Monday, March 21, 2016

Forever a Servant of the Lord

Hola todos!

These last 18 months have been so wonderful. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have had to serve the Lord on a full-time mission. I have learned so much, but more importantly the Lord has changed me so much. I am so humbled to have had this opportunity to learn and grow, to share in the joy felt as others choose to come to Christ through the waters of baptism. 

This last week was amazing!
We received a referral for a lady that lives in Waelder (Pop 1064)... which is even more in the middle of nowhere than Lockhart. We hardly ever go out there, due to mileage limitations. So, we planned on going out there to meet Brittany. We called her, and she was so sweet. We set up a lesson for the next day. We got there, and met Brittany and her friend, Richard. Brittany has been through a lot, and is really searching for God. She said she has always believed in God, but now she wants to get closer to Him. She and Richard had wonderful questions, and were so excited to get a Book of Mormon. 

Little things like this are what I love about being a missionary. Really, about being a member of the church. Seeing people begin to change, and seeing the "light" go off when something makes sense--not only in their head but in their heart. It is such a wonderful thing to witness. The Gospel of Jesus Christ truly is wonderful!
--
One of the hymns that has become my favorite here on the mission is: Placentero Nos Es Trabajar. Sadly it isn't in english. but it is a beautiful song. Here are the lyrics:
"Placentero nos es trabajar
en la viña del gran Rey Jesús,
y honroso nos es predicar
a Su pueblo Su ley y Su lluz.

La palabra de Dios escuchad
con ahínco, lealtad y fervor.
Para siempre jamás recordad
Su pureza, verdad y amor.


¡Oh hermanos, adiós, pues, adiós!
El momento de ir vino ya.
Si guardamos la fe en el gran Dios,
nos veremos aún más allá."

It is a little hard to come to the end of my mission. But that doesn't mean my service to God is over. I have made a promise to God. Like our TSAM purpose statement says, "My decision has been made. I've put my hand to the plough. I've crossed the line." Returning home doesn't change any of that. My decision has still been made, and I will continue to serve my Lord with all that in me is. I will forever be a servant of the Lord.

I love you all! Have a marvelous week.

--
Posted by at No comments:

Monday, March 14, 2016

Hallelujah!

Hola Todos!

This week has been so wonderful! I know I probably say that in all of my emails, but it is true! I can't even begin to tell of all the wonderful miracles I have seen over the course of my mission. Some were more drastic than others, and some were sweet, tender miracles that testified to me, personally, that my Heavenly Father loves me. 

As my mission comes to a close, I ponder about all that has transpired over the last 18 months. I have seen the Lord change me so much. Some changes have occurred through tears-of both joy and regret. Many changes have been made through sweat and hard work. (Let's kill that myth right now. Yes, sister missionaries do sweat.) I like the me that the Lord has made so much more than the me I used to be. I testify of the truth found in Ether 12:27:

 "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

Christ has shown unto my my weakness. It has humbled me. In many cases, I have seen those weak things become strong. There are still so many things I have to work on, but I have so much hope in the strength of the Lord--that He can change me.

----

Easter is coming! It is here! Yesterday, the Church came out with a wonderful video titled, Follow Him. Y'all should watch it if you haven't yet, and then watch it again, and then share it with your friends. It is so beautiful, and can all be summed up in one word: Hallelujah! God be praised. Peter sums it up as well: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.." (1 Peter 1:3) Christ has saved us. He is the only way to salvation. There is none other way! Without Him, we cannot be saved. 

I know with all my heart that Christ lives! The words spoken by the angel long ago bring so much joy and comfort to my heart: " Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here: for he is risen." (Luke 24:5, Matthew 28:6) The garden tomb is empty. Christ was the first to resurrect, and because of this, all of us will be resurrected too. 

What a glorious gift this is! "Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise" (2 Nephi 2:8)
We have a task, you and me, to make these things known to all those on the earth. What comfort, joy and love it brings us. Imagine that comfort, joy and love being felt by all those we love. 
Truly, all that comes to my lips, "Hallelujah!"

I love y'all so much!
-- 
Posted by at No comments:

Monday, March 7, 2016

Follow the Prophet

Hola todos!

We have had a great week. 
This last Tuesday, we met with Sister Rickman. Sister Whitman came with us. We had lunch, and talked about the Book of Mormon, and the power it has in our life. Sister Rickman loves the Book of Mormon, and wants to keep reading it regularly. The Book of Mormon truly is so amazing! I love what it teaches us about our potential as sons and daughters of God. 

Sister Whitman invited Sister Rickman to the upcoming General Conference session for the women of the church, and she said she would go and is excited for it!

On Friday, Sister Gibson and I were invited to attend MLC-Mission Leaders Council. It was really neat to see our leaders working together,teaching how to help other missionaries and how to help our investigators. Something I have noticed about all the trainings I have seen, or even given, is that they aren't about something crazy and new. They are basics. They are found in Preach My Gospel. They are essential for a missionary to be successful. Going to MLC really pumped me up to give even more and do even more than I am these next couple weeks. I don't want to slack off right at the end. I want to "cross the finish line" (of sorts) giving all that I can. 

Saturday, we went over to the Barnes' house for dinner. Sister Barnes loves us so much that she said she wants us to come over for dinner every Saturday. She is such a sweetheart, and has such a strong testimony of the Gospel. 

This Gospel is so true! There is nothing on earth that could ever make me deny it. Through Joseph Smith, Christ restored His doctrine and His Priesthood Power to the earth. It is here today! We have a living prophet. He was chosen by God to lead us and guide us throughout our life here on earth. If we follow him, we won't go astray. I am so excited for General Conference. Think of it. Not only do we have a living Prophet on the earth, but we have the chance to see him and hear him speak the words of the Lord twice a year! I am so excited to hear the words of our beloved Prophet and the Apostles. We will truly be blessed for following the men the Lord has chosen to lead us. 

​I love you all so much! Have a most amazing week. ​

--
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)