Mga pamilya at mga kaibegan ko! Namimiss kayo
(siyempre) pero, sobrang masaya ako at mahal na mahal ko ang Philippines at
mga investigators namin.
So this week I had a different companion each day of the week. Two sets of
Sisters from Guino Batan came to do exchanges with us and then the
Masbate Sisters got stranded here after a meeting because the weather
was bad and so they couldn't get back to the island so they stayed with
us. It was super fun, but super crazy! So many Sisters in one apartment!
So I led the area all week and had to plan lessons and where we would
visit on my own. Preparing me for when my companion leaves in 2 weeks! I
got to be companions with Sister Lang who is an American, who hasn't
been here too much longer than me! We had so much fun! She is awesome!
Sure the language was a struggle, but we figured it out. Everyone wanted
to talk to us and everyone was calling out at us as we walked around. I
have never had so many stares in my life. I thought it was bad before
with Sister Feinga...Nope when whities unite you get the most
attention.
I got to dance quite a bit this week! One morning Sister Mataele
taught me how to Tahejan (butchered that spelling I'm sure) dance. I
suck at it, but it was fun! Tapos, I taught some of the sisters some
ballet haha. It was a good time! I miss dancing soo much! I also tried
strait up sugar cane. It was interesting. Basically you suck on piece of
wood and it tastes like sugar. A less active member gave us a ton, pero
we don't own a machete, so it just sits there haha.
So now some updates on investigators, so JOHN! He is soo astig! He
has been reading so much in the Book of Mormon and understands it and
wants to be baptized really bad! Pero, the problem is he works as the
Guanzons security guard while they are church so we need to figure that
out. Also, he told us he is afraid to tell his wife that he has a
baptisimal date because she is a very devoted Catholic. He is just so
happy and he understand it all! It makes me so happy! He is really
gaining a testimony! It is so cool to see someone change as a result of
you teaching them! Tapos Jovalyn! So we visited her last week and told
her to start reading the Book of Mormon from the beginning and to just
read a little bit each night. Keep in mind she is only an 11 year old
part member. So we go back and she is on page 90! Only after a week!
That is more than I ever read in a week until I came on my mission. She
is so adorable I can't handle it! We are seeing so many miracles in our
area! We have so many investigators that are progressing and we have SO
MANY less active members that have started to come back to church!
I have really been able to see the difference between testimony
and conversion. Those with just a testimony may have desires to come to
church and desires to follow the commandment, but without action that
testimony just stays a testimony, but as they act and submit to the will
of the Lord that testimony becomes true conversion. As I see less
active members and even investigators come to church, read their
scriptures, pray, and serve others they become converted to this gospel
and converted unto the Lord and they become HAPPY! The people here have
so many problems and trials, yet as they rely of the atonement and live
the gospel they are happy and have the strength to endure. It is truly
amazing!
I can't even describe how amazing it is to a missionary! Sure it is
absolutely the hardest thing I have ever done, but it is a time I would
never want to take back! First of all mission humor is great and the
funniest things happen with investigators and just when you are with the
other missionaries. I have experiences so much growth in such a short
amount of time, and I just love living HERE in the PHILIPPINES! The most
beautiful and crazy place in the world. Now that I can understand what
the people we teach are saying and what they are going through, I love
and care for them so much. I am anxious to go out and serve them each
day! I am just happy this week and there are so many moments that happen
each day that make me realize I wouldn't want to be doing anything
else. Like when 15 year old Job is so sick and needs a blessing and the
family first thinks to call Sister Feinga and me and we get to rally the
troops and get Priesthood holders to his home to give him a blessing.
It's moments like that that I am able to see the importance of being a
missionary and how our service is able to bless others.
I am so happy to be a missionary! I know this church is true and I
know that people NEED to hear the gospel. It is seriously so amazing to
teach people about the gospel. I really feel like I am at the point in
the language that I can actually say something meaningful. It is just
exciting!
So yesterday I spoke in sacrament meeting about strengthening
families. I had thought about it at the beginning of the week and then
things got so crazy that it slipped my mind, and lets just say being a
missionary has really helped me be able to talk about something without a
plan. At least I had scriptures memorized from teaching about families
all the time! haha I felt so bad that I had barely prepared, pero it
went fine! I talked about how family scripture study, family prayer, and
family home evening and how that is the foundation for strong
families. As I thought about family I was just so thankful for my
wonderful family. I miss you guys each day! I miss the smallest things
that we would do and can't wait to do them all again, but I know that
this year and a half apart will make all those things even better!
Anyway, I miss you all and I love you all! Have a great week! MAHAL KITA!
-Sister Gardner
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