May 5, 2014...Last days in the Mission

It is interesting how the days preceding my departure is just like any other day. It is so weird to think that I am at the closure of my mission. And to think....where did all the time go?! 

The last couple of days have been days filled with working as hard as I could and finding the dedication to help the people here, despite my departure. I have loved all that I have taught and I have felt the love of Heavenly Father as I have tried to see the investigators for what they can be and not what they are now. I will never forget the things that I have learned in my mission,...the greatest of it all....God lives! And we are each a child of God with great potential to become a divine son or daughter of God. I would never trade the mission for anything in the world...because through it I have come to understand the things that the Lord desires for me to become. I think that the hardest part of these last few days is knowing that it will be the last time for a long time that I will be able to see again these people that I love. But I know that the Lord has placed me in certain places at certain times, to meet certain people and to be a certain instrument in His hands to bless certain lives. 

I want to thank all the people that have helped me to become what I have become and to have the power and worthiness to be a missionary for the Lord. Thank you all so much for your support and love. I love you all so much...God be with you till we meet again!!!

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Sister Pace

Philippines Legazpi Mission

Alma 26:30

 

 

 

SISTER PACE WILL RETURN HOME FROM HER MISSION ON MAY 8, 2014

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

March 31, 2014

Kumusta!

This week was really great! We had a great streak of trying of building our teaching pool and in the process met some really great people. We had several investigators open with us and share with us of their concerns and their troubles...and it wasn't a burden to hear them...but it was more of a privilege because these people could see that we were sent from the Lord to be a guide and to find answers to their prayers. I felt so touched to see the power that we have as missionaries. It is so important for us to live up to our privilege as missionaries and to stand as a light and a beacon to those around us. So many missionaries are so willing to reap the blessings and the success that comes from a mission....but they are not willing to meet the requirements that are needed in order to receive this success. I have felt so sad to be placed in a leadership position and see the case of this so many times. We are called to stand apart from the people of the world....it is a simple thing....yet it has become the most difficult to accomplish.

I have loved being able to work and forget about the days. The mission is such a wonderful place to really develop yourself and understand what the Lord has in store for you. I feel like that I have forgotten what day it is...and all I need to do is work. i am learning that the mission is really the place where the Lord is shaping you into what you need to be....so that we can be of use later, in His kingdom.

 

Sister Pace

Philippines Legazpi Mission

Alma 42: 31

 

 

 

 

March 24, 2014

Kumusta!

Ever wondered if you were making the right choices when you are walking through rain for 4 hours, yelling "tao po!" and hoping that someone will let you in? it is a priceless experience that I would never give up. Despite not getting into the houses, there are a lot of experiences that I learned from those we have taught.

This week was filled with a lot of work. We had exchanges in Guinobatan. It was a really great experience and an opportunity to learn about the role of missionaries. We had several appointments that really showed me the power and influence of missionaries. It is so important for us to stand for what we know is right and to always show the people. And as we do all that we can to stand for the truth and right. I have to come to understand this as we have had to help other missionaries stand for the better part. But I had the opportunity to serve with a wonderful missionary that had momentarily lost sight of what her purpose was...but now is on a better road to bless the people in her area. When we got back to Daraga, I never felt like I was going home, like I did then. It was so nice to back with the people and to be able to share with them. We had a wonderful lesson with two of our less active youth and they just really brought hope to the world. It is so interesting to see these youth live in a junk shop, that brings people from all parts of the population...and most of all the bad. But yet they stand as a light to all and have really given me a new understanding for the peace that can be found in the gospel. And as we have gone through this week to continue to find and teach people, I continue to grow in my love and desire to become better. We taught a young woman, Jovelyn...and she was just the best example to me this week. We haven't taught her for almost an entire 6 week period...but we had the blessing of teaching her again. She has been reading the Book of Mormon and has been praying about everything. We had extended a baptismal date to her, but her husband will not allow her. But despite that, she has asked that we teach her family. I was so touched to see her love and her willingness to share it with those she loves...and I only hope that we will be able to bless others as we have blessed her life. I attached a photo of her and her son :) There is so much that I have learned...The mission is one of the hardest things you can ever do. But with that said, it is one of the most rewarding experiences that will last your entire life....because with every step it will draw you closer to the Lord. It will be up to us that we will "come unto ourselves"...and find the way back into our Father's arms.

Sister Pace

Philippines Legazpi Mission

Alma 42: 31