August 31, 2015 email “Pray in your families unto the father”

“Pray in your families unto the father”  3 Nephi 18:21

Tortillas: 28

This week I feel very grateful for the opportunity to work with the members here in Cantel.  We have been doing a lot of activity called “plan de accion” where we come together to find out which of their friends they can share the gospel with.  It has been amazing to see how much help they are to us, and the wonderful people that we have been able to meet and that we are teaching.  This has helped the work progress down here because it is a much more effective way to find positive people to share the gospel with.  I have been able to see many miracles as we come together to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, and truly every member is a missionary.  Also, I thought you might be interested to hear about what is going on with the politics down here.  It is crazy!  The tactics that they use are very different, like huge rallies, people driving around in pickups with giant speakers, signs EVERYWHERE!  On the 6th of September they will vote and we have to enter our house at 4:00.  Here in Cantel the politics are a little bit crazier because the people are poorer and the candidates know that it is easiest to get their votes.  A candidate for president even came this week.

Mejor Milagro:

So, one day my companion and I found that the appointment had fallen and we did not know what to do.  As my companion decided to call someone to see if they were home, he out of no where decided that he needed to call a name that we did not know.  When he called, a woman answered.  He explained who we were, and she remembered us, they had met a while back, and she gave the missionaries her phone number, but they never called.  So, we put an appointment for another day.  when the day came, we were in the village where she lived but could not find her house, we called, and she did answer.  As we were asking everyone if they knew her, no one did.  When we got to the point of turning back, a young woman passed by and asked us if we were looking for this woman.  She then explained to us that she was her daughter and would gladly take us to the house that we were looking for!!!  So, she takes us to her house and we met their family.  It turns out that before they were receiving the missionaries and coming to church, but they disappeared.  This was in the middle of Xela, and when they moved they lost contact with the church.  About 5 months ago she met a missionary in the bus and he took her number, but they never called until NOW!!  They are a family that is very receptive  and excited to learn.  I am so grateful that my companion Elder Caal was lead to call them and that Heavenly Father has given us the opportunity to teach this family!

Testimony time:

This week we had stake conference.  Elder Cezar A. Morales came and spoke, and it was amazing!  My favorite part was what he shared with us, there are 6 things to sanctify our families and homes to come unto Christ.  These 6 things are;

1. Family prayer daily.  Christ instructed us in 3 Nephi 18:21 that we had to pray for our families so they can be blessed.  Elder Morales said, “ look for space to complete with this sacred privilege.
2. Reading the scriptures together
3. Family home evening.  Elder Morales made the promise that if we do it, we will not lose a single member of our family to sin and temptation.
4. Paying a full tithe and fast offering.  A law that is a preporatory law for complete consecration.
5. Coming to church ready to partake of the sacrament worthily each Sunday.
6. Preparing to go to the temple as frequent as possible.  In this holy house  we learn the will of the Lord.  I know that to God, our families are the most important.  The principles to a happy family are the same, where we are in Guatemala or Japan.  I know that if we do these things, one day we can return to Gods presence together.  And oh how wonderful it will be.  I testify of this great opportunity, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.