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
