Dad, the rain here was pretty crazy. we had a great service opportunity, though i didn't feel like i did much. it was actually just sweeping in a nearby barangay (village) and cleaning up the garbage there. we didn't do much in the flood, which i greatly regret. i'm gonna grab that by the horns next time! honestly, a service mission is what i prayed for, so i hope the Lord will bless us with lots of opportunities for that. the bishop actually received some groceries from a japanese man who isn't a member and bishop distributed these things to families in need through us. don't remember if i mentioned that, but it was sure an awesome experience! they were so grateful! everything shuts down with big floods bc no one can work, therefore, no one can buy. they're really stressing 72 hour kits. don't worry! we gots one!
that's great about the baptism! where are the Hurds now? did joseph write his talk down? i wanna hear it when i get home! what a guy! :) can't believe it's the fair already... weird.
mom, congrats on the choco-pb lovin! haha sounds delicious! masarap! but not as delicious as annie's present! EEEW! sicknasty. hahah you're so good-humored :) and yay for carol's baby! boy or girl? yes, an answer to prayers! i'm glad the package turned up. did you send it? wow... i've never seen someone permanent like that in tree town. there are LOADS here. everywhere. you're so awesome :)
everyone in our area is okay. i'm not sure how they recover... they just do. and they honestly can't do much to prepare except with sandbags. especially the ppl who buy their food on a day-to-day basis. i have no idea how they would survive if it got super bad. but our area's dry now.
we have a baptism saturday and he is AWESOME! Kevin is solid. his interest started with just a slight desire to investigate his girlfriend's religion and now has grown to the faith and desire to make and keep sacred covenants. it's amazing. we're really excited. he will be a very strong member. and he has a financial advantage that will enable him to serve the members of the church here. we're so blessed. Our recent convert... needs your prayers. she is struggling to make time for anything, including attending church and reading the BoM.
how was your race? how did it feel? how was the team? LOL Alyssa, WAY TO GO!!! Hahah someone's gotta keep mom embarrassed while i'm here! ;) YESSS!
wow, how are those mannings? is gary okay? tell craig that's against missionary standard! gross! way to go, Christina! Joseph is a great name :) i love it. Yvonne's prayers have to be super powerful. she's a super powerful woman. as are you, mom. how is bradley? i sent his letter to you last week. hope it's there soon. is that okay? sorry i didn't have a home address. lol his handwriting is still attrocious :) funny guy.
mom, that's so cool about the temple. i know you were a teerriiffiicccccc usher! :) i love seeing people be touched by the Spirit. we truly need to become like little children to be led according to the Lord's desires for us. thank you for helping me see that from a new perspective.
thank you for the songs! both of them! i needed them :) lol i love the kaiser verse. and i want to be like Nephi. i just realized now that not only did he believe it would float, he believed it could carry them all to the promised land... and it was a first-time, no-experience, hand-made vessel that he trusted in bc he trusted the Lord would take care of his precious family. THAT"S FAITH. gosh, i need that. when i feel afraid to try, i will remember Nephi. i will remember his trust in the promise of the Lord and do the same :)
i honestly can't tell you all the feelings i've had in this last week. it has been one of personal trial and education. i know this experience is just what i need--all of it. i know i can do the things the Lord commands, bc He knows what I am capable of, even when i am sorely tempted to disagree. gosh, what an experience. and i know i wouldn't trade it for anything... especially when i look back, and in the future when i'll look back and see all the Lord has done with little, simple, imperfect me. As President Stucki told us, the Lord takes the ....shoot, i forgot. But i'll get back to you on that.
dad, if you have any advice for me as a missionary, i'd be more than happy to receive it :) just insights you have, or any suggestions for the work.
gosh, aaron! way to send me a wedding email! lol they're so cute! i'm happy for them! i LOVE the colors of miranda's choice! soooo cute! happy for BD! :) lol sis Ronquillo and i had a trunky moment hehehe. wow that's awesome! we actually wanna see some more of miranda's pics if possible. any you feel like sending. and your letter's in the mail as of last tues.
we have zone conference tomorrow! always a good experience :) looking forward to that. and we went to the temple wednesday, which was awesome. then we had a comp lunch at a place called Pan de Amerikana and it's AMAZING! hardly anyone really knows about it, so it's a pretty slow place, but the food is DELICIOUS! and the atmosphere ROCKS! i took pics, but i don't dare send them. i got a virus on my last memory card and only connected it to computers a few times. i'm not sure what to do. aaron, can anything be done??? i wanna save the pictures if i can. i just can't print anything bc most of the files won't pull up now when i go to print on the computer. lame. but the place is SUPER COOL! mom and dad, you HAVE to come to the P! You have to eat here with me! it's an upside-down house! and even cooler, they have the funkiest decorating that just goes. and it could never be done so well except in this climate. they have plants in the walls and all sorts of cool stuff! and recently, they put up pictures of famous people in the Philippines. wow it's cool.
i've probably gotta go now, since i don't wanna be late. we have a lesson at 3 bc the Assistants flew to Palawan, so we're covering their lesson for them. they don't really have pday, so that explains the random time. speaking of palawan, i hope sis gupta's right! thanks for the letter, sis! i'm sorry you're sick :( we must be on a wavelength or something... crazy. you poor kid. but i know you'll find the right job for you. congrats on your calling!
where do i send priscilla's letter?
i'll keep praying about the journal. i hope it does get found. elder fruean feels pretty bad about it.
I LOVE YOU ALL!
love your fav sister misionary, sis r
ps do you know that on wednesday, ive been on my mission 6 months?? now that's weird.
rae--talk to me, talk to me, talk to me, babay!
Monday, August 20, 2012
Monday, August 13, 2012
what's the subject today?
Hello, belovedS!
I'm not sure how long I have bc Kevin moved our appt... to 3 instead of 6, which switches around our Pday sked a little bit... Yeah. So I'll try and say lots quick. Not to mention we'd have more time if I would have just gotten ready instead of doing the dishes first. It's no fun to make the same mistakes lots.
So... this week's been interesting. We had crazy flooding, even in Palanan, due to crazy rain. Always an adventure in the Philippines! No joke. we rode this funny little cart made from one of the fruit and vegetable carts they push around to sell. they made a bench in it and included one of the huge umbrellas used for those and at tindahans. and then they put a few rows of the plastic stools that everyone uses here in there so ppl could stay dry..er. and we paid LOADS for it! 250 pesos!!! ouch. but it was an adventure! and the two guys driving it were funny. one of them claimed he was born in america, but has lived here for a few years. lol! i didn't believe him a bit! :) we just laughed with him. the best part was when a bus went by and created a huge wave and we stood up to not get as wet. and then the second time my stool disappeared, so i sat down right in the water! hehee... that can't be healthy.
we also had a less active sister and most of her not-yet-member children come to church, as well as her investigator friend!!! and they loved it! it was great :) i'm not sure where the money for the jeepney came from... but we sure were glad to see them! and then we got to deliver groceries the bishop donated to a few families along with the first counselor of the bishopric and the assistants, since part of their area is about half of our ward. and they have a van lol. it was soooooo cool! these families are so awesome. and one of them was the sister who came to church earlier! :) her kids are so insanely beautiful. every single one of them. it's crazy. and one of our visits was a sister who is 85ish and is the ward pianist, but can't come bc she takes care of her brother, who is even older than she is. and she's so thin and her body just isn't up to traveling alone these days. what a trooper! she's so sweet. Br. Pilapil made me sing for her a hymn verse to lift her spirits since she hasn't been to church in a while. she chose Our Savior's Love and it was nice to see her enjoy her favorite hymn. she's such a sharp lady. i hope i'm that cool at 85ish.
well, it's a new transfer now and we're off to a good start! I've got a lot to learn. sis. ronquillo expects a lot of growth in my leadership and teaching and language skills this transfer. i hope to surpass her expectations. i hold the same standard for myself. I want to be prepared for wherever the Lord puts me next, even if it's here another transfer. it probably won't be, though. aaah!
tell sis gupta that she's awesome and of course she's in my prayers! she's doing a great job in india, i know it! she'll hear from me soon and about our ward and stuffs. i still need daniel's address. started my letter to priscila. has ashlynn heard from me yet? i love her letters! aaron, how was the musical number? you'll get my letter soon, too. of course i read! doink :) and craig's in nearly finished. you're all so super great!
time for me to go. congrats to mom and lou! rae's kickin butt as always! congrats, dad! i knew you would! keep it up, joj and boo~
love sis r
I'm not sure how long I have bc Kevin moved our appt... to 3 instead of 6, which switches around our Pday sked a little bit... Yeah. So I'll try and say lots quick. Not to mention we'd have more time if I would have just gotten ready instead of doing the dishes first. It's no fun to make the same mistakes lots.
So... this week's been interesting. We had crazy flooding, even in Palanan, due to crazy rain. Always an adventure in the Philippines! No joke. we rode this funny little cart made from one of the fruit and vegetable carts they push around to sell. they made a bench in it and included one of the huge umbrellas used for those and at tindahans. and then they put a few rows of the plastic stools that everyone uses here in there so ppl could stay dry..er. and we paid LOADS for it! 250 pesos!!! ouch. but it was an adventure! and the two guys driving it were funny. one of them claimed he was born in america, but has lived here for a few years. lol! i didn't believe him a bit! :) we just laughed with him. the best part was when a bus went by and created a huge wave and we stood up to not get as wet. and then the second time my stool disappeared, so i sat down right in the water! hehee... that can't be healthy.
we also had a less active sister and most of her not-yet-member children come to church, as well as her investigator friend!!! and they loved it! it was great :) i'm not sure where the money for the jeepney came from... but we sure were glad to see them! and then we got to deliver groceries the bishop donated to a few families along with the first counselor of the bishopric and the assistants, since part of their area is about half of our ward. and they have a van lol. it was soooooo cool! these families are so awesome. and one of them was the sister who came to church earlier! :) her kids are so insanely beautiful. every single one of them. it's crazy. and one of our visits was a sister who is 85ish and is the ward pianist, but can't come bc she takes care of her brother, who is even older than she is. and she's so thin and her body just isn't up to traveling alone these days. what a trooper! she's so sweet. Br. Pilapil made me sing for her a hymn verse to lift her spirits since she hasn't been to church in a while. she chose Our Savior's Love and it was nice to see her enjoy her favorite hymn. she's such a sharp lady. i hope i'm that cool at 85ish.
well, it's a new transfer now and we're off to a good start! I've got a lot to learn. sis. ronquillo expects a lot of growth in my leadership and teaching and language skills this transfer. i hope to surpass her expectations. i hold the same standard for myself. I want to be prepared for wherever the Lord puts me next, even if it's here another transfer. it probably won't be, though. aaah!
tell sis gupta that she's awesome and of course she's in my prayers! she's doing a great job in india, i know it! she'll hear from me soon and about our ward and stuffs. i still need daniel's address. started my letter to priscila. has ashlynn heard from me yet? i love her letters! aaron, how was the musical number? you'll get my letter soon, too. of course i read! doink :) and craig's in nearly finished. you're all so super great!
time for me to go. congrats to mom and lou! rae's kickin butt as always! congrats, dad! i knew you would! keep it up, joj and boo~
love sis r
Monday, August 6, 2012
I'm so full I could burst
Dearest loved ones,
thank you for all of the exciting updates and news! thank you for your love and prayers and support! i will continue to pray for you and think of you often. you mean everything to me!
I read in PMG earlier today that the most important work we will ever do is within the walls of our own home. i want to tell you that i know that is true with every little piece of me. i know it is. all of this missionary work--all the work to be done in all the world to bring souls unto Christ, whether it be for the first time, or the 50th time, an inch or a mile closer--would be completely in vain if it weren't for the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is centered on Christ, His Atonement, and meant just for FAMILIES! WOW. yes. this perfect plan is just for each and every one of us, to enjoy the blessings of eternity TOGETHER. i sit here at a computer in a foreign country and tell you that somehow i know that now to be true more than i've ever known it before. and all that i ever do, i want to do it all for Him and for you. because that's how much you mean to Him and to me.
i want to testify that i know that Christ lives. I know He loves you. I know that we are to be always on His errand, as our dear prophet Thomas S. Monson has dedicated his life to be. And i know that in the midst of our greatest challenges and in the depth of our sorrows, no matter how low and far we may feel, that Jesus Christ descended below all things, and He knows and can lift us from our pains. Let us be yoked with Him! Let us partake of the joy He has prepared for us in His presence! Let's go together!
I'm not sure why I am so much consumed with emotion today, but the Spirit is really strong. I know we have living prophets on the earth today. The receive direction from God, our Father, to guide His Church and guide our lives. Their words are true. My soul delights in their words! They are the words of Christ, which tell us all things what we should do :) 2Ne 32:3
wow! it's been a week! we've had some incredible miracles, too, mommy. did you get to find what was lost? dad, i know you'll receive the answer you need. Heavenly Father won't let you or our family down as you are exercising your faith and trusting in Him. haha! thank you for your funny annie jokes lol. gosh, i laughed so hard. that ridiculous rodent. how i love that silky puff ball. fat as she may be. speaking of rodents... rats are gross. i've seen some monsters here. no ROUS, yet :) lucky me!
mom, thank you for your compliments and trust in me. i hope to better live up to your incredibly sweet and motherly view of me better every day. you do so much to motivate and lift me. what great parents i have!
i owe you all apologies on letters. i know it's been bad. please tell sis. g that she'll get one asap. and future sis. pinto, too. and poor aaron. and craig. and sam. good kids. well, the first two anyway lol! how are ricky and rob? how are the rorings? i'll send my response to bradley to you, k? how's uncle gary? is randy home, yet? he's pretty cool, that randy dude. and please tell uncle gary that elder tumanuvao is serving in samoa now instead. is that the right tumanuvao? i didn't quite find out :) oh! sister white is training!!! she's so dang cool. i love her and am so proud of her. what a great example!
i'm here for another transfer with sis ronquillo! we're happy :) i didn't wanna leave her. but it's pretty much guaranteed i'm somewhere else next transfer. i hope it's in the province! i've heard the work is just superb there and it's just awesome. i love my area, though. i don't wanna leave this ward. they're so good. and we have some super sweet souls and plenty yet to meet! i wanna see the Laggui family with a solid BD before i leave! they're so dang prepared! they just need to accept that they already know this church is true!
plus, kevin is pretty much solid. and he'll be baptized the 25th. he's gonna be such a good leader. and he has a whole family we can teach! hopefully soon! and we just got a solid referral! she's great. she knows JS was a true prophet. just needs to know the church is still true now. BOM! her name is Leah. she's super nice and super pretty.
did you get my pics last week? my time's up. i love you love you love you! singing in transfer meeting thursday. AAAAH! tell aaron goood luck in SM sunday! ;)
and can i have rae's address so i can send her a letter??? i can't believe she's in WY! it sounds like she's doing so well! don't let her not call and text everyday like me. she'll do better than me, i know it :)
love, sis r
thank you for all of the exciting updates and news! thank you for your love and prayers and support! i will continue to pray for you and think of you often. you mean everything to me!
I read in PMG earlier today that the most important work we will ever do is within the walls of our own home. i want to tell you that i know that is true with every little piece of me. i know it is. all of this missionary work--all the work to be done in all the world to bring souls unto Christ, whether it be for the first time, or the 50th time, an inch or a mile closer--would be completely in vain if it weren't for the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is centered on Christ, His Atonement, and meant just for FAMILIES! WOW. yes. this perfect plan is just for each and every one of us, to enjoy the blessings of eternity TOGETHER. i sit here at a computer in a foreign country and tell you that somehow i know that now to be true more than i've ever known it before. and all that i ever do, i want to do it all for Him and for you. because that's how much you mean to Him and to me.
i want to testify that i know that Christ lives. I know He loves you. I know that we are to be always on His errand, as our dear prophet Thomas S. Monson has dedicated his life to be. And i know that in the midst of our greatest challenges and in the depth of our sorrows, no matter how low and far we may feel, that Jesus Christ descended below all things, and He knows and can lift us from our pains. Let us be yoked with Him! Let us partake of the joy He has prepared for us in His presence! Let's go together!
I'm not sure why I am so much consumed with emotion today, but the Spirit is really strong. I know we have living prophets on the earth today. The receive direction from God, our Father, to guide His Church and guide our lives. Their words are true. My soul delights in their words! They are the words of Christ, which tell us all things what we should do :) 2Ne 32:3
wow! it's been a week! we've had some incredible miracles, too, mommy. did you get to find what was lost? dad, i know you'll receive the answer you need. Heavenly Father won't let you or our family down as you are exercising your faith and trusting in Him. haha! thank you for your funny annie jokes lol. gosh, i laughed so hard. that ridiculous rodent. how i love that silky puff ball. fat as she may be. speaking of rodents... rats are gross. i've seen some monsters here. no ROUS, yet :) lucky me!
mom, thank you for your compliments and trust in me. i hope to better live up to your incredibly sweet and motherly view of me better every day. you do so much to motivate and lift me. what great parents i have!
i owe you all apologies on letters. i know it's been bad. please tell sis. g that she'll get one asap. and future sis. pinto, too. and poor aaron. and craig. and sam. good kids. well, the first two anyway lol! how are ricky and rob? how are the rorings? i'll send my response to bradley to you, k? how's uncle gary? is randy home, yet? he's pretty cool, that randy dude. and please tell uncle gary that elder tumanuvao is serving in samoa now instead. is that the right tumanuvao? i didn't quite find out :) oh! sister white is training!!! she's so dang cool. i love her and am so proud of her. what a great example!
i'm here for another transfer with sis ronquillo! we're happy :) i didn't wanna leave her. but it's pretty much guaranteed i'm somewhere else next transfer. i hope it's in the province! i've heard the work is just superb there and it's just awesome. i love my area, though. i don't wanna leave this ward. they're so good. and we have some super sweet souls and plenty yet to meet! i wanna see the Laggui family with a solid BD before i leave! they're so dang prepared! they just need to accept that they already know this church is true!
plus, kevin is pretty much solid. and he'll be baptized the 25th. he's gonna be such a good leader. and he has a whole family we can teach! hopefully soon! and we just got a solid referral! she's great. she knows JS was a true prophet. just needs to know the church is still true now. BOM! her name is Leah. she's super nice and super pretty.
did you get my pics last week? my time's up. i love you love you love you! singing in transfer meeting thursday. AAAAH! tell aaron goood luck in SM sunday! ;)
and can i have rae's address so i can send her a letter??? i can't believe she's in WY! it sounds like she's doing so well! don't let her not call and text everyday like me. she'll do better than me, i know it :)
love, sis r
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