Monday night was full of lessons. We were able to go to a family's house in our ward. They are the Leavitts, they have a son on a mission. They were facetiming him so it was fun to be able to say hi to him and have a good visit with them. Full of fun and laughing. And then we had a lesson with a cute couple that just moved into our ward. They reached out to us and want to be baptized. They want to come to church a few times to meet people in the ward and then they want to be baptized. It was mind blowing. They know so much and are so prepared. It was fun to be able to talk to them, and get to know them. We had a good lesson. I am so excited for them and what is going to happen next!
Tuesday was insane, we had a lunch appointment with a lady and her friend. They had a traumatic experience of losing someone. And they were both involved in different ways. So they asked if we could come over and just help them find some relief. When we walked in you could feel the atmosphere was a little different. We had lunch and got to know them a little more and then we got down to it. We were able to talk about what happened and how they were feeling. Well I was trying to help answer their questions using doctrine and the gospel things. But that is not what they were wanting. It got to the point that I just told them I don't know how I can help them. I don't know why this had to happen and why bad things have to happen to good people. Sometimes it doesn't make sense and that is when we turned to a few scriptures. We read Alma 14:9-11 when Alma and Amulek have to watch the people be thrown into the fire and they don't understand. It was cool to ask them what they got from it and it was different, but the spirit got so strong. I felt like the spirit was more telling them that it is all going to be alright and giving them peace. It was a hard lesson. That is such a hard thing to answer, I am a 20 year old girl, I don't have all of the answers but there is someone who does and that is God. I felt so bad for them but I am grateful for the knowledge that I have and it makes it easier to understand the why's or just to feel peace about the whole situation.
We then had English class, it was a bummer because no one could come today. They all canceled at the last minute but we were able to make a flier and get more advertising for it so we will be able to get more students!
Wednesday morning we went and helped a lady fold laundry. It was nice we were able to go and help her with what she needed. Some need it more than others, but I am grateful I am in a position to be able to go and help others out.
We then went up to the Lopezes in our Spanish branch and had lunch with them. They are such an amazing family. I have loved getting to know them. We always have a good time, and one thing that I have never tried on chicken salad sandwiches are jalapenos and it was so good it just adds the right kick. They are so cute and I am so grateful for them! We went and had some lessons and then had a Spanish meeting. It was with the missionaries who are in the Spanish area, it was awesome to get feedback and things we can be doing in our areas!
Thursday we had a few lessons and were able to go over to our Relief Society presidents house to see what ways we could help the ward. She is so cute and great to get to know her better and see what needs are in the ward. And then that night we went over to a less actives house and her name is Selena Gomez, haha. She is so cool and super sweet. It was fun to be able to go and visit with her.
Friday, District Council was amazing. We were able to give a training, and it went well! That night we went to the Rodriguez-Garcia family. They are so cute and I love them so much. We were able to go and visit with them and catch up on what has been going on lately. We went back over on Saturday and helped them put up their Christmas tree. That is one of my favorite things to do with my mom and I loved it. All of the sudden Sister Rodrigez pulls out a puzzle that was that it’s in Japanese and she said “people help me”. It was so funny, she has been trying to put it together for her kid who is on the spectrum but it just has been the worst. Haha, we love those moments.
Friday night we had a lesson with Philly. Let's just say that it wasn't my best Spanish lesson. But it was a good learning experience and now I know what I don't need to do. Haha but we had good fellowship there so it helped.
That night we had a lesson with Mike. It was so cool. Our fellowship was amazing, he works for the police station (meter) here and we were able to hear some cool stories and things that are going on. We also talked about the priesthood and what it does for each and every one of us. It was awesome to see how it has helped us all.
After the lesson we went and knocked some doors. We got to one and asked for the dad, well, we had a great conversation with the son. He talked to us forever but all about beliefs and what we believe, it was amazing to be able to hear all that he had to say. It is amazing to see how many people want to talk about religion and what it has done for them. It shows that more people are coming closer to Christ!
Sunday was awesome. We had a lot of people at church. Mike just showed up and wanted to learn more. We have been inviting him for weeks and he just decided to come! He said he is church hopping but wants to find the right one! It was an amazing conversation to have. After more meetings we had a good meal with the Thompsons, they are so cute and willing to help us out last minute.
Right after dinner we went to mission prep. Sister Thompson asked us to come and help teach. It was so amazing, and I had a blast. I was able to just get up there and teach and lead by the spirit, it was so cool to be able to have the spirit work through me in such a profound way, and to help the kids understand more and love missionary work. We laughed with them, I love to laugh. I was thinking back and before the mission I don't know if I would’ve been able to do that. But the mission has changed me. I am not the same person I was when I started. And I LOVE how God is changing me!
Today I want to share something that was talked about in church last Sunday. And that was about the Second Coming, but more directly about the Parable of the Ten Virgins in Matt. 25:1-13 it says…
1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
I love this story so much and it wasn't something that I thought much of until I got older. But Christ is going to come whether we like it or not. And I don't know about you but I am so excited. I can't wait for the day to come. But the real question is are we going to be ready, am I going to be ready for the day that He comes. Are we going to procrastinate the day of our repentance? I pray that none of us do. I want to be here ready with my vessel full of oil burning bright for the world to see, but that I will be ready and willing for the day that the Bridegroom will come again. I want Him to know who I am and to be able to rejoice that I was willing to follow Him and do what He has asked me to do.
It is never too late to start, start today. Find your dedication to him and do all that you can to follow Him.
Make yourself worthy to enter into the temple to receive your sacred covenants with our Savior. So you can receive the greatest blessings of all.
CPR: Church, Pray, Read! These are three basic things that we can be doing every day to gain our oil and to gain our testimony to come closer to him to help us find that light.
I don't know about you but the one thing that I want is a relationship with my Savior, Jesus Christ, my elder brother and my Father in heaven. I would cry if I didn't have a relationship with them. I don't want to get to heaven and not know who they are. He is the one person who can help us with what we need. He is the one person who knows what we have been through. So don't ever think that no one knows, because someone always does.
So the question is what are you going to do today to be one of the 5 wise virgins. To come closer to Christ and be ready for the day that the Bridegroom comes and you can rejoice together!
I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. To have the authority of God. The Priesthood, and what a blessing that is. Make sure this week to count your blessings and thank God for what he has given you!
I love you all so much and hope you all know that you are enough and that I love you but more importantly our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ Loves you!
Have an amazing week and Happy Thanksgiving!!!
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