February 24, 2014

Attitude...it's what's for dinner...

What a week!!  There was so much that I learned about...well...you know...EVERYTHING! We had a really great week set ahead for us as we planned for exchanges and also for a goal to reach the mission standard. And it went really good for us....but I realized so much more, how hard it is to accomplish the work of the Lord, in His way. We started acting in faith to find people, after our day of preparation. Tracting at night is not the easiest to do when no one can see you...or they are too busy to answer the door. But we put ourselves out there...and you know....two white sisters can really stick out in the dark. But we found ourselves finding tender mercies along the way and we continued to do all we could. We started with exchanges with the Sisters in our apartment. In the end it was a lesson of attitude. I have learned so much about attitude this week and the power that it has on all you do...not just the thoughts you have, but on your actions and your beliefs. I know that as we have a good attitude about the things that the Lord commands, we will have a better understanding of ourselves, as children of God. My companion and I had made the goal to reach the standard of excellence for the mission, but if neither of us had the right attitude to reach it, it would have been a difficult thing for us to accomplish. We had many of the other missionaries in our district mock us...but I realized that I wanted to prove them wrong....not to receive the praise of them...but to receive the praise of the Lord, for accomplishing His work, through His way. It was amazing to see how the Lord worked beside us in so many instances and gave us the knowledge, the strength and understanding to find, teach and strengthen those He placed in our path. Our motive became two sayings--" kaya mo iyan!" ( You can do it!) and "I can feel it in my bones"...and in the end...we had miracles and tender mercies in our work everyday. and we reached beyond our standard of excellence. I know that there is so much that be accomplished in this world, only if we will rely on the Lord and turn our heart and might to Him. I am learning so much about the gospel and our reliance on it....it is the blood that runs through us and keeps us alive. And I am realizing more and more that it becomes hard to write things down in words...for it is much more on feelings. I know with all my heart that this church is true. I know that as we build our attitude on the knowledge that we are children of our Heavenly Father, nothing else will be able to fight against us... I know this because I have felt the redeeming power of the Lord in my life. And I know that the Lord lives, because I have felt His presence at my side as I have turned to Him at all moments and come unto Him as a little child. I hope that we can each develop an "kaya mo iyan" attitude....because that's what's for dinner :)

--

Sister Pace

Philippines Legazpi Mission

Alma 42: 31

February 17, 2014

Kumusta!

This transfer has started out new. I have a new companion...Sister Lang. She is from California. And we are really excited to work together this transfer.

Our week was filled with going to appointments the entire day....I almost thought that I killed my companion, because she was so worn out. But she is still adjusting from living the island life. We had a a wonderful baptism on Saturday for Romalyn and Mark. They are such strong spirits and I am so very grateful for their examples to me :)

I hope that everyone had a great Valentine's Day...here the work was the same...but wow! there were a lot of lonely men out. We had some really great experiences of men following us around and little boys chasing after us with roses...hahaha....you've got to feel the love ;P 

But throughout this week I have learned a great deal about the gospel and the power that it has in our lives. I have been studying a lot about self mastery and how to accomplish things through the Lord and His Atonement. I know that there are greater things that the Lord has in store for us...if only we could see our potential. I know that the Lord is there to help refine us, only if we are willing to. Matthew 16:24-26...

"Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it. and this is virtue, uprightness,faithfulness, and holiness and keeping all the commandments of God." Joseph Smith

I was really grateful that on Sunday I had the opportunity to see the members from Tabaco. A group of them came to visit and it was a sweet reunion. It was awesome to see one of the long time investigators become members after 2 years of attending church faithfully. And to see others become temple recommend holders. I am so grateful for the gospel and the opportunity to serve here in the vineyard of the Lord.

Sister Pace

Philippines Legazpi Mission

Alma 42: 31

 

 

February 10, 2014

Kumusta,

This week was a really great week filled with opportunities to learn about the people and what the gospel does to change a person. We have a good turn out with our investigators last week and extending baptismal dates to them...however time must take it toll and you may not see them for a week. It is hard sometimes when you are trying your best and things just don't seen to work out...but I am understanding the role of these things in our experiences in this life. It is so important for us to use the time here to use these experiences for our benefit. 

We have two investigators that will be baptized this Saturday and we are all so very excited....especially the investigators. I am hoping that we can continue to help them and strengthen them in their efforts to follow the Savior. The work as a missionary always opens doors for you and tends to open your eyes to the things that can overcome a family or an individual and cause some to loose faith in the things that you are teaching them. I hope that I will continue to be an effective tool to bless the lives of those here. 

We had a lesson with one of our investigators, who is a lesbian. She is such a wonderful person and we have enjoyed sharing the gospel with her. She loves to hear about the things that the Lord has planned for her and how she can reach it. We have enjoyed sharing lessons with her, but as we shared about the plan of salvation, we found that it is hard to change a person. She may still like females, but she knows what is wrong and right. She wants to change her life, but knows that she can not do it all at once. When we were teaching this lesson I really was able to see that she is a daughter of our Heavenly Father and she will be able to stand before the Lord...hopefully one day to be worthy to enter back into His presence. I love the knowledge that we have through this gospel.

We had a wonderful FHE with a member family, whose father is not a member. It has been many years that he has attended church, but has not really desired to join the church himself. We shared a beautiful lesson about family unity...and the spirit was so strong. I was so grateful that we had the chance to go there and share with them, because through the miracles of the Lord...maybe he will become a member someday. I am so grateful for the knowledge of eternal families and the principles that can bring us together to overcome our differences and share mutual love and understanding in all that we encounter in this life. The family was so great and participated so well in all that we shared...we are excited to see what is going to happen in the next chapter :)

Sunday started out as a good day...well...because Sister Pace got locked inside the bathroom for 15 minutes. Despite the fact that I removed the door handle and everything else I could possibly remove without breaking the door....no hope....but the other sisters finally got the owner and they broke the door. Just another adventure to add to the week ;) 

This week will be a great one as we start another transfer here in Daraga with a new companion. I am excited and I know that the Lord has great plans in store.

Hope that you all have a great week and seek to do good to those around you :)

--

Sister Pace

Philippines Legazpi Mission

Alma 42: 31

 

 

February 3, 2014

Kumusta!

I have learned so much in this last week. A week full of faith, love, hope, and determination to serve the Lord. I am so grateful for the experiences that I have had this week and the blessings that the Lord has placed in my life. 

It is always a learning experience to learn about how to become more like our Heavenly Father. This week was a week of dedicating my life, my love and my hard work to all of the work and glory of the Lord.  Dedication is not just about working hard, but it is also about working effectively and efficiently. You can only give so much of yourself as you are willing to give...and it is required of us to give all of ourselves. You learn about the fear and trials that you have are only but a "blimp" in the scene of this life and we must press forward with a strong determination to give all we can...not through our own efforts, but through the power and guidance of our Heavenly Father. We had a wonderful meeting with all the leaders in the mission and we talked a lot about the power that we need to be relying on. We learned a lot about our responsibilities to stand as a witness to all and to become a strong witness of the truth...but to be humble enough to rely on the Lord and always give space for the Lord. I have learned that it is important to step up to our responsibilities and fulfill the things of the Lord...not for our own benefit, but for the blessings that will be poured upon our fellow brothers and sisters. And to see the fruits of all the hard work that you give...turning into miracles. We have a young man who we have been teaching and it has been a long course of trying to get him to attend church and read the Book of Mormon...but in our experiences yesterday, we have seen his heart change and his desire has become centered on the Lord. He wrote us a wonderful text about the inspiration we have been in his life along with the things that he has been reading in the  Book of Mormon. The Lord does hear and answer prayers and he softens the hearts of those that you love and cherish. And to then have a investigator work with you, in order to "share" the gospel and it's blessings, builds your testimony when you see her determination to carry on through the end. And then to speak to a new investigator who understands your message and feels the Spirit strong enough to accept a baptismal date. I have been inspired to become better because of the people that I serve here and the love that they have for me and the Lord. I have become determined and inspired to become what the Lord expects me to be because of the inspiration and miracles that He so graciously gives to me everyday.

But just as there is time for work there is enough time to take a picture of what it looks like when you are working in the vineyard of the Lord...your feet become something that would call "burnt". But it is all worth it :) 

I know that this is the work of the Lord and there are great blessings that are awaiting us, if only we will seek to learn what it is that the Lord is expecting of us and what our potential is. I know that the Lord has the power to change us through our faith, desire and diligence to become a son or daughter of our Heavenly Father. This is my greatest joy to be able to share this wonderful news with my fellow brothers and sisters. My work has inspired me to change, as I strive to help others to change. And I pray that my life may be filled with this desire until I shall be perfected in the presence of my Lord (sun burned feet and all).

Sister Pace

Philippines Legazpi Mission

Alma 42: 31