Monday, February 1, 2016

My goal is heaven


We went and had a lesson with Diana in the gardens in the temple.
My companions are going to be companions!
Going to miss this sweet girl, Diana!
We got a cake.
With Hermana Rhondeau, Hermana Hoggan, and Hermana Wilson .
Hermana Cabrera and me.
The last zone meeting.
With Hermano Guellermo.
Some fun animals I found yesterday.

Well this week was a good one. I am so happy that I was able to get to go to Almendros and have this time to meet great people. I loved this short 7 weeks I had with them. On Saturday we were able to go to the Temple grounds with Diana and it was super great! She is all excited for her baptism on the 13th and is getting excited to serve a mission one day soon! It was really hard to say good bye to her, but I know I’ll see her again. She is an amazing little lady! 

So I had this list of things written in my agenda I was going to write for my last letter, but then I lost my agenda en la calle on Saturday, so it all went away. 

I really can’t even express how fast this time went. I still don’t feel like it’s over. My body sure does feel the nerves of it all coming to an end but my brain, no. I have accepted it a little more this week that the time here is over. I still feel sad, but I’ve accepted it. I still have much to do at home and I’m excited to see what comes next. 

I will miss Mexico so much. Most of the great things that I love about Mexico are:

The people
The packed up buses
The bread they sell in the streets PAANNNADEEERRRROOOO
The natural juices
The bad directions people give: (Just go to the red house with the white gate with a dog in front that barks a lot) 
CAMPECHE
People playing guitar on the buses
Learning Spanish
The colorful houses
RECA!
Tiendas in every corner
Teaching people the Plan of Salvation
Getting to know a new culture
Learning how to walk faster than I can run (walking with a purpose) 
When people grunt when they want to say "yes" 
Having someone with me 24/7
The charity of the people of Mexico.
There is much more, but I have NO TIME. 

I love this gospel so much and I am so happy for this time I had to take away from my life to give to the Lord. It really has been the best 18 months of my life and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. I know that God answers prayers and that he loves us all so much. I have felt the love and mercy of the Savior. I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only restored true church on this earth. I love my Father in Heaven and I love my Savior. And I love all of you. 

Hasta la luego! 
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Velasquez

I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit's power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made -- I'm a disciple of his. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals."
"I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean in his presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer, and I labor with power."
"My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifices, hesitate in the presence of the enemy, pander at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity."
"I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till he comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till he stops me. And, when he comes for his own, he will have no problem recognizing me ... my banner will be clear."