"Watch Out For Snakes"

Kumusta mga aking kaibigan at pamilya?!

So the reason for this title...there are snakes everywhere and they are a biting! Last Monday night we were going to start exchanges with this one set of sisters but they called and one got bit by a snake! Then last night we were walking along this path and these people stopped us saying "May ahas diyan!" There's a snake there! Then they killed it with this spear thing and all was good. But they're not just the little guys, they are big!! Ya, but all is well, the sister was fine and we moved forward; just watch out for the ahas!

This week was a crazy one; that's how all my weeks go as a STL I feel like. I had a wake up call the other day...Tuesday I got to work with Sister Wilkes again, on her last day!! Her parents came to the Philippines to pick her up but we worked her last day together and it was really good...I think I needed that to kinda shake me and remind me that I don't have very much time left...and that I need to make my last days the best and give my all. Ever since then I felt like a new energy came and a new focus in the work; more diligent and yet more fun. I love this work, nothing is more fun then going and teaching people the gospel and changing lives. It's the most rewarding and the funniest. I love these people :) especially this new family we are teaching. Marissa and Ariel (yes, Ariel is a guy's name in the Philippines, just say it the way Sebastian says it and you got it! Haha) but they are great! We read through Joseph Smith History with them and sister just kept saying over and over, "this is me." And then brother said, "I know this is true, just from what I've read in the Book of Mormon and felt as I've prayed, I know it's true." Those are the best words to hear...it's amazing to see that their search for the truth and happiness is finally coming to an end. They're finding it :)

12 For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it—

 13 Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven—

 14 These should then be attended to with great earnestness.

 15 Let no man count them as small things; for there is much which lieth in futurity, pertaining to the saints, which depends upon these things.

 16 You know, brethren, that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves.

 17 Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed....D&C 123:12-17

I love that scripture and it just fits perfectly with what I learned and experienced this week. Just always remember to see the salvation of God and His hand in our lives; attend with great earnestness but then stand and be still and see God perform miracles.

And Sister Wilkes shared this with me...

 71 And the Lord of the vineyard said unto them: Go to, and labor in the vineyard, with your might. For behold, this is the last time that I shall nourish my vineyard; for the end is nigh at hand, and the season speedily cometh; and if ye labor with your might with me ye shall have joy in the fruit which I shall lay up unto myself against the time which will soon come.

 72 And it came to pass that the servants did go and labor with their mights; and the Lord of the vineyard labored also with them; and they did obey the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard in all things... Jacob 5:71-72

For behold the end is nigh but great shall be the joy of those who labor. Let us labor, no matter where we are.

Mahal na mahal ko kayo!! Have a great week and I'll actually be seeing you soon!

Love, Sister Burnham