Transfer Week...a big CHANGE!

My goodness family, I have some crazy, fun, and spiritual news for you this week!  Of course this week is transfer week so I will tell you all about the call that I received yesterday.  But first, after I emailed you all last week, we had our zone activity, and this is what it turned into...a flour fight!  There are so many fun games here in the Philippines where they use flour, but of course it always ends in a flour fight! It was so much fun, I will miss this zone so much :(

So yes, I will be leaving this area. After district meeting yesterday, the AP's called me into the office and they told me, "Sister Latham the Lord has called you this transfer to train a new missionary."  So 2 things went through my mind...okay maybe I am staying in this area again...or I am white washing which means that we completely switch with two other missionaries so there is nobody to lead the area.  Well, it turns out that it is neither of those.  The AP told me that me and my new companion would be opening up an area that has been closed, its called an "open area".  That means that my brand new companion and I will go into an area, we won't know where we are, who the members are, there are no investigators, so it is our part to start the area.  Of course I was freaked out when they told me this, but I also had it confirmed to me by the Holy Ghost that the Lord needs me to do this.  I also know that the Lord only calls those who He qualifies.  So I am still nervous, but I know that this is what the Lord wants and that He will be there to help me through it all :)  Next week I will update you all on how it is, my new companion, the work, everything!  All I do know is that it is part city and some province, but it is a clean city and there are trees and fresh air, so I am excited for that!

On sunday, I was asked by bishop to speak in Sacrament as well and I would like to share my talk with you.  It was about members and missionary work.  I will write it in English, but I spoke Tagalog while I gave my talk, the gift of tongues is so real :)

The Love of Missionary Work:

I am grateful for this opportunity to be able to speak today to you all.  Last week I was asked to share this Sunday about missionary work.  As I have pondered this week about what I want to share about, I thought about why I do missionary work? Why did I come here to the Philippines? What does the Lord want me to learn?  I realized why and there is one simple answer and that is Love.  Because Heavenly Father loves me, because He loves you, and He wants me to gain a greater love for Him, Jesus Christ, and His children.

As we think about the greatest missionary and example that we know, Jesus Christ, we know that He did everything He did, because of Love.  He healed the sick, because He loved them.  He told people to repent, because He loved them.  He established His church, because He loved them.  He restored His church because He loves us.  He sufferred, He bled, He took upon himself all our sorrows, sicknesses, and sins, because HE LOVES US.  This pure love is called Charity.  

WE need this charity, this love, to share the gospel with people.  It says in Doctrine and Covenants 5:4 "And faith, hope, charity, and love with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work."  We  need this love to be able to share the gospel.  Heavenly Father says himself that it is a requirement that qualifies us to share the gospel.  I have a personal experience I want to share.  When I first came into the field, it was so so hard.  I did not know the language, it was hot, I could not understand the people.  I told my mission President that I wanted to go home.  He told me that there was one solution.  He said that I needed to pray and develop charity for the people here. 

It says here in PMG that "Charity like faith leads to action."  As I began to pray everyday for charity and do things our of love for the people here, I began to see change happen in those I taught, in my attitude, and my desire to serve them and the Lord.  The Lord has called us to act, to share the gospel.  He has not just called the full time missionaries, but all the members of the church.  President David O McKay said, "Every member..a missionary."  We are invited to show our love to the Lord by sharing the gospel with those around us.  As we missionaries do visits at the members houses, we are always asking for referrals or someone they know that we can share the gospel with.  We know that through members, the work of the Lord is more successful.  We want you to give referrals and gain a  strong desire to share the gospel with other, not because that is what we want, but because you love them, you love the Lord, and you desire their salvation and eternal happiness.  I know that as we all strive to develop the pure love of Christ, our desire to share the gospel will increase.  I know that as we follow the example of Jesus Christ by showing our love to others, people will see that we represent Him and His church.  

I know that if we do this together, members and missionaries, then we will hasten the work of the Lord in our ward and the Lord will bless us individually and as families.  We can't do it without the member, and the members can't do it without the missionaries.  Our purpose is one and that is to invite others to Christ.  I love Him and that is why I do His work.

I hope that can give you all some inspiration to share the gospel back at home to your friends, families, and those that you meet everyday.  That is the best Christmas gift that we can give to someone.  It is a gift that will never break, never vanish, but can forever stay in their hearts. 

I love you all, and I hope this Christmas season we can all remember the true meaning of Christmas :)  

Love, Sister Latham

to keep it simple...I'M SAFE and HAPPY :)

Hello family!! Another week has passed and oh my goodness do I have some news for you!  First I will talk about some of the crazy things that have happened, and then I will close with some quotes that I loved from the Apostles who came :)

So, I did not tell you all last week, because I knew you all would freak out, but last sunday we had someone try and break into our house.  We called the elders, and they came and tied the windows shut in the room that the person tried to break into.  So, then we thought everything was fine, but we came home on wednesday again after work, and all of the windows in mine and Sister Tropia's room had been opened, and some of the things had fallen to the floor.  It was obvious that someone had tried to break in again.  Sister Tropia and I just looked at each other and then started crying.  I immediately called the elders and then the other sisters to come home.  4 wonderful elders came to our rescue and stayed with us until we got direction from the AP's and President.  They had us pack our bags and we were transferred to the STL's apartment for a day, until they got everything and all the windows fixed back at the apartment.  They ended up fixing it the next day, so we were taken home the next day, but of course we still did not feel safe there and we knew that they would come back again.  We got a call on friday morning that we would be being  transferred to a new house the next day.  Our District Leader and his companion would come to our house and we would go into their house. We are now safe in our new apartment, it is really nice and we are so so safe there, so need to worry now :)

Now for the best part, the Apostles conference, it was absolutely wonderful!  As they entered into the room, the spirit was so strong and I immediately received another witness that the two Apostles, Elder Neil L. Anderson  and Elder Renlund, were men called of God.  They were there with their wives and it was just wonderful.  We got to shake their hands, and then hear from each and everyone of them.  Sister Renlund and Elder Anderson actually talked about marriage for a bit, we all got a bit trunky haha But I loved the things that Elder Anderson had to say about missionary work.  He said something along the lines that we are teaching about unseen things.  We are teaching things that require our faith.  Our faith that Jesus Christ lives.  He committed us to get to know the Savior better by reading the New Testament and memorizing some scriptures from there.  As I have begun to do that, I feel my testimony of Him and my relationship with Him begin to grow. There is another thing that Elder Anderson said, he said "I want my daughters to be just as educated as my sons."  As I thought about this, I thought not only in school education or our personal courses, but also our spiritual education.  Elder Renlund spoke about how if we have 100% effort with 100% action, we will see miracles surround us everyday :)  I wish you all could have been there to hear it, it was just wonderful.  I also left my journal at home on accident, so I don't have all that I wanted to tell you today, next week I will add more :)  However, It was a wonderful, once in a lifetime experience. Having two of the Christ's apostles in our presence, look at each and everyone of of us in the eyes and express the love of Heavenly Father for each and every one of us.  I know that they are servants of the Lord and they have been called by Him.

It was also a wonderful experience because every missionary was there, which has not happened while President Revillo has been here.  They flew in all the missionaries from Mindoro.  Sister Weston, my batch, stayed at our house, it was so wonderful to see her again! Here are some pictures from my week, hope you enjoy them! I love you all so much!!  

Transfer week is next week as well, I will be emailing next tuesday, rather than monday here!  We will see what happens! Love you all so much!

 Love, Sister
Latham

Trust Him

Hello Family!

It's been wonderful to hear from all of you today!  So not that much has happened this week, but I will share a little :)

I had my interview with President this week, and it was wonderful to talk to him! We mainly talked about the ward, our investigators and things that we can do to help the work progress and hasten the work of salvation in the the area that I am serving.  My favorite part of the interview though was at the end where President asked me, "so, you are now half way, how has your relationship grown with the Savior?"  I know that he asked that question last because despite the numbers, how the area is doing, or anything else that is going here on the mission, the most important thing is our personal conversion that is taking place here in the mission, and our personal connection with the savior.  I thought that I was going to burst into tears haha, I had a lot that I could say to him about how much my relationship with the Savior has grown, but to keep things short, I just said that I could not describe to him of how close I feel to the Savior and how my relationship with Him has never been so strong in my entire life.  I will never regret my decision to serve the Lord and His children for 18 months, because i know that my decision has forever changed my life, and I will continue to see the effects and blessings of this mission throughout all eternitiy.

About our investigators, we have about 2 progressing investigators.  One of them is Verhel, he has come to church 3 times and will have his baptism interview this upcoming week.  The other is Rhona, she is wonderful.  She loves reading the Book of Mormon, we are just continuing to help her in building her faith :)

Tomorrow, we have an apostle visit from Elder Neil L. Anderson and Elder Renlund!  I'm so excited to hear from them.  I'm ready to take what they say, and apply it to myself.  I look forward to sharing with you all next week what they will share :)  I'm also singing in the special music number tomorrow when they come :)

I love you so much family, and hopefully I have more stories to share with you next week!! mahal na mahal ko kayo lahat!

Love, Sister Latham   

Be Strong and of a Good Courage

Hello Family! Wonderful to hear from all of you again, I got so many birthday emails this week that I don't have time to respond to everyone! I hope that next week I will have time to email everyone!

I had a wonderful birthday here in the mission, I got to see so many of my friends here in the mission, and I got to see President and Sister Revillo which was the best.  They are my temporary parents here in the mission :)  I got a picture with Sister Revillo as well, I sure do love her and President.  President's birthday was also yesterday!  And I also have some recent converts whose birthday's are this month, November is a month to celebrate for sure!  

Sister Tropia and I went out to dinner at Chili's for my birthday and they even sang to me and gave me a free icecream :)  It was a good birthday and one that I will not forget, because I got to spend it here in the mission!

As for the work, it is really hard.  This week we had to drop a lot of our investigators because they are not progressing, hiding from us, and just don't want to be taught.  The difficulties that I'm experiencing now are a different type of challenge than what I experienced in my first few months in the mission, but I would say they are even harder.  In the beginning, it was hard because I missed you all and I was thinking too inwards.  But now it is hard because I am saddened about the people here no accepting the gospel.  I hurt because this area seems as though it is not progressing.  I hurt as I see those who put other things before Jesus Christ, as He is only a back up to them.  I want people to accept Him.  I want people to just love and read the Book of Mormon.  I want people to experience the eternal blessings that will come through accepting this perfect and complete gospel of Jesus Christ.  I can say this because I love the people here.  I desire with all my heart their salvation and eternal happiness.  I'm trying to figure out what else I can do,  I know that there are so many things I need to do and improve on, one of them being faith.  Faith that He is in control of all things.  Faith that if I do my part as His servant, He will make up for my weaknesses and bless this work and area.  I know He can do it and I know that I am able to do it, only if I give Him my all and let Him lead me through this work.  I know He is by my side in this work, lifting me up when I am feeling down and feel like I can't do it anymore.  I love Him.  he is my best friend, and I know that He loves me too.  I know I just need to push forward with faith, BE STONG, and continue to rely on Him. 

We were able to find though one potential investigator who is a part member.  She is really really sweet, and wants her husband to come back to church and for her to be baptized, so we pray that she will continue to progress and feel the same way that she felt in our first lesson with her :)  I continue to have hope and faith!

Well, I love you all so much, I'm so grateful for all your love, prayers, and support! I look forward to hearing from all of you next week :) Love you!

Love, Sister Latham

HALF WAY/BIRTHDAY

It's here! I thought that this week was never going to come and then BAM, ITS HERE!

This past week has had it's ups and down, but way more ups! 

Because these past few days have been holidays in the Philippines and the kids don't have school, a lot of the people left the city and went to their provinces, so we got punted a lot and people were always busy, but we pulled through and continued to stay positive.  Whenever we are punted at the doorstep, we always just walk away and start singing a uplifting hymn to stay positive and keep the faith going :)  It is wonderful.  It would be way better if we were not punted, but we are still working hard and trying to increase our teaching pool because it is pretty low right now.  

I do have wonderful story to share with you all though.  Sister Tropia and I started brainstorming on how we can start getting more investigators to church and receiving member referrals.  So we decided to invite every member to invite a friend to come to church.  We invited about 6 families and they all said they would try.  So when we got to church on Sunday, Brother Kim our recent convert was standing talking to a man his age.  We went up and introduced ourselves and then Kim said, "this is my friend that I invited to come to church, and he came!"  We were able to teach his friend after church, he accepted a baptism date, and already feels very welcome into the church! It was so wonderful to see how just by a small invitation, great things can happen!  

I also have another wonderful story to share.  So every other friday we always go to a hospital and go and deliver home made baby hats to all the newborn babies and we visit with the mothers.  When we got there, I heard someone call my name, I looked over and saw a less active that had just moved to another town outside the city.  We had also taught his wife and I had missed them so much!  She had just given birth about 3 days ago and I was going to be able to see her and the baby!  When I saw them both, they said that they had been praying to have someone that they loved come and see their baby and celebrate the birth of their baby.  They said that it was an answer from God that we had come that day.  They also informed me that they had given the name Princess Natalia to their new baby girl :)  I love that little baby!  I attached a few pictures of that experience.

As for this week, it will be a fun and busy week! Tomorrow we have our zone training, then on wednesday we have trainer/trainee meeting!  I am excited to be able to see my friends in the mission, and President and Sister Revillo on my birthday and half way point!  I know I will enjoy my birthday here and as Nicole emailed me this week "what a way to start your 20's on your mission"!   I sure love you all so much and am excited to let you know about my upcoming experiences next week!  Love love love ya!

-Sister Latham

MALAPIT NA! (It is close)

Hello Family and Friends!

This past week was really good, it went by fast!  We stayed busy and although we were punted a lot, we stayed positive and were able to find a few potential investigators this past week that we hope to contact next week!

We just got back from Sisters Conference and it was so wonderful.  I love meeting all together as sisters and having some fun and learning new things.  We worked out this morning, did facials and make up, learned how to cook, and then watched "The Errand of Angels" which is about a sister missionary!  It was a very fun morning and afternoon.  I was able to also see all my old companions, sister Pectol, Pakalani, Makaneole, and Duque :)

The theme of the conference was "Covenant Keeping Sisters"

They did a workshop about when we all received our mission calls and how excited we were! I still feel the same excitement now as I did when I opened my call!  The work here is so wonderful :)  As I sat and listened about the theme, I thought to myself about the covenant or promise I have made as I chose to serve a mission and was called of God to serve here.  I promised to serve Him with all my heart, might, mind and strength.  My purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ.  I remember a talk that Holland gave about how when Jesus called His disciples at the Sea of Galilee, He did not call them for a day, or a month, or years.  He called them to be His followers and disciples FOREVER.  The same happened when I received my call.  I am not only called to serve for 18 months, but I am called to serve forever.  My purpose will continue to be my purpose after my mission as well.  I will always continue to serve Him and invite other to come unto Him and receive His gospel.  The gospel is wonderful :)

In just a few weeks we have the opportunity to have 2 apostles come to our mission and spend a day with us.  Elder Neil L. Anderson will be coming along with one of the new called apostles.  I am so excited to be able to meet them and hear them speak to us and this mission specifically!  That will happen on November 17th :)  

There are so many exciting things to look forward too!  

Well, MALAPIT NA family!  The time is already here that I am reaching my half way mak! Next week is November 4th: my halfway mark and birthday :)  The time is going by too fast and I can't believe I am already turning 20! So crazy!  

I look forward to emailing you all next week!  I love you all so much, and send you my love and thanks to you all :)

Love, Sister Latham

TYPHOON HAS HIT THE PHILIPPINES

Hello Family and Friends, 

Well, if you didn't know this, but we experienced and are still experiencing a Typhoon here in the Philippines, but lucky for us, it has not been that strong here, I think it hit the north of the Philippines really bad, so our prayers are with them!  As for here in Quezon City, there has just been really strong wind, and pretty constant rain.  We only had sacrament meeting because the other classes were cancelled.  But we are safe and doing well here.  Despite the typhoon,  I have to say that I have never slept so good :)  I wore my sweats, and thin sweatshirt, and I slept with my warm blanket wrapped around me :)  I felt at home for a little bit!  I also drank some warm hot chocolate :)  I also found some Christmas lights, so it really felt like fall or winter.  It was truly wonderful :)

We got a call this morning from the ZL's and I was told that Sister Tropia and I would be spending another transfer together in this area!  We are so excited!  We truly love this area and we love being companions.  We are hoping for a few baptisms in this upcoming transfer and we look forward to helping them progress towards baptism.  

Talking about baptism, we also had a baptism this past Saturday! Reylanie was baptized and it was so wonderful!  I know that she has been waiting forever for this day.  I have seen her faith grow so much as she has read the Book of Mormon everyday and continued to attend church.  I'm grateful for the opportunity that Heavenly Father gave to me to be able to teach her and help her on her path that she has taken to this point :)

I also want to share a personal study of mine this week.  It really touched me and it continues to remind me to always work my hardest and do what Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want me to do. I titled my personal study "How would He introduce me?"   We read so many times in the Bible and in the Book of Mormon where Heavenly Father introduces His son, Jesus Christ.  Specifically in 3 Nephi 11, Heavenly Father introduces Jesus Christ to the Nephites in the Americas after His resurrection.  He introduces Jesus Christ 3 times saying, "Behold my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name-Hear ye Him."  Heavenly Father was so proud of His son for fulfilling all righteousness.  He had great reasons to be proud of His Son.  When I read this I thought to myself, I hope that Heavenly Father would introduce me like that?  Am I doing the things that would qualify me for an introduction like that or welcoming me back into His presence" Am I doing what Heavenly Father wants me to do?  These are wonderful questions for us each to ask ourselves to evaluate where improvement is needed and how we can become more like our Saviour, Jesus Christ.  

I'm grateful for the time that I am given every day to study for 1 hour and to have these times to really think about what I am studying and how it is applicable to me.  I'm experiencing conversion here on my mission and I am so grateful for all those supporting me in this conversion, especially my Saviour, Jesus Christ, who because of His atonement, we are able to repent and change for the better.  

I love you so much family and I look forward to hearing from you all again next week.  And in just about 8 weeks I will get to see all your beautiful faces :)  I love you all, I pray for you everyday and pray that the Lord will continue to bless each and everyone one of you :) Mahal ko kayo

-Sister Latham

Not conversion to the church, but to Jesus Christ

Hello again!  We just got back from a wonderful zone activity! We went bowling and it was a blast, I attached a few pictures :)

As for this week, It's been a good week despite a lot of challenges coming my way.  I was able to push through them and search for the good that is happening around me.  How could I not be happy when I am in the service of God right?  Its a joyous cause to be a part of :) Having the opportunity to hear from the apostles, prophets, and leaders this weekend was absolutely wonderful as well.  I received so many answers to prayers, guidance, and faith that I needed.  I love President Monsons talk about Christlike attributes.  I remember that my farewell talk was about Christlike attributes.  I listed when I gave my talk a few of the attributes the I really wanted to develop in my mission.  I am still striving daily to gain those Christlike now and make them a part of who I am :)  I know that developing Christlike attributes is a lifelong journey and takes patience, faith, diligence (those being Christlike attributes haha).  While I've been here, I've also noticed Christlike attributes that I thought I did pretty well on, but realized they are really my weaknesses.  Throughout the experiences that I've had though on my mission, I have seen my "weaknesses turn into strengths" just as it says in the scriptures, Ether 12:27.

To give you an update on the work, our investigator Reylanie will be getting baptized this Saturday!  We have been teaching her ever since I got transferred here to Quezon City.  She would already read and pray, but would not come to church because she is a strong Catholic and would go with her mom to church.  As we continued to read the Book of Mormon with her, she started to gain a testimony about Jesus Christ and His true church.  She began attending church, but would not get baptized because her mom was against it.   She is 18, so she has the choice, but she still questioned her decision.  We still continued to visit her, share messages, and read the Book of Mormon with her. In the past few weeks, I have seen so much progression in her conversion.  She started to get excited about her baptism, and she had gained faith to follow what the Holy Ghost was telling her was right, and that was to follow the example of Jesus Christ by being baptized by someone holding the proper authority.  I am so excited for her because she is taking this wonderful step in her life to accept Jesus Christ's gospel.  As D Todd Christofferson said "We do not strive for conversion to the church, but to Jesus Christ."

Next week I will also not be emailing till Tuesday because it is transfer week :)  I have no idea what is going to happen!  I'm excited to let you all know next week! Sure love you all and I send you my prayers and love.

-Sister Latham

8 months

Hello Family and Friends! It's been a crazy week with a lot of meetings, a zone conference, womens conference, and a temple tour! It feels like we did not have much time to proselyte this week, but I feel spiritually uplifted from the experiences I have had this week, and also the talks that I have heard. 

Wednesday was zone conference and I'm always so grateful every time that I get to hear from President and Sister Revillo.  We discussed about the sacrament and about the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  As it says in Preach My Gospel, as our testimony of the Atonement increases, our desire to share the gospel will increase.  As I've been studying the Atonement lately, I've truly come closer to Jesus Christ and as Sister Revillo said, everything good we do is because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  I'm grateful that every day I gain a stronger and stronger to go out and invite others to come unto Christ and to let His atonement work in their lives.  I made three goals for myself after zone conference which are to 1)Talk to more people 2)seek a better understanding of the atonement and 3)stretch myself because I know that through Jesus Christ, I can do all things :)  Those are my goals that I am working on right now and I know that through diligence, faith, and obedience, I can accomplish them.

This Saturday we also had the opportunity to take Des, our recent convert, and Reylanie, our investigator who will be being baptized on October 17, to the temple :)  It was a wonderful experience.  We were able to share our testimonies and let them feel of the peace, joy, and happiness that we feel when we stand on sacred ground.  We also had the opportunity to go to the MTC.  Des was so so excited!  She kept telling President Trask that she would be coming here!  She is so excited to serve in hopefully a year, and her family is supporting her so much.  Her parents said to just make sure she comes home first to see them before she goes out and serves.  Sister Reylanie, also wants to serve after she saw the MTC and felt the spirit that was there.  Later on that afternoon she had her baptismal interview and she is ready to be baptized :)

Next week we will be able to watch conference and I am so excited to hear from the Lord's servants and their inspired revelation from God.  It is such a wonderful opportunity :)  I only have one more conference to watch while I'm here on my mission!  Time is flying.  10 more months :)  Thank you for all the support, prayers, and love you continue to give me.  I'm so blessed.

Love, Sister Latham

1)my anak(companion) with her mother(trainer) and father(district leader) in the mission

2)Des at the temple

3)MTC

A week of Miracles!

Another week has passed, time is flying! Well family, this week has been wonderful!

First off, we had our baptism on Saturday and it was a wonderful baptismal service.  Des and Kim were baptized and I've never seen them so happy!  In the week leading up to their baptism, we were able to visit them almost everyday.  Sister Des shared a wonderful experience with us that she had one night.  One night as she was reading in the scriptures, she read about Lehi's dream and the fruit from the tree of life.  She asked Sister Tess, who works with her, what it meant.  Sister Tess described that the fruit is the gospel, true happiness. Sister Des really related to this scripture as she thought about all the blessings that she has received from the time the missionaries began teaching her.  She said that all she wants to do now is to share it.  To invite her family to partake of the goodness of this gospel, to share the happiness and joy that comes from accepting Jesus Christ and His Atonement into our lives.  She said at that moment, she knelt down and prayed to Heavenly Father and promised Him that she would serve a mission.  To bring the same joy and blessing that she has received, to others that so desperately need it.  She plans to go and teach her family and then go and serve the people to where she will be assigned.  I was amazed as she shared this story and this beautiful prayer and promise that she made with Heavenly Father as she prayed to Him.  

Brother Kim was also able to share his testimony in a lesson that we had with his friend.  He had such a strong, sincere, and loving testimony about the Book of Mormon.  I have seen him apply the teachings in his life and come closer to Heavenly Father through living the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He also is sharing the gospel as he posts everyday on Facebook.  A member in our ward showed us his facebook page and he is sharing the blessing and his testimony to all of his friends.  They both have truly partaken of the fruit that Lehi described in his dream and have such a strong desire to share it with those around them :)

On the day of their baptism, they both showed up so early, even before us because they were so excited.  They had prepared all of their clothes about 3 days before.  But as I walked in and saw Kim, he had the biggest smile on his face and said "I'm ready!" and then as I went up to Des, she said "It's here!" Haha  I'm so grateful to Heavenly Father for preparing these two people to accept the gospel into their lives.  I'm also grateful to Heavenly Father for giving me the opportunity to share the gospel with them.

I also experienced another miracle yesterday that I want to share with you.  On saturday night as we were planning for the next day, I opened up the area book which has all the information about our area and it opened up to an investigator that was taught about 4 years ago.  As I looked at the name and the information, I suggested to Sister Tropia that we should go and visit them.  The information that we were given was that her husband, Brother Morada,  is a LA and  they had two kids who now would be about 12.  So, we planned to go and visit them.  As we traveled to where they lived, we asked around if they knew where these people lived.  One man pointed to another man and said "that is him."  So we went over and he said "Sisters! How are you?" and then he welcomed us into his home to share.  As we shared with them about families, Brother Morada said he wanted to share a story.  He said that a few days ago he had seen us walking, but didn't say anything.  Then Saturday night, the night that we saw his name in the folder, he had a dream.  In his dream his mother, who used to be a member but passed away a few years ago, came to him and told him that he and his family need to return back to church.  He said that he was amazed that the next day, we showed up and have invited him back to church. He knows that the church is true and wants his family to join as well.  We gave his wife and daughter a baptism date and we are hoping that the father will be able to baptize them when the time comes.  I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for all of us, and that he prepares people for us as His representatives to go and visit people at the right time and right place.  I know that it is not a coincidence that Brother Morada had that dream the night before we came to visit him and his family.  It truly is a miracle and a blessing :)

The work is progressing and it is a blessing to be a part of the Lord's work here on earth at this time and in this wonderful place, the Philippines :)

Thank you family for all of your love and support, I love you all and am so blessed! 

Love, Sister Latham 

P.S. I reach my 8 months this upcoming Sunday :)))

Good news about the Apartment :))))

Hello everyone!  Another week has passed!  It's been a crazy week!  Every night when I got home this week, I was completely exhausted.  I think part of it might be because of the drastic changes in the weather, and we worked our tails off this week.

A hard thing though this week was Sister Tropia got blisters all over her feet, because she was wearing new shoes, and we walked like crazy, and her shoes are not really made for the weather here.  I felt so bad for her, but we went home one night, released all the pus and liquid from her blisters, and then I let her borrow my crocs, and since then she has started to feel better.  She is such a trouper for continuing to work and give it her all in the teaching.  She also gave her first successful bap date to an investigator.  So this investigator came as a referral from the bishop's wife.  She was at the grocery store this week and this lady approached her.  She said that she was a member that was baptized about 10 years ago, but that she had gone inactive and wanted the missionaries to go and teach her and her husband who is not yet a member.  So, we went to teach them and they are a wonderful family.  They have 3 kids, 2 of them being twins and they are the cutest.  He is really interested in the gospel, wants to get sealed as a family in the temple, and they even came to church right away yesterday :)  Another miracle :)

We also had our two baptism interviews for Des and Kim, and they will be getting baptized this upcoming Saturday! I am so excited for them, and they are so so excited! Sister Des came out of the interview and just hugged me, she was so so nervous, but she said that it went really well.  I said "umiyak ka ba? " which means did you cry and she said "Malapit na" which means that she was close to it and then she just hugged me again!  I love Sister Des so much, and I am so grateful that she has converted herself unto the Lord :) A member also showed us that Kim has been posting all of these mormon messages and sharing his testimony of Facebook so that all of his family and friends can see.  I was amazed!  These are two wonderful people who are soon to be members of this wonderful church :)

So lastly about the apartment,  Sister Revillo really wants us out so she called the Landlord, and we have to be out by the end of October...so we better find an apartment or else we will be homeless...hahaha But we found 2 apartments this week that are really nice and we will be showing pictures to Sister Revillo this week at trainer/trainee meeting!  Pray that everything will work out for us!  By the time we actually move, there is a possibility that I could already be transferred haha but at least the new missionaries won't have to experience all that we have experienced there!

Well, that is about it, Hopefully I have more to say to next week and pictures to also send!  I didn't take any pictures this week..whoops!  Anyways, love you all! And thank you for everything :)

-Sister Latham

I'm so blessed to be apart of this work :)

Hello Family and Love ones :)

It has been a wonderful week here in the Philippines!  It is still hot as ever, there are still mice in the house and cockroaches in the shower, but I am loving being a missionary and an instrument in the Lord's hands :)

So, you all are probably wondering how training is going? Who is my new companion?  So I will give you a little background.  My companion is Sister Tropia, she is from Pangasinan Philippines.  She studied at BYU-Hawaii for three years so her English is really good, but we mainly talk in Tagalog.  One of the many wonderful things that I have seen so far in her, is that she immediately loved the people.  She didn't so much love the apartment, or the city, but she loved the investigators, members, and less actives from the moment she met them.  It showed in her teaching and listening that she cares about them and wants to help them come more unto Christ.  We worked really really hard this week.  When I first picked her up from the mission home, our numbers were really low, but we worked hard, talked to a lot of people, met new wonderful investigators, and taught powerful lessons where the Holy Ghost was present and testified to the people we were teaching, that our message was true and from Heavenly Father.

I want to share a thing that I studied this week.  I decided to study about the Sons of Mosiah and the mighty change of heart that they experienced.  I loved following their story and their coversion process.  In the beginning the Sons of Mosiah were trying to tear apart the church, to pull people away from the truth.  However, they experienced a mighty change of heart and were converted unto the Lord through repentance and living the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Because of the testimony and desire that they had gained, they were called to preach the gospel amongst those that were against the church.  In Alma 23:5-6 we read of the success that they had amongst those people.  It says in these scriptures that thousands were converted unto the Lord  and never did fall away.   

While being here in my mission, I have seen this mighty change of heart.  I've seen it in investigators, less actives, and also in myself.  Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, WE can CHANGE.  One of our investigators, Des, will be having her baptism interview this Saturday.  Throughout teaching her, I have seen a mighty change of heart.  And she has told us that she is going to prepare to serve a mission so that she can help others experience the change, joy, and peace that she has experienced through her conversion.  Like the Sons of Mosiah, Des experienced a change of heart, and now wants to go and serve the Lord and His children.  I know that if we apply the gospel in our lives, and let the Atonement change us for the better, we will experience the joy and peace that Heavenly Father will give us :)

Thank you so much family for everything, I love you so much and I'm grateful for all the support you are giving me.  This is such a short amount of time to serve the Lord, but I'm grateful to share my experiences with you :) Love you all

-Sister Latham

I'M TRAINING

Hello Family! Well to let you all know, transfers are here again! Time is just flying, I can't believe it. I got a call from the AP's yesterday letting me know that I would be training! I really am so excited to train and be able to  lead by example for a new missionary. It's funny because my trainer(nana) in the mission leaves this wednesday to go home, and then I was called to be a trainer! I'm grateful that Heavenly Father is trusting me with this calling and I'm excited for what this transfer has to bring :)

As for Sister Duque, she is very sad to leave, but we got a call this morning that she is transferring to TayTay, the exact ward and area where I came from!  I'm excited for her to continue to teach the people that I taught there and to help build up the ward and area over in TayTay!

As for our apartment, it is a big problem....hahaha We found a wonderful apartment this past week, contacted the owner and made an appt with her to lay a downpayment, and then the day of our meeting she texted us and told us that she gave it away...We were very upset and frustrated because it was a wonderful apartment and we were sure that we were going to get it.  Oh well, we will continue to keep on trying.  

The work here is going really well!  We have a few really progressing investigators.  They are gaining really strong testimonies, keeping the commitments, and truly applying the Atonment in their lives.  We have one investigator who has had a really really rough past.  She is in her teens, and from the moment we began teaching her, she has began to change her life, to repent of past mistakes, and change her actions.  The power of the atonement is so real and I have a testimony that if we apply the teachings of the gospel, repent and change, our lives will change for the better and Heavenly Father will help us in becoming who He wants us to be. 

I also received wonderful news today from my recent convert Nicole Calapati from TayTay.  Her younger brother was just baptized a few weeks ago, she has been studying in institute, and her mother has begun to come back to church.  It's wonderful to hear news of how someone who is new in the gospel, is inviting others to come unto Christ and partake of the happiness and joy that comes from it.  When I read her email just a few minutes ago, it brought tears to my eyes to see the progress that she has made and the things that she is doing to come closer unto Christ.  I am seeing miracles every single day :)

Also, a little fun side note.  Now that we are in the "-BER" (septemBER) months, Christmas music is being played, and Christmas decorations have begun to be put up!  It is a party here in the Philippines! Hahaha

Also, One year ago, this week, I received my mission call to serve here.  I will always remember that day and how excited I was to serve here, and I'm grateful that I still have that same excitement and joy with me here :)  It feels like only a few months ago that I opened my mission call, but it really has been a year on the 12th! So crazy :)

Well Family, I love you so much! I'm excited to let you know about my new companion and how being a trainer is :)  Love love love ya!

Miracle Baptism : )

Hello Family, sorry I do not have a lot of time today, but I want to share an experience that has strengthened my testimony about the power and importance of the Holy Ghost. On Saturday I got to witness Marechel enter the waters of baptism. She is a miracle. I remember meeting her my first Sunday here in Quezon City. I asked Sister Duque about her and she said she had not yet taught her. I asked why and she began to explain the situation. Sister Marechel is deaf, can't read, speak and also does not know sign language. However, from just meeting her for the first time, I could see her desire and I told myself that we would figure out a way to teach her and a way for her to get baptized. I first did not know how, but I knew that there was a way. 

Through a lot of acting, pictures, and drawings, we were able to teach her the gospel principles simply and she was able to understand.  Throughout all of this, I learned a powerful lesson which is that we are not the teachers, but the Holy Ghost.  we probably did not explain the lessons the best, but we sure tried our hardest and worked with what we had considering the situation.  Through the power of the Holy Ghost, we were able to see conversion taking place.  The Holy Ghost testified so strongly about the truth to her and she was so in tune with the spirit, because that is ultimately all she could rely on.  What a strong testimony I have now obtained through this experience that Heavenly Father has given me.  I know that the Holy Ghost is real, that it testifies of truth, and that it is the real teacher.  We are nothing without the companionship of the Holy Ghost in our teaching and in our investigators learning.  I'm so grateful for that powerful lesson that Heavenly Father has taught me.  I know that no thing is impossible for the Lord and that He provides a way for all things to be accomplished IF we rely fully on Him and put our trust in Him.  Below I have attached a picture of sweet sweet Marechel who I have never seen happier and more filled with the light of Christ than at this sacred event of her baptism :)

Another big thing is happening next week, TRANSFERS! I can't believe that transfers is already here, the time is just flying by!  I also have my interview with President Revillo tomorrow and I am so excited for that!  So I will not email until Tuesday next week and I will let you know what is happening.  I think that I am most likely staying here, but as for my companion we still don't know!  

I love you so much family, thank you for all your love and support.  Also thank you to everyone back home, especially the Young Women from the stake.  I received all of the sweet sweet letters from them this week :)  Hopefully I will be able to go back to girls camp in the upcoming years and encourage those sisters to serve missions because it is the best thing ever :) Love you all, sending my love from the Philippines!

Love, Sister Latham