Week 29 - Baptism!

Hey everyone!

My Thanksgiving dinner at Jollibee 

Happy Thanksgiving! I actually totally forgot until the other Americans here told me last week it was Thanksgiving, haha.. I'm telling you, being on the other side of the world and being focused on the mission messes with your brain sometimes. Wow, miss you guys tons, especially now during the holiday seasons, but life is still going on here and things are great and crazy as usual! This past week we had lots of ups and downs- welcome to missionary life, haha. Seriously though, it's incredible how you can be on top of the world at one moment and then just devastated or vice versa.  I'll start with the bad news first so we can end on the good news ok? K. 

So, On Saturday we went to Joy's house like normal and began the lesson and were following up on her preparation for baptism- which we weren't worried about at all because she is seriously so prepared and golden and SO excited for her baptism on Dec 7. But when we asked, all of the sudden she just started crying and we were like, “oh no, what happened what's wrong??” She then told us she knows that this church is true and that she wants to be a member of the church more than anything, but her Dad told her that if she gets baptized he will disown her. She's only 16 years old and still living at home and, of course, loves and depends on her family. She just threw her arms around me and cried and just kept repeating, "ano ko gagawin? ano ko gagawin?" aka "what am I going to do?". We told her to keep doing what she is doing, reading the scriptures, praying coming to church and to keep the faith. Sometimes we are given trials to test us and see where our faith is, but we can't let them defeat us. I shared Alma 34:30-41 in the Book of Mormon which talks about patience and that if we do our best and endure we will one day rest from our afflictions. A peace came into the room and I have no doubt that Joy will be baptized. Maybe not this month, maybe not this year, but I know one day she will be able enter the waters of baptism and come out clean and become an amazing member of the church. 

Ohmi & Edrei's baptism - so happy for their family

So now for the next news, Ohmi and Edrei we baptized yesterday!!! And their less active/ not so less active anymore parents attended and were so excited for them! It was such a happy day and to see their whole family together at church, smiling and full of hope is something I won't forget. Missionary is hard BUT it is worth it. I love you all so so so much and hope you have a great week!

Ingat po kayo palagi! 

Jessica drinking from a coconut

Love, 

Sister Lowe