Then Sings My Soul: Happy Easter!

Written 4/20/14

Maayong Aga, ang mga langga ko!

Hello! What a week. Ahaha I think I say that every time. My birthday was the BEST ever. Because of my awesome companion. She just rocks. We found a restaurant with a BURRITO. In the Philippines. I can't even find flour tortillas here... But somehow there is a restaurant that has a burrito. So I ate the most awesome food on my birthday. Also, because the awesomeness of Sister Davis is unending.... Her and Sister Javier, our other STL, snuck into our house while we were gone and bombarded my bedroom with decorations and balloons. Who is the best? They are. I don't know why I got so lucky to have such awesome people surrounding here, but I am a very "yucky girl." :)

Other funny happenings this week: The craziest rainstorm ever on Tuesday when I was on exchanges with Sister Javier. We got absolutely soaked to the skin. Can't wait for rainy season :)

Last night as Sister Foote and I crossed the river on the balsa (raft thingy), we got into quite a predicament. Long story short, I got sunk in the mud up to my knees in (what sister foote claims to be quicksand) and nearly lost my crocs in the sludge. (That is a sentence I never dreamed I would have reason to type...). I had to cross this muddy, quicksandy place to tie the raft to a stick so it wouldn't float away... But just as I got back through the muddy place, someone arrived on the other side of the river, so I had to cross back through the quicksand and untie the raft to send off to the other side... Needless to say, Sister Foote and I had the worst case of the giggles I've probably ever got, and I nearly wet my skirt. (TMI?) I'll attach some pictures for your viewing pleasure.

Sister and I have been frustrated with our lack of progressing investigators recently, so we set some goals and got to work. This week we found 44 new investigators. I have never been so exhausted, but it was the best. I love missionary work. The Lord is right there with us in all things.

The lesson I learned this week was about obedience. I may have mentioned this before.. I probably just repeat myself in emails every week, but oh well :) I've been reading in 1 Nephi again which is so much about obedience. I've been the MOST frustrated with our peeps here lately that have been participating in what Sister Foote and I have dubbed, "Convenient obedience". And I'm so tired of it. Which makes me realize how patient Heavenly Father is.

We hear so much here, "Sister, it's okay that I didn't go to church. As long as I don't lose prayer in my life. I always pray."

We do not get to set the terms of our obedience and blessings with God. It reminded me of Elder Hollands talk from last conference, "Talk about making God in man's own image." A God that doesn't demand much. But that is just not the case! This quote (again, from Elder Holland) explains perfectly the concept that I feel was cemented in my head this week:

"We must live the gospel at all times, not just when it is convenient, and not just when things are going well. Indeed, the real test of our faith and our Christian discipleship is when things are NOT going smoothly. That is when we get to see what we're made of and how strong our commitment to the gospel really is. ...That is a hard thing to ask, when we're hurting or have been offended, are tired or stressed out or are suffering innocently. But that is when Christian behavior [and might I add, obedience] may matter the most."

So true. I simply testify that sometimes the Lord just asks us to square our shoulders and do it. Salvation is not a cheap experience. We cannot expect to pick and choose at the spread of commandments and then have God on our side when we need him. Daily commandment living and covenant keeping are what give us the spiritual stamina needed in our times of desperation. We build up, bit by bit, week by week, our armor of righteousness so that when temptation and hard times come, we don't have to go running back to our Father in Heaven, because we never left His side.

I love you all so much. I love this work. It's hard and it's hot and it's a heavy load, but we don't carry it alone! Man, this gospel is true. I love you with all my heart! Keep being obedient. The blessings are coming!

Love Always,
Sister Luke