It Mattereth Not

 Hello Friends! I hope you all had a fantastic week!!

 

This week was pretty good over here in the Philippines!

 

We had exchanges this week. I got to be companions with Sister Yee who is from Fiji! She is super sweet. I loved the chance to work in her area and learn from her. We sought out a family with the intention of teaching them a lesson; however, when we got there, they were doing their laundry. We just jumped in and helped them. It was a lot of fun and I was grateful for the service opportunity because most of the time people won’t let us help. This time we just jumped in and started helping. It was so funny because they were amazed that an American would help with laundry. Overall, exchanges were a good time to learn how to find people better and teach in a different way. 

 

Something crazy that happened this week was that the church announced that 36 missions were going to be split creating more missions for the missionaries, and my mission is one of those missions!!! We got an email Tuesday that we were all invited to a mandatory zoom meeting that evening. At the meeting, they announced that in July, our mission would become the Philippines Cauayan Mission and the Tuguegarao Philippines Mission! It was wild! There is a chance I will have two missions! So that was pretty exciting and out of the ordinary.

 

Other than that, though, we just got to work this week and had a blast. There were definitely some highs and lows, but I have been able to see the Lord’s hand in it all.

 

One low was that someone we had on baptism date, told us that she didn’t think she was interested anymore in getting baptized. It was sad because she was progressing so well, and we love her and want to help her. But we also support her decisions and love her. Hopefully, we will still be able to visit her sometimes because I will miss her!

 

A high this week is that we were able to invite two kids that we are teaching to get baptized. And their parents gave permission too! They are awesome and we are excited for them!

 

Another exciting thing is that most of the people we are teaching right now are families. I love seeing how the gospel blesses families and helps them come closer together. Pray for our families! We love them so much!!

 

It is amazing how much love I feel for the people we are teaching. There was a time in my mission when I felt like I was just checking boxes off to visit someone or go somewhere, but I have learned that when you focus on the people, and really try to help them, the work becomes more effective, and we come closer to Christ too. I love learning on my mission! It is such a growing experience and I feel Christ more every day.

 

Other fun things that happened this week: 

It was Sister Si’ulua’s birthday! We bought a cake to celebrate! 

Sister Nacar hit her 6-month mark on her mission! We went out to a fun restaurant to celebrate! 

We got to explore the city of Ilagan a little bit!

 

It was a great week! I really do see God’s hand every day. There is still so much to learn and grow, but I am starting to really love the growing process.

 

For my spiritual thought, I wanted to share something from the Book of Mormon. I might have already shared this, but it's my favorite so you all get to hear it again:

 

In Alma, the Nephites were fighting a war. However, it was not going so well, and they were out of troops and food. Moroni (chief captain of the army) sends a letter to Pahoran (governor) and asks him to send food and soldiers. However, no support came. Moroni, frustrated and stressed, sends an angry letter that calls Pahoran out for sinning and not supporting freedom. Pahoran sends a letter and explains that the people had risen in rebellion and kicked him out of the judgment seat, and he has no power. He then says:

 

“And now, in your epistle, you have censured me, but it mattereth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your heart.”

 

I think quite often people do not understand a situation fully and they say hurtful things to us. Or maybe we are the people who do not understand and end up hurting others' feelings. President Russel M. Nelson has asked us to become peacemakers. I have thought a lot about Pahoran this week and how I can respond more like him when someone says something hurtful. I want to be better at being a peacemaker and love people more. 

 

My goal is that every time someone says something hurtful, or I am in a situation that is difficult, I want to respond with: It mattereth not. I want to invite all of you to join me in this goal. I know that we will all be happier as we choose to not take offense or give offense. We can become more peaceable followers of Christ.

 

I love you all sooooo much! Thank you for your emails, your love, and your support! You are truly the best.

 

I hope you all have a great week!

 

The Church is true, God loves you!

Be happy, Be brave, Be smart,

Love,

Sister Miller