Wednesday, August 27, 2014

LENEXA KS missionary video

A member of our Lenexa, KS stake put together this beautiful and touching video of missionaries from our Stake Opening their mission calls:


elder Bishop is included:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B13wAqrxF89KSVJEZEVwSkpzV0E/preview

Monday, August 25, 2014

Meet the Newest DISTRICT LEADER and a TRANSFER--His FIRST

This week was amazing, and I've got some really cool stories to tell, but first let's talk about change. Tranfers have brought on some big changes. I've been tranfered out of my beloved Ala Omega, and I will be serving with Elder Lustosa in the Autran Nunes Stake, Ala Autran Nunes. One thing that's new though: I'm going to be district leader! Also, this stake is basically a five minute drive from Ala Omega, but the area is about five times larger. Also, Elder Imperador was also transfered. He will be serving in Caucaia.
First off, about my time with Elder Imperador. I'm extremely happy with my "son's" progress in the missionary field. These past two transfers were really a good learning experience, although I'm afraid that it wasn't what I expected it would be, and neither was it what Elder Imperador wanted it to be. Despite the fact that we worked so hard that at the end of the day our feet would steam (figuratively, of course; steaming feet would be nasty and most definitely is a health concern), we saw almost no results with our investigators. Not even the less active members that we were working with showed a lot of results. However, this past week definitely made up for all the rest. We found a family so amazing that I don't even have words to describe them. 

Alright, mabye I could describe them a little. Mailson (the husband) and Rafaela (the wife) are married, and were extremely impressed when we taught them about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For those of you that do not know about the Restoration, I would implore you to look into it. There is nothing that will bring more certainty to your life that God loves you than the lesson of the Restoration, and the message it contains about the eternal Atonement that Jesus Christ suffered for all of us. Anyway, when we invited this family to pray at the end of the lesson, to ask God if the things we had taught them were true, Rafaela said "But I already know that these things are true. Before I met you, I prayed to God to show me the true way, and he sent you two. When you both talk, I feel happy and I feel that you two are speaking the truth." The family both are very excited to attend The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This past Sunday, Rafaela went with us (unfortunately Mailson couldn't go because of a mandatory course he took for his job), brought along her sister (who is also a very amazing person), and while we were sitting in the chapel during sacrament meeting, asked us when she could be baptized. 

I know that the Holy Ghost works through those that we teach, testifying of the truth. It was a blessing to see a family so open to the promptings of the Spirit to the point where they testified of their own knowledge of the truth. Unfortunately, I won't see the baptisms of this wonderful family, but I will be waiting to recieve the good news from them both about their conversion!

And that was my amazing week. See you all later!

Elder Bishop

Monday, August 18, 2014

Week of August 18

Well, this week I don't really have much to say, because we were stuck in the house most of the week. Elder Imperador was really sick, and President ordered him to rest in the house for a few days. We did find a pretty cool family, though!

So basically, this week passed by really slow, because we had nothing to do in the house. So I read a bunch, and ate a bunch, and read a little more, and so on and so forth. 

Oh yeah, and Cleiton drove us to the hospital when Elder Imperador needed it. He also came to pick us up when it was about 11:30 PM. I love that man. 

So the head of the family that we found is the nephew of the First Counselor, and he's already been to church many times in the past. His wife (yes, they're married!), Erika, has never really gotten involved with any sort of religion, but after the first lesson, she appeared very excited! Their son was just recently born, and they both said that they were searching for a good solid foundation with which to raise their kid. I love opportunities like this! I told them that I knew that there was nothing better to construct a family with than the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We then taught how the Gospel was restored to the Earth, and how they now have the opportunity to learn more and understand the great Plan of Happiness that God made for us. I'm really excited for this family.

Well, that's it for this week. Until next time! 

Elder Bishop














Monday, August 4, 2014

LEDA and NELDA

This past week, Elder Imperador and I were able to teach Leda and Nalda a bunch, and we are hoping to baptize them this week. They have both given up so much in their willingness to be baptized, and I'm super excited to be able to help them along the path of Christ.

Seeing the great happiness that this family is sharing in the Gospel really struck a note with me this week. To start, Leda hasn't exactly had the best past with her family. I won't get into details, but she, along with her two kids, have suffered a lot because of this. When we first came in contact with them, they were in a very tough situation. After the baptism of Lucas, however, they found the joy that the Gospel brings, and after having gone to church just two times, have expressed the desire to be baptized, as Lucas already was baptized. 

Speaking of Lucas, this kid is a boss. Everytime we teach Leda and Nalda, Lucas helps us teach. He remembers everything. Also, one of his greatest desires that he has shared with us is that of serving a mission. This little guy just turned 12, and he already wants to start the mission process! He's told me that he wants to serve in the good ole' States, which just about made me cry. Plus, he's already asked the Bishop what he needs to do to pass the sacrament. I love this kid.

Also, Cleiton has recieved the call of Ward Missionary, and so he has been teaching with us. He's taught with us everytime with Leda's family, and so she wanted him to baptize her. I swear, Cleiton one day is going to a Bishop.

Also, this week we found a new family that's married (whoo!) and I'm really excited to begin teaching them. 

Regina's wedding is still stalling, but I know that the Lord will provide a way! Last week, we had a break through with Regina's spouse, Epitacio, and it's all looking good. He asked us to give a blessing to his child that had a seizure, and so we did. When we gave the blessing to Regina's baby, I felt the Holy Ghost very strongly, and the next day the child was fever free and healthy as ever. Epitacio has started to trust us a lot more.

Well, my time's up. See you all next week!

Elder Bishop