December 11, 2016

Merry Finals Week---When you feel bad, just remember we are all taking finals this week, and that the mission is the place to be right now!!

This week I went to the MoTab concert.  And it was so funny, because the guest artist sings opera.  Also because he looks just like Mr. Bean.  So if you can imagine Mr. Bean singing opera with the MoTab, you will laugh.  It was great!

I don't know why I don't know what to write this week.  I usually have no problem writing long letters. 

I guess I will tell you about some of my #iluminaelmundo moments this week.

1. I went over to Katie and Trents house and Katie was sick (she's been having stomach problems for about 2 months now and she gets nauseous all the time and has stomach pain.  The doctors can't figure out what is wrong with her.)  And I started watching Planet Earth with them and then I went over to  eat a little bit of salad (I hadn't eaten all day), and I saw that their kitchen was a mess, so I cleaned it and did the dishes.  And I think it helped them.

2. I tried to donate blood, but since I had just been in Mexico I couldn't.

3. Last Sunday there was a goal of praying to heavenly father more, and so I wrote a prayer template that would help me have more meaningful prayers this week and you would be amazed by the help that it has been.  I wake up, say my morning prayers, and just feel so much more motivated to do what I need to do that day, and just more confident that the Lord would help and guide me throughout the day.  Also, I know that I always say that I pray for you, and I do a lot of time, but sometimes it is hard to always remember, but this week I prayed for you everyday.

Speaking of praying for others, I was talking with Cassi today about this and we were talking about why we think that we are commanded and encouraged to pray for others.  This is what we came up with.

-- Because it increases out mindfulness of these other people, so that we are reminded to do what WE can do to help the person.  Christ is a perfect example of this because he prayer for the Nephites in 3 Nephi and then he ministers to them, teaching them, healing their sick, etc.  Doing all HE can to help them as well as asking His father to bless them.

--Because it increases our faith.  Not only do you remember to do what you can do for them, but then, when the help is received, the blessing comes down, we attribute this to God.  We remember that God is the one in charge, and He is the one who really helps them.  This can work on the flip side too.  If the miracle does not occur for the person we are praying for, we remember that God has not forgotten our loved one, but rather, is perfectly mindful of them, and has his own timing.

-- Because it gives us charity for all men.  This is why we must pray for our enemies.  The first great commandment is to love God, and the second is to love (have charity for) our neighbors.

Anyway, keep working hard.  If you have any questions of doubts, just go to God.  I think that a lot of times we waste time focussing on the problem, when if we instead pondered on the goodness of God we would be happier and our problems would seem less like trials.

Love ya,

Liza

Mr. Bean, the opera star.