Alright folks that I love so dearly. Here we are again, another week over and its been said I have 5 little tiny weeks left. It's that time where every single person I know seems to be asking me when I am going home and to be honest, it doesn't bother me anymore. Just like a wise person told me, put your nose the grindstone and work a little harder each time you hear it. AND SO I SHALL! :) The only weird thing is planning events in the branch that are past my returning date. WEIRD!
Oh...speaking of which! Good news!! Mom, the branch just found out that their travel will be completely paid for for the temple trip!!!!!!!!!!!! What a huge blessing no? I was so excited to hear about that. They could however use some money for extra white shirts and ties for priesthood if possible. That won't be nearly as expensive. In our branch council meeting they brought up the need for a skirt for one sister who is planning on going to the temple. I said I could give her one of mine and have it re-sized first. I asked what size she was and they all said, "Sister, you are....not the same size. You are...uh..." HAHAHA! I laughed really hard and said, "Oo, GANI! Tambok ako! Pero tani may fitting anay tapos ihatag ko sa iya!" oops..I mean..."Yes, obviously! I'm fat! but hopefully I can get it fitted before I give it to her." President Tumunong laughed and said, You're not fat sister! You're...uh....how light you are!!!!" ha! followed by a comment, "Sister! You're not fat, you're..American Standard!" They were way funny! No one here is sensitive about their weight, and to be honest...its helped me a lot here. They are way funny! Of course we're all huge compared to everyone here. BUT, we all had a good laugh about it. Sister Christofferson leaned over and said, "Oh man...only in the Philippines would they be discussing your weight in a Branch Council Meeting." haha! I love her and I love the people here! My goodness I will miss them.
As for this week. Thank you so much for your prayers! WE FOUND 2 HOUSES!!!! We were sent on a hunt for 2 different houses and up to this week we haven't even found one. BUT, we fasted and prayed and you all prayed and Heavenly Father definitely provided, as he always does. They are some of the most beautiful homes I can ever seen in the Philippines and for an incredibly affordable price. We are greatly blessed. We are waiting to see if President approves, but we are excited to move in this next week hopefully. It was funny how it worked, neither homes were available for rent, but Sister Christofferson and I talked to the owners and they changed their minds. I never thought in a million years that I would be house hunting on my mission. Let me tell you, apartment searches after the mission are going to be a breeze!!!!! Imagine just logging onto a computer and pulling up all available apartments in the area by the click of a mouse. That is hard for me to imagine. We had the spend lots of proselyting time looking for houses, so this week's work was slower, but next week it should pick up.
Our investigators with a baptismal date are all progressing nicely. Rex and Erwin are both doing great, going to church and loving life. Erwin's date is coming up quickly and we're excited for him. Keep him especially in your prayers. He's doing great with the word of wisdom, but we all know how Satan works in those last few weeks before the baptism and especially right after the baptism as well. Christopher continues to amaze me. His questions are so well thought out and he ALWAYS has questions when we show up. He is now involved with fellowshipping other less active members and investigators. He is golden. This boy reads daily and loves it and in his prayer a few weeks ago actually included that Quincy, a less active friend of his, would realize what's important and come to church and read. She did. :)
Sean, have you found out if you can come to Utah yet? I sure hope so. I've been praying for it. I hope your work has picked up some. How is the economy doing in the US right now anyway? Is work still hard to find? Are stocks starting to pick back up or what? We're out in our own little world out here.
We have no idea what is going on. We heard there have been many storms and natural disasters lately. Does this surprise anyone? Let's take a look at the wickedness of the world. My goodness...the responsibility we have to teach the gospel is tremendous isn't it? And at times it can almost feel more like a burden, no? We're far from perfect, we constantly fall and sin and have so many weaknesses, and yet, we know the truth, and the truth is perfect, so..we must share this beautiful message of hope with others. Step up to the challenge and share the message! :) You will find more joy in that than in any other way man could ever provide.
So nothing too funny happened this week. We were walking one day and had a dog come out of a bush and start running and barking full speed at us. We don't usually have problems with dogs, but this one was angry. It has little baby puppies so we're sure it was just protective. Serves me right for whistling while walking...haha! Well, luckily my companion is the dog whisperer. While I started walking faster and pulled out my umbrella to beat the dog to death she simply turns around and makes a noise that the people do here and the dog starts lunging at her snapping and she does it again and immediately it retreats. Much better alternative to dog innards all over my umbrella.
Also, today I had to go to the city to get my final x-rays. You have to get a set of x-rays to make sure you don't have TB before returning to the states. FUN FUN! But yeah...its over and I'm not too scarred. love you all!!!! The shop is closing. Big hugs and kisses!!! God speed!!!!
Love,
Sister Stadler
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Well, transfer announcments are here and...drum roll please............. I'm STAYING IN LA CARLOTA AND......SISTER CHRISTOFFERSON IS KILLING ME OFF!!!!!!!! WOO HOOOO!!!! I'm way excited and happy..releaved really. But here it is...my last transfer. I can't believe its here and the last transfer felt like it took 4 days to get through. I'm sure it will go even faster. We went to a departure meeting yesterday for Elder Theobald and his batch. He talked to me after and said, "Sister, these next 6 weeks will be the fastest of your whole mission. They fly by.." SO! I'm just holding on and working harder than ever before.
There were only 2 departing missionaries from America. President said in his talk, "This is the hugest batch of foreigners ever...(laughter)." Then he said, "And next transfer will be the record breaking largest foreign departure...Sister Stadler. I'm sorry I didn't give you a chance to bear your testimony in this meeting, but this upcoming transfer, in every leadership training we have I want you to bear your testimony." Not sure what that means, but...whatever. ha! There are only 2 of us leaving next transfer, Sister Canaya and I. So yes mom, I will be flying home alone. I'm a little worried, I hate trying to make flight changes, but the mission looks after its missionaries, AND.....good grief I have been watched over here. We know Heavenly Father will watch over me on the flight home. President gave me the option of staying either an additional transfer and going home with Sister Ball or staying an additional 3 weeks and flying home with my batch from IloIlo mission, Jennie?! But...I want to be there so bad for the birth of little nameless baby boy Anderson! :) And I figured you wouldn't like me to stay an extra 3 weeks, so I'm just going to
exercise my faith and make the most of it.
This week was full of craziness. We had exchanges this last week, which after much prayer, I followed a prompting and I had and it turned out to answer many prayers for many sisters. I LOVE THE SPIRIT!!!!! Exchanges were a huge tender mercy for me. Going back to Bago and seeing a few people that I had taught my first transfer was...amazing. Unfortunately, some of them are now inactive because of a lack of fellowshipping. AH! Now true, they could go on their own, and I gave them a good older Sister Stadler talkin to, but Japhet....Japhet is active as ever! He's a counselor in the Young Mens and loving life. I didn't want to go around visiting, because that wasn't the purpose of exchanges. Exchanges are for training missionaries. Experienced missionaries switch into other companionships to help teach and help with concerns in the area. Well, praying beforehand I said, "Father, I would love to go see each person we taught, but let me see those Father who I need to see, if it be thy will." And it was His will.
At one point we really needed a member to come to an appointment with us and no one was in sight. I knew a member's house was around the corner. She was studying for an exam, so I knew that Japhet lived right around the corner from her, but he still had school. We went to his house and he wasn't there. My heart sunk a little bit. So I asked his neighbor if she could tell him that Sister Stadler stopped by. We then went across a large rice field towards the appointment and I
hear..."SIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WAIT LANG SIS!!!!!" And I turn around and see a little dot running across the rice field and lo and behold....it was Japhet Villarte! I thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest..I was so excited. I have never wanted to hug someone so bad in my entire life....but I didn't. ha! I shook his hand, with the hugest smile ever on my face, haha, and said, "Japhet...you're still strong?!" And he said without a moments hesitation, "Yes Sister, I am. I will always be strong no matter what others choose. The church is true, I will never turn from it." I started tearing up. AH!!!!! I have always felt that I knew Japhet before. There was a connection with him. He bore a powerful testimony in the lesson we taught and testified of prophets and how we have a living prophet. His testimony had depth. It wasn't the light hearted testimony you hear many youth bear.
I was able to see many people during the day...and yes they all made comments on how I was now fluent in Ilonggo. haha! I'm not fluent...I just couldn't speak well to them before. hahaha! Anyway, it was awesome. Sister Nethercott, a sister who was on the exchange, came up to me at zone conference later in the week and said, "Sister Stadler, I know you are inspired. You don't know the number of ways that exchange helped me. You answered many specific questions I had been praying about. I wrote you a letter, but forgot it. Just know that I am very thankful."
I love this work. Zone conference was remarkable. The focus was working with the spirit. To be completely honest, I have become quite comfortable with understanding spiritual promptings. This is something I hope stays with me throughout my life. It has taken time and I have to check myself constantly to see if I am still a worthy
vessel for the spirit to dwell in. I worry that after the mission, once the mantle is removed, the spirit will speak to me in a little different way. BUT...I will find out when I get home. Its easier on a mission..the world is shut out.
This week we were also able to extend commitments to Christopher Barrientos and Rex Jayme for baptism. They readily accepted. Both are remarkable individuals. We are excited! When we committed Christopher I said, "Brother Christopher, we are so excited for you!" and he responded.."Sister, I am excited for myself!" haha! He's solid. I'll have more updates next week. Keep praying for a home for us. We've
looked at many....but they don't seem to be quite up to par....Anyway, keep praying. I love you tons.
You're all amazing. I pray for you often. Sean.....I'm a loser. I had written multiple times in various places to wish you happy birthday last week...did i? no..cause i''m a puts and forgot...but here it is...get ready... HAPPY BIRTHDAY
SEAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good grief I love you. Keep praying that you'll be able to go to Salt Lake for the my homecoming. I pray for it daily, multiple times. Surely Heavenly Father will find a way to answers our prayers. I love you all, until next week, GOD SPEED!!!!
All my kisses and hugs from the last 18 months,
Sister Stadler
There were only 2 departing missionaries from America. President said in his talk, "This is the hugest batch of foreigners ever...(laughter)." Then he said, "And next transfer will be the record breaking largest foreign departure...Sister Stadler. I'm sorry I didn't give you a chance to bear your testimony in this meeting, but this upcoming transfer, in every leadership training we have I want you to bear your testimony." Not sure what that means, but...whatever. ha! There are only 2 of us leaving next transfer, Sister Canaya and I. So yes mom, I will be flying home alone. I'm a little worried, I hate trying to make flight changes, but the mission looks after its missionaries, AND.....good grief I have been watched over here. We know Heavenly Father will watch over me on the flight home. President gave me the option of staying either an additional transfer and going home with Sister Ball or staying an additional 3 weeks and flying home with my batch from IloIlo mission, Jennie?! But...I want to be there so bad for the birth of little nameless baby boy Anderson! :) And I figured you wouldn't like me to stay an extra 3 weeks, so I'm just going to
exercise my faith and make the most of it.
This week was full of craziness. We had exchanges this last week, which after much prayer, I followed a prompting and I had and it turned out to answer many prayers for many sisters. I LOVE THE SPIRIT!!!!! Exchanges were a huge tender mercy for me. Going back to Bago and seeing a few people that I had taught my first transfer was...amazing. Unfortunately, some of them are now inactive because of a lack of fellowshipping. AH! Now true, they could go on their own, and I gave them a good older Sister Stadler talkin to, but Japhet....Japhet is active as ever! He's a counselor in the Young Mens and loving life. I didn't want to go around visiting, because that wasn't the purpose of exchanges. Exchanges are for training missionaries. Experienced missionaries switch into other companionships to help teach and help with concerns in the area. Well, praying beforehand I said, "Father, I would love to go see each person we taught, but let me see those Father who I need to see, if it be thy will." And it was His will.
At one point we really needed a member to come to an appointment with us and no one was in sight. I knew a member's house was around the corner. She was studying for an exam, so I knew that Japhet lived right around the corner from her, but he still had school. We went to his house and he wasn't there. My heart sunk a little bit. So I asked his neighbor if she could tell him that Sister Stadler stopped by. We then went across a large rice field towards the appointment and I
hear..."SIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WAIT LANG SIS!!!!!" And I turn around and see a little dot running across the rice field and lo and behold....it was Japhet Villarte! I thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest..I was so excited. I have never wanted to hug someone so bad in my entire life....but I didn't. ha! I shook his hand, with the hugest smile ever on my face, haha, and said, "Japhet...you're still strong?!" And he said without a moments hesitation, "Yes Sister, I am. I will always be strong no matter what others choose. The church is true, I will never turn from it." I started tearing up. AH!!!!! I have always felt that I knew Japhet before. There was a connection with him. He bore a powerful testimony in the lesson we taught and testified of prophets and how we have a living prophet. His testimony had depth. It wasn't the light hearted testimony you hear many youth bear.
I was able to see many people during the day...and yes they all made comments on how I was now fluent in Ilonggo. haha! I'm not fluent...I just couldn't speak well to them before. hahaha! Anyway, it was awesome. Sister Nethercott, a sister who was on the exchange, came up to me at zone conference later in the week and said, "Sister Stadler, I know you are inspired. You don't know the number of ways that exchange helped me. You answered many specific questions I had been praying about. I wrote you a letter, but forgot it. Just know that I am very thankful."
I love this work. Zone conference was remarkable. The focus was working with the spirit. To be completely honest, I have become quite comfortable with understanding spiritual promptings. This is something I hope stays with me throughout my life. It has taken time and I have to check myself constantly to see if I am still a worthy
vessel for the spirit to dwell in. I worry that after the mission, once the mantle is removed, the spirit will speak to me in a little different way. BUT...I will find out when I get home. Its easier on a mission..the world is shut out.
This week we were also able to extend commitments to Christopher Barrientos and Rex Jayme for baptism. They readily accepted. Both are remarkable individuals. We are excited! When we committed Christopher I said, "Brother Christopher, we are so excited for you!" and he responded.."Sister, I am excited for myself!" haha! He's solid. I'll have more updates next week. Keep praying for a home for us. We've
looked at many....but they don't seem to be quite up to par....Anyway, keep praying. I love you tons.
You're all amazing. I pray for you often. Sean.....I'm a loser. I had written multiple times in various places to wish you happy birthday last week...did i? no..cause i''m a puts and forgot...but here it is...get ready... HAPPY BIRTHDAY
SEAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good grief I love you. Keep praying that you'll be able to go to Salt Lake for the my homecoming. I pray for it daily, multiple times. Surely Heavenly Father will find a way to answers our prayers. I love you all, until next week, GOD SPEED!!!!
All my kisses and hugs from the last 18 months,
Sister Stadler
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Hello my sweet family! Good grief I love you to death! This week I officially put in my "trunky" papers ...which means I put down information about where I want the flight to fly into and my official returning date was given to me. This is weird. I don't know exactly how to explain what I'm feeling. SO...instead of thinking about it, I'm throwing myself into the work..or trying to anyway. This last week has been a huge blessing and I'm excited to see how this next week will go.
So his week we were punted a lot, but we were able to have 14 new investigators, a record for me on the mission. Here is the greatest part, they were all male investigators, ages 20-30. Talk about potential priesthood holders! :) I was so happy! We have had some wonderful teaching opportunities with them. Pray for us this week that we'll have the opportunity to teach them all again. The first lesson is always easiest. It is the following lessons that can be hard to get in. I adore my companion and we're excited for this next week. We have 9 days left together..unless by some miracle of miracles we stay together and she kills me off in the mission...I would be more than okay with that. We have the exchanges tomorrow. I'm pretty nervous about it actually. We were going to do it last week ,but we rescheduled it for this week. Keep me in your prayers for it, that I'll be guided by the spirit to ask inspired questions and to help them to progress. Keep Sister Christofferson in your prayers too. I think she's a little nervous, but she'll do great! I have huge faith in her because she works by the spirit. I love her tons!
This letter is going to be slightly shorter than the average because I just spent time looking at the BYU website trying to figure out about schooling....that is the last thing I want to think about however. AH! I hate thinking about all of this. It makes me feel....really uneasy inside. I'm so unsure of anything after the mission. I feel like normal conversation with people is going to be difficult. Is it not normal to bring up the doctrine of Christ 3 sentences into a conversation??? hahaha!
Our investigators are doing well. Erwin is still progressing, keep praying for him! He's excited to be baptized, just pray that he can continue to withstand the temptations and to be completely honest with his family.
I feel like this is jumping all around. Right now in my reading I'm in Alma 26. I love this chapter. I love the book of Alma. He's such a wonderful example to us. He and Amulek work miracles together. They are such a wonderful companionship. Alma is the more calm and reserved it seems, while Amulek is the firey one....I feel kind of like that in our companionship! hahaha! I'm Amulek, Sister Christofferson is Alma. I feel she's much wiser than me in many ways as well, even though I'm the senior. I have been so blessed with companionships. Heavenly Father truly knows who we need to be with and what we need to learn from people. I have no idea what this next, and last, transfer holds for me. I feel like my time is ending here in La Carlota, but perhaps I'll have one last transfer here.
We had a solid fireside about starting home teaching and visiting teaching here. As I was teaching about the effects of home teaching I was reminded of something Brother Hansen said to me before I left on the mission. I don't know if he'll ever understand the comfort it brought to me. He just reassured me that he'd look after my family..look after Mom and Dad. I knew he was serious. My heart was calm after that. I love the effect of the truly concerned home teacher and visiting teacher. We're pretty excited to see it start in the branch here.
Mom, give Dale, Dad, and Sean a huge squeeze for me. As for fish, I hated it before my mission. Now..I'm addicted! I can't seem to get enough of it. Hope you all enjoyed your salmon. I have one more request for prayers. Our sweet little home here is in need of being renovated, so we're in the process of looking for a new home. Well, it's been incredibly hard. It's not like we can just go pick up a white sheet or get a real estate agent...its been hard. We haven't found a single house that is up to standard that is available for rent. We have a deadline too, within the next 2 weeks we need to find a home for the 4 sisters, and a set of couple missionaries need a home as well. Please pray for specifics to fit the standards for the mission:
-tile
-2 cr's...er..bathrooms
-complete kitchen
-furnished/painted
-protected, meaning...gated
-3 or 4 rooms
Hopefully nearer to the center of strength in our area too. I know Heavenly Father has plans for us to be somewhere...we just haven't found the place yet. Thank you for your prayers.
This week my eyes have been opened to many things and I feel like I'm constantly finding reasons to be humbled. Its a good thing. I'm an emotional wreck at times, 7 weeks left and it's flying by. I love this work with all of my heart. Thinking about going home is exciting, but my heart aches. I refuse to talk about it usually because it makes me start to cry..to be honest. BUT...I know this won't be my last mission. I'm not trunky. Don't worry about that. I'm completely and totally invested in this great work. I love this gospel with all of my heart. I just re-read a talk by M. Russell Ballard about Pure Testimony from General Conference in 2004. It was as remarkable as ever. How truly blessed we are to know the truth about the gospel! To know that God still speaks with man today! Share that message. Your life will be happier than ever. We came home one night this week to find the other sisters brimming with joy because their day had gone so well. We were also incredibly happy with the way our day went. Sister Freeman said, "What other time in our lives will we have the blessing of having days like this? Effecting the salvation of souls?" Amen. I love this work,and being a bigger part of it. I love you all so much! Until next week, GOD SPEED ! :)
All my love,
Sister Stadler
So his week we were punted a lot, but we were able to have 14 new investigators, a record for me on the mission. Here is the greatest part, they were all male investigators, ages 20-30. Talk about potential priesthood holders! :) I was so happy! We have had some wonderful teaching opportunities with them. Pray for us this week that we'll have the opportunity to teach them all again. The first lesson is always easiest. It is the following lessons that can be hard to get in. I adore my companion and we're excited for this next week. We have 9 days left together..unless by some miracle of miracles we stay together and she kills me off in the mission...I would be more than okay with that. We have the exchanges tomorrow. I'm pretty nervous about it actually. We were going to do it last week ,but we rescheduled it for this week. Keep me in your prayers for it, that I'll be guided by the spirit to ask inspired questions and to help them to progress. Keep Sister Christofferson in your prayers too. I think she's a little nervous, but she'll do great! I have huge faith in her because she works by the spirit. I love her tons!
This letter is going to be slightly shorter than the average because I just spent time looking at the BYU website trying to figure out about schooling....that is the last thing I want to think about however. AH! I hate thinking about all of this. It makes me feel....really uneasy inside. I'm so unsure of anything after the mission. I feel like normal conversation with people is going to be difficult. Is it not normal to bring up the doctrine of Christ 3 sentences into a conversation??? hahaha!
Our investigators are doing well. Erwin is still progressing, keep praying for him! He's excited to be baptized, just pray that he can continue to withstand the temptations and to be completely honest with his family.
I feel like this is jumping all around. Right now in my reading I'm in Alma 26. I love this chapter. I love the book of Alma. He's such a wonderful example to us. He and Amulek work miracles together. They are such a wonderful companionship. Alma is the more calm and reserved it seems, while Amulek is the firey one....I feel kind of like that in our companionship! hahaha! I'm Amulek, Sister Christofferson is Alma. I feel she's much wiser than me in many ways as well, even though I'm the senior. I have been so blessed with companionships. Heavenly Father truly knows who we need to be with and what we need to learn from people. I have no idea what this next, and last, transfer holds for me. I feel like my time is ending here in La Carlota, but perhaps I'll have one last transfer here.
We had a solid fireside about starting home teaching and visiting teaching here. As I was teaching about the effects of home teaching I was reminded of something Brother Hansen said to me before I left on the mission. I don't know if he'll ever understand the comfort it brought to me. He just reassured me that he'd look after my family..look after Mom and Dad. I knew he was serious. My heart was calm after that. I love the effect of the truly concerned home teacher and visiting teacher. We're pretty excited to see it start in the branch here.
Mom, give Dale, Dad, and Sean a huge squeeze for me. As for fish, I hated it before my mission. Now..I'm addicted! I can't seem to get enough of it. Hope you all enjoyed your salmon. I have one more request for prayers. Our sweet little home here is in need of being renovated, so we're in the process of looking for a new home. Well, it's been incredibly hard. It's not like we can just go pick up a white sheet or get a real estate agent...its been hard. We haven't found a single house that is up to standard that is available for rent. We have a deadline too, within the next 2 weeks we need to find a home for the 4 sisters, and a set of couple missionaries need a home as well. Please pray for specifics to fit the standards for the mission:
-tile
-2 cr's...er..bathrooms
-complete kitchen
-furnished/painted
-protected, meaning...gated
-3 or 4 rooms
Hopefully nearer to the center of strength in our area too. I know Heavenly Father has plans for us to be somewhere...we just haven't found the place yet. Thank you for your prayers.
This week my eyes have been opened to many things and I feel like I'm constantly finding reasons to be humbled. Its a good thing. I'm an emotional wreck at times, 7 weeks left and it's flying by. I love this work with all of my heart. Thinking about going home is exciting, but my heart aches. I refuse to talk about it usually because it makes me start to cry..to be honest. BUT...I know this won't be my last mission. I'm not trunky. Don't worry about that. I'm completely and totally invested in this great work. I love this gospel with all of my heart. I just re-read a talk by M. Russell Ballard about Pure Testimony from General Conference in 2004. It was as remarkable as ever. How truly blessed we are to know the truth about the gospel! To know that God still speaks with man today! Share that message. Your life will be happier than ever. We came home one night this week to find the other sisters brimming with joy because their day had gone so well. We were also incredibly happy with the way our day went. Sister Freeman said, "What other time in our lives will we have the blessing of having days like this? Effecting the salvation of souls?" Amen. I love this work,and being a bigger part of it. I love you all so much! Until next week, GOD SPEED ! :)
All my love,
Sister Stadler
Sunday, January 9, 2011
This week has been full of fun and hard work, like missionary work should be. First let me give you an update on the investigators. Erwin officially smoked his last cigarette of all time on December 31st, 2010. HOORAY!!!! We're pretty excited for him. Keep praying for him to stay strong and witness the miracles. I really do..honestly...feel like he's made up his mind this time; he's decided he's going to be baptized and he's excited about it. As for Ricky, we're working with the AP's and President to see if he even needs to be baptized. He continues to impress us though. This last teaching we had with him we talked about obeying and honoring the laws of the land. I started to say one of the Articles of Faith and he finished quoting it, from his memory. I was of course surprised and asked him how he knew it, and he said, I couldn't sleep at night, so I started memorizing the little card you gave me with the picture of Jesus on it. YEAH...he's pretty amazing. As for the baptist boy, Alvin Celestial....nice name no? haha! He's celestial alright. I have never felt the spirit so consistently strong while teaching someone. We didn't get to teach him on Sunday, he was out of town, but he is really thinking deeply about things, praying and reading. Right now he's just waiting for an answer. Our other new investigators, Christopher, he's 17 and awesome as well. We gave him the assignment to read the introduction and start in 1 Nephi if he wanted to. Well, he read the intro, the testimony of the witnesses, Joseph's experience, studied the pictures, read the 1st chapter in Nephi and had questions about the 1st chapter. He's also reading, praying and waiting for an answer. I love this work!
Our branch is slowly awakening. We received 5 referrals from them this week for all priesthood age individuals. We're quite excited. We're gaining new investigators by the day and many of them are chosen spirits. We're excited to see the growth. I adore my companion and mom, I too hope I get to stay with her..that she can "kill me off"...as they call it in the mission. BUT...we'll see what the Lord has in store.
This Sunday, Brother Gatucao, the former bishop that we helped to reactivate, bore his testimony. I had chills running up and down my spine and tears in my eyes. When he said to me that first Sunday, Sister, I'm back! HE MEANT IT! HE"S BACK!!!! He was definitely overcome by the spirit while bearing his testimony. He will play a huge role in helping to reactivate other families in the ward. We love him and could not be happier for him and his family who are planning on going to the temple trip together in May. They are sealed already, but he hasn't been to church in over a decade. He's been living the gospel, reading daily, still paying tithing, but not going to church. SO....he's excited to go to the temple as well. It's been a long time.
Ok, as for New Years, we were allowed on New Year's Eve to watch Disney movies again. We had planned a ton of movies, we made tacos, they were delicious..with our homemade soft taco shells....yes!!!! Carrying on the Mexican food tradition in the Philippines! haha! Well then we started watching the movies.....I'm an old woman. I definitely fell asleep in the first movie. ha! The other sister stayed up for 3 after I fell asleep. I was out before midnight. ha! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ME! I'm gonna be such a wimp when I get home.
Sister Christofferson and I started an exercise program for the remainder of the transfer. We went jogging this morning and it felt awesome to be up that early and working out.
Today in district meeting while waiting for interviews everyone started joking around about how long it would take for me after I got home to get married. I was freaking out inside. I told them to stop, it wasn't funny, which only caused them to make more ridiculous comments. I'm not ok with that. ha! But to be fair...I did do that to every single sister or elder who went home in the last few transfers. ha! What goes around comes around no?
You know how awhile back I said, "I've noticed a pattern in my mission. Whenever I start to get comfortable Heavenly Father throws in a twist to push me to my limits and cause me to stretch." Well, it has happened yet again. On Friday I got a call from one of our AP's. Our conversation went something like this,
"Sister Stadler! Kamusta ka?"
"Maayo man elder! Ikaw?"
"Maayo, salamat, hopefully you can do a musical number for this coming zone conference..."
"Oo! Pwede gid!..(why am I typing this is Ilonggo...you guys don't know Ilonggo..sorry)Sure! I can do that for you!"
"Actually, that's a joke. That's not why I called. You're be emergency transferred, we had a problem with some sisters."
"WHAT? ....elder that's not funny. you're joking right?"
"...yes. hahahahahah! But really, President would like me to inform you that you are now the Coordinating Sister. You will need to go on exchanges this next Tuesday and Wednesday and fill out the reports and report everything back to President."
"...is this a joke too?"
"No. He'll call you with more information closer to the exchanges. You'll just be over your Zone. But next transfer you'll most likely transfer ..."
SO.....I guess I'm the first Coordinating Sister in the mission. ...no training, just being thrown into the mix. It should be...fun! ha! Keep me in your prayers. I always feel like I have so many weaknesses, I don't know how I can help these sisters which seem so much further along than I am at times. BUT...fun fact, this exchange will be in BAGO! My first area, which should be fun to go back to for 1 day. Anyway, I love the mission, this will be a good experience for me. Who knows what President has in mind for next transfer, but I'm game!
I love you all so much and I hope things are going well for you! You're amazing! Keep writing! haha...in the words of Samantha, "8 weeks left!!!!! MARCH MARCH MARCH!!!!" hahahahahahaha! I'm .....freaking out inside. but, I am excited to see you all again. Sean, you're in my prayers. It's gonna work out. You're gonna be there in Salt Lake. I love you all, until next week, GOD SPEED !
All my love,
Sister Stadler
Our branch is slowly awakening. We received 5 referrals from them this week for all priesthood age individuals. We're quite excited. We're gaining new investigators by the day and many of them are chosen spirits. We're excited to see the growth. I adore my companion and mom, I too hope I get to stay with her..that she can "kill me off"...as they call it in the mission. BUT...we'll see what the Lord has in store.
This Sunday, Brother Gatucao, the former bishop that we helped to reactivate, bore his testimony. I had chills running up and down my spine and tears in my eyes. When he said to me that first Sunday, Sister, I'm back! HE MEANT IT! HE"S BACK!!!! He was definitely overcome by the spirit while bearing his testimony. He will play a huge role in helping to reactivate other families in the ward. We love him and could not be happier for him and his family who are planning on going to the temple trip together in May. They are sealed already, but he hasn't been to church in over a decade. He's been living the gospel, reading daily, still paying tithing, but not going to church. SO....he's excited to go to the temple as well. It's been a long time.
Ok, as for New Years, we were allowed on New Year's Eve to watch Disney movies again. We had planned a ton of movies, we made tacos, they were delicious..with our homemade soft taco shells....yes!!!! Carrying on the Mexican food tradition in the Philippines! haha! Well then we started watching the movies.....I'm an old woman. I definitely fell asleep in the first movie. ha! The other sister stayed up for 3 after I fell asleep. I was out before midnight. ha! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ME! I'm gonna be such a wimp when I get home.
Sister Christofferson and I started an exercise program for the remainder of the transfer. We went jogging this morning and it felt awesome to be up that early and working out.
Today in district meeting while waiting for interviews everyone started joking around about how long it would take for me after I got home to get married. I was freaking out inside. I told them to stop, it wasn't funny, which only caused them to make more ridiculous comments. I'm not ok with that. ha! But to be fair...I did do that to every single sister or elder who went home in the last few transfers. ha! What goes around comes around no?
You know how awhile back I said, "I've noticed a pattern in my mission. Whenever I start to get comfortable Heavenly Father throws in a twist to push me to my limits and cause me to stretch." Well, it has happened yet again. On Friday I got a call from one of our AP's. Our conversation went something like this,
"Sister Stadler! Kamusta ka?"
"Maayo man elder! Ikaw?"
"Maayo, salamat, hopefully you can do a musical number for this coming zone conference..."
"Oo! Pwede gid!..(why am I typing this is Ilonggo...you guys don't know Ilonggo..sorry)Sure! I can do that for you!"
"Actually, that's a joke. That's not why I called. You're be emergency transferred, we had a problem with some sisters."
"WHAT? ....elder that's not funny. you're joking right?"
"...yes. hahahahahah! But really, President would like me to inform you that you are now the Coordinating Sister. You will need to go on exchanges this next Tuesday and Wednesday and fill out the reports and report everything back to President."
"...is this a joke too?"
"No. He'll call you with more information closer to the exchanges. You'll just be over your Zone. But next transfer you'll most likely transfer ..."
SO.....I guess I'm the first Coordinating Sister in the mission. ...no training, just being thrown into the mix. It should be...fun! ha! Keep me in your prayers. I always feel like I have so many weaknesses, I don't know how I can help these sisters which seem so much further along than I am at times. BUT...fun fact, this exchange will be in BAGO! My first area, which should be fun to go back to for 1 day. Anyway, I love the mission, this will be a good experience for me. Who knows what President has in mind for next transfer, but I'm game!
I love you all so much and I hope things are going well for you! You're amazing! Keep writing! haha...in the words of Samantha, "8 weeks left!!!!! MARCH MARCH MARCH!!!!" hahahahahahaha! I'm .....freaking out inside. but, I am excited to see you all again. Sean, you're in my prayers. It's gonna work out. You're gonna be there in Salt Lake. I love you all, until next week, GOD SPEED !
All my love,
Sister Stadler
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Alright, this week has been amazing. I adore my sweet companion. I have perhaps never worked as hard as I have this week. We're working on finding new investigators and we found 6 this week, all men. I'm amazed how the Lord provides people when we get stood up for appointments. If we will just do our part, open our mouths and teach whenever we can He will provide. I'll give an experience. With each companionship you have your strengths, well I can honestly say that when teaching with Sister Christofferson our strength is the spirit. I have never felt the spirit so strongly while teaching with any other companion.
Well, one night we were going to visit a less active, Sister Yu, and she didn't really have time when we got there, but I told her it would only take 15 minutes. She is so kind and invited us in. Well we get in her living room to teach her and there is a young man sitting at her table working on a project. He immediately started collecting his things to leave and I felt, he needs to stay, invite him to stay. So I introduced myself and asked a few questions and told him we were going to share a short Christmas message and would love for him to stay. He did. He made it very clear ahead of time that he was Baptist, that he didn't celebrate Christmas personally because it didn't say in the Bible when the actual date of Christ's birth was. Interesting no? So I explained we celebrate Christmas, not as an actual date of the Savior's birth, his literal Birthday, but because we are so grateful for his life and all He did for each of us. He started to soften. Sister Christofferson shared the scripture and the spirit was there. We had shared that specific scripture many many times before and she took it in a different way that we'd ever taken it before. She started teaching about prophets. I immediately started thinking about how I was going to direct what she was teaching in a way to relate to what I was hoping to teach, Christ's earthly ministry. WELL....I immediately caught myself..."STADLER! What are you doing??? Stop planning ahead and pray for him to feel the spirit of what she's saying!.."
So I listened to her teach and prayed that he would feel the truth of the message, that his heart would be opened. I then had a question come to mind that I felt I should ask him. For a moment I pushed it from my mind...(you think I would learn by now...haha)...the question came to my mind again. I almost didn't ask it because of its simplicity. BUT...I did. As Sister Christofferson turned to me for me to testify and teach I asked him, "Alvin, how would you feel if you knew there was a living prophet today on the earth?" This is a classic practice question while doing MTC practices, yet I have never felt so powerfully that it was an inspired question. He was at a loss for words and his face looked puzzled as he pulled away from us physically sitting back into his seat. He was silent for a minute, brow wrinkled and then finally said, "Well, I guess if that was true, we wouldn't need a Bible right? Because there would still be a man who spoke directly to God." His entire demeanor changed. I testified that we did have a living prophet today. The spirit was so strong. I asked him if we could set up a time to return to tell him about how this prophet and how we have one now and without a moments hesitation he responded, "Yes! When?" So we will be visiting him on Wednesday. AH!!!! I love this gospel!!!! It is so true!
One last funny experience. Ok, so this Sunday we had the opportunity to speak. After our talks our branch president spoke and he said something that made me think he had finally lost his marbles! hahaha! He stands up and says they just received a letter from the first presidency and they said that the members of the church were encouraged to get their affairs in order because in the year 2011 our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ would come again. I looked at my companion and said, "...what?! ..this can't be right. everything inside of me is saying this isn't right.." she said, "I feel the same.." I'm thinking...OH MAN....how do we handle this? Everyone in the congregation became absolutely silent and their mouths were open and you could see worry on some of their faces...then our Branch President said, "By the look on your faces I can tell you're not ready.. we don't know when He will come, but we must be prepared now!" Boy was I relieved to have him admit that was a attention getter only. Incredibly effective though! You're all in my prayers. Until next week, look for missionary opportunities, work with faith and WORK on it...WORK is the key! God Speed! (And Merry Christmas!)
all my love,
Sister Stadler
Well, one night we were going to visit a less active, Sister Yu, and she didn't really have time when we got there, but I told her it would only take 15 minutes. She is so kind and invited us in. Well we get in her living room to teach her and there is a young man sitting at her table working on a project. He immediately started collecting his things to leave and I felt, he needs to stay, invite him to stay. So I introduced myself and asked a few questions and told him we were going to share a short Christmas message and would love for him to stay. He did. He made it very clear ahead of time that he was Baptist, that he didn't celebrate Christmas personally because it didn't say in the Bible when the actual date of Christ's birth was. Interesting no? So I explained we celebrate Christmas, not as an actual date of the Savior's birth, his literal Birthday, but because we are so grateful for his life and all He did for each of us. He started to soften. Sister Christofferson shared the scripture and the spirit was there. We had shared that specific scripture many many times before and she took it in a different way that we'd ever taken it before. She started teaching about prophets. I immediately started thinking about how I was going to direct what she was teaching in a way to relate to what I was hoping to teach, Christ's earthly ministry. WELL....I immediately caught myself..."STADLER! What are you doing??? Stop planning ahead and pray for him to feel the spirit of what she's saying!.."
So I listened to her teach and prayed that he would feel the truth of the message, that his heart would be opened. I then had a question come to mind that I felt I should ask him. For a moment I pushed it from my mind...(you think I would learn by now...haha)...the question came to my mind again. I almost didn't ask it because of its simplicity. BUT...I did. As Sister Christofferson turned to me for me to testify and teach I asked him, "Alvin, how would you feel if you knew there was a living prophet today on the earth?" This is a classic practice question while doing MTC practices, yet I have never felt so powerfully that it was an inspired question. He was at a loss for words and his face looked puzzled as he pulled away from us physically sitting back into his seat. He was silent for a minute, brow wrinkled and then finally said, "Well, I guess if that was true, we wouldn't need a Bible right? Because there would still be a man who spoke directly to God." His entire demeanor changed. I testified that we did have a living prophet today. The spirit was so strong. I asked him if we could set up a time to return to tell him about how this prophet and how we have one now and without a moments hesitation he responded, "Yes! When?" So we will be visiting him on Wednesday. AH!!!! I love this gospel!!!! It is so true!
One last funny experience. Ok, so this Sunday we had the opportunity to speak. After our talks our branch president spoke and he said something that made me think he had finally lost his marbles! hahaha! He stands up and says they just received a letter from the first presidency and they said that the members of the church were encouraged to get their affairs in order because in the year 2011 our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ would come again. I looked at my companion and said, "...what?! ..this can't be right. everything inside of me is saying this isn't right.." she said, "I feel the same.." I'm thinking...OH MAN....how do we handle this? Everyone in the congregation became absolutely silent and their mouths were open and you could see worry on some of their faces...then our Branch President said, "By the look on your faces I can tell you're not ready.. we don't know when He will come, but we must be prepared now!" Boy was I relieved to have him admit that was a attention getter only. Incredibly effective though! You're all in my prayers. Until next week, look for missionary opportunities, work with faith and WORK on it...WORK is the key! God Speed! (And Merry Christmas!)
all my love,
Sister Stadler
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