Trust in the Lord

Mom!!

I can´t believe it´s been over two months already and time flies by so quick! A lot of things have happened last week and I don´t know where to start! Our investigators have been progressing and reading the Book of Mormon but still haven´t attended church. A lot of them have very difficult dilemmas in their lives.The Almeida Family that we've been trying to get to church and a baptism date for, has been especially difficult. Anita is the mom of six children, with no husband in the home, and has an even more difficult challenge due to her mom´s terminal brain cancer. She`s going through a very hard, rough time and we've been helping her and the family with support with the love we have for them. Yesterday night, she and her son, Emilio, wanted a priesthood blessing. I gave them each a blessing and they said they were filled so strongly with the spirit, and were in tears because of how powerful blessings are. I love giving priesthood blessings in Spanish!!! It was my first time in Spanish. Can you and the family please fast this Sunday for this family? This family is going through a lot and I want them to know how much we care and love them.

I met the Gonzalez family yesterday in ward council and they said that they used to live in the SAN FERNANDO VALLEY in CALIFORNIA!! They lived there from early 1980`s to 1990. The husband`s name is Xavier Gonzalez. I wonder if you knew them. I can´t believe I`ll be skyping you and the family in a month, and I`m very excited!! Oh by the way, my tooth is fine. haha I know you've been asking for quite some time and I forget every time I email. And another thing, those third pair of shoes that we got, both of them are for the right foot!! UGH!! 

Anyways, that's great you had an awesome Thanksgiving with family!! Great pics too!! I had a great time with the families and sisters on Thanksgiving. The food was good but not as amazing as your cooking haha!! I kept thinking of you and family on that day! 

It´s so sad to hear that great grandma is passing soon. She has always been so kind to me and I love her so much!! I'm going to email grandpa and send my love for both of them. Through the gospel, families can be together forever! 

Christmas is coming soon and I`m so blessed to be part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!! Jesus Christ is the best example for all of us and it´s very important to always remember his Atonement and sacrifice for us!! I love you so much Mom and I am counting down those days til Christmas!!! 

Elder Tellez

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¡Hola todo el mundo! 

This past week has been great and Thanksgiving was amazing! I can't believe it's almost Christmas! I've been thinking a lot about having trust in the Lord! Life is difficult and we will have trials and challenges in our lives, but if we trust in the Lord and endure our trials and difficulties, we will receive blessings from our Savior, Jesus Christ and our Loving Heavenly Father. Throughout the time I've been in Ecuador, trusting in the Lord has helped me understand the purpose of being a faithful disciple! The scripture that helps me everyday with frustrating times is Helaman 5:12.. 

"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless woe, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." 

If we build on the foundation of Christ and act on our Faith in Him, we cannot fail and can endure all things throughout our lives. It is so important to act and magnify our purpose, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Plan of Salvation that God has blessed us with. Me and my companion have helped so much here in Ecuador and I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve as a representative of Jesus Christ! No matter what, Heavenly Father, and his Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, will help us and they are willing to do anything for us. 

I love you all so much and I hope you all have a great week!!!

Elder Tellez