Madison on a Mission

Working in Lingsat

This week was a great week! I've learned so much in just a few short days. I really feel like what I learned this week will change my mission. I know that things are never going to be easy because the Lord God is always refining us and the salvation of souls is NEVER cheap, but I felt such a renewed sense of faith that truly this is the Lord's work and it is going forth. Miracles happened this week and I feel like Ammon and his brethren right now -- rejoicing in the miracles that God does.

We had a MIRACLE in Less Actives and New Investigators this week. This week we have been really bold to our investigators, inviting them to make commitments and start acting to make it on the path to eternal life. Christ truly is THE ONLY WAY to salvation in the celestial kingdom -- I believe that a desired to never be comfortable where you are and to keep searching for truth and improvement is the way that we have to trust Christ and His Atonement. We don't want to settle for a lesser kingdom of glory because the plan of our Heavenly Father for all of us is truly to gain eternal life. This is the time to prepare to meet God. What we want for our investigators is to be sealed in the temple for time and all eternity with their families.

So Sunday morning we were discouraged because the investigators we went to to go to church didn't want to come anymore even though just a few days before they were crying as we talked about the temple. We were so confused and disappointed. But as we stepped in the church we were shocked at the miracle that happened, and I was completely overwhelmed with emotion. Our less actives all came to church at the same time, except for one who is confined in the hospital for pulmonia but the elders gave her a blessing of healing so hopefully she will be out soon. The Bishop truly has inspiration for the ward and I know that now.

Eddie Lubiano came to church and stayed for all of it. His testimony is so strong in the gospel and he wants so bad to have the blessings of the priesthood for his family. Little by little his life will change again as he starts following the commandments of God by coming to church. One blessing that came is that we got to teach his daughter's boyfriend. He is so ready for the gospel and he accepted a baptismal date right away -- he set all of our appointments with him and He says he will do our commitments. That is the mark of a strong investigator. He was so excited about the prospect of being with Sally Lubiano for time and all eternity.

Liza Manaois came to church too. We met her this week and they were so excited to see us because it's been a long time since they've seen missionaries. But they are so kind and her daughter Faith (27) is so special we love her with all our hearts. She always is smiling and laughing and loves all the missionaries. All she wants is to go to church and the temple. They came to church yesterday.

Irene and Mae Ann Domingo came to church too. They are 8 and 14 years old and do not have any support from their older siblings or parents, but they still read their scriptures and do the best they can. They are going to be wonderful missionaries someday. Mae Ann is a very strong and wonderful girl who takes care of all the little ones and doesn't have it easy.

The entire Sanidad family came to church too and we were so overwhelmed to see her eldest son come with his wife. It was so amazing to see them at church.

Then, Patrocenia Galvez walked through the door and we were so surprised. She has been going to Catholic church for awhile and something must have changed this week because there she was at the front door! That was a complete miracle and act of faith on her part because life for her isn't easy and she wants a change in her family.

And of course the Abat family came. We had had a bold lesson with them where we promised them that if they would sacrifice their work on the Sabbath day that they would find blessings beyond measure. They had work again this Sunday so they didn't stay for class, but the family truly does want to be ready for baptism they are just still having a hard time giving up the Sabbath day and being all in. They are truly a family changed because of the gospel and becoming better every day -- you can see it in their countenances. Sometimes you just have to trust in the Lord's timetable for them and they are changing and the Lord is refining them little by little. We still have their goal date for the end of September and we will do everything we can do for them to be ready for that date and the rest of that is up to the Lord and the faith of the Abat family. I know that they are truly a wonderful family. We love them with all our hearts.

The mission tour with Elder Schmutz was incredible and I feel like a changed person. I felt the Spirit confirm everything we were learning and that was truly a sacred time for me. I've never learned so much just about Heavenly Father's plan for us to be together forever and become perfect and truly heirs in God's kingdom -- the celestial kingdom. The infinite potential that truly each of us has. My faith was renewed that there are ELECT people waiting for us to share the gospel, and we have to find them. The field is white ready to HARVEST -- not just to plant but to HARVEST. Baptisms will come but we have to have the faith to find, the courage to share the restored gospel to everyone we meet, and the faith to extend baptismal dates. Sister Daban and I that very day took into heart exactly what He said. Elder Schmutz is a general authority and a man of God -- and I want to share my testimony that all our church leaders have power and authority of God to say His words to us. I know that was what Heavenly Father wanted Baguio mission to know, and I am 100% committed to meeting the baptismal goals that he set for us. Not because we want to increase membership in the church -- but because every person deserves the chance to hear the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and receive the ordinances of eternal salvation. I love the people of the Philippines with all my heart -- I have never been among a more sweet and prepared people to hear the gospel. The work here is rolling forward, and it is the biggest blessing of my life so far to see the Lord's mysteries unfold. I was reminded of a parable by Jesus Christ about planting seeds and harvesting as a missionary. It's heartbreaking when you see someone who doesn't want to hear, but when you share your testimony of the restored gospel and promise them blessings, and then sometimes you have to drop them after that. But that's not a bad thing. Christ said that the laborer can leave that seed to be planted and someday other missionaries will come to harvest. I am a laborer that will do this and then go find the people who are ready to harvest.

That day after the mission conference, we met a 20 year old who received the gospel with true humility and gratitude just like Joseph Smith. His name is Lester Manzano, a relative of Ram Manzano in Sevilla ward who got married in the Manila temple not too long ago. Lester has tried so many different churches but has felt a kulong in his life (something missing). He will be baptized in October. He comes from a broken family and life isn't easy for him. We saw the hardships in his eyes. But he is super smart and understands everything we teach. He reads the Book of Mormon when we gave it to his grandparents who were not interested at first but then he feasts on every word of the Book and lahat ng sinasabi ng mga missionaries. We were so blessed with a miracle. And we can't wait to see what other miracles will come.

I still feel like I struggle with the language still but my desire is truly to become fluent so I won't give up, even after my mission. I want to master it like Elder Holland said.

I am so grateful to my wonderful companion. She is incredible and makes me a better person, understanding and loving and bold to our investigators and others. She works so hard and is an incredible missionary and wonderful person. Her faith is strong, and I know faith brings miracles. True faith -- that's how Christ can't help but bring miracles with that kind of faith

JACOB 4:10

10 Wherefore, brethren, seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that he counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works.