Hello hello! I can't believe it's monday again! I swear I was just emailing you all! And yet I have so much I want to add! First of all, mom, before you freak out..haha..those 3 emails were britt's, ariels, and tara's. I knew they had been wanting to see pictures. :) No worries! I'm not emailing random people. Family lang! Alright, funny first experience this week....So I'm OYMing a guy last night and I totally introduced myself as ASHLEY!!!! WHAT???? Not Sister Stadler!? I have no idea where that came from?! I haven't referred to myself as Ashley for over 6 1/2 months now! Random! anyway..he probably thought I was crazy because he repeated, "oh, Ashley! nice to meet you" to which I responded.. "No! not Ashley brother...Sister Stadler. Sorry!" haha! IT was just really random and hilarious. You should have seen Sister Flores's face. It was a fun way to end the night. turns out he was a brother of a man who is helping us find an apartment right now! woohooo! Devout Catholic siya...er...he's a catholic. Nice man though. OH! before I forget, Robyn and Shelley!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAYS! I miss you both so much! Have fun this year, but most of all, remember what is most important in life! Robyn, your email was so nice to get. I'm so excited to see your progress, and I'm sure you're way excited too. Also, Brittany, congrats on passing the boards!!! WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!! (imagine me dancing around for you...) Man...I won't get done with school until I'm like 50. Oh well! :) Oh, one more funny experience. Yesterday we went to a Purok here (a little area in the city). As we were entering the Purok there was a group of children and a few random adults standing around..as usual...and we always high five or shake hands with the kids. Well there was one little boy bawling his head off. Of course I wanted to just go over and pick him up and comfort him, however ...the missionary hand book specifically forbids that. SO..I didn't. But no one was paying attention to this child. So Sister Flores walks over to one of our Less Actives and starts talking to her while I'm still talking to the kids. THEN the little crying boy walks right up to me and hugs my legs (he's probably about 1 1/2). So what am I suppose to do? Not pick him up?? AH! So I pick him up and as soon as I do he stops crying immediately and just snuggles into me. Well now there is a group of people watching and it's a little awkward because I'm sure they are wondering why this little child ran away from his family and came right up to the white girl to be held and immediately took to her. So after about 45 seconds I set him back down because he's totally calm now. HE STARTS CRYING AGAIN!! And puts his arms up. Well his grandmother walks over and grabs him and he shoves her away and comes running back to me again! So i pick him up again and the grandmother is just staring at me in disbelief. I'm a little confused too...so is Sister Flores! She just started laughing when she turned around. Anyway...turns out I look almost exactly like his mother I guess. His mom came around the corner once I put him down...except for the whole fact that she is Filipina and I'm...not! Anyway...we have the same length hair and the same build. Way funny though AND I realized just how much I miss children! AH! Paul and Holly, give Kaitlin and Kyler a squeeze for me. And Amanda...just hug random children in your class! haha! joke lang!
Alright...so Jose was progressing and just as sweet as ever. We were teaching him one night and it was getting late..he was our 2nd to last appointment. He hadn't had anything to eat yet, but he didnt complain to us about it, we just asked if he'd eaten anything and he said, not yet. So we taught out next apointment and then walked past little home on our way back to our apartment where he was laying down with his front door open. We said goodnight and started to walk home. Sister Flores and I were both silent and I aksed her what she wanted me to cook for dinner. She requested my "famous spaghetti"..haha..and I said I needed to go buy some rolls is I made that. So I we walked towards the market in silence. She finally said, "Sister Stadler, what are you thinking right now.." and I had actually started crying, but she couldn't tell because it was dark. I said, "just about a lot of things. About our investigators and their trials." I had actually been thinking about Jose specifically and how much I have learned from him in the short amount of time we have been blessed to know him. I was thinking, "how on earth can I go home and make spaghetti in our comfortable apartment knowing that Jose is just a few blocks down the street, hungry, and thirsty?" So as we were at the market I was buying bread...10 pesos lang...Thats roughly 20 cents. And I thought, I can afford 20 cents of personal money to get him some bread and a bottle of water. Sister Flores, meanwhile was thinking the same thing as I was, but neither of us wanted to voice it. Technically in our handbooks it says we aren't to use mission money for that because it's sacred funds. So we didnt...we used our own money. She bought some bananas and we went back to give it to him. He was so appreciative. We just said we had some extra. Of course it was a one time thing for us. We can't let him become dependent on us, but it felt good that night to help out. I could actually sleep that night knowing he was sleeping with a full stomach. Anyway. I'm just humbled daily by this man. I was thinking this Sunday about our Savior's life and during the sacrament I was reading hymn #181. The last of the first verse says, "Thy life to give". I had never really thought of that verse before. I thought it was talking about the Savior literally giving his life for us, and it is. But then I had the thought come to me, "He GAVE his life every single day." I'm sure he never walked out to meet his apostles in the morning and said, "You know you guys, I'm gonna take a day off today. I just need some 'me' time. This whole worrying about others problems thing is taking its toll on me." I was thinking about Sister Beck's talk in General Conference. She mentioned that "me" time is a temptation of Satan that the world pushes on women especially. It's so true! Even with Missonaries.."lets just stay in this one day...no one is listening to us..we just got punted like crazy, the bishops are not even helping us, no ward missionaries are available and we just dropped 5 of our investigators...2 with baptismal dates." and yet...I keep thinking...the Savior Gave every day! I can do that too! I love this work.
Mom, Jayboy has had many many operations, but it slowly recovering in the hospital. When he came to he asked that someone text the Sister Missionaries, us, and tell them he said hello. So he was alert enough to know we were there and praying for him. Anyway, this church is true. I love it. I have always loved it and will continue to love it more every day of my life! The gospel changes people...through Jesus Christ. Mom, way to be with your missionary work!!!!! I was so proud! I showed Sister Flores that part of the email! She said, "Who is that? Your mom???? That's awesome!!" haha! I agree. Keep it up! It's so true! The more often you talk about it...the less scary it is. Also..the best thing to do when you're not in the mood to share is to share! haha! Keep up the good work. Have Faith, work with faith and watch the miracles come forth. Sean, I'm sending you a letter this week...so if you're lucky it will get there in a month! HAHAHAH! I love you so much! I miss ya like crazy and I can't wait to go out for ice cream or food or something when I get back. Dad, how are you doing???? I love your little updates in mom's emails. Keep up the scripture study and prayers for me. I love you all, remember what is most important, eternal perspective, no? til next week, GOD SPEED!
All my love,
Sister Stadler

P.S. I got a letter from Sister Ball...she's doing so good in her mission! She is loving it...doesn't surprise me at all! :)

Dear family! This week has been a doozie. I have never been so punted in my entire time here in the mission. It seems everyone had an excuse as to why they couldn't be taught this week, or they hid from us (my person favorite..haha...it's always funny to call them out on it) OR they just weren't at home for the entire week. We took a lot of time to visit less actives and recent converts though. It's really hard when you can't tract. Our OYM count was way good this week though and we were able to find the little home of Elmo, a man we OYM'd our first transfer together. He was super interested with his wife, but we couldn't ever find his home and we didn't have any info to find him. He says he's only able to hear the lessons on Sundays though..which is hard, but with faith and prayer, hopefully he will be more available. He's just working ALL the time to put food on the table for his family. So..I am going to tell you this because you told me to be open with you..but don't freak out mom, ok? :) LOVE YOU! Alright...so funny that you said in your email that you pray for my safety twice a day...well keep praying because it paid off today. Sister Flores and I were walking on the street, we just got off a jeepnie and were transfering to another jeepnie to get to a mall we needed to get to. We were walking down the street ( and in the Philippines, there are little or no rules when it comes to driving.) People drive up on sidewalks and in the wrong lane and it's just insane...but remarkably they are basically NO accidents. SO...we're walking right down the street and we're not in like the middle of the road or anything..we're on the side of the road, out of nowhere my hand goes flying up into the air and I realize..I was just hit by a motorcyclist driving by. YEP...and Sister Flores says, 'What the heck??? What just happened?" The mirror of the motorcycle hit me about 4 inches below above my wrist on my arm. The guy didn't even notice that he hit me! It was insane! So at first I thought that maybe it was broken, but it didn't hurt at all...not even when it got hit. So Sister Flores, since she's a nurse...haha...runs to a business and gets a huge thing of ice and makes me ice it because it's already swollen and bruised 2 seconds after he hit it. ANYWAY..long story short. I'm totally fine and it doesn't hurt it all. The swelling is gone and I have a bruise now about the size of a nickel. BUT....I immediately had the thought, You have family praying for your safety every day, this was a direct answer to their prayers. If I had been 4 inches more into the street, it could have been disaster. SO...moral of the story: The Lord blesses His missionaries and prayers are answered. :) No worries Mom, Sister Flores now permanently makes me walk closest to the buildings. hahahaha! Alright...I'll work on getting a photo of a jeepnie for ya and a trik so you can see the difference. So we found an awesome investigator this week, his name is Jose. We OYM'd him. He is physically disabled and we wondered at first if he was all there, but he totally is!!! HE is remarkably smart and has such strong faith if God. I have learned so much from him and I have been so humbled each time we teach him. He can hardly walk and his home is the size of half of our bathroom back home. Actually more like mom and dad's bathroom without the shower section. His family abandoned him and now the neighbors have given him this little shack to stay in. BUT for CSP we did his laundry because he has nowhere to wash it and no one can wash it for him. Sister Flores as I have never had such fun washing the dirtiest clothes ever by hand. We were laughing so hard on our microscopic stools outside...and then we had a water fight. ANYWAY..back to the point...he came to general conference with us. (which by the way we were able to see all sessions. AMAZING!!!!!! I was frantically writing notes..love it). HOLY counsel about families!!!! Do we all need to step it up a notch or what? Think of the amazing spirits that were reserved for this time! It is terrifying and so exciting to think about having children at this time in the world. So every time we teach Jose, we always relate the lesson specifically to him and testify of God's love for him. He immediately, without fail, will say to us "Sisters, He loves everyone! Not just me!" He is so full of love and happiness and faith and I'm just excited to see where this goes. AND...he came to church and he already knew like 8 priesthood holders there at church! Everyone loves him!

Before I forget, Thank you Beehives, Tally, and Doone for your letters! I was so excited to get them and I promise I will write back soon. Also, Taylor, I got your letter! woohoo!! Sister Hudson, I got your note too! Thank you! Nami gid card! Sagad ka sa cardmaking. :) Robyn and Sean, it was so good to hear from both of you! I love you two so much and I can't wait to have a family get together in...forever...haha! Mom, the hair loss has settled down and everything is pretty good. I love you all to death. I love you all so much! Life is so good! The gospel is true. I have witnessed too many miracles in my life to ever deny the existance and tender love of my Heavenly Father. Study the Scriptures, Resist Satan's ridiculously cunning temptations and Pray like your life depends on it. ( Because as I learned today...sometimes it does) haha! I'll send some pictures next week.
All My Love,
Sister Stadler

P.S. Mom, tell Sven I love his stinkin missionary self and I can't wait to swap stories with him in...forever. :) OH..how is the produce guy and MaryEllen doing? I have been thinking about her lately. I love that woman!

HELLO my sweet family! I am loving life and my 4th transfer. The heavens poored down their mercy and allowed Sister Flores and I to stay for a 3rd transfer together!!! We thought the zone leaders were joking when they announced it at our zone meeting. We all got really quiet and I said, "ok..funny elders...where are we going?" to which Elder Pullicar replied, "No, I'm serious. You are both staying." Then we just started jumping up and down and hugging each other like little 5 year old school girls. hahaha! We sat down and have set some awesome goals for us to stretch ourselves. The language it starting to pick up quickly now. I'm definitely being blessed. I still have a ton to learn, but I'm definitely improving and I can see the improvement. A couple days ago we left an appointment and Sister Flores turned to me and said, "Who are you??? Where is my companion who doesn't know Ilonggo?" haha! She's too kind. But then she said, "No, I'm serious. You have improved so much over these last two transfers! It's amazing and everyone is noticing it. They keep talking to me about it." So it makes me feel good, not about my abilities by all means, but because I'm finally able to carry on conversations with people and to comfortably walk up to someone on the street and start testifying plainly and beautifully about the gospel..and the greatest thing is, I KNOW IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WTH ME! haha! I love the gospel! Our Heavenly Father is so willing to bless us if we just do ALL we can do. It's funny now. People don't expect a white girl to know what they are saying..and I still only pick up about half of the conversation when they are talking full speed. BUT...last week a girl was on a jeepnie with us and Sister Flores and I got on the Jeepnie. She was sitting with her little friend from college. She was probably about...18 or so. Well Sister Flores was on the phone with our zone leaders and I could hear her making fun of me in the jeep. Well I understood everything she was saying, but she had no idea. I don't get upset with stuff like that because it's hilarious to me. So I waited and let her talk and giggle with her friend for about 5 minutes or so, then she started making fun of the name tags and I heard her say something about Jesus Christ and I thought.." AND....here we go!" So I turned to her and I started speaking in Ilonggo. I asked her simply where she was from and where she was currently living. I asked her name and if she had a family near there. She got absolutely silent and her eyes were huge. The guy sitting next to me started laughing and said, "OH!!!! Sagad siya sa Ilonggo! She thought you didn't understand her!" It was hilarious! So I invited her to church and testified simply that I knew this was the true church of Jesus Christ on the earth. She smiled and covered her mouth, grabbed her friends hand and got off the jeepnie. hahahahaha! I love it! Sister Flores was laughing so hard! Things like that happen all the time to us Americans over here. Usually people are really nice to the sisters though and they just rag on the elders.
As for this week though, we were able to extend 3 invitations for baptism and we hope to do one more this next week, Skyler wasn't able to meet with us this week because she went home for the holiday. Speaking of which....HOLY! Easter here is insanity! Amanda, in your email you talked about how people nail themselves to crosses and stuff here...yep. They do that mainly in Manila though, but they are mainly a Catholic country. They have these huge parades with floats that are all lit up and HUGE statues of Christ on the cross all bloody. It's just sad. So we were returning home friday night and we had the trik driver drop off our ward missionary first. Then he went to drive to our apartment and the whole street was blocked off, so I directed him another way and we had to walk a little ways to get to our apartment because of the parade. The whole street was packed with people walking. We were like salmon going upstream. Sister Flores said to me earlier in the day, "One of these days I'm just gonna scream, 'REPENT OH YE WICKED AND PERVERSE GENERATION!" So as we're walking up the street and their are huge idols everywhere and people praying to them I said, "If you're gonna scream repent, now is the time" haha! So she yells, "Repent!! Obey the 10 commandments- especially the 2nd one! NO GRAVEN IMAGES!" haha...I was dying. Not many people could hear her over the music and chanting and all that jazz, but I was laughing really hard. It was a moment I don't think I will ever forget. She said in Manila they have something called the Black Nazarene where people literally die each year. They have the belief that if they touch their hankercheifs to it their greatest desire will come true. People kill others by climbing on them trying to get up to the top of the float. Here is my question, #1: Why is the Nazarene black? When I'm pretty sure Jesus Christ was not black. #2: Why would your righteous desires be granted when you just trampled another children of God under your feet. #3: HOW? HOW is the statue going to grant your desires???????? USE YOUR HEAD PEOPLE! Anyway. Now that I'm over that..This week we had one of our investigators hit by a jeepnie here. He has a 50/50 chance of surviving. AND..they are pretty sure they are going to have to amputate his leg. He was hit by the jeepnie and then dragged for about 80 feet or so. His leg has no flesh on it, just the bone. We went to visit him in the hospital and the family asked for a priesthood blessing. (his older brother is a member). So we called the elders and they came into the ward and lets just say...it definitely caught everyone's attention. At that moment, as I was praying for Jayboy and his family and the elders were giving the blessing I had the thought come to mind, how beautiful the priesthood power is. Our Heavenly Father loves us so much to bless us with His power here on the earth. My goodness. I'll let you know how he's doing. Sister Flores and I were going back to our apartment after we visited him and she said, "What would you do if that was us? That could have easily been us. We are at that stop all the time waiting for triks." We could have easily been there that day too, but we planned to visit some less actives instead that day. I'm not saying that we would have been there instead of him and it was a huge miraculous event, however, I know that if you plan- the Lord blesses you. I know the Lord protects his missionaries. This whole event has reminded me of how incredible fragile life is. We saw him the night before the accident and talked to him. Any one of us could be moments away from ending our time here in this life. What have we done with our time here?
Get this, they just lowered the price of a triple combination here at the Philippines distribution center because a lot of the saints here didn't have the standard works because it was just WAY too pricey for them. The triple is now 64 pesos. Thats roughly...$1.30! Garments are way way way barato man! Er...cheap too! But they only have one type. Let me see...OH! Funny thing just happened. I was playing pool in the bowling ally that we always go to and I saw these 2 men in the place who were staring me down. So they slowly made their way over the table right next to the table I was playing at. Well Sister Ball, (no..not my MTC companion, another sister here in the mission) said :" WOAH! That guy is totally just staring right at you....I hate that. It's so awkward. Ew...he definitely just winked" So my amazing little Sister Flores comes over and goes, "That's it...there is only one way to solve this...OYM him" HAHA! So I said...cge! I grabbed a lesson one pamphlet and went and talked to them about the restored gospel and invited them to church. One of the men wouldn't even make eye contact with me and the other one got really quiet and listened and asked directions to the church. So..that's hopeful! THEN...another guy kept holding up his phone and winking at me and I was just ignoring him. Well...the elders are playing pool with us right? haha...Paul and Sean, you would be so happy with these elders. They definitely look after us as sisters. So Elder Foulds walks over to the guy and very very nicely says, "Did you want to speak with her brother?" and the man didnt respond, so he said one more time, "Huh? Would you like to speak with her?" The man said no and just walked away. We get hit on hourly here in the Philippines. Most of the men will back off if you share the gospel message with them, but once in awhile they get a little touchy feely. We're good though. No worries mom. We're safe. We've got the 3 nephites with us as body guards. I'm pretty sure of it. If not the 3 nephites, Grandpa Bernie is behind me at least...and lets be honest...Grandpa never took bunk from anyone. haha!
Well, life is so good. I love my mission with all of my heart. I love our recent converts and our investigators. Brother Froilan passed the sacrament for the first time sunday. We get to watch conference this weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOHOOOOOO! I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am for that! to those of you who keep writing me, thank you! I'm sorry if i haven't written for awhile. It is so busy here! I wrote another song though, last night in like 10 minutes. It's pretty good. Not gonna lie. Sister Flores sings harmony too. It's cute! Oh, Taylor, I don't have your new address so...there isn't any way I can write you until I have it. Um..Sister Lundin, your one lined email made me laugh really hard. My waist is definitely becoming slimmer. How is Cameron doing for preparing? Ariel, if you can get Moe (Melissa Bankhead)'s address for me I would love you forever! She should be off her mission by now. Maybe on facebook...not sure. Britt, are you almost done with school now? I haven't heard from you in forevers...but I'm sure it's because you're blissfully happy in marriage and terribly busy with school! WOOHOO!! You're almost done now! Then you and Dave can adopt me and fund the remainder of my schooling. haha! joke! Mom, I loved your general conference summaries for me. Keep being amazing! I love you and I look foreward to your tiny box you are sending me. I love you all! I have 30 seconds! LOVE YOU!!!!!! :)
~Sister Stadler

K, I sent a huge email and it didn' even register as being sent..with pictures too. I'm a little ticked. I have no time now. Know that life is good. I'll write you this week what I put in my emai and you can let mom know. It was a great week! We ended with a bang and had 4 baptisms (Charlie, Ayren, Antonio and John Rey) and we were able to see our warriors pass the sacrament for the first time. Ah! I have no time. Love you tons!
~Sister Stadler