Week 23 in Florida (Full Spanish Week 7)

This week was pretty normal, so I'm not quite sure what to write about...

Well, the highlight was this weekend. It was stake conference again! Elder Nelson went to Orlando, and we had a broadcast to 40-some stakes in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. Elder Kapischke came too, but stopped in Tampa first. We had an optional mission wide training from him. But the mission doesn't get together as a whole very often. So most people came. I saw Hna. Russell! It was awesome :)

He talked about Hastening the Work, because one of the elders asked what that really changes about expectations from the missionaries. He told us that Hastening doesn't necessarily mean faster. It means more effective. He also told us that part of the second coming is that the days are shorter, or go by faster. Hna. Miller and I had been talking about that just a few days earlier! Have you noticed that? We need to work better (maybe even faster) because the end is coming faster! He also told us that by taking the sacrament worthily on Sundays is a way to Hasten the work. He told us that if every singles member of the church could worthily take the sacrament every Sunday, there would be no way to hinder the work. Blessing from Heaven would come pouring down faster than we could count them. I hope that each of you can study a little bit more about the sacrament, re-evaluate (maybe do some repenting?) and take the sacrament worthily EVER Sunday! I think sometimes we all just get in a habit of taking the sacrament, because it's what we've always done. I can honestly say that I didn't really know how to prepare for the sacrament, and I'm still working on it. I know that if we can all be actively preparing to take the sacrament ever Sunday, blessings will pour from Heaven, and we will be Hastening the work.

One other thing. Satan is real, and has power. Never, ever, ever let him into your lives. Do EVERYTHING possible to keep him out. That means filling up the holes in your life with things from God. Read your scriptures, say your prayers (have REAL conversations with your Heavenly Father), and take the Sacrament worthily every week. That's it. The rest will come easily, if you can do those simply things.

 I love you all so much! I'll see you in 11 months (AHHH!!!!)

Les quiero, siempre!

Hermana Despain