working hard

We made pancit canton, so yummy. And I'm loving the mangoes, because it's mango season so they're all really cheap. Plus a member family that are really nice and their boys love the missionaries.

Out in the field rice is dried on the road and then put into sacks. We were tracting and found a less-active! She cried when she saw us. It's so beautiful here!

We had a really hard week with a lot of rejection. Satan is working really hard on these people and we see people changing all the time. Some may be really receptive at first and then after a little time they change and will hide or mock us. I know I'm on the Lord's team. We are all on the Lord's team and we won't fail. So this knowledge makes me happy. Our family is close to being baptized too and they are the light amid the dark for us. I'll just keep working here and I'm so happy for the trials. I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for us and each of us and the trials we face in this life is because He loves us and wants to help us become like Him. We even agreed and rejoiced for trials before this like. :)

Happy Valentine's Day

Hello Everyone, 

We had another wonderful week but this week is different because we had baptisms. It's even more special because I've seen this family progress from the very first time we talked to them on the street until now. I've been there every lesson, and I've experienced every struggle along with them. My joy is so full. This is when my joy is full: when I see my brothers and sisters making covenants with Heavenly Father and changing their lives. I am so grateful for the Plan of Salvation. This life is the life for us to prepare our labors. This life is so short, just like my mission. So I've learned that I need to work, work, work (we all need to work, work, work) and then we can rest. Eternal life means eternal rest and happiness and a fullness of joy. But we haven't earned it yet, so let's get to work!

Happy Valentine's Day! 

Small and subtle blessing

I am so excited for this next Saturday because I have witnessed the conversion of a family from the time that we talked to them on the street until now. It is so amazing and my testimony is so strong that Heavenly Father is preparing people to be found and taught. The days go so fast, and I'm always really tired, but I am so happy. I am seeing a change in myself and I'm grateful for every trial. 

I really appreciate the small and subtle blessings. I loved the talk from Elder Bednar from last October 2013 conference because sometimes when we ask for help with a trial, Heavenly Father will bless us with endurance, or whatever He sees fit for us. 

We served this week by doing laundry, which is super exhausting and it takes forever. This was my third time doing laundry but the first time I actually got a picture. I respect anyone who does laundry here, because it's really physically demanding and I'm young. 

President and Sister Pagaduan, our temporary mission president and his wife, came to our apartment last week! 

And of course I'm loving the mangoes, as usual. 

I love you all, 

Sister Santa

This is my joy

This is my Joy!

1. My desk  2. Sister Flores and me  3. A dog ate my shoes!   4.  We made Lumpia. So delicious! Fried like spring rolls with veggies inside. Studying chaos on my desk.   5. I made a reading assignment for our investigator that has Asperger's Syndrome (Autism!)    

I love my companion, Sister Flores. She has been a huge blessing for me and this area especially. We have a hard area, or at least that's what all the other missionaries say, but I love it so much. I love this area and the people and all of our days here. I feel really trusted with this area, because it's special. 

This past week we've been feeling a lot of rejection. So many people have been really mean and it hurts, especially because they don't know what they're missing out on. But I'm only a child, and I'm an American girl, and people are still means once we identify ourselves as missionaries. But I'm really grateful for the experience, to understand a little more of what it feels like for the Savior. He was rejected in a way I could never imagine. And so for his example, I am grateful. I'm grateful that I can be His disciple.

One day this week, we were feeling weird and we didn't know where to go or what to do. Our plans didn't feel right. So we hid behind a house and we prayed. Immediately after, we walked to the neighbors and started talking to them. We found out that missionaries had taught them before and they were really interested. Our prayer was answered immediately and my heart was full.

What a wonderful week. So many miracles I can't even list them all. My heart was full in Sacrament Meeting yesterday. The Spirit was so strong, I wish more investigators would have come! We have a family of 6 being baptized on Feb 15. 

I am happy because I've been reading Alma 29:9-10 every day and I'm realizing that I'm seeing it happen right before my eyes that people are changing and repenting and becoming converted. I'm happy to be doing the work that God labors and weeps over. I know there is nothing better I could be doing right now.

1. My planner! I love when it's busy! :) 2. Sister Flores and me

Love you all, 

Sister Santa