Email #52...February 21, 2011

hola!

i just want to thank all of you that sent me birthday wishes... i really
appreciate it and feel of your love! mom, for your virtues thing. ( i told
him i was giving a RS Lesson on how virtues become vices...wanted his input)
i have seen even in Chileans that the virtue of work is bad taken to an
extreme... so many don't come to church because of work. being too nice.
i have seen being nice become a vice. yes nice is good obviously, but when it is
taken to an extreme, people can really push you around and you end up
getting used by people. i've seen it in families here. gosh i could
list a lot but those are just a few things i can think of right now.

well i was just reflecting on this past year in my journal, because
well i haven't been that good at writing in it. so i decided to do a
reflection and today i'm just going to write what i did in my journal.

it's hard to think that a year has already gone by! so what do i have to
show for it? that's the golden question. hopefully i have changed... for
the better! i have had my ups and my downs... but what have i learned
from those "ups" and those "downs"? i would have to say that patience
would be at the top of the list. patience with those we talk to in the
street, with some Bishops or Branch Presidents, with those really
annoying companions and... most importantly, patience with myself. i have
learned that missionaries are far, far from perfect... including
myself. we are not exempt from making mistakes and having
temptations, but we are full time servants of the Lord and we can be
in tune with the spirit... when we are worthy of it. obviously. i have
come to learn, and am still learning to love those whom i serve with
and those whom i serve. i have grown a true appreciation for my loved
ones at home, for their support and the love they show towards me...
especially my family and most importantly, my parents. their love and
the sacrifice that they have shown towards me for the past 21 years,
that i have practically neglected at times... it has really opened my
eyes on how much they have done for me. if only i could go back in
time, i would have said, "thanks mom"... or "i love you dad" a few more
times. and even express that to my sisters and their husbands, who have
always been there for me. but i can't change the past experiences with my
family and friends, nor the past in the mission. however... hopefully, i can
make the future better. i have come to really know and feel the love
and mercy from our Savior and Father in Heaven. i have had many, many
experiences with the power of prayer and how it can help change our
lives and lift our spirits up. just these past couple days i was
reminiscing on what i have really achieved or done here in the
mission. and well... i couldn't think of much... it really brought me
down into a depressed state... until today. i got a random phone call
from a great friend and recent convert, Ivan. he just called to see
how i was doing, and kept telling me that i was the "best
missionary/friend"(not so true). then i told him how i was feeling. he then
told me that he bore his testimony for the first time and that
the next week he gave a talk (voluntarily)! and... he is preparing for the
priesthood. i can't explain the joy that brought to my soul..maybe I did do
something. it really shows that the Lord knows us and knows when we need comfort.

well, those are just the main points that i feel i have learned in the
past year. patience, love, gratitude, and the love from our Savior.
you would think i would have learned all those things a long time ago,
which i have. i had a little patience, i loved my family and friends, i was
thankful, and i knew my Savior loved me, but at the level i know
those things now...it has really changed my life. let's just hope i can
learn a few more things this next year :) i love you all... have a
great week!

love elder jackson