Raegan's Mission to Mexico: February 16, 2015: Every Week is Fabulous!

Hey all! Happy Valentine's Day! I completely forgot that was coming up. Guess that kind of happens when you're a missionary. I remember last Valentine's Day really well, that's when I dropped the ball on you guys that I was going on a mission :) You all sound like you're doing great! Great job Kennedy on your cheer competition, and best of luck preparing for State. You will do awesome. Take it home!! :)

This week was really good! Bueno, EVERY WEEK IS FABULOUS!! But this week was particularly awesome because we have a red tomato investigador. Por fin. Maria de Jesus accepted a baptismal date for the 21st of March. They better not change me out of the area!!!!!!! But we will see, transfers are in 2 weeks. Anyways, Maria has 3 kids and 2 of them I think we are going to try to get baptized the same day. They weren't there at the lesson because they were preparing to participate in New Beginnings with the YW! Jaquelyn and Lluvia Estrella are their names. She also has a young son named Abram. They didn't come to church this week, so we went straight there after lunch to visit them. She said, "I never want to miss church again. I'm going to set Sunday aside like you told me to and go to church every week." Perfect! She is recognizing a huge difference in her life! She is always asking the perfect questions and is really receptive to everything we teach. She always says, "So what do I need to do? I want to become better." It's wonderful because then we can easily get specific commitments with her. She is so cute!!!!! Ah! So happy when we go to teach her!!! :) Her kids love us too. Lluvia and Jaquelyn painted my nails the other day and Abram did my hair: It was atrocious!!! But they were our last appointment so it was fine. It didn't bother me too much and kept them quieter so we could really focus in Maria's questions without interruptions. It took me a good 30 minutes to brush out my hair though ha-ha. Please keep them in your prayers!!!!

We also had a Valentine's Day activity with the zone this week in Soriana and S-Mart. We took free photos and people had to give us their addresses so we could bring them to their house. (Can you say reference overload?? Yeah, we had a different motive than just free pics ha-ha.) We talked with a million people and handed out balloons and candy, lots of it. We got planched by a man in Soriana for about 40 minutes telling us that Joseph Smith wasn't a prophet, that President Derbez isn't directed by God, that President Monson is a liar along with the apostles, the Book of Mormon doesn't testify of Christ (umm obviously he hasn't read it all nor seen 2 Nephi 25:26...but whatever), and that we shouldn't be blinded by the craftiness of an enchanter from the 1800's. FORTY MINUTES of that junk!! I don't think he took a breath, but when his rant was over...we smiled politely and testified about the prophets, the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. He wanted to start up again, but I said, "I'm not going to be shaken on this. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I know that the Book of Mormon testifies of Christ. I know that Thomas S. Monson is also a prophet. If you would like to participate in the free pictures we are taking, you are welcome to do so." He said he will pray for our souls. Well, I will be praying for him, too!

Well, this week I want to extend you all a challenge: MEMORIZE THE LIVING CHRIST BEFORE EASTER!!! Don't even start to roll your eyes or start saying "Nope" in your minds. It's possible!! :) Have a little faith! You have a month!!! I'm doing it too. I set that goal about 10 days ago. So, anyways, as a family, we are going to memorize "THE LIVING CHRIST" and I want weekly reports about where you are in your memorization. I also want to extend that challenge to everyone who is reading the blog. :) And for your convenience, here is "The Living Christ" if you're not able to access one. If you have the internet, you should be able to access it. But hey, now there are no excuses:

"As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.

He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.

He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.

We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.

He rose from the grave to “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Ephesians 1:10).

Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:

“I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:3–4).

Of Him the Prophet also declared: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—

“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22–24).

We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth— “built upon the foundation of . . . apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20).

We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.

We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles— that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son." -Quorum of the 12 Apostles and First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; January 1, 2000.

I want to add my witness that I know that Christ lives. He is our Savior. Through Him we can be cleansed from sin and overcome our weaknesses and challenges. Let Him in and let Him change you. May we follow Him and try our best to live His example!!

The mission has been the coolest and most difficult experience of my life! I love what I'm learning and what I'm becoming. I love the chance I have every day to make some type of difference in the world. It's so worth the price! We all have opportunities every day to do something good. Don't waste it! I miss you guys so much! Hope that you all have a great week! LOVE YOU ALL LIKE CRAZY!!!! XOXOXOXOXO

Con Amor,

Hermana Anderton