Dear Friends and Family,
Well what a week. We moved on
tuesday and that was a lot of work because the person that lived there before
was a hug pack rat so there was A TON of stuff to move and go through. We
were able to get everything packed up in our apartment and then some of the
elders from our zone helped us move and President Querido came with a
truck. It took 4 car loads and I was the man of the apartment. Why?
Because I was taking apart the bunk beds and and moving the desks and boxing
things up. Some of the elders were shocked!! The house is beautiful
but very much smaller than the apartment we were in before. We live right
next to the District President of the Branch so we are in a much safer place
and its secluded so no creepy guys. I like that very much. They
have to put new flooring in and that was supposed to happen wednesday but the
funds of the president (district president) are low so we are waiting still on
those. so in the mean time I am still packed and my things are everywhere which
I hate but its a house. I will send pictures next week because one of the
Elders has my card reader.
After no missionary work for 2 days
and going shopping for food on wednesday, I was a little bit far away from the
spirit, but it was nice to feel normal for a while. It took me a couple
lessons until I started to get back into a groove but by the end of the day I
was back to normal I guess you could say. One of our investigators who we
now are neighbors with also, is very ready to be a member of the church.
a little while back she was not sure if she was ready, but when we taught her
on wednesday she said the closing prayer and cried. I didn't know what
was going on because I can barely understand but sister gonzales filled me in
later and said that everytime she prays she cries and she doesn't know
why. sister gonzales told her it was the spirit and ever since then she
loves to have us come over and is ready to be baptized. she missed church
yesterday which could set back her baptism but when we went to talk to her
later that day she said she was sick but really missed the church and would
come next week. She loves the spirit and I am so excited for her. I
hope that eventually we can get her family to be interested in the gospel too
so they can be together. That is one thing that really gets people is the
family and that is how we get investigators by converting part member
families. Families are the center of our message and I love to talk about
it with everyone.
Speaking of families, one of our
members in landing really wants us to teach his parents so he is not the only
on in the family who is a member. he expresses concern to us that it is
really hard to be the only member and so for a while we have taught his mom and
tried his dad but on friday I asked her straight up if she liked us teaching
her and if she liked our message. she said she did but she just doesn't
understand it. I don't know how she couldn't understand it, it is so
simple!! so frustrating!! she cant read unless she has glasses but we can't buy
them for her and she obviously doesn't have enough desire to go buy them
herself. we are always teaching her prayer but she never remembers how to
pray. we ask Brother Robert to help her when we are not there and he
never does that. so there is not Action!! we had to drop her and it was
really hard on Brother Robert but he is strong. he is always thankful for
his trials and although right now his family can not be together, I know that
in time they will come to WANT to know the gospel. I always have to
remind myself that they have agency and we are there to share with them and if
they choose to follow the example of christ then through the action they will
feel the spirit but if they just listen and have no action then there is no
feeling. they have to choose and we are not there to force them.
That is one thing that I have seen that is starting to become common between
missionaries is the forcing action to get the stats. IT DOESN"T
WORK!! people don't like to be forced to do something, they have to have a
change of heart, a desire, and then the things will start to happen. many
members also say that those missionaries are not very nice and they don't like
to work with the missionary. Members are so important and I have seen the
affect they have and if the missionary is forceful and there are no
members, the area suffers. Graby, that Agency!! But at the same time we
need it so we can know the good from the bad, the happy and sad, and the bitter
and sweet.
so my Birthday, was an
adventure I must say. all the sisters made all this wonderful food.
sister Gonzales stayed up late (but then again she always does that because she
can't sleep) and made me mango float which is condensed milk, gram cracker, and
mangos in a sandwich. SO GOOD!! I brought cake to our zone meeting
and then after the couples took us to Chowking and I had my first Halo halo
which means mix and it literally is. There is this Ube ice cream on top
which just means purple there is not even a cool fruit flavor to it, then there
is Ice and of course rice, there is jello, bananas, condensed milk and the
weridest of all is beans!! Why! weird but good.
One thursday we had a family home
evening with the lero family and I had a great time. They have started to
celebrate Christmas right now and it goes to january 6, 100 days of christmas.
so i decided at this FHE we were going to play fruit basket. I had a
great time and it reminded me of the christmas party at Grandma and Grandpa
snows. It was a little piece of home in the philippines and everyone
really enjoyed it.
On sunday I had a feeling that I
only get every once and a while, the feeling of being full on the spirit.
I have been studying the book of mormon and I am learning so much I love
it. I learned a very valuable lesson on sunday as well. The
importance of service. When we are serving people we often forget our own
problems and realize our blessings. by forgetting ourselves that is when
we find ourselves. Honestly I feel like I have been really selfish lately
because I worry so much about how I am going to speak to these people, but now
I want to worry about how I can help them and grow my relationship with
them. I know that that is when I will start to understand them. It
is so important to serve with love because that is how Jesus Christ served the
people. We need to work towards becoming like him. that is when we
will see everyone as a child of god and love everyone despite our weaknesses. I
know that a lot of times this is repeated throughout our life but it is true
and it may take a moment when you are really listening for it to sink in.
We cant expect things to happen right away though, we need to understand that
this is a process, life is a process.
Yesterday sister Tanielu, sister
Taylors companion left for manila because she has finished her mission.
It was a bunch of mixed feelings because we were all going to miss her very
much and, at least I was, a little jealous that she was going home. I
thought about it after we exchanged tears and hugs and thought NO i don't need
to be jealous because I have a lot of mission to live and a lot of experiences
left that will make me beautiful like she is that will make me the person I need
to become. I have a lot of weaknesses and if I can overcome at least 1
than that is a miracle. I am growing my relationship with my father in
heaven and learning so much. I know that I will not be the same when I
come home because the lord is preparing me. its kind of amazing when you
think about it. You are all being prepared through your experiences and
trials now for the next ones to come.
Well enough deep thinking. Thank you all for your
support and love and I hope you take the challenge to truly apply the
scriptures in your life and read them everyday, even if it is just one verse
because it makes all the difference in your day. I know they are the word
of god and I know he loves us because he is always there helping us when we ask
for his help. but we have to ask. dont be afraid to get on your
knees and pray with all your heart to your father in heaven because he is
listening. I know these things to be true in the name of Jesus christ my
savior and redeemer, amen.
love sister snow
We got to I.M. Brittny these are some of the conversations question thought you might be interested in;
Well they did give me vitamins but
they hurt my stomach so I stopped taking them and am just taking the ones I
brought from America. they do not treat our cloths at least in this area
but the mosquitos are not as bad as I thought. they have bug spray here
and toilet paper.
Good me too. I have only read a little bit of your
letter so I will go back and forth. Tell Great Grandma Williams thanks for the birthday
wish! what time is it in utah. right now it is almost 10 am.
Ah I miss you guys so much!
It's 7:45 PM here. The sun just went
down, it is now kissing your pretty face (dad) we are seeing the sun at the
same time!
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