Week 50 - Taking Upon Ourselves the Name of Christ

Hey there, hi there! Ho there!!!!
What a lovely day to see!

How's everyone doing? I'm doing well - with plenty of 'Gumption!' Haha I loved it!
And did Justin get my letter? Just wanted to make sure it got through OK. New apartment, new city, even. It's been a change!

Congrats, Dad! Looks like a pretty full, yet fun and interesting, week! By the way, I really like the tie you wore to be sworn in! One of my favorites that you have!

Things have been going well! Well, we had a lot of baptismal dates fall through this past week , but other than that...Margarita is progressing very well! She came to church again for the third time, and while she attended Relief Society, we learned that she took a lot of very good notes. She's awesome! I'm very grateful for the opportunity that I have to work in this area at this time!

Elder Rodriguez has also been a HUGE help and strength to me over these past few weeks. He encouraged me to get more out of my personal studies and let me know how I can improve them, and then I got to work! I really feel like those studies that I had after Elder Rodriguez's advice improved.

I continued my study on the Sacrament, and also a little into 'Taking upon ourselves the name of Christ.' There's a lot to learn there! I've been studying from my notes and the actual address of Elder L. Tom Perry. What I've learned thus far is that the Sabbath Day has been set apart to test our obedience, but also to open up the windows of heaven. I can't remember if I mentioned this earlier (because this is something I learned from Elder Jones), that we don't need to worry when we sanctify the Sabbath Day. God has told us that we must worship on the Sabbath Day by going to Church, studying the scriptures, and strengthening and uplifting our families. What I hadn't realized is that He has already told us that we will be blessed for keeping the Sabbath Day holy. I'm not sure if I'm explaining myself very well, but basically when we don't work on Sunday, we don't have to have any fear that the Lord will not provide, because He specifically told us not to work. It's been very interesting to learn about the Sabbath Day, and how observing and keeping the Sabbath Day can really strengthen us and uplift us, in whatever circumstances we may be in.
It sounds like the conference over this past weekend was really amazing! A real spiritual feast! Who spoke there? Elder Christopherson, and someone from the seventy? How many stakes were there?

But it's also been really cool: Marino comes out to teach with us sometimes, because he's basically a member (haha well, pretty close). We taught Anna with Marino, and their faces just lit up when we talked about the Resurrection, and how our bodies will be perfect and without any flaws.

We have such a blessing, to be a part of this gospel! To know what we know, and to feel what we are able to feel as the Spirit teaches us in our lives. It's incredible!!

Oh, and we had a bash with a pastor. It wasn't actually very fun. The Spirit left.
So I have a commitment to leave with you - to visit the mormon.org website and to share some of the videos with friends. Even if it's just a link sent for a video over Facebook. Will you all do your best to share it with at least 5 people before next Monday? I know the Lord will help you to know who to send it to.

I love you!! Have a great week!!

El Devinator