hey-low! (love your spanish greetin' mom, very indearing)
How great it is to hear that you're all doing great! The only thing that helps me believe that another week has flown by already, is that I feel stronger in the work, I feel like I understand a little bit more about our Savior, and I feel even happier to be here and serving the people here in HUALQUI!
Some unique things that happened this week: I ate a lot of cherries, I survived blistering heat and a crazy rain storm in the same day, I practiced Spanish carols with a bunch of gringo missionaries for a Christmas devotional they're putting on, I ran into an inactive that said she left the church because it was too hard to be Mormon and required too many errands and paperwork to go to the temple, I cut down on my bread intake, I learned the word for stutter, and I repented of a lot of things that were not helping me or the other people I talk with come to Christ. --Good week.
We're still fighting for a lot of really great investigators to enter into the waters of baptism. I know that through them making right decisions and allowing the Spirit to guide their thoughts, hearts and actions, they will be able to receive a remission of their sins and enter into a covenant with their Heavenly Father. Repentance and the Atonement are becoming a lot more real and a lot more applicable in EVERYONE'S lives as I understand more and more what Christ actually did when He suffered and died for us. What dark sadness enters into the heart when you see someone choosing to not accept Him.
a little of what I wrote to president this week...
How incredible is this gospel of Jesus Christ!? Daily, weekly and monthly, my love for my Savior and for this Work grows and deepens. Up until recently in my life I feel like the "gospel" in and of itself, either because of my upbringing or my life's experiences, was only a lifestyle. A Way that brought the most happiness and joy. As I am given the opportunity to testify of my Savior, to defend His commandments and His Church, and ultimately apply His redeeming grace in my own life, I realize it is much more than not judging or not drinking alcohol. His Gospel, the way to return back to Him, is set out beautifully and perfectly. It is set out in such a way that I, as a very imperfect, flaw-filled human being, can change, in and through Him.
Repentance, the incredible gift of love that He has offered to us, is the only way that we are really to progress unto perfection. As I invite people from "ground zero" to build their faith in our Savior and change from their heart outward, I realize what is required to produce the lifestyle and experiences that I have had all of my life. It is only through Christ and His true and restored gospel.
This week I have realized the importance of VERIFYING the extended commitments, to help people in their repentance process. Also, I have felt the grief that comes from seeing people who are just not willing to keep their commitments, repent, and come towards their Savior so that He can give them the power, strength, and love in their life to make them complete.
----love you SO MUCH!
Hermana chilly willy (who knew that chilly willy is a cartoon penguin. found that one out this week)
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