I LOVE the Philippines!

What a week! This past week has really flown by as Sister Black and I have worked our best to bring the gospel to all of Triangulo (our area) one Filipino at a time!

This week Sister Black and I really learned a lot about working together, especially on Tuesday.

So Tuesday, we had both been working really hard for the Holly Ghost to help us teach and it ended up working out great because he was REALLY there! As we went from house to house sharing with each of our investigators, we were surprised by how strong the spirit was in all the lessons and by how well we seemed to be working together. now don"t get me wrong, I LOVE Sister Black! And I feel like we work great together! Especially the better we get to know each other. But that day was different, it was like we were teaching "as one" instead of just together.

For example, we found ourselves naturally handing the lesson back and forth about every 30sec-1min. yet it all flowed so perfectly! We both got to say what we felt prompted to say and the spirit was SO STRONG! For me, it definitely strengthened my testimony on the need of a companion and how we need to work together. And in some ways, I feel like it was a much needed and very special spiritual experience for me, one I want to continue to strive for throughout the mission.

On Thursday night we had another very good experience when we had a family home evening at one of our investigators (the Balmes Family's) home. We had been working hard and praying lots to get everything together for the family home evening and it all ended up coming together really well, we were so happy!

Before, we had decided to teach about testimony (because many of the investigators there are just starting to gain one) and how it is not something that comes suddenly or unexpectedly, but develops gradually over time. We used a puzzle of Jesus Christ we had made before hand with each piece of the puzzle representing a part of our testimony to show how a testimony--like a puzzle--is gained over time, one piece at a time. And like a puzzle, we can't always tell what the final picture will be when we first start.  We then had some activities where we had each of them do or share something to help "build their testimony" and as they did, they got to add a piece to the puzzle. At the very end, the puzzle made a picture of Christ and we shared how our testimony will help lead us to Christ.

We finished by surprising our investigators with an "American Style treat": ROOT BEER FLOATS! And they LOVED them! Overall, it turned out to be an AWESOME FHE. We ended up with a total of 16 people (11 investigators, 3 members and 2 missionaries) and the spirit was SUPER STRONG. By the time the lesson was over, everyone had a big smile on their face and a root beer float in hand.

But for me, I think the best effect of the lesson was last Sunday. I remember sitting in Church feeling so depressed as I looked around to see only 3 of our investigators at the start of Sacrament meeting. As I sat, I remember asking myself why? I felt like we had worked so HARD! So why only 3? As I thought, all of the things that I could be doing better and all the ways I could start working harder started flooding my mind. There is always more we can do, we just have to resolve to try.

As I sat there at the start of Sacrament meeting, I remember looking back to see the entire Balmes family and a couple of other investigators standing just outside! I could hardly contain myself as I grabbed Sister Black's arm and "reverently" shouted "They're here! They're here!" I can;t explain the joy I felt as we quickly got up and found some chairs for them--especially since this is the first time that the ENTIRE Balmes family has come to church.

It ended up being an awesome day of church and we had a good evening too while we were out proselyting. We even got to see some of our members dressed up for a "pageant" they were doing in Triangulo, where all the guys were dressing up like girls for a "show off", it was actually pretty funny.

Speaking of which, I just have to say: I LOVE the culture in the Philippines!!!!! 

Everyone is just SOOO nice! And everyone looks after each other here. 

They are all so open and willing to share even when they have nothing, it is super nice!

For example, everyday if we walk by someone while is eating, they always shout out and invite us to come and eat, even if we have never met them before.

 As we walk through Triangulo, all of the kids run up to give us high fives and you can always here someone singing karaoke down the street, whether or not they can actually sing. There's just no shame here in the Philippines! Sing it loud and sing it proud! Also, everyone here is so trusting. You only have to talk to someone for a minute and the next thing you know, you're friends!

There are also a lot of things here you can say to people that you would never say in America. Like when I first got here, and I remember Sister Villa introducing herself to some random stranger by asking where they were going. Since then, I have learned that it is completely normal to ask a person where they are going or coming from, their full name, if they are married and other personal questions that would never fly in America. In addition, I have also learned that is it okay to introduce yourself to someone who is smoking by telling them "You shouldn't smoke! That cigarette is going to kill you... maybe tomorrow!" It's actually really fun.

Anyways, I really do love it here more and more everyday. The people here are so awesome and I just feel so lucky to know them. I'm grateful for this great opportunity to serve and for all the times I have seen the Lord help us through when we couldn't have possibly done it on our own. 

So just remember, no matter what the circumstances or time is like in your life, turn to the Lord. He loves you and He will help you.

I love you all and hope you have a great week :)

Sincerely, Sister Matheny