Recovering. . .-- May 26,2013

May 26, 2013

The worst part about my sickness is that I have NO energy. Even though I haven't had a fever for like 5 days, we still have to sleep a lot, and take naps. Just walking down the street exhausts me!!!

We tried to teach some lessons last Wednesday. They were HORRIBLE. Like honestly, the worst lessons we've ever taught. My companion and I just walked away laughing from all of them, because they were so bad. But, surprisingly, one lady actually felt the spirit and was crying!! Our lesson was about prayer. We use a Tagalog Book of Mormon because the one in Waray-Waray only has selected chapters. Anyway, Instead of sharing a scripture on prayer, I accidently turned to a scripture about how the scriptures tell us all things which we should do. As she was reading it in Tagalog, I read my English version. Realizing my mistake, I then added, "So sister, the scriptures tell us to pray always, so that's what we need to do!" then she started crying. It was super funny afterward. My companion looked very stunned. I felt very stunned. It was interesting for sure!! Anyway, our other lessons weren't much better than that.

The next day, we went to the top of a mountain. NO one was home, and we were so tired from traveling, we had to sleep the rest of the day.

Friday was "clean your entire house day, no work allowed." For the whole mission. So, I spent hours making our kitchen SPOTLESS. Then, exhausting all of my strength, I slept for 8 hours.

Basically, I'm super excited for this week because I get to be a missionary again!!! I've gotten super far in my "Jesus the Christ" book! That's been a blessing! And I've been able to study and write a lot of letters!

AND! Mildred came to church yesterday!!!!!! WOOOOO!! And I gave another talk, and my companion didn't have to help me at all!! And no one said I sounded like I was Chinese anymore!! So that was all very exciting!!!

It has been quite an interesting couple weeks. And despite my inability to be a normal missionary, I've learned so much! I learned how much I really love these people. I was sooooooo sad that we couldn't go teach. I just wanted them to be super happy and learn the gospel, but I couldn't leave my house! IT was terrible. I felt so helpless!

But now, I should be back to the normal teaching schedule this week, and all will be well... And then, next week is transfers week! We don't know who is getting transferred. That scares me! I love Catbalogan so much!!! I never thought that some random city on an island in the middle of the ocean, thousands of miles away from my real home could feel so much like home. I love these people, and I love helping them receive the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It brings so much happiness and peace. I know without a doubt that this is the true church, and happiness only comes by living its' standards and being obedient to the commandments. I love the lord, and I love being his servant.

I loved in General Conference when President Monson said, " The Lord knows that whenever He needs an errand run, that he can count on Tommy Monson."

The best part of this gospel is that we can do better everyday to prove to the Lord that he can trust us and count on us.

Enjoy your week everyone!!! Lots of Love from the Philippines!!!

Love,

Sister Bingham

Mom: I am happy that you all are having fun. But, The Philippines is 1 million times more awesome than Hawaii, so I'm not jealous!