January 18, 2016

Hi family!

First, I love you all. I'm so happy today. I mean, I'm chilling in the
car, outside of the library (the library is closed, so we're just
using the wifi, so pictures will come next week), listening to lds.org
music, on p-day, with my awesome comp. The weather is beautiful and I
just LOVE MY MISSION. You know? Sometimes life is just good! Anyway, I
had a boss personal study this morning that I will share at the end of
my email. But first! You wanna know what happened this week? Honestly,
I don't remember tons. But, we had zone conference and Elder Maynes of
the Quorum of the Seventy was here! He is an incredible speaker.  He
shared some mission stories, but I think my favorite part was when he
talked about culture and traditions. Choices become habits, which
become traditions, which become culture. You follow me? We have a
family culture, we have our own personal culture. And those are built
up of traditions. There are celestial traditions and false traditions.
So, what we need to do, is identify the false traditions in our
families, lives, missions, etc. Take them out, analyze them, and get
rid of them and replace them with celestial traditions. I really loved
all of the zone conference. Sister Berry spoke on just keeping moving
forward. President Berry spoke on happiness! Sister Maynes gave us
three things to really focus on:obedience, work ethic, and truly know
the Savior. Anyway, all very good. Oh, I met our WML. His name is
Hermano Silva and he's pretty fuerte, but I like him. He just loves
missionary work! Well, I really can't think of anything too terribly
exciting, mostly because I just want to tell you all about my study
this morning!

Lately, I've been thinking about things I might not really want to do again. Which became things I
NEVER want to do again. I was talking his out with
Sister Moody and she was basically like, look, I think if the Spirit
says to do something, you do it. I love her. So, I was thinking this
morning, like, I don't think anime is inherently bad, but I want to
give up a lot of it. But then, I was thinking, I really don't want to
give up full metal alchemist. I love that show. But, here's the thing.
I need to be willing to give anything and everything that the Lord
asks. "I know in whom I have trusted" (2 Ne. 4:19). And trusting in
God is being willing to sacrifice anything. And, honestly, it's not
really a sacrifice. Because God only asks us to do things that will
ultimately make us happy. Guys, this was a breakthrough this morning.
Why watch something when you could make memories? I'm not saying
watching things is bad. You all know I love film. But also, why watch
crap when you could watch something good? So, unless the Lord tells me
it's okay at some later time, I'm done with anime completely. And He
might? He might give the okay for FMA or something. But if he doesn't,
I'm willing to give all those shows up forever. And I'm SO HAPPY!!!
So,  I'm not going to tell you what you can and cannot do. You
have agency. Right now, mom and dad make some of the decisions. But,
eventually, you'll be on your own, making every choice, pretty much.
You have to make yours. It doesn't have to be mine. But, all of you, I challenge you to
do some soul searching this week. What are you willing to give up?
What are you willing to do to sanctify yourselves? The Lord will only
ask us to do things that will ultimately lead to happiness. I CAN'T
TELL YOU HOW HAPPY I AM!! :D President Hinckley shared a story in a
conference talk back in 1973 that had a quote, "It's true, isn't it?
Then what else matters?" Find a way to more fully sanctify your lives
this week! :)

Please pray for Amparo, she's getting baptized this week. And also for the
Vega family. And that the Angeles family will come to church. I love
you all so much!! Make it an awesome week.

Love,
Hermana Gneiting