hola familia!!
this week we had an activity with the ward for the new inciative, "Because He Lives"! We had a tour of the life of Jesus Christ. all the missionaries in our zone came to Pto. Varas to help! in the first room the Elders talked about the birth of Jesus Christ. in the second room the sisters talked about Jesus's baptism. and in the third room the elders taught about Christ's suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane. in the fourth room hermana Ralph and I talked about the resurrection! we show the video "because to Him" from last year! it´s a great video! I had chance to watch it many times and think much about the real meaning of Easter.
I know Christ lives. I know that His life didn´t ended on the cross. He arose on the third day and because of him, I will also be resurrected and return to the presence of Heavenly Father. and as the video says, i always have a second chance to start over because of Him. I think life would be impossible without those second chances ... but we have them! everyday! I love him very much and am very grateful for what he did for me. Mosiah 16: 9 says: "He is the light and life of the world, yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death."
in the last room they watched the new video, because He lives. I love this video too ... is SO great! if you haven´t already seen it, i inviste you to watch it! and not just watch it, but share it! post it on your facebooks with your testimony of the living Christ to help others understand who He is for us.
Friday we went out to visit some hermanas with the new president of the Relief Society. We decided to visit a less active family that the ward is trying to help come back to church. They are such a great family ... the parents both served missions, and are sealed in the temple! When we got to their house the bishop had just showed up! so, we decided to share the new video with them. the dad began to cry and expressed his feelings of Christ and his desire to come back to church. he was very sad that his family stopped doing the small and simple things. all of us were crying and we were able to testify to the power of the Atonement and His love for each of us, no matter what we have done in this life. I think it was one of the times I have felt the Spirit stronger throughout my mission. we said a prayer and left. and yesterday, the whole family came to church and stayed for all the meetings! It was a miracle.
on saturday little moira was baptized. i cried through the whole baptism. i think it was a lot of emotions that came all at once. i was so happy for her and her family! the spirit was definately present! i also couldn´t help but think about the fact that i´m coming home next week. i´m so grateful for my mission. i wouldn´t be who i am today without it.
on saturday, we had lunch with the bishop. he told me "hermana, you´ve been here for a long time and i wanted to thank you for all you´ve done here. maybe you haven´t had as many baptisms as you wanted here in Pto Varas but you´ve reactivated 11 almas. and that is a great thing." it was super sweet of him! i think in this sector i´ve come to understand the joy our Heavenly Father feels when 1person finds his way back to His fold. "And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance."
well family, i love you all SO much. i pray for you always. thanks for all you do. seriously...watch the video if you haven´t. and have a box of tissues near by.
XOXO, hermana steele