February 20, 2017

Heeyyy good week full of lots of fun surprises!

1) I have been officially re-assigned to the Manila Mission. Just kidding but round two at the MRC with my companion who is getting her foot checked out! 

on the bus to candon zone training

2) The elders were so kind to teach our investigators while we are gone and the Villanueva passed their interview with flying colors! Their baptism will be this week 

3) You probably don't remember but last time I was here I met two africans in Abby's ward and realized one wasn't a member yet, asking if he wanted to be taught. Sister Zarbock and I ended up teaching him at the church together and the spirit was awesome we commited him to baptism in the first lesson! So he was the first thing on my mind when we walked into the chapel and guess what...HE WAS BAPTIZED THE DAY BEFORE! That was a tender mercy meeting him on that back row and introducing the gospel, to seeing him confirmed a member and given the holy ghost. He just shook my hand and said "thank you thank you" Him and his sister are so strong. 

4) Earlier in the week we had a zone conference in Candon! Usually white sisters aren't allowed there so that was cool. Got to see my nanay again (mom / trainer) 

5) Oh yeah I turned 20 haha my birthday happened pala. THANK YOU MOM AND DAD FOR THE PACKAGE! The new bag has done wonders for my back. Also the Ortega family and the elders showed up at the house in the morning with burgers and a cake. Such a fun surprise. 

Missionaries can Laugh:

Filipino's just crack me up so bad. Sister Swainston was pretty wiped from our bus ride and was quiet in the car on the way to the MRC- the driver just stops talking and goes "sister swainston. COME ON." You're smiling Mona Lisa- no teeth. Maybe you have a gum or something." Hahaha that got her laughing. 

what the abenojar's son drives us home in at night hahaha 

You Know You're in the Philippines When:

You can ask anyone how old they are- it's not weird at all 

Tagalog:

Puyat- running on no sleep (not to be confused with puwitt (rear end) or payat (skinny)) 

star bucks in Manila

Spiritual Thought:

We watched an amazing talk on the importance of the sacrament given by Elder Holland before I was even born but I think it is just as or more important today. In Mosiah 3 King Benjamin talks about the atonement how much Christ truly suffered, "tempations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish...." We pain at thought of our Savior and beloved brother experiencing all this, and almost wish we could take him from that pain. We feel this because we love Him. But if we truly love Him, we will take of his emblems with complete respect and reverence because we understand they are what represent Him now. We need to come to church with enough time to meditate and prepare ourselves spiritually (although that preparation starts on Saturday even as we know from the primary song). We all need to sing the sacrament hymn because it in itself is a prayer and no one’s voice is unworthy of a prayer. The men are encouraged to wear white shirts. We need to put in our hearts the words of the prayer, and use the quiet time to review our week, the life of the savior, pray, and make covenants to try better the next week and how. 

I know that the Sacrament is indeed a blessing and can be a resetting point in our life each week to not only obtain forgiveness but also strength to endure what is coming that week. We need our savior Jesus Christ and we need this Sacrament each week. I am so grateful for this and know it blesses me as a missionary when I partake of it worthily! A different power enters into my life when I center it on preparing for the sacrament. 

we got new tags with our mission written on it

Mahal ko kayo! 

Sister Walters