Blogging from Baguio

BEST DECISION EVER

2015-04-20T16:56:00.000-07:00

It honestly doesn't feel real that I am going home. Sometimes I am excited, sometimes I am nervous. A few times this week I even cried. It’s been a roller coaster week and an amazing year and a half.

This week was great. So full. We killed it. Worked our tails off. We were so tired at the end of every day. Even had some people come to church. (YES!)

But this isn't really about the week. It’s sort of just my thoughts of what I have learned on my mission - just a few things off of the top of my head.

The best time is now – don’t procrastinate repentance. Don’t postpone a prompting. Never let a good thought go unsaid. Today and now is the best time. Start what you finish. Just buckle down, roll up your sleeves and get the job done. Make your hopes and dreams and goals a reality through ACTION! We each are the masters of our own lives. Start today - NOW!

“Why” and “How” are a lot more important than “Who” and “What.” Whatever we are doing, whoever we are doing it with, be sure we remember why and do it the best we can. It’s not just serving. It’s how we serve. God wants it all – especially our heart.

Everyone is just doing the best they can – including me! Of course we all know we have different strengths and weaknesses, but we also all have different variations of “bests.” And what my best is today is probably not the same as yesterday or tomorrow. Everyone really is just making the most of what they have to work with. Instead of judging, gossiping or criticizing, we have to just give others the benefit of the doubt. Including ourselves! Just do our best and have faith that our best is good enough.

Nothing replaces quality time when it comes to building strong relationships. My strongest companionships have always been when I invest time into them. Listening to them tell me stories even when I was just so tired and wanted to sleep. Eating food together. Doing yoga after planning. Going running in the morning. It’s the little things that add up and make us closer. Nothing replaces spending quality time with someone – time outside of working and planning.

Don’t wait for the perfect moment before we give. Whether it’s giving of ourselves, our time, or our talents – just give. Don’t worry about it. Whatever we have is enough. If we wait until we’re not busy, if we think that someone else can do a better job then we are cutting ourselves short of blessings we can receive. Take any opportunity and run with it!

I've never been so aware of my weaknesses in my life. But being aware of these weaknesses has brought me closer to God. But for real, being a missionary the closer I've come to God more and more weaknesses are just thrown in my face. I've learned how to overcome some, but I've also learned how to be patient with myself and forgive myself. Because some weaknesses we will take with us to the grave.

One of my favorite expressions here is, “kung gusto mo, maraming paraan, kung ayaw mo maraming dahilan.” It means “If you want it, there are many ways. If you don’t want it, there are many excuses.” It’s so true.

Time is the best medicine. Everything gets better with time. Missionary life. Investigators. Areas. We just have to have faith and hope and actively wait. Everything gets better with time. I've found that if I continue being diligent everything works out in the end.

Probably one of the biggest lessons I've learned is how to be interdependent. It has been humbling. I've never really been a dependent person. I've always been pretty independent. I didn't like accepting help from others (cough, cough - pride) but I was compelled to be interdependent on the mission. Dependent on my companions. Dependent on my family. And mostly just dependent on the Lord. Which has been super humbling for me in the best way because I can’t do everything by myself. And relying on Him doesn't make me weak – it makes me stronger than I could ever be on my own.

I hope my mission is a catalyst for how the rest of my life goes. I just feel so thankful that I've been given this opportunity to serve. Because for every sacrifice we make the Lord triples it with blessings. The mission has improved me. It has improved the goals that I have for myself. I don’t think I've been changed – just refined and improved. I wish I could word how full my heart feels. I’m not very sad that it’s over. It feels right. I’m just so happy that it happened. So cheesy but so true. I gave my all and God gave it back to me so much better than before.

See you soon!

Sister J

SOMEDAY SOON I’M GONNA MISS THIS

2015-04-13T11:28:00.000-07:00

Someday soon I’m gonna miss this. This life. The adventures every day. I’m gonna miss the manga. The mongo and the passion fruit. The hot sun in my hair. The smell of rice. Even the smell of dried fish. I’ll miss the rats that are bigger than kittens, the Coke I can buy at the Sari-Sari store in a little plastic bag, and the individually wrapped Mentos that are just a peso. I’ll miss ordering “clean” water from jugs, wearing Crocs every day, and taking a shower out of a bucket. I’ll miss those days where we just walk and walk and walk, and days where we practically run in between appointments. I’ll miss the feeling when I come home and feel like my legs are going to fall off. I’ll miss “kaintayo” and “magasawa kana.”

I’ll miss waking up every day at 6:30am and going to bed at 10:30pm. I’ll miss studying in the morning and working through the afternoon. I will miss meeting all sorts of people every day. I’m gonna miss the “baptism high” and the discouragement lows. I’ll miss feeling so happy. I’ll miss feeling so sad. I’ll miss mission meeting. I’ll miss mission conferences. I’ll miss reciting “My Purpose” and Doctrine and Covenants Section 4. I’ll miss teaching. I’ll miss speaking Tagalog. I’ll miss helping others pray. I’ll miss expounding on simple scriptures. I’ll miss praying every time we leave the house and come home.

I’ll miss my foam mattress. I’ll miss my electric fan. I’ll miss the dogs chasing me and the kids yelling my name as I walk by. I’ll miss everyone feeding us and giving us food to take home. I’ll miss washing my clothes in a bucket. I will miss the p-day rush: the chaos of trying to fit EVERYTHING in one day.

I’ll miss the name tag; that my name is right next to Jesus Christ’s. I might even miss the affectionate (and over used) tawag na [Sister]. All the time.

I will miss being Sister Jackson.

I have one more week to enjoy all of these things. I’ll send a brief email again next Monday and I’ll just print all the emails that y’all send so that I have something to read on the plane ride home. Here’s to making this last week the best week of my mission.

Sister J

SWEAT-PROOF MASCARA

2015-04-13T10:43:00.000-07:00

April 6, 2015

It’s April! Summer is here! I now know what it’s like to sweat from every pour. So much sweat that by the end of the day my mascara is gone. I didn’t even know that was possible! Kind of silly that I still wear mascara anyway. But part of me feels like I should at least TRY to look presentable, you know?

Not only was this week April Fool’s (which I am ashamed to say I did nothing for) but it was also Holy Week here in the Pines. Because of the large Catholic influence, the whole nation celebrates. Everything was closed on Good Friday (I only saw one drug store open). You’d think with everyone home there would be lots of people to teach…it was worse than New Years! Everyone was sleeping, drunk, gambling, had visitors, or was gone on vacation! Good thing we celebrated Sister Chita’s birthday. She is a recent convert here in Lingsat Ward who is blind and seriously one of the most positive people I know. We made her day. We surprised her. She is so cute. It was our pleasure.

We got to watch the General Conference Women’s meeting (we are a week behind all y’all). It was so good! I took away 2 things. #1 American Accent. Oh my gosh. It sounded so weird to me! #2 Families. I am so excited to see my family again! I realized there is really no replacement for spending quality time with the fam.

On Saturday we had sisters from 2 zones evacuated to our house. They all came with us to church on Sunday. So many missionaries! And there wasn’t really a storm…There was a party though! Ha ha, not really a party. More like everyone was just exhausted. It’s really hard to juggle missionary life and hosting 10 extra people at your house.

My companion and I are working on helping an older sister in our ward get a hearing aid. This week I got to experience the bureaucracy in the Pines – Certificate of Indigence, Medical Certificate, tests, etc. to see if she qualifies for financial assistance. It’s been quite an interesting experience. I think I will just tell those stories in person. Sister Hufano is so trusting though – we basically just kidnapped her and dragged her all over town because she can’t hear anything so she doesn’t know what we are doing with her!

I love being a missionary. I love serving others. I love my life in the Pines.

Sister J

THE FIRST OF THE LAST DAYS

2015-04-01T08:34:00.000-07:00

We had a good week. I can’t believe it’s already been a week. And I can’t believe I’m already starting my “lasts.” It feels like just yesterday I was watching my last movie, eating my last Pita Pit. Now today is my last zone activity. Tomorrow is my last MLC. This Saturday is my last Women’s Conference in the Philippines.

This week I laughed until I cried. My companion is so funny and her laugh is contagious. She explained the meaning behind a few Tagalog jokes to me. I had that "ah-ha" light bulb moment. Another night we laid on the floor with cucumber slices all over our faces. I don’t remember what we were talking about, but I couldn't stop laughing. She’s hilarious. It’s the little things.

We are finishing up exchanges - just one more next week. I've had a little bit of a hard time gauging how my Tagalog speaking ability is progressing because I’m always with Filipina companions. I died this week when on exchanges one of the newer missionaries asked me, “Are you going to become [insert bodily fluid that I won’t name]?” Language mistakes. Always so funny.

We saw progress in our work this week! We found a 15 year old girl who is friends with President Balledos’ daughter. His daughter has been coming with us to teach this new investigator (her friend). And, she picked her up for church! Then while at church one of the counselors in the Stake Presidency noticed her as the daughter of one of his friends from college, so he asked me to get his number so that he can fellowship him. YES! PROGRESS! People are so great!

Probably the saddest first-of-the-lasts was when I realized I won’t be here for another baptism (investigators must attend church 4 times before baptism here). It’s ok though. I am determined to leave behind a ripple effect. We will prepare this area really well for the next missionaries.

Sorry, it’s a short one this week! We had lots of laughs, lots of tracting, lots of work. Enjoying every moment!

Sister J

PINCH OF THE PAGOD

2015-03-26T11:09:00.000-07:00

March 23, 2015

This week has been so nakakapagod (tiring). I fell asleep in a couple of lessons. That was a repeating nightmare for me as a new missionary. And now it’s happening in real life and I’m just like, “eh…ayos lang.” (It’s ok)

*Random side bar about pinching*

I don’t think I’ve ever written about this. Kids sometimes like to pinch my arm hair. Cause it’s blond.
And people here don’t really have arm hair.

But they use the Tagalog word for “fur” to describe it. Nice.

Alrighty – here is why this week was so nakakapagaod:

Two late nights (Sunday and Monday) and then waking up early Tuesday morning because of departing missionaries!! (Note to self….pack bags earlier than the night before.) It was fun to stay up and help them pack, and then drop them off at the bus. But it made for a killer Tuesday and Wednesday – my companion and I were the walking dead.
Thursday night (Friday morning, actually, 2am!) we left for Manila. (All of the departing foreign missionaries had to go get fingerprinted for leaving the country.) I had gotten sick – around midnight I started throwing up. But this was the last group of departing foreign missionaries going to Manila for fingerprinting before I go home, so I had to go even though I was sick. Thank goodness for some well-timed bus stops…It was great though because I got to catch up with Sister Golightly! We haven’t really been able to talk since she visited me when I was in the hospital. But we were up for almost 24 hours, so we got to catch up. On the bus ride to Manila (from 2am – 9am) we gave up our seats to a mom and her kids. So we sat in the aisle on a little kid stool and a bucket. We got to Manila, got fingerprinted, and then went to TACO BELL. Oh my gosh. Words cannot describe. I felt like Orphan Annie, “Could someone pinch me please?” But wait! It gets better! Taco Bell is located in one of the malls in Manila. Our super nice drivers gave us an hour to walk around before we had to go back to the bus. It was like a little piece of America. Sister Golightly and I split a Krispy Kreme donut and got smoothies, and just walked in all the stores with our mouths hanging open. Culture. Shock.

REASONS WHY I AM THE LUCKIEST MISSIONARY IN THE WORLD:

I’ve received mail these last few weeks! Thank you so much Mama J, Cook family and Sherwin family. I feel so loved. And lucky.
I have the best companion ever. On Thursday night there were 12 sisters at our house (perks of being assigned in Lingsat…Party! Party!) Sister Golightly told me when my companion heard me throwing up, she jumped up (everyone was sitting around talking) and said, “My companion is sick!” and ran out the door (I was outside). She held my hair out of the way and rubbed my back. She is so nice!
I get to rub shoulders with spiritual giants. Our mission president stopped by our district meeting. He had super great insights about everyone’s cases (each companionship takes turns sharing something about a progressing investigator or less active member). We asked for ideas on how to help the ward better befriend one returning member in our area who is practically deaf. President asked us “What has been done to help this sister hear again?” That never even occurred to me. [Go to the root of the problem and actually help make a big difference.] President said, “Imagine how much of a difference it would make to this sister if she could actually hear the gospel.” So true! Since getting his counsel, my companion and I have thought of four other ways that we can better serve the people – really help them.
Everyone I’m with has a good sense of humor. And forgiving heart. In one lesson, with Sister Chita (a blind member of our ward), I fell asleep while my companion was reading the Book of Mormon out loud. When it was my turn to read, she passed it to me and I just straight up dropped it. (Dang it. My husband just got less attractive.) After I read my five verses, Sister Chita asked me what it meant. OK…I can’t understand Isaiah on a good day, let alone on a day when I’m pagod and reading in Tagalog. I read it quickly in English and thought about it. Then just admitted, “I don’t actually know…” Everyone had a good laugh.

I truly am a lucky missionary. I'm lucky to be here in this beautiful place with wonderful people. I'm lucky to be serving the Lord and to be loved and supported by all of you!

Mahal Kita,

Sister J

Goodbye crazy psycho-clown-red hair!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

"Sweet"? Nope, these were definitely sour. Still fun to see Washington apples though!

LESSONS LEARNED

2015-03-17T07:04:00.000-07:00

Missions are great places to learn. The first thing you learn is humility – even without learning a new language I feel like the mission would still be a very humbling experience. I've also learned a lot just from going into lots of different people’s homes. But I've also been able to learn a lot of things from myself. As one missionary said, here on the mission all of your weaknesses are “thrown in your face.” And it’s so true. Good thing God gives us the opportunity to make weak things strong. Otherwise missions would be a whole lot more discouraging.

Last Sunday after transfers I was murmuring. I was complaining about things out of my control – not with the intent of improving the situation -just for the sake of complaining. I just did not really have a great attitude about the whole thing. Until Monday afternoon when I got an email from my sister Emily about what she had been reading in the scriptures. “1 Nephi 2:12 talks about Laman and Lemuel…that is true!” Who is the missionary now?! (Cue my repentance. My Mission President knows best.)

I read a really good article in the January Liahona this week. It was just a little story about how a little girl gave her teacher a nice, clean, shiny potato and how we shouldn't wait until we have an “apple” before we serve others. It’s so true! The author gave a good example – instead of waiting until you have time to make a homemade card and buy some flowers just skip the card and flowers and visit the sick person. Don’t procrastinate the day of your service. I got to see a few examples of this in my ward this week (but they are too confidential to share – sorry!)

We had new missionaries come in this week! They stayed at our house! All these things that are just a part of life for me now (examples - you have to use a bucket every time you flush the toilet, and why we eat hot dogs for breakfast) they were super confused about. It was so fun to be around new missionaries though. They just have such a great energy. And so much faith! They literally have no idea what they are getting themselves into, but they are still here! Still happy! Still excited! Still ready to serve! I’m learning from that example.

Another perk of living here in Lingsat, we get to host the missionaries right before they go home! I saw Sister Dizon!! We didn't get to spend very much time together because she was busy packing and I was busy preparing our house for the arrival of the new missionaries. But it was so good to see her even if we just talked for a bit. Something learned – I could totally get a job cleaning ANYTHING after this. I wish I had taken before and after pictures of our house! :)

Probably the biggest lesson I learned this week was…don’t try new hair dye on Saturday night! Oh my gosh. My hair is fire engine red. If I pull the little curly pieces by my face out I look like a psycho clown. Yup. All of the Relief Society ladies loved it though. The Elder’s faces were priceless when they saw it on Sunday morning at church. Their eyes practically bugged out of their heads. “You look like Ariel. Not the cartoon one. The one at Disneyland.” Cross your fingers – I’m going to try to fix it today.

I’m also learning A LOT from my new companion. I was praying to have a companion that I could learn from her example. God answers prayers! Sister Saguinsin is a great person and missionary.

I still have 5 weeks to try to learn as much as I can! Soak it all in! And hopefully make it to the beach too.

Sister J

Sister Saguinsin and me

The new missionaries!

A ROBBING, A MOVE, AND A BLAST FROM MY PAST

2015-03-09T13:35:00.000-07:00

So much stuff happened this week. I can’t believe it’s only been one week. Where to start? In order of craziness or in order of events?

I’m in San Fernando Zone again. I got emergency transferred. Transfers aren't supposed to be until tomorrow, but I've been here since Friday. President called Friday morning and said, “Pack all of your stuff in 2 hours and hop on a bus.” I’m now assigned here in Lingsat. It’s kind of a lot of pressure – it’s the ward that our Mission President attends. It’s basically the center of the mission – APs, office elders, STLs. I was a lil’ worried, but so far it’s been ok. :)

I’m here because tomorrow both Sister Beckham and Sister Lunar are getting transferred, so I've been trying to learn the area as best as I can – memorize names and places and faces in the past few days. It’s been super fun getting to know Sister Lunar and hanging out with Sister Beckham! I have been laughing so much.

Next week. It’s going to be a bit stressful. We have new missionaries coming in. And we have a couple of sisters staying here because their house has no water. Sister Lunar and Sister Beckham are leaving, and they are both leaving some of their stuff here because they are close to going home. Then I have 2 new companions coming – and one of them is leaving in a week. I know both of them and I’m SO EXCITED! One of them, Sister Sauginsin, is my batch mate and I've been thinking for the last few transfers, “I really hope we are companions.” BOOM! IT’S HAPPENING!

*Becky Moment*

I really want to just kick everyone out and clean the whole house and go through stuff and throw it away.

*Fun Fact*

I am here in San Fernando at the computer shop I used to go to when I was being trained. As a new

Missionary. So crazy! The couple’s baby (that owns the internet shop) is now running around! Time flies. AND! I can go on exchanges in my first area. Cause I’m the zone’s STL.

Back to missionary work:

I love this area. I feel really lucky. I have gotten a good mix of areas on my mission.

Pagdalagan – tobacco and corn fields and bamboo houses

Baguio – slums of the city

Agoo – rice fields

Baguio – nice city feel

Lingsat – beach

Yup. My current area has the beach in it. I’m definitely going finding to all the houses along the beach. :)

I have a few goals for my last transfer on my mission. One of them – I've been praying for a companion who I can learn a lot from their good example. I think Heavenly Father is answering my prayers and then some. I am surrounded by spiritual giants. I hope I can just soak it all in.

There are a lot of people with special needs here. I can already tell that I am going to learn a lot from their examples. Nanay Dina (Dee-na) is hilarious. So funny. She is 75 years old, loves to sing hymns and is so happy all of the time, even though she can’t walk because of the stroke she suffered. I seriously just need to bring a hidden camera to the lessons because this lady is my favorite. She shared what she read in the Book of Mormon with us (2 Nephi 9:31), then she said, “This is not true. I don’t believe this. Just because they cannot hear, they will perish?! They are so kawawa! This, this part is not true.” [Maybe you had to be there…just try to imagine it in the cutest old lady voice ever.]

Other crazy things:

I was pickpocketed. Dang it.

I gave a workshop at MLC

I love the heat! :)

Love you so much!! Talk to you soon! I’m gonna work my butt off, take pictures on the beach, try my best to eat healthy (pray for me on that one) and make so many memories and friends.

Sister J

NEW HIDING PLACES

2015-03-09T10:01:00.000-07:00

March 2, 2015

Is this the case with all missionaries? Or is it sort of a Philippines thing? Do people hide from you guys? This week we went to teach a family that is so kind – they always let us teach them. They live in a one room house that has one wooden “bed” (it’s kind of like a platform), a bench, and an entertainment center with a TV. They have 10 kids. The 16 year old girl and 3 little siblings were home when we stopped by early in the afternoon. We had a few other appointments in the area that we figured we could teach first, so we told them we would stop by again later that day. When we came back the 16 year old said her mom still wasn't home. We asked if we could teach her and she reluctantly said yes.

We could tell on her face she was TOTALLY hiding something. As we talked with her the toddler toddled over to the bed, sat on the floor next to it, and started jibber jabbering away. Then a hand poked out, grabbed his hand, and shushed him! I poked my companion and gestured towards the bed. Yup. There was the mom. Hiding under the bed. We started laughing, said, “Hi! We found you! Come on out!” She got up, climbed up on the bed and out the window. People only hide like this during earthquakes or if the missionaries are coming over.

This week was good though! When I was on exchanges with Sister Lomibao, a different less active that I have never even met before was home and we were able to teach him! His story is so sad. They were a strong, active family. But then after his wife died everything just fell apart. His kids went different directions – abroad, Manila – and he just lost control. One time he went to church by himself and one of the members said, “Where are your kids? Why aren't they here? This church is for families. You’re not a very good dad.” Oh man. I’m sure that member had the best intention, just the wrong advice at the wrong time. He said he wants to come back. We invited him to come back and prepare to go to the temple so that he can be sealed to his wife. He said he will try. And (this part is so kawawa) he and his grandson are the only ones now that live at his house. He said, “We are lonely a lot. Something is missing here.” It’s true! The Gospel of Jesus Christ! That’s what’s missing!

SIDEBARS & PALPAKS OF THE WEEK

Twice this week I was asked if it’s against our religion to ride in cars/jeepneys. Haha. Nope…we just don’t have enough money to taxi everywhere.
There was an earthquake this week on Tuesday morning. Really small, but it knocked over my picture frame.
I slipped in a river. Just decided to walk the rest of the way in the water.
I had a “Spencer” moment. Almost passed out when the man we were teaching described some gnarly stuff involving blood. YUCK.

There is a festival here in Baguio right now called the flower festival. There was a dancing parade on Saturday, a float parade yesterday, and today the main roads are closed down and covered with shops. Which is super fun EXCEPT we can't get transportation. It is seriously the biggest pain. Sunday we had to just walk to our area...which is not close. IDK how long it took... an hour?

And it took us an hour earlier today to get a taxi. We were walking and waving and yelling for taxis to come pick us up.... everyone was full. Even all the jeepneys. We even asked a lady if we could share her taxi with her. Nope. We offered to pay. Nope. BUT then a jeepney pulled over and one person got out. A guy cut in front of us and got on, but I was determined. I jumped on the jeepney, sat down on the remaining space that was too small for a small child and then put my housemate (Sister Panganiban) on my lap. Usually if jeepneys get too full people put their children on their laps... but these people were just staring at us like, "you idiots." As Sister Lacdo-o walked back and forth inside trying to find a seat Sister Faka'osi just sat down on the back. Sister Lacdo-o decided to just sit on the floor. Everyone was staring... EVERYONE inside and outside the jeepney. It was hilarious. Then the driver turned to me and said, "Can you please take a different one?" Dang it.

We just decided to keep walking. As we were walking Sister Panganiban and I made a sign that said,

"Share a Taxi?" To hold up. FINALLY we saw someone get out of their taxi! We sprinted over,

yelling and waving and praying that no one would steal it. SUCCESS!!! (Hence, I am emailing you.) :)

When we sat in the taxi we were quiet for a sec. Sort of a group *sigh* then Sister Faka'osi said, "Never again." Ha ha. Making memories!!

These pics are from this morning! We got up early and went to Burnham Park for a walk. There were news people in the park. I was really uncomfortable because 1. I was wearing workout pants that were probably too tight for a missionary and 2. This is literally the only time in all history that the news people STOP REPORTING and start STARING at the person with NO MAKEUP wearing WORKOUT CLOTHES (because I'm white??). I just wanted to leave but my companion really wanted to take pics so we stayed for a bit. We saw two floats left over from yesterday, and took pics with some kids that were still dressed up from the parade. :) They let us wear their hats. :)

And, THEE MOST AWKWARD PICTURE OF ALL TIMES!! HAHA!!

Someone brought a couple of FOOTLONGS to the ward activity. They were cut into tiny pieces. Everyone got two bites. I teared up. Seriously SO GOOD!! I asked the member where she bought them... she made them. Dang it!

Loving my life in the Philippines!

Sister J

MOMENTS

2015-02-23T07:48:00.001-08:00

I’m getting SO LAZY with my group letter lately. I feel like my life as a missionary has sort of mellowed out: lots of finding and some teaching, studies, sleep, eat, do it again, and try to improve. Even though I am used to this life, I am trying to remember/think of what is different or interesting so that I can give you all a better taste of life in the Pines.

*Scary moment*

I had to give a workshop at Zone Conference in front of President and Sister Balledos about how to improve teaching skills through planning. I think I have developed a little bit of a public speaking fear on the mission. Sweaty palms and butterflies – it was terrifying because I heard from other missionaries from other zones that there were chastisements. Yikes. The workshop was fine. I am no expert, but I guess I did well enough – no chastisements.

*Spiritual moment*

Even after 1000 times of sharing my testimony, one time this week I just knew it. I felt the spirit so strongly. By the look on her face, I don’t think she felt it. I think she was just thinking, “What the --? Why is this American girl crying in my house?” We know that every time we share our testimonies they become stronger. That’s another perk of being a missionary – we get to share our testimony multiple times a day. So if nothing else, at the end of the day, we know we have grown stronger.

*Sad moment*

I missed church this week. Yup. It feels super weird. Something is definitely missing. I got sick again bright and early Sunday morning. I think it’s those amebas…they are a true friend; they’ll never leave me. :) But really, the true friend is Sister Lacdo-o for taking care of me – keeping a hot pack on my tummy for the pain. And she also cleaned the whole house which is AWESOME! And I’m already feeling way better, just a little bit like a jack-o-lantern.

*Heart breaking moment*

I can’t go to Agoo on Saturday for the baptism of Fangonillo and Jerabese. So close, but so far away.

*Trunkey moment*

Today I have exactly 2 months left on the mission. I’m not yet having a hard time focusing on the work, or having any regrets or anything. It feels like just yesterday that I was walking into CSI with other missionaries asking them how much I should barter for things. They told me it’s basically like Target. Oh. ;) That was my first day in the Philippines. Time goes so fast. Every moment, every choice matters. Make the most of every moment – good and bad, happy and sad, because then those moments become memories.

I’m going to make the most of my remaining moments. :)

Sister J

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

2015-02-17T14:01:00.000-08:00

February 16, 2015

It’s been a great week. I went on my first exchanges. Best compliment EVER – towards the end of the day Sister Magaliano said, “Huh, it doesn’t feel like I’m on exchanges with a Sister Training Leader. We are having WAY too much fun!” YES!

I learned so much though in those 2 days. Sister Magaliano is so kind. Just so genuine. So happy. So giving. I hope I can be more like her. She was just so eager to learn and improve. I worked with Sister Hudson the next day. She is so diligent. Especially with learning the language. I need to have language study…I’ve been getting too complacent with what I’ve learned so far.

So that was Tuesday and Wednesday. These missionaries are assigned in my old ward, by the way, but not my old area. But then on Thursday I went with the Elders assigned in my old area!! They still haven’t been able to find where some of the less actives live. It was SUPER weird to climb those mountains again. Same steps. Familiar faces. Some people have moved – like Angie and Hanna. Some people have gotten super hard-hearted. BUT! Guess who I ran into!?!? Rowena Baysic. I gave her a giant hug right there on the side of the road. She was on her way up to pick her kids up from school. She said they would try to make it to church. (It didn’t happen…sayan…)

Basically, I got to spend half of my week in Burnham 1^st ward. Woohoo! It was great to see familiar faces and meet so many new people and make new friends.

Valentine’s day! I decorated the cave (our apartment) with all the decorations you sent me mom. I kept our traditions alive and made pink pancakes for all the sisters in the zone. It was super great. Bonding. On the floor (because we don’t have any chairs).

Of course, shout out to my boyfriend – it being Valentine’s day and all.

Sister J

MISSIONARY HIGH

2015-02-17T13:59:00.000-08:00

February 9, 2015

I think the shock has faded. I don’t really feel like I am in a dream anymore. And standing at the bottom of the mountain, I don’t look up and think, “What the…why am I here?! I can’t climb one more step.”

It’s good. Sore muscles have faded. Determination has grown.

The people here are so different. We yell, “Tao po” and most hide. One lady came to her door, saw who we were and started shaking her head and arm. Almost like she was waving to us. But…she wasn’t. :) Another guy didn't get up and come to the door. He just yelled, “What do you want?” and I said, “We are missionaries…” and he interrupted me yelling, “There is no on home! Goodbye.” So funny!

MLC. Cause I’m a “mission leader.” It was so fun! I got to have a sleepover on Monday night at the Sister Training Leader’s house in San Fernando. That’s Sister Beckham’s house!! It was so fun to catch up. Talking. Hanging out with friends. It sort of felt like Girls Camp. SO FUN! All of the STLs are from far away places – La Trinadad, Baguio, Mauacon, and Agoo. So, I gave a bunch of letters to the Agoo Sisters to give to all my people. Yes! (Sorry family…no letters for you this week.) The Zone Leaders told us on Monday afternoon to pack our bags cause we’re going to San Fernando. We got there and President told Sister Beckham to have everyone get up early for sports, but no one brought clothes or shoes for sports. Most people just decided to go anyway, but Sister Smith and I stayed home so we wouldn't have to fight for showers. At 6:30am everyone’s phones started going off. #missionaryprobs (We went through everyone’s bags to find their phones and turn off their alarms!)

Sister Balledos cooked us (all the zone leaders and STLs) breakfast. Pancakes! And rice, of course. It was so good! We then had a stats review for 2 hours. After that, we talked about the budget for a few hours. Lunch. I used the Bauang STLs phone to call Sister Golightly. It was so great! Ah! Then I saw SISTER CAMPOS because she stopped by to pick up a t-shirt. Ah! So fun! She is assigned in Sevilla. She is going home soon. So Crazy!

In the afternoon we had more meetings and training. They kept passing out snacks to help keep us awake. They even passed out GUM. I was so surprised (bawal for missionaries). I was thinking, “Maybe it is a test to see if we are obedient or not??” Nope! I saw President and the APs chewing it…so…not a test. Just a snack. So weird. We talked about teaching skills and creating quality lessons for investigators. It was great.

After MLC…I got mail! A package! Thank you so much family! I’m sorry…I feel so bad I haven’t written you letters in forever. It was so good to “see” your faces on the Christmas card. Y’all are as cute as ever!

We waited for FOREVER to catch a bus back to Baguio. But it was totally worth it. I had a blast and learned so much.

Sister Lacdo-o and I received a great referral this week! A less active lady in our area. She was baptized when she was a young adult. We taught her and her kids and she cried saying that this is what was missing in her life.

The cool part about this though, the member who gave us the referral said she has been praying to have an opportunity to share the gospel. This member teaches at an elementary school. She met one of her student’s parents months ago and noticed how great this lady was. Then, after so many months that parent texted saying she wanted to come closer to God. She asked if she could come to church with her.

So cool! Such a win-win-win situation. I don’t know who is happiest – us, the member, or the woman who is coming back to church. Missionary work is SO GREAT! When everyone works together… Doctrine and Covenants 50:22 “Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together.” That’s my challenge to you this week. Pray for a missionary opportunity and follow through with courage. Really. Anyone and everyone can feel that “missionary high.” It’s the best feeling ever!

This morning we got up at 3. yup. That’s right. 3. Cause our whole zone rented a jeepney (can seat 21 tightly... we crammed 24) and toured Baguio this morning. We met at the church and left by about 4:45. We headed up to this great look out place to watch the sun rise but it was too cloudy.... bummer. It was still a great view though! We had fun sitting on the top of the jeepney waiting for the sun to come up. #bonding

Then we went to this haunted house/hotel/mansion/church. It was cool. Defs creepy when Sis. Faka'osi and I were the only ones on the third floor. And it was light by this point. So I can’t even imagine what it would be like at night... :) haha it’s fun to psych yourself out sometimes though.

Then we visited the strawberry fields (which was a little underwhelming). But none of the Filipinos or Tongans had seen strawberry plants before so that was cool for them.

We had 4 other places planned but it’s actually really hard to herd a huge group of missionaries and of course everything takes longer than expected. But we finished at the Philippines Military Academy. Saw some airplanes. They had these cool fountains and it totally reminded me of Disneyland - maybe just because everything was so clean :)

Well. I have been going strong since 3 AM. It’s 1 PM now... my head is KILLING me. But that’s ok.

Sister J

BACK TO BAGUIO

2015-02-17T13:52:00.000-08:00

February 2, 2015

Yep. Shocking, right? I’m back. I was assigned to Burnham 1^st ward before and now I’m assigned to Burnham 2^nd. Dad, you would love my apartment. I've nicknamed it “the cave.” It’s literally a cave but I can’t call it a man-cave because it’s missing all the essentials like a big screen TV and a Foosball table and whatever else man-caves should have. I've been deep cleaning when I have spare time. You’d be proud mom. My companion gave me a backhanded compliment, “Wow! Sister Jackson you are so diligent. I've never seen Americans clean like that.” Hey, don’t be hating on my people! Ha ha! I know she didn't mean it like that.

Not gonna lie, it’s an adjustment coming back. There are SO many people. And so much stuff. It’s crazy. I can’t even image the culture shock I’ll have when I get back home. I’m FREEZING cold all the time – sweatshirts, pj pants, leggings, hoods, etc. Too bad I gave all my cardigans away when I first got transferred…I was like, “I’m not coming back here!”

I miss Agoo. On the plus side, church is stress free. We don’t have any investigators come… no one to worry about! ;) Even though Agoo had its hard things too, I miss my people. Ordinarios. Fangonilos. I even miss the heat! (I never would have thought that I would feel that way!)

I told Sister Apin, I will go anywhere, but I don’t really want to go back to Baguio and I really don’t want to be a Sister Training Leader. Ha ha. Both happened. For reals. Oh my gosh. I've been singing “I’ll go where you want me to go dear Lord” in my head. All the time. I sort of feel Heavenly Father chuckling at me right now.

I miss Sister Apin. The sad news is that we got pulled out – she got transferred too. Good news is that she is in La Trinadad so I might run into her today in Baguio! But I’m worried for our people. I hope the new missionaries there can keep up with everything we have started. Does that sound prideful?? I don’t mean it to be. We just have a lot of progressing people there – I hope no one falls through the cracks!

I guess the ultimate downer is the Kadatar family wasn't at church on Sunday. They were the one baptism in Burnham 1…I asked the Bishop’s wife…she said she hasn't seen them in a long time. Great. I feel like a failure. Back to those days where only Macdo can make it better.

Here’s to the end of the saddest letter EVER. I’m so sorry. I’ll work on having some fun next week so I can have something happy to write about.

BRIGHT SIDE:

· I will see Sister Beckham at MLC (Mission Leadership Council) tomorrow

· There is a Macdo here

· I’m gonna find, teach, and baptize like there’s no tomorrow

Stay with me. Great things are about to happen!

Till next week…ingat!

Sister J

SALVATION AND SKIRTS

2015-02-17T13:47:00.000-08:00

January 26, 2015

It was a great last week here in Agoo. Yup, I’m transferring. I had mixed emotions – I knew that the transfer was coming and I have had some struggles that I haven’t talked about, so I was sort of ready, but at the same time not quite.

Funny moment – mom, do you remember the object lesson you sent me last year? With the cups and the pictures? Well, it basically explains how Christ established His church, then the apostasy happened then Christ's church was restored. At the bottom of the tower there are cups for Jesus Christ, apostles, prophets, Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood – these are the base of the cup pyramid.

Sister Apin and I have perfected this object lesson over the last few weeks: good scriptures and good questions at the right times. After finishing the entire lesson, Sister Apin asked, “So what does the restored church of Jesus Christ have that no one else has?” Annalyn, an investigator we have had for a long time said, “Well you guys all wear skirts. None of the other churches do. We just wear whatever and go.” Ay Nako?! [really?!]

But Christie, our other investigator (WHO COME TO CHURCH WITH HER WHOLE FAMILY!!), said “Salvation. The top cup is members, so if we don’t join with Christ in His church then we can’t expect to receive salvation.” Wow! Holy Cow! Their family is going to be baptized on Feb. 28^th! I’m so excited for them.

SPEAKING OF BAPTISMS! Brother Bong and Sister Fe got baptized. Brother Bong got emotional in his testimony when he said, “First off, I want to thank Sister Apin and Sister Jackson for always coming to our house, no matter how hot the sun was. Whatever happened, they were always there.” He talked about how he knew he made the right choice, how he knew it was the right church and how he was doing it to be an example to his kids and how he hoped his kids and wife would join him. He said he was ready to do everything he needed to do to endure to the end. And very last he thanked Uncle Nards (a member) for being the reason he investigated the church because if he hadn't seen him living the gospel, he never would have been interested.

Sister Fe! Sister Apin and I were actually the first ones who taught her and she remembers! She said, “The first time I saw Sister Jackson I felt so happy inside. Then she invited me to join the lesson at Brother Bong’s house. It was such a different feeling. I just wanted more and more. Then she invited me to church and I haven’t missed a Sunday since (except the one that I was sick).

HUGE PAY-DAY as a missionary. Not just that they said thanks or that they got baptized. But that I get to be a part of someone else’s salvation! I feel so lucky to help others find their Savior. So blessed. I’m so sad to be leaving. Saying goodbye was really hard. We finished the lesson with Tatay Domingo and Nanay Luz. I got a little teary, but just said, “Let’s take a picture really fast.” Tatay started to cry a bit and I started to cry a lot then Nanay Luz (even the stoic, tough as nails Nanay Luz) started to cry. I hugged both Nanay and Tatay and I told Nanay Luz, “Nay, someday I will come back here and when I come back we are all going to church together, k?” She said, “Yes, yes, we will all go to church together.”

Christina followed us out down the street. She said, “I just wanted you to know that you were an answer to my prayers, I was praying to be able to find a true church so that I could help my family. I was praying to know how to help my kids. Then both of you came. I will never forget you. Sister Jackson, it wasn't an accident that we met you. We will never forget you.”

There are so many others that I love here. I could go on for days. People here are too kind. Later tonight we are going to Errol and Mamerto and Nanay Antonia. That’s going to be rough. I feel so loved though. The EFY song “That’s What I’m Taking with Me” has been stuck in my head all day. I will never forget these Agoo days. The best days of my mission.

OK! It’s getting way too heavy! Sometimes I forget to share my crazy life because I think I’m used to it. So…

MOMENTS WHEN I REMEMBER I’M THE PHILIPPINES!

· When riding in a car is more exciting than standing on the back of the trike.

· When a member tells us that for their Biology 101 class they found a stray cat, killed it, cut it open and took the voice box to school.

· When I accompany the branch in Sacrament Meeting. Yup, mom and Grandma Jackson – you told me the day would come that I would regret quitting piano and wish that I trusted you and stuck with it. That day happened yesterday when someone asked me to play 1 minute before church started. He had heard me the day before plunking out the tune “I feel my Savior’s Love” for the baptism and assumed I knew how to play. My dad taught me not to say no when people ask for help…I plunked out the right hand for all 4 hymns yesterday. Worst accompanist ever. We should have just sung Acapella.

DWORCZYKS! I was so stoked to get your package from Saudi Arabia!!! On my gosh! My companion and I LOVED the Canadian candies and I can’t wait to try the other stuff in my new area. You guys are the best. <3

Well! Stay tuned! More adventures to come next week. I've filled up a whole memory card with pictures. Hopefully I will fill up another one before the mission end.

Mahal Kita,

Sister J.

THE MAKE-IT-OR-BREAK-IT WEEK

2015-01-27T19:08:00.000-08:00

January 19, 2015

RAQUEL – we sat down and started helping her with her laundry before teaching and she said, “Guys, the kids are too crazy (her grandkids that she takes care of everyday). I think I’ll wait to go to church for a couple of years. Maybe 2 years from now I’ll try again.”Whaa?? Sister Apin did such a good job handling the situation. She just asked a bunch of questions. Why are they so crazy at church? What can we do to help them calm down? What do they like to do? etc. And she listened really well until she found the real reason. The kids always cry and throw fits because they want to go to sari sari stores and buy snacks during church. But Raquel has no job and no money – she takes care of the grandkids all day while the parents are at work. So, Sister Apin helped Raquel come up with a solution to her own problem. Save the extra change from the kids' lunch money each day and use that to buy snacks! Raquel thought that was a great idea. The only problem is she was going to buy the snacks on Sunday. We went back on Saturday afternoon and explained the Sabbath day. She bought the snacks Saturday afternoon and made it to church yesterday. #makeit

ELMA – was progressing so much. Last week she started praying to see if she should get baptized. She told us that the answer she received was that she needs to get her life together first, then she will go for it (this was last Friday). Then she didn’t come to church. Later she told us that she had decided to not come to our church, ever. She told us she is thankful for us because she has learned a lot and will continue to do everything we taught her, but she isn’t going to join the church. We tried everything; you name it, we tried it. Nothing worked. She said we could come teach her, but she wouldn’t come to church or get baptized. She got a little teary when we said goodbye. We told her to text us if she changed her mind and that we still loved her. #breakit

LUCBEN – last Saturday night I had a mighty prayer. I had read about when we can and can’t ask for signs in personal study that morning, so that night I basically said, “Heavenly Father, we have done the best we can with this family, but now we want to drop them because they haven’t come to church in a month and we haven’t been able to teach them for almost 3 weeks now. So, if they come to church tomorrow, we will keep teaching them. If not, we will drop them so that they can realize what they are missing and hopefully give the gospel a chance.” My companion and I were sitting up front at church last Sunday. We both were turned around, watching the people coming in. Sister Apin gasped. She said, “oh my gosh. Look!” guess who came? Lucbens. #makeit

BONG FANGONILO – after attending Errol’s baptism and hearing about one of his relatives preparing for baptism, he asked us on Wednesday if he could possible get baptized on the 24^th of this month. We said yes! He said he wants to get baptized to be the example and guide for his children. #makeit

I ran out of time to tell you about another great investigator. I’ll tell you more next week.

I just want to end with a quick shout out to Grandma and Grandpa Anderson, the Parker family and the Brown family. Thank you so much for the packages. Grandma and Grandpa, I am still thinking about who to give the Books of Mormon to. Your Tagalog was great, by the way! Parkers, I decided to throw my “trunky diet” out the window. Why would I care about being skinny when I get home when I can eat cheesecake, fudge and cookies in the Philippines?! I haven’t showed my housemates the Bingo game yet. I’m waiting until this afternoon. I’m super excited to surprise them. Browns – thanks so much for sending the pictures and stories and mints! It was fun to see what you have been up to for the past year. YOU VISITED HIGHCLERE CASTLE WHERE DOWNTON ABBEY IS FILMED!? Oh my gosh!

Anyway, I love you all. Hope everyone has a fantastic week. I can’t wait to tell you about Bro. Bong’s baptism.

Sister Fe Castillo and her grandson - I'll tell you more about them next week

BAPTISM AT THE BEACH

2015-01-13T10:54:00.002-08:00

On the morning of January 10, we got a text from our Branch Mission Leader telling us that we had a problem. Turns out we had a BUNCH of problems (this was by far the baptism with the most problems), but the biggest one was the fact that the church had no electricity until 2pm. So, no water in the font. Good thing the beach is just 15/20 minutes away!

We had the program at the church. Then, it was like herding cats, but we all got in trikes and made it to the beach. We actually had more investigators and missionaries in attendance than ward members. #bittersweet

To get baptized in the ocean, they go stand in the waves about calf or knee high. The one performing the baptism says the baptismal prayer. Then they walk out a bit further and when a big wave comes hi dunks him in the water. From a viewer’s perspective it looked like he just shoved Errol over. :)

We hopped back on the trikes and headed back to the church to hear Errol’s testimony and President’s closing remarks. Errol’s testimony was heart touching. He said he is going to continue to repent, go to church, receive the priesthood, go on a mission and endure to the end. He was so nervous – he was clapping his arms at his sides, but the testimony was really great.

Here is a text we got from Errol last night (we texted him to ask if it’s ok if we drop by today). He said: That is super ok as long as it’s my big sisters, hehe :) Yes sister that’s ok as long as it’s you and Sister Apin. So funny.

I am so thankful that I got to be here in this area right now and witness a baptism of another Ordinario. I feel so blessed to be a part of their lives. Missionaries are so lucky! And I’m feeling like one of the luckiest right now. :)

Well, I’m in San Fernando! I gotta dash cause I’m hoping to run into lots of missionary friends today. And I’m gonna eat a burger. I miss my MacDo.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2015-01-05T12:42:00.000-08:00

Everyone was drunk. Super drunk. Even at two in the afternoon. Tatay Memerto was already totally wasted. We started teaching Nanay and Errol outside and even though Tatay was inside he kept chiming in, “Where are you from again Sister Jackson?” “I have cousins from that place. I bet you know them.” The best was when he said, “Errol…Sister Apin, you look the same.” (Here that’s like saying, “You’d make a cute couple.) Nanay asked Errol, “What do you have to say to that?” Errol just blurted out, “I ACCEPT!” SO FUNNY! I love that kid.

Errol passed his baptismal interview!! And he told Elder T that he wants to be a missionary someday. He is going to go back to school in June (that is the beginning of the school year here), graduate, and go on a mission!

The whole Ordinario family made it to church! Tatay kept his New Year’s resolution.

On New Year’s Day everyone was hung-over, or drinking off the hangover. Even though Sister Apin and I didn’t go partying we were still totally exhausted because our next door neighbors rented a videokee machine and put it on the front porch in between the two houses. They did videokee, fireworks and blew horns from the afternoon of the 31^st until the afternoon of the 1^st. On man, I was so tired. I started nodding off in a lesson, and the people we were teaching weren’t hung-over. #offtoagreatstart

We found Less Actives again! Two guys, 19 & 18 years old. Their mom, 14 year old brother and 11 year old sister have not been baptized. The mom’s parents are members and the two oldest boys were baptized when they lived with their grandparents for a couple years. Christie, the mom, cried, telling us she isn’t doing her job as a parent because as a single mom she is working Monday thru Saturday, 6am to 8pm, and feels like she has no time to “guide” her kids, which is “the most important part of being a mom.” Wow, what a great lady! Mark (19) and Loraine (11) made it to church this week. The others will come next week.

We went “finding” (rather unsuccessfully) all day on the 2^nd. Everyone was busy catching up on everything they had been neglecting for a while. One neighbor kid, when he saw us knocking on a gate and yelling, “Tao po!” said, “Just go in there. There are lots of houses behind that one too.” Nice! Thanks kid! We opened the gate and walked through it. Then he said, “Be careful. There are lots of dogs over there.” Haha #atleastheshonest

My companion and I saw a lady in labor. A big, giant pregnant lady about to have her baby. It looked awful. It was 8pm. She was walking around the compound. Her family told us she had been in labor since 6am. Oh my gosh. Ouch!! Her mom and sisters were sort of just sitting there watching her. Her two year old kid was following her around as she was pacing crying. Her husband wasn’t much help either. It looked so terrible. *shutter*

I have been thinking lately how lucky I am right now. Not to just be serving a mission, but to be serving HERE! Ah! So lucky. I can’t even write about all of the great investigators we have (partly because I don’t want to jinx it; partly because there are so many!) The Fangonilos want to be baptized together – it will happen in February. It’s so good! I’m so happy for them! I realized that’s the first thing that I’m planning right now that I won’t be here for. (I’m probably getting transferred in a couple of weeks.) I just really hope the next missionaries here are hardworking because this area and these people really deserve hard working missionaries! :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Love you all!

District from the MTC mates!!

Now we are all assigned here in Agoo.

We had a zone activity at the beach.

The water looked so good, but next time na lang.

Birthday shout out to my good friend and "sister" Sarah Shore! Welcome to adulthood!!

Carolers... if only looks could kill you...

MALIGAYAN PASKO SA LAHAT!!

2014-12-29T15:22:00.000-08:00

It was such a great Christmas. Christmas as a missionary is so hard. But then it’s not really hard at the same time. It’s easy. It’s hard to be far away from all the family, friends and fun. But I realized that celebrating Christmas as a missionary is the BEST because it’s so easy to remember Christ. It’s so easy to be happy as long as you focus on your purpose as a missionary. This Christmas was probably one of the best Christmases of my life.

PLAY BY PLAY OF CHRISTMAS ROUND 2 IN THE PHILIPPINES

December 23 – we spent the evening cutting chicken and wrapping presents! Getting ready to make tacos and give out pictures of the Manila temple on Christmas!

December 24 – ok, today wasn't THAT interesting. We did service for one of our investigators in the morning. We helped her make kakanin (sticky rice with a cheese-milk topping…mmmm delicious! Don’t worry family, I’ll make it for you when I get home). She had a huge order to make. It took some muscle to halo-halo (mix, but we had to pull up as we went) that big pot of sticky rice for a half an hour over a fire. I’m so grateful she let us serve her. It was so nice of her to teach us how to make it. #sosweaty #memories

Making kakanin

Finished kakanin

Christmas eve – my housemates and companion decided to call home and talk to their families. It was kind of spur-of-the-moment. Sister Korosauu called her family, and as we all overheard her talking with them in Fijian she sounded so happy! So Sister Alpes decided to call her family. Just for 5 minutes. Then my companion Sister Apin called her family for 5 minutes and after she got off the phone everyone was quiet. Good thing I had a bunch of surprises planned for Christmas Eve:

Gingerbread houses (out of crackers and candy)! This is the first time my companion had ever made one!
Keeping traditions alive, I got us all matching leopard print jammies #gmagpajackson
More of keeping traditions alive, lip sync! (to an EFY song, but it was still super fun)

Presents for my housemates: matching Christmas PJs

modeling our matching PJs

Movie night! We dragged a mattress out into the kitchen, piled up all the pillows in our house and watched Legacy. My companion even made popcorn!

(Writing this out makes me realize how simple it was, but hey, everyone was busy so no one had time to be homesick!)

December 25 – Christmas morning – we woke up and went on a run to Jollieebee! Pancake breakfast! After we got home I opened the package from home. Thanks Great Grandma Penn, Sherwins, Merrills, and Judi Tenney for thinking of me! I appreciate the much needed personal items, clothes and snacks.

I had two Christmas wishes this year. (1) For someone to play with my hair. (2) Letters. Oh my goodness – I got a whole book full of letters from family and friends. Thank you so much for taking the time to write me, and for sending your smiling faces. It is something I will keep forever.

Our gifts (pictures) all wrapped and ready to go!

We went out to work! Our first stop was the Lucben home. When they set the picture of the temple out on the table and started talking about how they want to go there someday and how they heard from other members the feeling you have when you go inside is just “light,” the feeling in their house changed.

Our next stop was to see Elma! We shared the Christmas story from the Book of Mormon with her. She loved it.

We had Christmas lunch and a gift exchange at our branch president’s house. I drew Bro. Oliver’s name and he drew mine. Who knew?

Christmas lunch

Christmas gift exchange

After the festive lunch we visited the Gaerland family’s house. They were just as happy as can be. Mama G was excited to receive a Book of Mormon from us because her brother has one.

The Fangonilo family loved the picture of the temple too. I’m totally squatting in this picture!

When Raquel opened the picture of the temple she said, “I can’t wait to go back there.”

Tatay Memerto kissed his Book of Mormon when he opened it. He used to have all the scriptures, but they got lost and damaged moving and in floods. He said, “it’s been so long!” THEN he told us the BEST NEWS EVER! Everytime we visit he tells us that the time will come that he will come back to church, that he just isn’t ready yet. Well, on Christmas he told us, “My sisters, this January I am returning to church!” YESSS!! We asked him how the Word of Wisdom was going. He said he only had a few shots earlier that day. Haha. Our little message to their family was super funny because of the random uncle who was hanging out there, TOTALLY drunk, giving us random “Praise Jesus!” and “Hallelujah!” throughout.

Nanay Liza got teary when she opened her gift. She just kept saying, “Wow! Wow!” and couldn’t stop smiling.

I got a stolen shot! Nanay Luz smiling! She is one tough cookie, but we melted her heart this Christmas. Bro. Domingo loved his gift. Ties! Now he doesn’t have to borrow any when he passes the sacrament! His expressions were priceless.

That night at our house we had a little gift exchange. I wrapped everything separately for my companion so she would have lots of gifts to open. I even put one shoe in one package and the other shoe in another!

CHICKEN TACO FEAST!

December 26 – Skype with my family! It sort of feels like a dream. They said I have an accent. Toby and Spencer are both a lot taller now. Spencer’s voice changed. I talked with Whit about dating. I talked with Em about going to college. Just kind of crazy how much has changed, but also how everything that is important is still the same.

THE MARYS AND THE MARTHAS OF THE MISSION

2014-12-29T12:47:00.001-08:00

December 22, 2014

The story of Martha and Mary has always sort of troubled me. Martha is busy trying to get everything ready in the house because they were hosting Jesus. She was probably cooking and cleaning and a frazzled mess. As you would say it mom, she needed “all hands on deck” to get everything ready on time. She just needed a little help!

But here is what happened:

Luke 10: 38-42

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

I thought of this story again this week as we were teaching. I came across a lot of “Marthas” and quite a few “Marys” as well. E, a less active we have been visiting for quite some time now promised us earlier this week that she will come to church after Christmas…she said business is just too good. She won’t close either of her two stores to come to church.

But then there is D, who told us this week that she can’t fall asleep without reading the Book of Mormon. She told us that before she had a Book of Mormon she would just watch TV in the evenings and she would have bad dreams every night. But, ever since we gave her the Book of Mormon she said she doesn’t really watch TV because she just wants to read.

We met Elma’s husband this week. He was a little bit drunk. But he was honest. :) And he is a nice drunk, so that’s good. He told us how much he loves his family, how he works for them all day so that he can put food on the table and provide for their needs. He also said that he moved to their current house because that’s where Elma’s parents live and she is the only one “in his heart” *tender*

He went back to drinking with his buddies and Elma fed us dinner. She cooked sopas, pancit and even had peanut butter and bread because it was CJs birthday – he turned 2! They made us the guests of honor at his party. So nice! After the meal we taught Elma about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. From her comments it was easy to tell that she is willing to give up her sins in order to enter God’s kingdom.

I am so grateful to be a missionary and to teach wonderful people that help me understand the teachings of Christ. I hope that whatever the season, Christmas or 4^th of July, that we can choose the good part, like Mary did, which is Christ. It’s as simple as that – am I filling my time with things that will draw me closer to Christ, or are the things I’m doing moving me away from Him?

Talk to you soon family! I can’t wait!

The Ordinario family - the ones who "adopted" us as their 14th and 15th children. So...family picture!

We helped Nanay Antonia Ordinario harvest rice for a bit. :)

We decorated Bro. Domingo's house for Christmas!! He loved it! So did Luz, his wife (she just wouldn't admit it) :) There were more streamers all over the house - thanks for sending them, mom!

ELMA!!!

At the branch Christmas party

YOU CAN RUN, BUT YOU CAN’T HIDE!

2014-12-29T11:10:00.003-08:00

December 15, 2014

You know Jonah? From the Old Testament? Here’s a brief summary as a refresher:

God called Jonah to Nineveh. Nineveh was an enemy of Jonah's country, Israel, so Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh. Jonah tried to hid from God and avoid the calling. He tried to travel elsewhere by ship. But there was a terrible storm. Jonah knew that God had caused the storm, so he asked the sailors to throw him into the sea. Jonah didn’t drown because God sent a whale to swallow him. Jonah prayed to God and thanked Him. God caused the fish to return Jonah to the dry land. Jonah went to Nineveh. He warned the people that they must repent of their evil deeds otherwise, God would destroy their nation. The people repented and God forgave them.

We all shake our heads and think, “Jonah, you idiot! You can’t hide from God! What are you thinking?” But then, we all do it. “Oh, I’m not going to gossip, I’ll just tell you this ONE story; don’t tell anyone else…” or “I’ll pay my tithing…next week.” Why do we think we can hide from God?

As missionaries, sometimes people hide from us. It makes me sad because we just want to help them come closer to Christ. But we will keep trying with them…and it makes the successes that much sweeter!

Elma is one of my favorite investigators. Is that bad? I love them all, of course. I just love how inquisitive Elma is. It shows that she is listening and that she cares. This week we taught her the Word of Wisdom. As my companion explained the “pagkain na bawal” (forbidden foods) Elma listened intently. Then she asked, “Why is coffee bawal?” My companion continued explaining but then Elma answered her own question…”I probably won’t understand why it’s bawal until I try abstaining from it. I’ll just stop drinking coffee, then I’ll know.” #faith #actionbeforeanswers

She also had a great question about The Plan of Salvation when we taught her about life before earth. She said, “My sister and I were talking about that when we were pregnant. When does the soul enter the body of the baby? From the mom? Or when it’s born?”

Another great insight from Elma: after we read about Adam and Eve in 2 Nephi 2:22-25 she said, “Huh. So if Adam and Eve didn't eat the fruit, we wouldn't be here on earth.”

Bro. Domingo passed the sacrament on Sunday! One of the Elders loaned him a tie and our branch mission leader traded shoes with him so that he could have black shoes. He looked so good! And so happy! He told us later that day, “It felt like I had wings!”

MOM! Thanks for the Christmas packages. We LOVE the decorations. My companion said in her prayer that night, “Thank you for Sister Jackson’s family, that they sent us beautiful Christmas decorations so we can feel the Christmas spirit.” *tender* The first Christmas away from home is so hard!

We are going to use the extras to decorate Bro. Domingo’s house.

Thanks for the new shoes!! This will be the last time in my life that I will open a box and exclaim, "CROCS!" I got blisters pretty bad the first day though. Not because they were too small, but because my feet were too big. My feet are all swollen from mosquito and ant bites. At the end of the day I just took off my shoes. I don't know if Sister Apin felt bad, or if she just wanted to join in the fun, but she took her shoes off too. :)

P.S. I might get a lil homesick next week - Christmas and all. But I really actually don't want to come home. Not because I don't love home, and not because I love the mission. I just really love serving the Savior. And it's SO EASY to serve the Savior ALL THE TIME when I am a missionary. :)

THE LAUNDRY THAT BRINGS US TOGETHER

2014-12-29T09:33:00.000-08:00

December 8, 2014

Update on the Ordinario family:

Errol (grandson, 14) is going to be baptized on January 10 and he is so excited. He always tells us he is reading more, being more kind, and leaving behind his bad habits because his baptism is close! So cute. Also, he finishes everything he says with, “Sister.” For example, “I will read, Sister.” “Yes, Sister.” “Repentance, Sister.” He’s adorable.

The Ordinarios are in a temporary house, and have been for a year or so, because things aren't really working out with the house they want to build. Their temporary house is made of tin, tarps and curtains. It’s kawawa. Nanay always used to apologize to us/complain about her house to us until a couple of weeks ago she told a visitor at her house that it’s sort of Sister Apin’s and my house too because we are there all the time. So now Sister Apin and I call it “our house” and whenever Nanay starts commenting on the house, we say, “Nay! Don’t be hating on the house! This is our house after all!”

On Saturday, we helped Nanay wash her clothes. She hated it. The whole time she was telling us to stop. It was mostly just because I am white, so she was embarrassed. Ouch! She kept saying “Hwuag!” (don’t) and then she said, “Why aren't you listening to me?!” I said “We are just pasaway Nay!” Pasaway means disobedient or naughty. She got a kick out of that. I told her since we live there we should be helping with the chores.

We were trying to distract Nanay while we were doing the laundry, so we got her telling us ghost stories, talking about her past and about her kids. When she got to her twelfth kid we asked, “Wait, are all of these REALLY your kids?” She said, “Ah! They might as well be! I take care of them all!” So then we said, “Us too!” So Errol is #13, I’m #14 and Sister Apin is #15.

I love the Ordinarios so much. I’m so thankful to be a small part of their large family!

THANKS FOR THE MAIL Emily Krimme, Mama J, Toby, Erika and Spence!

Laundry day! We love Nanay!

Here are a few pictures of all of us at CHURCH! Tatay Memerto didn’t make it (husband of Nanay Antonia). BUT, Bro. Domingo, Sister Dolche and Nanay all made it!

We love missionary work!

THAT MOMENT WHEN IT’S SO HOT YOUR THANKSGIVING JELLO MELTS BEFORE YOU CAN EAT IT

2014-12-02T11:01:00.000-08:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I hope you all have so much to be thankful for in your lives. I sure do! I wrote a little list in my journal – not in any specific order – but here are the first 10 things that came to mind:

Electric fans

Shoes

Running water

Showers

Screens on windows

Bug spray

My companion

My family

The Gospel

The Atonement

When I read back through the list I realized the first 6 make it sound like I have been camping for a while. Maybe for a year. :)

Thanksgiving was so great. We walked over to the other sisters’ house to combine forces. We brought over mashed potatoes, gravy, jello (thank you gma and gpa J – I’ve been waiting until Thanksgiving to eat it), green beans, cake and chocolate chip cookies. SO GOOD! The other house got a couple of chickens, some DELICIOUS yams stuff made by Sister Mortell, rolls, corn, stuffing (also from Sister Mortell) and ice cream. None of us Americans are used to eating meals – we just snack all day…We got super full after we hardly even made a dent in the food. Then we went straight out to work and I almost barfed on the side of the road. Hot sun + full tummy + walking with a purpose = not good.

Anyway, it was a lovely Thanksgiving; one that I will for sure remember forever.

So, we HAD an investigator. Annie. She is 16. Annie is related to some recent converts in our ward. We have been teaching her for a couple weeks. She came to church once, Family Home Evening twice, and things seemed to be progressing well. Then, all of a sudden, she turned cold. My companion and I couldn’t figure out why – Did we do something? Did something happen at church? We finally caught her outside and after lots of digging we FINALLY figured out her concern. She said, “If I become Mormon, no one will pray for me when I am dead!” (She was worried about how her soul would become clean.) She also said, “You guys haven’t even told me where I will go after I die.” First, we taught the atonement – Christ paid for our sins, and that all we need to do is repent and be baptized while we are here on earth in order to enter into His kingdom. We actually don’t need to pray for our deceased relatives souls in order for them to be cleansed from sin. I asked if we could teach her about life after death next time. She said no, so we taught that too. Seriously – one of the coldest teenagers EVER! After learning about the Celestial Kingdom, and the qualifications to enter, I asked her if she was willing to do those things. She said yes. I asked her to pray to know if our message is true. She said she would ask God. I said, “If our message is true, will you let us continue to teach you?” Annie said, “No.” *Awkward* “We can still be friends though.” #agency #logicthesedays #badbreakup

So that was by far the most kawawa lesson of the week…But if it weren’t for the kawawa lessons I wouldn’t be thankful for the UTTERLY RIDICULOUS lessons. GET EXCITED!

Last night we went to the Ordinarios. Their grandson, Arrol, is SUPER excited to be baptized. He is 14. Their two youngest sons were there, along with some cousins. So we were teaching five young adult/youth age guys and nanay. All the guys (except Arrol) were SUPER talkative and giggly. It was so funny. They were asking my companion all sorts of questions – How old are you? Where are you from? etc. Then she said, “I have one question for you. What were you all drinking before we got here?" #mycompanionissofunny They all denied it at first, then, after a while, Joel admitted, “ok…so I’m drunk…” Then the other three were like, “We’re not, we’re not…” more talking, then randomly Jason said, “All four of us our drunk.” Haha. That’s what I thought. Then they asked why alcohol is bawal (forbidden) and Loui said, “God said. It’s in the Bible…READ!” Bahahah! Loui is confused. Jason doesn’t want to come to church until he can come “dircto” or all the time. Joel is confused about curses – I think someone “cursed” him and he is concerned about that. Arrol was super bummed that we left without really sharing anything. What a great kid. And he is only 14! :)

Those UTTERLY RIDICULOUS lessons make me extra thankful for those funny sacrament meeting moments. Cause who doesn’t love to smile?

Sacrament meeting. I was sitting beside some recent converts, less actives and investigators (ok, can we just take a second and appreciate how AMAZING that is). One of our recent converts has the cutest, CRAZIEST two year old that I was trying to manage without holding him in my lap, carrying him, etc. I put an ice breaker in my hand and hid it. I did the thing that you used to do, dad, where we’d peel open your fingers one by one then you’d hide it again, then right before we got frustrated, you give it to us. Well, I forgot that ice breakers are a choking hazard. (I forgot choking hazards even exist because people here just give their kids everything.) Anyway, Ninyo didn’t eat the candy right away. He pinched it in his fingers and licked it. Then, started panting and waving his arms around until his mama gave him water. This process repeated until he accidentally swallowed it. He was doing that coughing/choking thing and he ALMOST puked. In sacrament meeting.#badmissionarymoment Just wait, it gets better. This kid wears pants to church, but that’s about it. He never has pants on – birthday parties, hanging out around the house, the neighborhood…wala. So he took off his pants in sacrament meeting. Then he relieved himself on the floor. Good thing it’s tile! They used the pants to wipe up the mess, but it didn’t quite do the job because the floor got a little muddy as kids walked out of church. #ilovemylife :)

I really do love my life here in the Philippines. I love the people and the culture. I’m so happy to be here as a missionary right now. I get to spread the gospel message of peace and joy at this special time of year. I hope your homes will be filled with the spirit of Christ’s love this holiday season.

We tried to make a Thanksgiving cake in our rice cooker. Failed.

THIS WEEK’S BRAIN DUMP

2014-11-24T08:19:00.000-08:00

I have really been lacking in the creative department lately. So this week I’m not even going to try. Next week na lang. I’ll do better next week.

Fangonilo – found out this week that I have been spelling and pronouncing their names wrong this whole time. *Awkward* But they are doing great. They all came to church yesterday except for RJ. He went swimming on Saturday. He dove into the river, cut his face on the rocks and was too embarrassed to come to church. His younger sister informed us, “He looks like Avatar!”

They are working on their “My Family Book.” They are preparing for baptism on January 24^th. Brother Bong is ALMOST there. He smokes maybe 1 or 2 sticks a week now. (It used to be 11 a day!) #miracles

Lucben – gambling. Monday night, we had a SUPER bold lesson. I just was straight up. I was so stressed before because other missionaries in the past had taught them that gambling was bawal – but they were still doing it. And I wasn’t sure why. Anyway – walking out of that lesson I just felt a burden lifted. I had been so clear and explicit so there was no way they could misunderstand. I did my part, so if they decided to continue gambling, that was on them not me. *sigh*

They quit gambling.

They are SO excited to get baptized. Bro L’s going to try to prepare himself so that he can baptize them.

Donna – one of our new investigators, read the Plan of Salvation pamphlet between our visits this week. When we asked her how it was, she said, "We are actually coming from God's presence. I didn’t realize that. I read that then just looked down at Chloe (her one month old baby) and thought, 'Wow.You came to me straight from God.’"

Tender moment. Donna is so great!

I am so happy to be here in the Philippines as a missionary. Life is great. I hope you all are happy and enjoying life wherever you are!

Can you believe how beautiful this place is?! When we have to cut through these rice fields, we try to stay on the dirt [mud] paths

Service project!

Our friend from last week's tithing lesson

#thesedresses #dontwelookgreat #weworethemtochurchonsunday

BE SPECIFIC

2014-11-17T07:29:00.001-08:00

I love my companion. She is super down to earth, so it’s not a big deal if we both start having that inappropriate laugh in a prayer, or if I want to make us a batch of popcorn between personal and companion study.

My companion is also very diligent. She doesn't mind running through muddy rice fields to save some walking time or doubling our pace to make our appointments. I am always impressed with how sincere her prayers are. She is so humble and willing to learn. She is always excited to work. Sister Apin and I went to San Fernando on Friday for new missionary training. It was great, really informative. I have a lot of things I can improve on. Also, I got to see Sister Dizon (#celebsighting) so that was great. By the time we got home and dropped off our stuff it was already evening time, so we prayed that we would be able to teach the two families on our plan and find and teach a new family. GOOD NEWS! God answers prayers. But sometimes He doesn't answer them in the most comfortable or easy way. We stopped by a lot of houses that we just normally pass by every day. And it was funny – I could tell people were confused that we were talking to them cause we usually just walk by in a hurry. Well, we stopped on Friday. We found an excited mom and dad and 5 kids. The Lord is so good. I know that specific prayers, combined with our efforts to help God give us the blessings we have asked for, will give us specific answers.

A recent convert/less active (kawawa, right?) in our area has really changed – for the better. It all started with our lesson last week on tithing. It wasn't supposed to be about tithing – it was just supposed to be obedience. But the branch member explained that it used to be hard for him to obey the law of tithing. Then Mama L asked, “What is tithing?” So we explained it to her. It was really good. So good. I was surprised how excited she looked to pay her tithing at the end of the lesson. Mom and dad, I shared your story of how paying your tithing blessed your life. Mama L was super excited to pay her tithing because she had faith that the blessing God promised happened to others and could happen to her.

She paid her tithing last Sunday.

She told us that the next day her son-in-law received more cars than his car shop was used to catering to. And that he was able to finish the two cars that he previously had so then he could take on all the jobs.

Tithing. What a great way to always be able to show our faith to the Lord.

THANKS FOR THE LETTERS! FL Primary, mom, Andersons, Michael Jarvis, Hermana Taylor – I’ll write you back later today. :)

FROM THE MOSQUITO BITES ON MY NOSE TO THE MUD BETWEEN MY TOES

2014-11-14T09:34:00.000-08:00

Yup, it’s true. I have a giant, painful bite on my nose and my toes are guaranteed to be coated with mud at any time of the day. Ah, life! :)

Sister Gerhards, MY TRAINER, went home this week! So did Sister Tune. On their last day, Sister Gerhards went to our old area in Pagdalagan. I heard a couple of weeks ago from other missionaries that Sister Violetta was less active now. So when I saw Sister Gerhards at the transfer point, I asked her if she was going to visit Sister Violetta. She said she would! And another fun tradition in Baguio Mission – on your last night at the mission home you can call your friends on the mission and say goodbye. So Sister Gerhards called me and told me all about her visit to Sister Violetta’s house.

Turns out Violetta’s mom is sick. She has been super sick since August. Violetta can’t leave her alone – even to go to church. That’s why she is less active! I was so confused when the other missionaries told me that because when I left the area, she was excited to go to the temple. She told Sister Gerhards that she still reads the Book of Mormon every day. :)

The reason I was at transfer point was so I could pick up my new companion – SISTER APIN! I love her. So much. Can I just take a moment to brag about my new companion? She has such a great attitude about the work. She is so excited and enthusiastic. She has only been here a few days but is getting to know everyone. It’s easy to tell how much she loves everyone.

Sister Apin bought a can of sardines for dinner. Then we went to the Ordinarios house and noticed they didn’t have any ulam, only rice. (Ulam goes on top of rice.) So she gave her sardines to the Ordinarios! Even though it was Saturday night and we didn’t have any ulam at our house! She said that she had a feeling when she bought it earlier that she wasn’t buying it for herself. Oh my gosh. Then I said we would be blessed with dinner because of her kindness. Guess who cooked for us? Our great branch mission leader!

#WhatGoesAroundComesAround #ILoveMyCompanion #SuchaGoodExample

Then, on Sunday, I pulled out my crackers and ate them. My companion said “Oh, I’m hungry too.” She grabbed her crackers then PASSED THEM OUT TO EVERYONE IN THE CLASS.

#MyCompanionisaSaint

Life is so good from my nose to my toes. I’m kinda short on time…love you all! Ingat!

It was so great to meet up with old friends at the transfer point! Although we were not companions, Sister Tune and I lived together for 6 months. I love her!

My three word mission motto

(We each had to submit a picture for a slideshow at an upcoming conference).

THERE IS SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY ABOUT THE ORDINARIOS

2014-11-03T21:43:00.000-08:00

It’s so cheesy – I know. I hope y’all enjoyed the title.

I really pondered this one.

But, for reals, it was a great week for the Ordinario family. Brother Domingo’s baptism was so beautiful. His sister, Erlinda, came for the baptism. She is a member of our church. She teared up when Bro. Domingo was entering the water, saying, “This is a miracle. I’ve been praying for this for so many years.” And as cheesy as it sounds, I think the words to the chorus of our closing song at the baptism, “The Spirit of God” describe the baptism for me.

We’ll scream and we’ll shout with the armies of heaven,

Hosanna, hosanna to God and the Lamb!

Let glory to them in the highest be given,

Henceforth and forever, amen and amen!

Also, big week for the rest of the Ordinario family. GET EXCITED! Actually, they didn’t come to the baptism or to church. When we went on Tuesday to their house, Nanay had a HUGE wound on her leg. She had a cut before, a couple weeks ago, but it has gradually gotten bigger and bigger. It seriously looks like something is eating her flesh. We saw it, and my companion and I looked at each other and immediately decided to go to the Branch President’s house because the wound was the size of her calf. And they had no money for the hospital. And as missionaries we aren’t supposed to hand out money.

So naturally we TOOK OFF through the rice field. But they are about to plant a new crop of rice at this time of year (but the two Americans had no idea) so the fields are SUPER MUDDY. We hurried through the mud and water, trying to find the best route to the Branch President’s house. We explained the situation. They agreed to come with us so we headed back to the Ordinarios with the Marianos. The Marianos ended up buying medicine for Nanay. They visited them again on Wednesday and her leg was looking a lot better.

When Sister Hardy and I went back on Sunday, Bro. Memerto Ordinario told me that when the Marianos visited on Wednesday that he told President “Our sisters are so diligent. We just love them. They are always so busy and so tired. They even ran through the mud to help us. We just love them.” *TENDER*

After the lesson we asked Nanay if she had any questions. She said, “Yeah. Why are you so nice? And so beautiful? And so diligent?”

Oh my gosh. They are too kind. Seriously. Nanay is the one I wrote about before who said, “We can’t turn you away because it would be like turning away Jesus.”

We are SO lucky to be able to teach such great people. I told her, “No, we aren’t great Nanay, you are.” Nanay is a great example of what was shared at the Philippines Area Conference last night. “We see the world not as it is, but as we are.”

I hope I can become more like the extraordinary Ordinarios. :)

*YOU KNOW YOU LOVE THE CHEESE*

Our housemate is obsessed with Halloween, so we got up early and surprised her with decorations in our house. :)

Branch Halloween Party. Good times!