Family and Friends!
Email time got shortened, so I might not be the best at emailing back and my letters might get a lot shorter, but I will try my best!
This week was SO good! At the start of the week we traveled to Legazpi for MLC. Traveling isn't my favorite, but MLC was really good. Our workshop was about becoming "Master Gospel Teachers." I really want to continue to improve my teaching skills. Sister Donato and I have really been working on it with practice teaching and we have evaluations as we walk from appointment to appointment. She is an amazing teacher, so it is nice to have her as my companion to learn from! Three things I have learned about teaching are 1. You have to have unity with your companion and confidence in what you have to say and what your companion has to say. 2. Keep it clear and simple (people are already overwhelmed enough that there is some white girl sitting on their floor). 3. Ask lots of questions and make them feel comfortable. I hope by the time that I leave that I am a "master gospel teacher."
This week was Rosalie, Divine, and Katrice Ramirez' baptism! It was the best feeling ever to watch those three be baptized! They were all so ready! The whole week leading up, they could hardly wait! The baptism was just so beautiful and simple and the spirit was so strong. I am so thankful that I got to be a part of it. Their family is so special to me. I was so scared that Katrice was going to be so nervous at the baptism and the confirmation the next day, but she was so brave! She went right into that font and then on Sunday walked right on up to the podium. Rosalie bore her testimony at her baptism and the next day in Relief Society!
We were finally able to teach Rosalie's husband on Sunday! FINALLY! The whole week we had been leaving him little funny notes and Rosalie said that he got a kick out of it. Rosalie told him that we weren't coming Sunday night (we were) and so when we got there he was sitting in the house (there is only one way out). That is how we trapped Brother David! It was such an amazing lesson. The whole family sat and listened in. It was so good to see all of them together. At first he was super shy, but eventually he warmed up. He apologized for not listening earlier. He said that he really is just so shy and he didn't know what to expect. He is such a good dad, all he wants is to provide for that family and help them to be happy. He accepted a baptismal date and we talked a little about the temple and he really wants for his family to be sealed. So awesome! I will do whatever I can to be there when they are sealed as a family. During the lesson Rosalie shared something with us that had happened to her the day before her baptism. She really was tested leading up to her baptism, she has such strong faith! The day before they had no food and were all so hungry and they didn't know where they would get food. All they had was 2 guavas to feed the whole family, so they fed the youngest and the rest just drank water. The oldest daughter said that they should all just sleep, but the dad knew that he needed to go to work in order for them to have food later that night. So he went to work starving, but was able to return home with food that night for their family. We came over that night and taught them and had no idea what had been going on. It broke my heart that they go through things like that and that I just have no idea. I can't even imagine how they feel and how hard it is for Rosalie and David. I do know that the gospel will bless their family though.
I could tell a million more stories, but I don't have time! The work is so good right now! People are accepting baptismal dates and coming to church! I love it more and more each day here on Masbate. I am really gaining a testimony of being obedient. If we are obedient to ALL the commandments of the Lord/ all the mission rules, the Lord will bless us. We may think that our wisdom is greater and sometimes we try to justify or push the limits, but it is as simple as this. If we obey with exactnesss, the Lord will bless us and we will have the spirit. And we need the spirit. Whether we are missionaries or not.
Mahal ko kayo!
-Sister Gardner
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