I have some great news to share….I am going to Xela on
Friday for a training meeting with Elder Duncan!!!!!! On Thursday we are
having a multi zone conference with him here in HueHue. I am stoked, I love
when General Authorities come and teach us. That is one thing I will miss about
the mission is having the General Authorities and their wives come and speak
just to us.
Saying Goodbye To Elder Albert
Elder Albert is longer a part of our companionship;
President Smith changed him to a different area. So after having four comps and
then three comps, now it is just Elder Moncada and I. Changes are in three
weeks and we will find out if I am going to kill (send home) Elder Moncada or
if one of us will be changed to another area.
Dr. Brandon This Is For You
Zone Photo Shoot
Anyway this week was a good week, a very tiring week,
which is great. I don’t think I have ever been this tired in my life. tal vez
escribiré esta email en español, pero nah, terminare en español (maybe I will
write this email in Spanish, but nah, I will finish in Spanish.) Yesterday I
was talking to Josue after Sacrament meeting and I told him I will be home in
six months. He couldn’t believe it. He said I remember when we first met, more
than six months ago. He then asked do you want to go home. I said not really,
yes there I things that I want to go home for, but to be honest I don’t want to
go home. He asked me why. I gave him one answer, la gente (the people). I then
shared this with him, I never thought before the mission I could have a love so
strong for people, but I do. The blessing is the people. I said, Josue the only
comfort I have when I leave is that I will be with my family. I don’t care that
I am going back to the states, have the comforts of home or eat good food
(jajajaja/hahahaha) none of that matters to me, the only comfort is that I will
be with my family again. I will always have a very special place in my heart
for the people here. I will miss them more than words could ever express. He
asked if I was ever going to come back. I told him I can’t say when but yes I
will come back. My parents have said they want to visit here; hopefully we can
all come together. The reason I share this is for the future missionaries,
soften your heart now for the people you will serve. You truly are standing in
the place of the Savior. You are His hands. Prepare yourself to devote all your
time and attention to serving the Lord, leaving behind all other personal
affairs. As you do these things, the Lord will bless you and you will become an
effective advocate and messenger of the truth. I also promise you will be
blessed with His love and the people will feel that love. In the words of Elder
Holland, “Although I may not be my brother’s keeper, I am my brother’s brother,
and ‘because I have been given much, I too must give.’”And to all you missionaries that are serving,
treasure the people you are among, love them, love them unconditional, that is
the way He loves you.And for you returned
missionaries, I ask you what are you doing for the people that you so dearly
loved and served? The way you have chosen to live after returning home would it
make them happy or break their hearts? Think about that. All I can say is that
being blessed with the Savior’s love is something amazing, it is very special,
and being able to show that love to the people lost in the traditions of their
fathers, is something even more special. His gift to us is His unconditional
love, discover it, embrace it, and share it every single day.
This Place Was Once A Capital (AD 250-600)
As we reflect on this past year and as we focus on what Christmas
is really about, we should ask ourselves DID YOU LOVE ME THIS PAST YEAR? He
loves us. His love is just not available for just one day, His love endless. I
testify as we teach others the true meaning of Christmas and share the message
of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ; we will feel love, a small
glimpse of how much God truly loves us. Love everyone, just like the Savior.
entonces mis hermanos/hermanas, le quiero mucho, y estoy muy agradecido a mi padre
celestial para esta oportunidad que tengo para representar el, y compartir el
mensaje de amor divino, y para ser un mensajero de la verdad. (my brothers/sisters,
I love you, and I am very grateful to my Heavenly Father for this opportunity
that I have to represent and share the message of divine love, and to be a
messenger of truth.)
"Love You Elder Mac"
But This Is Goodbye
What I love about Mom and Dad is the love they spoke in
the home, Love You Two.
con mucho amor, ducks forever,
Elder McIlmoil
December 15, 2014
Look What We Found, Church Christmas Float
Scripture of the week: D&C 64:33
The little things matter.
He loves you today and always.
“Try a little harder to be a little better.” President Gordon
B. Hinckley
I’m going to start off by sharing what I learned from
President Smith this week in our monthly meeting with him. We read part of Alma
43, he then asked what we learned and I shared what I learned from verse 2,
which reads, "Y no diremos más acerca de su predicación, sino que
predicaron la palabra y la verdad de acuerdo con el espíritu de profecía y
revelación; y predicaron según el santo orden de Dios, mediante el cual se les
había llamado.” (sorry it is in Spanish) it says something like this; we won’t
learn about their preaching from how many knocked doors or street contacts,
stats do not mean anything. We learn when teaching the word of God is through the
espíritu de profecía y revelación (spirit of prophecy and revelation).
President Smith then asked me what is the spirit of prophecy. I shared my
thoughts. He then taught me what Joseph Smith said, “No man can be a minister
of Jesus Christ except he has the testimony of Jesus; and this is the spirit of
prophecy.” In Revelation 19: 10 John the Revelator says that “the testimony of
Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” To be a minister of Jesus, a man must testify
of Jesus; and to testify of Jesus, a man must have the spirit of prophecy; for,
according to John, the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. We
must pay whatever price of faith and obedience is required to retain this great
blessing. This great blessing brings light and certainty and peace. What he
taught and shared with me was an answer to prayer as I have been thinking a lot
about the spirit of prophecy. We have been able to share this message with the
members we have been meeting with this week. As I have been thinking more about what
President Smith taught me, my eyes have been opened to a new perspective to the
light of Christ. Last night I learned from the First Presidency’s Christmas
Devotional that I need to continue in the light I have received and follow the
Lord’s example to do good.
Feliz Cumpleanos Elder Moncada
Also this week we had an activity hosted by us. We showed
the video Joy To The World and we also showed He Is The Gift. We also shared a
message about Christmas. We had about 50 in attendance and maybe 10 people were
members, so we had a lot of investigators and potential investigators come. It
was super sweet!
I Will Go Where You Want Me To Go
Zona HueHue Centro Almuerzo
As I end this email I want to share an experience I had.
When I opened the first day of Christmas Mom sent me, there was a quote (Mom
thank you for that quote, it was inspired!) HOPE IS NEVER LOST. As I read over
and over that quote I knew the Savior gave to me the gift of hope. It is
through His atoning sacrifice that He gave me the gift of hope when I fall
short. That hope brings life eternal and a forever family. We had a lesson
about the plan of salvation with a family and the wife had lost her husband. I
asked her do you think you will ever see your husband again and I then asked
the kids if they thought they would ever see their Dad again. They all said no.
We then explained that families are forever and hope is never lost. I testified
it is through the Prophet Joseph Smith’s humble prayer that the gospel of Jesus
Christ was restored. His humble prayer brought hope through the understanding
of our Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness and forever families. President
Uchtdforf said, ”No matter how bleak the chapter of our lives may look today, because
of the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we may hope and be assured that the
ending of the book of our lives will exceed our grandest expectations
surrounded by those we love.” Now as I
read that quote Hope Is Never Lost, I give thanks to Brother Joseph and his
humble prayer which brought forth the knowledge of the atoning sacrifice of
Savior Jesus Christ which gave all of us the gift of hope. I share the same words
as what a leader from SOY (EFY Guatemala, December 2-7 2014) shared this Sunday,
she said one of the youth in my group said I am grateful for Joseph Smith, if
it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t be here (members of the true church) today, I
bear witness of the Prophet Joseph Smith, for he is/was a prophet of God. During
fast and testimony meeting on Sunday all the youth that went to SOY shared
their testimony. They also shared how SOY changed their lives. All the single
adults that were leaders at SOY also shared their testimonies. It was so
powerful. If there was theme to the testimonies shared it would have been
families are forever, the temple and the Prophet Joseph Smith. It was a
powerful meeting, a great way to end and begin the week.
Elder Moncada Showing His Tree Decorating Skills
What I love about Mom again is that she continues to do
my days of Christmas and what I love about Dad is that he put up the Christmas
lights so people could see the light of Christ.
con mucho amor, ducks forever Elder Mcilmoil
December 8, 2014
Companionship Study
Who Is The Rockstar?
Scripture of the week: Revelation 19:10
"The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed
hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may
combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go
forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent,
visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the
purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work
is done.” Joseph Smith Jr.
“The nearer a person approaches the Lord, a greater power
will be manifested by the adversary to prevent the accomplishment of His
purposes.” Joseph Smith Jr.
This week was crazy! First of all I am now in a trio, our
new companion is Elder Fachin. He is from Peru. All my comps have been from
Peru or Honduras, which is just unbelievable. It is funny to see the difference
in the words. A use of a word that is bad in Peru or Honduras is perfectly fine
here in Guatemala. So many things have different names in Peru and Honduras. There
are times when it is so confusing especially now that I’m serving with a
Peruvian and a Honduran. Enough of that, let’s get to the rest of the week.
Last night I was able to see a friend from Santa Ana, Alexis. We are super
close, so it was great to see him. He was visiting with family who are members
of our ward. It is crazy to think of all the connections people have and we
don’t even realize it until a random visit takes place.
This week we also did splits. It was crazy because
my comp was going with someone from the ward and there wasn’t another person
for me to go with. A returned missionary from San Antonio was in Huehue for
some kind of returned missionary conference so I called him to go with me. Now
that was a tender mercy. It was good to see him (Lacho) but the experience we
had at an appointment was even better. We went to visit with a less active
member and are focus was on the temple. I shared a very personal experience, I
did not have any intention in sharing this personal experience but I was
prompted to so, so I acted upon the spirit and shared my personal experience.
Then Lacho shared such an amazing analogy about the temple. (I just love this
analogy) He explained that the temple is home; our homes are not in San Antonio
or Huehue or in another country. Our home is the temple, for it is the house of
the Lord. As Elder Gary E. Stevenson
shared, “The temple will provide direction for you and your family in
a world filled with chaos. It is an eternal guidepost which will help you from
getting lost in the ‘mist of darkness.’ It is the house of the
Lord. It is a place where covenants are made and eternal ordinances are
performed” When people ask, “Hey elder Mcilmoil are you baggy (trunky) my
answer is yes, because I can’t go home (to the temple) whenever I want. I can
only go home (to the temple) every 6 months. So ye I am beyond baggy. I just
want to go home (to the temple) to feel my Heavenly Father’s love and to feel
the eternal love of my family.
I love December not because mi cumpleaños (my birthday)
is in 28 days (jajaja/hahaha). I love December because it is CHRISTmas. I just love Christmas; it is
a time of giving and it is a time to truly remember Christ. He was the first
gift and He is the only gift that means everything. I remember the two Christmases
that changed me; the Christmas I spent at the Huntsman Cancer
Institute/Hospital with Gramma and my first Christmas in Chichi. Before those
two Christmases I was blinded by all the gifts, the toys, lights, stores, all
the things of the world. I never focused on the true meaning on Christmas which
is CHRIST. I know Christmas is Christ. So many people say Christ is Christmas
but then they go about buying way to many gifts and worrying about what we are
going to eat on Christmas day or who is coming or anything that takes their
heart and thoughts away for the true meaning of Christmas. We truly don’t take time
to slow down and teach the children:
“Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. This is how
it happened. I just finished the household chores for the night and was
preparing to go to bed when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened
the door to the front room, and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from
behind the Christmas tree. He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not
cry out. "What are you doing?" I started to ask him. The words choked in my throat, as I saw he had tears in
his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager boisterous soul
we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement, “TEACH THE CHILDREN!”
I was puzzled: What did he mean? He anticipated my question, and with
one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I
stood there bewildered, Santa said, “Teach the Children! Teach them the old
meaning of Christmas. The meaning that a now-a-day Christmas has forgotten!” Santa reached into his bag, pulled out a tiny FIR
TREE, and placed it on the mantle. “Teach the Children that the stately fir
tree remains green all year round, showing the everlasting hope of mankind. The
needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of our prayers that always reach
God.” Next, Santa pulled a CANDLE from his bag.
“Teach the Children that the candle symbolizes that Jesus, God’s Son, is the
light of the world. When we see this light remember the One who overcomes the
darkness.” Once again he reached into his bag and then removed a
WREATH and placed it on the tree. “Teach the Children that the wreath
symbolizes the eternal nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one
continuous round of affection.” Santa then pulled from his bag an ornament
of HIMSELF. “Teach the Children that Santa Claus symbolizes the generosity
and good will we show to others because God has given us His very special Son.
Don’t forget to tell the Children that Saint Nicolas was not part of the first
Christmas in Bethlehem.” He reached in again and pulled out a HOLLY LEAF. “Teach
the Children the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of
thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly berries represent blood shed by Him.” Santa reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and
hung it on the tree. “Teach the Children that the candy cane represents the
shepherd's crook. The crook on the shepherd's staff helps bring back strayed
sheep from the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's
keeper.” He reached in again and removed a
delicate ANGEL and lifted it to the very top of the tree. “Teach the
Children that angels shouted the glorious news of the Savior’s birth. These
heavenly messengers sang ‘Glory to God in the highest! Peace and good will to
everyone on earth!’”
Suddenly I heard a
soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL. “Teach the
Children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of a bell, it should
bring people to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return.”
Finally, Santa pulled out a beautifully
wrapped GIFT. He said, “Teach the Children that God deeply loves people,
so He gave them His most precious gift—Jesus, His only Son. When the wise men
arrived in Bethlehem, they bowed before the Child and presented gifts of gold,
frankincense, and myrrh. We should give gifts in the same spirit as the wise
men." Then Santa paused. He stared at the tree and seemed to be
pleased. I saw that the twinkle had returned to his eyes. He turned, looked at
me, and smiled. Santa offered these final words, “Remember to teach the
Children the true meaning of Christmas. Please don’t put me in the center, for
I am but a humble servant. Jesus Christ is the real reason for the Christmas
season.”
Let us take time to teach ourselves and our children the
real reason for Christmas. Let us take time and slow down and remember what the
first gift of Christmas was, it wasn’t wrapped, and it wasn’t a toy, or bought
in a store, it wasn’t a card, or cookies with a glass of milk for Santa, it was
a gift of love, hope, light, and truth. It was the priceless gift from our
loving Heavenly Father. This gift was in bundle of clothes and was given to us
in the poorest of conditions, the gift is Christ. The gift of Christ tells us
everything will be ok in our hours of despair, for He is our Savior and
Redeemer. Christ is the gift of eternal life. We must always remember and never
forget, HE IS THE GIFT. We as missionaries have been asked as everyone has been
asked to share He is The Gift. We are sharing the gift by handing out cards and
we also are going into homes and watching with people He is The Gift.
I love Christmas because it is all about Christ. And I
love sharing The Gift. I have learned through my studies the three wise men
were on the Lord’s errand to find the Son of God and give to Him gifts.
President Monson shared this thought, “When we find him, will we be prepared as
were the wise men of old to provide gifts from our many treasures? They
presented gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These are not the gifts Jesus asks of
us. From the treasure of our hearts Jesus asks that we give of ourselves: ‘Behold,
the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind.” May we give the most precious
gifts, our heart and a willing mind to serve others. This Christmas season and
every day let us reach out and serve, teach and help others to discover and
embrace The Gift. How will you share The Gift with others this Christmas? http://www.mormon.org/christmas
I will admit this week I haven’t been the most focused missionary;
I had to find myself again through my Savior’s love and by sharing The Gift.
What I love about Mom is that she still does my days of
Christmas and what I love about Dad is that he would make me wait on Christmas
mornings before I could come see what was under the tree.
con amor, ducks forever,
Elder Mcilmoil
December 1, 2014
Scriptures of the week: Mosiah 4:11–12, 19, 20, 26.
“Rich or poor, we are to 'do what we can' when others are
in need.’” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
“Don’t we all cry out for help and hope and answers to
prayers? Don’t we all beg for forgiveness for mistakes we have made and
troubles we have caused? Don’t we all implore that grace will compensate for
our weaknesses, that mercy will triumph over justice at least in our case?” Elder
Jeffrey R. Holland
Let us believe in the magic of Christmas again
“The simplicity of that first Christmas foreshadowed the
life of the Savior.” President Uchtdorf
Mission Leadership Meeting With President And Hermana Smith
Tortillas for the week: 25
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How great is
to have a day focused on gratitude. With that being said we should be grateful
every day. President Uchtdorf says, “Have we not reason to be filled with
gratitude, regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves?” We have
so many things to be grateful for regardless of circumstances. We need to take
time each day and find at least one thing that we are grateful and you will be
happier. We all need to have an attitude of gratitude. I’m grateful for my dear
Father in Heaven; He gave me this life to be tested and show my love for Him as
I try to better person each day. I’m also grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ.
Words can’t express my gratitude for my Savior and His courage to say to the
Father, “Thy will be done.” I have never experienced so much adversity and heartache
as I have these past 17 months but I also have never experienced so much
comfort, peace and light. Because of Him I receive the strength and courage to
do His work every day. I owe Him everything, He is my everything, He is
everything. I love Him so much. And I’m also grateful for eternal families. I’m
humbled to know that families can be together forever. It is through the divine
love of our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ that we have been given
the priceless gift of forever families. It is truly a blessing to share with
those we are teaching of divine gift of eternal families. It feels your heart
with indescribable joy.
Grill Master Elder Mac
"Feasting On The Words Of Christ"
Once again this has been one crazy week. We did divisions
twice, one of the divisions was with the elders in our zone and the other division
was with the assistants. It was such a great experience spending time with the assistance
and learning from them. The spirit they carry with them is amazing. I have to
admit it feels good when one of them gives you a complement. (jajajaja or in
Egnlish: hahaha)
Our Crazy Zone
We had so many things happen this week it was crazy. I
want to share one of the experiences I had this week. We went by a member’s
home last night and we talked with the family about Christmas. I shared with
the family that next month is Christmas and I challenged them to change their
focus and give to Christ our best gift which is to serve others with all our
heart, might and mind. I told them what I love about the word Navidad in English
is that as you break down the word Christmas it becomes Christ. Christmas is
Christ. President Monson said, “Finding the real joy of Christmas comes not in
the hurrying and the scurrying to get more done, nor is it found in the purchasing
of gifts. We find real joy when we make the Savior the focus of the season. We
can keep Him in our thoughts and in our lives as we go about the work He would
have us perform here on earth. At this time, particularly, let us follow His
example as we love and serve our fellowman. May we all make the journey to
Bethlehem in spirit, taking with us a tender, caring heart as our gift to the
Savior.” I then said let’s all do better this year to have the spirit of Christ
with us this Christmas. It was a very special moment for all of us as we could
feel the spirit of Christmas in the room; I should say the spirit of Christ.
Brotherly Love
Elder Moncada: Guardian Of The Grill
Thursday is thanksgiving. Let us show our love for the
Savior as we take the time to write down at least one thing we are grateful
for, not just on Thursday but every day. I promise you that as you do this your
eyes will be opened to the many blessing you receive and the tender mercies you
are given every single day. Be grateful every day no matter your circumstance. As
we become more grateful we will be that innkeeper who will make room for Him and
we will let Him. As we let Him, we will come to know Him and our hearts will be
filled with gratitude. We will want to share the gift of Christ with others.
May we all let Him in and feed Him and take care of Him as we do so we will
take care of others and that is serving God Himself.
“Then in a moment to my view
The stranger started from disguise;
The tokens in his hand I knew;
The Savior stood before mine eyes.
He spake, and my poor name he named,
“Of me thou hast not been ashamed;
These deeds shall thy memorial be,
Fear not, thou didst them unto me.”
May we all be Disciples of Jesus Christ in all things and
in all places even until death. For He will always stand beside us.
Somewhere In Huehue
What I love about Mom is the turkey decorations she would
make for Thanksgiving and what I love about Dad is the turkey bowls we played
in.
Con mucho amor, ducks forever,
Elder Mcilmoil
November 24, 2014
Scripture of the week: Alma 34:38
Live in Thanksgiving daily.
BTW: a member watched Duck D!! In Spanish, WHAT!?!?!
So where to begin for this past week, well we had divisions
again which was sweet.I love divisions;
it is a time when I get to serve with the other missionaries in the zone and
get to know them. I am also able to see how the missionaries work and how I can
help them. By the way changes are next week. I can’t believe how fast time is flying
by.
Teaching Truth
We had district meeting on Tuesday, and I had the opportunity
to share a few words on the theme of the meeting which was the plan of
salvation. I shared with them something that has been on my mind for some time.
I said let’s go back to when you received your mission call, you were beyond
excited, let’s go back to your last hug with your Mom and your Dad, remember
how hard that was, now let’s go back even further, to our pre-earth life and
think about your best friend, the one you were always with, talking with,
playing with, sharing your dreams with. You did everything together. Heavenly Father
calls to you to come and hands you your call. You open it and it says where you
will be born, who your parents are; it also says you shall receive the eternal blessings
of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as you will be born under the covenant. You are
so excited to tell your best friend the news but you see he or she is crying,
and you ask what’s wrong, then he or she gives you their call and it says the
same thing as your call except one part is different, it says you shall not be
born under the covenant and you shall receive the gospel if you choose to accept
it. Both of your hearts are filled with sadness. It is time for you to go to
earth, your best friend looks at you with tears streaming down his of her
cheeks and these are the final that words shared with you, “Find me, promise me
that you will find me, please I need the gospel in my life.” You look at him or
her in the eyes and say, “I promise you that I will find you and share with you
the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that you may come back home.”You hug each other, maybe for the last time
and then you leave. Elders and Hermanas there are people that we promised to
find, so my question to you, are you going to find him or her or will they find
us in the next life and ask, “Why didn’t you find me, you promised me, WHY????”
So Elders and Hermanas what are going to do to keep your promise? As I have
thought about this scenario often and I have asked myself where is that friend
I promised and what do I need to do to find him or her? It has even occurred to
that maybe they are already members of the church but they have taken a few
wrong turns in this life and maybe her or she is one my friends here. Where
ever they are, I testify that we promised them that would rescue them in this
life. We must stop and be still and ask ourselves where is that person, how can
I find them, how can I be an answer to their prayer?
Somewhere In Huehue
Grateful For Domino's Pizza
We went by a less active member’s house this week and
wow, I can understand why one of Satan greatest tools is pride. As we visited
with this Hermana, she shared with us an incident that happened 3 years ago or
more. She said it is so hard, we just can’t go back because we will see faces
and feelings will be stirred up. Elders it is just not good to have those
feelings in church. I said to her, “Hermana let’s look at the final
moments of our Saviors life, when He is on the cross, with nails driven through
His hands, His wrist, and in His feet. The people are mocking Him and the pain
He is feeling is a pain that we could not possibly understand. What does He
say? He says ‘Father forgive them for they know not what they do.’ Now that is
unconditional love and forgiveness. If He can forgive, we can to, if we can’t,
we can ask for His strength to forgive. We have to find a way to forgive, if we
don’t are hearts will always be bitter and we will carry around hate which is
pride which is one of Satan’s greatest tool. And we will never seek a remission
of our sins. We must forgive, move on and forget. Hermana let me tell you of an
experience I had in one of my old areas where I had served, there lived 2
gringos and every time I would see them I would say hi. They never said hi back
and I was like what, you’re kidding you can’t say hi back to your fellow
gringo, what is this. I became hard in the heart and I stopped saying hi to
them. I realized what was happening to my heart. And then I listened to a conference
talk that says we must pray for the poor in spirit and pray for those in need.
Elder Holland also said in that conference talk I may not be my brothers keeper
but I am my brothers brother. I knew I had to have a change of heart and I started
to pray for those two men. I developed a love for them that I thought I would
never have and I saw them differently. It is through prayer we can have the strength
to forgive and see them as Christ sees them. Ask for the strength to forgive
this family Hermana and then pray for them, be a disciple of Christ. If we are
true disciples we do the Father’s will and love unconditionally.” I love you
all.
The Family: A Proclamation To The World
What I love about Mom is that she taught me how to pray
and what I love about Dad is that he showed me how to forgive and to forget.
con mucho amor, ducks forever,
Elder Mcilmoil
November 17, 2014
A Missionary Thanksgiving Chicken Dinner
Celebrating Thanksgiving Before Changes
Scripture of the week: Doctrine and Covenants 6:36
Fear not I am with thee.
“Are we not all beggers?” Elder Holland
“Rich or poor, we are to do what we can when others are
in need.” Elder Holland
First off here in Huehue we don’t get many tortillas
which is fine and a bit strange since I’m used to eating lots of tortillas. This
week went by super-fast. I can’t believe we only have 2 more weeks until the
next change; time is going by way to fast.
Mavrerick?
We went to Xela on Tuesday for a meeting with President
Smith and all the other zone leaders. It was amazing! We had training in the
morning and after lunch Hermana Smith and President Smith spoke, what an incredible
blessing to learn from them. Hermana Smith is so humble and when she speaks she
speaks with so much love. She loves all of us like were her children. You can
just feel how much she loves each of us.
Catching With Elder Navarro
President Smith spoke about faith. He broke faith down into
three parts. First faith is knowing God (John 17:3, And this is life eternal,
that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom
thou hast sent.) Second faith is obedience in doing God’s will. Third
faith is sacrifice. His words made me think and look at faith differently. It
made me think do I truly know God? My answer is kind of. As I was thinking President
Smith shared with us that last night he read a talk given by President Uchtdorf
and after sharing what he learned he said “I know the Lord” and he then asked
us, “Elders and Hermana’s can you say you know the Lord?” What a great question
for all of us. His words made me think what am I truly sacrificing to know the
Lord, what do I need to give up to know the Lord? What do I need to do
differently to know the Lord?
Zone Training And CCM Comps
After the meeting I had the opportunity to talk with
President Smith. I asked him how can a man be more humble. When I asked him
that he kind of laughed and he said I really don’t have an answer. He then
shared this, I look to the quorum of the twelve apostles for their example. The
only desire they have is to do the Father’s will, so if you want to be more
humble, do the Father’s will. He also said I like to look at Peter’s story in John
21. (Elder Holland’s nonscriptural elaboration on what occurred when Jesus
appeared again to His Disciples when they went fishing and He says to Peter, “Then
Peter, why are you here? Why are we back on this same shore, by these same
nets, having this same conversation? Wasn’t it obvious then and isn’t it
obvious now that if I want fish, I can get fish? I have asked you before
to leave your nets. And I’m asking you again, and I don’t want to ask you a
third time. What I need, Peter, are disciples—and I need them forever. I need
someone to feed my sheep and save my lambs. I need someone to preach my gospel
and defend my faith. I need someone who loves me, truly, truly loves me, and
loves what our Father in Heaven has commissioned me to do. Ours is not a feeble
message. It is not a fleeting task. It is not hapless; it is not hopeless; it
is not to be consigned to the ash heap of history. It is the work of Almighty
God, and it is to change the world. So, Peter, for the second and presumably
the last time, I am asking you to leave all this and to go teach and testify,
labor and serve loyally until the day in which they will do to you exactly what
they did to me.”) I told him that I just love that story. He said being humble
is to love the Lord and leave our nets behind or in other word giving up that
favorite sin, let go of it and leave it behind. As soon as he said those words,
I knew what I had to drop and give up to become more humble and to know the
Lord. Through President Smith the Lord was telling me to be more humble you
need to submit to the Father’s will and He needs me to drop my net and leave it
behind. By doing so I can truly come to the know the Lord and love Him and feed
His sheep. It was an amazing conversation, a definite tender mercy. I learned
so much and I know the only way to be humble is to walk in the footsteps of the
Savior. In the words of President Monson, “The Savior’s example provides a
framework for everything that we do, and His words provide an unfailing guide.
His path will take us safely home.”
Missionary Selfies And Photo Bombing
The next day we did divisions (exchanges), all I can say
divisions are amazing. It is a chance I have as a zone leader to bless the
missionaries I serve. It was a great experience, I was to become familiar with one
of the areas in the zone and I know what to expect of the elders in this area. As
I was talking to Elder Dasilva a certain experience came to my mind which I
needed to share with him. It was experience I hold sacred in my heart and I was
hesitant at first but the spirit kept at me to share it with him. So I did and
I pray that it helped him. It taught me that if we are worthy the spirit can
work miracles through us because we are clean vessels of the Lord. That is all
the Lord asks of us, is to be worthy so He can work through us. In Doctrine and
Covenants 33 the Lord instructs us to lift up our voices to declare my gospel.
Open your mouths and they shall be filled with what to say. It is interesting
to see how the Lord will do His work. Nothing is going to stop His work from going
forward. The only thing He asks of us is to love Him, drop our nets and be
worthy to feed His sheep. As we do this we will gain more faith, a stronger testimony,
become more humble and be committed to keeping all the commandments.
Photo Skills At Night
On Friday we met with a member who is trying to do
Family Home Evening each week. I told her that is where I learned the gospel; it
wasn’t in church it was in my home from my parents. I shared with her the story
of the 2000 stripling warriors and then I said because of Family Home Evening I
do not doubt that my parents know the gospel is true and I know the gospel is
true. As I think about a testimony and bearing witness of the truth, there are
so many ways to testify, we always testify of Christ but I love testifying
about the small things that make the biggest difference, like Family Home Evening,
the testimony of my parents or that home is the best school, it is the best
place to prepare for the challenges of earthly life and the blessings of
eternal life.
Jocon: Chicken And Rice And Other Stuff I Don't Know
What I love about Mom is that she knows that this is the
truth and what I love about Dad is that he knows that this is the truth.
con mucho amor, ducks forever,
Elder Mcilmoil
November 10, 2014
What? Apple Soda
Scriptures of the week: Doctrine and Covenants 84:
61, Doctrine and Covenants 61:36
Faith is the principle of action and of power- Joseph
Smith
The most sacred work we will do in this life will be the
work we do within the walls of our home.
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