Week 41

Hey everyone!

Happy belated valentines day! The work here in Lubao is just amazing! People are just so ready to hear the gospel and progress so much in such a little space of time! I definitely think it has to do with how humble, accepting, and happy the people are here. I hope when I  go home I will be more like them because they are just the best and happiest little people on earth even though they pretty much have nothing. Just goes to show it doesn't matter what brands you're wearing, if you have "the latest i-phone" (how many are there now since I've left like 100? haha) or how much money you have. If you are living the gospel of Jesus Christ and putting him and your family first... you will be happy and you will feel content and prosperous in your life. 

This week at church we heard from a young couple who was teaching gospel essentials class and the wife shared a short story with us that I would like to share with you today. She and her husband live in a small hut about 5 miles from the church. They have 3 small children under the age of 7 and also have their 2 cousins, aunt and grandma and grandpa living with them as well as providing for them. I saw the tears well up in this women's eyes as she told us how many times now she and her husband have gone without food so that their family could eat at least 2 times a day. Sometimes they only have enough food to have everyone in their home eat 1 meal a day. She spoke of the pain she felt as her children would cry saying they were hungry and the anguish she felt knowing she could do nothing to help the situation but pray and do her best to fulfill her duty as a mom. Although this was her situation for quite some time, she said she just put her faith in God and asked him for his tender mercies. She later told of how her and her husband made the gospel of Jesus Christ a new priority in their lives and diligently sought everyday to teach it to their small children. Now She finds joy in seeing her children pray or read the scriptures and although their living situation never changed, they became more unified as a family and are 100 times happier in their lives.

The gospel truly is the answer to our problems and the purpose of our lives. I am so grateful to have the opportunity everyday to go out in the blazing heat and share it with everyone I see. Next week we have a baptism so all of you get excited/ pray for Elsa and Harlyn! Love you all and keep the faith!

Mom's second shipment of clothes arrives

girl finds a new dress

this mom looks very happy

With friends from Lubao

Transfers are posted

Today is transfer day:

Jessica with her new companions

saying good bye to Lubao sisters

Love always,

Sister Lowe

Week 40 - Loving it in Lubao

Magandang umaga po! Kumsta po kayo dyan? :)

Ok so first things first, DEVON! CONGRATUALATIONS on your mission call!!!!!! ahhhhhh Boise Idaho?? No way! That's awesome! You are so gonna rock it over there :) I wish I could have been there to see you open it, but i'm so proud of you bro and I'm super excited to both be out on our missions serving the lord :) Marissa you're next ;) haha

Ok so guys it's been another busy busy week here in Lubao but man I just love it here! The people are just so nice here and so prepared to hear the gospel. Our area is massive right now and its a little challenging to manage at times, but it's good because it keeps us busy and focused. We have to be super aware of the time and always moving to get to our next appointment. But hey, no complaints there right? :) The work is really progressing here, we have 7 baptisms coming up at the end of February and early March and each one of them are SO excited for their special day. 

Another exciting thing that happened this week was that I received the packages of clothes you all sent over (they are HUGE!) and I had the opportunity to distribute them out to needy families here who don't have the money to buy clothes for their families. Oh my gosh I don't know if I've ever had so much hugs or affection in my entire life! These people were just so humble and so grateful for something as simple as a clean t-shirt for their child or a new skirt that they can now wear to church. I was truly touched by the outpouring of love and gratitude from the Philippine people here in Lubao. I told them from where I got the clothes and they told me to tell all who was involved in the donation of these clothes a big thank you for your goodness and kindness to them or in their own words " Marami maraming salamat po, nagpapasalamat po kami para sa inyong kabutian at kabaitan sa amin."  

This mission has truly  opened my eyes to a different world and I know I will be forever changed because of the experiences I have had here. I love the Filipino people, I love the gospel, and I love my Savior Jesus Christ who makes everything possible :) Mahal ko kayo and just keep living everyday with a smile :) We truly do have so much to be grateful for. 

Love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ingat po palagi!

Love,

Sister Lowe      

Week 39 - Lubao is Awesome

Hey hey hey!

Guys, it has been one crazy week! But don't worry- a good kind of crazy. So on Wednesday the APs called and were like tell sister Leakehe, Sister De Los Santos, and Sister Jensen to pack their bags because they are having an emergency transfer! It was totally unexpected and we had to get them packed and loaded within 2 hours! The reason they had to transfer is because the Tacloban missionaries that came here a couple months ago are going back to Tacloban now. Then on Thursday me and Sister Paciano had to pack up all of our stuff because we had to move into another apartment with the other sisters in our ward- Sister Calaunan (my trainer!) and Sister Larkin who I found out is friends with Jenny from St Joseph! Small world right? So now we are all housemates and just lov'n life as usual :) 

So another big thing happened. When Sister Leakehe and Sister De Los Santos left, no one came to take their place in their area so President told us that their old area is now combined with ours which was already huge! Its quite the adventure to say the least haha but we've been having TONS of success here! Like it's incredible what hard work, obedience, and help from the Lord can do. This week Sister Paciano and I found 13 new investigators and we had 20 investigators come to church yesterday!!! That was a record for me :) I was so happy to see them walk through the door and to see them really enjoy themselves there. I'm also super excited for Elsa, Harlyn and Carlito who are getting baptized on February 22!!! And then the entire Mangalindan family is getting baptized now march 8!!!! Guys, missions are the best! I just can't get enough of it :) 

Earlier my zone and I got to go to Mt Samat because we achieved all our goals for the month of January! It is SOOO pretty up there! I'll try to send some pics- I have to tell you I am not jealous one bit of your 30 degree weather right now haha 80 and sunny all the way baby! hehe :) Well, I just wanted to let you all know how much I love and miss you! Just because I'm focused on my work doesn't mean I still don't think and pray for you often :) You all are THE BEST! Keep up the faith, love everyday and make the most of what God has blessed you with :)

Jessica with Sister Paciano at Mt. Samat
85 degrees and sunny

LOVE ALWAYS,

Sister Lowe