When the Lights Go Out

" This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends..." John 15-12-14

I love it here when Jesus Christ calls us his friends. Can we call Jesus Christ our friend? Do we have this relationship of love with him? I was studying about love the other day and the infinite love that our Heavenly Father has for each one of us. I have found that as I have served God's children I have had a greater love for them and I felt closer to my Heavenly Father. Charity in the Bible Dictionary is defined as the highest, noblest, strongest kind of love. I am really striving to have more charity. I am trying to see everyone through the eyes of Heavenly Father. I think when we give of ourselves that is when we truly find out who we are. There is a quote....don't know who it is from, but it says "nothing is truly yours until you give it away". Look for opportunities to lighten the load of another. Jesus Christ was the perfect example. Maybe then we will know what it is like to call Jesus Christ our friend. Because we would then have a glimpse of the love that he has for us. The same love that brought him to suffer for our sins, pains, and sorrows. The same love that can make us whole.

The temple was so great! I sat in the waiting room area and just looked at this picture of Christ with outstretched arms. I knew that I was in the house of the Lord. There is just a special feeling of peace and love that cannot be found anywhere else. It was in the temple that I opened the Bible and read those verses in John. It was just a great time to talk with my Heavenly Father and to feel of His love for me. The temple is a healing place! I took pictures and am going to try and send them this week.

On Tuesday night we had a lesson with this family. We have just recently started teaching them. We arrived at their house and she told me that the lights had been turned off because they couldn't pay the bill. She felt really bad and felt stupid for having to tell me that. I looked at her and said no problem, I have a light. I then took out the little flashlight that you gave me for my birthday and read the scripture to myself written on it- "Let your light so shine". We ended up lighting candles and passing my flashlight around to read the scriptures. It reminded me of the talk by President Monson at conference. I just sat there in the candle light and looked into these peoples eyes. I feel like I saw a glimpse of heaven when looking at there two sons smile when talking about "Jesus". We end the lesson with a kneeling prayer. There is something amazing about kneeling in prayer with a family who has never prayed together before. Juan, the father's voice shook because this was his first prayer, ever. I prayed fervently to my Heavenly Father that he would help them feel of his love. It was an amazing lesson. I walked out and felt like I had to catch my breath. When the lights go out miracles happen.

We stopped by to visit Carlos. He is so amazing. But his wife is really shy and timid. She is afraid of change. So she didn't want to come out of her room to listen to the message. I saw the pain in Carlos's eyes because he wants this for both of them. He has come to Church a few times now and has LOVED every minute of it. He even tries to sing the hymns with full voice even though he doesn't have a clue what they sound like. LOL. We taught him about forever families on Saturday night. The poor man started to cry. He just really wants it for his family and he has been through a lot in his life. He said that this knowledge gives him hope and the reason to press on. Please pray for Carlos. He is one strong, humble man who I know can change and one day be sealed to his family.

The primary program is next week so the primary president asked if me and my comp would go to primary to help the kids learn the songs better. It ended up being so much fun! I LOVE primary. Kids just have a special spirit about them. I love it.

I hope you all have wonderful week! I love you!
Sarbear ;)

One Year?

"Wherefore, I call upon the weak things of the world, those who are unlearned and despised , to trash the nations by the power of my Spirit;
And their arm shall be my arm, and I will be their shield and their buckler; and I will gird up their loins, and they shall fight manfully for me; and their enemies shall be under their feet; and I will let fall the sword in their behalf, and by the fire of mine indignation will I preserve them. And the poor and the meek shall have the gospel preached unto them, and they shall be looking forth for the time is nigh at hand-" Doctrine and Covenants 35:13-15

I recently came upon this scripture and feel in love with it. I love the imagary it paints in my mind. Me, with my shield and my sword, fighting the things of the world to bring the gospel message to the poor and meek. And He will preserve me. I am definitely one of the weak things of the world. But I have been called and so I came. Prideful, unlearned, selfish, weak Sarah has been called. Through Him and the help of the Spirit I have been an instrument to bring about a mighty work here. My weaknesses have been made into strengths. I love the Lord. I know that we have a living prophet on earth today to lead and guide us. Joseph Smith did in reality see God, the Father and Jesus Christ. I know that light that Jospeh saw. For it has been that same light that has given me power to press on and it has been that same light that has lead me in the dark. For when I am weak then can I be made strong. Jesus Christ is our Savior. Turn to Him and He can make you whole.

It has been a year! wow-I cannot believe that I have been a missionary for a year. On Thursday we get to go to the temple. What an amazing opportunity I have to spend my year mark in the temple. I am so excited. This year has been the fastest, longest, most stressful, rough, amazing year of my life. I wouldn't take back this year for anything. Thank you for always supporting me and for all your prayers. There were definitely days that I could hear the rallying cry of my family through prayer. Thank you!

I got to sing at a fireside and a zone meeting this last week. I sang one of my favorite EFY songs called "I will not be still" It turned out well. Look up the words.....missionary song at its finest :)

I had a huge migrane on Thursday-which is planning day. We planned for a few hours but then went to a lunch appt at a members house. Oh boy my head hurt. I was sitting there eating thinking I was going to die at any second, trying not to throw up/cry when we were finally done. Well, you always ask if there is anything we can do to help or whatever. 95% of the time people say no. BUT of course the one time I feel like garbage she asks if we could take everything out of her fridge and freezer and clean it out. I almost laughed out loud it seemed ludicrus to me. I then said a silent prayer and Heavenly Father blessed me with the ability to do it. He is always there in our time of need. He knows our name and He knows our circumstance. I love the Lord.

Time is up. I want to write all day long. I jsut want ot tell you my heart. I want to tell you everything but I cant. Just know I love you and there is a Vegas lovin' girl here in Texas that loves you. Keep smiling and as Taylor Swift would say "stay beautiful" :)
Sarah

"Because of Your Faith My Joy is Full"

First off----THANK YOU SO MUCH for the Birthday stuff!! I loved the packages, cards, etc. It made the day special. Thank you!
My Birthday ended up being really good. Every Wednesday we meet at the Bishops house to eat lunch then talk about less actives and investigators. Well, they planned a surprise Birthday party for me. One member who works at like the Ace of Cakes Houston Hispanic style made me this HUGE Birthday cake. He used tons of foundant icing and it looked like a missionary tag. With my name and everything. I took lots of pics and plan on printing some off today for ya'll. Super fun!

We got transfer calls this morning. I am staying here but I am getting a new companion. I hate changes. Especially because I hate losing a companion. I really love Hermana Wright. The first few days of a new companionship are a little tough. I am excited to be staying in this area though. We will see what Wednesday brings.

Wasn't conference amazing?! I watched most of it in Spanish because we had investigators there. But even when I couldn't understand everything going on I could feel the Spirit testify that President Monson truly is a Prophet of God. My favs include: Elder Holland, President Monson(cried at the widows story), President Eyring(my #1 fav) and Elder Packer(SO strong and powerful!). I LOVED conference! It is just such a filling of the spirit. Was truly a blessing from Heavenly Father.

I am so grateful for all of you. I sat there and listened to President Monsons talk about gratitude and thought to myself----how much do I show my appriciation for my family and friends? I dont think you all realize how much it helps me knowing that I have people at home who love me and support me. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart. I pray for you. I pray for your success and for you to feel gods love. I wish I could put into words the love I have for my family(am friends who are considered family). It hurts me sometimes to be far from you. But what I have been given here has blessed me far beyond anything else. I love you!

Sarah