That Moment When...

That moment when you forget to carry toilet paper with you and you are forced to become a true Filipino. Wow it's been a crazy week here in Mariveles! We had a branch party for family week and it was AN ABSOLUTE RIOT! If I've learned one thing about Filipinos it's that they know how to have fun.

I had to give a surprise family home evening lesson last Monday. We got to the house and they kinda have like a branch family home evening so there were quite a few people there, and guess who they wanted to give a lesson? Your's truly! So I just talked about Alma 34:32 and how now is the time that we need to prepare to meet God. He gave us this opportunity to learn and grow here on this earth and we are able to do that together as families. We can't procrastinate when we will try to do better because there is only so much time we have before we are called home! There is always something we can do better in our lives. As we continue to develop Christlike attributes, our faith in Him grows stronger. We are able to become more perfected through the atonement of our Savior.

I was talking to my companion the other day during companionship study about how I felt like I knew so little about the Book of Mormon. He shared with me a quote from President Ian Ardern that says "Don't worry about how many times you go through the Book of Mormon. Worry about it going through you." That is so true! We need to let ourselves be changed. We need to open our hearts to the whispering of the Holy Ghost. I know that as we try to live the teachings of the Gospel more fully, our lives will be blessed.

I love it here in Mariveles. It is so awesome here! We teach a few people who live in shacks down by the ocean and it is such an amazing experience. I get to do things I never thought I would get to here. I'm slowly getting better at teaching. I know that the Lord has given me strength to fulfill my calling. As a missionary, I have been called of God to be a full time teacher. It is not always easy, but I have seen the miracles of the enabling power of the atonement in my life. Don't be afraid to let the Lord work miracles through you! He is a God of miracles! I hope you all have a good week! Thank you for all the prayers you've said for me. I'm praying for you guys! Have a good week and stay safe! Peace out na!

Elder Furniss