Week 1 Has Come And Gone

Hello my friends! This week has been crazy busy but so full of the love of God. Even though this week has been one thing after the other, I wouldn't trade my experience even if this was all my mission was. My testimony has already grown and my Spanish language abilities have increased too. During this week of Home MTC I have learned so much about myself and the gospel. I have filled half of my notebook with notes, ideas, or lesson prep.

I know that I was meant to serve a mission and that I was reserved for this time. Even though I didn't have a mission in my life plans last year, I know that God has been preparing me for my mission throughout my entire life. Each experience I have had and each trial I have overcome will help me while I am on my mission. It will help me stay strong, as well as help those who I will be teaching. I know that the Lord has also prepared those in Texas for me, that there will be people who are ready to hear the gospel from me when I get there in the Spanish Language. I know that our heavenly father doesn't make mistakes and that I am meant to go to Dallas Texas and speak peace into the hearts of those who speak the Spanish Language.

I know that even though I am only 19, I own the confidence of the Lord and our General Authorities. They have given me the authority and the power to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints with all those who I will come into contact with. As long as I open my mouth and allow the Spirit to speak through me, I will touch the hearts of those around me. 

In each of our lives, we have taken the name of Jesus Christ onto our hearts. Even though some of us cannot physically see it. Each of you can have the Gift of Tongues in your day to day lives if you pray sincerely. I know that the Gift of Tongues doesn't just mean help speaking a foreign language- there is a more important language that each of us can use every day- The Language of the Holy Ghost. If we consistently pray for the use of the Gift of Tongues in our lives I know that we will have a better relationship with The Holy Ghost, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and our loving Heavenly Father. We can use this Gift to help those around us with simple or difficult tasks, to bring others unto the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to better receive and be aware of promptings the Holy Ghost is giving us. Even if you aren't a missionary right now, you are still a disciple of Jesus Christ and can teach those around you.

This week in my personal study I went into depth about the Christlike Attribute, Charity. I have never realized the blessings we can receive when we are full of Charity like the Lord is. I challenge each of you to include Charity in your studies this week.  Some scriptures that I loved were: 

- Moroni 7:45, 1 Cor 13:7, 1 Nephi 19:1, 1 Peter 4:8 (specifically the footnote a), and Col 3:14

When we have charity we are more able to be steadfast in the Gospel and be less tempted to do things that can lessen our eternal joy. Throughout my mission and my life I will be praying for more charity in my life. 

Since my first call was to be a missionary of Jesus Christ and my secondary call is to serve in the Texas Dallas West Mission, I will strive to be a missionary to each of you as well. To do this I will choose a question each week that you can ponder. I would love it if you could email your response to the question in an email to me as well, but you don't have to. This way if you have nothing interesting that has happened throughout the week you still have something to email about. This week's question is: How can you best teach through the Spirit?

I love you all so much, and know that the Lord will never leave your side when you are in need of comfort or assistance. One of my favorite scriptures this week is John 14:18. Have a great week everyone, and remember how much you are loved.