The Best Kind of March Madness :: March 20, 2017

It has been a great week. It has been super busy, but really great! The best kind of march madness. I have been feeling a lot of gratitude lately. I am grateful to be a representative of Jesus Christ, serving the most amazing, loving Guatemalan people.

Everyday, I am learning more about the importance of talking with everyone we meet, teaching with spirit, and studying the Book of Mormon daily. My testimony of the Book of Mormon has especially grown. We have been focusing a lot on studying the Book of Mormon, reading at least 15 pages a day. Every time I read the BOM, I feel a special power come into my life. I know the BOM is true!

We are seeing a lot of miracles in our area! On Wednesday morning, my companion and I had a really great study and then prayed to have the spirit testify through us and lead us to the prepared people. Our first appointment was with a guy named Marcello. We had contacted him the week before but he didn't seem very interested. We went back for the appointment to see what would happen and when we got there, he was waiting for us, having read his pamphlet about the Restoration. He said that he has been looking for answers for years and wants to find relief from his sins! He said that we came just at the right time and that he wants to learn more, that this is exactly what he has been looking for. We were able to teach him all of the Restoration. The spirit was very strong. It was a lesson I will never forget. Definitely an answer to prayers.

Later in the week, we contacted a family in the street and then made an appointment to go back with them later on in the week. We went back on Saturday and the family was waiting for us and had read the whole pamphlet! It was a miracle! The spirit is working through us. I love being an instrument in the Lord's hands.

A couple of weeks ago, Mario was baptized. Mario is a 26 year old who sells ice cream! We found him one night just sitting outside of an investigator's house. He looked a little down and when we talked to him, he wasn't extremely receptive, but accepted a return appointment the following day. When we went back, he had read his pamphlet and said that he was ready to change. He, to me, is an example of a very prepared person. From that moment forward, he began to diligently study the Doctrine of Christ, repent and leave old habits, and prepare to be baptized. He then entered baptismal waters. He brought 6 investigators to his baptism and asks us how he can share the gospel!

Mario is still progressing very well. I am really grateful to be a part of his conversion. He received the Aaronic priesthood this past Sunday and is excited to participate in passing the sacrament. We also challenged him to read the the BOM and we thought he would start out reading a few chapters, but when we came back a few days later, he had read up to page 61! It was amazing. He has such a desire to learn and grow.

We are also enjoying sharing the gospel with youth. Every Sunday, we have been doing a small meeting with youth in our ward. It is just an hour and we talk about personal conversion and the missionary lessons. We also make them do missionary practices. It is fun to see them be missionaries! Then, after the meeting, they go visit their references with us. It is one of my favorite times of the week.

Everyday is not perfectly easy. People reject us, it is hot outside, there are a lot of bugs, we are tired, but, I wouldn't change it for the world. I get the best job in the world... I am a representative of Jesus Christ. My testimony of Jesus Christ is unshakeable. I know this church is true. I know my Savior lives and leads and directs the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Thank you all for supporting me!

XOXO
Sis Jessop

Mario's baptism 

P Day waterfall activity

Rich in Spirit :: May 23, 2016

Lexi went to a pretty waterfall on her P-day

Eating fresh bread action shot…so yummy

Doing each other’s makeup blindfolded

Sampling fruit smoothies

Butterflies.. We call ourselves ¨Amiga Mariposas¨

Hope everyone is doing well and transitioning into summer!

It has been a great week full of adventures. It is winter here, so it is just as hot but it rains a lot. I love the rain and all of our adventures. I am really loving Guatemala, my area, my companion, and I am even learning to love the tortillas here! 

I have learned quite a bit this week from the faithful, diligent members of Dalmacia. There seems to be a focus this month on women... I have met countless strong, powerful women who have taught me a lot about faith. People here are so prepared, faithful and rich in spirit. 

I cannot say that I have ever truly known what it is like to go without food for days or live on the streets or know what true poverty is. I do, however, know what it is like to be poor in spirit, to be lost from the truth. Guatemala, in turn, is a country where people are very rich in spirit. I have never seen so much poverty in my life as i have here, but I have also never met so many people so rich in spirit. 

Sister Gladys has been a member of the church for about 10 years. She is almost 60 years old and has never been married or had kids. She has had a lot of trials in her life, but she is more full of faith and love than anyone I have ever met. She does not have a lot but give literally all she has to anyone who needs it. She invited us to her house last week to do a family home evening. We went and there was a couple there she wanted us to meet. 

This couple is from El Salvador. Their names are Juan and Yanira. They left El Salvador in hopes of finding a job here in Guatemala. One day, they were walking along and asked a lady in a store if she knew of where to find work. The lady in the store told them that she did not know of work, but that the lady who lived down the street had the most love of anyone she had ever known and could help them. 

Juan and Yanira went to look for this woman and it turns out it was Sister Gladys. Gladys took them both in, two strangers who were homeless without work, to help them get back on their feet. She has introduced them to the gospel. They have already been to visit the temple two hours away and have been to church the last two weeks. We have had several meetings with them and I am absolutely amazed by the things they have experienced. 

Once again, I cannot say I have never known what it is like to have no food or be homeless or have my kids taken away from me. They have experienced all of these trials but still, they are very rich in spirit. I am amazed by their faith and trust in God and I am even more amazed by Gladys' extreme love and Christlike example to take Juan and Yanira into her house when she also has almost nothing. 

I do not doubt that there is a reason for all.. for some reason I do not yet fully know, I was born in my specific family in Alabama, in the U.S. My story, my life, it is unique to me. There is a reason for every story and every occurrence. Some of us may be born more rich in spirit and others rich as to things of the world, but it is all for a reason. 

But, no matter the hurt or suffering, no matter where we go or who we are, Jesus Christ, our brother, suffered for us, whether poor in spirit or poor in things of the world, no matter what we struggle with or the cause. He knows us individually and because he has suffered all, he can succor us in our afflictions and also in our happy moments. 

And, because of this sacrifice and suffering, we are free from the misery we can experience, whether created by our own actions, actions of others or just our life circumstances. Our Savior died for each one. I love my Savior and i will forever rejoice in all He has done for me.

I hope we can all have more love, faith, and be more willing to give what we have, like Gladys! It is all from Him who created us and all things!

Hermana Meza and I have done some fun things this week. We did something different to have something to look forward to everyday. One day, we did each other's makeup blindfolded. Another day, we went to find pan fresh out of the oven and tried smoothies. Today for P Day, we went to a waterfall!

XOXO

Hermana Jessop