October 22, 2012

Dear Family, Well, I sure was happy to receive your letter. I couldn´t help but get the feeling that still, 2 years later, you are paying for the mistakes once made as a child, and are still repairing the damage. I truly am sorry for many of damage that I caused in my earlier youth. I know that back in those days, I definitely did not think about others as much as I should have. One of the greatest blessings that I have had while serving as a missionary is the opportunity to forget myself and worry about other. Actually I gave a talk on that yesterday. I spoke of how God´s plan is to bring to pass our salvation. That is His work and glory. And seeing how imperfect we are, the only way that we are going to be able to reach Salvation is by helping others. Jesus gave us the perfect example. He did not live his life for himself. Everything he did, he did for us. We can see how true this statement is when we think about the scripture that is in Mosiah 2:17. Imagine it. The only time that we are really happy, and I mean pure happiness and joy, is when we are serving others. That is why God commands us to form families. Being a parent is probably one of the hardest jobs, in which there are few earthly rewards. Loving parents are some of the most selfless people who exist. They live for their children. Grandparents for the grandchildren. This is the great plan of Happiness. That the families can learn of God, and that they can strive to obtain an eternal family. It is hard. IT IS WORTH IT. The things that are really important in this life are never easy. There is nothing more important. There is no offence, no sin, no trial that cannot be overcome through Jesus. This week was great. Elder Lopez and I worked really hard to make every day a productive day, and in the end, we were able to see the results. They were not the results that I was hoping for, but oh well. God has said "your thoughts are not my thoughts, and your ways are not my ways". So this whole week, we have been working hard to help Ernesto and Lupita prepare for their baptism. They showed some excitement, but never put in their part. They stopped reading the Book of Mormon, and Ernesto started drinking again. This greatly saddened us. The problem is he wants to stop drinking, but he does nothing to separate himself from the bad influences or bad "friends". So we were working hard with them, and in the end, I believe that we are going to have to leave them for a little while. They did not come to church yesterday. They are really great people, but if this really is not what they desire, then what good will it do to force it upon them. They have the agency. They can make the choice. I just hope that one day they will decide what is important to them. The Hna. Yahira came to church and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. That was wonderful. She and Abraham and Maria are all doing really great. Abraham is preparing to receive the priesthood. Alan and Nelson are still going to church with their dad too. Actually they are preparing to go to the temple within the next two weeks to do baptisms for the dead. I love this are, and the people here. I love you all. Thank you for your support. I think and pray for you often. Love, Elder Johnson