Wednesday, January 29, 2014

January 27, 2014

Hello,
This last week was a really great week about learning and becoming better. (And as I write that...I feel that I have probably said that multiple times...hope to explain it more ;P )

We had exchanges this week with the sisters in Legazpi. It was a really great time to learn about being a missionary. I think that is one of the greatest things that I love about being a Sister Training Leader...I get to learn from all the other sisters. And what a blessing it is to see the hand of the Lord in the work. I think sometimes I get to involved on what has to get done and what I haven't completed yet. But as I have taken the time to really see what is required in the work of the Lord, I have seen more blessings. We had many opportunities this week to see the love of God for all His children, despite their differences from us. I really saw the power of repentance...it is not just a process to overcome our weaknesses and sins, but an opportunity to really see what our potential is and what the Lord sees within us. It doesn't matter who or what we are...but the Lord wants each of us to turn to Him and find ourselves in Him. Even though I do not find myself in much of serious faults, but rather the daily difficulties I have to become like my Savior. But I have seen that through the Atonement, I can overcome that all and become something a little better...one at a time. He doesn't expect us to be perfect in one day...but He gives us His help in order to accomplish all that He hopes us to become. So may we continue to turn to Him and take His hand

Monday, January 20, 2014

January 20, 2014

Hello,
This week was really great. There were a lot of opportunities to learn from others and find ways to strengthen those that are entrusted to our care. We shared a wonderful Family Home Evening about Christlike Attributes, with members and our investigator. it was really touching to see the members come together to help our investigator come to feel of the love and joy in the gospel. And the best part of teaching lessons is when you learn at the same time. I loved teaching the members about obtaining these Christ-like attributes, in order to become more like our Savior and to find the peace and joy in our lives. True joy is not an easy thing to obtain in this life, but I have loved how I have found the support of the Lord through my study of the scriptures: 

 24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Matthew 16:24-26
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you crest.
 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30

I am so grateful to know that the Lord will help me along the way to become better and better each day...not through my own efforts or desire, but through the love and knowledge of my Heavenly Father.

I have had the wonderful opportunity to see the hand of the Lord in my life as I try to do the things which I have set my life apart for...His work and His glory. We have had some great times to share with other Sisters about the work and I am loving the trust that the Lord has given me to bless them and learn from them. I have also learned so much about the plan of our loving Heavenly Father...THE GREAT PLAN OF HAPPINESS. I have learned so much about what the Lord hopes for us...and how much HOPE we should have in Him and His plan. We work in hope, faith and charity for all things in this life (Moroni 7-40-48)...and what a blessing it is to see the Lord working through us. So to a new year and a dedication to remember the Lord in all things...here I go...another day...another week and another start to seeing the power of the Lord in my life. Because I know that He is always there for us....he is always loving and kind...and he will forever and always be our Father, to watch, guide and protect us, in this mortal life. How grateful I am to know these things!

Sister Pace
Philippines Legazpi Mission
Alma 42: 31

Friday, January 17, 2014

January 13, 2014

Kumusta!
This week was a really great week. We have had lots of experiences this week that have lead to really great learning experiences. We have had some really great progress with our investigators and we are in the trek for new investigators. We had Missionary Leadership Training this week and there was a lot that I learned that I hope to apply to the work here. I am really enjoying the calling as an STL and the opportunity to help other missionaries to reach the goals that Lord is expecting.  I am also learning so much about how to improve myself...it is such a great learning opportunity. In our efforts to reach the standards of excellence in the mission, we have been putting a great effort to talking  to all people...and what a blessing it has been. We have found several families that we are hoping will progress in our teachings and the blessings of the gospel. In the end, this week was a lot about learning to submit your will to the Lord and seek to find yourself in His work. I know that as we seek to give our hearts to Him and become selfless missionaries or disciples of Christ, we will find ourselves in His work-- "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it" (Matthew 16: 25)


---Sister Pace---
Philippines Legazpi Mission



Monday, January 6, 2014

January 6, 2014

Kumusta!
This week was filled with plenty of experiences that have been a great open for a new year :) We began the week in preparation for the celebration of the new year. It is a big celebration here, just as much as Christmas. And the fireworks are as big as the fourth of July....just a little bigger and louder....and illegal. But was a great week of finding people and strengthening our investigators testimonies of the gospel.  My companion and housemates laughed at me, because during the firework show...I was asleep. I didn't get out of bed to see the fireworks...I was too tired. But we had a great experience with mice, rats, or whatever they were. We had something coming in the house and eating food in the trash and then trying to eat through doors. We bought some sticky pads...no result. We moved the trash outside...no result. And then we had an entire day of no power, which meant no water. So we had a large 60 liter container for water, that we had saved. Unfortunately, one of the Sisters left it open over the night.  This morning while doing laundry...I was fortunate to find a wonderful surprise in the water container. There were our two suspects...the size of my foot...dead....floating in the water container. Yeah...not too sure how I found the power to scoop them out and dispose of them and in the attempt of doing so, there was another suspect caught in the sticky pad. Our apartment is officially the rat and mouse killing apartment. 

We had some really great lessons with some of our investigators this week. Although we have been trying to continue to have people ready for baptism, it has been a challenge. But I am realizing more that missionary work is not so much about just baptizing people, but it is really about leading people to the water...through the right path. We had this occur with one member, whose wife is the Relief Society President. He has a desire to know, but it is through his desire that he must search and study the things that he must do. I am so very grateful for the opportunity to live here and strive everyday to share with others about the gospel. 

Sister Donato and I had a funny experience, but an inspirational one at that. We were walking past a fast food chain, called Jolly Bee. And this Jolly Bee is fancier than the other and has a drive thru. As we were walking by my companion turned to me and said, "Gusto mo ba mag-drive thru?" (would you like to drive thru?) and I said to her, "Pero wala akong kotse!" (But I don't have a car!) and then she did all she could to speak in English....and this is what she said, "But you don't need wheels to be driven." Although her English grammar was wrong, her saying was memorable...and it  inspired us for the rest of the week. I love speaking a different language...there are so many little things to learn.

With the new year we have focused on how we can improve ourselves for this coming year...how we can make resolutions to become better. It has been such a testimony builder to find that the Lord is there to guide and strengthen us in our efforts to become better. And so it has been a challenge that we have sought to give to others. Make resolutions this year that can help us to strive to become better...or to become more like HIM. And I know that it is all possible because of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is possible because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. And it is because of the love and guidance of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. I know that this new year is an opportunity to become a better person and seek for the understanding of what the LORD desires us to be.

---Sister Pace---

Philippines Legazpi Mission