MISSIONARY WORK

Kamusta na kamo? So this week we had Mission Presidents Training. It was fun! we had a really embarrassing interview with president... in which he videoed our edper (edper means.... explain, demonstrate, practice, evaluate, re-practice. haha kind of like role playing.) on the law of chastity... you actually probably saw it... ew. I think he put them on facebook. So unprepared. But whatevs(: The training was good. all about Finding People and how the work is really progressing here in our mission. He shared with us the plans for the mission until the end of this year... its so exciting that they are planning for a temple in 3 years!!!! Can you believe it? Wow. (: what blessings that this land is receiving! 

That morning I had prayed to have a missionary experience. Which might sound weird seeing that I AM a missionary... and why do I need to PRAY for a missionary experience. But SOmetimes even missionaries need to be reminded in very vivid ways that our prayers are answered and that we are Really the Lords servants. So we went about our day... went to the Training had a great time, met an elder that looks like dad, had ice cream and the hugest hamburger ever, got a package! And then we were all getting on the bus to go back to our areas... there was probably 12 of us on this bus and the only seat was next to this girl so I sat there. 

My heart started pounding... And I prayed for the courage to talk to her. And then It just came so naturally. I just asked where she was going, where she came from and where she lived, her name, age, and I told her about me and why I was here.. I found out that her dad was a member but died a couple of years ago.. and she lives in my area. so I shared with her a pamphlet and explained it to her and invited her to church.. sadly she didn't come to church... but, it was so great! I was so happy, and so pumped to do missionary work! And of course my testimony grew of the power of prayer... gani. Man it was so good.... We are planning to find her house and teach her this up coming week! (: 

Sometimes I feel so bad for not being a better member missionary when I was at home. To be completely honest, i was afraid to share the gospel... like actually talk to someone about it. But Its not that hard... when you just bear testimony of what you know to be true, and not try and make it some big long drawn out process.. it is so rewarding. And the Spirit just gets you in the heart! Try it(:

President, in his training, talked about something that I think Is really important for us to understand, and to know. SO our trainging was about FINDING PEOPLE... and of course missionaries need to find people to teach.. but what is MORE effective is when the MEMBERS FIND and the MISSIONARIES TEACH. I can't tell you how hard it is to just find those elite people that will just accept the gospel... most of the time it is just a waste of our time... like tracting. Knocking on doors for and hour trying to find... useless. you just get doors slammed in your face, and you feel so bad inside. BUT, when a member refers us to their friend and then goes with us to teach them, they just seem to accept better.. adn they already have a friend in the church. 

There is this saying... about people that came to know the truth of the gospel and they didn't know that that is what they were looking for... that is how a lot of our friends are.. they, deep down, are searching for a place of belonging... and WE are the guide in their journey. We guide them to the missionaries, and the missionaries guide them to their eternal salvation. Its a perfect plan. So If you wanna be a part of this hastening the work and if you want to feel the blessings that a misisonary feels, invite your friends to your home for dinner, and the missionaries at the same time! seriously... it will bring you so many blessings...

Missionary work is the best. Seriously. I can't stress to you enough that misisonary work is so fulfilling.. it is so worth it... it is worth the sacrifice. one thing that I always say to our recent converts when teaching them this lesson is that it is our duty to help other people find out that they are children of God too. (: And the best thing about it... you don't even have to have a name tag to do it. 

I love you all so much! Hope you have a great week and pray for missionary experiences....you wont regret it!

Love,

your sister missionary

Sister YOung(:

 This is us just refreshing with gatorade at our local.... 7/11.. yeah those exist here. crazy no?

 Last week we decided to scare the sisters next door... so we climbed up our ladder and scaled the wall and over the balcony and scared them(: it was so fun(:

We gotta make things interesting somehow.

 My awesome moustache(:

 A giant hamburger at mission presidents training...

 This elder reminds me of dad... like seriously, this is what I imagine dad looking like when he was on his mission... or am i wrong? Maybe its just the glasses? Ambot.

 And me and my compnaion(:

 Our tan lines

 Marivics baptism(:

  And some fun times at our recent converts(:

 I got my package from Dad and Young family!!! THanks!(:

 And a close up of Chicken intestine(: yep... i ate it again. (:

 A good scripture.

 Sometimes even the goats don't wanna listen to the gospel.... Grabi, man.(:

 My companion eats the lollipops that I get for the kids... and then can't hide it.. haha.

We played with make-up last night(: Pretty huh!

Rain, Dirt, Mud, Trials, and the spirit.

I Love taking pictures of gross stinky caribou(:

Where do I start? This has been one wet week for us... not as wet as it could be, but this week there has been more rain than there has been in a couple of months! Like last night as we were walking home from our last appointment... we were about 10 minutes away from our house, and it just down poured!!! Our secruity guard that is outside the subdivision thing of our house just look at us like we were crazy for walking in the rain. Oops. then on saturday it just rained all day long... and the mud was seriously up to my knees.... its hard to look pretty in the philippines. (: and everyone just loves to point out how dirty I get. (: it us just great.

You know, my faith is always being tested here. Our faith is tested daily no matter where we are, but for me it seems like it is such a drastic test every week, and every day. It is crazy. Last week we had a great week of work... we taught lots of lessons and people were progressing... and then this week... we struggled to find people to teach, for members to work with us, and our investigators to progress.

My companion and I are trying everything that we can think of to make sure the spirit is so strong in our lessons, and to make sure that we are being obedient, and that we are happy and that we are helping our investigators... but sometimes it just doesn't feel like enough. Its so hard. 

We had only 2 investigators at church yesterday.. Which is better than 0... but it is just so painful when they tell us they are going to come, and then don't. 5 other investigators told us they were coming to church..and they didn't come. It is so sad because I know that That is the only way for them to receive the blessings that we have promised them... and they just wont come. 

We also had to move the 2 investigators that were scheduled for baptism this month to July... Satan is such a powerful, evil spirit! He works in every way to make sure that people don't follow The Savior... and it makes me so.... GR!  

On Saturday I think I had one of the most powerful lessons with the spirit in a long time. We were teaching Brother Rolly about the Baptismal covenant and Confirmation. But before we taught we followed up on his word of wisdom problem... he still has it. He was so sad when he told us that he has smoked 4 sticks that day, almost in tears he was. And of course it just stabbed me in the heart to hear that. but we moved on with the lesson and as he was reading in the scriptures about our baptismal covenant and the blessings that we can receive, he just broke down. He just opened up his heart and told us all his concerns and why he is smoking and can't seem to stop. 

I was crying as he was telling us of his trials and his problems. He is so depressed and it is so effecting him. Satan has just been such a pest to him all his life so NOW when he is finding Christ, it is hard for him to follow Him. 

After he was done talking to us about his trials and how he feels like he has no self worth and he can't get to the celestial kingdom, I opened up the scriptures to jacob 2 where it says that the word of god heals a wounded soul and had him read it, and the spirit was so strong in the room again. And it comforted his soul, and instantly there was a spark of hope in his eyes... and his countance changed. Then He said, "Sisters, can I be baptized tomorrow. I need to make this covenant more early than later." 

He has great desire to change, and he comitted to read the book of mormon anytime he has the urge to smoke, or  a bad thought gets in his head.. Unfortunately, he can't be baptized this month, but he finally has the end of this life and the beginning of he new life in sight, and I know he can make it. I know that He can overcome the temptations of satan! 

We can all overcome the many Temptations of satan. It wont be easy, but it will bring happiness. 

I know that our trials in life, and our problems are just so we can grow and choose to come closer to our Savior.

Love, Your sister Missionary,

Sister Young

 My watch broke after a year.... haha Happy june!

 Lots of children that I love

Pedicures

Aunt Crystal - "is that a tan on your feet or just dirt, or both?"

Sister Young - "I'm going to say a tan...(: haha. This is the cleanest my feet get. (: "

HAPPY JUNE

So, I would just like you all to know that June, is not only the month of my birthday just also my year mark on my mission! How amazing is that?!?! And I know that you are all just wondering what you can give me for my birthday because you are all so giving and kind.... and this is my answer...

I want my whole family, that means aunts, uncles, cousins, sisters, brothers, moms, dads, grandparents, tanan kamo.... to go to church every sunday... excluding June 1, beause that is over now... But for the rest of the sundays that is what I want. Also, I want you all to read the Story of Abinadi... Mosiah 12-17. (: Simple. Even if you just go for sacrament meeting, Please go. That would be the best birthday present ever... and go up to people and shake their hands, don't expect them to come up to you... start with the missionaries, they are the most friendly. (: I would know. 

Yesterday in Relief Society there was a couple of things that I really got a kick out of...

The topic was... I don't know something about Charity and how we get and keep charity. ANd we all know that Charity is the pure love of Christ, and one of the ladies said, in english, If you don't have charity, you are plastic. And then went on to explain that all the good you do, if it is not because you have charity and you are just doing it to get gain, or whatever, you are fake and you shouldn't do it. hahah

The next thing was we were discussing about what types of things distract us from having pure charity, and one of the things brought up was wearing immodest clothing. So that opened the discussion up to what we attract when we wear such clothing... and I don't know if there is a term in english for the type of boys we attract if we wear that kind of clothes, but here inthe philippines it is called "Parannah Boys" Sorry, I don't know how to spell that... but it is those scary teeth fish that live in the jungle rivers... haha Made my life. seriously. And it is so true. 

Anyways, this week has been a great one. Just dive into missionary work, and the rain, and sweat... its amazing, and the reward is even greater! 

Love, Your sister missionary,

SIster Young

P.s. its the start of rainy season(:

This was back in April.. Sorry, i don't remember what pictures I have sent before haha.

The octavio family(: Tani they will get baptized on june 21, pray for them!

Sister Kumar and I waiting for the rain to stop so we can make it to Mission Presidents Training and not be soaking wet.. (:

The Mothers day skype call(:

 my ugly planner. haha I put the dried flowers i've been collecting on it... so laway!

Our crazy ward mission leader.

 us at a teaching appointment

Family Letter for May

This is sister rosaleah and Her son from bacolod 1 that went to the temple(: cool huh! i love them!

I'm dreaming of a white christmas....

So.. all last night I just couldn't sleep, and so I sang christmas songs and my companion hates me now(: haha just kidding she loves me still, but I am so excited for christmas, can I jsut say that?

This week has been a rough one. Last sunday Sister Kumar get really sick during the night time, fever, chills...etc. so monday we did the bare minimum for Pday and she slept all day. Then Tuesday was district meeting, and barely made it to that, she got a priesthood blessing, and came home and slept. then slept all day wednesday. I was just reading my scriptures and taking her medicine, and cleaning and stuff like that. Then we worked thurdsay and friday... and guess who got sick friday night. Yeah.... It was the worst ever!! haha fevers are not fun. And those nasty coughs where you have mucus and nothing comes out it is just so hurty.. haha. yeah. welcome to the last 2 days of my life. But I am happy to say that I can move today! so thats good. (: Don't worry, I only got sick cause my companin likes to cough with her mouth open... gross huh.

Anyways, this week has been kind of a boring one because of all that. Transfers were also this week, but we knew that we were not getting a transfer, so here we are,. amo man giahpon. We have decided that we are going to focus a lot on less active members in our ward, because people are just not ready here. and we feel like we will find those elect investigators after we start rescuing some of the less active ones. Good plan huh! Not ours,, it came from above.

Cool thing that is happening today....(: Do you all remember Sister Rosaleah, from bacolod 1st ward? She was one of the less actives that was rescued while I was there, adn she always fed us good food... yeah, well today her and her son are going through the temple and both taking our their endownments. Dante is going on a mission in california. It is so an amazing feeling to see my hard work and so many sweat and tears pay off and go to the temple. I remember the first lesson we had with them, and I barely knew the language, but I remember telling her that if she was faithful and went to church she would be prepared to go to the temple with her son. And TODAY it is happening. This work is real. It is Totally the work of the Lord... and because of the Faith of the people. I love it. What a special thing.

I hope you are all having a great end of the school year... I think summer starts today for you, right? wowza!

Love, your sister Missionary,

SIster Young

P.s. I got a package from uncle brent and aunt Chris! Thank you so much, my companion is so excited to decorate the eggs!!!!(: and she loves the slinkys(:

I survived

Wow, this week has been so long! It seems like forever since I got to call my family! But, all is well.

This week on wednesday we had exchanges with the Sister Training Leaders. I went to Pagla-um while sister Kumar stayed in our area. I had so much fun in Pagla-um... it is so pretty there.. and sadly I took no pictures. But, I learned how to weave those cot bed things that they make here. It takes about 6 hours to complete a whole one! and these people are so good kag fast at making them! It was fun to see.

It was refreshing to go somewhere new and work, it gave me enthusiam to go back to my area and work! 

So this week I have been studying in Mosiah. And I was thinking about my very first book of mormon. It was one of the really really old ones that have the pictures inserted where the story is. Anyways, I remember when I was a kid that My favorite picture was the one where Abinadi is standing in chains in front of Evil King Noah. There is like a cheeta or something next to the king and all the priests are pointing and mocking and laughing at Abinadi. I don't remember why I liked it... but I really love this story. It starts in Mosiah 12-17. What caught my attention this time was in verse 3 of chapter 12 Abinadi tells the king that his life will be valued even as a garment in a hot furnace... Little does the king know how true this is...

Then the priests of the king ask Abinadi about a scripture and what it means, and Abinadi just goes off on them and tells them that they don't understand because they don't practice what they preach. It really hit me, not that I am so disobedient to the commandments, but I can always try to be better. I am not perfect. 

Then chapters 14 and the beginning of 15 talk about the atonement. I think I ahve already talked about chapter 14 before... but I just love to replace the word "our" with "MY"... try it out. it means so much more. 

Then of course in 15:28 it talks about me. read it(:

Chapter 16 talks about our agency and what wll happen if we use it for good... and what will happen if we use it for evil. and how we will be ressurrected. 

I love chapter 17 too... Because after Abinadi is don't talking alma believes him and begs the king to let him be free...but the king wont have it. And tries to capture Alma, but he goes off and writes the words of Abinadi..

Then Abinadi stands up for the truth and it kinda scares The King... and he was about to release him, I'm sure the king felt the power and authority that was there while Abinadi was speaking. but then the wicked priests pressure him, and the king caves and kills Abinadi by fire. And of course Abinadi seals his words and truth by death. 

What a powerful story. as I was reading it this morning I could literally feel the heat from the flames that killed Abinadi burning my hands as I held my scriptures. call me crazy, but I know this book is true,and it has power.... as the more we read it the more real it comes... the more we ponder on the words, and apply it to our life the more personal it becomes....

I am so thankful that Abinadi was so strong in his faith in jesus chirst... who hadent even come to earth yet.... that he would not deny it. He was such a great example to me, to all of us. When ever we just want to quit, or give up... think of Abinadi. I know he know what was going to happen to him... but he suffered it to happen. 

I love you all. I hope you are loving the scriptures as much as I am. I wish I could have felt the Power from the book of mormon before I was almost 2 decades old... but its never too late, righT? 

Trust me, and if you don't trust me, trust god. This book is true. 

I love you all

Love, Your sister Missionary,

Sister Young

P.s. The earthquake that happened here on the island.... everyone felt it but my companion and I... the power of our name tags is amazing. love you!

Happy Mother's Day

This is just going to be a really short little email this week, because I got to skype my momma! But I just want to wish all the mom/grandmas/aunts/ all those women that are amazing a happy mothers day, how great is your calling!!!

This week was crazy... we had just a whole weeks worth of meetings in Bacolod city, talk about lots of plete! but all is well, we had lots to learn. 

I am so thankful for this opportunity to be here to serve. It is such a great blessing that I get to not only bless others here in the Philippines, but at the same time I get to grow and my family gets to be blessed! 

Until next week... 

Love, Your sister Missionary,

SIster Young

Happy Birthday's

First, I would like to say.....HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHELBY!!!! Today is your 23rd birthday, wow are you old! haha, And a very happy birthday to Aunt Traci too! But I won't mention your age(:

Last year on May 3rd i received my mission call..... I read my journal about my thoughts and how I was feeling and what was going through my head... And now as I am actually LIVING my mission for almost a year now... I realize that I mission was never what I thought it was going to be. It is much more hard and much more sweet. Seriously I've never had so many ups and downs. But I am so Thankful that I am here, even though sometimes I just want to pack my bags and go home after a really hard day, or week. I am still here.

Another Year mark that is coming up is my 1 year of being an endowed member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and boy does it feel good! I remember the struggles and trials that I went through in the weeks and days leading up to all these BIG things happening in my life... and now i'm here(: Serving in the Philippines....And I can't wait for the day when I get to go back to the temple!

This week has been a hard one. My companion had a melt down... one of those that she is all crying and yelling at me, and where I just go into the other room and cry and pray. I've never experienced something like that happening between a companion and I before. I didn't know how to react...

But It was bound to happen, our area is so... hard. Seriously. Never in my mission have I been rejected as badly as I have been here. There is just something about a blonde haired., blue eyed, tall white girl that the filippinos just love... except in this area. We get punted so much... on thursday we got punted 7 times in a row... the day before that we got punted 4 times... and the list goes on and on. This is Her second area, and she misses her 1st area and now we just get punted so much... its hard. And she is just way tender too.

But we got things worked out and ate ice cream(: so all is well... except that we are going to get fat if we keep having ice cream to calm our nerves. The other day we were reading with one of our investigators and I came across a verse that was so applicable to our situation now... I'll tell you...

1 nephi 16:18:

"and it came to pass, that as I and my companion went forth to find Investigators, behold, we did lose our patience, which was made of fine character; and after we did lose our patience, behold, President Lopez was angry with us because of the loss of key indicators, for we did obtain no baptism."

and That is pretty much how our life is right now. (: But, despite all of that, while teaching the sister of one of our aweome investigators... Sister Marcia, we invited her to come to church, and she said that she had not money to go to church, and I was prompted to tell her that if she came to church that she wouldn't have to worry about food that the lord would provide. That night I prayed so hard that she would find the desire and courage to come to church with her 4 little children... and guess what! She came to church! (: I rejoiced.

But what was even better than that was what happened next. So Brother Rolly is her brother and he has been investigating for about 2 months now and he comes to church all the time. Sister marcia was sitting in Gospel principles class and Brother rolly walked around the corner and the smile on her face was absolutely priceless, and then the happiness that just glowed from him... it was amazing. And it was strange cause at that moment I could feel the spirit so strongly, and it was just them smiling.. It was amazing.

I pray that they progress... that that whole family progresses, because I know that this gospel will bless their lives.

I know that for some reason I was sent here... maybe so I could be brutally rejected and feel more of what Christ felt. I don't know. But I really can't wait till this area is really going good(:

I love you all, and I hope you have a fantastic week. And mom, I'll see you next week huh! (:

Love, your sister missionary,
Sister Young