March 24th, 2014 Keep your head held high, rejoicing in the wonderful life he has given us

Not much has happened this week, except my amazing companion is getting transferred tomorrow. We have gotten so close and I am going to miss her. I have learned so much from Sister Bersola and I am grateful for her hardworking example.

We did a lot of finding this week, received a ton of referrals from investigators and contacted a lot of them. One really neat experience was a woman, in the first lesson, teared up, and she said she felt something while we were speaking to her. The Spirit is so strong and testifies to people if they are willing to listen.

We also had an amazing lesson in which we were teaching the Plan of Salvation, and where we will go after our life here on earth. We explained to them about the Spirit World, and they were so amazed. We showed them scriptures in the Bible that mention it and they texted us later that night for the new knowledge and all they learned from us. They are progressing investigators, and came with us to the Relief Society Anniversary that was held in Iriga City on Saturday.

One sweet tender moment that I loved this week was we were teaching this Nanay who has a son with Downs’s syndrome, and he was talking a lot, and she kept telling him to listen to us, then I was prompted to skip over our introductions for the time being, and offer a prayer. The Spirit was so strong, and her son was smiling. Then my companion started sharing that we believe families can be together forever and the boy with Downs looked at his mom, smiled the biggest smile, and kissed her cheek.

We also taught a lesson to the Antonio family's daughters (one of them is visiting from California) about Eternal Marriage in the temple. We watched a video on their tablet, Expressions of Love, a Mormon Message. If you have not watched it, I highly recommend it. So good! So cute! One day (:

One lesson I can't forget this week was someone we went a ways out to find. We explored one of our areas I have never been to before to found a referral we received. When we got there, the women said she had been taught about two years ago and said they taught her to pray to Joseph Smith.... wrong! She thought we prayed to Joseph Smith and we taught her that we pray to our Heavenly Father, thought His son Jesus Christ, and we can pray to Him to know things, for example if Joseph Smith was a Prophet. We bore simple testimony and helped her a least understand what we really believe.

I have gained such a strong testimony that simple, true testimonies are all people need to hear most of the time, and that is what the Spirit can bear testimony of. I know this church is true. Joseph Smith was a prophet and our Heavenly Father loves each one of us so much! Keep your head held high, rejoicing in the wonderful life he has given us. I love you all so much! xoxoxox

Raining in Nabau

March 17th , 2014 Nothing happens in missionary work unless we act, open our mouths, and share.

Well, this has been the week of exchanges!

We were in Naga for two days, then Buhi for one, but it was so fun, and I seriously learn so much on exchanges.

Tuesday I was with Sister Ghori, who is in my batch (we came to the Philippines the same time). She is from Pakistan and is a professional makeup artist (she may have threaded my eyebrows.. medio painful but they look good haha). It was a good day. I found a pig shaped loaf of bread... haha, also I have come to realize I seriously love buko juice, which is coconut milk. It’s amazing! But now to the amazing spiritual experiences. I really have come to recognize the Spirit more since I have been here, and I really have been trying to not ignore it when promptings come. We were walking, after being punted, and there was a Tatay sawing some wood outside of his house. We walk passed smiled, and he waved, I felt, go back, talk to him... so we did. It was the most amazing experience. He let us into his home, and we taught him and his wife, who just had a baby 2 weeks ago. Turns out they are related to the Ward Mission Leader in the Naga ward, and he was cooking right next door! We taught and testified of the Gospel and families and the Tatay prayed before we left. In his prayer he thanked the Lord for the goodness he felt, and for the chance that we stopped abruptly and talked to him. The Lord really guides us to those He knows are ready!

Then after that lesson we tracted again and this time just started chatting with a 17 year old girl hanging her clothes to dry. The Lord guides us, but He also expects to open our mouths and talk to everyone. Nothing happens in missionary work if we don't open our mouths and speak to people.

The next day I was with Sister Rosenberg, who is from Australia. She is a convert to the church, and so sweet! I learned so much from here, and I am so blessed to be able to work with so many amazing sister missionaries who give up not only so much to come on a mission, but to be a member of the church. We filled out a baptismal form at one of their investigators homes. She is going to be baptized next week, and it was the coolest story of how they met her. She is the niece of a less active member and they found the less active when tracting. They were walking in a small area, looked in and saw a picture of the temple hanging on the wall, and one of the pictures of Christ from the church. Turns out he had moved with his family, their records were still in Albay, and hadn't been to church in 10 years, but felt the missionaries finding him was his sign to return. Now his niece is getting baptized, and they have return to church (: I love missionary work!

Thursday we were able to work i our area, and had an amazing lesson with some of our investigators. It’s where we found the less active member, (who joins in on every lesson now). We have a group there listening to us every week, and every week someone new joins. Now there is a mother, her two daughters, the landlord, the less active, and one of the daughter’s boyfriends. They all have their Book of Mormons out when we come, pull up a chair, highlight scriptures we share, and all contribute. I love these lessons! They are all so amazing, and willing to act, read, and come to church. Then that night we celebrated my one year mark on the mission! We bought sparkling cider and snickers to celebrate haha. The time has flown!

Friday we were in Buhi, which is right in the mountains, by a lake, and is absolutely gorgeous! I think it might be the most beautiful are a in the mission no joke. I was on exchanges with Sister Gregorio. She is in training, but almost done and we had some pretty amazing experiences. We taught 9 lessons in one day, which is a good amount! One we were tracting, and went down one alley way, I was about to walk past this woman, and all of a sudden I was shaking her hand. We were able to teach her, her husband, their children, and a ton of their grandchildren. The Spirit really leads us! We also found one of their referrals in the middle of a rice field, it was quite an adventure heading out there but so beautiful. I feel so blessed to be made an instrument in the hands of the Lord, even in other areas, where I am only in for one day.

Sunday I was a speaker, and it was the first day we used to microphones.... it echoes a bit, but it will get better. I talked on fellowshipping, and the importance of members and missionaries working together, especially since our group is so small, we need to be super unified and invite more. We also had a fellowshipping workshop that we had planned with the Elders in our Group. It went great. The members seem to be more enthusiastic to help, and work with us when they can.

Missionary work is hard. It is tiring. It is challenging, but I would not be anywhere else than where I am now. I am being molded into the person I need to be. I am grateful for the challenges, and trials I have faced here, and will continue to face throughout my life. Share with everyone you know, and ask the missionaries near you for a Book of Mormon, if you don't have one, or to hand to a friend. Nothing happens in missionary work unless we act, open our mouths, and share. Love you all so much. Keep smiling (: Life is too short to not enjoy our time here.

Sister Bersola and Sister Webster

Celebrating the Year Mark for Vanessa :)

March 10th, 2014 Miracles happen every day, and I know they can to for those who are not missionaries. Keep sharing, and most of all, be yourself!

This week we had MLC (Missionary Leadership Council). It seriously reminds me so much of the meetings we would have in Service Council. It seriously is so cool to hear all the feedback and how the mission really is doing. We were told we are the best mission for retention of new members and less actives in all of Asia. What up! But really, that was really cool to hear. I know that we really have been trying to help retain converts, and not let them fall away so quickly. Life is hard, and the enduring to the end part of the Gospel, not the easiest thing to do, but it is the best thing we can do! I know we need to endure to the end, and do what the Lord commands, and the gift of eternal life can be ours.

We had exchanges in Pili with the Sisters there. I was with Sister Placido, and we had some really great lessons. One of them being a referral we had given them. When we were at the hair salon a few ago and I was getting my hair cut, Sister Bersola was talking with one of the women that worked there. She said she was interested and they talked about families being able to be together forever. When we got there, she freaked out when she saw me. I didn't realize right away that the referral we were contacting was the one we had given them! It was such an amazing lesson, the Spirit was so strong, and I was so blessed to see the actual teaching of a lesson, and contacting of someone we had referred! I love the blessings of having exchanges and the opportunities to work in other areas with other Sisters. I really learn so much and see so many miracles, especially from an outsider’s perspective.

We were able to work with the Gardner couple this week and we had one really amazing lesson with them. We have been teaching a whole boarding complex. Everyone kept joining in and listening, and pulling up chairs. We all were sitting around; this is the same place we found the less active member at last week. (He also came to church again yesterday!!!! yayy). But the lesson was one I will never forget. It just flowed, they asked questions, and we all bore testimony of what we know. When I was quoting Joseph Smith's First Vision, I felt the Spirit there and I felt everyone else feel it too. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet, and was called of God. I cannot doubt the feelings I have every time I testify of him. The Gardner’s don't speak Tagalog here, but they left and told us it was as if there was a glow around us as we spoke and they felt the Spirit there. I love this Gospel. The true church of Christ really has been restored and is led by a living prophet today.

We had Zone Training and that was a success. We are focusing on trying to reactivate Priesthood holders in the Iriga District so it can become a stake. Save the Tatays (:

Saturday I was on exchanges with Sister Sekona in our area. It went well, and we had fun. Had some really great lessons where we were able to really testify of the power of the Book of Mormon.

Yesterday, we contacted a referral in this further out area.... and we are going to go there always now! They all were so welcoming and we asked for more referrals from the people we taught, and they just kept giving more and more. We are excited to keep contacting people there, and it is not too far from the church, so it shouldn't be too difficult for them to make it to church.

I love this work, miracles happen every day, and I know they can to for those who are not missionaries. Keep sharing, and most of all, be yourself! The Lord wants us to not be robot sharing missionaries, but full of life, and with character. Love you all.. until next week (sana walang brown out haha- hopefully no brown out)

March 3rd 2014 T he Lord can lighten our burdens and help us feel comfort, we just need to do our part, pray, and lift up our heads

This letter wasn't received for 2 weeks due to Brown Outs (Dust storms that take out electricity)

Well Brothers and Sisters, life is grand! I really love the life of a missionary. It is one tough calling, but I am so blessed every day. I know I will never regret this part of my life. We have seen so many miracles her in Nabua and I am so grateful for this area.

Saturday, Shaana was baptized, and we were so happy for her! She is 9 years old, and a daughter of a member in the group. She was so cute, and we had a good turn out to her baptism.
This week we were able to teach Brother Buddy before he left to go to Manila (he is coming back this Wednesday though). He is the investigator we met a few weeks ago and he has been coming to church every week except this last one because he was gone. We also were able to teach an amazing lesson to a woman who came to church, and lives in the Elders area, but there is no male in her home, so the Elders said we could teach her. In order to get to her friend’s house, where she always is, we had to cross the coolest bridge made of bamboo. I was so scared, but it seriously is the coolest, scariest bridge (I will attach a photo so you can see what I mean). She is so sweet and we are grateful we get to teach her.

Wednesday, guess who became companions again for a day? Sister Roderick and Sister Webster (: We had exchanges with them and I was able to go to her area and see all the people she has grown to love there so much. We had some really great lessons there. One first contact we had, after we opened with a prayer, the woman said "Whoa, I feel as if the Lords arms are embracing me". That was such a testimony to me of how powerful prayer can be!

Another that day was we had planned on sharing a scripture to a family, and it was seriously just what they needed. Alma 36:3-21, about Alma and he is sharing his repentance experience to his son. I know we all need to repent, and the guilty feelings deep inside of us can we cleansed because of Christ's Atonement.
On Friday we were a little bummed when we were punted house after house, but we had one lesson at the end of the evening that made the whole day worth. One of our investigators husbands really does not like us, and they have arguments sometimes because of us visiting her, but she said she wants us to keep coming. She has faced some really hard troubles and we read in Mosiah 24 with her about how the Lord can lighten our burdens and help us feel comfort, we just need to do our part, pray, and lift up our heads. I know we were there for her when she needed it. The Spirit was there so strongly and I know she felt our love, and Gods love for her through her trials.

I feel so happy the Lord guided us to where we needed to go. A few weeks ago we felt prompted to talk with a woman as we were walking to an appointment. She was walking near us, and we asked if we could come share with her. We went to her, and ended up setting appointments, then talked with her neighbor who also set an appointment. When we went though, they were all busy, or gone, so we left a sticky note on what we thought was the one family's door. We came back the next day, and there were two men drinking outside of the door. The one started talking to us, was saying, "Sisters".. then the one that caught our attention was "Lds.."... Which is not something people often say unless they know tons about the church. Turns out he is a member, was baptized in Legaspi. Also turns out, the note was left on his door. We taught his neighbors, he joined in, and the neighbor and he came to church yesterday (: It was the best Sunday, we were so happy. I ended up teaching the Gospel Principles class on Eternal Marriage haha.. one day (:

February 24th I have gained such a strong testimony the Gospel really blesses families

Well, the time is far spent, haha aka I have ran out of computer time. Been one of those never going to get it all done days, haha but that’s why we call it "Pagod days".. (tired days) hahah.

We had exchanges with the Iriga Sisters. I first worked with Sister Redline from Vancouver in their area in Iriga. We had a good day, and walked up a mountain, and I was very dusty when we came back home. It is good to see how other Sisters teach and to see the areas they are working in. It was fairly hot, and I got some sun.
Then the next day I worked in my area with Sister Coons from Arizona. She is in her follow up right now and we had a lot of fun. When we traveled to our apartment in the morning I realized I forgot to get the keys and phone from Sister Bersola, so we had to get back on a jeepney and go back to Iriga (like a 15 minute ride). It was quite embarrassing , but I have realized more and more I have become more patient and deal with situations better. It changed the schedule a bit, but we got back on track, and really... Life happens (:

We have been focusing so much on teaching families and couples this week and have seen so many miracles come from it. It is more unifying and they have something to talk about to each other when we leave. We have been teaching one family... ah I love them so much. They have 5 daughters, and try to have family prayer together, and read the Bible together. I look forward to every time we get to go there.

I have gained such a strong testimony the Gospel really blesses families. I know that my family would not be as strong, and close if it were not for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

One neat experience this week was we had 30 minutes til curfew so we decided to tact one house.. they were not interested, so we stepped 5 steps to the nest house. We set this new goal to try and not miss a house, so we "tao poed" and then we received a pure Riconada responses, which neither of us understand... but the girl came to greet us, and was confused at why we were there so late, but we explained to her who we are and it led to an amazing lesson, and she said we could come back! I know the Lord blesses us when we try our best, even after rejections, because there really are people who are prepared right now to receive what God has in store for them.

Another great lesson was when we were teaching Buddy, the new investigator we met last week (who has come to church 2 times now!). The power went out (aka brown out) and the lesson kept going. Actually in many of our lessons this week that happened, and we just got out flashlights out and kept reading. People here are so calm and just go with the flow of things.

We have a baptism this next weekend for Shaana. She is 9 years old, and her mom is a member, just not her dad yet. She is so cute, smart, and we have enjoyed teaching her. She passed her interview yesterday, so we will have the baptismal service next Saturday.

I know the Lord is there for each one of us and that we just need to get on our knees and talk to Him, and be willing to act on the response, or act to receive the response. I love this work, and I know that the Lord is always there for us. Read your scriptures, and pray always (: love you all

ps.. funny story... i was chased down by a goose yesterday and we ran screaming hahah good times... i probably shouldn't have walked so close to it... learning lesson (: quite a funny scene seeing us book it down the street squealing haha love you all

Happy Valentines Day

February 17th God answers prayers

I have gained such a strong testimony of answered prayers this week. I seriously love this work, and I feel so blessed to see the miracles we get to see here in the mission field.
This week has flown by so fast, but it also seems like a blur because we had so many new investigators and new experiences.
We were able to teach Shaana several times this week to help her prepare for her baptism. It should be on March 1st. She is 9 years old, and the daughter of a family in our group. Her mom is a member, but her dad is not yet. I know she is still so young, but she has been reading, and she understands what we teach her so well. I have a testimony of being raised in the Gospel. Even though I was 8 years old when I was baptized and didn't fully understand everything, I did know that I was following the example of Jesus Christ, and following in His way. We are excited for her, and excited for her to continue living the Gospel and one day be sealed to her family.
We bought a huge carp (fish) from one of our investigators this week! She cleaned it for us, and we have been eating it for the past couple days. As in, it is huge! And only for the two of us. But afterwards we were able to teach them an amazing lesson about Faith. It was totally by the Spirit. They have been investigators for quite some time now, but have not been able to come to church because of their fish business, and were not able to make it Sunday, but I know the Lord knows when the right time is for them, and we are going to help them continue to understand the importance of church, and acting on our faith. We always say to them " Isda o Diyos?" (fish or God?" haha ) One day (:
We also have another investigator, who is not able to come to church right now but we taught her about the Plan of Salvation up to the Fall of Adam and Eve and she was so excited about this new knowledge she told her cousins, read to them from 2 Nephi 2, and drops everything when we come to visit so she can listen. I love her! She is so fun to teach! I have learned also that not every investigator can know or come to a knowledge of the truth immediate. Joseph Smith spent time searching for the right church, reading the Bible, and then prayed before he had the First Vision in the Sacred Grove. I know we must work for our salvation, and knowledge is given to us line upon line, IF we do our part.
So Thursday, the day I just loved! We prayed before we left the house that we would find the people the Lord has prepared, and I also prayed that those who are prepared would call out to us and recognize I us. That prayer was answered that very afternoon. We decided to look for a referral we had received in a certain Barangay so we were walking along the street, and had talked to talk to some people to ask if they knew the referral. We walked past this house, said hi to some of the people outside and then they called out after us "Mormons ba kayo?" (are you Mormons?). We turned around, walked back to talk to them (:
Turns out they had had missionaries teach them when she was in high school. We set up and appointment, more like she set up an appointment for the next day! Then we continued asking others if they knew the referral. Talked to a woman at a tindahan and the woman we had just made an appointment walked past and said to the other woman at the tindahan she should listen and have an appointment with us too! It was awesome! The Lord really answered prayers, and it just gets better (:
So their house has so many people there, and it turns out her dad is the old Vise Mayor of Nabua, so many people know them. We were welcomed right in to their home, and taught her, her husband, and others that were there. The lesson was awesome! The husband had heard about Joseph Smith and said he had looked at a Book of Mormon once and remembered Alma. They loved Joseph Smiths account, and the history, and said we are welcome i their home always. Then they set up appointments for other people living with them, Brother Buddy, and June. We came back the next day and taught them, and the Spirit was so strong. Buddy, June, and Jayson all came to church yesterday! I know the Lord has been preparing these people and this house to receive the Gospel, and I am so glad they called out to us (:
One other amazing experience we had was last week we had felt to go to the one home, actually we had noticed this cute family picture hanging in their house as we walked past, and said.. we must go there. They said maybe next weekend, so we tried this weekend, and it was the best lesson! They told us how they try to have family scripture study, and prayer as often as they can. We taught the father, mother, and 2 of their daughters about how families can be together forever, and how the Gospel is centered on families. They have 5 daughters, and said we are welcome back again. The father asked about the Book of Mormon and we gave him one, and the daughter right as we were leaving was looking through the pamphlet and asked, "Sino po si Joseph Smith?"... we told her that is a good question and we will be happy to answer next time (:
The Lord has directed us, brought us to those who are ready to accept the Gospel, and has answered our prayers. Nothing is ever picture perfect in missionary work, but I know that the Lord places us where we need to be at the right time to be there to help our Brothers and Sisters looking for the truth.
I hope we all continue to pray for missionary experiences and now that the Lord is there to help us with it. I love you all. God answers prayers (:

Sister Vanessa Webster