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!