tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57831992212003563532024-03-14T06:35:44.903-06:00Payton in the PhilippinesAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00969565293765708636noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783199221200356353.post-56450359338646411692016-08-07T21:17:00.001-06:002016-08-07T21:17:15.705-06:00MISSION ACCOMPLISHED<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Well, this is my last email as a missionary. I don't really know what to say or how to feel, honestly. My flight home will be <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1902528341" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">this Wednesday</span></span>, and even though I am so excited to see my family and everyone, it's going to break my heart to have to leave the Philippines, and even more than that, to have to take off my name tag and finish my time as a full time missionary.</b><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>My mission has changed my life, and it has especially changed me and who I am. My perspective in life has changed, and I have gained skills and knowledge and characteristics that I don't think I could have gained in any other way. I have drawn so much closer to my Heavenly Father and to my Savior Jesus Christ, and I have learned so much about the power of the Atonement. There have been times when I have known with every part of me that this gospel is the truth, and there have been times when I have been driven to my knees in prayer because of questions and doubts. But through it all, I've learned that Heavenly Father never leaves His children, and if we reach out to Him and give Him our faith and our trust, He will guide us.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>For those who are debating on serving a mission, I encourage you to take the step forward and dedicate that little bit of your time to the Lord. It goes so fast, and the opportunity to serve the Lord with all your time and all your effort is so rare and so precious. You will find that His hand will become more and more apparent in your life, and you will find your desire to become more like the Savior increased everyday. It is definitely a process, and it is sometimes one of the most difficult things you will do. But as you go throughout that process, bit by bit you'll see the changes happening within yourself that you never thought would have been possible.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I have met so many people here who have changed my life for the better: my companions, my leaders, the members, our investigators...all of them have impacted me in some way. I will be leaving people here who have become like my family, and who have helped me to grow and become who I am. I hope that I had some good impact on them, as well :)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I might be taking my name tag off for good in a couple of days, but that doesn't mean that my missionary work will stop. Whether or not we have name tags, we are all missionaries and we can all be instruments for Heavenly Father to help to bring His children unto Him. I am so grateful for the gospel that we have and for the opportunity that I have had to share it with the amazing people of the Philippines. I have learned so much, and I will miss it here but I am so grateful for the opportunity that Heavenly Father has given me to do His work here.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.8px;">2 Timothy 4:7 </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the gospel.</span> --Joseph Smith</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Love you all! See you soon :)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>XOXO</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Sister Pectol</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17495380813864669449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783199221200356353.post-38098183370047873852016-07-31T20:41:00.001-06:002016-07-31T20:41:18.428-06:001 More Baptism! Teaching the Youth and White Girl Struggles...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Hi all!!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>This week has been so great! Andro got baptized <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1728008740" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Saturday</span></span>!!! I'm so happy!!! He's 21 and told us he's planning on serving a mission. He's really been a golden investigator and I have loved being able to teach him; his testimony is so strong and it's been great :)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1728008741" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">On Sunday</span></span> morning, one of the youth teachers called us and told us that she wanted us to do a roleplay with the youth and act like we were really teaching them a missionary lesson about the importance of covenants. She gave us the setting, which was a mom with about 25 kids, only about 4 of whom have been baptized already (big family haha). So we knocked on their classroom door, introduced ourselves, and asked if we could share a message with them, then followed up if they'd been reading the Book of Mormon and praying. It was super fun and they had a lot of great questions, so it was very involved. Both me and Sister Collins felt nervous at first, but then as the lesson got going it was just like the lessons we teach everyday, with us doing our best to answer their questions and strengthen their testimony. It was a really neat experience :)</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFC73Ib2v4ZR5Vgfr774pUxg5YRoEFJCzH1Q6Hxpd8sJRQ0ypqMoxUamP80eqcIVLtGl2QDbk9xpiJG3eXMZOJA565PPzv-Jt3S0OxHNZcQKXuCYYkQVS-squX1Yn9sC-66G2tL7zGab0K/s1600/DSCN0189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFC73Ib2v4ZR5Vgfr774pUxg5YRoEFJCzH1Q6Hxpd8sJRQ0ypqMoxUamP80eqcIVLtGl2QDbk9xpiJG3eXMZOJA565PPzv-Jt3S0OxHNZcQKXuCYYkQVS-squX1Yn9sC-66G2tL7zGab0K/s320/DSCN0189.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I also wanted to share something from one of our exchanges this past week. I got to work with Sister Hann, an amazing sister from Australia. She's only in her 2nd transfer in the field and is the only other person as white as me :) and she has red hair!!! #yayforgingers!! Our day was really good and we had some good lessons, but when we were travelling back to the apartment to do evaluations, I realized I'd locked the key in the condo (genius move) so we needed to meet up with our kabahays to get their key so we could get inside. We agreed on a meeting place but we were a lot closer than they were, so we ended up waiting a while for them. And let me tell you...two very white redheaded girls together in the Philippines gets a <i>lot</i> of attention. It was super awkward. There were one or two people who almost crashed on their bikes cause they weren't paying enough attention to the road haha. I kept texting the other sisters to hurry up and save us from the people, and when they finally got there we used our best missionary walk and sped back to the condo. But we survived ok, so it worked out :)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Mosiah 27:36-37 And thus they were instruments in the hands of God in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, to the knowledge of their Redeemer.</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And how blessed are they! For they did publish peace; they did publish good tidings of good; and they did declare unto the people that the Lord reigneth.</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>There are lives to brighten. There are hearts to touch. There are souls to save. --President Thomas S. Monson</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Love you all! Have a great week!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>XOXO</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Sister Pectol</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17495380813864669449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783199221200356353.post-83882349767352293692016-07-25T17:21:00.002-06:002016-07-25T17:21:17.825-06:00It's So Close...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Hey all!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>There haven't been that many things that have happened since Wednesday, but it's starting to sink in how close I am to having to leave. I'm not sure yet how to feel about that. It actually is not on my mind that often; I still sometimes feel like I have a long time left so I just think about the work. Which is good, but I realized yesterday that I actually need to start thinking about packing so I can get everything ready...yikes haha.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>I've really had the opportunity this week to realize how grateful that I am for my mission. One of the sisters in our route is only in her 2nd transfer in the field and is really struggling with wanting to go home. There's been exchanges and multiple visits and interviews with mission leaders, but it doesn't seem to help. It's so hard to see that. We're still praying that she'll decide to stay.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>But as we've tried to help this sister, it's reminded me of when I was new and experienced the same feelings of homesickness and wanting to call it quits. I remember that one day it got so bad that my companion and I went home early and I just sat in the room and cried. I remember that I knelt down and told Heavenly Father that I didn't feel like I could do it anymore. But, I had promised Him my 18 months when I put in the application form. At that moment I told Him that I would give Him my 18 months, but I needed His help. That was a mission changing moment for me. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b> Missionary work is not easy; there are many ups and downs and challenges and triumphs and all of that crazy stuff. But throughout it all, Heavenly Father is there giving us the strength and the guidance that we </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>need in order to fulfill our purpose. And I've learned that He really can use us imperfect people in order to move His work forward <img alt="❤" data-goomoji="2764" goomoji="2764" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/2764" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" /></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Mosiah 9:17 Yea, in the strength of the Lord did we go forth to battle against the Lamanites; for I and my people did cry mightily to the Lord that he would deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, for we were awakened to a remembrance of the deliverance of our fathers. </b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Do it! Move it! Make it happen! No one ever sat their way to success!</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>:)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>XOXO</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Sister Pectol</b></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17495380813864669449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783199221200356353.post-37047962326098082482016-07-20T07:06:00.000-06:002016-07-20T07:06:02.694-06:00It's Going Too Fast<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>This past week has been really good...I met my new companion last Wednesday, Sister Collins from Samoa :) she is an absolute doll and I am loving it so far. The only thing she does that's not good is she keeps reminding me how little time I have left. I looked at the calendar earlier and realized that I have exactly 3 weeks before I will be boarding the plane to go home. I think it's time for me to admit something: I've basically lied to myself for the past 2 months and told myself that I actually have a lot longer to be a missionary. I've been living in denial, peeps. But when I saw the calendar today and saw how little time I have left, I had a slight panic attack. Don't get me wrong; I'm excited to see my family and friends and watch movies and listen to my favorite music and do all that, but I can't even express how much my mission has impacted me and how un-ready I feel to have it end. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I keep trying to think of things to write but my mind is blank...I don't know yet what to think about haha. I guess the only thing that I have to say is if you are debating about going on a mission, stop debating and DO IT. It is so hard but it is literally a miracle that can happen over a 2-year or 18-month period and it is absolutely life changing.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I literally can't think of anything, so here's my spiritual thought and quote for this week :)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>D&C 6:8 Verily, verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me so it shall be unto you; and if you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>A person could not give a crust to the Lord without receiving a loaf in return. --Marion G. Romney</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Love you all! Have a great week!! Go out and do some missionary work :)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>XOXO</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Sister Pectol</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>p.s. Sorry no pics again...I'll make up for it next week :)</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17495380813864669449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783199221200356353.post-62606403061320974672016-07-11T21:33:00.002-06:002016-07-11T21:33:09.681-06:001 Month na Lang... Spiritual Scoldings and Surprise Interviews<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Hey all!</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>This week has been good, but also kind of sad..I said goodbye to Sister Gican <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1756901596" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> night when the office elders came and picked her up. She will do great things at home, but she will definitely be missed here in PQCM. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>We had our Mission Leadership Council last Friday, and it was the first MLC with the Kosters. There are going to be a lot of things that will be different here in PQCM, but we could really feel that they were inspired :) It was a really good opportunity for me to receive some personal revelation and guidance from Heavenly Father. I think I've been complaining a lot about our area; not so much out loud but complaining in your heart is still complaining. But while we were at MLC I basically received a scolding from the Holy Ghost as well as a lot of guidance on what I can do to improve. I'm in a thrisome with my kabahays until my new companion gets here, so yesterday we worked in our area and while there I really tried to apply some of the things I'd been told: things like staying focused, being more effective with my time, etc. We had a really good day, and I could feel that Heavenly Father was pleased with my efforts to improve. Maybe that's one of the best things about being here: I think I've really learned how to receive guidance on how to improve myself and act on it. It's a long, slow, sometimes painful process to change into someone better than you were before, but it is so worth it when you can look back and see how far you've come :)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Yesterday when we were walking home, we were stopped by a student and one of his friends who asked if they could interview me. It surprised me, but we agreed (it was for his English class). He simply asked what the Filipino values were that I've adapted here. Simple question, but because I wasn't expected it my brain basically quit working and I just looked at them for a second and said "Ummmm..." (I'm really intelligent sometimes with my responses). Finally I came up with a couple of things that I've adapted and then as he wrote down my answers and name we introduced ourselves as missionaries and gave them pamphlets to take home to their families. It was just an unexpected opportunity to share the gospel, and we don't know if they're in our area but we gave them our number and invited them to church so hopefully they'll come :) It was also a good opportunity for me to reflect on the things that I have adapted since I've been here, and I am very grateful for the opportunity that I've had to serve in the Philippines. It's been hard; my mission has challenged and stretched me in so many ways, but I'm so grateful for the opportunity I've had to grow here.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Regardless of your calling, you are always a leader, and you area always a follower. --Stephen W. Owen. Leadership callings are difficult and are sometimes very high pressure, but as we follow the example of Jesus Christ I've learned that He will be the One that transforms our weak and imperfect attempts into successes :)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Doctrine and Covenants 1:8 And verily I say unto you, that they who go forth, bearing these tidings unto the inhabitants of the earth, to them is power given to seal both on earth and in heaven, the unbelieving and rebellious.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Love you all! Have a fantastic week :)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>XOXO</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Sister Pectol</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17495380813864669449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783199221200356353.post-44887702680333464542016-07-03T23:37:00.002-06:002016-07-03T23:37:28.890-06:00I Love my Area! And Farewell to President and Sister Revillo :(<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Our last STL picture with sister revillo :((</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Heeellllllooooo!!</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I just wanted to start off this email by telling you all about a miracle I had this week...I found out I love my area!! It sounds weird because as a missionary we should (and we do) love all our areas and I've already been here for awhile now, but I was struggling to love this one. It's so polluted and there's barely any progress in our work and I don't like working in the squatters areas and it's so hot and sometimes I just get excited to go home and relax in the air con instead of having to go out and walk and sweat like a pig all day (well, there's my mini rant haha). So I've honestly just kind of had the attitude of "enduring to the end" and working hard until I finish, but my heart wasn't really in it. Which is unfortunate, because it's hard to be diligent and "finish strong" and do all that stuff when you're heart's not in it. But we have one less active that I've really grown to love. His name is Mar and he is 18 and we're trying to help him gain a desire to go on a mission. His family doesn't usually have money to pay the fare to go to church, but the last couple of Sundays he's been able to come. After on of our lessons this week with him, I realized that I love this area because I'm really growing to love the people here. We've seen a lot of progress with him, and even though he wasn't able to make it yesterday we're really hoping that as we work with the ward we'll be able to help him to be stronger in the church. We didn't have any baptisms last month and we might not have any this month, but I think in little ways Heavenly Father is showing me that even though we're not achieving all of our goals, there's somehow small progress that is still happening, and I'm sure that as we continue to help the people here feel our love and feel Heavenly Father's love we'll really be able to help them <img alt="❤" class="CToWUd" data-goomoji="2764" goomoji="2764" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/2764" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" /></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Last Wednesday, President and Sister Revillo scheduled an activity for all the pauwi missionaries leaving in July. Since every STL companionship has one companion going home, we also scheduled our final STL meeting with Sister Revillo. Towards the end, she basically gave what was a mini farewell speech that had all of us teary eyed. It's hard to see them go. But I was able to have my "final interview" with President Revillo and talk about my plans after the mission and get some advice from him, so that was wonderful. I got a last picture with him (but I can't upload it cause I forgot my card reader <img alt="😛" class="CToWUd" data-goomoji="1f61b" goomoji="1f61b" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/1f61b" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" />), and if both of us hadn't been wearing name badges I would have given him a big hug. I'll miss them talaga. We meet our new mission president and family, the Koster family, <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_290633652" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Wednesday</span></span>. They're from California, and I'm not quite sure how much Tagalog they understand. I don't know if there will be a language barrier <img alt="😝" class="CToWUd" data-goomoji="1f61d" goomoji="1f61d" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/1f61d" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" /> (It's actually really hard if I try to text someone in English haha).</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b> Funny story of this week: We had a meeting with our Ward Mission Leader <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_290633653" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Saturday</span></span> night, but we had just finished another set of exchanges so we were rushing to get back to our area on time. As we were walking out of the sisters' neighborhood, Sister Gican slipped and skinned her knee. She got some first aid treatment once we got to the WML's house, but I kept teasing her that we would have to chop her leg off. It was the WML's mom who applied the first aid to Sister Gican, and then when she was done his dad walked in carrying this <i>huge</i> butcher knife and with a completely straight face said that it was time for her leg to go. She yelled and almost ran out of the house while the rest of us just laughed at her XD best moment ever haha.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Doctrine and Covenants 88:125 And above all things, clothe yourselves with the bond of charity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness and peace.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Lost time is never found again. --Benjamin Franklin</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Love you all!! Have a great week and don't lose time!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>XOXO</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Sister Pectol</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>P.S. HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!!</b></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> <img alt="🎉" class="CToWUd" data-goomoji="1f389" goomoji="1f389" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/1f389" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" /><img alt="🎆" class="CToWUd" data-goomoji="1f386" goomoji="1f386" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/1f386" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" /><img alt="[?]" class="CToWUd" data-goomoji="fe4e6" goomoji="fe4e6" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/fe4e6" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" /><img alt="[?]" class="CToWUd" data-goomoji="fe4e6" goomoji="fe4e6" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/fe4e6" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" /><img alt="[?]" class="CToWUd" data-goomoji="fe4e6" goomoji="fe4e6" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/fe4e6" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" /><img alt="🎆" class="CToWUd" data-goomoji="1f386" goomoji="1f386" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/1f386" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" /><img alt="🎉" class="CToWUd" data-goomoji="1f389" goomoji="1f389" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/1f389" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17495380813864669449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783199221200356353.post-86609946391066327682016-06-26T22:02:00.001-06:002016-06-26T22:02:09.220-06:00Farewell Conference, and Still Smiling kahit Mahirap :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>This week has been exhausting, but good. We had our very last zone conference with President and Sister Revillo <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2080948602" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Wednesday</span></span>, which was super fun but also really sad. It's going to be hard to see them go; they've been my mission parent the whole time out in the field and I have learned so much from both of them. Our new mission president and family will be arriving this week and next week we'll meet them, so it's going to be interesting to see what happens. We sang "God be with You til We Meet Again" to close the conference, and there might have been a couple of tears shed. I'm really going to miss them. We have one last STL meeting with Sister Revillo <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2080948603" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">tomorrow</span></span>, so I'm excited for that.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I think that one of the things I'm learning from this area and my companion is to just stay positive. Our area is really kawawa (pitiful/suffering) right now, and neither me nor Sister Gican really have any idea what we need to do. It's hard to not feel lazy when you're so close to going home and you're area isn't progressing (it feels like we can't do anything), but we're both really trying to push and finish strong. We aren't seeing any success yet from our efforts to help this area, but we're just really trying to focus on being positive. And somehow it happens. Even when we're dead tired from exchanges and we're sick of the pollution and we get punted from our investigators we were hoping would be baptized this month, we still end up smiling and expressing our thanks to Heavenly Father at the end of each day. So it's working out, kahit pa-paano.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I believe in Christ, so come what may. Hymn #134 I was reading through this hymn yesterday at church, and I just felt so grateful for my Savior and for all that He has done for me. Missionary work is not easy, and sometimes it's downright discouraging. But every day, we receive the help that we need in order to do the things that He would have us do :)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>2 Nephi <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2080948604" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">4:30</span></span> Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Sorry short email...we report on the exchanges we do so my time's a bit limited :)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>LOVE YOU ALL!! Have a great week :)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>XOXO</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Sister Pectol</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17495380813864669449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783199221200356353.post-15103392023141713772016-06-19T20:47:00.000-06:002016-06-19T20:47:16.255-06:00Happy Father's Day! Lung Cancer and Delayed Revelation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hi all!! First of all, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all the dads out there! Whether biological dad, stepdad, grandpa, uncle, or any other father figures, I hope that you have a wonderful day and that you can feel how important your role is as a father and how much impact you have on those around you :)</span></b></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This week has been good, but another busy week with 3 days of exchanges. I got a virus or something <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1784231626" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Tuesday</span></span>, so by the time we got to the sisters' apartment <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1784231627" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Wednesday</span></span> for exchanges it had moved into my lungs and I'd basically been up all night coughing. I gained an even stronger testimony of angels helping us in this work, because as we were hiking around and climbing up slick dirt slopes and getting smoked out by jeepneys and singing hymns and all that fun stuff, I somehow was able to continue. I felt like I about coughed up a lung after every single lesson and I couldn't really breath as we were walking, but I'm positive that there were angels who were pushing me on so that even if I was seriously lacking in oxygen, I could keep walking. Which just goes to show how important this work is, I guess :)</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also had a powerful lesson this week on how I receive personal revelation from Heavenly Father. In a recent general conference, one of the speakers encouraged us to take the time to ask in our prayers what we lack yet and what we can do to improve. I've done it multiple times, and each time Heavenly Father has used someone else to answer my prayer and tell me what to improve. This time, it was while re-reading the talks of the last general conference that I received my answer. I haven't been able to read all the talks yet, but I got a good start, and one of the messages that kept repeating itself over and over again was service, and how important it is for us to give service to our brothers and sisters. I especially like the example of one sister who joined in a service project for people in need across the world. On her way home, she felt the Spirit's confirmation that what she had done was a good thing, but that now it was time for her to walk across the street and help her neighbor. I think that sometimes we think of service as huge projects that impact large groups of people, but the most important service is actually the kinds that most people won't notice and that probably won't be recognized. Things like not complaining, trying to understand others' weaknesses, telling someone how much you love them--they're so simple, but they make such a huge difference. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I loved this quote by President Henry B. Eyring: The first thing you must commit to do is to go and serve, knowing that you do not go alone. When you go to comfort and serve anyone for the Savior, He prepares the way before you. As we do what we can to help those closest to us, not only will they be helped, but we will receive help as well to magnify our limited efforts. And the best part is, as we serve others, the Savior feels it as though we were serving him <img alt="💕" class="CToWUd" data-goomoji="1f495" goomoji="1f495" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/1f495" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Alma 26:37 Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've shared this scripture before, but I wanted to share it again this week because it really impacted me. I was having kind of a rough morning and in one of our lessons I was having a hard time focusing and feeling the Spirit. Sister Gican pulled out her Book of Mormon and then asked our investigator to read this verse, and as she did so it really impacted both her and me. I felt like Heavenly Father was telling me that He knew I was having a rough day and that He understood how I felt, and that He was just right there with me. It was just a short spiritual thought for that investigator, but I think for me my day started to get better after that. I really do know that wherever we are in the world and whatever our situation is, Heavenly Father knows us and what we are going through and He will help us.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love you all!! Have a good week!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">XOXO</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sister Pectol</span></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17495380813864669449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783199221200356353.post-42231499722466039712016-06-12T21:50:00.001-06:002016-06-12T21:50:53.508-06:00The Miracle of Planting Seeds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>It's only been a couple of days since my last email so not much has happened, but there was one really cool experience that I had while on exchanges that I would like to share. We had the opportunity to work with the sisters assigned in Sumulong 2, my very first area. The sisters are magaling and it was a really good exchanges, but there was one specific part that really touched me. As I was planning with one of the sisters who is assigned in the part of the area that I was assigned in, she said that we would be visiting a recent convert who's name I recognized. When we got to this old tatay's house, I recognized him as one of the investigators that we had tried to teach when I was still new. At that time, he didn't want to be taught. He was old and sick so he couldn't really run, but I remember so distinctly that whenever he would see us he would hobble as fast as he could to try to hide from us or pretend he was busy. He's healthier now, so as he led us back to his house I asked him if he remembered me, but he didn't until his wife reminded him that he used to hide from us. He looked so embarrassed, it was cute haha. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>He showed us the pictures of him at his baptism, and as he told us about how he had quit smoking and drinking and is now going to church every week, and about all the changes and blessings that he's seen in his life since he's been baptized, I was so touched by the things that he said and so glad that we got to visit him. I remember that when we were trying to teach him, I honestly never thought that he would be baptized and that it was kind of a waste of time--if we did manage to catch him, he wouldn't even listen to us. But I'm grateful that Heavenly Father let me visit him again, because it was such a lesson to me of the power of planting seeds. I never saw any progress with that tatay, but maybe because of the seeds we helped plant in his heart other missionaries were able to help him gain his conversion. I am grateful that even though I wasn't there to baptize him, I was still somehow a part of it.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Daniel <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_556329194" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">3:17</span></span> If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. I know that sometimes our trials and challenges can feel like we are in the "furnace of affliction" (shout out to Maddie), but whatever our trials are--physical, spiritual, emotional, whatever--Heavenly Father truly has the power to deliver us, if we trust in him.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Too much of anything can put a life out of balance. So let's just stay balanced peeps :)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Love you all!! Have a great week!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>XOXO</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Sister Pectol</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17495380813864669449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783199221200356353.post-30692028877928536672016-06-08T05:55:00.002-06:002016-06-08T05:55:31.412-06:00Whitewash! Suicide Socks and Extra Companions<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Well my first week in Cainta has been pretty good, we're basically whitewashing here which means we're both new and don't really know the area yet, but we're getting there :) thank goodness Sister Gican got emergency transferred here a week before I came, so she has a little background in the area. It's a bit of a harder area, but since Sister Gican goes home this transfer and I'm next transfer, we both are hoping to really help the area improve while we're still here. (It's weird to be old in the mission--sometimes I feel like I just got here from the MTC.) </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>So at the beginning of this week, I experienced a slightly terrifying but hilarious moment in our apartment. We are in a condo on the 10th floor, and since the bunkbed is scooched up against the window and I'm on the top bed, I have a pretty good view of the other condo buildings. The window is kind of big though and doesn't have a screen, so there's a pretty decent space that something could fit through. When I was unpacking, I grabbed my very favorite fuzzy zebra socks and even though I meant to just toss them gently on the bed, they got excited or something and decided to take it farther. So what basically happened is my very favoritest socks suicided out the 10th story window <img alt="😩" class="CToWUd" data-goomoji="1f629" goomoji="1f629" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/1f629" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" /> it was tragic. But the thing is, the space is big enough that if I toss or turn too much in my sleep, I might fit through it as well... So since then, that window has been closed and secured very tightly cause I would rather not accidentally roll off the 10th floor haha.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I've also had some experiences this week that have really confirmed to me that missionaries don't walk alone. There are some parts of our area that have loiterers that sometimes get kind of sketchy, and being a white girl in the Philippines, I get a lot of not very nice attention sometimes. One of my first nights here, I felt really heavy and kind of depressed because of all the things that were being said. They weren't necessarily negative about me, but it was rude and discouraging. When I started to feel those negative emotions coming on, I suddenly felt a sense of peace and I<i>knew</i> that it wasn't just the two of us walking down that busy street. There were others surrounding us, and as we continued to walk to our next lesson I was able to hold my head a little bit higher because I could feel that Heavenly Father didn't leave us alone to deal with that, but that He was sending us His angels to help us be strong <img alt="❤" class="CToWUd" data-goomoji="2764" goomoji="2764" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/2764" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" /></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Ether <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2145023892" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">12:33</span></span> And again, I remember that thou hast said that thou hast loved the world, even unto the laying down of thy life for the world, that thou mightest take it again to prepare a place for the children of men. I am so grateful for the Savior's Atonement and for all that that means for us. I have come to really know Him here in the mission, and I know that He is always with us when we let Him in.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Being negative only makes a difficult journey more difficult. You may be given a cactus, but you don't have to sit on it. Just for a little more humor XD</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Love you all!! Have a great week!!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>XOXO</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Sister Pectol</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17495380813864669449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783199221200356353.post-82138121493425610892016-05-30T21:29:00.001-06:002016-05-30T21:29:33.964-06:00Spiders! O.O Transfers, and Crazy Companionship Interventions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">Well it is transfer week once again, and I found out from President yesterday that I will be going to Cainta, another STL area!! I'm really sad that I'll be leaving Sister Udarbe again, and I will admit that there are a couple of things in the office that I will miss, but I'm looking forward to be able to actually work and focus in my area and to be able to focus on investigators :)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">Crazy story....my mom emailed me last week about one of my missionary friends in the states who had a giant slug hitch a ride on their car. She told me I needed to find something to beat that, and this week I did! Sister Udarbe and I were in the middle of rearranging and deep cleaning our room, when suddenly I noticed this HUGE spider in the window! Needless to say, both of us screamed and literally hurdle jumped across the room. Thankfully, Sister Vaoesea, one of our kabahays, is for some weird reason not terrified of terrible monsters like that one, and chased it out for us. If you would like a size comparison, she is about my size. It basically traumatized us. I might have actually prayed that night to be protected from crazy monster spiders...<img alt="😬" class="CToWUd" data-goomoji="1f62c" goomoji="1f62c" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/1f62c" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" /> So there you go, Mom (and Elder T)--I beat the slug!! :P most terrifying experience of my life....</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">Of course, we had some really good spiritual experiences this week as well :) there's a companionship in our route that has struggled this whole transfer (it's a different companionship than the one I talked about before). We had an emergency visit to them already earlier this transfer, and exchanges with them last week. We thought the problem with their companionship was solved, but when they called late <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_541492045" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Saturday</span></span> night we found out that it just got worse. We woke up early <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_541492046" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> morning to go to their apartment, and we literally spent all of <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_541492047" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> morning trying to talk it through with them. We took turns talking with each of them one on one and trying to understand what was happening. Basically, neither of them wanted to adjust to the personality of the other and they were both struggling but not trying to understand each other and not being open. After talking with both of them and getting both sides of the story, we told them that they needed to talk to each other and tell each other the exact same things they told us. They locked themselves in the bedroom and we sat outside and waited. We both prayed so hard that morning that they would be ok. After a while, they opened the door and called us in. They had both cried and there had been some yelling, but when they talked to us again they were both smiling and we could actually feel the Spirit in the room. It is amazing to me that when two people can be humble and open and allow the Lord to touch their hearts, no matter what their differences are, they can make their companionship work.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within.--Elizabeth Kubler-Ross</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">Ether <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_541492048" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">2:25</span></span> And behold, I prepare you against these things; for ye cannot cross this great deep save I prepare you against the waves of the sea, and the winds which have gone forth, and the floods which shall come... I am so grateful that Heavenly Father has given us all the tools that we need to survive life's storms :) we have the scriptures, church, and the words of living prophets to guide us, and I am so glad that He is always there for us when we reach out to Him :)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">Love you all!!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">XOXO</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">Sister Pectol</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>This is called a boodle fight. it's supposed to have banana leaves, but we just used garbage bags XD you just dump the rice and ulam on the table and everyone goes for it. it's only here in the Philippines that I learned rice is a finger food. </b></span></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17495380813864669449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783199221200356353.post-73820159020515255032016-05-22T21:27:00.001-06:002016-05-22T21:27:19.282-06:00Final 12 Weeks!! Mindoro, Evaluations, and All that Good Stuff :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">final 12 weeks! picture pose then the real feelings.....</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Hello everyone!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>This week has been a really intense week. I have learned a lot about humility, from myself and also from others.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I've really been struggling lately with a lot of feelings of inadequacy, both in missionary work and in personal things and especially in my calling as an STL. It's hard when all of your weaknesses seem to just magnify themselves in front of you and seem impossible to overcome. We had service as a zone on Saturday, and is was so fun to participate in the national service day to clean up campaign posters and all that, but I was having a hard time. After the service, we ended up calling our district leader over so that he could give both me and Sister Udarbe a priesthood blessing. And let me tell you, the power of the priesthood is real. We didn't tell him anything that we were struggling with or that we wanted guidance on; we just said that we would like a blessing of comfort. And in each of our blessings, he addressed the things that we were specifically struggling with and needed counsel on. We took notes for each other, and this morning I reviewed the notes my companion had written down and just felt so grateful that Heavenly Father loves us enough to give to worthy men the power of the priesthood in order to help those around them. It also reminded me to be more humble and remember that it's not my strength or lack of that is important; what's important is that I just remember where my real strength is and rely on my Savior and on my Heavenly Father.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>One of the other things that had a big impact on me taught me a powerful lesson about humility. One of the companionships in our route has really been struggling; one of the companions is really disobedient and prideful and drags her companion down. We had the opportunity to do exchanges with them on Thursday, and it was so heartbreaking to see how much pride is ruining things for them. One of the sisters is new in the area and is trying so hard to learn the area and the investigators and the members, but her companion just gets annoyed when she asks questions. We've seen a lot of pride issues in that companion, and so when we did exchanges we each took some time to talk with each of the sisters one on one. And I can really testify that nobody can change you but yourself, and not even Heavenly Father will force you to change yourself. One of the sisters does not see herself as making mistakes or having weaknesses, and when her companion tried to explain what was going on she just got angry. It was so sad. There hasn't been much that's changed in that companionship--the prideful one is still so prideful, and the other one is just exemplifying the Christlike attribute of humility as she tries to keep things going smooth. We're praying (literally) that something will change and that the Spirit will be able to work in their companionship.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>So I guess the biggest takeaway that I got this week is just to remember that nobody is perfect (especially myself) but that if we are humble and we let ourselves be changed, we really can change for the better.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Mosiah 3:19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.--Charles A. Beard</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Love you all!! Have a good week and remember that humility can help solve any problem :)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>XOXO</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.8px;">Sister Pectol</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.8px;">My little Utah buddy...</span></b></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17495380813864669449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783199221200356353.post-76824505950848248072016-05-16T00:51:00.002-06:002016-05-16T00:51:37.146-06:00The Power of the Priesthood, and a Lesson in Humility<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This week has been a really intense week. I have learned a lot about humility, from myself and also from others.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've really been struggling lately with a lot of feelings of inadequacy, both in missionary work and in personal things and especially in my calling as an STL. It's hard when all of your weaknesses seem to just magnify themselves in front of you and seem impossible to overcome. We had service as a zone <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_965259669" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Saturday</span></span>, and is was so fun to participate in the national service day to clean up campaign posters and all that, but I was having a hard time. After the service, we ended up calling our district leader over so that he could give both me and Sister Udarbe a priesthood blessing. And let me tell you, the power of the priesthood is real. We didn't tell him anything that we were struggling with or that we wanted guidance on; we just said that we would like a blessing of comfort. And in each of our blessings, he addressed the things that we were specifically struggling with and needed counsel on. We took notes for each other, and this morning I reviewed the notes my companion had written down and just felt so grateful that Heavenly Father loves us enough to give to worthy men the power of the priesthood in order to help those around them. It also reminded me to be more humble and remember that it's not my strength or lack of that is important; what's important is that I just remember where my real strength is and rely on my Savior and on my Heavenly Father.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One of the other things that had a big impact on me taught me a powerful lesson about humility. One of the companionships in our route has really been struggling; one of the companions is really disobedient and prideful and drags her companion down. We had the opportunity to do exchanges with them <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_965259670" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Thursday</span></span>, and it was so heartbreaking to see how much pride is ruining things for them. One of the sisters is new in the area and is trying so hard to learn the area and the investigators and the members, but her companion just gets annoyed when she asks questions. We've seen a lot of pride issues in that companion, and so when we did exchanges we each took some time to talk with each of the sisters one on one. And I can really testify that nobody can change you but yourself, and not even Heavenly Father will force you to change yourself. One of the sisters does not see herself as making mistakes or having weaknesses, and when her companion tried to explain what was going on she just got angry. It was so sad. There hasn't been much that's changed in that companionship--the prideful one is still so prideful, and the other one is just exemplifying the Christlike attribute of humility as she tries to keep things going smooth. We're praying (literally) that something will change and that the Spirit will be able to work in their companionship.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So I guess the biggest takeaway that I got this week is just to remember that nobody is perfect (especially myself) but that if we are humble and we let ourselves be changed, we really can change for the better.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mosiah <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_965259671" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">3:19</span></span> For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.--Charles A. Beard</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Love you all!! Have a good week and remember that humility can help solve any problem :)</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">XOXO</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sister Pectol</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Zone interviews</b></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17495380813864669449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783199221200356353.post-77613356608315247952016-05-08T21:34:00.000-06:002016-05-08T21:34:04.594-06:00Happy Mother's Day!! MLC and Power Puff Girls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, best news of my life....I GOT TO SKYPE <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_889697147" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">ON SATURDAY</span></span>!!! It was so good to see everyone! I am a little sad to admit though that we've been so busy here that I literally didn't have time to be excited until that morning... But then I got to skype with the coolest people in the world (AKA my family <span style="margin-left: 0.2ex; margin-right: 0.2ex;"><img alt="😉" class="CToWUd" data-goomoji="1f609" goomoji="1f609" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/1f609" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" /></span>) so it totally made my week. So happy Mother's Day to all the moms, grandmas, aunts, sisters, cousins, friends, etc who are fantastic moms!!! (But my mom is the very best...just sayin')</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We had our interviews with President Revillo this past week, which was amazing. This calling has really been stressing me out--I have so many weaknesses and it's rough when you make mistakes and everybody mentions it. In my interview with President I asked him why I'm here as a Sister Training Leader in Quirino when there's all these responsibilities that the entire mission needs us to complete, and there are several missionaries I know that could do a much better job. He's so sweet; he let me rant my feelings for a minute then agreed with me. He said that there are missionaries that could do better than me, and there are missionaries that could even do better than him. But then he told me something that might have changed my life: The Lord doesn't call us for our skills or for what we've done. He calls us because of our potential...He will shape our backs to bear our responsibilities. Not exact wording, but the best I can do :) It was so reassuring for me. I don't know why I was called to this position or why Heavenly Father has put so much trust in me. It's hard and stressful and I am literally getting wrinkles (no joke--I'm starting to look old :P ). But I'm trying so hard to do my best and give my all, and I keep feeling little reassurances that that's enough for Heavenly Father. So I guess I'll just keep pushing at it until Heavenly Father thinks that I've stretched enough :)</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_889697148" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday</span></span> we had our Mission Leadership Council, and Sister Udarbe and I decided to be twinners and wear what we call our "Ramos dresses". Our favorite recent convert family in Taytay, the Ramos family, made them for us. We both thought it was a great idea, until we got there and Sister Revillo announced that we would be performing a duet for everyone (thank goodness we didn't) and our zone leader told us we looked like the Power Puff Girls. Well, I thought we looked adorable, anyways. (I give up trying to look cute here--it fails everytime <img alt="😩" class="CToWUd" data-goomoji="1f629" goomoji="1f629" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/1f629" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" /> lol)</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We should look to and have our focus firmly fixed upon the Savior at all times and in all places.--David A. Bednar.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Omni <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_889697149" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">1:26</span></span> And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Love you all!! Have a great week!!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">XOXO</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sister Pectol</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">P.S. I hit my 15 month mark this week <span style="margin-left: 0.2ex; margin-right: 0.2ex;"><img alt="😱" class="CToWUd" data-goomoji="1f631" goomoji="1f631" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/1f631" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" /><img alt="😱" class="CToWUd" data-goomoji="1f631" goomoji="1f631" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/1f631" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" /><img alt="😱" class="CToWUd" data-goomoji="1f631" goomoji="1f631" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/1f631" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" /></span> It's going by way too fast!!!!</span></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17495380813864669449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783199221200356353.post-34330695977885293992016-05-01T21:37:00.000-06:002016-05-01T21:37:03.804-06:00American Kabahay!!! And Short Jokes...<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>This week has been good, but we've been doing so much!! With the end of the transfer all the missionaries report what's missing in their 72 hour kits, and that is part of our responsibility here. So we took <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1009101343" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday</span></span> afternoon to go shopping for replacements, and let me tell you, bulk ordering 385 Nissin noodles and buying 50+ packs of hard candy gets you some weird looks. Sister Udarbe heard someone ask who we were going to be feeding. My answer: The whole Philippines Quezon City Mission. We've had to come home early almost every night this week to get things ready, so our area is kind of kawawa. But at least we're almost done now :) The nice thing about really getting along with your companion is that even if the work is stressful you can still smile and laugh, so it works out :)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>AND I HAVE AN AMERICAN KABAHAY!! This is the first time since I've been in the field that I've lived with a fellow Americana!! (I had one transfer with one as a neighbor, but it's different as housemates.) Sister Manfoste is Filipina but grew up in Utah, so we had a mini "fellow Utahn" moment when she got packages from her family with Twizzlers, Starbursts, and Pop Tarts that she was kind enough to share. It was so fun to have those again XD</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>So the funny story of the week...I got called short <img alt="😒" class="CToWUd" data-goomoji="1f612" goomoji="1f612" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/1f612" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" /> Here in the Philippines, my height is from average to sometimes a little tall. We were tracting a house and when the old guy opened the door he started speaking English to us. He was so surprised when I responded in Tagalog, then after learning that I was an American he asked "So why are you so small?"</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Thanks, I really appreciate that one.... I blame James for stealing all the tall genes ;D dang little brothers haha. I'm pretty sure that's the first time I've been called short since I got here. I felt like I was back home hahaha.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>We also had the opportunity to do exchanges with a sister from the MTC, Sister King. She will be coming to PQCM this upcoming transfer, but is having a hard time right now, so President Trask (MTC president) and President Revillo coordinated with each other so she could work with us. We spent <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1009101344" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Saturday</span></span> with her, and she didn't really open up but I hope that we were able to help her. She's only been in the MTC for about 2 weeks, but she tried her best to Taglish her testimony in one of the lessons, and it was so powerful. It was really cool for me to be able to bear my testimony to her about the gift of tongues and my experience with it. I kind of saw myself in her, actually. As I was telling her that she doesn't need to worry about being perfect in the language and in teaching, I remembered how hard I was on myself when I was new and how I almost quit, too. But I hope that she stays; this is by far the best thing I've ever done, and I hope that she can experience that too :)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>3 Nephi <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1009101345" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">15:24</span></span> But behold, ye have both heard my voice, and seen me; and ye are my sheep, and ye are numbered among those whom the Father hath given me.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Bloom where you are planted. Or if it's too hard to bloom, at least smile :)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Love you all!! Have a great week!!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>XOXO</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Sister Pectol</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17495380813864669449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783199221200356353.post-43180999773680372382016-04-25T18:01:00.001-06:002016-04-25T18:01:26.647-06:00Transfer Week! Repeating Companions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12.8px;">This week has been sooo busy, and so fun, and so difficult. It's been quite a week :)</b></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>On Wednesday we had our sisters conference, which was absolutely a blast! We had workshops and all did exercise together and played games...it was great :) But Sister Consulta and I were the only ones who set up the tables the night before, and it was those big heavy metal/wood ones that all the churches have. We loaded them in the elevator, dragged them out, set them up, arranged them...I think we both thought our backs were going to break by the time we were done lol. It was hard to prepare and get ready for it, but it turned out so good and was so worth it :)<br /></b></span></div>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Tomorrow is the last day of this transfer, and Sister Consulta was called by President Revillo <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_387206891" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Sunday</span></span> informing her that she would be released as a Sister Training Leader and that he was calling her as a trainer, and that she was whitewashing. She doesn't want to whitewash, but she's excited to transfer. She's tired of being an STL haha. Our Zone Leaders called this morning and told me that my new companion will be Sister Udarbe, my anak!! I'm so excited that we get to be companions again; I didn't think that would ever happen. It's going to be difficult to train a new STL, but it's nice that I already know that she's magaling (talented) so it's going to be ok :) <br /></b></span></div>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I'm sad to see Sister Consulta transfer, though. We've gotten close. It's been an interesting transfer, with a lot of ups and downs. I've learned a lot from her, and it's going to be hard to say goodbye. I've had companions in the past that have been like my best friends, but Sister Consulta hasn't been like that. She feels more like my sister. I have never had a companion before that was more brutally, completely honest with me about all of my flaws, and the things I need to change. She shows me when she's annoyed with me and she doesn't go out of her way to be gentle. But that being said, I don't think I've ever had a transfer before that has helped me to grow so much. Sister Consulta has been there to give me the feedback that really will help me to change and grow, and I am so grateful for that. I'm still so far from perfect, but with her help I was able to at least progress to become more like my Savior :) I'm going to miss her, but I'm also excited to be companions with Sister Udarbe again :)<br /></b></span></div>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>You have never tested God's resources until you have attempted the impossible. Christ has turned all our sunsets into dawn.--Clement of Alexandria<br /></b></span></div>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>James <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_387206892" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">4:10</span></span> Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.<br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Have a good week!! Love you all!!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>XOXO</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Sister Pectol</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17495380813864669449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783199221200356353.post-27159864791640613192016-04-24T21:04:00.004-06:002016-04-24T21:04:58.217-06:00Inspired Companionship and Fishing Stories<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This week has been a really really hot and sweaty week...just sayin'. I'm pretty sure we literally sweat buckets. It's just great.. <img alt="😛" class="CToWUd" data-goomoji="1f61b" goomoji="1f61b" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/1f61b" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br /></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But we had some real miracles this week :) I'm so glad that Sister Udarbe is my companion again because not only do we get along super well, but she is also a miracle worker. I was feeling really discouraged with our area and really losing hope, so <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_387206883" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Saturday</span></span> I fasted for help for our area. It's so hard to fast and go without water while walking around knocking on doors and talking to people in the street all afternoon, but it's so worth it--before I had even closed my fast I started feeling more positive about the area and we were able to find a lot of new people to teach. Heavenly Father really listens to us when we do our part :)<br /></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also learned this week that fishing experiences can actually be a really good way to get to know investigators :) We taught a part member couple <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_387206884" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Tuesday</span></span> who fed us dinner after the lesson; sweet and sour fish. Come to find out he's been to the states multiple times to visit his kids, and while there he's done some fishing. It wasn't long before we were talking about striped bass and trout and all that stuff; it was great! It got me excited to get back out on a lake haha.<br /></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3 Nephi <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_387206885" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">9:22</span></span> Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved. I'm so happy that I get to be here and get to help the other children of my Heavenly Father come unto Him :) #bestthingever<br /></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If all you know is what you see with your natural eyes and hear with yoyur natural ears, then you will not know very much.--President Boyd K. Packer<br /></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love you all!! Have an amazing week!!</span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">XOXO</span></b></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sister Pectol</span></b></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17495380813864669449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783199221200356353.post-24641565710644119132016-04-10T21:42:00.001-06:002016-04-10T21:42:12.531-06:00Nganga: We Can't Teach in English<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>This week has been another fantastic week here in PQCM. And we had a baptism!! I'm so happy :) Joy was a miracle investigator for us. One of our other progressing investigators all of a sudden dropped us, and later that afternoon we were at the church to get something. We saw Joy sitting next to one of the recent converts in the ward, and out of the blue Sister Consulta started talking to her. From there, Joy was almost instantly our most progressing investigator. She would read the Book of Mormon and tell us what we learned, and even though we were in Mindoro the week of her baptismal interview and couldn't be there with her, when she replied to our text she told us that this was one of the greatest blessings she's received. The baptism was amazing, and her testimony was so strong! I love being here and being able to help Heavenly Father's children come unto Him!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Friday we had our Mission Leadership Council, and halfway through we stopped so that we could go give service at a rest home. It was so fun! We sang and played games with all the lolos and lolas (grandpas and grandmas) and shared short messages with them. There was one old lola that could still play the piano a million miles an hour, even though she's now stooped over with age. It was neat to see the missionaries split off and group around each person; I think that they felt loved, and the change of pace was maybe a good thing to get for them. #idon'twannagetold</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>We also contacted a media referral yesterday who's name is Joshua. He lived in one of our areas that is just condos, and when he walked into the waiting area and started speaking fluent English both me and Sister Consulta could feel the nosebleed coming on. We're speaking English in the apartment, but as we were planning for our lesson with him later we agreed that it's going to be hard for us to teach in English. But he can understand Tagalog, which is nice. I haven't lost any English so far, but I only know how to teach in Tagalog lol. There's a Tagalog word "nganga" which basically describes when someone has no idea what's going on and is just sitting there with their mouth hanging open. When Joshua asked for a Book of Mormon almost before we introduced ourselves and then started talking with us about when we could actually teach him, I think nganga was a very good description for both of us haha. We were surprised by how excited he was and by how much he already seemed to know about the church. It's going to be an interesting lesson later :)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Isaiah 50:7 For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"No matter where we live and what our circumstances are, it is essential that our preeminent identity is as a child of God."--Donald L. Hallstrom. The longer I'm here the more I learn that no matter where we are or what we're doing, all of us are children of God, and He loves us more that we could ever know, and is always ready for us to come to Him. I'm so grateful for the conference messages that we got to hear this weekend; I know that we really do have a living prophet on the earth and I sustain him with all my heart. I know that no matter what we've done with our lives we can always use the Savior's Atonement to repent and change, and I know that this truly is the work of the Lord, and that there is no greater work we could do than to share the gospel of Jesus Christ to our brothers and sisters.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Love you all!!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>XOXO</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Sister Pectol</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>P.S. Groups of kids like this one is what almost always happens if we stand in one place for too long. I was on exchanges in another area, and while we were waiting for the other sisters to come meet us the kids grouped around us, rubbing my freckles, touching my hair, and trying to convince me to speak English. The sister I was with knew most of them, so she helped us get everyone grouped for a picture :)</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17495380813864669449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783199221200356353.post-55459977364510762002016-04-04T00:42:00.002-06:002016-04-04T00:42:36.909-06:00A Week in Mindoro! Beaches, Exchanges, and Airplane Miracles<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I don't have a lot of time today but just wanted to let you know that this week was AWESOME. We spent it in Mindoro and did exchanges with the 3 sets of sisters there. It was so beautiful! I got tons of pictures, but unfortunately I don't have my card reader with me so next week na lang ang pictures. We had a bit of a miracle with our flight this morning. We were actually supposed to fly out yesterday morning, but there was a power out in the Manila airport so the flight got cancelled. We were only on the waiting list this morning, and if we wouldn't have made it we would have had to take about a 15 hour land trip to get back here. We were numbers 4 and 5 on the waiting list, and there were just enough spots for us to get on :) Heavenly Father really does take care of us.<br /></b></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I had the neatest experiences this week while we were doing exchanges. When we do exchanges with a companionship, I will work with one sister and Sister Consulta will work with her companion, and at the end of the day we have personal evaluations and companionship evaluations. One of the sisters I worked with in the mission is a previous STL and is more senior than I am, but the other two were still fairly new in the mission. I felt the Spirit there in all of our evaluations, but especially with the new sisters. They were both struggling with things that I really struggled with when I was new, and as I talked to them about the things that I had learned in my mission and about the change and the growth that I have experienced, I could see that they were touched. They are both amazing sisters, and as with all my exchanges, I think I learned more from them than they did from me. But as I was sharing with them about my experiences and struggles in the mission, I felt the Spirit witness to me that I was given this calling because there's something that I can give to the sisters to help them. I've questioned multiple times if this calling was really inspired, because I am so imperfect and I feel like the sisters do way more for me than I do for them. But as I talked with those amazing women I felt the witness of the Spirit that even though I am so imperfect there is still something I can do to help. It was such a witness to me that when we are trying to do what the Savior would do to help one of God's children, He will be here with us :)<br /><br />Our high responsibility is to become women who follow the Savior, nurture with inspiration, and live truth fearlessly. As we ask Father in Heaven to make us builders of His kingdom, His power will flow into us and we will know how to nurture, ultimately becoming like our heavenly parents. --Neill F. Marriott<br /></b></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Alma 38:2 </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">And now, my son, I trust that I shall have great joy in you, because of your steadiness and your faithfulness unto God; for as you have commenced in your youth to look to the Lord your God, even so I hope that you will continue in keeping his commandments; for blessed is he that endureth to the end.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I love you all!! Have a great week!!</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>XOXO</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Sister Payton Pectol</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17495380813864669449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783199221200356353.post-68994845236444344492016-03-28T06:19:00.003-06:002016-03-28T06:19:32.398-06:00Kabahay Tabernacle Choir, Holy Week, and Beach Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There hasn't been a full week yet since my last email but there's still a lot that has happened. I am actually emailing from Mindoro right now; we woke up at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1812202754" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">2am</span></span> this morning to get our flight here. The flight was only an hour but because of airport lines we had to be really early. We got here in time to join in the Mindoro zone's activity, which included a sand castle contest. It was so fun! But we're not allowed to s</span></b><b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">wim, so we just enjoyed wading through the shallow part. It's so pretty here; the air is actually fresh! Our mission is very much a city mission, so it seems like I've forgotten what it feels like to have lungs that aren't full of tricycle and jeepney smoke and pollution haha. We were able to sleep most of the morning after the activity, so that was nice, because we were definitely feeling the lack of sleep catching up to us.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This past week was Holy Week here in the Philippines, which means that basically everyone was on holiday and didn't have work. Ideally, that would mean that everyone was home and there was a lot of people we could talk to. But in reality, what happened is that everyone took the opportunity to go to their home provinces, so we spent the week getting punted. And I don't know when I've ever sweat so much <img alt="😬" class="CToWUd" data-goomoji="1f62c" goomoji="1f62c" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/1f62c" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" /> It's summertime now here, and even if the sun isn't shining we can literally feel the heat radiating off the concrete. But at least we have a good time together, so even though we spent a lot of time walking and literally sweat buckets, it was with companionship unity and love haha.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yesterday after church our ward had an Easter devotional, and it was so amazing! They shared some of the Easter videos that I think came out this year and it was so spiritual. #Hallelujah. They talked a lot about the Savior's Atonement for us and what that really means and how we can use it in our lives. It was powerful, and I learned a lot of things that I can really apply in my life.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And we have this new thing as kabahays that Sister Consulta jokingly referred to as the Tabernacle Choir. We have USB's that have approved music for us to listen to, including the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, EFY songs, and others. One of my favorites is 'You Raise Me Up', by Josh Groban, so whenever it comes on I've started yell singing to it. Sometimes I do it by myself and my kabahays just suffer, but sometimes they join in the dramatic singing and then we all just have fun together. I was never much into shower singing, but my family's going to have to look out because it's one of my new favorite hobbies XD and it just might make them all go deaf lol.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Life is 10% what happens and 90% how you react to it. This is one of my favorite quotes, and actually when I was at our ward devotional I received a lot of personal revelation that prompted me to do better at focusing on the positive side of things. I have learned that attitude definitely determines how well things can go for us.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Helaman <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1812202755" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">5:12</span></span> And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am so grateful for the Savior and His Atonement, and that because of what He suffered for us we can improve and overcome our weaknesses. I am grateful for this Easter season that we have to remember His resurrection and all He did for us, and I am grateful for the relationship I have with Him. He's my big brother, and I know that whatever happens He will be here.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I love you all!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">XOXO</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sister Payton Pectol</span></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17495380813864669449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783199221200356353.post-40246762480659376282016-03-22T21:33:00.002-06:002016-03-28T06:29:52.175-06:00Zone Conference, Icebergs, and Birthday Cards!!!<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Hello everyone!!</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>This week has been so busy! We had our zone conference <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_128317650" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Thursday</span></span>, which was amazing. President and Sister Revillo are so inspired, and I learned so much from them. A big part of the conference was about what we need to do as missionaries to achieve our goal of baptizing converts and establishing the church, and it was so powerful! Usually at zone conferences, when it's lunch or short breaks, it's a great time to take pictures with all your missionary buddies. But because of everything we needed to get done to help with the mission business, we were running around so much that I was only able to get one picture of us. And it was while we were waiting for a last minute thing to print so we could distribute it to everyone haha. We're very involved with helping organize and format and print and distribute all the papers and stuff that the missionaries get, so it's kept us running. It's busy and sometimes stressful but it's fun :) I've figured out the secret is just to keep joking with your companion and keep things fun :)</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b><br /></b><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">And I got everyone's birthday cards!! Lol <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_128317651" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">2 months later</span></span>...oh well, I was excited to get a big stack of cards in the mail, so thank you all!! There are replies on their way to you :)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>We had the neatest lesson this week with one of our part member families. Justin is 11 years old and hasn't been baptized yet, even though his mom, Rose, has been a member for a long time. Justin is super amazing and I love teaching him (he's so smart and even though he's young he's super spiritual), but Rose is completely inactive in the church and we weren't sure what her concern was. When we taught them last week, we had originally planned on teaching about the Plan of Salvation, but after a couple of questions and a couple of things she told us we realized that that wasn't what she needed. So what basically ended up was that we had no plan for what she needed and we weren't sure what to say. But I can really testify of the power of the Spirit in guiding you in what to say. There's an example in Preach My Gospel that likens concerns to an iceberg; you can only see a part of it but you don't know the whole thing. But that lesson was so spiritual, and I felt like everything we were saying was being guided. Our question, our teaching, our scripture references--it was amazing. We were so united and it was so powerful, and when we left the appointment Sister Consulta said that we didn't just see the whole iceberg; we smashed it with a hammer and got right to the core haha. I love being able to feel that guidance and know that what I'm doing is not just my efforts, but that Heavenly Father is really helping me.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>You were born with the ability to change someone's life. Don't ever waste it.<br /><br />Alma <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_128317652" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">19:36</span></span> And thus the work of the Lord did commence among the Lamanites; thus the Lord did begin topour out his Spirit upon them; and we see that his arm is extended to all people who will repent and believeon his name.</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>I love you all!! Have a great week!!</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>XOXO</b></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Sister Pectol</b></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17495380813864669449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783199221200356353.post-86444407313930948812016-03-13T22:01:00.002-06:002016-03-13T22:05:27.784-06:00Language Struggles, Unity, and Promised Blessings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>It has been another really good but really busy week this week for us. We have been so busy doing stuff for the mission that we literally only spent 3 days working in our area last week. It's hard when you want to spend time in the area to help it progress, but I think Heavenly Father knows that we're trying to do as much as we can, so He really blessed us this week. We were able to find a new investigator that is so golden and is so ready to be baptized, so we are very excited for her, and I have also seen a lot of personal miracles as well, which is amazing.</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Last week I was really really struggling with feelings of inadequacy and stress about my calling. I keep making mistakes and me and my companion weren't super united or getting along and I felt very overwhelmed. Friday night I had a really long prayer and had a good talk with Heavenly Father about what was going on and what I was struggling with, and I asked Him to confirm to me that this call really is coming from Him and that there's a reason I'm here. And as we went throughout the day on Saturday I could feel extra strength and support coming from Him. I could truly feel the love of my Savior as I tried to remember His Atonement, and on Sunday I felt miracles happen all day; within myself, within our companionship and our unity, and everything. It is amazing to me how well Heavenly Father knows us and how He is just waiting for us to turn to Him so that He can strengthen us. </b></span></div>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>It was ward conference yesterday, and in Sunday School the stake president taught the lesson. It was a very short but powerful lesson about what to do if we want miracles. He told us all to think of a miracle that we want to happen and write it down, and then he would give us the way to make it happen. He taught us that in order to receive blessings and miracles from God we need to faithfully obey His commandments. He said that if we want to have an increase in blessings, we need to increase our faith and increase our obedience. His testimony was so strong, and even though it was a really short lesson we all felt the Spirit testifying that what he was saying was true. It was very powerful, and even though what I wrote would definitely be a miracle, I think that it will happen :)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Funny story of the week: when we were in our Mission Leadership Council, Sister Revillo asked all of us how we were doing with our language. One of the rules in our mission is English inside the apartment and Tagalog outside. But it's a hard rule, so when she followed up with the zone leaders and the sister training leaders and saw that we weren't doing so great, we got a little bit of a scolding and she committed us to follow that rule with exactness in order to be an example to the other missionaries. So we've been doing that for a couple of days, and let me tell you, it is not easy!! Ironically, I'm the one who's having the struggle. Sister Consulta speaks very good English, so when we're inside the apartment she doesn't have a problem. But I've gotten to the point that it's very rare that I speak straight English, so it literally takes all my brain power to have a full English conversation! Maybe this is one of the changes that I'm experiencing here on the mission haha.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Alma 7:23 And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn. --Harriet Beecher Stowe</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Love you all! Have a great week!!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>XOXO</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Sister Pectol</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The pictures are of us at MLC, and the night before spending our evening organizing and packing all of the 72 hour kit replacements we need to get to missionaries all over the mission.</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Mission Leadership Counsil, March 11, 2016</span></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17495380813864669449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783199221200356353.post-16310025463705292992016-03-07T18:38:00.003-07:002016-03-07T18:38:56.936-07:00First Week in Quirino: A Different Side of Missionary Work, Honest Companion, and New "Skills"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>This week has been absolutely INSANE...so much has happened!! I had my first couple of times working in the office, which wasn't too bad; I just have a lot to learn!! And it was a very different side of missionary work than I expected. Before, we would have days of tracting and teaching and getting punted and tracting some more, intermingled with our studies. We still do that, but now we have extra things to do as well, like coordinating language test schedules and calling missionaries every night and leading in STL meetings and even occasionally bringing the AP's food haha. It's been quite a week, with a lot of ups and downs, but I am learning a lot and I enjoy it so far :) I think one of the things I've improved the most in this week is texting...I've never really been the type that was always texting, so I'm usually a pretty slow thumb-typer. But I can honestly say that my texting speed has doubled in just this first week lol. I feel like our phone never has a break...</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The apartment we're in is nice, but there's 6 of us here, so it's sometimes a little crowded. And more missionaries means more food and garbage, which means that it wasn't too big of a surprise when I started noticing the mice running around everywhere....ewwwwwww. We had to go to the mall to pick up flashlights for the missionaries' 72 hour kits, so while we were there I grabbed some mouse traps, and literally <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1615724942" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">within 5 minutes</span></span> of setting them we already had a dead mouse. Almost every day since then we've had to throw a dead mouse out. Yuck. But at least there's less mouse poop everywhere :) I'm not so worried about getting some freaky mouse disease lol.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I've also been able to learn a lot about myself this week. My companion is very very honest with me, which is something that I really appreciate but is also sometimes hard. I have a LOT of weaknesses, and since I've received this new calling I've really seen them in myself. Sometimes it makes things difficult for her too, so we've had a couple of good talks this week that taught me a lot about the kind of person that I really am. I think I have a lot of growth ahead of me this transfer, because one of the things that I've learned so far is that basically all of the things I used to think were my strengths actually are very big weaknesses. It's really hard to hear that about yourself, but is also really good because now I have specific things to work on. I was really struggling with feelings of inadequacy at the beginning of the week, but I didn't know specifically what to do. But now after talking with my amazing companion, I know what I can do to improve and to gain the qualities that I need to in order to magnify this calling and to really give my best. It's been a bit of a roller coaster week, but I feel very happy and excited for the future :) I just keep praying that Heavenly Father will take me and help me to be capable in this calling.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>My quote for the week is something that Sister Consulta said to me that really impacted me: It's not about secular knowledge; it's about spiritual worthiness. I really do know that if we're humble and worthy and let the Spirit teach us, than we will receive the help and strength we need. <br /></b></span></div>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Mosiah 26:18 Yea, blessed is this people who are willing to bear my name; for in my name shall they becalled; and they are mine. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and as a missionary and a representative of Jesus Christ, I testify that I know that as long as we put our trust in Christ and do all we can to follow Him, He will be right with us until the very end. He will watch over us and guide us, and He will give us the strength to do what we need to do.<br /></b></span></div>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Love you all!!</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>XOXO</b></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Sister Payton Pectol</b></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17495380813864669449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783199221200356353.post-16335376372119980172016-02-28T19:59:00.000-07:002016-02-29T17:28:00.744-07:00Emergency Transfer AGAIN?! New Office Duties...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.8px;">Well sana (hopefully) this was just another regular week, but</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1615724728" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-size: 12.8px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Saturday</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.8px;">morning, President called again and told me that I would be emergency transferred..again..so mine and Sister Liguayan's "no-transfer-happy-yelling" on the phone with the zone leader was kind of wasted lol. So I'm now here in Quirino 1st ward, which means that I'm now an office STL. We share a ward with the Assistants to the President, so it was a little trippy to walk in to church and see the AP's; I'm used to only seeing them at conferences. Maybe the reason President emergency transferred me again is because he just wants to save me the hassle of catching a taxi, so he sends the AP's to pick me and my luggage up...lucky me XD We'll be spending a couple of days every week working in the mission office, so maybe I'll just be gaining secretary skills to put on resumes when I get home haha. Not very many new updates this week, but next week I'll update you on how I did working my way around the office computers. Pray for me, because sometimes I am very technologically challenged!!!</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>If God sends us on stony paths He provides strong shoes. --Corrie Ten Boom</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Alma 37:17 For he will fulfil all his promises which he shall make unto you, for he has fulfilled his promises which he has made unto our fathers. When we follow Heavenly Father's commandments and do the things that He would have us do, He promises to always bless us. So obey the commandments peeps ;)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Love you all!!!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>XOXO</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Sister Payton Pectol</b></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17495380813864669449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783199221200356353.post-4925548183673554772016-02-22T21:20:00.001-07:002016-02-22T21:20:39.131-07:00No Transfer!! Leading and the Power of Testimony<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Hello everyone!!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Well it's transfer week already, and I am thrilled to report that Sister Liguayan is not transferring!!! I can't even tell you how much of an answered prayer that is for me; I am so not ready to lead the area and I don't really want a new companion haha. So it worked out good, and I am very excited for this upcoming transfer :)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>We had exchanges again this week (#STLlife lol) with the sisters in San Isidro. It was great because they're close enough that we were able to work in our area as well, instead of just staying in their area. Sister Liguayan told me that I would be leading here, so <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1474732305" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Wednesday</span></span> and <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1474732306" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Thursday</span></span> I brought my temporary companion to our area to work here. It was great; we still got lost, but we did a lot of finding, so it was fun. We literally spent both days tracting in our subdivision lol XD I'm just glad it's allowed here, because some subdivisions we're not allowed to enter. But it was fun :) knocking on almost every door we passed and talking to people in the street--it's crazy the things that I do here on the mission that I never would have done at home. Lots of learning experiences :)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>We had a crazy lesson <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1474732307" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Sunday</span></span> with an older couple that is Seventh Day Adventist. We had two members working with us; our ward mission leader and one of the YSA sisters. It was such a powerful lesson!! They kind of wanted to do the whole Bible bash thing with us, but we just kept bearing our testimonies to them. I could feel the Spirit so strong, and hearing the conversion stories of the others with me was amazing. It was an intense lesson, but afterwards they agreed to read the Book of Mormon and come to church to see what it's like. We have a return appointment with them this week and I am so excited! Sometimes our investigators are definitely not easy, but I know that when we can just bear testimony it will help them to feel the Spirit and we will also be guided.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>You are not called to serve in a place; you are called to serve in place of the Savior. As a missionary, I have the name of Jesus Christ on my tag, right next to my name. And I am so grateful every day for the opportunity that I have to be here and to do this amazing work.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Mosiah <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1474732308" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">5:15</span></span> Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Love you guys!!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>XOXO</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Sister Payton Pectol</b></span></div>
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