December 2, 2013

Hello my family! How is everybody doing?? Just think in a couple of days, we'll be seeing each other. I am excited to see you guys! It is going to be so different being home and I will try and adjust well... But I am going to be honest it might be a little hard.... Just bear with me. And mom I am gladyou had a good birthday! Sorry I didn't do anything for you.... I will make up for it when I get home. 

So things here have been going well. We had so many investigators come to church yesterday! it made me so happy! They are really progressing and should be getting baptized on December 21! So we can all look forward to that. basically that is all that has been going on. This week has been super busy just with getting ready and everything. I can't believe that everything is coming to an end! it is so weird to think about that 17 months has passed. I know that this is the best thing I have ever done with my life. I have grown to love these people and this culture more than I thought I could. And I have grown to love my Savior by serving our brothers and sisters. I know that this church is true. I am so grateful that I was able to serve a full time mission for our Lord. I love you guys so much and will be seeing each other soon!!!!!!!! 

Sister Palmer

November 26, 2013

Hello my family! So I am in a better mood today. Sorry if last week i wasn't. I guess I was just really shocked... I still am, but I know that this is what God wants and this is his plan for us. So, with that being said, WE GET TO SEE EACH OTHER NEXT WEEK! WOW That is like so crazy to me. I am going to be so sad to leave here. This has been my life for the past 17 months and it is who I am now. And now I have to return to the cold...... I think I might die! (P.S. Parents, can you bring me a coat to the airport when you pick me up please?) i get cold now when there is air-con... how am I going to survive?? But I know i'll be fine, because we have winter clothes and stuff. Anyways, I am just worrying about little things like that. But anyways, I am excited to see you all. I am starting to get more excited as the days go on. Yesterday we went to Dagupan and went to a career workshop there. It was like the best thing ever! I loved it so much. And they basically said, follow your dreams, set goals, make plans and go.... SO kind of like we do on our mission. We set goals and make plans... and then we DO! Because that is the most important part. But of course we need plans so we have direction for our actions... Anyways, i loved yesterday so much! It was the best! 

Anyways, things are going great in our area. We have some baptisms coming up which I am so excited for. They really are the greatest! One of my favorite families from Manaoag (my last area) got baptized! I am so happy for them. This work is so amazing! God is hastening his work, and showing signs... Everything that is happening is just signs of the times... Totoo yan! So, we need to prepare today because we don't know what tomorrow will bring.... be might just be on an ariplan coming home.. I know that God loves us so much. Just continue to keep the commandments with a willing heart and he will bless us. I love you so much! Next week na! Have a great week!! Love you xoxoxoxoxox

Sister Palmer

November 18, 2013

Hello my dear family. So I guess you all know now that I am coming home... I don't really know what to feel right now, so don't get offended if I don't sound super happy... I am happy of course to see you and spend Christmas with you. But I guess I was just caught off guard by all of this and of course it is a little sad with only two weeks of preparation. But know that I love you all so much and we'll be seeing each other soon! 

So we have had about 40 new missionaries coming from Tacloban mission. At first I was like super sad that I was going home, but then after talking to them for a little bit I just felt so sad and impressed with them. The missionaries were there when the storm happened... But they are all safe. They said that every thing around them got destroyed, but there apartments didn't. The Lord really protected them. I know that I was just being seflish with thinking that my mission is now cut short because of the storm, but at least the people I am leaving are living and the area is still standing. When they left there was nothing. Anyways, I really know that God is in the details of our life. Even if we don't understand why some things are happening, God knows and there is a purpose for all things. 

Anyways, things are going well here. We have a lot of progressing investigators which make me so happy!! They should be getting baptized in December, so that'll be great. The church is still true and God lives. I love you all so much and will be seeing you soon! Just in a few short weeks! I hope you have a great week! Love you all! 

Sister Palmer

November 11, 2013

Hello my dearest family!!! How are you? WOW I have a new niece!!!!!!!!!!! She looks so cute!!!! Ok so what is her full name, June?? And when was she born?? Wow, how is Sacha doing?? I seriously have told like everybody that my sister is going to be giving birth this week..... wow! I am so happy!!!! And I am happy that the boys were successful on their hunt!! Sounds like a great week for you guys! So exciting everything that happened. WOW! (Ok sorry i said wow like ten times, but it is a "WOW" kind of week). 

Things here on the other hand have been good too. Not a WOW, but good. We have been finding a lot of new investigators because we got some new areas added to our area. So there are a lot of potentials there. The only problem is, is it's kind of far from the church, and sometimes they don't have money for fare. But it's ok, because they really show their faith when they start coming to church. In one of our lessons we watched the Restoration. WHile watching it I got this overwhelming feeling that this is the true church of God. I have known that for a while, but it was so refreshing feeling that again so strongly. I know by doing little things every day we will come closer to God. President Uchtdorf said "doing simple things that matter most will lead us to the savior of the Lord". I love that so much. He didn't say we have to perform great miracles or do some big extravagant thing, but by the little things each day. Little acts of service, reading the BoM everyday.... THings like that will build our armor against Satan. I know that this is the true church of Jesus Christ. He knows and loves each one of us. 

There is a lady we are teaching and she has three kids. One of them is blind. He was born early by three months and his eyes weren't able to develop. He is such a special child. The first time we shared we sand "I am a Child of God". At the end of the lesson, Rydel was singing the song for us. Now every time we see him, it's like he just knows it's us and starts singing "I am a Child of God". It is so cool. I love going there are hearing him sing. I really do love that song, even though we sing it so much sometimes I get tired of singing it, but if we know that we are children of God and really understand that, we will understand our role on this earth and the things that we need to do while we are on this earth. I love you all so much! I know that God loves you! Have a great week! 

Sister Palmer 

November 4, 2013

Hello my dearest Family! How are you all doing?? Maybe we'll have a new member of our fam this week! Or maybe next week! Wow that is so exciting!!!! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!! I hope you guys have fun hunting this week. One quick thing that you guys will think is funny. There are turkies that live next to our house and they always make that gobbling noise. It reminds me of Joseph when he would do the gooble noise while watching the hunting channel. I always think of him when they make their sound. it is so funny! 

So we had transfers. I didn't get transfered, but my companion did. She went to Dagupan. And my new companion is Sister Gonzales. She is really loud. I am trying to adjust . It has been interesting. We actually lived in the same house so a transfer a while ago..... But it is different being companions with somebody. So anyways, that's how things are going here. 

Last Sunday I got kind of sick, then by monday I could like barely move. It got really bad while I was emailing, so sorry if my email last week was lame. So in short we didn't work mon-wed. because of my sickness. That was the first time I had taken a sick day my whole mission. But it was ok. I can walk now and all I have is a cough. So we are all happy again! 

The other missionaries in our ward had a really big area, and ours was really small so with the transfers, we re-alligned our area. So now our area is a lot bigger. But there are some investigators in the far areas which is good. The only hard thing is the fare getting to church. Sometimes they can't pay.... So that is the only hard thing. But this week was good. We were able to meet some new people and get to know better the bishop. Right now we need to strenghten the members as wel as find new investigators so that this ward will be strong. So basically that is all that is going on here. Just finding and teaching. Something that I read this morning was really intersting. It's about Christ being our shepherd. I didn't know this but shepherd know each of their sheep and a lot of time they have names for their sheep and they are willing to give their lives for their sheep. That is why christ is our shepherd because we each have a name, he knows us, we know him if we follow him, and he gave his life for us. It was so special reading about the shepherd's and how they are. I know that Christ is our shepherd and he loves us so much. This is his church and kingdom on this earth. I love you all so much! I hope you have a great week!!!! 

Sister Palmer

October 28, 2013

Wow who can believe October is almost over?? Sacha will be giving birth soon. HAPPY BRITHDAY to Grandma this week!!!! Happy Halloween( here they dont have Halloween but all saints day and all souls day- you should look that up on google). so I'm in a computer shop and the people sitting next to me ( they like own this) are eating adobo and watching Cars... That seems like the life... JK 

So we just had transfers. My companion sister Hansen transferred to Dagupan. And my new companion is Sister Gonzales. We lived in the same house in my third area. She is fat and loud. But she is funny. I'll send you guys pictues. One thing about the Philippines is they just say willy nilly if you are fat or skinny... I have kind of picked it up too. So I hope I don't offend anybody when I get home... haha It's just a funny unique things about this cool place I am living in. 

Anyways, our area is doing well. We have some people that have baptismal dates. We are praying that they follow through with it and enter the waters of baptism. I know that this is the only true church of God. 

Oh yeah, mom you read that email from sister Stapp. We all had to get fingerprinted and I got to see SIster Stapp!!!!!!!!!!!! It seriously was the best day ever!!!!! Almost everybody from our batch have seen each other, but we hadn't seen each other for over a year. It was such a great reunion. It made my week! 

Last week we were walking past a cemetary and I told SIster Gonzales that I wanted to go in. So we went in and started talking to the guys that work there. It was pretty cool. They showed us bones of a real person. The guys held the skull so that we could see it better... And then he dropped it. It was kind of funny but a little creepy. Maybe that person who's head it was saw that. But that guy had worked there for over 40 years. He said that he has a lot of stories and things that have happened to him. We are going to go back and teach them so that we can hear some of his stories... haha 

So anyways family, I could just jibber jabber all day! But I'll keep it to a minimum, and we have a time limit. But thank yo so much for all that you do for me. I love you so much. you are always in my prayers. I hope you guys have a great week. This church is true. God lives and he loves us. 

Sister Palmer

October 21, 2013

Ok so basically I had written a whole email that was super interesting, and it got all deleted.... It actually wasn't interesting at all..... Because I have nothing super exciting to say, but that's ok. I am just glad it deleted that email and not another one that could of had more details on it. Anyways, my five minute warning just came on. I love you all so much! I hope you have a great week! I was trying to send pictures, but next week na lang becuase it isn't working... I have the worst luck with computers.... But it's all good. I love this church and I am so grateful we are all members of the Lords true church. I love you all so much! Have a great week!!! Sorry this is so short! Love love love

Sister Palmer

October 14, 2013

Hello my dear family!! How is everything going??? Just if you were wondering about what happened with the couple that we were teaching in Manaoag (I don't know if you remembered them or not) but THEY GOT BAPTIZED!!!! WOW! I am so happy for them! When I left there they were in the hospital because their son had dangee, so I guess they switched their baptism date. But they got baptized and I am so happy for them! So anyways, things are moving slowly but surely in our area. We are trying to get everything working well. But things are going great!!!!!! And can I just say that conference was THE BEST!!!!! Man I feel like it's totally different watching it as a missionary than just a normal citizen. It seriously is like the best. When it was over I felt like it was kulang pa.... Or just not enough. But seriously. All of the talks were great. And I felt like a lot of them were for the Philippines people. We went to Urdaneta to watch conference at the stake center. We were able to drive past the temple site many times this past weekend. Even though there isn't a temple there yet, I can only imagine the difference it is going to have on this great part of the world. I can't wait for that beautiful day when there will be a temple here in Urdaneta.

this morning we went to a butterfly sanctuary. At first I thought it was going to be kind of lame, but it was actually really sweet. And we took a ton of pictures!!! I'll send them next week because I forgot my card today. But it was really really cool! And the people there were so nice too! Also mom, don't worry about my "bugs". They are gone, so don't worry! The shampoo was a miracle worker. Huwag kang magalala..... or don't worry!!! Everything is great here.... We are still working hard and getting things done!

For conference our zone leaders asked us to perpare questions that we wanted to be answered for conference. It was so cool to see how the Lord answers prayers and how even questions I didn't think that I had got answered too. I love this church so much! i have so much pride in the Church of Jesus Christ. There is no other church like this on the earth, because it is the only TRUE church. God loves us so much. And he knows us. That was confirmed to me so many times this week. He really does love us. Everything he does is ofor us to be happy and successful in this life. You guys are the best! It looks like you had so much fun on your fishing trip. You guys are the best. I hope everything else is going well with you. I love you all so much!!!!! Have a great week! "Always look up".

Sister Palmer

October 7, 2013

Hello Fam!!! How is everybody? Sounded like conference was a big hit! We always watch a week later here. So we will be watching it this weekend. And we get to watch all of it. So that is super exciting. I love conference so much!!!!!! It is the best ever! Last saturday we got to watch the Relief Society broadcast. I love what President said that the Relief Society is an essential part of Christ's church. That is totally true. It is pretty cool that the Prophet of God said that about this great organization..

This week has been good. Like every other week. A lot of things are changing in our mission. It is really cool to see everything that the Lord is doing for his servants in order for them to serve his people better. We are organizing a fireside right now for our ward. It should be pretty cool. We are doing a spotlight for our Bishop. He seems pretty excited for it, which will be good. We are hoping that this will build unity in our ward and get them more excited to work on missionary work. Things really do work so much better if it is the members and missionaries working together.

Sorry I don't really have any great/funny stories. Just another day in paradise.... It actually is getting a little cooler, so that's nice!!! ANyways, I love you all so much. I hope you have a great week.. I know that this church is true. This is God's kingdom on the earth. I love what was said at the RS broadcast to go to the temple and claim our reward. It is there waiting for us. we just need to raise up to the standard and claim our reward that is made for us. Have a great week. Love you so much!!!!!! 

Sister Palmer

September 30, 2013

Hello po my dear family! Sorry I olny have a couple of minutes left, because I have been trying to figure out how to send pictures... I am still computer aliterate (I don't know even how to spell that word, but that is what I am). Anyways, we had a few cool things happen. The first is we had a baptism. That is one picture that you will see. His mom is a recent convert and he is like 21 or 22... I can't remember. But he is pretty sweet. His dad died a while ago. He and his mom work to provide for the family. I am so happy that he got baptized!!! It was such a special experience!!!!! So then I had another special experience. I got to see a family that is from my first area! Only a bridge and a river seperates me from my very first area here, and my area now. So i got to see them and it was so special! It has been one full year since I met them. They all look so grown up... the kids that is. It was just really great. They are related to the kid that just got baptized. So we are going to have a FHE later tonight with all of them. It will be great. And something else that isn't very special.... but more kind of sucky is that is have.... LICE!!!!!! Wow isn't that great! Last friday I was so close to shaving my head it was so ITCHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 I couldn't stop scratching. Oh my gosh! but then a sister in our ward has lice champoo so I've been using that and my cute companion has been brushing my hair with this special comb to kill it. Anyways, that was our week in a nutshell. Love you fam. This church is true! Stay on the straight and narrow path if you want to be happy! Love love love!

Sister Palmer

(sorry I don't know how to rotate photos on here!   -Kristin)

September 23, 2013

Hello my dear family!!!!! How are you all doing?? So I guess Jesse and Jessica moved out!! I bet the parents are all lonely and stuff now. But other than that, how is everybody else?? Just know that I am always praying for you all and you are very close to my heart, even though I am so far away!

This week was good. We have been doing a ton of finding!!!! Finding finding finding! Finding less actives and new investigators!!!! It's kind of funny how many people hid from us... I just wonder what got them from being active in the church to hiding from the missionaries... Satan is very sly. Anyways, my new ward is great. They all welcomed with open arms. People are very willing to work with us too, which is really great! Sister Hansen is my companion. I don't know if I told you that already. She is great too. She is only 19 years old. But it's good. We get along pretty well so I am blessed with that. Something new that I ate this week that changed my life is sugar cane!!!! They have it for sell on the street for like 5 pesos for a huge long stick. So we'll buy one and share it and it is soooooooo good!!!!!!!!!!! MMMm I love it so much! It's so masarap!! (you can google search that... but it just means yummy, or delicious). I basically think everything here is good though...

Our area is good. It isn't too big, just a few far areas. Like last night we walked for 50 minutes to get home because there were no tryckles.. But that was one of our far areas. So basically things are good here. I love the people here so much and the culture. It is all the best! i know that this church is true. I say this over and over again, but this really is the only way to be happy in our life. The Lord loves us and wants what is best for us, we just need to follow the commandments in order to reciecve blessing. God loves us so much!!!! I love you too. Have a great week!!!!! P.S. We have a baptism this week!!! YAY! His name is brother Jeric! we are so excited for him. Love you all! 

Sister Palmer

September 16, 2013

Hello my dear family!! So it is now September.... Where have the days gone?? They are now celebrating christmas here! It's kind of bitter sweet because the closer Christmas comes the closer it is for me coming home... Well in short this week has been good. My fever is gone, and I think my voice is finally back to normal. But I still have a little cough. But we are all good now. So I got transferred to my fourth area. I am in the Villasis ward. Which is really funny because the ward and my first area are right next to each other! It is so weird to like drive through my old area. It is super crazy because about a year ago was when I was here...... It is just super weird! But my companion's name is SIster Hansen. She is from California and she is 19. I am follow-up training her. And she knows like three words in Tagalog...... So in short, things are a little interesting. But it is still fun. I am just working on my english skills. So don't worry I'll still be able to speak english my the time I get back... But anyways things are going well in our area, for the two days that I've been here. But I think that this ward will be really great. 

So I left SIster Augustin. She is training now. A foriegner. So we might need to pray for them for the language. But I know that they will do great. Sometimes I really hate transferring because it is so hard leaving the people there. They seriously are the best. i know that things will be great here too. It is like a bitter sweet thing. But Manaoag was my favorite area so far, so it was hard to say good-bye! So basically i didn't really tell anybody I was leaving. But that's ok. I know SIster Augustin will take care of our area and the people there.... It really is like leaving your family when you are transferred. But everything is fine. I don't really have any super great stories to tell. I am sure next week I will though. 

I hope you are all doing great. I love this church so much. I love my Savior so much. I really have grown to know Him since I have been here. He is our reason. He is my reason for doing this everday. I know that he loves each and everyone of us. Mom you told me a little rejection story, those are tough. But we just need to find the ones that are ready for this message and willing to accept Jesus in their lives. I know that there are those out there. We just need to find them. The Lord is preparing people. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. It is the word of God! I know that through the Atonement we can acomplish things that we thought we couldn't before. I love this church so much and that we are members of the true church of Christ. I hope you all have a great week and are doing well! I hope Sacha's tummy isn't so big! jk but I know that little girl is just growing. Whenever I see somebody who is pregnant I always tell them that you are too! you guys are the best! Have a great week! Love you all!!!!!!!

Sister Palmer

September 9, 2013

Hello my beautiful family!!! How are you all doing? So just to start off with a little funny story, so last week I got really sick. I guess that if it's super hot and you're outside, then it starts to rain, you can get a fever. So that happened to me. but anyways, I am fine now, but I have like totally lost my voice now. So it is pretty funny, and great when we're teaching too haha. But this morning we were going to our zone studies and we were all joking about how I was probably going to be the chorister and when I would give the tone everybody would laugh. So you'll never guess what I was.... the chorister. So I had to give the tone and guess what? Everybody laughed! it was so funny! So in short, my voice is super funny right now! 

But other than that our week has been good. It has been a little tough, but that's ok. Just keep smiling right?? I've just needed to tell myself that this whole week. So I feel like I don't have any really cool stories to tell you. But yesterday we had a fellowshipper work with us. He is 16 years old. We have a family that we are teaching and the parents totally believe in the church, but the kids are shy and don't want to come to church. So we brought this kid with us the help fellowhship for the kids of this couple. He was so cute. You could tell he was so shy!!!!! as in. ANd he was supposed to have a friend come, but he didn't show up, so it was just him. In the lesson he bore his testimony and it was great. He came with us for three lessons. It was really cool because a lot of time people say that they will do something and then they don't and it is so frustrating. But I learned from this kid that even though it was probably super uncomfortable to work with two American's he did it anyways. i think that that is something I learned from him because sometimes there is something that I don't necessarily want to do. But we don't know who we can help. That kid helped so much by his fellowshipping. SOmething that I learned this week is I just need to be willing to do what the Lord asks me. Even if I don't want to or it doesnt' seem important to me, I don't know who it coulod help or who it could have an effect on. 

So anyways, I hope you guys have a great week! I love you all so much. Just keep building up God's kingdom on the earth and we will come out triumphant. I know that this is the only true church on this earth. Christ lives and he is our Savior. I love 3 Nephi 9:14. It says that Christ will take in anybody that comes unto him. He is there, we just need to do the walking to get to him. I love you all so much. Just keep smiling! Mahal ko kayo! 

Sister Palmer

P.S. I am sitting in the back of the computer shop and it's super close to the bathroom. YOu know how the bathroom in the airports smell like?? Or like in the Delta center.... That's what it smells like here... mmmm it's the best! Anyways love love love! 

P.S.S here is the blog of the senior couple that is in my area shamrell-pacific.blogspot.com I might be on there.... hehe love love love!

September 2, 2013

Ok So I need to relearn how to use my time wisely while I am in the computer shop. This will probably be another short one. But this week was really great! We seriously had so much stuff that happened, that I couldn't write all down or I would be here for another three hours trying to fit it all in! I love my area so much!!!! Things are seriously progressing a lot now! It only took like two and a half transfers, but now things are really progressing and so many little miracles are happening. I have a feeling like I'll be transferring nxt week. So I guess we'll see where I'll end up! But we still have two weeks to think about that. I always feel like when the area starts to really progress I get transferred. But that's ok. I just love it here. We walk everywhere and work so hard! There are so many people to meet everyday on the streets. We met a lawyer and started teaching him. So we are excited about that. Sister Augustin and I are doing great! Brother Peter got the priesthood yesterday. And he told us that his wife is starting to soften up to the idea of listening to us, which makes us so happy!!!!!! Brother Camilo and Sister Beth are pregressing a lot! They are totally preparing for their baptism. It isn't until Sept 28 but they are already asking what they need to wear and everything. They are so cute! 

This week I had a lot of learning experiences about myself. I realized that part of our mission is learn how to become our best self. Develop the traits and talents that the Lord gave us and learn what our role is in the Lord's vinyard. Some are the planters and some are the harvesters. Or you can be both. But there are some things that you are better at than others. I know that this church is true. God know each of us and knows what we are capable of. We just need to give our lives over to him and he will make the best of it. I have seen so many times when people give their lives to god and miracle happen. And I have seen so many times the opposite of that, and it breaks my heart. I hope that we can all find somebody at church that needs a friend. There is always somebody. Even if we are surrounded by friends, seek out the ones that aren't. it will make their day and maybe even keep them active in the church. I love you all so much! Have a great week!!!!!!!!! 

SiSter Palmer

August 19, 2013

HELLO FAMILY!!!! I hope that you are all still there at the house! I just needed to hurry and write president. But first of all HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESSICA!!! Sorry I am the worst with birthdays. But I hope you guys had fun at Lagoon. And YAY! Kristin graduated! SHe is the best. And so are all of you! Also I am glad that you guys stayed safe from the fire. That is so scary!!!!!!!! But I am glad that you are safe! 

SO this week has been really good. Even with the storm. We were fine. It just rained really hard forever and the winds were really strong. But it's all good. Carry pa rin. Even though we didn't have a p-day last week we were still able to buy our groceries on tuesday, whcih is good. It was hot for a couple days and now it is just raining again. We are in Mangaldan because we had zone studies this morning and it is flooded here.... But that's ok. It's just fun walking in the rain. But I think my feet have been pruney for a good two or three days now.... But it's all good. 

So yesterday one of our envestigators got interviewed for his baptism this week. And he passed. I was so ticked at the elder though for a second. So Bro Peter came out and he had a smile on his face. But he is a little shy so he just headed for the door and was like I'm going home now sisters because I am hungry. So I asked him if everything was ok and he was like yea. But he was very vague. So then Elder (our DL) was like sisters come in here. We went into this room and he was like so how is bro when you are teaching hima nd stuff. I said that he is always really great and everything. Then we was like there is something that you don't know about him. ANd my heart sunk! This had been the second time that we had moved his date and I was like what the heck don't we know. Then we was like nabagsak si brother. which means basically like he failed. My heart sunk. I was like what they heck!!! Then elder was like "mabagsak siya sa tubig sa saturday" which means like he is going to fall in water on saturday. I was like so ticked! But it was supper funny! So long story short, PETER IS GETTING BAPTIZED!!!!!!!! 

Also we had these two investigators come to church yesterday. It was their first time coming. We have taught them a few times and brother loves the BOM. They are a couple. SIster like didn't want to read because she was too busy she said. Yesterday before church is was rainign really hard. And then during church it was raining too. The rain here is like somebody is spraying a fire house, that's how thick it is. Then after sunday school one of the members came up to us and told us that they were here. I didn't believe it. But sure enough they were outside wiping their feet off to come it to church. Later that night we went and visited them. Brother and Sister both said that they want to stay in the church. They said that is was true and this is where they want to be. And even Sister had read the BOM. She didn't just read it to say she read it, but she could tell us everything that she had read. That is excatly how brother is too. It basically was such a cool experience! We are so happy and excited for them! It just makes my heart swell when people have enough faith to act and then when they receive an answer they act on that. 

So basically I feel like this week was full of miracles and great things. It really was such a good week. Sometimes it's a little discouraging out here, but then you have a week like this and you just can't help but smile. I know that this church is true. Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. We listened to something as a zone earlier today. Elder Holland said that as missionaries we are standing shoulder and shoulder with Jesus Christ. I know that is true because we are representatives of Jesus Christ as our Savior. The Book of Mormon truly is the word of God. There is so much that we can learn from there. I love you all and hope that you are well and happy. Good luck with starting school Owen! It's going to be great!! I love you all!!!!!! Be safe! God be with you!

Sister Palmer

August 12, 2013

Hello Family! How are you all doing?? Hope everything is great with you! So we experienced our first bagiuo here. It wasn't too bad. It's just been raining since 8 or something last night and then it was super windy! there are other parts of our mission that got really bad flooded and the power is out. But I think for the most part everybody is ok! It was crazy this morning when we were washing our clothes outside and seeing the wind and the rain. It was serously coming down in blankets for hours and hours! And the river tat is right outside our apartment is so flooded! It was sooooo crazy! Im just glad that nothing flooded near us! So that's how today has been. 

ALso I have a question for you mom,or maybe dad knows the answer. Last week I got an envelope of 5,500 pesos coming from somebody named Kim Morrison in California. Do you guys know who he/she is??/ it was like super weird when I got that. But I have no idea who it is coming from.... haha. 

So I have a pretty funny story. Last night we had to come early because of the storm, so I kind of had a lot of energy. then we had just finished our prayers and I told sister Augustin that I had so much energy and I didn't know if I could sleep. So I said goodnight to her. Sister A said that maybe like five minutes after I said I had so much energy I was snoring. Our beds are right next to each other and she said that she like sat up to see if I was really snoring. And I was. So i guess even though I had a lot of energy, I could still sleep... haha we were lauging so hard this morning when she told me. 

Things here are going well. Just keep working hard. There is so much to be done to help the work of the Lord. Sometimes I feel like there is too much and the advasary is winning. But then i remember what Joseph Smith said, that "no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing". That is so true. no matter what, things will still prgress. Life here is really hard for a lot of people and it makes me really sad. Our life is so luxiourious as to the things of the world. But even though it's like that, the people here are still happy and still come to church. We have one investigator that is having a really, really hard time right now. But he still comes to church ever Sunday, reads his Book Of Mormon every day and prays. I know that if we do what we're suppossed to be doing the Lord will provide for us. I hope you guys have a great week. You are all the best! I pray for you always. Stay safe! Love you all! 

Sister Palmer

p.s. I just remembered another funny story real quick. We were giving a success story in our district meeting. I was having sister Augustin explain it in Tagalog for her to practice. So there are two words, one for I have to pee, which is "naiihi" and another for shy, which is "nahihiya". They kind of sound the same. Two weeks ago we visited a less active family for the first time and then they came to church the very next sunday. Sister A was trying to say that they were shy to come to church, but she said that they had to pee and that's why they couldn't come to church. All of the elders were trying to hold their laughs in and then I coulnd't do it anymore and I burst out! Then we all started laughing so much!!!! it was so funny! Oh I love when we say words wrong.... It just makes things so funny! And another time we were talkng to this old guy and he asked what the job was of the dad of sister a. She said a factory worker. Brother said really loud (and he has NO teeth) "a fashion designer?!?!?!" That's what he thought was the job of her dad. It was so funny. Anyways, those are some funny stories for us. Have a good week. Love you all!!!!!!!!!! 

August 5, 2013

Wow, I can't believe it is already August 5!!!! Time sure flies when you're having fun! Well this week was good! I feel like I don't have a lot to say. But things have been going well. It is really hard when people don't come to church. Sometimes it's like pulling teeth out. But I have really learned about agency here. One thing that makes me sad is there are like a lot of family fueds here.. There are people that won't go to church because they were offended by their family members who still go to church. It is really hard/sad when that is the situation. I have really learned taht we just need to be humble and forgive and forget. We have one investigator that is really progressing. He has been reading the book of mormon and can tell us everything thing that is in it and he is applying it to his life, but he is weary about going to church because of this family problem. Anyways, it is really sad. But sorry my time is almost up. Thank you for all of your emails to me. I hope you have a great week. I know that this church is so true. This gospel is so beautiful. I have never felt more peace and comfort in my life before. I know that the Lord is going before us in all things to pave the way for us. He is there for us always, we just need to realized his help and take his hand. I hope you guys have a great week! Love you all so much! mahal na mahal ko kayo, at namimiss ko kayo!!! 

Sister Palmer

July 1, 2013

Wow, this week you guys will celebrate the fourth of jUly !!!!!! ayy you are so lucky! that is my favorite holiday, so celebrate it well. It sounds like you guys had a great trip in Jackson. Oh man I miss that place so much!!! I bet it was a blast!! Even though you didn't go to the river, how was it?/ Is it high? or just average. Well anyways, things are going well here. We watched the training broadcast yesterday. Believe it or not but that kind of stuff makes me kind of homesick sometimes. But its all good. It really is just so great if the ward or branch helps out. Most of the investigators that we find by our selves, don't go anywhere. They just think it's fun the have somebody visiting. That is what we have been working on is finding the elect. The people that are ready to act and not be acted upon. We have one referral that is really progressing. He has been coming to church and everything and really knows that this chruch is true. It makes me so happy when things like that happen! 

I just had something I was going to say, but I forgot it. but there are a ton, TON of mosqutoes in this enternet shop. Almost all my bug bits were gone, until right now. Now they just doubled..... ayyy it's itchy. 

Anyways, the work is progressing. I love what all the apostles and prophet said at the bradcast. Everything that the church is doing right now is really amazing. This is such an exciting time to be a member of the Lord's true Church on this earth and to be able to say that we helped the work progress. I know that this is the true church. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I just finished it two days ago. There is so much power in that book, I have been reading "Our Heritage". That is such an incredible book and I am so grateful for everything that the Pioneers did for us andthe first members of this church. 

Do you rememver that saying, "It's always darkest before the dawn"? Well I made up a saying for the Phillipines. "IT's always hottest before it rains". Which is like so true!!!!!! Whenever it's like so hot outside, as in, like my hair is wet from sweat hot, a big rain storm is coming!!! yay!! It's super fun! anyways, I love you all! I hope you're having a great week and a great night!!! I love you all so much! Keep building God's kingdom!!! Love you all! 

Sister Palmer

June 23, 2013

Hello Family, So guess what??? I am in the new Urdaneta Mission!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!! So basically nothing has changes, except for my chances of going to Baguio, which just turning into, it won't ever happen. So I basically will just be sweating hot for the rest of my mission, but that is ok, I am so happy to stay here. I don't think it really matters where we go, as long as we serve we will grow to love the people no matter what. I think they are all getting ready for the temple, which is going to happen soon. We are all pretty excited!! Well I got a new companion. Her name is Sister Augustin. She is from Orem and she is an african american. Things are going well with us. I think I am just used to having filipina companions, with all of these foriegners, I have had to adjust a lot to them. But it's ok, becuase then I realize that I am a foriegner too..... haha. 

But anyways, things are good here. I am still in Manaoag. It is pretty fun here. It is now rainy season!!!!! Which means it's a little cooler. But some days are still super hot! But it just rains a ton!! So that is fun! At least we have umbrella's haha. And my enter button isn't working, so this will just be one big long block. But anyways, things are going well here. I don't feel like I have any super awesome stories this week. But I have been amazed how I can never stop learning about this church and about how to teach people. I think it is a never ending process. he people here are really  just so great. They do so much even though they have so little. One thing I realized this week is I know why frogs ar my favorite animal. It's because they are delicious!!! Haha. Yes that is right, I at palaka, or frog. It was super yummy. I like it way better than dog and goat. But Anyways, I have really seen how the atonement can change a person. You can tell when somebody comes to church because they have to, and whent they want to to renew their covenants with God. I love this work so much. I love these people here so much. I am so glad taht i was sent here to the Philippines. These people here have such a special place in my heart. I know that this church is true. This is Jesus' church here on this earth. Keep being strong family. Love you all and have a great week!! 

Love Sister Palmer

June 17, 2013

Hello Fam! Just another day in paradise! I think that if paradise meant "heat" then that would be an accurate, because that is exactly what it is like here. As if that is big news for you guys. I think you know that it is hot here. I feel like that;s all I talk about haha. But anyways, this week has been good. I am like super tired though, so hopefully I can take like a ten minute nap later today to get recharged for the week. 

This week we had a few cool things happen. One we have been teaching an investigator for a couple of wweeks now, and yesterday he came to church! He was going to come one sunday but then he got a cyst on his foot and couldn't walk, then the next sunday his friend who is a member wasn't coming, so he didn't come too. But yesterday, he came by himself. Then a less-active that has only come to church for two sundays, but we taught him yesterday and he said that he read 2nephi 31:14 and it described him so he needed to come back. Well anyways, that returning member fellowshiped our investigator and really made him feel welcome. it was really cool to see that. This returning member is understanding better than some other members what it really means to be a member on this church. It isn't just to do your own thing, with your little group of friends. But it is to love everbody and bring everybody unto Christ. Not just the people that dress like you or like the same music as you. But it really made me so happy!!!!!!

Then we have this less active family, the Lim family. They dad is the one that would come to church every sunday. Which is weird because usually the men are hard and dont want to come to chruch but the women aren't... sorry men. But it this case, he was the one that was always coming to church. Then we have been teaching them and sister said she can't leave her store, even on sunday. But two weeks ago she came the chruch and they even brought their kids. The dad said if sister doesn't come to church then the kids don't want to too. But the past two sundays they have been coming to church. Then last night we went and taught them and brother said that in the morning he told them, lets not go to church today, but sister said, we are going! So guess what?? They all came to church again. 

Just seeing these little miracles really makes me so happy. I hope that you guys are having a great day. Have fun in Jackson this week. Love you all. This church is true! Jesus Christ is our Savior and this is his church and kindgom on this earth. Love you all!!!!!

Sister Palmer

June 10, 2013

Wow, who can believe it's already June!! Wow, ang balis ng panahon. Or wow, time is fast! But seriously. So a couple of weeks ago I gave my usb to an elder here to put music on it for me. So  it turns out, he put on EFY music from 1991-2013. So I've been listening to some of the greats from the year I was born! Wow, are those some great songs. It is apparent that they are coming from the 90's haha. But it is pretty funny to listen to. Also, I got my first wound from washing my clothes today. Sometimes the soap is hard and it causes your hands to crack. So that is fun. One of the pleasures of living in the Philippines. I had been using this other soap, but somebody we are teaching said that that causes cracks, so I got a different one. It turns out the different one causes cracks for me. But that is ok. I have one week to recover! 

So basically this week has been a little rough, but we are still happy. They never said it was going to be easy, they only said it would be worth it. (who said that".... "He"...."He who") But whoever said that was right. "It will all be worth it in the end"-17 Miracles. We got to watch that last week which was pretty great. Anyways I am just rambling now. But it was all worth it on Sunday, because we had a lot of less actives that came to church. And the parents that we had been teaching, brought their children!!!! So YAY! we were so happy. But only one investigator, So I will still a little sad, but I just need to be happy with the miracles. 

One less active just decided to come to church last week. We always go to his house, but he is asleep. Basically around 2 and 3 everybody is asleep unless they're watching their store or they are in the city. But his wife is always there (they have a little store, so she's watching the store) and we will share to her. She said that last week brother just decided to come to church. Then last saturday we visited them again and brother was at their sons bakery, and he asked where their D&C was so he could read for the lesson in Sunday school. WOW! I know that it is because of the example of his wife that he is coming to church now. I know that these miracles happen all the time. God works in mysterious ways. It may not be the way that we want it to be, I am learning that more and more everyday, but they are happening. I think that something that God has been trying to teach me, is even though there are a lot of trials and hardships, I just need to recognize the miracles and realize God's timing is perfect, and sometimes Sister Palmer's timing isn't. 

So anyways, I think I have rambled enough to you. Thank you for everything. I hope you guys all have a great week. Sometimes I feel a little discouraged, but I just read about Moroni and he was litterally by himself, and the people that we left wanted to kill him. But all of his friends and loved ones were killed. So that made me realize just how blessed we really are. And even though that was Moroni's situation, he still was faithful, and wouldn't deny the Christ. That is how we need to be. No matter what, we should not deny our testimony of the Savior and the precious things that we know to be true. That is what will bring us happiness.

Ok now I am really done. Love you all and have a great week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sister Palmer

May 19, 2013

Hello family!!! How is my dakilang family doing??? I hope you are all doing well. It was so great to talk to you last week. It was super short though. But I am glad I was able to see everybody, except the Jesse's because they were out partying on the beach...... ;) 

But this week has been good. Obviously i got transferred two weeks ago. so that was a change. I was very much area sick. But that's ok. it is wearing off over time. My companion is great. She kind of doesn't really know Tagalog....... so we are having a fun time. it has been a little bit to adjust to, but we have been doing great. She can still conect with the people even if she doesn't know hwat they are saying. So we had a baptism last Saturday. It was a 13 girl named Wenzly. i would send pictures but i don't have my camera. SO next week na lang. But the baptism was a success, and we are so happy for her! She is such a great girl and has such a strong testimony. 

So our area is MALAYO!!!!!!!!!!! or that means very very big! And we walk a ton, because fare is expensive... hehe. But it is ok. i'm just working on my figure.... haha. So that has been an adjustment becuase my last area wasn't too big. It was big, but not as big as this. But it has still been fun. I have meet a lot of great people already and things just keep progressing. We had district conference (we are in a branch in a district) this past weekend. It was really great. A 70 came. They are from here. It was really cool to hear his conversion and how he progressed from 19 years old meeting the missionaries to now, a general authority. It just goes to show the potential that we have if we apply the teachings of the church and how much the Lord loves us. I learned a lot from them. 

So the other night we walked into our apartment and it smelled soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo bad!!!!!!!!!!! We were like what the heck is the smell. So  we moved all the furnature because maybe there was a dead something, but we couldn't find anything. So then i think it was the next day I was in the kitchen cooking and the other sisters called out. We went into our living room and guess what had happened????????? Sister Bonifacio had sitten on a mouse and squished it. So yes we had a dead mouse squished into our couch...... it was soooooooooo gross!!!!!!! So that was the source of teh awful stench. We were laughing pretty hard. 

So that was basically my week, plus or minus a few details. I hope you are all doing well and keeping strong. One thing i learned at district conference is that it all starts in the family. We need to be doing daily scripture study as a fam and daily fam prayer in order to be strong in the gospel. If we don't want our family to get off the path, that is what we will do. I love the verse in D&C123:17. After we do ALL we can, sit still. Watch what the Lord will do with our lives after we do all we can. I hope you guys have a great week. I know you will because you are only 5 hours away from "HOLY MOLY". Lucky! (Napoleon Dynamite voice). I know that this church is true. The heavens are open and God is trying to communicate with us. We just need to open our ears to here the precious words he is trying to tell us. I love you all so much. mahal na mahal ko po kayo. Magingat kayo diyan. Palangga taka. 

Sister Palmer

May 6, 2013

Hello Family. How are you all doing?? I hope that you have all had a great week. Thank you for your emails to me. You guys are the best. Sorry that I don't have time to write you back individually, but I'll try. This week has been good. We had a tri-zone conference. Elder and Sister Nielson of the General Area Presidency did a mission tour of our mission. It was really great. They said so many great things that really helped me stay motivated even through hard times. One thing I learned is to find holiness in all things. We need to look for it. I know that if we do we will be happy because we can see how the Lord's hand is in everything. 

So this is probably my last week in Urdaneta. I have a feeling that I am going to be transferred. And let me just tell you I am really sad. I think I have cried a lot in the past few days because of this. I can't even imagine how it's going to be when my mission is over. I am going to miss the people so much here, as in. And especially SIster Alibogha. She is like my best friend and now we are getting separated. I feel like that happens a lot in life, but we just need to keep on smiling and always remember the people we meet. I know that this life is so short and we will see each other again on the other side. 

Today we had a zone activity. We did the amazing race. It was really fun!!! But soooooooooooooooooooooooooo hot! I thought I was going to die. We were all running around with out an umbrella. Lets just say we all looked like we had been swimming, but really it was just our sweat...... mmmmm yummy. But it was really fun, even though we got last place..... hahaha

So there is a family here that has 6 kids. And they are crazy! At church they are always everywhere!!!! So last week there was a baptism (child of record) in our ward. Sister A and I sat down and little by little the kids came by us too. Oh boy!!!!!! Was that fun. The whole time we were trying to get them to sit down and be quiet. I think we got a little taste of what it's like being a mom. But they are really cute. There's just a lot of them and they are always everywhere!

Our work is going ok. We haven't had a baptism since Feb and it is really sad. We have been working hard and trying to find the elect that are ready for this message. We just need to keep looking. I know that this is the only way to find true happiness in life. Even though sometimes peoples agency is frustrating, I know that it is the only way to show God that we truly love him, is through our actions. We just need to do everything that we can to give them opportinities in this life and it is their choice if they reject it or not. 

Sorry if this is kind of scattered. I am a little tired from our escapade earlier. Thank you for all that you do for me. I got the pictures that mom sent me. You all look great and all grown up! (The little ones). I love you all so much. I know that this church is true. It is god's kingdom on the earth and it is our responsibility to build it up on the earth. We are making a fat feast for the poor. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Jesus Christ lives and is our Savior. Thank you all for everything. I love you all so much. Have a great week!!!!!! 

Sister Palmer 

April 21, 2013

hello Family!!! How are you all doing? If you are wondering how the 99 degree weather feels like, just imagine being wet all the time with sweat and that is it..... But it's not too bad. I am getting used to it and before you know it summer will be over and it will be rainy season. which means a lot of rain. It rained again last night. We had jsut finished teaching and were about to leave and it just started raining, really hard. Remember in Florida how hard it rained there when we went to NASA I think? That's how hard it rains here. So we waited for about 20 minutes because it was lightening and thundering really close. Then it finally stopped a little bit. So it was pretty cool. We walked home which was about a thirty minute walk, but it was really fun. We were just walking and talking in the rain. It was a good time.

Last week we had exchanges. So I went to Dagupan and Sister Carr (another sister) came here and became companions with Sister A. for a couple of days. It was really sad to say goodbye to Sister A. I think that President was just trying to prepare us for transfers. I was in a trio for a couple of days. My companions were Sister Navarathna (from Sri Lanka) and Sister Taliaivoa (Australia). So needless to say with all of our accents and everything, it was a pretty interesting time. The Sister's were great though. SIster T is pretty new so she doesn't really know Tagalog and Sister N. is a little longer in the mission so she can speak ok, but she doesn't understand anything. So that left me there as their translator. Oh boy was that fun. It was a little intersting, but we did it!!!!! There area in near the ocean. It is so crazy to see how just 30 minutes of travel how different everything is. It was like a different world. The language changed (in Urdaneta it's Ilocano, in dagupan it's Pangansinan), their livelyhood changed (Udaneta- rice fields, Dagupan- fishing). One house that we went to was like in the middle of the ocean. The bridge that went to their house was made of like bamboo and was super wabbly. Then half of it was under the water..... I looked at it and was like what the heck are we supposed to do here?? Then brother yelled to us "tuloy kayo". Which means come in, or come to our house. I just stared at him and the other sisters and was like seriously?? But after about three minutes of just saying, "ok you first, no you first". Brother came over and put down plywood on part of it that was in the water. But then we had to go the rest of the way and it was pretty scary. There wasn't any railings or anything. I am just glad that we made it across ok. It was quite the experience needless to say. I feel like there were a ton more things like that but I can't reall think right now. There was another area that was basically all built in the ocean. Their houses are made out of bamboo. I don't know what they do in the storm season, but maybe they have that all figured out. It was realy interesting to see a different view of life and everything. It made me really grateful for the area that I am in now and my apartment and everything. But I have a feeling I'll be transfering soon because I have been here for a while in Urdaneta. So we will see where my next area will be. But we don't have transfers for another three weeks. So we'll see. 

Other than our exchanges things have been going well here. We have really been working on trying to find new investigators. I felt like just all of a sudden we don't have any anymore. So this week we need to work on finding and expanding our investigator pool. I have really seen that if you show the people that you love them and arent' just there to teach and leave, but to build relationships and through you show that God loves them too, that is how people grow to trust you and trust in this gospel and the peace it brings into our life. We just need to show people love and I know we will help others come unto Christ. There is a kid here that we have been teaching. He is 18 or 19. He is the only member in his family and we teach him and a couple other boys that are the same age there. He told us last week that he really wants to serve a mission and he has prayed about it and knows that this is what he's supposed to do. He asked his parents, well I guess told them that he wants to serve and they said that it is ok. So now he is preparing. It makes me so happy that young men and women are going out to serve the Lord. I know that this church is true! If we trust in God we will have success, whether great or small.

Sorry I don't have time to write you all back personally, my time is about up. But thank you so much for the birthday wishes. It was a great day even though I was far from you all. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. I love you all so much and know that this is the true church of God. I hope you all have a great week and keep being great!!!!!!! Love you all sooooo much! 

Sister Palmer 

April 14, 2013

Hello my wonderful family!!!!!!!!! So now it is April, I hope that it is warming up a little bit there. I wish we could send some of this heat to you guys, but I guess for the time being we will just soak it up!!!!!! So this week was pretty good. We were able to watch conference which was awesome!!! I felt like it was so fast though, I didn't want it to end, and then it was over..... But there were so many great things that we said. I think Elder Holland is my favorite. I could really feel his love for us. He just wants us to be good and be obedient. Even if we think we don't have the faith for it, he said that we could use his. That was such an amazing act of charity because sometimes we get discouraged, but a prophet of God said that we can use his faith until we gain our own. I know that by just believing and acting, that is when faith grows. But there were a ton of other things that I learned at conference. But really just how important it is to do the simple commandments so that satan won't have power over us. This morning I read in Alma 49 about how Moroni and his people had prepared the city. Amalekiah thought that it was their weak part because before it was. But my favorite line in verse 4 "but behold, how great was their disappointment". Hopefully that is the reaction of Satan when he tries to tempt us. I want that to be his reaction when he tries to tempt me. That from doing the simple commandments everyday that he doesn't have power over me. In a later verse I think verse 11 it says that the blood of the men of Amalikiah wasn't important to them. That is how we are with Satan. We aren't important to him. He just wants to win, for his own glory and he is willing to take whoever down with him, for his own glory. but happy for us we know the end of his story and we can get hope from that. So this week I hope we have the attitude that we hope Satan will be greatly disappointed because of our righteous choices this week.

So can any one believe that it is April?? I sure can't. My 9 month mark is this Friday....... Huh? I can't believe that my mission is half way complete. It feels like I just got here, but on the other hand, I have learned so much and am so grateful for that. Also thank you for the birthday wishes!!! I think a birthday away from home is more sad than christmas. But I am surrounded by some really really great people here. So it will still be happy and I wills till be thinking of you guys. SO thank you a ton!

We had another cool experience of prayer this week. Two weeks ago we went to a less actives house and just the mom and one daughter was there. But we asked if we could teach them anyways and they accepted. Usually the mom is a little cold to us but this night she was super friendly. At the end of the lesson we asked if there was anything we could help her with. She told us about her son that has a job but he doesn't come home. He just sleeps at his friends house. She said that she misses him a lot and asked us to pray for him. So we included them in our prayers. That sunday they all came to church, except the son. But we were so happy that they were all there. Then that next thursday we went to their house and guess who was there?? Their son! I have been in this area for almost 5 months and this was my first time to meet him. I know that because they went to church and we all prayed for him, he came back. So it was a really cool experience.

My time is almost up, but I have a quick funny story that I think you will all appreciate. So the other day we were in companionship study. And I think it was my turn to share what I had learned in personal study and sister Alibogha said "ok sister Palmer it's your turn to shine". So i thought it was pretty funny, so this week we have been saying it back and forth to each other. Yesterday we were at church and Sister Alibogha was going to go to the bathroom. Before she went into the stall she said to me "Ok sister, It's my time to shine now!", Oh man I was laughing soooooooooooo hard!!!!!!!!!!!!! So now that is what we always say "It's my time to shine". So I hope that you have a "time to shine" this week. I love you all so much. I know that this is the true church of God. We have a living Prophet on this earth. This church is perfect, because it is God's church. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I love you all so much and hope you have a truly fantastic week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep being awesome! Mahal ko kayo!!!!!

Sister Palmer 

April 7, 2013

Hello Family!!! Can you believe that it is April already???? Holy cow, time has flown by! My mission is half way now.... Kind of makes me a little sad, but it is ok. I still have a long time! Things are going well here.... it is still summer and still hot, but that is something that I am getting used to.. You would think that after seven months of being here I would be used to the heat, but sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and my hair is wet, my face is wet.... Like somebody poured water on me and then I realize that it is sweat. So I wipe off my face and turn my fan up. You all know how good of a sleeper I am, so i can usually go right back to sleep. That is quite a blessing because I get grumpy when i don't have enough sleep (I think you know that too).

So anyways, this week has been good. We have just been working and stuff. We went to a less active here in our area. She is really really old!!! She was saying that she prays that her back will mawawala.... It is funny in tagalog. It is hard to expain in english, but like she wants her back to dissapear. So Sister Alibogha said, if you keep praying for that, you wont have a back sister.... We were laughing so hard. Then Sister Fay (the less active) was holding my hand durring the lesson and Sister A said to her, you can have Sister Palmer's hand, or sa inyo yen po ang kamay ni Sister Palmer. Once again we were laughing. Then at the end of the lesson I was closing it and I was saying "we leave this..." and she said, in our thoughts and heart..... I was laughing so hard I could'nt close the lesson for a little bit until I recomposed. But she is really so sweet! 

Two weeks ago we went and visited our bishop. We are trying to build the relationships of the ward members right now so that the work will progress better. So we went to Bishops house with a "how can we help" attitude like it says in Preach my Gospel. At first he was like, "what are your problems". Then we asked how we could help him and his attitude changed. He was more willing to work with us. Then he asked us to pray for him because he misplaced the ward credit card. When we got there it seemed like something was bothering him, and that was it. He had just come back from going to different places looking for the card. He said he felt sick about it. Our ward had a temple trip last week and they needed to card for it. So he asked us to pray for him and the card. So it was good that he opened up to us. I felt like after that he warmed up to us. So yesterday in his testimony he said that he went to the security guard at the ATM and the person after bishop found the card and gave it to the security guard. Then the security guard hid it until the owner came back. Bishop bore testimony of the power of prayer. I know that if we have faith and if our desires are true and honest, our prayers will be answered. It was truly a miracle because the person behing bishop and the security guard could have used the credit card, but neither did. it was another testimony to me that God protects us and the sacred money that we pay for tithing. I am sure that that was sacred tithing money that was in the account, but becuase it is the Lords money and it is for the kingdom of God here on earth, it was protected. After sacrament meeting bishop thanked us for our prayers. Our relationship with him has really been strenghtened by this experience and I know that through this the work will progress better and faster here. 

Things are going well with our investigators too. We have really just been trying to talk to everybody and plant a seed in there heart for this great word of God to grow. I know that this church is true with all of my heart. This is the work of God and if we are obedient we will be in the right place at the right time to help somebody else, and share this great message with them. I have learned here that we shouldn't be scared to share this message, because not only is their salvation dependent on it, but ours is too. if we hold back from them their sins could be on our shoulders for not telling them the things that are true. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. i love reading it every morning and studying Preach My Gospel. Two of my favorite books. Have a great week. I can't wait for this weekend to watch General Conference and listen to our prophets voice. Have a great week. Love you so much! 

Sister Palmer 

March 31, 2013

Hello Po family!!! How are you all doing? I loved recieving your emails and hearing of your testimonies of Christ. They are truly beautiful. I started tearing up!! (Yes I am turning into mom in that matter...... My tear ducts always seem to be wet). My companion and I didn't even realized that it was Easter, until our bishop texted us and said happy easter. But it was perfect timing because I had just read Matthew ano, 25 or 26. Where Christ's antones for us, and then before where Judas hangs himself. I never had realized that Judas hung himself. So yes again I started to cry or tear up because of the saddness for Judas and then the pain and anguish of Christ. I am still amazed that even though it was so hard, he still did it. He did it all for us. I am truly humbled with his example and sacrifice for us.

 

SInce it is still harvest season, a lot of people are busy. So like teusday and wednesday we didn't have a lot of lessons. I was feeling a little discouraged. But then I remembered about faith. The goals that we set every day come from the Lord, they are what he wants us to accomplish for that day. So Friday. Saturday, and Sunday I had faith and not doubt. Sometimes when we need to go to a far area and the fair is expensive, I think "will they even be there". But Friday, sat and sunday I just thought "Oh they will be there!" SOmetimes they weren't there, but the Lord always guided us to somebody that was there so that we could help them. I was truly amazed how amazing faith is. If we are just believing then things will work out. I am in the book of Alma right now about Ammon and Alma and their faith. It is so incedible. If we continue to be believing and doubt not, then we can have that kind of faith.

 

A couple of weeks ago we went to one of our investifators house. She is always either sleeping, or has been drinking or isn't there. So we decided to go to her house one more time and see if she was there, and she was asleep. So we decided to go to a ladies house that we had met a couple of weeks ago. She has a store and so she was there, but her daughter who is about 30 let us in. We ended up teaching her and it was really good. We set a return appointment for her, and extended a baptismal date. She accepted. But she hadn't come to church yet. Then she said that she would come, but relief society lang. SO yesterday she wasn't in relief society..... We were kind of sad. But then we went to sacrament meeting and guess who was sitting there with her kids waiting for sacrament to start?? SIster Guvy!!!!!!!!!! We were seriously so excited. I know that the Lord is helping us with this work, and that he places people in our paths. They might notbe the person we were looking for, but the person the Lord wants us to find will always be there if we are listening to the promptings of the spirit and are obedient. There were a lot of experiences like that this week, that we would be looking for somebody or going to somebodies house and they wouldn't be there, but there was always somebody else that was there and willing and ready for this great message.

 

Anyways, this week has been good. SIster Alibogha is great. We laugh a lot which is the best because you all know how I love laughing. I know that this church is true. This is God's church here on the earth. I am so grateful for Christ's sacrifice for us. Because of the Atonement we all have the enabling power to do all things, if we have faith. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. There are a lot of people that try and tamper the name of our church and the name of Joseph Smith, but that ju shows how hard Satan is working to bring down the church of God. But like Joseph said about America, is true for this church, Satan can't destroy this church or this work from progressing. I know this is true with all my heart. I hope you all had a great Easter!!!! :) I love you all so much. Have a great week and keep being strong. The Lord will support us through everything. Love you all!!!!!

 

Love, Sister Palmer

March 17, 2013

Hello Family!!! How is everybody doing?? Joseph's story about that guys prayer was so funny!! I was laughing out loud in the internet shop! Looks like you guys enjoyed the warm last week! Looks like so much fun! It was warm here to say the least last week. Since in rained about everyday, it gets like scalding hot. I don't know why, but with the rain comes the heat. As in, it was so hot I would have a water bottle that would be frozen and in our apartment, so we wouldn't even be out in the heat of the sun, my ice would melt with in 20 minutes...... So basically if I wasn't directly in front of an electric fan, I was sweating. So to say the least my hair was basically wet all last week. But it is ok, we survived and it is now back to the normal heat, so we are all happy campers :) And we were happy last week too, just a little hot.

 

So my new companion is great! Even though this is her first area, she already is so talented. I have learned a lot from her. We have a very happy companionship! I have been so blessed with all of my companions. They have all been very great. So it is now harvest season again, which means everybody, as in, everybody is at the bukid, or farm. So to say the least, we got a lot of return appointments this week. But We were still able to find people to teach which was really great. Last sunday our church attendance was very little, and it made me really sad, as in really sad. But yesterday there were more people, which was so happy for me!!!!! We have taught an investigator twice. And after the first lesson she didn't come to church, because she was shy. So we told her that we would pick her up for next Sunday. But when we got to her house she waswashing clothes. That is her job. People here don't really have washing machines, unless you are rich. SO they all wash clothes by hand. But we were sooooooo sad. But she said that she would come to sacrament meeting. So we hoped for the best and said a prayer that she and her family would. So sacrament meeting rolls around and wala sila. Or they weren't there. So we were very sad. But then right before the opening song they all walk in, her and her family. Sister Alibogha and I had the biggest smiles on our faces! After we talked to her and she said that her expecience was very good, it was hard to explain. So we were so happy. Her baptism date is April 27. Her husbad is a member too but they aren't married. So they are going to get married and she is going to get baptised in the same day. I am so happy for them!

 

Other than that things are going well here. Last Monday we had an FHE at a members house. We gave the lesson using a cup and if it is full of water if you put a bottle cap in the cup it will stay in the middle. So the water is to word of god, or basically anything good in our life and the cup is temptation and trials. But if our cup is full of water then we stay in the middle and aways from temptations. It still moves sometimes, and that is the trials and mistakes we make, but because of the Atonement we have the opportinity to change and continually put water in our cups. I hope that makes sense. But at the FHE is was so much fun. We played games after and we were all alughing sooo hard. The kind of laughing where you make funny faces your are laughing so hard. But it just reminded me of our family and how great you guys are. And how great the families here are too and that if we have the spirit how happy we can be. It was such a good experience for me because the week before was a little hard for us, but then just having that FHE with a family and feeling the love of the Savior, it made me realize again that they Savior is always there for us and always gives us happy experiences admists our trials.

 

Anyways family, I love you all soooooo much. I hope you have a great week. Thank you for everything that you do for me. I recieved your card today mom, but haven't read it yet, but it made me so happy. Thank you all for everything. I know this church is true! Heavenly Father knows us and loves us so much. Keep smiling and being happy!!!!! :)

 

Love you, Sister Palmer