Hoooooooola, ya'll!!!
Wow, a VERY busy week, it sounds like! I love hearing about how everything is going, all the new developments, and how the Lord leads and guides you always. It's very fun and cool to see from here! And I'm really excited to meet Brother Art Da Rosa one day! How is he? Have you all been to play tennis with him? Does he still speak Portugese? Send pictures (when you get the chance)! I always like to have face I can put with a name! Where is his son going to be serving? and Mom, CONGRATS on the exam! And CONGRATS on the one you were waiting for!! All that hard work and homework is paying off!
How was Cody when you went to the Open House? Is he all set to go?
Oh, and before I forget - With the mp3 player (and if it's not too much to ask) would you be able to hang on to it until after this weekend, and then put the talks from General Conference on it? If you've already sent it, though, no worries! We'll all be enjoying Conference in just a few days!
Overall, not too bad of a week, especially as Elder Ruske and I (we were on exchanges while Elder Burbank and Elder Christensen - Elder Ruske's companion - worked at the Gladys Knight devotional) were working to cover both areas. We didn't have the number of lessons that we would have liked, but the quality of the lessons that we did have the chance to teach was very good. We taught well in unity, and really connected in those 4 days that we were working together. I'm very glad for the opportunity that I had to work with him.
So, with the Gladys Knight devotional...I did get to go!! It was definitely an experience! The music wasn't something I'm very used to, but there were some songs in there that I loved. La Via Dolorosa was a good one, and was in both English and Spanish, so the investigator that we brought (Alma, but not a man) was able to understand a lot of that one. It talks about Christ's journey to Calvary, and did so in a way that really captured a lot of the feeling that I think gets lost from just talking about it. Then there was another one, called Tomorrow, or something like that, that talked about giving our lives to God...tomorrow...and just how that doesn't really work out. They sang about how tomorrow isn't promised to anyone, so we need to make the best of life today, and serve God today. Both were very interesting!
Here's the announcement that President Saylin sent out to us after the devotional:
"Wow!!! The SUV Choir Firesides were amazing. After watching one, I was so grateful to see many of you in attendance with your investigators. It was a powerful experience. If you did not get a chance to attend, I encourage you to find someone who did at zone meeting on Friday and find out as much about it as you can.
Our little team of missionaries collected a record-breaking 1,941 request cards! The majority of these requests were within the Texas Houston South Mission. You have already been receiving the gift bags and have been delivering them. This is an amazing time for our mission.
We ask that you please make every effort to deliver each and every gift bag within 48 hours of the fireside. If you have any bags remaining undelivered, please make it a priority to get them delivered today. These contacts are time sensitive. You will be received differently if they still remember the spirit they felt at the firesides and Sister Knight's words still ring in their hearts.
It is also important to report on your contacts and deliveries!!! Please be sure to promptly update the referral database by calling to the system. Additionally, please update your district and zone leaders. Many leaders, including the Brethren, are watching to see the value of these contacts and we want to make sure our reporting is accurate.
I am proud to be the president of such a wonderful band of missionaries. You are tremendous servants of the Lord. I am confident that the firesides and referral cards were so successful because of the great ground work done by all of you over the last few months. You are the reason we have such a high percentage of the fruits of this undertaking. Now we will reap the blessings!
Can you hear it? It is the sound of the abundance of rain."
Much love,
President Saylin
From even just the numbers, a really good fireside!
The Gladys Knight devotional went well! We had the opportunity to bring an investigator to the devotional, Alma, but I'm not sure she was the reason we were supposed to bring someone to the devotional. As we were frantically looking for someone to bring to the devotional (the person we had planned to bring decided later not to go), we called as many people as we could. We even walked around outside in our complex to try to find someone who could go with us (we already had the ride set up and ready). One of the times that we left the house, we found someone walking down the stairs. We talked to her, and asked her if she knew about Gladys Knight. She gave us a look like, "Do you know who you're talking to?" and later told us that in her earlier years, she traveled around and lip-synced songs from Sister Knight. She is probably one of the biggest Gladys Knight fans that I've ever met! Just before she went to the devotional, she told us, "And sometime in the next little while, I'd like to talk to you about your church. I'm in-between churches right now, and I'm looking for the one that speaks to me."
The biggest miracle we had didn't come from our own teaching pool, but I know the Lord put us there in that apartment, in that time, with her as our neighbor, so that she (her name is Darlene) would be able to find some of the answers that she is looking for, and I'm very excited to see her excitement in finding those answers!
With that many referrals, we're going to have our work cut out for us! If she ever comes to California, it's one of the best and easiest ways to do missionary work. Invite the whole neighborhood! It was always super packed when they had the performances. And at the end, Sister Knight shared her testimony with everyone. She shared how she knew it was true, threw in some humor, and invited everyone to 'Crack open the Book of Mormon' and find out for themselves! Definitely a great, miraculous devotional!
Well, it's time to get going! I hope your week is going great, and that it gets even better!!
I love ya'll!!!
Con mucho amor, a infinidad, y mas alla!!
Elder Devin Collins
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Week 71 - A Companionship Is Two Separate People Who Have the Same Purpose
Hola, ya'll
Where...to...start...
This week was a great week! We worked and really tried to focus on our purpose, and ALMOST reached out goals. We had talked to someone about a month or two ago who said they had been investigating the Church with missionaries in another part of Houston, but they were going to be moving into our area. So we were going to focus on them and have them be baptized this past week, but their phone number doesn't work. So, we continue our search for the person (or people) whom the Lord has prepared to be baptized and confirmed on this coming weekend. We're really giving our best effort, but in the end, we're counting completely on the Lord to provide.
In this past week, there has been quite a bit going on! We've been able to get in and teach a few people that we've been working really hard to get in and teach. We're looking forward to seeing them progress. They said that they would read and take the question to God about whether or not baptism is the course that they should follow. We're anxiously awaiting their answer!!
Wow, so next Tuesday, Cody is going to be an Elder, isn't he? That's coming up so quickly! How is he doing with all the preparations? Well, I guess, how did he do? Hopefully, he made it through with the wisdom teeth this week, and is now getting everything all packed and ready to go. He's going to be such a great missionary - I'm excited to see how he enjoys Brazil (that is where he's going, right? Portugese-speaking?)!!
Well, we're in that week! Sister Knight is coming to Houston! She'll be here on Thursday with her choir, and it's going to be very awesome to see how things progress in the Texas Houston South Mission after she has given even the first fireside/devotional. People will be able to go and feel the Spirit, hear her testimony, and we're excited for those people who feel the Spirit and really want to learn more. I'll let you know how it goes this coming Tuesday! I'm pretty sure that we're not going to be having any meetings during that Tuesday, so I should be back on our normal e-mailing schedule (inbetween 12:00 and 2:00).
Elder Burbank is awesome, as always! He has a really great focus on getting the Lord's work done, and I've been learning a lot from him: Sometimes it's on how to be more bold, other times it's on how to focus more on our purpose. Either way, he's been a big help. I love the drive and focus he has on others, and he helps me to keep that in the work I do as well. One of those little pearls of great price that he taught me (yet I'm still working on really applying it in my life) is that of what a companionship is. I thought, for the longest time, that a companionship was put in place so that the work one Elder couldn't do, his companion could. Or if the other Elder wasn't able to do that, his companion would. But a companionship is actually two people, both of which have strengths and weaknesses, but both of whom have the same purpose: to help people obtain Eternal Life. There are times when one companion really does need the help of the other companion, to do something that he (or she) hasn't done or doesn't know how to do. But both help uplift, edify, and strengthen one another - it's not just to 'fill-in the blanks.'
Well, I've got to get going. It's been great!! I hope this kind of fills-in the blanks as to what's been going on out here- looking back, it's been easier to see that I leave a lot out. But this, I'm not going to leave out...
I love you!! Have a great week!!
Con mucho amor - a infinidad, y mas alla!!!
Elder Devin Collins
Where...to...start...
This week was a great week! We worked and really tried to focus on our purpose, and ALMOST reached out goals. We had talked to someone about a month or two ago who said they had been investigating the Church with missionaries in another part of Houston, but they were going to be moving into our area. So we were going to focus on them and have them be baptized this past week, but their phone number doesn't work. So, we continue our search for the person (or people) whom the Lord has prepared to be baptized and confirmed on this coming weekend. We're really giving our best effort, but in the end, we're counting completely on the Lord to provide.
In this past week, there has been quite a bit going on! We've been able to get in and teach a few people that we've been working really hard to get in and teach. We're looking forward to seeing them progress. They said that they would read and take the question to God about whether or not baptism is the course that they should follow. We're anxiously awaiting their answer!!
Wow, so next Tuesday, Cody is going to be an Elder, isn't he? That's coming up so quickly! How is he doing with all the preparations? Well, I guess, how did he do? Hopefully, he made it through with the wisdom teeth this week, and is now getting everything all packed and ready to go. He's going to be such a great missionary - I'm excited to see how he enjoys Brazil (that is where he's going, right? Portugese-speaking?)!!
Well, we're in that week! Sister Knight is coming to Houston! She'll be here on Thursday with her choir, and it's going to be very awesome to see how things progress in the Texas Houston South Mission after she has given even the first fireside/devotional. People will be able to go and feel the Spirit, hear her testimony, and we're excited for those people who feel the Spirit and really want to learn more. I'll let you know how it goes this coming Tuesday! I'm pretty sure that we're not going to be having any meetings during that Tuesday, so I should be back on our normal e-mailing schedule (inbetween 12:00 and 2:00).
Elder Burbank is awesome, as always! He has a really great focus on getting the Lord's work done, and I've been learning a lot from him: Sometimes it's on how to be more bold, other times it's on how to focus more on our purpose. Either way, he's been a big help. I love the drive and focus he has on others, and he helps me to keep that in the work I do as well. One of those little pearls of great price that he taught me (yet I'm still working on really applying it in my life) is that of what a companionship is. I thought, for the longest time, that a companionship was put in place so that the work one Elder couldn't do, his companion could. Or if the other Elder wasn't able to do that, his companion would. But a companionship is actually two people, both of which have strengths and weaknesses, but both of whom have the same purpose: to help people obtain Eternal Life. There are times when one companion really does need the help of the other companion, to do something that he (or she) hasn't done or doesn't know how to do. But both help uplift, edify, and strengthen one another - it's not just to 'fill-in the blanks.'
Well, I've got to get going. It's been great!! I hope this kind of fills-in the blanks as to what's been going on out here- looking back, it's been easier to see that I leave a lot out. But this, I'm not going to leave out...
I love you!! Have a great week!!
Con mucho amor - a infinidad, y mas alla!!!
Elder Devin Collins
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Week 70 - Becoming "Houston Latinos"
Hoooooola!
So we're here a little later this week, because of interviews with President Saylin. But now I'm here!
It's been an interesting week. We're going into the last push for the Gladys Knight devotional, which is going to start up this next coming week. Elder Burbank will be helping to usher and receive tickets, so Elder Ruske and I (Elder Ruske's companion, Elder Christensen, will be doing the same thing) will be working in both areas during those nights, but hopefully we'll also be able to bring one or more investigators to those performances. I'm pretty sure all of the tickets are gone, but the mission reserved 60 tickets for each session - on a first come, first receive basis. So today, we're going to be looking for the person or people whom we can bring to the devotional!
Grandpa had a surgery over the past week? It's good to hear that he's doing fine. Was it planned or kind of 'spur of the moment'? When are they going to Utah? I guess it really must not have been too big if they're still planning on going over to Utah soon.
Oh, and about the EFY CD - Kaytlin sent me the lyrics to one of her favorite EFY songs on the new CD - Maybe she has a copy of it that you can take the songs and put them on there? And I'm really looking forward to hearing all ya'lls voices! They don't have to be super long (I'm not even sure on how much it'll hold in the first place!), but I'm still excited to hear ya'll!
President Saylin talked about really becoming "Houston Latinos" because there are so many people here from South and Central America. At the Spanish Conference about 2 weeks ago, one of his counselors, Presidente Del Aguila, talked about people who will come back from their missions and be able to say, "You know, I served in Mexico." And we can say, "Yeah...me, too!" And there are people who will be able to come back from Guatamala and say, "I served in Guatamala." We can say, "Yeah...me, too!" The same with El Salvador. There are so many people here from all the southern parts of this continent, that this really can be Mexico, or Guatamala, or El Salvador, or Honduras. There are places, even right here in Houston, that you can walk down the street and not see a single store sign in English. It's awesome!
President Saylin, in the same Spanish Conference, said that we cannot become them, and we shouldn't pretend to be them, but we can become Houston Latinos. He talked about getting to know their customs and culture, their likes and their dislikes, what makes them laugh and what...doesn't.
So, I was thinking of a way that I can get to know them better, and I thought of something that you sent a while ago, but I've replaced over the past year: those little maps of Mexico and Honduras. Could you possibly send a few more? They don't have to be big; I'm just kind of looking for some maps of where I can see the country, the states (or 'Departmentos' as they're called in some places), and some of the major cities. That way, when they say, "I'm from Usulutan," or something along those lines, I can say, "Oh! That's on the east, right next to the ocean, isn't it?" And then we've already got a little bit of a better connection! I hope that's not too much to ask. Would you be able to send maps like that of Mexico, Guatamala, El Salvador, Argentina, and Honduras? They could probably even be those that you can print off of the computer or something like that. That would be great!!
We had something called 'Fiestas Patrias' this past Saturday at the Church. It was an activity for the ward, Houston 2, where Guatamala, El Salvador, Mexico, Uruguay, Honduras, and Puerto Rico had booths set up with food (the best part!) and just different parts of the culture (America was represented there, too - but with just a flag behind the table and some lemonade for people to try ). That's the majority of the population of the ward - and there are a lot of people from El Salvador. After the fiesta, I just felt like I wanted to be Guatamalteco, or Mexicano, or Salvadoreno! It was just a super-cultural celebration! Elder Burbank, the next day, pointed to the sign on the gym that said 'Cultural Center' and said, "You know, yesterday is probably one of the first times it was actually used as that!"
Things are going well here with Elder Burbank. President Saylin, in the interview I had with him today, suggested that I try to be more of myself. He told me that I need to work on breaking down a little bit of that wall, because that Elder Collins is the one that was called to be the trainer of Elder Burbank. I'm looking forward to bettering our companionship even more, and really returning to feeling comfortable with being myself. It's going to be interesting!
And now, we're already into preparing for General Conference! Wow, time flies. The first week of October is coming up fast! It's definitely necessary in these days that we have the comfort and counsel from prophets, seers, and revelators of God in these days. How great of a blessing it is to have Special Witnesses of Jesus Christ who continuously talk to us and help us receive direction for what we need to do in these upcoming months!
Justin - CONGRATS ON THE DRIVER'S LICENSE!!! Remember - "With great power comes...insurance, fees, and yes, responsibility." Be safe, be responsible, but enjoy it! Congrats!
Kristin - How are you? I miss hearing from you! I still have one of your pictures up on the wall, right behind my desk. It reminds me of you!
Kaytlin - I couldn't get a letter written so far, but I'll have one written on Thursday. Thanks for your letter!! Keep up the good work!!!
I love you all!! I have to go (I think we actually have a 30 minute ride back to our area today - different library). I'm looking forward to getting those letters in the mail! I'll be keeping an eye out!!
Les amo a todos, con todo me corazon!!
A infinidad, y mas alla!!!
Con mucho amor,
Elder Devin Collins
P.S: Mom, Dad - I'm not leaving you out!! Thank you for all you do, and how hard you've always worked and tried so that we stay on the right path and Choose the Right!! Keep up the hard work, your examples mean so much to me.
I love you!!!
Elder Devin Collins
So we're here a little later this week, because of interviews with President Saylin. But now I'm here!
It's been an interesting week. We're going into the last push for the Gladys Knight devotional, which is going to start up this next coming week. Elder Burbank will be helping to usher and receive tickets, so Elder Ruske and I (Elder Ruske's companion, Elder Christensen, will be doing the same thing) will be working in both areas during those nights, but hopefully we'll also be able to bring one or more investigators to those performances. I'm pretty sure all of the tickets are gone, but the mission reserved 60 tickets for each session - on a first come, first receive basis. So today, we're going to be looking for the person or people whom we can bring to the devotional!
Grandpa had a surgery over the past week? It's good to hear that he's doing fine. Was it planned or kind of 'spur of the moment'? When are they going to Utah? I guess it really must not have been too big if they're still planning on going over to Utah soon.
Oh, and about the EFY CD - Kaytlin sent me the lyrics to one of her favorite EFY songs on the new CD - Maybe she has a copy of it that you can take the songs and put them on there? And I'm really looking forward to hearing all ya'lls voices! They don't have to be super long (I'm not even sure on how much it'll hold in the first place!), but I'm still excited to hear ya'll!
President Saylin talked about really becoming "Houston Latinos" because there are so many people here from South and Central America. At the Spanish Conference about 2 weeks ago, one of his counselors, Presidente Del Aguila, talked about people who will come back from their missions and be able to say, "You know, I served in Mexico." And we can say, "Yeah...me, too!" And there are people who will be able to come back from Guatamala and say, "I served in Guatamala." We can say, "Yeah...me, too!" The same with El Salvador. There are so many people here from all the southern parts of this continent, that this really can be Mexico, or Guatamala, or El Salvador, or Honduras. There are places, even right here in Houston, that you can walk down the street and not see a single store sign in English. It's awesome!
President Saylin, in the same Spanish Conference, said that we cannot become them, and we shouldn't pretend to be them, but we can become Houston Latinos. He talked about getting to know their customs and culture, their likes and their dislikes, what makes them laugh and what...doesn't.
So, I was thinking of a way that I can get to know them better, and I thought of something that you sent a while ago, but I've replaced over the past year: those little maps of Mexico and Honduras. Could you possibly send a few more? They don't have to be big; I'm just kind of looking for some maps of where I can see the country, the states (or 'Departmentos' as they're called in some places), and some of the major cities. That way, when they say, "I'm from Usulutan," or something along those lines, I can say, "Oh! That's on the east, right next to the ocean, isn't it?" And then we've already got a little bit of a better connection! I hope that's not too much to ask. Would you be able to send maps like that of Mexico, Guatamala, El Salvador, Argentina, and Honduras? They could probably even be those that you can print off of the computer or something like that. That would be great!!
We had something called 'Fiestas Patrias' this past Saturday at the Church. It was an activity for the ward, Houston 2, where Guatamala, El Salvador, Mexico, Uruguay, Honduras, and Puerto Rico had booths set up with food (the best part!) and just different parts of the culture (America was represented there, too - but with just a flag behind the table and some lemonade for people to try ). That's the majority of the population of the ward - and there are a lot of people from El Salvador. After the fiesta, I just felt like I wanted to be Guatamalteco, or Mexicano, or Salvadoreno! It was just a super-cultural celebration! Elder Burbank, the next day, pointed to the sign on the gym that said 'Cultural Center' and said, "You know, yesterday is probably one of the first times it was actually used as that!"
Things are going well here with Elder Burbank. President Saylin, in the interview I had with him today, suggested that I try to be more of myself. He told me that I need to work on breaking down a little bit of that wall, because that Elder Collins is the one that was called to be the trainer of Elder Burbank. I'm looking forward to bettering our companionship even more, and really returning to feeling comfortable with being myself. It's going to be interesting!
And now, we're already into preparing for General Conference! Wow, time flies. The first week of October is coming up fast! It's definitely necessary in these days that we have the comfort and counsel from prophets, seers, and revelators of God in these days. How great of a blessing it is to have Special Witnesses of Jesus Christ who continuously talk to us and help us receive direction for what we need to do in these upcoming months!
Justin - CONGRATS ON THE DRIVER'S LICENSE!!! Remember - "With great power comes...insurance, fees, and yes, responsibility." Be safe, be responsible, but enjoy it! Congrats!
Kristin - How are you? I miss hearing from you! I still have one of your pictures up on the wall, right behind my desk. It reminds me of you!
Kaytlin - I couldn't get a letter written so far, but I'll have one written on Thursday. Thanks for your letter!! Keep up the good work!!!
I love you all!! I have to go (I think we actually have a 30 minute ride back to our area today - different library). I'm looking forward to getting those letters in the mail! I'll be keeping an eye out!!
Les amo a todos, con todo me corazon!!
A infinidad, y mas alla!!!
Con mucho amor,
Elder Devin Collins
P.S: Mom, Dad - I'm not leaving you out!! Thank you for all you do, and how hard you've always worked and tried so that we stay on the right path and Choose the Right!! Keep up the hard work, your examples mean so much to me.
I love you!!!
Elder Devin Collins
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Week 69 - The Good, the Bad, and the Definitely-Not-Pretty
Hoooooola familia!!!
This week was definitely a week! We've seen the good, the bad, and the definitely-not-pretty. We've met a lot of people here who are struggling a lot, financially and spiritually, and I think I'm seeing now some of the hardest parts of peoples' lives. But at the same time, it's been really cool to have the Spirit lead us to what we should do in applying the Gospel to the lives of these people. It can really help us out in every aspect of our lives; if we follow the principles of the Gospel, the blessings will follow.
We saw someone named Walter again on this past Sunday. When we met him for the first time, he was just sitting out on the grass in front of the church because that was a place where he felt good. We took him on a tour of the church, and then we hadn't seen him since. But on Sunday, as we were leaving our apartment complex, there he was, just walking outside! He doesn't have a very stable home right now, so we were surprised to see him. But it was great to see that he is still out there, still doing his best to get by. It's hard sometimes; we have so much, but we're not allowed to give things to people. I can see the reasoning behind it, but it's still hard sometimes.
We're trying to find the balance between getting to know people and applying the doctrine to their lives. Towards the end of this past week, it went a lot better, and we were able to 'liken' the scriptures and Gospel unto them, but we're still looking to improve. We were also a little unsure on what to do sometimes with talking to and connecting with people and teaching. Sometimes, we would go to a lesson and they wouldn't be there, so we'd rush around and try to find someone else to teach, trying just about everyone we could think of, and by the time we've done that (still not having taught anyone), it's time to rush over to the next lesson. Elder Bullock (one of the Zone Leaders) suggested that if we planned (with the Spirit) to visit a certain person, that the Lord brought us there for a reason, and that we should try just talking to people around in that area. So far, it's gone pretty well, though we're still looking for those who are prepared to receive us. We're almost starting back over at square one; Cornelio, who was preparing for baptism, doesn't think he's ready, and we haven't been able to teach him since he told us that. He's also not reading or praying, so that's a big part of why he hasn't received his answer. He's also had a lot of pressure from his cousins, it looks like, who don't seem to like us very much. I don't know, I guess we'll see what happens on that end!
Well, I've got to get going. 3 minutes left! I'm looking forward to hearing from all y'all, and hearing about how school, braces, work, and driving are all going.
Have a great week!
I love you! A infinidad, y mas alla!!
Elder Devin Collins
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