Nothing lasts forever, even cold November rain...and missions!

It’s amazing to me to think that this will be my last post before I go home. I think that my mission has been a mix of many, different experiences. However, despite any setbacks I’ve had, I can say that I have grown stronger because of it. I know that not all who read this may understand or agree with my beliefs, but I want to testify that I now know better than ever before that this work is real. And what I mean by that is that I know I have been called of God to serve here in the Philippines. As I have endured persecution and ridicule from others, I have yet been strengthened by loving companions, housemates and above all, my Savior. Of course, throughout my whole mission I haven’t been perfect. There have been days that, now, I regret because I know that I could have worked harder. But like our life on earth, one of my purposes here is not to become perfect, but rather to progress. I want to gladly say that I have indeed done that. I’m so very grateful that out of all the people in the world, I got to be here at this time. I’m so blessed. 

I'd like to end this with my testimony. I want to boldly proclaim that I know that there is a God and He knows and loves me by name. I know that this message and work helps families become eternal. Through each time period, God has called prophets for us to know about His plan. I know that Jesus Christ is real. Through His Atonement, where He suffered for all of our pains and afflictions, I can become clean again and return to the presence of my Father. I know that the Church Christ established on the earth was lost after His death, but through the Prophet Joseph Smith, has been restored again. I know that we have living prophets and apostles on the earth today that hold the correct authority, or Priesthood, needed in order to officiate in important ordinances, like baptism. I'm so grateful that I've received answers from my earnest prayers. That is simply my invitation to all. Pray and search for yourself to know that these things are true. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, Amen. 

 

Word of the Week: tapos na! -- finished Ex: My mission is tapos na! 

My missionary lice-nse is about to expire!

At the beginning of my mission I was given a card that allows me to be recognized by the government and others as a licensed missionary of the Church. However, I found that it'll technically expire next week so I guess that's a sign that the end is nigh. Maybe to give one last gift, Orion decided to give me lice which my loving house mates have scrupulously picked out with endeavoring fervor. In attempting to relate my pitiful, untimely state to a spiritual analogy I reflect upon the Atonement. Our sins are somewhat like the lice. Some large, some small, some not even grown to maturity, yet in any state it is still undesirable. I could try on my own to get out the bug but no matter how diligent I am, I will always fall short of complete eradication. Similarly, despite how repentant we are, we can never become 100% clean without accepting and using the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Only in and through Him can we return back to our Heavenly Father. As I soon will return to my own earthly family, I can't help but imagine how glorious it will be to "encircled in the arms of Jesus" once more. That's why I'm here, to help others experience the same joy that I've felt in my life as I've come to know and follow the example of Jesus Christ. 

 Word of the Week: lice--kulo Ex: I never want to have kulo again. Period.

AUDREY SPEAKING IN SACRAMENT MEETING

Hi Everyone,
Just wanted to let you know that Audrey will be home (arriving December 15th).  She will be speaking in Church that Sunday (December 18th) in the Brier Ward Sacrament Meeting.  They start at 9:00.  She hopes people who are now in the Mountlake Ward but started out with her in Brier will be able to come to that.  For directions to the church or other details send Audrey an email at audrey.morgan@myldsmail.net or ask me. (Lori)

How Beautiful My Feet Are Upon the Mountains!

In Isaiah, the prophet prophecies how those who publish glad tidings shall be beautiful on the mountains. Well, I've seen a fulfillment of that prophecy seeing as my area is full of mountains and now my feet are definitely more beautiful than they were a month ago! It's been special to serve a mission, because no other time in my life can I "publish peace" as much as I do here. We had one investigator who was struggling to understand the concept of proper Priesthood authority in relation to baptism, but as she said the closing prayer, we all felt the Spirit strongly confirm answers to her earnest, sincere prayer. In that moment I had the thought that it's because of people like her that I'm on my mission. Truly there is nothing more beautiful than an individual who receives the truth and transforms their life because of it!

Word of the Week: feet -- paa Ex: My paa are now doing much better!

My mission is going kwek-kwek!

Here, there is a lot of street food, one of which is called kwek-kwek. It's basically a quail egg dipped in an orange-dyed batter and deep fried. Soon, though, I won't be able to eat it as readily as I'd like! It was the birthday of one of our house-mates and to celebrate traditional Filipino style, we sang karaoke church songs with my homemade cardboard decorations. I never knew hymns could be so fun! To top off the week, we found and taught a family who are the sweetest things ever. Their 12 year-old daughter has a leg impairment and uses a wheelchair donated from LDS charities. They are so eager to come to church and learn more about it. Even though they have so little, I appreciate how genuinely happy and kind they are. I'm so excited to see the gospel work within them and help their family become even stronger.

 

Word of the Week: mahabdi -- stinging pain Ex: If you eat too much kwek-kwek your stomach will feel mahabdi!

The Other Side of Heaven

There was a movie made with the title, "The Other Side of Heaven," that is about a missionary who served in Tonga. Well, this last transfer, my trainee got transferred to the other sister's area in Orion and now I'm with Sister Fotu'aika, who is from Tonga. For those of you who are devout followers of my adventures, you may recognize her! She and I were together in our first area, Sta. Cruz, as housemates. So, in a way, we get to start and end our missions together. Besides my birthday, nothing too crazy has happened. Something I have noticed, however, is how God is blessing us with families to find. In just the last couple of weeks, we've found a handful of families committed to be baptized and it makes me so happy! Whenever we invite somebody to be baptized, we like to tell them that they can receive one of two answers, that is, it is not true or it is true. And before they can receive an answer, all they have to do is read from the Book of Mormon and pray every day, and go to church each Sunday, at least for a month. We then promise them that they will know the truth. That's my invitation this week to you all, to try this message out for yourself and see what answers you receive. 

Word of the Week: palaman - food spread Ex: I bought a chicken BBQ flavored palaman and it's great on toast!