All the right reasons the Philippines has my heart

​This week I've had kind of a hard time because I'm starting to realize that I'm actually coming home. . .So that's weird. But I think it's so hard because I've reeally come to love my mission. Here's 18 reasons Why :) 

1. I love trikes and jeeps. They are super way fun way of public transportation. :)

2. Going to the Market here is really fun because it's cheap even if I don't know how to haggle. :) 

3. I am no longer a picky eater... I have eaten balut, dinuguan (meat cooked in blood), buro (fermented rice and fish), squid, frog, crickets and much, much more

4. I have a lot of new friends! Missionaries, members, investigators, and people I just meet. I've learned how to get a long with all sorts of people

5. I have really found a deep appreciation and lvoe for the scriptures. I like the scriptures before and I would read, but I've really learned how to study the scriptures, to ponder and most importantly, apply it in my life :) 

6.  ​I LOVE TAGALOG. I love learning Tagalog and I love speaking Tagalog.  

7. I've got to learn a lot from going on exchanges.. I have felt like each exchange I've gone on has really been a lesson just fro me. 

8. I love being a part of seeing people change. It doesn't happen all at once, but it's amazing to see what people can do :) 

9. Everybody tells me I'm pretty. So I'm gonna miss that :) hah

10. I've overcome a lot of fears while I've been here and proved to myself that I can do things I didn't think I could do :) 

11. I now understand why people point with their lips here. It's so much easier. 

12. I have gotten to know both President and Sister Martino and Presdient and Sister Clark. I'me grateful for the thigns i have learned from each of them. 

13. I have a better understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and what He truly did for me and hopw I can show appreicationf or that. 

14. Even though I've had hard days, the good days make it worth it. :) ANd I've ahd a lot of good days. 

15. I LOVE my companinons :) I learned something from each one of them and I' so grateful for their kindness and the realtionships I've built with each one. 

16. I've got to feel the Spirit in a way I never have before. It's an amazing experience to really be guided by the Lord in His work. That's another thing I've learned, Missionary work is the Lor'ds work and He rally does know what He's doing better than we do. 

17. It's has been undescribable being apart of other peoploe's conversion. Seeing them struggle, ask questions, then start finding answers and gaining a testimony. They change their lives according to the knowledge they gain and before you know it, they are doing amazing things like giving blessings and serving in callings!

18. It's even betterknowing that I have become converted myself.Before my mission, I thought Iknew why I was coming... But now I've realized it was an experience I needed. Yes, I cam for the right reasons, but I didn't know all those reasons and probably won't know all the effects my mission has had in my life and in the lives of others. But I do know that I love my Savior Jesus Christ. I'm grateful to have served Him and our Heavenly Father for this short time n my life. I still feel like I haven't done enough, but I do know I did my best :) And that's all They ask of us. 

Love you all!! 

Can't wait to see you ;) ;) :) 

xoxoxoxoxo

Sister Holmes

No Show Super Typhoon

I have a lot to say and only a little time to say it... 

We got to attend Women's Conference this week (Yes, I know we are behind but it was so good). I loved all of the talks and it's just amazes the how our leaders know exactly what we need to hear. I'm looking forward to general Conference this next weekend... I know all of you have already heard it.. but I'm still excited. 

We had zone interviews this past week... We are starting a new topic of Real Growth... Real Growth through Faith. I really loved something that PResident Clark told us. It's something along the lines of how we sometimes have doubts or get distracted from our faith, but the advice he gave us was just to stop it. It becomes a huge stumbling block.. .and I loved what asked us. He asked us if we don't have anything to think about, what we think about. That has a huge effect on what we do, so if we think faith-filled thoughts, our actions will also be faith-filled. If we have doubts-- even the slightest doubt, we are not showing our faith. Something lie that... I left my notes at home, but I know that all of us can experience Real Growth through our Faith. 

We were supposed to have a "SUPER TYPHOON" but it decided not to show up. It has been so hot, I don't blame it.

We had a real good easter... the Primary looked for eggs outside during their classes so that was real cute. I can't believe I was in Tarlac last Easter as well. . But I'm really grateful for a knowledge of a living Savior, that because of HIm we all have the hope of being resurrected and returning to our Heavenly Father's presence. 

My companion and I were talking about the symbols of easter and why we have an easter egg... I really like what we came up with. When I chick is inside the egg, it has to work its way out from the inside, and the chick is "trapped" inside. We are similarly trapped in bands of death and sin. But because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we will all have the power to overcome those things, and break out from our shells. 

Let us continue to use and recgonize Chris'ts Atonement in our lives. 

Love you all!!

xoxoxo

Sister Holmes