For Mom and Dad

This weekly post is dedicated to my Mom and Dad.
 

   Happy 27th Anniversary! Words cannot explain the love which I feel for my parents. Not only were they the people who raised me, fed me, and taught me. But they were my greatest examples. Every word and deed led me to greater light and understanding of God's Plan for me. Never did a day go by in my life that I did not learn something unique and special from them. I know without a doubt in my mind that the Lord led my parents to each other and blessed their sacred bond. They have blessed the lives of not only 4 small children but have blessed the lives of hundreds of people. 

     Because of them, I know my Creator, I know my God and King, my Savior and Redeemer. I know He lives and loves each and every one of us. I know of His mercy and power. His grace and glory. I see God's light and wisdom in their faces and know I was sent to them for a purpose. My heart sings of the greatness and mercy of our Heavenly Father for blessing me with such loving and wonderful earthly guides. To me, my parents are the most Christ-like people I know and although they may not see it or consider it, I do. Que Dios les bendiga tu matrimonio eternamente y que siempre haiga felicidad y gozo en tus corazones! Les Amo!

He Hears

     This week as I was reading the Book of Mormon and I came across a scripture that caught my attention. Mormon 9:27-29
"O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need. Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him. 

Be wise in the days of your probation; strip yourselves of all uncleanness; ask not, that ye may consume it on your lusts, but ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, but that ye will serve the true and living God.
See that ye are not baptized unworthily; see that ye partake not of the sacrament of Christ unworthily; but see that ye do all things in worthiness, and do it in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God; and if ye do this, and endure to the end, ye will in nowise be cast out."
     Does God the Father and His son Jesus Christ really consider our prayers and answer them? Many times I have been asked this question and have asked myself this question while here in the mission. This last week as I was struggling inwardly about this very topic I read this scripture and it seemed to come to me at the very precise moment that I needed it. Not only was this very scripture the answer to my prayers and my doubts but it also gave me strength and inspiration to help me overcome some trials I was passing through. 

     I know that God answers every one of our prayers. "Ask, and ye shall receive." I know that God is our Loving Heavenly Father and through him and through the Gospel of Jesus Christ we can be cleansed of all impurity and obtain the strength we need that we "yield to no temptation." I pray that ye would ask in faith with a "firmness unshaken" for anything that you stand in need of. "Come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation." I continually stand as a witness of Jesus Christ. I know He lives and He is there for us in every moment and in every trial.

The Key to Blessings

     This last week we had many opportunities to serve. On Saturday we went early in the morning and we helped a very poor family put plastic up on their roof to protect them from the rain. It always leaves within my heart a good feeling being able to serve others. Another day we were walking through the streets and there was a man that we saw taking out water from near his house after it rained to keep from flooding the house and with our missionary clothes and all we helped him move the water into the streets. Sometimes I feel moved by the spirit to do something but afterward I don't feel like I accomplished anything. I guess I am not able to see the spiritual effects that we have on other people.
     This week I was reading about Christ's visit to the Americas and I noticed how much he was in constant communication with His Heavenly Father. And how much he gave appreciation and thanks to the spirit that was poured out upon the people. I feel that many times we take for granted the many blessings that the Lord pours out upon us and the Spirit that we feel. I feel like I forget much about the Lords mercy and His grace. I know that constant prayer and thanksgiving is the key to blessings.

"And it came to pass that Jesus blessed them as they did pray unto him; and his countenance did smile upon them,and the light of his countenance did shine upon them, and behold they were as white as the countenance and also the garments of Jesus; and behold the whiteness thereof did exceed all the whiteness, yea, even there could be nothing upon earth so white as the whiteness thereof."
"And Jesus said unto them: Pray on; nevertheless they did not cease to pray." 3 Nephi 19:25-26

The Fallen

This last week I had some time to think and I found myself inspired to write a poem. I hope it helps you see a little into the state of the heart and soul in sin and the feelings that the atonement brings.

The Fallen

Fallen,

into darkness.

Oh great my despair!

Death, he had got me,

caught in his snare.

Fallen,

to the depths.

Cold and surrounding,

into the abyss,

my soul drowning.

Fallen,

my heart.

The crime committed.

Unto the darkness,

my soul submitted.

Fallen,

a light.

So brilliant, warm, and bright.

Just out of reach,

the will to fight.

Fallen,

a hand.

Extended toward me,

tender and scarred,

who was I to be freed?

Fallen,

my knees.

Guilt and tears,

into thine hands,

I commend my fears.

Fallen,

my pride.

now meek and humble,

"Suffer me Lord,

that I do not stumble!"

Fallen,

the weapons,

of my rebellion.

Into the earth,

I will bury them.

Fallen,

His love.

For me He died.

A sinner like me,

who else would have tried?

Fallen,

the blood.

Spilt from every pore.

With cries of agony,

He opened the door.

Fallen,

below all.

Oh how bitter that cup!

For me and for you,

He drank it up.

Fallen,

His eyes,

upon my face.

"For you my son,

sufficient,

my grace."

Yielding My Heart to God

     This last week we had transfers and my companion, Elder Hughes, went home. My new companion is Elder Fonseca from Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Last Saturday we had the baptism of Hazlly. She was a young woman who had come to church before years ago but for some reason had never taken the missionary lessons. We found her about a month ago and invited her to go to church with us. She said that she had loved going to the church before but had never been baptized. Across the street from her lived a member who she knew very well. The member across the street helped us take her to church and supported her all the way towards baptism. It was a great experience and the young woman was very excited for the baptism.
     Ever since the conference with the new mission president and his talk about spiritual power, i have been pondering and searching the scriptures more on the topic and taking from the lives of the prophets of old ways that I can obtain more spiritual power. Today I read a scripture that is found in
Helaman 3:35
"Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God."
     For they did "fast and pray oft and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility." How many times do we take fasting and prayer for granted? How often do we selfishly use these gifts and tools that God has given us for our own benefit and not for the salvation of others? These things I have asked myself and wonder how I can procure that kind of love and devotion towards the work of salvation and the cause of righteousness. I hope that these desires may work in me unto faith and action. I pray that I might better yield my heart to God as to receive the sanctification and purification of the Holy Spirit.

Hasten the Work

     This last Friday I had the opportunity to meet our new mission president, President Brown. It was very nice to see and meet his family as well. A very large difference between them and President and Sister Russell but, I believe that they are inspired and have been called of God to preside over this great mission at this time. I know that the Lord is hastening His work and that He is preparing us for an even greater work among all the children of men. I know that the Lord has inspired His prophets to call this man as our mission president. I know that God is our loving Heavenly Father and that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. I know this is His work. May the Lord bless us and refine us so that we may be as the great missionaries of olden times, as Paul and Peter and Ammon and Alma. I know that we are His disciples and that He has called each one of us to work in His vineyard. May the Lord always manifest unto us His Merciful hand forever and ever.

"Behold, I will hasten my work in its time." D&C 88:73

True Faith

     I recently encountered a man who was looking for God and the truth in his life but for some reason had not found it yet. We taught him the restoration and told him to pray about it. A few days later we came back and he said that he had prayed about it but he had asked God to give him a sign if it was true. This morning I found myself reading in the 32nd chapter of Alma in the Book of Mormon. On this occasion, there was a multitude of people who, because of their exceeding poverty, had become humbled unto the reception of the Word of God. Alma teaches that those who humble themselves before God without being compelled to be humble will be blessed, but then he goes on to say-

"Yea, there are many who do say: If thou wilt show unto us a sign from heaven, then we shall know of a surety; then we shall believe. Now I ask, is this faith? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for if a man knoweth a thing he hath no cause to believe, for he knoweth it. And now, how much more cursed is he that knoweth the will of God and doeth it not, than he that only believeth, or only hath cause to believe, and falleth into transgression? Now of this thing ye must judge. Behold, I say unto you, that it is on the one hand even as it is on the other; and it shall be unto every man according to his work."

     How many of us do ACT in Faith? and how many of us to wait for a sign? for if we have faith our acts are unto our benefit and blessing for we truly believe without seeing. We humbleth ourselves without being compelled to humility. Act upon the Faith which you have and God will manifest himself unto us through His mercy and grace.