To Love

Dear family, 

A goodbye
     Saying goodbye to Sister Lockwood was the hardest thing I've had to do in these last twelve weeks. I love her so much and I learnt how to be a missionary - all from her. Twelve weeks, 24/7, side by side with my sister. My sister in life and my sister in the gospel. Words cannot describe the respect I have for her! This is almost like a tribute email to her - although I know she won't even be reading this (but maybe her Mom will! Hi Sister Lockwood!)- but I can't help it. I have to tell you guys how great she is. The goodbye was ironic because it wasn't really a goodbye. I know that I'll be seeing her again at BYU. But we went through a good bit of the mission together and rightly so I felt sentimental sending her away to Manila. As the van pulled her away and I stood on the sidewalk with two other sisters - their companions were being transferred to Manila as well - one of them began crying. And then I did too. I though it would stop but...no. Haha. It didn't stop. It was a little hard to refocus my thoughts and for the rest of that night I was a little shaken...but. Guess what! Heavenly Father stretches us this way. He makes us do things that was feel uncomfortable doing - like saying goodbyes - so that we can grow. I love Sister Lockwood and I will carry on every thing that she has taught me! Hopefully I'll get to see her on the mainland! 


A hello
     Sister Himarangan arrived a little after 7 pm. We all went to the airport to pick up our new companions. Won't lie- I was still shaken. Still a little scarred from saying goodbye to Sister Lockwood. It was a little hard. I remember praying non-stop that God would help me learn to love Sister Himarangan. To learn to love this new companion He has trusted me with. Cooler fun fact: This is Sister Himarangan's LAST transfer! She GOES HOME! After six weeks! Her 18 months is almost over! What! I went from the youngest trainer in the world -Sister Lockwood - to Sister Himarangan, the oldest companion (in-the-field) that I could get! Heavenly Father is funny. I feel so privileged, though. Heavenly Father trusts me enough that He is allowing me to be the last companion that Sister Himarangan will have. And guess what again! I LOVE HER ALREADY! We are so alike, it is crazy. And by "alike" I mean in reference to our mannerisms. We are more alike than we think. It's great. She is Filipino and from Mindanao. Her native language is Bisayan. Bisaya? Bisayan? Mom, you know what I mean. SHE IS THE BEST! I love her. 


"BUT THE GREATEST OF THESE IS CHARITY"
     I just realized that I've used the word "love" a lot in this email. Charity. Love. The pure love of Christ. I cannot tell you how much I've prayed for this gift- the gift of charity. Charity is a MUST on the mission. You HAVE to love these people or the work will NOT move forward. I HAVE to love my investigators. I HAVE to love my branch and the members in it. I HAVE to love my companions. If I don't, I'll only be miserable. And God KNOWS I will NOT live my mission that way. I chose to be here. I have to make the best of my time here! So I love. I love and I love and I love. I try my best to love. The scriptures say that charity is the greatest gift of all, even above faith and hope. I pray everyday for this gift and I hope that you guys pray for it too. Life is so much more beautiful when you are able to love those around you the way that Christ did. 

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     I will keep you guys posted on the rest of my adventures with Sister Himarangan over these next six weeks! I am looking forward to all that I will learn from her. In the meantime, enjoy the pictures! There are a bunch that I have for you guys this week.We visited a cave on P-Day last week (hence the helmets) and it was.......a little strange.....but....you know! It's more fun in the Philippines, no matter what it is! :)

     I love you all so much! Thank you for your kind emails and your prayers. I feel strengthened. I feel loved. I miss you all. I pray for you always.

With love,
Sister Teo