Sister Brittany Robertson: Week 16

As for this week- GUYS I HAD MY FIRST BAPTISM AHH!! My heart is skipping right now just saying it. I finally, through the spirit and a lot of help from Heavenly Father, brought someone into His fold through the covenant of baptism and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. So yeah I will tell you her story. Her name is Princess. (Her real name is Sheryl but a common name here in the Philippines is Princess and that is what everyone calls her). She is eight years old, although next month she will turn 9. None of her family are members, even though we are working with them. But I first met her when I was on exchanges the first time, and she was so sweet. Kind of shy but everyone is here so nothing new. Every time we would come to her house to teach her, she would run out practically skipping and greet us with a firm handshake. She loved hearing about the gospel! She had a baptismal date in like June, but didn't get permission from her parents, so the missionaries kind of lightened up on teaching her. But this time around, she really wanted it so we decided to talk to her father. It is hard to talk to him, though, because he works all day and then comes home at night and immediately starts drinking. So this past Monday, we prayed and prayed we would be able to talk to him and that he wouldn't be drunk. Well, our prayers were answered. We showed up and he was completely sober and willing to talk to us. We eventually got his permission and then we prayed all week that they would continue to support her in her decision. She had come to church four times in a row by herself, which isn't easy for an 8 year old. But she felt the truth of the gospel. So Saturday came, and we went to pick her up for her baptism and she ran out all ready to go, 20 minutes earlier than we expected her to be ready. She was wearing a brand new dress that she got just for her baptism(: She came out skipping and then after she got baptized, she couldn't stop smiling and said she felt happiness. So stinking cute!! So that is my first soul I brought closer to salvation on my mission(: So much happiness. I don't think I have ever been happier than seeing her come out of the water and then seeing her get the holy ghost the next day. This gospel is so true! Any hurt I may have been feeling, or any difficulty on my mission, seemed to be wiped away seeing someone enter into the waters of baptism because of my doing. I love this work!!

That was really the highlight of my week as you can imagine. We also got our support on time this time so that was another highlight(: Its been raining on and off here. It'll be super hot for most of the day and then all of a sudden start pouring rain. Oh Sipalay(: I am making progress in the language everyday and getting more and more comfortable every day. Oh also! We got a referral and he is SUPER prepared. Like asked a million questions (which is how you can tell if someone is really interested or not) and read the whole pamphlet we gave him and remembered to ask about the restoration and just wanted to know every detail! He is super prepared and I am so excited to see how things turn out for him! He also has a family so that is very good. Happy days!

As for my spiritual insight, I just want to say I LOVE ALMA 26. I think it's my mission chapter. It's Ammon speaking about how hard missions are (which the missions of the Sons of Mosiah were way harder than mine) but how much we have to rejoice in the Lord. He says over and over how much we have to rejoice over because God is so good. And that is SO TRUE. That is exactly how I feel. I want to proclaim it to the entire world how true this gospel is. I wish everyone could feel how amazing it is like I do everyday. If everyone understood the doctrine of the gospel and how happy it makes them like I do, people would be lining up at the font, because I know this church is the one true church on the earth and wow it just makes me so happy. Even the best missionaries in the Book of Mormon, the Sons of Mosiah, got depressed and wanted to go home. Feeling heavy because missions are hard are normal. And Alma 26 reminded me of that. BUT if we have patience in our afflictions, God will make it all worth it. But WOW my favorite scripture in that chapter IS SO GOOD! GET READY!! Hahaha it's truly just such an accurate description of how I feel about this gospel. It's Alma 26:16, which reads "Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel." Like wow right? I literally cried in companionship study when talking about that verse.

It's so true. I cannot even say half or part of how grateful I am for this gospel and for my Savior, Jesus Christ. He does sooo much for me. Has has done so much for me. And he continues to be so good to me even though I am so weak, just as verse 12 says. Just everything I feel, Ammon conveys so well in that chapter. Yeah missions are hard. This is the hardest thing I have ever done, but how amazing the Lord is everyday! He watches out for me and constantly sends his love my way. I am so so so so grateful for my knowledge of the truth. I am so so so grateful for my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ who are so merciful to such a weakling like me. Every hard thing is worth it in life because we have a loving father and loving brother who cares for us so deeply. Anyways, I could talk forever about it, but I don't want to make this a novel. But truly. I am so insanely happy that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. There is nowhere else on this earth where you can find so much happiness. And I know that because I am living it everyday. I see the happiness it is bringing this people in the Philippines. I love this gospel. And I can't say that enough.

I love you family!! I love every one of you back home who is supporting me!! I miss you all deeply. Keep spreading the light to the world!

Sister Robertson