tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76611606986716533832024-02-07T17:53:45.800-08:00 Hermana Melody Maki I am serving as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints assigned to labor in the México Mérida Mission for 18 months! This blog is a way for all of my friends and family to stay updated on this wonderful experience I get to take part in, spreading the gospel all day every day!Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01891726967834018871noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661160698671653383.post-12605933801894320372015-09-22T07:47:00.002-07:002015-09-22T07:47:31.017-07:00Last P-day...<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Over the past 18 months, I´ve seen a lot of really happy people, and a lot of people who are really suffering. There´s a lot of pain in the world, a lot of things that I honestly didn´t know existed. I´ve seen the consequences of divorces, addictions, disobedience, and pride. I´ve also seena lot of people who pass through big trials many times when it seems that they´re doing just about everything right. Now, my intention is not to focus on the negative, because I´ve also seen how the gospel has blessed and changed many families and many individuals. I´ve seen the power of the Atonement in action. It´s real! I´ve seen attitudes and behaviors change as the doctrine of the gospel is more fullu understood. But I think that one of the most important things I´ve learnd on the mission and I can bear testimony of, is that "it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things." (2 nephi <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1994455660" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">2:11</span></span>)</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">David A. Christensen says "As long as we live in this world, there will always be opposition. Accepting that important truth helps us accept opposition without wondering why or when it will stop. We can then focus on learning from it and perhaps grow a sense of gratitude and glory. It´s a part of life. There´s a purpose in it."</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">So many people often ask themselves, (and ask the missionaries) "Why do bad things happen to good people?" </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">Sometimes, there´s not a perfect answer, but I´ve learned that just about any question can be answered with the scriptures. In 1 Nephi <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1994455661" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">11:17</span></span> it reads, </span></div>
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<span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">I know I have a Heavenly Father who loves me! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">His primary plan is that we grow and learn in this laboratory of life-complete with thorns, thistles, and noxious weeds. Sometimes that knowledge must be enough.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">I learned a lot last week from my personal study in Ether 6. I chose to study for a sister in the ward who is going through a divorce. I learned that it was the wind and the waves that helped the Jaredite barges arrive in the promised land. (vs 8) There were "tempest and fierce winds" which helped the barges continue on. Did they get there overnight? No. Actually, it ook 344 days to get there! And as they were "burled in the depths of the sea" they "sang praises unto the Lord and thanked him all the day long." When their journey had ended, they "humbled themselves before the Lord and shed tears of joy." </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">Each and everyone of us can apply this wonderful chapter to our lives! I finally get it. FINALLY! </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">The adversity, trials, and hardships are what move us forward, help us progress, be humble, and learn how to rely on our Heavenly Father. and then, when we suffer them with patience and make it through, we must humble ourselves before the Lord and thank Him for helping us become stronger and better people.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">President Lorenzo Snow said, " <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); line-height: 30.6px;">for everything you have suffered, for everything that has occurred to you which you thought an evil at that time, you will receive fourfold, and that suffering will have had a tendency to make you better and stronger and to feel that you have been blessed. When you look back over your experiences you will then see that you have advanced far ahead and have gone up several rounds of the ladder toward exaltation and glory. …</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">“Take it individually or take it collectively, we have suffered and we shall have to suffer again; and why? Because the Lord requires it at our hands for our sanctification” (<span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Teachings of Lorenzo Snow,</span> comp. Clyde J. Williams [1984], 117–18).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">For those we are suffering, who may have suffered, or feel down, just keep going! Don´t give up. Trust in our Heavenly Father. Seek revelation in the scriptures. Know that it´s all part of His plan. All he is showing you is that he wants you to become stronger and better, and sometimes we have to suffer in order for that to happen.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">I testify that Heavenly Father lives; He loves us. When we are obedient and strive to know and do His will, He will bless us. I know that the Atonement of Jesus Christ can bring us comfort during times of sorrow, can heal wounded and broken hearts, and can help us become the sons and daughters of God that He would have us become :)</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">I love each and every one of you!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">With love,</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">Hermana Melody Maki </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14406124235340378474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661160698671653383.post-66868244546396437722015-09-22T07:46:00.003-07:002015-09-22T07:46:47.954-07:00Time´s running out!<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">This week was a good one, very interesting and busy, as usual! I was able to go on exchanges with the sisters in Garcia Gineres (my first area) but Sister Brito is sick, so I went and took care of her so that her companion could work. Her companion had been in the house with her for a week after she got out of the hospital and was going crazy, she needed to go outside! I went and stayed with Hermana Brito for two days (She has a stomach infection, an swollen liver, and who knows what else!) and the 3rd day we hit it hard and went out to work. It was fun being back in my first area. While I was there, I was able to read a lot in the Book of Mormon and Liahona magazine. I studied this week a lot about sacrifice and the law of consecration. Our mission president invited us to study these topics, and then to ponder what we must do as missionaries to be more consecated in missionary work. I have always loved a small scripture that President Garcia always shares with us in his emails, "Look unto me in every thought, doubt not. Fear not." D&C </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1994455659" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">6:36</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">. We must think of the Savior in all we do, and constantly remember HIS atonement. I know that if we can do so, we will have no reason to doubt or fear. Being consecrated means giving ALL we have to build God´s kingdom upon the earth. (material possesions, time, talents, etc) It means sacrificing and giving up wordly things, so that we can give time to the Lord to serve and help His children. As we do, he blesses us both temporally and spiritually. </span><br />
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Yesterday we were able to watch the rededication of the temple in Mexico City. In stead of having normal church services, All members who were interviewed by the bishop with a current temple reccoment were able to attend in the stake center to watch the satellite viewing. It was amazing! Elder Holland Spoke, as well as President Eyring. My testimony was strengthened and I feel so grateful to have temples all over the earth, so that we can enter there and make covenants with our Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ. Everytime I´m there, I feel my Heavenly Father´s love so strong, and feel so much closer to Him. In the temple we can leave behind all of our worries and frustrations, and focus on those things that will help us prepare to return to live in His prescence for all eternity. It is there were personal revelation comes flooding in, if we are prepared and always in tune with the Spirit. </div>
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The work is giong just great in Madero. Karla and Edgar, an investigator and less active, and making plans to get married soon and are happier than ever. Last week, 15 less actives went to church, which also made me feel very happy because we have been working with them a lot in this area. </div>
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That´s my quick update for this week, I love you all so much!</div>
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Hermana Maki </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14406124235340378474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661160698671653383.post-59792081840034381652015-09-22T07:46:00.000-07:002015-09-22T07:46:10.226-07:00Riding bikes in Mexico<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Last week Hermana Sanchez and I decided that it´s been too long since we´ve been on a good ol bikeride, so on p-day early in the morning we walked over to the paseo verde (a park in our area) and rented bicycles! It was only 10 pesos (less than a dollar) for an hour. So we rode about 15 km and it was quite a blast. We even found a cool wall to pictures by. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">I´m really grateful for each companion that I´ve had on the mission, Last transfer I was really nervous to find out who my last companion would be, but I am so happy to be with Hermana Sanchez. She´s really great, really patient, and likes to work hard but have fun, just like MEEEE. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">Last Tuesday after our district meeting we had to do practices/role plays with other missionaries. Everything was going just fine until the assistants decided they wanted to be funny. All of a sudden they switched up the groups and put one american with one latino in every group and told us that we had 5 minutes to teach the restoration, in english! It was a complete WRECK. Not because Hermana Estrada doesn´t know english, but because I couldn´t speak! I couldn´t teach, I couldn´t do anything. I opened my mouth and did not make any sense. It was the weirdest thing ever and scared me big time because I know I´m going to come home with broken english. I felt like an idiot. I´m just going to stick to spanish, I like it better, and Preslee, you´ll be excited to hear that I don´t have a super gringo accent. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">We found 5 great new investigadores this week. One of them is Maria Paola, a 19 year old who lives in front of the stake young women´s president. A year ago, she was in a terrible car accident and was in a como for a long time. I think that because of that and all that she has been through, she´s very receptive to the spirit. Although her parents are very catholic and haven´t joined us in the lessons yet (I know they will soon) they´re supportive of her decision to try something new. On Wednesday night she went to the relief society activity in the chapel with us. The sisters had a mini spa. They did facials, massages, and lots of other fun stuff with relaxing music and cute little plants for decorations. She loved it! It made me happy to see that all of the sisters were so nice and helped her feel welcome. So then, she sent us a message on Saturday night saying that she had too much homework to do on Sunday and that she wouldn´t be able to go to church. My companion and I both looked at each other (we were having a family home evening with some less actives) and said "nuh-uh. not happéning." and told her to at least go for an hour, and she did! actually she stayed for two hours and absolutely loved the gospel principles class. We talked about service, and the teacher invited everyone to do one act of service everyday this week and write it down. She even wanted to take a picture with us. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">Alma 29:10 explains how I have felt lately:</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="border: 0px; display: inline-block; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 30px;">10</span><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">I feel joy to see many of God´s children striving to make changes in their lives, and to also see many of them being bold and courageous to try new things. I think that´s really what this life is about. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">That´s all for this week, know that I love you all!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Until next week,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Hermana Melody Mak</span><span style="color: #777777;">i </span></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14406124235340378474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661160698671653383.post-49290458073955054502015-08-18T11:47:00.000-07:002015-08-18T11:47:54.897-07:00Time to catch up!Wow! I apologize for not writing last week, things have been crazy! So
much has happened, I will quickly try to summarize it all, and I promise
to include pictures today :))<br />
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First off, Jessica,
Monica, and Karla got baptized 2 weeks ago. After fasting with them for
24 hours in the hot Merida heat, they received promptings that this
church is true and that they needed to be baptized, even though their
dad is catholic and very heard-hearted. Their mom is a member, and they
knew that they have her support, our support, and a wonderful ward
behind them. I think that it was the most beautiful baptism I´ve ever
attended, I could feel the Spirit so strong. All three of them bore
their testimonies to finish the baptismal service, and I think that
there wasn´t a dry eye in the whole room! They are amazing girls and I
feel so priveleged for the opportunity that I was given to be a part of
their baptism and learn from each one of them and their strong
testionies!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
2) Wendy, a recent convert in Madero, invited us to eat pizza with them <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_310137785" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Thursday</span></span>
night to thank us for helping their family. It touched my heart when we
realized that they didn´t even have enugh money to pay for the 2 pizzas
(their family is very humble and they have 3 kids to feed). We were
able to help them and on our way home were so grateful the love and
kindness of the members here. Many of them don´t have much, but I have
learned here that charity, the pure love of Christ, is not sharing what
you have left over, it´s sharing all that you have. What I loved is that
Wendy, even though were sitting at a big table outside the restaurant,
brought her hymn book and asked if we could sing a song and then say a
prayer to bless the food. The waiter came while we were saying the
prayer and loved it. </div>
<div>
The only sad part of the story is that the pizza made us sick, my companion was up from <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_310137786" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">2-5 am</span></span> throwing up, and I later woke up at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_310137787" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">6:30</span></span> with incredible pain and had to pass my language study in my hammock because the same thing was about to happen to me. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
3) Last Tuesday, Marilin and Eduardo got married! Marilin is getting baptized <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_310137788" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Wednesday</span></span>.
We were able to go to the courthouse for the wedding ( we´re
practically friends with the receptionists there after how many
weddings!)<br /><div>
It was a beautiful wedding and they´re happy as can be.. however, just like usual, there´s always a BUT...</div>
<div>
If
you haven´t noticed yet, the people here LOVE to feed the missionaries.
They took us back to their house (even though we practically said no
because we were going to go home and study) and quickly gave us some
tacos. Tacos de chicharon (pig skin) and then made me try morsilla.
Morsilla is...</div>
<div>
IF YOU HAVE A LIGHT STOMACHE DON´T READ THE FOLLOWING:</div>
<div>
They clean out the large intestine of the pig, and then fill it with pig blood and cook it.</div>
<div>
I ate tacos filled with that...</div>
<div>
and I DID NOT sleep that night. </div>
<div>
It
was a bad choice..but they didn´t really give me a choice. I ate it and
THEN they told me what it was. Memories, that´s all it is, right? wow.
It was quite the week!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
and then! 4) Cristian got baptized <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_310137789" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Saturday</span></span>
night. She´s a cute little 9-year old who is so excited about the
gospel. Her dad is less active and doesn´t want much to do with the
church but her mom is coming back and is doing great. Her dad offered
her tea to drink the other day and she told him, "No, dad. The
missionaries taught me that we shouldn´t drink tea. I´m not going to
drink it." and then when he said they were going to go to the waterpark
together <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_310137790" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Sunday</span></span> she quietly replied. "I´m not. I need to go to church." and she showed up. Children amaze me...they really do! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
With an upset stomach for 3 straight days, a lot of heat, and then a lot of rain, it has been a great week with much success. </div>
<div>
The work continues to move forward.</div>
<div>
Today was transfer day. looks like I will spend my last transfer in Madero</div>
<div>
My
companion is Hermana Sanchez. she´s from Chile and I love her! We´re
excited to continue seeing the hand of the Lord and the miracles that
happen as we serve Him.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I love you all and hope all is well at home :))</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
con amor,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hermana Melody Maki </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
FOTOS:</div>
<div>
1- Marilin after her wedding</div>
<div>
2- Morsilla. It was actually realllllllly good.</div>
<div>
3- Monica, Karla, and Jessica at their baptism</div>
<div>
</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14406124235340378474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661160698671653383.post-7065092386537900442015-08-18T11:44:00.001-07:002015-08-18T11:44:27.895-07:00This week was a hot one, to say the least.<br />
<div>
Last monday my companion
and I wanted to go to centro to look around at the shops, but it was the
only day we can CHOOSE whether or not we want to be in the sun, so we
decided to go home and rest. But it was so hot that we couldn´t even
take a nap! we tried and it was a big failure.</div>
<div>
My companion
decided to take a shower, thinking that would help, but there´s only one
setting on the water, in the summer it´s hot, and in the winter it´s
cold. She took a hot shower and felt even worse, but the yucatecos loved
it. I contacted a lady on the bus that same day who told me that what
she loved most about yucatan was that you can take 5 showers a day here!
That same night (monday) neither one of us could sleep. After about an
hour my companion whipped out our little camping burner and heated up
our awesome mexican soy milk and we fell right asleep. Not a boring day
goes by in the mission, ever.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Last night I got up at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_310137784" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">3 am</span></span> to put an ice pack on my neck so that I could fall back asleep! I think the next time I see snow, tears will probably be shed.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This
week we were teaching cristian, a little 9 year old girl who is
preparing to be baptized. She´s the only one in her family that isn´t a
member, they´ve been inactive for quite a while. We watched this video
with her, <a href="https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2014-03-0040-video-presentation-walk-in-his-light?lang=eng" target="_blank">https://www.lds.org/<wbr></wbr>media-library/video/2014-03-<wbr></wbr>0040-video-presentation-walk-<wbr></wbr>in-his-light?lang=eng</a></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
and
we taught her about her divine worth! We taught the law of chastity and
the word of wisdom, that if she keeps her body clean and pure, she can
one day enter the temple, be sealed for time and all eternity, and have
her very one eternal family. I almost cried during the video as I
thought about her future. Years down the road she will be able to look
back and remember that she kept the commandments from a young age and
see the blessings that were received as a result of doing so. She ran up
to us at church yesterday and gave us a big hug in her new sunday
dress, it was so cute.</div>
<div>
The work continues to go forth! There´s
no resting in Madero, I know have 7 months in this area and hope that
President lets me stay, we shall see. We´ve got another busy week ahead,
so I must go.</div>
<div>
Know that I love you all and pray that you will seek missionary opportunities everyday :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
con amor,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hermana Melody Maki </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14406124235340378474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661160698671653383.post-6088518161543173052015-08-18T11:43:00.002-07:002015-08-18T11:43:56.893-07:00Being happy with what we have! :)I enjoyed eating with la familia filidor this week, they´re a cute
couple in our ward with two young daughters. About two years ago, they
started taking the self-reliance courses from the church (something that
the church is stressing a lot right now in Mexico) to learn how to open
a business, how to save money, etc.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hermano Filidor quit his job working at Costco (12hrs a day) and they opened their empanada business from <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_310137782" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">7 am</span></span>
- 12. After that, they close, and they´re all 4 home together for the
afternoon. They aren´t rolling in it, that´s for sure, but they have
sufficient money to cover their needs. His wife shared with us that they
turned off internet and cable when they really sat down and saw how
expensive it was, and how much time it was taking away from their
family. She also said that she was frustrated because they never
developed the habit of family scripture study because her husband would
get home at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_310137783" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">8 pm</span></span>
everynight when the girls were going to bed. It was something that
stressed her out alot, something that she knew they needed to do that
they weren´t.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I enjoyed hearing their testimony
of how simplifying their lives has helped their family. Each day, they
eat lunch together as a family and read the sciptures for an hour
together, sitting around the table. She said that her girls get so
excited when it´s time to read! that they start and end with a prayer
and pause at the important parts to explain them. I could feel the
spirit in their home, and I testified to them that any one who enters
there can and will feel it, because they are putting the principles of
the gospel into practice, day after day after day..and their family is
being blessed. Sometimes the most basic simple principles are the
hardest ones for us to live! why is it that way?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Through
small sacrifices and a lot of faith, their family now has MUCH more
time together, and is living with less material things, but with many
more blessings.</div>
<div>
I was pondering all afternoon what they shared
with us. Technology is great, it is such a wonderful tool in sharing
the gospel, we just have to be careful and only use it for the right
reasons. It´s easy to become addicted or too reliant on the cell phone
or the ipad. It´s not necesarily bad to have one, as long as it fits
into our budget, but I think that some of the most fulfilling moments we
can have are when we set it aside for a little while and go do
something as a family, or when we go and serve someone else.
AND...because I´m a missionary, I´m used to leaving invitations!
sooo..that´s the invitation this week..</div>
<div>
Set the technology
aside for a few hours, have a conversation face to face with someone,
and find one way to show your love or serve someone in need! Matthew
25:40 sayd "<span style="color: #777777; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Verily
I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of
these my brethren , ye have done it unto me. " Really you´re serving the
Lord! </span></div>
<div>
Find ways to simplify your life and go without
things that may be distracting or keeping you from progressing
spiritually and I promise the Lord will help you on the journey, </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I love and pray for each of you and hope all is well :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Con amor,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hermana Melody Maki </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14406124235340378474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661160698671653383.post-87307232987545328872015-08-18T11:42:00.000-07:002015-08-18T11:42:20.594-07:00<div dir="ltr">
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">Another
amazing week flies by! Each day here is so full. full of work, and full
of smiles. we have been receiving lots of referalls in the last two
weeks. we have been trying to contact all of them but sometimes just
can`t find the time when we`re running (sometimes literally running)
from one appointment to another. We have 23 received referalls that we
have yet to contact that could potentially turn into investigators, talk
about work! Lemme tell ya, we are busy and that is how I like it! I
don`t think I`ve ever slept so soundly in my whole life.</span><div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">I have really been enjoying my personal studies this week in Mosiah. I was reading Mosiah 10:10-11 on Friday...</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'comic sans ms',sans-serif; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">"And
it came to pass that we did go up to battle against the Lamanites; and
I, even I, in my old age, did go up to battle against the Lamanites. And
it came to pass that we did go up in the strength of the Lord to
battle. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'comic sans ms',sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">Now,
the Lamanites knew nothing concerning the Lord, nor the strength of the
Lord, therefore they depended upon their own strength. Yet they were a
strong people, as to the strength of men." </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'comic sans ms',sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">I
immediately then wrote this question in my study journal, "How can I
work as a missionary in the strength of the Lord and not depend upon my
own strength?" </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'comic sans ms',sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">I immediately thought of a scripture in Doctrine and Covenants that reads, </span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">"And
now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit
which leadeth to do good —yea, to do justly , to walk humbly , to judge
righteously; and this is my Spirit."</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Instead of trusting in ourselves, we must trust in the spirit, because if we do, the promise is fulfilled that, "..</span><span style="line-height: 22px;"> it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say." (D&C 100:6)</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">I
never have really elegant words or special things to tell the people I
teach, but what they need to hear is given to me when I pray for the
Spirit and follow the promptings it gives. I`m so grateful for the gift
of the Holy Ghost and grateful to be led and guided by him, whether
we`re in a lesson or out in the street.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">We
were teaching a recent convert family who are having family problems,
they have three kids, 11, 8, and 7.. but before they were baptized they
had a tough life and basically grew up in the streets. The two youngest
girls do nothing but fight, and the 8 year old is very rude and
continues to swear in front of her parents. We sat down with the whole
family and as we began to teach the 3rd lesson, the gospel of Jesus
Christ, both my companion and I felt impressed to steer off track for a
minute and try something new. We went around the circle and had each
child say something that they liked about each of their siblings and
their parents, and the parents did the same, they all shared one thing
that they liked about each family member. Immediately, smiles came to
their faces and the youngest girls gave each other a hug, something that
they NEVER do. It was amazing to see the smile on their mom`s face as
she saw her kids calm down and show each other a little bit of love, and
it brought tears to my eyes as she shared what she loves about each of
her children because she was not a very nice momma before she got
baptized.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">It
was a neat experience for me and I invite each of you to do the same
during your Family Home Evening tonight! Give each one of your family
members a compliment, and watch how everyone immediately feels a calm
spirit of peace in the home and an increased love toward your family. I
know that the family is ordained of God and that now more than ever we
must do all that we can to protect it :))</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">con amor,</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">Hermana Melody Maki </span></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14406124235340378474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661160698671653383.post-53701323723857413562015-08-18T10:56:00.001-07:002015-08-18T10:56:22.349-07:00Singing in the rainWow, what a week we had! The zone leaders called last night with our
transfers and said that Hermana Martinez and I are staying in Madero! I
have 6 months in this ward and looks like I´m going to spend my last 3
here as well, and I couldn´t be more excited. The members here truly are
the greatest.<br />
<div>
I forgot to take pictures, but Thursday afternoon we
were leaving an appointment in the afternoon when it started to POUR. I
think I probably wrote a little last summer about how it rains here, it
doesn´t rain down, it rains SIDEWAYS. With an umbrella, my whole body
got wet except for my face practically. We were both so soaking wet, and
we walked 30 minutes through the storm to Memo´s house. Everytime we
walked through a street corner it was like taking a step into the dark
because the water was midcalf and who knows what was down there in the
water. We just walked, and laughed, and sang hymns, and yelled "gracias"
to all of the nice bus drivers who drived by splashing water on us :)
When we were leaving the appointment and it started to rain, the members
told us to stay there and wait it out, that we would get wet and then
get sick if we walked through the rain, but we told them that we had
another appointent and that the Lord would protect us, we´re HIS
missionaries! When we got to Memo´s house (a future missionary) who has
been working with us. Him and his sister took us to the appointment in
their car even though it was 3 blocks away. Yucatecos do NOT like the
rain. We taught Christian, a little girl who´s 9 that is getting
baptized this month. We taught her about the plan of salvation and what
things we need to do to be able to return to live with our Heavenly
Father. We were pretty wet and cold when we got home that night, but it
truly was a fun day.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
While I was on exchanges
this week in Almendros with Hermana Caseco, we went to see an
investigator named Jackie, who is going through a divorce. She has a big
huge house and is all alone. When we got there at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_386154638" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">12:30</span></span>
she was still in her pajamas and hadn´t eaten, so she got on her phone
and ordered lunch. "Can you guys stay and eat with me, please?" </div>
<div>
"no," we responded. "After we finish her we´re going to eat! Don´t worry about us!" </div>
<div>
so
she puts her phone up to her ear and orders us lunch and sodas. It was
hilarious. "Okay," she said, "let´s talk while the food´s on it´s way.
you don´t have an option. You´re eating with me." So we taught her the
restoration, she had a ton of great questions, and then we ate. The best
part? When we showed up, she said "Sisters, it would be better if you
come next week! I´m so behind today and I have so much to do!" So we
asked her if we could at least sing a hymn and say a prayer and she
goes, "yeah of course!" and it was after that when she invited us to
eat. I´ve learned that when the people here say they don´t have time,
it´s usually not true. "I don´t have time to listen right now, but stay
and eat with us, will ya?" i´m lerarning how they work and how to get
their attention and get them to listen. </div>
<div>
I´m grateful for the
mission. It´s the greatest! Being a missionary has brought me so much
joy and happiness. I know this church is true and is led by a prophet,
under the direction of Jesus Christ.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Con amor,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hermana Melody Maki</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Foto 1)- Hermana Martinez and I at zone conference</div>
<div>
Foto 2) What´s huckleberry jam doing in yucatan? Thank you Rachel Camp for the awesome package! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14406124235340378474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661160698671653383.post-10484522463332331902015-06-26T13:04:00.000-07:002015-06-26T13:04:10.215-07:00What really counts?<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">I learned something new this week from a conference talk by Elder Uchtdorf...</span><div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">"Many
of the things you can count, don´t really count. Many of the things you
cannot count, really do count." As a missionary, you can count
baptisms, lessons taught during the week, referrals contacted, and so
on. But for Heavenly Father do those things REALLY count? What are some
things that maybe we can´t count in the mission with numbers? </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">--giving to the poor and needy (I see them everyday walking up and door the littered streets of Mexico)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">--giving the relief society president a big hug and telling her that everything is going to be alright</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">--staying up 10 minutes late to give comfort to an upset companion or missionary who is struggling...</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">the list goes on...and on...and on....</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">We had an experience last night that goes on the list of things that we can´t really "count" in the key indicators. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">After
our lunch appointment yesterday afternoon, Sister Bailey and I really
wanted to go visit Hermana Lupita, an active member in our ward who
lives alone. She is a grown lady, probably in her 60´s whose 2 hijos
have abandonded her. It´s hard for old people here to get jobs, so she
walks up and down the streets collecting plastic bottles to recycle.
It´s a common thing here for people to set their garbage out on the
street outside their gate and then to have it rummaged through by people
like her who collect them. Then they tie the bag right back up and
leave it all nice their on the sidewalk. So, she usually can get a big
garbage bag full by the end of everyday, and then she takes it to the
supermarket and they give her 20 pesos. (less than $1.50)..The sisters
in the ward make lunch for her everyday. Just like us, she has a food
calendar and goes to eat with them. One of the sisters in the ward who
is older and widowed lets her live in the apartment part of her house
for free. She invited us in yesterday and showed us her little kitchen
(which consists of a faucet and sink) her bedroom, with her bed that she
doesn´t sleep in because it´s too hot, her hammock, a small tv, and her
bathroom. That´s it!! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">We
read with her in the Book of Mormon about the tree of life. She´s so
smart! She was explaining the symbolism and how we can apply 1 Nefi 8 to
our own lives. She told us a little about her past. She is a convert of
10 years. We felt happy to be there with her. As we finished the
lesson, my companion asked her, "Lupita, is there anything we can do for
you before leaving?" "No," she responded...</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">"Are you sure?" we asked...</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">She
looked at us and sadly said, "Just a few things I need here in my
house." And I immediately began thinking maybe a curtain for the window,
or that she needed something repaired. with a sad look on her face she
said, "even just some cookies and a glass of milk?" </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">"Lupita," I asked, "do you have something to eat for dinner?"</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">"No, hermana. No I don´t." she said.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">"We´ll
be right back! Stay right here!" I said before even thinking of what we
were gong to do. We gave her a hug and set out on an adventure.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">I
remembered that at home we had hardly any milk (I don´t drink milk and
my companion is almost out) but that a less active gave us some nutella
the other day, so we could go make her a nutella sandwich and ask our
neighbors who are members for some milk. We went over and asked
them..They gave us a whole carton of milk, 4 pieces of bread with ham,
cheese, and mayo, and a big stack of cookies. We thanked them and made
it back over to Lupita´s house. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">As
we left, I felt many different emotions. I felt that in that moment,
maybe helping Hermana Lupita was more important than trying to get a
bunch of lessons in for the day so that we could finish the week with
high numbers. I began thinking about where we live in the US, with
Iphones, cars, good education, pantrys and fridges full of food, and my
heart felt grateful. I feel grateful for what we have, but I also feel
sadness at times seeing people here suffer and live off of so little.
Not all of them live that way, but many definitely do. I know that the
Lord has sent me here to help me be more humble and try to help whoever I
can. I love Him and and am grateful to be here during this time serving
HIS children in need.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Do I tell this story to receive recognition or a "Good job Hermana Maki"?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Nope. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">However, it was an experience that will always be with me. There´s no key indicator in our <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_365914567" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">sunday</span></span>
night call in for service or reaching out to someone in need. Instead
of counting those moments, we just remember them forever and more
importantly remember how we feel.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">I also loved this part from the conference talk..</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">".. If<span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><a href="http://www.mormon.org/beliefs/jesus-christ" style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-style: none!important; border-color: initial!important; border-left-style: none!important; border-right-style: none!important; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none!important; border-width: initial!important; color: #2f393a; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none!important; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: initial; background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jesus </span><span style="background-color: initial; background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Christ</span></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> were </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">to </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">sit </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">do<wbr></wbr>wn </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">with </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">us </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ask </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">for </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">an </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">acco<wbr></wbr>unting </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">of </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">our </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">stewardship, </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">a<wbr></wbr>m </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">not </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">sure </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">He </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">would </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">focus </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">much<wbr></wbr> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">on </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">programs </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">statistics. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">W<wbr></wbr>hat </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Savior </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">would </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">want </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">to </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">k<wbr></wbr>now </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">is </span><b><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">condition </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">of </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">our </span></b><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>he<wbr></wbr>art</b>. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">He </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">would </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">want </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">to </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">know </span><b><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">how<wbr></wbr> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">we </span></b><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>love</b> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">minister </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">to </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">those<wbr></wbr> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">in </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">our </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">care, </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">how </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">we </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">show </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">our </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><wbr></wbr>love </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">to </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">our </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">spouse </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and </span><a href="http://www.mormon.org/values/family" style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-style: none!important; border-color: initial!important; border-left-style: none!important; border-right-style: none!important; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none!important; border-width: initial!important; color: #2f393a; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none!important; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: initial; background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">family</span></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">,<wbr></wbr> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">how </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">we </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">lighten </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">their </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">dail<wbr></wbr>y </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">load. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">And </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Savior </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">would </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">w<wbr></wbr>ant </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">to </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">know </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">how </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">you </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">grow<wbr></wbr> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">closer </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">to </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Him </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">to </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">our </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Heav<wbr></wbr>enly </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Father."</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Let
us each remember this week to do the things that can´t be counted but
that really count for our Father in Heaven. Go do something that really
counts! Serve someone. Bake cookies for the missionaries who are far
from home and take them to them. Serve your neighbor who needs some help
with their yard. Do something, ANYTHING, for someone. It will brighten
their day, but it will brighten yours even more!! </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Con amor,</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); background-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hermana Melody Maki.</span></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14406124235340378474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661160698671653383.post-18673417477718827522015-06-26T13:02:00.001-07:002015-06-26T13:02:15.129-07:00<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">Our mission
president promised us, as a mission, that if we focus on retention and
reactivation of the recent converts and less actives, that the Lord will
bless us with more investigators. It makes sense, doesn´t it? If we
take care of the Lord´s children that He has already given us, but who
are new and confused or maybe older but have fallen away, he will see
our righteous efforts and bless us with more people to teach! So, that´s
what we´re doing. We always need more people to teach and are willing
to do <u>whatever</u> HE asks. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">This
week we worked a lot with Hermana Betty, a less active who at one point
in her life was very active in the church. Her husband was the bishop
of the ward in Centro and she was the primary president and later the
relief society president. She knows a TON of doctrine and usually
teaches us more than we teach her! Because of personal and family
problems, pride, and wordly things getting in the way, she has been
inactive for a long time. When we first started visiting her a few
months ago, she wouldn´t let us in. I remember one Sunday we went over
to pick up her daughter, Arely (23) because she always comes to lessons
with us. Betty was sitting outside having a BBQ with her family and
introduces us to her family as "the hermanas from Arely´s church" and
now, just a few months later, she has opened up and is humbling herself
before the Lord little by little. poco a poquito. when we got there on
Wednesday afternoon we yelled through the gate "Buenas tardes!" (because
in Mexico we don´t knock on doors and couldn´t if we tried because
everyone has fences outside their houses) so you just stand outside and
yell until they hear you and come out.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">Anyway,
she heard us and came running to the door and then goes, "Amigas! I´m
so glad you came!" she´s hilarious. She always calls us her amigas </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">anyway,
we got her one of the triple combinations that are really big for
people who can´t see well, because she wants to read the scriputres but
can´t see too great, so we surprised her with one and have been reading
the Book of Mormon together. We were going to invite her to church with
us on Sunday and before we even could, she tells us, "Sisters, it´s
going to be a long, hard process getting myself active in the church
again. I may not ever be 100% like I was before, but I want to try. I
think I need to fast and pray a lot." We told her that we would fast
with her and she agreed and then told us that we would finish the fast
on Sunday in the chapel, before we could even say aything! So, on
Saturday when we went to her house to start the fast, she got a huge
plate of pan dulce out and made us eat chocolate donuts and churros with
nutella. It was hilarious and lemme tell ya we weren´t hungry the
whole time....but we did have bad stomach aches for a solid 24 hours. It
was so much sugar and there was no saying no to her. Hilarious. But she
showed up to church and looked great. I hope that she will reactivate
and get a temple reccomend because two of her kids are getting sealed in
the temple between now and January. Wouldn´t that be great to be able
to be there!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"> sometimes
working with less actives can be hard, but actually, it´s really great.
A lot of times they just need someone to listen to them, sometime to
give them a hug and tell em that everything is going to be alright. they
need love! That´s what we have given Hermana Betty, LOVE. We truly love
her. I think that LOVE is the answer to just about everything.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">The
members helped us a lot this week. Hermana Evelyn who was just released
as the Relief Society president, came with us to visit Maria and really
reached out to her a lot. They switched phone numbers and have been in
contact all week. It helped Maria have a friend at church and feel like
someone really cares for her. There´s success in missionary work when
members and missionaries work together. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">I
saw the hand of the Lord many times throughout the week. I testify that
He loves and watches over His missionaries. I know that if we are
humble and submit ourselves to do His will, he will lead and guide us,
and more importantly, bless us and our families. Satan is attacking the
family, I´m seeing it everyday. I have seen many families who are
suffering, who are sad, who are being torn apart and have left or are
leaving the church. I was touched by a conference talk that I studied
this week titled "Defenders of the Family Proclamation"</span></div>
<div>
<div style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">
"All of us—women, men, youth, and children, single or married—can
work at being homemakers. We should “make our homes” places of order,
refuge, holiness, and safety. Our homes should be places where the
Spirit of the Lord is felt in rich abundance and where the scriptures
and the gospel are studied, taught, and lived. What a difference it
would make in the world if all people would see themselves as makers of
righteous homes. Let us defend the home as a place which is second only
to the temple in holiness. </span><span style="background-color: initial; color: black; font-family: 'comic sans ms',sans-serif; line-height: 30.6000003814697px;">Sisters,
I am grateful to be a woman in these latter days. We have opportunities
and possibilities which no other generation of women has had in the
world. Let us help build the kingdom of God by standing up boldly and
being defenders of marriage, parenthood, and the home. The Lord needs us
to be brave, steadfast, and immovable warriors who will defend His plan
and teach the upcoming generations His truths." </span></div>
<div style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: initial; color: black; font-family: 'comic sans ms',sans-serif; line-height: 30.6000003814697px;">
I think that whether we are mom´s yet or not, we can defend the
family and should strive to do all we can to make our homes a small
piece of heaven for all who enter. One of the greatest blessings that
Lord has given me is my family, a mom who is faithful to her covenants
and loves her children, a dad who who has taught us the importance of
serving others first, two sisters who each have their own unique
personalities and beautiful smiles, and two brothers who have helped me
toughen up and learn how to stand up for myself. I LOVE my family! and I
love the Lord because he has given them to me. </span></div>
<div style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: initial; color: black; font-family: 'comic sans ms',sans-serif; line-height: 30.6000003814697px;">That´s it for now, </span></div>
<div style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">con amor,</span></div>
<div style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">Hermana Melody Maki (:</span></div>
</div>
<div>
Photo-
Hermana Bailey and I headed out to church yesterday (we were excited
that it rained again because we could wear sweaters!)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBYghouEsYyRE0dmEJ_CLn7dLKT_lqgNa77WptDrgs-I3FmNkBf5vC6np7R2tSVqeO2fjelenOIm9j-jCxw7zkM5Hk1ZPNF8BnTmCSjLNWPL9-_xXTmxT1t1I4FH0mzdEulIN2t_LwWM/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBYghouEsYyRE0dmEJ_CLn7dLKT_lqgNa77WptDrgs-I3FmNkBf5vC6np7R2tSVqeO2fjelenOIm9j-jCxw7zkM5Hk1ZPNF8BnTmCSjLNWPL9-_xXTmxT1t1I4FH0mzdEulIN2t_LwWM/s320/unnamed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14406124235340378474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661160698671653383.post-35399058366094786262015-06-26T13:00:00.003-07:002015-06-26T13:00:40.134-07:00Sleeping in bunk beds!<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">I know that <span style="line-height: 22px;"> "</span>angels<span style="line-height: 22px;"> are declaring it unto many at this time in our land; and this is for the purpose of </span>preparing<span style="line-height: 22px;"> the </span>hearts<span style="line-height: 22px;"> of the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory." (Alma <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_365914563" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">13:24</span></span>)</span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">The
Lord IS preparing HIS children to receive the fullness of the Gospel.
This week while walking over to the farthest part of our area, we
decided to contact a lady who was outside washing clothes in 5 gallon
buckets like any old Yucateca. We asked her if we could help her and she
politely said that she was finishing up. We talked to her for a little
while through the fence and then she let us come in..however, it´s rare
for people to let us into their house, so we sat out on the patio. I
know it wasn´t any coincidence that she had a little table out there and
four chairs around it! We sat down and got to know her a little better.
Her name is Maria, her mom passed away a year ago, she´s married but
has never been able to have kids. She feels sad and alone, and suffered
from depression for a long time. My companion and I were both on the
same page and felt that we should teach her the Plan of Salvation. I
asked her, "Maria, have you ever wondered where you came from?" "no,"
she said. "Ok, have you ever wondered why you´re here on this earth?"
"no" she responded..."Have you ever wondered where we will go after this
life?" Her eyes got big, super big, and she quietly said, "YES! Now
that I have asked many times..do you have the answer?" So we sang a
hymn, she felt the spirit and had tears rolling down her face, and we
taught her the plan of salvation out there on her little patio. As we
began with the premortal life and we taught her a little about the war
in heaven, she looked dumbfounded and just asked, "wait, so I chose
God´s plan?" She understood EVERYTHING..As we taught her about the
Atonement, her eyes watered again, and as we read in Alma 7 with her, I
asked her how it made her feel to know that Christ suffered everything
that she´s feeling and suffering. "Knowing about the Atonement know just
helps me know and feel that I´m not alone." So then we went back on
Thursday and told her that if she needed help washing that we really
would help her. We got there at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_365914564" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">3:30</span></span>
and she had 5 buckets out there again full of clothes. "hermanas! I
thought you had forgotten about me! I´m so glad you´re here!" that time
she let us help her, so we got all the clothes washed and hung up and
then she goes, "that was so much more fun with 3 people, wasn´t it?"
she´s so cute. It amazes me how fast she´s learning and how excited she
is. She couldn´t go to church yesterday because it was voting day and
she was working with one of the political groups, but she told us she´s
excited to go this Sunday. I could tell from the begininning that she
has definitely been prepared to receive the gospel. She acepted a
baptismal date for July and is so eager to learn more and more. I´m
grateful that the Lord led us to her that day.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">She told us that her fantasy is to go to the U.S, and see what it´s like..</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">I´m
gonna have to take her someday! :) Everyone here just wants to know
what it´s like. I think we don´t really understand how blessed we are to
live in the United States. For me, it took coming to another country to
open my eyes and really realize all that the Lord has given us. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">our
other investigators are also doing well- 2 of them still have to get
married before they can get baptized which is always a blast! We´re
finding great new people each work and the work continues on. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">other
news: Last week we were in a trio for a week because one of the sisters
who is going to train was waiting for her companion to get here from
Argentina, there have been lots of visa problems as usual. She worked
with us for a week but it was hilarious having all three of us in our
house because it´s tiny, and the room we sleep in is not big enough for
three hammocks, so we had to make a hammock bunk bed, I slept underneath
Hermana Bailey. It was pretty hot and I woke up on the floor in front
of the fan with my pillow.....but I was so tired that I slept
nonetheless. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">That´s it for now!</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Les amo :)</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Hermana Maki </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Photos: 1) bunk beds</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">2)
in trio with Hermana Mejia escaping the rain. It rains sideways here,
so our umbrella didn´t do us much good in the end. We got soaked. super
soaked. </span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14406124235340378474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661160698671653383.post-32991771534890373772015-06-26T12:57:00.002-07:002015-06-26T12:57:57.129-07:00Who would´ve thought that Elder Bednar knew some spanish?!I had a ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUITY this week to be in a 3.5 hour
meeting with Elder Bednar! He took a little trip down to Mexico and
spoke to the whole mission. When he was asking questions, he kept
calling on elders and then he goes, "Now sisters, if you raise your
hands I will always give you first preference over the elders!" So I
raised my hand and answered, and I thought I was going to have a heart
attack. Anyway, I can´t really share or copy down what he said, because
he encouraged us to listen to the spirit more than to his words, so I
really don´t remember all that much of what he said. He told us to put
our notebooks away and not write down word for word notes because we
would never use them again and eventually lose them, it was hilarious!
But true...<br />
<div>
He began by giving some "guidelines" for the meeting. "I
will not play ´guess what I´m thinking´ when I ask questions. I will
not ask you to stand up and tell me what three things we promise to do
when we´re baptized. Because you´d be standing in front of an apostle of
the Lord, freeze up, forget, and get embarassed! I WILL NOT ask hard
questions," he said. He sent us three talks to study about three weeks
ago and asked questions about what we learned from them and then
expounded on that. It was FABULOUS.</div>
<div>
I was sitting in my
hammock a few weeks ago talking to Hermana Bailey about how excited I
was to see another apostle in the mission and what a privelege it would
be, when I felt the strong impression that we really needed to prepare
ourselves spiritually for this meeting so that we could get the most out
of it, rather than just show up. I was reminded of the good 6 weeks of
preparation that I put into general conference a while back when I then
received the answer to serve a mission.. Because I had prayed, fasted,
and studied the words of the prophets, I had questions in mind and
received revelation that forever changed my life....and the exact same
thing happened this last Friday. I don´t think I have EVER in my life
felt the spirit as strong as I did during that meeting. I had questions
answered that I didn´t even know I had! First time that has happened to
me. </div>
<div>
Something that touched my heart was one of the stories he
shared, and this one I think I will remember forever. During the week
that he was here, they were notified of some members in the area where
they were with a young baby who was veryyyyy sick and was in need of a
blessing. They called the family and Elder Bednar asked the father if he
had given his baby a priesthood blessing, and he said yes. Elder Bednar
then explained to them that he couldn´t give a better blessing than the
father had done, and that they both held the same priesthood. He holds
more keys, but it´s the same priesthood in regards to a blessing, right?
Because of the tightness of their schedule with back to back meetings,
they weren´t able to make it out to see the family. There just wasn´t
time...the next day they had a meeting in one of the nearby wards, and
as Elder Bednar finished his talk and walked out, he shook hands of a
few members. He saw a mother, holding a young baby, but that the baby
was covered in a blanket. He walked over to the young mother, asked if
he could see her baby, and simply put his hand on his head, and then
left the chapel. When they got into the van, his translator asked him
how he knew that THAT was the baby,,and he simply responded....."I
didn´t." </div>
<div>
The Lord works in mysterious ways, and my testimony
has been strengthened of the way the Lord speaks to his servants, the
apostles and prophets. I know that they are called of Him to lead the
church under the direction of Jesus Christ. Something that impacted me
was that while he was telling the story, speaking perfectly fine, not
even choking up, his translator right next to him could hardly speak. He
was doing all he could to translate and keep speaking so that the
Latinos could understand, but you could tell that he, as well as each
one of us, fetl the spriti incredibly strong throughout the whole
meeting.</div>
<div>
It was a wonderful week to say the least, one that I won´t forget.</div>
<div>
Today
were transfers, but Hermana Bailey and I are staying together in
Madero. They took the elders out so now we have the whole ward and a
MUCH bigger area. We´re excited! We´re gonna stay busy and get to work
with the investigators and awesome members over here.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That´s it for this week :) </div>
<div>
les amo!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hermana Maki</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Photos- meeting wtih Elder Bednar. I´m the tall one on the far right by the window.</div>
<div>
2-
trying a new fruit called "maracuya" that comes from Brazil! Some
awesome investigators always make juice for us when they can get ahold
of the fruit. I liked it so much I drank 4 glasses...or 5. </div>
<div>
</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14406124235340378474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661160698671653383.post-41693377103006276182015-06-26T12:56:00.000-07:002015-06-26T12:56:04.530-07:00Miracles exist!<div dir="ltr">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I can´t believe how busy this
week was! We had no time to stop and even think. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">On Monday, Adan and Wendy had
to get all of their papers and birth certificates and copies to the registro
civil (court house) so that they could plan the wedding and give them a date.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">On Tuesday, they had to go to
a marriage class in Centro that is required here before you can get married.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">On Wednesday, Wendy canceled
on us, (we were going to teach her the last lesson, but her neighbor passed
away and she went to the funeral)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">On Thursday, We went to their
wedding in Centro, then went to eat with our Relief Society who is sick, (so
she let us cook) and then over to Wendy´s house to cut the cake with them.
After eating a piece of cake, we sat down under the tree with her on 5 gallon
buckets and taught her lesson 5 and got her ready for her interview. Right
after that, we went back into Centro, she had her interview with President
Echeveria, and then we went to our missionary coorelation meeting. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">On Friday, we had a NORMAL
day, while trying to get everything planned and assigned for the baptism.
Somewhat of a normal day…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">On Saturday, She was baptized!
We asked her to share her testimony at the baptism, and she said she didn´t
want to. She asked me if I would share mine, and I told her of course I would!
And then it came to my mind, “Tell her that you´ll do it if she does too!” So I
bore my testimony first, holding back tears as I testified of how many times
she shut the door on us or told us to come back another day, and then she stood
up and bore her testimony, also testifying of how many times the sisters came
back, and came back, and came back. She tried to get us out of her hair, but we
were persistent. I saw something in Hermana Wendy. I saw a long life of pain
and sadness inside of her that I knew the Atonement could fix. I was so
grateful to have been a part of that baptism. My companion and I sang “I need
thee every hour” with solos in both English and Spanish. After the baptism, the
relief society sisters had a little party to celebrate her wedding and baptism
at another hermana´s house so we went over there for sandwiches and cake. On
Sunday, she showed up to church 20 minutes early instead of 20 minutes late and was dressed modestly! It was
amazing the promises that were given to her as the bishop confirmed her a
member of the church and confirmed the gift of the holy ghost. It was a long
but wonderfullll week full of smiles and pictures. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I´ve really come to believe
what President Boyd K Packer says about the influence of the doctrine of the
Gospel on our lives, ““True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and
behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior
quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She definitely didn´t have a
very good attitude or behavior for a longgg time, but humbling herself before
the Lord and accepting the Gospel and accepting Jesus Christ has caused a
change in her heart and a change in her behavior, and it has strengthened my
testimony to see this change!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It was a great week to say the
least. This week is the last week of this transfer, and we have lots of work to
do! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Until next week,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Hermana Maki </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="14d68347e6d10e78__GoBack"></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> Photos- </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">1)Baptism with Wendy and Adan</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.6666660308838px; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">2) Learning how to make hammocks with Hna. Antonia </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14406124235340378474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661160698671653383.post-23761464281202596382015-06-26T12:54:00.000-07:002015-06-26T12:54:19.774-07:00Alma 56:47-48I´ve had the opportunity for the past 13 months to testify to many
people about my wonderful mother :) I often testify of her patience,
devotion, and love for her 5 rambunctious children that she raised, many
times with her husband far from home serving in the military. I testify
of her example of diligence, gathering the whole family together at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_365914548" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">6:30</span></span>
each morning for family scripture study and prayer, whether we were in
seminary or not. I testify of her as my best friend, someone who always
was there to listen to me, who was concerned about her children´s
progress and spiritual growth. Someone who always sat down next to me
and gave me the comfort and advice that I needed, or sometimes just
quietly listened while I vented for hours on end. I testify of a woman
who is full of a mother´s love and is one of the kindest, sweetest,
strongest people that I know on this earth. I testify of the love and
support she sends from home to her missionary, far away in Mexico. I
truly love her. Thanks, Mom, for being the person that I look up to
most.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We had another great week..well, another hard
week. but with many great experiences and miracles. We are trying to
stay excited and keep our chins up although many people are rejecting us
left and right. It helps me to look for the hand of the Lord each day,
even when the days are long and sometimes really hard. When I step back
to see the bigger picture, I´m more aware of just how much He blesses,
protects, loves, and helps HIS missionaries. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On
Friday afternoon, we had to travel to the Elder´s area for lunch..to
the farthest farthest part of their area. We got out of our lesson at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_365914549" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">1:30</span></span>
and grabbed a bus to be able to get there at 2..When we got to the
sister´s house, she let us in and said, "Hi sisters! What can we do to
help you?" and I responded..."It´s our turn to eat with you guys
today!!!"..."No," she said, "you must´ve seen the list wrong." "Naal
Hernandez is what the list says," I told her..and she just laughed and
said, "Oh! that´s my sister in law, she lives four blocks that way. It´s
hot! Do you want a popsicle while you walk?" Sure. thanks! jaja and we
went on our way. When we got to their house, the sister answered the
door and said the same, "hi sisters! What are you guys doing all the way
out here?" I silently laughed and thought to myself...you are kidding
me right? We´re fasting! (I was soooo ready to eat.) and she then
explained to us that she accidentally signed up on our list and that the
relief society president changed it to another day but for the elders
so that we wouldn´t have to travel all the way out there, and that the
president forgot to tell us.."and I didn´t even cook today, sisters!
Otherwise I´d totally give you what we have." So...we called the relief
society President who was getting ready to go to her shift in the
temple, and she told us to just go over to her house (far away) and she
would see what she could throw together. So we hopped in a mototaxi and
went over, and she was getting back from the store with a small bag of
food. We sat down and helped her as she whipped up a yummy lunch. Turns
out she didn´t go to to temple, and when we called her, she said she
only had 30 pesos ($2.00 USD) but that she has a testimony that when she
feeds the missionaries, the Lord always provides a way. She remembered
that she had some meat in the fridge from a few days before and some
frozen vegetables in the freezer, so she ran to the store for salsa and
tortillas and made a wonderful lunch out of it! I was humbled. She bore
our testimony to us of being a newly wed (less than 2 years) and never
really having money, but always being happy with what she has. "I´m
sealed in the temple," she said, "My husband loves me, I have a calling,
I have a house..I don´t have a car, nice clothes, or anything fancy.
But I have the Gospel, and I have all I need to be happy." It was a
testimony builder for me. I don´t need much to be happy either. I´ve got
the Gospel, and that´s enough! I know that when we sacrifice other
things to put the Lord first, he blesses us. He always provides a way. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Until next week,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hermana Maki :) </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
fotos-</div>
<div>
talking to the fam on mother´s day and last monday washing our hammocks! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14406124235340378474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661160698671653383.post-22733225077769758972015-06-26T12:51:00.002-07:002015-06-26T12:51:34.898-07:00Be thou Humble..."The man with much finds it easier to forget his dependence than he who
must ask with each suceeding day of need." (Jesus the Christ)<br />
<div>
I don´t have much, and I think life is easier that way. That´s how Christ lived, right? </div>
<div>
<b>Humility</b>.
That´s one of the atributes of Christ I am trying to work on during
this time that the Lord has given me to be a full-time missionary. I
don´t ask Him in my prayers for money, for a car, or for less heat..I
just ask for strength to keep going each day, and for the ability to
keep a positive attitude and love each of His children here that I am
serving. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Many of the people here don´t have
much either, and that´s why they are such faithful, humble people,
because they must plead with the Lord each day to help them. Hermana
Wendy, our investigator who is doing great, told us that 6 years ago
when she first started going to her alcohol group, she was one of the
meanest people ever. She said that missionaries came by one time
(because her husband is less active) and she threw water at them and
told them never to come back. (It´s so hot here that I´m sure they loved
it though...she didn´t know she was doing them a favor!) haha</div>
<div>
But
really, we´re seeing the Atonement change her life. We taught about
tithes and fast offerings this week and she is exicted to begin paying
them! We also taught her (with the primary president, who is fabulous)
about the Law of Chastity and the importance of dressing modestly, and
for the first time in three months she wore a blouse with sleeves on it
to church yesterday and a skirt down to her knees! Progress..little by
little :) I feel as happy as could be!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It got
"cold" for a couple days this week because a cold front came in, and it
was the best thing ever. For two full days we didn´t sweat and I
actually had to use my blanket to sleep. However, my companion got sick
and now has a terrible cold because it was such a quick switch in
weather, and when one companion gets sick, the other one shortly
follows..so we should have a pretty fun week! (with two day exchanges
planned as well) woop. woop.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We got a call on
Friday afternoon that our ward mission leader is in the hospital in very
critical condition. He has asthma and had some sort of attack similar
to a heart attack..He has a 20% of living, so all I can do is ask each
of one you to include him in your prayers, please! Hermano Freddy is his
name. He got baptized a little over a year ago, didn´t believe in God
before he met the sister missionaries, and just went through the temple
two weeks ago. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was on exchanges last
tuesday in our area with Hermana Galvez, a new sister in the mission and
as we were walking home we got really hungry and decided to stop by and
see Hermano Omar. Him and his wife sell tamales a few blocks from our
house every night from <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_365914543" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">7 pm</span></span>
on..and we stopped by to chat with them for a minute..halfway through
our conversation he asks, "You sisters want a tamale to take home and
share?" and of course we said YES! After we finished planning, I opened
up the bag to find 6 tamales and a tomato salsa to put on top. I come to
love Yucatecos more and more each day. They are such loving, giving
people. Even Wendy, who has absolutely nothing, not even purified water
for her kids to drink, gave us two dannin yoghurt things after our
lesson on Wednesday. Even though it caused me a ton of pain later
because of my wonderful milk allergy, I eagerly gulped it down because
you just can´t turn down such humble people giving you what little they
have. They honestly amaze me, and <b>HUMBLE</b> me. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We´re looking forward to another great week and pray for the same for each one of you!</div>
<div>
I love you all! :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hermana Melody Maki</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Pictures--</div>
<div>
1. New friends we made on our trail run the other morning!</div>
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2. Hermana Bailey and I on our walk to church :)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14406124235340378474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661160698671653383.post-83336926655135816942015-04-21T13:38:00.002-07:002015-04-21T13:38:25.727-07:00Meant to be!<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">I think I wrote last week about our transfers, Hermana Bailey and I are having a blast in Madero II. I got to know her through the sister missionary facebook page before the mission. We saw that we had the exact same call, same date, same place, and added each other and then were sending messages back and forth until we got to the MTC: By the time we finally met each other in person, we were best friends! This whole year, everytime we see each other at meetings it´s been the same ol conversation of "one day we´ll be companions! soon!" But with more and more time in the mission, we started to doubt that it would happen, and what do you know?! The Lord has made it clear that He wants us to work together :) and we´re excited. It got up to 106 last week and is supposed to break 113 this next week. I would tell you that I´m good about putting on sunscreen every couple hours but missionaries shouldn´t lie...</span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
We found 5 new investigators this week through street contacting and some member referrals. One of the contacts, Fernando, is a pretty good guy. He goes to an Evangelical church and knows the Bible like the back of his hand. He LOVES the Book of Mormon though which is a good sign. He has lots of doubts and questions that make us work! After our second lesson, he invited us to walk next door to the gas station and bought us a drink because it was so hot, and then he ended up going to the chapel that night for our English class! We just so happened to be using the Restoration DVD that night during class. It was GREAT! </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
We have an investigator named Angel who is getting baptized this week with his little sister, they are a part member family..and they definitely caught us off guard the other day...We taught about the word of wisdom, thinking that there wouldn´t be any problems because they´re younger..and they all 3 drink coffe with milk at night before going to bed. Thank goodness their pirmary teacher was with us and explained it perfectly to the needs of kids (we are better with older people haha) and they were a little reluctant but all agreed to not drink anymore coffee...</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
As we were finishing I asked them, "OK..<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_96502230" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">tonight</span></span> when mom gets the coffe out what are you going to do?" and they replied..."say no!" and then Arely (their primary teacher) asked, "and why, why are we not going to drink coffee?" and they all replied, "Because it´s a commandment! no more!" It was hilarious. I asked them what they could drink instead, and they all replied chocolate milk, but that they didn´t have any...so we ran across the street and let them pick out nesquick powder and bought it for them. problem solved! It was such a great lesson. I love teaching families, and I especially love teaching people about the blessings we receive for keeping the commanments. I´ve seen big changes in their family over the past three months. The Gospel changes lives, I can testify of that :)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
Until next week,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
con amor,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
Hermana Maki</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
foto- we got to go to the temple today! (Woke up at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_96502231" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">3:00 a.m.</span></span>...)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14406124235340378474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661160698671653383.post-82425926246500702502015-04-17T18:19:00.001-07:002015-04-17T18:19:01.056-07:00I´m jus a white girl.<div>
The mission is a time of firsts. I gave away my first Book of
Mormon, had my first Christmas without a tree and presents, and last
weekend I had my first Easter without easter eggs! (They don´t do that
in Mexico, who would´ve thought?) But just like Christmas, it was the
best Easter I´ve ever had. To be priveleged to listen to President
Monson´s voice and two wonderful sessions of general conference, that
was more than I could´ve asked for! I was grateful for many talks
defending the church´s stands on the importance of families. Every
religion knows and supports the family, but the difference is that we
believe in eternal families. Families can be together forever! I am also
grateful for the many testimonies which were borne about our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ. I have a testimony that He lived and died for us,
because He loves us, and that he was resurrected and lives again. He set
the perfect example and has invited us to "follow him" and HIS gospel
teaches us how! How grateful I am for these eternal truths that are
shaping my life. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.mormon.org/easter" target="_blank">http://www.mormon.org/easter</a>
...............For those who haven´t seen the video, I invite you to do
so :) and then share it with all who could benefit from a message about
Jesus Christ. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
My mexican companion,
who has the cutest latino accent ever, made me laugh hysterically
today. While walking down the street, many people here are suprised to
see an American..not just with me but with all of the missionaries.
sometimes it bugs my companion when men say innapropriate things or
whistle (I always tell her their whistling at her, because it´s true)
and today while walking down the street she said to me.."Have they never
seen a white girl before? sometimes, I just want to look at them and
ask them...have you never seen a white girl before? and then walk away"
what made it so adorable though is the accent. She´s the greatest and
I´m sad that she´s going home in a week, we´ve been companions for 4.5
months! I feel like my other half is being taken away..far away. Oh
well, that´s how it´s gotta be!<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We had transfers this
morning and I´m now with Hermana Bailey from UT! We´ve been friends the
whole mission and are veryyyy excited to work together in Madero!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There´s
some members in our ward who opened up a new fish restaurant and
insisted on bringing us lunch on Thursday afternoon because they knew we
would be having our weekly planning session. When they got to our
house, I could not believe how much food they brought! A full fried fish
with rice and salad for my companion, pollo empanizado for me with rice
and salad, and ceviche! They´re trying to fatten us up! three members
brought us dinner last night while my companion packed up all her bags.
They´re the greatest and they sure love the missionaries. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It´s
starting to get hot again, really HOT. We realized how humid it was
yesterday when we decided to wait on the other side of the street for
the bus because there was shade, but then after standing there for a
minute, it was just as hot as standing in the sun because the air (and
the breeze) is hot. April, May, and June are the worst months. HERE WE
GO! The baptism went great <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1125094371" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Saturday</span></span>.
The family invited us over last night as well for a goodbye dinner and
cake for Hna. Martinez. They have become out of our favorite families
ever and all I can really think about is how grateful I am that the Lord
has allowed me to come here and know such wonderful people. I´m seeing
many people, young and old, make big changes in their lives, and they
inspire me to be better, to always cling to this Gospel and never let it
go. The church is true!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hermana Maki</div>
<div>
</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14406124235340378474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661160698671653383.post-242043775112473072015-04-17T18:17:00.002-07:002015-04-17T18:17:23.505-07:00I´m so spoiled!!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">One of the
MANY things that I love about Yucatecos is that they are very giving.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">They don´t
let you leave their house without taking something with you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">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 :))</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">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.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">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, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">"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 <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1125094370" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">3:25</span></span>)—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”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">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.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Until next week! Sigan con fe en cada paso.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Con amor,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Hermana Maki</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14406124235340378474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661160698671653383.post-46918323777326745082015-04-17T18:16:00.001-07:002015-04-17T18:16:18.000-07:00Less active members need some love and attention tooIt makes me SUPER happy when our investigators progress, when they keep
their comittments and strive to change and improve their lives, but it
also makes me SUPER happy when less active members do the same. When
they remember the convenant they made with Heavenly Father and feel the
need to go back to church. We´re working with Hermana Yolanda´s husband,
Roger. We have been eating with her a lot lately and finally got to
know her husband. He hasn´t gone to church in years, never received the
priesthood, and never really obtained a testimony. We had Family Home
Evening with their whole family on Monday night and read a general
conference talk about how to strengthen families. On Friday, we were
teaching the Restoration and I asked him, "Hermano Roger, do you have
the desire to receive the priesthood?" and he said no, because it
requires too much effort and comittments. I don´t know what we said
(actually it wasn´t anything we said, it was the spirit working through
us) that within an hour helped him changed his mind. He didn´t even
understand clearly what the priesthood really is and why he needs it. We
had to speak to him directly and bluntly, warning him of the eternal
consequences of not receiving the priesthood and being sealed to his
family. Yucatecos sometimes don´t understand well unless you speak to
them very directly. "Do you want to live for eternity alone?" my
companion asked..<br />
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<br /></div>
<div>
Obviously not, he
responded.. I´m learning how to teach directly but with lots of love :)
After teaching the Restoration and the blessings his family and home
lack because he doesn´t hold the priesthood opened his eyes. He bumbled
himself a little bit, comitted to go to church, and also to start paying
his tithing (we taught that lesson on Tuesday). I saw tears in his
wife´s eyes. Hope. Hapiness. This is what they need! This is what HE
needs. His wife and daughter long for the day when he can give them
priesthood blessings. Each experience like this makes me grateful for my
family and the way my mom and dad raised us in the gospel. I testified
to him on Monday night of Family prayer and scripture study in our home
at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1125094369" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">6:20</span></span>
every morning and friday of the MANY priesthood blessings dad has given
me over the years, and the comfort and strength they give me. I´m
grateful for the restoration of the priesthood, the power and authority
to act in God´s name, to the earth by a prophet Joseph Smith in 1829. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Now, on a silly note (always have to throw in something silly, right?)</div>
<div>
As
our zone conference this week, our zone leader brought laffy taffys
that his parents sent from the US and the latinos LOVED them. However,
it´s so humid here that they turn to liquid in the wrapper and are way
hard to unwrap. My companion asked as she was eating her´s, "Are they
normally like this, all liquidy?" No, I replied, only in Yucatan!! </div>
<div>
The
chocolate melts, the gram crackers get soggy if you don´t put them in
the fridge, and the ice melts in 30 seconds. When people ask me if it´s
cold where I live, I practically shout, YES! It´s like night and day,
the difference in weather, but I LOVE it so much. I really do. Every
minute of it! That´s all for this week :) </div>
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Love you all!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Seguiré con fe en cada paso,</div>
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Hermana Melody Maki</div>
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Photo-
last p-day we were out of money and super exhausted from going on
transfers, so I took advantage of a couple free hours and took a little
afternoon nap in the pink hammock I found upstairs in our house.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14406124235340378474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661160698671653383.post-49243970679010104942015-04-17T18:14:00.000-07:002015-04-17T18:14:08.585-07:00Panuchos and cochinita in the same WEEK!This week we ate panuchos twice and cochinita as well, my two favorite
yucateca foods! It took a little while to get adjusted to the food here,
but now I LIVE for it! Hermana Yolanda, the secretary in Relief
Society, signed up to feed us 4 times this past week! She told us that
she needed the blessings that the Lord brings to her and her family from
feeding the missionaries. That really touched my heart. Whenever we
enter her house, she always has hymns playing in the background, and I
enjoy being there in her home, because it helps me feel the Spirit. I
want to have a home like her´s someday.<br />
<div>
This week, we met a
new less active sister in our ward who is in her 70´s and recently
broke her leg. She left church early to go buy pan dulce, and fell down
when she was getting off the bus. She knew she shouldn´t have broken the
sabbath day! (It´s tempting for the member´s because one of the best
panaderias in town is in front of the chappel) Anyway, I asked her when
she´s going to be able to make it back to church, and she told
me..."Hermanita, I´m going to the doctor this week, and if they don´t
take this cast off, I´m gonna cut it off and walk myself to church on
Sunday!" Yucatecos. Oh how I adore them. I took a picture of her in her
traditional yucatan dress (hipil) chilling in her hammock (that she
made).</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
We´ve been teaching English on Friday
nights in the chapel, and inviting members to come and bring their
nonmember friends. something that I LOVE about Mexico is that everyone
wants to learn English, more so when It´s gratis! (free!) We sang
"Families can be together forever" to begin the class, and even looking
down at my english hymnbook, I sang the first line in spanish, and then
realized what was going on when my companion started laughing
hysterically. Quickly I switched to english and sang the hymn. I am
forgetting a lot of english these days. It´s happened on multiple
occasions that I say the prayer in english when we´re in our house,
forget some words, and she has to correct me or tell me what the word is
that I´m trying to say. How embarassing! </div>
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That´s my news this week from Mexico! I love you all :)</div>
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Fe en cada paso,</div>
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Hermana Maki </div>
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picture
#2 A nice little iguana that we crossed paths with this week while
walking through the park in our area. My companion yelled, "Look at that
dinosaur!" </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14406124235340378474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661160698671653383.post-91279191419663662192015-04-17T18:12:00.001-07:002015-04-17T18:12:20.289-07:00Finding new families makes me happy, oh so happyyy<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">Hello to all!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">Last
night, our district leader called at nine letting us know that we had
transfers. Hermana Maki is staying in Madero, and Hermana Martinez is
going to Chichen 3..I had tears in my eyes and didn´t know what to
say..I was so upset..and then a good 10 seconds later he yells...."Just
kidding! You have another transfer together!" (our 3rd) and we angrily
shouted thanks! goodnight! and hung up. Silly elders. Oh how grateful I
am to stay with my wonderful companion. This is her last transfer in the
mission and we´re stoked to be together! It´s been amazing the progress
we´ve seen as we´ve studied chapter 6 of Preach my gospel together
(Christlike attributes) and set goals to improve each day. Transfer #8
here we go! :))</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">Last
Sunday, the primary president mentioned that two new little kids went
to church with their aunt. The aunt is a member from another ward, but
the kids aren´t members and really enjoyed primary. She gave us their
address and we went over to see them that afternoon. Turns out, it´s a
mom, her three kids, and her boyfriend. He´s not interested, and she
won´t be able to get baptized if they don´t get married or move out, but
we´re gonna figure out what to do there. Anyway, we taught the mom and
her three kids..Christian (12), Suleimy (10) and Osvaldo (8) and all
four of them accepted baptism dates in the first lesson. They´re way
excited. Their primary teacher, Arely (23) came to both of the lessons
with us this week and helps a ton when the kids get all riled up...</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">They
are a very poor family and are a little embarassed of their house, so
we teach them out on the sidewalk. They have two chairs for us, and then
they all four sit on 5-gallon paint buckets. The 10 year old even helps
out in a small kicthen near her house after school to earn a little
extra money to help her mom. While teaching about the nature of the
Godhead, I asked Osvaldo if he knew what the Holy Ghost is and what it
does..He responded.."Si. pues el Espiritu no tiene un cuerpo, solo es un
espiritu, y solo los perros lo ven." (Well, the spirit doesn´t have a
body, it´s just a spirit..and only the dogs can see him!) My
companion and I had to take minute before we could keep teaching
because we were laughing too hard. They are so dang cute those kids. I love finding families, because I know that families who are strong in the Gospel can find lasting happiness together. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">"The </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">home </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">is </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">best </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">place </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">to </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">teach, </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">learn, </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">apply </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">principles </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">of </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">gospel </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">of </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jesus </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Christ. </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">home </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">established </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">on </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">gospel </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">principles </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">will </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">be </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">a </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">place </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">of </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">refuge </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">safety. </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">will </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">be </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">a </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">place </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">where </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Spirit </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">of </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lord </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">can </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">abide, </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">blessing </span><a href="http://www.mormon.org/values/family" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: medium none ! important; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none ! important; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">family</span></a><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> members </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">with </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">peace, </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><wbr></wbr>joy, </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">happiness." </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I´m
learning how now how to teach, learn, and apply gospel principles so
that down the road I can teach them to my future children and have a
Home where the Spirit of the Lord is ALWAYS present. The church is true!
and the book is blue.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Until next week :)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sister Maki</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008); border: 0px none; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.00784314); line-height: 30.5999984741211px;"><span style="color: black;">picture- a cute little elementary school we found a couple nights ago! </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCt6uozKYAMyeJmElgyVSebF6VX1YYI_fouETNzyC5weTmmodN-jjIekXtliO9PYcHWJuoMbTnyHKvwWP-1wezZA6CD21rB43iGrWJuyKVVLB_rNbAq2UwKWUhMdjjWTXcVXGffaBp0Ds/s1600/me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCt6uozKYAMyeJmElgyVSebF6VX1YYI_fouETNzyC5weTmmodN-jjIekXtliO9PYcHWJuoMbTnyHKvwWP-1wezZA6CD21rB43iGrWJuyKVVLB_rNbAq2UwKWUhMdjjWTXcVXGffaBp0Ds/s1600/me.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.00784314); line-height: 30.5999984741211px;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14406124235340378474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661160698671653383.post-13655811161310063612015-04-17T18:08:00.002-07:002015-04-17T18:08:29.449-07:00Conozca los mormones<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">Hello to everyone! The heat is
finally back in Merida, it looks like it´s going to break 100 this week,
and we´re only in February.....</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">This
week, we had a zone conference with President Garcia which was great.
When it was over, the assistants stood up, President and his wife came
down from the stand and sat with the missionaries, and they yelled
"Surprise! Meet the Mormons" and then the lights went out and we enjoyed
the great film. It´s coming to Mexico this Friday, and the members are
quite jealous that we got to see it first :) It was great, I and I hope
that lots of non-members see it and see just how cool and normal we, Mormons really are. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">Luis
went to church yesterday, and he LOVED it! The talks in sacrament
meeting were so wonderful and touched his heart. Before the service
started, we were in the foyer introducing him to the members, and when
he was talking to our ward mission leaders, he almost made me cry. Our
ward mission leader is a convert of about 8 months, and is super
amazing..he was able to connect with Luis very quickly for that reason
exactly..but anyway, Hermano Freddy asked Luis how he met us, and Luis
started to tell him all excited..."Well..one fine Saturday afternoon,
the sisters were walking down the street and looked lost, and because of
the way I was dressed, I didn´t want to help them.. I felt
embarassed..but then, they asked me for directions, and we started
talking. I had been feeling really bad that day and just needed a
friend, someone to talk to, someone to give me a smile, someone who
really cared about me. It was as if God sent two angels from heaven to
me. Angels who are helping me more than I thought was possible. I´ve
always had the desire to come closer to God and have a better relation
with Him, but I never knew how. I´ve never felt so much hope, and never
felt so happy, thanks to these sisters."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">I
was humbled, I didn´t know what to say. All I could do is thank my
Heavenly Father for the opportunity to be here in the mission, finding
His children who are ready and prepared to receive His Gospel. Because
even though they don´t know it, they are changing me. They inspire me,
they help me want to be a better person. A better daughter. A better
sister. A better missionary. A better disciple of Jesus Christ. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">Alma 13: 24 came to mind.....<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-weight: bold; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> "</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">behold, </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">angels</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <wbr></wbr>are </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">declaring </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">it </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">unto </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">many </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">at </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><wbr></wbr>this </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">time </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">in </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">our </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">land; </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">thi<wbr></wbr>s </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">is </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">for </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">purpose </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">of </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">prepar<wbr></wbr>ing </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">hearts </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">of </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">children<wbr></wbr> </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">of </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">men </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">to </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">receive </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">his </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">word </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">at<wbr></wbr> </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">time </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">of </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">his </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">coming </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">in </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">his<wbr></wbr> </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">glory."</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I´ve
said it once, and I´ll say it again...I KNOW that the Lord is preparing
His children in ALL parts of the world to receive the Gospel of Jesus
Christ. The find the hope and happiness that everyone desires and looks
for in this life. I love this Gospel so much more everyday, and I love
sharing it with everyone. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I´m a Mormon. I know it. I live it. I LOVE it!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Fe en cada paso,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hermana Melody Maki</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14406124235340378474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661160698671653383.post-78328682273499608392015-04-17T18:07:00.001-07:002015-04-17T18:07:10.530-07:00Happy Valentine's Day!<span style="background-color: white; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">It
feels so good to be back home! We had quite the week travelling on
exchanges with other sisters. From tuesday to thursday we were in
campeche, and then thursday to friday in Aeropuerto..We slept on the
ground two nights in a row as well, I have some nice big bags under my
eyes, but am so grateful to be able to serve the wonderful sisters in
this mission. This morning, we were able to go to the temple (our P-day
was switched to today so that we could go) and I did baptisms! We had to
wake up at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1125094360" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">3:30</span></span>,
and 12 sisters stayed in our house last night. Lemme tell you, it never
stops! Life is so busy, and that´s why I love the mission. You don´t
ever stop. It´s the best. I´ll sleep when I´m old, I suppose.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">I
wanted to write a little today about one of our investigators, Luis
Felipe. One hot afternoon about two weeks ago, we were walking down the
street and felt impressed to contact Luis while he was standing outside
his house. Using the good ol "we´re lost" tactic, he gave us help
(little did he know we know the streets pretty well, haha) anyway, he
was so nice and I could see from the beginning that he is just a very
sincere and noble person. We set an appointment with him for the
following day, and he accepted a baptismal date in the first lesson. He
is trying to quit drinking, and the Gospel is the answer, I know it. The
lessons are going great, and he is so excited about the gospel that he
is sharing it with everyone! He introduced us to his sister and two
nieces who each have like 4 kids, all super interested. It´s harder to
find them at home because they work alot, but we´re teaching his sister
who now has a baptism date, and his son, Alexis. Last night we went to
the family history center with Luis and started filling his family tree
with names! It was so great, and I love seeing how excited he his about
the gospel.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">Also,
on Saturday night, we were working with a brother in our ward named
Jose who is gettting ready to leave for the MTC in March, and as were
walking he commented about a family that lived in a little store near
where we were and said that the missionaries were teaching them before,
so we decided to stop by and introduce ourselves. We ended up teaching
them for almost an hour, and it was VERY difficult. The investigator´s
name is also Jose, and he is a man who is very...incredulous, (is that a
word?) and just tough...he has a lot of doubts and deep questions abotu
God.He wanted to argue at the beginning, and didn´t believe anything we
said, but as both my companion and I began to say a prayer in our
hearts, we watched as the lesson changed. I went from having NO idea
what to say to him, to opening my mouth and just letting the Spirit
speak. The words came out, but I honestly don´t know what I said. I was
able to connect with both him and his wife, and was amazed that as we
just rely on the Spirit and not ourselves, what it says in Doctrine and
Covenants really becomes true, <span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Neither </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">take </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ye </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">thought </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">before hand </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">what</span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> ye </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">shall </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">say; </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">but </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">treasure</span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> up </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">in </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">your </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">minds </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">continually </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">words </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">of </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">life, </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">it </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">shall </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">be </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">given</span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> you </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">in </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">very </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">hour </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">that </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">portion </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">that </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">shall </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">be </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">meted </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">unto </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">every </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px none; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">man.</span></span></div>
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<div>
<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">What
I love about the mission is that I learn something each day. My
testimony is strengthened a little more each day, and I feel closer to
my Father in Heaven more and more each day.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.2000007629395px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">Seguiré con fe en cada paso,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.2000007629395px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">Hermana Maki</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.2000007629395px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">fotos </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.2000007629395px;"> 1) dinner two nights ago, fried bananas. They sell a certain type of
bananas here that are only to be eaten when fried..and I´m not kidding.
They serve it with rice, and I LOVE IT.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">2) Hna. Imelda and I cutting the birthday/valentine´s cake yesterday! </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14406124235340378474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661160698671653383.post-6647626628351498312015-04-17T18:03:00.005-07:002015-04-17T18:03:51.661-07:00Slacking off.Ok, to begin. I am so sorry to everyone for slacking off on my blog
these past couple weeks, and pictures. It has been nuts! However, things
are finally calming down, and many prayers have been answered..my back
is FINALLY healing up! Thank you to EVERYONE who has been fasting and
praying for me, I know Heavenly Father is answering our prayers!<br />
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To catch up on a couple of wonderful things that have happened these past couple weeks:</div>
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1.
We´re teaching a sister named Wendy and her three kids. Her husband is
less active, and last week they went to church! I remember in the MTC
when Elder Holland came, he was talking about how we as missionaries,
hope that our investigators keep their commitments, but sometimes we
don´t necessarily help them do it.."Don´t wake up on Sunday morning and
say...I hope our investigators go to church today!" "Get up early, go
to their house, help them get ready if you have too, and then take the
bus to the church together" That is how we HELP people make and keep
commitments. That has always stayed with me, and we definitely put it in
practice on Sunday. We got up early, went by Wendy´s house, helped me
them clean up the kitchen from breakfast, (I was sad that they didn´t
leave me any cochinita, but oh well) and then helped the two daughters
pick out dresses, then braided their hair, got their hymn book and book
of Mormon, and set off on our walk to church (about 15 minutes away). It
was wonderful, and they had a great experience there. As a church, we
are great at inviting people, but are we great about HELPING as well?
Question to think about....</div>
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2. (probably the
most exciting thing that happened all week) I got a new pink bucket. We
each have a 3 gallon bucket that we fill up with water in the morning,
and then we heat it up with a "resistencia" is what it´s called in
Spanish, no idea how to say it in English. and then with an empty
yoghurt container and our bucket of hot water, it´s shower time! It´s
the best, and having a new pretty pink bucket is even better. It´s the
small things that make me happy these days :))</div>
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3.
We´re also teaching a single dad named Carlos Miguel and his nephew,
Omar. Omar reminds me of Luke. He´s 10 years old, always has basketball
shorts on, and is very smart, just like my adorable little brother! I
enjoy teaching them, and we´re trying to help Carlos to quit drinking so
that he can get baptized. We´ll see what happens! </div>
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To
sum things up, I really am doing great. I´m happy, getting more
healthy, and working each day! I love this work, and I love each one of
you! </div>
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Seguiré con fe en cada paso,</div>
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Hermana Maki </div>
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Fotos: </div>
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1) foto with Anahi on Sunday morning getting ready for church</div>
2)A
picture of a resistencia that melted last night while I was heating up
water....it almost electrocuted me..but my pink bucket is okay, so I´m
happy.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14406124235340378474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7661160698671653383.post-45410599399819515952015-01-25T14:51:00.004-08:002015-01-25T14:51:56.393-08:00And another wonderful 6 weeks begin!<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">"If I think of my
own performance, my sadness deepens. But when I remember that the Lord
promised that His power would go with me, I begin to look for evidence
of what He has done in the lives of the people I am to serve. I pray to
see with spiritual eyes the effects of His power." Elder Henry B.
Eyring.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">While
studying a wonderful conference talk this week, I was touched by this
quote, and felt it was written for me! Sometimes, Satan wants us to feel
like we don´t do anything, or as if we´re not enough, and not just as
missionaries, but as children of God. He wants to weaken us, but my
testimony of the Savior´s love for each and every one of His children
has grown significantly. We didn´t have the week that I had in mind, and
weren´t able to work as much as I had hoped, but I hold tight to the
knowledge I have that the power of the Lord is with me. As I strive to
see the effects of this power, I realize that the will of the Lord is
different at times than mine, and I have to be able to understand His
will and then do it, with a happy and cheerful heart. I´m learning each
new day how to trust in the Lord more, how to be grateful for every good
and bad thing that comes my way, and reflect on what it is he wants me
to learn from each experience I have! Oh how I love the mission....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">Yesterday
was stake conference in la estaca Centro. (We´re back in Merida now,
Hermana Martinez and I) We started a new transfer today and are opening a
new area. And we were a little worried when the meeting ended as to
what we were going to do for food....We don´t get to our area until
tomorrow, and weren´t going to buy food <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1893149960" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Sunday</span></span>,
and there were nobody in the mission offices...so we decided that we
would walk back to the house we´re staying in near the stake center,
call the mission president´s wife, and figure out what we were gonna do
so that we could eat! (we didn´t eat breakfast either)..as we were
walking, my companion told me, "We´re not going to worry, Sister Maki,
the Lord always provides a way." I replied, "Tengo fe." (I have faith.)
and we went on our way. Literally two minutes later, we ran into Monica
and Northon, recent converts from my old area who I LOVE with all my
heart, and they asked us what plans we had for lunch..We let out a small
chuckle, smiled, looked at each other, and said...That´s what we´re
trying to figure out right now, actually!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">"We would love to have you over for lunch at two if you can make it," they replied. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">We
agreed, walked back home, and gave a prayer of gratitude to the Lord,
who truly does watch out and provide for His children, and particularly
His missionaries. When I look for the small miracles each day, I realize
that they are not few. I love the Lord and love being His missionary!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">Les amo! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">Hermana Maki </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">foto-
I had the privelege of trying a coconut for the first time last night!
It had a very....interesting...flavor. Don´t mind the scarf and sweater,
it was a "chilly" night here in Merida :)</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14406124235340378474noreply@blogger.com0