My 18 month LDS mission in the Philippines: Week 65

Week 65

It was another great week here in Rosario. It started off with Christmas conference which was so good. Then we had Christmas Eve with some really powerful lessons with our investigators. Christmas day we talked to our families and went to the baptism of the zone leader's. Then work and more work. It's gotten colder here! Last week I was walking around with a sweater on.

The work is going super well here. Even with challenges, we are seeing miracles thanks to the faith and diligence of the members here. This past week one of our investigators(17) who is supposed to be baptized with two of her siblings (29 and 27) has had a really tough trial. As the baptism has come closer her parents got nervous and now will not let her be baptized or take the lessons. :( we are so sad. She told us she's been crying a lot. We have been praying non stop for her to be able to be baptized.

We had a really neat finding experience this last week. A sister who was recently re-activated was excited to have her husband taught. He has been in re-hab for the past 10 months and has developed so much faith there. So we went to their house and taught their entire family (who will be a completed family in march next year) and it was so cool. The Spirit was so strong as this man shared his testimony of the atonement. After rejecting the gospel for years, he has excitedly accepted the invitation to be baptized in March. They cannot wait to be sealed! In Jesus the Christ last week I was in the chapters about the beginnings of Christ's ministry. And it struck me pretty powerfully how if Christ was found among the sinners, publicans, and the unclean where should i be? Among the people who need the gospel the most. As missionaries, we sometimes expect our investigators to be "golden" or maybe as members we think people might not be "ready" for the gospel because of things in their lives that may not be in harmony with what the gospel teaches. But I realized, this is the gospel of REPENTANCE. Which is changing our natures to become more like our Savior. Those "sinners and publicans" are the ones that need it the most. And they need it now. I really have a testimony of the power of the Atonement working miracles in the lives of others. No matter how far off track they seem, they can always come back. Like Alma and Nephi talk about, His arms are extended still.

Have a great week to all! I loved seeing my family this week especially getting to see all of the primos and the grandparents. Thanks to ally, and all my other siblings that made it a really great Christmas morning!

Love