April 14, 2014
Because of Him.
Go watch this amazing video that the church put out to spread the
good news about Easter! Share this on your social media! This is a fantastic
little video that is a great missionary tool and something that everyone will
love:) The church is awesome:)
Wow. Let me say, thank goodness for music and sunshine. And: The
Dawn will always come! I know that. The dawn of understanding, the dawn of
hope, the dawn of happiness, the dawn of love, the dawn of testimony. It will
always come. I've experienced this time and time again and so it amazes me that
I forget and begin to doubt every time. But even then, the light starts to peek
through, and sometimes bursts out brilliantly.
Why does the dawn come? Because of the grace of Jesus Christ. The
Atonement is so much more than I ever knew. It really is all encompassing. I
was reading a talk this morning Entitled, "Missionary Work and the
Atonement" by Elder Holland, killer talk! He talks about that, how the
whole Gospel of Jesus Christ, our whole salvation and happiness, every bit of
it, is made possible through Jesus Christ's Atonement. Now just because I said
that doesn't mean that I understand it (which isn't generally a practice I
recommend:) but I'm coming to understand just a little bit more every day of
how true that Statement is.
Which is why it's really frustrating when others don't or won't see
it too! Aaand, here we are at the source of my frustration for this week. When
we meet, good, solid, "golden" people and give them the truth and
invite them to find our for themselves, why won't they take it?? Why won't they
recognize it?? I already know the answers: it's not on my timing, it's good
that they already accept so much truth, and like Elder Holland said in that
same talk, "because salvation is not a cheap experience!" But it
still doesn't take away the frustration factor. It's hard. We had a lesson at
an awesome members's home scheduled with Prakash for this past Saturday. He
just didn't show up! NOT cool dude! Sis. Larsen (the member) came with us after
we had been waiting at their home for like and hour and 15 minutes to just stop
by his house and introduce her (he wasn't home:() We were talking about this
whole concept and she said how we just have to remember that after this life
we'll meet so many people that will say, "Hey! Thanks for trying! Sorry I
didn't listen at first, why didn't you take me by the shoulders and shake
me?!" and then we'll say, " I wanted to!" Hahah, I loved that. I
really need to keep that in mind because right now our teaching pool is getting
smaller, we didn't find anyone new and no one seems to want to be taught. We
did teach a really good first lesson to one of the awesomest (not a word but
should be) ladie I've ever met named Nancy. She already knows so much truth but
doesn't want to add more right now. Gah! She has a book of Mormon though and
she's had the restoration recounted to her and I know that she felt at least an
inkling of the truth even if she doesn't recognize it as such right now because
she's a really intelligent, open-minded person. It's just the timing I
suppose:) We very well might go back soon and help her in her yard so that will
be cool! If ya'll could pray for us to find prepared people to teach (based on
our efforts and faith of course) that would be awesome, I know they're out
there, I really want to find them. I'm going to work even harder to do so this
week. I'm so grateful for p-days and how much they do rejuvenate me and help me
realize how lucky I am to be a missionary!
Mom, you were right, the weather was so kind to us this week and it
was muito marvelhso! People are coming alive! All of a sudden it's like the
population of Syracuse has doubled! Everyone is out cleaning up their yards and
planting, I loove it! I really do love Syracuse, it's pretty cool. When you
have a sec google pics of downtown Syracuse, there are some preeeety cool
things, reminds me of all of the European cities in lots of ways!
Oh yeah: at the Larsens on Saturday when we got there Bro. Larsen
(served in Brazil and helps me out with my prayers and such when I go there!)
had left some music from itunes on. Sister C asked them if we could turn
it off because well, that's what we're supposed to do. Later at dinner he
said that was a test. " Oh yeah, I'm not going to give my friends to missionaries
that don't follow the rules!" Yikes. Good lesson, good example. No
pressure!
Mom, thanks so much for the pictures! I was going to ask about your
race, you guys are the coolest parents ever! Umm yeah I would go on a blosson
walk with you and delight in every single one. I geek out about the buds that
are starting to emerge to anyone who will listen, they all think I'm crazy I
think;) Krey man, that catapult is awesome! I hope you guys got my
letters (mom, kali Coltran) krey, tayler and dad, yours are coming! Coltran
bud, I got that awesome painting from you last Tuesday, that was like the best
surprise ever! Sister C thought it was so cool too so we hung it up and decided
it means, "drink da' milk" of the Gospel. So, love it.
I love you guys so much and miss you! I also love it here and am
glad I have another week to work harder and do better:)
Com muito amor,
Sister Ventura (link above! Do it!)
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