Feb 17, 2014

 

Feb 17, 2014

 

I had my second baptism this week and well the font turned out anything but inviting..... Its how the water leaves the faucet here in rancho Chico but the baptism was great!

First off I burnt my hand pretty good this week.... quite a shiner haha! I was heating up shoe polish because it was all broken up and it decided to catch on fire! The rest is self-explanatory... made for a good journal entry!

 

Lunch  mmmmmmmm caldo de pescado entero. Was really pretty good .I have been thinking about all the stuff I eat and its really crazy but I’ve just gotten used to the culture and it all seems normal but I am missing a little a real hamburger or some lasagna!

The photo run should be good this week as I was again in Rancho Chico!
 

Well it turned out to be a good week we had some fun and are finding a lot of success with this branch.The work is progressing and although I may not see it, there should be quite a few baptisms in the upcoming months.

Well the gut of this week is when we were off to Rancho Chico where we had a lot of fun and success! This branch is amazing.  I had the opportunity to speak and take part in a young women’s activity of some sort and here are some of my thoughts!

I have been on the topic of baptism lately and in looking at the life of Jesus Christ his baptism was one of the lesser things that he did throughout his ministry. He began with his baptism to fulfill the will of God but certainly did not end there. He continued by fasting, teaching, healing and in the end saving all men from pain and sin.

Why should it be any different for us? What are we doing now to one take upon us his name (Jesus Christ) and two are our actions getting better or are they slowly digressing?  The Lord put in perfect example of how we should act and do the things our God commands. One way is by being an instrument in his hands... I liked especially this video...... http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-12-10-an-instrument-in-his-hands?lang=eng

But to continue we should be constantly looking for ways and preparing ourselves to do the Lords work. I am short on time but I would invite you to think and ponder in how you can better look, prepare and follow the Lord's will in being a better servant through several simple things. First is by  taking initiative. Ask the Lord and look for your help. Second is to always be doing the basics- reading, praying and going to church and third constantly repent because  the Lord, I have learned, has a hard time working with unclean things.

 I had more but maybe next week ... love you and may the Lord bless!

February 10, 2014

 

February 10, 2014

 

Well got the first baptism this week!

 A fun picture I took of the primary from Rancho Chico that were all trying to read my book of Mormon

 

A little short on time but esta bien because well nothing too exciting happened this week. The work is moving along and we are progressing with this amazing branch. The branch is very immersed in the missionary work and are helping us a ton.

 Time seems to be going by faster and faster here. The other day I had another bad dream that I was packing my bags and going to the airport because I had finished the mish..... I am really sad in how fast time is going by and my comp says that stuff like this happens when the Elders have regrets like they aren't doing enough ahah but I am also proud to say I am doing my best to use every bit of time that I have to serve the Lord and use the teaching skills that I have finally obtained to really be a tool in the Hands Of the Lord.

 Love you all and will get in some stories next week!

Feb 3, 2014

Feb 3, 2014

                                      This was our cadillac for the two hour trip to paso real!   

This is one BIG orange!

Our shower!

our one room house haha!

the Branch Rancho Chico

 

WOW what a week!

This week I spent time in a little, little  pueblo called Paso Real (estacion palacho)... It’s basically a farming community of 400 persons or so. They  just built a new tiny chapel out there and we were sent out to conduct an open house for the community. It was amazing I loved the people and the living situation haha...... I love to camp and well I felt like I was camping all week! This is because we lived in a block house of just one room with one light bulb and no running water no bathroom and well haha the shower shows up in the photos.,.. and bucket of water!

 The living situations were a little different for the norm but also the situation spiritually. This Branch is potent! We had in all about 55 or so pass through the chapel where we were basically teaching lesson 1 ... or the restoration of the Church. It was amazing to see and feel the spirit acting in those passing through the church building!

 We started off by focusing in on the picture of Jesus in the Garden moments before beginning the atonement and explaining the love the Lord has for all of us..... moving to another portrait of Jesus we taught about the other important things Christ did... such as baptism and the organizing of the church of Jesus Christ. From there we talked of the loosing of the priesthood and other important parts of the church.... normally this is where we got the attention and led into the first vision.... Id like to copy it here because thanks to specific words of Joseph smith and his experience many felt as if -they were in the air- as described one sister.

 I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.

17 It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved son. Hear Him!

 This is a Truth... I have known but now know at an even greater level that Joseph Smith saw Jesus at the side of our Heavenly Father and I know that many more in this little community know it to.

 There were several as well that wanted and tried to contradict or twist my words but I can and will bear testimony as well..... As incorrectly translated as the bible is it testifies of truth and that truth back our doctrine soundly. I may be a little new to the mission and even newer to the bible but even the most knowledgeable Catholics that passed though could not deny the doctrine. This is the church of Christ!

This among the experience to work with members that clearly have a strong testimony and know that this is a church of service and sharing made for a fantastic week! I loved every min of it and more than anything because I got to take part in the hastening of the work ... working hand in hand with members to bring the salvation of souls to all!

 I love you all and look for the missionaries and help them out! I promise you will be blessed!