August 8, 2011

From: Alison Royal

Sent: Monday, August 8, 2011 8:51 AM

Subject: Hola mi familia y amigos amados

I am so happy to be writing to you again! I really cant believe how fast this week past by! I hope you are all treasuring the time you have because it passes by SO FAST! In fact, this week seemed to pass by so fast that I am struggling to think of what happened this week...

One experience that stands out in my mind is with a woman named Fresia. This week, we started talking to her in a collectivo ( or a taxi car that we usually take to meetings in the stake center) she sat next to us and we starting talking to her. She told us that she was baptized several years ago, but fell away because of some hardships in her life. We didn't have too much time to talk, but later that night we passed by her house. She let us in and served us once (which is basically a snack that everyone eats before bed) as we were talking with her, she began to tell us about the hardships in her life. In the past 10 years, she lost 2 of her 4 children, one who was 30 years old with a family and the other who was 24 years old. Her husband of almost 40 years is on his death bed, due to Alzheimer's. He basically has the mental capability of an infant. As she told us and introduced us to her dear husband, Hermana Rivera and I found our selves in tears, asking ourselves, how is it possible that some people pass through so many trials, while others live a life of ease and comfort. What was the most surprising thing was that Fresia, with all of this, has an extremely positive attitude and hasn't lost her faith. I felt so strongly the power of the atonement as we shared a scripture with her In Alma 7; 11-12.

(And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.)

I have so much confidence that we can always rely on the atonement to rescue us in times of despair or sadness. I promise you he has suffered it all. The sting of death is swallowed up in his mercy. Our burdens, he offers to carry.

If there is one thing I have learned in the mission, it is happiness. It is that as we live the commandments, we are happy. As we serve the lord we are happy. As we dedicate our time to strengthen our families we are happy. We literally can not do anything for the Lord without finding happiness. And isnt that we all want in this life? One thing I have learned with an certainty is in Mosiah 2;41.

( And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.)

We have a formula for happiness! Have you felt this joy in your life? Shouldn't we feel a sense of urgency to share it with those around us?

Ok, enough preaching ahah I am really love you all so much. This week, President Gillespe asked us to write our conversion stories so that he could have a copy. As I was writing, i could help but feel so grateful to be in the mission. I really never thought I would find my self here. Before the mission, I knew that something was missing in my life, I just didn't know where I could fill the void, Traveling? Studying? Working? But with so much joy, i can say that I have found what I was lacking. Thank you for all of your support. Thank you for your letters! I feel so blessed to have emails waiting for me every week!

Be good this week!

Hermana Royal