Joy! :: January 30, 2017

Hi Everyone!

Today, I have been on my mission for 16 months. CRAZY!!! You have to enjoy every moment. Time flies!

What a fun week! It has been a week full of changes. We had a worldwide missionary broadcast on Wednesday and we have some changes to the missionary schedule ( we do the same things but can choose when we do them) and the way we count the missionary work that we do. I am excited about these changes because they allow us to be able to use our agency for good and not be commanded in all things!

This week, I learned a lot about the power of prayer. Last week was a hard, stressful one and at moments, I felt like I was spinning around and didn't know what to do. I was reading in the Book of Mormon in the book of Enos and read about how Enos wanted so deeply to be forgiven of his sins. His soul was hungry to change.

As I was reading, the spirit taught me about how sometimes, when we are struggling, it is because we are not relying enough on the Lord. We have to rely on the Lord and be hungry for this change. As I reflected, I realized that I was trying to do too many things on my own. As I focused on having more meaningful prayers, I started to feel better and to realize that life does not need to be so complicated or stressful.. it is meant to be joyful! The only way to have joy (2 Nephi 2:25) is to live the Gospel.

So, if anyone is feeling overwhelmed, overly stressed, worried, or just simply is not feeling the joy that we are supposed to feel, reflect on what you can change in your life to life more in-line with the Gospel path. The Lord wants to bless us but fear, doubt and sin keep us from receiving the blessings and happiness He wants for us (Pres. Uchtdorf). Life can be simply! We are meant to have joy!

I have felt joy this week in teaching the gospel, letting go of things I can't control and loving where I am and who I am with. Live the Gospel, in the moment and just choose happiness!

Love you all! Have a great week!
Sister Jessop

Photos
Exchanges in San Marcos
Sisters in training

Chosen :: January 9, 2017

Hi!

It has been another great week. Time is going by so quickly!

One of my favorite people to teach right now is a less active family.. the Gonzalez family. The parents are named Pati and Sergio. I love teaching them because they are very ready to learn and always read what we leave them out of the BOM and everything. It brings joy to teach prepared people who want to learn and grow.

I am learning that prepared people or chosen people are not who the Lord has chosen.. they are people who have chosen the Lord. This principle applies to every single one of us, not just investigators. If we choose the Lord, He chooses us and qualifies us for his work. WE choose whether or not we are chosen.

I talked to some missionaries who are in my first area of my mission right now and said that some twins we were teaching a year ago are now getting baptized. I was really, really excited because I didn't think we had made a difference in their lives! It turns out that they just weren't ready then but now are ready and can get baptized! So cool!

That is all for now. Have a great week!

xoxo,
hna jessop

New Year! :: January 2, 2017

Hi! Hope everyone had a great holiday season. Here, we passed the new year eating tamales and hearing fireworks! I love this country.

This week has been a great one. Life gets busier and busier, but we are learning so much and I feel the Lord's presence in every step we take. Hna Hopper and I are learning a lot together. I love where I am at!

Things I learned this week..

Being humble makes life more enjoyable. It is less stressful trusting and knowing God is in charge
We are instruments in the Lord's hands. The instrument's use and music depends on the talent of the person playing it. If God is playing the instrument, does that mean that we have infinitite potential.. yes (counsel from Hna Clifford)

My new year's goal is to trust the Lord more and not try to control things so much. He is in charge!

I love taking part in God's miracles. We are instruments in HIS hands. I know that the gospel is true. It provides the plan we need to be able to live happily and return to live with God one day. I love being a missionary.

Have a fantastic week!

XOXO
Hermana Jessop

We said goodbye to our companion, Hna Clifford. She finished her mission. We are going to miss her!!! Mission Accomplished.

We are trying out wearing pants! It is supposed to help with all the diseases caused by mosquito bites. 

Edwin was baptized on Saturday. When the sisters found him, He was atheist! Little by little, he developed a conversion to the gospel. He is reading the whole Book of Mormon. Such a miracle!

Jose was baptized on Sunday. He said that in the church, he has felt something he never felt before and that he knows it is true. Such a cool experience!