The night that followed the day

The other night was everlasting due to the fact that I was tossing and turning, wrestling from the heat in a failed attempt to focus and ignore the suffocating air and simply fall asleep.

Finally, 6:30 am, the alarm went off, and I sat up anxious and exhausted, calculating in my mind that probably a total of ten minutes of sleep was realistically accumulated.  I spent the morning trying to recuperate before personal study - but all was lost at 8:07 am when the click of the electric fan sounded, and I heartrendingly watched as the blades began to slow - before coming to a complete -

stop.

Brownout.
In an instant the world became silent.  The next 3 hours of study were a mix of emotions with the combined efforts from all 4 missionaries to keep our sanity and the hopeful prayers on our behalf for a miracle of power restoration.

We saw no such luck.

The day of work was painful to endure.  It was nearly impossibly to shake our bad attitudes.  Nevertheless, by the time we walked home that night, the slightest wind picked up for the first time in 24 hours.

We mutually picked up our pace and triumphantly marched home to the apartment.  We defeated the day, and the thrill of seeing our reward (electricity at last!) was overwhelming relief.  Indeed, we do believe in miracles.  The rest of the night was bliss in comparison to our previous hours.  We planned and accounted followed by my nightly routine, and by 9:40 pm, I was on my back porch brushing my teeth with the optimism that I would get a better night's rest.

But what I noticed on the balcony just to the right, left me jaw-dropped, hand frozen mid 'brush' and drooling the foam of my toothpaste.  I was breathless.

I've always loved lightening storms - they have been on the top of my list (along with Disneyland, fireworks, candy and Simon and Garfunkel), but I'm almost hesitant to even try to explain this one, because my words will never do it justice (I will, however, make an attempt for the sake of the story that I have already begun).

There was a storm a few miles to the right of us.  Far enough away that I could see the entirety of it - top to bottom and side to side.  It was close enough to where it still illuminated the whole portion of the sky I was blanketed under.

I felt like I could see the roof of the universe and the heavens open with each crack of lightening - which was fortunately as frequent as every .0023 of a second.  There wasn't a moment that passed by that didn't have magic in the sky!  The world had become a permanent strobe light and the electric bolts and sparks of colors squiggling from one corner of this storm to the other became a symphony of natural fireworks.  The thunder was no where near close, but the echo of it in the distance gave the earth its own pulse of a heartbeat.  I watched it for hours, going late into the night just to absorb it all - taking a "heaven pic" of my reality.   The bright light that revealed the silhouettes of the surrounding palm trees with each flicker will forever be imprinted in my mind.

I remember thinking, "This was so worth it!  The heat and pain of this day - I would relive it 100 times over just to experience this."  Again, the recurring lesson confirmed that the reward usually comes after the sacrifice.  The thought that dominated my mind over and over again was, God is so good.

Seriously people, take a look around.  Absorb it and realize....life is so good.  I'll admit I was pretty much the most negative person in the state of Idaho before my mish.  So sassy, but I've been hit with some seriously humbling moments - and in the end, I've just recognized the need to be grateful.

We have a trillion things to be grateful for.  No matter who we are or what our situation in life is - Heavenly Father surrounds us every day with miracles and moments that if we choose to be grateful for - can bless our life.

I've learned that the attitude of gratitude will take me so much further in life.  I'm trying to apply it even in the harshest of situations, but it's something that will take time to master.

We are all so blessed.  I mean....we have the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  What else do we need?

- Sister Frame

Is this Heaven?

No transfers! and honestly we were all so thrilled.  The 4 Cabatuan sisters are staying put....They are my family.  Cabatuan has definitely become my 'home away from home.'

On Saturday there was a baptism.  This baptism was so special....incredible.  J. was baptized.  It is one of the most spiritual experiences I've had my whole mission.  To see J's face,

                                             it was pure happiness.  

I can replay the image of him coming out of the water and cry.  It's imprinted on my heart for eternity.  The veil is thinner around J.  When you are with him you can just feel a piece of Heaven radiating around him.  It's totally real.

I got a new pair of proselyting shoes...they really are just rubber flats.  Every sister wears them because they cost about 50 cents and they are comfortable and water proof.  This pair is glittery gold, and since it was the first day I was wearing them, I had some excess glitter on my feet whenever I took them off.

So, we are teaching a lesson to some of the I. kids, and one of my favorite girls was sitting next to me.  Whenever she is near and gets bored she will start touching my arms or feet.  She's intrigued by my white skin.

But this last time we were sitting on the floor and she was rubbing my feet with just one finger as I was talking.  I watched as she touched the top of my foot and then looked at her finger now covered with specks of glitter.  Her jaw dropped, and she turned to E. and exclaimed with pure enthusiasm that my skin was magic.

I'm grateful that I get to stay here a little longer.  I'm happy.  I'm happy to be here.  You guys, I love this Gospel.  with my whole heart.

Heaven Pictures

We don't have Thanksgiving here in the Philippines, but naturally, I've been reflecting on the things I'm most thankful for.

So, I figured, I'd send a list of a few:

I'm Thankful for the weather:  It was actually like 102 this week.  Seriously - so miserable.  Then on Thursday Heavenly Father wanted to do me a solid favor and He made it super cloudy and windy. and no rain!  It was the coolest.  Sister L and I were walking down the roads passing the fields.  We stopped and sat down on a hill for a little bit to soak in the perfect day and share what we are grateful for.

I'm  Thankful for Sister L:  She's my best friend.  She's afraid of dogs....which supplies a whole lifetime of laughter as we work.  There are a lot of dogs in the Philippines.

I'm Thankful for the colors in the Philippines:  It's beautiful.  This place is beautiful.

I'm Thankful for Nanay V:  She has beautiful eyes that light up the world.  I don't know if I'm ever gonna see her again.  I will hold on to the memory of hugging her goodbye yesterday after church.  I didn't have the heart to tell her I was getting transferred.  But, I can hang out with her in heaven one day.

I'm Thankful you can J-Walk in the Philippines:   Technically you can't.  But nothing happens if you do.

I'm Thankful for "heaven pictures:"  Loey taught me when I was in high school.

Heaven pictures are for when you don't have time to take a picture with a real camera.

Like when you are in the moment of walking down the road and a tricey with 17 school kids hanging off of it as it drives by.
Or when you are sitting at your desk studying, and you look out the window to see a 90-year old, 4 foot nanny walking by with a basket full of things that weigh 6 times more than her on the top of her head.
I've taken millions of heaven pics.  I CAN'T WAIT to see the slide show of them all when I get there.

I'm Thankful for the lesson we had with Tatay C on Saturday:  This really was a miracle.  T.C. is one of the smartest men I've met here.  The C family used to be active in the ward.  Each week.  Lots of kids.  Then.....? Every missionary fears T.C.  Nobody has the patience or confidence to teach him.

On Saturday, Sister L and I went over there.  He asked us who we came to teach.  Somehow, Heavenly Father gave us the courage to say, "Ikaw na lang T!"  (you!)
He seemed shocked, hesitant.  Then he agreed.  I turned to Sister L, so nervous.  I was praying really hard.

We just talked with him.  Not as missionaries.  But as fellow siblings.  As children of God.  And we listened to him.  The spirit was stronger than I've ever felt it.  really.

On Sunday - he came to church.  for the first time in 13 years!!  It was incredible.  It being the first Sunday of the month, he stood up and testified of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It was the coolest moment to be able to witness.

I will never forget the feelings I had in that lesson and in that testimony meeting for the rest of my life.  This work is so cool.

I'm Thankful for classic Filipino kids:  Sister L and I were lost in our own world of enthusiasm after the lesson (mentioned above).  After a few minutes of talking with each other I turned to notice 16 little kids, barefoot and giggly following closely behind us.  Trying to be sneaky.  When they noticed they were caught they started laughing even harder.  So...I started running...and they started chasing.  This white girl running down the dirt roads of the Phlippines being chased by a gang of 4-10 year old.  (don't worry.  i turned to take a heaven pic).  It was so fun.  It's these moments I love.  The moments that make everything worth it.

I'm Thankful for Costa Vida and washing machines:  enough said.

I'm Thankful for my family:  obviously.  you're all astir talaga.

I'm Thankful for the memories of Delta Phi 47th and the incredible friends/roommates I've been blessed with.  You have taught me more than you know.  I'm grateful.

I'm Thankful for this Gospel.  It's all we need to be truly happy.

"A grateful person is rich in contentment.   An ungrateful person suffers in the poverty of endless discontentment."  Elder Bednar

Sister Frame
Favorite Scripture this week:  1 Thessalonians 5:18

Hymn 172

Happy Halloween everyone!...we don't have Halloween here.  I've just been listening to Christmas music the last two months.  It's getting old.  Thankfully, the weather is actually cooling down.  It's now in the mid-70's.  I don't have to sleep with an electric fan 3 feet away from my bed anymore.  

Sister L. and I worked especially hard this week, and we saw miracles.

On Tuesday, we were walking around town, laughing, telling jokes as always - trying to talk to everyone we see, and we got to one of our investigator's barangays.  We fully expected to get punted...as always, but...

As we were walking through the Alley, we saw this Nanay who popped her head out and smiled (with no teeth - which made it even sweeter).  She asked us what we were teaching.  We started talking to her about how we are missionaries.  She mentioned that she saw us a few weeks before when we were walking through the rain -the day before the typhoon - and she thought to herself, "They must have something important to do if they are out in this weather."  Then, the next day, she had a heart attack!  She said at the hospital she realized that she's not ready to die, and that there's more she needs to do in her life.

So when she saw us, she felt the strong prompting to talk to us...and here we all were.  Right away we started getting to know her and teaching her about the Gospel.  And once again - I saw firsthand the truthfulness of the promise that Heavenly Father has promised us - 

that He does prepare people and He does send them our way.

Also...there are many beggars here.  Unfortunately.  This last week Sister L. and I went to McDo's for breakfast for our six week anniversary - ok, in celebration of us finishing our first six weeks together. It was about 7:00 am, and as we sat down, I noticed this barefoot boy sitting on the curb right outside.  He waited there with a whistle in his hand for cars or triceys to come, and he would direct them into a parking spot or help them back out, in hopes that he would get a peso for a tip.

I watched this for a while, no longer hungry, and I know he was staring at me in return, too.  But he wasn't staring at me like every other beggar that wants money, he was just looking at me like I was another human being.  Like I was his sister or something.  There was so much depth.  Sister L. and I ordered some more pancakes and hash browns and took them out to this boy.  As I sat down next to him, I asked how old he was.  15.  I then asked where his parents were.  Not around.  I just pictured Davis in his position, and my heart literally ached.  If this was my little brother sitting on the curb directing cars from sun up to sun down for money, I would pray that somebody, anybody would do something nice for him.

His name is C.  He's the politest person I've ever met.  And all day long I could not stop thinking about him.  Each night I pray that he finds a safe place to sleep.  Every time L. and I see him around town now, we buy him some food.  This week our goal is to invite him to church.  There's no harm in an invitation.

That's a taste of some of the people I came in contact with this week.  The Philippines is incredible, right?  These people - so humble, and I have much to learn from them.

I'm grateful to be a missionary.  It's so hard.  But, it's an experience that is priceless.  It's rewarding, and the most humbling thing I've ever been apart of.

Thanks for the updates and love.  Mahal kits.  Syempre.

Favorite Scripture:  Alma 7:11-13

-Sister Frame

the one where she describes the typhoon, not the earthquake

and A Trip to the Zoo

This week...there was a Typhoon (Mom, how did you know?  are you stalking me?  are you here?  if you are...stop hiding.  come hang with Sister L. and I).  The day before it hit was super windy and stormy...naturally.  All day we were receiving texts from the mission home for preparation and updates.  The town people were on the move to higher ground.  Sis. L was shocked I still suggested we work.  But it was so funny to work - like the wind made it fun to trudge through the streets.  Whenever anyone did anything, L. and I would look at each other and say, "ooooh.  The Typhoon, that's why."

not funny?  maybe ya had to be there.

We're still hearing typhoon excuses....two days later.

The funniest part is...the typhoon completely missed us.  I woke up Saturday morning, and the first thing I said to L. was, "uh...hello!  did we get skipped!?"  all the hype - for nothing?  But really it was a blessing.  Because a lot of the people (all of the people) here in Santiago can't afford a typhoon.  really. Typhoons ruin lives.  People don't come back from those.  So, we are truly blessed.  I don't know how the rest of the mission did, but my area is alive and well.

Also good:  the typhoon did not affect our ability to watch conference.

Conference was the best.  My favorite part of the week.

As for investigators - we have lots.  We're working on their progression...some right now are struggling in keeping commitments.  They are SO CLOSE to having so many blessings.  L. and I are prayerfully studying and working on the lessons to teach so that they can understand the importance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Sometimes complications come in with the whole "marriage" situation here.  There is no such thing as a normal divorce here in the Philippines.  One of our biggest set backs is people getting or being married. It's expensive.

But, Heavenly Father is in charge.  We'll figure it out.

I love you all, thanks for everything.  The Gospel is so real.  Count your blessings.  Write them down.  Read them when you're having a hard day.  Then thank Heavenly Father for them.

Fav Scriptures:
2 Nephi 2:8 and 26:33
Mosiah 2:36 and 4:9-10
Revelation 3:20-21

Our district went to the "zoo" last week.  How can I say this?  It was basically just all the animals I see wandering the streets everyday...behind a cage.

-Sister Frame

In our service, He comes near

On Wednesday, I just about wanted to die...I don't think I had ever been that nervous in my life.  Seriously.  It took everything in my power and Sister P's power to actually get me on the bus to Cauayan for transfer meeting.  (I wanted to be the first one to try the whole 'not showing up to transfers just to see what would happen' approach.  But my Zone Leaders strongly discouraged it...squares.  I eventually got there, and again it took everything in my power to not just walk out the doors.  Overreacting?  TOTALLY.
But, you know what?  I actually stayed.  Had I known what was in store for me....I would not have hesitated or questioned the calling of being a trainer for one second.  I would have been the first to show up to the transfer meeting - because my companion is INCREDIBLE -

Her name is Sister L.  She's 20 years old and an even smaller Filipino than Sister P.  But like...so cute!  I could fit two of her in my pocket.  These last few days have been fun and a huge learning experience.  I can promise you that Sister L. is 100% training me.  No doubt about it.  A few times I've gotten so internally discouraged and frustrated because I feel so bad.  I'm relying on her and I need her so much more than she needs me.  Sometimes she still has to translate for me...or make sure I understand.  I'm the trainer - I should be the one helping her understand.  ya know?  But, I know the worst thing I could do is get discouraged by it.  I just have to keep working to keep up with her.  It's a humbling experience, but rewarding, too.

She's such a champion though.  I look up to her in every way.  The way this little girl talks to people is incredible.  I took her to N's house on our first day of work, and within 10 minutes of being there, N was sharing with Sister L all her stories.  I could just see how comfortable N was with her - remember how shy N used to be?  Instantly I thought, "Dang, this girl is good."  All of our investigators can just instantly feel her love for them.  It's such an answer to prayer.  

Really.

She worked with the missionaries a ton before she came out on her mission, so in lessons and street contacts, she's got it down.  She has taught me so much Tagalog.  She's patient with me and laughs like Kristin Chenoweth. Sister L is sassy, too, which has made our companionship super entertaining so far.

Last night before I went to bed, I was thinking, "How is it possible that I lucked out with the best nany (Sister P) and the best anak (Sister L) in the world?  We've already found 3 new investigators - all thanks to Sister L.  I'm thrilled to do this missionary work with her.

I failed to inform you of T and Mk last week.  T is getting baptized on Friday and Mk on Saturday.  T's baptism had been pushed back because he had school conflicts.  And he was too paranoid to get baptized on Friday the 13th - so we settled on the 20th.

As for Mk. - our district leaders weren't comfortable with him getting baptized so soon because only a week and a half earlier he had quite smoking.  Mk was devastated when we told him, but his faith is so strong.  He told us he was willing to do anything to be baptized.

That statement is worth a million dollars to a missionary.

So, yesterday he had his baptismal interview.  He passed!  (of course), and our district leader pulled me aside to tell me how impressed he was of Mk's testimony.  and all I could say was, "Well - duh."  I've been trying to tell you!  He's so ready.  He and N. are so anxious to get to the temple.

These individuals - they're incredible.

IN OTHER NEWS:  I ate diggy-dog last night.  I say "diggy-dog" to soften the blow.  but yes.  I ate dog.  I kept it down, too.  and woke up feeling incredible.  and barking.

...joke.  I didn't wake up barking.  not funny?  I know.  crude.  my humor is taking a left turn.  and fast.  I asked Sister L. at the dinner appointment what it was, and she just looked at me and said, "uh...meat."  I knew it right then.  Later she broke the news.  whatever.  I think I've eaten worse.  It's better not to ask questions.

I have done a lot of personal studying this week.  My heart is full with gratitude for this Gospel.  

I know that in our service to Jesus Christ, He comes close to us.
I feel it.
I know that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the source of abundant peace in this life.
I know that. 
We are so blessed and have so many reasons to be happy.

- Sister Frame

S-T-R-E-T-C-H

                                                         Merry Christmas!

I say Merry Christmas because it's now September.

Celebration of Christmas started yesterday - we sang Christmas music in church. which made me sad a little bit. let's just drag out the fact that I won't spend Christmas with my family.....for 4 months why don't we?

I'll be fine - 

I heard that Christmas gets pretty wild around here.  Lots of homemade fireworks.  You know I love that kind of stuff.  Maybe it will make up for the lack of the 4th of July.

This week was S L O W, as in work.  Sister P still gets sick a lot, so we didn't work as much as I would have liked.  So....I spent my days just studying my brains out until I thought it was going to explode.  I studied my language book, and when I got bored with that, studied the Tagalog Book of Mormon, until my jaw hurt and my throat was sore from speaking...butchering... so many words.  To unwind, I would read Jesus the Christ, and my brain could only handle so much of that, so then I would work on conjugating verbs:

I now have hundreds of flash cards with conjugation tables taped up to my wall.  I lay in bed as I fall asleep and conjugate.  It's like counting sheep.  And then in the morning, I plant myself in my chair and practice practice practice for a few hours before personal study (I started waking up early).

It's easy to wake up at 5:30...because the heat that I sleep in is about as painful as lying on asphalt pavement in the summer time.  I would much rather be walking around in the heat than roasting like a marshmallow.  (Yes, I'm comparing myself to a marshmallow...cause there is no denying i've gotten so "fluffy").  Occasionally I find myself yelling "mom!!! it's so so so hot!"  I don't think you can actually hear me, mom...but...i actually have no explanation for it.

September 6th!!! T's baptism!!  He is one of my favorites.  He's a college professor.  Went to Bible school and is INCREDIBLE at English.  We've been teaching him for the last 6 weeks.  I LOVED teaching him because we did it...all in English.  Those lessons were always my favorite and such a tender mercy for me - that P and I had the privilege to teach him about this Gospel. 

September 14th!!!  Mk is getting baptized!! (yes, N's husband).  Literally - I cannot express how they have changed my life.  My best friends.  So hilarious and we could just hang out for hours.  We are having Family Home Evening with them tonight...It is incredible to see where this family is now compared to 11 weeks ago (see "My Heart is Getting Full" post).  The Gospel is incredible.

M. has also enrolled in a mission prep class...and is gonna work with us all week.  She told us she wants to serve a mission.  She's a champion.

It's cool to see these people learn and grow and love the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  

It makes the hard days worth it.  

It makes me want to strive to be better and be more like them.

These people are teaching me.

They are helping me grow in the Gospel.

It's amazing.

It's hard.

But it's awesome.

I can't explain to you how much your support, encouragement and love mean to me.  I have the best family and friends.  All the thanks in the world!  

The Gospel is true.  Cherish it with your whole heart.  

We have so many reasons to be happy.

Fav Scrips this week:  D&C 18:44, Mosiah 2:22-24

- Sis M Frame