Chapter 78 - 18 Months

March 13, 2017

Hey Everyone!

18 Months Completed for Sister Tirrell and I

Well, here we are. This past week I completed 18 months in the service of the Lord and I couldn't be more happy. This time has gone by really fast and there are mixed feelings with it coming to an end. This is the last letter I will be writing as a missionary and I just wanted to leave you all with my testimony.

I know with all of my heart that God loves each and every one of His children. I know Jesus Christ is the son of God. He lives and He loves us more than we know. He came here to earth to complete the will of His father and thanks to Him we can return to the Father's presence. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored in it's fullness here upon the earth. I have no doubt of that. This is the only true church upon the face of the earth. I have studied and I have prayed and I know with even more surity than before that we have all the teaching of Jesus Christ. Everything we do in the church is true and is what is going to lead us eventually to salvation. I know that obedience is the first law of heaven and that we must be obedient if we want to one day return to live with our Father, His son Jesus Christ, and our families. I know that families can be together forever thanks to the priesthood power that was restored to the earth through Joseph Smith. I know Joseph Smith was indeed a prophet of God. I know that the scriptures are true and that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He called prophets in the past and He has called prophets in our day. I know that Thomas S. Monson is called of God. I know that He, as well as all the prophets and apostles, receive revelation directly from our Heavenly Father-He leads this chruch through these chosen men. This is not a church that was created by man, nor is goverened by worldly theories or doctrines but rather is a church, and the only church for that matter, that is governed by God. I know that The Book of Mormon is true. I know that it was written for our day and that if we read it carefully, we will understand our purpose here on earth and we will know what we need to do to be able to return to live with our Heavenly Father one day. I know The Book of Mormon helps us draw closer to God and testifies of Jesus Christ. I know that the priesthood power has been restored to the earth and that it is truly the power of God that is given to men to act in His name here on the earth to be able to carry out His work. I know without a shadow of a doubt that this is the Lord's work. He could do this work alone, but He loves us enough that He allows us to take part in this marvelous cause. I know that I was called here for a reason. I know that these people I have met, whether they received me or not, were put in my path for a reason. God has an eternal plan. His plan is perfect. Each and every one of us has a purpose here on earth and our Heavenly Father wants us to retrun to Him. I know that God loves us. I know that He is loving and merciful and is always there when we need him. He is perfect, as well as His son Jesus Christ, and I know that they want us to become like them. I know Jesus Christ died for us and that through His atonement we can return to live with Him. I know that only through the Atonement is it possible to be forgiven and to change. I know that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know us. Christ understands our pains and our trials. I know that God hears our prayers and He answers them. Maybe not in our timing or according to what we want, but He always answers them. I know our Heavenly Father is a God of miracles-I have seen them. I know that missionary work is very important. I also know that the only way to return to live with God is through baptism. There is no other way. We must follow the example of Jesus Christ-we must do as He did. I know He lives. I know He loves us. And these things I say in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love,

Hermana Roylance

Eating Watermelon on our 18 month mark

 

Chapter 77 - God's Plan Is Perfect!

3/6/2017
Hey Everyone!

Knocking down some guayaba from a tree of a Hermana

So this won't be very long but I just want to share about how God's plan is literally so perfect and this is something the mission has shown me time and time again. Well, this week we were planning and we felt that we should go visit a familiy of members that lives in a part of our sector that we have never been to before. We knew they were going through some problems and we thought that we should go see them. Well, we go and see if some other people are home before going out to see them, but the people weren't home and we ended up going straight there. The mom wasn't home, just the kids and we were talking with them. Well, as we were there, the mom shows up. She looked really dishearted and sad. We shared a message about the atonement of Jesus Christ and the mom told us that she was really worried about some things that had just recently happened. On her way home she was thinking and really didn't know what to do. She said that when she saw us sitting in her house, it just gave her so much peace and she knew what she should do. The tears flowed and we could feel the spirit. I know that the other people weren't home before because we needed to go straight there. God's plan is perfect. We also received a reference when we were there because one of the friends of the daughter was there and we are going to go visit him this week, so that was a blessing. Also, a different day we were going to have a family home evening with a familiy who lives kinda far away and we went out there but when we got there, the mom wasn't there and we decided it was better to postpone it for another day. Well, as we were leaving, a moto taxi (our transportation around here in Jaramijo) arrived and two guys got out. We hoped in and went to another family. When we got to their house, the driver was like "hey, I need some council. I am a single dad, my wife left me and I live with my son. I have talked to lots of people, my parents, but I just don't know what else to do. I need some direction and I saw you guys and I think you can help me." wow. Again, the plan of God is perfect because if we had never gone to that family (even though they weren't home) we would have never found this son of God looking for the gospel. Wow, it just really surpizes me sometimes. Anyway, I know that God's plan is perfect and that everything happens for a reason. Have the best week!

Love,

Hermana Roylance

Chapter 76 - I Never Thought That Moment Would Come

2/27/2017
Hey Everyone!

So this week went by in literally a blink of an eye. We went to the temple this week and it was so great. We also had a nurse conference and a multi-zone conference...so yeah. Time flew right on by. Being in the temple was really so great. It truly is the House of the Lord and one can really feel the spirit there. I just felt so peaceful and calm there..I didn't want to leave. Ah, so great. I challenge you all to go to the temple this week and I promise you that if you put forth and effort and go, that you will be able to feel God's love for you and feel great peace and tranquility. 

After the temple we had a nurses conference which was really great as always. Kinda sad because Hermana Colachagua and I are finishing our missions but I know the other hermanas will be great nurses too!

We also had our multi-zone conference this week. It was also really good, well the parts of it that we heard. There was a sick missionary that we had to take care of so we were in and out but the parts we did hear were super great and inspired and I know it's exactly what I needed to hear. Well, what really got to me was when President said "ok, now I want all those who are going home this transfer to come up to the front" ahhh....that moment when you know it's you but don't want to go up because you can't really believe that this moment has come. I have seen so many missionaries who were ending their missions go up and share their testimony and they always say, "I never thought this day would come" and I would think "that day will never come" but, well, it came. It was such a strange feeling to be up there with the other 8 missionaries, giving one of my last testimonies in front of everyone. It was a great experience and I could really feel up there the difference the mission has made in each of our lives. Each elder and hermana up there was so mature and their testimonies were so strong. The mission really changes lives. We come out here to change the lives of those around us who don't have the gospel but we, as well, in the process, change as well. We are our biggest convert. We change through the atonement of Christ and we go home completely different people. Well, time is flying by and I just hope to make the best of it. Hope you all have a great week!

Also,

I forgot to tell you about the bapism of Marilyn! She is the niece of Hermana Rocio that was baptized in December. She is super great. We are working with her mom too but it's a little longer process. It was crazy because it was planned for saturday night but when we got to their house they were like, no we're not going because it's too late at night, we're not going...ahhh what do we do, we thought! Well, at the end, we had the baptism at 8 am Sunday morning and she was confirmed at 9 am. The Lord works miracles!

 

Love,

Hermana Roylance

Elder Vogrinec and his comp, and Me and my comps (Go VHS!)

 

 

Chapter 75 - The Hand Of The Lord is Always Present

2/20/2017
Hey everyone!

Me and My Companions : Hermana Torres y Hermana Bustillos

So this week was good. We have two families that we are working with who are super great and I just love so much! One is the Anchundia Parrales Family and the other is the Arias Arcentales Family. Yep, mom, dad, and kids. This is what missionary work is about-baptizing families! Pray for them! Because they are so special and I want to help them get baptized! 

Anyway, so I just wanted to say that the hand of the Lord is always present. This is something that has always surprized me in the mission-just how much He is actually there for us. Sometimes the whole world comes crashing down on us or we have the worst day ever or the day is just normal but if we look, we will always see the blessings of the Lord in our lives-in that particualr day. Anyway, being a mission nurse has really helped me see this. Sometimes we literally have NO time to work in our sector and yet we are able to have baptisms and people go to church...not logical, but it happens... for example, this week we didn't have hardly any time to teach lessons because we had to write these reports that we always send and go to the clinic and we had to call everyone and we didn't have that many lessons. Until Saturday we only had 1 person committed to going to church and 0 new investigators. Well, on Sunday, 7 people showed up to church (and that's a lot of people and it's even more amazing because on Sunday it was national elections (yes in Ecaudor and I think in most of South America they all vote on Sunday. like church is only an hour and then everyone goes and votes...yeah) and so everyone was voting but 7 people came....miracle) and we also ended up having 4 new investigators at the end of the day. wow. I don't know about you but that's what I call a miracle. The Lord blesses us so much and we need to learn to always be grateful for what He has given us. Anyway, I hope you all have a great week and look for the little blessings and tender mercies in your lives! Love you!

Love,

Hermana Roylance

Chapter 74 - Si no hay pruebas, no hay progreso

2/13/2017
Hey everyone!

Hope you all had a good week! Also, I wish you a Happy Valentines Day tomorrow! My valentines are a peruvian and a bolivian haha I love my companions! This week was a good week. It didn't rain like all week which was good BUT on Sunday it rained like CRAZY and there were not a lot of people in church. wow. It rains a ton here. I think it rains like probably just as much as in Utah but the difference is that I can't just hop in my car and protect myself from the rain...I have to just walk right on throught it, with the rest of the members and investigators and so it's a little more complicated. Before the mission it was like oh, how great, rainy weather, I'm gonna just sit here curled up in a blanket and watch a movie...now it's like oh no, it's raining cats and dogs and I have to go out and try to convince people to let me into their house to share a message about Jesus Christ....I don't know if you get my picture but it's just a little different now...haha but it's all good.}

The title of my message "Si no hay pruebas, no hay progreso" means "If there are no trials, there is no progress" I think I have mentioned this before in an email but I was just thinking about it the other day and it just really rang true to me. This is somehting that President Dennis would say and it is so true. Sometimes I tend to think Ah, why are there so many challenges! When you're a missionary you turn into like a professional problem solver and it's not easy sometimes. And I was just thinking Ah.....there are so many good people here, why are there so many trials!? And then it hit me. It's because no one is ever going to have an easy conversion. The word itslef denotes a change. To convert from something old or someone you were before to someone new. These people are changing, leaving behind their old ways of life and taking on something totally new and if you want to acheive a true change, it takes a great effort. You can't keep doing the same things and expect to receive different answers. If you want a different result, you have to do something different. And that's what each of these people are doing. No convert is ever going to have a problem-free conversion. Sometimes as missionaries we just think that they will read and pray and go to church without any problems and then sometimes get all stressed out when there are set backs but we have to understand and that's just how it is. We are actually helping these people. When they have these hard times and then turn to the Lord, they are building their faith and becoming truly converted. It's the same with us. The trials we have ony shape us into who the Lord wants us to be or become. It's called the "refining fire" because it's hot and it's hard and we feel the pressure sometimes when we are trying to change but it's necessary because if we don't go through that, there is litterally no way we can change. Anyway, I was just thinking about that the other day. We have found some good families and I know that because they are soo good, Satan is going to work hard, but we are going to work harder. The mission is hard sometimes because it is literally a constant battle but in the end we will end up triumphant.

Keep up the good work.

Love,

Hermana Roylance

Chapter 73 - The Final Countdown

2/6/2017
Hey Everyone!

So, not too much to write this week. Well, we had cambios and now I am in a trio (again) here in Jaramijo with Hermana Torres (from Peru) and Hermana Bustillos (from Bolivia) and it should be really good. Being in a trio here actaully helps us a lot because we are able to visit more people and go on more splits so basically the Lord is just hastening His work here in Jaramijo, I am excited. 

Also, I am going to train Hermana Bustillos as a nurse...so say hello to my second nurse daughter haha. Here we go. She'll be great! :)

So, with transfers and everything overwith, it looks like Jaramijo is my final resting place. I will die here in Jaramijo (finish my mission) and I am pretty good with that. I honestly can't think of a better place to finish it all off. This is the final countdown, only one more transfer and then it's over. Time has gone by really fast! Wow! I only hope I can make the best of it! 

Just one thought to end. Yesterday in church someone asked the question "are we being obedient because it's the law or because of the principle?" It made me think. Do I obey simply because I have to and there are commandments? Or do I obey because I love the Lord and truly want to follow Him? I want you all to think about this in your own lives...do you keep the commandments because you feel like they are "rules" or because you truly love the Lord and want to follow in His paths. I leave that thought with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Have a great week!

Love,

Hermana Roylance

Chapter 72 - And You Thought That Proselyting With Your Mission President Would Be Nerve-Racking

1/30/2017
Hey everyone!

So this week was pretty eventful. First thing, we had a world wide mission conference this week and they announced some changes in missionary work. Most of them wouldn't seem like a big deal for you guys but it was pretty big for us. Among all the changes, some small changes happened to the key indicators we now report to our leaders but the biggest change was to our schedule. Now we don't plan  at night, we plan in the morning, which is super weird and new, but I think I like it. And we have the option to choose how long we do companionship study and now there's more time on pday and just a lot of things but mostly what's most important to know is that this is all so inspired. It was designed to allow us as missionaries to use our agency and choose to use our time wisely. They said they did this to help us so that when we get home we will use our time wisely and keep up the habits we gained on our missions.....so that's a good thing. Anyway the conference was super good and we also had a multi-zone conference which was so inspired and amazing as well, much revelation was received there.

But something even bigger happened this week. So I always would hear about when the mission president would go out on visits with some missionaries and I always thought wow, that must be nerve racking....and then on friday night we get a call from the stake president and he's like hey hermanas Elder Nelson Ardila (an Area 70) will be here tomorrow (because we had stake conference this weekend and he presided) and we were wondering if you guys had any investigators you would like to go visit with  him.............uhhhhh....... yeah! So basically we went on visits with an Area 70, the stake presidente and his wife, one of his counselors and his wife, and the branch president...oh and us...can you talk about a small but incredible powerful little army made up of the Lord's chosen servants! Wow it was such a neat experience. He taught me so much about teaching people not lessons and using the things people know to teach them the gospel and asking inspired questions. Wow. He brings the spirit so strong and the people can tell he is a servant of the Lord. We were just walking down the street and the people were staring at him and it's because they can see the light of Christ that radiates from him and I think, in a small way, that happens with us too. They can see our light of Christ and that's why they stare at us and are drawn to us. As members of the chruch in general too, they can see somehting different about us and it's the light of Christ-Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in Heaven. Well, needless to say, when you teach with an area 70 you start the lesson but then they take the lead and you just follow.,they are so intune with the spirit and you can just tell in their voice they are chosen serants of God. Wow such a neat experience. I will never forget it. Anyway, have a really really great week and remember to always share the gospel!

Love,

Hermana Roylance