6 months

Hello from me this week. I just want to first thank everyone for all the letters and mail I am receiving. I appreciate it so much. Mail really makes me happy because I love hearing what you all are doing. I'm working on writing back to everyone. I have started at least by organizing into piles what I have answered and what still needs to be answered. But I love you all and I hope that you are all doing well. 

I can't believe that this Tuesday I will be six months in the mission. I'm still in my first area, and I hope to stay longer too. People ask me all the time if I will use Tagalog when I get home from my mission, so then I think to myself how I can't believe I can speak Tagalog now. It's crazy. I love this language so much though. I will definitely use it after my mission! 

I'm always trying to think of something I've learned that I can share with all of you, but I actually need your help this week. You can email me your feedback. Has anyone ever struggled going to church because of work on Sunday? What have you done? How did you decide to put church first? Did you have to sacrifice your job or what did you do? How can I strengthen the faith of less-actives to come back to church? What if it's really hard for them because they really have to support their family?

Thank you everyone. I look forward to your answers and any other inspiring advice for me. :)

In the service of the Lord is the best use of our time.

We went to the beach! We are teaching less actives and he reminds me of grandpa because he's white. It's so weird teaching in English! 

Sister Santa

Almost 6 months!

Hello everyone! 

Had another awesome and hard week. Just so you all know, I'll hit my 6 month markon March 11th, and then I'll only have 1 year left. Where has the time gone?? This transfer I stayed in my same area, so that means that this transfer I'll be 6 months in my first area. I love it here, even though it's hard! 

This morning I read the First Presidency Message from the February 2014 Liahona: "Serve the Lord with Love" by President Monson. I really liked it because when we lose ourselves in the service of others, we earn our salvation (Luke 9:24). Honestly there are so many ways we can serve in God's kingdom, all of which we will reap rewards of becoming more like Christ and becoming who He wants us to be. 

As I've been studying personal revelation this week, I just want to say that I know that Heavenly Father will reveal to each of us personally through prayer how we can serve Him. Specific questions will give way to specific answers. He has a work for us to do, so let's ask Him what He needs us to do. 

Love you all, 

Sister Santa

I lost sis Flores and got a new companion.

We did laundry again last week for CSP. It's the most often service because laundry here is so strenuous.

We have to cross a temporary bridge to get to one of our areas!

I love the members here.