"Yuck! Where's your husband? Where's your husband?!"

I had a creepy man yell this at me as we were passing by him this
morning. I'm just not sure what he meant to say....

We had such an incredible week this last week. We had 3 investigators
that were baptized. We had a baptism on Christmas, which was maybe one
of the most memorable Christmases I've ever experienced. Last
Saturday, we had a wedding and then a baptism afterwards. This
particular couple is fairly poor and the branch was so so awesome and
they prepared food and a wedding cake for this couple. Then they were
baptized afterwards. They cried and I did too. it was an exquisite
feeling to have been a small part of that day. It was one of those
days that I will not forget. :)

We have a new investigator, who's name is 'Helo Denzel.' He is Aeta.
(Feel free to google that.) His mother has been a member for a long
time and she referred us to her son for us to teach him. The Aeta are
the natives here. They are distinguished by their black skin and
shorter height. I have been so so curious about these people and am
very excited about this opportunity to learn more and also help this
boy. He's 13 years old and doesn't know how to read. We are hoping to
be able to get him started to learn how to read. He knows the
alphabet, but doesn't yet read. I also noticed that I'm not really
sure where we are going to start, but we're just going to start and
see where this goes. His mother told us that they live 'near the
mountains' and that if we wanted, we could just teach her son after
they come to church, for convenience. Sister Ticzon and I are
insatiably curious about where they live and we've already talked with
some members about going up and visiting them at their home. I will
keep you updated on how this goes.

We had a companion exchange last week. Sister Palmer from Washington
came here to GuaGua and it was such a great experience. Memories came
flooding back to me when I was still new and struggling with the
culture/mission life. I also realized just last Thursday during the
exchange, that her speaking/struggling to speak in Tagalog was such a
humbling experience for me and for everyone who watched her. It made
me remember when I was new and I would just cry during the lessons.
Nobody understood anything I was saying, but they would cry with me.
It was so powerful and I never knew it, until I watched Sister Palmer
struggling like I did.

Last last week, the relief society lesson went from Tagalog/English to
straight up Kapampangan. I felt like I was new all over again, and I'm
officially deciding to learn basic Kapampangan, out of frustration.
I've heard that there aren't any books written on how to learn
Kapampangan, and so I asked my friend Jerome to write down basic words
and pronouns. We'll see how this goes... :)

The new Sunday School Manuals are incredible and I am really excited
about them. I remember something that my friend Melissa told me about
the gospel. She said that maybe the first step in learning the gospel
is understanding the facts and then we are left to connect these facts
for the rest of our lives. These new manuals are more about making
connections and finding application in real life. How do we connect
timeless principles/truths to our time?

I remembered a conversation with my friend Peter in fall of 2010. We
were sitting in my living room and he told me that he believed that
there was something after this life, but he wasn't sure what it was.
He said that the idea that we die and then are gone forever, just
didn't connect with him. I think he was in some sort of transition
period in his life. I still remember that conversation, and I'm not
sure why I remembered it yesterday during church. I thought it was
interesting that despite having a different understanding of God, that
the idea of 'living again' or 'living still' after our bodies are
buried was something he was sure about. (What are you sure about?)

OKAY. I love you.

-Sister DV


X-tine-- Loved your postcard. Take a picture for me of the pet sharks.
Show it to me next spring, when I come and visit you in Chicago. Ok?

Magkanta Tamu

HELLO,

This week was full of excellent surprises and some surprises that
weren't really surprises. About 4 or 5 days before the transfer, I
kept thinking about Gua-Gua, Pampanga, and about maybe or hopefully
getting transferred there. 'Gua-Gua' would not leave my head during
my last week in Pilar. Anyways I found out that whatever I was
thinking/feeling was actually right and I got transferred to Gua-Gua,
Pampanga. It's more of a city, which I'm still adjusting to. I got
pretty used to more of the rural feel in Pilar, so Gua-Gua is a bit of
a change for me. Gua-Gua actually used to be an 'elders' area, and the
last sisters here in Gua-Gua were in 1986. Last transfer, my former
companion, Sister Lumanog and my former housemate in Lubao, Sister
Ticson were 'white-washed' into Gua-Gua. It means that both of the
missionaries in the area were pulled out and two new missionaries were
placed. At the end of last transfer, Sister Lumanog went home and I am
now Sister Ticzon's new companion in Gua-Gua. Our mission president
has plans to place another set of Sisters in Gua-Gua and so we are
looking for a larger apartment. It means that at some point, we would
split and each have a new companion. Very exciting.

My first area, Lubao is also in Pampanga and is pretty close to
Gua-Gua. We attended the district Christmas Party in Lubao last
saturday and it was soooo great to see my dear friends in Lubao.
Anyways, I'm excited to improve on my Kapampangan. (This is the
language here in Pampanga.) Everyone speaks Tagalog, but sometimes
kapampangan gets mixed in with their tagalog, which makes everything
really interesting.ha.

My Kapampangan vocabulary so far... not really much of a vocabulary...

keni-here
manyaman--delicious
malagu--beautiful (girl)
Nanu lagyu mo? -- What is your name?
magkanta Tamu--Let's sing

I had an interesting experience on Thursday during a lesson. We were
teaching a less-active member who recently separated from her husband.
It's been an extremely difficult situation for her entire family.

I normally don't share personal things about my family or about the
history of my family, but I felt very impressed to share the story of
my parents' divorce without telling her that it was MY family. I
didn't give specific details, but mostly shared about the effect
afterwards and HOW they handled that situation in a constructive way.
I shared this story but left out their names or who they were. I don't
know if I'll ever forget her eyes widening as I told her that the
story was the story of my family, of my parents who experienced
divorce. At the very least, I could empathize in part with her
suffering and give her some hope for a better future with her family.

It was such a learning experience for me. I've never told the story of
my family in that kind of a way. It was like it was almost laid out in
my head about how I share this with her. This scripture became more
real to me through this experience--

D&C 50:22
Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one
another, and both are edified and rejoice together.

We'll have a baptism on Christmas! I am so excited for this. We also
have another baptism on December 29. This particular family isn't
married yet and will be getting married the morning of the 29th. This
is my first experience like this on my mission, so I am very very
excited for the upcoming weeks.

Thank you for your support and love!
Love, Sister DV

Picture-Transfer Day in the Philippines

Exodus 2- are you feeling strange?
1 Cor 1:27

PS. I received a package from the Holland Ward which was so so great.
I especially enjoyed the drawings and letters from the primary. :)

fantastic.

Bridges and Miracles.

This week has been incredible. Sister Alazo and I have called this
transfer, 'The Transfer of Bridges and Miracles.'

This week has been so great and although I really don't want to get
transferred, I'm feeling that I'm probably going to get transferred
this week....

We have some newer investigators in an area called, Balut 2. The Brena
family. We're teaching them as a family and it's really so exciting.
The father of the family has said several times that this is the first
time that he's ever listened to missionaries. Usually he ignores
anything having to do with missionaries (not necessarily from our
church, but from other faiths as well.) They attended the branch
activity last Saturday and he said that it was the first time he's
ever walked into another church, other than a catholic church. They
also happen to have a ton of friends that are lds, but didn't even
know. Yesterday we were able to finish the first lesson and give them
a Book of Mormon. I loved watching his face as he has gained interest
in every appointment. He told us that he's very curious about the Book
of Mormon and that he would read it. Incredible moment.

I thought about whether to include this or not because it's fairly
personal, but I felt that all of my letters are personal to me and
that there may be some benefit to others by reading it. This spawned
from an identity concern I have/had.(probably a very cliche missionary
statement?) But this has honestly been on my mind for a while now and
has been slightly urking me. (is that a word?)

I have found that there have been many many changes that I have
experienced while being on my mission. Some of the more important
changes are internal. In the midst of acknowledging these changes,
I've honestly been slightly worried about the future. Am I this person
because of my calling? Because of the work? or is it because of
culture? Which is it? Is it even important that I try to identify
where these changes have come? I don't know.

I cringe at the thought of coming home to return to be the exact same
person I was as I left. And even so, I realize that I can't be a
missionary for the rest of my life. I am left with a lot of
choices-because it is a choice who I will be when I return home. I
came up with a short list of things that I wish to include, lest I
forget of things I want to take home with me and apply to the upcoming
years so that I can live what I am learning. This is not
comprehensive. :)

Who I want to be when I get home (December 8,2012)

-Loving----> more fully and more unconditionally than before

-More full of an understanding of 'faith' and that the concept of
'obedience' to laws of an eternal nature are essential for gaining
spiritual knowledge and growth. It is in likeness of a God who is also
governed by natural laws. It is not blinding, but rather liberating.

-Familiar with the process of receiving spiritual strength so that I
can apply it everyday of my life

-Firm in my standard of morals, so as not to be pushed by worldly
influences what is acceptable or unacceptable in my life.

-Giving of the light I have received on my mission to others,
'according to their language, unto their understanding.' (2Ne31:3)

-Even more curious and even more hungry to learn and in turn create
for the benefit and learning of my fellow brothers and sisters

-Ready to understand more fully and apply the relationship between
'creation' and 'worship.'

-Seeker of truth, light, joy, and beauty wherever it may be.



I want to include some enlightening things that I found in the Book of
Mormon about 'truth:'

Jacob 4

vs. 13 "...for the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore,
it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really
will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly for
the salvation of our souls. But behold, we are not witnesses alone in
these things; for God also spake unto them unto prophets of old.

vs.14 "But behold, the Jews were a stiffnecked people; and they
despised the words of plainness, and killed the prophets, and sought
for things that they could not understand. Wherefore, because of their
blindness, which blindness came by looking beyond the mark, they must
needs fall; for God hath taken away his plainness from them, and
delivered unto them many things which they cannot understand, because
they desired it. And because they desired it God hath doth it, that
they may stumble."


I found something that Neal A. Maxwell had said about this exact same
thing, "In the Book of Mormon, Jacob speaks of ancient Judah as having
rejected the words of its prophets because individuals living then
'despised the words of plainness' and because they 'sought for things
that they could not understand.' ....Intellectual embroidery seem to
have been preferred to the whole clothing of the gospel- the frills to
the fabric. In fact, one can even surmise that complexity was
preferred over plainness by some because in conceptual complexity
there might somehow be escape, or excuse, for noncompliance and for
failure. In any event, this incredible blindness which led to the
rejection of those truths spoken by prophets and which prevented the
recognition of Jesus for who he was, according to Jacob, came 'by
looking beyond the mark.' Those who look beyond plainness, beyond the
prophets, beyond Christ, and beyond his simple teachings waited in
vain then, as they will wait in vain now. For only the gospel of Jesus
Christ teaches us of things as they really are and as they really will
be."


Lovin you all,

Sister DV

"Binasa ko iyan! Binasa ko iyan!"

This week was incredible, full of interesting experiences and miracles.

We had a companion exchange and I was able to work in Orani, Bataan
for a day with Sister Pavino. ( We were former housemates in Lubao.) I
had such an interesting experience that I would just love to tell you
all about. As we were about to begin teaching to a less-active member
there in Orani, a man named Antonio walked up and starting talking to
us. He asked us about our work and then the conversation started to
turn. He mentioned a 'dwarf' that he had in his wallet. Sister Pavino
asked if we could see it. He pulled it out and showed us his 'dwarf'
which was a small piece of "gold" in the shape of a small man. It
looked like some expensive souvenir, but he claims that he got this
'dwarf' in the mountains. I asked him where he bought it and he told
me that he didn't buy it, but that it walked up to him. He said that
this dwarf was the 'queen' of the other dwarfs, despite it looking
very much like a man. He informed me in the past that there was an
american sister missionary who was assigned in Orani. This particular
missionary had problems sleeping and he 'remedied' her insomnia
through his 'dwarf.' He then gave me a prized opportunity to see how
he 'remedied' this missionary. He took my arms and rubbed this 'dwarf'
several times on both of my arms and told me that I 'wouldn't have
insomnia anymore.' I couldn't help but laugh at all of this. Before I
realized what he was doing, he was rubbing this small piece of gold on
my arms, 'remedying' a problem that I don't have. Anyways, Antonio
finally left us and we started teaching. But, during our lesson, a
drunk man who's name I forgot, walked up to us and started speaking
broken english to us. He told us that he read the Book of Mormon
before and that he knows that it's true. He kept repeating himself and
at the same time worked himself into a sort of karate stance with his
arms and legs. I wasn't sure where he was going with all of this, and
he also started to cry at one point. Sister Pavino handled the
situation very smoothly and just set a return appointment with this
drunk man. He finally left and we were able to finish our lesson. :)

In addition to that cherished experience, we had such an exciting
week.Sister Alazo and I come home most days just completely in awe at
the kinds of miracles we are seeing. Our attendance at church is
continuing to grow. We found many less-active members and in turn,
have found many new people that have become investigators-people that
are interested in learning.

It's incredible. I'm dreading thinking about leaving this area and
starting all over again somewhere else. I feel like my 6 months here
has brought me to this point where the work is progressing at an
incredible rate. I find working so much more enjoyable, the longer I
am in an area. I used to think the opposite would be true, and maybe
is for many missionaries, but I'm seeing that there is a reason why I
am still here. I'm so grateful for this glorious blessing that God has
given me to be a small small part of this divine work.

I wrote in my planner- "The most exhausting and life-giving work I
have ever experienced. I'm basking in the light." It's come to the
point that I don't like Mondays, our preparation day, because we only
have a few hours in the evening to go out and work.

We had an investigator yesterday who set his own baptismal date for
December 22. We were completely surprised. Before, he wanted to be
baptized in January. I guess he realized yesterday that he was readier
than he thought he was and set December 22 as his baptismal date.
Incredible. His mother, Luisa was a less-active member who is starting
to return to activity again in the church. I'm truly in awe at the
kinds of small changes we are seeing in people.

"Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say
unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to
pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise." -Alma
37:6

I love you all. I mean it.


Pictures:

Crossing the river in Ala-uli, Pilar ( Every Saturday we go to this area.)

Margie's baptism!

 I took a seat in this hammock and was surprised to find my head rubbed

up against a small fat child. I didn't know he was there.

 THE best cat.

 Yellow watermelon.

Lupang Hinirang

This week was one of the greatest weeks so far in my time here in Pilar. I feel like I may be killing myself physically, but I am so so excited about the progress that I'm seeing here in Pilar that I truly can't wait to go out and work. I'm hoping that my body doesn't fall apart by the time I get home. It seems like every week, I have some sort of other sickness.  It's physically exhausting, but so so yummy to be a small part of what's happening here in Pilar. I am filled with an excitement and hope that is beyond myself. I am filled with strength beyond my own. I am so grateful for these many experiences and opportunities to became more acquainted with my God.

I feel like the weeks keep getting better and better and more strange and exciting. Margie and CrisMar were baptized this week. It was an exciting week for the 2 sets of missionaries here in Pilar. :)

Last night, I vomited my dinner. I'm not sure what the problem was, but I was feeling terrible and said a prayer that I would feel better. Within a few seconds I ran to the bathroom and the terrible feeling left in the form of rice, fish and watermelon (it's watermelon season here and I may have overeaten....) I feel alright now. Last week I squeezed my boil and it's healing now. Everyone has told me that my boils are unusually small. THANK GOODNESS.

We had such a weird week. I was able to experience the nastier sides of  'addiction' and what sorts of extreme things people are compelled to do. We have an investigator who is very addicted to playing computer games. Last Thursday, after we had shared with him, he asked his mom for 5 pesos to play computer games and she wouldn't give it to him. He completely lost it and starting shouting and insulting his mom. I couldn't believe what I was seeing and hearing and it felt like maybe he forgot we were still in front of him? It was like he completely disregarded the fact that we were still there and completely lost control. He said that ' the devil was whispering to him," and it was mildly frightening. It the midst of them arguing, he grabbed a knife and said that he was going to kill himself if she didn't give him money. It was as awkward a situation as you probably think it would be. I was very grateful for my companion, who handled the situation very smoothly. I was left to think about a few things, especially regarding the Word of Wisdom. I couldn't believe how ugly the effects of addiction are on people.

We are continuing to explore our area and find members who we haven't met yet.  We went to an area called 'Ala-Uli' and we were welcomed into a home of a less active member, named Renelyn. Renelyn was asleep but her brother Joel was extremely nice to us and welcomed us in. Within minutes and without really talking to us he told us to come and eat lunch while we waited for her. We were a little surprised, and have never been offered a meal so quickly and without any questions. I laughed at this and really enjoyed that meal. Joel has the same first name of my father and the same birthday as my mother.

 We went to another area in Ala-uli and found a small compound of members. We had to walk through a river to get to there area because the bridge broke a few years ago. The kids pretty much went crazy when they saw me and it's always very obvious to me if I am the first american in a long time to go to a certain area. The staring gets a little out of control but the kids are the best. They are always shocked when I speak tagalog. I'll try to email some photos next week.

I heard a story yesterday about a old woman (an investigator's 100 year old mother) who competed in a contest for senior citizens. She had to thread a needle on one try. Anyways, she succeeded and was supposed to win 1000 pesos, but she didn't take the money. She requested some bread and butter which became her prize. We all couldn't stop laughing at this story and I really want to meet this old woman.

I'm trying to learn the filipino national anthem. Sister Alazo also wanted to learn the american national anthem and so we sang it. I'm missing my country. Would you believe me if I told you that I cried, a little bit?

We had an incredible week, especially with several of the less-active families. It seems like now is the time for them. I've been in Pilar for a long time and it seems like everything is lining up for these families to hopefully be able to return back into activity. It feels like God is literally preparing these people to receive this message. It is so beautiful.

BYE. thank you all for your love and support.

Maybe salvation refers to in part the need to be saved from our own vices, our self-destruction.
What is the power that literally inspires and causes us to become new creatures? __________

Corpse- I met a man who had your eyes. Your eyes! I found them here in the Philippines. I kept feeling slightly uncomfortable as we were speaking with him. It was a 40 year old, Filipino version of you.

little peace

This week has been full of new faces. We are literally going through
our directory and searching for members. It has been surprisingly
fruitful. I can't keep track of all these new names and faces and I'm
always asking Sister Alazo, 'Who is this person? Where do they live?"

We have a new investigator who has a really great story about his
tattoos. He married a girl named, 'Paz,' and he thought her full name
was 'Pacita,' and decided to tattoo her name on his arm. He later
found out that her full name wasn't 'Pacita,' and that it was
actually just 'Paz' so he got another tattoo on his other arm with the
words, 'Paz.' He's catholic and also has about 4 tattoos of Mary on
his body. Nice guy.

We also attended a member's birthday party and was pleasantly surpised
to find out that the special musical number included about 15 old
woman dressed up in Hula costumes (bra + skirt) and had choreographed
a dance. Words do not describe this... :)

I've been a little sick this past week with a cold. Good news about my
former boil: it went away with antibiotics but then decided to grow
legs and then plant itself in my abdomen.
Sitting/walking/eating/breathing has been interesting this past week.

I've been reading out of a manual, 'The Gospel and the Productive
Life,' and have found it to be interesting. I want to include
something that I found to be interesting about spiritual gifts. I
often feel very inadequate and found this to be insightful. Maybe
there are some of you that feel the same way. This is from Marvin J.
Ashton:

" Taken at random, let me mention a few gifts that are not always
evident or noteworthy or noteworthy but that are very important....

The gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and
using a still small voice; the gift of being able to weep; the gift of
avoiding contention; the gift of being agreeable; the gift of avoiding
vain repetition; the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift
of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the
gift of being disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of
being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing
a mighty testimony; and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost."

I thought of a few more gifts: the gift of discernment of feelings and
thoughts of others, the gift of awareness of self and others; gift of
ability to comfort others.

There are probably thousands more, but for some reason I was drawn to
the idea of 'spiritual gifts' that aren't well known or discussed.

D&C 46:11-12 -"all may be profited thereby." (DONT BE SHY.)

Have a lovely thanksgiving and please give a sincere 'thank you' to
God, most of all.

JessLI: thank you! thank you! CalArt-Get it girl. I'm visiting you in
Santa Clarita maybe next summer. I should've probably asked before I
invited myself...

BAM.

I'm really enjoying the work here in Pilar. We are looking/finding new
investigators and are also seraching for less-active members in our
area. It's been an incredible week full of interesting situations and
many successes. My companion is such a great person to work with. She
is hardworking and a very spiritually sensitive person, which is so
refreshing to me. I wrote on the side of my planner for Nov. 6, "I'm
excited to see where God will lead us today."

I'm grateful for situations that continue to try and test us being
'human.' We had an interesting situation on Nov. 8 where we were
ordering food at a street food vendor. We noticed a little girl that
kept following us and eventually she asked me for money. I ignored her
question and asked her where she was from and where her parents were.
She didn't look very poor, but she told me that she was hungry. I
asked Nico, the member that worked with us that day if he could give
her an extra burger that he bought. He gave it to her and she ran off
with it.

It was a fairly quick event, but the conversation that came because of
it, was the really interesting part. Nico mentioned that he doesn't
like giving money or food to kids because it'll just perpetuate them
begging on the streets. It'll also perpetuate a lack of responsibility
on the part of the parent. In the same thought, he mentioned something
that Jesus said, about giving to those to asketh, giving to those in
need, without judgement for whether they are 'really poor' or not.

Maybe it tugs at our pride to think that maybe the food that we gave
to a beggar on the street actually went to someone who didn't actually
need it and is maybe just manipulating a situation to be given food.
But, maybe not. We'll never know.

I'm home in April, which is so weird to me. It is the fastest year of
my entire life. Christmas is next month??
See you all very very soon. Keep learning and expanding.

Until then,
Sister Vickers

"Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price."

I attached a picture of some of the sister missionaries on transfer
day. It also happened to be halloween, so I decided to dress up like
my new companion, Sister Alazo.( I have my arm around her.) She is
from Bulacan, Central Luzon. She is incredible nice, even tempered,
considerate, and just a soothing person to be around. It feels like
we've been companions for a long time. I am grateful to re-apply
principles of unity in this new companionship. I noticed that my
stress has significantly decreased, even though I should be stressed
considering the state of our area. I think there are certain stresses
that I can handle better than others. I wrote in my journal, "When I'm
not happy, or when I'm struggling emotionally, creativity just stops.
I write less, create less. Happiness leads to a surge of creativity,
and of ideas." I've been able to process many things and am grateful
for the things that I have learned in the past 3 months. i.e. God is
alive. ALIVE.

I also got a joke from her that I've been using this whole week and
will probably use for the rest of my mission. Whenever people ask me
where I'm from, I usually say, "Sa America." ( in America) Now, I've
been telling people that I'm from Samar ( part of visayas) and they
are usually shocked by this. Then I add, " Sa America." ( Samar-Sa
America)
This is hilarious to filipinos (and to me) , so I don't have any plans
to stop using this joke.

Pilar split and we are assigned to Pilar 2. We have about 5
investigators in our area, two of which have a baptismal goal date.
We're planning on having a baptism on November 24. After that date, we
have very little to work from. We were given a new area book (the book
with the record of our investigators, members and other important
information about the area) so it's been fun to make new maps and
reorganize everything. Because we are really really lacking in
investigators in our area, we are going through the branch directory
and finding less-actives. It feels like a treasure hunt.

We met two less-active members in an area called Balut. They were
incredibly nice and receptive to us visiting them. We have return
appointments with them this next week and will hopefully be able to
work with these people to help them come back to reactivation as well
as search for new investigators in their families. We also met a lot
of people just out on the street, and I gave out all of the pamphlets
that I had. I know it was a successful day when I ran out of pamphlets
to give to people. That was one thing that I thought I would never get
over- talking to strangers on the street and inviting them to learn.
(I2L) Now, it's one of my favorite things to do. I used to hate the
fact that I get stared at a lot wherever I go, because of my gender,
race, and height. I decided a while back to start using that to get
people's attention and use that attention to teach them about this
beautiful, life-changing message. It's been successful, especially
this week.

I found out as well that Lubao, my first area, has a plan to create a
new branch in Lubao 2, which was the area that Sister Mafi and I
reopened. I couldn't believe this, and am so so excited about the
growth that is happening in Lubao and in Pilar. Also, Sister Mafi my
trainee, is now training a new missionary, so I have become a
'grandma' in the mission. : ) Life is fast and beautiful.

Byebye.


D&C 138: 17, 43, 50
^ If we understand the importance of our flesh, our body, maybe we
would be able to better understand certain commandments that we are
given in regards to our bodies.

----!Pinakamakapangyarihan ang Diyos!----

Maligayang Pasko.

Hello.

Pilar is splitting! This is the first time to have 2 sets of
missionaries in over 15 years. And by next January or February, plans
will hopefully be a bit more definite for building a new chapel here
in Pilar. My journey in Pilar will continue for at least another 6
weeks, and hopefully more.

Before I left on my mission, I hoped that I would be placed in many
areas so that I could meet more people, see new things, but now I am
incredibly grateful that I have an opportunity to work in this area
for a longer period of time. I spent 7.5 months in Lubao, which was an
incredibly rewarding and fruitful experience as we also split Lubao
into 2 areas. (Actually, Lubao had been split before, and we were
reopening the split.)

I've realized that for me, it's easier to go out and work every day,
in an area that I have worked in for a longer period of time. It's not
a burden to go out and work. It's more of a 'I really love these
people, and want to help them. I'm excited to hear and see these
miraculous changes that have/are taking place."

Rose Ann was baptized on Sunday. She is one of those 15 grandchildren.
I loved what she said after she was baptized, 'Masarap siya.' (it was
a delicious-feeling.) I can't express to you all how incredible it is
to see these kids taking on and grasping the things that we are
teaching them. Several members have mentioned to us that the kids look
cleaner and they look happier than they did before. Jezebel, who is 11
years old, was recently baptized and is now in 2 Nephi in the Book of
Mormon. She told us that the Book of Mormon is 'delicious to read.'
(YUM.) I remember when we first went to their home and Jezebel didn't
join in on our discussion, but would just observe. She slowly started
to listen and now I'm amazed as she is really taking off and embracing
these things. Our responsibility has now shifted to help these kids
continue in their journey of growth. Baptism should only be a starting
step for them for a life time of fulfillment and growth.

I think back of the times before my mission, in a state of need and
humility, when I truly called upon my God for divine assistance. I
think of how selfish that is-that my most sincere prayers were when I
was in need, but at the same time, I was given the opportunity to
exercise faith, which i'm grateful for. Faith dies quickly, I've
noticed when it is not strengthened.

Humility is something that has been pressing on my mind lately. I love
the talk "Pride and the Priesthood" by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, and while I
do not hold the Priesthood, there are many applicable principles. It's
an uncomfortable feeling to say to myself that I am prideful. Nobody
wants to admit that they are prideful. Of course we all would like to
think of ourselves as a certain way, and to admit to ourselves that we
are prideful is a real ______ to our self perception. Maybe it is a
start for better understanding our relationship with God and with our
fellow brothers and sisters. Yes. maybe.

hasta luego.

Picture- pamintol (sp?) fishing. This is somehow effective in catching
fish. Instead of a hook at the other end of this fishing pole, there
is a large basket-like structure that is laid in the water, and when
lifting it up, it is supposed to catch fish. I was unsuccessful but
Sandy (the man who thinks he's not in the picture, is good at this.)

"Mahal mo ba ako?"

Hello.

We were blessed with two baptisms this past weekend. (This program was
easily the most eventful baptism I have ever attended and will
probably ever attend. Our district president who attended also said
the same thing for himself. Maybe I'll tell the story when I get home,
but it was incredibly unique.) These little girls are cousins and are
only 2 of 15 grandchildren in one home. I've mentioned this family
before because it is complete chaos whenever we teach them. This
family is notorious for causing speechlessness, for first timers.
Sometimes, members will work with us as we teach and every single
first-timer to their home (including myself) was speechless or silent
during the lesson. There's babies crying, kids screaming and fighting,
hair laden with knits, and unique smells. Sometimes it feels like a
circus when we teach. I'm keeping kids out of my bag, getting small
children off of me and at the same time trying to keep the focus of
the kid we're teaching. I love this family. They're incredibly poor
but I've already noticed small improvements in the quality of their
life because of the gospel.

Pilar is progressing and it is so exciting to see. We had an interview
with our mission president last week and he said that we have a 50/50
chance of gaining another set of missionaries here in Pilar. If that
happens, Sister Lacanaria and I will split and we will each get new
companions, each set covering half of the Pilar area. This is very
very exciting and will be the first time ever to get an extra set of
missionaries in this area. Our area is being monitored to receive a
new and larger chapel, so we will hopefully find out in the next few
months if that is going to be approved for this area. It's an
incredibly sweet feeling to have worked so hard and then to see the
results of that labor.

The mission president's wife took pity on me when I should her my skin
issues and so I visited a doctor earlier today so hopefully my boil
and other skin problems will start to clear up. I was told by a member
that sometimes 'when the blood is dirty, it screams out through the
skin.' I wasn't sure what to think when I heard that.

I forgot to mention general conference last week, but conference
progressively gets more delicious to me and 10 hours of conference
somehow doesn't seem enough.

Jeffrey Holland continues to amaze me. His sincerity is unmatched.

"Lovest thou me?" -Peter was asked this three times. I was surprised
at how timely this particular talk was in my own life.

Explore and Expand and Love. The transcendent power of love is so
tangible. It is not easy nor cheap. It is really the 'greatest of
all.'

Moroni 7:45-47

Your daughter, sister, niece, and friend,



Sister DV

april2013:/

The last picture is of some sort of plantish organism that was
gathered from the ocean. I thought it looked like a terrible and sad
pile of dead Whos from Dr. Seuss. But don't worry, it's just plants.

God is in the dirt.

My time is a little short this week.

God is breathing. and raw. and lives especially in the ugly of our lives.

When we feel like we're just rolling around in the dirt, and deprived
of guidance--
we can realize that God is actually the dirt and it's making us
stronger and tough as ________.

I have a new boil on my leg and I'm trying to time when I'm going to
pop it so that it interferes the least with the work. Chances are my
foot will swell (swelling has already started actually) and I'm not
sure if I'll be able to walk around after it's out.

I also had a blessed opportunity to split up a fight this week. It was
between two cousins, one is a member and one wants to get baptized.
They were pulling hair and hitting each other. I was sitting next to
one of them on their couch when the other one just started going at
her. I practically laid myself on top of the girl on the couch and
yelled, "Huwag na!" a few times. (Stop!) and then "Ano ba yan. Huwag
na." (What on earth! - Stop!) I felt like crying afterwards, but I
had nowhere to go and cry, so I didn't. God gave me an opportunity to
become acquainted with some of the more ugly sides of human nature.

Among those and many other unique, inexpressible challenges, I have
become certain of the reality of my Lord, Jesus Christ. It is true
that there is a price to be paid to understand certain things, as
often times when we aren't suffering, we don't tend to cling to
knowledge and light like we do when we are in obvious need. I have
felt a divine grace this past week, unlike any other. If that divine
grace hadn't been bestowed to me, I simply would not be able to
continue at this work.

I am starting to better understand 'unconditional love' and have a
long ways to go. God has been glorious to me and I am grateful.

I do love you all and thank you for your prayers and support.

charity.

1 John 3:2- "We shall see him as He is."

Our branch in Pilar is on the verge of expansion, which is so
exciting. Pilar branch is a candidate for receive a new, larger
chapel. This building in Pilar is the tiniest chapel I've ever been
in, and we are working towards a goal of a more consistent attendance
in order to qualify for a new chapel. It is really exciting to be a
part of growth like this as the members here have been waiting a long
time for a better building. I love the people here. I am so grateful
for their kindness and support for the missionary work here.
Missionary work is dramatically more effective, when working closer
with members and involving them.

Yesterday I met a man who was one of the first photographers in
Bataan. He showed me his cameras and as we were talking about his old
film cameras (and I was playing with them), it was like time hadn't
passed. It didn't feel at all like a year had passed since I've even
touched my cameras. It was like the knowledge was still there and not
even rusty, like maybe it should be after a year of not seriously
doing any photography. It was a bit of a surreal moment for me. I was
thinking, "When was the last time that I touched a camera like this?"
Over 1 year now, but it doesn't feel like it. Matthew 10:39

We have about 4 potential baptisms this month. We are excited about
this. I'm definitely not the wangling type of missionary, and so we'll
have to see if they are adequately prepared and ready to accept that
kind of commitment. (Did you catch that, BB?)

I've accepted the nature of my companionship as being inconsistent. I
will accept the good moments as well as the difficult. I think before
I just dreaded thinking about whenever her mood would flip, and I
would have to deal with it. Now, I've decided a different approach of
more like, 'riding out the storm' and it is always peaceful after the
storm, right?

Moroni 7: 45-47- I hope I can attain this kind of charity.

Love-
Sister DV

"Magkakasama tayo mapagkailanman"

Magkakasama tayo mapagkailanman- We'll be together forever.

Yesterday during sunday school, we watched one of the cheesy videos
about families, and I just started to cry. I was the only one crying
and it came out of nowhere. I'm thinking it stemmed from having a
difficult week. I have no idea how I'm supposed to survive this next month, (I will probably
read this email in a year and laugh about this all, but it's really
______ when I'm going through it.) I would love your
prayers on my behalf. :)

We're hoping for 3 baptisms for this month, but I'm thinking that only
2 will be ready for this month. We met a former investigator, who
after a few years, has finally decided to be baptized. I feel like God
really just handed us this opportunity.

I've gotten so many wonderful letters from my dear friends, and I will
try to write you back, but I really can't promise anything.

BYE.

Steph!- Wow.wow. wow.wow. Congratulations! I was so shocked and
excited for you when I read your DearElder. Yay! Thanks for writing
me!

LASTWEEK

Sorry, this didn't work last week. Hopefully you receive this: )

Hello Family,

I feel terrible. I forgot my Dad's birthday which was on September 15.
Missionary life is such an undescribable alternate world that I could
probably never imagine unless I was in it.

To dad: happybirthday Paugh! I love you forever!

The song "How will I get you alone?" by Heart is playing next door,
which is making it extremely difficult for me to keep focused at this
moment. I also keep getting distracted by a small little mouse that is
running back and forth on the floor of this internet shop and
occasionally runs along the back wall of where this computer is
sitting.

This transfer was a little unexpected as nothing changed. I am still
here in Pilar, and am still with Sister Lacanaria. I have quite a bit
about love this past transfer. What does 'unconditional love' really
mean? I feel closer to figuring out what that means. It seems that God
has given me an opportunity to not just forgive and move on, but to
figure out a way to grow and hopefully prosper in my current
situations. Last transfer was particularly difficult in that I had not
yet fully trusted my companion, for a variety of reasons. I am hoping
and thinking that this transfer will give us the time to continue to
develop a friendship and trust.

Doctrine and Covenants 32:4- And they shall give heed to that which is
written... and they shall pray always that I may unfold the same to
their understanding.

I've had a cold for the past week. My voice is terrible sounding and I
can't even "Tao po!" which has been a little annoying. (We don't
usually knock on doors, we yell, "Tao po.") The hearing in my left ear
has been going in and out which has made for a somewhat peaceful past
few days. ha.

I wrote in my journal this week, " The Lord has brought me out of the
depths of ______ into a state of progression and growth. Sometimes I
am uncomfortable with this change, but His grace fuels me."

Matthew 11:28-30- Unexplainable truth.( 2 Ne 4:34)

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in
heart: and ye shall find rest in your souls.

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

I love you all like crazy.

                                                                       Our baptism!

                                We also gave two them haircuts before their baptism which was
hilarious. We considered leaving the mullet on Romnick's head...

We took pictures by the "Espada" in our area. **Jump Shot**

*Endure*

Hi,

Anna is baptized! She is so so great and I can't explain how
incredible it is to observe this kind of growth in people. We have 3
(not 5) more baptisms next Saturday. (We have transfers on Wednesday.
I think I'll probably get transferred, but will let you all know next
week. I really want to go to Pangasinan and learn some ilokano...)

I remember one time during a lesson we taught in Lubao to a man named
Noel Jimenez, he asked me how I knew that we were all brothers and
sisters. He responded and told me that if we peel off all of our
skins, and compare our insides, we're all the same. I enjoyed his
literally view on 'being human.' For anyone that feels so inclined to
offer/email me their thoughts on 'being human' I would love to read
that.

A story:

During our conference with David Bednar a few weeks ago, my former
companion Sister Lumanog told me a story about a person (I forgot
their name!) that became an investigator (or decided to be taught by
the missionaries) in her new area in Olongapo City. Their new
investigator's father, David Bernardino is a member in Lubao and has
been inactive for many years in the church.

During my last transfer in Lubao, I strongly felt like we needed to
visit David Bernardino several times. David is basically deaf and our
lessons consisted of me and Brother Jerome (a member in Lubao)
writing on paper to communicate with this man. He could speak fine but
had almost no hearing. He spoke really loud and I actually really
enjoyed our lessons as quickly wrote down questions/ideas for him.
I've never experienced teaching like that.

Anyway, David Bernardino's son somehow came across the paper and the
notes that we used to teach his father and gained an interest in the
church. I wasn't sure why I felt so strongly to go and visit David,
but I now realize that it was probably for his son. Sister Lumanog and
her companion were street contacting (I2L) and met this man's son, who
is now being taught. He relayed the experience about reading the notes
and papers that we used, to Sister Lumanog. Sister Lumanog said that
he probably wouldn't have been very receptive to meeting them if he
hadn't had that prior experience.

I think it is times like that, that I realize that I am a very small
part of a much larger plan/world/existence.

Amos 3:3-Can two walk together except they be agreed?

I ate eel for breakfast Friday morning. It was electrifying! JK. It
wasn't an electric eel. I wish it would've been though.

Christmas started a few weeks ago. Everyone's pulled out their
Christmas decorations. Christmas in the Philippines is the best.

We were passing some people on the road and they said this as we
walked by - "Maging mabuti may bahay" Rough translation= She'll make
a good wife.
I was so confused at where that statement came from. I walked by and
from me passing them, it was somehow determined that I'll make a good
wife someday. haha. I love filipino culture.

:)  

BYE.   
-I was sitting at our kitchen table during our lunch and realized that
I was hearing the little 'cheep-cheep' that chicks make. I looked over
at our back door that was open and was surprised to see a momma
chicken and her little chicks that had wondered into our apartment. I
caught this picture on their way out.

-Field.

                   -We shared a short message about family to this goat. She was really
receptive, especially in regards to family. She really loves her
kids...

I ate dog.

On Saturday evening, we had the choice opportunity to eat cow...maybe.

baka= cow in Tagalog. 'baka' also means 'maybe.' Depending on the intonation.

My companion told me after we had returned home that I ate dog. It was
actually really delicious. I just wish that I would've known
beforehand what it was. I mostly just had images of 'Mindy' my
childhood dog, running through my head, and actually felt a little
guilty.

I still haven't tried snake, rat, dragon, or bat. But, don't you all
worry about me, I still have 6 months before I get home to try all of
these interesting foods.

Yesterday we were walking in a neighborhood called, "Kapampangan,"
which is named after the language in Pampanga, (my last area was in
Pampanga) and was pleasantly greeted with two skinned dogs hanging by
their feet in the middle of the road. It was a timely moment when
seconds later we heard the song on someone's radio that goes something
like, "How much is that puppy in the window? I hope that dog is for
sale..." (Why was that song playing at that moment??)

I've had the lovely opportunity to increase my empathy for those
afflicted with sickness. I've had lice for a few months now, and have
removed a total of 240+ knits from my head in that time period. I've
also had rashes on my backside ever since I've been in Lubao. I had a
boil on my leg a few months ago, and now I have ring worm on my arm,
which is a sort of fungus I'm told. So life has been really
interesting.

We have a baptism next friday night for Anna! She is great. We have 5
more baptisms the week after, but I'm thinking that I'll probably get
transferred and won't be there.

byebyebyebye.


Luke 9:62 - Not looking back. I'm trying to do this. Sometimes I'm successful.

Pagbabalik-loob (Conversion!)

Hello frans and framry,

Our conference last week was probably more insightful and greater than
I could have imagined. I have learned so much and am still processing
the many things that were said. Elder Bednar started off the
conference by sharing D&C 88:122. He emphasized the part, 'all may be
edified of all.' As such, he didn't do a ton of speaking. We were
asked to read two talks before the conference. He started off by
asking what we learned from those talks. He asked many questions and I
was amazed at his selection of questions that he asked. It felt like a
conversation. It was enlightening. Most of the time, we were talking
and sharing, and learning from each other. It wasn't a one-way
conversation, but rather a multi-dimensional learning experience. I am
left with many things to think about and ponder about faith and the
process of gaining spiritual knowledge and spiritual gifts.

We had the opportunity to ask him questions towards the end. People
raised their hands and asked him questions. I asked a question and he
gave us his insight.

I asked him about 'conversion' and at what point do we become
'converted' to the gospel. I prefaced my question by mentioning the
scripture in Mark, where Jesus heals a child. Jesus asks the child's
father if he believes that He is able to heal his son. The son's
father replies, 'Lord, I believe,' and then hesitantly adds, 'Help
Thou mine unbelief.'

Because I was sitting in the first row, I was actually fairly close to
him and was grateful for that. He didn't just look me in the eye, but
'looked me in the eye.' He said many things, and to be completely
honest, I don't remember 100% of what he said. But, I remember how I
felt. I think a lot of things are like that. We sometimes don't
remember exactly what happened in a situation, but we remember how we
felt. I think the feeling that I felt will carry with me for a long
time.

Malapit na! Mahal ko kayo.

Himala

Hello!

I hope you are all doing well.

I was thinking about something that Sister T (my trainer) asked me
during a companionship exchange a few weeks ago. She asked me what I
wanted to get out of my mission. I mentioned a few things, but
expressed to her my desire to become converted to the gospel. Not in a
superficial sort of way or " I served a mission for my church and I
know it's true," but to spiritually gain knowledge that will sink deep
deep deep inside of me--Knowledge about Jesus Christ and about my
Creator.

"Seek Learning by Faith" by David Bednar----This is a talk that I've
read several times and feel like it is maybe an answer to my request
to understand the process of gaining spiritual knowledge. Really
great.

David Bednar is speaking on Wednesday at our mission. I asked my
mission president if I could meet him. I'm not sure if that'll happen,
but I would love to be able to sit and talk with him for a few minutes
and ask him a few questions.

This week I witnessed a miracle. In a non-dramatic sort of way (Maybe
it is dramatic?) , I've witnessed a miracle. After a very long
conversation, my companion opened up to me about a lot of issues in
her life.

I wrote in my journal, " I was shocked to be watching this small girl,
that I was previously afraid of, sitting at my side, crying and
admitting her faults and this facade that she shows people. I
couldn't explain my feeling. Is this really happening? This well-known
difficult companion is actually a softie at heart and is struggling
with some self-esteem issues here on the mission. She's never been
close to any of her companions or been able to show her 'real self' to
her companions. I told her that I loved her."

Our companionship has a new feeling. This is hard to describe. We've
become open and have really started to become friends. I can't explain
the change that has taken place. It feels like we've never struggled
before. It feels natural. Hard to explain. I'm thankful.

picture- our food saturday night. chicken feet (called 'adidas.' haha)
and chicken head

other picture- the cockroaches we killed in our apartment. HI.


LOVEYOUALL.
ingatkayo.


P.S. Kyoo- Thank you for your DearElders! If I don't reply, just keep
writing and I'll eventually be able to reply.

"a little reviving in our bondage"

FAM/FRIENDS,

I have attached a few pictures of our transfer day 1.5 weeks ago. Best
transfer day. EVER.

We are teaching several of those kids in that picture that I sent a
few weeks ago. ( >>Grandma with 15 grandchildren in one home<<) I love
seeing them. They are the most dirty, loud children I have ever met
and it is so fulfilling to be with them. They love coming to church.
It's pretty great to see all of them running into the church with
clean clothes and faces, yelling my name. best.

Our branch is probably going to move into a larger building within the
next few years! The building we have now is tiny with the bathrooms
not connected to the church and the baptismal font outside. OUTSIDE.
We are trying to keep the attendance up so that this will happen here
in Pilar. very exciting.

Earlier this week, I was feeling discouraged, and I felt like I should
go and pick out a 'Liahona,' a magazine from the church. I was
surprised/not really surprised, to read a few articles in the April
2012 issue about 'grace.' My thoughts went round and round. I was
pleasantly surprised and my thoughts went back to my first few weeks
when I was in the MTC when I studied 'grace' every day for at least a
week until I was semi-satisfied. But, there seems to be a profound
difference in studying about something verses having it become
embedded.

"It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that
individuals...receive strength and assistance to do good works that
they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own
means. This grace is an enabling power."

I can't express how many times on my mission, I have felt defeated in
regards to my weaknesses and shortcomings. My Glorious Creator has
given me grace to overcome and to continue in this work- to continue
to bless and love those I meet.

update on my companionship: I have humbled myself to the ground and
that has proved to be successful in creating a peaceful relationship
in regards to my new companion. There is a balance between standing
firm in certain situations and giving in to the things that don't
matter.

I am learning. This is exciting.

"No man is an island"<<Can someone tell me more about this? Where did
this come from?
Ezra 9:8----R.E.V.I.V.I.N.G.

Soul moving

Hello,

This week has been short as we moved into a different apartment.
Things have been a little frantic. I have a new companion, Sister
Lacanaria from Iligan City, Mindanao. My head feels way too full of
______, so I apologize for the shorter email today.

Our apartment flooded before we moved out. I thankfully didn't have
too much ruined. Our street was completely flooded for a few days and
our landlord said it was the first time that it's flooded like that in
Pilar. I forgot my camera right now, but we had the most lovely
opportunity to wade through waist deep water on our way home last
Monday. It was a little chaotic and a lot of people had to leave their
homes. We weren't able to work for a few days because of the flooding.
I ATE my words last week in regards to rainy season. ATE MY WORDS. ha.

Our investigator Anna is progressing, which is extremely exciting. She
will probably be baptized in September. She is so fun to teach. She
has a ton of questions, which makes teaching so fun.Eventually my
response to her questions will come to the point where I say, "That's
a great question. I don't know the answer." She's come up with
questions that I've never even thought of. I've told her to keep
asking questions, because there are a lot of answers when we ask. She
is 15 years old and has such a strong desire to learn. It's people
like this that make my mission enjoyable.

I am requesting special prayers from all of you, these next upcoming
few weeks. ( My new companion has a reputation in the mission for
being difficult... I'm not quite sure how to handle this transfer.)

I'm sending some Filipino love to you all.

-Sister Vickers

"All of the trees of the field shall clap their hands."

Hi,

My english is knarly. I apologize in advance.

Rainy Season had started. THANK GOODNESS.

Picture: There is a member here in Pilar who has 16 grandchildren that
ALL live with her in a much too small area. (This story is
complicated, but involves irresponsible parents who left their kids
with their mother.)

Last Tuesday we had a companionship exchange. This week, I had the
lovely opportunity to host Sister Tupouniua (my trainer) in my area,
here in Pilar. It was so so great to see her again and to work with
her again, at least for one day. We talked about interpersonal skills
with our companions. I learned a lot from her.

Our apartment in Pilar is probably the most ridiculous place I've ever
lived in. The neighborhood that we live in shuts off the water from 12
pm- 5 pm and from 9:30 pm - 5am. This has made simple things like
washing dishes, showering, cleaning, etc. into more complicated tasks
every day. We store water in large buckets to wash our dishes and to
clean. We've been looking for a new apartment in our area but haven't
had any luck until last week.

On Thursday, we had 8 appointments that didn't follow-through. (They
were busy, or weren't home, etc.) This is a record for me on my
mission. I felt incredibly discouraged and after the second
appointment, I started to get teary eyed as we walked down the street.
We didn't have anywhere else to go, so we went to a member's home
nearby. It was our first time to visit her. As we were walking out, we
asked her if she knew of any available apartments nearby. She knew of
a place nearby.
We looked at the apartment and it is beautiful. It also has water 24
hours a day! !!!WOW!!! !!!MOM!!! We will be moving shortly.

We had an interesting experience last Wednesday. We met someone of
another faith who in our lesson told us in English, "You are in the
wrong faith...The truth hurts," and other various things. I wasn't
offended by anything that he was saying until he told us that we were
'blind followers.' As he said it, and an exquisite feeling of
exasperation came over me. My calm demeanor didn't change, but my
heart started to pound. It was a little unexpected that his rejection
of our message turned into a personal judgement of my character. Of
course, in those few minutes it would be impossible to describe all of
my questions that I've had, my experiences, my prayers, and my tears
that have brought me to this point in my faith. After the situation, I
was left with many things to think about.

I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve a mission. There are
things that I've learned and understood that would've have been
impossible in any other situation. I've learned how to give more fully
of myself to my God. I've learned how to love people that are hard to
love. I am forever forever grateful for the hard things that I've
experienced. There is an exquisite joy that comes from overcoming
personal weaknesses and fears.

Mahal ko kayo,

-Sister Vreckster, Brickster, Vicky (pronunciations of my last name)

Isaiah 55:10-12 (CLAPPING)

Mark 9:14-29

Daphnee

FAMILY/FRIENDS/STRANGERS:

These past two weeks have been extremely weird and interesting and beautiful.

We had a baptism on Saturday- Daphnee. She has been an investigator
for over a year. She would've been baptized but her mom would not sign
the form. She's active in all of the youth programs, but was still not
baptized. Two weeks ago, we gave her a date to be baptized (July 28)
without really knowing ourselves how it was going to work with having
to get her mom's signature. Two Sundays ago, we announced in church
that there would be a baptism the following Saturday. We still didn't
have the signature and still didn't know how it was going to work out.

I'm not sure if I've ever seen a 16 year old so determined to find a
way to do something. Daphnee by nature is very very quiet, and very
shy. It was a bit of a change to see her so determined for this.

Sister Pamogas and I fasted, believing that there would be a way, but
not knowing how. Last Monday, we went to Daphnee's home and we were
able to talk with her mom. (We practiced the whole conversation
several times before we went over. We planned that I would be the one
to ask, because we believed she would be more receptive to a
foreigner. ha.) After a very nervous couple of minutes, she signed the
form. After she left, we cheered as quietly as possible, which wasn't
really quiet at all for Sister Pamogas.. haha. After many months of
wanting to be baptized, she was baptized last Saturday. Wow. : )

2 Sundays ago, we talked about 'modesty in appearance' in Relief
Society class at church. The lesson quickly turned into a chaotic mess
of these filipino women giving demonstrations on what isn't modest and
loudly discussing about how little clothing young girls wear these
days. I felt like I was watching a movie as these women stood up and
pulled up their skirts ( and various other surprising
demonstrations...) on what isn't 'modest.' haha.

Yesterday at church, our Branch President was teaching Sunday school.
He asked the questions, "What are some problems in the home?" Someone
responded and said, "Pride." His response was , "Pride chicken?" I
may have been one of 3 people that laughed out of the entire group.

Filipinos love love fried chicken, which is so amusing to me. Fried
chicken is not considered to be 'American'- It's filipino.

Last Tuesday, we had a companionship exchange. I went to Cabcaben,
Bataan. Our day was a mixture of hiking in the mountains and ended
with teaching a family who lived on the ocean. A great peace came over
me as I saw the ocean. I could see Corregidor Island in Manila bay. I
also saw a sunken ship, not too far off from the shore, that sunk only
a few months ago. The shore was full of fishing boats and of course,
kids that inevitably gathered around us, making it extremely unwise to
take out my camera. But it was beautiful.

I'm grateful for the tangible effect that this work has on me. I
often, if not several times a week feel frustrated/discouraged, but I
am filled with a joy, a love, and a patience beyond my own. I usually
end my day with a feeling of gratitude for this divine gift that
inspires and motivates me to continue working.

I finished the Book of Mormon for the first time on my mission. (I
took my time as I read.) As I finished Moroni 10, a distinct peace
filled me. Distinct peace.

-Sister Vickers

2 Ne 31: 3
Moroni 7

Love

I am back working. I am feeling okay and have now a small scab on my
leg. This will be a bit short. I've printed several of your emails and
am hoping to be able to reply next week.

This has been a weird weird week. I've met a lot of interesting people
that I'll probably tell you all more about next week. Our time is a
little short right now. Thank you for your prayers for me!

I'm learning about unconditional love vs. love based on my feelings or
personality preference. It's an exciting/challenging thing to be more
aware of.


Love you all, Sister Vickers

Flesh.

(Daniele's sister here...sorry for the delay. I haven't had internet for 2 weeks and have been on vacation.  Sorry! This post is the most recent one from Sunday the 15th of July)

I am reminded of the fragility of my flesh which God has given me. I
am grateful for this experience to increase my ability to empathize
with other people who are in a state of suffering. This week has been
full of a multitude of tears and prayers.

I got a boil on my left lower leg which has subsequently caused
swelling in my foot, which means that I am basically confined to a
bed/small amounts of walking only.

After I showed some members the 'insect bite' that i thought I had on
my leg, they told me that it wasn't an insect bite, but 'pigsa,' which
is such an awful and terrible word to fit what it describes. Even 60
years from now, if I have forgotten all of my Tagalog, I will never
forget, 'pigsa.'

They told me that there was an easier remedy than going to the
hospital and getting my boil cut out. I could have someone just
squeeze 'the eye' out for me and then I should be good. They told me
it would hurt. They were right. It took my friend Lhordy, 3 times to
relieve all of the insides of the boil and each time she went at it, I
buried my face in a pillow because of the exquisite pain.

We went to the hospital the next day, and they gave me anti-biotics
which they said would get rid of any infection that is still left. My
mission president is dropping off crutches for me to increase my
mobility, which I'm extremely reluctant to use in public as I already
feel like a public spectacle just by being white and tall. : )

To be truthful, I've been grateful for the time to think and be still
for the first time in 9 months. I don't believe it is an accident that
God in infinite wisdom, has given me this precious time to be still,
to rest and to think.

"All these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. "
D&C 122:7

I do believe this ^^

Faith is become more real and more real to me.

Naka-pigsa sa kama ko,

Sister Vickers

mga kapatid na babae & mga kapatid na lalaki,

On Wednesday, while it was raining, we were hiking/walking to a
member's home and after several times of almost slipping, I decided to
take off my shoes and walk barefoot. The proceeding 30 minutes was a
joyous experience. My feet came alive! Raw and muddy. I was happy to
reconnect with dirt if even for a little while.


This week I ate fried horse and goat calderetta.


We had a zone conference that was almost overwhelming in the sense
that I still have not processed everything that was said. Elder
Michael Teh (google him if you want) came and graced us with a lovely
experience of learning and thinking. We all were asked to come to the
meeting, fasting. Many things entered my thoughts and will hopefully
be able to continue to understand the principle of 'fasting.'


There were some little girls who asked me during a lesson which soap I
used on my body. In the Philippines, there are a lot of whitening
soaps because everyone wants to be whiter. She was a little taken back
when I told her that I was naturally like this. Haha. She asked me if
I wore eye contacts and was also surprised when I told her that I
don't wear eye contacts to make my eyes blue. (People ask me this at
least 3-4 times a week. ha)


I bought kiwi fruit last week at a supermarket in Balanga (which was
imported) and it was Sister Pamogas' first time to try kiwi. She
thought the skin looked liked the 'skin of a monkey.' Haha.


On Sunday before we taught a lesson, some members cut off a large
piece of sugar cane by their home and we all got a small piece to suck
the life out of it. Sweeeet.


We are very close to the ocean and something inside of me has started
to reawaken. WOWOW. I'm not sure if it's the familiarity of large
bodies of water, or if it's just exciting to me that I feel like we're
at the end of land and I can't see where the water ends.


I've also noticed that this transfer, I've been able to recover from
my stressful last transfer. High amounts of stress make me feel like a
different person, and I feel like my normal state of mind has
returned.


Continuing in faith,


Sister Vickers



Photos:

A large animal that somehow entered our apartment

A house of a newly baptized member (lovely!)

Mt. Samat/Clouds

Our shower : ) ( do not be fooled by that expensive looking shower
head, which does not work)

Joshua 3: 7, 13-17 ----- oh my! Think about this!


2 Ne 2: 14,16, 27