Email August 24, 2015 “Inquire of the Lord”

Email August 24, 2015 “Inquire of the Lord”

Tortillas:25

This was an amazing week full of many great spiritual experiences and opportunities.  Of those, we had the opportunity for our once over 6 month visit to the temple!  

I feel so blessed to be able to enter into the house of the Lord and feel so close to him. 

 It was special because I also saw someone from Los Altos when I left the temple.  I felt such a great recharge and further instruction on how to continue to improve.  Not just that, but Central America received a visit from President Russell M. Nelson, and he had a special broadcast with him and some area leaders!  I feel so blessed because this week we saw many small miracles, and the hand of the Lord in our works here in Cantel.  We have many people listening and investigating the message of the restoration, but the influence of the world seems very strong here.  But, as warriors of God on the front line, we know that as we fight with him, we find his chosen children.

 Some of the dedicated hard working missionaries in my area!

 Elder Caal and I.

Mejor Milagro:

One day this week we received a call from someone named Javier.  He told us that in the past the Elders had come to visit him, but for some reason they stopped coming.  He called as asked us to come visit with him.  So we set a time to go see him when we were in Zunil.  When the day came, we gave him a call and he explained that he was in his work, but we could visit him there.  He is a young man of 17 years who about 7 years ago his father died.  Since then he has had to work for provide for his studies.  Since this has happened and his life has gotten harder, he has made some wrong choices and now has some vision.  Most of his time is spent working in the natural baths, but he felt like he got to a point where his life is so disorganized and can’t continue to live like this so he called us.  When we visited him we talked about the Book of Mormon and the power that it has to change our lives.  He is like a sponge and wants to learn everything!  I am so grateful that the Lord lead him to us, and prompted him to give us a call.  I know that the biggest tool that we have been given are the scriptures, and as we study them we can be changed by the Lord.  As we apply them, we become more like our Savior.

 This is one of the most beautiful places on earth!  I have never seen a prettier place than Cantel!

Testimony time:

The title comes from Alma 43:23;

“But it came to pass, as soon as they had departed into the wilderness Moroni sent spies into the wilderness to watch their camp; and Moroni, also, knowing of the prophecies of Alma, sent certain men unto him, desiring him that he should inquire of the Lord whither the armies of the Nephites should go to defend themselves against the Lamanites.”

One of my my biggest heros from the Book of Mormon is Captain Moroni!  In this scripture we learn a very important attribute of him. He trusted the Lord in EVERYTHING!  Even though he was making decisions that had nothing to do with what we would think is important to the Lord.  We trusted in the prophet and the instruction of the Lord.  Like Moroni, in all we do we can inquire of the Lord.  He loves each of us so much and cares so much about our personal lives.  If he knows the name of every star, think about how important we are to him our immortal beings and his children!  I feel so grateful that I can receive personal answers from my Heavenly Father.  I can inquire of him in all things, and he will give me the much needed instruction.  I see it everyday of my life, and I know that if each of us ask he will answer.  If we want to know the truth, we have to ask him.  He answered my prayers that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that the Book of Mormon is true, that is what keeps me going every second, and what leads me to have such great desire to live a life consecrated to his work.  I am his hands here in Cantel, and I feel honored.  I love my Savior with all my heart.  These things I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

SETH!!!!!

Happy birthday to my amazing brother Seth! Seth, you are one of the most dedicated people that I know, and I feel so blessed to be called your brother. If you were a girl down here in Guatemala we would have a big quinceñera! Haha! i love you so much and feel so blessed by your Christ like example!

 Elections are in a week for a new president.  Life is a little crazy right now!

 The fabrics here are absolutely beautiful!

 Sometimes we have to hitch a ride to get to some of the nearby villages.  Zunil is a 30 minute drive by car.  My Mom was a little worried about "hitchhiking"  I wanted her to see how safe we are.

 We are fed well, the food is delicious here in Guatemala!

 The Lord watches over us everyday, I am so thankful I have this chance in my life to serve him.

Email August 17, 2015 “Called of God to preach the word unto this people”

Tortillas 30

Another beautiful week of preaching the gospel in Cantel Guatemala. 

 We also had an interesting experience of being able to spend an entire day proselyting in the nearby city of Zunil.  It is an entire municipio that has no missionaries and just two member families.  We are working to get the gospel spread by the spirit, through our diligence and hard work and obedience.  The progression is kind of slow, but it is amazing to see the miracles.  It is a new experience to arrive and ask “Have you ever seen or talked to missionaries like us?” 

 And they have never even heard of the church.  It is one of the first times in my mission when I have been harshly rejected, but we are seeing progression.  We are also working a lot in the villages that are close to ours and in the main town part.  I feel so blessed to have such amazing members that help us in ways that I can not thank them.

 The members here are wonderful and so kind!

Mejor Milagro:

Last week while in a bus, my companion and I began to talk to a couple sitting nearby.  It was a great conversation, and we soon came to find out that they lived in Zunil.  We offered if we could pass by and they accepted!  So, the day we went this week we spent most of our time contacting and finding people to accept us.  After we ate lunch, we decided to go and search for the couple.  They only gave us a vague place, and we did not know the town at all, but we felt guided where we needed to go, and with the help of asking some people in the street we were lead to the general area.  Once we arrived, I looked for the first person to talk to, and some how we ended up arriving at their house.  Not only that, but we arrived right at the moment when they were returning from work.  To our surprise, they graciously accepted us in.  We began to talk to the woman in the couple and her son, who probably had 30 years.  We felt the guidance to say what would capture his interest and he came to accept us to continue to come back and his desire to know that what we shared was true.  I am so grateful for the guidance that God gives us.  And that he continues to help us in the progression of this work.

Testimony time:

The title from this email is found in Alma 42:31

And now, O my son, ye are called of God to apreach the word unto this people. And now, my son, go thy way, declare the word with truth and soberness, that thou mayest bbring souls unto repentance, that the great plan of mercy may have claim upon them. And may God grant unto you even according to my words. Amen.

Oh what a glorious felicidad to be called to preach the word by God himself!  This is a message and a work of salvation.  The fuel and fire that keeps it going is the testimony of Jesus Christ and his atonement.  His plan is great and wonderful, and we come to accept it when we turn from sin and repent of our mistakes.  He has an everlasting love for us, and wants us to receive peace.  If there is anything that I have learned, it is that the only way to have success in this life is through complete trust in God and his marvelous power. Each of us has been called to help this work go forth, and if we do so with “trust and soberness” we will be granted unto our desires of success.  I know without a doubt that our Heavenly Father loves us, because he perfectly showed it by sending his son.  Our Savior Jesus Christ has demonstrated his love by suffering bitterly for our sins.  He simply says, “ come, follow me!” And if we do so, we will find salvation for our souls.  If we show love for one another by sharing this gospel, we will find eternal happiness.  These things I testify of in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 Futbol!