Immigration Issue and Interviews

May 3, 2021

Hola hola!! Another great week here in El Paso!! I've been here for over 6 months now and really have loved every day of it! We continue to work hard and the Lord does not cease to pour out miracles, it is the most incredible thing ever. 

Missionary work is the most joyous work, but it can be a little stressful at the same time haha. But it always is in His hands! I was pretty stressed at the beginning of this week as we thought we had a little bump in the road with Diana and Paty. On Monday night we were going through the baptismal interview questions with them and Diana told us that she has an interesting situation as far as coming over here from Mexico. It was a huge, crazy story and we were super worried it would mean she wouldn't be able to be baptized. But, we were able to talk to President the next day and he said we are all good!! They both passed their interviews yesterday after church and are so excited to be baptized tomorrow!!! We cannot wait!! There have been several huge miracles with each of them having their own personal spritual experiences and it's been absolutely amazing to see their progression. 

Other great events of this last week were Zone Conference and in person interviews with President! Zone Conference was seriously an awesome time and I always feel on a spirtual high after. As well I had my first in person interview with President since I arrived in the mission, and the spirit and love he carries with him is unlike anything else. 

In other great things, our guy Alex is still doing awesome this week!! It was funny, we normally go over to his house every Thursday at 5, but this week he told us to come at 6 this week. We didn't think anything of it, but when we got there he has the NFL draft on and his mom made us all this food. He's a huge Broncos fan and just loves football, it was pretty fun to see him all excited. We still have a solid lesson though about the Preisthood and he was able to receive that on Sunday!! Super cool experience to be able to confer the Preisthood and ordain him to the office of a Preist. I know I've said this before but he is such an awesome kid and I can't wait to see what he will do in the future! 

Last quick update with some of our peoples, we weren't able to have a set lesson with my beloved Luis and Carmen but we talked to them a little and they are still doing well! Hopefully this week we can meet with them and get their baptismal date figured out. 

I'll just close with a spirtual thought. This week President invited us all to prayfully study Christ-like attributes and focus on striving to develop them. This is something that has been huge to me for a variety of reasons and something I have found so much strength in. First to study our Savior and his characteristics and then to pick a certain one and try, often failing but trying, to emulate that characteristic. It is something I've felt strengthen my relationship with with my Savior and definitely something I'd invite you all to do! I'll leave you all with a verse I which I read in my studies this week about humility, an attribute that has stuck out to me lately. 

Helaman 3:35 

"Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God."

I appreciate all the prayers, love, and support for  mis amigos y yo!! Love you all so much!!

Mucho amor, 

Elder Jackson 

Sorry about the pics, I'll be better this week!!

1 Arcoiris sobre la ciudad 

2 It actually rained this week, absolutely shocking