Jacob 5

The Lord loves us.

This is an adventure, with roadblocks, surprises, sublime moments.

The Spirit is here.

Bravery.

Valiant acts.

Eternal relationships.

Testimony from some so young.

Beauty.

3 Miracles.

So thankful for the Book of Mormon.

The Priesthood is real.

This is His vineyard.

The Lord is watching over it

and loves it.

He loves his children. 

The Book of Mormon

"I'm so happy, I could fly!"  Those were the exact words R exclaimed to me as I met her outside of the baptismal font.  The look on her face was priceless.  It is branded in my mind forever.

Our whole mission is doing a Book of Mormon 'Power Read.'  It's a 60 day read and started earlier this week.  I'm reading it with a new fresh Book of Mormon and circling anytime it makes reference to Jesus Christ.  Also, I'm highlighting certain things about His mission here on earth.  The whole thing is focused around the Savior, which is incredible because I have that focus in mind.

 The Book of Mormon

The heat is creeping back.  You know it's hot when you step outside and it's deathly quiet.  as in absolutely no sound.  The dogs are too exhausted to bark.  There are no people in sight, no kids playing in the streets, nobody riding their bikes down the road trying to sell balut.  The commotion starts around 6 at night when people finally come out of their homes because it's air that is refreshing enough to breathe....90 degrees...

On Saturday, Sister S and I hit the streets.  We traveled far to one of our areas and expected a lot of appointments.  We walked until 7 pm and had absolutely no lessons.  That's never happened before.  It was frustrating, but we made the best of it.  We cracked jokes the whole day, and by 3, we turned everything into one big fat game of who could sweat the most.  It was one of the longest days of my mission.  Heavenly Father blessed us yesterday with the success that we needed though.

This week especially, I've focused on my relationship with Jesus Christ.  I can't say a lot because some of the experiences I have been fortunate enough to have are so sacred and dear to me that I can't express them.  All I can say is that the Atonement is real.  That Jesus Christ really does love us.  And knows us.  He is our brother.  If there is one thing in life that I desire for anyone and everyone - it is for them to truly understand that.  and have that true knowledge of their Savior.

That's why I'm here.
I don't think we always fully recognize what we have
and how lucky we are to have it.

Did you guys know that I'm a grandma?   My kid is training a new missionary now.  cool right?

Sister Frame

Trust in Him

I'm a day late with my letter!  Yesterday our Zone went to Banaue Rice Terraces (It used to be a world wonder ya know).  We hiked Batad.  If you hike through the rice terraces and go down further, you get a waterfall.  We left at 4 am and got home at 8 pm.

Honestly, that hike rocked my world.  I thought I was gonna die.  It was the hardest thing I've done physically in years - a harsh reality of how out of shape I am.  From my head to the tip of my toes, I'm sore.  I feel like I'm back in high school during Spring conditioning for track.

But..
It was i.n.c.r.e.d.i.b.l.e.  I can't even describe it.  Pictures won't do it justice.  The whole time I was thinking, "what a beautiful world we live in.  God is so good."  and then I was thinking about how I wish all my family and friends were here to see it.  Banaue is my dream Neverland.  I never wanted to leave - I literally just felt like I was in the Book of Mormon stories or something (but in the Philippines).  The way these villagers live...it's like Lamanite times.

Happy New Year everyone - My new year's eve was spent in my apartment (I hate lockdown)...with wheat break and some Tang to celebrate.  I wrote in my journal, set some goals.  By 10:30, I had nothing to do, so I called it a night and went to sleep.  I was awakened at midnight be literal "booms."  I thought we were getting bombed.  Our whole house was shaking.  It was unreal (understatement).  I went to my back porch where I could only look up and see a bit of the sky.  We have jail cell bars - but from what I could see the whole sky was lighting up.  The fire works getting shot into the sky and exploding above the silhouettes of the palm trees were beautiful.  These were not just the ones we play with on the 4th of July - the ones getting lit by every family in the entire city were "Stadium of Fire" status.  They were the kinds that you need like professional permits for in America.  How cool, right? What better way to start the new year than with a fantastic dose of fireworks which is one of my favorite things in the world.  I went to bed with a smile on my face.

So, this week, I had a lot of personal growth.  Lots of self-realization and correction.  I've learned a lot on my mission, and have a lot more to learn.  I've been on my knees in prayer more than usual. but it's helped me see the miracles I have in my life everyday.  Heavenly Father....He's my best friend.  He's sent angels to me this week.  I pray for the companionship of Grandpa John all the time.  and I can always recognize and feel his comfort as I work.  He's with me.  I know it.

The language is still so so hard.  But, I have started reading the Book of Mormon in Tagalog.  It's about time.  I've tried it before - but have never been patient enough to keep at it, because I always felt like it was wasting my time.

I can tell a difference though.  Not that I suddenly know Tagalog, but the days I get the time to read it, I notice in lessons how much easier the language flows, or how much sharper my mind is to picking certain things up.  I really can't describe it really.  But it's working little by little.

Sister N and I were teaching this family who are less active.  They have a 12 year old son who hasn't been baptized, so we started teaching him.  He's super shy.  I could not tell if he was getting anything we were saying, and I was getting nervous.  At one point, 20 minutes into the lesson, I asked bluntly if he understood.  Then his mom mentioned, "oh, J doesn't understand Tagalog.  He only speaks Ilokano."  ....oh.  right.  good.  The 12 year old only speaks Ilokano.  Thanks for the tip.  We have two investigators right now that do not speak Tagalog....hahaha.  That's all I can do.  Is laugh about it - or else I'll cry.

We were teaching Nanay T again this week.  She loves having us around.  We were teaching her about trusting Heavenly Father (a lesson for me just as much as for her) and as she was saying the closing prayer she broke down into tears.  Just weeping.  As she finished, she grabbed my face and gave me a kiss on the cheek, and said, "Thank you," over and over again.  I didn't understand, then she proceeded to open up to me more about so many hardships she was having.

But it clicked for me.  It all became clear.  The power that comes from trusting in Heavenly Father.

If we trust in Heavenly Father, we can accomplish anything.
"Rather than solve the problem Himself, the Lord wants us to develop the faith that will help us rely on Him.  Then we can feel His love more constantly, more powerfully, more clearly, more personally." - Elder Terence M Vinson

I don't know Tagalog.  My companion does not know Tagalog.  But, I've learned to trust that Heavenly Father will help us in this work.  He's not gonna let me fail.  And that's what I recognize everyday.  Each night as I go to bed and think about the things I accomplished that day, I recognize that there is NO WAY that I could have done what I did without His help and strength.  No way.

Anyway - that's my week.  One more week until transfers.  I don't know what's gonna happen, but I'm trusting that it will all be ok.

I'm grateful for this Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We are lucky to have it.  Seriously - share it.  Bear your testimony as often as you can.  It will strengthen your own.  That's something I've learned on my mish.

- Sister Frame

trust

T's Baptism!!!

These weeks are going by slower... does it feel like that in America too? But regardless- time is still moving and so is the work. 

Sister L is a hard worker. I'm so grateful for that. We push each other. Tagalog is still rocking my world.  It's hard not to get discouraged. But at this point i'm just hoping that one day... i'll know it.

The baptisms went well! T and Mk are now official members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Mas kilala sa tawag na mormons.  They loved that they can call themselves that now.  Mk is actually getting the priesthood on Sunday.  Radical right? I'm so proud of him.  

This week was slow and kind of uneventful. But I want to share a quick story that really humbled me and made me so grateful for my life.

So Sister V (I told a story about her a few months back about her and her smoking habit).  Anyways- one of her sons is in the hospital with stage 5 chronic Kidney Disease.  He's expected to die.  And he's been in the hospital for the last two weeks now.  We stop by their house everyday when we are passing by, and just say hi and we ask to teach her on the days that she's home.  Sometimes she's willing to listen- sometimes she's not. But without fail... we go there every day.  

Yesterday, like always, we were passing by and stopped to see if anyone was home.  I felt like at this point, we had just become burdensome and annoying.  But Tay (her husband) came and we asked him about their son... got the updates and just had small talk.  He then told us that Sis V was asleep.  So sister L- being the champion that she is, said, "Tay- we're here to teach you." (we really weren't..and we had nothing prepared. but if you follow the spirit... you can do anything.) So he let us come in. 

They are a very poor family.  living in a very humble home... and this time we went in and sat down, and Tay repeatedly apologized for having no electricity.  Which means no electric fan... or light.  He explained that the hospital bills are so expensive they cannot pay their bills.  so Sister V (who was supposedly "sleeping") came out and lit a candle for us and set it down so we could read from our scriptures.  We sat with Sis V, Tay and one of their sons and engaged in open conversation.  Sister L looked to me at one point like... 'Ok- what do we teach?' so I quickly fumbled through my scriptures and stopped at Ether 12:6.  Tay read it for us.  Which lead to a great opportunity to testify of faith and trust in Heavenly Father.  He really opened up to us.  It's been years since he's been to church.  

As we were ending the lesson he looked at us and with tears in his eyes said, "Don't give up on us just yet.  We will come back to church together one day." 

Sister L then replied, "We would never give up. We will always be there waiting for you."

It was such a spiritual experience.  It opened my heart.  It was just such a pure example of reality and trust.  Trust Heavenly Father.  He knows us best.  He knows us.  Really.  He'll help us too.

It opened my mind to life.  Like... life gets busy and in the way.  But like it talks about in the scriptures, this life is our time to prepare to meet God.

We get so distracted with things that aren't important.  At the end of the day, we go to bed with everything on our mind and panicked for how we can accomplish it. And most of the time its of all the things that aren't truly important... but why? We should end each day with gratitude.  With thanks to Heavenly Father and with a humble heart of realization that if we are keeping the commandments, we will be ok.  It's a promise.

Of course I write this with more purpose for myself, cause I need to practice what I'm preaching. I struggled with that especially this week. But I'm grateful for this mission.  

It's teaching me so much.

I miss you all, of course.  And I love you all, of course. Thanks for the letters and the prayers.  The church is true.  Don't forget that.  It's real.

-Sister Frame

Favorite Scripture of the week:

Ether 12:6

My heart is getting full

Hi!  This week I learned that this is truly Heavenly Father's work.  Truly.  He puts people in the path.  I've seen it in countless ways -

There's Sister V., in her 50's and so sweet.  She's been less active for about 5 years because she has a problem smoking, and for some reason, never really felt like coming to church.  The first week I was here, we visited her (I was kinda just a deer in the headlights and had no idea who we were teaching, where we were going, or what I was doing). But, the first Sunday I remember my companion freaking out with excitement because Sister V. was at church. 

She comes to church each week now.

We have gotten very close to her.  She is incredible.  We often catch her smoking when we go visit her - and - we have taught her many lessons on the Word of Wisdom.  But this week - I was really contemplating on how we can show her how much we care about her and how badly we want her to stop smoking -  not just because it's a commandment and all that missionary protocol.

So, I took a shot in the dark.

I mean...I've never had to kick a smoking habit, but I tried to think and remember ways I've heard of people quitting the old cigarettes.  So, on our way to her house, we pass a grocery store.  Sister P. and I went inside and looked around - I had no idea what I was looking for really, but naturally I was drawn to the candy aisle (a little for myself, let's be honest).  But the idea came to me.  I started grabbing bags of Mentos - all flavors.  Sister P. looked at me disgusted:  "You cannot be expecting to lose weight if all you continue to eat is candy."  I said, "No, I think it's for Sister V."  So retarded, I know, but I bought her a few bags.  We went to her house, and I pulled the bag out, set it in front of her and just looked at it.  She said,  "What's this, Sister?"  I replied, "You're gonna stop smoking."  (It was so demanding....but not too rude).  Then I proceeded to say, "When you want to smoke, (and I said this pointing to her pack and lighter sitting right behind her), try and just eat a candy instead.  Try it for one day.  Just see if you can do it for one day."

Then, she just started crying - I didn't know if I offended her or what....ok, I didn't.  But, I think it got through to her...

that we actually care for her.  As Sister V.  We love her and want her to stop smoking not just because she is supposed to.

But because we have a place for her as an individual in our hearts.

It was such a testifying experience of love and the power that is can have.

Now, Sister V. has a daughter in law - D.  She's 18 and about 7 months pregnant.  The most incredible and sweetest girl in the world.  We met her while we were visiting Sister V.  She just came in and listened, and we've been teaching her ever since.  She is so ready and cannot wait to get baptized.

Yesterday, at church, she came and put her arm around me as we walked into Sacrament Meeting and she said in broken English, 

"Sister Frame, I am so grateful for you.  Thank you for teaching me everything you know about Jesus Christ."

That right there almost made me drop dead.  Seriously?  It was exactly what I needed to hear.  Cause sometimes I feel uncomfortable at church here.  Ha - so bad to say, I know.  But church is stressful for so many reasons - praying the whole time that your investigators will show up, feeling judged because I don't know Tagalog - some Sunday church blocks are just exhausting.  What D. said to me - it made every embarrassing moment that day worth it.  oh my  gosh.  I just looked at D. and said, "Danica, Thank You!  You have changed my life more than you know.  And You have taught ME about Jesus."  I just love that girl so much.

Remember John Paul - the one that had a baptism date for yesterday....but he moved a few weeks ago?  Well, one day when we were teaching him about the Atonement, I noticed this girl sitting in the background on the steps listening to us.  The next time, Sister  P. approached her.  She was SO shy.  Her name is N.  She explained that she liked the way that we explained the Atonement, and she was so touched and understood it clearly.  We started teaching her right after John Paul moved....like it was a miracle.  A golden investigator traded for another golden investigator.  Although she was so so so shy, she had many questions.  She listens.  She reads and wants to learn.  She is so receptive. 

And she is going to get baptized August 17.  

Her sister moved in with her....N. started talking about the church with her, and she started listening to us also. 

I think back to the time when I was so sad John Paul left.  I still am.  But Heavenly Father had it all in the works.  We've met these incredible people.  I'm so grateful for that.

As for weather and language - like, blah.  It's so hot....The other day it was so sunny out and within 2 1/2 minutes, a downpour!  We were in Tramo and it's all dirt roads.  There was so much rain.  My umbrella was useless.  My feet were completely emerged into the mud up to my ankles, the noise of the rain hitting all the tin roofs and smacking the mud was so unbelievable loud, and I stopped dead in my tracks, looked up at the sky, and couldn't help but laugh.  Like, it hit me:  "I'm caught in a rainstorm, soaking wet, so muddy, in the middle of the Philippines...on a mission." These are the kind of experiences I could only imagine just three months ago.  And now I'm living it.  It was unreal.  It felt good.

I made it the entire day, July 23, without anyone knowing it was my birthday.  and honestly, I forgot really. The best part of the day was that I reached my goal of finishing the Book of Mormon on that day.

That book has changed my life. I've read it before, and I'll read it many times again, but the way that it influenced and changed me as a person this time around I will never forget.  That book is TRUE!  I hold it so dear to my heart.  I want everyone I come in contact with to have the same feelings that I have for it for themselves.

Because if they did - I know that they would be happy, and they would come to know their Savior Jesus Christ and His love for us on a level that can't be felt or learned without reading it.

Be happy!  We have so many reasons to be.

We have so many reasons to be happy...

Sister Frame, just off the plane

Hi All!  This week went by fast - well, this week feels like a year, but at the same time, it feels like I just had P-day....

The scriptures and the power that comes from reading them are what have kept me here on my mission.  Any time I think I'm uncomfortable or want to cry, I just open my scriptures.  The words change my life everyday.  There is SO MUCH in them that answers ALL of my questions.  I have never been so obsessed with the Book of Mormon.  I am so intrigued.  That's all I do when I have a minute to spare.  I am So Grateful for the scriptures.  Love them.  Cherish them.  Live them.  It will make you happy.

Ward council yesterday was 4.5 hours long...I understood probably 1/10 of what was being said...and that fraction I understood was in English.  - (and we took a break like every other hour to eat something.  Filipinos love snacks).  I love our Bishop - he's a stud.  He really has our back as missionaries and is always having us over for dinner.  His wife is a bomb cook.

Oh, I still speak English.  Really.  I don't know this language.  I got chewed out by a Filipino man the other night.  I was just chill in, kinda dazed out as my companion was talking to him about the printer at the store.  He turned to me and asked if I understood what he was saying.  I said, "Konti-lang," a little bit.  And then he started:  I'm in this country, I need to respect it by speaking Tagalog.  I was.....super annoyed.  It had been a long day, and I just looked at him, and legitimately said, "Dude, I'm trying."  I know that wasn't the most polite, dignified, or proper way to act as a sister missionary....but we aren't perfect.  and I don't even feel bad for that one.

I've learned how to say the important things like, "Hello" is ...hello.  And I know how to say, "it smells so bad," "I'm hungry," or in more cases, "No thanks, I'm full...really, I'm full...I don't want anymore of your fish gut soup."  ....and some other gospel related things.  I'm working on it..and fasting and praying for the gift of tongues...and reading the Tagalog Book of Mormon everyday.  Eventually, hopefully within the next 16 months, I'll improve.

I have many reasons to be happy.  I teach the most incredible individuals in the world.  My whole days are centered around the gospel, and I have the help and strength from the Lord in everything I do.

I'm happy.  I'm blessed.  so blessed.  I'm grateful to be here.  I'm grateful for the experiences...even on the rough days.  I remind myself that it will all be ok.  It always is.  The Scriptures and Prayer keep my going.  I don't feel lonely when I pray.  I pray in my head about 90% of the day...and the other 10% is out loud.  ha.  Be happy, we have so many reasons to be happy.  Thank you for all your support.  I love you and pray for you each day!