The MOST no time.

Written 2/2/14

I thought as a missionary there is always a time slot for everything. Au contraire, my loved ones. There never seems to be enough time to do all the things! 

Sigh. But I digress.

This has been a week of changes, as you all know. Ironically, my new area is Silay East- Sister Nielsen's last area! She couldn't stop talking about Silay when we were together, and now I see why. Silay reminds me a ton of Burley and La Grande... If there was ever a "small town" feel, this is it. I even saw a STOP sign and we have a real intersection! I miss traffic lights. 

My new companion is a cute Filipina named Sister De Castro. She is sweet and has been out for almost 9 months. (In a few days I'll be at my 5 month mark... eek!) We have some hitches in the communication department, because she's still working on her English and just came from a Cebuano speaking area... So she talks a lot in Ilonggish, Tagalog and Cebuano. So. It's a party. Well, not really, sometimes it's really quiet... But we get the work done, and that is the miracle :)

Getting used to a new area is hard and good at the same time. Lots of awesome people to meet and investigators to find. We have a couple baptisms this saturday and Sister and I are working hard to get the goal of Weekly Baptisms. 

Monday night we visited the V. family and then went to T. He was one of the only ones I told I was transferring, and when I told him, he put his hand to his mouth and stared at me and said, "Tuod ka?" Which translates to something like... "Are you for real?" I told him I was, and he straight away told me he had advice for me. My beautiful, amazing recent convert then proceeded to give US a lesson on enduring to the end, having "tight faith" in the Lord, and testifying to me that the Lord never leaves our side, and will never leave us. He told me that because of Sister Fitzgerald and I, and because now he knows what he must do to get to the celestial kingdom, he and I will see each other once again in heaven. He made me promise, (through a pinky swear) that I would remain faithful, so that  this didn't have to be the last time we would see each other. Wow. Talk about a powerhouse, right? Man I love that guy. The picture attached is just before I left, we're standing in his house. I told him to pull a funny face :) Ignore my ragamuffin self. 

That's my simple testimony this week to you, that I've felt impressed on my spirit over and over.... We are never left alone. As I've experienced some lonely times this week, and as I've prayed for comfort and strength, I have experienced the strengthening power of the Atonement. I also want to testify that the Spirit doesn't have to whisper right to us for us to feel it. For me, I've been struggling to find how the Spirit speaks to me, and I've learned that most of the time, it gives me peace of mind. I feel happiness, my anxiety is calmed, my fears are stayed and I know I'm not alone. I've been reading Our Search for Happiness (Inspired by the one and only Aubree Andrus), and it's been amazing. Read it, if you havent. It's a quick read, but extremely powerful. I love the gospel, whether I'm preaching in Silay or in Bacolod. Whether I'm in Utah or the Philippines, it's the same beautiful, restored, complete and unchanging constant in all our lives. It's what connects us all to each other and to our Loving Father. I love all of you, and thank you for your support this week... Your emails are always somehow exactly what I need :) Thanks for the laughs, too. You guys are funny :) Keep up the good work, and I'll try to too.

All my love,
Sister Luke

P.S. They have a Mang Inasal here with halo-halo, so I think I'll live.

P.P.S. Shoutout to Heather for the awesome Dear Elder she sent me. Made my week! 

1. T. Love.

2. Cute Sister De Castro!

3. My heartwrenching goodbye with Sister Davis. Tears, anyone?

News, News and News

Written 1/26/14

Good Morning my loved ones!

Wow. What a week. Happy Martin Luther King day from last week, and Happy Birthday to Heather this week! Hope it's good even if I'm not there ;)

So.... Might as well just spit it out instead of chewing on the bad news.....

EMERGENCY TRANSFERS. I hate them. I wish I had perfect faith and trust but I don't... And I hate transfers. I got a call last night from the AP's that I transfer on Tuesday. I don't know where or with who yet... That'll come in my next week email! Sister Nielsen and I are SO bummed. I'm devastated to be leaving this area, Sister Davis, and Sister Nielsen. We've been getting along and teaching and finding like mad, and this area was really starting to progress even more. *Sigh.* It's all part of the plan.

In the happy news this week, Sister K. got baptized! She's the cutest thing, I LOVE her. We had an amazing lesson with her on Friday night, the night before her baptism, on the Plan of Salvation. She's been asking a couple questions about it and we were really excited to teach her. We brought KA with us, one of our awesome ward missionaries. As we neared the end of the lesson, K. asked us with tears rolling down her face where her Mom is now (she's since passed away) and how she could ever be a forever family with her since her mom was never baptized. If you know me, I can't hold back the tears if anyone else is crying so.. eventually we were just 4 women sitting there in tears, and I got to explain to K. about temple work, as I showed her the picture of the Salt Lake Temple in the back of my scriptures. When she asked us, I told her it was possible, and she looked at me and said, "Really?" It was that moment that I realized how strong my testimony of temples has become. I testified without a doubt about my forever family, and how she can do the work for her mother after she is baptized. The Spirit was the strongest I've ever felt in my mission, and it was amazing how gentle it was, but strong at the same time. Sister KA bore a powerful testimony... Her dad died and they've since done temple work for him as well- I know it was inspired that she came with us to that lesson. I learn so much from our awesome investigators.

Our miracle this week:

A few weeks ago, Sister Fitzgerald and I started praying specifically to find an "elect" investigator, prepared by Heavenly Father for us. We OYM'ed a man named TD in one of our neighborhoods, Rosario Heights, and he seemed pretty interested, and we've been trying to recontact him ever since. We've run into him here and there and tried to set up appointments, but he's never been home. Due to the fact that they have no addresses here... We found out last week that we'd been barking up the wrong tree.. Or in this case "Tag Balay"-ing at the wrong house. (For the Philippines novices: We say "Tag balay" outside the house instead of doorbells and knocking. Sometimes the neighbors think we're crazy.. Two white girls in skirts and holding blue books screaming at the doors of our investigators, but you know, it's cool.) Back on track. We found out where he actually lives and tried to go there, but only his daughter J. was home, so we set up a return appointment when the family was home. Later that week at district meeting, the Elders gave us a bunch of old record for OUR side that had been sitting in their area book. When we looked through the records... Lo, and behold, who did we find? J. (the daughter!) She had a record and had been taught all the lessons, been to church multiple times and even had a baptismal date. Because of some unexpected issues with some commandments, she had turned into a former investigator almost 2 years ago. Sister Nielsen and I determined to go visit her again. We got in the lesson with her and had barely sat down when she told us she wanted to continue teachings with the missionaries and wants to be baptized as soon as possible. Like... Where are these people coming from?? The Lord totally answered mine and Sister Fitzgerald's prayer to find an elect, even though it was in His time. J. is going to be baptized on February 15th (Same as Dayjah, Aubs!) and I know we came across her as an answer to our prayers.

Okay, this email is already getting long but I want to share something from my personal study. I've been thinking about the term "Savior and Redeemer".... I've wondered if there is a difference between the two words and if so, what is it? Everyone here (because it's a Christian country) always tells us that Jesus Christ is our personal Savior and our Redeemer, but it seems almost recited every time. I decided to look into it and an analogy popped into my head as I studied. It's as if we're falling over an edge into a deep hole. Christ is our Savior, meaning that His arm is extended toward us, and He catches us, so we don't fall into the hole.  Technically we're saved, because we won't fall down the hole to our deaths, but we're still dangling there in space. That's why Christ is our Redeemer as well... Because not only does he catch us, but He lifts us. That's the meaning of Redemption, of a Redeemer. In Mosiah 13:4-5 we learn that "Surely He hath bourne our griefs and carried our sorrows." Christ didn't need to feel our pains in order for us to be saved- He only needed to pay for our sins. But because He is our Savior and Redeemer, he did. He's lifted us out of the hole, instead of leaving us dangling, he's lifted our burdens and sorrows. In verse 5 it says, "And with His stripes, we are healed." Not only are we saved, but healed as well. Lifted. Redeemed. A Savior saves, a Redeemer lifts. The gospel is so cool, right?!

Funny moment this week: Sister Nielsen and I spent half Wednesday morning standing on kitchen chairs because of the HUGE, HUGE spider on the wall. *Shudder* Also, I got slightly peed on by a small boy. We were talking to this woman in her house, and the little boy by her just starts peeing on the rock by the one I was standing on. I feel some splashes on my leg.... Yeah. That happened. Ahaha. Oh, the Philippines. :)

Okay okay okay. I'm sorry that my mouth runs away with me every week. I love you all so much, and I'm the happiest I've ever been. I love this work... Can't wait to update you all on my new area and new companion! Keep on keeping on.

All my love,

Sister Luke

Sister K's baptism

All Things New

Written 1/19/14

Maayong Aga, my loved ones!

Wow, what a week of changes and awesome stuff. Sister Person left Tuesday to go home... It's a weird feeling to kill a missionary. Right now for me, home will never come, it's some far away concept that will never be real. Ahaha. But I said goodbye to her on Tuesday and met my new companion! Sister Natalie Nielsen, and she is the BOMB. We already click so well- I love her. She's from Arizona, and she nannied in PARIS (MEGAN) before her mission. So. Yeah, I think that alone can tell you how well we both get along. :) It's been different, leading the area, but our lessons have been rockin- she's a way sweet teacher and way good in the language. Speaking of the language, I feel like this week it randomly just CLICKED in my brain. It honestly felt like I woke up one day and suddenly I can understand what I need. I know what people are saying in the jeepneys and the streets and in the lessons.... Not everything, but enough to be able to teach. The Lord has given me the words I need to teach our investigators, and it's so exciting to actually be able to converse with these people I love so much. Wow. Gift of tongues is real. Before now, I could understand enough to get along, but it's amazing how the Lord gives you what understanding you need to move the work along. Sometimes I stop and wonder in amazement that I am speaking to these people in a different language, and they are responding! Hah. Weird. On another tangent- The past couple weeks I've been getting everyone's family Christmas cards, and I love it!! Thank you so much, especially to Aunts and Uncles who have been writing and sending cards! I love it so the MOST much.

Sister Smith and Sister Davis got the (dreaded) AP's call last monday after emailing that Sister Smith was transferring. We were so sad, but such is missionary life. We have Sister Arcinas in the house now, a Filipina, and she's super awesome. We all get along really well and love being housemates :) This week we have the girlfriend of one of our less actives getting baptized! I might have talked about K. before, but I can't remember. F. is a (former!!) less active in our ward (he just officially returned to church this week!) and we've been teaching his girlfriend, K. They want to be married in a year in the temple, but we can only teach K. on Friday's and Saturdays. She's been a little spotty here and there on the days she's been able to meet with us, but her interview was yesterday, and we got to teach her before. She passed, and she'll be getting baptized on Saturday! Hopefully F. will be the one to baptize her :) She told us how happy she was to be getting baptized, and even got teary as she shared her excitement with us. Missionary work rocks!

We had a sweet lesson with the J. family this week. (They are the ones we found through a referral... We wandered around for around and hour trying to find them?) Anyway, it was the very first time I've ever sat down in a lesson and felt the Spirit say, "You need to teach about (in this case) Temples." So I thought... Okay, we'll teach about temples! I told Sister Nielsen how I felt and we just went with it. The Lord had totally blessed us, and prepared us for this lesson without us even knowing. Earlier in companionship study, Sister and I had found a tagolog Liahona we wanted to give to T. that night, and it had a huge picture of the Salt Lake temple in it that we wanted to show him. We had planned this really nice lesson for T. about temples, and ended up using a lot of it with the J. family. We've been struggling to get them progressing. Brother has a lot of sincere desire, but keeps getting hung up on the small questions and details and random stuff from the Bible. But seeing their faces as we taught about the temple and showed them the picture... The Spirit was really strong. It got quiet for a bit, and I think the Spirit was really testifying to them that their family could be together forever. They are a pretty young couple, only about 32 and 28 and they have 4 beautiful kids. I really, really hope they get baptized soon- I know how much the gospel really blesses families!

And finally, in our week of miracles, we met a family of 18 children. Um, yes. 18. All from one mother. (Bless her.) And they let us into their home. And we taught them. WOW. We were totally lead by the Lord to them, but long story short, as we walked by their house it was getting dark (it gets dark here at 6 pm) and I saw two kids pumping a bumba by their house (pumping water.) I haven't been able to try that yet, so I told them we didn't have them in America and asked if I could try. They laughed and said yes, so I filled their little bucket there. Sister Nielsen just grabs one of the buckets they have filled there and starts taking it into their house. They are laughing at us, but let us help. Then all these kids start coming out of the house and we started talking to them. Come to find out, they all live there, and there's 18- with a couple of them living in other places with their families. The dad invited us in and we taught a bit of lesson 1. They all sat around and listened, and seemed so receptive. We invited them to church and told them we'd come pick them up on Sunday, and they accepted! But when sister and I went back, there seemed to have been a miscommunication (maybe I can't speak this language as well as I think ;) ) The dad had left with some of the kids to his own catholic church, and the mom told us they were really busy and couldn't come with us... But we will go back! I love them already :) Pray for them.

T. is doing fabulous. He wears his white shirt to church every week and I love it :) We taught him about the temple, and he can't wait to go with the YSA on their temple trip to Cebu for baptisms in April. It's amazing to see him and G. establishing their lives in the church. On Sunday, Sister and I were fasting, and had brought lunches with us to church so we didn't have to go home to each lunch after church, and we could just break our fast there. We may or may not have locked ourselves in a classroom to gobble down our food before K.'s interview after church. Ahaha. The life of a missionary. 

Anyway, sorry for the random throw up. I am happy and love love loving this work. Mosiah 24:14-15. So the MOST true. I love being a missionary, and I love you all. Keep sharing your missionary experiences with me- You are all an inspiration!

The MOST love,

Sister Luke

 

1. Sister Nielsen and I! Love this sister.

2. The V. family, one of our Recent Converts we've been teaching. Love them! He used to be a baptist preacher. Miracles do happen!

 

3. Trying to fit in Sister Smith's suitcase. It didn't quite work.

"Today is a Good Day for Being Pooh"

Written 1/12/14 

Ang mga palangga ko! And Happy birthday to you, Sarah!! :)

How are you all doing my loved ones? This has been an interesting week, and a joyful, joyful week.......... T. GOT BAPTIZED ON SATURDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love being a missionary.

Okay. But seriously. I have never felt so happy. I testify that there is "godly sorrow", but there is also Godly happiness, too. It makes you feel like your heart is going to burst! So much light and joy and heaven packed into your heart....That kind of happiness. Wow. It's the bestest. I'll send some pictures of the baptism. T.'s testimony after his baptism was amazing. He said he knows temptations still come to him, and always will, but he knows that because of the church and because of his "tight faith" in Christ, he is able to overcome it all. Wow, what a powerhouse. I love him!! Seeing him baptized was the MOST best. My face has been sore for days from all the smiling.

I've heard some crazy 50-degrees-below-zero stories about the states... and that 50 some odd people froze to death in New Jersey? True? You never know what to believe here... But it sounds like it's been pretty wintery in the states... And the same here! I don't know the degrees, but goodness. I broke out my CARDIGAN and SCARF yesterday for church. And I didn't sweat one drop of sweat! What is life? It's been raining here for like 3 days straight. I think the island is going to turn into a raisin. You know how your fingers get all pruney when you stay in the bath too long? Yeah, I think that's what's going to happen to all the Philippines. It's. So. Wet. Currently I'm wearing and sweater and a scarf now. I feel like a Filipina... I'm actually cold. I think it's probably somewhere around 60 degrees? Who knows. But I'm actually sleeping under my sheet nowadays :) It's the little things.

This week with Sister Person has been so good. She's so diligent, even to the very last few days of her mission! It would be so easy for her to slack, but she never does. She's an amazing teacher, and I'm learning a lot from her. I've been a little under the weather this week, but even when I was stuck in the house we arranged for member exchanges so she could go out and work. Wow! I love her. She's funny and caring and loves to laugh. She's small, but gets a lot done :) I'm so lucky. On Tuesday I'll get my new companion! Let you all know about the next victim next week ;)

This week we taught sooo much, and got a lot done, but only one RC came to church, and only one investigator. Definitely tender mercies that we had at least ONE of each at church, or I might have lost it otherwise. It's hard to work so hard the whole week and have little to show for it. Somehow, rain seems to become an acceptable excuse for missing church. Hmm. Don't pick me to be the one to tell Heavenly Father that...

Funny experience from this week: Sister and I went to visit a less active of ours a couple nights ago. He's an RM and really nice, and every time we go, he gives us Puto (these yummy little rice cupcakes). We'll call him John. Sister and I went to his house, and as we walked by, saw two drunk men sitting outside. We walked by, and continued to John's house. They told us he wasn't there, that John was sitting outside drinking. Oh, good. So we go over to where the two men were sitting.... Except now there's only one. We shined our flashlight on the man and asked him where John had went. He kept telling us he left... Except we could see him hiding behind the huge tree stump by their table. *Sigh*. Some people will go to desperate measures to hide from the missionaries. :) It's sort of fun to be so scary. Ahaha.

Love you all so much! Keep on keeping on- the work is working!

XOXOXO

Sister Luke

 

1. Sister G. 's baptism!!! Love this little one. The sun was suuupper bright. Hence the covered face with the hair (mom ;) )

 2. Happy 4 months to me!

 3. T. at his baptism!!!

Changes Abound! Happy 2014!

Written on 1/5/14

Hello my loved ones!

I just finished reading all of your emails and goodness gracious, there is so much to be grateful for this week. You are all so wonderful and inspiring... I love you all so much.

This week has been a loooong week. It started with our New Years Eve...On NYE and New years day all the missionaries had to be in at 5 pm. We were all sitting in the kitchen washing laundry, where we got a dreaded phone call from the Assistants. Sister Fitz looked at the screen, then threw the phone and told me I had to answer it. I picked up and Elder Sablan asked for Sister Fitz. I handed her the phone again and watched as her face fell..... Emergency transfers. Needless to say, our New Years Eve was slightly dampened. We all cried a lot, but tried to have fun anyway. New Years Day we spent that night together as well, helping Sister pack and trying to enjoy our last time together.

Thursday we went to Galo for transfers and for my follow up training with President and Sister Lopez. My new companion is Sister Person! She was my Sister Training Leader in my district, and she is returning home a week from tomorrow. Weird! We had a really successful week together- lots of baptism dates given and.....

Sister G. was baptized on Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The MOST best. She gave the cutest, simple and strong testimony after her baptism, and was just so bright and happy. What a lovely little thing she is. Her sister also accepted the invitation to be baptized. Baptisms for all! Whew. Love it. I'll try and get some pictures to you all.

I'm so glad my letters finally came! There are more coming, and I'll keep writing, but who knows when they'll all get there :) I love hearing about all your adventures and your vacation together! And your home projects, too, Mom :) Can't wait to see pictures of the progress!

In our follow up training President Lopez based his training on the videos featuring Elder Bednar and his talk "Spirit of Revelation". You should all go watch the video cycle! "Patterns of Light." There's 3 videos and they are so good. Only a few minutes each :) His talk is SO good, and if you have a few minutes, read that too. Here's a small excerpt from it:

"In many of the uncertainties and challenges we encounter in our lives, God requires us to do our best, to act and not be acted upon, and to trust in Him. We may not see angels, hear heavenly voices, or receive overwhelming spiritual impressions. We frequently may press forward hoping and praying—but without absolute assurance—that we are acting in accordance with God’s will. But as we honor our covenants and keep the commandments, as we strive ever more consistently to do good and to become better, we can walk with the confidence that God will guide our steps. And we can speak with the assurance that God will inspire our utterances. This is in part the meaning of the scripture that declares, “Then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God”.

As you appropriately seek for and apply unto the spirit of revelation, I promise you will “walk in the light of the Lord”. Sometimes the spirit of revelation will operate immediately and intensely, other times subtly and gradually, and often so delicately you may not even consciously recognize it. But regardless of the pattern whereby this blessing is received, the light it provides will illuminate and enlarge your soul, enlighten your understanding, and direct and protect you and your family."

So good, right? Man, I love Elder Bednar. Always a good reminder for me to remember who is really in charge. It's not me, and it's not you. But we are all in the hands of the Master potter. I testify to that with all my heart. He gives us enough light, and guides our steps daily, in order for us to grow day by day. The gospel is so cool.

Anyway, till next week! Sorry this email is a little scattered. The work is working here in the Philippines. Never forget this blondie loves you.

XOXOXOXO

Sister Luke

P.S. Happy Happy New Year!
sorry, the pictures aren't working :P Maybe next week!

This is Sister Person! I'm finally tall! She's a cutie. And SO good. 

Man does not live by bread alone!‏

Written 12/29/13

Hellloo!!! (Mrs. Doubtfire style, anyone?)

Hey, guys. So... It was a pretty great week :) I got to see your shining faces, which was definitely the highlight of the week (if you'll excuse the pun. My humor has gotten so bad...). Our Christmas was AWESOME. We got to skype, we exchanged gifts, and it felt so Christmasy in our apartment. Sister Davis' mom sent her Christmas tree scents, so it even SMELLED like Christmas in the apartment. How fun :) We ate with Brother P. for Christmas lunch and that was pretty fun. It was a catered lunch! Ritzy. We're excited for the progress he's making... albeit slowly.

In regards to the subject line.... That was proven true this week. Man needs WATER to live. And we ran out. The past week the water in our apartment wasn't working, meaning we relied on the rain (typhoon) water outside in our big barrels to shower etc. It's not that bad, but we used the last of the Yolanda water on the day after Christmas to shower.. We were literally scraping the bottom of the barrel :) Ahaha. The water got pretty nasty.. We dumped out the last yucky dregs of it down our drain outside and cleaned out the barrels so they'd be ready for new, clean rainwater. But now we had zero water to wash dishes, ourselves, the apartment,and our clothes. (I never realized the necessity of water for all those things....) Our barrels outside were empty and waiting to be filled, though! So I suggested that we say a prayer together for rain to fill our buckets enough to have some water to shower the next day. Lo and behold, 20 minutes later, while in the middle of personal study, a downpour occurs :) All of us looked up from our desks as smiles crept onto our faces :) We raced outside to make sure we had as many buckets as possible catching water. God's so awesome, right? It rained for a couple hours, and by the time we got home that night, we had enough water to shower the next day :) 

Not only was this experience an awesome miracle, It made me think about us as individuals when we ask for blessings from God. Hopefully this makes sense, because it's easier in my head. We have barrels, if you will, in our minds or hearts, waiting to be filled with whatever we are asking from God. Help, guidance, comfort, knowledge, forgiveness. God wants to fill these, but first we have to be willing to dump out whatever yucky stuff may be inside; whatever may be filling them up currently, and disallowing us from filling them up with things of the Lord. Maybe it's our pride, maybe our desire to sin. Perhaps we have guilt, or we're harboring bad feelings against someone. Before the Lord can fill us up with what we're asking for, we must be willing to relinquish whatever gross stuff may be holding us back from becoming empty- in order to be filled. Often times people say things need to get worse before they get better. I've found the same thing. Sometimes it seems like the Lord is asking for so much from us. We're pouring out our soul for Him.. Only to find that he was drawing out the gunk from us.. Making us empty and clean in preparation for the blessings he has waiting for us. In essence, we must let go of sin before we can become vessels of the Lord. 

Hope that made sense.. It made more sense in my head, but that's how it normally goes with these things :) Hope you are all having a wonderful and lovely week. I love things here in the Philippines! Life is simply awesome. Missionary work is awesome. Happy New Year to everyone.. Write me and let me know your new years resolutions! It's a time for change, no? No better time than now. 

Sister and I have a baptism this week! Our cute little G. is being baptized on Saturday! :) She just turned 12, and her mom is a less active. We actually found her through OYM, and found out later that her mom is a less active. Amazing, how the Lord works! We've only been teaching her for about 3 weeks but she's definitely ready and excited to be baptized. I'll send pictures next week and tell you about it! Yay for saving souls. 

Love you all so much! Till next week,

Sister Luke

 

 1. They have the sweetest gates here in front of everyone's houses. This is one of my new favorites we found :)

 2. This is what happens when we run out of water.... This is us filtering the water before we shower. We take water out of the big blue one and run it through an old button up shirt into the bucket :) Voila! Ready-Rain-water. Try it at home! Just kidding, that's gross. :)

 3. The miracle rain filling the buckets!

Christmas time is the best time!‏

Written 12/23/2013

 

Good Morning my loved ones.

This week was an emotional roller coaster. More on that later. This week has also been super fantastic because it's Christmas! Yesterday we had the awesome opportunity to go to the mission home for Zone Conference and to watch the First Presidency devotional. That was so sweet... It really feels like Christmas here. We even ate really nice sub sandwiches! It was so American I wanted to cry. I couldn't help but remember that devotional, what, 3 years ago now? At Heather and Spencer's apartment, when we watched the devotional with them; they made the peppermint chip cookies and Charlotte got so excited I thought she was going to pop? :) What good memories :)

Here's the reason for my slightly broken heart this week: We had to postpone T.'s baptism. I don't want to give too many details, but as we were going through his practice interview for baptism, a few things we hadn't known about came forward that need to be resolved. We were really bummed for a while, but I prayed that night and felt such peace about it all. I know it's way better for T. to be completely spiritually ready for his baptism than it is for me to have my selfish desires (a Christmas baptism). I feel a lot of optimism about it and we're hoping that it can happen in the next couple weeks. He is so wise, and I'm happy that he recognizes the need for and desires complete repentance in his life before he makes sacred covenants. What an example he is. Keep sending your prayers his way!

I have really limited time today, but I want you all to know how much I love you and how much more the Savior loves you. I can relate more of my weeks actvities to you when I SEE you tomorrow :D

Your emails the past two weeks have been a huge support to me. Shoutout to Bekah this week who will be celebrating her birthday and we will all celebrate her awesomeness. All the best to you, Bekah :)

This week during one of my personal studies I was reading about the life of Jesus. For our celebration tonight as an apartment, we wanted to do the traditional reading of the Christmas story and sing all the Christmas songs in the hymnbook. As I thought about our plans for Christmas Eve, I had an idea (impression?) to make a...program? of sorts. (For lack of a better term.) I went through the story in Luke and the story of the Wisemen in Matthew and divided up the scriptures with the Christmas hymns that corresponded to the verses. Tonight, we'll read a few verses, sing the songs that go with them, read some more, sing, and enjoy the Spirit of Christmas. It was a special experience to read the verses, ponder on the lyrics of the songs, and to think of the birth of our Savior. The lyrics of the hymns are powerful... I would definitely suggest to look through them. Music is powerful.

We had a lot of less active members come to church last Sunday, and I am forever grateful for this universal time of year- everyone's hearts are softer, words are kinder, actions are sweeter, people are more selfless, and feelings are more tender. At the Christmas party, the Elders and us sang the First Noel for the beginning of their program, and it made me think of my year of Madrigals, getting to sing for so many ward programs and dinners. What a special time Christmas is, wherever you go, and whoever you're with!

Thank you for your support and your love. Sorry this email is a little bland this week... Hopefully tomorrow will make up for it :) There's probably more to say, but I can't think.....

So.....

I love you all so much, and I'll SEE you tomorrow!!!

XOXOX

Sister Luke

P.S. One special request: To anyone who would like- President Lopez asked us to gather testimonies and experiences that people have had with keeping the Law of Tithing, so we could share some of them (and the blessings that have come to loved ones in our lives) with the less actives we are teaching. If anyone would like to send me their testimonies or experiences with the law of tithing, feel free, they would be greatly appreciated!