Stop Doubting

And we just keep trudging on. 

After lots of headaches and concerns about Cris, he was finally baptized and confirmed this weekend. I feel like a mother with a bunch of kids that I am constantly thinking about, worrying about, and praying for. Boy is it exhausting. Props to all you parents out there. 

In other news, we taught our recent converts last night and lets just say it didn't go as well as we would have liked. 

Lots of migraines, tears, and worrying this week. I am ready for transfers. I of course naturally think of all the possibilities for transfers before they come so that I can be better prepared for whatever happens. Welp that leads to more headaches ha man I hate headaches. So I am ready to peace out of Baao and move on but at the same time, I feel like I know this area better than anyone and have been a foundation for the progress and changes these past couple months so am a little worried what will happen if I am transferred. Lesson of the week: (not yet learned, but I sure am working on it) Place complete trust in the Lord. Weakness of mine for sure. It says in Preach My Gospel that no matter how skilled or talented you are, you will never be successful without the Spirit and guidance of our Father in Heaven...so goal for the rest of my mission, stop trying to figure things out on my own, because it simply is not going to work that way, but rather have complete faith, doubting nothing. Things will work out. One step at a time right?

Mormon 9-

 25 And whosoever shall believe in my name, doubting nothing, unto him will I confirm all my words, even unto the ends of the earth.

 27 O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto thewords of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus forwhat things soever ye shall stand in need. Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lordwith all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him.

 28 Be wise in the days of your probation; strip yourselves of all uncleanness; ask not, that ye may consume it on your lusts, but ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation,but that ye will serve the true and living God.

Comic relief: We went to contact a referral this week, I walked up to a man and asked (in Tagalog) if he knew this lady and he goes (in English) "That's my HUSBAND!"...stopped, thought for a second, looked around with a bit of a confused expression on his face, looked back at me and said, "umm that's my ESPOSA!" hahaha It was so funny, I was trying not to laugh AT him but I couldn't help but laugh. He is such a cute little old man and just so confidently exclaimed that the woman we were looking for was his husband then resorted to Tagalog/Spanish when he couldn't think of the word 'wife' haha guess you had to be there. :)

Keep smiling out there! Love you all! :) Take care!

-Sister Roderick

Kayan Mo Iyan Papas

Good day all!

I have 6 minutes to write my weekly letter. Wow. Sorry bout that. 

Good week. Focusing on fathers and families still and it is going great! 2 fathers went to church yesterday with their families and are working toward baptism so that is awesome! :) super happy for them!

Cris is an investigator, 27 yr old single guy, who I have been teaching since I got here Dec. 31 in Baao and the sisters before me taught him...hes been taught since November and has struggled with many things BUT this Saturday he is finally getting baptized! YES! We are so excited for him! He is so ready! :) 

I have been studying all about pride and humility this week during personal study. What a wonderful week this has been for me to recognize God's hand in my life and to really try to humble myself and focus on others. Humility is really hard but it is so important and essential even to become like Jesus Christ and to obtain eternal life. Wish I could send you some of my notes and scriptures from my studies, but no time! Just study it. Preach My Gospel has some great ideas too. I love Jesus Christ and His perfect example to me. We must follow His example and do all we can to become like Him. (paunti unti..little at a time, day by day, step by step, do those simple things to become humble and follow Him)

I love you all! Take care! :)

-Sister Roderick

I am who I am, because of you. Thank you Mama.

Happy Mothers Day to all you lovely women out there!

This week has been a roller coaster ride! hah 

One of our electrical outlets fell out of the wall and went BOOM with big sparks and lots of smoke. consequently, we lost all power in the house for a few hours. luckily, our recent convert "Papa Lito" lives right down the street and was able to come over with our landlord and get it fixed up while my comp and I took a nice little seat outside. haha fun times. no worries, we have electricity now. :)

One of the girls in our branch, who was baptized last December, hasn't been to church for a few weeks. We have gone to visit her multiple times and finally this past week, she opened up to us and just bawled for a long while as she explained everything she has been going through. Sparing the details, she has experienced more in her 12 years of life than anyone should have to experience in their whole lives. It was heartbreaking. The 3 of us just sat and cried as she poured our her young, innocent, hurt soul to us. She recently just "graduated" from elementary school and her father called from far away and told her that he was proud of her for graduating. She said that was the first time that she can remember in her entire life that someone had told her they were proud of her. Wow. Its times like these when you give thanks for the gospel and the peace it brings. She said that sometimes she just grabs her Book of Mormon and runs out into the woods to read and try to escape the hardships. Such a strong girl. 

Got to skype the fam on Saturday! So good to see you guys! I love you and miss you all!

I am so grateful for my family and my parents who love and support me. This week I have seen situation after situation of broken families and parents that don't take care of their children like they should and it has made me so much more grateful for my loving parents and family. I am grateful for a Mom and Dad that have taught me and care for me enough to teach me and help me grow both physically and spiritually. 

I love the scripture Alma 57:21. I read it again earlier today and the thought came to my mind, that I am the person I am because of my Mom. Because of my parents. The influence of mothers and fathers is tremendously important! Thank you for everything. :) 

Universal, World wide fun - playin' in the rain.

I love you all and wish you the very best this week! Keep smiling and striving everyday to come closer to Jesus Christ. Until next week!

Mahal Kita!

-Sister Roderick

The sister missionaries have been helping with primary each week at church.