If
you've got a queasy stomach maybe thing twice about serving a mission because
it is literally just. like. a roller. coaster. Just kidding everyone that is
able to should strive to serve a mission because the Lord will use you to help
others shape their lives to the gospel and around the atonement of Jesus
Christ, and he will shape and refine you while you're doing it. They don't call
it refiner's fire because the metal doesn't experience any pain, stretching, or
bending, in order to become what the master intends for it to be. This week was
a very wonderful opportunity for me to feel that. And shouldn't we count our
trials as blessings?
Highlight:
- We had exchanges one
day this week and Sister Bleak (my old MTC comp and tunay na kusama) and
I had a little thanksgiving celebration. I was reminded this week of the
importance of gratitude no matter what our circumstances are. Sometimes when
times are so hard you feel like you could pray for 2 hours listing all the
things you think you need...I love to limit my prayers to mga pinapasalamatan
(things your are grateful for). You find there are still too many to
count.
-We switched areas
with the Elders and got to teach one of their investigators that had been
investigators for a couple of years now and never came to church. We felt the
power of being "bold and loving" and sure enough they were touched,
they prayed about coming to church, and at our follow up lesson the dad said he
felt the Lord say "Pumunta ka anak" (Go child) On Sunday they showed
up with their two grandchildren as well and the ward worked their fellow shipping magic so we will see where that goes.
Light Moment:
- In ward council my companion
suggested the ward start weekly ward Friday nights for us to invite
investigators, retain recent converts, and reactivate less actives, 3 in one.After like 10 minutes of discussing it, a
brother in the council (he is older now but used to be the bishop) slowly
raises his hand and just says "I suggest we have a ward night where we can
invite investigators, include those who are new in the ward, and bring back the
less actives.." He is a little bit slow but SO funny and everyone sat for
a second and then burst out laughing cause that's exactly what my companion
said. We just thanked him for the great idea and continued planning :)
You Know You're in the Philippines When...
No one means any harm
by how blunt they are with what you look like. On sunday I got people asking
what was wrong because "you look pangit today" (you look ugly)
hahahaha it actually lifted my spirits a ton because it was so funny. I love it
here :)
Tagalog:
Bubuhatin tayo ng
Diyos (God will lift us)
Espiritual:
This is for all my
fellow missionaries but for all the members and just everyone in the world
actually: Alma 17:2-3 "rejoice exeedingly because they were still his
bretheren in the Lord...waxed strong in the scriptures..and this is not
all..given themselves to much fasting and prayer..taught with power and
authority.." We are asked a lot of us as missionaries but isn't that
fitting because of how much Christ has done for us? No matter how tough our
missions are I know we will rejoice in the day we all see each other again and
we will know how everyone endured, and endured well. In a way they were refined
and shaped and molded and strengthened. I have spent a lot of time on my knees
this week, with my scriptures, and fasting, even more than 24 hours when
necessary. I would like to testify that the Lord does not take away our trials
when we do this- but he gives us a better blessing- his power when we teach.
There is power to our testimony, conviction. We have his permission and
blessing to teach his gospel in his way as if he was the one extended the
invitations to his children to come and repent and follow Him. Please never
give up. Turn to the Lord and rely on His atonement. Look in the mirror at the
person the Lord is making out of you. What are you learning? Thank him for that
challenge and as you reply on scriptures, prayer, and fasting, you will see him
lift you.
Sister Walters
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