Tuesday, November 13, 2012
July 25
What is up!! It has been a great week :) Elder Wesley is a great companion. He's from Hyderbad also. He's 24 years old, served for 9 months so far, has two brothers, joined the church back in 2007, and is a electronics engineer. We don't have a big teaching river right now, but we are working hard to find and get referrals. He's a great guy and I hope that we become great friends in these next well, now it's 5 weeks. I was going to say 6 weeks.
Bowling is expensive. In fact, today some Elders were going to go bowling, but Elder Wesley and I don't have the funds to go out and do that. (Nor the interest haha) The bowling arenas are nice though and yes they are air-conditioned.
Which makes me think. There is A/C here but it's small things for only one room. There is no central A/C in many houses/businesses that I've gone to. There many people that also have water air conditioning. It's a unit that holds water in the bottom of the container and the fan blows which draws up some of the water to help cool things down. Thought you'd like to know.
Yeah there are many beggars. It's sad to see, but my thinking is that even though I can't physically do a lot for them right now, I'm indirectly helping them by sharing the gospel. When the nation understands the gospel, then will the poor and rich help each other and there won't be this poverty. Now that's YEARS down the road, but that's my mentality.
That's exciting to hear that Dylan has his papers almost finished! Glad he also found a job :) It'll be fun to hear where he serves. (Think I might be able to skype you during the time he opens his call? hehe That would be a fun little extra hello)
Yeah it's the first time I'm reading the New Testament and it's amazing. I love reading about Christ and getting to read what he did. It's one thing to grow hearing the stories, but now I get to go in depth into Christ's life. What chapter are you in? I'm in chapter 4. You must be ahead because I don't remember beatitudes.
Spiritual:
It's been a good week. Elder Wesley is a great companion! We are working hard to find people and to build relationships with the members. We love this work and are enjoying trying to get people to hear what we have to share. It's interesting to see the engagement that people we personally contact and those that are referrals from members have in what we teach. Both groups can embrace the message we share, but the example that the members have set, help the referrals to be engaged more.
We also set goals of striving to do our best to be exactly obedient. I love the noticeable difference in the way the Spirit is felt as we have strived to do our part in being exactly obedient. Granted we are human and make mistakes ;) but the Spirit and the joy that is felt doing this work when we try our best to be obedient is noticeable. I love it!
I know Heavenly Father is watching over this work that I am blessed to be a part of. There is no doubt that he guides and helps us. About a month ago, Elder Bunga and I were trying to find "lost sheep.'' We were looking for an address and as we paused to find where out where we were, Elder Bunga noticed a woman, wearing a cross, walk into her home. We went to her door to ''ask for directions''. As we talked we brought who we were and if we could return to share a message. Jump one month ahead. Elder Wesley and I were trying to find lost sheep during an open hour and found this inactive elderly woman. Her husband was in the hospital and sadly she did not want us to help. The next day, Elder Wesley and I were in the area of the woman, wearing the cross, from a month ago. As we talked and got to know the family, we discovered that the father of the home had a brother in the hospital. He mentioned his brother's name and when we heard it asked if he might be related to the inactive sister we met a the day before. His brother is the husband of the inactive woman! It was too cool to see something like this play out. We will be meeting them later this week. Hopefully, we can somehow soften the heart of the inactive woman we met as we teach her in-laws.
I'm grateful to serve and bear the name of my Savior. I'm grateful that I can teach people who their Heavenly Father is and that Jesus Christ is more than a name. My Savior has given me so much. I hope that I can serve the people here in India in such a way that they too may realize Jesus Christ is truly their Redeemer. It's a blessing to learn, grow, and serve my Savior. serve my Savior.
I love you guys! Hope you have a fantastic week. Hugs (and Kisses to those to it applies haha) to ya'll. I love you and hope you know I'm doing well and glad I can serve. :)
Love
Elder Devin Bastian
Bowling is expensive. In fact, today some Elders were going to go bowling, but Elder Wesley and I don't have the funds to go out and do that. (Nor the interest haha) The bowling arenas are nice though and yes they are air-conditioned.
Which makes me think. There is A/C here but it's small things for only one room. There is no central A/C in many houses/businesses that I've gone to. There many people that also have water air conditioning. It's a unit that holds water in the bottom of the container and the fan blows which draws up some of the water to help cool things down. Thought you'd like to know.
Yeah there are many beggars. It's sad to see, but my thinking is that even though I can't physically do a lot for them right now, I'm indirectly helping them by sharing the gospel. When the nation understands the gospel, then will the poor and rich help each other and there won't be this poverty. Now that's YEARS down the road, but that's my mentality.
That's exciting to hear that Dylan has his papers almost finished! Glad he also found a job :) It'll be fun to hear where he serves. (Think I might be able to skype you during the time he opens his call? hehe That would be a fun little extra hello)
Yeah it's the first time I'm reading the New Testament and it's amazing. I love reading about Christ and getting to read what he did. It's one thing to grow hearing the stories, but now I get to go in depth into Christ's life. What chapter are you in? I'm in chapter 4. You must be ahead because I don't remember beatitudes.
Spiritual:
It's been a good week. Elder Wesley is a great companion! We are working hard to find people and to build relationships with the members. We love this work and are enjoying trying to get people to hear what we have to share. It's interesting to see the engagement that people we personally contact and those that are referrals from members have in what we teach. Both groups can embrace the message we share, but the example that the members have set, help the referrals to be engaged more.
We also set goals of striving to do our best to be exactly obedient. I love the noticeable difference in the way the Spirit is felt as we have strived to do our part in being exactly obedient. Granted we are human and make mistakes ;) but the Spirit and the joy that is felt doing this work when we try our best to be obedient is noticeable. I love it!
I know Heavenly Father is watching over this work that I am blessed to be a part of. There is no doubt that he guides and helps us. About a month ago, Elder Bunga and I were trying to find "lost sheep.'' We were looking for an address and as we paused to find where out where we were, Elder Bunga noticed a woman, wearing a cross, walk into her home. We went to her door to ''ask for directions''. As we talked we brought who we were and if we could return to share a message. Jump one month ahead. Elder Wesley and I were trying to find lost sheep during an open hour and found this inactive elderly woman. Her husband was in the hospital and sadly she did not want us to help. The next day, Elder Wesley and I were in the area of the woman, wearing the cross, from a month ago. As we talked and got to know the family, we discovered that the father of the home had a brother in the hospital. He mentioned his brother's name and when we heard it asked if he might be related to the inactive sister we met a the day before. His brother is the husband of the inactive woman! It was too cool to see something like this play out. We will be meeting them later this week. Hopefully, we can somehow soften the heart of the inactive woman we met as we teach her in-laws.
I'm grateful to serve and bear the name of my Savior. I'm grateful that I can teach people who their Heavenly Father is and that Jesus Christ is more than a name. My Savior has given me so much. I hope that I can serve the people here in India in such a way that they too may realize Jesus Christ is truly their Redeemer. It's a blessing to learn, grow, and serve my Savior. serve my Savior.
I love you guys! Hope you have a fantastic week. Hugs (and Kisses to those to it applies haha) to ya'll. I love you and hope you know I'm doing well and glad I can serve. :)
Love
Elder Devin Bastian
July 18
Holy Smokes!!! So many emails today!! I don't think I'll have time to respond to all, but I'll do the best that I can.
The last week has been good. I've been reading the Book of Mormon and I actually started on the New Testament. Wow! Jesus Christ knew how to teach and expound the doctrine! It's humbling to read about his life right now as I'm striving to make adjustments in my life that line up to his teachings. I read that email you sent mom and the point you made of changing but beating myself up as I change is actually something I had thought about this last week. Thanks for that :) I was actually reminded about that, I was sent here because I have unique qualities and a personality that is unlike anyone else. There are things I have learned and come to understand that can touch the life of someone else unlike anyone else. I don't need to change who I am, but I can change in a way that aligns my life, my personality, and my experiences with Christ's teachings. I definitely believe that Heavenly Father is watching over me because of the things I learn during the week are then solidified by you, mom and dad, in your emails. It's cool to see how I'm taught during the week and then without you knowing it type up and email me what I learned. Our Heavenly Father is absolutely a loving Father.
Tomorrow is transfers!! I'm a little nervous because this will be the first time without a trainer now! There's a program the church came out with that is 12 week training program for new Elders that is suppose to help get them adjusted to missionary work and know the doctrine quicker. Now the 12 weeks are over and A) Elder Bunga leaves tomorrow B) Tomorrow I get my first post training program. It's going to be interesting! haha I'll do good though. I'm actually excited to get to know who it'll be and start working with him.
Forgot to tell you we have a total of three Amercian couples serving here in India now. Capners, Crookstons, and Stevens. The Stevens actually came in 2 weeks ago and they're from Houston, Texas. Think you know the Stevens at all?
It's really cool to see as a missionary how much this life is all about preparing ourselves to return to live with Heavenly Father. Everything in life is helping us to prepare to meet God if we are following the commandments and counsel he gives to us.
It's cooled off a bit, but the humidity here has jumped up expediently! I don't know what I like more the heat or the humidity. Both make me sweat profusely! haha
Spiritual
The line of authority is spectacular when thinking about the calling that I have been called to. I was reading in Preach My Gospel Ch.1 My Purpose and in there, there is a chapter that talks about the authority and power of being a missionary. It helped me realize the honor, obligation, and privilege it is to be a missionary. When you trace the priesthood from the stake president to the 70 to the quorum of the 12 to the prophet to Jesus Christ. It’s cool to think that I have been ordained by Christ to do this work.
It’s a little nerve wracking for me to know that tomorrow I’ll be the senior in the area and that I will have to lead and show my companion around the area in this upcoming transfer. However, I’m excited and ready to go about this work with a mind set the work and ready to go do what is expected of me J
Once again I’m grateful that I can serve as a missionary and notice the things that Heavenly Father is trying to teach me. The scriptures teach the doctrine of Christ magnificently. There are amazing stories, parables, testimonies, experiences of God’s grace and love for us, and the truth that is taught to us about the divinity and the nature of the Godhead and our purpose here on Earth. My eyes have been opened to how the Book of Mormon teaches the Doctrine so many times! I love it and as I have read the pages of the Book of Mormon it’s empowering to see the amount of love our Savior, Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father has for us.
To save time I'm going to go to each of your email and write back. I hope I'll be able to reply to all :) I LOVE YOU!!
Elder Devin Bastian
The last week has been good. I've been reading the Book of Mormon and I actually started on the New Testament. Wow! Jesus Christ knew how to teach and expound the doctrine! It's humbling to read about his life right now as I'm striving to make adjustments in my life that line up to his teachings. I read that email you sent mom and the point you made of changing but beating myself up as I change is actually something I had thought about this last week. Thanks for that :) I was actually reminded about that, I was sent here because I have unique qualities and a personality that is unlike anyone else. There are things I have learned and come to understand that can touch the life of someone else unlike anyone else. I don't need to change who I am, but I can change in a way that aligns my life, my personality, and my experiences with Christ's teachings. I definitely believe that Heavenly Father is watching over me because of the things I learn during the week are then solidified by you, mom and dad, in your emails. It's cool to see how I'm taught during the week and then without you knowing it type up and email me what I learned. Our Heavenly Father is absolutely a loving Father.
Tomorrow is transfers!! I'm a little nervous because this will be the first time without a trainer now! There's a program the church came out with that is 12 week training program for new Elders that is suppose to help get them adjusted to missionary work and know the doctrine quicker. Now the 12 weeks are over and A) Elder Bunga leaves tomorrow B) Tomorrow I get my first post training program. It's going to be interesting! haha I'll do good though. I'm actually excited to get to know who it'll be and start working with him.
Forgot to tell you we have a total of three Amercian couples serving here in India now. Capners, Crookstons, and Stevens. The Stevens actually came in 2 weeks ago and they're from Houston, Texas. Think you know the Stevens at all?
It's really cool to see as a missionary how much this life is all about preparing ourselves to return to live with Heavenly Father. Everything in life is helping us to prepare to meet God if we are following the commandments and counsel he gives to us.
It's cooled off a bit, but the humidity here has jumped up expediently! I don't know what I like more the heat or the humidity. Both make me sweat profusely! haha
Spiritual
The line of authority is spectacular when thinking about the calling that I have been called to. I was reading in Preach My Gospel Ch.1 My Purpose and in there, there is a chapter that talks about the authority and power of being a missionary. It helped me realize the honor, obligation, and privilege it is to be a missionary. When you trace the priesthood from the stake president to the 70 to the quorum of the 12 to the prophet to Jesus Christ. It’s cool to think that I have been ordained by Christ to do this work.
It’s a little nerve wracking for me to know that tomorrow I’ll be the senior in the area and that I will have to lead and show my companion around the area in this upcoming transfer. However, I’m excited and ready to go about this work with a mind set the work and ready to go do what is expected of me J
Once again I’m grateful that I can serve as a missionary and notice the things that Heavenly Father is trying to teach me. The scriptures teach the doctrine of Christ magnificently. There are amazing stories, parables, testimonies, experiences of God’s grace and love for us, and the truth that is taught to us about the divinity and the nature of the Godhead and our purpose here on Earth. My eyes have been opened to how the Book of Mormon teaches the Doctrine so many times! I love it and as I have read the pages of the Book of Mormon it’s empowering to see the amount of love our Savior, Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father has for us.
To save time I'm going to go to each of your email and write back. I hope I'll be able to reply to all :) I LOVE YOU!!
Elder Devin Bastian
June 27 - A good 'ol hello from India!
Hi Familia :) Here's a good 'ol hello from India!
I don't what it is, but I feel like we are not doing enough. Yet we taught 19 lessons this week to investigators. WHY!!?? I feel like my exceptions are too high and yet I don't want to disappoint the Lord. I want to have fun and enjoy, but this life is different. Being a missionary is one thing, but then being a missionary with a companion that thinks of going home all the time, not being able to speak to members and investigators because of not knowing Hindi is FRUSTRATING!, and not having you guys to counsel with is tough... I miss you guys....
I want to say that even though this is hard, I'm trying. I hope that it's a good effort. It's hard to express how different mission life is here in India. We have a lot more tasks and responsibilities as a missionaries here because it's first generation and we have to help pick up the slack that these new members don't understand is their responsibilities. I'm not the only missionary that has had similar thoughts about the work here. Ohh! Currently there are 10 American missionaries right! Crazy!
So I'm doing what I can to feel good. Things I work on to help me feel good are waking up on time, exercising, having personal studies, listening to church music, and going to bed on time. I am amazed at the difference life is here and back home. I have to figure things out on my own here. Life doesn't feel like a set schedule or a least like I know what needs to happen everyday. So that's where I have to go out and think for myself.
President Jackson leaves this Saturday and President Sackley comes Saturday. Tuesday we had a missionary farewell for President Jackson. It was really fun :)
That's SWEET Dylan got his first sell! I wrote him last week and I send him my letters to him. Hopeful he gets them!! haha He's in my prayers as are all of you.
Mikky your photo of Spyro was AMAZING!!! I'm glad you like summer school. Hopefully you can go to Girl's camp. It'd be way fun to go in the mountains.
Mom thank you for your love and support. Like I said this is hard, but this is the right thing and I'm trying to do what I can to be a good missionary. I love the FHE unbroken chain. Kodo's to ya'll!
Dad: Thunder LOST :( :( I was totally rooting for them. What did you mean when you said you were swaying after the lesson? The Inheritance series is way good! I will pray for Wyatt too. That's got to be hard. He's a great guy :)
I would like to thank you for the encouragement you give to me when I write to you. It’s nice to see that I’m doing better than I think I am. Haha
We’ve been having some good lessons with our investigators this last week. It’s fun to see how the gospel can bring a spark to people. Our recent converts, Sunny and Saker, are anxiously engaged in helping their friends and family know about the gospel. They’ve seen it change them and bring a lot of comfort and joy so they now want to help others know of it too.
I In my studies, I’ve been trying to learn the lessons as best as I can so that I might be an effective instrument for Heavenly Father in this work. I’m trying to memorized scriptures and write questions that I can ask and also study the answers to.
I’m grateful that I may serve my Heavenly Father here in India. I hope that I can be the servant he wants me to be. I hope that I can help members and investigators alike. Each play such a significant part in the church.
Thanks again for your love and prayers. I know this is a good thing to be on a mission. I know Heavenly Father wants me here. I know the gospel is true. The Book of Mormon has given me a lot of peace as I strive to learn from Him. Thanks again for your love :)
Love
Elder Devin Bastian
P.S. I'm trying to send photos but there's a lot of viruses on this computer. I'll have to send next week.
I don't what it is, but I feel like we are not doing enough. Yet we taught 19 lessons this week to investigators. WHY!!?? I feel like my exceptions are too high and yet I don't want to disappoint the Lord. I want to have fun and enjoy, but this life is different. Being a missionary is one thing, but then being a missionary with a companion that thinks of going home all the time, not being able to speak to members and investigators because of not knowing Hindi is FRUSTRATING!, and not having you guys to counsel with is tough... I miss you guys....
I want to say that even though this is hard, I'm trying. I hope that it's a good effort. It's hard to express how different mission life is here in India. We have a lot more tasks and responsibilities as a missionaries here because it's first generation and we have to help pick up the slack that these new members don't understand is their responsibilities. I'm not the only missionary that has had similar thoughts about the work here. Ohh! Currently there are 10 American missionaries right! Crazy!
So I'm doing what I can to feel good. Things I work on to help me feel good are waking up on time, exercising, having personal studies, listening to church music, and going to bed on time. I am amazed at the difference life is here and back home. I have to figure things out on my own here. Life doesn't feel like a set schedule or a least like I know what needs to happen everyday. So that's where I have to go out and think for myself.
President Jackson leaves this Saturday and President Sackley comes Saturday. Tuesday we had a missionary farewell for President Jackson. It was really fun :)
That's SWEET Dylan got his first sell! I wrote him last week and I send him my letters to him. Hopeful he gets them!! haha He's in my prayers as are all of you.
Mikky your photo of Spyro was AMAZING!!! I'm glad you like summer school. Hopefully you can go to Girl's camp. It'd be way fun to go in the mountains.
Mom thank you for your love and support. Like I said this is hard, but this is the right thing and I'm trying to do what I can to be a good missionary. I love the FHE unbroken chain. Kodo's to ya'll!
Dad: Thunder LOST :( :( I was totally rooting for them. What did you mean when you said you were swaying after the lesson? The Inheritance series is way good! I will pray for Wyatt too. That's got to be hard. He's a great guy :)
I would like to thank you for the encouragement you give to me when I write to you. It’s nice to see that I’m doing better than I think I am. Haha
We’ve been having some good lessons with our investigators this last week. It’s fun to see how the gospel can bring a spark to people. Our recent converts, Sunny and Saker, are anxiously engaged in helping their friends and family know about the gospel. They’ve seen it change them and bring a lot of comfort and joy so they now want to help others know of it too.
I In my studies, I’ve been trying to learn the lessons as best as I can so that I might be an effective instrument for Heavenly Father in this work. I’m trying to memorized scriptures and write questions that I can ask and also study the answers to.
I’m grateful that I may serve my Heavenly Father here in India. I hope that I can be the servant he wants me to be. I hope that I can help members and investigators alike. Each play such a significant part in the church.
Thanks again for your love and prayers. I know this is a good thing to be on a mission. I know Heavenly Father wants me here. I know the gospel is true. The Book of Mormon has given me a lot of peace as I strive to learn from Him. Thanks again for your love :)
Love
Elder Devin Bastian
P.S. I'm trying to send photos but there's a lot of viruses on this computer. I'll have to send next week.
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