Week 57 - Well, here it goes

To say this week was frustrating would probably not even do it justice. Good way to start right? You are all excited and full of energy now! But for some reason people refuse to answer the phone or the door.. they need to just slow down or something. it seems right now that people are all so caught up in the season, they are slowly pushing Christ further and further out of their everyday lives. The problem we are having right now is mostly coming from the time that is spent at work by the Filipinos.. they are picking up the pace with more and more expectations from back home. They are pretty much expected to supply for the family back home, the more they make, the more they send home. Kinda of  a vicious cycle. But because of that, they are picking up more shifts and in some cases more jobs to just cover their basics. We will see what happens in the future, hopefully it will improve once Christmas passes. 

Now to bring light to this email, we are seeing miracles with the Less-Actives we have been working with.. honestly they are feeling the love of our Savior more and more and beginning to understand the love our Heavenly Father has for them. We have been working with Rolando still, he has just come from a life of close depression, to now a life that he appears to be at greater peace and happiness, even though the things in life financially and physically may not be necessarily improving. He is seeing the Holy Ghost more evident and becoming more aware of those promptings. But also he is seeing that this gospel is not so much about being perfect, as obtaining perfection. This is a trial that many go through that I have come across, they feel either they aren't good enough to pray, or not free from sin so they cannot go to church, the list go on and on. It breaks my heart in all honesty. But it does not have to be so! Another lady we are working with is named Nora, she is so sweet to us and honestly just super nice. She has gone from great activity in the church, to what appeared to be complacency and acceptance of a lack thereof. Recently we have been seeing her weekly, and she said in our last visit how much she has been thinking about the gospel, how much she misses the blessings of weekly attendance and the temple.. we went on to talk about the Love of our Savior, to the divinity of his mission, and ultimately the opportunity we each have to turn a new leaf of sorts and begin wherever we are and commence on our path to discipleship.. I love being able to help these people, seems like they are helping me a lot more than I could ever do for them though! 

Met with Lisa and Allen! A miracle! Okay that is a bit aggressive, but it had been too long. We talked about the Plan of Salvation, they had so many good questions. They know this is the right path, but things have just been hard for them as of late.. mostly due to the pressures of the season unfortunately. It has still been so rewarding to see someone who knows this will improve their family's lives, that this is a path that will lead to greater unity.. once again it feels that my testimony of this gospel just flourishes when I am teaching these type of prepared individuals. They are working on just making this a part of their everyday lives.. they are getting so close to just having things fall into place, hopefully it will continue to work out for them.. The problems have been real, the trials have been troubling, but seriously Satan oughta just back off.. Why do the hard things come to those who are trying so hard to do and be good?!

Well, we have Christmas Conference this week, it should be good! Definitely a good time of year to be representing the Lord. Hopefully you all will do all that you can to bring Christ into your Christmas.. What will you give Christ this year?

Love, Elder McFall