Hello, dear ones :)

HEY, WAZZUP??? I hope everyone's doing well! I've got lots of time to respond 'cause I didn't have much to read this time. And I've got lots to say, as usual! Is everyone okay? I didn't hear from you this week, so I hope all is well.

Everything's fine here! Because of a great suggestion from our SUPER AWESOME A.P.s, we hope to really get the work turned around in our area. We're excited to establish the Church through simple means--starting with a testimony of the BoM. How simple, but how sublime that testimony is! And mine is growing every day, especially in my highlighting study. (Pres. gave us a BoM and 4 colors to highlight: 1. any use of Jesus Christ's names. 2. essential, eternal truths--doctrines and principles of the gospel. 3. words of Christ, whether by Him or through prophets. 4. Christlike attributes. Not the right order, but you get the idea.) it's super amazing! and i might be like sis. gupta and just carry that copy around with me everywhere when i'm done and mark it up like crazy and tape in quotes and references and use it as my ultimate teaching tool! she's good. but i also want to use well the set i got before i left, so we'll see what i decide to do. it's so nice to receive revelation and then have it reaffirmed by inspired leaders. it makes me feel so super good! it just lets me know that Heavenly Father is helping me be on the right track. it's comforting and reassuring.

some of the hardest moments i've ever experienced have been when i've realized i had a prompting, but i ignored it. i'm sure you know what i'm talking about. every time, i'm instantly repenting, and i never want to make the mistake again. Heavenly Father is so patient with us. He knows the desires and intents of our hearts. i know He is willing to help us in our constant striving to change and be better disciples of Christ. Satan knows our weaknesses. the jerk uses mine all the time. and sometimes it's so hard, but it feels so good not to let him win! :) no wonder Christ said, "...my yoke is easy and my burden is light.." (where?) because when we are following Him and yoked with Him, we are free of the weight of guilt and shame, filled with the joy and hope and peace of eternity. it is an inexpressible joy that i wish all would be willing to sacrifice anything to have! it grieves me to think of the people who don't know what they're missing out on when they choose another way.
but there is still hope for them! there is hope for us all! for our God is a just God. I know that's true.

k so let's get down to the nitty gritty... who is this encarnacion? :) lol jokelang. i need ashlynn's address! pretty please?? i got another adorable and wonderful dearelder from her and i've already begun her letter. just need to finish it soon. ash, you are so wonderful and i'm so proud of you and the way you are seeking the Lord's help in raising your family! and don't you worry about a thing, love! i know that as long as you're being obedient and loving your Heavenly Father, He's taking care of you! I know it, i know it, i know it! you will receive exactly what you need and it will all work out :) i wouldn't say that if i didn't feel it with all my heart. it's easier said than done, but i know you know it's true, too. you're in my prayers :) you're so great!!!

mommy dear, have you heard anything about my journal that i left at the mtc?? i can't write any of my dear friends going to japan without their addresses. and i finally heard from sis. wight! her letter was a miracle. uplifting in every way, even though i know she's struggling. how does she do it??? make me feel so good even though she's having a hard time. bless her soul. she could use a good letter or two ;)

can i also get keri bloxham's address? or should i email you and you can forward it to her? whatever's easiest for you. i'll try to finish my letter to her today so it can be ready to be mailed or typed next week either way. let her know she's great and i appreciate her! she's gonna rock! i hope i'm so fortunate as to be her companion!

i don't know if i told you this, but i thought i'd never survive without sleeping with heavy blankets in a cold room like i enjoy so much at home. but honestly, i sleep just fine with a fan on me and absolutely no sheets or blanket of any sort. it's lovely. and when it rains, then it's a little cooler and i can use a sheet in the early hours of the morning and still keep the fan on :) haha paradise. sister gupta hates the heat. she's a winter person. i am actually dealing with the heat in some miraculous way. i thought i'd die. it's hot, i tell ya. but we survive. and it actually feels good to sweat my guts out as i jog back and forth across our apt each morning. i'll be sad to not have much to show for my exercise when i come home and my arms don't bead with sweat in the first 10 minutes. and the cold shower always feels so good, even if it's 4 in the morning and you're getting ready to take the schedule-wrecking sisters to the mission office for transfer day :) haha. good times. i will really miss the humidity. i shave my legs and then i don't use lotion! it's too beautiful for words! but i have to wear nylons by about wednesday bc i can still only shave once a week (my skin still hates razors) and that once is oddviously :) going to be sunday morning. or saturday when we have temple tour, maybe. at temple tour, we get to either bring investigators ( when it's the city missionaries' turn) or teach at stations for the province missionaries' investigators. fun stuffs!

another thing, i'm not sure if i'll make much phillipino food for you when i get home. it's.. interesting. acquired, perhaps. but indian food is fantastic and i'll make it for sure! i'll have to spend a fortune on spices, but it will be worth it! actually, there are some super yummy foods here... mostly a couple desserts that are common. halo-halo was too weird my first time, but super familiar. and the second time was from a different place and it was super good!!! very strange, but delicious, nonetheless. the street vendor was the good one (i know, it's totally bawal, but an investigator bought it for us and it was expensive and it has no meat, so it was fairly safe, di ba?)

oh, yes. aaron, how is priscila doing? i hope she's doing well. is she about at the point to turn in mission papers and stuff? i forgot when she'll be able to do that... there is a little boy here. his name is A. J. ( Andrew James) and he is the most adorable thing you'll ever see in all your life. he is so proper in his speech and manner and he knows SOOO MUCH! oh my word. he is a friend of two kids we have visited many times, so he's been there a few times and we've bumped into him twice nearby their home. one time he ran to catch up to us to say hi and ask when we were coming to teach again. when we were teaching about the 10 commandments, we got to thou shalt not commit adultery and just mentioned having only one spouse. he went off about how you should be faithful and kind to your spouse and stuff! he is about 6 yrs old. can you believe it??? this kid knows so much about spiritual things-- he was telling us how the church he attends has no sign of the cross or santos or anything. and he is SOOOO CUTE!!! you would be in love with him, which is why i'm telling you this. he would be a sure favorite. instantly. so cute. ah. don't worry, i'll get a picture very soon. thanks for yours btw :) and for your dearelder. i got it yesterday from the office and read it again :)

i love you, family!!!! please know i think of and pray for you always and i'm so proud of you! i brag about you to sis g whenever i get the chance! you're the stinking crazy bestest in all the world! i hope to serve in a way that makes you proud, too, and qualifies us for lots of blessings. you're so wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!

please pray for us to be able to find people already prepared and to help other ppl prepare to receive the good news! and please pray for those ppl! those who know it's true and who will know it's true! we all need help. anything you need me to pray for?

all my love,

sis r