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