Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Tue, Aug 2, 2016 3:33 pm IT'S NOT ABOUT ME! It's about Him.

Dear family and friends,

I have learned that it is not always easy to be happy. But as we strive to be happy by living the gospel of Jesus Christ, we will always find peace and joy. I know that's true.


I LEARNED LAST WEEK IF YOU ARE DOING ALL THE RIGHT THINGS (SCRIPTURE STUDY EVERYDAY, PRAYING EVERY DAY, WEEKLY CHURCH AND TEMPLE ATTENDANCE) YOU CANNOT LOSE YOUR TESTIMONY. We must do these things and do them with all our heart because Satan will attack us. He does every single day. But I absolutely know that God WILL win. Where is your faith? I also know that we must not, "let one thing you don't understand unravel all the things you do understand." If you are not pleased or happy living the gospel of Jesus Christ, then you're not living the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that if we live it...truly live it....we will trust in God, will repent of our sins and wicked ways, we will KEEP our covenants, our sacred and holy covenants, and we will ENDURE to the end. 

Sister Esplin and I have been working SO HARD. We are running all over the place, having great morning studies, trying to stay inspired and constantly focusing on the work the Lord has given us. I have learned that A MISSION IS NOT ABOUT ME. It is all about Jesus Christ and His mission. It is about Heavenly Father's children. As I have forgotten myself and have worked, I am happy. I love this work. I love the gospel. This week seems like it has been a month because I have learned SOOO MUCH. I have learned that Heavenly Father wants me to "stop looking at it like a trial, look at it like a blessing." That has changed me. I am learning to enjoy the journey. To be in the moment. I keep saying silly things to pump up Sister Esplin. Haha one of them this week was, "Wow, that was literally the best second of my life. Just kidding it wasn't because every second after that has been way better." Everything really is awesome. If you look at it that way! I learned from Sister Cendreda that "the little things we do are accepted by God if they are given and if they are consecrated." I feel like I don't have a lot to offer. I have offered God so much more than 18 months of my life...I am offering Him my WHOLE life. And still it seems so little. But I learned from one of my friends before the mission that "our missions (or our lives) are enough. They shouldn't be, but they are." Our small sacrifices that may seem huge to us are accepted by God. I know He loves us so much. 


Our District 

So sorry...my thoughts are all over the place. This week really has been one of the best weeks of my entire mission. Heavenly Father told us through the Spirit that we needed to start working with former investigators and so we did. And we have 2 baptismal dates now for the 27 of August. GOD IS SO GOOD. God is just so good. Their names are Brandy and Hilda. Brandy has gone through many brain surgeries and she is just so receptive to the Spirit. She soaks it all in. And Hilda is a little old lady with fire! She has lots of religious background but can see how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true and things are all coming together for her. 

We had such a miracle that started last week. We were driving on a busy road and I see a young girl sitting by the side of the dumpster. I tell Sister Esplin to pull over NOW. She does and we begin talking to Kristina. She tells us her life store. Such a tragic life. She wanted to come to church but then didn't come last week. And this week she came and she brought a friend. So the YSA sisters will teach her. SO MANY MIRACLES.

I just know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. How do I know? I know because I have lived it. I have experienced a grand change of heart and I continue to feel it. (Alma 5) It is so humbling. I have felt the Spirit many times testify of the truthfulness of the Restoration and I know Joseph Smith saw God, our Heavenly Father, and His Son Jesus Christ. I know that. I feel God guide us continually in this work and it is amazing. The Lord is my light and my strength. (Psalms 27:1) I know the truth and I will labor forever for the Lord. I know that the world is SO WICKED but God is so good. He is real. He is there. And He will win! So I invite you to take your stand. Choose God's team. AND PLAY! He will lead you to safety and eternal life. Choose life over death. Choose God. 

This is from Elder Holland's talk the First Great Commandment

testify from the bottom of my heart, with the intensity of my soul, to all who can hear my voice that those apostolic keys have been restored to the earth, and they are found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. To those who have not yet joined with us in this great final cause of Christ, we say, “Please come.” To those who were once with us but have retreated, preferring to pick and choose few cultural hors d’oeuvres from the smorgasbord of the Restoration and leave the rest of the feast, say that fear you face alot of long nights and empty nets. The call is to come back, to stay true, to love God, and to lend hand. include in that call to fixed faithfulness every returned missionary who ever stood in baptismal font and with arm to the square said, “Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ.”16 That commission was to have changed your convert forever, but it was surely supposed to have changed you forever as well. To the youth of the Church rising up to missions and temples and marriage, we say: “Love God and remain clean from the blood and sins of this generation. You have monumental work to do,underscored by that marvelous announcement President Thomas S.Monson made yesterday morning. Your Father in Heaven expects your loyalty and your love at every stage of your life.”
Love,
Hermana Hoth