March 23, 2015 Letter

Thanks for all the birthday wishes!

It has been another interesting week. Hermana P, one of the other sisters serving in this ward has been sick and was in the hospital a few days. In the time she was in the hospital or resting my companions were taking turns working with her companion. On Saturday she flew home, they will do more tests and hopefully recover soon. And now Hermana Martinez is working with Hermana Urbina and it's weird not being in a trio anymore. But the good thing is, she's not too far away. :) For this week Hermana West and I will keep working together and then next week are transfers. I'll let you know what happens. :)

This week we found P. He is 43 years old. He is very interested in drawing closer to God. He asks great questions and is receptive. And he came to church on Sunday! :) He is a little worried about his health, but we explained and testified that putting God first in his life, everything else will come. :)

Yesterday the Relief Society class was about Our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ and one part I really liked, as she was talking about the Atonement was when she mentioned something like, "We cannot comprehend HOW He did it, but we should always remember WHY He did it." We should
always remember Him and why He gave His life for us, and what He hopes we will do with that wonderful gift.

I love being a missionary and sharing this wonderful gospel. It's not easy, but it is incredible. :) I love it. 

Have a beautiful week! And enjoy my birthday! ;)

Come what may and love it!
Love, Hermana Loveland

March 16, 2015 Letter

Hello family!

It's been another exciting week. Yesterday was our stake conference, which went very well. Elder Antuñano of the Seventy spoke, as well as the San Diego Temple President and his wife. Speaking of temples, the Tijuana temple dedication will be December 13th. :) One of the things that was said in the conference is that we need to have spiritual experiences every day. That is very true. They can be while reading the scriptures, or in our prayers, in sharing the gospel, there are
lots of ways! In what ways will you search for spiritual experiences this week?

Yesterday we had a pretty cool experience. We had been rejected by a few people and some appointments had fallen through and it was pretty warm outside. But we kept looking. Then we saw an older woman struggling with her grocery bags and offered to help her. She lived
kinda far from there, so we got some good exercise. She is 80 something years old (though she seems a lot younger) and her name is M. She invited us in and we met her daughter A and her 27
year old grandson F. They are very kind and also very receptive. They listened to our message and accepted a baptismal date.

We felt the spirit very strong and were so happy and grateful during and afterwards. I love this work! The Lord blesses us, but He also tests our faith and diligence. He is so merciful and loving. We hope to keep working hard and seeing these tender mercies of the Lord. Sometimes it's hard being three missionaries with lots of time on the mission, because our bodies and minds and everything are tired, but we keep going and we want to take advantage of this time the Lord has
given us.

Remember R? We were teaching him a while back when Hermana Muir was here, but he didn't progress. He saw us in the street the other day and told us to come visit him again. He's not living with his girlfriend anymore and he wants to draw closer to God. We've taught him a couple times this week, and he came to church yesterday. 

About G, we have seen him in a long time. He wasn't progressing and isn't quite willing to give up some things in his life. We hope he knows we love him and I know one day he will be able to live the gospel and receive these blessings in his life.
 

In other news, I had my last appointment with my doctor on Saturday. He said I'm all good and can be 100% back to normal physical activities. It'll be good to be able to do more exercise again. :)

This week I found a cool scripture in Acts 20:24 "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." 

Come what may and love it!
 

Love,
Hermana Serena Loveland

March 9, 2015 Letter and Pictures

Whoa, lots of emails and lots of stories to share and I don't really know where to begin...
 
First of all, I'm so sorry for not writing last week. We had a technical difficulty and we ran out of time and we didn't get to  email. But I'm alive! Thanks for all the emails and love!  This week was great!

On Saturday, A was baptized! I love that family so much and I am sooooo grateful to be a part of helping them embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ and prepare to be an eternal family. I hope to come back in a year when they can go to the temple!  :)
 
This week we had our conference with Presidente García. It was wonderful, as usual. I learned a lot and felt spiritually  strengthened. The best part was when we watched part of UP! I love  that movie so much, and so does President. We watched a few parts that he applied to missionary work. It was incredible. I was very happy. I  also got my package that day. Thanks family! 

This week we also found M. She is an incredible woman. The Lord has prepared her for this gospel. We found her after climbing a huge hill and attempting to knock doors. Hardly anyone received us, but when we reached the top of the hill and the end of the street we saw  her getting out of her car with her daughter and contacted her. She let us in and listened and asked questions and she is so awesome! 
 
Afterwards Hermana West said it was the most spiritual lesson of her whole mission, and I would probably agree. It was an awesome experience and reminded us that the Lord IS preparing people for this  gospel!
 
I am so grateful for this chance to be a missionary. I have many imperfections but the Lord still lets me be an instrument in His hands and I am so grateful. I love this work!
 
Ahh! So little time to express all that happens in a week in the life of a missionary! Sorry!
 
I love you muuuuuucho!
Love, Hermana Loveland 

 A's Baptism

 H's fixes Hermana Loveland's hair.

The three companions.

Letter - Feb. 23, 2015

¡Buenas tardes!
 
Well, the highlight of this week was Friday, where we met with all of the missionaries in Tijuana (and I was able to see Hermana Muir and  Hermana Camacho and other great missionary friends) and we watched  Meet the Mormons. Have you seen it? I know it came out in the US a  while ago, but this Friday it comes to some theaters here. It is a  great movie, and I hope everyone sees it and shares it with their  friends!

Yesterday we saw the Bishop in the hall before church and he told us that those who were assigned  to speak in sacrament meeting had not  prepared, thinking it wasn't until next week, so he asked if the three  of us could speak. We were a little nervous, since we didn't have to  time to prepare, but it actually turned out pretty well. It really was  like Nephi, and we were guided by the Spirit without knowing  beforehand what we were to say. It strengthened my testimony of how  the Lord guides us.

I don't remember if I told you or not, but we are now knocking doors again, something that wasn't allowed in our mission before. This week we've contacted several people and knocked several doors. It's still  not the most effective way to find new investigators, but it works sometimes! Lots of people say no, but there are also some people who say yes, and that makes it worth it!

One of the people we found this way is R. He is 43 and recently separated from his wife, and looking to draw closer to God. We set an appointment to come back the next day, and he really opened up and  told us everything that was going on in his life. We've also been able to teach him about the Restoration of the Gospel. He has lots of  questions, but is open and wants to learn more.

This week I read in Doctrine and Convenants 24:8: "Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have any; but endure them, for, lo, I am  with thee, even unto the end of thy days." I love that scripture! We
 know that life isn't easy, but the Lord is with us, and if we are  patient, all will be well.
 
Have a beautiful week! Come what may, and love it!
 
Love,
Hermana Loveland
 
p.s. Tell Sister Nilson thank you very much for all the cards and love!

Loveland cousins - Thanks for the emails! I'll try to write back next week! I love you!
 

Letter - February 16, 2015

Hello family!

Thanks again for the letters and updates. This week has gone fairly well. It seems that the hospital is almost our second home here. But this week is wasn't for me! Hermana Martinez was feeling sick and we've spent time in the doctor and at the hospital, but she's doing good now! But lots of people know us there...it's pretty funny. 

I am doing better. It was a process getting back to walking and working normally, and I rested a little bit this week as well, but now I'm doing great. I had a doctor's appointment on Saturday and
everything is going well. Thanks for the prayers and love! 

So for transfers...we stayed the same! It was not what we were expecting, especially since Presidente had told us a few times that the trio was only going to last the transfer, but that's okay. I
wasn't super excited at first, about being here 6 more weeks, or maybe I'll even finish my mission here. Who knows. I was kinda hoping for a change, but I know it is the will of the Lord, and there are many great things about the area. Plus, I love my companions and I know will have a great time together. I am happy about it. :)

This week we started teaching D who is the friend of one of the members here. She is about 25 and very ready for the gospel. She came to church yesterday and is preparing to be baptized on March 13th.

¡Les amo muchísimo! Gracias por todo.
 

Con mucho amor,
Hermana Loveland

Letter and Photos - Feb 9, 2014

Hello family! 

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you have a great day!
 

I really am doing well. Yesterday I was able to leave the house and work like a normal missionary. True, I have to be patient with myself as my body is still recovering, plus I have to get used to walking all day again, but it's going well so far. I have to walk slower, but I am trying to take good care of myself. :) My diet is back to normal as well. 

The week went well, though I was definitely ready to get out of the house and get back to work. But I got lots of reading done, and some writing, and resting. My companions took care of me well, and I am very grateful for that. I have felt loved. 

One thing I read in the Book of Mormon this week was about the Army of Helaman. I love that stroy. They are such incredible examples. I want to be like them! There are several parts where it talks about their attributes and qualities, and I made a list so I can try to be a little more like them. One of the things I like is it says that they were "true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted." It also says that they were "firm and undaunted." And of course, their exceeding faith and trust in the Lord. I love the Book of Mormon and the wonderful examples in it.
 

It's great to be back working, in our trio, and we hope to enjoy and take advantage of this week, since it's the last one of the transfer, and then who knows what will happen. :) I'll be sure to let you know. :) 

I am grateful to have such wonderful companions.
 

Thanks for everything! For your prayers and support and concern and love! I love you lots!
 

Have an incredible week!
 

Con amor,
Hermana Loveland

Hospital Photos!!

 In the hospital - first meal.

 Yum?

With a visit from Hermana Utrera

 Thumbs up after surgery!

 First day of being home two weeks. Hermana Martinez took care of me that day!

 Flower arrangements sent from her mama and papa, and siblings!

 Withcompanions and Hermana T. 

  At E's baptism.

Feb. 2, 2015 Letter

Hello family!

Thanks for all the prayers and love. It helps a lot. :) I'm doing great! It's been a very interesting week, being at home all day every day, but it's going well.

There is a young woman here in Tijuana that has her mission call and was wanting to have a little of the mission experience before leaving, and this turned out to be her opportunity. Her name is Hermana T and she is staying with us for these 2 weeks and one day she goes out with Hermana W, and Hermana M stays with me, and the next day Hermana M and Hermana T go out and Hermana W stays with me. It's definitely an interesting experience for everyone and we are all learning lots.

Like I said, it is very interesting being home all the time, especially as a missionary who is used to walking and teaching and working all day, but it hasn't been too terrible. I have been able to read lots. I have been reading the Book of Mormon, the New Testament, and General Conference talks and this week I also read Our Search for Happiness (which is a really great book!) and Our Heritage. 

I have been able to rest and try not to get bored. Actually, I don't even let that word come into my vocabulary because every time I think it I hear Grandma Johnson's voice saying, "Boredom is a choice." So I don't get bored. :) It is not east to not be able to work in the area anymore, and have to sit back and let others take over, but my companions are great and I know all will be well. And I am learning to not stress about things I cannot control. I am learning to trust more in the Lord
and in His plan for me. 

I am recovering well. I went to the doctor on Saturday and he told me a few more things I can eat (still avoding fats and things), to add a little more variety to my diet which was basically Jell-o, fruits and vegetables, and said I have to rest and stay home for another week, but he did give me permission to leave, with a ride so I could go to the baptism we had on Saturday (that baptism, by the way, was a huge miracle), and I also went to sacrament meeting yesterday. It was nice to be able to leave and see a few people.

I feel like, even though I'm stuck inside almost all the day, that my spiritual strength is increasing. I don't know if it's because I have been reading the scriptures so much, or because having faith and hope is my only option, or because of all the prayers being said for me, but I feel good. I am happy and I know I am not alone, even though sometimes I might feel like I am. I KNOW this Church is true. I know that my Heavenly Fathers knows and loves me and I know Jesus Christ lives and is my faithful friend. I know the Book of Mormon is true and I know we have a prophet on earth today. If I didn't know these things, I wouldn't be here as a missionary. But I am here so that I
can share this great message and joy with others.

Thanks for everything my dear, wonderful family (and friends)! I love you lots!
 

Love, Hermana Loveland
 

P.S. This internet place doesn't have a way to upload pictures, so you'll have to wait till next week.

Jan. 26, 2014 - Post-Appendectomy Surgery

On Saturday, Jan. 26, Hermana Loveland called home. She had been having stomach pains all day. It turned out she needed an emergency appendectomy that evening. She stayed in the hospital until Monday evening. This letter was written a few minutes before she was released from the hospital.

Don't worry Mom. I'm doing okay. :) I'm not sure how much time I'll have to write. I'm using Hermana Garcias iPhone and we are waiting for the doctor to come to see if I can leave today. Most likely I will leave today. I am doing much better. I can walk and move and Ive been able to eat a little more. Really I'm doing good, and the hard part will probably be resting for two weeks, but I'll will take advantage of the time to read the scriptures and conference talks, write letters, and rest. 

Thanks so much for all the love and support. I can feel it all the way in Mexico! Also, people have come to visit me here, even some people from Playas. :) I have felt very loved. 

 

Oh, thanks for the flowers Mom :) I'll try to send the picture, maybe next week. 

 

Presidente & Hermana García said they will be in contact with you this week, to let you know how I'm doing. And they'll let you know when I leave the hospital.  I am being well taken care of. :)

I love you! "Come what may and love it!" :)

 

Love, 

Hermana Serena Loveland