Don't let your praying knees get lazy

Hna. Laurie, Hna. Johnston, and I passed the week's work dancing, singing, running, and laughing. I was grateful that with just a prayer or two and a conscious effort, our Father in Heaven can change our feelings or attitude so that we can be better in the circumstances that aren't meant to change. 

Had FHE with a new family in our Spanish ward and the last couple of lessons with Cristian before his baptism. After explaining the Plan of Salvation to Yamila, we asked her to give the closing prayer to ask if the Book of Mormon and this plan were true. Her prayer, worded simple and pure, brought the Spirit's instantaneous response with happy tears, and she accepted a baptismal date. Went finding and taught English to una hermana from Chile!! We had "once" with her, too, and a chilean dinner at another member's - it felt like home! Another good food day was posole (a mexican soup made of hominy) we had with the ward missionary leader's family. 

Every ability, worry, written word, belief, feeling, discovery, success, complication, obstacle, invention, or attitude began with a thought. Every thought is that which makes up a singular definition of life, or what it is to live, for that person only and is known by no other man. Why is it, then, that some pass through life unscathed by the anxieties and perils of existence, happy for the gift it is to learn, experience, and just be? To create or change reality, change your mind. 

 Love, Hermana Jerman

Pan asado y mate

Cristian's baptism

A Belief in God Cures All

Juan Carlos, our recent convert, got the Aaronic Priesthood, did baptisms at the temple and even came with us for a couple lessons! We set a goal to prepare himself for a Patriarchal Blessing. We're teaching Sylvia again. She disclosed that the main reason her husband left her and their three children was because of her desire to be baptized and their now differing beliefs. She is eager to come to church but works on Sunday between one of her three jobs. We talked about bringing her righteous desire before her Father in prayer; He clears the way for the good when His children ask. Like the scripture in the Book of Mormon, if you don't have raiment to give but merely your desire, that is enough because you are giving your heart. 

We've been working with a less active Chilean family and the wife came to sacrament! Taught Spanish primary class for the 5 year olds, gave a church tour for Rocio and Sarah, knocked doors, and ate dinner with a member family. As an apostle has done with many copies of the Book of Mormon, we invited Brandon to label one with a specific question and highlight the responses throughout. I like the idea of having a chronological library of person revelation and progression. 

S. Gifford Nielsen of the Seventy spoke Tuesday to the MTC after having a meeting with President Nelson that day. The Prophet said that Monday night he awoke and obeyed as the Spirit instructed him to study the temple ordinances until allowing him to go back to bed at 3:30 am. Then, as usual, he got up at 5:20 am. He laughed saying he used to get night calls to perform heart procedures but now he gets called at night without the phone ringing. I know our Prophet is a man of God and that at 94 he really will stay up into the wee hours to receive guidance for us. Temple ordinances and covenants are what all of the people on the earth, or in it, need :) Let's not wait to go to the temple or "sleep in" when we're called to work with the Spirit.

"Where there is faith there is love. Where there is love there is God. Where there is God there is everything."

Love, Hermana Jerman

Elder and Sister Purvis from my childhood ward.

My class drew the Plan of Salvation on the chalkboard

Unity <---> Joy

That's what Bonnie Cordon, President of the General Relief Society, spoke about at this past MTC devotional. As I've restarted the Book of Mormon, I love how often Nephi recognizes the Lord in his writings. Do we talk of Christ and rejoice of Christ as the prophets of old did and as a living prophet reminded us to last week? Is the Lord at the center of our thoughts, interactions, and schedules? This week I also learned that when the people of Israel carried the Ark of the Covenant across the River Jordan with the promise of walking on dry land, the water did not part until they got their feet wet. The miracle comes as we hold on to the promises the Lord has made and then act with the faith that they will be fulfilled, even if those promises are not realized when you think you need them nor once you step into unknown, rushing waters. 

 Love, Hermana Jerman

I love Jesus and I love conference

Shared a message with the Murillo girls. Since they're 9 and 11 years old and their mom hasn't been meeting with us, we cannot enter so we teach them at the doorstep. I love them, and I know that they are precious to Heavenly Father. 

President Nelson embodies excitement for spreading and living the gospel when he speaks. With the changes he has given, the old fulfilled and the new revealed, it is not an invitation to do less, but rather a higher and holier responsibility entrusted to us by the Lord. Some specifics from the Prophet were 1) that our need to be in the temple on a regular basis has never been more imperative and 2) to pray to feel deeply the Savior's love for you when you go there. It was fun to hear different groups of missionaries cheer as the temples were announced, too.  

Love, Hermana Jerman

Full Circle

Hna. Johnston and I met a new investigator + Rocio, a single mom who just moved from Colombia to study english. She accepted to tour the church and come on Sunday. We also met with 3 of our recent converts all together and a couple from my old ward. Had a lesson with Marco Antonio's family in preparation for his interview to be ordained in the Aaronic priesthood. Taught Jonathan from Chile. He lived in Villa Alemana, one of my areas while I was there! 

Love, Hermana Jerman