Hola from Buenos Aires! It is hard to believe I have only been here in Arequipa for a week! Last P-day we had time to visit La Plaza De Armas, some of the old historical sites in downtown Arequipa and good old McDs for oreo McFlurrys. I was pretty pumped to say the least. Buenos Aires is about 40 min from centro, so on Pday we get to enjoy the cites and stores and then during the week enjoy the tranquil suburbs of Buenos Aires. Best of both Worlds. Our area is near the outskirts of Arequipa nestled up to the mountains/volcanos. Our area is pretty small but consists of three smaller areas with valleys connected by stairs about 4x as long as the BYU staircase to the field house. We have some pretty fun runs in the morning. hahaha But I love it here. We have an amazing ward! Yesterday we had an open house in the capilla and every organization prepared their room and a 3-5 min presentation. With the help of members we probably gave out abut 600 invitations. The Result= 52 referrals! Christmas came early for Hna Erickson and I. :)
This week I was studying in the chapter of PMG about recognizing the spirit and I was very impressed on by a quote by Elder Oaks that elaborated on our role in recieving revelation. He shared that often the Lord puts it in our hands to act. If we received direction for every single action or decision we make there would be no development. We would not learn how to rationalize, prioritize, plan.... we are here on this earth to earn how to use our agency appropriately and grow inour abilities and talents. And if the Lord told us exactly what to do His plan would be purposeless. He gave us our brains so we could use them. Something I have worried about as a missionary is knowing if I am doing exactly what the Lord needs me to do. I hoped I would be in the right place in the right time. I thought that I would constantly be directed with strong spiritual promptings. But I have leanred that He has given us directions in the scriptures, PMG, and wants us to take the initiative. Study, pray, and act on our best judgement. And if our desires are to do His work, He will let us know if we are going the wrong way. One of my favorite talks by Elder Bednar is Good Boys and Girls. When he answers the question "How can I know if I am being directed by the spirit?" he responds," DONT WORRY ABOUT IT. Be a good boy and a good girl and go to work."
I love the scriptures in 2 nephi 2:26 And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given.
27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.
I love that in the footnotes for verse 27 the word given can be replaced by talents and choose-initiative. In the parable of the talents, the Master did not give his servants specific directions. They had to take the initiative to get working--To make more of what they were given. All things are given unto us that is expedient. We have the direction of the scriptures, prophets, prayer. It is up to us to act. Not wait to be acted upon. I know that as we take the initiative to use the talents we have been given, to use our cabezas, and to do good (Moroni7:13) we will be directed by the Lord even when we dont realize it. And we will be able to do good,be Better, and become agents, istruments in the hands of the Lord.
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