I. Hate. Spiders.

Maayong Udto, Everyone!!! (Well, at least here)

Hello all! Man, this has been one crazy week! I am so grateful for the experiences that I am able to go through and the testimony I am able to grow because of them. I love this work.

Okay so, as you know, we had an IBD (Investigator with a Baptismal Date) scheduled for the 28th of December. Her name is Ludy and she really is amazing; but, sadly, she wasn't able to make it to church on Sunday because of an emergency with her husband's work. In order to be baptized, an investigator needs to come to church at least 4 times in a row before the baptism, among other things. Sooo we aren't able to get the baptism in this month. But her desire hasn't changed and she still wants to be baptized really badly so that's awesome! It is so fun hearing her talk about how she wants to live in the Celestial Kingdom with God and Jesus Christ. I love her!! So we'll shoot for January. We just need faith! It will happen on the Lord's time.

Alright so like I said, crazy week. There were just so many things going on and it really did seem like we were just getting rejected over and over again. Mission's aren't easy. They are incredibly hard, BUT they are so worth it. I am learning so much and I love it! I love the things I'm going through. Okay, well I wouldn't say I love "them", but I love the lessons I learn! 

A few nights ago it just seemed like everything piled up on one day. I was just thinking about a lot of things. I came up with a conclusion and it's simple. People just plain don't understand what they are missing. They just don't. The people that reject the message here in the Philippines, the people that reject or fall away from the church in general just do not realize the blessings that could be a part of their lives.

 I thought of a quote from President Gordon B. Hinckley (I think). "When life gets too hard to stand, kneel." I have never prayed as hard and as long in my life. I just want to testify of the power of might prayer. Might prayer changes lives. Read about it in Enos. Try it. You'll never be the same. 

I have felt the influence and power that it has had in my life, and I love it. I thought of something as I was laying in bed. You do not receive blessings until you act. This is why people don't understand what they are missing!! It is not until we act in faith and start doing the right thing, that we feel God's influence in our lives. For people that have never heard of the church, it is understandable and I understand that it's hard to have faith in something so new. For people who may have fallen away from the church, it is because they haven't been doing what they should be doing. If they were, they would understand the blessing that this church is. It's that simple. 

So, brothers and sisters, we need to ACT IN FAITH. We need to trust in the Lord and start making good choices TODAY. I know that if we can do that, our lives will be blessed. Just start now, and walk in the light of your sparks. 2 Nephi 7:8-11. Amazing. I know that prayer works and I promise you it will work for you too.

I am so blessed with the people I have met here. They are constantly answers to my prayers. We have been working with this one young woman, her name is Devine. I just want to quickly share something that she said. I will honestly never forget the words that came out of her mouth. 

After talking for a few minutes, I asked her a question about her religion and if she honestly believes that it is 100% true and contains all of Christ's teachings. She immediately said she knows that it's not 100% true and she doesn't like how so many of the people say all these things about what they believe, but then they go out and drink and smoke and do things like that. She said it's a disgrace to Jesus Christ's name. I just paused for a minute. We didn't say anything for a little while, and then she continued. I'll never forget what she said next. 

She said, "This world is full of good people, bad people, and lots of distractions; but, you are so lucky if you find the truth." AHHHHH (<--- that's what I said in my head). I couldn't stop thinking about that and it's been a week. I am so lucky and I am so blessed to have the truth in my life. 

I know without a shadow of a doubt that this is Jesus Christ's church restored on the earth today. Every single thing in my life, I can attribute to the blessings of being a member of this amazing church. I love it. Devine couldn't have said anything more true. I took that time to bear testimony to her of what I know to be true. We have another appointment in a couple of days. She is going to be one awesome Mormon. 

I love all of you so much. I am so grateful for the influence that you have all had in my life. I know that I am where I need to be right now. I know that I am doing the right thing at this time in my life. I know none of you are, but don't ever worry about me. I know that Jesus Christ watches over His people. If we choose to do His will, we are all His people. It's all over 3 Nephi. I love the scriptures, I love the gospel, I love my friends, I love my family, and I LOVE MY LIFE!

Hope you all have an amazing week!!

Love,

Elder James Ryan Jacobs