The Most Important Things I Learned from My Mission and My Testimony

1 Augusto 2016

The Most Important Things I Learned from My Mission

• Who I want to be and how I can always become better through Christ (better = become like Him)
• Righteousness and obedience are interconnected with happiness
• I need to do everything in my power and then let Faith in God come into play
• Things are not according to our timing but the time of the Lord
• Stars can't shine without darkness
• How to live, learn, laugh, love, and let my personality shine 
• We were all made different and unique for a reason (God created me to be me)
• Honesty to ourselves and to others is always the best policy
• I'm sure not perfect but I would like to be; and, someday I will be
• The gospel isn't as hard to share as I thought it was
• God loves all of his children unconditionally
• Changes are hard but they bring about the eternal purposes of God and the best opportunity for us to learn
• You have to hold tight to the rod and stay on the path
• Enjoy and make the most of every single moment life gives you because the moments don't come back
• This gospel isn't only about knowing something but becoming something
• God is the Master Potter who shapes me and helps me to fulfill my full potential
• Attitude is everything
• Because of Him I have new beginnings every day, every minute, and every second--and I chose to make the best of it
• We have to make the most of this life; we only have one shot, so we`ve got to make it good
• We are never alone

My Testimony

There isn’t a doubt in my mind that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I haven't had angels appear to me or dreams that have made it known to me, but I can feel it with every fiber of my being. Before coming on my misión, I thought that my testimony was strong.  However, now I can see that through Christ my faith and my testimony has become unbreakable. As my older brother, Christ has done so much for me. He has truly given me the second chance that I needed so desperately. He has forgiven me, loved me, strengthened me, helped me, picked me up when I have fallen, walked with me and at times He has carried me when I didn’t have the strength to carry on. He is my older brother, my savior, my comforter, my redeemer, my example, my friend, and so much more. I love Him and as I have come to know Him more, I want to be like Him. I know that I am not perfect, but I keep striving to be perfected in Him. I know that through Him I am whole.

I know that the church is true.  Without a shadow of a doubt it is true. Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God called in these last days to restore the keys, blessings, and pure truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. God loves us deeply and has a plan for all of us so that we can learn, progress, and return to his presence. Our lives here have so much more purpose than just live, work, enjoy, and live it up until we die. We are here to learn of the truth and firmly follow it until the very end.

This gospel has blessed me so much in my life and I will never be able to fully express my eternal gratitude for it. My misión and the gospel have changed my life and will continue doing so until the day that I part from this earth.

These things I say in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Hermana Amber Mather
Misión Cochabamba Bolivia
27Jan2015 - 1Aug2016

Gilbert, Tania, and Toro Warku

25 July 2016

We saw MIRACLES this week! Honestly it was amazing! We have been having troubles with investigators that just don’t progress and about them hearing things from other people that make them scared to talk to us or invest. A lot of things that were hard to see in our area but this week we were able to see that we are nothing in this work and the Lord has everything planed out! He has a purpose for every single one of his children. We had the chance to teach Gilbert and Tania -- two people who are prepared to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and accept it in their lives! I am super excited to see their progress in the gospel and I am super blessed to be part of their conversion process!

I don’t have much time because we got back super late from our p-day activity.  I was cool to see the culture of Bolivia as we passed by the little towns of Tarata, Cliza, Punata, and Vacas to get to Toro Warku waterfalls.

Here is what we did for my last official p-day! AHHHH!!!!

Hermana Mather

What Makes a Missionary Successful

18 Julio 2016

Wow! It doesn't even feel real. Can you believe that a year and a half already passed by? I can't believe it!!!! It passed by so fast! And all of the people here are telling me ´2 more weeks! 2 more weeks´. It feels like I still have a bunch more time left, but I just have to say that I am making the MOST of my last few weeks that I have here!

This week we had our Zone conference (my last one! AH!) and in part of it we were talking about ´a successful missionary´ and what makes a missionary successful. The funny thing is that success isn't defined by numbers or by outside results, but it comes from inside and it reflects on the outside. A successful missionary feels the influence of the Holy Ghost, gets better every single day, helps others, feels true love for those that they visit and help, they strive to do the will of the Lord at all times, and in all places, and in all things. I have LOVED my mission and I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have had to serve the amazing people here in Bolivia. Now, I can say that I feel successful and happy with the things that I have done in my mission. I know that I am imperfect and that I can't see all of the differences that I have been able to make but I know that the Lord has magnified the work that I have done and HE makes the difference. I have been able to come so much closer to Christ through the experiences that I have been through here. I will always be testifying of Christ. He is my savior, my redeemer, my older brother, my comforter, my friend and my guide. He has done SO much for me and I am so grateful for his influence and love that has filled my life and my soul. He has changed me forevermore. And, I will never be the same.

Thank you all for reading my emails and keeping up on my mission! You all are great and I can't wait to see you all!

Hermana Mather

The Time is Ticking

11 Julio 2016

Today for P-Day [Preparation Day], a few of us missionaries went with a family of members to visit Tarata, Cliza, Punata, and Arani--little providences of Cochabamba. It was super nice to see more of Cochabamba and be able to enjoy more of the culture here in Cocha (thats what they say to shorten Cochabamba). I will send some pictures of the places we visited!

For the last few weeks of my mission, I have had another scripture in my mind which is 2 Timothy 4:6-7:
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

I like the title of the letter that my mom sent me this week `the time is ticking’. Really my time here in the mission is ticking down and it is my goal and my mission to truly make the very best of every moment that I have here in the mission. This is WHY I am here and what I am going to continue doing until the very day that I have to leave. I will be working every moment so that I can say after this that I fought the good fight and finished my course- my goal- my mission. Continue onward until the very end!

Wish me luck!

Hermana Mather

De hoy dia
[Today]

My Work, Glory and Joy

4 Julio 2016

Here is a scripture that I LOVE and have used as a motivation for all of my mission and will continue to use for all of my life (Alma 29:9-10):

9. I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.

10. And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea,then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me.

I am so grateful for this opportunity to see the hand of the Lord in my life and truly experience the joy and happiness that comes from sharing the gospel with others around me.

I am sorry for such a short email; it feels like our P-Days are getting shorter and shorter. If you have any suggestions or anything that you want to hear from me in these last weeks that I have just let me know and I will be more than willing to answer your questions!

Love you all!

Hermana Mather

All My Love!

27 Junio 2016

I don't have any time this week to respond to anyone, but I love you all and I am making the VERY BEST of the time that I have left in the mission!

Hermana Mather

We made banana bread this week with a less active member :)

Part of our area is Alto Cochabamba! :)

Beautiful view from the top :)