This week was nuts. With a capital N-U-T-S. We had a division on Tuesday with Bella Vista, Hermana Harper and Hermana Douglas. I stayed in Salado with Hna Douglas, and we had a pretty good day. We contacted a ton of people, and I was able to get to know Hna Douglas a little better.
And then...Wednesday was normal, Thursday we had a multi-zone Christmas conference, which was just amazing. I do have to say though, when we watched the slide show with all of the crazy mission pictures, I just lost it. After seeing the picture of the little old lady just walking down the street with a full grown dead chicken in her hand...haha, I was like...well flip, this is my last zone conference. I am not trunky, but I am worried about leaving this place I have grown to love so much. I know that I'll survive, thousands already have, but it stinks.
On Saturday and Sunday was when we weren't able to do a lot of finding. We had to go empty the pila with buckets, which was A LOAD of fun, even more so when we turned around and saw that a piece of the ceiling had fallen off and into the font, and there were black worms in the font... I thought when I saw those and tried to squish them and the head was still moving...I was like..."how much do I love Gabby??"(the kid who got baptized). I just took a breath, imagined that this font was like the pond up at the Andrus reunion and that I had survived until now, and we got it emptied and clean and worm free. Heck yes.
We had the baptismal interview and then the end of year dinner with the ward. A fun miracle that happened was that my comp and I were outside and we saw a middle aged couple and their teenage daughter, dressed in Sunday clothes, standing awkwardly outside the church. The girl went inside and then came back out, which was weird because I had never seen them before, so they weren't members. So therefore, we went to contact them and they asked us if there was a meeting going on. We were like, well no, but there is going to be a huge dinner! Turns out that they had gone to their pentecostal church but the doors were shut, so when they saw that ours were open and that there were people, they decided to go see what was going on. We invited them in, and they stayed for the whole evening. We and the elders had put together a spiritual thought at the beginning, and we were praying that they could feel the spirit. The elders got their reference, and they are going to go see what happens!! Does that count as an attendance?;) haha, no, but it was a good night.
Sunday morning, baptism, church, ward council, there are a ton of people affected by the rising river and flooding from all of the rain so the ward has put together a relief effort, and it was amazing to see these people work in unity to help others. It was a good feeling.
Other than that, it was a good, spiritual week. I love being here in Paraguay, I love the people and all of the experiences that the Lord has let me have. I love you all and I hope that you have a wonderful New Year!
Love,
Hermana Farish
Monday, December 28, 2015
Monday, December 21, 2015
Well, Crazy Life
This week was crazy, what with changes and all, and I am now with my new companion, Hermana Noorda, from New Hampshire!! We hit it off right from the start, and we are so excited to be working together.
This week was really hot, like 115 degrees, with occasional flooding. All of Paraguay is under water, it seems like.
And, my old comp Hermana Fardos is out of danger. She is still recuperating, but was transferred to another area a little closer to the hospital in Asuncion. I was so grateful to work with her, she taught me a lot about how to bring the spirit into a lesson and how it is so necessary. I learned a lot from her.
We had changes on Wednesday, and we were able to get a lot of things done this week and find a lot of new people. We are contacting like crazy, and handing out the cards about the "A Savior Is Born". A ton of people are so much more open if we talk about just Christmas.
One thing that was interesting to me this week was that we went to follow up on a contact named Monica, but we found Maria, her mom. We began to teach her but we really didn't feel the spirit. I said a quick prayer in my head to ask for it, and just as I finished a couple of drunk guys next door began to fight and punch each other, and we were like, "oh flip". But what was interesting was that the guys just randomly stopped, sat down, and began to talk again, and it was tranquilo. When we began to teach again, the spirit was with us, and Maria was so much more open, and she accepted the baptismal invitation. Strange how the spirit works sometimes.
The work is progressing, we are working as hard as we can, and it is interesting...everyone makes trunky jokes and whatever, but I have realized that I am going to miss this place with its dengue, lice, mosquitos, heat, whatever. I have grown to love it, and it has become my world. I love this place so much, and I may or may not be freaking out a tad bit. Not too much, just a tad:)
I love you so much and I hope that you have a wonderful Christmas!! A Savior is about to be born!!
I love you,
Hermana Farish
This week was really hot, like 115 degrees, with occasional flooding. All of Paraguay is under water, it seems like.
And, my old comp Hermana Fardos is out of danger. She is still recuperating, but was transferred to another area a little closer to the hospital in Asuncion. I was so grateful to work with her, she taught me a lot about how to bring the spirit into a lesson and how it is so necessary. I learned a lot from her.
We had changes on Wednesday, and we were able to get a lot of things done this week and find a lot of new people. We are contacting like crazy, and handing out the cards about the "A Savior Is Born". A ton of people are so much more open if we talk about just Christmas.
One thing that was interesting to me this week was that we went to follow up on a contact named Monica, but we found Maria, her mom. We began to teach her but we really didn't feel the spirit. I said a quick prayer in my head to ask for it, and just as I finished a couple of drunk guys next door began to fight and punch each other, and we were like, "oh flip". But what was interesting was that the guys just randomly stopped, sat down, and began to talk again, and it was tranquilo. When we began to teach again, the spirit was with us, and Maria was so much more open, and she accepted the baptismal invitation. Strange how the spirit works sometimes.
The work is progressing, we are working as hard as we can, and it is interesting...everyone makes trunky jokes and whatever, but I have realized that I am going to miss this place with its dengue, lice, mosquitos, heat, whatever. I have grown to love it, and it has become my world. I love this place so much, and I may or may not be freaking out a tad bit. Not too much, just a tad:)
I love you so much and I hope that you have a wonderful Christmas!! A Savior is about to be born!!
I love you,
Hermana Farish
Monday, December 14, 2015
Dangit, Dengue
The subject line says it all: my companion, Hermana Fardos, has dengue. WOOHOO!!! For those who don't know, dengue is a mosquito transmitted disease, kind of like malaria, and it is nicknamed the bone breaking disease. Doesn't that just give you warm fuzzies? She was admitted to the hospital on Thursday and is getting out today, so we had special changes, and I am with Hermana Borjas, a local missionary from the chaco. She is awesome, and speaks Nivacle, like German and Hebrew mixed together, it is pretty sweet. She will be heading home this next week, so I have no idea what is going to happen with transfers. We will see what happens. So, we have been in and out of the hospital all week, and on Saturday Hermana Borjas and I went back to Salado for the baptisms of the Arrua family, the other half. It was awesome, and it was nice to see someone with whom we have been working for so long get to baptism.
So yeah, that was basically our week. As far as the spiritual side goes, we are studying the Holy Ghost as a mission this week, and yesterday I was reading in 3rd Nephi 19, and I looked up a reference in 3 Nephi 9:15, which talks about how Jesus glorified the name of his Father. The question that came to my mind is whether or not I am glorifying the name of Christ by my actions, words, thoughts, whatever. Just a question to have in mind!!! I love you all and I hope that you have a good week!!!
Love,
Hermana Farish
So yeah, that was basically our week. As far as the spiritual side goes, we are studying the Holy Ghost as a mission this week, and yesterday I was reading in 3rd Nephi 19, and I looked up a reference in 3 Nephi 9:15, which talks about how Jesus glorified the name of his Father. The question that came to my mind is whether or not I am glorifying the name of Christ by my actions, words, thoughts, whatever. Just a question to have in mind!!! I love you all and I hope that you have a good week!!!
Love,
Hermana Farish
 |
| The baptism of the Arrua family |
Monday, December 7, 2015
Stupid. Ostriches.
So, let me just sum up our week in one sentence:
We were attacked by ostriches.
Yep, have a good week!!
Love,
Hermana Farish
Haha, jk, but really. There is a lady who has two ostriches, we went to follow up, and we sat down outside, and the member (who came out with us on our appointment for the FIRST TIME) was first attacked by the ostrich...apparently they don't like hats. Whoops. he's probably not going to come out again...dangit. So, the whole entire lesson everyone was looking at the ostrich because they were nervous, but it didn't happen again because we beat them (the ostriches) up with an umbrella. Eesh. We finally could feel something resembling the spirit, and we were like..YES, keep going, and then the ostrich went to the bathroom. I swear like a gallon came out. My comp and I just looked at each other and just started to laugh. We were like...okay, I just give up. It was one of the funniest things I have experienced in my long life. Not very spiritually edifying, but hopefully you can laugh a little.:)
Someone told me the other day that here in the mission, we get as much experience as an 80 year old person. I am not sure it is to that extent, but it definitely helps. I am so glad that I was able to come to the mission. I know that it was the right thing and it has helped me so much to become the person that the Lord needs me to be. I have so much to learn but I know that He will help me.
I don't have a lot of time, but it was a good week, and the rest of the Arrua family is going to be baptized this weekend!! We are so excited! I love you all and I hope that you have a good week!
Love,
Hermana Farish
We were attacked by ostriches.
Yep, have a good week!!
Love,
Hermana Farish
Haha, jk, but really. There is a lady who has two ostriches, we went to follow up, and we sat down outside, and the member (who came out with us on our appointment for the FIRST TIME) was first attacked by the ostrich...apparently they don't like hats. Whoops. he's probably not going to come out again...dangit. So, the whole entire lesson everyone was looking at the ostrich because they were nervous, but it didn't happen again because we beat them (the ostriches) up with an umbrella. Eesh. We finally could feel something resembling the spirit, and we were like..YES, keep going, and then the ostrich went to the bathroom. I swear like a gallon came out. My comp and I just looked at each other and just started to laugh. We were like...okay, I just give up. It was one of the funniest things I have experienced in my long life. Not very spiritually edifying, but hopefully you can laugh a little.:)
Someone told me the other day that here in the mission, we get as much experience as an 80 year old person. I am not sure it is to that extent, but it definitely helps. I am so glad that I was able to come to the mission. I know that it was the right thing and it has helped me so much to become the person that the Lord needs me to be. I have so much to learn but I know that He will help me.
I don't have a lot of time, but it was a good week, and the rest of the Arrua family is going to be baptized this weekend!! We are so excited! I love you all and I hope that you have a good week!
Love,
Hermana Farish
Monday, November 30, 2015
Lots Of Memories
This week had a lot of interesting miracles. Small, but interesting.
My companion is doing well. She comes from a very, very wealthy background (like her dad is the CEO or something like that of Apple) and there have been some clashing moments, but she is an excellent missionary who knows how to bring the spirit into the lessons, and I am learning a lot from her. Her dad is Argentine and was baptized about 7 years ago. They are all active, but her mom was inactive for about 15 years because her dad didn't want anything to do with the church, and now they are sealed. It is a fun story.
I got permission to Skype with Josh, so that will be fun. We will need to set that up! I still don't have specific times, I will let you know as soon as I do.
But yeah, this week was crazy, we are working like locas (crazies), and having a blast. That is the good thing about having an American comp, you can just talk about all of the inside jokes and all that...haha, We did an open house this last week and they showed the movie Meet The Mormons, and that last part in the airport...my comp and I were dying...we were kind of trunky, not gonna lie. I am excited to see you guys, but freaking out about starting off in real life again.
But something that I really liked about this week was that we read and studied about "The Divine Gift of Repentance", a talk by Elder Christofferson. He gives 5 steps to the repentance process:
First, the invitation to repent is an expression of love. Lots of times, especially as missionaries or parents or whatever, sometimes we feel like telling people they need to repent is like the most awkward thing ever. But Elder Christofferson says:
"If we do not invite others to change or if we do not demand repentance of ourselves, we fail in a fundamental duty we owe to one another and to ourselves. A permissive parent, an indulgent friend, a fearful Church leader are in reality more concerned about themselves than the welfare and happiness of those they could help. Yes, the call to repentance is at times regarded as intolerant or offensive and may even be resented, but guided by the Spirit, it is in reality an act of genuine caring."
That hit me really hard. IF we really love someone, we will help them to get over what is bothering them and we will do it with love.
Second, repentance means striving to change. "Real repentance, real change may require repeated attempts, but there is something refining and holy in such striving. Divine forgiveness and healing flow quite naturally to such a soul, for indeed "virtue loveth virtue; light cleaveth unto light; [and] mercy hath compassion on mercy and claimeth her own"
Third, repentance means not only abandoning sin but also committing to obedience.
Fourth, repentance requires a seriousness of purpose and a willingness to persevere, even through pain. A resolve to abandon and forsake the sin and to repair, as fully as one possibly can, the damage he or she has caused now forms in that new heart. This resolve soon matures into a covenant of obedience to God. With that covenant in place, the Holy Ghost, the messenger of divine grace, will bring relief and forgiveness.
Fifth, whatever the cost of repentance, it is swallowed up in the joy of forgiveness. "In April of 1847, Brigham Young led the first company of pioneers out of Winter Quarters. At that same time, 1,600 miles [2,575 km] to the west the pathetic survivors of the Donner Party straggled down the slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains into the Sacramento Valley.
"They had spent the ferocious winter trapped in the snowdrifts below the summit. That any survived the days and weeks and months of starvation and indescribable suffering is almost beyond belief.
"Among them was fifteen-year-old John Breen. On the night of April 24 he walked into Johnson's Ranch. Years later John wrote:
"'It was long after dark when we got to Johnson's Ranch, so the first time I saw it was early in the morning. The weather was fine, the ground was covered with green grass, the birds were singing from the tops of the trees, and the journey was over. I could scarcely believe that I was alive.
"The scene that I saw that morning seems to be photographed on my mind. Most of the incidents are gone from memory, but I can always see the camp near Johnson's Ranch.'"
Said President Packer: "At first I was very puzzled by his statement that 'most of the incidents are gone from memory.' How could long months of incredible suffering and sorrow ever be gone from his mind? How could that brutal dark winter be replaced with one brilliant morning?"
I know that repentance is real, and I have a lot to work on, especially the sincerely trying to change and not justifying myself in repeating what I had already repented for. But hey, we are getting there. Depending on our choices, we will all be able to arrive and see that brilliant morning of forgiveness. I love you all so much and I love this work! The Lord is perfect and never makes mistakes!!
Love,
Hermana Farish
My companion is doing well. She comes from a very, very wealthy background (like her dad is the CEO or something like that of Apple) and there have been some clashing moments, but she is an excellent missionary who knows how to bring the spirit into the lessons, and I am learning a lot from her. Her dad is Argentine and was baptized about 7 years ago. They are all active, but her mom was inactive for about 15 years because her dad didn't want anything to do with the church, and now they are sealed. It is a fun story.
I got permission to Skype with Josh, so that will be fun. We will need to set that up! I still don't have specific times, I will let you know as soon as I do.
But yeah, this week was crazy, we are working like locas (crazies), and having a blast. That is the good thing about having an American comp, you can just talk about all of the inside jokes and all that...haha, We did an open house this last week and they showed the movie Meet The Mormons, and that last part in the airport...my comp and I were dying...we were kind of trunky, not gonna lie. I am excited to see you guys, but freaking out about starting off in real life again.
But something that I really liked about this week was that we read and studied about "The Divine Gift of Repentance", a talk by Elder Christofferson. He gives 5 steps to the repentance process:
First, the invitation to repent is an expression of love. Lots of times, especially as missionaries or parents or whatever, sometimes we feel like telling people they need to repent is like the most awkward thing ever. But Elder Christofferson says:
"If we do not invite others to change or if we do not demand repentance of ourselves, we fail in a fundamental duty we owe to one another and to ourselves. A permissive parent, an indulgent friend, a fearful Church leader are in reality more concerned about themselves than the welfare and happiness of those they could help. Yes, the call to repentance is at times regarded as intolerant or offensive and may even be resented, but guided by the Spirit, it is in reality an act of genuine caring."
That hit me really hard. IF we really love someone, we will help them to get over what is bothering them and we will do it with love.
Second, repentance means striving to change. "Real repentance, real change may require repeated attempts, but there is something refining and holy in such striving. Divine forgiveness and healing flow quite naturally to such a soul, for indeed "virtue loveth virtue; light cleaveth unto light; [and] mercy hath compassion on mercy and claimeth her own"
Third, repentance means not only abandoning sin but also committing to obedience.
Fourth, repentance requires a seriousness of purpose and a willingness to persevere, even through pain. A resolve to abandon and forsake the sin and to repair, as fully as one possibly can, the damage he or she has caused now forms in that new heart. This resolve soon matures into a covenant of obedience to God. With that covenant in place, the Holy Ghost, the messenger of divine grace, will bring relief and forgiveness.
Fifth, whatever the cost of repentance, it is swallowed up in the joy of forgiveness. "In April of 1847, Brigham Young led the first company of pioneers out of Winter Quarters. At that same time, 1,600 miles [2,575 km] to the west the pathetic survivors of the Donner Party straggled down the slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains into the Sacramento Valley.
"They had spent the ferocious winter trapped in the snowdrifts below the summit. That any survived the days and weeks and months of starvation and indescribable suffering is almost beyond belief.
"Among them was fifteen-year-old John Breen. On the night of April 24 he walked into Johnson's Ranch. Years later John wrote:
"'It was long after dark when we got to Johnson's Ranch, so the first time I saw it was early in the morning. The weather was fine, the ground was covered with green grass, the birds were singing from the tops of the trees, and the journey was over. I could scarcely believe that I was alive.
"The scene that I saw that morning seems to be photographed on my mind. Most of the incidents are gone from memory, but I can always see the camp near Johnson's Ranch.'"
Said President Packer: "At first I was very puzzled by his statement that 'most of the incidents are gone from memory.' How could long months of incredible suffering and sorrow ever be gone from his mind? How could that brutal dark winter be replaced with one brilliant morning?"
I know that repentance is real, and I have a lot to work on, especially the sincerely trying to change and not justifying myself in repeating what I had already repented for. But hey, we are getting there. Depending on our choices, we will all be able to arrive and see that brilliant morning of forgiveness. I love you all so much and I love this work! The Lord is perfect and never makes mistakes!!
Love,
Hermana Farish
Monday, November 23, 2015
With Eyes Of Faith
As a mission, this week we have been studying the faith and how it is much more than something that we believe in but that we don't see. We have been able to talk with a lot of missionaries, and it is such a privilege to hear the different things that they have been learning this past week about faith and how it has changed their perspective.
Here in the mission, we have the opportunity to exercise our faith in a unique way: finding people who will accept the baptismal covenant and the restored gospel. We have to look at the people with the eyes of faith, as people who have eternal potential, and as people who the Lord loves very, very much. After studying about the Atonement last week, and how he suffered for EVERYONE, because he loves everyone without exception, I have been able to see a change in my attitude towards the people, because sometimes you just want to not love them and punch a tree or something...haha, not really, but it is interesting sometimes. If we look at people how the Lord does, they will be able to feel our love and if they choose, they will want to always feel that. Looking at them with eyes of faith makes a big difference.
Haha, my comp and I were talking about how using faith in the mission as compared to real life is kind of different. But...to not be too trunky....we will just leave it at that;)
The scripture that we all ponderized this week was Alma 32:40:
40 And thus, if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life.
I really like it because it makes faith into an action word, and becomes something that we live every moment, not just in the bad ones. I love this gospel, and really, from what I have been able to learn in the past yearish, faith is what sustains us and is a precious gift from God that we receive according to our desires and works (1 Nephi 2:16):
16 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers.
Nephi didn't rebel against his father like his brothers did because he had gained the necessary faith. He wanted it, and did what was needed to be able to get it. I have a lot of work to do in this area!!!
I do have to tell you the most awkward moment of my week. I was so just like....what....? We went to an investigator's house, but she wasn't there so we contacted the house in front and they let us in. The lady told me, "I've seen you walking in front of my house for a while now, you have lost a lot of weight!! You were a little fat before, and now not so much!!!" I was like...well, at least someone is noticing #onlyinlatinamerica. I am going to miss these people. And then she told us that she is lesbian...we were like...WHAT...yeah, Atonement much.
But anyways, I love you all so much and I am grateful for your good examples!!! Have a wonderful week!!
Love,
Hermana Farish
Here in the mission, we have the opportunity to exercise our faith in a unique way: finding people who will accept the baptismal covenant and the restored gospel. We have to look at the people with the eyes of faith, as people who have eternal potential, and as people who the Lord loves very, very much. After studying about the Atonement last week, and how he suffered for EVERYONE, because he loves everyone without exception, I have been able to see a change in my attitude towards the people, because sometimes you just want to not love them and punch a tree or something...haha, not really, but it is interesting sometimes. If we look at people how the Lord does, they will be able to feel our love and if they choose, they will want to always feel that. Looking at them with eyes of faith makes a big difference.
Haha, my comp and I were talking about how using faith in the mission as compared to real life is kind of different. But...to not be too trunky....we will just leave it at that;)
The scripture that we all ponderized this week was Alma 32:40:
40 And thus, if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life.
I really like it because it makes faith into an action word, and becomes something that we live every moment, not just in the bad ones. I love this gospel, and really, from what I have been able to learn in the past yearish, faith is what sustains us and is a precious gift from God that we receive according to our desires and works (1 Nephi 2:16):
16 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers.
Nephi didn't rebel against his father like his brothers did because he had gained the necessary faith. He wanted it, and did what was needed to be able to get it. I have a lot of work to do in this area!!!
I do have to tell you the most awkward moment of my week. I was so just like....what....? We went to an investigator's house, but she wasn't there so we contacted the house in front and they let us in. The lady told me, "I've seen you walking in front of my house for a while now, you have lost a lot of weight!! You were a little fat before, and now not so much!!!" I was like...well, at least someone is noticing #onlyinlatinamerica. I am going to miss these people. And then she told us that she is lesbian...we were like...WHAT...yeah, Atonement much.
But anyways, I love you all so much and I am grateful for your good examples!!! Have a wonderful week!!
Love,
Hermana Farish
Monday, November 16, 2015
Life Is Good
Life with an American comp is interesting, I speak a lot more English, that is for sure, but the member's attitude about the missionaries has changed a lot for the better and we are working like crazy to keep everything going okay. Hermana Fardos will be heading home in March, one transfer after me, so she will kill me and then DIE:)
I am doing great, learning a lot, and just going and going. One thing that was really hard for me this week was yesterday, we went to go get a less active family to bring them to church. But when we entered in the house, there was a really gucky feeling, dark, and they said they wouldn't be going to church. We left there and were talking about it. The dad and the two teenage sons have problems with pornography and drinking. They have an 8 year old sister there who is really kind of strange. When you go to say hi and to give her a kiss on each cheek, she doesn't want it, but she does want to be touched...I don't know how to explain it but we are pretty sure that she is being sexually abused. That feeling was so dark and yucky, it makes me so sad. It just made me think more about the atonement and how it is all powerful, and even in cases like this, this little girl will be okay. So many of these people are living in a nightmare, and have been for so long, and you just want to help them but...ahah I walked out of there thinking "I am too young for this!!! What in the flipping world, I am so traumatized." But seriously, that darkness was really bothering us, and then we went to church to take the sacrament. It was there when the darkness left and the light of Christ came back. We are planning an interview with the bishop so that he can take over, because that is WAY out of our league. Blech.
To answer your questions, I am good. I know what I am doing at least half the time, which is huge, and I think that I am getting to the point where I am realizing what I have been able to do thanks to the Lord and His help. The parents of one of my converts will be baptized this Saturday in Palma Loma, and Eduardo was just called as the ward secretary and now has the Melchizedek Priesthood. and his stepmom and sister are going to be baptized...life is good. It is interesting to watch the chain of events. Even if we aren't there to witness them, it is awesome to just hear about them and to know that you had a small part in making it happen:)
My goals for the next 3 months are to just keep going, to reach my potential as a missionary and as a servant of God. Every six months I have made new goals and written myself a letter to start the new goals, and 3 months ago I wrote those goals and to finish strong with no regrets:) I love the people of Paraguay and I want them to know it, and that their Heavenly Father also loves them, even more than they can imagine:)
One thing that I am really enjoying at this point of my mission is the new study guide of Preach My Gospel. This last week we have been able to study the atonement as a mission and it has made such a difference in our teaching and our contacts. We made a goal to talk about the atonement in every one of our contacts. Yesterday, we were making visits and we passed a house of a really active member who hadn't gone to church yesterday, and we decided to see why. We entered, and it turns out that last Wednesday a guy with a machete broke into her daughter's house and tried to kill them. We were like "oh my heck", but then we talked about the atonement, and we used the scripture Alma 7:11-12 to kind of explain what we wanted to say. This week of studying just the atonement has really helped me to understand it better, and how it can help us to keep going and keep enduring. We also read a talk by Elder Bednar, called, "The Atonement and Our Journey Of Mortality". Near the end it said something really awesome that I just loved. Something that we can apply to our daily lives. Enjoy, and I highly suggest reading the rest of the talk.
"The Savior has suffered not just for our iniquities but also for the inequality, the unfairness, the pain, the anguish, and the emotional distresses that so frequently beset us. There is no physical pain, no anguish of soul, no suffering of spirit, no infirmity or weakness that you or I ever experience during our mortal journey that the Savior did not experience first. You and I in a moment of weakness may cry out, 'No one understands. No one knows'. No human being, perhaps, knows. But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands, for He felt and bore our burden before we ever did. And because He paid the ultimate price and bore that burden, He has perfect empathy and can extend to us His arm of mercy in so many phases of our life. He can reach out, touch, succor—literally run to us—and strengthen us to be more than we could ever be and help us to do that which we could never do through relying upon only our own power."
When we feel like no one else understands what we are going through, when we feel like we are 100% alone, we have someone who had to go beneath everything and everyone so that He can lift us up again and give us that push that we need to start up. I love the Atonement, and I love the effects that it has on our lives and on the lives of everyone. It is pretty shweet:) I love you all and hope that you have a good week!!!
Love,
Hermana Farish
To answer your questions, I am good. I know what I am doing at least half the time, which is huge, and I think that I am getting to the point where I am realizing what I have been able to do thanks to the Lord and His help. The parents of one of my converts will be baptized this Saturday in Palma Loma, and Eduardo was just called as the ward secretary and now has the Melchizedek Priesthood. and his stepmom and sister are going to be baptized...life is good. It is interesting to watch the chain of events. Even if we aren't there to witness them, it is awesome to just hear about them and to know that you had a small part in making it happen:)
My goals for the next 3 months are to just keep going, to reach my potential as a missionary and as a servant of God. Every six months I have made new goals and written myself a letter to start the new goals, and 3 months ago I wrote those goals and to finish strong with no regrets:) I love the people of Paraguay and I want them to know it, and that their Heavenly Father also loves them, even more than they can imagine:)
One thing that I am really enjoying at this point of my mission is the new study guide of Preach My Gospel. This last week we have been able to study the atonement as a mission and it has made such a difference in our teaching and our contacts. We made a goal to talk about the atonement in every one of our contacts. Yesterday, we were making visits and we passed a house of a really active member who hadn't gone to church yesterday, and we decided to see why. We entered, and it turns out that last Wednesday a guy with a machete broke into her daughter's house and tried to kill them. We were like "oh my heck", but then we talked about the atonement, and we used the scripture Alma 7:11-12 to kind of explain what we wanted to say. This week of studying just the atonement has really helped me to understand it better, and how it can help us to keep going and keep enduring. We also read a talk by Elder Bednar, called, "The Atonement and Our Journey Of Mortality". Near the end it said something really awesome that I just loved. Something that we can apply to our daily lives. Enjoy, and I highly suggest reading the rest of the talk.
"The Savior has suffered not just for our iniquities but also for the inequality, the unfairness, the pain, the anguish, and the emotional distresses that so frequently beset us. There is no physical pain, no anguish of soul, no suffering of spirit, no infirmity or weakness that you or I ever experience during our mortal journey that the Savior did not experience first. You and I in a moment of weakness may cry out, 'No one understands. No one knows'. No human being, perhaps, knows. But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands, for He felt and bore our burden before we ever did. And because He paid the ultimate price and bore that burden, He has perfect empathy and can extend to us His arm of mercy in so many phases of our life. He can reach out, touch, succor—literally run to us—and strengthen us to be more than we could ever be and help us to do that which we could never do through relying upon only our own power."
When we feel like no one else understands what we are going through, when we feel like we are 100% alone, we have someone who had to go beneath everything and everyone so that He can lift us up again and give us that push that we need to start up. I love the Atonement, and I love the effects that it has on our lives and on the lives of everyone. It is pretty shweet:) I love you all and hope that you have a good week!!!
Love,
Hermana Farish
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