All I could think of were my Sweet Grandmas

WEEK NINETEEN

I love these sweet kids!!!

Dear best friends:

My big brother is engaged?! I couldn't be happier for the happy couple.  I can't wait to finally get a big sister.  Congrats Drew and Katie!

Sometimes I wish I could just talk to my bros about missionary work- I can't wait for the day we can all sit down together and share our experiences.

Joshua you are a STUD MUFFIN!! How is he so big?! I loved the picture of him hitting his triple!! Its funny, one thing I really miss are sports.. Josh's games to be specific.  I miss cheering my little (not so little) man on.  Good Luck Miss Madelyn on your “Night to Remember” this week.  You and Mom will kill it in the danceJ

My new comp Sister Are and the Ignacio Family

I was a little nervous for the baptism of the Ignacio family, seeing that I didn't have Sister Sabiano there to help make sure everything ran smoothly.  It was all on me.  And so when we got there and the baptismal clothes had gone missing, or when the baptism was supposed to begin at 5:00 and the Ignacio family didn't walk in the doors until after 5:30, when one of the speakers didn't come.. Grabe, I was freaking out inside and trying to not show it.  Pero, not to worry, everything fell into place and when the meeting began I felt the calming effects of the spirit.  There's nothing quite like seeing people you love take such important steps in changing their lives and coming closer to the Savior. 

The Ignacio family....aren't they beautiful?!

When Sister Laarni got up to bear her testimony she stood right in front of me and looked at me the entire time. She was crying, I was crying.  She talked about never wanting to join the church before.  However, when she prayed to her Heavenly Father for a sign to help her family and us missionaries showed up on her doorstep that very day she knew it was an answer to her prayers.  Since that day she has been committed to her answered prayer.  She has completely commited herself to living the gospel and has set such a strong example for her family. I admire her strength and dedication. 

After the meeting Brother Julius Ignacio took me by the hands and thanked me for all that I've done for his family.  His sincere eyes made me cry (am I always crying? yes) I could only feel gratitude for my Heavenly Father for letting me be a part of this families conversion.

Yesterday, we taught a members Aunt.  She is 64 and has breast cancer.  She is currently going through chemo therapy.  The lesson was a little rough for me because as her soft hands held mine and her cute hat covered her bald head all I could think of were my sweet grandma's.  Her kindness and her faith was like nothing I had ever seen.  She told us that she knew with all of her heart that the Lord was aware of her.  She said that she knew God was giving her this trial and so she could draw nearer to him.  I was so touched by her words, her strength reminded me of my grandparents strength.   

So today in personal study I studied the nature of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.

I studied the importance of trials and hardships. and I loved what I found.

I was reminded that God created all things both in heaven and in earth, and that we are created after His image.  He created us.  He knows us personally, He knows what we need and what is best for us.  Man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend MSH 4:9; ISA 55:9 - His ways are greater than our ways.  Therefore, he knows a whole lot more than we do.  As we have faith and trust in Him and His plan for us, we will get to know Him better.  We will feel of His strength, His peace, and His love.

"It is in our weakness and extremity that God's power is fully felt.  Only when, of ourselves, we are helpless is His help truly appreciated." Elder Neal A. Maxwell

We fully appreciate God's power and strength only when we are helpless..

"Out of the refiner's fire can come a glorious deliverance.  It can be a noble and lasting rebirth.  The price to become acquainted with God will have been paid.  There can come a sacred peace."

Our God who knows us personally,  He will give us trying experiences.  I know that through these experiences is how we truly get to know Him.  How we get to know our Father and His Son.

"As you and I walk the pathway Jesus walked, let us listen for the sound of sandaled feet.  Let us reach out for the Carpenter's hand.  Then we shall come to know Him.. He speaks to us the same words, Follow thou me.  and sets us to the task which He has to fulfill for our time.  He commands, and to those who obey Him, whether they be wise or simple, He will reveal Himself in the toils, the conflicts, the sufferings that they shall pass through in His fellowship; and they shall learn by their own experience who He is."

I know that Nanay was completely right.  We are given trials and challenges so we can draw nearer to our Heavenly Father and our Savior.  I know this with all my heart. 

I love that I am a missionary at this time.  I know with all my heart that our Heavenly Father knows all things, and that He cares about the details of our life.  Each experience is for our learning, growing, and coming closer to Him.

It’s amazing to me that on each hard day, the days that it’s a bit of a battle to go out, those days are always the most rewarding. I find myself in lessons with people who need the gospel, who are searching for the foundation of our gospel.  I find myself learning from their faith and being taught completely by the spirit.  I feel the Lord teaching me at a higher level, especially while I'm struggling.  I know that His power and His love is real. 

The church is true and I love you all :) x874329847872638746. GIVE EVERYONE A BIG HUG FOR ME.

I'm praying for you!!!!!!! always.

Sis Welling

THE CONFERENCE WAS INCREDIBLE!!

WEEK EIGHTEEN
 

Dear Family,

Elder Echo Hawk spoke about an experience he had.  He was in a meeting in the temple, soon after he had been called into the First Quorum of the Seventy with the leaders of the church.  He was called upon to bear his testimony.  He said that standing there in front of the presidency of the church, the prophet and His apostles, he talked about the two missionaries who taught him the gospel.  He spoke of them by name.  Elder Echo Hawk a member of the quorum of the Seventy whose testimony has blessed the lives of I can only imagine how many people, his testimony began from the teachings of two missionaries.  As I sat in that meeting listening to Elder Echo Hawk all I could think about was how sacred and powerful my calling truly is.  In my notes from the conference I couldn't stop writing about the gratitude I was feeling to be a missionary.

Yes, I got called on to speak. They told everyone to come prepared and that they would randomly call on four missionaries.  I wish you could have felt how hard my heart was pounding when they called my name last.  Sister Sabiano could feel it (that's how bad it was) but she put her arm around me and told me I could do it (grateful to have a mother figure on the mish) and it was so strange because when I went up I wasn't nervous at all.

I decided to speak on not fearing and having faith.  It’s my favorite subject because It’s something I'm always striving to work on and to improve.  I had prepared a talk but when I got up there my talk went a completely different direction.  I have never once in my life felt the spirit work through me as powerfully as I did then.  I'm not sure if my talk made any sense at all.. but I believe I said something for at least one person listening because I was completely led to thoughts and words I had not prepared previously.

Elder Echo Hawk talked about how the Lord calls upon weak things of the world.  Think about Joseph Smith- a fourteen year old boy with such little education.  Why didn't he go to the University and choose the most learned professor..

It’s because God works through weak things.  As we set aside our fear, our inadequacies, our weaknesses.  He works with us-- He works through us.  I know this to be true with everything I am.  I know that to employ the power and the strength our faith must be founded on something.  There is no more solid foundation than faith in the love Heavenly Father has for you, faith in His plan of happiness, and faith in the capacity and willingness of Jesus Christ to fulfill all his promises.

Family this church is true.  And I love it with everything I am.

I'm a little nervous going into this new transfer.. but I'm just trying to remember to trust and to have faith.. and all will be well.  :)

The conference was incredible.  I love any opportunity we have to hear from President and Sister Revillo. 

Sister Revillo spoke about discovering the Book of Mormon over and over again.  She talked about the power in the Book.  She posed this question that really made me think-- how can we say we truly love our Heavenly Father if we don't read the scriptures that He has given to us.  If we don't study His words every day, If we don't pray every day.  To study the scriptures is not only a commandment but it is a way that we show our love.  It is a way that we show our appreciation to our loving Heavenly Father.  Through reading the Book of Mormon our Father speaks to us.  I know that there is power in the Book of Mormon.  The promise from Joseph Smith is real that "a man would draw nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book".  I love the Book of Mormon and I truly treasure the time I get to spend reading, studying, and learning from it.

President Revillo spoke about how special this time of our life is, and that as we truly understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ we will have no problem in our mission.  I love when he talks about his mission, and how every blessing he has received in his life has come because of his service.  He has mentioned this fact a few times and I always love the way he says it with such sincerity.  President Revillo always leaves me wanting to be a better missionary.  He spoke about the talents parable found in Matthew 25- He spoke of the importance of not idling our time and using it wisely, using our talents wisely.  The servant who was only given one talent, buried it because he was afraid of man.  It made me think of the times when I have been "afraid of man" afraid to speak and say something wrong, afraid to use the language, afraid to approach people. But I have found that each time I trust in the Lord, trust His strength, and His ability to assist me I have been able to use my talents to the best of my ability.  I have seen Him work through me.  He wants us to grow and progress, we have to be grateful for our strengths and our weaknesses because through Him we can "double our talents" we can receive His help and become exactly who He has designed us to be.

I was so touched by Sister Echo Hawks spirit.  Wow, the power of her testimony.   Both she and Elder Echo Hawk were converts to the church and you could truly feel of their love for missionaries and missionary work.  Through her speaking I not only felt of her love but the love of our Heavenly Father for His missionaries, and for His children. 

This Saturday was the baptism of our four investigators.  Macmac, Totoy, Dianne, and Mary Gold.  Family I would have given anything for you to be there.  To feel the spirit that filled that room.  I just cried.   Macmac came out of the water smiling so big.. then broke into a laugh.  Mary Gold, who refused to get up in front of everyone and bear her testimony went to the front of the room and bore a genuine, confidant, powerful, beautiful testimony.  We sang "I stand all Amazed" as missionaries and as I sang the words to that song I felt the love of my Savior like I never have before.  I am so grateful for my Elder Brother, for the influence He has on my life and the way He changes each person who draws near to Him.  It’s amazing how I have felt myself draw nearer to Him than ever before through helping others get to know Him.  It’s funny how that works?

Macmac was really nervous to bear his testimony and so he would only go up if I went with him.. so I held his hand and stood next to him as he bore his testimony for the first time.  Then it was Totoy's turn and as I turned to him and told him it was time he grabbed my hand as well and so everyone laughed as I went up for a second time.  Gosh. I loved it. and I love them.  I was so proud (well pleased) of my boys and of Dianne and Mary Gold. 

Sister Sabiano left yesterday morning.  I closed the door after she left, sat down and cried.  I'm such a girl. ha.  I will be eternally grateful for my trainer Sister Sabiano.  I will be eternally grateful for the lessons that she taught me.  I will be eternally grateful for the influence she has had on my life.  I learned through her the missionary I want to become and the person I want to become.  I learned through her what it means to be a Preach my Gospel Missionary.  I learned through her that happiness is a choice.  I learned through her the meaning of pressing forward in faith.  I learned through her the importance of diligence and hard work.  I learned through her what it means to be a literal servant of the Lord.  I truly hope you have the opportunity to meet her someday, and if not she's one of the very first people I'm introducing you to in the next life :)

I get my new companion tomorrow.  Sister Are, she is Filipina and she will be dying next transfer, which means I will kill two missionaries.  I am staying in the same area and both Sister Morrell and Sister Verdeflore are staying!

I ate a star apple this week.. so yummy :)

Dad told me about what he did with the primary children by blind folding them and teaching them about faith.. I ended up using that four times this week! It was such a hit with the little kids.  Especially when you go into a home and find out you're in charge of family night for eighteen something kids-- so thanks papa

I miss you all in the best kind of way!

Love always,

Sister Welling

Visiting with Elder and Sister Echo Hawk

A wonderful day!

Sister Sabiano and Sister Welling with Sister Echo Hawk

I Ate Pig Heart this Week....Yum!

WEEK SEVENTEEN

Sister Welling and Sabiano with their investigators.

Sister Welling LOVES the children!!

 Dear Family,

I'm not sure if I should admit this, but I remember at the beginning of my mission I would just wait..wait..wait for Mondays; and let me tell you they took a real long time to come.  Now, I can hardly believe how quickly Mondays come.  I'm always reminded on Mondays when I receive letters from my sweet family and friends just how ridiculously blessed I've been.  I get so overwhelmed with the support I receive.  I love you family so much, thank you thank you.

Sister Sabiano and I made a goal while teaching commandments this week to tell those we were teaching why we personally keep that commandment and what blessings we've received from following it.  It has had such a positive effect on our lessons.  and It really has made me reflect upon each commandment and what it means to me personally.  I know that our Heavenly Father gives us commandments only so He can give us more blessings.  Ah this gospel is so good.

We taught Tatay Reynaldo this week about the Book of Mormon.  I feel like I can never adequately express just how much that book means to me.  However, I looked him in the eyes a lot and did my best to leave him with my humble testimony.  I love Tatay he always smiles so big at me and just holds on to my hand.. He'll never let us leave without buying soda and cookies.  At least I'll have my chubby cheeks to always remind me of our sweet Tatay Reynaldo :)

The Tricycles they are pulled around in:)

Sister Sabiano had her temple day this week.  So I was left to lead the area with a new companion for the day.  I was nervous.  And when the first lesson was rocky, screaming kids, choppy lessons, I walked out feeling so disappointed.  Pero, we went home for lunch and I prayed for a change of heart.  So I stopped thinking of myself and focused on our next lessons, and they went so well.  I felt confidant teaching and leading the lessons because I literally felt the spirit work through me.  I have been so worried about Sister Sabiano leaving, I worry about being incapable without her guidance.  But she has taught me everything that I need to know, and I loved putting into practice what I have studied and practiced with her.  Its good being thrown into the deep end because, sometimes we learn that we actually can swim.  and that its really fun :)

We woke up early Saturday to gather the troops and get them to the church for their interviews for baptism.  After we had picked up Mary Gold, Totoy, Macmac, and Dianne we called over a tricycle.  A motorcycle that pulls a small cart on the side.  There's a bench inside to fit one passenger, maybe two.  But were we able to fit all six of us? you bet.  Sister Sabiano got on the back of the motorcycle with Macmac and the driver pulled Totoy in front of him to hold on to the handlebars.  Mary Gold and Dianne sat on the bench in the cart and I sat facing them on this little piece of metal.  I had to hold myself up to keep from falling on top of them the entire way.  We laughted as the trike abruptly stopped and swerved and sped up and got us to the church.  Its a memory I will cherish forever.  Oh how sweet these days are.  The wonderful news is we all made it to the church in one piece, and Mary Gold, Totoy, Macmac, and Dianne passed their interviews!

After church last Sunday they invited us into a classroom to eat.  I sat on the floor and ate the ulam and rice with my hands.  Mom and Dad, all the manners you have ever taught me, I have forgotten.

I love hearing almost everyday, "wash your name" .. has a better ring to it than what's your name, I personally feel.

You think by now I would have mastered the getting on to the Jeepney.. however there are still days when I get on and forget to grab the bar on top and I get thrown into a person when the Jeepney starts going before I have sat down.

I ate pig heart this week... yum.......

I love my Kabanays!!

mom do you mind sending some more family pics.. in the next package? or just pictures.  the families love seeing them

I'm almost one hundred percent sure I'll stay in the area.. which I'm happy about.  I love the area.

This Saturday we have four baptisms

and next Saturday we have three!

A dear family that will be baptized in a few weeks.

I'm sad Sister Sabiano won't be there for the one next Saturday :(

well family mahal kita!!!

I love you so stinking much- This church is happiness. and I testify that is true, I know it with all my heart.  I love this work
Love Always,
Sister Welling