Monday, July 28, 2014

Time Flies

Time is absolutely flying by right now. Our days are long and hot, but they slip by one after the other. I don't have too much to say this week, except that I still love it. I'm not tired of being a missionary, I don't think I ever will be. Sometimes my body is exhausted from all the walking, sometimes my brain can't figure out how to speak English, but I never feel spiritually exhausted. It's amazing that the harder I work my mind and body, the stronger my spirit and testimony become. It's amazing to feel such a joyful power inside of me. Sometimes our area is really discouraging. People don't want to share their time with us, they're busy, uneasy, or just unaware. But I work every day to love them just the same. It's an interesting thing to wake up each day and pray earnestly for people I've never met and they have no idea. Makes me wonder who prays for each one of us every day and we don't even know it. And to think that we have a loving Father in Heaven who constantly cares and thinks about us. Dieter F. Utchdorf said in General Conference several years ago, "Compared to Godman is nothingyet we are everything to God". Think about that this week when you feel stressed out or alone, I know it helps me.

Ingat, mahal ko kayo!



Wednesday, July 16, 2014

What a Week

This week was pretty crazy. After horribly high fevers and wondering if we were going to die, my companion and I finally overcame dengue fever. We were so happy to be healthy again. We have a new appreciation for our daily work. We are finding ourselves so thankful to walk in the hot sun or pouring rain. Not only did I survive dengue fever, but I also made it through my first typhoon. It actually wasn't bad at all. All of the banana trees across from our house got ripped out of the ground so bananas were absolutely everywhere. We will have bananas for a while. We have to find some good recipes. The wind was really strong and it whistled through our house, which was pretty creepy. And we learned that our ceiling leaks really badly. But we are safe and playing in the rain was lots of fun, even if we were stuck at home for another day.

We had a big "Meet the President" conference on Monday to meet our new mission president. They really emphasized become disciples of Jesus Christ is all that we do and say. I really want to be the kind of person that when people see me or meet me, they know that I am His disciple, with or without a nametag. I love being a missionary, rain, shine, or fever. Thank you for everyone who supports me so lovingly.


Have a great week!

Sister Cork

Pictures

 After ten days of being sick, stuck in the house, I still can't play the ukelele.
 I love the Deparo Primary!
 I love this sweet boy. He reminds me of Harrison as a little kid.
 My island sisters.
 My beautiful ward building.
 Playing in the rain with my companion.
 Our broken banana trees.
 My companion and I at a conference. (And crazy E.Nuku from Fiji)
 Deparo Ward Youth
Helping clean up after the storm!


Wednesday, July 9, 2014

My life is crazy.

Here's a quick, chronological review of my crazy week...

We had a service project and we swept the trash-filled streets of Bagong Silang, It was really fun. The sister and elders in our zone are great company. People came out of their homes to watch us sweep and sweep. They asked why we were cleaning somewhere we didn't live or if we were being paid or running for political office. It was fun to tell them who we are and what we were doing. I love the people here more every day. 

I'm the only American in our house, but I had to celebrate the Fourth of July! So we invited the elders who live next to us and we had a little American lunch party. It was lots of fun. There were hamburgers, french fries, potato salad, fried okra, chips, and soda. My kabahays sang the Pledge of Allegiance and God Bless America all day long. It was a good day. 

The end of the week proved to be pretty challenging. My companion and I contracted dengue fever. A virus that I thought was just something they told us about to make sure we drink clean water and use bug spray. But, it's actually a real thing. We had 105 degree fevers and were pretty miserable. Between the medication and the fevers we were a little crazy, which led to some pretty funny conversations. Luckily we're in really good hands here. No worries, we're on our way to getting better.

The longer I continue my service as a missionary, the more my appreciation and understanding of the priesthood expands. I am so thankful that our loving Heavenly Father is willing to impart a portion of His divine power to the young men I serve with each day. I am so thankful for their willingness to live worthy, clean lives so that when needed they can offer blessings of comfort and healing. 

Have a great week!


Sister Cork