Coming to Tajas

Mom I'm so excited for you!!!

I can only imagine what It will be like to go back home. Lots of memories, tears, and smiles. You deserve it. Thank you sooo much for the box and pictures it was fantastic and it's funny because my comp asked me "why did she send you candy" and I said "so I can give it out to little kids!" I knew it :) It is more blessed to give then to recieve.

12 year old boys! they just want to know they have purpose ha ha we've had some good lessons with that age group too.

I have been studying a lot about repentance. I know that baptism and the Sacrament are parallel ordinances. I know that we need the Holy Ghost in order to follow the will of the Lord. I want to develop the habit of leaving the visiting out in the foyer and when I walk into the sacrament meeting I quietly sit down and prepare for the meeting. It is one of the best opportunities to recieve personal revelation.

I can't imagine how Joshua felt following in the footsteps of Moses. The Lord comforted him over and over with the guidance to "be strong and of a good courage" " I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."..." be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

I know this promise applies to each and every one of us.....Every time I have put my trust in the Lord, sometimes I take it back out of fear...but he is always there. I can relate to Peter with all of my heart desiring to follow Him! but at times I weaken and my conviction fail me.... Sometimes I wondered if the Lord would except me back...and He always does. His patience in everlasting it seems. I am humbled by how many prayers He has answered that I didn't deserve, how many blessings recieved with no thoughts of recieving anything in return.. I know Christ Lives. I know the Atonement is real.

The Damian Family was baptized the day before Halloween. It was beautiful. President Saylin and his family came and the primary did a special music number. I'm sending pictures! It was an incredible! The satsifaction of this work is not found in the baptismal service itself...but in the spiritual experiences that we share with them and their faith in Christ grows and they find out who they really are.

I love this Gospel...Thank you for everything. Love you so much!!

Jess

Hay mas tiempo que vida

That's amazing dad!!! I'll come home and add to the patriotism!

It is so true- from reading that article from general conference. The government is trying to make up for the lack of moral discipline and it is just not possible. Complexity gives us a sense of control and management and we cannot create godly outcomes through satan's means.

This week was great- as all weeks. I wanted to tell you and the family how lucky we are to have you. We are teaching the five girls still whose mother left them three years ago. They are now praying personally and as a family, seeing miracles and blessings in their lives and coming to church.....the only things that is missing is their Dad. We have worked to teach him his responsiblity as the Father of the home and the blessings heavenly Father has for him but he consistently chooses to watch t.v. over spending time with his family. I know that soon he will see the amazing opporunity he has to change his life but it showed me how lucky we are.

I'm grateful for you and the example you have showed us of the most important things in our lives and what matters most.

I'll write more next week! Love you so much!

Jess

New Email

Hey Mom!!

Yes I can recieve pictures downloaded

Two weeks ago I recognized how fear works in our lives too. I learned that fear is not from God and that we can know when Satan is trying to dismay, discourage us from doing something that is the best for us. I just said "Good try but not today!"

Well I have a new companion again, Sister Van Tienderen! She is right out of the MTC. Her family lives in Holiday and she is amazing. She is fearless for her first week in the field and we are seeing many blessings in the work.

Elder Costa came to our area last week and we all got to shake his hand and talk with him. (He is the one that gave the talk on prophets during the saturday morning session) He is an amazing man. As we all went to shake his hands he said "every time I meet with the missionaries I shake their hands so I can feel of their spirit" in his brazilian accent he told us his conversion story. His family was baptized but he didn't want to be at first, at sixteen years old He was sitting outside a room where two sister missionaries were teaching an older lady- he heard the story of Joseph Smith and he began to think about it- he left to meet with some buddies but the spirit was working so hard on him he returned home shortly after and asked his mom for a Book of Mormon. He began to read at 7:00 pm that night and didn't stop until 9:00 am the next morning when he closed the book he knew it was true- he ran to the sister's home with the BOM in his hand and waited till they came home- upon their arrival he said he needed to be baptized (he had never been in the church or knew anything about baptism) they said they would need to get permission and it went all the way to their mission president to teach him three lessons one day and 4 the following and then he would have his interview. he said "I knew I needed to be baptized"

It was an amazing meeting. I learned that a testimony comes to those who are willing to pay the price, just like an academic degree we must but in the effort of study, prayer, meditation and doing so that we may know with that assurance of divinity. I like this quote by President Spencer W. Kimball about recieving personal revelation.

" God will make it known unto you once you have capitulated and have become humble and receptive. Having dropped all pride of your mental stature, having acknowledged before God your confusion, having subjected your egotism, and having surrendered yourself to the teaching of the Holy Spirit, you are ready to begin to learn."

I love that story about Caleb! I forgot about that the proportion of protein applies with how many carbs you eat. Everything has been so great with my food though Mom. Heavenly Father has blessed me so much I can't believe how free I feel of it. I never realized how much I was in pain all the time- it was almost three years of trying to figure out what was going on but I feel now that I have the discipline and food plan that has really helped me. I'd love to know what else you learn. How is your class going?

We met an amazing lady with three kids from El Salvador- her husband left her for another woman and her Faith in Christ has carried her through many hard things. She genuinely wants to know the true church of Christ and the spirit is so strong every time we go to teach her because of her faith.

I was wondering (for a Family Home Evening) all of you could write your testimonies and send them to me so that I can share them with our investigators (translated of course) Also I would just love to have them with me.

I loved President Monson's talk on gratitude. It was perfect. It has been said through gossip "His talks are so simple and short, I expected more from a prophet." and I began to wonder "Why would we need more than that?" "What else would/should we want from a prophet?" In our lives- Complexity gives us a sense of control and management- Something I have learned and am still learning is that we cannot achieve Godly outcomes through Satan's means- anything that promotes a sense of control is not how Heavenly Father works but that Heavenly and earthly laws govern our lives as we adhere to the spirit and "the truth shall make you free" I know we can simplify our lives. I believe that when Heavenly Father reveals the secrets of the world we will say " Really? it's that simple" Because it is...

I'd like to live in a distorted free life :)

" ...For the spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be" (Jacob 4:13)

I am so eternally grateful for you as my parents, for my brothers and sisters who support me and love me. I'm so grateful for all the people I have met who have left me a little bit better, a little closer to my Savior.

Much Love,

Jess

The continuing saga

Hello Family!

Life is amazing! Little miracles happen everyday we just have to look for them.

Mom, this is a scriptures that has brought me a lot of peace. 2 Corinthians 4: 17-18

" For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

I like how this scriptures tells us to "look" and "see"

President Eyring gave a talk about faith and authority: how we know that the men who lead us hold the authority of God. He said (paraphrasing) we must train our eyes to look for the authority in these humble men.

When temporal things are without stability, it helps to look and see those things that are not "seen" but that are eternal.

Erick will be recieving the Aaronic priesthood next week! His wife just arrived from Nicaragua a week ago and will be here for 6 months. They have left their two boys in Nicargua with her mother so that they can come and work to provide a living for them....it is hard to imagine that kind of life. Erick is still looking for another job but his faith is strong. I'm still sending pictures I promise!

We met an amazing family from Mexico this last week. Four children and their mother live humble and united and are very excited about the Gospel. We asked one day, at the beginning of one of our lessons, What are you grateful for? The oldest 11 year old Girl said "I have never had to starve, I'm really grateful I have always had food...."

I know that gratitude is how we become "whole" as the 1 leper who returned to thank Jesus.

Christ is my Savior, my dearest friend, thank you Mom for all you have taught me.

Love you all so much!!

Sister Tuckett

Christmas in July

Thanks for the Birthday love mom!! Our library was struck by lightning yesterday so we couldn't e-mail.

The storms here are amazing. We often get caught on our bikes in the storms. Please please please tell Aunt Jackie and Uncle David how grateful I am for their packages, inspired I'll tell you, I will be writing my own thank you love soon but let them know I did recieve it and it was Christmas in July for Sister Kunzler and I.

Our theme of this transfer is Christmas in July because all of our other cds are over played so we put in a christmas cd and it stuck, so we have also decorated our apartment in Christmas....and are doing the twelve days of christmas stories....and have set a christmas eve- we had to find something that gets rid of our focus on the texas hit. So don't worry there are two sister missionaries riding bikes down in texas singing christmas carols this July.

The mission is the best place in the world. Live is great. I don't want it to end. Many people are learning so much about this wonderful Gospel right now.

I heard Kristin wright is going on a mission? I'm so happy for her!

Tell bryan I will write him soon and I just have had time so sorry!!!

Love you all so much!!!

Monday

Hi Dad!!

Happy Fourth of July! I love Dad campouts I'm so glad she was able to go with you too. I'm learning a lot on what it means to build up the Lord's Kingdom and his expectations of us as faithful Disciples of Christ. I'm learning what the Atonement means, what our life really should be composed of and sooo many many false assumptions I have had about life.

My companion and I are riding bikes most of these days. We have met so many people from all over the world- Nigeria, Pakistan, Nicaragua, South Africa, Turkey, Vietnam, India- we are beginning to count and we have met people from over 50 different countries. I've learned conviction is nothing until it is turned to conduct. Prayers are really answered, Repentance is real and the Lord is always please but never satisfied. I've working to completely give my will over to Him. It is hard.

I would like to tell two stories since I don't have much time. Thanks for the story about Brea- I will keep her in my prayers- and don't worry no distractions- prayers are better than being there in person :)

Eric Gomez is a man from Nicaragua who was an atheist for over 10 years- he came to the u.s. to work and send money back to take care of two of his children- He was intrigued by the way the church handles themselves and (riding bikes in skirts! ha ha) I explained the restoration and unlike the cross of Christ's crucifixion held by many churches , the symbol of our belief is how we live our lives. ( I have always liked the idea that the gift I give is the way that I live) He agreed to have us come over and teach- then he came began to come to church- Fast forward three weeks to know- Eric has told us he has felt enlightened- that "something" is growing in him and he learning what faith is Jesus Christ is. He is quitting is job at illegal bar (they sell alcohol after two in the morning!) and will be looking for another job. He is completely changing his life around to come closer to our Heavenly Father and he will be baptized on my Birthday!!! If all stays on track :)

Javier is a 25 and one of his friends was murdered about three or four months ago- he thinks he knows who did it and has been struggling with understanding what Justice is and wants to take care of things himself- He didn't know who God is, or Jesus Christ, or how to pray- We taught him about the Plan of Salvation and the 10 commandments and what Heavenly Father wants from him. He said to us " I felt something when I read that scriptures- what is that?" We explained what the Holy Ghost is- he is very genuine as well- He wants to be as happy as he sees we are- he wants to change his life but admitted he was scared or wants to take care of things first " we quickly explained what Heavenly Father asks of us and what humility is"

I know this is the work of our God, and that no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing. I feel so privileged to have this opportunity to serve. I will ride my bike until it breaks, I will walk until I just fall and then crawl until i can only sit and talk to people that pass by me- I want to have the earnest zeal and determination from the Love and knowledge of Heavenly Father's plan for us. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet and that through revelation Christ has established His Church again on the earth. That we may all return to him as a family- I want our family to return to Heavenly Father again as well so you aren't alone on that one :) I know that Happiness only comes from aligning our will completely with his, complete consecration of ourselves because really...he has given us everything we have...the only thing we have to give is ourselves.

I love you so much- I pray for our family daily and I know everything will work out according the Lord's will. Thank you for teaching me about Jesus Christ.

Your favorite oldest daughter :)

Jess

P.s. Send to mom please I forgot!

Hello!

Hello!!

We are so grateful the world cup is over....most of our investigators were distracted for weeks!!

Sister Kunzler and I have another transfer together! We will be riding bikes through July and August talking to everyone. Last week we were hit with the aftermath of the hurricane that went through Mexico- we were out riding our bikes one day and stopped to talk to a lady in her van, it began to rain for a second but then all of a sudden car alarms were going off with a downpour that stopped our conversation. We quickly got back on our bikes and began to ride- we noticed an open garage and we went right in!!! one of the garden workers hid in the garage as well and we found out he was baptized back in El Salvador. Tender Mercy from the Lord.

Marian!! all of the little girls at church are teaching me songs and games that we can play at home!

We have been blessed with much success in this area- President told us he was going to close it but Sister Kunzler and I have found some wonderful prepared people so Houston 4 can still be a sister's area!

Eric Gomez is still doing well- he is coming to understand how Christ can be our Savior- he is looking for a new job still so Keep him in your prayers!

How are your classes mom? How is everyone's health?

I love you all so much!

Sister Tuckett