Da Gracias!!

November 23, 2020

Qué onda!!!! This week flew by here in El Paso, it feels like I was just writing this email last monday but that's how you know it's been a good week!! 

The highlight was by far the message from President Nelson. What a gift to have a living prophet to lead this church and to give us some much needed words of hope and healing!! I absolutely love the message of gratitude!! On my mission alone I've seen a simple thank you card change hearts. Gratitude is a powerful remedy for all kinds of hardships. It is impossible to have too make gratitude!! Also the emphasis on prayer and giving thanks to the One gives us all, our loving and merciful Heavenly Father. And getting to hear our prophet's own humble pray was so powerful. If you haven't watched it make to sure to do so this week!! I also listened to another great prophet in President Monson's talk The Divine Gift of Gratitude. That too is absolutely worth a read. These are just a few lines I loved. "Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others" and "To live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven." It's perfect time of year to look for things to be grateful for!! 

With the message we also tried to really encourage the youth to participate in the social media challenge, so we made little invites to all the 25 youth in the ward, delivered them to their homes, and had a few show up to a special meeting we hosted!! 

In other things in the NMAM, President is now allowing us to go to service outside!! It was so nice to get out and help this lady in her yard on Saturday. 80° out and back to working on my watch tan line, not to mention she was so generous after and ordered us Chinese food. The people here are truly incredible! 

As far as our people go, Hector is out of the hospital!!! He is still recovering though from home so he might need some more time before his baptism. As well, our ex-convict Alfredo said he really felt the spirit when we read the Book of Mormon and we are going to try and start having his friend José hop on the calls which I'm pumped about! With our friend Linda we had to pass her off to the missionaries in Denver which was a little sad. But the last lesson with her, her husband sat in too and the spirit was super, super strong!! And the Elders there seem awesome so I really hope they both can keep progressing well. Margarita was a little busy this last week with her daughter who is in town but we hope it'll be better this week, and maybe even get her daughter a Book of Mormon too! A few other people we called were interested so we hope to get some more people progressing soon! Some more member lessons rounded out a very solid week. The gospel of Jesus Christ is such a joy and the joy only grows when we share it with those around us!! I really do see this every day, it's such a blessing. 

Last thing is just a scripture about prayer and gratitude. Alma 37:37 says "Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day." I hope we can all have a heart and pray of gratitude with us at all times, and especially this coming week!! #DaGracias !!

I hope you all have a very happy and safe Thanksgiving!! Un gran día de acción de gracias!! Love you all so much!!! 

Con todo el amor,

Elder Jackson

1 Best street in El Paso

2 Sunset yardy know

3 Border alert

4 Absolutely terrible pic but El Paso getting the Christmas spirit!!

5 Service selfie