SERVICE IS THE KEY

I have a lot of scrambled thoughts this week but I hope I can share them all without writing a whole darn novel.

It was such an amazing week! So hard but so good. Always have to start with a funny story... duhhh. We went over to an investegators house to teach a lesson. Hes super old and speaks a native dialec called Zapoteco. He speaks spanish just with a really strong accent. Anyways, we get his house and he offers us some water. We didnt see where he got it from so we always have to ask so we dont get sick. He says its from the rain the other day so we were already a little skeptical, and then I look down at the water and its legit BROWN and its got random chunks floating in it. My comp is talking to him about it and this investigator starts going off becuase we're not drinking the water, he starts quoting scriptures about how everything from God is good yada yada yada. Well then my comp looks at me and goes "Should we drink it?" I WAS LIKE HECK NO. The investigator gives us a little lecture and proceeds to chug the water. We went back a couple days later and while we're teaching him a dog sneaks into his house and starts drinking out of the bucket of water which was the same water he offered us the day before. You mayyyy or may not have been getting another email from Elder Carter if I drank that water.

Anyways, funny funny funny, the people here crack me up. We did get FIVE people to church though which was the biggest win because no one ever comes to church so I was STOKED.

One of the people that came to church is named Alex! I love Alex soooo so much. I have a little heart warming story about him. Most of where I am in Mexico the people dont have much. Which is something I really wanted to understand when I went on my mission. Its something I shared with the Quorm of the 12 in my Mission papers as well. The first time I met Alex he was wearing a Ronaldo jersey so OBVIOUSLYYY in the worst spanish ever I had to ask him about his jersey and soccer. I asked him if he had a soccer ball he played with to work on his skills for soccer. He meekly bowed his head and shook it no. I knew what I needed to do. Sooo Ive been scowering Juchitan in search of a ball. And you're dang right I found one. I cared that baby around all dayyy waiting to give it to him! When I got there I was really unsure how he was gonna feel. As I handed him the ball tears began to stream down his face and he wrapped his arms tight around me. The tighest he possibly could. In that moment I remember my purpose I remember what the Savior did during his ministry on Earth. I wish I would've wiped his tears away and told him he could have THIS VERY JOY times a MILLION for all eternity.

Friends, family that just leads me to share one last thing. S E R V I C E. Serve Serve Serve. My dear momma is the very most amazing example of a service minded person. When she personally steuggles I know the first thing her brain turns to is "who can I serve?". So I ask you all the same question who can you serve today? When you feel lonely, lost, sad and when your under attack of the gripping plauge of temptation WHO. CAN. YOU. SERVE. Thats our mission and our goal on this earth. Not only on Earth but in our Temples as well gather Isreal on both sides of the veil. AND I KNOW. I know with 100% assurity your heaviest burden will soon feel light because when you serve you yoke yourself with Christ! 

Matthew 11:28-30

28 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Id really invite you to disect these 3 verses spend 5 or 10 minutes and get to feel what these verses mean to you personally!

Uno mas thing!!! I love getting all your emails! I have a request. I really want to get better at this. Sooo if youve served a mission WHAT WORKED FOR YOU??? If you havent and know a thing or two about the gospel or how to connect with people. I WANNA HEAR!!! Im so imperfect at this and Id love to know all your insights. Send me an email or text my parents or family if you have their numbers! Send all your ideas my way. I truly want and need to hear! Muchísimo GRACIAS!

Last and certainly not least I love each and everyone one of I think about you every day. I knke that your Heavenly parents tbink about you all day every day as well. I knowww that God the Eternal Father and his Son love you as well!!!