Week 38: Hello everyone!!!
Kumusta po kayo sa inyo lahat??
I'm sorry if these emails are starting to sound all the same... the weeks are going by so fast and there's so many things going through my head that I can't sort them out well enough to explain them well in an email haha!!
This week has been good though. We've got to work with the members a little bit more this week and I love them so much! Some missionaries before have said there's a special spirit here in Baler because it's so far away from everything and they're right- the branch is small, the zone is small (only 5 companionship), and so we're all very close and united as we do our best to live and share the gospel here. It's funny actually because we went to San Jose on Thursday (a big city) for zone conference, and I felt like a turtle coming out of its shell...it feels like such a long time since I've seen tall buildings or fast food or so many people. It was so funny! I was happy to return to nice little Baler:)
Our investigators are doing great, even though we don't have a lot of them right now. One of them, Sister Anicia, is so cute. She's about 45 and has 4 kids and one grandchild that lives with them. Even though she's the only one they're teaching, she's switched ALL their coffee out out for hot chocolate and is even telling her neighbors about it. The other day we taught her neighbor the very first lesson with Sister Anicia sitting in, and Sister Anicia couldn't wait to tell her about the Word of Wisdom and the Book of Mormon. She's so cute:)
We also just started teaching Ryan, a friend of one of our less actives. He's so funny and sweet and is so excited about the church. I know that Heavenly Father definitely guides us to people who are ready to accept the gospel and that we just need to do our part and He will give:)
Last week I was struggling a little bit with a bit of "home-distractedness". Not really home-sickness, but I don't know if it was because I hit my halfway mark or what, but my mind was definitely home while my body was still here. It wasn't good, but I couldn't get myself to let it go. But Heavenly Father is so merciful and patient and at zone conference, President Clark talked about controlling our thoughts. It was just what I needed to here, and since then, I'm happy to report that my mind is safely and happily back here in the Philippines. I'm sure this is something that happens to all missionaries, but to everyone I would just counsel to just don't let those thoughts in. You can do it!!! Besides, I'm only here for 18 months...time is too fast to worry about things that we'll still be at home when I come back.
But love you all and thank you for your prayers and love!! I pray for ya'll as well and I also just want to encourage you to WORK WITH THE MISSIONARIES!!! Not just because they need numbers, but because YOU need THEM too. I promise you will learn new things, be strengthened and be happier as you immerse yourself in the gospel and especially with sharing it with others:)
Love you tons!!!!
Sister Allen :)
Kumusta po kayo sa inyo lahat??
I'm sorry if these emails are starting to sound all the same... the weeks are going by so fast and there's so many things going through my head that I can't sort them out well enough to explain them well in an email haha!!
This week has been good though. We've got to work with the members a little bit more this week and I love them so much! Some missionaries before have said there's a special spirit here in Baler because it's so far away from everything and they're right- the branch is small, the zone is small (only 5 companionship), and so we're all very close and united as we do our best to live and share the gospel here. It's funny actually because we went to San Jose on Thursday (a big city) for zone conference, and I felt like a turtle coming out of its shell...it feels like such a long time since I've seen tall buildings or fast food or so many people. It was so funny! I was happy to return to nice little Baler:)
Our investigators are doing great, even though we don't have a lot of them right now. One of them, Sister Anicia, is so cute. She's about 45 and has 4 kids and one grandchild that lives with them. Even though she's the only one they're teaching, she's switched ALL their coffee out out for hot chocolate and is even telling her neighbors about it. The other day we taught her neighbor the very first lesson with Sister Anicia sitting in, and Sister Anicia couldn't wait to tell her about the Word of Wisdom and the Book of Mormon. She's so cute:)
We also just started teaching Ryan, a friend of one of our less actives. He's so funny and sweet and is so excited about the church. I know that Heavenly Father definitely guides us to people who are ready to accept the gospel and that we just need to do our part and He will give:)
Last week I was struggling a little bit with a bit of "home-distractedness". Not really home-sickness, but I don't know if it was because I hit my halfway mark or what, but my mind was definitely home while my body was still here. It wasn't good, but I couldn't get myself to let it go. But Heavenly Father is so merciful and patient and at zone conference, President Clark talked about controlling our thoughts. It was just what I needed to here, and since then, I'm happy to report that my mind is safely and happily back here in the Philippines. I'm sure this is something that happens to all missionaries, but to everyone I would just counsel to just don't let those thoughts in. You can do it!!! Besides, I'm only here for 18 months...time is too fast to worry about things that we'll still be at home when I come back.
But love you all and thank you for your prayers and love!! I pray for ya'll as well and I also just want to encourage you to WORK WITH THE MISSIONARIES!!! Not just because they need numbers, but because YOU need THEM too. I promise you will learn new things, be strengthened and be happier as you immerse yourself in the gospel and especially with sharing it with others:)
Love you tons!!!!
Sister Allen :)