READY FOR THE 8 WEEK TRANSFER :)

Hello everyone again! 

Just to start off, we got transfer calls this morning, and my companion and I are staying together for another transfer!!  Sister Consulta thought she was going to be transferred, but that is not the case :)  I'm excited to have another transfer with her, especially because we are heading into an 8 week transfer!

We are going to be so busy, with conferences, sisters conference, and working with all the sisters and doing a lot of projects because President and Sister Revillo are trying to finish all of their plans so we will be helping them :)  It's really exciting, but also very tiring!  We are ready though and will get in a power nap this afternoon! This will be my first nap in 6 weeks, I'M SO EXCITED :)  I need the rest too because I am still a bit sick, I'm not throwing up anymore, but I still have a cold, and my stomach is a bit uneasy.  I will get better though, don't worry!  My companion is also sick, so we will endure together :)

We were actually able to work in our area this week, and we were punted so bad!  2 full days we were punted.  It's hard because sometimes I just lose my patience and want to give up, but I just continue to remind myself that there is a reason for all things and Heavenly Father is preparing us for someone else to talk to.  We talked to a lot of people those two days, so hopefully we will see some success from that come this week as we go and do our return appointment with them :) 

We also had a temple tour this week for our investigators and we had two of our investigators come!  We have 2 investigators that are really progressing, one we just haven't had time to teach all the lessons and he speaks only Ilocano, and the other is still struggling on the Word of Wisdom so we are helping him with that!  Hopefully we will have a few baptisms coming up this next transfer :) 

Well, I wish I had more time to write, but it is time for me to get off the computer, know that I love you and am so grateful for all of you!!!   Have a wonderful week!

Love, Sister Latham

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Hello everyone!  Well I will just quickly get over telling you how my Valentines day was, I THREW UP about 6 times, my face broke broke out in reaction to a skin thing that I used, and I had NO CHOCOLATE at all!  BUT, we did have a lot of less active families at church and investigators, so overall, it was a great day :) 

I'm feeling better this morning though, I don't feel sick at all, and my skin got back to normal, so that is wonderful!!

This past week has been really busy and we barely got to work in our area, but we continue to see the Lord blessing our area even when we don't get to work in it that often.  I was able to work with Sister Viray and Sister Ah Fua this week :)  Sister Ah Fua is a new missionary this transfer and we just had the best day!  Although the language is hard, she keeps moving forward and continues to humble herself and rely on the Lord's help! 

This week we also had Missionary Leadership Council where we discussed about the things going on the mission and with the missionaries.  After we had a fun activity where we went out into the areas near the chapel and went finding for an hour and a half and then we ate pizza! Usually they go bowling for the activity, but they wanted to make it missionary related so we went finding and it was really fun :) 

This week we were only able to teach Dino, the part member, one time because he is really busy.  He continues to keep his commitments though and we are really praying that he will continue to push forward and keep going on this journey:)  We also were able to teach Rhea and Zaldy, they are both less active.  Brother had work on Sunday, so he said that he would not be able to make it to church, and sister said she is too shy to come to church.  Zaldy really has the desire though to come back to church and said he would talk to his boss for the next Sunday to see if he could get off.  As he walked us to the gate he said something really powerful that showed his desire to come back.  He said  in Tagalog that he is repenting of all the things that he has done in the past because he wants to return back to church and honor the priesthood that he has.  AND THEN...Sunday comes, Sister Consulta and I are sitting down, I look behind me, and I see BOTH of them walk in!!  Zaldy had decided to do a half day and his boss let him, we reminded him that if our desire is there, there is always a way :)

Now, we are heading into the last week of the transfer which means, that I will email next Tuesday :)  I love you all so much, thanks for the support and prayers!!  I will email you all next week!

Love, Sister Latham

Spiritual Scripture from my Personal Study this morning:

 John 8:29 "And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him."

This is the upside down house that I mentioned in my email last week :)  And if you couldn't tell in the picture above, the Americans are the only ones doing the hand on the hip hahaha

I just want the time to slow down a little bit!

Hello family!  I can't believe that I am already emailing again....and we had to wait an extra day!  The days flash by here, we are always on the go and there is never a time to rest.  I've never been so tired in my life, it really hit me this week!  I looked like a zombie at night and in the morning...sorry I don't have any pictures hahaha

But, I think I have adjusted now, and my body is doing well! I'm not sick, and I now have more energy :)

This week we had to go buy all the groceries for the 72 hour kits, we had 3 big grocery carts full of food!  That is the most things I have ever bought at the grocery store! I felt like a MOTHER buying for 30 children!!  They really do mean it when they say that the mission prepares you for future life! hahaha

I also had my interview with President, It is always wonderful to meet with him :)  We were able to discuss how things were going with the sisters in the route, and all I had was good news :)  They are doing wonderful!  President also asked when I was going home again and I told him July 13th and we both said "That is so soon." hahaha  It is coming to fast!  People say that the last two months go by even faster, so I don't know if I am prepared or not.  Of course I am so excited to see you all, but I'm also not ready to leave this place and these people.  It's okay, I know the Lord has perfect timing though :)

Well, just to let you know, I had to be reminded of my one year on February 4th haha.  Sister Duque reminded me that morning because I had just forgotten and was also so busy! haha  It's been a wonderful year and I'm grateful for what is ahead in the next few months!  For my one year, we ate at the "Upside Down House".  It was dark so I was not able to take a picture, but I will send you a picture next time, or you can look it up.  It is near the temple, it is so cool!

For our investigators, we are really seeing progress in the area.  Dino, the part member, came to church on Sunday and is really showing his willingness to give up word of wisdom and prepare for baptism.  He is seeing the blessings that come through obedience to the Lord's commandments.   We also have  a new investigator this week, Ryan. He is 9 years old and a part member...but he doesn't speak tagalog, he only speaks Ilocano, which was not on my mission call to speak that language, so I have no idea what he is saying, neither does my companion.  So we are going to find a way to teach him more effectively this week!  

This upcoming week we are really busy as well.  Tomorrow and thursday we have exchanges and then on friday we have MLC with all the leaders in the mission and then we are going bowling after.  So our only day to really work this week in the area is Saturday and Sunday. Sometimes it is hard to not be able to have the time to work in the area, but we see the Lord blessing this area despite of the time we are able to spend in it :) 

I love you all so much and hope you have a wonderful week ahead of you! I look forward to email you next week :)

Love, Sister Latham

I'm enjoying every minute!

Hello everyone, sometimes I don't even know what to write about because the time has just gone so fast and sometimes I have forgotten all that I have done!  haha

But here are a few things that happened this week:

From the pictures below you can see that there are 2 pictures of me with two other sisters.  Those are the two AMAZING and WONDERFUL sisters that I was able to work with on exchanges.  We had so much fun and I learned so much from them.  Sister Faalogo is from Australia and is brand new in the field.  She has only been here for about 3 weeks, but she is doing great!  Her love for the people is just indescribable, I love it!  Of course she is a foreigner and so the language is hard, but I felt like I was able to connect with her because I have been in her shoes.  I know how frustrating it can be when you don't understand a word anybody says to you, and you can't even express your own thoughts to them in their language.  But, she has the love of Jesus Christ and I know that they feel it.  I FELT IT. 

The other sister I went on exchanges with was Sister Duque, it probably sounds familiar because she was my past companion! I follow up trained her when I first came to Quezon City, my 2nd area!  My goodness, I missed her so so much!!!  I can see the her progress though!   She is talking to everybody now, really applying what she is doing, and is becoming who the Lord wants her to become.  The sisters here in this mission are amazing and I'm so grateful that I have the opportunity to work with them, learn from them, and gain a better relationship with them :)

As you can see in my other picture...I experienced Christmas again!! I got a package from the primary in Loomis and I also got a package from Brooke.  They were filled with lotion, candy, chocolate, gummy worms, cheese its, and wonderful cards :)  Thank you again for the wonderful support from back home.

It was a busy week in the office as well, I think we laminated over 100 papers, and we frosted cupcakes for a meeting.  I never thought I would do that in my mission :)  Hahaha  I'm really enjoying it though!  We have our interviews with President this week so I am really excited for that as well!  Next week, my P-DAY is on TUESDAY, because it is Chinese New Year!  :)  Another celebration! hahaha

I also had a wonderful experience this past week with my companion.  We are pretty much white washing our area because our boundaries were changed this transfer and all of the members and investigators went to the other sisters.  We thought we would be successful in looking through the ward directory and going to visit members in our area.  So the people we planned to visit lived near the temple.  So we walked to the temple, its about a 20 minute walk.  All of the people we had planned to visit no longer lived there, some had already passed away, so we did not have a lesson that day.  It was full of walking and we were so tired.  As we ended our day near the temple, we walked on the temple grounds, found a quiet place, knelt and prayed individually and as a companionship.  It was a wonderful feeling.  The spirit at the temple is so different.  In my individual prayer, as I knelt and prayed for guidance, I felt like I was the only one there.  There was no noise except for the gentle wind, and I just felt the spirit so strong.  I love the temple.  It is such a sacred place where we can find peace, guidance, and revelation.  :)  And I am grateful that it is also so close. 

Another good news is that we have a less active mother and her husband coming to church in our area.  He is really potential and we are so glad that she is coming back to church and bringing her family :) We will keep praying for them and pray that they will prepare themselves for baptism!  All is well, I am happy, and enjoying every experience that I have!

Love you all so much, 

Sister Latham

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