I know the Savior lives and loves us.

So today marks the first day of my last full week as a missionary, and I honestly can't believe it! 

It feels like just yesterday that I got here. Sure, I'm a lot better at Tagalog now and I have a few more scars from all the mosquito bites than I did before, but I can still remember my first day getting off the plane at the Philippines Naga Airport.

I remember the first thing I ate upon arriving in Naga was a tasty Jolly-bee breakfast, and it was at that moment that I started to develop a love for the Philippines and the people here.

At first, I was a little overwhelmed by all the people staring at the tall, white American walking down the street, and everyone saying hi or asking what my name is. But now, I've gotten used to it and have even made it a habit to greet everyone we meet while walking down the street! Hopefully, they don't think that's weird back home.

But anyways, I still get another week of joy-filled service, love and hard-work here in Daet and I am determined to make the most of every single second.

 My prayers have been more sincere than ever as I plead for the Lord's strength in making this week one to remember.

 ~ balut ~

In addition, I was happy with what we accomplished last week as well. Every day, it felt like my last, so I was super encouraged to keep pushing and working hard and was surprised by how fast the days flew by!

  I was super lucky when last Tuesday, I got to work with my trainee Sister Raneses one last time during exchanges.

~ Sister Matheny, Sister Raneses, Sister Sorenson ~

 I was so impressed by how much she has improved since we were last companions and excited for her to make the most of her last 8 months as a missionary.

Also, I fought to hold back tears last Friday during my last Zone Conference, especially when I got called up to the front to give my last testimony. As I stood there looking at all the other missionaries, I thought about all the amazing experiences I have had so far on the mission and the ones still to come and I couldn't help but feel my heart break just a little that it's almost over! And I can't believe it!

I think out of everything I have learned so far on the mission, the thing that stands out the most to me is The Savior. 

He has never seemed more real or more close to me than He has been these past 18 months. Everyday I am constantly amazed by His grace, His love, and His perfect plan for each of us. I am amazed at the unexpected and perfect answers he always gives for our prayers and grateful for the blessings we receive from Him each day to push the work along.

I know He lives and He loves us. And as this Easter season comes around and we are given another great opportunity to remember Him and everything He did for us, I can't help but smile. 

So if you are ever struggling, suffering, lost or need comfort, call on Him! He is there and He hears you. He is Jesus Christ. Our Savior, Redeemer, Brother, and Friend. 

He's the reason I came to the Philippines in the first place and the reason I am still here now. I know without Him, we are nothing, but in His strength, we can do ALL THINGS!

I love you all and hope you have another great week! Until next week!

Love,

Sister Matheny

Miracles, Love, and Blessings!

What a week of love! This week the days seemed to fly by as day after day we experienced more miracles, love, and lots of blessings! 

 One much needed blessing was the rain we got the past couple of afternoons. 

The sun has been SOOOO hot here that I haven't been able to wear my contacts because they keep drying out in my eyeball half-way through the day, but that's alright! At least I'll come home with a nice summer tan! 

 In addition, all this heat gives me the perfect excuse to eat one of my favorite deserts every-single-day: Halo-halo.

 At every corner, we have been trying all types of halo-halo. I think some of the best was when they mixed chocolate shake in with all our jello, mango and beans. And another time when they used sweetened-and-condensed milk instead of sugar. Ang sarap!  Halo-halo is definitely one of the things I will miss most about the Philippines.

Another thing I will definitely miss is all the funny fun times and experiences we have every day. 

Like the time we asked a 25 year-old tricycle driver how many kids he had. His response: 12. When we asked him how that was even possible and why he had so many, he responded: "because they are delicious." Or another time when I decided to greet all the people on the street by saying "Anyeong!" (which means helo in Korean) and watch them turn with looks of bewilderment to see an American, in the Philippines, speaking Korean. I absolutely love these people!

In addition, some of my favorite memories from this week were the countless miracles which more than made up for tired feet, sweat and tears. One of the most special to me was last Saturday after having the great opportunity to teach Sister Joy.

We have been teaching Joy and her kids for the past few months and she has gone through quite a struggle to get answers to her questions as to whether or not this church is true. Especially since she has already been to so many other churches which all seem to be so alike. As she asked us repeatedly during our first visits: "What makes this church any different from the others?"

But as she started to read the Book of Mormon, her heart began to change, a new light came into her eyes. And last Saturday, after our lesson, we reminded her of her upcoming baptismal date on April 7, with the intent of asking her if she had a desire to be baptized. We hardly got the words out when she looked over at the calendar and said, "that's too bad, you won't be here on that day. Is it okay if I am baptized sooner?"

Surprised, we asked when, only to have her set the date for March 31, my very last Sunday here on the mission.

I was happy and surprised at the great blessing the Lord is giving me to witness one more baptism before taking the final walk home. But what makes me even more happy is the conversion we have seen in Sister Joy. At first, she always seemed annoyed or on the verge of anger every time we saw her. As she put it herself, she is going through a lot of things in life right now that make it hard to be happy. But as she has come to know and accept the gospel, her whole demeanor has changed, and now I can say that Joy is one of the most loving and well... joyous people I know. It's crazy the difference the gospel can make in the lives of others!

I think that is one of the best parts about being a missionary: being privileged to watch "a mighty change" be "wright in the hearts of men". I am always amazed at the change that happens in a person when they are truly converted and feel so grateful to Heavenly Father for letting me be a small part of it all.

I was grateful again last night when after a family-home-evening with the Oporto family where 17 members came over to have a night of fun, food and love, the room was filled with laughter, smiles and the spirit as we sang "Families can be Together Forever" for the closing song.

I know that is true, Families really are eternal! Just like God's plan for each of us. I love you all and hope you have another great week! Until next time! Ingat po palagi!

Love,

Sister Matheny

My joy is full!

This week was basically the busiest week EVER! Every day we were running all over the place getting stuff done and now, I am really looking forward to a week of solid work, so that we can get down to business helping all the people in our area to become converted.

For one, on Monday and Tuesday we spent the day in Naga for MLC. 

MLC was good and lots was learned, leaving me all fired-up to give it my all these next few weeks - "to leave my area better than I found it."

  In addition, two more main-events happened while we were in Naga. For one, since we had some extra time Monday evening after emailing, we went and had a foot spa (which cost the equivalent of $10 for both me and Sister Cabral).

 Since we are always walking through mud, dirt, and grime, it can be hard to keep the dirt off of your toes, and in addition, walking around all day makes it easy to get ingrown toenails. So after the foot spa when I looked down to see my feet all clean and fresh, I walked out of the place feeling like I had new feet!

The other main event that happened was I GOT BIT BY A COCKROACH while sleeping in the Canaman apartment, and let me tell you, THEY ITCH!!! For the next few days, every time I looked down and saw the big red bump on my arm, I couldn't help but feel annoyed that I had a cockroach climbing all over me in my sleep.

Anyways, after a busy couple of days in Naga, we came home and woke up early on Wednesday morning for the Medical Mission we had been enlisted to work in. At the Stake Center, doctors had come to give free check-ups for people with eye problems (like Cataract), club-foot, and cleft lips. Anyone with problems like these would be sent to Manila for a free surgery to fix the problems.

Overall, it was sad to see all of these people with problems like the 2 year old baby I met with a cleft-lip so bad it was basically like she didn't even have a top lip. And her teeth were all deformed and sticking out wrong, or another 5 year old who had a cataract that left the pupil of her eye completely white and cloudy. But I was also deeply touched by the love that was shown there. I just remember thinking: "wow, these doctors are really doing a good thing. They are going to be able to bless and change so many lives!"

It also made me wish that I had some skills to become a doctor so that I could reach out and help people in that way too. But hey, everyone has their own skills and I think that I in particular would cry and pass out at the slightest sight of blood, let alone operate on another person! EWWW! NO THANK YOU!!! 

With all the hard-work and miracles, it has been easy to get a good night sleep the past few weeks and I have been having a lot more dreams than usual, like when I woke up on Thursday from a dream where I had been preparing to go see the new Star Wars movie in theaters and nobody else seemed worried about being on time. I remember just thinking as I woke up: "that's weird... real-life. I don't think I'm ready to handle that quite yet" and then we got back down to work.

To be honest, it is hard to describe all the miracles that happened this week throughout our work, but safe to say there were many, and my joy is full. I remember one miracle in particular last Saturday where after teaching a part-member with all her little kids and some of the neighbors, we tactfully had the neighbor kids lead us to their own homes so we could meet (and teach) their families as well.

Upon arriving at the first little-girls house, I felt my stomach sink as we looked into the room to see their wall completely covered in crosses, Santos, and Piña Francia's, basically screaming "I'M A CATHOLIC!" Nevertheless, we waited as 10-year-old Sheina rushed in to call her mom.

A few seconds latter, a very disgruntled looking nanay walked out of the kitchen, hands wet from the work she had been doing.

Immediately, we approached her and started complimenting her for how well-behaved, smart and attentive her child had been at the Sureta Family and that we wanted to compliment her for such a good-upbringing. We then proceeded to introduce ourselves and tell her that we had a message to share with their family about Jesus Christ that would bless them.

Obviously uninterested, the nanay gave us the typical excuses, even adding that they pray all the time, and their prayer is different than ours. Undaunted, we told her we would simply leave a pamphlet for them to read and--starting with a prayer--we gave a short message, introducing prophets, eternal families, and the restoration before inviting them to church this upcoming Sunday.

As we shared, the nanay's whole demeanor changed. Tears started brimming in her eyes and as we paused to ask her how she was feeling about our message, she responded "I've never listened to missionaries like you before, and now I wish I had sooner." The spirit flooded the room and I was amazed by the change that  the gospel message had on her. Before leaving, Sheina gave the closing prayer, and nanay was happy to set a return appointment for the upcoming week, and even committed to read the pamphlet!

And that wasn't the first great change of heart I saw this week. I have been amazed as day after fay the people around us seem to be becoming converted! Even the members are starting to get fired-up to do missionary work. I've never seen anything like it in my other wards!

After a workshop Sunday afternoon about how to give an overview of the Plan of Salvation and get referrals, each member shared their feelings from the workshop about their renewed enthusiasm and rekindled fire to do missionary work. It was AWESOME!

Also, I felt the spirit overwhelmingly strong at Aldwin's baptism last Saturday when Austin (his brother who was baptized just weeks before) got to use his newly conferred Priesthood Power to baptize Aldwin. 

 We all left the baptism with smiles on our faces which continued until the next day when the spirit was just as strong as Aldwin received the Holy Ghost.

Finally, I remember feeling especially happy when Hannah's mom gave her permission to be baptized if she wants to. Hannah's family are not members, but her mom still remembers the good feelings she had from the times she attended church with her aunt when she was younger. As she signed the parental consent form, I remember thinking "wow! That's amazing!" 20 years ago I'm sure the Acobera family never imagined that their efforts to bring Hannah's mom to church would provide the way for Hannah to discover the gospel. It was once again a lesson to me that God really does have a perfect plan and perfect timing for every single one of His children. And all of these experiences are just the tip of the Ice-burg of all the miracles and happiness we experienced this week.

 And to be honest, as I think that I only get to do this 3 more times, it almost rips my heart in half. Being a missionary was one of the hardest things I decided to do. I still remember the time I got on that plane to go to the MTC thinking "what have I done? I have made a terrible error in judgement!!!" But that decision ended up being hands-down the best choice I have ever made. And now, THE TIME IS GOING BY WAY TOO FAST!!!

 So for those of you serving right now, preparing to serve or even just contemplating the idea, GO FOR IT! Enjoy every minute! Because every single moment will be worth it.

They say you gain 10-years of life experience as you serve a mission...well, I guess I haven't quite proven that since I'm still a missionary but so far, I think I have a solid 8.5 years worth.  Meaning I still have a few weeks of hard-work to make up the rest and I intend to do just that!

So until next week, I have some work to do! I love you all and hope you have the best week EVER!

Love,

Sister Matheny

Be bold!

When I think back on this past week, the first thing that pops into my mind is that song: "put your shoulder to the wheel push along. Do your duty with a heart full of song..." Because every day has taken the very best of me to keep going strong, since we have been so loaded down with work here this week.

And in the upcoming week, it is looking like we will be just as busy! With MLC on Monday and Tuesday, a "medical mission" we get to help with on Wednesday and an upcoming baptism on Saturday on top of all our other appointments I'm not sure how much sleep I'll be getting.

But regardless, I think it is good to be busy, because the time seems to have flown by and we always manage to come home with a smile, having worked another day with a job well done. And every day, I love my new companion more and more as she is always there to get my back, lift me up and strengthen me when I am feeling low of energy.

One thing that happened this week is the weather. Every day it has been heating up more and more here as it finally starts to feel like a Filipino Summer, so I have probably lost some weight just from all the sweating as soon as I walk out the door of our apartment every day!

In addition, Tuesday and Friday were super fun! As we got to work with the VINZONS SISTERS! (First in our area, then in theirs). I was paired with Sister Mula on Tuesday

and Sister Fonua on Friday

 and we all had tons of fun! They are both such amazing missionaries and a great example to me of how much one can improve by humility and by being teachable, since they are probably some of the most teachable sisters I have met.

In addition, working with them also helped me to better come to know my own strengths and weaknesses. 

Like boldness for example. Before, I don't know if I was exactly what you would call "bold", but here I have really learned that it is important to stand up and open your mouth for the truth, even in the scriptures we are commanded to "be bold"! As it says in Alma 38:12 "be bold, but not overbearing". In the mission, I have come to learn that you can be as bold as you want, as long as you have love enough to match it. Overbearing is simply to be bold, without being loving. what we always need to remember is that Christ was always bold in standing up for the right, so we too should follow His perfect example.

In addition (and as I said earlier), we headed back to Naga again today for my very last MLC as a missionary. As the days keep slipping through my fingers (almost faster that I can keep count) I only feel my urgency for this work and my love for the people continue to grow. 

 

I honestly don't feel like I have been a missionary that long, and coming home doesn't really seem real. But as much as the idea freaks me out, I know it is quickly approaching and I need to give my very best in this last month to make sure not a second of the Lord's time is wasted!

I'm grateful for all the continued love, support, emails, and prayers from back home, they really do make a world of difference. I can't wait to hear from all of you again next week. I hope this week marks the best one of the year for all of you!

And a big shout out to my mom!  Thank you for the valentines package! It meant a lot to me and really helped to lift my spirits! Especially since I got it on a day I was needing a pick-me-up :) Best valentines day EVER!!!!

 To finish, I have a challenge. I was reading in the October 2015 issue of the Ensign the other day and the cover page talks is one by Elder Uktdorf called "Finish with your Light Still Burning" where he talks about the importance of finishing the race (or this life) with our flame of Christ still a glow.

At the end of the article there is a challenge: choose something you don't normally do and start doing it every day for the next 30 days. It then went on to say that by small and simple changes, come lasting effects. It then suggested some ideas like waking up 15 minutes early to read your scriptures every morning, saying personal prayers both morning and night, or reading a past General Conference talk every day.

But regardless, I know we all have things we need to work on and things we can still do to draw closer to our Father in Heaven. So I challenge you all to choose one thing you want to improve on/do every day for the next 30 days to strengthen your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. And if you don't have a testimony in Christ yet, choose something you want to do to gain one. I promise it will be worth it.

And when I come home in this upcoming month, I am excited to hear how your 30-day challenge went for each of you. And to make the challenge even more spicy, I promise to bring home a Filipino Souvenir for everyone who accepts and completes the 30 day challenge.  It may or may not be something like this . . . 

Ha Ha!  

I love you all! And have a happy start to this new month of march! Until next time,

Love,

Sister Matheny