09 February 2015

Tarde, pero cumple.

The other week we had a very unexpected lesson with a less active that chased us down on the street to talk to us. We went to his house to sit down with him and his grandma, who is also a member. It ended up being a very powerful lesson. Michael, the young man who chased us down, expressed to us how sad and alone he felt. He said he wanted to change... he wanted to learn more about the gospel and start over. He expressed many feelings of lack of hope and happiness in his life. During the lesson, after explaining to him that he is a child of God, he look up, with his fist in the air and said repeatedly, "Tarde, pero cumple. Tarde. pero cumple." (late, but fulfills. Late, but fulfills) Michael taught me an important lesson that night that I will never forget. Heavenly Father loves us immensely and answers our prayers and fulfills His promises according to his time frame and will. I have come to see the reality of that principle of faith and patience this past week. 

While I was on splits with Hermana Essig, we stopped by the Tullumayo sisters to drop something off for Hermana Sanchez. While we were there, they gave me an update on all the people that are progressing in that sector. They talked about people that I had worked with starting over a year ago... people that I sincerely came to love. I remember praying and fasting for these people. Sometimes the results of our visits left us in tears. Do you remember me talking about the Ore family? Hermana Thompson and I suffered to get the dad to understand the Atonement and the importance of family... to get him to church! He was hard as a rock back then... his progress was slow. The sisters informed me this week that he has a calling in the church and counselor of the Sunday school presidency and as a family have a goal to be sealed in the temple this summer. I now see that my many prayers and fasts are now being answered. It brings me such great joy to see how the Lord is changing the hearts of many people I worked with in Tullumayo. I am also seeing many answers to my prayers here in San Jeronimo. Hermana Chipunavi and I contacted a family last transfer, and basically every week we have been trying to find them by calling and knocking on their door, etc. The mom seemed receptive, yet it was very hard to coordinate an appointment when they were committed to be there. Well, this week we finally found them! The father expressed to us that he had gone to the church in Sicuani years ago, so he is somewhat familiar with our message. He also said that he had been praying to know how to improve his family situation for a while now, and that day that we met them and contacted his family, he was deeply impacted and took that as an answer to his prayers.

Heavenly Father works in misterious ways. He may take time to answer our prayers or may answer them differently than we hope for, but we need to trust in Him. He knows far better than us what is good for us.

We had a meeting with the zone leaders and sisters leaders with the President this week as we do the beginning of every month. I felt the spirit so strongly in that meeting. We talked about becoming consecrated missionaries. I have not been a perfect missionary my whole mission, but I have strived to do my best and I have learned A TON. I am a huge work in progress. However, despite my many weaknesses and mistakes, I truly feel that the Lord has made me an instrument in His hands to bring people to feel of His love for them and ultimately a fulness joy for coming to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is what brings me true joy. I absolutely LOVE being a missionary. I am so grateful that the Lord has trusted me to come here, to the Cusco, Peru Mission to serve His children here.

I love you so much and pray for you daily. Congrats to Ally and Brian on the new baby! And congrats to the grandparents, aunts, and uncles... but let´s just remember who the favorite aunt really is. ... Can´t wait to meet him! 

Con mucho amor (y abrazos para todos!),

Hermana Nelson

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