Sunday, February 14, 2015

Hi Everyone!

Its almost time for another transfer! Ahhh!! so crazy. I kid you not, time has never gone by so fast in all my life. I hate it. I just want to be a missionary forever; I love this work. The week was another great one, siempre ;). Sis. Mendez and I are almost done with her first 6 weeks of training, our area is doing so, so well right now, and each week we grow stronger and wiser as a companionship. I love it so much.

My message for this week comes from our sacrament service  yesterday. I loved it so much. I don't know how many of you have ever heard or seen the little cartoon thing about the husband, the wife, their donkey, and the critics...but if you haven't seen/read it or have heard about it, look it up. It should be easy to find. The moral of the cartoon is that no matter what you do in life, people are going to judge you. People are always going to find something wrong with the way you do things. Welcome to missionary life.

As missionaries, sometimes, all people want to do is find something wrong with the message we have. They'll try and start a bible bash with us. They  will tell us that what we are preaching is wrong...tons of stuff. The brother in sacrament meeting yesterday, Bro. Ocampo, related the cartoon to 3 Ne. 27:27 - "What manner of men ought ye to be? " Bro. Ocampo connected the cartoon and the scripture verse by explaining that no matter what people have to say about us, no matter what people may think of us, we always need to strive to be like one person, Jesus Christ. That then led me to think about the atonement. Through the atonement of Jesus Christ, we are able to change; we are able to gain a new outlook on life, on ourselves, and of God.  Through the atonement of Jesus Christ, we can become like him.

No matter what we do in life, people are going to judge and criticize us. People always think that there is a "better" way to do things their way but I am convinced, and I know, that the "best" way is Jesus Christ's way in order to become like him. We have to forget about the world and their opinions. We have to forget about what they think is right and do what we know to is right.

I challenge each of you this week to forget about the world and their opinions.....and live for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ :) the only opinions that will ever matter are theirs.

I love you all so much and I hope that you have a great week. Muuuaahhh!

Mahal kita!

Sis. Leausa

"Sister Mendez thought it would be funny to start a water fight while we were doing our laundry."

"Happy Valentines Day" 

"This is as close as I am getting to IG for the next year. Hahaha!"

"Some things never change - ice cream and a cell phone."

"This is Brother Andy. He is my Filipino Grandpa. I don't have much of a memory of  my Granddad Solari but Tatay Andy sure does remind me of him. 

Monday, February 8, 2016

Hi Mom,

Yesterday was Chinese New Year here in the PI and they celebrate that sooo, its a lot easier to find people to teach when everyone is home for the holiday, right? So we went out and taught on the holiday and today is our P day. And..I am late in emailing you because we had zone activity earlier.

I got a little homesick this week, now that I think about it. :( I was actually thinking about Austin. He is growing up too fast. I miss him sooooo much and I cannot wait until I get to hug him! He will definitely be the FIRST person that I hug when I get home.

Sis. Mendez and I are still doing well. It is so crazy to think that this transfer is almost over. This transfer ends on February 24; so crazy. We still love each other and we have so much fun together. I was writing in my journal the other night about how I remember that before my mission, I though that my companions were going to be the hardest part about this whole thing....I was so WRONG. My companions have been my favorite part. And I have loved every single one of them.

I took some time to really think about how each one of my companions has changed me and the reasons why I think Heavenly Father has put them in my life and I can't even begin to tell you how much of an influence each one of my sisters has had on me. I know that if it weren't for them and their different personalities and characteristics, the thing my Heavenly Father knew I needed, I wouldn't be half the missionary that I am today. I am only as strong as my companion. Sis. Mendez is such a blessing and she reminds me how important it is to be obedient. Exact obedience brings MIRACLES! I am so grateful for her and all my sisters.

Mahal na mahal kita, nanay!

Love,

Sister Leausa

Sister Swanson & Sister Leausa

Espiridion Family

Espiridion Girls (3 of 5)

Provo MTC

Lucas Kids

"This is what we do when me eat at McDo!"

Sister Leausa & Sister Mendez

Taytay Zone
 Sister Leausa & Elder Soifua (second cousins) front and center.

"Beautiful Taytay"

Sunday, January 31, 2016

I feel like it has been FOREVER since I last wrote a weekly email. I am failing! Ha! This week was another good week. I feel bad because I always say that my weeks are good. I have never really had a bad week, her in the field, which I guess is a huge blessing.

Sister Mendez and I are still well; healthy physically, spiritually and mentally...and she's still the cutest thing ever. Sister Mendez and I get along really well and I pretty sure there was not a day this week that went by and we did not laugh. :)

The work here in Taytay is still progressing and I LOVE IT!! Our area has so much potential and there are so many people who are willing and rad to hear our message. Sometimes, we have "too many" people to teach. (Is that even possible?) We talk to so many people throughout the day, set up so many appointments, and our weeks fill up pretty quickly, which is a huge blessing. We are always  reminded at mission meetings how much of a blessing it is to be assigned to the Philippines. There are SO many people here that are just waiting for the gospel. I am convinced that the Philippines, Quezon City Mission in the best mission in the world!  I will just leave it at that. Haha!

I wanted to share a couple of thoughts from mine and Sis. Mendez's New Testament reading a couple of nights ago...so, we were reading in Matthew, Chapter 11, versus 29-30...read it!!  One principle of the gospel that we touch a lot on, as missionaries, is faith...and how with faith, all things are possible. Jesus Christ teaches us in these versus that his "yolk" is light ....that his "yolk" is bearable. Sometimes we tend to think that the things we are challenged with in this world are too much to carry; we just can't do them.

Sometimes we take things upon ourselves that were never meant to be carried just by us.. Heavenly Father has a plan for all of us, each of us has a personalized plan from him. But, one thing we all have in common is the atonement of Jesus Christ. When we place our faith in him, we start to realize that our "yolk" becomes lighter. We start to realize that things become easier and more bearable, when we start to have faith in the plan that our Heavenly Father has for us. We begin to realize that our "yolks" were never meant to be carried on our own;and because of atonement of the savior, Jesus Christ, we do not have to carry them alone. We cross referenced the scripture in Matthew 11 to the BOM: 1Ne 7:12.

Faith has become one of my favorite principles of the gospel and my testimony about faith continues to grow each and every day. Everything in life starts with faith; taking the first step. I challenge all of you this week to "take the first step" in something you've been hesitant about. Have faith that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will help you with...whatever it is.

I testify that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live. I know that if we have faith, especially faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, anything is possible. I love you all SO much and I hope that you have an amazing week! Hugs and kisses all the way from the Philippines.

Love,

Sis. Leausa

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Hi Mama!

This week has been such a busy one...but ohhhhh so successful. Sis. Mendez and I get along so well. She truly is an answered prayer for me. Mom, I loved the part of your email where you said that I need to be patient. That is what I have been working on this week. For some reason Satan has been testing my patience a lot lately. Not too sure why but, whatever. I have been praying extra hard this week so things should be okay.

You are right about my birthday. We spent it at the Mentoy family house. It was by far the best birthday I have ever had. After dinner and birthday cake we had Family Home Evening. I love the Mentoy family so much. I am so glad that I was able to spend my birthday with them. I would not have wanted it any other way. I was thinking the other night about how if I never came on my mission, I would have never met them. And, it is crazy to think that Heavenly Father knew, before my mission, that I would eventually meet them. And, all the time before my mission, he was preparing me for them and them for me. Crazy huh?

I love you so much Mama and I miss you every day. I hope that you have a great week.  Muuuuaaahhh!!

Sis. Leausa

"I woke up to decorations on the wall and a cupcake on my desk."

Sister Mendez and Sister Leausa

Sister Betham, from Samoa and Sister Nielsen from West Jordan

"Dinner on the 19th at my favorite "fast food" restaurant in the Philippines: Mang Inasal. "

"My birthday cake. It tasted so good!"

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Hi Mama!

Ay naku! This week has been so busy and productive. My new companion, Sister Mendez is so stinking cute. I am so blessed to have her as my trainee. She really is an answer to my prayer. She is also from the city of  Isabela, just like Sister Bergonia. Sister Mendez and Sister Bergonia do not know each other so it will be fun to introduce them when we are all together next month. I will definitely have to come back to my mission and visit the city of Isabela now that I know more than one person from here.

Sister Mendez celebrated her 21st birthday on the 15th and we had dinner at the Mentoy family's home. They bought her a cake and a card and it was really sweet. We will be returning for my birthday on the 20th by their request so that should be wonderful as well. Sister Mendez has finished college and has her bachelor's degree in legal management. She is the youngest of seven children and so full of energy. I LOVE IT! She brings such a strong spirit to our work and the way she makes connections with people and the gospel is amazing. She for sure makes my job as a trainer and senior companion fun and exciting.

I am still loving the work and every day I witness the Lord's hands in my life . I love every minute of being a missionary! I finished the BOM again last night. I totally took for granted the gospel before my mission.I always heard people say that the BOM has the power to change lives. I did not really get it.  Now that I am totally lost in the Lord's work, I understand. It is by far the best feeling I have ever felt in my life. I have never felt so close to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

I am not the same person as I once was. The desires of my heart have changed, my mind set has changed. The way I look at life is totally different and it is all because of the atonement of Jesus Christ. He has healed the scars of my past and filled my heart with love, forgiveness and hope. I am forever in dept to my Heavenly Father for saving ME.

I love you mom and I pray for your health and well being every night. I hope that you have a great week and don't forget to start that food storage.  Oh....and please feed the missionaries.

Love,

Sis. Leausa

Sister Leausa and Sister Mendez

Mentoy Family

Monday, January 11, 2016

Oh man, oh man, oh man!

Where do I even begin?  This last week has been a roller coaster of emotions and things to get done; busy, busy busy! I am happy to report that Sis. Alma Espiridion was baptized this last Saturday. :) Woohoo! She gave such a beautiful testimony after her baptism about the power of prayer and faith and how it has really helped her get to where she is in her life right now. It was great. Now that 4 of the 9 members of the Espiridion family are baptized, we will focus on Bro. Randall and their eldest son, Roswald, who is 18.

President Revillo has asked all missionaries to really focus on families, complete families. The message of the restored gospel is special, no doubt. But it is even more special when we are able to share it with families. I testify that the gospel of Jesus Christ was made for families. When I first met the Espiridion family, their family relationship wasn't the best, and neither was their home situation. After accepting the gospel and the blessings that come from being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, this family is like ....totally brand new. They are so much happier and there is so much more love within their family. I just love the little miracles that our Heavenly Father continues to work here in the Philippines. I love being a missionary.

So, some exciting/scary news. President Revillo called me yesterday morning that I have been called to be a trainer...WHAT?!  Of course, I was cool, calm and collected while I was on the phone with him. But, once I hung up...I had no clue what I had just said, "yes" to. Haha! There were , and still are, so many thing running through my head. Like, how the heck am I supposed to help a new missionary become a "great" missionary when I am still learning how to be one myself? What if she is a foreigner and I have to help her learn Tagalog? I barely know the language myself.  There are just so many thing running through my mind.

One thing I do know, though, is that my Heavenly Father loves me. And, even though I am scared out of my mind, I know that He is counting on me to take care of my sister. I know He knows that we need each other and that through faith and hard work, we will be able to work miracles here in Taytay. This also means that I will not be transferring this week which is a-ok with me because I love my area and I love my ward.

Even though I am scared for this transfer, I am oh, so very excited. (Ether 12:27). Here goes the best learning experience of my life.  Pray for me!  Haha!

Mahal ko kayong lahat! Sana magkaroon kayo ng magandang lingo :)

Sis. Leausa

"This is a member, Sis. Rabulan,  who makes all my cases for my planners.  I love her."

Sister Leausa and Sister Bergonia

Sister Leausa and Sister Lonitenisi (from Tonga). 

The Espiridion Family

Sister Leausa and Sister Swanson

"Mom, this was so expensive but I had to buy it.
Chips and salsa have been my dinner for the past three nights."

Sister Bergonia and Sister Leausa 

"We had to build our own closets this week." 

Elder Barreno, Elder Satur
"These two elders are hilarious. They make the mission so much fun."

"This is a jeepny. All of the designs are different on each one.
This is how we get around town."

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Hi Everyone!

Sorry its kind of been a long time since I have given an update. I hope that you all had a great Christmas and exciting New Year. Sooo crazy that it is 2016! Where has the time gone? Christmas was super special here in the Philippines. I was able to skype with my family, which of course, made me cry. Haha! and then of course for new years...oh my! Most annoying thing EVER! I thought it was loud and crazy at home? SYYYKE! There were so many fireworks here and so many horns and everyone was blasting their music and screaming until about 3:00am. It was a rough night for Sis. Bergonia and me.

I wanted to share an experience we had this week with the Espiridion family. This family has been our main focus for the past month. They are so special to me. Let me give you a little background on Bro. Randall. He is the husband of Sis. Alma. Sis. Alma is the mam of the Espiridion kids, in case you have forgotten. Long story short, Bro. Randall, I was not fond of that man, I had no desire to teach him. I did not even want to be in the same room with him. Because of an incident Sis. Bergonia and I had with him about three weeks ago.

I just didn't like him. I will be honest. Since the incident Sis. Bergonia and I had not seen Bro. Randall and I was totally okay with that. Last Monday night we went to the Espiridion family's house and Bro. Randall was there. And, for some reason, I did not have attitude towards him. Like, I was okay with the fact that he was there. After saying hi and everything, before anyone else even said anything, Bro. Randall asked if Sis. Bergonia and I would be willing to share the lessons with him. We were shocked! This man, when his kids were baptized recently had absolutely no desire to be apart of anything. Whenever we came to the house to share, he would leave and then all of a sudden HE asks us to share? like what?!?  Needless to say we were so excited.

Bro. Randall is now one of our progressing investigators and has a baptism date of January 23! He is so active in the lessons and really enjoys them. Bro. Randall is my living testimony that our Heavenly Father does prepare the hearts of those who are ready for his gospel. Not only did he prepare Bro. Randall's heart, but he definitely prepared mine too. I do not have an explanation for why I had no attitude towards him that day.  All I  know is that my heart was softened and so ready and willing to testify. Heavenly Father never fails to amaze me! His gospel was made for everyone. There is nothing on this earth that makes me more happy than sharing his good word.The gospel of Jesus Christ is PERFECT  and was made for EVERYONE.

I love you all and I hope that you have an amazing week.

Sis. Leausa

"I always wanted a dress like Grandma Ulaula had, her mumu'u. I found two this week and bought them."

Puppy Love!