Sister Amanda Marie Smith: Day 232 Carcar, Philippines Cha-cha-cha-changes!

First off, Sister Zamora was emergency transferred last week! We were both so shocked. It was hard timing since we had just celebrating having another 6 weeks together, but I know God is always in charge.Of course, we both cried, but recognized the hand of the Lord. It brings me such comfort to know that God is in charge. So when things happen that are out of my control, I'm not worried but just rely on my Father in Heaven. I know He's there for me. There's no way I could have made it this far without His assurances. Her puli (substitute) is Sister Robidillo. She's from Tolosa, LEYTE!!!! So she knows Waray-Waray! :D :D :D She is 25 and has been out for 10 months (so she's like my senior senior senior batch or something. . .). She's super energetic and is exactly what both I and the area need. We're pretty much the dream team! We work very well together and are perfectly obedient---we follow the white handbook exactly, not going above or below. I am soooo excited for the rest of this transfer! I've been praying hard to be able to find new investigators that are willing to progress. Our prayers have been answered. We've found several more new families. We had the coolest second lesson with one of them. They had kept their commitment to start the BOM, the Restoration pamphlet, and pray as a family. They described their joy and unity as they prayed together and how it's changing their family in comparison to other families they see.

I feel like each transfer gets better and better---my teaching skills, my experiences, etc. I can really feel myself progressing. Just this week I had several experiences where people rejected us. Like Nephi, I felt grieved for the hardness of their hearts. Even though I gave my all in bearing my testimony and inviting them to act, they still refused to try the fruit of the message. I feel like my ability to feel for others has grown. That's something I've been working on a lot lately: compassion and being filled with the love of God. Its hard to watch sad people push away the very and only thing that will bring them true happiness.

Matt and Isay continue to be awesome. They're just plain awesome. Matt is almost finished with the Gospel Essentials Manual on top of his BOM reading, Preach My Gospel reading, Liahona, Duty to God, institute classes, and preparing for his new calling as ward missionary. Just awesome.

I had an experience recently where a member was teaching a lesson. He chose the topic of the Atonement to speak about. As he started the lesson, he said all the perfect things, quoted scriptures, asked questions, but the Spirit was completely absent. The way he taught was almost in an attitude of mockery. It made me and all the other missionaries very upset to listen to. By the end of the lesson, I felt like I was going to explode I was so upset with how trivially he was speaking about the Atonement. I raised my hand and bore my testimony about the Atonement---I was nearly in tears by the end. From this experience, I felt the weight of responsibility to make sure the investigators understand the sacredness and importance of the Atonement. I want to make sure no one ever speaks so casually and mockingly about the sacrifice and suffering of the Redeemer of the World.

Our zone leaders have started something I've really enjoyed to help us thirst after deep doctrine. We get to ask them one doctrinal question per week! I've always had questions I've been studying, but until now I haven't really focused on my questions. Since I've started studying my questions, my personal study flies by so quickly. I am learning sooo much! Recently I've been studying about the election of grace and foreordination. Deep stuff. My mind is getting blown. Check out what the Bible Dictionary and Romans 9 and 11 has to say about election. I'm still trying to figure it out.

We had the best and most spiritual Zone Training Meeting ever! We learned about prayer and how we need to pour out our whole souls in prayer, everytime we pray---true, sincere prayer requires great struggling and effort. I've tried this and it's actually really hard. I'm struggling to be able to put my all into my prayers, especially when I'm exhausted at night. But I have most definitely felt an increase of the Spirit and my relationship with Christ. Through the scriptures we learn of Christ, but on our knees we come to KNOW Him. I know this is true and that God hears and answers every single prayer. He lives.

I love you all sooo much!

Sister Amanda Smith