God loves us completely

Area:  Floridablanca

Companion:  Sister Echon

STL – only one in the zone

Monday, February 10, 2014

Kamusta sa inyo lahat (hello to you all)  my dear friends & family!

First off, Happy Valentine's Day to all you lovers out there, & a bigger shout out to all my single ladies! ha.

This week I have really been reflecting on how blessed I have been in soo many aspects of my life that before my mission I guess I just figured everyone had. When in reality that is so not true. We had a family home evening at the Ticsay Family Household and invited some of our investigators that lived close by to attend. Sister Echon and I taught a little bit about the purpose of FHE and then about eternal families. We showed a little mormon message and then did an object lesson.As we talked about eternal families I saw some heads start to droop,, and was soon to find out why. I was thee only person in that room who had both parents who loved each other and their children living under the same roof, and sealed together for time and all eternity. Moments later the stories began and the tears started to flow as Sister Echon began and our investigators followed talking about the trials they have experienced. One has parents who never even talk to her or take a second look at her when she walks through the doors at night. They are all on their individual schedules and never interact as a family. She purposely went missing for three days in hopes that her family would show they cared, but nobody ever came looking for her... Her aunt came looking for her instead, who has become the mother figure in her life. Another story is Danicca Yumul-she is the oldest of her four siblings. Her father left them and their dirt poor family to fend for themselves and now has children with three other women. The kids are at the point where even if their dad came walking back through the doors they would never accept him back. Their hearts are still so sensitive to the topic and are slowly starting to harden towards male figures in their life. The stories continued to flow. To hear these stories and to see the grief on their faces as they sob over the trials they have had no other choice than to face, I wonder how I got so lucky. And this doesn't even count for the fact that their homes are cement blocks stacked on top of eachother with a bamboo/metal roof. They're lucky if they can eat three meals a day, going to school is an option because their parents just do not care. I just want to give these people all that I have sometimes. I feel so selfish for all that I have been blessed with. But at the same time I know the gospel is the best thing I could ever give them. Money is only a temporal problem solver, the gospel is an eternal one. I've seen it change families before, give them hope for a better life, the promise of blessed redemption, and the pathway to eternal peace and happiness. (If you have time I would encourage you to read 'Do We Know What We Have' by Carole M. Stephens from the October General Conference). 

We have two baptisms coming up this February 23. Kristine Cunanan (15), her cousins and aunt are members. Her dad isn't in the picture and her mom is studying abroad in Saudi. Sister Echon and I have been able to relate to her and help her with missing her mom, since we have an idea of how that all goes. She has come to church over 20 times-the Branch thought she was a member! Danicca Yumul (18), I told her story earlier, she has been through a LOT, she never goes outside and is actually extremely afraid of people. She is one of the shyest people I have ever met, but ever since we met her she has opened up to us a ton. Pretty much every lesson she cries, and the spirit is always so strong. She has gone to church every since we met her. We originally had her scheduled to be baptized March 15, but she is ready NOW, so we have moved it up and she is so excited. Her mom will be getting baptized in March, we just have to get her to church. 

We talked to a ton of people last week and invited them to learn, 107 people, this week we contacted lots of these people and came out with 25 new investigators this week which was AWESOME. We are super excited to follow up with these families to see who is ready for this gospel. 

Well the week cannot be complete without some funny stories. (this will only be funny for my family) Remember how I told you about the Relief Society President that got sustained last week and found out about her new calling at the same time as the congregation? Well she worked with us this week and well it's fair to say I proselyted with Auntie Jill this week. They have the EXACT same sarcasm and humor, I was DYING. It was thee BEST. At one point one of our investigators was crying about her problems and she just starts laughing, looks at her and was like honey we all have problems, don't show your family that you are week, you have to be strong. I was like whoa, sass, true, but dang haha. Another time this week we were visiting one of our less actives and he gave us murrienda (refreshments), Sister Echon didn't want to drink the drink that he gave her because it was too cold and hurts her teeth, so when he wasn't looking she tried to slyly pour it off the deck into the yard. Yeah that was smooth until the water drenched a chicken that started squealing and flapping it's wings, BUSTED! haha. So you know how America when someone is at your door, they usually get greeted by your dog? Yeah well here it's a mixture of pigs, dogs, and chickens. I hate pigs..

Also, turns out you don't need to buy eyeglasses anymore if you can't read! Our investigator whipped out her magnifying glass to read the text she received on her phone! I forgot those things even existed. She went all 1800's on us. 

So the other day at the Ticsay's house their son Gelo was talking about how he eats his feelings when he's sad or nervous, etc. Anyways I hadn't been listening to the conversation and then he turns to me and asks if I eat my pasta? I of course got all excited and said yes and how I miss fettucine and what not, everyone breaks out dying laughing and I got all self conscious not knowing why..Turns out he meant pasta as in the tagalog word for "feelings" not the Italian dish..ha stupid white girl.. (shout out to sister rowley). 

So I had a moment this week that made me miss my mom way bad. Sister Manlulu (member in the branch) always feeds us either Saturday/Sunday night depending on our schedules. She fed us this week and then brought us in a huge bag of rice, some meat, and packed the rest of the dinner we didn't finish and sent us on our way. I gave her the biggest hug and told her she is far too kind and doesn't have to do all this as she is now paying the trike driver for our ride home (she always pays). She breaks down crying as we hug and sobs out that she would hope someone would do the same for her missionary that is currently serving. It reminded me of something mom and dad would do-you always take such good care of the missionaries-as am I being taken care of here. She gave me a tight squeeze and kiss on the cheek which suffices until I can squeeze ya both to death!

Two little kids went missing from Sister Ticsay's elementary school at lunch and never made it home that night. We then go on to hear from our investigators that his is very common here. People will take the kids, pull out their organs, and sell them on the streets. Well luckily the story has a happy ending, the two little 8 year olds had gotten on a jeepney to GuaGua (the city an hour away) and felt like going to town for the day I guess. (Mom, reminds me of the heart attack I gave you when I forged a note to ride the bus home to Kasey Mortensen's and never came home haha.) Kids are sneaky and capable of more than we think nowadays!

 I was thinking about it this week why God lets bad things happen to good people, I have heard so many people ask the same question so I decided to do a little research..The answer I came up with is before this life we were promised agency, God would cease to be God if before a bad man did something he stopped him every single time. But although we go through all of these trials there is a quote and scripture that I would love to share. "Think of the purest, most all-consuming love you can imagine. Now multiply that love by an infinite amount--that is the measure of God's love for you..Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God's love encompasses us completely." Dieter F. Uchtdorf

2 Nephi 2:2 "Though knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain." God gives us trials to strengthen us and to help us grow. But we are never alone during those trials, he is always there lifting us and carrying us when we can't do it alone. Rely on Him in your dark times, and you WILL have the strength to endure.

Sorry this letter is more like a news highlight, a little all over the place. But I love you all, have a great week!!

P.s. Mom, you asked if there are mosquitos here, I'm pretty sure there's more in my house than there is outside.

INGAT (take care) :) MAHAL KITA (I love you).

Sister Pilkington