HOLA TODOS!
What a wonderful week its been full of many miracles. We have really been working hard this week to work with our members. They are so wonderful and I love them a lot! We have been able to see a lot more success as we've been working together to find the prepared! I want to share a miracle that happened this week. A couple weeks ago we gave a member a restoration pamphlet. We told him about the impression we had received to work in the city that he lives in and asked him to read over it and pray about who he knew that needed the message of the restoration. Well, he came to us this past week and told us he set up an appointment for us with his less active brother (Carlos) and his non member girlfriend (Stacie). We went to the lesson and the member came with us and bore a powerful testimony of Joseph Smith. Both Carlos and Stacie were touched and agreed to come to church this week. BUT THATS NOT ALL! 30 minutes after we left Stacie texted us and said she had a few more questions and really wanted us to come back before we went back home that night. We were able to return after our other appointments and ended up teaching her the plan of salvation to answer her questions. She was so amazed and excited to learn more. She told us as soon as we left that she would start reading in the Book of Mormon. We are excited to meet with her again this Thursday!
We've found a lot of new investigators this week and I've never been so busy on my mission going from appointment to appointment! It's the best! We had another lesson with Brenda and we taught her the Plan of Salvation. She ate it right up and said "Sisters this makes so much sense!" We invited her to come to church this Sunday!
I had the wonderful opportunity to go on exchanges this week with my amazing Sister Training Leader (Hermana Larsen). I went to her area (Eagle Pass) and we saw so many miracles together and we taught a lot of people and were able to do some service for a family in their ward. I learned a lot from her! Also this week our members that we live with made Tripa (cow intestines) and Mollejas (spit glands of the cow) and I ate it! Lets just say it wasn't my favorite texture but it tasted fine.
We had another miracle happen this week. We were trying to find people to teach and we were at these apartment complexes and there are so many stray cats and dogs here in Carrizo Springs. Sometimes dogs will follow us and yap at us and it's a little scary but while we were at these apartments this lady was putting a bunch of cats in her car because she was going to take them home with her. She told us she already has 16 cats at home (like she doesn't have enough already). All the same, we as diligent finders (and true hufflepuffs) offered to help her catch a cat hoping we could teach her a gospel lesson too. Mear moments before we captured the cat in question, a woman came outside and told us that her mother (the cats owner) would not like it if she discovered her cat was missing. The owner came outside as well. After many apologies from the cat catcher she took off with the cats already in her car, leaving us to talk to the cat ladies. We struck up a conversation and we were able to teach the restoration as the cats coated our ankles in their hair. Long story short they invited us back yesterday to teach them more and so we did! There names are Pearl and Anna. We are excited to report that it was a wonderful lesson and we have a church tour with them this Tuesday. We are stoked!
Our wonderful mission President came to Eagle Pass on Saturday and we had interviews with him and then he gave us a training about working together with members, and he quoted our beloved Prophet and said, "Now is the time for members and missionaries to come together and work together". It is so important for us all to work together to bring souls back to Christ! I want to challenge all of you if you haven't gone out with the missionaries to call them right now and set up a time to go with them! DONT BE AFRAID TO SHARE YOUR TESTIMONY!
We had a lesson with Chris Poff this week and we read Lehi's dream together and talked about enduring to the end. She is so close to getting baptized! She also told us she will teach us how to rope next pday because it's raining really hard here today. We can't wait!!
WOW what a wonderful week it's been! I know the Lord is preparing people here for us to meet! I can't wait to find them! I have been asked to prepare a talk to give this upcoming Sunday at Church and I've decided to talk on JOY! I wanted to share with y'all what I've gathered throughout my studies this week.
Ultimate Joy in Spite of Proximal Problems.
We learn early in the Book of Mormon that "men are that they might have joy." (2 Nephi 2:25) We can find great comfort in knowing that our very purpose in this life is to be joyful. But in spite of this knowledge it seems that we spend much of our times in the doldrums, wondering to anyone who will listen, "when will I receive that promised joy?" It is these moments when we failed to grasp the bigger picture. When Joseph Smith pled for relief in Liberty Jail, the divine response was not "Oh, I did not intend to give you an experience that you would not enjoy." Rather he received the motivating, although a bit intimidating promise that "all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good" (D&C 122:7).
If times of trial and experience are required for our greater good, what does it mean to have joy? Are we just meant to suffer through as many trials as we can bear so that when the marathon is finally run we may rejoice? As we face each hurdle must we grit our teeth and "just hang in there"? I do not believe this is how it it meant to be! To quote Elder Kevin J Pearson of the 70 to “hang in there” is not a principle of the gospel." (Stay by the Tree, Apr 2015) However enduring to the end is a principle of the gospel. And endurance requires joy.
See the Good
As the Israelites sought the promised land twelve men were sent ahead to scout their path to safety. When these twelve returned they came with fruit from the promised land, stories of it's beauty and reports of the dangerous people who currently possessed it. Ten of these scouts emphasized the strength and size of the Cannanites saying, "We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we." (Numbers 13:31) Only 2 chose to see the possibility in such a challenge. Caleb boldly declared before the people "Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it." (Numbers 13:30) Now the people of Moses had a choice, would they see the land as half full of invincible enemies or optimistically remember that it was fully promised to them by an omnipotent God? The people chose the lesser part, gave into fear of the unknown and as a result were condemned to never posses the promised land but instead to wander in the wilderness for forty years. In this instance the choice between optimism and pessimism turned out to also be a choice between life and death. The case of the Israelites may seem extreme but I believe it is not so different from our choice today. I know many people who because of seemingly insurmountable trials wander in the wilderness of despair for many years simply because believing that things could turn out well requires too much work. At times the happy choice is not the easy one! Had the Israelites hopefully marched into the promised land, there would have been wars waged and much tribulation to obtain the land of promise. But that land was indeed promised to them. Just as we are promised joy!
As Christ explained to his disciples that he must leave them for a time he saw the worry in their countenances and comforted them saying, "and now therefore ye have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy shall no man take from you." (John 16:22) What joy can no man take from us? The joy of eternal life. This joy is ours to choose. 2 Nephi 2:27 teaches us that "men are free according to the flesh ... And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself." Our Heavenly Father has gifted us agency, the ability to choose. A choice is placed before us. Joy juxtaposed against misery. Light in perfect contrast to dark. There is no confusion as to who is the source of either of these. All that is needed is for us to choose.
Sweet is the Joy the Gospel Brings
How do we make such a choice? There are days when everything seems to go wrong and despair seems to be the only option. I'm sure you have experienced such days. First thing in the morning you discover your favorite sweater has shrunk in the wash, the battery of your car has died, you smash your thumb, jam your toe, shout at a loved one, and your next door neighbor has the nerve to walk out of his house with a smile on his face, whistling to no one in particular. In spite of the way it may appear, we can choose joy even on these days. Perhaps these are the days in which it is most important to make such a choice.
I am reminded of a principle taught by Elder Neal A Maxwell to Elder David A Bednar. Elder Bednar tells of a visit during which Elder Maxwell stayed with him. During this trip Elder Bednar asked what lessons he had learned through his struggle with cancer. To which Elder Maxwell replied, “I have learned that not shrinking is more important than surviving.” In Elder Maxwell's general conference address in October of 1997 he taught, “As we confront our own … trials and tribulations, we too can plead with the Father, just as Jesus did, that we ‘might not … shrink’--meaning to retreat or to recoil (D&C 19:18). Not shrinking is much more important than surviving! Moreover, partaking of a bitter cup without becoming bitter is likewise part of the emulation of Jesus” (Ensign, Nov. 1997, 22).
Choosing joy is an important step on our path to discipleship! Each time we over look the disappointments which seem to surround us, choosing instead to press forward with faith, confidence, and a smile on our face, we become a bit more like our Savior.
Oh how tempting it is when we are mocked and tried, beaten and trodden upon, to cry out "Lord! This is more than I can bear!" But we must remember "The Son of Man hath descended below them all." (Doctrine and Covenants 122:8) He knows exactly how we feel and desires to constantly bless us. When we close our hearts in anger we create a barrier between ourselves and the blessings he desires to give us. "In reality, Heavenly Father is constantly raining blessings upon us. It is our fear, doubt, and sin that, like an umbrella, block these blessings from reaching us...The Creator of the seas, sands, and endless stars is reaching out to you this very day! He is offering the grand recipe for happiness, peace, and eternal life!" (President Uchtdorf Ensign Nov 2014) Will you follow this recipe? There are 4 simple ingredients and one step. Those ingredients are faith, repentance, baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost. Add each of these to your life and then endure to the end. Can ye not see? The guaranteed path to happiness, to eternal joy, is the gospel of Jesus Christ. His life was dedicated to showing us, by example, how we might have joy. The plan of happiness is not for us to burden ourselves with some grand to do list. The plan is to enjoy the journey.
Jenkins Lloyd Jones said years ago, “Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed.
“Most putts don’t drop. Most beef is tough. Most children grow up to be just people. Most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration. Most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. …
“Life is like an old-time rail journey--delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed.
“The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride.” (Deseret News, 12 June 1973.)
Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude
David A Bednar taught, "Character is revealed in the power to discern the suffering of other people then we ourselves are suffering; in the ability to detect the hunger of others when we are hungry; and in the power to reach out and extend compassion for the spiritual agony of others when we are in the midst of our own spiritual distress."
Gordon B Hinkley taught, “The best antidote I know for worry is work. The best medicine for despair is service. The best cure for weariness is the challenge of helping someone who is even more tired” (“Words of the Prophet: Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel,” New Era, July 2000, 7).
"Because I have been sheltered, fed, by thy good care; I cannot see another's lack and I not share. My glowing fire, my loaf of bread, my roofs safe shelter overhead that he too may be comforted."
Enjoy the Journey
The story is told of a woman who approached the gates of Heaven and was asked by the guard standing there, "Sister, do you think you will be welcomed here?"
"Of course!" She quickly replied, "I received all the necessary covenants, I served in the relief society presidency for 4 years, raised 5 children in the gospel, went to the temple every week, paid my tithing faithfully, and helped in the conversion of 18 others."
"That is wonderful sister!" Said the sentinel, "Did you enjoy it?"
She thought for a moment then carefully responded "Well...I did it... I also make quilts for 4 for homeless children, taught seminary for a year, cared for my mother in her last years, sent each of my missionary children a letter every week and a package each month, and whenever my sons were responsible for bringing bread for the sacrament I sent a homemade loaf."
"Yes, that is very good" the guard said, "but, did you enjoy it?"
Again the woman thought and then, realizing the missed opportunity, woefully answered, "Well...I did it."
This is not how our lives were designed to be. "Life is meant to be enjoyed, not just endured." (Gordon B Hinkley)
How much good can we do without enjoying a moment of it? We must turn our focus outward on the the good that there is in the world, as well as the good that we can do, rather than spending our time reflecting only on the cost of our sacrafice.
"enter into my joy, and sit down on my throne"
This gospel brings me true JOY in my life! I know it's true con todo mi corazón! I hope y'all have a wonderful week! Be safe!
Con Amor,
Hermana Mann
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