I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

Written 10/12/14

Okay. So much happened this week so hopefully my fingers are fast enough to type everything. Hold on to your hats, folks.

I thought the Philippines was going to turn into a raisin this week for all the rain. The storm was pretty good, over the course of like 3 days. I think it's name was Ompong? Anyway. We experienced flooding in Sipalay for Zone Training on Thursday and I've got some sweet pictures to show you that. We waded through floods on the streets up to our knees. Sweet. On our bus ride home, only 10 minutes from Inayauan our bus was stopped because of a huge tree that fell in the middle of the highway and had to wait till everyone got their machetes and started hacking away. #FilipinoProbs

Also, I have to share an experience out of my pride. On Friday, the rain was still going strong, and the rice field going to our investigators house was flooded. But we had to teach this investigator. So. I, Sister Luke, tromped through a flooded rice field full of huge, swimming spiders, to get to our investigator, in the pouring rain, sopping wet and trying not to scream in horror. Ahaha. I can do hard things. And I had to laugh.

An investigator rejected our baptismal invitation this week on account of her birth certificate having "Catholic" printed on it. Ahaha.

This week was a lot of tender mercies. We went back to a young mother, Sister R., who we've felt prompted to visit again, but hadn't been able to recontact yet. We met her a couple weeks ago when she sat in a lesson with our investigator, Sister Ch., but hadn't been able to teach her since. But on Wednesday, we went back and taught her, and she was golden. SO receptive of the message and seemed to really be feeling the Spirit. We extended a baptismal date to her this week for November 15 and she sat in silence thinking about 5 seconds, and then looked at us and said, "Yes." Her husband is supportive of it too. Even just after our first lesson with her, she said, "Can you come back on Friday at 2 so you can meet my husband and teach him, too?"

We found out from Sister C. this past week that her husband wants to watch her baptism, and that he wants to be baptized too! Which obviously is sweet. But the only problem is that he isn't sure WHEN he'll be home this month, because he's working in Baguio right now... so she isn't sure about October 25. We're praying really hard for her baptism to go through on the 25th. She could use your prayers!

R. didn't come to church yesterday because he went up the mountain to his family, but he's doing really well with Word of Wisdom. And we were excited on Sunday when Ch. came to the second session of conference even though she was sick.

I was inspired this week by B., our new recent convert (C.'s mother) and R.O. her sister (also a recent convert) came to 3 sessions of conference. 3. That's sort of unheard of here in the Pines unless you're the Branch President or the missionaries. I was touched by their faithfulness, coming to watch 3 sessions when they can understand like 5 words in English. But she was so determined to see the living prophet, and shared with us that she felt he was true. We saw miracles this week with B.'s husband, who normally refuses to listen to us, but when we brought out a pedigree chart for B., he sat and listened and even asked questions through the whole lesson. The Spirit of Elijah is real!

My favorites from conference were Elder Klebigat, Lynn G Robbins, Elder Holland, Bednar and Uchtdorf, and Elder Carlos A Godoy. So much goodness from General Conference.

Well, like the scriptures, I can't contain a hundreth of the happenings and doings of my week in one email, but hopefully you get a picture.

Apply all this goodness from general conference, peeps. What's the point if we are only "hearers" of the word, and not "doers" as James says? President said in his email today,
"We had a wonderful feasting on the words of our living prophets this weekend! It should have strengthened you to become a more powerful and dedicated servant of the Lord. Change in your missionary behavior and proselyting skills must meaningfully improve. Or else the Savior’s words would describe us: “They draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” "

What wisdom. We live in the latter days where the Lord is not silent! He lives! He speaks! To all of us individually, and to us collectively through our living prophet, Thomas S. Monson, whom I sustain and love, with all my heart.

Happy Birthday to Spencer, in one week!

Mischief managed. For this week.

Yours,
Sister Luke

1. Probably my most favorite picture from my mission.

2. The tree that stopped the bus.

3. A miscommunication caused us to watch the Saturday session of conference in our apartment on our portable DVD player....

4. Happy 13 months!

5. In case you were wondering, oil is not a good substitute for butter, no matter how much you want it to be.

I Am My Mother's Daughter

Written 10/5/14

The terrible moment I realized I left my scratch paper of notes at the house. So. I don't know what I was going to tell you all.

I guess first of all, WELCOME to baby Chloe! You all think you can just have babies willy nilly while I'm here in another country and can't hold them... Just plain mean. That's okay though.

This has been a really long and really good week. I have met a lot of really hard headed people, but we've seen some miracles here too. Faith is something we need a large daily dose of. Probably twice a day. Or as often as needed.

I've learned a lot on my mission, and I've learned that most of this I SHOULD have learned at home, from my mom, before I even came here. Some things Mom taught me that I have seen here in the mission:

1. Everything looks better in the morning.

On Thursday, we had one of those days where it's 15 million hours long. Almost every one of our investigators refused to even pray. PRAYER. Possibly the easiest and quickest commitment and commandment. And we couldn't get ONE investigator to pray. In PMG we learn that "No one can learn of spiritual truths without prayer." And its true. None of our investigators that refuse to pray never progress. Even if they read or come to church, they cannot know until they ask. So. That was our day. And we got home and I was ready to pull out my hair and drop on the ground, but I was scared of spiders, so I didn't. BUT. God is good. The work doesn't stop because people refuse to pray. It goes on. And everything really does look better in the morning.

2. Patience is a virtue.

 If you know my mom, you probably also know that she is one of the most patient people you'll ever meet. I seriously don't know how she does it. I remember Elder Bednar once said, "Sometimes we pray for success, and we are blessed with more patience." It's true. The Atonement of Christ doesn't always just fix all our problems right away, but it enables us to do what we need to be able to endure. My patience was tested a lot this week, but I was able to see the Lord strengthening my ability to not yell and scream at my investigators when they didn't do the things I know would make them happy. And that there is a miracle.

3. Love changes you, and those whom you love.

My mom is the best at loving those who are hardest to love. And on the mission, almost everyone is hard to love for some reason or another. Yet how is it that missionaries come home and can't stop talking about those they love so much that they left in the mission field? This work changed my heart and my ability to love these crazy, hard headed, and beautiful people. And there's always room for one more. When we show our love to others, they see themselves for who they really are. They realize that we want the best for them, they become more patient with us, and their self esteem is raised. I testify that charity is an attribute that trumps all others. And it never fails.

4. Laughter is the best medicine.

Our hilarious part from this week: Sister Santos and I coming home one night this week to a spider as big as Aragog in Harry Potter, and our adventures trying to drown him in 2 types of bug spray, screaming in terror as we sprayed with all our might. Ahahah. I want to watch that part of my life on the omniscient YouTube that's surely in heaven.

If I could list everything I've learned from my mother,  it would fill several books, but for now, we'll leave it there.

C., our progressing investigator, is amazing. She brings all her little kids to church and makes comments in class and reads the Book of Mormon every day. She is on track to be baptized on October 25th (Sister Santos' birthday!) and we can't wait. :) Not too much else happening but we're kicking this area into gear with a lot of Faith in Christ and lots of hiking through these wicked sweet mountains.

Remember, my loved ones, the Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear; till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say, "the work is done".

Halong gid,

Sister Luke

1. Flashbacks to Toy Story, where there's that short film, and the grandpa is playing chess with himself? This member is 99 years old. And still playing chess.

2. Me playing the banjo that 99 year old grandpa made :)

3. I grind rice for our less actives.

4. Cant really read it but... Inayauan :)

5. The paradise.

6. Our new friend in the house.This is for Hunter and Aiden. This is a Toko :)

Ain't Nothin Like a Southern Girl

Written 9/28/14

Hey y'all-

I've gone south for the winter! I got transferred last week (no big surprise, but still heartbreaking), and I'm now in the most southern zone, Sipalay. My new area is Inayauan. Figure out how to say that one :) I'm still struggling with the pronunciation, so don't ask me.

I'm torn between feeling like a southern belle and a mountain man. This place looks like everything you ever thought the Pines would be. If I look to my left, I have a huge, jungle-forested mountain. If I look to my right I have a glorious sand beach (where we proselyte every day) and if I look straight ahead I see rice fields for miles. My new favorite color is green. We trek daily through the mountains. It's wonderful.

Thanks for the package of letters from the Luke reunion, mom, you all kept me company on the 5 hour bus ride here from Bacolod :) I've seen plenty of.... insects here, being this far from the city. Don't ask me the details... "Big ones, small ones, some as big as your head...."

So, yes. It was really hard to leave Manapla. We all tried to be rational, but lets be honest, we cried a lot. But the Spirit is wonderful. It means so much to me to have his constant companionship. Speaking of companions, my new companion looks like a mix of Jasmine and Mulan. So... Gwapa :) Sister Santos is about 6 months into the mission, and so far we've really enjoyed ourselves together. She's from Quezon City in Manila and 21 years old.

Inayauan is not yet a ward, just a branch, but we really are looking forward to kicking things in gear. We had a wonderful District Conference in Sipalay (you might have seen pictures from that online) and President made me demo in front of everyone in Ilonggo how to place a pamphlet, so the members could get an idea. As I sat down, President said to the congregation, "Did you enjoy that? I did. She did not enjoy that." Ahahah. Talk about pressure.

I don't have much to say. The area is new, so it's all about getting to know the members, investigators, planning, and working things out. It's a good opportunity to exercise faith and rely on the Lord. This week Sister B. was baptized, a wonderful woman, around 50 and such big faith in the Lord. It's been so wonderful to teach her and see her example to her friends and family. There's also a 99 year old member here who still comes to church every week and has the strongest handshake ever. I have a feeling I'll like this branch :)

We are literally in the boonies, but I love it. I'm looking forward to getting down to business (sing it... to defeat the huns) and as hard as missionary work is, I know I am not alone. The Lord is at my back, He is at my front, and I've got my companion in my left and the Spirit on my right. And a book of Mormon in my hands and words of the restored gospel in my mouth. What more can a missionary ask for?

"And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it be so that you keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led." 1 Nephi 17:13

Love you all. Carry on!

Love, Sister Luke

 

1. Just a taste. More of this to come.

 

2. Sister Santos. See I told you, Disney Princess

 

3. Sister B.

 

4. On to the Next Appointment!

Warm Fuzzies

Writte 9/21/14

Dearest Children-

My companion is wonderful. Sister Reid and I have had a wonderful week, and I've spent the time asking Sister Reid every question in the book and gleaning from her long time wisdom from the mission. We've had a great week.

C. and N. were baptized on Saturday at a really special service. I love baptisms!! I've never seen N. so serious when he bore his testimony, describing his feelings like "he was in the kingdom of God." Looking out at the congregation as I was leading the song "Beautiful Zion Built Above" and seeing recent converts, investigators, and my beloved members of Manapla ward, I really felt like I was in my personal Zion. That's probably what the Celestial kingdom will be like, right? With all of my recent converts and I living next door to each other.

Sunday was the best Sunday I've ever had here. I couldn't help the tears as I watched our recent convert J. up at the sacrament table in his white shirt and tie bless the emblems of the sacrament. After everything we've watched these recent converts go through, it was a miraculous moment to see the physical result of the Atonement of Christ taking effect on that amazing young man. Almost all of our recent convert young men came to church, and I know they are being watched over by the Lord.

Another amazing part of Sunday was the 2 less active families we've been working really hard with finally came to church. Our young women president actually jumped for joy with tears in her eyes as they entered the church. It's wonderful to see the ward welcome them so warmly. The Spirit works wonders and really makes up for our weaknesses. It's the best to feel like you've been able to help others exercise agency for righteousness.

We found a new family this week we've started teaching and they are just golden. The spirit is so tangible in the lessons and the Dad is the most receptive, which I've normally found to be a rare case. It's a different feeling teaching individuals, and getting to teach families the blessings they can receive as a whole. This gospel is really for families.

Our funny moments from this week were getting absolutely SOAKED in the storm on Tuesday, finding a HUGE spider in Sister Reid's shoes, and Sister Reid explaining to me that, "God loves us. So he makes the Elders go bald and the Sisters fat so we don't want each other." Ahaha.

I got told this week by a less active that he has an allergy to all foods and gets rashes when he eats, but when he drinks gin it all goes away. Ahaha. Don't try that at home.

Other than that it was a wonderful week. I bet the re dedication of the Ogden temple was amazing, I loved hearing all the details from your letters. I was reminded this week how great the book of Daniel is. A favorite scripture from there:

"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
  But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods."

Don't give into the adversary. He only has as much power as we give him. Think of 2 Nephi 25 and remember, when we see the Devil:
 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and shall consider thee,and shall say: Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms?

Our God is infinitely more powerful than he. I've seen it. I love the Lord, and I love being in His service. Have a wonderful week, tots.

Love,
Sister Luke

 

1. The Baptism

Cheesy, Cliche, & Converted‏

Written 9/14/14

Darling ones-

The destroying angel of transfers can only pass by for so long.

Sunday after church we got a call from the AP's that the long and wonderful 5 months of mine and Sister Oquias' companionship are up. SO devastated to be parted. I won't lie. But my new companion is Sister Reid, she is from Montana (Missoula) and goes home in December. We've seen each other from around the mission and I'm excited to be with her :) And thus ended the days of "Loquias".

I feel like everything I was going to write has flown from my mind because we haven't had time to do anything today except wait on the road for 2 hours for a bus and come to Bacolod. So. This email will be lame.

As for my subject line, this is a description of a missionary. We laugh at dumb things, probably sound cliche sometimes, and experience a mighty change of heart. I've really seen on my mission that even though our job is to help others experience conversion, we are the ones that experience it just as or more deeply. (How many times have you heard missionaries say that? I told you.. Cliche. But it's true.) Its a wonderful day when you realize the gospel isn't just something to be taught and repeated- it's different when it is actually applied. You find out all the stuff they told us in primary was true, and you begin to feel the converting power of the Holy Ghost.

This week was great. V. and F. L. stopped smoking completely. Its inspiring to see how much a person can change if they work with the Lord and really have a desire. Our recent convert young men have set goals to be worthy to pass and bless the sacrament again, and it's so great to see them doing better. Our Recent Converts bawled with Sister Oquias last night, and we ate dinner with the Romero's and they cried too. It's always so hard to say goodbye.

I literally can't remember anything from this week. Not even the funny stuff. Ahaha. Sorry :) I'm trying a new tactic of developing Christlike attributes. Especially the attribute of Charity. In Moroni it lists all that charity is;

"And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatestof all, for all things must fail—
 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him."

There are 13 total. I decided to take the next 13 weeks and develop that kind of charity. Last week I focused on being long suffering and patient. I prayed for opportunities and boy, there were many given. But I indeed learned some good lessons on patience. This week is kindness. I'll keep y'all updated. Charity is definitely the natural by-product of Faith and Hope.

I know this is the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I know we have the priesthood restored here on the earth and we have living prophets. I know that through that power we are able to be sealed as eternal families to become eternal beings, and stay with each other to never be parted again. We will be resurrected and never feel pain or sickness again because the Savior was resurrected. He lives. He is real. He invites us to have hope and repent and become better. I know these things to be true.

Love you all. Stay tuned after these messages.

Sister Luke

 Happy 1 Year!