Change

Hola hola! I hope that you are all doing well! It was another amazing week full of miracles here.

One night last week, the ward mission leader of another ward called us. His name is Victor and he was asking us about a man named Saturnino who had been taught in the past by missionaries. Saturnino was in Victor's ward then moved here to La Joya. He had met with the missionaries and even accepted a baptismal date but stopped responding to the missionaries a few weeks before he was supposed to be baptized. The missionaries hadn't been able to contact him since then. Victor called to tell us that he hadn't been able to get ahold of Saturnino for a while either. However, he had been praying for Saturnino and when he tried to call him last week, he finally answered! Victor was able to go visit with Saturnino and wanted us to come to the next visit. We set up a visit the next day and were able to get to know Saturnino a little bit and start teaching him again. He even came to church on Sunday! During our visit with him, we had invited him to read the introduction to the Book of Mormon and pray to know that the Book of Mormon and what we had taught him is true. On Sunday, we followed up to see how it went. He told us that he read, prayed, and knows that the Book of Mormon and what we taught him is true! He has such a sweet spirit and a strong desire to continue learning. 

We had the opportunity to go to the temple with Carlos as he did baptisms for the dead for his first time. A few other recent converts and ward members also came with us. It was a special experience. Carlos was able to be baptized and baptize another member of our ward on behalf of some people who have died. I couldn't stop smiling as I watched Carlos perform these sacred ordinances in the temple for his first time. It is amazing to watch him progress on the covenant path. 

Daniel was able to figure out some of the things that were going on in his life, and we started teaching him again! He came to church again last Sunday for the 3rd week in a row. He has a strong desire to change his life for the better and follow Jesus Christ. He even asked some of the priesthood holders in our ward to give him a blessing so that he can have the strength to make the changes that he needs to. I am inspired by his desire and willingness to do whatever it takes to come unto Christ and become more like Him. 

A few nights ago, we met a man named Adán as we were visiting some other people in a neighborhood. He recently moved here from Mexico and has been looking for a church to go to. He has some family members who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and he told us that he would be interested in meeting with us to learn more. We had an amazing lesson with him on Monday, and we are meeting with him again tonight! 

Well, my time in La Joya has come to an end. Transfers are tomorrow and I am going to the Via Verde area in Northern Phoenix. I will be in a trio and training a new missionary from the MTC. Although I am sad to leave the people here in La Joya, I know that the Lord now needs me to be somewhere else. I am so grateful for the people that I met and the friendships that I made here. I truly love these people with my whole heart. I am excited to meet the people in Via Verde and get to love them too.

Elder Rassmussmen, an Elder in my district, offered the closing prayer at our district council on Friday. During the prayer, he said "Heavenly Father, help us to not leave this meeting unchanged." These words struck me. I have never been someone who does very well with change. However, I have come to understand that the purpose of life is to change. As I heard Elder Rassmussen say these words, the thought came to mind that I should start asking God each morning to "please help me to not end this day unchanged." Each day is an opportunity for us to change to become more like Jesus Christ. At the end of the day, if I become even a little bit more like Jesus Christ, I can know that it was a successful day. In a General Conference talk given by Becky Craven in October 2020 titled Keep the Change, she talks about the importance of change. I would like to invite you all to read or listen to this talk then think about how you handle changes in your life and one thing you can do today to change to become more like Jesus Christ. I testify that change is a gift from God. I am thankful for the opportunity that I have to change and become more like my Savior each day. I testify that change is only possible through His Atonement. I testify that He loves you. He knows you perfectly. He will help you to change and become more like Him if you ask for His help and do your part to make the change happen. I testify of these things in His name, Jesus Christ. Amen.

I love you all!

Con Amor,
Hermana Kendrick














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