Mission Blog |
A dangerously acute account of 18 months in Nicaraguan Territory.
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by Winnie the Pooh It's so interesting how quickly a foggy mist can get you soaking, dripping wet. What seems to be a sweet summer drizzle quickly becomes nature's deadly weapon to get you soaked to the bone and sweating. It's been quite fun these past few days seeing the near-slips that we almost get ourselves into. We've learned which dirt/rocks to trust and which dirt/rocks not to trust. Sometimes I wish it would rain this much back home, but then I realize that the sewage systems there are probably even less prepared than the sewage systems here. So best we just keep to the norm and trust that the Lord will send sufficient water to keep going, keep living. This week we returned with some ex-investigators we were teaching three months ago. Their manes are Alvaro, Lucinda, Alvarito, and Lourcles. It's quite a cute little family, trying to change their very catholic traditions. We were discussing this very topic when Alvaro asked me "Hermana, how do I do it? How do I just jump up and change what I've know and done my whole life?" Well that put me to thinking, seeing as I've never actually belonged to another religion. I don't know what it's like to change my religious practices. But I do know how to change habits and actions. It all starts with the goal (in this case, the goal would be "change religions") which is then followed by plans of things to do (ex. reading the scriptures, praying, going to church). These plans are transformed into actions, which change our habits which change us. I tried to explain it to him like this: "Your question doesn't really have to do with changing religions. what we're really trying to do here is bring our lives in harmony with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel is a way of living and seeing as no "unchanged" thing can inherit the kingdom of God (Alma 40:26). We are here in this life to change. Don't think so much about changing church buildings. Think more about following and doing the teachings of Jesus Christ." He seemed half-satisfied with that answer and said "that was a good answer, It made me think". It became a testimony to me that even though I may never recall being Catholic or Jehovah's witness, or Evangelist or Baptist or Apostilic, I'm not looking for or living a religion. I'm living the Gospel! After all, the gospel "is a joyful rehearsal-a preparation for inheriting the grand glory of the eternities" (Dieter F. Uchtdorf) I hope we all can help others come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel by faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. And while we're at it, why don't we do it too ;) --Hermana Beatty Fruit smoothies here are the best!! General Conference with a few investigators Gringa Divisions (that means only speaking in English and sharing all the treats that we may have received from the states)
Hermana Dalrymple
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November 2015
CategoriesAuthorhola! I'm Naomi and I love reading, my amazing family, and the color green. |