I would like to inform you that I am healthy and happy as can be! Whoot whoot! Our bodies are amazing and truly a great blessing. My companion on the other hand has been struggling with her ingrown toenail again so that has been a toughy this week. We are going to the hospital tomorrow for her to have surgery to remove her toenail (sounds delicious huh) and so hopefully that will fix the problem.
Anyways...
So last Monday we sure enough went down to Centro to do some finding. We got to Centro, and naturally all eyes were already on us so the staring didn't lighten up at all when I sat down right there in the middle of everyone. I whipped out my chalk and began drawing the Book of Mormon. Yep. Well, embarrassed and nervous out of my mind, I just kept on drawing. No joke, 30 seconds into me drawing, I looked up and saw a massive crowd of people standing over me, staring at me. My heart was pounding out of my chest!!! So, my 2 lovely companions began talking to as many people as they could while I drew as fast as I could. I couldn't write and draw things fast enough! I figured, if this was the only association these people have with the church for the rest of their lives, what would I want them to see, think, feel, and know. So I just wrote and drew and wrote and drew, anything and everything I could about this true church. It was such a cool experience. We were there for over 2 hours, talking to people, handing out pamphlets, getting people's contact information, and teaching about the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was slightly overwhelming and definitely forced me to go outside my comfort zone but I learned a lot and we were able to talk to so many people, as well as at least get out church's name out there for those hundreds of other people who came and watched but we were unable to talk to. Cool huh. Overall success. We got quite a few referrals for other missionaries as well as for our area. :)
So Tuesday, the 3 of us went to the transfer point, where all missionaries being transferred go to meet their new companion. We went to pick up Sister Abarabar, our new Filipino companion for the next 2 days. Crazy huh, 4 of us sisters in one area, crazy but sweet! Technically while in training you aren't allowed to go on splits with other missionaries, you are supposed to stay with your trainer, but I got permission to go with the other sisters since they didn't know our area as well. I felt pretty special. But that's what we did all day Tuesday and Wednesday. Part of the day I was with Sister Abarabar, later Sister Sands, then that night, with Sister Webster. Pretty neat experience to go with different missionaries and to see their methods and ways of finding and teaching. I think more than anything though, Sister Webster and I realized how much we love each other. At the end of the day on Wednesday, we met up to change companions and split up for the last time that day and she almost started crying, just gave me a big hug, and told me she missed me. It was a good realization for both of us I think that we are very lucky to have each other as companions. I love that girl, I'm going to miss her when transfers come.
Speaking of transfers, we found out this week that transfers are on New Years' Eve aka Sister Webster's birthday..sad day huh? That's so sad, we thought we were going to have another week after that together but I guess not. Sad sad day.
Also..so we live with the Sister Training Leaders and on Dec. 21, one of them will be going home, so she only has a couple more weeks on her mission! Crazy huh? Anyways so for the 2 weeks or so between the 21st and transfers, her companion will not have a companion...soooo come Dec. 21st, we will becoming a trio again, with Sister Sanft, a tongan sister from Hawaii, our sister training leader. This is the weirdest, craziest, most random training of my life. I never expected any of this to happen on my mission, let alone in my training! It's cool though, I'm learning lots.
Alrighty my stories this week are about our ASTIG investigator, Ace. Ace is 37, not married yet, very healthy, very spiritual, and one of the most amazing people I've ever met! We found him looking for his inactive uncle. The first time we met him, we walked in, sat down, he looks at us and literally goes "okay, start. go. why are you here? what do you want to share?" hahaha talk about golden. Unfortunately there wasn't a babae (woman) in the house so due to mission rules we were not allowed to teach (but of course once we told him that, he jumps up, runs outside, and comes back 10 minutes later all disappointed saying he couldn't find any babae willing to come) He's great. So we have been teaching him since I have been here in the Philippines, so over a month now. He has a baptismal date for December 21st and we could not be more excited! He has come to church for the past 3 weeks, reads the Book of Mormon and prays every single day. I gave him a picture of Jesus and of the Manila temple when he committed to baptism as a reminder of his goal and to help keep him motivated. Well when we went to his house for dinner last night (oh yeah we had our first dinner appointment last night...with out investigator! haha usually you have dinner appointments with members, but whatever, it was great and so yummy!) anyways when we went there last night, we saw his computer and get this, the background to his computer is the Manila Temple! I have never met someone with such a desire to go inside and to perform ordinances in the temple. I am so excited for him! AND I'm hoping, if I am still here when he goes through the temple, I might be able to go with him! That would be such a wonderful experience to watch one of my investigators go through the temple! Wow. Also, we were eating, talking, and what not and he randomly puts on the powerpoint slideshow/video about Joseph Smith that he made! YEAH. He spends his free time reading about Joseph Smith and making videos about the life of Joseph Smith. Sister Webster and I got all teary eyed, we were so touched! He has such a strong testimony of the gospel already. We love him so much and are so excited for him to be baptized and to continue on the path of righteousness! He is such an amazing example to me. He told us this past week that he had been drinking with friends and not doing very good things in his life, he got really sick, prayed to God for help, committing to change his life around, when 2 days after his prayer, 2 sister missionaries showed up at his front door. How amazing is that? Heavenly Father really does answer prayers. I am so happy that Heavenly Father trusted Sister Webster and I enough to send us as answers to Ace's prayers and to be instruments in His hands to bring one of His children back to the fold and back to the truth.
My testimony has grown so much about the Book of Mormon and about the power it holds. Ace is one of those investigators who thought our message was good and liked what we had to say but truly believed and became converted as he began to read and study the Book of Mormon. He told us this week that he is planning on reading the whole Book of Mormon before his baptism! Isn't that amazing!? I am so excited for him! He has motivated me to read my scriptures more and to ponder the teachings there. I know that if we read the Book of Mormon everyday, looking for ways to apply the words and teachings to our lives, we will find specific answers and guidance for our lives. Study the scriptures, read them and ponder them daily. Pray for answers, pray for understanding and guidance, then get up and act. Do those things which are good and which we are commanded to do, those things found in the scriptures. If we never read or pray, how can we expect to receive answers and help? We must do our part in order for God to do His. I know we can receive personal answers to questions, problems, concerns, etc. in our life, IF we study the scriptures and pray to our Heavenly Father. Just like Ace, we need to read and pray daily and we too can become closer to God and find answers to our questions.
I love you guys and hope all is well with you! Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. I think about and pray for you guys every day. I love being a missionary and would not give up this happiness for anything! This is where I am supposed to be right now and boy am I grateful for it.
I love you unconditionally! Oh, and HAPPY THANKSGIVING! :)
Mahal Kita!
-Sister Roderick
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