Kung ano ang tama, ang mali

Hi.We had a baptism last last week. It was in the other sister's area in Lubao, but I had the opportunity to teach him before the area was split and to see his progression. Really exciting. We have several investigators who are close to making the covenant of baptism. I wrote in my in my planner this week, "I am overwhelmed by my faults." In times of stress, it's inevitable to run into my weaknesses that I am uncomfortable addressing. It's been difficult and self-exploring all at the same time. I also realized that the biggest difficulties in my life, have prepared me for my mission. The most heart-wrenching experiences have helped me to help others who are experiencing similar situations. I'll be in a lesson with someone, and realize that if I hadn't experienced what I've experienced or struggled with my own faults, that I wouldnt be able to provide encouragement and support to those who have been in similar situations. Matthew 18:21-22 I feel like I just emailed you all. ohohohoh--- I'm halfway. See you all next April. :)

Jesus, son of Maria and Jose

We met a lovely new family with the last name, "Tolentino". We met them by accident while we were searching for another family with the last name of "Tolentino." A tricycle driver brought us their home, and they weren't the Tolentino we were looking for, but we ended up talking to them for a while and got their number. Yesterday, we visited them and they were extremely receptive. Wow. God is mysterious. The father of this family-his first name is 'Jesus'. His parents names are 'Maria'and 'Jose'(or Joseph in English.) Really strange. In regards to this, Sister Mafi said, "It is so weird in here! Anything impossible back home is possible here." haha. We also had a companionship exchange for a day. I went to Olongapo, and got to work there. We worked in an area that was in a more mountainous area. We were climbing stairs, wondering through small alleyways and crossing bamboo bridges. I felt like we were rats in a small maze. But, It was also extremely refreshing to get some insight from another companion/area, even for one day. I've been thinking about the concept of sacrifice. There was a talk give last general conference called, "Sacrifice" (I forgot just now who gave it...) that has been in my mind lately. Really interesting and I feel like I am better understanding the necessity of sacrifice to grow and obtain wisdom. Thank you for your pretty prayers for me.

fast.past.

I'm reaching my halfway point in a couple of weeks. what? I am home in
less than 10 months.

Last week we had a terrifying experience in a jeepney. A man named
Frank, spoke english to us and proceeded to give us a lot of weird,
unasked for advice ( i.e. The 6 principles of successful living and
being wise.) He also graced us with a demonstration of the 'gift of
tongues' for us as he shouted some jibberish and then said, "I have no
idea what I just said!"
haha. Sister Mafi was speechless and I didn't really process the
entire event until afterwards... haha.

This week, we found several members who haven't been visited by
missionaries in years. We opened an area in Sto. Tomas, and I am
excited to work there. Because there hasn't been any missionaries
there for a while, people tended to gather around us whenever we asked
someone if they knew any of the people on our list. Filipinos are
super obvious about being curious. There is completely no shame in
staring at someone. haha. At one point when we stopped to ask someone
a question, I looked around me and found a group of 20-25 people/kids
gathered around us, just staring. I just looked at them and said,
"Maraming kayo!" (There's a lot of you!) haha

I am learning about love. Loving my companion.
It's hard for me to try to remember how I was when I was still new, as
it was a painful, painful process for me to adjust to life here. My
companion is still very new and I'm realizing that I need to apply
better the principle of unconditional love.

The weeks are like small moments. I am stuck in the most unexplainable
time warp of my life.

bye.

"...Nasa ulap ako."

That was the exact phrase that a member said last week, in regards to
the day of her baptism over 15 years ago. " As if I was in a cloud..."

As she said that, during the lesson, I was a little more than
surprised, especially after my email last week. It was a moment in
which I felt I was where I needed to be. wow.

I slurped up a fly that was in a bottle of soda, earlier this week.
only in the philippines. Last week, I ate goat intenstine, which I was
told, is 'great for my health.'

It started to rain. My insides were giggling at the thought of rain- a
break from the hot. It's also quieter-less busy- when there is rain.
One day, as we were walking from our apartment, I could literally see
the rain heading towards us from down the road. I felt like seeing if
I could try and outrun it, but then just decided on a moderately loud,
"Woooooooh!"
The smell of rain is so delightful as well.

During one lesson with a member ( an old man named 'Meleccio Danan')
he described his experience of being baptized. "It changed my life."
He told us stories about his life and how his sacrifices blessed him
later on in his life. I love the different kinds of effects that a
simple conversation can have on people. During the lesson, he told us
how he felt physically full of energy as we were all talking. He then
shook his arms in the air, like he wanted to exercise. And my reaction
was a little different, as I felt like crying from the overwhelming
feeling of joy.


Smiling at the thought of rain,

-Sister Vickers


John 16:33