The Lord's Harvest

     Well, my time here in San Judas is coming to a sad close. With transfers coming up next week I will be transferred out of the office and back into to field. There are many people here that I have grown to love and have become a huge part of my life. I feel like I understand the words of Paul in his letters to the various cities he visited and taught the gospel in. I feel that same longing and hope that those people whom I taught will stand firm in the faith and learn to become true disciples of Jesus Christ. I hope that my testimony helped these people feel of my deep love and conviction for this Gospel and for the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I pray for the Gospel light to always shine as a light in the lives of every one of these blessed sons and daughters of God. This is my hope and my prayer.

"Behold, the field was ripe, and blessed are ye, for ye did thrust in the sickle, and did reap with your might, yea, all the day long did ye labor; and behold the number of your sheaves! And they shall be gathered into the garners, that they are not wasted. Yea, they shall not be beaten down by the storm at the last day; yea, neither shall they be harrowed up by the whirlwinds; but when the storm cometh they shall be gathered together in their place, that the storm cannot penetrate to them; yea, neither shall they be driven with fierce winds whithersoever the enemy listeth to carry them. But behold, they are in the hands of the Lord of the harvest, and they are his; and he will raise them up at the last day." Alma 26: 5-7

The Gospel Blesses Families

     I would like to take this chance to write about a great experience I had this week and with it applies a great Gospel principle that all of us should understand to have hope and light in this life. A few days ago we were meeting with a family we are teaching who are progressing really well. As we met with them the wife wanted to tell us that about 3 years ago her and her husband had a really bad relationship and it was so bad that it came to the point that she packed up all her stuff and the kids and moved away. They were still in contact but their relationship had plummeted into almost nothing. Many times she was so frustrated she had very dangerous thoughts and intentions come to her mind. For 3 years they lived apart wanting to have a happy family but didn't know how. 

     About 3 months ago, the wife decided to move back in with the husband. things were a little better but they still had the same attitude towards each other. Several weeks ago the wife was so angry with God she would cry and yell out "Where are you God?" and "Why do you make me suffer like this?" About 3 weeks ago as she was contemplating her sad and miserable state in life. Two young men in white shirts and ties, Elder Lim and Elder Hernandez, knocked on her door and invited her to hear a message of Jesus Christ that would help us find a happy family. Interested, she gladly accepted a visit for the following day. As they left her doorstep she thought to herself, "If these young men can change my husband and help us become a family, I will believe in God again". That night she told her husband that the missionaries would be coming the following day. To her surprise and relief he accepted with enthusiasm. The next day the two young missionaries came back and shared a message of the Restoration and of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That night they both accepted the baptismal challenge and now to this day have seen miracles in their family. The husband has changed completely and they are both feeling the blessings the gospel brings. The spirit fills their home and there is love in their relationship.

     I know it sounds like some tragic and dramatic love story but its true. God knows and loves His children perfectly. He has prepared a plan for every single one of us. Maybe we suffer for a moment so that soon He can shine the light before us and we are then humble enough to accept it and let it light our lives. This story reminded me of a video published by the church a few years ago called The Hope of Gods Light. I invite you to go watch this video and reflect on the meaning of patience and trust in God. Sometimes God doesn't take all of our problems away at once but waits until we are sufficiently humble so that we can receive the fulness of His love. In the Book of Mormon, the people of Alma were not led out of captivity immediately but their burdens were lightened until they had the faith sufficient to be freed by God's hand. 

"Yea, and I also exhort you, my brethren, that ye be watchful unto prayer continually, that ye may not be led away by the temptations of the devil, that he may not overpower you, that ye may not become his subjects at the last day; for behold, he rewardeth you no good thing. And now my beloved brethren, I would exhort you to have patience, and that ye bear with all manner of afflictions; that ye do not revile against those who do cast you out because of your exceeding poverty, lest ye become sinners like unto them; But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions." Alma 34:39-41

Happy Mother's Day

     This last week I had the opportunity to speak with my mother for the second time here in the mission and it is such a blessing to be able to have such a wonderful and loving mother. The scriptures are filled with great examples of faithful women who beyond all odds raised amazing children. In the book of mormon we read of the stripling warriors who beyond doubt had great mothers and it was for the strict obedience of their mothers and their confidence in the Lord that their sons become valiant men and successful in their efforts to defend their country and their freedom.
     "For as I had ever called them my sons (for they were all of them very young) even so they said unto me: Father, behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth; we would not slay our brethren if they would let us alone; therefore let us go, lest they should overpower the army of Antipus. Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them. And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it."
     I echo the words of these two thousand young men in saying that I do not doubt my mother knows it. I know that I was entrusted in her care and that God knew that he could trust in her. I know that I have a loving Heavenly Father because I know I have loving parents and through the grace of God I am here on this earth as one of Gods messengers because of my parents and their faithfulness to God and His commandments. I know God can do all things and If he can preserve 2 thousand young men from inevitable death I know that he can help me become a better man and a better holder of His priesthood. I want to wish my mother a happy mothers day and I pray that God blesses her with a long and happy life.

Rejected of Men

     This last weekend we had one of Heavenly Father's precious daughters enter the waters of baptism. Her name is Ruth. Ruth had been visiting the church earlier and the missionaries had been teaching her about a year ago but she didn't want to stop drinking coffee and working on Sundays so they dropped her. Now, one year later one of the same missionaries who had been teaching her one year ago came back to the area and found her again and this time she seemed to be ready to receive the gospel with full heart. This woman has come directly from the great and spacious building known as the world, taken hold of the rod of iron and has held fast until these moments. 

     Even though many of her family members taunt her and curse her for being what she was, I know that through baptism the Lord has cleansed her and wiped away all sin. She is a true example of a disciple of Jesus Christ and I know that Christ descended from heaven to suffer and die for people like her. I know the power of the atonement is real, that it heals and sanctifies. The other day we came to her house and in tears told us of all the cruel things her family would tell her and call her. As I prayed to know what to tell her and how to comfort her, this one scripture came to mind-

"He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." Mosiah 14:3-5

My hope and prayer is that all people I teach come to know and understand the reason for the atonement and the blessings it brings upon us as we act according to the great plan of redemption. I know that Christ did not come to the earth for the righteous, but came for the afflicted, the bruised, the rejected, the sinner. We are all sinners, thus we all have need of an atonement, a reconciliation before God. I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, our Eternal Head, the Author of our redemption. 

True Progression

     This week I wanted to share an experience that changed the way I view things in the mission. This last Sunday as we ran about looking for our investigators to come to church we had limited success. Many times in the mission I have had the experience of all my investigators just not wanting to progress and flaking out at the last moment. This last week as I sat in the Chapel thinking to myself and feeling a little frustrating for not having brought more people to church; I looked around and to my surprise and complete joy I saw every one of my converts I had in that area. All with their hymn books in hand and singing and listening to the speakers. It filled my eyes with tears to see that these people had been truly converted and that every one of them to that day was persevering and following what God had taught them to do. 

     Gratitude beyond words filled my soul to know that my Heavenly Father made me an instrument in His hands to bring the true gospel to the hearts of these people. I know He is merciful and knows every one of our needs. I know that this gospel heals and liberates us from our all our worries, doubts, and fears. I felt Gods love not only for me but for the people that were around me and I knew that even though we are common and many in this world that he knows us personally and intimately. That if we seek the good in our lives then we will always have good in our lives. The Lord and Savior Jesus Christ once promised his disciples:

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

     I know this promise to be true and that as long as we are in the Lords service he will lift our burdens and give rest unto our souls. Just as he let me know of His love for me and gave me rest, He will surely give it unto all His beloved children.

Miracles in San Judas

The work continues here in San Judas. We had transfers this week and I am still here in the office for one more transfer. I am excited to be here in San Judas still but being in the office another transfer looks a little daunting. I have a new companion named Elder Hernandez from Guatemala. I don't know him very well yet but from what i have seen he is a cool guy. I think we will have lots of success. 
     This last week we had 2 baptisms. The first is Luis. He was a 13 year old kid we met contacting one day and he was kind of shy but accepted our message. His parents were slightly opposed at first but they let him decide for himself and he decided to keep receiving us and preparing for baptism. We almost thought he wouldn't get baptized because he got sick a couple days before but when we asked how he was for this Saturday he was excited and ready to go! 
    The second baptism was a young woman named Daniela. Her story was a little different. She has met the missionaries about 2 years ago and had been off and on receiving them until I first met her a few months ago. She had never wanted to progress and so she was never baptized. A few months ago we were teaching her but it was still the same, she just couldn't find it within herself to go to church. Then all of a sudden she disappeared and we didn't think she would ever be baptized. Until a few weeks ago we randomly ran into her on the streets and she wanted us to visit her again. Well this time I think the Lord had prepared her because she accepted right away the invitation to be baptized and she felt like it was something important in her life. So this last weekend she was baptized! 
     Only miracles here in San Judas! I know that God had prepared these people for this time and I am grateful to have been an instrument in helping them receive the spirit and to take these steps in their paths toward salvation and eternal life.

Conference Weekend

     This last week was more or less regular. I wish I could have seen the conference all the way through, but, since we have to bring 4 different investigators to every session in order to attend them (excluding priesthood and Sunday morning) I wasn't able to attend as I did not have sufficient investigators come to church.
     As we committed our investigators to church and as they accepted and later decided not to attend. I reflected on how I felt. Yes, I felt deceived and depressed for the unrighteous decisions of the people i cared about so much but unlike before when my investigators didn't come and I felt angry and hurt at God, I knew that God was just as upset as I was for their decision to not obey him, and I knew that maybe now I would be put as a leader or be rewarded, but the work would go on.
     Sometimes I feel like President is the one running the mission and the work, but I know that someone far greater and merciful is at the head and he knows in all his divine wisdom where I need to be. I know that the work doesn't change if I don't have any investigators in church or if I don't baptize one month, as long as I am trying my best and doing what the Lord expects of me that I can be sure I am doing what I need to be doing.
"Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend." Mosiah 4:9
     Trust in God and believe that He has all wisdom. When we trust in God and His wisdom we can find comfort in the knowledge that if we are doing what we should be doing and obeying his commandments that all challenge will be for our benefit.