We finally were able to baptize Martin this week.
He is very special to us and I even go as far as to say he is my Nica tio - my Nicaraguan uncle!
He says he is going to take a trip within the next 5 years to go visit all the missionaries that have helped him in his journey, from Honduras to El Salvador to Guatemala, Mexico, TEXAS and Utah!
Being part of his miracle has really inspired me and helped me to further realize my importance here in the mission. I feel blessed to know him. I prize our friendship a lot and have learned many things in our lessons with him. He shared his testimony with us in his baptism and told us that he knew this was the church of God, and that he knows that the Lord had brought him here to this moment. I know that miracles still exist today and that this work is the work of the Lord, who loves us.
I wanted to take a moment to talk about repentance and forgiveness. First of all, it is your responsibility to forgive others, no matter how you have been hurt, no matter how long they have done it, no matter what they did. He only forgives us of what we do if we forgive others. And as a plus, we are liberated when we forgive others. Everyone deserves a second chance... I´m not saying you should blindly trust someone when they have done something, but we have to realize that every single person we know or have heard of is fighting a hard battle. Do you have weaknesses? Do you sometimes feel weak or handicapped by them? Guarantee every person you meet has their moments in the dark. People are complex and messy, and they have agency too. That means they can make decisions that affect us. Life isn´t the way `it´s supposed to be´ - how we imagine it. It is the way that it is. It is how we move through life and handle what comes which makes the difference. It really is. The gospel that I help people understand every day introduces us to the plan/outline that the Lord has for us, what He expects of us and how to live to achieve true happiness FOREVER.
Life is simple really.. but as it’s been said it just isn´t easy. We just don´t become who we want to be overnight, or even in a few weeks! We have to hammer and forge a character for ourselves over time. We have to overcome who we are to become who we will be, and we need to help others to do it as well. Sometimes the people just need a little bit of love, real understanding, and support to be able to get up the courage to take the steps necessary. It´s not magic, so it won´t happen in an instant; patience will be required. Sometimes we take credit for being patient when we are only putting off doing something we don´t wanna do. Something we find unpleasant. You can´t just sit on the side and whine about how things aren´t changing (either in a situation or in a person), especially when you have not given anything of yourself to help bring about a positive change. `For ye know not but what they will return and repent and come unto me with full purpose of heart and I shall heal them; and ye shall be the means of bringing salvation unto them´ (3 Nephi 18:32). Just.. do something. Have you done any good in their world today? Have you helped them in their needs? People do not lack strength or talents. They lack will. The Lord has promised us that if we ask with pure intentions and faith, anything is possible.
Believe in the impossible! Every other day is another day to change everything around. Do you have a dream? A hope? Something you want to achieve? Do you feel things have been the same for so long that those things are now impossible? Well... repent. Change that perspective right now. Everything is in our power to change. Tell yourself: `I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me´(Phil 4:13). What we gotta’ remember sometimes is it just doesn´t always have a process with exact steps that guarantee almost instantaneous results. We also learn from the scriptures that not knowing what steps to take is not an excuse to not do anything. Trust in the Lord. And remember that there is always something else we can do. What more is, the Lord expects us to do all in our power. Don´t judge yourself by what you understand of your potential. `For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. I would that ye should remember, that as much as ye shall put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day. `Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers.´ (2 Cor. 4:17, Alma 38:5, D&C 112:10).
And so, my beloved family, friends, and fans, `let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power, and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed´ (D&C 123:17).
Alma 5:26-28, 33, 34:32
Also, my support and sincerest love go out to the Taylor family at this time, who have suffered a most beloved loss in their lives this week. I hope you can send them your prayers, withersoever you are right now. Siguen adelante!
