***If this ends up being shorter, we're heading to Albuquerque today for exchanges..... we're at a different library and were told we only get 20 minutes! I'll type fast!!!! Sorry if there aren't any pics this week! :)

First off..... Steph! Thank you so much for the Cd's! We love them!!!! I've really come to learn on a mission how much music affects you.  It really humbled me! Thank you!!!

I love you and am praying for you.

The first song we listened to was Temporary Home, by Carrie Underwood.  I remember how much it impressed me months ago at Sister McDermed's funeral.  But listening to it now really leveled me.  It really helped me to see that this really is just a stop, on the way to where we're going.  :) We'll all be on the other side together..... and the end isn't the end.

How are you my amazing family?!?! :) I love you all so much!!! How is life going? I know it's busy! But keep taking it easy and taking it in!!! :)

I finished reading D&C this morning, and section 138 really stuck out to me and has left me feeling different this morning.  It talks so much of the spirit world, and a verse that stuck out to me spoke about choice spirits chosen to serve as missionaries in the spirit world.  I couldn't help but remember Chris Dorius.  That was all so long ago it feels like a dream.

His example still stands out to me.  I was overwhelmed with just feeling he is doing this same work on the other side.  I KNOW that when Christ comes again, he will have the chance to have and raise a family, and be with them forever.  But I know, for now, he is just serving an extended mission.  I admire his strength.  I know Grandpa and Grandma Gardner are excellent missionaries over there, using the strong testimonies they gained in this life.  How neat to be serving along side prophets of old in this great work.  I am so proud of those working on the other side of the veil and am honored to know them.

I have come to gain a strong firm faith and testimony in the plan of salvation. 

I KNOW this isn't it.

This is just one stop on the way to where we're going and we need to make the most of it.  I can't wait for the day when we are all at our destination peacefully together on the otherside.  :) What an incredible thing to look forward to.

This week has been incredible!

Estrella will be baptized this sunday!!! :) I am SO very excited for her.  It's such a neat feeling to have seen someones progression from start to finish.  To truly be a tool in the Lord's hand. I love that girl and she will be a friend for life! She has been so strong! And truly let this be a conversion in her life! I am so proud of her!!! I am amazed at her testimony! She has overcome so much.  She's 18 yet she's stronger than most adults I know.  She truly is applying this and letting it change her life.  She's been through a lot.  I am so excited for her.  Last night we were able to meet with her and plan all her last preparations.... to reconfirm on the power of baptism. I am so proud of her.  I love her.

We have been blessed with working with SO many incredible people this week!! I cannot believe how much our lessons have changed as we've strived for exact obedience and perfect diligence.  We've truly learned to work with the spirit and we literally can't keep up with the work!!! We have SO many incredible investigators we are working with on changing their lives and all of them are progressing down the path!!! There are just plain TOO many good people in Santa Fe!!! :) haha.  What an incredible blessing!! I PRAY I have more time here.  I love this place.  It's become a part of me and I love these people.  I hardly want to come up for air! I just want to spend my life serving them!!!

I love you all and I want you to know your savior LIVES and he LOVES you. 

I LOVE YOU.
I am running out of time so I'll send this quick.

Please know you are in my prayers.

Se fuerte.

Hey Hey Hey amazing family!!!!

I hope you all had an aboslutely amazing day!!!!!!! :) You are all constantly in my prayers and I know the rough river is polishing you all.  You are stronger better people than the family I left and I am so glad to be a part of you. 

It's been a long hard GOOD week here in Santa Fe!

It's been FREEZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm not exactly sure as to the whole situation, but there have been black outs and gas outages all over Texas and Santa Fe lately.  They ran out of natural gas or something.  And it's just so happened to be the coldest week here since the 90's.  FREEZING.  We've had to leave all our water running to keep pipes from freezing and we've learned how to bundle up! Than, you SOO much for the warm clothes... they've helped so much.  Now I know why they eat so much hot food here..... it makes you feel warm even when you're not.  :) Our Jalepenos have been put to good use this week.... never thought I'd like to snack on them..... ha.  How we change. 

It's been a neat opportunity to see our stake and branch unify in the crisis though.  Of helping each other stay warm and stay strengthened. 

Our investigators are progressing trememdously this week.  Estrella is going to be baptized so soon!!! I am SO excited for her! She will be a lifelong friend! Her family is so closely following.  I am amazed at the miracle and it's been so incredible to see her testimony grow over the past few months.  She is so strong.  So good. 

A large miracle this week has been Miguel Angel.  He is such a sweet man.  His daughters are our age and live with him.  Their friend their age passed away last week from Leukemia.  They've had a very difficult time.  It was so neat to speak with him about the plan of salvation.  He was very sweet and concerned about Dad.... especially since they are the same age.   He always asks about him and asks if he can do anything.  I am amazed at his faith and how he has been progressing.  He came to church for the first time this sunday............ I can't count the blessings.  I love these people.

Sunday we had the INCREDIBLE opportunity to listen to President Monson, Elder Ballard, and Sister Dibb this sunday for stake conference.... they broadcasted for Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma.  It was amazing.  It was absolutely the best sunday we've had EVER! SOOOOO many miracles happened.  SO many came to church that we've been trying to get to come for so long! It was an absolute miracle!!! I've begun to see how SO many more of them happen when we have true faith in them.  I am amazed at how absolutely incredibly happy I can be. 

The line that stuck out to me the most from Thomas S. Monson's talk was the phrase "Leave your nets and follow me"...  That scripture never stood out to me so much before but this week it did. Whatever our 'nets' are....... the things that hold us from the true focus in life, the true happines.... our real purpose..... they just plain aren't worth our worry.  They are worth our work and effort, but sometimes we must leave them behind and follow him.  He will take care of you.  He will provide.  Whatever your most difficult care or worry is this week............ trust him.  Leave your nets and follow him.

Please.

“He is your beloved Heavenly Father, who seeks your good, your happiness. He desires with all the love of a perfect and pure Father that you reach your supernal destination. . . . All you have to do is trust your Heavenly Father. Trust Him enough to follow His plan.”

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Your Happily Ever After,” Ensign, May 2010, 127

I want you to know I love you all dearly and with all of my heart.
Please be strong.
Let the nets go.
He will take care of you.
And I still love and miss you,

Hermana Jardine
Seed.

P.S. Found out this funny side note this week............. My literal spanish name:          Lindsay Lorraine Jardine Gardner    (translation can be, Seed Garden Gardner....... The joke is I need to marry a 'Flores' because they my name could be seed garden gardner of flowers... ha............... I love my heritage!!! :)

 

Pics:

1- Guatemala gifts! :) "Guatever" (Pronounced.... "Whatever") :)

2- $4 Target boots to sleep in!

3-Bundlin up in the house

4-Sushi lunch days!

"There are those among you who, although young, have already suffered a full measure of grief and sorrow. My heart is filled with compassion and love for you. How dear you are to the Church. How beloved you are of your Heavenly Father. Though it may seem that you are alone, angels attend you. Though you may feel that no one can understand the depth of your despair, our Savior, Jesus Christ, understands. He suffered more than we can possibly imagine, and He did it for us; He did it for you. You are not alone."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Your Happily Ever After," Ensign, May 2010, 126

"Faith as the assurance of things hoped for looks to the future. This assurance is founded upon a correct understanding about, and trust in, God and enables us to 'press forward' (2 Nephi 31:20) into uncertain and often challenging situations in the service of the Savior."

David A. Bednar