CHARITY-pure love of Christ

Hello everyone!  I titled this email Charity because I am learning so much about it.  I have so much to learn, too.  But really, I'm learning lessons that I didn't even know I needed to learn.  For example, I have always been someone who views strict obedience as being of utmost importance (and it is!!), but now I'm learning that love is perhaps even greater.  I have come to realize that I cannot teach without the pure love of Christ.  When we love with His love, we invite the Spirit, when we have the Spirit, we teach with power and authority, and when we teach with power and authority the Spirit testifies to those we teach and they become converted unto the Lord.  It is a beautiful process.  I have seen this mostly with my companion.  She is wonderful.  We have so many differences, but I have learned so much from her.  At first, I was so impatient when we weren't on time, or we didn't do things EXACTLY how I thought we should.  Don't get me wrong, obedience is importance, but I am learning that I need to learn PATIENCE and LOVE.  Some times it may be just a bit more important to think of my companion before myself and love her with Christ's love.  As I have tried very hard to always do this and have really tried to learn the Filipino ways from her, we have been able to teach with more unity and with the Spirit ever present.  I have seen direct results from this.  The people we have been teaching have actually been coming to church!  Both our investigators and Less actives!  Yesterday brought a smile to my face as so many of them attended church :)  It really is a miracle if they come.  Many of them live so far away from the church, and they don't have money to pay for the fair to take a tryke to church.  It makes me so sad, as I realize that growing up I should have been more grateful for my many blessings.  I lived right across the street from the church.  And when it snowed, we some times would drive????.....haha.  but let's be real, it's not snowing here any time soon.  Jokelang. :) Okay, Kenneth Woo Woo!  My dear little brother!  There are so many things here that make me think of you and I literally laugh out loud!  I saw this FUNNY looking cow and I busted out loud thinking of how you would make fun of it!  Haha! Also, I drink warm Gatorade here!  Just like during lawns!  Wow, I love you little bro.  Stay strong buddy.  And I hope you are enjoying US Synthetic, but keep up with our business too!  I miss lawns! During my personal study I read Alma 17: 2 It reads "Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and WHAT ADDED MORE TO HIS JOY, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God."  wow, tears came to my eyes as I thought of all you back home.  I hope with my whole heart that all of you are doing well.  I hope that when we meet again, we will still be "brethren in the Lord".  Stay strong family and friends.  Search the scriptures diligently.  Know the word of God.  Wax strong in the knowledge of the truth.  Love you all. Okay our baptism was moved to bukas.  It was supposed to be this last week, pero many different trials came up and the branch all went to Baguio because someone from the the general young women presidency was speaking.  So... we moved the baptism.  so many obstacles are approaching!  Please pray that this baptism will happen tomorrow!  The family is staying strong though. Okay we have a new investigator!  Her house is in the middle of no where!  Wow, we hike to get there.  But it is beautiful scenery the whole way!  I was tagged in a picture on FB standing in rice fields!  I took this pic specifically for my sweet little niece, Paisley!  I promised her I would send her a picture of me in a rice field. :)  I hope you liked it, my little angel!  Anyway, to get to this house we also have to walk through a corn field on this skinny path!  So cool!  But our investigator is doing well!  She was a referral that we took forever trying to find last week haha.  No phone numbers...just an area and then we have to ask people if they know so and so and try to find it haha.  I feel very hopeful for her! Also, our other investigator is progressing too!  She came to church for the second time :)  I love her so much :)  She is the very first person ever in the Philippines that I extended a baptismal invitation to :) So many of our less actives came to church!  Yay!  It really rejuvenated my hope as my comp and I saw the "fruits of our labors" at church this week :) We were all sick a couple weeks ago and missed a couple days of work.  So my comp and I made a companionship goal to eat more vegetables :) :)  We have been making the best lunches!  We practice the language while making awesome Filipino dishes and we just add TONS of veggies to it!  Wow, delicious!  Mom, I told my housemates that my mom would be so proud of me to see me preparing meals.  Because you know how impatient I am when it comes to preparing food :) usually i like to just eat right away BECAUSE I'M HUNGRY ALL THE TIME, but I've been patient and chopping many many many veggies and cooking rice. etc.  My time is ending sooner than I though!  Ah!  I love you all!  I testify that this work is God's work.  The work is hastening.  God loves us All!  More than we can imagine!  Love you! Love, Sister Wright

Count your many blessings

So, if I am completely honest, this week was really really really rough for a variety of different reasons.  Pero, I know that one of the best cures for rough times, is to count your many blessings!  So, in this email I am going to do just that :)

1.  One of our families plan to be baptized THIS SATURDAY :)

2.  While teaching our family with the Baptism, we sang Love at Home with the children.  Wow, moments like singing hymns with children remind me every time of Christ's love for us.  In this moment, I was filled with gratitude to be on a mission with these beautiful people.

3.  On Valentine's Day, we were punted over and over and over again...PERO along the way as we walked wondering who we should visit because people were hiding from us... we came across these kids.  I decided to talk to them. I played catch with them for just a few minutes and laughed with them.  Then a few of the little girls gave me flowers and said in English, "happy valentine's day!" So cute!  I think I was tagged on FB of this picture, the one with me and a group of kids with flowers :) what a treasured moment!

4.  I witnessed a miracle in one of our investigators.  there is an investigator who we were planning on dropping because she wouldn't keep her commitments.  We told her last time that she really needed to act.  then this time she actually read the intro to the Book of Mormon!  when she prayed, she really prayed.  Usually she doesn't want to.  but this time she really did.  and she asked to know if Joseph Smith was a true prophet and if the Book of Mormon was true.  And then she came to church on Sunday!  wow, what a miracle.  what's even more amazing is that during this lesson, her mom kept saying-"there's only one God!"  and then when we quoted Joseph Smith's first vision this man who was listening to our lesson started laughing.  This was the first time I really felt rejected.  and it hurt to have people turn down this sweet lesson.  but even with all these distractions,  our inv. listened to us with real intent and prayed seriously.  wow, miracle.  I really felt the Spirit.

5.  I am becoming Filipino!  Such a great blessing haha.  My companion taught me how to make this Adobo and so sis. Nott and I made it for our house!

6.  the members here are a testimony to me of this work here in the Philippines.  some times it is so easy to get down about the hardships people face here.  You wonder some times, how it really is possible for them not to work on Sunday to go to Church.  Especially when they barely have enough fo their families.  but to see the strong members here, and how they testify that yes, the Gospel really does bless family situations when we keep the commandments!  It's touches my heart every time.

7.  I love my companion.  she gave me this white flour oil (mom, it is sorta like your tiger Mentholatum stuff for headaches).  When she gave it to me for my HAs, and I smelled it, I almost started crying because the smell reminded me of you, mom.  I love you so much.

8.  I could go on and on with blessings.  but I am out of time.  But the greatest blessing I witnessed and will ever witness, is the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ.  I know He lives!  He loves us and strengthens us when we are weak.  Draw near unto Him, and I testify that He will ALWAYS reach out and draw nearer unto you.  Helping you every step of this mortal journey.  The greatest blessing of all.

I love you all!

Sister Wright

Baptism in the Ocean

Okay, so this past Saturday, 3 investigators were baptized!  They were my housemates, Sisters Rea and Nott's, investigators.  But the new converts are in my branch.  I hope that makes sense?  Anyway, their baptism was in the ocean!  So Cool!!  It originally was supposed to be at the church, pero walang baptismal font, kasi under renovations po ang simbahan. Sobrong maganda siya! As for my sweet little Nieva family, they baptism is most likely going to be postponed. :(  You see, they went out of town this sunday so they didn't go to church.  They have been going faithfully, but we feel they need some more time to prepare for their baptismal interviews.  They really are willing, but they learn a little more slowly, which is okay.  you see, my companion and I were studying in PMG about keeping new converts active members of the church for the rest of their lives.  It is so common here to become a member and then fall away a couple months later.  I do NOT want this happening to the precious souls I find and teach.  There is a quote in PMG from Pres. Hinckley about how missionary work is a waste if we don't keep the converts active and eventually have them make the sacred covenants in the temple.  the baptismal covenant is only the gaitway to heaven.  We really want to make sure they are prepared and understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We want them to fall in love with the Book of Mormon for themselves.  So that when we leave, their faith will be rooted in our Savior Jesus Christ and nothing or no one else. We had to be bold with a couple of our investigators because they don't keep comittments.  It's really a hard thing, pero we as missionaries are here to find the people God has prepared for us to teach.  There really are people who are ready to change now.  So, it hard, but if people aren't willing to change, we must move on and find those ready to COME unto Christ.  Come is an action word.  So though many people like to just listen to our message, our purpose as missionaries is "to invite others to COME unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel...."  So I am here to find the people who are ready to covenant with our Father.  We testified of this and asked many inspired questions to a few of our investigators.  I hope the Spirit bore witness to them of the truthfullness that faith without works is dead. Oh, side note.  Many of you have asked about how my hair is doing here in the Philippines.  Well, just look at the pictures that some of the members here are posting and you'll get a good idea....IT'S CRAZY!  Once upon a time I tried to straighten my hair-then ten minutes later it poofed again.  It is hopeless.  So yes, I've embraced the fact taht I will have poofy, wavy, crazy hair for the next 16 months.  Also, I'm getting fat.  Mom and dad,  the pounds you are losing I think are coming to me.  So, thank you?? Anyway, can all of you who read this PLEASE go eat Taco Amigo for me?  Yes, I know I just complained about being fat...but yes, I think of food all the time.  Also, Kyle bro, I know you love cheese too, so will you please eat a block of cheese for me!  Taco and Cheese are the things I am craving all the time!  Mom, you asked if I had eaten fish yet here.  So...I gathered my courage and tried fish balls.  Scary name, I know.  They were good though!  I tried squid today and almost threw up- end of that story...  Really though, I eat rice for every meal.  Is that healthy???  I really don't think I'm getting all my nutrients.  Probably one of my hardest things here is that I have headaches and migraines all the time.  I only drink one bottle of water a day....and I sweat all day.  It's because we are out all day and I need filtered water so I can't just get a drink anywhere.  I pray all the time that my headaches will subside and not distract me from this important work dito sa pilipinas. Oh, I sleep with three fans blowing on me.  And I probably look so funny as I sleep with my legs and arms spread like a star shape because I'm so hot.  Just thought I'd throw that in here. It's hot okay?- the end. Well my time is almost up!  Everyone, please pray for my investigators and less active members.  Please be member missionaries where ever you are!  People need YOU!  We are all called to the work.  I really have a special place in my heart for less actives too.  These precious children of God are under covenants with God.  Please do all you can to help them remember the covenants they can made and tenderly, lovingly, assist them back to our Heavenly Father.  I know this work is God's work.  Alam ko po na mapagmamahal po ang Ating Ama sa Langit.  At dahil mahanamahal po tayo ng Diyos, nais niya na makakabalik po tayo sa kanya.  So let's do all we can to helpl our brothers and sister return faithfully to our loving Father in Heaven.  I can't wait for the blessed day when I kneel at Jesus' feet.  I can't wait when I can thank Him face to face for what He suffered for me personally.  How grateful I am.  Let us all prepare to meet Him face to face.  I love you all!  Keep your hearts in this great work palagi! Love, sister wright!

A message from Agoo!

Kumusta po lahat kayo! Sorry for the short email last week everyone!  There were other emails I had to send out!  But just know I am doing so well!  Your love from America really helps me keep going strong :) So first off, the Nieva family is still doing well.  They are the family (mom and two daughters) who have a baptismal date for Feb 15th!  I can't wait!  It's funny how each Sunday my heart is so scared until I see them walk in!  I smile SO SO SO big every time I  see them walk in :)  I love them so much.  They really are so special, and I really do believe they want to be baptized for the right reasons.  The daughters would wear tank tops, but then when we taught them about modesty, they committed to follow it and I haven't seen them wear them since.  They are faithful. The other two with baptismal dates (Sister and her son) are scheduled for Feb 15th, but unfortunately we will probably have to postpone... they have missed a couple Sundays :(.  She mom has questions about the word of wisdom.  She has a hard time understanding why.  Please pray that she will be blessed to feel the Spirit and feel the blessings that come from living the Word of Wisdom.  She really does as questions of the soul, so I know she is interested!  Pray for her! Then our other sister who has an IBD is scheduled for Feb 22nd.  but she will have to postpone too.  :(  It's hard, but I'm trying to stay patient and hopeful that the power of the Atonement will take full effect in her life.  "Those who believe in God, might with surety HOPE for a better world"  (Ether 12:4) Last night was really tender.  We had a lesson with a family and so many children were there!  The family has four young kids, but then like 6 other neighbor kids joined our lesson because I greeted them and they thought it was so cool I was american, haha.  Anyway, so were were all gathered around sitting on the floor, and we sang I am a Child of God as our opening hymn.  Wow, how tears came to my eyes as I sang this precious song with so many of God's little children surrounding me! Moments like these make all the hard times worth it!  Really though.  I know we are ALL God's children!  Tapos mahalnamahal po tayo ng Diyos!  (God's loves us so much!) Oh mom, by the way, the picture of the leaf is the COOLEST THING EVER!!!!  So my kasama and me are walking down this beautiful path and she then picks a leafs and says, Sister Wright watch this!  Then she cracks the leaf and BLOWS BUBBLES FROM THE LEAF!!!!  What!?!?  Wow!  I was so so so amazed!  I couldn't believe this!  Bubbles from a leaf!????  I'm telling you...the Philippines is AMAZING on so many levels. The family I mentioned who had been having so many trials we haven't seen but once since :(  they aren't ever home anymore.  My heart hurts for them.  But I have to ask myself if they really are willing to change right now?  I'm not sure.  But I won't lose hope and I will always try to discern of the Spirit. Something hard this week was how many times we were PANTID!  this means that so many of our appts fell through.  Seriously, we saw people legitimately get up and hide from us!  Ouch....it made me wonder if I was doing something wrong.  It really hurt.  This whole week was like this!  It hurts to see people not wanting to hear your message.  But, I know I need to stay faithful. I had a really cool experience though.  So we were at this house this week that we had tried like three or four times and hadn't gotten anyone to come let us in!  So on Wednesday, we tried again, we were yelling "tao po!"  (people!)  And no one was coming.  My initial thought was 'why do we keep trying, we never get anyone to answer here..."  but then I remembered in PMG how it talks about never lowering your expectations.  So I decided to pray.  My prayer was simple- "Heavenly Father, if this sister really is willing to change and thou has prepared her for us to find, PLEASE let someone come to the gate...."  Immediately after I said Amen my kasama said "Hello po!"  I turned around to see someone just coming home from the palenke and let us in the gate!  Whoa.  I know God hears and answers prayers.  I know without a doubt that He has prepared people for His missionaries to find and teach the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I really hope we can help this sweet sister come unto Christ.  She is catholic, and is very very shy.  But I hope she felt the truthfulness of our message.  We have a return appt Tuesday :) Everyone,  I love you!  I know God lives.  I know Christ is our savior and Redeemer!  Please don't ever forget this.  I have been experiencing things I never expected to experience here on the mission.  It is full of things I've never experienced.  Some times I feel too weak to stretch as much as I have been required to stretch.  HOWEVER, my testimony is strengthen everyday knowing that I have made it through another day.  Jesus Christ walked beside me one more day and I know He will tomorrow too.  He is there for us All, not just me.  Trust in Him.  I love you all! Mahal kita! With love from the other side of the World, Sister Wright P.S.  Remember how I said it was HOT AND HUMID!?  Well, let me tell ya....over night it just got 25 degrees hotter I swear!  I have been dying today!  Really though!!!  They say its the beginning of summer now.  I believe it!  My face is always glistening with sweat!  Bubble blowing leaf!