President Murphy asked the missionaries to share this with their families in their next e-mail:
Happy New Year!!! We had a great day being locked inside our house as we deep cleaned everything. That was sure tiring. But we made some plans and goals for the next year (inside and outside of the mission) and play some card games (remind me to teach you all tres, super fun).
This week we had a mission council to talk about how we can be great this next year. We talked a lot about unity and just how important it is to be unified. It is something that I want to do better to my leaders and to those that need our help. It has helped us out this week as we were able to focus on our communication and just communicating better.
We also had a Stake Conference where we had the opportunity to hear from Elder Agüero. He mentioned something I found very inpiring about the importance of learning at home (with the new home-centered church-supported program). He talked of the Anti-Nephi-Lehis (later called Ammonites) from the Book of Mormon. These people made a convenant with God to never take up their weapons against their fellowman. even to the point of burying their swords. However, there came a point were their enemies came against them to destroy them. They wouldn't take up their arms. Instead, they would prostrate themselves before their enemies and pray to the Lord. Because of this firm testimony. "more were converted than were slain by the sword". Years later, they were again affronted with their enemies within their people. This time, a lot worse than the first. They felt the desire to take up arms, but Helaman, the prophet at this time, told them it was better not to. So they were left to suffer watching their "protectors" die for them. Someone eventually suggested that their sons (ages 12-26) go and fight for them because they hadn't yet entered into the covenant. The sons did so and made a covenant to guard the country with their lives, never abandon their army, and stand for right. They said they made this covenant from the teachings of their mothers. Elder Agüero suggested a reason as to why it doesn't mention the fathers. He said it wasn't because they didn't teach or were lazy, rather they were among those that were killed in the first encounter with the enemies; thus sealing their commitment to be covenant keepers. This is the example that we all need to be. It is good to say things, or even make covenants. We have to to make it back to God's presence to enjoy the joy he also enjoys. However, we must do it from our desires. We then have to show how important those covenants are to us by our example and actions. That is how we best teach. It was a teaching that opened up more my understanding.
I love you all and hope you all have a great week. We are finally getting rain after three weeks of just heat, something I'm sure many of you are wanting!
New shoes. Who dis? (Jamesthemormon quote, for those that don't know)
Our lunch (and dinner) for New Years since we were stuck in our house.
The damage one can receive from ice skating...
Nono
Watching the Incredibles 2 for Christmas
Another car wash
My companion
Me
So what happened is that we didn't have electricity in our house
for two days, so we messed around with our flashlight.
