Down to Eight Days

Hello everyone!

And we are down to EIGHT DAYS? How in the world is this possible? I still feel like Jackson is leaving in a few months! It absolutely blows my mind that it is coming up, like, NOW. But I am so beyond thrilled and excited for you Big Jack (: You are going to be INCREDIBLE. There is nothing in the world greater than being a missionary.

This week, we had our Mission Tour with Elder Mozart Suarez. Talk about one of the most powerful conferences I have ever had in my life. Holy cow. I won't be able to even begin to explain how much I learned from that conference, but we were asked to write home and tell our families why we are here serving a mission. And I thought, "What a perfect week to do that, with all this mission preparation going on at home."

I know that some of you already know why I am here, but there are many who don't. There have been many experiences that have shaped me into who I am now and have ultimately led me to be a missionary. When I think back on my life, I see that Heavenly Father has always been preparing me for this day to serve as a full-time missionary. But the real reason that I am here, is because I have a knowledge of the truthfulness of this church and a love of my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ that is indescribable.

The church wasn't always a big part of my life. I never really thought about why it mattered and why I needed to live the gospel. Throughout my Junior High and High School years, I wasn't the person that I wanted to be, and I just felt miserable. The word "happiness" wasn't a part of my vocabulary. I went through the motions each day, doing what was expected of me and hating every minute of it. I didn't know what I wanted out of my life. I spent many of those days without purpose, without direction, wondering why I was here. I constantly reflected on past decisions and actions of myself and of others that led me to think selfishly. It was a very difficult few years of my life.

However, thanks to a dear friend, and the help of many of my church leaders, I was able to see that this life that I was living was never going to bring me happiness. I was able to see that there was nothing in the world that mattered more than my Savior. I learned of, studied, and applied the Atonement of Jesus Christ in my life. And things changed. I learned the meaning of the word "forgiveness." I learned of a loving Heavenly Father, who didn't care that I was scarred, that I made mistakes. He loved me no matter what. He saw that I could grow, that I could overcome those weaknesses and those difficulties. I learned that this life meant something more. I learned that maybe every day would be a challenge, but that every day would bring blessings. I began to feel joy, something that my heart had never seemed to feel before. I learned that I had something greater that I needed to do with my life. I learned that my family was the most important thing in the world. I learned that there were others who needed help. I learned that I could be an example; that I could help other people see this transformation in their own lives, as I had seen it in mine. I learned that this gospel of Jesus Christ was the only route to happiness. And as I learned those things and truly changed my life around, I knew without a doubt, that I needed to serve as a missionary.

It's been a process of learning. It's an ongoing process of learning. There is much that I need to do, much that I need to improve, but every single day, I am getting a little bit better, thanks to the help of my Savior and His Atonement. I want you all to know that I have a testimony of this gospel. I have seen it work in my life. I have seen the differences between the darkness and the light. And I know that it is through this gospel that this transformation has taken place. I'm serving, with all my heart, might, mind, and strength today, because I know that this church is true. I know that my Savior loves me. I know that He has the power to change lives. I know that there is power in prayer. I know that our families can be together forever. I know that there is life after this one. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Through studying it, pondering it and praying about it, I have gained even more of a certainty of Christ's love for me and for each one of His children. I know that this church is true and that through the prophet Joseph Smith, it has been restored in its fulness. I know there is happiness in Christ. I am certain of it. I've never felt more certain of anything in my life.

I can't wait for Jackson Scott Card to get out and be a missionary NEXT WEEK. There are going to be countless miracles taking place in his life, the lives of those he is serving, the lives of our family and many others. I know that he is going to be such an incredible missionary and I truly cannot wait to hear all about it. Keep him in your prayers (:

Jackson, remember: This work is a work of love. And there is nothing that you're going to love more than this work (:

I love you all. Have a fabulous week (:

Sister Card
xoxo

http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=2176618422001 

Divisions in Alegrete! (:

Elder and Sister Suarez (: I LOVE them!

Noite Familiar (:

Sister Vedia (: Such a doll!

Faster and Faster...

Hey everyone!

So first of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELI AND JACKSON THIS WEEK. I have the cutest, best brothers in the entire world. I hope you all know that.

But anyway...

Yes, the weeks are flying. I still can't believe how quickly they are going. I feel like every day, seriously, goes by faster and faster.

This week, I'll admit, was a little bit rough. But the lessons that I learned totally outweigh the difficulties that I faced (isn't that how it always is?)

It seems like everything fell through this week. We are losing a lot of progress with our investigators, both of our baptisms fell through, and it seemed like things just kind of stopped. At first, I got all sorts of negative, which is so unlike me. I was thinking, "Why in the world would these things be happening? We are working hard. We are doing what we are supposed to be doing. Why is this happening to us right now?" Then, the thought came to me: "Jazz, what are you doing? Why are you thinking this way? You told Heavenly Father you wanted to be a missionary and that you would do everything that He wanted you to do. So do it. Do what He wants you to do."

It was one of the most important lessons in the entire world for me to learn. I'm here to be a missionary and to do the will of Heavenly Father. So that's what I've got to do. I've got to work my tail off every single day and do my very best. And IF IT BE THE WILL OF THE FATHER, He will bless me. I have to be content with what He has asked me to do. Whatever that may be.

We also had went to Alegrete and did divisions with the Sisters there. AH. They are perfect. I love them so much. I feel very grateful to be able to work with such incredible Sisters (:

I am so grateful to be a missionary. I am always trying to focus on the blessings that I have. It motivates me to keep working hard and doing my very best every single day. When I think of how privileged I am to be a missionary, to be working with such incredible people every day, I am filled with gratitude, and the little problems don't seem to matter too much anymore. I am privileged to be here. I am priviliged to be a representative of Jesus Christ. I am priviliged to have this gospel in my life and to be able to share it with the people in Rio Grande do Sul.

I love you all so much! I hope that you all have an incredible week. MISS YOU ALL LIKE CRAZY.

Loves.

Sister Card
xoxo