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!