Watisfecha 4Ever

DIECIOCHO! CHI-CHI-CHI-LE-LE-LE... VIVA CHILE!

Today is the biggest holiday in Chile (Chilean 4th of July), and the celebration begins on the 16th of September and continues until the 19th of September.

Hermana Santamaria and I are just thriving out here, eating a huge meal (empanadas, choripan, asado, mote con huesillo, and some vegetables here and there) every other hour, talking to happy families in the parks, learning Chilean folk music/dance, and showing our CHILEAN PRIDE by wearing blue, red, and white every day and ending every street contact with "VIVA CHILE."

Anywho, I was rereading one of my favorite talks by Elder Maxwell titled "Swallowed Up in the Will of the Father" (if you haven't read it, DO IT).

He gave some hypothetical examples of how honorable disciples of Christ keep back a portion of their devotion, thus preventing greater consecration in their discipleship.

After one of the examples, Elder Maxwell stated, "A small course correction now would make a large, even, destinational difference for him/her later on."

This insight reminded me of my time as a plane pilot... BAHAHA I wish! I'm no Elder Uchtdorf, but I did take a few flight lessons before the mission.

I remember my first lesson; my flight instructor gave me a checklist of all that I had to do before, during, and after the flight. Then, he emphasized the importance of doing it perfectly so that we can safely get to the final destination at hand.

Immediately, I was overwhelmed. There was so much to do!!! The hardest thing for me was trusting the instruments meant to keep us on course. Even moving a single degree changed the complete destination of our flight.

I would just grip onto the yoke (steering-wheel) of the plane and use my strength to keep the plane on course, but after a while, my arms would get so tired. I asked my instructor over and over if we were on course, and he would remind me to trust the instruments and make small course corrections along the way.

After my first lesson, I wanted to quit; however, my dad didn't give me that option, so I continued #grateful #jeffknowsbest

Even though the second time I was still lost with all that I had to do, I started to realize the many tools on the plane that were built to help me keep the flight perfectly on course instead of using just my strength and knowledge. I had to trust those instruments and use the information to make the small course corrections.

Lesson by lesson, I became more familiar with all of the steps, and flight lessons became enjoyable! Instead of stressing about all that I had to do, I was able to enjoy the beautiful scenery I was flying over.

You already know where this story is going...

As we continue down God's path, we too will constantly have to correct our course. Thanks to the scriptures, words of the living prophets, and repentance, we don't have to rely upon our strength and knowledge to correct our course. Trust our God-given instruments.

The more we make correcting our course a daily habit, the easier it will become until we begin to ENJOY the process of growth towards our final destination... THE KINGDOM OF GOD!!

2 Nephi 31

17 Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter...

18 And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life...

19 ...after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay...

20 ...ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end; behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life...

Highs:

-Eduardo (Fernanda's dad) GOT BAPTIZED!!!

-Juan Francisco wants to be clean and be baptized

-Chilean food

-Nancy pranked us and didn't answer our call Sunday morning to make it look like she wasn't going to come to church... NOT funny Nancy

-The members buy me special gluten-free food waaaa

-I had just an OVERLOAD of love moment during church... tears were shed

-Andres wanted to celebrate his birthday with us #presh

-Trying to dodge and failing a bear hug from my ten-year-old friend/the best member in the ward, Fernando