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.

--

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! 

--

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

March 17, 2014

Kumusta!

This week was a good and busy week. We had a Leadership Council about the ways to become master gospel teachers. It was a really great training about the way that the Lord taught. It was a really great time to use our time here in the mission to be effective and efficient in His vineyard. We had  great time teaching the other missionaries and inspiring them to reach for the standard of the mission. We were able to share some really great time with some of our investigators and members and began to see the miracles that the Lord wanted us to see. We had one case where we were teaching a less active and investigator. They live in a very sketchy area--smoking, drinking, and just about every crude thing you could think of. But we were there to teach a lesson about the plan of salvation. And it was so ironic to see things come about. Their father (a less active) was drinking in the house with all his friends...so that meant we would need to find another place to share. And at that point there was no where else--except outside....right next to the rail road. So there we were sharing with our investigators amid all the crude actions of these 13 and 14 year olds smoking and dressed unfortunately like the world....and we felt that we were in our own world...to help these investigators (14 and 15 year old) feel the purpose to why they are here. I have never felt so much love from Heavenly Father. He wants each of us to return back to Him...but some of us have forgotten what we are sent here to do. And it is so hard to watch all these people struggle to know what to do, in order to help them. We have seen so many people open up as we strive to share His love with them. We have had drunks, lesbians and everything in between, come with open hearts to us...in order to feel the joy of our Heavenly Father. I know that there is so much that can be found in our message as members, that we should share with others. We are working so hard to do what we can to bless the people here and strengthen them. We of course didn't feel that we had enough time to do everything. But the Lord always bears forth His arm and blesses us to know what miracles He wants to bring forth.  I know that the Lord lives and that He will show forth His power if we are so very willing to act in faith and give Him all that we can. I know that we can firmly give a proclamation to all about His glory...at it begins today.

Sister Pace

Philippines Legazpi Mission

Alma 42: 31

 

March 10, 2014

Kumusta!

Haha...you learn a lot in one week when you realized that you have written none of it in your journal. It is so important to write down your thoughts and inspiration on paper....because it will not always stay in your mind.

But despite my lack of preparation...I know one thing for sure. The Lord lives and He knows each and everyone of us. He loves each of us...and He will show us miracles, if we have our eyes and hearts open to receive them.

This week has been a week of many trials and difficulties, but also a week of miracles and blessings, through the name of our Lord and Savior. We had a week with exchanges and of course there is always so much to learn from all the other sisters. We had a repeat in one of the companionships in order to help them find their attitude, that would be fit for a missionary. And it really was a miracle to see the blessings of it, as they worked together to reach the standard of the mission. It has been such a blessing to see the opportunity for them to see the importance of the work. I saw the miracles...especially when we worked as hard as we could. And the Lord blessed us yesterday in church, as we had a long time less-active become worthy to pass the sacrament, to see investigators that we tracted a week before come to church, and to see the power of the gospel in your life. There are so many days that we feel so tired and just wondered if we were going to be able to find the people we needed to. But as we act in faith and remain worthy, the Lord will provide. And if you pray hard enough the Lord will place the people you need to meet in your path.  Sometimes we may not be perfect or necessarily in the right place to receive these blessings...but as I have seen that as we do all that we can....we are blessed with the tender mercies. The things that will help us to change our behavior, according to the things that the Lord desires for us to accomplish. We are placed here to impact others...but it all depends on our actions.  I love the scripture from 2 Nephi 2:14...it has come to me with more meaning this week as I have experienced different things.

And now, my sons, I speak unto you these things for your profit and learning ; for there is a God, and he hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon.

We must learn that the Lord has created all things...including you and me...but with that, He has given a wonderful gift to us....the gift to act and to be acted upon. It is so important that we understand this and what it requires of us, with the gift of agency. It applies to so many aspects of our lives...we must learn how to use it. And as we do so, the Lord will enable us to be more useful in His hands. I am in the search to become better at using my agency...to be more effective and efficient in the hands of the Lord.

 

Sister Pace
Philippines Legazpi Mission

 

 

March 3, 2014

Kumusta sa lahat!

You never know how fast the week goes until you are already through it. I feel like we have just started this transfer and now we are already half way through it. But how fruitful and wonderful it has been. We have really seen the power of God in His work as we have worked through the "thick" and "thin" of things...and what is even more great is that the Lord answers prayers, of two simple missionaries. We made the goal to continue to work towards the standard of the mission again this week...and the first week, the Lord showed unto us that it was possible...but the second time, He gave us some challenges. We had a full week of leadership training and mission tour, which took a lot of our time to travel rather than to spend with the people in our area. But despite our challenges, we still made the effort to do all we could. Everyday we made the effort to find people that the Lord had prepared for us...and He did provide. We gave a lot of time to tracting houses this week...and I have never felt like I have walked so much. But there were always people there. Like last night...we were both praying that the  Lord would help us to find the ones that He has been preparing. And He did...we found a husband and wife that just were so kind and so warmly welcomed us into their home. And in the end of it all, we found out that the mother of the husband, had been a member. But we were also able to touch his heart with the knowledge that God had a plan for him.  And when we had mission tour, it took most of our day. We were almost uncertain that we were going to be able to reach our goal of 6 lessons for the day, because we only had 3 planned lessons....but I know that if we act in faith and trust in the Lord and give all our effort, until we are exhausted....we will find them. I was really grateful to see the power of this work. As much as I have felt that others are judgmental about what we can reach...I feel that the Lord feels the same. If we can not see with the eye of faith and the eternal perspective that we need...we may never reach the sight of the Lord. I am seeing that the Lord has a larger plan, that we must be willing to see...because if not, it will continue to move forward without us. It is like being on a game board that we don't see where the end is...but we must continue to travel through our "turns" and make the best move we can. It may not work out the way we want it to, but we still moved somewhere. Sometimes it is better to continue to move, rather than fear or doubt that if you make a move, there will be bad consequences always. And when you feel that you are doing the same thing over and over again...you never know what those will provide. My companion had a stretch of feeling like she was of no use here...but I tried to help her to understand that her work to plant is one of the most important works. It doesn't matter how many baptisms you have in the end of your mission. You may move from place to place and just feel like you are planting seeds...in the hot sun. And you never really get the chance to see them grow into the beautiful plants that they have a potential to be. But you left your finger print on them...nothing will ever remove that. I may not have 20+ baptisms in the entire time of my mission...but I know that I have left something behind in the hearts of the people here. I could not ask for a better job than to be a planter :) And I am seeing that this is my job here in Daraga. I may not reap the souls of the people that are here...but I know that  I have done my part and I have fulfilled my part in the Lord's work. This week was a great week to see the worth of souls in the sight of God. No matter if they come in half drunk and unable to speak clearly to you...they are still children of God and they have a part in God's plan. And we have no right to ever doubt that they don't want to know about the gospel. It is sometimes those that are wearing the cigarette designed t-shirt or the ones that smell intoxicated that are waiting to find something that can take all the hurt and pain away. I know that the Lord lives and that He loves each and everyone of us. We just must be willing to see His love for us too.

--

Sister Pace

Philippines Legazpi Mission

Alma 42: 31