God knows and loves every one of His children

9/19  This week was a really good one. Despite the fact that we lost a couple days at the conference in Barcelona, we were able to have several effective lessons, one of which was with a new investigator named Juanita. We contacted Juanita in the streets several weeks ago and gave her a restoration pamphlet. Ever since then we have been calling her to try and set up a visit, but because of work were never able to. She did, However, comment on how she loved reading the pamphlet we left her over the phone. You can imagine how excited we were when we finally set a visit with her! We had a wonderful lesson on the restoration which she loved. The only issue is that she works taking care of an elderly woman on the weekends, and for now, can't come to church on Sundays. It's a minor challenge that we will overcome, but all in all, she is golden!

Quick update on other investigators: Eva is doing very good, and we finally got her hooked on the Book of Mormon. She was having a hard time understanding it, so we gave her the children's book with pictures, and she absolutely loves it. Still struggling with a few commandments, but we are getting somewhere! Manuel and his family made it to all three hours of church this week and really enjoyed it. It was great to see the members take care of them and make sure they were where they needed to be. We didn't have to do anything. They are progressing a lot as a family, and we have seen a huge improvement in the love we see between them. We switched things up a little with Alexia and she taught us the lesson last time. She really taught a super good lesson about prophets. Her mom is still pretty firm in her decision about not letting her get baptized until she finishes this year of school.

For the next two weeks I'd like to share a little about what my mission has taught me. First and foremost, my mission has taught me that God knows and loves every one of His children with a love that we cannot comprehend. I have seen that love when He has guided me to find those of His children who are prepared to receive the gospel in their lives. During my mission, I have been able to feel a portion of that love for those I have taught, and for the members I have served with. I have also felt the love our Savior has for all of us as I have seen those I have taught make the changes in their lives necessary to bring themselves closer to Him. I have seen the effect the atonement has in the lives of those people. I have seen the joy it brings. All in all, my experiences on my mission have helped me to come to know my Father in Heaven and His son Jesus Christ in a way no other experience could. I know that they know and love each one of us.