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| Piñata craziness! |
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| Our District |
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| Your Hermanas! |
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| President and Sister Nelson |
Monday, December 26, 2016
Christmas Zone Conference Pictures
Feliz Navidad!
This week was extremely special for Hermana Cervantes and I. As you guys know, I've been here in Independencia for about 5 months and it has been a very meaningful experience. We have been working with some part member families that we just love to death.
One of these families is the Rosales Family. Hermana Diesi and her children were baptized about 2 years ago in Chiapas but the father, Francisco, didn't want to hear about the Gospel. It has been very special to see the timing of the Lord and how it is truly perfect for each of His children. Francisco had a belief that he needed to change before he was ready to repent and be baptized. But once he received an answer for himself that this was the change he needed, he never looked back.
The Lord doesn't just want individual persons but truly entire families to come to Him. Throughout this experience a scripture has been in my mind, 1 Peter 3:17 " If you suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye." The mission is the hardest thing but the best thing. It's worth having 100 nos to have 1 yes. This work is truly a happy one because it's helping to fulfill the wonderful plan of the Lord for His children.
The baptism was also super special because the Hermana that served in Chiapas was able to attend the baptism and see this family come together. That's the cool thing about missionaries, we work together all the time, even though we may not always get to see the success. This truly was a merry Christmas and I hope ya`ll had a good one as well. Also shout out to family for being so great! So special for me to see all of you!
Hermana Herrera
One of these families is the Rosales Family. Hermana Diesi and her children were baptized about 2 years ago in Chiapas but the father, Francisco, didn't want to hear about the Gospel. It has been very special to see the timing of the Lord and how it is truly perfect for each of His children. Francisco had a belief that he needed to change before he was ready to repent and be baptized. But once he received an answer for himself that this was the change he needed, he never looked back.
The Lord doesn't just want individual persons but truly entire families to come to Him. Throughout this experience a scripture has been in my mind, 1 Peter 3:17 " If you suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye." The mission is the hardest thing but the best thing. It's worth having 100 nos to have 1 yes. This work is truly a happy one because it's helping to fulfill the wonderful plan of the Lord for His children.
The baptism was also super special because the Hermana that served in Chiapas was able to attend the baptism and see this family come together. That's the cool thing about missionaries, we work together all the time, even though we may not always get to see the success. This truly was a merry Christmas and I hope ya`ll had a good one as well. Also shout out to family for being so great! So special for me to see all of you!
Hermana Herrera
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| Fransisco and his family and the Hermana who taught his family 2 years ago in Chiapas |
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| Our parents on the mission, President and Sister Nelson. Aren't they great! |
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| The crew |
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| When the Hermanas forget their keys! |
Monday, December 19, 2016
Mole de panza...a great teacher
Feliz Navidad! I cant believe it's almost here! This week I wanted to share a story for my thought. I learn best from personal experiences and I think my family is going to think this one's a hoot. Last Sunday, Hermana Cervantes and I had the opportunity of trying a soup that had cow stomach in it called mole de panza. I love mole. It's a sauce that has a lot of spices and chile and chocolate. I thought that mole de panza was probably pretty similar but I was wrong. The first few bites weren't bad but the texture was definitely getting to me. I kind of got to a point where if I put it far enough back it could slide down my throat pretty easily.
As we were eating, I was thinking of a quote that our President likes to say "Every action has a spiritual purpose¨ and I wondered what I possibly could learn from this experience? Then I thought about how probably before my mission I wouldn't even touch this dish. And now? I was willing to eat it out of love for the people here in Puebla. It was a small change in my life, but it was Christlike.
I'm grateful for a Heavenly Father that sees people as they truly are and their potential. In this experience, I had a change of heart and a willingness to put people first. A quote that means a lot to me and something that I strive to apply here on my mission is by Elder Cornish "If we must compare, compare how we were in the past to how we are today- and even how we want to be in the future."
This is the invitation that I want to give this week because I know when I made this small change in my life I was automatically happier with myself and had a greater love for The Lord. To close I wanted to share a definition of Grace- because we truly need it in all things. ¨It is through the Grace of the Lord, that individuals, through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to do by their own means.¨
Have a Merry Christmas!
Hermana Herrera
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| Our investigator Lucia |
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| Mole de panza |
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| Rebecca stole my plaque |
Monday, December 12, 2016
3 seconds to react
It`s the 12th of December and you know what that means.. the birthday of the Virgin de Guadalupe. Fireworks have been going off this whole week. To describe this, I would say I feel like I'm in Hunger Games ( team Peeta). Other exciting news... HERMANA CERVANTES AND I GET TO STAY IN OUR AREA FOR CHRISTMAS. She is such a great example to me and its a privilege to work with her.
The reason I put 3 seconds to react is because missionaries are always on a time limit. Sometimes people literally only give you 3 seconds to spit out an answer that makes sense to them. On my mission, many people have asked for us to give their children blessings. When we reply that we can not the response is crazy. Mainly- why are you in a church that diminishes women like that? I have recognized that my immediate response has to be my testimony. We are not here to fight or have conflict but to share the truth. I feel like this is a response we all need to give, to be bold but with love.
To address the Priesthood subject in general, I fall back on my knowledge that first I am a daughter of God. I have a divine role here on the earth. The priesthood has blessed my life tremendously and I'm so grateful I have it in my home. This knowledge, I believe, comes from searching the scriptures, praying, personal experiences and knowing the importance of developing my own testimony.
I know this applies to every member of the church because we always have opposition in this life, so we need to be prepared. I'm grateful for the opportunity to share this Gospel. I'm grateful the Lord gave me the opportunity to be a example to all the girls and women in my life, especially my 5 sisters. I know when we share our testimonies, they become stronger and more firm. I love you all!
The reason I put 3 seconds to react is because missionaries are always on a time limit. Sometimes people literally only give you 3 seconds to spit out an answer that makes sense to them. On my mission, many people have asked for us to give their children blessings. When we reply that we can not the response is crazy. Mainly- why are you in a church that diminishes women like that? I have recognized that my immediate response has to be my testimony. We are not here to fight or have conflict but to share the truth. I feel like this is a response we all need to give, to be bold but with love.
To address the Priesthood subject in general, I fall back on my knowledge that first I am a daughter of God. I have a divine role here on the earth. The priesthood has blessed my life tremendously and I'm so grateful I have it in my home. This knowledge, I believe, comes from searching the scriptures, praying, personal experiences and knowing the importance of developing my own testimony.
I know this applies to every member of the church because we always have opposition in this life, so we need to be prepared. I'm grateful for the opportunity to share this Gospel. I'm grateful the Lord gave me the opportunity to be a example to all the girls and women in my life, especially my 5 sisters. I know when we share our testimonies, they become stronger and more firm. I love you all!
Hermana Herrera
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| Feliz Navidad! #iluminaelmundo |
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| The members in the ward found out that I'm willing to try new things. This week I tried chapolines (grasshoppers). The news spread like wild fire and I had a taco waiting for me at every appointment. They are not bad! |
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| Cruising back to my childhood in the back of my Grandpa's truck! |
Monday, December 5, 2016
What's your gift to Christ this year?
Hola familia y amigos!
This week went by so fast. I love being a missionary during the Christmas Season. We have the special opportunity of sharing #lighttheworld through the video and little cards with baby Jesus and Mary. I think that they are amazing and help a lot:)
Quick thought for you this week. Through my personal study I've been thinking a lot about what gift I want to give Heavenly Father this year. Being on the mission, I have witnessed over and over again the importance of true Christlike service in conversion. I know when we serve others Heavenly Father feels that comfort as well BECAUSE WE ARE ALL SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF GOD. Our relationship with Heavenly Father needs to be our top priority because His joy and glory is through us His children. (Moses 1:39)
Sometimes our prayers can be a little rushed, a little fast and repetitive. I love the description of prayer in the Bible Dictionary ¨Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant but that are made conditional on our asking for them."
With that said how often do we verify with the Lord in our works? How often do we pray to have his guidance? How often do we tell him we love him? These questions hit me hard and it's something that I wanted to change in my life. I have come to realize that when we go over our day and say that we did all we can, we can feel His love for us.
Something that my Dad said he misses most about his mission is the confirmation of the Spirit that he did all that he could to share His Gospel that day. I feel that same Spirit and it feels me with joy. I know you guys can feel it also.
Another cool experience about prayer this week is that Hermana Cervantes and I have been praying specifically to find a new investigator. This Sunday we had stake conference and there were TONS OF PEOPLE. Through the sea of people a sweet old lady seemed desperate to talk to us. She told us that she was starving literally starving to have the Gospel in her life. She had been taking the lessons with other missionaries for a year but did not have the opportunity to get baptized. With tears rolling down her cheeks, she said she was ready. I can not tell you the joy and happiness we felt as we told her that we were her missionaries and we were going to do everything we can to help her. I know The Lord answers our prayers, I know that we can be witnesses of daily miracles and I know the Lord loves His children. I would love to hear your gifts to Heavenly Father. Love you all!
This week went by so fast. I love being a missionary during the Christmas Season. We have the special opportunity of sharing #lighttheworld through the video and little cards with baby Jesus and Mary. I think that they are amazing and help a lot:)
Quick thought for you this week. Through my personal study I've been thinking a lot about what gift I want to give Heavenly Father this year. Being on the mission, I have witnessed over and over again the importance of true Christlike service in conversion. I know when we serve others Heavenly Father feels that comfort as well BECAUSE WE ARE ALL SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF GOD. Our relationship with Heavenly Father needs to be our top priority because His joy and glory is through us His children. (Moses 1:39)
Sometimes our prayers can be a little rushed, a little fast and repetitive. I love the description of prayer in the Bible Dictionary ¨Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant but that are made conditional on our asking for them."
With that said how often do we verify with the Lord in our works? How often do we pray to have his guidance? How often do we tell him we love him? These questions hit me hard and it's something that I wanted to change in my life. I have come to realize that when we go over our day and say that we did all we can, we can feel His love for us.
Something that my Dad said he misses most about his mission is the confirmation of the Spirit that he did all that he could to share His Gospel that day. I feel that same Spirit and it feels me with joy. I know you guys can feel it also.
Another cool experience about prayer this week is that Hermana Cervantes and I have been praying specifically to find a new investigator. This Sunday we had stake conference and there were TONS OF PEOPLE. Through the sea of people a sweet old lady seemed desperate to talk to us. She told us that she was starving literally starving to have the Gospel in her life. She had been taking the lessons with other missionaries for a year but did not have the opportunity to get baptized. With tears rolling down her cheeks, she said she was ready. I can not tell you the joy and happiness we felt as we told her that we were her missionaries and we were going to do everything we can to help her. I know The Lord answers our prayers, I know that we can be witnesses of daily miracles and I know the Lord loves His children. I would love to hear your gifts to Heavenly Father. Love you all!
Hermana Herrera
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| The new crew here in Independence |
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| Popocateptl |
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| CHOLULA. There are 364 Catholic churches here. This is by far one of my favorites. |
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| My cute compa on the brink of starvation |
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