Day 246 Carcar, Philippines haha it's warm here

What a funny week. I made a cake in a rice cooker. WHO NEEDS OVENS? For that matter, who needs washing machines, dishwashers, etc. People could save so much money living Filipino-style. :) Other funny things that happened: We keep "magically" finding the houses of people we meet on the street. One day we'll briefly introduce ourselves to someone, and the next day the Spirit leads us directly to their house! This has happened 4 times now this week!

I just love missionary work. Sister Robidillo and I agree that there is no bad day in missionary work as long as we're being obedient and striving to follow the Spirit. Everyday we come home happy and strengthened by the experiences we went through. Even if we are punted all day, we recognize the Lord's hand to guide us to people we would normally look over or not have time for. I see so much potential for Carcar! We've been blessed to find so many people willing to read the handouts and invite us to come back. Our goal for this next week is to make sure to followup with those new investigators to help them all progress.

We met a couple, Roberto and Mary Ann, who just drink up the gospel. Seriously, when we teach them, I understand the metaphor of feasting on the words of Christ and drinking deeply from living waters. They accept our message so well and allow it to sink deep. At the end of our second lesson with them, Roberto said amen like 5 times, haha.

About Tacloban, I am completely willing to follow revelation. Wherever the Lord needs me I am willing and ready to go/stay. Honestly, I can't make up my mind about whether I want to stay or go. I'll be fine with whatever happens. :) One day I'm set on returning ASAP, and the next I want to stay in Cebu forever.

This past week we committed three of our new investigators to baptism! They have each attended church, but have complications with their marriage. We are planning on helping them work a way to either separate or get married.

I absolutely love deep doctrine! In my free time I love to read and search for answers to my questions. I exchange questions with other missionaries when we meet at District Meeting and I'm learning so much. Every morning I can't wait to start my studies to see what the Lord has to show me. The more I focus on the scriptures instead of manuals, the more I am able to figure out for myself. The scriptures are becoming new to me as I realize how much there still is to understand. I am just beginning to understand.

Every night my companion and I have been doing a nightly evaluation where we admit our mistakes and assess our own successes. As I have done this, I have felt the process of repentance and progression speed up. I am continually recognizing my faults and striving to become more humble and change.

I know that Christ has all power to fulfill both justice and mercy. He is the light of the world. We had an absolutely INCREDIBLE workshop by President Schmutz about "Finding the City of God." Um, I was like MIND-BLOWN. I can't really explain, but my mind was really opened to understand what the Celestial Kingdom really is and how unimportant all the other things the occupy our time and interest during this life. Read Hebrews 11: 8-10, 13-16 and D&C 130:2-11. The secret to obtaining eternal life is daily repentance----living in a state of perpetual forgiveness and sanctification.

Love you all.

Sister Amanda Smith

Comp T-shirts

Mantayupan Falls in Barili
January 29,2014 - the whole zone talisay stake