Hermana Ross in Paraguay: WEEK 68

Dear family,

Well, this week was pretty good! Kinda uneventful tho, ngl. We´re just doing our best out in Itaugua, but things have slowed down a bit the last week or two. Like, there´s still so much potential, so we´re just trying to do what we can to help people progress #agencyprobz.

Anyway, I´ve been reading the conference ensign again, and true story is that there was kinda a lot that got past me the first time. I guess it´s always that way/ x2 when it´s in a foreign language, but either way it´s been really good to read the talks again. And one specifically that got a lot of hype that I was able to re read was the one that Elder Holland gave in the Sunday afternoon sesh. It was actually really not overrated, and I loved it A LOT.

He says, "Realizing that we all have to come down from peak experiences to deal with the regular vicissitudes of life, may I offer this encouragement... With the gift of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the stength of heaven to help us, we can improve, and the great thing about the gospel is we get credit for trying, even if we don´t always succeed... "Verily I say unto you, the gifts of God are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep my commandments, and for them that seeketh so to do." Boy, aren´t we all thankful for that added provision, "and seeketh so to do!" That has been a lifesaver because sometimes that is all we can offer! We take some solace in the fact that if God were to reward only the perfectly faithful, He wouldn´t have much of a distribution list.

Please remember tomorrow, and all the days after that, that the Lord blesses those who want to improve, who accept the need for commandments and try to keep them, who cherish Christlike virtues and strive to the best of their ability to acquire them. If you stumble in that pursuit, so does everyone; the Savior is there to help you keep going. If you fall, summon His strength. Call out like Alma, "O Jesus... have mercy on me." He will help you get back up. He will help you repent, repair, fix whatever you have to fix, and keep going. Soon enough you will have the success you seek...

With the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, we can escape the consequences of both sin and stupidity - our own or that of others - in whatever form they may come to us in the course of daily living. If we give our heart to God, if we love the Lord Jesus Christ, if we do the best we can to live the gospel, then tomorrow - and every other day - is ultimately going to be magnificent, even if we don´t always recognize it as such. Why? Because our Heavenly Father wants it to be! He wants to bless us! A rewarding, abundant, and eternal life is the very object of His merciful plan for His children! It is a plan predicated on the truth "that all things work together for the good to them that love God." So keep loving. Keep trying. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep growing. Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever."

I just REALLYYYYYY love all of that #puredoctrine. Sometimes I honestly just feel like I just can´t do all the stuff I have to do in the way I need to do it in the time I have to do it, etc. And this was legit the reminder I needed that OBVIOUSLY I´m not perfect and that´s actually part of the plan.

Anyway, I love you all lots and lots! I´m still doing super well and getting HYPED for Colin.

Hearts and stars,

Hermana Ross