It has been another wonderful week here in the mission. It is crazy how many natural disasters have been happening in this country. The northern part has been receiving an intense amount of rain and it never rains there, and there have been some problems in the South with Volcanos. Here it seems to be okay for now, but we have been having a lot of mini earthquakes lately. The other day we were studying and our self started moving. It was the strongest earthquake I have ever felt. It was...interesting. I wasnt too scared. :) All of the wards around my area are have been collecting food and clothes for the people in the North of Chile. Please keep them in your prayers.
Speaking of prayers this week I received such a strong conviction of the power of specific prayers. My companion and I have been trying to find ways that we can serve the members, but every time we ask them if there is anything we can do they always say no we are okay thank you, just prayer for our family. After time I started writing the names of the people who asked for our prayers, but always forgot about them and hardly ever remembered to pray specifically for the families in the ward.
During our planning last week I felt inspired that a way to serve the members and gain their trust was through asking them for what things in specific we could pray for and then write it down and pray for them name by name with their needs. We started doing it this past week and it has been amazing how we have been able to find the real needs of the members of our ward. Each night we pray for them by name asking God to help them with their difificulties. I noticed that the members began to talk more openly with us because they could feel the sincere love and conceren we have for them.
When Sunday came, I was sitting in sacrament meeting and began looking around the room. An emotion came over me as I thought about all the people in my ward who I have come to love so much. I have been in Talcauahno for almost 6 months and have honestly feel like it is my home. It seems a little rude to keep me in one place for so long becuase I am growing so close to these people and cant bare the thought of leaving them.
I want to testify that the more specific we are with our prayers the more specific our answers will be. Pray is powerful! God listens and answers always. His love for us is incomprehensible. I also want to testify that I know my savior lives and during this week I challenge you all to study about his life and draw closer to him.
I am looking forward to General Conference and also would like to challenge you all to analize your lives and think about what questions you want answered. Pray every day to be in tune with the spirit and to prepare yourslef to receive personal revelation.
I love you all! Thank you for your prayers and constant support. Have a wonderful week!
Con harto amor,
Heramana Parkin