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