For the past three weeks Daniel and I have been getting our batteries charged; first by attending General Conference the first week in October and from October 21st to October 25th we attended the Leadership Seminar for Mission Presidents serving in Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay in the breathtaking Perito Moreno, the largest glacier in the world so the setting couldn’t have been more incredible! Unfortunately, those in Chile couldn’t attend. If you have not heard, Chile is under political turmoil so much that the Mission Presidents stayed in Chile and sadly all missionaries have been inside their homes. We are keeping them in our prayers.
One thing that stands out in my mind was a presentation by Elder Nielson in charge of the Missionary department of the whole Church. He said: “You get what you go for!”
Have you ever thought about that?
Deep within each of us lies talents, abilities, and powers that go so far beyond anything we could begin to imagine. Too often in life we sell ourselves short thinking “I can’t” or “I am not capable of…” or “I am afraid to try in case I fail”.
We hide our true potential behind a mask of fear and insecurity, never coming to appreciate all that we are meant to be. We become our own worst stumbling blocks when it comes to discovering everything that we are truly capable of, and coming to recognize the amazing God-given talents we possess. Missionaries have the chance to discover who they are and their potential as they are experiencing their mission. No other group of people in the world have this grand opportunity.
If we would believe that is true, then have the curiosity to discover for ourselves what those talents might be, and then actually put them to use, we would have the power to accomplish things far beyond what we can imagine today.
There are powers inside of you which, if you could discover and use, would make of you everything you ever dreamed or imagined you could become.” – Orison Swett Marden
I believe that is true with all my heart. I have seen it manifest in people’s lives time and time again. So much so that I often find myself wanting to grab others and yell “You have no idea how amazing you actually are!” followed by “So start figuring it out!”
As you set out on the journey to figure out what greatness lies within you, keep in mind that talents come in all different shapes and sizes. Each of us have different talents, but we were given those differing talents to be instruments in the Lord’s hands.
I believe that nothing happens by coincidence. I believe God had purpose in giving each of us exactly the talents that He gave and as we develop them and use them we will begin to more clearly recognize what that reason was, so don’t let yourself fall into the trap of ranking which talent is better than someone else’s.
There isn’t a rank to talent, they are different – not better or worse than. Every talent matters equally, even if some talents aren’t as visibly seen. Sure, talents in art or music are much easier to see and receive public praise, but they are no more important than the talent of being a good friend, or being a good listener or a good organizer and such. Every talent matters.
You may think you don’t have talents, but that is a false assumption, for we all have talents and gifts, every one of us do. “The bounds of creativity extend far beyond the limits of a canvas or a sheet of paper and do not require a brush, a pen, or the keys of a piano. Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before—colorful gardens, harmonious work environment, orderly homes, family memories and even laughter.” Marcia Nielson
What you create doesn’t have to be perfect… Don’t let fear of failure discourage you. Don’t let the voice of critics paralyze you—whether that voice comes from the outside or the inside. Our missionaries need to have the confidence to know that the Lord is on their side. “As you take the normal opportunities of your daily life and create something of beauty and helpfulness, you improve not only the world around you but also the world within you.” – Dieter F. Uchtdorf
It is the combination of each of our individual talents that collectively improve the world around us. Sister Neilson told us in a special meeting we had with only women: “My suggestion for today is that you get curious about the talents that lie within you that you still haven’t discovered. Try all kinds of new things that you never had the courage to try before. Give them a chance to come out of you. If you never try them you will never find out if they are there. And when you discover new talents, which I guarantee you will do, grow them until they shine like crazy! Just never stop looking for more of them to still be inside of you just waiting to be discovered” She felt homesick when she moved to New Zealand but as she prayed for comfort, she found new talents she didn’t know she had.
On another subject, right after we came from Calafate, we took off to be in Uruguay where we just spent the weekend in Rocha visiting Daniel’s family and it was hilarious. Daniel’s sister was also visiting from Brazil. His brothers were non -stop telling so many funny stories of back when they were all living under the same roof. It is always good to visit family.
We miss and love our family but feel that we are meant to be in the South America South Area now for a reason. On November 19th we will take a flight to Salt Lake for a much needed two week vacation.We will be staying in our apartment in City Creek and go back to Buenos Aires on Dec. 3rd We want to rest and gear up some energy for what’s coming since Argentina is also going through a crisis so no doubt that hard times are ahead for those people but somehow, we will continue moving forward trusting in the Lord.
Con amor,
Vero
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