My Constant

Everyone has questions of the soul. I have felt my own triggered this week from many of the people I talked with, and even some of you. Their experiences have caused me to reflect on God's wisdom, His love, grace, mercy, long-suffering, I came to Him with questions. Sister Tarawhiti took a nap during lunch one day while experiences and stories created a whirlwind in my mind. At first I notices others' thoughts filling my brain, but as I continued to ponder I came to the knowledge of a sweet, eternal reality. It was so liberating to admit that I don't have faith in the world, at all. I actually don't even have hope in it. I don't need faith in this, nor hope. Moroni confirms that in chapter 7 verse 41. WHAT IS IT THAT YE SHALL HOPE FOR? BEHOLD I SAY UNTO YOU THAT YE SHALL HAVE HOPE THROUGH THE ATONEMENT AND THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of YOUR FAITH IN HIM ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE. I have faith in Christ, because of the promises I have made with Him in the temple and at baptism. I understand that I don't have faith in anything else, and I don't need it. I am faithful and confident as I think about being spit into a world of chaos and discrimination that I will not need to worry, because I am building upon a ROCK, a SOLID FOUNDATION, whereon if men build upon, they CANNOT FALL. We need to read the scriptures the way they were written, it is simple and so plain. Christ is my constant, and that is my theme for my final transfer. HE IS MY CONSTANT. My eyes are being opened to see that the Book of Mormon is the patriarchal blessing for our nation. The principles taught in it will tie us to God, and allow us to lead HAPPY, JOYFUL LIVES in a world, where, like Moroni, you must stand firm and strong. What we are asked to do, is to have charity towards ALL MEN. To LOSE yourself in the cause of bringing up those around you. He has blessed me with gifts I know come from Him, and I feel the responsibility to use them for His benefit.

As I have strived to take care of one thing, my faith in Christ. I have realized that He is LIVING, WORKING, BREATHING, and ever involved with every detail. He is the way things get done around here. It's simplified my missionary work, just realizing that that's all I need to worry about. I have gained a confidence in Him. He is not stationary, He is actively involved in all that I am doing. I am glad I can see His hand, whether it be in the knowledge and testimony He has given me, or the blessings He's surrounded me with. I love the Lord.

Saturday night I sat down with Chuck. Linda and Sister Tarawhiti were talking, so I took the opportunity to really understand what Chuck is feeling. He hadn't received the priesthood yet, and was scared. I could feel it. Chuck and I have a special connection where I feel like we understand each other's souls. I wrote on a sticky note, as I did when he was baptized, LEAN ON MY FAITH. His feet are strengthening as he gives himself permission to stand. He received the priesthood the following day. I have learned that often times we don't even have to leave people with a commitment, the Spirit does that for us. How grateful I am for Christ, who is involved in all our lives. We have a loving Father who DOES (though it may seem otherwise, it is never not) do everything for our benefit. We went over to the Quinn's for lunch after church with the Segars where Brother Quinn was able to give us all the Priesthood talk. I was so glad to see Chuck open up to Brother Quinn. I want Chuck to learn about the Priesthood through a Priesthood holder who can walk him through it the rest of his life, and I know that the Quinn's would be willing to do that.

Chris and Jessica returned home from their California trip (I missed them so much) and reported that they hadn't read the Book of Mormon. They opened up about their concerns during church. They're figuring out how to hold onto many of their stances on some of the more controversial topics of the Gospel, while also understanding that the Gospel FILLS them completely like nothing else around them. They recognize that there was a void that was filled as we came over. We started our lesson singing I Need Thee Every Hour, it brought the Spirit in in such a lovely way. I love how music does that. We dropped their date for now, they have so much going on this month. We want them to be excited and ready for that day!!

The Ortega family is built on a rock. We see them almost daily and hope to be able to teach their son Diego soon, he came to church! How I LOVE the way Jesse parents. He does everything he does with LOVE and with a vision of eternity. He will do great things in our branch (soon to be a ward). He owns the Priesthood man. He is meek, and lowly. When I think of those qualities, how meekness is humility in action, not just the surface of it, I think of Jesse. How he loves his family and will do anything for them. Silvia wears her heart on her sleeves and everyone else's! That woman knows how to love as well! Her testimony and knowledge of a living Christ is inspiring. She lifts from where she stands and is a light in their home. Ariez had a great experience of repentance, where she kneeled down and felt the freedom of repenting. It is healing. They are sprinting along the strait and narrow path. We have the Wilsons as home teachers and all went over to their home for dinner last night. I love that I can count on the members to take care and love those I love so much.

I said it before, I'll say it again. Heavenly Father wanted me to experience what charity feels like, so He blessed me with these people. They have taught me unconditional love. With all my heart I would do anything for any of them. ANYTHING. 

Sister Tarawhiti is just a spark of light into every conversation we make with those around us. While I was on exchanges she visit one of our referral families, the Quinn's old neighbors, and taught the Restoration. We will be back to their home before the 6th, so I can meet them! What a bomb companion I have! Even when I was on exchange I LONGED to be in Yarmouth, almost to the point of tears I missed those we were teaching that night. I come home to a house at 9:30, but their homes are my home. I was, for one of the first times, truly homesick, and I was only gone for 24 hours. How I LOVE these people and want to spend every minute of my life watching them grow in the Gospel and see their families come closer together. The blessings of this Gospel are so real.

Bella Ortega's beautiful hair.

Weekly planning during Halloween