cuantas bendiciones

Mi familia!

Como estan!

Wow. This week has been the craziest of my mission.   But it’s been good.  It’s been strange having those around us leave and now covering a whole stake.  It’s taken some adjustment… but I feel closer to the Savior than ever before.   I know He is near.  And he has great things ahead in these last few months here and in life every after.

We really dug out this week.  I have never felt the spirit so close… so constantly.  I have slept better and been so much happier and more content.

We really cleaned our apartment for the first time in probably more than a few years.  It really helped our repore with the members we live with. And it helped us so much too. A clean fresh start.

We cleaned up the area books and have spent a lot of time in counsel with our Branch President and ward mission leader this week trying to decide where to begin.  President Miller has helped so much as well.  I feel so good about it.  It’s overwhelming covering the whole stake… but it’s really opened my eyes and made me step up to the potential I know Heavenly Father expects in me. 

We have found so many neat people this week. 

It has been neat to feel the spirit strongly confirm the people we need to focus on this transfer.  And they are finally starting to progress. 

Miracle for the week:

For the first time in my life, I was able to teach a random stranger about the gospel and have them progress and listen. 

I know Heavenly Father guides our lives and has a purpose for everything.

He is one of our investigators friends and has strong roots in his Christian beliefs.  He was in the car with one of the other friends as she came to argue with us for teaching our investigator.  As our investigator was calming her down… I decided to be christlike and let them know we love them and are not here to argue nor compete.  I asked him for his name… and small talked a few minutes.  He still wouldn’t turn his head or look me in the eye.  When he said where he was from, the ice broke.

Guatemala.

As I expressed a deep love for his people, everything changed. 

We spent a few minutes talking about the beautiful things of the culture… the people… the language…

The ice melted away.  He’s old enough to be my dad, but he truly is my spirit brother.

He was able to comfortably ask more about the church and we discussed each others beliefs. 

Listening and love changed everything with him. 

Before we left… I talked with him about the book of Mormon… and how it IS the reason I have such a love for his people… in so many ways.  He accepted a copy and seemed intrigued.  He loves the scriptures so much and is always teaching me more incredible things about the bible. 

And he is finally reading the book of Mormon.

I don’t know when… but I know he will come.

That was the first time I have ever played the first part… that first step… and I feel so honored.

I know Heavenly Father has guided my life. 

I can’t believe how many was Guatemala has opened doors for the Lord’s work on my mission. 

He truly has the big picture.

How many blessings I would be deprived of if I had never come. 

I will be eternally grateful for everything that led me here. 

Alberto Marves… cuando tu leas esta carta… quiero que digas a mi tia de Guatemala que sin ella, yo no iba servido una mision.  Seeing the youth of Guatemala… and the spreading forth and blessings of the gospel many years after she and my aunt Amy Jardine (Knight) had served changed me. 

Seeing so many great examples.

It’s been the strongest prompting in my life and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be here. 

The experiences memories and friendships I have gained here will be with me forever. 

I love the Lord.

I love my mission.

I LOVE the book of Mormon and the many lives it has changed.

I love YOU all.

Big hugs.

Love,

Sister Jardine

pics:

Sister Missionary hang out. :) ja.. all of us today for p-day before we came to email. 

branch baby shower w- our wml's wife and investigators

diaper eating taste test...gag

Father son and Mother pic ja. :)

New skies. New Chapters... change is hard but it's how we grow. :)

 

feliz dia de independencia

Mi familia! Happy fourth of july!!! Yesterday the libraries/post offices were closed so we are writing today! :) Well.... I was going to send you pictures but for some reason they aren't loading.... so I will try again and if not print some off and mail them. 

What a crazy week. We will have a LOT more work to do now.  Transfers changed everyone in our zone but us.  And because more missionaries went home then came in, a few areas were dissolved into others.  Originally Elder Grow and Elder Soto covered half the stake and we covered the other half, both serving in the same Spanish branch.  They were both transferred and now our area covers the entire stake.  It already took half an hour to drive from one end of our area to the other. Now it will take quite a bit longer! ja.  But we will work hard. 

 

I really miss our brothers! The Elders here are some great examples to me and have become incredible friends and family.  I can't wait to see them all again soon.  I don't know where I would be without them. 

 

Sister Eteaki is serving here!!! :) She is english again and serves in our area covering the high range english ward.  (we cover the same boundaries as 6 english wards).  She is sitting next to me. :) Man I love her.  I am so grateful she is here.  She has become one of my truest friends. 

 

I am finally feeling adjusted.  These people and brothers and sisters have helped so much. I have felt happier than ever before in life.  So content and at peace.  I love them and know I will see all of them again. 

This has been such an incredible growing time.  I feel closer to my Savior than ever before.  I have had trouble sleeping lately, but one of my leaders counseled me to try something different.  Instead of going over the day in my head, figuring things out and mulling things over.  He asked me to pray.  Not on my knees with a beginning and end.  (not to cut that out...but in addition to it...) But from my heart.  As if my Heavenly Father were laying beside me and could talk to me.  To talk to him.  Listen to him.  Feel and follow his counsel. 

 

I will say it has changed my life and my mission. 

I have never felt closer to him. 

I love My Savior so much.  I will always be grateful for this time I have had to gain my closest friend. 

Where would I be without my mission?

I will eternally be grateful for whoever stepped forward to pay for it.  I cannot wait to pay that great deed forward someday. 

 

I love you all so much. 

 

So a few weeks ago we gave talks in church... I wanted to share it with you.  So here is the english version.

 

"When I began my mission, I heard this story.  I don't know its source but I know it touched my heart.  It gave me the desire to share the gospel. It opened my eyes to the big picture.  It helped change they way I view the world and those around me, and so I'd like to share it with you today. 

It goes as follows:

 

A young boy once had this dream:

We were all in a spirit world before this one.  Our Heavenly Father had just created a plan where we would all have the opportunity to come to earth.  To prove ourselves and gain the great blessings in store.  We were all so excited and couldn't wait to come!

This young boy awaited his call surrounded by his family and friends.  He wondered where he would go? What special circumstances he would be born into? What Heavenly Father's call was for HIM. 

One by one his loved ones recieved their calls and began their journeys.  He sat alongside his friend, both anxiously awaiting their news.  Finally, his came.  He was summoned and solemnly listened,

       'My son, you will be born in the last dispensation.  You will be born in the united states of america in a time of freedom and peace.  You will be raised in my gospel, the fullness of the truth, alongside many who love you.  Your life will not be easy nor perfect.  But you will be blessed and I ask you to share those blessings with the world.'

As he left, this boy sat, astonished, excited.  How great was his calling! He could not wait to begin! He ran to tell those whom he loved. 

He and his friend rejoiced together.  What blessings!

 

finally, his friends call came.

 

'My dear son.

you are strong.  Your life will be far from easy but I know that you can do it.  You will not be raised in a strong family, but remember I love them, and that I love you.  You will be raised in poverty, in a land of violence.  The people will not follow my teachings, and it will be dark.  But you will rise above it. 

I know you.

You must search for the truth.  You will find it.  Remember I love you.'

 

As their Heavenly Father departed, this young man looked at his old friend with eyes full of new respect. 

 

Their eyes filled with tears as they embraced to begin their new journey.  His friend looked at him strongly and pleaded, 'Please, come find me.  Bring me the truth that we may be reunited again.'

"I will" the boy stated.'I promise'.

 

 

The boy's dream ended and reality awakened.  Years passed and the memory was almost forgotten.  Life passed, so did school, graduation, and mission papers.  The two years of hard work began, and came near to an end. 

 

One day, his mother recieved a letter that brought her to tears.

It read,

"Mom.... I found my friend."

 

I know that these experiences are real.  I know that the plan of salvation truly does exist.  I know that missionary work is the most important work.  I am so grateful for the opportuniy I have had to find my friends.  For the opportunity we all have to strengthen one another and help each other home.  May we have more patience  with those around us and truly seek to see them for who they are.  Our spirit brothers and sisters, trying to find their way home. 

 

I love all of you so much. 

I am so grateful for the incredible family and friends I have and KNOW that I knew all of you before this life. 

I know I have gained many friends during this period of time in my mission that I knew before this life and will have them forever. 

But I know I have many yet to find.  That don't have the blessings of the gospel.

I will give my soul to that duty for the next 18 weeks and can't wait to see you all so soon.

I love you.

I pray for you by name.

 

Love,

Sister Jardine