Never Stop

"Never Stop. One always stops as soon as something is about to happen." – Peter Brook

I love that quote. This applies not only to missionary work but to life in general. We always need to seek to understand more in our lives. To LOVE more, to SHARE more, to BE more. Our eternal progression never stops. We can always be doing more and working harder. Every day we NEED to be strengthening our faith in Jesus Christ, building up our testimonies and looking back as well. Before my mission, I thought I had a pretty strong testimony. But the things I have experienced and the times where my faith has been tested have stretched and built up my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ so much. I have the privilege and opportunity to see miracles every day. We should NEVER STOP counting our blessings and miracles in our lives. NEVER. The Lord is waiting to bless us, and all we have to do is TURN to Him.

I love this quote from the prophet, Joseph Smith, "After ALL that's said, the GREATEST and most IMPORTANT duty is to Preach the Gospel." I have had many opportunities to plant seeds about this amazing gospel in my friends and family. I know with time those seeds will want to grow. We may never know it in this life, but I know after this life there will be people that will thank us for being that LIGHT and BEACON in their lives and talking to them about the gospel.

This last week we had a lesson with an investigator. His name is Domingo. He has had a tough life. He is 23 years old with two kids. He has the desire to change and we have promised him blessings and the Lord has come through with those blessings because he has been keeping the commitments the Lord has given him. As he was talking in the lesson about his faith and how he wants to repent, I looked into his eyes. I think it is a gift we receive as missionaries because I looked into his eyes and saw the Light of Christ. The spirit within him was reaching … reaching for the truth. He wants to learn and wants to follow the example of Jesucristo. We have only been teaching him for two weeks and his life has been totally different. He says he feels like he is clean and happy. Even his friends notice that difference. His countenance has changed. I know our Heavenly Father loves him and I love him. He was my lost brother, and now I am helping him slowly come back into the fold. It's these experiences that change my life, because I learn to love as Jesus Christ loved, to see everyone as a child of our Heavenly Father. Never GIVE up on ANYONE. Just because they reject it now does not mean you failed (they are just not ready yet). Remember that the enemy of GREAT is GOOD. Don’t be satisfied with GOOD, be GREAT! I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. Through him, we can all return WITH our families to the presence of our Heavenly Father. I leave estas cosas con ustedes, en el nombre de nuestro salvador, Jesuchristo, Amen. Amo Mi Mision. Todas los dias.

Les Amo Muchisimo!

Elder Vance