Guadalajara
Well, this week I learned so much about myself and about the way that I react to situations. I learned through the scriptures and personal revelation. I have a lot of things to work on. One thing that I loved was in Mosiah 24 when it talks about the afflictions that the people had. It says that in verse 15 that the people were happy even in their afflictions ... I asked myself why and began to search deeper and read the two scriptures that come with burdens i think it is in English. and it says that they were made happy through the joy in Christ. And I though, 'why they were so happy in Christ even though they were suffering?' Then scripture came to my mind, Alma 7:11-12, that talks about how Christ suffered EVERYTHING. So I think the people suffered these things with joy because they knew that Christ had suffered the same and they were comforted by that.
And I loved in Alma 2 how Alma was fighting against Amaliki and then while they are fighting he says a prayer and then starts fighting again. As he started to fight again was when he received strength in the Lord to be saved. I love this because he didn't just say his prayer and then just sit there expecting God to strike Amaliki with a lightning rod or something. He started to fight right after knowing that the Lord would answer his prayer but not really knowing when. He had enough faith that if he acted the Lord would answer. That is a prayer of faith. I learned that many times we don't pray with very much faith. We say a bunch of good things in our prayers but then we sit back and wait thinking that they will be answered without doing anything. We need to show our confidence in the Lord and act and take that step into the darkness, that step of faith, and then He will see fit to give us an answer.
I also have 13 months is that not weird?! And mom, some companions wanted those stickers that you can put in the scriptures but the ones for all the books not just for the BOM. Could you send some? And I don't need anything else right now. My pants are holding up actually pretty well, I am surprised sometimes. I have stained a few of my shirts but I have a billion so it's all good. I don't need anything so don't worry about me down here. We are just looking for those who really want to hear the gospel. Now I understand more the parts in my patriarchal blessing that talk about my mission. That has helped me a lot. We have been fasting a lot more and I am praying more fervently and am looking for the guidance of the Lord because it says that we are representatives of the Lord in this area and we are responsible to receive revelation for this area and the people in it. We have a few who are just starting to hear. Pray for them; Patricia, Guadalupe and Gloria.
There were no changes here, we are staying the same for another change. I know things will be much better after learning what I have learned this last week.
I love you all so much and thanks for your prayers-I can feel them in the hard times.
Less, that a girl, way to stand up for what you know is right. I don't know if you know but I told mom on Mother's Day and wrote dad telling them to look after you because the high school life is so crazy and so many people do such stupid things. I was really worried because you're my little sis and it would kill me to see you get hurt or to fall into the dumb things that there are in high school. But now after hearing that I am not worried anymore. Do what you have to do, Jess, and never be ashamed to stand up for what is right.
Love you all.
Elder Mahas
Here are some pics that I just got of my birthday. We ate with an investigator and they didn't have money to buy a cake but they gave me some little cupcakes that were way good. haha
This is how they cut grass here. With a machete!!! And a sister taught me how. hahaha
