Hola familiaaaa! Como andan?
Well, remember that little run-in we had with
that guy who tried to rob us? Remember how I mentioned he actually turned out
to be related to our conversas recientes?... Well, thanks to that little family
tie, that story isn’t over yet. So, we walked by their house the other day on
the way to a lesson and the aunt stopped us.
She asked us if her nephew startled us when he came out to talk to us
the other day... we told her no, that he actually was apologizing... she then
asked what for, and although a little nervous, we went on to explain the story
of what had happened the other week. Her face dropped, and all she said
was "Hhhhmmm, so that’s why he changed" and we were like, “Wait, What?!”
She then told us that a few days following
our run in with him... he told his family that he needed to go, that he needed
to get help and change his life... that he could feel, really feel the need to
change - for himself and for his family. And now, for the last week, he has
been at the hospital in rehabilitation, receiving treatment! I think we knocked
some sense into that guy? Haha!... get it? Because I punched him! Haha!!... All
kidding aside, it’s so lovely to hear that he recognizes the need and is
seeking this change in his life. I am so grateful to know the direction his
story is headed, and I am anxious to hear about how everything turns out for
him.
As we make our journey over to their side of
Maraino each week, we always pass by this huge property, all fenced off with
this BIG huge gate that’s usually closed and locked up tight... one day we
walked by and noticed way far off in the distance, they had a HUGE indian
statue, and it looked crazy cool. And we said some day, we wanted a picture
with it – it’s not every day you see a very cool, very giant indian statue - so
we decided that si o si, a picture would definitely be awesome. SO, this takes
us to yesterday, making our Sunday visits after church- we walk by and notice
that the gate was open... we decided now was our chance, haha, so we walked
right up the gate, down the long drive way and we finally saw a guy, and we
told him we had no clue were to knock, but that we were hoping to take a
picture with the indian. Ha! :) He just
gave a little laugh and said of course we could – thus, here it is, my picture
with the indian!! :)
This week I have had a crazy deep desire to
really just continue getting to know my Heavenly Father. And better understand the relationship we
have with Him (and had with Him before we came to this earth). The Father has
chosen not to reveal many things to us concerning our pre-mortal life with Him,
but I believe it’s because He doesn’t have to. Why? Because He, being a loving Heavenly
Father... wants us to FEEL it, He wants us to personally EXPERIENCE it in our
own special way! :) But how? Well, while He hasn’t revealed much of it to us in
words, he has revealed much about the eternal pattern of families. And as we
closely examine the patterns of eternal families, we can better understand and
feel of our special, personal relationship with the Father:)
In God’s revealed pattern for righteous families,
the birth of a child is the result of a conscious and loving choice. Knowing
that our life is the result of a loving choice and a deliberate act can give us
a sense of our great personal worth in mortality and that feeling can give us
the encouragement and strength necessary to reassure ourselves of our divine
potential and the confidence to proceed forward.
Our Heavenly Father also knows us individually,
like an earthly father to their child... it is not important how many there
are... each one of their children have a unique and special relationship to his
or her father... and it is the same with our Heavenly Father. Knowing this
pattern helps us understand that as spirit children we are known individually
by our Heavenly Father. We are His beloved sons and daughters, whom He loves
INDIVIDUALLY! :) He knows us by name, just like our fathers do here. In every
scriptural account of God the Father appearing to His children, He always calls
them by name. Why does He do this? I believe it’s to demonstrate to us that He
DOES know and we belong to him and it shows us our familiar relationship with
him.
Although these things could be seen as such
little things, upon closer examination, as we ponder even these little things,
and think about our Heavenly Father and pray faithfully - He will personally reveal
truths that YOU feel and you can know your divine worth to Him. The adversary
works to use our mortal circumstances to pervert our perception of self worth
and faith in the Father. But as we look to the Father for our worth, we will
find it.
I know that our Heavenly Father lives, just as
surely as you and I live... He lives :) He knows each and everyone of us better
than we know ourselves. He has been with us since we were spiritually begotten -
He knows our names, he knows me and he knows YOU! :) He has many children, but
his love for each of us is distinct and personal. We are because He loved us - because He loves
us, He is just waiting for you to ask so He can manifest this love to you!! :)
I love My Heavenly Father and I love you guys :)
Have an awesome week!!!
Until Monday :)
Hermana Lauren