Tuesday, January 5, 2010

12/28/2009

Hola FAM,

Not much has happened hear either since we talked. I am starting something with my companion that I think will help us find more and eventually baptize more. Other than that not much has happened.

Wow I don’t know what to say about Fitz. To be honest I am a little shell shocked. He is definitely in my prayers. And that is what I want to focus my message on today.

Prayer is something that is very powerful; through prayer we align our will to the will of God. Through prayer marvelous things can happen. Through prayer Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ, through prayer Jesus Christ suffered for all of our sins so that we can receive eternal life. Through prayer we can obtain the hope, peace, and love that we need in our lives. But prayer requires great work. >The reason being is because us, being human, have desires and wishes that are not the same as Gods and we must pray earnestly and willingly to learn of his will for us. Jesus Christ prayed all night to know who he should choose as his disciples. I have a great testimony of Prayer. Through prayer no matter what happens, we can obtain the Love and peace of mind that we desire. So my challenge to you all this week to pray a little stronger and with more faith, if you don’t pray, start. It’s simple. It’s a conversation with God. Anyways this week, pray with faith and pray for Fitz.

Love you all

Elder Fischer

-The Lord has commanded it and I must obey

Saturday, December 26, 2009

12/24/09

Hello to all,

Ok so this week has been crazy for me. First we had Elder Amado from the quorum of the seventy come and speak to us. That was really cool and I learned so so much doctrinally and spiritually. Then on Tuesday we had a missionary Christmas party which was really really fun. I got to see and talk with Elder Marshall a lot so that was really great. Also this week I feel I have learned a lot about dealing people that really get on your nerves!!! Lol just kidding my companion is fine. I sat down with him the other day and just had a nice heart to heart conversation with him and we starting to work more and more so hopefully everything will work out there (thanks Bruce)

so now the sentence that mom is just absolutely dying to read...should I write it...I don’t know if your ready...should I really...ok mom...take a deep breath...are you ready...I don’t think you are ready...ok...here it is...I got my package. Lol yes I got it and I must say it was a little over the top...perfect! Lol thanks so much really! Next Christmas I don’t think you need to send quite so much though lol. Thank you all for your letters. As I was reading them I could really feel like I was in your life’s and could really feel your love. I opened it today because tomorrow is just a regular day except for my 40 minute phone call (!!!!!!!)

So Christmas here is...different. Lol I can hardly tell a difference. People here just celebrate different I guess but it doesn’t seem as big. I guess cause to me Christmas time is so much about family.

Anyways spiritual thought!

Christmas is a time of giving gifts, and as such I would like to talk about the greatest gift ever given. The Atonement of Jesus Christ. The Atonement of Jesus Christ includes his suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, his death on the cross, and his resurrection 3 days later. There is so much doctrine in the atonement that it is impossible for the human mind to fully comprehend it, but what we do know is that thanks to this incomprihendable sacrifice, we can once again live with our heavenly father and our families forever. "For as in Adam all men die, even so in Christ, all are made alive" (Corinthians 15¨12) thanks to Jesus Christ we all have the opportunity to inherit the Kingdom of God and with that all that the father has. This gift however is conditional. We can only obtain these things as we obey the principles and gospel that Christ taught. Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the end. “Wish with the innermost part of my heart, with great anxiety even unto pain, that you would hearken unto these words."

The Gospel is perfect and for everyone. also those that are knew or know nothing of the Gospel, there is something special about the gospel, if one puts in his part, truly wanting and desiring to know, and studies out the doctrine, light and knowledge will be brought into your mind. Also one more think more important than that, you got to pray. He knows, it’s just silly not to ask.

Anyways I love you all! Have a merry Christmas!

Elder Fischer

The Lord has commanded it and I must obey.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Week of 12-14-2009

Hola familia,

Ok so I know you are all just dying to hear about my new area, companion, ward and all so I guess I will start with that.

My new area is Los Andes 1. Los Andes is the hottest part of Chile. Nice to be arriving here in summer lol. Our sector is huuuuge. So naturally I have a bike again! Lol the ward is great. There are not a lot of active members but that is why I am here. In the back yard of the ward there is a garden of trees. They have orange trees, lemon trees, peach trees, pretty much everything.

My companion...is a bean. Lol but seriously. His name is Elder Orellana and is from Chile. He is 21 and has a year and a half in the mission and I am leading him around and forcing him to be obedient. It’s all good though. I think the reason that I am with him is hopefully to help him.

Ok so this week was a roller coaster. In two days I popped three tires on my bike (thanks to nails) rolled my right ankle 3 times (that can’t be good) and am having to lead my "senior" companion around. Its all good though cause guess what...we had three baptisms! Lol oh the tender mercies of the Lord. Especially Sergio. Had a really awesome spiritual experience with him. Anyways the other two were Alejandro and Yaritza. So funny

Oh yeah another thing about our sector is that there is a jumbo in our sector! (American store!) I have been eating good. Lol

Anyways on to spiritual thought:

Ok so this morning I read a scripture that really stuck out to me and made me think about some of the things dad taught me a while ago. I was reading in 1nefi1:20 which reads:

20 And when the Jews heard these things they were angry with him; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out, and stoned, and slain; and they also sought his life, that they might take it away. But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance

The Lord sends “tender mercies” our way. He does it because He loves us and promised He would send the comforter and He himself would come unto us (John 14:16, John 14:18). His tender mercies are one of the important ways He shows us how much He loves us. We know that He atoned for the sins of all mankind and overcame physical death. We know that when we apply the atonement in our lives we can be freed from the burden of sin (PMG Chapter 3-Lesson 1 pg 32). But there is a second part to the Atonement which is “we can develop faith and strength to face our trials. I believe the Lord sends tender mercies in our life just at the right time to help us develop the faith and strength when we need it.

In a talk by David A Bednar we learn the definition of Tender Mercies "personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ."

In verse 20 its says that tender mercies are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith. In other words, He chooses us because we choose Him because of our faith unto action in obeying Him and serving Him.

The Lord sends tender mercies to those that have faith in him. Oftentimes I feel as my dad does that there are tender mercies that the Lord gives us that we are not even aware of. My challenge to you this week is to think and reflect upon times in your life when you have received tender mercies from the Lord. Think if they have been from other people and think how you can be a tool in the Lords hand unto bringing about a tender mercy unto someone else.

Love you all so dearly,
Elder Fischer

-debo obedecer

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

12/07/09

Don’t have a lot of time seeing as how we had freaking changes today.

I am now here in Los Andes 1. It is about 2 hours outside of the city lol I am even further now. But its good the work here is suppose to be good so I am excited. I am not going to lie, it was really hard to leave Valle Grande. We went to go say goodbye to the Gonzolez family and I cried like a little girl. Also it was hard to leave Elder Marshall and our wonderful house. We got so so close.

Did I mention that we had a baptism this week to? I will try to send pics.

Anyways I really don’t have a lot of time for anything. I am going to have to send you guys my Christmas package next week so it will arrive late :( poocha

Love ya all and you are always in my prayers.

Elder Fischer

-"the Lord has commanded it and I must obey."

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Week of 11-30-2009



Week of 11-30-2009

Lol hey fam,

This week has been awesome! I have never been more tired in my life. But equal, I have never been so happy to be so tired. We baptized the Gonzalez family this week! After the past two weeks I almost want to get baptized again myself lol. Just looking into their eyes as they leave the water and begin their new clean life is something amazing! Then as they stand there looking at the water with a sense of innocence and humility is just amazing.

Anyways sounds like everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Want to know how I spent mine? Peddling my bike 70000 miles! lol ok maybe not that much. It was good though. We worked all day so I really didn’t have that much of a problem with it, it was kinda weird. ha ha cleaning out granddaddy and mammaws huh? lol I am jealous of you really, I miss doing big projects like that. Mom believe it or not, I eat salads and asparagus and stuff like that everyday. I don’t mind it anymore! lol sounds like the turkey bowl was fun. That is something that I missed ALOT!!!!

hmmm, Christmas...what do I want...lets see...oh I know...shirts and pants...lol interesting huh. yeah it would be helpful if I could get a few more short sleeve shirts. Doesn’t matter what kind whichever is easier for you. also pants...I think I am growing a little but so they will need to be longer. hey if you can send me a pair of green pants or something! lol sorry mom I don’t know if you can wrap it or not.

Anyways we are going to spend our p-day working again it looks like. I wouldn’t have it any other way actually lol

let me know if there is anything I can do for you guys, love ya!

Chow,
Elder Fischer

Quote for the week:
"never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved"

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Pictures 11-23-2009





Week of 11-23-2009

Happy turkey day!!!!

Hey all! Wow what a roller coaster week! Ovies got baptized!!! Well I already told you this story a little bit last week so I have another story that I want to share

So the day before Ovies got baptized the sister missionaries had someone that needed to be interviewed so my companion interviewed him...he failed. Apparently he just needed a little more time to deal with something. But we were all surprised because this young man (Aiyun) was amazing! He had born his testimony several times and was always at church several times throughout the week. Anyways he was in the bathroom crying all by him so I went in to talk to him. I cracked a joke or two to cheer him up again then I told him to keep strong, I told him that the Lord has his timing in all things and that as long as he stayed strong then it would all work out. He had an interview the next day and was baptized on Sunday. It was an amazing baptism! Very emotional and he bore his testimony afterwards really strongly! He even sent me a shout out lol! So that’s my cool story for the week.

This week we are going to be working our butts off yet again. lol I love it! We are trying to baptize three other families right now for the next two weeks and we are going to do some above and beyond the call type of things...me likely! lol

Wow so thanksgiving is coming up and I can’t believe I’m not going to be home! I can’t believe I am going to miss the turkey bowl! Oh well. Zack fill me in on what happens. But seeing as how this is a big family holiday and we are all going to be apart I want to base my spiritual thought around that a little:

“In a Priesthood Leadership Meeting with Stake Presidents held right before a General Conference, President Harold B. Lee addressed the brethren in the Tabernacle. He called on one brother in the congregation, who was seated next to a big pillar that held up the balcony, to stand up. Then he asked him to push as hard as he could against the pillar and see if he could knock it over. The brother did as he was asked, and pushed, and pushed. But obviously he could not push it over. Then President Lee taught the following lesson, ‘Most of you think that the pillar is there holding up the balcony, but it is not. It is the other way around. It is the balcony that is holding the pillar firmly in place. The weight of the balcony stops the pillar from falling over. Our young missionaries are like that pillar. When they are out in the mission field they have the weight of the Kingdom on their shoulders, and they remain firm and faithful.”

Also this analogy relates to all of us this holiday season, although we are all going to be apart and missing each other just a little, I firmly believe that as we are doing what is right and what God asks of us, that God will be our balcony.

Also President May share an interesting thought in Zone Conference this past week. It was a story about Elder Bednar. He went to talk to a couple who had recently been married and the husband was diagnosed with very bad cancer. After visiting for a while the husband finally posed the statement "I think I have the faith enough to be healed." Elder Bednar responded as such- " I think the better question is do you have the faith not to be healed?" what we learn from this is that faith is not necessarily the ability or the power to do big or even small things, but rather the ability to have the strength and submissiveness to obey and do the Lords will. So to all of you today I pose this question: do you have the faith to submit to the Lords will?

Que Este bien!

Chaos

Elder Fischer

-The Lord has commanded it and I must obey-nefi

Monday, November 16, 2009

Week of November 16, 2009

Hey to all from Chile!



This week has been another roller coaster! Especially with what we have done thus far for our p-day today. We went into the city to buy ties because mine are just getting nasty and I am getting bored of them. After we bought ties and ate we went down the street because there is a gigantic church there. So we went inside and wow the spirit just left. Like straight up I was scared. Anyways so now I am sitting in a 4 story gigantor Americanized mall writing you.



Wow Aunt Cathy is running for congress? ha ha legit! Tuff break Granddaddy you will make it through you always do. Still haven’t gotten granddaddy’s letter yet but hopefully tomorrow! Cathy I know you will do great!



Zack my man! I can’t believe you are dunking already...you jerk! lol wow we are really going to be the (DD) when I get back. You just got to go to SVU first right? Hey while you are studying for the test do the practice test online. The test really isn’t that hard if you are familiar with the questions.



Allie good luck in your game! You will do great! You always do! Keep up with the basketball and you will be able to ball with me and Zack. We will create a dynasty lol.



Mom you are seriously amazing. All that you do I mean really I don’t know how you do it for real. Hey, have you considered writing your book for the world, and with the Book of Mormon? missionary work! just a thought.



Dad my man, where you at dog? lol you sent me a nice long e-mail this week...ha ha how’s work? I can’t wait till I get back and you are all old and I can finally beat you at wrestling.



Mom I have been thinking about Christmas and I guess there are a few things that I would like. First off ties! I need ties! lol also some little device or tool to teach the plan of salvation would be really nice too. Just something for people to look at so that they can remember it easier. But really the only thing that I really want for Christmas is a letter from everybody along with an updated picture! Family, friends, who ever. Don’t stress out about it though mom I know you! Just whatever you can get really.



Spiritual thought:



Today I want to talk a little about Christ, (lol who would of thought? it’s not like its central to my purpose or anything) but I want to talk a little in the sense of repentance. If there is anyone reading this right now and has something they need to repent for and for some reason doesn’t want to or is scared or feels a little uneasy feel my words. I use the word feel because this is something very close to my heart just as all of you are.

Jesus Christ suffered for ALL of our sins. He didn’t suffer the sins for just those who accept him, he suffered for all. He is willing to forgive all and really wants to. He does not ask much of us. Repentance is not easy, never has been. But consider this, seeing as how our merciful Savior already suffered for our sins, why would we not confess them to him so he can forgive us? its not like he has to suffer more, he already suffered it, he knows how you feel, that is why he is so so willing to forgive you. In fact, it would be much much easier for him if we would just repent and come back to him. We will experience joy and more happiness as a child of God. So my point is, stop suffering, stop putting it off, if you need to repent do it, it will be easier on you and easier on our Savior. And I promise you that as you do these things that you will feel the Saviors love more in your life, you will have more happiness and you will feel more complete.



Sorry went off on little rampage there. Anyways another nice little update...I am baptizing this Saturday!!!!! Ovies and Bryon Younshin



We had to work our tales off but it is so so worth it, he is talking about wanting the priesthood, especially the spirit. We promised him his wife would follow his example...she is already asking him questions...ha ha! Also he already wants a calling!



chao!



Elder Fischer



-The Lord has Commanded it and i MUST Obey

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

2 weeks worth of Posts

Week of November 9th, 2009

Hola family!!!!

Wow what a crazy week!

First off bikes - dad you would be proud. lol we went to buy our bikes at a store that fixes up bikes. And there was one there that was practically new. He wanted 50 mil (100 dollars) yeah so I bargained him down to 35 mil (70 dollars) it has wide tires cause we go off road a lot. My companion tried to go the cheap route and bought one for 25 mil (50 dollars). But after we have fixed it up and every thing it cost 35 mil lol. And he still want s to fix it up more.

Don”t have a lot of time this week on the account that we are at an activity an hour and half away from Valle Grande! But one thing I want to say is how glad I am to be in the country here. I love just riding in the bus and looking at this beautiful country. It truly is a site to see.

Spiritual thought:

The basic but oh so important in my life "trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy path."

I know I share this a lot but it is oh so important. This week we have been praying so so earnestly to be lead to the houses of those that are chosen. We found a lot of new people this week. What I have learned from this is that if we want to know something or need help it is plain silly not to ask our Heavenly Father, for He knows.

Chow love you lots,

Elder Fischer

Debo obedecer -nefi


Week of November 2nd, 2009

Hola familia!

Things are going great here! This week was kinda slow numbers wise but we are going to baptize for sure! Ovis y Byron Jounshin! An amazing story these two are. We were two seconds away from dropping them two weeks ago and now they are talking about wanting the priesthood and church callings! Also in a lesson they were worried because they wanted their wife and daughter to join too and we promised them that if they took the first step they would follow...they are already asking a lot of questions...ha ha gottem!

Spanish is coming great. Still struggle at times because the Chileans speak really fast and really bad (grammar and they don’t finish half their words) but it is coming. Sounds like Halloween was fun. I can’t believe that just one year after I leave nobody is going trick-or-treating...are you guys crazy? We even went trick-or-treating! lol I promise we were doing contacts! lol sounds like the haunted house was good. Dad...close one.

Allie-I got your letter in the package! that is awesome you made the team! You will do great! You are so athletic you can’t help it. I think you are the most athletic out of us all. Can’t wait till I get your next one!

Zack-ha ha strenuous work out program huh? I like it! You got to get big if you want to keep up with this! Wow you guys played flag football I am so jealous! Way to keep up the Fischer name and burn everyone out!

Britty/Bruce-lol nice babump! lol I loved the pictures and the message. You guys look like your doing great hang in their. Take care of my niece!

The past 7 weeks we have been fighting for bikes because we cover 3 different areas and take a bus 4 to 5 times a day and are burning through our own money and it is quite ridiculous. Well they had a meeting today and said that they weren’t going to buy us bikes but that we could buy them with our own money. And seeing as how I have already used ALL of my money I have I kind of need some...

My companion said he has never been in an area were he has had to spend half as much money as this. Don’t worry we have a plan. We are keeping all of our receipts and recording everything we buy and are going to take it all to the secretary at the end of the month so don’t worry it won’t last for long but I need money for bikes.


Spiritual thought: ok so I want to share something special that happened to me this week. We were traveling on the bus on the way back from one of our areas and we had had a hard time. We had several appointments fall through and we had pretty much wasted our time and money going there that day. so we were a little upset... lol but I was sitting there meditating and praying a bit and the spirit told me something that I could here plain as day, "It doesn’t matter what you do, just HOW you do it." this message hit me right in the heart. it truly doesn’t matter quite so much what we do, but rather how we do it. Look at Laman and Lemuel. They did all the things that Nephi did, they got the plates, traveled over the ocean, saw angels! But look at their attitude. Look how they did it. Look at the difference between the three! I received at that moment something that I feel can help us all out in our lives. Whatever you do, do it with love and charity, for that is how Christ did it.

I love you all and may the grace of our wonderful Lord be with you, Elder Fischer

"i must obey" -nefi