This week has been such a great week. I was able to attend MLC (Missionary Leadership Counsil) in Manila this week. And WOW it was amazing. I've always heard about MLC from other Sister Training Leaders and Zone Leaders, but I never realized how awesome it really is. It was one of the most incredible meetings of my whole mission. The spirit was so strong and just to be able to attend and counsel together as leaders of the mission was so inspiring. So Sister Laug-Laug and I attended that and it was, obviously, really really great. Another reason why it was so great is because I GOT TO SEE MY NANAY!!! I was able to see Sister Tiongco (my trainer) she is a Sister Training Leader too and she goes home so soon... August 24th and she's gone. Ahhhh it makes me so sad because honestly I love love love SIster Tiongco. Time really flies, but I'm excited to see what happens in the next phase of her life. So going to Manila was a great awesome spiritual experience, but the next day of course we flew back to Palawan and now back to work :)
Ahhhh I really love love love everything about my mission. Honestly. Even the hard times when I just wanna fall on the floor and cry because of the disappointments and the hardships. I love the good times, the bad times, the stressful times, the chill times, everything, I love it all. I know that everything I go through as a missionary and in my life has a purpose. I am here in the Philippines serving a mission for a purpose and I am ready and WILLING to give everything to my Father in Heaven and My Savior Jesus Christ because I know what he can make of me is a million times better than what I can make of myself.
One word I found myself thinking about this week was the word willing. I really love this word. I think it can apply to everyone in so many different ways. I have been really pondering this last week about how I can become a better missionary, a better individual, just all around a better person. I feel like I have changed a lot in the last 9 months for the better, but I really want to change more and I realized the diference between the people who change and become better and the people who stay the same and never seem to change, is their willingness. Are we willing to give everything we have to the Lord? Are we willing to keep the commandments and our covenants with Heavenly Father? Are we willing to be the person he wants us to be? As I was contemplating these questions I really just kept thinking about my own and other people's willingness.
We all have that one person who is a great example in our life who we really look up too. We look up to them because they are humble and willing to do anything and everything for the people they love. One of my biggest examples or role models of course is the one and only mother of mine. I think the reason why mom is such a good example to me and someone I really aspire to be like is because she is willing. She is willing to counsel with the Lord and do what he would have her do. Just like in Alma 37:37. We all need to do as that scripture directs in order to have our will be inline with the will of our Father in Heaven.
You can tell who the people are who are willing to change. Especially being on a mission. The people who are willing to change and are willing to follow the Savior's example are the ones who come to church to partake of the Sacrament. They are the ones who forgive and listen to others counsel. They are those who are so willing they always have the Spirit with them because without the Spirit they have no direction. Being a missionary it's interesting to see who is willing. Even watching the members. Through the course of my mission I have seen one family in particular who decided to become less active. They slowly stopped coming to church. They slowly stopped keeping the commandments and choosing the right. They slowly let Satan in their life and it has hurt and saddened their life so much.
Sorry to drag this on, but for some reason I was really inspired to share the word willing with you haha weird impression, but I know that as we go throughout life WILLING to take on the trials and WILLING to let Jesus Christ help us every step of the way. And as we are WILLING to change, then Heavenly Father WILL help. The atonement WILL heal us because we are WILLING.
I love everything about this work. I love being a missionary and I love being able to serve these wonderful people here in Puerto Princesa. I love you my family more than you will ever know. I love being apart of changing lives and helping people come closer to Jesus Christ. Thank you all for being willing and for helping me. I love your support and I love your letters. I am really sorry if sometimes I don't have much time to respond, but know I print letters out every week and read them throughout the week. I love them and I love you. Thank you for all you do for me and for this gospel. You are all amazing so chose the right and be happy while doing it :)
Mahal ko kayo,
Sister Barton
ps. One of my favorite things about my mission is still all the little kids.. :)))
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