Week 16--Philippines, Cebu East Mission

I love the people. The kids love the missionaries.

Kamusta mo! Another week in the Philippines gone! I know I always mention how crazy the time flies, but that just goes to show how much we shouldn't take our life/time for granted. I've almost been gone for 6 months and it feels like I just left home.

So... here's my short letter for the week!

On July 21st, Tuesday. We had a District meeting. And it was a really good district meeting! My new district leader is so passionate for this work. Whenever you look into his eyes when he's speaking, you can just see the passion and love he has for us and the Lord. A lot of his district meetings, some people might think they're very chastising, but every time he "chastises" us, we can feel his love and we aren't upset or angry because we know he doesn't do it to make us feel badly, he does it because of how much this work means to him. Every time I leave the district meeting, I just feel pumped and ready to do the work even better than I had the day before.

So after the meeting, Sister Orzal and I were determined to open our mouths and testify contact everyone we met. Because we decided to reach out, and go from house to house, we ended up teaching this lady named Elsa, (No, she doesn't have magical ice powers). She was really into our lesson. We ended up focusing our lesson on how families can be eternal, because she just got married a year ago and she really wants children. We emphasized how important families are to Heavenly Father and how much this gospel can help strengthen her relationship with her husband. We then committed her to read the pamphlet, and before we could finish talking she asked, "Do you have any other books/pamphlets I can read?" And Sister Orzal and I both thought, "Hmm, a Book of Mormon would be perfect." So we ended up giving her a Book of Mormon and she said she'd definitely read it. She then gave us a return appointment, and BAM, we have a new investigator! It was such an awesome day!

On July 24th, Friday, Sister Orzal and I ended up going to the hospital because the recent convert, Sister Jessa, ended up having appendicitis, so she was rushed to the hospital by her brother and had to have surgery. The Elders, President Sangria, Sister Orzal and I went over to the hospital and gave her a priesthood blessing. The surgery went well, and she's now back home and safe. I'm so glad the Lord watched over her. I know the priesthood blessing can help her to heal quickly.

On July 26th, Sunday, Sister Orzal and I traveled to Tagbilaran for the 1st Stake Conference ever! It was so awesome being able to participate in the conference and hear all of the awesome talks from the leaders. President Tanner (my Mission President) and President Ardern (Quorum of the 70/President over all of the Philippines missions) came to Tagbilaran, Bohol and gave really awesome talks as well! I loved being able to see all of the members gather together for Sunday. The members of the Tagbilaran district have worked so hard to make their district a stake. And now it's finally happened!

Oh man! This week has been very busy and fulfilling. Sister Orzal and I have pushed ourselves to open our mouths with everyone we come into contact with. Every time we step into a Rela or Jeepnee, we turn to the passenger or driver and just start talking to them about our purpose and the Gospel. Because we've decided to be so diligent, we've gotten 6 new investigators and 67 testifying contacts for this week. (Which for me, is a lot because I would usually just get 14 in a week).

A lot can really happen if you just push yourself and try your best. We can apply that in everything we do. Especially our callings in the wards/branches we're in. I remember this quote that the new Stake President mentioned about callings of every kind, during the Stake Conference, "It doesn't matter WHERE you serve the Lord, what matters is HOW you serve the Lord." It doesn't matter if you're the Prophet, relief society president, primary teacher, or janitor. We all have these different callings because without each other, nothing would get done. Without missionaries, there wouldn't be anybody to preach the Gospel all over the world, but without the members, missionaries couldn't truly fulfill their callings to preach the Lord's Gospel. It doesn't matter what kind of calling you have, or where you have it... what matters to the Lord most is how you fulfill that calling.

So work hard everyone to fulfill what the Lord expects of you. "The Lord is easy to please, but hard to satisfy." So try all you can each week to satisfy the Lord!

Gihigugma ko ninyo!

Love,

Sister Johnson