Nasa dagat ako. Nasa ulap ako.

This week has been incredibly eventful and we've had so many
experiences where after we met certain people, I think, " How did that
even happen? How did we even meet this person?"

On Friday, we went to St. Barbara and I had a few names of old
investigators from 3 years ago. We went to go buy a drink from a woman
who was selling food one the road and there I met an older woman,
named Rosita, who happened to know where each of those people lived.
She happily walked with us to show us where they lived and in turn,
she herself was excited to be able to meet with us on next friday.
Alma 36: 6-7 basically sums up our entire week.

I felt inspired to use the branch directory and this week, we were
able to meet with a part-member family who have potential to become
investigators. exciting.

I have been serving here in the Philippines for over 6 months and have
given my blood, my tears, and my sweat (mostly my sweat...)  for this
work. I feel like it would be appropriate to extend an invitation to
anyone who is reading this (especially, to my extended family) to
better understand the 'why' of me being here. It would be not enough
to only tell stories and beautiful experiences. I've met many people
who have formed their own ideas and constructs about what my religion
is, and I always feel like they fall short of the truth.
Any person who has respect for the Bible, will find the the Book of
Mormon to be a fascinating and beautiful read. In short, the Book of
Mormon is a way for you to better understand the why of me being here.
I'm personally inviting you ( as personal as an email can be...) to
read this book and in turn, better understand the why.


3 Ne 11:3
1 Cor. 10-1-4

With infinite love and respect and desire for understanding,

-Sister Vickers

contilang.

I had the opportunity to skype my parents last week, and didn't send
out an email.

Our working week was shortened a few days. On Tuesday, Sister Lumanog
and I received the sudden news that we would be training, and left
immediately for the mission home. I am training Sister Mafi, who is
from Sopu, Kolomutu'a, Nuku'alofa, Tonga. My trainer was Tongan, and
so I'm sure that there are many things for me to learn from their
culture.

I went from being extremely unconfident in my language and teaching
ability, to being given nothing other than divine help and guidance as
we've worked this week. In my letter to my mission president, I told
him that although I felt a great responsibility, that this short week
with Sister Mafi has been an opportunity for me to increase in
confidence in my God- to not limit myself to my abilities alone as one
person, but to be a witness of divine help, and to teach beyond my own
abilities.

I've been able to continue to improve in the language this week and am
grateful for the opportunity to once again stretch myself. I found it
to be slightly ironic, that in my last letter, I talked about finally
being adjusted to mission life. I do believe this new change in my
mission is one of inspiration, and am feeling ready and excited to
help Sister Mafi become a successful missionary.

Tapat ko.
Linis ko.
Tapat mo.
Linis mo.

from a sign^^

bye.

kilalang kilala

Kumustakumustakumustakumsdkfl,

As I started this email, I accidentally started to write it in
Tagalog, but I'm sure that you are all happy that I didn't continue.
We had a baptism on Saturday, and it was a beautiful day. Diana Santos
was baptized and she has been a longer investigator, but she was so
excited for her baptism.

I shared my testimony yesterday at church and everyone kept asking me
if I'm going to be transferred out of Lubao. The transfers are coming
up and we don't really know what will happen. There is a high chance
that we might get 2 more sisters back in Lubao, which means that I'll
most likely stay if that happens. If that doesn't happen, I'll most
likely be transferred. I've been in my first area for a long time. I
love love the people here and am feeling okay with whatever will
happen.

Even though having an american trainer was really the best thing for
me at the beginning of my mission to help with the adjustment, I am
feeling grateful for my companionship with Sister Lumanog as I've
continued to better understand the people here, from her odd
eccentricities and her amusing superstitious beliefs, to what is
considered humorous here.  I woke up Wednesday, or maybe Thursday
morning and realized that I finally felt adjusted to my mission.
Finally. Finally. I am approaching my halfway point , next month,
which feels very weird. I cannot explain how fast time feels here. I
wake up and then I'm asleep again in my bed. How does that happen?

Yesterday during a lesson, I was distracted by how gloriously
beautiful the clouds were in the sky. I couldn't stop looking up at
them! The thought occurred to me that however glorious and beautiful
the clouds are, the experience that we were having right then, with
these people, was infinitely more glorious and important.  Moses 1:39.
<< Work and glory.

Mahal na mahal ko kayo.

D &C 130:2—mmm

P.S. An adorable little snake got into our apartment and we didn't
realize it until Sister Lumanog was looking for the cell phone charger
and it was entwined in the charger. Cute.