Getting Lost

Well folks, it is that time again. Hi. :) I can't believe it has already been a week since I last wrote! So much and yet so little has happened, how does that even work out?

Welp. This week let's see, we had Zone Training on Friday, Transfer Announcements Saturday night, taught 2 church classes yesterday, and today we moved into our new apartment (beautiful, amazing, much-better-than-our-old-place, home sweet home) Quite the week no?

New Apartment

Due to emergency transfers the other week, my trainer, the lovely Sister Webster, is now here in Iriga with me! Yay! So I got to see her at Zone Training. We walked right up to each other and she stretched out her hands full of goodies for me, at the exact same time I did the exact same thing to her. haha Like "mother" like "daughter" right? Even in the mission that saying works. So Zone Training was good. I really love my zone. I always learn so much from the other missionaries, it is a great learning experience. 

I am not being transferred. Phew. No I knew I wouldn't be transferred so honestly I kind of forgot about transfer announcements but nonetheless, the came and went with no major change to me. Except! a new set of Elders will be coming in this week and we will be splitting our area with them. I am excited to get double the work in this area, especially because it is so massive and we can definitely use the additional help. Remember when we were spending hours on end looking for apartments the past few weeks for the new elders? Well, we found one but President (I love that man) thought the new apartment should go to the sisters and the elders should move into our old apartment. SO that is what happened. This morning we moved all of our grand things into our new amazing apartment. It is so beautiful and we are spoiled beyond belief. Apparently the church is trying to upgrade all living quarters for missionaries, so I guess this house is a good start because it is NICE. yep. We are a bit excited. The first thing we set up when we got to the apartment were our duyans (hammocks) on our balcony upstairs, overlooking centro. Fresh. :) Exciting isn't it? Pictures to come of the new crib.

Sister S. and I also had a nice little heart to heart this week which was much needed apparently and we are a lot closer because of it. She and I both have our different challenges and weaknesses, but we were able to talk some things out, establish expectations for each other and our companionship, and set some goals to help us stay focused and work even harder here in good ol' Baao. She expressed to me her gratitude to me for being obedient and how it has helped her. I often feel inadequate here in the mission field, including at that moment, when a sister getting ready to leave the mission, told me, little newbie me, that I was helping her. I was reminded of the promise we all have from our Father in Heaven that He not only calls the qualified, but rather qualifies the called. Despite our weaknesses and other challenges, our Heavenly Father knows each of us and knows what we can do. I am grateful for all of the experiences I have had so far here in my mission and for all the people I have met who have taught me, and continue to teach me every day. There is no other substitute for being exactly obedient. It is of utmost importance for all of us, missionaries and all. I am grateful for Sister S.

and her willingness to let things go and move on with our best foot forward. We are excited to be here in Baao together and are dedicated to the work. She told me this week that when we are working, she is focused and therefore does not get distracted by temptations and other challenges with the world. So, that is our plan. Work harder than ever before. We are determined and I love it. :)

In other news, Baao is very unorganized. We have the grand pleasure of going through lots and lots of records to find ALL of the members within my area. Yesterday we met with our District Presidency and we were able to acquire more information and other records to better help us in our quest to rescue the one. It is an overwhelming task but it is one that I am willing to sacrifice for. One of our Naga Mission Visions is "In the Naga Mission, we leave our areas better than we found them." THAT is what we are striving for. Not a simple, barely noticeable change here in Baao, but we are working towards becoming a branch and we are looking forward with the hopes of big changes. Big improvements. Big growth. Big accomplishments. What a wonderful calling I have. :) I love being a missionary. 

I love you all and wish you the best this week! :)

Mahal Kita!

-Sister Roderick

This one's for baby Tim Dan!