Ninety (beautiful) One!

I wish I could explain to you just how quickly things are progressing here in Baao but I know it would not do it justice! We had a solid 91 people at church yesterday! Almost 30 more than last week! That is saying something. We are so so so happy here and Baao! I love it here! 

Riding with a Rooster!

We are closing up the "cleaning up" chapter of this area and entering the "teaching, converting, and baptizing" phase. I like this phase a lot more. :) We are teaching so many families! It feels good to finally be teaching people who have the desire to learn and the desire to change rather than just listening because we're foreigners or just to be nice. We have a family right now that we are teaching (3 siblings that have their own families) and they are truly progressing! Some went to church yesterday and every time we teach them they have the most amazing questions that just make us smile bigger than anything in the world! We absolutely love questions, especially questions from their heart and soul, that show to us their true desire. :) Missionary work is amazing.

Also this week my arm got swollen, bright red, and created quite a bit of discomfort on my part. Still not sure what happened to cause that, but anyways, I asked for a Priesthood blessing from the elders. They came and gave me a beautiful blessing and I am now doing much better. But I learned a couple things from that blessing. I was reminded of Heavenly Father's love for me and for all of His children. I was told in the blessing that Heavenly Father is aware of those areas in which I am not confident and that I am doing better than I give myself credit for. The words the elder used were the exact wording or close to it that I have been using in my prayers lately. It was such a testimony to me that Heavenly Father does listen to our prayers and He likewise answers them. I thought I was getting a blessing for my arm but it turns out I need to hear some other direction and receive other comfort from my Father in Heaven. Even though I am far from my family, I know that God is always here for me and that He will never leave me as I strive to remain true and faithful to Him always. I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that they know us better than we know ourselves. I know that God hears and answers prayers. I know that the Priesthood is the power of God here on earth and that all people can be blessed by it. I am grateful for the knowledge of God's plan in my life and the opportunity I get to talk with Him every single day. He will never fail us or forsake us. This is a talk that I really enjoyed and learned a lot from, fro this past General Conference. I know that what the prophet shares is true and that we can truly always rely on our Father in Heaven and His son, Jesus Christ. 

 https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/i-will-not-fail-thee-nor-forsake-thee?lang=eng

One last thing: I am going to Manila! Yup! We found out this past week that Sister Sanft has to go to finish up some visa/fingerprinting stuff for her to leave and as her companion, I get to go with her! We fly out Wednesday morning then fly home Thursday morning! A whole day in Manila! We get to go to the temple too!!!!! I cannot even tell you how excited I am to go to the temple again! I miss going to the temple! We are really excited for this little adventure :) Pictures to come next week I am sure! :)

Love you lots!

Mahal Kita!

-Sister Roderick

The View from the Balcony