WEEK 74: [[still]] HAPPY ARE WE!

WE ARE ALL ENLISTED TIL THE CONFLICT IS O'ER. HAPPY ARE WE!!!! HAPPY ARE WE!

Ah. I just love missionary work.

This week we went to Legazpi for Missionary Leadership Counsel. The opening hymn was "We are All Enlisted." You can't not be happy and sing that song. Love it.

[[S/O to the chorister @ MLC who was my awesome trainee Sister Leonardo. Obviously she inherited my calling because I'm always chorister at MLC haha. It was a bittersweet day to see her and know that I probably wouldn't see her again before I go home. She was just called as a Sister Training Leader as well so at least we got to spend one MLC together. Love you Sister Leonardo!]]

This week was a little hectic because of the traveling since we are way out here on the island. And for the record, we go back to Legazpi tomorrow morning for fingerprinting. So that's the life of an islander. It's usually a 6 or 7 hour trip one way. YAY.

So the work continues to go. I am continually learning A LOT. 

Things that I learned this week:

>>The importance of member missionary work!!! This is something we have been struggling with. But this week, we had an awesome member work with us. We got to visit lots of the less actives in our area and she was so good at fellowshipping -- oh man. One of the families wasn't there, so she totally went back [on her own] the next day and visited them!!!! This family hasn't come to church in forevs and guess what??? THEY TOTALLY CAME TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY. MIRACLE??? That is the power of member visits. So guys, fellowship! It brings miracles in the lives of others.
Read a really cool scripture this morning in my personal study. Helaman 6:3: "Nevertheless, the people of the church did have great joy because of the conversion of the Lamanites, yea, because of the church of God, which had been established among them. And they did fellowship one with another, and did rejoice one with another,and did have great joy."

When the Lamanites were converted, which was a miracle in itself, what did they do?? THEY FELLOWSHIPPED AND REJOICED WITH EACH OTHER!!! And it brought them joy! I know it will bring us joy as members of the church if we fellowship those that are in need of a little extra love. Who doesn't want a little extra love??

>>Being grateful makes a difference. We have this awesome family we are working with. They have been really struggling these past few months. We have watched as both the mom and dad have worked crazy hours just to put some rice on their table for their kids that night. They had no power and no lights in their house because they simply could not afford it anymore. They were about to be kicked out of their home and forced to live on the streets. Well this week, the father was offered a job..to renovate a little house for a family that is moving in close to theirs. You would have thought it was Christmas in their house! We went there. They were so happy. They were like different people! They bought some noodles and made us food to say thank you for the prayers that we have offered for them and for never giving up on them. Ah. Words cannot explain how cool it was too see them just so grateful for him getting a little job like that. The next day we went there to help them renovate the house. OKAY they were so grateful. We painted and painted and painted. SO FUN. We then were able to share with them the next day and gave them a picture of Christ to display in their house. [[S/O to my mom for the awesome pictures she sent me. they are a hit over here!!!! #igotitfrommymomma]] OKAY. The mom cried and cried when she opened it up. She was so grateful for the simple picture. She said "He will always be a part of our family because of what you Sisters have taught us." AH. It was such a good moment. She then insisted on offering a prayer to thank us. She was just so full of gratitude. It was a good reminder to me to ALWAYS BE GRATEFUL!

>>Talking with everyone. We had an awesome MLC about how to become professional at finding new investigators. It's easy: open your mouth and it will be filled! We have seen countless miracles because of this in the work this week!

>>Following up. One of the most important parts of missionary work! This week we had a cool experience. We started the lesson and followed up right away and found out that our investigator had totes read ALL of first Nephi!!! Like the whole book in just a few days. Can you say progressing???

>>Simpleness of the gospel. We have been challenged in our mission while we are OYM'ing or contacting, to start right away testifying of the restoration in the first 2 minutes. SO COOL. It invites the Spirit right away!!!!

>>"Nothing happens in missionary work until we find people to teach." Like the truest thing evsss.

>>THE IMPORTANCE OF LOVE IN THIS GREAT WORK. Something that President Guanzon said that I loved was "have overflowing love." It's simple. Love and show it!
D&C 12:8 -- "And no one can assist in this work except he shall be humble and FULL OF LOVE, having faith, hope, and charity, being temperate in all things, whatsoever shall be entrusted to his care."

HAVE OVERFLOWING LOVE! For everything and everyone. Life is happier that way!

>>"The Lord allows His work to happen as we let Him use us as His servants." - President Guanzon. Trust in Him. Let Him mold YOU.

>>Power of reading the scriptures. We had a family home evening. We planned a lesson on repentance. We followed up with the mom of the family about her reading. She shared what she read and it was a better fitting scripture than we picked about....REPENTANCE. So cool. Her husband has become less active because of some weaknesses he's working on over coming.....so it was so perfect. She cried as she testified how great the church is (they were just baptized a few months ago) and how much the gospel has helped her overcome her weaknesses and come closer to Christ. SUCH A TENDER EXPERIENCE. There is power in the scriptures! The Spirit was so strong in that room. Oh man.

>> Finding joy in the Journey. A talk by President Monson. Read it. It's life changing. "Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved."

>>I am learning more and more about what's really important, and what brings TRUE everlasting happiness. 

Life is good. I am as happy as ever. Learning more than ever. I love being a missionary. Time is going fast but I will make this the best last month ever!

Love you all. I am so so grateful to you all and your support and prayers. I really do feel it all the way out here!

Nagmamahal,

Sister Reategui

pictures:

sErViCe

all the leaders of the mission going home this transfer!!! so many!!!!!