We can do it!

So another week has flown by here in Naga and it has definitely had its fills of ups and downs. 

  There are 4 of us who live in our apartment but we have Sisters sleep over a lot because it is so close to the mission home so whenever Sisters come to Naga for anything, they stay with us. One of my roommates is from my batch and is super sweet! I love them both! But to be honest, I feel like our house is too big, so I haven't got to know them as well as I would hope :( I will make more of an effort this week.   Both of my roommates are Filipinos so it has been really nice having them to practice our Tagalog with.  

My new district is AMAZING!  We are in a district full of Elders who are ALL super fun! I really love them all!

~ My District ~

I'm getting better at Tagalog, teaching, understanding, and we are trying our best every day to get our area moving. I think that if we continue to work hard the next few weeks, we will really start to see some progress in our area. There is so much potential here!--especially since there are people literally everywhere!--We just need to be more optimistic and trust that if we are doing our best, we will have success.

I honestly think that applies to almost everything in life. There seems to be so many times where we feel inadequate or like we can't do it, we can't endure but what we need to remember at times like that is that we can, we can do it! I know that's true because Heavenly Father will never give us more than we can handle or expect more than we have to offer. He is perfectly loving and knows us perfectly, I know His plan for each of us is perfect and that if we just do our best and trust that he will take care of the rest, he will.

For me, I have had a lot of experiences where I have had to do just that this week, and even though we haven't necessarily seen all our efforts pay off quite yet, we are doing our best. So I know they will pay off if we continue to trust in Christ and do our best.

For example, last Monday I had to go to choir practice with Sister Black. I figured I would just sit in the back, wait, and write letters for investigators in our last area but Sister Zapanta told me that if I can sing, I should. I really don't have much of a voice, but I decided to try because I kind of felt guilty about just sitting there.

To be honest, I was a little surprised that it didn't go nearly as horrible as I had expected! I managed to sing the right note with everyone and it wasn't nearly as boring as I remember my middle school choir being. Plus, I got to see Sister Satini again and ask about how all our investigators in GOA are doing.

I was super excited to here how well they all are, how much success they continue to have and that all our recent converts are continuing to progress. I was sad to miss tatay Rene's baptism, especially since he and his family have become so special to me since I started my mission, but I know God has a plan for all of us and if I was supposed to be there, I would be. But I know that I can do more good here now and the new missionary in GOA (Sister Roberts) will have more to offer the people there than I can :)

This week has really pushed me to work harder, love more, and be more humble and patient as I have tried my best to help our area to progress.

It has pushed me to work harder by giving me a really hard working companion with a big vision for our area. Every day, we get to meet tons of amazing/inspiring people and I always feel like we don't have nearly enough time for all of them! So we have had to walk faster and learn to be more time conscious in an effort to help as many people as we can.

 I have gradually been learning to love more as I am really growing to love our area and the people here more and more each day. 

Everyday we have so many heart-touching moments and get to be a part of the changes in so many lives and to be honest, sometimes I just want to burst with love for all the people here. Like on Sunday when we watched one of our less-actives get up to bear her testimony.

We had encouraged her to do so earlier in the morning when we went over to wish her a happy birthday. She was super excited about her birthday, but feeling a little sad because they're family didn't have any money for any type of celebration. We promised her to celebrate with their family on Monday (today) and are hoping to bring something special for her later.

Anyways, on Sunday it was super heart touching to see her walk all the way to the front of the congregation with the help of her husband (she had a stroke a while back so now she can't move half of her body) and bear her testimony at the palpate. The spirit was so strong and I had to hold back the tears as she and her husband both bore beautiful testimonies of our Savior, Jesus Christ. :)

Additionally, I have had to learn to be more humble and patient this week as we have really been forced to listen to the spirit if we want to see our area progress.

I remember last Saturday we had exchanges with the STL's which ended up being a really good learning opportunity of me. I went with Sister Feva and was happy when I managed to get us through the maze of streets to each appointment without a problem.

 In addition, I remember being amazed at the spirit she invited to the lessons and wanting to be able to do that same thing myself. I definitely learned a lot from her advice and example to me that I really want to use to help this area to progress.

One thing that stood out in particular to me was at the end of the night when we were doing evaluations. She was giving me different ideas and asking lots of questions about our area and I remember her saying something that stood out to me. She told me that we all needed a source of motivation to remind us why we are here. She said that I should always be keeping in mind the people I want to help and influence with my efforts.

When she said that, I immediately thought of my family back home and my two siblings. 

I realized at that moment that they are my motivation and the reason that I continue to do my best each day. I really do love them so much and only want what is best for them. I want them to be happy, make good choices, have a good life and always feel the love and joy that comes from developing a stronger relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ.

I know that here on the mission, I am super far away from home and that from here, there isn't really a lot I can directly do to help my family, but I trust in my Savior and I know that as long as I am doing my best, everything will work out in the end. I know that right now, this is where I am supposed to be and that as I put my best efforts into serving, then I will be able to do some good for my family back home. For me, that is enough...

This week when we watched the General Woman's session, one line stood out to me from Sister Burton's talk: "If we want the highest degree of glory it is going to require the highest sacrifice." I know that as we are doing our best to come unto Christ and trust in Him we will find that the sacrifices he asks are not really as big as they may seem in the moment, at least not next to the rewards we receive through those efforts.

 Lastly, I do want to ask you all for your help. We have an 12 year old investigator who "ran away" with her 27 year old boyfriend last week and her parents haven't had any contact with her in over a week now.  So, if you could keep her in your prayers, that would be awesome... especially since that doesn't sound like a very safe situation.  Thank you so much!  The power of prayer works!

Anyways, I really hope you all have an amazing week and never forget how much God loves you. He really does have a plan for each of us and if we can just learn to trust in Him, he will never lead us astray :) I love you all! 

Sincerely, Sister Matheny