Un Año !!

August 30, 2021

Hola a todos!! 

As the title says, this week I hit a year as a missionary!! Un año completo en el servicio del Señor!! Seriously so crazy to me. I really couldn't have asked for a better mission experience to this point. I reflected a little on my mission thus far and it really has meant so much to me, I am honestly so sad it is halfway over. Of course there have been ups and downs throughout, but I am so grateful for every day and experience. It truly is an incredible privilege to be a full time representative of the Lord!! I have seen so many miracles and really can't express my gratitude except for repeating the words of Ammon in Alma 26:11-12. I glory in the Lord and His infinite goodness to allow me to have this time to learn, grow, and see His work move forward in miraculous ways. 

So on Thursday was the day I hit one year and I couldn't have asked for a better day!! We had interviews with President which really took up a majority of the day, being at the church from 12:30-7:30 to make sure they all went smoothly. A long time to be at the church, yes, but it was a treat to be able to be with President as well as all of the missionaries in the zone. We were also blessed with a member that hooked us up with Buffalo Wild Wings which was way fun!! I have been blown away my whole mission by the generosity of the members. The best part of the day and, probably the whole week, was the lesson we were able to have that night with our guy Tito!! He is the guy we were able to find through his mom last week, who happened to already have been talking to some other missionaries on Facebook. We had had a few really solid lessons last week and earlier in the week and he has such a pure desire to learn and be better. And so in our lesson at the end of the night, he accepted a baptismal date for the 25th of September!! I am so excited for him and it was a really neat way to end my one year mark. 

As also mentioned last week, there was an entire family that an hermano in our ward brought to church. What we didn't even realize though was after church they met with the bishop and he gave the parents blessings and they said they have such a powerful experience. We had a lesson with them as well throughout the week and they again were able to feel and recognize the spirit. They too seem so ready to receive the gospel. We are having dinner and a lesson with them tomorrow night and I honestly can't wait. 

Last quick update from our friends this week, Liz and Nathaly are also doing awesome!! We had a few really good visits with them and were able to start teaching Liz's husband as well and got him his own Libro de Mormon! Liz and her husband actually went out of town this weekend but it was super cool because 12 year old Nathaly still had the faith and diligence to come to church!! When we called to remind her on Sunday morning she was already getting ready! Another angelic member picked her up and she had a great time. We can't wait for their baptism this Saturday, please continue to keep them in your prayers!! 

Last couple highlights from throughout the week were: Elder Woodhouse getting pulled over for running a stop sign but evading the ticket, blessing a house and a girl who have been being bothered by an evil spirit, back at it Hermana Carmen's casita painting her walls, and some crazy lightning just about every single night this week! 

It has been so crazy to see how the Lord's work progresses. We have been blessed with some incredible miracles lately here and I am praying these people continue to get closer to God. But I really cannot take even the slightest bit of credit for the miracles we've seen. We have simply been striving to be obedient and work our hardest for a long time and it seems now that the Lord is placing these people in our lap. I am humbled to have a front row seat to the Lord's work and somehow be an instrument in His hands. I will leave you all with some of my all time favorite words of Alma the younger, and missionary scripture on my plaque back home, Alma 29:9.

"I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy."

 

I cannot thank you all enough for the love and support!! I am excited for another year of growth, learning, change, and miracles as I dedicate myself to this labor of love in serving the Lord and His children. 

Con todo el amor,

Elder Jackson

1 B Dubs for the 1 year dub 

2 More treasures from Los Lunas

3 Saturday morning hot air balloons

4 Elder Casa de Madera