April 28, 2014

The countdown has begun...

And the work just gets better. I love the work here, even though it has been difficult. We had a lot of lessons fall through, but we always tried to remain joyful about our situation. And in the end we met some really interesting people. I have learned the power of the gospel in the lives of others and I am loving the opportunity to be a blessing to the people around me. We had some really great lessons that helped us to understand the needs of the people and also the power of the word of God in changing the people, to become what the Lord desires for them.

It has been so weird to be preparing to leave the Philippines...but I have really come to see the blessings that will continue to be with me, even after I leave.

We had a wonderful time celebrating the 21st birthday of my companion and also seeing some of the members from Tabaco. Sister Jayson and Sister Margie came to visit me before I leave and they brought Alexa....the daughter of Sister Jayson. She named her after me, and she is just the cutest little baby. I love to see the impact that I have been able to leave on the people here and to feel the love that the Lord has for them. The work is true, the gospel is real and the blessings are forever arching upon our lives, if we remain faithful :)

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Sister Pace

Philippines Legazpi Mission

Alma 42: 31

 

 

 

 

April 21, 2014

Another week down and a lot of things to do. We have had such a great week with all the work. We started the week off with a ward activity and a baptism. It was a great experience and loved being able to work with the members. As the week went we found ourselves traveling to other areas, to assist the sisters and help them in the work. We are finding some struggles but it has been a real teaching and learning opportunity to see the will of the Lord. 

We have had some really great investigators progressing in the gospel...and of course others that are still trying to understand what is the difference between us and their church. The war is on and there is so much that we must do in order to stand for the which is right. I am gaining a larger understanding about the gospel and the things that we must stand up for...there is so much that we tend to over look or forget. And this is what I want to avoid...I am gaining a great respect and desire to live the gospel to the way the Lord would have me. 

I loved being able to celebrate the Easter holiday, again, here in the Philippines. It is always an interesting sight, but it reminds you a lot of the things that must be remembered. The Lord has done so much for us and I love that we have a greater knowledge and understanding that we have a Savior that is no longer dead, but is truly alive. Knowing that we have a living Savior is something that will forever empower me to know that this life is for us to gain all that He has. I hope that we will all take the time to remember the sacrifice that the Lord has made and the opportunity to live beyond the death that may encompass us. 

Great is the work of the Lord...to spread it among the children of men. The Lord has given us each the power and possibilities to overcome the troubles that encumber us in this life. May we constantly ponder on the things we have gained through our Lord and Savior.

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Sister Pace

Philippines Legazpi Mission

Alma 42: 31

April 14, 2014

Ay Naku! The weeks are just going faster than I ever thought. We started the week on a really good note with our less actives...and received note that I needed to report to Manila in order to prepare to depart. So it was a few days filled with anticipation to go to Manila and rescheduling our appointments. We had a wonderful exchange with the two sisters in our apartment and I love working with others, because you get to learn about them and their needs. And then you can take the gospel to them and help them improve their lives. We headed to Manila and spent a good amount of the morning in the airport and the immigration office. It was a different sight to see than being out in the field...but it was interesting to see so many different people in one place. And as we finished (four missionaries) we got in the van to travel another 2 hours to get to the temple. It was a long ride, but it was a really great experience. I love the temple and I miss being able to go often. There was so much that I learned and reminisced about while I was there. I know that the temple does bless and strengthen individuals, but most importantly it binds families together forever.  I am excited to have the chance to go again before I will go home. When we came home we had the opportunity to join in a group discussion with our mission president and then enjoy interviews with him. I love working in the mission and learning about the principles that apply to our lives here in the mission and also in the life that we have outside.   But the greatest part of the entire week was going out and working with the people. Sharing the gospel and helping them see the blessings that it can bring to their lives. We have one investigator that we only get to teach once a week and she is just soaking in everything that we are sharing with her....but she said that she had read the pamphlet again about the plan of salvation....and with a large smile on her face she said..."I understand it better now...and I want to go to the Celestial Kingdom, with my family..." It was a pluck in the heart strings. I love my work...and I love that I have a priceless gift that I can share with other people...only if they give me time to share with them. But to have several experiences like this in one week....it just makes you love it all....despite any rejection that you may receive. And then to end the week with General Conference, just made everything so great. I learned so much and I was so happy to see the blessings and revelations that the Lord is pouring out upon His children. I learned so much about the peace and guidance that the gospel can bring to the lives of many. I know that this church--The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints-- is the true church on earth and there is nothing that can cause it to falter. I know that the Lord has called, set apart and ordained President Thomas S. Monson as the prophet, seer and revelator for the Church. I would never trade anything for my membership in this church, for it holds a priceless gift, beyond the wealth of any man.

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Sister Pace

Philippines Legazpi Mission

 

 

April 7, 2014

Kumusta!

This week was a crazy week filled with meetings, meetings and more meetings! But what great experiences they were. We had a wonderful time at Missionary Leadership Council and really tried to understand more about letting the Lord have place in the work. But it was a time to contemplate the last time I would be working so close with the leaders. We shared everything we learned with the other missionaries in Zone training and found miracles occurring in the lives of the missionaries here. We have been counseled to open our mouths and share the gospel...and so we are making more of an effort to talk with all people. And to see that the Lord is preparing His people for the gospel...we just need to have the faith to talk with all and allow them to feel of the joy that is found in the gospel.

And then we had the opportunity to listen to the leaders of the church in the Women's General Broadcast...I felt so inspired and I loved the messages that they shared. I am so very grateful for all the things that my family has been so great to share with me and help me to accomplish as a daughter of God.

I love the work as a missionary because there are so many great days...you have days that you are sitting on the side of the railroad tracks, trying to teach about the importance of prayer and you are wondering why the Lord hasn't taken control of the evil that is around you....but you realize that it is required in order to see the good that is around you too. I love to know that the Lord loves and trust us that he has given us the power to choose and to feel the guidance that he wants to give us. i have learned so much about the power of agency and the power that is plays....M. Russell Ballard says that we must be " creators of circumstance and not creatures of circumstance." I love that this is a gift that we have to use...but I am sad to see how God's children are using it. 

We had some really great experiences with our investigators as we shared with them and they have felt the influence of the Spirit in their lives...I love to play such a crucial role in their lives, now and in the eternities.

And you have to laugh when you are talking on the street with one of your investigators and you slowly see a crowd gather around you...they didn't think that you spoke Tagalog....and they are so confused and surprised. I love being a missionary :)

And the days when you can take off your shoes and see that you have seriously been burnt too much....because it looks like you are wearing socks always ;P But to  know that the heat is going to die,...but only after you leave the country.

The Church is true...the Book of Mormon is blue and true too... and the word of God shall continue to fill this earth and spill upon the ears of those that are willing to hear...I am grateful that the Lord has given me this opportunity :) For my life shall never be the same! 

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Sister Pace

Philippines Legazpi Mission

Alma 42: 31