Makin' Memories in Monterrey México: Week 65: A Little Piece of Heaven on Earth

Pres Bird and Hna Bird

This morning we went to the temple, and for those of you reading who are not members of the church, i'd like to explain a bit about the temple:

The temple is literally the house of God where we go to recieve ordinances that are necessary inorder to enter into the kingdom of God after this life. It's fascinating because this week I was reading in the old testament in the bible, and Solomon's temple is an EXACT description of what our temples are like, making it even more clear that really this gospel is so true and that it is Christ's church here on earth. It is the holiest place on earth, and the inside is all white with gold fixtures, bouquets of flowers, beautiful paintings of christ. When inside we wear white clothing-- women wear white dresses and men wear white pants and shirts, to simbolize the purity found within the temple walls. The many things we do in the temple involve baptisms in the name of those who have passed away, celestial marriages, and family sealings. Thanks to the priesthood power the men have in this church, the temple is the only place we can go to seal family relationships/ get married for all eternity-- for this life and after. Many go to the temple to make importance life decisions, it is the perfect place to recieve this guidance in your heart from the Lord.

6 am temple arrival

It is seriously such a powerful experience being in the temple with about 50 missionaries and pres Bird and Hna Bird. I am so grateful we are able to go every month in this mission. There are temples all over the world (144 in total) and more being built every year because they are so crucial for our salvation. What gives me the most joy as a missionary is being able to share with people that it IS possible to see your loved ones again after this life-- baptism is the door that leads to these temple blessings. A lot of times people out of the church get offended that they can't attend the temple, and it's not because it is a "secret"or anything, it's just that one truly needs to be worthy inorder to enter-- fulfill the commandments of God inorder to recieve these blessings God has prepared for his children. I know that my purpose as a missionary is not just help people prepare to be baptized but to be able to enter the temple one day and be sealed with their families for all eternity. I am forever grateful for what I have learned here in the missoin that is helping me prepare for my future eternal family I will have one day :)

SO MUCH HAPPENED THIS WEEK! We had intercambios-- i worked with a new hermana here in america and its awesome being able to give support to the other hermanas and learn new things from them. We also had consejo de liderazgo-- leadership council-- with Pres Bird and made our new mission goals for the month of Septiembre. I love these councils because i gain so many insights on leadership-- i just gotta make a quick comment and say that our ward here in America is helping us SO much that Hna Espinosa and I had the highest number of lessons with a member present for the months of July and August in the whole mission!!! We have had an average of about 25 lessons with a member present per week-- and honestly this ward is helping us so much with our investigadores. As missionaries we are here to strengthen the wards and its awesome seeing so much progress. hahah just a funny side note-- presidente in the middle of consejo just walks over to where I am sitting and makes a comment on how the giants aren't playing too well and that the dodgers got it all-- our SF / LA rivalry is unreal. Mom and dad....i can't wait for you guys to meet them.

a few miracles with FASTING:

Crazy legit miracles with fasting! During ward council the bishop mentioned to us that he wants us to search for boys 18-28 because the ward lacks this age group. On wednesday we fasted specifically for this, and on thursday we went and taught an investigadora and in walked her son (22 years old). He expressed how he has been looking for people his age that don't drink, smoke, and that have high morals. He expressed his sadness he feels when all the women around him dress / act immodestly and how he honestly wants to find this direction in his life. We couldn't believe his words and i just kept hearing a DING DING DING in my head haha! He accepted a baptismal date and i just know the Lord answered our fast and led us to Daniel. Naother fasting miracle-- on saturday we fasted again and asked in our prayers to specifically knock on a yellow house with a family of 5 inside. Sunday afternoon we knocked on every yellow building in sigh and came upon a really nice upper class home that was indeed yellow. The woman let us in and at the end of the lsson told us she lived with her husband and 3 children.

It's incredible how fast the Lord responds to us when we are obedient. A 24 hour fast...no beverage and no food....is hard. But it is the perfect way to receive answers and revelation from God. I invite you all to fast for a specific reason-- beginning and ending witha prayer-- and you WILL recieve an answer from the Lord. OUr investigadora Andrea, 15 yrs, that is getting baptized sept 20 fasted with us this weekend and she had so much excitement telling us that she didn't feel hunger nor thirst. I know that if we put the Lord first, we are immensely blessed.

my zone is hilarious. i love them.

my office secretary best friends-- mom they recieve all the packages you send ;)

my wonderful district and fearless district leader.

Sunday is an exciting day as we get to watch a transmission from Mexico City and watch the temple re-dedication!! Also sunday night we recieve transfer calls!!!! monday i will fill you all in with the details :)