December 22, 2014
The story of Martha and Mary has always sort of troubled me.
Martha is busy trying to get everything ready in the house because they were
hosting Jesus. She was probably cooking and cleaning and a frazzled mess. As
you would say it mom, she needed “all hands on deck” to get everything ready on
time. She just needed a little help!
But here is what happened:
Luke 10: 38-42
Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a
certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into
her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’
feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and
came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to
serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and
said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about
many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that
good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
I thought of this story again this week as we were teaching.
I came across a lot of “Marthas” and quite a few “Marys” as well. E, a less
active we have been visiting for quite some time now promised us earlier this
week that she will come to church after Christmas…she said business is just too
good. She won’t close either of her two stores to come to church.
But then
there is D, who told us this week that she can’t fall asleep without reading
the Book of Mormon. She told us that before she had a Book of Mormon she would
just watch TV in the evenings and she would have bad dreams every night. But,
ever since we gave her the Book of Mormon she said she doesn’t really watch TV because
she just wants to read.
We met Elma’s husband this week. He was a little bit drunk.
But he was honest. :) And he is a nice drunk, so that’s good. He told us how much
he loves his family, how he works for them all day so that he can put food on
the table and provide for their needs. He also said that he moved to their
current house because that’s where Elma’s parents live and she is the only one “in
his heart” *tender*
He went back to drinking with his buddies and Elma fed us
dinner. She cooked sopas, pancit and even had peanut butter and bread because
it was CJs birthday – he turned 2! They made us the guests of honor at his
party. So nice! After the meal we taught Elma about the Atonement of Jesus
Christ. From her comments it was easy to tell that she is willing to give up
her sins in order to enter God’s kingdom.
I am so grateful to be a missionary and to teach wonderful
people that help me understand the teachings of Christ. I hope that whatever
the season, Christmas or 4th of July, that we can choose the good
part, like Mary did, which is Christ. It’s as simple as that – am I filling my
time with things that will draw me closer to Christ, or are the things I’m
doing moving me away from Him?
Talk to you soon family! I can’t wait!
The Ordinario family - the ones who "adopted" us as their 14th and 15th children. So...family picture!
We helped Nanay Antonia Ordinario harvest rice for a bit. :)
We decorated Bro. Domingo's house for Christmas!! He loved it! So did Luz, his wife (she just wouldn't admit it) :) There were more streamers all over the house - thanks for sending them, mom!
ELMA!!!
At the branch Christmas party
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