Hola

Last week was a tiny bit of a doozy, but this week has been AMAZING!!

In the Book of Mormon, I have studied a lot about missionary work, specifically in Alma. I love reading the accounts of these missionaries and "their sufferings in the land, their sorrows, and their afflictions, and their INCOMPRENSIBLE JOY (Alma 28:8) and "the veil of unbelief being cast away, and the light which light up [their] minds, which is the light of the glory of God— yea, this light infuses such joy into [their] souls... overcoming [their] natural frame, and being carried away in God (Alma 19:6)".

I have seen a pattern between "overcoming our natural frame" and in return, receiving "incomprehensible joy". I have noticed this pattern in my life as well and am here to say, NOTHING can even come close to the "incomprehensible joy" that God gives His children when we are progressing and "overcoming our natural frame". THIS IS WHAT LIFE IS ABOUT and it is such a beautiful thing.

We are here on earth to "prepare to meet God (Alma 34:32)" and learn how to "yield to the enticings of the spirit... and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, and full of love (Mosiah 3:19)". This we can only do through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

I have learned if we aren't relying on the Atonement every day, we are doing something wrong. Since growth is the purpose of this life, we will be put out of our comfort zone, make mistakes, and experience sorrows and afflictions like Alma and his brethren. However, if we are "willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon [us]", we can "becometh saint[s] through the atonement of Christ the Lord (Mosiah 3:19)".

Being able to walk people through this process of faith and repentance is incredible and has already changed my life. Most of the people we are teaching are going through so much. Cancer, addiction, loss of family members, adapting to a new country alone, mental illness, loss of a job, etc. however, God's plan for each individual child of His has been made manifest.

Life is not easy, however, we "can do all things in Christ which strengthens [us] (Philippians 4:13)".

PURE and EVERLASTING joy comes from God. LIFE is BEAUTIFUL. The ATONEMENT helps us OVERCOME our NATURAL FRAME. TRIALS are for OUR GOOD. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!

Highs:

-Chilean flags EVERYWHERE

-I have mentioned how much I love the fruit here and so many of the members dropped off my favorite fruits this week

-I met someone that lived in Reno for a year

-Reading the Book of Mormon outloud on Aida's patio in the sun

-I HAVE SEEN IMPROVEMENT IN MY SPANISH

-My comp is an actual chef and I haven't cooked one thing for myself (well besides potatoes but I burnt them)

-We are starting english classes and its so super fun and it makes me feel smart

-OUR FRIENDS FROM VENEZUELA ARE GETTING BAPTIZED

-OUR OTHER FRIEND HAS BEEN DRUG FREE AND IS ALSO GETTING BAPTIZED

-Running in the mornings

-My comp loves the color code