One Incredible Year

One year ago today I entered the MTC for the most amazing journey and blessing of my life. 
I remember all the emotions that ran through me when I said goodbye to my family and left to go preach the gospel across the world in a different language. Fear definitely comes to mind! 
January 21 happened to be my grandmas birthday and I took comfort in feeling like she would be with me every step of the way. Through out my mission I wore her B and a pearl around my neck to remind me of so many things that I treasured: my family, my niece, the priesthood, my grandma and Gordon B. Hinkley's B's. 

1. Be grateful. 
   Be smart. 
   Be clean. 
   Be true. 
   Be humble. 
   Be prayerful.
2. My mission changed and transformed me! It opened my eyes to true happiness and the  love that our Heavenly Father has for each of His children. It motivated me to be more grateful, smart, clean, true, humble and prayerful. It helped to strive to forget myself and focus on uplifting those that might be in need. It gave me more compassion for those suffering and searching. It allowed me to come to know Him better and trust in Him. It taught me to choose Him and to continue choosing Him each and every day. I know that my mission refined me... it wasn't easy. There were times of heartache and pain and there are days where I ache to go back and be with the amazing people in the land that I love. But I have learned that "Doors close regularly in our lives, and some of those closings cause genuine pain and heartache. But I do believe that where one such door closes, another opens (and perhaps more than one), with hope and blessings in other areas of our lives that we might not have discovered otherwise." -President Kimball
3. Im amazed at this past year... it is full of love and amazing children of our Heavenly Father. Im confident that this next year will be too.

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May we come to know Him

"He therefore knows our struggles our heartaches, our temptations, and our suffering.... And because of this, His atonement empowers Him to succor us- to give us strength to bear it all."
 - Elder Dallen H. Oaks

Lately I've been amazed at the depth of this gospel for those who choose to receive Him. As many of you know I came home from my mission on medical release in August with Pertussis or Whooping cough after recovering I returned November 9th in hopes to once again labor in His vineyard and finish what I had started. The day after my return I once more started coughing and within a week it was as if the cough had never truly gone away. Feelings of despair, discouragement and loneliness entered my soul as I realized two weeks into my return I would once again be returning home on medical release for good from Urdaneta Mission. I must say that never in my mission have I felt such heartbreak and hopelessness. One particular morning I was convinced there was really no point in leaving my bed, for I would just be leaving soon anyways and in many ways I felt as though I was being swallowed up by my despair. However I'm convinced due to a strength that was not of my own I got up and we made the journey to our District Meeting where I received a copy of our mission news letter. There were many articles that seemed to be written for me in a time of great need. One in particular focused on Hope it reads,
"We must show our hope, it can be reflected in our countenance by 'confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance' (PMG 117) We must not be moved away from the hope of the gospel but bring others there, Choose the light. Rescue those who are stranded in darkness. As we gain hope throughout our lives, one day we will be with our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ, and that is the peace and hope the gospel brings."
 I found a new sense of hope through those words even though much of the week was spent in doors I was given a strength that truly was not of my own both temporal and spiritual. That strength comes through His atonement. Who better to turn to than He who has suffered all. I have felt circled about in the arms of His love. We are never alone. I testify that He lives and is all around us we must only ask. I returned from my mission yesterday on medical release and it has not been easy but as I read 2 Nephi 9:3-4
"lift up your heads forever, because of the blessing which the Lord God shall bestow... I know that ye have searched much, many of you, to know of things to come; wherefore I know that ye know that our flesh must waste away...nevertheless in our bodies we shall see God."
I realized that don't know why I became ill twice on my mission and I might never truly understand but I know and take comfort that He knows all and His time is the right time. I know that He has a divine plan for each of His children that is far better that we could have ever imagined. Im forever grateful for my mission and to have been able to return for 3 weeks. They were some of the most soul stretching and refining moments of my life. Each day was a blessing and a piece of my heart will always remain in Urdaneta. This life is the time to prepare to meet Him. Let us all strive to come to know Him, and then shall we see Him.

Our mortal journey....

This week I feel like I have learned so much! 

 

My scripture is simple this week, but powerful. 

 

 I can do ALL things through

Christ

which strengthens me.

- Philippians 4:13

 

This week I have really been focusing on this scripture. 

 Our week did not go exactly as planned,

 but that often happens in our mortal journey. 

Heartbreak, loss and discouragement are at

our door each day.

Even though things do not go OUR way,

I have been realizing that maybe my way was not

His way at all.

 

We can find such infinite strength

through the Atonement.

All things really are quite possible

when we have

CHRIST

as or main focus each day!

 

Our Area has been progressing

and

we are looking forward to a

"White Christmas"....

 

Sister Liligi is amazing.

I learn so much from her each and every day!

 

I love you!

Sister Jenkins

I am forever grateful to serve in this heavenly place.

Exchanges with my friend, MTC companion.
I love Sister Smith! 

He shall direct thy paths...

Trust in the Lord with ALL thine heart;

and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him,

and he shall direct thy paths.

- Proverbs 3:5-6

I am forever grateful for a loving Heavenly Father that allowed me to come back to my mission.  He is so good!  This week has been nothing short of a miracle.  But then again, I think that is how every day is!  Sometimes we just fail to look at things with our spiritual eyes.  So, our goal this week was to FOLLOW IN FAITH!  We made plans each day to find, teach, rescue and not all that we had planned for took place.  BUT what did was way better than we could have imagined.  With serious help from above we were able to find so many amazing new investigators.  Tears were shed as we shared His message and they felt the peace and love that comes from the restored gospel.  It is an amazing feeling to sit across from a son or daughter of God and feel just a glimpse of the love He has for them.  It is indescribable.  We will NEVER look into the eyes of someone that Christ didn't love enough to die for.

I am loving my mission and making every day count!

I couldn't resist this "FROZEN" balloon...

We love this girl...she is from Guam and is here getting treatment for her cancer.

He shall lift you up....

I MADE IT!!! 

 

And, boy is it good to be back in the Philippines!

My companion is Sister Liligi and she is from Samoa!  She is by far the funniest companion I have ever had.  I love her so much!  We have tons of fun together while doing the Lord's work.  We are opening an "Elders Area" in Calasaio Zone which is next to Dagupan.  We may be the first sisters here ever which is kind of cool!  The Ward is so great, we have had someone working with us each day!  Saturday we made pizzas at the Branch President's house it was way fun!  Sobrang masarap!  Our investigators are good too.  We are able to feel the love that Heavenly Father has for them so hopefully they will continue progressing.

In General Conference this past October, there was a challenge given to ponder and share your favorite scripture each week.  So, I ACCEPT and here it is....

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,

and He shall lift you up."

- James 4:10

I challenge you to do the same.  The promised blessings given for doing so in Devin G. Durrant's talk is great and we can all use a little more spirituality and deeper understanding in our lives.

Sweet family!

Home Sweet Home...

President & Sister Deyro - Urdaneta Mission

She has RETURNED to her beloved Philippines....

Note from Sister Jenkins' Mom from November 9th...It's November, the month of thanksgiving and prayer to acknowledge with grateful hearts the many favors of the Almighty God. I give sincere and humble thanks for His many favors upon our family, for His care, His unwavering love and His watchful eye over our daughter and His missionary, Kylee.  He has made her whole again, healthy to serve and anxious to reunite with the good people of the Philippines whom she loves. Words can't describe the overflowing gratitude in my heart for our dear friends and wonderful family who helped us travel the rough seas of Sister Jenkins' past 100 day cough. While extremely difficult to say "good-bye" for Part 2 of Kylee's Philippines Mission, there is peace knowing how much He loves her and His work is waiting for her return.  Kylee's Mission President sent her a message today before she boarded the plane bound for the Philippines...he said, "Sister Jenkins, there are like 100 people waiting to greet you!" What a comfort that message is...our girl is loved and touches lives wherever she goes. Godspeed, Sister Jenkins! May your boat sink with blessings and nets break with goodness. God be with you til we meet again

Daddy-Daughter hug

Love our Missionary!

Quick trip to St. Louis to say "good-bye" to Kylee's favorite niece, favorite sister and brother-in law!

Nothing better than a good-bye hug from this guy!

PURE LOVE!

 

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How Grateful I Am

Hello all!
I just wanted to take a minute to try to express the gratitude that I have felt this past weeks. This week has been one of the hardest that i have yet faced. I have been overwhelmed by the love and support I have felt from my family and friends in this difficult time. I have been comforted in knowing that He is so mindful and watchful. Always close never far. I have faith in His plan and I know that me getting sick is not a surprise to Him its a surprise to me. One of my favorite scriptures throughout my mission has been D&C 84:88 "and whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for i will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angel round about you, to bear you up." It was always a great comfort to read those words and know that no matter where I was in the Philippines and what kind of a day He was never far from me. I have witnessed this as I've been sick and have come home.  I have been overwhelmed by the love and support He has given me through His Heavenly messengers. I know that He puts people in our lives for a reason. We were not put on this earth to walk alone. We are surrounded by His love. One of my favorite quotes by Thomas S. Monson goes like this...
"“Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments.There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us. My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith.”
I know this to be true. I am so gratefully for our loving Heavenly Father and the opportunity to serve Him in the Philippines. It has brought more joy and happiness than I could have ever imagined. I don't know what my future holds but I do know that His hand is guiding the way. Let us all move forward in faith and trust in His plan. Thank you again for all of your love, support and prayers!

Medical Update: I am getting a CT scan tomorrow of my lungs and am meeting with a Pulmonologist Monday. We are eager to receive some answers and get me healthy once more!