Week 4: Love for Sundays

Hello everyone!!

Each week gets packed with more and more. The weeks sometimes go by fast but it also feels like it has been months here at the Missionary Training Center (MTC) in Provo Utah. I have about 2 1/2 more weeks until I leave to the Philippines to put what I've learned here to use. 

I learn more Ilonggo all the time! In class, our teachers make us laugh when they tell us their stories of their missions in the Philippines (each teacher returned from their mission about 1-3 years ago and are about 20-23 years old). The other day, we learned more Ilonggo expressions. Apparently Filipinos are not very sarcastic and the most sarcastic expression is "edi wow" which basically translates to "cool story bro" (with the hands on the side of the head holding up both hands with 3 fingers up to make 'W's and the head is the 'O'--- look at the picture of me to see that it makes "WOW" ahahaha). I laughed so hard at how silly that was. We also learned the word "Kwan" which  translates to "whatchamacallit" or "whatshisface". haha very useful word. Another thing about Ilonggo: apparently all over the Philippines, Ilonggo speakers are known for sounding like they are singing. We seriously add words which dont have a meaning to sentences just to make the sentence flow more and sound better. The gift of tongues is so real and the Lord is blessing me kada adlaw (every day). Thank you for all the prayers you all have been sending my way. I know the Lord is blessing me to learn Ilonggo quickly so He can use me to do His =work and teach His great message to the people in the Philippines. 

I am learning more about how to come even closer with Christ. It is such a blessing to have been set apart (blessed by the priesthood) to literally be a representative of Christ and try to teach as if Christ were beside me. My whole PURPOSE in life these next 17.5 months (a little more than 17 months) is to invite others to come unto Christ through His restored gospel. 

Speaking of which, I wanted to share what I learned this past Sunday at a devotional. We learned about the importance of Sabbath Day Attendance and the Sacrament. At church on Sundays, we are SO blessed to renew our baptismal covenants (Promises) that we made at baptism (by the authority of God or priesthood which was restored to the earth through the prophet Joseph Smith). The Sacrament is how we can endure to the end, it allows renewal and more hope. I invite you (if you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - if not hang in there, Ill add more for yall later) to listen to the Sacrament prayer and remember the covenants you made at baptism to keep His commandments and always remember Him. It is such a blessing to be forgiven of the sins we have committed after we have repented daily that whole week. The Atonement that our Brother Jesus Christ atoned for us is INFINITE and ETERNAL in what it forgives and how long it lasts. It covers every pain, affliction, illness, temptations, sickness and infirmities (Alma 7:11-12 in the Book of Mormon). We must only humble ourselves and have faith in His redeeming power as we repent (Alma 37:33). 

Food For Thought: 

1. If you only have a testimony of the Book of Mormon, but not of church attendance, how long are you going to have a testimony of the Book of Mormon? 

2. How can the Lord answer your prayers if you're not there to hear the answers? 
(I think the word "there" can mean spiritually there for the Lord by not only church attendance but by reading the scriptures and praying always).

I can testify that that the Lord will bless you for keeping His commandments and so many blessings will pour out to you that you will have no way to receive all of them (Malachi 3:10). You and I are here to learn how to become like God (its why we came down here to earth in the first place) and He knew we would ALL mess up. That is why He sent our Brother, His Son, Jesus Christ to atone for our sins so we can live with God again if we endure to the end. 

Sorry if you're not a member and that did not make sense-- if you're curious, go to mormon.org (it has answers) and to the Book of Mormon (it has ALL the answers). 

OK BACK TO MY WEEK: 

The new buildings here are beautiful They are filled with quotes and thought provoking questions and beautiful pieces of art made from cool photography and digital effects. We have massive windows everywhere and I am blessed to be surrounded by Mountains. 

Remember: "...the Lord blesses those who want to improve, who accept the need for the commandments and try to keep them, who cherish Christlike virtues and strive to the best of their ability to acquire them. If you stumble in that pursuit, so does everyone; the Savior is there to help you keep going..." (Elder Holland in his talk "Tomorrow the Lord will do Wonders Among You).

Repentance is so happy, it brings HOPE.

Sorry this was so long, when I get to the Philippines I will have crazy stories about massive spiders and the rain haha :) 

I LOVE YOU ALL. GOD LOVES YOU. 
Thank you for using the dearelder.com website! I love the letters! 
love, Sister Masters















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