His Hand

The last week has been filled with amazing spiritual experiences. There have been so many people that were put in our path this past week that I know were placed there by our Heavenly Father. There are so many people out there that are searching and waiting to hear the fullness of the gospel. I know that is true because last week Elder Lenon and I were able to find many new people and our area continues to grow and be blessed. Elder Lenon and I continue to work on our Spanish. We both love testifying about and teaching the restored gospel of Jesus Christ to all we come in contact with in Santa Rosa. At times when I go on exchanges to English areas it is difficult to teach in English! I love the Spanish culture and I am grateful I have been called to this mission here in California. Elder Lenon has taught me so much. He is such a diligent missionary and I am grateful for his worth ethic and the sacrifices he has made to be here. I hope I can serve with him for another transfer because I am learning a great deal from him. Every day I am reminded that the Lord's hand is in this great work because I see the changes and blessings that come to those that open their hearts to this great message that we bring.

This past week I attempted to ask myself this question at the end of every day:

"Have I seen the hand of the Lord today?" -President Henry B. Eyring

As a missionary it is a rare occasion to have everything go as planned. Appointments fall through, you maybe feel sick or tired, people don't want to talk to you, or maybe your spirits are just not where they should be. I think in this life, things don't go as planned. We all are thrown into the perfect storm every once in a while and wonder how the Lord could possibly be reaching out to us. I want to testify that His hand is always in our lives and He gives us those tender mercies that we can all see. So last week I tried to ask myself the question above, and throughout the week I recognized that I always felt happy because I could see how the hand of the Lord blessed me or helped me throughout the day. No matter how long the day was, how many appointments fell through, or how many times we were rejected, I could always name off things that the Lord bestowed upon me and blessed me with each day. That is what has brought me happiness. That small question, "Have I seen the hand of the Lord today?", has helped me open my eyes and look for those tender mercies of the Lord. At the end of the day it brings me back to One who watches over all of us every day. I know He watches over us and listens to our prayers.

We talked to a woman named Lupita on the street last week. She was so open to the gospel and the message of the Restoration. She wanted to find out which church was true because she had attended so many throughout her life. Elder Lenon and I both bore testimony to her about the plan of salvation, the plan that God has made for us as His children and for our families. The plan, if we follow it, will grant us eternal life with our families. I told her that families are meant to be together forever and that death is not the end. She had such a special light about her and she was a true seeker of the truth from the moment we met her. She has four children and wanted to to know more. We got her information and told her we were going to stop by in a few days. The next day we went by to see someone. We knocked on the door and no one answered, but the next door over opened and it was Lupita. We taught her about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the prophet Joseph Smith. It was such a spirit filled lesson. I know that Lupita and her family were put in our path by the hand of the Lord. In another lesson we had with her recently, she told us she was so confused and she wanted to know what was true. I remember saying, "Lupe I know that your search for the truth has ended. I know that this church is true with my whole heart and the only way you can know whether what we have taught you is true or not is through prayer. If you pray we promise you that you will recieve an answer through the Holy Ghost that all that we have taught you is true." Her final prayer at the end of that lesson is one that I will never forget. She pleaded with our Heavenly Father to show her the way and to give her an answer; to put an end to her confusion so she could follow Jesus Christ in the fullness of His gospel. There are so many people out there today that are confused and lost. Just like the young man named Joseph Smith in the year 1820, there are many who desire to know among all the churches today which one is true. I love all the opportunites we as missionaries have to testify to people and to promise them blessings. Lupita came to church today with one of her sons and that was such a blessing to see. I know she was given to us as a tender mercy from our Father above.

 I love being a vessel for the Lord in which the gospel of Jesus Christ is brought to my brothers and sisters. It has been such a blessing to be raised in a home that was founded upon the principles and doctrine of Jesus Christ. I do know that our Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ live. I know that what we bring as missionaries to the homes of the people here in Santa Rosa is true. I know the Lord's hand is in every one of our lives. At times for me it can be hard to see, but when I do, I treasure the tiny tender mercies in which my Father above shows me that He knows me and He loves me. I know it is people like Lupita that are put in the paths of missionaries around the world, because God is our Heavenly Father and we are His children. I love you all and I invite you, as you go about your day, to ask yourself, "Have I seen the hand of the Lord today?".

Los Amo,

Elder Vance

The Road To Take

I have learned so much in the last week or so in Santa Rosa. Elder Lenon and I are loving it here. This past week has not been the easiest; I was sick and it seemed like that the people were not being very open or receptive. I know that the Lord was stretching and testing us.  

"In your life there have to be challenges. They will either bring you closer to God, and therefore make you stronger, or they can destroy you. But you make the decision which road you take." - Elder Busche

I have seen in my mission how challenges have helped mold and refine me. We talk to a lot of people every day and it seems like almost everyone is dealing with some sort of challenge in their lives. There is a difference though; the people who choose to see their challenges as burdens seem to get down on themselves. They begin to blame God for the things they are going through. Others see challenges as blessings, and they take the road that leads to receiving strength and to change within themselves. I know this past week was hard for me, and there was a time that I was thinking, "Why isn't this happening?" or "Why is this happening to us?". I realized that the Lord was testing me and that it was my decision as to how I was going to react to the trials He put in my path. As the week went on I felt much better. I began to pray for more faith and more strength so that I could see every day and moment as a blessing from my Heavenly Father. My week did change and now that I look back on it, it was a blessing because I learned a valuable lesson. The lesson I learned is that I must always be humble and follow the will of the Lord. I must align myself with Him so I can follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost.  Life is not easy, nor is it suppose to be. We all will come across things in this life and wonder if we will be able to cope with or overcome them. But I know that if we pray and ask God to turn our challenges and trials into blessings, everything will change.

Last week Elder Lenon and I had a really long day. It was a very hot day here in northern California and I also was feeling under the weather with a cold. We didn't have too much success in finding new people or teaching some of the people that we are currently visiting. The day was coming to a close, and as we were driving out of an apartment complex, we saw one of our investigators named Jesus. It was such a blessing to be able to talk to him. I know the Lord grants unto us tender mercies. Jesus was put in our path that day for a reason. It was such a joy to talk to him and to see how he was doing. He is doing so well and the light of Christ beams from within him. It was amazing that just a little thing like that changed our day. I know that God lives and that he does grant unto us those little tender mercies.

On my mission I have recognized how much I have been blessed throughout my life. I know that the things that may seem hard at the time will become easier and lighter with the help of our Heavenly Father. Again, we must be humble and go to him in prayer on a regular basis so that we can align our will with His.

"A bend in the road is not the end unless you fail to make the turn."

As missionaries we meet with many members that are not active in the church. Many have gone through divorces, job loss, deaths in their family, and many other challenges that have a heavy impact on them. In all these cases, it was not the challenges themselves, but their attitudes toward these challenges and their lack of faith, that led them to leave the church for a time. I have found that all of them have one thing in common. Their faith has slowly faded. I believe they all deep down in their hearts still have a testimony that they know this gospel and church are true, but their faith has been lost. Faith is an action. Faith is not just a belief, it is what drives us to act. The way we acquire more faith is through praying for more of it, acting by keeping the commandments of God, living the gospel of Jesus Christ, reading the scriptures, going to church, and turning our hearts over to the Lord. It is through these small yet powerful ways that we increase our FAITH in God, our Heavenly Father, and His son, Jesus Christ.

I LOVE this quote below.

"The faith that can't be shaken is the faith that has been shaken." -Randy Alcorn

Throughout my life my faith has been shaken. I know that because my faith has been tested that it is now stronger than ever before. This life is a test. We can come closer to our Heavenly Father through these challenges, thanking Him for the hard things so that we can see them as blessings. I know that through that our faith will grow and we will reap the blessings of heaven and see the change within ourselves. Let us humble ourselves, repent of our sins daily, and follow the example that our Savior, Jesus Christ, has set for us. I love my mission and I look forward to the many challenges ahead of me in this life, for I know that those are the times in my life that the Lord is preparing me to return to His presence once again. The road to take is the one that leads us to thank God for our trials and tribulations so that we may be strengthened and prepared to be led home to Him and His Son in their celestial glory.

Los Amo,

Elder Vance

It's Worth It

This past week has been an amazing week with Elder Lenon. The Lord has blessed us with so many people that are prepared to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. Santa Rosa is going to be an adventure. A new chapter has been opened in my mission and I am grateful to be here. As many of you may know, tomorrow I will officially have been out for a year on my mission. What a crazy thing! Time does fly by. I remember a year ago today, I was set apart as a missionary and was preparing to enter the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah the following day. I look back and see all the ups and downs, but more importantly I see the change in myself. I recognize that I have changed a lot. It is a change that has come through gaining knowledge of my Savior, Jesus Christ and feeling the truth of the things I teach as a missionary. For one to come to know if this church and this gospel are true, one must pray and ask God. I do not know that these things are true through my own knowledge of scripture or of the life of Jesus Christ ... I know that these things are true because I have felt the spirit of God in my heart and soul testify to me that this church is true. Those feelings are somewhat hard to describe. They are feelings of joy, happiness, and peace. I know that they were and are sent from God. I know that I am a missionary, a literal representative of the Lord, Jesus Christ. I know that His church has been restored in these latter-days through the prophet, Joseph Smith. I know that The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ; that it also contains the truthfulness and fullness of the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ.

My faith has grown because I have acted upon the feelings I have received. Faith is action, and if one wants to know the truth, the only way to do so is ask the one that holds ALL truth. God, our Heavenly Father, will let us know through the Holy Ghost what is true and what is not. I know that this gospel blesses families and that through this gospel we can have more happiness and peace in our lives. We know where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going. I am filled with gratitude because over the past year I have come to realize that it is because of this gospel of Jesus Christ that my family has been so blessed, and that I have had the life I have because of it.

I look forward to another year of experiences and learning. This message we bring is for all who are willing to hear it. Everyone is our brother or sister. I know that all of these things are true. There are going to be challenges ahead but I know it is because I have this gospel, Jesus Christ, and my Heavenly Father that all will be well. I hope you all enjoy this poem below. I have slowly been adding to it over the course of the past year and it was inspired. I would like to thank my family for all the love and support they have shown me through this past year. I love being with my people and I love serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It has been a life changing experience and it has definitely been worth it.
                                   

 "My Best 2 Years"

I've waited my whole life to be here today.

Saving up penny by penny,

It didn't matter what I had to pay.

My testimony becoming strong and pure.

Now it's my turn to take them the cure.

Two by two we walk and knock on doors,

Someone hollow or someone very poor.

Sometimes the great and spacious mocks,

That's all we hear, it's their heart that locks.

As a representative of Jesus Christ I do all that I can,

But it's sad to see Satan have power over man.

We are stronger when we choose the right.

Praying to God or singing with all our might.

The philosophies of man,

Confusing the children of God.

The armies of Helaman press forward,

Every step we trod.

I know that the trials and hardships
Of my life have been felt before.
By the one I worship,
The one who knocks on my door.

I remember what He had to pay

As those drops of blood fell for me.

While he hung from a cross on that dreary day,

And suffered in a garden called, Gethsemane.

Nails driven through his hands and feet, a spear pierced his side

The world He created, was the one for which He died.

For the pharisees He was dead at last,

The believers believed, it was 3 days that passed.

He rose in His glory and light,

The face of our Savior illuminating and oh so bright.

The light of Christ fills us from the inside out

As human beings it is this, that is often forgotten

Without it, we are merely living in a drought.

The Son, The Only Begotten
In whom we cannot live without.

Side by side He walks our same pace,

It is up to us to look and see His face.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

Is something I can never deny.

The joy of bringing the truth to others,

Is the same that makes angels fly.

My people, my people every night I say.

It is them for whom, I hope and wish and pray.

Thank you Father for this opportunity.

I wish I could be here with them for eternity.

I hope they call me on a mission,

That wish has been fulfilled.

Here I am trusted to do God's will.

To lead them home to our Heavenly Father above,

Which I do, solely out of love.

I Love My Mission.

-Elder Spencer Guy Vance

The Bittersweet

As of right now I am in a tornado of emotions. Everything is whirling around me because I found out that I will be leaving the Davis area. I am headed to the heart of my mission ... Santa Rosa! I have been assigned to be a zone leader in the northern half of Santa Rosa with Elder Lennon. I feel like I am being ripped out of here. It is so hard to leave a place where you have served, especially if it has been for 6 months, but I knew that my time was up. My 6 month stay in Davis has probably been the hardest time of my life, but it also has been the sweetest and most rewarding time, and has been filled with the most joy I have ever felt in my life. Selena and Luis both got baptized on Saturday, which was such an amazing experience. It was my last weekend here and I was able to be part of their baptisms. I had the opportunity to baptize Luis and Elder Richins baptized Selena. The Lord has truly blessed me. They were so excited about their baptisms, and to see their faces after they were baptized was priceless. That is what missionary work is all about. You can't put a price tag on the feelings and joy I have experienced. There is no substitute. Yesterday they both were confirmed members of the church and received the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. They now have the Holy Ghost as a constant companion to guide them in their lives and to help them choose between right and wrong. It was a great day to be here. I love this family so much and I know that, more than they needed me, I needed them. I saw how this gospel changed their countenances and their hearts. Through teaching them, I learned how to love and how to be more like Jesus Christ. They are being so blessed for the decision they have made to come into the fold of God. They will forever be in my prayers and have a special place in my heart for them. I feel like I have fulfilled my purpose here, which is to invite others to come unto Christ. I do this by helping them receive the restored gospel of Jesus Christ through faith in Him and His atonement, and through repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.

The next chapter of my blog will be taking place in Santa Rosa. It will be a new adventure and I am so excited to go and serve there. I have only heard great things about the people in Santa Rosa and I cannot wait to dive into the work. The best way to determine your future is to create it, and that is one thing that I have seen in all of the transfers and areas. Attitude really is everything. Bad areas in missions do not exist. If there are people there, then there is opportunity for the Lord to use you as an instrument to help bring His children back home. In the mission there is always change, and you are regularly being transferred from place to place with new people and new companions. I really enjoyed this quote about change:

"You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you." -Sri Ram

I just love being a missionary. A piece of my heart will always be here in the Davis/Woodland area. This place has changed my life forever. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to love these people and be their guide. This whole experience has helped me catch a glimpse of the eternal perspective; of what is really important in this life and how I can help others see that as well. I will definitely be back to visit, whether it is by receiving another assignment to come back here during my mission or if I have to wait until after my mission, I will be back! These are my people and I love them. I loved the people in Fairfield and I love the people here in Davis. It is such a blessing to gain charity in my life, to ask for charity and then to see how much your love grows for those in your area is a testament to me that God bestows that which is asked for, if it be for the cause of righteousness.

Tonight I leave and it pains me to do so. I know that God has much in store for me, and I look forward to that, and to the experiences ahead. I hope you all enjoy these blog entries; they help me recognize how, with the assistance of prayer, trials turn into blessings and that God is literally my Heavenly Father. He is always waiting to bless us; all it takes is a humble heart and a call to the heavens above. This is real. This is who I am becoming. A change every day in the right direction is a step toward dwelling in the presence of God and our Savior, Jesus Christ, for eons to come. Our lives on earth are but a small moment of eternity, and our actions determine who we are forever. Thank you all once again for the love, support, prayers, and letters.

Les Amo,

Elder Vance

Lay It Down

Last week we had a Zone Conference here in Woodland and it was so uplifting. Our new mission president, President Alba, has such a love for the missionaries here and I am grateful to have him as my mission president for the second half of my mission. This Saturday, Luis (16 yrs old) and Selena (11 years old) are going to be baptized!!! Elder Richins and I are so excited to have this opportunity to witness their faith in following the example of Jesus Christ. This family is so special to me. Satan, the adversary, has tried their faith and attempted to halt their progression but they are doing so great. Luis and Selena are so excited to be baptized. Luis has expressed to us that he wants to serve a mission when he turns 19. What joy filled my soul when I heard those words! Here is a kid that hasn't even been baptized and yet he wants to serve a mission. He has so much faith and such a love for The Book of Mormon. Luis, his mother, and Selena read and pray every night. I know it is because of this family that I have been here for six months. When I first came here, this family was less active and struggling a lot. None of them had a desire to even talk to us, let alone talk about to us about Jesus Christ. That change is nothing for which we should be credited for, because I know it is the Lord that humbled them and caused their hearts to be softened. We merely turned them to the source, our Heavenly Father and to Jesus Christ, where they could go to be so inspired. This family is a living testament to me that this gospel of Jesus Christ, that we bring to everyone we see, blesses families. As time goes on in my mission I realize how blessed my family was and is because of this gospel. I know it is real because I have felt it and seen it. That is something I can never deny.

The Lord is truly blessing Elder Richins and me here in the Davis/Woodland area. Transfers information comes in this Friday, so we will see what happens! If I do get transferred, it won't be until next week. I would love to stay another six weeks, but I don't know if that is what the Lord has in store for me. I know wherever I may go it is for a reason. I know I am here for a reason, and I know that there are things I need to learn in every chapter of my mission here in Santa Rosa, California.

At Zone Conference, President Alba talked a lot about sacrifice and obedience. He explained the significance of sacrifice and obedience not only in here in our missions, but forever. I loved this quote he used about sacrifice.

"Real personal sacrifice never was placing an animal on the altar. Instead, it is a willingness to put the animal inside of you on the altar and letting it be consumed." -Elder Neal A. Maxwell

Before Jesus Christ suffered and died for the sins of the world, people would offer sacrifices to God for their sins. They would sacrifice the firstlings of their flocks or the unspotted lambs to show a pure sacrifice to God in turn for forgiveness of their sins. The law in which they followed, The Law of Moses, was fulfilled with the blood and death of our Savior, Jesus Christ ... the only perfect being to walk the face of this earth, The Lamb of God. Since his Atonement for us, we know that we receive forgiveness through His sacrifice for us.

We all have a different animal inside of us (figuretively). We all have different problems and things we deal with on a daily basis. But like that quote says, real personal sacrifice is a willingness to lay that animal inside of us on the altar and let it be consumed. It is a willingness to humble ourselves before God and give up sin, bad habits, and those things that go against the very heavenly being that created us. We are here to be tried and tested. It was never supposed to be easy but we are here to find out who we really are and whose side we are on. Every week at church we partake of the sacrament, the bread and the water that represents the body and blood of Jesus Christ. We take the sacrament to help us remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and through that we are made sacred. By purifying ourselves we become One with our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Over this last year I have seen the old "Spencer Vance" put on the altar and the bad parts slowly consumed. There is still more to be consumed but the Lord has molded me into someone new and improved. Every day it is a continual process of repentance, a change of heart. The sacrifices I have made to be here are so small compared to what my Savior, Jesus Christ has sacrificed for me. It is because He died that I am here today. I have laid my burdens upon the altar and felt the pure joy of repentance. Lay down your burdens, take that animal out from within yourselves. Whatever it may be, big or small, I know that Jesus Christ can free you.

"To do it no more is the truest repentance." -Martin Luther

Lay it down ... go to our Heavenly Father every day in prayer. Ask for forgivness. I know as you do you will feel his arms of mercy outstretched towards you. Become sanctified, and be made holy through the blood of Jesus Christ. I know that they both live. I know that they are separate beings and yet one in purpose in every way possible. I love my mission. The greatest joys have come from seeing others accept the gospel of Jesus Christ into their lives. I love my family and friends that continue to support me through my time here on my mission. Always remember to lay down you burdens, lay down that animal within you and let it be consumed.

Les Amo,


Elder Vance

Believe

This past week had it's ups and downs. Elder Richins and I saw many miracles last week and it has been such an amazing blessing to be here in the Davis/Woodland area for another transfer. Six months ago I was just entering this area and my love for the people has grown beyond what I ever could have imagined. I know the Lord has blessed me with charity on my mission, and with that I have learned to love people in a way I never have before. Being a missionary is not always easy. I try to stay as positive as I can but I know for a fact that there are days that are tough. I guess the reason I don't often talk about those days is because the moments of joy that fill my life as a missionary far exceed the trials that I face. The only way I remember them is when I look back in my journal that I write in daily and read about those difficult days; the days when I experienced fatigue, rejection, disappointment, weariness, sorrow, or pain. Yet I know that those were the days that I grew the most; those were the days my faith in God was tested.

My mission thus far has been a roller coaster, filled with thrills, highs, and lows, I am definitley not content because I know that there is much that I still need to learn and experience. I always wanted to serve honorably and serve my mission with no regrets. I am not a perfect man, but I do know that the Lord has used me as an instrument to fulfill his work. It is an amazing feeling to have the spirit working through you.

My father sent me an email last week that said, "Thanks for the note and update … I am always inspired by the spirit of your letters and your blog, but sometimes I really just like to hear how my son (inside the missionary) is doing too." I was thinking about that and I was brought back to my own testimony. How am I doing? How have I grown and where do I stand?

I was reading in The Book of Mormon this week, in Alma 30, and it helped me answer my questions. Korihor, the anti-Christ, ridicules Christ, the Atonement, and the spirit of prophecy. He teaches that there is no God, no fall of man, no penalty for sin, and no Christ. Alma testifies that Christ will come and that all things denote there is a God. Here, Alma is speaking to Korihor:

40 And now what evidence have ye that there is no God, or that Christ cometh not? I say unto you that ye have none, save it be your word only.

After this Korihor asks for a sign, a sign that God exists. This is Alma's reply.

 44 But Alma said unto him: Thou hast had signs enough; will ye tempt your God? Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of all these thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets? The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.

I love the words of Alma. As I read The Book of Mormon, they hit me so hard and gave me such clarity. We talk to people daily. Unfortunetely some of them choose not to believe in God. After reading this I asked myself, "What evidence is there that God does NOT exist?" There isn't any. Like Alma told Korihor, "Save it be your word only." That strengthened my testimony of my Heavenly Father, that He exists and He is there. At one point in our lives we have to have God because we have nothing else.

I don't believe in God and Jesus Christ because I have see them. I believe in them because I see EVERYTHING else. I see my family and how this gospel has blessed each one of our lives. I see the difference in the level of my own happiness according to the degree and depth I am following Jesus Christ and the commandments of God. I see this beautiful world that has been created for us so that we may all have a chance to pass this test of mortality and return to live in the presence of our Heavenly Father. I have felt the love of God in my life when I have felt alone or afraid. I have gained spiritual knowledge and a testimony through the Holy Ghost. I have felt the joy of forgiveness and the healing powers of the Atonement.  I have never seen God or Jesus Christ but I know they live. To me, there is too much evidence to ever disprove it. I am grateful for the perspective my mission has given me about what is important in this life and what I must personally do to obtain eternal life and live with God again.

"God expects you to have enough faith and determination and enough trust in Him to keep moving, keep living, keep rejoicing. In fact, He expects you not simply to face the future (that sounds pretty grim and stoic); He expects you to embrace and shape the future ... to love it and rejoice in it and delight in your opportunities. God is anxiously waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can't if you don't pray, and He can't if you don't dream. In short, He can't if you don't BELIEVE." -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

To answer the question my father asked me above, I feel the best and happiest I have ever felt in my life. My testimony of this gospel has grown exponentially and my faith continues to grow. I am in the service of my fellow men and in turn I am in the service of my God. I love my mission and the good person inside of me has changed and become someone new, something better. The gospel enhances us, it makes bad men good, and it makes good men better. Every day is a new challenge and a new day to learn and grow, and for that I am so grateful.

I know that having faith is having a firm belief in something we cannot see. To know if there is a God one must kneel and pray, because I know all spiritual truths and answers come through the power of prayer. We must humble ourselves and align our will with His. Thank you all for the love and for your prayers. I promise you that they are felt. We ALL are children of God and we ALL have an opportunity to return to live with Him again.

Les Amo,


Elder Vance


"You may already know, deep in your soul, that God lives. You may not know all about Him yet and do not understand all His ways, But the light of belief is within you, waiting to be awakened and intensified by spirit of God."

-Robert D. Hales

Leave It All Behind

This last week has been amazing. We were able to meet our new mission president, President Alba, on Wednesday. From the first moment I met him I could feel his love for me. He is such an inspired man. He knows four languages too! He knows Chinese, English, Spanish, French, and some Portuguese. He and his wife carry such a brilliant spirit. I instantly loved them both and I know they are going to lead this mission to even more success. President Alba was born and raised in Mexico and I feel that the Spanish work here in California is going to explode because he is here. He is different than President Bunker, which is a great opportunity for me to learn from two amazing leaders here in my mission. President Alba wants to help us continue to grow from the experiences we have here and he wants to stretch us. One thing I really loved that he said in our meeting on Wednesday was, "The Lord is stretching us ... He is tightening our strings, to create a melody, and our music will be beautiful." The Lord knows our limits, and I have seen how He has stretched, molded, and transformed me throughout my life. I know that if the Lord brings us to a trial, He is the one that will help us through it.

Elder Hyde, one of the district leaders in our zone, shared these verses last week in a district meeting. These verses impacted me and it helped me understand why I am so different today in so many good ways than I was a year ago.

Romans 6:4-6
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

I have seen how Jesus Christ has changed my life. About a year ago I left everything behind to come out and serve a mission. I know that I left my "old man" behind as well. That is why I am different. I have left my body of sin and it has been crucified with Jesus Christ. The person I was before is forgotten, He is no more, and exactly like it says, I am walking in a newness of life. It is because of Jesus Christ that I am a new person; and it is because I know that Jesus Christ has changed me, that I can never go back. I will never go back.

I would like to share a quote from an Apostle, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland.
"However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made, or talents you think you don't have, or distance from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love."

I would like to promise you all that no matter what you feel you have done wrong or how far away you feel from God, you CAN come back. There is a way. God will never give up on any of His children. He cares about the lowest ones on the ladder. He is a true and loving Heavenly Father. I have a testimony that God does love us. He has given us His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who suffered for us so that we don't have to walk with our sin, shame, and guilt. I do know that a repentant person can become a transformed person. You can become a new person. I have experienced that process in my life through repentance. I have felt the arms of my Savior around me. I have seen others change their lives ... and I know that no one is left out. I know that He died for me and because of that I am here today. I would like to invite you all to reach out to those in need and invite others to come unto Christ, to leave behind their bodies of sin and to walk in a newness of life. I can say that I am different and I hope that I can continue to change every day for the better so that one day I can look into the eyes of my Savior and say, "I left it all behind to follow you."

Les Amo,

Elder Vance