tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53430254517292918902024-03-13T23:45:35.499-07:00Hermana Courtney Cox Argentina Mendoza Mission 2013-2014Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343025451729291890.post-43060354395739737642015-11-22T17:59:00.000-08:002015-11-28T17:19:25.451-08:00From the CALL-November 7,2012 to Pre mission preparations for MTC day March 27, 2013 and home Sepetember 23, 2014!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">After a meetiong with Bishop Smith, It's official...the log in information to <br />submit mission papers</span>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We are all super excited!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Good morning Sister Cox, where will you be serving?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's really here! The late mail made it for a long day. Courtney filled it with a trip to the temple cleaning and organizing, to pass the time!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Argentina Mendoza Mission<br />March 27, 2013</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Argentina bound!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Hermana Courtney Cox - Argentina Mendoza Mission<br />Seatle Washington March - July 2013<br />Argentina July 2013-September 2014</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This after a day of packing...the night before heading off to the MTC a painful Stye in the eye!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A litle something each month from home...just in case the mail doesn't get through to Argentina...So glad because the mail did NOT make it through but for one package and a few hand letters!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Photos, hugs and goodbye's at the Provo Temple.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The happines in that smile says it all!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thumbs up to the Elders, and she is off!</span></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343025451729291890.post-84474167984454197022014-09-15T22:21:00.004-07:002014-09-15T22:21:55.354-07:00Monday September 14, 2014 - Leaving Behind a Legacy of LOVE<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4545450210571px; line-height: 21.2999992370605px; white-space: normal;">When I had the realization two years and a few weeks ago that I needed
to come on a mission… I don´t know if I would have believed it if
anyone tried to explain to me all that I was going to experience…
Sometimes I still have to remind myself that all of this is real..
Coming up on the end of everything, I obviously started to think about
all of the things that I´ve learned , seen, felt… how I´ve grown and
changed over these many months.
Starting out as a fresh missionary in Seattle, I quickly learned that
there really is no such thing as a ¨perfect missionary¨… but that each
of us has something to offer in this great work, and as we learn to
contribute, work hard, be obedient, and rely on the Lord, He works
with us to help us to become what He needs.
I learned quickly that it was impossible to ¨learn Spanish overnight¨,
or ¨master¨being a teacher… there were a lot of times when I realized
that I might not have all of the answers, but that if I could just LOVE
them, I was happy, and fulfilling part of my calling as a
representative of Jesus Christ. They might not remember all the words
I say, what lessons we taught on what day… but a quote from M. Russell
Ballard has often come back to my mind: ¨They will remember your
love.¨ I decided that I wanted THAT to be the legacy that I left
behind for these people. That I love my Savior, I love this work, I
love them, and that through my service they would be able to feel of
the love their Heavenly Father has for each of them.
I realized the power and influence of sharing with others the love of
their Heavenly Father. And that because I get to be His voice in this
work, that has come to mean that I have been able to of that love as
well. As time went on, I found it surprising how the Lord blessed me
with the capacity to love and understand these people so different
from myself.
Right before the end of His life, Christ taught His disciples an
important lesson, that made an impression on them, and it has made
it´s mark on me time and time again. He told them to ¨love one
another¨ even as He loves us. And then told them that that would be a
characteristic of their discipleship… that others would recognize them
as His disciples for the love they showed in their labors.
This week I have been studying Alma 26.. .my favorite always… and
really just focusing on all of the emotions that Ammón expresses about
the work and his experiences in the work of the Lord. In the end
inverse 31, he says: Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits
of our labors; and are they few? I say unto you, Nay, they are many;
yea, and we can witness of their sincerity, because of their love
towards their brethren and also towards us.
Then, he continues and asks them: ¨And now behold, I say unto you, has
there been so great love in all the land? Behold I say unto you, Nay,
there has not… ¨
The Lord has blessed me with several opportunities to be able to
return to my areas or to see people that I´ve worked with before…
Allowing me to see ¨the fruits¨of my labors, and really rejoice in the
progress that these people are making… leaving me so grateful that He
has allowed me to be a part of their lives.
I know that God lives. That THIS is His church. I know that His gospel
is the sure and solid foundation that we should build our lives on.
Faith is an action, and when planted, AND NOURISHED, it will grow.
Hope really is a powerful medicine.
Joy is a 3 letter word that I think I always associated with
Christmas… but it is a ¨condition of extreme happiness¨and is the
purpose of God´s work and glory.
MIRACLES really do exist. Big or small, they are always there, and are
wonderful reminders of how closely the Lord is working with us.
Happiness is so much more than just a ¨mood¨.. it´s a lifestyle, and
often time a choice.
LOVE is the essence of the gospel. It opens doors, heals the soul,
softens hears, overcomes obstacle, casts out fear, and is the greatest
of all motivations. It is the most pressing need that we have in the
world, yet something that is missing in the lives of so many.
My heart is so full of gratitude, and I love Argentina. The people,
their quirky culture. I honestly can´t imagine having served my
mission anywhere else. I still haven´t reached ¨perfection¨, in fact
the mission has a way of showing you just how Imperfect you are… but
the Lord is good at working with imperfect people, and I can honestly
say that I am happy, content, and feel like the Lord has blessed me to
be able to accomplish what He wanted of me in my time here.
I love this gospel. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. I am so grateful
to have been a missionary these 18 months. To see the gospel in action
and learn how to see others and love them as Christ does. His life and
His labors were filled with His perfect love and infinite compassion
for others. Our goal is to become like Him, to invite others to come
unto Him, to share our faith, our hope, and our happiness with those
around us so that they too might know that He is. To feel of His
light, His truth and His LOVE.
That is the greatest legacy of all.
I love you all so much!
Hasta ver....SEE you next week!
Xoxox Your Hermana C</pre>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343025451729291890.post-57521009101305008572014-09-08T20:31:00.003-07:002014-09-08T20:31:13.390-07:00Monday September 8, 2014 - I speak with boldness, having authority from God.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0YF6YZXYomQ/VA5zfIrHImI/AAAAAAAAFkE/YliYJVbKku0/s1600/consejo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0YF6YZXYomQ/VA5zfIrHImI/AAAAAAAAFkE/YliYJVbKku0/s1600/consejo.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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First off... sorry everyone if I can´t respond to everything this week... we arranged a day in Manzano... but for some reason our traffic was scheduled for super early.. so our email time is especially short today!</div>
This week has been another ¨running like crazy¨... We were in Mendoza for 2 full days for consejo, then zone conference, we had a ton of meetings, coordinating, and activities and planning for the rama... it was a really long week... one of those where we just kept saying to each other ¨Sunday´s coming!¨ Numbers don´t even begin to show everything we´ve done this week, and it was a little hectic not being in the area to follow up on our investigators! But just like we said, Sunday came around, and everything all came together. At the beginning of the transfer, we set a goal with the elders that we wanted to work to double the assistance in sacrament meeting, and have, by the end of the transfer, 80 assistances. Yesterday, not even at the end of the transfer, there were 81!!!!! It was incredibly full!! just in time for the ramas to combine next week! </div>
We had a special fast as a rama for the ¨work of salvation¨, and the testimonies and experiences were incredible. Then, to top off the meeing, Juani came, and he gave his VERY FIRST ever testimony. It was SO great, and I was so proud of him!</div>
My heart has been a little tender this week... and I feel like I´m wearing my emotions on my sleeve a lot more than normal...</div>
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I´ve had the goal this week to focus a lot on what we chose as our zone theme. Moroni 8:16. ¨I speak with boldness, having authority from God. And I fear not what men can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear.¨</div>
This week we had a multi-zone conference in Mendoza. After helping serve lunch, I went and sat down at the ¨Hermanas table¨ next to Hermana Goates who was chatting with 3 of the brand new norteamericanas.</div>
I joined in, and then just started getting to know them. There´s a TON of newbies from Utah in this last group. They´re all so great, I love talking to new, fired-up missionaries! Then one of the Latino elders came up and asked me something, I answered, and then one of the hermanas turns to me ¨You speak REALLY well,¨she said ¨You must have a lot of time in the mission then, huh?¨ Hermana Goates just put her hand on my arm and smiled. ¨17 ish months...¨I told her. Their eyes all got really big and they gasped ¨Wait! So you´re going home???¨</div>
The whole table got really quiet and attentive all of the sudden as they just started in with questions.<br />
I was laughing as I was sort of flashed back to being brand new and just wanting the older missionaries to share their wisdom with me. and then realizing just how quickly the tables have turned... </div>
So we talked a little bit about LOVE, patience with the language, confidence in the calling, and the importance of the atonement... when Elder Viñas came, he talked about how the greatest ¨tool¨and source of strength and peace we have is the atonement of the Lord, Jesus Christ.</div>
for my part in our Zone Conference this week, The zone leaders asked me to talk more about that... How the atonement has affected me personally, and how it can help us, motivate us, and strengthen us in missionary work.<br />
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I immediately thought of the talk by Elder Holland.<br />
<div class="" id="ecxp82" style="margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
¨Anyone who does any kind of missionary work will have occasion to ask, Why is this so hard? Why doesn’t it go better? Why can’t our success be more rapid? Why aren’t there more people joining the Church? It is the truth. We believe in angels. We trust in miracles. Why don’t people just flock to the font? Why isn’t the only risk in missionary work that of pneumonia from being soaking wet all day and all night in the baptismal font?</div>
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You will have occasion to ask those questions. I have thought about this a great deal. I offer this as my personal feeling. I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because <span class="">salvation is not a cheap experience.</span> Salvation <span class="">never</span> was easy. We are The Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, and He is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him? It seems to me that missionaries and mission leaders have to spend at least a few moments in Gethsemane. Missionaries and mission leaders have to take at least a step or two toward the summit of Calvary.</div>
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Now, please don’t misunderstand. I’m not talking about anything anywhere near what Christ experienced. That would be presumptuous and sacrilegious. But I believe that missionaries <span class="">and</span> investigators, to come to the truth, to come to salvation, to know something of this price that has been paid, will have to pay a token of that same price.</div>
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For that reason I don’t believe missionary work has ever been easy, nor that conversion is, nor that retention is, nor that continued faithfulness is. I believe it is supposed to require some effort, something from the depths of our soul.¨</div>
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The hermanas started to share with me some of the things they´ve had to go through already in the mission, the trials. ¨Does it get easier??¨ They kept asking me... I explained to them that in some aspects, yes, things will change... not always, trials don´t stop coming. I assured them that it´s okay to sometimes miss your family, to struggle with the language, to feel like you´re ¨in over your head¨. That´s normal. But I told them to use it as a motivation to come unto Christ and to pull from His strength.</div>
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Elder Holland gives us a promise at the end of his talk: ¨I promise that because of your faithful response to the call to spread the gospel, He will bind up <span class="">your</span> broken hearts, dry <span class="">your</span> tears, and set <span class="">you</span> and your families free. That is my missionary promise to you and your missionary message to the world.¨</div>
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I know that is true. I´ve seen it in action throughout my mission. The Lord is SO GOOD to those who respond to the call to serve His children, and the blessings that come to missionaries and their families are wonderful and undeniable. </div>
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When we come to know Christ, and truly comprehend all that He has done for each of us... the LOVE he has for us... there is a natural desire to share that happiness (and the gospel) with those around us. I´ve seen it So many times that as we allow that ¨perfect love¨ to penetrate our hearts and work in our lives, it motivates and empowers us beyond our own capacities. ¨Casting out¨ fear, and working miracles along the way.</div>
It´s hard to put into words the things that I wish I could share with these ¨new¨missionaries, and well, with everyone. It´s been a little hard to swallow the reality that my time to ¨speak having authority from God¨ is quickly coming to a close... But I´ve also realized something else... My ¨part¨ in the Lord´s work doesn´t end here... Sure, it will be a different type of work.. But I know now that I will be a ¨misionera¨ for the rest of my life. In every phase of our lives, each and every one of us is so important in this, the work of salvation. </div>
We can all speak with boldness, motivated by the love that our Savior has shown to each and every one of us. With the assurance that God loves us and desires our happiness. When we understand that love, and strive to develop a similar love for those around us, we can overcome barriers, take heart that our efforts are never wasted, and we can rejoice in the calling that we have all been given to ¨spread the good news¨to all those who are willing to listen!</div>
I love you all! </div>
Have a fantastic week! </div>
Talk to you soon! </div>
xoxox Your Hermana C</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343025451729291890.post-9116405772262738122014-09-01T22:21:00.000-07:002015-11-28T17:19:03.575-08:00Monday September 1, 2014 - Feels like jello<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4545450210571px; line-height: 21.2999992370605px; white-space: normal;">Yeah it is... we´re winding down fast!
1. I feel like Jello... the other day I told E. Reynolds (who´s going
home with me) I feel like my brain is spaghetti, my body is like
jello, and we´re all just chilling at the top of the sky coaster
waiting to pull the cord... The result is a dizzying jolt of reality,
wondering how in the world I got this far... mixed with the excitement
and anticipation of the fall and not quite knowing what to expect of
the swoop on the other side...</pre>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343025451729291890.post-33750064006399350232014-09-01T15:46:00.001-07:002014-09-01T15:46:17.741-07:00Monday September 1, 2014 - Miracles Happen... when you BELIEVE!!!<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">The days feel like weeks, the weeks feel like months... the months feel like days... then suddenly... It´s September!!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">Time is FLYING!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;"> This was another one of those weeks that went by in a blur.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">We saw some major miracles this week:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">*Federico (21-22). One day, knocking doors because everything fell through, we knocked a bunch, and nada.... after several hours, we knocked one more, and out came Fede. He told us that he´s been Catholic his whole life, but always wanted something more... he went this last summer with a bunch of other youth as a missionary for the Catholic church.. and loved it... We started talking to him about what we do... He invited us in, and we taught him the restauración. He LOVED the apostasy..´It makes so much sense!¨ and he loved Joseph Smith´s experience. We committed him to read and pray, and he said he´d do it. We saw him a few days later and he´d read and loved it! We have a cita with him later this week. He´s golden!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">*Marcos (24) . We did a tormenta blanca this week in Tunuyán to help the hermanas in their area. They split their area into parts for all of the companionships, and Hermana Vargas and I got the terminal and all of the HUGE houses surrounding it. You can´t even go up to the doors because they all just have gates with the little speaker thing. I HATE THOSE!! So needless to say, we spent quite some time just talking into the speakers, and never hearing a response. We decided to walk further until we found some ¨more humble looking houses¨... as we walked down street after street of mansions, we came around a corner, and I saw this cute little white house, as I said ¨Here!¨Hermana Vargas looked at me and pointed. There we found Marcos. A young fireman, who after explaining who we were, invited us in, he ¨needed to hear our message¨. We taught him the Restauración and he explained how this was what he needed, and his girlfriend and family as well. He invited us to come back and teach them.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">*Maxi. after 3 weeks of not being able to go see him... things just kept coming up... Angel and juani came to church yesterday because they thought something bad had happened to us. haha. But we went last night to visit all of them.... In all the months that I´ve been here, I have never felt so much happiness, peace, and just a visible tangible change in that house. Everyone was there, we had and AMAZING lesson about the gospel of Christ. Helped (with a little bit of firmness) Maxi understand that he needs to put in his efforts if he wants to be baptized. He accepted a new fecha for 20 septiembre!! Later, they told us that the changes in their family is because they have been reading and praying as a family!!! The Lord is working MIRACLES!!!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">We´ve been finding so many jóvenes! Seriously the youth of today are incredible!! (ja, I say that like I´m old or something!) But really I´ve seen how it´s true that the youth are the most ¨attacked¨... but honestly they are a chosen generation. I learn so much from them. They are so valiant and prepared!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">*Probably the greatest miracle of all came last night. After our leadership meeting, we left and went to go work in our area... about 35 minutes later, Presidente Chacón called us to tell us that there were two young men in the chapel, waiting for missionaries... they´re from the elders area, but they weren´t answering their phone. So hermana Vargas and I tried and tried to call the elders.. nothing.. and so we went to the church. When we arrived, we saw the first counselor talking to two of the roughest looking teenage boys I´ve seen in a long time. Covered in piercings, tattoos, long hair, rugged clothes. We walked in, and he introduced us, and told us that he´d already showed them the chapel, and each of them had a Liahona in hand. capo. So we started talking to them, getting to know who they were and where they´d come from...</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">Then the story got even more interesting. The two of them were walking along the ruta.. they needed to get somewhere, so they hitchhiked... a lady brought them from where they live out in the campo... and as they got out, they thanked her, and she just said ¨Well, I just have one favor....Go to the church!¨ They told her they would... and feeling like they should follow through, they walked until they found a church... it wasn´t ours, but they said they felt like they were in the wrong place, and decided to keep looking. So they walked and got to our chapel. They walked in, and that´s when they met the branch presidency.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">They´ve never talked to missionaries or members before... Their families are Catholic, but they´ve never personally prayed or tried to have a relationship with God. They were a little timid at first, and openly surprised that two ¨chicas¨from far away places were there to now teach them about Jeus. But we got them to open up, got to know them and then we said a prayer.We taught them the Restoration, talked about baptism, Christ´s example, the opportunity that we have to be free from sin. As they sat there, visibly touched by what we´d shared, soaking it all in. I felt like I should ask them if they would be baptized. As I extended the invitation, they both looked up at me from the floor, and with a whole new excitement, told me that Yes, they would follow Christ´s example and be baptized. That it´s exactly what they need in their lives.<br /><br />The spirit was incredible, the lesson went So well, and these two unexpecting boys recieved answers to some questions that they hadn´t even really realized they´d had. We took down their information for the elders, said a prayer with them, and they left smiling and thanking us for sharing with them. hermana Vargas and I just looked at each other smiling from ear to ear, it was an unexpected miracle! </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">The miracle with Darío y Jonathan, I seriously was so humbled as we left the church. Thinking about how well and personally the Lord knows those two ¨pibes¨ and prepared a way for them last night. It made me feel so grateful and I realized how SMALL my part is compared to the greatness of the Lord and His designs.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">These past two transfers were honestly the most trying time of my mission as a whole... it was like the dark night that just didn´t seem to really have an end. We hit the lowest of lows. But now, we are starting to see MAJOR blessings as a result of diligence and lots of prayers. With investigators, lots of teaching opportunities, and we´ve also seen a LOT of growth in the rama. In 2 weeks, they are going to combine the branch with Tupongato, so we´ve been focusing a lot these last few weeks on ¨Unity activities¨ and we´ve had 2 awesomely successful Noche de Hogar, Karaoke, and seen a huge increase in ánimo for the obra misional! the changes are coming!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">I was reading yesterday in Jesus the Christ, when Christ is instructing the Phariseos and also his disciples once again by parables.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">He ¨admonished them to diligence¨ in all of their endeavors, but impressed ¨the absolute necesity of unselfish devotion, toleration, and forgiveness.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">The apostles, realizing the whole-souled service required of them, implored the Lord, saying: ¨Increase our faith.¨ They were shown that faith was less fitly reckoned in terms of quantity than by test of QUALITY¨... and then he told them again of the analogy of the mustard seed.<br /><br />Lately I have to admit that I´ve been completely exhausted. After being so sick, my energy levels have still just been a little less than desirable, and sometimes I get frustrated that I don´t quite feel ¨up to par¨...</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">We´ve worked SO hard these last few weeks, and seen SO many results that the exhaustion is ¨the good kind¨... but there are still days when I feel a little bit incapaz, overwhelmed, and I realize that I, alone, don´t have the strength to do it all. Like I too need to ask ¨Increase my faith!¨</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">The other day, we didn´t have meetings, all of our appointments fell through, and so that made for a LONG day of knocking and walking. After several hours in the hot sun, the STRONG zonda wind, and sand blasting us in the face, it was almost as if my body just said ¨Nope. that´s enough...¨I kind of just melted into the closest curb for a minute.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">As I sat there, feeling pathetic, I said a prayer. ¨I´m sorry I´m so weak... Help me to be able to just work, make me stronger.¨</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">I realized that I´d been praying for that same thing for a while now... maybe I needed to change what I was asking for. I realized that I was still trying to ¨do it all on my own¨... that what really mattered wasn´t ME being able to do everything myself, but trusting that the Lord can do all things, and instead of asking him to ¨Increase my faith¨, or MY personal strength, I needed to ask Him to DEEPEN my faith and trust in Him more to help me to do what He needs me to do.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">After the analogy of the mustard seed, the Lord tells the apostles that ¨Their faith could best be gaged by obedience and untiring service¨. Then he tells them the parable of the Unprofitable Servant.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">Talmage says: ¨The servant might well feel that after a day´s work in the firld he is entitled to rest; but on reaching the home he finds other demands made upon him. The master has a right to the servant´s time and attention; such was among the conditions under which the servant had been engaged; and while his employer might thank him or give some substantial reward, the servant cannot demand such recompense.¨</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">I often say ¨I´ll sleep when I´m dead!¨ for now, my time is short, and honestly, if you´re not giving your ALL to this work, well, you won´t see any results.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">In another instance, to show his sometimes doubtful disciples just what awaited them if they continued faithfullly, the Lord told them: ¨everyone that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name´s sake, shall recieve an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.¨</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">I have seen that over and over again on my mission. The things I´ve seen, learned, people I´ve met, there is no way to explain the ¨reward¨of this work. Just like in the example of how we are always unprofitable servants, I don´t ¨call the shots¨, or establish the ¨when¨or ¨how¨those blessings will come... in fact, more often than not, they´re very different than I think, unexpected, unplanned. But the promise is real if we´re faithful and diligent, the Lord blesses us in remarkable ways. Always in His way and in His timing. Reminding me salways that He is in charge, this is HIS work, and in the end I´m always the one that comes away indebted... heart and hands full of blessings and gratitude for how VERY GOOD the Lord has been to me.<br /><br />I hope that you all have a great week! I love you!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">xoxox Your Hermana C</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343025451729291890.post-69628071883551520452014-08-29T14:38:00.000-07:002014-08-29T14:38:05.146-07:00August 25, 2014 - Photos<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><pre style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tupongato sunsets!</span></pre>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am thoroughly convinced that the drive from Tupongato to Tunuyán is</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343025451729291890.post-16072363893023312162014-08-29T14:29:00.002-07:002014-08-29T14:29:59.403-07:00August 25, 2014 - "Living in the FAITH not fear Zone!"<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;">Once again I´m to that point where I can´t believe a full week has
passed. Time just keeps escaping me and there´s just SO much that has
happened.
This past week has been a blur. We´ve literally been running, chasing,
and every night I´ve barely made it to my bed. Hermana Vargas and I
have been laughing at our tired, sore, ¨old lady¨bodies all week.
¨We´re not as young as we once were!¨ But Elder Martinez just keeps
assuring us that if you don´t return to the pench dead tired, then
you´re not doing it right.
So here´s to being beat!
This past week we had our Conferencia with Elder Viñas. It was awesome
of course. Lots of changes, lots of re-vamping the energy of the
mission, the focus, some new ideas, and a lot of revelation.
Several times during the meeting, as we talked about this great work,
our focus as missionaries, and the things that are expected of us… the
asistants, Presidente and Hermana Goates, and Elder Viñas all talked
about the importance of faith and action. Several times, mom´s advice
to me from last week came to my mind ¨Living in the FAITH ZONE.¨..<i>."<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The most incredible events of this week were that Davis was ordained into the Melchizedek priesthood and Ryan into the priest quorum, Ben spoke in church and Emmi got the 5th grade teacher that she wanted. </span></i></pre>
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<i>I do have to say that I really missed you today as we had school blessings and dad just gave the perfect blessing for each one of us. After he blessed the kids, he gave me a beautiful blessing as well, and then invited Davis to give him a blessing. It was so tender and so spiritual. Davis and dad were teary and me, well, the water works are in full force these days with so many changes. I was just reminded again how truly blessed we are to have the family that we do. I am just in awe at my adult, medium and elementary children. </i></div>
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<i>I am just filled with so many emotions. All of which are trying to be controlled by the what next and why's of life. FAITH REASSURES: And the work of righteousness shall be peace and the effort of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.Isiah 32:37</i></div>
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<i>When doubt arises, when tragedies strike, the quiet voice of FAITH is heard in the stillness of the night, as certain and reassuring as the polar star in the heaven's above. G B Hinckley</i></div>
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<i>Faith not fear is a continuous motto. I truly love the faith zone. I am everything to reach my potential and can accomplish so much good in this zone. My goal for the week is to remain in the faith zone more than the doubt and find peace in that place....mom</i></div>
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Hermana Goates talked to us about the important power that comes from
faith in our calling, and faith in the Lord. She told us ¨We can
respond to EVERY situation in life with fear, or with faith.¨
Saturday arrived. After an extremely long and busy week. Traveling
back and forth everywhere. Going to bed late, waking up early for
colectivos. I woke up Saturday morning, and it was FREEZING, dark, and
POURING rain. As we got ready for the day, Hermana Vargas looked
outside ¨Will there be anyone in the streets today? I doubt it!¨ Well,
can´t say I didn´t sort of agree with her.
But we prayed, and told the Lord that rain and all, we were putting on
our boots and headed out to work! As expected… especially on a
Saturday morning… there was NO ONE in the streets. But, we went along
with our plans.. Walked to our area, and arrived at the first referral
we had. Paméla. We clapped a few times… nothing… sleeping. Clapped
again… and after a few minutes, finally someone came to the door. She
looked out at us sleepily, and seeing that we were already soaked, she
shouted ¨Pasen!!¨ Tender mercy número 1.
Hermana Goates in our conferencia, shared a story of an elder that
served in Guatemala, Elder Randall Ellsworth. While on his mission,
there was an earthquake, and in an accident, his legs were crushed
under something, leaving him paralyzed. He returned home to undergo
intensive therapy, and after months, was able to work with the help of
two canes… and, with a lot of determination, returned to Guatemala to
finish his mission. In an interview with his mission president, they
discussed what had happened, all that he´d been through, and his
president told him ¨Elder, Your faith has been rewarded. Leave your
canes on my desk, and walk.¨ He did so, and was able to finish his
mission.
Moroni 10:7 tells us ¨For (God) worketh by power, according to the
faith of the children of men.¨
Faith is a principle of action and power. Just as light doesn´t just
come to those who sit and wait in darkness, faith does not just come
to those who sit around merely wishing that theirs would ¨grow a
little. It´s not until we step out into the rain, or leave our
¨crutches¨and walk….only THEN can God´s true power take effect in our
lives.
Later in the chapter, in verses 23-24, we read: ¨If ye have faith, ye
can do all things which are expedient unto me.¨
And now I speak unto all the ends of the earth—that if the day cometh
that the power and gifts of God shall be done away among you, it shall
be because of unbelief.¨
Several times throughout our long day in the rain, we got asked what
in the world we were doing. As we talked with people, taught and
visited them, and explained just WHAT we do… they would stop us and
say ¨Wait a minute… so you CHOOSE to come out and walk around all day
in this pouring rain?? Do you LIKE it?¨
I laugh because they clearly think we are crazy. But I´ve come to
realize something during my mission. YES. I do. Rainy days have come
to be some of my favorite days on the mission.
Yes, they´re cold, wet, the streets are completely empty, and the
clock somehow seems to tick more slowly at times… but they are a
challenge, and an opportunity to prove just how bad we want it. How
much we trust the Lord.
We got into more houses that day than in the whole rest of the week
combined. Taught several amazing lessons, and found several NEW, SOLID
investigators.
Familia Flores. Mom, dad, 3 kids ages 10 plus. Friends of a solid
member family, and already have a good impression of the church.
Justo. Another incredibly prepared referral. Has been ¨Searching¨for
the Lord and the path that would guide him to the truth and greater
happiness. He was stoked when we told him that there is a living
profeta, and that we have the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of
Jesus Christ. He enthusiastically agreed to read, and in his prayer
thanked the Lord for sending two of His angels when he needed them
most!
We found two more part-member families this week who have recently
gone through some things that have helped them realize their need to
come closer to the Lord.
In the bible dictionary, it says ¨Miracles do not produce faith but
strong faith is developed by obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ,
in other words, faith comes by righteousness, although miracles often
confirm one´s faith.¨
I can testify of that. Throughout my mission, the ¨miracles¨ that
happen on a daily basis have been a favorite focus of mine. The Lord
is so good to all of his children, He wants to badly to bless us,
guide us, and help us along, and also reward us for following His way.
D&C 103:36 ¨All victory and glory is brought to pass unto you through
your diligence, faithfulness, and prayers of faith.¨
Our faith, our diligence, our action, and our desires to follow the
Lord and His plan for us are our greatest source of happiness and
power. I´ve seen time and time again the way the Lord blesses those
who are obedient, faithful, and who ¨con buena voluntad¨ keep His
commandments and try each day to follow the example of His perfect
Son, Jesus Christ. There are many things in the world that could cause
us to doubt, be fearful or hesitant… OR, we can choose to rely on the
knowledge that we have ¨the good news¨, and that there is so much more
to look forward to if we ¨shake the dust¨, leave behind our
¨crutches¨whatever they may be, and step out into the rain, the shine,
the light of the Lord and trust in Him. Living our lives in the FAITH
ZONE!
I love you all so much! I hope that you all have an amazing first week
of school.
Xoxox Your Hermana C</pre>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343025451729291890.post-58572884396864682312014-08-29T14:00:00.000-07:002014-08-29T14:00:21.458-07:00August 19, 2014 - Photos<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">ASADO and camping!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">that´s a lOT of Carne! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hermanita Vargas, de LIMA, Perú</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I literally could fit her in my pocket!! </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; text-align: start;">gorgeous day for a little stadium fútbol. we survived the ¨winter¨and SPRING IS HERE!!! </span><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"> </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; text-align: start;">she literally could fit in my pocket!! </span><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"> </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; text-align: start;">CAMPING anyone?!?</span><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"> </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;">Facundo y Lucas!! back in Tunuyán!!</span></span><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">PART of the MTC group at transfers... this was our last time seeing E. Varney</span><span style="font-size: 15px;">! </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; text-align: start;">ha. With hermana Landeo in Tunuyán she wanted a picture of my ¨planet sized¨ GLUTEN FREE maizena. The thing weighed like 1/4 kilo. SOOOO worth it! </span><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"> </span></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">FAMILIA CONTADOR. my first ¨family¨ here in Tunuyán. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Giulian ALWAYS with that face! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">in other HAPPY news.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Talked with familia SESMA. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">THEY HAVE THEIR TEMPLE DATE</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">they will be sealed in the Chile temple on December 15. One year and ONE DAY after their baptism!!!</span><span style="font-size: 15px;"> </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343025451729291890.post-49910269459276997182014-08-29T13:36:00.001-07:002014-08-29T13:36:32.257-07:00Tuesday August 19, 2014 - ¨Me siento FELIZ, y vos??¨<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">Well, another week come and gone. And this one has been FULL of changes, re-focus, and a little bit of reflection. </span><br />
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Every transfer I have come to eagerly look forward to the changes, and challenges that come. It helps me to put things in perspective. </div>
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This week we´ve had, and will have, a lot of meetings, training's, you know, the usual... but this past week was full of some awesome additions... new people, new comp, new investigators, a LOT of Peruvian food (which isn´t so great for the losing weight plan... but I won´t complain). We´ve got a multi-zone conference on Thursday with Elder Viñas, a seventy that´s coming from Chile. and guess who got chosen to SING. in a little grupito of 4 of us... and I am singing a solo-duet part. Nerve. wracking. (family, I´m telling you this, A. because I am just as SHOCKED as all of you probably are. B. because you KNOW me, and how NOT-up-my-alley this is... was.. apparently the mission continues to just stretch the comfort zone!) </div>
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This week we have already seen lots of miracles! </div>
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Maxi. We have seen some MAJOR breakthroughs with him. He wants this so bad. He knows it´s what he needs, but he´s got a LOT of changes to make, and is scared. We talked a lot this week about changes, how that is really the whole purpose of our lives, and the gospel. We talked about the importance of prayer, faith, trust, even when we can´t see the end result, and the importance of acting on what we know. He LOVES the scriptures, and is reading a ton. He has opened up to us a ton, like night and day difference already, and when he feels the spirit he has to try to hide his smile. Juani the other day told us at church ¨He never smiled before. I think he must really be happy.¨</div>
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He PRAYED in front of us for the first time the other night. And it was AMAZING! He was SO sincere, direct in his doubts and questions, and really pleaded with his Heavenly Father.</div>
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We´re making progress here.</div>
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We have a new investigadora, Cristina. She´s the mom of a menos activa, and abuela of a CR. she´s way great, and after teaching the restauración, she told us that she didn´t need to pray to know... she already felt it in her heart and had been thinking a lot. She knows it´s true... we´re working with her on some other things, but she´s awesome! </div>
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We found and are working with 3 new part-member families from the branch. They´re solid, and so loving! </div>
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We received more awesome member referrals this week than in the last 3 months I´ve been here! </div>
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When hermana Vargas got here, I told her that the work in this zone (because it´s such a small district), is really different. But that I am IN LOVE with Valle de Uco, the people here are amazing, and the families we have really need the gospel. </div>
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I told her I was going to work her hard ;) She was on board, and has been working hard with me these last few days! She´s a ¨runner¨like me, and we´ve been beat, but super happy. ps. She´s got 14 months in the mission... that was a last minute change... long story... I´m not training... but we´ve got that fire! </div>
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After her first Sunday, she loves the branch, feels right at home, and we are SUPER stoked for this transfer. THE MIRACLES ARE COMING!!! </div>
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In this last week, thinking about what I´ve done here, what I want, and WHY i want so badly for these people to accept this message... and the ultimate reason is that I want them to be HAPPY. I´ve seen so many times the truth in what they say that only the restored gospel brings true and lasting happiness. Often times people think that there aren´t things happening in their lives worth being happy about... That the world is dark, unhappy, and hopeless, and therefore, we should be too. Some even say things like ¨Well, if I just had _____ THEN i´d be happy..¨ Or ¨IF__________THEN i´d be happy.¨ Putting a sometimes impossible to overcome limit on their happiness.</div>
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I was recently asked by another missionary: ¨Well, why should I pretend to be happy and content when no one wants to listen to me? They treat me like a wierdo. I walk ALL day and rarely see any results. What about any of that should make me happy?¨ </div>
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Apart from feeling extremely sad for this missionary, It really made me think... Am I showing others how HAPPY I am to be here? In spite of hard days, trials, and setbacks, do I show others that I am happy and content in this gospel? That I am STOKED to be a missionary and rather than a constant burden, I see this time as a blessing to joyfully share with others what I have? Do I give them a reason to want it for themselves?? </div>
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There´s a quote from Pres. Uchtdorf that I love, </div>
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¨<span style="font-size: medium; line-height: normal;">Happiness </span>doesn´t come as a result of luck or accident. It most certainly doesn´t come from having all of our wishes come true. Happiness doesn´t come from external circumstance. It comes from inside-- regardless of what is happening around us.¨ </div>
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Now I´m not always perfect at that... but I thought about times in my life when I´ve seen that true happiness comes from within. I thought of my time in the Philippines. For many reasons, that trip changed my life forever. But I learned so much from those Islanders. They are so poor, humble... literally have so little. But they are ¨alegre¨, happy, and so giving and always have a smile on their faces. I learned so much from their example.</div>
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Happiness is contagious! It literally is like a magnet.</div>
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It´s the purpose of our existence, to ¨live happily ever after¨with our Heavenly Father. </div>
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¨Men are, THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE JOY.¨ (2 Nefi 2:25)</div>
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Pres. Uchtdorf says: </div>
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<b>¨Happiness is the final destination...but it is also the pathway.¨ </b></div>
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We have a loving Heavenly Father who has provided us with tools to guide us along in that pathway... HIS GOSPEL. </div>
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<span class="" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mosiah 2: 41 </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">happy</span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">blessed</span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">faithful</span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> to the end they are received into </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">heaven</span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.</span></div>
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If we follow closely those guidelines, we are promised happiness in this life, and NEVER-ENDING happiness in the life to come.</div>
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When I was with Hermana Enos, she shared with me something that has really stuck with me. Her grandpa has made it a goal, a lifestyle really, that every time someone asks him ¨How are you?¨He says ¨I´m happy, thank you!¨</div>
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Now, I´m sure that even her determined-to-be-happy grandpa has ¨down days¨, ¨hard moments¨and trials of his own... but he keeps a bigger picture perspective, recognizing that even amongst the chaos, hardships and sadness that may surround us, there is always ,ALWAYS something to be happy about.</div>
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We, as members of this church, know that we have found, and have access to THE source of true and lasting happiness. THAT, is one of the greatest things that we have to offer the world.</div>
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A genuine smile (like the one Maxi can´t hold back), which is backed by the knowledge and assurance that we know God lives, he LOVES each and every one of us SO very much. And because of that great love, he has provided us with a plan. A plan that is designed not only to bring us happiness now, today, or tomorrow, but a ¨FULLNESS of JOY¨, a happiness that endures and reaches even into FOREVER.</div>
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and THAT, is a great reason to be happy! </div>
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I love you all so much!! </div>
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Here´s to another great week! </div>
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xoxox Your Hermana C</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343025451729291890.post-76712814164322021592014-08-25T16:51:00.000-07:002015-11-27T16:51:53.865-08:00August 2014 - Beliefs, Love and Faith<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"></pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"></pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"> On 8/25/14 Hi there cute girl, This is a bullet point week. SOOOO crazy starting
> school.1. Davis at USU full force tomorrow. Came home today after 5 days
> there, for a mission farewell. Loving every minute of it! 2. Stephanie A came home Friday, She is great! headed to USU tomorrow as well and
> excited to speak Spanish with you.3. Saw Cody and Jace > together talking at church today, they asked about you! 4. Went to the Princess pageant last night with Meg and her cute little Zula Mae. Almost 1 and about 25 pounds of pure baby chub. Meg is doing well. 5. MaCall J is engaged. So cute and to a guy from our old ward in Farmington that was in dads deacons quorum. Kyle 6.Ben and Emily just get home today from a week long trip to Cali with Gma and Gpa Wintle.. They had a blast and went to Knot's and the Beach.! 7. It has been raining like mad here the past few weeks and I am hoping that it will stay this green and lush for you to come home to! 8. UVU spring deadline is December 1 and Iwill keep looking for any emails on your UVU link. 9. Start keeping a list of Foods that you would like when you get home so that you can email it to me soon! 10. can't wait to hear about your week. Topic for your homecoming: The spirit of inclusion. This is the stake theme for the month and Brother Jensen said that they haven't decided exactly how they will adapt it to our ward yet, however, if you want to start thinking it will be along those lines. I will let you know when they have the exact thoughts. <i>I like the There isn't any one you can't love once you know their story! Include those that are different or struggling those that may not fit the mold, don't judge and love them as Christ would love them. You know that I have a strong testimony of this. I love to look for that person that may be struggling or insecure or timid and try to sit by them, include them or merely listen to them with and open mind and heart, I know I always appreciate this when I am feeling lost, tender or alone. A Heart Like HIS. I feel that the true essence of our religion is found in how we try to emulate the pure love for others that Christ has for each one of us. This is best accomplished by searching out and observing ways to serve one another. If you really take the time to listen to someones life story, it will be filled with ways to serve them and better their life and in return I have found new friends, new ways to look at life and peace in the understanding that we have a merciful Heavenly Father and loving Savior. All my love, Mom</i></pre>
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<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.454545021057129px;"><i>September 8, 2014 - Courtney, As your mom, I have often felt as if I haven't shared my life beliefs with you entirely. I know that for me I try to express who I am by actions and especially how I love and how I serve. Today I felt like I wanted you to hear my beliefs through written words. I hope you feel of my love for this life, my testimony of the gospel, family and love. I am striving to become more like our Savior each and every day. I learn as I fall and I grow with the pains of the falls. </i></span></pre>
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I believe, <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.71999740600586px;">in God , Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.71999740600586px;">I believe the family is of most importance </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.71999740600586px;">I believe in the healing powers of faith and hope.</span></div>
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I believe a house of order is one that invites the spirit.</div>
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I believe the world is a very scary, dangerous and confusing place.</div>
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I believe that nature is beautiful and nurture is a privilege.</div>
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I believe in covenants, and keeping them.</div>
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I believe in complete fidelity in commitment, thoughts and actions.</div>
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I believe in honesty, virtue and charity.</div>
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I believe most people are good.</div>
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I believe in the power of Satan to try to destroy good people.</div>
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I believe bad things happen.</div>
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I believe in the power of prayer.</div>
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I believe in breathing deeply, every day.</div>
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I believe in moderation in all things.</div>
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I believe in being healthy - emotionally, physically, spiritually</div>
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I believe in education and research.</div>
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I believe in the Family Proclamation.</div>
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I believe in contributing in the family and in society.</div>
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I believe in the power of music.</div>
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I believe most people are overwhelmed. Be kind.</div>
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I believe Satan is attacking families.</div>
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I believe in the value of children.</div>
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I believe all people are Children of God.</div>
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I believe people can improve.</div>
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I believe in always searching for self-improvement.</div>
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I believe Satan can cause me to doubt and question in an instant</div>
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I believe in love of many kinds:marital, brotherly(sisterly), parental etc.</div>
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I believe in volleyball, water-skiing, good food and sunshine.</div>
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I believe in the healing power of sleep, but I don't always get enough.</div>
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I believe I am a good mom and can always strive to be better.</div>
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I believe greed runs much of the world.</div>
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I believe in Eternal Families.</div>
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I believe in respect.</div>
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I believe in looking around to serve and better the lives of others.</div>
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I believe in sitting long, eating well and talking much.</div>
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I believe in being the kind of friend that I wish to have.</div>
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I believe in being grateful.</div>
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I believe that you should " Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved." - Thomas S Monson</div>
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I believe a repenting man is a righteous man.</div>
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I believe and have a testimony of missionary work.</div>
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I believe the truth and promises of living faithfully.</div>
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I believe it is when you are overloaded with trials and adversity that you must hold tight, pray and have confidence in a loving Heavenly Father and Hope in our Savior Jesus Christ.</div>
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I believe [HOPE] is a powerful medicine.</div>
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I believe each person can reach their true potential if given the opportunity and they take the opportunity.</div>
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I believe in laughter and inner beauty.</div>
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I believe in following a living Prophet.</div>
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I believe that it will all work out in the end and my responsibility and opportunity is to endure well and remain faithful to that end.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.71999740600586px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.71999740600586px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">"FAITH is the first principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ-so important and complex that it is beyond our understanding, but at the same time so simple that each of us base our lives on it without knowing exactly how it works." - </span>Through His Eyes, V Pierce</b></span></div>
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All my love, MOM<br />
<br />
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;">Mom, </pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;">Your letter from last week made me SO grateful all over again for you and our amazing family! You all amaze me with how much you are growing, changing, doing, and overcoming. I can´t believe the change-of-pace since I left. Davis is an ELDER. and can after all start his mission papers soon! My heart about overflowed when I read that!!! I love him and pray always that that dream of his can become a reality! Ryan. is a PRIEST. driving, dating, loving itI´m sure. He´s such a good kid. I´m proud of him. High school... ah. and belly aches. I was that same age when all of my funnies started. He has been in my prayers a lot. keep me posted. Ben. Surprises me more and more each time he writes me. My siblings are so wise beyond their years, and that kid has a spiritual affinity that inspires me! He is NOT the same shy, chubby little boy that I left... He is more and more a MAN every day. Emmi. Is the sweetest little ray of sunshine. Everyone just raves about her sweetness, bubbliness, outgoing, helpful attitude. Which Granmom says reminds her more and more of me. She is growing up way too fast and is very much her own little person! i have to admit the only times I really ever get any sort of homesick is when I start to think about my world and how much I´ve missed in each of your lives. Nothing else really gets me... but missing them all growing up is hard. i only hope they´ll want me around as much as I want to be around them once I´m home! I love you all so much! Thank you for being the mom, friend, example, and support for each and every one of us. And more. You are one of my hero's, and I love you! C</pre>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343025451729291890.post-46860585061166918512014-08-12T22:07:00.000-07:002014-08-12T22:07:03.402-07:00August 11, 2014 - This Girl is on Fire!<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This week was crazy
busy, full of emotions... and it all just<br />
continues as we go into transfers. but more to come on that.<br />
today I´ve got some stuff to take care of ... and so time is short,<br />
and this email will be too. On top of all of the ¨loose ends¨this weekas
Hermana Hales prepared to go home... We saw several miracles!<br />
Maxi Finally has a fecha for su BAUTISMO. the 30 of august!! we´re allreally
excited, and he´s reading and praying. sólo nos falta the<br />
asistencia.The elderes also had a baptism... well 2... twin 17 year old girls,Paola
y Azucena. It was a MIRACLE and the ánimo in the rama isawesome! They´re
golden!<br />
<br />
In my entrevista with Presidente Goates last month... we talked about¨endings¨,
¨beginnings¨and opportunities. We talked about my mission,all I´ve done, The
¨close call¨here towards the end... but then I asked him what he could tell me
that he needed more from me to really finish strong, make my mark, and be what
he... and the LORD... needs me to be. He said ¨Keep doing what you´re doing.¨
then said ¨Now of course we´ll have to see what the Lord wants... but I would
LOVE to see you train again!!¨ We talked about what a blessing and opportunity that
would be ... a stretch for sure, but an awesome way to finish.<br />
And in the end he just sat back and said ¨Yeah, okay, with that in<br />
mind, prepare yourself because I have a feeling that you´re in for a BIG
change-of-pace here to finish out!¨<br />
And boy, was he right. After 12 weeks of washing and ¨killing¨ Hermana Hales..
who had a lot of time and experience and a lot of ¨going home energy¨. I am now
starting the ¨ùltimo¨ transfer 13... and I am going to be TRAINING a fresh,
nuevita, LATINA (finally!), greenie! Hermana Vargas :)<br />
I´m way excited and I know that, as always, the Lord is keeping me on my toes.
I´m keeping the fire burning, but as I change gears, it´s going to be a
different kind of fire and energy!<br />
<br />
I was studying this morning, and as I was thinking about all of this,I decided
to look up FUEGO (or fire) in the spanish ¨guide to the scriptures¨.. it says:
¨Symbol of purification of sanctification¨. I thought of how often we use the
terms ¨trial by fire¨or ¨walking through flames¨... then I thought of the
process of getting diamonds. The ordinary, dull piece of coal, put through a
process of intense fire, pressure, and heat. But not too much that it becomes
utterly destroyed, but just enough to push it, change it´s properties..Just how
the Lord works with each of us... never giving us trials too big or temptations
too strong to overcome... But He knows just how much heat and pressure it takes
to purify and refine us.<br />
<br />
Fire is also defined as symbolizing the presence of God.<br />
-Moses and the burning bush<br />
-we sing ¨The spirit of God like a fire is burning¨.<br />
-We often explain to others that a feeling of warmth, or ¨burning in the bossom¨
is how they can know of truth and feel of God´s love.<br />
- The story of Lehi and Nefi. When the Lamanitas tried to take them<br />
and put them into prison, they were surrpounded by a pilar of FIRE and protected.
Then, When the Lamanites later tried to flee from their presence, they were surrounded
by a cloud of darkness that covered them. They asked desperately what they
needed to do so that the darkness would leave them. Aminadab told them they
must repent and call upon the Lord. in Helaman 5:43 we read: ¨And it came to
pass that when they cast their eyes about, and saw that the cloud of darkness was
dispersed from overshadowing them, behold, they saw that they were encircled
about, yea every soul, by a pillar of fire.¨<br />
The light of the Lord and the power and fire of His love and spirit is stronger
than any darkness.<br />
Fire is energy, and when properly stoked, provides us with heat,<br />
light, and the motivation to keep going.<br />
I´ve thought back several times on the promise I made to Heavenly<br />
Father that no matter what, I would work to do my bst to keep my fire burning,
and help others to do the same. I´ve realized the importance of helping others
to feel of that fire, fuel it, and keep it burning bright. Whether it´s an
investigator who´s feeling it for the first time, companions with their varying
stages of ¨fire burning¨, or members or menos activos who are maybe just
fighting to keep the smoldering coals alive, all of us need the fire in our lives.<br />
The light of the gospel,the flame of hope, the power or influence of the Spirit
of the Lord.<br />
To help us overcome the ¨clouds¨or ¨mists¨of darkness, to help us see our way,
to purify, refine, and change us from who and what we are now, to become the
¨diamonds¨that the Lord knows we are capable of becoming. He doesn´t ever tell
us it´s an easy, comfortable, or<br />
overnight experience. But he promises us the help, guidance, and the assurance
that if we are faithful, there awaits us the promise of a brighter future.<br />
<br />
I love you all so much! Keep the fire burning this week!!<br />
xoxox Your Hermana C<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343025451729291890.post-67064580368837210682014-08-12T22:06:00.000-07:002014-08-12T22:06:42.240-07:00August 11, 2014 - PHOTOS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-orCQOIJHAGc/U-pBJKKFKhI/AAAAAAAAFCM/J0pCv7SNsNE/s1600/DSCN9228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-orCQOIJHAGc/U-pBJKKFKhI/AAAAAAAAFCM/J0pCv7SNsNE/s1600/DSCN9228.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.30000114440918px; text-align: start;">*argentine garbage truck</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-18S_c7k8arc/U-pBIE9Z9pI/AAAAAAAAFCE/eg66foU0eKc/s1600/DSCN9998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-18S_c7k8arc/U-pBIE9Z9pI/AAAAAAAAFCE/eg66foU0eKc/s1600/DSCN9998.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.30000114440918px; text-align: start;">*hermana goates used some pictures from the church manuals in her presentation, and I looked up and said ¨Hey! That{s my dad and davis!!¨You´re famous guys! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bRekyDezx4g/U-pBIt3YKdI/AAAAAAAAFCI/PZQqNgSVX5g/s1600/FSCN9198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bRekyDezx4g/U-pBIt3YKdI/AAAAAAAAFCI/PZQqNgSVX5g/s1600/FSCN9198.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.30000114440918px; text-align: start;">*even across the world mom I still got had that same freak eye infection. i bonded with you in my no make up days.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RnSfhfBxSD0/U-pBJ9ADn1I/AAAAAAAAFCY/i6kscNhk6c8/s1600/FSCN9230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RnSfhfBxSD0/U-pBJ9ADn1I/AAAAAAAAFCY/i6kscNhk6c8/s1600/FSCN9230.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
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*Hermana Leguiza made me GLUTEN FREE EMPANADAS! It was like Christmas!! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nIYnd7PHd54/U-pBKvsc1DI/AAAAAAAAFCk/uWJAFCZU6mI/s1600/IMG_9998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nIYnd7PHd54/U-pBKvsc1DI/AAAAAAAAFCk/uWJAFCZU6mI/s1600/IMG_9998.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.30000114440918px; text-align: start;">*Mauricio! (from Dorrego, remember him??) He got baptized 3 weeks ago back when I went to Mendoza for consejo! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0PuU8W_m4c4/U-pBK2lqLQI/AAAAAAAAFCo/uwqZMjLZxAQ/s1600/RSCN9165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 15.555556297302246px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0PuU8W_m4c4/U-pBK2lqLQI/AAAAAAAAFCo/uwqZMjLZxAQ/s1600/RSCN9165.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.30000114440918px; text-align: start;">*Hermanitas!!! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zA0TgrylWn8/U-lKvd0MUwI/AAAAAAAAFA4/bHe2Wh8VxUI/s1600/DSCN9249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zA0TgrylWn8/U-lKvd0MUwI/AAAAAAAAFA4/bHe2Wh8VxUI/s1600/DSCN9249.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.30000114440918px; text-align: start;">*TTTB aka. TUP-TOWN TRIBUTE BAND</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fNGzgqusDBU/U-lKukd8WhI/AAAAAAAAFA0/DpQ_BfbDlDQ/s1600/DSCN9251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fNGzgqusDBU/U-lKukd8WhI/AAAAAAAAFA0/DpQ_BfbDlDQ/s1600/DSCN9251.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.30000114440918px; text-align: start;">we decided last minute to do a musical number for the baptism... ¨más cerca Dios de ti¨( nearer my God to thee) and after practicing once, it sounded AMAZING. so we performed at the baptism and then in church yesterday. We decided to release an album next summer when we´re all back from the mission.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1A7HNuA5DUA/U-lKwSWCJAI/AAAAAAAAFBA/YQqvHHXM0hU/s1600/DSCN9256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1A7HNuA5DUA/U-lKwSWCJAI/AAAAAAAAFBA/YQqvHHXM0hU/s1600/DSCN9256.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.30000114440918px; text-align: start;">*CIAO ¨compi¨</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gtpHj0jEwdA/U-lKx914I1I/AAAAAAAAFBM/wGylksDJUug/s1600/FSCN9168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gtpHj0jEwdA/U-lKx914I1I/AAAAAAAAFBM/wGylksDJUug/s1600/FSCN9168.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.30000114440918px; text-align: start;">*zone hermanitas</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JbRhC12IqXY/U-ovB2_uuhI/AAAAAAAAFBc/ahVC3qAGHwQ/s1600/DSCN9233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JbRhC12IqXY/U-ovB2_uuhI/AAAAAAAAFBc/ahVC3qAGHwQ/s1600/DSCN9233.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.30000114440918px; text-align: start;">*Berengenas!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zBFKXKS5-Q8/U-ovEpxUQzI/AAAAAAAAFB0/CyU3WmyH1AE/s1600/FSCN9201%2B(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zBFKXKS5-Q8/U-ovEpxUQzI/AAAAAAAAFB0/CyU3WmyH1AE/s1600/FSCN9201%2B(2).JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.30000114440918px; text-align: start;">*uno with the hermanitas on pday</span></td></tr>
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*farewell lunch with familia Ríos y Leguiza</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343025451729291890.post-80653482913712992842014-08-11T07:23:00.000-07:002015-11-27T18:10:03.394-08:00Monday August 11, 2014 - Words from home <div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Hermana
Courtney,</span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">I
wanted to pass along a few thoughts about BECOMING. I love the mere
thought of the word and it's definition and eternal application. I know
that the last few months of your mission have not exactly been what you had
planned and for that I am sorry and know that it can be frustrating at times.
I want you to take a step to the side for a moment and just observe the
good, acknowledge the challenging and LOOk to the future and strive to BECOME
what you can for the last few weeks of your mission. <i> </i></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #5133ab; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">What you get by achieving
your goals is not as important</span></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="background: white; color: #5133ab; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">as what you become by achieving your goals.</span></i></b><i><span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><i><span style="background: white; color: #5133ab; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">- Henry David Thoreau</span></i></b><i><span style="background: white; color: #5133ab; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
know that you will be able to look at the whole of your mission and see great
personal growth, especially in making it through the adversity as well as great
success within the goals of your mission. One lesson leaned every day with the
pursuit of our goals is it necessary to have them and even more needed to be
able to adjust and make new goals as our plans for just how life should be are
constantly shifted time and time again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="background: white; color: #5133ab; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching
your goal.</span></i></b><i><span style="background: white; color: #5133ab; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><i><span style="background: white; color: #5133ab; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="background: white; color: #5133ab; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">- Benjamin Mays <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One of the amazing beauties of this thing called life to me,
is the opportunity to try to become what our potential is as seen by a loving
and merciful Heavenly Father. I love this because it allows room for do
overs and mistakes to be made, wrong choices can be made right and learning to
happen every day! It is only when we give in to the adversary to stall our
progression, that we stop becoming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="background: white; color: #5133ab; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You will become as small as your controlling
desire;<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="background: white; color: #5133ab; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">as great as your dominant aspiration.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="background: white; color: #5133ab; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">- James Allen<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #5133ab; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">We cannot expect to put out
religion on a shelf and expect to have spiritual blessings. Uchtdorf</span></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Another of my favorite
concepts of the gospel is that of becoming like a little child in order to
reach our potential and receive the blessing of the kingdom. In times of
severe adversity and just swimming in the feelings of doubt and fear, I love to
look at it through the idea of this thought and
it immediately simplifies any struggle to the point of
a manageable state. No more analyzing or challenging
oneself to exhaustion. Simply have the faith and love of a
child and it will bring you one step closer to reaching the
most important goal of life and that is to BECOME more Christlike.
</span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="background: #F9F6ED; color: #5133ab; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; letter-spacing: -.75pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Become as a Little
Child</span></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #5133ab; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-transform: uppercase;">JEAN A. STEVENS</span></i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-transform: uppercase;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="background: #F9F6ED; color: #5133ab; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If
we have a heart to learn and a willingness to follow the example of children,
their divine attributes can hold a key to unlocking our own spiritual growth.</span></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="background: #F9F6ED; color: #5133ab; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What
is it we should learn from children? What qualities do they possess and what
examples do they demonstrate that </span></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #5133ab; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">These precious children of God come to us with believing hearts.
They are full of faith and receptive to feelings of the Spirit. They exemplify
humility, obedience, and love. They are often the first to love and the first
to forgive.King Benjamin’s words to become as a child—submissive, meek, humble,
patient, and full of love? (see <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/3.19?lang=eng#18" target="_blank"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #0068cf; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Mosiah 3:19</span></a>).</span></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #5133ab; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Children are providing examples of some of the childlike
qualities we need to develop or rediscover in ourselves in order to enter into
the kingdom of heaven. They are bright spirits who are untarnished by the
world—teachable and full of faith. It is no wonder the Savior has a special
love and appreciation for little children.</span></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #5133ab; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Among the transcendent events of the Savior’s visit to the
Americas, His tender ministry to the children stands apart. In a poignant way
He reached out to each child.</span></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #5133ab; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“And he took their little children, one by one, and blessed
them, and prayed unto the Father for them.</span></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #5133ab; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“And when he had done this he wept. …</span></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #5133ab; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Have some of life’s experiences taken from you the believing
heart and childlike faith you once had? If so, look around at the children in
your life. And then look again. They may be children in your family, across the
street, or in the Primary in your ward. If we have a heart to learn and a
willingness to follow the example of children, their divine attributes can hold
a key to unlocking our own spiritual growth.</span></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #5133ab; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Become more Christlike - </span></i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #5133ab; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus Christ set the
perfect example for us, and He has commanded us to become as He is. He
exemplified characteristics such as faith, hope, charity, patience, humility,
purity, diligence, and obedience. As we learn of Him and seek to develop His
attributes, we will become the women He and our Heavenly Father would like us
to be - YW site, LDS.org</span></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My prayer for you my
dearest daughter is to look at what you are BECOMING in the last few weeks of
your mission, look at what you have already BECOME. Your beautiful spirit
radiates through your teaching, your writings, your willingness to serve and
your love for others. Have that same love for yourself and look to what
this mission is adding to your eternal life and how it is magnifying your
ability to BECOME what Heavenly Father wants you to become. Stand firm,
stay strong and become as a little child for these last few moments that you
have in Argentina and I think you will be ever </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">surprised</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> at
the growth the you will experience in circumstances that you did not
expect. Also remember, you are my world and I love you so very much. As
your Earthly parent, I can confidently kneel in prayer to your Heavenly Father
and express gratitude for all that He has given you and ask that you feel His
strength and love for you to help you reach the potential that HE sees in you.
You are incredible and very cherished.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">All my love for today and
always, Mom</span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">First of all, I want
to apologize for last week... I had a moment of<br />
weakness. I was REALLY tired and just completely worn down after day<br />
in and day out for months of dealing with a lot of things. But... I<br />
should be better.. and it just helps you to see that even your<br />
missionary daughter still isn´t perfect.<br />
<br />
As I read through both of your emails that I printed out last week, it<br />
was JUST what I needed!<br />
It was really rough. Because All that i´d been striving for my whole<br />
mission, to develop more Christlike attributes, strengthen the ward,<br />
others and their faith and just love the people.. all things that were<br />
so very important to me, but NOT for my companion. So I found myself<br />
alone and carrying a LOT of weight...even feeling like because of my<br />
lack of PROgress, I was digressing...<br />
But I realized this past week that it didn´t matter. If it wasn´t<br />
going to be a companionship effort, which i was really sad about, I at<br />
least wasn´t going to add to or be part of the problem..<br />
I realized that I was trying to hard to do everything on my own... and<br />
as a result, negating the power of Christ in my life. That´s why I<br />
became so bitter and a little stuck.<br />
Justo... I read the talk ¨In the strength of the Lord¨by David A.<br />
Bednar. It was exactly what I needed. To allow myself to see that I<br />
NEED Christ´s help, His grace, His ¨enabling power¨not only<br />
sometimes... but CONTINUOUSLY if my progress and quest to become like<br />
Him is going to continue. That change needs to be REAL, lasting, and a<br />
constant effort on my part.<br />
<br />
The Lord knows I don´t like to feel stuck in a rut... and so He has<br />
now given me a HUGE opportunity and privilege to pay it forward, work<br />
till I drop, and go out with a bang this transfer.<br />
I have learned a LOT about my own strengths, limits, and when to allow<br />
him to step in and take the wheel as He helps me to ¨finish strong¨and<br />
change my mentality to be more like His. I´ve decided this is not<br />
something I´ll ever perfect here, but rather, this has all prepared me<br />
for the rest of ¨real life¨as well.<br />
I love you both so much, and I´m so grateful that you´re so inspired<br />
and always know just what I need. Even before I do.<br />
<br />
You´re amazing! Thank you for being MINE!!<br />
xoxoxx C</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Love you, Pumpkin! Thanks for the note.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Just remember -- Those souls we help to save may not always be those we think we are sent to serve. Companions are people, too, and may be in dire need of our love, understanding, help and service. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 21.30000114440918px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">You are an amazing and a shining example of hard work and devotion. Stay close to the Lord, and He will help you see ALL of those who are in need of your love and compassion along the way!</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 21.30000114440918px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Have a wonderful and poignant week!</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 21.30000114440918px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Your Papi</span>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343025451729291890.post-85557096748543535852014-07-28T08:41:00.000-07:002014-07-28T08:41:41.207-07:00Monday July 28, 2014 - So I know I´ve been off grid for a while... but here´s a few pictures from the last 2 months.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1QfDiRoHQFY/U9Zr0ZitZfI/AAAAAAAAE_g/m5JCGa7uVFI/s1600/FSCN9983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1QfDiRoHQFY/U9Zr0ZitZfI/AAAAAAAAE_g/m5JCGa7uVFI/s1600/FSCN9983.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm on top of the World!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UE9_4Cdt7lc/U9ZrSqkHJiI/AAAAAAAAE-o/HMelhyXQ0YM/s1600/DSCN9080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UE9_4Cdt7lc/U9ZrSqkHJiI/AAAAAAAAE-o/HMelhyXQ0YM/s1600/DSCN9080.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qD_sTd0kGp8/U9ZrSvmDCrI/AAAAAAAAE-k/djTwgYUkJjI/s1600/DSCN9978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qD_sTd0kGp8/U9ZrSvmDCrI/AAAAAAAAE-k/djTwgYUkJjI/s1600/DSCN9978.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">hiking!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oXKBggXro1A/U9Zrh5Mcm0I/AAAAAAAAE_E/4rf9KuGvwBQ/s1600/FSCN9952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oXKBggXro1A/U9Zrh5Mcm0I/AAAAAAAAE_E/4rf9KuGvwBQ/s1600/FSCN9952.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; text-align: start; white-space: normal;">We hiked to the ¨Cristo Rey¨ ... SO catholic..</pre>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wpd4DL4VVrU/U9Zrh8NAmQI/AAAAAAAAE_A/vQBMbcuwNq0/s1600/FSCN9955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wpd4DL4VVrU/U9Zrh8NAmQI/AAAAAAAAE_A/vQBMbcuwNq0/s1600/FSCN9955.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EHY7jCNostw/U9Zrpvyp1RI/AAAAAAAAE_Q/fKrL_Z2K71o/s1600/FSCN9958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EHY7jCNostw/U9Zrpvyp1RI/AAAAAAAAE_Q/fKrL_Z2K71o/s1600/FSCN9958.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The road to Tupangato</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7evoPdlD9ss/U9Zr0qaP6xI/AAAAAAAAE_c/R5_6lHkTiX8/s1600/FSCN9982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7evoPdlD9ss/U9Zr0qaP6xI/AAAAAAAAE_c/R5_6lHkTiX8/s1600/FSCN9982.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">CAMILA & SOFIA BAPTISM</span></pre>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">All my comps taking good care of me...3 kilos of Grido!(Ice cream)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Sweet 16 to my not so baby brother!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; text-align: start; white-space: normal;">I took a photo just in case this doesn´t make it to you!
I love you so much ry!!</pre>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343025451729291890.post-90768910154873692112014-07-23T14:03:00.002-07:002014-07-23T14:03:36.501-07:00Monday July 21, 2014 - I Stand all Amazed<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">This has been a great week! SUPER LONG, but at the same time, there just is never enough time to get everything done. It´s the middle of winter here, but you would never know it because the weather has been absolutely fantastic! I´m hoping we continue to be blessed with an absense of snow... at least until september or so ;)</span><br />
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This week, with everyhting that was happening, interviews with Pres, conferences, preparing classes and presentations, and intercambios with the hermanas... oh yes, we´re trying to get back in the swing of things... </div>
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I was thinking of how perfectly ordered, timed, and planned everything is in the Lord´s ¨schemes¨... I was thinkng of how often... going along with my theme of last week, there comes a necesity on my part to be patient.. and not in the ¨passively sitting around¨ way we often associate with the word... but in the ¨trusting that the Lord has every intention of fulfilling His promises, His work, and His Glory, all in HIS own time and His own way.</div>
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I went to Preach my Gospel... and studied the (as Presidente Monson calls it) ¨Celestial attribute of Pacienia¨. There are so many relatos of missionaries, peoples, and even some of my greatest Book of Mormon heroes who had to, and often to the extremes sometimes... suffer hardships in the service of the Lord. </div>
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One of my favorites is that of Alma and his mission to preach to the Zoramites. (Alma 31:31-38) Those misisonaries knew ahead of time that theirs was a ¨great mission¨that they had much work ahead of them... and in the beginning, the honestly had no idea what was to be expected. Saying things like ¨Maybe¨or ¨Somehow¨we´ll be able to touch the hearts of the people and have some success..</div>
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Later in the story, Alma, cries to the Lord, asking for strength and help that he is lacking. </div>
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<span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">O Lord, my heart is exceedingly sorrowful; wilt thou comfort my soul </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">in Christ</span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">. O Lord, wilt thou grant unto me that I may have strength, that I may suffer with patience these </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">afflictions</span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> which shall come upon me... </span></div>
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I love the open, raw, honestness of Alma. THey were struggling, and he honestly felt at times like he, alone, just could not bear the sorrow..I have felt those feelings at times... as have we all. Tired, utterly exhausted, and beyond knowledge of knowing how to comfort ourselves...But the more I think and really stop to look around me... I realize. I don´t have to be alone. There are so many others here around me. Alma continues on in his prayer: </div>
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<a class="" href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="32" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 22.719999313354492px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"> </a><span class="" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 22.719999313354492px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">32 </span>O Lord, wilt thou comfort my soul, and give unto me success, and also my fellow laborers who are with me—yea, Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner, and also Amulek and Zeezrom, and also mytwo sons—yea, even all these wilt thou comfort, O Lord. Yea, wilt thou comfort their souls in Christ.</div>
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<a class="" href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="33" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 22.719999313354492px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"> </a><span class="" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 22.719999313354492px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">33 </span>Wilt thou grant unto them that they may have strength, that they may bear their afflictions which shall come upon them because of the iniquities of this people.</div>
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<a class="" href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="34" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 22.719999313354492px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"> </a><span class="" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 22.719999313354492px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">34 </span>O Lord, wilt thou grant unto us that we may have success in bringing them again unto thee in Christ.</div>
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<a class="" href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="35" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 22.719999313354492px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"> </a><span class="" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 22.719999313354492px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">35 </span>Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee.</div>
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<a class="" href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="36" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 22.719999313354492px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"> </a><span class="" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 22.719999313354492px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">36 </span>Now it came to pass that when Alma had said these words, that he clapped his hands upon all them who were with him. And behold, as he clapped his hands upon them, they were filled with the Holy Spirit.</div>
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<a class="" href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="37" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 22.719999313354492px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"> </a><span class="" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 22.719999313354492px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">37 </span>And after that they did separate themselves one from another,taking no thought for themselves what they should eat, or what they should drink, or what they should put on.</div>
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<a class="" href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="38" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 22.719999313354492px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"> </a><span class="" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 22.719999313354492px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">38 </span>And the Lord provided for them that they should hunger not, neither should they thirst; yea, and he also gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ. Now this was according to the prayer of Alma; and this because he prayed in faith.</div>
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Sometimes, if we allow them to, our personal hardships become the focal point of our lives. They control us, define us, and ultimately become our downfall if we allow ourselves to sink into a black whole of self-pity and despair. BUT if we look around, we will easily see there are many others who, like us, are suffering... We can then choose to ¨curl up in a ball¨or we can choose to rise up and rise above. </div>
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There´s a quote from Presidente Hinckley that I love: </div>
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¨The best antidote I know for worry is WORK. The best medicine for despair is SERVICE. The best cure for weariness is the CHALLENGE of helping someone who is even more tired.¨ </div>
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One of the greatest blessings the Lord has given me this week, was allowing me to meet people who need His love, support, and grace even more than I do.... and helping them understand who Christ is, and what He has done for them has helped me to realize all over again what He means to ME. </div>
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Maxi (17). His life is rough, and he has had to ¨grow up fast¨and learn to fend for himself. He really had never thought about a relationship with God or Christ... but to explain to him who he is, WHOSE he is, and the love that Christ feels for him personally, had an immediately visible effect on him.</div>
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Belén (20) ... She met the missionaries 11 years ago, and off and on has been to church, met with them, heard ëverything¨...but when we showed up she told us she felt something new... still, the first time she didn´t want a ¨date¨to be baptized... but as we read with her, studied with her, and helped her apply things to herself... like we should... she received her answer... opened up to us, and CHOSE HER OWN BAPTISMAL DATE of 23 august. She needed to know her potential, know she had friends, and more, a loving Heavenly Father who is aware of her and wants the very best for her. </div>
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Juani (11). Also has had to grow up fast. on his own, and really just needs to feel loved, appreciated and understood. He LOVES Jesus, he LOVES reading the Book of Mormon, and has the opportunity to be a shining light in a house that is very much lacking the influence of the spirit. He teaches me more than I teach him.</div>
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Lidia. She´s an older lady, we knocked her door. Both of us just kind of got pulled there, and she let us right in! (not normal). She´s a 7th day adventist and very active in her church... but recently separated from her husband of 30 years and needed to feel loved. We shared the restoration with her and she told us ¨You know, that just makes sense.¨ She invited us to come to her congregation and share a message with the whole bunch! Ha... keep you posted.</div>
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Belén. Walking home late one night, I still had one Jesus card to give away... it was bitter cold, and there weren´t any people in the streets. about 3 blocks from our house, we crossed the street, and I saw a cute young girl walking toward us. As I called out to her, she bee-lined over to me. I held out the card, and noticed her eyes were a little teary. I found myself just telling her Jesus Christ loves her, and that although things happen sometimes that we don´t understand, he is always there. I asked her if she´d ever questioned that. She started to cry, and told me that she´d been having a really hard night. I just wanted to hug her. We talked for several minutes, and I was just blown away at how much she needed just what we had to offer in that moment.</div>
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She doesn´t live in our area, but works here, so we´re hoping we´ll see her again. The Lord puts his children in the right place at the right time. </div>
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Each of them comes from varying backgrounds, needs, and beliefs. But they all had something in common. They lacked that understanding of who Christ really is. What he has done for each of them, and what He continues to do and the way he blesses those who follow him, put their faith in him, and allow his love and his light to work more fully in their lives. </div>
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I was studying the atonement this week, Christ´s experience in Gethsemane. He was completely alone in his suffering, even his own apostles fell asleep. But he knew his mission, knew the cost, and because of the great love he feels for each of us, he saw it through until the end.</div>
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Because of Him, because of what He did, I have hope. And I know my life has purpose. He was completely alone in the Garden, but thanks to Him, I don´t have to be. None of us ever has to feel alone. There is one who knows us, understands us, and is there to help us through. Come what may. </div>
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I love you all so much! </div>
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xoxox Your Hermana C</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343025451729291890.post-18144526056235609112014-07-23T14:03:00.001-07:002014-07-23T14:03:20.675-07:00Monday July 14, 2014 - Slow and Steady Wins the Race<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">
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So how about those Mundial finals?? We ALMOST made the Argentine dream a reality. We of course didn´t watch the match... but as you can only imagine, things have been quite exciting around here lately.</div>
I thought I got asked a lot before if I was German, but lately it´s been a constant obsession for all of us ¨gringos¨. </div>
But apart from the endless fútbol hype... This week was an exciting one for us as well.</div>
Tuesday night after we got back from Mendoza,we had planned to go visit familia Salvatierra. I´m pretty sure I´ve written about them already... But they´re a part-member family, the first we met here in Urbana. The grandpa,Angel, has been a member for years, but is SUPER inactive. Juani, the 10 year old grandson got baptized about a year ago, but can´t ever get to church because he can´t walk the whole distance sólo. The house is FULL of parientes...but they´re the only two members. Juani´s mom, Débora, has been a focus of ours since we first met her. Young (super young, onlya couple years older than me), single mom, and her 2 kids are her world. She and Juani, and her 2 year old, Xiomara, captured my heart the first time we visited, and since then I´ve come to love them so much! </div>
They have a super crazy situation, crazy lives, but are SUCH amazing people, and need this gospel. The light of Christ is visible in each of them. They have such specific needs, but true desires to come to know Christ.</div>
Débora was a little hesitant at first...she´s very aware of the topic of ¨bautismo¨... for several years, as she´s watched the other members of her family investigate, she says she´s seen how they haven´t really been prepared, and as a result, aren´t active. She says that she wants it, but wants to be prepared, to do it right, and have it be a real change.</div>
Solid. We assurred her of God´s love for her, and that this is His church. That we´re here to be ¨guides¨ and that our message will bring her the purpose, light, and happiness she is looking for in her home. </div>
...another background story: Maxi Salvatierra (tio of Juani, Débora´s 18 year old brother)answered the door a few weeks back, but after letting us in, disappeared. We went back another time to talk to Débora, and Angel asked us to give Maxi a Book of Mormon so he could have something good to read. We introduced the Book of Mormon, and committed him to read.</div>
... okay, so back to this week. </div>
We went over to see how Juani and Débora were doing with their committment to read from the into... turned out they hadn´t read. So we sat down to read all together. While Débora finished cleaning, Juani wanted to sing a hymno. While he looked, Maxi came out of his room. ¨Hey! Are you going to come read with us??¨I asked him. He kind of just shrugged sleepily and went back to his room. Juani told us that Maxi has been in rare form lately...super rebelious..Just then, the dogs came running in, chasing their huge pet white rabbit. Xiomara then fell off a chair and started crying. Things just went completely nuts. I looked at Juani,and we started to sing: ¨Soy un hijo de Dios...¨ Débora came and sat down with Xiomara. She immediately stopped crying, and looked from Juani, to me, to Hermana Hales, and to her mom, smiling and singing along.<br />
We finished, and it was so peaceful. ¨Otra!¨ Juanisaid and pointed to ¨Families can be together forever.¨As we sang, Maxi came out from his room and pulled up a chair by the fire. Hermano Angel came in the door from work.</div>
Juani said the prayer,and we decided to start reading. We started with Juani, reading one-by-one,explaining the story to Maxi and Débora. Then, I handed the Libro to Maxi. He took it and read, then Débora, then Angel. I looked over at Juani who grinned and winked.</div>
And so we went, reading in our little circle around a tiny kitchen table in a smoggy dark room, lit only by the giant fire.</div>
The spirit was tangible, and the peace was incredible. Even the giant white rabbit stopped hopping everywhere and sat quietly at our feet.</div>
We reached the verse in 1 Nefi 1:12 where it says ¨As [Lehi] read (the scriptures), he was filled with the spirit of the Lord¨.</div>
I testified to them that the peace they were feeling was that same spirit... that this Book, the Book of Mormon is true, it is the word of God and as we´d read in the intro, has the power to bring us closer to Him than any other. It testifies of His great love for us.</div>
It got quiet, and then Hermano Angel straightened up and said ¨I´d like to share my testimony...¨He shared a simple but heart-felt testimony of how he´d personally found happiness in this message. And how although he´s not going to church as much as he should right now, he knows this is God´s true church, that Joseph Smith is a profet, and that the scriptures bring power. He then invited his grandkids to read it and learn for themselves.</div>
It was an incredible and powerful moment. And I was immediately so grateful for all of those little miraculous moments in this work. Just to help set the scene of what it´s like. It´s experiences like that that make this work the most rewarding thing I´ve ever done.</div>
We saw several other miracles this week. Got into houses of some amazing people, and we´ve got plans for each of them to help them to really move forward. These things might not happen over night, but we´re happy to be back in the game!</div>
This week I read a talk by Presidente Uchtdorf from a few conferences ago:¨Of things that matter Most¨. In it he discusses how so often in today´s world, our lives become hectic, so full of ¨things to do¨.. it´s easy to be ¨busy¨,but ¨life and it´s rushed pace and many stresses may make it difficult to feel like rejoicing.¨</div>
<div>
He then, as usual,likened it to piloting. He said upon encountering turbulence inflight, ¨a student pilot may think that increasing speed is a good strategy because it will get them through the turbulence faster. But that may be the wrong thing to do. Professional pilots understand there is an optimum turbulence penetrationspeed that will minimize the negative effects of turbulence. And most of the time that would mean to reduce your speed.¨</div>
<div>
The same applies to our lives. When things get bumpy, out of our control,¨Whenstress levels rise, when distress appears, when tragedy strikes, too often we attempt to keep up the same frantic pace or even accelerate, thinking somehow the more rushed our pace, the better off we will be...it is good advice to slow down a little, steady the course, and focus on the essentials when experiencing adverse conditions.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Sticking with my goal to have a ¨theme¨or ¨motto¨for each transfer, I had decided that this one would be ¨so RUN. that ye may obtain¨ I wanted to work hard, push far, and not let up...But just as Pres. Uchtdorf explained with turbulence, I realized I would ¨do well to slow down a little, proceed at the optimum speed for (my)circumstances, focus on the significant, lift up (my) eyes, and truly see the things that matter most.¨ Doing it right, being smart, being thorough, sincere, and constant, brings joy, satisfaction, and feelings of true success and cotentment. </div>
He says:¨The search for the best things inevitablyleads to the foundational principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ...these core doctrines and principles, though simple enough for a child to understand, provide the answers to the most complex questions of life. There is beauty and clarity that comes from simplicity that we sometimes do not appreciate in our thirst for intricate solutions.¨</div>
He tells the story of Vince Lombardi and how at the beginning of every season, he takes his players through the very BASICS. because he knows that no matter their skill lever, or years of experience, they can onlybecome great by mastering the fundamentals. </div>
Leonardo da Vinci said ¨Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication¨. It goes back to that idea of working harder vs. working smarter. </div>
¨All these things... in wisdom and order, for it is not requisite that [we] should run faster than [we have] strength.[But] it is expedient that [we] shouldbe diligent,[and] thereby...win the prize.¨</div>
The Lord sent me to this quiet, sleepy little town to give me a change of pace to teach me that ¨fast paced¨isn´t always what this work is really about. Yes, the Lord is ¨hastening¨ His work, but if we work hastily and without the right focus.We are sure to reach that burn out point, and miss the beauty and the little miracles along the way. </div>
¨diligentlydoing the things that matter most willlead us to the Savior of the world... in the complexity,confusion, and rush of modern living, this is the ¨more excellent way¨.¨</div>
Like Vince Lombardi with his players,I´ve realized the imporance of ¨mastering the fundamentals¨.No matter where we´re at in life... it´s always wise to ¨check our progress¨, CHECK OUR VITALS, and remind ourselves of the basics.</div>
To keep at the forefront of our minds a balanced perspective, and to redirect our focus to the most important things in life.</div>
</div>
I love you all so much, I hope you have a great week! </div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">Esta semana que viene! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">xoxoxo Your Hermana C</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343025451729291890.post-84618007924508933022014-07-23T14:03:00.000-07:002014-07-23T14:03:06.828-07:007/07/2014 - How to Survive Your Greatest Blessings!<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Hola queridos míos!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">First of all. I have to tell you
what happened with this whole ¨Bryan´s mission call thing¨. So when mom told me
that he had turned in his papers, and was waiting anxiously due to what his
patriarchal blessing said... we left cyber in deep thought, and my response to
Hermana Hales and what I wrote in my journal was:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> ¨Welp... I wonder what my
parents are going to think when he gets his call to Argentina...¨<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">My entire district was blown
away with the news... but a little humored at the accuracy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">HOWEVER. with that being said.
BRY. I am So thrilled for you! Although I seriously do not feel like you are
old enough to be joining me out here in the mission field. But I know that the
Lord has special plans for your mission, and I´m excited that I will get back a
few months before you leave so that I can fill you in on all things Argentina.
AND we get to speak Castellano together, CHE! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">These last few weeks have
without a doubt been some of the longest and most emotional that I can
remember. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">With all of the ups and downs, I
was sure that I was ready to get answers, get results, and that everything was
going to be fine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Sunday was rough. Monday and
Mom´s ¨Tough question¨ got me thinking a lot. And all of that came together as
I went on Tuesday to meet the Goates for the first time and within the first 5
minutes of talking, President Goates, ¨being real¨ with me, asked ¨I know that
you are suffering. And it worries me that we might not be able to get you the
help you need here in Argentina. Do you feel that you need to go home right
now?¨<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">No missionary ever wants to be
asked that question, and I´m no exception.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I asked him to wait until we got
results, could talk over all of the options, and then, I would be realistic in
making a decision. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 16pt;">Spending 4 days in the mission
home this week, waiting while results were discussed, and being told time and
time again of the high </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.33333396911621px;">likelihood</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 16pt;"> of going home, made for the longest week of my
mission... and a lot of overwhelmed emotions. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">My heart was extremely heavy,
and my eyes a little teary having to face that reality that I never thought
would be an issue on my mission. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I prayed long and hard that
somehow the ¨not so impressive¨ results and numbers wouldn´t leave me without
an option... <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Back in Seattle, I heard a talk
by Emily Watts called ¨How to survive your greatest blessings¨. In it, she
explains how often in life, some of our greatest blessings are often tied
closely with some of our greatest trials. But how it is then our choice to work
to ¨see the blessing side of the coin¨. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">She tells a story of a pioneer
girl in the Martin handcart company. She´d walked thousands of miles, suffered
much, and could not have been more overwhelmed with joy and gratitude when the
rescue party arrived. Loading all of the survivors onto a wagon, on of the
rescue men looked down at this skinny, starving girl and saw that she was
without shoes, and as a result her feet were severely frost-bitten. He realized
that if she climbed into the wagon now, she would surely lose her feet.
Thinking quickly, he told her to grab on to the side of the wagon. she did so,
and he signaled to the horses to go faster, faster. She struggled to keep up,
and then found herself running. She didn´t want to get left behind. He kept the
horses going, kept her running, for several hundred yards. and then stopped and
helped her up into the wagon. She looked at him in bewilderment, but then he
told her ´The circulation to your feet will save them now.¨<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Later, when asked about the
experience, this young girl said that in that moment, as she started to
struggle to run. All she could do was ask herself: ¨What is he doing? I´m
exhausted. I´m not going to make it! Why isn´t he picking me up?¨ She said it
was after that she realized in that moment she couldn´t see it, couldn´t
understand, but really he wasn´t making her suffer needlessly, he was saving
her feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">There´s a scripture in 1 Nephi
11:17: I know that the Lord loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know
the meaning of all things. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">There is so much that I still
don´t understand of the Lord´s ways, His divine plans. But I, like Nephi, know
that HE LOVES ME, that He is aware of me, and that He is providing me with
¨pruebas¨ to try me, grow me, and help me to see things more as He hopes I
will. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">There are two stories in the scriptures
that I love. one is in Deuteronomy 8, the other in 2 Nefi 1. Both tell the
story of a people wandering in the ¨wilderness¨.Often times they asked
themselves if the Lord had forgotten them, if their sufferings were for naught,
if they were really capable of reaching their ¨destinations¨. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">But as always, along the way,
the Lord provided them with means (food, clothes, guidance, directions, divine
help). Just has He has with me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">¨The Lord thy God bringeth thee
into a good land... (after) then shalt thou bless the Lord thy God for the
good...which He hath given thee.¨(Deut. 8:2) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">¨Notwithstanding our
afflictions, we have obtained a land of promise.¨(2 nefi 1:5) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Theirs was a literal wilderness.
But so many times I have been able to liken their experiences to my own
¨journeyings¨here in Argentina. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The Lord has been SO good to
me! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Right now I can´t think of
anything greater, or of more value that the Lord could have granted me than the
privilege of being here as an instrument in this, His great work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Yesterday in church, I had
another realization all over again of just how much it means to me to wear this
placa. To represent the Savior, Jesus Christ and His church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">There´s nothing more motivating
or that makes you appreciate, value, and want to fight for this great
opportunity than almost having to give it up early.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 16pt;">I´m so grateful </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.33333396911621px;">that</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 16pt;"> the Lord
has given me this time </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.33333396911621px;">to</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 16pt;"> be able to stay here for now, with high hopes that
all will be well, and that I can finish strong and continue working to find
those who are prepared. To share with others what I KNOW without a doubt to be
true.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 16pt;">God loves His children. There is
undeniable evidence of that all around us. Prayer brings an indescribable power
and peace into our lives. He hears us and answers us. Those answers might not
come in </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.33333396911621px;">the</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 16pt;"> way or in the time that we think we need. But just like the
handcart girl, we must trust enough to hold on, keep going, and think of what
he´s saving; what he´s preparing us for.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Jesus is the living Christ.
Anything unfair, difficult, or seemingly impossible in this life can be made
right through His unwavering love and the enabling power of His atonement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Yes, He has given us power over
sin, the ability to repent, to change. From bad to good and good to better. But
He also gave us the power, strength, and grace we need to rise above heartache,
sickness, despair, and the often unexplainable trials and tests that inevitably
come in this mortal life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I´m still far from perfect at
accepting graciously and coping patiently with afflictions and hardships. For
that I´m grateful that the Lord knows me so personally. What I need. And that
He loves me enough to continue giving me opportunities to humble myself, submit
to His will, His plans, learn more of my dependence on Him, and to come to
recognize ¨the blessing side of the coin.¨ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I love you all so much! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Thanks for all the love,
support, prayers and strength. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Here´s to an amazing week! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">xoxox Your Hermana C<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif;">
</span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343025451729291890.post-45808604790395713242014-07-23T14:02:00.002-07:002014-07-23T14:02:57.049-07:006/30/2014 - And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done...<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">First of all, I just want to
thank all of you for your fasting, prayers, and all of the notes and thoughts
of encouragement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">this week... okay this past
month... has been a real trial for me. It´s been hard to feel helpless, at a
loss for knowing really who can give me what help I need. It´s been hard not
being able to go out and work how I want to, how I want my comp to be able to,
and just feeling completely exhausted, sick, and overwhelmed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">But I would be completely
ungrateful and blind if I didn´t acknowledge that I´ve seen the hand of the
Lord in my life. Guiding me, strengthening me, and putting people in my path to
help. He has been so good to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Last Monday night, I was feeling
really sick, and anxious and scared about having to go to the hospital here...
So I asked for a blessing from my zone leader. It was honestly one of the most
incredible experiences I´ve ever had. I could feel that the Lord is aware of
me, loves me, and will make all of this work out. I really can´t explain how I
felt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">During the week though, I hit
all new levels of sick... being out here in Urbana I´m kind of isolated, and
really until we get results back from the doctors, there´s not much I can do...
I thought several times this week ¨At this rate, with how my body´s fighting, I
will have fought the whole battle myself before they even get me any results!¨<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I kind of had another little moment
of doubt and WHY? and kind of feeling a little sorry for myself. But then I had
a thought. Well, what are you going to do about it then? The Lord wouldn´t just
put me in this position to suffer, or to ¨fizzle out¨.. justo. I opened my
English scriptures where I had a sticky note with a quote from Elder Orson F.
Whitney: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">¨No pain that we suffer, no
trail that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the
development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude, and humility. All
that we suffer and all tht we endure, especially when we endure it patiently,
builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us
more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God... And
it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the
education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our
Father and Mother in heaven...¨ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I went to the scriptures, and
decided on Alma 26. I know there have been several times when I´ve used this
chapter.. but again, it changed my life, my perspective, an every time I read
it, I receive so much peace in what I´m doing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">He starts out right at the
beginning saying ¨How great reason have we to rejoice!¨ Could we have (imagined
when we left for our missions) that God woul have granted unto us such great
blessings?¨ Then he asks them to name some of the blessings they´ve seen.. but
without waiting for the answer, he says basically ¨Well, I´ll tell you!¨ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">¨And THIS is the blessing which
hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of
God to bring about this great work.¨ That hit me hard. This really really is
the greatest blessing the Lord has ever given me. the chance to have come out
here and been a part of His work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Later on, Ammon tells them,
¨Behold, the number of your sheaves.¨ or rather, look at all the Lord has
entrusted you with! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">He then starts from the
beginning tlaking about all of the trials, mockings, persecutions, failures,
hardships. How many times they had reason to stop, go back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">But then he says ¨(We came) with
the intent that perhaps we mightsave some few of their souls.¨ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">¨Now when our hearts were
depressed, andwe were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and
said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine
afflictions, and I will give unto you success.¨<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">And he says, we have suffered...
¨all manner of afflictions¨. BUT.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">¨Behold, we can look forth and
see the <b>fruits</b> of our labors; and are they few? I say unto you
nay, <b>they are many</b>; yea, and we can witnes of their sincerity,
because of their love towards their brethren and also towards us.¨<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">In the middle of everything that
happened this week, because we were in Mendoza for leadership trainings, pdays,
farewells, and everything, I had to glimpse at a lot of the ¨fruits¨from my
mission.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">*I got news from the Seattle
missionaries, that they are now getting a Spanish BRANCH started in the May
Valley, where Hermana Cooley and I opened! We were so excited to hear that the
seeds are growing, and that our ¨effectual door¨has been opened so that the
work can really move forward there! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">* I got to be back with all of
my comps for several days. All of us (from the MTC) are now leaders together,
and it was a blast to hear about everyone´s missions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">* Hermana Flores´comp was sick
too, and so she came into the offices, and I got to see her for an hour and catch
up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">* I got news from familia Sesma
from the hermanas that are there now. They are rock stars, like always. and
always send so much love and gratitude. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">*Our last night in Mendoza, they
had to move us from the offices because they had to repaint, so Hermana Hales
and I got to go stay in Dorrego, where I got to go and visit Camila and Sofía.
WHO GOT BAPTIZED. it was a last minute surprise for all of us, and their
reactions were priceless. I love those girls. and their family has already
started seeing so many blessings and miracles for their faithfulness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">They were moments of tender
mercies, allowing me to see all of the ways the Lord has blessed me during my
time out here on the mission. Seeds become little sprouts, that when nourished
with time and the gospel, spring up and become great ¨fruits¨. and they are
MANY. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I thought about Ammon´s recounts
of the ups and downs, but also how he tells that they experienced the greatest
joy they could have ever imagined. Inspite of all of the trials, hardships, and
the fact that the mission isn´t always ¨easy¨. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I thought back to President
Uchtdorf´s last talk about ¨Being grateful IN your circumstances... whatever
they may be.¨ It may not be preferalbe, comfortable, convenient, timely, fun...
you get it... But even in the most seemingly unfair and hopeless of
circumstances, I´ve realized taht there is always something to be learned, and
that if you look for and focus on it, there is SO very much to be grateful for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I´m grateful for all of you!!
I´ve always been so blown away at the great support system that I am so blessed
to have. I really do feel so very blessed and loved! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Con Muchísimo Amor,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">xoxox Your Hermana C<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343025451729291890.post-18940850958179561192014-07-23T14:02:00.001-07:002014-07-23T14:02:46.549-07:006/21/2014 - Keeping your head above water...<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 21.30000114440918px;">So this week is a little crazy as far as emails go... we´ll be in Mendoza on monday for a farewell/pday with the Ávilas and all of the lideres. So we just have a few minutes right now.</span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 21.30000114440918px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 21.30000114440918px;">
This weeks has been... well... to be honest, rough.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 21.30000114440918px;">
We´ve talked a lot about how in more ways than just one, we´ve kind of been thrown into ¨survival mode¨. more literally than I would have liked, and it´s always a little bit more of a blow this late in the game.</div>
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Honestly with everything...changes, challenges... and one sickness after the next. Worms, Hermana Hales got really nasty bronchitis... and now... with the current predicament in which we find ourselves.... I honestly have just kind of gotten to the point where i want to say BASTA! </div>
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We´ve talked several times about how hard Satan is pushing against us.</div>
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Once, back in San Juan, when I was going through another one of those trying moments, I prayed to find the strength, to not feel so alone... and I opened to Joseph Smith History: </div>
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I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction.</div>
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<a class="" href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="16" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 22.720001220703125px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"> </a><span class="" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 22.720001220703125px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">16 </span>But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being—just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head....</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: normal;">Just as Joseph was in the most intense point of his adversity, ¨about to abandon himself to destruction¨, THEN the Lord stretched forth His hand.</span></div>
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One of my favorite stories is in Matthew 14:24-31.</div>
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<a class="" href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="24" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 22.720001220703125px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"> </a><span class="" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 22.720001220703125px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">24 </span>But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.</div>
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<a class="" href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="25" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 22.720001220703125px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"> </a><span class="" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 22.720001220703125px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">25 </span>And in the <b style="line-height: 22.720001220703125px;">fourth watch</b> of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.</div>
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<a class="" href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="26" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 22.720001220703125px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"> </a><span class="" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 22.720001220703125px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">26 </span>And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.</div>
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<a class="" href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="27" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 22.720001220703125px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"> </a><span class="" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 22.720001220703125px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">27 </span>But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of goodcheer; it is I; be not afraid.</div>
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<a class="" href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="28" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 22.720001220703125px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"> </a><span class="" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 22.720001220703125px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">28 </span>And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.</div>
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<a class="" href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="29" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 22.720001220703125px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"> </a><span class="" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 22.720001220703125px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">29 </span>And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.</div>
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<a class="" href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="30" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 22.720001220703125px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"> </a><span class="" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 22.720001220703125px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">30 </span>But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.</div>
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<a class="" href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="31" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 22.720001220703125px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"> </a><span class="" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 22.720001220703125px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">31 </span>And immediately Jesus stretched forth <span class="" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-style: italic; line-height: 22.720001220703125px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">his</span> hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?</div>
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I feel like lately I´ve been a little bit of a Peter. When I left Dorrego, i was sad to leave, but then, seeing this as a great opportunity... and maybe even gettng a little bit ahead of myself... thinking i have ¨lots of time¨in the mission...experience... I can use the things I´ve learned, seen, the attributes I´ve developed..</div>
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Like Peter, I jumped over the edge.</div>
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As we worked and worked. Nothing to start with. No results being seen. And then the weeks went on. Sickness after sickness... In those second and third watches, we are prone to think many things... God isn´t listening. He doesn´t care right now. Maybe I´m not doing what it takes to be worthy of being saved. The reality really starting to hit me... and honestly I felt like I was starting to sink.</div>
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in the story, Peter, in his moment of realization...even with all of his ¨experience¨with the sea.. he knew better than to try and fight it out...struggle alone. He called out to Jesus to help him.</div>
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Sometimes that´s a concept that I struggle with. as you all know... I have that ¨superwoman complex¨ and try to just tough it out.</div>
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But I´ve learned... and especially as of late that when i´m drowning, figthing the waves just makes exhaustion come that much faster.</div>
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Just like with Peter, Christ´s hand is always outstreched. Maybe He hasn´t quite raised me up to the point of ¨walking on the water¨... because maybe i´m not ready for that yet. But He outstreched His hand, and is allowing me to rely on His strength... keeping my head above the water. To recognize more and more each day my dependence on Him and to allow Him to take control. </div>
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Just like He did with Peter, Christ welcomes and even encourages our eagerness even knowing sometimes that there are just some things that we´re not capable of doing ourselves.</div>
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but he also knows they allow for great growth and recognition on our part. He allows us to try...and yes, sometimes start to sink. and it´s then, in those moments, when we recognize our true dependence on Him.</div>
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Storms are an unavoidable part of each of our lives. Some toss about just a little bit, and then land us safely on shore.</div>
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While others swirl, grow, and threaten us to the point where the ¨watches¨got on, the night seems long, and there is seemingly no sign of a break or morning.</div>
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We worship a ¨fourth watch God¨. Sometimes He waits until we think that all hope is lost, until we have exhausted all of our own efforts. But He always comes in and reminds us that He knows where we are, what we´re going through, and that He is in control.</div>
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¨Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.¨</div>
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I love you all so much.</div>
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xoxox Your Hermana C</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343025451729291890.post-17321376603581256482014-07-14T07:22:00.000-07:002015-11-27T16:30:43.880-08:00July 2014 - Letters from Kaitlin Veylupek<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343025451729291890.post-60412360851536586222014-06-18T20:15:00.001-07:002014-06-18T20:15:53.692-07:00Monday June 16, 2014 - Don´t push the limits...<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">This week we went to Manzano.
Which is a tourist attraction up in the mountains. It was seriously gorgeous,
and I was beyond excited to be back in the mountains, fresh air, miles to
explore. We decided to ¨hike¨ through the partially frozen river.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Walking along the thin ice, my
mind flashed back to our special capacitación that we had with Presidente Ávila
last week, and everything he talked to us about concerning the Plan of
Salvation, agency, and our ultimate potential and purpose in life. (I´ll come
back to the ice in a minute) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">He talked about the importance
of knowing WHO we are. He talked about Romans 8:16-17:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">¨The spirit itself beareth
witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">And if children, then heirs;
heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ...¨<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 15.95pt;">Now with that being said, he
talked about the </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.266666412353516px;">necessity</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 15.95pt;"> of a greater understanding of the plan of salvation.
It would have been so easy for the Lord to just give us freely of that
reward... in fact, Satan´s plan consisted of exactly that. Take away agency,
and there could be no failure.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">BUT, agency, and our
responsibility to choose is one of the greatest gifts and privileges that our
Heavenly Father has given us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">From the beginning we´ve made
decisions as to what course our lives would take, and who we would choose to
align ourselves with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Presidente talked about the
great responsibility that the Lord places on each of us to choose and use our
agency correctly... He likened it to a highway road that splits into two. We
have to know where we´re going, how we´re traveling, and how fast.. so that we
can make decisions wisely. If you´re traveling too fast, not in control, or
lose sight of where it is you´re going, which path will be ¨yours¨, you won´t
have time arriving at the split to make the correct decision.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">There is an obvious divide
between the great ones, followers of Christ, and the wicked ones who choose to
align themselves with the opposing team... in the end, there exists no ¨middle
ground¨. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">As humans, we have the tendency
to ¨walk the line¨... to see just how far we can push our limits... to walk
where the ice cracks, but maybe just not far enough to be fatal... but the
Lord´s way, the safe and sure way, is to stay as FAR AWAY as possible. But he
knows that we won´t be perfect, and so He hasn´t left us alone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">He has provided us with THE
PLAN. Presidente Ávila told us ¨This plan is not a ¨plan B¨ or a default.
Everything that has happened from the beginning has been part of the perfect
and eternal design. It is THE plan.¨ We know that we lived with Him before, we
know that now, it is our whole purpose and plan to make it back to Him again.
Therefore, we know our ¨destination¨. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">It´s in that between here and
there that sometimes gets tricky. However, speed limits, rules, and regulations
all exist for a reason, and for our eternal benefit. Contrary to what we often
hear, ¨There exists NO ¨happiness¨outside of the gospel. But the choice is ours
to decide where we stand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The decision to put on ¨The
WHOLE armor of God¨ (utilizing for our benefit the ¨warning signs¨the
¨rules¨and the protection He offers through His everlasting gospel) is ours.
That´s our offensive, and ultimately what gives us the upper hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">As part of His eternal plan, the
Lord provided us with a Savior, Jesus Christ. He is our ¨great captain¨and our
only hope. Our source of strength. His choice and resulting sacrifice is the
determining factor of our possibility of success or failure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">2 Nephi 25:23: ¨...For we know
that it is by grace that we are saved, <i>after all we can do.</i>¨ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">There again, the choice is ours.
We do all that lies within our power, acting as our own agents. Then, there
comes another choice: to accept and apply the atonement of Jesus Christ, with
all of it´s saving grace and redeeming power, and allow it to work in our
lives. We must understand that without Him, we are NOTHING.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">In the end, we are each on our
own course in life. We have our ¨trajectory¨set our for us, we know the eternal
destination, and we know that a loving Heavenly Father, and His selfless Son,
have provided us with the necessary ¨guides¨ to help us to have the success He
wants for us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Whether we are cruising along at
faster speeds on the highway, or pacing ourselves, running. or walking
cautiously along the frozen river, choosing wisely where our next step will
take us... The choice is ours...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 15.95pt;">¨Know ye not that they which run
in a race run all, but one </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.266666412353516px;">receiveth</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 15.95pt;"> the prize?</span></span><b style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 15.95pt;"> So run, that ye may
obtain.</b><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 15.95pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">And every man that striveth for
the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible
crown; but we an <i>incorruptible</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I therefore so run, not as
uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air.¨<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">In this great ¨race¨, may we run
with the ¨finish line¨ in mind, always. May we run, and not just run, but with
the intention of succeeding. For the incorruptible and glorious prize of life
eternal. Triumphant through the mercy and grace of our loving Savior. May we
run so that one day we may stand before God and proudly say, like Paul:
¨I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the
faith.¨<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">So that we may stand tall,
knowing who we are and <i>whose </i>we are. That we <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">knew whose side we were fighting
for, and that we rest assured knowing we have done our part to inherit all that
he has waiting for those who are faithful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I love you all so much! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">xoxoxo Your Hermana C<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"><span style="font-size: large;">*looks a bit like UTAH from where I stand....??</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"><span style="font-size: large;">dad and brothers this made me miss shooting. lots. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">intercambios in Tunuyán... interrupted by a nasty flu bug. I was the only survivor.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">* Familia Contador. They were one of the first families that we reactivated in Tunuyán. When we first showed up, she told us they wanted NOTHINGto do with the church.. after our lesson they came to church the next week.</span></div>
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between my time there and now, their 3 kids have been baptized, he´s the first counselor in the branch presidency, she´s the RS president, AND they went throught the temple last month to get sealed.</div>
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She hugged me probaby 7 times in 3 minutes. it was such a sweet reunion. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AC5E4FcO4Q0/U6JNyma0_XI/AAAAAAAAE9o/Ig89anWxTaA/s1600/RSCN9441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AC5E4FcO4Q0/U6JNyma0_XI/AAAAAAAAE9o/Ig89anWxTaA/s1600/RSCN9441.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Just a little stoked to to be in nature!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"><span style="font-size: large;">*best district</span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343025451729291890.post-16770526061415171332014-06-18T20:14:00.001-07:002014-06-18T20:14:29.485-07:00Monday June 16, 2014 - GUSANITOS ...Worms...Q and A's<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>First off...eww, about the photo of the worms!!! second, how on earth did you get a photo of just the worms and nothing else in the toilet...okay very first, I hope you are feeling better????</b></span></span><span style="color: #e69138;"><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.459999084472656px;">First off, the worms came out all on their own. nothing else. that was one of the more disturbing details. hahah.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #e69138;"><b style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.459999084472656px;">I am feeling much better! </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Third. Ben was probably the most disturbed as I finished reading your letter to all of them this am, he quickly and calmly said, "That is my least favorite letter that Courtney has ever written!"</b></span><b style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.459999084472656px;"><span style="color: #e69138;">sorry ben</span></b><b style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.459999084472656px;">.</b></div>
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<b style="color: #0b5394;">Ahh He is good now and is looking forward to hearing from you about all the soccer questions!</b></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>He is loving that you are in argentina at this amazing soccer time!!!!</b></span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #e69138;">I am dying that I am in argentina at soccer time. Argentina played for the first time yesterday, and you would not believe the parafenilia ? and just crazy fans. IT´s insane!!</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>fourth... </b></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>REALLY how are you now?</b></span><b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.459999084472656px;"><span style="color: #e69138;">I took parasite pills and think for now i´m good.</span></b></div>
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<b style="color: #0b5394;">I am so proud to hear that even through it all you were able to feel loved and celebrate just a bit. Please give your cute comp a huge hug from me and a thank you for caring for you through this week! I love you. </b></div>
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<b style="color: #0b5394;">Hi beautiful girl. I love you.</b></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>How do you determine if that was all the worms?</b></span><b><span style="color: #e69138;">umm... not sure... but i feel better?</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Are you able to eat and stay healthy?</b></span><b><span style="color: #e69138;">i´m working out again. eating healthy. Part of that has to do with the fact that TODAY. i start my SECOND TO LAST transfer. seriously?? </span></b><b style="color: #0b5394;"> </b></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Did you loose too much weight? </b></span><b><span style="color: #e69138;">I didn´t loose too much... maybe like a pound. too bad, really, should have let them go a little longer...</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Oh for sure...I hear its the new thing for diets!!! NOT</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>I love you for your humor and I know right, where has the time gone. Emmi is thinking of making a chain soon. That just make the countdown a bit real. Not doing it yet though.! Davis will move on aug 16th so that countdown is super short. - 8 weeks whoa!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138;"><b>WHOA!! I can´t believe he´s moving out!! he´s not allowed! </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>That's what I keep thinking about all my babies and their growth spurts and changes. Good stuff just different. thank heavens you are coming back for a bit . I know you will leave again, but ... emmi has plans to paint Davis' room to make it more "girlie" for you to stay in since the boys have taken over the basement , but I think black and tan can be a girl color for a moment or two...</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Just recovering from the Father's Day weekend festivities and a Monday. Still trying to convince everyone that getting out of bed before noon is starting today for the summer. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>It is gorgeous and a bit cooler today for outside working!!!</b></span><br /><div>
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<b><span style="color: #e69138;">lots and lots of changes, la verdad.</span></b></div>
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<div>
<b><span style="color: #e69138;">But honestly I´m so excited for what´s to come. This transfer has been a serious trial... and turns out I´m staying... so that will be... well, I´m going to do a lot of growing. It´s like a serious ¨prove how much you want it¨trial... </span></b></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343025451729291890.post-82808205091924066662014-06-15T07:24:00.000-07:002015-11-27T16:31:56.522-08:00June 15, 2014 - Father's Day email Dad to Coco and back<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">
Hi papi!<br />
<div>
please know that yesterday I celebrated you wishing I could be there to hug you and tell you how much I love you and appreciate all you are for me! </div>
<div>
Thank you for being mine. For the way I can feel and always have a surety of your love, support, and that you always have and will have my best interests at heart.</div>
<div>
I love you so much, and look forward to being able to see you, hug you, and share all of these adventures with you one day... in the not too distant future.</div>
<div>
xoxox Your Hermana C</div>
</div>
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<br />
<div class="ecxgmail_quote">
On Mon, Jun 16, 2014 at 2:33 AM, Gayle Cox <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:jandgcox@msn.com" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit;" target="_blank">jandgcox@msn.com</a>></span> wrote:<br />
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<div dir="ltr">
Dear Coco,<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As I celebrate Father's Day, I cannot help but tear up with the gratitude and love I have for you, my first child and sweet little girl. You are very special to me and have always held a special place in my heart. I found this poem which captures some of the emotions and deeply profound love I have for you:</div>
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<blockquote style="border: none; padding: 0px;">
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<b>I Am Yours To Keep</b></div>
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You are a princess in my heart,</div>
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and I care for you so much.</div>
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I love the fondness in you eyes and your tender little touch.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I looked at you when you were born,</div>
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and knew then straight away,</div>
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that I would be forever here</div>
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to watch you grow and play.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
You bring to me a heart of joy,</div>
<div>
and memories so great,</div>
<div>
and a powerful sense of fatherhood that no one can debate.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
I watch you sleep and dream of things that I can only wonder.</div>
<div>
That innocent look upon your face just makes my heart grow fonder.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
I see you run and jump and shout and calling out my name.</div>
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No love that I have ever known could ever feel the same.</div>
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No suffering or tragedy nor deeply seated pain</div>
<div>
could ever over shadow the bond that we retain.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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And so my little princess before you go to sleep,</div>
<div>
Remember I am your daddy and I am yours to keep.</div>
</blockquote>
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<br /></div>
<div>
I hope you will always know how deeply and sincerely I love and cherish you. You gripped my heart the very first time you gripped my finger with your tiny little hand the day you were born, and that same bond has only grown stronger and stronger over the years.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I am so torn when I hear of your challenges and struggles -- wishing I could be there to protect and defend you -- but, I am so proud of you for the stalwart and determined young lady that you are. I am also very humbled and honored with your dedication and service to our Heavenly Father. And, I commend you into His protection and blessing as you serve and show your love for Him and for His children in your missionary work.</div>
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<br /></div>
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With all my love, hugs and kisses,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Your Dad</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343025451729291890.post-38549166304568587962014-06-09T22:10:00.003-07:002014-06-09T22:10:53.419-07:00June 9, 2014 - FELIZ CUMPLE...GUSANITOS...!<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">After printing out and reading
all of your amazingly sweet emails last week, I was overwhelmed with the love
and happy birthday wishes that you all sent my way!! I was at a loss for words
and prayers of gratitude to my Heavenly Father for all of you and the amazing
impact you have on my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">This week, and this birthday was
definitely...UNforgettable.... The reason for that can be summed up in one
word...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 15.95pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">...GUSANITOS...</span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">disclaimer: this is not for
those of you who are squirmers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">aka. family, you will love
this...all the rest... I apologize for the excessive info and slightly
classless nature of this email.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">so the story goes a little
something like this...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Wednesday before last... we had
lunch with a member family, and because I couldn´t eat the milanesas, she
brought out some salchichas...which i´ve always avoided, but didn´t want to
cause a scene. they were sketchy, but I just did it anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The next day I was ill. we
wondered if i´d gotten gluten some how? food poisoning maybe? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">flash to Monday of last week, i
was not feeling so hot... and realized that I hadn´t gone to the bathroom in an
unusually long time...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Tuesday. My stomach swolen to
the size of a large balloon, decided to get over my pride and call hermana
Ashby, the nurse. She said to take this gum laxative. So i did. and an hour
later... miracle?... went to the bathroom..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">only to my surprise.... out came
3 GUSANITOS!! (worms) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">shocked, and a little
embarrassed, I called hermana Hales to come in for some intense comp bonding.
After swallowing the initial shock of the new little critters now
SWIMMING around our toilet bowl (Don´t even worry, mom, I made ya a video)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PCWWQSd0ZKU/U5aOgSaU9II/AAAAAAAAE7k/lNEI5JJYtV0/s1600/RSCN9212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PCWWQSd0ZKU/U5aOgSaU9II/AAAAAAAAE7k/lNEI5JJYtV0/s1600/RSCN9212.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.266666412353516px; text-align: start;">so... even crazier, worms hide from light... so snapping a picture of them was tricky... sorry TMI</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I called Hermana Ashby back, she
asked if anything had happened, I gave her the news, followed by ¨Hermana Hales
and I will be coming to Mendoza tomorrow to get some meds from you, okay??¨ She
told hermana Hales to take the gum too, just in case.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Wednesday morning I woke up even
sicker. we studied, had a lesson with Elisabeth. and then got on the colectivo
to go to Mendoza. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">turns out, we got on the ¨scenic
route¨bus this time, so instead of an hour, the trip took 2 hours and 15
minutes. followed by hermana Hales and I SPRINTING to the public terminal
restrooms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">long story short, spent 5 hours
in the bathroom in the offices waiting for Hermana Ashby. Poor office elders,
ha.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Hermana Ashby made a phone call
to the area mission doctor, just to get a second opinion on the fact that the
worms just magically came out by themselves, and were actively swimming around.
¨Have you ever seen that in your years of experience?¨she asked him. ¨Well, no,
I NEVER have... but there´s a first for everything.¨ just keeping up with the
¨be the exception to the rule¨ trend we seem to have going on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Thursday. June 5. MY big
day.....and started my de-worming process.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;">sick from the pills all morning. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4J_048vvpk/U5aRHI2TVfI/AAAAAAAAE74/-Z1W3I-Q774/s1600/DSCN9242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4J_048vvpk/U5aRHI2TVfI/AAAAAAAAE74/-Z1W3I-Q774/s1600/DSCN9242.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;">*party with familia Leguiza. </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">they even wrapped presents, made a balloon chandelier, lit a firework candle, and sang. I really was spoiled! LOVE THEM! </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: large; line-height: 15.95pt;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: 11.5pt; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tbJAvuHOcew/U5aQyTNa5aI/AAAAAAAAE7w/YeN_iid_YAw/s1600/RSCN9257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tbJAvuHOcew/U5aQyTNa5aI/AAAAAAAAE7w/YeN_iid_YAw/s1600/RSCN9257.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; text-align: start;">* don´t worry, mom, I made ALL 22 of them fit in my alfajor. </span>ion</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: 11.5pt; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<span style="color: #444444;"></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: 11.5pt; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9_8INrSQCEc/U5aRKYyxoII/AAAAAAAAE8A/NFAZg_gVX-g/s1600/RSCN9259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9_8INrSQCEc/U5aRKYyxoII/AAAAAAAAE8A/NFAZg_gVX-g/s1600/RSCN9259.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">*birthday bow. and my cute comp decorated the pench.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rnQWrQ6rN1w/U5aSvkMdhJI/AAAAAAAAE8M/ORcxnb_543s/s1600/DSCN9228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rnQWrQ6rN1w/U5aSvkMdhJI/AAAAAAAAE8M/ORcxnb_543s/s1600/DSCN9228.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;">*mirror selfie. guilty. it was my birthday.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: 11.5pt; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; text-align: start;"> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 15.95pt;">We went to our lunch with the elders at the restaurant of a family in the ward.
I just ate a little chicken.</span></td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">They were all awesome, and it
was definitely a memory worthy celebration. After lunch I decided to tough it
and go track down some investigators.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">But, shortly found out that
worms and chicken don´t mix, and could barely walk without throwing up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The rest of the weekend was
spent on my 3 day de-worming diet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Saturday afternoon, feeling
sorry for my comp and also going crazy in the pench, I prayed and decided to go
out. We did a few hours of solid knocking in the cold, and then, as Hermana
Hales puts it, the Rollercoaster ride came to a complete stop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">That night I took some oils, and
went to bed early. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">we are now on a full and upward
swing. It was a trial by fire... but we survived. My comp is a saint. and we
are now much, much closer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I love you all so much! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">xoxox Your Hermana C<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">
* my comp will be the perfect little mormon momma. She made me jello.. and then put VEGGIES in it to make it nutritious. yummm??</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343025451729291890.post-24909304394443834212014-06-02T10:46:00.005-07:002014-06-02T10:46:47.312-07:00June 2 2014 - Argentina Winter<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mwVkFnHiTUk/U4yzlhyeG3I/AAAAAAAAE44/GSFJ3-y5SUc/s1600/DSCN9080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mwVkFnHiTUk/U4yzlhyeG3I/AAAAAAAAE44/GSFJ3-y5SUc/s1600/DSCN9080.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;">beautiful mountains</span></span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DS6nObTtfu0/U4yzkyogm9I/AAAAAAAAE40/uV_epbb4PAo/s1600/DSCN9088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DS6nObTtfu0/U4yzkyogm9I/AAAAAAAAE40/uV_epbb4PAo/s1600/DSCN9088.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OAh5oIIE38Y/U4yzmKx-evI/AAAAAAAAE5E/tE34giX7RXk/s1600/FSCN9084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OAh5oIIE38Y/U4yzmKx-evI/AAAAAAAAE5E/tE34giX7RXk/s1600/FSCN9084.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-size: large;">* after walking 45 minutes to track down a barrio that doesnt exist... oh the joys of creating your own map. HOW DID LEWIS AND CLARK DO IT??? </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuUkHIrctOo/U4yzw9a_GqI/AAAAAAAAE5Y/9gl6jLjDkrk/s1600/FSCN9093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuUkHIrctOo/U4yzw9a_GqI/AAAAAAAAE5Y/9gl6jLjDkrk/s1600/FSCN9093.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Beautiful Argentina!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tA_fVRMsKfo/U4yzr_0bfxI/AAAAAAAAE5M/-VRwZgKcJIY/s1600/RSCN9086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tA_fVRMsKfo/U4yzr_0bfxI/AAAAAAAAE5M/-VRwZgKcJIY/s1600/RSCN9086.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0