Lift Up Your Heart

Hello, my dear friends and family,

I'm sorry that the letter this week isn't filled with any miracles or any spiritual experiences in my life this week.  My companion has been sick this past week so it's consisted of a lot of studying and helping him out with everything.  But I was reading in the Liahona and I came across a quote that stuck out to me.  I've sent this to one of my friends already because I feel like this can help any of us with anything we're going through.  It's a quote from President Uchtdorf that reads, 

"Lift up your heart.  You may feel that your life is in ruins....You may be afraid, angry, grieving, or tortured by doubt.  But just as the Good Shepherd finds His lost sheep, if you will only lift up your heart to the Savior of the World, He will find you.  He will rescue you.  He will lift you up and place you on his shoulders.  He will carry you home."

Whoever may be reading this letter, I can promise you with all my heart, as a representative of Jesus Christ, that he is waiting for you to call for him.  To have the desire to change.  He is only one prayer away waiting to give you the comfort you need.  Let him rescue you.  

I love you all and thank you for all of your support that you all have given me.  i love serving the Lord and the blessings I have received from doing it.  Love you, take care.

--

-Elder Cheshire

"One of the moms sent us missionaries matching ties...I thought you would want a picture haha"

"hahaha I hope there wasn't anything too valuable inside. This is how I received it."

 

My week in Bolivia

HOLA QUERIDO FAMILIA Y AMIGOS

  This week we didn't have any baptisms but yesterday, we had an awesome opportunity to have our recent convert, Elian, receive the Aaronic Priesthood.  It was definitely something else to have helped a 16 year old boy receive that power to administer and bless the sacrament and to have the authority to baptize his brother and sister in the future when we can finally get a baptismal date for them.  

  Elian is the teenager that told us he didn't want to be baptized the DAY of his baptism.  But as we helped him to realize that he didn't have to have a perfect knowledge of all things before his baptism, he was baptized that day.  And now look where he has come.  I had said a short prayer to help us that day and the Lord blessed us with the ability to help him, and now look where he is.  It's such an awesome feeling to help people come unto Christ with this Restored Gospel.  I know that there is true power in prayer.  

In Matthew 6:8 it says: 

"...for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him."

Yes, in this particular situation, it wasn't my need.  I didn't need Elian to be baptized that day.  But perhaps the Lord knew that I would gain greater testimony of prayer and of this work if this experience happened in my life.  The Lord knew that I needed a testimony-builder.  The Lord works in his own way, but I do know that His way is perfect, and if we follow it with hope and faith that everything will be okay, he will make us become more like Him.  I sure do love this gospel a ton and I'm so grateful that I can wake up every day and share it with the people who need it.  I love all of you guys and your support for me.  I'll talk to you all soon.  If you're not praying everyday, I encourage you to do it.  I can promise you that there will be a difference in your life.  Los amo mucho, have a great week.

--

-Elder Cheshire

Mi Queridos

Hela familia y amigos.

   This week was pretty great.  We had two more baptisms this Saturday for two young boys named Nefi and Alexander, both from different families.  Alexander is from a family who was baptized by my companion a month before I came into the field and now their whole family is baptized except for their little girl who is 6 years old.  They are preparing to go to the temple next year.  It's so awesome to be able to testify to other people of the special blessing of being sealed as a family for all time and eternity.  And to be able to testify about my experience when I was sealed to my awesome family 10 years ago.

   After Alexander was baptized, his father came up to my companion and said, (in Spanish)  "Thank you, I'm so happy" and just these simple words brought so much joy to me because from this short sentence, I could feel the sincerity of his father.  They are an awesome family who love the Book of Mormon and are constantly strengthening their testimonies.  

   I'm so thankful for the opportunity that I have to be here and to teach about families and to help all of these people receive the blessins of making covenants.  

   My District Leader shared a scripture with me last night that is in D&C 103:36 that reads:  "All victory and glory is brought to pass unto you through your diligence, faithfulness, and prayers of faith."  I promise with all my heart that this is true.  I have felt it in this great work and it can apply to every one of you.  I love you all and I hope you all have a fantastic week, talk to you soon!

--

-Elder Cheshire

"Botanical Gardens"

"This was already there...I DID NOT VANDALIZE" hahaha!

Querida familia y amigos

¡Buenas dias a todos!

   Well, this week we didn't have any baptisms, I know bummer.:/  But we did have another blessing.  That was having the opportunity to listen to a Prophet and Apostles that have been called of God.  I'll tell you one thing, when on a mission, you're constantly telling others about the importance of a prophet and apostles on the earth today, trying to let others know that we do have this great blessing of listening to these men twice a year.  After constantly teaching others and learning of the importance of these servants, you come to find such a greater appreciation for them and their council.  If you had the opportunity to listen, could you feel the power from their words?  It's crazy that you can feel that their words are inspired to help each and every one of us to better ourselves.  

   The same thing applies to all parts of the doctrine, Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End.  Every day as a missionary, I have the blessing of  teaching  others about these things.  And as I teach, I come to have such a great appreciation for every single one of them.  I heard in conference, (I can't remember from whom, I don't have my notebook with me right now, my apologies) "What shall we give, in return for so much?"  I believe it was from President Uchtdorf.  But it is a great question.  What are we giving in our lives, in return for all of the blessings that we have?  Serving a mission in this country that is poor of money, yet rich in happiness has showed me one thing.  How lucky we are to have all that we do at our homes.  The people here at times, have close to nothing.  Yet they invite the missionaries in and give us bread, drinks, the most comfortable chairs that they have, just for us to feel more comfortable.  Happiness comes from serving others, I am a witness that this is true.  I've already learned so much from my mission that I will be able to use for the rest of my life.

   I love you all and I'm so grateful for all of your support of me.  You all mean the world to me and I'm so grateful to have people like you in my life.  Much love.

--

-Elder Cheshire