Monday, March 13, 2017

Semana 52 - Temple, Missionary Activity, Joy, and Choose to be Happy!

Hey everybody! Happy Monday! I don't have a ton of time to write this week, because we went to Chiapa de Corzo today. I'll just share a recap of what we did this week and some of the things I learned. 

On Monday, I cleaned our nasty moldy bathroom, and we wandered around Wal-mart for probably 3 hours. It's very calming to not always have to be in a rush.

On Tuesday, it was a weird and long day, we visited some viejitas (little old ladies).

On Wednesday, we searched out a reference in the morning, which usually isn't a good idea because there's always a TON of sun and they can be hard to find. So, we ended up walking around a lot in the sun, but it's all good! 

On Thursday, we had a great day... we got to go to the temple with Marisol, Pedro, and Janeth for their first time! They had the chance to do the work for their own ancestors too... it was so amazing to see, honestly. We got to sit in the temple for a bit, and I received some answers to some questions I'd had about things, but also about what to do with an investigator. It was really cool and sacred experience!

On Friday, we searched out another reference in the sun, but this time an old lady gave us free soda. I've said it before, but honestly everyone gives missionaries food even people who don't know us. Plus, we went to a stake missionary activity! We got assigned a young woman and she was our companion for 24 hours. It was so cool. She was 17 and totally reminded of my little sister. We felt the spirit in the lessons we taught. We also visited a less active member right at the moment when she said she needed us the most. The hand of the Lord is in all things. 

On Saturday, we had some really good lessons and then dropped off our "jovencita" (Young Woman) at the stake center to finish off the activity. It was a good experience for all of us. 

On Sunday, we went to church and taught the Gospel Principles class, which is something we hadn't done since the good ole' days in Mapastepec. We had a good lesson with a youth who's friends were all baptized about 2 months ago. Now he wants to be next :o), and it's cool to watch him change and he learns more about the gospel. You can always see it in their prayers. The things they ask for, the way they address God, their comfort levels with praying in front of people – it's a process for people who are still learning. Before when we asked him if he prayed, he kind of scoffed and said no. Now he proudly tells us about how he prays morning and night. . . success!!

Something I learned this week though was about happiness. I love the General Conference talk by Russell M. Nelson that's called "Joy and Spiritual Survival," (see https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/10/joy-and-spiritual-survival?lang=eng) that tells us that the "joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances in our lives and a lot to do with the FOCUS of our lives." It's so true! President Thomas S. Monson also taught that even though we can't control the winds of life, we can adjust the sails . . . also so true! When we make Christ the focus of our lives, when we depend on Him 100% , things are seen with a new light. Sometime we tend to ask "Why me? " or "Why do bad things happen to good people?" Honestly, I don't know, but I do know that God loves His children and knows what will humble them and help them grow. His point of view is infinitely larger than ours, and we must trust that He knows what He's doing and that we chose to come to earth and be tried and tested. Embrace it! Choose to be happy! Make Christ the real focus of your life and you'll see changes... I promise!  I hope you all have a great week! 

Con amor, Hermana Dangl

 Chiapa de Corzo 

 Hermana Dangl, Hermana Arellano & Dominguez Family 




Catholic Church

Pozol


 Shopping in Chiapa de Corzo 

 Teaching English Classes 
 Delicious fruit 

 The Sisters at the Tuxtla, Gutierrez Temple 


On March 4th 25 years ago I was released as missionary from the Chile, Santiago South Mission. It is hard to believe that 25 years later my daughter would be on a mission in Mexico, nearing her one year month on the 23rd of March.  

Hermana Kettley  - 1992

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