My title says it all.
Families can be together forever.
This week we taught a family, a beautiful family. They are members and are trying their best to return back to church again. I LOVE them. I love them so much. Their daughter came back to Palawan to visit for Christmas- she lives in Manila for work right now- and the DAD, he came back to Santa Monica from work in Coron! (Coron is another part of Palawan) Usually it is just the Mom and the son who are here in Santa Monica, and so it was definitely GREAT to have EVERYONE all together for this Christmas season. Sister always talks about how wonderful her daughter and husband are, so it was amazing to get to see them as a whole family!
Can I just say...how beautiful it is to see families together forever? How beautiful is this gospel? How much peace does it bring into my heart, knowing that I have a forever family, and that one day I will have one of my own as well?
When we sat down with this family for our lesson, we sang "Families Can Be Together Forever" for our opening hymn. The minute we got going, the daughter starts crying. And then the mom starts crying. And then I start crying. And then Sister Lockwood starts crying. And then the Dad starts crying too. (The younger brother...he's a boy. He didn't cry. But Sister Lockwood and I still LOVE him! He is 14 years old and the epitome of a teenage boy.) The whole room was in tears. It ended up being Sister Lockwood who was the only one singing through her tears because the rest of us were just crying. It was perhaps the most spiritual experience that I've had since being here. I cannot describe why I began crying. All I know is that there was this overwhelmingly warm feeling that swallowed my entire being, and before I knew it, I was in tears. I knew so strongly, then and there, that FAMILIES CAN BE TOGETHER FOREVER. I loved seeing this family together. I love that they have a goal to be sealed in the temple for time and all eternity. I know that God works in His own time and will. But one day, one day for sure, this family will be sealed forever.
I love you all! So much. Mom, Dad, Gladys, Krystal. I have the BEST family in the world! Thank you Mom and Dad for raising me the way you did. I know I wasn't the most pleasant always....okay maybe I wasn't the most pleasant half the time......and I wasn't the most perfect teenager. But thank you for raising me with the values that both of you strive so hard to protect. You are doing a wonderful job with Gladys and Krystal. I know that they are growing up to be such wonderful young women because of you. I also know that arguments take place. But guess what? It's all good. Unfortunately...just kidding, FORTUNATELY, we are sealed for forever....soooo.....ain't nobody going anywhere!
I love teaching families. We had this family (that I just wrote about) as well as the ENTIRE LOPEZ family come to church this last week! WHAT! Two whole families?!??!?! And we had one reactivation this week!!!!!!! The work with our less-actives is going really well! I am so happy! We are so blessed. We will keep working hard.
In other news,
Is it possible to burn vegetables? Because I swear I burnt vegetables. Um...to be fair, I probably spent 0.00000001% of my 18 years of life cooking, soooo.......I can be excused! Haha, no, but, I will definitely keep working on my cooking skills. Watch out 2016! Kimberly Teo is going to come home and know how to COOK.
People are starting to ask, more and more, if I am Filipina! This makes me so happy. Most of the time people ask if I'm Korean. No. I'm not Korean. I am Singaporean. I think it is because of my glasses, but I always get Korean. But it's okay. I love Koreans. One of my favorite people- Betty- she is the BEST Korean I know! Korean represent! No but, I get asked if I am Filipina! Hooray! That makes me so happy! I can finally start to remember that I am actually half-Filipino. This mission is so good for me.
We did three service projects in two weeks! So imagine this- Sister Teo (me) chopping at bamboo with a long knife. Literally. Chopping at bamboo with a knife, and then burning all of that. Also- Imagine Sister Teo (me) digging at dirt to pluck out weeds. FUN, RIGHT?!?!??!?!?!?!??!! What I would give to see myself from another's eyes! This mission is teaching me to be tough too. And I have loved it. Everytime I start feeling a little hesitant to get in the dirt, I look at Sister Lockwood who is always so ready to work, and I think, "Okay, if she can do it. So can I." And then I GET INTO IT! And I NEVER want to end, each time. I KNOW that service makes you happy. I think that is why missionaries are so happy! We have so many people to think about that we have no time to be sad and think of ourselves! I LOVE service. Mom, Dad, I promise I won't be lazy by the time I get home. Watch me clean up the whole house ;) Haha. SERVICE WORKS! So GO SERVE SOMEONE TODAY!
I LOVE YOU ALL!
Shout out to Sanskruti, too! I love you! You were always a friend of Gladys' that I LOVED and respected so much. You are a good girl with a good head on your shoulders. Hugs all the way from the Philippines!
With love,
Sister Teo
P.S. This week I am halfway through my 12-week training. Tomorrow is Transfers Day. I hope no one in my district gets sent out! I love them all!
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