WEEK 59 - The One with My Sisters Song

Good day everyone! I'm just sitting here listening to the recording of Morgan and Rileigh singing "I Stand All Amazed" and I'm not sure what to write, I just want to sit here and soak it up. I just sang super loud trying to harmonize, my companion looked at me weird. Haha gotta practice! So My dad ask me some really good questions today so I'm going to answer those. 

I'm in my fifth transfer here, and my second transfer with my companion Hermana Hincapie, and she is the best. The only problem is that we both have that laughing sickness, where you laugh at inappropriate times and you can't stop... So were working on that. We repent a lot for that one... But I love her! We never knock doors, we just talk with everything we see in the streets and that's how we find a lot of people to teach, we ask everyone for references, like members or less actives and that's how we find a lot of people that the Lord is preparing to be baptized. Our goal is 1450 active baptism and rescues this week. Our President really stress retention, they aren't just numbers they are conversions and they need to be nourished and active.

  I told you about Fernando a little bit, he will be rescued this week and then next week he is going receive the priesthood and he is preparing to go to the temple in January with the ward!! We are so excited for him. He is such a great example. 

   This last week we taught about family history work and work for the dead in the temples and one of our converts recently, Nelly was there who is just wonderful and she seemed excited about the whole theme, and I felt such a strong feeling that I had to help her do her family history work for her parents. I felt like that was why I was still here to help her do this work. So we had a visit with her Thursday and I was so excited to help her fill it out and then she said and my granddaughter... could I be baptized for her?? And my eyes just filled up with water and I knew it was her that we were here for and I said yes!! Nelly started to cry and said I'll never forget her. She passed away about 4 years ago in an accident at the age of 15 or 16. She showed us all these pictures of her and is so excited to do her work. She has an appointment this Friday with the family history lady, so I'll keep you updated. 

  I'm sending you a picture of me and Marvin, He's my favorite little kid, I'd adopt him if I could, but the mission manual says we can't. He is the son of a less active Diane who we are working with, but I can't even describe the life Marvin has with his parents; oh this sweet boy, but through it all he is still always so happy and his spirit oh so sweet. Whenever he sees me in the street he throws down his bike and runs to me and yells Hermana Ellison! in his cute little accent. Then he always try's to give me a hug, but he knows he can't haha. But oh how I still love him.

   I have a goal to study the Atonement and oh how wonderful it is. I love my Savior and oh how I need him and how I need repentance. His grace saves me and sets me free. Alma 7:15 says, "Come and fear not" What sweet words, he really does love us and he has done everything to save us. Never forget to pray. This is my favorite line from I Stand All Amazed... :)

  "I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine, to rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine, that he should extend his great love unto such as I, sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify. Oh it is Wonderful, Wonderful to me." 

 

Hermana Ellison

 

 

WEEK 58 - The One with 50 Years in Bolivia

      This week has been a busy week of a lot of activities for the church here in Tarija! We celebrated 50 years of the church here in Bolivia! and it was amazing. Thursday we all got up early in the morning and went to the main plaza in the center and we had a performance that they had been announcing on the television all this week. We were going to have three musical numbers and the 50 missionaries that are here in Tarija were all going to sing together.  So we had been practicing the days prior. So that's exciting and if that wasn't enough, Wednesday night before we were to sing, one of the zone leaders of the other zones calls me and says sister Ellison you've been selected to sing a duet with Hermana Crandell for the other special number.... Yeah that's funny. But anyways we did, we sang first and sang "I know that me redeemer lives", it was okay...(But we did sing it again at the Stake Conference and we did much much better.)   Then all the missionaries sang and then this other sister who sings like an angel sang. Then we went around and passed out pamphlets and invited everyone to the ceremony the government was going to have in our church to recognize us for our service and beliefs for 50 years here. The event was so cool! They gave the church these cool plaques and recognized us for all our service and our Christ like beliefs; it was so cool. The next day one of the government lady's came to the stake conference with her family of 7! All because the President's wife, Hermana Willard invited her! They're such amazing people here in Bolivia and I truly know that the church is true and that one day the whole world will be converted.

    Speaking of Hermana Willard, the President's wife. She's amazing and Yesterday after the conference I went up to talk to her and she said sister I'd like to go on a transfer with you and your companion! How about that? hahaha I was so nervous and so excited. So she came up to our area and we went out proslyting with her and she truly is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. I want to be just like her. She is one of the most kind, sincere, virtous and pure people I have ever met in my entire life. And her faith, wow don't even get me started. When she prays everything comes true. We had such an amazing lesson with her and one of our investigators and she barley said anything and at the same time said everything! I know that this investigator will be baptized purely because she got to meet Hermana Willard. It's rare that sisters get to go on intercambios with her and I was so lucky.

Hermana Ellison

 

WEEK 57 - The One Where you Shouldn't Wait

   I don't know if I've said this but we had transfers and I'm still here! In the same area! That's right... 5 transfers here!!! That's a ton! That's 7 months! 5 transfers ago I opened this zone; La Vina with a group of 18 other missionaries and now I'm the only one left of those originals who opened this zone! But that's okay I really love it here.  

 

   This week there was a hug hail storm! Here in Tarija this is very common. And usually I've always had pretty good luck when the rain or the storms come I always happen to be in a lesson, but this time nope. We were walking to a lesson and it hit... It was crazy! The hail is so big here and so dangerous. My companion got hit in the head! and now she has a bump. So we just had to stand under a roof thing and wait till it passed. 

 

   As for spiritually, this last transfers we met a less active named Fernando and he is just a light and such a wonderful spirit. We knocked on his door one day to find his sister and he answer, so we asked if we could visit him and he said yes. So we returned to visit and he was not only there, which is rare, but he was waiting for us! We brought a hermanadora de oro (a member) Eli Romero and the lesson was so good. I still remember that first prayer he gave that night; as we got on our knees and he prayed and asked God for forgiveness. It was so amazing to see someone so humble and ready to repent and return to God. The lord has so much mercy and he loves us. It has been amazing to watch him grow, from the first Sunday that he came in jeans and a t shirt, to the next he came in a shirt and tie (a daisy duck tie because its the only one he has, it's the coolest) and then to these last ones that he comes in a full suit! He's the first at every activity, conference and devotion and he is a true example of the believers. 

 

  We can always return to the Lord, His forgiveness is always there. Today I was reading in Matthew 18 about a king who was taking accounts of his servants. It was the turn of one servant who owed the king ten thousands talents. The servant said that he had not the means to pay... I imagine that these words were so hard for this servant to say as he knew the punishment which was to come as the king said... then you and your wife and your family must be sold until you can pay it. 

The servant then got down on his knees and begged, "Lord Have patience with me and I will pay thee all." The following verse gives me so much comfort as I imagine Christ saying the same to me. "The  Lord of the servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt." 

Our savior Jesus Christ has payed our debt, he loves us and will always have compassion on us when we come to him in humble repentance. 

 

As Jeffery R Holland says, "Don’t dwell on old issues orgrievances—not toward yourself nor your neighbor nor even, I might add,toward this true and living Church. The majesty of your life, of yourneighbor’s life, and of the gospel of Jesus Christ will be made manifest atthe last day, even if such majesty is not always recognized by everyone inthe early going. So don’t hyperventilate about something that happened at9:00 in the morning when the grace of God is trying to reward you at 6:00in the evening—whatever your labor arrangements have been through the day.

 

We consume such precious emotional and spiritual capital clinging tenaciously to the memory of a discordant note we struck in a childhood piano recital, or something a spouse said or did 20 years ago that we are determined to hold over his or her head for another 20, or an incident in Church history that proved no more or less than that mortals will always struggle to measure up to the immortal hopes placed before them. Even if one of those grievances did not originate with you, it can end with you. And what a reward there will be for that contribution when the Lord of the vineyard looks you in the eye and accounts are settled at the end of our earthly day.

Which leads me to my third and last point. This parable—like all parables— is not really about laborers or wages any more than the others are about sheep and goats. This is a story about God’s goodness, His patience and forgiveness, and the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a story about generosity and compassion. It is a story about grace. It underscores the thought I heard many years ago that surely the thing God enjoys most about being God is the thrill of being merciful, especially to those who don’t expect it and often feel they don’t deserve it.

I do not know who in this vast audience today may need to hear the message of forgiveness inherent in this parable, but however late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines.

Please listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit telling you right now,  this very moment, that you should accept the atoning gift of the Lord Jesus Christ and enjoy the fellowship of His labor. Don’t delay. It’s getting late. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

Hermana Ellison

 

WEEK 56 - The One with the Brother of Jared

Esteemed Colleagues ...

 

   Hahah I don't know how to spell that word.  This week has been amazing. I've seen miracles in a very different way. We are striving to be obedient with exactness and trying to service this Ward. We know that we have so much time and so little time and its important to use it wisely. We are visiting and serving as many members and people as we can. I saw a miracle this week with the revelation that the lord has given me. I Don't think my mind as ever been so open and effective. I feel the Lord teaching me in every moment and giving me ideas and help. I feel him helping me be diligent and helping me discern the needs of these investigators. I see the miracle of family history, the questions of gold (baptismal question and references) and the members. Today I was studying in Ether chapter 3 and I know I need to be more like the Bother of Jared. I love the Brother of Jared!! (my dad and the one in the scriptures hahha) He was prepared before he came to the Lord, he was diligent and I know too that if I am prepared and come to the Lord in humility and faith he will answer our prayers for these people here and touch their hearts! The investigators are like these stones! We have to help them and prepare them and then pray for them with all our faith saying "Lord I know you can do these things", and he will touch their hearts and we will see miracles, why because I've seen it before! He's touched the heart of so many people in my mission already and I've seen it, I've seen his hand touch their hearts and I know he will continue to do so. 

   The more we search and are obedient, the more the Lord teaches us and enlightens our mind and we can know the truth of all things.  

Everything for God is spiritual and this world is amazing! Its incredible. Go outside. Its really pretty out there. Appreciate the world and everything he has given you. Study! Study from the best books, read! Dance! Be good. Learn and grow and always always repent.

 

Hermana Ellison 

 

I know that the revelation you have received is true and is of God. I know that we are servants of the lord, we are unworthy yet he loves us and has so much mercy upon us. 

 

Photos

1. Micro

2. My cute companion and my old companion traveling to Santa Cruz

3. Soup. Thats called Bori Bori. Super good. 

 

 

WEEK 55 - The One with The Birthdays

That's right I remember your birthdays!

 

Happy birthday to all you October babies.   My favorite thing about you is....

 

Trenton.... That ever since I was little I only wantd to be just like you! Rocky.. yep. Star Wars.. You bet cha. Grease... Go grease lighting. Thanks for letting me follow you around as little kids. Thanks for teaching me how to be a hill billy and thanks for being my big brother. I love you more than you know!!! 

 

Savannah.... I love your passion for style and your desire to help others. You have great motivation and do great things. I'll always remember that cool club you started in high school. You are a dreamer. I also love that you only eat ice cream and pizza for breakfast and you're still the same size (smiley face)

  

Tiffany... I love your drive to do your best and always give all of your self to all your projects! You have dillengence! You are so awesome and spirited! I always know that you can do anything you put your mind too. 

 

Connor... I love that you always have a great sense of humor and are always laughing. I love your passion for riding bikes and being the best in whatever your circumstances. You have a special spirit. Make sure you share it with others. 

 

Hamiliton... I love your love for your family. Its always my favorite when you call and we all get a chance to talk to you! I love that you're the only kid in our family that has actually written me a hand written letter... haha your the best!!! I sure love you and your passion for the gospel and hunting haha. 

 

To all...the funnny thing is that you have all probably changed so much or maybe not at all, but this is what I remember of you... haha. Sure love you all! 

 

Hermana Ellison 

WEEK 54 - The One with Some Quotes

"If you dedicate your gifts and talents, you only return to Him (God) what He already has given you. If you pay tithing, you only return to Him a tenth of what he has already given to you. Everything that you have to give to the Lord, has its origin in Him, EXCEPT ONE THING... YOUR WILL. He does not have your heart, nor your mind, unless you give them to Him. It is the only gift you have to offer that He does not already have. And so when you give yourself, you truly give everything to Him."

 

"He will create you a Master piece. You will create of you only a smudge. You will create an ordinary man. He will create a God."

 

These quotes changed my life... and the talk "The Fourth Missionary" changed my life.  

 

Give it up!!! Don't try it your way. Do it Christ's way and be happy about it!!!! Be happy to serve him and to serve him. Charity is everything. 

 

Hermana Ellison 

WEEK 53 - The One Because of HIM!

    This week has officially changed my life. It took the whole week to do it, but it's been done. Starting off first with the leadership meeting that changed every part of my life. The assistants took our numbers and graphs of all our work and wow! This meeting, looking at the facts, the numbers, the possibilities changed my life. It hit me. It all became real, I felt my faith building. As the week went on, unfortunately it seemed harder to reach the goals than I thought. I tried to put all I learned and knew into practice and I think I overloaded myself and went into beating myself up mode, as we all do. I felt disappointed and a failure and that I had failed the people the Lord put into my hands and then the General Conference came. 

   Every talk changed my life, one by one, but what changed me for all is the revelation I felt as I realized our need to trust the Prophet and the Lord. The world is about to change, our faith is going to be tested and we are going to need to prove ourselves. This morning as I study D&C 1 I realized the promises of the Lord... that every soul, every ear shall hear and feel this gospel! That no one can escape it. We have to trust the Lord. He will not stop his work, he will not lower his standards, we have to be stronger then we are, we are not sufficient yet. We have to love and trust our prophet more then we ever have before. The Lord will not lose. He will not fall and we have to be worthy to be in his army and to wear his name. I know that he is the captain of our salvation and as days and years come I have to put my trust in him, and I will not fall. 

   We are baptized, and living in the covenant. We have the holy ghost; which is the fire of God!! We should be filled with fire!  This is the truth, this is the way there is no other. 

  I'm about to hit 1 year and I'm ready to give even more then I ever have. I'm giving it  all because I love him. Pray for me! Pray that I will do my work. Don't worry about the day I come home, but worry that I'm doing all I can. Pray for the world, pray for the missionaries, make sure we stay strong and we do our job. Let us bring the world this truth. 

  I testify that there are no limits! The possibilities are endless, we are the most creative creators in the whole world. We are children of a god! We are infinite! Death can not destroy us. The enemy cannot overcome us, sin cannot take us. We can change. We can always start over. We can always be different. We can always be who we always wanted to be. We can go where we want to go, know what we want to know, do what we never thought we could ever do! This is it! This is your life; take control of it! Don't let anyone tell you, you can't, The world is yours! and Its because of Him. It's because He died, It's because he lived! It's because He loves you. Its because he knows you, he wants you. He saved you and you are his! So be his. Be his child. Be obedient and faithful. Be fearless. Be brave. Stand up for truth and what is right. Live in his light and his protection. Let him guide you and you will make it safely back to His arms. 

 

I am a disciple of Christ and I am forever changed. You wouldn't see the same person come home, because this is it and it's because of him. 

 He Lives!

 Hermana Ellison 

 

 

Click here and watch for 2 minutes!  Great stuff!!

https://www.lds.org/youth/video/because-of-him?lang=eng

 

 Big Spider from last Weeks Blog

Reunited with Sisters.