From December 19

Hi Guys!

 

I am so excited to talk to you, too! You Guys are awesome! :) In the meantime, I am trying to make a Christmas card to send to all my recent converts and members that I have gotten close to.

This week went well. We actually got to work a lot in our area which was fun, and I have seen the Lord bless me. We knocked many doors, and talked to a lot of Jewish people which is always a treat because they need to hear absolutely everything we have to say so it really doesn't matter which topic you begin with. We found a way cool family this week too, and I am crossing my fingers that they solidify and turn into some real potential.

 

For Christmas Eve this year we will be going to the mission nurse's home in Bel Air and having dinner with her and her family after which we will act out the nativity. Apparently, Elder H. and I have been drafted to be wise men...must have been desperate, acting wise will definitely be just that...acting haha. Then on Christmas day we will be going to G. and S.'s home for dinner (the same investigators we had Thanksgiving with). I am excited, they are so kind to us and really feel like family. One day you will have to meet them.

Saturday we got to go through the temple with one of Elder H.'s recent converts and it was my first temple session in Spanish which was really quite fun. It definitely helped me understand some more things with the translation and different words and such.

 

Christmas Insights I have gained? That is a good question. I think the biggest insight I have gained is one I have mentioned before. Namely, that there are so many people who have no idea what it is all about. They don't get it. I am not just talking about Christmas either, I am talking about life. They are so wrapped up into what they think is important that they never gain the one thing that makes life so happy and worth living and that is an eternal perspective.

 

The one thing we can give our Heavenly Father is our will and use our agency to do what He would have us do, and the one thing we all need to give ourselves is an eternal perspective. When that perspective is not only gained, but the decisions you make are consistently founded upon it, that is when it makes it easier to give our will to the Lord. We understand that no matter what, the most important things in life are family, covenants, and the application of the Lord's atonement.

That is the whole reason we celebrate the Christmas season. We recognize what the coming of a Savior means to each of us. It means redemption, it means a second chance, it means the ability to enter into God's rest, and it is the only thing that allows an eternal perspective to turn from a wish and a hope into a reality.

 

These Insights that I have slowly gained over time and with much study are things that I hold dear, along with all of you. Heavenly Father has blessed me so abundantly, and I feel so lucky to be His son. I have gained so much insight and personal revelation about the true nature of God and His masterful plan for me and to me, that is the greatest gift that I could ever receive at this Christmas season.

 

These thoughts and truths are what drives me and motivates me to keep knocking doors, keep talking to everyone even if they look like they want nothing to do with me, and what keeps me having a positive attitude no matter what happens, because I know exactly where I am going. If the world ended, if the sun turned off, if Christ came back on His upcoming birthday, I would be ready and I would be so excited to hear His voice call me His.

 

I invite all of you to feel the same, to gain that perspective, and then act accordingly with consistency. It brings more happiness than I can describe and I can't wait to try when I talk to ya' on Sunday :)

I love you all so much and am living the dream out here in Southern California. I know that God lives and that this is His church. Jesus is the Christ, born in humble beginnings, but when He returns it will be in majesty and great glory. I can't wait for that day.

 

Love,

Elder Molinaro

From December 12

Family!!!

So hard to believe that it is almost Christmas! Isn't that crazy!? Today we came down to the office after playing some basketball and there are packages EVERYWHERE! There was literally no pathway to our office haha. The week of transfers is over and went really well. All the new missionaries are in and settled, and all the old ones have departed, which is always strange. Just drive up to LAX with a truck bed full of luggage to drop off some of my very best friends who I have gotten really close to over the past year and a half. . . .Did you get my pictures last week? Hope so, thought you might like some more :)

Here's my short testimony about the temple in Spanish (to include with yours in the books for my converts)!

Queridos Amigos,

Solo quierro compartir algunas pensamientos con ustedes en este temporado de la navidad. Este tiempo es un tiempo para amar, para sentir la paz, y para tener gozo. Recordemos que paso 2000 anos atras y pensamos acerca de porque celebramos el nacimiento de un bebe que vivio y murio para que no tuvieramos que hacerlo. Si, hay regalos, hay los arboles y las luzes, pero el temporado de la navidad es mas que eso. No tenemos que enfocarnos en lo que podemos hacer mas para comprar la familia los regalos mejores o las cosas mas carras. Solamente tenemos que pensar acerca de la razon porque este bebe chiquito vino. El vino para salvarnos. El vino para fijar un ejemplo. El vino para que pudieramos entrar en el santo templo y hacer algunos convenios con el padre. Entonces Jesucristo ya nos ha dado el regalo mejor. Es nuestra responsabilidad para abrirlo. Les quiero mucho y quiero que sepan que bautismo es la puerta, pero la destinacion es el templo. Les voy a volver a ver ahi para que un dia yo pueda volver a verles en los cielos.

Con Amor,

Elder Molinaro

This past week has been way busy with transfers and such, but we have also been planning a training and different things that go along with it in order to jumpstart the productivity of the mission... We have called it "Operation Pearl". Cool name, huh? haha It talks a lot about breaking down daily plans into hourly blocks and holding yourself accountable to it to increase productivity. Instead of saying that "I need to teach this many lessons a day" it is OK to say "In the next hour I need to teach one and find a new investigator." Then by the end of the day when that has been done for every hour, the totals are much higher. Cool, huh? I know it is way simple but missionaries here are not doing it so hopefully they will catch on.

Christmas on the mission is great, but I really do miss you guys so much, especially around this time of year with all the traditions and family gatherings and stuff. But I am doing well, happy as a CLAM!

Love you, miss you, praying for you all :) God bless us every one.

Love,

Elder Molinaro

From December 5

Can you believe that?!? Only 20 days until I can talk to you guys on the phone. I remember when I talked to you last time I said only 7 and a half months until we can talk again...that was seven months ago...CRAZY!!

Ty I am so proud of you and your Eagle project! That is awesome that it was such a huge success, and it is definitely a huge accomplishment.

 

As far as gifts for recent converts, what about a testimony written about the importance of the temple and how it has blessed our family?...Chris could help with translation and Momma you could write it in your spiffy handwriting...something cheap and easy but still really meaningful because there is nothing we could give them that would be more special or important than what Heavenly Father could give them in the temple, right?? What do ya' think about that?

 

I was also thinking about President and Sister B. and how under-appreciated they are, when they really have been like my parents for the past year and a half...Could we send them one of the Christmas books that we make with all those wonderful stories in one of those binders that looks like a present? I think they would really enjoy that tradition, and it would mean a lot to them because they don't get the thanks they deserve. I think the only time they hear from parents is when they are complaining or have concerns...never "thanks for taking care of my kid for two years. They have learned and grown so much."..If anything, that is what I want for Christmas :)

 

I loved the Thanksgiving box and the Christmas one. Now our office is all decorated and festive...I will send ya' a pic!

 

This past week we literally got 0 time in our area and it stinks, but we had other things to do. I guess I just hate making that excuse, but our first priority is the office and this week we had a ton to do with transfers and stuff...it still isn't done, but it will all come together I am sure...I hope haha. This week will be crazy busy with departing missionaries, incoming missionaries (btw there is an Elder V. coming in from Marietta East Stake on Wednesday who I kinda know cuz we played basketball together. I think so that is cool!) New DL, ZL, SC training, and delivery of bikes and extra luggage all over the mission. Wish me luck.

 

This past transfer went so, so fast I can't believe it. This is Elder H.'s last transfer. Elder S. has been with us for two weeks because of some stuff that went on where he couldn't stay in his area, and it has been a blast to have him with us. We are constantly laughing and having fun, and it has been a good balance/relief with the stress of transfers.

 

I wish I could give you a real feel of what doing transfers is like, but I can't. It is a giant puzzle with a ton of different factors just on paper, then the Spirit comes in to play as well as answering what will help each missionary progress, and man it is fun to do but at the same time it is a constant headache. I am not complaining, because I love it and what I am doing, but I hope that helps paint a little picture. Sometimes when we get stressed, we just put down our keyboards and take a walk around the temple and clear our minds and see the lights.

 

I guess that brings me to your question for the week. Temple Hill is gorgeous, and to be here especially around this time of the year is such a blessing. I absolutely love it. It feels amazing to be on hallowed ground for the majority of the day. The Spirit is so strong and there is just a peace that is indescribable.

 

My mission has taught me so many things, but one of the things that I have really come to understand and appreciate is the temple of the Lord. I never understood the potential that we all have to become like our Heavenly Father and there are so many things that I could say about what I have learned about it, but I can't wait to go back through the temple with you guys. I have come to appreciate the power of covenants and make so many connections and received so much revelation about the temple.

 

For example, I just came to realize that Heavenly Father's glory is to bring to pass our eternal life through temple covenants because as we make and uphold our covenants, He is then accountable to us to uphold His end of the deal. And, as we learn in Preach My Gospel, when people are held accountable then improvement accelerates. So, as we keep our covenants the Lord is held accountable. We progress and He progresses in glory even more. The gospel is a gospel of eternal progression and learning. Cool, huh?

 

Well guys, I love ya'...I really do. I am so grateful for all of you and the wonderful children of God you are. Can't wait to talk to ya' :)

 

Love,

Elder Molinaro

From November 28

Dear Family,

 

What a wonderful week I have had (but the weather is really messing with my head here as it is the end of November and yesterday was in the upper 80's). R. came to church yesterday with her son and grand kids and loved it. We weren't able to teach her this week just because her schedule is super-hectic right now and ours isn't the most accommodating either, but she is reading and praying and I just know she will get baptized.

 

Speaking of baptism...yesterday Elder C. (his previous companion) and I went back to Inglewood 2nd Ward for the baptism of Hma M. and her son L. A., who we taught for a long time. They were the relatives of Hma F. who came from Mexico while we were teaching Hmo F., and -- L. A. asked me to baptize him. It was so cool to be able to complete a part-member family (as the husband got baptized a long time ago in Mexico but had gone less active). He is now really active and now his wife and son are members with their sights set on the temple in a year...looks like I will have a trip back to Los Angeles.

 

The C. family was there and it was great to see them, too. They are loving life and the gospel, and they are stronger than ever. D. (the son) is going to Seminary, and Hma C. (the mom) is so converted to the gospel it is awesome. They, too, have their sights set on the temple and told me to tell you all "hi" and that they love being able to talk to you all on the phone every so often. Momma, how long has it been since D. (the 10 year old daughter) talked to you? Hma C. said that when they call, D. hogs the phone but she wanted you to know that she is so grateful for you.

 

I. and M. were there too, and they are doing really well still teaching primary and loving it and doing a lot of YSA activities and stuff. That is one of the greatest things about being in a small mission is that you can keep tabs on all your converts and members that you have really grown to love. Apparently S. is also doing really well and just got interviewed to receive the Melchizedek priesthood and is preparing to go to the temple pretty soon! I can't wait for the day that they all go through!

 

Thanksgiving was really good. We spent it with some investigators named G. and S. who have been investigating for a while and they cooked us a good Southern Thanksgiving. They are an African American couple in their late 60's and are really nice. She made some macaroni that was exactly like the mac and cheese from Redding Terminal in Philly that was to die for and some of the best banana pudding I have ever tasted! Dad you woulda died to taste it. I had a bite of everything for you all.

 

MLT (Mission Leadership Training) was good. It is just for us and for District Leaders and Zone Leaders, and this Tuesday we have another ZLC (Zone Leadership Conference) to plan and prep for, as well as this week is transfers week so that is what I will be doing all week. Can't believe another transfer is gone.

The best part of being in Los Angeles at this point in history is definitely the diversity. We talked about it at church yesterday, and some of the richest people in the world live here, as well as some of the poorest in the country and there are tons of different nationalities represented here, too. It is cool to see the gospel apply to and work for people from all walks of life in all different circumstances.

 

I love you all so much!

 

Love,

Elder Molinaro

From November 21

Dear Family!

This week has been terrific and it seems like I am E mailing you all every other day! Time is a weird thing right? Weird, I just hit my 18 month mark in the mission, too.

Well, before I start answering your questions, I would like to share an awesome experience with you all. Elder H. and I were able to witness a small miracle in our area with regards to an investigator. So, we had an appointment with this man at 2 p.m. and got stuck in the office working on some things that were pressing, so we missed the appointment. We went to our dinner appointment, but they said that they had mixed up the times and asked us to return in an hour so the food would be prepared.

We decided to go and check this fellow who we missed earlier in the day, and his mom opened the door and was quite startled. Her name is R. J., and she explained to us that three months ago the missionaries had left her with a restoration pamphlet and the second she finished reading the "How Can I Know?" page, we knocked on the door. She took it as a sign from her Heavenly Father that He was trying to get her attention.

Apparently her son is a bishop in Riverside, California, and has been trying to convince her to sit down with the missionaries for a while now. And, because Heavenly Father was trying to get her attention and did so in such an obvious way, she said she will read the Book of Mormon and pray about it with the knowledge that an affirmative answer means baptism. She came to church yesterday and loved it and said she would come again next week! Crazy experience, right!? The first time I saw R. J., I felt immediately that I recognized her from somewhere, and I am sure that I do. When we talk, it is almost as if we knew we would be having this conversation beforehand. I can't really explain it, but I am quite confident that she is one of the ones I told in the pre-existence that I would come and find and bring back to the fold. I know that the Lord is preparing people and sometimes reworking our schedule to put us in the right place at the right time.

So, that is one of the many things that has been keeping me busy, along with planning out MLT (Mission Leadership Training) that will be happening tomorrow. In fact, that has taken a huge chunk of time this week as sometimes at random President will call us in to talk about it, and 4 hours later we are still discussing and brainstorming and such. It is great though, fun to talk with President in a more casual setting and just throw out ideas and talk about stuff.

I dunno as far as leadership skills if I have been able to develop any yet, but one of my focuses lately has been going through different processes we have right now in the office and trying to make them more efficient. It is kinda fun like a puzzle, figuring out how things can run more smoothly and work better to move the Lord's work along.

My biggest testimony builder lately has been the Book of Mormon. It is such a great book, and I can't put it down. I started on the 11th and I am in Alma 20. Every spare second I get, I whip it out and read a few pages. It is great and really that is how It should read it all of the time, I think. I don't think that I mentioned that as part of the reading challenge we have been marking all references to the doctrine of Christ because as we learned at Zone Conference, that our ability to learn, understand and then internalize the doctrine of Christ directly affects our overall success as children of our Heavenly Father. It is petty cool, but at this pace it is my goal to read the book of Mormon and the New Testament before the first of the year and be marking the doctrine of Christ.

 

What amazes me? That is a loaded question, but it amazes me how true the statement given at the last General Conference is that compared to God we are nothing, but to Him we are everything. His plan is so much bigger and more grand than any of us can even begin to comprehend, and it is so flawless. It amazes me that any and every question that anyone has can be answered by the gospel, and it amazes me that Heavenly Father trusts me enough to share this message with His children.

 

The next transfers are December the 7th so we start figuring all of that out this coming weekend, so that should be fun. I officially have all the names and faces of the missionaries memorized with what Zone and District they're in and who their companion is, as well as where they are serving. It is something that Elder H. said comes with time, but I got sick of not knowing and having to ask/look it up so I made face cards on Excel and studied a bit and it came. Who knew APUSH (AP U.S. History class in high school) would help on the mission? haha.

 

What size shirt? Whatever size we got when I came out I guess, and white is the color of choice out here...weird how out of 200 missionaries that they all choose to wear white shirts ;)

 

The only thing on my Christmas wish list is referrals for people in my area, and maybe some sort of giftie thing for my recent converts...I don't need anything, but I want so badly for them to go to the temple and every little bit of support helps. Any ideas on how we could get something to them/what we could get them??
For Thanksgiving, I will be headed to an investigator's house and the house of a senior couple so that should be good.

 

Well Guys, I love ya', and I love what I am doing. They just turned all the Christmas lights on up here on Temple Hill, so that makes it even more fun to come to work. Giving your all to the Lord is so fun :)

Happy Thanksgiving to all, I am so grateful for all of you and all that you have done and continue to do for me.

 

Love,

Elder Molinaro

From November 14

Dear Family,

 

I am just getting the worst luck. I sat down to Email you guys for an hour and the lady comes on the intercom and announces that they are closing in 20 minutes! But, other than that, I am doing really well.

Before I get to Zone Conference and answering your questions, I want to announce that Hma S. and Hmo R. were both baptized yesterday in Huntington Park in my old area. They were investigators who were really progressing well when I first came up here. I taught them both for about a month and a half. It was awesome to see them baptized and start in the right path back to Heavenly Father, but probably even more awesome was what I found out after the baptism. Hma P., the woman who was like a mother to me in Huntington Park, told me that earlier that week she finally got her temple endowments! Now even though she was already a member, Elders K., H., and I were working with her a lot trying to get her to the temple and she made it! I wanted to scream for joy when she told me!

 

Zone Conference went really well. I learned so much, including how to set up everything that needs to be set up for President to run all of his stuff like projectors, audio equipment, etc. and I am thoroughly convinced that after this past week I could hold my own in setting up for a rock concert haha.

 

It was cool to be able to give our training to all the missionaries in the mission and hear President and Sister B's presentations three times. I learned so much. I think the main thing that I got out of it was that to God there are no winners and losers. There are only finishers and quitters. With that in mind, life perspective is changed. It isn't about finishing first or last, it is about finishing. He illustrated it well with a video clip of John Steven Acuari from the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games and talked about how it is the light within us that keeps us going when times get hard. The word "winner" isn't even in God's vocabulary because, quite honestly, He doesn't care. To suggest that someone comes in first or second in gaining exaltation is to suggest that Heavenly Father is bound by time. But He isn't.

 

I also learned that salvation can never be earned because we can't earn something that we will never be worthy of receiving alone. Therefore, our good actions don't earn us salvation in the kingdom of God, rather they simply show Heavenly Father how badly we want it. And, if we desire it badly enough then we are willing to give up ALL that we are and have and turn it over to Him. It is the consecrated core. Pretty cool, huh?

 

My biggest desire right now, and something I have been working on for a while, is letting my will be swallowed up in the will of my Father in Heaven. So, if I am trying to do something for a training or something and it just isn't working, then I know that it is not what Heavenly Father wants me to do, and I pray and try to understand how He would have me do it instead and then yield to what He tells me.

 

I also came to realize this past week that me talking to someone to share the gospel message is the most important thing that has ever happened in their life up to that very point. Now, I do not say this to be cocky, rather it drives me to talk to them because I realize that fact and the majority of them don't ...OK, none of them do haha but it is cool to think about.

 

I guess what I am trying to say is that the Lord has blessed me with a lot of experience and learning this week from setting up Zone Conference, to training a group of 75 people three times, to revelation that is going to take me weeks to fully sort through and understand, but more importantly internalize which will take a lifetime and even longer.

 

I feel so blessed to be able to serve Him and to let His will become my own as I continue in the journey to consecrate the very core of my being.

 

In this season of Thanksgiving, I want each of you to think a little bit more about the things you are thankful for in relation to the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and how we can even attempt to repay Him for His sacrifice. The only thing we truly have to lay upon God's altar is our will and desire.

 

President also challenged us to read the entire Book of Mormon between now and the end of the year, so that is the book that my nose has been in lately. I challenge all of you to do the same. It is a great book, and even better, it's true!

 

I love you all so much and can't wait to talk to ya' in a month and a half :)

 

Love,

Elder Molinaro

From November 7

Hey Guys!

 

How amazing was that extra hour of sleep on Saturday night!? Let me tell you that we have been looking forward to it for a long, long time now haha! Boy, oh boy, did it feel great!

 

Well, I only have a short time today because we are going to the airport to pick up a missionary the church flew out here to go to the Spanish Consulate, then he will fly back to the MTC tomorrow. So we are his chaperones and tour guides/sleep over buddies for a day. That is one of the things we do...little errands like that, but it should be an adventure.

 

To answer your questions, I speak mostly English now (which is really weird) but occasionally we get a language study and Elder H. and I try to speak Spanish to each other and we pray in Spanish, so that helps keep it up. I tell you what, right now in our area we are looking for Latins who speak English because they are so much more accepting of our message than the rich people around here...It is like "Where's Pedro?" instead of "Where's Waldo" haha.

 

I have learned so many things from President B. that are just so great, but one thing that he has taught me is to be positive and always take a step back and look at the bigger picture. For example, with disobedient missionaries Elder H. and I would just send them home, but President recognizes that if that can be avoided it should be because they don't learn anything from that, and the mission is a time to learn.

 

He is so patient and knowledgeable and he just loves all the missionaries so much. It really is cool to watch him work and be able to work with him and act as the Savior would. He loves these servants of God so much. He has really helped my testimony of following Christ's example. He also is decisive and can make hard decisions which is...need I say...hard.

 

But, up here on temple hill things are good. They are putting up Christmas lights at the temple, and the weather is cooling down. We had a great week in our area finding some really solid-seeming people, but our focus lately has been Zone Conferences which will be Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday of this week. Elder H. and I will be training at each of them.

 

We are teaching the missionaries about communication by the Spirit with their companions and with their investigators, and we are giving them a little sticker we made for them to put in their Preach My Gospel books that goes along with our theme. The training is based on a talk found on LDS.org called "Keeping Lines of Communication Strong." You should read it; it's really good. But Mom, you will be pleased to know that the stickers we are making to go in right next to the companionship inventory section says: "Replace the poles. Restring the lines. Ask yourself: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?" Just like you always said to us at home! :) Momma you have taught me so much and now your lessons are being taught to 200 missionaries in Los Angeles.

 

I love you all tons! Have a great week! Please, please, please have Dad give us some referrals for our area!

 

Love,

Elder Molinaro