Week 68 (What is the True Key to Happiness?)

Dear family and friends,

My first week with my firstborn child in the desert and we survived! Mostly uninjured ;).

Actually it was a great week!

Monday I traveled to Torreon to pick up my Hija. It was a great little journey with some of my best friends in the mission. I arrived, found my child and then we sat through capacitaciones. We ate lasagna for dinner and then we left for Durango again...(7 hours en camion this day). We arrived at about 9 pm. 

Martes was a great day! Hna Parra really has a big desire to be here. She is working on developing the habits of a missionary and I know that she is going to become the most powerful sister missionary (obviously because she is my hija ;) )

Miercoles, well another great day! We are working hard. This day I loved how God planned everything so perfectly. A miracle happened and we found a reference that we had been looking for since forever! God led us right to them at the exact moment that they were entering in their house! Yay for God's plan!

Jueves, still finding more nuevos investigadores geniales!

Viernes was awesome! We went to eat at a Chinese Buffet! Sooooo good and while we were there, there was a cute baby boy seated across the way and my companion was waving and playing with him. When we finished eating my companion felt prompted to share the gospel with them, so we did and they accepted! Yay!! Superpoderosa Hija! I hope we can visit them and have lots of success with this family!!

Sabado still working hard! I have loved the diligence that we have seen this week!! I hope all our hard work pays off!

Domingo we had 3 in church!! Yay! We are working so hard to make miracles happen, so that we can baptize 2 of our eternal investigators in February and we are working super hard for fechas in March. Here we go!

Well, I was studying in the morning and I found something that is so beautiful and so true!! In "True to the Faith" under service is says "you will find that the true key to happiness is to labor for the happiness of others." I know that is so true! Why do you think that missions and families are the two places where you can experience the most joy? If we want to be truly happy, we will labor for the happiness of others. We won't think of what we need. We will think of the needs of others and we will be AWARE of their needs. Sometimes we think, "oh well, if they need help they will tell me and I will help them." NO, that is not the way. We have to constantly be in contact with friends, family, ward members - not to just pass time, but to know their needs and to then satisfy that need with our time and talents. We must take the initiative. We can't wait because that is too late. Christ took the initiative to heal the sick, to make the blind see, and to give comfort to those in need of comfort. He didn't ask if they needed help. He only saw and acted. As members we need to stop just looking on and start acting! Every day there are people that need our help - physically, emotionally, mentally, and financially. We have the obligation to help because when we were baptized, we promised Christ and our Heavenly Father that we would do so. (Mosiah 18:8-10). Sometimes we may think, "I don't have time" or "Someone else will do it" or we just watch and see what happens or even worse we just don't even care enough to want to help them. But we have to remember that these are our brothers and sisters. We should ask ourselves - "If it was my mother, my father, my brother or sister how would I react to help them?" Let's treat all of those around us as family. I invite you to meditate on this phrase "You will find that the true key to happiness is to labor for the happiness of others." I want you to analyze your life and look for ways that you can stop thinking of your own life and happiness and instead think of how you can labor for the happiness of someone else in your life. Look for ways to bring about this labor in the life of someone else you know. I promise that if you do this, you will increase your faith, you will develop more talents, increase your capacity to serve and receive never ending happiness and many more blessings!!

I love you all! Hope you have an amazing week!

Love,

Hermana Lutze

Week 68

Querida Hermana Lutze,

Two things- I need your essays TODAY. This is due Wednesday for scholarships next year and two have you heard anything about your ecclesiastical endorsement from the office?

Life here has been absolutely crazy! I think we have a black cloud hanging out over the house. Sunday we were in the ED with Hannah because of the terrible headaches she's been having... come to find out she has a huge sinus infection with no outward symptoms. We're trying to find out the right class load for her right now with all of these health issues. I have appts with a BYU MD next week, ENT, and a neuropsychologist. I really think she's suffering from post concussive syndrome. Despite the difficulties, prayers have been answered and I've felt very guided in who I talk to and the answers I receive. We'll get there.

Natalie got her Driver's license on Monday. Yikes! It's been a huge blessing this week as I've had other things to deal with to have her drive to volunteering and take Jakob to a few of his things. :) She loves the independence.

Jakob's been busy with training and helping at the new Space Center at Renaissance. He also took a reffing class this week. It's about 12 hours worth of work but he can now ref 9th grade and below and get paid some pretty decent money so he can start saving for his mission. He also had a BB game. They lost in OT. It was an awesome game. He scored 6-8 points and played a great defensive game. 

Dad went to listen and participate with the Millennial Choir on Thursday. He came away impressed. He said the conductor was really good, the music different, and the singers talented. He tries out next week. I'm excited for him.

I've been the doctor of death this week... the dishwasher died, my computer, and I got food poisoning Wednesday. I puked all night long-remembering my food poisoning in California! Dad gave me a blessing towards the morning. In it he told me I would not puke anymore and I would be able to rest. I had faith that this was true. Dad said it so powerfully that I actually opened my eyes during the blessing and looked around. He told me later that he felt the same way and felt like he could leave me to go to work. I was able to sleep the rest of the day in between making phone calls to help Hannah. The Lord likes to teach me before and even sometimes after I talk on certain subjects. He's been teaching me about "acting in faith" both before and after our Stake Women's conference.

We attended a Vocal Point concert last night. They are amazing! The beat boxer was incredible! They sang two songs that really touched me because of the events this week. They talked about how we are never alone and then sang "Nearer My God to Thee!" Even though things have been very difficult, I testify that if we will not harden our hearts and come to Him we will feel closer to Him through our trials. I know this to be true now and through past experiences. They also sang "Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy" 335 and talked about how we can be that light for others. I hope you know the words to this hymn. We sang it this summer while in Washington and it really stood out to me because all of the lighthouses we had seen. We truly can be a lighthouse for others during their darkest hours. 

1. Brightly beams our Father’s mercy

From his lighthouse evermore,

But to us he gives the keeping

Of the lights along the shore.

(Chorus)

Let the lower lights be burning;

Send a gleam across the wave.

Some poor fainting, struggling seaman

You may rescue, you may save.

2. Dark the night of sin has settled;

Loud the angry billows roar.

Eager eyes are watching, longing,

For the lights along the shore.

3. Trim your feeble lamp, my brother;

Some poor sailor, tempest-tossed,

Trying now to make the harbor,

In the darkness may be lost.

Text and music: Philip Paul Bliss, 1838-1876

We love you and hope this finds you well and happy! I have no doubts that you will work diligently to the end! 

Love,

Mom

Week 67 (Just Kidding...Have Patience!)

I have to preface this letter from Hermana Lutze... I thought it was ironic that she talks about patience when I had quickly assumed (showing my lack of patience?😀) yesterday that we would not receive a letter from her this week. 

Querida familia y amigos,

Well, another great week in the mission, We still haven't had fruit here, but I think we are finding some really great people that can progress!

Let's see, Monday we had an activity for only las Hermanas because we are super poderosas. Only las hermanas reached their goal in baptisms so we had a party! We watched a movie, we played games and we ate Carne asada, chiles with cheese, quesadillas! It was so delicious!!! 

Tuesday We are still working hard right now. This area doesn't have anyone with a baptismal date, so we are working on finding the chosen ones. We had to drop some people today that were not going to progress. Sometimes it's hard to do that, but it is important that they know the consequences of their decisions. They have their free agency. 

Wednesday we encountered a woman named Silvia who looks like she could progress! She is already reading the Book of Mormon with her husband! The only hard part is finding them at home. However, where there's a will there's a way!

Thursday we continued to explore our area. I am trying to memorize it as fast as I can!

Friday we had a great capacitacion de Zona and found some amazing new investigators! Yay! I hope we are getting closer to the escogidos!

Saturday was a great day as well! We contacted una hermana and as we talked she started to cry and express that she is passing through difficulties in her life. Sadly she is not in our area, but I love how the gospel can help everyone in every situation. We also went to visit Ma. Guadalupe and she accepted a baptismal date! Yay! However she has to go out of town for 2 weeks. When she gets back I think she is going to progress a lot and be baptized! That is what we are praying for :).

Sunday, sadly our investigators with baptismal dates didn't come so we are back to zero. But it's okay because we are going to continue to work with our new investigators and find the people that really want to go to church and have the gospel in their lives. You learn a lot of patience in the mission with your investigators, with your area, with your companion, with yourself. In fact, there is a whole new level of patience that you have to learn in the mission. 

In Preach My Gospel it says, 

Patience is the capacity to endure delay, trouble, opposition, or suffering without becoming angry, frustrated, or anxious. It is the ability to do God’s will and accept His timing. When you are patient, you hold up under pressure and are able to face adversity calmly and hopefully. Patience is related to hope and faith—you must wait for the Lord’s promised blessings to be fulfilled.

“Life is full of difficulties, some minor and others of a more serious nature. There seems to be an unending supply of challenges for one and all. Our problem is that we often expect instantaneous solutions to such challenges, forgetting that frequently the heavenly virtue of patience is required.”

–President Thomas S. Monson

Now that type of patience is hard to develop. To not get angry frustrated or anxious. To accept the will and timing of the Lord. But this is the type of patience that we need. The patience that is full of faith and hope, the patience that can endure all things. I am still not perfect at this type of faith, but I am trying to learn to trust more in my Heavenly Father, do my part and wait for my promised blessings with the assurity that they will come. I am working on having more faith and hope in Him. However, I know that we will need this type of patience in the future with the problems and challenges that are going to come in the future. We are going to have to hold on to this kind of patience so that we can keep the faith that everything will be okay and that God hasn't abandoned us, that He is still with us watching over us. We have to remember this part of Doctrine and Covenants 136:31 "My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom."

It is a necessary part of this life and we must bear it with patience so that God may bless us with His eternal Glory. That is what He has waiting for us!

I love you all so much! I invite you all to become more patient this week and study how the Savior showed patience.

Love,

Hermana Lutze

Week 67 (I'm a Mommy Again!)

Hna. Parra y Hna. Lutze

Las Hnas y Los Maldonado

Las Hnas y Hna Maldonado

Hoy Hna Lutze estuvo en las oficinas, vino por su neuva companera a quien va a entrenar.

La Hna. Parra es de Oaxaca

(Hna. Lutze was at the mission office today to pick up her new companion Hna. Parra. She will be training her. She's from Oaxaca.)

Que bien! Ella es una mama otra vez!

(That's great! She's a mommy again!)

Si y sera una magnifica mama!

(Yes and she will be a magnificent mom.)

This was the only communication we had yesterday. I was so grateful to Hno. Maldonado for relaying this information to us so we knew what she was up to and why she hadn't written. :)

Week 67

Querida Hermana Lutze,

I'm so glad you like your new companion and you are working hard in your new area. You will be blessed! Please see the e-mail on your ecclesiastical endorsement and remember the essays that I need today! Life here has been busy this week. I took it easy until Monday evening and then was back at it on Tuesday. Hannah is really struggling and needs your prayers! Just love her. That's what she needs right now! Natalie celebrated her 16th birthday yesterday. We took a group of 12 to Laser Assault in Provo and then they came back here for pizza, presents, and cake/ice cream. It turned out great considering that we put it together the day before! I'm taking her tomorrow to get her driver's license. Jakob's been busy with basketball and soccer. He seems to like both. He also helped us shovel a ton of snow on Thursday and yesterday. We received almost a foot of snow yesterday. I got stuck a few times over at the Russells as I was picking Jakob up. I've been working hard to help everyone with their various activities and I'm beginning to plan more of the details of our trip. I attended Book Club Thursday evening for the selection of our books to read this year. I think it will be a good year. Dad is going to start singing with the Millennial Choir-at least he's going to go listen next Thursday and see if it meets his standards. :) 

I'm excited about our theme for Ward Conferences this year - joy and spiritual survival. This is based in part on President Nelson's recent conference address. I've been reading an incredible book by Truman G. Madsen entitled Sacramental Reflections. Here's a little bit I wanted to share with you today:

"Rarely do we take the sacrament or other ordinances alone. Jesus has proclaimed that his cup is 'ever-flowing' as we drink of it. His living water will 'spring up to everlasting life." All of the Lord's gifts are inexhaustible. His promises are complete: Everyone is an heir of all-and not just some. The treasures of eternity are in the depths of Christ's personality. The more they are received the more they are, in his pattern, given. Love is not diminished but increased when bestowed, for love generates love. Light is not a quantity that will be detached and carried away until it runs out. Intelligence is not spent by sharing, but grows expansively. The truth can be taught to one or a million, and in the very teaching its influence is increased. The more who come to know, the more truth is apparent, and the more extensive its dominion. One day truth, his shining truth, will fill the earth, and the earths, 'as the waters cover the sea.' "

I love the thought of how you as a missionary are spreading the dominion of truth! You are sharing His love and His light. Think of this as you partake of the water next Sunday.

Love you!

Mom

P. S. Remember that things fall into place when we first focus on love!

Week 66 (In All Diligence)

Dear family and friends,

Wow, wow, wow! This week has just been chalk full of work! So like I told you I changed areas. I'm now in Barrio Central in the Estaca Durango Mexico. I'm with my darling companion Hna Cortes! 

Monday we went preaching in the afternoon because we didn't have Reunion de Districto.

Tuesday was our Zone Conference! I already knew what was going to be taught, but I tried to participate and remind the zone leaders if they forgot something. It was a good conference and what was left of the day we spent walking and talking and meeting strangers ;).

Wednesday through Sunday Well, I don't really remember many details because it was all basically the same. It was days filled with a lot of work. They baptized the people they had and they didn't have new investigators, so we have been working hard to find new investigators this week.  I think we have found a couple potentials! The only hard part is getting them to go to church. We had two people go to church, but sadly they were not our new investigators. But, I think this week we are really going to see some progress!! 

This week I have been thinking a lot about 'Diligence' for many reasons. One is because I am nearing the end of my time here in the mission. Another because I want to endure to the end - not only in the mission, but for the rest of my life. The only way to truly endure to the end is to perfect our diligence in life. I've always loved the words of President Eyring from the video "La Expiacion y La Obra Misional". This talk was written for the priesthood holders, but it applies to everyone. He says: "From the cross on Calvary, the Savior announced, “It is finished.”11 Then His spirit left His body, and His mortal remains were placed lovingly in a tomb. He taught us a lesson by what He did in three days in the spirit world, before His Resurrection, which I remember whenever I am tempted to feel that I have finished some hard task in His service and deserve a rest.

The Savior’s example gives me courage to press on. His labors in mortality were finished, but He entered the spirit world determined to continue His glorious work to save souls. He organized the work of the faithful spirits to rescue those who could still be made partakers of the mercy made possible by His atoning sacrifice. Remember the words from the 138th section of the Doctrine and Covenants:

“But behold, from among the righteous, he organized his forces and appointed messengers, clothed with power and authority, and commissioned them to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness, even to all the spirits of men; and thus was the gospel preached to the dead.

“And the chosen messengers went forth to declare the acceptable day of the Lord and proclaim liberty to the captives who were bound, even unto all who would repent of their sins and receive the gospel.”12

Whenever we remember Him, it becomes easier to resist the temptation to  want a rest from our priesthood labors. We must have remembered Him  today, and so we are here to learn our duties, determined to do what we are covenanted to do, in all diligence. And because of His example we will endure to the end of the tasks He gives us in this life and be committed to  do the will of His Father forever, as He was and is.

This is the Lord’s Church. He called us and trusted us even in the weaknesses He knew we had. He knew the trials we would face. By faithful service and through His Atonement, we can come to want what He wants and be what  we must be to bless those we serve for Him. As we serve Him long enough and with diligence, we will be changed. We can become evermore like Him."

I know that diligence is not easy from personal experience. It takes a lot of practice and dedication. However it is the only way to become what our Heavenly Father wants for us. As Henry B. Eyring taught, the Lord never rested. He kept working with all diligence for the salvation of our souls. Even after He had done the hardest thing known to man. The least we can do to repay Him is act in all diligence when He calls upon us. Act in all diligence in our families, in our callings, in our service to one another, in our spiritual growth, in sharing the gospel, and in our covenants. The Lord  has high expectations, but it is because He knows what we can become. He knows what we are capable of and He knows what is waiting for us after this life. However, just as Henry B. Eyring says, we have to learn our duty here on earth and act with all diligence so that what He wants becomes what we want. I know its not easy to always do what God wants and I know that it is not easy to get up every day and go to the battlefield. Sometimes our natural man takes control. However, we must learn to have that endurance in life. Just like an athlete needs to build up endurance, we also must build up endurance, but spiritually, so we can always be doing the Lord's will - always be on the Lord's errand. I know we have so many imperfections and things to change, but the best thing we can do is just start where we are and work from there, work with diligence and I know that we will all get to where God wants us to be. So I invite you to act with diligence in all aspects of your lives, to always be doing what God wants you to do and not the world. So that you won't only be 'Sunday' Mormons but 'Everyday' Mormons - people that the Lord can trust and that have integrity. If you do it, I promise you that you will find more peace, direction and happiness in your lives and be able to receive the blessings you are looking for in this moment. 

I love you all so much!

Have a great week, be diligent!

Love,

Hermana Lutze

I will miss you Los Maldonado!

Week 66

Querida Hermana Lutze,

I hope my letter makes sense! I'm still taking a little bit of narcotic post surgery and I don't feel quite like myself yet! I hate this feeling! It really blocks the spirit. This week was the usual busy. Hannah is trying to settle back into school as well as Natalie and Jakob. Jakob also had two basketball games. They actually won the only one I've been able to attend so that was nice. He also had a couple of soccer practices. He was complimented on Thursday for being so kind and opening a door for a girl that he was with... that is so rare these days. I'm glad to hear that he's being a gentleman. Surgery went well on Thursday. I had a good anesthesiologist and surgeon and everything went smoothly. I hope to be back to work this week or next. We shall see how things go. 

How's your new area? Your new companion? What's her name? Where's she from? How long has she been out? Have you been in this area before or just in Durango? Keep working hard to the very end. Please answer those essay questions today so I can apply for scholarships for you. They are due by the end of the month. 

I've been reading a new book under Church History in the Gospel Library entitled "Revelations in Context." I love it! It's a great way to understand the historical context of the revelations in the D&C. :) I attended a meeting about Justserve.org that the church has created. Have you heard of this down there? I'm not sure it's outside of the United States yet. It's a website that  you sign up on and then put in the zip code where you are located and you can find all sorts of service opportunities. They even have an app for your phone. 

Two verses of scripture that really stood out to me this week are found in Alma 4:15, "[he] began to be very sorrowful; nevertheless the Spirit of the Lord did not fail him" and v 19 "[there was] no way that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them." These two verses are so key to missionary work and life. We will have many times in our lives and mission in which we are very sorrowful but we must remember that the Spirit will not fail us. The Spirit will be there to comfort us. And bearing pure testimony is the key to bringing others to Christ. They will feel of your love for them and the truth of which you speak.

Love you!

Mom

Week 65 (The Will of God)

Dear family and friends,

Wow, another week has already gone by!! I can't believe that I have been with Hna Pira for a month! It's crazy and I can't believe that I am almost down to my last 12 weeks!! The mission really does just fly by!

Let's see what I remember from this week.

I think I forgot to tell you that last Sunday we had our New Year's Party and it was awesome!! We went to the Maldonados house with the Liders de Zona and los Asistentes. We ate cabrita (goat), pierna, and loma and it was all so good!!  We also had the Zombie Hour when the Elderes decided they wanted to eat everything on the goat. They ate the tongue, brain, eyes, face, kidneys, liver, intestines, everything!!! Some of it was so gross ;). jajaja! It was a fun night! We also played Uno Extremo! I am going to have to teach it to you when I get home!

Monday was a great day as well. We had our New Year's sports activity. I still dominate at soccer!! So much fun! Afterwards we all went to eat pizza together and then in the night time we went to eat at a restaurant that has the best tacos al pastor with all the Hnas de Gomez!!! Great day!

Tuesday a miracle happened and we found an investigator that we had been looking for! He called out to us while we were passing by and  we talked to him and he begged us to keep teaching him and of course we said yes! I really hope this investigator progresses. He is such a good person with such great desires! Then we went to see dear Lety. She is also amazing! She is going to get baptized real soon. We just have to help her quit smoking! She learns so quickly and really loves the gospel!

Wednesday was also a great day! We went to visit our lovely investigator Ildenne! She is an "abuelita" that is so darling! She will be baptized soon!!  Next we visited with Juan Carlos and this time we found his wife as well. She was very, very closed off, but after we talked for awhile, she started to open up a little. It's amazing how the gospel and the Spirit have the power to soften the hardest hearts! We also went to visit Icela who is angry with God right now and we are trying to help her. We had a neat experience with the Spirit. It was now night time and normally we don't contact that much when it's that dark outside because (let's be honest) there are a lot of strange people that walk around here at night. However, we saw these two women coming towards us. We almost didn't contact them. However we felt the impression to contact them, so we did and they are de oro!! Investigadores de oro!! She is the Hna Alicia. Yay!! For that very reason we must always listen to the Spirit.

Thursday we had Planeamiento and then an awesome lesson with Pedro and his family. We got on the topic of the Second Coming of Christ - He is close and that we need to prepare. You should have seen their excitement, worry, and wonder in regards to preparing for His Second Coming.  We taught them the Gospel of Christ and they too are getting ready for baptism. Yay!!

Friday we had an incredible time in Consejo de Lideres. We had amazing presentations and the Spirit was so strong. At the end of the conference everyone was crying, even all the elders ;) Mission accomplished!

Saturday was another great day! We went to see all our investigators that we want to go to church with us. I think the most amazing part of the day was when we went to  visit Alicia. When we arrived we saw a shrine for her daughter that died in an accident. As we began to talk and share the gospel, I had the most amazing impression. I had the impression that her daughter was there with us in spirit and that she was listening and rejoicing to see that the gospel had found her family. She was rejoicing to finally have the opportunity to accept the gospel if her mother accepts the gospel. It reaffirmed to me that we really do have to talk with everyone because it is not only their salvation but also the salvation of all their ancestors!

Sunday was a good day!! We had 5 investigators that went to church! Lety, Tomas, Pedro, Ildenne and Yuli! In the nighttime, they called to tell me that I have cambios. So now I am again in Durango in Barrio Central. We will see how it goes here! I sure am going to miss Filadelfia.

Something that I have been thinking about this week is a problem that one of our investigators Icela has. She passed through some hardships and asked God for help, but what she asked for never came. The help never came and now she is angry with God. She asks us why He left her alone and why He let this happen? I think we all do that at times. I think we ask at times 'why'? But I have come to learn that we need to trust in the Lord. We have to understand that He doesn't do things to hurt us or tempt us. He only does things to help us grow in the direction He wants us to grow. This life is going to be filled with problems and trials. Some of them we bring upon ourselves with our incorrect decisions and lack of obedience to the commandments, some of them come from the temptations of Satan, and some trials come from God to see if we will be faithful to Him in all that we do and at all times. These things cut us down, but only so we can grow back stronger and more beautiful than we were before. I really like a Mormon Message that is called "The Will of God." It talks about His will for us and how we have to accept it. If we truly have faith in God we will not be angry with Him for our trials, but grateful that He has a plan for us and wants us to become more than we are today. We need to try to accept our trials, knowing that everything will work for our good and that God knows what He is doing.

So, I urge you all to face your trials with gratitude and happiness no matter how hard, to watch this video, and to always, always trust in the judgment of God.

Well, I love you all so much and hope you all have a beautiful week!!

Con Amor,

Hna Lutze

Here's the address to "The Will of God":   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rr8xvw0cgw0

Week 65

Querida Hermana Lutze,

Espero que todo anda bien alli en la mision! Vida aqui esta loco como siempre! We enjoyed a nice weekend up at Papa's with the Weights. We came home fairly early Monday. I had lots to do at the house and a snowstorm moved in that dumped a foot of snow at Papa's. I haven't seen that much snow up there in a really long time. Luckily Brent was there and helped him snow blow his drive way. It took them well over two hours! Dad Brent and Papa gave Hannah a blessing Monday in anticipation of her surgery on Tuesday. We were all very emotional. Surgery went well. She did have stridor in the PACU and same day surgery until respiratory therapy finally gave her a Racemic Epi treatment. The recovery is taking longer than Hannah would like but she is getting there. She starts school tomorrow so hopefully it won't take too much longer. She will be singing in a few minutes in the Worldwide Devotional at 6 pm. I hope we get to see her. We moved her back into her apartment last night. :) I spent the week either at work or taking care of Hannah. I even did some work at home which I don't usually mix the two. Dad's appt with the cardiologist went well and they took him off one of his medications. I went to lunch with Amy Dahl on Friday and had a great visit with her. She and Jason got a divorce last year. I'll have to share that with you at another time. I attended the temple in the morning. Oh how I love the temple! You must miss it?! Marissa flew back in on Friday and headed to Provo. Dad and I went to our first play of the year that night. I spoke yesterday in the Stake Women's Conference. It went really well. Sister Dalton and President Lyman were incredible. I couldn't take notes fast enough. I was exhausted by the end because the spirit was so strong during the meeting. Sister Dalton's talk impressed upon me the importance of purity in our lives so we can always have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost and President Lyman's talk the importance of frequent temple worship. I've attached my talk if you'd like to read it. I love you and I'm so grateful for your service to the Lord.

Love,

Mom

Week 64 (God is a God of Miracles!)

Dear family and friends,

Another week has just flown by! I can't believe that it is now 2017!!! That is sooooo strange! I never thought this year would arrive and I definitely never thought it would arrive so fast.

Monday we played sports all day long and then hung out with the Hnas because we didn't have Reunion de Distrito. All in all it was a good day and let's just say that I dominated at soccer even with the Latinos! ;) Jyeessssss, I've still got it even after 14 months without conditioning! 

Tuesday was a great day as well! We went on splits in the morning and I contacted this abuelita. She turned out to be a great new investigator. Pobrecita, she has some big problems in her life, but she wants to change and live in peace and happiness. We also prepared things for the baptism of Josefina! Yay! She is so great and really has a desire to be baptized!

Wednesday we found some great new investigators in the morning. We even invited someone to baptism in the street and she accepted. So that was awesome! We will see if she progresses! The best part of the day was that evening at the baptism of Josefina!!!!! There were so many miracles that made everything go so well. The biggest of these was that she calmly went below the water even though the water was low (because the font didn't fill in time - #missionaryprobs.) I think the most beautiful miracle of the evening was when she told us that before her baptism she felt really depressed and weighed down and afterward she felt light and happy!! Yay! We not only want our investigators to be baptized but to also have this feeling.

Thursday we had our Junta con los Asistentes which was very inspired and helped us realize some things that we need to do better and things that we are doing well. The funny part of this day is that all day everyone called Hna Pira and I fat!!! We are actually not fat but everyone that we met made fat jokes to Hna Pira and they called me Guerota (big white girl) all day!!! We couldn't believe it! In addition, my companion also got really lost with the member that she was with!! They went the extra miles you could say ;)!

Friday we had an amazing lesson with Roberto. He is a new investigator and has made some bad, bad decisions in his life but now he truly wants to change. I only hope that we can now help him make his dream a reality.

Saturday we met an amazing young woman! She has 18 years and she already has two kids one that is 10 and the other 8. She has had a hard past but this is what I love about the gospel!!! It has the solution to everything!!! (Even your math problems). I am really praying that she accepts the gospel -the light and happiness into her life!!! 

Sunday was a little sad because only one investigator went to church with us. No me diga it's going to be a challenge to bring investigators to church now that we enter in at 8 in the morning!!! They are going to have to truly be "escogidos"! Even though not many went today, I know that the following week is going to be better!

This week I have been thinking about parents that have children that have strayed from the gospel or families where not everyone is a member. I know it's hard! I have truly seen and felt the heartache in these families. But, I want you to know that it is not the end. The time has not ended There is still time to help our loved ones. It will require dedication, time, love, persistence, and diligence but never quit, never give up, keep inviting them to everything - church, activities, send them videos or talks, look for every opportunity help them come unto Christ. Above all, always always stay firm in the church. You have to lead them by example. If you are not firm, they will not take it seriously. 

I love Alma 37: 40 which reads, "And it (the Liahona) did work for them according to their faith in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day."

I know, that just like Nephi and his family, we must show our faith daily. We must be obedient so we will be guided in all things that we should do and say - so we will be inspired and follow His path more perfectly. When we follow this guide (personal revelation), I know, that just like Nephi and his family we will see miracles happen because God is a God of Miracles and will never cease to be so! It may not be the miracle you want or thought would come but God will cause miracles to happen in your life day by day to help you achieve the greatest happiness in this life and in the life to come. So, I urge you to keep fighting, keep trying, keep praying, keep the faith and God will always do his part. 

I love you all so much!! I hope you all had a great New Year's celebration!!

Love,

Hermana Lutze 

Week 64

Querida Hermana Lutze,

It looks like you've had a great week of celebration with Flia Maldonado... He's posted lots of pictures. We spent the first part of the week in Colorado. We uploaded lots of old pictures and learned some family history. I'm amazed at how much has been done on the Lutze and Gutierrez lines. We enjoyed Fargos. We worked hard in the middle of the week and then went up to Heber to celebrate the new year. We went tubing yesterday with the Weights and Millers. Hope you got to see the picture I sent. We had some great food to celebrate movies and watched the neighbor's fireworks. We had an incredible lesson today in RS on the temple. I was reminded of some thoughts I've had on the temple. It's important to always have a current temple recommend. This is the oil in the lamps of the 10 Virgins. Those that had it were allowed to enter into the marriage ceremony. It is individual worthiness that gets a temple recommend for each of us. Last week I was desperately looking for some answers and knew I would find them in the temple.  What if I hadn't been worthy for a recommend? It's so important!  I'm so grateful for the peace perspective and power that comes from attending the temple.

Te amo!

Mom