Week 70 - "But the baptism of Heben and Adriana was beautiful. It was raining and cold and dreary, which scared me at first because usually if there is ugly weather nobody shows, but we had a great attendance."

December 3, 2014

Sometimes we think we are in the worst of situations with the worst of people at the worst time with the worst trial of our life. We walk the streets complaining to God because of the things we have to pass through and see the world through dirty windows. But if we clean the windows, from inside and out, we will see that our situation isn't half bad. That we have been wasting our time complaining when we could have been giving thanks or asking for God to help a friend who is in greater need. That happened to me this week. God swiped his finger across the dirt on my window so I could get a glimpse of reality, which provoked me into cleaning the entire surface. And my eyes were opened. I have come to see my companion, the members, the sector, the people we teach, the dogs on the street with a celestial view. My mortal, imperfect and partially blind human eyes impeded me from seeing the way that God sees. But thanks to the gift of the Atonement, God gave me the opportunity to see through His eyes. Really, I am now ashamed that it took me as long as it did to realize how and where I needed to change. All right, I wasn't going to tell you, but I will. My comp and I aren't having difficulties, but we aren't the best of friends. This week has been a hard one because of the lessons I have learned and for the time I have been stretched. Hermana Morales is wonderful. She is cheerful, happy and loves what she is doing. As do I, but to those of you who know me, I am all those things, in my own way. I also have a hard time when somebody commands me or tells me how to do something I already know. And I have been exercizing all my strength to bite my lip, to swallow my pride and to grin and bear it with pacience. But such a thing is very difficult, in fact, it is an uphill advance with 50 pounds of weight on each limb, when it is a constant happening. Basically, mejor dicho, she bosses me around. I know how to do things generally, as I should because I have a bit of time in the field, and she sometimes doesn't realize that. She actually hardly does. But that is why I love her. I see her as a witness and testimony and proof of the power of the Atonement. Even when she tells me how she thinks I should think it is, I love her and feel an abounding love for her despite how bitter it makes me feel.

Entonces, eso. But the baptism of Heben and Adriana was beautiful. It was raining and cold and dreary, which scared me at first because usually if there is ugly weather nobody shows, but we had a great attendance. There was lots of support from the youth and from the families that know Heben. Elder Tecún from Guatemala baptized Heben and Adriana's dad baptized her. And better yet, the water was warm. It was a bit dirty but it was warm. Then Sunday they both received the Holy Ghost. It is a beautiful thing to be part of a baptism of a soul. I will send fotos attached if I can.

Know that I love this gospel. The gospel of Jesus Christ is another name for opportunity. It is a chance to be better, to leave the past behind and to move forward without weight or rocks in your backpack. It isn't easy, but Jesus takes the part of the burden we can't carry. If he is the Son of God, with Him is there anything we can't do?

Hermana Castleton

PS. Sorry I can't send fotos. The computer doesn't allow me to insert my USB. Cuak. Next week I will sit in the one with the space to do it. Se lo prometo con todo el amor que poseo.