Dearest Family of mine,
I thought I would mix things up a bit a start with a poem that I make up here on the spot...Ahem...get ready..this is going to be good..I can feel it:

I'm sitting here in an internet cafe,
Got lots to do--cause today is pday!
Transfers were this week, drum roll please...
I'm staying in Bago with Flores.. and the mice ..and the fleas!
Excited I am to see what 6 weeks holds--
"The Lord Will Provide"..that's what we've been told!
So On we go, mid triks and jeeps
to teach the people from week to week!
Life is good, the gospel is true!
Until we meet again, "brethren, Adieu"!

HAHA! Ok...really though. I'm staying another transfer in Bago with Sister Flores! HOORAY! We were so excited when we heard! Here is the other great thing, Elder Foulds was transferred back into my Zone and Elder Scott transferred back to Negros from Panay! I haven't seen him for 3 months. It was crazy. He didn't look good at all, he was super seasick from the trip on the ferry that morning. Poor thing. But it was so good to see him. Sister Adams is staying with her followup trainer too! So we're all one big happy family in Negros! So this week was insane. Somehow we still managed to meet our goals though. Transfer weeks are always crazy, but we had other sisters that stayed at our apartment because they were departing (ending their missions). We also were in a three-some companionship for 5 days with Sister Castro from our district because her companion when home. So Amanda always manages to remind me how much time has gone by in her emails! haha! Um...tomorrow is my 5 month mark in the mission, 3 month in the field. Where on earth does time go? Each week goes by faster. So..this weekend was amazing. We had the Warrior's baptism. I wouldn't say it went by without a hitch. One of our 4 boys who were preparing for baptism will be baptized on March 13th now. 2 days before his interview he was tempted, and fell into temptation. Unfortunately it was with a member too! AH! He watched bold..er..in English, a pornographic film. He was pretty upset when he came out from his interview and had to explain to us that he couldn't be baptized. I'm so glad he was honest though. Sometimes these boys don't want to open up to us as Sisters, so they wait to do it with the Zone or District leaders when they do the interviews. The other boys were completely honest with their past transgressions though. It was amazing what they were willing to overcome to get to know Christ and to follow in His footsteps. I was incredibly emotional this week, partly because I was a little homesick knowing you were all bonding together, partly because I am always wondering if I could give more to my investigators and to the Lord, and a huge part of it was because I realized parts of my patriarchal blessing are being fulfilled with the baptism of these young men. I know, without a doubt that these young men were meant to be taught by Sister Flores and I. They are like our younger brothers. I have such a strong love for them and we have more and more who are wanting to be taught! They keep bringing us more of their friends. It is remarkable. When we meet with their families they are all incredibly supportive of their sons wanting to get baptized and they thank us for having them go to church and everything, yet they are stubborn and unyielding in their own lives. Catholicism has a hold of many of their hearts and they aren't willing to break the traditions of their fathers. We're going to keep trying though. I am amazed how prepared some of these young men are. It is remarkable who the Lord will prepare and place in your path if you pray for it and you do your part, and if the ward members do their part! Amazing! This all started from a referral from Brother Joenero from Batad. His friend, Jeonil told him he saw the change he made in his life and he wanted to change too. So Jeonil started taking the discussions and then he brought his brother Froilan, and his friend Japhet, who then encouraged Aram and Roberto, who then encouraged Richard and Jason and Algene who encouraged JBoy and Jonas and Jehu and Antonio to all come and take the lessons. Now we have 2 other boys that we just met ..I don't remember their names. We haven't taught them yet. But they just keep on coming! Japhet, Jeonil and Aram are amazing examples! They all came in white shirts and ties yesterday for their confirmations and they were the most reverent by far during the sacrament! Many people have come up to us and complimented us for bringing new young men into the ward. They don't get it...we have so very little to do with it. They all were prepared and we were ready to help them come to Christ! I love it! So this Friday Brother Froilan will be baptized and then on the 13th Brother Roberto and Brother Jason will be baptized. Then on the 20th Brother Antonio and Brother Richard will be baptized. We are pretty darn excited. I was watching Brother Aram yesterday as he was teaching with us and his Book of Mormon is already marked up like crazy. I LOVE IT!!!! When we first met with him he wouldn't even look us in the eyes. It would drive us crazy, we wondered if he was hiding something or if maybe he had a bad home life--abuse or something--where he didn't have the confidence to look us in the eyes. Who knows...but now!! BAM! Dead on eye contact. He has confidence like no other and he has gained it through the gospel. I love seeing what the gospel can do for people.
Before I forget, Christina and Lauri!!! Holy congrats on the engagements!!! Lauri..I loved your letter! I was dying laughing. Man I miss rooming with you for sure! Do me a favor and fall down the stairs once for me...just for old times sake! haha! Man I have no idea how many time I fell on those stairs, but it was often. Also..Christina! So much for a mission huh??? haha! Where did this come from? Holy unexpected! I'm so happy for you! You better send me a picture and updates and all that jazz! Good to see the boy knows what he wants! Sister Doone! I totally got your letter and loved it! Tally, yours was the only valentine I got!! It meant so much to me! Thank you so much and I can't wait to do something fun with you when I get back! you'll be so big and grown up! Keep practicing your piano! You never know who could use a pianist! Who knows..maybe some day you could be in the Philippines playing for Stake Conference for the area seventy who is coming :) haha! Like me! Good times. The church is true! Always has been, always will be. I love you all so much. Oh!! MOM I got your package with the scriptures in it. I haven't gotten the first box yet, but be patient. Sister Adam's took closer to 3 months...so there is still hope. I love you tons! My prayers are with you! I'm so glad you all enjoyed each others company in Utah! Only 13 months and I'll be sharing the times with you! HUGS AND KISSES!!!
All my Love,
Sister Stadler