I have to say, one of my favorite parts of being a missionary has to be getting to learn SO much about my Heavenly Father, his perfect gospel and plan for us. I can literally feel how much it is changing the way I treat others, the way I feel about myself and my overall view on life and trials. The gospel brings us joy which is lasting happiness and as we expand our knowledge of it our testimony grows as well. The cherry on top is applying what you learn and really living the gospel; it's just so rewarding. Two things I have loved learning about in my personal study is 1. The life of Jesus Christ and 2. The church's 12 Step Addiction Recovery program.
Getting to know Christ:
We have an investigator we will named Guadalajara (older Mexican woman). She has grown up Catholic but has always felt uncomfortable with some practices and has had lots of questions. She is very interested in the gospel and feels there is something special about it. This week she expressed to us her doubts about Jesus Christ and that he actually came to earth and died for our sins. She asked me how I came to know that he really did live and die for us. I am so glad she asked me this because it was something I had never thought about. I shared with her how reading about his life, praying for understanding and living in a way that made me worthy of becoming like Him really helped me gain that testimony. How are you supposed to believe in someone or something you have never really taken the time to learn and study about? I have felt my testimony of my Savior grow as I have read about his earthly ministry and tried my hardest (which is really not that good but He understands :D) to apply it and become as He is. If any of you have any doubts about our Savior Jesus Christ first of all I want to say that I personally have come to know that He lives and knows us perfectly and that learning about Him and making that effort to get to know Him yourself will also help you to know. Guadalajara was really emotional that lesson and has since read about the Savior, read the Book of Mormon for the first time and came to church for the first time Sunday and LOVED IT! I am so excited for her, she says she feels a change in herself as well.
12 Step Addiction Recovery:We also have this investigator we found a while ago but has recently been really interested and we have been able to meet with him regularly. Before each lesson we would ask him if he had time to read the Book of Mormon to which he would always respond, "No." BUT THIS WEEK, he responded, "Yeah!!! But just a little..." he brings out his book and opens up to 2 Nephi 5. He had read 5 chapters and talked for 10 minutes straight about all that he learned and how it applies to an addiction he is trying to get over and how it helps him become a better dad... it was so wonderful. I almost wanted to cry! Hahaha! This investigator, "Nacho", lost his wife and kids to an addiction years ago, became homeless for years and recently has gotten back into work, lives with his sister and is working to overcome his addictions and change his life. He shared in our lesson this week that things have been so different since we came and knocked at his door and how he hasn't felt this peace before. I have been studying the Addiction Recovery program the church created and applying it into my own life with addictions I have. I may not have terrible, dangerous or life threatening addictions but we all have things to work on. As I have applied each lesson into my own life I gain a testimony of the teaching and am capable of teaching it with sincerity to Nacho. We incorporate each step into a lesson and he's doing so great. I love these people so much. Their progress is such a testimony builder to me :)
Templo Time!We went to the temple again this week with a less active we helped prepare to receive her endowments and it was BEAUTIFUL! When a member of the church receives their endowments in the temple they make sacred covenants with the Lord, it is an amazing experience and something I got to do prior to coming on my mission! I loved every moment of it and I wish I could live in the temple. My goal is to someday have a home that reflects the spirit of the temple. Funny story, a member from Old Town and his wife were invited to the session and inside of the temple I wasn't wearing my missionary tag so when this couple saw me they ran to me and I hugged his wife. Next thing I know this hermano opens up his arms and gives me a huge hug and a kiss on the cheek! I WAS AS STIFF AS A STICK! I haven't hugged a male in 6 months... It was so awkward. He pulled away from the hug confused. He realized I was still a missionary and apologized and explained that he thought I had gone home and was visiting...honest mistake! My response to the hug shows how awkward I am with physical contact with males now hahaha! A couple in our ward was also sealed for time and all eternity the same day. I just love the temple!
There is so much to learn about God and his gospel, I promise you all that if you take the time to study his scriptures and words of His prophets that you will all know it is all true as well. Los quiero mucho, until next week!
Hermana Tapia
Hermana Tapia
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