Tender Mercies in the New Year...

Tender Mercies in the New Year...

Yesterday we had a bit of an off-start to our day with our first appointment not going quite as planned. We went to the hills to pray so there would be no one around and plead for the Spirit to abide with us for the remainder of our day. We had passed one of our member couples on the way to where we chose to pray, and as Sister Harston was closing our prayer, we were interrupted by "Sisters!!!" The members saw us pass and thought we had forgotten they were working with us. In their enthusiasm they had followed us into the woods. We included them in a second prayer, and went to work. Most people weren't home, but it was happy to spend the first of the new year with them, and they did some great fellowshipping with those we did visit.

Saturday were the baptisms of Laarni, Paul, Lordy (Brother Randy's son), and Mark Ivan. Almost all of them were baptized and confirmed by someone within their family so it was really special. And so many people came to the baptism to support them. Standing room only! I was most surprised by some of our investigators who showed up, including Laarni's father who pretty much had said he wasn't coming before. We were singing the opening hymn, "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" and I turned and saw him and smiled real big and he had a little smile like "Yes, I did actually come." Laarni bore a powerful testimony, and was just a little sad that her husband couldn't be there to witness it, but if all goes well they can be sealed for eternity within the temple when he comes home from working abroad and after a year of her being a member. President DeLaMare (our mission president) came to our sacrament meeting and was able to meet those who were baptized and witness their confirmations. My MTC companion, Sister Biggs heads home this week and bore her testimony in sacrament and shared this scripture that I'd like to include today... Alma 36: 24-25...Yea, and from that time even until now, I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance; that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might also be born of God, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

 25 Yea, and now behold, O my son, the Lord doth give me exceedingly great joy in the fruit of my labors.

It's so happy to see people change their lives and we have the privilege of rejoicing with them.

Mahal ko kayo, Sister Cope

P.S. Sister Harston is already transferring :( I'll miss her and her strong spirit and dedication to her purpose. And because there is kulang in sisters (with 16 going home and only 7 entering the mission) we're going to be spread thin... Hmmm... Ano mangyayari bukas?