Confession: I tried to lock my heart. But
honestly, I have fallen in love over and over again with the people of
the Philippines. They are some of the kindest, sweetest, most humble,
most loving, most genuine, most hardworking, most faithful, most loyal,
most talented, most energetic, most fun-loving, most loveable people in
the whole world. For sure the most amazing people that I have met. They
say that you love those you serve, and I can testify that is true. I
love these people, both the members, non-members, and my fellow
missionaries.
This will be a short email,
because 1) we are short on time, since we had a zone activity earlier
and got back late to San Jose and 2) I fly home next week, so I can
provide even more stories (with lots of unnecessary details, as you may
recall if you are familiar with my poor story-telling skills) when I see
you in person, or at least have more free time for writing.
Highlights from this week: the power of Key Indicators (KI).
As
a missionary, there are certain "key indicators," or certain numbers
that we report to our leaders every week, such as how many people were
baptized, how many lessons of a given type were taught, how many
referrals we received or were able to contact, etc. These KIs help
measure the progress of those we are teaching and how effective we are
as missionaries in fulfulling our purpose to help others come unto
Christ. Occasionally, mission leaders will create KIs in addition to
those required by church headquarters, to help us create an even more
specific focus in our work. Last week, our zone leaders instituted a new
KI (an idea of the wonderful Elder Hart, who was here last transfer),
which they called RNAF, or "Referrals Not Asked For," since we are
encouraged as missionaries to ask EVERYONE whom they know who could
benefit from hearing the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For each
lesson, therefore, in which we don't give others the chance to suggest
friends or family who need to hear the Gospel, we must report one RNAF.
As a numbers person (not overly competitive or anything, just
conditioned as a missionary to focus on KIs), this helped me
tremendously in seeking to overcome my biggest weakness as a missionary
(asking referrals). Suddenly, I found myself remembering to ask in every
lesson! We started implementing it on Tuesday (we got zero RNAF the
whole day!), and were surprised at how willingly one of our
investigators invited us to visit her daughter-in-law. The next day, we
were able to contact her (Cheryl), had a great lesson, and she accepted
the invitation to be baptized if she gets an answer that it is true! She
also gave us 2 more referrals!!
It was amazing to me to see
how easy it is to ask people who they know that might want to receive
the same blessing they are receiving by having the Gospel of Jesus
Christ shared with them. In a way, it is almost easier to get
investigators to invite friends than members, because for some reason we
as members are so scared that our invitation might not be accepted. To
investigators, all they know is that they enjoy what they feel when they
are taught, and there is no harm in seeing if their friends or
neighbors are interested as well. To them, if their friend or neighbor
says no, no big deal. Their loss. :) I feel like that is an attitude I
want to develop. All that really matters is that I know how much the
Gospel of Jesus Christ has blessed my life. Because of it, I have found
peace and joy and direction in my life. I have come to know my Savior
Jesus Christ more personally, and understand more about myself as a
daughter of God. I am happy because I have been blessed to become a
member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The teachings
of this Church and the guidance of living prophets and apostles have
helped me to make good decisions (though of course I am not perfect
either) and saved me from a lot of problems and heartache that I know
would have been inevitable if I had lived life only according to my own
desires, instinct, and/or knowledge. Because I have been blessed by
having this Gospel and knowledge in my life, I want to share it with
those that I love (and even those I don't know well yet), so they can
experience that joy and peace as well. Of course, I respect their
decision and won't be upset if they choose not to accept it (like
offering someone a bite of delicious red velvet cheesecake), I will only
be sad that they won't have the experience I am having.
But
that is the beauty of our Heavenly Father's plan for us!! We have each
been given the opportunity to choose and act for ourselves. "To
act...and not to be acted upon" (2 Nephi 2:26). Even the Lord, who knows
what is best for us, will not force His will upon us. We get to choose
it.
Haha sometimes that principle of agency is really
intimidating to me though. As Elder Holland (I think?) once stated, we
shouldn't just consider which choices we want. We should consider and
choose from the consequences of each choice.
I
also got to go back to the mainland on Friday and Saturday, to be
fingerprinted and x-rayed so I can leave the Philippines with a clean
slate (approved visa and papers saying I can come home). Consequently, I
got to work in Cubao on Saturday (in the city) with Sister Quiban and
my old companion, Sister McCarthy. It was a fun day, and I was reminded
once again how much fun missionary work is, and how much joy it brings,
no matter where you work or are assigned. The Lord is preparing people
EVERYWHERE to hear the message of His Gospel. :)
Speaking of which, I found a cool scripture in my reading last week:
D&C
35:12 "And there are none that doeth good except those who are ready to
receive the fulness of my gospel, which I have sent forth unto this
generation." Basically, there are people all over the place who are
ready to hear this Gospel, we just need to go find them!! :D
So
let's go find! Invite everyone to partake of this deliciousness. To
feel of this peace. To rejoice in this truth. :) We are SO BLESSED.
Never, ever forget that.
That is all for now.
Sorry this wasn't a more exciting last email. Let's just say I don't
feel like I am done yet. I'll have plenty more to share next week, just
give me a few extra days to get it all together. ;)
I hope you have a great week!! I love and miss you and pray for you!! Don't get too trunky. ;) Finish strong!!
Love always,
Sister Emma Franks
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