My first full week in Pulupandan has come and gone! I feel like the week has gone by fast, but at the same time, has dragged on. We've been working hard but it's getting harder, my body wants to give up on me some days. I think there's a reason sisters only serve 18 months rather than two years... I don't know if my body could take it.
Last week started with MLC last Monday afternoon. It was nice being back at the mission home again, it's such a loving and homey environment. I always leave there spiritually and physically rejuvenated and excited. President let us watch the message the church came out with regarding our temple garments and clothing. It was so good. Have you seen it? I feel like they presented and explained it so well, and they're basically just asking for respect and reverence concerning our sacred practices and ordinances. ( Next week my batch will be heading to manila for our visa exit-clearance and hopefully we'll be able to do a temple session while we're there for the day... i'm so excited!) But, our MLC was basically a mini-rehearsal for our MLC this week with Elder Ardern. This week will be busy but it should be exciting. Wednesday we'll have MLC again at the mission home and then mission tour on Friday!
This past Friday we had our zone training meeting and Sister Oquias and I gave training to our zone! It was actually kind of fun. The other days, we've been working hard. It's kind of sad right now in our area because almost all of our recent converts became less actives shortly after there baptism and have been hiding from the missionaries for the past couple of months. It's almost heart breaking because you know that at one point, they were so strong in their testimony of the gospel and then you see how fast one will be to forget the Lord. But for three different recent converts, I guess they've been hiding from the missionaries for the past four weeks. On Saturday night, we were finally able to visit and teach them. It's confusing because as we teach, they're so receptive. They share their personal experiences, talk about how the Lord has blessed them, and truly commit to go to church the next morning. But then Sunday arrives, and they're no where to be found. It's been hard, and a test of our patience. We don't want to give up on them because they've already made that covenant, it's not like they're investigators where you can just move on to someone else, but we'll keep trying.
This week we have the baptism of L. She's only 14, but she's so strong. Her mother passed away when she was younger, and she's the oldest of five children. She basically takes care of all of them yet still finds time to read every day. She's precious. We've been teaching a couple of other investigators that have baptismal dates for November and December so hopefully they continue to progress and prepare.
The past couple of weeks, I've just been filled with an overwhelming appreciation for both you and dad. Last week at the area broadcast, one of them talked about how the gospel needs to be taught in the home and the importance of families. They mentioned the responsibilities of the parents to teach their children, and I truly am just so grateful for the way you raised us. I've had so many experiences here on the mission where that aspect of the gospel is completely non-existent. The role of the father and mother truly is so important and I'm so grateful to be blessed with the two of you.
Christmas music is playing in the background right now as I write... Merry Christmas and see you soon!
xxx
Sister Fitz
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