Christmas 2014 update

We had the opportunity to talk and Skype with Elder Dusara on Christmas eve.  It is amazing to see the transformation that has taken place in his life the past 18th months.  When our opportunity to Skype with him took place, approximately 10pm PST, he introduced our family to many of his ward members in Hyderabad.  One by one, he introduced us to the bishop and other various ward members.  Each of them wished us a Merry Christmas and thanked us for sending Elder Dusara to India.

At the end of our conversation with him, he gave us wonderful counsel on how he is having success in India.  His words will serve as motivation for his younger brother, Ajay Dusara, who opened up his mission call last night and found out that he will be serving in the India New Delhi mission and reporting on April 8th.  To conclude our evening, Elder Dusara offered a family prayer.  The entire evening was full of the Spirit and will never be forgotten.

What a blessing it is to have two worthy young men be able to serve missions in India. Our family is truly blessed.

Hyderabad Ward

Elder Ravindran and Santa

Companionship

Indian Santa

Santa with ward members

Elders Ravindran, Dusara, Mangum...

Week 77: Looking for a new apt, Blessen's baptism

Probably the busiest week I have ever had on my mission! My companion Elder Ravindran had to get a surgery on his back and I was in the hospital with him for 2 days. We had a good time together and he was able to slowly get back to better health. The hospital was pretty creepy at night so I got little to no sleep at all. One night just as we were going to bed I asked Ravindran "Hey what is Absciss?

Ravindran: Its like a cysts.

Dusara: What is a cysts?

Ravindran: Its like an absciss!

*Insert meme face where the old grandma is saying WAT!

I was able to be united with Elder Mangum and that was nice. We have been having a lot fun together but it is hard to go out and work while having to find someone to take care of Elder Ravindran. We have been going through apartment problems as well. Our land lord wants us to vacate by the end of the month and we have not had a chance to be looking for apartments. The last few days thats literally all we have been doing. In the afternoon we are hunting for apartments and in the evenings we are trying to have some meaningful appointments. 

Elder Cloward and Elder D'Vas moved down the street and they took everything in our apartment so now we no washer, no refrigerator, and no food:( Subway has been our friends for the past couple days. We need to leave our apartment soon so that is bringing a lot of stress to us. 

The best news of all is that BLESSON was BAPTIZED! The wonderful 11 year old superstar entered into the waters of baptism on Sunday. There is a fantastic story that I would like to share with y'all. So we had wanted Govind(Blesson's cousin) to baptize Blesson because that would have been a super spiritual experience for both of them. In the morning Govind called me about 8 times telling me that his mom wants me to give the baptism(I know that he was a little nervous about the whole thing). I told him that he would give it and he should not worry about what his aunt is saying. 

We had the bishop talk to Blesson's mom and she said that it would be ok if Govind performed the baptism. Still he was feeling a little uneasy about it and he pulled me aside and asked "Elder, Am I ready?" I said "This is going to bring you happiness that you could not describe!"  Twenty minutes later talks were shared and baptisms were preformed! Everything literally went perfect. I received a call later that night from Govind and he thanked me for giving him the chance to preform that baptism. He said that Blesson is so happy and so is his mother! He said he is never going to forget that moment. Even with all the junk happening in right now, we are still being blessed abundantly with joy and happiness:)

So in the photo where we are cutting the cake with the nurses, we actually were invited by our Relief Society President(Sister Betsy). She is the Head Nurse in the emergency ward and she invited all the doctors and nurses into her office to listen to the message "He is the Gift". We showed the video and testified and everyone was very happy with our testimonies. It was actually a very interesting learning experience...Teaching in the Emergency Block hahah YOLO! 

Enjoy Christmas with your families,

Elder Dusara

Wedding photo

Eating cake at the hospital

Blessen's Baptism

Wedding with bride and groom

Ravindran, Blessen and Govind

Ravindran in hospital

Week 76: The end of Megatron and the Deuce

We received some devastating news last week and we found out the Elder Ravindran is no longer my companion:( He will now be serving in Rajahmundry with Elder Brodrick and my new companion is Elder Mangum:) We are batch mates and I have known him my whole mission. We are going to have a lot of fun together and do some good things here in Hyderabad. It is the end of Megatron but I will have a new friend. 

On a more spiritual matter, Yesterday was a very spiritual day for me. Church went by so nicely and the classes were very powerful and interesting. I felt no urge to eat food at all and I was so full of joy the whole day! Everything was perfect. After church I taught those same two sisters(Pavanni and Devi) that I mentioned last time in my email to you. I showed them the Restoration video and I drew some pictures on the board so they can understand ever more. It was so cool to see Sam(8 years old) and Blessen(11 years old) share their testimonies about how they know that Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Blessen is getting baptized next week so to see him bare a testimony as strong that is fantastic.

Blessen was excited to be baptized at first but his mother was not giving permission. Elder Gill and I just happened to be on exchange that day and we went to help her understand the importance of baptism. The main concern was that she was worried that he does not know enough and that he is to young. This was a perfect chance to let Blessen share his testimony his mom! He shared his testimony was so strong and his mother understood him even though she does not understand that much English. The spirit played a very important role in that lesson because his mom could barely understand. So now she wants him to be baptized on the 21st so she can bring her family. 

Heavenly Father has blessed us in this area with really fantastic people to work with!

Enjoy the photos my friends! BTW(The two boys are Blessen and Sam)

Elder Dusara 

Hyderabad missinaries...ping pong table

Blessen and Sam

Hyderabad Saints

Week 75: Become as Little Children - Don't be Idol

Nothing really funny happened last week that I can remember? The funniest times we had were in the apartment when Elder Checketts came to get his new passport. We were pretty busy this week though aside from that. We attended the wedding of Brother Pennumuru (the cooler one) and that was pretty sweet, Fireworks, good food, nice dancing, and sweet photos. After that we had Stake Conference and that was alright. President Berrett scolded everyone nicely so we were entertained.

So last Sunday we noticed 2 little girls that came to church and attended Primary class. Of course they had the proper fellowship from Sam and Annie (Brother and Sister). I actually tried to meet with them because I did not know if they were members or not. Elder Ravindran went on splits and met their family(member referral) and came back and said that they were really awesome. 

Yesterday after Stake Conference I brought Saul(YSA), Sam, and Blessen (11 yr old investigator) to come and help me teach these two beautiful sisters. There is Devi and Pavani. Together we all helped them understand the introduction to the Book Of Mormon and shared the "He is the Gift" video. As the video played these kids did something very different but amazing. As the words came on the screen they would repeat it out loud. I holding the camera so I did not see the screen but the spirit was so strong after the video had finished. Such a cool experience. Their baptism is set for the end of December:)

I was reading in the Doctrine and Covenants student manual about "Idolatry". I am in a country surrounded by it but I discovered two other ways of how we can be idolatrous. First, when we postpone our missions for schooling/college we are being idolatrous. We are putting, not so important, things in front of something our Heavenly Father wants us to do. Second, not having any children until you feel you are ready. That is being idol because you are missing wonderful experiences just because you are not satisfied with what you have now, you pretty much don't trust Heavenly Father. So there you have it, DONT BE IDOL! 

Enjoy some nice photos,

Elder Dusara 

Zone activity at Hard Rock

Bro Pennemuru's wedding

Primary class

Week 74: New rules to follow, He is the Gift

#SharetheGift

That is the new initiative that the quorum of the twelve have invited us to participate in (Everyone Should participate). We had MLC this past week in Bangalore and it was very interesting. We have been making an improvement in the mission but it is not going as fast as we would like it to. 

President Berrett gave us council and some chastisement during the meeting and somehow we summoned some strange rules for our mission. I guess we will see what happens to the mission now, we now have a new Preparation Day schedule and 10 GOLDEN RULES for our mission...like I said, we will see how everything goes. The day was saved when I had the chance to go visit some of the families I loved to visit when I was serving in Ramurthy Nagar branch. I only visited with 3 families but it was enough to drive away the stress that came from MLC! 

This morning we (Elder Ravindran and I) woke up and did what is called T25(The new work outs from Shaun T) I was not to excited to get up but I remembered why I am doing exercise in the first place so I was motivated. 

On Sunday we had the chance to see the West Marredpally Ward 1 Christmas Primary Activity and it was very nice to see. The children did great singing and bearing the testimonies! While sacrament was going on we did not have any of our investigators there and we were a little sad because we had called everyone and they said that they would come. Since the Lord works in mysterious ways somehow all the investigators came together at the same time and had the chance to see the Primary Program and to participated the the classes the followed. 

One of those investigators was named Blessen. I have talked about him in past emails before so if you read my emails at all...you would know. So I had another lesson with Blessen (See what I did there-_-) after church and Sam, Saul and I talked about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This 11 year old boy was able to understand everything we taught and shared his testimony afterwards. Something he said that I will always remember was, "Elder, I got to school 6 days a week, my body is at school and my heart is at church". 

Now I have been trying to understand how is it that this 11 year old boy who came from an uneducated family could bear such a powerful witness of this church? It is because he KNOWS it is true and he has felt the spirit the comes when you take the sacrament. The other reason why is because his 8 year old best friend(Sam) is doing the greatest fellowship I have ever seen in my life. 

When you see someone new come to church please do not let them sit by themselves or be alone at all. Be like Sam and run to them and give them a hug and be there for them. That is how fellowship is supposed to be done! 

Photos consist of a couple awesome missionaries eating Chillies in Bagalore, Our Gospel Principles class, Elder Stevens and I with Timothy and some new food I am cooking. 

Bonus photo is the photo of the WMP3rd Ward apartment. For all the return missionaries that served there:)

143,

Elder Dusara

Eating at Chili's in Bangalore

Elder Stevens and Timothy

Faithful members, primary program participants

Gospel Principles Class

Week 73: Miracles never cease

So to start off with a funny story, my companion and I have been talking about exercise for pretty much our entire transfer together. We have started doing exercise but its the new T25 work outs that we have not been doing. So last Thursday we finally gathered our strength in the morning and proceeded to follow the councils for Sean T(I think thats his name). Yea it was 25 minutes of hell and afterwards I could not even sit down on the toilet:( For the next days to follow my companion was still sore and I would always hit him or drop something just to have him whine and squeal as he would bend down. So there is no immediate six pack yet but I am starting to visualize how it will look (just like Sharukh Khan in his new movie Happy New Year).

So now here is something spiritual!

So on Wednesday my companion and I were pumped to meet some new less-actives and potentially new investigators. We took a bus about 45 minutes into our area and right as we entered into the area we were going to proselyte in everyone at once called us and cancelled(about 5 appointments). So as any missionary might say "Why is this happening to us", or "What did we do to deserve this". We were a little discourage but we knew that there was a chance we could save this day. So I asked my companion if we could pray. We were on the main road and we walked away from all the noise and found a spot to pray. We asked Heavenly Father to help us and then we closed. 

Expecting an immediate answer we would ask ourselves if we have "felt anything yet" over and over again. We called many investigators on our phone to try and meet with us but nothing worked. Then we just tried to have someone meet us at church. One of our potential investigators told us he would try to meet us at the church but I know that means "NO". So we went to church to see if any of our YSA's were there. We got to church and sat down for 10 minutes and all the sudden we see sister Suhasini and another friend I have not seen before. One thing led to another and we were about to have a wonderful lesson about the Nature of the God Head and she was so happy to finally meet us.   

With Heavenly Father all things are possible...even finding new people to teach!

With Love,

Elder Dusara

12s are in India too

True to himself...no money

Still the same

Week 72: Where is your faith Elder?

When we where having our weekly planning a couple of days ago, we were discussing about how can we find New Investigators because that seems to be the struggle mission wide. While we were setting goals for the upcoming week we were remembering what President Berrett challenged us to do, which was to find 12 New Investigators every week. I said that our goal should be 12 and my companion said "How". Then that is where the quote derives "Where is your faith Elder", he said as boldy as possibly "Its over there in that bucket" I laughed for a good chunk of time and we finished that planning 1 hour later. The next day all 5 of our appointments cancelled and my comp was pretty chapped...I guess his faith was still in the bucket:)

Well now for more spiritual things, Sunday we were blessed to have 4 of our investigators attend sacrament meeting and stay for the classes. One of them actually(Praveen) told us that he would be leaving somewhere with his family and that he would not be there to take the sacrament. With his Baptism being on the 23rd of November we were hoping that he would be able to come but he said that he was already committing to his family that he would go. When we finished sacrament and walked downstairs to Gospel Principles we saw Praveen and his friend waiting for the class to start. I was shocked and asked what happened. He just said that he was getting baptized next week so he cancelled the plans! Praveen is ready baby! 

After we had our lessons with our investigators who attended church we all(Auxiliaries) gathered into Marks car (best YSA ever) and we (bishop included) traveled to visit a family that was at one time a very strong member but due to something they went less-active. We could not find the house for like 30 minutes and we were looking around aimlessly. We received a call and were guided to the home and there we met that beautiful family. The welcomed us with open arms and I showed them the video on my camera "Strength Beyond My Own". Its about temples and we invited them to start preparing to get ready for the temple! It was such a powerful lesson and everyone participated. 

Below you can check out the photos of the family:)

With Class and SWAG Combined,

Elder Dusara

Week 71: A Precious Diamond

So yesterday my companion and I had been at the church for about 7 hours because we had meetings before and lessons after church so we were pretty exhausted. My companion and I were talking with members while we were waiting for another member to return a movie we had let them borrow. We are talking and talking and talking and all the sudden, my companion whips out a banana from his pocket and says "Hey, do you want a banana?". I was like, "Where did you even get that?", He had no idea where it came from.

So on Saturday I was still feeling a little under the weather because I was previously sick for 2 days.  I felt like I should do something this week so we went on splits. I went with a brother named Yohan and we achieved every teaching appointment my companion and I had planned. The appointment that touched me more than anything was at 6:45pm. Yohan and I were going to visit the Shiromani family but I was impressed to go visit a less active family who lived near by (we talked about this family in Ward Council). I had no idea how to get to the home (I had been only one time before) because there was construction everywhere and the roads were so different. I turned and said to Yohon, "Lets see what the spirit can do!". Not 10 minutes after I had said that we were looking into the home of Sister Budee Pudee and her family. Messages were shared, the spirit was felt, questions were answered, and laughs were exchanged all because of the spirit.

A couple days before me and Brother Raju (on splits again) were trying to find a share auto to take to a recent converts home. No one is going in the direction that we want to go. All of the sudden I see this woman (a very large in stature woman) approach me with open arms and hugged me as if we were related. As she/he hugged me she/he leaned into my ear and said something in Hindi I did not understand but I was soon told later that it meant "You are my precious diamond" (In the manliest voice I could summon!). Raju laughed at me and I was forever confused at what happened! But I came to the conclusion that I hugged a HE SHE! 

Shibloips,

Elder Dusara

Zone Conference

We found bacon (Thanks Elder Gill)

Elder Ravindran and I used Chicken Kabab Masala to marinate the bacon and we fried it and had it will Dal! and ONION RITHA!

Week 70: Prayer with Praveen and sister Ruby's baptism

So if you have not seen Vijay's new hit movie I would encourage you to tell me how it is:) Or you can just listen and watch the music video. Vijay is my companions favorite hero!

So this last week was pretty intense for Elder Ravindran and I. We went on exchange everyday because we did not do it earlier in the transfer. I had a great time with Elder Larson and Elder Cloward on Wednesday. We had planned for 4 appointments but we all know happens when we get to excited...they bunk and we find ourselves stuck at church the whole day. But it was not that bad because we had one of the greatest appointments I have ever had on that day. Praveen was our last appointment and we were super tired from being at church all day. Praveen started off the lesson telling us that he had been fasting all of today, in hopes that he will receive an answer to his prayer. My planner got left in my bag in the apartment so we were flying blind as far as teaching. We looked at each other and I said" Lets see what the spirit can do". 

We felt like we should read the Book of Mormon with him from where he was reading and we found ourselves reading the short but powerful 1 Nephi chapter 9. We all shared our testimonies and then we asked if Praveen could give us a closing prayer. What happened next I could not explain in words but as he said that closing prayer I was engulfed by love and compassion as he continued to utter his desires to our Heavenly Father. After his prayer he asked us if he could be alone in the room as he closed his fast. We left and waited for about 5 minutes and he came out with tears in his eyes, he looked to me and said " I heard something Elder, I felt something but I don't know what it was". I talked with him in the room, just us two, and told him that he had received his witness and that he needs to act on the prompting. 

Praveen came to church and he has brought many of his friends to listen to the gospel. The concern now is if his parents will let him be baptized because now he is ready! It has been amazing to see how much he has changed over the past 6 weeks. 

Another magnificent thing that happened this week was the baptism of sister Ruby. There is actually a funny story that goes behind that baptism. So we tried to have a member preform the baptism but she insisted that I perform it. Not remembering that I left my baptismal pants in Bangalore, I thought that all would be well...until of course I found out that my pants were no where to be found. I tried 2 pants on before the baptism and they looked like Yoga pants on me! I then made the choice to just wear the jump suit...the jump suit was still small but I fit. It was super tight and I ripped my crotch area but no problem. Everyone thought it was the funniest thing ever and the baptism went very well! 

Well enjoy the photos and Stay Classy Seattle!

With Swag,

Elder Dusara

12th man in Hyderabad

Sister Ruby baptism with Elder Ravindran

MLC in Hyderabad

Indian Pillsbury Dough-boy

Sister Ruby Baptism

Week 69: A little late due to Diwali - Spirit in Sacrament Meeting experience

So I am so sorry that I could not email you on Monday. We had to fly to Bangalore for MLC so there was little time.

I guess Diwali is over but I would still like to wish everyone a HAPPY DIWALI (World War 3). Actually I would like to share a story with you regarding my Diwali experience this year. So my companion and I had made plans to visit 2 investigators at the Church. Praveen and Ruby were the two that we were planning on having a lesson with. 

Since Praveen has been asking so many questions about Joseph Smith and the life he lived, we decided to watch "Joseph Smith The Prophet of The Restoration". After watching that his doubts and his questions were answered and his testimony was much stronger. At about 4 o clock sister Ruby came to the church and we were just planning on sharing with her the message of The Gospel of Jesus Christ. After beginning with an opening prayer I asked, "How do you feel about your baptism date on Oct 26th?" Keep in mind that she comes from a very strong christian background and that missionaries have been teaching her for about 10 months, she also is wanting to receive her personal witness.

She said, "Yea! the 26th sounds great". Me and my companion turned to each other and had the most confused look on our face. I was like, "Did you just say yes" and she replied, "Yes I did". She was the hardest investigator I have ever worked with on my mission. In a recent exchange with President Berrett on Sunday she even said that she was sorry for putting the missionaries through so much. 

So this Saturday we will be having a Baptism service for sister Ruby and right after that we have a Missionary Fireside! 

This small experience I want to share is with a sister that I saw in Sacrament meeting this last Sunday. I noticed a sister I have not seen before sitting in the back and I felt compelled to just day hello. She had some small disability and a slight speech problem but I felt the spirit even stronger. I just shook her hand a gave a simple hello and that was it. Sacrament carried on and then it came time for the closing prayer. She walked up there and and started and finished what I thought was the most beautiful prayer I have ever heard. I felt the spirit confirm to me that what she said was true and that I must follow it. In her prayer she mentioned the "she wants everyone to love everyone unconditionally without judging, and even though people might be different we should love them more". Absolutely fantastic!

From Love and no photos.

Elder Dusara 

Fireworks like no place else!

Diwali meal

Elders sitting down to eat

Week 68: Bang, Bang, new song from movie

So the new jam of the week that all the Auto drivers are playing is "Tu Meri". That song is from the new movie Bang Bang and it is a pretty cool song, so y'all should check it out!

Oh and one more thing! I would like to give a shout out for Papa (from Fiji) and wish him a Happy Birthday!

Anyway this week was the baptism of sister Navaneetha! We have been teaching her for about 3 weeks and she is solid! The service went very well and we let brother Raju preform the baptism because he has never had the chance to do so. The spirit was very strong and everything went according to the plan. Brother Praveen (who was about to be dropped) attended sacrament today and he brought up a concern that he was having that was preventing him from being baptized. 

He said "How is it suppose to feel or look like when I receive my witness?" We told him about the different ways the Holy Ghost speaks to us. Sometimes we over think or over look what is to happen and we totally miss the small moment. We both shared our witness and what we flet when we read to know for ourselves. I was very bold with him when he said that " I am saying my prayers everyday", I told him, "If you were saying your prayers with real intent having faith that Heavenly Father will answer you, you would have received your answer last year when the Elders were first teaching you" He thought about that for a second and then I said that, "You need to make your prayers more meaningful than they are now". He understood and the prayer he gave to close the lesson was so powerful and strong! I cannot describe the feeling as I left that room but I am positive he felt something. 

"If we always do what we have always done, than we will get what we have always gotten"

                                                                                                                       -Elder Bednar

If you are not seeing a change in your life, you need to change it yourself with the help of your Heavenly Father! We need his help so badly in this life I cannot even begin to describe! Make your prayers more meaningful and see the change it will bring. That is my challenge to you:)

Enjoy the photos: Yes I am still a little big! 

Love,

Elder Dusara

Baptism of Navaneetha

Baptism of Navaneetha

Chillin with the nerf gun

Week 67: "Once in a while is fine"...cyclone news as well

I would just like to say that General Conference was AMAZING! The questions that I had were answered in the most straight forward way possible. The talks I love the most were by Tad R. Callister, Elder Jörg Klebingat, and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (Lord, is it I?). 

Those were the three talks that I really enjoyed and that answered the questions that I had. I had been pondering about the messages that were shared and how I can apply it to my situation as a missionary. I am not perfect so there are alot of things that I can do to change the way that I do missionary work. One of the things I want to work on this week is "Love". I have reflected the past couple weeks and came to the conclusion that I am not doing my best to "Love Everyone! I cannot remember exactly who gave the talk but the impressions came throughout all of the conference. I need to love everybody even thought they might not like me or they way I do something. I still need to love them because that is what I need to do as a Zone Leader and as a Missionary. Sister Payne sent me this quote today and I thought I should share this with Y'all, "If you learn to put your [zone's] needs above your own interests, then you are going to be good at this." 

I am to apply this to my work and see what blessings are in store. This also applies to everyone else.

So I want to share a story about a sister named Ruby. Ruby was introduced to the church earlier this year. She has been on and off in her attendance and she is a strong member of the Hebron Church located here in Hyderabad. We have been trying our very best to meet her but her schedule does not comply with us. The past two weeks we have been very "Bold" in out commitments to her to read the Book of Mormon and to receive her witness. She has been asking some interesting questions like, Why do we need the Book of Mormon?, What is the difference between this church and others?, Why do we need prophets? and Why do we need the priesthood?. I have never had to go so deep into details with any investigators in my entire life. I talk to her about the Nicean Creed and Dispensations and all sorts of other things....and she understood. 

She said she would come to church and attend General Conference with us but we did not see her at either of the sessions on Sunday. She did not even return our calls (sounds like Ajay). When the conference finished we saw her walking towards us and she said sorry for not lifting the call, " I was watching the conference from the back and I did not want to disturb anyone".  We had a lesson with her afterwards and everything went according to the spirit. We had planned to set her with a baptismal date but both of us felt a little uncomfortable because she is a very serious person. I prayed in my heart that I could receive the strength and the courage to invite her for baptism! It was very scary but I followed the promptings from the spirit and everything was fine. She said that she would try again and this time with more sincerity. She now is reading the Book Of Mormon everyday and her testimony is getting stronger and stronger. Her date is for the 25th of October! She is ready!

Here are the photos from the Zone Activity we had!

Elder Dusara  

btw, in emailing elder Dusara this morning, I was informed that a cyclone hit the eastern side of the mission in an area he calls Vizak. Prayers and fasting are with the missionaries serving there as they do not have power, water, etc. The missionaries are all safe, but are struggling without food, water and electricity.

Zone activity at Golconda Fort

Zone activity at Golconda Fort

Zone bowling activity