Day 67 Carigara, Philippines and the weeks fly by!!

Maupay nga kulop!

This week went by really really quickly because we spent three days in
Tacloban. My comp had some testing to get done at the hospital so we
stayed at the STL's apartment (sister training leaders). It was a good
change in pace, environment, etc. And I got to see someone from my
batch (someone who came in the same day i did).

Christian knows about the certain struggles I'm going through
currently and he was able to give me advice while he taught our zone
in our zone training, since there really is no time for one-on-one
conversations. He and his companion gave an awesome training about
unity. He said to start with the "inner vessel" first before you work
on companionship stuff. It gave me hope that there is something I can
do about my situation; I can't change anyone but myself, so I might as
well be learning something and changing from this experience. The ZLs
also interviewed me and my comp---they usually interview all the new
missionaries. Christian's companion said something like "we're so
excited to get to know you" and then I looked at Christian and we both
busted up laughing; it was hard to stay serious the whole interview,
haha.

Oh I got more letters through pouch this week! Dad, your DearElder
came on August 7th!!! Super quick if it was sent July 29th like you
said it was. Sweet.

I was studying using my hymnbook this week and I came across a hymn
I've never heard before. It's called School Thy Feelings (336). I
really like the first part of the fourth verse:
"Rest thyself on this assurance:
Time's a friend to innocence,
And the patient, calm endurance
Wins respect and aids defense."

So have you been to the temple recently?? I heard there's a new temple
video. What are your impressions?

We had ward conference this past week. The ward choir sang two songs
and I accompanied, of course. :) I've had to become a lot more
confident in my singing because they prefer to learn songs by hearing
someone sing rather than the piano. I love meeting and getting to know
the members.

I'm not sure if we're going to do our open house thingy for
investigators. Our bishop isn't too keen on the idea. So we'll see.

Soooo, have you ever tried using just sweetened condensed milk for
syrup??? Um, YUM! Over here, they use sweetened condensed milk like
crazy. They even put it in spaghetti sometimes. Also, my apartment
made that mango float stuff we tried (the mango, cream, and graham
cracker frozen stuff). Super yummy, liwat (also). I also tried a
lychee shake. They put corn in it. But it was good. ;) (lychee is a
type of fruit. idk how to describe it. . . it tastes like candy
though.)

Since I spent a lot of time in the waiting room at the hospital this
week, I got a lot of extra study time in. One of the coolest things I
learned was about charity. I was reading in 1 Nephi 19:9-10 where the
Savior is being persecuted by the world. He was able to endure
"because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the
children of men." In other words, the secret to endurance is CHARITY.
I think this Christlike attribute is sooooo overlooked. It's tied to
everything if you really think about it. Charity is more than service
or friendly actions. Charity runs so much deeper---it's who you are.

I also studied fear. I studied the relationship between love and fear.
1 John 4:18 teaches that "perfect love castest out fear." If I am
scared or afraid to do something, then I don't have enough love. Love
should be the motivating factor behind everything I do, for so it was
with Jesus Christ. Also, love should be able to motivate me to do
whatever necessary to become more Christlike. The key to overcoming
fear is learning to perfect your love and charity for others. It means
overcoming the natural man. It means turning outwards in love and
service, rather than inward in fear, pity, and selfishness. It means
having the character of Christ. (if you haven't looked up that talk by
David A. Bednar, you need to.) "THEN shall thy confidence wax strong
in the presence of God." (D&C 121:45)

And then there's my mission scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7. God has given us
His Spirit, charity, and knowledge to overcome anything we fear. Also,
study D&C 67:3, 10. Good stuff, gihap (also).

Missions are awesome. It's mind boggling how much I've grown in just
these few weeks here. God is truly in charge. And He has the power to
change us if we'll let Him.

Well, love you all! Send me pics of Moo and Alex's wisdom teeth
experiences, haha. :)

Gugma,
Sister Amanda Smith

French toast with bananas

Downtown Tacloban

Pedicab