Dedicated Time To The Lord...

This week we had zone conference, and Elder Nash of the quorum of the seventy came and talked with us. We had a Q/A session with him, and the question was something like how do we show others the importance of the atonement in their lives? He was going through and answering the question by reading in 3 Nephi 27, and even though it had nothing to do with that topic, as I was sitting in that pew, I felt an overwhelming Love for and desire to know everything that was inside the pages of the Book of Mormon. 

If you know me, you know that I can quote some movies super well, and everyone knows that I love those movies. But I know that I love the Book of Mormon more than those movies. I challenge you all to recognize the things or people that you love in your life, and give them the time that they should have in your life as a priority. 

Another thing that Elder Nash said was that Opposition is an Opportunity. Using 2 Nephi 2:11 he explained how opposition is necessary, and it reminded me of a phrase my mom always says: "you control your own weather." In the face of opposition, whether its a particular person, or a trial in your life, choose the face you wear today, tomorrow, and forever. In John 15:4-5 it says that he is the vine, he brings us nourishment and strength, so that we can bear good fruit. He will help us amist our trials when we face it with faith and strength given to us from the Lord. 

A question for you all to ponder: If you had been working all night, or all day, or all week, or all month, or all year to complete something or to do something and it hasn't been working out for you, and Christ came and told you to try something, something that you might have tried before, how quick would you be to do it? In luke 5:1-6 he tells them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat, they did this and caught a drought of fish, enough so that they were sinking their ship. Amist your trials, turn to the Lord in prayer, and trust in the prompting that you get. When you ask a question in prayer without the intent to take action according to the answer you recieve, there is no reason for God to answer your question. 

This week I am focusing on 2 Nephi 26:20. School was my life before this mission. I relied on the knowledge that I had, and that I had studied. I need to learn to lean not unto my own understanding, and rely on the words and knowledge of the Lord. If you have any advice or suggestions for me, let me know because everyone here tells me that I am too serious. 

I know that the Lord will guide me as I rely on him and trust in him. He will guide my way and give light to my path, if I choose to keep oil in my lamp. 

The last story for this week, is about a member that is in my ward. Her parents recieved missionaries into her home when she was eight. Her parents got baptized, but she wad conflicted because her grandma kept telling her that she should not join this church because it would turn against her family and everything she knew. Her grandma was one of her best friends. At the age of 8 she had to learn to pray sincerily and decide if she should be baptized. I don't know if I could've had that faith as a 8 year old. This member ended up serving a mission, and is such a strong member of the church. She is still a missionary today and shares the gospel with all those who are around her! I hope that I am like her one day!

I have to tell you why I chose my title to be dedicated to the Lord... today we were at an apartment complex trying to find one of our friends, and as we were leaving a guy stopped us. This was the most uncomfortable moment of my mission so far! He was on his phone when we were walking by and he hung up his phone asked us our name and shook our hands... he first turned to my companion and said "puede casarme?" My companion answered with the only thing a missionary can really say- and then he turned to me and asked me the same question! But the worst part is that he when he would shake our hands he would rotate his hand and would like rub the palm of our hands, and it was for an awkwardly long time. He asked where we were going and we said to meet with a friend, and then we said we had to go. We had to park far away so our car didn't get towed... and he walked past the cars and stood in a field and literally watched us walk all the way to our car. :)

Also if you donno what that question is in english haha, ask me!

I love you all dearly, and know that the Lord is with you, and knows what you are going through. Don't give up- no challenge will last forever!

The question for this week is: what does it mean to endure to the end?

For those of you who are new to my emails: I put a question in my email each week for you all to ponder. If you feel so inclined, you can answer the question in your next email to me!