This week was honestly so crazy, we traveled to Barcelona on
Tuesday and got home Saturday afternoon. It was a long trip. But there were so
many inspired teachings and I was able to see many members from Barcelona. It
was honestly such a great blessing. We also had the area seventy of Europe,
Elder Johnson, with us.
Thursday we had concilio (leadership council) and it was very
inspired. President Galli taught about the importance of numbers but he made a
big énfasis (emphasis) and this most important number and that is the Number 1.
We minister to others one by one, yes we use numbers to see how we are doing
and how we can improve, but we should never lose sight that this work is
impossible if we don't focus on the 1. We serve others one by one, just as the
Savior did.
Hermana Galli taught about repentance. She explained it so
simply and clearly, stating, "without repentance, the entire plan of
happiness would be frustrated." if we do not repent we cannot return to
live with Heavenly Father. Without repentance, our struggles and trials are all
in vain. It is only through the power of Jesus Christ that we can be fully
healed. Repentance is the "key" that let's us enter God's kingdom. We
must be repenting daily and constantly asking "what lack I yet" in order
to have our hearts and behaviors change and become more Christ like.
In Alma 10, Alma is preaching the gospel and he says,
"repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand." he doesn't say
"repent or you will be condemned." he rather explains the great door it
opens as we learn to repent daily.
Lastly, Elder Johnson spoke to us about our purpose and staying
focused on it. He helped us understand how we can stay focused on our purpose
by explaining the law of Moses. It was given to help all remember their God, to
live in a way that keeps them focused on God. This worked for many people.
However, when the law of Moses was taken away, people were not prepared, they
started to put their focus on worldly things and chastise those who were not
living the law, they completely lost their focus and became a wicked people.
This can be compared to many things in our lives. We each have our agency and
it is not our job to judge others. We should strive to be one with our focus on
Christ. We need to love the commandments in order to grow and change and
become. That is the purpose of the gospel and that can only happen if we keep
our focus toward the Savior.
As we came home on Saturday we were still able to see some great
miracles in our area. The members are working hard and they had brought lots of
their friends to our noche de barrio or "Ward night". María and her
family have been continuing to read and pray together. Her daughter Camila told
us that she now believes that God exists and let me tell you it's the greatest
feeling hearing someone offer one of their first prayers. She prayed with us
yesterday and really prayed from the heart. The Venezuelan family we are
teaching is still progressing well, they came to church right on time yesterday
and we are meeting with them tomorrow! I love this work and the little miracles
you get to experience every single day. It is the absolute greatest and brings
so much joy.
Love you all!
Hermana Bangerter
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