Today is 27 October 2014. Can you believe it? In three days i will have been a full-time missionary for one year. I have learned so many amazing things this past year. My testimony has been strengthened and i have grown so much. I have seen so many other people grow too. I have seen joy. I have seen misery. I have seen peace and i have seen trials. It has been incredible. I am so grateful that i still have six more months to learn so much more!
Here are some of the things i have learned this year.
Mexico is amazing
God lives. He loves us. He knows us.
Pride will kill any good thing.
Spanish has a lot of rules.
The people in Mexico here are so humble. It doesn´t matter that you don't have absolutely anything, you can always find something to give to others.
Heavenly Father will always bless us when we do something right.
If you are fat, have no shame because you will be told by everyone.
Mayo and cheese is actually super delicious with corn.
In Mexico everyone wants to appear younger. It is actually a compliment when they tell me i look like a little girl. Who knew? haha
The book of Mormon is the true word of God. It will ALWAYS give us answers.
If we ask sincerely, our prayers will be answered. ALWAYS.
Guerita is used more often than Hermana
You can eat any type of food with chili and oil. Ice cream included.
The priesthood power is really God´s power. Women don't have the keys, but can use the authority to use it when God needs/allows it.
Thomas S. Monson is God´s mouthpiece throughout all the world.
The spirit speaks Spanish and English.
If you desire to earn and develop a gift from God, ask, work and you will receive.
first, dream, then learn, then work.
Family is EVERYTHING to the people in Mexico. It is absolutely normal to live with your parents, children and grandchildren until you die.
Miracles exist.
When people make a covenant with God and receive the spirit, it is not only a spiritual change. Their whole countenance changes too. They literally are re-born.
Change is not sufficient. We need to completely surrender and be molded according to God´s will.
Absolutely everything that God does is for OUR benefit. Everything.
When you put the scriptures to life, your life is is worth writing about.
Using a planner everyday really does help keep you organized.
Washing clothes by hand gets easier.
Waking up every single morning at 6:30 never gets easier.
Skirts are better than jeans. seriously.
Mexican food is the yummiest food ever.
Food is not food without chili.
God protects your family when you are watching over his.
Laughing is always needed.
Spanish is awesome! In English it is choose the right, in Spanish it is do the right!
Mexicans love to sing! They sing loud and proud and have no shame. If they cant hit the note, that doesn´t stop them! They will just pick another one that suits them best. Soprano and alto and fifteen others :)
Serving the Lord is the best thing that anyone could ever do!
As you get better at Spanish, your English dramatically decreases.
The spirit is our best friend. Without him we can do nothing.
The gospel is the same in every country.
God loves everyone THE SAME! our enemies, our companions, our friends, our family. It is the exact same.
In Mexico, the parents pick their favorite child.
just like you cannot make enchiladas without tortillas, you cannot have success in the missionary work without missionaries and members.
My family is the most important thing in my life.
God always protects us.
Children are perfect. Children with special needs are perfect and have the most beautiful spirit with them. They recognize the spirit that we carry with us. They are here to help us, not the other way around.
When in doubt, get on your knees.
It is so much better to make the days count instead of counting the days.
Quotes are awesome!
Every day we should pray to receive revelation.
The things that we worry about are usually temporal. They don't last. But the decisions that we make every day do.
There is nothing like seeing people whom you love dearly get baptized and come out of the water with the biggest smile on their faces.
Keeping the commandments is always worth it.
God understands more than we do.
keeping a study journal is the best thing you could do every single day to always remember the feelings and revelation we receive.
Giving thanks to God every single day for your blessings is the way to receive more.
One hour every Monday on while writing to the family is the fastest hour of the entire mission.
I have learned so many more things that time has not permitted me to write! All i can say is that i have never made a better decision in my whole life.
I love you! I hope you have a great week!
Love, Hermana Anderson
You can email Ashley directly at:
ReplyDeleteanderson.ashley@myldsmail.net