Faith to be Healed

     As I ponder upon the rich blessings which the Lord doth bestow upon the children of men in all His mercy and grace, I come to a knowledge of the truthfulness of His word and law. For unto every man it is meted unto him according to the observance and obedience which he pays. Our Heavenly Father sees fit to bless every man according to every righteous desire. Our faith and diligence are demonstrations of that love and righteous desire that we have. This last week I found myself in a situation in which my faith and desire to serve God and obey Him played a huge part in the miracle which I beheld. Finding myself sick with fever and with body pain, I found my will to keep working diminishing until I finally said, "I can do no more". As I prayed to God that He might deliver me from this illness which kept me from doing the work I had been given, I was prompted to ask for a blessing from my companion. As my companion blessed me I felt strength fill my muscles and bones.

     With renewed energy and strength I continued on giving gratitude to God. After an hour or so I began to feel the same effects again and I felt my body begin to give in. I prayed "Lord, why dost thou not heal me completely now?". Having completed our work as much as possible I retired home. The next morning I then saw the miracle a full recovery from an illness that could have lasted me weeks or months, gone in a day. I have yet to understand exactly why the Lord waited to heal me completely until the following day. But I do know that it was His power by which I was healed. I know that God has given His power and authority unto man and that it is held and maintained by the men of the Church of Jesus Christ restored upon the Earth. It is with this same power I was healed and for the faith and desire to serve Him that was exercised.

A Righteous Father

     This week I would like to dedicate this weekly blog to my father, Benjamin Lim. In my time here in Nicaragua I have had much retrospection. All my life my father has been a constant figurehead and rock in my life. Even though worldly values and opinions change my father has never changed his faith nor his duty to God. As i grew i saw my father do many things for me in service. Never murmuring or complaining. During my swimming career of 11 years, I can count on one hand the number of meets and competitions he missed. Every morning for 4 years my father woke up extra early to make breakfast for me and my brothers before seminary. For 6 years my father woke me up and made sure I was at my priesthood leadership meetings. During many years he was in everything, a part of everything. Never wavering. For many years I have always looked out into the world for comfort and for love, what I had never realized is that my true comfort and love came from within the walls of my very home. In sickness, health, trial, an recognition, he was there, my father. To my greatest example, teacher, and bestest friend in the world, I dedicate this day. I love you Dad.

"Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto (my father), behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men."

This is Jonathan. His father baptized him! It was a nice experience to have this father baptize his own son.

Farewell President & Sister Russell

This week we had Multizone conferences with President and Sister Russell. Things were very emotional as they said their final goodbyes. I know that even though I sometimes questioned the reason for the things President would do I know now that this man was truly called of God to preside over this great mission. As a result of President and Sister Russells leadership the Nicaragua Managua South Mission is the most successful of all Central America. I know that as I trust God and His servants I can know that my obedience towards them will bring me blessings both temporal and spiritual. I am grateful that I was sent to this mission at this great time to reap the fruits of this great harvest. I know that the Nicaraguans have been prepared for this time and that God is working among them. I love this work and testify of its divinity. I know He is at the helm and we can be powerful instruments in his hands to bring to pass much righteousness.

Hope in Darkness

     At the commencement of John and Emily's lives together, I dedicate this post to them and ask that my words be shared at the appropriate time.
     As I reflect on these past few years, I am reminded of the

of the way my beloved brother John and Emily met. In what seemed like one of the lowest points of my brother's life, he found the one shining hope in the midst of the darkness, that was Emily. I remember John telling me about her for the first time and the way his eyes sparkled and the broad smile that crossed his face as he described her to me. He seemed to have been deeply emotionally and spiritually touched by the presence of such a wonderful and very beautiful young woman. As they began to date I knew by the way they looked at each other and the great depth of spiritual connection they shared that they would someday marry. And like always, I was right. If you don't believe in fairy tales and love stories, you should believe this one.
     John and Emily, know that you are two of the greatest people I know, aside from Mom and Dad of course. Your shining example has helped me strengthen my testimony in the Savior Jesus Christ and His gospel. I love you two more than I can describe and more than you might believe. I pray that at this sacred and glorious time you might be able to know of my great support and love for you. May God bless you with many long years, with much happiness, and many children! Congratulations and Felicidades! - Elder Alejandro Lim, Nicaragua Managua South Mission.

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.