The Gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives!

So this week ended with another splash with the baptism of Jesrel . . . 

 . . . as we spent our week working hard, working smart, and even managed to find a bit of joy, some great success and many miracles as we went about doing the work of the Lord. 

This week was the start of another Transfer here in Daet, and a lot has changed since last week. For one, out of all the Sisters here in Daet, 4 out of the 4 companionship's had a transfer, meaning Sister Segovia and I are the only companionship of Sisters that hasn't changed since last transfer (which I am SUPER excited about!)  Sister Segovia is AWESOME! 

And I am continuing to learn so much from her every day.) In addition, I am also excited to be kabahays with Sister Sosoter again (we were kabahays in Iriga and Naga) and also, Sister Sorenson is moving to Daet zone, which means I will get to work with her before going home. I am SUPER excited for that!

~ Sister Sorenson, Sister Black, & Sister Matheny aka "white girls club" ~

So the official diet in Daet has begun! With the days going by faster and my time getting shorter, Sister Segovia and I have been trying our best to slim down before heading home (because we both go home at the same time), and so far, we seem to be doing good.

 In addition, I also experienced my first MONSOON this week which left us walking through tons of water and fighting umbrella-breaking winds and rain as we trudge through rice-fields trying to make it to all our appointments over the past few days. In addition, the monsoon also made it hard to sleep because I was SOOOO COLD! I kept thinking, Oh no. What am I going to do when I get home if I think the Philippines is cold!

But lucky for me in the rain, I was able to use my rain boots and raincoat that my mom sent in the mail, which protected me from the worst of the storm.

 I remember coming home on Friday thinking: "if I could go back and repack for my mission, I would forget all the fancy stuff and just take some rain boots and a rain jacket." Because they make the HUGEST difference! Thanks mom! 

In addition to all of that, this week was definitely a week of miracles. We have seen so many amazing things happen this past week and I am just so grateful to get to be a part of it all! For example, we have been teaching Austin and his family over the past few weeks and really focusing on answering their questions and help them receive an answer as to whether or not our message of the Restored Gospel is true. I remember at first, Austin in particular had TONS of questions and didn't seem any closer to accepting the gospel or our answers after each visit.

Finally, one night as we were teaching, I had the sudden prompting to just have him open the Book of Mormon as he struggled to get an answer from us as to whether or not it was true. I asked him If he believed that God would be able to answer his question. Austin said yes. So I said, "Well, if that's true and this is really the Word of God, and God is all powerful, then you should just be abler to open the Book of Mormon and the answer will be right there. If it really is GOD'S word, HE will be able to answer your questions using this book". After that, we had Austin just open the Book of Mormon.

When Austin opened the Book, I was surprised when it opened right up to 3 Nephi 29 and 30, which just so happened to directly answer all of his concerns. We committed him to pray about and read the chapters and left their family with a prayer. The next week, we also invited Austin to attend seminary.

Seminary classes combined with the answer Austin received from the Book of Mormon have really helped make a difference for Austin and we have seen a huge and miraculous change in him just this past week. After our lesson on Saturday, we were surprised when he suddenly testified to his whole family that he knew the things we are telling them are true and that he wanted to be baptized. We went home that night thanking God and feeling so amazed by the mighty change of heart that Austin had received.

In addition, we also started teaching the Apuon family this week, who have come to love this past week so much.

I remember after first time we met Nanay Swelie last week on the road near there house and setting a return appointment with her, we were not actually able to find where they lived when they went to the appointment. 

To be honest, after missing the originally (but very loosely) planned meeting last week, I actually didn't really plan to return. But I had the strongest feeling that we needed to go back, and I couldn't get that old nanay out of my head! So this week, we went back and were able to teach nanay Swelie and her whole family this week!

The first time we taught, I was surprised by how many questions Rolando (the grandson-in law of swelie) had for us. Apparently, he has been searching for the truth for a while now and was about to give up hope before we came. After our lesson yesterday, he opened up to us and told us that the first time we taught, he felt nothing and wasn't really interested at all, but every time he reads the Book of Mormon he feels it (the spirit) so strongly and is so grateful that we knocked on their door. In addition, this week Brother Rolando even took his whole family to church! Including their 2 week old baby, and 2 more kids (ages 6 and 4) which is a REALLY hard thing to do in the Philippines! Especially since they don't have any strollers, or baby holders. They all had such a great experience and after church, I almost cried as 69 year old Swelie got teary eyed telling us that even though she didn't understand all the English (since she only has a 4th grade education) she felt the spirit so strong and she knows that the message we are sharing is true.

And I know that it is true too. In my 15 months here in the mission, I have really seen the power of the Book of Mormon and this Gospel in changing lives, giving hope and helping others to make it through their trials. And after the service I have given so far, I have definitely come to the conclusion that there is nothing that can change the life of a person like the Gospel of Jesus Christ can. It is the glue that holds families together, helps us fight through our struggles and will ultimately bring us back to live with our Father in Heaven again some day. It is SOOOO true. And if you will just read the Book of Mormon with an open heart, willing to act on the answers you will receive, then I know that God will answer. And through His Holy Ghost, he will testify to you that it is true. And like all the amazing people I have met here, your life will change too for the better.

I love my Savior SOOO much and am super grateful for the opportunity to serve here in the Naga Philippines Mission! I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Love,

Sister Matheny