Comfort Zone

There is no growth in the comfort zone and no comfort in the growth zone.

Aint that the truth.

We have a bajillion people to visit every week (with all the less-actives and investigators we already know) so it is not every day that we actually are teaching new people..welp this week was a bit different. We have been focusing on asking and contacting referrals to expand our teaching pool and to really find those people whom Heavenly Father is preparing to receive the gospel right now, sooo we met LOTS of new people this week. Definitely uncomfortable at times but every single time, we grow from it and it stretches us just a little more. Stretching sometimes hurts but boy is it worth it. 

I have really been trying to set myself aside and turn out towards others this week. I still sometimes see the natural man in me fighting selfishly to come out but whenever I fight back and serve others instead of myself, I am ALWAYS happier. At first sometimes we think, no I just want to do this, or not do that, or my way is better...well realistically we can learn SO much from others, we just need to humble ourselves a bit, FORGET OURSELVES and kick the pride to the curb. Boy is it hard. But the greater feelings of peace and love that we receive in return is far better than whatever we originally thought would make us happy..

Still learning lots. Never ceases to amaze me how much more I still need to learn and master in life but despite all my many weaknesses and challenges, the enabling power of the Atonement gives me hope for what lies ahead. 

"The enabling power of the Atonement strengthens us to do and be good and to serve beyond our own individual desire and natural capacity." -Elder David A. Bednar

Take care Lovelies. 

Mahal ko kayo. :) 

-Sister Roderick

Sira, Sira, More Sira

To be honest, this week was a tough one. 

We seemed to be punted left and right, our investigators went out of town or got really sick unexpectedly, and more.

My good, expensive umbrella just decided to fall apart.

My black watch split in two.

I put off buying a new umbrella and watch with the hopes that I could still fix them but I ended up buying a new watch and umbrella...both of which broke after 1 day of using them...mannn. haha definitely been a week full of little trials that have caused me to stop, hold my tongue, put a smile on, and press forward ever trusting that God is here and knows what is going on. 

I have been studying a whole lot about faith this week. Something that is so simple and yet sometimes quite difficult to do. I have learned tons about my Savior Jesus Christ and our Father in Heaven and their desire to help us, if we will just believe. Just desire to believe and they will bless us and help us along the path back to them.

Despite the many little challenges of this week, we were able to stay positive, push through, and keep working as hard as we could. 

Although we were unable to visit with those progressing investigators, we were able to see many miracles in different areas of the work..We had a coordination meeting finally again this week! (which we have been pushing for for a long time now) as well as got to meet with the branch president for a bit and discuss some things we need help with, as well as how we can better work with them. It was great! I am learning a ton about the importance of follow-up! :) Excited for the next few weeks to see the progress as we continue to work more closely with these leaders. 

Transfers are tomorrow. I will be staying another transfer here in Libmanan to finish the training of Sister Falcon, which will make a total of 6 months for me here :) 3 transfers left. Work, work, work and trust in Him that knows it all. Nothing else we can do. :) Smile. Press onward, ever onward. Never. Give. Up.

Mahal ko kayong lahat! Ingat!

-Sister Roderick

Come and See

What a spiritually, emotionally, and mentally rejuvenating week! :)

This week we had our trainer and new missionary workshop in Naga.

District Meeting all about personal revelation. (fantastic)

Interviews with President Reeder. (the 5 minutes I always greatly    anticipate every 3 months...such a wise man..love learning from him)

THEN GENERAL CONFERENCE! What an amazing week!

I love love love learning about my Savior, Jesus Christ and how to better live His gospel!

I pondered long and hard before conference and went with a couple questions in mind and heart that I was hoping and praying I would receive some guidance on throughout the conference...talk about ON POINT! I have such faith in my Father in Heaven and in His great plan for all of us. I couldn't get enough of what our different leaders were preaching! It was all so wonderful and I truly received answers to my questions and concerns. God DOES know all. Just trust in Him. 

One of my favorite talks was by Elder David A. Bednar (what a fantastic way to close conference)...

Some thoughts he shared that stood out to me:

"Devoted disciples of Jesus Christ always have been and always will be valiant missionaries. A missionary is a follower of Christ who testifies of Him as the Redeemer and proclaims the truths of His gospel...

We are inviting you to hear the restored truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ so you can study, ponder, pray, and come to know for yourself if the things we are sharing with you are true...

Bring all that you know is true, good, and praiseworthy—and test our message. Just as Jesus beckoned two of His disciples to “come and see” (John 1:39), so we urge you to come and see if the restored gospel of Jesus Christ enlarges and enriches that which you already believe to be true...

Sharing with other people things that are most meaningful to us or have helped us is not unusual at all...

The Atonement of Jesus Christ provides the cleanser necessary to be made pure and clean, the soothing salve to heal spiritual wounds and remove guilt, and the protection that enables us to be faithful in times both good and bad...

The invitations we extend to you to learn about and test our message grow out of the positive effects the gospel of Jesus Christ has had in our lives. Sometimes we may be awkward or abrupt or even relentless in our attempts. Our simple desire is to share with you the truths that are of greatest worth to us..."

For the whole talk:

 (which you should all read, ponder, and apply to your lives!)

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/come-and-see?lang=eng

I know we have a living Father in Heaven and that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. I am so grateful for our church leaders in this day and age and especially for our living prophet, Thomas S. Monson through which we receive new revelation and guidance for our lives and our families. Study the words of the prophets new and old. Don't only study and 'enjoy' it, but go and LIVE it. 

Mahal ko kayo. Ingat kayo lagi!

-Sister Roderick

From Dark to Light

Hey hey hey! :) Update of the week from your favorite foreignay:  

Lots happening here in Libmanan. We are still focusing on our Priesthood holders and their families and that is going well..seeing some progress there. We are also doing a lot better in helping our investigators progress toward true conversion and baptism.  Our work is struggling a bit right now because of the little time we have to actually work, due to conferences, meetings, and trainings this past week and this coming week.. but we are doing the best we can to visit our people and help them continue on the right path. 

For the past few weeks we have been focusing on one potential future missionary less-active in our branch and his whole group of non-member friends...they have really been progressing and there is so much potential there! Saturday night they told us that they would be leaving the next day for work in Manila..that was hard to hear after the many weeks of sweat and struggle to help them change their lives around but after many prayers I felt more at peace and that God has a plan and knows what is going on. He is in control. Even though I still don't know what is going to happen, I feel better about all of it and have faith that it will all work out.

Miracle of the week for me, the following day after that sad news, at church in Pamplona, out of nowhere, in walked the Genorga family, the family that I taught back in Baao. They came that long way just to see me and go to church with me :) Wow. It was so unexpected but really was a blessing for me to feel and see the tender mercies of Heavenly Father in my life.

As far as training is going, we are doing really well. Sister Falcon is honestly learning at such a rapid pace, it is exciting to see her progression every day. She says she hasn't really felt homesick yet so that is always a plus. Sometimes I forget that she is still new and just start going "full-speed missionary" again and then she kindly reminds me that I need to slow down.. :) It is hard sometimes because I just want to go, go, go but she needs to take things slower at first so that she can really learn and get a good foundation for the rest of her mission. I am grateful for her patience with my imperfect self and I am excited to continue to see the progress of our area in the next coming weeks.

ALSO, in our various meetings and my studies and what not this week, there seemed to be a great focus on the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the importance of prophets..well Sister Falcon and I really tried to teach that better this week and man, I can't even explain the difference it made! As we explained better the pattern of dispensations and apostasy over the history of the world and then emphasized the great need for another restoration in these latter-days after the great apostasy, it just became so obviously clear and evident to those we taught of the truthfulness of what we were teaching. It was beautiful! :) God's plan is perfect! We have the fullness of the gospel today on the earth through the calling of prophets of God! how important it is for all of us to listen and heed the word of the prophets! :) Just in time for General Conference too. The gospel is the greatest. :) Can't wait to watch conference this weekend! 

Ingat kayong lahat! Mahal ko kayo!  -Sister Roderick