Hola!
Oh my goodness gracious so much happened this week! I feel like this week was a lifetime!
First: What would you do if like, Peter, James or John came to your chapel? Maybe freak out a little bit, repent, and then wait excitedly like a little girl and shake his hand....I mean that's what I would do....well, that's kind of what I did. You see, we as the Puerto Rico San Juan mission had the wonderful opportunity to listen to an apostle of the Lord. Elder Jeffery R. Holland to be exact! It was the most wonderful experience of my life! I can truly testify that he is an apostle of the Lord. A man specially called from the Lord to be a witness of our Savior Jesus Christ! I learned SO MUCH in that one little conference we had. Sadly we only got to listen to him for an hour. I could have sat there in that church building for the whole day! Here is what I wrote my mission President about the experience:
What an experience we had to listen to Elder Holland! I was definitely humbled as he talked about the book of Mormon. It was funny, we actually had that as a goal last week, sister Gawrych and I! That gave us even more of a motivation to do better. Now we carry a book of Mormon around in our hands :) It reminds us to use it! I loved the quote Elder Holland made, "Faith ALWAYS points Forward" Isn't that so true? Our faith gives us motivation to be the people we need to be. I was reflecting a lot about that this week. Especially since my year mark is coming up. What kind of missionary do I want to be? I know I am not perfect, but that is the great thing about agency! We can change! We can continue to improve, and better ourselves. Then, as I was reflecting this week, I ran into this scripture in 1 John 4:4-8:
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
I gained such a stronger testimony of God's Love. HE LOVES US! That is why we have the opportunity to be better, to improve, to change, and to: "LOOK FORWARD" As I am in the streets everyday, I get to see a portion of that love God has for us. What a wonderful opportunity it is to share this gospel and help others get to know our Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I also have a challenge for you all! Elder Holland talked a lot about the Book of Mormon and how this is a special testament of Jesus Christ. How many of you have read the first chapter....I Nephi blah blah blah. But have you ever realized this? It is a reflection of the life of Joseph Smith! It starts off with a PROPHET, then he PRAYS, then he sees a VISION, he sees JESUS CHRIST and A BOOK, then he goes to PREACH these things to the world, but then he DIES. This is exactly what happened to Joseph Smith, the prophet of the Restoration! All I can say: The church is true.
Last of all, a few random things: I got to use a machete!!! I know, cool right!? We cleared out the yard of a member's house. It was just a bunch of greenery and we cut it all down...I wish I could send you pictures. The next holiday I'll get them to you all :) Yeah, so awesome. Then, well I have now eaten the most interesting food of my lifetime. It is called Mondongo. Its a soup. But, guess what's in it. Cow intestines and Pigs feet. Yup, probably the grossest weirdest thing I have ever eaten in my life. I gave the cow intestines and pigs feet to the dog :)
Thanks for all your love and support! Love You! Be awesome!
Hermana VanKammen
Oh my goodness gracious so much happened this week! I feel like this week was a lifetime!
First: What would you do if like, Peter, James or John came to your chapel? Maybe freak out a little bit, repent, and then wait excitedly like a little girl and shake his hand....I mean that's what I would do....well, that's kind of what I did. You see, we as the Puerto Rico San Juan mission had the wonderful opportunity to listen to an apostle of the Lord. Elder Jeffery R. Holland to be exact! It was the most wonderful experience of my life! I can truly testify that he is an apostle of the Lord. A man specially called from the Lord to be a witness of our Savior Jesus Christ! I learned SO MUCH in that one little conference we had. Sadly we only got to listen to him for an hour. I could have sat there in that church building for the whole day! Here is what I wrote my mission President about the experience:
What an experience we had to listen to Elder Holland! I was definitely humbled as he talked about the book of Mormon. It was funny, we actually had that as a goal last week, sister Gawrych and I! That gave us even more of a motivation to do better. Now we carry a book of Mormon around in our hands :) It reminds us to use it! I loved the quote Elder Holland made, "Faith ALWAYS points Forward" Isn't that so true? Our faith gives us motivation to be the people we need to be. I was reflecting a lot about that this week. Especially since my year mark is coming up. What kind of missionary do I want to be? I know I am not perfect, but that is the great thing about agency! We can change! We can continue to improve, and better ourselves. Then, as I was reflecting this week, I ran into this scripture in 1 John 4:4-8:
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
I gained such a stronger testimony of God's Love. HE LOVES US! That is why we have the opportunity to be better, to improve, to change, and to: "LOOK FORWARD" As I am in the streets everyday, I get to see a portion of that love God has for us. What a wonderful opportunity it is to share this gospel and help others get to know our Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I also have a challenge for you all! Elder Holland talked a lot about the Book of Mormon and how this is a special testament of Jesus Christ. How many of you have read the first chapter....I Nephi blah blah blah. But have you ever realized this? It is a reflection of the life of Joseph Smith! It starts off with a PROPHET, then he PRAYS, then he sees a VISION, he sees JESUS CHRIST and A BOOK, then he goes to PREACH these things to the world, but then he DIES. This is exactly what happened to Joseph Smith, the prophet of the Restoration! All I can say: The church is true.
Last of all, a few random things: I got to use a machete!!! I know, cool right!? We cleared out the yard of a member's house. It was just a bunch of greenery and we cut it all down...I wish I could send you pictures. The next holiday I'll get them to you all :) Yeah, so awesome. Then, well I have now eaten the most interesting food of my lifetime. It is called Mondongo. Its a soup. But, guess what's in it. Cow intestines and Pigs feet. Yup, probably the grossest weirdest thing I have ever eaten in my life. I gave the cow intestines and pigs feet to the dog :)
Thanks for all your love and support! Love You! Be awesome!
Hermana VanKammen