February 7, 2011

Hola a todos,

This week I welcomed Elder Shaver to Huelva. He is from Sierra Vista, Arizona and one of the happiest people I have ever met. Get this - he´s like 5' 8" and he can dunk! He's a baller - played basketball in high school and a little soccer as well. We're going to play a little bit today, so we'll see how it goes. He has a great attitude and desire to serve. He loves the Lord, He loves these people, and he loves being a full-time missionary! He has taught me a lot already and we are excited to work hard and do everything we can to help others enjoy the wonderful blessings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. We are already beginning to see miracles and we both feel assured that we will see many more.

Thank you so much for you emails and letters and packages. They help me a lot. I apologize that at times I don't respond very quickly and sometimes forget important things (such as birthdays and such) but it's not because I don't want to, there is just loads of stuff to do. I love you and pray for each of you!

This week I have seen and felt the Lord's guidance. It truly is humbling to know that God, the Eternal Father, and his Son, Jesus Christ, love us and know each of us personally. They know our names, our hopes, our dreams, our difficulties, our abilities, our opportunities, our desires, our pains, our sicknesses, our joys, our sorrows, our weaknesses and our strengths. They know all of those things, and want each of us to grow and progress and be happy. They love us. How much? So much that God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to this world to give his life for us. Through His atonement we can change, we can repent, and stand spotless before Him at the last day. How grateful I am for His love. He extends that love to each of us and stands, with outstretched arms, waiting and ready to receive all who will come unto Him. We access the power of the atonement through obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. It is that power that changes us, brings happiness and peace, and gives purpose to our lives. I know He lives. He restored his gospel, his church, and his authority through the prophet, Joseph Smith. The Book of Mormon teaches us the fulness of this gospel and is the means by which we can know that this message and this church are true.

I love each of you sooooooo much. Thank you for your faith and your love and your prayers.

Love,
Elder Fagersten