Okay so last week I said there was no big news.....haha, well I've been slammed with lots of surprises this week! So here we go....
#1- I am transferring. I will be returning to Bohol! This time I will be white-washing an area in Valencia, Bohol (yes, round 2....but this time I'm sticking it out!!) and I will also be training. Bahh! Add on the stress. But it will be okay. All of the American missionaries missed their flight so they are delayed. Earlier we got a text telling me that I wouldn't be going to Cebu until Saturday (meaning for sure I was training an American) but then the APs texted and told me that I am going tomorrow at 5AM....so I'm not sure if I will still be training an American? I know I shouldn't really care, it's just the fact that I would really love to help an American sister out! But of course I know that President Schmutz will choose by revelation. ALSO my daughter in the mission (Sister Prasad!) is also training!! I was excited to hear this! It will be great to have my 2nd child and 1st grandchild be born at the same time!! (yes, that is missionary lingo...)
#2- They have changed Rescue Mission. We are now visiting ALL "active" members here in the Philippines. Isn't that just NUTS? It's actually really sad to me but it is so obvious that it is what needs to happen here. So we have been told to visit all members- even if they are the stake presidents or church leaders- and teach them all of the missionary lessons. It is so crazy. They reported that over 3,500 members were returned to the church last year in the Cebu Mission but there is only a 800-900 sacrament attendance increase. Meaning- the active members aren't holding on to those less-actives and that those "active" members are also following the pattern of going into inactivity. Ugh, it's so hard here!! So we will work on converting members now so that new and returning members will stay. Cleaning the inner vessel!
#3- NEW EMAIL POLICY!!! Yeah!! Maybe Dad knows about this....but now we are allowed to email our friends!! Crazy, and we can email for up to 2 hours on Pday. Wow, so crazy, I never saw that coming....
Oh my goodness, I have so many things to get done before I leave Dumaguete. I really love this area and I have learned a lot. I have felt disappointed many times by the leaders here in the branch. We had another frustrating PEC meeting (in which the Branch President never attended) with the leaders making excuses about why they won't go visiting...they basically told us that people never change. It hurt my heart. Especially thinking about the role Nana's ward played in helping her to return to activity and helping convert Forrest. Just like President Monson's talk last Priesthood Session of GC, men are not leopards. They can change their spots any days. I have loved this area but I have definitely learned what a true follower of Christ is by observing members of the church here.
Okay well I love you a lot. I AM SO HAPPY TO HEAR RACHEL'S NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I dreamed the other day that I was playing with baby Owen....then I realized that he ain't no baby no more....haha! But yes it made me trunky. So I'm glad I'm transferring, opening an area, and training so that I can stay busy in the Lord's work these next few days.
I LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Sista T #2
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