2 Baptisms, 2 Countries, 1 Happy Missionary

So this week we had the baptism of one of our investigators. He is currently living with his aunt's family while his dad is working abroad in America. He has a solid testimony and is already very knowledgeable about the gospel. I found out that his dad just happens to live only 2 hours away from me in Seattle, so when our investigator rejoins his dad there, I'll be able to continue to see him and help him prepare for his mission. I know that that wasn't an accident, but rather, a tender mercy from God. I'm thankful for having this opportunity to meet him and see his spiritual growth.
My family celebrated many events this week such as my parent's anniversary, my brother's high school graduation and my sister's baptism. Even though I wasn't there in person with them, throughout my mission, I've become increasingly more aware and thankful for the loving family God gave me. I have great peace in knowing that we are sealed together and that I can be with them in years to come. That knowledge has given me a bigger desire to help families here receive the same blessings too.

Word of the Week: panatag -- no worries Ex: Hakuna matata...it means panatag! 

Bamboo Rendezvous

This week we had two baptisms of two cousins of some families that we have helped reactivate. It has been amazing to see their desires for their entire families to become active once again and allow their sons to be baptized. To briefly explain, in the Church, we believe that baptism is an essential ordinance, or sacred act, that all people need to do in order to return to God. Through baptism, all our sins are washed away and we are made perfectly clean once more. Because of this, we believe that little children do not need to be baptized

because they do not yet recognize the differences between good and evil. Instead, when a child reaches the age of accountability, age 8, they can be baptized. I've been thinking about that for a while because my sister will be baptized this week. Even though I won't be there, I'm grateful to have witnessed many baptisms here on my mission and many people showing their desire to follow the example of Jesus Christ. 

We also had a mission activity at this bamboo park. It was cute to see all the panda bear paintings, even though I still haven't seen a single panda my whole mission. At least the shade was nice! 

Word of the Week:  pakikiapid --- adultery Ex: Do NOT commit pakikiapid!

School's Out, Scream and Shout!

...Except for the Philippines where school is about to start this week! We had exchanges this week, where I switched with another companionship for a day. I went to the other sister's area and I had a great time teaching the families there. There was one that had 3 daughters who are the same age as my sisters. Their personalities were exactly like my sisters, so it was sweet to talk to them because it felt like I was talking with my family. They are so good at their scripture reading and knowledge. It makes me think to when I was their age and I totally wasn't at their level. I don't think we realize how capable our children are of understanding gospel truths and principles. We should not shy away from teaching them and helping them understand their potential. After all, spiritual school never has a summer break, right? :)

Word of the Week: Piga -- squeeze Ex: You need to piga the coconut pulp in order to get the milk!

Kids Will Be Kids

In all of my areas so far, this one is the most populated with plenty of kids always playing wherever we go. Well, I guess it's been a while since an American missionary has been assigned here because the children are always shocked to see a real-life "barbie" walking in their midst. Just this last week we had an experience where we were trying to find someone and before my companion and I knew it, we gained 25 more little companions, all eager to follow us wherever we went. It was definitely a sight. Now I feel like I know what it's like to be a Pied Piper haha. Although, what I love about the kids here is that they are always so genuinely happy. Despite any hard circumstances they have, their resilience is incredible to me. I know that the Restored Gospel helps families and can change lives. Just like the children followed me, we too must follow our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Word of the Week: Lumapit -- come closer/draw unto Ex: I like to lumapit to chocolate icecream!

April showers bring may flowers. What does May bring?

More showers! Yep, rainy season is fast approaching and I'm so happy. Mostly because it'll be cooler and I won't feel like collapsing from heat exhaustion every day. We held a branch missionary activity where we taught people how to approach someone and invite them to hear from the missionaries. What stuck with me about this activity was how members can further the work simply by opening their mouths. You don't have to be perfect, but by inviting all you meet -- on the bus to work, in the grocery store or those at school -- you can experience your own miracles. I used to be really afraid of doing this before my mission. But I've noticed that as I test my faith and invite, little by little, I've gained more courage and conviction in what the Lord wants me to do. It is from this simple invite that our investigator was found and baptized. A member referred him to us and he has such a strong testimony. He wants to serve a mission some day and is already growing stronger in the gospel each day. Basically, no effort is wasted.

 

Word of the Week: Madaldal -- talkative Ex: Sister Morgan is an exceptionally madaldal individual who could write more words in this sentence, but that of course would be exceedingly repetitious and annoying to the reader who is probably wondering at which point this sentence will end and how can she possibly continue on and on without Sister Morgan herself getting bored of trying to write as many words as she can think of, but she is kind and so now she will stop........now.

 

Guagua-po missionaries!

So in Tagalog, the word gwapo means handsome or attractive. I just got transferred to my third area, guagua and it's a joke here to say the people are guagua-po! I didn't think it would be possible, but this area is even hotter than my other areas. My companion is Filipina and she goes home one transfer ahead of me. One cute experience-- there's this old old nanay who lives across from us and is a recent convert. It was nice to teach her because even though she has crazy gray hair and trembling hands, she has a solid understanding of the gospel and is thoroughly committed to endure to the end. I'm excited for this area!

 

Word of the Week: tsismoso -- a person who gossips Ex: Bob is such a tsismoso!