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!