"I have been finding so much joy in the work"

 WEEK TWENTY

Hello to my beautiful family!

Grabe, another week down! There is nothing like sitting down at the computer and finding such encouraging, inspiring, and loving words from the people I care about most. I don't know how I got so blessed. Thank  you everyone for your support. I'm the luckiest Sister missionary there has ever been.

I've been finding so much joy in the work these past few days.  I've been focusing on gratitude.  Saying a prayer of thanks as often as I can remember, while listing off in my head a gratitude list.  Makes the day go so much better.  I encourage you all to try it.  It works, I promise :)

I'm beginning to see changes in myself.  Changes that I'm so grateful for.  I feel overwhelmed sometimes with how far I have to go, and how much I need to improve and change.  But I love the ways I've already started my process, and the changes I’m going through.

After a Zone Meeting on the Atonement I decided to dedicate at least fifteen minutes every day to studying the Atonement and the life of our Savior.  I've seen firsthand a fulfillment of my mission president's promise- the better we understand the Atonement the easier and happier the work will become.  The more I study the more I have a desire to teach.  I used to be so afraid to randomly start talking to people during the day and now it is something that I look forward to.  I want to talk to everyone.  I want everyone's lives to be changed, to improve from this gospel, from our message. (I sound like such a missionary ha) 

Don't just analyze the Atonement, internalize it.

At lunch yesterday we were discussing our funniest moments on the mission.  And we recalled an experience that happened two weeks ago.. Sister Verdeflor, Sister Morrell, and I were teaching the Ignacio family.  I was in the middle of speaking when Sister Morrell got up to move from the floor to the chair.  Right when she moved baby Cassie who was right next to her let our a loud toot.  Everyone looked at Sis Morrell thinking it was her- and even though I was in the middle of teaching I couldn't help it.. I lost it and began laughing so hard. yup, I'm real mature. 

So yesterday.. I was throwing up everything I ate.  My stomach, in so much stinking pain.  But there was so much work to be done!  And so I prayed that I could feel well enough to go out, and I was so blessed.  We were able to extend six baptismal dates.  

(This is from several weeks ago )

Tatay Reynaldo (the elderly man I was drinking soda with in the picture) came to church! I love that man as if he were my own grandfather.  During sacrament meeting he turned and said to me, I like this place I'm coming back next week.

The Cruz family, such  a golden family.  They're very intelligent, and have a strong family relationship.  They ask a lot of questions, they're seeking more knowledge.  I know our message has exactly what they're looking for.  I'm so excited about them.  Sister Jolly, Alvin, Jomarie, and Joshua all accepted to be baptized after we taught about the Plan of Salvation.  Alcris.. a former investigator that Sister Sabiano and I taught way back, came to church yesterday (for the record there is no better feeling than seeing your investigators walk in those beautiful church doors- its comparable to Christmas.. or taking state.. or your birthday, and this is not exaggeration. the feelings are real) after the meetings we taught him and his brother.  I see such a sincere desire in Alcris.  

I see all these people that the Lord has been preparing.  THEY'RE SO PREPARED.

We taught a less active that we haven't been to in some time.. and after the lesson she told me that my Tagalog has improved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I still can't speak at all) but at least she saw some improvement. Those words were the sweetest I have ever heard

When I saw Mary Gold at church yesterday she grabbed my hand and told me how much she missed me.  and I was feeling the exact same way.  Who would have ever though that a nineteen year old girl in the Philippines would become one of my dearest friends. These relationships I've been able to gain on my mission are so special to me.  I have been so blessed. 

Well I love the work. and I love this gospel. and I love all of you.

Love Always,

Sister Welling