Dear Family and Friends,
Well this week has been a crazy one
full of new things and good times. We have been losing investigators or
determining that they are really not progressing so we have been doing some
finding. Ii have kind of been frustrated because I really don’t have the
personality to find but I am forced into it so I have really been getting
courageous lately and when it just really doesn't work out me and sister Pati-on
just laugh or say "oh man" so we shrug it off really fast. we
went finding one day in Camachile, my favorite place in our whole area and I
wanted to go check out this bridge made of little pieces of wood that I see
when we go running. so we went and at first I didn't think there was
people there but by the time we reach the part where we could see the ocean and
oi pala! there was 3 guys there. Their job is to catch a fish called Tuyo
and dry it and the Philipinos love to eat it. it is really good just
really small so its and acquired taste. Anyways we ended up teaching them
and the lesson went well. I was excited because it was nice to have
someone who was receptive to the message and not feeling forced into it.
We went back last night and they had all read the pamphlet and one of them knew
all about the Melchezedic priesthood and could tell us all of Joseph Smiths
story. I was shocked and I happily gave them an aklat ni Mormon. they
were so excited. These boys are like 15-25 and they live on this bridge
basically. that is the life!
We had a baptism on Saturday and it
was alright. The members were a little loud which made it hard to have
the spirit but we got sister Abanes to come to the baptism with her kids.
oh my goodness I was just relishing in the moment and watching them. her
kids loved it and I just felt this overwhelming love for them and for their
family that this is how I feel with my family. I was finally able to
share with her how I feel and how god feels about his children. she
didn't come to church but she is recognizing how important her family is to her
and she wants to get married. now we just got to get her husband on with
it too. he is a little shy and really busy but I hope that through her
sharing what she has learned that he will get the desire to join. I know
that this church is so important for us to feel of god’s love for us and I know
that families are so important. I want to let my family know that I love
them so much and I appreciate all of them for the things they have done for me
and for their example. I love you!
well the baptism was good we have 5
and they were so ready. Lawrence has some work to do on his testimony but
I know that he has the support and hopefully he will become a strong member, priesthood
member in the church so that he can be the example for his dad to come back, bobby.
also Lorena our other baptism gave a beautiful testimony that almost made me
cry. she is often teased where she lives for what she has now completed
but she knows with all her heart that this is the true church. I was
touched that I could be a part of her life.
Lino and his family are alright,
going a little slow. they didn't come to church either but they are
slowly getting rid of the smoking. the problem is I don’t feel like they
will be ready before April and I know that Lino won't be baptized before he
leaves but his family still has potential. I really hope that he can be
strong in Saudi and I also pray by some miracle he finds a better job opportunity
so that he can stay strong in the church because Saudi doesn't allow you to
worship any other religion. so we will see what happens.
one other investigator that is not
really an investigator but is more a friend is brother jun. this is the
uncle of our recent convert Kenneth and he is so crazy kind of like dad.
I love to talk to him and he gives us free rides and food all the time. he is
so funny and so nice in his own way. he told me the other night a little
about his experience with the missionaries. Sister Fuggle and Sister Empalmado
were the first to try and teach him but he took them to his nephew Kenneth.
and then he took them to Tutuban and that is kind of when it started his
interaction with the missionaries. he has gotten closer and closer with
them and he said last night that it is weird how god works that way. I
sat back in the tricycle and thought yea. in all honesty he wants to be a
member of the church. he reads the pamphlets when he has time and will
occasionally sit in our lessons to Kenneth. then one night Kenneth texted
me and said that his uncle wants it but his wife is kind of jealous and he
doesn't want to cause a fight with his wife. I was really hurt that this
nice man, although crazy, couldn't do something he wanted, something god has
prepared for all his children because of his wife. we finally met her the
other day and she really didn't want to talk to us. I hope that soon her
heart will be soften because Jun is a hard worker and he does a lot to
provide for his family’s needs, so I hope one day it will all work out.
so I want to share about enduring it
well. this is a phrase that has really stuck out to me this week.
sometimes we face trials and we don't know what to do or we don't want to go
on. I face that multiple times in a day and I am just realizing how weak
I really am. the lord has give us those so we can become stronger and we
shouldn't ask god to take away the challenges but we must endure it well and
then he will give us our reward. I love that section in the D and C
section 121 about Joseph Smiths experience. I know that we all face
different trials in life and I know that god gives us those so that we can
become stronger in our weaknesses IF we endure it well and are faithful.
faith is a huge part of this gospel and I know that although it is hard to
understand we all have it. we need to just believe that we have it like
Elder Holland said in his talk "Lord, I believe". I know that
although we are imperfect and although we feel like we have messed everything
up, there is always a way and god knows that we are imperfect so he gave us a
way to do better and that is the gospel we need only accept it and endure and
then the blessings will come. it’s like the mission, there are times when I
really feel the spirit but there are times when I am not listening and I need
to keep enduring and then those small peaceful moments come with blessings. I
know this is the true church restored on the earth and I know that god loves
all of us, I know that families are a part of our happiness here on earth and I
am grateful to have the opportunities I have to meet these amazing people and
be a part of their lives even for a moment. I love them all so much and never
want to leave, but there is a time and a season for everything so I will endure
the challenges well and I hope you all will this week so that we all can reap
the blessings god has in store for us.
I love you all and I wish you the
best week.
Sister
Snow
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