Oh my goodness family, I have about 8 minutes to type, and I don't even know what to say. I have a week left and things haven't been easy in our area. Keep praying for new investigators. We had 3 with a baptismal date and 1 we were extending the next lesson and 3 have moved away spontaneously and the other got a job where he doesn't even have time to take lessons anymore. That was Ricky, MikaJoy, CHRISTOPHER and Ronny. We both cried with Christopher moving. It was completely unexpected but it had to happen. SO...that cut our progressing investigators down a bit. We have faith though. Ricky will be baptized this Saturday and we're pretty excited about it. :)
I found out some pretty bad news. When I fly into Manila, I will be all alone...yeah that's terrifying...I'm gonna just sleep in the hotel and read my scriptures and I think Sister Flores, my followup trainer is trying to get off work to see me..woohoo...anyway...the sad part is..normally you get to go to a temple session, THE TEMPLE IS CLOSED FOR CLEANING!!!!!! I almost cried.
I don't have much info about this week. The work has been hard, but my companion is a gem. It's easy to be happy when you're doing the Lord's work side by side with a best friend. I'm wearing myself out in the work. I hope all is going well for you. You're all in my prayers. I'll see you all next Wednesday no? the 2nd...weird. I'm so excited. I feel like I'm numb to everything right now and everything is in a weird time warp. AH!!!! YOU GUYS I SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!!!!! ...I feel like it hasn't been long enough for me to come home yet, but...President says it is. I love you tons. Pray for opportunities to serve and share the gospel, and pray for me to have opportunities on the way home too. Love you tons~ Until next week, GOD SPEED!!!
All my love,
Sister Stadler
p.s. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna bawl when I have to take this beautiful tag off. ah!!!!!!!!! I'm gonna be such a weirdy! Love me anyway!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Well family dear, here we are, another week over and few more to go and life is whizzing by around us. This week we were able to settle in completely to our new home. We don't have tile, its a concrete floor, but it feels like home. We love it. We have a bit of a spider/ant problem, but they are suppose to come spray the house. I don't have a problem with the spiders, but we have found 2 big egg sacks lately...which has send the other sisters into a tizzy! HAHA! But its been fun!
We had our Mission tour on Tuesday with Elder Teh. It was powerfully spiritual. He talked about perfecting ourselves to become better as individuals and therefore, progress the mission. He talked a lot about being worthy to receive spiritual revelation, personal revelation. He talked about the different between standing on edge and the safety from being far from it and not even facing in the direction of Satan's temptations. It is something that I have been applying to post-mission plans also. It seems every time I see President he reminds me of going home and asks about my plans. He keeps telling me to plan ahead to make the adjustment smoother. I think I'm pretty planned. Maybe he thinks I should be more detail. haha!
In the missionary mission tour we had a choir number, the most beautiful arrangement of Love one Another I have ever heard. Then, I sang a solo, "I know that my Redeemer lives." The one that I have sung many times before. I made it until the last verse, just like I always do and I lost it, my legs were shaking ..(Paul Remember when President Wak asked you if you leg was okay cause it was shaking so bad while you were speaking? haha!) I have always had a hard time singing that song because I feel like I am singing my testimony. It's not just any old lyrics, but this time, after what I've seen in the mission, the words hit me so hard. The spirit was strong, and it was hard to finish it, but I did. I was so convinced I would make it through without any problems. Each practice went beautifully and I lost it once in practice, after a particularly difficult day of work. I thought I got the tears all out. BUT. ..sure enough, my tear ducts still react the same way they always did. Well, I sat down thinking, "Stadler....why did you pick that song? You never make it through that song..." But I sang. Elder Teh stood up to share his part of the program. I thought of a scripture, a simple statement, "The song of the righteous is a prayer until God." quoting D&C 25.
Later, during lunch, I had 3 specific elders I had had on my mind that were a little different than other elders. You know, the ones who are incredibly nice, but they just don't clique with the other elders. I had been praying that somehow I could help them to feel the Savior's love for them through me. Each of the 3 came up to me after the meeting and gave some of the most sincere compliments I have ever received. One of them just said, "Sister Stadler, thank you. That is something that I have needed. Thank you.." I love the gospel. Not the way I had planned on helping these elders, and yet, Heavenly Father knows how to help them.
Later in the evening we had the chance to perform a musical number again for a fireside in La Carlota for the members in our district. The member choir sounded wonderful! While I was playing prelude for the fireside everyone was busy talking to their neighbors and chit chatting....not being reverent. THEN...lo and behold, we had a brown out....no electricity and the piano, is electric. So here we are, I wish you could hear the effect when the lights go out. Everyone, no matter where or when we have a brown out ..gasps in unison. Then they all start talking louder. I'm sitting here at the piano, in the dark thinking, how can I help these people prepare spiritually for this message....then it hits me, "You have a loud voice. Grab your hymn book and your flashlight and go invite everyone to sing with you, even though its dark, most of the members have flashlights or they have music memorized."
I hesitated for a moment, but my heart was racing and its one of those do or die moments. SO, I did. I asked the chorister if she felt okay about it, she readily consented and I jumped up and said, "Brother and sisters....(loud talking still...) BROTHERS AND SISTERS....( a slight lull in conversation..) Brother and Sister, hopefully you will listen right now to me. (Silence) Thank you. It is important that we prepare spiritually for this fireside. Would it be okay if we sang some hymns, even though we have no light, to prepare us?" I don' t know what reaction I was expecting, but there was a unanimous "YES!" from the members in attendance. SO here I am, little Arizona girl in the middle of the Philippines, using her diaphragm and lung support to belt out the melody for others to follow in the middle of a dark chapel. The music was beautiful. The spirit was there. We sang "Nearer My God to Thee" and by the end of the song the room was silent and the lights came back on. I returned to the piano and the room stayed silent for the remainder of the prelude.
The fireside was spiritually powerful. Elder Teh loves these people and it is evident. His beautiful wife had a strong spirit with her as well. They are a remarkable couple and they work beautifully with each other. Its a couple you look at and think, "That is what I want to become with a best friend some day." After the fireside President Tobias came up to me and said, "Sister Stadler...do you know how many days you have left?" I just made a furrowed my brow at him, ha...then he said, "I've been thinking. Do you think you could extend for just another....6 months or so?" hahaha! I laughed and said "Sure! no problem!" and then he furrowed his brow at me. haha! I love President so much.
On Sunday we had the pleasure of having Ricky Yanson interviewed by President. With joyful chord, we would like to announce that RICKY CAN BE BAPTIZED!!!!! We plan for having him interviewed again by our district leader this weekend and next weekend, right before I go home, he'll be baptized!!!! I am so excited! He...HE is SOOOO excited! We're really happy for him. This week was a good week. We were busy and we were rejected by many many people, but ...if that doesn't happen daily, then you're not a missionary. I'm eating up the moments I have left here in the field.
This week we were punted by every back up plan we had, and we had a TON Of them. We even went to other less active members and no one seemed to be home. So we were walking down the street trying to find SOMEONE who would listen and we ran into a group of young boys (15-25) that we had talked to before. They never really listened before, they are always joking around and trying to flirt. WELL....you've all seen a little glimpse of the wrath of Ashley.....but the wrath of Sister Stadler is a little more....polished??? If you will? So here I am, picture this with me for a moment....rejected all day, just found out another investigator got a new job and works Sundays now, poor Sister Christofferson is sick and in a daze with her cold and I'm thinking..." WHERE ARE WE SUPPOSE TO GO?!?!?!" And then I see this group of boys. This is a busy street. Trikes are driving all over the place, weaving in and out of traffic, people are trying to sell fish and shoving it in your face, people are making cat calls to us all the time. We walk past these boys and say hi and then I think..Nope! We're gonna talk to them again.
So I walk back. AH....the walk back. People react 1 of 2 ways, they run away or they look shocked, like a deer in headlights and then start laughing. SO..they chose the latter of the two. So here I am, I look to Sister Christofferson and she looks at me like..."I don't even know why we're here right now...you take it.." So I start inviting them to come to church and explaining truths for the Restoration and the whole time they're giggling and shooting looks back and forth and given ridiculous answers to my questions. THEN.. small miracle...a drunk man we know who used to come collect our trash on Thursdays walks by. NOW....normally a drunk many walking by isn't a blessing, but in this case, it was. So he walks by and starts to talk to me and the boys all laugh, thinking its hilarious that he's trying to hold my hand and get close to me. I controlled the situation and told him to take off. He did, and they all laughed and shouted as he walked away. For a split second I thought, stop now. What's the point? The moment is ruined, they are not ready to listen. they are young boys, but then...another thought came...use it! Use an inspired question! Apply training. So I did.
I asked, "Why are you laughing?" they laughed again, so I asked it again, "Why are you laughing? Honestly, why is that funny to you?" They got quiet and they could tell I was serious, then they said, "He's drunk! Really really drunk sis! He can't even walk." And I said, "Where is that man's family? How can he provide for them if he's drunk?" They thought for a second and said, "He can't. His family is probably at home right now." "Exactly! HE can't provide for them. He made a choice that make him drunk. He chose alcohol over his family. Now if He can't provide for their needs ...their temporal needs, how can he provide for their spiritual needs?" They stood there silent and one boy finally said, "He can't. its not possible." AH! I wish you could have seen their faces!!!!! I taught a little about the love of God for us and blessings for our families and then I asked them what their purpose was here on earth and they couldn't give me an answer.
One boy, was 17 was smoking hahaha.... I've been a little bolder in the Philippines than I would be at home. I went to grab the cigarette and said, "Ew! Why do you have that? That's gross and your body is holy!" He got embarassed and hit it. We talked about what they wanted in the future and we have a lesson this week set up with them. We're hoping to get them into smaller groups, or teach them individually. BUT...we'll see if they are serious about it. They know we're serious, that we're not there to flirt. It was funny...later that night as we were lying in bed started to fall asleep Sister Christofferson broke the silence and said,"Hey, remember when you went off with love on those boys today? HAHAHAH!" I love her so much. They reminded me so much of friends from high school. I can't stand to just be silent.
The Gospel is true! I have 2 weeks to work my hardest and wear myself out full time for the Lord. Then I have a lifetime to figure out how to continue doing that every day in my family. Until next week, teach the gospel, know that I love you and...God Speed!!
All my love,
Sister Stadler
We had our Mission tour on Tuesday with Elder Teh. It was powerfully spiritual. He talked about perfecting ourselves to become better as individuals and therefore, progress the mission. He talked a lot about being worthy to receive spiritual revelation, personal revelation. He talked about the different between standing on edge and the safety from being far from it and not even facing in the direction of Satan's temptations. It is something that I have been applying to post-mission plans also. It seems every time I see President he reminds me of going home and asks about my plans. He keeps telling me to plan ahead to make the adjustment smoother. I think I'm pretty planned. Maybe he thinks I should be more detail. haha!
In the missionary mission tour we had a choir number, the most beautiful arrangement of Love one Another I have ever heard. Then, I sang a solo, "I know that my Redeemer lives." The one that I have sung many times before. I made it until the last verse, just like I always do and I lost it, my legs were shaking ..(Paul Remember when President Wak asked you if you leg was okay cause it was shaking so bad while you were speaking? haha!) I have always had a hard time singing that song because I feel like I am singing my testimony. It's not just any old lyrics, but this time, after what I've seen in the mission, the words hit me so hard. The spirit was strong, and it was hard to finish it, but I did. I was so convinced I would make it through without any problems. Each practice went beautifully and I lost it once in practice, after a particularly difficult day of work. I thought I got the tears all out. BUT. ..sure enough, my tear ducts still react the same way they always did. Well, I sat down thinking, "Stadler....why did you pick that song? You never make it through that song..." But I sang. Elder Teh stood up to share his part of the program. I thought of a scripture, a simple statement, "The song of the righteous is a prayer until God." quoting D&C 25.
Later, during lunch, I had 3 specific elders I had had on my mind that were a little different than other elders. You know, the ones who are incredibly nice, but they just don't clique with the other elders. I had been praying that somehow I could help them to feel the Savior's love for them through me. Each of the 3 came up to me after the meeting and gave some of the most sincere compliments I have ever received. One of them just said, "Sister Stadler, thank you. That is something that I have needed. Thank you.." I love the gospel. Not the way I had planned on helping these elders, and yet, Heavenly Father knows how to help them.
Later in the evening we had the chance to perform a musical number again for a fireside in La Carlota for the members in our district. The member choir sounded wonderful! While I was playing prelude for the fireside everyone was busy talking to their neighbors and chit chatting....not being reverent. THEN...lo and behold, we had a brown out....no electricity and the piano, is electric. So here we are, I wish you could hear the effect when the lights go out. Everyone, no matter where or when we have a brown out ..gasps in unison. Then they all start talking louder. I'm sitting here at the piano, in the dark thinking, how can I help these people prepare spiritually for this message....then it hits me, "You have a loud voice. Grab your hymn book and your flashlight and go invite everyone to sing with you, even though its dark, most of the members have flashlights or they have music memorized."
I hesitated for a moment, but my heart was racing and its one of those do or die moments. SO, I did. I asked the chorister if she felt okay about it, she readily consented and I jumped up and said, "Brother and sisters....(loud talking still...) BROTHERS AND SISTERS....( a slight lull in conversation..) Brother and Sister, hopefully you will listen right now to me. (Silence) Thank you. It is important that we prepare spiritually for this fireside. Would it be okay if we sang some hymns, even though we have no light, to prepare us?" I don' t know what reaction I was expecting, but there was a unanimous "YES!" from the members in attendance. SO here I am, little Arizona girl in the middle of the Philippines, using her diaphragm and lung support to belt out the melody for others to follow in the middle of a dark chapel. The music was beautiful. The spirit was there. We sang "Nearer My God to Thee" and by the end of the song the room was silent and the lights came back on. I returned to the piano and the room stayed silent for the remainder of the prelude.
The fireside was spiritually powerful. Elder Teh loves these people and it is evident. His beautiful wife had a strong spirit with her as well. They are a remarkable couple and they work beautifully with each other. Its a couple you look at and think, "That is what I want to become with a best friend some day." After the fireside President Tobias came up to me and said, "Sister Stadler...do you know how many days you have left?" I just made a furrowed my brow at him, ha...then he said, "I've been thinking. Do you think you could extend for just another....6 months or so?" hahaha! I laughed and said "Sure! no problem!" and then he furrowed his brow at me. haha! I love President so much.
On Sunday we had the pleasure of having Ricky Yanson interviewed by President. With joyful chord, we would like to announce that RICKY CAN BE BAPTIZED!!!!! We plan for having him interviewed again by our district leader this weekend and next weekend, right before I go home, he'll be baptized!!!! I am so excited! He...HE is SOOOO excited! We're really happy for him. This week was a good week. We were busy and we were rejected by many many people, but ...if that doesn't happen daily, then you're not a missionary. I'm eating up the moments I have left here in the field.
This week we were punted by every back up plan we had, and we had a TON Of them. We even went to other less active members and no one seemed to be home. So we were walking down the street trying to find SOMEONE who would listen and we ran into a group of young boys (15-25) that we had talked to before. They never really listened before, they are always joking around and trying to flirt. WELL....you've all seen a little glimpse of the wrath of Ashley.....but the wrath of Sister Stadler is a little more....polished??? If you will? So here I am, picture this with me for a moment....rejected all day, just found out another investigator got a new job and works Sundays now, poor Sister Christofferson is sick and in a daze with her cold and I'm thinking..." WHERE ARE WE SUPPOSE TO GO?!?!?!" And then I see this group of boys. This is a busy street. Trikes are driving all over the place, weaving in and out of traffic, people are trying to sell fish and shoving it in your face, people are making cat calls to us all the time. We walk past these boys and say hi and then I think..Nope! We're gonna talk to them again.
So I walk back. AH....the walk back. People react 1 of 2 ways, they run away or they look shocked, like a deer in headlights and then start laughing. SO..they chose the latter of the two. So here I am, I look to Sister Christofferson and she looks at me like..."I don't even know why we're here right now...you take it.." So I start inviting them to come to church and explaining truths for the Restoration and the whole time they're giggling and shooting looks back and forth and given ridiculous answers to my questions. THEN.. small miracle...a drunk man we know who used to come collect our trash on Thursdays walks by. NOW....normally a drunk many walking by isn't a blessing, but in this case, it was. So he walks by and starts to talk to me and the boys all laugh, thinking its hilarious that he's trying to hold my hand and get close to me. I controlled the situation and told him to take off. He did, and they all laughed and shouted as he walked away. For a split second I thought, stop now. What's the point? The moment is ruined, they are not ready to listen. they are young boys, but then...another thought came...use it! Use an inspired question! Apply training. So I did.
I asked, "Why are you laughing?" they laughed again, so I asked it again, "Why are you laughing? Honestly, why is that funny to you?" They got quiet and they could tell I was serious, then they said, "He's drunk! Really really drunk sis! He can't even walk." And I said, "Where is that man's family? How can he provide for them if he's drunk?" They thought for a second and said, "He can't. His family is probably at home right now." "Exactly! HE can't provide for them. He made a choice that make him drunk. He chose alcohol over his family. Now if He can't provide for their needs ...their temporal needs, how can he provide for their spiritual needs?" They stood there silent and one boy finally said, "He can't. its not possible." AH! I wish you could have seen their faces!!!!! I taught a little about the love of God for us and blessings for our families and then I asked them what their purpose was here on earth and they couldn't give me an answer.
One boy, was 17 was smoking hahaha.... I've been a little bolder in the Philippines than I would be at home. I went to grab the cigarette and said, "Ew! Why do you have that? That's gross and your body is holy!" He got embarassed and hit it. We talked about what they wanted in the future and we have a lesson this week set up with them. We're hoping to get them into smaller groups, or teach them individually. BUT...we'll see if they are serious about it. They know we're serious, that we're not there to flirt. It was funny...later that night as we were lying in bed started to fall asleep Sister Christofferson broke the silence and said,"Hey, remember when you went off with love on those boys today? HAHAHAH!" I love her so much. They reminded me so much of friends from high school. I can't stand to just be silent.
The Gospel is true! I have 2 weeks to work my hardest and wear myself out full time for the Lord. Then I have a lifetime to figure out how to continue doing that every day in my family. Until next week, teach the gospel, know that I love you and...God Speed!!
All my love,
Sister Stadler
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Hello family dearest! We are currently using email time to hurriedly send emails off and then go clean 2 houses and shop and get ourselves ready for our mission tour/conference tomorrow morning. To put this week into one word it would be EXHAUSTING. I have been worn to my limits and it has been interesting for sure. haha! To be honest the last few weeks have been blending all together so this might be some repeating but I hope not. So..here goes. We were told by the office elders that we have exactly one week to find a home and that it was our top priority. SO this entire week we spend packing stuff and spending our entire days looking for homes, including lunch time. Sister Christofferson and I had a total of 5 proselyting hours this week, ...hahahaha...that should give you a little hint as to how things were.
So right now we're sitting here, next to each other on the computers (oh yeah!! That's definitely okay now for each missionary to have a computer! We're pretty excited about that)...anyway...we're both just looking at each other and saying.."hm...what do we type about?" We actually ended up renting a home that we looked at awhile ago, but when we walked into it to look, it didn't have tile and the boarders were still there. The feeling in the home was kind of dark to be honest. The spirit definitely was not present. BUT...we went back to look at it again, and this time, the boarders were gone and as we walked in we felt good about it. Elder Nasis (our financial secretary) Elder Christopher (Our Supply Manager) Elder Stradling and Elder Gruninger (Our AP's) all helped us to move in on Saturday and Sunday evening. Usually we wouldn't move on Sunday, but we had a deadline and a few large things still had to be moved. AND...this Tuesday, tomorrow, we have the mission tour. Elder Teh will be touring La Carlota and visiting our apartments too, so our home needs to be ready for him.
Its to interesting to me how different the home feels now. We were able to dedicate it and the spirit is strong there. We just cleaned all the screens on the windows today and my goodness that made a huge difference. Now we just need curtains for some privacy. We have a sweet older woman who lives in a room attached to our home and she doesn't understand the concept of not entering our apartment. haha! This morning I was eating my cinnamon toast for breakfast and felt like someone was watching me. I turn around and BOOM! There is sweet little Delia's face on the window. hahahaha! I jumped. But we talked to her today and it should be okay now. She was just offering to help clean the apartment. Thank you for your prayers and your faith in us finding a home. We're happy to have moved and we'll miss the calamansi bush, haha, but we're happy in our home. Who knew one could find such joy in a small home and no carpet, no tile, just cement floors and one bathroom with 4 sisters. :) We're incredibly happy..and who wouldn't be? This week we get to Proselyte again!!!! I miss teaching!
These last few days we've had so many assignments from President that we haven't really felt much like missionaries. BUT...we are and alas..this week we will have wonderful experiences to share.
ALRIGHT...its the moment you've all been waiting for....Erwin Espinosa Joguilon was baptized on February 5th, 2011 at 5:30pm. I cannot even begin to express the joy I felt at his baptism. Brother Paolo, a branch missionary baptized him and did a pretty good job. haha..he was nervous and had to say the words about 8 times before he finally for it, then Brother Erwin's hand didn't go all the way under. So they had to do it 3 more times until Paolo said it right again, then he finally did it right!!! :) The spirit was strong. Sister Christofferson and I sang..it was pretty good. But the best part of it was when they invited Erwin to bear his testimony. I thought for a moment..."Oh no...we forgot to prepare him for this and explain about it.." But he stood up and walked to the front of the room, turned around, smiled...his eyes were shining.
If I could only let you see how he looked the first time we taught him. At the point we ha our first lesson with him he has already been taught by 2 different sets of elders, so I can't even imagine how he was the very first lesson with the elders. But here we was now, his whole countenance had changed and he was honestly glowing. He bore the most pure and sincere testimony I have ever heard in the Philippines. The spirit was so strong and I lost it. I know I have said this before, but I don't think I have ever felt that way before for anther investigator. We worked so hard with Erwin, we cried with him and his family, we laughed with them, we knelt with them in prayer in their humble home and we spend many hours on our knees praying in private, pleading with the Lord for help for him, for his eyes to be opened to His potential. Often I remind him that he is not the only one praying for his family, but that many of you are praying for him and asking about his progress as well. Whenever I mention that he gets a huge smile on his face. The elders who taught him before always ask about him and occasionally I would get a note through our mail here from one of them saying. "Sister Stadler...Baptize Erwin!" hahaha! Well, he is now the newest and one of the cleanest members in the church. I could not be happier.
As for a humorous moment this week...at our new home we have a dog, Sonny, of the woman who lives next to us, Sister Delia. Well we can't let him out of the fence...she's very picky about that. Well on Sunday morning, after having spent most of the night moving with the elders and being completely a totally drained, the dog got out. So we were just gonna let him go because we were going to be late for church if we didn't leave immediately. Sister Christofferson was a little worried..she's a huge dog lover...you all know how I feel about dogs. hahahahaha! So I looked at her face and knew she wouldn't be able to focus at church if she didn't get that dog inside. So I handed her my stuff and took off running after the dog. (SIDE NOTE.....I have been jogging in the mornings with Sister Elwood, another sister in the house. I wanted to shoot myself the first morning. BUT..now it's pretty enjoyable.) SO I take off running after this dog. Well my plan was to just run and pick him up. He's way nice, but as soon as I got to him he started growling...In my mind I pictured me in the hospital on the sabbath with a chomped hand...so I didn't pick him up, but the other sisters came around the corner and it just clicked. We ended up all running back, herding him like a sheep back to the house. hahahaha! It was way funny! But it worked. Then....this is the best part, this morning we look outside and Sonny is definitely just laying outside of the gate...and Sister Delia is totally okay with it. hahahahaha! So....good thing we got a huge work out. Fun fun!
Well I hope everything is going well for all of you. I'm excited to let you know what types of experiences we'll have this next week. I have great hopes for this week. You are all in my prayers. I love you all tons! I need to run and get the houses clean. Share the gospel! The church is true! Until next week, God Speed!
All my mushy gooshy love,
Sister Stadler
So right now we're sitting here, next to each other on the computers (oh yeah!! That's definitely okay now for each missionary to have a computer! We're pretty excited about that)...anyway...we're both just looking at each other and saying.."hm...what do we type about?" We actually ended up renting a home that we looked at awhile ago, but when we walked into it to look, it didn't have tile and the boarders were still there. The feeling in the home was kind of dark to be honest. The spirit definitely was not present. BUT...we went back to look at it again, and this time, the boarders were gone and as we walked in we felt good about it. Elder Nasis (our financial secretary) Elder Christopher (Our Supply Manager) Elder Stradling and Elder Gruninger (Our AP's) all helped us to move in on Saturday and Sunday evening. Usually we wouldn't move on Sunday, but we had a deadline and a few large things still had to be moved. AND...this Tuesday, tomorrow, we have the mission tour. Elder Teh will be touring La Carlota and visiting our apartments too, so our home needs to be ready for him.
Its to interesting to me how different the home feels now. We were able to dedicate it and the spirit is strong there. We just cleaned all the screens on the windows today and my goodness that made a huge difference. Now we just need curtains for some privacy. We have a sweet older woman who lives in a room attached to our home and she doesn't understand the concept of not entering our apartment. haha! This morning I was eating my cinnamon toast for breakfast and felt like someone was watching me. I turn around and BOOM! There is sweet little Delia's face on the window. hahahaha! I jumped. But we talked to her today and it should be okay now. She was just offering to help clean the apartment. Thank you for your prayers and your faith in us finding a home. We're happy to have moved and we'll miss the calamansi bush, haha, but we're happy in our home. Who knew one could find such joy in a small home and no carpet, no tile, just cement floors and one bathroom with 4 sisters. :) We're incredibly happy..and who wouldn't be? This week we get to Proselyte again!!!! I miss teaching!
These last few days we've had so many assignments from President that we haven't really felt much like missionaries. BUT...we are and alas..this week we will have wonderful experiences to share.
ALRIGHT...its the moment you've all been waiting for....Erwin Espinosa Joguilon was baptized on February 5th, 2011 at 5:30pm. I cannot even begin to express the joy I felt at his baptism. Brother Paolo, a branch missionary baptized him and did a pretty good job. haha..he was nervous and had to say the words about 8 times before he finally for it, then Brother Erwin's hand didn't go all the way under. So they had to do it 3 more times until Paolo said it right again, then he finally did it right!!! :) The spirit was strong. Sister Christofferson and I sang..it was pretty good. But the best part of it was when they invited Erwin to bear his testimony. I thought for a moment..."Oh no...we forgot to prepare him for this and explain about it.." But he stood up and walked to the front of the room, turned around, smiled...his eyes were shining.
If I could only let you see how he looked the first time we taught him. At the point we ha our first lesson with him he has already been taught by 2 different sets of elders, so I can't even imagine how he was the very first lesson with the elders. But here we was now, his whole countenance had changed and he was honestly glowing. He bore the most pure and sincere testimony I have ever heard in the Philippines. The spirit was so strong and I lost it. I know I have said this before, but I don't think I have ever felt that way before for anther investigator. We worked so hard with Erwin, we cried with him and his family, we laughed with them, we knelt with them in prayer in their humble home and we spend many hours on our knees praying in private, pleading with the Lord for help for him, for his eyes to be opened to His potential. Often I remind him that he is not the only one praying for his family, but that many of you are praying for him and asking about his progress as well. Whenever I mention that he gets a huge smile on his face. The elders who taught him before always ask about him and occasionally I would get a note through our mail here from one of them saying. "Sister Stadler...Baptize Erwin!" hahaha! Well, he is now the newest and one of the cleanest members in the church. I could not be happier.
As for a humorous moment this week...at our new home we have a dog, Sonny, of the woman who lives next to us, Sister Delia. Well we can't let him out of the fence...she's very picky about that. Well on Sunday morning, after having spent most of the night moving with the elders and being completely a totally drained, the dog got out. So we were just gonna let him go because we were going to be late for church if we didn't leave immediately. Sister Christofferson was a little worried..she's a huge dog lover...you all know how I feel about dogs. hahahahaha! So I looked at her face and knew she wouldn't be able to focus at church if she didn't get that dog inside. So I handed her my stuff and took off running after the dog. (SIDE NOTE.....I have been jogging in the mornings with Sister Elwood, another sister in the house. I wanted to shoot myself the first morning. BUT..now it's pretty enjoyable.) SO I take off running after this dog. Well my plan was to just run and pick him up. He's way nice, but as soon as I got to him he started growling...In my mind I pictured me in the hospital on the sabbath with a chomped hand...so I didn't pick him up, but the other sisters came around the corner and it just clicked. We ended up all running back, herding him like a sheep back to the house. hahahaha! It was way funny! But it worked. Then....this is the best part, this morning we look outside and Sonny is definitely just laying outside of the gate...and Sister Delia is totally okay with it. hahahahaha! So....good thing we got a huge work out. Fun fun!
Well I hope everything is going well for all of you. I'm excited to let you know what types of experiences we'll have this next week. I have great hopes for this week. You are all in my prayers. I love you all tons! I need to run and get the houses clean. Share the gospel! The church is true! Until next week, God Speed!
All my mushy gooshy love,
Sister Stadler
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Family, oh family, have I got some news for you. Perhaps you will not be as excited as I am, but, Erwin Joguilon had his baptismal interview and....HE PASSED!!!!! Not just barely passed...no...he is prepared. He passed with flying colors. I honestly do not feel like I have ever worked so hard and prayed so hard and cried so hard with an investigator in my entire mission. Erwin has been taught for over 8 transfers an he was not progressing at all. Something changed when the Sisters started teaching him. Not sure what Sister Jackson and I did to help him, but whatever we did through the spirit, it worked. He was just ready when we arrived I feel, but someone had to fan the flame. He is so excited and we are overwhelmed with joy for him. Feb 5, 2011 is his baptismal date at 5 pm. You're all invited! hahahaha!
As for the Branch, they are doing beautifully. They are progressing slowly and seeing small miracles unfold. Visiting teaching and Home teaching are starting this next week. The Rescue started last week and they are already reaping the fruits of their labors and are excited to see the fruit. We are just elated to see this little branch starting to take control of themselves. The poor family we were working with that didn't have food, the Pacheo's have now moved into a nicer apartment and are planning to go to the temple in May. They are excited and they are doing great things and progressing like crazy. They even gave us a referral for their sister.
I will finish the scripture challenge tonight. I have 17 pages left. President had us read the Book of Mormon in 2 months highlighting the words Jesus Christ, Repentance and Faith. Tonight is the last night of the challenge. I always love reading the Book of Mormon in such a condensed amount of time. The storyline just plays out perfectly. I am in the last few chapters of Ether right now and I'm gearing up for my favorite chapters in Moroni. OH HOW I LOVE THIS BOOK! If the world could only understand the great meaning behind it.
Well, as for the housing situation...turns out President didn't approve the houses for 2 reasons, 1- it was too nice for missionaries. 2- it was too close to the elders, therefore possibly causing future problems with sister/elder relationships. SOOOO...bad news, we have 1 week to find house and nothing seems to be available. We will be fasting yet again to find a home and that is our main priority. SO..this week we'll be teaching our investigators with a baptismal date and then house searching all day until we find one. Its a little....stressful, but once again, with no house, no missionaries. There has to be something out there...a house just waiting for sweet little sisters to live in it. Maybe there is a reason it has taken us this long, maybe we're suppose to meet families to teach...we have met a few. Regardless, this week, we'll find a house.
I don't have much else to add. We've been working hard this week. President put me in charge of 2 other choir numbers, one with missionaries and one with the district members in our branches in La Carlota district. I was a little worried about that...but these singers are incredibly talented. It is going to be beautiful.
I have been teaching Sister Christofferson and Sister Freeman some sign language and trying to remember things....man I miss that. They have been picking that up quickly.
Last night we made lumpia. It's like a small deep fried eggroll....yes..I'm making that when I get home. They are way good! We decided to made some dessert lumpia...which no one does here, but you know...we're American women....there has to be dessert. So we put some banana and sugar and cinnamon in a pan and cooked that up real nice and then deep fried it. HEAVEN!!!! We decided we're gonna make a small business outside of BYU campus called "LUMPIA LANG" which means...only lumpia. Then we'll have all different types of lumpia, savory and sweet. That won't happen, but....we will definitely be making some at home. Imagine if you will....and pumpkin pie lumpia...Ooh Ooh!! Strawberry cheesecake...or Strawberry Rhubard. MAN...strawberries....I don't even remember what those taste like. So many fun things to reunite with.
Christopher and Rex and Ricky are all doing well. Ricky has an interview with President Tobias and he'll see if he is able to be baptized. We're praying for him. We feel like he's really capable of it. We'll see. That will be after the Mission Tour Fireside with Elder Teh on the 8th of February. Keep the house in your prayers. I hope you're all doing well. You all sound like you're doing great. You're all awesome and I love you. I miss you all, but the weeks are going by way too fast. On Sunday I was sitting in the back with my beautiful companion and I just lost it. A woman gave the most beautiful prayer I think I've heard since I've been here. She was honestly conversing with her Heavenly Father for the entire congregation. When the prayer ended I looked at these remarkable people I have been greatly blessed to learn from and study with and laugh with....they will never know the impact they will have on the rest of my life. Heavenly Father knows what He's doing when He sends His missionaries out into the world. Until next week, be good, look for someone to serve daily and ...GOD SPEED!
all my love,
Sister Stadler
As for the Branch, they are doing beautifully. They are progressing slowly and seeing small miracles unfold. Visiting teaching and Home teaching are starting this next week. The Rescue started last week and they are already reaping the fruits of their labors and are excited to see the fruit. We are just elated to see this little branch starting to take control of themselves. The poor family we were working with that didn't have food, the Pacheo's have now moved into a nicer apartment and are planning to go to the temple in May. They are excited and they are doing great things and progressing like crazy. They even gave us a referral for their sister.
I will finish the scripture challenge tonight. I have 17 pages left. President had us read the Book of Mormon in 2 months highlighting the words Jesus Christ, Repentance and Faith. Tonight is the last night of the challenge. I always love reading the Book of Mormon in such a condensed amount of time. The storyline just plays out perfectly. I am in the last few chapters of Ether right now and I'm gearing up for my favorite chapters in Moroni. OH HOW I LOVE THIS BOOK! If the world could only understand the great meaning behind it.
Well, as for the housing situation...turns out President didn't approve the houses for 2 reasons, 1- it was too nice for missionaries. 2- it was too close to the elders, therefore possibly causing future problems with sister/elder relationships. SOOOO...bad news, we have 1 week to find house and nothing seems to be available. We will be fasting yet again to find a home and that is our main priority. SO..this week we'll be teaching our investigators with a baptismal date and then house searching all day until we find one. Its a little....stressful, but once again, with no house, no missionaries. There has to be something out there...a house just waiting for sweet little sisters to live in it. Maybe there is a reason it has taken us this long, maybe we're suppose to meet families to teach...we have met a few. Regardless, this week, we'll find a house.
I don't have much else to add. We've been working hard this week. President put me in charge of 2 other choir numbers, one with missionaries and one with the district members in our branches in La Carlota district. I was a little worried about that...but these singers are incredibly talented. It is going to be beautiful.
I have been teaching Sister Christofferson and Sister Freeman some sign language and trying to remember things....man I miss that. They have been picking that up quickly.
Last night we made lumpia. It's like a small deep fried eggroll....yes..I'm making that when I get home. They are way good! We decided to made some dessert lumpia...which no one does here, but you know...we're American women....there has to be dessert. So we put some banana and sugar and cinnamon in a pan and cooked that up real nice and then deep fried it. HEAVEN!!!! We decided we're gonna make a small business outside of BYU campus called "LUMPIA LANG" which means...only lumpia. Then we'll have all different types of lumpia, savory and sweet. That won't happen, but....we will definitely be making some at home. Imagine if you will....and pumpkin pie lumpia...Ooh Ooh!! Strawberry cheesecake...or Strawberry Rhubard. MAN...strawberries....I don't even remember what those taste like. So many fun things to reunite with.
Christopher and Rex and Ricky are all doing well. Ricky has an interview with President Tobias and he'll see if he is able to be baptized. We're praying for him. We feel like he's really capable of it. We'll see. That will be after the Mission Tour Fireside with Elder Teh on the 8th of February. Keep the house in your prayers. I hope you're all doing well. You all sound like you're doing great. You're all awesome and I love you. I miss you all, but the weeks are going by way too fast. On Sunday I was sitting in the back with my beautiful companion and I just lost it. A woman gave the most beautiful prayer I think I've heard since I've been here. She was honestly conversing with her Heavenly Father for the entire congregation. When the prayer ended I looked at these remarkable people I have been greatly blessed to learn from and study with and laugh with....they will never know the impact they will have on the rest of my life. Heavenly Father knows what He's doing when He sends His missionaries out into the world. Until next week, be good, look for someone to serve daily and ...GOD SPEED!
all my love,
Sister Stadler
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