One of the
MANY things that I love about Yucatecos is that they are very giving.
They don´t
let you leave their house without taking something with you.
We almost
always arrive at our apointments late because everytime we finish a lesson we
hear, "Wait, sisters! I´m going to make some horchata." or "hold
on! We´re going to get the ice cream out." Whether they be people with
money, or people with hardly anything. they give us everything they have. They
spoil us! Last tuesday night, I could barely climb up the steps to get on the
bus because my hands were so full. When we got home, I realized we had a full
watermelon, a kilo of tortillas, two liters of orange juice, and three tamales.
ONE DAY. The members here are so great. So so great. Please spoil the
missionaries in your wards. They´re a long way from home, they walk a lot (ok,
maybe those in the U.S. don´t) but I´m sure they´re working hard and appreciate
everything that you guys do for them :))
We´ve got
some interesting investigators these days. We are teaching an atheist, the
third one that I´ve gotten to know on the mission. His name is Armando, and
he´s one of the nicest guys I´ve ever met! He believes that we came from monkeys. I enjoy listening to his crazy ideas
and trying to help him understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It´s not easy,
but I´ve been studying a lot for him during my personal studies in the morning,
and little by little we´re getting there. What I like about him is that he´s
very open and willing to listen and investigate. I studied the story about
Korihor, the anticrist, in the Book of Mormon to help prepare for our first
lesson with him, and it was awesome because I was able to form some inspired
questions from that chapter, and from the way that Alma taught him.
Unfortunately, I was not able to give Armando a sign, like Alma did by striking
Korihor dumb, but that´s okay, Maybe next time.
I´ve been
studying lots of conference talks these past couple weeks during any extra time
I can find at night or on p-day, and I really enjoy the talk from Elder Jorg
Klebingat from October of last year. It
applys perfectly to the week that I´ve had…He says,
"Accept
trials, setbacks, and “surprises” as part of your mortal experience. Remember
that you are here to be proved and tested, “to see if [you] will do all things whatsoever
the Lord [your] God shall command [you]”(Abraham 3:25)—and may I just add,
“under all circumstances.” Millions of your brothers and sisters have been or
are being thus tested, so why would you be exempt? Some trials come through
your own disobedience or negligence. Other trials come because of the
negligence of others or simply because this is a fallen world. When these
trials come, the adversary’s minions begin broadcasting that you did something wrong,
that this is a punishment, a sign that Heavenly Father does not love you.
Ignore that! Instead, try to force a smile, gaze heavenward, and say, “I
understand, Lord. I know what this is. A time to prove myself, isn’t it?” Then
partner with Him to endure well to the end. Spiritual confidence increases when
you accept that “often trials and tribulations are allowed to come into[your
life] because of what [you] are doing right”
Something
that I´ve said once and will gladly repeat, is that one of the reasons I´m so
grateful to be here in the mission is because I´m learning why Heavenly Father
gives us trials and weaknesses, and how to handle them. They have always
existed and always will, and our necessary for our eternal progress. Have you
ever thought about the fact that sometimes trials and tribulations come into
your life because of what you are doing right? I know it´s true, and if we can
accept that, it can help us understand and push through them! I told my mission
president today in my email, "President, this hasn´t been the easiest year
of my life, but it sure has been the best one." I feel that way because
I´m learning more every day, I´m coming to know my Savior. I´m being blessed
beyond what I could ever imagine, and I feel a happiness that is inexpressible.
Until next week! Sigan con fe en cada paso.
Con amor,
Hermana Maki
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