. And BELIEVE!!! And it WILL HAPPEN! I bear you my witness of it!
Not to mention Saturday we needed new investigators. We were guided down a street, knocked on a door, they let us in and they are keen. When we left, Elder Moss felt like we should knock on another door, and they let us in. There are people prepared everywhere!
I LOVE MANGERE!!!
I LOVE THOMAS ROAD WARD! I feel like I am just part of the family here! The Leakehe's always take care of us. Not to mention she makes the meanest Tongan bread! Almost as good as yours Mom! haha! But I call her my Tongan Mum! But everyone here is great!
LOVE YOU ALL HEAPS!!!!!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!!!!!
Elder Belnap
Friday, June 3, 2011
BAPTISM WEEKEND!!!! - May 29, 2011
Kia Ora!
We had a GREAT WEEK! Saturday, we had our stake baptism and there were 12 people that got baptized! We had five of our investigators enter into the waters, Roimata & Tua Manapori, Kylee Inimata, Tyalro Manuel, and Pat Nash! It was an unforgettable baptism. To see Pat, a 71 year old, who's in a wheelchair get baptized was something special. Elder Stucki carried her into the water, Elder Stucki's dad baptized her and I held her nose as she went under the water! All three of us dressed in white and in the water. It was a really special experience. Then I got to baptize Tua. But cute little Taylor got scared and super nervous. So we hurriedly ran her into the water and I quickly baptized her! It was just a great day, there were so many people that came and supported!
As a Zone we did extremely well! We didn't quite reach our goal, but we did get 32 for the zone. There was one other zone that did more! Which is great! And next month will be huge! We just ned to get back to work and make it happen! And as a mission we got 194! We worked so hard, and did our best to get 200, which has never been done before in a month. Ever so close, but we will get it before I go home!
Yesterday, Elder Stucki and I spoke in church. I was told that I was giving a talk literally, five minutes before church started and put my thoughts together while we had the sacrament, lol! But the Spirit took over and I said what the Spirit wanted me to say. And almost the whole ward came and said how great my talk was. Good thing for the Spirit! Elder Stucki's talk was really good as well! Saturday morning, his parents came. And they came to the baptism and got to hear him speak. It was very special for him! I love Elder Stucki, he's like my brother and he's helped me in so many ways, a TRUE friend.
I was praying for someone to come to church that we could baptize this month. And church had ended and I hadn't seen anyone that I didn't know. So I was like, "Well, next time." But this guy came up to Elder Stucki to tell him goodbye, and afterward, I just breifly talked with him and I said something like, "Is there anything that we can do for you?" And he answered, "Well, actually there is. I have 2 unbaptized daughters that come to church every week but they didn't like the the elders, but I will ahve a talk with them and we will see." So I am hoping and praying that a miracle will happen and that their hearts will be softened and we can teach them and baptize them! God ALWAYS hears and answers prayers! Ask and ye SHALL RECEIVE!
I got to go to the Otara markets, it's just a big place where people sell stuff. And I bought a mean Tongan rugby Jersey, from the Liahona Church College there. And because I'm a missionary, I got a discount, lol! Love the members!
Things are going GREAT! I love Manukau! The people are great! The ward is AMAZING! Transfers are this week. Always crazy! Just waiting to find out who my new companion will be... who knows? But we will do the work and do God's will! So keep me in your prayers. To be honest, it feels like I am taking over a big company, or taking over the Los Angeles Lakers with high expectations, and a place that is expected to produce! So now we just got to make it happen! the mission is counting on us!
LOVE YOU HEAPS!
HAVE A GREAT WEEK!
Elder Belnap
We had a GREAT WEEK! Saturday, we had our stake baptism and there were 12 people that got baptized! We had five of our investigators enter into the waters, Roimata & Tua Manapori, Kylee Inimata, Tyalro Manuel, and Pat Nash! It was an unforgettable baptism. To see Pat, a 71 year old, who's in a wheelchair get baptized was something special. Elder Stucki carried her into the water, Elder Stucki's dad baptized her and I held her nose as she went under the water! All three of us dressed in white and in the water. It was a really special experience. Then I got to baptize Tua. But cute little Taylor got scared and super nervous. So we hurriedly ran her into the water and I quickly baptized her! It was just a great day, there were so many people that came and supported!
As a Zone we did extremely well! We didn't quite reach our goal, but we did get 32 for the zone. There was one other zone that did more! Which is great! And next month will be huge! We just ned to get back to work and make it happen! And as a mission we got 194! We worked so hard, and did our best to get 200, which has never been done before in a month. Ever so close, but we will get it before I go home!
Yesterday, Elder Stucki and I spoke in church. I was told that I was giving a talk literally, five minutes before church started and put my thoughts together while we had the sacrament, lol! But the Spirit took over and I said what the Spirit wanted me to say. And almost the whole ward came and said how great my talk was. Good thing for the Spirit! Elder Stucki's talk was really good as well! Saturday morning, his parents came. And they came to the baptism and got to hear him speak. It was very special for him! I love Elder Stucki, he's like my brother and he's helped me in so many ways, a TRUE friend.
I was praying for someone to come to church that we could baptize this month. And church had ended and I hadn't seen anyone that I didn't know. So I was like, "Well, next time." But this guy came up to Elder Stucki to tell him goodbye, and afterward, I just breifly talked with him and I said something like, "Is there anything that we can do for you?" And he answered, "Well, actually there is. I have 2 unbaptized daughters that come to church every week but they didn't like the the elders, but I will ahve a talk with them and we will see." So I am hoping and praying that a miracle will happen and that their hearts will be softened and we can teach them and baptize them! God ALWAYS hears and answers prayers! Ask and ye SHALL RECEIVE!
I got to go to the Otara markets, it's just a big place where people sell stuff. And I bought a mean Tongan rugby Jersey, from the Liahona Church College there. And because I'm a missionary, I got a discount, lol! Love the members!
Things are going GREAT! I love Manukau! The people are great! The ward is AMAZING! Transfers are this week. Always crazy! Just waiting to find out who my new companion will be... who knows? But we will do the work and do God's will! So keep me in your prayers. To be honest, it feels like I am taking over a big company, or taking over the Los Angeles Lakers with high expectations, and a place that is expected to produce! So now we just got to make it happen! the mission is counting on us!
LOVE YOU HEAPS!
HAVE A GREAT WEEK!
Elder Belnap
CRAZY WEEK!!!! - May 22, 2011
Malosoifua (Samoan, Hi)
Wow! This week was nuts! But it ended up finishing with a BANG! We had Zone Conference, which we haven't had a legit Zone Conference in about 8 months. It was really powerful, President Porter just knows what will make up become better. In fact, after the conference, I had a good five minute chat with him. It helped me just look forward to the next step. I LOVE HIM! Then Elder Stucki has been sick most of the week, fun! lol! But the work goes on... Luckily, I'm still healthy and going strong! Thank you Heavenly Father! Then I got in a bike accident, freak! I was riding a bike that had no brakes, and the missionary I was with is a hard out worker. He bikes hard, anyway, I was trying to keep up with him and we came over a hill and going too fast, and I forgot that I had no brakes, and then I ate the dirt! lol! Hope my pain makes you laugh, lol! But I'm fine, just got some scrapes and tore my shirt. But nothing big... I'm fine... But on that trade off, we set 3 people for baptism! With everything good, there needs be a trial to keep us humble, and with every trial comes the miracle!
We had an intense lesson with Aki! She was stressed about so many different things in her life. But we went in believing that no matter the concern we would resolve it by the Spirit. She had a really rough day, and was just ready to have a meltdown. And she did. But we comforted her. Let her know that everything would be okay. The next day, we had another powerful lesson with her. And again, she was crying. We asked her how she felt. And she said while crying, "I feel good. I'm thankful that you take time out of your day to come teach me and my kids about hte gospel. No one has every showed us the love that you have." We asked about her good feeling, she said, "Every time you walk through the door, there is just this warm feeling. I can't explain it, but every time you are here, it just feels good." We left the lesson and I turn to Elder Stucki and said, "this is what it's all about." She has finally found something in her life that she was missing, and she didn't know where to find it. BUT because of a Loving Heavenly Father, He provided a way for her and her family to find peace and happiness... Aki has never known what real love is. I'm so grateful for my family. For my parents that show love for me, and I hope all of you not just say you love another, but SHOW IT! And don't take it for granted and thank your Heavenly Father for blessing you with a good LOVING family. Because it's sad to see family that don't have or know what love is. But what joy comes when you see them realize what it really is and start whoing their love! So we are hoping to baptize Aki and Malia next month! Hoping for lucky number 11! June 11!
Then last night, we played marriage counselor. Kylee was supposed to be married on Saturday and baptized this week, but they went through some family problems. She told us that she was going to push everything back. But we went to her house last night, and we got there just as Kylee and Toka were in an arguement. We asked to come in, we sang a song to get the Spirit in there. And then bam we let the Spirit work. It helped them resolve their concerns, and at the end of the lesson, they said that they couldn't even remember what they were arguing about. And this Friday, they will be getting married and she is getting baptized this Saturday!
this Saturday is going to be HUGE! We should have 6 people getting baptized! Kylee (30), Tuia (24), Pat (71), Taylor (9), Roimata (10), and Tua (9)! It's going to be a stake baptism! So there will be heaps of people getting baptized! And Elder Stucki's parents will be here on Saturday to see it!
Last night before we were on our way home, a thought came to mind to go see this referral Tony. We popped in, and anyway, it was a powerful lesson, and we feel good about this guy getting baptized next month. I was praying all day yesterday that we could find someone that could be baptized for next month, and at the last hour of the day, God blessed us with someone!
LOVE YOU HEAPS!
Elder Belnap
Wow! This week was nuts! But it ended up finishing with a BANG! We had Zone Conference, which we haven't had a legit Zone Conference in about 8 months. It was really powerful, President Porter just knows what will make up become better. In fact, after the conference, I had a good five minute chat with him. It helped me just look forward to the next step. I LOVE HIM! Then Elder Stucki has been sick most of the week, fun! lol! But the work goes on... Luckily, I'm still healthy and going strong! Thank you Heavenly Father! Then I got in a bike accident, freak! I was riding a bike that had no brakes, and the missionary I was with is a hard out worker. He bikes hard, anyway, I was trying to keep up with him and we came over a hill and going too fast, and I forgot that I had no brakes, and then I ate the dirt! lol! Hope my pain makes you laugh, lol! But I'm fine, just got some scrapes and tore my shirt. But nothing big... I'm fine... But on that trade off, we set 3 people for baptism! With everything good, there needs be a trial to keep us humble, and with every trial comes the miracle!
We had an intense lesson with Aki! She was stressed about so many different things in her life. But we went in believing that no matter the concern we would resolve it by the Spirit. She had a really rough day, and was just ready to have a meltdown. And she did. But we comforted her. Let her know that everything would be okay. The next day, we had another powerful lesson with her. And again, she was crying. We asked her how she felt. And she said while crying, "I feel good. I'm thankful that you take time out of your day to come teach me and my kids about hte gospel. No one has every showed us the love that you have." We asked about her good feeling, she said, "Every time you walk through the door, there is just this warm feeling. I can't explain it, but every time you are here, it just feels good." We left the lesson and I turn to Elder Stucki and said, "this is what it's all about." She has finally found something in her life that she was missing, and she didn't know where to find it. BUT because of a Loving Heavenly Father, He provided a way for her and her family to find peace and happiness... Aki has never known what real love is. I'm so grateful for my family. For my parents that show love for me, and I hope all of you not just say you love another, but SHOW IT! And don't take it for granted and thank your Heavenly Father for blessing you with a good LOVING family. Because it's sad to see family that don't have or know what love is. But what joy comes when you see them realize what it really is and start whoing their love! So we are hoping to baptize Aki and Malia next month! Hoping for lucky number 11! June 11!
Then last night, we played marriage counselor. Kylee was supposed to be married on Saturday and baptized this week, but they went through some family problems. She told us that she was going to push everything back. But we went to her house last night, and we got there just as Kylee and Toka were in an arguement. We asked to come in, we sang a song to get the Spirit in there. And then bam we let the Spirit work. It helped them resolve their concerns, and at the end of the lesson, they said that they couldn't even remember what they were arguing about. And this Friday, they will be getting married and she is getting baptized this Saturday!
this Saturday is going to be HUGE! We should have 6 people getting baptized! Kylee (30), Tuia (24), Pat (71), Taylor (9), Roimata (10), and Tua (9)! It's going to be a stake baptism! So there will be heaps of people getting baptized! And Elder Stucki's parents will be here on Saturday to see it!
Last night before we were on our way home, a thought came to mind to go see this referral Tony. We popped in, and anyway, it was a powerful lesson, and we feel good about this guy getting baptized next month. I was praying all day yesterday that we could find someone that could be baptized for next month, and at the last hour of the day, God blessed us with someone!
LOVE YOU HEAPS!
Elder Belnap
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
SET 2 MORE PEOPLE!!! 11 SET!! - May 15, 2011
We had a killer week!!! We taught 30 lessons! Haven't done that since Gisborne... So it was nice to just get out there and teach!! We were booked solid the whole week, which makes missionary works just heaps of fun! We had Elder Evans of the Seventy come and speak to us on Thursday and we learned some interesting things. Especially how important it is to get our investigators to read the Book of Mormon from the beginning. Because that's how the Prophets organized the book to be read... as well as heaps of other things!
We had the media campaign and we found these 2 kids named Roimata and Tua. They are 11 and 10. There family are members, but are less active because the dad has to work on Sundays to pay off debt. And he was praying for a way for his children to be baptized. When he got an answer.... We showed up and they wanted us to come back. We went and taught them and set them for the 28!!! Right now we have heaps of people set, all up we have 11! Six of them are really solid and will get baptized on the 28th! That's also Stucki's last weekend. So it'll be really good!
The whole week was just packed with great miracles! The Fosio family, they are the Samoan family where Brother Fosio is a member but his wife and sister in-laws aren't. Anyway, his in-laws came to our come and see fireside last night! They are both 16 and if the parents will give the okay, they will be baptized! So we are praying for a miracle! Actually right now Satan is really working on all of our sets using there families. We have faced some serious family opposition with many of our sets! One thing that I've been learning, is the better you get at missionary work, God then blesses you with more responsibility. I loved the days when we just had to worry about the Word of Wisdom and helping them overcome smoking. Dealing with family issues is a whole other ball game! But with God ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!
I think I told you about that 71 year old lady named Pat.. She's the one that just showed up to church? I'm not sure I told you about her. Anyway, she came to church last week with her daughter in law. And she wants to be baptized! MIRACLE!!! She's in a wheel chair, and is very old. But she knows the church is true and wants to be baptized!!! So the 28th will be her day!!!!
We had Aki and Malia (the Tongan family I found on tradeoff) at church, Roimata, and Tua. Pat, and some others! It was great to have so many! As well as this lady that we set for June 4 named Nooroa (Node-roa).
I love South Auckland!!! The people are great! Our area is pumping! Pretty much all of our investigators that we are teaching are preparing to be baptized! I don't know if I've had such a good teaching pool before, but our area is pumping!! And the zone is doing GREAT!!! We are projected at 49! If everyone gets baptized!! So we are just focusing on Christ hardout! Putting all faith in Him hoping that He will provide a way! And our mission is projected to hit over 200 this month! First time that will happen! So President Porter wants to go out with a bang. He finishes in July! It's crazy!!!!
The Church is TRUE!!! NO DOUBT ABOUT IT!!!!
LOVE YOUS!!!!!
HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!!!!
Elder Belnap
We had the media campaign and we found these 2 kids named Roimata and Tua. They are 11 and 10. There family are members, but are less active because the dad has to work on Sundays to pay off debt. And he was praying for a way for his children to be baptized. When he got an answer.... We showed up and they wanted us to come back. We went and taught them and set them for the 28!!! Right now we have heaps of people set, all up we have 11! Six of them are really solid and will get baptized on the 28th! That's also Stucki's last weekend. So it'll be really good!
The whole week was just packed with great miracles! The Fosio family, they are the Samoan family where Brother Fosio is a member but his wife and sister in-laws aren't. Anyway, his in-laws came to our come and see fireside last night! They are both 16 and if the parents will give the okay, they will be baptized! So we are praying for a miracle! Actually right now Satan is really working on all of our sets using there families. We have faced some serious family opposition with many of our sets! One thing that I've been learning, is the better you get at missionary work, God then blesses you with more responsibility. I loved the days when we just had to worry about the Word of Wisdom and helping them overcome smoking. Dealing with family issues is a whole other ball game! But with God ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!
I think I told you about that 71 year old lady named Pat.. She's the one that just showed up to church? I'm not sure I told you about her. Anyway, she came to church last week with her daughter in law. And she wants to be baptized! MIRACLE!!! She's in a wheel chair, and is very old. But she knows the church is true and wants to be baptized!!! So the 28th will be her day!!!!
We had Aki and Malia (the Tongan family I found on tradeoff) at church, Roimata, and Tua. Pat, and some others! It was great to have so many! As well as this lady that we set for June 4 named Nooroa (Node-roa).
I love South Auckland!!! The people are great! Our area is pumping! Pretty much all of our investigators that we are teaching are preparing to be baptized! I don't know if I've had such a good teaching pool before, but our area is pumping!! And the zone is doing GREAT!!! We are projected at 49! If everyone gets baptized!! So we are just focusing on Christ hardout! Putting all faith in Him hoping that He will provide a way! And our mission is projected to hit over 200 this month! First time that will happen! So President Porter wants to go out with a bang. He finishes in July! It's crazy!!!!
The Church is TRUE!!! NO DOUBT ABOUT IT!!!!
LOVE YOUS!!!!!
HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!!!!
Elder Belnap
GREAT WEEK!!!! - May 1, 2011
Malosefua (Hello in Samoan)
We had just a crazy week! So many out of it things... But it was GREAT! I'm LOVING MANUKAU!!! It's amazing... It's like I'm serving in the Islands lol! It's all Tongans and Samoans lol! They are very religious people. And the Thomas Rd. Ward is da bomb! Great young single adults, members are great at missionary work! Love it!
Yesterday was nuts.... So to start out. We have this girl named Tuia (cook islander) she is set to be baptized on the 28th! She came to church and loved it! 2nd week in a row!... But we got a text just as we were leaving, and it said "Come save me please".... So Elder Stucki and I rushed over with a member to her house. We got there and she was just crying. She couldn't say a word. Her idiot husband had just beat her and strangled her. She didn't know what to do. All she could do was pray. (And of course he was drunk out of his mind.) Anyway, we got there and took her away along with her 2 year old son and took her to the Relief Society president's house, Sister Leakehe. And they are taking good care of her. I just couldn't believe it. You always hear about those horror stories, but it's totally different to be involved in it... The miralce of this all is this... her phone had died, and she was screaming but no one came. She was praying that she could send just one text. "Somehow" her phone worked just long enough to send that one text! Coincidence? I think not. The Lord hears and answers, and protects His children. We saw it and bare witness that God is there for all of us, and he will do anything to help us....
Ha and yesterday after that, there was a high speed chase just in front of our house, and the guy smashed into a bus... Idiot. Anyway he's locked up now.. it was just a bit crazy....
And yesterday we got a call to go give a blessing at the Middlemore Hospital. Once again those horror stories. This little baby girl, 2-3 yrs old, had a hot jug of water fall right onto her face. The skin completely melted away. It was a scary and sad sight. I had a hard time looking at her. But we did the Lord's work, and gave her a blessing... Hope all will be well..
Had a great miracle, went out trackting with a member. And we felt like going back to this one house that we'd talked to before. She let us right in. I asked her, "If God could do anything for you, what would that be?" She said, "Forgiveness." Good thing that's what we teach... It turns out this lady used to be married to a member, is looking to go back to church, and we were blessed to set her to be baptized at the end of this month. Her name is Patrisha... Right now we have 6 people set! And we have so many others that are so close...
Yesterday was a blessing. The member brought 5 non-members to church. People other than our investigators. I taught one, and Stucki taught another one, and both are choice. The girl I taught is keen, her name is Adrienne. She said that a few weeks ago, she was praying to know if the church that she was going to was the right one. Then her friend started talking to her about our church, and she said that she just felt good. So she came yesterday and we are going to teach her tomorrow!!! And Elder Stucki had a similar experience. And we feel both could be baptized this month!!! WOW BLESSINGS!!!!
Last night we also taught that Samoan family that we found, where the father is a member but his wife isn't. The Fosio Family! They are great, we taught his wife's sisters... And all three are just choice! They also are great potentials for this month too!!! I just love them, I love them like I loved the Apineru's in Gisborne.
I LOVE YOU ALL HEAPS!!!
THE CHURCH IS TRUE, I HAVE WITNESSED IT SO MANY TIMES, ESPECIALLY AFTER YESTERDAY!!!! STAY STRONG! ALWAYS!!!!!
Elder Belnap
We had just a crazy week! So many out of it things... But it was GREAT! I'm LOVING MANUKAU!!! It's amazing... It's like I'm serving in the Islands lol! It's all Tongans and Samoans lol! They are very religious people. And the Thomas Rd. Ward is da bomb! Great young single adults, members are great at missionary work! Love it!
Yesterday was nuts.... So to start out. We have this girl named Tuia (cook islander) she is set to be baptized on the 28th! She came to church and loved it! 2nd week in a row!... But we got a text just as we were leaving, and it said "Come save me please".... So Elder Stucki and I rushed over with a member to her house. We got there and she was just crying. She couldn't say a word. Her idiot husband had just beat her and strangled her. She didn't know what to do. All she could do was pray. (And of course he was drunk out of his mind.) Anyway, we got there and took her away along with her 2 year old son and took her to the Relief Society president's house, Sister Leakehe. And they are taking good care of her. I just couldn't believe it. You always hear about those horror stories, but it's totally different to be involved in it... The miralce of this all is this... her phone had died, and she was screaming but no one came. She was praying that she could send just one text. "Somehow" her phone worked just long enough to send that one text! Coincidence? I think not. The Lord hears and answers, and protects His children. We saw it and bare witness that God is there for all of us, and he will do anything to help us....
Ha and yesterday after that, there was a high speed chase just in front of our house, and the guy smashed into a bus... Idiot. Anyway he's locked up now.. it was just a bit crazy....
And yesterday we got a call to go give a blessing at the Middlemore Hospital. Once again those horror stories. This little baby girl, 2-3 yrs old, had a hot jug of water fall right onto her face. The skin completely melted away. It was a scary and sad sight. I had a hard time looking at her. But we did the Lord's work, and gave her a blessing... Hope all will be well..
Had a great miracle, went out trackting with a member. And we felt like going back to this one house that we'd talked to before. She let us right in. I asked her, "If God could do anything for you, what would that be?" She said, "Forgiveness." Good thing that's what we teach... It turns out this lady used to be married to a member, is looking to go back to church, and we were blessed to set her to be baptized at the end of this month. Her name is Patrisha... Right now we have 6 people set! And we have so many others that are so close...
Yesterday was a blessing. The member brought 5 non-members to church. People other than our investigators. I taught one, and Stucki taught another one, and both are choice. The girl I taught is keen, her name is Adrienne. She said that a few weeks ago, she was praying to know if the church that she was going to was the right one. Then her friend started talking to her about our church, and she said that she just felt good. So she came yesterday and we are going to teach her tomorrow!!! And Elder Stucki had a similar experience. And we feel both could be baptized this month!!! WOW BLESSINGS!!!!
Last night we also taught that Samoan family that we found, where the father is a member but his wife isn't. The Fosio Family! They are great, we taught his wife's sisters... And all three are just choice! They also are great potentials for this month too!!! I just love them, I love them like I loved the Apineru's in Gisborne.
I LOVE YOU ALL HEAPS!!!
THE CHURCH IS TRUE, I HAVE WITNESSED IT SO MANY TIMES, ESPECIALLY AFTER YESTERDAY!!!! STAY STRONG! ALWAYS!!!!!
Elder Belnap
PETER'S BAPTISM - April 24, 2011
Good Morning!!!!!
Big things happened!! Whooooaaa!!! But before we get to that.....We had Peter's baptism on Wednesday! It was great! I got to baptize him! He is doing great, after I brought him up out of the water we gave each other a big hug! He said thanks... I've been with him through all the good and rough times and to finally get to see him get baptized was great! The Spirit was strong... He bore his testimony, said how he knew this is where he needed or where God needed him to be. Then he talked about his family and how his goal is to get to the temple, and especially get his family to the temple and be sealed there. Now it will take some time, because he has been doing it by himself, but he has great faith and he has a lovely wife that I strongly feel would make a great member of the church one day. So I'm very excited for him and his future as it looks bright!!!
Now for some big news! I went to President Porter's house on Tuesday and he pulled me aside and said those words that make your stomach drop because you know that something big is going down, "Elder Belnap, are you ready for your new assignment?" I said "Yep, what do you want me to do?" He said, "I'm moving you to go to Manukau, to be with Elder Stucki." So I'll give you the background and why all of this is so important.. There are 3 zones that are called the big 3. The mission pretty much rests on these 3 zones to come through each and every month. Then there are 2 zones that are the flagstaff of the mission. Manukau is one of them. So Manukau had some stellar months, baptizing roughly 30+ a month, doing great. Then, the past couple months took a hit baptizing only 12&19 (very low). So President Porter put Elder Stucki in to clean it up and take it to the next level. Which is exactly what he does. He was my zone leader in Henderson when we hit the zone best, then took Tamaki (another one of the big 3) from an under performing zone to performing at a level people never thought (what we did in Gisborne he did in Tamaki). Well he came in and right away cleaned it up and this month. They broke the zone best, and tied the all-time zone best in the mission of 33 baptisms.... And it was just ridiculous what happened and next month is going to be a month that people thought could never happen. So President Porter sat me down and said you will be junior to Elder Stucki, who he said is the best he's ever seen. And he told me that he just wants me to LEARN LIKE CRAZY from him. And then to carry the zone to the next level. So that's my assignment this transfer. Work my butt off and learn like crazy. To be honest, it's going to be hard. But it will be worth it. There is a MAJOR PRESSURE SITUATION. Thus far in my mission. I've never been put in a situation where things are going great and President Porter is just expecting them to get better. I've only been asked to turn zones around and get them pumping, which I have: Gisborne, Hamilton, and Mount Roskill is finally getting on board. Now I'm coming into a pressure situation where even more is going to be required. So I know that President wants me to become great because he wouldn't have stuck me with the best if he didn't. And I'm killing of Stucki this transfer. He is going home. I love him. He's intense. He's very similar to Chase Hart. But even more intense lol! He's good at what he does and everyone knows it. People think he's cocky, but it's just who he is and once you get to know him you realize that's not true, just his personality. It'll be good. He runs things like a business. Like a fortune 500 company, but I've come to learn that it just takes organization and trust from your missionaries and along with that, serious revelation. I've never had a zone planning where we spent literally hours praying, pondering on what God needed us to do to get our zone to the next level. In all, I am blessed to be serving with Elder Stucki. Yes we get along, yes he has a much different personality, BUT we still get along great! And he will help me become a GREAT missionary and leader, what more could I ask for? And in my personal life, he has already helped me, and in business as well.... Elder Stucki is from Las Vegas, and a state champ wrestler. And has a strong testimony of the church!
So a bit about Mount Roskill. In my last area, my ward hadn't baptized in like 3 month, unacceptable. But I baptized the whole time I was there, and left 2 solid people set. And next month my area should be able to baptize weekly for may! Here in Manukau, I love my area. Elder Stucki and I are the ONLY WHITE PEOPLE LOL... Everyone is islander, LOVE IT! We have 5 people set in our area! And our goal is 10! I feel we can get it! Yesterday at church this guy spoke and said how his wife isn't a member and how he wants her to be. We asked if we could come see his family. Last night we saw the Fosio family (Samoan) and had a super powerful Restoration lesson with them. We found 4 new investigators. And the family felt the Spirit super strong, and I feel that they are great prospects for next month! It was just powerful. And last night we helped this family that recently got baptized and it was a powerful lesson we gave the boys blessings. And both of them were incredibly strong. It just feels good to follow the spirit. I was praying for Heavenly Father to bless me with a good pumping area and I got it. Roskill was hard for me, cuz stat wise it was difficult, but now we are teaching 30+ lessons a week and having great success. NOT because of us, but because of the Lord! So I am very happy to be here!
I LOVE YOU ALL HEAPS!!!
HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!!!!!
OFA ATU (Tongan, Love You)
Elder Belnap
Big things happened!! Whooooaaa!!! But before we get to that.....We had Peter's baptism on Wednesday! It was great! I got to baptize him! He is doing great, after I brought him up out of the water we gave each other a big hug! He said thanks... I've been with him through all the good and rough times and to finally get to see him get baptized was great! The Spirit was strong... He bore his testimony, said how he knew this is where he needed or where God needed him to be. Then he talked about his family and how his goal is to get to the temple, and especially get his family to the temple and be sealed there. Now it will take some time, because he has been doing it by himself, but he has great faith and he has a lovely wife that I strongly feel would make a great member of the church one day. So I'm very excited for him and his future as it looks bright!!!
Now for some big news! I went to President Porter's house on Tuesday and he pulled me aside and said those words that make your stomach drop because you know that something big is going down, "Elder Belnap, are you ready for your new assignment?" I said "Yep, what do you want me to do?" He said, "I'm moving you to go to Manukau, to be with Elder Stucki." So I'll give you the background and why all of this is so important.. There are 3 zones that are called the big 3. The mission pretty much rests on these 3 zones to come through each and every month. Then there are 2 zones that are the flagstaff of the mission. Manukau is one of them. So Manukau had some stellar months, baptizing roughly 30+ a month, doing great. Then, the past couple months took a hit baptizing only 12&19 (very low). So President Porter put Elder Stucki in to clean it up and take it to the next level. Which is exactly what he does. He was my zone leader in Henderson when we hit the zone best, then took Tamaki (another one of the big 3) from an under performing zone to performing at a level people never thought (what we did in Gisborne he did in Tamaki). Well he came in and right away cleaned it up and this month. They broke the zone best, and tied the all-time zone best in the mission of 33 baptisms.... And it was just ridiculous what happened and next month is going to be a month that people thought could never happen. So President Porter sat me down and said you will be junior to Elder Stucki, who he said is the best he's ever seen. And he told me that he just wants me to LEARN LIKE CRAZY from him. And then to carry the zone to the next level. So that's my assignment this transfer. Work my butt off and learn like crazy. To be honest, it's going to be hard. But it will be worth it. There is a MAJOR PRESSURE SITUATION. Thus far in my mission. I've never been put in a situation where things are going great and President Porter is just expecting them to get better. I've only been asked to turn zones around and get them pumping, which I have: Gisborne, Hamilton, and Mount Roskill is finally getting on board. Now I'm coming into a pressure situation where even more is going to be required. So I know that President wants me to become great because he wouldn't have stuck me with the best if he didn't. And I'm killing of Stucki this transfer. He is going home. I love him. He's intense. He's very similar to Chase Hart. But even more intense lol! He's good at what he does and everyone knows it. People think he's cocky, but it's just who he is and once you get to know him you realize that's not true, just his personality. It'll be good. He runs things like a business. Like a fortune 500 company, but I've come to learn that it just takes organization and trust from your missionaries and along with that, serious revelation. I've never had a zone planning where we spent literally hours praying, pondering on what God needed us to do to get our zone to the next level. In all, I am blessed to be serving with Elder Stucki. Yes we get along, yes he has a much different personality, BUT we still get along great! And he will help me become a GREAT missionary and leader, what more could I ask for? And in my personal life, he has already helped me, and in business as well.... Elder Stucki is from Las Vegas, and a state champ wrestler. And has a strong testimony of the church!
So a bit about Mount Roskill. In my last area, my ward hadn't baptized in like 3 month, unacceptable. But I baptized the whole time I was there, and left 2 solid people set. And next month my area should be able to baptize weekly for may! Here in Manukau, I love my area. Elder Stucki and I are the ONLY WHITE PEOPLE LOL... Everyone is islander, LOVE IT! We have 5 people set in our area! And our goal is 10! I feel we can get it! Yesterday at church this guy spoke and said how his wife isn't a member and how he wants her to be. We asked if we could come see his family. Last night we saw the Fosio family (Samoan) and had a super powerful Restoration lesson with them. We found 4 new investigators. And the family felt the Spirit super strong, and I feel that they are great prospects for next month! It was just powerful. And last night we helped this family that recently got baptized and it was a powerful lesson we gave the boys blessings. And both of them were incredibly strong. It just feels good to follow the spirit. I was praying for Heavenly Father to bless me with a good pumping area and I got it. Roskill was hard for me, cuz stat wise it was difficult, but now we are teaching 30+ lessons a week and having great success. NOT because of us, but because of the Lord! So I am very happy to be here!
I LOVE YOU ALL HEAPS!!!
HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!!!!!
OFA ATU (Tongan, Love You)
Elder Belnap
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