Well, Christmas was amazing! In it's own way jaja. But besides the fact I got to talk with my wonderful family! Best part of CHRISTmas. the word "mas" means more in spanish. And the word or name Christ is in Christmas. So in this time or the time that passed we need more of Christ!

But something we can’t forget is to continue to think of him. Not just during this time, but forever. and what he did for us, and the gift we have to repent and change and use the "enabling power" of the Atonement. There is a power in the Atonement, where if we have faith in Christ and his Atonement(that it was true and the sacrifice was for us) then we can repent. And change and have this new power in our lives to continue to change in our lives for the better. and then we can make promises with the Lord. And endure to the end through this repentance! It’s a gift. He is the gift.

I don't have so amazing experience to share.  But we were able to teach this elderly lady, who had lots of pain in here knees and lots of problems and challenges with the family and   So we got to share about this time of CHRISTmas and who we remember. Jesus Christ and what he did.  His sacrifice. Alma 7.11-12*****

how not all of them are members. (this was before Christmas)

And how he knows our pains , and through him and only through him we can be saved. But only if we repent.  the atonement is for all. But the salvation is only for those who use and apply his sacrifice, through the comforting power of the Atonement. She just started crying, as she explained all of her problems and pains that she has, and how she can feel that Christ knows her pain.  For this, she goes to church and  strives to read the words of the book of mormon. after we read alma was when she felt his love and just broke down in tears.

She felt his love. And the trueness of the words of the Book of Mormon.

REMEMBER HIM

6lder Clark

FELIZ NAVIDAD!

MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!

Christmas is quite different down here haha, as you can imagine. They all started decorating about maybe 10 days ago haha. They are late for everything haha.

But this Christmas is more than just the presents and all the chocolate. As we are using ¨the gift¨ -Christ- to contact those who need to know what he did for us. And what it truly means to be a brother or sister of Christ. This is a time to remember what he did for us, The Atonement. Not just his birth, but also his miracles and his sacrifice.  As we remember these things, his doctrine, his sacrifice, we understand the true meaning of Christmas, and why he is THE GIFT for all of us this Christmas season. We understand that he knows my struggles, he knows your struggles. He knows, that’s why he is always right there with us.

Isaiah 53: 3-5, 7-9

Isaiah really explains something touching in these verses, as the Saviour was silent before he was crucified for all the sins of the world. and that through his stripes were are healed.

Through his stripes we are healed.

Wow.

We know that there were only 3 that made it back to Christ. But how many left for this journey. I’m sure there were many, but only three.

Because they were willing to make to the long and rough quest. We too can be like one of the 3 kings, and endure to the end! And know that there is something better waiting for us and the end of the quest.

I know Christ suffered all. But suffered it for us, so that we could return to him. So that we could have a hope, for a better world after this. Ether 12:4. I know Christ lives and that he knows all of our afflictions in this life. And that’s why we need to Remember the true significance of his life in this CHRISTmas season.

Ether 3:14

Alma 7:11

I wish everyone a very MERRY ´CHRIST´MAS !

Love

Elder Clarkmas

He gave no explanation to these pictures. The only explanation is that this tie has got to be a gift, or he wouldn't be wearing it. I'm suspecting the Bailey's. But the fabric looks like it was made in Peru.

We also learn that his nose is clear of any infection :)

MY FIRST BAPTISM

I had my very first baptism this past Saturday. It was very powerful and a wonderful spiritual experience for me! Especially since I have been working with Fernando for a very long time, since my first transfer here actually. He is 22 years old, and is ready to move on with a new life. Told us that he wants to serve a mission! As I said the powerful words of the baptism, I felt the power of the priesthood. I truly felt them!

As I took him under the water, and he came out a clean and new man. I asked him how he felt afterwards, and he said he felt different and new. I told him he had no sins and was completely clean. He was like, really! now I just got to keep it that way.  haha. But I saw the new light in his eyes.

After being 5 months away from home tomorrow, and have one convert. I can say that I have a convert that will endure to the end. IF my mission was to end today , I wouldn’t be frustrated that I only had one convert my whole mission. Just like Pres. Hinkley. Because I can say that I have been converted. FOR LIFE. Till the end. I’m not saying the conversion process is over. because it’s a  life time process. I just know that no matter what happens after this or ever today, nothing is going to stop me from doing the Lords will, or  enduring to the end!

2Nephi15.9

Elder Clrrk

Fernando & Elder Clark

Elder Castro, Fernando & Elder Clark in Lima, Peru

"The Fall"

A couple days ago I forgot how to walk, and I tripped and fell out of nowhere haha. But I know that I forgot this for a reason ..

But that day that I fell, I learned a lot of lessons, not just from "the fall of Elder Clark", but others as well.

It was a day where I struggled with understanding the people for some reason.. and even my comp and things.. I couldn’t talk very well, it was just rough.

But I want to share a spiritual experience that I had. I remember just thinking to myself... wow this is very challenging for me, and I was just in my room looking out the window, and looked up to the sky, and questioned this to myself, "is He really up there, watching me, helping me, guiding me?" And right then I had a firm firm confirmation that He is there. I heard myself say, He’s up there, He knows what He is doing! He knows.

I know He is there! I know He is with us.

WE JUST NEED TO KNOW

I love this hymn , Be still my soul. As I read the words that are so powerful and true.

Be still my soul, the Lord is on thy side

with patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.

Leave to thy God to order provide

in everything change he faithful will remain

be still my soul, thy best, thy heavenly friend

thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

be still my soul when change and tears are past

all safe and blessed we shall meet at last!

So true are these words.

and this verse in nefi.

2nephi 8.12 ... I am he. yea. I am he that comforteth you. Behold who are thou, that thou shouldst be afraid of man, who shall die, and of the son of man, who shall be made like unto grass.

We are children of God

He will lead, teach and guide us through this life, and we will see him once more, if we are willing to do his will.

Not many people know this, that’s why it’s our job to share it . We need to let our brothers and sisters know. They don’t understand why He suffered for us, but hopefully we do. But we Need to share it.

THEY NEED TO KNOW!

Jacob 1.19 - just like Jacob says. It’s our responsibility ! Or the blood will be on our clothes.

Seek the kingdom of God first.

Elder (lark

*We will have a baptism this Saturday. Hopefully two. But one for sure! Very excited!

There is a day that I will call you and coordinate about when we will call each other. It will be next week I think when we will coordinate the call. I love you mom! And you better know it haha! but I really do. I think about you

Brandon's Voice recording November 4, 2014

I didn’t get to record yesterday; I was in an interchange with Elder Bearings.  It was pretty chill. I’ve learned a lot in these past 2 days. A LOT…haha. A lot about myself, and things I need to do.  But I got to eat Skippy peanut butter yesterday, A Yay, it was legit. I almost ate half the jar, but yea, the story is this family had some peanut butter and I saw it and I guess this other missionary brought it over, he was visiting the family, he’s from the USA.  It’ll probably be the last time I eat peanut butter in like forever. But yea I was pretty hyped up about that. But yea, today was an interesting day, not very successful with lessons and stuff, but it was kind of weird coming back from change and it was just kind of hectic, but it was I don’t know, it’s still kind of sketchy with my companion, we’re not talking much still, and it’s dumb and everything was kind of bothering me. But there was a miracle that happened today, I can say that for real. A strange but marvelous miracle happened today.  So we were just walking normal today going from an investigators house, it was blazing hot, we were just walking and we saw these dogs fighting up ahead and I was like oh wow and we were walking downhill and out of nowhere all of a sudden I just go DOWN, my ankle twists, rolled BAM! The phone falls out of my front pocket, I totally stepped on it and slid on it and scratched up the screen.  I hit the Road “Pfhh!” My ankle is in so much pain, and I thought are you serious?! It’s blazing hot & I just totally ate it! And my companion had no idea what happened cuz I was behind him, he didn’t even see me AND I JUST ATE THE FLOOR LIKE NOTHING. It hurt so bad, I got up and tried to walk & thought, NO I can’t have this right now…we live on a mountain of hills & it’s so hard to walk.  It still hurts right now, like it’s dying, But something changed after this, I don’t know what it was, it might have been, I don’t know cuz I feel like it was a humbling moment. It kind of lightened everything up & me and my comp started talking again, it was like “chill”, I don’t know what it was, but it was a miracle… I’m just tired…sigh.. Things went back to being more relaxed, I don’t know how to explain it, I felt more calm, like I do now, I feel better about it, I don’t know what it was. I feel weird saying this, but I feel more humble, I don’t know if that is arrogant…yea it’s probably arrogant to say Ah I feel humble (chuckle) But I feel humble. The lesson we gave was better, it was just more calm, I felt like I was myself & we were working together teaching. I don’t know what it was, but all I know is that it was a miracle from the Lord. It doesn’t make sense, but yea, I’m in a lot of pain & I’m really tired- it’s 10:20pm AHH- I got 5 hours of sleep last night.  Elder Bearings just kept talking, I was like Dude, I gotta to go to bed & he said, I don’t want to go to bed. I couldn’t tell him cuz’ he wanted to talk to me about all this stuff.

So today was a miracle, I learned a lot.  I’m trying to do better.  I HAVE SO MANY THINGS TO GET BETTER AT. SOO MANY THINGS.

I feel love from my family so much. I got to share my testimony yesterday in front of my zone. I started tearing up, I felt the spirit really strong. It was really awesome. 

I feel the power of my family helping me out, I get to read their letters every day.  This awesome package my mom sent me with letters I get to open every day til Christmas. I received some letters from grandparents & from my dad with awesome history letter about Peru.

I’m getting fat, but I’m getting stronger.  My biceps are getting bigger, my stomach’s getting bigger, my head’s getting bigger, my ankle’s getting bigger HAHA I’m just getting tired- Chow

My Bishop

Don't forget what He did for you!

This week was great! We were able to find a wonderful family yesterday. As we worked in the manner of the Lord through the less actives. As we were on the rescue, says President Monson. We were brought to a family. They let us in and we introduced the little Christmas card, "He is the Gift". It’s a video on the church website. It is very beautiful. But they were able to let us in their nice home. As they have strong beliefs in Christ and God. But you could see the desire in the father’s eyes as he asked such good questions. But something I realized was that we would have never found them if we wouldn’t have been on the rescue for those other lost sheep. Do you duty first, then the Lord will bless us.

But I believe that the Lord can and will teach us something every day. Many small and simple things everyday.  2 Nephi 28.30-32  love these verses. As he is always there for us. His hand is always stretched out and willing to place a family in our path. If we are "willing to learn more" then he will give us more!

I believe that if we do not have a firm testimony of the atonement then we will fall away, those who don’t understand, fall away. They have doubts because they don’t understand that this is the only true church on the earth, because they don’t understand the Apostasy and the Restoration. They don’t understand. They don’t listen to those small and simple precepts that the lord gives us every day.

I will never forget the precepts that the Lord gives me. I will never fully comprehend the Atonement, But I will never doubt it.

Don’t forget what He did for you!

 2Nephi 9 & 3Nephi27

 Elder Cl^rk

He told me when he first arrived in Peru that his bathroom set up was all backwards. Looks like you enter through the shower maybe?