Foundation Of A Testimony And Take Time For Others

"Love You"

Reunion With Elder Navarro

So where to begin...I got to see Elder Navarro again on Saturday. He came up to my area because his comp used to be in the district I am in now and he had a baptism here. It was great to see him again and talk with him about Chichi and the members. Here in my area we baptize in a river. I haven't seen where we baptize but I got to see the spot where Santa Ana missionaries baptize. It was sweet.

Elder Ipanaque, Elder Navarro, Elder Limon

"Sacred Waters"

We had divisions this past week and I stayed here in San Antonio Huista with Elder Carlson. It was kind of hard since I have only been here two weeks and I don't know the area very well. When I was told I was staying my thought was oh boy this is going interesting and I was pretty sure there would be a story to tell when divisions were done. So it was me and Elder Carlson; he has been in the mission for about 8 months. I was so grateful he had he could speak great Spanish however neither one of us are fluent. We are able to teach every lesson without any language problems, a definite tender mercy. The problem came trying to find the house of one of our investigators. I knew the house was where the road splits or where two roads come together in a v form. We went to look for the house and seriously twenty minutes later I still cannot find the house. I call Elder Ipanaque and ask where in the world is this house he says it the sky blue house, the one right across the street where your last appointment was. Yep it was right across the street from our last appointment. I felt like the biggest idiot. Elder Carlson was laughing so hard, I will admit it was hilarious but so embarrassing at the same moment. I knew there would be a story to tell!

Just So Happy

Elder Navarro, Elder Carlson, Elder Limon

I gave a talk in church on Sunday about testimonies. I think it went really good. This is what I learned as I was preparing my talk which I never realized; there are 3 fundamentals of a testimony. The 1st fundamental is the knowledge that Heavenly Father lives and loves His children; that Jesus Christ lives, that He is the Son of God, and that He carried out the infinite Atonement. The 2nd fundamental is that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God who was called to restore the gospel and the Book Of Mormon is the word of God. The 3rd fundamental is that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Savior's true Church on the earth; and that the Church is led by a living prophet today. With this foundation, a testimony grows to include all principles of the gospel. Through my preparation I realized that I have never truly had one key experience where I gained my testimony. The foundation of my testimony has been a life time of experiences. This realization came as I was watching a Doctrine and Covenants video where Emma Smith says to her Father that there are just some things that you just know with your heart. At that moment it hit me that my whole life I have known with my heart that Heavenly Father lives and loves me; that Jesus Christ lives, that He is the Son of God and he atoned for my sins. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and restored the gospel and I know the Book Of Mormon is the word of God. And I that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Savior's true Church on the earth and that the Church is led by a living prophet today. I know these things are true with my heart. Always remember these words shared by President Dieter Uchtdorf, "Our personal testimony is a protective shield, and like an iron rod it is guiding us safely through darkness and confusion."

Field Of Dreams In San Antonio Huista

Done And Dead

This week I read a talk given by Elder Juan A. Uceda, "He Teaches Us To Put Off The Natural Man." http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/he-teaches-us-to-put-off-the-natural-man?lang=eng 

I had tears in my eyes as I reading the story he shared. I cried even more when I realized that MY Natural Man has done so much harm and I am so sorry for that. I ask for all of your forgiveness. I'm so grateful for the atonement that I can made clean from my mistakes. I know with all my heart that through the atonement of Christ we can be sanctified and we can become clean. I know as Elder Uceda said, "the Savior extends His arms to embrace us during our times of true repentance" Let us strive to put off the natural man and follow Him who loves us more than we can understand. 

Love Kids

Got Some Flour?

My challenge for me and each of you is to strive and live each day by following the Savior and love as He loved taking time for others especially your loved ones. President Dieter Uchtdorf shared this, "I think of our Lord and Exemplar, Jesus Christ, and His short life among the people of Galilee and Jerusalem. I have tried to imagine Him bustling between meetings or multitasking to get a list of urgent things accomplished. I can’t see it. Instead I see the compassionate and caring Son of God purposefully living each day. When He interacted with those around Him, they felt important and loved. He knew the infinite value of the people He met. He blessed them, ministered to them. He lifted them up, healed them. He gave them the precious gift of His time. Let us resolve to cherish those we love by spending meaningful time with them, doing things together, and cultivating treasured memories." This is how we need to live. We will have regrets if we don't take time for those who are truly important to us. I love all of you so much. Trust in God for He knows what is best. I know this from personal experience as He has wiped away many of my tears. Christ said to Joseph Smith, "And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good." Remember it was from the cold, dark corners of Liberty Jail that came some of the most beautiful, comforting scriptures given to man. Great blessings come from trials, for they led us to arms of our loving Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ.

Action Shot

Sacred And Beautiful

What I love about Mom is talking to her when I came home for lunch. What I love about Dad is our Grim time.

Ducks Forever
Love, 
Elder Mcilmoil
February 17, 2014

Tortilla count for the week: No report this week

Scriptures of the week: Mosiah 3:19 and Job 19:25