The 6th and 7th En. Children

Written 12/28/14

This week Brother En. told us that he has 5 kids, and then he named me as the 6th and Sister Turtal as his 7th. Have I mentioned how much I love this family?

Happy New Year my family! And Happy Birthday to Bekah :) It was good to see your faces. This week was joyful for so many reasons, and I learned a lot. I also got hugged on the street by a slightly crazy 16 year old boy who had to be pried off by Sister Turtal. It's a good thing we have companions.

Since one encounter with the opposite gender wasn't enough, I experienced another one on Wednesday. We went to our area about 45 minutes out of the city, to find lots and lots of mud and slippery hills barring our way to our investigators. We were advised to take off our shoes and rough it bare foot, thinking maybe that might be easier, but we slipped just as much. Then- I don't know if this was supposed to be mercy or temptation- as we were just about to decide to slide down the muddy hill on our bums, or throw ourselves down it Wesley-and-Buttercup-Style, a teenage boy appeared to escort us down the hill, holding my hand, and sister Turtal holding me as we carefully made our way down the muddly slope. I tried not to be traumatized and disgusted by actually touching the opposite gender. Ahaha. The mission does things to you.

I was also informed this week that cold water makes you fat. So. That explains it. It's not the endless rice they feed us every day. It's the water. Watch out for the water :)

Of course one of the highlights of this week was the baptism of the En. family. Seeing them baptized and dressed in white and bearing their testimonies afterward... There is truly nothing like it. They offered simple testimonies, and as they spoke at the front of the room where we held the baptismal service, I had a glimpse from the Spirit of who these wonderful people can become, if they continue in this church. I saw future leaders, stronger testimonies, trials overcome by faith and blessings poured out, if they will just remain true and faithful.

I came to a point this week where I realized that the work here is like my medicine. No matter what stress I feel at the apartment or if I have something worrying me or even if I feel sick, if I can just get out and work it all goes away. The familiar feel of putting on my rubber shoes and tromping through mud and grass and over hills, talking to strangers and praying for families... There is nothing better than this work. It cures every negative thought, heals all impatience, and teaches me more than I ever thought I could fit in my head.

M. G. is getting baptized this January, she's the house help of one of our member families here. She is 26 and so sincere. She has such an open heart and getting to teach her is a delight (not just because she feeds us) but because she accepts everything we teach and asks genuine questions. She has been going to church for a few weeks now, but we've had a hard time adjusting our time to teach her and finding her at home, so her baptismal date is January 10. She introduced us to her sister last week and even brought her to church. She also has a date for January.

This week I experienced the physical part of the Atonement. I know it can have a literal effect on us to physically do things we may not have been able to do on our own. I know the promptings of the Spirit come subtly and powerfully, and especially to those who listen to his influence. I learned this week that the Lord protects his missionaries even when we make mistakes. I know the Atonement is not just for the sinners, but for the righteous in times of immediate need.

I finished the Book of Mormon on Christmas day. It's such a wonderful cycle to me to start over, and I'm glad that it never has to have an end. Whatever else changes in a missionary's life, the book of Mormon is always constant. I'm still working on my goal of memorizing the Living Christ.

In my studies this week I had a few impressions I wanted to share:

God gives us weaknesses so we may be humble (from Ether 12:27), but he wants us to be humble because humility begets repentance.

"Even the transgressions of man may be turned to the accomplishment of High Purposes." James E. Talmage. I based my study off this quote today and connected it to Jacob 5, where the Lord uses wild branches of the olive tree as grafts for a natural tree. Eventually these wild branches take strength from the root, and produce beautiful, natural fruit... In essence, the nature of the branch was changed. In verse 18:

And he said unto the servant: Behold, the branches of the wild tree have taken hold of the moistureof the root thereof, that the root thereof hath brought forth much strength; and because of the muchstrength of the root thereof the wild branches have brought forth tame fruit.

 I like that the Lord didn't just cast away the bad branches right away, he used them to his advantage. We are the same way, with our weaknesses, sins, and "wild branches".  God doesn't expect us to be perfect immediately, but he gives us the chance to change. We have been grafted into the natural tree (which I likened to the church), so that we may change our very natures and bring forth good fruit. In time, if we take hold of the strength of the roots (I likened the roots to the Atonement) we find the wherewithal to change our natures and bring forth "fruit meet for repentance".

God "cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance" because Christ did not shy away with the least degree of allowance from his responsibility given to him from the Father. He gave all, suffered all, not to just save us "as we are" because what we are is unclean. He did what he did to give us an opportunity to repent. So we may change from "just as we are" to "even as [He is]". If our faith is strong, our repentance is also strong.

It has been a lovely Christmas. The best, actually, in my life. I wasn't focused on worldly gifts or buying things for people... I wasn't wondering what decorations looked best on the house or what food to share at my party. It was focused on the Lord Jesus Christ, and his great gift for us. On Christmas I did what I've done for the past year or more of my life: I went out and worked and shared the message of the Restoration. And I couldn't have been happier. I love you!

Love,

Sister Luke

1.2.&3. HAPPY WHITE CHRISTMAS!!

Christmas Miracles

Written 12/21/14

The first week in a new area is the longest. But it was so good.

First of all, to quote my dear Sister Aubree Andrus about my new house here in Sagay, "0 to 60, my friends." We have marble floors and someone who burns our garbage for us and we've only seen a couple bugs so far. From Inayauan to luxury. :) We also have 2 sisters with us in the house (one was trained by Sister Fitz!) and we all get along really well. Sort of having flashbacks to last year at Christmas when we were 4 in the house too.

We've been fed every night since I've got here. Sometimes twice over. The members are SO nice. Sometimes too nice, but lets be honest, all missionaries love food, so all you can do is accept it.

Sagay is pretty developed. I mean, it has a real grocery store, so I'm not out in the sticks anymore. But our area is pretty far out there into the mountains, and out of the city part of Sagay so it's a perfect combination. Sister Turtal rocks. We've had so much fun together. I'm always laughing with her, and the work is so smooth because she's a hard worker. Both of us go home March 11. She looks like a filipino Reese Witherspoon. :) So far we're loving our time together. No complaints there.I've been blessed my whole mission with such great companions.

It's weird that even though I've been here only a week I feel like its been longer. The amazing thing happening in the area right now is the baptism of the E. Family this Christmas. Wait, what? Lemme repeat that.

THE E. FAMILY. They are a FAMILY!

Sister Turtal found them while on splits with a member last November. We've been making daily contact with them every day since I got here, and so I already feel like they are "mine". There is 4 of them, the Mom, Sister En., the dad, Brother Ro., and their daughter, Sister A., age 12.  Their son Ro. is still working out word of wisdom and will be baptized in January, but the 3 of them will be baptized on Christmas. They are so, so strong and committed to the gospel. Satan has been sending a lot of temptations their way this week but they've overcome each one. Their family has been persecuting them as well but it seems like nothing to them, if they are but able to join the restored gospel of Christ. They have even become missionaries to their daughter and his husband.

Sister En. and Brother Ro. both stopped all their word of wisdom issues right away, before the missionaries even taught about the commandment! As we reviewed it this week, Sister Turtal was teaching and said something about the commandment given to Joseph Smith, but she forgot the year it was given. Sister En. just looks at her and says, "1833, it was given in 1833. I read the pamphlet 3 times." Another time she was sharing about why she wants to be baptized, and she said that in all the churches that she's attended, this is the church where the members know the commandments and live them. She always calls us her "Angels" for her and her family. She reminds me a lot of Mom, and our visits to their house are always special spiritual memories for me.

The Lord hears prayers. I have been searching and wishing and hoping for a family baptism my whole mission, and my prayers have intensified these past couple months, and ITS HERE. I've desired this my whole mission because I know that this gospel is for families. It blesses and prospers families, and I want this family to have what I do.

A quick thought I've been pondering on these past 2 weeks, something that has changed my whole perspective and opened the doors of personal revelation for me (and I hope for you) on the subject of faith and repentance. President said something in his weekly email last week I haven't been able to forget:

"True faith in Christ only leads to repentance. True repentance is not only to be forgiven from our sins but for most of us- true repentance is when it leads us to progress and development. Remember that “it is by faith that miracles are wrought”! Repentance is a “miracle of forgiveness”! "

I understand true repentance because of my mission. The plan is not only for us to be forgiven, but to become like God. Not only to discard our sins, but to gain Christlike attributes. So that "[we] maybecome the sons [and daughters] of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for weshall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure."

Have the Merriest Christmas ever! Christ lives, I know He lives.

See you next week ;)

Love,

Sister Luke

1. I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts.

2.&3  From last week. I cannot describe the joy :)

4. Winter lovin.

5. Sister En. and I. And a random child photo bomber.

6. The En. family.

Confessions of a Sleep Deprived Missionary

Written 12/14/14

Hi family.

Isn't it funny that the things we always really, really, really, don't want to happen at the exact wrong time always seem to happen at those exact moments?

My email is late today because we got a call from President on Sunday that Sister Santos and I are getting pulled out from Inayauan, and I will be called as a Sister Traning Leader in Sagay. All this after a really amazing week of miracles and seeing the area progress so much. But that's how it goes right?

The mission has a LOT of missionaries going home this transfer and only a small number arriving... Meaning we have to adjust the number of missionaries in the branches and wards. Sister Santos and I were SO sad to be spending Christmas not with each other in Inayauan like we thought. But I feel like we accomplished our purpose in Inayauan, and even though we won't see the people we love so much, I know the Elders will take good care of the area.

Sunday was the most insane day of my mission. We were trying to get Elder Pack (the new elder who's been in Inayauan for 5 days and has a companion going home this week) familiar with our area, visit our recent converts and investigators, clean out our whole apartment and pack all our things, and leave by 3 am Monday morning. Then the 6 hour bus ride and yada yada... The point is, now I'm here in Sagay 2nd ward. I left from the most southern zone in the mission to the most northern. I saw the whole island in one day. But hey, how many missionaries get to say that?

I can't even think of everything that's happened this week. My brain is a little mushy feeling. I do remember in my studies this week that I have felt prompted that I need to be a lily of the field. Accept the Lord's will for me, whatever it may be. I've pondered on Jared's faith shown in Ether 1:38:

"And it came to pass that Jared spake again unto his brother, saying: Go and inquire of the Lord whether he will drive us out of the land, and if he will drive us out of the land, cry unto him whither we shall go. And who knoweth but the Lord will carry us forth into a land which is choice above all the earth? And if it so be, let us be faithful unto the Lord, that we may receive it for our inheritance."

I love his words. I'm looking forward to the challenges and experiences ahead here in Sagay, with my new companion Sister Turtal. We both go home in March, and she is the cutest little Filipina you ever did see. The area is in great shape, and I can't wait to dig into the work.

I saw Sister Fitzgerald, Sister Foote, Sister Reid, Sister Char and Sister Oquias today as we said goodbye to the first three who are going home THIS WEEK. Where has the time gone? It was the best to be able to see these faithful and amazing sisters I love so much, whom I've grown so close to, and with whom I've had the opportunity to work so closely with.

This week Sister Santos and I talked with SO many people about "The Gift" and I have never felt so... Christmas-y. It's a wonderful feeling to know you are giving people a priceless gift, even if they don't recognize it at the time. Sister Santos put it well when she said it's like the members of the church are holding candles in a dark world... And each time we share our testimonies or "The Gift", we are lighting other's candles and giving them the light to see the pathway back to our Heavenly Father.

I would appreciate your prayers this week, and know that you are always in mine. Only 10 more days till I get to see your beautiful faces. Merry Christmas :)

Love,
Sister Luke

*A note from the editor: Amy's companion forwarded an email that had EIGHTY ONE pictures of them together, so I just picked a few that showed the area. She took pictures of their house, which I thought was fun to see.

The Gift

Written 12/7/14

Don't worry Mom, Typhoon Ruby hardly even left a raindrop in Inayauan. We're totally safe :)

Thought I'd get that out of the way first.

2nd, Happy birthday to Benson this week! Weird that he's a whole year old. Or wait... He's two now isn't he?

I seem to be finding all the characters in The Great Mouse Detective here in Inayauan. See the attached picture for more details.

This week Sister Char and I received our "trunky letters" (letters detailing our general departure details... GAH) and I feel like it was only yesterday I was reading Tanner DeHaan's weekly missionary email, when HE got his trunky letters in the mail. It's a surreal feeling. Can we just not talk about it?

Also, my hilarious experience this week is brought to us by our next door neighbor, a rather flamboyant 40 year old. He and I were talking when he exclaims loudly that he can't control himself and starts patting my face and then patting his own face as if putting on makeup. He said he wants my "beautiful" to be on his face too. Then he says to me, in English "If I were a real man, I would court you!" with a big laugh and a dramatic exit. The Philippines often leaves me speechless.

It still feels like a lot happened this week even though our week was scattered and we spent all Saturday inside because of the hurricane, Ruby. We had some random stuff happen with investigators and with Sister R. getting really ill and needing to go to the hospital…Anyway. Don't want to detail all of it, so we'll stick to a couple really cool experiences this week.

First, our cool investigator of about a month now, Sister A., told us of a really cool dream she had a while back, before the chapel in Inayauan was built here. She told us she dreamed that she was sitting down, when the chair was lifted up and she was taken and placed in front of a big, white church, at the front doors, and told that this was the "kingdom of God" and that she needed to enter. For years, she searched for the church that looked like the one in her dream, but only when she came to church the first time a few weeks ago did she feel that this was the "kingdom of God". How right she is.

I hope you all have seen the Christmas initiative the church is starting about "The Gift" of Jesus Christ as the Savior, given from our loving Father. If you haven't seen the video, take a break from reading my ramblings and go watch it.

Did you watch it? Okay.

The second experience happened on Tuesday, when sister and I walked by an elderly sister trying to scrape some wood scraps into a bag. She could barely hear our offers to help, but eventually she got the idea and we helped her carry the bag (and herself) to her house. Share the gift, right? She could barely string two words together because she had a hard time talking, but we did have some conversation and asked to sing a Christmas hymn for her.

At the end she asked my name again and looked at my tag, saying, “Sister Luke….. Jesus Christ.”

Those words hit me hard. In my sharing of The Gift, she shared in return, a gift with me: a simple reminder of who's name I carry, by whose name I am identified by others, and whose name I hope to be called by at the last day.

In Mosiah 5:12 and 13 we read:

I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name written always in your hearts... that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, and also, the name by which he shall call you.
For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served?

We can serve Him by sharing The Gift this Christmas. By serving Him, we come to know Him, and His voice. We take His name upon us, and we retain that name written in our hearts, not just on a missionary tag. Further, we read in Mosiah 13:15:

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

At baptism, we covenanted to take His name upon us, and each week during the sacrament, we renew that promise. That means we covenant to share the Gift, as Jesus Christ Himself did. To become like Him. Aren't we taking His name upon us in vain when we don't hold up our promises? Isn't it vain and selfish to keep to ourselves The Gift? It was for all people, after all.

Think of the priceless Gift. "In the Gift of His Son hath God prepared a more excellent way"- the gospel, the Atonement- that can be fulfilled through our faith to live it. The excellent way is an offering of peace, joy, belonging, identity, light, resolved misunderstandings, better communication, healing, and eternal life. Why would we selfishly hesitate in bringing that to anyone?

I would love if you would share with me how you are sharing The Gift this Christmas season. I know it will bring us all the most joy we have ever experienced. I get to feel that joy every day. To quote The Living Christ, "God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son."

Merry Christmas,
Sister Luke

"We Ate Spaghetti At Our House 3 Times Last Week"

Written 11/30/14
I hope at least one of you can name the quote in my subject line. Tanner, that's probably left up to you.

So I had an internal conflict with this when I read it in President's email today, but I guess it's against the rules to "chat" while emailing. Which I will not lie, totally kills me, but exact obedience is either all or nothing. And I can't exactly look my investigators in the eye and tell them to follow a difficult commandment when I'm not following the mission rules myself. So. Please don't chat with me anymore. (I still love you.)

This week the Elders ran out of water in their apartment and had to come get buckets of water from us at 10 at night. So I spent Tuesday night singing "I will go and fetch the water..." while we ran buckets out to them :) You can never guess life here in the Pines.

Also on Tuesday night, we found out Rattigan is actually new Mother Rattigan. 10x more fun :)

I ate goat this week. I didn't throw up. That is a miracle in and of itself.

And the highlight of the week (and really of my entire mission)... I was reunited with Sister Char in exchanges, Wednesday afternoon till Friday morning. And I wish I could contain in words in an email how amazing and God-sent that exchange was for the both of us. She is hands down one of the most amazing missionaries I have ever met, and if you know me (or her) our mouths didn't stop going from the time she got off the bus till the cows came home. I got to spend thanksgiving with her, and though there was no celebration, I have never enjoyed the work so much, despite the pouring rain. I have never learned so much from one person in a day and a half.

Rose's baptism was postponed to December 6th. Sister A. and her husband accepted baptismal dates for December 25th. We found this amazing 18 year old, J., last night, and I can tell you, It's amazing how when someone walks in a room you can just feel the Spirit telling you, "He's next, he's next."

Our other miracle this week was Sister M.'s husband and Sister C.'s husband coming to church. We've been working with them since I got to the area, and A. and J. both attended all meetings and the Priesthood totally fellowshipped them all day. Miracles are so real, and patience pays off.


As I pondered on my goals for the next 3 months of my mission, I thought about what has already happened in the last 15 months of my life. I pondered on Alma 5... My favorite verses there are 14, 19, and 26.

14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?

Here, Alma is talking to those of the church. Have we experienced this mighty change he talks about?

19 I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?

Then in this verse, he goes even further. Is our change of heart manifested in our repentance? Do we plan to stand without spot before the Lord? What are we doing to ensure this happens?

26 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?

Then, last of all, Alma asks us that if we've felt that change of heart before... If we experienced all these righteous desires and felt the Atonement active in our lives.... Do we feel all that today? That is the test. Has our conversion endured? Was the change of heart permanent?

I know we all need to reflect to check if we are all spiritually updated. If we only felt the influence of the holy ghost yesterday, but we don't keep Him with us today, it profits us nothing. Our obedience acquires worth as it becomes not only a one-time-thing, but a daily quest.

I hope you all had a wonderful thanksgiving. Its my favorite time of the year right now, and I hope we all take advantage of this time where it is easier to share the gospel with everyone! How easy is it to just share our testimony of our Savior? I love my Savior. I've come to know Him as I've walked a ways in His shoes. I don't know everything, but I know that my Redeemer lives.

Merry Christmas! (Maayong Paskwa!)

Love,
Sister Luke

1. Ladies and gentleman, I give you Sister Char.

2. I can't stop myself.

3. Effects of Queenie. (Two tornadoes.. although somehow their house is still standing. Apparently Filipinos know how to build houses stronger than decades-old-trees. Props.)

Hi Friends.

Written 11/23/14

Hi friends. Let's count the cross stitches in my apartment.

The indian one is my favorite. And we aren't done yet! See the other amazing pieces of artwork in the pictures attached below. So much talent here in the Philippines ;)

I don't know why I'm the last one to find this out after living for 14 months in the Philippines, but cockroaches have wings. And they fly. At your face. I've found out here on the mission I'm more of a "flight" person when it comes to the fight or flight reflex.

This week on Wednesday I get to do exchanges with one of my favorite missionaries Sister Char and I think it's safe to say she and I are both trying not to wet our skirts with excitement :) More deets on that next week.

This week Sister and I ate some sort of soup that did NOT sit well and left us flat in bed for a day. So this week was stressful to make sure we contacted and taught everyone we needed, but the Lord was very helpful, as he normally tends to be.

C. left for Manila this week for her work, so we're working on getting her records transferred there. It was so sad to see her leave, but we're working with her husband right now and I know he'll follow. It's just taking some patience.

M. was baptized last Saturday at a really really nice service. We tried to really hard make sure our speakers felt prepared, we had members attending, and that M. felt our love. Our recent convert and fellowshipper of M., Sister B., had asked us in a lesson with her last Tuesday how she can be more prepared just in case she's called on to give a talk in church. (Yeah, these are the questions she always asks us. Is she great or what?) We seized the opportunity and invited her to speak at the baptism, which she accepted. She gave a wonderful talk based in 2 Nephi 9:23-24 which she found all by herself :) Our relief society president was also there to give support and the members did a really nice job at making M. feel welcome and safe at church. We taught M. directly following the baptismal service at the church with our Branch President and Sister B., and taught her about setting her sights on the temple and going forward, keeping her baptismal covenants. She is so committed to the Lord's way, because she's seen that she is not happy living any other way. I'm so glad she has the church, because if it weren't for the gospel, she wouldn't have much of anything.

Lots of other stuffs happened this week but my fingers are tired of typing. Hahaha. I just want to share a couple things from my studies the past week. I've been in 3 Nephi.. One of my favorite places to read. I would read a thousand boring books just to read 3 Nephi once. I was pondering a lot about the sacrament, and some things I learned from a talk by Elder Dallin H. Oaks about taking upon us the name of Christ.

He pointed out when we take the sacrament, we are only witnessing that we are willing to take upon us the name of Christ, implying that something else must happen before that is to occur. He referenced D&C 109 from the dedicatory prayer at Kirtland where the prophet says , "And we ask thee, Holy Father, that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them; ...That no combination of wickedness shall have power to rise up and prevail over thy people upon whom thy name shall be put in this house;"
Christ gives His authority for His name to be used in the temple. Thus, there the Lord puts His name upon His people. Meaning that we witness our willingness to participate in the sacred ordinances of the temple when we take the sacrament. Also signifying we are willing to keep the commandments and make every sacrifice to get to the temple. I appreciate the words in D&C 19:18-19,
"Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink— Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men. "

Christ lifted the bitter cup so that every Sunday I can life a sacrament cup and renew my, as Elder Oaks said, "declaration of candidacy for exaltation".

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I am grateful for all of you! Your support means more than you can ever know.

Have a blessed week,
Sister Luke

1, 2, 3, 4- The endless artwork in the house. The last one reminds me of you, Carly :)

 

 5. Goodbyes to C.

6. More lovely sea.

7. B. and M.

 

8. The addiction builds...

Reunions

Written 11/16/14

This has been hands down the best week in my mission. Even though we weren't out proselyting for almost two days. The time we were out was amazing. I'll tell you more later, but lets start at the beginning. Get ready for a short novel...

First off, the rat in the apartment is back. It makes me sing in my head, "Oh Rattigan! Oh Rattigan!" From Disney's the Great Mouse Detective. Or Betect Mouse, as I once called it.

In Preach My Gospel it counsels missionaries countless times to "Do all you can". This week we made a first contact with a less active who was baptized in Bacolod when he was young, and has since moved here and "returned" to Catholocism because his wife is Catholic. We ran into him at a part member's house, just about to drink a shot. I found an effective method to stop him from drinking: Ask endless questions. It goes like this. (English translation for you Murican citizens.)

*lifts shot to mouth*
"So, where are you from, Brother?"
*pause*
"*mumbled reponse*"
*lifts shot again*
"Oh, I'm sorry, what was that?"
*pauses again*
"Magsungay."
*lifs shot again*
"Oh so how old is your wife?" [Stop judging my questions. I was just popping them out]
*Pauses again*

This interaction went on for a few minutes before he left, wishing, I suppose, to drink his shot in peace around the side of the house, but you know. "Do all you can". Even when it means talking irritated people's ears off. Ahaha.

Okay. So mission tour was AMAZING. The 6 hour bus ride to Bacolod was NOT. But mission tour made up for it. Just to clear things up for the confused:
Mission tour does NOT mean that I go and tour my whole mission. Haha. it means that the Area President of the Philippines (Elder Ian S. Ardern) selects a few missions to visit and the trains the whole mission. He gave an incredible training, and it was really a revelatory experience. Just a few of my favorite notes:
- Being "humble up" is just as or more important as being "humble down"
- Establishing the church is important, and is accomplished as we establish the church in the person.
- The blessings of sacrifice manifest themselves in others, not in you.
- Feasting on the word of God is important, but is useless if we do not also digest the word of God. It doesn't matter how many times we've gone through the book of Mormon, but how many times the book of Mormon has gone through us.

Those are just a few of the many gems. Since our area is farther than Hades, we got to sleep in Bacolod the night before the conference. I got to sleep in my first area, where Sister Foote (my old companion, if you don't remember) is serving right now. And the biggest miracle/tender mercy of my life, was this:

I got to see T. again. My beautiful, amazing, 23 year old recent convert from my first area.

The day was almost exactly a year from the day we began teaching him, November 12. There are just some things on a misson that you can't describe, no matter what words you use.

 T. is serving in the ward in the Young Men, and he baptized his best friend, Jake, last Saturday. He showed me his beautiful scriptures, which are marked with colors and flags to his favorite scriptures, and he expounded scriptures in the lesson to his two friends that sat in with us. He has set a goal to serve a mission when he is 24, and told me that he's also set a personal goal to go to the temple. I was not surprised at his spiritual self reliance, but I did sit in awe as I looked at this spiritual giant of a recent convert and the Sprit testified to me that there are prepared people waiting for the gospel. I did not bring about his conversion, neither did Sister Fitzgerald, Sister Person or any of the other missionaries who have taught him... He did it all with his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We simply invited, and he went and did. God is so good.

Sister M. passed her baptismal interview this week and is so looking forward to being baptized. She is a single mother with 6 kids, around 53 years old, and she works every day just so they can eat. She shared with us how much the example of the members helped her desire to go to church. She always saw one family, the Soronios, always going to church, walking by her house on Sundays and that she always thought , "I want that." And now, here she is. Set to be baptized on the 22nd of November :) Members make such a difference. There are always unseen eyes watching us.

C.s baptism was amazing. So, so wonderful. She gave a powerful testimony that she knows she's found the church that can change her and her family, and she will never forget what she has felt here. She has such a strong determination to endure to the end. Our other RC, her aunt, gave a wonderful talk and at the end, added, "Even though I don't know how to speak English, I do know that this church is true, and it's the only way for us to make it back to the kingdom of God." It was so sweet and sincere.

Another miracle this week: E. SA. She was invited to church one time a few weeks ago, and finally came to church randomly yesterday. When we went to her house later in the day to get to know her better, we found out her story. She's gone to a lot of churches, searching for the truth. She told us about a dream she had when she was 22 years old, (now she's past 50) wherein she saw the Lord, and knelt at His feet and worshipped him. She told us in all the churches she's gone to, she's never seen a picture that reminds her of her dream with the Lord. But when she was given a Restoration pamphlet, it was there that she felt the stirrings of the Holy Ghost and remembered the Lord's face in her dream, as she looked at Christ holding the lamb. Golden? Golden.

R. is set for a date on the 29th of November. She's also doing wonderful. She's another testimony to me that the Lord leads us to those who are ready to be led.

In my studies today and this week, I've been thinking a lot about light. Jesus often speaks of Himself as the Light of the world. In 3 Nephi 8:22 we learn that when Jesus was crucified, there was no light for 3 days in the Nephite lands. I love the symbolism and the literal evidence that Jesus Christ is the light. The light returns to the world only when The Light is resurrected, in chapter 10 verse 9. In 3 Nephi 9:18 and in 11:10-11 Christ introduces himself as the light of the world to the Nephites, and later in 3 Nephi He challenges us all to let our own lights shine before men.

But as I studied about these things I ran across D&C 88:6-13, which explains that Christ is literally the light in everything. I'll just insert the verses because paraphrasing just isn't enough.
He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth;
Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made .
As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made;
As also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which they were made;
And the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon which you stand .
And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings ;
Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space—
The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things.
This, to me, explains why in 3 Nephi 8:22 it says, "And there was not any light seen, neither fire, nor glimmer, neither the sun, nor the moon, nor the stars, for so great were the mists of darkness which were upon the face of the land. "

How could it, when our Light was gone? In periods of apostasy or in these 3 days of darkness after Christ's death, or in times of spiritual darkness in our lives, we see that whenever Christ is absent- either physically or spiritually, or in the life of a single person- there is an excess of confusion, darkness, fear, and uncertainty. When the Light is present, there is trust, love, knowledge, enlightenment- all things good. I testify that we must choose to yield to this great Light of all things, who has the power to bring the light back into our lives and bring us to the power of the Atonement. I see it every day. I see the light in these people, the light in my companion, and the light in the work. How grateful I am for The Light that makes this all possible.

Have a lovely and blessed week, filled with The Light.

Sister Luke

1. Happy 14 months.

2. Sister C.

3. The three turkeys all parading for one female. It's like a turkey pageant.

4. Sister M.

5. Sister R. and company.

 

6. Sally sells sea shells by the sea shore.

 

7. How I feel about my watch face breaking.

PS I'm dying because my pictures of T. and I are not loading for some reason... We'll try next week.

My Own Princess Pammy

Written 11/9/14

**Disclaimer/Just an explanation from Megan: Princess Pammy is the title of a series of made-up stories that Grandma tells to the grandchildren in our family. This would be the reason for the subject of this email.

Once upon a time there was an 80 year old man who bought Sister Luke and Sister Santos ice cream when they tried to talk to him about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Then he told them all about his multiple girlfriends in many lands, and Sister Luke shared with him the Law of Chastity.

Once upon a time Sister Santos and Sister Luke were walking in the mountains when they heard what sounded like a really sad kitten. Little did they know it was actually the call of a bright yellow frog, being eaten by a green snake.

Once upon a time, Sister Luke's batchmate and BEST friend in the Bacolod mission, Sister Char, became her new STL. Sister Luke felt like Alma when his strength was exhausted because of his happiness. Then Sister Luke got to listen to Sister Char give a wonderful training on Friday.

Once upon a time Sister Luke found out that her recent convert, T., became the young men's president in Bacolod 2nd ward. Her joy was again, so much that her strength was exhausted.

Once upon a time, Sister Luke started her 11th transfer in the mission field.....

So that was some of my week. My past companions THINK they can die here in the mission. Sister De Castro is now officially an RM, and Sister Fitz and Sister Foote are next to die. Also, my past companions all THINK they can become companions! Sister Fitz and Sister Oquias are together and I'm SO happy. Plus with Sister Char here.... Life doesn't get too much better.

The area is finally seeing success. It feels so good to see the hand of the Lord blessing this area. J.P., the brother of a recent convert was baptized on Saturday, and this week C. surprised us by setting her own baptismal date on the 15th! Her husband is home now (he was working up north up till now) and he accepted a baptismal date for December 6th. We’re so excited for this little family. Brother M. is so receptive and willing to learn and supportive of C.

This week Sister R. showed up to church in a new skirt and bringing her four kids with her. She asked for a priesthood blessing for her oldest boy who had a raging fever, and it was amazing to see her faith. She’s already in Mosiah in her reading. M. is on track to be baptized on the 22nd with R.

Brother L., a husband of our RC, Sister B., actually took a book of Mormon this week! He always sits and listens skeptically to our lessons while he sews and we teach Sister B., but this past while he’s started asking questions and this week he asked, “Who’s Alma and why isn’t he in the Bible?” and other questions like that. We gave a brief explanation and Sister Santos bravely offered him a copy for himself. He took it, and said he’d read it in his spare time. I know the Spirit is not limited… It can work on anyone.

We had 10 investigators at church on Sunday and our mom investigators are all bringing their kids to church... Hopefully soon the husbands will folllow. That's our current project. Project Husband. Okay, that sounds bad for a missionary to say.... You know what I mean. I promise I'm focused on my purpose...

Speaking of, I studied about my purpose and the doctrine of Christ this week, and it blew my mind all over again. The way is really so straight. But in that, we really see the love of our Lord. If it was zig-zag and looping, the path would be much harder and more exhausting to follow. Because the Lord loves us, He made the way straight. I want to close with one of my favorite scriptures from 2 Nephi,

"O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the  keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he  employeth no servant there; and there is none other way    save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name.

I thank the Lord that the keeper of the gate is Christ. I know that if we live this gospel to the fullest, we will have what we need to be able to pass through that gate, and to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent, to gain eternal life, and to sit down in His kingdom, to be crowned and glorified. Then we call all run up and down the stairs with Aunt Laura. I know she's just waiting for us :)

Hope your Once upon a time is as great as mine is right now.
 Love you all. Be good.

Love,
Sister Luke

1. Reunited. Sister Char.

2.  Wicked sunset
 

3. Cute J.P. or "Polpol"
 

4.  A piece of sugar cane. A question mark. A piece of art.
 

5. The feet of the missionaries...
 

6. Our addiction is getting out of control.
 

7. Sweet.
 

8. My new best friend the nun.
 

9. I'm a one cow woman. :)
 

10. "First you take a plastic bag, then you put it on your head..."
 

11. Our new pet. For Aubree.