Attitude is everything... and so is the book of mormon :)

Happy Tuesday, family and friends!

I feel like the mission is this accelerated course about life. I learn so much every week. This week in particular about how attitude is everything. I know it's kind of cheesy, but I'm realizing how true the idea is of 10% of our lives is circumstance and 90% is our attitude/reactions. Sometimes when things are hard you just have to choose to be happy, and it really makes all the difference. I am choosing to be happy and things have been going so much better than earlier this month.

I have 9 minutes sooo... really quick. The San Agustin's are amazing. (Converts baptized on Christmas Eve) They are developing amazing testimonies of the Book of Mormon as they read it everyday. Brother San Agustin said that he's understanding it not just in his mind, but as it enters into his heart.

The progressing investigators we have are starting to understand the idea of acting on faith and I can see their testimonies growing, and it's a beautiful thing to witness. The other day we taught to an investigator of about 6 months, and she told us about the decision to go to church. She said something along the lines of "Jubert wouldn't go with me [that's her asawa]. Joanne was sick [that's her baby]. It was raining, and I didn't have money for kamasahe. But I knew I had to go." Then she described how she was happy having gone and described the blessings she had received from going.

We've been going back to the basics with our less-active members and focusing on the Restoration his week. We've seen the power of this in the lessons. After one of the lessons, Sister Matuauto exclaimed, "It's all about the Restoration." It helps invite the Spirit and bring to remembrance things once taught and the reason they were probably baptized in the first place.

Right now we're reading the Book of Mormon before Easter as a mission.I'm finishing up 2nd Nephi and I've realized some great applications of the Book of Mormon to the less actives. I definitely want to get them all reading for themselves. I can only imagine the spirit it will bring into their lives and the changes they're capable of making as a result. I also skipped ahead to some of the stories that they mentioned in the broadcast like Alma the younger trying to reclaim the apostate Zoramites, and it's nice to know there's an example in the scriptures to follow. It reminds me of the talk I read by President Eyring earlier this week, "A Witness." Even the modern prophets look to the prophets of old to guide them in their work. It adds power to the truth of the Book of Mormon, and it helps me to realize the Church really is made up of ordinary people that sometimes just really magnify their calling. It's something I want to work on continually--being a fully dedicated and consecrated servant of the Lord.


Mahal ko kayo,
Sister Cope

Lame Picture of the week... what I had done to my scriptures :)

Hahayo ako at gagawin ko

"I will go and do" the things the Lord hath commandeth for I know He giveth no commandment unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth. - 1st Nephi 3:7 (or close to it... i'm working on memorizing scriptures this week)


So ups and downs as usual in the life of a missionary. I've found so much strength in the scriptures at this time. Opening my study with a prayer really readies me to receive personal revelation and revelation for my investigators and less actives. I just love the stories of Alma the younger and the sons of Mosiah and the other missionaries in the Book of Mormon. I have learned a lot from their examples. Most recently Alma 14 and working together to teach and supporting the words of your companion.


Wednesday the traveling sisters came to our area to do exchanges with us, and as always they are a welcomed blessing. Sometimes the work is overwhelming, and so we were able to cover two areas. I had the opportunity of visiting some non-progressing investigators that have been neglected with this new focus on less actives. I worked with Sister Rebelde, and I just felt so unified during the lessons even though we were only companions for a day. This one lesson we hadn't discussed what we were going over, but she started with this amazing object lesson on the Atonement, and then I discussed the sacrament--and that investigator ended up coming to Church. We need to be quiet enough to pay attention to the Spirit because it will testify of the truth and bring about righteous changes into our lives.


The Relief Society members have been helping us a lot, too. They've provided for quality fellowshipping members present. Three sisters in particular get so excited about coming with us and end up sharing a lot during the lessons because of their love of the gospel. It's a wonderful thing to witness.Sister Glaffy the Relief Society president had the perfect experiences to share with one of our less active mothers. She told of this touching experience of holding on to the scriptures and finding comfort in them.


We also were referred to a "golden" investigator in one of our areas who has so many questions and is really excited to find out more about the Church. When we told him that we start every lesson with a song, he said something about how he doesn't know it now, but as he starts learning and coming to church he'll be able to sing them, too. Tama yan.


Tapos... We've been searching for less actives in our area and are finding many who don't remember why they were baptized. It's a big deal. The covenants we make at baptism are promises to God. It's not basta-basta (just because). I'm so blessed to have been nourished by my family, friends, and ward leaders growing up. I know why I'm a part of this Church and what it means to be a member.


There were some other stories I wanted to tell, but my mind is all over the place so I'll just close with my testimony. I know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God's church on the earth restored with every piece of the truth that will help us get back home with our Heavenly Father. I know sometimes we get tired of hearing about prayer, scripture reading, church attendance, service, and home & visiting teaching, but it's God's way. He's organized His Church perfectly, we just need to be better about following his blueprint.


And the best news of the week is that 5 less actives that we've been teaching came to church this past week. These are really big steps for them, and it makes my Sundays to see them there.


I love you all. Thank you for your influence in my life.


Love,
Sister Cope


Pictures of the week:
1. My new companion, Sister Matuauto and I, and Sister Daclan and Sister Iosefa (my kabahay). I love them lots :)
2. A general idea of my New Year's celebration. Fireworks dotted the horizon of our window view. Sobrang awesome.
3. There were some really close and really far. Seriously, everyone does fireworks here... everywhere.
4. The Antipolo Cathedral. The dome glows on holidays :)

Happy 2012!

This week I've been learning about how attitude is everything. Sometimes things don't go according to plan and people hurt your feelings whether directly or indirectly (like not keeping commitments), but I noticed that as I stayed positive everything I became genuinely happy again, and if I let things discourage me to much it affected my interactions and the work, etc. To have the Spirit with you always is legitimately hard, but I notice as I keep a softened heart and I listen more to those who are talking the inspiration comes as to what to do and say when I need it. It's amazing to witness scriptures come to pass with promises fulfilled as I try harder. Heavenly Father really has given me scriptures in the moment I need them through the power of the Holy Ghost.


New Year's Eve was amazing here. We had to be in our house by 6 p.m. because everyone here does fireworks and it's delicado (dangerous). But it was so noisy that, of course, we couldn't sleep so we watched fireworks dot the view from our window. Three out of four of us will be here for all of 2012 and we just said to each other that we were going to make it count. And we had the Mormon Tabernacle Choir playing in the background, and I just know that this year is going to be a good year, especially with this focus on less-actives.


Speaking of which, we had this great family home evening with one of the families that's struggling to go to church every week. But I could really see how the gospel and spending time together has improved the spirit in their home in just a short time--and they came to sacrament on New Year's Day! I'm really close to the mother because we've taught her the most and I can see how much her family's happiness and strength in the gospel affects her.


Funny story and then I'll close... We gave the word of wisdom pamphlet to a potential investigator, and he was smoking while he read it. Haha... :)


Anyway... I know that families are central to the gospel of Jesus Christ. We need each other's support to make it back to our Heavenly Father. And as families we can attain a higher degree of happiness. And, of course, the Atonement of Jesus Christ makes it all possible. I know that the priesthood authority to seal families on earth and heaven is real. I know that it is essential for our eternal happiness.


Happy new year friends and family! Mahal ko kayo.


Love,
Sister Cope'

Pinay na ako.

Sinubukin ko ang balut!!!! I tried balut. I've got pictures to prove it. I had Christmas Eve dinner at my Relief Society President's house (whose son happens to be our Branch Mission Leader). Anyway. It didn't taste bad. Just the thought of what it was made it hard to swallow. I don't think mine was that developed so I didn't feel a beak or anything...


For Christmas here everyone has pasta! We had three meals of pasta on Christmas day. Each family was oh so generous and I just love the people here.


But the best part of Christmas was the fact that Brother De Jesus came to church. Two of the De Jesus children come once in a while, but it means there is some progression. It's such a blessing to me because it's a family that has all my heart and soul, and I feel like I've been able to witness a miracle.


The other best part was that Brother and Sister San Agustin were confirmed (their baptism was on Christmas Eve), and all three of their children (who are actually teenagers/young adults) came to church!!


I'm so grateful for the love of God and that He sent His Son to atone for our sins and suffer all our pains and afflictions so that we can one day be worthy to enter into the presence of Heavenly Father. I know Jesus Christ's atonement is real. I know that is what Christmas is all about. He's done SO much for us. Just read "Teachings of Jesus" by Dallin H. Oaks.


I love you all. I hope you had a nice Christmas.


Love,
Sister Cope


1. At our Branch Christmas party with Arlene, an amazing investigator who continues to read the Book of Mormon and take notes about what she's read, with her children and some of her neighbors' children :)


2. This is Brother Dacuno (our Elder's Quorum President), Brother Madelo (our best branch missionary's husband), Brother Rey (my first baptisee who will be going to the temple this week to do baptisms for the dead!), Brother Romel (the funniest and most diligent member that assists in missionary work), and Edgardo (an investigator from the past who wants to be baptized, but works away from home).


3. My new companion, Sister Matuauto, and I at Christmas conference. (She's from Utah with Samoan descent just like Sister Siu. I'm destined to have polynesian companions my whole mission... Haha..) But Christmas conference was awesome. I really felt the Spirit during the talks and the musical numbers.


4.S. Mat, Bro. Rodel (branch presidency member and baptizer), Bro. San Agustin, Sis. San Agustin, Me :), and Lehi (our branch mission leader) at the San Agustin baptism on Christmas Eve. Sobrang masaya. They are an amazing example of acting on faith.


5. Peeling the balut and avoiding looking at it...


6. The partially developed baby bird in an egg... Yep. That's balut.


7. Sister Glaffy, the Relief Society President, encouraging me to shove the rest of it in my mouth... :D

And then there were two...

It's just me and Sister Daclan for about 36 hours. We meet our new companions tomorrow. We've been cleaning the house in preparation for them. We feel very blessed that neither of us are transferring so we get to spend Christmas with each other. For Christmas dinner I'll be spending the evening with my favorite family (The DeJesus's). But other than that it's work as usual.

Sister Litz left last night. A group of elders brought over a cake and we ate outside of our apartment and sang some hymns. It was happy. It's amazing how close you can grow to people within such a short time. We were only a tripanionship for three weeks, but I've learned a lot from her and Sister Daclan.

Only 2 of 5 of the family will be baptized this Saturday, but I'm still really excited. The daughters decided they weren't ready. And I agree that it's better to wait. Baptism is a huge commitment--it's a covenant with God! But the parents are so ready and I feel so blessed to have been an instrument in the Lord's hands in introducing them to the gospel. The Spirit was the real teacher, though. Sister San Agustin actually admitted to me the other day that she can understand/follow my Tagalog now and before she would just nod her head. Haha... But seriously, conversion only happens through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Working with the less actives is slow, but good. It's a whole other world in teaching less actives. They're at such varied stages. There are those that don't remember anything, those that are really bitter, those that are just having a hard time in life, and those that have solid testimonies, and I'm not quite sure why they're not at church. I really need to be acquainted with the scriptures and be in tune with the Spirit in order to teach them because their needs are so different. It's going to be a challenge, but I have hope that we can bring many souls back. I was listening to this one song by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir where they sing, "Bind me not to the pasture, chain me not to the... set me free to find my brother, and I'll return to thee some how." It's beautiful. I don't remember what it's called. But I definitely feel like I've been let outside the fenced area to find the lost sheep, and I'm so determined to get them back, to church, and, eventually, to the temple.

I know Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us. He has a lot of expectations of us, too. But we can rise to the occasion through faith in His Son Jesus Christ and the enabling power of the Atonement. This is a good time to evaluate our relationship with Christ. Why is He so important? Why do we honor Him and celebrate His birth? This is an amazing talk that helped strengthen my testimony and understanding of who Christ is and what it means that He is our Savior...http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/teachings-of-jesus?lang=eng&query=teachings+jesus

Maligayan Pasko!!!!!!!!! (Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!)

Mahal ko kayo,
Sister Cope

Pictures of the week:
1. Our Christmas tag wreath courtesy of my Dad :)
2. At Cloud 9 last P-day with Sister Litz and Sister Daclan, and the most of our district.
3. The beautiful view of the city and the sunset at Cloud 9.
4. Saying goodbye to Sister Litz...

Mahirap pero masaya.

Hard but happy. Those are the perfect words to describe the mission right now.


There's a quote from Jeffrey R. Holland in "Preach My Gospel" about how you'll be devastated when investigators don't keep commitments. Devastation doesn't quite cover it. It really is heartbreaking when you want to see people's lives improve and to see them act on their faith, but they don't. No one, I don't think, can ever prepare you for how hard a mission actually is.


BUT Heavenly Father is still aware of me!!! I see it with the people he blesses me to work with and those that I have the privilege of meeting. Like the other day this one member I had never worked with before volunteered to be my companion for the day. I felt so grateful because not only did she speak English well and was able to translate when I needed it, she also brought a wonderful Spirit to the lessons. On that same day we found this one less active member in the depths of Sampaga (one of my areas). He was baptized as a child and doesn't remember anything. Since then he's been baptized a born again, but he admitted that he's still confused and said we're welcome to come back. It was amazing--his receptiveness and sincerity. He has committed to pray to know if Joseph Smith is a true prophet. I know he will get his answer because I've seen it happen time and time again.


And we received new numbers from our mission president for our standards of excellence. For those who aren't familiar with mission terms these are goals for lessons and baptisms to help us focus and work hard. Our numbers have changed drastically. Our focus in the mission has completely shifted. It was 18 lessons to investigators with a member present and 10 Less Active visits. It is now 12 member present lessons and 15 less active visits. 2012 is the year to establish the Church in the Philippines. About 8 out of 10 baptized members go less active. It's not typical missionary work, but it's a special request from our area presidency. When this was announced I realized that that's what I have been called to do. To find the lost sheep and bring them back. I feel very strongly about this new focus. I know it is of great importance in order to build up the Church in the future and it is of great importance to Heavenly Father. He loves each of us so very much and He wants us to love and watch out for each other. I know this is a sacred responsibility and part of the baptismal covenants I have made.


As for my one baptism so far... He is still active! And he received the priesthood last week and blessed the sacrament this week. It is very special to witness him progress in the gospel.


4 of 5 members of a family I've been teaching are scheduled for a baptism on Christmas Eve. I'm very excited for them. I'll keep you updated on how it goes :)


That's all for now. I love what I'm doing. I feel like it's a taste of real joy/the love of God like the angel describes the fruit of the tree of life in 1 Nephi 11. Bringing people real happiness brings me real happiness as well. I know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true and that we have a living prophet and modern revelation. Because God loves us just as much as He loves His children from Old testament time.. and all His children throughout all time. As great as His love is for all of us, it is also very individual. He knows us, and Christ knows us. We can rely on them for comfort, guidance, peace, love and all good things. They will bless us with our righteous desires as we strive to follow them.


Mahal ko kayo,
Sister Cope
Pictures of the week:

1. My investigators that went on our recent temple tour. It was raining, but it was still maganda. L-R: Diana Jane (she is about ready to be baptized, but there's a new rule in our mission that they need a responsible adult getting baptized with them or an active family member. it's a great new rule because it will help them stay active. her parents are preparing so as soon as they're ready, they'll be baptized together.), Ericka (Diana's sister who used to listen to the missionaries and her heart is beginning to accept us again. slowly but surely.), Mary Ann with baby Joanna (she has a testimony and is working on acting on it), Mark with baby Marky and Ailyn (she's been taught everything and we're catching him up. i've seen him change so much in the short time i've known him. it's a miracle.)


2. My district with the APs. Small, but amazing.


3. An awesome cloud at sunset; I think this was taken in my area of Antipolo Hills.

4. My housemates and companions right before Sister Siufanua was taken to the mission home for her flight the next morning. Sister Daclan and Sister Litz are the Sisters I have become a "tripanionship" with. It's a balancing act with two areas, but the members have been really supportive. I'll have a new companion on December 21st. Sister Daclan, too, because Sister Litz will be finishing her mission this transfer. S. Daclan and I are hoping to both stay in our areas. Other than that we'll be spending Christmas with companions we've known for only four days pala.

May nosebleed ako...

So in the Philippines they refer to being overwhelmed by the use of another language as a nosebleed. My language fast didn't last a whole week, but I have been working with members that know little to no English. Sister Siufanua has finished her mission and is back in the United States now. My new companions are Sister Litz and Sister Daclan. They're the other sisters in our house. We have extra responsibility with the same areas and only three of us so we go on splits with members. It's exhausting, but I know Heavenly Father doesn't give us anything we can't handle (1 Nephi 3:7). I've witnessed tender little mercies and had prayers answered this week and so I know Heavenly Father has not left me alone. I told Sister Siufanua that I felt like I've been pushed in front of an oncoming bus, but she quickly replied that God will give me the strength to be Supergirl. So I'm working on confidence in myself and reliance on Jesus Christ to make up the difference. This is a great opportunity for the branch as well. They're stepping up their fellowshipping, and there are different members who have volunteered to go with me this week. I'm tired, but excited. I know that God has high expectations, but that we can meet them through His Son and with the support of one another.

Mahal ko kayo,
Sister Cope

P.S. Eliza R. Snow is epic... She was the second or third president of the Relief Society in the early days of the Church... and she wrote some of our beloved hymns. This quote is in the book "Daughters in My Kingdom":

"I will go forward... I will smile at the rage of the tempest and ride fearlessly and triumphantly across the boisterous ocean of circumstance... and the 'testimony of Jesus' will light up a lamp that will guide my vision through the portals of immortality."