HELLOOOOOOOO!

Kumusta kayong lahat?? How excited I am to read your sweet words yet again!

I am so sorry... I have a confession. i realized i received your emails just after i sent mine.. and it was definitely time for me to get off email. and i should have. but i read them first.. i'm sorry. i'm sorry i didn't just wait or let you know i had received them. i was over time. and i've resolved to be more exactly obedient. it's so important in this work. i should have waited, even though i was so anxious to read what you had said, because we have a time limit. it's for our good and i need to trust in that. but i'm so thankful that Heavenly Father blessed you with peace. I'm so sorry that you had to deal with that worry. but don't you worry! i'm okay! the week before, i didn't receive an email from Pres. Stucki. he still doesn't know... bc i'm positive it was due to computer problems. he sent a text to sis. gupta about her unfinished email. so at least they didn't happen at once, di ba? :) haha i got them, so it's totally okay! you can breathe easy! and i'm sorry.

mom, you're kickin booty! you're doing such a great job handling the changes. i know it's crazy and time flies when you don't want it to, but you should know that it's only because you're finding joy in the journey. because of your gratitude, you will be blessed even more abundantly--and be more aware of the blessings you have. how great is that!!! you're living "after the manner of happiness"--in obedience and gratitude. sweeet stuffs, babe! plus, i brag about you all the time. i'm sure sis gupta is so sick of hearing about how incredible my family is.. but i'm not sick of telling her! so too bad! muahhahahhahhhahahh!!!! (this was an attempted megamind laugh..) but seriously. i'm so proud of you all. and you inspire me to be healthy and active and full of love for people and for life. thank you, mom. it's truly and honor to call you my mother. i say that with a heart full of reverence and respect for the eternal blessing of family. i don't know what i ever did you get you, but i thank Him for you every day.
thank you for the spiritual uplift! wow, pres. rees is so smart! hehee what a guy. he's so right. we need to experiment upon the word and exercise a particle of faith and plant the seed! it makes perfect sense! and if it's really wrong, we can know right away, according to the scriptures.. if it teaches us to good and believe in Christ, it is of God, and if it persuadeth to do evil and not to believe in Him, it is of the devil. so if we're just deciding if something okay that has come to mind is of ourselves or of God, we have to try it out to know! and i firmly feel that as we do so, our spiritual senses will be sharpened and we will come to better discern promptings of the Spirit. we just need to exercise the faith to give it a whirl!
also, the torch carrier is so sweet! thank you for sharing that with me :) those souls are so blessed. they are here, in this way, for so many reasons. they teach us--through their examples, their spirits, and the experiences we have with them. we can learn patience, selfless love, service, understanding, and so much more by their examples and by caring for them. what a beautiful gift!

in sacrament meeting and relief society, the main theme seemed to be challenges as blessings. in rs, we discussed E. Eyring's mountain climbing (?) talk from conference. i loved that one so much. i drew a little bit of understanding from worldly wisdom and the words of a prophet... in one of my math classes, there was a quote on the wall that said "life's the toughest teacher; it gives the tests first and the lessons after." and then in relief society, the words --paraphrased-- were shared, "through our challenges we gain the education we are here to obtain." only it was surely better than that. but it's so true! we are here to learn to be like our Heavenly Father. How can we possibly do that without an education? the experiences of this life are for our education and growth. we are in training. we are preparing. and with that knowledge, are we study every day out of the books by which we will be judged-- the best manuals we could be given?

family, i need to improve my prayers. i need to improve them in sincerity and specificity. what counsel have you on this subject? dad, what wisdom have you gained through your personal experiences with prayer? aaron, how did you learn to really pray on your mission? has it changed the way you pray today? maree, alyssa, joseph, and becca, how do you feel about your prayers to Heavenly Father? what does He want to hear from you?

my time's nearly up and i need to address your correspondences! daddy, thank you for your sweet apology :) lol i was not the least offended! i laughed lots, as per usual :) dad, thank you for trying to be like your father before you :) in all his humility and quiet strength.i love it. and i am so amazed at the bold and loving missionary he was and is. i feel it with all my heart--he's one of the best missionaries on the other side of the veil. he has to be! he loves the Lord and all God's children with all his heart! what an example!

tell the richardsons i'm thinking of them and will be responding to their awesome notes soon. jory doesn't need to worry. he's totally a ladies' man.

aaron, how the heck are ya??? smile, buddy! your smile warms everyone's heart! you have a letter on the way. sorry, i know it's been a while. i have a lot of ppl to catch up on, but i made a lengthy letter just for you!

keep on keepin on loved ones! I know our Father is watching over you.

all my love, sis r

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

Mothers Day

Dearest Mom and family and friends,

Thank you for that wonderful conversation!!! I wish I could have seen more of you! Are both grandmas good? Did they have a good Mother's Day? I am thankful, too, mom for the chance i got to talk to you! SO THANKFUL! I did not want it to end. i was afraid it would make me more homesick, but really i feel like it helped so much. i feel so grateful and good. i still wish teleporting were my superpower, but i guess i'll survive until all my dreams come true on Resurrection day or something :D

Speaking of Easter, I know our Savior lives! He has to. For all my hope is in Him. Everything I am and desire and love and hope to become are in Him. He is our Way back to the Father. He is our chance for Life. He is the source of Truth and Light. What comfort this sweet sentence gives, "I know that my Redeemer lives!!!"

Thank you for telling me about Anthony and Cade and their families. I love them. I will keep them in my prayers. When does Bradley come home? I'm a big fat jerk for not writing him. I've thought of him a million times and I hope he's super happy. I know that because of what's going on in their family, it must be a challenge, but I also know they are rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ and they have hope and assurance in Him. Bless them!

Aaron, thank you for helping my family! It means so much to me! And your letters are a treasure! I read and reread my beautiful messages, especially handwritten letters from the ones I love so dearly. THank you for being there for me :) and i gave my family crap for you about your hair, but it actually doesn't look bad. "i thought [it] looked kinda dashing" lol hercules. golden, bro. gotta love it.
haven't seen sis jael for a while. or her fiance. hope they're okay. she's super cool. just don't ask about my tagalog. i am actually pretty self-conscious about it. that's one of my biggest struggles right now--making myself speak. i don't wanna talk bc it's easier to listen most of the time and i feel bad bc when i speak it's broken and scattered and probably half incorrect. but sometimes i don't worry about it and when I speak with the Spirit it's all okay. the only way for me to understand them and for them to understand me is really through the Spirit. so that's the focus. the language of the Spirit. it's the most important.

becca, you're beautiful! holy crazy and your letter was so sweet :) joseph, you are just as funny as you were 3 months ago! haha you're so fun :) lyssa, i miss your stinkin face. stop being so cool. jeesss. :) rae, stop growing. and for goodness sake, would you buy a boy repellent or something?? how's colton, btw? :)

dad, i'm so golldern proud of you!!! thank you for your humor :) love love love. you are a superb example of the kind of work i should be doing every day= with all i've got.

the only thing i need is prayers and love :) and you're giving it! I sure do love letters. they're great. and i think they don't have deodorant without antiperspirant here... that's a problem. that's all i would need since i can't get it here. everyone wants to not sweat... go figure. oh! and recipes would be good! but my qualifications are high: pretty basic ingredients, pretty cheap, can be made on a stove top or in toaster oven without a microwave... yeah. that's about it.

YOU"RE THE BEST BEST BEST!


mahal na mahal ko kayong lahat! xoxoxo!

sis r

You have to stop being so awesome!!! only don't. 'cause it's great!

Sigh. Where to begin... this is the only issue.

FAMILY AND FRIENDS, I LOVE YOU!!!!

THANK you for your correspondence and love! i'm grateful from the bottom of my heart. i can't express it. hearing from you gives me great joy. it's miraculous, really.

i wish i had more time to give more detail this time, but i spent most of the time carefully reading your beautiful words :) you know how i have to read so slowly and carefully and treasure every little bit--it's even more so with your letters than in any great novel i've ever read. you mean so much to me!!!

dad, thanks a bunch. and i would say that with all the sarcasm with which you praised scamper except that i really am grateful :) you big bully. including becca's insanely adorable letter like that. i stand out enough here in the Philippines, i don't need to sit bawling and laughing out loud in the internet cafe on the corner to do that. so thanks. lol but really, thanks!!! you make me laugh so much :) and i love scamper, so you be nice! i am so happy for you, dad. i want you to live your dreams. i want you to achieve your goals. i'm so proud of you. you are the greatest dad ever. i'm so glad i can call you dad. i met someone here in the bishopric who is like the Philippino version of you. he's shorter, though. and it's not so much in humor, but really in sweet and humble nature. i really love his family. they're so great. he's a good guy and i really respect and admire the way he loves his family and does his calling.

mom, you were so right! i had the song pop in my head right away! lol! i've thought of linda a few times lately as i was trying to remember the spanish word for beautiful bc her name means pretty or beautiful. and she's so right! i love that! and tagalog is replacing most of the spanish i used to know :( i miss my little bit of espanol. but its otay bc there are random words that are the same every now and then, or similar with diff. spelling.
thank you for the quote! that's soooo good! i love it. it's very true. and it's a challenge for me as a missionary to act on those revelations when i'm a trainee and less experienced, but i need to learn bc what Pres. told me is right: we are all missionaries and all entitled to revelation for the people in our stewardship.

aaron, thank you for the recipes!!! and the letter i just received :) i'm trying to write ppl back and still write you, too, since i've received loads of handwritten ones from you. i don't want to jip you at all. i'm getting caught up, i promise :) and i'm so excited for you and your experiences and your plans! you're doing so well :) don't worry. i know you. i know you're capable of every challenge you come up against. you're so awesome! thanks for tellin lou you love her. keep reminding them! they're so great! and your dad's letter is done, now i gotta send it. in case i can't find your address on that recent letter i have somewhere... can you email it to me?

ashlynn! you're next, sista! i love hearing about your babe and seeing the pics aaron sent from fb. so cute! you're a great mommy! i knew you would be! thank you for being so super supportive. you're so awesome! i've told my companions about you lots of times, in the mtc and here in the field. i love you so much. i know you'll find an internship that's best for you. Heavenly Father will take care of you as you put HIm first. you're a great family :)

tell boo of course i remember her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and i'm excited to talk to you all! how was the temple joseph! i can't believe you're all so big!

Pres said we can skype. if worst comes to worst, i'll email you next week before calling or skyping, but i hope to be able to skype from here at about 10:30 am monday the 14, which should be 7:30 pm sunday the 13 for you. i hope. you may want to check the internet for that. i don't want it to be too late for you and i want you to be home. if there are any probs, please email me or pres. i can check email before we skype and give you a heads up. deal? don't panic if it's not til almost 8. if it's after 8, start panicking. haha... jk? :) i love you bestestestest!!!

can't wait.

oopsh. forgot to tell you that angry birds are huge here. crazy. and aaron, the bag is great and all the missionaries ask about where i got it. and mom, were you able to talk to anyone about my journal at the mtc? did you get all my clothes and stuffs i sent?

i wanted to tell you that isabel is an awesome girl we're teaching and sister gupta and i taught the word of wisdom when we realized she drank ice tea. she said no matter how delicious it was, she wanted to obey the commandments and wouldn't drink it anymore. and when sis. gupta asked if she had any other concerns with the wow, she said " yes. i'm concerned for all the people who don't know about the commandments and who aren't doing good things." WOWOWOOWW! she's amazing. 17 and determined to serve a mission. sis g has never seen anyone else quite like her. so cool.

more later!

love sis r