Day 341 Allen, Philippines 11 months na ko. . .

I finally got to see the whole Tacloban Mission!!! We all came together for Mission Tour—this was the first time since we separated in Manila that I’ve seen a lot of the missionaries. We’ve all been separated in our reassignments or I’ve been up in the middle of nowhere in Catarman Zone. President Nielsen (Area President) spoke with President Andaya and their wives for the last time. They are all leaving this year. L We stayed the night in Tacloban. . . .next to my old apartment!!! I didn’t get to see my apartment at all, but the other sisters were telling me it’s completely rebuilt and renovated!!  There aren’t any sisters in Tacloban zone yet, but there are elders.

The Conference was about how the typhoon wasn’t a punishment for the wicked but rather a manifestation of God’s power. Because of all the pain and hardship, people have the opportunity to experience the healing and saving power of the Atonement that they couldn’t in any other way. Also, there is physical and spiritual in the stakes of Zion. So true! I have never had such a strong testimony in the organization of the church until now. This church is so inspired! Sister Nielsen talked about finding the “holiness in everyday life” based on a book she read as a young mother. No matter the chaos around us, if we change our perspective we can see it as God does.

Thanks for the birthday package!!! It was the best package ever! I made the mistake of opening it during our 6 hour van ride back to Allen from Tacloban. . .. I yelled YUUSSSSS! Or NO WAY! Every two seconds or so as I pulled everything out of the box. I shared the candy with the other 11 missionaries in the van so they wouldn’t all hate me haha. Don’t worry about sending me another journal. This new one should last me the rest of my mission. J

Can I just say that I love America? I love the established Church. That’s all.

Oh guess what? I finally sent the letters! I persuaded the office elders while I was in Tacloban to send them for me since there’s no postage for months up in Northern Samar.

We didn't work a whole lot this week because we had Mission Tour, then ZTM and a baptismal interview for a part member family. Transfer calls are this Thursday! We haven't been able to go back to the Mayor because he's been in Manila, but he texts us back and stuff. Soon!!

I had an awesome personal study about our Heavenly Father. It opened my mind a little bit about how real He really is. I read from the teachings of Brigham Young:

“He has passed the ordeals we are now passing through; he has received an experience, has suffered and enjoyed, and knows all that we know regarding the toils, sufferings, life and death of this mortality, for he has passed through the whole of it and has received his crown and exaltation and holds the keys  and power of this kingdom.” –Brigham Young

Often, we just focus on Jesus Christ but fail to realize how our Father in Heaven knows us perfectly because he is a Man of Holiness. He is a human being who is now perfected and glorified. The more we understand who our Father is, the more we can see our potential and the actuality of us becoming perfected and glorified through His Son, Jesus Christ. God is so real! He lives! God would not send us to experience something that He would not be willing to do or has not already passed through. His plan is perfect.

LOVE YOU ALL!!!!! :D :D :D

P.S. oh we went to Cabacungan again earlier today. #sunburnedagainbutawesomeselfies

With Sis. Webber and my birthday package