Hey everybody!
This week's highlights:
-Had zone conference yesterday! (pic attached of my zone) It was so fun to see so many friends from the mission. It had only been 4 1/2 months but it felt like forever! We had some awesome training's and I realized once again how much I just LOVE my mission. I don't want it to ever end!!
-Victor got baptized! His wife Adela joined the church 4 years ago and has been patiently waiting for him to make the decision as well. They are looking forward to going to the temple in a year! (pic #2)
-Got taken out to Olive Garden. Felt like a princess.
-Played football with the elders last week on pday. Like a champ. Are you proud of me, Dad?
-Walked past a house with tons of red chiles drying on a tarp and thought it was really cool and assumed they had to be Mexican. So we decided to knock on the door to talk to them but unfortunately the lady was Korean (random for El Paso!) and didn't really speak english... or want to talk to us... but we thought it was pretty funny! (pic #3)
- So we are teaching a man named Juan Cigarroa. He is actually our bishop's dad. The Hermanas had been teaching him for a few months and he had come to church a lot but would never read the Book of Mormon or really consider baptism. I have only taught him twice but they have both been incredible experiences. I have been SO bold with that man and the spirit in the lessons has been almost tangible. I know that the things I'm telling him aren't coming from me at all. It is so incredible to feel that I am truly a tool in the Lord's hands and a messenger for Him. There is no other feeling comparable and no other joy so pure.
Juan is starting to take some big steps in his progression and is so close to accepting baptism. He says that he wants to do the best for him and his family and to follow what God tells him to do. The struggle is helping him to recognize the answers that he is receiving and has already received and to take action. He keeps saying that if God wants him to do it He will make him. I think that is such a dangerous thought process that we sometimes have. God has given us the divine gift of agency, the power to choose for ourselves, and He expects us to use it! He hopes that we will use our agency to be obedient to His commandments and return to His presence but He won't force anyone to do anything.That would go against the very plan that He has created. He has given us all the tools we need to get back to Him but we have to use them! I hope that we can help Juan to understand these principles.
Juan is starting to take some big steps in his progression and is so close to accepting baptism. He says that he wants to do the best for him and his family and to follow what God tells him to do. The struggle is helping him to recognize the answers that he is receiving and has already received and to take action. He keeps saying that if God wants him to do it He will make him. I think that is such a dangerous thought process that we sometimes have. God has given us the divine gift of agency, the power to choose for ourselves, and He expects us to use it! He hopes that we will use our agency to be obedient to His commandments and return to His presence but He won't force anyone to do anything.That would go against the very plan that He has created. He has given us all the tools we need to get back to Him but we have to use them! I hope that we can help Juan to understand these principles.
I testify with all my heart that I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ - which consists of faith, repentance, baptism, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost - is the way that we will return to live with our Heavenly Father again, and that these ordinances can only be completed through the restored priesthood power that is only found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
I love you all! I love this work!
Hermana Dearden
Hermana Dearden
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