The Adventure Continues in 2017..!

#FamilyFirst

Well, as I Skype home yesterday, there is not much to really share this week, it was definitely a Christmas to remember! Loved having the opportunity to speak with family and close friends and it was just a tender moment for sure.

I won't give a weekly basis but I'll give a "Reflection in Time" summary for this past year!

Christmas 2016

Life in England has been just great! I can't even begin to imagine that 2016 is coming to a close... I feel that I have just started my mission as yet, I've literally been in England for nearly 18 months now! So much has happened... I don't know where to really begin but I have loved every bit of it! All the learning experiences that have come have been great! Hard at times to take in but definitely worth it in the end. 






2016 has brought a lot to me but I want to share a few things that I've learned this past year.
1) Jesus Christ lives and He is everything...
2) When you get absorbed in the Book of Mormon, you find out more about yourself, God, and Jesus Christ than in any other place
3) Life is meant to be fun, so enjoy it!

White Elephant, London Mug Style!

4) Love is what you go through together...
5) The eyes tell the whole story of how someone really feels on the inside
6) The rising of the sun is a symbol that God has given you another chance to be better than the person you were yesterday and a foresight on who He wants you to become tomorrow.
7) Patience really is a virtue... no matter how long it takes, when the answer finally arrives, it is wonderful and well worth the wait. 
8) When life gets to hard to stand, kneel.
9) Take time out of your day to just kneel and say, "Father in Heaven, I'm here to spend time with you."
10) Goals without plans are just wishes that will never come to pass
11) Two people can do any things, as long as one of them is the Lord.
12) Life is full of choices and it is up to you to choose what you make of it
13) God looks at the heart of each individual
14) All things are possible to them that believe
15) True friendship is like looking at the stars, you may not always see them, but you know they are always there.
16) The journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step...
17) Revelation is key to knowing what God has planned next for you to do
18) It doesn't matter how fast you get to the destination, as long as you get there safely.
19) The best leaders are those that are the best followers
20) 2017 will be full of new adventures and I'm ready to embark on the journey with whomever the Lord puts into my path!

For the Beauty of the Earth..

Try it Sometime... you won't regret it!

This is just a small portion of what has happened... but I'm looking forward to seeing what 2017 will unfold. With 4 months left in the mission field, there is still much work to be done and many things to be learned that will prepare me for what is to come. I'm excited for the day when I can say, "My mission taught me that..." or "I learned from my mission..." or "I remember when..." There is so much
to do and so much to be happy about! 2017 will be a fresh start once again! Try something new! Get out of your comfort zone! Remember, there is no growth in the comfort zone and there is no comfort in the growth zone! Make 2017 a good one! Set a goal on what you want to achieve by the time 2018 hits and set plans in order to achieve it by the time the clock hits 0!

Sweet Serenity on the Beaches of Worthing..!

In every thing that you do, remember that the best thing you can do with your goals and plans is to involve God in them. He knows what is best for you and He is already setting things up for you that you may not even see coming. Be prepared to take on the journey of a thousand miles at any given moment because they will come!

Dream BIG...! Whatever it takes, blood, sweat, or tears, you name it. Your dream awaits you. You will be tested. You will fail. You will be hurt. You will feel pain. You will feel like you can't fight anymore. But you will rise up. You will fight. You will be strong. You will smile. You will be the best you. You will be successful but success will have to be earned. Goals will be achieved or failed But that's what it takes to grow and become who you are meant to become. Whether you get your dream or not, the journey is always a story... a story you can share, or others can share as they see you rise above the occasion... So greet the challenge ahead of you. You'll get knocked down along the way, but stand up, pull back your arrow, fire, and let it carry you over the mountains to success. This is your time and 2017 is right around the corner, but your greatest journey has yet to begin. Are you ready?

Sandy Messages!

Verse of the Week:
D&C 100:12
"Therefore, continue your journey and let your hearts rejoice; for behold, and lo, I am with you even unto the end."

Merry a Christmas to you all and have a Happy New Year! 2017!!!

Love,
-Elder Rivera