Around the World

As part of "missionary life", we believe in teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all people. ALL PEOPLE! Many people as they are asked about what they know about missionaries usually touch on the fact that we go out into the jungles in foreign lands to help and teach people. This is very accurate! Some are called to serve in the jungles of Brazil and other countries. Others to the jungle of Manhattan like us! :) All over the world we are sent to share the message of Jesus Christ and the Restored Gospel. Along with that we are to teach the Gospel to these people in their native languages.

"For it shall come to pass in that day, that every man shall hear the fulness of the gospel in his own tongue, and in his own language..." D&C 90:11

You don't necessarily need to be called to serve across the world to teach someone in their native language though. For example, I, Elder Potter, was called to teach in Portuguese here in New York City. A little bit strange, I know. But there are people here that need to receive the truth... in Portuguese! As missionaries, we study our languages everyday for about an hour. We also try to take every opportunity to speak in these languages. Some times it's pretty tough. I mean, we are learning completely new languages! The idea and reason of why we go to such lengths to learn these languages and to share the Gospel is because Heavenly Father loves ALL his children. For this reason we teach to all people and all languages. English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, ASL, Italian, Tongan, Korean, Russian, Japanese, German, French, etc. We invite all to come unto Christ and to enjoy the blessings of the Atonement (Christ's sacrifice for our sins). We have noticed that many of the viewers of our blog are not from the United States or places where English is the most common language. We hope the translator feature helps you out in reading our posts. You are all amazing for taking the time to learn more about Christ through this blog!

We invite all who are interested in learning more to check out the "Meet Missionaries!" tab above and amazing missionaries, in your own country and/or language, will come to your home and teach you more! 

Missionary Life (:

We hope that everyone has had a very Merry Christmas! And... it has been a while since we have put up a post, and to let you have a little insight into why, we wanted to put up a little information about what missionary life is like... because whether you are Mormon or not, most people we have talked to have wondered just what exactly it is that missionaries do. We hope that anything we post about this will help you see that it's not just a walk in the park, even though it is the best two years (:

Everything we do as missionaries brings us closer to Christ, as we try to help others accomplish the same thing. We hope you will see a little more light each day, just like we do!

The best way that we can find light is through the scriptures, and just so you know, ever missionary spends two hours every day (from 8am to 10am) studying about the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Proverbs 119:105- Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Try to find a way to let God's light into your life more today!

Do The Harlem "Shine"

With Christmas being just around the corner, many are feeling the spirit of

 service! That was the exact case for two awesome missionaries in the

 New York New York Mission (Elder Jeffrey Kerr and Elder James Pickard)

and their Zone in Harlem. In the spirit of Christlike service, they offered 

to shine the shoes of the people of New York City. 

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865591940/Mormon-missionaries-shine-shoes-teach-the-gospel-in-Harlem.html?pg=1

  "I feel like when you're doing service, Heavenly Father blesses you with opportunities to share the gospel and helps the hearts of those we are serving to be softened." -Elder Jeffrey Kerr

 "We noticed as we were shining people's shoes, we had a lot of time to talk with people, and as the conversation began we started talking about how people's days were, and it led in to a more gospel-centered conversation, which is exactly what they needed." Elder James Pickard

Mosiah 2:17 "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."

Jesus Christ is the perfect example of service.

We invite all to follow in his footsteps....

 ... and serve those around you this Christmas season.

Check out the inspiring article of this story written by Sarah Petersen on deseretnews.com

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865591940/Mormon-missionaries-shine-shoes-teach-the-gospel-in-Harlem.html?pg=1

Well, the Holidays are here!

The Holidays are here, and that means that everyone is even busier than usual! There is always so much to get ready for, so much to do, and so much to be involved in! But, it is up to us to never lose sight of what matters most. Here is an awesome video that talks about a quiet, humble event that happened in the midst of a bustling place, that went unnoticed by those that were going about their own business. What can we do to be sure that we don't miss the important things happening around us this year?

http://www.mormonchannel.org/bible-videos?v=2893093383001

Mo-Tab Thanksgiving Special

http://www.mormontabernaclechoir.org/videos/thanksgiving-special-november-18-2012-music-and-the-spoken-word?lang=eng
As most of you have recently noticed, either by some of our previous posts or just by looking at your calendar, it's almost Thanksgiving! It is a wonderful time of year where we can come together as friends and family and give thanks for the blessings we have received, and maybe do a little bit of over eating. There is so much to be grateful for in our lives. One small thing that I'm grateful for is the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, which just so happened to have made a Music and the Spoken Word Thanksgiving Special entitled, "Life is a Gift". How neat is that!? So while you're enjoying some great company, food, and football this Thanksgiving maybe take a moment to listen and quietly ponder this amazing choir sing of Thanksgiving and gratitude. We have so much to be grateful for. Happy Thanksgiving!

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving!

 One simple question...

 Plus several artistic people with chalk...

 Multiplied by the fullness of the everlasting gospel...

 To the power of the people of the Bronx...

 Equals one wonderful opportunity to share gratitude!

 Whether old,

Or young,

  All had something to be grateful for!

 And they let us know it!

 They drew it on the ground!

 There was a lot to say

 And people said it with boldness!

 Notice any patterns?

 Whether specific or not...

 People were grateful for some wonderful things!

 Someone was even grateful for our blog! 

(Ok... maybe that one was me... but hey, I'm grateful for it!)

 It was awesome to be able to share what brings us joy...

Because after all, joy is not true joy until it has been shared!

With the trumpet of an angel, we're hoping to share the gift of gratitude. We want to show our Thanks by Giving! 

So... What are you grateful for?

A Splash of Color

Here are some more photos of the most recent chalking.

We hope that this brightens your day!

Also be sure to check out the video of the event previously featured on this blog!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlBoM0XZzHA&noredirect=1

Bringin' Love to the Bronx!

So, now we got some people in the Bronx, along Kingsbridge Road, to write up some new Kindnesskards today!

They had some awesome comforting things to say!

 Some of our Spanish friends wrote a few as well!

 They offer some awesome insights!

 Their messages will help others feel the happiness they deserve.

Never forget this... Someone really does love you. 

Our Father in Heaven loves us all, and wants each one of us to be happy, so let's go do what we can to make that happen!

Chalk Drawing #2 - Video

Here's the url for the Washington Square Park chalk drawing video!

http://www.youtube.com/v/NlBoM0XZzHA?version=3&autohide=1&feature=share&autoplay=1&autohide=1&attribution_tag=ij3-cFgwDfYQA3cMNWGU1g&showinfo=1

Color Vision: Chalk Art Round 2

 Well, after a few weeks, and a wonderful donation of chalk from some locals, AND the discovery of several talented artists in our congregations around the island... we decided it was time to share the Gospel through Chalking again! This time, with Lehi's Dream, in Washington Square!

All of the missionaries got to work!

 But we had some extra help this time! :)

This dog didn't do much... but the owner learned about the Book of Mormon!

 An architect designed the Great and Spacious Building!

 It still had no foundation... (ask a Mormon, like us, if you don't get that one!)

 This guy knew that the Tree of Life was a better choice! (He should know, he drew it!)

 Many people learned a lot today.

 We want to help people focus on what really matters!

 The Love of God, and the happiness that He has planned for us when we keep His commandments! 

Come, partake of the fruit of the Tree of Life, Drink from the Fountain of Living Waters! 

If you want to know what this vision is all about, just read 1 Nephi 8! Or, you can click here to have two nicely dressed youths (like us!) come and tell you everything about it!