| Thu, Jun 28, 2018, 7:42 PM |
Kumusta na, pamangkin?
How are you, Sister Smoot? Received your group email last week and it sounds like you were on a first week high! Really jealous that you can be there learning and feeling the spirit like crazy and learning and speaking Tagalog! I remember being in the MTC and the only language of the Philippines they taught was Tagalog so those were my language classes even though the languages in my mission were Cebuano and Waray Waray. I remember being in complete awe of my batchmates because Tagalog is not easy! The conjugations are complicated and sometimes their tenses do not have an English counterpart. It was familiar enough for me...I could understand it but not really speak it. So even with that, I had it so much easier. But you know what...they got it as best as they could.
I hope you know that is all that is required of you there. Do the best you can, but don't expect perfection. The learning you do, with the language as well as the gospel teaching, is a gradual process. The language will come. But it will come like the sunrise...very gradually. And that is common. It is normal. It is a rite of passage all missionaries go through. Be patient with yourself because you know...God is patient with you. So you can cut yourself some slack. You are an intelligent young woman. You can totally do this! Have realistic expectations for yourself while you give your all. And that is enough for the Lord. It is easy to compare yourself to others who you feel are 'getting it' so much faster than you are. But resist that urge to compare. It is Satan's way!
I know that after the first week, reality sets in and you start to realize the magnitude of your calling. It can be very overwhelming. You see so many different kinds of missionaries around you. You are taught what kind of missionary you should be and it can be hard to reconcile everything. And you start to wonder, can I be that missionary the Lord wants me to be? Having served a mission, sent two daughters out on missions, and seeing missionaries out here in the mission field, I can tell you with certainty that the Lord does not expect you to be a perfect missionary. He knows your struggles, your weaknesses, your doubts. What He expects is for you to invite and include Him in every step of this journey. You cannot do all things required of you, but with Him, you can. He will magnify you in ways that will astound you. There is no reason for you to feel discouraged or overwhelmed. When that happens, ask yourself, am I looking to myself or to God? Many times, when we feel down, it is because we have lost our sight of Him. We need to always remember Him and remember that He is with us if we let Him be.
Become the missionary you want to be. Do your part by asking Him in mighty prayer to help you become the servant He wants you to be. Ask Him for help in those things you know you are struggling in. You have many talents and gifts that bless so many and will bless the lives of those you will meet on your mission. You are not expected to get rid of your personality to fit a standard mold of the perfect missionary. There are lives that will be touched only by you and your unique personality. What the mission expects is an enhanced, better you. That comes when you have Christ as your center, your focus, in everything you do there. Not just in class or in talking about the gospel. Have Him as your center as you are doing your laundry, eating your meals, interacting with everyone and anyone you meet. When we focus on Him, all things fall into place. Your burdens and worries will be lighter. You will be happier, you will feel enough. I promise you that is true.
I hope this email gives you hope and some light. You are enough for this work. You are more than enough. Let God be with you. Picture Him sitting by you in class, walking the halls with you. Look up, not in. You have some marvelous days ahead. It is in the midst of our struggles we come to know Him! I know He is with you.
Can't wait to hear about your week!
Love you lots,
Aunt Cherry
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