Complete!

Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tounges, and people ... that Sister Acosta is feeling wonderful! I love my new area, I love my new companion. I love everything and everyone in Roxas! I love being a missionary!

Sure, I felt overwhelmed during my first days, to think that I am only given 6 weeks to do ALL the things He asks me to do. But I know, with all my heart and soul, that in His strength I can do ALL things. Jesus Christ himself, was able to cover all men throughout the eternity, in just 3 short years of ministry. 3 years, and He was able to change eternity. I know He's just always with me and my companion as we invite more people to come unto Him.

Recently, I have been studying our Savior's admonition in the Sermon on the Mount to be "perfect".  I have learned that the term "perfect" was translated from the Greek word teleios which means "complete". Being complete does NOT mean becoming "free from error or mistake". Being complete means, going from grace to grace towards the end, to be fully developed, to consummate, or to finish.

Even though I was never a missionary who made no mistake, I can strive to become better each and every day so I could COMPLETE this errand from the Lord, valiantly. I know we can do this! I love being a missionary!

1st Sunday in Roxas :)

This is Nanay Acosta. She is already 98 years old, never had the chance to marry, and has been blind for a few years. Her house is located in the farthest barangay away from the church. But guess what, she never misses coming to church every Sunday! She is just inspiring. She speaks good english (she is a retired teacher and reminds me a lot of Lola Mary). Everytime we visit her, she asks us to read her a chapter in the book of mormon -- but it has to be in english. She wants us to always talk with her in english because she doesn't want to forget speaking in english. I love her soooo much!! She must be my lola -- something like a nth degree relative? :D

More

I can't believe how much time has gone past. In my first cycle as a missionary, one of my housemates, Sister Davis, randomly told me "I hope I could see you how you end your mission."

I cannot forget that. That experience is still vivid in my memory. Now that I'm heading to my last cycle as a missionary. How do I end it? I do not know. I just hope and pray that He would give me more holiness, just as what Hymn 131 says. My favorite line in that hymn is "More used would I be". I hope and pray that I would be more used, even if I would now be released in the calling as an STL. I hope and pray to be more like our Savior, who endured well,  never shrank, and pressed sublimely towards the completion of His mission.

Santiago 2nd ward will be forever in my heart. In the short three months I spent in this wonderful area, I was able to see a lot of miracles. First, I met Bishop Acosta and his family. Second, Sister Ethington became my companion. Third, Nanay and Tatay Quintos got baptized.

I can never forget how Nanay and Tatay got fully immersed in the waters of baptism last Saturday. I can never forget Tatay and Nanay's countenance shine as they were sitting in the sacrament hall yesterday, wearing their Sundays best. Tatay was so handsome with his white polo and a tie. Quintos family is just one of the most beautiful people in the world. I love them, with all my heart, and soul.

I love being a missionary!

I am going to miss praying with Tatay Rola.

The very first time I baked a cake! (Does it look like a cake?)

This will be for my anak, Sister Maroket :)

      

Quintos Couple :)

Quintos' confirmation Sunday :)

Try Again

So Nanay and Tatay Quintos both passed the baptismal interviews. Aside from having Sister Maroket as my "anak" in the mission field, having the Quintos couple get baptized next Saturday would be one of Heavenly Father's biggest gifts and miracles I have in the field. Rhodalyn, their youngest daughter even returned yesterday and volunteered to work with us missionaries. I hope and pray she would serve full-time mission too, and get sealed in the temple with her parents, soon. Just picturing out it in my mind gives me the purest joy.

I think the lesson I learned this week is to always get up each and every time I fall. My LTP last week was all about, well, my failures. I really liked our specialized training with President and Sister Rahlf this week. President Rahlf shared about Thomas Edison, and how he was able to invent the light bulbs after a thousand of failures.

Sometimes, we people stop trying again after we experienced a failure. This is best illustrated by Elder Bowen's object lesson of "baby flies". We are sometimes like the baby flies who will just jump just beneath the lid, over and over again, not reaching any higher than that. Some of us never reach our divinest potentials because we won't ever try again... once we experience a failure. We get hurt and embarrassed, and will never dare to try again.

I am grateful for the knowledge about the gospel, which teaches us to get up each time we fall. President Rahlf said: "The Lord loves it when we start over and try again. The whole plan of salvation is based on trying again after we fail."

While traveling through the Banaue roads this morning, I was thinking why did the Lord had me serve in my first area for 9 months, and an STL for another 9 months? And do you know what answer I received? 

Because He wanted me to learn something, and I couldn't get it ... only until after 9 months.

It was the funniest answer ever. I laughed and said a silent prayer: "Thank you, Heavenly Father for being really patient with me." And I almost cried when I said "Sorry, for the times I had failed Thee." ... 

"But yes, thank you for giving me your Son.. I can start over and try again."

I am just so grateful for these wonderful experiences I have as a missionary. I love EVERYTHING -- the ups and downs, and of course everything in between.

I love being a missionary!

Exchanges with the sweetest Sister Wiri!

Eye Single

This week was a roller coaster ride. I had been sick for few days. I think I have pneumonia. But the area doctor gave me some prescriptions so nothing to worry about.

I had exchanges with Sister Arganosa this week (this is our 3rd time on exchanges!! Haha) Skills-wise, she is amazing!! Had exchanges with Sister Sutherby as well.This was our 4th exchanges aside from our 2 exchanges we had in Ilagan). After having exchanges with them for many times, we became best friends. Haha.

Aside from these things, I think the major lesson I have learned this week is overcoming pride. I think it is okay to share with you my experience this week that taught me a principle. A principle that I hope I would forever live as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

So this week, Bishop assigned me to be the speaker at the funeral service of Bishop Castelo. I said okay, even though deep inside I didn't want to. Lest I be misunderstood, I know that as a missionary, it is expected that I will be asked to give some speaking assignments whether I like it or I like it. And somehow I managed to struggle through a few speaking assignments as a missionary, and as an STL (oh my gosh), and dodged all the rest.

Long story short, I went to the funeral service, and tried to convince myself I was prepared. But all the faith and hope and optimism I had, vanished away  when I saw all the people of the baranggay buenavista including the Mayor and Vice Mayor of Santiago City and other politicians were present at the funeral service. I wanted to cry.

Long story short. I gave a talk. And I was more discouraged than ever. I didn't know what I really said that time. All I remember was that I shared a scripture verse, and that I was just rumbling words.

I was not teaching people. Not even teaching a lesson. I was just there, "talking to myself" in front of many people.

In my 16 months as a missionary, and a few months of being an STL (oh my gosh), I have often asked the Lord and myself every time I felt something was wrong in what I did. And yesterday, Sister Rahlf gave a talk and I felt that she was speaking to me directly, in behalf of the Lord to answer my question"what went wrong?"

I realized that I was afraid of doing things, primarily  because I was too concerned about what other people would think of me. It was a matter of vanity and pride and ego. I have learned that my fears and self-consciousness could be conquered if my "eyes be single to His glory" Just like what Elder Bednar always saying ... "get out of the way" so He can perform His sacred function and work.

I hope and pray, that I will never ever forget this experience to always remind myself to simulaneouly "get out of the way". And never,ever, ever do anything... as in anything ... that would draw attention to myself.

Never again.

D&C 88:67: “If your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.”

Quintos gave us merienda :)

This is what we looked like when we sang in the stake conference.

Fears

One of the talks my companion and I are seriously studying this week is "Becoming A Consecrated Missionary". As I was pondering about this talk, I asked the Lord "what lack I yet" to become more  consecrated. To become consecrated, I need to put on to the altar of sacrifice my fears. I told my companion yesterday, that because of my experiences in the past, I have already developed the courage to talk to everyone -- I could press the doorbell of the biggest house on the earth and share the beautiful message that we have. I said, I have no fear.

But today, I realized that leaving our fears on the altar of sacrifice isn't just all about talking to everyone. I realized that it also means giving an accurate correction when it is necessary. I am still learning the art of understanding others and being understood. Much of the time, I just think and think and try to understand others yet I have no courage to say what I feel. Just like what it is said in the talk, "Sometimes we have missionaries who are so worried about offending people that in the process they never ever save them."

This week, Stefanie was baptized and confirmed. Right after she came out of the waters of baptism, we told her she was the cleanest person at that time.. And with a light in her eyes and and a smile on her face, she asked "Really Sister? Really? I love the feeling. I feel great." I love Sister Stef so much and I am grateful to be a small part of this great redemptive work.

Tatay Cuyajon, Felix Family, and Rodalyn came to church yesterday! They are the members who became less-actives because they were offended. I am grateful to see the light in their eyes and the smile on their faces because of being able to forgive others who might have offended them.

I hope and pray that I could become more of a consecrated person -- someone who is humble enough to ask others how can I be better, and someone who loves other people enough to offer correction when needed.

I am learning so much from my mission. I love being a missionary!

Sister Stef was baptized by her bestfriend. They looked good together in white.

My companion and I hope to see them "together in white, again". Maybe in the temple?

Of course after finishing their own missions. :)

Eye of Faith

A lot of miracles happened this week. So I'll start counting miracles, and name them one by one.

First, Stefanie passed the baptismal interview! She's an investigator who lives just across our apartment. The past years of her life has been really tough, and it has not been easy for her to open up to us because of different sisters teaching her every time. Few weeks ago, she opened up her problems, and her desires come closer to Heavenly Father. We promised that as we seriously repent -- refrain from evil, and do that which is good -- we will feel the power of Atonement in our lives. She has been seriously reading the book of mormon, and beginning to feel the redeeming power of atonement. That after her interview, she said "I feel light. I feel light.". She she felt light many times. I love Sister Stefanie so much, and someday she'll serve full-time mission too!

Sister Anna is doing great as well. She has been going to church for 2 months but cannot be baptized till next year. We taught her this week, and before we began the lesson, she shared what she has learned from studying the book of mormon. She read the book of Jacob, and she started crying when she told us that she felt she was the tree being cut by the Lord. She said that sometimes the Lord cuts the "evil" in us, so that the "good" will grow in us. I have never thought of the allegory that way. The book of mormon is really powerful. As we read this inspired book with a question in mind, the Holy Ghost can give us customized counsel, and specific answers to the questions of our soul.

The Quintos couple came to church again for the third time! I have never cried when an investigator accepted the invitation to be baptized. Only last saturday, when Nanay and Tatay Quintos said YES! I love Tatay and Nanay Quintos so much!

Our companionship is doing greaaaat. Sister Ethington had her first companion exchanges, and I can tell she enjoyed it! There is so much more of happiness to be had when we can rejoice in another sisters successes and not just in my own. I love my companion and the beautiful sisters of our zones!

As for me, I am doing great. I am still studying Faith in Jesus Christ, and I can't believe there is still sooooo muuuuuchhh to learn about faith! I have been studying the "eye of faith" I mentioned last week's LTP. What is eye of faith? Can we actually see the things that can come to pass? We can!

In  Ether 12, Moroni said: “And neither at any time hath any wrought miracles until after their faith; wherefore, they first believed in the Son of God. And there were many whose faith was so exceeding strong, EVEN BEFORE CHRIST CAME, who could not be kept from within the veil, but truly saw with their eyes the things which they had beheld with an EYE OF FAITH, and they were glad.”

I do not know why... but the first time I met the Quintos couple, I knew they are going to be baptized. Even though they kind of rejected us during our first, or second, and third visits, I still knew they are going to be baptized. We can truly see things happen, even before they happen... with an eye of faith!

I am excited for all the miracles that lie ahead! I love being a missionary!

One of our housemates, Sister Victoria, had her birthday cake baked by her trainer! Super sweet!

Worries and Whatnot

This week, I worried and prayed and wasn't able to sleep because of zone conference, new leaders training and some other things. The good news is that almost none of the things I have worried about or been afraid of have ever happened. I suppose that is why Elder Packer said once “You can’t tell me worrying doesn’t help because the things I worry about never happen.”

Although we were out of our area for 2 days (plus some choir practice for the upcoming stake conference), we were still able to reach the standards of excellence. And to top that, we had 11 investigators who attend the sacrament meeting!

If I'll ever get transferred next cycle, I know that the missionary who would replace me could take care of these wonderful people in Santiago. But now, I don't want to get transferred. I have already learned to love the Quintos couple, the Rola Family, Stephanie, Lizel and friends, and oh Niko and Bryan, and many moreee.. They all have special place in my heart.

Sister Ethington and I are doing great. This Wednesday, we'll start conducting companionship exchanges. My companion and I are amazed how we could both recognize the spirit in telling us who we are going to be with on exchanges. It's hard to describe how to receive that kind of revelation, but I know that's the same way you receive revelation on transfers.

As for me, I have been studying Christlike attributes. I desire to become more like Him each and every day in the weeks left I have as a missionary. This week, I studied Faith in Jesus Christ.

So how do we measure one's faith? I do not know. But I feel my faith in Him has increased tremendously this week as I keep myself focused on Him and His work. It is the “eye of faith” spoken in Alma 5. It is the assurance and confidence I have in His perfect love for me and everyone around me. It is the one that moves me into some physical and mental action that I even ran some miles nonstop this morning, which I thought before was impossible. I am amazed what Faith in Jesus Christ can do. I can see in my mind's eye the miracles that lie ahead. I just need to keep looking to Him, doubting nothing ... fearing nothing..I know in His strength, I can do all things!

I love being a missionary!

We had 11 investigators coming to church. :) Such a wonderful gift for my birthday! Hehe

On my 20 something birthday, Bishop Acosta prepared dinner to celebrate! So so happy!

On our way back to Santiago from Cauayan after Sister Ethington's New Leaders Training.

President Rahlf and I taught together in the Companion Exchange Part since... well, I need some help.

Before the meeting began, President Rahlf led a Happy Birthday Song for me. One of the best days of my life!

Zone conference with some new missionaries :)