Palangga ko kamo!

Written 3/23/14

Helllooo!

Hi. I don't know what's happening to me, but air conditioning makes me really tired now. Haha and there's air con in this email shop right now, so I'm feeling rather lethargic. The Philippines does weird things to you. Also, excuse any typos... This keyboard is not the finest. (I'm having flashbacks to reading that exact sentence from my brothers as missionaries....)

Well, this week was good. And a little frustrating too. Sister De Castro has been suffering from migraines this week and so we were inside again for 2 days. It was reminded to me again that "an idle mind is Satan's playground". I know how Satan gets at us when we let ourselves get lazy or stagnant, so I made myself clean the house, wash garments, write letters, write in my journal, study and sing hymns. Despite the frustration that we couldn't go out and visit all our peeps, I decided to make the most of it and stay positive. And I didn't go crazy! The Lord blessed me to keep my sanity and my positive attitude. I also decided to make a list in my journal of all the things I have changed about myself in the past year. I've had a hard time lately recognizing growth in myself, so I decided to list it all out (an idea from my dear friend Davis) and take a look at it all. I would encourage you all to do the same! It ended up being a real eye opener to me of the hand of the Lord in my life, and His role in helping me become who I should be. I recognized that I have changed, and the Spirit showed me even more areas that I can continue to improve. That was definitely a tender mercy this week.

A rather unexpected experience from this week.... We got a text from Brother E. the other day that said, roughly translated, "I must tell you frankly, Sister Luke. I've fallen in love with you."

So. There's that. We haven't been able to visit him this week because of sister's sickness... But we aren't sure if we can go back. he sent a few more texts edging on the creepy side of things, and I've felt just awful about it for the past few days. Pray for the Brother. He's slightly crazy but has so much potential! And the gospel is for the crazy people too.

If any of you have a Preach my Gospel, go read page 221, "The Commitment to Stay Active in the Church." I just finished 4th Nephi this morning and watching the Nephites go from being so righteous, to falling into such wickedness little by little was so devastating! It reinforced in my head my own personal commitment to be active in the church, not just a few years or for my mission. Sometimes we get asked here what we as missionaries do when we go home. Sometimes we have to explain to people that we still go to church, we still do all the things we are telling them to do right now. The gospel about us ALL staying active till the very end. It's not enough for a person to be active for just a while... It doesn't matter how long a person stays active unless it is for eternity. When looking at the gospel with that perspective, it shows us how we don't try to fit the gospel into our lives... We must fit our lives into the gospel. We must be active with our heart and mind and actions in the church ALWAYS, if we are to gain salvation. That perspective has helped me a lot when facing trials or hard times. It's given me patience and helped me feel the love that Christ and Heavenly Father have for me.

The language mishap of this week: "Nalibugan" in Ilonggo is "confused", but in Tagolog, I found out this week it means "aroused" which is infinitely more awkward. It's correct to say that Joseph Smith was confused using "nalibugan" in Ilonggo, but there are a lot of Tagolog speakers here in Silay. So that was a fun realization to realize that for 6 months of my mission I've been telling people that Joseph Smith was.. Well. Good thing I know better now and that the Spirit is the real teacher anyway.

The gospel is the most true, even when you're sick or healthy, happy or sad. Isn't it nice to know we have that constant? Never forget that  I love you all and I pray for you.

All my love,
Sister Luke

1. Our trip last week to this sweet place called Belaring. There's kilometers and kilometers of bamboo bridges that are the coolest (and scariest) things to walk on. We got to climb one of the towers there and see the ocean. So pretty!

The pictures are taking FOREVER. So I guess just this one today. Sorry its not an especially cool one!

Nearer, my God, to Thee.‏

Written 3/16/14

Hi family!

Happy St. Patty's day! I will have you know I am wearing green.

How are you all? The subject line of this week is a simple one: reading your emails every week makes me feel closer to the Lord. I always know he is watching out for me when I hear from you. 

I hit my 6 months this week! What is life? I don't know. The time has gone slow at times, but for the most part it's flown. Bacolod seems like a lifetime away now. The night of my 6 months, Sister Davis and Sister Ulussasa scaled our apartment building to drop down at our back door with a baby chocolate cake and oreos with a candle to sing "Happy 6 months" to me. I love that sister with all my heart :)

It was made manifest to me this week how much the Lord watches over his missionaries! Sister and I were in a tricycle this week, riding to a farther area, and crossing a bridge. The bridge is only narrow enough for one car at a time, and as we were exiting the bridge, a car zoomed right past us, causing us to hit the side of the bridge and to skid a while down the road. So that was a nice adrenaline rush. So glad we have the protection of God with us, and that our tricycle driver knew how to handle the situation and didn't flip out. Tender mercies, my friends.

I was also given a gentle reminder this week that the Lord is aware of my prayers. I've been praying recently to feel the Spirit more in my daily life and to be able to recognize promptings this week. It was proven to me this week that the Lord hears our prayers as sister and I were walking in one of our areas on our way to teach a recent convert family. A thought popped into my head that we should stop by a less active family first, (they have a recent convert daughter as well who I LOVE. She's 9 and the cutest little thing you ever did see.) We turned right around and went to their house, where they let us in. Just as we were preparing to start the lesson, in walked their dad, a long time less active, and who is rarely there for any of our lessons. I've only met him once previously, but the mother and him have been having marital problems for the past couple years. Sister has shared with us that she wants her husband to be the one to invite them back to church, and to lead the household in faith. As we sang with the family, the Spirit entered very tangibly. Sister De Castro shared in 1 nephi 1:1 about Nephi's parents being leaders in his life, and how they taught him from his youth to grow in the gospel. It was 100% by the Spirit. I testified that this gospel is for families, and that his children and wife needed him. At the end of the lesson brother said that he and his family would come to church this Sunday... That it was time for them to return and he wanted to go to church to partake of the sacrament. It was so filling to feel that our lesson had done it's job. That we had led him to make a commitment with the Lord and to increase his faith. Missionary work is the bomb. And the Spirit is so real.

This week has been challenging, but has also sped by. Sister and I made a goal to not leave an area until we've found a new investigator there or OYM'ed someone. We were blessed this week with 19 new investigators, and I know it was all because the Lord is preparing people. We just have to set our sights high enough that we can accomplish His plans and His goals.

That's about it for this week. Zone conference was amazing...I wish I could just wear google glasses all the time and you all could live this life along with me. I guess you'll just have to settle for my emails. Love you all the most!

Love,
Sister Luke

Ps the pictures arent loading.. I had all these pictures to send to megan in celebration of her b day and St. Patty's day. :(

Bruised hands and happy hearts.‏

Written 3/9/2014

 

Hello my loved ones!

I literally have a bruise on my hand from shaking hands at church. I'm proudly a missionary :)

It's been a good week. One of a lot of growth. I've noticed that Heavenly Father gives me these little glimpses sometimes of how much I really have changed. Sometimes it's hard to see our personal growth, and sometimes I question if I really have grown. But the tender mercies of the Lord are over us all. Allow me to explain....

We got to meet with Sister F. and her husband, (She's the one that backed out last week) and we shared with them in Ether 12:11, about the Lord preparing a "more excellent way" for them and that "it is through faith that it is fulfilled". We related that to her right now... She is living the commandments, going to church, and reading scriptures, but there is a higher way, a better way; the Lord's way: which is baptism. We talked about having the faith to take that leap and be baptized. She had been nervous and had thought that there were multiple interviews before she was baptized, so as we thought we had cleared up her concern, we invited her again to be baptized that weekend. It was a powerful and memorable lesson. The next couple nights we followed up with her, and her husband as well. We reviewed again what the Book of Mormon was with Brother F., and he really seemed to understand this time, and committed to start reading. 
Then Saturday came. We prepared the font, the programs, the room; everything was ready... Except no Sister F. Finally we went to her house and found her outside. After a lengthy discussion (with her husband in and out) it became clear that the baptism was not going to happen.... Sister opened up to us that because Brother hasn't come to church yet, she's afraid that if she is baptized now, he will never follow. She shared that she doesn't mind being baptized before him, but she wants to know that Brother really will support her and come with her to church. Brother kept telling us that she wasn't prepared, but really it's him who is not prepared for her to be baptized. It was heartbreaking to hear, because as we were trying to resolve her concern and help her see that she has the faith to be an example to her husband, I could also understand that she wants her family to be united in the gospel. Brother is a lot of "talk" and not a lot of "do". He's 41 and she's 24, so she is a little intimidated by him and his opinions. We all got on our knees and said a prayer to our Father in Heaven that He would show us all a way that we can help Brother F. come to church. We are united with Sister F. in continuing to help them as a whole family so that she can be baptized.

SIGH. 

Sister De Castro had a hard time after that. Surprisingly I was okay. Of course I was devastated... But I really felt peace and patience from the Lord. We returned to the church to let them know it wouldn't be happening, and to pick up my laundry. (We take our laundry to a recent convert in one of our areas so we can pay her and so she can have money to come to church.) Sister insisted that we just go and drop off the laundry and go home, because she didn't want to teach any more that night. She told me she didn't have the Spirit with her. I insisted that we finish out the night, and took her into a small room in the church so we could pray together. We both said a prayer, and as we both stood up with tears in our eyes, the Spirit was strongly present. It was still a heartbreaking situation, but as I hugged Sister De Castro I knew that the work just goes on. It will continue and we will continue no matter what Satan tries to do. We went and taught a couple more lessons that night and although we were exhausted spiritually, we were strengthened and had some really sweet experiences. 

That night we taught our Recent Convert, G. She is so solid... Sort of like a female T. Her husband just left last month to go work abroad, maybe for 6 months to a year. I can't even imagine. Anyway, we were teaching about the Book of Mormon- what an example she is of a strong and dedicate mom. She knows the power of the BoM and I LOVE seeing it affect others lives. There is tangible power in that little book. It's the MOST TRUE EVER. I love it. Go share it with someone, it rocks.

Last miracle: E. came to church! And he was wearing a black Taco Bell shirt and I love it. I love it because the ward was awesome in fellowshipping him and we had an awesome lesson with him last night. We again reviewed the purpose of the Book of Mormon and how he can receive a witness that it's true. He committed to start from the beginning (he's been reading a little randomly throughout the book) and to pray about it. I don't know why, but it seems that getting people to pray is like pulling teeth! People are "huya" (shy) and grumpy and they simply don't understand their true relationship with their Heavenly Father. If they did, they would want to pray all the time! I don't know why the easiest thing to do is the hardest commitment to keep for them. Many of our investigators will read, but not pray. I think Satan makes the little things (the most important things) the very hardest to do, because he knows just as well as we do the power that is in reading and praying. He knows that by these small things are the great things- or conversion- brought to pass. If he can keep our investigators from communicating with our Father, he can stop them in their conversion. Our job is to help them understand their true relationship and the true nature of our Loving Heavenly Father.

P.S. Anyone know what Ash Wednesday is all about? 

All in all, it's been a week of testing and growth. Exciting things. :) Whew. I'm all outta words. Sorry for a hefty one. I tried some Suman this week- this delicious sticky rice with ginger, banana, and calamansi (That lime/orange mix fruit) and some Lugaw- a kind of coconut/rice/kamote (sweet potato) soup stuff that is so good. I think Filipinos put crack in their food because I love it. 

Welp friends, that's about it. I love you all, and the gospel is so true. The Lord is loving. 

Can't believe I'll be on a plane ride home on this day next year. Don't let the time get away from you!

Loves,

Sister Luke

This picture is in honor of Meg's birthday next week. Its a random wall that I found... Reminds me of you megs! Also, no one here knows what St. Patrick's day here is. They think!

Still Working

Written 3/2/2014

 

Hi guys.

This has sort of been the week where you kick open the door Sunday night and want to just throw yourself facedown on the couch till someone comes and asks if you're okay. Ahaha. Except we don't have a couch. But we do have chairs and a floor that I used in substitute. 

First off: HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARLISLE! This Saturday my lovely Carlisle will turn  the big 20. Don't forget to wish her a happy birthday and hug her for me! Love you, Carl :)

So, It was a bit of a disappointing week... It's been a test to not get discouraged, but all in all, I do know that my Redeemer lives and loves us, and really that's what's important. First off, no transfers (no surprise there), so life continues here in beautiful Silay :) The amazing and awesome part of this week came on Tuesday, after district meeting. All the foreigners (thats me! I'm a foreigner.) got called into come to the mission office, so we headed off to Bacolod. At the office I saw Sister Nielsen and it was a joyful reunion :) She said Bacolod 2nd is doing great, and so is T. :) AND! She also told me about Brother P. I don't know if I mentioned this, but when I left, Brother P. told Sister N that he didn't want to listen to the missionaries anymore because I left. Of course, they kept visiting, and Sister Nielsen said that a couple weeks ago they taught him about tithing. They weren't able to teach him the following week because of his work schedule, but then that Sunday he showed up to church on his own and PAID HIS TITHING. GUYS. BROTHER P. PAID TITHING. Now, granted, I know investigators aren't supposed to pay tithing... and Sister Nielsen and I had a good laugh because she had thought they'd made it clear it's just for members, but apparently there was a miscommunication :) But who cares?! My dear Brother P. had the faith to pay his tithing. I love missionary work.

Also, on Monday, we went to a bunch of "ukays", which is basically like a huge, outdoor DI. So if you know me, ukays are of course my favorite. And I think I deserve the Wendy Wilkins Bargain Award for this week because I got a 2 shirts, a dress, and a horrible ugly tie (it has knights in shining armor on it and it says "Put on the Whole Armor of God"... who could resist, honestly? My future spouse will wear it on Father's day) all for 45 pesos. Which, is 1 american dollar. Please, hold your applause.

Anyhow, the rest of the week... Well.. Sister De Castro fell ill this week on Wednesday, and then Thursday morning at like 4 am I woke up as nauseous as anything. We were stuck inside for 2 and a half days and I wanted to poke my eyes out. We went out Thursday night anyway, just to drop by L.'s house and finalize the plans for her baptism on Saturday. We were all set, and we even taught them on Friday night.... But we got a text Saturday afternoon, a half hour before she was set to arrive at the church for her baptism.... And she backed out. She told us she wasn't prepared yet, and said, "Next time, sisters!" 

So. That was devastating. We called and texted and went to their house, and no one was home. So far we haven't been able to get in touch, but we'll be visiting her later tonight. These people think they can rip my heart out!

Our funny experience: one of our investigators arrived to church on Sunday in jeans and a white t shirt, which is not unusual. But the T-shirt was rather... well, inappropriate. Haha but I had to laugh that he would be coming to church wearing his earrings, jeans, spiky hair and rather promiscuous shirt. But I love it, too, because he was THERE. It reminded me of my dear friend, Elder Peterson. He shared that the church isn't for those who are perfect, right? It's for the sinners. We all need Christ because we are all imperfect. Moroni 8:8... "The whole need no physician, but they that are sick..." no? And who better than the Great Physician to operate in our lives, and clear out the gunk and junk of our sins. 

Big fat thank you to Aunt Sheri and Megs for the letters :) They brighten my week. I love you all, the church is the most true. Thank you for your support and amazing love I get to feel every week when I read your letters. Keep serving the Lord! I'm right there with you.

All my love,
Sister Luke

1. Celebrating (a little late) Sister Davis' year mark, complete with glow in the dark princess masks (compliments of Sister Davis' mom :)) and dunkin' donuts. (For some reason their Dunkin Donuts here are ridiculously delicious.)

2. This adorable little thing at church on Sunday. 

3. Hi, Sister Dean! :)

My weekly throw up.‏

Written 2/23/14

Hello my pretties!

Wow, well it's been an up and down week. Our baptismal candidate, C., (20 years old and so sweet) texted us the morning of her baptism on Saturday and told us she had decided that she wouldn't be getting baptized. We were so devastated. In the lesson we had held with her the day before, she had told us she was leaning toward no, but we committed her to pray again about it before deciding. She's been struggling these last few weeks... She doesn't have the support of her family, and she seems to be lacking a deep and abiding testimony of the truthfulness of the church. We will continue to teach her and try to help her develop her testimony... But it was so sad to see someone so close to the beginning of the most important journey any of us will ever make... only to back out moments before. It was manifested to me this week how real the influence of the devil is in our lives. We often talk about the blessings of keeping the commandments, but too often, I think, we skim over the consequences that follow when we don't obey. The effects of our sin, as PMG puts it. We learned in our Mission President Training this week with President Lopez that so often we forget that if we are not choosing "liberty and eternal life", there is only ONE other choice for us to choose (no fence sitting here): "eternal captivity and death". If we choose to live the commandments, we are choosing Christ. If we are choosing to disregard the commandments, or heaven forbid DISobey the commandments, we are literally choosing the devil. It's as simple as that. Crazy to me, how when thrown into stark contrast like that, our small choices seem to have so much more weight. When we don't read our scriptures on any given day, we are choosing to let the devil win. 

Sorry, off my soapbox :) We taught the P. family again this week, we had a really special lesson on Temples planned, but when we got there, W. wasn't there which was a big bummer. But we went back later in the week and had an amazing experience. W. told us that he feels with his whole soul that what we're teaching is true, and that he wants to be baptized. Bam. Just like that. The Lord is amazing. More to come on this story, I'm sure.

On another happy note, our baptismal candidate for this week passed her interview with President Lopez! We were stressing a little about her.. The first interview we set up with her was on Tuesday, and we waited WITH President at the church for her for about 20 minutes... Then we went to her house... and still couldn't find her. She never showed up, but we found out later she had to go buy medicine for her mom. We rescheduled the interview (with much anxiety.... Neither of us wanted to have president come all the way here again and have her not show up...) and she passed on Saturday :) Her baptism is all set for saturday, and hopefully her husband will be following soon :)

P.S. I've been craving Cafe Rio this week, so you all go enjoy some for me.

Also, one last little tender mercy from this week. Sister and I got crazy punted in the city on  Wednesday. It was such a long day, with hardly any lessons until we took a bus out to one of our far areas, Bagol. We randomly (or not so randomly :)) met this 17 year old, R., and Sister asked if we could teach him. He said that a few years ago sisters used to visit them, but then they closed the area. Sweet! We shared with him some of the first lesson, and at the end, we asked if he had any other questions. His first response was, "Yes. When are you coming back?" Ahaha. That was awesome :) We haven't yet had the opportunity to teach him again, but that was a true tender mercy of the Lord. I love finding solid new investigators. The Lord is so real.

I've been reading lately in the late Alma chapters in my personal study, and MAN, those men are cool. Moroni, Teancum, Lehi, Helaman, Amulek. They got it goin' on with the missionary work. Let's all follow their example. Wherever you are, do everything you can to support the missionaries in your area! Give them a call and ask when you can teach with them, give them a referral, or just write a thank you note to them. I promise you won't regret it... Being a part of missionary work is the most best in the whole world :)

Okay, to end this huge novel.... Jared and Bekah. Thank you for your temple marriage. I take around with me a picture of my family always, but I also carry around the picture of Jared and Bekah- the one on their wedding day when they are first walking out of the doors of the temple. I've looked at it countless times, and I use it all the time in my teaching, because you can literally see the glow on their faces. Not just from happiness, but from the knowledge of the covenants they've made for eternity with the one they love. It's my favorite to show investigators, and whenever I do, they always go quiet for a sec when they see how happy you guys are. So, just know that a bunch of Filipinos are looking at your picture every day :) Thanks for being who you are.

Also, does anyone know why on the Mount of Transfiguration, when Elijah appeared to give the sealing keys to Peter, James and John... Why didn't the Lord just give the sealing keys? Why did Elijah need to appear when the Lord could have done it? I haven't figured this one out yet... If you all have any ideas, feel free to enlighten me :) 

Also, big thank you to Megan and Mom :) I got your letters and mom's package with all the Crystal light in it, and the chocolate covered cinnamon bears (which may or may not already be gone :) ) It was a huge bright spot in my week :) Okay, sorry for the novel. I love you all! Keep marching on.

All my love,

Sister Luke

 

Also, today is transfer calls, but probably Sister and I will be staying. We're both new to the area. But we'll see!

1. Okay, SO cute. They play what's called "balay balay" here, which directly translated is "House house." They play HOUSE, like all girls (especially Megan and I) do back home! It's adorable. I had to take a picture. This is RM and... I forgot the other little one's name. (Temporarily :) ) They are the kids of the M. family, one of our recent convert families :) Sister Tamang (my MTC teacher) was one of the ones that taught their family way back when. Cool stuff.

2.Me and my cute companion.

 

 3. L's kids. (L's the one who just passed her interview) and her kids are the CUTEST. MG [the little girl] sits by me in church and in the lessons and plays with my hair. I LOVE THEM.

 

Happy Birthday to the Best Woman in the World!‏

Written 2/17/14

FIRST off: Happy Birthday to my beautiful, amazing, patient, wonderful, hardworking, hilarious, NUMBER ONE mom in the whole wide world!!!! I made a sign last night and took it around with me today to wish you the happiest of birthdays :) Well, maybe not the happiest, because I'm not there... but the happiest you could be without me ;)

So, hi friends. I just got back from a SWEET hike up to these beautiful waterfalls, hence the late hour of my writing. It was way sweet going up there, and I got to wear pants! I have worn my jeans exactly twice on my mission in the field. Ha. I'll send some pictures :) It was gorgeous. The Jeepney ride there was probably the most freaky thing ever; think of a roller coaster ride, but in a huge truck like thing... So that was fun. We squished a duck on the way too, I think. 

We did exchanges with the Sisters in our ward on Tuesday so we could all get familiar with the other areas in our ward. I got to come to my area with Sister Young, and we had a blast, and taught a bunch of lessons. Exchanges are my favorite, because it shows you your weaknesses, ways to improve, and different styles of teaching. Love it! And Sister Young is way sweet, so that rocks too :) We were in the same District back in Bacolod- she's same batch as Sister Fitzgerald too... They were companions in the MTC :)

Happy Valentines to you all! If you know me, you know that Valentines is not one of my favorite holidays... I don't even know why, but I've always had an aversion to it. Anyhow, I had a good Valentines, despite the lack of an actual "Valentino" as they call it here :) Valentines rose? Check. Sister G., a recent convert, gave both Sister De Castro and I silk roses they had been selling earlier. Cute! Valentine treats? Check. The awesome P. family (I can't remember if I told you about them... J., W., and C.?) forced us to take home some of their homemade donuts they make and sell for their business. And Valentines kiss? Check, for that too. :) Sister L. always lays one right on us when we come and visit her. So, I guess you could say I had a Valentines day probably similar to all of yours. ;) Unless you're another missionary. I hope my fellow missionaries didn't get Valentines kisses. 

Our sweet spiritual experience this week is brought to you by: J., W., and C. of the P. family. We started teaching C. when I got here, and her sister J. joined in on the lessons soon after. W., J.'s husband has slowly come from avoiding us, to arguing, to listening out of curiosity,and now to fully participating in the lessons. Its incredible. They are devoted catholics (so they say... Although they don't go to church currently.) and it's been like pulling teeth to get them to keep commitments. But slowly they've been progressing. Last week W. asked us how he can get J. to start reading the Book of Mormon and going to church, because he wants to, too. We testified of the Spirit in conversion. He understood so well that unless they are acting on our teaching, it's useless. His prayer after the lesson was powerful, as he asked Heavenly Father to help him in his desires to go to church, read, and find the truth. There was a subtle shift to the Spirit in their home... And they want us to come back all the time. Last time we left W. immediately asked us when we were coming back so they could cook for us, ahaha. :) It's hard to communicate through email all the awesome experiences and feelings that I want to.... But they are a special family. I love them :) I want them to be baptized so bad!

This week I hit my 5 month mark, and I finished my big, fat journal and started a new one. Man, the time flies! I've almost been in the Pines for 4 months. 

Don't have much more to say.... Pretty tuckered out. Love you all a lot, and I think of you often. You all inspire me when things get tough :) Sister De Castro and I have a lot of laughs together. We're pretty similar when things get down to it, and we enjoy being with each other and teaching together. My crazy Filipina companion :) 

Keep on marching! We're not done yet.

All my love,
Sister Luke

1. Happy 5 months!

2. Got to hold this cute little guy. We walked past a bunch of kids with these little white, red-eyed mice in a box and I held them :) hopefully they don't have rabies! Just kidding. But really.

3. Happy Birthday Momma!

Sister Davis just can't leave me alone.

Written 2/9/14

 

Hello my loved ones. 

So... Let's start at Monday last week. Sister DeCastro and I were on our way from emailing and eating to go to the market (yeah, I shop at a legit outdoor market) and buy food. And who's blonde hair and cute face do I see coming towards me? That's right. Sister Davis is back. And not only can she not help herself from following me all the way to Silay, but she lives NEXT door to me. And she's my STL :) So... You could say the Lord is sending the MOST blessings to this Sister missionary right now. Why am I so blessed? I don't even know. But the Lord gives such tender mercies :) 

Our baptisms this week were so awesome! I love seeing these solid members added to the church. Sister G. A. and Brother R. M. Both members of part member and previously inactive families. I LOVE seeing Less Actives return and seeing them completed as whole-member families. Ah! I love them.

Wow. Tomorrow is my 5 month mark here in the mission. Whaat? Where did the time go again? Today is Sister De Castro's 9 month mark. Yay! This week has been a lot better in terms of communication, and my Ilonggo (and Tagolog and Cebuano...) is improving :) Sister De Castro loves to laugh, and sometimes I don't even know what we're laughing at, but when in Rome, right? So I just laugh right along with her. Ahaha. It's been a fun week, but sort of poopy in terms of numbers. We have a really hard time getting people to work with us.... I vow to be a good member missionary when I go home! It's really been a testament to me this week that we cannot do this work alone. We can't even do it with just the missionaries and the Lord... The members are one of the most essential parts. 

In random news: One of our recent converts is about 10 and looks like I imagine Ryan Crockett would look, if he was a ten year old Filipino. It's weird to sometimes see people and think, "Hey! I know them!" and then realize it's just a Filipino version of my loved ones back home :) Ahaha. That may sound weird to you all, but it's true. If I ever see any white people here they all look the same to me now. 

Our miracle this week was meeting a man named E. He sat in on a random lesson in one of our areas and asked sooo many questions. My pride was brought down significantly... because at first, I assumed he was just there to argue, but at the end of the lesson, (which was slightly dominated by him) he looks at us and points at the pamphlet and says, in english, "I like this." Then he lapsed back into Ilonggo and asked us to come back and teach him more about how to be saved. Ahaha. Okay! We went back a couple days ago and taught about the Book of Mormon with him. It was amazing! He basically told us everything in the Introduction of the Book of Mormon before he even read it. He kept saying, "I've been looking for a book other than the Bible to explain the doctrine of Salvation," and, "If you read this book, you'll find out who you are!", and, "I need to read this to know what you believe, and to know if Joseph Smith was a true prophet." And Sister De Castro and I are just sitting there with our mouths hanging open and I'm just thinking, "Keep going, man! You're teaching better than we are!" It was a pretty powerful experience. He also forgets the "Sister" on my name and just calls me "Luke" sometimes. Ahaha. More updates to come. Man, I love the Book of Mormon. 

This week we had a Zone Training that was so good. In short: If there was a crime scene somewhere, who would you call first: Batman, or Robin? (not you, mom, the other Robin.) Of course, Batman. The training went on to explain that the Book of Mormon needs to become our personal Batman. (as missionaries, but also as people!) If we have a problem? Open the Book. If we have a question? Open the Book. Have any doubts? Open the Book. Experiencing any trials? Open the Book. Want to be happier? Open the Book. Call Batman. Make the Book of Mormon your FIRST source for all your needs. We've seen a change in the people we are teaching as we always begin our lessons with the Book of Mormon. Man. This church is so true, and so is the Book of Mormon. 

I had a short thought pop into my head this week about the Atonement. I've been thinking lately how to simplify and explain the doctrines of the gospel as clearly and powerfully and simply as possible. For me, the reason the Atonement actually works in our lives is this: The Atonement works because He fills our lack with His love. Simple as that. All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement because the holes we experience in our hearts are healed, filled, and sewn shut with His eternal, unchanging, and ever-present love.

I had another short thought just this morning. I remember when I first got in the field and in all my emails from you RM's, you all talked about how my experiences made you think back to the beginnings of your missions. Well, now I'm 5 months in. And I'm by no means giving you an assignment, but just an idea :) I'd love to hear what all of you RM's were experiencing on your missions around your 5 months in the field. What was hard? What was good? Who was your companion? What was your area like? Whatever you'd like to share, I'd love to hear. I'd love for you to look back on your mission journals and share with me a bit, if you want. :) 

Funny thing this week: The Big Dipper is upside-down here, because I'm on the other side of the world. Aha. Life is sweet. :)

Love you all. You da best, and so is this work. :) 

All my love,
Sis

1. This is my paradise.

 

2. This one's for Bekah ;) literally, probably the most beautiful sunset I've ever seen in my life.

3. R. & E. Mor. 

I. Love. Them.