Til We Meet

Dearest friends and family,

Gratitude. This week has been full of gratitude. Events to be thankful for, people to be thankful for, and times to be thankful for. This week was filled to the brim with just small miracles. When I think of miracles and being grateful, we can always remember Jesus Christ and what he did for us. I love the story of the 10 lepers.

In the book of Luke, chapter 17, we read of them:

“And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.

“And as he entered into a certain village, there ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

“And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

“And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

“And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

“And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

“There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

“And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”

Through divine intervention those who were lepers were spared from a cruel life. The expressed gratitude by one merited the Master’s blessing; the ingratitude shown by the nine, His disappointment. I love what President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives.” 

In our lives we have so much to be grateful for. We met a family of 6, whom only a few were members, and the family was in a little of a wreck. We met them in the country, taught them of Jesus and how we can be closer to him. All 6 came to church this week, and two of them want to be baptized. They are grateful for our surprising visit and we were grateful for the opportunity.

This week my companion returns home to his family. I am so grateful for the time we had together, and he has taught me so much. I hope he learned at least one thing from me. I am grateful for my family and all of my friends, for the church and the people, my leaders and my companions. I hope the best for all and am grateful for your prayers and love.

Your missionary in Chile,

Elder Jacob Siaosi

 We are still finding ways to have fun on the mission. A picture with Elder Copling from Utah, a picture playing Tennis like the good old days, a picture in the lifeguard tower like good old times, and a picture with the members we like to brin gto lessons with us.