Small and Simple Things I and II

('Small and Simple Things I' here, didn't have time to write both , so this is going to be like StarWars) Saturday- After just passing through one of the craziest and perspective giving events of my life, Elder Pedro and I start to make the run for the Highway to "snipe" a Remis (taxi). We couldn't find one so we kept making the run up the highway, I gave the rest of the cars there in the Highway a good show as I topple over a metal peg in the ground, and we as we finally entered the pension, I looked like I came out of an intense football game with blood and grassed stained pants. So overwhelmingly happy with all that we did today, we began sharing the experience with the other Elderes there... and then ... more. I got a message, Simoca. (As the Secretary of Records I get a lot of messages on the weekends) I opened the message, and there in Simoca with a smile as bright as his baptismal white clothes, Martin!!

Maria Eugenia y Martin For a while we had been teaching this family in Simoca, the flia Beltran (sometimes called Beltran 2, there's a lot). We had been teaching part of the family there, but it seemed they weren't too interested. So in time we had to let them go and keep finding people more interested. But the last time we past by, it was a dark and rainy night(1 of like 3 I've seen in all my time), during divisiones. We got to the house, couldn't see anything but darkness in the windows, but we clapped our hands. And to our surprise, someone came to greet us. A head poked out of the window ... It was María Eugenia (standing in the middle there, the Grandma of the family). We asked if her grandsons were there and it turned out that no. So we asked if we could share a quick message of Hope, of Jesus Christ with her. And she responded quickly and politely, as many do, that she was of another religion and didn't want to know anything. I said we understand, but as I was prompted, I said that more than anything we share messages of Christ. Of His Hope and His promise that families can be together forever. She accepted, and we briefly explained the mission of Christ and why through Him and His atonement we have Hope, that our families can be united for eternity. That one day we can see our lost loved ones again. And in this moment she opened up, explained how she had lost her husband earlier this year, and that it has been hard on her to see him go, and to go on by herself without him. We stood there, listening through a window, we rain dripping down our backs, taking in her story and trying to understand all she has passed through. We listened, then having to run, left her with our testimonies, from personal experience, that families really can be together forever thanks to Christ. I Know that is True. With that, we took off and said goodbye to Maria Eugenia. We passed a few more times after that, but never saw her there, and the part of the family we were teaching wasn't interested, so we stopped passing by. Then one day, we were speed walking in the street, to an appointment, when someone called us. We looked around, and it was the part of their family we had been teaching. They were like what are you doing, you've got to pass by our house and talk with our grandma. She wants you to come back, she says she has never felt peace like when you talked with her. Will you come back? wooah, alright, sí, when? We set up a day to visit, had a lesson, then set another day, another lesson, lessons with members, she walked 20 minutes to church faster than anyone I've ever seen(that's another good story), then another lesson, anotha one.... and then this happened.

Reflecting on all that has happened, just from one night, trying to give her some Hope through Christ amazes me. I remember walking away from that window, that cold rainy night, just glad we had the opportunity to give a bit of the Hope of Christ to Maria Eugenia. But through that one small moment, through the Spirit, the Comforter, she was touched, and had the desire to know more. The desire to receive more of this help, this hope from her Savior. And with every lesson, we saw her happier and happier. She would always talk about the peace she felt, the Spirit she felt. It amazes me that the Lord can use such small and simple things, small and simple moments in someone's life to make such a change. Now, her other Grandson, Martin (above) was baptized as well. He was always so excited to join us in the lessons with Maria Eugenia. I've never seen anyone in my life more excited and with such a desire to know the path of and follow the Savior. And now they have entered that path, Maria Eugenia and Martin, together, with others in their family shurely to follow. Sometimes the actions we make, the things we do in life may not seem to lead to much, and sometimes that might be true. Or sometimes we'll never see the results. I am so glad that we had the privilege to be instruments in the hands of the Lord, to share just a message, inspired from Him, of Hope. And that by Him, His Spirit, and the way it touched the heart of María Eugenia she has followed the example of her Savior and is setting an example for all of her family to follow. I know that as we follow the Savior, and do our best to take upon us His name and uplift those in need, invite all to come unto Him and to know Him, that He can do great things in their lives. I know that our labor is not in vain, because it is His work. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. I know that by small and simple things, great things are brought to pass. (Alma37:6). And as we seek and are attentive to His guidance, the Lord can use us to do these things.

¿What is it that the Lord wants me to do today, and how can I prepare myself to do so?