Surviving my First Typhoon and the Magic Umbrella

Well it was a great week here in the mission. I just want everyone that reads this to know of my testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. God provided a way for us to be happy, even when times are tough we can receive help to move forward. I had a hard day this week where I felt a little bit over-stressed here. It was pouring rain, my umbrella could not fit through the little alley ways and I was stepping through the black water. I almost just wanted to stay in a bad mood that entire day, however the words of our mission president stuck in my mind. "Exact obedience means trying your best and repenting quickly." Repenting quickly does not mean that we will repent tomorrow, but right away. And repent is often such a heavy word. Repentance is just forming a fresh view of God, ourselves and the world, or in other words CHANGE. Even though change is so difficult, we all need to constantly change. Life is full of changes. When times get tough all we really need to remember is what God wants of us and what God thinks of us. Elder Uchdorf said one of my favorite quotes: "Though we are imperfect, he loves us perfectly. Though we are incomplete, he loves us completely. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God's love encompasses us completely."

My week ended up to be a great week. We are blessed with great ward members who are constantly willing to help with the work. My companions are so humble and diligent and overall, everything that anyone could ask for.

We were way nervous for the big storm last week. The typhoon could have gone right over us, especially since we are right on Manila Bay. We stocked up on our 72 hour kit (#mormon) and prepared for the worst. That night the rain and the winds were way hard, but only the outer part of the storm hit us so by the next day we were alright. I officially survived my first Typhoon.

I continually find my weaknesses. One that I have been struggling with my entire life is my forgetfulness. Anyone who ever spent time with me knows that I tend to leave my things places. My mom especially knows since throughout my entire time that I lived at home I always would yell across the house, "MOOOOM, WHERE ARE MY KEYS??" as I rush out the door late for seminary. Recently I have been misplacing my umbrella but I swear that this umbrella is magic. There was one day I left it at several different places and it always ended up finding its way back to me. #blessings

Our mapping project is almost over which is nice. I feel like we have been mapping for ages! The bright side is that I now know where almost every member in our two wards live. Malabon ward is saying that I have been here so long and that I will probably just finish off my mission here. Honestly I wouldn't mind too much. Caloocan is the place where so many weird/interesting things happen. The things I have seen here... haha

This week I also met a 100 year old member who was one of the first members to join the church! Her memory amazes me. She remembers every detail of the major events in her life. Even though her eye fell out, and also her teeth are gone, her testimony will never fall away. Haha

This week I also went on exchanges in Caloocan 1 ward area which is the area where a lot of my father's seminary friends lived. They had this big dinner for us and it was amazing to see the places that my father used to go when he lived here. This is truly a miracle that I get to serve here in the Philippines, I am loving it every day!

Any who you all have a great week. I know that as we remember the love that God wants for us we can always be happy and improve every day.