Monday, October 18, 2010

Well things are still going good here in Chile. We had some struggles this week. Macarena felt this spirit really strong and we had a lesson in which the spirit was there really strong. We talked about Joseph Smith and the first vision and I felt the spirit more this time than any other time in my mission. But when it all came down to it, she hasn't been praying and reading the scriptures daily so she wasn't ready for her baptism. I know that she is going to be baptized its just up to her when she's going to do it. But I know that the mission is meant for us just as much as its meant for the people we teach. I think that everyday my testimony is increased by about 50%. Its like adding more and more layers on a thick metal wall. Thats how are testimonies are formed and pretty soon they are unbreakable. But don't let the rust of sin wear down our thick metal testimony. We had a tough day yesterday because we had like 8 people firmly committed to church and there were members that went by to bring them to church and everything but so many things happened to keep them from coming to church and not one investigator showed up. It was pretty tough sitting there in sacrament meeting knowing that not one investigator came to church after working and teaching so much this week. But as I've said, through trials our faith is increased and it now gives me more desire to work and change that. Through faith miracles are worked and they never cease.

Well this week was pretty cool hearing about the rescue of the miners. I bet you guys got to see it but it definitely has the whole country united down here. Our mission president wrote us about it and gave us a little analogy. I'll write it here for you guys.
"Dear Sisters and Elders,

Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God (D&C 18:10)

What great news this past week that all thirty three trapped miners were rescued from some 2,300 meters below the surface. There are many lessons that can be applied from this rescue effort. I would like to share one that stands out to me.

When the mine collapsed, the status of the thirty three miners was unknown. The first step in rescuing them was to find out where they were and whether they had survived or not. With use of maps, rescue worker had a general idea of where they could be. They began boring exploratory holes in the vicinity of where they thought they may be. They drilled seven holes with no success. On the eighth attempt, they located them.

The size of the hole was just large enough to send a long cable through in which a written note could be attached. One of the miners wrote a note that said, “We are all alive” and attached it to the cable. When the note was received by rescue workers, they immediately went to work to create a plan how to bring the trapped miners to the service.

They created the plan and informed the miners that it would take many months to rescue them, possibly as late as Christmas. Meanwhile, through this small hole in which they had established communication with the miners they began to send food and medicine to help the miners survive. The plan was to drill another hole large enough to send a rescue capsule big enough in which one person could fit in to be brought to the surface. The rescue workers accomplished their plan earlier than expected and were able to rescue all thirty three miners.

The influence of the Holy Ghost acts as a life line to those whom are trapped by the burden of sin. As a person feels just enough of the influence of the Holy Ghost to learn that there is One who can rescue us all and brings peace and happiness into our lives, it brings hope. As the miners were sent nourishment to stay alive through a small hole until a big enough hole could be completed to bring them to the surface, the Holy Ghost brings spiritual nourishment as a person begins to pray, study the Book of Mormon and attend Church. The life line increases in size sufficient for a person to develop faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement and a desire to conform his or her will to the will of the Lord through repentance. Faith in Christ and repentance prepare a person to allow the Savior to rescue them through the sacred ordinance of baptism by water and the Spirit.

As those miners came to the surface, what joy was felt by family, love ones and the rescue workers. What joy is felt as a person comes to the surface of the waters of baptism, rescued from the bondage of sin to a new life.

15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me! (D&C 18:15-16)"

Well I know that now is my time to fulfill this scripture and see many souls brought into the kingdom of God. I love this work and I love my Savior. Thanks for everything. ¡Que siempre estén unidos en amor y caridad, y muestren a todos quienes son y lo que representan! Les amo, chao,

Elder Webb