With Love From The Philippines: Week 49 "Work of Salvation"

I said this last transfer, and it felt like last WEEK, but transfer weeks are always the longest ha ha ha. But then the transfer flies by! I'll be staying with Sister Randana, and finishing her 12 weeks with her in Marikina! Needless to say, we thought that I would be transferred, and we are very excited that I'm still here. By the time I'm outta Marikina, I'll have been here for about 6 months.

This week was a good one! We finished all of Cristy's lessons, and our last lesson with her was about TEMPLE MARRIAGE! And the importance of that, because until death do us part is for quitters. No, that was a joke, but doesn't it seem SO MUCH HAPPIER if it's forever?! I'm proud to say that I literally used Taylor and Tyler Stanley's wedding picture to teach ha ha. I'm still so cuted out by that. :)

We actually got some new investigators this week. We have this long-time investigator, Amor, who is absolutely wonderful and active in church, but she can't be baptized yet because she is not married yet... We've been working on that, but for those of you who have or are currently serving where marriage is an issue, you understand me when I say that it is HARD to get someone married.. especially when they don't have a birth record.. But we are not giving up. Pantywaist, her niece was over when we went there, and she was putting wallpaper up, so we invited her to listen and she turned out to be really interested! She even came to church!

And the most exciting thing this week is that CRISTY IS BAPTIZED! I was all GRINS when I watched her enter the water. She glowed as she stood in front of everyone and bore her solid testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Of the things she has really come to know for herself. Her words brought the spirit so quickly- there are few things as powerful as a raw and unadorned testimony of a disciple of Christ.

Baptism ni Cristy

I'll be hitting a year on this mission in a week or two, and one thing I've come to learn is that missionary work is HARD- that was obvious on my first real day of work. As a missionary, trials think they're your best friend and they hang out with you even when you don't want them. Struggles and heartbreak and sadnesses are inevitable as a missionary. While doing the work of the Lord, it cant be easy, BUT on the other hand, every missionary will also experience the pure joy of this work, and although the discouragements seem to outnumber the joys, the happy times outweigh ALL of the sad times by TONS.

I know this work is true and that missionary work is not a walk in the park- it's more like a walk through Jurassic park because it is the work of Salvation, and Salvation was "purchased" at a very dear price. It required all that Heavenly Father had, and all that Jesus Christ is. (John 3:16)

But as Elder Jeffery R. Holland so simply puts it: "Missionary work is not easy, because Salvation was NOT a cheap experience... It requires something of our souls."

CUTIES

My friends who follow us around as we go out to work. ')

I encourage all of you worthy males, and for those who might not qualify now, to get worthy and to serve a mission. You will be a much better person, I promise. And girls, if you have boyfriends who are preparing, encourage them to go! They'll make a better husband. As for girls, it's not required to serve, and ther is absolutely no shame in not serving a mission, but nonetheless preparing does wonders for a testimony.

It's hard and wonderful work. I don't know how it can be both, but it is. I love it.

Thank you so so much to all of you who have supported me through this far in my mission, and I looooove your emails. :')) They melt my heart. You are all in my prayers and I love you all tons.