Hola familia y amigos,
This week has been really good. We have continued to
find new investigators to teach! The mission is full of miracles! I
love it so much! We are finding amazing people too. And we are
teaching with unity and the Spirit.
Which leads me to a cool experience we had yesterday.
We taught Angelino for the first time. We decided to teach him
about the Book of Mormon as another testament of Jesus Christ. We usually
explain what the Book of Mormon is, using the pictures in the front, then we
read a scripture that we think they will like, or that is meaningful to us, and
then we end reading Moroni 10:3-5 with an invitation to read and pray.
My “go to” scripture is Alma 7:11-12, but I really felt like
we needed to read something from 3rd Nefi 11. Only to find out later, that Hna.
Palomino had the same impression. She knew I was leading the lesson, and
I had the Book of Mormon so she didn´t know how to tell me to go to 3rd Nefi
11. And she figured I would read in Alma 7. But the Spirit was in
charge of that lesson, not us!
We also had a first lesson with Maricel. When we got
there she was in the shower but her long- time friend and roommate let us in
and told us we could wait. We talked to her for a while and were able to
teach both of them about the Book of Mormon. Maricel definitely has more
interest, but they both agreed to us returning and are both going to be there
when we pass by.
We had a lot of lessons set up for this week, but many of
them fell through. When this happens we always tell ourselves,
"Well, at least we have lessons that can fall through" There
were a few weeks when we couldn´t even schedule lessons.
We have had a goal this week, to pray before each of our
lessons, something we have both done with other companions, but have forgotten
about. It has made a HUGE difference in our lessons. I guess, more
than anything this week, I have seen the Spirit guide our lessons. It has
been amazing to see the difference a simple prayer before a lesson can make.
I know the Spirit is what converts people, and I am so glad that we have
been able to have a stronger presence of the Spirit in our lessons!
So, it sounds like we have been having a pretty good week.
And we have, but we are currently in a bit of a rough patch. This
morning we were notified that the Bolivars are not going to get married
anymore.
Long story short we cried a lot this morning and don´t
really know how to help them. I have said some of the most fervent
prayers of my life this morning. And it has payed off. I was
praying, pouring out my heart. Praying for strength and comfort for me
and for them. And for inspiration. Obviously Satan has an
influence. God wants them to get baptized and married, Satan does not.
We are not sure what to do to help them, but we are not going to give up
on them!
So, as I was praying I felt strongly that we should read “A
Family Proclamation to the World” [see below] with them. I went to go get it so I
could read it through (it´s been a while since I have read it in Spanish) and
Hna. Palomino asked what I was grabbing. I told her, and she said that
she also felt very strongly that that was what they needed to hear.
We are going to pass by, once we finish emailing.
PLEASE PRAY FOR THEM! I am very worried about them. My SOUL
hurt so bad this morning. I don´t think I have ever hurt so bad or been
so sad. It still hurts a lot, but we are getting through. PLEASE
PRAY FOR THEM!
But a lot of good things are happening, and we are having
faith that everything will work out according to His plan. The mission
wasn´t supposed to be easy. This week is going to be a lot of fun!
We have zone conference and the temple on Wednesday.
That night, we are going to a Real Madrid soccer game. And, some
members told us, that it is the BEST game we could have gone to. In the end,
the tickets were cheap because they are playing a lower team, BUT it is a
tournament game. Which means, they have to win. If they do not win
this game, they are going to be out of the tournament, and done for the season.
SO, they are going to be playing their best players! We are so
excited for this game. And, the Hermanas coming from Alcala, have
permision to spend the night because president doesnt want them traveling late
at night.
Christmas Eve we have a devotional for us missionaries, by
President. We are then going to Alcala to spend the night with them! 2
sleepovers in just over a week. hahaa. Who knew the mission was so fun!
Hna. Palomino has recent converts in Alcala and we are spending the day
with them, until we go to Skype. They are from Mexico and I am very
excited to eat delicious Mexican food on Christmas! We visited them once
this transfer and they are an amazing family. I am excited for our plans.
I know this church is true! I know this work is
important. I strive every day to do better and to share it with more.
I am weak, but He makes me strong! I NEVER want this to end!
I know my Savior lives and loves me! What a blessing!
Con amor,
Hermana
Olsen
The Family
A
Proclamation to the World
The
First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-Day Saints
We, the First Presidency and the
Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained
of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal
destiny of His children.
All human beings—male and female—are
created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of
heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is
an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal
identity and purpose.
In the premortal realm, spirit sons
and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His
plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly
experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine
destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family
relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and
covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return
to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.
The first commandment that God gave
to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and
wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and
replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded
that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and
woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.
We declare the means by which mortal
life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of
its importance in God’s eternal plan.
Husband and wife have a solemn
responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children.
“Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear
their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and
spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the
commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands
and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the
discharge of these obligations.
The family is ordained of God.
Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are
entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father
and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family
life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord
Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained
on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love,
compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design,
fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are
responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their
families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children.
In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one
another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may
necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when
needed.
We warn that individuals who violate
covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill
family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we
warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals,
communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern
prophets.
We call upon responsible citizens
and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to
maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.
This proclamation was read by
President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief
Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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