Family and Friends

Happy Tuesday. We had mission tour yesterday so my P-day is balikdad this week. Although, I'm not really sure what day my mom usually posts these. But anyway... I just love you all. I couldn't do this without my family and friends. Missionary work is hard. Harder than can be adequately described and harder than can be legitimately prepared for. But it's amazing. The gospel is it. It's the answer. It's all we need. I see that as the people I teach, the members in my area, my kabahay, my companion, and I draw closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

I feel so motivated after hearing from Elder Nielsen of the seventy and his wife. They're testimonies and knowledge of the gospel are powerful because they spoke by the power of the Holy Ghost. Not to mention I just received a letter from a good friend who just got her mission call, and her enthusiasm for her upcoming experience reignites my enthusiasm. Even though this work is so hard, it's so worth. We're getting people to the temple, to partake of the promises Heavenly Father has prepared for all of us and all of our families.

This week I had some beautiful experiences. This work cannot be done without the gift of the Holy Ghost and the promptings we receive from the Spirit. We had this amazing lesson with our less active who just came to church for the fourth time in a row! We taught her about tithing and the Spirit was so strong and we promised her that it won't make sense, but the money will stretch. I felt prompted to share about the 2 loaves of bread and 5 fishes and how it fed thousands. My faith is growing everyday as I hear stories and see Heavenly Father bless the lives of His children. I know His power is real.

We also had this great FHE with two member families and a less active family. It was just really happy. Sister Matuauto is really good at adjusting lessons to kids, and I think everyone had a good time. The active members who participated were great, and I just wish all of them would step up like some of them have. We can't do it without their help. I know the potential these active members have in order to help the less actives.

Sunday was awesome because I had the privilege of seeing one of the recent converts that I taught give a talk in sacrament. He read mostly from True to the Faith, but gave a simple and powerful testimony at the end.

Tapos We were able to take this other less active to church and the members were just so excited to see her. She's been so shy to come because she's been gone for a couple years and she's had a stroke since then, but I know the warm fellowshipping (if continued) will ensure that she stays active.

We cannot do this work alone. We rely on each other. I tell that to the less actives sometimes. We need each other. That's part of the purpose of church. Of course, to partake of the sacrament, but also to visit with one another and recognize one another's needs.

Thanks to all of you who have written or are writing me. You mean the world to me.

Mahal ko kayo,
Sister Cope

Pictures of the week:

1. This is me with Sister Rebelde. She was a traveling sister that I had the privilege to work with a couple times, or maybe just once. In any case, she is amazing and she is going home at the end of this transfer so I got a picture with her at our mission tour conference. She is so in tune with the Spirit and is such an example to me.
2. These are the current traveling sisters (Sister Macaranas and Sister Manlulu) with my companion. Every time they come they bring this energy and love that we need for the work. We joke that they're given super powers when they're asked to be traveling sisters (usually for two transfers). They bring the Spirit everywhere they go and a fresh perspective.
3. This is from zone interviews. Elder Barba (on the far right) was wrapping toilet paper around his head, and I told him "You're wasting the tisyu! You don't understand because you use water!" And his English is only just okay, so Elder Abasanta (on the far left) translated for him. And it was just really hilarious, and so I started laughing, and then Elder Ochavo (middle) was laughing at me laughing and I was laughing at them laughing. And then there's our mission president coming out into the hallway... :)
4. Oh you know... just another gorgeous sunset in the Philippines... No big deal.
5. There's this hill that some of our less actives live on. They might not have electricity, but this is their backyard. Just wow.

P.S. For those who have written me, letters are coming. They're either in the mail taking a really long time or I have yet to write them, but I am writing them. I'm good to my word!!! :D