Who is my Neighbor?, Albuquerque, NM

A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

How many people do we know in our lives who have fell among spiritual thieves, stripped of their raiment, wounded, and left for dead?  I tell you  - I have met them here in New Mexico. and the thing I have learned, you cannot always tell when they have reached this point in their lives. Some people don't even know they are here.

And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

Where do you fall? amongst the priests? the levites? or amongst the Samaritan - or maybe you are the certain man waiting for the help to come. Wherever you fall now, there is a lot to learn from this parable. i would like to share with you what I am learning from it now.

The Samaritan was the first to act- He saw a need and he paused to help. When we see a need are we ready and willing to jump on an opportunity? I have been blessed to be here serving the Lord, solely looking for opportunities to serve and to lift those who have been left for spiritually dead. I have had many wonderful experiences finding people and sharing my testimony - loving them - and showing compassion to them knowing what I have can help them.

And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him

I have been able to be the instrument in the Lords hands to bind up wounds of loss and anger and frustration. I have seen the joy the gospel brings to peoples lives and the healing which it can provide. Seeing the progression in the people I have met has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. To name a few individuals-

I met Christi and she was so ready to be baptized when I entered the area. She had the knowledge she needed and her testimony was strong. She was, however, only 17 years old and did not have the support from her parents. So we continued to teach her and to help her stay strong despite opposition. Two weeks ago - Christi turned 18 and turned to our Father in Heaven in prayer to know when she would be ready to enter into a covenant with Him. Her answer was Saturday 12 October 2013. And what a day that was! She has been dating Mason, a priest in the ward and he was able to baptize her. When he was saying the prayer, he started to choke up and I lost it. It was so incredible to see this ordinance performed. Such a tender moment - and the year+ in waiting made it all the sweeter. Christi bore her testimony after and it was so powerful! one thing that really hit me- She said - specifically to her friends and family in attendance "thank you all for coming - even though I know a lot of you do not support me in this decision - I know it is the truth. I know this is the right decision." The spirit was so strong in the room - there was no way you could not have felt it. The following day she was confirmed and received the gift of the holy ghost-  that was another incredible ordinance to witness. Mason's dad performed that ordinance and pronounced the sweetest blessing on her head. She is going to be a strong convert. In one year - we'll be in the temple with her. and then she will be out converting the world!

Another person who came into my life was miss Bobbie and her husband Bob. When I first met them - we were teaching Bobbie and Bob would rarely - if ever- show his face. And Bobbie would soak everything up - but would not commit to anything. We were meeting with her once a week and she did not want any more than that. at the end of my first transfer, we committed her to baptism and she accepted! and then in my second transfer we were able to meet with her twice a week and she continued to soak everything up - although would not accept a date. Slowly, Bob began to come out of the bedroom and the office just to chat. In this last transfer - Bobbie had it confirmed to her that she is going to be baptized before the end of the year. She told us her door is always open to us - whenever we feel to come by. We talked with Bob for a good hour last weeek and another 45 minutes last night. Last night, Bobbie told us that she is ready to be baptized in November. She sees no reason to wait much longer. She knows this is the truth and she is ready to act. And now Bob is ready to learn more. He has been doing his research on google and is ready to learn from the reliable source of the missionaries. I know they will now continue to progress together toward the temple to be sealed together for time and all eternity.

One other person who I have met here in New Mexico is Louise - a less active in the ward who really needed the savior back in her life. I was able to witness her forgiving herself and allowing her Redeemer to reenter her life and to fill it with the joy and happiness only he can bring. Hearts can change- I saw that in her.

Karissa went to war in the middle east for a year where she lost all faith in any God. In the past few months she has come to a realization that that faith needs to be back in her life - only she did not know how to get it back herself. Thankfully, we were able to be her samaritan in the moment she needed one. She allowed us to enter her home to bring her back to a knowledge of the atonement and the effect in can have in her life. It can heal her hurt and her pain. She has already progressed so much in the last few weeks and I know it will only continue.

There have been many more - these people have touched my heart and they will forever remain there. 

And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

And on the morrow - I will be departing. leaving these certain people under the stewardship of my dear companion Sister Walker and whoever her new companion is. I trust they will act in the direction of the spirit to care for these people how the Savior would. This is the hardest part of the work I believe. Working so hard to help someone heal and then to leave before the process is complete. But just as the Samaritan entrusted that man, whom I know he grew to love in caring for him, to the host - I entrust these people to the Lord. He will care for them.

This has been such a wonderful area and I am so thankful that I was able to serve the people here. I am so thankful for the love that has been shown to me. For the members who have welcomed me into their homes and made me feel like family.

But - My bags are packed - I'm ready to go! only they aren't. but that song has been stuck in my head all day now... I love to see the temple......



My shoes

The Travis Family

I love you all! I will let you know the news next week!