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

Pag-aayuno

That means fasting in Tagalog. This transfer I have such an increased testimony of it. Our bishop challenged the ward to fast every Sunday, and Sister Daclan and I did it for our six weeks together. (I will be transferring again.) Every time we just saw different doors open and unexpected blessings. One miracle from this past week was a Sister who hasn't been to church since 2004. We've only taught her twice. And the members treated her so well. She said she was really happy. And our next lesson with her was very different. Her heart is just ready to come back and understand the gospel. I also learned some very important lessons this last fast that we did. I know Heavenly Father is answering my prayers.

Sister Daclan will be training!! I'm so excited for her. She's going to be amazing. She just has the biggest heart, and will help the new missionary adjust and feel very loved. But I'm going to miss her so much. We found out on Monday so I've been saying some goodbyes and one of our returning members offered a very tender prayer in our behalf with our new companions and for me and my new area. I'm starting to get used to leaving the people I love behind. I'll be heading to my fourth area, but it's still hard, and I've already promised one of my favorite families in a previous area that I will be returning to the Philippines. I can't say goodbye forever. That would break my heart. So I will see them again, and it's okay. I have to come back to see some of them sealed in the temple.

One of our investigators with a baptismal date had been struggling to understand the priesthood authority of the Church. But he wants to be baptized and he has a testimony of going to church. He reads the scriptures, he's excited to learn more every lesson, and he offers very heartfelt prayers. We asked him what he learned in Elders Quorum this past Sunday. It was a leson about priesthood. He gets it now. It was amazing to hear him share, and he was excited to tell us that he gave the opening prayer before the lesson. His baptismal date is September 30 so sadly I will not get to be here for it, but I know Sister Daclan will take good care of him.

I had the privilege of teaching endure to the end with our other investigator who will be baptized on the 16th. He has grown so much in his testimony since I first got here. Before he wouldn't always keep appointments, and now we're teaching him four times a week.

We're late for our lunch appointment and I still have to e-mail our mission president. But basically it's been an amazing last week in Pateros.

Mahal ko kayo,

Sister Cope

PICTURES of the week! (courtesy of Sister Daclan's camera)

And actually they're from the past couple weeks up until today :D

1.Sister Daclan, Nicole Salamanca, and me. Her family started coming back to church again these past six weeks and she wants to go on a mission!

2. Today after transfer announcements. Mahal ko siya <3

3. After the last temple tour we had (which was actually Quezon City North..), we took pictures at the church because the ones of all four of us at the temple weren't very good. To the far left is Jason Miano. He's the one getting baptized on the 16th. His girlfriend, Nicole is a member.

4. Cute pictures at the temple. She is going to be an amazing missionary, if she doesn't get married first :)

5. The first temple tour of the transfer (these pictures are out of order) with the Garais Family. And apparently I wore the same thing both times... Ha.

6.Garais family. I love them to death. Maevelle, Sister Brenda, and Mel Brian. Mel Mel will be baptized by the end of the year, and by the end of next year, hopefully, their family will be going through the temple to be sealed for time and eternity. Brother Melvin had work.

7. Mamimiss sila ng sobra.

8. So I know this is not flattering, and a really scary thing for anyone who is not a sister, but tampons are really rare in the Philippines so I had to take a picture...

Oops!

So probably the most eventful thing that happened this week was Sister Daclan and I went to temple tour with one of our returning members and her investigator boyfriend. The thing is that it wasn't our turn for temple tour... We got there and thought, "Why do we not recognize any of these missionaries?" It was the Quezon City North Mission, and we had gone by the old calendar instead of the updated one... 

But as awkward as it was at first, it was such a blessing, and there was definitely a purpose to it. And Jason and Nicole were so excited. They were earlier than us, and just had the right attitude and enthusiasm. Jason will be baptized this coming September. He's gone to church four times in a row, and he has questions with depth. Nicole and her family have also gone to church consistently now, too, as compared to last transfer when I hadn't even met them until the fifth week, I think. Transfers are happening AGAIN next week, and Sister Daclan and I are really hoping to stay together to see him and one of our other investigators baptized within the next month. But it depends on Heavenly Father. Not only that, Sister Daclan is great and she's just the companion I needed at this time.

Grabe! Heavenly Father has blessed me so much with the people He has put in my life. And we had zone interviews this past week, and I learned so much, and my head will probably explode trying to apply it all, but wow.

Oh, and our temple day was this morning where we got to go inside (as opposed to temple tour which is  for investigators and just outside on the grounds). We woke up at 4:30 a.m. and as early as it was, I learned a lot, but still have so much more to learn. and the temple is really a special place because you always end up running into people you know--like Tatay Tarun from my first area in Antipolo! Sobrang masaya. I really did leave my heart there... But there are other places to go and more people to meet and serve.

Mahal ko kayo,

Sister Cope

The rains came down, and the floods came up...

So I don't know if this is on the news in the U.S., but we've had a pretty big deal flood here in the Philippines. I've had the privilege of walking in waist-deep-diaper-and-who-knows-what-else water. Yay! But we were really blessed in my area because our apartment wasn't flooded unlike a lot of other missionaries who had to evacuate. The water's going down in most areas, but one of our areas has an estimation of October before the water goes down because it has nowhere to go. The Pasig River is full... So there's about 15 families living at our chapel right now, and Sister Daclan and I are there almost every night serving food. We passed out relief goods for two days to others that decided to stay home. (that's where we've encountered the really deep dirty water :) In spite of the disaster we've still been able to teach and we've had some great lessons. One of our member families who is staying at the chapel came with their non-member siblings and their families, and they're really sincere about learning the gospel. We've taught them three times, and one of them asked the golden question "How do you become a member?"

Tapos... A lot of our less actives are staying at the church so we've been able to teach them, and they were able to attend sacrament meeting. But we also had some of our other less actives, who have to walk in knee-high water and pay a lot more for their tricycles, still come to church. They're acting on their faith! It's wonderful to see. We have other less actives that we haven't taught for a while because they're always busy with work, but because they're living at the church, we've had the opportunity to visit with them when they're not at work.

So we've still seen blessings in the midst of this trial, and the bishop of our ward mentioned how there is a reason for this flood. It's a reminder to repent. Actually, in our weekly e-mail, our mission president said how maybe we're starting to understand just a little bit the feeling of the people at the time of Noah. Ha... Not to mention we sang that Primary song mentioned in my subject line several times before the flood happened... For those of you who don't know that song here is a summary of the lyrics found in 3 Nephi verses 24-27:  "Therefore, whoso heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock— And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them not shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand—And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell, and great was the fall of it." And then in Helaman chapter 5 verse 12 we find the meaning of that rock... "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." I always like to point out something here that I learned in a Sunday School class, it says when not if. The devil will send forth temptations, and Heavenly Father will give us trials, but if we are prepared and are following the gospel that Heavenly Father has given through His Son, Jesus Christ, we won't be dragged down. We can make it through our trials with a smile on our face and a strengthened testimony. And we can overcome temptation without giving in.

Mahal ko kayo,
Sister Cope

P.S. Tagalog word of the week: baha. That's flood. It's fun because the word for wet is very similar.. basa. But if you conjugate it or pronounce it wrong it means to read ;)

Tiyaga at Pananampalatya

Dearest Family and Friends, 

Something I remember learning from one of my MTC teachers is that when you learn new things (or put things together and strengthen your testimony) while you're teaching, that's the Spirit. So just yesterday I really felt that. We had this great lesson with one of our less active sisters. Her situation is legitimately rough financially. She's a new member so she doesn't quite see how important and how real the gospel is yet. I shared the talk from conference by Elder Perry, I think, about the two different groups of people in the Book of Mormon. The Lord was slow to hear the cries of the first because of their iniquities, but God delivered the next group on the morrow because of their patience, faith, and humility. Then Sister Daclan shared this great scripture from Mosiah 2:22. We both shared our family experiences, and we both realized that we really wouldn't have gotten this far in our lives with these many blessings if it wasn't for the gospel. It's amazing, but God really does keep his promises.

And yesterday's church attendance was a miracle. I saw real sacrifice. One of our less actives came riding on a bike with a side car in the pouring rain. His wife was in the side car holding their granddaughter and an umbrella. A couple minutes later all their kids showed up. Another less active who has polio and can't really walk came with her younger daughter on crutches with the help of her older son. And some other whole families and members of families came, and it's just a really different feeling to go to church as a missionary. Your happiness kind of depends on how others use their agency. The fast and testimony meeting was also amazing because it was mostly youth (young men and young women ages 12-18) who bore their testimonies. Many of them are more active than their parents, and it's amazing to see what the seminary program is doing for their lives, and other experiences that they're having.  The spirit was really strong, and Sister Daclan and I joked that we want to go back to seminary. (I was actually a horrible seminary student... :)

Anyway. Sulit ang ebanghelyo ni Jesucristo. It means the gospel is worth it. And there's this quote from Elder Dallin H. Oaks' talk last conference that just sums it up:  “A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation. … It [is] through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life.”  I know this is true. 

Mahal ko kayo,

Sister Cope

Slowing Down.....

I mentioned this, I think, last time, but our mission president is always telling us to slow down in our lessons. I've been watching Sister Daclan during the lessons (because she is very good at this), and as I've applied it, I've noticed so much more guidance from the Spirit. In a couple lessons I just thought, "Wow! That did not come from me." It's lessons I've taught hundreds of times, but the Holy Ghost has given new ideas on how to explain it.

And I feel like Heavenly Father is really trusting Sister Daclan and I because we finally met the husband of one of our less actives who is always working. We taught  them about temples and introduced the Restoration and have an appointment which we're praying will become regular. Also on our way from district meeting our tricycle driver asked us about judgment and had these other great questions and his interest and sincerity are just this different level. He told us some of his expectations so we're going to really prepare because these are one of those people it says in the scriptures that are searching for the truth and know not where to find it.

Temple tour was a great experience as well. We were able to get there earlier, and it was very reverent. We brought one of our less active families. Their son isn't baptized yet, and they're preparing to enter the temple next year. They've become very active, and Sister works with us and is always reading her scriptures. Sister Sarmiento gave them a picture of the temple before she left, and when their son saw the picture he said, "If I get to go there, I'll start listening seriously to the missionaries." So he played games on their cell phone for a bit of the tour, but as it progressed, he listened more and asked us about the inside. The Spirit is always very strong there on the temple grounds. I think it strengthened the mother's desire to help her family get sealed.

And this one less active family that hasn't gone to church the whole time I've been assigned here in Pasig finally came. And the daughter brought her boyfriend who is investigating the church. He has a baptismal date in September. It's exciting. Heavenly Father is answering our prayers in behalf of these people.

Mahal ko kayo,

Sister Cope