Dear family, friends, and whatever creepy ppl that could be mysteriously following my blog...? jokelang ;)
Hello po sa inyong lahat! Magandang hapon po! Wow, that was exhausting. :) jokelang ulit.
k sorry down to business. your letter is CRACKING ME UP, Mom!!! i LOVE how funny our family is! thank you for telling me about sap--however irreverent :) heheheehhahahahahah i love y'all. loads and loads. and i'll join in the fun in 14ish months. you're all so super awesome. love yer guts.
so here's my life as a missionary right now. i am sorry that i haven't been saying much about that. thank you, aaron, very very much for mentioning that you'd like to hear more about the ppl we're teaching and everything like that--the work and what i'm doing here. i truly appreciate it. and it's made me appreciate being here more this week, especially as i watched sister gupta finish out the end of her mission. gosh, i love that woman.
okay, so i cried. and i don't think i'm done. i killed off my nay and now she's in the mission home and flies home to india wednesday. the hardest part is having no idea when i'll see her again. at least i know i'll be able to arrange seeing sister wight. there's a deep bond that comes with your first of things... first companion in the field and area are some of these. i want to die in this area. (they say you're born where you start your mission and die where you end.) i hope i get to come back when i can really truly communicate with these people. i want them to know how much i love them and the gospel. i want to be bolder and stronger and more filled with love. geez, this work is great. it really is. i love it SOOOOO much!!!
it was a crazy week, everyone! we had a temple day with a few zones, like we do every month, on wednesday, so attending the first session means getting up really early and cutting into your studies. and then we had temple tour on saturday morning, which means getting up early again, but we also got to take an investigator with us! he was great. but he's really scared of baptism. he wants to know everything... which none of us know... :) but he'll get there. he'll learn all he needs to know if he truly searches. he's only 22 and i'm so grateful and pleased to announce that what started out as interest because of his girlfriend, who is a member, has now turned to sincere desire to know. and that's where it starts! yippeee! he needs some time, but he'll come around :)
also, we have some less-active members who have been coming more frequently :) they're super cool. i love them. they live on so little. they actually have a store right next to where we live, so we see them pretty much every single day. Nanay works so hard. she's amazing and she loves her kids so much. and their oldest daughter wants to serve a mission so much. she's great.
we had fhe with a family last night who also has their share of struggles. but they bore powerful testimony. they have such faith in Christ and His gospel. He does take care of them. He is so aware of us. I know He is.
Most excitingly, this week we had.... A BAPTISM!!! The first in Makati 3rd ward since... 7 or so months ago, yata. It was my first and Sis G's last--and we taught her together from the very beginning, so I got to really see her progress! You know, she knows this Church makes her happy and that what we teach is true. She also took a big leap of faith in her decision to be baptized. But it is difficult, because she is removed from her family for her job, she's a single mother, and her children are all Catholic. She is a strong woman. I have high hopes for her. She has a strong belief in and desire to follow Jesus Christ and His teachings. And I hope to set up a strong support system for her with my new companion. I hope to do a lot of things this transfer. I want to be more like the Assistants. they are such fantastic missionaries. i respect them so much. And to add to the coolness and craziness, President and Sister Stucki came!!! and i sang! aaah! haha but everyone was so sweet about it.
i have a temporary companion now, sister verma. she rocks :) taga india din siya. transfer day is usually wed but actually thurs this time for some reason. we're in sis verma's area til then and i'll meet my new companion.
oh! and we held a missionary fireside the third hour of church yesterday. super cool! we felt good about it. i hope to see the effects of that in the ward. i felt guilty coz i spoke mostly in english, but i really tried to follow the spirit. i gained some amazing insights. it was a big blessing.
i gotta run. i love you all dearly!
this is the Lord's work. it is the best work. it is the only work to be done in all the world.
thanks for the hymn, mommy
love, sis r
Monday, June 25, 2012
Sunday, June 17, 2012
A hug and a kiss and a little o that 'n' this...
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, DAD!
You are the super bestestest dad of ALL TIME!!!!!!!!! Thank you for being so AwEsOmE! xoxoxoxo
I super miss your horsey and helicopter rides. They were my favorite :) The helicopter was so REAL! (to be continued...)
Well, family. Again, you are the highlight of my week. and i can't believe another has gone by. every time a monday comes to a close, i'm looking forward to the next and it seems so far away, but it just flies. i hope to change. i want to be the kind of person who loves each moment for what it is, and with looking forward to events to come, still relishes the joy of the time she's in. i don't want to go through school looking forward to each weekend and being sad when it's back to classes and work, but loving each learning experience each day--though sunday is always a day i'll look forward to :) i also want to spend each day of my mission loving WORKING. not waiting for the day when my time here is done. because if i spend each day looking forward to the end, when the end comes, there will only be disappointment to look back on. i want to look back in love, awe, and a heart full of peace at the things the Lord and I accomplished together. i am trying to be better at serving with all my heart, might, mind, and strength each day.
honestly, i stumble and "fail" miserably quite often--like all the time--but i know it's not failure. it is simply part of striving. i love the talk by E. D. Todd Christofferson entitled: The Divine Gift of Repentance. it is beautiful.i am moved to tears at this divine gift and the opportunities it affords us all, every last one. how can i sit still when the world awaits the glorious gift of His restored Church! How can i keep from shouting out the joyous claim that Jesus is the Christ, the Only Begotten of the Father, who ransomed us from our sins and prepared the way that we might be free and filled with joy, even as He! I have felt to sing the song of redeeming love! How can i keep from singing?
to answer your question, dad, yes, the Church is fairly big here. it's no utah by any means, but there are many members. we have a ward out of only 4 barangay (villages). and i feel like if everyone would come, we'd probably have a couple more wards :) there is much rescuing to be done all over the world. there are many who have never even heard of "mormons" or seen missionaries! there are many who are kept from the truth because they know not where to find it, and many as well who have entered the fold, but have wandered off and been lost. so many to be rescued!
lol to speak of thunder and lightning.. they have some pretty wicked storms over here. when it rains, it's cats and dogs--which there are a lot of around here, too. and no, they don't eat them here in the city. they are just pets or strays. anywho, a few weeks ago we had fhe with bishop Rebosura's family (just like every monday) and they were talking about how china has decided to invade and how kenzo (the oldest daughter's adorable 2yr old son who is half chinese) is a little spy for the Philippines lol. a day or two later, we were walking to an appointment and i saw a strange flash of light and heard an immediate BOOM!!! i squealed and then we realized it was LIGHTING.holy crazy. we joked that china had begun to invade :) whoa, that was fast.
Dad, you are so funny! thank you for lifting my spirits and sending me your good humor :) no matter how tough things get, you know how to smile. it is a gift. i am working on that. you are so good! and you are so smart. i, like mom, am so glad you have found something which you love doing and in which you have so much natural talent--though your talent stretches far and wide so that doesn't surprise me. you are doing your ol daughter so proud! thank you for all you do for me every day. you don't know what a difference you make to me clear over here. but it's big, i tell you. it's big.
goodness, rae, what did you do?? lol :) what happened? how are you doing? how do your lips feel ;) joke. peace. and lou, yer hair is gargeous, darlin! how much of your life did that take?? talk about niagra falls hair! ang ganda! and joseph, i'm so proud of you, boy. you are doing so well, i hear :) i'm learning to control my temper, too. why is it that i get frustrated over the smallest things?? but as soon as i think of Jesus and what He would think of my pouting and what He would do, my heart gets a little softer. i want to be like HIm. and Bootle, i'm trying to write your class some letters back! or one big letter, rather. how is your summer, sweetie? are you bein' have? you and my little friend Berna would be good girlie pals. she loves barbies too! and pink. lots of pink.
mom, i really appreciate the hymns you share each week. i sing for you all the time :) but especially sundays. i miss singing on sunday afternoons while cleaning the dinner dishes. that's a peaceful time for me. thanks for singing with me :)
i gotta go now. please tell aaron i'm trying to write him letters and i'm sorry. i haven't hadtime to write a single letter in 3 weeks and it's killing me. i've written no one. but i also need keri's address and daniel's too. send aaron my love. he's such a good sport. and i haven't heard from him in what feels like ages, even though i got a dear elder a week or so ago. i wear the earrings just about every day :) what a classy pal! and when you see him next, give him a good, swift kick in the rear! lol and then a big hug. he's a pretty good guy ;) yer right mom.
all my love to you and all the sweet people who have sent theirs-- got grandma's letter! and one from bradley roring! how's their fam?
love sis r
Monday, June 11, 2012
Dearest loved ones,
Dearest loved ones,
Hello! Another week has gone by and again, i am marveling. you are more fantastic this week than you were last--i'm not surprised, but i just don't understand HOW?!?!? :) you can't get any better! goonness!
time is so strange here. thank you, mom, for helping me keep an eternal perspective. each week as i read your letter and you mention how fast time is flying, i agree. but sometimes i feel like it can't come time to hear from you soon enough. but it always comes. and i'm always so grateful. and each time i realize how unique and beautiful an experience and opportunity this is, i can't help but feel guilty that i don't always do what you mentioned--and love the moment i'm in. there are things that are super challenging for me. and of course i know i need to be here and i love helping ppl to come unto Christ and live after the manner of happiness, but sometimes i sure do wish i had my dream super power of teleporting, so i could see you, if only for a moment. :) you make me so happy! but i'm doing so much more for you here than i could ever do there. and i'm somehow closer to you here than i could be there. incredibly, you become even more a part of me each day, despite the geographical distance. the Gospel and the love of God brings life and unity. i feel so close to you in many ways. especially when i think of you gathering to study and pray together. my heart is filled with indescribable gratitude and joy.HOW DID I GET SO BLESSED?!?!?! You are the best!
one of our ward missionaries told me earlier this week that i wasn't as skinny as she thought i was... lol. she's TINY. she's SUPER short and skinny-- typical of the people here. she's gorgeous, too, which doesn't hurt haha. she's so funny. but of course i just laughed and said of course, because she's used to the people who live here! but the next day, Lehi, the bishop's son worked with us and he said i was gaining weight in a good way. oh dear. that's never something i want to hear. i was mortified. he's also a huge tease, but i'm pretty sure he's serious. and even though that's a compliment here in the P, i don't care. i'm gonna live in america and i want to weigh the same when i go back there. good grief. but everyone else says i look the same. i showed sister gupta an old picture of me and she says my face is still the same. i don't think my tummy is bigger... aaaahhhhhh! pray for me. seriously.
i wanted to cry and go home. there's no place like utah :) lol where i can eat whatever i want and not worry. but i'll keep exercising because i feel so much better when i do!!! i couldn't run this morning for various obnoxious reasons and i was intensely annoyed. but i still did crunches at least. gotta keep those iron abs of steel (teehee!)
i pulled a stupid. a very sad stupid. sometimes reason and the Spirit aren't enough for me to give up trying and my own stubbornness gets in the way. i was ironing my black pencil skirt. the iron was almost sticking to it. i'd ironed it on that temperature--and everything else for that matter--and it was fine. but instead of waiting til it cooled down and trying again,i turned it down and little and tried ...again... and ...AAAH! it melted my skirt. disgrossting. i was SO sad. but instead of listening to reason, i tried blatantly to defy it. not a good idea. just so you know, sometimes the smallest choices have the most lasting impact. you never know, you could be stuck wearing only half your wardrobe for a week if you don't turn the iron off... you never know.
dad, congratu-amazing-lations! you are a superstar! you're a hero! you da MAN, man! :D really, i'm so super proud of you. i was telling sis g about how much you've got going on and she was like, " Wow, a great example for you." i said yes! he is! you sure are, daddy! thank you :) plus, thank you for complimenting sisters. the elders here are very respectful of us and they expect a lot of us, which is a compliment. it is good to feel trusted. i was worried and i didn't want to be labeled as a spoiled sister missionary. i know i'm spoiled compared to pretty much any other missionary in the P. i'm in one of the nicest places, close to convenient things that i'm used to, like stores and our area is small because of the disability of sister g's previous anak, so we can go home if we need to for meals and stuffs. it's extremely convenient. but i hope to work hard just as hard or harder than any other missionary, despite my many conveniences in location.
maree', i'm so excited for ya! how was that game? what'd you learn? when are you gonna find a place to live? did mom tell you the story about how we found my first apt at school? it's a good one :)
lou, i'm excited for you to share your talent and love of music :) you're so good! keep it up! they'll feel your excitement and love having you for a teacher! heck, i'll need you to teach me stuffs when i get back! please :) tapos, don't you worry about mr jarhead. he's a good egg. he'll keep on keepin on them thar sheepies. beeeeeeh! lol. i know what it's like to miss your best friend. i miss my besties every day. but dearie, don't you worry your pretty little head. it'll be over before ya know it. time goes so very fast! and keep finding things to love about each day and you'll have joy in the journey.
jojamuff! slam dunk the funk, dude! how's it goin?? i miss your "force" movies and stuff! i've found you some cool friends here! too bad i'll have to translate for ya! aaron sent me a pic and said he'd wished you were there. did he show you?
beckSTUM! are you being girlie?? GOOD! someone's gotta do it, babe! and you are just the gal! your laugh is so cute! keep sharing it with everyone. you are so good at making people laugh and smile. you bring sunshine to everyone's day :) keep it up, chika-boom!
mom, you are golden! you are gloriously and fabulously and chic-ously beautiful! and i wish i could stinkin run like you! haha the best opportunity i have for aerobic exercise is to jog or sprint in short spurts in our apt. at least there are only two of us there, so i have space. but i have no idea what i'll do when i live with 2 more sisters. i wanna run the stairs in our building, but i can't cause i need a companion to do it with and i don't think that would float sis g's boat too well :) haha i don't know why i like running stairs.
we have a family that seems golden. i had the gloriously joyful opportunity of accompanying them to church for the first time last week! wow. i can't tell you how great that was! but marife, the mom, couldn't come because of work. we really feel like they can work it out, but... there are other things that surfaced in our last visit with them that concern us. we hope they will be able to continue to progress in every way, as we feel this is a trial of their faith and ours, too. and we know when the miracles and witnesses come.
i love you!
sis r
Hello! Another week has gone by and again, i am marveling. you are more fantastic this week than you were last--i'm not surprised, but i just don't understand HOW?!?!? :) you can't get any better! goonness!
time is so strange here. thank you, mom, for helping me keep an eternal perspective. each week as i read your letter and you mention how fast time is flying, i agree. but sometimes i feel like it can't come time to hear from you soon enough. but it always comes. and i'm always so grateful. and each time i realize how unique and beautiful an experience and opportunity this is, i can't help but feel guilty that i don't always do what you mentioned--and love the moment i'm in. there are things that are super challenging for me. and of course i know i need to be here and i love helping ppl to come unto Christ and live after the manner of happiness, but sometimes i sure do wish i had my dream super power of teleporting, so i could see you, if only for a moment. :) you make me so happy! but i'm doing so much more for you here than i could ever do there. and i'm somehow closer to you here than i could be there. incredibly, you become even more a part of me each day, despite the geographical distance. the Gospel and the love of God brings life and unity. i feel so close to you in many ways. especially when i think of you gathering to study and pray together. my heart is filled with indescribable gratitude and joy.HOW DID I GET SO BLESSED?!?!?! You are the best!
one of our ward missionaries told me earlier this week that i wasn't as skinny as she thought i was... lol. she's TINY. she's SUPER short and skinny-- typical of the people here. she's gorgeous, too, which doesn't hurt haha. she's so funny. but of course i just laughed and said of course, because she's used to the people who live here! but the next day, Lehi, the bishop's son worked with us and he said i was gaining weight in a good way. oh dear. that's never something i want to hear. i was mortified. he's also a huge tease, but i'm pretty sure he's serious. and even though that's a compliment here in the P, i don't care. i'm gonna live in america and i want to weigh the same when i go back there. good grief. but everyone else says i look the same. i showed sister gupta an old picture of me and she says my face is still the same. i don't think my tummy is bigger... aaaahhhhhh! pray for me. seriously.
i wanted to cry and go home. there's no place like utah :) lol where i can eat whatever i want and not worry. but i'll keep exercising because i feel so much better when i do!!! i couldn't run this morning for various obnoxious reasons and i was intensely annoyed. but i still did crunches at least. gotta keep those iron abs of steel (teehee!)
i pulled a stupid. a very sad stupid. sometimes reason and the Spirit aren't enough for me to give up trying and my own stubbornness gets in the way. i was ironing my black pencil skirt. the iron was almost sticking to it. i'd ironed it on that temperature--and everything else for that matter--and it was fine. but instead of waiting til it cooled down and trying again,i turned it down and little and tried ...again... and ...AAAH! it melted my skirt. disgrossting. i was SO sad. but instead of listening to reason, i tried blatantly to defy it. not a good idea. just so you know, sometimes the smallest choices have the most lasting impact. you never know, you could be stuck wearing only half your wardrobe for a week if you don't turn the iron off... you never know.
dad, congratu-amazing-lations! you are a superstar! you're a hero! you da MAN, man! :D really, i'm so super proud of you. i was telling sis g about how much you've got going on and she was like, " Wow, a great example for you." i said yes! he is! you sure are, daddy! thank you :) plus, thank you for complimenting sisters. the elders here are very respectful of us and they expect a lot of us, which is a compliment. it is good to feel trusted. i was worried and i didn't want to be labeled as a spoiled sister missionary. i know i'm spoiled compared to pretty much any other missionary in the P. i'm in one of the nicest places, close to convenient things that i'm used to, like stores and our area is small because of the disability of sister g's previous anak, so we can go home if we need to for meals and stuffs. it's extremely convenient. but i hope to work hard just as hard or harder than any other missionary, despite my many conveniences in location.
maree', i'm so excited for ya! how was that game? what'd you learn? when are you gonna find a place to live? did mom tell you the story about how we found my first apt at school? it's a good one :)
lou, i'm excited for you to share your talent and love of music :) you're so good! keep it up! they'll feel your excitement and love having you for a teacher! heck, i'll need you to teach me stuffs when i get back! please :) tapos, don't you worry about mr jarhead. he's a good egg. he'll keep on keepin on them thar sheepies. beeeeeeh! lol. i know what it's like to miss your best friend. i miss my besties every day. but dearie, don't you worry your pretty little head. it'll be over before ya know it. time goes so very fast! and keep finding things to love about each day and you'll have joy in the journey.
jojamuff! slam dunk the funk, dude! how's it goin?? i miss your "force" movies and stuff! i've found you some cool friends here! too bad i'll have to translate for ya! aaron sent me a pic and said he'd wished you were there. did he show you?
beckSTUM! are you being girlie?? GOOD! someone's gotta do it, babe! and you are just the gal! your laugh is so cute! keep sharing it with everyone. you are so good at making people laugh and smile. you bring sunshine to everyone's day :) keep it up, chika-boom!
mom, you are golden! you are gloriously and fabulously and chic-ously beautiful! and i wish i could stinkin run like you! haha the best opportunity i have for aerobic exercise is to jog or sprint in short spurts in our apt. at least there are only two of us there, so i have space. but i have no idea what i'll do when i live with 2 more sisters. i wanna run the stairs in our building, but i can't cause i need a companion to do it with and i don't think that would float sis g's boat too well :) haha i don't know why i like running stairs.
we have a family that seems golden. i had the gloriously joyful opportunity of accompanying them to church for the first time last week! wow. i can't tell you how great that was! but marife, the mom, couldn't come because of work. we really feel like they can work it out, but... there are other things that surfaced in our last visit with them that concern us. we hope they will be able to continue to progress in every way, as we feel this is a trial of their faith and ours, too. and we know when the miracles and witnesses come.
i love you!
sis r
Sunday, June 3, 2012
My heart is full :)
Wow, family!
After reading your emails, i feel to say that you have indeed fed me. i feel overwhelmingly blessed :) sister gupta was telling me how every time she would complain about how full she was from a member's house and how it might make her sick, her companion would remind her how blessed they were to have food. i feel SO FULL of good things--but don't worry, i have no desire to complain, for my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord (2Ne. 4:15-16 yata?). I'm so grateful to you and for you. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Maree', i'll start with you this time, sweetheart. I am moved to tears at your incredible testimony and the sweet Spirit that moves in my soul as i read about your talks with Heavenly Father. What more of a lesson could i have on prayer than by your example?? Thank you, love! Thank you! and HOLY CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU ARE A GRADUATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And you're SO BIG and you have SO MANY EXCITING THINGS ahead of you!!!! I'm thrilled for you and more proud of you than i can express! I was bragging about your talents and golden qualities to Sis Gupta the other day and i was in awe at all you have done, despite the difficulties. And it will never stop, sista. If anyone is anxious to rise to a challenge, I know it's you. You must have said, as did Pres. Eyring and whomever else he talked about in Conference, "give me this mountain! Give me this challenge!" (prob not 100% exact...) and YOU ARE CAPABLE. Always remember that. Our merciful, just Heavenly Father ALWAYS GIVES US WHAT WE NEED to be able to accomplish what He asks of us. I know that is true. I've seen it so much already in my life and on this mission and I will see it many more in the days and years to come. God is ever aware. Thank you for putting your trust in Him. You can surely "...cast your burdens on the Lord and trust His constant care." (Hymn 125.) You are beautiful, special, wonderful, powerful, and downright awesome. Don't you dare forget it!
Next, Daddy dear! Thank you for your testimony and your encouragement :) Haha and i love your smile, no matter how sideways it is ;) and i LOVE the way you spelled ukulele (sp?) i'm not even sure how to spell it lol. every word here is just about phonetic(sp?). lol, which is handy, if you gnome sayin'. love it. i wish i could see that gavin kid! talking up a storm! what a doll! make sure no one sweeps him off his feet while i'm gone, eh? he's all mine! haha cute kid. how is their family? they are so beautiful in every way. i miss them. i need to write the kids back. i will!!! i'm workin on it. Pres. Reese is super. That sounds like a super great meeting. I'm so glad :) I LOVE THE CHURCH, too! and I LOVE YOU and OUR FAMILY!!! super dee duper muchly! oh so muchly. you are so right. the Lord's work will always roll forth. and His ways are higher than our ways (D&C?). Tell Jason I'd love to hear from him! that'd be great! their family rocks! how's taco the time? i have been meaning to send a general letter to them to tell them how things are and say hi to everyone. they are great ppl there. Thank you, Dad, for the sacrifices you make for me to be here. I won't let you down. I mess up a lot, but I'm trying to improve every day. I'll never be a perfect missionary in this mission, but it's preparing me to be what Heavenly Father will make of me in the future. and we can all be made perfect through the atonement of Jesus Christ.
Mother Meem Mum Mom Ma, Thank you for Boo's letter! Thank HER for her letter! Beckstum, you are looking different, too! In a super beautiful way!You are growing up! Would you stop that? :) are you being good? are you helping mommy? I'm doing super well! Thank you! I am loving sharing the things that make us happy with other people so they can be happy, too! When you have something that makes you happy, what do you want to do with it? Do you wanna hide it, or do you wanna share it so everyone can know how happy you are and be that happy, too? I know that when we share our love and when we share the love of our Heavenly Father, we don't lose any love-- it doesn't get smaller, it just gets bigger. It grows and grows! So share the things that make you happy with others, k? I will try to be better at sharing, too. Sister Gupta is really good at sharing what she has with others. She doesn't keep anything for herself. She is very giving. I want to be like that.
Mom, like you I need to declutter my mind and world to make space for the lasting. Your priorities are good. We are always seeking to improve, and i know i need to, so thank you for sharing that with me. Our Savior really does make up all the difference in our lack. You are right--all that we give will never be enough to gain eternal life and all that He hath, but our BEST is ALWAYS enough, because that is all He asks of us. He asks for our obedience and our repentant souls and if we give that, He will help us. He helps us every step of the way. And I hope Maree' always remembers what standards she holds in the eyes of her Father and her family, even if others don't recognize it. The ppl that matter most know. She's so good.
I will send pics asap--next week if it's possible. i think it is bc the comp towers have a little place i could plug in my camera cord--but i didn't bring that to the cafe. i'm sorry. i'll ask if that's possible and do it next week if i can figure it out. my memory card is bound to be full sometime soon and then i'll mail it to you. i have another that i bought. also, i'll pray about my journal. thank you for calling lots. i really would be insanely sad to lose that. i need addresses and info in there. i can't respond to my friends without it. and some ppl wrote lovely things inside.
btw, could i get keri's and daniels addresses? YOU ROCK! and any yummy recipes that are pretty quick and simple would be awesome! we don't have an oven.. but we can make a lot with what we've got.
we got some special privileges-- i got to conduct the hymns at our special zone conference with Elder Nelson! and sis g and i have fhe with the stuckis tonight bc sis g cooks great indian food and they've heard about it from other missionaries. what a privilege! the assistants will prob come for a little bit to eat, too. WOW!
my time's up. i love you. you're in my thoughts and my prayers. i am with you in many ways. thank you for being with me, too. aaron, don't worry, i love to hear from you. your emails are super short and thanks for the pictures. i love your letters. i've missed them lately :) thank you for all you do, dear friend.
love you all!
sis r.
After reading your emails, i feel to say that you have indeed fed me. i feel overwhelmingly blessed :) sister gupta was telling me how every time she would complain about how full she was from a member's house and how it might make her sick, her companion would remind her how blessed they were to have food. i feel SO FULL of good things--but don't worry, i have no desire to complain, for my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord (2Ne. 4:15-16 yata?). I'm so grateful to you and for you. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Maree', i'll start with you this time, sweetheart. I am moved to tears at your incredible testimony and the sweet Spirit that moves in my soul as i read about your talks with Heavenly Father. What more of a lesson could i have on prayer than by your example?? Thank you, love! Thank you! and HOLY CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU ARE A GRADUATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And you're SO BIG and you have SO MANY EXCITING THINGS ahead of you!!!! I'm thrilled for you and more proud of you than i can express! I was bragging about your talents and golden qualities to Sis Gupta the other day and i was in awe at all you have done, despite the difficulties. And it will never stop, sista. If anyone is anxious to rise to a challenge, I know it's you. You must have said, as did Pres. Eyring and whomever else he talked about in Conference, "give me this mountain! Give me this challenge!" (prob not 100% exact...) and YOU ARE CAPABLE. Always remember that. Our merciful, just Heavenly Father ALWAYS GIVES US WHAT WE NEED to be able to accomplish what He asks of us. I know that is true. I've seen it so much already in my life and on this mission and I will see it many more in the days and years to come. God is ever aware. Thank you for putting your trust in Him. You can surely "...cast your burdens on the Lord and trust His constant care." (Hymn 125.) You are beautiful, special, wonderful, powerful, and downright awesome. Don't you dare forget it!
Next, Daddy dear! Thank you for your testimony and your encouragement :) Haha and i love your smile, no matter how sideways it is ;) and i LOVE the way you spelled ukulele (sp?) i'm not even sure how to spell it lol. every word here is just about phonetic(sp?). lol, which is handy, if you gnome sayin'. love it. i wish i could see that gavin kid! talking up a storm! what a doll! make sure no one sweeps him off his feet while i'm gone, eh? he's all mine! haha cute kid. how is their family? they are so beautiful in every way. i miss them. i need to write the kids back. i will!!! i'm workin on it. Pres. Reese is super. That sounds like a super great meeting. I'm so glad :) I LOVE THE CHURCH, too! and I LOVE YOU and OUR FAMILY!!! super dee duper muchly! oh so muchly. you are so right. the Lord's work will always roll forth. and His ways are higher than our ways (D&C?). Tell Jason I'd love to hear from him! that'd be great! their family rocks! how's taco the time? i have been meaning to send a general letter to them to tell them how things are and say hi to everyone. they are great ppl there. Thank you, Dad, for the sacrifices you make for me to be here. I won't let you down. I mess up a lot, but I'm trying to improve every day. I'll never be a perfect missionary in this mission, but it's preparing me to be what Heavenly Father will make of me in the future. and we can all be made perfect through the atonement of Jesus Christ.
Mother Meem Mum Mom Ma, Thank you for Boo's letter! Thank HER for her letter! Beckstum, you are looking different, too! In a super beautiful way!You are growing up! Would you stop that? :) are you being good? are you helping mommy? I'm doing super well! Thank you! I am loving sharing the things that make us happy with other people so they can be happy, too! When you have something that makes you happy, what do you want to do with it? Do you wanna hide it, or do you wanna share it so everyone can know how happy you are and be that happy, too? I know that when we share our love and when we share the love of our Heavenly Father, we don't lose any love-- it doesn't get smaller, it just gets bigger. It grows and grows! So share the things that make you happy with others, k? I will try to be better at sharing, too. Sister Gupta is really good at sharing what she has with others. She doesn't keep anything for herself. She is very giving. I want to be like that.
Mom, like you I need to declutter my mind and world to make space for the lasting. Your priorities are good. We are always seeking to improve, and i know i need to, so thank you for sharing that with me. Our Savior really does make up all the difference in our lack. You are right--all that we give will never be enough to gain eternal life and all that He hath, but our BEST is ALWAYS enough, because that is all He asks of us. He asks for our obedience and our repentant souls and if we give that, He will help us. He helps us every step of the way. And I hope Maree' always remembers what standards she holds in the eyes of her Father and her family, even if others don't recognize it. The ppl that matter most know. She's so good.
I will send pics asap--next week if it's possible. i think it is bc the comp towers have a little place i could plug in my camera cord--but i didn't bring that to the cafe. i'm sorry. i'll ask if that's possible and do it next week if i can figure it out. my memory card is bound to be full sometime soon and then i'll mail it to you. i have another that i bought. also, i'll pray about my journal. thank you for calling lots. i really would be insanely sad to lose that. i need addresses and info in there. i can't respond to my friends without it. and some ppl wrote lovely things inside.
btw, could i get keri's and daniels addresses? YOU ROCK! and any yummy recipes that are pretty quick and simple would be awesome! we don't have an oven.. but we can make a lot with what we've got.
we got some special privileges-- i got to conduct the hymns at our special zone conference with Elder Nelson! and sis g and i have fhe with the stuckis tonight bc sis g cooks great indian food and they've heard about it from other missionaries. what a privilege! the assistants will prob come for a little bit to eat, too. WOW!
my time's up. i love you. you're in my thoughts and my prayers. i am with you in many ways. thank you for being with me, too. aaron, don't worry, i love to hear from you. your emails are super short and thanks for the pictures. i love your letters. i've missed them lately :) thank you for all you do, dear friend.
love you all!
sis r.
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