¿Qué Tal, Bolivia?: "We are to be Agents who ACT and not just objects who are Acted Upon"

Two days with Elder Bednar.... It was the coolest weekend of my life! He came and talked to all the missionaries. And then, we had a stake conference with him. He is so cool.

It is hard for me to describe the sweet spirit that filled the room as all the missionaries stood and said goodbye to him. I was caught speechless. A feeling came to my heart that really was undescribable. I felt the Spirit testifying to me that he really is a witness of Jesus Christ. He spoke with such power. He talked about becoming agents and not objects. It made think reflect on what I need to do in my life to ACT and not just be ACTED UPON. For example, there are many times in my life when I feel the degrading influences of Satan trying to make me feel bad about myself. That is one of my weaknesses. He wants me to see every single flaw that I have. But this is being an object. I am letting him act upon me! I need to learn to become more of an agent, and turn my thoughts and actions into positive ones.
He also talked a lot about our agency as members of the church. We no longer have the agency to just not do something that God wants us to do because we have made covenants. I made the covenant to consecrate myself! I need to learn more to submit my will to my Heavenly Father`s will
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One last thing! Elder Bednar wrote a talk called In the Strength of the Lord. I hope you have all read it! He talked a little about it on Saturday. That talk is the reason that I came on the mission. The Lord will ask us to do hard things. It was a hard thing for me to come on a mission. It will be equally hard (or even harder!) for me to go home. But the Lord, through His beautiful atonement, will give us the POWER and STRENGTH to do things that we simply cannot do on our own. Having Elder Bednar go over that talk again really brought me a sense of comfort. "Look to God in EVERY thought. Doubt not. Fear not."

It was a weekend that changed my life. His exact words may fade from my mind with time, but I will never forget how I felt. The Spirit testified to me that Elder Bednar is an apostle of God. He has seen him. This is the restored church of Jesus Christ on the earth. We are so privileged to have apostles and prophets.

Other things.....

- OH... We got our transfers. I WILL BE DYING IN AMERICA. HERMANA GILVONIO WILL BE KILLING ME. I was so happy. I know that I need to be here to help these people.

- We are preparing Hermano Vidal Cortez for his baptism this Saturday! HE IS SO COOL. He came with us to the conference this past week, and I looked over in awe as he furiously took notes. He is going to be a great leader in the church someday. He is so prepared.

- Today, we straightened Fernanda`s hair for her birthday. She is the beautiful child in the picture with me.

- We finally finished intercambios! Now only 10 more to go in the next cambio!

Family....

KAYLA! YOUR SENIOR PICTURES ARE SO PRETTY! Mine were horrible, but yours are great! I cannot believe you are a senior....

KYLEBOY! WHATS UP!? Are you being nice to your son?

KEITH! HOW IS SCHOOL?! It is kicking your butt?

MOM! LOVE YOU!

DAD! STOP BEING TRUNKY!

EMI! I cannot wait to make pie!

LOVE YOU ALL!

Hermana Routsong