It
has been such a good week! So spiritually inspiring and so fun. Every
week I feel like I was just sitting at the computer writing you, and I
know that I probably say that every time, but it's because it's true.
I
officially completed my second week as a trainer! Sister Luke is
seriously the most inspiring and courageous girl I know. Her batch
didn't waste anytime in the MTC because I feel like she knows so much of
the language already. She has such a great desire to just head out each
day and talk to everyone which I truly admire. At times I feel a
little overwhelmed, especially in lessons just because I'm afraid I'm
not able to explain something clearly enough for them to truly
understand the importance of our message. Especially because everyone in
the Philippines already believes in Christ. They already accept him as
our Savior and Redeemer and understand how He should be the center of
our lives. And that's a blessing, because of course people want to hear a
message about Christ, but it's also our struggle, because they think
what they're doing now is already enough, that they're already following
Christ's example in their life, and that their church and religion is
what they need. And it's hard for them to accept or understand about
the Restoration, and about Apostasy, and about Priesthood Power, and I
feel like maybe they're not fully comprehending that aspect because I'm
not teaching it effectively enough. But I'm trying, and I know that what
I lack as a trainer, as a teacher, and as a missionary, Heavenly Father
will make up for it and help me strengthen those weaknesses that I
have.
On
Friday, was Old Saint's Day (maybe Old Soul's Day.... not exactly sure)
but all missionaries had the opportunity to proselyte in the
graveyards. On that day, families go to the cemeteries to honor those
family members that have passed on. So they pack up food/tents/etc. and
spend the day on top of the grave of their deceased family members.
Sister Luke and I were a little hesitant at first, because how do you just
walk up to people as they're sitting on a gravestone, but I'm pretty
sure we probably handed out at least 15 lesson two pamphlets about the
Plan of Salvation. And we were fed at least four meals from random
families we talked to. I've never been so full in my life. But it was
definitely a fun experience.
On
Saturday, Elder Anderson came! It was definitely an exciting meeting.
And even though we were one of the last ones to walk in, they squeezed
us into the front row! We got to shake their hands, and I definitely
made eye contact with Elder Anderson several times and he would smile.
The whole mission was there, all 234 of us. Both Elder Anderson spoke
and Elder Clayton, focusing on missionary work and the Atonement. If
there's one thing I learned from them and from President Nielsen
visiting us last month, is how connected the Atonement is to missionary
work. There's so much I have learned about Christ and the Atonement the
past couple months on the mission, and I know that there's still so much
I have yet to comprehend or maybe never will fully understand. But this
much I do know, that Christ is there to help through every aspect of
our life. Whether it's to be cleansed through the redeeming power, or be
comforted during trials, or to be strengthened through his enabling
power as we try to become more like our Savior. Often I feel unprepared
or incapable of doing something, especially as I'm training and still
learning the language myself, but then I realize that my trust and
confidence shouldn't be in myself, but in Christ. Because when you put
your faith and trust in him, it's easy to continue, because of course
He's able to do everything, and of course he'll help me accomplish what
he would do if he was here.
We've
seen some progress in a lot of our investigators this past week. I
never know what stories to tell you because it seems like they come and
go every week, but we found a new family that we've taught twice this
past week, and Sister Luke and I are really excited to continue to teach
and see what might come of it. In other news, we taught J, the 13
yr-old we've been teaching for a while now. She is one of the sweetest
girls I know and one the first investigators where I've truly seen her
become converted to the gospel. She has a testimony already that is so
strong of the Book of Mormon and has that desire to be baptized. But
the sad news is that this past week, she told us that her dad and
grandma said before we ever started teaching her, that we can teach her
and she can go to church, but that she can't be baptized. So that was
our sad news this past week, but we're not losing hope. We taught about
Heavenly Father preparing a way, and I know that as her testimony grows,
and as her family sees her desire, that their hearts will be softened
and eventually she'll be able to be baptized.
I
love you all! And I received my Christmas package in the mail this past
week.... do I really have to wait for Christmas? or is this just a
Halloween/Thanksgiving present and you're sending another package for
Christmas? :)
Anyways,
thank you for all your support and love and prayers.
xoxo,
Cami
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