"There is Sunshine in My Soul Today"

Written 6/1/14

Hi guys!

This has been a lovely, lovely week. I've learned a lot about service, service blessings, and the Atonement.

The funny stuff this week: We've been trying to help 3 of VJ's cousins (ages 13, 11, and 9) overcome their problem with coffee. When I asked Apple, Borjak, and Bebe, "What do we say when someone tries to give us coffee?" Bebe immediately and sincerely responds, "Salamat!!" (Which means, "Thank you!") Ahahaha. He didn't quite get the point, but at least he's well mannered :)

The adventure this week: I tried bamboo! Yeah, you can eat it. It was yummy. It's not like anything at home, so I can't really describe it (which is the case with most Filipino food here. Haha.) But bishop cooked it for us! Lucky us.

This week Sister and I got to help some members and an investigator with their laundry. We pumped the water out of the bumba (sort of like a well?) while they washed their clothes, and now my arms are super buff. It was so fun to be able to find service to do because a lot of the time here the Filipinos are super shy to ask for help. We sang to them "There is Sunshine in my Soul Today", and I felt it. I love serving these glorious people.

The highlight of the week?

R. and I.B. were baptized last Saturday with little J.B. too, and it was the happiest thing ever. We arrived at the church with no water in the font and no priesthood there yet, but even after a stressful beginning, the service was beautiful. Sister Bernada and Rochelle were glowing, and I couldn't stop the tears. After the service, the closing hymn happened to be again, "There is Sunshine in my Soul Today." Sort of a theme for the week. The words came, "A carol to my King... And Jesus, listening, can hear the songs I cannot sing." My eyes blurred and throat clogged at that point. The Spirit is a beautiful thing.

We just were blessed with a lot of experiences this week where we were able to serve. We arrived at a less actives home just at the right time and were able to be the listening ear she needed. So many experiences where I had felt that I had done my all, and then the Lord strengthened me so we could do a little bit more, serve one of His children, and then feel His redeeming love in abundance.

I learned this week that through service to our Lord and Savior, we gain access to the Atonement. I chose to put a quote on my mission plaque instead of a scripture, because I've always connected with this quote ever since I was a young woman. It's by Ezra Taft Benson, and I kept coming back to it in my studies this week. Here it is:

"Men and women who will turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life in the service of God will find eternal life."

It's so true. If we will turn our lives over to Him in the service of others- that's when we access the Atonement. That's when we are blessed with those blessings: deeper joys, wider perspective, physical and spiritual stamina, blessings, opportunities, comfort, friends, and peace. All blessings that come from and through the Atonement. Service is the key, my friends. I'm learning that more and more. I'm not perfect, and I don't always have perfect and righteous desires, but I know that service brings blessings, wherever we are, whoever we are. Lift where you stand. "What ere thou art, act well thy part."

Keep the work rolling, guys... There's no time to lose. Go find a person and hasten them!

Love you all,

Sister Luke

1. Just another gorgeous sunset.

2. He wants to give you a hug!

3. The B.'s and J.B.