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

this is what Charity looks like

I want to tell you about two little girls that I love with my whole heart.  Really.

Cn. (8) and Cl. (10).

I met them back in July.  when we were teaching their dad.  His name is Cr.  I wrote in my journal that night, "He is so sweet.  I can just see it.  The light in his eyes.  He is special."So, we taught Cr. a little bit...when we could.  He works in the rice fields, so he's not always home.  He's in his 50's, and his eyesight is bad, so he didn't really read the things we asked him to.

One day, we were there when his two daughters came home from school.  They walked in the gate and passed right by us, walking straight into the house without even giving us a second look.  Cr. called for them to come out and say hello to us, but they refused.  So shy...and that was our first meeting.

Later that week, Sister P. and I were walking to church and saw Cr. and his two little girls there in the parking lot.  We ran over to them and welcomed them to church.  We were SO excited to see them!  We took the girls to primary and showed Cr. to the Priesthood meeting.  Unfortunately, that was the last time we got Cr. to church.  We continue to teach him every once in a while.  He told us how much his girls loved primary.

So that brings us to the first week with my companion, Sister L.  6 Sundays ago.  We were sitting with the congregation, and toward the end of Sacrament Meeting, I noticed two little girls sitting a few rows up.  I remember thinking, ""where are those girls' parents?....wait,...is that?  no....it couldn't be!

It was!
It was Cr.'s little girls!  They went to Primary, Sunday School, and sat reverently all through sacrament meeting by themselves - knowing absolutely NO ONE and being too shy to talk to anyone.  As the meeting got over, I quickly ran up to them and expressed my excitement to see them.  I asked where their dad was, and they so quietly responded "bahay naming" (our house).  I then asked if Sister L. and I could come to their house later and see them again.  They said yes.

That night we went back to the household, not for Cr.  This time for the adorable little girls that just weeks before were too shy to acknowledge our presence as missionaries.

The first lesson was painfully quiet.  They were almost too shy to even make eye contact with us.  But, we know they wanted us there because as we were leaving Cn. asked when we were going to come back.

We go back every other day.  To those precious little girls.  Cl. is Laren and Cn. is me.  I see us in them.  I noticed it first when Cn. burped so loud during a lesson.  She just laid it out there, and you could see in her eyes that even she was a little surprised at the power the burp had.  Such a big noise came out of such a precious little girl.  Classic.

But each time we go there, I see it more.  We taught them to pray a little while ago.  Cl. opened the lesson with the prayer (quietly), and at the end we asked Cn. to say the closing prayer.  Cn.  didn't say "No," but she looked to Cl. with these helpless eyes.  And without any exchange of communication, Cl. knelt down next to Cn. and helped her.  With quiet words, she would start a sentence and let Cn. repeat after her.  Together they gave the most beautiful prayer that I have heard in the Philippines.

I was so touched.  Cn. looked to Cl. for the help and without any hesitation, Cl. helped her little sister.  Cl. is a little fashionista. Cn. is a little more loud and quirky.  Cl. genuinely cares for Cn. Cn. looks up to Cl. in every way.  They protect each other.  They are perfect sisters.

Each time we go over there they tell us how they pray together morning and night, before they eat and before they leave for school.  They continue to come to church each Sunday, too.  Without fail, they are there early waiting in the front of the church for us to arrive.  They even came and sat through General Conference with us like champions.

In the past, Cr. told us that his wife was in Hong Kong working as an OFW (overseas' Filipino worker).  This week we asked Cn. and Cl. about their mom.  We started with the question, "When is she coming home?"  Cl. said, "When I'm in grade 6,"  (Now she's in grade 5).  Then we asked her when her mom left.  Cl. said, "When I was in kindergarten.  Cn. was just a baby."

This is where I broke.  These girls!  I can't explain it.  They are just so full of light.  Cn. always gives the closing prayers in our lessons, and the last few weeks Cl. has made the habit of sneaking quietly away.  She usually makes it back in time before Cn. finishes, but there have been a few times where we say, "Amen," and Cl. is just gone.  ha.  At first we were confused, but she always comes back with something.  Like the first time it was a beaded bracelet she made for us.  The next time it was chocolates she saved from school.  Once it was Chinese stationary from her mom.  Last night it was a band aid.  When she gave it to me I said, "oh!  a bandaid.  Salamat!"  Cn. then laughingly asked why she gave me a bandaid.  I was confused myself.  But she pointed to the scab on my arm...it was so genuine.  

We give them a hug goodbye each time we leave.  And they always remind us to return the "day after tomorrow."  Sister L. and I will leave and be walking down the street...3-5 minutes later we will hear, "Bye Sisters!" We'll look back and see that they will have quiety followed us from a far distance, and right before we head out of sight, they yell goodbye.

These girls have taught me a lot.  More than I could ever teach them.  I've seen the pure love of Christ in them.  They are perfect examples of Charity.  I'm trying to be more like them.

OK, super long - if anyone is still reading this, I love you.  I miss you all.  

This Gospel of Jesus Christ is real.
And this mission is so humbling.
I'm enjoying the journey
and meeting people that I will NEVER forget.
We are all blessed.  Don't every forget it.
mahal na mahal na mahal na mahal do kayo!

- 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

Lasting Legacy of the Tower of Babel

Christmas came early this year!  thanks for the package, Brett, and letters, Grandma Ray and Grandma Frame, and mom.  It was a great Sunday delivery from the ZL's.

You all talked about how great General Conference was...but the reality of the Philippines is that we are 15 hours ahead of you...so I don't get to watch conference until next Sunday.  I realized that you would all be watching conference...I got a little homesick...Oh, how I wish I could enjoy conference weekend like I used to - with all our friends gathered in the apartment for breakfast; or all driving to D.S.'s house for the weekend.  

I'm thrilled to watch it this upcoming Saturday - and I will pay close attention to the talks you claimed as your favorites.

     As for me:

I was able to watch the Relief Society General Broadcast Saturday afternnon.

I'll admit...

I think it was my first time watching one of those.

But I LOVED it.  Especially because it was in English.  It was the first time since I left the MTC that I was able to be spiritually uplifted through something I could actually fully understand.  We had about 50 Relief Society women show up at 1:00 pm.  They came from all over the area (some traveling hours to be there), dressed in their Sunday best to come watch.  

I was impressed.

However, it totally stressed me out because it WAS in English (with no Tagalog subtitles or anything)

and I was thinking,

How do these people understand?  They aren't getting this...

But then as I thought about it, I was touched.

Their diligence,
and willingness to come and listen and feel of the Spirit and see the Prophet regardless.  

It was an example to me.

MY FRUSTRATING/ENLIGHTENING MOMENT OF THE WEEK:

Sister L. and I were waiting in the chapel last Tuesday for an appointment with a member.  I became discouraged as we talked to him.

Many of the members are quick to assume that because I don't know fluent Tagalog, I just basically don't know anything.

Like they just think that I don't know where we're teaching, or the peoples' needs, or even the names of our investigators.  

They honestly look at me like I'm deaf and blind.  And I was just so genuinely sad.  Because I felt so stupid.

As we left and walked to N.'s,  I was expressing to Sister L. how hard it is that the members think I am completely incompetent as a missionary here...and ok - yes - I cried.  sorta.  I got teary.  But we got to N.'s.  As we walked up, Sh. (her 2 year old daughter) came out and gave me a hug.  and I literally just broke.  But, I just picked up Sh. and cried.  N. came out and asked why I was crying - hold up - I feel ok crying in front of Nilda because she is like a sister to me.  I talked to her about it and quickly got over it
and we taught our lesson
and went on with our lives.

But, the other day, N. gave me 2 letters.  One from her.  One from M.  I read them as I walked home.  They were the sweetest letters I have ever read.  They were written in pure English.  and you know what - it was awful English.  I couldn't even understand some sentences.  But the love that I felt from them, made those letters perfect.
Brett also wrote me a letter this week and he mentioned the Relief Society motto, "Charity never Faileth." and he said

Charity is speaking Tagalog even if you don't know it perfectly or how to pronounce it correctly, but speaking it with love.

I honestly would not have completely understood the meaning of what he told me if I hadn't seen it through the example of M. and N.  They are very special people to me.

And...moving on:

There are many things each day that happen that I wish were on film.  funny, sad, hilarious moments that I just can't fully explain.  If they made a reality TV show of Sister L. and me we would seriously become more famous than the missionaries on "the district."  or we would be emergency transferred for being so hilarious.

We make the long walks and the hottest days fun to endure.  Sister L. is so with it.  She can totally keep up with American humor.  We spend the majority of our days just laughing and telling jokes.  Most of our investigators tell us they can hear us coming because we laugh so hard...or we have all the kids chasing us down the road.

I don't know what it is but every single barangay we teach in has a gang or 6-10 year olds that love to follow us.  They ask us the same questions every single day:  What's your name?  Where do you live?  What do you eat?  (answer:  mga bata!  "little children!")  Are you married?  Where is your mom?

It's fun.  This is fun.

I'm gonna write a book when I get home, Indigestion sa Pilipinas, Tae Kayo...Po*.   It will be a short story series.

I am grateful for each of your examples.  I'm on a mission because of them.  And I promise you that this Gospel of Jesus Christ is real.  I know it with my whole heart.  It's the best feeling really.  Life is good when you know things are true. 

- Sister Frame
Favorite scriptures of the week:  Mark 5:36 and 16:15-20, 3 Nephi 27:27, Doctrine and Covenants section 6

*Bonus story below.  You've been warned:

Last night I had the WORST dinner appointment of my life.  It was at one of our investigators houses, and it is going to take all of the energy of my heart to get me to go back there.

She fed us blood pudding and frog scewers.  Oh come on people!  The thing is - I've eaten worse...but last night I was just not in the mood.  Blood pudding tastes like...blood.  but from a pig.  It should never be consumed by anyone, or any living creature.  And to the Elders who claim to "like it," you need to see a doctor.  Frog is really chewy.  I kept trying to convince myself it was some kind of candy.  That mind game only held me over until we left the appointment.  Then it all came out.  So, Nathan and Davis, the next time you complain about what mom makes for dinner...go catch a frog and see how that tastes.

Butterflies, and other blessings

ok.  so... Hi.  

You people sound like you're doing great.  and of course- i miss you... and your english. 

So i'm still here on a mission. and thank you everybody for reminding me that I have been out for 5 months... but lets not get ahead of ourselves here... that's next week. 

But this week was cool.  I've learned and taught a few things.

For starters: Butterflies are blessings. I swear it. 

I can't remember if I ever shared this- but the day that I left the MTC and we were at the Salt Lake Airport I hit a wall of anxiety.  Of course.  It was scary as crap! The whole 'getting off the bus and getting ready to load on a plane to the Philippines'- I was scared to death! So I remember walking over to the big window at our gate in the airport and just staring out the window watching the people load the luggage.  I was just doing my best to hold back tears and not take off running... ya know?  So I was standing there with every attempt to not let Elder Morty or Thacker see me on the verge of tears... or vomiting, and praying my heart and soul out to just take a breather, when suddenly a little white butterfly came and started flying right in front of my face on the other side of the window.  It was such a tender mercy. I know it was sent from Grandpa John to remind me that things would be ok. And they were!  So now whenever I see a butterfly... it's a blessing.  I see it and think.... "remember mads- things will be ok." This last week I saw so many butterflies! Everyday, they just followed me everywhere.  It was astig.  A butterfly even flew into my room yesterday when I was getting ready to go to church.  

Another thing learned: I miss my family.  And I'm so so so so so so grateful for my family! I've always known that I had the coolest cousins and aunts and uncles in the world.  I've always been so proud to be a Frame/Ray.  And I am so lucky that I have Garrett, Kae, Loey, James, Nathan and Davey to call my siblings.  Because here in the Philippines this last week was national "Family Week".  It's cool really.  But I mean- what better way to pour salt in an open wound by celebrating family... when mine is across the world? But we celebrated with a stake activity that went from 5:30 am to 8:00 pm.  I mean these Filipino's throw a big celebration when they have any reason to. Lot's of music, eating, dancing, activities, etc.  A huge celebration. It was well done.  and we only went to a few hours of it. But we got our investigators to come... well the kids of our investigators... so we basically just ended up babysitting. 

But ya know- it paid off, because all of them and their parents came to church yesterday.  It was incredible. The work is going well!

... All thanks to my companion.  Who is still the coolest little girl in the world.   Except, us being close has it's natural consequences.  I'm back to my old ways of fake punching people, and offering lots of knuckle sandwiches.  The other day we were walking to an appointment and I mentioned to Sister L, "We should think of something else to teach J.  What we have planned doesn't feel very relevant today" and Sis L agreed. Then with absolutely no hesitation she said, "We could teach her how to make a knuckle sandwich...." I also overheard her the other day say to an elder "Cool story bro. Tell it again." I'm creating a monster. hahah.  But I'm secretly so proud of it.

Ok so I know this is super lame.  But I don't have a ton else to share.  We're in a good place though. The people we're teaching are showing lots of progress and potential.  One of our less actives was actually (finally) considered 'rescued' and blessed the sacrament yesterday for the first time ever! It was so cool! N gave the closing prayer in sacrament too! 

It's little things like this that make the work so fun and so rewarding.  

The language is still rocking my world. But one day...I hope and pray.

Thanks for everything! I love love love you all! I miss you dearly.  And pray for you. Always. Obviously. K... Latuur.

-Sister Mads Frame

Favorite scriptures this week:

-Jacob (the whole book) read it people. it's so good.

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

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