Monday, November 30, 2015

A Thanksgiving Photo Update!!

Hey fam... Sorry, I wrote a lot of personal emails today and focused on getting the pics off... I don't have much time to write an email -- so, if I don't get to write a group update, tell everyone I love them, read their scriptures, say their prayers on their knees and make some one smile... it's the recipe for success and happiness!! :) 

XOXOXOXOX
Hna Fardos

Thanksgiving at the Mission Office -- Grateful for the Invitation to this Special Thanksgiving Treat with Pres & Hna McMullin, the Office Elders and Friends!!












 Working Divisions and Zone Conferences - The Difference is Kinda Funny!! Haha!!



Divisions in Palma Loma  -- It totally rained and we were not prepared!! Haha!!



Sometimes we wait...



Divisions with Hna B!! :)




And Finally, Some Favorites from Mariano!





Monday, November 23, 2015

Restart That 3 Month Clock Starting Dec 10th - Lauren Secures Another 6 Weeks!!


Mom, before I get started, I talked to President McMullin about my return date, and let's just say I will be back in California with a big hug for you on March 10th!! :D 

Familyyyyy :) 

I could have sworn it was just yesterday that we wrote last, it blows my mind just how fast this time goes by! 

Things here in Salado have been FANTASTIC!! :)  This week we were able to sit in and participate in a few different Zone Conferences and it was such an edifying experience.  I felt like I had just walked out of General Conference... it was THAT good!! :)

In Zone Conference, President McMullin talked about obedience and its importance and then after President had given his portion of the Zone Conference, Hna Farish and I shared a passage of scripture that goes hand in hand with obedience. In 2 Kings 5 from the Old Testament there is a story of a man named Naman (the General for the army of the King of Syria) he was reveered, respected, estimeed by all... but he was also a leper. 

In this passage Naman recieves word from a little servant girl that there is a true prophet of God, who could heal him. Naman left and searched for the prophet and when he found him... he was instructed that in order to be healed of his leprosy, he would have to go and bathe in the dirty River Jordan. (naturally, Naman didn't like that response too much :) Ha). But then, humbling himself, he did what the Lord had told him to do through His prophet... and because of his obedience and faith... he was healed.

This is really a lovely story.... and verse 13 is one that really stood out to me, when Naman first questioned the instruction the prophet had given him,

"And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?"

If the Prophet of God commanded us some great thing.... wouldn't we do it? Absolutely we would do it. But, if we change one word - the question takes on a new meaning and tests an even deeper level of faith.... If the prophet commanded us some small thing, would we do it?" If the prophet asked us to read our Book of Mormon cover to cover... would we have sufficient faith to fulfill that ask?  If we were told to do our home/visiting teaching assignments.. would we?  If the Lord asked us to hold family home evening once a week... would we?  These small things do add up and they are OH so important.

Far too often we justify with simple excuses, that totally sound legitimate and justifiable. How many times have we caught ourself saying "oh I just didnt have time" or "it's just too hard".  We have all heard those, haven't we? I know I have used those excuses more than once in my life.  Haha.

But in all of the time I have had to really think, and pray and meditate this week... My mind was continually drawn to the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I found myself thinking about the sacrifices He made and the obedience which He showed and how it affects me today. :)

Matthew 26 39  "And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."

There on bended knee, in total submission to every human experience possible.... He plead to the Father if there was no other way... but nevertheless,"Thy will be done".   Can you imagine, if in that moment, Christ himself pulled out the same excuses, that we so often do? If he said " But father, it's just too hard" Can you imagine if he only suffered until it was too hard?  Or if he only suffered until He had something better to do, like leave the garden before Judas came and Christ was arrested?

I am so grateful that Christ FULLY and COMPLETELY atoned for my sins. I am so grateful that He didn't do it until the point where it became too hard.  I am grateful for Christ who suffered completely and provided me and you with this atoning sacrifice and not a "partial atonement". Now allowing us all the blessing of returning back to the Father.

Christ was the perfect example of obedience :)   Hebrews 5:8-9 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.

Obedience brings blessings, exact obedience brings miracles, and obedience is how we show our love for the Father and gratitude for the Son, it is the first law of heaven. :)

I have been so very grateful to learn the importance of obedience here on the mission -- I know that I am still not perfect... (that will take a lifetime and then some :) Haha) but I know that there is no greater satisfaction that comes than from wearing yourself away in the work of the Lord. I love coming home exhausted after a long day of work in the field, knowing that today I did my best to bring to pass the Lords eternal purposes.

Moses 1:39  The path of obedience, the path of discipleship... that is the path that brings true happiness :) 

Life is so much easier when we are obedient! :)

And when we struggle (because that is natural and inevitable), let us always remember those marks in His hands and feet... let us lay our burdens, hurt feelings, and discouraging thoughts all at the feet of the Lord and let Christ (through His Atonement) help change us and help us become better. Through Him we can improve and progress and we can change our hearts and our lives. :)

I love you all!  Go and make someone smile today!! :)

XOXOX
Hermana Fardos

Monday, November 16, 2015

Divisions in Mariano!!!

HELLOOOOOOO!!!  :) 

Well I've got good news... there weren't any hospital trips this week! Haha!!  So we are happy and the work has been lovely!

This week we had a few divions with some great hermanas!  I got to go back to Mariano Roque Alonso and work with Hna Hall and with Hna Morgan from Peru... (we enterd the CCM on the same day together!) AND I got to have divisions with Hna Bringhurst!

These beautiful sisters taught me so much this week! :) I loved it so very much, I learned a lot about hard work, always wearing a smile on your face, and ministering to the people that we serve. :)

With Hna Hall, I learned a lot more about hard work, using our time effectively and recongizing the hand of the Lord in all things. :) With Hna Morgan, I learned about seeing people for what they can become... Looking beyond where they are, where ever it may be and seeing them as the Lord sees them. :) And with Hna Bringhurst, I learned about just pushing through even when it gets hard... being obedient. :)  We had every lesson fall through and no one wanted to talk with us... it was hot and hard... but we kept pushing and at the very end of the day, our last 2 hours... we found the people that the Lord had prepared to hear His message and we could feel and recognize the sweet tender mercy.  It was special and it was in my beloved Mariano!  I actually got to see some familiar faces and it was definitely a sweet visit... Mama Paraguaya, Tami, Mariana, Johana, Silvana - so many cherished friends... I loved seeing all of them!! :) 




SO... this past week, as a mission... we have been studying the atonement of Jesus Christ and I learned so much.  It leaves me amazed when I try and think about the love that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for us. I can't even begin to convey what I feel with words.  But what I can do is invite you all to get on your knees and ask the Lord if He knows you, ask Him if He understands you... He will answer you!! :)

And then, if you are burdened or heavy laidened... if there is anything that is troubling you or you are looking to change... I would invite you to (through prayer) just lay everything at the Lords feet and leave it there. Take upon you His yoke. :) Let the power of the atonement take part of your life. :) I promise that as you do, you will feel and undeniable love, and the things which weighed you down before, shall be taken off of your shoulders and you shall feel that celestial help. :)

I hope you all have just an amazing week!  Look to the Lord in all things! :) He knows better than we do, He has already experienced more than we ever will, putting Him in a perfect spot to help and comfort us :) and because He is perfect and never makes mistakes!

I know that Jesus is the Christ, and that He lives. I know that He is the only begotten of the Father and was prepared since the beginning to be my Savior, Redeemer and friend! :)

LOTS OF LOVE! 
Besitosss
XoXOxO
Hna Fardos

Monday, November 9, 2015

FEVER!!

FAMILY!!!!

Well, the theme song to my week would have to be Elvis Presley, FEVER!!  Although, the lyrics would have to be slightly modified... Haha!!  (Totally reminds me of my little baby video Dad!!  Good times!!)  Haha!!

Any way, this week was a huge week of changes!!!!! SO MANY!!! This week 15 missionaries finished and 8 new missionaries came into the field (7 Elders and 1 Hermana, Hna Diaz from Argentina, Tigre!).  I had a really cool chance to get to know the new missionaries and work with Hna Diaz for a day... we got to contact and teach lessons. It was so sweet being able to share some of her first mission moments with her! :) Now she is with her trainer and they are going to be AWESOME together!! :) I’m excited to hear about all the great things they will do!

I also got to meet my NEW COMP!!  I have so enjoyed my companionship with Hna Ashby... what a sweet time that was.  She is still in Pedro Juan, so I’ll get to see her in divisions!! :) 

But (drum roll pleaseeee...) my new companion is HNA FARISH from St George, Utah!!  She’s awesome!!  She has exactly 4 weeks more than I do in the mission field. In fact, I was going to leave the CCM in her group, but I decided to stay a full 6 weeks there; she came to Paraguay left before I -- but we were actually good friends over there!  She is the new Hna Leader and is AWESOME!  And this week we have gotten to know each other SUPER well!... but that’s another story... OK, I’ll tell you all about it!!

So, I have been really sick again... It started on Monday, I thought I was just coming down with a cold or something... so, I took some cold medicine and went to bed.  As soon as I hit the bed, I got SO hot and then so cold... we took my temp and it was 102.

NEXT DAY- I wake up bright and early and we keep on working. I was thinking that maybe I was feeling a bit better, but my back was really hurting and I was extremely dizzy and started feeling like I was going to collapse.... but it was the day of changes, so, I took my Tylenol and my new comp and I went to our new area and started working.  When we got home, I literally couldn’t stand any longer, I thought I was going to be sick to my stomach and I was so cold.  We took my temperature and it was hanging at 103.

FOLLOWING DAY- Since the moment I got up... I knew I wasn’t good, but I took my Tylenol and kept on going.  I took my temperature in the morning, and my fever came back down to 102,  so we went out and worked. I didn’t want to complain but I mentioned to my comp that I wasn’t feeling too well.  She knew about the fever and some of the other symptoms, but neither of us was thinking it would be a big deal.  In spite of trying to just work through it, my condition was declining, so I finally I told her I needed to call Hna McMullin... we got a doctors appointment that afternoon, and instead of sending me home, I was admitted to the hospital now holding a fever of 104.

We spent the next 3 days in the hospital and although it wasn’t what I would have planned as the ideal start to a new companionship, it resulted in AWESOME pillow talk!! :)  



Long story short, I'm feeling good now (suspected infection caused the fever, etc), the antibiotics are working; I loved getting to know Hna Farish; I learned the difference between complaining and just being honest about the condition of health... like, if you have a fever and your whole body is telling you to stop... you should stop. Ha!  It’s impressive how the Spirit can communicate those thoughts to us (I know that it spoke to me)... so, I also learned that I need to be better at listening. :)

I also believe that this detour we had was inspired, because it gave me and Hna Farish a really good opportunity to get to know each other before starting a crazy big and very busy change. Hospital time translated into a beautiful start of what will be a great friendship and companionship. Heavenly Father really is Perfect.

So, my new area is Salado, Limpio! :) I’m so looking forward to getting to know all of the members and making new contacts!

And, even though I am a little cabeza dura (hard headed) with my body/health sometimes... EL seƱor es perfecto y nunca se equivoca!! (God is perfect and doesn’t make mistakes) :)

XOXOXO 
Hermana Fardos

PS. Have a great week and go make somebody SMILE:)

Philipians 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me  :)

Monday, November 2, 2015

Saying Farewell to My Beloved Friends & Families in Pedro Juan Caballero!! Photo Update!!

Hey Family!!! 

We had a Leaders concilio today, so we don't really have any time for updates... I only have 15 minutes to say hello and let you know that all is well!! :)

Tomorrow marks cambios again and no doubt I will be leaving Pedro Juan and Hna Ashby... I don't know where I will be going yet or who my companion will be... However, I got the package with the camera cable (Thanks Mom!) -- so, I will see if I can finally send a few photos with the moments I have left!! :D 

I'm sure I will have lots to share next week!!  I love you all so much!!

Hermana Fardos