Focusing on Christlike Attributes

Hola Familia y Amigos!

This week was super good. To start off, let me tell you how Spaniards park their cars. It is so funny! Do you remember the movie "The Pink Panther"?In the very beginning, how inspector Clouseau parks his car by driving forward and hitting the car in front and then backing up until he hits the other car behind and again pulling up a little more until he hits the car in front. In a nutshell, that’s how Spaniards park their cars. Parking spaces are SO TINY-- It’s hard to believe people actually can fit cars in those spaces.

Anyhow, I don’t know what has been up this past week but I am not even over exaggerating the fact that my companion and I have been sprinting, almost every morning, to catch the bus. It’s hilarious because you might see these two girls sprinting in skirts to catch a bus! It is not hard to see people smiling and waving at us. Luckily we have only missed the bus twice J

I would like to share with you what I have been focusing this past week in my personal studies. Among Christlike attributes may include knowledge and humility, charity and love, obedience and diligence, faith and hope. I ran across a quote that I cannot remember who said it: ¨Hope is like the sun and it casts our shadow of burdens behind us and it befriends us in the dark and excites us in the brighter days. It overshadows discouragement and gives us determination.¨ I love that quote because we need to always have hope for better things and a hope that Christ will help us in our efforts. I read Alma 58:10-11 when I was studying hope and that is something that has given me more determination to do the Lord’s work.

I encourage y’all to study out a Christlike attribute you would like to work on and then apply it in your life as well. All Christlike attributes are gifts from God. As we ask Heavenly Father to develop this gift, study it out and apply it in our lives, He will open the windows of heaven. In the smallest or even the bigger things. 

With much love,

We tengan una bonita semana!

Hermana Arce

Playing sports with the sisters in our district. 

My last companion Hna. Rodriguez saying goodbye 

Real cool picture. It's the palm trees.

With Hermana Asay at our Bishop's home.

Having a pday in Malaga waiting on our "children"-- new companions to arrive. 

Our Testimonies of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father

Hola Familia y Amigos,

Wow! first of all, being a "Mom" in the mission is the BEST experience. My new companion’s name is Hermana Asay. She is from Utah. Yes, her name is Asay. No mistake there. So all the members get a good laugh at our names "Hermanas Asay & Arce", and all in all, it’s great. I know I am training her but her Spanish is fantastic. She asks me a couple of words here and there but she totally can speak!!! It’s such a blessing to be working with her. 

We had Stake Conference this past week and, of course, it was so good. They talked a lot about the members helping the missionaries by coming out with us or talking to people so that we can teach in their home. I am so excited that his week we have plans by going to work more with the members.

On a separate note. Here in Elche is getting a little warmer each day. Therefore, I don’t need a jacket anymore. It’s super nice! 

We had a lesson with a member and she was telling us how it is so easy to forget the little things such as that Faith in Jesus Christ and praying regularly as well as reading the scriptures. I assured her that these little things are what strengthen and solidify the foundation of our testimonies. It is through these little things that builds our relationships with our Father in Heaven.

One of the most important things I treasure besides my family is my testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ and of the Book of Mormon. The promises that are contained within the Book of Mormon are promises from God and I want to teach from that very book with my own future family. And it is the very reason I am here serving, which is to share what I know to be true. We cannot know the things of God without reading or praying to Him. We cannot receive personal revelation without seeking His hand. I know this to be true because of the witness I have received and continue to receive through the Holy Ghost who showeth us all things that are from God which are true.

Digo estas cosas en el sagrado nombre de Jesucristo. Amen.

Abrazos y besitos.

Hermanita Arce

Hermana Curtis and I on exchanges that day eating dinner at a member's home.

My District

Hermana Asay will be trained in Elche 2 by Hermana Arce.

Exact Obedience

Hello family and friends,

This past week was real good. Today, I traveled from Elche to Malaga. It took 10 hours. We ate and had a training from President Deere. The training turned out to be very spiritual as we are preparing to train new missionaries. We talked about the attributes of a leader like Christ.

We meet our new companions tomorrow April 14th! There are only two sister missionaries in this group. Only one native from Spain and the other is from Utah. So, there is a 50/50 percent which missionary I will be assigned. To be honest, it doesn't matter to me, just as long she has a desire to serve and be diligent I am good. The most important item is that I need to remember the lesson Hermana Crockett taught me. The biggest lesson I remembered learning from her is the importance of Exact Obedience, even in the smallest things. It’s true. I have seen it on the mission, over and over again, and I hope I can be a good example and show it to her and help her in whatever she needs.

Well, I am super sorry this letter is short but I am in the mission home. That being said, I have limited time to write this week. 

Always remember, keep up the great work. Please do not worry about packages or letters. Just prayers. J

Abrazos y besitos,

Hermana Arce

I AM GOING TO BE A MOM!!! (in the mission)

Wow, we heard INSPIRED talks in General Conference!!! 

This past weekend, I was so touched and spiritually uplifted with a wonderful General Conference. No doubt in my mind, the Spirit was there testifying of the things that are true. I watched Women’s Conference in Spanish but for General Conference we had a projector like we do at home in the church but it was in Spanish and all those who wanted to watch it in English went in the Relief Society room. But I really liked the talk by Wilford W. Anderson about the Holy Ghost and how he compared it to dancing and music. But my ‘all-time’ favorite was Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. His talk was so good I didn’t even get to put more than two words on my paper as I was so into his talk and was so fixed on every word he said. He just has such a way of conveying the Savior’s love and power—specially, about Christ’s Atonement, which is always my favorite topic. 

I have exciting news to share with everyone--- and that is: I AM GOING TO BE A MOM!!!!!!!!! (in the mission). Yeah! Being a mom in the mission means you get to train and I am going to train a NEW missionary. I am so nervous!!

Also, some other exciting news! I am pleased to tell you guys that we are getting iPads for the Malaga, Spain Mission. Woo-Hoo!! the iPads come on April 21st and also we have a General Authority coming to visit us in May..

Keep on swimming! Until next week.

-Hermanita Arce