Letter dated April 28, 2010
:) D and M were baptized on Sunday! :) The D family are recently less actives that started coming back to church and now are taking the steps to be sealed in the temple! What an amazing family! Isn't it incredible how the Gospel blesses families?! I love it! D and M had been baptized when they were 8 and 9 but there is no record of their baptism, so they needed to get baptized again..... two very special young ladies with the sweetest spirit and will some day be future missionaries if that's what the Lord has in store for them :) ).....
The Lord works in mysterious ways. Continue to look for missionary opportunities and open your mouth. He loves you and will guide you in all things. Sigan adelante and remember that you are the Lord's missionaries!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Count your many blessings...even when you're sick
Letter dated April 21, 2010
Wow! The Lord has quite a way with how He arranges things and brings about His purposes.... and it's even funnier how Satan tries to destroy everything but can't succeed because the powers of Heaven are mightier and stronger. The last three weeks Hermana M and I have been taking turns at being sick, which is funny, because it's very rare if either of us get sick. We knew it was just the Adversary trying to slow down the work in any way that he could because incredible things are happening here in our area and we've still got lots of work the Lord wants us to do. Yes, we got blessings from the Elders and continued to work hard, having faith that the Lord would heal us and bless our labors and efforts. Well last week I got pretty sick- coughing out my lungs and couldn't sleep for two nights and my ribs constantly ached from coughing so aggressively...it wasn't too fun, but it could have been worse. Hermana M is a sweetheart and took real good care of me! :) She finally talked me into going to Walgreens one night on our way home to get some medicine....you know how I am about taking medicine... after my many protests, we pulled into the parking lot and went inside. Then one of the most wonderful events took place...in the store we ended up meeting the G family who are from El Salvador. They are amazing and we know that the Lord prepared a way for us to meet them because they are seeking for the truth. We taught them in their home soon after, and have another appointment with them tonight.... but they are very intereste in learning and progressing in the Gospel. I am so grateful that I was sick!!! If I wouldn't have been, then we may have not had the opportunity to meet this sweet family and share with them the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Lord's hand is in all things! He has planned everything so perfectly- we just need to recognize that and trust that He is watching over and blessing us continually. He is all-knowing and all-powerful. He is our loving Heavenly Father. Hermana M and I are nearing towards the end of our sick days :) and are feeling a lot better- The Lord is taking care of us and is guiding His work. Pray for miracles in your lives and to be led by the Spirit in all things. Continue to pray for others and the Lord will provide a way to bless them.
Wow! The Lord has quite a way with how He arranges things and brings about His purposes.... and it's even funnier how Satan tries to destroy everything but can't succeed because the powers of Heaven are mightier and stronger. The last three weeks Hermana M and I have been taking turns at being sick, which is funny, because it's very rare if either of us get sick. We knew it was just the Adversary trying to slow down the work in any way that he could because incredible things are happening here in our area and we've still got lots of work the Lord wants us to do. Yes, we got blessings from the Elders and continued to work hard, having faith that the Lord would heal us and bless our labors and efforts. Well last week I got pretty sick- coughing out my lungs and couldn't sleep for two nights and my ribs constantly ached from coughing so aggressively...it wasn't too fun, but it could have been worse. Hermana M is a sweetheart and took real good care of me! :) She finally talked me into going to Walgreens one night on our way home to get some medicine....you know how I am about taking medicine... after my many protests, we pulled into the parking lot and went inside. Then one of the most wonderful events took place...in the store we ended up meeting the G family who are from El Salvador. They are amazing and we know that the Lord prepared a way for us to meet them because they are seeking for the truth. We taught them in their home soon after, and have another appointment with them tonight.... but they are very intereste in learning and progressing in the Gospel. I am so grateful that I was sick!!! If I wouldn't have been, then we may have not had the opportunity to meet this sweet family and share with them the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Lord's hand is in all things! He has planned everything so perfectly- we just need to recognize that and trust that He is watching over and blessing us continually. He is all-knowing and all-powerful. He is our loving Heavenly Father. Hermana M and I are nearing towards the end of our sick days :) and are feeling a lot better- The Lord is taking care of us and is guiding His work. Pray for miracles in your lives and to be led by the Spirit in all things. Continue to pray for others and the Lord will provide a way to bless them.
Baptism
Letter dated April 14, 2010
Thank you all for your love and constant prayers in behalf of the missionary work here in this area and for those whom we're serving. Your prayers are felt and greatly appreciated. Please keep them up! :)
Wow! What a beautiful baptism we were able to witness on Sunday of B (9 years old).... and her family will be soon to follow.... what an example she is for them all. As I watched her be lifted out of the waters of baptism I reflected on how very blessed each of us are to be baptized in Jesus Christ's true church, to be given the gift of repentance and forgiveness through His Atonement, to be His disciples and serve one another as He did, and to have the constant companionship as the Holy Ghost or the Comforter as we but keep His commandments. We are a blessed people! Do we stop to reflect on and realize what our baptismal covenant really means?! This next Sunday as you worthily partake of the Sacrament and renew that baptismal covenant with Heavenly Father, remember all that you promised to do..... and all of the blessings that He has promised if you but complete your part. He loves you. He is our Father and truly wants the best for us. Don't ever forget of that infinite love...... seek Him daily.
I love you all dearly and know that this is Jesus Christ's true church upon the earth with the true Priesthood authority. Our Savior lives and loves us. Live your life as he would have you.
Thank you all for your love and constant prayers in behalf of the missionary work here in this area and for those whom we're serving. Your prayers are felt and greatly appreciated. Please keep them up! :)
Wow! What a beautiful baptism we were able to witness on Sunday of B (9 years old).... and her family will be soon to follow.... what an example she is for them all. As I watched her be lifted out of the waters of baptism I reflected on how very blessed each of us are to be baptized in Jesus Christ's true church, to be given the gift of repentance and forgiveness through His Atonement, to be His disciples and serve one another as He did, and to have the constant companionship as the Holy Ghost or the Comforter as we but keep His commandments. We are a blessed people! Do we stop to reflect on and realize what our baptismal covenant really means?! This next Sunday as you worthily partake of the Sacrament and renew that baptismal covenant with Heavenly Father, remember all that you promised to do..... and all of the blessings that He has promised if you but complete your part. He loves you. He is our Father and truly wants the best for us. Don't ever forget of that infinite love...... seek Him daily.
I love you all dearly and know that this is Jesus Christ's true church upon the earth with the true Priesthood authority. Our Savior lives and loves us. Live your life as he would have you.
Thrust In Your Sickle
Letter dated April 7, 2010
Wow! The Lord is absolutely amazing! He is directing our paths each and every day, helping Hermana M and I be lead to new people and also by finding those whom we've taught here in this area in the past. There are definitely people here that the Lord knew have been waiting awhile and are now ready to be baptized! B is getting baptized on Sunday, and P will be soon to follow! Wasn't General Conference amazing?! APPLY what you've learned and do all you can to bless the lives of others. I love you, but more importantly, so does the Lord!!!
Wow! The Lord is absolutely amazing! He is directing our paths each and every day, helping Hermana M and I be lead to new people and also by finding those whom we've taught here in this area in the past. There are definitely people here that the Lord knew have been waiting awhile and are now ready to be baptized! B is getting baptized on Sunday, and P will be soon to follow! Wasn't General Conference amazing?! APPLY what you've learned and do all you can to bless the lives of others. I love you, but more importantly, so does the Lord!!!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Transfers
Letter dated March 31, 2010
Alrighty- I love you all to smitherines and hope you all remember that!!! But most importantly, remember that the Lord loves you and smiles down upon you daily! :)
So sorry I wasn't able to e-mail last week. We had surprise transfers early on P-day..... and needless to say we were all scampering about packing, cleaning, and traveling to our new areas.
Needless to say, the Lord had some unfinished business that He wanted Hermana M and I to finish up in our old area!!!! :) I will miss all of the people, but am so excited to be here again and know this is exactly where we need to be! We went through our old investigators and already set B for baptism on April 11th!! We've got lots of people who have been waiting and ready!
Please don't miss the opportunity to watch General Conference and receive the answers you need!!! The Lord will bless you!
Alrighty- I love you all to smitherines and hope you all remember that!!! But most importantly, remember that the Lord loves you and smiles down upon you daily! :)
So sorry I wasn't able to e-mail last week. We had surprise transfers early on P-day..... and needless to say we were all scampering about packing, cleaning, and traveling to our new areas.
Needless to say, the Lord had some unfinished business that He wanted Hermana M and I to finish up in our old area!!!! :) I will miss all of the people, but am so excited to be here again and know this is exactly where we need to be! We went through our old investigators and already set B for baptism on April 11th!! We've got lots of people who have been waiting and ready!
Please don't miss the opportunity to watch General Conference and receive the answers you need!!! The Lord will bless you!
Get Lost in the Work
Letter dated March 17, 2010
What an amazing week! ....... Wow! The Lord's hand truly is in everything and He puts you in the right places at the right time if you so desire. We were able to meet an awesome English speaking man at Taco Bell while eating lunch yesterday and sat down and had a powerful lesson with him..... and now he wants to learn about the Gospel! Also, our investigator, G, accepted the invitation to be baptized and confirmed over General Conference weekend! She was a referral given to us through one of our members and is definitely prepared and ready! Look how important it is that we as members work alongside the missionaries and do all that we can to share the Gospel with our nonmember and less-active friends and family. POWERFUL! Conversion on the spot! I am so grateful for the members here who are working so hard to help their brothers and sisters be fully fellowshipped and be such an incredible support for our investigators. .... Members are key to missionary work! There is no other way for retention! I could go on and on about the little miracles that we see each day...... I love the Lord and am so grateful for His watchful care over each and every one of His children.
I love you each dearly and pray for your happiness daily. Keep on smiling, be believing, and know that the Lord will support and uphold you in all things. Have a terriffic week! :)
What an amazing week! ....... Wow! The Lord's hand truly is in everything and He puts you in the right places at the right time if you so desire. We were able to meet an awesome English speaking man at Taco Bell while eating lunch yesterday and sat down and had a powerful lesson with him..... and now he wants to learn about the Gospel! Also, our investigator, G, accepted the invitation to be baptized and confirmed over General Conference weekend! She was a referral given to us through one of our members and is definitely prepared and ready! Look how important it is that we as members work alongside the missionaries and do all that we can to share the Gospel with our nonmember and less-active friends and family. POWERFUL! Conversion on the spot! I am so grateful for the members here who are working so hard to help their brothers and sisters be fully fellowshipped and be such an incredible support for our investigators. .... Members are key to missionary work! There is no other way for retention! I could go on and on about the little miracles that we see each day...... I love the Lord and am so grateful for His watchful care over each and every one of His children.
I love you each dearly and pray for your happiness daily. Keep on smiling, be believing, and know that the Lord will support and uphold you in all things. Have a terriffic week! :)
Love One Another
Letter dated March 3, 2010
My companion Hermana L had her birthday this last week! Yay for fiestas! :) It was such a wonderful opportunity to sit back and realized the great love that I have for her and what I do to demonstrate that. I had the chance to think about what I could do to work on some of my faults and weaknesses that I have to greater help build and lift her up, forgetting myself and laboring for the happiness of her and others. What a wonderful opportunity we have been given in this life to bless the lives of others through giving up our selfish actions, becoming more purified like our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, and striving to do all that we can to see and treat everyone as He would..... view others in Heaven's eyes.
So this is my commitment to each of you: Analyze the relationships all around you and find ways that you can greater demonstrate love for that person through making some personal sacrifices. Do all that you can to change your attitude if you become easily upset and find positive things about that person..... things that you love about them.... and serve them... As you do, the Spirit of the Lord will be greatly about you and you will find that your heart will swell with never-ending joy! Love has the great power to change the lives of those around you. Love as the Savior would love. Love one another.
My companion Hermana L had her birthday this last week! Yay for fiestas! :) It was such a wonderful opportunity to sit back and realized the great love that I have for her and what I do to demonstrate that. I had the chance to think about what I could do to work on some of my faults and weaknesses that I have to greater help build and lift her up, forgetting myself and laboring for the happiness of her and others. What a wonderful opportunity we have been given in this life to bless the lives of others through giving up our selfish actions, becoming more purified like our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, and striving to do all that we can to see and treat everyone as He would..... view others in Heaven's eyes.
So this is my commitment to each of you: Analyze the relationships all around you and find ways that you can greater demonstrate love for that person through making some personal sacrifices. Do all that you can to change your attitude if you become easily upset and find positive things about that person..... things that you love about them.... and serve them... As you do, the Spirit of the Lord will be greatly about you and you will find that your heart will swell with never-ending joy! Love has the great power to change the lives of those around you. Love as the Savior would love. Love one another.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Tender Mercies of the Lord
Letter dated February 24, 2010
Como estan todos? Happy day to you all--- hope you do all that you can to make a magnificent one! How is your Book of Mormon Challenge coming along? Keep up the good work! As you pray before and after reading, ask the Lord to enlighten your understanding and talk amongst yourselves how it is that you may apply the things that you've read in your own personal lives and as a family. Apllication, Application, APPLICATION!!!!! :) You're all the greatest!
Right now Hermana L and I are on exchanges back up here in my old stomping grounds with the other Hermanas and will be here until tomorrow. Being back here floods back so many wonderful memories & feelings, remembering all of the precious moments shared while serving here in this area. I've got excited butterflies in my stomach to go out and teach here this evening and gratitude fills my heart to be amongst those that I love so dearly- to be here once again with those who have become as members of my family. I love the people here dearly......... never will I regret the sacred opportunity that the Lord has given me to teach His restored gospel and to become a part of the lives of these most humble and amazing people that I've had the privilege to meet and teach since being here on my mission.....and I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have to continue to find those people and share the most precious thing to my heart with them in each passing day. I feel as though my heart were to explode with gratitude! I am so grateful for and love my mission! My mission means everything to me.
We had the blessed opportunity to go on exchanges with the English Sisters the other day as well. Wow! God truly does love His children (yes, even those who speak English :) ), and reaches out to bless them as they seek for Him in their lives. We were able to learn so much from our experience with the Sisters and those we visited, allowing us to ponder how well we are working as the Lord's servants and what we may do to become greater instruments within His hands and make even more beautiful symphonies of music! :)
Always remember that the Lord loves you and blesses you continually each and every day. It is up to us to open our eyes and view the many ways that He has blessed us, and to give credit to Him for all that He does. Always go about with gratitude in your heart, and you will be filled with never-ending joy.
Como estan todos? Happy day to you all--- hope you do all that you can to make a magnificent one! How is your Book of Mormon Challenge coming along? Keep up the good work! As you pray before and after reading, ask the Lord to enlighten your understanding and talk amongst yourselves how it is that you may apply the things that you've read in your own personal lives and as a family. Apllication, Application, APPLICATION!!!!! :) You're all the greatest!
Right now Hermana L and I are on exchanges back up here in my old stomping grounds with the other Hermanas and will be here until tomorrow. Being back here floods back so many wonderful memories & feelings, remembering all of the precious moments shared while serving here in this area. I've got excited butterflies in my stomach to go out and teach here this evening and gratitude fills my heart to be amongst those that I love so dearly- to be here once again with those who have become as members of my family. I love the people here dearly......... never will I regret the sacred opportunity that the Lord has given me to teach His restored gospel and to become a part of the lives of these most humble and amazing people that I've had the privilege to meet and teach since being here on my mission.....and I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have to continue to find those people and share the most precious thing to my heart with them in each passing day. I feel as though my heart were to explode with gratitude! I am so grateful for and love my mission! My mission means everything to me.
We had the blessed opportunity to go on exchanges with the English Sisters the other day as well. Wow! God truly does love His children (yes, even those who speak English :) ), and reaches out to bless them as they seek for Him in their lives. We were able to learn so much from our experience with the Sisters and those we visited, allowing us to ponder how well we are working as the Lord's servants and what we may do to become greater instruments within His hands and make even more beautiful symphonies of music! :)
Always remember that the Lord loves you and blesses you continually each and every day. It is up to us to open our eyes and view the many ways that He has blessed us, and to give credit to Him for all that He does. Always go about with gratitude in your heart, and you will be filled with never-ending joy.
Obedience
Letter dated February 17, 2010
Are you smiling and jumping for joy because you woke up this morning and had another day of life?! Are you extremely happy because you have been given this day to choose as you will? - It's up to you to decide how your day is going to be--- it's all through our attitude and the choices that we make. Two little things called Agency and Obedience..... these two little things make the world of difference if positively acted upon.
I've been pondering relentlessly about the power of obedience and the blessings that come thereby. Almost all, if not every, page in the scriptures gives us a commandment with promised blessings attached if we are but obedient. For example, this morning I was studying in Mosiah 2:22-24 which states:
"And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments that ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.
And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him.
And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast?”
Do you see all the blessings promised that we receive if we but keep his commandments? He promises us that:
-ye should prosper in the land
-he doth bless you and prosper you
-he doth immediately bless you and
-he hath paid you
This is only an example of a few of the many blessings that come to those we use their free agency to do good, and are obedient to the Lord's commandments. May we always strive to seek and obtain those blessings that may be pronounced upon our heads through our own diligence to live a life of obedience. I know that our Heavenly Father love you and that He lives. I testify that His promised blessings are revealed and made sure through the power of the holy scriptures, thus included, the Book of Mormon. It is the word of God which testifies of the life and divinity of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. All those who take heed upon its teachings will be received to those Celestial courts on High, wherein they may live in the presence of our Lord and God. Of this solemn testimony I share whit you in the sacred name of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Are you smiling and jumping for joy because you woke up this morning and had another day of life?! Are you extremely happy because you have been given this day to choose as you will? - It's up to you to decide how your day is going to be--- it's all through our attitude and the choices that we make. Two little things called Agency and Obedience..... these two little things make the world of difference if positively acted upon.
I've been pondering relentlessly about the power of obedience and the blessings that come thereby. Almost all, if not every, page in the scriptures gives us a commandment with promised blessings attached if we are but obedient. For example, this morning I was studying in Mosiah 2:22-24 which states:
"And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments that ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.
And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him.
And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast?”
Do you see all the blessings promised that we receive if we but keep his commandments? He promises us that:
-ye should prosper in the land
-he doth bless you and prosper you
-he doth immediately bless you and
-he hath paid you
This is only an example of a few of the many blessings that come to those we use their free agency to do good, and are obedient to the Lord's commandments. May we always strive to seek and obtain those blessings that may be pronounced upon our heads through our own diligence to live a life of obedience. I know that our Heavenly Father love you and that He lives. I testify that His promised blessings are revealed and made sure through the power of the holy scriptures, thus included, the Book of Mormon. It is the word of God which testifies of the life and divinity of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. All those who take heed upon its teachings will be received to those Celestial courts on High, wherein they may live in the presence of our Lord and God. Of this solemn testimony I share whit you in the sacred name of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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