Letter #36 - I’m a Movie Star! - 10.5.2015
Bueeenas taaardes!
(This Hermana Pemberton’s halfway week!)
I can't believe it is OCTOBER. I love fall! What an awesome week it has been! Especially because we got to listen to general conference!
I'm a MOVIE STARR Wait...what? Yes, it is true. I officially will be on the big screens on October 9th and will be doing autographs on the 10th. Haha just kidding. But seriously, the movie is called Just Let Go. I'm in the emergency scene/trauma scene and I'm one of the nurses in this scene. I will probably only be on it for a few seconds, but still I'm in it and that's all that matters to me!
I hope each and every one of you go see it! I had a blast when we were filming. It seriously is an inspiring story and it is based on a true story.
Looking Through God's Eyes This last week I have really struggled with having faith and trust in the people that we are teaching. Trust that they were actually going to complete the commitments, that they gave us their word that they would complete it. Faith that they would ever have the desire to change. It has taken a lot of studying, prayers, and conference to remind me that I need to look through God's eyes and never give up on anyone. I have been in the same sector all of my mission....worked with the new and old investigators, less active members, and recent converts. We teach them, they commit and promise to complete the invitations that we leave with them. They are motivated and express that they know what we are teaching is true. Sunday comes and pass by to go to church. One of two things never fails to happen. 1) Ring ......Ring...Ring....No answer. 2) "No puedo"--followed by an excuse. When we ask if they read what we left with them or prayed, the response is followed by an excuse.
I have deepened my understanding of the LOVE that Jesus Christ has for each one of us. Being a missionary has reminded how many chances He gives to us and will continue to give us to change and become better. I believe that He will never give up on until the day that we stand before him at judgement day. Until the very last day He possibly can. That He knows our GREAT POTENTIAL and will do everything He possibly can to help us reach that potential. I know through His example, neither should we ever give up on anyone. We should never give up sharing the gospel with those who do not accept the first, second, or 50th time. We cannot lose faith that people can and will change. How awful it would be to hear the words, "Why did you give up on me?" "Why didn't you believe in me?" "Why were you not patient with me?" We have the truth, therefore, we have a great responsibility. We have the responsibility to help, guide, and believe in others like Jesus Christ does for us. To help people learn at their own speed. I know that there is no excuse to give up on anyone. I know that we must see others through God's eyes. It is when we do, we will have more genuine love for every person that we meet. It is then that they will also feel that love and be brought to know of the love that Heavenly Father has for them individually.
I know that every person has the ability to change. They can put behind them bad habits. They can repent from transgressions. They can bear the Priesthood worthily and they can serve the Lord diligently. Sometimes, they just need a helping hand and an encouraging voice to guide them back to the path that leads to happiness. I also know, if every person could understand what this change and this step of faith would do to their lives...EVERY.SINGLE.PERSON would commit to making that change. I know that the only way we can have the most happiness possible in this life and the life after this life, is through living the commandments of God. I know that it is through the simple things such as prayer, scripture study, and weekly church attendance that we can find divine direction for the most difficult decisions in our lives. I know that it is through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that we can reach our potential, a potential that we cannot even imagine. I hope that we will help each other reach that potential with love and patience.
Always remember: "There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to SAVE! --President Thomas S. Monson
Me and My Companion Hermana Garcia from Mexico
Life as a Nurse in Ecuador Dr. Burton will be coming this next week. I finished the itinerary for his visit this week. I am really excited to meet him! I'm excited to learn more about his experience working and starting the heart transplant program at University of Utah. It was cool to hear that Elder Renlund, our new apostle, also worked in the Cardiac ICU with heart transplants. Neither of them worked there when I worked there, however, it is cool because we share that same connection. Anyways, we have several different interviews and tours with the doctors here in Quito. We will also be doing a training with him. We have also been working to prepare to teach the missionaries first aid. I will be teaching 4 zones this week in our meetings with President throughout Quito.
We actually do not have a ton of missionaries that are sick right now...phew! There are a couple that are having severe stomach problems. We had to do another colonoscopy this week. This missionary called with bleeding in his stool and stomach pain. In the colonoscopy, they found some polyps which have to be cut out. They cut one out during the procedure, but then found more higher up in the colon which we are waiting for the biopsy for that. It is probable that other colonoscopies will be necessary in the future to remove the polyps because they can be precancerous. Other than that, the normal things that happen on a regular basis like back problems, sprained ankles, ingrown toenails, stomach pain, and parasites.
General Conference I LOVE CONFERENCE. This conference was incredibly powerful. I think it would be impossible for me to pick a favorite talk. I would watch one talk and then I would say "Wow, that was my favorite." Then, the next one would finish and I would say "Oh wow, that one is my favorite too!" And so on throughout the conference. Haha. I know that we can learn so much through the Spirit. I really felt like the focus of this conference was the importance to stand for our testimonies, keep the commandments, and our potential as sons and daughters of God.
I am so grateful to have a living prophet. I loved President Monson's talk. I know that President Thomas S. Monson is our prophet in our day. I cannot describe the Spirit that He radiated when I talked to him when I was the nurse for his wife a few years ago. He truly radiates those characteristics and attributes of Jesus Christ. I know that He knows with all of his heart and soul that this is the church of Jesus Christ. The only true church on the Earth. I felt of his testimony of the Plan of Salvation as he sat next to his sick wife in the hospital. I know that he knows he will be reunited with her one day. I know that He understands our purpose of why we are here and the potential that each of us have to achieve. I know that he receives revelation for us directly from God. His love for God, Jesus Christ and each of us has shown through his selfless service in the church for decades. Oh how thankful I am to having a living prophet to lead us and guide us in our day!
I am so excited to have and learn from the three new apostles. I could feel the testifying power of the Holy Ghost as they spoke that they were truly called from a loving Heavenly Father. I know that they will help lead us and guide us in the last days.
I hope each of you have a wonderful week and always remember who you are, a son or daughter of God. That you each remember the promises that each of us are entitled to, as we live righteously. I hope that we will be diligent in our everyday lives and strive to be better each day. I pray that each of us will remember the promised blessing of eternal life that each of us have the opportunity of obtaining as we use the Atonement in our lives.
LOVE YOU ALL!
Sister Pemberton
