Leaving La Jara

 Oi pessoal! 

Yes, I'm leaving La Jara already. I definitely didn't expect that after being in Castle Rock for so long. I'll miss Elder Anderson and Elder Dunn a lot, but I know they'll continue doing great things. Everyone in the Valley was super nice, I'll miss all those friendly faces. 

 

Here's a miracle we had right before I left: one day at church we saw a man that we hadn't seen at church ever before, we talked to him and found out that he and his wife were coming back to church, and wanted us to teach their 9 year old son named Zabien. Finding people to teach in La Jara doesn't happen often, so we were excited! We got Zabien a Children's storybook Book of Mormon (one with lots of pictures and not as many words) and went to their house to teach them. It turns out, we're their neighbors! So only about a 20 second walk away, who would've thought? Sadly, I won't be around to see Zabien get baptized, but I'm really happy I was able to teach him a few times. 

Another thing that happened in the Valley, we were driving away from the other Elders apartment when we saw some girls poking a big bird on the side of the road. When we went to see what had happened, we saw that it was a hawk that had been hurt. Elder Dunn wants to be a vet, so he was all over this. We called animal control and local police, then waited until an officer showed up to help. Animal control was going to take an hour to arrive, so we left since it was very cold. I don't know how that hawks doing, but I hope it's alright.

Although I won't be in the Valley anymore, I'll be in  the southern part of  Pueblo. My mom lived  in the north part  when she was 3 to 6 years old!. My grandfather Gary worked at the state hospital there.  Pueblo seems to be a unique and interesting place and I’m sure my adventures will continue.

During my studies in the Book of Mormon this week, I read 3 Nephi chapter 11. This is when Jesus Christ visits the Americas and ministers to these people as well after his resurrection.  He explains how he was talking about them in John 10:16:

16 And aother bsheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be cone fold, and one shepherd.

 Jesus teaches his gospel to them as he had taught in Jerusalem. This chapter is one of my favorites in all of scripture, there are so many lessons to be learned. One of which is about how to feel the Holy Ghost’s influence in our lives. The Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit, can speak to our very heart and soul if we let it. 3 Nephi chapter 11:3 reads: ”… It did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn.”

The Holy Ghost speaks to us in many ways, one of which for me is a feeling of warmth, similar to that which these people felt at the coming of Christ. We don't need to see Jesus in person to experience these things, we can feel the joy that the Holy Ghost brings in our daily lives! One way that I feel the joy of the spirit most is by studying the scriptures, the Bible and especially the Book of Mormon, another Testament of Jesus Christ. Invite you to read of the Savior and his gospel in this holy record.  I promise that as you read and pray about  the teachings of Jesus Christ  you can feel as these people did, and know the truth of it’s teaching of Christ and his gospel in your soul. As we live the teachings of Jesus Christ we come to know him and become like him to better serve and love his children.  I love you all. 

Eu Amo cada um de voces!

Elder Madsen

https://fletchermadsen.blogspot.com/

fletchermadsen@missionary.org




















 

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