B-Y-Cucumber!

After sleeping for a few days, I am thankful to announce that I did not have dengue and that I am feeling much better.  Missions are really hard on our bodies.  We get sick a lot because we work so hard, but I know that this is just one sacrifice that I have to make.  The Lord lets us sacrifice so that we can become stronger.

A lot of funny things happened this week.  Sister Bagonbon and I were in our area a few days ago when a festival was going on.  The appointment we had cancelled on us so we had to walk a far ways to our next appointment.  Much to our surprise, a parade began just as we started down the street.  With not much time to spare and no where else to walk, we joined the neighborhood parade all the way to the next appointment.  Not many Filipinos can say that they had an American in their parade.

On another day, Sister Bagonbon and I found one of our investigators washing clothes outside.  We offered to help, but her friends around her made it clear that I am American and Americans do not wash clothes.  Well I kneeled down really fast and showed them that even though my skin is white, I can get the stains out.  They were very impressed.

Even though our week was filled of many fun moments, a lot of important things took place.  The Mabbun family accepted to be baptized.  With tears in his eyes, Brother Mabbun shared how he would see us walk by each day and just knew we had something that he needed.  He is so thankful that we approached them and are helping his family come unto Christ.  Only if they could understand how thankful we are to be a part of their lives.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is about families.  I am a missionary because I want to save families.  I want them to become eternal families.  I want them to feel the love of the Lord and see the blessings he has in store for them.  

 

P.S. I sliced a very BYU cucumber this week.  Rise and shout!

Sick as a dog.

I may have dengue, but besides that, this week was great, especially
the baptism of Kristine.

I would like to again share with you some fun Filipino medical beliefs
that I have learned about in the last few days...

1. You cannot use a fan when you have a fever.  The cool air will push
the fever into your body and the fever will never escape.

2. Showering will also trap a fever inside your body for the rest of your life.

3. Hot weather causes fevers.  That has to be what it was.

I love you all and thanks for your support.  I hope my fever will not
stay inside my body for the rest of my life.

I would give my lice for you...

On Wednesday, I went on exchanges with another sister in her area.  It just so happens to be that Allan, a recent convert of mine from Sanchez Mira, moved there to live with his family.  It was so good to meet with him and to also teach his mother and sister about the gospel.  The gospel is turning full circle in the life of Allan.  When I first taught him in Sanchez, I quickly learned that his biggest fear of being baptized was persecution from his family and the responsibility of becoming a covenant-keeping member of the Church.  Now he has no worries; months later his family is accepting the same gospel into their own lives. This does not mean the entire Unida family will become members of the church tomorrow, but a long and wonderful process has begun.  It started with Allan months ago and the greatest blessings are yet to come. 

Allan paid the cost of discipleship, and we all do.  We have to be courageous, whetherpeople are looking or not.  I know that the blessings will come when we are faithful unto the Lord and courageous in standing for truth.  In Joshua 1:9, we read, "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the  Lord  thy God  is with thee whithersoever thou goest."  The Lord was not only speaking to Joshua there; he was speaking to all of us. 

 

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/be-strong-and-of-a-good-courage?lang=eng&query=courage

 

 I love you all!