Elder Espinoza

Elder Espinoza
Alma 26:12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.

Monday, March 9, 2015

March 4, 2015 Elder Jaden Espinoza is Home!

Family and friends waiting at the airport for Elder Jaden Espinoza to come home after serving a 2 year Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Later day Saints!

Waiting............

 There he is!!!!

Elder Espinoza!!!

Everyone is excited to see him, especially his Mom!

Elder Espinoza looking good!

Guess who was first to hug him?

Part of his last letter to me-
 Love you so much mom I really cant wait to see you! You better be up front cause I wanna hug you first! Love you mom!!!! :) Thank you for all the love and support you have given me throughout my mission. I could not have done it without you I hope you know :)





























  So fun to hear missionary stories from this guy in person now instead of letters! So exciting to see how much he has spiritually grown and what he has accomplished, how much he loved his mission and how he still talks about doing missionary work even after he is officially released from being a full time Missionary. We are enjoying having him home :)

Monday, March 2, 2015

Elder Espinoza's last letter....

03/02/15
Well,
I cannot believe that 2 years has come and gone.  This is been the fastest yet most rewarding two years of my life.  The people I have met and experiences I have had will never be forgotten and have changed and shaped my life into the person I am today.  This work is so inspired.  I was just meant to come to the New Mexico Albuquerque Mission.  I couldn't imagine serving somewhere else.  The things I have learned and the understanding I have of the gospel now is almost unreal.  It was interesting before I came out when people would tell me I am going to be so weird when I come back and not the same and I would tell them that I will be the same and not to worry blah, blah, blah.  I didn’t understand the gospel then and the importance of continual progression in this gospel and that change is necessary in this life and especially in the life to come if we want to be perfected and glorified.  So I probably am going to be really weird when I get home, haha.  That’s kind of what happens when you serve the Lord like that for 2 years!  I would just like to share with you all a few things that I have learned since coming out on a mission. 
It’s interesting the amount of people that you meet.  Member and non-member, super-rich and super-poor. The ONE thing that I have seen that brings people TRUE happiness and joy in this life is this Gospel. It’s the one commonality I have noticed from all the wonderful people I have met on my mission.  Don't get me wrong I am not saying at all that people who are not members of this church are not happy and don't follow Christ or anything but with the fullness of the gospel brings a fullness of blessing that the Lord has in store for us and that is what truly makes people happy.  Doesn't matter how hard their life is they will be happy.  It’s not just having the gospel in their lives either but it’s actually living the gospel that brings true joy into our lives.  It’s something that I don’t ever plan on forgetting and something that I plan on living my entire life if I truly want to be happy.  I have also learned on my mission that if someone doesn't understand a principle then they will not live it.  Last week when we had Elder Holland come talk to us, Bishop Causse said that understanding = experiencing.  So it is not until we experience (live) the gospel that we will understand why because then we see the blessings that come from it and see that there is nothing that this world has to offer that can compare with or compete with the joy this gospel brings.  That is why satan tries to trick us into thinking that worldly things will give us that joy.  Maybe it does for a little while but it is not eternal.  It is not long lasting.  It is short lived and in the end we will not be experiencing joy but the exact opposite of that which is exactly what he wants to feel. 
My testimony of this gospel has grown and increased to somewhere that I never thought it would.  Now it’s time to apply these things into my life if I want to really experience that true joy talked about in the scriptures.  I want to thank everyone that has helped me get on a mission and stay on a mission.  I could not have done it without all the support and love that I have received.  Thank you all so very much :)

Love Elder Jaden Espinoza

 This place is called Soda Dam. Spews out lots of water!


Climbed up into this little cave!




 Bro Haussler is the ward mission leader. Cool guy!


The Knowles. Super cool family from South Africa! Love them too!


The Biggs :) Sister Biggs is from Hawai'i!


Bishop Sheffields family! Super awesome family lol

The Clawsons. LOVE this family!


My little Jayden :) 

Bro Pinon took us up to tent rocks last Pday. It was super cool!!!