9/28/2014

Dear Everyone, 

I am so happy! We had a great, but super busy week! I said goodbye to my last companion because she just finished her mission, and then I had a temporary companion for a few days. Then on Wednesday I found out that our area is being pulled out even though the work is on fire. I was super caught off guard and really sad and worried. I had one night to get all of my stuff packed, the house cleaned and to fix the are book and lots of notes to help the new sisters open the area and not forsake any of the 12 investigators being baptized this October. It was the most stressful night of my entire mission. Friday morning, super exhausted and nervous, I found out I was being transferred to Urdaneta. Now I am in my second zone in my whole mission, in my 4th area and with my 8th companion. It feels like I am new in the mission again. We had zone studies this morning and the zone is all elders except for us 4 sisters in Binalonan area. That in itself is a huge adjustment coming from an all sisters zone my whole mission with only 6 elders. 

I am excited to use my faith this transfer and help this area to find more investigators and families. It's going to be a great transfer. I am in Binalonan Ward with my companion, and the other two sisters are in the Binalonan Branch. The attendance yesterday was about 40, including 8 sisters in RS. I am ready to go to work!

We have been having fun even if it's only been a few days. My personal goal is to find a way to serve everyone and anyone before we offer to share a message. I want to try the Ammon style of missionary work. I expect great success. Already we have really gained the trust of all those we meet. 

The Lord is blessing and taking care of His work. 

I am glad to hear that you are all doing well, and continue to press forward and endure to the end. 

Love you so much, 

Sister Santa

9/22/2014

Dear Everyone, 

We had a wonderful week here in big Catholic city, Manaoag, Philippines. The area is progressing. We were blessed to be able to teach 25 lessons this past week. We have 3 families that will be baptized this coming October. It will be a very busy month. Our goal is to help each investigator develop real, and lasting Faith in Jesus Christ. I know that those we teach will be more converted as they develop face to live commandments and endure to the end. 

Yesterday was Sunday and it was wonderful. We had 12 investigators attend church, and all of the speakers and lessons were really good. I wasn't scheduled to speak, but I was actually announced to speak in the middle of the Sacrament program, and I hadn't prepared anything. But I chose not to fear. I shared my personal study from the day before in Ether, about the Brother of Jared and how we can receive specific answers to prayers as we pray in faith. I know that it's true. I know that Heavenly Father answers our sincere prayers, but He expects us to put our effort first. 

I love being a missionary. We saw tender mercies as the Lord led us to those who needed to be taught, and then as we teach we feel the Spirit and we know that we are just instruments. 

On Sunday afternoon we planned to visit a recent convert. He is 71 years old and the only member of his family and all his children. He didn't come to church. When we arrived to teach him he was so relieved because he was feeling really heavy with sin and trials. We were able to share the scriptures, and strengthen his faith. 

We also had many opportunities to serve this past week. Even in simple ways, I know that people will recognize us as representatives of Jesus Christ. 

There are always trials. I learned this week that trials help us grow. Everything is a part of the Master's plan to help us become more like Him. His plan is perfect. 

I love you all. I am doing my best. Put your shoulder to the wheel, and rely in His strength, and surely He will make weak things strong.

Sister Santa

9/14/2014

Dear Everyone, 

I reached my one year mark in the mission this week. It was a great week. It was a miracle that even though it was pouring rain, we still had 8 investigators come to church. The work is doing great. 

I studied the Atonement and the enabling power this morning. I know that the Atonement of Jesus Christ helps us to do more and become better than we are now. It helps us accomplish His work every day, in all that we do. I know that commandments are for our benefit. 

We had a really good week as we sought to strengthen others' faith to keep commandments and be obedient. Obedience is the first law of heaven. We saw miracles this week in our teaching. 

Love you all, 

Sister Santa

9/7/2014

This is a picture of several of the missionaries from my batch in the MTC. It's crazy to think that we will be One year this week. 

This is lunch yesterday. I cooked! I made Tinola, which is green papaya and chicken and green chilis. With a side of cucumbers that we picked