Well this week has been a little big more difficult to work because the people here in Chile start celebrating their independence day all week long and not many want to let us in, but we made the most of it and thanks to the wonderful ward members were able to continue working hard and teach many lessons. On the 16th there was a big earthquake and before we new it alarms were going off and everyone was running for their houses. Hermana Lance and I had no idea what was going on so we asked a lady in the street and she explained they were tsunami alarms and that we were safe being in Concepciòn but that she was going to go home because the waves of the tsumami would be coming soon. We just looked at eachother and quickly walked to the nearest members house. She was watching the news and aparently the earthquake had been stronger in the north of Chile. She told us we should be fine to keep working, but we were worried because there are many missionaries we know that live right on the coast and the cell phone lines had been cut off. In the night time our district leader was finally able to call us and told us we should prepare emergency backpacks just to be safe and prepared. I didn`t sleep very well that night, but in the morning we were informed that all the parts close to concepciòn were okay.
This past week I begun reading in the book of Alma and while I was reading realized how many times Alma pleads for people to repent and come unto Christ. After the earthquake I began thinking a lot about how we really never know what each day could bring. We never know when it is our time to leave this life or when Christ will come again all we know is that the day is near and we need to be constantly preparing ourselves. As I read in chapter 5 these two verses stuck out to me
59 For what shepherd is there among you having many sheep doth not watch over them, that the wolves enter notand devour his flock? And behold, if a wolf enter his flockdoth he not drive him out? Yea, and at the last, if he can,he will destroy him. 60 And now I say unto you that the good shepherd dothcall after you; and if you will hearken unto his voice he willbring you into his fold, and ye are his sheep; and hecommandeth you that ye suffer no ravenous wolf to enteramong you, that ye may not be destroyed.
Christ is like the shepherd watching over us who are his sheep. He has suffered for us so that we can be saved and become perfected in him. I know that he is calling after us and waits with arms wide open to greet and comfort us, but we have to be the ones to listen and act according to what we hear in order to be protected from the evil in this world.
I know that if we are constantly striving to place Christ in the center of our lives we will be prepared more every day for the time to meet our maker again. I hope you all have a wonderful week and remember how much I love you and am praying for you constantly. Thanks for your love, thoughts, and prayers.
Con harto amor,
Hermana Parkin