Walk the extra mile...or just take a jeepney!

I had a very productive week with Sister Wagner, despite our foot ailments! Because of the multiple sores and other inflamed blisters on each of our feet, our walking has been quite limited and our proselyting hours were reduced slightly. And to add to that, many of our original appointments seemed to fall through for one reason or another. Even just this last Sunday, we were punted (rejected) about 11 times in a row! However, the miracle is this: that God always provides more people and families to teach if we’re willing to look and find them. With our best efforts, we were able to find many new investigators and multiple families. There was even one family we taught who said that they were former investigators from some years ago, but that now they feel it is the right time for them to come to church and investigate it seriously. I know that these experiences happen when we are willing to put the effort in first. When we try our best, God truly does make up the rest.

Twin for the win!

Lots of crazy new changes! I found out that I'm training again! My companion is Sister Wagner who is also from America. We're both blonde and white which has caused a lot of people to ask if we're siblings. Maybe we're not family, but we are sisters in Christ! :D So far we've had a blast together together and I'm excited to see her progress with the language and everything else!

I have one quick miracle that I’d like to share with y'all. We have an investigator who is very prepared to be baptized next month. When we went to her house to teach her, we found her reading from the Book of Mormon. Even though she’s already received some persecution from taking the missionary lessons, she has received equal fellowship from members at church.

I’m so grateful that God has prepared her to receive the gospel. She’s the kind of person who can help better establish Orion branch and I’m looking forward to continuing to see her build her testimony.

I'll Be Home for Christmas

That song is one of my companion's favorite Christmas songs. For both of us, it is true that we go home this year, but she'll go home this week. It's crazy for me sometimes to see how fast a mission can go. Thinking about when I first arrived here to now seems like a blur of countless lessons and hearts changed. I think similarly, our life here on earth can feel fairly short as well. And that is true, that in considering the entire plan that God has prepared, our time here is only a small, but significant, part. I've always wanted to leave my mission with no regrets, and the knowledge that I did my best with what I had. I think too, I want to feel that way as Judgement Day commences and I'm able to say I've tried my best to follow His gospel and commandments. If each person truly understood their potential, that is to return back to their Creator and not only that, but become even as He is, then our choices would be easier to make. We would have greater peace of mind when trials and struggles inevitably do come. That's why I love my mission so much. It's been such a blessing to teach these truths to the people here and see them desire something much better than Christmas, that is eternal life with God. 

Word of the Week: Uwi -- verb: to go home Ex: Uwi already my companion!

The Dog Days of Summer are Over

Here in the Philippines, the Brrr months (September, October, etc.) are the start of the Christmas and typhoon season. But speaking of dogs, we found this woman who owns lots of adorable puppies and couldn't resist taking a couple quick pictures. As one of the leaders, we get to conduct exchanges where we go to another sister's area and work with them. I got to go to the next door area, Pilar, and it was fun walking along the dikes and exploring a new place for a bit. We taught one family that are recent converts and their kids were so good during the lesson. They would race with one another to find the scripture reference or answer questions. Seeing their high participation made me happy because I realized that these children are so lucky to have a strong gospel foundation in their family. The longer I've been on my mission, the more I know that our message really does help families become stronger and united around Christ. I'm thankful to have been able to teach that principle to many families here.