tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35045352550308096412024-03-19T13:59:45.161-07:00Montevideo MusingsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06402537662177793874noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504535255030809641.post-18774920117437246742015-12-05T11:09:00.000-08:002015-12-05T11:09:47.288-08:00<div class="MsoNormal">
November 3, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
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Hello my sweet family!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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So something really weird just
happened...I tried to log on to my missionary portal to write President, but it
wouldn´t let me in. So I think it´s really starting to hit me that these
really are the last few days of my mission. There are tears in my eyes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Remember when I was starting my
mission, I LOVED the talk “Your Wonderful Journey Home?” Well guess
what? I still love it. One part of it really touched my heart this
week: <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">You are not alone on this </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">journey. </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Your</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Heavenly </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Father</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">knows </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you. </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Even when no one else</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">hears</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">He </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">hears </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you. </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">When </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">rejoice </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">in </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">righteousness, </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">He </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">rejoices </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">with </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you. When </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">are </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">beset </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">with </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">trial, </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">He </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">grieves </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">with </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you.</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Heavenly </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Father’s </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">interest </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">in </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">does </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">not </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">depend </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">on </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">how </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">rich </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">or </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">beautiful </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">or </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">healthy </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">or </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">smart </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">are. </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">He</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">sees </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">not </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">as </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">the </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">world </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">sees </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you; </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">He </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">sees </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">who </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">really </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">are. </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">He </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">looks </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">on </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">your </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">heart.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> And </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">He </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">loves </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">because </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">are </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">His </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">child.</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Dear (brothers and </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">sisters) , </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">seek </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Him </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">earnestly, </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">and </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">will </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">find </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Him.</span><span style="color: #333333;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">I </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">promise </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you, </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">are </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">not </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">alone.</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Now, </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">take </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">a </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">moment </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">right </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">now </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">and </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">look </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">at </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">the </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">people </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">around </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you. </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Some </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">may </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">be </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">your </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">leaders, </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">friends, </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">or </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">family </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">members. </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Others </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">may </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">have </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">never </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">met</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">before. </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Nevertheless, </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">everyone </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">see </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">around </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you—in </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">this </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">meeting </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">or </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">at </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">any </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">other </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">place, </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">today </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">or </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">at </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">any </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">other </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">time—was </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">valiant </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">in </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">the </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">premortal </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">world. </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">That unassuming </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">and </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">ordinary-looking </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">person </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">sitting </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">next </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">to</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">may </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">have </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">been </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">one </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">of </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">the </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">great </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">figures </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">loved </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">and </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">admired </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">in </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">the </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">sphere </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">of </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">spirits. </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">You </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">may </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">have</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">been </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">such </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">a </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">role </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">model </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">yourself!</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Of </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">one </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">thing </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">can </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">be </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">certain: </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">every </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">person </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">see—no </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">matter </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">the </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">race, </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">religion, </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">political </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">beliefs, </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">body </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">type,or </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">appearance
is </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">family. </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">The </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">young </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">woman
(or man) </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">look
at </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">has </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">the </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">same </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Heavenly </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Father </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">as </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you, </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">and she (or
he) </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">left </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">His </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">loving </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">presence </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">just </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">as </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">did, </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">eager </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">to </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">come </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">to </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">this </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">earth </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">and </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">live </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">so </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">she </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">could </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">one </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">day </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">return </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">to </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Him.</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">However, </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">she </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">might </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">feel </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">alone, </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">just </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">as </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">sometimes </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">do. </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">She </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">may </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">even occasionally forget </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;">t</span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">he purpose </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">of</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">her </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">journey. </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Please </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">remind </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">her </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">through </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">your </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">words </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">and </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">your </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">actions </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">that she </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">is </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">not </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">alone. </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">We </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">are </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">here </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">to </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">help </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">each </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">other.</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Life </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">can </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">be </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">difficult, </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">and </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">it </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">can </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">harden </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">hearts </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">to </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">the </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">point </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">where </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">certain </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">people </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">seem </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">unreachable. </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Some</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">may </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">be </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">filled </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">with </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">anger. </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Others may mock and ridicule those</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">who </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">believe </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">in </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">a </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">loving </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">God. </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">But </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">consider </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">this:</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">though </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">they </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">do </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">not remember, </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">they </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">too </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">at </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">one </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">time </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">yearned </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">to </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">return </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">to </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">their </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Father </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">in </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Heaven.</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What a wonderful journey this week
has been, and what a wonderful journey these eighteen months have been!
As I think about my mission, the biggest journey I´ve experienced thus far, one
word comes to my mind. And this word is GRACIAS.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Throughout all of my prayers this
week, I've just told my Heavenly Father, "Gracias, gracias, gracias."
I thank Him for all the hard parts of this journey. They´ve taught
me I am truly nothing without God. I thank Him for the mistakes I´ve made
on this journey. My mission has been a time of goofing and growing!
I thank Him for each one of my sweet companions who have accompanied me on my
journey. They have been the perfect traveling mates for me, and each one
has touched my heart. And each one has been so so so patient and
forgiving with me! I thank Him for my journey destinations...Fray Bentos,
Juan Lacaze, Artigas, and Mercedes. What special places He has given me
the opportunity to serve in. And more importantly, what SPECIAL PEOPLE He
has given me the opportunity to serve among. I thank Him for His sweet
Uruguayan children. THEY HAVE MADE THIS JOURNEY SO WORTH IT!!! They
have been so good to me. Each one of them has taught me something.
They have given me so much of their time, food, and talents even when they have
had so little. I thank Him for all those rainy, scorching hot, or super
humid days in my journey when I´ve had the chance to walk down the Uruguayan
streets and preach the gospel. But more than anything, I thank Him for
the atonement of His son, Jesus Christ! </div>
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He´s been there literally every
step of this journey.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He has been with me since day one
and will be with me until the very end. He has helped me continue on when
I felt like I couldn´t. His infinite sacrifice has truly made it possible
for me to have forgiveness for my sins. This journey has really helped me
realize He is my best friend.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And what a joy it has been to let
other people know the atonement exists!!! What a joy it is to let them
know in this journey we are never, ever alone! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I would like to repeat a quote
from above to give you a little glimpse into how this week has been!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Of </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">one </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">thing </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">can </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">be </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">certain: </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">every </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">person </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">see—no </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">matter </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">the </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">race, </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">religion, </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">political </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">beliefs, </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">body </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">type, or </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">appearance
is </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">family. </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">The </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">young </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">woman
(or man) </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">look
at </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">has </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">the </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">same </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Heavenly </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Father </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">as </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you, </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">and she (or
he) </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">left </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">His </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">loving </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">presence </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">just </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">as </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">did, </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">eager </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">to </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">come </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">to </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">this </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">earth </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">and </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">live </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">so </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">that </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">she </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">could </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">one </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">day </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">return </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">to </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Him.</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This past week, along with sweet Hermana
Marsh, we have really felt in our hearts that every Uruguayan here in Mercedes
is FAMILY! Here are some miracles we saw among our Mercedes family!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>SOFIA!!! Okay so Sofia is
just awesome. She´s a recent convert (she got baptized in April), and she
is preparing to serve a mission (she turned nineteen on Sunday). Sofia is
always willing to help in the work of the Lord! On Friday, she took us to
her friend´s house so we could leave a <i>Book
of Mormon</i> with her (and Sofia wrote her testimony down)! Also, Sofia
chose to spend her birthday accompanying us! What??? Sofia also let
us know she would like if it we could start working with her less-active
mother, Ínes. Yesterday, we had a Family Home Afternoon with Sofia and
Ínes. We loved reading the <i>Book of
Mormon</i> together, and Ínes bought us soda and cookies, how sweet. We
love our sisters, Sofia and Ínes!</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>ANA LAURA!!! Hermana Marsh
and I found Ana Laura one day when we were looking in the ward list. She
helped us find an address and as she was shutting the door, we said she looked
cute! We then told her God loved her!!! She didn´t have time for a
message then, but said we could return!</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hermana Marsh and I have been
returning and it is so awesome to feel God´s love for Ana Laura. On Friday,
we talked about the <i>Book of Mormon</i>
and she asked us how she can be ready for the second coming of the Lord.
We then talked about how we should try to be like Jesus Christ a little bit
more every day and how we can make a promise with Him through baptism. We
talked about baptism for quite a bit, and she accepted a baptismal date for
December 19th!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We then came back last
night. She welcomed us into her home and guess what??? She had made
us a cake because she knew it would be my last lesson with her. What a
sweetheart. We ate chocolate cake and drank orange juice together and
learned more about Ana Laura´s life. We then sang, said a prayer, and
dived into learning about the gospel of Jesus Christ. She soaked it all
in...she really has desires to be a better person. She still feels good
about getting baptized, and then she asked if she could offer the prayer!
Her prayer was so sweet, she blessed Hermana Marsh and me and she specifically
blessed me that I can travel safely and find a good career and have a happy
life. We love our sister Ana Laura!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>HERMANA MARSH!!! And boy oh boy do I love my sister, Hermana
Marsh. She has literally been the best
end of my mission I could ever ask for. She is so Christ like. She
loves the people in Uruguay with all her heart. She is obedient because
she loves God. She is my forever friend!</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, I would just love to end with
my testimony. I know we are all truly family. I know God loves us
with a perfect love. I know He loves His children in Colorado and He
loves His children in Uruguay. I know that because God loves His
imperfect children with a perfect love, He sent His son Jesus Christ to atone
for our sins. I know Christ LIVES, and that through him, scars do not
exist. His sacrifice can literally fix everything. I know God and
Christ want to guide us always. And so they prepared Joseph Smith to be a
prophet to restore The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I
know Joseph Smith saw God and Christ...they knew his name and I know they know
our names!!! I know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is
true, that if we are always obedient and if we do our very best to become like
Jesus Christ, our families can be together forever, we can be happy amidst
trials, and we can live with our Heavenly Father again after this long
journey. I know that one day we can make it back to our Heavenly Home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love you all so much, and I am
excited to see you. Thank you for supporting me every step of the way, I
could honestly not ask for a better family. YOU ARE THE BEST, and keep on
journeying on!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Hermana Dixon</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06402537662177793874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504535255030809641.post-5466005022476637352015-10-31T11:16:00.000-07:002015-10-31T11:18:22.608-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
October 26, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello my sweet family! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well what a marvelous week it has
been! I´m going to start this week´s letter with just a couple of
scriptures! First of all, we´ll be reading in Moroni 8:17. It goes
like this...<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">17 </span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">And</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">I</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">am</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">filled</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">with</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">charity,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">which</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">is</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">everlasting</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">love;</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">wherefore,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">all</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">children are</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">alike </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">unto </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">me; </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">wherefore, </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">I love</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">little </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">children </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">with </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">a </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">perfect </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">love; </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">and </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">they are all </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">alike </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">and</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">partakers</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> of </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">salvation.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here, Jesus Christ is specifically
talking about little children. I LOVE this scripture. How wonderful
is it to know Christ has a perfect love for all the little children in the
world (especially Uruguayan children).
And I always thought this scripture was only meant for little children
until I came across Doctrine and Covenants 78:17.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">17</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Verily,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">verily,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">I</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">say</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">unto</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">ye</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">are</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">little</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">children</span><span class="apple-converted-space">,</span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> and</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">ye</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">have</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">not</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">as</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">yet</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">understood </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">how</span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">great </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">blessings </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">the Father </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">hath </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">in </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">his </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">own </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">hands </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">and </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">prepared </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">for </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">you;</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It turns out we are all little
children! So what does that mean??? That Christ loves you with a
perfect love, that He is filled with charity for YOU, that you and everyone
else in the world are equal before His eyes! How great it is that we are
all little children!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So this week, I would just love to
share a couple of cute stories about some kiddos here in Uruguay.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Tuesday afternoon, for the
first time, we visited Maria Elena (the less-active member the Lord helped us
find a couple of weeks ago)!!! Wow it was so fun because her daughter-in-law
and her cute son, Facundo (who´s nine or ten) were also there. We read
the story in the <i>Book of Mormon</i> when
Nephi gets pumped up to go back to Jerusalem to get the plates. We
focused in on 1 Nephi 3:7 and the importance of OBEDIENCE. Facundo loved
reading in the <i>Book of Mormon</i>, and Hermana
Maria Elena was really happy because she said Facundo is really shy in school
and never wants to read. The <i>Book
of Mormon</i> brings miracles!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Friday night, Hermana Marsh and
I had a cute Noche de Hogar with the Fernandez family!!! Hermano
Fernandez is our ward mission leader and Hermana Fernandez is Primary
president! Our ward has a temple trip coming up in November, and the
Fernandez family members are going to get sealed! So we had a
temple-themed Noche de Hogar. Only one of the Fernandez kiddos was
present in the Noche de Hogar...Maximo. He is six years old and so
cute! We were taking turns reading from a <i>Liahona</i> article about the temple, and Maximo mentioned he wanted to
take a turn reading. His mom looked surprised and said, "Are you
sure? You don´t know how to read yet." But I guess Maximo
knows how to read a little bit because he began to slowly sound out all the
words. And oh my goodness, hearing a six-year-old Uruguayan start to read
is so adorable. He´s really got rolling his "r´s" down (at
times when a word had an r, he would roll it for like five seconds or so), and
his parents were just so proud of him!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Saturday night, Hermana Marsh
and I visited Sofia and Lucia (they got baptized just a couple of weeks
ago). Lucia answered the door and welcomed us into their home.
Sofia was taking a bath, so we had a little bit of waiting time before we had
the lesson. We told Lucia that while we were waiting, SHE could be the
missionary and teach us her favorite scripture in the <i>Book of Mormon</i>. Her face lit up and she immediately knew what
she wanted to share...2 Nephi 31:10! She then explained the only way we
can truly follow Jesus Christ is through the commandments. What a grand
missionary she will be!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">10 </span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: #333333;">And he said
unto the children of men: </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: #333333;">Follow</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: #333333;"> thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can
we follow</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: #333333;">Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments
of the Father?</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A couple of other little
highlights from this week: Hermana Marsh is a rock star and is basically
fluent in Spanish already! I really love her and am so grateful Heavenly
Father put us together at BYU and HERE in Uruguay! We have some
progressing investigators! Hermana Noelia came to church for the first
time yesterday! And Hermana Gabriela (a contact who we met when we were
asking for help to find an address) is praying every day and reading the <i>Book of Mormon</i>. And our ward is
AWESOME. And woops, I forgot to tell dad, but our ward is the 19 de Abril
ward (his birthday)! Our bishop (Obispo Espindola) is so willing to work
and the leaders and members are doing their best to bring others unto
Christ. Life is good, so good!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love you so so so
much!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hermana Dixon</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06402537662177793874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504535255030809641.post-55435181156575952752015-10-31T10:40:00.000-07:002015-10-31T11:18:39.393-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #E7E6E2; color: #666666;">October 19,
2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #E7E6E2; color: #666666;">Hey family!!!
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #E7E6E2; color: #666666;">Well, things
are still good here in Mercedes and Hermana Marsh still just awes me every day.
She is training me! </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: #666666;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: #E7E6E2;">This week has been a grand adventure!! We are
still working on FINDING, FINDING, FINDING!!! And God is truly showing us
little miracles. </span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: #666666;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: #E7E6E2;">Hermana Marsh shared something awesome about
Henry B. Eyring`s dad with me. When he was in his eighties, he was called to
assign someone to pick weeds in a church onion patch. But instead of assigning
someone, President Eyring`s dad decided he would just do it on his own! So he
weeded all day long, and it was hard because his body was so frail! But he just
weeded and weeded and weeded because he wanted to give his all to serve the
Lord! At the end of the day, someone let President Eyring`s dad know he had
weeded in an area where they had sprayed with weed killer. The weeds
he picked were going to die in a few days anyway, so he basically picked weeds
for nothing!</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: #666666;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: #E7E6E2;">President Eyring then asked his dad if he felt
angry for giving away so much of his energy to a lost cause. And I LOVE what
his dad said. He said, ¨Henry, I was not there for the weeds.¨</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: #666666;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: #E7E6E2;">At times, it kind of seems like Hermana Marsh
and I are picking weeds. There are times when our citas fall through and we end
up walking along the dark streets of Mercedes, looking for God`s chosen
children! And Hermana Marsh always reminds me during those times we are not
here for the weeds, we are here for the LORD!</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: #666666;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: #E7E6E2;">And it is so amazing because as we`ve shown
the Lord that we have faith, He shows his HAND in all things! Just when we feel
like we can`t walk any longer or just as we feel like it`s too dark outside to
continue on, the Lord puts little miracles in our path. Just this past week, we
had the opportunity to teach the restoration in five minutes to so many of
God`s children! And our ward is progressing! The leaders just seem so excited
to participate in the work! They really want to participate in la casa abierta
that we´re going to have in November!</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #E7E6E2; color: #666666;">I love
Mercedes and I love my companion!!! Thanks so much for all you do for me,
and have the best week ever!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #E7E6E2; color: #666666;">Hermana Dixon</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06402537662177793874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504535255030809641.post-80329082543439783522015-10-31T10:22:00.000-07:002015-10-31T10:22:13.858-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
October 12, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello family!!! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
What a
wonderful week it has been! And boy oh
boy, am I learning a ton from Hermana Marsh or what? I feel so lucky
to have her as my companion. This week during our studies, she shared an
awesome talk with me, "His Grace is Sufficient" by Brad Wilcox (https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/brad-wilcox_his-grace-is-sufficient/).
She also lent me the talk so I could study it, and it has changed my
life. I love it so much and would love to share some parts with you
today.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Jesus doesn´t make up the
difference, Jesus makes all the difference. Grace is not about filling
gaps. It is about filling us."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Christ´s arrangement with us
is similar to a mom providing music lessons for her child. Mom pays the
piano teacher. How many know what I am talking about? Because Mom
pays the debt in full, she can turn to her child and ask for something.
What is it? Practice! Does the child´s practice pay the piano
teacher? No. Does the child´s practice repay Mom for paying the
piano teacher? No. Practicing is how the child shows appreciation
for Mom´s incredible gift. It is how he takes advantage of the amazing
opportunity Mom is giving him to live his life at a higher level. Mom´s
joy is found not in getting repaid but in seeing her gift used--seeing her
child improve. And so she continues to call for practice, practice,
practice."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"In all of these cases there
should never be just two options: perfection or giving up. When learning
the piano, are the only options performing at Carnegie Hall or quitting?
No. Growth and development take time. Learning takes time.
When we understand grace, we understand that God is long-suffering, that change
is a process, and that repentance is a pattern in our lives. When we
understand grace, we understand that the blessings of Christ's Atonement are
continuous and His strength is perfect in our weaknesses. When we
understand grace, we can, as it says in the Doctrine and Covenants, ‘continue
in patience until we are perfected.’”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amazing, no??? I especially
love the analogy of piano lessons. Thanks so much for always paying for
piano lessons mom! I have absolutely loved the chance I´ve had to learn
about grace during my mission, because I have had the opportunity to PRACTICE
a lot. I´m definitely not Carnegie Hall status, but I´m just grateful for
the chance God has given me to change little by little and see changes in the
lives of many of His children in Uruguay.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hermana Marsh and I practiced a
lot this week in Mercedes, and we sure hit some good notes! Here are the
miracles we saw this week:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Wednesday, we had a four-zone conference
in Paysandu!!! It was so fun. I got to see Hermana Marsh give her
oro testimony (oros are the new missionaries in our mission), and I got to give
my fiel testimony. We learned so much about CONVERSION. I invite you
to continue reading and studying the scriptures every day because there is no
way we can be converted without God´s word!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Thursday morning, we searched
our ward list to look for less-active members (we´ve been doing that a lot
lately). We were in the limits of our area and didn´t really know where
we were exactly. So we knocked on someone´s door. A lady named Ana
Laura answered the door. She didn´t have much time, so she quickly helped
us and started closing the door a bit. But we told her that she looked
really cute (because she did) and that the message we´re sharing is that God is
her Father and that He loves her! She said we could pass by on Saturday
to visit her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Saturday afternoon, Hermana
Marsh and I visited Ana Laura again and she is AWESOME!!! She´s a lawyer
and works a lot with renting out houses. We shared the restoration with
her and she was very open to learning more about God. We were so grateful
because we felt the Spirit so much with her! We will be visiting her
again this upcoming Saturday!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then on Sunday, we had correlation
with our ward mission leader. We mentioned we were working with a lady
who lived near him, and he said he knows Ana Laura! She´s working with
them on renting a house (or something along those lines), and he mentioned when
he was talking with her in the past, she said she´s a little lonely. He
was so happy Ana Laura is listening, and he and his wife are so excited to help
her out!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Saturday morning, we were
looking at the list once again! And we were searching for an address but
couldn´t find it. So we asked a lady named Maria Elena for help.
She was so nice!!! And as we ended our conversation with her, she let us
know she got baptized twenty years ago. Recently, she started working a
little less so she can have more time with her family. We testified if
she returns, she will see so many blessings in the lives of her children, and
she said we could come back this week. We are so excited to see Maria
Elena again!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, that´s about it for
now! God is so good and I know He loves His children so much! He
especially loves Ana Laura and Maria Elena. I love Mercedes (I think if I
had to choose a place to live in Uruguay, I´d choose Mercedes), and I love the
gospel. I know that because of Christ´s atonement, all we have to do is
KEEP PRACTICING. And as we do our best to become a little bit better
every day, He will guide our hands to play some good notes!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
LOVE YOU!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hermana Dixon<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
p.s. Oh and today we went to a zoo
and walked about fifty minutes along Uruguayan fields. I´ll send some
pics. Uruguay is beautiful!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06402537662177793874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504535255030809641.post-81523672185047925672015-10-31T10:03:00.000-07:002015-10-31T11:19:21.070-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
October 5, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello my sweet fam!!! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wow...so much happened this week,
so I´m just going to cover it all chronologically!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Monday I had my last day with
Selene!!! We had plans to go to the waterfront here in Mercedes and eat
ice cream outside! It ended up raining really hard, but we went
nonetheless. Eating ice cream in rain is so fun, and I don´t exactly know
why, but there weren´t a ton of people walking around the waterfront!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Tuesday I headed out of
Mercedes at 3:40 a.m. or so to have a meeting in Montevideo! I loved
learning from President Smith and other missionaries! We talked a lot
about the plan of salvation and the importance of opening our mouths
always! And I LOVED seeing so many sweet missionaries (friends from past
zones, housemates, and Hermana Schaeffer, my CCM companion).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Tuesday night I needed to wait
for Hermana Marsh, so I went out contacting in Montevideo with Hermana Tafur
(she also needed to stay in Montevideo a bit longer for an appointment).
Wow...the people in Montevideo are so different! We sure got rejected
often and heard a lot about evolution, but we met some awesome people who said
the missionaries in Montevideo could come back to visit them! And Hermana
Tafur is just so fun!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Later on Tuesday night I arrived
at the mission home with Hermana Tafur and Hermana Davidson. President
Smith prepared a little dinner for us (he is the nicest) and it was fun asking
him questions about his mission. We slept like babies in the mission home
(the beds there are super comfortable).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wednesday morning Hermana Tafur
and Hermana Davidson had to leave for their appointment, so I hung around at
the mission home. President Smith had to take Starla and Jerry to school
and Hermana Smith was sick in bed, so I just kind of hung out and studied a
lot! President Smith has a couple books full of pictures of his
mission. It was so fun to see all of his adventures, and he also served
in ARTIGAS!!! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wednesday midday I headed out to
the airport with the assistants and we picked up Hermana Marsh!!! Wow it
was so fun to see her again. We hugged and she immediately let me know she
brought suitcases full of Costco goodies. Yippee!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wednesday afternoon we quickly
bought a McDonalds lunch from the terminal and then headed back to Mercedes!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The rest of the week, I worked
like crazy with Hermana Marsh!!! She is so dedicated, fun, obedient, and
loving. I´m so excited for this transfer with her!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Saturday and Sunday general conference
changed my life!!! We worked with the hermanas in Dolores on Saturday,
but watched conference here yesterday!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, that´s it for now!
We´ll be heading to the waterfront today to eat ice cream again, and let’s hope
the weather will be nice!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love you,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hermana Dixon<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06402537662177793874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504535255030809641.post-4456389282530678852015-10-29T13:35:00.001-07:002015-10-29T13:46:41.044-07:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6vnGWnLW-3YjcErtaP3MDJcZCaBBvPoKJe4Tgj0sMPma0A_B96DmJ2WmX4aET5P0gD4uF6FjHZoNk1uPEfp8WlTnqqRKasOmpByFmoI5Pk43U_6a8QP64T2N1ikxVs6xkJVNac4fpOM7/s1600/P8080896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6vnGWnLW-3YjcErtaP3MDJcZCaBBvPoKJe4Tgj0sMPma0A_B96DmJ2WmX4aET5P0gD4uF6FjHZoNk1uPEfp8WlTnqqRKasOmpByFmoI5Pk43U_6a8QP64T2N1ikxVs6xkJVNac4fpOM7/s320/P8080896.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the bishop's office</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
September 28, 2015</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well I have to say, this has been
one of the most exciting and interesting weeks of my mission!!! On
Wednesday, we had changes! I thought Hermana Marsh would be coming, but
it turns out she´ll be coming THIS Wednesday. So I had the chance to
serve with two sweet Uruguayan corto plazos (AKA mini missionaries)! My
first corto plazo, Valentina, was with me Wednesday night until Saturday
morning. She´s from Montevideo and is sixteen years old! And now
I´m with Selene, a twenty year old from Dolores! Selene will be with me
until tomorrow. And then tomorrow, I´ll be heading to Montevideo for a
meeting. After the meeting, I´ll hang out with the Smith family and sleep
in their home. And then on Wednesday morning, we´ll drive out to the
airport together to pick up Hermana Marsh! And then Hermana Marsh and I
will head back to Mercedes together. Phew!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Should be a once-in-a-lifetime
experience--I am excited! I don´t have much time, but here are a few miracles from this week:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #666666;"><br />
<span style="background: #E7E6E2;">I saw lots of little miracles with Hermana Valentina Mariño. For example, we visited a jovencita together named Cerrana. Cerrana had
a lot of questions about our lifestyle as members of the church. She wanted to
know if we can still go to dances or go out with our friends even though we´re
members of the Church. And it was so awesome because Hermana Mariño (who is
basically the same age as Cerrana) was able to bear her testimony that as
members, we can still have fun!!! And she testified that the gospel helps us
live standards to protect us and that there are so many ways to have fun within
these standards. Now, Hermana Mariño (who lives in Montevideo) and Cerrana are
facebook friends, and Hermana Mariño let me know she´s always chatting with Cerrana
and wants to do all she can to help her out! How cool!</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: #666666;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: #E7E6E2;">And I am just loving my time with Hermana
Selene Pereyra! My first week in the mission, I had the chance to serve in
Dolores a bit with Hermana Ferrera. And we had a Noche de Hogar with Selene and
her family so now, a year or so later, it´s been so fun to catch up with her!
Yesterday was a day FULL of miracles. Wow! We loved our time in the
chapel...our bishop is really doing his best to raise the level of spirituality
in our ward when it comes to the Sabbath. And these past couple of weeks, I
have really felt a different spirit in sacrament meeting! After church, as we
were heading out of the chapel, a lady entered into the chapel gates and began
talking to us outside. She found us first!!! She explained she´s a member of
the Church but has been inactive for quite some time. The night before, she
found a letter from a missionary and the missionary wrote that he really hoped
she would always remain active. And this letter just touched her heart and she
decided right then and there she wanted to return!!! She lives outside of our
ward, but is ready to receive the elders serving in el Barrio Lavellejah. We
had the chance to walk to her house with her, and as we were walking back to
our house, we stopped and talked to a lady named Maria José. She was with her
little son, and we had the chance to teach the restoration in five minutes! And
she is also ready to receive the elders!</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: #666666;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: #E7E6E2;">And then in the afternoon, we visited an
amazing lady named Vanessa! Our bishop´s wife, Hermana Susana, is good friends
with Hermana Vanessa and let us know she was passing through a really hard time
and wanted to receive the missionaries. We visited Hermana Vanessa with Hermana
Susana yesterday, and Hermana Pereyra and I both felt the Spirit so strongly. Hermana
Susana and Hermana Pereyra were both able to testify of the changes they´ve
seen in their lives through the gospel, and at the end of the charla, Hermana Vanessa
mentioned she felt so much peace and happiness in her heart! And what happened
next is amazing! We started talking a bit about general conference, and our
bishop´s wife had the idea to help Hermana Vanessa find the women´s meeting in
her computer. We were able to show her how to use<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><a href="http://lds.org/"><span style="background: #E7E6E2;">lds.org</span></a><span style="background: #E7E6E2; color: #666666;">, and as we left, it was so fun to see Hermana Vanessa
happily watching the conference. Our bishop and his wife are working so hard to
share the gospel, I love it!</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am loving Mercedes. The
people in Uruguay are the best!!! My mini missionaries are awesome.
The gospel is so true and can give us peace in such a hard world. Life is
good--have the best week ever my fam!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hermana Dixon<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06402537662177793874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504535255030809641.post-44881224598466481282015-10-29T13:30:00.001-07:002015-10-29T13:47:00.040-07:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_FG0XzvPiDDmob5cjAXYXgelFNFsaHiCRp2HxpVmD5xxooWnIBHNIxsiACpFFUCWjyefSXq5RAlKjk7Q9P_qIj10R61GENRnWvtzv9S_uSjUcJMmJ9CFnCtBLd2ILI9-4BQXiWaOpnuC/s1600/P8090900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_FG0XzvPiDDmob5cjAXYXgelFNFsaHiCRp2HxpVmD5xxooWnIBHNIxsiACpFFUCWjyefSXq5RAlKjk7Q9P_qIj10R61GENRnWvtzv9S_uSjUcJMmJ9CFnCtBLd2ILI9-4BQXiWaOpnuC/s320/P8090900.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Hermana Teresa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
September 22, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello my sweet family!!! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It´s been another great week in Mercedes! Hermana
Cabrera will be leaving tomorrow for Rivera...I am going to miss her so
much. Hermana Cabrera is so happy and full of life! We only had
three weeks together, but we ended up becoming really good friends. I
don´t think I´ve ever laughed so much with a companion, and she taught me
popcorn with lemon juice and hot sauce is the most delicious thing in the
world! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And my next companion will be Hermana Marsh!!!
Remember how I mentioned Hermana Cabrera´s companion had to go home a bit for
an operation??? Well that companion will be coming back and it is Hermana
Marsh!!! And Hermana Marsh is from my same BYU freshman ward. I
will be finishing up her training here in Mercedes and I am so excited!
This is what I wrote to president because I was just so pumped!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<span style="background: #E7E6E2; color: #666666;">Let me
just tell you a little bit about Hermana Marsh...we were in the same ward at
BYU but our ward was huge and sadly, I didn´t get to know her super well. But I
do remember right before I left for my mission (March 29, 2014), all the girls
in our ward watched the first women´s session of general conference together.
My mom happened to be visiting me in Utah, so she watched the session with me.
After, all the girls in our ward met up in the activity
room of our dorms to eat cheesecake. I remember my mom and I sat by Hermana Marsh,
and my mom immediately started talking with her. I remember listening to my mom
and Hermana Marsh talk and joining in now and then. And I remember thinking, ‘How
sad the school year is ending and I am just starting to get to know this girl.’ </span>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #666666;"><br />
<span style="background: #E7E6E2;">So yeah, one year later or so, I received an
email from Hermana Marsh telling me she was coming to the same mission and I
was so excited!!! And I was just so happy I would be able to get to know my
cheesecake friend a bit more. But I honestly had no idea she would end up being
one of my companions. I feel so blessed for this opportunity and I know the Lord
is so involved in our lives."</span></span> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Such a small small world, no??? Also, Hermana Cabrera
and I have had lots of cool experiences this week. Here´s one: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #E7E6E2; color: #666666;">And last
night, Hermana Cabrera and I had an awesome experience. Basically all of our
charlas fell through and we began looking in our lists to see who we could
visit. We had to take a moment to sit down in the plaza and look at our map to
situate where all the houses were. A couple minutes later, we saw a couple walk
out of the terminal and sit down together. We looked at each other and asked,
"Should we talk to them?" We were a little afraid because they were
talking together and we didn´t want to interrupt their conversation. But then
we thought about all the blessings our parents and grandparents have seen in
their marriages through the gospel, and we realized we should talk to
them!!! </span> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #666666;"><br />
<span style="background: #E7E6E2;">As we began talking with them, they explained
they had just dropped their son off so he could continue his studies in
Montevideo. We could see their family was super important to them, so we began
talking about our families and all the blessings we´ve seen in our homes
through the gospel. It turns out they received missionaries about twenty years
ago, and last night, they let us know they are willing to receive missionaries
again. We are excited to see what happens!</span></span> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also, we loved loved loved seeing Lucia and Sofia get
baptized Saturday! They were both so happy...Lucia said her favorite part
was getting baptized, and Sofia said hers was receiving the gift of the Holy
Ghost!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And...yesterday something so so sweet happened. An
eighty-year-old lady in our ward, Hermana Teresa, made us a delicious lunch and
the most delicious cake (it had dulce de leche, of course). After the
lunch, she said, "I´ve got a couple of little boxes for you."
We opened up the boxes and she had bought us tree of life
necklaces. It was the sweetest gesture and Hermana Cabrera and I felt so
grateful.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, life is so good and I love you all so much. Keep
being the best fam ever!!!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06402537662177793874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504535255030809641.post-1853661076827946902015-10-29T13:25:00.000-07:002015-10-29T13:38:15.939-07:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_aOWFbUUTBXD7lKU-KNL4BYT20kAXtPA9zMciH5dXcpno1fdMkiccAuqvZpozEESQkLo8b3NY2G4ecusrw_HqSFlkKZrMLxOHdO20iA6graPlLudipXaEtFGfiEPEM5yzexwBF36zZZaZ/s1600/P8080891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_aOWFbUUTBXD7lKU-KNL4BYT20kAXtPA9zMciH5dXcpno1fdMkiccAuqvZpozEESQkLo8b3NY2G4ecusrw_HqSFlkKZrMLxOHdO20iA6graPlLudipXaEtFGfiEPEM5yzexwBF36zZZaZ/s320/P8080891.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Sofia and Lucia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
September 15, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello my sweet family!!! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It sounds like you are all doing so great! I´m so
happy to hear life is going well for all of you! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, this week has sure been a fun one, filled with so many
adventures! Here´s a little lowdown:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>So on Tuesday, our Relief Society President, Hermana
Miranda, had her birthday! Hermana Cabrera and I quickly passed by her
house to drop off an alfajor (you so need to try alfajores...but mom, they have
chocolate, sorry) and guess what??? There were some members from Fray
Bentos in her house!!! I got to see and hug and laugh and cry tears of
joy with Hermana Sandra (our Fray Bentos neighbor who helped us out when we
didn´t have water in our house) and Hermana Zulma (my first bishop´s
wife). They are twins and I honestly thought I´d never see them
again! The mission is so incredible and it was so great because now I can
understand them more!!!</li>
<li>On Thursday, Hermana Cabrera and I had divisions in
Paysandu with Hermana Church (from Idaho) and Hermana Tafur (from Peru). In
what wards did Chris serve??? Hermana Tafur thinks she knows Chris!
It was such a special day. I got to work with Hermana Church...we have two areas and two companions in common, and she is so great. We had an awesome
lesson with a guy named Daniel. His girlfriend is a member and he had
gone to church the past Sunday. We shared the restoration with him and at
the end of the lesson...he bore his testimony! It was the first time I heard
an investigator bear testimony about the restoration. It was
incredible!!!</li>
<li>On Friday, we had an awesome Noche de Hogar with Hermana
Noelia...her son is the only member of the Church in their family! We
invited Hermana Noelia to an activity, but she couldn´t come. So we
invited her to have a Noche de Hogar with us. We invited a couple of
hermanas from our ward so it was a girls’ night! We talked about how we
are all daughters of God and how we have so much value! It was so fun and
we felt the Spirit a lot. We´re excited to see Hermana Noelia again!</li>
<li>Yesterday, we had interviews with President. They
went so well and I got to see my sweet ex-companion, Hermana Ramirez!!!
She´s also serving in the Mercedes zone. The mission is awesome.</li>
<li>This Saturday, two sweet girls, Lucia and Sofia, will be
getting baptized. My companion is so great at teaching little kids, so I
love teaching Lucia and Sofia with her! Lucia is eleven and Sofia is
eight, and they are very very cute!</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
LIFE IS GOOD AND I LOVE THE MISSION! Have the best
week ever my fam--you are all so great!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Hermana Dixon</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06402537662177793874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504535255030809641.post-24405003493763038082015-10-29T13:16:00.000-07:002015-10-29T13:47:50.452-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
September 7, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello my sweet fam!!! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well it´s crazy to think another week has come and
gone. I am doing well here in Mercedes, and I am loving my time with Hermana
Cabrera. She is great! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like dad said, Mercedes is a little river town and it is SO
beautiful. Oh my goodness I love the houses, cobblestone streets, trees,
and riverside views here. Like I´ve said before, I may be biased, but I
honestly think Uruguay is the most beautiful country in the world.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The situation here in Mercedes is so fun. Right now,
we don´t have a ton of people to visit. So Hermana Cabrera and I are
enjoying talking to literally EVERYONE in the streets. We talk to people
who have cute dogs. We talk to people who are waiting for their
buses. We talk to grocery store clerks. We talk to people who have
cute shoes or cute clothes. We talk to people who have cute babies.
We talk to people who have beautiful houses. And it is so fun. You
know why??? Because every single one of these people is a child of God!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A little while back, President Smith invited us to learn how
to teach the restoration in less than five minutes. Hermana Cabrera and I
have really been loving the opportunity to teach the restoration to as many
people as possible. It is so awesome letting people know they have a
Heavenly Father who loves them and knows them perfectly. No matter what hair color they have, no matter what clothes they wear, no matter if they
have made a million mistakes or have a lot of defects, no matter if they have a
family or are living alone, God knows their names and LOVES them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I would just love to share the restoration with you today.
I know our Heavenly Father loves Jim, Debi, Nick, Chris, Linds, and Will so
much. I know He knows your names and everything that makes you,
YOU. I know because He loves you so much, He has sent you guides. Our
Father in Heaven knows that this life is a little tricky and that sometimes we
feel sad and need a bit of help. So he has sent you prophets--men like
Noah, Abraham, or Moses. These guides communicate with God and then talk
to you as humans so you can know what God wants for your lives. But the
most important guide God gave you is His son, Jesus Christ. I know Jesus
Christ also was a prophet, but so much more. He died for you. He
suffered for your sins. He performed miracles and healed many children of
God. He continues healing us today. And He established His church,
The Church of Jesus Christ, with the authority of God, to guide you as humans
in a world that is sometimes so confusing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unfortunately, many people did not want to listen to Jesus
Christ, and eventually, they crucified him. When Jesus Christ died, so
did His church. And the sad thing is, many people wanted to follow Jesus
Christ and His teachings, but didn´t exactly know HOW. I know our
Heavenly Father loves you and doesn´t want you to feel confused as to HOW you
can follow Jesus Christ. I know Heavenly Father chose a young boy, Joseph
Smith, to restore The Church of Jesus Christ again. This young boy said a
prayer to know HOW he could follow Jesus Christ. And when he prayed, he
had such a special experience. In his own words, he said:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Vi una columna de luz, mas brillante que el sol,
directamente arriba de mi cabeza. Y esta luz gradualmente descendío hasta
descansar sobre mi. Al reposar sobre mi la luz, vi en el aíre arriba de
mi a dos personajes, cuyo fulgor y gloria no admiten descripcion. Uno de
ellos me hablo, llamandome por mi nombre y dijó señalando al otro, este es mi
hijo amado, eschucalo."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know Joseph Smith saw your Heavenly Father and your brother
Jesus Christ. I know they explained HOW Joseph Smith could follow them, and
I know with time, Joseph Smith was called as a prophet to restore The Church of
Jesus Christ again! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know with all my heart God answers your prayers. I
know He wants to guide you in every aspect of your lives. And I know all
we need to do to receive His help is talk with him through prayer!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, I love you all so much, and I invite you all to
practice the restoration as well. I know it is something that can bless
your lives and the lives of EVERYONE you know. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06402537662177793874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504535255030809641.post-33405857713694719542015-10-28T16:44:00.000-07:002015-10-28T18:04:37.084-07:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe27s-b-bhAKSY856woF_oIs6R31FLIa7mUkkPtqxX_Tjr51suruBHmLinHOQVlDvRo-BZ4hOGE7sFGd8q2HeOd6VO5cFwCfFZ8dEjCeLCsDQzWlQvw27JDVy1U8K22lTtpTxtddDSGyQB/s1600/P8040884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe27s-b-bhAKSY856woF_oIs6R31FLIa7mUkkPtqxX_Tjr51suruBHmLinHOQVlDvRo-BZ4hOGE7sFGd8q2HeOd6VO5cFwCfFZ8dEjCeLCsDQzWlQvw27JDVy1U8K22lTtpTxtddDSGyQB/s320/P8040884.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Hermana Cabrera in Mercedes<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
August 31, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Okay so I vaguely remember in my mission blessing it said I
would serve in places I´d be surprised at! I´m not going to lie, during
my whole mission, I have never really felt too surprised about my areas--until
now! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I am serving in Mercedes now! Mercedes was my first
zone in the mission. It´s a city about thirty minutes away from Fray
Bentos! There´s an hermana here, Hermana Cabrera, and she started her
mission here and has been in Mercedes for about eight months. She was
with a corto plazo (AKA mini missionary) because her companion had to go home
for a bit for an operation. I will be serving with sweet Hermana Cabrera
during the rest of this change so I can get to know the area and so she can
have a new experience in another area this upcoming change. So crazy!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So this week was one filled with lots of adventures! I
left Artigas on Friday at about noon. And oh my goodness, my last little
bit in Artigas with Hermana Salvatierra was so great. I am so grateful
for ARTIGAS!!! We sure saw lots of miracles. I took a lot of time
writing my "happy birthday Uruguay" list this past week, so I didn´t
get to tell you all about Sunday, August 23! On Sunday, we had a stake
conference in Artigas. And it was so incredible because there were some
talks in Spanish, and some in Portuguese. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And, the conference was so exciting because Hermano Lulo
(Jessica´s uncle) came to the conference! He loved the conference and it
was so great because when we introduced him to Bishop Duarte, it turns out they
had been friends for years and years (Hermano Lulo was a soccer coach and
Bishop Duarte´s dad coached with Hermano Lulo or something like that).
God´s work is so personal! It was so special teaching Hermano Lulo and Hermana
Jessica this past week, and Hermano Lulo decided to get baptized September
19! And Hermana Jessica is going to pray about her baptism. I
remember Linds often repeating the lyrics to "I Stand All Amazed" in
her missionary emails. I often want to sing these lyrics out loud as
well. Missionary work is so incredible and I stand all amazed God gave me
the opportunity to get to know Hermano Lulo and Hermana Jessica. They
told Hermana Salvatierra and me that this gospel gives them so much peace and that
we started teaching them right when they had a lot of questions about God and
religion in general! God takes good care of His children ALWAYS.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This past week was also super awesome because Hermana
Salvatierra and I had the opportunity to invite lots of people to our
MISSIONARY TEAM! We shared Alma 8 with the Berneda Family and Hermano
Sanchez and it´s so incredible because when Alma started working with Amulek,
the work in Ammonihah went so much better. It´s the same when the members
are willing to help all the missionaries!!! The Berneda Family and Hermano
Sanchez both accepted to be part of the team. I really miss the Berneda
Family already, they were such a special family for me!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And let me be honest, all of the families and people in
Artigas Barrio 6 are so special. I feel so grateful I had the opportunity
to work in Artigas. What I absolutely loved about Artigas Barrio 6 is the
LOVE everyone showed toward us as missionaries and toward their brothers and
sisters in Uruguay. The members were so willing to accompany us to visit
investigators and testify of God´s LOVE. They were so willing to cook
delicious lunches for us and they always cooked with so much LOVE. They
were so willing to visit or call a less-active member, and at times, even went
out of their way to pick them up for church. What LOVE! I will
never ever forget Artigas Barrio 6 and its LOVE.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So yeah, on Friday, I headed off to Mercedes and gave Hermana
Salvatierra one last hug. She honestly changed my mission in so many ways
and I am so grateful for her. What I love about Hermana Salvatierra is
her work ethic...she works so so hard! I also admire how much she cares
about every investigator or member in her area...she inspired me to study,
pray, and LIVE for the people in our area. After hugging sweet Hermana
Salvatierra, I hopped on the bus.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Man oh man I loved my bus ride! I traveled eight hours
from Artigas to Montevideo, and then about four hours from Montevideo to
Mercedes. During my first bus ride, I had the opportunity to talk to two
incredible women, Carmen and Adelicia. Carmen´s son is a member (he got
baptized when he was eleven and is now forty, more or less) and she lives
pretty close to a chapel. The missionaries visited her many years ago,
but she never received a <i>Book of Mormon</i>!
I loved being able to read the Introduction of the <i>Book of Mormon</i> with her and give her a copy! She was so
excited to learn more about God´s word.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Carmen then left and Adelicia came aboard. It turns
out Adelicia´s son is listening to the missionaries in Montevideo! She
didn´t have too much interest, but was so AWESOME! She was my tour
guide. Every time we drove by a new city, she would tell me the city´s
name and give me a short history. And she also let me know how far away
we were from Montevideo. What a grand blessing were these two women!
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then, during my bus ride from Montevideo to Mercedes, I
sat by Vicky, a twenty-five-year-old woman who is studying in Montevideo but is
from Mercedes! She was so great as well. She had a lot of questions
about what we do exactly as missionaries, and we just talked and talked!
She was so fun and generous...she gave me her phone number and let me know if
we ever need lunch or if we want a tour of Mercedes, we can call her up.
I love love love the people in Uruguay!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Okay so Mercedes is great! During the first bit of my
mission, we actually went to Mercedes a lot to practice for the charla
fogonera, so it´s a little trip down memory lane. I recognize some of the
members here and I can already tell they are so great. I love being in
the chapel here and remembering that the last time I was in Mercedes, I was a
little freaked out (horror stage still) and couldn´t really communicate with
the people. Life is so funny!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And Hermana Cabrera is from Mexico, is super fun, and is a
great teacher. I am happy!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well fam, that´s it for now! I love you all so much,
and have the best week ever!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hermana Dixon<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06402537662177793874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504535255030809641.post-69818162479860234502015-10-28T16:30:00.000-07:002015-10-28T18:02:20.114-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
August 24, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello fam! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tomorrow is Uruguay´s birthday again!!! Last year for
August 25, I wrote 25 things I had learned in my mission thus far. Here’s
what I’ve learned this year:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1) That although Uruguay is one of the smallest countries in
South America, it´s the biggest in HEART. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2) That Uruguayan skies are the best. Whether I’m
looking up in the wee hours of the morning, in the afternoon sunset, or in the
nighttime stars, these Uruguayan skies never cease to take my breath away.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3) That the gathering of Israel is awesome. That like
it says in D&C 35:14, we are the ARMS OF THE LORD. That He needs our
help as members and missionaries to gather the house of Israel and that we can
feel incredible joy as we´re doing it!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4) That Christmas and New Year´s Eve are so much better when
there are fireworks, really hot temperatures, and barbeque!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5) How to avoid stepping in dog poop (kind of...)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6) That it is so much better to live in the present (cut
wood) instead of live in the past (cut sawdust).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7) That Fray Bentos, Juan Lacaze, and Artigas are the
perfect areas for me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
8) That it is so cool to shake an apostle´s hand! That
Elder Dallin H. Oaks is an apostle of the Lord and that the Lord truly uses the
prophet and his twelve apostles to guide our lives!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
9) That when it rains, it POURS. And that doing proselyting
in knee-high water is such an interesting experience.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
10) That a missionary plaque can really become a part of
you. I feel lost without it and so distressed when I can´t find it. Sometimes when I see pictures of myself
before the mission, I find myself thinking, "Where in the world is my
missionary plaque?"<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
11) That general conference is the most magical time of the
year and that although the leaders of the church convey God´s word to all of
His children, they speak directly to ME and help ME with what I need in my
life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
12) That when I feel like I can´t stand any longer, I need
to go down on my knees.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
13) That the members in Uruguay are pioneers. That
they are fighters (so many of them do not have support of family members, for
example, but still continue fighting for the truth). That they are filled
with love for their brothers and sisters. That they are so patient and
kind and generous.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
14) That hearing my Latin companions pray in English is such
an incredible experience. That God listens to prayers in every language
and answers prayers in every language.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
15) That as missionaries, we truly have angels all around
us. Whether it be our companions, a friendly person in the street who
smiles at us, a person halfway around the world who is praying for us, a person
who writes a heartfelt letter or email to cheer us up, or a mission president
and his wife who give us words of encouragement or treats (Hermana Smith makes
the best treats), there´s always someone who´s got our back.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
16) That the <i>Book of
Mormon</i> is so incredible. That every time a person needs help, they
can pray with faith, open up their scriptures, and find exactly what they
need. I have seen this so many times in my mission!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
17) That the best way to answer the phone is by saying
"HOY ES EL DIA" (AKA “Today is the day,” our mission motto).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
18) That although Spanish is hard at times, it is the most
beautiful language ever (and I still struggle with el and la, but whatevs)!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
19) That we should always keep our sights on the temple, and
that we should help every other person/family do the same as well. That
one person´s life can change the lives of generations!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
20) That repentance is such a beautiful thing. That
every second, minute, hour, day, can truly be a fresh start.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
21) That God´s love is so perfect for His imperfect
children.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
22) That arroz con leche is a gift from the heavens.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
23) Alfajores as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
24) That Hermana McMurray (who taught me the importance of
hard work and obedience), Hermana Gordillo (who was a grand example of being
sweet and demonstrating charity), Hermana Paredes (who helped me learn how to
teach PEOPLE and enjoy the mission), Hermana Ventura (who taught me the
importance of doing what Jesus Christ would do in my place), Hermana Obando
(who changed my mission through her organizational skills, diligence, and
testimony), Hermana Jenkins (who strengthened my love for the <i>Book of Mormon</i> and helped me see all
those around me as children of God), Hermana Ramirez (my grand example of
patience, serving, and thinking of others before herself), and Hermana
Salvatierra (who is such a hard worker, who has a great love for the people in
our area, and who tries to be a bit better every day, inspiring me to be
better) have been the perfect companions for me!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
25) That the atonement of Jesus Christ is so real.
Christ knows what it´s like to feel weak. Christ knows what it´s like to be
rejected. Christ knows what it´s like to feel regret. He knows what
it´s like to lose a loved one, to feel lonely, to feel without hope. And
He also knows what it feels like to overcome these problems, With Him, and only
with Him, we can always keep going! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love you all! Happy Birthday Uruguay!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hermana Dixon<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06402537662177793874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504535255030809641.post-58741515074216322632015-10-28T15:06:00.001-07:002015-10-28T18:03:36.673-07:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIoOzLDzwcEny0ofyVw4PZ-hPIfE7v72IaI9GhzSCl0pFNJGj6_oIydev1NvhIZuzWExHGK6YFPlXEmf6ZIm_X-_360x-NsyDRoWcIY_4iGzgxqHs7Bv3sgNDrTMv4rGJsiaSN2jVSIYmV/s1600/P4200796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIoOzLDzwcEny0ofyVw4PZ-hPIfE7v72IaI9GhzSCl0pFNJGj6_oIydev1NvhIZuzWExHGK6YFPlXEmf6ZIm_X-_360x-NsyDRoWcIY_4iGzgxqHs7Bv3sgNDrTMv4rGJsiaSN2jVSIYmV/s320/P4200796.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hermanas Salvatierra, Idalina, and Dixon<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
August 17, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello my sweet family!!! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sorry I´ve been such an awful letter-writer these
days! I´m really going to try and improve because I want to give you all
the inside scoop about how things are going here in Artigas!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One thing I´ve seen during my mission is every single person
in the world has problems. Some problems are big, some are little, but
everyone´s got them. And one thing I love about the mission is when
people are feeling weighted down by their problems, I have the opportunity to
share God´s word with them to brighten up their day a bit! This week, I
shared some scriptures in Alma 8 to lift up some people in our area.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I remember reading in Alma 8 one day when I was starting my
mission. As a new missionary, I felt so discouraged. I felt so full
of problems and had no idea what to do or where to turn for help. And I´m
not going to lie, even though I´m a not-quite-so-new missionary these days
(although I honestly still feel like a newbie), there are still some days when
I need to read in Alma 8 for help! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Okay so in Alma 8, Alma is also a missionary, just like me
and eighty-thousand plus other young adults! In this chapter, Alma is
serving in a little place called Ammonihah, and let’s just say, I´m pretty sure
it was the hardest area ever! Alma preached the gospel with all of his
heart, but the people did not want to listen and were very wicked. So
then Alma decided to travel. I´m going to put a little excerpt of Alma 8
here.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="chunk"><b><span style="color: #333333;">13 </span></b></span>
<span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">Now </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">when </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">the </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">people </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">had </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">said </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">this, </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">and </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">withstood </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">all </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">his </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">words, </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">and </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">reviled</span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;"> him, </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">and </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">spit </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">upon </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">him, </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">and </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">caused </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">that </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">he </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">should </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">be </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">cast </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">out</span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;"> of </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">their </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">city, </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">he </span></span> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">departed </span></span>
<span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">thence </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">and </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">took </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">his </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">journey </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">towards </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">the </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">city </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">which </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">was </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">called </span></span> <span class="chunk"><span style="color: #333333;">Aaron.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="chunk"><b><span style="color: #333333;">14 </span></b></span><span style="color: #333333;"> <span class="chunk">And </span> <span class="chunk">it </span> <span class="chunk">came </span> <span class="chunk">to </span> <span class="chunk">pass </span> <span class="chunk">that </span> <span class="chunk">while </span> <span class="chunk">he </span> <span class="chunk">was </span> <span class="chunk">journeying</span> <span class="chunk">thither, </span> <span class="chunk">being </span> <span class="chunk">weighed </span> <span class="chunk">down </span> <span class="chunk">with </span> <span class="chunk">sorrow, </span> <span class="chunk">wading</span> <span class="chunk">through </span> <span class="chunk">much </span> <span class="chunk">tribulation</span> <span class="chunk"> and </span> <span class="chunk">anguish </span> <span class="chunk">of </span> <span class="chunk">soul, </span> <span class="chunk">because </span> <span class="chunk">of</span> <span class="chunk">the </span>
<span class="chunk">wickedness </span> <span class="chunk">of </span> <span class="chunk">the </span> <span class="chunk">people </span> <span class="chunk">who </span> <span class="chunk">were </span> <span class="chunk">in </span> <span class="chunk">the </span> <span class="chunk">city </span> <span class="chunk">of</span> <span class="chunk">Ammonihah, </span>
<span class="chunk">it </span> <span class="chunk">came </span> <span class="chunk">to </span> <span class="chunk">pass </span> <span class="chunk">while </span> <span class="chunk">Alma </span> <span class="chunk">was </span> <span class="chunk">thus</span> <span class="chunk">weighed </span>
<span class="chunk">down </span> <span class="chunk">with </span> <span class="chunk">sorrow, </span> <span class="chunk">behold </span> <span class="chunk">an </span> <span class="chunk">angel</span> <span class="chunk"> of </span>
<span class="chunk">the </span> <span class="chunk">Lord</span> <span class="chunk">appeared </span> <span class="chunk">unto </span> <span class="chunk">him, </span> <span class="chunk">saying:</span></span></div>
<div class="chunked" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="chunk"><b><span style="color: #333333;">15 </span></b></span><span style="color: #333333;"> <span class="chunk">Blessed </span> <span class="chunk">art </span> <span class="chunk">thou, </span> <span class="chunk">Alma; </span> <span class="chunk">therefore, </span> <span class="chunk">lift </span> <span class="chunk">up </span> <span class="chunk">thy </span> <span class="chunk">head </span> <span class="chunk">and</span> <span class="chunk">rejoice, </span>
<span class="chunk">for </span> <span class="chunk">thou </span> <span class="chunk">hast </span> <span class="chunk">great </span> <span class="chunk">cause </span> <span class="chunk">to </span> <span class="chunk">rejoice; </span> <span class="chunk">for </span> <span class="chunk">thou </span> <span class="chunk">hast</span> <span class="chunk">been </span>
<span class="chunk">faithful </span> <span class="chunk">in </span> <span class="chunk">keeping </span> <span class="chunk">the </span> <span class="chunk">commandments </span> <span class="chunk">of </span> <span class="chunk">God </span> <span class="chunk">from</span> <span class="chunk">the </span>
<span class="chunk">time </span> <span class="chunk">which </span> <span class="chunk">thou </span> <span class="chunk">receivedst </span> <span class="chunk">thy </span> <span class="chunk">first </span> <span class="chunk">message </span> <span class="chunk">from </span> <span class="chunk">him.</span> <span class="chunk">Behold, I </span> <span class="chunk">am </span> <span class="chunk">he </span> <span class="chunk">that </span> <span class="chunk">delivered</span> <span class="chunk"> it </span> <span class="chunk">unto </span> <span class="chunk">you.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Such a good little excerpt, no? Here, during his
journey, Alma felt weighed down with problems as well. He had so many
tribulations and felt anguish in his soul.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We may not be exactly like Alma. We aren´t exactly
traveling from Ammonihah to Aaron, but we are all participating in a little
journey called EARTHLY LIFE. And sometimes this journey isn´t so
easy. We, like Alma, have moments when we feel weighed down with sorrow,
moments when we´re wading through tribulation. We too have moments when
we feel like we can´t continue on for much longer. But I know with all my
heart that right when we feel like we can´t keep going, God sends us angels!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week, I would love to talk about my angels here in
Artigas.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>For the first time in my mission, I got sick this
week. I came down with a little stomach virus and had to stay in bed on
Thursday. I´m feeling lots better now! The mission doctor sent me a
special diet, and I am so grateful for my companion! On Thursday, she
spent time in the kitchen preparing rice, chicken, and noodles without flavoring
for her sick companion. Hermana Salvatierra is awesome and an angel!</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>On Thursday, Hermana Salvatierra went out to do a couple
of visits with Hermana Idalina, and our neighbor, Hermana Susana Mendina came
over to take care of me. As I laid in bed, she told me about her life and
read general conference talks to me. I love Hermana Susana Mendina and
she is an angel! And Hermana Idalina is an angel for going out with my
companion!</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Hermana Salvatierra and I are working with a less-active
family. They have so many desires to come back to church, and little by
little, we´re seeing changes within their family. On Wednesday, Hermana
Fernanda, the mom of this family, made us lunch! She loves different cultures
and wanted to cook a lunch from America! So she asked me what I usually
ate for lunch, and I said sandwiches! Hermana Fernanda made us the most
delicious sandwiches and printed out little American flags, taped them to
toothpicks, and stuck these toothpicks in the sandwiches. What an angel,
no?</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Mom, this week I received your package with the fruity
mints I love. YOU are an angel!</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>I am so grateful for the Berneda family. On
Saturday, we had the opportunity to read in Enos with them. It´s so
interesting because Enos´s greatest desire is to guard the scriptures for his
posteridad. After reading this story, we gave them “My Family” books
(they´re books to help members or investigators do their family history).
I loved seeing how excited they were and hearing bits and pieces about their
parents and grandparents. The Berneda family also gave us the most
delicious lunch the other day and treated us to dessert (dessert in their
family is washing the dishes, but don´t worry, we enjoyed dessert very
much)! The Berneda family are my angels.</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>I was supposed to give a sacrament talk yesterday, but
right before I was about to go, Hermano Lorenzo let me know our stake president,
President Bueno, was going to take up a lot of time to share his message so I
didn´t need to talk. So first of all, President Bueno is an angel for
taking up my time. Woot woot. But man oh man, I loved President
Bueno´s message. He focused on the sabbath day and mentioned a little
part about missionaries. He mentioned there are eight missionaries from
Artigas serving, and the members should try to write them on Sundays. He
served a mission and he said that at times, missionaries feel down or sad
because they think baptisms are the only fruit of missionary labor. He
said sometimes they forget developing a stronger testimony, persevering, and
loving the people in their areas are great fruits! President Bueno´s
words touched my heart and were a great reminder to always be of good
cheer. He was truly an angel in my life yesterday! </li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love you my fam. You guys are my greatest angels and
our Heavenly Father loves you all so much!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hermana Dixon<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06402537662177793874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504535255030809641.post-40457072857572730702015-10-28T14:53:00.002-07:002015-10-28T14:53:12.265-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
August 11, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Okay I won´t have time to write this week but I´m
doing great!!! We had changes but I´ll still be here in Artigas with
Hermana Salvatierra. Woo hoo!!!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06402537662177793874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504535255030809641.post-40166186919339455272015-10-28T14:48:00.000-07:002015-10-28T14:49:16.666-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
August 3, 2015</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey sweet fam!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I´m running a little short on time, but I´m here to tell you
I am doing great! It´s been a week filled with miracles. Here are a
few:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>On Tuesday, we went to visit a less-active hermana, Hermana
Angelica! It was so great to talk to her, and her granddaughter, Debora,
happened to be in town. Debora is twenty-one and is studying in
Montevideo, but she had a break from school and spent the week in
Artigas! We had the opportunity to go out with Debora on Wednesday and
Thursday night, and she is so awesome.</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>On Friday, I worked in Barrio 1 with Hermana Russell (from
California)! Oh my goodness, Hermana Russell is so humble and I learned
so much from her!</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>On Saturday morning, we had the opportunity to do divisions
with two college students in our ward, Maria Eugenia (the bishop´s daughter),
and Fernanda. I got to go out with Fernanda, and we visited a sweet
hermana, Hermana Mariana! She has two kiddos, and Fernanda was able to
share her testimony about the atonement with Hermana Mariana. I felt the
Spirit so strongly, and Hermana Mariana came to church yesterday.</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>I´m so grateful for the members here and all they do to
help us!</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>I love love love 1 Nephi 21: 14-16. I think it´s one
of my all-time favorite scriptures. </li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love you all and have the best week ever. I promise to
write more next week!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Hermana Dixon</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06402537662177793874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504535255030809641.post-82368989026070150282015-10-27T21:33:00.000-07:002015-10-29T09:15:43.411-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white;">July 27, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white;">Hey fam! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white;">So fun to think you
are on your way to Florida!!! Enjoy your time there! So it´s been a
great week in Artigas, and I found the best talk ever this week. It´s
called “The Love of God” and is given by President Uchtdorf (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/the-love-of-god?lang=eng).</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
As you
all know, I´ve kind of been like Ella Enchanted during my mission...I´ve wanted
to be obedient, but at times, I think I´ve kind of created "shoulds"
and "should nots," and these "shoulds" and "should
nots" have gotten in the way of my LOVE at times. For much of my
mission, I´ve prayed to know how to obey with LOVE, how to obey by the Holy Ghost,
and I can honestly say this talk has helped me out so much! I hope you
enjoy these excerpts!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">“The
Savior Himself provided the answer with this profound declaration: ‘If ye love
me, keep my commandments.’</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><sup><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> </span></sup><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">This is the essence of what it means to be a true disciple: those
who receive Christ Jesus walk with Him.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><sup><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> <o:p></o:p></span></sup></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;">But
this may present a problem for some because there are so many ‘shoulds’ and ‘should
nots’ that merely keeping track of them can be a challenge. Sometimes,
well-meaning amplifications of divine principles—many coming from uninspired
sources—complicate matters further, diluting the purity of divine truth with
man-made addenda. One person’s good idea—something that may work for him or
her—takes root and becomes an expectation. And gradually, eternal principles
can get lost within the labyrinth of ‘good ideas.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;">This was one of the Savior’s criticisms
of the religious ‘experts’ of His day, whom He chastised for attending to the
hundreds of minor details of the law while neglecting the weightier matters.<sup><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> </span></sup><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;">So how do we stay aligned with these
weightier matters? Is there a constant compass that can help us prioritize our
lives, thoughts, and actions?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Once again the Savior revealed the way.
When asked to name the greatest commandment, He did not hesitate. ‘Thou shalt
love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all
thy mind,’ He said. ‘This is the first and </span><a href="http://www.mormon.org/beliefs/commandments"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #2f393a; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">great commandment</span></a><span style="color: #333333;">.’<sup><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> </span></sup>Coupled
with the second great commandment—to love our neighbor as ourselves—we have a
compass that provides direction not only for our lives but also for the Lord’s
Church on both sides of the veil.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Because love is the great commandment, it
ought to be at the <i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">center</span></i> of all
and everything we do in our own </span><a href="http://www.mormon.org/values/family"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #2f393a; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">family</span></a><span style="color: #333333;">, in our Church callings, and in our livelihood. Love is
the healing balm that repairs rifts in personal and family relationships. It is
the bond that unites families, communities, and nations. Love is the power that
initiates friendship, tolerance, civility, and respect. It is the source that
overcomes divisiveness and hate. Love is the fire that warms our lives with
unparalleled joy and divine hope. Love should be our walk and our talk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;">When we truly understand what it means to
love as Jesus Christ loves us, the confusion clears and our priorities align.
Our walk as disciples of Christ becomes more joyful. Our lives take on new
meaning. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father becomes more profound.
Obedience becomes a joy rather than a burden.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
So good,
right? How cool is it that if we have LOVE at the center of our lives,
everything else (including obedience) falls right into place. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
As I
continued reading, I was in awe when I realized how much God truly loves His
children. Read this: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;">“Think of the purest, most all-consuming
love you can imagine. Now multiply that love by an infinite amount—that is the
measure of God’s love for you.<sup><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> </span></sup><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;">God does not look on the outward
appearance.<sup><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> </span></sup>I believe that He doesn’t care one
bit if we live in a castle or a cottage, if we are handsome or homely, if we
are famous or forgotten. Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely.
Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and
without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;">He loves us because He is filled with an
infinite measure of holy, pure, and indescribable love. We are important to God
not because of our résumé but because we are His children. He loves every one
of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken.
God’s love is so great that He loves even the proud, the selfish, the arrogant,
and the wicked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;">What this means is that, regardless of
our current state, there is hope for us. No matter our distress, no matter our
sorrow, no matter our mistakes, our infinitely compassionate Heavenly Father
desires that we draw near to Him so that He can draw near to us.”<sup><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> </span></sup><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
Amazing,
no? How many of you have ever felt flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful,
or broken? Or how many of you have been selfish, proud, arrogant, or a
little rebellious every now and then? How cool is it that even though we
are so utterly imperfect, God loves us with a perfect love!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
President
Uchtdorf then invites us to LISTEN TO GOD´S VOICE IN OUR LIVES!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;">“As
you reach out to your Heavenly Father, as you pray to Him in the name of
Christ, He will answer you. He speaks to us everywhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;">As
you read God’s word recorded in the scriptures, listen for His voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;">During
this general conference and later as you study the words spoken here, listen
for His voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;">As
you visit the temple and attend Church meetings, listen for His voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Listen
for the voice of the Father in the bounties and beauties of nature, in the
gentle whisperings of the Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;">In
your daily interactions with others, in the words of a hymn, in the laughter of
a child, listen for His voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;">If
you listen for the voice of the Father, He will lead you on a course that will
allow you to experience the pure love of Christ.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
Beautiful,
no? This week I´ve really been trying to listen to God´s voice! I
haven´t been perfect listening to His voice, but I´ve heard Him speak to me
every now and then. Here´s how I heard His voice this week:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br />
<ul>
<li>Hermana
Salvatierra´s birthday was awesome! We had a Noche de Hogar with Hermana
Susana Mendina, Hermana Blanquita, Hermana Idalina, and Hermana Ivonne, four
awesome Uruguayan women! We talked about OPENING OUR MOUTHS to share the
gospel (Doctrine and Covenants Section 33) and we ended the Noche de Hogar with
a testimony meeting. These four women have such strong testimonies and I
heard God´s voice as they spoke!</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br />
<ul>
<li>On
Friday, I had divisions with Hermana Barrios (she´s from Guatemala and we live
together). She is so awesome and I´ve really been wanting to improve when
it comes to teaching clearly. Hermana Barrios studied about teaching with
clarity on Friday morning, and during our companionship study, she shared what
she learned with me! It helped me so much and I heard God´s voice!</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br />
<ul>
<li>Also on
Friday, we had to walk to Brazil to drop off a DVD with the Hermanas in
Quaraí. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the bridge that divides Uruguay from
Brazil. As I looked out onto the river, as I felt Uruguayan/Brazilian
wind blowing onto my face, as I soaked up all the trees, I heard God´s voice!</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br />
<ul>
<li>Hermana
Salvatierra is learning English! Last night, all on her own, she said,
"Heavenly Father, I thank thee for my brothers and sisters in
Uruguay" in our prayer to end the day. As I heard her speak these
sweet words in English, I heard God´s voice.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br />
<ul>
<li>For the
first time, the Berneda Family came to all three hours of church! As I
sat behind Hermana Berneda in Relief Society, I heard God´s voice.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br />
<ul>
<li>Jessica
and her Uncle Lulo are both listening! As they talked about the peace and
tranquilidad they feel when they learn about God and the message of the restoration,
I heard God´s voice.</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
HIS VOICE
IS EVERYWHERE, WE JUST HAVE TO LOOK FOR IT!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
I love
you all, and have the best week ever!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
Hermana
Dixon<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06402537662177793874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504535255030809641.post-51856818840955607312015-10-27T21:26:00.001-07:002015-10-27T21:59:08.772-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white;">July 20, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white;">Hello my sweet
fam! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white;">Hope all is well
in Layton! I am doing well here in Uruguay, and I am just so happy today
is HERMANA SALVATIERRA´S BIRTHDAY!!! She is the best gift ever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
So life
is good here in Artigas! Here are a few highlights from the week:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>On
Wednesday morning at 4:30, our zone, Artigas, had the opportunity to travel to
RIVERA (about two hours away) for a tri-zone conference (Tacuarembo was also
present). President came and I learned so so so much. He talked
about the importance of organizing our area book (thanks for being so organized,
mom), gave us the message of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in
five minutes (and invited us to learn how to do the same so we can always teach
people about the restoration in the streets), and talked about John (you should
study John because we can honestly learn so much about the Savior). I
love zone conferences!</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Jessica
(the girl who looks a lot like Linds) is so awesome. I love having the
opportunity to know her and share the gospel with her! This past Monday,
we shared the <i>Book of Mormon</i> with her
and she is reading! And on Saturday, we learned about the gospel of Jesus
Christ together. As a mission, we are really trying to teach with the <i>Book of Mormon</i> so we can use Jesus
Christ´s words, not our own words. It was so cool because as Jessica read
about the gospel of Jesus Christ in the <i>Book
of Mormon</i> (we used 2 Nephi 25: 23, 26; the definition of repentance in the
Guide to the Scriptures; 3 Nephi 11 and 18), she basically taught
herself! She is awesome.</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Yesterday
there was so much rain! So much. I wish you could see these crazy
storms in Uruguay! Not a lot of people were able to come to church
yesterday (including two members who were going to give sacrament talks), so I
had the chance to give a last-minute sacrament talk. The mission really
teaches us to stay on our toes!</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>This
morning was so fun! We made a little banner for Hermana Salvatierra, blew
up some balloons, and gave her soup packets (one thing you should know about Hermana
Salvatierra is she loves soup--she eats it for breakfast, snacks, and
dinner)! This afternoon, we are going to eat in a buffet in Brazil.
Should be a super fun P-Day!!!</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
Well,
that´s all for now, I love you all so much, and keep up the great work.
You guys are the best.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
Hermana
Dixon</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06402537662177793874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504535255030809641.post-39097391644582094342015-10-27T21:22:00.001-07:002015-11-01T00:09:37.735-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_go93kxMlpAHzsshco1F7hh4SOv6DtsBprZ1c6GjlYnEOAe-N2Pwd1QNSqd9TG6eoqErysIq724TSTa-NbFRz2hPKKwRxlhCBka4rgaPDKSfKfoRG33npWSWtQlfA0uUbaVF4Vl21LTM/s1600/P4200797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_go93kxMlpAHzsshco1F7hh4SOv6DtsBprZ1c6GjlYnEOAe-N2Pwd1QNSqd9TG6eoqErysIq724TSTa-NbFRz2hPKKwRxlhCBka4rgaPDKSfKfoRG33npWSWtQlfA0uUbaVF4Vl21LTM/s320/P4200797.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By Hermana Susana Mendina</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
July 13, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Haha hello family!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So funny story! As Hermana
Salvatierra and I were writing this morning in the chapel (we write here in the
family history center), the power went out in the chapel! So here I am
again in the afternoon, but I don´t have much time! Life is always a big
adventure in the mission!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well it sure has been a good
week. Like REALLY good! I can honestly say I am in love with
Uruguay and I am in love with Artigas Barrio 6. The members here are
absolutely incredible. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are a few highlights from the
week:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Wednesday night, Hermana
Salvatierra and I went out with Hermana Idalina. It just seemed about
everywhere we went, nobody was home! I was just praying in my heart we´d
be able to find someone, and we found Hermana Mirta! She is a less-active
member, and we loved reading 1 Nephi chapter 16 with her! This chapter is
INCREDIBLE. In this part of the <i>Book
of Mormon</i>, Nephi breaks his bow and doesn´t know what to do. In
desperation, he builds a new bow and then asks his father where he should go to
find food. We love comparing this to the need we have for spiritual
food. Just as Nephi couldn´t survive without food in the desert, we can´t
survive spiritually without participating in the sacrament. We felt the Spirit
so strongly with Hermana Mirta and we were so grateful for Hermana Idalina and
her testimony!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There´s the sweetest lady, Hermana
Mariela! She is a teacher and works all week, so it´s really hard for her
to give us lunch. But this past week, she had vacations!!! She made
us the most delicious lunch and treated us like princesses in her home.
She also went out with us and we visited a sweet twenty-three year old girl,
Jessica! Jessica looks a lot like Lindsay. One day as we were walking, I saw her and
wanted to let her know she looked like my sister! So we ended up talking
to her and it turns out she has a lot of questions and is wondering how she can
find peace in her life! Anyway, we visited her with Hermana Mariela and
it was an awesome lesson. Hermana Mariela testified the gospel of Jesus
Christ truly can give us peace. When we have no idea what we should do,
the gospel can always help us. We are so excited to visit Jessica again
this night!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a mission, we are studying
John! This morning, I read John chapter 9. In this chapter,
Jesus Christ heals a blind man. As I was studying, it came to my mind I
should read the story about Alma the younger (someone who was spiritually
blind). It is so cool to compare these stories...Jesus Christ can heal
those who are struggling physically and spiritually!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hermana Susana Mendina (our
neighbor) is so awesome! She went out with us to visit the Berneda family
and she shared 2 Nephi 31:20 with them and made a little card that had the
scripture written out. It was the sweetest gesture.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I sure do love my sweet
companion, Hermana Salvatierra! I have been blessed with the best
companions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am loving life as a missionary
here in Artigas Barrio 6!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
LOVE YOU ALL!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hermana Dixon<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06402537662177793874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504535255030809641.post-77130280771225628512015-10-27T21:15:00.001-07:002015-10-27T21:15:26.092-07:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222;">July 6, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222;">Hello my sweet fam! How are you all doing?
Well, it´s been another week filled with adventures!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222;">So I´m not going to lie, sometimes the mission is
HARD. But it´s good it´s hard! This week, a lot of things kind of
just bunched together and I felt so weak. And I was just wondering why
the mission is so hard for me sometimes! On Thursday morning, I just prayed
with all of my heart I would be able to find something in my personal studies
to help me out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222;">Let me just say, God answers our prayers! I just
opened up the scriptures afterwards and found 3 Nephi chapter 17! You
guys should read this chapter because it is INCREDIBLE. In this chapter,
Jesus Christ is visiting all the people in America. And these people are
weak like me! And they don´t understand everything either! <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222;">This is what
Christ says to them (and what He says to us as weak humans):</span><span style="color: #222222;"><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222;">1 <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Behold,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>my<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>time<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>is<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>at<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>hand.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="14e6429333b9c7b1_2"><span style="color: #222222;"> </span></a></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;">2 I<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>perceive<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>that<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>ye<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>are<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>weak,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>that<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>ye<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>cannot<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>understand<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>all<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>my<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>words<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>which<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>am
commanded<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Father<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>speak<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>unto<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>you<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>at<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>this<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;">3 Therefore,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>go<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>ye<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>unto<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>your<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>homes,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>ponder<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>upon<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>things<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>which<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>have<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>said, and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>ask<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Father,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>in<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>my<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>name,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>that<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>ye<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>may<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>understand,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>prepare<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>your<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>minds
for<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>morrow,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>come<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>unto<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>you<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;">Oh my goodness, how
great is it Christ understands we are weak! How great is it He is so
patient with us and just tells us to keep trying! And if we don´t meet
all of our goals TODAY, He lets us know we can always prepare ourselves and try
again TOMORROW.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;">Here´s what happens
next:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="14e6429333b9c7b1_5"></a><span style="color: #222222;">5 And<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>it<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>came<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>pass<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>that<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>when<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Jesus<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>had<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>thus<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>spoken,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>he<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>cast<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>his<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>eyes<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>roundabout<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>again<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>on<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>multitude,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>beheld<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>they<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>were<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>in<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>tears,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>did<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>look<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>steadfastlyupon<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>him<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>as<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>if<span class="apple-converted-space"> they </span>would<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>ask<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>him<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>tarry<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>little<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>longer<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>with<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;">6 And<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>he<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>said<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>unto<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>them:<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Behold,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>my<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>bowels<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>are<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>filled<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>with<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>compassion<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>towards you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;">7 Have<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>ye<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>any<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>that<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>are<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>sick<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>among<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>you?<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Bring<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>them<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>hither.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Have<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>ye<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>any<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>that<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>are lame,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>or<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>blind,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>or<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>halt,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>or<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>maimed,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>or<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>leprous,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>or<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>that<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>are<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>withered,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>or<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>that<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>are<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>deaf,
or<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>that<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>are<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>afflicted<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>in<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>any<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>manner?<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Bring<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>them<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>hither<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>will<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>heal<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>them,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>for<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>have compassion<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>upon<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>you;<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>my<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>bowels<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>are<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>filled<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>with<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>mercy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;">I love that when Jesus
Christ saw their tears, he had COMPASSION for them. And I love it when he
says if we are "afflicted in any manner" He can help us out! <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;">I would just love to
share a few ways Christ has shown his compassion on me this week and has healed
his weak servant, Hermana Dixon!</span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #222222;">I know Uncle Tom
knows the Bueno sisters. They are two sweet women in their nineties and
even though they´re weak with age, they light up everyone´s life! Guess
what??? This week, they were kind enough to give us lunch! Their
niece cooked for us! She made us ravioli con tuco and an awesome dessert
(it was kind of similar to dirt and worms). I honestly cried a little bit
during the lunch because I was in awe two ninety-year-old women sacrificed so
much to give us a nice lunch. The people in Uruguay are incredible.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222;">Another story about
FOOD! On Saturday night, Hermana Salvatierra and I had a bit of time
after our lessons so we began looking for less-active members in our
list. We couldn´t find a house, so we stopped by a bakery to ask for
directions. We began talking with the owners, Angela and her husband, and
it turns out they have some relatives who are members! They also have a </span><i style="color: #222222;">Book of Mormon</i><span style="color: #222222;">. We invited them to
read some scriptures in the </span><i style="color: #222222;">Book of
Mormon</i><span style="color: #222222;">, and then we let them know we´d love to return another day to buy
some sweets from their bakery! And they just began piling a bunch of
baked goods and sandwiches in a paper sack and gave us all of that food free of
charge. I almost started crying again because the generosity of the
Uruguayan people just awes me.</span><span style="color: #222222;"> </span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: #222222;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222;">Yesterday was a
super interesting day but it ended so great!!! There is an investigator,
Griselda, who we haven´t been able to visit for quite some time. We were
able to have a lesson with her last night, and we loved sharing the plan of salvation!
Hermana Salvatierra and I felt the Spirit strongly, and we invited her to be
baptized. God gave us such a grand miracle to end an interesting day.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;">So I guess what I´m
trying to say is Jesus Christ is so COMPASSIONATE! I invite you all to
look for all the little miracles He puts in our paths daily. I testify in
the hardest of days, there are always so many blessings. Christ and our
Heavenly Father know us perfectly and LOVE US!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;">Keep up the great work,
and I love the new house! You guys are awesome!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;">Hermana Dixon</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06402537662177793874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504535255030809641.post-14944815506465415782015-10-22T14:42:00.000-07:002015-11-01T00:02:48.715-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
June 30, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey sweet fam! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week has been AWESOME! We have changes, but I
will be staying in Artigas Barrio 6 with Hermana Salvatierra! Woo
hoo! This is the first time after my training I won´t have a change of
companion, so I´m excited!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The people in Artigas Barrio 6 are so awesome, and I
especially love our bishop and his family, the Duarte family!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here´s a little experience about them!<span style="color: #666666;"><br />
<br style="outline: 0px;" />
<span style="background: #E7E6E2;">Our obispo, Obispo Duarte, is incredible!!!
This past Sunday, we taught him and his family El Recogimiento de Israel! It´s
super fun starting out the lesson by spreading out a bunch of candies and
asking someone to gather all the candies, but WITHOUT using their arms or
hands. Sometimes people use their mouths or feet to gather the candies, but it
just ends up being so awkward. It just shows the Lord truly needs our
"brazos" to do His work! Anyway, after teaching El Recogimiento, we
had the opportunity to meet with our obispo Saturday night and talk about the
people in our ward who want to progress to go to the temple! And then on
Sunday, our obispo accompanied us! We had two citas fijads with
our obispo, but they both ended up falling through. So we ended up visiting a
ton of less-active members whom our obispo hasn´t met yet (he lives in the area
of Rama 5, so he still doesn´t know the area of Barrio 6 super well). I can
honestly testify the Lord´s plan was for our citas to fall through, because it
was incredible to see our obispo interacting with all the less-active members.
He had so much love for them and even had the opportunity to give an hermana a
priesthood blessing (and she really needed it)! So yeah, he is awesome!!!</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #E7E6E2; color: #666666;">Also, I loved
reading in 1 Nefi 17 this morning. You guys should read in this chapter
and think about building up whatever spiritual goal you have!!! Here´s
what I learned from my studies in this chapter today:</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #E7E6E2; color: #666666;"> Although
this chapter talks about Nefi building a boat, we can really apply it to
whatever situation! This morning, I applied building a boat to building my mission...making
my mission what the Lord wants my mission to be! First off, in versiculo 2, I
learned I should live every day of my mission "SIN MURMURAR." Second
off, in versiculo 3, I learned God will always provide me with the necessary
nourishment and strengthen me...but only if I continue keeping the commandments
and rules of the mission. Third off, in versiculo 8, I learned I should build
my mission "según la manera que yo te mostraré" aka I should realize
really my mission isn´t MINE, it´s the Lord´s! So I will do my best to follow
the Lord´s will for my mission.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #E7E6E2; color: #666666;">Well, I sure
do love you guys a lot, and it makes me so happy you´re loving the new ward in
Layton! I especially loved the story about the little boy looking over
his mom´s shoulder. So funny! The Berneda family is doing great,
and our investigator, Paula (we found her by accident because she lived NEXT TO
the reference) is super AWESOME! She loves hearing about the gospel and
is praying to know if the restoration and the <i>Book of Mormon</i> are true. I love seeing God´s hand working in
our little area!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #E7E6E2; color: #666666;">Love you all,</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #E7E6E2; color: #666666;">Hermana Dixon</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06402537662177793874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504535255030809641.post-71284132475482553232015-10-22T11:05:00.000-07:002015-10-22T11:05:10.913-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
June 22, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello sweet fam! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, it´s been another great week in Uruguay!!! I
loved hearing four of you gave talks in sacrament meeting, because I did as
well! On Thursday, our bishop assigned Hermana Salvatierra and me to give
talks about missionary work.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Missionary work covers so much, so I kind of had no idea
what I should talk about! But on Friday night, it all came to me!
Friday happened to be day of the grandparents here in Uruguay. It´s so
cool Uruguay has a day especially for grandparents, no? And also, on
Friday night, Hermana Salvatierra and I had the opportunity to do family
history here in the chapel! I got to see some beautiful pictures of
Grandma and Grandpa Dixon and I decided to do a rerun of my farewell
talk. I decided to talk about my sweet Grandma Dixon!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So you may be asking how exactly Grandma Dixon relates to
missionary work? I explained my grandma was born into a Congregationalist
family, but when she was in her twenties, she began working in a laboratory and
noticed some Mormon scientists who had distinct lifestyles. I explained these
scientists then invited her to church, and when she went to church, the members
accepted and welcomed her. And the members presented her to the
missionaries! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I mentioned through these scientists and through these
loving members, my grandma´s life was changed (and the lives of her six
children and many grandchildren for that matter)!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I then shared the story of Abinadi...Abinadi´s efforts
didn´t seem to make too much of a difference. Although he preached with
all of his heart to tons of wicked priests, only one person, Alma, decided to
listen. But you know what??? Alma preached the gospel and brought
many people to the waters of baptism. And who knows? Maybe these
people had children and grandchildren as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am so grateful for the people of Artigas because there are
so many Abinadis here. There are so many people who are willing to share
their testimonies to help their neighbors, friends, and family members.
This gospel is so beautiful!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The work is going great here and I love my life! Thank
you for letting me be a missionary, and the gospel is so so true!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have a great week,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Hermana Dixon</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06402537662177793874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504535255030809641.post-77269860316431137692015-10-21T21:59:00.000-07:002015-10-22T05:33:08.674-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
June 15, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey sweet fam!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #E7E6E2; color: #666666;">Sorry to be
so lame, but I am going to be using my letter to President again. And
then I´ll write a few more bullet points to let you know what else is going on!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #E7E6E2; color: #666666;">"Life is
good, oh so good! This week has been a good one. We had our open house,
divisions, and ward conference, so it was a week filled with adventures!</span>
<span style="color: #666666;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: #E7E6E2;">Little by little, we are finding more with the
members. And let me just say, a huge part of it is my companion! I love receiving
a new companion in an area because she has a fresh perspective. Hermana
Salvatierra sees things I didn´t notice before...especially when it comes to
members. She´s able to see every member truly is a missionary! We´ve been
inviting new members to go out with us and bit by bit, we are seeing progress.
We saw a huge miracle this week when it came to finding with members. On Friday
morning, Hermano Lorenzo (an awesome hermano in our ward) went out with us to
visit a reference we received from an hermano in Barrio 3 (Hermano Lopez). We
were looking for the house NEXT TO 595 Manuel Oribe. But we kind of forgot the
NEXT TO part. So we ended up knocking at 595 Manuel Oribe. A young mother
opened the door and we asked her if she knew Hermano Lopez (because he was the
one who gave us the reference). She said she didn´t know him, but invited us
into her house. </span></span> <span style="color: #666666;"><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><span style="background: #E7E6E2;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #E7E6E2; color: #666666;">So we entered
into her house, learned about her life, and had a charla! This young mom is
incredible...her life has not been easy, but she has so many desires to learn
more about God and please Him. It was really interesting because she had lots
and lots of questions...and it was so cool because Hermano Lorenzo was able to
help her out a lot with her questions! He's a convert so it was easy for him to
see things from her perspective. We are so excited to visit her again this
upcoming Wednesday!</span> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #E7E6E2; color: #666666;">Okay so
divisions were great! I can honestly say Hermana Sandoval kind of read my mind
and helped me figure out what I can do to be a better missionary! Our day was
super interesting...just about every appointment fell through and there was so
much opposition during our charlas. But even though it was an interesting day,
it was the perfect day! Hermana Sandoval is INCREDIBLE. She is so full of love
and has such sound motives...she just wants to be good so she can help everyone
around her.”</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #E7E6E2; color: #666666;">And now I´ll
give you the bullet points!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: #e7e6e2; color: #666666;">First off,
this P-Day has been so fun! We got to drive around Brazil and eat hot dogs
with Fernanda (her parents live in our ward and she just got back from her
mission in January). She was visiting Artigas for the weekend.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: #e7e6e2; color: #666666;">Hermano Jorge
came to church and said he felt great!</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: #e7e6e2; color: #666666;">I love my
life as a missionary and I love this gospel.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: #e7e6e2; color: #666666;">I LOVE YOU
GUYS SO MUCH AND THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT!</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #E7E6E2; color: #666666;">Hermana Dixon</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06402537662177793874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504535255030809641.post-46274334239725325662015-10-20T06:41:00.003-07:002015-11-01T00:10:07.207-07:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUBJsl5TtaddrGVizfZGT1NurKS9P1RpgnoLvKAGUTjKqoCBgIvxHXmLvfGWnCCXAOZWvbbBDiO91TANGl3oF8XFLz22XUm054XVS_YUcgKGeiw2QpWQTJGbl7S7BvB0YpzNw1RlCQPH3/s1600/P3210807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUBJsl5TtaddrGVizfZGT1NurKS9P1RpgnoLvKAGUTjKqoCBgIvxHXmLvfGWnCCXAOZWvbbBDiO91TANGl3oF8XFLz22XUm054XVS_YUcgKGeiw2QpWQTJGbl7S7BvB0YpzNw1RlCQPH3/s320/P3210807.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am obsessed with Uruguayan skies!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
June 8, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello my sweet fam! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I loved reading your letters. It sounds like you´re
all doing so great in Layton and you´re settling in super well. So crazy!
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So it´s been an awesome week, and I just want to thank you
all so much for the support you've shown me during my mission. I feel so
lucky to be here in Uruguay preaching the gospel, and I know it wouldn't be
possible for me to be here without you guys. So just thank you so much!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sadly, I don´t have any more embarrassing stories to share,
but this week was filled with so many blessings! And many of these
blessings involve incredible Uruguayans.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>On Wednesday night, we called Hermano Lorenzo to accompany
us for just one hour. But he helped us out for three hours. And in
the RAIN! We just kept thanking and thanking him, but he told us it gives
him so much happiness to help those around him. What a good example!</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>On Thursday, we had interviews with president. I just
love President Smith so much, and I can honestly say he is the perfect mission
president for me!</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>On Saturday, we visited the Berneda Family and they are doing so great! Hermana Berneda
always repeats this story: About two
months back, she felt super sad and was praying Heavenly Father could help her
somehow. She said just a couple days later, we passed by to visit them!
She felt so surprised Heavenly Father answered her prayers so quickly, and it
is so cool to see how the gospel is changing Hermana Berneda. She says she
still has hard things in her life, but the gospel helps her keep going!</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Last night, we visited Hermano Jorge, a returned
missionary. He served in Cordoba, Argentina, but hasn´t come to church
for quite some time. We passed by with the Dos Santos family, and I can
honestly say MEMBERS MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN THIS WORK. Please please
please, you guys should work with the missionaries because the members always
bring miracles. We shared scriptures in Alma 47 and 3 Nephi 11 with Jorge,
and then invited him to pray, read, and come to church. After this
invitation, Hermano Dos Santos jumped in and said Hermano Jorge didn´t need to
pray, read, or come to church alone and they would love to come to his house
and help him out! Afterwards, Hermano Jorge then asked, "So when
would you guys like to come pick me up for church?" They´re going to
swing by for him this Sunday, and we are just so excited!</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, that´s about all for now! I feel so happy to be
a missionary, and just always remember Heavenly Father loves you all so much
and is listening to your prayers!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
XOXO,</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hermana Dixon<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06402537662177793874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504535255030809641.post-51033741744457207112015-10-13T13:25:00.001-07:002015-10-13T13:27:45.710-07:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVucREHnjix7sGiZKMska6zWt6uTGLrwc6jYV8Gz2K8kb-AI2abGdZ6gA9CM-gulZFESV3y-kiVQ17PW8A3M1imkvoXuSgfrKlFs4qKcoNA9mP-cYH7sJaJotZTaDCQr1wresN5we6GK4z/s1600/P3180806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVucREHnjix7sGiZKMska6zWt6uTGLrwc6jYV8Gz2K8kb-AI2abGdZ6gA9CM-gulZFESV3y-kiVQ17PW8A3M1imkvoXuSgfrKlFs4qKcoNA9mP-cYH7sJaJotZTaDCQr1wresN5we6GK4z/s320/P3180806.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noche de Hogar with Hermana Idalina and her sister</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
June 1, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello my sweet family!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Okay to start out, I just want to
include a couple of funny stories that have happened to me this last little bit
of my mission. I hope you enjoy them!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Okay so the first story happened
during my first night in Artigas with Hermana Ramirez. We were sleeping
like normal, but then I heard an alarm go off at two o`clock or so (the other
Hermanas in our house had to go to a bus station to pick up an Hermana who was
coming to Artigas). When I heard the
alarm, I woke up a little bit and looked over to Hermana Ramirez´s bed.
She wasn´t in her bed, so I kind of freaked out. I jumped out of my bed
and quickly ran down the stairs. And I tried to open the door to peek my
head outside to look for her, but I had no idea how to open the door (the door
in our house is a bit complicated). So I just kind of hyperventilated a
little bit and tried calling Hermana Ramirez´s name through the door but she
wasn´t answering me! So then I ran upstairs to our room again and decided
I would try to open our window so I could call her name out the window.
But do you know what`s crazy? When I went back into our room to open our
window, she was in her bed! It turned out she was in her bed the whole
time...I think my body was kind of disoriented from traveling all day so I just
imagined all of it! How crazy!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The second story is about a little
dog called Diana! There is a sweet member in our ward named Hermana Eva,
and her dog has so much ENERGY! And her little dog just loves to lick us
all over the place. And her dog also just loves to JUMP! So anyway,
my first day in the house of Hermana Eva, she asked me if I could say the
opening prayer. So I shut my eyes, folded my arms, bowed my head, and
began to pray. And about halfway through the prayer, something wet and
slobbery entered my mouth. It was Diana´s tongue! Yuck.
So I just kind of screamed a little bit but then continued on with the prayer.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The third story happened quite
recently...this past week in fact. So there are still some words in
Spanish I don´t understand completely because I don´t hear them very
often. For example, during my mission, I haven´t heard the word
"underwear" very many times. Haha so this past Friday, Hermana
Salvatierra and I were in a member´s house and she was explaining it was
difficult for her to put her underwear on that morning. Poor thing!
I didn´t quite understand her, but I could tell she needed help. So I
said, "Hermana, the next time that happens, call us! We will run
over to help you!" She kind of looked at me weird, but I didn´t
understand WHY until Hermana Salvatierra explained everything to me after the
lesson. The mission is one grand adventure!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But anyway, life is good here in
Artigas! I am learning so much with Hermana Salvatierra, and we had an
awesome experience this week with Hermana Idalina! Hermana Idalina is an
incredible woman. Let me just tell you a bit about her. She is so
strong in the gospel and has the sweetest testimony. She is always
willing to help us as missionaries (whether it be giving us glasses of yogurt
or umbrellas when it´s rainy outside). She is super fashionable and
beautiful! And she has a son who is serving a mission in Brazil.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But anyway, a couple weeks back, Hermana
Ramirez and I taught Hermana Idalina about the gathering of Israel. She
had desires to gather her friends, family, and neighbors and share the gospel
with them, so she gave us some references and promised to let us know if she
thought of anyone else. This past week, her son wrote her and said he wanted her to give a copy of the <i>Book
of Mormon</i> to his friend here in Artigas, Fabio. So on Friday, Hermana
Idalina, Hermana Salvatierra, and I went to visit Fabio and give him a copy of
the <i>Book of Mormon</i>! Hermana
Idalina let us know it would maybe be just a quick visit because Fabio hadn´t
shown very much interest in the gospel previously. But something
changed! When we went to his house, he let us in, and we got to know him,
his younger sister and brother, and his mom! They were super receptive
and it was so great sharing the <i>Book of
Mormon</i> with them. Every time we share the <i>Book of Mormon</i>, I love reading the part in the introduction that
says within the <i>Book of Mormon</i>, we
can find PEACE in this life. Fabio´s family promised to read and pray
about the <i>Book of Mormon</i>, and we are
so excited to share the PEACE this gospel brings.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Well, that´s about it for
now! I am loving life as a missionary, and I love this gospel so so
much! And if you guys want to do something fun for your scripture study,
you should read in 3 Nephi chapter 11. As I was studying this past week,
I realized this chapter talks a lot about the action of "arising."
Let me know how many times you read about someone arising!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Well, love you lots, and enjoy
your first week in Layton!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Hermana Dixon <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06402537662177793874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504535255030809641.post-90223980420622699722015-10-12T14:09:00.000-07:002015-11-01T00:04:09.412-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
May 25, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Hey sweet family!!! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Okay I am so bad when it comes to time management and
writing! So this week, I´m going to include some of my letter to president
and then some updates about what´s going on! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I am doing great, just so great! I feel happy
here in Artigas Barrio 6, and I am absolutely LOVING sweet Hermana
Salvatierra. She is honestly a little Peruvian angel and has so many
desires to help those around her...whether it be me as her companion, our investigators,
the members, or just a random person in the street. I am so excited to
have her as a companion!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
This week has been a crazy rollercoaster but has been the perfect week for
me! On Wednesday morning, it was hard for me to say goodbye to Hermana
Ramirez, I felt incapable to show another companion our area, and I just kept
thinking about all the mistakes I´ve made as a missionary. But you know
what? Heavenly Father always gives us angels to help us out. And do
you know who happened to be my angel that morning? SWEET HERMANA
OSPINA! She listened to me, comforted me, and just helped me out.
Thank you for putting such a special missionary in my path in Colonia AND
Artigas.<o:p></o:p><br />
But after an interesting start, Wednesday ended up being a swell day.
My studies helped me out so much! I read an interesting talk by Brother
Higbee, a professor of psychology at BYU (https://www.lds.org/ensign/1972/09/forgetting-those-things-which-are-behind?lang=eng). The talk starts out with a
little story:<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
‘A newspaper editor, speaking to a college graduating class asked, "How
many of you have ever sawed wood? Let´s see your hands."<o:p></o:p><br />
Many hands went up.<o:p></o:p><br />
Then he asked, "How many of you have ever sawed sawdust?"<o:p></o:p><br />
No hands went up.<o:p></o:p><br />
"Of course, you can´t saw sawdust!" he exclaimed. "It´s
already sawed! And it´s the same with the past. When you start
worrying about things that are over and done with, you´re merely trying to saw
sawdust."’<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
It´s so true, no??? On Wednesday, I realized I´ve spent so much of my
life and so much of my mission sawing sawdust! And with that little
story, I realized how pointless it truly is. As I continued my studies, I
loved reading in Helaman 5! In this chapter, 2 missionaries, Lehi and
Nefi have a lot of success in Zarahemla, but when they head to the land of
Nefi, they get captured and put into prison. In verse 29 of this chapter,
Heavenly Father talks to the inhabitants of Nefi. It goes like this:<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
‘Y aconteció que llegó una voz como si hubiera provenido de encima de la
nube de obscuridad, diciendo: Arrepentiós, arrepentiós, y no intentéis más
destruir mis siervos, a quienes os he enviado para declarar buenas nuevas.’
(SORRY MOM, you´ll have to look this up in English.)<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p>
And in verse 32, we read something similar.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
‘Y he aquí, nuevamente vino la voz diciendo: Arrepentíos, arrepentíos,
porque el reino de los cielos ésta cerca; y no procuréis más destruir a mis
siervos. Y sucedió que la tierra tembló de nuevo y los muros se
sacudieron.’<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
I felt like Heavenly Father was talking to ME. When I worry about my
past, when I dwell on my mistakes, in a sense, I am destroying a servant of the
Lord. Because I AM a servant of the Lord. And what did these verses
tell me to do? Repent and then forgive and forget myself! Repent
and stop destroying a servant of the Lord!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
I feel so much peace now!!! I am so grateful for my mission and I am
so grateful for the gift of repentance because it helps us saw wood, not
sawdust!<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Okay so now I´m going to jump into what Hermana Salvatierra
and I did well this week, and what I can improve! This first bit of the
change, Hermana Salvatierra and I SAWED WOOD! We lived in the present and
worked hard! I loved showing her around the area and we had some awesome
experiences with the members. The members are starting to give us more
references and are excited to accompany us! As for what I can do better,
I am going to stop sawing sawdust. In my prayers, I am going to repent
fully and thoroughly and then get excited for what the future holds! Because
as Brother Higbee said, ‘No matter what our past is like, our future is
spotless.’”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So yeah, I am so excited to SAW WOOD!!! And this week
has honestly been awesome. We saw lots of little miracles. The
Familia Berneda is progressing and they´re starting to prepare to enter the
temple! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Well, I love you all so much, and have the best week ever!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Hermana Dixon<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06402537662177793874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504535255030809641.post-70599928636746191762015-10-04T20:05:00.002-07:002015-11-01T00:11:03.131-07:00Farewell to Hermana Ramirez<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3zf7DYhHINV6nGxvk4_-ztDBGEOfyGszrG1zKur3s67GPRCAaWJhJNAdBDu2QdwcBrRxSciqN9HzJoeHZg2YmNSpsKuCMEXVBakG6bzpCcpnNN-kktfpax8w7wRWYfGORP5Yo-uOwI5C/s1600/P3110797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3zf7DYhHINV6nGxvk4_-ztDBGEOfyGszrG1zKur3s67GPRCAaWJhJNAdBDu2QdwcBrRxSciqN9HzJoeHZg2YmNSpsKuCMEXVBakG6bzpCcpnNN-kktfpax8w7wRWYfGORP5Yo-uOwI5C/s320/P3110797.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun P-Day with Hermana Ramirez</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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May 19, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
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Hello sweet family! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So this week is bittersweet because sweet Hermana Ramirez
will be heading off to Dolores tomorrow (Dolores is a city pretty close to Fray
Bentos--I spent a bit of my first week of the mission there with Hermana
Ferrera). Man I am going to miss her SO MUCH! But guess what?
My next companion is also from Peru...Hermana Salvatierra! She´ll be my
fourth companion from Peru WOOT WOOT! You guys know how I am with
directions and streets and such...I´m still getting to know my area a bit, so
please pray for me that I will be able to guide Hermana Salvatierra!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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But anyway, this week was awesome! We saw so many
miracles!!! First off, do you guys remember that family we talked to
because we saw their horse? Well, they are Dina and Jesus, and they have
four children! We visited Hermana Dina this week and invited her to a
baptism on Friday! She, two of her kiddos, and her niece came! And
also, Hermano Anastacio came to the baptism as well. Slowly but surely,
things are progressing here!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Also, Hermana Ramirez and I have been finding some awesome
scriptures!!! And do you know what we just love to do??? Apply the
scriptures to ourselves and to the people we´re teaching! It´s so fun to
change names in the scriptures to our own names or to the members/investigators´
names. Or it´s fun to change a word to apply it to a certain situation.
Here are a couple examples: <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS 88:119<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">119 </span></b> <span style="color: #333333;">Organize</span> <span style="color: #333333;"> yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and
establish a </span> <span style="color: #333333;">house</span> <span style="color: #333333;">, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of
faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;</span>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;">It´s fun to change HOUSE to
MARRIAGE or COMPANIONSHIP!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;">Organize yourselves; prepare
every needful thing; and establish a companionship, even a companionship of
prayer, a companionship of fasting, a companionship of faith, a companionship
of learning, a companionship of glory, a companionship of order, a
companionship of God;</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;">2 NEPHI 26: 24</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">24 </span></b> <span style="background: #FEFBBF;">He doeth
not </span> <span style="background: #FEFBBF;">anything</span> <span style="background: #FEFBBF;"> save it be for the benefit of the world; for
he </span> <span style="background: #FEFBBF;">loveth</span> <span style="background: #FEFBBF;"> the world, even that he layeth down his own
life that he may draw </span> <span style="background: #FEFBBF;">all</span> <span style="background: #FEFBBF;"> men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none
that they shall not partake of his salvation.</span> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background: #FEFBBF;">It´s so great putting
people´s names here!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background: #FEFBBF;">He doeth not anything save
it be for the benefit of Debi Dixon; for he loveth Debi Dixon, even that he
layeth down his own life that he may draw Debi Dixon unto him. Wherefore,
he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Well, that´s about all for now! I love you all so
much, and thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a missionary! I
am learning so much every day and I know this gospel is true with ALL OF MY
HEART!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hermana Dixon<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06402537662177793874noreply@blogger.com0