A Missionary's Work: Love and Smiling On

5/1/2017

Hello everybody, yes it's me again 😉

This week was a good hard working week. We had CSP (Community Service Project) on Thursday. We helped floor a house, but probably not the way you all are thinking. We hauled dirt inside so that the dirt floor is more elevated for floods and such. So my back felt great the next day, ha. But you all probably know it was the best and I can't wait to go another round. 🙂

Also, we have tons of lizards in our house and such. Which this morning we found that we have accidentally smashed 2 lizards in the door and one smashed by my companion's desk. I think by next week there might be more, haha. Here's some background on my area here. There's pretty much just one job here and that's in the bukid/farm growing palay/rice with the shells still on. So when there's no work there after harvest, there's a lot of sitting around. There's a lot of debt here also because of the lack of work. Sort-of a dead end town. Like born here and going to die here in this small town type of deal. Kinda sad, but the good part is we can help them smile because of the message we share about Christ. The people are very nice though and love to chat, especially with a foreigner who speaks Tagalog, ha!

Anyway, I would love to share two things. One is a saying I always say, "Stay Pogi (handsome) and smile on." It's just a reminder to me and maybe others that we can choose to be happy. Like one thing my coach said, "fake it 'til you make it". It's true, in every wrestling match, whether tired or not, we would always act like we were just warming up and would jog around the mat or bounce in place. You know what, coach was right, by the end of the season, I wasn't tired. Now, if we apply this principle to other parts of our life, like happiness, we can become happy. I guess it's a little deeper than practice over and over again becoming a routine and not real happiness, but it's the fact as we continue to smile, even if you don't feel like it, we are enduring something to a better level than it would be if we frowned. As we try our best, we get a boost from others and God's tender mercies and can eventually see more of a happier sphere, than the sad one that would be there if we were to give up the fight, quit the race, or simply let the frown take over. So the phrase "smile on" has something to it, and I know can help as we truly do "stay Pogi and smile on".

The second thing I have felt to share is about God's love for his children (us). Every day I meet new people. All of them are bukod-tangi (unique) and in different life spots/situations. One thing that I notice is almost everyday, one person we meet is in such a low place, sad or depressed, angry and such. I feel such a compassion and love for them, because of the love of God. I know he loves us so much. He sent his son to die for us (the only one who could atone for us) and watched the people of the world crucify him. He gave us families and friends. He gave us a plan so we could, if we live the gospel of Jesus Christ (faith in Christ, repentance, baptism, gift of the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end) we can return to him and Jesus Christ with our families. He love us so much, he wants us to stretch, learn, and grow, so he give us some trials to help us become more of the person he knows and envisions us being able to become. He never gives too much, just enough to really feel it and grow from it. He never gives anything we can't handle in Christ (because all things are possible in Christ). He truly loves us and as we feel that love, we also become instruments, teaching and helping and serving others so eventually they can feel his love for them. I know he loves us and I love all of you, so this week, try to show God's love for his children through what you do for others, for we are his hands.
P.S. Stay Pogi and smile on!
P.P.S. Here's some cool pics of this guy and friends, haha!