November 23, 2014

Magandang Hapon Po!

To start out, President pulled the other two sisters out of our area and shut their area down. Now there are just the two of us here. It will be crazy/fun/a little stressful to see what will happen. It was a little weird at first to just have the two of us in the house because I have always lived with at least 2 other people. But things are good now. We have a lot of work to do though in building up the ward and finding new investigators. Bauan has not had a very good tracking record, as in it is known as a very hard area. But we have received some awesome council from the Stake presidency from our stake conference and we feel ready and excited to work. This will be my companions last area and then she will be going home at the end of December.

WE had an awesome workshop in our last district meeting about following up on the commitments that we extend to our investigators and members, but they also talked about how we has missionaries need to follow up on our commitment we have made to our heavenly father. We always need to be checking our progress and making the necessary changes to become better, to become more like Christ. I have been thinking about this a lot, especially with Christmas coming up. I want to be more like him in all that I do. Every day we have been challenged to read the 4 gospels and I have some to know and see more attributes of Christ. He was perfect and I know I cant be perfect like him but I can do all I can to implement him and walk where he walked.

We had many little miracle with our one investigator names Jojo. He is the best! Finally after struggling to get the member's to work with us we had a member come with us to teach him and it was one of the best lessons. There really is a better, even greater spirit that comes into a lesson when a member testifies to an investigator. We had a really awesome lesson about our agency to choose to follow the Savior no matter what the circumstances. We shared 1 ne 16 when Nephi broke his bow. All of them suffered but Nephi chose to be obedient and follow the Savior. We all can do that too. We then went to his house to do service for him. We washed his clothes and had such a fun time serving him. He always talks about America and how things are so much better there. OH only if he knew that it is hard there too. AND, after 7 weeks he finally came to church again. What a miracle. We are praying and having the faith that he will be ready for baptism by December 27. We really love Jojo.

We OYMed this pastor one night and we felt as if we were fighting the devil. We were sharing and testifying and then over and over again he told us how wrong we were and that we should be mad at him that we are wrong. Oh we had lots of emotions but tried to keep our cool. but over and over he kept telling us how wrong we were. We will meet that man again on the other side and then see what he says haha. It is just sad when people turn down the truth.

I have been reading and studying a lot the Talked by President Uchtdorf from April 2014 conference called "Grateful in any Circumstances". No matter what we really can be happy and grateful for all that happens to us. It may not be fun but as we have an attitude of gratitude we will more easily see the blessings in our life. We can be grateful in ANY circumstance. This is the first step to becoming like Christ.

Well no more time. I love you so SOOOO much and you are always in my prayers. Say hi to everyone for me and share my love to them. Mahal na Mahal Kita!

Sister Meg.


Last district meeting before some of the missionaries got transferred to new areas.

November 16, 2014

First Exchanges!!!! I got to go on exchanges with my batch mate, SIster Kinikini, and we were trying to tract down a referral we have had for a month and every time we ask the barangay halls, they give us nothing. We decided to go one more time to find her. We went to the same place and no luck. Then at the last minute this guy runs up and tells us her address. Success but then we both had no idea where that is because we just both got transferred here. Then out of no where a member drives up in his tricycle, asks where we are going, and gives us a ride. He stopped a couple of times to ask where but before we knew it we were in front of this sisters house (our referral) and were able to schedule a return appointment. Had we left the house one minute later or planned to go at a different time to her, I don't know if we would have been able to find her. But the Lords hand was definitely manifest as we found a faithful sister ready to hear the message of the restored Gospel. Her daughter is a recent convert in the states so we hope to continue that tradition in their family.

We had zone training and as Zone leaders and STLs our workshop was all about keeping our commitments to our Savior. We as missionaries or even a members have made promises or covenants to God that we would do something or become something. But then sometimes we forget to check our progress: How well am I doing at keeping the commitments I made to Jesus Christ? Reflect and make changes so that we are always doing what we promised to do. As I reflected I remembered that I need to do better and as I help the sisters over my stewardship reach their potential I need to be doing the same.

This last week I came face to face with my weaknesses. I really took it as an opportunity to grow. Even if it was hard it is a time to look even more to my Savior and use his atonement to become and even better me. Alma 26:12

Meg


Yellow watermelon!!!! SO good!!









The cutest little boy that loves to take selfies.











Bauan, Batangas. THIs is one of the Provinces in the Philippines.

November 9, 2014

I turned one year in the mission!!!!! I cant not believe that I have been a missionary for one whole year now. It has gone by so fast and continues everyday to fly by. I was lucky to celebrate it with my batch mate sister Kinikini.. She was in my district in the MTC. Good times.

 This week was hard for me and very trying. WE only have  handful of investigators and they punted us all week along with everyone else and their dogs here in Bauan. I guess all of my areas have just been very progressing and the harder I worked the more miracles that I saw. But I have noticed that in this area even with lots of hard faithful work, there is still not a whole lot of progression. sometimes is it hard to stay happy after you have been punted all day and by your backups and no one wants to listen to the gospel. But I have realized that this is a trial of my faith. I know that this is heavenly father saying I need you to increase your faith in my son. This last week our President Mangum invited us to read the 4 gospels(Matt, Mark, Luke, John) before Christmas. I have started to do that and I can see my faith already building. That even if we do get punted or people don't want to listen, I can keep going because he endured the most pain for each and everyone of us. I know that in order for me to get to that next level of faith, a trial of equal value will come to help me grow to my potential. I can already feel myself being more mindful of my Savior everyday and a greater love and desire to share his teachings with the people. here. Keep on, don't ever give up. there are good things to come.

 I went to my first MLC which is a missionary leadership council with all the missionary leaders in the mission. It was fun. There was something that I learned from Sister Mangum that I wanted to share with you. She talked about the glow that some people have or the light that they carry into a room. She shared a quote from Pres. Monson that says if we want to help other shine we have to glow ourselves. We have a positive affect on others as members of the church and people can see it. I would encourage you to fear no man and share your light of Christ with all those around you.

  That was pretty much my week. Even though it was rough I learned so much and am striving and continuing every day to reach my potential and leave no regrets.

 thank you for your love and support. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH Mahal kita.

meg.

One year in the mission!!!

Probably the most developed balot that I have ever seen. Can you see the eye and the beak?

November 2, 2014

This was like the busiest, most tiring, best weeks of my whole mission.

First we were pleased to be visited by Elder Lynn g Robbins of the Presidency of the 70. He talked a lot about Agency and Responsibility. He sayed that people love the fact that they have 100% agency but don't want to accept the fact that they also have 100% responsibility for their actions. He said the moment we start to blame others or avoid, lie, justify is the moment that we lose control over ourselves. So true. WE have been made to be agents unto ourselves. We cant act for ourselves and must accept the consequences for those actions. It was really beautiful how he put it.

We then went to Mindoro!!!! ONe of the Islands in our mission. We took a ferry and had a great time on exchanges with the sisters there.

WE had little time to work in our area because we had 3 different meetings and exchanges and had early curfew one of those nights.

This last week Elder Oaks has been in the PHilipiines and last night there was a live broadcast from him and Elder Robbins. It was so great. Elder RObbins shared about how the things we fill inside whether good or bad, we will see in the people and the world around us. So true. IF our thoughts are sad and gloomy we wont want to see the good. I encourage you to be happy, see the good and how much Heavenly father blesses you every day.

Sorry not the best week. SO busy and I have never been so tired in my life, but it is so worth it. This work is the best and cant believe I only have 6 months to go...SO FAST.