BUSY BUSY BUSY!

Hello everyone!! OH MY GOODNESS....I've never been so exhausted in my life.  Seriously, it is non-stop!  In the past I had monday to rest and take some sleep, but now I go straight from emailing to the office and work there in the afternoon.  And then when we get back in the evenings from work, there is still more work to do in preparing for all the things that we need to prepare for.  BUT, despite how busy we are, I AM SO HAPPY :) 

This week I had the opportunity to go on exchanges with the sisters!  We worked with two companionships of missionaries.  One of them was with my anak, Sister Tropia!  I had the best time working with them and I learned so much from them.  I was also able to work in my past area and visit some recent converts and members :)  I was able to visit Marechel, one of my recent converts!  She is the one who we had to teach by acting because she can't hear or speak.  When she saw me she was so shocked!! She just came and hugged me!! The other member at her house came around the corner and when she saw me, she hugged me and cried! I miss them all so so much!  We were also able to visit Sister Des!  It was a real quick visit just outside.  She is struggling quite a bit, but we shared a message with her and left her with a prayer.  She emailed me today and things are getting better :) 
 I loved being able to work the sisters, learn from them, get to know them better, and see them work with their investigators and those they are teaching :)  We have wonderful sisters in this mission and they are such a joy to be around.  They are hardworking and have a strong desire to share the gospel :)  

On Saturday, we also had a baptism in our area, Sarah Jane!  She is a member referral. I was not able to teach her all the lessons, but I was able to teach her a few times and it was such a joy! She is so involved in church now, going to activies, and attending FHE.  I will attach a picture from her baptism as well! 

This upcoming week will be another busy week, but I look forward to it!   I love you all so much, thank you for all your love and support!!  

Love, Sister Latham

Let us all Press on in the Work of The Lord

Hello family and friends!  Thank you for all your emails!  I feel so much of the love and support that you are all giving me.  I know that prayers are so powerful and I am receiving strength through the prayers that are given, so thank you!

These past few days have been wonderful!  I have been blessed with a wonderful companion, Sister Consulta! My goodness, I have already learned so much in just a short amount of time that we have had together.  She has helped me in learning my new responsibilities, she is guiding me, and also giving me advice on how to best fulfill my responsibility.  She has been an STL for 4 transfers now and so I know that she has experience and can really help me to best fulfill my calling.  I added a picture of me and her, which we took this morning because we realized we had not yet taken a picture!  We have been pretty busy!

The other day we had to pick up all the sister that would be going to Mindoro this transfer.  They slept at our house for a night and then we woke up at 3 am and sent them on their way!  

I need to add something that I am so so so grateful for, and that is for a wonderful house! It is so nice, clean, spacious, and there are couches!  I've seen a few mice, one ran under my legs just yesterday while I was sitting there, but I'm used to it, so it is not that big of a deal.  But, the house that I'm staying at is a blessing for sure :)

I'm excited for this upcoming week, we will have the opportunity to go on exchanges with some of the sisters :)  It is a time where we do splits and we spend 24 hours with the sisters.  We work in their areas, teach with them, find new investigators, and help them in their work.  I'm also so excited to learn so much from the sisters as well and to gain a stronger friendship with each and every one of them! I will send you pictures of our exchanges next week!

Well, the time is going fast!  My release date has been changed because my normal release date is august 24th, but because of school, I will be coming home a transfer early on July 13th.  So...about less than 6 months!  I can't believe it, I still feel like I am new and just got here, but really the time is coming down!  There are still so many things to learn, and things that I need to experience.  I'm grateful for what the Lord has ahead of me!  Love you so much, I will keep you all in my prayers :)

Love, Sister Latham

Not enough time!

Well, I didn't really expect it.  I've only been in this wonderful area for 6 weeks, and now I will be transferring.  On sundaynight I was sitting on my bed reading the Book of Mormon when I received a text from President which said "home now?"  If you get any call from President on Sunday night, that means that he has a calling for you.  I looked at my companion and said "Sister Tio...NOOOOO....I don't want to leave you!"  She quickly ran over and looked at the message.  We had a few minutes of sadness, but then got over it and looked on the bright side!  President then called a few minutes later and asked me if I would accept the call from the Lord to be an STL, or sister training leader.  I of course accepted the call.

My feelings right now are excitement, a bit of nervousness, but I'm also at peace.  I'm excited to work with the sisters in the mission and to learn a lot from them :)  I've been called to Quirino 1st ward, which is the also the STL's who work in the office a bit.  They attend all the conferences, training, and work a lot with Sister Revillo :)  I am really excited for that because I love Sister Revillo. I know that this calling will help me grow in my testimony and will give me the opportunity to work with the Leadership group in the mission.  \

My sweet sweet companion and anak Sister Tio will be leading this area.  She is so amazing and I know that she will do wonderful. I'm really proud of the progress that she has made in the last 6 weeks.  I will miss her so much, but am excited for her to learn new things from her follow up trainer.

Well, this past week we had our baptism!  Sister Maica Adonis, 9 years old, was baptized on Saturday.  It was a wonderful experience.  We asked how she felt and she said "I felt like I was in a swimming pool" haha I sure will miss her and her family.  They are so wonderful.  

I don't have a lot of time, but there is a little update :)  I look forward to sharing my future experiences with you all.  I love you so much, thank you for all your prayers, I feel strength given to me through your prayers.  

-Sister Latham

ITS A NEW YEAR!!

Hello Family!!  

Well, this past New Year's Eve was like no other New Years Eve I have experienced!  We didn't do fireworks nor did I stay up to do fireworks, but we had a wonderful and spiritual Family Home Evening with us 4 sisters.  My amazing companion gave the lesson and it was all about Christlike attributes.  I lended her all of my talks from general authorities that I have gathered since I have been here.  Most of them are all about Christlike attributes.  We each read one and then shared our insights.  I was given "The Character of Christ" by Elder Bednar.  If you have not yet read it, please do, it is wonderful!  It is all about turning outwards towards other people, rather than turning in like the natural man would.  

All that was shared in our FHE has inspired me to continue to develop these attributes more and more.  I know that we all need improvement in developing Christlike attributes and through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can change, become more like Him, and develop the attributes that He himself, Jesus Christ had.  

This past week we were not able to teach the Bobiar family that much because of New Year's and because they have been so so busy.  We also ran into a Word of Wisdom problem, but we are not giving up on them.  We know that Heavenly Father placed us in their path for a reason, that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is real, and that this gospel can help change their life :)  We also found a few more families to teach, so that is wonderful!  

WE also have a baptism this upcoming Saturday.  Sister Maica, she is 9 years old, a part member and I love love love her!!  They always run up and hug me and then when we leave their house they wait there and blow kisses to me until I am out of their sight.  Haha  I look forward to sending you pictures next week of her baptism :)

This is the last week in the transfer, so next week is tranfers.  I will b emailing next tuesday.  I don't know what is going to happen, but whatever does I am okay with it :)  This transfer has gone by so fast, I love love my companion, we have not run into any problems at all, and her progression has just amazed me.  She is an amazing missionary, obedient, and her desire to share the gospel is inspiring.  I love you all so much, and here we go into a wonderful new year!!!  BTW: I hit my 11 months in the field today :))  WOOHOOO!!!  

Love you all, 

-Sister Latham

A wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year

Hello Fam Bam!  I need to start off by saying that the best part of my Christmas was being able to skype you all!!  Sorry I cried like a little baby saying goodbye, I just never want to hang up.  It was the best laughing with you all, seeing all your beautiful faces, and sharing experiences that I have had on the mission.  I can't believe that I only have one more time to skype you all and then I will be about to come home.  Time is flying!  and...WE ARE HEADING INTO 2016!  It is going to be a wonderful year!   I still have a wonderful 7 months left of my mission that I look forward to, You will see me coming down the escalator this year at the airport, and then I have no idea what is going to happen the rest of the year, but I am still excited :))

Not much has happened since I got to see you all, but I will share a few things.  Our focus family, the Bobiar family, came to church on Sunday and they loved it!  I pray that they will continue to keep their commitments and they will continue to exercise their faith :)

I have about two more weeks left in this transfer so I am going to make the best out of it and find more families to teach!  That is our goal for these next two weeks.  We know that we can do it through hard work, lots of praying, fasting, and diligence.  Please pray for us :)

I love you all so much, I'm so glad that you all had a wonderful Christmas, and I look forward to next Christmas where we can all be together :)  I have attached some pictures from this past week, enjoy! Love you

-Sister Latham

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Hello everyone!  

Let me first start off by saying that I don't think anybody else in the world celebrated Christmas like the people do here in the Philippines!! Every night we have little kids caroling at our front door, there is Christmas music everywhere! It is so so fun and exciting, I love it!  

Last week we had our Christmas Conference with a few zones in the mission, it was so much fun!  We sang songs, played games, performed some skits, ate a whole pic(there is a picture below of me with the pigs head)  and I even had to spell my last name with my butt in front of everyone for losing the game! hahaha  The best part though was reading the story of Christ's birth with singing hymns in between.  It reminded me of every Christmas when we gather as a family and Dad reads Christ's birth from the Bible.  He is the Reason for the Season :)  Each zone also performed a skit that was about someone's conversion to the gospel, some of them were amazing testimony builders to me.  We each have our own unique conversion story, and it is still ongoing.  There is no time to stop converting ourselves, it is an ongoing process and I'm grateful for every experience I have had here in the mission that has helped me in my conversion.  Seeing that the people here in the Philippines really know the reason for celebrating Christmas makes it even better, their joy this Christmas comes from their knowledge of the real reason why we celebrate Christmas :)

An amazing thing happened as well, while we were at the Christmas Conference, we received a text from our ward mission leader that the Bobiar family was at the ward christmas party!  My companion and I were so so so excited!  They were having a blast, and the family felt the love from the ward so much!  We were able to make it to the end of the ward Christmas party and see them there.  The father came and told us that he is so glad that he came and he is so excited to come to church.  I included a picture of this family as well.  They are progressing and we are hoping that they will begin to come to church and will prepare themselves for baptism.  They are wonderful :)  

We just got back from the temple as well, it was wonderful!  I wish I could go to the temple every week like I did before I came out here.  It is so wonderful. 

I can't forget as well that in 3 DAYS I GET TO TALK TO YOU!!! I'm so so so excited!!  I've been waiting forever and the time is here!! I wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS and hope that everyone enjoyes the holidays with their loved ones and we continue to remember the true meaning of Christmas and celebrate His birth this week! I love you all so much, I look forward to talking to you in just a few days!!

Love, Sister Latham

The World is so small!

Hello Family!

Well, first off NEXT WEEK I GET TO SKYPE YOU!!  If you could not tell I am so so so excited and am counting down the days! Its been so long, my goodness.  I thought this day would never come haha  So next week on wednesday is my p-day so I will email you then and figure out all the last minute skype plans :)

So, my title of my email this week.  I have met so many people here that know people I know, or who know me personally.This past week, I met Dayna James' cousin, he is so so funny.  We are in the same zone.  When he asked where I am from I told him California, and he asked "Roseville?" I said how do you know that and he said my cousin Dayna lives there!!  It was so great to talk to him and I just kept telling him I miss Dayna so much and can't wait to see her!  Next, I met a sister in my mission who asked again where I was from and I told her Roseville.  She asked if I knew where Loomis was and I was like "how do you know that?!"  It ends up that her best friend is dating Taylor Reiff and she went to school with both of them!   Then last week I had a wonderful experience.  I was at the stake conference and there were all the american couple missionaries that I think work at the temple.  I went and said hello to them and asked where they were from.  A couple said that they were from Idaho and I asked if they were near Rexburg.  They said really close.  It ends up that he knew grandpa miller.  His name is Gage Norem, he said that he was an english professor at BYU-Idaho.  I told him that I was his granddaughter.  My eyes filled a little with tears because he told me that he knew Grandpa was so so proud of me.  I could see grandpa's sense of humor in him and my day was brightened because of him.  I also received Grandma Miller's letter and she talked about Grandpa and how they both are so grateful for their family.  Being this far away from home and not having the normal communication with family has been really hard, but simple blessings that Heavenly Father has given me here in the mission has helped me so much.  I see His hand in my life everyday.  

This week, we also had 3 of our investigators attend church, kira and joel being two of them :)  Our lessons with them have been very spiritual and I pray that they will continue to push forward and exercise their faith.  

THis upcoming week and next week is going to be pretty crazy!  Tomorrow we have trainer/trainee meeting, Christmas conference on friday, then next Wednesday is temple day and then I will skype you in just a few more days after that!!! I sure love you all so much, happy holidays and Merry Christmas to you all, I pray that your lives, homes, and families may be filled with the Spirit of Christmas and that we all may remember that He, Jesus Christ, is the Reason for the Season :) 

Love, Sister Latham

p.s sorry, no pics this week because the computer is not reading my card. Next week :) Love you!

His Hand is in Our Lives

Hello family!!!

Let me just start off by telling you all that I am so so happy :)  Last week you might have noticed some fear or nervousness in my email, but all of that is gone now.  We had a wonderful week!

First off, I left Quezon City Wednesday morning and saying goodbye to those in the ward was so hard.  I had to say goodbye to Dess to Tess and I said the closing prayer.  As us 4 sisters knelt outside and said a prayer, the spirit was so strong and I felt the Lord comforting us.  Sister Dess was going through a hard time at the moment and she also didn't want me to leave.  We both cried as we hugged each other and she said to me "I can't thank Heavenly Father enough for sending you into my life."  I told her that I could say the same thing to her.  I know that Heavenly Father needed me to meet these people here in Quezon City and that the Lord has also prepared those for me in Quezon City.  I have loved my past 3 transfers there :)  I knew though that it was time for me to go to a new area and find more people!  

One miracle I want to share as well.  On Monday and Tuesday I started getting a sore throat and it hurt so bad.  On Tuesday I could not even eat or drink water.  When I looked in my throat it was swollen like a golf ball.  It hurt so so bad.  On Tuesday night I prayed and prayed, pleaded and pleaded with Heavenly Father to heal my sicknesses before tomorrow and before I went to the mission home. When I woke up the next morning, I had had a wonderful sleep and my throat was only a little bit swollen, but I could eat and I felt so much better. Prayer is so powerful!

So I went to the mission home and picked up my anak (child) :)  My new companion is Sister Tio, she is 19 years old and is from the Philippines, she is so so cute!  I'm way taller than her haha When she also found out that we were opening an area, she was nervous, but I had to be strong and told her "we can do this, Heavenly Father will help us"  The other sisters in our ward had worked only a few times in our area so they had about 4 investigators.  So our first few days we went and tried to find those investigators, visit some members, and do some finding. We were blessed to find two families that all accepted a bap date and plan to come to church next Sunday.  One of those is Kira, he is I think 21 or so.  When we extended the baptism date to him he told us, "yes sisters, I promise.  This is what I have been looking for." We asked him why he feels like this is what he is looking for and he told us "I see hope in your message and in this church.  I need hope in this life."  So amazing.  Sister Tio also was so excited as she saw people accepting the message that we had to share!  So from 4 investigators that we had in the beginning, we found 9 new investigators and 13 now have a baptism date! We are so excited for what else the Lord is preparing for us :)

WE also had our stake conference yesterday and the messages that were shared were wonderful!  A member of the area 70 was there, Elder Pajaro and his wife.  They gave wonderful talks and I will share a few ideas.  Sister Pajaro talked about how the Lord does his equations in a complete different way than we do. When we subtract, our numbers are less, but as we subtract in spiritual things, the lord multiplies.  Here are a few examples.  When we subtract 10% from our tithing, the Lord multiplies the 90%.  When we subtract 1 day from our week to keep the Sabbath day holy, the Lord multiplies the blessings within the week.  As we subtract 10 minutes from our day to read the scriptures, the Lord multiplies our spiritual power that day.  Just like in the book of Matthew in chapter 14, the Lord is given 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes.  He blessed it, fed 5,000 people and had 12 extra baskets left.  If we subtract for righteousness sake, the Lord will multiply.  As I think about my experience as a missionary.  I am subtracting 18 months of my life, giving up school, career, family, but the Lords blessings that he is giving to me, my family, and my future family is eternal.  We can't count the number of blessings that the Lord will give us if we subtract for righteousness sake.  Wonderful lesson right?

Also, Elder Pajaro gave a wonderful talk about families. He said that the first thing Heavenly Father wants us to know is to be grateful for our parents.  We all have read I Nephi 1:1.  The Book of Mormon begins with Nephi being grateful for his "goodly parents".  He did not say perfect parents, but parents that did all they could him and taught him well.  Just like Nephi, I am grateful for my wonderful parents.  I love you mom and dad so much and I am blessed beyond words to have you as my mom and dad.  I can't express my thanks to Heavenly Father for sending me into this family. I will never be able to repay Him for the blessing of a loving and eternal family that He sent me into.  I love you all so much, Mom, Dad, Nicole,Jake,Lyla, Noelle,Wesley, Samantha.  I love you all.  I look forward to skyping you all in just a few weeks.  Its been a long time, and I've been waiting and the time is so soon!  Thank you all for your love and prayers :)  Mahal ko kayo :)

Love, Sister Latham