August 25, 2015

"Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God." 

- Helaman 3:35

This week was crazy!!! A lot of people are popping out of the woodwork, a lot of people are asking us to come teach them, and a lot of really weird people... sounds like a great week to me! By 'a lot' of people, I mean a lot more than normal for me in this area. But, we have been able to find a good amount of people this past week who have needed our help. 

I really felt like I was home this week. I got to go on exchanges with an old companion of mine, so it was really fun! We were able to do a lot together, and it was a really fun time together. We had a contact who we met when we were walking past a park, and I felt something say to me to look at someone. So I did, and I didn’t know what to do. So I started walking towards him, and I walked past him because I didn’t know what to say. We walked around the block for like a minute and came back to him. Still not knowing what to say, I talked with him, "How are you doing?" He said, "I’m doing really bad." I asked him, "Oh, what’s wrong?" And he proceeded to explain everything. After I listened to him, I said, "Well, I know what can help you." I pulled out a picture of Jesus Christ, and I asked him if he knew who Christ was. He said yes and started to talk and open up more which lead to a great chat about the plan of happiness. I felt like the words filled my mouth. I wasn’t the person talking; it was the Spirit of the Lord. At the end, he accepted a visit from the missionaries with a lot of joy and seemed REALLY interested. It was a great contact.

I was also able to go to the temple this week to do a tour of the outside with a member, and it was amazing! We were able to enter a little bit, and in those moments of peace and quiet, I felt like I was home again with our Father in Heaven. It was such a sweet feeling!

I was able to find much comfort this week in a scripture found in Helaman 3:35. I'm still not sure why, but I keep reading it. This scripture has helped me feel at peace all week long even when there were hard moments.

I hope you all have a great week and continue to follow Christ! Be good!

Elder Gale

August 18, 2015

"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if 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."

- 2 Nephi 31:20

This week, I would only like to write about a few things: the hope that faith in Christ brings, and the power that we can feel as we walk in paths that are correct even if we must do so alone.

This week, I studied the scriptures a lot. All I found was great amounts of peace and joy as I did so. I have learned that faith is the firm belief in something that leads us to action. When our faith is based in Christ, it becomes that action to apply His teachings and His atonement in our lives. I have learned that as we truly do that which we know is right while putting our faith in Christ, we are able to receive His spirit, receive His help, and receive His direction. I’ve felt that this week Satan and his demons have been trying to work on me to discourage me. But, through prayer and the scriptures, I feel the power of the Lord in my life.

I have seen this week that as we follow our faith--even if we must walk alone--and as we follow the correct paths that Christ had laid for us to follow, we are truly lifted up in your burdens. It never was meant to be something easy; following Christ requires sacrifice and a lot of work, but, IT IS POSSIBLE. I’ve been able to see that in my mission, especially this week. As members, we do things that are different, and even weird to some people, but it is correct. It is the teachings of Christ, so why should we falter? You keep walking. You keep trying. It will all be alright in the end. I so promise and testify.

I love you all, and I hope that you have had a good week. I share these things because the people that we are teaching have told us their experiences. These are the thing I learned over and over again this week.

Elder Gale

August 11, 2015

"Stay on the Lord's side, and you will win every time."

- Richard G. Scott

About 4-5 weeks ago, we had a fast here in Chile. We needed rain badly. Since that fast, we not only have had a bit of rain, but a TON of rain!!! It has had such a great effect that it has changed the whole climate here in Chile! Now, the streets are filled with rain, and the mountains are filled with whiteness of snow! It has been amazing to see the change here! I’m so glad to be here to experience this miracle from the blessings of fasting! 

This week was really hard because there still wasn’t anyone, but we have received names of people to visit. We were able to see the change in people when they told us that they want to come back to church! We had someone that we had passed by during the week call us during our nightly planning session, and he told us to come by at 5 in the afternoon the following day. It was amazing to really see how much the Lord has prepared people to come back to the fold of God! He came to church, and he wants to go serve a mission!!! It is so great to be a missionary and find someone who wants to go out and save souls also!!

This week was really full of learning because we didn’t have anyone to really pass for, but we did have people who wanted us to pass by later in the week! 

The power of faith, which really is a result of righteousness and also obedience, is what leads us to do things that we normally do. Being human beings that try to think "rationally," but as we trust in the Lord, we are able to know what to do!

Hope that you all have a great week and continue to grow in your faith in Christ!

Elder Gale

August 4, 2015

"Every trial and experience you have passed through is necessary for your salvation." 

- Brigham Young

I’ve said it before, and I'll say it again... this week was hard! I received my new companion, Elder Jasse from Cordoba, Argentina. He has been out for about a year and 5 months. He loves soccer, and he is a great guy and an even better friend! The work this week was really hard because we are basically in a whitewash (meaning that we don’t know much of the area), and we are working to find all new investigators and trying to start the work here again. I’m not going to lie, this week was full of lists of people to find, doors slammed in our faces, and people using a word that anyone in America would understand. The word is "NO." It was really hard, and all I wanted to do was keep going. But it hurt... it really did. I felt like heaven was sad because so many people said no. I probably heard that word more this week than I have in probably a full month. It was fun because I got to walk and walk and walk. I felt a change in myself this week as I felt that I was able to keep my confidence and excitement high. I usually would have felt really sad earlier on in my mission. 

Truly this week was hard and crazy. But full of great experiences to learn from and learn more about myself. This week was full of changes, and I was able to grow more and learn.

Sorry it was so short. I hope next week I can write more. Love you all and have a good week!!!

Elder Gale