Maging Magpagmamahal sa lahat ng tao-- Kahit ngumiti ka lang
Kumusta po kayo!?!?!
Another week in Lingsat and sobrang maraming natututunan! Seriously I have the sweetest companions -- I don't know why I've been so so blessed with amazing companions.
It's been a little hectic near the mission office. My companions are touring the whole mission to sing and there's a lot of preparation involved. But seriously it's bringing so many investigators to the chapels that it's seriously been such a success. Seriously our mission president loves them so much.
While I was waiting for them to perform I got to talk to people from all over. Even though my language isn't perfect, I'm so grateful that I can talk to people in Tagalog-- I know God gave me enough to do the job I needed to do, even though I don't always understand everything.
I've been hearing so many stories of investigators that take years to come into the gospel but because of the kindness of members and missionaries they do come! I know that this is God's work and He works in the hearts of these families.
Please pray for the Abat family! They are a long term investigator family that have finally started to come to church as a whole family!! They are making tremendous progress! They are like our momsie and popsie and love the missionaries. But they've been scared of baptism, and their kids were really shy. They need all the prayers they can get!
Also the Tan Family! We love them so so much! The parents are so so so nice and so are their kids. They love the missionaries and they love the lessons. They participate and they just come to realize it themselves the truth of the principles being taught. Love them so much!
I really realized the importance of being a good teacher. If you can asked inspired questions and explain clearly and help the investigator understand, the Spirit really can be more effective! That's my goal. That's what my companions are so good at. Actually all the missionaries here in Lingsat! They are so busy but they are all soooo good! They work so hard and they teach so so well. I want to be like that so much--I feel like I don't really know how to do it, but I do love the people soo much. Filipinos are literally the sweetest people on the planet. You can talk to anyone on the street and they are so kind to you-- on a jeepney, anywhere! They give what they have-- and they just love everyone.
Cultural Note: Filipinos definitely have a sweet tooth. Favorite treat right now-- hopia. It's this fried bread with a sweet filling- so so good. Puto is a sweet rice that's super good too.
Another Cultural Note: The palenke is so fun -- the market. There are mazes of little stalls selling fruit and bawang, gulay (vegetables), sebolyas, treats, handmade goods, fresh eggs. All the store owners kinda yell at us in broken English it's hilarious -- Yes Ma'am!!!! Ano yon!!!!???
Spiritual Thought:
Just thought I'd share my favorite talk ever! Whatsoever he saith unto you do it by Elder L. Whitney Clayton:
The Savior performed His first recorded miracle at a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee. Mary, His mother, and His disciples were there as well. Mary apparently felt some responsibility for the success of the feast. During the celebration, a problem arose- the wedding hosts ran out of wine. Mary was concerned and went to Jesus. They spoke briefly; then Mary turned to the servants and said: "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it."
"And there were set there six water pots of stone...(These water pots weren't used to store drinking water but were used for ceremonial washings under the law of Moses.) "Jesus saith unto them, Fill the water pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast and they bare it.
"Then the ruler of the feast...tasted the water that was made wine" and expressed surprise that the best wine was served so late in the feast. We usually remember this event because transforming water to wine was a demonstration of the power of God- it was a miracle. That is an important message, but there is another important message in John's account. Mary was a "precious and chosen vessel" called by God to give birth to, nurture, and raise the very Son of God. She knew more about Him than anyone else on earth. She knew the truth of His miraculous birth.
She knew that He was sinless and that He "spake not as other men, neither could he be taught; for he needed not that any man should teach him." Mary knew of His extraordinary capacity to solve problems, including one as personal as providing wine for a wedding feast. She had unshakable confidence in Him and His divine power. Her simple, straightforward instruction to the servants had no caveats, no qualifications, no limitations: "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it."
Mahal po kayo!
Sister Porter
The Savior performed His first recorded miracle at a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee. Mary, His mother, and His disciples were there as well. Mary apparently felt some responsibility for the success of the feast. During the celebration, a problem arose- the wedding hosts ran out of wine. Mary was concerned and went to Jesus. They spoke briefly; then Mary turned to the servants and said: "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it."
"And there were set there six water pots of stone...(These water pots weren't used to store drinking water but were used for ceremonial washings under the law of Moses.) "Jesus saith unto them, Fill the water pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast and they bare it.
"Then the ruler of the feast...tasted the water that was made wine" and expressed surprise that the best wine was served so late in the feast. We usually remember this event because transforming water to wine was a demonstration of the power of God- it was a miracle. That is an important message, but there is another important message in John's account. Mary was a "precious and chosen vessel" called by God to give birth to, nurture, and raise the very Son of God. She knew more about Him than anyone else on earth. She knew the truth of His miraculous birth.
She knew that He was sinless and that He "spake not as other men, neither could he be taught; for he needed not that any man should teach him." Mary knew of His extraordinary capacity to solve problems, including one as personal as providing wine for a wedding feast. She had unshakable confidence in Him and His divine power. Her simple, straightforward instruction to the servants had no caveats, no qualifications, no limitations: "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it."
Mahal po kayo!
Sister Porter
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