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
Sunday, July 29, 2012
And what a week it has been ;)
Let's start out with a few hugs and kisses! Yes, indeed! there you are! love all around. that feels good :) thanks for that. yes, i'm doing lots better! i feel fantastic! sister ronquillo is doing lots better as well. she still has phlegm and icky coughing, but is doing well otherwise. we finally got back to work about 3 pm wednesday and it was awesome! i mean, we had some great lessons this week. it was such a blessing!
and i learned something great this week :) i was struggling just being myself. that doesn't sound like me, does it? i know. it's weird. and even with someone as cool as sis ronquillo, i was just not being my normal self. especially not in lessons. and i have a hard time knowing what to say sometimes, especially if i'm not a 100% sure of where we are in casual conversation... so i'm not as talkative here, though i promise i'm trying to fix that. anyhow, in my interview with President last week, i told him i was struggling to feel like an actual full-time missionary, though i was sure trying hard to be like one. he said he felt like i would start feeling a lot more like a real missionary as i learned to communicate with the people. i felt the Spirit confirm that that was true. but until friday, i didn't consider it could mean more than just in Tagalog. then, in weekly planning, we finally discovered what it was! it was beautiful. sweet relief, i tell you. i realized i was trying to be what i thought others expected me to be. i was trying to be an ideal companion, teacher, and missionary--which isn't wrong, by any means, but the way i was going about it was wrong. the thing is, we don't have to change our personality to be our best. we just have to try to be more like the Savior. and i was unhappy trying to be something other than myself. no one was happy. i wasn't genuine and so my teaching wasn't good and i was miserable. but as i'm learning to be myself again and just do my best, i am so happy! and that day i felt more like a real missionary than ever! i tried to qualify for and follow the Spirit and just be me! and i loved it. it was an answer to prayers.
i realized this had a lot to do with many things--with things aaron has said to me, with some general conference talks, and with what maree shared with me that mom told her: we have to love ourselves as we are before we can really progress and become better. i was pondering and pondering that and wondering if it were true. i wasn't sure. and that was because i was having a hard time loving the terribly imperfect, not-as-good-of-a-missionary-as-i-want-to-be-yet me. sad, i know. but true. and then i realized how Heavenly Father and Jesus must feel if i feel so negatively toward myself. not pleased, of course. so i am learning how to see me the way They do, instead of the way i think others do. a lesson i've been given opportunity to learn many times. let's hope it works this time! :) haha just a fun lil insight for ya!
k so i have a list here of things to mention...
YES, i would LOVE ANY KIND of tlc from home, mommy dear! any kind at all! but packages are expensive. so... you are wise. i will let you decide. but please follow the directions on the paper i sent home from the mtc about mail so that you don't have to worry about whether it will reach me.and the only thing i would request if you get a chance to send something is deodorant withOUT anti-perspirant. :) you DA BEST, mommy!!!!!
as i recall, mom, you had this happen recently, eh? you were looking for something important and it turned up in a place you did not expect. i know you will receive the answer you need according to His time. i will be praying for you. and for lou. i understand her apprehensions. but she's great and i know she can do it. plus, it is a kind of preparation for future situations :) like roommates. i have every confidence that she will be able to be a good friend and roommate. please let me know how things are going.
to keri, the power is the same in the city of makati. as for province... my comp says it's the same there, too. i brought an adapter, but i honestly don't think you'll end up needing it in this particular mission. yes, i have a card from Zion's and you can withdraw pesos here. but i carried american money for my emergency travel and that is okay. it can also be exchanged here. and it can be used on your layover in hong kong. you may need a light blanket for rainy season when it's cooler in the night, but honestly the only time i've needed a blanket was when i had a fever :) haha in the mtc they have them. i used my own and then sent it home before i came to the P. i just have sets of sheets and that works just fine. and the camera, it can be digital. maybe better if water proof since mine is acting funny now. but i also didn't have a case for a good while. if you have a good case, i think it'll be fine. mine's nothing fancy. just small so it doesn't take up lots of space. get a good proselyting bag that can clip around your hips so it's easier on your shoulder and has plenty of space inside. i ended up buying a quad here because normal scriptures were too big and heavy to carry around all the time. but it's up to you. i'll be seein ya soon, lovely! :)
any news on my journal at the mtc?
we had a crazy rain the other week and waded home in a flood for an hour... no wonder we got sick! lol it normally would have only taken 15 or20 min to walk that distance. fun stuff. and last night.... the wind was INSANE!!!! we buckled down with our 72hr kit lol! but we only had a brown-out and that was it. just typical rainy season, probably.
last thing! i ate something crazy... i guess it might be bawal, but sis r said it was okay bc we could definitely trust who cooked it--the bishop's wife. it was dinuguan... pig's blood! and it sure looks suspicious. it's like black. but it was DELICIOUS! no joke. so tasty. at least i only had a teeny bit of fat in mine, so i ate it up! it was great! it's just an ulam, so you eat it on rice, like everything else Philippino :) haha and no, daddy, i'm still super my same size, just like you! hahah but that's okay with me!
love you all loads. tell zac what up, fruz? i love your guts. quote that, please.
i gotta go, but i'll try sending a few pics if i can. it didn't send that one time bc the files were too big. sis ronx will help me.
love, sis r
oh, and if i get to write letters today FINALLY, i'll do all i can to write craig and aaron. poor kids. i have a long list of poor kids :) ingat palagi!
and i learned something great this week :) i was struggling just being myself. that doesn't sound like me, does it? i know. it's weird. and even with someone as cool as sis ronquillo, i was just not being my normal self. especially not in lessons. and i have a hard time knowing what to say sometimes, especially if i'm not a 100% sure of where we are in casual conversation... so i'm not as talkative here, though i promise i'm trying to fix that. anyhow, in my interview with President last week, i told him i was struggling to feel like an actual full-time missionary, though i was sure trying hard to be like one. he said he felt like i would start feeling a lot more like a real missionary as i learned to communicate with the people. i felt the Spirit confirm that that was true. but until friday, i didn't consider it could mean more than just in Tagalog. then, in weekly planning, we finally discovered what it was! it was beautiful. sweet relief, i tell you. i realized i was trying to be what i thought others expected me to be. i was trying to be an ideal companion, teacher, and missionary--which isn't wrong, by any means, but the way i was going about it was wrong. the thing is, we don't have to change our personality to be our best. we just have to try to be more like the Savior. and i was unhappy trying to be something other than myself. no one was happy. i wasn't genuine and so my teaching wasn't good and i was miserable. but as i'm learning to be myself again and just do my best, i am so happy! and that day i felt more like a real missionary than ever! i tried to qualify for and follow the Spirit and just be me! and i loved it. it was an answer to prayers.
i realized this had a lot to do with many things--with things aaron has said to me, with some general conference talks, and with what maree shared with me that mom told her: we have to love ourselves as we are before we can really progress and become better. i was pondering and pondering that and wondering if it were true. i wasn't sure. and that was because i was having a hard time loving the terribly imperfect, not-as-good-of-a-missionary-as-i-want-to-be-yet me. sad, i know. but true. and then i realized how Heavenly Father and Jesus must feel if i feel so negatively toward myself. not pleased, of course. so i am learning how to see me the way They do, instead of the way i think others do. a lesson i've been given opportunity to learn many times. let's hope it works this time! :) haha just a fun lil insight for ya!
k so i have a list here of things to mention...
YES, i would LOVE ANY KIND of tlc from home, mommy dear! any kind at all! but packages are expensive. so... you are wise. i will let you decide. but please follow the directions on the paper i sent home from the mtc about mail so that you don't have to worry about whether it will reach me.and the only thing i would request if you get a chance to send something is deodorant withOUT anti-perspirant. :) you DA BEST, mommy!!!!!
as i recall, mom, you had this happen recently, eh? you were looking for something important and it turned up in a place you did not expect. i know you will receive the answer you need according to His time. i will be praying for you. and for lou. i understand her apprehensions. but she's great and i know she can do it. plus, it is a kind of preparation for future situations :) like roommates. i have every confidence that she will be able to be a good friend and roommate. please let me know how things are going.
to keri, the power is the same in the city of makati. as for province... my comp says it's the same there, too. i brought an adapter, but i honestly don't think you'll end up needing it in this particular mission. yes, i have a card from Zion's and you can withdraw pesos here. but i carried american money for my emergency travel and that is okay. it can also be exchanged here. and it can be used on your layover in hong kong. you may need a light blanket for rainy season when it's cooler in the night, but honestly the only time i've needed a blanket was when i had a fever :) haha in the mtc they have them. i used my own and then sent it home before i came to the P. i just have sets of sheets and that works just fine. and the camera, it can be digital. maybe better if water proof since mine is acting funny now. but i also didn't have a case for a good while. if you have a good case, i think it'll be fine. mine's nothing fancy. just small so it doesn't take up lots of space. get a good proselyting bag that can clip around your hips so it's easier on your shoulder and has plenty of space inside. i ended up buying a quad here because normal scriptures were too big and heavy to carry around all the time. but it's up to you. i'll be seein ya soon, lovely! :)
any news on my journal at the mtc?
we had a crazy rain the other week and waded home in a flood for an hour... no wonder we got sick! lol it normally would have only taken 15 or20 min to walk that distance. fun stuff. and last night.... the wind was INSANE!!!! we buckled down with our 72hr kit lol! but we only had a brown-out and that was it. just typical rainy season, probably.
last thing! i ate something crazy... i guess it might be bawal, but sis r said it was okay bc we could definitely trust who cooked it--the bishop's wife. it was dinuguan... pig's blood! and it sure looks suspicious. it's like black. but it was DELICIOUS! no joke. so tasty. at least i only had a teeny bit of fat in mine, so i ate it up! it was great! it's just an ulam, so you eat it on rice, like everything else Philippino :) haha and no, daddy, i'm still super my same size, just like you! hahah but that's okay with me!
love you all loads. tell zac what up, fruz? i love your guts. quote that, please.
i gotta go, but i'll try sending a few pics if i can. it didn't send that one time bc the files were too big. sis ronx will help me.
love, sis r
oh, and if i get to write letters today FINALLY, i'll do all i can to write craig and aaron. poor kids. i have a long list of poor kids :) ingat palagi!
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
I breathe one with you.
Wow! What a week for you! I'm so glad you survived it! You are amazing!
Rae, you lil chickmunk you! Are you feelin better now? What foods have you taken joy in eating? I'm excited to eat again soon, too. I will take joy in eating... ANYHING! Haha! I'm hungry!
Lou, you stretch-throater, you! How are you now? Oll bettah? Dang, ya pulled a Kylee. Congrats! ;) I hope you're on the mend!
Joph, who led out in the happy-go-pukey-- you or Boo? How's your tummy now? Are you doin okay, m'lad?
Boo, are you being a good, cute little sister to your big brother? Are you feeling better? Who got you sick? I'll deck 'em for ya!
Goodness, parental units! how do you do it?!?!? i sure want to be as good of a parent as you two are when i grow up! thank you for being such a great example. mom, congratulations on the job! i know that He won't let you mess up His plan for you bc you're trying so hard to qualify for and follow the Spirit. And to be an usher at the Brigham City temple!!! How i wish i could come thru and hug you as i go by, telling everyone around me, "THAT"S MY MOM!" in a very declarative whisper ;) hehee. you are superwoman, you know that? and dad, i'm so excited for your hours being so far along! you're so fast! you're like a speeding train! you're like a hurricane! you're like a windstorm to beat all windstorms!
actually, i'm not supposed to use inappropriately casual language or slang, even in letters or emails home. says so in the white handbook. it looks like i need encouragement where that is concerned. it is difficult, bc i don't want to sound like a stiff. i want to sound like your daughter and sister that you know and love--and i like to express myself in the way i really like to say things. but as a representative of Jesus Christ, i need to better my form of speech to be recognized as such.
congratulations to aaron! that is very exciting! what does that entail now? got his letter! thank you!
tell krek happy birthday soon! and ryan! and i never wished my dear Ashlynn a happy birthday :( but i got her dearelder! what a treat! i LOVED it!
dad, you're right, i feel the help of family all around me. and in my study this morning i was overwhelmed by the thought that after the Lord, directly after, comes YOU--my family. you mean EVERYTHING to me. and just so you know, you fulfill the deepest yearnings of my soul: to be with you forever; because you are doing all you can to draw near to Him with me. I can feel it. it's miraculously strong. i can feel you progress with me. you were amazing when i left and i'm seeing more growth than i ever could have thought possible. you seemed too perfect to me to need it. thank you for going on this journey with me! it helps me SO MUCH! more than you know.
the work this week... insert chuckle here. well, we have REALLY GREAT zone leaders, assistants, and office elders who did lots of service for our companionship this week. ..maybe more on that later. We have a new ZL this transfer and a new office elder who is now our District Leader. they are both superb. we love them. they are great missionaries. we have high goals for our zone in august. it will be great to see how we exercise our faith and work to reach them. i know miracles will happen.
sister ronquillo and i are excited to get back to work. she's been sick for a week almost. it's been rough. she wanted to work anyway and then it got worse. thankfully, it looks like she is on the mend now. i got kind of a mild case of what she has. i don't know why it hit her so hard. lots of missionaries got it--just a simple flu bug going around. but it affected her lungs in a bad way. it caused her loads of extra trouble. poor dearie. it was so hard to see. but i got to help her out :) so that has been nice. looks like we had a sick week as a family! thanks again for going on this journey with me! haha
i hope you weren't worried! we had our pday changed to tuesday this week so we could interview with President Stucki yesterday. i forgot to tell you last week. i prayed you would know i was okay. hope you got the message :)
boy, were interviews a great experience! i've recorded a lot in my journal that i can share with you when i come home, but for now i'll give you an idea.
i had a blessing on sunday while i was under the weather and it answered so many of my heart's questions and pleadings to the Lord. It was sooooooo good!
i was a little nervous bc we had area book checks and planner checks by the ZLs and i've been working to fix some former problems with our area book. whew! but we did well! it was such a relief!
i interviewed with President and wow. that's all i can say to describe it. the Spirit was so strong and i was filled with gratitude to even more direct answers to prayers and thoughts i had even forgotten i had. i left feeling incredibly light. that man is called of God to lead this mission. you should know i'm in the best hands possible. i'm in His hands through His righteous servants. that was a fantastic experience.
then i interviewed with Sister Stucki and i loved every minute of that! after discussing health and the necessities, we just chatted about the mission and adjustments in the Philippines and everything. she is fabulous! i love her very much! i want you to meet these people someday. they are truly amazing. i feel like you will get to meet them somewhere down the road.
for now, my time is up. hugs and loves all around! please know how much i am thankful for your sacrifices so i can be here! i love this work. i know it's true.
love sis r
Rae, you lil chickmunk you! Are you feelin better now? What foods have you taken joy in eating? I'm excited to eat again soon, too. I will take joy in eating... ANYHING! Haha! I'm hungry!
Lou, you stretch-throater, you! How are you now? Oll bettah? Dang, ya pulled a Kylee. Congrats! ;) I hope you're on the mend!
Joph, who led out in the happy-go-pukey-- you or Boo? How's your tummy now? Are you doin okay, m'lad?
Boo, are you being a good, cute little sister to your big brother? Are you feeling better? Who got you sick? I'll deck 'em for ya!
Goodness, parental units! how do you do it?!?!? i sure want to be as good of a parent as you two are when i grow up! thank you for being such a great example. mom, congratulations on the job! i know that He won't let you mess up His plan for you bc you're trying so hard to qualify for and follow the Spirit. And to be an usher at the Brigham City temple!!! How i wish i could come thru and hug you as i go by, telling everyone around me, "THAT"S MY MOM!" in a very declarative whisper ;) hehee. you are superwoman, you know that? and dad, i'm so excited for your hours being so far along! you're so fast! you're like a speeding train! you're like a hurricane! you're like a windstorm to beat all windstorms!
actually, i'm not supposed to use inappropriately casual language or slang, even in letters or emails home. says so in the white handbook. it looks like i need encouragement where that is concerned. it is difficult, bc i don't want to sound like a stiff. i want to sound like your daughter and sister that you know and love--and i like to express myself in the way i really like to say things. but as a representative of Jesus Christ, i need to better my form of speech to be recognized as such.
congratulations to aaron! that is very exciting! what does that entail now? got his letter! thank you!
tell krek happy birthday soon! and ryan! and i never wished my dear Ashlynn a happy birthday :( but i got her dearelder! what a treat! i LOVED it!
dad, you're right, i feel the help of family all around me. and in my study this morning i was overwhelmed by the thought that after the Lord, directly after, comes YOU--my family. you mean EVERYTHING to me. and just so you know, you fulfill the deepest yearnings of my soul: to be with you forever; because you are doing all you can to draw near to Him with me. I can feel it. it's miraculously strong. i can feel you progress with me. you were amazing when i left and i'm seeing more growth than i ever could have thought possible. you seemed too perfect to me to need it. thank you for going on this journey with me! it helps me SO MUCH! more than you know.
the work this week... insert chuckle here. well, we have REALLY GREAT zone leaders, assistants, and office elders who did lots of service for our companionship this week. ..maybe more on that later. We have a new ZL this transfer and a new office elder who is now our District Leader. they are both superb. we love them. they are great missionaries. we have high goals for our zone in august. it will be great to see how we exercise our faith and work to reach them. i know miracles will happen.
sister ronquillo and i are excited to get back to work. she's been sick for a week almost. it's been rough. she wanted to work anyway and then it got worse. thankfully, it looks like she is on the mend now. i got kind of a mild case of what she has. i don't know why it hit her so hard. lots of missionaries got it--just a simple flu bug going around. but it affected her lungs in a bad way. it caused her loads of extra trouble. poor dearie. it was so hard to see. but i got to help her out :) so that has been nice. looks like we had a sick week as a family! thanks again for going on this journey with me! haha
i hope you weren't worried! we had our pday changed to tuesday this week so we could interview with President Stucki yesterday. i forgot to tell you last week. i prayed you would know i was okay. hope you got the message :)
boy, were interviews a great experience! i've recorded a lot in my journal that i can share with you when i come home, but for now i'll give you an idea.
i had a blessing on sunday while i was under the weather and it answered so many of my heart's questions and pleadings to the Lord. It was sooooooo good!
i was a little nervous bc we had area book checks and planner checks by the ZLs and i've been working to fix some former problems with our area book. whew! but we did well! it was such a relief!
i interviewed with President and wow. that's all i can say to describe it. the Spirit was so strong and i was filled with gratitude to even more direct answers to prayers and thoughts i had even forgotten i had. i left feeling incredibly light. that man is called of God to lead this mission. you should know i'm in the best hands possible. i'm in His hands through His righteous servants. that was a fantastic experience.
then i interviewed with Sister Stucki and i loved every minute of that! after discussing health and the necessities, we just chatted about the mission and adjustments in the Philippines and everything. she is fabulous! i love her very much! i want you to meet these people someday. they are truly amazing. i feel like you will get to meet them somewhere down the road.
for now, my time is up. hugs and loves all around! please know how much i am thankful for your sacrifices so i can be here! i love this work. i know it's true.
love sis r
Monday, July 16, 2012
happy monday! for me, at least :)
HOWDY!
I can't thank you enough for the news and your words this week. it was just what i needed. despite the challenges of life, you are all doing so well and i'm so proud! thank you for helping me be positive when things are tough here. you give me such a great uplift for the week and help me focus on my purpose. you make me so grateful to be yours!
thank dear priscilla, sister gupta (monica)NANAY!, mr jason nessenator, and aaron for the hearty laughs and news and kindness this week :) CONGRATS, PRISCILLA!!! i'm so excited for you! you'll be great! i'll write you asap, it's a promise. though i have no clue where to send your letter.... that might help. yes, i got your dearelders! nanay's, too! salamat! you're fantastic, nay, and i'm cheering for you! i miss you, too! you can do it! and i'll be sending a letter your way asap too, as soon as i know where it goes and get it on paper. jason, i laughed out loud here in the internet cafe! you rock! i needed that! and i'll send ya a lil message with letters home, deal? aaron,.....
Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're so OLD!!!!! 23... yikes, dude. How's it feel??? What'd you do for your birthday?
I don't know what happened, but i couldn't get it back to normal text after that.phew! thank goodness i'm so super computer-savvy, or i don'tknow what i'd do! lol there's a reason why my best friends at school are CIT majors and study social media and stuff... hmm... lol ;)
Aaron, i'll be writing to you soon, too. actually, there should be something in your mailbox any time. my list of ppl to write is disgustingly long... and i'm so thankful! i don't deserve it! i don't want ppl to feel bad when they wait and wait to hear from me. i'm thinking of you!!!! my time for writing letters is just so brief each week bc stuff always comes up on pdays and it gets put off :( but it's a favorite part of pday, so i'm super sorry! i love y'all TONS! Aaron, how's your family? how's your dad? that's SO COOL you saw my family!!! did you hug them big for me? YOU BETTER HAVE!
family, how was aaron's family? you met them ALL? you're so lucky! i haven't even met josh yet. how are they?
how is dear Zac? i'm so proud of him! and my cousins are getting MARRIED! and going on MISSIONS! and being SO COOL! how is chwistopher samwelson? Christopher Richisson? gosh, ilove them!
joj, i'm so proud of you for all your merit badges! mom, give him a round-house kick to the face for me! and a hug! give boo a swift kick in the rear for me! and a hug! give rae a big, thumping pat on the back for me! and a hug! give lou a good tickle on the bum! during her hug! hehee! im so sneaky.
funny story and then some stuff about the work before i gotta split. oh, ps, i won't cut my hair. you're so right, mom. thank you ;) but should i perm it? how about some really big, loose curls? or keep dealing with it for just another year til i can do whatever i want with it? i wear it up pretty much every day. i wouldn't mind if my face weren't completely COVERED in ZITS!!!! buy that's not the funny story, so we'll move on. oh, and another ps: please pray that i don't gain weight. they made me eat pig fat yesterday and i bout died. actually, that will be funny story number two.
so i woke up this morning. hahahahahha! joke. i had a dream last night! we, the siblings, were playing fun games like we did when we was little, where you hide objects in the house and someone else has to go find em. i hid em and lou had to find em. anywho, but i was getting up to go hide em, and boo was asleep next to me. i almost woke her up when i got up and she kinda stirred in her sleep. she said, "we need to stop..." trying not to laugh, i said, "why, boo?" she said, still completely out of it, "we're becoming like indians.." LOL! i cracked up in my sleep! now that's my girl! keep entertaining our guests, boo! someone's gotta be the crazy one while i'm gone!
okay, funny story 2. this should answer jason's question. i LOVE the people in our ward! like SUPER! they are so nice to us! and they invited us to a celebration of a member
's birthday yesterday. they had all sorts of philippino food, shemps (siyempre, which means of course, but in the cool street way, like sister ronx teached me) and most of it was... i mean, it was good, but it's still foreign to me. especially shrimp paste, which they actually make it like unto the crushing of grapes to make wine... i just hope they wash their feet first :) anywho, it's just super salty is all. nothing more or less. but then came the part of pork that dear sister faith, wife of bishop, gave me... i can't eat fat, family. i can't do it. and elder baltazar (filipino AP) and elder munk (american ap) told me i could. they have no prob with it. then sis r started
cheering me on and pretty soon i had several observers. yikes. well, thankfully they gave me a certain amount. i decided smaller bites were easier since i couldn't swallow it whole. smaller, less to chew... it's not the flavor. there's none. it's the texture i can't do. anywho... they owe me big. but they called it off a little early, which is good, because my last bite i actually gagged. oh boy.
but hey! i love my mission!
more news to follow next week! the work is good and we saw a big improvement this week in many ways! so many blessings! i pray for you all, especially cade and aunt terri and everyone who's struggling. gotta go xoxo
thank you for your words, my loved ones!
sis r
I can't thank you enough for the news and your words this week. it was just what i needed. despite the challenges of life, you are all doing so well and i'm so proud! thank you for helping me be positive when things are tough here. you give me such a great uplift for the week and help me focus on my purpose. you make me so grateful to be yours!
thank dear priscilla, sister gupta (monica)NANAY!, mr jason nessenator, and aaron for the hearty laughs and news and kindness this week :) CONGRATS, PRISCILLA!!! i'm so excited for you! you'll be great! i'll write you asap, it's a promise. though i have no clue where to send your letter.... that might help. yes, i got your dearelders! nanay's, too! salamat! you're fantastic, nay, and i'm cheering for you! i miss you, too! you can do it! and i'll be sending a letter your way asap too, as soon as i know where it goes and get it on paper. jason, i laughed out loud here in the internet cafe! you rock! i needed that! and i'll send ya a lil message with letters home, deal? aaron,.....
Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're so OLD!!!!! 23... yikes, dude. How's it feel??? What'd you do for your birthday?
I don't know what happened, but i couldn't get it back to normal text after that.phew! thank goodness i'm so super computer-savvy, or i don'tknow what i'd do! lol there's a reason why my best friends at school are CIT majors and study social media and stuff... hmm... lol ;)
Aaron, i'll be writing to you soon, too. actually, there should be something in your mailbox any time. my list of ppl to write is disgustingly long... and i'm so thankful! i don't deserve it! i don't want ppl to feel bad when they wait and wait to hear from me. i'm thinking of you!!!! my time for writing letters is just so brief each week bc stuff always comes up on pdays and it gets put off :( but it's a favorite part of pday, so i'm super sorry! i love y'all TONS! Aaron, how's your family? how's your dad? that's SO COOL you saw my family!!! did you hug them big for me? YOU BETTER HAVE!
family, how was aaron's family? you met them ALL? you're so lucky! i haven't even met josh yet. how are they?
how is dear Zac? i'm so proud of him! and my cousins are getting MARRIED! and going on MISSIONS! and being SO COOL! how is chwistopher samwelson? Christopher Richisson? gosh, ilove them!
joj, i'm so proud of you for all your merit badges! mom, give him a round-house kick to the face for me! and a hug! give boo a swift kick in the rear for me! and a hug! give rae a big, thumping pat on the back for me! and a hug! give lou a good tickle on the bum! during her hug! hehee! im so sneaky.
funny story and then some stuff about the work before i gotta split. oh, ps, i won't cut my hair. you're so right, mom. thank you ;) but should i perm it? how about some really big, loose curls? or keep dealing with it for just another year til i can do whatever i want with it? i wear it up pretty much every day. i wouldn't mind if my face weren't completely COVERED in ZITS!!!! buy that's not the funny story, so we'll move on. oh, and another ps: please pray that i don't gain weight. they made me eat pig fat yesterday and i bout died. actually, that will be funny story number two.
so i woke up this morning. hahahahahha! joke. i had a dream last night! we, the siblings, were playing fun games like we did when we was little, where you hide objects in the house and someone else has to go find em. i hid em and lou had to find em. anywho, but i was getting up to go hide em, and boo was asleep next to me. i almost woke her up when i got up and she kinda stirred in her sleep. she said, "we need to stop..." trying not to laugh, i said, "why, boo?" she said, still completely out of it, "we're becoming like indians.." LOL! i cracked up in my sleep! now that's my girl! keep entertaining our guests, boo! someone's gotta be the crazy one while i'm gone!
okay, funny story 2. this should answer jason's question. i LOVE the people in our ward! like SUPER! they are so nice to us! and they invited us to a celebration of a member
's birthday yesterday. they had all sorts of philippino food, shemps (siyempre, which means of course, but in the cool street way, like sister ronx teached me) and most of it was... i mean, it was good, but it's still foreign to me. especially shrimp paste, which they actually make it like unto the crushing of grapes to make wine... i just hope they wash their feet first :) anywho, it's just super salty is all. nothing more or less. but then came the part of pork that dear sister faith, wife of bishop, gave me... i can't eat fat, family. i can't do it. and elder baltazar (filipino AP) and elder munk (american ap) told me i could. they have no prob with it. then sis r started
cheering me on and pretty soon i had several observers. yikes. well, thankfully they gave me a certain amount. i decided smaller bites were easier since i couldn't swallow it whole. smaller, less to chew... it's not the flavor. there's none. it's the texture i can't do. anywho... they owe me big. but they called it off a little early, which is good, because my last bite i actually gagged. oh boy.
but hey! i love my mission!
more news to follow next week! the work is good and we saw a big improvement this week in many ways! so many blessings! i pray for you all, especially cade and aunt terri and everyone who's struggling. gotta go xoxo
thank you for your words, my loved ones!
sis r
Monday, July 9, 2012
whoah.... i tell ya what wow
haha hellor there!
what a day! what a week! what a... everything!!! Rae, i'll be responding to you asap, though i dont think i'll be able to sneak in a personalized email this week :( sorry babe. i spent 45 minutes reading my emails --how'd i get so many this week??? :D not your fault i got extra abouts mission stuffs-- and didn't quite finish your second one, doll. but i'm thinkin of you and i really appreciate your sense of humor and your sharing of all the things you're learning and about your personal experiences. you rock, girl! i swear y've gotta slow down or you'll run me over, chick! :)
lou, thank you, too for your email! i'm workin on writing back to all yal! got your letters (rae and lou) in the mail! sweetness! how'd i get such an amazing family, eh?? love the pictures, rae! love it all! i'm excited for your participation in the choir, lou! congrats! joseph, i'm so proud of who you are! holy cow! can't say it better than that. and bootle! can i have your memory??? i am struggling so hard core to remember the simplest, most important things, like: names, facts about ppl, new tagalog words.. old tagalog words... how to use certain verbs and stuff. it's horrendous. i'm trying so hard to rely on the Spirit, for that is one of his jobs/gifts... to bring things to our remembrance. golly.
speaking of which, i had a blessed realization yesterday in sunday school. we start talking about faith in Jesus Christ. and i realized that not only do i not know as much as i thought i did about faith in Jesus Christ, but that i also need more of it. for you see, if you have faith in Jesus Christ, you have many things. you have hope and trust that the Lord will bless you for keeping His commandments. you act and expect His help. i had been terrified. i can't tell you what of, exactly. mostly of disappointing my super cool companion, sister Ronquillo (ron-keel-yoh), and screwing up lessons. come to find out, it's just like singing. when you're afraid of messing up... that's when you mess up! go figure! ick. mahirap talaga. it's like... a disgusting cycle of no faith. but it's okay. because that's what the Atonement is for. and as i learn to rely on Jesus Christ and His Atonement, i am so much more happy. i wrote in my journal the other day that even though i am SO SUPER PANGIT here in the Philippines, i am also happier than i believe i've ever been. not so much in a go-lucky sort of way, but in a super blessed sort of way. like that i know that eventually i'll get more comfortable teaching and speaking tagalog and i have hope that when and until that happens, i have all the help i need. and Heavenly Father is blessing you and me for it. how cool is that?!?!?
k so we spent the whole day... cleaning. and our apartment still needs lots of help as the elders before us... yeah. but it's looking so much better! and i'll be writing yall letters soon!
and i'm not gaining weight. just sayin. i'll try to get you pictures as soon as i can. but apparently they didn't work last time i tried. i dunno how to do it. and i'm thinking of cutting my hair. give me your feedback. it'd be short, just saing. it's frizzy and unmanageable so i need to do something.
dad, i learn so much from you. thank you for your update and encouragement. mom, thank you for your friendly chat. how i miss our heart to hearts. but believe me, sista. we're having one. i'll follow up on your experiences with you. and congrats to jory! he's da man! josilinn's shower??? huh?!?!
goodness i'm late.
love yall! and i love this work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
sis r
and i love sis ronx. she's supa dupa cool. and she's interior design grad, mom, so you could send pics and we'll approve yer stuffs <3
what a day! what a week! what a... everything!!! Rae, i'll be responding to you asap, though i dont think i'll be able to sneak in a personalized email this week :( sorry babe. i spent 45 minutes reading my emails --how'd i get so many this week??? :D not your fault i got extra abouts mission stuffs-- and didn't quite finish your second one, doll. but i'm thinkin of you and i really appreciate your sense of humor and your sharing of all the things you're learning and about your personal experiences. you rock, girl! i swear y've gotta slow down or you'll run me over, chick! :)
lou, thank you, too for your email! i'm workin on writing back to all yal! got your letters (rae and lou) in the mail! sweetness! how'd i get such an amazing family, eh?? love the pictures, rae! love it all! i'm excited for your participation in the choir, lou! congrats! joseph, i'm so proud of who you are! holy cow! can't say it better than that. and bootle! can i have your memory??? i am struggling so hard core to remember the simplest, most important things, like: names, facts about ppl, new tagalog words.. old tagalog words... how to use certain verbs and stuff. it's horrendous. i'm trying so hard to rely on the Spirit, for that is one of his jobs/gifts... to bring things to our remembrance. golly.
speaking of which, i had a blessed realization yesterday in sunday school. we start talking about faith in Jesus Christ. and i realized that not only do i not know as much as i thought i did about faith in Jesus Christ, but that i also need more of it. for you see, if you have faith in Jesus Christ, you have many things. you have hope and trust that the Lord will bless you for keeping His commandments. you act and expect His help. i had been terrified. i can't tell you what of, exactly. mostly of disappointing my super cool companion, sister Ronquillo (ron-keel-yoh), and screwing up lessons. come to find out, it's just like singing. when you're afraid of messing up... that's when you mess up! go figure! ick. mahirap talaga. it's like... a disgusting cycle of no faith. but it's okay. because that's what the Atonement is for. and as i learn to rely on Jesus Christ and His Atonement, i am so much more happy. i wrote in my journal the other day that even though i am SO SUPER PANGIT here in the Philippines, i am also happier than i believe i've ever been. not so much in a go-lucky sort of way, but in a super blessed sort of way. like that i know that eventually i'll get more comfortable teaching and speaking tagalog and i have hope that when and until that happens, i have all the help i need. and Heavenly Father is blessing you and me for it. how cool is that?!?!?
k so we spent the whole day... cleaning. and our apartment still needs lots of help as the elders before us... yeah. but it's looking so much better! and i'll be writing yall letters soon!
and i'm not gaining weight. just sayin. i'll try to get you pictures as soon as i can. but apparently they didn't work last time i tried. i dunno how to do it. and i'm thinking of cutting my hair. give me your feedback. it'd be short, just saing. it's frizzy and unmanageable so i need to do something.
dad, i learn so much from you. thank you for your update and encouragement. mom, thank you for your friendly chat. how i miss our heart to hearts. but believe me, sista. we're having one. i'll follow up on your experiences with you. and congrats to jory! he's da man! josilinn's shower??? huh?!?!
goodness i'm late.
love yall! and i love this work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
sis r
and i love sis ronx. she's supa dupa cool. and she's interior design grad, mom, so you could send pics and we'll approve yer stuffs <3
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)