Week #45 Heavenly Father is the same yesterday, today, and forever....

Hello Everyone!!!!

This week was pretty amazing.  As I have said before, Chile was the host of the Copa America this year….well, we made it to the finals!  It was on the fourth of July.  We got permission from President Cook to watch it!  It was a GREAT game!  They went into penalty kicks and WE WON!  We beat Argentina. (Who is like the arch rival of Chile.)  We came back to the house and had an asado. (Barbecue)  It was super good.  Our house is like 2 miles from the Estadio Nacional, so we got to see the fireworks after the game!  So I got to see big fireworks for the fourth of July in Chile!  It was literally THE BEST 4TH OF JULY EVER!!! 

Elder Miller made a bet with the Chavez family about who would win between Chile and Peru, and Chile won, so they had to cook us cachangas…it is like fried bread with a sweet cream in the middle...Peruvian Heaven.  

Another cool experience, I did my first baptismal interview.  It was with an elderly woman named Exxxxx.  She was super nice!  :)  It was kinda weird being on the other side of things because I still remember my baptismal interview like it was yesterday.   

We had a bunch of service this week.  We painted an elderly lady`s room for her.  We cut down a tree with a saw.  (I had to climb up in it to get up high enough...made me feel like I was back in the South a little! XD )  Then we started trying to pull up the stump, but it`s got a ton of roots, so it`s a work in progress.  It was fun to get my hands a little dirty this week.  ;)  

On another note, Elder Dueñas and I have started doing boxing in the mornings three times a week.  He did it before the mission, so he is training me!  I`m super excited for it!  Something I`ve always wanted to work on and it`s GREAT exercise!  :)

This week, I was thinking a ton about the power of conversion in the gospel.  I decided to do an indepth study of this conversion power in the scriptures.  I did a study of two of the most influential people in the scriptures...Paul and the son of Alma.  Here is what I found.  

Saul-Paul

1)Made havoc of the church (Acts 8:3)

2)Threw Christians in prison ((Acts 8:3)

3) Had a marvelous experience

• Pillar of light from Heaven (Acts 9:3)
• Saul fell to the Earth trembling and was astonished (Acts 9:6)
• "Why persecutest thou me?" Jesus (Acts 9:4)
• "Go into the city and it shall be given what thou must do." (Acts 9:6)
• "Great things will he suffer for my name`s sake."  (Acts 9:16)
• Saul received his sight and was baptized by the laying of of hands (Acts 9:18)

• Spent time with the disciples (Acts 9:19)
• Preached Christ in the synagogues (Acts 9:20)
• Jews wanted to kill him (Acts 9:23)
• Name changed to Paul (Acts 13:9)
• Was a missionary (Acts 13:1-14:26
• Imprisoned for two years (Acts 24:1-26:32

Son of Alma

1. very wicked and idolatrous man (Mosiah 27:8)
2. Led many eople to do much iniquity (Mosiah 27:8)
3. "Great hinderment to the prosperity of the church (Mosiah 27:9)

• Much dissension
• Stealing away their hearts contrary to the commandments (Mosiah 27:10)
• Giving the enemy of God a chance to exercise his power (Mosiah 27:9

1. Seeking to destroy the church
2. Marvelous experience

• Angel of the Lord appeared (Mosiah 27:11)
• Fell to the Earth astonished (Mosiah 27:12)
• "Why persecutest thou the church of God?" (Mosiah 27:13)

1. Happened because of the prayers of others (Mosiah 27:14)
2. Lost his strength and couldn`t speak (Mosiah 27:19)

• was restored after much prayer and fasting (Mosiah 27:23)

• Born of the Spirit (Mosiah 27:24)-after wading through much tribulation and repenting (Mosiah 27:28)  Soul was pained no more (Mosiah 27:29)
• Preached through all of the land )Mosiah 27:32)
• was "greatly persecuted" by nonbelievers (Mosiah 27:32) 
• Imparted much consolation to the church (Mosiah 27:33)
• Strived zelously to repair the injuries that he had caused (Mosiah 27:35
• Instrument in the hands of the Lord (Mosiah 27:36)
• Was blessed-published peace, good tidings, and that the Lord reigneth (Mosiah 27:37)
• Desired that salvation was published to every creature (Mosiah 28:3)

As I read these conversion stories, I started to think much about my own conversion.  It is apparent that I didn`t have a marvelous experience, but the conversion in itself is a marvelous experience. 

1.  None of the three of us PLANNED on being converted
2. We all did some bad things before the conversion
3. We all fell to the Earth for a reason
4. We were all told what to do from that point onward
5. We have all been born of the Spirit and had a change of heart
6. We have all served as missionaries of the Lord
7. We have all been hated
8. We all publisht he good tidings of the gospel of Christ
9. We have all been instruments in the hands of the Lord
10. We all desire the salvation of all souls

I`m not saying that I`ve experienced the same level of conversion of Paul or the Son of Alma, because I haven`t, but it IS apparent that Heavenly Father is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  That the results of living the gospel are the same.  That the power of true conversion completely changes a person...that they turn to a life of service.  Not that any of us are perfect, but that we have the desire to serve the Lord with our lives.  

It is such a blessing for me to have this gospel in my life.  The more I study the scriptures, the more of a testimony I have.  The more I know that the Book of Mormon is true...that it is another testimony of Jesus Christ and that with both the Book of Mormon and the Bible, we can learn such small things in the gospel that make the biggest differences.  I love the gospel.  It has made me into the man that I am and it will make me into the man that Heavenly Father wants me to be...a leader, a servant, and example to all of mankind that the power of the love of the gospel is real.  That God has reached out and given us this light or knowledge to guide us back into his presence.  

My prayer is this, that each of you would think about how converted you are to the gospel of Jesus Christ. That you would seek light and understanding in this matter.  I testify to each of you that the power of prayer is real...and that if you prayer about the validity of the Book of Mormon, Heavenly Father will show you that it is true and what you must do.  I challenge each of you to pray to Heavenly Father and ask him if what I say is true...I know it is. 

I love you all, and thank you for all of your prayers.  This act on your part brings me not only comfort, but also the strength to do His work that I have been called and set apart to do.

Con amor,

Elder Jackson

Week #44 Love This Work!!!

Hello Friends!!!

Another great week here in good ole San Juaquin!  It`s funny how this work really becomes your life and your very person.  It helps you to see a glimpse into the eyes of our Padre Celestial...how he feels when we succeed, when we fall, when we cry...I am beginning to understand why nobody can ever explain why, but why EVERYONE says that the mission is the most important experience of your life.  It just helps you understand.

We had some good lessons this week.  A young boy Miguel is starting to gain confidence and open up to us.  He had lost trust in the missionaries for some reason and gone inactive in the church.  He still isn`t assisting, but at least he is consistently receiving us now.  :)  Also, we had a good lesson with the family I talked about last week.  They had some questions that we did our best to help them understand...the cool part was that it led right into the message of the restoration.  It`s just so cool how the Holy Ghost literally guides you through lessons if you lesson to it.  I figure that in itself teaches us a lot about life.  If you will listen to the Holy Ghost telling you what to do...things will always end up where they need to be.

This week I was thinking a lot about the timing of Heavenly Father in our lives...why he doesn`t always step into our lives immediately to change things.  Why is that?  It makes me think about the development of a child.  During my mission, I`ve had the blessing to be around right after a baby was born.  I have gotten to see the development of said baby..it really is quite remarkable   In the beginning, the parents have to do EVERYTHING for the baby, but it reaches a point that if the parents continue doing everything for them, they will NEVER grow and act for their own.  First, a baby begins to crawl.  Slowly, after MANY times falling, the baby begins to kinda waddle around.  In time, it masters the art of walking.  Then it wants more!  It begins to try to run!  Again, it falls.  That never stops the baby.  It continues to attempt to run time after time after time.  After many more attempts, it masters running!  Next thing you know the baby is running with a soccer ball...kicking it around like a professional with the Dad coaching it.  

None of that progress would have ever come if it hadn`t been for the parents letting the baby fall...time after time after time.  The baby took it`s own initiative.  It begins to practice.  Isn`t that marvelous?  We can relate that to our progress spiritually quite easily.  Heavenly Father guides us many times and then leaves us to see what happens.  Through learning from our mistakes and continually striving to become a better person, we become what we were born to be.  After mastering a part of life or the gospel, our Heavenly Father again begins to guide us where we need to go to continue growing as people.  We are right where we are supposed to be.

I love the light that has been shed on my life.  I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  That I really can understand a little better who our Heavenly Father is, how he works, and why he does the things he does.  I want to testify to each of you that the timing of Heavenly Father is perfect.  Many times, we don`t want to wait...we don`t want to fall, but it it ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY!  Any time you fall down...I want you to always remember that there is a reason.  There is something that Heavenly Father is waiting on us to do so that he can continue to guide us.  Any time you fall on your back, look up, there`s a sky full of opportunities just waiting for you to take them.  I pray that we all might try to draw closer to the Savior.  

Con Amor,

Elder Jackson     

Week #43 Just a great Week!!!!

Greetings from Santiago!!!

This week was just great!   I`m starting to feel more comfortable with the sector.  I got a little lost in a division this week, but hey...I only have like three weeks here…there  are a lot of pasajes!  I am literally loving life.  I am finding more and more joy out of the little things in life.   Discussions  jokes, shared meals, bedtime stories.   

It truly is amazing the changes that happen to a person on the mission.   It COMPLETELY alters your perception of the world...of your purpose...and what you want.   I am living right now with my best friends.   I love my friends.  I love that they are always seeking to help me better myself.  I love that they bring me joy in a life that is a complete roller coaster ride emotionally, physically, and spiritually.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to have them in my life.  

I have a story to share from this week.  A couple of days ago, we were in a lesson with a family and they started to ask us about our lives, families, and our stories.  They asked Elder Miller about his family and story...and then they asked me about mine.  I told them my story and they were shocked.  They started to talk about how what I am doing takes more courage and will than it does from Elder Miller..how it has to be soooo much harder for me than him because I don`t have the level of support that he has had his entire life...that I haven`t been preparing for this for a good part of my life like him...because he grew up in the church.   I attempted to explain to them that the mission is difficult for EVERYONE!  EVEN THOSE WHO WERE BORN IN THE CHURCH...THOSE THAT HAVE FAMILY TO SUPPORT THEM...THOSE WHO DON`T HAVE SUPPORT..   

I realized in that very moment what I had said...that it really is something difficult for everyone and that I should NEVER feel that I have it more difficult than other missionaries.  Obviously, each mission is distinct unto itself.   But all missions are UNIQUE FOR EACH MISSIONARY.  Each of us was called to our missions by God...it`s what we need/needed in our lives to bring us closer to Christ.   I realized that each of us has the same goal in the end...to help others come unto Christ, to continue progressing in our personal progression, and that really, it doesn`t matter where we come from.   It doesn`t matter if we have 3 months or 50 years in the church.  It doesn`t matter if we served a full time mission or have never had a calling in the church.  It doesn`t matter if we have family in the church or not...it doesn`t matter what sins we have committed in the past...we all have to follow through with the gospel of Jesus Christ, helping our brothers and sisters always...with that, comes the blessings...that is when the miracles come...that is when we can become a little bit more like Christ. 

I am so grateful to feel the love of Christ in my life...for my mission...mission president and his wife...family...friends...and most of all, for my Savior.  I pray that through this message, you could feel the spirit testifying to you of the sincerity and truthfulness of my words.  I want to close with  this promise....testifying.that THIS IS THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.  I have never felt like this before.  I have never felt so..at peace with life.  This is how I KNOW that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live.  That they love us and are watching over us.  I just want to extend the invitation to each of you...to take that step...whatever it may be...to make your Heavenly Father proud of YOU.  Turn to him in humble prayer, and he will show you what you need to do. 

I love you all and thanks so much for all of your prayers on my behalf!!!

Con amor,

Elder Jackson

Week #42

Hello Everyone Back Home!!!

This week was an interesting week.  I don`t know if people know about it up in the States or not, but Chile is hosting the Copa America this year.  Basically, that is when a big group of the countries from Central and South America get together to see who is the best.  Haha.  It is super funny because they take it REALLY seriously here...and people get mad over just the dumbest things.  They all make fun of each other a lot more than usual. When Chile plays, we have to enter the house early because the Chileans get pretty "rowled up".

This week was good for teaching.  I am starting to get connected with the members better.  This Sunday, it was my first time in my new chapel.  Elder Dueñas and I got to present ourselves to everyone.  There were 60 people in the ward there.  It is a ton smaller than Ducaud, but has its advantages as well.  :)  We are going to the bishop`s house tonight to eat a little bit with him.  

The area that I am serving is an older community.  Most of the people are probably 60 years old.  We are praying for a ton for opportunities to meet new people and to find the people who are ready to receive the gospel in their lives.  :)

This week, I was thinking a lot about obedience.  As missionaries, we have many MANY rules.  I feel like sometimes, as members, we feel that we are obligated to do many things.  Go to church, refrain from buying on Sunday, refrain from some of the things of the world...etc.  In the end, there are many people who feel sorry for themselves because they have "limits" on what they can and can`t do.  Ya know what...in the end, we aren`t obligated to do anything!  We don`t HAVE to do a THING,however, God IS OBLIGATED to bless us always, when we are obedient.  He literally has to do it...he has no option.  So, next time you are faced with a decision of obedience, remember that.  Remember that you have a choice of the outcomes...God does not.  If you can remember that, I promise that you will make the right decision.  :)

I love all of you.  I am so thankful for all of the support that I have received through the years.  I am thankful for all of the guidance that I have received from my leaders and my elders in the church.  i am very grateful for Bishop Stinnett back home and the help he gave me.  I am just so very grateful for the gospel in my life...I don`t know what I would do without it.  :)

Con amor,

Elder Jackson

Week #41 Another Day in Paradise

Hello Everyone Back Home!!

This week has been a really stressful week.  We found out the other day that Elders Dueñas and Hawkins were being kicked out of their house because the contract was ending, so we went to go help them clean and pack and all.  Then, on move day, we found out that they would be moving in with us! haha So we basically spent the day doing all of that kind of stuff.  We now have 6 people in a house for 4 again.  It`s okay..just a little hard to focus at times...during studies to be more exact.  

We had Stake and Zone conference this week....it was really cool to get to listen to new leaders since I`m in a new zone.  It kinda sucked that I didn`t know anybody, but hey...it`s part of being the new guy.  :)  It was all fun though.  For pday this week, we went to the temple.  Like always, it was simply amazing...a great spiritual experience and opportunity for service.  Then we ate at Popeye`s! :D

The work is a little bit slow in the new sector with all of the stuff going on with the Copa America and reunions and things like that, but I figure things will be normal soon.  :)

I just

wanted to share my testimony of leadership positions in life.  Husbands, bishops, sports captains, team captains, whatever leadership position that you can think of.  The point of it isn`t always because you are better, the best, or anything like that, but that it is an opportunity to help you grow personally and to help those below your authority to do the same.  I just want to share my testimony that at times that can be really frustrating and difficult, but if we go to the Lord in prayer and ask him for his guidence, we can`t go wrong.  Always seek the Lord with your might, mind, and soul, and everything will be okay.  :) I testify of it, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Con amor,
Elder Jackson

Week #40 Transfers

Greetings From Santiago, Chile!!

So, I got transferred yesterday.  :(  It was super hard to leave Ducaud.  During my farewell talk on Sunday, I almost cried the whole time...I literally felt like a little baby.  WAAAH!    I feel like I am leaving my family all over again...it`s the same, but different.  I love Ducaud, but it`s a different kind of love...I dare to say a Christlike love. 

It was hard, but the Lord has called me somewhere else...to a sector called Las Industrias!  It is in the community of San Juaquin.  It is known to be richer than San Bernardo where I was. There are more houses than "throw up" houses.   My comp is a grengo from Utah.  His name is Elder Miller.  He has 3 months left in the mission.   President thinks the world of him with reason.   We were in the same zone in Gran Avenida, so we kinda already knew each other.  We live in a house with two other Elders...the house is nicer than in Ducaud, plus there are only 4 in the house.

With the heartache from leaving, it made me think about some scriptures in Doctrine and Covenants 76:5-10 If you are too lazy to read it, basically, it says that Heavenly Father delights when we serve him in righteousness.  It LITERALLY BRINGS HIM JOY!  Wow, what a thought.  Can you imagine the face of God, smiling because YOU are doing what he wants you to do?  It`s really a pretty amazing picture to me at least.  It continues to say that he that doith this will receive knowledge of the gospel that has now been heard, seen, or spoken yet...even all of the mysteries of God...WHAT A PROMISE!  We will know EVERYTHING!  All we have to do is what the Lord has shown us and commanded us to do.

In these trying times, this gives me much comfort in my purpose.  That not only it is what I`m doing on my mission, but that this is what CHRIST NEEDS ME TO DO TO HELP HIM WITH THIS ETERNAL WORK.  That sure does make me feel special.  This is what gives me the hope and the knowledge that there are miracles waiting for me here, just like there were in Ducaud.  It gives me the desire to excite myself, and "GO TO WORK"  I simply want to invite each of you to ponder on these scriptures and to think what is in your life that Christ needs you to do.   Promise him you`ll do it, and do it.  It`s that easy.  It is simply a matter of making up your mind to serve him righteously, and following through.  I testify to you that when you do this, you will feel comfort in your life.  You will feel peace about what you are doing...and if you don`t, you will know what you need to do to realize this promised blessing. 

Con amor,

Week #39 Service

Hello Everyone,

This has been an interesting week.  The sector is starting to flourish again after essentially dropping everyone...it is really cool to see it grow in this manner.  Don´t get me wrong.  I don´t mean to say that I am a great missionary or something like that, but it is amazing to see the work of the Lord right before your eyes.  It is amazing to see the Kingdom of Heaven growing on the Earth and to see people grow in their desires to serve the Lord first hand. There really is no feeling like it. It makes all of the sweat, anxiety, pain, emotional toll, and potential heartache go away...IMMEDIATELY!  You see the smile on these people´s face when you begin to share with them, and you instantly feel the Savior at your side holding you up...pleading with you to just keep going...that everything is going to be okay.  It´s in that moment...that you REALLY begin to understand the Savior´s love for you personally.  How amazing.  :)

I have come to realize that these feelings come more often when you are in the middle of an act of service.  Random service out of your love for the people.  It doesn´t matter if it is a member that you love..or someone you met on the street who is just using you because they know you´ll do their dirty work.  In the end, both ways lead you to the Lord.  It´s interesting how that happens...why is that?  

Mosiah 2:17 "Behold, I tell ye these things that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

James 2:17 "Even so faith,if it hath not works,is dead,being alone."   

The scriptures have made it very clear that service is essential in our faith.  The very rock of the gospel of christ,faith, depends on it.  If we are not showing the love of Christ, through our works, we have no faith.  I find this quote to be very interesting, "...we must be careful, as we seek to become more and more godlike, that we do not become discouraged and lose hope. Becoming Christlike is a lifetime pursuit and very often involves growth and change that is slow, almost imperceptible. The scriptures record remarkable accounts of men whose lives changed dramatically, in an instant... But we must be cautious as we discuss these remarkable examples. Though they are real and powerful, they are the exception more than the rule. For every Paul, for every Enos, and for every King Lamoni, there are hundreds and thousands of people who find the process of repentance much more subtle, much more imperceptible. Day by day they move closer to the Lord, little realizing they are building a godlike life. They live quiet lives of goodness, service, and commitment. They are like the Lamanites, who the Lord said "were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not." (3 Ne. 9:20; italics added.)"

--Ezra Taft Benson

Following this quote, service shouldn´t be something that we occasionally try to give.  It shouldn´t be a part of us trying to be more godlike...it should be a part of our very person!  We should see it merely as helping another child of God to understand the love that he has for them and that he has sent us to give that testimony.  Now, that doesn´t just have to be for missionaries.  As many of you already know, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints focuses many times on service...and many times we, as members, see it as a hassle.  Cleaning the church is a hassle.  Helping another youth with homework...hassle.  Helping another member move...is a hassle.  Helping another member with their kids...another famous hassle.  Going out with the missionaries or home teaching...BIG HASSLES.  I´m going to be a little up front, if you have ever felt this way,  you need to work on this part of your progression.  There are very few people that I know (and probably in the world) who don´t feel this way...that have progressed to the point that service is a part of their person.  I as well have much room to improve in this aspect, but I want to invite you to LOOK FOR SERVICE.  The more service that you do, the more service you will want to give.  You will reach the point that every time you have free time, you are looking for someone to help...and you won´t even know it..you will be truly "baptized with fire in the Holy Ghost."  I testify to you this day, that this lifestyle will bring you more joy than any other thing that you could possibly do in this life.  This isn´t church doctrine, but personally, I believe that this is why Christ never cried out or begged for mercy during the process of the Atonement, because he had found everlasting joy in the act of service.  I testify that this level of consecration is possible, obtainable, and closer than you think...you just have to want it.  I leave you this message, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.    

Con amor,

Elder Jackson