Milagros

I  think that this has been the topic of plenty of emails before, but this week has been full of miracles! 

First of all, it is a miracle that we brought in a whole slew of new trainees so smoothly! The mission is booming now and there are only more to come! This whole group was full of powerful, prepared young missionaries which is super exciting to see.

Also, there are two new YSAs who moved into the ward who have been bringing their friend! He is super engaged in church, loves the Book of Mormon, and wants to have lessons weekly! He is golden and just so happy to be meeting with us. 

We've got some big goals for the upcoming month, but I'm excited to see how the Lord brings those goals to pass! 

Here's a scripture I love that teaches how those miracles can come to pass, even at crazy times!

Alma 34:9 "For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made."

Bienvenido a la Jungla

 Here we go again!

This week is transfer week, and it's going to be BIG! This go around we are getting 27 new missionaries into the mission, the biggest group yet. But that's not all, each of them is a brand new trainee! That means like a quarter of the mission will be training.

With all that happening it's going to be a very very busy week! I probably keep saying something like that in each of these emails, but it's TRUE! We are super busy. I can't believe that I've already been in this new area for over a transfer.

Despite all that's going on right now, bothered in the mission and in the world, this scripture I read this week really stood out to me. 

Moroni 6:3 "And none were received unto baptism save they took upon them the name of Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end."

Although we may be facing difficult circumstances, I intend to serve Christ to the end!

I am Happy

 This will probably be relatively short. I had to move my p-day around because we had a new Elder come in yesterday we had to pick up from the airport and take him to his new area! 

Yesterday we faced some negativity in the mission as well, and it was powerful to see missionaries come together and dispel it all together! I shared a thought on Facebook that I'll share here, but ultimately I want to testify that if we place our focus on the Savior, we can find joy no matter the circumstance!

...

As a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ, I testify that Christ is leading His work in the direction He desires it to go! He is at the head of this work and is "[hastening His] work in its time," especially as He reroutes our efforts through means of social media. The prophet Joseph Smith declared...

“No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done”

There are souls being found, taught, and baptized through the diligent efforts of YOUR missionaries; some of these individuals can be found right here within mission boundaries, while others are accepting the gospel from distant lands in various languages!

If nothing else, I have seen that my testimony of the Savior and His infinite Atonement has grown immensely as I have labored through these difficult, trying times. 

2 Corinthians 4:14,17

“Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus...

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”

I can promise that as we rely on and trust in the Savior of the world and follow His chosen servants, we will be filled with His light and "rejoice evermore!"

It's Done

 Well, I now know how it feels to be a personal caddy. This wee has basically been Elder Cruz and I driving President and Sister Ames around the mission. We set everything up, make suggestions, and then hand him the club to swing. It's a pretty smooth process. Those two are great though! They are fired up about being here in the MIM and it is clear that they have been receiving revelation for a long time. They are about to do great things!

Here's one of my scriptures a read this week I wanted to share!

 Its Alma 13:28-29 "But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering; Having faith on the Lord; having a hope that ye shall receive eternal life; having the love of God always in your hearts, that ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into his rest."

I hope you all have a wonderful week!