It was another fun week here in North Ogden. God is so good and I feel so blessed to be here as His missionary.
We taught Itzel again this week! It was amazing because she already has a love for the Book of Mormon. We talked about faith and how the Book of Mormon is such an incredible blessing from our Heavenly Father. Quick story: The day we found her was a day after a car accident she was in. When we met her she told us about the accident and we were able to explain what a priesthood blessing is and we had some men from the ward come and bless her to recover. We didn't find her home until just last week. This week she told us her point of view of that story and she told us how that morning she had prayed for safety and protection during the day – and then she was in that accident! She was staying at home to recover from minor head and back injuries when we knocked on her door. She bore her testimony to us that she knows this is something that God wants for her and her family. He allowed her to be in that accident so He could show her that He heard her prayers and would protect her, and then sent us to give her family the guidance and direction that they need to stay spiritually safe and happy. She knows we were sent by God and is seeing blessings from His hand. I am so grateful to a loving Heavenly Father who wants our happiness and well-being so much that He has done everything for us – He sent us Jesus Christ!
Another family we are working with is doing pretty well in reading the Book of Mormon. One of the kids told us that one of the blessings he has seen from reading the Book of Mormon every day is that learning in school is actually easier for him. He can see the little things that God is doing to help him out. Melvin is the older son and he was so excited to tell us last night that he is really loving the Book of Mormon as well. We asked him what chapter he was in and he said really happily – "Genesis!". We said we were proud of him. At least he is reading something!
I remember being in Young Womens and working on Personal Progress. One of the values I kind of avoided was Good Works. Not sure why, but I left almost all of those for the end. As I did my 10 hour project for that working with Grandma in New Outlook Therapy I found a real love for service. And here on my mission I am learning even more how much I love it. There is such a great sense of peace and satisfaction that comes from going about doing good. It's really simple but I don't think there is a better way to find love for others or feel close to the Savior. As I learn more about His example I just love Him more and learn that His way of living is the best way to live. A few hours after a short service project we met a man who was really put out with the church. He accused us of not being Christian, that Christians serve others and that he didn't see any of the members around him being very service minded. We read a verse from the Book of Mormon with him about how when we are serving others we are serving God and that is such a great reason to serve others. He thought about that for a second and then got realllll nice and gave us water and orange juice and pears. (They are the most delicious pears 0.0).
He then told me I should get my liver checked out. That was weird. Door contacts in Ogden never disappoint hahaha.
We had a really interesting lesson with a couple named Olivia and Jose. They are the most interesting people, and they've been through a lot. They didn't want to speak spanish with us so we had to teach in English. Let me tell you – teaching in english is SO HARD. #spanishprobs. Anyways I felt all over the place, but we did our best. And the miraculous part was that the spirit was there. They felt it. Over and over again the Lord is teaching me that He can do amazing miraculous things with small and simple things, sincere and tryingreallyhard things. His grace is sufficient :)
We had a tender mercy this week when we went to visit one of the member families of the ward (a really really great one that I love a lot) to follow up with them about some referrals. As we pulled up they were putting the last of their suitcases in the car. They moved to Roy this weekend. That night! When I asked them why they said that their boss/landlord had them work on Sundays so they couldn't go to church, and Saturdays, so they couldn't work in the Temple. So they quit!! They have so much faith. They went to the ward in Roy and while they were there someone offered them a place to live. They still don't have jobs, but they know that God will prepare a way. Like Nephi when we have the guts to keep the commandments, the Lord will always always always prepare a way for us to do that.
The new Hallelujah Easter videos came out. My favorite one is the Hallelujah chorus with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and 1000+ virtual choir. I just feel gratitude for my Savior each time I watch. I need grace. Without Christ I would be completely lost. Because of Jesus Christ and His infinite love and grace He can give me lasting peace. He can help me to be better. Heavenly Father will not allow the smallest sin to enter into His presence. With Jesus Christ I can be changed and made new and clean and happy. That is the miracle of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, through it we are not just forgiven, but we are changed. And I love Him for that.
I love you!
Hermana Ogden
We taught Itzel again this week! It was amazing because she already has a love for the Book of Mormon. We talked about faith and how the Book of Mormon is such an incredible blessing from our Heavenly Father. Quick story: The day we found her was a day after a car accident she was in. When we met her she told us about the accident and we were able to explain what a priesthood blessing is and we had some men from the ward come and bless her to recover. We didn't find her home until just last week. This week she told us her point of view of that story and she told us how that morning she had prayed for safety and protection during the day – and then she was in that accident! She was staying at home to recover from minor head and back injuries when we knocked on her door. She bore her testimony to us that she knows this is something that God wants for her and her family. He allowed her to be in that accident so He could show her that He heard her prayers and would protect her, and then sent us to give her family the guidance and direction that they need to stay spiritually safe and happy. She knows we were sent by God and is seeing blessings from His hand. I am so grateful to a loving Heavenly Father who wants our happiness and well-being so much that He has done everything for us – He sent us Jesus Christ!
Another family we are working with is doing pretty well in reading the Book of Mormon. One of the kids told us that one of the blessings he has seen from reading the Book of Mormon every day is that learning in school is actually easier for him. He can see the little things that God is doing to help him out. Melvin is the older son and he was so excited to tell us last night that he is really loving the Book of Mormon as well. We asked him what chapter he was in and he said really happily – "Genesis!". We said we were proud of him. At least he is reading something!
I remember being in Young Womens and working on Personal Progress. One of the values I kind of avoided was Good Works. Not sure why, but I left almost all of those for the end. As I did my 10 hour project for that working with Grandma in New Outlook Therapy I found a real love for service. And here on my mission I am learning even more how much I love it. There is such a great sense of peace and satisfaction that comes from going about doing good. It's really simple but I don't think there is a better way to find love for others or feel close to the Savior. As I learn more about His example I just love Him more and learn that His way of living is the best way to live. A few hours after a short service project we met a man who was really put out with the church. He accused us of not being Christian, that Christians serve others and that he didn't see any of the members around him being very service minded. We read a verse from the Book of Mormon with him about how when we are serving others we are serving God and that is such a great reason to serve others. He thought about that for a second and then got realllll nice and gave us water and orange juice and pears. (They are the most delicious pears 0.0).
He then told me I should get my liver checked out. That was weird. Door contacts in Ogden never disappoint hahaha.
We had a really interesting lesson with a couple named Olivia and Jose. They are the most interesting people, and they've been through a lot. They didn't want to speak spanish with us so we had to teach in English. Let me tell you – teaching in english is SO HARD. #spanishprobs. Anyways I felt all over the place, but we did our best. And the miraculous part was that the spirit was there. They felt it. Over and over again the Lord is teaching me that He can do amazing miraculous things with small and simple things, sincere and tryingreallyhard things. His grace is sufficient :)
We had a tender mercy this week when we went to visit one of the member families of the ward (a really really great one that I love a lot) to follow up with them about some referrals. As we pulled up they were putting the last of their suitcases in the car. They moved to Roy this weekend. That night! When I asked them why they said that their boss/landlord had them work on Sundays so they couldn't go to church, and Saturdays, so they couldn't work in the Temple. So they quit!! They have so much faith. They went to the ward in Roy and while they were there someone offered them a place to live. They still don't have jobs, but they know that God will prepare a way. Like Nephi when we have the guts to keep the commandments, the Lord will always always always prepare a way for us to do that.
The new Hallelujah Easter videos came out. My favorite one is the Hallelujah chorus with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and 1000+ virtual choir. I just feel gratitude for my Savior each time I watch. I need grace. Without Christ I would be completely lost. Because of Jesus Christ and His infinite love and grace He can give me lasting peace. He can help me to be better. Heavenly Father will not allow the smallest sin to enter into His presence. With Jesus Christ I can be changed and made new and clean and happy. That is the miracle of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, through it we are not just forgiven, but we are changed. And I love Him for that.
I love you!
Hermana Ogden