December 16, 2013
Animo, not Anime
Ok, first I have to tell you
about something I did this morning, because I want all of you to be proud of me
and tell me it’s all going to be ok. My dear sweet companion from Guatemala
made black beans a while back. They were delicious. But apparently
there were leftovers that got forgotten about. And I found them this
morning, with WORMitas all over the place. I was horrified. And I
cleaned it all out. Had one of the worst smells I have ever smelt.
I still can’t think about food because I have been nauseous ever since.
But, hey I did it. Apparently worms can literally be born from the
food. I had no idea that beans had the capacity to give birth. Even
though I had the job of changing adult diapers for a summer, this morning was
still one of the raunchiest things I have ever made myself do. Please,
someone tell me you are proud of me.
This week: I
feel like I am finally starting to get it a little bit. The importance of
the temple. Like all of these people are inactive in the church. Because
they really weren’t invited to catch the vision. To really see what they
could become. Baptism is simply a step to the temple. It is a step
to becoming who God wants us to be, to realizing the joy and greatness that He
has in store for us. The temple is where they really belong. That
is where they will be able to receive the promised blessings of the Lord.
The work of the latter days is simply temple work. D y C 138, y’all.
So that means missionary work in the latter days is getting them to the
temple. It changes everything. Seriously. It makes everything
else make so much more sense. Like, we taught Karmen about temples, and
she was like, OH, I need to get baptized and do all these things so I can go to
the temple in a year. And all of a sudden she had a reason! Like
before she was walking with her beautiful blind faith, and then when she found
out about temples, she didn’t feel blind anymore. She had direction.
She knew where she was headed and where God wanted her to be. How awesome
is this!! I feel so lucky that I got to work there before this.
Because of all things in the gospel, I have the most animo [zeal; enthusiasm] when testifying of
temples. It’s the most like AAHHHH IT’S SO COOL!!! of all.
I have less than half
my mission left. How terrifying is that?
I looove teaching our
little mission prep group. They are the sweetest. One of them
brought a non-member friend to it, which was so cool too. And they are
all so excited to help him into the Church. And Marcos, a real solid,
stalwart 17-year-old, ended up asking for advice about getting an answer for if
the Church is true. He is so sweet! Like here he is, patiently and
faithfully awaiting an answer to a very important question, but still going
forward with his mission, with coming to church every Sunday even if his friends don’t. I think that
is such a good example. Just, move forward. When you don’t know
exactly, when you feel like you are missing something, when you are waiting on
the Lord, walk while you are waiting. Keep going. Keep being faithful
and doing what you know is right. That is faith to me. Doing what
you know is right even when you don’t feel it.
It is pretty rad, huh?
Getting to learn all of these cool things from these amazing people.
I love it. And I love all of you. I pray for you all the
time. And please keep praying for me. And for Judith, and Gina, and
the Fam Castillo, and Rosa, and the Fam Gil, and Jefrey and Migual angel.
And the members of Bello Horizonte and Talara Alta, in distrito de
Talara. Please and thank you.
God loves you!
Remember that!
Hna Johnson
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