Philippines for Eighteen : Magandang buhay!!!

"good life"

Hello family!!

family!!

I am in shock at how quick this week passed by. When I reviewed the week, considering the things that I wanted to share with you, it turned out that there isn't too much exciting that happened. So this will be short and sweet.

I am not sure if you heard, but everyone and their dog here in the Philippines knows that the Pope of that Catholic church came last week. Everyone was making such a big deal out of it. Apparently about 7 million people went to Manila to see him. I am living in Catholic country. We even got about 10 texts from our cell-phone provider about it and also apologizing for the slow delivery of texts and traffic in the air that was caused by his arrival. Haha so many people asked us if we were going to go see him. I was shocked that they asked us this, but they were even more shocked when I said no. Haha.... interesting. Apparently people were trying to touch his clothing so that they could be saved... basically treating him like a Christ-figure. It sort of made me sad. BUT... that is the culture here.

Earlier today there was a big free medical screening at the church and there was an old mission president here who is a surgeon and is doing service in the Philippines.

Dr William Jackson with Mabuhay Deseret Foundation. He was a Mission President in the Philippines about 20 years ago.

As far as our investigators go... We found this darling couple. They aren't married and they are soooo poor. So poor. They live in a little wood shack on the side of the construction site where he works. But, they are so humble and so excited about listening. They already read the pamphlet and the assignment in the Book of Mormon we gave them (which is honestly rare and amazing for them to do so early). Ralph doesn't have a day off and he was so sad that his boss wouldn't even give him time to go church. But, we woke up Sunday morning to rain. Haha I was thinking... "great... now even Angelica (his wife) won't come to church.." (because she has two little kids). But, to our surprise we walked up to their house and despite the rain, they were all dressed and ready to come with us to church. Because it was raining, Ralph didn't have any work so it was PERFECT. They had a great time. Unfortunately, as for our other investigators and lots of members.... there were many of little faith who despite the little bit of rain, didn't come to church. It was sad, but we were so excited and happy about Ralph and Angelica. I wish you could see them while we are teaching... we basically are sitting on rocks outside their house, holding a flashlight so they can see what they're reading, but they are so interested. They are very humble and really love each other and their kids. He has the most sincere, humble prayers. The spirit is so strong. There is no better feeling.

As for the Sosong family... Adrian has lots of problems with the word of wisdom. He is having a hard time with that and just wants us to teach his wife and kids. So we are trying to focus on him and strengthen his faith. His wife finally knelt and asked if what we were teaching is true which has already softened her heart. We still have a long way to go but I still have lots of faith and hope for them. We're going for true conversion and aiming for them to be sealed in the temple... not just 3 more baptisms.

Haha Conching (recent convert) is doing amazing. She can't go a day without reading in the Book of Mormon and is so diligent in her studies. Someone punted us so we went and taught her word of wisdom. Haha it wasn't by chance because earlier that morning, she shared that she had a little bit of tea left and for the first time was super tempted to drink some because she was cold. She heated up the water, stirred it in, took a sip, and then spit it out outside! Haha she said it tasted like dirt. I asked her how she would have felt even if it did taste good... haha she said she still felt really guilty and would have felt even more guilty. Haha she said she repented and will never do it again. She has had a lot of little faith building experiences.

Wednesday Sister K and I gave a workshop at our zone training meeting and then on Friday we went on exchanges in Sta. Maria. They both went super well but it is just evidence of the enabling power of the atonement. I was pretty nervous for both, prepared as best as I could, but it was really the prayers that made everything work out so well. Even with working with these sisters on exchanges I can feel the spirit strengthen me and work through me. It is a weird thing but it is amazing!

I am so grateful to be a part of this work. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior. I know that through His atonement we can overcome our sins. As long as we live the gospel, we can be cleansed. Not only that, but we can be made saints and become even better, even more Christ-like, even more talented, even more powerful, even more loving.... all through the enabling power of the atonement. I guess what I'm trying to say is that as we apply the atonement every day... we can be made perfect. One day we can be made perfect and have a fullness of joy. I know that because he died on the cross and rose the third day, we will all be reunited with our bodies but in perfect form. We are so blessed. So when I am having a hard day or I just feel too tired, I try to smile and think of all of these things. It is hard to be sad when you do.