I hope they call me on a mission... to the Philippines!: 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!