First I will introduce my companions, since I didn't do that last week. Sister Ramirez grew up in Mexico and is just about done with her mission! She is hilarious. Spanish is her first language so her English is english words, but spanish wording. So sometimes I crack up at something she says, and Sister Sekona is left kind of confused...
And Sister Sekona is from Hawaii! I have flashbacks to the CCM when I would ask Elder Reis every question I could think of about Hawaii. Sister Sekona is awesome. She actually had two miracle baptisms this weekend, people she had worked with for a long long time who finally got baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. And they were complete miracles!
We are here in Mendon. And the interesting thing about Mendon is that it is a very small town kind of out in the middle of nowhere. It is a good place! So when people find it, they come and they stay. For a long long long time. And everybody knows everybody. Also, it is 90% LDS and many many people are active. The people who are not members have heard it all before. But still people are being prepared. After seeing and hearing the stories for those 2 miracle baptisms I am so excited for those same sorts of miracles to happen here as we are faithful servants in the Mendon stake.
There is a lady here who is a very active non member. She comes to church, helps out in every auxillary, and is friends with everybody. But she isn't baptized yet. And I just keep thinking and thinking about how wonderful it would be if this was her time, if something I did with Sister Ramirez and Sister Sekona helped her finally make that decision and receive the blessings of that covenant with God. I know Heavenly Father can use us, even as imperfect servants, to bring to pass this big miracle. But in order to be that instrument I need to be in tune, as much as I can. And that's where the spirit comes in! I've been learning and striving and praying to have a portion of the Holy Ghost with me at all times. I know if it was just me, this lady wouldn't be baptized. But I know Heavenly Father wants her to make that sacred covenant with Him.
Did you guys know, the Holy Ghost is an amazing gift?
So when we are baptized we promise God that we will try our best for
our whole lives to follow Jesus Christ. We also promise to take upon
ourselves Christ's name. That means we accept His sacrifice for us. We
recognize that we cannot enter into the kingdom of God on our own
merits, but Christ is mighty to save, and full of grace and truth.
In return for these promises we make (which really just bless us
anyways) Heavenly Father makes promises to us too. Our sins are washed
away. And we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost! The Holy Ghost is the
one who changes us. As we pray and receive the guidance direction and
help from the Holy Ghost we learn, we change, and we become more like
Jesus Christ.
3 Now they were desirous that salvation should bedeclared to every creature, for they could not bear
that anyhuman soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughtsthat any soul should endure endless
torment did causethem to quake and tremble.
5 And it came to pass that they did plead with their fathermany days that they might go up to the
land of Nephi.
7 And the Lord said unto Mosiah: Let them go up, formany shall believe on their words, and
they shall haveeternal life; and I will deliver thy sons out of the hands ofthe Lamanites.
It's been one of those reflecting weeks where I've thought a lot about my desire to help these people come closer to Christ. And as I've studied and pondered on my testimony and reason for being out here as a missionary I have grown in my desire to share the message of the Restoration. To share the message of Grace and Truth that comes because the Savior lives. And directs this Church.
I've gotten a little glimpse into how the sons of Mosiah might have felt, how they desired these things so much for the people and had to plead with their father for the opportunity.
God is our Heavenly Father. And He is so ready to bless us with the righteous desires of our hearts. I know that that is true!
Today was fun, we went with Brother and Sister Swan (the parents of the family we live with) to the mountains! It's called Inspiration Point and we had such a great time. I feel very blessed to know the people I know here :)
I love you all!
Sister Ogden