June 15, 2014
Hello Everyone!
This week has flown by, like this whole transfer has. I feel like every day
I'm saying, "What? It's Sunday already? P-day is
tomorrow??" But, I know that it's only going fast because we are
really busy.
I just wanted to take this e-mail to express my gratitude for all the
kindness all of you have shown me in my life. I've been trying hard to notice
all the kind acts of service other people do for me so that I can be more
grateful. I just want to record some of my observations.
The first, is Juliet. She's our recent convert that is 11. Because of her,
we had 10 investigators at church yesterday. This is what happened the past 3
months I've been in Catarman: We started teaching Juliet. She got
baptized. Juiet has a sister who we started teaching, who has a best friend
that she wanted to bring to the lessons. That best friend has two sisters and a
dad that wants to hear the lessons, too. Juliet has an aunt, sister Jillyn
Palo, who wanted to take the lessons, that has three children who all want to
get baptized. Just like that. 10 baptismal dates. I just want to add that I had
little to do with all of this. I'm so amazed at the progress that is happening
just from the efforts of an 11 year old with a learning problem. It touches my
heart. I'm amazed at how truly simple the gospel is. I'm blown away at how true
just small and simple things bring to pass great things. I guess this kindness
wasn't for me exactly, but I'm grateful for the blessing it has been to see all
of this come to pass.
The second, is a drunk man that lives by us. We see him all the time.
Yesterday, we couldn't find any change to pay the pedicab driver. It was Sunday
night, so we couldn't buy anything to break our change. This man, straight away
stood up and paid for us. I don't think this man has enough money to eat, but
he helped us out. My heart was touched at his simple act of kindness.
The third, are the priesthood holders in our ward. We had a super
great miracle activity! Me and my companion organized it. We showed the 20 min
restoration video in Tagalog, and then we showed the hour long,
"Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration." It was the greatest
activity, and we had a turn out of about 75 people. I know that doesn't seem
remarkable by any means, but virtually all our less active members and all of
our investigators came. Some of the priesthood holders pitched in and
bought popcorn for everyone. It just made everything perfect.
I love my mission. I love our prophet. I was reading a talk from this past
general Conference about kindness that he gave. He said that we, as people,
cannot say that we love God unless we love our fellow men. And, in turn, we
cannot love our fellow men without the help from God. I love how my mission has
really more than anything, has increased my capacity to love my fellow men. I
love everyone. I love that drunk man who paid for our ride, I love all the
people that came to the movie night, I love Juliet, and I love those people who
even told us that they didn't want to continue the lessons. I had no idea I
could love strangers this much.
I know my Savior, who is love personified, gave His sacred life for all of
us who aren't really that sacred. I love that he gave everything to His Father.
He accomplished His mission that was given Him. I know that with His help, we
can all strive to do the same.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Love,
Sister Bingham
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