A for Attitude.

Dear Family,

How are you all doing? I haven't heard any news from all of you. I wonder how's Sister Acosta II? Was she able to make it to the NAIA? Was she able to report to MTC and go through the temple?? How is she right now? Sister Acosta II, how are youuuuuu..

Hahaha. This week has been pretty much loaded. Last monday and today, my companion and I ate to Chowking with Nanay Barreo. So this happens every monday: Nanay Barreo feeds us in a fast food restaurant!  So I love Nanay Barreo so much. She's the wife of the first bishop in this ward. Nanay Barreo had some very difficult experiences in the past. Very difficult. And when I say VERY DIFFICULT, it doesn't just mean poverty.  She had finished grade 3. But because she is very sweet, loving, and kind (and beautiful), Tatay Barreo married her. Tatay Barreo is a police and a baranggay official who has graduated from Law. :) I love Tatay Barreo as well. He looks like Lolo Moding and jokes like Lolo Moding din. We visit them twice or thrice a week (and they feed us each and everytime, that's why I am getting fat, not to mention our nightly dinner with other members ).. Anyway, Tatay is now 70+ but still very active in the church. He speaks English so well (because, yup.. He's a law graduate).. Nanay and Tatay Barreo is special to my heart. They are a living witness to me of what it truly means to love unconditionally.

Tuesday, Sister Hmablin and I taught two zone meetings in Tuguegarao South and Tuguegarao North Zones. (We teach zone meetings once a month until I will get released to this calling as an STL). We taught about Attitude, how it is the magic key to everything. So we shared this little poem to the missionaries:

Today was the absolute worst day ever

And don't try to convince me that

There's something good in everyday

Because, when you take a closer look,

This world is a pretty evil place

Even if

Some goodness does shine through once in a while

Satisfaction and happiness dont last

And it is not true that

It's all in the mind and heart

Because

True happiness can be obtained

Only if one's surroundings are good

It is not true that good exists

I am sure you can agree that

The reality

Creates

My attitude

It's all beyond my control

And you'll never in a million years hear me say that

Today was a good day

Now read them upwards.

Read them upwards!

And you will see the magic!

See? Sometimes, two persons can see once situation differently. But it's all in the attitude. Oh my gulay. Can I just tell you that sometimes it is not easy to be a missionary in a city, because everyone is so busy. And, and, I have never been panted and rejected ever in my whole life (only in Tuguegarao!) But what did our Savior say? "Blessed are those who are persecuted in my name's sake".. So imagine how many times I was rejected (and uhmm, persecuted?) for this sacred calling I have  ... that is the same amount of blessings I will claim from Him!  Yuhoo. It's all in the ATTITUDE.

Wednesday, we had companion exchanges with the Enrile A sisters!!! And guess who was my companion that day!!! Sister Clarin!!! Yes, I worked with her in our area, for one day.. AGAIN. I think this is the 4th time I worked with her. And could I just tell you, how much she has improved each and every time? She is so alive-alert-and-enthusiastic in the work. She is even the one who always starts in contacting people on the streets. I think, she could already train (if called upon, in the due time of the Lord). I love her so much! Wednesday was the first time that I laughed and laughed in a companion exchange. Aah, I was not stressed. I love that day so much. And I love Sister Clarin so much.

Friday,  we had no companion exchanges because Sister Tupou was sick. I hope she's okay by now.. But we had very good lessons this week. We used Alma 32, I think 4 times this week. And it is so good and so easy to understand for the LAs and Investigators we have taught. The Spirit was so powerful.

Saturday morning Sister Hamblin and I attended RS Activity of Rescuing the One. It was a wonderful opportunity to us to build relationship and trust to RS, even though only few attended. The lessons were good, and most of the RS less actives we visited came to church yesterday!! So happy!!

So all in all, we had 45 lessons this week and 79 contacts. And even though we did our very very best this week, we only had 1 investigator attended sacrament meeting yesterday. Of course I am sad. But I am not going to let that ruin my motivation to always work hard and do my best. 

I really liked what I have read in a missionary article in a Liahona last night:

"Do your best, your very, very best. Say your prayers and work hard, and leave the harvest to the Lord".

I love being a missionary!!

Zone meeting with the North!