6!!

March 1, 2021

Hola a todos!! It was a big week here in El Paso!! On Friday I hit 6 months as a missionary, and on Saturday night I found out I'll be staying here in this area for at least another 6 weeks!!!! I love being a missionary and love this area so I'm super happy!! 

The work started out a little bit slower than it has been lately because several of the people we are teaching are having some health issues. We are praying for them a lot and would appreciate your prayers as well, especially for Mario and Soledad! But we saw some huge miracles in the second half of the week as the work picked back up, we were busy with lessons, and found quite a few new people to teach!! It is humbly to see how much the Lord's hand is in this work.

Saturday was an awesome day all around, I'll just write about a few tender mercies we had. First off, we were able to stop by and talk to our guy Alex!! We found out he still wants to keep meeting and everything he just felt he needs some more time before baptism, huge tender mercy we can continue to work with him! Then earlier in this week we had some lessons fall and it was little slower like I said, so we were just calling up a bunch of people who were taught a while ago and seeing if they would be interested now. It was cool because we were able to set up quite a few lessons! But kinda funny, one of the lessons I put in was for Saturday and for some reason all I wrote on the schedule was "Eric."" Well, Saturday comes and I realize I can't remember who Eric was and to make it worse we didn't even have an Eric in our contacts, just two people named Erica. Hahah.  So we ended up calling each of them and they both answered and were open for a lesson right then. It was a crazy way to find a couple new people to teach!! 

Sunday was a great day as well and we were able to have 4 of our friends come to church! Then we had a great lesson with another new lady named Alicia who's son is a convert and actually went on a misssion not too long ago! She seems way cool. And then the Calderon family! Elder Woods is leaving the area so we went over and he was able to say bye to them. It has been a lot of fun with him these past three transfers and I've come to love him a lot. But I'm super excited for this next little bit with a new companion coming down to El Paso from up north, as well as some new responsibilities! A little nervous but super excited and happy to continue to work with all the incredible people here!! 

My spiritual thought for the week is a scripture I memorized this week, and it's really a topic that has been huge for me these last 6 months as a missionary. Alma 36:3 says, "And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day." I love the idea of putting trust in God!! He truly is all knowing, all powerful, and all loving. This life is full of trials but as we exercise faith in Him, trusting in Him completely, I know He will pour out blessings upon us! 

I love you all so much!! Hasta que la obra esté terminada!!

Todo el amor,

Elder Jackson 

1 El Paso bby!! 

2 Chiptole for 6 months did not disappoint 

3-4 Heck of a sunset through the window 

5 Year ago this week. s/o to Locken for the pic