May 26, 2014

Family!

Thank you so much for all your emails and pictures! Sounds like you are keeping yourselves super busy but loving life while staying busy! What a blessing :)

So check it out, transfers were this week and I am still here in Tarlac Ward 5 but Sister Fabros got transferred and my new companion.... Sister Bongolto!!!!!!!!! WHAT?!?!?! My anak here in the mission! She's the missionary I trained back in Tarlac Ward 3! SOOOOO HAPPY!!! Oh my goodness that never happens here and oh my goodness we are so excited. We have unfinished business here in Tarlac and so the Lord has put us together again and i'm excited! Hopefully we'll be together for another 12 weeks! Probably not... but hey nothing is impossible :) Oh my goodness Sister Bongolto is exactly what I need right now also and the Lord always answers our prayers when we pray in faith. It's exciting. 

This week was great! We have been inspired and following the inspiration of what the Lord would have us do to help one of our investigators Brother Lorenzo. He has been investigating the church for some time now and his sister is a strong recent convert who is praying and fasting continually for him as we are also doing the same. As we are praying and fasting for him, we are praying for specific things we want him to experience as well as we are praying that we might be sensitive enough to the promptings of the Spirit to follow what the Lord would have us do to help Brother Lorenzo have the courage to choose to follow the Savior’s perfect example of baptism. He realizes more and more how this is an eternal commitment and he realizes more and more how the blessings that come with this commitment are eternal as well. I love watching the Savior change his life, and I love being a witness to see the change Brother Lorenzo is making for his Savior. It is simple yet exquisite beauty. PLEASE keep Brother Lorenzo in your prayers that he might have the determination to choose the right always. Your prayers really help!

Hey so I'm excited for Father's Day! June 15 right? Anyway, I'm excited! So remember how at Christmas the thing I wanted for Christmas work was to have you do follow the counsel of Elder Ballard of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles? I want that again for Father's Day :) I want to ask you about how you are doing in sharing the joy of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. This past General Conference, Elder Ballard followed up about his last invitation to us all to help share the gospel, I want to do that again as well. 

Elder Ballard shared with us...

"The second message that I feel I should follow up on was delivered just last general conference, when I encouraged members to pray to be led to at least one person to whom they could extend an invitation to learn about the restored gospel before Christmas.

May I suggest that we can all be more consistently involved in missionary work by replacing our fear with real faith, inviting someone at least once a quarter—or four times every year—to be taught by the full-time missionaries. They are prepared to teach by the Spirit, with sincere and heartfelt inspiration from the Lord. Together we can follow up on our invitations, take others by the hand, lift them up, and walk with them on their spiritual journey.

Brothers and sisters, fear will be replaced with faith and confidence when members and the full-time missionaries kneel in prayer and ask the Lord to bless them with missionary opportunities. Then, we must demonstrate our faith and watch for opportunities to introduce the gospel of Jesus Christ to our Heavenly Father’s children, and surely those opportunities will come. These opportunities will never require a forced or a contrived response. They will flow as a natural result of our love for our brothers and sisters. Just be positive, and those whom you speak with will feel your love. They will never forget that feeling, though the timing may not be right for them to embrace the gospel. That too may change in the future when their circumstances change.

It is impossible for us to fail when we do our best when we are on the Lord’s errand. While the outcome is a result of the exercise of one’s agency, sharing the gospel is our responsibility.

To help you in this process, I invite all members, regardless of your current calling or level of activity in the Church, to obtain a copy of Preach My Gospel. It is available through our distribution centers and also online. The online version can be read or downloaded at no cost. It is a guidebook for missionary work—which means it is a guidebook for all of us. Read it, study it, and then apply what you learn to help you understand how to bring souls to Christ through invitation and follow-up. As President Thomas S. Monson has said, “Now is the time for members and missionaries to come together, to work together, to labor in the Lord’s vineyard to bring souls unto Him.”

If we follow up, the Lord will not let us down. I have seen the unspeakable joy that accompanies testimony-driven inviting and faithful follow-up among members of the Church the world over.

It is my testimony that as we work together, seeking the one, inviting, and following up with trust and faith, the Lord will smile upon us and hundreds of thousands of God’s children will find purpose and peace in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. May the Lord bless all of us in our efforts to hasten the work of salvation."

Elder Ballard Following Up

Put Your Trust in the Lord

I know that Heavenly Father loves ALL of His children. I know that there are no accidents in His plan for His children. I know that we know and we've met people we've met for a reason. I know that if we go with faith to the Lord, and ask Him what He would have us do to help those we love come closer to Christ, He will show us what we should do. I know b/c I've experienced it. I know the Lord will not leave our side as we go about doing good for the benefit of our brothers and sisters. 

I love you all. I truly hope you reach out and do something, doesn't need to be stressful or a big huge thing, but just do something, to help invite someone to come closer to Christ.

Mahal ko kayo!

-Sister Davidson :)

Pictures!

1. Family Home evening with Sister Lawrence and Brother Lorenzo!! Bro Lorenzo is the one in the front with the "Ading" on the front of his shirt, and his sister Lawrence, the one in blue stripes in the front. And all the other people are the great ward members!

2. Sister Curtis, Sister Latimer, and Sister Tupua who have now finished their missions! They slept over at our house and now they are home! It was so sad to see them go! 

3. Sister Olive took us out to dinner! She is our Stake RS President who works with us sometimes and she took us to this delicious place for dinner! She's the best. 

4. Tarlac Zone right after Transfer announcement! 

  

5. And then our district! We seriously have the best district in the world.

 1. Saying goodbye to Sister Fabros right before she transfers! She's the best ever and I'll miss her diligence in hard working! 

2. Sister Salde! She is a brand new missionary from Bacolod! She slept over at our house and when she said she was from Bacolod I asked if she met Elder Jared Heywood and she said yes!! That never happens! Ya she said she met Jared and he baptized (??) her cousins Corina and Diane Gumben when he was assigned in Handumanan. Don't know if it is the same Elder Heywood, but hey Jared if you know her... small world :)

3. BACK with Sister Bongolto again!!!!!!!!!!!

4. Sister Lawrence, her son Khyle and the 2 adopted kids who love us ha ha

5. And then with Brother Lorenzo after church

Ha ha Baby Girl who loves us and then with Sister Rochelle also! 

2. Just cute.

3. For lunch on P-Day Sister Bongolto and I went and had lunch at the de Jesus' canteen!!!! WE LOVE THEM SOOO MUCH!!!!

4. We LOVE Sister Reylie and Sister Cristina!!

5. And Sister Bongolto and I love each other! 

1. two goofballs still sila Brother Cyrus and Brother Elton John

2. Love them!

3. Sister Ryeli is pregnant! I'm trying to drop hints of what great baby names are for baby girls... we'll see what happens :)

that's all folks!

Sure do love you and I sure do love our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that all things are possible through Him. When we give Him everything we've got, He gives us more than we ever thought was possible. He is the source of true happiness and I'm so humbly grateful for the chance I have everyday to serve Him.

Mahal ko kayo!

-Sister Davidson :) 

May 19, 2014

Family!

Thank you so much for your emails! Sounds like you're all doing sooo well and loving life! That's awesome! Take advantage of every moment of life as often time flies too quickly. 

This week was fantastic! I love this area, I love Sister Fabros, I love all these Sisters, I just love it all!

This week my perception of fasting changed. We fasted as a zone for help in the goals we have for the months of May and June and before we fasted I decided to increase my knowledge about fasting. As studying about fasting I realized that there is a better way of fasting than I have been doing in the past. When I have fasted before, I have fasted for this person, or that person, or for this to happen or that, etc. But this time, I learned to fast rather to know what the Lord would have me specifically do to help this person, or that person, or for this or that to happen, etc. As I read about fasting, it stuck out to me that while fasting we are more spiritually sensitive to receive knowledge and revelation from God. I decided to ask for increased knowledge and increased sensitivity to know what I must do to help these people, to help these things happen. I once read a quote about praying for specific things, and then doing nothing to make them happen. How often do we do that? "Please bless.... or please help this person or those people.... etc." and then how often is that it? We leave the prayer like that and then don't really do anything to make those things happen. We don't do anything in our power to "help that person"or to "bless that person's life"? For me I do that too often. And it's not b/c I don't want to, I just don't think about what the Lord would have me do in order for me to help that person, etc. It was an interesting lesson the Lord taught me and I'm grateful for His lesson to me. 

We have this one investigator, Brother Lorenzo, who is great. His sister, Sister Lawrence, was baptized this past January and is very devoted to Christ and following His commandments. Sister Lawrence is so great at encouraging Brother Lorenzo to read the Book of Mormon, go to church, etc. as she can see how much the gospel has helped her life. Brother Lorenzo really struggles accepting for himself if it is all true or not. He has switched religions many times, and he is now reading the Book of Mormon, the Bible, etc to find out for himself. He has many questions, and is hesitant about accepting the truth as he realizes it will change his entire life. If he decides to join this Church, he realizes it's not a thing you just choose to do on a whim, but it will be a life changing decision. Please pray that Brother Lorenzo will find the courage within himself, and find courage and trust in the Savior to make the right decision for him for him to have eternal happiness. 

This week and every week, is seriously the best. I love this work so much. I love our Savior Jesus Christ, more than I can explain. His love, His trust, His grace and mercy, everything about Him... is amazing and I don't have the skills to describe how I feel about Him and how in-debt I am to Him. His Atonement is everything. The more we understand the Atonement, and the power within the Atonement, the more joy we have in knowing that we have a Savior and Redeemer to help us return back to our loving Heavenly Father's presence.

I love you all soooo much! I know that Heavenly Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ love you more than words can describe. Learn more about His love for you as well as for those around you, it is amazing the change you'll see. 

Mahal ko kayo!

-Sister Davidson :)

Pictures!

1. Exchanges with Sister Roisum from Washington! These kids are adorable and love Sister Roisum! She's got a great fan club in her area. Ha ha little Filipino kids are adorable.

2. Sister Roisum! Just walking to an appointment and loving every minute of it!

3. Our district!! Our district is seriously the best. and super goofy ha ha. 

4. Lincoln sent me a package!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Linc you're the best in the entire world!!! and I'm super impressed at your skills in writing, sending a package, etc. you're parents must be the best ever!

5. Ah man Linc you're the best!!!!!! But really, you're the best ever!! Thank you thank you thank you thank you!!! 

1. Ha ha the chocolate for sure melted, but no worries, I stuck it in the freezer and it tastes deliciously the same! Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you thank you thank you thank you!!!!

2. And I am officially a ND fan

3. Great CSP helping a member clear her yard of grass so she can plant some veggies!

4. Members of our district and Sister Alma the member who we helped!

5. The kids swimming in their backyard b/c it's so hot! The Filipinos are so useful in using whatever they have to make a great time! 

6. so fun! 

. Sister Aneida! One of our investigators who is the house help of a member family! She is awesome and is struggling with family problems which is hard for her to overcome. 

2. Sister Joan and her anak. the baby was crying and so for the picture I cried with him. 

3. We went to the Capas Shrine which was actually really cool. It is a great big memorial for all those soldiers who died while in Capas, Tarlac, during WWII. It was a really neat memorial where there was a great sense of peace and happiness in the joy of the resurrection. 

4. This is just full and full of all the names of those who passed away in the war. 

5. A cool hanging bridge we went to go get a picture on that was close to the memorial. 

6. Sister Penales! My kabahay who is so great and so fun to be around!

That's all folks! I sure do love and pray for each one of you daily! I hope you're doing those things that will bring you happiness for an eternity and not just for a lifetime.

Mahal ko kayo!!

-Sister Davidson :) 

May 12, 2014

Family!!!

Thank you so much for your emails to me! Sounds like you're all good and alive! HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!!!!!!! Hope all the Mother's in the World had a GREAT day and hope they feel appreciated! Thanks to all the motherly figures in my life! Love you!

This week was awesome. This week I was able to go on exchanges into my first area, in Tarlac Ward 3! It was a sweet blessing to see those people who I love so much again and to see their progression. This week I learned a lot about how Nephi felt and then how Alma the Younger felt. In 2 Nephi 33 Nephi describes how sad he was, how he cried and prayed for his people all night long because of their unbelief. When I went to some of the recent converts and less actives who had once been active in church and now have wondered from the straight and narrow path, I was amazed at how truly sad I was. I love these people so much, and because of that love I truly was praying for them and I was sad about the decisions they are making in their lives. It was easy to see how they had something missing in their lives.I was also able to experience as Alma the Younger. When he saw his brethren who were still strong in the gospel he rejoiced exceedingly. This is also how I felt! When I saw those recent converts and those less actives that were returning, oh my goodness the joy was so sweet. It was amazing at the polar opposites of the feelings and how strong each were.

I've learned a lot about the power of love while here in the mission. When we love those around us, for who they really are, it is amazing the work and the service we will do in their benefit to help them be happy. There is power in love. Love for others, charity, is a driving force that gives power to do all things. When remembering Christ, He did everything He did out of love first for His Heavenly Father, and then out of love for us, His brothers and sisters. When we go through life just living day to day, I've discovered there is something lacking. When we go through life, living and loving all those around us, all of life seems to change. When we remember that those around us are coming from the same Father, coming from the Pre-Earth life, just like we are-it is easier and a joy to love them for who they are, as a child of God, as a sibling in the family of God. Ah man I love these people around me. They are so kind, their potential in life is so great. And I have the great priviledge everyday of helping others come to Christ, helping them reach their true potential. I love serving the Lord. It's the best.

Don't forget that I also love each of you SOOO much! Thank you for your love and your support and prayers for me, also for those we are teaching. When you don't yet somebody around you, pray that you might love him or her like Christ loves him or her. Christ's love never fails, Christ never fails. It's amazing.

Mahal ko kayo!!! Happy Mothers Day!!!

-Sister Davidson :)

Pictures!

1. Going on exchanges with Sister Lao!! Born in the Philippines, but migrated with her family to PA and then to Texas! She's great and her sweetness reminds me of Dottie!

2. Sister Rochelle! Our faithful ward missionary who works with us multiple times a week and is a stud and a hard worker! Love her!

3. Ha ha I saw this inside the house of one of our recent converts, immediately thought of Dad, laughed, and then took a picture. :)

4. Brother Bonificio, a recent convert, who is amazing! their kids are so cute and their conversion story, especially his, is really touching

5. Seeing my deJesus family again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love ko sila!!!! AND they need your prayers. Thanks.

Ha ha this picture describes these personalities so well. Ah man these people truly are like my family here. love them!

2. Sister Ryeli, Sister Kristina, Sister Jennica, and then Sister Salem! Sister Ryeli is expecting! I'm thinking of telling them to name their child after me since Lincoln was born a boy so therefore he couldn't be named my name. 

3. The little kids here are adorable! and they are getting so big! 

4. Sister Jennifer Sy,baby Matt Matt, and Sister Tin Tin!! Wow baby MattMatt has gotten so big since the time I last saw him! 

5. Sister Corazon Sy, and Brother Bryan, and their family! Brother Bryan oh my goodness, he was looked like he was 10 when I left and now he looks 14! 

 1. Sister Diane Clariz, and her husband Brother Jerry, and their 3 kids! When I left Sister Clariz was still pregnant with the baby and now he's 6 months old! Sister Dianne is now preparing to go to the temple!

2. Sister Felicity!! She was the adorable 9 year old who taught me how to say nose, eyes, ears, mouth, etc in Tagalog and now we were able to have a conversation more than just the parts of the body ha ha! What a blessing! 

3. And the Haili family! They are planning on going to the temple this next month to be sealed! when we first started teaching them, they just had the idea starting of wanting to be an eternal family, and now they are attending temple prep, are getting ready for their interview, and are so close to making it a reality that they will be sealed together forever!

4. Brother Paulo, an amazing recent convert with a strong testimony, and his uncle who we are now teaching! Brother Nestor is very interested and is impressed with the change he's seen in Paulo! Please keep Brother Nestor in your prayer that he will overcome his Word of Wisdom addictions.

5. We went to a FHE last night and the Gabrielle family had prepared a special musical number for us complete with the guitar. It was awesome and reminded me of Dad preforming for us. Love it!

That's all folks!

Sure do love you! I sure do love our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that when we do what we need to do in order to allign our wills with His, our lives will be changed. We will become as Him. Our lives will no longer become our own, but we will turn our lives over to Him and the happiness is indescribeable. 

Mahal ko kayo!

Happy Mother's Day!

-Sister Davidson :)