Edinburg, 12/17/18

Hola todos,

This week has been an amazing week. It is my first week with la Hermana Richardson as my companion! She was also serving in the McAllen Zone before she got called to be an STL. She is also going home in 2 transfers, so this will probably be her last area. She is awesome!!! We have had a lot of fun this past week and have seen a lot of miracles.

We received a referral this week for a man in our area named Tomás Falcón. His mom is a member in Mexico, and she has been teaching him the gospel, so he called the missionaries and told them he wants to be baptized a member of the church. He and his daughter Andrea have been reading the Book of Mormon and want to be baptized at the end of this month!!!

There are many exciting things happening in this area. We work so hard every single day, and sometimes it's funny how we do everything possible that God asks us to do, and nothing comes from it. But, as recompensa, God gives us a powerful blessing! That teaches me a powerful lesson, that we are not the ones who do this work. We cannot do what Christ does, which is convert and change people. Our job is to keep the commandments the very best we can, and God does the rest. We keep the commandments not to get results of ourselves, but to show God that we are worthy and ready for the blessings He might choose to give us. And then, if it is His will, He is merciful and gives us something.

I know that my Savior Jesus Christ lives. I know that the people I have been able to work with on my mission are chosen sons and daughters of God and have an incredibly important and essential part in His plan. I can't believe how lucky I am to work alongside the Savior in His vineyard and His work of gathering souls. I know there is nothing more important or grand or glorious happening on this earth right now than the gathering of Israel, and this is my tiny part in it - what an incredible blessing I have!!!

I LOVE this gospel. I love my Savior who I walk beside every single day. I love the opportunity I have to represent Him among the Lamanites.

I love you All!

Love, Hermana Clarke

Write to Hermana Clarke @ rachelle.clarke@myldsmail.net