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

Seeing what He sees

Story of the week - 

The experience I'll attempt to write about was a very enlightening, spiritual and overwhelming moment for me.  To some it would seem like just another ordinary opportunity that comes along with the territory of a "mission experience," but for me - 

It was the moment I had been praying for.

It was the moment I recognized and understood the love of Jesus Christ.

It was perfect.

It started Thursday morning at 7:30 when Sister P and the other Sisters left the house and headed down the block to help with the "feeding program" at the elementary school.  We had been asked by the bishop the night before, and we gladly jumped at the chance to be a part of a different kind of service that morning.

As we waited for the bishop at the school, I took the opprotunity to absorb my surroundings.  Lots and lots of kids, all dressed in their school uniform, running around and independently fulfilling their personal responsibilities before heading to class.  You could feel the hype of curiosity as the kids walked past us and exclaimed "Americanas!" (Sister K and I).  The only thing I could really do was smile and say "hello!" or high five them as they passed by.  It started to rain a bit, so we headed to the big pavilion that was centered in the middle of the campus.  There was a practice going on for some kind of upcoming program, and students were scattered around.  Right away this bunch of 9 individuals caught my attention.  They were a lively crowd and close enough to where I could clearly see them, but far enough away that I couldn't hear them.

    What first caught my attention was this little boy,  about 8 years old, wearing raggy jeans and a tattered t-shirt, not a uniform.  He was talking with 2 others.  I could tell that he was talking about someone being fat and swinging on a rope.  Not through his words, like i said - I could not hear them, but through his actions.  I pointed him out to Sister P and said, "Look how animated and imaginative this little boy is."  We both watched for a moment longer before recognizing that the two other students he was communicating with joined in on this "pictionary-like" discussion.  They spoke through actions too - these kids were deaf.

As i continued to watch, I picked up on a few things...1. this little boy was hilarious.  kind of a little punk.  you could tell that he was the only boy, the youngest, so he had successfully established the role of being the "little brother" figure of this small class.  He was very good at teasing the girls and being goofy enough to make them laugh.  2.  At one point he started to dance for all the girls.  He was one of the most incredible little dancers I have ever seen.  Impersonating Michael Jackson or Elvis, he had mastered dougie, gangham style, and the stanky leg like an expert.  He even threw in some salsa dance moves for some added flavor.  It was amazing.

I was obviously in awe, and after a few minutes of intensely watching him, this little boy caught me staring at him.  I know this got him excited because he quickly alerted the others and described me through motioning stripes on his shirt and by rubbing his arms (my white skin).  Then, he pointed at me - so that really gave it away.

But after telling the others, he ran over, stood about 10 feet in front of me, and just stared.  All I could do was stare back and smile in awe (I was just as starstruck as he was).   Finally, I motioned for him to "come here," and I reached my hand out to shake his.  The smile he got on his face, with his broken teeth and all, was perfect.  He shook my hand and I 'blessed him' - (putting his hand to my forehead.  It's a sign of respect that children give to their elders here in the Philippines.  I often do it to the kids cause they get the biggest kick out of it).

The other eight roared in laughter from across the pavillion.  Only one little girl had the courage to follow him.  He signed for her to come shake our hands.  She ran and gave us a hug instead.  We took a picture and they ran off and continued to reek 'silent' havoc amongst the seven others through their sign language.  It was incredible to watch these kids converse with one another.  They used their entire bodies and faces to speak.  Their spirits were illuminated through their conversation. 

it was beautiful

After a while, the little girl that had approached us earlier returned.  She opened her hand, and on her palm she had written the words "mahal ko kayo"  (I love you).

Honestly, one of the most tender moments I've ever been a part of.  As the kids continued to play and converse with each other, I went from thinking, "wow, this is cool!" to the point of where I had tears streaming down my face with so much to think about - 

I spend EVERY day in frustration of my inability to speak with these Filippino people.  Learning this language is exhausting and so annoying most of the time.  As I sat and watched these kids, I thought about them.  How it must feel.  To not have the privilege or ability to talk to very many people around them.  To live in a silent world.  Yet, this little girl was still willing and made the effort to express that she loved us.  I don't speak Tagalog just yet...and I definitely don't know sign language.  But this little girl can't even  hear words.  Music started playing and it broke my heart just knowing that this little boy couldn't hear the music.  But the way he danced - oh!  it was like he had music on replay in his whole soul.  

It was their example that truly changed me.  their enthusiasm, their love and their smiles.  they were happy.

Now - I don't know if this story made sense, and it's nearly impossible to express the impression it made on my heart.  Words cannot explain the clarity, feelings and emotions I felt.  But I was able to see through these two children the light of Christ and the love of God.

I'm seeing the world a little bit differently each day that I'm here.  I'm growing in a knowledge that I didn't ever think existed. Alam ko - so naive and sheltered.

But I am blessed.  We all are.

-Sister Frame

When I get home will someone go to Disneyland with me?