Good morning all,
Today we start a new transfer. For me this transfer marks the half way point of my mission. CRAZY!! and Hermana Fish and I are officially staying together! We're excited to continue working together and seeing this area progress even more.
This week we had the pleasure of meeting someone who truly exemplifies Christ like love. The Elders had told us about a lady named Maria Guerrero and how she had requested that the sister missionaries come and visit her. We visited with her and as she shared with us her story I really could feel how much the Lord loves her and how much she loves the Gospel. About 8 months ago she met the missionaries in the street when she was going through a really hard time. Her grandson was incredibly sick and she was very sure that he would die. The missionaries talked with her and asked if they could give her grandson a priesthood blessing. They gave him a blessing and almost immediately her grandson went from on his death bed to sitting up and asking for food like nothing was wrong. She had literally seen a miracle in her life and for that reason she knew she couldn't not join the church. You might be wondering how does she exemplify Christ like love....recently her parents starting having extremely poor health that requires around the clock care. She told us that growing up with her parents was really difficult and for a long time it was hard to forgive them for some of the things that they did but when she came to know the gospel she recognized that she needed to love her parents anyway. So she took them into her home and devotes 100% of her time to them and their needs. And she does it without complaint or desire for any reward. She does it because she knows that the Lord wants her to. To me that is Christ like love because she is willingly putting past wrongs behind her and giving of herself for the needs of others. That's what Christ did for us...he gave of himself for the benefit of us...to fulfill our need for repentance from sin.
I also had the opportunity to finish the New Testament this week. I fell like I've really been able to draw closer to my Savior as I've read the pages that contain the story of His life. And my testimony of Him has grown immensely. I know without a doubt that Christ lived, died, and was resurrected for our sakes, so that we could attain that great gift of living with our Heavenly Father again and receiving eternal life. I know that I can't do anything without His assistance, so I must put my trust in Him everyday. I have learned so many things from the New Testament and have come to develop such a powerful love for the scriptures. They really are for our benefit and learning.
Here is one final favorite scripture from the New Testament that I would like to share that illustrates one of the most important lessons we could ever learn...
1 Peter 4: 12-13 "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."
I know that all our trials are given to us for a purpose. The Lord always wants us to learn and to grow and for that reason we all have to experience fiery trials. But God gave us His son so that through Him our trials could ultimately bring us exceeding joy. And if that joy doesn't come in this life then it will definitely come in the next life when we can rest from all of our struggles.
I know these things to be true and I invite you to read the New Testament if you haven't or re-read it if you have.
So as I mentioned at the beginning...I'm at the half way point. I cannot be more grateful to be on a mission at this time in my life. I know that the Lord has called me at this time, to this place, with these companions for a purpose. I'm excited to continue working in his service for another 9 months!!
Have an absolutely fantastic week.
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Hansen
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