Time Flies on Wings of Lightning

Tadah! I can't believe that it's almost four months since I got my mission call!!! Now the countdown begins... Four weeks to go, four more Sundays, and twenty-nine days to be exact until I enter the Missionary Training Center. I just can't explain how I'm feeling right now. I think dinosaurs are starting to grow inside my tummy, maybe this is just anxiety and excitement all at the same time but hey, they say it's normal. :3  

I just want to share what my best friend, Sister Reniva (now serving in Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission) sent to me in her last email, strong and inspiring words from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, an apostle of the Lord, who got to visit them said: "Your mission will never come back again. Don't miss it, embrace it- every bit of it. Love every single minute of it because it will never come again."

I loved what he said. I will do my best there and work like it's my last day everyday. I know it won't be easy, it might be pretty scary there and at times I feel inadequate, I think of Him and just like the prophet Ammon in Alma 26:12:

 12 Yea, I know that I am ^anothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will ^bnot boast of myself, but I will ^cboast of my God, for in his ^dstrength I can do all ^ethings; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever. 

I've learned to trust in God for in His strength, I know I can do all things. President Thomas S. Monson, the living prophet, said: "When we are on the Lord's errand, we are entitled to His help." I know that God has indeed prepared me for this!

Today, I had a flashback of my childhood and my youth and all of those I've been through up to this moment. I couldn't be more grateful enough because I've truly felt our Heavenly Father's love throughout all these years. :') 

Love,

Sister Posadas

Happiness in Families

The family is known to be society's fundamental unit and truth be told, the family is central to God's plan. It is a sacred unit. This is no coincidence that God organizes us into families so that we can grow up in happiness and safety, and so that we can learn to love others selflessly-- the key to true joy. Within the family is the best place to learn to love others the way  Heavenly Father loves each one of us.

God's Church exists to help families gain eternal blessings. We believe the greatest blessings He gives us is the ability to return to live with Him in heaven with our families. We follow our Heavenly Father's will because we earn this blessing.

We had our Stake Conference last August 17-18 and the leaders were inspired to talk about families. They gave emphasis on The Family: A Proclamation to the World.

Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. 

Here's an obligatory family photo after the Stake Conference.

I am so blessed and grateful to be nurtured in a family who loves and lives the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our family isn't perfect but because of the gospel of Jesus Christ, it makes life's challenges easier to bear.  Just like Nephi (Book of Mormon prophet) who's been born of goodly parents, I consider myself like him because I have been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because of my parents. But my faith is much more than an inheritance from them. It is a fruit of reading the scriptures and of thinking and of searching in prayer. My parents are my pillar. They've also been great examples of faith. They provided my siblings and I the best that they could offer despite their weaknesses and trials. I will always treasure the time spent with my family and looking back, there were happy moments and those that weren't. My favorite are those were when we felt loved. When my mom cries and worries every time any of us gets sick. When I failed at something and my dad hugged me and said he loves me. When my younger siblings call me whenever they're sad or need help and that goes with me, vice versa. When we enjoy our simple Family Home Evenings every Monday night with the missionaries. When we kneel down together to pray or those times we fast for someone in need or to overcome some of life's problems. When we show appreciation and express simple acts of love and kindness. Those were just some of the few moments that are always nice  to recall. And yes, I have to admit, with the kind of family I'm in, I know God wants me to learn a lot of things. Patience is definitely on top of the list, haha! :)

The gospel of Jesus Christ indeed blesses families. Happiness within our family will most likely  be achieved when it's founded on the teachings of Jesus. I believe that "there's no other success that can compensate for failure in the home". Some of us may be not be in an ideal family, or may be homeless, and may want to have a happy family someday. This is possible. Don't ever lose hope. I know the gospel is true! It is a gospel of  love, a gospel of second chances and happy endings! I know that families can together be forever. 

P.S. I got to share my testimony as one of the "departing missionaries" to the members of Cebu Philippines Central Stake! :) I just love conferences! :)  

Love,

Sister Posadas