Tuesday, December 22, 2015

21 December 2015 - Kellogg Spanish Branch

Oklahoma City Temple Trip on December 15th

Elder Lorenzo & Elder Murphy

Elder Murphy with President & Sister Bell

Elder Murphy with his district

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

15 December 2015

Posted on the WKM family Facebook page. 
Congrats to the Sisters.


Monday, December 14, 2015

14 December 2015 -- Wichita -- Kellogg Spanish Branch

Hola hola!! ¿Como les va a todos?
Let's see...

So, Monday, we saw a huge miracle! We stopped by a potential's house, named Elvia. They opened the door and said they were moving a fridge and needed a hand. What better time for the missionaries to show up? We helped and after, talked about a ton of questions they'd had from the last time we saw Elvia. She knew she felt the Spirit the first time we met and testified of faith in Christ helping us overcome trials, and she wanted to know more. We talked a lot about how the Book of Mormon answers the questions we have and we talked more about how to act in faith on what we learn from the Book of Mormon and change and overcome trials. Such a huge miracle!

We got a referral from the Hermanas this week, Andreas. He's super cool and as a teenager in this crazy world, he has a desire to follow Jesus Christ. He truly is such an example of what Alma meant, when he said, "if ye can have no more than a desire." Andreas has a desire, and as he allows that desire to work within him to grow his mustard seed of faith, he is seeing a change in his life, as well as others'. He came to a baptism the Hermanas had on Saturday and brought up after how nervous the girls who were baptized had been before, but after, couldn't stop smiling and were giddy with joy. He expressed how much he wants that for himself. 

We've been talking a lot as a mission about serving with ALL of our heart, might, mind, and strength in order to become swallowed up in Heavenly Father's will to see more miracles. Doctrine and Covenants 123:13 says, "Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven." Truly as we "waste and wear out our lives" in this wonderful work, lives change. Our own lives change, more importantly. As we lose ourselves, we find our true selves and are able to reach the potential the Lord has in store for us.

Yo se con todo mi Corazon que Jesucristo vive. Nuestro amoroso Padre Celestial nos da mandamientos para que podemos ser mas felices en esta vida, personalmente y con nuestras familias.

Have an amazing week! I love you all!

Como siempre,
Elder Murphy

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

7 December 2015 -- Wichita -- Kellogg Spanish Branch

Buenas tardes a todos! ¿Qué tal? Espero que todo está bien! What an amazing week in the Kellogg Spanish Branch! Milagros por días!

Pues, transfers are this week and I'll be staying in the Kellogg Branch with Elder Lorenzo! I'm so excited for another milagroso transfer in this amazing Spanish Branch!

This week, we increased our sense of urgency and got into the 4th quarter mentality and, well, saw so many miracles! We've been working with a super cool guy named Carlos and he is just so on top of
everything. On Saturday, we were talking about Lehi's Dream from the Book of Mormon to help him understand how to overcome trials as he prepares to be baptized. We were reading the story with him and
without us even beginning to talk about it, he said, "Oh! So in order to overcome trials and temptations, I probably need to pray and read every day!" Well, yeah. Exactly! He's so cool and has such a quick
understanding! Definitely a miracle.

We were trying to contact Juan and Odalys this entire week and, well, appointment after appointment fell through and it almost seemed as if they were slipping through the cracks. Yesterday, we decided to just
stop by and Odalys ended up being home. She expressed to us basically how crazy and difficult her week and life has been. We testified of the Gospel blessing families and her urgency to follow Jesus Christ
increased. She wants this for her entire family and is doing all she can to come closer to Him.

I absolutely love Kansas! I hope you all have an amazing week! You're always in my prayers! Love you!

Con amor,
Elder Murphy


30 November 2015 -- Wichita -- Kellogg Spanish Branch

Buenas Tardes everybody!
How was your Semana de Pavo y de Gracias? I learned so much more of what it means to be grateful for every miracle and blessing!

We've been working a lot with Bryan, who really wants to make a change in his life. Part of his family are members and they've made a huge impact on him in his life. We've talked a lot to him about wearing the
entire armor of God in order to resist temptation and overcome trials of faith. It's so important for us to be aware how much of an example we can be to each other. He's talked about falling into peer pressure and wants to help his friends find God in their lives. I definitely know as we use all the tools our Heavenly Father has given us, we will be enabled and strengthened to overcome any trial that comes our way.

Yesterday, we met Patricia, who really didn't want to talk a ton when we first walked up to her. Right as we were about to leave, we decided to show her the new holiday video, called A Savior is Born, to really
help her come to more understand for herself why Jesus Christ was born and what that means for her and her family. She lit up as the video talked about "rejoicing greatly" that Christ was born for us to give us the hope we need amidst the craziness of this life. We told her that we, just like the Angels to the shepherds  in the Nativity story, are called to bring good tidings of great news and to share the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ! She excitedly set up a return appointment for this week with her whole family.

I hope you all have an amazing week! Stay warm! Things are definitely cooling down here in the Heartland, but it's definitely the most wonderful time of the year!i love you all so much! You're always in my prayers!

Con amor,
Elder Murphy


Haitian family they ate Thanksgiving with.





23 November 2015 -- Wichita -- Kellogg Spanish Branch


Hola everyone!

Sorry I have been terrible at sending this email. Things have been pretty crazy and busy the past couple of weeks, but it's been awesome! Miracles every single day!

Elder Lorenzo and I have hit the ground running and have started sprinting. It seems like so many things happen so fast throughout the weeks, it's hard to keep track of all that happens. We've been working with this family who were being taught by missionaries about 4 years ago and have truly been seeking for peace and joy in their lives. The mom, Victoria, has expressed to us that there has been a whole in her life that she's been seeking to feel and as we continue to visit with her and help her take steps of faith, that whole continues to fill.

One day, we met some of her family members and they immediately invited us their home. We've been working mostly with the kids, Juan, Odalys, and Valaria. Every time we talk to them, a light grow in their eyes and their love for God increases. Miracles just keep on happening!

I absolutely love being here in Kansas! I hope you all have an amazing week! Keep moving up and forward! Love you so much!

Con amor,
Elder Murphy

From the Air Force base last P Day! :D





Monday, November 9, 2015

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

2 November 2015 - Wichita- Kellogg Spanish Branch

Hola everyone! Buenas Tardes!!

What a week! So much to say, but not a lot of time to say it.

Elder Lorenzo and I completely hit the ground sprinting and saw so many miracles! We met this super cool guy, Ricardo, who has really been seeking for truth in his life. He has looked for so many churches, but none of them have felt right. As we testified of the Book of Moron and he change it made in our lives, he lit up and told
us he know more. The Spirit testifies to people more than we can even begin to understand or see.

Elder Gary E. Stevenson came on Saturday (hence it was the greatest Halloween ever)! He talked so much about how we can find the vision for ourselves that Heavenly Father has in store for us to become effective instruments in His hands. It's so important to broaden our perspective and seek to do His will. As we do so, we must become more like our Saviour Jesus Christ and use the strengthening, cleansing, and sanctifying power of His Atonement to do so.

Not a lot of time, but I love you all so much and I hope you have an amazing week! Go see some miracles!

Love,
Elder Murphy

Sunday, November 1, 2015

26 October 2015 - Wichita - Kellogg Spanish Branch

Hola hola everybody! How has it been going?

I guess I'll start out with telling you about transfers. I'll be staying in Kellogg and will be training a new missionary, Elder Lorenzo! I'm so grateful for the sacred opportunity to learn and grow with him and to stay here in this wonderful little branch! I'm excited for the miracles to come!

As a mission, we've been focusing a lot on going the extra mile and doing more an what's expected of us. We've been talking about 212 Degree Urgency. At 211 degrees, water is hot, and at 212, it boils and creates steam, and with steam, you can power a train! We've seen so many more miracles as we've done more than what's expected of us and using the Atonement to go the extra degree.

We contacted a former and ended up meeting one of the daughters, who has really been seeking for guidance and peace amidst her trials. We talked to her about the Gospel, about the peace it can bring to her and her family, and how following Jesus Christ can help her start over and leave behind the past. I know with all my heart that Jesus Christ can and wants to bring peace into our lives and that he trials we pass through are but a moment, and if we endure with faith in Christ, we will grow, progress, and reach our potentials.

I'm so grateful to be able to serve here in Kansas and see miracles every day and grow and stretch as I come to more understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I'm grateful for all of you and your 

examples to me. Have a stupendous week! Love you!

Love,
Elder Murphy

19 October 2015 - Wichita - Kellogg Spanish Branch


Thursday, October 15, 2015

12 October 2015 - Wichita - Kellogg Spanish Branch

Bueno everyone! Cómo está todo?

This week was definitely full of meetings. I think at least one everyday. But with those meetings came lots of revelation as to how we can have more love for those we come into contact with. We have to be lovingly bold! If we truly love someone, we'll be bold in showing them and helping them use the Atonement to improve and become more settled disciples of Jesus Christ.

Celia came to church this week with one of her sons! They absolutely loved it and the Spirit that they felt. And quite a few of the members from the branch remember her from when the missionaries were teaching her family a year or so ago. And they love her! Definitely a huge miracle!

Last night, we were trying a former investigator and Maria, the mom, opened up and definitely wasn't interested, but the daughter, Alejandra, came out and told us she wasn't interested either and talked about how she just didn't really believe that God was there, because if He's all loving and all powerful, why would He let bad things happen to good people? We testified of how much God really does love her and how the Atonement can help her in her life. The Spirit was so song and she opened up how much she wanted to find God in her life. Huge miracle!

I hope you all have an amazing week! I love you all! Remember to 

choose joy! You're always n my prayers.

Love,
Elder Murphy


Monday, October 5, 2015

5 October 2015 - Wichita - Kellogg Spanish Branch

Hey everyone! How goes it?

What a crazy fast week full of miracles and blessings! We'd just finished on exchanges on Wednesday and were eating lunch, when a boy knocked on the window and said that his mom used to be Mormon, but hadn't been in a while. We walked over and talked to her and she isn't a member, but she'd actually been meeting with the
missionaries for awhile, but had lost contact. She told us she's been reading the Book of Mormon and wanted us to come visit her and her family! We went over the next day and found a light in her eyes as well as in her family's as they talked to us about the Gospel. We watched General Conference with them this weekend and it was
fantastic! They definitely feel like many of their questions were answered by modern day prophets, seers, and revelators.

Speaking of General Conference, it was awesome! I absolutely loved when they were talking about having a vision for who God wants us to become, being molded like clay, and then becoming that settled disciple of Jesus Christ. And something I'm definitely going to apply is when Devin G. Durrant talked about "ponderizing". Something so
small and so simple as continually treasuring up the Gospel in our minds brings so many miracles and huge changes of heart. Know it, live it, love it!

I wish I had more time, but that's about all I have for this week. I hope you all have an amazing week and see miracles and blessings every day! I love you all!

Love,
Elder Murphy

Blast from the Past



Zone Conference


Monday, September 28, 2015

28 September 2015 - Wichita - Kellogg Spanish Branch

Hola hola! Cómo se van? Bien? Solid!
"To improve is to change, to be perfect is to change often"

What a week! Definitely an unusual week full of more meetings than normal, but with those meetings came lots of growing and learning, so it was well worth it!

We had a Zone Conference on the West Side of Wichita (yes, it was good to go through my first area again) and it was really focused on how we can use the Atonement of Jesus Christ to be strengthened and enabled to be valiant in going above and beyond and becoming spiritual giants. In order to be strengthened, we have to be passing through something, like a trial of faith, right? As we pass through trials, the Lord is seeking to expel the dross, the natural man stuff in us all, so that we can become his pure instruments. King Benjamin in the Book of Mormon says, "For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love,
willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." The trial of our faith truly is more precious than gold. And as we become more swallowed up in Heavenly Father's will, we are strengthened to do more and become an even more settled disciple of Jesus Christ. It's just so
important to remember that repentance and change is a process, not a single event. As we shouldn't seek immediate release from a problem, Heavenly Father is patient with our progress and helps us along day by day.

There's definitely a different feel between the east and the west side of Kansas. More in the fact that people on the west are a lot more willing to talk, but I still absolutely love love it here! We really focused on talking to everyone this week and we definitely saw some miracles! We started talking to this kid, who didn't seem to
interested at first, but the Spirit told us to keep talking to him. His sister came out and we all started talking about the Gospel. Their family have been going through a huge trial and they've been seeking direction in their lives so they can find peace through their trials.It's amazing to see how prepared people are to receive the restored
Gospel and what truly makes me love serving a mission, besides coming closer to my Savior each day, is being able to see others grow closer to Him and changing and finding happiness amidst trials and stress.

Pues, les quiero dar mi testimonio que Jesucristo nos fortalece cada dia por medio de Su Expiación. Siempre lo digo, Pero esa fuerza viene porque Él nos quiere perfectamente. Sigamos adelante con fe y una 
esperanza en ese amor. José Smith fue un profeta y gracias al amor de Dios, él tradujo el Libro de Mormón el cual es un otro testamento de 

Jesucristo.

I love you all and I hope you have an amazing week! Thanks for everything!

Love,
Elder Murphy


Monday, September 21, 2015

21 September 2015 - Wichita - Kellogg Spanish Branch

Hey everyone! I hope your week was full of milk and honey, dunks and splashes, and miracles!

First of all, from the land of milk and honey of Garden City, Jason got baptized! He as definitely so ready and prepared to receive this Gospel and follow Jesus Christ. Definitely a miracle! The Lord prepares us as His instruments to meet those who He has prepared to both grow spiritually and increase in faith through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Now, back to Wichita. I absolutely love it here! This little Spanish branch is so full of those who are ready to receive this Gospel. We've been working a lot with Bryan and Alan. They're both related to members and are so ready to receive this Gospel. One thing I've realized on my short time, here and on my mission, is that desire has
such a huge role to play in coming closer to Jesus Christ. It all begins with a desire. Alma, in the Book of Mormon, said, "But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until
ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words. Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves--It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me." It all begins with a desire to know, and if we work toward it, it will begin to swell within us and our tiny ember of desire will grow into a roaring bonfire of a burning
desire.

Well, I love you all and I hope you have an amazing week! Keep moving forward and choose joy!

Love,
Elder Murphy


Monday, September 14, 2015

14 September 2015 - Garden City - Spanish

Buenas Tardes everyone! How's everything going? Great? I hope so!

As it was the last week of the transfer, Elder Boyer and I I increased our sense of urgency and made it the best week of our mission! Because we chose to serve with more than everything we had and completely relied on the Atonement of Jesus Christ more and more each day, we were enabled to do more in the Lord's strength and see more miracles! It definitely took some stretching and more action in faith on our part, but as we did so, the Lord guided us with His hand and provided miracles.

I think in my last email, I talked a bit about Jason. He is doing so great! He will be baptized this Saturday and can't even wait for it hard hardly. He has absolutely immersed himself in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and also in the book of Mormon. I have seen a change in his countenance in the past two weeks. There's a greater sense of hope and
more of the light of Christ in his eyes! He has expressed to us the changes he's felt his life and he knows that he is happier and his found more peace than he ever has before in his life. We've also been working with his mom, Whitney. She also has such a strong desire to follow Jesus Christ and has seen the change that Jason has made as we've been teaching him and as he's been preparing to be baptized. We gave her a large print book of Mormon the other day and all she could say was, "thank you! Thank you! Thank you! " The Lord's hand truly is in every detail of His work and as we become swallowed up in His will, we are able to become more effective instruments in His hands.

So, transfers are this week. And... I'm going back to Wichita! I won't be serving in the same area as I was the first time I was in Wichita, but I will be serving on the east side of Wichita in the Kellogg Spanish branch! And also, my new companion is Elder Allen! My MTC companion! I'm so excited to see how he has changed through the
Atonement and to see miracles with him! I am definitely sad to leave garden, but I have faith and hope in the Lord knows exactly what he's doing. I've become so much closer to Jesus Christ hearing garden, and despite the stretching, there's been so much growth and I've learned so much and my love and charity have increased through Jesus Christ.

I absolutely love being a missionary! And I love Kansas and serving the Lord in this sacred part of His vineyard. Sé que si perserveramos con fe por medio de desafíos y pruebas de nuestra fe, Nuestro Padre Celestial nos dará la fuerza para superarlos y vencerlos.

Les queremos! Y espero que tengan una semana Milagrosa!

Con amor,
Elder Murphy
















7 September 2015 - Garden City - Spanish

Buenas Tardes amigos y familiares! Les quiero mucho y espero que todo esta bien!
My vision will be clear.

What a crazy past couple of weeks en la Tierra de Leche y Miel, Garden City! Full of miracles and growing and coming closer to the Savior.

We've been working a lot with Samsón for the past month or so and his neighbor, Jason, hasn't been too keen on talking to us. He calls us "the guys on bikes". So last Saturday, we stopped by Samsón's and he wasn't home, but Jason pulled us aside and said he wanted to come to church and see what we're all about, since we've been so persistent. He committed to come the next week, but out of nowhere, he came that Sunday! He said that when he was there, he felt like he was at home and like a part of the family. Since then, we've talked to him about following Jesus Christ and His example and being baptized and he wants to be baptized on the 19th! He's been absorbing every bit of the Gospel and absolutely loves the Book of Mormon! Our Heavenly Father definitely prepares us to reach our potential through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

I know that because of Jesus Christ, we can change to be truly happy and become who Heavenly Father has planned for us to become. I don't have a ton of time to email you guys, but I wanted to tell you of that huge miracle! I love you all y espero que tengan una semana fantastica! Thank you for everything!

Con amor,
Elder Murphy



Friday, August 28, 2015

24 August 2015 - Garden City - Spanish

Hola Hermanas y Hermanos! Espero que tuvieron una semana buenisima!

This week was definitely full of miracles as always! Elder Boyer and I have continued to lose ourselves in this work by constantly reaching out in service, love, and compassion for the amazing people of Garden City! We've come to realize more of how much the Lords hand is in his work and how much we truly have to rely on him! Just as Ammon says in Alma 26, as to our own strength you're nothing but in the Lord strength you can do all things and can see many miracles!

It was definitely a week of stretching in trial, but the only lead to a greater understanding of the atonement of Jesus Christ and his love for not only us, but these wonderful people. Sometimes it's so easy to question why this works so hard, but it's so important to realize that Jesus Christ went through not only exactly what we go through but so much more. He can strengthen us as we pass through trials and are stretched and in His strength, we see miracles. There is no growth in a comfort zone. We have to be stretched out of our comfort zone and grow and move into the miracle zone. That's when our natures our changed and when we come to truly love our Savior.

We've been working a lot with Samson and his love for the savior and desire to come closer to him is so strong. As we turn our will and our desires over to the Lord, he can enable us to reach our potential. As Moroni says and challenges at the end of the Book of Mormon, how are intent must be real and our faith must be in Jesus Christ. When we have faith in Jesus Christ to be able to change us and help us become better, then will the Holy Ghost testify to us and reveal Heavenly Father's plan for us.

Yo sé que este es el Evangelio restaurado de Jesucristo y que recibiremos poder para vencer Los desafíos y pruebas en nuestras vidas. Nuestro Padre Celestial y Hermano Mayor, Jesucristo, nos quieren perfectamente y nos darán las bendiciónes que necesitamos.

I love you all and hope you have a superb week! You're always in my prayers! Tengan una semana fantastica!

Con amor,
Elder Benjamin Isaac Murphy