The Plan of Happiness

 Hello, my lovely friends!!

 

This week was a great one!

 

We were kind of all over the place this week. Between Zone Conference, General Conference, and running around trying to teach everyone, we barely had time to rest! It was great!

 

We learned a lot at Zone Conference about how to become more effective missionaries and use the Book of Mormon in every aspect of our work (my favorite topic). I loved it!

 

We also had some great adventures and spiritual highs.

 

Our first adventure happened on Thursday. We were out working again in our favorite area: Bonfal Proper, and we were heading to an appointment when President Cobing (our mission president) called. 

 

He called to inform us that he was at our apartment with a package for my companion, but we were so far away that we determined she would get it at Zone Conference…

 

We continued about our work, but then we got a text from the other sisters stating that President Cobing invited us all to dinner at 7! At that point, it was a little after 6, and the person we were hoping to still visit that night was a little far. So, we practically RAN from one end of the barangay to the other to teach our last appointment and then get to dinner. It was the most hectic time, but we made it to dinner by 7:10, so I took it as a success. Plus, the dinner was at a fancy restaurant, and I got real mashed potatoes with ribs…. so…yeah…I think that was the real success of the night!

 

Other than having fun adventures running all over barangays and getting fancy dinners, we also were able to enjoy some very spiritual moments this week.

 

On Saturday, we were back in Bonfal, teaching Angel about the Plan of Salvation. We have taught her for a while, but there have been some challenges. We had extended baptism a while ago, but she was just not sure if it was a step she was ready to take.

 

When we were teaching her this week, she had a lot of questions about the Plan of Salvation and God’s plan for each of us. The spirit was so strong. As we discussed what we had to do to return to our Father in Heaven’s presence, I felt prompted to invite her to be baptized again. She accepted a goal date for May! I am so excited for her! If you all could pray for her, that would be amazing.

 

We also were able to have a lot of opportunities to find people this week. Every time we find people, I am just amazed at how God is helping us and walking with us in every aspect of the work. One family, in particular, welcomed us into their home and we were able to have an amazing discussion about life and serving the people around us! I loved learning from them and hearing about how God has blessed their lives as they serve others.

 

I am so grateful for the miracles that I experienced this week. God is so good, and this work is completely and perfectly His.

 

Something unique to the Philippines: I was so grateful to finally have the opportunity to listen to General Conference. Because we are 14 hours ahead of North America, we did not get to watch General Conference live, but this weekend—we had the privilege of listening to our apostles and prophets.

 

I couldn’t help but notice that almost all of the topics were focused on our eternal progression. Lots of them focused on the temple or the Plan of Salvation. One of my favorites was from Patrick Kearon.

 

Earlier in the week when we taught Angel the Plan of Salvation, I asked her which kingdom of God she wanted to go to. She responded that even if she could get into the Terrestrial Kingdom (the second kingdom), that it would be good enough because she has a lot of sins. 

 

We reassured her, that God’s plan was for all of us to return to him in the Celestial Kingdom, or the highest kingdom. And as I listened to Patrick Kearon’s talk, I felt a confirmation from the spirit that it really is what God wants.

 

I think that we all feel like Angel did sometimes. We all feel like we cannot measure up and so maybe we could just be happy in the second kingdom of God. But Patrick Kearon shared:

 

“If you are prone to worry that you will never measure up, or that the loving reach of Christ’s infinite Atonement mercifully covers everyone else but not you, then you misunderstand. Infinite means infinite. Infinite covers you and those you love.”  

 

God made a plan for each of us to return to Him. He did not make a plan that required an impossible, unreachable goal. But He gave us a way. He sent His Son to die for us. He provided a way for us to repent and through the infinite atonement, we can all become perfected. We can all reach the Celestial Kingdom. We can all be with our families forever. We can all accept everlasting happiness. All we need to do is accept the plan, accept the atonement, live the gospel of Jesus Christ, and strive to become like Them.

 

I testify that God loves us and wants us. We are His literal Children. Through God’s perfect plan, we can learn and grow. We can become more. 

 

I love you all! I hope you all have a great week. I thank you all for your prayers and support to me!

 

The Church is true, God loves you!

Be happy, Be brave, Be smart,

Love,

Sister Miller