Dear Friends and Family,
Wow, another week full of ups and
downs and so much to tell but little time. so first off, this week I
worked on preparing for training because in 4 weeks I am most likely going to
train a new missionary and I need to know a lot of stuff. We finally got
all the tiles in our house now so we can almost fully unpack but not until we
get two more closets and set up our beds. The Samson family has been very
kind and helpful in making sure that we are taken care of.
We also got a new sister in the
house. Her name is Sister Palmer from Washington state. so now we
have 3 americans and 1 philipino. It has been an interesting adjustment
but good for me. I discovered that she is exactly like me and has had
some of the same struggles I have and probably will have. She is an STL
so the last couple days I have really talked with her a lot about my worries
and fears and she has been very helpful in getting that stress out because I
can't talk to my companion the same way. sister Palmer has give me a lot
of great advice and once again the strength I need to know that the lord is
with me. The biggest lesson I am learning right now is that it is ok to
make mistakes. we cant be perfect. Whao!!! shocking!! I will always
be learning and I will always make mistakes it is the purpose of life. so
i have some work to do!! The one thing she said is that you do your best and
learn as you go. I will DEFINATELY be applying that especially as a
trainer in a couple weeks.
The other thing I learned is that
sometimes the lord will withdraw himself from you so that you can learn.
As long as your heart is in the right place and you have the desire to change
it is not bad. its like how Jesus Christ had to do the Atonement by himself
sometimes we need to experience things on our own to grow and then he will come
back and in a sense refine us and make our weaknesses strengths or
skills. We are here to learn and we will not be perfect in this life but
I know that by acquiring this skill to be OK with mistakes will help with a lot
of difficulties in life.
I have started to see the gift of
tongues this week because I have discovered that it comes by working hard, real
prayer with real intent, and being truly humble. I have been so grateful
for it and i cant wait to be able to truly understand a least a little more so
that i can truly feel the people.
A couple experiences that happened I
really felt the spirit with one of our investigators sister nava, she is so
ready for baptism she is always wanting to come to church and loves it
there. she is experiencing financial problems but as we listened I felt
impressed to share 1 nephi 3:7 and tell her that as she is obedient she will
see that the lord will provide a way. she cried to us and although i
didn't totally understand I could feel her spirit and it was a great
lesson. she will be baptized in two weeks and then we will work with her
family.
Then yesterday, we had an interview
with one of our other baptismal candidates ( we have a total of 3 that should
for sure happen) After the interview there was 3 things she didn't
totally understand 1) that god is our father and that Jesus Christ is his son
2) the purpose of a prophet 3)the law of chastity because we teach her and her
friend, Jessica, who understands and reads the book of Mormon all the
time. so after sacrament and the interview we went to nanay noras and I
had the opportunity to teach her one on one. we went over those concepts
and then the lord told me softly to read all of 2 Nephi 31 with her and Jessica
and help her feel the spirit. she knows this church is true and i could
feel the spirit so strong and as I pointed it out to her I hope she knew that
was what she was feeling. I love the relationships I am growing her with
all these people and they are memories I will treasure forever.
For planning this week I took over
and decided that since the stats confused me it needed to understand them and
not make them something bad but something that helps me and makes me
happy. So we tried setting goals first for the day and then planning to
achieve those goals at the same time pushing ourselves. We saw a
miracle. our stats this week started out with no new investigators Thursday and Friday in our hardest two areas we achieved 15 new investigators.
A miracle. The lord works when you exercise your faith in him and do your
best. the last two nights have been so joyous because I now see the
importance and I see my growth and desire change towards the people and the stats
become the way that I meet those people and really push myself to do
better. Wow amazing, the lord knows us!!
Finally i want to share an adventure
I had this week. We went to an area I had not been in before and so we
were walking to a less actives house which was in the middle of rice fields. we we are walking on soft soil with small rivers on each
side. we came to a crossing of the river like 2 feet wide with a stick to
cross that was under the water. I had a feeling that I needed to be
careful or I was going to fall. I thought I could do it but it didn't get
a good grip on the other side and ended up sliding into the small river and
came out completely soaked with dirty water. Tatay lero took care of me
and gave me one of his daughters skirts to use so I wouldn't get sick and I was
so grateful because I was so dirty. but I am good now now worries!! Just
laugh now "Adventure is out there"
I know that this gospel is true and I know that even though
we all have trials in life they are for our good and we need to grow from
them. This is hard I am not going to lie but I love it. I have
learned what it feels like to truly love people and feel my savior with
me. this is an experience I will never forget and I know that the lord
has big plans. Thank you for your support and help. I love you all so
much and i cant wait to tell you more of my adventures. Love you all.
Sister Snow
We had a zone activity this week because we achieved the
standard of excellence. so our whole zone got together and we went to mt samat
and just had a great time. I got to know everyone and we became really
close. after we went back to our apartement and had food. It was a
lot of fun and then transfers happened!! we still have our same zone
leaders but most of our elders are gone except for 2 and same with our sisters
except for 2 and then there is us. Oh FYI I am in Pillar, bataan in the
southern half of the philippines olongapo mission. so hopefully soon I
will see some of the other people when I move areas . If you have any
questions or want to know something let me know. There is a lot of things
to tell and i am not sure what people want to hear so let me know and that is
what i will make note of throughout the week. I love you guys. If I
don't respond I am probably off. hugs and kisses!!
We were I.M. and this was her last message Sunday...
I want you to know i am ok and i
know I am changing. i will not be the same when I get home and I know you
all wont either. I am excited for the changes. . . . ok sort of!
scared! Oh about my weight I have leveled out and I am happy with it i just
hope it stays that way. hahah!!
Talked about you guys this morning
with sister palmer and it made me miss our talks. I want you to know that
I am grateful for all the times that we had scripture study and family prayer
together and i know it is what made our family stronger and gave me the
strength to do this. you have been such an example in my life you, dad,
and the girls. meg always gives me advice to keep going and it
helps. I save all your letters and read them when i am down for the
strength to put one foot in front of the other. So thank you for being
great parents truly
