Christmas.Mormon.Org

This has been a beautiful week! I love feeling the Christmas spirit!

 

Earlier this week we were asked to give the boy scouts a tour of the church because they were going around to 10 different churches that day to learn about the 10 Commandments, a different Commandment at each church. The lady who arranged the activity told us there could be anywhere from 4-100 people. So we werent sure how many to expect. It was just us and the Elders, we planned a lesson to teach our commandment, which was, "Thou shalt not kill". So 150 people ended up coming!!! And we were not prepared at all for that many people!!! We totally swung the whole thing but somehow I ended up in the front of the group tour around the building, so I gave the church tour. It was so scary... haha... at the end of the presentation we left it open for people to ask questions. The Spirit was really strong and I think we planted a lot of good seeds:) The Spirit had to go into overtime because we had no idea what we were doing! Some of the people noticed that we were the youngest of all the religious leaders they had seen that day. I thought that was cool. The Lord uses the weak things of this world to show forth His power. 

Do you guys remember when I sent the stroy of the lady that rejected us because she said, "I'm sorry! I cant talk right now because  there is an earthquake!!" But we were confused because there was no earthquake? But we were extra confused because there were palm leaves all over her front yard and it looked like her house was having an earthquake because of the palm leaves. Well we went back to her house this week and her husband answered the door and said, "Did you guys come here and my wife was really frantic about an earthquake?" And we said "Yeesss!!!!!!" And he explained that she is really scared of earthquakes and he was on the roof that day pruning his palm trees in the back yard and then throwing them down to the front yard...hahaha and she didn't know he was up there! So she heard the noise and thought it was an earthquake. We laughed about it and then he let us show him the new Christmas video and then he totally opened up to us about his faith. It was such a cool finding story:)

The Christmas video is found at christmas.mormon.org. I invite everyone to watch it!! I get something new from it every time i see it! I know you can too. It will help you refocus on Christ this Christmas. Every time someone agrees to watch this video, they either become a new investigator or they invite us back. The power behind the video truly amazes me.

Ok well this will be my last mission blog because next week I will be really busy getting ready to go. 

 

I want to share my testimony with you.

If you would have asked me before my mission why I wanted to go, it was because I knew that I would be closer to my Savior than any other time in my life. I learned that being close to our Savior is not rainbows and butterfly's. Its really hard sometimes! Every time I am rejected, I know that it humbles me and it brings me closer to Christ because He was also rejected and despised by men. I have come to know that everyone can be close to Jesus Christ, not just missionaries. All we need to do is remember Him and follow Him. We need to follow his Commandments so that He can poor his blessings upon us.

I know that we have a Father in Heaven that watches over us and hears our prayers. He loves us so much that He gave his son in order for us to return to Him. I love the story of Abraham and Issac because it helps me realize a little bit how it felt to be Heavenly Father when he gave up his son's life for us. I know that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is very individual. That means he suffered for us individually and His love for us surpasses all other love. The scriptures say that, "There is no greater love than this, that a man layeth down his life for his friend." Or something along those lines. I know that is true, Christ is our brother and our friend and all joy in life is found because of Him.

I know that our Father in Heaven has a plan for us. Part of that plan is going through things that are hard. But I know that our trials can bring us closer to God when we rely on Him. I know it seems like Satan is winning in the world, but he is not. I know that all things good will conquer all things bad in the end. I know that through Jesus Christ all things will be made right in the end. I know there is life after this and when we endue our life well, we can be with our families for all eternity. I am so grateful to know that I can be with my family forever. They truly have taught me how to love people and that is the essence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I know that God calls prophets because He loves us and His word never stops. Revelation was not made so that it can stop. God continually speaks to us through the scriptures, prayer and through a living prophet. I know that Joseph Smith was called as a Prophet of God and he was an honorable man. I know he saw God and Jesus Christ and they spoke with him. I know that through the power of God, The Book of Mormon was translated. The Book of Mormon always teaches me new things and it helps me learn more about my Savior.

I know this is The Church of Jesus Christ on the earth. He is literally the head of this Church. I know these things to be true, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.