I dedicate this subject line to my parents and siblings. It appears as you are all moving into the future as almost every one of your emails ended with the following words, "sent from my iPad". My family is so tech-savvy and I'm walking around in jungles with frogs and lizards! I love it!
We had a great past week and I can't believe it is already Pday. Last week we committed one of our investigators, Sister Crisencia Macario for baptism! She is Tagalog-speaking (yes I NEED to learn Tagalog ASAP) but understands English. I can't remember if I already told you all about her but she came to Dumaguete to visit her sister (who is a member) and as she was getting ready to return to Manila she suffered a stroke. It has been a very humbling experience for her. We have watched her physically recover but it has been a blessing to see how the gospel has blessed her to heal spiritually. She has such great faith and it has been rewarding to watch her keep commitments and feel the Spirit in her life.
Last Friday we had Zone Interviews so President and Sister Schmutz came! It's always great to see them. President gave a great workshop about Joseph Smith and I was reminded of the sacrifices he made for the Church. It turned out that I was the only missionary out of the whole zone who had visited Carthage Jail and I was so grateful that I have been there. I was reminded about the sacrifices he made for the Book of Mormon. I remember times before my mission when my scriptures would just sit on my desk- I'm sad to say it-but there were times they would sit there for 4 or 5 days without being opened. I was so caught up in my own busy-ness that I forgot how precious the Book of Mormon is. So many prophets gave of their time to write their histories in the Book of Mormon and to add upon that, Joseph Smith gave his life. So many of us forget just how valuable the Book of Mormon is. How applicable it is for our day. We make excuses, "I'm too busy...." "I'm too tired to read..." "Reading scriptures is boring...." "I have only 15 minutes to read so it's not worth it....I won't learn anything." We make these excuses because we forget the sacrifices that were made so that we can have the Book of Mormon. We forget that Joseph Smith gave his life so that truth could be restored through the Book of Mormon.
I realize I just ranted but I hope you all know that reading scriptures is important. It doesn't matter how busy you are, there is time to read every day. Take advantage of the writings of ancient prophets. Read the book! If you only have 15 minutes, read. Read 5 verses and try to apply what you read to your life. I know as we all do this, our lives with change. We will become better people and come closer to the Spirit. The next time you complain about reading the Book of Mormon just think about what you'll say to Joseph Smith on the other side of this life!!
I hope you all know that my mission has changed me. I am still Nicole but I am a better Nicole. I am so grateful for these experiences I am having. As I looked at a picture my friend sent me of a bunch of my friends and longed to be with them, the Spirit confirmed to me that this is what I am supposed to be doing. My time couldn't be used for a better purpose. We had amazing experiences this last week challenging Less actives to keep the Sabbath Day even when they have...well "dumb" excuses. Both families came to church and they have testified to us about the change in their lives and the blessings they are receiving. EVERYONE KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS!!!
We also had a great service project last week where we weeded the garden of a member. We off-roaded it in the van of the ZLs and it was fun. I just love serving a mission in the Philippines.It is FULL of adventure and sometimes I look around and think "how did I get myself here?!" Just like Dad said in his email, I will have so many crazy and funny stories when I get home!! But hey dad and mom....just say no! to gettin' trunky :)
I hope all of you in Ut are staying warm. Sounds like it is nice and chilly. I'll think of you as we sweat away here in the Philippines!! I love you all. You all wrote me this week! I couldn't be more proud of you! Haha. I love you all.
LOVE YOU
Sister Trayner #2 (hehe)
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