Commitment

We went on a nature walk (it wasn't a hike because there aren't any mountains here...)

This is what happened this week:

- We went to a dog funeral. 

- We were almost interpreters at a wedding.

-Maricela and her daughter Jocelyn came to church! Maricela is super excited to get baptized! July 22 (fingers crossed)

- Andres is no longer on date because he hasn't come to church sufficient times. Super sad. He needs prayers. 

- Elder Gavarret from the quorum of the 70 came to visit us! He is so cool! I had the special opportunity to have an interview with him, and I can testify he is called of God. We also got to teach Ricardo with his wife sis Gavarret, who is equally amazing! Sister Griffin and Elena came too (there were 6 women and Ricardo, haha). Right before we ended, Elder Gavarret and Pres. Griffin walked in and Elder Gavarret gave the closing prayer for us. It was such a cool day! 

- Ricardo is no longer on date. He started pushing back a bit and seems scared to take that jump, even though he comes to church almost every week and every event we invite him to. Speaking of, we had a really cool miracle on Saturday! We invited him to a baptism in Geneva (Aurora Ward) and the church building there has a weird address that doesn't show up in the gps. So he was running late, and then got lost, and we were freaking out a bit. We said a prayer and asked specifically that the spirit would inspire him to know where to go, and he would get here in time for the baptismal ordinance. We were waiting by the door and heard from the room that they were starting the baptismal ordinance, and in that exact second Ricardo pulled up! We ran out to get him, ran to the room, and got there just as the elder started saying the baptismal prayer! It was a Christmas miracle. We then stayed for the food and of course, the Aurora Ward is full of people I love. So that was a tender mercy. 

This chip looks like Illinois!

This week I've learned a lot about the importance of commitment, and keeping that commitment well. I love this quote:

"Immersion in the scriptures is essential for spiritual nourishment. The word of God inspires commitment and acts as a healing balm for hurt feelings, anger, or disillusionment. When our commitment is diminished for any reason, part of the solution is repentance. Commitment and repentance are closely intertwined."

-Quentin L Cook (Can ye feel so now? Oct 2012)

If that commitment is honesty in business, your marriage commitment to love and support your companion, your commitment to serve a worthy full-time mission, or to come to church this week- when we keep our commitments, we are blessed. When we don't, repentance needs to be involved. We need to keep our commitments, and not only keep them, but keep them well. 

Have a wonderful week!

The shirt burning! (And liter fluid)

Hermana Hokanson

We had a BBQ with Ricardo to burn an inappropriate shirt he had. :)