Sister Manwaring was transferred this week!! She's like 7 hours away in the suppper bukid (middle of nowhere) in her area she even has to ride a boat to get to an appointment... haha crazy!! I will miss her SOOOO much!!! Not being able to see her every week :( But I got to say goodbye when I saw her at the store for Pday and hopefully the next time I see her it will be when we're companions! ;) We can dream right?!
So we had an awesome baptism this week!!!!!! 6 baptized :) and the elders had 3 so all together 9! The Lord is really Hastening His work!!! I start with Sister Alicia!! I remember telling you all about her the first time we taught her.. she's the adorable woman who exclaimed "I'M READY!!" when we asked her to be baptized? She's house- help for a member in the ward. She was baptized :) she's SOOO adorable! And hilarious!! Her testimony after her baptism "I am so happy. We are all her in the Christian world of Mormons. And it is true." haha She is so so so sweet! I seriously just want to take her home! Then 3 boys Deigo, Richard and Greg. Greg and Deigo are brothers and Alicia is their aunt! And Richard is Deigo and Greg's cousin. But he's more like their brother.. his mom died and his dad is.. not really there. But MAN! Let me just say I LOVE these kids!!!! I actually was the one to first talk to their mom because we would pass their house every time we taught Alicia, and so we started teaching their family! Their mom and dad are not yet ready to want to be baptized but we are so close with their family and I just love them so so much! These boys are so smart! Then Sister Carla and Elaine! They're best friends! They both come from really hard lives.. Carla is the oldest in her family and is practically the mom because her parents work so much. They don't have money to go to school even. Elaine also has this speech problem and really struggles socially but has this crazy awesome desire and faith! They walk to church and save their snack money to buy us little trinkets and treats every week! I always try and tell them not to but it makes them so happy!! They are the sweetest!!! It's amazing to see people latch onto the gospel and just have so much faith with their little knowledge of the gospel. I know that this gospel is for everyone. I know that the gospel is the best way to change these kids' futures and hopefully they will set the trend and example for their families!! All we can do is teach and invite, I wish people could TRULY realize the way this gospel can change their lives.
It gives hope for a brighter future. Peace during trials. Strength during hardships. Forgiveness and freedom from sin. And happiness for eternity! I love this gospel so much and it is changing my life each day as a missionary. The Book of Mormon is true. I love the guidance and strength it gives me every day that I read it! Pray is such a blessing. We have the blessing of talking with our Heavenly Father at any time and any place. He is so willing to help us, lift us and comfort us when we ask for that help. I know that He answers prayers and is SO so aware of each and every one of us.
So a "brown out" is very common here but I haven't yet experienced one on Sunday. No airconditioning at church was interesting! I can't explain how sweaty every one was. Dripping. Dripping. The floor was wet from the sweat dripping off of peoples faces. YUM! And then half way through sacrament meeting the microphone stopped working. The new missionary was giving a talk and made a joke out of it and it was okay but the next speaker was so shy you could not hear a word she said! It's all a part of the experience here in the Philippines right? :) Just like the picture that will hopefully come this week of the color of the baptismal water in the font on Saturday.... it's all a part of the experience! That's what I keep telling myself :)
Hope all is well with everyone! Sorry if no pictures this week! There are so many I'd like to share! At least I get to email though.. fingers crossed for pictures next week!
Can't believe it's already April!! I don't know if they celebrate April Fools day here or not.. I feel like not. Rats. Speaking of rats. haha I've seen more rats this week than I thought I would ever see in my whole life! I'm in a competition with myself to spot the biggest one! Yesterday I saw one the size of a cat! But fatter. I'm just glad we don't have them in our house! President did away with the apartments with rats before I got here. Phew! Knock on wood though!
Time! Love you all!!
Love,
Sister Judd
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