Elder HJones: Dedication of the Concepcion Temple!

Yesterday we had the wonderful opportunity to listen to and watch the dedication of the temple in Concepcion.

It was awesome!!

The Spirit was really strong and my testimony for the importance of the temple as grown. President Nelson spoke and he had so much power in his words. (So much so that the earth shook where we were when he was giving the dedicatory prayer!) I know that Pres. Nelson is a prophet of God. I know that temples are important. Temples are necessary for us to make ordinances and enter in the kingdom of God!

And this past week we baptized Ignacio. He was super prepared when we found him. God prepared him. We just found him, taught him, and baptized him. I love being an instrument in the hands of God! And this next week we are planning on baptizing Luis. Please pray that he can feel the Spirit and have the desire to do it.

Elder Jones

Elder HJones: Walk With Faith

This week was pretty wild.

Presidente Ferreira came to our area and we had zone conference. It was really good, except I really didn't understand much (haha). We also had interviews with the President. It went really well. I really felt the love that he has for me and he really encouraged me to lose myself in the work.

We also had an earthquake...which isn't too exciting because I am in Chile because apparently, here in Chile, we get a lot of them. It was in the middle of the night and I had just woken up and everything was shaking. It wasn't that bad. Lasted about 30 seconds. The scary part is that I sleep on a bunk bed made to hold an 8 year old, so it was shaking like crazy!

I was also able to play soccer with some kids during the week. It was really fun. But all the kids told me that I needed to practice more because I am terrible.

We eat a lot. We have a momita who cooks for us for part of the week. Members feed us the other days of the week. We also walk a lot. A lot of people have cars in Arica, but most people walk around, which is nice because we can talk with people. Arica also has a lot of taxis and buses. So sometimes, when we have to travel a little ways (like on Pday), we take a taxi.

This week I really learned about faith. It was kinda a tough week. I felt like I worked really hard, and there wasn't much to show for it. And whenever we made appointments with people, they never happened. It was hard to really teach people this past week. But it really helped me learn about faith. Sometimes I don't see the end results, but  I know God always does. I don't always understand why things don't work the way I want them to, but God does. And I know that having faith is really important because through faith we can do all things.

A lot of people yell at us and try to convince us that we are wrong. But I know that the Gospel is true. I know that Jesus Christ lives and atoned for me and for you. And no matter how many people try to tell me otherwise, I have a testimony. And I am so grateful that I can represent Jesus Christ and help bring people to Him.

Love, Elder Jones

Elder HJones: The Savior's Love

So we had another earthquake yesterday, and I didn't sleep through it this time.

We were eating lunch when the earthquake alarms went off and as we got out of the building, the ground shook.  At first I thought it was another drill, but when I felt everything move I knew it was real. A bunch of missionaries got in circles and prayed, and so did we. I know that Heavenly Father looks after his missionaries. He keeps us safe! It is the first earthquake I have ever felt. So it was pretty exciting. Nothing was really affected at the MTC.

New missionaries were supposed to come in yesterday but because of the earthquake, they all flew somewhere else. I think they fly in today, but not 100% positive.

It is my last week at the MTC and I got another haircut today. Let's just say it is way better then my last one!

It's crazy that I have been out for a month. Sometimes, I feel like I have been out longer then that. I leave for Chile the beginning of next week so this is my last P-Day at the Mexico MTC! And I am super excited to go to Chile and start teaching!

It was also Mexican Independence Day this week. Everyone in Mexico partied. I'm enclosed in the gates of the MTC, but I still heard everything.

Yesterday we listened to a talk by Elder Quentin L. Cook. One thing he talked about was how missionaries need to love. He talked about four different areas we need to show our love:

1. Love your companion 

2. Love the people 

3. Love your mission president 

4. Love the Savior 

Love is such an important part of missionary work. Elder Cook said that we can show our love to the Savior by bringing His gospel to the world. And I can't wait to do that! In everything we do, whether big or small, we need to do things that show our love to the Savior. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us more then we can comprehend and we need to do our best to show our love to them.

Love you, Elder Jones

P.S.
Jacob 2:8- "And it supposeth me that they have come up hither to hear the pleasing word of God, yea, the word which healeth the wounded soul."

And that's exactly what this gospel is, it heals us. It makes us better people. Through this gospel, and more importantly the Atonement, our wounds can be clean, and it can heal the wounded soul.

Elder HJones: Another One!

What´s up!

image source: Mexico MTC Facebook Page

https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/21192658_1606287372738899_2811879403052471924_n.jpg?oh=0678f5f677bb0f57d0cf208ed9400c80&oe=5A51DBF5

Another earthquake hit Mexico, if you didn´t hear. It was an 7.1 or something. It was weird because I felt it! The ground shook! It was pretty crazy. The earthquake was closer to us then the last one, so we acyually felt it. But we are all okay!

Love ya, talk to ya tomorrow!

Elder Jones



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Elder HJones: The Language of the Spirit

As you all probably heard we had an earthquake here in Mexico City. An 8.1. I slept right throught it. Didn't even know until someone told me in the morning. Don't really know how bad it was because nothing was affected at the MTC. Let's just say we were blessed.

I also had the opportunity to speak in sacrament meeting on Sunday. Everyone has to write a 5 minute spanish talk during the week on an assigned topic, then during the meeting they tell us who is speaking (normally 3-4 people). This week I was called on to speak. I spoke about the Plan of Salvation, and how the Atonement is what glues it all together. Through the Atonement we can become our best selves and eventually live with our Heavenly Father again. It was hard for me because the talk had to be in complete Spanish, and my Spanish is no bueno. But, it was a blessing. My testimony was really strengthened as I spoke. It was a great experience for me. It was hard, but it was worth it.  I learned that even if I can't speak the language perfectly its okay. The Spirit is what teaches and the only way to teach is with the language of the Spirit.

That same Sunday we listened to a devotional. It was a talk by Jeffery R. Holland. Don't know what it was called, but it was about Preach My Gospel, and feeding His sheep. I highly recommend reading or listening to it. Maybe one of the best talks I've ever heard! Just the words I heard and the Spirit I felt really motivated me to be a better missionary! And I also said the closing prayer in Spanish after that devotional...so I was really involved on Sunday.

This gospel brings so much happiness. I have felt more peace and joy in the past month, then I have in my life. I still miss you all, but this gospel is such a blessing. And I'm so grateful that I can sacrifice two years of my life to share it with others!

This gospel is true! I wouldn't have left my family, friends, and life if I didn't believe in it. It has brought me so much joy, and I just want to give it to others!

Love, Elder Jones

¨The work is more WHO WE ARE and WHAT WE ARE, then WHAT WE SAY.¨
- Elder Bednar (The Character of Christ)

Elder HJones: Earthquake!!

Hey!

Just you to let you know that I'm alright. Apparently, there was 8.1 earthquake last night in Mexico City. Pretty much everyone here slept through it. I didn't even know it happened until they told us this morning. Don't know a lot of details, but I'm safe.

Love, Elder Jones