Manininiwala ako
Marami akong natututunan this week. We focused a lot on finding new investigators to teach that might help this work get moving faster. In faith that the field is truly white already to harvest. But we quickly found out that it's not always that easy to reap, even if a person is ready to receive the gospel. Like Joseph Smith when he was seized upon by that dark unseen power before he witnessed the first vision, I think the same thing happens to missionaries trying to help investigators and investigators ready to receive the gospel. Hard times come before miracles do. We found investigators these past two weeks, and our goal is to strengthen them with the good word of God in order for them to fight against Satan's attempts to keep them from listening to us.
Marami akong natututunan this week. We focused a lot on finding new investigators to teach that might help this work get moving faster. In faith that the field is truly white already to harvest. But we quickly found out that it's not always that easy to reap, even if a person is ready to receive the gospel. Like Joseph Smith when he was seized upon by that dark unseen power before he witnessed the first vision, I think the same thing happens to missionaries trying to help investigators and investigators ready to receive the gospel. Hard times come before miracles do. We found investigators these past two weeks, and our goal is to strengthen them with the good word of God in order for them to fight against Satan's attempts to keep them from listening to us.
We found a women named Crizelda who
was super sweet and wanted to listen and even accepted a date, but her husband
was angry that she listened to us. Lester Manzano is a 20 year old who reminds
us of Joseph Smith. He reads and goes to different churches to find out the
truth. He felt something strong our first meeting and planned on going to
church, but he kind of disappeared this week and we haven't been able to get a
hold of him. We know that he has a little bit of difficult family
circumstances, but we will definitely not give up. And Chris Llorien is a super
receptive young man who lives with a less active family we teach, the Lubianos.
I think he is one of the most humble investigator I have ever had on my entire
mission. When he read the doctrine of Christ on the first meeting, he was so
touched and told us we had better come back at least two times a week. When we
taught him about living prophets, he listened so intently and told us that even
though he didn't perfectly understand or know for himself, that he will believe
that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet. What amazing faith! He is truly edifying my
own understanding of what faith is. He is willing to leave his old ways behind
and start new ones; he told us all the things he would do before we even got to
teaching the commandments! He's coming to the FHE at the mission home later
tonight.
Something I'm learning is that if
we have the desire to repent and change and do our best, Christ will empower us
to overcome all things. If we have the faith, it will come. Sometimes we really
have to trust in the Lord's timing that it is better than ours and that every
weakness we have and all that we are experiencing will turn out for our good if
we trust him and move forward and not look to the past. Looking forward with
faith in Christ. I know that will help our investigators face every obstacle
they will face on the road to baptism and then to the temple and eternal
salvation. It certainly counts for my companion and I as well. We are flawed
and we are constantly going to be refined through the Atonement, if we have
that desire. We have to want spiritual blessings and realize that what the
world gives is only temporary pleasure that is tempting but doesn't last. I
know that I'm not perfect and I definitely make mistakes. I know I was really
bold with an investigator the other day and other times I don't say or do the
right thing. But I truly am striving to be better every day and overcome
weakness; I love what Elder Cornish said in last general conference that we can
compare ourselves with you we are now versus before and see the change. I am
definitely seeing change in my life that I'm definitely more devoted to the
Savior and His gospel and I know that if I continue to do these things
especially reading the Book of Mormon, being faithful in my calling and serving
others, and praying, I will never fall away. I sometimes get discouraged that I
am not doing enough, and that is something I still fight every day.
The Abat family needs prayers, but
our focus with them from now on is the power of the Book of Mormon. I know it
is the converting tool whereby the Holy Ghost can testify that this is the one
true church of Jesus Christ, that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and that through
the prophet Joseph Smith the church and the power of God was RESTORED on the
earth.
Photos:
P-day -- we went to the Ma-cho temple and got to explore a
little. So beautiful. Basically I just love Asia and the culture with all my
heart
We treated ourselves to a little brownie place on P-day just
because I haven't had a brownie in I have no idea how long.
I have the cutest companion.
And we have a very special member named Faith who loves the
missionaries and we love her too. She celebrates her 27th birthday today!!!!
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