Special Sabbath Sunday

Wow, I honestly cannot believe it had already been a week. It honestly feels like just yesterday I was writing my last weekly email. This week has been so busy and has gone by so quick. There is so much to write about so I will just cover a few things. So yesterday was one of the best Sunday's so far on my mission. We were able to have two families that we have been working with show up. It was such a special experience to watch those families be united and worship their loving father in heaven together. This gospel truly blesses families and I can see how happy they have become since they have started listening to the wonderful message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and our Father in Heaven's perfect plan of happiness for them. Our Father in Heaven truly loves us all. 

In particular one of those families that has been special to me has been the Padilla family. Jason grew up a member of the church but eventually as life went on he just stopped going and didn't really think too much of it. Kim, his wife grew up christian but she didn't really go to church with her family. They have a four year old daughter. We have been trying to meet with this family since I got here but they have never been open to it. Finally they agreed to have us come by and share a message with them. Jason still believed, but Kim was a little skeptical. We kept coming by and eventually they agreed to come to church together. Afterwards they were talking about how much they enjoyed it and want to keep coming. They have decided that they want to work towards being sealed in the temple. It was such an exciting moment to hear that. One of the greatest evidences of our Heavenly Father's love is the opportunity he gives us to be sealed to our families and live with them for time and all eternity. I am so grateful for the restored priesthood authority that allows this to happen. We know anciently Christ gave his apostles that sacred authority. The Lord says to Peter in Matthew 16:19 "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" Well that same priesthood authority to bind on earth and in heaven has been restored through a prophet of God. I am so grateful for that truth. 

Here is a picture of my district