Spiritual Preparation

So! I checked today my online recommendation and guess what?!!!
It's been submitted!!! Im crazy excited. For realsies!!!

Ever since I decided to serve a mission I have started to prepare myself in many ways. Here's a list of things I've been doing that might be useful if you think about serving a mission or just want to gain more spiritual experiences:

*Read the book of Mormon (EVERYDAY) : No excuses!!! You will go to teach the Restoration and a key point is the Book of Mormon! You will make your testimony grow and for real, you will get revelation ffor yourself!

*Start studying on the Bible: Something really important to take into account is that most of the people you will teach have knowledge about the bible! More than that... reading the bible will confirm you that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is reaally true. Thanks to the bible i got the desire to serve, so it will totally help

*Don't forget to read some of Doctrine and Covenants: This one is actually pretty cool. You will find inspiration to serve  faithful mission

*Take a look at Preach my Gospel!! (A good one!!!) Also if you have the app of the Gospel Library you can download udeful material, like some video series called "The District" I've learned a lot from this.

*Memorize your favorite scriptures. I have a little glossary at the begining of my sriptures, everytime i read an scripture that might be useful in a future i write it down. You can also memorize the articles of faith. I started memorizing the Living Christ, along with the new testament study it has really streghten my testimony of Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice.

*Never lose an opportunity to share what you believe in: Don't try to push people to get baptized, just be an example and explain how happy you are for the gospel. It does make a difference.

*Split with the missionaries. Go visit with them, they will be grateful for your help, ask them if you can help in any way. You will also learn how to talk to people and you will start being confident about sharing your testimony

*Share your testimony every month at church. Take the chance!! The more you share what you know the more you will realize how your testimony is growing!!

*Try to see ALL people as children of God. You have no idea how many times I've heard: "You will love all of the people when you are on the field even if you don't know them" Why not start now? Why not seeing everyone with the potential they have? Why not love even the ones that we don't really get along with? This has also helped me a lot, makes me happier cause I don't get mad at silly things like traffic. We all are children of God.

*PRAY on your knees. I didn't really have this habit. I just started and it has made a huge diference! Try it! You will feel it!

These are the ways I started to prepare since last month. Do you have more ideas? Everyone is different but I hope this lists help!

Love
Hermana Pérez

Why should I leave my family for eighteen months?

My oldest sister went on a mission when I was around 16 years old, as she came back I never really had the feeling to serve on a mission, it just wasn't on my plans. Im 22 years old, and as this year 2014 started I was not ready for a mission!!! I was an active member of the church but not really into leaving my life behind. 

So!! One of my goals was to read the Bible this year, from cover to cover every single day. And as I was reading Exodus I came one scripture: Exodus 12:4. When I read that scripture... "Now, therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say". Never ever in my life I had felt like an scripture was made for me. This was a feeling I will never be able to describe: The Lord was showing me what I had to do. Still, I didn't wanna go on a mission so I kept with my daily study but tried to ignore the desire to serve on a mission.

Are those feeling you can ignore? I think not!!! Next week was stake conference and the mission president was there. I would lie if i tell you that I remember the things he said cause I don't. I just remember considering going on a mission as I was listening to him... Still I wasn't sure. 
 My ward has always been a ward with missionary guys. And that very same week sister missionaries were sent to my ward.!!! And they are the coolest ever! So I just kept having that feeling but trying to ignore it (Every day was harder haha)

(These are the coolest missionaries ever: Sister Burrola, Sister Ochoa, Elder Nielson; who gave me a Preach my Gospel Book!!!, Elder Gallardo, Elder Iñíguez and Elder Welch)

So anyways!! That Sunday the missionaries asked my to lead the hymns at a baptism, and as I was looking at the brother in white clothes, ready to be baptised, i could no more and after that just told my parents I wanted to serve a full time mission. Crazy huh? What I love about this dicision is that I felt it, like i truly recieved the inspiration and revelation of serving a mission. And honestly... I can't wait!!!

That happened last month and last week I submmited my paperwork! I don't want to chicken out!! hahaa

And actually getting prepared for my mission has taught me lots of things. And has increased my testimony in Jesus Christ, I know that he is my Reedimer, I know that God lives, I know that Joseph Smith restored this church and he saw God and Christ. I've got no doubts about the Book of Mormon and The Bible being the word of God and I know that Thomas S. Monson is a living prophet. I can't wait to be on the field and  share all of this to the people out there. 

If you have any doubt about this you can ask away!!!
or go to:
mormon.org 

 

I am...

I am a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I love it. I am from Mexico and I grew up in the gospel. As I started growing up I found out that the church has helped me become a happy person. In the search of this happiness, I have decided to go on a full time mission. Even tho sometimes trials are difficult, I know the Lord has a plan for me and I know this is the Church of God. Im really excited to get my calling!!!

I sent my paperwork 2 weeks ago and already had my interview with the stake president. This blog is kind of like a stress relief! I want to share my journey and preparation to serve on a mission.

Thanks for reading and expect so many more entries.

DISCLAIMER: As I said before I am mexican, always have lived in Mexico and of course my native language is spanish, so you will find probably some grammar mistakes! Sorry about that! :D