Week 35 Pictures

Lignon Hill

Week 35 Pictures

1. Christmas Con red lipstick

2. and the Uke

3. Fred and Iza at church!

4. The office elders love us

His hand is stretched out still

Hello from your favorite Sister Missionary :D It has been quite a week. Like crazy.

On Monday night we (being the Legazpi sisters) got to set up the stage and everything for Christmas Conference on Tuesday. I was real glad I spent so much time decorating our house with paper snowflakes last year because my skills were definitely utilized. It was a way fun night.

Tuesday was Christmas Conference! It was SO MUCH FUN! I got to see Sister Routhier and everyone I missed from Bulan – and everywhere else in the mission too because it was a mission wide conference. It was Sister Routhier's birthday and I gave her a calendar that I hand made with all of these hand drawn quotes in it and she cried. Isn't it the best when you get someone a gift and they love it so much they cry? Yeah, that was great.  Our presentation went really well (I'll try to send the video if I can, it's pretty great) except the microphone died and everyone cracked up. We even won an award. But everyone else did too so yeah.

Some of the Bulan Sisters had to sleep over at our apartment because they missed the last bus to Bulan. So our house is filled with people and we're all passed out. At 2 AM we get a call from the AP telling us to come open the door because there's another sister who needed to sleep over. She got some medical problems and had to be sent to the MRC. That was crazy and I got like zero sleep. Then that night we went on splits. We had planned to meet at a certain spot and curfew comes and goes and Sister Delgado is nowhere to be found. I'm sorta freaking out at this point thinking something has happened. I was with Herlinda (she helps out at the mission home) and I didn't have a phone and hers was dead. So we decide to go to the Mission home to see if they're there, and sure enough. President Guanzon was just like what happened? And I was all good question. But he actually was very nice and understanding about it. Nothing like showing up at the mission home past curfew without your companion. Haha

On Thursday we taught our investigator Joanne and IT WAS INCREDIBLE. Oh my heavens I can't even get over it. The lesson was pretty long and I was feeling like it wasn't even done. I was feeling like there was something more she needed to tell us. So, I kept asking questions not really knowing where I was going with things, just following the Spirit, when she finally breaks down and tells us this story. When she was 15 years old, she was kidnapped by her friends' dad. He put her to sleep and tattooed his last name on her back all big and bold. She is so traumatized from the experience. As she's telling us this, Sister Delgado and I are absolutely sobbing. She was asking us if her body is still a temple. I've never in my life felt so strongly God's love for one of His children. I had never before felt so much conviction in saying that the Lord and His Gospel can heal all wounds – physical and spiritual. I want you to know, whoever is reading this, that you are loved. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for you specifically so that He whould know how to help you overcome the challenges and trials in your life. He knows. As real and as scary as anything in your life is right now, He knows. He is the only one that can fully understand and that can fully help you. So, turn to Him and let Him help you. His hand is stretched you, you just have to take it. I testify that no matter what you've done in your life or whatever has happened to you, The Savior can heal you. You just have to let Him. So act. Go to church, read your scriptures, pray. Do the simple things everyday to draw just a little bit closer to Him everyday and I can promise it will change your life. After all, faith without works is dead, right?

Saturday was one year since I opened my mission call. I can't believe that was a whole year ago. It's been the best year of my whole life. Lots of growing up, lots of changing, but I've never been so happy or felt so close to the Lord.

On Sunday our investigator Fred came to church and he really wants to be baptized! I'm so excited for him! Today we had our Zone Activity at Lignon Hill and it was way fun. Life in Legazpi is crazy, there's not one uneventful day. Saturday is transfer announcement and I can't belive it's already here. I'm just praying I get to stay in Legazpi with Sister Delgado for Christmas but I know whatever happens, it'll be great.

I love you all! Have a great week!

Sister Wilkins