Dearly Beloved Family,
I love you so much!!! I am doing super great! But what's more important is how my companion is doing: the friendly doctors are helping us out!! The medication and rest is really helping my companion; he is in a lot less pain! We aren't really supposed to do too much so that we don't make my companion's medical problem worse; but we're managing! I love how he is being on-purpose in the piso (our apartment)! He is trying to become the person he wants to be after his mission: he is analyzing himself, setting goals, and doing the best he can to improve! He is such a good example!! I feel like both of our mindsets are changing, and that our perspective is expanding. Heavenly Father teaches us ALL the time!!!
"Living the Gospel" is becoming such a meaningful phrase. Disciples of Jesus Christ live His Restored Gospel. Disciples actively seek guidance the Holy Ghost. Disciples are voluntarily and unconditionally obedient. Disciples love other people and seek happiness in service. Disciples have less "down-time" because they are enthusiastically doing something. Living the Gospel helps us to strengthen our personal relationship with Heavenly Father. Living the Gospel is the most fulfilling way to live!! I love being a missionary because I get to help other people live the Gospel and learn to live it better myself!!
Our friend Andrés is developing a lasting conversion. This Buddhism-sympathyzing Catalán is becoming a humble disciple of Jesus Christ. He initially agreed to be baptized to be more united with his wife (member), but now he is excited for baptism to follow the Lord and to gain the blessings of the Temple for himself and his family on the other side. The Spirit is working miracles constantly in the hearts of people here!! Last transfer we were very close to resting him, but then he began to read the Book of Mormon, pray, and come to church. Now he's excited to pay his tithing and prepare for the temple!!!! This work is so much bigger than I am, and so precious and wonderful!!
This week I learned about the power of positivism. I suggest reading Numbers 13 & 14; yes, from the Old Testament. We've been talking and studying a lot about capturing the vision of our Prophet Thomas S. Monson as a District, and we had made a District goal to use our own Liahonas to figure out how to "hasten" our ward's journey to the "promised land". Our Mini-MTC was planned with this focus, and we used videos from the "Hastening the Work of Salvation" webpage. The ward leaders who came murmured and made it seem like we were permanently stuck in "the desert", but the Spirit touched their hearts!! Our ward council yesterday was the meeting I've been dreaming about for months!! Hermano Herráiz, the former Stake President of Barcelona, made an incredible PowerPoint, and really nailed the negativity (again, see Numbers 13-14, the positive and negative reports, God's response, and the long-term consequences!! Notice how interesting it is that Israel wasn't allowed to go to the Promised Land until they were united in their positivism!!). Then Hermano Arcos, the former Bishop, shared an inspiring story of his primary-age son who is having success sharing the gospel at school!! Members who had been pouring negativity into the ward's progress felt the Spirit, and began pouring positivity back into the discussion!! They set goals, made plans, and were lifting their vision; THE MISSIONARY EFFORT IS TURNING INTO THE WARD COUNCIL'S EFFORT!!!! They've caught the vision of the Prophet, and we're becoming more united, which means that we WILL see the Lord's promised blessings!! This was the miracle of the month!!!
"With increased vision comes increased motivation" -Elder Tad R. Callister
The Lord has said, "Behold, I will hasten my work in its time." (D&C 88:73). He has asked us to participate in the Work of Salvation; and that means all of us. The Lord of the Harvest will Hasten His Work when we all unite with Him in His vision.
This week, please consider what the Lord is asking of us: https://www.lds.org/training/wwlt/2013/hastening?lang=eng
I know that Heavenly Father will inspire you with ideas as you seek to capture the vision He has for you and the people you know. It's happening here, and it will happen anywhere honest people seek. (Matt 7:7-8)
I know that Heavenly Father listens and answers our prayers. I know that this is the Lord's work. I know that there is power in positivism (faith) and in unity. I know that the Lord will bless and guide us as we seek to catch, share, and fulfill His vision for us.
Love,
Élder Zubeldia
No comments:
Post a Comment