Then Sings My Soul: Sister Davis just can't leave me alone.

Written 2/9/14

Hello my loved ones.

So... Let's start at Monday last week. Sister DeCastro and I were on our way from emailing and eating to go to the market (yeah, I shop at a legit outdoor market) and buy food. And who's blonde hair and cute face do I see coming towards me? That's right. Sister Davis is back. And not only can she not help herself from following me all the way to Silay, but she lives NEXT door to me. And she's my STL :) So... You could say the Lord is sending the MOST blessings to this Sister missionary right now. Why am I so blessed? I don't even know. But the Lord gives such tender mercies :)

Our baptisms this week were so awesome! I love seeing these solid members added to the church. Sister G. A. and Brother R. M. Both members of part member and previously inactive families. I LOVE seeing Less Actives return and seeing them completed as whole-member families. Ah! I love them.

Wow. Tomorrow is my 5 month mark here in the mission. Whaat? Where did the time go again? Today is Sister De Castro's 9 month mark. Yay! This week has been a lot better in terms of communication, and my Ilonggo (and Tagolog and Cebuano...) is improving :) Sister De Castro loves to laugh, and sometimes I don't even know what we're laughing at, but when in Rome, right? So I just laugh right along with her. Ahaha. It's been a fun week, but sort of poopy in terms of numbers. We have a really hard time getting people to work with us.... I vow to be a good member missionary when I go home! It's really been a testament to me this week that we cannot do this work alone. We can't even do it with just the missionaries and the Lord... The members are one of the most essential parts.

In random news: One of our recent converts is about 10 and looks like I imagine Ryan Crockett would look, if he was a ten year old Filipino. It's weird to sometimes see people and think, "Hey! I know them!" and then realize it's just a Filipino version of my loved ones back home :) Ahaha. That may sound weird to you all, but it's true. If I ever see any white people here they all look the same to me now.

Our miracle this week was meeting a man named E. He sat in on a random lesson in one of our areas and asked sooo many questions. My pride was brought down significantly... because at first, I assumed he was just there to argue, but at the end of the lesson, (which was slightly dominated by him) he looks at us and points at the pamphlet and says, in english, "I like this." Then he lapsed back into Ilonggo and asked us to come back and teach him more about how to be saved. Ahaha. Okay! We went back a couple days ago and taught about the Book of Mormon with him. It was amazing! He basically told us everything in the Introduction of the Book of Mormon before he even read it. He kept saying, "I've been looking for a book other than the Bible to explain the doctrine of Salvation," and, "If you read this book, you'll find out who you are!", and, "I need to read this to know what you believe, and to know if Joseph Smith was a true prophet." And Sister De Castro and I are just sitting there with our mouths hanging open and I'm just thinking, "Keep going, man! You're teaching better than we are!" It was a pretty powerful experience. He also forgets the "Sister" on my name and just calls me "Luke" sometimes. Ahaha. More updates to come. Man, I love the Book of Mormon.

This week we had a Zone Training that was so good. In short: If there was a crime scene somewhere, who would you call first: Batman, or Robin? (not you, mom, the other Robin.) Of course, Batman. The training went on to explain that the Book of Mormon needs to become our personal Batman. (as missionaries, but also as people!) If we have a problem? Open the Book. If we have a question? Open the Book. Have any doubts? Open the Book. Experiencing any trials? Open the Book. Want to be happier? Open the Book. Call Batman. Make the Book of Mormon your FIRST source for all your needs. We've seen a change in the people we are teaching as we always begin our lessons with the Book of Mormon. Man. This church is so true, and so is the Book of Mormon.

I had a short thought pop into my head this week about the Atonement. I've been thinking lately how to simplify and explain the doctrines of the gospel as clearly and powerfully and simply as possible. For me, the reason the Atonement actually works in our lives is this: The Atonement works because He fills our lack with His love. Simple as that. All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement because the holes we experience in our hearts are healed, filled, and sewn shut with His eternal, unchanging, and ever-present love.

I had another short thought just this morning. I remember when I first got in the field and in all my emails from you RM's, you all talked about how my experiences made you think back to the beginnings of your missions. Well, now I'm 5 months in. And I'm by no means giving you an assignment, but just an idea :) I'd love to hear what all of you RM's were experiencing on your missions around your 5 months in the field. What was hard? What was good? Who was your companion? What was your area like? Whatever you'd like to share, I'd love to hear. I'd love for you to look back on your mission journals and share with me a bit, if you want. :)

Funny thing this week: The Big Dipper is upside-down here, because I'm on the other side of the world. Aha. Life is sweet. :)

Love you all. You da best, and so is this work. :)

All my love,
Sis