Last week here in Baao. Bitter sweet for sure.
Let's see, the many happenings of this week.
-Got my pinky stuck in an electric fan so now I have a nice black line of blood under my pinky nail. yum.
-Have a nice 2 inch cut on the top of my head from standing up to fast in someone's house and hitting my head on their ceiling...haha that's embarrassing.
-Last District Meeting with Elder Davis. Man. I've learned so much from that guy, it's gonna be tough to replace that one.
-Did I tell you I rode a caribou? Maybe I did already but that is really cool so I am telling you again. haha
-Two days ago we were walking in one of our areas, past the old house of one of our investigators, and there right out in front of the house was a funeral sign with her picture and information on it. We both walked past, looked at it, stopped, looked at eachother, and rushed back to the house. We were in complete shock. We thought that there was no way that it was her but sure enough after asking around a bit more and talking to some members close by, it was confirmed that our 27-year old, recently married, friend and investigator had passed away just 4 days earlier. Sis Araja and I have both been in a bit of shock the past couple days. It was just so unexpected. We talked on the phone with her just 2 days before she died and her extended family thinks that she probably knew she was sick and wouldn't live much longer so she called to say goodbye. How grateful I am for the knowledge of God's plan for all of us and the chance we have to see our loved ones again someday.
-Saturday and Sunday was our District Conference/Northern Philippines Area Broadcast. Saturday our district president and his counselors spoke to us all in Iriga and let me tell you, President's talk was amazing! He had us all laughing while chastising us at the same time! It was so good. He pretty much called us all out, especially the members for not helping the full-time missionaries/not realizing that the Lord is hastening His work NOW. It was awesome, loved every second of it. Then Sunday we went and had an opening part as a District again and then watched a broadcast from Salt Lake, exclusively for the Philippines from Elder Quentin L Cooke, Elder Teh, the presiding Bishop, and the second counselor I think in the Young Women's presidency(?). Anywho, it was cool. Really long but I learned lots and we all felt the Spirit.
-Saturday night, had an FHE at Noah's house. (17 year old that I want Christina to marry, love that kid) He is great. Actually we have maybe 8 or so young men in our branch that are all really close in age and all really close friends and I love them all! I am going to miss them so much but am praying that they will all stay strong and go serve missions! yeah! :)
-Also Saturday night, we received our transfer announcements! Like expected, I am being transferred. Definitely hard to leave my home and family for the past 6 months but I am excited to see what the future holds and where else I can help build up the Lord's kingdom here in the Naga Mission. :) We will go to transfer point in Naga tomorrow and there I will find out where I am going and who my new comp is. I will be sure to let you know next week hah. :)
Love you all! Stay strong! One thing I really liked that Elder Cooke told us yesterday was that we all have our agency to choose bad, good, better, or best. He talked about how sometimes we get distracted by things of less importance and then forget that which is of most importance- our Savior Jesus Christ and following His gospel. He went on to say (paraphrasing), 'if you have not made it/chosen the Kingdom of God, it will not matter what was chosen instead.' The things of the world do not matter. They simply do not matter. We must keep our eyes focused on our true goal: eternal life. With every single decision you make, think to yourself, "will this bring me closer to my Savior and receiving eternal life, or will it separate me and take me farther from my Father in Heaven?" We have the choice. We know what we should do. Now do we have the courage to stand up and do it? Don't let yourself get distracted by the insignificant things of the world. Stand for truth and righteousness, at ALL times, in ALL things, and in ALL places, (and I will add) with ALL people, NO MATTER WHAT.
Hope you have a grand week. Love you all! :)
Mahal ko po kayo!
-Sister Roderick
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