WEEK 33 "Lessons on lessons on lessons bring blessings on blessings on blessings" -Elder Anderson

Buenos tardes amigos !!

This week was awesome. The highlight was going to the temple with our three recent converts Edgar, Liliana, and Eddy! All three of them were so excited to be there for their first time. Each one of them had their own story of how they got to this point but the fact is that they had all received an answer through the same spirit.

The feeling of seeing someone that you love so deeply come to the temple and participate in these blessings was indescribable. The temple is truly the most beautiful place of peace and serenity that connects the earth to the heavens. At that moment when we were in the temple doing the work for our ancestors I knew that God allowed us to participate in missionary work and in family history work so that we could find joy. I am so grateful for these beautiful houses of the lord and the deep joy that comes through missionary efforts. 

Also this weekend I had the chance to talk to the temple president. He told us that the best way to prepare for a mission and stay converted to the gospel after a mission is by going to the temple regularly. 

He strongly encouraged us to work in the temple after our missions. The spirit hit me to the core and I knew this man was speaking the truth. The temples are truly the greatest blessings that God has given us. And there is nothing in this world that should hinder us from participating in these sacred blessings.

As we go to the temple we are promised that we will be given added spiritual strength to resist temptation and abound in good works. The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is as relentless as the atonement of Jesus Christ and this is because Jesus Christ stands at the head of this church. Christ is full of mercy and thus we have the opportunity to do the work for our ancestors so that they may have the chance to accept or reject these precious covenants that each and every one of us needs for salvation.

This week we taught Ruth and her family for the first time altogether. There was such a powerful feeling of peace and love in the room as we all gathered together to talk about Christ and his doctrine. We taught them about faith and repentance which leads to baptism and the holy ghost which then leads to making more covenants in the temple. When we told them we can enter into the temples as a family and be sealed forever their faces lit up.

God's most precious and sacred unit is the family. I felt the importance of this as we taught this precious family about these principles. The coolest part was that her husband Bryan had a huge change of heart during this lesson.  He went from not being interested before to having a deep desire to learn more and prepare for baptism.  I am so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ and that through him and his power we can see miracles like these every day.

 Oooo another miracles we saw this week was knocking on a door and teaching a family of 4 from Guatemala! They have incredible faith and have been Catholic their whole lives. They invited us in to share a scripture and eat tacos. How could you pass that offer up? We taught them about the power that floods into our lives as we read the Book of Mormon. The son of this family was very interested and convinced his family to let us come back. We will be teaching them tonight. 

Over here in Hollywood we are slammed with 3-4 lessons every day. We have been so blessed with amazing families and friends to teach. I love the Latin culture and the spirit that we feel each day as we teach everyone we see about the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because we have lessons on lessons on lessons we see blessings on blessings on blessings.

Have a wonderful week everyone! Les quiero mucho!

-hermana Richards 
 

Highlights 
-We did a service activity for three hours in the hot Florida sun cutting down normal trees and planting coco trees... only in Florida 

-our relief society president took us out to lunch this week to a cute farmers market 

-It's AVOCADO SEASON. We received Avocados "the size of a newborn baby"