My testimony is a powerful tool

Hey there fam and friends, mis queridos hermanos y hermanas! Espero que todo bien con ud! Gracias por todo que ustedes hacen para mi cada semana! Realamente tengo mucho amor por cada uno de ustedes y su apollo durante mi tiempo aqui en el campo! Este semana no era nada nuevo... hace bastante calor pero no se precupe todo bien con migo! Entonces... 

Este semana era super rapido! Tuvimos dos reuniones con nuestro zona, uno estaba en tegucigalpa y la otro estaba cerca de aqui en flores. Tuvimos un reunion con papi fortuna y su esposa en Teguc Miercoles y estuvo super bueno. Presidente hablo mucho de planeamiento en la vida. no soloamente planeando por la mision y todo que hacemos aqui pero que necisitamos planearse en la vida. Me gusto mucho porque estaba pensando en mi propio vida y la importancia que mis padres han tenido en mi vida y que me enseno mucho cerca de planeando para tener exito en la vida! En nuestro vidas nosotros necisitamos metas.. en todo aspectos. Mi invitacion por ustedes es que pueden poner metas en su vidas. Metas que incluir todo aspectos de su vida. Se que planeando tiene un gran parte en mi vida y en la vida de ustedes! Gracias por todos que han ayudado a mi a cumplir con mi metas y me ayudo a ser el hombre que soy hoy en dia. Gracias.

Este semana todovia estamos trabajando bien fuerte con nuestro quierido hno Rigoberto... el esta super bien! El tiene 5 dias que no ha tomado nada! Estamos super animado por el y por la decision que ha tomado para seguir jesucristo y el evengelio, se que el esta bendicido en mucho! El tiene tanto ganas para ser el voluntad de nuestro padre celestial y se que la vida de el esta cambiado mucho. Quiero que ustedes pueden orar por el este semana porque esta preperando a ser bautizado este sabado!!! Estamos tan feliz for el! El historia de el es super bueno! El era un super bollo y ahorita esta cambiando como nunca antes.. todo los vecinos y todo quieren ver porque y todo! Entonces estamos enseñando un amigo de el y anoche acepto a bautizarse tambien!! El testamonio de uno tiene mucho poder, cada persona aqui en este mundo tiene un diferente historia entonces mi invitacion es que ustedes pueden compartir su historia con todos y ayudar a los demas a venir a cristo... cristo es nuestro roca y luz, ayudar los demas ver el cambio en uno, y el senor le bendiga, se los prometo! Rigoberto es super bueno! :))

Este semana estaba pensando en mucho... pero primero que realamente estamos tan agrecidos en los estados para tener los cosas que nosotros tenemos! Nosotros necisitamos ser tan agrecido por los pequeña cosas que tenemos. Este semana tuve una entrevista con la academia de los estados unidos para regresar a Air Force Academy, y tuve un buen experiencia! Ellos preguntaron que estaba haciendo aqui y todo, inmediatamente vine a mi mente que era un oportunidad a compartir mi testamonio de los cosas que estoy haciendo aqui, entonces lo hice. Ellos estaba tan interesado en la obra que nosotros como misioneros hacemos dia tras dia. Se que estos personas saben los cosas que estoy predicando... ellos estan preguntando historias y todo... podria compartir mis testamonio various veces durante mi entrevista y se que ellos sabian que quiero y necisito regresar y asistir otro vez la academia en colorado. un testamonio es el mas poderoso hermamiento que tenemos en nuestro vidas, es una poderoso arma, se los prometo! Gracias mama y papa y gi por ayudando me para tener un testamonio y su apollo en todo. Estoy agrecido para tener ejemplos en mi vida que me ayudo mucho en mi vida! 

Todo bien aqui en honduras, estoy disfrutando ma y mas la mision y se que esto es la obra del señor y se que el señor vive y dios nos ama como no sabemos! Se que ustedes son instrumentos en los manos de nuestro padre celestial y necisitamos vivir la vida al maximo! Gracias por todo familia y mis amigos!

Disfruta los fotos! Una era cuando estabamos en un parade aqui este semana!! la otro es en el estadium de futbol aqui en la paz!! disfrutalos!!!!!!!

Te Quiero mucho,

Con mucho amor!

Elder Lng!!! 

Running here and there...

Hey there you loving fans and fam! I hope that this finds you guys cooler than I feel right about now! I have never sweat so much on my mission and it’s winter here! Crazy!!! I cant even imagine where I am at in the summer... talk about a whole new level of heat... whatever though, no time to cry and whine about sweating from places that you didn’t know existed. HAHA! So lets get down to it shall we.

We literally ran with our heads cut off this week, we killed it this week. We literally at times were running from visit to visit. We just have to make so much happen in such a short amount of time. We taught 19 lessons with member this week (that mean that a member came with us 19 times) and a few different members too. We are getting many involved, they have no choice with Papi Long :)) We taught 13 lessons with less actives and people that are not attending church right now for whatever garbage reason they want to give. We put them all on blast HAHA, gotta love it, right? We found 14 new people to teach and told them why they need to change, it’s amazing to see.

One of the most powerful stories of my entire mission is the man that we are teaching right now that I told you about last week. His name is R. We found him working in the mercado like I said. Come to find out, this man has had his challenges and has been on the wrong path. He is changing like no one I have ever seen change before. You have no idea the changes that this man is making. Yesterday we went with him and he broke down... he said that his life has changed. Today he was going to talk to his boss to leave work if he does not give him permission to go to church and keep the Sabbath day holy. This man wants to make changes and I know the Lord will bless him. He truly is golden. I am so glad that I listened to the spirit to turn around and talk to this man. He is helping others because MANY want to know how is he changing... he bought a white shirt and all this week. He couldn’t attend church on Sunday because his boss sent him far to sell so he couldn’t come... he was so unhappy. From being on a destructive path to shaving his huge beard and everyone wanting to know what happened. It’s so cool to be a part of his story. R. means the world to me. O am so proud of him and honored to be his friend. I will attach a photo of us in his 40 (aka house). So we are working very hard with him and in two weeks he should be getting baptized!! Woohoooooo! So all good there!

So, also this week we met a person that was on the border of Mexico and the states for 7 months helping people get in... let me tell you the stories that he has from Mexico... he has stories that left my jaw open for about 45 minutes... we need to count our blessings being in the states. I will leave it at that.

It brings me to one of the main learning points that I have had on my mission. What being THANKFUL means. We need to really take a look in the mirror and be thankful for the little things. We are BLESSED more than we ever will know living in the states. I can’t even tell you how grateful I am for the little things and all the things that my loving Heavenly Father has done for me and my familia.

I know that the Lord lives and that he is our compass and best friend in our lives. We must grow closer and closer to him in the times that we are in. We need him. We need his guide. We need his love, we must grow closer to our Savior daily in order to receive the great blessings in which the Lord has for us. This week I spent a lot of time on my knees giving thanks for the little tings that I have. Teaching R. has given me a whole new level of perspective to things that before I did not have. I promise you my brothers and sisters that this gospel is true and will bless you more than you can believe. I invite each and every one of you to act upon the promptings from the spirit and do GODS WILL. He will bless you. If things are in your way to partake of sacred ordinances like the Sacrament, change your life around like R.to partake of such blessings.

I love each and every one of you and know that these things can help you. Serve others. There is no greater joy than serving others with all your heart, might, mind and strength, I promise you from the bottom of my heart. Make it a daily part of you life.

I love you Gi, you look great, and I am really proud of all that you are accomplishing in your youth. Remember to be different than others.... being different separates the every day person from the cream of the crop. Be the cream of the crop. Be the person that people say, what does he have, or why is he like he is? I promise the Lord will bless you. I have been thinking a lot about you and the importance that you have had in my life and seeing your growth while I have been here on the mission. You have changed as well as I have . I know that you are a stud, and that you are different then los demas. I thank you for your love and support, I am so proud of all that you have accomplished in the classroom and on the field. Use your intelligence in all aspects of your life. Make each day count. You have a potential that you don’t even know of. Ask the Lord who he wants Gi to become. I have been thinking a lot about you my man, I have seen you change these months and it’s for the better. Live life to the maximo in all aspect and I know that they Lord will bless you more than you know. Make it your number one goal to serve a mission. It changes one and others for the better. It brings a joy that NO sports game can bring. I love you stud. Thanks for your example. Be the best that you can be. Have swag and kill it on and off the field. Success in the classroom brings success en el campo. Te quiero mucho mi amigo! Gracias por su ejemplo gi gi.

Mis amigos y familia! Gracias por todo... tengan un buen semana! Aim high in all that you do and put your best foot forward!

Con mucho amor,

Elder Long!

Another new area and companion...I love this work!

Hey there friends and familia! I hope that this letter finds you all alive and kicking and doing your thing. All is good here. So this week you can find Elder Long in a new area with a lot of new and great things! So let’s get down to the sweat report once again!! 

So lets begin with that this area is by far the hottest area on my mission... it’s SO hot you have no idea. It’s horrible. We are in a valley called C. and our area is called L. P. It’s a huge area and super nice. It has like a pueble and city feel to it, it’s amazing! It’s a very cool area. We are about 20 minutes away from an American Air force base. I am so pumped to go there and see if there are any AF grads there. So excited, I think that we are going to be going there next Monday, we shall see!

Our house does not have running water. It’s super hot too haha. We don’t have a shower, we just shower outside haha because the shower is broken. We don’t have a washing machine mom (good joke haha that would be like having a Ferrari). Thats about all I can think of that you would like to know!  

So I have a new companion! He is from the states, Florida! His name is Elder S. His mom is from Peru and his father is from Mexico, quite the one two punch haha. He’s great! He’s a newbie and I’m his first companion and this is his first area in the mission for him. So he’s pretty nervous but he’s doing good. He went to the CCM in Mexico so we had some good talks about that place. He is super into music and has like opposite interests of mine but we get a long great. I am so happy to be able to help him out in the beginning of his mission.  

So our President of our mission took out all the missionaries in our area, there used to be two sets of missionaries here, and now there is just my companion and I. We are covering two areas, and it’s huge. But its all good, we are getting after it. The assistance in the church is super low... and when I say super low I mean super. There is not a lot of emotion and stuff. So this is where Papi Long comes into hand, we need to put the big boy pants on and make some changes! So we didn’t waste time, Sunday I got people to work. When we started there were 7 people in church (no one shows up on time) and we ended up with 52. We easily should have over 130 people each week in church. So we put the big boy pants on and had a good talk, everyone is super pumped to get after it and change the ward around and have it like it was before! So we have A LOT OF WORK, but that’s nothing new, it’s been like that since day one and I am happy to be in an area that needs a lot of help. It’s going to be a blast here. We will make a 360 here. So pumped! 

So we didn’t waste time finding people that really want to move forward and receive the blessing of the gospel in their lives. So since we are covering two areas we have so much work to do and make up for lost time. President Fortuna was going to close this entire area down and take out all the missionaries, but he is giving it another transfer to see what’s good. So here I am sent to another area to make it happen. I love the pressure and we’re going to make it happen. It’s great, we have little time to see results and that’s when the Academy Long kicks in, adrenaline going and loving it! So all is good!

This week we found about 6 people that are great and ready and are preparing to get baptized, One in particular that is amazing! His name is R. So we were walking down a street in the middle of the market and he said Hola Elderes! We said hello and kept walking. I got the strongest impression, and when I say strongest impression from the spirit to turn around, so we did. We went back and talked to him and put a time to meet with him later that night. We invited him to church and he came. He rocks a huge beard, has some habits that are a challenge but I love the guy already. Then after church, later Sunday night we go to his house. He had shaven and was all cleaned up. We asked him why he shaved? He said, “I need to change my life around and I have started. I felt the spirit so strong in the church, I know that this church is true and that I need to start a new life. I need to be better, so I shaved to start a new me”... the spirit was so strong, the joy that I felt was amazing. I am so happy that the spirit led me to R. and that he is so ready to grow closer to our Heavenly Father. I know that the Lord will bless him. I know that this man is going to change and be a better man. I am so happy for him. So thankful and happy to have had this experience this week. It was one of the more spiritual moments on my mission. I am so happy for him!!! 

So we are getting after it, every day is something new and making the people have emotion for what we do and why we do it. This is the Lords work. He is at the helm and we just are his servants in all that we do. I am so happy to be part of the lords work. I know why I am here in this new area. I know why I am with Elder S., everything has a reason. The Lord is our example and if we do what he wants us to do , we will receive blessings. I love this area, little time to work and results to show, because if not.. there is a great possiblily that they will close the area. So time to work.

So happy to be a missionary, I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else. There is no better work in the world. This is the Lords work. I know it’s true. I love and miss you guys, don’t worry though, I am doing amazing and growing in ways that I never thought I could. Make it a special week, do something for someone else, and change something for the better. 

Aim high in all that you do and put your best foot forward every day. 

Con mucho amor, 

Elder Long! 

Week 66

Hey there familia and amigos! I hope that all is going good and that everyone is kicking it and alive and well! I am always thinking about you guys and know (hope) that your living life to the maximo baby!! So lets get down to the sweat report shall we! :) 

So this week I got the call that I am going to train. I am going to be receiving a newbie this Wednesday to train him and show him all about the missionary life and how to kill it for two years! I am so pumped to be able to train a new missionary once again. It’s going to be a ball! I am not sure if I am going to be going to a new area or if I am going to stay in my area where I am right now! I don’t know either if its going to be a gringo or Latin. I think that it will be a gringo because there are only like two Latin’s coming in this group, the rest are from the promise land. So I am so pumped to be able to have a greenyyy and show him what’s good here in the jungle jeje. So that’s some of the exciting news for you all.

So I was reading a talk this week that was given at a church conference and I really liked it. It gave me a new perspective on some things in my life and things that we are always facing.  The talk is titled Overcoming Discouragement.

If we place a little more patience in the process and a greater amount of faith in the Lord, our challenges will find their way toward successful conclusions.

Some years ago I was invited to participate in a fireside in which I outlined ways for people to overcome discouragement. At the beginning of the presentation, I invited those who were in attendance to write on a card a major challenge they were facing, one they would feel comfortable in having me share anonymously with other members of the group. When the problems came forward, I was overcome by the significant issues faced by members who looked in control of their lives. Here are some they listed:

1.     My farm is not making any money.

2.     My son has a terminal illness.

3.     Friction with a teenage child.

4.     My oldest son is nearly blind.

5.     Learning to accept the death of my son.

6.     My husband sees the flaws but doesn’t see the lovely things as much.

Many of us face significant challenges. Even the great prophet Enoch experienced sadness when he viewed the wickedness of the world: “And as Enoch saw this, he had bitterness of soul, and wept over his brethren, and said unto the heavens: I will refuse to be comforted; but the Lord said unto Enoch: Lift up your heart, and be glad; and look” (Moses 7:44).

There are at least three steps to take when striving to overcome discouragement:

1.     You can work on changing your attitude toward the problem. Even though you can’t change the circumstances in which you work or live, you can always change your attitude.

2.     You can receive help from those who are close to you—your family, friends, and ward members, those who love you the most.

3.     You can develop a more powerful and complete trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Change your attitude. By looking at a problem in a different way, it may be possible to 

reduce discouragement. I have been impressed with the pioneer story told about Zina Young. After experiencing the death of parents, crop failure and sickness, she was encouraged with a spiritual experience that changed her attitude. While attempting to seek divine help, she heard her mother’s voice: “Zina, any sailor can steer on a smooth sea, when rocks appear, sail around them. “ A prayer came quickly: “O Father in Heaven, help me to be a good sailor, that my heart shall not break on the rocks of grief” (“Mother, “The Young Woman’s Journal, Jan. 1911, 45). It is often difficult to change circumstances, but a positive attitude can help lift discouragement.

Accept help from others. The next important point is to be willing to ask for help from those around you. Sometimes help comes from unexpected sources. A few years ago I stood in line in Chicago waiting to put my baggage on a plane. Behind me was an older man. After a few minutes he said to me, “Where are you going?” I said that I was heading for Salt Lake City. He said, “I’m going there too. Are you a Mormon?” I responded by saying I was. He said that he had been a Latter-day Saint all his life and had prepared himself to go to the temple. While waiting for the plane, he opened his suitcase to show me all the missionary pictures that he had collected through the years. After some minutes, we were on our way and a wonderful talk as we flew toward Utah. Upon arrival, we left the plane quickly. I made sure he knew where he was going and said good-bye. Some weeks later, I received this card in the mail: “Dear Brother Christensen. I lost your address and then found it. So, I’m writing you a card. When I met you in Chicago, it was a prayer answered. I never travel anywhere. I wanted to be with someone. I have thought of you many times. I really enjoyed myself in Salt Lake City at the temple. Hope to see you someday. Thanks many times for the help you were to me. ”I wasn’t planning to be useful that day, but I’m grateful for this brother who sought for extra help and I was nearby to assist.”

Develop trust in the Lord. I’ve talked about changing attitudes and receiving help from others. Now let me mention the need to put more trust and faith in the Lord. I once talked to a woman who received help with her discouragement. While waiting for a temple session to begin, she picked up a Book of Mormon to read a verse. Her eyes fixed upon Alma 34:3: “And as you have desired of my beloved brother that he should make known unto you what ye should do, because of your afflictions; and he hath spoken some what unto you to prepare your minds; yea, and he hath exhorted you unto faith and to patience.” The scripture in Alma was answered to her prayer. The message was simple: the problem she faced was going to take a long time to solve. If we place a little more patience in the process and a greater amount of faith in the Lord, our challenges will find their way toward successful conclusions.

In the Doctrine and Covenants we read this: “If thou art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that your souls may be joyful” (D&C136: 29).

I pray that all of us may appreciate the challenges we have and try to improve our attitudes, even though our problems remain the same.  Ask help from friends and family. I also testify that Jesus Christ lives and that He will help us through our discouragements if we will humbly ask for His love. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Brothers and sisters, we are always going to be faced with challenges. I promise you that when we have the Lord by our side every challenge that we face, we will look back and say that I learned something. We need to be appreciative for the problems that we face, because without problems we do not grow in any form. I know through challenges we see what our true character is and what kind of person we really can be. During challenges we must be ourselves, do not let the adversary change us. We are faced with problems because the Lord knows that we can face them.

I love you guys. I miss you guys, and know that you’re all kicking and doing your thing. Make each day count. Leave it all on the table. Give it your all whether it be in the kitchen, on the field, in the classroom or in the weight room, with your friends, with your familia, donde sea, give it your ALL.

I love you guys. I pray for you guys and wish the best for each and every one of you each day. 

Aim high in all that you do and put your best foot forward! 

Con mucho amor, 

Elder Long! 

An amazing weekend! A baptism to start off conference weekend...

Hola mis queridos hermanos y hermanos! Espero que todo bien con ud! Hey there my loving brothers and sisters! I hope that everything is going good with each and every one of you. You guys are the bomb! So this week absolutely flew bye and was amazing. So lets get down to the sweat report shall we. 

So this week we were preparing for a baptism pretty much the entire week. Her name is M. She is amazing. So a little about her. She has been investigating the church for about 3 years now... so when I came to this area I instantly invited her to follow the Lord and to get baptized. She said that she was not ready… joking… I said, “What are you waiting for?” “You know it’s true and you need to follow the spirit and do it.” HA! So we put a plan together for her and I promised her that she would be ready and that she was going to be baptized this weekend and it will be the best decision that she has made in her whole life.

So Friday night was the day. Threeeee years later she got baptized!!! You have no idea how happy everyone was in the little rama here in the Villeda. It was an amazing night to say the least. I am so happy for M. She was very emotional... It was her time. It was the Lords time. I am so happy to see the love that she has for the Savior and the confidence that she has and had in us to trust us that she was ready to take and make such an important decision.

That brings me to my next point. We must always act on the spirit. The spirit will never lead us astray. The spirit is the best teacher, friend and companion. We must act as the spirit leads and directs us to do certain things. It may not be easy at times, but it’s the best thing we can do, follow the prompting from our loving Heavenly Father and act upon it. When we do so the Lord will bless us. It is a promise from our Heavenly Father. When we make decisions to grow closer to him we are continually blessed.

I want each of you to act upon the promptings of the spirit. How can we have the spirit to be with us in order to be able to receive promptings and help form the spirit? We must do our part. We must go to church. Read the scriptures. Pray individually and pray with our family, have family time, follow the commandments, and do the things in which are good. Serve others and make the most of every day. We must make time for the Lord. It will bless you. It’s not to give the Lord satisfaction, it’s for us to see the blessings that really come from doing what’s best for us. We will personally be transformed into a better person.

I have seen it while here on my mission. I have changed spiritually and it has made me a better person. I feel the difference and know that the Lord can bless us and our families through doing the little things right. I invite each of you once again to reflect and really see if you are doing the little things like you should be doing. Don’t make excuses, you have time. If you don’t make time you are in a little way telling the Lord that you do not love him.. hard to say it so directly but it’s the truth.

We need to make time in these latter days. The worlds standards are lowering, but the Lords standards are not lowering. We must up the bar in these days to reap the blessings from the Lord. I promise you as you keep your standards high, the Lord will be there with arms open to welcome us into his presence again.  You can do. Make the little things a part of your life. They just need to be part of your daily routine. It will change you. I promise you. Do it! Do it!  Do it! and see the blessings that will come. 

Thanks so much for all the love and support, you guys are the best, I love each of you very much. Make it a great week. Aim high in all that you do and put your best foot forward! 

Con mucho amor,

Elder Long!

Set some goals

Hey there family and friends! I hope that this email finds you all alive and kicking! I’m doing good, just surviving the hot and humid weather but other than that all is good. This week was fast as usual and I am just enjoying the work more and more every day. So lets get down to the sweat report shall we... 

Well, this week we spent a lot of time giving the people that we are teaching a vision. A vision is everything in life. If we don’t have goals or something to work towards we will never see the end result. I know that when we make goals we can achieve them. The Lord is always there to help us achieve something that we personally want to achieve. Yes, there is always going to be opposition in all that we do. There is always going to be something or someone trying to beat or cut us down. But through our vision all things become possible. I have seen it time and time again here, when we put the faith in the Lord ANYTHING is possible. We can do and achieve things that we never thought we could achieve. I promise you that my brothers and sisters.

I challenge each and every one of you to make goals, specific goals. Goals: both spiritually and temporally. I promise that the Lord will be there in aid to help you reach all your goals. I want to make one of your goals to help and serve others. Why this?

This week I had the opportunity to serve a few different people. All day every day we serve but this week we had the opportunity to do something very special for a family. We had the opportunity to build a house for one of our fellow brothers... words can not describe the living conditions and the details do not matter, but all I know is that it was one of the most touching experiences that I have ever had.

We must serve others, whether it’s something small or big, service brings more joy than anything else. I would like to share a talk or a few words with you from a member of the church. I really like the words given and I would love to share them with you. It’s all about service baby!!! Here it is. 

“To find real happiness, we must seek for it in a focus outside ourselves,” President Thomas S. Monson teaches. “No one has learned the meaning of living until he has surrendered his ego to the service of his fellow man. Service to others is akin to duty, the fulfillment of which brings true joy.”

As we look heavenward, President Monson says we will inevitably learn of our responsibility to reach outward.

Reach Outward

“We do not live alone—in our city, our nation, or our world,” President Monson says. “There is no dividing line between our prosperity and our neighbor’s wretchedness.  ‘Love thy neighbor’ is more than a divine truth. It is a pattern for perfection. This truth inspires the familiar charge, ‘Go forth to serve.’  Try as some of us may, we cannot escape the influence our lives have upon the lives of others. Ours is the opportunity to build, to lift, to inspire, and indeed to lead. The New Testament teaches that it is impossible to take a right attitude toward Christ without taking an unselfish attitude toward men.”

President Monson encourages Latter-day Saints to “reach outward. … Membership in the Church calls forth a determination to serve. A position of responsibility may not be of recognized importance, nor may the reward be broadly known. Service, to be acceptable to the Savior, must come from willing minds, ready hands, and pledged hearts.”

Lose Ourselves in Service

He also calls upon all people to follow the example of Jesus Christ. “The Savior taught His disciples, ‘For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.’

“I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives.”

Be a Sincere Friend

President Monson quotes the 16th president of the United States. “Abraham Lincoln offered this wise counsel, which surely applies to home teachers: ‘If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend.’

“A friend makes more than a dutiful visit each month. A friend is more concerned about helping people than getting credit. A friend cares. A friend loves. A friend listens. A friend reaches out.”

Communicate Heart to Heart

“Often we live side by side but do not communicate heart to heart,” President Monson says. “There are those within the sphere of our own influence who, with outstretched hands, cry out, ‘Is there no balm in Gilead?’”

“I am confident it is the intention of each member of the Church to serve and to help those in need. … How often have you intended to be the one to help? And yet how often has day-to-day living interfered and you’ve left it for others to help, feeling that ‘oh, surely someone will take care of that need.’”

Trust in the Lord

And President Monson encourages us to trust in the Lord as we serve. “Occasionally discouragement may darken our pathway; frustration may be a constant companion. In our ears there may sound the sophistry of Satan as he whispers, ‘you cannot save the world; your small efforts are meaningless. You haven’t time to be concerned for others.’

“Trusting in the Lord, let us turn our heads from such falsehoods and make certain our feet are firmly planted in the path of service and our hearts and souls dedicated to follow the example of the Lord. In moments when the light of resolution dims and when the heart grows faint, we can take comfort from His promise: ‘Be not weary in well-doing. … Out of small things proceedeth that which is great’” (Doctrine and Covenants 64:33).

  

What great words that we can really learn and reflect on. It really is true joy when we help others and make a sacrifice. I have felt and see it every day while I have been out here on the mission. It’s amazing to give ALL to others. Little things bring big things my brothers and sisters. I challenge you to serve more and help others feel the joy from your service. 

Gi, I am so proud of you, each week you sound like you are growing up and doing big and better things. I want you to prepare now. PT and RAY RAY, I want you three to prepare now because it’s the best thing that you can do. Serving a mission changes one for the better. Maybe not physically hehe if you are eating like I am hahaha but in every other aspect of your life it changes you for the better. I promise you.

I challenge each of you to talk to the missionaries, if you see two young men walking in white shirt and tie, or two sisters, ask them, can you teach us more about your religion. If anything just to learn more and see what your Boy Long is teaching down here in the jungles of Honduras :)) I promise that you will feel the spirit and grow closer to our loving Heavenly Father.

I am so thankful for a great family and friends that have taught me how to be a better son and friend. I am thankful for each of you and your support. Thanks for all your hard work dad. It means a lot to each of us. American woman, keep working hard my man. I love each of you and your always in my thoughts and prayers! For all you playing sports right now, give it your ALL... lay it all on the field and give it more for me who cant play right now. Love you all!

Aim high in all that you do and put your best foot forward every day! 

MAKE THE GOALS AND ACHIEVE THEM BABY. 

  

Con mucho amor,

Elder Long!! 

Families are Forever

Well my loving fans and followers, I hope that this letter finds you all doing great and kicking. I really can’t say how fast the time is going, it’s crazy! I am enjoying every day and taking in all the experiences that I am having, and let me tell you, it’s quite the experience. So lets get down to the report shall we...

This week we spent a lot of time trying to find some new people. We found about 16 new people and 5 families so that is a pretty good week. Some of these people are ready and some are not so ready, but that’s when Papi Mar comes into hand to give them the lowdown and to tell them what they need to do to change their lives for the better. It’s a simple process, they just need to be willing to do their part and I promise bendiciones for them! So this week we were mostly focused on finding a lot of new people and to invite them to the ward conference that we had this past Sunday… and let me tell you we packed the house. We had 120 people come! The reunion was really good and the spirit was super strong.

We talked all about the importance of the familia and The Proclamation to the World. The Proclamation to the World is advice that we have been give by leaders and I can promise you that if we live these principals we will be blessed, not only ourselves but every single one of our family members. It’s such a blessing to have the gospel in our lives. If we live the gospel, not only believe in it, we will receive so many blessings.

I would like to attach the Family Proclamation so that each of you can read it and ponder it. Live it out, and I promise you that the Lord will bless you immensely. (my spelling blows because my mind is in Spanish...don’t worry your mother fixes most of it!!!) so deal with it. HAHA! So below is what I want you to read, I don’t want you to only read it but to take some time to reflect and ponder it and I promise that you can take something from it.

THE FAMILY

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A PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

WE, THE FIRST PRESIDENCY and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

ALL HUMAN BEINGS—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

IN THE PREMORTAL REALM, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

WE DECLARE the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.

HUSBAND AND WIFE have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

WE WARN that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

WE CALL UPON responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society. 

I spent a lot of time thinking about the importance of the family and friends while listening to all the talks. Really the family is the most importance. I really have come to appreciate more and more the importance of the people in my lives and the impact that they have had on me. I know without my family and friends I would not be here today doing what I am doing. Each of you guys has had an influence on my life for the better. I promise that if we all continue to put an emphasis on the family and friends this world can change so much. That’s what I am trying to do here...

There are so many broken homes and families here that it breaks my heart. I know the importance of the familia more then I ever thought I would know. We are truly so blessed in the states. We are so blessed that each and every one of us need to thank our Heavenly Father and show how grateful we are for the LITTLE THINGS. I know that family and friends brings blessings that nothing else can.

I want to thank each and every one of you for the influence that you have had on me. I love and care about you guys and want you each to know that I have become a better man because of you. I want to thank my mom, dad and brother who have especially made a difference and raised me with principals and ejemplos that have given me the chance to help people here in Honduras.

I know that the Lord has put in store for us the family to not cause us problems of any kind but to lift us up and edify our lives. I want each of you to work on relationships with others and value the importance of each person that we are in contact with each day. Not everyone has the blessing of being raised around loving family and friends. Cherish it. Reflect upon the people that really have made a difference in your life.

A lot was on my mind this week on the family because of an event that happened this week to a family that we are teaching. So we are teaching a few people in a family and knew of the others...well this past week some people of a bad group came and killed two of the family members that we are teaching.... it gave me a wake up call once again that we need to make the most of every day. We need to protect our families and friends to make good choices all the time. We as friends and family are in charge of this. We need to look out for everyone even when it may be hard. We need to take a strong stance... maybe this family could have helped these two individuals.

We spent a lot of time teaching them about the plan of salvation and how the Lord knows each one of us, he knows our needs and our wants in the moment that we need them. We talked about the plan that the Lord has for each one of us. Even though it was a horrible incident and what happened was very bad, our Heavenly Father is there for each one of us. He knows more than we ever will know in certain circumstances. But, it is our responsibility to help our family and friends when we can and allow them to receive the blessings that the Lord can give to us through following the commandments and living the gospel correctly. I am so thankful to have the gospel in my life and friends and family it means so much to me. Thanks....

Other then this, I don’t really have much more to say. I love you guys and I am doing great. I am living the dream, FINDING THE ONE every day. I love and care about you guys, make it a special week! Gi, make it a special week. Strive to have more Christ-like attributes every day and the Lord will bless you. Serve others, study hard, play hard and live each day to its max. Mr. 210 and Slim Jim just keep working hard too. I love you guys so much. Thanks!

Aim high in all that you do and put your best foot forward every day! 

Con muho amor, 

Elder Long!