February 28, 2017

Fw: I'm simply amazed)

Hi!

 

Just look at those amazing things I've just picked specially for you, they are just cool! Take a look read more

 

Regards, Kayleigh Michelle Van Deusen

February 27, 2017

11 months in the mission... whaaaaaat?!

Mi Familia y Amigos,

This has been another fabulous week! Yesterday was the end of the transfer, and my companion and I are both staying. Really, basically our whole zone is staying the same... the only difference is that there are now more sisters!! I am so excited!! It's going to be a great six weeks. 

This week I came across a scripture that really impacted me. It's the story of Enos, and it's basically the best(: There are 4 verses in particular that I want to share with you all. Enos 1:4-8 states: 

And my soul hungeredand kneeled down before myMaker, and cried unto him in mighty prayer andsupplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did Icry unto him; yea, and when the night came did still raisemy voice high that it reached the heavens.

 And there came voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed.

 And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, myguilt was swept away.

 And said: Lord, how is it done?

 And he said unto me: Because of thy faith in Christ,whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. And manyyears pass away before he shall manifest himself in theflesh; wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole.

In these verses, Enos underwent the Repentance process. I believe that Repentance is the greatest miracle that there is. It is absolutely incredible that God loves us so much, that he allows us to change. My favorite part of this verse is when he asks, "Lord...how is it done?". He can't believe that it is possible. It almost brings me to tears just thinking about it! Those words show us that he FELT it. He felt the difference. He felt the relief! He felt the grace of God. And what did the Lord respond??? "Because of thy Faith in Christ... thy faith hath made thee whole.". I love it. The Doctrine of Christ. The GOSPEL of Jesus Christ, allows us  to use the ATONEMENT of Jesus Christ, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ allows us to access the GRACE of God, and the grace of God makes us WHOLE. Isn't the gospel beautiful??

This week I've felt very inadequate. I feel sometimes that I miss the mark and I don't do enough... We've seen so many miracles this transfer, and I don't feel worthy of them all. BUT that's the point. I am inadequate and I do miss the mark sometimes... I'm not worthy. But if I have faith and use repentance to change and better myself, I can be made whole. I'm grateful for Repentance. Repentance is a miracle. 

Well... I'm running out of time... but I love you all so very, very much!! Have an absolutely fabulous week!!! 

Hermana Van Deusen


February 20, 2017

I FOUND A SLOTH!

I love you all so much and I have so many miracles to share with you all... BUT we went to Cerro Azul today and came back late and I don't have time... BUT I do have pictures!!!!! Overall... life is absolutely wonderful. I am SO grateful to be a missionary. Best decision of my life.

Love,

Hermana Van Deusen










February 13, 2017

MIRACLES

Mi Familia y Amigos,

"For behold, I am God; and I am a God of Miracles; and i will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith."

-2 Nephi 27:23

I know that God is a God of miracles. I know that God is a God of miracles because this week we saw them... so, so many of them! About 2 weeks ago Presdient Current told us that if we work hard, pray hard, and have faith, we would find someone in this transfer ready to be baptized in 8 days. Let me tell you... that just about NEVER happens. Normally a person is ready to be baptized in about 3-4 weeks... 2 weeks if they are really prepared. President Current wants us to reach new heights. So we prayed, we worked, and we had faith... and on Sunday we met Cristian. There's not a whole lot of time to explain how miraculous it was that we found him... but to make a long story short, he was a reference from a less active. Cristian is 18 years old, has had a really rough life, but is just WOW. I've never seen someone change so quickly and willingly and with such humility. Just to give you an example: he has his ears pierced. When we talked about the word of wisdom and the law of chastity, he IMMEDIATELY took out his earrings and hasn't put them back in since. 2 days after we taught the word of wisdom, he called us asking if he could drink a coke that was in his fridge, because he didn't want to do it if it was against the word of wisdom. It was so many little things that just blew us away!! We've taught him everyday this week, and I'm ECSTATIC to report that today, at 5pm, Cristian will be baptized... marking the 8th day since we met him. God is a God of miracles. 

This week it really made me think about how beautiful this gospel is!!! In 8 days Cristian made a 180 degree turn. That is the power of this message. That is the power of the Atonement. That is the love of our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ. It was just one more evidence to me that this is the true church. I know it! 

I love being a missionary. 

Love,

Hermana Van Deusen



February 6, 2017

Mi Familia y Amigos,

This week was just so fantastic. SO GREAT!! I had the chance to go to consejos and hear President's plan for the mission and it was such a spiritual experience. I have the best mission president! I feel so grateful to be here in Panama, at this time, with these people. I know that I'm doing what I need to be doing. 

President Current taught us about grace. He started off by explaining these three facts:

 Repentance is change. 
The Atonement makes change possible.
Grace is the power inside the Atonement. 

Grace is the power to endure to the end of whatever we are struggling with. It enables, empowers, endures, and overcomes. It is the most desirable thing to the soul. 

I want to invite you all to read 2 Nephi 25:23 and Alma 24:10-11.. What we can do to access the grace of God?

The only thing that we can do, the only way to acess it, is through repentance. That is the ONLY thing! We will never be good enough, we will never be smart enough, we will never be able to do anything that will "qualify" us for that gift. We can only ask for forgiveness. I have to repent every single day, to be able to receive the most precious gift in the world... sounds worth it. 

Heavenly Father is willing to forgive us. He wants to receive us with open arms! We just have to use the gifts and the tools that he has placed before us, and his grace is ours.  So let's just repent already and receive the happiness that he wants to give us haha!! 

I love the hope, peace, and joy that that brings to my soul!! I love this gospel so much!!!! Thank you for all your love and support... have an absolutely fabulous week!!!! 

Love,

Hermana Van Deusen

Sorry I kind of failed with the pictures this week...