Hey Everybody!

Again this will be short, as we have spent four days straight from
6:30am-10pm and two other half days at the temple. It is the weirdest
thing to start when it is dark, be in artificial lighting the majority
of the time, and leave when it is dark. There is sunlight out today
and I told Hermana Granados, "What is that ball of light in the sky? I
have not seen the likes of it before?" Another funny moment for the
week: Yesterday we had to teach the Primary children about the Plan of
Salvation. Now let me tell you, before my mission, I had very little
experience baby sitting and interacting with children, so keep that in
mind as I tell you what happened. My companion draws on the board
three circles, "Before Earth," "Earth," and "After Earth." Then she
drew the three kingdoms but did not name them because she ended up
telling them that we want to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus
Christ there. She is so BRILLIANT! Now here comes the highlight of it
all. I did not know how to explain "After Earth" without mentioning
death. So I said that we will all die and move on to "After Earth."
All of a sudden the kids start saying, "I don't want to die!" For the
next five minutes, this little kid in the front kept on saying it. By
the end, my companion asked what they all learned from this lesson and
one kid responded, "That I don't want to die!" Haha GREAT! They are
all going to return home after church, mother will ask what they
learned at church and they will say, "The missionaries taught me that
I am going to die! I don't wanna die!" Bwahahaha! Hey it's doctrine!
Somebody has to tell them, I guess I will bite the bullett and do it!
Hermana Granados will never let me live that one down. Ever. Good
times.
We will be out teaching more this week. So just keep praying that we
keep seeking to find people that are prepared for us to teach them the
gospel. We are hoping for two new investigators this week, but we have
to pray like it all depends on the Lord and work like it all depends
on us.
As Valentine's Day is this Sunday, I feel to keep the challenge of
developing a little more Charity this week. From Preach My Gospel,
Chapter 6: Christlike Attributes, it states:
A man once asked Jesus, Which is the great commandment in the law?
Jesus replied: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,
and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and
great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy
neighbour as thyself (Matthew 22:3639).
Charity is the pure love of Christ (Moroni 7:47). It includes Gods
eternal love for all His children. We are to seek to develop that kind
of love. When you are filled with charity, you obey Gods commandments
and do all you can to serve others and help them receive the restored
gospel.
Charity is a gift from God. The prophet Mormon said that we should

pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that [we] may be
filled with this love (Moroni 7:48). As you follow this counsel and
strive to do righteous works, your love for all people will increase,
especially those among whom you labor. You will come to feel a sincere
concern for the eternal welfare and happiness of other people. You
will see them as children of God with the potential of becoming like
our Heavenly Father, and you will labor in their behalf. You will
avoid negative feelings such as anger, envy, lust, or covetousness.
You will avoid judging others, criticizing them, or saying negative
things about them. You will try to understand them and their points of
view. You will be patient with them and try to help them when they are
struggling or discouraged. Charity, like faith, leads to action. You
will develop charity as you look for opportunities to serve others and
give of yourself.
Take the time this week to develop more Charity and Love for those
around you. I have attached the 14-Day Challenge to try yourselves. I
testify that when we learn to love as Jesus Christ loves and serve
those as He served, we will continually be developing a character of
Christ as His disciples. I know that love and charity have the power
to change hearts and lives. People will remember how they felt much
more than what was said. For this very reason, we as missionaries LOVE
service! It is our opportunity to help people feel Heavenly Father's
love through us. I testify that Jesus Christ lives. He is our Savior.
"Love is the very essence of the gospel and Jesus Christ is our
Exemplar." (Thomas S. Monson) I testify that as we pray for the gift
of charity that we will be given opportunities to develop it. As we
develop the pure love of Christ, we ourselves, will become a little
more like Him each time that we reach out in love to those around us.
Keep the faith. I love you all! Have a WONDERFUL week!
Con Amor,
Hermana Rackley