Hola a todos,

This past week was awesome. On Sunday, I gave a talk in Sacrament meeting in the Snowflake 6th Ward. The title was Foundations of Faith and I based my remarks on a talk given by Elder Quentin L. Cook during General Conference in 2017 called by the same name. This is a great  talk! President Cook encouraged all of us to build our faith through scripture reading, going to church every Sunday, and enduring to the end. I chose two principles from the talk that impress me—Faith and Patience. I shared personal experiences and scripture stories that helped illustrate these Gospel principles.

MY MOTHER’S CANCER: In 2012 my Mother, whom I love so very much, was diagnosed with breast cancer. This was a very difficult period of time in my life because I did not want to see her go through that. I was 10-years old and I remember feeling doubtful and overwhelmed. I was worried for my Mother because I wasn’t sure if she was going to make it. On one occasion as I was feeling down, I remember feeling a prompting that said: “Joshua say a prayer.”  I wasn’t sure where that feeling came from, but I knew that Heavenly Father answered prayers. So I knew that if I said a prayer, it would help my mother recover faster. Deciding to obey the prompting, I knelt down and prayed, and asked Heavenly Father to please help my mom recover. I told him: “I can’t live life without her, she means the world to me.”   As I finished that simple prayer with the faith that a 10-year-old boy can muster, I had a feeling that she was going to make it through this terrible ordeal.

That day I learned a few lessons.  I learned that asking Heavenly Father for help in our hour of need with even a little faith, can bless our lives.  I also learned that trusting that my mother was in the Lord’s hands was very important. The other important thing that I learned was that the teachings of the Gospel can become alive as we go through these experiences.  Knowing that through Jesus Christ families can be together forever gave me hope. 

Since that day, and with time and much effort, my prayers have become more open with Heavenly Father. I know that he does answer my prayers. I have learned to trust him more, and I know I can always ask for what I need.  Asking, Trusting and Knowing have helped me learn more about Faith, the power of Faith and the blessings that come as a result of it. 

You will be glad to hear that as of now, my mother has been in remission for 10 years.  With faith, the help of doctors and family, and much patience—it took 7 years for her to feel better— she is now considered a Cancer Survivor.  She is a strong role model and leader to me. I am here today because of the work she put in, in teaching me about the importance of faith and miracles.

THE WOMAN WITH THE ISSUE OF BLOOD: I would like to share another story. This story comes from the Bible. This story also illustrates the two ideas I am sharing with you today: Faith and Patience.

 In Luke 8: 43-49, we read about a woman who had had an issue of blood for twelve years and who was healed as a result of her faith in the Master.

   And a woman having an issue of blood 12 years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,

   Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.

   And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

   And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.

   And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.

   And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.” (Luke 8:43-48)

Can you imagine having a health problem, or any kind of problem for 12 years?  I know that when I have faced challenges for more than a few weeks or months I have become discouraged, or tired, even impatient.

This woman was very patient and showed great faith. She knew that Christ would heal her if she touched His garment. Her patience and belief encouraged her to act.  This completed the last step of building her faith. She acted!  We too can do what she did: have faith, be patient, and act.

DRIVING IN THE MISSION FIELD: My last story is about how faith and patience helped me endure the waiting time to be able to drive here in the mission field. Perhaps you think this is silly, but I tell you, not being able to drive is hard. After I’m done with this story you are probably going to try to enjoy your driving more in case one day you can’t drive! 😂

Ever since I came out into the mission field I have been waiting, patiently, for the opportunity to drive. Each time a new transfer came around, I would find out that my companion would be the assigned driver. It would upset me so much that I did not know what to do. I began to feel like I wasn’t trusted with a mission vehicle, and that I would never drive. This situation went on until this transfer. At the beginning of this transfer I was worried. Many thoughts began to pop up in my head. What if I don’t drive? Why don’t they trust me? I had to exercise my muscle of faith, and be patient.

As this transfer began I was nervous to look on the assigned driver roster and sure enough when I looked my name was there! I felt so happy!  I felt very excited. I felt that my time had finally come. I learned that having patience and faith even in things like this it’s important.  Faith and patience in all things are keys to finding lasting happiness.

I was lucky to give this talk the Sunday before I left for Via Verde in Paradise Valley, Arizona; a suburb of Phoenix. It was difficult though to say goodbye to the members of Snowflake. I spent 3 months in this area and I felt I was just getting to, finally, know the members. Everyone there is so caring towards my companion and I am truly going to miss that area. 

I appreciate being on a mission, but when you get moved around so much and cannot settle down in an area for a while, it’s hard. Please pray that I stay in this new area where I am at right now for at least 6 to 8 months. I really want an opportunity to feel what it is like to serve in one area for that long.

Seeing and understanding the Gospel of Jesus Christ after you have been serving for 11 months is awesome.  So much knowledge can be obtained from serving a mission!!

I testify that this work I am doing at this time will bless my family, friends, and me in many ways.  You guys are the best! I love the support and cards I receive.

Please continue to send me cards. I love you all and will talk next week!

✌💓😎

BUENA SUERTE ESTA SEMANA!