Let Her Go

Hello everyone, this week has been full of ups, downs, then ups again. We started off strong, finding a lot of people, lessons, and a person that was being taught a long time ago call and say he wants to get baptized. 
As the week marched on, the days got more and more difficult. The aforementioned friend has not responded to us, and the other one that said he's gotten to alma by himself hasn't either. Our friend that was on date said she didn't want to get baptized and that it would be nice if we didn't talk to her for a while. The most unfortunate part was when no one came to our wards valentines day party.

So that was pretty tragic, and that's what sucks about needing opposition in all things. The good thing about it, though, is that after it always comes the good things; the things getting opposed. We had 4 people come to church, including a less active, part member family that we visited. Also this old Spaniard that looks a little like Jeremy Clarkson. Super crazy to be teaching an actually spaniard, especially when they really do sound angry all the time but also still insist that you use informal. 

For a spiritual thought:

Nothing too crazy, I hope.

I have been seeing this pattern in the scriptures and some talks recently of Christ's outstreched arms. Unfortunately I haven't reached Isaiah in my reading of the Old Testament yet, in fact I'm only in Joshua. I say that because 1) Deutoronomy speaks a lot about how the Lord lead Israel out of Egypt with a mighty hand and outstretched arm into a land of milk and honey. It took a very long time, but the Lord gave them their land of promise.

2) Isaiah is amazing. It is there where it is said that the Savior "bore our grieves and carried our sorrows," and "we esteemed him not," yet "opened not his mouth." 

We read all of this in Isiah, and also when it's quoted in the Book of Mormon. What's also quoted is in 2 Nephi 19, where many things are listed that anger the Lord, but "his hand is stretched out still." 

One of my favorite parables from the teachings of Jesus is the Prodigal Son. I love how it reminds me that you can never go too far, never be too gone. In a talk by Elder Holland, called "The Ministry of Angels," he gives an experience of a young boy who disobeyed his father by crossing a cold and fast river. He got on his knees and prayed to his Heavenly Father, just asking for forgiveness on that cold and dark night. He then sees what he thinks an angel walking towards him, then says:

"Would the Lord really send an angel to me, who had been so disobedient? Then a familiar voice said, ‘Son, I’ve been looking for you.’ In the darkness I recognized the voice of my father and ran to his outstretched arms. He held me tightly, then said gently, ‘I was worried. I’m glad I found you.’" 

No matter how far we think we are, how many mistakes we've made, or how imperfect or unworthy we feel, we are never too far, too imperfect, too lost. It was when his son was "yet a great way off" this man "saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him." 

This son knew his mistakes and convinced himself he was "no more worthy to be called thy son." The father's only response was to give him the best robe, kill the fatted calf, be merry, all because his son "was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found."

So this week was pretty difficult, as some on the missions just simply are. That is why I'm so grateful to know that the Lord's hand is always stretched out still. That He always acts on His promises, blessings, and things He asks of us. That when we want to give up, make mistakes, leave the God we love, He will always be there, waiting for us to come back with His arms always open. 

I hope you all had a great week and have another great one upcoming! Please reach out as always.

Id con Dios,

- Elder Puzey 

Plaza Mayor