Not a whole lot to report on this week! The work has definitely been slowing down a lot, but nonetheless is moving forward! The members are ever so slowly getting more involved. My goals and ambitions are really starting to change as a missionary. I really care more know about the well-being of the Ward in General and less about trying to find as many people as possible. Not to say that I was ever motivated by numbers, but I'm starting to see that what this area needs now is strengthening of the ward. There's a lot of people within the congregation that need support and guidance. The Bishopric is stretched pretty thin, as well as a few of the other really solid families in the ward who are doing all they can to support and help their fellow brethren. These familes are an awesome example to me. When we are baptized, we make covenants to support, lift up, mourn with, and labor with our fellow brethren in Christ. There are a few members that really exemplify this in the Rio Vista Spanish Ward.
For example, Brother Nascimento. He's Brazilian, and he has 3 very active, crazy, energized little boys. They live in a small 2 bedroom apartment--about the same size that we live in. Although he is only the 1st counselor in the Elder's Quorum, he has taken all the responsiblility of the quorum due to the absence of the leadership for several months. He has completely re-organized all of the home-teaching, and visits all of the New Members baptized by the Sisters and Us this year with his wife. No one asked him to do it, and it's not his responisibility. But, he sees the need, and saw that it wasn't being done. So he does it. Meanwhile, he works 60+ hour weeks because he chooses to take Sundays off (which is overtime, when he would make a lot more money) so he can fulfill his church callings and devote Sundays entirely to the Lord and his family. It really makes me reflect on what more I could have done before my mission, and how much more I would like to do when I get home and when I have a family of my home. If you think all the work is being down in your home ward, look again--it may be getting done, but it may be getting done by 2 or 3 people. We could all do a lot more work and show a lot more Charity for our brothers and sisters inside and outside our church.
I would also like to share a short spiritual thought from Matthew Chapter 13:
I think the scripture is pretty self-explanatory. It also reminds me of the King of the Lamanites who first said in order to save his own life in Chapter 20:
23 Now the king, fearing he should lose his life, said: If thou wilt spare me I will grant unto thee whatsoever thou wilt ask, even to half of the kingdom
But then, in chapter 22, after being taught by Aaron the Gospel of Christ, he said:
15 And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.
I've found my self recently pondering, "Am I truly willing to Forsake ALL for God?" My favorite talk from this most recent General Conference was Elder Larence's titled "What Lack I Yet?" The resolving answer that I have is that I don't want to lack anything when I stand before my Savior. I hope I can look him in the eyes, a little ashamed, but still say "I did all I could." To which I hope he will reply:
23 ...Well done, good and faithfulservant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (Matthew 25).
Love,
Elder Juanes
Elder Jace Johns
3850 Central Ave
Apt# 202
Ft Myers, FL 33901
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