A Brighter Future Ahead

We actually had a baptism this week!!! Her name is Valeria and the hermana I replaced contacted her right before she finished her mission!  Her story is incredible but I don't have enough time to explain it all this second. :/  The part that was most amazing about her baptism, was seeing how free she felt from it. She had made a lot of mistakes in her life, and felt so burdened by guilt and by the sorrow it has caused her and her family . When she exited the font, she was glowing and it was obvious that all of those heavy feelings had left her. She has such a committment to do things right and to follow the Savior, and has experienced the joy that comes through repentance.  Sometimes thatss a word that strikes fear into peoples hearts, but repentance always means a brighter future ahead, and it's been a miracle being able to see a change in people through this gospel.  To see people who once felt so burdened and alone for the first time look to the future with hope because they KNOW that the things that happened in the past are washed away, and that through the atonement of Jesus Christ they can continually feel the peace and joy that comes from living in the way that He wants, the way that He knows will bring us the most happiness. 

This week has been one of the most stressful weeks in the mission because of a combination of things, but seeing Valeria be baptised at the end of it is the reason why as missionaries we always push through, so that other people can receive this happiness as well and live life to the fullest with their families :  ) I love you so much and am and can't wait to hear about whats going to happen next in yourlife, because I know youre being prepared for bigger and better things :) have an awesome week! :)

Hermana Temple


(You can write to Hermana Temple at dominique.temple@myldsmail.net)


More photos below and some with President Warne.

Mission President Warne on the very right end.

Enjoy the photos!

The shoes are  holding up but ill probably have to buy a new pair in a few months more :p We have been drinking a ton of water dont worry and a lot of fruit too. I actually have a question, I feel so sugared out because of the fruit, but I cant get away from it (it's all they eat here!)! Is there anything I can eat to balance out the sugar in my blood besides drinking more water?

Funny, you mentioned love in your email and dad did too!! I got the message loud and clear, and know that I need to develop more love for them than to just preach. I LOVE the quote from Jeffrery R Holland!!!! This week was brutal and its been really hard with the companion too. It's like the perfect storm out here in chepica :p But I know things will get better and it will all work out together for the best :) I love you mom and can't wait to hear from you next week! :) 

Hermana Temple

Brand New Bike,  Unfortunately the pedal fell off!

New Bikes from President Warne

​Ella es hermana lucia y tiene un bololo!!! Cuando le prguntamos como, ella dijo "porque soy bonita-po!"

We didnt just get the bikes fixed......presidente warne takes care of his missionaries and we got BRAND NEW BIKES, HELMETS, and BIKE LOCKS!!! It was like the navidad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)))) 

<3

Hermana Temple

What a place to Crash a bike!

Chepica Chile, Humitas and a lesson learned about crashing.

our house! You cant tell in this pick, but on the other side is a tiendita!

I'll try and describe Chepica a little bit for you to answer your questions. It is TINY. There is one main road, with one lane in each direction. The city part has tiny shops and parts of it look like old town temecula just not quite as kept up. The rest of the road winds past houses of every color mixed in with the corn fields, vineyards, orchards, and fields of watermelon and honeydew. It really is one of the most beautiful places Ive seen and I am so lucky that I get to go out in it every single day. :)  One of the things I really like about the people here, is that they just work to fulfill their needs. In the US and in Machali, the people are a little more prone to working to have the best of everyhting thing, which isnt bad but they were never fully satisfied. Here I really like how they work to fulfill the basics: house, food, and a few things for the house like beds and a sofa, and then once they have that, they dont worry about it anymore. People here are always together and always laughing, and though their house might be made out of plywood, they see it as the best place in the world because they have, and RECOGNIZE the things that matter I crashed my bike this week (but thats not why its broken I promise! :p ) and in a weird way it has something to do with this.

We were riding on the side of the rode and my companion was in front of me. It was getting kind of late and I wanted to go faster than she was. So when there werent any cars, I sped up and passed her. But with my luck of course there was a rock and when I hit it, I ran into a fence. It was pretty funny so luckily the only witnesses were my companion and some cows!  By the time I got up and brushed myself off, my companion caught up to me and laughing passed me so that I was in the SAME position as before my accident. If I had just been satisfied with the fact that we were going a decent speed, I wouldnt have eaten the fence. 

​More humita goodness

​Hermana Veronica bathing Eugene, the retarded duckling (can't walk or swim straight)
she found.

Looking back now I can see a lot of times in my life when I had everyone and everything I needed, but didnt recognize it because I was looking to receive the lastest and greatest. I think thats something alot of us do, and we only see that what we had was sufficient when we "crash".  If you live in the US, you are significantly richer than the majority of people in the rest of the world. The majority, have what they need and then some but still feel empty. Finding joy in the journey and developing an attitude of gratitude is one thing that will help us be happier in our lives and bring us peace. I am so grateful to have the knowledge of the gospel in my life that helps me recognize the blessings Ive received through this gospel, and for a Savior who helps me through me darkest moments of grief or doubt. The Lord always blesses us with tender mercies in our lives, and especially in our times of need, and by being grateful for what we have we will be able to be more aware of this fact and receive a fulness of joy :) I love you and have a great week!!!! :)))

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