Well hello hello. How in the world are all of you doing? I hope this letter finds you well. First of all, here's answers to your questions. Mom, yes we do get the full conference Liahona, it is just like the ensign for the conference issues. The full ensigns we do not get though. My stomach has been doing really well lately. Sister Ball's is still the same for the most part. Keep praying for her. She's a tough girl and she's learned to work with the pain. As for my companion being a Filipina and not having to teach the language, that would be false. haha..it's almost harder in some ways. She is fluent in Tagalog...I remember only what we learned in the MTC in Tagalog, if that... So...she doesn't know Ilonggo, and she speaks some English. We use about every language we can to communicate. haha! The easier thing is that she does pick up on the language way faster than an American would, but... I'm still teaching her the language. She's wonderful though. She's such a hard worker and her energy helps to keep me pumped up.
Analyn and Emalyn are not married yet, but they both set new baptismal dates. Did they come to church this Sunday? no! This was one of those Sundays where the missionaries wait forever at the front door, praying and hoping and then it feels like someone stabbed you in the heart. BUT...Reneboy did come. We used to teach him forever ago but he wasn't progressing so we dropped him. Then, last week I saw him and grabbed him to teach him again and the new curriculum says to follow the spirit to commit him to baptism, so I did and he committed! Get this...he used to smoke 2 packs of cigarettes a day and drink whiskey and we did the word of wisdom lesson with him 2 days ago, he's down to 1 cigarette now and no alcohol. I can see a change that has come over him. It's beautiful. We're really excited for him. Alright, paying for kindergarten now!!! That's ridiculous! What are the school systems over there thinking? As for the pearls, next week he's going to bring some for me to look at and take a photo of for you. They are beautiful. The peach is a light peach and the black is more of a charcoal color.
Sean, I died laughing when you wrote the part about training Elder Neal! I can't even imagine how ridiculous that had to have been....always have to step lightly when opening areas, especially after a situation like that! haha!
Ok, so this week has been really good. The Lord has placed so many potential investigators in our path it is amazing. I used to be so afraid of extending a baptismal invitation within the first 2 teachings but it makes all the difference when you're following the spirit. If you extend it by saying, "When you come to know the things we have taught are true, will you be baptized into the church of Jesus Christ...by one who holds the proper authority?" It doesn't make it seem like we have some hidden agenda! It really helps us to see where the investigators heart is. If they say no, you try to resolve their concern, re-extend, and if they still say no...then you move on because they aren't prepared in their hearts yet. The Lord has prepared too many people to waste time trying to force something on someone. We aren't called to force. We are called to invite.
My little trainee, Sister Polido is a little fire house! She's all about OYMing and will just talk to anyone. I love her to death! I could not have asked for a better trainee. Get this, she knows Sister Hawkes, a teacher in the MTC, because she served in Sister Polido's home town! She used to work with her in her ward and go on splits and stuff with her. She asked me on night during our studies if I knew her and I almost freaked out! haha! So here's a little shout out to her! Sister HAWKES we love you! :)
Well, I don't have much else to add. This week I was reading in Alma 36 and I had been praying to really feel the Lord's love for me that night, it was a harder day, and we had just read that chapter with an investigator the day before so I almost skipped over it, but I felt I was suppose to read it. So as I was reading I could feel Alma's urgency in his explanation...his pleading really, for his son to just live the commandments of God and witness the blessings. When it gets to the verse... I think it's around 24 where he talks about "from that day on he has taught the truth"...or something like that... I felt the overwhelming power from the spirit testifying to my heart and my soul that I am participating in the same work as this magnificent missionary Alma. How grateful I am to share every day about my loving and living Savior, Jesus Christ and His gospel, filled with hope and joy and happiness beyond description. The church is true. IF PEOPLE WOULD JUST LIVE IT ALREADY they would allow themselves to be happy, truly happy. I love you all and pray for you every day. Thank you for your prayers. One day last week as I felt a little discouraged about a few investigators and was on my knees trying to find a way to help them, I once again had this rush of comfort that filled my whole being and immediately I thought, "What time is it in the U.S.?" I realized it was around 8 at night there. I immediately had the image of you all praying for me in your prayers and I was so full of gratitude. This work won't stop, no one will prevail against it. Life is so good. Show your love to all you come in contact with. Be a service oriented people. Find little ways to help this week. So often we get so darn caught up in our list of to-do's that we forget about why we're actually here. Take a step back and just talk to someone who looks a little lonely. And for goodness sake...be happy! You live in a free country where children are healthy and food is in abundance, animals are taken care off, health care is available and insurance is as well. The air is clean, most of you have a car and a home and food in your fridge right now to last the week. That's more than any single one of our investigators. Count your blessings, name them one by one! If you're not sure how to put the next meal on the table or to pay the next water bill...consider the lilies of the fields, how they grow. Keep the Commandments, be obedient, be grateful, and watch the Lord unfold His bounteous blessings and miracles before your eyes. Until next week, GOD SPEED !!!!!

All my love,
Sister Stadler

P.S. MOM!!! I got your package!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the peanuts and the twizzlers and the fruit and jerky...my heavens it could not have come at a better time. That fruit is heavenly! Did you dry that yourself???? Thank you!! LOVE YOU ALL!