BIEN BENDECIDA | 2.4.19

I AM SO FILLED WITH LOVE AND GRATITUDE RIGHT NOW!!!

A FEW STORIES

- I took a wrong turn on our way to our friend Adolfo's house (what's new?) and we happened to see another one of our friends, Johnny, sitting out on his porch. we immediately pulled over to discover he was studying, for the third or fourth time, the Plan of Salvation pamphlet we had given him a few days earlier. He had dog-eared some pages, annotated it, and was bursting with questions. It was seriously incredible. There are so many times in life, and especially on my mission, when I feel under qualified for the tasks ahead of me. But it was so special when I really felt the Lord qualifying me for this task through the precious collection of His words, bound in leather and resting in my hands. (the Book of Mormon of course :)) We were able to answer many of his questions through verses that popped into my head the moment he brought up a question or thought. Johnny is so humble and an honest seeker of truth!!! How rare and special those people are. I learned that God places opportunities in our path through which He can show forth His power, and His love for His children. 

- Last night, we were sitting in McDonalds studying Spanish. I sat there, quietly muttering to myself in Español, looked over my shoulder and impulsively tapped this kid sitting in the next booth over on the shoulder. He had long dreadlocks and a face tattoo that said "WAR". Naturally I asked him about his face tat, and he ended up being a really nice person. I gave him a card with a link to the Book of Mormon app and told him it changed my life. He thanked us very kindly! missions are so fun because you get to overcome barriers that might prevent you from talking to someone. 

- The Banda family Miracle: we went out to the Boonies to visit Guadalupe, someone being taught in the past in this area. They hadn't been taught in several months, but seemed really amazing. We stopped by their trailer and discovered that Guadalupe had passed away 3 months ago. So so sad. At that moment we went by, all her kids were there cleaning out the house of her belongings. We had an incredibly tender interaction with Ricardo, Guadalupe's son, and were able to teach him a bit about where Guadalupe is now. We met his sister Esther and have plans to teach both of them. They are some of the most humble and open people I have ever met, and strengthened my testimony of God's plan for us after this life in a really major way.  

- My 3 favorite siblings in the WORLD are getting baptized at the end of the month and I am blissed out about it!!!!!!! Stay tuned. I love them so much.  

SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

here is a story: 

There was a specific day this week that was maybe the hardest day of my life. Without going into details I felt like my missionary abilities were broken, I couldn't feel the spirit or feel love for other people, I was dead tired, and I was seriously contemplating going home. Like super bad headspace! I remember waking up the next morning and just s l i t h e r i n g  through the motions. I didn't know if I could do it!! Just poured out my heart in prayer and didn't anything.

And then the miracle happened!!

Proceeded to have the best day ever. We taught 5 powerful, unplanned lessons in a new city we discovered and the spirit returned. My prayers were answered, I was able to feel the spirit working through me and my mojo completely back. I felt completely STOKED to be outside, talking to every single person in sight, and helping people feel God's love in very real ways. What a blessing, to be able to look backwards after overcoming something and have so much deep, real joy. I remember sitting in Schlotzky's with my companion that night and just smiling so big. I knew that this didn't mean that I wouldn't have those terrible hard doubt-filled days anymore, but Jesus Christ helped me get through it, rejoicing in the end. 

"And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led"

1 Nephi 17:13

A CHALLENGE

answer these questions:

how have I been led this space in my life:

how can I show active faith (or even an active desire for that faith) in the fact that I am being led? through thoughts, words, appearance

what should I do in those in between times, when I don't feel any guidance at all?

these were some ideas I have really been mulling over this week. shoot me an email with any thoughts/ideas!!

I love you guys, and I hope you are all having a really excellent week. Jesus Christ loves you and is making you a path to your perfect promised land. All we have to do is let ourselves be led. 

"Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord..." 1 Chronicles 29:9 

so much power comes in letting go. 

keep shining ya light:)

les quiero mucho

hermanita rasmussen