July 15, 2024: "Nada Me Impide..."

 HOLA!! Just a warning this might be a long email because I couldn't express my gratitude in just a few words!! ♡ 

A year ago around this time I put on my tag as I began my mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! I can still remember the fear and worry that filled my mind! Every aspect of the mission terrified me, speaking another language, leaving family, leaving school and all the things that seemed right at that time! I thought I had it all planned out! I was studying at BYU ready to enter nursing school. I was comfortable and I had a plan! It seemed perfect to me but there was one little thing nagging me: the idea of serving a mission. 

I tried to push that thought aside many times thinking I knew what was best! But it weighed so heavily on my mind! I began the process of praying for an answer and now looking back God was trying to tell me so many times but I just kept pushing away the answer! One night after fervent prayer with my Heavenly Father I promised to do what he asked me to do no matter how much I feared or doubted. If I could just receive an answer, a sure answer that I couldn't deny! Well through a very beautiful and spiritual experience (one that is probably too personal to write in this email) I got an answer! One that I can't deny and will ultimately remember forever! 

Through this answer God had reminded me that I had already said yes even before this life I had promised and pledged to serve a mission! And so I prepared and I went, wanting to give it 110%, my absolute all!! That did not mean though that I wasn't scared or worried or felt inadequate (because I most certainly did) but I promised to do this and with the Lord I knew I could! In fact there is a promise that states: “And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up” (DYC 84:88)

And how true that promise has become!! I have never once felt alone on my mission, not once! I have felt the power of God bearing me up to do this work! Yes it is still hard and still scary but what I have learned through these past 12 months of my life is that HE is there! He is always on my side! With him we can't fail. It is impossible! Can we stumble or fall? Yes of course, that's life but never will he let us fail! He loves his children too much to do that! That is one thing I have learned the power of a Heavenly parents love, it is eternal it is real and it is perfect!! 

This week we had interviews and President asked me two very important questions! 1. Why did you come out on your mission? 2. Why do you choose to stay? I came because of what I have been given! Because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ I have my family forever! Truly there is no greater gift than that! How could I keep that knowledge to myself? Well no matter how weak or small I felt, I knew I couldn't. I had to share this gospel with those who need it most! And why am I still here, well 12 months in and I have seen people's lives change! I have seen miracles, real miracles!! The change that can come from one person accepting the gospel is incredible! 

I always wondered what it would be like to see Jesus raise someone from the dead, see the lame man walk or watch the blind man receive his sight! But now I don't wonder! I have seen those miracles with my own eyes! I have seen lives changed as if people have been raised from the dead; completely born again. I have seen hope given to the hopeless, faith given to those in despair. Repentance, given to those who thought they were lost and light returned to those who were in darkness. Truly I have seen miracles in each of the people I have taught! I can't deny! Their testimonies have changed me! 

Truly I could go on and on but I want to emphasize most importantly: I know this work is true. I've seen it change people. I know what has changed me. Miracles have not ceased. I see them everyday. The heavens are not closed. Instead, they are pouring down blessings! 

This week was no exception to any of those miracles. We met 2 new friends this week. Andy and his wife Daniella. They have 4 beautiful children and are from Peru. We had one lesson with them in a park and the next day they invited us over to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to their 4 children. The spirit that I found in that home cannot be described, it was beautiful. They came to church that Sunday and are progressing incredibly. We hope to put them on date for baptism this week. Please keep them in your prayers.

Jorge was able to pass the sacrament yesterday in church and it was one of the most spiritual experiences I have had on my mission! Jorge is a living testimony that the Gospel of Jesus Christ can change your life! Jorge has this light and I was blessed to see this process of him gaining this light as he changed and adapted this gospel in his life! 

To watch as he ever so carefully passed around the bread and the water and the way he watched intently as each person partook of the sacrament was a vision and an image of absolute Christlike love and charity. Jorge is a perfect example of knowing exactly what the symbolism of this sacrament represents. He has been born again and has changed through the process of repentance. He is the reason my testimony has grown so much! I think God knew I needed to learn more from Jorge than he ever learned from us! 

I want to end with an experience we had with Javier! He received his number a week ago from a Facebook reference and taught the gospel of Jesus Christ! When we were discussing baptism he asked what we had to do to prepare for baptism! Probably one of the greatest questions a missionary could hear. We shared with him the importance of learning the missionaries lessons and coming to church! He said he would pray about a baptismal date! He came to church that Sunday and we met with him after church later that day! 

As we began to teach the doctrine of baptism I opened up to mosiah 18 and we read in verses 9 and 10. Javier read this phase in verse 10 “¿qué os impide ser bautizados en el nombre del Señor?” I like that question he said and after reading it again with more focus and intent he looked up at us and said “nada me impide!” Right then and there we put him on date for the 27th of July to be baptized! 

May we be a little bit more like Javier and say “nada me impide” nothing stops me. We can do all things through Christ! Over these 12 months I have learned that only with and through the Savior can we succeed! We need him and with him nothing can stop us! May we be ever more committed to this Gospel to give more to follow our Savior! For these last few months, that is my goal to dedicate my life to him! Trusting that with him nothing stops me! These last 12 months have been filled with miracles and heartache, blessings and tears but never once have I had to wonder if I would fail or fall short. Instead “I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things” (Alma 26:12) 

Know how much I love and pray for you all!! Most importantly God loves you, he sent his only begotten son for you! Christ knows you personally and perfectly. He is our Savior, Redeemer, older brother, best friend, Master teacher and healer of our souls. This is His Gospel and what a pleasure it is to wear his name over my chest each day! 

Love you all so much!

Hermana Ross ♡