Week #101

Hola!

Wow! The final week has now past! We had a sweet week! Loads of teaching and finding! We had some cool experience this week! We went and taught this family we found when we first came into the area, they have been progressing very steadily and taught the law of chastity this week! We had a bit of nerves going into the lesson because they aren't married but live together and didn't know how they would take it. But we went in with faith and the spirit was there very strong and when we invited them to get married so they could get baptized a smile came on there faces and told us they have been really talking about getting married recently and loved the idea of getting baptized and married the same day! Their response was "two fiestas in one, sounds good!". They will be baptized in the next coming months!

We went tracting one night and Elder Clement felt inspired to go to this area we hadn't ever really tracted in and the 6th house we knock we get no response and we were about to turn back when I got this feeling to knock one more time but hard! A bit skeptical because it is one of the really nice houses on the block surely a gringo (Gringos don't like loud knocking)! But I give it a pound and we wait a second and then this young man opens the door with his headphones hanging from his ears and asks "how can I help you" we introduce ourselves then pull out one of our questions of the soul cards and ask him to chose a question he would like to learn about! He chose why does God allow suffering and pain, and he said I actually have been thinking a lot about that and I think we need opposition in all things and the good cannot exist without evil and pleasure without pain! In our minds we were thinking "brother you just quoted 2 Nephi 2". So we asked him if he had ever heard of the Book of Mormon and he said no and so we told him he pretty much quoted right out of it and explained the Book and showed him how it answers all the questions in the card! Then he starts firing off questions and we start answering and even expounding upon the answers and he has even more questions and we had even more answers sooner or later we teach the whole plan of salvation in great detail and his friend joins in and we teach him too! They were just memorized by the plan and both gladly excepted a Book of Mormon and to learn more! 

Well, it is the end now. I can't believe and came and went so quickly! I wouldn't trade my mission for anything! This has been the greatest experience of my life! I have been able to meet so many amazing people, learn new cultures, learn a new language, be an instrument in the Lord's hand to help change so many lives, and come to know Jesus Christ my Savior in and in an invaluable way! The Central Valley and the people here will always hold a special place in my heart! I thank all those who have helped me get to where I am today and know that this is not the end but just the beginning!

To end it off I share my favorite scripture and the one on my mission plaque at home! Ether 12:27- 27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

I was a very prideful man to start my mission and as I have served my mission the Lord has helped me change so many of my weaknesses into strengths! I know without a doubt that through the grace of Jesus Christ we can be changed and invite all to come unto him, lay aside all your sins, fears, and weaknesses and come unto him! I have felt the greatest joy in my life through serving the Lord Jesus Christ and know this work will go forth as a stone cut out of a mountain without hands until it fills the whole Earth! God bless mis queridos amigos!

Con amor

Élder Houssian

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Week #100

Hola!

100 weeks my friends! Wow time has flown! This week was excellent! No meetings or extras just pure missionary work! Got a lot of teaching opportunities and saw some people we have been working with for a while really progress!

We had a sweet lesson with our good friend Arnulfo and showed him the video of Christ's baptism! The spirit filled the room and when we invited him to be baptized he happily said yes so we set him up to be baptized on the 29th! He came to church as well and loved it!

The water broke at church so we just took the sacrament then everyone left. On Friday we went to Sizzler with a friend we are teaching and feasted physically and spiritually! The chicken there ended up bad though and had 2 days in bed from severe food poisoning! 

Favorite scripture comes from Mosiah 21:33 And it came to pass that king Limhi and many of his people were desirous to be baptized; but there was none in the land that had authority from God.

There never has or will be anyone that enters into the kingdom of God without being baptized by his authority! This is a great work to be done to help open the doors to the kingdom of heaven to all nations! What a privilege to do this work 24/7 as a missionary!

Hasta la próxima!

Con amor,

Elder Houssian

Week #99

Hola familia!

A wonderful week here in Merced! Started off with a fire zone conference! Sadly will be my last. They had us give a training to all the Spanish missionaries and as well I had to give my departing testimony! Such a weird feeling, I feel like just the other day I got here!

We had a great week of teaching and saw some awesome progress in the work! We had a sweet lesson at a pizza buffet with our amigo Roman! A spiritual and phisical feast! Roman came to church as well for the second time! We also are working with a man named Arnulfo straight from Oaxaca! He had a heat stroke so we gave him a blessing in the hospital! He had a very fast recovery and came to church as well! Both want to be baptized!

Saturday got to go back for a baptism in Kerman! A lady and her granddaughter who we taught my whole 6 months there and has been taught for 7 years finally got baptized! Presidente Mackay performed the baptisms and there was a super sweet spirit there! An unforgettable experience for sure! Got to see a couple other converts we baptized there and and one is in the rellifer society presidency now and one just got the Melkezidec priesthood and is in the Sunday school presidency! So sweet!

Favorite scripture from the week comes from Mosiah 13:31 But behold, I say unto you, that all these things were types of things to come.

This scripture was Abinadi teaching the wicked King Noah and his priests! He cleverly teaches them that all things that God had revealed to them pointed towards Jesus Christ! All that God continues to reveal to us in one way or another as well points to Jesus Christ! Let us remember who is at the root of it all!

¡Hasta luego!

Con Amor,

Elder Houssian

Week #98

Hola Hola!

Very nice week out here in Merced! Started off with a great trip to Yosemite! When we got back we went out knocking some doors in this heavily Hispanic area and this man comes up to us and asks us if he can come to our church! We tell him yes and end up teaching him and his son! 

We then had a sweet temple trip! Afterward we ate at the famous Doghouse grill! On Wednesday we got a text out of nowhere from a friend we have been teaching for a while saying "When is the soonest I get can get baptized? My heart is telling I need to do it ASAP!" So we said how about Sunday? And she says ok... or would Saturday work? And we said sure let's do Saturday. And she said ok... actually what about a weekday is that possible? And we said if that's your desire and you are ready that works! The. She said can we do it tomorrow? So we set up an interview for that night and she passed and was baptized the next day! Definently a sweet spirit their at the baptism and the branch came through strong with great support! We had the water on all the way hot because the water heater normally runs out and starts to dump in cold water but for some reason this time it didn't so the water was over 108°! The baptism by fire came quicker than we thought! 

We helped out with a Hmong baptism too and sang I'm a child of God in Hmong! We also had a great turn out at church and a lot of our friends came! One man who was a professor in Mexico and led humanitarian work all over the world and a Catholic missionary came to church and loved it! He was very surprised to see a full court basketball court in the church but thought it was a great idea!

Favorite scripture comes from Words of Mormon 1:14 ...and also Zarahemla did rejoice exceedingly, because the Lord had sent the people of Mosiah with the plates of brass which contained the record of the Jews.

For hundreds of years these people lived without the scriptures and it took a toll on their society. But with the arrival of mosiahs people the people were exceedingly glad to have the precious gift of the scriptures once again! Today we have a bountious supply of the scriptures yet sometimes we live sometimes as if we had none! Let us always take advantage of the precious gift of the scriptures!

Hasta la próxima!

Con Amor

Elder Houssian

Week #92

Hola!

Solid week! The cold spell continues with a ton of rain and a hail storm! It was Elder Clements birthday as well so had a nice in and out lunch! 

A lot of good progress in the work, had a big set back with Bertha and Ponciano from some family problems but they'll come around! Found a sweet new family to teach and set another solid baptismal date for June! 

Had a really cool experience teaching this Catholic who we've been working with for a while. He has had a really hard time to give a sincere prayer, so we had a really solid lesson on the Godhead and at the end said a beautiful prayer to end the lesson!

Heading up to Yosemite again today! Should be excellent form all the rain/snow!

Favorite scripture comes from Jacob 5:54 And, behold, the roots of the natural branches of the tree which I planted whithersoever I would are yet alive; wherefore, that I may preserve them also for mine own purpose, I will take of the branches of this tree, and I will graft them in unto them. Yea, I will graft in unto them the branches of their mother tree, that I may preserve the roots also unto mine own self, that when they shall be sufficiently strong perhaps they may bring forth good fruit unto me, and I may yet have glory in the fruit of my vineyard.

The roots of most churches are good but the key to producing the natural fruit are the restoration of the covenants! Through the covenants in the power of godliness is manifested! (Ex.19:5-6)

Have a great week!

Week #91

Que pasa!

Solid week once again out here in Merced! My new companion is Elder Clement from Dallas Texas! He's a solid Elder and brings the spirit a little more then the other (since he's from the holy land)! We had a weird cold spell with tons of rain this week (super rare for a central valley May). But the harvest season is coming into full swing, got tons of cherries from our field working friends! 

The work has been progressing very well! We had to push back Bertha and Poncianos baptism for a few issues but got then resolved and they should be solid for the beginning of June! As well we had a sweet lesson with this lady named Megan! Before we even got there we planned to teach the plan of salvation and when we show up she explains they just went through a tough death in the family and she didn't know how to explain it to her daughter's! I don't even think she blinked the whole lesson she was focused so hard and at the end of the lessons tears filled her eyes as she told us how much clarity and light we helped her see and how much more loving God is than the other dominations teach! She then said she can see the Joy and peace we have in our lives and said she needed a piece of that and asked to join our church!!! So sweet!

We then got to teach Rosa again and taught her about the gospel of Jesus Christ and invited her to be baptized! She accepted with no hesitation and asked how soon she could do it and what else she needed to learn! She went back to Mexico for 2 months on Sunday but is committed to read the whole Book of Mormon before she comes back to be ready to be baptized ASAP! She asked for a stack of Book of Mormons to take with her because the church hasn't reached her city yet and wants all her friends to read the Book of Mormon!!!

This week my scripture comes from Jacob 2:4 For behold, as yet, ye have been obedient unto the word of the Lord, which I have given unto you.

6 Yea, it grieveth my soul and causeth me to shrink with shame before the presence of my Maker, that I must testify unto you concerning the wickedness of your hearts.

It's interesting to note the people were obedient to the word of the Lord but yet this was only an outward obedience, the desires of the heart were much different! We must not only obey because we have to but because it is our desire! Then the blessings and happiness will come!

Take care amigos!

Con Amor,

Elder Houssian 

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Week #90

Hola!

What a solid week! Super packed! We started off with a fire zone conference in Modesto! We took the back rout up there through this tiny mountaintown of Le grange! We then we able to have a lot of teaching opportunities and found some great new people! Our friend Angela got permission finally to get baptized so we quickly got her ready and had a great 5 de Mayo baptism! Our other friends Bertha y Ponceano came to church and loved it! Bertha is in a wheel chair and Ponceano is deaf and mute but both lived it and Bertha even shared her testimony! I wheeled her up there and she gave a really solid testimony! She then stayed for the baptism afterward and asked "can't I just get baptized right now?!" 

We had an amazing conference with the entire mission! 2 seventies and Elder and Sister Cook came and it was something I'll never forget! The spirit there was just electrifying! I have no doubt this church is lead by Jesus Christ himself through living prophets! 

My favorite scripture from the week comes from 2 Nephi 12:3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths...

The temple is the mountain of the Lord! In the world of strife we live in today, let us come to the house of the Lord and find his path of peace! 

Have a great week amigos!

Con Amor,

Elder Houssian

Week #89

Hola!

Great week over here in Merced California! We got a lot of good work done! Were able to find some great new families to teach this week! We went back to one lady we taught the restoration to last week and she had read a bit in the Book of Mormon! We went over the introduction and showed her how it fits right into place with the bible! She was amazed and at the end told us how something has been telling her ever since we fist came that she needs to find a new church and the Lord has been telling her to search for more! She exclaimed that us as members of Christ's church just seem to have a glow about us and she now understands why!

We gave a baptismal interlude on Saturday for the other Elders here in Merced who baptized a lady straight from China who spoke almost no English! There was a local member who served a mission in the wars who served in Taiwan so he was able to teach her and do both ordinances in Mandarin! That's a perfect example on something our mission President calls the principal of proximonity which is the Lord prepares the hearts of the people who are in the sphere of influence/areas of members so they will have instant fellowship and friends in the church!

Got to attend the Branch for the first time and it was sweet! A small branch of about 60 actives + whatever the missionaries bring! Our branch presidente is from Chile and is super solid! It was one of the craziest testimony meetings I've been to! The Branch presidente and his coucellor started off, than an Elderly lady, than my companion and I than this man the other Elders invited, not even a member went up and shared a fire testimony! After that like 20 members and another non member got up and gave there testimonies until 35 after it was supposed to end! (According to my companion most testimony meeting you only get like 3 people who go up and about 15 min of silence)!

My favorite scripture from the week comes from 1 Nefi 13:19 And I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles that had gone out of captivity were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations.

In this vision of America Nephi saw God's hand directly in the establishment of Amercia! To prepare the land for the restored gospel! What a privilege it is to live in this land and have the restored gospel in our lives!

Hasta la proxima mis amigos!

Con Amor,

Elder Houssian 

Week #88

Hola!

Great week! Now in Merced, California! A city of about 100,000 people north of Fresno pretty close to Yosemite! My new companion is Elder Murray from Colorado and is a tall Elder (6' 6") and has as well been out a good amount of time! The area is sweet! We cover a Spanish branch but are the only Spanish missionaries in the area so got a lot of work to do!

We found a lot of families to teach this first week here! The branch is actually in a little town 15 min north in Atwater so here in Merced we need some strong new families! We found one walking down the street and saw then outside washing the car! We walked up and introduced ourselves and they invited us back for the next evening! We went and they woke up to come get the door (never happens)! They invited us in and we shared the restoration with them! They loved it and when we invited them to be baptized Bertin the father paused, thought for a second and then told us he felt that was the next step for him and his family and they would get baptized! Solid! 

Every Friday here they play soccer here with the branch and anyone we invite and we got a pretty good group! They are super good and play super hard too! 

My favorite scripture from the week comes from 1 Corinthians 3:6 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

In the Lord's vineyard we plant a lot of seeds, sometimes we even water them, but in the end God gives the increase! It is his work and it will roll forth like a stone cut out of a mountain without hands that will soon fill the whole Earth! But to fill whole Earth we must plant seed by seed!

¡Cuidense mis amigos!

Con Amor,

Elder Houssian

Week #87

¡Hola!

What a week! We took a solid trip to Yosemite on Monday! We then were packed with teaching throughout the week and set up some people for baptism! Wednesday was super sweet! Got a call in the middle of a service project and got to Skype in to my brother Kyles wedding! Congrats to him and Lyndsey! 

Thursday we had a fire zone conference with Elder Gangster from the 70 and then Friday a mission leadership council with him! What an experience! There is no doubt in my mind the apostolic keys are here on Earth and guide this work! We got transfer calls and after 7 1/2 Months I will be leaving good ole Fresno! I will be moved to Merced! Super excited but will miss Fresno a lot! Gave my departing testimony and said goodbye to the great people here! Today went to a trampoline park for the first time in a while and broke a tramp, I guess a bit of extra weight goes a long way!

My favorite scripture from the week comes from Moroni 10:29 And God shall show unto you, that that which I have written is true.

Finished the Book of Mormon once again this week and every time I get to the end the confirmation of the Holy Ghost comes and reminds me it is true! And every time I read it seems as if it is a new Book with so much to learn! 

Hasta la próxima!

Con Amor,

Elder Houssian

Week #86

Hola!

Another solid week! The work keeps moving onward!

This week we had some solid teaching appointments! A few of them came to church this week and loved it! The ward is growing and each week more and more are coming!

We helped an amigo of ours move and got to use the brand new mission 2019 Tundra! The family was super grateful and we were to to drive such a smooth ride!

We had two solid exchanges as well with some younger missionaries and one of them was in the rich Gringo area! One thing I love about exchanging with the young missionaries is their fire to try anything! We were in a rich neighborhood and the Elder says let's knock doors, so we did and got a ton of door slams but we ended up finding some awesome people who did listen and invited us back! That taught me that no matter what kind of economic situation the gospel message will ring true to all who listen!

We're headed up to Yosemite today so some pictures will come soon!

My favorite scripture from the week comes from Ether 4:7 And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are.

If we exercise faith like The brother of Jared of Old, the Lord will bit by bit reveal all things unto us! 

Nos vemos mis amigos!

Con Amor,

Elder Houssian 

Week #85

¡Hola!

A great week once again in good ole Fresno! The work continues to progress very well! We got a sweet referral for this man named Chris who was getting taught in Sacramento and is super solid! We sent him a text when we got his referral to set up and a and he responded to us with this "" He is from Coatia and has read almost the whole Book of Mormon! He told us he's tried every other church out there and that we are the last Christians left and the Book of Mormon is America's last hope! Super crazy! We had to hand him off though to the English Elderes sadly because he doesn't speak the Celestial Language.

We had some exchanges this week and we went with the Hmong Elderes! It was pretty sweet because we had the triple threat English, Spanish, and Hmong and taught in all three languages! 

My favorite scripture from the week comes from 3rd Nefi 27:33- Enter ye in at the strait gate; for strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it; but wide is the gate, and broad the way which leads to death, and many there be that travel therein, until the night cometh, wherein no man can work.

The way is straight that's leads to peace, happiness, and eventually eternal life! Let us stay in it!

¡Cuídense Amigos!

Con Amor,

Elder Houssian

Week #84

Hola Hola!

A great week once again here in Fresno! Another nice and busy week! Had 2 great exchanges this week. As well saw lots of progress in the work! 

Saw a few miracles this week! Juan, our friend we are teaching who lives with the RLDS man was just been absorbing everything and reading a lot in the Book of Mormon! From 3 weeks ago to nice we've seen a complete turn around! From not being able to sleep for 4 years to 12 hours+ of sleep everyday within 3 weeks! Nothing could do that but a higher power! A light seems to have just turned on in his life!

We've been teaching the girlfriend of a member and she as well has been progressing a ton! She is a very audio learner and has listen to a bunch of the Book of Mormon! She took a bunch of notes and when we came back recited to us in detail the whole first book of Nefi! Super sweet!

My favorite scripture from the week comes from Helaman 11:23But it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi, and many of their brethren who knew concerning the true points of doctrine, having many revelations daily, therefore they did preach unto the people...

True doctrine can bring revelation into our lives and as we recieve that we have the ability and priveldge to preach the gospel! It all starts as we search the scriptures daily and ponder upon that which we recieve!

Hasta la próxima! 

 

Week #83

Buenas Tardes!

Very good week once again! Packed as well! We had a lot of great lessons throughout the week and saw the work continue to progress! We had missionary leadership council on Friday and Presidente Mackay gave a really good training! On Saturday we got to go to the temple with Mario and he brought 5 of his own family names! While we were helping him I decided to log on my family search and see if their were any names from my family and found 4 to bring as well! Was a super sweet temple trip and the spirit was so strong as we performed the baptisms for his Grandparents and great grandparents on both sides!

On Sunday we had a great turnout at church! We went early in the mornings to meet a member who was going to help bring one of our friends to church and as he was backing up out of no where the drivers side window shattered! (See picture below) We were a bit worried that he would have to cancel but said "vamanos! The lords got work to do!" 

One of less active we have been working with came back and loved it! Our RLDS friend who I mentioned last week asked me if he could give "Gracias a Dios" (bear his testimony) and I said, sure why not! He gave a fire testimony over the Book of Mormon and explained how he felt likes God's light had been out in his life for 19 years but when he picked up the Book of Mormon again for the first time he felt like the light came back on! His friend Juan who we've been teaching used to hear voices and couldn't sleep at night and ever since we've started meeting with him he's been sleeping well again and the voices went away! 

My favorite scripture from the week comes from Helaman 3:29 Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked—

30 And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven, to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and with Jacob, and with all our holy fathers, to go no more out.

I live this explanation of the power of the Word of God! I know this is true and can testify of its power! How much time were you able to spend this week in the Book of Mormon? If you haven't had much, the best time to start is now!

Have an excellent week amigos!

Con Amor,

Elder Houssian

Week #82

Hola!

Excellent week again! The cold is still sticking around and Elder Reyes got a bit of the flu but that did not stop the work! We've been able to teach a lot of people still and had some sweet miracles finding a lot of less actives who are ready to come back and a few did! One man was offended multiple times and had a lot of anger held in against some members, we gave him Elder Holland's last conference talk and it look like it worked!

We had a sweet miracle on Saturday! We got a call out of no where from a man named Arturo! He told us he had a friend he wanted us to teach so we went over! We get there and his friend is not there yet so he tells us his whole life story! He was born in Oaxaca in the RLDS church and ended up becoming the minister over all of Mexico city and converted Catholic Preiests, pastures, and went on a few missions to the indigenous people and gave a sermon to 87,000 on Jacob 5! One day the bishop over all Mexico came down and preached false doctrine, Arturo called him out on in and got excommunicated for it! His life collapsed and hit rock bottom and started working in the fields in Fresno. He tried many other churches but said he couldn't feel it. He said he shares the restoration with lots of people still but has no church! He got in contact with a member than us and we ended up teaching him and his friend and they came to church! He loved it and said he's got many more friends that need to come! Super sweet!

My favorite scripture from the week comes from Alma 42:24 For behold, justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is her own; and thus, none but the truly penitent are saved.

If we feel Godly sorrow and have the desire to change Christ will show us mercy and we can change by his Grace!

Que tengan una buena semana!

Con Amor,

Elder Houssian

Week #81

Hola!

Another solid week! Miracles everyday and lots of teaching! We starting teaching a lady who used to go to church for 10 years and never was baptized because she said no one asked her to! She then moved and didn't go for 15 years but we ran into her and she told us she wants to get baptized! Probably the most rain I've seen in a long time! A lot of the families we have been teaching came to church this week and loved it! As well our friend Mario who got baptized last week got the aaronic priesthood!

We also did a service project for a less active member and redid the whole front yard! In return she made us some posoli and taught us how to make pan dulce! We also had a mission leadership council and it looks like overall the mission has been doing really solid! 

My favorite scripture from the week comes from Alma 8:15 Blessed art thou, Alma; therefore, lift up thy head and rejoice, for thou hast great cause to rejoice; for thou hast been faithful in keeping the commandments of God from the time which thou receivedst thy first message from him. Behold, I am he that delivered it unto you.

The same angel who oringianlly visited Alma and called him to repentence now came back to comfort him and council him. As long as we give it our best and strive faithfully to keep the commandments of God we have reason to lift up our heads and rejoice!

Have a great week!

Con Amor,

Elder Houssian

Week #80

Buenos Días!

Great week! Started off with a great zone conference! Elder Reyes and I gave a training to the Spanish speaking missionaries! We then had back to back exchanges! On the exchange we met a really cool man from Columbia who had a bunch of family who are members! We taught him the restoration and when we were testifying about living prophets he stops us and says "hey, I know that man" and pulls out a picture of his uncle with the prophet! He took the Book of Mormon and excitingly told us he'd read it! We also ran in to this man named Jacob and he was ready to hear a message right away so we shared the whole plan of Salvation on his porch and testified at the end about eternal families and how the first step towards that was baptism, we didn't even have to invite him to get baptized he asked us!

On Saturday our good friend Mario got baptized! Probably on of the smoothest and spiritual baptisms I've been to! I'll never forget the experience in the font that day! The next day we had a good amount of friends at church and Mario was confirmed! 

My favorite scripture from the week comes from Alma 1:30 And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need.

As the Lord prospers us, we must remember those who have less and set our hearts upon the things of God! As we do so our lives will be filled with peace and hearts full of Joy!

Have a great week!

Con Amor,

Elder Houssian