Two months already! What???!

Dear Friends and Family,

I am doing so well and am just absolutely LOVING my mission! This week lots of crazy fun stuff has happened, but I want to share something a little different this week. When I was in the MTC, I was given a little poem by our Branch Presidents wife, it is by Bruce R. McConckie and it's called,

MY CALLING:

I am called of God.

My authority is above that of the kings

of the earth. By revelation I have been

selected as a personal representative

of the Lord, Jesus Christ. He is my master

and he has chosen me to represent Him.

To stand in his place...

To say and do what he himself would say

and do if he personally were ministering

to the people to whom he has sent me.

My voice is his voice, and my acts are

his acts. My words are his words and my

doctrine is his doctrine.

My commission is to do what he wants done.

To say what he wants said. To be a living,

modern witness in his word and deed, of the

divinity of his great and marvelous

latter-day work.

How great is my calling.

Being a missionary, I read this poem frequently as I reflect on my calling the the Lord has given me. I know that I have been called by the Prophet President Thomas S. Monson to be a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints here in the Olongapo, Philippines Mission. Each day I pin a tag to my shirt that first says my name, and then right after has the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As missionaries we teach the fundamental principles of the gospel to all of our investigators. The first principle being Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe that faith is an action word, it's one thing to say you have it, but you must act on your faith in order to see blessings. Missions are extremely hard, in fact life is hard as well. But as a representative of Christ, it's no surprise that his name sits right next to mine on my name tag. As missionaries we are standing shoulder to shoulder with the best life this world has ever known. We are His representatives here on Earth. He has called upon each of us to open our mouths and share the gospel to our friends, families, and neighbors. He knows all of our trials, afflictions, sicknesses, and has experienced them all when He suffered for our sins, enabling us, as imperfect beings, to return to our perfect Father in Heaven. If there is one thing that I have learned on my mission, it is a love for this gospel. I know this gospel to be true with every fiber in my being. I know that Jesus Christ is real, and that He lives. I feel His love, guidance, and protection stronger in my life than ever before. I know that He wants nothing more than for us to return to live with Him again. I know that I am nothing without my Savior, for it is not me that is here converting souls unto this gospel, but rather that I am an instrument in His hands, and through the Spirit I am able to teach these precious souls here in the Philippines about something that will change the rest of their lives. I have seen so many miracles since being here, I have seen people change as they turn towards their Savior in search for happiness, which is given to them through this gospel. I am so grateful to be here on a mission, there is no place I would rather be.

We have the opportunity not only to proselyte and teach investigators, but also to visit less actives. My heart hurt this week as we would walk into the homes of members who hadn't been to church in 10, 20 or even 30 years. To see this look of despair in their eyes, a look of lost hope when we first walk into their homes. Then the light that they have once again after we share a brief message about how much their Heavenly Father loves them, and the smiles they have on their faces when we depart from their home. Seeing how lost and confused these poor souls are when they don't have the gospel currently in their lives is such a testimony builder to me of the happiness that we can receive through this gospel. This gospel is central to Jesus Christ and to families. Two of the most important things in this world. We live in a time that is trying to destroy families, don't let the things of the world tear you and your families apart. They are all you have in this perilous times. I know that if you will do everything you can to strengthen your families through regular church attendance, reading scriptures, and praying together, you will come closer together, and come closer to Christ at the same time. I love all of you so much, and would be ashamed if I didn't share my strong testimony of this gospel to each of you.

I hope you all have an amazing week and know that each of you are in my prayers always. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be here in the Philippines, the language is coming along really well, slowly but surely. I am able to really connect with these people now, even if its just through a few simple phrases, my big smile, and a hug. I love them, they are all my brothers and sisters. I love this work, and I love this gospel. I say these things humbly, in the name of thy Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Mahal Kita!!

<3 :)

P.S. yes the flooding here was pretty bad, but I am okay, no damage done :)