Sweet is the Work

Transfers!!  Once again we had transfers and I'm with my same companion Hermana Cruz in Pueyrredon.  I'm so excited to work with her for another 6 weeks as we have had so many miracles together.  This week we had stake conference on Sunday and once again the Family Spnelli came to church as well as two other investigators (Angie and Madia).  One who is preparing to get baptized this next Sunday after her marriage on Saturday.  I also had a wonderful reunion with many of the members in my first area in Pigue because they too are in the same stake that I'm serving in right now.  I got to see just about the whole ward as well as some great news about an old investigator (Leanor) who just got baptized two weeks ago!!

Our investigator (Angie) who is getting baptized this week has been preparing now for awhile but needed to get married first before she could take that step forward for baptism.  Her mom is also here from the Dominican Republic for 3 months for the wedding, so my companion and I got the chance to teach her about the gospel as well.  She absolutely loves the church and talks about how much peace and comfort she feels from it and what this gospel carries.  This week we taught her the first lesson as well as the importance of the Book of Mormon.  He daughter couldn't be there during the lesson but we got the chance to call her daughter on speaker phone as she bore a wonderful testimony about the gospel to her mom.  I love that Angie (daughter) has been such a wonderful example for her mother.  Not only did Angie find a testimony of the gospel, but she is acting upon it, she knows and wants God's plan, understands the importance of marriage to fulfil a commandment, to be baptized by someone holding the priesthood and authority of God!  It's been such a wonderful experience to watch Angie grow and not only her but her mother as well.

The family Spnelli who we have been working with has attended church twice now!  We ended up having family home evening with them on Thursday night.  They have 2 little boys and a baby girl who are into everything all the time, just like any other family.  So my companion and I knew that we needed to do something that not only involved the parents but the children as well.  So we decided to watch "The Restoration."  By doing so, 30 minutes passed by and not one of the kids made a peep!  The spirit was so strong and even the parents were in shock.  After the movie we discussed the restoration and also talked about the Holy Ghost and how it brought peace and comfort into the room.  In this moment we also asked the family to be baptized as well as commit to being married.  Suddenly, they agreed!!!  My companion and I are so excited and because of their faith and action, they will be a family eterna!!  That night we all prayed as a family on our knees and it reminded me of my own home and my own family.  I'm so grateful for the family I have now, but how wonderful it is to have the opportunity to bring other families together and one day be sealed in the temple for time and eternity.

I also ran into my first English speaking investigator!  She is from Maryland and her family has now lived here for almost a year now.  The family hardly knows any Spanish and the mom has been searching for a church for the family to attend.  My companion and I have an appointment with them on Monday.  It was the weirdest experience to speak English again.  Not only that, but I couldn't get the words to come out of my mouth.  It was like trying to learn how to speak Spanish for the first time, but English....OH NO!!!....

I can't express how happy I am to be serving as a missionary in Argentina to share something that is so important in my life with my brothers and sisters here in Bahia Blanca.

1 Nephi 8:12

 12 And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit.

I have never felt so close to my Heavenly Father, He hears and answers all of my prayers and always has an answer in His own time because He knows my needs more than I even do.  I have loved every moment of the mission and that I get to communicate and share my love of this gospel with others.  I have never felt so much love and happiness when people accept this gospel and reach out to their Father in Heaven.  I also testify of the importance of marriage and what it can do to bring families closer and happier, as well as the examples of others in standing in righteousness and diligence.  There is nothing that has ever brought me more happiness than this gospel.  My family and friends, and missionary work, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

P.S. HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 
Matthew 14:26 (Mateo 14:26) And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 

Homework:  There are many people who need a smile on their face, go doorbell ditch someone with a plate of goodies!!!!  :)

The Keystone of Our Religion

Homework:  Give a Book of Mormon to a friend or loved one and remember to always keep a BOM with you, in your car, backpack, purse and even by your bed.  You can even buy a military sized one!

Hola familia y amigos!  Guess what?! I can't even express how happy I am.  We had miracles one right after another.  We taught lots of investigators as well as families.  The best part about it is, that we ended up having and ENTIRE family of 5 attend church yesterday, plus two other investigators!  I haven't been able to keep a smile off my face this whole week. My heart is so full of joy and happiness to see investigators progressing and following Christ's footsteps.  This coming week as well we have many dates with investigators as well as a family that we found last week.  I'm super excited to get to know them.  Yesterday, my companion and I got to make breakfast with this family that we a re teaching.  It was so fun to see their smiling faces and their excitement to go to church for the very first time!

So this week I wanted to talk a little about the Book of Mormon.  I had some wonderful experiences to testify of the importance of it and what it can do for us in our life.  First I wanted to express three important things that President Ezra Taft Benson mentioned in his talk, "The Book of Mormon-Keystone of our Religion". 

1.  The Book of Mormon is the keystone in our witness of Christ

2.  It is the keystone of our doctrine

3.  It is the keystone of testimony

My companion and I got the chance to teach a mother and her daughter all of lesson 1 as well as tell them of our testimonies and the importance of the Book of Mormon.  As we offered the book, the daughter turned it down and then the mother did the same.  The same memory of what happened last week when one of our investigators turned it down as well.  During my first 5 months in the mission, these have been the very first times when someone has said, "no", to a BOM.  I have never felt so saddened and heart-broken.  Why would someone say no, to something so valuable.  In this same day, we taught another lady, and got on the topic of personal answers to prayer and how she has never felt like she can find many answers to her solutions.  We shared with her our belief and what the BOM is and testfies and what is can do to help us in this life.  As we offered her the book, her eyes lit up with start and she said, "really, this is for me!"  In that very same moment, she opened the book and read a verse and right then she had found an answer or words of comfort to something she had been worried about.  She couldn't express how happy she was to receive such a wonderful thing!  

In the talk by President Ezra Taft Benson, he said, 

"Once we realize how the Lord feels about this book, it should not surprise us the He also gives us solemn warnings about how we receive it.  After indicating that those who receive the Book of Mormon with faith, working righteousness, will receive a crown of eternal glory (see D&C 20:14), the Lord follows with this warning:  "But those who harden their hearts in unbelief, and reject it, it shall turn to their own condemnation" (D&C 20:15)."

D&C 6:12

12 Make not thy gift known unto any save it be those who are of thy faith. Trifle not with sacred things.

Some people accept the book and others decline it.  Some take it for granted and others look at it like it's a wonderful gift.  Some read it, and others don't.  Some look at the book and judge its cover and some believe it's true before even opening it.  I never really fully realized how important and how powerful such a little book could be until I came on my mission. The praying and studying its words have brought me and have opened my eyes and ears on a whole other level.  I have known that reading both the Bible and the Book of Mormon was something that was always important, it was something my mom always taught me, but how many times did I end up falling asleep or making up excuses or reading and my mind somehow tended to wander off into space thinking about what I was going to wear the next day.  Or about school or how I want Wendy's french fries and a frosty for lunch tomorrow, the list goes one and on.  But the moment I actually sat down and read the Book with an open heart and clear mind, I never realized how precious such a thing could be in my life.  Today I hunger and thirst to read more!  I have watched investigators do the same.  As they open the book and open their hearts to learn, they receive inspiration and conversion.  I testify that this book has brought me personal revelation, knowledge, understanding a closer and greater love for God and the people I teach.  As missionaries, many people ask questions we .  We can answer them, but what a privilege it is to read a book from God and read His own words to find answers...even better!  Your own knowledge will grow 10 times stronger as you find the answers.  It's like a test at school....What is going to help you get that straight "A" you've always been looking for?  Looking at your text book cover and walking away saying you already know all of the answers?  or Shoving it under your pillow and hoping the answers will magically flow through you brain?  No, neither is asking for the answers from other people going to help! Opening the book, searching, pondering, studying and practicing!  This book was so special that it was made just for us in this time and this generation.  From the same talk it says....

"Each of the major writers of the Book of Mormon testified that he wrote for future generations.  Nephi said: "The Lord God promised unto me that these things which I write shall be kept and preserved, and handed down unto my seed, from generation to generation" (2 Nephi 25:21). His brother Jacob, who succeeded him, wrote similar words:  "For [Nephi] said that the history of his people should be engraven upon his other plates, and that I should preserve these plates and hand them down unto my seed, from generation to generation" (Jacob 1:3).  Enos and Jarom both indicated that they too were writing not for their own peoples but for future generations (see Enos 1:15-16, Jarom 1:2)."

I know and testify that there is a unique power to the Book of Mormon and of the Bible!  That it really is the keystone to our religion and our salvation!  Without it, we would fall.  It has helped me to draw nearer to God and be more like Him and His teachings.  To feel the spirit as a companion more strongly and its protection!  As God knows me personally, I'm striving to know Him.  I have found answers to many questions.  As well as this, I can apply things I learn in my daily life.  I love the words, "there is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book, greater power to resist temptation, avoid deception and stay on the straight and narrow path."  The Book of Mormon can do many things for us, for our families and loved ones.  I testify that it is one of the most sacred gifts in my life.  I love that I am serving the Lord, Jesus Christ and I get to share the Book of Mormon with others and help them follow Christ's footsteps.  I leave with you a testimony from President Marion G. Romney:

"I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein.  The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow.  The spirit of contention will depart.  Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom.  Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents.  Righteousness will increase.  Faith, hope, and charity--the pure love of Christ--will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy and happiness." (Ensign, May 1980, p. 67.)

P.S.  For all of those Twilight book lovers.....As I once was.  Remember that time I tried to explain to you how awesome those books were and you all looked at me like I was some weird girl from Utah????  Well, what happened?......You all became addicted to them and became weird like me!  I now invite you to read the Book of Mormon and I promise you will find more joy and hunger and thirst our of that book more than another other. Thanks so much for your emails and cards!!  Love you!!

Hermana Chesler

En Todos Lados!

Homework:  Pick a Christ-like attribute and strive to live it!

This week we had so many wonderful opportunities to teach!  Not only that but we almost had a member present for every lesson.  Lessons taught with members are always ten times better!  It's one more strong testimony, testifying of Christ's work!  On Thursday, we hadn't planned anyone to come teach with us and that morning we had 3 lessons with 3 different members present in a row - what a miracle!  On Sunday, Argentina celebrated the "dia de la madre" (Mother's day) and during Sacrament meeting we got to hear so many wonderful talks about mothers and how important they are in the world.  Without them we would not function!  My companion and I decided to find all the mothers and chicas in the street and share with them a scripture as well as our testimony.  I think yesterday was on of my favorite days in the mission thus far, because I got to witness some wonderful relationships and similarities with mothers, daughters and young women.  One experience reminded me of how important my mother is in my life.  She has been and always will be an angel to me.  She has always been my best friend in times of good and also in bad.  I also am so grateful for all of my grandmothers.  I have learned so much from them.  Their words of advice and the love they have is priceless.  "Feliz dia de la madre"!

For the past week, my companion and I decided to teach the 9 attributes of Jesus Christ - in Preach My Gospel, to every member and investigator that we visited.  As we did this, we let the families decide what attribute to pick from Faith, Hope, Charity and Love, Virtue, Knowledge, Patience, Humility, Diligence, Obedience. Out of the 9 families that we visited 8 families picked PACIENCIA! (patience)  I don't know if I learned more from patience this week or each individual family, or the fact that this was a sign for me to have more patience as well!!  Ha I have never done well with patience in my life. One area is that I have always had to be on time! I also lose patience with others inn their ability to not make a decision, the list goes on and on.  From this experience of teaching these families, I have realized that patience is hard for every one, but in many different ways.  Like I have patience in things my companion doesn't and she has patience in things I don't.  We help or compliment each other that way. One things that really stuck out to me that a family member said was that patience is an can be difficult because it's not "just patience alone", it's also faith, hope, love and humility.  Patience can be ALL the attributes of Christ.  I think there is only one person in this world who has ALL the attributes and that is our loving Christ. He is our example.  As we go about our day, we need to always remember Him and His attributes.  We are not perfect, but we can strive to be perfect as Christ is.  I ask each and every one of you as well as myself to try and have more patience with family members, friends and even with yourself.  We can even ask a humble prayer and ask for more patience to be able to relax and enjoy every moment in good and bad situations. (Our trials)  I promise you will be able to have more patience in your life, because it has really helped me!

There are so many wonderful experiences that happened this week that I wish I could share them all, but on in particular I want to share.  We have been teaching a 17 year old boy who we taught the first lesson to and this week we taught the "plan of salvation".  Well his brother died at the age of 22 about 5 years ago, and had many questions.  He read all of the pamphlets, and prayed, but when I offered him the Book of Mormon, he wouldn't take it.  This time we tried to offer him the Book of Mormon again and as I didn't want to get turned down yet again, I gave it to my companion and she tried, but to no avail he did not take it.  This lesson was very different from the rest and I felt like I was being told to offer the book again.  I tried to share the thought out of my mind and listening to the spirit.  By the end of the lesson, I finally couldn't ignore the prompting anymore and I started baring my testimony and felt a sudden peace.  Everyone in the room seemed to be at peace as well.  It was so silent!  I told him that his brother was so close to him and that the veil was thin and that all of the answers he was looking for were in this Book of Mormon.  This time I didn't actually offer the book again, I just handed it to him and he took it without a word.  This was an experience that I will never forget.  The spirit was so strong, but not only that, the spirit of his brother as well.  I want to testify of the importance of acting on a prompting. When you feel a strong feeling or prompting, do not hesitate because you can lost that opportunity to make a difference.  I sure learned it.  I know this gospel is true and I knew that the plan God has for us is beautiful.  That we can live with our families again as well as lost ones.  I'm so grateful for mothers/daughters/grandmothers/aunts/sisters/young women....  For their courage and bright smiles!  I love this gospel and what it does for me in my life.  Amen.

Our decisions determine our destiny

I hope everyone loved General Conference as much as I did! I loved the idea that they let the Apostles speak in their own native language. Something I never thought of until I met my native companion Hermana Cruz as she told me, "I want to learn English only because I want to hear the prophet speak in his own voice". It really hit me as I thought about how my companion has never actually heard the prophet or apostles of the Lord! It is always some kind of recording in some other voice. One talk I loved was from Russell M. Ballard. The story of "staying in the boat". When life tends to be good we get a little anxious and tend to jump out of the boat and suddenly drown. It is important to "stay in the ship" but the question is how? How do we stay in the ship? He mentioned three important things:

1. Continuing conversion (faith) 

2. Always wear a life jacket

3. Hold on with both hands!

These three things are our foundation in life but how can we stand firm and not be tempted? I listened to what was said and found that we need to,  wax strong in the knowledge of truth, search the scriptures diligently, study the doctrine of Christ, and exercise much prayer and fasting. Now why is it that we become tempted or stick our toes or fingers in the water? Because it is cool?! At times we forget what is really on the other side. Sharks, sea creatures, and the deep blue sea that can swallow us up in a matter of seconds! At times there are even things in the water we can't even imagine that are so deadly. They can easily creep up on us and quietly take us away from shore if we are not careful. I loved how Russell M. Ballard said, "avoid becoming easily distracted." This can apply to all things! Missionaries, members, life, school , etc. We live in a world full of distractions and we need to remember why we are here and what our purpose is. What are we trying to accomplish? I love how this can also relate to our decisions in life. 

This week my companion and I were teaching an investigator about keeping the commandments as he has struggled with many. He wants to change his life around and as well get baptized! Something that is so special and an example of our Lord Jesus Christ and be cleansed from ALL of our sins! But our decisions prepare us for Baptism. Do our decisions really matter? YES! YES THEY DO! As times we tend to become distracted in the choices we make as well. We tend to think not all of my choices depend on my eternal salvation such as "what color shirt should I wear" or often we tend to say I can repent of that later. It's ok. As we also have agency in this life to choose between good and evil I love the "strength of youth " "while here on earth , you are being proven to see if you will use your agency to show your love for God by keeping his commandments." As well as, "while you are free to choose your course of action you are not free to choose the consequences." So how do we get there? How do we hold on with both hands to the boat? Seek to avoid the bad and seek to ACTIVELY do good. Don't question yourself. "I don't want to go to church today," "I  fall asleep anyways - the same goes for seminary!" "I'll clean my room tomorrow", "or I can study for my test tomorrow", Or "I'll exercise Monday". Every little decision really does matter. Decide to ACT NOW! Because maybe you won't have the choice tomorrow. Instead consider the goals you want in life now and in the future for example, "Do I want to serve a full time mission" "Do I want to stop drinking" "Do I want to start going to church every day with a smile on my face and actively listen" Do I want to graduate college "Do I want to pay off my debts"?????? Stop and think. Also remember the outcome of what blessings come from these questions. 

D&C 14:7

 7 And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.

The strength of youth also says " observing the sabbath will bring you closer to the Lord and your family. The world of wisdom when obedient will help you remain free from harmful addiction and have control over your life." I don't know about you, but to me these blessings sound wonderful! As I have taught many investigators, to keep the commandments will bring happiness and joy in your life as well as being one step closer to God. At times it's not going to be easy to make a decision, it could be something you have struggled with your whole life, but why not start now to CHANGE. At times you many need to start over, but it's okay. We are not perfect only our Lord is perfect and our purpose here is to try with all our might to be like the Savior. Because you love Him. And He loves you. He will not abandon us, He wants to help and we can't do things alone. STOP and ASK for help. Remember that the Lord can't help us if we are not willing to change. So stop and think about the future and what you really want and make that decision now. I promise you that as we make the right decisions in our life it will not only strengthen you but also your family and the home and in the life to come. Follow the good shepherd, don't get lost in the fields or the depths of the great blue sea. If you see a friend or loved one tighten your life jacket a little tighter and stretch your faith (your fishing pool) and fish them out!!! IMMEDIATELY! They will love you for it. :) I know this church is true! I love the Savior Jesus Christ and I love what I'm doing. I love the missionary work and the people of Argentina they are my brothers and sisters and I love every single one of them. And I'm so grateful to teach them about out Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Homework: Think about a friend in need and fish them out of the sea. Invite them to a church activity or FHE !Or even share with them a Book of Mormon! 

 Birthday Celebration!

Fun in the RAIN!!

Una Respuesta

This week was full of fun and exciting experiences! The mission Bahia Blanca and all the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Bahia Blanca got to be part of the "manos de ayudan" "mormon helping hands." Mormon Helping hands is a priesthood directed church program to provide community service and disaster relief to those in need all over the world! This was probably one of the best service project experiences I have had yet in the mission thus far. It was fun to work with so many missionaries and also members from all over Bahia Blanca, but not only that, the people we got to help serve! 

So my companion and I have been teaching Juaquin the less active family whose family came to church last week. Juaquin is 10 years old and loves football and is the sweetest little boy! For the past week and an half we have been preparing him to be baptized. He even got permission to be baptized a week earlier than his original date. Once the date was changed we ran into a few bumps along the way. We would have only 2 days to prepare a baptism, and we still had many lessons we needed to teach, permission from the bishop, and a patient mom with 6 kids. Not only that but she was worried that Juaquin wouldn't retain or understand the lessons taught in time. Many phone calls and prayers were said Wednesday night and Thursday morning. We needed an answer and we needed it fast! After my companion and I spent hours on the phone and trying to find a solution, I started my personal study and I was guided by the Lord and found some amazing scriptures! 

Daniel 1:17, 20 

17 ¶As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.

Matthew 6:31-33

 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Moisah 4:14-15

 14 And ye will not suffer your children that they go hungry, or naked; neither will ye suffer that they transgress the laws of God, and fight and quarrel one with another, and serve the devil, who is the master of sin, or who is the evil spirit which hath been spoken of by our fathers, he being an enemy to all righteousness.

 15 But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another.

Proverbs 22:6 

 6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

All of the scriptures I found right after another! God had not only answered my prayer for Juaquin but for Juaquin's mother also! As we have been teaching Juaquin he has remembered everything we have taught. At times he has shocked me and my companion about his intelligence in the gospel. These scriptures are true, the world that we teach come only from the Lord. Juaquin remembers them because it's all God's words and it's His power working through us and Juaquin. Juaquin was ready to be baptized and was prepared for it. 

The next thing we knew we got off the phone with the Bishop as he had an answer and felt the same! My companion and I looked at each other and said we have 2 days to plan a baptism! After that, the next two days we were literally running to and from finding baptism clothes that would fit little Juaquin, making invitations, teaching the last few lessons, etc! As Saturday came around the corner in a flash we had a wonderful baptism with many members, family, and friends, with smiley faces! 

I learned so much from the experience, one was I really had to listen to the spirit, the still small voice. What decisions we had to make in so little time and getting the work done! At times it is frustrating when there is so much on our plates and we don't know what to do, what decisions we have to come across, and trying to make the best decision. But I know that when you pray with all your heart the Lord will answer your prayers not always suddenly but listen and all things are possible with the Lord's help! 

Homework: This coming week is General Conference, invite a non member friend to come watch it with you at home or even better in the live conference! 

We finally got a washing machine!!

Primavera

Yesterday was the first day of Spring in Argentina and it already feels like the middle of Summer! I'm still trying to get used to the opposite weather changes! Ha, I'm also staying in Pueyrredon with my companion for another transfer, which I'm super excited about! This week was a little different than most. I got the opportunity to go on divisions with one of our sister training leaders, Hermana Quilca, in her area. It has been one of the best learning experiences I've had yet. The first five minutes I was with her, she told me about a girl who was trying to make the decision to get baptized but was struggling with smoking addiction. The sister training leader asked me to share with her a mini lesson and then invite her to be baptized. Wow, I thought, No pressure.... ha, Anyways I put a lot of faith in the Lord and prayed many, many times that I would have the spirit with me as a companion. Before I knew it, we were all singing hymns, crying with tears of joy, and sitting in a circle sharing our testimonies about her decision in baptism! At times, it takes a lof of faith and trust in the Lord, not only that, but courage to do the time the Lord asks but with faith all things are possible with the Lord's help! 

On Saturday the ward did a service project for a less-active family and cleaned up the yard for them.  That night my companion and I visited them again to get to know them better. Well the mother wants to start coming to church again and has 6 kids, one boy who is 10 hasn't been baptized and yesterday my companion and I went to pick up the kids and they were already dressed and waiting outside for us to go to church! We now have a baptism date for the little boy in October! Miracles in Pueyrredon are flying out like fireworks! Not only that, but my companion and I received the attendance slip for the ward and in one week it went from 52 to 70! Plus two menos activos (less-active) families attended sacrament and one member boy who loves to help teach with us every week, was telling us all about how he handed out 5 Book of Mormon's to his friends this week and out of the 5 one is preparing to get baptized!

It has been so awesome to see all of the members working together to help make the ward stronger and bigger! I've never seen so many miracles happen in one week! There are so many missionaries serving and helping people come unto Christ but in reality everyone is God's missionary whether or not you are a missionary.. We will always be missionaries before, during, and after the mission. You can change so much even in your wards and in your callings! I'm so grateful to be a missionary, everyday I walk down the street and I think I don't want to be doing anything else but serving the Lord!

My aunt shared a stroy with me a while back and I wanted to share it with you. 

"A story is told that during the bombing of a city in World War II a large statue of Jesus Christ was severely damaged. When he townspeople found the statue among the rubble, they mourned because it had been a beloved symbol of their faith and of God's presence in their lives.  Experts were able to repair most of the statue but its hand had been damaged so severely that it could not be restored. So it was suggested that they hire a sculpture to make new hands, but others wanted to leave it as it was, a permanent reminder of the tragedy of war. Ultimately the statue remained without hands. However the people of the city added on the base of the statue of Jesus Christ a sign with these words, 

"you are my hands"

Alma 29:9-10

9 I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.

 10 And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me.

Homework: Talk by Elder F. Busche, BYU Devotional, May 14, 1996

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snAjZ8mfoYw

Why Me?

So I totally ate cow tongue this week! I'm starting to realize the more I understand the language, the more I realize what I'm actually eating! Haha. This week my companion and I got together with our mission leader in the ward and we put together a bunch of ideas to help the ward and the members with missionary work! There are lots of strong members and youth and leaders and we want to start getting them more involved in missionary work and in the ward. My companion and I prayed for much help and guidance from the lord and we wanted to involve PMG, family home evening, and even seminary! I'm excited because I am able to get to know the members more and become acquainted with them and the youth as well!! 

This week we also had a reference from one of our members about a family that has been struggling because the husband has a very bad sickness. They had many questions for us, the family had questions like, "Why me?" "Why does my husband struggle with this sickness?" "Why did God give us this trial?" My companion and I got to know them really well and they had such warm hearts. The husband reminded me so much of my great grandpa Randall! Always happy and cheerful, cracking jokes even at 100 years old! Lots of struggles, and old age, and sicknesses were involved but he still had a wonderful spirit. This family had lots of faith and knew God loved them. They are very strong Christian members but just wanted more answers. We shared with them a story in the Book of Mormon and experiences of trials.  But stressed that the most important thing is that God understands your trials right now and that His atonement is an example of his love for us and what we are going through. 

There are so many people who struggle with sickness, finances, divorce, and much more. Many questions come to mind like, why me? Why would God do this to me? As I was studying, I realized we can change those questions to, "What blessings come after this trial in my life?" "What can I learn form this?" Or "What am I to do?" Everyone has different trials and some many be harder than others, but we need to put our trust in God. 

ALMA 36:3

3 And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.

As we go through these struggles, it makes us stronger. God hasn't forgotten us, He knows what we are going through and we forget sometimes that God suffered the same hardships.

ALMA 7:11-12

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

 12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

Christ loves all of His children and wants to help each and everyone of us when we exercise patience and faith. In Christ, the best part about faith in Christ is that we receive blessings during these trials in our lives and after!!!

D&C 58:2-4

 2 For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven.

 3 Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.

 4 For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.

This week we also taught another family and many people.  I have learned so much by the questions our investigators ask. I have understood that the more I serve the Lord, the more I understand His plan for us and how much my testimony for this gospel is growing each day because of it. I love my Heavenly Father and everything He does for me. I know this gospel is true and I love His plan that He has for us. 

Homework: Mosiah 24 in the Book of Mormon

Feeding a Little One