April 27: Storms, Surprises, Stealing, and Scary Monsters.

To start off.  Parents, how was you anniversary?  Hope it was the best! I love you both very much!!!
 It was a whirlwind week.  Filled with fun times. 

Monday: we had FHE at a members house where they made like 8 different ulam (dishes) all of them seemed to be better than the one before.  I have learned so much about Fillipino food from Sister Lacdo-o.  Like how to order fish at the market, how they can scale, gut, and dice a fish in a matter of seconds.  She has also taught me how to make pakswe, yema, manudo, chicken adobo, and Filipino spaghetti with all the crazy add inns. 

Tues:  We were in a tri-sum because our house mate is going home soon so went to Manilla for her exiting visa. BY HERSELF!  So it was just a day of teaching, but nothing to crazy.

Wed:  I woke up with an awful AWFUL stomach cramps, and my companion had a killer headache.  We aren't sure if it was something we ate, or didn't eat.  but We thought it wise to take a sick day.  We had an apt. with a member at 5 so we went out just for an hour.  In that hour I was buying a cupcake for a members birthday, and while it was in front of my face, my wallet was stolen.  no jokes.  But this is the miracle.  The morning of, I took out all the money I had and put it in my apt.  The only thing that punk got was two 5 peso coins, and my support card.  The card was cancelled immediately, and so we see...  the good always wins.  

Thurs: was a Thursday....

Friday:We went out to work in the heat of the day.  A day so hot I thought that my brain would melt, and start dripping out of my ears.  But in a blink of an eye, honest.  It was from heat to pouring rain!  I have been waiting since I opened my call for a good Rain storm, It was worth the wait!  Good thing rainy season is just around the corner!  *heel click* But on the semi-negative, but also kind of positive.  The rain some how brought about maraming animals into our apt.  We had 1 cockroach, 2 centipedes, and my companion caught a frog that was hanging out in our sing.  How they all got there.  I will never know.  But tell Merrill I took pictures of all of them for him!  

Sat: Saturday was the perfect 20th birthday!  It started out with National Day of Service, so some of the branch got together and we cleaned a Brgy.  Everyone was so sweet, wishing me a happy birthday.  We even had sister Evangaline Meana (the daughter of Brother Meana) come.  I think that it was just what she needed to feel a part of this branch.  Now she has come to 3 full hours of church, and participating in all of our lessons!  We came back after.  Took a shower, did some studies, then got about 7 punts.  but that is OKAY!  Because my night, was made.  Thank you to my family here in The Philippines!!!  They invited us over for dinner.  When I walked into the door they had "happy birthday sister Nott" cut out on the wall with little paper balloons, and cake!  I was so so so so happy.  It made me tear up thinking that they spent so much time and effort into making my day so special!  We had a lesson given by the other sisters, and then they turned over the closing remarks to sister Kaimi.  That doll, she opened her computer.  and there it was.  a Happy Birthday message of Mary and Seth.  The "tearing up"  went to full on crying.  I was so touched that Kaimi and Mary would work together to do that!  It was perfect!  Than, to top it all off.  I got to eat delicious food, including EGG PIE!!!!!  Later that night.  My housemates surprised me again by buying me cake, and singing to me!  I truly am so blessed.  And so Happy!    To my Filipino Family, and my Family at home.  THANK YOU FOR MAKING MY BIRTHDAY SO SPECIAL!  

Sunday:  We had a LA come that hasn't been to church for ages.  And the Meana family!  

This mission is good. This life is great!  

until next week

-Sister Nott