The Greatest TIme of the Year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

This is a great time of year...I can just feel the Spirit of Christmas so strongly! Although I'm away from you all, I can feel the love you send me! Thank you so much for the great support you give me. 

There's really nothing better I could be doing this time of year than sharing the gospel and representing the Lord. Remembering this Christmas to put Christ in Christmas, brings greater joy and happiness to know that He came to earth, left His throne beside our Father, to redeem us because He loves us so immensely.

I have learned so much about love these last couple of weeks. How that love God has for each and everyone of us is greater that we really can understand. The Lord has allowed me to feel this love deeply this Christmas season I understand now a lot more what the pure love of Christ is, how that's an attribute of Christ and how to apply it more fully in my life!

I am so grateful for the scriptures and their guidance. Here are a couple that stood out to me this week:

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." - 1 John 4:18

"And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen." - Moroni 7:45-48

Be not afraid to open your mouth and invite someone to come unto Christ. What better time of year than this one because we join with the world and remember Christ's birth and love for us.

I know Christ lives. I know that He is our Savior and Redeemer. I know that He loves us immensely. This last Saturday we had a Stake Christmas Musical Conference...haha something like that and they shared this video! I LOVE IT!! WATCH IT, it's amazing!

http://www.mormonchannel.org/christmas-videos?v=2008190983001

Well I truly hope you all have a FANTASTIC CHRISTMAS! I love you all and Remember to put CHRIST in Christmas! and give an extra hug for me to ALL!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Love 

Hermana Fernandez

Doing the LORD´s Work

First off, THANK YOU SOOO MUCH FOR ALL THE BIRTHDAY WISHES! IT WAS TRULY A GREAT DAY TO TURN 21!

It´s amazing how the promises of the Lord are constant, unchangable and infinite...AS LONG AS WE DO OUR PART...

The other night we were getting home from a place kinda far from home and we got out of an appointment later than we usually do, well naturally I would be terrified to be on this part of town at this hour, but I didn´t feel scared nor my companion and we got home safely...I pondered on this for a moment and I came across this scripture.

"...there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels around about you, to bear you up." D&C 84:88

That is only one of MANY MANY times Heavenly Father has taken care. I am so grateful for this wonderful opportunity to share this marvelous  GOSPEL!

As we trust in our Heavenly Father and make His Will, Our Will, He will lift us to our GREATEST POTENTIAL. He wants the best for us or else He wouldn't have given us the opportunity to come to earth to be tried and go through hardships, so that we may learn and know what HAPPINESS is. I know that as we take on what it thrown at us and we lean on him for strength, we will PROSPER. I have learned much of this, this past week. 

He gives us SOO much and He only asks for "un chin" (a tiny bit) as the dominicans say. Be obedient and He shall unleash MANY blessings unto you. 

I love this. EVERYTHING about the calling the Lord has given me at this point in my life. I'm 21 years old now and I have nothing but to be grateful for the life, family, friends, and ward family I have.

Thank you so much for the love and support you all have expressed to me through emails and letters and packages! I love you all!

LOVE,

Hermana Fernandez

Faith in Him Who Created Us

It´s amazing the way the Lord is ALWAYS at our side, yet we hardly even notice. I love this Gospel with everything I am and have. This week I learned so much and writing this letter I feel and realize the tender love and misery Heavenly Father has for each of us.

Remembering each day what Jesus Christ did for me and for EACH and EVERYONE of us, leads me not only to know, but understand who Jesus Christ is more and more each day. I love Him and I have learned to have complete faith in Him.

I know He lives and that He walks with me. I know that through the Holy Ghost we can feel and know with a surety that He is there and also remember how pure His love is for us. I don´t have much time this week, but I would like you to know that Heavenly Father refined me a lot a bit more this week. I am grateful that He loves me enough to break me down. I am grateful for the His endless LOVE and MERCY.

Be faithful to the Lord because He is the only one that knows us PERFECTLY.

Love,

Hermana Fernandez

Patience, Charity, and Lisitening to the Spirit

I'm so grateful to have a Living Prophet in these latter days! I know with my whole heart, mind and soul that Thomas S. Monson is called of God, as are our 12 Apostles. GO BACK and READ THEIR TALKS...this Conference was INCREDIBLE!

This week was fantastical..haha seriously! Although we didn't get to go out much...we got to prepare the TWINS for their baptism and have many SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES together!

Yulissa and Melissa are incredible! Yulissa, on Tuesday, told me that she didn't really know if Joseph Smith was a true prophet yet. So, I tried something that came to me. (Note: they get distracted by the people that pass them, the music and the motorcycles outside) I told them to close their eyes. Then I started to tell them the story of Joseph Smith and the First Vision, when I was done. Yulissa was crying and nodded. I asked her what she felt and she told me, "I know now that he was a prophet. I know now." Hermana Perez and I cried with her.

It put me right back when the missionaries were teaching me. They taught me the Restoration of the Gospel (of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon), they showed me the video so that I could understand it better. When it was over, I was crying and didn't understand why. The missionaries told me that it was God testifying through the Holy Ghost that Joseph Smith was called by Him. I had never felt so filled in my life before! I wanted that Happiness ALWAYS...now here I am sharing that with others.

Family and Friends! SHARE YOUR TESTIMONY WITH EVERYONE! They need it and YOU need it! I promise that you won't regret it! We sometimes are so afraid to but that fear comes from Satan because he knows what happens when we share what we know to be true! God love you and me. You know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true, so why not share it with everyone, so that they may also have that happiness that you have!

REMEMBER: They want "peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come" (D&C 59:23), but they are "kept from the truth because they know not where to find it" (D&C123:12).

Thank you for your love and support! You are my strength and inspiration to bring more of our brothers and sisters unto Christ! Take care and I can't wait to hear from you!

Love your fav missionary,

Hermana Fernandez

P.S. I´m training a dominican...say what????

Our Time is at Hand

I'm so grateful to have a Living Prophet in these latter days! I know with my whole heart, mind and soul that Thomas S. Monson is called of God, as are our 12 Apostles. GO BACK and READ THEIR TALKS...this Conference was INCREDIBLE!

This week was fantastical..haha seriously! Although we didn't get to go out much...we got to prepare the TWINS for their baptism and have many SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES together!

Yulissa and Melissa are incredible! Yulissa, on Tuesday, told me that she didn't really know if Joseph Smith was a true prophet yet. So, I tried something that came to me. (Note: they get distracted by the people that pass them, the music and the motorcycles outside) I told them to close their eyes. Then I started to tell them the story of Joseph Smith and the First Vision, when I was done. Yulissa was crying and nodded. I asked her what she felt and she told me, "I know now that he was a prophet. I know now." Hermana Perez and I cried with her.

It put me right back when the missionaries were teaching me. They taught me the Restoration of the Gospel (of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon), they showed me the video so that I could understand it better. When it was over, I was crying and didn't understand why. The missionaries told me that it was God testifying through the Holy Ghost that Joseph Smith was called by Him. I had never felt so filled in my life before! I wanted that Happiness ALWAYS...now here I am sharing that with others.

Family and Friends! SHARE YOUR TESTIMONY WITH EVERYONE! They need it and YOU need it! I promise that you won't regret it! We sometimes are so afraid to but that fear comes from Satan because he knows what happens when we share what we know to be true! God love you and me. You know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true, so why not share it with everyone, so that they may also have that happiness that you have!

REMEMBER: They want "peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come" (D&C 59:23), but they are "kept from the truth because they know not where to find it" (D&C123:12).

Thank you for your love and support! You are my strength and inspiration to bring more of our brothers and sisters unto Christ! Take care and I can't wait to hear from you!

Love your fav missionary,

Hermana Fernandez

GENERAL CONFERENCE =)

I cannot stop smiling and thinking how much Heavenly Father loves us IMMENSELY...for those of you who know me oh so well...you know I always say this BUT IM NOT KIDDING..

The Prophet and Apostles only needed to say Hermana Fernandez when they were talking because it was EXACTLY what I needed! I testify that we can all feel that way because the Prophet and Apostles are God´s Mouth Piece. I KNOW IT! They counsel with the Lord and Heavenly Father uses them to speak to us in order for us to have Heavenly guidance for these latter days.

Mom and Dad. I love you and I know that Heavenly Father loves you too! Lots of the talks talked about families and I thought of you. I thought about how you`ve taught me who to be the young lady I am today. I would love to hear your thoughts on General Conference. God loves you. He is your Heavenly Father and He wants us to BE BETTER TOMORROW then you were today! THAT IS MY MOTTO as of late. Es nuestro DEBER llegar a ser perfectos, dijo Lorenzo Snow. ME ENCANTO ESO y QUERIA COMPARTIR ESO CON USTEDS!

Gisselle and Junior. I MISS YOU A TON! I hope you got to see General Conference because we can truly feel that no matter where we are in the world. Heavenly Father knows us all INDIVIDUALLY! Isn´t it incredible! Watch Elder Timothy J. Dyches talk from the Saturday Afternoon Session...it was really good. Gisselle, KEEP PRAYING so that you can always feel God´s love for you like you did when you were about to recieve your patriarchal blessing. I love you baby girl and I pray for you always! Junior, you have no idea how much I miss my ¨papa¨ you are my strength and I want to be the best example for you. I want to hear from you and you can ask me whatever questions. I have homework for you...could you remember your baptism and write me about what you remember and felt. I know that it will help you alot and ME TOO! Keep kicking butt in football! Mom and Dad are so proud of you both. ME TOO!!

Brandon. Baby Brandon, you probably can read now since Mom keeps telling me how smart you are getting...if not I´m sure mom will read it to you haha I show you who to everyone here...YOURE FAMOUS IN THE DR haha. I LOVE YOU a million chocolate chips! You inspire me to BECOME a BETTER EVERYTHING, so that one day I can have a smart little guy like you! 

My Best Friends, Team, Support and Strength. I don´t know how I´d do it if it weren´t for all of you who have me in your prayers and thoughts. I constantly feel the hand of our Savior in my life and I know that he has blessed me greatly by having you in my life. The inspiration you are in my life is more than you probably imagine. Thank you for the emails also. But I feel your love ever so greatly and I thank you so much for that.

NEVER forget the LOVE of your GOD above. NEVER LOSE the FAITH.

DOUBT your DOUBTS before DOUBTING your FAITH.

Have faith and patience in the Lord´s timing & purposes. YIELD to HIS WILL.

I know that this church is TRUE. I know that we have prophets, seers and revelators today that guide us through our everyday lives. I know that God lives and that He love you and me. I know that the BOOK OF MORMON is the WORD of GOD. I know this things with all my MIGHT, MIND, and STRENGTH. I know IT!

Love your missionary,

Hermana Fernandez

¨Nat¨

THE CHURCH IS TRUE!

This week was great, although we didn´t leave the house much, I got to benefit from the good use of time!

First things first, our investigators are progressing so much! Sencio, Melissa and Julissa are GOLDEN. Literally the Lord has worked miracles for them to come to the knowledge of their missing piece in life...the GOSPEL! It´s incredible how the Lord works in the details of our life. Sencio prayed and felt that he should be baptized October 19th...all by himself! He´s testimony is growing each day that he continues on the path to his baptism! The bishop and him are good friends for many years and we found him. PERFECT! The twins, Melissa and Julissa, told us that if it was up to them they´d already be baptized! They are incredible, they are 17 and are so determined! They share their testimony with their mom and she´s now opening up to us...maybe she comes to church soon!

OH THE WORK IS NOT WORK, IT´S A BLESSING. I am so grateful to be able to be in the front seat of my brother´s and sister´s conversions. The key is to be exactly obedient to witness miracles, trusting in the Lord and not wanting to disappoint Him because you love Him.

My companion isn´t doing so great. Her past companions have really broken her down and has affected her vision and well being, but the Lord knows us so perfectly. I know we have been put together for a reason and I plan to revive her energy and love for this work, she´s lost her animo and has thought of returning home. NOT GONNA LET HER.

So we haven´t been able to go out and work because of her state, so I endulged in the scriptures and read 25 chapters (finishing the Book of Mosiah and starting Alma) in an afternoon and 10 the next day! I LOVE THE BOOK OF MORMON! I know that it is the word of God and that it is TRUE! I long to be like Abinadi, who stood as a witness of God even until death, and Ammon, whose love, determination and service converted a king and all his servants and continued to establish a church.

I love the inspiration and revelation that comes as we read the scriptures diligently and search them with good intent in knowing the mysterious of God for ourselves. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. I know that through the power of God, he translated the gold plates, so that we may have Another Testament of Jesus Christ in all languages!

I know that God lives and He love you and me. I know that when we shall meet again He will welcome us home as we are obedient and follow ALL his commandments.

Thank you so much for the email every week and love and support! I LOVE YOU MORE THAN YOU IMAGINE!

Love your missionary,

Hermana Fernandez ¨Nat¨

SPIRTUAL HIGH

This week was amazing but it did fly by extremely slow!

The HEAT has not helped but hey its but a constant shine on my face haha.

On Tuesday, we had a Zone Conference with a General Authority of the Seventy. WOW I can´t tell you how close I felt to our Heavenly Father during that meeting. I was constantly testified by the Spirit of the truthfulness and love of God and Christ. I was inspired to constantly give everything I have, think, say and do to the Lord. I am a representative of Jesus Christ and I am blessed to be an instrument in the Lord´s Hands.

I love this work and the love I get to express to those around me! The Church is true!

REMEMBER THAT THE LORD IS WITH YOU ALWAYS.

Thank you for the emails this week and they strengthen me a ton and Im so grateful to have friends like you and family like you! I love you and you´re always in my prayers.

Love your missionary,

Hermana Fernandez

First Week of Transfers

Buenas Mi Querida Familia y Amigos,

Ok well this week was interesting... My new comp arrived Tuesday and her name is Hermana Perez from Guatemala. She is full of energy, similar but different to my last companion, Hermana Ortiz. This week I showed Hermana Perez the area and we made plans for this transfer....UPLIFT the WARD and LEADERS...our MISSION and FOCUS for this transfer.

Monday Night we watched The Testaments with four families for Family Home Evening and they were all astonished that they now want to make a ward activity to watch it as a ward..it is quite great. Then Hermana Ortiz said her last goodbyes...it was tough on her because she had been in this area for almost 6 months.

Wednesday through Saturday  we walked a ton and my comp is a LOT smaller than I am haha so my normal pace was her jogging pace...whoops but she now can keep up with me it´s AMAZING really. Her last area had everything close by because it was a pueblo and here everything...well our area is a lot more spread out and lots of hills.

It´s been super HOT this last week. I wake up in the middle of the night because it feels like a sana and our fan is broken..oh dear. haha

Hermana Guiterrez stayed and Hermana Reyes left...sad. Hermana Guiterrez is training Hermana Mieses and she´s Dominican. She is SUPER AWESOME...love her seriously the best addition to our house and she cooks for us...dominican food. YAY it´s wonderful and she showed me how to make my own spaghetti sauce and it´s delicious.

This week I had to be a little more stonger because my comp has gone through bad companionships and is having a hard time letting go. The Lord sends us obstacles sometimes because we are to learn from them. So that we may see ourselves more like Our Heavenly Father sees us. So that we can strive to become more like the beings God knows we can be. REACH OUR HIGHEST POTENCIAL. God stretches me everyday to know myself a little more profoundly. Thank you Lord for loving me enough to break me Edown. STRETCH CONTINUOUSLY TO SEE YOUR STRENGTHS REACHING GREAT LENGTHS.

LOVE you ALL. Thank you for the support and prayers. Til next week.

With Much Love,

Hermana Fernandez

GET IT DONE!

HIGHLIGHTS of the WEEK:

- RAINING LOTS...we're in RED ALERT...hurricane on it's way...EXCITING!

- We've got three baptisms coming up in the next weeks!!! Sencio is preparing for the 28th of September...HOLY COW! I can't believe it, he has progressed immensely! 

We are teaching twins called Melissa and Julissa and they have come to church for over two months and are trying so hard to read and study the lessons! They are preparing for the 21st of September! I´m so proud of the twins and they are literally the funniest girls I have ever met. They talk as if they were 30 years old and hopefully I can talk Spanish as quickly as they do someday haha...they talk as if all that they say is one word! Just imagine! They have great faith, a gift God has given them and I learn so much from them.

We must HUMBLE OURSELVES each and every day to do the LORD´s WILL and DO IT with FAITH, believing that the LORD will lead us in every detail in our lives if we let HIM! These twins have taught me just that...they probably don´t know it, but they have been a light in my life, as have been all of my investigators in different ways.

- Transfer are TODAY...oh man my trainer is leaving me =( sad day and I´m receiving another companion...we shall see who she is?? All I know is that I´m staying in LAVA PIES...Hallejuah!! 

- We´ve got 32 sisters entering the field...SAY WHAT?? SOO MUCH ¨WORK¨....THE WORK IS EXPLODING!!!

- We learned to make sweet platanos (platains...sp?) MY FAVORITE (water and dominican brown sugar to make the carmel, cinnamon and platains...delish!)

Truly, I feel so blessed to have been chosen to come to Dominican Republic to serve my brothers and sisters here and that the Lord has given me the opportunity to introduce to them the greatest treasure anyone could have on this earth...the GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST in these latter-days! I love my Savior and the strength He gives me each day. I know that He is my Brother, Heavenly Friend and Redeemer. I know that He lives.

Thank you for the emails, love and support. I love you all and miss you dearly!

LOVE

Hermana Fernandez

FOREVER BE ONE with the LORD

PUGH. What a difference from last week..

This week was full of strengthening my sisters. The companionships that lives with me and my companion have become great examples to me but together they can't seem to tolerate each other..yikes girl problems...why??

Well this week was a spiritually uplifting one. I desperately needed it.

We had a Woman's Conference on Thursday and it was exactly what I needed to boost me up a bit..this work is absolutley perfect and marvelous but exhausting. I got to bear my testimony on how the Lord has blessed me as I have adapted to the mission. I know my purpose here that is how I have adapted through the change of routine, food, language, culture, and environment. I know that as I have given the Lord all my heart, might, mind and strength and I continue to do this, I will be greatly blessed with His comfort and love. I know that with all my heart and mind, I want others to have the same opportunity I was given 5 years ago...to have the gospel in my life. What a great gift I've been given and I want ALL to have it too.

There are about 40 sisters in this mission and there's 68 in the MTC here in the DR getting ready to join us in the field next week! YIKES the work is EXPLODING...so GREAT!

Then Friday we got to go to the TEMPLE! IT IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! I love the temple. I got to remember the covenants I made there. I challenge you to continue to strive to get to the temple or go as often as you can. I felt my Savior's love there and the love of our Heavenly Father for each and every one of us. It was absolutely incredible. I got to share my testimony of the great blessings we can receive as we attend the temple to my sisters here. I know that the Temple is the House of God and we can receive great revelation as we attend. I love the temple. I think I already said that, but it's true...I didn't want to leave!

Yesterday I had the opportunity to watch The Testaments! It was absolutely perfect for me and also one of my house companions because she has been having problems with her companion as I mentioned earlier. The Lord knows us perfectly and that movie testifys of that and so many other great principle and teachings of the Lord. You should see it. I was able to share my testimony to one of my companions on how we must find who we are and truly know and believe that we are a daughter/son of God and know what that means. I know I am a child of God. I know that He love me and you. I know that through scripture study and constant conversion we can come to the knowledge of the great meaning of what it means to be a child of God. I felt inspired to share John 17 with a friend and now would like you, family and friends, to go read and ponder upon this chapter!

I love you all! And sincere thanks for all the love that has been given to me through emails I've received! Really thank you..thank you isn't enough for how grateful I am for each of you! Keep them coming!

Love your favorite missionary,

Hermana Fernandez "Nat"

I GOT TIED TO AN ANCHOR

This week was a little tough...physically, emotionally, and spiritually!

I haven´t felt this low...EVER! But before I dive in, let me assure you that through a miracle, wonderful companions and the Savior...I am A MILLION TIMES BETTER!

I got really sick this week, stomach pains and fever increased from the change of food and all the adaptation..Sorry mom and dad for not telling you but I didn´t want to worry you! Remember I´m all better now! =)

I also hit an emotional and spiritual wall. Alberto, one of my investigators, who we´ve been teaching for a month now came to church for the first time yesterday. An event that usually make your spirit grow a hundred time bigger and fills your body with more happiness than you can imagine. This event was quite the opposite. 

Let me fill you in a little background on Alberto. He is 38 years old. He doesn´t believe in God, but has a desire to believe in Him. He has a desire to feel the Spirit like we do. He has hardened his heart for reasons I don´t know entirely. We have tried every scripture and story we could possibly think of this past week and He came to church!

Alberto saw us and was happy, but immediately after the sacrament he started his critics about every little thing he saw or heard...to the point of telling a little boy to quiet down. I was so BUMMED. I felt nothing but sadness, I couldn´t do anything but cry. I prayed and prayed the entire time during the sacrament meeting and I felt the Spirit so strong and I couldn´t believe how someone could hardened their heart so much to the point of not being a able to feel the blunt Spirit in church yesterday. It hurt more because I have felt and seen the love God has for this man. I love this man, he is my brother and want him to return to our Heavenly Father SO BADLY. Why can´t he feel or see that the reason we are always happy is because of the gospel?! He always mentions how happy we are!

We meet with him today and I hope you won´t have to let him go for a while because continuing again.

For these reasons, God has called me and all missionaries to serve, so that men might have everlasting life!

I love my mission, every bit of it because even these hard weeks are a blessing. I´m learning a lot about myself and the special gifts I must continue to develop in order to fulfill my duty are a daughter and missionary of our Heavenly Father. I know this church is true with all heart, might, and mind. I know that my Savior lives and that God is our Loving Heavenly Father. He never leaves us alone.

I love you all and the support you give me! Keep the emails and letters coming! AND MORE PICTURES PLEASE =)

Love your missionary,

Hermana Fernandez ¨Nat¨ =)

P.S. MOM, thank you for teaching me all that I know! You have helped me as I´ve remembered all your love and the example you´ve given me of a strong and loving woman! DAD thank you for showing me how to love others and how to serve and give yourself to those you love. I love you and miss you lots!

2 MONTH MARK :)

Holy Guacamoly! Where does the time go! I can't believe I've hit the two month mark...and everyone told me that the first two months are hard and go the slowest! If that's the case a year and a half is nothing because the time is zooming right past me. But I'm living up every moment!

Quick UPDATE of the WEEK:

- Sencio came to church again...along with all our other investigators who are progressing...literally all that is left for Sencio to be baptized is WATER!!! haha He is truly an amazing and inspirational being I've had the opportunity to meet! And what more than to be on the front seat of his conversion as he comes closer to Christ.

- My companions are heaven sent and sometimes out of control haha

- I love my mission more and more everyday!

- I have lots of our investigators are in the process of getting married in order to be baptized.

- I have witnessed countless miracles as I have learned a new kind of love. As I told a friend of mine, this love is a Christ like love. A love that is beyond any love. A love that allows you to see the eternal meaning of love. A love that allows you to see the soul of a person. A love that allows you to see the greatest potential of a being. A love that inspires you. A love that teaches you to grow and progress. A love that shows us that we are God´s children and we will live in his glory. This love we must learn to develop in this life so that we may have everlasting happiness.

Everyday I wake up right where I'm suppose to be..in Dominican Republic serving the Lord by helping my brothers and sisters and God's children to come back to him. I love everything about my mission...even the emotional rollercoaster because only now can a comprehend a bit more how the Savior feels and how God feels when we turn away from Him and disobey His commandments. I can also comprehend the greatest joy He feels when His children find him again and follow Him. I continually strive to be a great example like Christ was for us. And teach in that same matter...an example because an example is much louder than words!

I challenge you, family and friends, to continue being the example to everyone around you because people know and feel who we are. We are a peculiar people, so live up to what you promised you'd do when you were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

I love you and am praying for you consistently!

Love your missionary,

Hermana Fernandez "Nat"

MIRACLES HAPPEN...

Although the mission is an emotional rollercoaster...I´m the HAPPIEST I´ve ever been and my face hurts all the time along with the rest of my body because I smile ALL THE TIME..haha how can you not.

I hurt all the time, pray a lot, cry a lot and I´m ALWAYS exhausted..BUT when you see the life of a person change drastically, it makes up for all of that and much much more. It´s amazing when you can see and feel the potencial and love Heavenly Father has for His children. I love so deeply...deeper than I thought I could ever love. Through this experience I´ve been able to see the Hands of God work MIRACLES in people´s life.

I hope those that are reading this know that for themselves too. God is your Father in Heaven. He loves you more than you can ever come to comprehend. We all have a purpose in this life.I challenge you to come to know yours individually by asking God because like I tell my investigators...only he knows us better than anyone one in this world, better than we know ourselves. What great comfort comes with knowing that. He is our Best Friend and our Father, lean on me as He will guide you to where you need to go, as long as we´re faithful and true like ¨Be Still My Soul¨ reminds us. (I miss that Hymn, they don´t have it in Spanish =( but I always sing it haha)

Update on my investigators...I was super sad last week, hence the short email because my investigators weren´t coming to church for two weeks in a row and they´d come up with excuses...I GOT TRIED OF IT!! I gave them all boches (scoldings...in Dominican Spanish)with love of course and the way Jesus Christ would haha....mostly. I prayed lots and boches worked with the help of lots of praying because we had 7 investigators this last Sunday and I couldn´t stop smiling, I cried even! Sencio came to church...that was a MIRACLE! Hermano Rosario, a less active we´ve been really struggling with, came to church...that was a MIRACLE! Oh geez sometimes I think I´m going to be bipolar because it´s truly an emotional rollercoaster.

The trick is, like I tell my companions, ALWAYS SMILE because truly how can you be sad for more than I minute with the Holy Ghost constantly testifying to you that the Church and the doctrine of Christ is TRUE. I know that this is the true restored church of Jesus Christ. I know that Heavenly Father lives and that He loves me. I know that He has a marvelous plan for each and everyone of us. All we must do is believe and act upon that believe.

As for my companion, she is awesome, Hermana Ortiz. I´m teaching her English and she is loving and hating me haha because she never wanted to learn it and now all missionary who don´t already know English must learn it...she is growing to love it and she is progressing soooo much! My other companions I live with are the BEST...I send pictures soon!

Til next week..your missionary,

Hermana Fernandez

P.S. Also, I love PICTURES...please keep sending me some!!! and Thank you so much for the love and support. It´s a booster every Monday! I love you all so MUCH!

TIME is Something Missionaries Don´t Have

WOW!! TIME FLYS TOO FAST...a month and a half already!! 

Lots of growing occurred this week...

I have met the most wonderful people here and I love them so much! I love them more everyday, didn´t know that was possible...the mission is harder because of that exact same reason. Because I love them it hurts when they don´t commit to the small things in order for them to progress. I want the gospel for my investigators so bad, it hurts. I must remember constantly that as long as I do my part, I must allow them to use their agency and do as Christ did...perform miracles and invite His brothers and sisters to follow him.

I´ve smiled more than I ever have. I´ve cryed for people that I barely met a month ago. I´ve prayed harder than I ever imagined.

I got to know a woman yesterday in our ward whose truly a miracle, and coincidentally her name is Milagros (meaning miracles in English) Her story is incredible. She is a return missionary who married a returned missionary...and her husband betrayed her recently. She taught me a lot and helped me with the struggles that come with serving a mission. She is a successful woman raising her three kids alone. Although her trials have been harder than I could imagine, she is truly an inspiration and exactly like the woman described in Proverbs 31:10-31. She has taught me to serve all and especially those that hurt you because you do nothing but ruin your own happiness by holding on to what they did wrong with those that choose to do you wrong.

Inspirations and Miracles are happening everywhere! Look out for them...time was cut short...promise more details next week.

All is well on my end and thank so much for all the support!

Love,

Hermana Fernandez

CALLED to SERVE LAVAPIES

This WEEK are CRAZY AWESOME!!

We put 8 Baptismal Dates with CONVERSION as the GOAL not baptisms...and they told me that it couldn´t be done..psshhh!

My favorite investigator is Sencio (pronounced sence-e-o). I contacted his son, Alberto, on the street because him and his friends were whistling and saying things to us. (Contacting them, telling them who we are, makes them stop the whistling and the ¨endearing¨ name calling hehe) Alberto had actually turned out to be interested and had read the Book of Mormon, so we made an appointment. =)

Well we got to the appointment and taught Alberto and his friends, then his dad Sencio showed up. They had a MILLION questions and BASHING comments! We somehow managed to answer the questions that were appropriate to answer and I bore testimony of why I am here! They were silent during my testimony and after. Alberto then commented ¨I want to feel the spirit like you do.¨ (You might remember this from WEEK:2)

Well, we came back three times a week these last two weeks. Every visit there are new friends and his dad, Sencio, always comes and he continued to ripe us apart to make us doubt our beliefs, he said so himself. He would talk to us about the Buddists, Science, and what EVERYONE else was teaching...UGH so frustrating. Until I exploded a TINY bit last week and said ¨well that´s fine, other people can believe what they want, but my purpose here is to simply share with you what I believe and know to be true, it´s up to you to accept it or not.¨ He was silent and we prayed and left. And we came back this week. I WITNESSED A MIRACLE! Sencio read everything we left him and he testifed to us that he didn´t doubt that what we shared was TRUTH. He said that he could see that we were really there just to show the love God had for his children. He asked us if we really thought that God loved him and if He was close to him. I assured him that he loved him so much and I shared 1 Nephi 21:14-16, quickly the Spirit filled the space around us. We teach them at a car shop =) under the sun! IT´S INTENSE!

Every visit we´ve asked Sencio to pray and he refuses EVERYTIME saying that people that pray need to be really into a religion. We continued to assure him that that wasn't the case. Prayer is a form of communication that allows conversation with our Heavenly Father. What great gift He gives to ALL his children!

Saturday, was the last time we saw Sencio and it was truly MIRACULOUS!! He had an intense lesson about him, one that revolved around his needs entirely! We talked about how the Holy Ghost felt (this was huge for him...cus a lightbulb went off), prayer, faith, Christ's love and Christ's example...the Spirit was INTENSE! After settling his doubts, I felt prompted to ask him the baptismal question and the date Sept 7th and HE ACCEPTED!!!!! He slightly nodded and paused and then said, "Well...I'd like to..." At the end of the lesson, he PRAYED!!!!!! That was HUGE, even if it took five mins of silence with our heads bowed down haha.

I walked out of the car shop with the biggest smile I've ever had and with tears running down my face because we pulled teeth and hair for this man!! I know this church is true with all my heart and I will stand witness of it wherever I go! For now I'm staying another transfer (6 weeks) in Lava Pies, San Cristobal, Republica Dominicana!! I will testify of the truthfulness of this gospel and the love God has for all of us!!

I'm so happy and although I haven't stopped sweating since I got here...I will keep smiling and sharing the gospel with all who will hear it! Sorry I don't have much time to write back to the emails and letters, but I LOVE them! KEEP THEM COMING!

Thank you for the love and support!

Your missionary,

Hermana Fernandez

MY LIFE in the DR!

LIFE in the REPUBLICA DOMINICANA

CURRENT AREA: Lava Pies in San Cristobal

CURRENT COMPANION: Hermana Ortiz

Apartment Life. I live with three Hermanas (Hermana Ortiz, Hermana Guiterrez and Hermana Reyes) We have a transfer coming up next week, so we´ll find out if they´ll move us or not. The light lives everyday but not for very long at all. I don´t have bucket showers too often and the water is always cold, but it feels great because it´s bloody HOT over here. We just entered Summer season. THERE ARE HUGE ROACHES!!! YUCK =( but other than that, my living place is normal!!

Food. I haven´t had much Dominican food because we aren´t allowed to eat at member´s houses, but I hope to get a Dominican companion, so that she can introduce me to some =) I eat cereal, peanut butter, pasta and LOTS of FRUIT!! Umm the mangos, pineapple,bananas, guava and other kinds of fruit not known in the US.

People. I love the people. They are full of faith, they are super kind and loving. Although I do get hit on everyday...haha oh I have to learn not to turn when they listen. My leaders say to keep walking haha or to introduce myself and the church and they´ll leave us alone haha..

The Work. Hard and tiring, but the BEST thing I could be doing right now. Although the mission is a rollercoaster of emotions, I have never been so happy and to feel the love that God and Jesus Christ has for these people is incredible! I love this work and I get up everyday to invite more people to come closer to Christ.

I know this church is true. I know that our Heavenly Father has a plan for each and everyone of us. I know now more than ever that we knew Him and felt His love in the life before this one and that we promised Him that we would return to Him and help His children return to Him also. I love this gospel!

Your missionary, friend, daughter, sister,

Hermana Fernandez

WEEK 2: HARDEST and GREATEST week thus far!

I LOVE THIS COUNTRY! It´s beautiful and I love the people. I can´t get enough of their spanish accents haha!

Highlights of the Week:

Thursday and Sunday were probably the best and hardest days of my mission so far!

Thursday. We taught a first lesson with an investigator named Alberto I contacted (someone I introduced myself and the church to). We arrived and not only him, but his two family friends and his anti-religion dad joined. His dad was ready to ripe us apart because he wouldn´t even let us continue with the opening prayer. Well Alberto and his two friends calmed his dad done and defended us, we got to continue with the prayer. Then they all asked us questions about God and why..why...why...lots of why questions and how. That was the first time that had had that happen to me and we assured them they we could talk about all their questions and those we didnt know we´d look up in the scriptures. I wasn´t intimidated or scared. Then the dad was getting all heated up again and the questions continued. I felt strongly prompted to bear testimony of my conversion story and I got so emotional because the Spirit was so strong and they all were silent. And Alberto said, "I want to feel the Spirit like you do." And I testified that he could if he only desired and pray to God to know for himself if the Church and everything we shared was true. I knew at that point exactly why Heavenly Father had called me to serve a mission and not only a mission but the people of the Dominican Republic in San Cristobal at this time!

Sunday. This was the hardest day yet! I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs and ask God why were these things happening this way here in this ward! I went to Ward Council and the Bishop was absolutely awful and unhelpful. He called all less-actives sinners and I couldn´t believe that someone like him could be called to be Bishop. But I quickly realized that the those were horrible things for me to think and I knew that he needed us more than ever. So we left Ward Council and me and my companion came out depressed from what had just happened, I didn´t even want to invite or teach people anymore. But my wonderful companion said that we must be strong because this ward needs us more than ever. We continued to walk to find one of our investigators and came across a lady. A lady who had been baptized and a member for 4 years now. Her name is Celeste and she was wonderful, but when we asked her why she didn´t go to church...she said that members of the church were evil towards her and accused her of only joining the church to get money, because after being a member for 3 years her home was damaged from a flood and needed help. But when they pushed her away and other reasons, she decided never to come to her assigned chapel. THAT HURT SO MUCH..I couldn´t help but cry with her and I realized that I have a bigger purpose her. I MUST BE STRONG TO BE THE BEST EXAMPLE TO THESE PEOPLE AND TOOL OF THE LORD.

I know with all my heart, might and mind that the gospel is true. I will stand as a witness of God at all times and all places. The gospel is my everything and I´m so blessed to have it in my life. I challenge you all to be missionaries where ever you are and never judge anyone because the only judge is God! I love my mission and I am working every minute to share this wonderful message with all who will hear and listen!

I LOVE YOU ALL!

Your missionary,

Hermana Fernandez

IN the DR AT LAST!

Wow I can´t believe I´m actually here...even after a week!

First off, sorry family and friends I couldn´t email last Monday (on PDay) because I was traveling all day and didn´t have a chance to get on the computer, but thank you so much for the Dear Elders and emails! Seriously they mean so much to me!

Well I´ll fill you in on the last two weeks!

My last days in the MTC. Sunday was probably my favorite day at the MTC! Sheri Dew, a well known LDS woman in the church, came to speak to us during Relief Society. She´s absolutely amazing! She said lots of things that got me prepared & motivated. She shared with us that conversion required immersion. She explained that she wasn´t only talking about baptism, but she really was referring to everything we continue to do after that, we must immerse ourselves in the gospel everyday to become converted each and every day and come closer to Christ. We must read our scriptures and pray everyday, attend church each week, and attend the temple as often as we can. That just hit home and inspired me to do my absolute best, then push harder to reach my full conversion every day to come closer to Christ. She´s a great speaker. I recommend listening/watching her talks! FANTASTIC LADY & ROLE MODEL! She also finished her talk by saying that God held his most noble spirits for the last days. (D&C 138; Abraham 4)

We are all to work harder every day to invite people to come onto Christ. Just as our Apostles and Prophet have counseled us to. I know that if everyone works together, missionaries and non missionaries, to come unto Christ, we can be a great force in the Lord´s work! I know this to be true with all my heart!

My first week in the DR. Words can´t describe my experience this last week. I got here last Monday afternoon and I´ve witnessed the power of God´s plan for each of his children.

(side note: I arrived and was told that I wasn´t going to receive my companion and area until Thursday, so they gave me temporary companions, Hermana Brockman and Hermana Buhrley, in an area in the capitol called Quisquella)

Anyway, my first lesson was at 6pm that Monday night I arrived. It was with a boy named Jose Gabriel and he is 13 years old. Me and my temporary companions went to visit him. My companions had already planned with him that he would get baptized by the end of this month. Well, I wanted to get to know him better, so that I could better help him and my companions, so after he had told me a little bit about his family, I felt impressed to ask him what he expected of this life and I expected him to say something like, "I want to be a baseball player or a doctor," considering I have a 12 year old brother, who knows that he wants to be a football player. But I got quite the opposite. Jose Gabriel looked at me, then looked at the floor and shrugged his shoulders. The look on his face almost put me to tears. I felt him say without words, "Nothing. This is my life."

That hit me hard. I immediately came to realize as I walked the streets of Quiquella  that these kids are not only robbed of their innocence, but also of their aspirations. Jose Gabriel doesn´t have much like many here. But live from day to day and their faith is great! This country is beautiful, HUMID, and so humble when it comes to the style of living. The people are wonderful and loud and full of spirit and love.

I now have 4 days with my first companion in the mission and in my first area. Currently, I´m in a town an hour outside of the capitol called Santo Cristobal. I love it here, it´s so green and the people, well 90% of them are so great! My companion is from Mexico, her name is Hermana Ortiz and she´s been in the mission field for 3 months! We get along, but we´re just getting to know each other

MY MISSION is CHEVERE!! (that´s what they say here when something is great, sweet or awesome)

Well thank you again for all the support and love. I love hearing from you! Keep it coming!!

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!

Con Amor,

Hermana Fernandez

I Will Go Where You Want Me To Go

First Mission Email! Woot Woot!

Wow it´s crazy how much I´ve experienced in only 6 days!

The Missionary Training Center (MTC) is amazing! I have never experienced anything like this in my life. I love it! I´ve never cried this much consecutively, but don´t worry they´rehappy, awe moment, joyful tears. As if my heart and emotions can´t contain themselves inside of me. It´s been the greatest, most growing and humbling experience of my life.

My companion is Hermana Ruiz and she's awesome! Seriously everyting happens for a reason because we get along so great and we need each other for sure! She's from Houston, Texas and she's going to the Dominican Republic Santo Domingo East Mission. The food here is alright, I miss my own cooking, but especially your cooking, Mom! Other than that, this place is FANTASTIC! All my days here vary because I´m in advanced Spanish and supposedly only here for two weeks, but today I found out that I leave this Sunday night! I arrive at Dominican Republic, Saturday afternoon! What?! I know crazy!!

Total Time in the MTC = 11 days

They expect me to be ready in 11 days! AAAHH! Well I guess that ok considering I've been going 1000 miles per hour since I've gotten here. Y puedo orar y leer muy bien en espanol! And with the faith in the Lord, ANYTHING and EVERYTHING is possible (Mark 9:21-29), as a friend once shared with me!

As for my days here:

6:00am - I wake up.

6:30am - Breakfast

7:00am - I'm either in class, having personal study, or some days gym time or service projects.

11:00am - Lunch

12:00pm - I'm either in class, having personal study, or teaching an "investigator" the lessons.

4:00pm - Dinner

5:00pm - I'm either in class, having personal study, companion study time, or there's a workshop or devotional.

9:30pm - I get ready for the next day, write in my journal, etc.

10:30pm- Lights out!

The days feel like weeks here, but the week that I've been here has left like a day.

Not a day goes by that I don't thank my Heavenly Father for the opportunity he was given me to serve him and his children.

Not a day goes by that I realize that the work is hastening on and the Lord's has called all to spread the word.

During the Broadcast this past Sunday, it was so powerful to know that the Lord has called all to the work, I love that the big focus, at least for me was, that all members must help the missionary get investigators and the missionaries have a responsibility not only to help those searching the gospel, but also those who are less active in the church! It was powerful because that is what I felt, as Sister Fernandez, was my calling in Dominician Republic. To strengthen the members and build the Lord's kingdom.

I've experienced countless miracles and blessings this week, but one that really made me realize what my purpose was in serving a mission was during a lesson my companion and I taught. So, here in the MTC, you have what is called a TRC, where volunteers or real non-members come in and pose as investigators. Well, me and my companion, Hermana Ruiz, were so nervous because this was the first person we were going to teach that wasn't our teacher. But we took a breathe and said a prayer to have the Spirit with us as we taught Jorge. Jorge was a Baptist, but now he can't get himself to believe or have faith in God. We started to talk to him and he opened up to us very quickly, but he was a bit stubborn because he hated God so much for taking his son at the age 14 through cancer. He also was mad at God for being unjust because his Baptist Pastor told him that his son was in hell because he didn't get baptized before he died. This really affected Jorge, so much so that he considered taking his life. I sympathized with him and felt the hurt he was going through, like Christ knows each and every one of our pains. At that moment, I truly felt like a disciple, a representative of Christ. I have been called to serve the Lord's people, just as Christ did and would do if he was here.

But there was nothing more humbling than what happens next...

As we talked to Jorge and felt the love Heavenly Father had for him, I wanted so bad for him to except the gospel, so that he may know for himself the true plan of salvation. THE TRUE PLAN OF GOD! But he wouldn't allow himself to have the desire to really know for himself if what we were teaching him was true, to find out where his son truly was. We knew and felt it, we just wanted him to know it for himself. I was stuck and didn't know how to help him anymore because I couldn't relate. So, my amazing companion, Hermana Ruiz, stepped in and shared her amazing experience with a similar situation. Jorge was STUNNED because he couldn't believe that my companion would have so much have faith, enough to send her on a mission, even with her situation. He had a change of heart almost instantly because she chose to listen to the spirit and share her experience with Jorge. It was extremely humbling because I felt like it was my job to help every person I met, to be the answer to prayer for every person I met, but this experience taught me that I am a tool in the Lord's hands. It isn't me that will convert people, it's God! I was there to open up the investigator and my companion touched his heart! I was so humbled and blessed to have had this experience.

I know more than ever that this church is true. I know that God called Joseph Smith to be a prophet on earth in these latter days. I know that we now have the fulness of the gospel. I know that my Redeemer lives. I know that Heavenly Father watches over all of us and that he loves each and every one of his children.

I can't wait to "declare his words among his people [in the DR], that they might have everlasting life." - 3 Nephi 5:13

I love you all and thank you for all your love and support!

Until next week,

Hermana Fernandez "Nat"

P.S. Thank you for the letters and emails. Keep them coming! I love knowing about your life!

P.S.S. I love and miss you MOM, DAD, and my AWESOME Gisselle, Junior and baby Brandon!

Scripture of the Week:

"...Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believeing that ye shall receive in the name of Christ, ye shall receive it." - Enos 1:15

Farewell, I'll see you in 18 months!

THE WAIT HAS COME TO AN END...

I'm a missionary today!

When I thought my testimony of missionary work couldn't grow anymore than it already had, I had an amazing missionary experience as I was traveling to visit my family a week and a half ago.

I was getting scared, yet excited because it was finally starting to feel so real, the fact that I was serving a mission, a mission to the Dominican Republic.

My visiting teachers had given me a copy of a talk Elder Richard G. Scott gave called The Sustaining Power of Faith in Times of Uncertainty and Testing during the April 2003 General Conference. I decided to read it on my flight. As I read it, I noticed the man two seats away from looking over trying to see what I was reading, but I didn't think anything of it until I read...

"There are many around you who are confused and are seeking solutions to life’s perplexing problems. Share your testimony of truth and the power of faith with them. Help them understand how faith in God and in His teachings, restored in their fulness in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, can bless their lives now, in these turbulent times. Testify of the power of the Lord to bless their lives. Do it now. The Lord will help you. Your faith will guide you and sustain you. I know it will. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

I knew that it was now or never, but I got scared to say anything because this was a grown man, plus he had his headphones in. So, I decided to be sly and put the talk right side up on the seat between us and he leaned over to see what it was. I gained 20 seconds of courage and decided that I was over thinking it.

I started conversation and he took his earphones off and was super friendly! BINGO! It was easy conversation and I ended up telling about how I was about to serve a mission. He then opened up and told me about his background with the church, how his brothers served mission, but he fell away and had tried to come back, but never really made it back. Then he mentioned that he noticed what I was reading and asked me about it, so I summarized the talk for him and we had a great discussion on how the world and people attack mormons and how he felt that it was right. He then testified to me, probably without knowing, that he knew that the gospel was true, he just hadn't gone back.

I thought to myself...This is not happening right now. Oh my gosh yes it is!

I bore testimony about what I knew to be true. I knew that faith in Christ was the guide to true happiness. I gave Randy the copy of that talk. He told me he'd read it on his next flight...GOLDEN!

A moment later he started to read the talk, I felt the spirit so strongly then. As we were about to land, he had finished reading it. He looked out the window and I knew that the spirit had touched his heart. I gave him a moment and then asked what he thought and he told me that it was good as he choked back. I bore testimony and I had to get off the plane and Randy gave me the greatest response without words. He thanked me for sharing that message with him through the look he gave me and I couldn't have asked for anything more than that experience and opportunity Heavenly Father allowed me to have.

Missionary work is real and powerful. It's the greatest work that we get to participate in throughout our lives. I know this gospel is true and I can't wait to bear testimony of it to the people of Dominican Republic.

Thank you all for all the support and love I've been given!

Love,

Hermana Fernandez