Elder Espinoza in the New Mexico Albuquerque Mission: It's what the gospel is all about. Applying the things we learn!

May 6, 2014

Yesterday we had the wonderful opportunity to go to the temple as a zone. I think honestly the only thing that I haven't liked on my mission was the fact that we only get to go to the temple twice a year on the mission but yesterday during a devotional inside the temple the temple president talked about how lucky we are to get to go to the temple cause lots of missionaries do not get the chance. I was chastised to say the least haha Also very humbled and appreciative of the opportunity I had to go to the temple. There really is a special spirit inside the temple that is not felt anywhere else. After we were done with the session we got to go to a sealing room and hear from our mission president again and it was so amazing to hear and know that he was receiving revelation at that very moment for things that we as missionaries needed to hear. The blessings he promised us were so amazing. The biggest thing he talked about was letting this temple experience change our nature. I think that's what really sets us apart as disciples of Christ. When not only our behavior changes but our nature as well. It was an amazing experience! I can't wait to be able to go whenever I want!

Last week we had MLC which is a meeting where the leadership of the mission gets together and has a training. All the zone leaders and sister training leaders go and then the next day we have to train on that during our zone training. We had two special guests come from the mission department up in Salt Lake. I'm pretty sure everyone thought that they were coming to give us Ipads! We were so excited to be able to give our zones ipads the following day. Well, we definitely did not get i pads. We got something far better and of more worth than any ipad! The training that we received was amazing! I think the greatest part about it all was that it was just two very simple things that most missionaries should already know. We were definitely more excited about training on the things we learned than giving i pads to our zone. Its amazing how i'ts the small and simple things that are most important and those are things that we need to perfect! And as we do that we will see other aspects in our life change for the better.

We really should see some changes in our mission now from these simple things they taught us. I think the thing that hit me the hardest was a quote from one of the men that came. He said, "All Satan has to do to make a mockery of the Savior's atonement is to get missionaries to not invite people to be baptized." I think that made a big impact on the whole zone. We are all determined to set more baptismal dates and not allow the adversary to make a mockery of the Saviors atonement! I can't really express in words how amazing the training was! I wish I could but all I know is now I need to apply to my area and help my zone apply it to theirs as well. Which is what the gospel is all about. Applying the things we learn! Well its crazy to think that this is the last week of the transfer. We think Elder Reams is getting transferred cause he's been here for 6 months! I think he's going to my last area! That would be way awesome! Well, love you all and hope you have a great week!

Love Elder Espinoza

Matt Klipstine and his girlfriend Jenna. She's from Kennewick!