Called to Serve: Finding joy through service is what it's all about!

So... a lot has happened this week! With a packed schedule of exchanges, zone conference, birthdays, baptismal interviews, and community service I can safely say that this week seems to have come and gone in the blink of an eye, leaving me asking: Where has the time gone?

And to finish it all off, we even headed to Naga earlier today for our MLC tomorrow, which I'm excited for because it means I'll get to see Sister Black,

Sister Sorenson,

and as usual, learn a ton!

So anyways, after a busy Monday where we headed out to work early to start the new Family Mission Plan we are implementing in our ward, we got right up on Tuesday for exchanges in Vinzons. And this time, I got to work with Sister Fonua in Vinzons. Let me just say, Vinzons is absolutely GORGEOUS!

I was stunned by all the trees,

flowers and nature all over the place and the absolutely breath-taking view of rice-fields

and mountains at every turn, which once again left me thanking God for making me the luckiest missionary in the world by sending me to this beautiful country.

I just love the Philippines so much . . . there's jut really no place like it!

In addition, we were also blessed to get to celebrate 2 birthdays this week. The first one was on Wednesday with Nanay Sapurco (our amazing investigator) and her family. Last week, they were able to come to church and Nanay felt the spirit so strong that she even cried during some of the talks.

At her birthday, we celebrated with the classic Filippino birthday foods: spaghetti, pansit (noodles), cake, and kamotes (sweet potatoes). Masarap (Delicious)!

Our next birthday was last Thursday for my companion: SISTER SEGOVIA!

Who turned old this year (22) and who we also had an awesome celebration for. I will say though... I'm not sure how much like a birthday it felt for her though because for her present, we were assigned to give a workshop on the Family Mission Plan we are implementing here in the Naga Philippines mission at our Zone Conference. I just remember thinking over and over again as we stayed up until almost midnight on Wednesday night: "We can't mess this up! We have to present to our whole zone of Representatives of Jesus Christ!" That was definitely a scary thought! Thank goodness, we are a good team!

But in the end, all our practice ended up paying off when we managed to give a good workshop at zone conference and learned even more from our awesome mission president and his wife. All in all, I definitely enjoyed Zone Conference and felt my fire for doing missionary work spark again at their encouraging messages and inspiring words.

In addition, we even got to eat cake 3 times for Sister Segovia's b-day. First, red velvet cake from our kabahays.

Second, cookies and cream cake from Sister Zapanta. Finally, we even got to eat a Braso de Mercedes roll which was absolutely DIVINE!

It is a jelly roll-type Filipino dessert made with a meringue outer layer around a rich custard filling. I am definitely going to cook one of those when I get home!

Finally, we even managed to finish off our week with a service project this week at one of our part-member families where we hand-washed their laundry for about two hours. When we first started, Sister Laban handed me some bleach but said I didn't have to use it if I didn't want to because it might cut up my hands. I quickly grabbed the bottle of bleach and responded: "Don't worry, I'm tough!" Well... I don't think I'm nearly as "tough" as I thought because hand-washing laundry is actually REALLY hard!

I just remember sitting and scrubbing and scrubbing and scrubbing and thinking: "wow. You really could cut up your hands doing this! It is hard work hand-washing laundry!" Especially for a family of 4 kids. After that, I just remember thinking: "I don't know if I could handle being a mom! Especially in the Philippines!"

Anyways, we eventually finished and the look of gratitude on Sister Laban's face made it all worth it. Reminding me once again that is by those small and simple acts of service that we can truly find the most joy.

I think all in all, that is really what a mission is all about: finding joy through service.

Sure, we all have days of trials, tears and pain, but I think the joy of sharing this glorious gospel, the happiness it brings and the hope it gives makes it all worth it. Looking back, I see that all the things which seemed like such a big sacrifice at first are all just little things next to all the blessings we have received here on the mission. Sure, I've sacrificed sleep, time, milkshakes, and a few pounds worth of weight, but in return I've gotten the best year of my life and met so many amazing people. . .

and animals along the way.

And I still get a few more months for so many more miracles! So I guess I'll just keep going, smiling and laughing as we try our best to do the work of the Lord.