November 6, 2012

Week 5...it doesn't seem like it has been that long...but that means only 4 more weeks. The language is starting to come a little easier...not a pro yet, but working towards it. Halloween here was...well...pretty much nonexistent...we were all wearing our costumes...missionaries! I am learning a lot about what it takes to be a missionary...I love gaining new insights to the work that is ahead of me. Being in class for 16 hours I really don't think of much other than those we are teaching, the gospel and what words are what in Tagalog. I am starting to gain a higher and deeper appreciation for the gospel as I learn about it again in Tagalog.
Alam ko po na mahal tayo ng Diyos. Alam ko po na totoo ang Aklat Ni Mormon at naglalaman ang Aklat ni Mormon kabuuan ng ebanghelyo kay Jesucristo. Nagpapasalamat po ako para sa pagbabayad-sala ni Jesucristo. Alam ko po na totoo si Thomas S. Monson ng propeta. Alam ko po na pamamagitan ng ebanghelyo tumatanggap patnubay at kapayapaan at pagbabalik-loob na lumapit kay Jesucristo. Sa pangalan ni Jesucristo, amen.
Patotoo ko is not much, but from what I can say in Tagalog I know it is true.

October 31, 2012

This week has gone pretty well. The language is still a struggle and trying to work with two others is a challenge some days. But I have started to find joy in the journey of it all. I guess I am truly needing to find fault not in others, but in myself so that I can find a way to draw closer to my Heavenly Father. We had many speakers and leaders this week that refer to the fact that in order to help those we are teaching come unto Christ, we have to do the same things also. This is why it makes so much more sense, when we receive our mission call and it states, " you are hereby called to serve..." We are serving the people.....we are not preaching the gospel. In order to have someone come closer to our Heavenly Father, we must be willing to walk the same path and overcome what they are overcoming. This of course is going to be different for every missionary, but the idea is focused on having the Lord's countenance in our own. I feel like I have gained a greater understanding and knowledge of why i am here and what I need to be doing. I hope that I will continue to carry this vision forward as I go to serve the people in the Philippines. Other than that, all the other missionaries that were in our classes, left on Monday for the Philippines...it was so hard to see them all leave because we had all become so attached to them. But just thinking about it....that will be me in 6 weeks. Let's hope that I can get myself in order and practice the language a little more, before I get on that silver bird! 

Hope you all have a wonderful Halloween!!



left to right: Sis. Hayden (Manila mission), Sis. Pace(Naga mission)  & Sis. Jones (Quezon City North mission)

 



Sis. Pace & Elder Pitts





October 23, 2012

Well...this week was rough. As I expected it was going to be, but wow it hit hard. It has been going great here, at the MTC, but there is just so much going on around you and you have so much to worry about and it all is thrown at you at once...but the great part is when you start a new week, go to the temple and get to have a day to prepare yourself for the next day. The language had not been one of my favorite things to do...in fact, it is one of the most difficult things I have encountered up here. But I can face the challenge as long as I trust that the Lord will help me. Which by the way....that has helped a ton. The other part is having two companions...I feel that the Lord has given me the challenge to have two companions that are absolutely contrary of one another. It has definitely tried me, but I have learned more about myself and what the Lord wants me to be. We have learned a lot about serving the people we are teaching and how to share the gospel. It just makes me so excited to go out...of course if I were talking English ;P But the Tagalog is going to take some time to learn. I am loving the MTC and I am excited for all those that will be reporting here over the next couple of months....they are going to love it. I love the Lord and I love the gospel...there is so much joy and happiness to be found in it!!!

October 16, 2012

Well...I have officially made it through 6 days at the MTC. The first day was really crazy because there was just so much that we needed to know and learn in prep for the next day. The Kelleys (Brother and Sister Kelley and Jace) were able to drop me off at the front doors of the MTC...it almost seemed surreal, but it was all so exciting at the same time. The day was filled with orientation and meeting you companions and so much more. I have two companions while here in the MTC--Sister Jones and Sister Hayden. Sister Jones is from California and is reporting to the Quezon City North Mission. Sister Hayden is from Washington and she will be reporting to the Manila Mission. Did you know that there are seventeen missions in the Philippines? I had no idea! But it is so amazing to see how many missionaries there are that are going to the Philippines. the first day of class we were completely immersed into the language...it was so overwhelming and crazy, but it has been really fun and trying.  By the second or third day we were already being required to teach an investigator in Tagalog...trust me, at that point you have no idea how to even say "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints"...but I do know that the Lord watches out for you and helps you to understand the language more and more. In fact, the other night I had a dream about Tagalog...not too sure if any of it was translatable, but it was kind of funny when I woke up :) Sunday was wonderful...all of it was in Tagalog...well other than when the Branch Presidency spoke to us. It was so spiritual as we spoke about the Holy Ghost and the importance of recognizing it. I thoroughly enjoyed all of it, although I didn't understand it all :) We also had Sister  Burton, the General Relief Society President, come and speak to all the sisters for Relief Society. It was an amazing talk and she was so encouraging! I also was able to meet up with Elder Pitts. It was really good to see him! He is leaving in a week and a half. But then again, it seems like everyone is leaving so soon. I also ran into a friend of mine from school, Sister Warren. Yesterday we had the opportunity to teach our investigator again...I thought it went okay...I am just trying to understand what he is saying now. But with faith and hope in the Lord, I know that He will help me in my struggle to learn Tagalog. I am so grateful for this opportunity and the blessings that have been poured upon me....I could never ask for a better experience :)

Sincerely,

Sister Pace

P.S.  Her mailing address has changed:

        Sister Alexa Renae Pace

        MTC Mailbox #161

        PHI-NAG 1210

        2005 N. 900 E.

        Provo, UT 84604-1793

It's Time!!

The count down has begun and the address has come! Here is my mission address if anyone would like to write me :) This blog will be updated weekly, by my family.

Sister Alexa Renae Pace
MTC Mailbox #161
PHI-NAG 1212
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

Sister Alexa Renae Pace
Philippines Naga Mission
39 Panganiban Dr
,Naga City
4400 Camarines Sur
Philippines

Dear Sister Pace...

...You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Philippines Naga Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months.
You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, October 10, 2012. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Tagalog language. Your assignment may be modified according to the needs of the mission president.
You have been recommended as one worthy to represent the Lord as a minister of the restored gospel. You will be an official representative of the Church. As such, you will be expected to maintain the highest standards of conduct and appearance by keeping the commandments, living the mission rules, and following the counsel of your mission president. As you devote your time and attention to serving the Lord, leaving behind all other personal affairs, the Lord will bless you with increased knowledge and testimony of the Restoration and of the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Your purpose will be to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. As you serve with all your heart, might, and strength, the Lord will lead you to those who are prepared to be baptized.
The Lord will reward you for the goodness of your life. Greater blessings and more happiness than you have yet experienced await you as you humbly and prayerfully serve the Lord in this labor of love among His children. We place our confidence in you and pray that the Lord will help you become an effective missionary.

Sincerely,

President Thomas S. Monson