This is an easy time to complain. It's hot, we cannot meet with the missionaries, the missionaries can't meet with people, it's difficult to baptize, the missionaries are getting tired of confinement and I can't get a haircut. These are just some of the complaints Dad hears from me more often than he would like. This week he shared with me a letter from a missionary who is serving as a zone leader, writing about his companion:
One weaknesses that I can't control well this past week was being a complainer. I know it sounds not good. If things don't goes well in what I am expecting, I complain right away. Or some times if I'm bothered with the situation, I complain. Sorry for that President. That's my goal for the rest of the transfer so that I will make it a habit to not to complain. Elder Panuelos is my example in being not a complainer. Ever since I've known him, I never heard him complained to a thing, a situation or even to a person.
I hope someday that will be true for me, too. I am really trying to exercise extra faith in Jesus Christ for some challenges we are facing here, and I know that giving voice to my complaints blocks my faith. I love the story Elder Gong told about one of Sister Gong's ancestors who was widowed for 47 years. he said, "During those many years, Gram promised the Lord if He would help her, she would never complain. The Lord helped her. She never complained."
We trained the "new" missionaries over Zoom on Friday. Usually we meet with them after their 5th week here, but we've been holding out and hoping to meet with them in person to give them immunizations, but we finally decided to hold the meeting online -- some have been here for as long as 18 weeks! Stewart only had ten minutes instead of the 25 he should have had (not MY fault), but he gave an incredible training in that short time. I was so inspired! Stewart followed up that meeting by visiting each trainee personally to deliver Book of Mormons and cookies.
We also held our MLC over Zoom and I told the mission leaders that Elder Bangerter said Elder Christofferson requested all missionaries in the Philippines memorize the new Restoration Proclamation. For the meeting, I recited the first paragraph from memory and each companionship of leaders recited the paragraph I'd assigned them. We discussed how we could encourage the missionaries to memorized it. They suggested doing it during language study (it's to be memorized in English) and that the leaders should be the example. Three days later I was still struggling to memorize the second paragraph and I was shocked when three of the leaders posted videos of themselves reciting the entire proclamation!
Friday night we had our senior office couple over for dinner. Stewart cooked delicious steaks and potatoes and they loved being outside of their apartment. They had to break curfew to return home, but fortunately they only live five minutes away. We're so thankful they stayed to serve and that they've remained healthy.
The lockdown remains strict in Metro-Manila, but is loosening in the Bulacan. Stewart took two sisters in Baliwag to the eye doctor for a much-needed exam. It's great that some services are opening there.
For the first time since March, there were a few baptisms in the mission yesterday--13. Only the baptizer, bishop and person being baptized attended, along with the missionaries, but the ward usually watched on Zoom. We are very thankful the missionaries can finally see some fruits of their labors and fulfill the purpose they've been called to do.
We appreciate your prayers for us. We keep having challenges along with many, many blessings. Thank you for your concern, faith and prayers. We are also praying for the 17 Hughes who are on a flight tonight to the USA from Singapore.
Love,
Mom
Photos
6th Week Training-13 “new” missionaries and their trainers
Baptisms -these new converts are SO happy to finally be members!
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