Mission is THE BEST!!

September 22, 2014

This week has been a great week. The only thing I have to say is that Sister Lunguzi is going to be a POWERFUL member. She is the best! She is the sweetest lady. She is doing family home evening. She is living the Gospel. We gave her son and his wife a baptismal date and we told Sister Lunguzi and she literally jumped for joy…like screamed out loud she was so happy. This woman. She is the best. She's been through a lot and it’s amazing how much the Gospel makes her happy. She invited us in and she told us all about her other kids and how we can contact them to share the Gospel with them. Its sweet. She is so excited to go to the temple. Man I love this woman. It’s the biggest blessing to have known her. I love her. Its crazy to think we contacted her like the first four weeks I was on mission and she had no interest and now she is a crazy strong member. We walked out of the lesson and we asked her about this mini bus that she has parked outside of her house. "Sister Lunguzi, whose mini bus is this?" "Oh it’s mine." "What? Since when? Did you just buy it?" “No I rent it out to people and then they pay me to use it but you guys told me to keep the Sabbath day holy, and I don't want other people working on the Sabbath." WHAT? Like we didn't even ask her to do that. We taught her about the Sabbath day and she just did it. Man she’s the perfect investigator. Mission is sweet. Why? Because of the people and the opportunity to serve the Lord. I love it here. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else!!

I love my mission. It’s the best. Malawi Lilongwe is the best branch there is. Haha just kidding the Church is the best anywhere it is. But the people here! Man they are the best. They are so willing to serve the Lord. I love every one of them.

It’s amazing to realize that as your desire comes closer to the Lords desire, the work isn't tiresome. It’s THE BEST. Yes, there are moments when you are discouraged. But really and truly, it’s great. I love every moment of being a missionary. And the biggest thing I’ve learned is humility. I’ve come to know that if I RELY on the LORD, then I will feel satisfied with the work even if I don't have success. Trusting in the Lord is really the answer to problems in life. I am so grateful to be a missionary. I love it. I love being a missionary. I’m pretty sure I have said that a million times but its true.

___________________________________

I loved this is a letter from our mission president and wanted to share.

Elders and Sisters,

Sometimes you don't see the same information I see as it relates to how we are doing as a mission. I wanted to pass on to you some numbers that I expect would be of interest. Each month we look at the average weekly baptisms we had for that month. For example, if in February we had 20 baptisms the average weekly baptisms of the month would be 5. In the last few months we can see a solid increase in our numbers.
2.5 May
5.5 June
8.2 July
14.5 August

and, we had 18 baptisms last week.

Baptisms aren't the only measure of our success and we all do so much in other ways but I still think you should be pleased to see the growth we're experiencing.

In the next couple of months, after a few more authorizations, we expect to see more member districts and even the first Stake in our mission. We will see more branches being created and more of the blessings of the fullness of the Gospel felt among the members and their families.

It is a reality that you are only here for a few (18-24) months and are eager to see things change and to witness growth while you're here. Sister Erickson and I are here for 3 years and want to see the same things.  However, our spiritual advisors, the area presidency (usually 5 years) and ultimately the First Presidency and the Twelve (Life) oversee work that is eternal and have a healthy long-term perspective that we can rely on. Please be patient even as you work diligently each day. Your greatest witness you will have about the success of your mission work will be the depth of your love of the Savior and your faith that this work is divine. This will be the product of your great efforts and of your faithful service.

Love you all so much and I am so proud of the work we are doing together.

President Erickson

_________________

His letter reminds me of one of my favorite scriptures: "But all things must come to pass in their time. Wherefore, be not weary in well doing, for ye are laying the
foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great."
I love how this scripture relates to missionary work. It brings a lot of comfort to me. It also relates to people. Sometimes in life, we get lazy in our personal lives and our families. We don't want to do the things that keep our families secure and safe in the Gospel. And i love how it says "BE NOT WEARY." Sometimes we want to see success immediately. Sometimes we have a child that falls away from the church but by small and simple things are great things brought to pass. I love what Elder Scott says: " I offer some final thoughts for those who love a family member who is not making good choices. That can challenge our patience and endurance. We need to trust in the Lord and in his timing, that a positive response to our prayers and rescue efforts can occur. We do all that we can to serve, to bless and to submissively acknowledge God's will in all things... with faith we can know that this straying loved one is NOT abandoned but is in the watch care of a loving Savior.

Have a great week!

Love you all!
Sister Falco

 Sister Lungunzi with her family and the Sisters

More Fun Photos

 Sister Falco & Elder Stones

 With President Erickson and His Wife

 With Sister Lugunzi's Grandkids

 Those who came to support Enoch on his baptism day.

 Sister Lugunzi's Family @ her Baptism

Sister Lugunzi's Family

EASILY THE BEST DISTRICT EVER!! Every single one of these kids are focused on their mission and I love learning and growing from them. I love being with a group of people who are in love with missionary work who support us when we fall short; who love us through when no investigators come to church haha :) 

GREAT PEOPLE RIGHT HERE! 

Random Photos

 Sisters Falco & Ntuli

 Sister Ntuli's last Zone Conference

 Helping w/Operation Smile

 Zebras!! (w/Sister Orr)

Village Children

September 15, 2014

Hello Everyone!

Well all our investigators got baptized!! Woot woot!! And Sister Ntuli and my area is finally progressing! It's the best!! I am so grateful to be on a and mission serving in Lilongwe!! S0 Happy!

After the baptisms, it was sweet to hear their testimonies...
Little Enoch: "I used to run away from missionaries and then one day I felt the spirit and I decided I want to come to church. I told my brothers and sisters, 'I want to come and then I came'.And then I told them, 'I want to be baptized' Then the sister missionaries taught me. " He is so cute!--such a precious child!! And guess what!! HIS DAD  CAME TO CHURCH! He's the one who is a Jehovah Witness and always refused to come even though his children were members. It's a miracle!! He tells us that he will come every week and NEVER does and he finally came!! He's been taught many many times by missionaries, but not by us. We will start teaching him soon!

Anita: Super prepared by the Lord. Her testimony: "I was looking for the true church. I went to many different churches but didn't find it. I met the missionaries and at the beginning thought nothing about it, but then i prayed and I know that this Church is true. "

Sis Lunguzi: "It took me four years to join the church, but one day I just couldn't leave my house to go to the my church because I could feel the spirit so strong at your church. and I want to share this gospel with my family so bad. One day we will go to the temple. " 

I look at all my investigators and I realize that it's the Lord who prepares them. We literally are just his tools to find the people. The Lord is hastening His work. I hope that I will be able to be sensitive enough to the spirit and be able to find those people who are ready to be taught!

Well I love you!

Sister Falco 

Anita, Sister Lugunzi, Enoch's Baptism Day

Malawi Lilongwe Zone

Crazy Zone Photo

A visit from the office senior couple, the Ericksons

September 8, 2014

Family and Friends! Mule Bonji! (How are you In Chichewa)!

Lots of exciting news here.  Lilongwe, where I am serving, is applying to be a District and Zambia Lusaka is applying to be a Stake. SUPER SWEET!! There will be a Stake in my mission!!  Elder Cook is coming to our mission for sure this year! However, I’ll probably still be serving in Malawi and if so, I don’t know if he’ll make it here! Anita, Sis Lunguzi, and Enoch all passed their baptismal interview with plans to be baptized this coming weekend. So excited!! One of our Branch missionaries is finishing his papers and is going on a mission!

Well Church was a miracle in and of itself! We came to church and were expecting Anita, Sis Lunguzi, Enoch, and Peter and this guy named Gray. And BAM! We had 11 investigators at church! One was our branch missionary’s (who is going on a mission) mom. She is in our area and we always tell her to come and she finally did! It was Fast and Testimony Meeting and it was the sweetest moment ever when the branch missionary got up and bore his testimony! He ended it with, "Mom I just want to encourage you to come to know this is the true church". Sis Lunguzi brought her granddaughter, which was so great! One came with Silverbanda!! One of our members brought a guy named Morris and he’s a good guy!! Another visitor came with this less active member named Spencer! CHURCH WAS PACKED ON SUNDAY!!!! It was so awesome!

Another exciting thing that’s happening here in Malawi is that there are groups of people who are ready and waiting to be baptized but the area they live in hasn’t been opened to missionaries yet.   There are two groups with 70+ people with one person who has been waiting 10 years!! There’s another group of 30 in an area called Caderbay.  Right now, the Church needs to build “areas of strength” so there will be leaders available and then the missionaries will be sent to those who are waiting and ready and build there. People being prepared for Gospel. It’s exciting to think about the future of the Church here in Malawi. I know one day there will be a temple here to bless the members.

I’ll finish up with my testimony. I know the Church is true. Living the Gospel and keeping the commandments is a lot easier when you do so because you love Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. I know that remembering our purpose here on earth makes doing the right things easier. We need to keep an eternal perspective. If I didn't, I know I would go crazy and get frustrated here. I love being a missionary. It’s the BEST decision I have ever made. I hope that we can all try a little harder to be a little better this week. I sustain and support the prophets and apostles 100%. I see false prophets here almost everyday and it makes me appreciate the blessing of having a prophet and apostles to lead us. Their purpose is to spread the Gospel to all God’s children. It’s so sweet. I LOVE THEM! And my mission president is super righteous and super kind. I look up to him for his faith A TON and am so grateful for everything he does for our mission! The atonement is real! It really can wash away the pain of making mistakes. It’s a simple phrase but if you really understand the significance of the atonement it really is so amazing and so cool!

Love you all!

Sister Falco

Our Zone @ Lake Malawi

 Zebras & Sisters

Hey Family and Friends!!

How are you guys doing? Mission is sweet! I am so grateful for my mission. I’ve been thinking a lot this week about the importance of considering what our motive is for doing things. We can follow the commandments because 1) we want the blessings or recognition, 2) we are afraid of the punishment or what others think, or 3) because we love our Heavenly Father. I hope to be able to do everything for the right reason. I know I may fall short at times but my goal is to follow the Lord and do what he expects 100% of the time and do it because I love Him--not because of fear or because I want the blessings and not because I want others to think I’m a good person. I want to follow Him and serve Him because I love Him. That’s my goal.

Well, here’s an update from last Pday. First off, sorry I didn't write many people back last week. Our Zone went to Lake Malawi and a wildlife reserve park! (See photos) It was sweet! We were literally five feet away from zebras! We also saw giraffes. And, Lake Malawi is beautiful!! It was fun to get out and see more of this beautiful country.

Update on our investigators…

Anita is progressing. She is preparing herself to be baptized on the 14th!! I’m pretty excited. She has been to church many times and is ready. Pray for the adversary to stay away from her! haha:) She is the girl who went to a couple of churches and kept having dreams that they weren't real pastors. And then we came and she’s been coming to church ever since! She’s awesome!!

Enoch is also progressing! He is 12 years old! He is our branch missionary’s younger brother! Super sweet guy!! We need to teach their parents!! The mom is willing but the father is a Jehovah Witness and not interested. They are willing to let their children be baptized so its super sweet!

Sis Lungzi!! She is also preparing herself to be baptized! She’s from Area 47 and lives right behind the church! She’s a great lady. She decided to attend our Church because when she walked past our building, she felt such a strong spirit! She was prepared and is so ready to receive the blessings of the Gospel! SO HAPPY! Her baptism is scheduled for the 14^th.

Peter still needs to talk to his wife but he wasn’t paid at work because it’s a nonprofit company and they didn’t get sponsors so he can’t afford to travel to where his wife lives. He is super prepared as well and he loves the church. And he always participates in Sunday school. It’s awesome!

One thing I feel like I have learned a lot about lately is agency, our ability to choose. We have a lot more control over our life than we realize. We choose how we react to circumstances. We may choose to compare our "bad life" to someone’s "good life" but really, it’s our decision whether our life will be good or bad. We choose to follow the commandments because we love God. We get to decide how our relationships will be with our families and others. Agency is a powerful thing that our Heavenly Father has given us, and Satan is trying to convince us that we don't have it. Our Heavenly Father gave us the gift of agency and I’m so grateful for it!

That’s all for this week.

With Love,

Sister Falco