Week #37 May 13, 2015 Afflictions

Hello Everyone~~

This week seemed to go by super fast.  At the beginning of this adventure I didn`t like contacting people.  I was nervous and felt uncomfortable.   Now, that has developed into a normal part of my life.  Sometimes we think that contacting is the worst part of missionary work...that it is the most unsuccessful, but I thought about something during my studies this week.  Really, the message that contacting sends, is very powerful.  Even if the person rejects us, spits at us, cusses at us, and talks to us like we aren`t even human beings....there is still a message being delivered to them.  The message is this......  "Even though you may not want to accept it, the Savior is thinking about you and is reaching out his arms to receive you into his fold.  The Savior has sent his servants to bring you back to him.  Why?  Because he loves you unconditionally."  I thought about that....and I just said "Wow."  It had never occurred to me the message that is sent with the smallest of things.  I couldn`t help but to just sit there for a few minutes in wonder of how truly amazing our Heavenly Father is.  :)    


This week, we helped a family with some counciling because they are having some problems dealing with the personal afflictions.  I thought about them a lot this week.  I dedicated a good deal of my study time to searching for something in my reading that could help them cope with their problems better.  Right then, I came upon this.

Mosiah 24:10-15 

10 And it came to pass that so great were their afflictions that they began to cry mightily to God.

11 And Amulon commanded them that they should stop their cries; and he put guards over them to watch them,that whosoever should be found calling upon God should be put to death.

12 And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him;and he did know the thoughts of their hearts.

13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.

14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and  that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, theLord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

I feel that many times, especially when things get hard, we cry to Heavenly Father for help...and what happens? Nothing.  Then we begin to have voices in our head or outward influences tell us that praying isn`t going to do anything, so we should stop.  Verse 12 contains the key to that. "but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts."  THAT`S THE KEY!!!  When we pray to Heavenly Father for help, we aren`t merely asking him to relieve us of our burdens...if you do that, I promise that it will be ineffective. We must "POUR OUT OUR HEARTS!"  Only then, will we see prayers answered.  Only then, will we see miracles, healing, and love.  Through these answered prayers, we are commanded to stand as witnesses of these things!  Of the wonders of God.  That he has the power to deliver his servants from heartache and pain.  And when we complete these things, we will be delivered from our troubles. 

I testify to each and every one of you of the healing power of the Father and of His son Jesus Christ.  Through our faith in them, through our diligent service and keeping of the commandments, through sharing this incomprehensible love with the world, we will be healed.  We will feel whole.  We will feel an unconditional love for this gospel.  Of this I testify to you, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.  

Con Amor,

Elder Jackson

Week #36 Faith

Greetings from Santiago!!!!

The sector is doing really well.  We are changing a lot of things.  In the beginning of this change, we had a ton of people to teach...like twenty, but we realized that the people that we have been teaching really were not progressing.  So we had to make the most difficult decision and stop teaching several people...until we had about three people remaining.  

In the beginning, this was really hard for me personally.  I have been here for almost five months working with these people, building relationships with them, seeing them grow.   But somewhere along the line they hit a wall....and stopped progressing.  President Cook said in his letter to us a few weeks ago that when we leave people that aren`t progressing, we are acting on our faith in the Lord and his timing.    We have to realize that this is HIS TIME...and not ours.  I always think about my conversion story.  From the beginning, it took about six year until my baptism.  I had three baptism dates, but I wasn`t really ready until my last date.  The Lord hadn't quite prepared me to the point that I needed to be.   I know that it is the same for these people.

As missionaries, we want them to act on these things immediately.  But, we have to realize that this isn`t our time, it is the Lord`s.  In his time, he will gather them for his kingdom...when they`re ready...when they`re prepared.  Then we will see miracles happen in their lives like I have seen miracles in mine.

I`ve hit another milestone on my mission.  I`ve gotten to the point that I don`t dream about people or thing back home.  I dream about the people here.  The people in my dreams are the people that we are teaching.  I think that is just about a sure sign that I am immersed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I don`t have a message really for this week, but I want all of you to think about these things.  Think about your faith....where are you?  Are you depending in yourself?  Your own plans?   Your own strength?  I promise you...that if you do this...you will fall.  You will realize, at some point in your life, that you NEED something more...someone better to help you.  This person is the Lord Jesus Christ.  He is ALWAYS here to help us.

(Luke 18: 8-14)

If the Savior visited a church meeting and heard the person say the opening prayer like this, "Thank you Lord that we are not like the other churches...that we follow thy commandments closer.  I have fasted twice this week. I shared the gospel with 3 people this week.  Thank you for my success in the gospel."

Then he hears another person pray like this, "Lord, I`m sorry for where I have failed you.  I drank this week.  I cussed at work.  I had angry thoughts in the car driving to work in traffic this week.  I`m sorry for being disobedient.  Please help me to be better and forgive me for my shortcomings."

Can you see the difference?  Instead of hiding from our difficulties and problems, if we will trust in the Lord and his promise to us...to help us be better, YOU WILL SUCCEED.  You will understand life better, and you will be received into the Kingdom of God in the Last Day.

I invite all of you to think hard about this...about which person you are.  If there is something that you need to change..do it.  Don`t wait.  Put your faith in the Lord, and be happy.  I give my testimony that I know that these things are true.  That faith is the cornerstone of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  That if we practice faith then all of us will understand better who our Heavenly Father is.  And, when we understand who He is, we will in turn understand ourselves more, and our purpose here on this earth.  Thank you all for your continued prayers!!

Con amor,

Elder Jackson

Week #35 Paradise

Another week in paradise.  This week, they divided the sector into three parts and assigned each companionship to a part.  They did this so that we don`t have to walk so much...to save time, not energy.   Elder Cabrera and I got assigned the flete or the ghetto part.  We think it`s because I`m bigger and because we are both just a little bit ghetto.  ;)  Haha   Also, with that we have been leaving a bunch of people that aren`t progressing.   

This has left us with only about five people to teach.  You know what that means, CONTACTS! :D  So my week has been full of a lot of contacts.  They are always fun.  You get one of two things.  People who hate us, people who talk to us because they think I (because I`m grengo) am "rico", or you get people who say to come back another day.  The people are receptive and all, but we have almost never gotten into a house out of a contact.

Yesterday was the birthday of Elder Aguero, so in the morning after we did T25, we threw eggs and flour on him and everyone else in the house at that.  Yes, it made a mess.  Was it worth it? Absolutely.  Then at night we grilled, made homemade potatoes, drank matte, sang music, and just hung out....cuz we don`t really get any time for that outside of at night.  Robin, our neighbor, came over and played guitar while we sang.  Haha.  It was awesome.  

This week, I got to see a little more of the administrative side of being a missionary.  Now that I have been in this Ward longer than everyone else here, usually the members turn to me in church when they need help with something.  

It is pretty cool to think about that the members have confidence in me.  :)  Also, it made me think about the Savior.  How tired he must have been from a lifetime of service.  Especially during his mortal ministry.  It made me think how we should trust in the Savior and have that kind of relationship with him.  If we can put trust into a kid that is 21 years old, how much faith could we put into the Son of Man, The Savior of the World, and our PERFECT EXAMPLE?  This world sure would be a lot better.  

So this week, I have decided that I am going to work on trying to put more of my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ in my everyday life...at least in one thing.  I`m going to let him take control.  I`d like to invite you all to do this as well.  Why?  Because I know that he will guide you.  He will show you why it is that he asks you more than anything else to a) love him. b) put all of our faith in him.  I know that if you will do that, you will see miracles in your life and you will receive personal revelation.  

Con amor,

Elder Jackson

Pictures, Pictures, and more Pictures

Did someone say Baptism?

Happy Couple

Clean

Practicing

almost ready

Happy

more pictures

Week #34 Elder Jackson "Small Miracles"

Wow...I just started typing in Spanish and realized that I`m writing to Grengos...haha.  I found out this week that I get at least another change here in Ducaud, so that means I`ll be doing my second skype from Ducaud as well! 

All is well here.  Elder Ocarez got transferred this change to San Miguel.  It was sad to se him go, but the missionary that replaced him, Elder Aguero, is super awesome!!!   He was in my district in the Missionary Training Center, so we are already good friends.  :)   Also, he is really big into exercising, so that will be fun to have someone else to do that with.  :)

This week  for my message home, I would like to share an experience that happened today.   As a house, for preparation day we went to the Temple.  So off we went, Elders Dowdy, Smith, Anderson, Aguero, and I.  Elder Smith and I were standing by each other on the bus, talking about the mission.  We both served in the ward Gran Avenida, so I said "You know what, I`d really like to visit CXXXX and see how she is doing."   He nodded his head in agreement.  CXXXX is a women who is married and has two kids that we both used to teach.  She had a lot of issues associated with her husband and his ability to live the standards of the church.   After a little while, we get to the train station and are heading towards the train to get on.  It was really packed, so he got in one train car and I got on the other.  As I started to get onto the train, a women bumped into my back....and I bet you already know who it was...CXXXX!  She got onto the train with me and we began to talk about life and the things that were going on in her life.  It was so amazing to see her face, and to know that all is well with her and that she was doing well.  

More than anything, my point in accounting this story is to testify that I know that our Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us and he knows us individually,perfectly, and compassionately.  Of all the 5 million people that live in Santiago, Chile, Heavenly Father felt it necessary to show forth his hand and provide me with a miracle   Neither of us expected to see CXXXX that day, but it happened anyway.

I want to share a verse that has been my favorite verse for as long as I can remember.  John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, and that whomever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” 

Now I have a living testimony that our Father in Heaven loves us so much!  We don`t have to pray to him for him to know our wants and desires.  We don`t have to make is something "official".  Just like many times...our parents know what we want and need loooong before we ever say anything to them about it...our Heavenly Father is EXACTLY THE SAME! 

I love my Heavenly Father, so much.  I have learned to trust and lean on him.  He knows what we want...we just have to open the door so he can provide us with these blessings.  Open your doors...ALL OF THEM!  Let Heavenly Father fulfill all of your hopes, desires, and dreams.  All it requires is a bit of faith...it all depends on that.  I share this, knowing that it will change your life for eternity if you will heed my words...I testify of it, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Con amor,

Elder Jackson

Week #33 Another day in Paradise!!!!

Hello All

This week was just amazing!  It was the best feeling in the world to have a full week of working and studies.  Elder Cabrerea and I are doing things together to try to have the Spirit with us stronger now.  It is so amazing.  :)  I really have learned to love studying the scriptures...it makes such a difference in the day and how strongly we have the spirit.  If you have a good scripture study to start off your day, I can promise you that your day will ALWAYS be good!  Maybe it won`t be the best number wise, contacting, you`ll probably still walk a ton, but at the end of the day....I guarantee that you did everything you could that day and that you were prepared to be an example to the world.  Preparation is everything.  

This week was a great week of good old fashion WORK, but to top it off, I had the privilege of baptizing my good friend Glover Matias Vaca Cariqueo!   It was such an amazing experience!   His family worked hard on making it a special day for him.   He is 8 years old.   His family is members and they asked me to baptize him.  He just had a heck of a time!  Especially with the play dart gun someone gave him!  Haha.  :)  Also, we got 2 new people to teach from the baptism.  Pictures to come!

More than anything this week, I have felt the Spirit really testifying to me about the power we have as Missionaries.   After the baptism of Matias,  I kept on receiving promptings from the Holy Ghost about the power I have as an example to other people.  I kept on having the feelings that I needed to improve as a missionary...that what I`m doing isn`t enough.  That feeling was reaffirmed when the Stake 1st Counselor invited him to the ward...he told him "Remember always Matias, that you were baptized by a Missionary...that Missionary sitting beside you...Elder Jackson.  Remember that name forever."  That just really got me thinking about the influence that I have on Matias.   Then, I got to thinking, if I have such a substantial influence on Matias, who knows who else actually looks up to me in some way!   I have felt a higher calling ever since that...a calling to be more obedient, to be more specific in my prayers, to work a little harder....we have definitely seen results from the increased efforts.

Jacob 6:12  "Be prudent, what more can I say." My prayer for all of you is that we can think about the influence that we have on someone...one person...and then ask yourself "Am I being the example I need to be for that person?"  Then, if you aren`t the example you believe you should/could be, change it.   Make the changes.   Be that person.   That`s what our Heavenly Father wants and expects from you.  

I love you all??

Con amor,

Elder Jackson

Week #31 Food Poisoning

As most of you probably know, I was sick with food poisoning last week.  None of us could leave the house Tuesday-Sunday with the exception of going to General Conference at our local meetinghouse.

Really more than anything, this week I learned things about myself.  I learned that when I get lost in the work, I don`t even realize what is happening to me.  I get so caught up in just doing the work that I don`t see the changes occurring in me...it seems normal.  

During my week in the house, I felt TERRIBLE.  Not just because of the sicknesses, but more because I was preoccupied with the people that we have been teaching.  "How are they?  Are they reading?  Are they becoming closer to the Savior and learning?"  I can`t even tell you all of the questions that were in my head.  

I feel like I have felt the preoccupation that all of the prophets from the scriptures felt for the people they were teaching.  It is a preoccupation  but more than that, a love.  A pure love...the love of Christ.  I feel that without me even realizing it, I have at least started to develop a Christlike Brotherly Love for the people here.  It really is one of a kind.  It truly HAS to be from my Heavenly Father.  I felt soooo good when I finally was able to see the people that I had been missing.  I felt like a hole in my heart had been filled.  

It`s funny how as missionaries, many times we think or say to ourselves.."Man I`m so tired...it sure would be nice to take a nap or something", but it`s not really this way.  It made me sad.  Now, I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that my Father in Heaven, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are with me here.  Though I may not be as "successful" as some other missionaries on their mission, I am serving my purpose.  The change is occurring in me that my Heavenly Father has promised each and every one of us if we will "lose our life for his sake", to find life eternal.

I`m so grateful for this gospel.  I am so grateful that I have been chosen to receive the gospel in this life and that I have the opportunity to take advantage of this for the rest of eternity.  I want to promise each and every one of you that we all have this opportunity.  If you are reading this, you are chosen too, but you have to do your part.  You have to learn what you must do to receive these blessings as well.  I pray that each of you can see this opportunity in your lives and that really from this, you can feel the Savior`s love for you.  He loves you.  His arms are eternally extended out to us...we just have to reach out and take his hand. 

Con amor,

Elder Jackson