Hello again... i still love being a missionary!
So this week... hmm... we always have fun, interesting experiences. One was on Sat... we were going to pick up Annalyn to go to her baptism and we ran into a big group of people. They always say hi and lots of other things, one because filipinos just talk and say hi to everyone... so friendly!, and two because we are white. But one of them was acutally from america and had a very american accent so we went over to talk to them. He was born in the Phils. but grew up in california and is here visiting family. It was kinda strange trying to do the whole missionary thing in english to someone from the states. I realized i know how to be a missionary in cebuano and to filipinos but not really in english to americans.. haha.
We had a great baptism and Annalyn was so happy. She has been being taught for a year. I felt so good as i saw her be baptized. We finally were able to help her get to church and establish pagsimba as a part of her life.
A less active family that we visited this week finally came back to church! They have been inactive for a long time and really havent had desire to come back but as we visited them we had an amazing lesson where the Spirit was really able to touch their hearts. And then on Sunday when we saw them come into the church we were so happy! I really am nothing without the Spirit. Thats really why their are so many rules and guidelines for missionaries. We have to be worthy of the Spirit or we are worthless. There are so many temptations in this world and, of course, Satan will fight the work of the Lord, so we must be careful. As i feel the Spirit and see the blessings that come to others through this work it makes me WANT to follow and look for more i can do to be worthy... not just follow cause i have to. I hope that will be something i can continue after the mission as well. I will desire to follow and look for more rather than just settle for what i am told to do.
scripture of the week: 1 Nephi 13:37
Naghigugma ko ninyong tanan ug naa mo sa kanunay sa akong pagampo. Kini mao ang trabaho sa Ginoo ug malipayon gud ko sa pagalagad kaniya isip usa ka misionaryo! Nasayud nako nga bantayan ta sa Dios ug makalahutay ta sa tanan nga mga butang pinaagi ni Kristo. Ayaw kabalaka... padayon lang gud!
Gugma Daghan!
Sister Carissa Jones
Thursday, February 3, 2011
November 8, 2010
Well this week was great! We have been struggling the last few weeks and i was getting really discouraged! But then we had a fast this Sunday. I chose that this was going to be a monumental fast for me and many miracles would happen. WOW was i right! Because of our faith and trust in the Lord, our fast brought tons of blessings! I love my Heavenly Father! We had 7 of our investigators at church and some less actives! We were stoked to see our attendence at 107 (usually 80's). Testimony meeting was amazing too! I had a very spiritual Sunday. And we sang my favorite hymn! Because I Have Been Given Much...
This week i ate Balut! And i actually really liked it. There are different stages... Day 10 is same as a hardboiled egg... and Day 19 is the full duckling with feathers. I ate a 17... it was a little duckling but no feathers yet. So my next will be a 19. I will send pics next week cause i forgot to bring my card reader for my camera to send pics.
Scripture of the Week... Mosiah 3:17
This week i ate Balut! And i actually really liked it. There are different stages... Day 10 is same as a hardboiled egg... and Day 19 is the full duckling with feathers. I ate a 17... it was a little duckling but no feathers yet. So my next will be a 19. I will send pics next week cause i forgot to bring my card reader for my camera to send pics.
Scripture of the Week... Mosiah 3:17
November 1, 2010
For reals!! Its NOVEMBER!! Who woulda thought it would be november already! Im actually starting to get a little scared. But when i think that im closer to coming home than to when i left i just try to remind myself that i need to work hard and just have that day totally surprise me instead of dwelling on it constantly. Its hard... no offense... i dont want to come home.
We had another baptism this week. A little girl whos family are members (except father) and they have been less active. Teaching her and baptizing Jhanelle has made the mother and kids more active again! Our next baptism is scheduled for nov 13th. And hopefully lots in december! The hardest thing is people coming to church. Sometimes i get frustrated and just want Heavenly Father to smack them in the face. They have testimonies and have received answers about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith but then for some reason they dont see how important it is that they come to church. I then get frustrated at myself cause in my mind it all just makes common sense... and i realize i need to teach it better so that they really understand. Pray that i can help others see the importance of coming to church... that is what i need right now. Thanks!
Sister Larsen and I are growing closer every day and really love being companions. We have a great meal system... i cook... she washes dishes :) Sometimes i do miss washing so i wash the dishes i used to cook while everything is cooking. One the mission, ive really learned that i love being in the kitchen! (but in the field teaching better, of course!)
I wish i had more time to do everything that i want to do. There are always so many things i want to study and organize... i am getting better tho. Gospel study is SO important and i hope that each one of us takes the opportunity to study the precious words that God has given us. He tells us the most important things that we need to know through the scriptures (including the words of living prophets). There is so much to study... it never can get old or boring! Just remember line upon line, precept upon precept. Dont get frustrated that you dont know or understand everything (im mostly talking to myself). Just look at it as an opportunity to learn and grow and become closer to God. President Malit compared the gospel to a ladder once. Each person's ladder is a little different. All have the rungs (each rung is a different gospel principle) but maybe the order of the rungs is different for each person. You cant jump 5 rungs... you need to take it one at a time... build upon your knowledge slowly and firmly.
Im so grateful for the gospel in my life and all the blessings i receive. As i teaching people about the blessings that they can receive i realize that i have received those blessings in my life! Its real! It works! Another thing about blessings that ive learned is that they dont come immediately sometimes but they are building up. We shouldnt only live a righteous principle because we want an immediate blessing but instead, we ought to live it because it is securing the greatest blessing we can have... eternal life with our Heavenly Father, Savior and precious families!
I love you all so much and can never thank you enough for all the support you give to me! Never give up... keep your chin up... and endure to the end!
Gugma Daghan
Sister Carissa Jones
We had another baptism this week. A little girl whos family are members (except father) and they have been less active. Teaching her and baptizing Jhanelle has made the mother and kids more active again! Our next baptism is scheduled for nov 13th. And hopefully lots in december! The hardest thing is people coming to church. Sometimes i get frustrated and just want Heavenly Father to smack them in the face. They have testimonies and have received answers about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith but then for some reason they dont see how important it is that they come to church. I then get frustrated at myself cause in my mind it all just makes common sense... and i realize i need to teach it better so that they really understand. Pray that i can help others see the importance of coming to church... that is what i need right now. Thanks!
Sister Larsen and I are growing closer every day and really love being companions. We have a great meal system... i cook... she washes dishes :) Sometimes i do miss washing so i wash the dishes i used to cook while everything is cooking. One the mission, ive really learned that i love being in the kitchen! (but in the field teaching better, of course!)
I wish i had more time to do everything that i want to do. There are always so many things i want to study and organize... i am getting better tho. Gospel study is SO important and i hope that each one of us takes the opportunity to study the precious words that God has given us. He tells us the most important things that we need to know through the scriptures (including the words of living prophets). There is so much to study... it never can get old or boring! Just remember line upon line, precept upon precept. Dont get frustrated that you dont know or understand everything (im mostly talking to myself). Just look at it as an opportunity to learn and grow and become closer to God. President Malit compared the gospel to a ladder once. Each person's ladder is a little different. All have the rungs (each rung is a different gospel principle) but maybe the order of the rungs is different for each person. You cant jump 5 rungs... you need to take it one at a time... build upon your knowledge slowly and firmly.
Im so grateful for the gospel in my life and all the blessings i receive. As i teaching people about the blessings that they can receive i realize that i have received those blessings in my life! Its real! It works! Another thing about blessings that ive learned is that they dont come immediately sometimes but they are building up. We shouldnt only live a righteous principle because we want an immediate blessing but instead, we ought to live it because it is securing the greatest blessing we can have... eternal life with our Heavenly Father, Savior and precious families!
I love you all so much and can never thank you enough for all the support you give to me! Never give up... keep your chin up... and endure to the end!
Gugma Daghan
Sister Carissa Jones
October 25, 2010
Hello hello hello Family!!
This week was exciting! Lots of busy adventures! I know my emails are getting smaller and smaller but it just means im working harder and harder!
We had a great baptism on Saturday and will have another this coming Saturday. The Mesias family (mother and 3 of her daughters) were baptize and it was very special. All week the girls would tell us how excited they were for their baptism on Saturday when we would bisita them. And Gina, the mom, had trouble sleeping the two night before the baptism cause she was so anxious! The husband is very shy and has not yet been taught but we prayed so hard that he would attend the baptism and he did! YAY!!
I cooked a bunch of Filipino food for a bunch of Filipinos... SCARY!!!! But they all said it was good so i think i passed... hehe.
We had lots of appointments fall through this week and we prayed about where to go because nothing seemed to be working. Once we went in this little abandoned cement thing and offered a prayer. It was pretty cool.
I had a really touching and testimony building experience this week as well on Friday afternoon. We are teaching this older couple and they are relatives of a member family. The sister is not very open and is very content with her catholic religion. I look back at the lesson and still cant think of how what happened, happened. I began to speak VERY bold and everything that i said in cebuano flowed liked cebuano has never flowed before! I remember even thinking while i was speaking, "what are you saying!? what is going on!?" i was completely overwhelmed by the Spirit. I dont know how, but he had complete control of my mouth. Then as i began to testify i was so overwhelmed that i began to cry and it was very difficult to not bawl my eyes out. Everything i said was so true and the Holy Ghost testified to me, through me. What an amazing and unforgettable experience. The Church of JesusChrist of Latter-day Saints is the true church on earth and there is no other. The priesthood power of God is real and was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith. We are so blessed!
Scripture of the week!... Proverbs 28:25... (this is why im getting fat...haha)
This week was exciting! Lots of busy adventures! I know my emails are getting smaller and smaller but it just means im working harder and harder!
We had a great baptism on Saturday and will have another this coming Saturday. The Mesias family (mother and 3 of her daughters) were baptize and it was very special. All week the girls would tell us how excited they were for their baptism on Saturday when we would bisita them. And Gina, the mom, had trouble sleeping the two night before the baptism cause she was so anxious! The husband is very shy and has not yet been taught but we prayed so hard that he would attend the baptism and he did! YAY!!
I cooked a bunch of Filipino food for a bunch of Filipinos... SCARY!!!! But they all said it was good so i think i passed... hehe.
We had lots of appointments fall through this week and we prayed about where to go because nothing seemed to be working. Once we went in this little abandoned cement thing and offered a prayer. It was pretty cool.
I had a really touching and testimony building experience this week as well on Friday afternoon. We are teaching this older couple and they are relatives of a member family. The sister is not very open and is very content with her catholic religion. I look back at the lesson and still cant think of how what happened, happened. I began to speak VERY bold and everything that i said in cebuano flowed liked cebuano has never flowed before! I remember even thinking while i was speaking, "what are you saying!? what is going on!?" i was completely overwhelmed by the Spirit. I dont know how, but he had complete control of my mouth. Then as i began to testify i was so overwhelmed that i began to cry and it was very difficult to not bawl my eyes out. Everything i said was so true and the Holy Ghost testified to me, through me. What an amazing and unforgettable experience. The Church of JesusChrist of Latter-day Saints is the true church on earth and there is no other. The priesthood power of God is real and was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith. We are so blessed!
Scripture of the week!... Proverbs 28:25... (this is why im getting fat...haha)
October 18, 2010
Hello All!
The mission is great and i love everyday even if my feet are covered in mud, my hair is wet from rain, half our appointments fell through, and we have a burnout during nightly planning. Nothing can ever compare the beauty of a mission!
We have a baptism this sat and next sat! This sat 4 family members and next one little girl. We are so excited for them!
This week i have felt the Spirit very strong. I have felt his guidance in exactly what to say. A few times i even said sentences that im not sure how i knew those words or the correct grammer but it came out smooth and was correct! What a power gift we are given as members of the church. We have the privilege to have the 3rd member of the godhead with us. We should take every advantage of that gift!
Scripture of the week... Alma 13:28
Gugma Daghan!
Sister Carissa Jones
The mission is great and i love everyday even if my feet are covered in mud, my hair is wet from rain, half our appointments fell through, and we have a burnout during nightly planning. Nothing can ever compare the beauty of a mission!
We have a baptism this sat and next sat! This sat 4 family members and next one little girl. We are so excited for them!
This week i have felt the Spirit very strong. I have felt his guidance in exactly what to say. A few times i even said sentences that im not sure how i knew those words or the correct grammer but it came out smooth and was correct! What a power gift we are given as members of the church. We have the privilege to have the 3rd member of the godhead with us. We should take every advantage of that gift!
Scripture of the week... Alma 13:28
Gugma Daghan!
Sister Carissa Jones
October 11, 2010
The PTM is doing great!
Conference was AMAZING! I loved listening to every talk... the main messages i saw was follow the prophet!, faith, and the plan of salvation.
We, Sister Larsen and i, have had some funny experiences while teaching lessons, such as, HUGE rats fighting (as in jumping, rolling and kicking... it was like something you would see in a cartoon... hilarious!), a goose trying to enter the house and making whatever noise a goose makes, and tiki's (little lizards) dropping poop from the ceiling.
We also have had a tire blow up on TWO muliticab rides in our area!... not something i think is very common.
But we are continuing to be diligent and spread the gospel. I love being a missionary and having such a great life!
Scripture of the week!... Mosiah 5:7
Conference was AMAZING! I loved listening to every talk... the main messages i saw was follow the prophet!, faith, and the plan of salvation.
We, Sister Larsen and i, have had some funny experiences while teaching lessons, such as, HUGE rats fighting (as in jumping, rolling and kicking... it was like something you would see in a cartoon... hilarious!), a goose trying to enter the house and making whatever noise a goose makes, and tiki's (little lizards) dropping poop from the ceiling.
We also have had a tire blow up on TWO muliticab rides in our area!... not something i think is very common.
But we are continuing to be diligent and spread the gospel. I love being a missionary and having such a great life!
Scripture of the week!... Mosiah 5:7
September 27,2010
All is well in the Philippines!
Training is difficult but im receiving so much help and strength from my Heavenly Father that i cant complain one bit. Ive improved so much in the last two weeks! I feel like im actually becoming a real missionary now. I can understand people and their concerns and i feel like my language is so smooth in committing and promising blessings to people because im listening to the Spirit for what to say. What an opportunity this is! I love Sister Larsen. She is a hard worker and very funny! She always is making me laugh!!
We had a huge birthday party at a members house (lets just say... they know how to party!), then zone conference (which i was able to receive so much guidance), and then family week celebration at the stake center in Ormoc (which 3 of our investigators went with us!)
The highlight of the week was that we had 8 investigators at church! and they were ALL legit investigators (sometimes random none members show up with their family but have no desire to listen to us missionaries and be converted). It was a happy happy day! I felt so blessed. Im receiving more than i deserve! I just gotta work hard to try pay Heavenly Father back... even tho that is impossible. I wont stop trying tho!
Scripture of the week... Alma 31:5... the gospel is such a powerful thing!!
GUGMA DAGHAN!
Sister Carissa Jones
Training is difficult but im receiving so much help and strength from my Heavenly Father that i cant complain one bit. Ive improved so much in the last two weeks! I feel like im actually becoming a real missionary now. I can understand people and their concerns and i feel like my language is so smooth in committing and promising blessings to people because im listening to the Spirit for what to say. What an opportunity this is! I love Sister Larsen. She is a hard worker and very funny! She always is making me laugh!!
We had a huge birthday party at a members house (lets just say... they know how to party!), then zone conference (which i was able to receive so much guidance), and then family week celebration at the stake center in Ormoc (which 3 of our investigators went with us!)
The highlight of the week was that we had 8 investigators at church! and they were ALL legit investigators (sometimes random none members show up with their family but have no desire to listen to us missionaries and be converted). It was a happy happy day! I felt so blessed. Im receiving more than i deserve! I just gotta work hard to try pay Heavenly Father back... even tho that is impossible. I wont stop trying tho!
Scripture of the week... Alma 31:5... the gospel is such a powerful thing!!
GUGMA DAGHAN!
Sister Carissa Jones
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