"I can't hear you."

      This week has been good. We are still working with Dolores and her smoking problem. We called her one night and as we were hanging up I said "Hermana no fume" her response was, "I can't hear you". Imagine it in a Mexican accent  haha, we started to laugh, it was funny. She laughs about it because we always repeat it. She is super funny. We went over last night and taught her about the Book of Mormon, she's old so we have to explain things simply and clearly. That is the best way to teach. Clear and simple. Some people get caught up with doing it in depth, but as you do that you dig yourself in a whole that you can't get out of and you just become more confused. 
      It was fast and testimony meeting this Sunday. We have great members with such strong testimony. One in specific that I want to mention is Brother Patterson. Bro. Patterson speaks Spanglish. He should have a dictionary. He married a Mexican and she speaks almost no English so they go to the Spanish branch. He is a convert, was baptised before and knows the bible super well. I think he converted when he was in his 20's and he is now in his 50-60's. He talked about his brother who recently passed away. His brother was a non-member, did drugs and alcohol and smoked. He talked about how he didn't live the best life and he compared it to his life. The difference was the gospel. Bro Patterson tried to share the gospel with him, but his brother didn't want to give up worldly habits. He gave his own definition of sin. "Sin is the sacrifices of tomorrows blessings for the selfish pleasures of today." When I heard that I was blown away. The definition is simple; it's clear and it is powerful. Every time we sin, we lose a blessing that Heavenly Father has for us. Every sin we commit is because of our selfishness. The Natural man takes over. How can we put off the natural? King Benjamin answers that perfectly in Moisah 3:19. It is through the Atonement of Christ we can be perfected.  Put off sin, as Elder Bednard says "TURN OUTWARD" There is a scripture in the bible that I really like. It is in Ephesians 5:1-2 and says, "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour." When we walk in love we see others as Christ sees them. But we also see ourselves as Christ sees us. He doesn't see us for what we are, he sees us for what we can become. I hope you all have a good week! 

-Hermana Recinos