Week 73 – The Work of the Lord

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Hello Dear Family,

This week has been a little out of control. On Tuesday I had consejo which was really good. I love President Goates. And then we had intercambios on Wednesday and then Zone Conference on Friday. It was full of events and, of course, hard work. And this upcoming week we have a lot going on too. Intercambios, my final interview, and the ward Christmas party!

Consejo was really good. We talked a lot about the promotion the church is doing right now. I feel so privileged to be able to share the Christmas Spirit with all. If you have not had the chance to see the video “Él es la Dádiva” or ¨He is the gift” WATCH IT. :) We are sharing that video with EVERYONE. Members, people in the street, literally everyone. We have been thinking a lot about what we are going to give to Our Savior this Christmas and inviting all to do the same. It is fun to see the joys of the Christmas spirit even if it is 100 degrees outside. This is truly the time to remember our Savior Jesus Christ and the sacrifice that He gave us! What a great opportunity!

Intercambios went really well. I went with Hermana Keil who is from Hurricane, UT. She is Samoan so we bonded over Joseph H. Dean, of course. I guess her grandparents go to the Samoan ward in St. George. She is so great. She just got here in August and so is a pretty new missionary. We taught some great lessons. We taught F- again. He is the investigator that I found with Hermana Martinez forever ago. And he received his answer!!! It is a way cool story (remind me to tell you about it next week). So he is getting baptized the 27th :) Hermana Keil testifies with such power and sincerity, it was great being with her.

Zone conference was way good too. President talked a lot about using time wisely. I really love him and how he runs the mission. The change was slow at first but now I feel like it is an entirely different mission than it was with President Ávila. In zone conference they made me bear my final testimony…..and of course I balled my eyes out. I haven’t really lost it until then….man, I love the mission. I am going to try and hold it together this week.

Ca- is still struggling with smoking but has decided that that will be her Christmas present to Jesus this year. A- came to church with S- yesterday which was really great :)

So I have been reflecting a lot on my missionary service and I have really been struggling a lot with the question, “Have I given enough?” I finally came to the conclusion that the answer is always going to be no. I don’t think that we can ever give enough. I feel like we always come out debtors. Words fail to describe the feelings that I experience as I reflect upon my missionary service. I feel privileged and very blessed as I ponder on how merciful the Lord has been throughout this year and a half. My mission has helped me grow in ways I thought impossible and has truly become a part of who I am.

At the beginning of my mission I received a wise counsel from a fellow missionary. He invited me that every time the choice came between the Lord’s work and comfort, to choose the Lord’s work. I cannot say that I have been a perfect missionary, but as I have strived to follow this counsel in the mission field I have witnessed many people soften and change their hearts. However, the biggest conversion that I have seen has been that of myself. Before my mission I was a confused teenager who wasn’t exactly sure what my purpose was. I have changed and have been converted into a true disciple of Jesus Christ. I have dedicated a year and a half of my life to serve, love and teach my brothers and sisters in Mendoza, Argentina and in return have gained so much more than I have put in. I never thought that I could love a complete stranger, but have come to learn to look at the people here as they can become, not as they are. To love as the Savior loved is something that I knew in my head, but that I did not feel in my heart. Now I can say I truly love these people and this country. Having a companion has not been the easiest part of my mission, but I have learned so much about nourishing and developing relationships.

I know that Heavenly Father knows each of us personally and hears and answers our prayers. I have developed a strong testimony of the power of prayer. The hardest part of prayer for me to understand at the beginning of my mission was that the Lord answers prayers in His own time and that we must do our part. A prayer of faith never goes unanswered even if it is not answered in the way that we desire. I have gained a deep love for the scriptures and for the words of the prophets. The scriptures are the means by which we receive personal revelation in response to our prayers and as we study them daily we can be certain that the Lord will reveal to us what He wants us to do. I have grown to recognize and act upon the promptings of the Holy Ghost. I know that there is a direct line of communication and that we must always endeavor to keep functioning properly. We do so as we seek the Spirit in our lives by being obedient and keeping ourselves clean and worthy of His presence. I know that the Lord leads and guides us in this work through the Holy Ghost and without Him this great work cannot be done. I know that in my future I need to continue to seek the Spirit and act upon His whisperings. An important part of receiving revelation is being able to plan and act according to that revelation. I cherish planning and goal setting and know that these principles will help me achieve my future goals. I know that the gospel blesses families. As I mentioned previously I have had the great opportunity to see many people come unto Christ and make the necessary changes to do so. Through these miracles I now have no doubt in my mind that the gospel in fact blesses families. I now recognize how the gospel has blessed my own family and how it will bless my future family. I have learned that obedience brings blessings and I know that obedience is more important than sacrifice. The Lord is obligated to bless us when we follow Him with exactness. My missionary service has not been easy, in fact I think it has been the hardest thing that I have done, yet I have learned how to suffer with joy and to rejoice in this great cause. I know that we receive divine help in every moment and that we are here to be tested. I have grown to love and appreciate the Atonement in my life as well as gain a greater understanding of what the Savior truly did for me. I have come to appreciate the Sacrament and have a greater understanding of how to receive the remission of my sins as I partake of it worthily every week. I am truly grateful for this time that I have had to develop Christ-like attributes that I have helped me become more like our Savior Jesus Christ. As we walk AS the Savior walked, we become like Him. I have noticed profound changes within my own heart that I know will help me make and keep sacred covenants in the future.

I bear witness that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church on this Earth. It is the only church where the priesthood power of God is found and therefore the only church that has the authority to perform sacred ordinances that are necessary for our salvation. I testify that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that through him the church of Jesus Christ was restored. I know that Thomas S. Monson has been called of God to be the prophet, seer and revelator in these latter days. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that by reading it a man grows closer to God more than any other book. I know that anyone who reads, meditates and prays to know if it is true will receive a divine witness of its truthfulness. I know that by keeping the commandments we are able to feel more abundantly the influence of the Holy Ghost in our lives. I know that the Holy Ghost guides us and shows us the will of the Lord. I know that we are children of God and that He loves us and will answer our prayers. He has a divine plan for each and every one of us that allows families to be united together for eternity. I know that baptism by a worthy priesthood holder is the door through which we can enter into the kingdom of God. I am so grateful for the Atonement in my life. I know that repentance is real and that we can truly be forgiven for our sins. I know that the Savior suffered for each and every one of us so that we can be clean again and return to the presence of Our Father in Heaven. I testify that Jesus Christ lives.

I love the mission. I love Hermana Masoner. I love the people. I love Argentina and, most importantly, I love the Savior.

See you in a week!

Hermana Sorensen