Buenos Dias. Ojala que uds esten bien. Estoy bien. Feliz :) Alex, I can't believe you are graduating. I got your invitation and could not believe it. You look like Dad...Dad's graduation picture. Congratulations. Enjoy this time, you wont ever have another time like it. All is well in ABQ.
This week was another week crazy busy week of running around trying to help people ACT...so they can change their lives for the better. Hermana Batchkoff and I are getting closer and closer every day...feeling more and more like sisters, even though we don't look it. The Gringa and the Argentinan...at least that is what most people think. She teaches me so much every day. And we sure must have lots to learn from each other because now we've been together 6 months!
Bertha. The family full of..well, family problems in desperate need of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We commited ourselves to Daily Contact after we found these new people to teach. No matter how weird we might possibly come off...we are missionaries. If they understood our perspective and how much we just want to help them they would be grateful. After the 2nd or 3rd day in a row of stopping by to visit Bertha she told us...The first day you came by a thought came to mind that Heavenly Father sent you to us. Then the next day you showed up again and I thought the same thing. And now you are here...we had just taught the Plan of Salvation, and I am thinking that again. She is reading the Book of Mormon but she didn't come to church. There is opposition in all things. The reality is, we cannot choose for other people. We can only have the faith and do we all we know how to do to help them see the blessings that will come specifically to them.
We talk with all kinds of people all day long. Always an adventure. I realized something yesterday. Some are nice and accept a pamphlet or card to avoid an awkward situation not knowing what they accepted is what will bring them the true happiness they are looking for. Others simply shut the door, look through the peep hole and don't answer, or are honest and say they are not interested. Then there are some that claim to have found God, and we should spend our time with those who haven't. Also, there are those that claim their strong faith in the Bible and in God, and strongly believe that there is no other book nor teaching that is comparable to it. To them the Bible and Personal Revelation are all we need to follow our Savior Jesus Christ. It is those people I ask the simple question, "Have you read this book." They respond with a clear no. Then how can you know that it is not something special, something that will only help you know your Savior Jesus Christ better, and how he would like you to live. Help you understand the Bible better. To anyone who is reading this and has not read the Book of Mormon. Please get your hands on one and read it. Even if it is just a little. You don't have to eat the whole cake to know it is GOOD. Then ask your Heavenly Father if what you are reading is true and how it can help you. He will answer you if you have the sincere desire to know if it is true or not, not just to judge, doubt, or prove incorrect. I promise you it is the fulness of the Gospel that Jesus Christ established when he was on the earth. And really, simply it just makes so much sense.
Simon Says. Haven't played that in a while. Last night we went to visit our family these days..la familia Ramirez. Abraham's family(the little boy with brain cancer). Abraham had been in the hospital the day before but was feeling better. We brought scripture jenga played some of that and read some scriptures. Then we taught Abraham about obedience. For the first time in a long time the whole family participated. Hermano Ramirez has been pretty quiet and stand offish ever since Abraham decided he wanted to be baptized. We have been praying and fasting for a miracle...He may not be participating but he is listening. We taught obedience and played a round of Simon dice o Simon says...so fun! I forgot how fun that game is. If anything it made a burdened Mother smile and laugh.
This week I had the privilege of seeing the power of the Priesthood. The Power and Authority of God does exist today. It has been restored. And it is so real according to our faith. Abraham was really sick throwing up non-stop and other serious symptoms but the parents weren't bringing him to the hospital because the doctors said there was nothing more they could do. We brought the Elders over to give him a blessing. The Ramirez trailer was suddenly silent..the spirit filled the room...in a way you can't quite describe. Remember when Connor broke his leg and Dad gave him a blessing before he went into surgery. Everyone in that little room made with a curtain in the hospital present for that blessing could feel the power of the spirit. I still remember that. I hope to never forget it. Hna Batchkoff has taught me a lesson. You can never rely on your Heavenly Father to much. Have the faith to ask for a blessing if you need guidance. According to your faith, he will tell you what he wants you to know. It is like he is directly talking to you. Because he knows you better than you know yourself. He loves you.
Character is something i've been thinking a lot about recently. If you haven't read the talk by Richard G. Scott, "The Transforming Power of Faith and Character" Read it...and read it over again. It is incredible. He talks about how Strong moral character results from the consistent good choices through the trials and testing of our lives. The importance of having patience and understanding when God lets you struggle to grow and when answers come a piece at a time over a n extended period. Be grateful for that he says, that God lets you struggle for a long time before the answer comes. Your faith will increase and your character will grow. Character is what we use in times of trial. Our determine Think about that.
Yo he aprendido mucho sobre la fe y el caracter. Hay mucho mas para aprender. Pero yo quiero tener el caracter suficiente para vencer las pruebas que van a venir en mi vida. No puedo explicar todo pero lo mas importante es la expiacion de Jesucristo, que hace posible la oportunidad para mejorar y cambiar aun en debilidad. El amor que el tiene es infinito. Los misterios del Reino de Dios son grandes y estoy emocionada por el dia cuando voy a entender todo. Ahora...Dios me va a dar lo que yo necesito para vivir.
The one thing we have, that we can give God, that he doesn't already have is, our will. And I know if we strive to align our will with his. We will be truly happy. Happier, than if we relied on ourselves.
I love you all so much. Be happy. Be grateful. And remember who gave you all you have.
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Holland
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