Be Thou Humble

What a rainy week!!  It's been a constant down pour with out a stop.  Always drenched from head to toe ;)  Luckily, it's felt like Spring all Winter long and enjoying it as ever!  

This week we had an awesome zone conference and it was focused on the Atonement and the grace of God.  This was so interesting because yesterday at church many talks and gospel doctrine classes were focused on grace and love.  We even shared a scripture this week with a sweet new active member ....

1 John 4:16-21

16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

 19 We love him, because he first loved us.

 20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

 21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

...and we did an activity with them where we gave them 1 minute to think about 3 things they love about each other.  It was the sweetest thing ever!  Especially because they are two little grandparents ;)  Okay, so we visited Liliana this week and when we got to her house, we caught her reading "Gospel Principles" book which I gave her last Sunday and she just loves it!  She came to church once again yesterday and she asked to see if she could be baptized the 22 of August!  She's been putting so much effort into quitting smoking and has only smoked 2 cigarettes this week!  She also went to the dentist 2 days ago and when you have a new cavity, they usually just pull your teeth out.  Well she had to get all of her top teeth pulled (permanent).  And now has to have replacements.  The doctor said, "try not to smoke for 15 days because of all the procedures they have to do", so my companion and I were shouting for joy! haha  We called to remind her about church and she said, "I'll come but I won't smile and I won't laugh and if it do, chow!!  Haha, poor think!  She came to church with us yesterday without teeth and with tanto pain, but had tanto will power to stay and finish all three hours of church.  She is such a sport and a huge example to me.  I couldn't believe her faith.  After church, I thought wow, she came to church without teeth, severe pain in her jaw, and was suffering from cleaning out the nicotine from her system.  A woman with her eyes directed in the right direction.  We also had such a wonderful lesson with Cristian, always rapping!  I'm trying to help him learn English to rap in English ;)  Haha  We taught him lesson 1 about Joseph Smith and he absolutely loved it.  He is now reading and praying every night!  Whoo Hoo!  This week we've also been teaching a family that we found in the streets.  About 3 years ago they had lessons from the Elders, but need to be married and the Dad, Jose, smoked.  Well guess what????  Married and smoke free!!!  We are so excited to visit them this week and work with them!

As our conference was focused on the grace of God, it reminded me a lot about a talk given in General Conference by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, as he shared a story about Simon the Pharisee:

Luke 7:36-40

36 ¶And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat.

 37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,

 38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

 39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it,he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

 40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

It Teaches that Simon was always a worthy upright man who followed and obeyed the commandment, but didn't fully do it with his whole heart like the women did.  I love the questions asked in this talk, "Which of these two people are we most like?"  "Are we like Simon?" "Are we confidant and comfortable in our good deeds, trusting in our own righteousness?"  "Are we perhaps a little impatient with those who are not living up to our standards?" "Are we on auto pilot, going through the motions, attending our meetings, yawning through gospel doctrine classes and perhaps checking our cell phone during sacrament service?" or "Are we like this woman who thought she was completely and hopelessly lost because of sin?" "Do we love much?" "Do we understand our indebtedness to Heavenly Father and plead with all our souls for the grace of God?" When we kneel to pray, is it to replay the greatest hits of our own righteousness, or is it to confess our faults, please for God's mercy, and shed tears of gratitude for the amazing plan of redemption?"  This week, I want to study more of grace and the love of God, but to act and make it a part of my life.  To be more like the woman by giving my heart and mind to God.  I learned that obedience is a huge key to love/humility.  As we follow God and His commandments, we become  happier and we find freedom to our burdens.  We feel a new physical and spiritual well being inside us.  I know that as we follow the Lord's steps and be obedient, we understand more fully His atonement and after God gives a gift, "grace" comes after all that we can do.

Homework:  Read the talk, "The Gift of Grace", by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/the-gift-of-grace?lang=eng

Zone Conference

The Lord Looketh on our Hearts

Tanto Tiempo!  So these past two weeks have been a little crazy.  First of all we had emergency transfers and I'm now with 2 companions, Hermana Godoy from Paraguay and in Balcarce and Hermana Machado from Uruguay who is in Mar Del Plata (Pompeya).  I will be traveling to other areas every week to do divisions in other areas with Hermanas.  Already I've worked in Mar del Plata central and Pompeya and I've loved every moment of it.  It's been a ton of traveling and lots of work but It's been an amazing experience thus far.  I got my first interview with our new mission president and they are super! awesome.  I've had such a connection with them already and can feel the spirit so strongly around them.  They've got such great personalities and love to take "selfies"  Haha :)  They have such an amazing vision for this mission and have done wonders already.  There have been so many changes to the mission and more will be coming our way.  They really want to focus on temples and what it really means to be a converted member, but more importantly converting his missionaries first.  Hermana is also top notch!  Her Spanish already is super great.  I have so much confidence in them and they have such powerful spirits.  They have given us a goal to get a picture of our families with the temple to share with those we teach and my companion and I have had so much success already!  My favorite part is watching people's reactions and their urge to know more.

So we had a "super p-day" with our zone on Monday and slept over in an apartment with 6 hermanas!  (Sleep over party)  In the morning we hiked up a mountain called, The Serras, with our zone.  It was super fun and we got to study on the mountain and see the view of the city.  I don't know if we'll every do it again though for all the walking we do every day all day....my companion, poor thing, has a flat tire!! ;) (worn out)

On Domingo, we had lots of success, we had an investigator Cristin come, a boy who loves to rap and beat box, and another girl named Jenifer whom we found this week, Liliana who only smoked 1 cigarette this week and 2 less active families!!! ;)  One whom we've been visiting for 2 weeks now name Cynthia, who came with her daughter and she calls her a "terrible 2". Haha  Well, I got the privilege of sitting next to her during sacrament and the little girl did not want to cooperate what so every and we tried giving her food, books, toys, .....for a distraction.  Well, she finally had just about had it and found a book, walked down the isle and threw it at a member.  Luckily he knew what it was like with kids and from experience caught it right before it smacked him in the face ;) Haha.  I couldn't believe it!  Gotta love kids :)

This week, my companion and I have really been pressing to help our investigators to progress and a key to do so is repentance.  This week I've learned a lot about the atonement and the importance it is in our lives and the lives of others.  Something I love about it is that it's unconditional love the Savior has for us.  The other day, someone got on the topic of hugs and I thought what would it be like to get a hug from our loving Savior.  I've absolutely gown to love the hugs I get from friends, family, loved ones, children, etc.  But the most wondrous hug of all is the Saviors embrace.  It is one we should desire above all others.  It is an arm of mercy.  The Savior extends to all of God's children, especially those who have feeble knees and are humbled unto repentance. 

3 Nephi 9:13-14

13 O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?

 14 Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.

He was sent here to help the broken hearted, to preach repentance, heal the sick, and to embrace those in comfort. 

D&C 6:20
20 Behold, thou art Oliver, and I have spoken unto thee because of thy desires; therefore treasure up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love.

Without repentance, without God's love, there is not real process or improvement in life.  Pretending there is no sin does not lessen it's burden and pain we carry on our backs.  Through repentance, we gain access to the atoning grace of Jesus Christ and salvation!  It's an act of humility!  And Nephi "saw that Jesus was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world" (1 Nephi 11:33)  The Shepherd making the ultimate sacrifice for the eternal safety of His sheep".  He invited us to move forward and experience His embrace.  He gives an invitation to ALL men, not just a few but to ALL. 

Alma 5:33
 33 Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you.

I know that God loves each and every one of us and that He wants us to remember Him and His grace.  To come unto Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.  With a willingness to repent no matter the cost of pain.  As we abandon that sin, He give us freedom, confidence, peach and we then become swallowed up in the joy of forgiveness ;)

Homework:  Watch the video (Mormon Message - The Savior Want to Forgive)
https://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/the-savior-wants-to-forgive

The Worth of Souls

We got transfer calls!!  And I'm SUPER excited to stay in Balcarce with my Brazilian companion, Hermana Pugliesi and instead of me teaching her Spanish, she's gonna teach me Portuguese! :)  "Fogo nos osos"  Also, Balcarce is on FIRE!  Last week, we had a baptism for a boy named Christin (27) years old and is super excited to enter the temple in one year.  He has tons of excitement to be a leader and just loves everything about the church.  I'ts been my third week in Balcarce and I'm starting to understand the area more everyday.  I am already falling in love with the members.  This week we celebrated the independence day of Argentina (9th of July) and we had an activity for the ward with a ton of empanadas!!!  A favorite Argentine food.  We had music and dancing and it turned out great!  We also has less actives and converts attending. 

Our new mission Presidents came as well!  I still haven't met them, but hear that they are just top-notch and on a roll.  This week they had a reunion and gave a message to all the missionaries to focus on three things.  1. Repent,, 2. Obedience, 3. Follow the Spirit.  As we do these things, we will become a more unified, prepared people.  Not only for baptism, but for the promises made in the temple and the coming of Christ.  Also that our brothers and sisters we now teach will come to a better understanding of the doctrine of Christ and His unconditional love.  

This week we had tons of miracles in Balcarce. One we are working with named, Liliana, who is trying to quit smoking.  She went from 20 cigarettes a day to 4 in "3" days!  And yesterday she had "0"!  She has so much faith in Christ and the desire to make this happen.  She has been progressing super fast and has a ton of support from her friends, family and members of the church. There have definitely been days of struggle, but she continues to keep her head up and have faith in the Lord.  It has been mind blowing to work with Liliana from the very first day we met her.  She has been a huge example for her kids and those around her, as many of them do not believe in God.  She has faced so many trials in this life and she continues to NOT doubt!!! 

D&C 6:36
Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.

There are many kinds of fears and doubts and the Savior is aware of all of them.  He has the perfect antidote for them...The Atonement.  He suffered for each and every one of us, but as we look to Him for solace, comfort and confidence, He has promised us peace just as He has done for His disciples.  "Be of good cheer, it is I,; be not afraid."  (Matthew 14:27)

When Peter eagerly accepted the Savior's invitation to walk on the water, he set out confidently across the waves.  When he kept his eyes on the Savior, all we well; But when he looked down at the billowing, tempest-tossed water beneath his feet, he began to sink.  As Peter learned from his experience of looking downward instead of up-ward, he suddenly cried for help and, "Immediately, Jesus stretched forth His hand and caught Him."  (Matthew 14:31)  The Lord has taught us, "Doubt not, fear not" because He is there for us when we trip and fall.  Because He loves us and cried with us when we hurt.  Because He understands our pain in every form as He has borne ALL things.

There is a quote by A.A. Milne titled, "Lines and Squares" that expresses how fearful we sometimes feel.  "Whenever I walk in the London street, I'm ever so careful to watch my feet; and I feed in the squares and the masses of bears, who wait at the corners all ready to eat, the sillies who tread on the lines of the street, go back to their lairs, and I say to them, "Bears, just look how I'm walking in tall the squares!"

Like the little boy, we worry about the cracks and crevices of life that threaten or swallow us sup that lurk around the corners.  However, there is a wonderful, loving Savior waits in the corners, reaches out and guides us back in the squares that lead to eternal life.  As we keep our head up and follow His words, "Doubt not, Feat not"  He will be right there with us to strengthen our knees when weak.  To reach out and stead us, as we look unto Him, we will be saved.  There are many trials we have to overcome.  Some we are struggling with now, or we have already conquered.  it is never easy and never will be easy to overcome something such as an addiction, but I know with faith in the Lord and walking with our head-up we will be able to conquer anything!!!

Homework:  Try to overcome an addition or help someone else overcome an addiction.

Pictures

Baptism

Balcarce!

I feel like I'm back in my very first area (Pigue) once again!  It's very "old fashioned" but I love it and here in Balcarce it's a ward with about 150 active members!  This week I got to know some of the members at lunch and appoints and they are on FIRE!  So willing to help and are excited to do the Lord's work!  So my new companion is Hermana Baldwin and she's from California and already speaks German and a ton of Spanish....she's on a roll!  She is 25 and already finished school at BYU.  She's super great and works hard.  I'm excited to work with her.  We live in a house with 4 Hermanas and we split the area.  I'ts a great apartment except the shower....(Bucket showers)???!!!  I don't know why, but it's always the showers!  On my second day in the area, we got a call from the Elders.  The girls have "tramitias" for their VISAS which means they have to travel all the way to Bahia Blanca which was about an 8 hour trip and guess what...all the Hermanas took a trip down and I was left to feed the ducks. :)  For three days, I went on divisions and I got to know the members, the investigators, and the area real fast.  There is a ton of numbers which I'm not used to, so it was like a big giant puzzle, but it all worked out in the end.  The people here are very friendly and everyone loves to talk.  This week we found a lady (Liliana) who has a sister that's LDS and we got talking to her more and has a lot of interest.  Luckily, Sunday morning with all the craziness from this week, we had 4 investigators at church.  3 from this week we found in the street including Liliana and 1 Progress Christian investigator that has a baptism date for the coming Saturday!  I'm super pumped for this area.  There are lots of changes/differences in this zone.  There area lots of Elders here in Mar del Plata and only 3 sets of Hermanas.  As of now until the July transfers, there will be many changes and farewells to the Parrenos that leave July 1.

We had a zone meeting this week and they talked a lot about "time".

D&C 29:7

7 And ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect; for mine elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts;

They focused it around this scripture and the importance of finding people who are "ready" to hear the gospel and have the desire to change.  It's so important to share the gospel with everyone in our path, but God has a time for everyone.  Some may not want to hear it now, some are ready with an open heart, maybe some already have it but don't want to "act".  I learned an important lesson that those people who have heard the gospel but don't want to act or people who don't want it, we need to let them go.  If we truly love them, we will let them go so that they can progress.  They will come to an understanding of how the spirit touched them and when it left, they will realize that the answer they were looking for was right there.  I'm so excited a a new missionary here in Balcarce to work hard and find those "escogido" who God  has prepared for us.  

From Preach My Gospel:
     "Believe that people who are being prepared to receive the message of the Restoration will be placed in your path.  God will also place you where your good acts and words will prepare people to receive missionaries and Church members.  In all your finding efforts, pray and look for opportunities to serve, help , and lift others.  As you are serving, talk with everyone you meet.  Have the faith that you can share the restored gospel.

     In every way you serve,  you should do so because you love your brothers and sisters and therefore hope, pray and earnestly desire to teach them the restored gospel."

Homework:  As members, I invite you to pray and ask for a missionary opportunity so that we can all be instruments in the hands of the Lord.

The Unexpected Call

I just wanted to say Happy Father's day to all the men out there and for being such great examples in so many ways.  I also want to say thank you for the birthday wishes :).  I had so many surprises and one very unexpected.....my comp and I were laying in bed and ready to go to sleep when the phone started to ring.  I thought, "How weird"!  When I answered, the Elders said, "Hermana....we have some news for you... Se va...You're getting transferred to Mar Del Plata in the area, Balcarse".  I thought, this is a joke, but no I'll be leaving Monday afternoon.  I'm not sure how to explain how I feel, but the Lord has something prepared.  I'm sure excited for my comp and her new companion to have mucho exito because we found some great investigators whom the Lord placed in our path and are progressing very fast! 

Cute Little Grandmas

The Falda prepared a wonderful birthday cake for me and was filled with tons of "Dulce de leche".  Which is amazing and super "UNHEALTHY"! :)  So unhealthy that it didn't pass the health inspection in the states and it only exists here JaJa.  It was a day full of mixed feelings of happy and sad tears of saying my farewells.  At night, I got a phone call from President asking to come to their house and right when they opened the door, Hermana Parreno sang, "Happy Birthday" in ENGLISH! Ha  Then grabs me in a great big hug and slaps three giant kisses on my cheek.  Then she comes running out with ice cream with a firework on top!!! 

Tonight, they showed us a video they are going to share with all the missionaries before they leave this mission.  Once again, a day filled with lots of emotions of both happy and sad tears.  I'm definitely going to miss The Falda and I will never forget it!  I'm excited to get out and do something new with a new area, new people, new companion.....which I will be raining :)  Not sure where she's from or who she is just yet...but I'm ready to work hard and have mucho exito!

I know that this is the true gospel of Jesus Christ and that He loves us dearly.  He has a plan for every one of His children at the right time and right place.  I'm so grateful to be an instrument in HIS hands.  I've never grown so close to my Heavenly Father and His love.  The key to eternal life is the atonement.  He died for us, but He was resurrected.  He lives and He loves us.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Homework:  Read Jacob 5 and pluck away any "bad" branches in your life and grow a better/healthier garden :) (Life) so that you can obtain that good fruit (blessings).

Yo Se Que Vive Mi Senor

Que Semana!  So on Wednesday, my comp and I were tracting and as we started knocking on a door, three dogs come running out.  One barking from behind and two behind the gate in the front.  The littlest dog squeezes itself through and now is barking on the side and here I am paying attention to the big dog behind the gate because they can definitely fit their heads out of the gate a pretty good distance and get you if you are not careful....But as I made the mistake of paying attention to the wrong dog....!  I scream.... OUCH!....It bit me!  That little dog that squeezed itself through the fence took a good chomp at my lef...!  Well, the owner poked his head out for a good 2 seconds and says, "shhh" and walks back in.  Se we finally made i out of there with a fast escape and I realized it's the little ones you gotta look out for.

Little dog bit my leg!

Proof that I walk A LOT!!

This week we also found a reference of someone who is from the states who moved here about a year ago.  When we knocked on his door, he found out we were Americans and came running to the door....He was super glad to be speaking a language he actually knew.  Haha As we left, I pulled out my hand and he says, "Okay, the good American handshake, I like that, because here everyone just gives you a kiss on the cheek."  We also found an awesome family of 5 their dad, grandpa and 3 kids...The first day we taught them, the kids were "everywhere" and I mean EVERYWHERE.  I wondered, how do we get them all to listen?  So I said  quick prayer in my head and we ended up teaching the grandpa and the dad and a miracle happened.  All the kids got quiet and came to the closing prayer.  I thought, Oh, No, but as we taught the kids to fold their arms and close their eyes, by the time I finished saying amen.....I opened my eyes and here they were with their eyes closed and folded arms :)  What an experience.  We were super excited to be working more with the family and bring them to church!  

This week, we had a lot of success in finding new people but a lot of our investigators were sick or out of town.  I learned something super big this week....Yesterday, we we were getting ready to go search for our investigators and bring them to church, I was super excited because so many had said they were coming and as we left and knocked, called and continued to search, we ended up walking to the church by ourselves and I was so sad....As we continued to walk, I thought maybe there will be a ton of people at church.  As we got closer there weren't any cars....not ONE car next to the church and my heart dropped.   As we walked through the doors, I looked in and in total, there were 7 members.  But to our surprise, God had answered a prayer and Francisca an investigator we have been working with was sitting down with her hymn book ready for Sacrament meeting.  As we sat down, my heart filled up but was scared and worried because no one was at church.  And especially Francisca realizing it as well and I thought maybe people are sick or out of town....making up any excuse I could think of until I realized, I just need to make this Sacrament the best.  I asked God for peace and He gave me peace, but more than that, He gave us the spirit as it was time to bare testimonies.  There was a lot of silence, but when there was silence, that's when I could hear the spirit the most.  I realized that just about everyone got up to bare their testimony.  Francisca whispered in my ear, "only member can give their testimonies?"  And I said, "No Hermana" as she sat there a little longer I said, "God wants to hear your testimony", and she looked at me and said, "You really think so?"  I said, "I would love to hear it as well, don't be nervous", and she says back, "I'm nervous and I'm going to start crying."  About 2 minutes later, Francisca got the faith and stood up and bore a wonderful, powerful testimony.  As she sat back down, tears flowed through her eyes.  After another 10 minutes past of pure silence, I whispered, "I like to think about God and everything He's given me during this time.  The spirit is very strong in the room today."  As she agreed, I sat there and thought about a hymn, "I Know That My Savior Lives", I tried searching for it and I looked at Francisca.  She already had it opened, "Yo Se Que Vive Mi Senor"  And she looked at me and she said, "I know , I was thinking about it too!"  As sacrament ended, to our surprise, we sang for the closing hymn, "Yo se que vive mi Senor". 

https://www.lds.org/music/library/hymns/i-know-that-my-redeemer-lives?lang=eng


This was a Sunday I will never forget.  One thing I learned most from this experience was that it doesn't matter about my wants and desires to have a ton of people at church....worrying and trying to wish for something better.  God knows what is best in His own time.  No importa that there were 10 people at church.  Make every moment your best, make something good out of it by changing your thought to God's thought and actions - don't be preoccupied!  I know that this is God's church, I know that He lives, that He loves us and we are His sons and daughters.  He is here.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Job 19:25
25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

Homework:  This week, focus on the positive of every challenge that come your way. :)