Happy Valentine's Day

Yesterday at church everyone asked what Sis.Bolo & I did for Valentine's day. Our response - "we worked." hahaha so we did nothing special, but there was still plenty of love to go around (:

Do you know what was not fun about my week though? When I had to eat the stomach lining of a pig. It had the consistency of rubber and the taste of.. well, whatever stomach lining taste like haha and to make it worse it was deep fried, as is everything here in the Philippines. I'm pretty my life expectancy has decreased by 2-3 years.

On a super cool note, President Beck ,the Church Young Men General Presidency and Elder Bowen of the Quourm of the 70 visited our mission (:

But the highlight of my week, as with every week, is teaching my investigators! This week we were teaching RJ. He's a great 18 year-old kid who made a lot of mistakes at an early age in his life. We were teaching him about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and he asked me, "Sister Lauck, do you actually think I can change? Like really change? I think I've done too many bad things to feel clean again." I was SO happy to tell him with full confidence that he can indeed change. In essence, all of us need to change, whether we've made big mistakes or little ones. And that's what I LOVE about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a message of hope & 2nd chances. The reason Heavenly Father provided us a Savior is so that He can help us be cleansed of sin and especially help us to change, especially because we cannot do it on our own. That's definitely a lesson I've learned time and time again on my mission and I am extremely grateful that I have a knowledge that I can become clean in every way and become a better person through following my Savior Jesus Christ. What a blessing this Gospel is in my life (: And the best part is that I get to share it with my friends like RJ, who don't have this knowledge. I know Heavenly Father wants us to become like Him, so He provided us with EVERYTHING we need to be successful. I know He loves you and He loves me. I hope everyone is able to feel the love He has for you in a very personal way! I love you all (:

Sister Lauck

p.s. pics - the 4 pinays (well 3 real ones + me the wannabe) at a mission conference

the elders and us had a cake party (filipino tradition) at an investigator's house

Swete Ko Kays Tanan

Just for funsies, y'alls Bisayan phrase for the day:"swete ko kays tanan" = I am the luckiest person ever

Which is exactly what I am (:

Sis. Bolo and I had 9 investigators go to church yesterday. I was so happy that last night my facial muscles were dead sore haha and that's saying something because I usually am exercising those bad boys everyday! 

It was also so neat because Sis.Bolo and I saw direct blessings in our work as a result of our fast for our investigators. Sis. Juliet, who said last week that baptism was not the right decision for her, came running up to us when we saw her at her job saying, "Sisters, sisters, baptize me tomorrow! I got an answer! I know this church is true". That's probably my favorite thing to teach as a missionary - that people can pray directly to their Heavenly Father about whether what we testify, that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church here on the Earth, is true or not. And if they have sincerity and our willing to act upon their answer, they ALWAYS receive an answer from Him. It's a formula that works every time (:

I love everyone! Whether you are a member or not, try asking our Heavenly Father if these things are true, and I KNOW you can get an answer from Him personally! 

love,

sister lauck (:

Happy February!!!!!

Hey y'all!

In case anyone was having a bad day...

Here's a picture with cute, little Filipino children to cheer you up (: (they don't look too happy in the picture, but I promise, they really are happy kids)

and here's a great quote from our living prophet, President Thomas S. Monson:

“So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment.”

One of the most valuable lessons I've learned on my mission is that when the rough waters come, there are still so many reasons to be happy and smile. Happiness is definitely a choice! (: 

I love everyone!

Sister Lauck (O: