Hey everyone! well... this has been a great week, and I had
two really cool experiences that re-testified to me the importance,
and the significance of the scripture found in Luke 15
3 ¶And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4 What
man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of
them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the
wilderness, and goafter that which is lost, until he
find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on
his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh
home, he calleth together hisfriends and neighbours,
saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have
found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto
you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety
and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
So the first is this: We brought Eduardo Maldonado to church
with his wife and 2 kids. He is an inactive member as of years
ago... and is like 36 years old. And we went to go pick them up
in the morning, and he was dressed in his suit and everything,
and his wife (evangelical) and his little 9 year old (nonmember)
daughter were dressed so pretty and all ready to go to church.
As we were talking to him and walking to church he said "mis
padres estàn contentìsimos que me estoy acercando de nuevo
a la iglesia" basically "my parents are SOO HAPPY that I am
returning back to church". Because his whole family is active
in a ward in Talcahuano, he is just the about the only one in the
family that is away from the church. But I could just imagine
the joy his parents would feel seeing him and his family coming
back to church again. Seriously, sitting in church with that family
and Santos (who has a baptismal date for Nov. 28 and who is
progressing super well) was truly a sweet spiritual experience! :)
Just thinking about the importance of looking for the 1 lost sheep.
And the other experience was this: leaving to lunch one day walking
out of our apartment there was a man behind us with a toolbox in his
hand who kind of called out under his breath to us "hermanos ELDER"
and so we turned and started talking to him for a bit. the other 2 elders
with us just kept walking and went to lunch, but this guy began to tell
us that he got baptized a long time ago and has been inactive for a long
time. but used to be ward mission leader, and in the bishopric and lots
of other callings. But he is separated, and living in Coronel with his
girl friend (he was like 50 years old) and goes to the Catholic church
each week "just to hear a little bit of the word of god". But doesn't
practice their religion because he knows our church is true..... but
said he cant go back to our church, because of how he is living,
and he recognizes it, and everyone would judge him for being there.
And then what happens next was the coolest part. I asked him "Oh Victor,
so you feel like you cant return to church because you would feel
uncomfortable with everyone looking at you because you cant really
take the sacrament... right?" he said "YES, thats exactly right" Then
we were able to boldly testify that it only matters what God thinks, not
what other people think of us. And this gospel, is a gospel of healing....
and a gospel of change! And that the Lord loved him, and knew his
situation, and wants him to return to church, because even if he isn't
worthy to take the sacrament now... thats the first step on the miraculously
sweet path to repentance! I also told him to go talk to the Bishop, because
the bishop will always lovingly help us get back on the right path, with
the saviors help, and without judging!
And he just began to cry. And I just felt an incredibly strong spirit of love
at that time. I felt like I loved this guy Victor so much! And I felt like God
was directly using us as instruments to tell him how much the lord loved
him, and needed him back on his team! So we gave him a huge hug and
then went to lunch. And about 5 minutes later when I was thinking about
everything that just happened.... the words from my mission setting apart
blessing came clearly into my mind "you will see members who have lost
their way, or new investigators. You will be a master teacher, perceiving
their very thoughts, like King Lamoni. Its a spiritual gift." And basically
for the past 15 months I have been trying so hard to live worthily, and
working hard enough so that I could see at least one of those promised
blessings I have be fulfilled. And the spirit testified to me that I saw it
fulfilled. To everyone else it may have been a really small and virtually
insignificant little thing that happened. But to me, it was exactly the
spiritual jump start that I needed :)
We are the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Its our
responsibility to go out and find all of our brothers and sisters that
are lost right now... and bring them back. Because the worth of
souls is great in the sight of the Lord! :)
thats basically the things that happened this week. haha sorry it was
so long. have a great week, and talk to you guys next week!
chao chao
Elder Hartvigsen :)
 9:47 AM (22 hours ago) | | ||
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