March 3rd 2014 - Una Familia Eterna‏

This are the words of the first verse of the Primary Children's song "Nephi's Courage" in Spanish. I love Spanish and I truly love the culture and the people.

El Valor de Nefi

El Señor mandó a Nefi las planchas obtener.
Labán las custodiaba en Jerusalén.
Lamán y Lemuel se llenaron de temor.

Nefi contestó, mostrando su valor:

“Iré y haré lo que mande el Señor.
La vía Él preparará y obedeceré.
Iré y haré lo que mande el Señor.
La vía Él preparará y obedeceré”.

"I will go and I will do what the Lord commands

The way he will prepare and I will obey."

That is the direct translation back to English. In English it is sung...

"I will go, I will do, the things the Lord commands.
I know the Lord provides a way, he wants me to obey."

I love the confidence shown in this primary song, whether in English or Spanish. A young child who sings that wonderful song in Primary sings with complete and honest trust in the Lord. They know He will prepare the way AND they know that they will obey. They have decided already to obey His commandments.

When we decide beforehand what we will do in a certain situation, our resolve to act in that desired way is greater.

This week I went on two exchanges with Sisters from other areas. On Tuesday I went to the Encino Park ward and on Friday one of the Sisters from Bulverde came here to work with me. I love the extra training I get to have as I go on exchanges with these wonderful sisters. I learned on Tuesday to not be so stressed out when things don't go how I plan them, sometimes we just have to improvise! And on Friday I learned that we all have unique qualities that bless the lives of of certain specific individuals that the Lord has put in our paths. There is a reason for everything.

The man that was baptized last weekend, Danny, passed the Sacrament yesterday. I could hardly contain my smile from showing. He is the coolest guy. :)

We have been working with a woman named Tonya, she is awesome but can't seem to get to church. She doesn't get a lot of sleep because of her 10 month old baby and so when Sunday mornings come around she is exhausted. We have had a ride set up for her each Sunday and we even called her this Sunday but she said she was too tired because she only got 2 hours of sleep. Sister Breakall has worked with her longer than I have and so she cried for Tonya. I know how she feels. Another man who is a recent convert found out that he had to work. He has missed the first two weeks of being a member due to work.

But lets talk about Danny. On Friday as we met with him he shared with us something that strengthened my faith immensely. He said that the previous Friday, the day before his baptism, he got laid off.

I want you to pause and think for a moment. Why did he get laid off the day before he was about to make a covenant with God? Some may say that it was a sign that he shouldn't get baptized in the Mormon church. Some may say he was being tested.

I asked him why he didn't tell us! He said that he didn't want to worry about it, he was getting baptized and was happy. I was astounded.

Now hold on to your seats as I lay this out for you.

Friday Danny lost his job. Saturday he got baptized. Sunday he received the Holy Ghost and the Aaronic Priesthood. Now Monday... he got a job! AS he was filling out information for unemployment, a specialist there turned off his computer and told him, "Don't worry about that." He looked at him in confusion. The specialist continued by saying that a contractor was requesting his work. The contractor knew Danny from a previous job that he did and because of his great work ethic and honesty, seeing that his name was on the list of electricians looking for work, he picked him out and requested his work along with two other electricians from a list of about 100.

Danny is an inspiration. There are so many principles you can pull out of this experience, but one that I would like to point out is this. Our Heavenly Father will take care of us as we act in accordance with His Gospel. Danny, who has always been an honest man, was blessed for being him and for showing God that he had more faith than fear. He put God first.

Now the other two people I mentioned who did not come to church, could strengthen their faith by acting on what they already know is true. So many times we know what is right but for one reason or another we feel too weak or unable to do so. I would like to bear my personal testimony that as we ACT IN FAITH, TRUSTING GOD, HE WILL PROVIDE. I know that if that recent convert were to go in and quit his job so that he could come to church that God would provide work for him. I know that even though Tonya was exhausted that she would have the strength that she needed to go to church AND do all the tasks that a single mother has to do. I know that I can do hard things. I know that it is in the STRENGTH OF THE LORD that it is possible. It all comes down to having FAITH in HIM.

You can do what God asks of you. He will not leave you hanging. Hold on. Hope on. Press forward in Faith.

I love you. I love God.

Hermana Hopkins