Okay Family...
Catching up on the last few weeks... So much to share!!
Last week, well, it was a good one... Let me just apologize ahead of time, that I wasn't able to send photos then (sorry Mom... I love you :) !) We were sending our updates from the terminal in Asuncion getting ready to travel 8 hours, returning to Pedro Juan Caballero. We had to come to the office to go to migraciones (we go every now and then on Pdays to make sure that we are here legally in the pais and stuff.... because if we aren't, we will have some problems :) haha!) and basically the terminal Ciber wasn't very high tech and the photos had to be put off for another week. But, these photos are taking forever to load, so I'm not going to be able to send all that I had intended. Here's a small handful to hold you over Momma!! ;)
But anyways, back to last week...
We had the Area Seventy come, Elder Gonzalez. I had the privilege of meeting and talking with him a few times in Mariano, but this time he came to speak to all of us as Mission Zones and Wow, was his talk powerful! He spoke for about 4 hours and those hours really felt like 4 minutes. One of the points I really liked was when he talked about tithing. I would encourage everyone to go and read D&C 29:34 and ask yourselves... How is tithing a spiritual law? What is it's purpose and What are the spiritual blessings? I promise that as you do, and you look for the answers... your horizens will be widened and you will come to love this commandment more than ever because your understanding will be greater!! :)
While our time with Elder Gonzales was wonderful, that isn't really what I wanted to share with you!!
Back to MIGRACIONES... So, like I said... WE WENT TO ASUNCION! Oh how I have missed Asuncion!! It felt good to be back! When we arrived at the office, we found out that the back chapel was going to be used for a funeral and it wasn't just the funeral of anybody, sino... de la familia Rios... a very sweet and dear family that is from my branch in Mariano Roque Alonso. Their grandfather had been fighting with his health for years, it kind of reminded me of Tata. It's hard because even when you know you have to prepare yourself to say goodbye... you are never really "prepared"... They were so surprised to see me and asked what in the world I was doing there -- and I told them it was a tender mercy, a gift that I was there because my companion was going to be spending the whole day in migraciones in Asuncion. Who knew that this migraciones trip was so inspired... Inspired, so, that first, my companion can legally be in Paraguay to serve... and second, so I could be there to love and support my beloved Rios family during this tender time. It was a lovely service and especially special for me to be able to participate... all of us missionaries from Distrito Mariano were there... Elder Silvera, Elder Calderon, Hermana Mera, Hermana Bringhurst... the whole team! Even Carpio and Caicedo stopped by the office today!! I got to sing a special number with Silvana Rios and her younger sister and the Spirit was so strong. Then we had a few other special numbers as a missionary choir. It was a very emotional day for this beautiful family. But it was so lovely to feel of the strength that came through the Spirit.
The Spirit can give all of us comfort, its a distinct and different warmth. It is a strength that is not ascertainable left to man alone. It is a companionship more reliable than any other, it is the way that our Heavenly Father communicates to us. It is a celestial gift given to a terrestrial world - to remind us of our Heavenly Father, who is cheering us on, and remind us of our divine purpose. To give us further knowldege and understanding, so that the mysteries of our Heavenly Father cease to be secrets and enlighten us with strength and knowledge.
I hope we will always look for the Holy Ghost. May we call on him in prayer... look to recongize his promptings as they come... discern those good feelings and good ideas for the genuine inspiration that they are. May we always look to be worthy of his consistent and constant companionship -- and be grateful for this heavenly messenger sent by our Father to help us!! :)
So, this week THERE WAS A WEDDING AND A BAPTISM!! :) The Elders have been working with a lovely couple, Ramon (investigator) and Gessica (member), for the last little while, and last Saturday was Ramon's turn to get baptized! But before he got baptized, we had a wedding!! There was a lot of wedding prep, but it all turned out really well!! The service was so special!! (and if that doesn't get you excited for your own wedding one day.. I dont know what else will)!! Haha!!.
So here is the lovely little Luana, the flower girl, :) and our bride, Gessica! We got to do her makeup and help get her ready -- she looked beautiful!! :)
My District Leader, Elder Jacobson, is really creative and super good at making pretty things out of nothing. So, I told him he should make me something, like chopsticks!!... he asked how... I said, I dont know... out of 2 branches or twigs or something... and he totally did it!! And they are so cool!! The only thing is. I can't eat with them... becuse they are just way too pretty!! Ha!!
I was exchanging emails with a friend who recently returned from his mission. And there are a lot of missionaries here that will be going home soon... I believe that returned missionaries have such a special power... an influential power. They have had their whole 2 years or 18 months to serve the Lord as best they can and by the time the end of the mission comes... that is when they really have come to fully embrace HOW to be a missionary. And next thing you know, they are home and get to apply this great new chapter of learning experiences that they have had and it just speaks with such power... Their glow, their work ethic, their goals, their smiles and good attitudes... it's powerful stuff!! :) I know that will continue answering many prayers and questions that people they encounter may have... they continue serving as a force for the Lord.
The mission over here is going great. I love it here so much... it's probably the best choice I have ever made in my life. The learning experiences are endless, the love you feel for others is infinite, the friendships are eternal, and the mission as a whole is priceless. This is my 3rd time training and I am like 100000000% sure that the trainers learn more than the trainees!! Haha!! It has helped me grow so much!
Tomorrow there are traslados and we will see what happens, Im pretty sure we are just staying here:) but you never know? Haha!!
I only have like 2 more seconds on the computer but just know that the family is most IMPORTANT!! :) The famly is ordained of God. Our families can be eternal and they should be!! It is the best and most central part of Heavenly Father's Plan of Happiness!! :)
I love you all! Take care my sweets! You are all beautiful!!
And Mom.. Thank you for the birthday box!! The selfie stick? Yeah, that is the best thing EVERRR!! Thank you!! :) And just for fun... one more photo, when I was Hna Shakira for a day!! Haha!!, my Comp braided my hair the other day and this is what was the result... Ha!! Made me laugh!! :)
XOXO Hermana Fardos
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