The Winds of Our Lives

Hello my dear family & friends,

Speaking of studying the scriptures I will share with you something that I learned in my scripture study. I was studying in 1 Nephi 18, when the Lord commands Nephi to build the ship. I think it’s beautiful that the Savior provided Nephi with the inspiration, the tools, and the resources needed to build this ship. Something that he had never done nor seen done before. Nephi knew that God would provide a way for a commandment to be fulfilled as of them all. But it was an important step to getting him and his family to the "promised land". You see, when they used their agency correctly through obedience and willingness to do the Lord’s will, the Liahona worked. Likewise, the Holy Ghost works in the same way in our lives. When they were obedient the "wind" pushed them towards the Promised Land. However, when they rebelled against the will of the Lord, the wind pushed them back, away from their goal. The Liahona stopped working and thus, they fell backwards in their physical progression. Laman and Lemuel had to repent and Nephi and others had to forgive, before things started to work out for good.

The wind, in this story, was very intriguing to me. Wind is so often seen as opposition, something that pushes and causes force and resistance. But there is good and bad wind. In this case, the wind worked according to their obedience and rebellion or obedience and willingness. I think the wind does not control us, instead we control the wind. Perhaps, could it be that this wind, is both helping us as well as not helping us, whatever our trials may be? In my opinion, the lesson here may be to "use" our trials, struggles discouragements and set-backs correctly, so that they could bring us closer to God. Eventually, the great opportunity may be to leverage and use hard times to bring us closer to our Heavenly Father. We do this by strict obedience, willingness and worthy hearts opened to receive the inspirations of the Holy Ghost. As we do so, we can get closer to our "promised lands" in our lives and life eternal.

The Book of Mormon came before anything else did. This should tell us something of how important the Book of Mormon is to our Heavenly Father. I know that there is power in this precious Book of Mormon when we read, ponder, pray and ultimately apply the words in it can bring changes and blessings to our lives. It is the only book that can help us draw closer to our Heavenly Father, and testifies of the Son, even our Savior, Jesus Christ. Of this I know that God loves each and every one of His children as we are part of His great plan, even the Plan of Salvation.

HAVE A FABULOUS WEEK

Sincerely,

Hermana Arce

His Grace is sufficient for us all.

I love my sweet companion. Hermana Rodriguez is from Ecuador but her family moved to Madrid four years ago. We practice English by me telling a story in Spanish and she translating back in English. I love it. It’s a great way to improve our language skills.

All is well here in Elche. It’s a lot different than Malaga; but we must show the people of Elche the great blessings of the gospel. I am having to try to find different ways to show them that! I do love these people as they are my brothers and sisters. Please pray for them and for us missionaries. I will continue to do all that I can; which is obedience. I have a testimony of this Gospel, I know it is true. This is His Church, even Jesus Christ. His Grace is sufficient for us all. I know that we must have faith in order for the Lord to work miracles in our lives. Faith is the first principle in the gospel. We must always do our part first and the Lord will do the rest.

Love always,

Hermana Arce

Disciples of Christ

Happy 2nd of Febrero!

So, I always have some kind of funny moment to tell you. I am full of them as I never know which to tell. But this time, I have one, and this one, actually happened this morning!

My comp Hermana Rodriguez had to go to the doctor. We left our apartment early to make it in time at 9am when the office just opened and we didn’t have time to eat breakfast. So, please keep that in mind okay? Here I was in the waiting room with my comp and my tummy started growling because it was hungry and my eyes beheld a vending machine. Alright! ... I quickly checked my wallet and found a couple of euros to spare. I got so excited, got up and walked over to the machine to see what goodies they had. I picked the BEST thing they had--- Oreo cookies! I looked down at my stomach then my wallet and I knew it was all well worth it!! I put my little coins and pressed the buttons in the vending machine and my cookies started rolling towards the drop off. –Now, keep in mind, we have been waiting an hour and I didn’t eat breakfast this morning-- My cookies were still moving towards the drop off UNTIL… UNTIL… it all stopped! Hahaha! I was like “please NOOO!!!!!!!!!!” it was so close! I seems as my bag of OREO cookies were hanging on the tip of the bag. I was like “you’ve got to be kidding me!” I looked around to see if anyone was watching me and I started to shake the machine a little. No luck! Then, I thought it was all hopeless. Doomed! Then, all of the sudden, I remembered there was a security guard at the front of the door and I had hopes all over again! I asked the guard for help. He came to the rescue and I was able to have my four little Oreos this morning. Dreams do come true. Life is good! 

Now, for some spirituality!

3 Nephi 5:13 "Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life."

This scripture motives me every day; because it is true! I am a disciple of Christ, I have been called by God to declare good tidings of great joy that my brothers and sisters may have eternal life. I do these hard things for them! I love this gospel. It is the only way to true happiness. I know we are here to prove ourselves and to help those along the way. We must always believe and put our trust in the Lord. Rise up! And become the person you were designed to be!

Love Hermanita Arce!

Elche (Elx), Spain

This is a glimpse of the beautiful city of Elche, Spain where Hermana Camille A. Arce has been transferred as of last week. Elche, also known as the "City of Palms" is located within the largest Palm forest in Europe. Check it out!!

Officially in Elche, España!..

Dear Friends and Family—

Funny story! Last Saturday, my companion and I were walking down the streets and came across los Testigos de Jeovah (Jehovah Witness). Normally, they always stare us down or give us weird looks. As usual, we are always prepared to smile and wave! Well, this time as we passed them by they smiled and waved back!! A couple of minutes later, my comp and I looked at each other and we were like HOW nice they were! Weren’t they? Then my comp said, "¿Hermana, tiene su chapa?" (nametag) and I looked down and realized it was inside my coat and then I looked at my comp and asked her: ‘Where was your nametag?”.. It turned out that hers was also inside of her coat… Bottom line, los testigos de Jeovah thought we were ‘testigos’ too… It was super funny! It EXPLAINS everything.  

I am officially in Elche, España!! Where there are more palm trees than people!! Woo-hoo!! However, it just got a lot harder. The ward is amazing though. Our ward, Elche 2, is very small barrio of about 50 members who attend regularly…honestly, we should be a branch instead. That being said, our sacrament meeting goes real quick! I have been able to tell the difference in the people from Malaga to the people in Andulucia. But all in all, I know there is someone who is here in Elche that is ready to hear our message. So, for now, we just have to keep looking, working hard and being obedient.

Speaking of obedient, I have been studying a ton about Obedience. You see, on Saturday night, el obispo (the bishop) called and assigned us to teach gospel principals class on Sunday and the lesson was on obedience (small world)… I loved it! The members really got into the lesson and they bore testimony and all was super cool. It’s amazing to keep so many different people coming from all different lives, different problems, and different trials but at the end of the day the gospel is what changed their perspectives. Having Christ being the center in their lives is what helped them. I love the Book of Mormon, I talk about it every day. I study it, read it, and apply it. Since this book is for us in our days, it is available so that we can gain knowledge, keep growing and draw closer and closer to our Heavenly Father. The Book of Mormon and the Spirit are keys to our change of hearts, minds and ultimately to our conversion.

Let’s take advantage of this and share with our friends and family what the Book of Mormon means most to you. I talk about how the gospel has been restored in this dispensation and how we have a living Prophet today, even Thomas S. Monson, who leads and guides us directed from our Father in Heaven. Brothers, Sisters family and friends, we have so many things to be thankful for! One of my favorite quotes by Dieter F. Uchdorf "Doubt your doubts before you doubt your Faith."  Thank you for the loving prayers and having a solid awesome week! 

Besitos y Abrazos,

Hermana Arce!

On my way to Elche

Back in Malaga..saying goodbye to Nubia!

Me voy a Elche, provincia de Valencia!!

On Wednesday, I am getting transferred to Elche, which is near Valencia. I will be serving in the Elche Ward II (En el barrio de Elche II) and my companion 'va a ser' Hermana Rodriguez. She just finished her training, so I will be senior companion. YIKES!! I am a little nervous! But Hermana Rodriguez is native, so she knows Spanish already, yay--"no va a ver ningun problema con idioma”. I am ready to learn from her and I hope I will be able to bring something in turn to her. I am super excited! I hear it will be a little colder in Elche than it is in Malaga since I will be heading north east of Spain. I have said my goodbyes to my Malaga Ward. It was so sad! I love them so much but I am ready to serve the people in Elche. I heard Elche was beautiful and there are A LOT of South Americans who live there. I am excited and looking forward serving the people of Elche. Vamos a ver!!! 

I would like to share with you a scripture that I have come to love on the mission. D&C 50:24, que dice, “That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day”. We receive light when we do the simple but most powerful commandments God has asks us to do. He asked us to pray with real intent, read the book of Mormon so that we may learn, and go to church so that we may all grow and support each other in standing firm in our beliefs. And ultimately, make promises with Him, through baptism and in the temple. But wait…There is a promise that I love which is: if we do these... sincerely do these things… We become like Him. We receive His light because He is the light and we are destined to become like Him. 

Last but not least, I received a huge miracle this week. My foot CHANGED dramatically. I am not in pain anymore!!! I am recovering super quickly. Thank you so so much for your prayers on my behalf. I can feel them, and I thank you! 

- Take care everyone, Trust in God and He will perform miracles!! 

Hermana Arce

 (pronunciar con theta)

Last view from Malaga

Hermana Volpe and I with umbrellas!!

Hermana Volpe and I with church members..

Newest members of the Malaga Ward. Happy Days!

Hola, York Ward Relief Society!

                       

Thank you so much ladies for sending your love & encouraging words through the letters you sent this Christmas. I carefully read each and every one of them, and was just smiling from ear to ear!

I just love being a missionary. I have the great opportunity to meet so many people all over the world. No matter what language, country or race you are, we are ALL God’s children. He desperately wants each and every one of us back! I have come to realize that God does not send angels down from Heaven to save His lost sheep. He sent us. We are always His angels when we are helping others in any capacity we can. I have seen it through simple smiles & kind of acts. Thank you again for your love and support while I am here in Spain. It truly meant the world to me!

I want to leave you with my testimony that -- I know God works through us and that we are His disciples and angels. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and His Atonement is infinite. Infinite in time, death and power. My dear sisters, His plan for us to return is perfect. Heavenly Father has given us everything to succeed in this life and that is through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So, please don’t give up. Keep trying. Keep walking in faith. I can promise you Christ is not waiting at the finish line cheering you on—Instead, He is right beside you. Helping you. Pulling with you. I leave this testimony with you in the sacred name, of our brother, friend and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Hermana Arce