August 2, 2023 Spanish Immersion

August 03, 2023

Hola Amigos,

This week has been great! So many amazing spiritual experiences and the spirit has been so strong all week! This work is so fulfilling but it is also very draining. Our district started Spanish immersion (where we speak Spanish during all classes) this week!

It has been amazing! I am actually able to understand what is going on in class and I'm so grateful for my amazing teachers that help us get the gist of each lesson.

This week I have seen so many sweet miracles while learning the language! The gift of tongues is real!! I had a one on one class with my Spanish teacher and we focused on learning the first section of the restoration lesson, "Dios es nuestro amoroso Padre Celestial." We studied this lesson and Sister Boseman then invited me to share my testimony. I read a few phrases from the paper and would occasionally glance up at her. After that testimony she asked if I would be comfortable sharing without the paper. I knew very few phrases and didn't have much of the lesson memorized but I turned the book over and started my testimony for the second time. I spoke the few simple phrases that came to my mind. Nothing advanced, nothing memorized, just a simple short testimony. I closed my testimony and felt the change in the room. The spirit was present. With tears in our eyes, Sister Bosemen and I both felt the difference! She testified of the power of the spirit and how when we speak with real intent and love for the savior our investigators will feel that!

Jesucristo multiples our efforts and makes weak things become strong. I now know that if I give the Lord the best that I can with real intent and purpose he can bring the spirit into our lives! My Spanish is not great and there is still much work to be done, but Jesucristo knows your heart and will fill in the gaps!

I have been able to go to the temple twice this week and it is such a blessing to have the spirit throughout my week! Each visit to the temple fuels me for the days ahead. There is power in the temple! I actually opened my mission call on a bench on the Provo Temple grounds! Now months later as a missionary I returned and got a photo on that same bench (pictured below)

A few thoughts from throughout the week that I loved…

● "There is more GOOD in Christ than failure in us" he makes up the difference

● "He will never tire in His efforts to help us, and we will never exhaust his merciful patience with us. Each of us has a special place in God's heart" - "The everlasting Covenant" by President Nelson

● The covalent path is a path of LOVE

● You can identify a true follower of Christ by their compassion

● Jesus Christ does not need part-time disciples, he needs them forever - "The first Great Commandment" Elder Holland (a must read conference talk!!)

● "Sometimes a single phrase of testimony can set events in motion that affect someone's life for eternity" so open your mouth and share! - "Waiting on the road to Damascus" by Elder Uchtdorf

● "Jesus Christ is carrying your mission (or life) in the palm of HIS hands" so why should I fear? - Sister Nielson from our Tuesday devotional

● "Watch how the lord fills in the gaps" -Sister Neilson (also read D&C 123:17 you won't regret it!)

● Our Prophet President Nelson wisely requested "add more JOY" so add more joy to this work, more joy to your life, or add more joy to your relationship with Christ!

I know this is a lot sorry, but how could I not share the goodness of el evangelio de jesucristo! Love you all and praying for you daily! Jesucristo te ama y se que es suficiente!

Love,

Hermana Ross