Being a True Disciple

Hello everyone :)

What an incredible week full of miracles. We are really seeing the fruits of being exactly obedient to the mission vision of excellence and doing all we can to achieve it even when it's hard. We had some nights this week when we were so tired, but pushed through and would do one last visit at a members' home. These visits are crucial in gaining the trust of the members and strengthening them in their responsibilities as member missionaries. Because of these visits we received a lot of referrals and were able to find 13 new investigators, all from the members. President always tells us to let the members do the finding and it really is more effective!

We are teaching an incredible family, A mom, 13 year old daughter and 15 year old son. :) They are on schedule to be baptized on the 18th of October. Bro Jhunard, the 15 year old son is lead out his family in their church attendance, scripture reading and family prayer. We were especially impressed when we taught the commandment of keeping the Sabbath day holy and he decided to quit his Sunday job in order to attend all three hours of church, even though it means giving up his spending money that he uses to buy his lunch throughout the week. He simply told us that he knows it's a commandment and it's worth the sacrifice. We are so excited for them to be baptized! :)

We have an incredible bishop here in Bayambang 1, Bishop Marcos. We had a coordination meeting with him yesterday because our ward mission leader is out of town. We brought up some concerns and needs that we had noticed, but he is so on top of things that he had already taken care of most of them before we even brought them up. The conversation went something like this.... "Bishop, we noticed that this less-active couple is struggling in their marriage and may need some council." "Alright, we'll go and visit them later tonight". "Bishop, we were wondering if our recent convert youth would be able to join the ward temple trip in December..." "I already interviewed them earlier" "Bishop, we thought that maybe this recent convert brother could be given a calling..." "Yes we have already given him a HT assignment and he will be partners with my counselor." AMAZING! :) I've never met a bishop here more on top of things. He is truly an example to me of a true disciple of Jesus Christ, one who truly cares about and ministers to individuals according to their needs.  

That something I've been thinking a lot about this week. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is not about lessons, schedules, rules, meetings, and paperwork. All of those things are necessary and should help us to be more efficient, but should never take away from the real reason that we do these things. Pres Monson has taught, "Never let a problem to be solved become more important than an person to be loved" I think that's my new motto for this transfer. Being a disciple is not about things, it's about people, precious souls. Being a disciple of Christ means focusing on others' needs and placing them before your own. It’s easy to get caught up in things in this life, but never let those things become more important than people. Take a look around and notice others' needs and help them. I promise that you will find a lot more happiness in focusing on people more than things :)

The most important things in life aren't things :)

I love you all so much!

Sister Gustafson