THE QUEZON QUIBBLER: Focus on the Positive.

Dear Family,

This transfer has been unbelievable with all the mid-transfer changes that had to be made due mainly to health, but this week to disobedience. President Kimball gave a talk a long time ago called "Lock Your Heart" that is not outdated for missionaries. If they would just do this, Dad would have an easier job--he has spent many hours this week dealing with missionaries who struggle to keep the commandment to lock their hearts.

But I want to concentrate on the positive this week:

1. Our two fight-it-out-leave-the-apartment sisters are still together. Nine days to go until transfer day!

2. I learned from Sister Augerea the details of Sister Rigby's foot fracture. They were walking down an uneven road in the dark on their way home. Sister Rigby stumbled and fell and was in excruciating pain. Sister Augerea comforted her then went to look for help. The road was empty as there are very few trikes in that area. She went back and prayed and a few minutes later two women came walking down the street. They were very kind and one brought her husband, who came in his car and drove them back to their apartment and helped them inside.

3. One of my favorite missionaries is Elder Ouabe. He left school after 6th grade to help support his family, and he is a very obedient, hard-working missionary. He finishes his mission in October 31. He said when he first came to the mission he couldn't speak any English at all, but asked his companion to help him learn one sentence to tell the MP: "I want to go home I miss my momma." Obviously he stayed, and he's become an exceptional teacher. The missionaries have 60min/day for language study (Tagalog or English) and he worked hard at it. Although he is less than five feet tall, he is a giant in testimony and he says, "I always try my best". He got one of the highest scores on the English test he just took (they get an international rating certificate to help them in finding a job). Even better, while he served his mission his two non-member siblings joined the church and next week when he returns home he will baptize his parents -- then all seven of them will be members and prepare for the temple!

4. I don't have a photo of Sister Sissan, but she's had a very sad life. Her husband abandoned her after they had four children and went on to have six other families. She raised the children on her own, supporting herself. Her son, who is now a counselor in the District Presidency, asked Stewart if he would like to meet his mother. It was during the broadcast of general conference, so they went to the nursery where she was watching all the children while the parents viewed conference. Dad was surprised at her smiles and positive outlook and asked her, "How can you be so happy?" and she replied, "Because I CHOOSE to be happy!"

5. We saw Sister Dumdum (Filipina) and Sister Omae (Papua New Guinea) at interviews Friday. Six weeks ago they were both in tears and really struggling in their trainer-trainee relationship. Now they are happy and united. Sister Dumdum confided that they go to sleep laughing and wake up laughing!

It seems our attention is mostly focused on the negative in the mission, but there are so many faithful, diligent missionaries who are working hard and trying their best. As we interviewed missionaries this week, all the new trainees are losing their frightened looks and becoming more confident. Many missionaries are getting referrals from members and teaching their friends and neighbors. Lots of investigators are repenting and acting on the invitations of the missionaries and wanting to be baptized. For the month of September, this was the highest-baptizing mission in the Philippines, and we are happy that these obedient missionaries are seeing success in their labors. But unfortunately all the missionaries haven't made the connection between obedience and success. Missions are hard, and just like real life, people can react differently to similar challenges. As Mormon reports in Alma 62: 42:

...because of the exceedlngly great length of the war between the Nephites and the Lamanites many had become hardened, ... and many were softened because of the afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility.

I hope I can become softened instead of hardened. I hope I can be like Sister Sissan and choose to be happy!