CHILE????

WOW right now I am so excited for Elder Trayner....I can't believe he is headed to Chile!! What the? Does he already have his visa and stuff?? Oh my goodness. I did not think he would go outside of the US. How exciting. I am very happy for you, Zach!! Those Chileans are gonna love you!!

So another week has come and gone here in the Philippines. This week has been a good but a stressful one. Our ward here is so great but so large (185 attend sacrament) that sometimes I just feel so overwhelmed with so many people and faces to remember. But I will get it down. Our ward is having "Rescue the One Mission Week" right now where we meet up with ward members and invite the Less-Actives to come to church this Sunday for a "Grand Reunion" after the meetings. So we have stayed busy this week and have met lots of new less-actives.

My favorite part of the city is that we are so close to the temple. Every Thursday they have temple tours where people come and the missionaries show a video about temples and give tours of the temple grounds. It is so great! Plus we have District Meeting every Monday at the chapel so I just feel that we are there ALL of the time. So yes there are perks to being assigned in the city. I also get to see President and Sister Schmutz every once in a while which always makes me happier :)

Things are still moving along here. I'm doing my best to teach my companion the language and all of that fun stuff. We have met lots of people to teach here and the people in the city are much more receptive to the gospel than my first two areas. You'd think it'd be opposite. I'm enjoying our work here.

I have started studying the New Testament this past week and I am loving it!! Today I read the parable about the 10 Virgins. I love this parable because that is the parable we shared with Brother Wilson Ganigan the day he FINALLY decided to be baptized. It is so applicable to our day. We need to be adding oil- drop by drop- into our lamps all of the time. We can do this by going to church each Sunday, praying, preparing physically, and by reading the scriptures. Here on my mission I have learned the importance of reading the scriptures every day. If we read, we will pray. If we read, we will go to church. If we read, we will remember our covenants. If we read, we will remember the commandments. And just like Nephi promises, if we hearken to the Lord and read, we will receive eternal life. I hope that when I get home I am a more diligent studier of the scriptures. They have so much to teach us! Set apart time to read and study. Don't just quickly read. Read with your heart! 

I love my mission so much and I am so grateful for the opportunities I have here in the mission. I know the gospel and church of Jesus Christ are so true! I hope that all is well back home and that you are all healthy and happy. Missions are Miracles :)

Love
Sister Trayner