I'm a Mormon. I know it. I live it. I love it

Not my favorite talk, but I like the phrase. There was a lot about service, di ba? That is one thing I learned coming into the field, how much we can do when we are not full-time missionaries. But there's different things that missionaries can do. But really there's so much more observing and serving we can do, and that we're expected to do, and that we covenanted to do. If we would just look at the people around us and love them, it would make a world of difference.

We talked about Elder Bednar's talk with one of our members that's returning back to church... testimony versus conversion. It's not just about what we know, it's how we came to know it and how we feel about what we know. It has to be way down deep in our heart. Taos-puso sa Tagalog. And then Elder Quentin L. Cook's talk centered around Alma 5: 26   And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?

We have to keep our conversions current.

So yep.. pretty much just soap boxing it up today because conference was the highlight of the week, and having more of our "less actives" and investigators come to the Saturday session than "active" members. Having living prophets, seers, and revelators are the best, and teaching people who understand that and want to see and know for themselves if it's true or not is amazing.

Also, my new companion is Sister Roper!! We're both short Americans so everybody thinks we're related. It's really fun. Sister Roper introduces us as kambal (twins) to all the people she's meeting. We've been kabahay before and we've been assigned in each other's areas and everyone gets us mixed up.

Mahal ko kayo,

Sister Cope

So my mind is not very focused to write an e-mail right now. We received permission to stay longer at the internet shop and watch this: http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-lowers-age-requirement-for-missionary-service

I'm so excited for all the sisters that will be going now because the age to go on a mission is earlier. But like they emphasize it is definitely a decision to be made with Heavenly Father. It's great practice for the mission and the rest of our lives in seeking Heavenly Father's will. Ah!!! Missionary work is moving forward exponentially... It's so amazing. And the emphasis on personal preparation... The Book of Mormon and Preach My Gospel.

Sister Curtis and I had a good last week together. (She'll be transferring tomorrow...) 

First of all, last Tuesday. Powerful lesson with Brother Randy and Sister Jhoana. Sister is active and Brother has not gone to church for about 8 years, I think. The senior couple was with us (Elder and Sister Jensen). He has to work to provide for his family, and it's a real concern as Elder Jensen related to him so well, but with faith he will have enough to support his family if he doesn't work on Sunday. God's promises are soooo real. He even says to try him and see if He won't fulfill them in the scriptures. Of course, He will. God doesn't lie.

Wednesday, last week, we went through the temple with Tatay Anselmo (and another sister in the branch). He's 80 years old and he works with the missionaries everyday!! He was baptized last year and he just wants to share the gospel with everyone.

Then this Monday we had a sweet Family Home Evening with the DeVillina Family (one of our less actives families) and Dexter and Vanessa (investigators). There's no electricity where they live, but it was one of the happiest FHEs. Simple lesson, fun games, and Sister Vanessa made sopas for everyone. We brought fudgee bars and zesto (things they need to import to the United states because they're the best).

And because I'm in the Philippines we don't get to see general conference until the week after, so we've been teaching everyone about the living prophet and they have an opportunity to find out for themselves if he's really called of God. Sobang excited ako!!

Yan lang for now. I need to write my mission president.

Mahal ko kayo,

Sister Cope

From October 1st

This week we had some really great experiences. We had an awesome planning session right after zone conference, which led to a powerful lesson. The Spirit definitely guided us, and we found concerns. The wife is active, but the husband is less active because of work and supporting his family. I felt prompted to share Alma 32:27 because he was saying he doesn't know how to start going in the right direction, but he definitely felt something missing... We paused and let him think about the scripture. I could see it as he re-read it, the Spirit spoke to him. He commented how clear it was that he needs to act on his good desires and faith. 

We also had a baptism. One of the older priesthood holders in our branch was performing the baptism, and it took three times for different reasons. I explained to Ellen, the baptizee, that ordinances have to be done perfectly, and the opportunity to re-teach that came on Sunday during sacrament. The sacrament prayer was repeated three times, and Ellen went through why her baptism wasn't right the first two times, and she just seemed a lot more comfortable with the idea. For my non-member friends and family. Ordiances are sacred ceremonies that signify entering into a covenant with God. Our prayers aren't memorized unless doing a prayer for sacrament (blessing of bread and water, baptism, confirmation, etc.)

Then we gave Sister Laarni a baptismal date. The Spirit was so strong and she said yes right away. She is understanding her assignments, and we want so bad for her husband to be there when he's home for two weeks in November. He works abroad in China, and is an active member there. We told her it really depends on her and if she's ready by then, and if she's received a testimony in her heart from Heavenly Father. And her sister in-law is an awesome fellowshipper. So happy.We don't force people to be baptized. In fact, it's horrible when people say they believe what we're saying and they haven't prayed about it. I know this is true, but I know that everyone has to know for themselves that it's true, not from other people. That goes for every principle and doctrine of the gospel. James 1:5, siyempre!

Mahal ko kayo,
Sister Cope

Temple Again !!!!

Good groove this week, and Saturday we got to go to temple tour!!! The investigator we brought was so excited and brought her cousin and her daughter's nanny, too. And we took lots of pictures, but I forgot the cord to my camera today... And we watched this one video about temples that tells of the sacrifice of this one family to get sealed and it's in Tagalog, and it's just so powerful. Here it is in English: http://mormonchannel.org/mormonmessages?v=1383557640001.

We also had the privilege to attend a baptism. So there are four sisters in this branch; Sister Curtis and I cover half the area, and Sister Biggs and Sister Suarez cover the other half. It's big. So anyway they had a father and daughter baptized in their area, and I just never realized how special baptisms are before. But someone is making promises with God and we get to witness it. It's amazing. And the father bore a really powerful and sincere testimony after, and the daughter's was simple and sweet.

I want to share everything, but some things just can't be said over the internet, and I need to e-mail my mission president, but soap box of the week (ha): If there is ever a baptism in your ward or branch (or if you're a non-member and you have a friend invite you :), go to it. They need that support, and it's not just special for them, but it will be special for you, too, if you listen and observe the Spirit.
Also I heard from one of my close friends today, who is serving in Taiwan, and I just love what she said, and want to share it: "Our Savior truly loves us. If we believe that, or even just desire to believe that is true, it can change everything about the way we live our lives." It's true. I've seen the love of God and His Son work miracles in peoples lives, and in mine.

Mahal ko kayo,
Sister Cope

The Joy of the Temple

Where do I start? I had the privilege of going to the temple this week with one of the sisters I knew from my first area in Antipolo. She was baptized in May 2011 so when I arrived in the mission she was a recent convert that we taught once in a while, but worked with about every other day. She is amazing, and I love her, and on Saturday, September 15 she went through the temple. We took a jeepney from Morong to Antipolo and I got to see a couple of the branch members and we carpooled to the temple. It was so happy, and this is what the mission is all about. It's not about baptisms and numbers, it's about helping people become truly converted, enter the temple, and stay active in the Church and in the gospel for the rest of their lives (hanggang wakas)! I love that it's the focus of our mission right now. Our mission president really is seeking the guidance of Heavenly Father to guide the work here in Quezon City.

One another thing I want to mention is that we had this one lesson where I felt just so strongly about what we needed to share. It was a less active family that I was meeting for the first time, and Sister Curtis wasn't sure how to help them because they're not progressing. I really felt like Heavenly Father had opened the windows of heaven and gave me a portion of His love for them. They're still not progressing, but there is hope.

Nothing else really because the temple experience with Sister Rollyna kind of trumps everything. But I've been trying to open my mouth more and get over my fear of talking to random people. I've prayed and asked Heavenly Father to help people approach us because I can't always recognize who exactly to contact. After church on Sunday, we were on a jeepney, and this guy asked us about who we were and then we were talking to three people at once so it was way cool. We didn't have time to give them pamphlets, but we invited them to attend church in their different areas. Also, on our way back from Antipolo to Morong, we could not get a jeepney. They were packed with people going home for the weekend. This one guy helped us for almost an hour, and we found out he'd been taught before and referred him to the missionaries who cover his area. People are prepared we just have to be ready to share the gospel, and we need to already be sharing it through our example.

Happy Monday and Mahal ko kayo!

Sister Cope

Pictures!!! (I have a camera now!!! courtesy of my lovely mga magulang/parents :)

1. Eating no-bake-cookies with our district at our meeting this morning.

2. At the temple with the sisters and members of San Isidro 2 Branch!!!! Sister Rollyna is the one in the middle. We were all there for her.

3. Sister Rollyna and I. I haven't seen her in 7 months. It was amazing to have the privilege of attending her temple service.

4. Me, Eliza Del Val (the branch president's wife), Sister Balao (gospel principles teacher), Sister Rollyna, Sister Madelo (who was a branch missionary when I was there), and Sister Glaffy (the Relief Society president). I love these people so much, and I feel so blessed that I got to see them again. There is always hope of getting transferred back to a previous area, though...

5. The rice fields of Morong. 

6. Dexter, Vanessa, and Yanni. One of our investigator families.

7. Waiting in the rain for two hours for a jeepney from Antipolo to Morong before calling the Jensen couple to give us a ride, after going to the temple.

8. Goats! They ran away when Sister Curtis was taking her picture with them, and said "Picture tayo!" Haha...

Wonders...

"And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you."

Just a really great scripture from Joshua chapter 3. It was in a talk we were asked to read by Elder Bednar, and we reviewed it today in our zone meeting. I know it's true because I've seen the difference in the work and noticed the presence of the Holy Spirit that much stronger when I'm striving harder for exact obedience. When we keep our promises to God, He keeps His promises to us.

Last night we had the privilege of working with one of the senior couples in our mission. They're actually in their early 50s, and they take turns working with all the missionaries. Their experience with families brings a whole different dimension to the lessons. They were able to share about mistakes they've made as parents and how they overcame them through the gospel. It was especially good as many of our lessons yesterday were to less actives that are returning and preparing to enter the temple. Plus, it means we had an Elder with us and he was able to give two priesthood blessings while we were out working. The Lord's work is amazing.

Not to mention, Heavenly Father's timing. We're teaching this one sister. Her mom is a recent convert and her mother-in-law is active and temple worthy. Her husband works abroad, but is active there in Macaw, and he will be coming home at the end of October. She's already been going to church with her mom and in-lawas and she's reading. So if we help her prepare in time, she can be baptized by her husband during the two weeks he is home. That will be so special for the both of them. We taught her about the Restoration and invited her to be baptized, but haven't given her a date yet.

Mahal ko kayo,

Sister Cope

Pictures of the week (Courtesy of Sister Curtis' camera):

1. You can't see the background that well, but there are rice fields and mountains here in Morong.

2. At the Montano family's home with lots of their little neighbors, and Sister Jensen.

3. Brother and Sister Jensen made us breakfast this morning for zone meeting. Sister Jensen just turned 50 on Saturday and they treated us!

4. The zone! (It covers Teresa, Tanay, Binangonan, Morong at Malaya... which is malayo... :)

5.My new companion, Sister Curtis, along with Elder Petersen, who is a batch before coming into the mission, and Elder Ochavo, who I've been ka-zone with before in Antipolo and Pasig. Sobrang masaya,

Elder Bednar!!!

So, I've been transferred to Morong! It's the farthest area in the mission besides Mindoro (which is a separate island). I'm in a provincial area with lots of green mountains, and we drive right through Antipolo!!! I want to jump off and say hello, but that's not allowed. However, I've run into several people from Antipolo in the past couple days and it just makes me really happy. (Naiwan ko ang puso ko doon...) But the new people I'm meeting make me really happy, too, and my companion is masipag and keeps lessons simple, which really helps invite the Spirit. Sister Curtis is from Utah and 8 months into the mission (and 6 months in the field). I'm her first 'foreign' companion because she's had all Filipinas up until this point. One amazing experience we had this week was that this one evening as we were waiting for a tricycle, this one guy came up to us and commented on the fact that we're Mormons.  I asked him how he knew, and he said it was how we're dressed, and we asked if he'd been taught. He responded that he was taught for about a year, but his mom didn't want him to continue and be baptized. He added that he didn't think she'd mind now, and Sister Curtis asked, "Why do you want to be baptized?" And he said, "because your church is good." So we got his information and will hopefully be teaching him within the week. It was kind of a like a stork dropping a baby in our lap, but instead it was an investigator. Haha... Also, we have this one sister whose schedule baptismal date is September 15th, and every time we teach her the Spirit is just really strong because her heart is just open, and it feels like we're all being edified.

So oh my goodness, back to my subject line. Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles came to speak to us. We had read two talks prior to his coming, and based on his whole act not be acted upon emphasis, it was a very unusual form. He didn't share a talk and we didn't do the conventional note-taking. We had a discussion. And it all started here: D&C 88:122, " Appoint among yourselves a teacher, and let not all be spokesmen at once; but let one speak at a time and let all listen unto his sayings, that when all have spoken that all may be edified of all, and that every man may have an equal privilege." We read scriptures, he asked us questions, and then he'd expound on what we said. And he said "Don't take notes on what I say." He emphasized listening to the Spirit (the real teacher), and writing what the Holy Ghost directed. He never called on anyone; we had to volunteer. He did it as a reverence to our agency. It was amazing. He made us feel like we mattered and what we said mattered. I ended up asking him a question, and he asked me a question in return, and then we talked about it, and it was just wow. I got to talk to an apostle. He had to catch a flight to Davao so we didn't get to shake his hand, but it was okay because we learned so much. One thing he mentioned is that the mission should not get easier at goes on, it should become more overwhelming. I'm definitely feeling that, and more especially because of all the things from what we talked about that I want to apply. But I think the thing that he talked about most that will stick with me for the rest of my life is about having patience with ourselves in the process of trying to change ourselves to become better people. He compared it to a plastic bottle that has a hole at each end. The holes are big enough to fit one grain of sand. The bottle is filled with black sand, but as we do our part, we push one grain of white sand in and one grain of black sand comes out. Even if we do this 100 times (or have made a ton of changes to ourselves/our lives/etc.), the bottle is going to still look mostly black. It doesn't mean that we haven't made progress. He kept repeating "line upon line, precept upon precept." Heavenly Father knows us. He is so aware of us and He's listening and answering our prayers in His timetable. He sent an apostle, two members of the seventy, and their wives to answer my questions. I know the Church is true. I know Christ lives, and through Him Heavenly Father has called prophets and apostles to lead and direct His Church. I know that revelation is real--for prophets in behalf of the world, and for individuals in behalf of their stewardship (self, calling, family).

Mahal ko kayo,

Sister Cope