This week has been full of walking, speaking, sometimes eating, and seeing many, many creepy crawlies. As I reflected back on this wee and looked at all my pictures, I realized that more than half of them were of animals or bugs. Yum! hah including lovely pictures of Sister Lua and I eating balut. Yep, I tried it. Cracked that egg right open, slurped up that juice?, and bit into that fertilized duck egg. Yikes. Let's be honest, I was so worried to eat that thing. 18 week old duck in that egg and I ate it! (okay not all of it, but part) Everyone should be required to try it at some point in their life. I actually want to try it again but when the duck is younger so I dont see its head next time. ANYWHO, haha enough about balut.
This week we were walking down one of our lonnnng walks to one of our areas when we both stopped in our tracks. There was a HUGE bug in the middle of the road. I mean, huge. Still don't know what kind of bug it was but all I know is when I poked it with a stick, it hissed and reared its head like it was gonna prounce! Ay chihuahua! Then on that same street, we were standing talking to some of our less actives when we hear screaming and people running towards the rice field. Of course we joined them, and there were 3 big ol eels! They found them in the rice fields and hit them with a machete to kill them but when they brought it up on the road they started moving again so one of the kids, maybe 12 or so years old, picks it up and whacks it against the concrete! Oh my goodness. Not something I would like to see again. Yuck. Lots of blood. Anyways, too many creepy crawlies for one week. (not to mention the huge spider in our apartment!)
On a happier note, our work is going well here in Libmanan. (I have to admit that I still dearly miss Baao though) BUT the work is moving along here for sure.
We continue to find less-active members almost every day that have been 'lost' for years! It makes me so sad but happy to be a part of the 'search party' to find them again. It has really taught me though how important convert retention is from the beginning. It is much easier to help someone stay strong from the beginning than to let them fall away, go out and find them, and somehow try to bring them back. Just love, encourage, and support from the start and we wont have this problem of lost sheep!
We were asked to participate in so many activities/present workshops/teach lessons etc. all week. I am drained. It is cool to be a part of the activities though and to help encourage others to strengthen their testimonies and become stronger in the faith of Jesus Christ.
I spoke in sacrament meeting yesterday, about faithfulness through obedience. I thought it went pretty well. My testimony has grown so much on my mission of the importance of remaining faithful to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and being exactly obedient. It is really a simple thing to do when we think about it. If we have faith in Jesus Christ, if we love Him, if our eye is single to the glory of God and not to our own glory, we WILL follow God's commandments and be exactly obedient at all times, in all things, and in all places. We can do it. I know we can. But it all starts in our heart. What is the true desire of our hearts? Like my last companion always says, 'if there is a will, there is a way.' We must be obedient and we will be blessed.
Take care all of you over there! It is great to hear from you and to hear how you are doing! Continue to focus your attention on those things that are of most significance in the long run and your eyes will be opened to the many blessings and wonderful plan of our loving Heavenly Father! Love you all!
Mahal ko po kayo!
-Sister Roderick
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