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

Pure and Simple Faith

people, it's about the people

Hi all,

I was transferred to the Cauayan Zone.  womp womp womp.  I have just come from Solano...the zone that taught me now to love the people.  This area is actually pretty great, and the people are sweet.  The place is green and has lots of palm trees.  So, I'm happy.  I can be myself here - goofy with all the members.

My comp is Sister S.  and she's pocket sized.  She's been out about a year, and she's Filipina (holla!) and super fun.  We live in new apartments right next to two other sisters in our branch.

Sis. S is a super hard working, which I love.  I've met some incredible incredible people in the area - like the recent converts D.M. and the Powderpuff girls.  No really, that's what we call them.  That's what the whole town calls them.  They are four best friends and they all just got baptized.  I love teaching them.  They are the happiest, simplest little girls I've every seen.  They've taught me a lot.

Our branch is awesome.  They are so supportive and so funny.  Church was comfortable for the first time.  I had the COOLEST job yesterday during Sunday School and Relief Society.  There is a 17 year old girl in our branch who is deaf.  And since there is no such thing as Tagalog Sign Language, she knows American Sign Language.  So...technically, she's fluent in English.   I got to sit next to her and translate the lessons from Tagalog into English writing words in her notebook.  She is the cutest little girl, and had so much light to her.  I can't explain it.  It was the most spiritual, humbling church block I have been to on my mission.  Her energy and happiness were illuminated from her face.  It was just so sincere.  You could see the spirit inside of her.  I felt privileged to sit next to her and translate, and hope I get to do it every week.

I love you all.  Thank you for the updates.  Keep reading the scriptures.

Heavenly Father has given us everything we need.  Don't take it for granted.

-Sister Frame

Where's Waldo?

December 25, 2013

Skype with Sister Frame

Hi everyone!  Our district won some raffle prize which landed us in the mission home (3 hours away) for Preparation Day....womp womp womp.  We had pizza and played some games that I'm pretty sure I played in fourth grade.

I got some news earlier today that I'm getting transferred on Wednesday...bummed about this.

I LOVE Solano.  I fell in love with this place...my branch has the most incredible individuals in the world.  This area is every missionary's "dream area"...why did I only get 6 weeks here.  I guess there's  no fighting it....but I'm so so so so so so nervous about what's in store for me in these next few days.  It's funny how I'm always preaching "have faith in Jesus Christ," and daily I'm faced with challenges that test my own faith and how good I am at practicing what I preach.  Usually I'm struggle busin' it.  But this week is a good opportunity to increase my faith (that's the positive outlook I came up with).

My mind is heavy and full of things I have to do and "goodbyes" I have to say.  I hate that the mission is full of goodbyes.  I guess I'll update you guys next week....love  you all and miss you - of course.

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

There are no ordinary people

So, this morning I woke up to a monster in my room.  It was a cockroach the size of ME just chilling on my wall when I opened my eyes.  I sat up so quickly that my entire puny little metal bunk bed almost tipped over.  I didn't scream though.  I just ushered it out the door and didn't invite it to come back...or to come unto Christ.

I haven't seen any snakes yet.  hopefully soon.  If not, I'll have to get a tattoo of one (woop - there it is).

I feel like I've been here for 100 years, but then I realize that I still don't even completely know my way around this place.  But this last week, I really focused on my attitude.  I studied the scriptures so hard and drowned myself in studying the characteristic of Christ.  Then, I tried to apply those to myself.

I'll be honest...it's freaking hard.  Especially when my natural reaction to many of the things I face each day would be to just roll my eyes, say a sarcastic remark, cry or even swear (wait. what?)

But this week, when we would get lost, or punted, or when we would not understand what someone was saying to us - basically whenever we were in a pickle -  I would just think, "oh this is hilarious.  This is way better than 'Keeping up with the Kardashians' - I wish my family could see this."

It takes a lot of motivation and courage to get out to work.  Like in Santiago, it used to be I was anxious to get the morning studies done so we could go out and find people and teach...But here in Solano, I find myself cherishing  every minute I get to study.  And when time is up I think, "I'm scared to go out and face the world - I wish I could just do language study for the next 100 hours."  But that lack of courage has helped me...I know it has...because I literally have to plead with Heavenly Father to take care of me.  I plead with him every morning before we head out to work to help me, to be my companion, and to send angels to walk with me.  He's pulled through for me.  He always does.

                                   I saw a miracle this week.

In our area we take a tricey out to our furthest point and then walk our way back as we stop by those we teach.  I've gotten used to getting punted 98% of the time.  And on this particular day I was seeing that kind of outcome as we got rejected about 13 times in a row.

As we were walking down the highway, Sister Nawere stopped at a gate.  I asked who we were seeing.  She struggled to answer me, but tried her best to explain that she had never really met the lady before, but knew that she had been baptized, but wasn't coming to church.  So, this Nanay came out and looked at us like we were strange.  She was hesitant to open the gate and asked why we were there.  I proceeded to introduce who we were and asked her name and other 'get to know you,' questions.  She let us in, but her attitude was hard.  Which just made me work even harder to get to know her.  The miracle....she knows English.  Super well.  Like at one point I just stopped speaking in Tagalog and spoke to her in English.

We talked forever, and as time went on, it was very apparent that her heart was softened.  She opened up to me about how she stopped going to church because she didn't feel completely accepted.  She told me about how after the missionary that converted her went home...nobody ever loved her so much.  She didn't feel welcomed.  She said church was uncomfortable because she felt alone.  It broke my heart. Because I was thinking about M. and N. and M. and T. and the other investigators I had in Santiago and how much I loved them...and how my final last words to Sister L. were "L - take care of them.  They are so important to me."

It made me think of this missionary that she talked about, and how sad he would feel if he knew that one of the people he taught and baptized and loved so dearly wasn't feeling the love that she needed.  Nanay E.  showed us pictures of this Elder and told me stories of how incredible and close he was to her family.  As I stared at the pictures, I could only imagine him saying the same thing to me, "Sister Frame - please take care of her.  She is so important to me." It then clicked.  All of it.  I could just picture the Savior saying it to me, about all the people I meet here in the Philippines.  "Mads  - please take care of them.  They mean so much to me."

My love for Nanay E. was overwhelming.  I just wanted to tell her, but couldn't even express it all in words.  So I did my best.

I told Nany E. a few things.  The first being that she was a pure answer to my prayers.  I told her about how I'm new to this area, and not completely comfortable, and how even as a missionary I'm looking for friends.  And how I was praying to meet her.  I had been praying ALL week to meet someone that I could talk with.  The second being that I loved her.  I just simply stated that.  And then I bore testimony that I know her Heavenly Father loved her.

We've been back each day.  She's very special to me.  Heavenly Father really had my back that day.

I really got to know Sister N. this week.  She's a sweet girl.  I tried to put myself in her shoes.  I put myself in the situation of not knowing Tagalog which took no effort at all, but also not knowing English.  I have it easy compared to her.  So my love and appreciation for her diligence and work and smile grew ten fold.  I'm grateful for her.  It doesn't change our ability to speak, but it makes the days easier, more peaceful, and more enjoyable.

The work is scary, frustrating, hard, and at times feels impossible.  But it has the most happy, spiritual, rewarding and peaceful moments that make it worth it.  I'm grateful to be a part of it.

Have the best week - Merry Christmas - I love you.

-Sister Frame

alma 34:41

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