Christmas is Coming, The Goose is Getting Fat!

12/15

Merry Christmas, my loved ones!

Your emails were especially long and satisfying this week... I LOVE reading about all your doings, whether they be big or small. Thank you for the updates... They mean more than I can say. 

This week has been pretty solid! Before I get into anything- Mom, next week P Day is Tuesday instead of Monday (Christmas Eve for us) so I'll email Tuesday and Google Plus on Wednesday! #HollaForChristmas. Also, this past Wednesday was my 3 month mark! Whew. Time flies wickedly fast. 

As time has been flying away, I've had a few thoughts. This last week at Zone meeting we had a good lesson about exact obedience. President Lopez stresses that almost more than anything else. Exact obedience begins at 6:30 exactly. The sisters and I in the apartment have made a special effort this week to be exactly on time and schedule with working out, studies, lunch, and going to bed. We've seen such miracles! The other morning we popped out of bed at 6:30 and my first thought was, "Yes! We get to go work out! Then we get to go study the Book of Mormon and Preach my Gospel!" Man, life is good. If I'm being honest, that's definitely not the type of thoughts I would have had before my mission, as a 19 year old girl... But it's amazing how with our desire to be exactly obedient, the Lord has placed in my heart a new excitement for the work; a fresh perspective. I thought of this motto for my mission:"Don't just endure it-  just embrace it." I'm here in the Philippines for 15 more months. I could bear the humidity and heat, or I could embrace it. I could bear the fact that I take cold showers every day, or I could embrace it. I could bear the work, or embrace it. Make it my own vision, not just the Lord's. And isn't that our purpose? To bring our mind into the mind of Christ? So much of the time we just hold on tight and close our eyes till the trial has passed. I read every monday about the things my loved ones are facing back home. Let us hold on tightly, yes, but I challenge you to make it an embrace instead of a slipping grip. I promise as we open our eyes and embrace the Savior as things come that we think we cannot overcome...We will rely on the strength of the Savior, which is unlimited. "Come what may, and love it."

Okay, I'm off my soapbox. You wanna hear our miracle this week? SIster Fitzy and I were standing at the doors of the church on Sunday greeting the members as they came in. Sister Fitz started pulling on my arm, and as I looked up, who did I see? Brother and Sister G., smartly dressed and with a light in their eyes, helping their grandchildren walk to the doors of the church. Man, missionary work is rad. Their countenances were totally changed, and I could hardly believe they were the same less active couple we've been visiting since I got here. Seeing Less Actives return to church is a bomb feeling. The Spirit rocks.

T. also walked in in a new plaid yellow shirt and khakis and a huge smile. I love him. We taught him Tithing the other night, and as we sat down to discuss his questions from the Tithing Pamphlet we had given him last time, his first question was, "Who do I give my tithing to?" Jeepers. Not "Why do I have to give money to the church," not, "How much do I have to give?" but right away he wanted to know where and how he could give of himself. What an amazing example. 

Also- In case this information is of use to anyone: Filipinos in the Bacolod 2nd ward don't know the song, "Tis Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love"... Instead, it ends up being an awkward solo of the Sister missionary chorister, with a few warbling notes due to stifled laughter. 

Another miracle: Yesterday I had a HOT shower! We're still not quite sure how it happened...But I turned on the shower and the water was hot! (Although we think it's because our water thing in the back was overheating.....) But we were happy nonetheless! 

In my personal study lately I've read this excerpt over and over I have in my scriptures from my most favorite talk I think I've ever read, by Elder Holland "The First and Great Commandment." As I've contemplated my reasons for coming on a mission and studied this talk, I've come up with two statements that reasonably sum up the "Why" of how I got here. 

1. The Book of Mormon is true.

2. I love the Lord. 

Indulge me for a second while I get out my soapbox again, and quote Elder Holland. At this point in his talk, he has related the story of the Lord coming to the Apostles after his resurrection while they were fishing. Peter has led his apostles back to the water to return to their lives after their ministry with the Lord. Christ asked Peter 3 times, "Do you love me?" to which Peter responds in the affirmative, 3 times. Elder Holland says,

To which Jesus responded (and here again I acknowledge my nonscriptural elaboration), perhaps saying something like: “Then Peter, why are you here? Why are we back on this same shore, by these same nets, having this same conversation? Wasn’t it obvious then and isn’t it obvious now that if I want fish, I can get fish? What I need, Peter, are disciples—and I need them forever. I need someone to feed my sheep and save my lambs. I need someone to preach my gospel and defend my faith. I need someone who loves me, truly, truly loves me, and loves what our Father in Heaven has commissioned me to do. Ours is not a feeble message. It is not a fleeting task. It is not hapless; it is not hopeless; it is not to be consigned to the ash heap of history. It is the work of Almighty God, and it is to change the world. So, Peter, for the second and presumably the last time, I am asking you to leave all this and to go teach and testify, labor and serve loyally until the day in which they will do to you exactly what they did to me.”

Then, turning to all the Apostles, He might well have said something like: “Were you as foolhardy as the scribes and Pharisees? As Herod and Pilate? Did you, like they, think that this work could be killed simply by killing me? Did you, like they, think the cross and the nails and the tomb were the end of it all and each could blissfully go back to being whatever you were before? Children, did not my life and my love touch your hearts more deeply than this?”

I want to add my testimony to Elder Holland's. Often times in this work I wonder if I am making any difference at all. The work feels mundane, no one is home, it's hot and I'm sweaty and I don't want anyone else to talk to me in Ilonggo ever again. But then I remember the words of Elder Holland, and he is exactly right. This work is not fleeting. It is not feeble. It's not hapless or hopeless. It is the work of our Almighty God. Who can limit God? 

It's my prayer that His life and His love has touched our hearts- to the point that we will serve Him loyally. Remember the invitation to share the gospel with one person before Christmas. Christmas is soon approaching, my friends, and I hope that we will remember our love for the Lord- love unto action. I want to close with one last quote from Elder Holland:

"My beloved brothers and sisters, I am not certain just what our experience will be on Judgment Day, but I will be very surprised if at some point in that conversation, God does not ask us exactly what Christ asked Peter: “Did you love me?” I think He will want to know if in our very mortal, very inadequate, and sometimes childish grasp of things, did we at least understand one commandment, the first and greatest commandment of them all—“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind.”¹³ And if at such a moment we can stammer out, “Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee,” thenHe may remind us that the crowning characteristic of love is always loyalty.

If we truly love the Lord, we will be truly loyal. If we are loyal, we will be involved in this cause, in His work, in this task that the Lord has left to us. Remember, however, He has not left us to it alone. We have the help of the Almighty God, be it in His work, or in our personal, quiet lives. I imagine that the Lord's wall of family pictures is very large. Because He knows us and loves us enough to put us all on His wall of family pictures somewhere up there in Heaven. He hasn't just put our picture on his wall, however...He has engraven us upon the palms of His very hands. He loves us more than we could ever love Him- in our very mortal, inadequate, and childish state. 

The soapbox is in the corner now (maybe only till next week.) but I want you to know I love you all. I'm learning so many new things every day, and I'm so blessed to have family like you all at home. I don't feel so far away from you. :)

Loves,

Sister Luke

Our God is a God of Miracles

Written 12/8/13

My Dearest Loved ones! Maayong Aga!

What a beautiful morning it is here. Even though its about triple what the temperature probably is back home, something in the air feels like Christmas :) Maybe it's the mini Christmas tree we have in our apartment, or the cut out snowflakes we have on the walls... But the Spirit of Christmas is definitely present. This week has been a week of miracles! I can hardly contain my smiles. I wish my journal and family letters could communicate the excitement I feel. Let me explain. (No, there is too much... Let me sum up.:) [movie, movie!])

First of all, last week I told you all about Brother P. How he came to church? The miracle continues. We stopped by their house Monday night to teach J. (the daughter), but only her baby sister F. was home. F. told us Brother P. had started READING in the Book of Mormon... and it was exactly at that point that I knew we had him. Or... God did. The Spirit. Someone :) Anyway, Sister and I got pretty excited... We went back the next day when he was home from work, and talked to him about church and his reading. We had a lot of questions to answer; definitely had our work cut out for us, but it also means I'm learning so many new things about the gospel. Our investigators lately have been asking a lot of questions I've never thought of before... My study journal is thick with them, but I love it! We get such an opportunity to learn. Anyhow. The Spirit was so strong. He asked about the Plan of Salvation and the Spirit was so strong as we testified that he would see his wife again on the other side. I've never seen such a change in someone... The Lord literally softened his heart and our lessons turned into just that: lessons. Not contests of knowledge, not contentious conversations, but a true gospel conversation. He listened to what we had to say, and asked good questions, but in a spirit of desire to actually know the answers. God is amazing.

One thing I already knew before I came here, but I was reminded of this week was that MUSIC works MIRACLES in the lives of people. Remember Brother G.? I think I told you about him, but here's some background. Brother G. is a less active for years now, although has previously served as a bishop, in the high council, etc. We've never been able to find out why he went inactive, and all our visits felt so futile. We would normally just sing a hymn and share a short message. Last time we were there was one of the worst nights of my mission.. He told us we were not effective missionaries, and basically bashed down what smidgen of self confidence I had. (This was in my first few weeks here... Maybe mga 3?) I was scared to go back again, but we've been trying, nonetheless. We went back about 3 or 4 times and wala gid. No answer. Although one time we saw a hand poke out the window and drop some garbage on the ground. So there was that. BUT! God works miracles in mysterious ways. I still am in shock almost about how it all happened. Sister and I had seen Brother G. drinking and smoking with some buddies earlier, but when we passed his house and talked to Sister G., she said Brother G. was wanting to come back to church... He'd just been waiting for us to visit him.Confused? Me too. So Sister F and I went back a couple days later and waited forever outside their house, and they finally answered. They invited us in and we talked like normal people. (Normally it's an awkward one sided conversation with ourselves and vague nods and blank stares from Brother or Sister.) Brother started to tell us that his daughter had been trying to get him to go back to church, and he basically taught himself the lesson from there. He told us he's been thinking and he's getting older his time is running short. He can't keep running to God only in times of need... But he needs to remember him before the time is too late, and he meets Him at judgement day. He told us that our music and our hymns are what touched his heart, what reminded him of the things he used to know. He said there had been years of missionaries who had visited him, who had talked about good things and asked good questions and were good teachers, but that we had found his weakness: "Kanta." (Music.)

My loved ones, I told my bishop in Rexburg that I wanted to go to a mission where I could use music to help the work move forward. The Lord knows us. I am not a great or powerful teacher, I can't speak too much Ilonggo and most of the time I don't know what people are saying to me, but I testify that "The song of the righteous is a prayer unto [the Lord]". Brother G. was able to feel the redeeming power of the Atonement through music. We asked him his favorite hymn... It's the same as mine: How Great Thou Art. We sang it together and he and I both cried as we looked into each others eyes. Brother G. is returning to church on the 15th of December, and every bit of his desire to return is due to the Spirit. The Spirit found Brother G.'s "weakness", Kanta, but the Lord will make weak things become strong unto us, no? Brother G.'s "weakness" was transformed into a strength- a road for the Spirit to testify to him of the truthfulness of this gospel, and ultimately for him to return to his Father in Heaven.Let us bring our weaknesses unto the Lord, especially during this Christmas season, and watch as he stretches us, melts us, reforms us and teaches us. God is the best! "Now sings my soul, my Savior, God, to Thee... How great thou art!"

Gah, missionary work is so rad, isn't it?

Christmas is coming closer, and this is the best Christmas season ever. Our Christmas tree reminds me of home, but this work keeps me grounded here. What a privilege to spend a sacred holiday here with people I love. T. is going strong and is set for his baptism on Christmas... Bless him for making ours a White Christmas :) He just went to a YSA activity this past weekend. They all went and stayed at a nice resort, and stayed overnight :) They had a forum there about marriage and one about missionary work. He went to the missionary work one... and the night he got home we taught him. We met up with him walking home from the tiangge by his house and he had just OYM'ed the tiangge owner and given him a pamphlet on the restoration! Already a missionary, even before his baptism. Man, he's boss. :)

All is well here! I'm stoked for this new transfer and I can't wait to talk to my dear family so soon :) I tried fresh pineapple here for the first time, we have an awesome fruit stand by our home now and golly. I think the Philippines is fruit heaven.

Sorry for a beast of an email. The most love to you all!

Sister Luke

PS A HUGE shoutout to the huge cute chub, BENSON for his birthday tomorrow!! Well, in two days for ya'll. I'll be celebrating by a great day of proselyting! Happy birthday baby!

Also, shoutouts to Hunter and Adam and Megan for the mail! Adam's Dear Elders kept me laughing for days, and Hunter's dear elder made my WHOLE day. I'll be writing you back soon, Hunter! And Meg's mail was the first piece of handwritten mail yet here in the field... You all rock! Loves! :)

Our cuties at English Class!

This delicious pineapple. There's no going back.

Our Christmas Cove in our apartment!

Happy Late Thanksgiving!

Written 12/1/13

Hello my loved ones!

We just found out the news about transfers..... Sister Fitzgerald and I AND Sister Davis and Sister Smith are ALL staying together! I am so excited I want to scream. Maybe I will later :) That means we all get to have Christmas together! What a fun holiday season it will be. I love these three sisters with all my heart. 

It's been a good week! Thanksgiving was a blast with Sister Smith and Sister Davis. We bought a chicken from a slow cooking stand place, made mashed potatoes, cooked carrots and corn, and had rolls! A true American holiday :) Topped off with chocolate milk (which, on a slight tangent, is super delicious here. It freaked me out at first that they don't refrigerate their milk or eggs or cheese, but their chocolate milk is like a heaven.) and for dessert we bought a buko (coconut) pie and ice cream. So... You could say it was a pretty great day :) We went around the table and talked about what we were grateful for, and I even did our own thankful list in my journal! I thought especially about the characteristics of my amazing family that I was grateful for. I want to share a few of the things I wrote:

Spencer's laugh and Heather's teaching skills; Krista's patience, Aaron's humor, Adam's drive and diligence, Sarah's strength and smile, Megan's heart, Jared's logic, Bekah's personable way with everyone she meets, Hunter's innate goodness, Charlotte's imagination, Sophie's adorableness, Aiden's sense of adventure and curiosity, Laila's sweetness and sincerity, Ezra's chub and smiles, Casen's sensitivity, Benson's giggles, Mom's constant love and service, and Dad's everlasting testimony and his love for our mother. 

As I thought more and more about it, I am overwhelmed with the multitude of blessings and miracles that have occurred and arrived in my life here. For the people I've met at home and especially for the new souls I've met here. I am amazed every day at these hardworking and humble people. Our amazing investigator T. is on track for his baptism on Christmas and I can't wait to see him become a member. His desire to quit smoking, change his whole life, and join himself with this church, in a matter of 3 weeks is unbelievable... But it happens because of the power of the Atonement. I had one day this week where I felt like the language really clicked for me, and I was able to understand what I needed and say what I needed. The power of the gift of tongues is real! Some days are awesome and some are... Nosebleed days, but the language is coming.

This week we went to visit our investigator J. She's 13 and wants to be baptized, but can't get permission from her dad. So we've started to teach when her dad is home. He's sat in on a few lessons, but on Wednesday we visited the house and only Brother P. (dad) and her little sister F. were home. I felt like something was off, and when we went inside I could tell why. There was a super bloody movie playing with scantily clad persons and way, way too much gore. It's crazy how much that drove the Spirit away, and how much it affected me the rest of the day. I don't feel like I've ever been super sensitive to that sort of stuff, but it made me realize how many roads the devil has to wiggle into the crevices of our hearts. Through media, through friends, through music and books and anything that causes us to put something above God in our lives. As we've taught the 10 commandments to people, and talked about not having any god's before Heavenly Father, it's made me think about the things that I put before God. Anything can become a vice, an addiction, or an idol in our lives, if we let it. It's become more and more apparent to me that if we in reality put the Lord at the center of our lives, and don't let anything obstruct our relationship with the Almighty, that is when "all these things" that are necessary in our lives, will be added unto us. That's my invitation to you; especially in this Christmas season, find ways to make Christ the center of your celebrations. Find ways to serve, to share and to love! Then all the rest will be added unto you.

One miracle this week was that same brother, Brother P. showed up to church with little F.!! Sister Fitzy and I were sitting on the stand leading music and playing piano for the hymns, and we nearly jumped out of our seats! I think he had a good experience there, and I really hope this helps us baptize the whole family.

The J.U.'s family is a referral we received a couple weeks ago. They are seventh day Adventists, but are "Searching for the truth". LOVE that, right?! :) So we've taught them a couple times and they are totally golden. The mom is 28 and the dad in his 30's and they have 4 beautiful kids. The last time we taught them there was a FULL rainbow over the house by the end of the lesson... Sign?? I like to think so :) God is so preparing people to receive this message. People just need to be invited! (This experience made me think of Adam, too... "Why are there so many songs about rainbows?..." :) )

Anyway, sorry this is a bit of a boring email. Not too much to report on this week but I am safe and happy and loving my life here in the Pines. Before I forget, Hunter! I have a picture of a HUGE tokay gecko that I want to send to you! I'll send it with Mom and Dad as a printed copy sometime soon, but I will try and send an attached one today:) The funny bit from this week: I definitely got pooped on by a lizard. (Not a tokay gecko though. Phew.) We were teaching our awesome little mischevious 11 year old, A., and a little black thing plops onto my arm. I flicked it off and then saw A. laughing his head off and pointing up. I looked up and saw the last flick of the lizard's tail disappearing from view on the pipe above my head. Ahahaha it was so funny. Later that appointment, they were showing us their pet birds and as Sister F was holding them and I was taking a picture... It pooped all over her hand. So... That was a good appointment :) Also I got sick for the first time this week. We were passing all these workers chopping down sugar cane on our way out from one of our neighborhoods. They asked if we wanted some and the members we were with said yes. They cut some off for us... I have some pictures I might send. Imagine a really thick stalk of celery with the texture of an apple. That's what it's like.. and it doesn't really taste like anything. But hey, it's the experience right? Anyway, that night I got pretty sick and we think it was from the sugar cane. Oh well. Also, I ate fried fish squid ball things yesterday at a members house. So that happened! Not too bad. :)

Love all ya'll! The work is working.

Sister Luke

Hellooooooo over there!‏

Written 11/24/13

Hello my loved ones!

What a lovely week its been! A couple days this week were "chilly"! It was the best thing ever. Instead of sweating buckets, I only sweat cups. So that's cool :)

First of all... I LOVE MISSIONARY WORK. It's the best thing ever. We had a couple rough days this week and got punted all day on Thursday, but okay lang! We had members come with us this week almost every day... Part of "Our Vision" here in Bacolod is harnessing the power of the members in missionary work. I'm really seeing the blessings from it. Our lessons are so much more powerful when we have a member testify and share parts of the lesson. 

Wanna know the best part?? Our amazing investigator T. has stopped smoking and is living the Word of Wisdom so he can be ready for his baptism on Christmas. I wanted to scream and jump for joy and cry when he agreed to live it and when he made his plan to quit smoking. Seeing someone change their life for the Gospel, through the enabling power of the Atonement, right before your eyes is something indescribable. He's always our last appointment at the end of the day, and it's crazy to see how much he grows day by day. On Friday we had an activity at the church and we watched The Restoration movie. T. came and just loved it. He came to church again this week too, and even prayed at the end of Sunday School. I can't wait for him to get baptized :) 

This week I finished the Book of Mormon for the first time in my mission, actually the day before we watched The Restoration. I've been reading in Preach My Gospel about using the Book of Mormon in lessons and it's essential role in conversion. It's amazing how much it really is the keystone of our religion. It's what sets us apart, gives us evidence of Joseph Smith and most importantly, testifies of our Lord and Savior, the fact that Jesus is the Christ. I completed Moroni's challenge and once again had such a strong confirmation that the Book of Mormon is just SO true. Right!? The gospel just makes so much beautiful sense.

On Thursday we decided to buckle down and find this referral we had for a couple days. It's so hard to find referrals out here since no one really has addresses. We had her street name, and spent an hour walking from house to house on that street asking if anyone knew her. We were out in the boonies like... boonies GID and were about to give up... We'd checked every house! We were about to go back when a seven year old beautiful little Filipina came up to us and said that her mom was V., (our referral) and to follow her! We ran back to her house with her and taught the family. They were absolutely golden. The mom and dad and four kids were Seventh Day Adventist, but not super active. They said they were confused about where the truth was and where to find it. It can't get any better, right? We taught them the Restoration and the Spirit was rockin' it. Can't wait to return.

Sister J.R. and Sister K went with us on member exchanges yesterday. I went with K into the Elder's area to visit some less actives and Sister Fitz went with J.R. to our area. It was amazing to meet people I've never taught and try to discern their needs and teach according to them... But the Spirit knows everything. It was so cool to be able to feel the influence of the Spirit, as we asked what to teach them in our hearts, and were shown directly where to go. What an indescribable thing, no? I love when you can see the Spirit working on people right before your eyes. I've never been able to understand so much Ilonggo as I did yesterday at our last appointment. I actually could respond to their questions... By the end of the day, I feel like my brain has mushed and I have a nosebleed from trying to speak Ilonggo, but I love it, and It's coming. I have the words when I truly need them, and that is enough. Just gotta keep working!

I definitely broke through an investigator's bamboo floor.... Awk. Sister and I sat on the couch in his hut, and as the member with us sat down, we started to crash through the floor! Ahaha. It was funny and freaky all at once. There was already a hole in the floor where the couch had been though... So he said it was okay, and he needed to fix it already. I felt bad... But he laughed with us. Those darn huge, heavy americans... :)

Okay, cool-things-Sister-Luke-sees-In-the-Philippines time. I SAW A GOAT GIVE BIRTH!! Like, literally, i saw it give birth. It was the coolest thing ever. If I can send pics later I will. It was the tiniest thing and made all these cute squeaky noises. Man. It was sweet. Also, my feet got pecked to death by ducks during an appointment the other day. Gotta love all the animals in the Philippines. :) We came home the other night to 6 cockroaches on our counter in our kitchen. We've recently taken up a collection of them. We have a small graveyard corner for their bodies. I'm learning how many different kinds there are. :)

Also, where has schwarma pizza been my whole life?? We started doing "Schwarma Saturdays" in our apartment, and man. It has to be my favorite food. It's not even strictly Filipino! So go home and try some. Delish.

Um.. Sorry this is sort of a throw up email. Read 2 Nephi 26:24. Remember why we're here and how much the Lord loves you. So much that he sent his own beloved Son to atone for even you. We may be apart, but my heart always feels close to family. Especially with the Holidays approaching, (HOW IS IT ALMOST DECEMBER??) I love how close I can still feel to you, even when I'm so far away :) Thank you for your support and prayers! 

Love you all the MOST,

XOXO

Sister Luke

P.S. I've become addicted to peanut butter since arriving here. My condolences to the missionaries in Brazil, where I hear they don't have peanut butter. I feel like the phrase should be changed to, "Eat your food, there are starving missionaries in Brazil without Peanut Butter." 

Ahaha. I've gotten weird. Have a lovely week, family!

Oh what a Beautiful Mornin'!‏

November 17, 2013

That tagline is for you, momma dear :) Although of course I'm not singing Oklahoma in my head because I am a a missionary.... :) I can't send pictures here, but I'm getting some printed later today that I'll send home, sige?

Kamusta, friends!

This week has been a great week. We set new zone goals at our zone training last week before the storm, and they were pretty high, so during our weekly planning this week we really got down to details about how we would go about reaching those high numbers. We planned in good detail (and we had plenty of time during that storm....) and had a lovely week. We found 16 new investigators and our cutie companion Sister Dean went with us all week (hence her sending all those pictures to you mom...)! We saw a lot of success and it's an amazing feeling to see the gospel making a difference in people's lives. I had a lot of growing opportunities this week, and the more I grow the more I see where I need to improve, no?

We had exchanges with the STL's on Thursday, and I was a little nervous about it. Sister Sanders is going home in a week and is sagad gid at the language. (Very good.) But it was the best! I had to lead in lessons and in the area since she didn't know anything about where we were going or who we were teaching, but it showed me that I know more than I thought about where places were and how to speak this crazy language. We definitely got lost a few times, but the kids here are super willing to help. I learned so much about teaching from Sister Sanders and after exchanges I was just way more pumped to go out and work. The two really bumming things about that day was that we found out that Sister C. (we've been teaching her since I got here) has a baptismal date set.... WITH THE BAPTISTS. Agh. So that was a blow. We've gone over priesthood power with her so many times, and pleaded with her to pray about her decision before she sets a date. Darn. We also found out our amazing, golden little 13 year old investigator cant be baptized right now. Her grandmother supports the family and is totally against it. J. is so ridiculously prepared though. When we ask about her reading she tells us with excitement all about Nephi and the stories she's reading, and she understands SO much about the gospel. I love her and I learn from her every time we teach her.

Sister and I went back to Sister C. on Friday to follow up with her about her other baptismal date (*facepalm*) and went back again to teach her on Saturday. On friday night she had had some concerns about people actually seeing Christ and God anywhere else than in a dream, and claimed that nowhere in the bible does anyone see them as physical beings. (I'm not sure where this idea comes from. Like... What?) So we went back on Saturday and talked with her about Stephen, Moses, and a few others in the bible, and shared Matthew 5:6. She asked some good questions and we were starting to resolve her concerns when her husband entered. Goodness. He started going round and around in circles, and had a lot of weird ideas about mormons. He took out his Ilonggo bible and started reading from the very beginning and checked to see after every verse if ours was the same. Ahaha. We tried to get our lesson back on track and out of Bible-bashing land but to no avail. I've never felt the Spirit withdraw from somewhere as apparently as I did there. Sister C. kept trying to defend us, and when we finally got a word in edgewise we just left a pamphlet with him about the restoration and left. Sis C. was worried we wouldn't ever come back after that, but she asked us to return next week when her husband wasn't there. It was sad to see that her husband had such dominion over the home, but I really feel that she has faith in our message and in the restoration. Pray for her and her family, will you?

Our other positively GOLDEN investigator T. is just more proof to me that the people of the Philippines are so prepared for this gospel. The other sisters in our apartment, Sister Davis and Sister Smith met him where he lives, right outside our neighborhood, and referred him to us. He had read the whole restoration pamphlet by the time we got there later that week, and said he believed it was the word of God. I think I told you this in my other email.... Anyway... We've been teaching him and he is eating it all up. We gave him a book of mormon and he's been keeping all his committments, which, if you've been a missionary, is the MOST BEST thing ever, no?! Ah. I love when we come and they've read. Most of the time we hear, "Oh, indi ko nagbasa, Sis...." combined with what I call the Filipino Pouty-Face. Ahaha. I love it, but I don't at the same time, because if they're doing that face that means they know they didn't do what they were supposed to. Anyway, sorry, tangent. We taught T. last night and committed him to be baptized on Christmas!!!! White Christmas here in Bacolod. It's the most amazing, joyful feeling to see someone being taught by the Spirit, being led by the Spirit, and accepting the gospel in their lives. I can't even explain the joy and happiness we all feel during those lessons with him. He got so excited about being baptized on "Christ's birthday" as he called it. (Maybe we'll let him get away with that one...) We're doing a "Stake Baptism" that day, and our goal is to have 20 baptisms. White Christmas, indeed :) 

One funny experience from this week.... We were teaching SJ in his bamboo hut that's pretty far above the ground. Sister Fitz, Sister Dean and I went to go sit on his couch, and when Sister Dean sat down with the two of us on the couch, the bamboo floor broke! We nearly fell through the floor on the couch. Ahaha. It was definitely one of the scariest and funniest things all week. SJ laughed with us and said it was okay.. We felt pretty bad, but he said it would be okay to fix. It was like a movie. 

Anyway. I'm loving it here in Bacolod 2nd ward. The ward was so welcoming to our investigators at church on Sunday and are great fellowshippers. My hope for all of you is that when less actives, recent converts, and investigators come to your wards, say hello! Introduce them to your friends, the leaders in the ward. I never realized how much help a simple smile and interest in their lives can be. It's so disappointing when investigators or others don't want to come back to church because they didn't have the experience they could have had, if they had felt more friendship there. I love that no matter where you are, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is always the same. You always have a family there, and what a privilege we have to be there for each other. Christ said in D&C 81:5 ,  " Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees."

It's my prayer that we will do so. I love you all so much, and I think of you often; of your examples, your love, your prayers, and how awesome you all are. I am extremely blessed to have a family like you. Keep sharing your testimonies, they have a profound effect on others. Much love!!

XOXOXO

Sis Luke

P.S. I LOVE that everyone here calls us Sis. The kids, adults, whoever, and I love it. It reminds me of my calling, and that I get to be here as a missionary :) I'm the luckiest in the world.

Also, this email is a hot mess. Sorry. :)

This is a picture of the little lizards that are all over our apartment. 

For Hunter and Aiden especially!

More Fun In the Philippines.‏

November 10

It is truly a beautiful morning family, and I am so happy to be here to tell you I'm here, I'm okay and still myself :)

Yolanda was definitely a huge storm, but we were blessed in unbelievable amounts. We had Zone meeting on Wednesday and they announced that we would have to stay indoors due to a storm. We spent the rest of that day helping the bishop tell all the members about the storm and that they could go to the church for food and water and safety.The missionaries had to stay indoors from Wednesday afternoon till Saturday morning. Did I go slightly crazy? I'll let you guess.

 The winds and rains got pretty crazy, and it was crazy to see things flying around outside, but our apartment was very safe. We actually had a really great couple days together, Sister Davis, Sister Smith, and Sister Fitzgerald and I get along so well. It was weird to stay in, but we took advantage of it and had a lot of fun, too. We studied, exercised, talked, laughed, sat on the floor, made food, melted straws by candlelight, had a sleep over in Sister Davis' and Sister Smith's room and made scripture cases. It was a weird feeling not to have anywhere to go, any appointments or certain lessons to prepare for. We had a lot of planning for Weekly planning though! Which was good. It was a little scary, but we were very very safe, and we didn't even know it was "the biggest storm to hit the earth" till after it was over. Probably that's a good thing. We got texted updates every hour or more, and we were always in contact with our Zone Leaders and District leaders. We have really responsible Elders in our district and Zone, so that was very comforting. We lost power around 11 Thursday morning during companionship study, so we definitely did it by candlelight. Legit, right? We ran out of running water soon after but we had plenty of drinking water. We did bucket showers Friday night because we were so gross. Ahaha. Biggest surprise here: I LOVE bucket showers. You just stand there with a big basin of water and take a ladle and basically get yourself clean that way, but its my favorite. Basically what I'm saying here is: Don't worry Mom, and Dad. I'm safe, intact, and still loving life. :)

We finally got to go out Saturday, and it was a mission wide Community Service project. We were out in jeans (SO weird) and got to help a few families. I was shocked that there wasnt too much damage. There was plenty to clear from the streets, but peoples houses were fine, for the most part. We helped Sister D. fix her CR (bathroom) because her structure outside pretty much got destroyed, but her house was okay, which was a huge blessing. Mom, I got to chop a tree in half with a machete! It was the most legit experience. I felt like a true Amazon woman. I'll see if I can somehow get the pictures from Elder Malit, but I dont have them now. Just imagine it :) It was sweet to be able to help and share messages with so many, especially since they are all feeling so grateful to God for sparing us from the storm. I pray for Tacloban. The damage there is shocking, and I hope so much they get all those missionaries accounted for. We truly were protected. Its a paradigm shifting event... coming so close to such a storm. People can be stopped, but nature is something beyond our own control. It was hard on Saturday, because so many don't want our help, since we are girls, and white, but we helped where we could. Our water is still out at our apartment, but we have power now.

We only really proselyted 2 and a half days this week, since Wednesday we spent all morning telling the members about the church being open for protection and helping them prepare. On Monday night, we had Sister Buban with us to go teaching. Her and another sister stayed with us (they are Sister Trainer Leaders) and were preparing for a training with President the next day. We went to a less active, Brother G., who has never really been receptive to us. He's been taught for years, but hasnt come back to church. He even served in the Bishopric at one point, but has since fallen away. Its sad, but hes so hard to teach, because he has a snide attitude toward us. Sister Buban really clicked with him and got pretty bold with him. He responded to her though, and turned to Sister F and I and basically told us that we weren't good missionaries, that Sister Buban really knew what she was doing and that Sister F and I didn't know how to teach. So. That rocked. I left there feeling pretty low, but I went home and thought all night about what i needed to be doing to ensure that his words weren't true. I prayed and studied and it was a good learning experience for me. Seeing someone as fluent as Sister Buban in the language and her ability to connect with those we taught was a good motivator for me. Sister F and I are still both struggling for people to understand us and teach with power and clarity, but we're working and progressing. I've progressed more in the language, but there is SO much room for improvement. Every time I read in PMG and the scriptures I see something new I need to work on. Missionary work truly reveals every one of my weaknesses and exposes them for me to see on a black background. But it's okay! Because that's why we have the enabling power of the Atonement. I can't be perfect, but I can be the missionary the Lord wants me to be. I can't do anything except through the grace, mercy, and power of the Master. Every success we are experiencing here is because the Lord allows it to be. We had an investigator show up to church on Sunday who we had only met with briefly, but had invited him to church LAST TUESDAY and we weren't able to visit him more because of the storm. He just showed up on his own and we got so excited. We found him a friend and he seemed to really enjoy church. I love the work, I LOVE seeing less actives come to church and partake of the fruit there. To be spiritually filled is something indescribable. Our fast was definitely a fast of gratitude this week for the miracles we were blessed with. Definitely gratitude for our safety.

Today is my two month mark! I can't believe it's already been two weeks. It has been a long week, but somehow I feel like I was just here emailing yesterday. The weeks are flying, and its scary sometimes how fast it goes. I love this. I love what we're doing here... The work is working, and the Lord is hastening his work. I'm so excited for you both, Jared and Bekah! Your new callings give you such an opportunity to help the missionaries. Sometimes we have a really hard time here getting members to come work with us and teach lessons. ALL OF YOU! Ready? Call the missionaries this week! Offer to go with them, even for just an hour! I promise they are grateful, and this is our chance to help in this great work. It's not even hard. Its just awesome. And I promise that when you do, you will feel the blessing it will be in your life. The Lord will grant you missionary opportunities when he knows you will follow through with them! When he knows you will open your mouth, he will give you opportunities to do it. I love you all so much, and I appreciate more than I can say the prayers in my and the Filipinos behalf. I am seeing amazing things here every day, and I remember my loved ones at home in every prayer. I'm grateful to Heavenly Father for protecting us all here, and for comforting you at home. We kept saying in the apartment in those few days we were stuck inside, "I hope our families know we're safe! I hope they know we love them and I hope they know we're not scared!"

I hope I answered most of your questions and quenched the thirst for knowledge of what happened! Keep praying for those in Tacloban.

The MOST love goes to all of you. From me, and even more from the Lord.

XOXOXO

Sister Luke

How disgusting we got before we showered Saturday night. 

I have seriously never sweat so much in my life. Ahaha. I love it.

We enjoy our disgusting selves

2 months na!

Real Amazon Woman

I hate thinking up a clever subject line.‏

November 3

Maayong aga, my loved ones!

How the heck are ya'll? I'm doing so great. They often talk here about the first 90 day adjustment, how awful it can sometimes be and how difficult to adjust to so many different things but the Lord has been blessing me more than I even can comprehend. I haven't felt homesick, I haven't gotten really sick, and I've been enjoying the work here, even though it's hard. We are having a hard time with investigators keeping commitments, especially working with less actives, but we are doing our best to let the Spirit work through us, and that is a satisfying feeling.

It's always hard to know where to start in these emails, and they end up being so scattered, but that's okay. Letters and Dear Elders seem to come through in a couple weeks here, and everyone I've talked to has been fine with getting all the packages their families have sent, even within 3 weeks, so the mail is more reliable than we thought. (That is not a hint to send packages, just thought I would let you know :) )

It's hot here but its better that I never know what the temperature really is. Its just hot and humid all the time, but at nights lately its been cooler. Surprisingly it's only rained like 3 times, but I love when it rains. Elder Andersen coming was SO cool. Elder Whitney Clayton came too, and it was a few days of awesomeness. Yesterday we had a stake conference with Elder Clayton and the day before was when we met with Elder Andersen. So much to learn! He suggested to President Lopez that the First Presidency now wants missionaries to stay in their areas for longer amounts of time, with companions for a longer time in order to build the church. It's true! Building less actives, working with investigators, and building testimonies takes time. Even people we're meeting now I'm hoping to stick around long enough to see them enter the waters of baptism. We're working for our Weekly Baptism goal, but since it was just 2 transfers ago that Sister Fitz and Sister Bendoy (her last comp) whitewashed the area, we haven't had a ton of progressing investigators. Which means we get to do a lot of finding! It's fun. On Friday they celebrated "All Saints Day" which means they all go to graveyards and set up tents and food and picnic and party all day there. Think Utah Arts Festival, and that's sort of the atmosphere there. It sounds creepy, I know, but it's really cool. They celebrate their dead relatives lives and light candles on the graves. Its beautiful, and we talked to a lot of people about the Plan of Salvation and the Restoration. A really good finding opportunity. We got a few solid referrals and handed out a lot of pamphlets. We also got FED the MOST. Like 4 times, 4 full meals in 2 hours. Aye. But I had a few classic Pinoy foods and they were all DELICIOUS. I've been eating mostly a college diet since neither Sister F or I know how to make food with the ingredients available here but we have a healthier list this week! We'll be going to the market later. 

We also got PIG from a member! She's had this pig she's been raising for like a year, and on November 1st in the morning we went to her house and they slaughtered it and gave us a bag of pork. So. That was real. We have yet to cook it but I have a feeling it'll taste pretty darn good.

We just found the E. family a few nights ago using something Pres. Lopez likes us to do called Finding Through Prayer. I know Aubs uses kind of the same thing in Georgia. Basically you go talk to the people, get to know them, and then ask if you can pray for them and their family. Usually it leads to a lesson, and sometimes it just leads to some awkward staring contests, but such is the life. Anyway, they (mom, grandma, and daugher, about 9 years old) were outside their house by another house of one of our investigators, and we asked to pray with them. They invited us in and we gave a short message about the resoration and a pamphlet. We told them we'd return and talk more with them. When we went to the graveyard later that week we ran into the little girl, and she said she'd read the whole pamphlet! We went to their house last night and taught the girl, her mom and dad. The dad asked a LOT of questions and sort of rambled a lot, but we got most of our message across. I'm supposed to go on exchanges tonight with the STL's and we'll teach them again. It's an amazing feeling to feel the Spirit testify through you, and and even more amazing feeling when you realize they are feeling it too! We found another family and the mom A. and her husband are especially receptive. We find a lot of uniterested people, but there are truly so many prepared. We have high hopes to get them progressing. That's the trick! We find a lot of people, but it's hard to help them understand the importance of keeping commitments. 

Our little 11 year old investigator, J., is the sweetest little thing you'll ever find. She wants to be baptized so bad, but her dad isnt too excited about it, but we're praying that the Lord will soften his heart. Seeing such a strong testimony in such a small person is inspiring. There is so much I still need to learn. The Lord shows me that every day. 

I love you all so much. I am going to try to send pictures on here, I hope they get to you. The sunsets here are amazing, I'm blessed to be in a beautiful place, with beautiful people. The weeks are already speeding by! The MOST love to you, and remember, the work is working!

Sister Luke

P.S. 3 Nephi 13:21- My treasure is here! My treasure is in the Philippines, teaching the Restored gospel to these treasured people. My heart is here! 

Laundry by hand!

Sister Fitz and I before Elder Andersen

Our baptism

I Made It!‏

October 27, 2013

Maayong aga family!!

Sister AmyLuke 

Philippines Bacolod Mission

PO Box 660

Bacolod City

6100 Negros Occidental

Philippines

I'm here. I dont even know how to start, especially since I took a lot of time reading all the emails in my inbox! Mom, Sis Fitz said she's gotten letters in about 3 weeks and packages in less than a month too, so that's cool. But dont send packages, its not worth it.

Okay.. WEll! It's crazy here! My first flight was awesome. Nagoya Japan was sweet too. Sister Char and I gave out a bunch of pass along cards on the flight and in the airport. All the people we flew to Manila with are so nice... All the filipinos are amazingly nice. Everyone here smiles and says hello. More on that later. When we FINALLY got to Manila it was like jumping into a swimming pool and I haven't gotten out since. So that's cool :) I think I've sweat enough to fill a small dam. Thats just the life here! But i have a cute handkerchief to wipe the sweat away so it's all good ;) I love it. I love the people and I love talking to them even though I have no idea what they are saying. In lessons I can get about 30% of it. Mostly all Sister Fitz says, but in real life it's only a word here or phrase there. But the "overwhelming" feeling hasnt really hit me or anything. I know if I do my part the Lord will help me get the language. They speak a lot of English and "Ilonggish" here too. We taught a man in English last night, too. Pres Lopez likes us to teach in English where we can, but R. and his wife have been the only ones so far. It was nice though. We found his wife last night on our way home and stopeed to talk to her before she went inside. We asked to pray for her and her family inside and when we sat down andtold her husband we were missionaries he said, "Well then, where do we start?" haha. It made me laugh. He is a devout baptist... But i'm really really hoping we get to teach him again. He asked a lot of questions and we talked about the restoration. Mostly he wanted to know what the differences were between our beliefs, but I hope weget to talk more with him.

So we got here Tuesday night (I htink?) and we stayed at the Manila hotel near the airport that night. NICE hotel. My last hot shower :) The food was good too. Lots of rice and meats and yummy fish too! We slept for like 4 hours and had to get up and go to the airport. In like 30 hours of travel i Had about 8 hours sleep. Whey. I'm still trying to catch up. My first night here we had a meeting with the bishopric and mission leader and it went on and on in ilonggo... Defs fell asleep and they made fun of me. Great to know I make such good first impressions. Sorry for all the typos... This keyboard is struggling. Or maybe it's user error.

SO we had lunch and training at the mission homeand pres lopez is AWESOME. So good. KNows what he is doing. Our goal here is weekly baptisms, andthis week we met it! Haha although I can't really call it "my baptism." His name is A., and he is super old and frail (I was afraid he wouldn't comeout of the water) but it was so good. The baptism was scheduled for 2 but didn't happen till like 4. We had to wait for the bishop for about an hour.... Definitely Filipino style! But okay lang.

Sister Fitzgerald is AWESOME. Been out in the field only 12 weeks, but is great at the language and at teaching. She's from WA. We get along really well and have a lot of fun together. I do what I can in the lessons but mostly that's just testify. The people and children here are really nice andtell me my Ilonggo is very good, and myaccent is good... But i know they're just being nice :) My area is Bacolod Central stake... Pretty much staying in the city. Our apartment ispretty nice too! We have running water, and my cold showers in the morning are the best part of the getting ready process :) You're pretty much wet all day anyway but it's nice to be COLD wet instead of hot. I freaked myself out: it's SO hot, but less hot that I feared. THe humidity is awesome.

They ride in Jeepneys here, which is like a bus type of thing, or in these little side car things attached to a motorcycle or bike called a tricycle. The poverty here was shocking in some ways. They literally live in cardboard huts and we teach on wood benches with their laundry hanging above myhead, and they are still some of the happiest people I have ever met. It's inspiring. Some people here are just so ready to share the gospel. We have a hard time finding members to come teach with us... Please, anyone reading this, call up your missionaries in your area and offer to host or go with them to a lesson!! It's an easy way to contribute to this amazing and desperately important work. 

Everyone here, EVERYONE, young or old stares at us like nobody's business. They call "Kagwapa!" out from busses or the side of the road... haha if anyone needs a self esteem boost... Come to the Philippines. In no makeup, sweaty faces and hot clothes...Doesn't matter! They will call you beautiful. Haha. 

I love it here. It's hard, but I'm adjusting really well, it feels like. I hope i answered most of your questions... WE havent eaten with any members yet, but they have good food here from what we;ve made. Elder Anderson is coming to our mission on SATURDAY! SO stoked about that. So good to hear from all of you.. I'll try to send pictures but I dont know if I can here.. SO sorry. But you saw the ones on Pres Lopez's page so there. Dear Elders take about a month ish to get here, depende, so maybe just try them and see? I would love to hear from all of you! Love you SO much... Don't know what else to say. Remember that we are saved in and through Christ only after all we can do. When all is said and done here, I want to be able to face my Savior with pure hands, and to be able to say I placed everything on the altar of sacrifice for this work. 2 Nephi 25:23. I love you all so much, and Happy Birthday today, Daddy and Krista! Hope you all have wonderful weeks... Can't wait to hear from you. 

Keep on keeping on!
XOXO

Sister Luke