April 20

It really has been such a fast week, so i apologize for this boring letter. But before I begin.  

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM AND DAD!!!!!  What is it 32 years?  congrats you cute people!

Also, I haven't read the emails yet, but thank you advance for all of the Birthday emails!!  You are all too sweet.  Crazy that I am finally done being a teenager.  It's about time.... I am not sure what I will do for my birthday.  Just the usual i guess, but there will be a little egg pie in the mix. of course.  Also, for a birthday gift parents, I am using my banking card to buy some things I need from the LDS store.  Sorry dolls...

This week, like I said just happened crazy fast.  It was like April just started.... and then I blinked....and now it's ending!  We were blessed with like no punts, and plenty of good lessons... until Black Friday... DUN DUN DUN.  I don't know if I have been ignorant about what goes on during Black Friday for i have lived in Utah, or if the Philippines is way crazier.  Either way, we had a half-day mission, which because of scheduling issues ended up just being Me, Sister Lacdo-o, and dear sister Kaimi in our area.  So just a regular day.  But I am always greatful for the members who work so hard to help their brand out.  we were supposed to have a Branch Home Evening that same night, but it was cancelled.  Which was for the best.  The traffic here was insane.   

So Black Friday is a Catholic holiday, they have a parade, and have floats with statues of Jesus, and Mother Mary, and although a religious holiday, people here take the time off to consume A LOT of alcohol. 

I was sorely disappointed when almost all of our Less actives, and Investigators couldn't invite us in to hear our message because they were indeed intoxicated.  But like all hard times on a mission, we were able to find one couple who amidst all the partying they were sitting quietly in front of their house, watering their plants, and we were able to get to know they, and teach a little lesson.  Not sure how they will except our message, but I am hopeful, they have a good spirit with them.  

I have learned a lot this week.  How we are blessed when we go a little farther than we think we can.  When we don't give up easily, and to have faith that people can change, and that although they make mistakes, they can come back again!  

I hope you have a good week.  For my Birthday gift you should all eat some sweet spicy chili Doritos, and watch Batman!  

Love you all with all my heart!   

Muah Muah!  tsup tsup!

-Sister Nott  

April 13: New starts, and a very crazy week

I experienced my first transfer this week.... they are way insane.  
Tues. me and sister Rea heard the devastating news that although I would be getting to stay in this lovely area, with all these wonderful people that I love so much.  My dear trainer was sadly needed somewhere else, and she was transferred to Baguio zone.  I know that every 6 weeks will be hard, no matter what happens to you.  People you love, and have grown so close to will always leave you. those punks....  But it's okay, because I learned so much from Sister Rea, and I am jazzed that we can be forever friends.  

My new companion is sister Lacdo-o, (if you are having a hard time pronouncing it.  Don't worry.  So do I.)  Ha, but she is just so wonderful too.  HOW HAVE I GOTTEN BLESSED WITH 3 GREAT COMPANIONS. I hope my luck never runs out.  She is an adorable Filipino from summer, which is in Vasayas.<----I think thats wrong spelling.  sorry.  pero, she is 24, and was converted at age 19 after her mother died.  So sad, but she has a very strong testimony, and I have already learned so much from her.  It is amazing how every person you meet here helps you so much.  The Lord knows what he is doing with all of the companionships.  

Wed. was a crazy one trying to visit people for Sister Rea to say goodbye to, but we were able to end it well.  With FHE at our favorite Balorans.  Brother was so nice and made us siopao!!!! No one understands how good this food is. We had a good time. with laughing, and tears.  

Thursday after sister Rea left I anxiously waited for my new companion.  The anticipation almost killed me.  no jokes.  But after sister Lacdo-o arrived we got to know each other, and went to work right away.  She is so amazing with people.  and everyone instantly loves her!!!  She has been out for 1 more transfer than me, but already.... so super amazing at teaching.  wowza. I'm kind of jealous.  but 'thou shalt not covet.'  

Friday my poor companion was sick, so I did a lot of studying, which is something I always love.  EXTRA STUDY TIME!  know why?  cause the Book of Mormon is the best. She actually felt well enough to go to a baptism in our ward.  Which is always nice to be able to support these new members in their oh so great, and righteous decisions. 

Saturday and Sunday were amazing glorious days. because we were able to watch CONFERENCE!!!!  I loved every single one of the talks, and how a lot of them were about raising your children on Jesus Christ, and His principals. How we can teach them to invite others to come unto Christ when they are young.  "There are no age restrictions for missionary work."  What we have is true, and we should want to share it with everyone.  I always love when we hear stories, about how faith brings knowledge, and Elder Uchdorf really rocked it out this year.  Of course.  I was also thrilled when we had SIX of the Meana family come to 2 whole sessions of conference!!!  Brothers baptism is this Saturday, and I couldn't be more excited, although his children need to be extended, this is only the beginning for their family to become eternal!  Me and sister Lacdo-o are making plans for his daughter who is 16.  She is very sweet, and know she will find great joy and comfort is this Gospel that we have found great joy and comfort in!

So here are to forever memories, new adventures, and a good start to great things. 

I love you all very much, have an enjoyable week!  

Live long and prosper. 

until next week!

-Sister Nott

April 7

Sorry, not creative enough to think of a subject line.  

pero, family!!!! 

How was conference?!?!?!  I am a little jeould that yous get to watch it a week before me.  punks.... but I hope you were able to learn a lot, and eat a cheese ball, and other delicious conf. food.  

This has been another good week here in Agoo, and maybe the last.  Seeing how transferrs are tomorrow.  

I get headaches a lot here, I guess that would happen if you change everything about your life!  I can't imagine they are as severe as the ones dad gets, but let me tell you pops.  I am very sorry you get them so often.  They are the spawn of Satan.  You are a champ.

We had companion exchanges this week with the STL's.  I was terrified because I had to lead the area.  So I worked with sister Lazan, and we started off by me missing the turn for our first apt. luckily the lovely sister Kaimi was working with us and corrected the tryke driver kasi the bobo (dumb) American doesn't know what's happening ever.... ha...  but it was a really good learning expirence for me.  Sister Lazan is the def. of being bold and loving!!!  After our day, during evaluation she only said positive.  Not because there was only positives... trust me.... but becasue she is just a really good loving STL that wants to help us.  The only thing she told me to do is not think before I talk.  Which sound funny.  But I am telling you.  If you just open your mouth and speak what you think is Tagalog you are better at right grammer, and you say words you didn't even remember knowing.  So if any of you are wanting to learn a language for some reason... don't over-think it.  

Wed night, after a good day of lessons me and sister Rea were waling home when 3 men started walking right towards us.  All of our leaders, including president, has warned us to be very carful because we are the only 2 foreigners in our zone.  So we were trying to turn when one walked right up to us with a lump in his shirt and said "do you like chicken?" US;"opo" him: "do you like chicken?" us: "wen" (yes in Ilicano) then he reached for the lump in his shirt, and sereiously I thought it was a gun, or a bomb, or some sort of lethal weapon when he pulls out a MASSIVE. LIVE. chicken and the chicken goes *spuak*  hahaha.  So we ran away laughing while they were apologizing for scaring us. hahaha.  The times here. I am telling you.  No one can possibly describe the Philippines where you wouldn't come here and understand.  that is why everyone should come here.  IT'S AMAZING!!! 

Thurs my heart was literally broken.  

Did you know that it could happen on my mission?  well it can.  We have been teaching Rommie, the Filipino that is very well off, and only speaks to us in English.  He has been so receptive, the spirit has been SO strong in all of our lessons with him.  They always say that people will be prepared to here this message.  He was prepared.  But after opening our lesson with a prayer he told us he had to confess something.  Then very solemnly he told us how him and his wife got into a big fight because he wanted to investigate this church more, because he told her he knows it's right.  She told him that he needs to stop, and she told all the neighbors to watch out for us and make sure we don't come again.  I was devastated.  But we know that the most important part of God's plan is the family.  And we do not want to be the problem for any contention.  So we wrote our number down, and told him to text us if she decides it is okay to continue.  Then we all went around and bore our testimonies, and tears were falling everywhere.  Then he says " I don't have to give you back the Book of Mormon do I?  I really enjoy reading it."  So still crying I told him how if he continues to read it, and pray.  One day he will be able to continue with the discussions, then sister Rea promised that one day he will be baptized.  It was such a powerful, bitter-sweet lesson.  I will never forget Rommie for as long as I live.  I learned a lot about what this gospel means, and the blessing it is in my life because of him. 

The Meana family is doing well.  The dad is able to be baptized on April 19th but the children and mom have to wait because they haven't been coming to church.  It is really hard to have people use their agency. I know that sounds evil.  But sometimes I get to a point where I feel I have done everything and they still don't want to come to church.  Ha, but I guess thats how it goes.  You who are reading this email.  KEEP YOUR COMMITMENTS!!!!  But the Meana family really is so great, so sweet, and very smart. 

We were able to watch women conf. on Sat.  I started crying during the opening song.  So I guess you could say I LOVED IT!!!  I loved all they said about looking to righteous women. So thanks to you righteous woman in my life, especially you mom.  You have been the biggest blessing in my life.  You are cool, hip, righteous, funny, and sino una ka (ancient) HAHAHA! 

I love you fam, bam hope you have a killer week!!!  

Muah, Muah, tsup, tsup! 

-Sister Nott 

P.S HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZOEY!!!!  I love you too pieces, and I hope that it is a day full of pink, and glitter, and sass!  Mahal Kita boo. 

March 30: Wowza.

First!  CONGRATS TO MICHELLE SNYDER!!!  SHE WAS CALLED TO SERVE IN SAN ANTONIO TEXAS!!!  My favorite of favorite places, what a doll.  She will do so many good things!!!  

Family!

How are you all?  How was Rubby's Inn?  Excited for conference?

This week flew by crazy fast.  But I guses all weeks sort of fly by here.  It was a week full of plenty of sun, heat, graduations, and good food.

Every Tuesday we have District meeting.  So all the zone meets at our chapel.  after our meeting it was Christmas in March.  We have a senior couple named the Dinkel's who are going home this transfer.  So, as a going home gift to us they made us NAVAJO TACOS!!!!  With chili, lettuce, and cheese!  and then for dessert she brought more american food called HOMEMADE MANGO JAM!!!  I am always happy when Im eating, let's be honest, but I was WAY happy that time.  Heaven sent those two.  That same night a member cut up this funky fruit that is green and spiky on the outside, but yellow on the inside!  Why are they blessed here with such delicious things?  It tastes like a mix between oranges and banana.  |They also have a fruit called chikko (I think that is how it's spelled.) It tastes like straight brown sugar.  No jokes!!!  okay.... sorry... We all know I could write a novel about food.  But i'll move on to the more important things. 

Oh, one more fun thing.  On wed. for our hour lunch we went to a 1 year olds B-day party.  It was insane.  I don't think I have, or ever will again go to such an elaborate party.  They had confetti, a buffet, Filipino CLOWNS THAT DID MAGIC! and a whole roasted pig.  Now all the parties I throw are going to be lame because I've been to the best. 

Okay, now serious,

It is now summer for real.  around 33 degrees C before the hottest hours of the day.  But it's great!  We try really hard to PBTW or serve so we can save souls (obvi) but also to get out of the sun for a spell.  It was graduation so a lot of our planned lessons were punted <----- parents yo now what that is like now that we are all missionaries.  Ha, but it's oday.  Because during you punts you get hilarious stories.  Like after we had been walking since 12:30-5:00 with no stopping, and no lessons, and the sun had started making us a little more laughy, a little more crazy, you go to just another house that you know in hopes to teach one precious soul that day.  You turn the corner and see, very clearly the table of gamblers scatter and you LA, a very healthy (that is what they call very large here. "healthy".  Ha)  30 year old bound behind her house, then her child runs to you and says that "she went to Manila, she won't be back for a long time." So we say "okay, just tell you mom this right away.  That we love and miss her." then before realizing what he is saying he goes. "Sige, I'll tell her." Then his face shows the realization that we figures him out. HAHAHA we felt a pretty clever.  then while leaving we say "Bye bye sister!!"

We taught Leticia again.  We invite her to church and she says "I will try .  but I CANNOT promise.  Because God will be mad if I can't keep that promise." hahaha.  I prefer that instead of broken commitments we get all day, every day.  

The Meana family is doing really good.  He is down from 5 cups of coffee a day to 1, and a pack of cigarettes a day to 1 lang.  The lesson we had with them was a real testimony builder of the power of prayer for me.  They are really strong, but, he has a WOW problem like I said.  and they don't always have enough money for all of them to come to church.  So we were going to have to be bold with them.  We prayed before we went that they would be able to fill our love, and that we are only wanting what's best for them.  We opened with a prayer and before we said ANYTHING he flat our said. "I know I need to stop smoking, and we all need to start going to church if we want to be baptized."  WOW! So we just said "yes, you are right."  Then we read Msh 18:8-9 talking about baptism covenants.  and we really went into detail about how becoming a member is a lifestyle change. you change your heart. EVERYTHING to be in line with God's will.  It was a beautiful lesson full of great comments from them, and lots of laughs!  Prayer is real, and dedication comes with the Book of Mormon  The only investigators that progress are the ones who read it.  If you are struggling with something, anything about the gospel, or a hard time in like READ THE BOOK OF MORMON!  I's true. ibigsabihin Joseph Smith was a prophet. ibigsabhihin the Restored gospel of Jesus Christ in again on the earth!

I love you all, hope you like the long email. MOM!!!! hahaha. okay. Muah muah, tusp tusp.  that means XOXO

till next week

-Sister Nott

March 23: SHA-SHA-SHA-SHAK NI! SHA-SHA-SHA-SHAK NI! SHA-SHA-SHA-SHAK NI! AMIN SWERTE UPO!!!

That was the chant for my group in the zone activities last Monday.  It translates to I-I-I-I am I-I-I-I am I-I-I-I am I'M A LUCKY VEGTABLE!   (going along to a famous very repetitive Babylonian song that Mark loves SO musch) hahahaha

I was pretty proud of it, It was a great chant, and I would like to say it caught on pretty quick! 

Sorry this is going to be so short, but seriously It was such a hard-working week.  Which is awesome.  But not a ton of stories.  

On Friday me and Sister Rea went to the Elders area because there is a sister there that wanted us to visit her.  While we were there we saw 2 white people out side of their lovely home, watering their lovely plants.  We said hi to them, but that was all.  We were waiting in the bus wait stop for one of our workers when my heart started racing like I needed to go talk to them.  Then sister Rea says to me. "Sister Nott, I feel like you need to go talk to them."  So I got up the courage and we walked over. (I know it shouldn't be scary to approach people.  We do it every day.  ALL day.  but when they are white, it is TERRIFYING!!  For they don't have that good ol' Filipino hospitality. ) I swear I was sent here to find every English speaking person in Agoo.  They are a lovely couple around 50 or 60 that are from... wait for it.... GERMANY!!!  with sweet German accents and all.  Their names are Martin and his wife is Marian.  They didn't know any Lifferths, and I felt like a sinner because for the life of me, I cannot remember what town Grandpa is from.  WHAT IS THE NAME?!?!?  Anyway we talked about sauerkraut and family.  When I went to give him a pamphlet he said "oh there is no need.  I am a proud Catholic."  But after talking a little more to him, he said how it is just important to know that we are not alone in the world.  We agreed, and how it is important to always give thanks to God for all of our blessings, and in the end he did take the pamplet!  I told him that I would come back soon with the name of the Town, and pictures... so if you want to send some this week.  That would be rad.  

We had to extend the date for the dear Meana family baptism.  They both struggle with the WOW, so sana, they will be ready by April 19th.  They are good good people that are getting way to much criticism from their neighbors that used to be their friends.  But it is like that quote that Elder Holland says about The Book of Mormon, and how it is torn apart and criticized because it is true.  Satan doesn't want us to do what is right, as we all very well know.  We know that he stops people, and works harder on those that will do great things.  They will do great things.... They are strong, pray for the Meana Family. 

At the Zone training last week when Elder Ardern talked about applying 'true doctrine' in our lessons.  That is exactly what me and Sister Rea did.  We have had a full week of good lessons, with good participation on the investigators, LA, and members a like.  It was a good good week, but very tiring and me and Sister Rea rejoiced in the fact that today it is P day, and we can take a nice long nap.....

Love you all, have a blast at Rubby's Inn.  Unless you only stayed until this morning.  In that case I hope you had a great time!  Hope you ate lots for me, and swam, and stayed up until all hours of the night! 

Till next week,

-Sister Nott