“LIFE is good when you find happiness in all things.” – Elder Baldwin 

What’s up y’all!

This week has been a great week. This is the end of my 3rd Transfer! I am literally coming up on 6 months of my mission. It’s surprising to see how fast time flies when you are in the work of the Lord for the right reason. During this week we visited and taught a few people. We had the two boys we are teaching, and their families came to Church again this past Sunday. It was a blessing to see them and their families learning about the Restored Gospel. Isn’t it wonderful to invite friends to come and partake of the Sacrament each Sunday? I am grateful to have that opportunity. We had exchanges this week and as usual, we had interesting experiences. So, we are riding our bikes and a guy sees us and yells: “LDS GANG!!! YEA!!!!”  I started to laugh. 😅 It made my day hearing him say that.

Every week in the mission has its own special experiences.  This week back home my family attended the funeral services for my dear Uncle Gene.  He was special to me.  He supported me in my Boy Scout journey by helping me fulfill the requirements to earn merit badges. He shared with me his love for trains, he taught me how to refinish wood, and he was a great example of determination.  He experienced many hardships while serving our country in the Navy, and he was one of the few who traveled to the North Pole in a submarine.  I love Uncle Gene and will miss him. 

As I expressed my condolences to my Tia Elia, I felt impressed to share the scriptures found in The Book of Mormon in Alma chapter 40. In this chapter, the prophet Alma wrote about “Christ bringing to pass the resurrection of all men—The righteous dead go to paradise and the wicked to outer darkness to await the day of their resurrection—All things will be restored to their proper and perfect frame in the Resurrection.” I am grateful for this knowledge and the hope that brings to my soul.  To know that death is not the end, brings me peace.  I will see my Uncle again one day thanks to Jesus Christ our Savior.

As I shared my love with my Auntie Elia I quoted the following “there is a space between death and the resurrection of the body, and a state of the soul in happiness or in misery until the time which is appointed of God that the dead shall come forth, and be reunited, both soul and body, and be brought to stand before God, and be judged according to their works” (Alma 40:21).  I was able to bear my testimony that I know this is true and that Uncle at this time is in good company with my Abuelito Salva and Grandma Betty who passed away a few years ago and Achilles—my cousins’ dog, whom I loved so much.  I reminded my Tia Elia that now Uncle is free of physical pain. 

I am grateful for the Fowlks family, for giving me the opportunity to share my love. 🙏❤. My thoughts and prayers go out to them at his time. It is of most importance to always know that we are not here on this earth forever. We are sent here to learn and grow and complete a purpose which is to become more like God the Father and his son Jesus Christ.

I wish I were there to support the family, but this is not the time. I am about to hit my 6 months mark this March 27th. Can y’all believe that! I remember just barely getting off the plane to meet my Mission President and his wife.  I am grateful for the time I have had to be out here. This experience is shaping me into the person I would like to become.  Life in the mission is hard but the friends you meet and people you talk to help you grow and achieve greater things in life. Thanks for being the best and continue to do so. I love you all and talk to you soon 💛