Good News! Good News! The Gospel is True!

Alright family we have some big news this week. I call it:

I PASSED MY PRACTICAL DRIVING TEST!!! I AM AN OFFICIAL ENGLISH DRIVER!!!

now we can get better car insurance too :) Joy... I think so.

 

So, our car hass been dodgey since transfers. It's automatic, but I have to put it into the right gear sometimes anfor the test I just didn't want to deal with that distraction and because they are sooooooo picky about EVERYTHING with it, we were afraid that would just kill it for passing it if I did anytihng wrong regarding it. We fasted yesterday for multiple reasons, it being one of them (since my year mark is in a week [whoa crazisauce] and I can't drive after that without an English license). I said a prayer before taking it that I would be calm (I hate tests that mean alot and have great urgency) and that the gears would work just right it. I am happy to tell you what you already know, God answers prayers. The gears worked just right and i only had to fix it once and to top it off, I was able to have a calmness come over me. I didn't do perfect, but the confidence the Lord gave me the ability to have showed through and the man showed mercy for my Americanism driving and passed me!!! I am so grateful for miracles big and small. The only time I have had miracles occur in a car in England regarding a test is when I fast... I think there is much to say about that. Mark 9:29 "And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting." Miracles are ever among us, we just have to do our part to be wortghy of them.

Last night we had our musical fireside "My Brother, my Saviour, My Friend". We were soooo nervous for it because it wasn't coming together as well as we were hoping. To be fair we did it really fast and so it would make sense that it would be rough. We ended up having a very small crowd and no investigators... :( but we ha one less active who we are not allowed to see. One of the sisters participating is married to him. So by some sort of miracle he came. He usually doesn't even if she is performing in it. If it has to do with God he will not be there, but last night he came, and she didn't even have to force him, he just said he would. The spirit was strong and although it wasn't perfect, the power of the message was real and many commented afterward about how grateful they were that we did it and we did it focused on Him, not on anything else but Christ and His life. It was motivating, uplifting, and inspiring. I am grateful God gives us opportunities to share our LIGHT with others. Matthew 5:14-16 "Ye are the lgiht of the world. A city that is set on a hill can not be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlstick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven." We are given talents and abilities to do the Lord's work and to touch the hearts of men around us that they might see hte glory of God as we shine our Light in His direction. I am grateful for this truth that i have become so familiar with over the course of my life thanks to the different opportunities given and the different experiences had to give me enough confidence to follow through on the opportunity and prompting. Hopefully that less active member will be our success story from that particular fireside.

We had a really cool experience while in our cute little trio this week with an investigator who we have a very hard time understanding his views, because they are so scewed, and him understanding the spirit we try.. try... to bring. It's hard to explain, but to make it short he loves to argue. You'll come in with the spirit and try to maintain it, but he just enjoys the banter and will do anything to get you there. His wife is a RM and we just didn't know exactly where to go. But Sis. Carter was bold enough to just say what the spirit told her to say, even though it was not easy and he was literally confounded before her. I don't think it could have come from anyone but her for him. She is a very recent convert (January 14, 2012) and has an incredible conversion story and testimony. I was so grateful that we saw how much God cares about him by sending her to us for the week. It really is increidble how it all works.. I can't even imagine what heaven is like if we can witness His love like this here! It's basically blowing my mind. You too? ..figured.

Then there were funny moments. So yesterday after Sacrrament we did our normal go with Sis. Jessop to take Angelina home real quick and come back to church and I always let Angelina out and swap places with her in the car and as I got out and gave her a hug she went for a kiss... ya.. I turned my head to the side and she tried to follow my llips, but I was quick and kept it to the cheek. Bless her. I didn't really come on a mission to get kissed by a drunk man (although that almost happened twice too) or an old lady. So I turned the other cheek as the Saviour says to do.

Well, sounds like everything is going well for all of you. Dad thanks for your email. I am sad to hear my firends didn't make it into YA's but I sure do hope that they continue to try or recognize how blessed they are to have had some similar (not the same.. but similar) experiences in LIGHT that many of those who try and get in have not had. We are so blessed to have had and to understand the meaning of performing besides pure enjoyment for you and the audience. I am just grateful that they got the experience of the auditions and call backs.. it really is the best. I learnt so much from just that. Even if that's all I get, I'll be happy. I hope they feel the same way :) They are amazing though. Check out Mitchell helping the auditions.. who does that that isn't a YA already... oh Britney Bowman... haha ok still, weird. He should just be excited for that!! Major compliment for sure :)

I hope that Tim's birthday celebration went so well. I think of him soooo often and know that he is helping me along the way. I know he is. Whenever the scriptures about Angels being among us are brought to our attention I always think of him and then the spirit just overwhelms me with a knowledge that it is true. The best part is that it's not just for me, but for you too. I hope you all enjoyed it and i pray i will be back for it next year!! Crazisauce again. I love you all so very very much. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope you have the best week of your lives!!

Love you with all my heart +2... zillion :)

Sista Fili

 

Hello family. It is soooo good to hear from you all.....
this week has been good, yes? well mine has!! it's been fun to be a
missionary during this easter season. The Lord is working through us
like crazy!!! but the insane part is people are coming to us.. so it
has absolutely NOTHING to do with us. I feel so humble to know I am
here right now. This area is full of potential and it keeps rising. I
am just the Lord's servant working with what He gives and I know that
just as sure as i know I am sitting here.
Easter was great. I had the lovely privilege of speaking in chruh. It
went pretty well and I learnt so much from it. It was on Peter's
denial and why we must stand up for Jesus Christ. I learnt that peter,
someone who knew Christ face to face and knew by the power of the
spirit who He was could even be effected by the crowd. At first the
denying was a protection, but being placed in the worng crowd he began
to want to blend in more until the last and final time he denied out
of shear fear of man and not of God. until the Saviour of the world
caught his eye and in that moment he knew what he had done. Isn't it
the same for us all. In what ways do we outwardly deny Christ that
sooner or later after the crowd has made us question so many times and
we fall under pressure do we inwardly deny Him until we catch a
glimpse of his eye and fall into despair and repentance. We must stand
up for Christ in all ways in all things and in all places for as we do
that we live, we live by His spirit. We don't have to droop in sin, or
feel despair. The things we wear, say, do and even give attention to
are all outward expressions of our inner commitment to follow our
Saviour Jesus Christ. Just as Peter found, people notice who we are,
what we stand for and who we stand by and once we stop they notice. I
found this so interesting that for a moment peter was probably
frustrated that people recognized him for what he was, but think of
who he stood by the light that Christ shared nd reflected. We too can
have that relationship with Christ that others regardless of who they
are in our lives, random person you pass on the street or the closest
firend will know where our light comes from and who we stand by and
for. We don't have to deny Christ 3 times to figure out what it feels
like to not have the light with us ever so prominently, we can learn
from the mistakes of others and glory in the Lord in all things and
ways and in all places. I have learnt this so much as of late and I am
eternally grateful for all my Saviour did on that day for me through
the atonement. I know because of it I can accomplish the goal the Lord
has for me. If God's work and glory is to bring to pass the
immortality and eternal life of man than it is a goal I can
accomplish. I can become even as He is, perfect.. but only by Him. Let
us all recommitt ourselves this day to follow Christ and to be THE
examples of the believers in word in conversion and in every deed. I
lvoe you all!!

thank you mum for the card, it made me cry and warmed my heart.

"Impossible isn't a word, it's just an excuse not to try. The difficult we do right now, the impossible takes a little longer."

Dear Family,

   What a joy it is to be alive. I loved conference as many of you did I am sure. They sure did hit on a lot we can all work on, but alot I viewed within myself.. and infact continue to view today, loud and clear. Thank you. But I hope with all of us we can view it, pray about it, and fix it. The gift of the Atonement is just that. We can view it, pray for strength and then actually fix it. I am sooo grateful for modern day prophets that help us to see what God sees and give us a new found hope that we can accomplish thee things and become even as our "Father who art in Heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:48) he doesn't leave us without a way and a will, the Lord's will and glory and purpose. Us. Our eternity with our Father and Brother. We are a pretty big deal to Him.. even in our weakness and smallest moments, He loves us and nothing is impossible when it is done with God and our Saviour's atoning grace. If ever you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders I pray that you immediately go to Him in prayer and plead that He will give you that love and peace you desire. Sis. esplin of the primary presidency illistrated this so well with the story about the Mother and the child and their efforts in praying to feel God's love and mercy and therefore getting over the "natural" man within them. (Mosiah 3:19) I know that as we live life in a way that we keep the commandments of God we will be happier. We will be able to overcome the trials that do beset us ever so often. it isn't easy to be alive and to be human and to be not perfect... it's not easy to be righteous and to fight the good fight of faith, but the prize in the end is greater than anything easy to obtain in life through the adversery. If we help the Lord keep His promises found in the Book of Mormon and the Bible we will be stronger people with a firm testimony in our Lord and Saviour, our great Redeemer. He has Redeemed us, don't forget that. We don't have to be slaves to the evil one. (Mosiah 2: 22-24, 32-33, 41) i am grateful for little children. I grateful for all they do for us 'adults' with our vast amounts of knowledge and 'wisdom'. They humble us and remind us who we are and what we stand for. I decided this morning after studying Mosiah 3 that Parents are the role models for the children and children are the examples to the parents. The great thing is, we are all children to God, so we can even as we grow older, grayer, wiser, more worried, more impatient, more testy, more this and that become as little children to God and submitt our will to Him. That's all He wants is our heart. That's all He asks for and who are we to keep it after all He has done for us. He paid a heavy load for us and we pay a little to dwell with Him in reality, although it seems heavy in the moment. It's like tithing.. seems great, look at what you could do with that 10%, man... it's rough, but then you give it up and have surplus that even with the 10% would have never been imaginable. So it is with our lives. We give the little He asks of us and He gives back 10 fold... PLUS. I am so grateful for the incredible examples of righteousness I have in my life. You are all so incredible and so hard working. How do you do it? I think I am figuring it out.. grace.

   This last Thursday we met with damien's other sister, Treena. She is 31 and has 3 kids (10, 11,15) no husband, but a great addiction to alot of stuff. So we went over to see her and to hopefully teach her the rest of the Restoration. When we went though she let us in and we asked about her reading if she had done it yet and she said she han't and then immediately suggested we read what we had left her (Alma 26) and so she gets the book and opens up to where her leaflet was (what we had marked the desired chapter to read with) and it was on 3 Nephi 19. So I read the chapter heading and felt prompted to go with it.. so we did. Now if you recall that chapter is when Christ comes back to the America's and establishes his disciples and they speak much about baptism. So we read it.. she asks about prophets.. modern prophets and GC comes up.. super cool get her excited and thinking about how incredible it is that we have one now. Then it hits all the purifying through baptism verses and she asks about that and how terribly she wants to be made pure and be rid of these addictions. Then her son asks about baptism as we were finishing explaining it all to her and finally by the end she said she wanted to be baptised and we set a date with her. Then she spoke about how she wants it for her kids, asked her son Donovan who was home ill from school and he said he wanted it too. I love how the Lord works. He blesses us and leads those who will recieve it to us. Miracles are happening all over it is just being awake enough to notice it. I am grateful to be apart of it for this moment... and I pray for the rest of my life. easter pageant time ya'll.... invite!! it's the way to be. Many love it and it's not anything many are too objected towards. What an opportuinty to do a bit of His work by watching his life and letting Him do the rest!! It's perfect!!

I love you all and hope all things at home get better and better. I hope that you all know how much you are in my prayers and how I love you dearly. I can't get over it and pray I never do.

 

I love you, good luck with all things.

Sista Fili

I am more than happy that leah Lauritzen got to the Filifam casa de amor <3 ;) (thought of that one all by me self) She is wonderful... and how cool the whole family.. ya'll are a step ahead of me now.... not fair. I just pray November brings joy in that area :)

Family miracles have arrived. well at least one did :D She's called Kaylei. Damien Slater's younger sister. So last week after Pday had finished up we went over for our first ever lesson with her and it was brilliant. We asked her what she wanted out of our meetings together and she told us that she wanted the happiness she see's her brother have and then she said that she knows when she comes to know it is true she wants to be baptized. So we were cool about that.. I mean we freaked out... wait.. ok so outside and inside were a little different, one freaking out like a banchie and the other acting like this was exciting normal news... nah we were just excited with dignity. Yep that's it. it was an amazing first lesson. i was so proud of Sis. Giles. She did so well with everything. The gospel and religion in general is so foreign and new to kaylei so it is pretty exciting but the real exciting bit is how incredibly prepared she is. A few months ago she stopped smoking, a few weeks ago stopped drink, a few days prior her partner left her (so that wasn't by choice, but God did help her for the law of Chastity.. ya?) and she is in a humble spot. I guess after we left Damien came in and looked at her through the window, he said she was smiling so big. She told him she had never felt like that before and whatever was wrng before doesn't matter now. We set June 2 as her baptismal date and the lesson this week was just as good. She told Dsamien also that there was something different about us... and I started thinking about how when you are sincere and the gospel is in your actions not just your words than you really do become that representative.

I was writing Ben nelson yesterday and he had asked me a question of some sort and it was interesting how I replied.. because I never realized this before... but the thing I have learnt most on the mission is faith in esus Christ. Faith in Jesus Christ according to preach my gospel and all of the scriptures there in help us understand that it is more than just relying on God, it is hope, chartiy, diligence, humility, and obedience all wrapped up in one. It is literally having so much of a knowledge of the divinity of Jesus Christ that all other worry is put away and we can hold on to the rod of iron and walk straight and confidently toward Him. I was reading in Enos and thought about how his soul hungered and he remembered the words of his father and other prophets of old and was brought to his knees, where abouts he, after many supplications to God gained a remission of his sins becasue of his great faith... it is by faith that miracles occur. I know that if we are ever tempted to doubt ourselves and any situation if we but look to God and all he has given us and become more of who He is by studying out Christlike Attributes we will infact do and become what His purpose of sending us to earth is for. God lives and He loves us.. you can't run away from that. Only run towards it. "Don't question your faith, question your doubts." thanks John bytheway. You're the best. Thank you mum for sending me apart of lanae's email... she has a way with word's that is absolutely incredible. I cherish that email!!

 

So yesterday we had mission football. It was great!!! We all had a ball... ha.

I attached some photos of it with the email since last mssion football I failed to get any pictures full stop... silly me. I love you all. Fight the good fight of Faith!!! 1 Tim 6:12.. I think the tim part is pretty appropriate too :) I will send you more on Monday I pray but till then, play hard.. and pray even harder, this is not an easy time and satan is on his game, God is too.. but are you? that's always the real question.

 

Loves!!

Sista Fili

joy joy

Alright alright.... family you made me cry with all of the beautiful emails and such!! I am sooooooooo glad that the tour went so well and that there was NO DRAMA what a miracle!!! seriously. Has that ever happened before? Well I am glad that you could be blessed to end on a high. Mum I agree with you though, it won't be long till it is here again just in the place it ought to be. When we do it God's way He always provides. I keep learning this and it is so humbling. We don't really know anything, but He does. Thank goodness He does and that we know Him so we too can know what he knows at some point!! Lucky suckers we be!!!

Matthew you are amazing. I heard you did muscular in a new york accent... I pray there is video of that somewhere and that i get to see it when I get home. Mum you scared me when you said president Ogden emailed you.. I thought, oh dear what have I done... it's not trunky mail already!! I haven't hit a year yet even!! then you said what it was for and I sighed and felt sooo grateful that he took the time to do that. He is an incredible man full of inspiration and love for us and for those we work with. I could not have been blessed with a better mission president and I will be sooo sad to see him go in July.

This week we have been blessed so much with REFERRALS!!! that R word brings me so much joy right onw.. and usually makes me cry. You want to know why? Usually people don't give them... but this week Damien, the blessed soul, gave us two and we have a potential one on Wednesday from Adrienn because she is great and believes. Damien's sisiters have been prepared we believe because they asked him for us... why? because the Lord works in mysterious ways!! They both struggle with different things, but see how good this has been for their brother and the worse it's gotten and the better he's been they finally bit the bullet and said we want your joy... give it us. That is the beauty of the Gospel!!! 3Nephi 12:14-16 let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven. The past week or so we've really teamed up with the branch mission leader and spoke about getting all the members to pray for the one that they can start bringing to different activities we will be having. It's good to have the activity and to tell the members to invite spur of the moment, but it just hasn't been working out, so we have a plan to get to all of them in advance and pray for one to focus on with at least one of the activities if not all of them. We start tthe committment pattern with the LIGHT of the WORLD Devo we have and basically it is all about the torch (the flash light) you know the wind-up one's that you use and have to continually work at to have the light strong... yes perfect I know, my companion is brilliant!! We all have the light, we all must work to let it shine and if and when we stop it becomes more and more dim and less and less light radiates from it till it is gone, but if we continually work at it we can always have our light shining bright. Now how is this significant to missionary work, it's our own light? Well the thing about torches is that all can see better when at least one has it and shares it. The more they let it shine the more people they help to see their path, the more they want it brighter, if you can see but not everything it's addicting and you want to see more so you find yours and let it shine. That's the whole point of why Christ compares us to light... it is the ability to see. We know and can see so much, why in the world do we want to keep that to ourselves? Let it shine!!! I know that as we have been helping members to see how easy it is and providing materials for them to do it themselves we are being blessed in many other ways and for that I am so grateful!!! he lvoes us.. all. As missionaries we are given a part of His love and compassion... as members we are given it, but with this calling comes a compete other sense of it.. maybe it isn't the calling, maybe it is simply the time put into it. Just some food for thought. We all can love and seek for others souls to be brought into the fold just as much as a missionary and ultimately like our Saviour. It starts the moment we are told of the truth and the duty comes the moment we are baptized. God is real. God is living. God is love. Therefore we are real, we are living human beings and we are loved by GOD.

So I am super stoked that on April 15 (what a day to pick eh?) we will be having a musical fireside on the Life of Christ!! easter Sunday didn't work out.. so the next sunday worked best! I am stokedalicious!! I get to sing His Hands.... again and I am overjoyed. So for those who ask if I get to sing solos at all, christmas time yes and now yes.. in between occassionally, quite rarely infact. But it is good I lvoe doing this work and things are happening, slowly.. but God's time is sooooo much better than ours, really and it is ALL BUT A SMALL MOMENT. Trials and temptations are all but a small moment, it's the good we take from them that lasts. The bad we take either festers and then boils over at one stage or another or it becomes a thing of not.. but the good we can take for eternity. This moment we have rigt now writing or reading, feeling joy or sorrow, being one of the Lord's servants or being served, etc. is all apart of that eternity and God's purpose to bring about the immortality and eternal life of man, and the puprose of Adam's fall, that we might have joy, aren't for later, they are for NOW! How blessed we are to have every opportunity to grow and to come closer to God, for that is what every heart ache is, an opportunity to pick yourself up and become more like GOD. Feel His love and bask in it. I love you dearly!!! Hope this week is splendid and full of miracles that you see, write down, and rejoice in.  As Timmy always said to me.. and maybe to you "Now let us rejoice!!"

Loves for for ever!!!

Sista Fili :D

Called To Serve Him Heavenly King of Glory

Oh my dear dear family.... you are family and that is what I love!!!

      So the other day I was reading in 2 Nephi 26 and it is all about not being one of the "wicked ones" and bringing people with you to church and to worship and the thought occured to me that we as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints forget so often that the "wicked" ones aren't just out of the church breaking the word of wisdom, breaking the law of Chastity, not keeping the sabbath day holy, etc. they can and could be we who have experienced the greater light, that greater portion and reject it for whatever reason (laziness, apprehension, fear, pride, boredom, etc.) . I am not saying any of you are wicked, but when I realized that I must keep ALL of my baptismal, endowment, etc. covenants or I am not doing my part to be 'saved'.. I started to think of my spiritual (and physical) brothers and sisters who do not know, or who do not live what they know and how in vs. 27 it states our purpose as members in helping the Lord fullfill His purpose. Then it goes on to talk about charity in Vs. 30 and how without it we are nothing and then in vs. 33 Nephi raps up the chapter with allowing us to know what God does, and does not do and who He accepts.. ALL. We are all brothers and sisters of God. And just as my family is important to me and I would do anything for them.. I am seeing how important the rest of my family is to me and especially to God. We are all children of God. Romand 8:16-17 and if we are to be heirs than we must be even as He is, perfect. Matthew 5: 48. How can we become perfect if we don't invite others to know about it and suffer with them to help them know their Saviour, brother, and best friend and in the process learn more of Him tan had we not invited. What incredible truth's the Book of Mormon has.. tis literally the BOM!!! 

So this week was great!! We had an appt. with Adrienn who when we first met her husband he said she wouldn't be interested and when we first met her she wanted to know for knowledge sake, but no further. Well the other day we went over and had a chat with her. Her husband, Duncan, was ill so it was just a girl's chat :) We asked her some pretty bold questions about everything and she told us that the Book of Mormon and te lessons and everything has been helping her so much in her life to see things differently, to be so much more happy nd she is now becoming more of the person she admires instead of dislikes. We asked her about her opinion on Baptism now (it was pretty low before) and she said it would be the hardesr thing for her because of her family, but if the Lord told her too after she'd come to chruch she would take the leap of faith and do it. Can I pelase say how strong the spirit was and how joyful I felt at that moment. No greater joy can be had.. ok so maybe there are some things, but at the current moment no greater joy can be had than someone tellin you that what you have brought into their lives is actually having an effect that lasts longer than the hour we are with them during the week. I felt sooooooo blessed and so assured that what I was doing and where and with who was exactly right. Then later on in the evening we saw Damien and since baptism life's been hard for him and he's found it so hard to adjust to life and find the joy the Gospel brings because he was expecting something that isn't quite possible... on it's own, it needs alittle personal help. But anyways, he has been struggling with somethings and he said that he wanted to go to the temple for help. he is scared of the inside (somedayy you'll understand it's just Damien) but even the outside just effects him so much. He wanted to go  and volunteer around the grounds and clear his head away from where the drama was and go to God for it.. what a major blessing to see him come sooo far. So many times we don't know where to go and what to do to bring ourselves out of the slumbs, but Christ always shows the perfect example and earlier that day I had been reading in Matthew 14:1-23 about when John the baptist is beheaded and the appostles go and tell Jesus and Jesus doesn't tarry and comfort them, He departs thence (v.13). He leaves on a boat and goes to the desert and finds people to have compassion on and serves them. He had a hard time because He lost the cousin He loved so dearly in such a tragic way and he knew it wasn't just because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, he knew it was for He and His Father's name's sake. This is also when Christ feeds the multitude with the 5 loaves and 2 fishes. He then afterward sends the apostles and the multitude away and goes to a mountain to pray to His Father alone. (v.23). Christ not only suffered for us in Gethsemane, but He lived a we live  and suffered as we suffer. He had hardtimes too and He set the example of where to go when they come and what to do. He knew the paln perfectly, loads more than you or I and yet He stil mourned. Mum, He still mourned, never forget that in our times of need and woe that we need not feel ashamed for being down, only look to God and go serve someone who is also having a hard time and then pray pray pray to the Father on the mountain tops (or in your room.. or the temple.. whatev's) and He will give you strength to go perform the miracles that lie ahead.

 

I bear you my testimony that I know this is all true. I know that God lives and loves us and I know with all my heart that He hears and answers our prayers. This is a glorious work and I am so privileged and grateful to be apart of it!! Mat,t I hope all is well. I know you are in good hands and I hope you know you are as well  D&C 121:7-9. Mum, just keep pressing forward. You are amazing and never foregt it!! all that you do meand the world to me and to so many. You are literally a light in the lives of all around you! Dad, I hope tour went well and that it was a success on so many levels. I am so proud of you and all you are about. Thank you for your example and forn the hero you are to me and so many others. Heather, girl you are amazing! I miss and lvoe you and can't wait to get an update on more of your life that is so hectic and incredible. I hope I can be more like you someday, serving all. Liz, you are so kind and loving and thank you for all you do, I am so prtoud to be your 'mini me'. So many have told me that the blog is great and i hope it is not a bother for you to copy and paste and what not. I know you are all busy and great. and wonderful and i hope it continues. i love you love you love you!!! cheerio!!

Loves, Sista Fili

 

SZEREFLEK- I love you in Hungarian

(sound this one out.. I had to nd she didn't know how to spell it so here it goes) neeahcotanda - I love you in Zulu

 

Life of a missionary mother as told by Sister Filichia

Dear family,

   I love being a mum. Yes mum that does mean I am training... and can I pelase say I have never been so filled with an excitedment for the work. You know how all ya'll real mothers say that being a mum changes you and all of a sudden you think less of yourself and more of others and especially your children and what you need to teach them, what they are teaching you, how others are percieving them, etc. Yup it's truth, even as a mum on a mission. So this is antoher good mother prep  for me!! I love it!

We have this awesome training program where we study for 2 hours a day as companion's and it is amazing. I am learning so much and becoming the missionary I want to be.. the Lord is definately answering my prayers. He does that, you know?

This morning we were studying Charity and love in the Christlike attribute's of Preach my Gospel and going over some of the scripture's and it was an amazing discussion we had. Charity is something that has become massive to me here on the mission. I can't say I have always had it, but I can say that I am gaining it as I rely on God for solace and for the answers. It's no longer about having the spirit with me for me, but now other's are relying on me to have the spirit for them, so I can teach them what the Lord needs them to hear and know.It's a pretty big deal. Yesterday at church was when I realized it's not just for missionaries, but for us all. Angelina came again and it went well, but I was talking to a Branch member, Adam Miller, and I said how I felt bad about making my responsibility (Angelina) someone else's (Sis. Jessop) and he said.. "sister Filichia it's not just your responsibilty, it's hers too. the joy of members. I was so grateful. i hope we all remember the responsiblity we have to have the spirit with us to help bring about the Lord's wqork whenever the opportuntiy arises, and they arise whenever and wherever. great stuff!!

Hope you enjoy the pictures!! Loves and peace!!

Sista Fili