Called to Serve in the Philippines: WEEK 64: Traveling...

HELLO TO ALL!!!

It's been a crazy week with many happenings and happiness. I absolutely love being a missionary. I love the chance I have to be a part of this work.

This week, as the title says, was a LOT of traveling! On Monday we went to Legazpi, then had MLC on Tuesday, then came back to Masbate on Wednesday afternoon. Missionary Leadership Council was so great and I learned so much about the leader the Lord needs me to be. We were able to work on Thursday and Friday, and then on Saturday we had exchanges with Sister Sanoy and Sister Mercado again which was great. I was with Sister Sanoy and I learned so much from her.

The work really is progressing. We are so busy every single day and I love it so so much. We had an awesome experience with our investigator this week. Her name is Melfa and she is so progressing, it's so awesome to see. She has really developed a strong testimony for herself, through much study and prayer. She also shares all she knows with those around her. She used to drink like crazy and gamble all day, but now she is the one sharing to her friends why they shouldn't drink or do any of that stuff anymore! Ah, it has been so great and refreshing to see someone truly convert to the gospel. She has been struggling recently, though, because her father doesn't quite understand why she is wanting to be baptized. His sister is a member, along with Melfa's sister, but her father hasn't really understood. We met with her yesterday and we shared with her a verse that was PERFECT for her. I know that it was inspired of the Spirit really because I just opened up my scriptures and saw it and we shared it. We shared Mosiah 4:9-10 to her, which says:

"Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things,both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.
And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask insincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them."

I know there is POWER in the Book of Mormon. This is where we really come to know our Savior, and the things we need to do to draw closer to Him. I was grateful for the words so beautifully written, that when we really believe in God, when we believe He has a plan for each one of us, and when we understand who we are to Him, it gives us purpose in this life.

Well to summarize this story, yesterday after we shared these things with Melfa, she offered the closing prayer and pleaded with our Father in Heaven to help her father understand why she wants to be baptize. She said to in her prayer "Father, help me come closer to Thee and to be baptized, because I know that is what Thou wants me to do." OKAY. She is the greatest and her faith is so great. Earlier, we received a text from her that said, "Sisters, I will be baptized on November 29th, I talked with my family. I know it's what I need to do." (in Masbatano of course but I'm translating for you all haha) AHHHHHHHH guys. Heavenly Father is real and He answers our prayers according to our faith.

I love this gospel. I love the power this gospel has to change us into better people. I have learned more out here on my mission than I can put into words. I am forever grateful to my loving Heavenly Father who is my strength. Here I have really learned of the things He wants me to do, to draw closer to Him. My invitation to you all is the same as it is in Mosiah, "If you believe all these things, see that ye do them."

Nagmamahal,

Sister Reategui

pictures...

some of my batch at MLC!

my trainer, me, my trainee, and my trainee's trainee! wahooo for generations in the mission.

us with the AP's

ELDER NIELSEN!!!!