I never know where to start these things.
This week was the best week ever because I got to go to the temple for the first time in over a year. More on this later. But going to Manila was one of the many amazing things that happened to me this week.
Here's some of the other things this week you can't help but smile over:
1. I ate completely raw fish. I think I can be considered a true woman now.
2. Brother En.’s endless questions about America. "Sister Luke, do they have insects in America too?" "Sister Luke, are the roads in America cement, too?" "Sister Luke, do you have cats in America?" "Sister Luke, you even have vegetables in America??"
3. Meeting the Bangladesh man at the immigration office in Manila, named Azam. Everything you would ever want a stereotypical Muslim man to be. He told me and Sister Char "I will never forget your cute faces," and then took a picture with us.
4. J., an investigator from almost a year ago, finally accepted a baptismal date this week for March 7.
5. Enj. was baptized and gave a beautiful testimony. So simple and perfect.
6. Ja. is attending seminary, asking us endless questions, reading every day, and attended the Valentines youth activity on Saturday. He is just so good.
7. The goat lady!! Remember the picture I sent of me holding the goat?? Long story short, she (Siser Em.) turned into an investigator through a member referral. Sister Em. had told a member after she met us that she wanted to go to church because of her interaction with us. We met her on Thursday and gave her a baptismal date right there, and she showed up to church on Sunday, with her cousin, Sister Gasper, a super active member in the ward. You cannot tell me that God's plan isn't just so perfect. Also, she didn't even get mad when we broke her bamboo bench outside her house. (I wish I could say that's the only bamboo piece of furniture I've broken in my time here in the mission.)
And... Manila. I think I just stepped in to the temple and cried the whole 2 hours. I have missed being in the house of the Lord. Sister Char explained it so well... As a missionary, you always feel like a fish out of water. Being in the temple... Its like you finally get a taste of being back in the water. I was surprised that it was such a completely different experience than I'd ever had in the temple, but I realized that it was because I was a completely different person. I'll cherish those memories and things I learned in the Manila temple for the rest of my life.
In Hebrews 12:1 and 2 it says "...Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..."
Looking at my last 3 weeks here in the field, I have to face the fact that I will not always be here to strengthen, teach, and be with my recent converts, less active, and investigators. But I know that I am neither the author, nor the finisher of their faith. My mission is not the finisher of my faith. And since Christ is eternal, so is my faith in him eternal. Jesus Christ is the author and the finisher of my faith and their faith. I will not fear to leave my converts in the hands of the Lord. He is so powerful that even a belief in him causes us to be endowed with power. Your faith matters.
I love you all so very very much. Padayon lang ta. Kita ay kita!
Love, Sister Luke
PS Happy Valentines Day. Ahaha. I forgot.
1 & 2 The Temple
3. The Filipino version of a baconator.
4. Filipino sized frosty. (This is a regular...)
5. My Valentine
6. His name is Nephi!
