Week 39

Hello Everybody :)

So we had a very exciting week! And a lot of news going around on about Tacloban. It's straight up cray and at the same time such exciting news. But first I want to talk about the stuff going on in good 'ol Pajo ward...... 

I will not lie, this is my favorite ward to have been assigned to work in so far. This ward is amazing! They are always so continually supportive of the missionary work, we have days set apart just to contact referrals with members! Hahah, we are no longer visiting teachers to the les active members :) Jokes Lang, but it did feel like that just about all the time. So needs to say, that we have so much fun contacting all these members friends. You can totally tell just how much the gospel means to these members, and how much they desire their friends to enjoy this happiness as well. Me, Sister Ande, and Elder Koroinamua gave talks this Sunday on missionary work and hastening the work this Christmas season. It totally gave the members even more encouragement to share :) At stake conf. about two or three weeks ago, a member of the stake talked about sharing the gospel this way, "I have a gift for you. And I want you to read it." Talking about the Book of Mormon. And what greater way to give the gift of Love, Happiness, and the 'Jesus is the reason for the season". :) 

The ward as well was so very supportive of welcoming our new member this last weekend :) Little miss gwapa, Rosely Ann, was baptized on Saturday and confirmed on Sunday. The ward planned everything for the service and was prepared to welcome her. I have had the greatest blessing by being able to meet her and share the gospel with her. Again, there is no doubt in my mind, she is one of the elect members in Heaven. Sister Rachel, our ward mission leaders wife gave a talk at the service, and said, "There are angels here. And they are smiling at you." Her family was totally there and so happy that they are all one step closer to being together forever :) I testify that that is true. That Rosely Ann will bless her family for eternities. Her deep desire to live the gospel and to have it in her life is so amazing! She will continue to "Pagpadayon sa hasta ka hasta" for sure! 

Now for news on Tacloban.... Y'all remember my first ward? Tanauan. How we always had a max of 50-60 come to church each week and were a ward of about 600..... A member from Alang Alang told me some amazing news about Tanauan on Sunday. They have an average of 600 come to church each Sunday since the typhoon. Bishop Cabe has his hands full :) I can't even describe my emotions when they told me this! Do you know how hard we worked to get people to come to church, and now basically all of Tanauan is coming to church! It is so amazing to see how quickly people turn to God. There defiantly times in life when we feel the world will answer all of our troubles, make them go away. When the baguio hit I saw more people turn to God. Some that even didn't believe in Him, or hadn't even prayed before turned to Him, because they knew He was the only hope they had. And more importantly because they knew He would answer. 

Another exciting news, pero more of a "daw" (or the word on the street) from all the Tacloban missionaries and from the massive email chain going on.... We are going back next month or February! They say all will be well by then. President Andaya and two of the office Elders are over in Maasin in Leyte right now. We will now be Philippines Maasin Mission :) Hahah, one mission call, three missions :) 

Well, I love you all and hope that you all have a great Christmas next week :) I will be skyping y'all, so be sure your phones have a chime or something so you can get my email and get to the computer! Hahah, and make sure Rubs is there :) I gotta meet my niece! Hahah, LOVE YOU!!!!!

SISTER BRAY