Thursday, December 4, 2014

The Lord always provides a way

Well... here we are in another week!! It feels like the time is flying. Are we really half way through November? I am looking at a bright sunny day here in Honduras, so it is hard for me to imagine that everyone is preparing to eat a big turkey dinner. I still feel like we are in the middle of June :)
On other exciting news this past week I hit my one year mark IN HONDURAS. So yes. I am officially a Honduranian now :D 

So this week we had a few great things that happened.
Yesterday was Sunday! Sunday is always sort of a stressful day for the missionaries as we make a million phone calls, pass by for people, and do a ton of things for very few results. However, there is always some good that comes out of everything. 
First miracle, was that Esmerelda, Fabiola, Eduardo and Cesar all came to church. Esmerelda is the mom, and was baptized when she was 9 years old. The missionaries found her about a year ago, and the missionaries that were here before us taught and baptized Fabiola and Eduardo. They are a very special family. Having a lesson with them is a bit of a struggle, but we do what we can. They have a little house that is one room, with a bunk bed and two other beds. Their house is different metal sheets that they have put together. They live with their grandma who is currently growing a pig to kill for Christmas tamales. This last week they told us they wanted to go to church. We said that is great, and we would call to see if a member could pass by to take them. The church is quite far from where they live. We were very happy when they walked into church Sunday! I went to go talk to them, and  they had a serious of miracles to help them get to church. Esmerelda told me that Eduardo woke up sick, and that the pig was eating Fabiola's shoes, and that she thought they wouldn't make it to church. But she said, "no! we are going to make it to church." They went to wait for the member, but it was late and they didn't know if he was going to pass by. The bus passed by, and she told him they didn't have money for the bus. He said he would take them for free. They were in the bus, and the bus driver also gave her 50 limperas which was a huge blessing since she didn't have a diaper for Cesar, and it is a little hard in 3 hours of church without a diaper. So she had enought money to buy some food and a diaper, and they made it to church. Yesterday she was asking us all about tithing. I had the distinct impression to share the story of the women who went and paid her tithing and only had a little bit to give, but who Jesus Christ said had given more than all those with a lot of money, because the women had given all she had, and the other had given of their excess. I have to say it touched my heart, as I realized how true that was. Those who give all they have, who don't even have enough to put food on their table, are truly giving with their heart, and acting in faith. In that moment I promised my Heavenly Father to always live the law of tithing. 
We also had another miracle as Yisenia, the awesome less active we met in the bus, also came to church with her little sister, Maday. They loved church too! And Maday is already friends with the three other young women and they all love her. It was beautiful! We also found another awesome family to teach and we are so excited! Sometimes we search, and search, and search, and search, to find one goldmine, but the goldmine is all worth it :) 
There is also another super cute family. Well, we don't know the mom, but the four kids yes. I am in love with the kids. The youngest, Christopher, is absolutely adorable. He is three years old and can't roll his r's (kinda like me haha) but instead of making the intent like me haha he puts an l. It is so cute when he says tierra (earth) he says it "tiella" and it is adorable with his big brown eyes. This past week they have been telling us how they haven't had enough food and asking us if we had even just 20 limperas to give them. I have to say, it is the HARDEST thing ever when children are asking you for money, and you realize all they are asking you for is a dollar. Seriously, what did I used to do with a dollar? Nothing. But as missionaries we can't give out money. But we made a plan. We have been teaching a family who are evangelicals, and are super great and amazing, but will probably never get baptized since they don't believe in the Book of Mormon. But we are still super great friends, and we asked them if we brought some food if they could go deliver it. They said yes, and they went and took the food to them. The next day they all had smiles on their faces and said a beautiful woman had brought them a bag full of rice and other food. 
My companion and I were both so happy that we did something to help. In Relief Society we had read Alma 34 where it talked all about prayer, and at the end we read verse 28, 
 28 And now behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, do not suppose that this is all; for after ye have done all these things, if ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, ifye have, to those who stand in need—I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith.
and both had the same impression to help them. I am so grateful that God works in marvelous ways to help others, and helps us find ways to help others. 
So yes, these are a few of the miracles that happened this week. Little by little we come closer to God and help his children. 
I know the church is true. I know God lives and loves his children, and I also know that missionary work is one of the most important work in the entire world!! God's work and his glory, is to bring to pass the immortatly and eternal life of man, and we start by opening our mouths and sharing the gospel. We are coming closer to Christmas, and Christmas is a wonderful time to open our mouths! People's hearts are a little softer and they are thinking more about Christ. As an idea, you could invite some friends or neighbors over for a family home evening about Christmas and about Christ, and invite the missionaries too! Or even for thanksgiving, to talk about giving thanks in all things. The holiday season is a great time to share the gospel! 
To end, I just want to share the last vew verses of Alma 34
 37 And now, my beloved brethren, I desire that ye should remember these things, and that ye should work out your salvation with fear before God, and that ye should no more deny the coming of Christ;
 38 That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and intruth; and that ye live ithanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you.
 39 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.
 40 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 likeunto them;
 41 But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions.
I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!! HAVE A GREAT WEEK.

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