Hola Familia!
So there seems to be a common theme creeping it´s way into my life and it goes a little something like this: "Dont cry because it´s over, smile because it happened."
In honor of my last email from the mission field, I thought I would share a little more insight on my personal learning process over the past 18 months. Also, I hope to express a little bit more of the love that I have for my parents. They are everything to me and are the number one reason why I have been able to serve. They have supported me, loved me, and have proved to be the "best" examples that I could have ever asked for. I hope that they are able to see, through the ups and downs of my experiences, that all that they have sacrificed in my behalf hasn´t been put to a complete lost cause ;)
May 4, 2013
May 9, 2013
"Not one thing about Christ´s life was easy. If it wasn´t easy for Him, why should it be easy for me? If He was sick, mistreated, judged, ridiculed, and doubted, then I most likely will be too, but I´ll overcome and rise above just as He did. I didn´t leave my whole life and loved ones behind for 18 months for something that I think might be true or something that is just nice to believe in. I didn´t say goodbye to everything I´ve ever known and I didn´t chose to sacrifice so that I could teach people that Christ might be our Savior or the Book of Mormon might be true, or that Joseph Smith maybe was a prophet of God. No, I gave up everything because I could never deny what I´ve come to know through the power of the Holy Ghost. I will never not testify of the truth of this Gospel."
May 11, 2013
"Another thing that I have come to recognize is my ability to love. I´ve been blessed with an open heart and love for everyone I´ve come across. I love eating with the member and catching a sneak peak into their lives. I love being able to feel the spirit in their homes and listen as the Lord works through me to bless their lives and to lift them up. I am truly beginning to see the importance of listening and understanding what people need and how I can be an instrument in His hands. There is nothing better than being a missionary!"
May 16, 2013
"These past who weeks I´ve learned about the Atonement and to never look back on things that we have been forgiven of. I´ve learned that sometimes people struggle more than we realize. Life is full of really hard circumstances. And although I´ve still got a long ways to go, I´ve learned how to better listen to the Spirit and to allow myself to be guided. I´ve also learned that miracles do happen everyday and that God is so aware of each and every one of us."
June 16, 2013
"I want to make more of an effort to constantly be looking for ways to build up the people around me. Especially my companion. Each day I am surrounded by people who need rescuing. I pray that if anything else I can serve as a comfort for one of God´s children. Because I know, that if He could, He would be here doing the same thing."
September 28, 2013
"Today, I was studying about faith and what it means to fully trust in God. I realized that it means believing that He is there helping me even when He´s quiet. That´s when I remember that the teacher is always quiet during the test."
October 17, 2013
"I am still trying to figure out how I can use my study time more fully. I know that there is so much I still need to discover, but sometimes I have to remember to be patient. I guess that´s what they mean by ´poco a poco´."
Nov 7, 2013
"...I know that this time is so short and that it wont last forever. Everyday passes so quickly! I cant hardly believe that I am already just about half way through my mission! Time flies...There really is nothing better than being a missionary. I know that I still have many wonderful things in life to experience, but right now I am here. Right now I have been given the opportunity to give the Lord my all. I dont have any other worries besides working hard in the Lord´s vinard. I know that any worries or troubles that cross my mind now and again will all be resolved and things will turn out perfectly. As long as I serve to the end with all my heart, mind, mind, and strength."
March 3, 2014
"This morning was rough. It was so hard to stay awake today! I feel bad, but I was really struggling. Most days I am loving personal study and I never want it to end, but today my eyes just wouldn´t stay open! Ugh. So sleepyyy. But hey, I still love the scriptures and I am so thankful for preach my gospel!"
June 4, 2014
"...It made me think about how as missionaries there will always be many who believe what we teach and accept the gospel, but there will always be people who dont. I think recently I have been humbled and reminded to love all of God´s children, even those who have their own beliefs and refuse to accept the Restored Gospel. I think sometimes I get caught up in having to convince everyone....but I am beginning to see that I don´t even come close to having that kind of power. This is the Lord´s work. Not mine. God has a plan for each of His children, but he also respects their agency to choose. All I can do is teach with the Spirit and invite people to accept the Gospel and to love them no matter what. Even after my mission my role is to live and share what I believe and remind myself that God is in charge. I truly believe that as I live worthy of His guidance He will provide opportunities to love and share His message with others, especially my family."
June 23, 2014
"...A few things I learned from this week´s zone meeting:
1) I need to always seek to be humble. Always remember that strength comes from the Lord. I need to always seek His guidance and not seek my own. Just like Alma. I feel that for me this is something very important to remember in order to be an effective tool in the Lord´s hands.
2) Love changes everything. The moment someone feels loved or things are done in love, everything begins to work out. I´ve learned that the mission, and life in general, is just so much easier (and pleasant) when we constantly pray and actively seek to love others. Love changes every circumstance or difficult situation and solves any problem. It may not make it easier, but in the long run charity and love always lead the right thing."
July 3, 2014
"All of the things that I have been learning have been to help me become better in the future. I hope to continue to work towards becoming a "consecrated missionary" in all my titles including sister, daughter, student, member, wife, mother, ect. I truly believe that the principles from missionary work will never not be applicable in my life."
August 10, 2014
"The most important of the Lord´s work you will ever do will be in the walls of your own home."
-President Lee
I guess I´ll be seeing you all soon and I cannot wait for that moment. Mom, keep it together, I´ll be squeezing you soooon! I love you all and I wish you all a happy week!
The Church is true and if I could sum up the past 18 months into 3 words, it would be: God is good.
Love,
your favorite missionary!
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