Buenas Tardes!
This past week has honestly flown by with so many wonderful events, and also a lot of difficulties, and I truly wish to share all of the spiritually uplifting experiences I have been able to have but I will have to settle with a few of the small miraculous treasures of this week! From electrical hazards, to minor flooding problems, I have seen the Lord's hand in protecting both the life of my companion and I during the day to day events.
It was a true delight to see my family on Easter Sunday and all their smiling faces! They are just the greatest!
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| Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019 I LOVE MY FAMILY! |
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| It was also great to see DJ Ford and hear that he was recently Baptized. |
We had interviews yesterday, and talking with Presidente Maucotel, I offered the idea of seeing if we can try to develop a branch out here in our area <because the majority of the people really battle to have the money to go to church> and because it is growing so much! He said it is a wonderful idea and it also is something that our bishop has been asking to receive for quite some time, so we'll keep our fingers crossed and see what God's plan is for El Pedregal!
For one, we have found several wonderful new families to teach this week, and the surprising thing is that they all are from Veracruz! Due to a long-standing trend of economic troubles in the state of Veracruz, a large number of people have been and are coming to the bright future of Monterrey, and more specifically to the areas in which we live because they are all new neighborhoods! This is so sweet because when we taught Hermano Jorge and Hermano Luis this past Sunday, they were able to tell us of their Christ-like desires to follow his example, and it was so tender to be able to testify to them that the Church we represent truly is the holiest way in which we can live! So a lot of wonderful little stories to share but suffice it to say that we are running full speed with our area, and with the changes coming next week, I am truly praying that I will be able to stay here for quite some time!
It truly has been a week of miracles and as I was discussing with President Maucotel in our interviews, I expressed a desire to be able to learn and develop more the spiritual gifts that God has granted to me, and thanks to his wisdom and experience he was able to help me resolve a lot of my concerns
I also was able to plan our district activity for today, and we went over to Abasolo in order to play soccer as a district on this sweet synthetic turf field where we were able to have a great time playing together and uniting in our missionary brotherhood!
As I was reflecting on this past week, I have honestly been battling with many forms of unexpected exhaustion. At the end of each day, I am truly battling to try to complete all that we have planned! This made me very nervous because I didn't wish to develop some symptoms that would interfere completely with my ability to serve as a missionary. This led to being able to devote a bit of time to listen to a BYU Devotional Talk that discussed the many forms of healing which we encounter in the gospel, and one of the quotes that the speaker shared that I would like to share with all of you right now if from Dallin H. Oaks in his October 2006 General Conference Address where he stated:
“Healing blessings come in many ways, each suited to our individual needs, as known to Him who loves us best. Sometimes a ‘healing’ cures our illness or lifts our burden. But sometimes we are ‘healed’ by being given strength or understanding or patience to bear the burdens placed upon us. “The healing power of the Lord Jesus Christ—whether it removes our burdens or strengthens us to endure and live with them like the Apostle Paul—is available for every affliction in mortality.”
I really testify of the words of a living prophet, seer, and revelator. I can honestly express that often we place certain demands upon the types of healing we wish to see in ourselves, and at times we can attempt to pray that God will conform His Will to ours, but what I love is that from this greater understanding of what it truly means to be "healed" we can feel greater peace, appreciation for that which we do have, and strive to let the grand plan of God work within our lives and stop fighting so hard against the many adversities we face. That by permitting the grace of God to more fully take part in our lives, we can begin to see a semblance of Him begin to develop, and a true love for the power of Christ to mold us into an instrument beyond our greatest expectations!
I truly love all of you and even though I haven't been physically healed completely of this struggle, I can honestly testify that I have received the strength to complete with what the Lord asks of me. Although it is a struggle beyond words at times, His Power has given me just what I needed to 'bear my burdens with ease." I testify that this power is available to all of us and not just full-time missionaries. That God is always at our side to teach us, and if we humble ourselves in mighty fasting and prayer, that is when the miracles within our souls begin to occur.
I hope you all have a phenomenal week! I wish I could say more but due to a lack of time I just have to say "Les quiero muchisimo y cuidense!"
Elder Raven
