April 7, 2013

Happy April Everyone :)
This week has been a week of testing. Heavenly Father tested me to see if I learned my lesson of looking at the small success instead of just always wanting more. One lesson I learned from my last area. I felt like I had grown a lot from my last area and I lived up to it this week. I passed Heavenly Father's test. I looked at the little things instead of just looking at the big. Even though pretty much all of our lessons with our IBD's failed through this week because of things we couldn't control. It was stressful trying to find things to do. One of our baptisms might not continue on the right date because the parents have work and different things like that. I had to look at the thought that at least we will have 1 baptism on the 26th. Look at the little successes! We also had a big success with our family si Brother S and E. We taught the WOW and Brother S had a problem with cigarellio. About 15 sticks sa isang day. He is now down to 6 sticks within one week :) He is progressing and his whole family is following him. A Daddy, a Mommy, and their kid :) A WHOLE family :) Something that I have wanted my whole mission. :) I realized that missionary work is not only affecting their family but his brother A. He is the only member of their family, an RM, 30 and still isn't married. He told us that this FHE, that we will have later tonight, will be the first FHE at their house in his life. He was soooooo excited for it :) What he said and seeing this family progress has made my mission worth it all over again. There have been so many hard times, but experiences like this and seeing people progress make a mission so worth it :)
Elder De La Torre and I have been doing great together. He is really progressing and many of the ward members have commented on his growth and confirmed what I have seen in him. He is a great missionary.
I had a good week even though it was hard. I got to work in the Corn fields and really feel how it was like for the life of people here and its hard. I respect them for what they do day after day. :) They do it for very little money... I spent just one hour out in the field, but I got to experience life here. I want to work again so I know how it feels when an investigator says I am tired because of my work, or I have no money. Us as missionaries here, even though its no where close to the missionaries in the states, are spoiled. We have running water. That is a huge blessing. We have a house and money to buy food. I wish sometimes I could live like the people here so I can be more empathetic towards them. I love you all :) I hope you never forget where all your blessings in life are coming from :) And where your true strength is :)
FHE scripture - Alma 48: 11-18 :) Think about who you want to be like and what other people would write of you if they wrote an autobiography about you :)
I love you all :)
Elder Malaki Na Mababa