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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hey family! Just finished a thrilling game of bowling...yep..scored a whoppin' 60!!! WHAT?!!!! Thats right...representing for the Stadler family even in the Philippines! Can I get a HOORAH??? This week has been ..slower, but good. Things are hard when you can't tract, it is way more difficult because you're dealing with people who already know the gospel is true but has turned away from it for one reason or another....and they either hide when you show up or they just don't want anything to do with you, or even better, they just lie to your face about coming and then they don't show up to church. BUT....we have had success with 3 families we have visited so far. So we're pretty happy about that. They have to come 4 Sundays in a row for them to be considered reactivated, and they have come 2 so far. WOO HOO! Also, we have 3 baptisms scheduled this weekend. Keep brother Antonio, sister Ayren and Brother Charlie in your prayers. Satan has been working extra hard on our investigators lately, and it seems to be the same way throughout the mission. We have had to drop a lot of people this last week. The hardest one was Antonio. I had such good and high hopes for him and yet he just wasn't progressing. He was at the beginning and we could see a real change in him. He still has changed a lot since the first day we met him, but it still hurts to let him go. We encouraged him to keep reading and coming to church and to let the missionaries know when he wants to continue. It isn't even the fact that we've spent hours praying, planning and teaching him, but the fact that I'm terrified if he will ever realize the importance of the gospel. It is terrifying to see someone blatantly walk away from truth. I will definitely be keeping him in my prayers. Well, transfer announcements are next week and I can't believe another 6 weeks is coming to an end. This is going WAY too fast to make me happy. There is a group of people who come bowling each week, they come with a group of down-syndrome children. AH...I miss Roxi like crazy every single week when I see them. They love dancing to the music that is playing. One of the boys today came up to me while we were bowling and started talking to me. We became very fast friends. Later he came up and cheered me on as I got gutter balls! haha! He was so cute. I'm beginning to wonder if I want to steer my education paths towards special education. Just a random thought lately. As for the work, we are still progressing. I feel like I'll be leaving. BUT...who knows! Amanda, I got your package and I got Scott Garder's package too! THANKS GID! It was so good to see pictures of everyone! Mom, I did get your email last week. Since we've had the new email I haven't had one problem with email yet! HOORAY! So no worries. Hooray for getting the grocery guy's name! Don't wait to take action. Follow up with him. Next time you shop there, invite him to come to church. As for JoAnne...get er done! Start walking with her. Give her a Book of Mormon. Just be straight forward with people. It is amazing to me how often people are looking for something more in their lives. (it shouldn't amaze me..because the church is true...haha..but it always does). Paul, I wrote you a beastly letter....I figured it should be beastly since I haven't written you yet...sorry! I'm a terrible person. BUT...it takes a month to get there....so...where is an address I can send it to? Just let me know. Sean, thank you so much for the mission donation! I love you like crazy and miss your face. Today I saw at truck like your white one and I had a flashback to me sitting in the front seat and you letting me choose a cd to listen to as you drove me to have a lunch date. I love you tons! You better email me soon punk. Robyn, how is work going? Any recent mexican train extravaganzas? haha! How is Samantha? How is the house search going for you? I miss you like crazy too! Well, I have very limited time this week. I'll try to include a few pictures. AMANDA...I almost forgot...even though I made a thousand reminder notes to myself... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I have a sweet surprise for you..its really little actually...but the computers are all being dumb in Bacolod, so I'll email it next week, ok? Get excited. Stop stressing over being 30, it's just a number. haha. Also, think of the amazing memories you've made in those 30 years! totally worth a few grey hairs! (And that's only the memories I'm included in! HAHA!) Hey, I'm still praying like crazy for your apartment search. You'll find one. Obedience brings blessings. I love you all more than I could ever express by email, letter, or carrier pigeon. Life is good. The church is true! The work of God continues to go forward and will continue to go forward until the "purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say, 'the work is done.'" Be positive, love life and love people! Until next time, God Speed!
All my love,
Sister Stadler

P.S. Longest brown out ever 8am-5pm on Sunday. I thought I was going to melt to nothingness. AH! Everyone stand in front of the air conditioner for me and enjoy every second of it. :)

Alright, funny story to start out this email. So last week we went to go grocery shopping and Sister Flores always buys the meat and then I go get the veggies or fruit we need--its all in the same area so we separate and we can still see each other. Well...this time I decided to go get the meet to mix it up a bit. Well..I've always been terrible and converting pounds to kilos and all that jazz. So I thought she usually gets about 1 kilo of ground beef for us so I can make my famous spaghetti during the week. Yeah....I was wrong. She usually gets a 1/4th of a kilo. Well I had some frozen veggies that I needed to use so in my head I'm thinking.."Alright...We get a normal 1 kilo..but now I'm going to extra so I can experiment with some American goodness scramble...2 kilos should do it!" HAHAHAHAHA! alright...so I step up to the counter and ask the woman for 2 kilos of ground beef. She grabs a bag and starts packing in the beef and I"m thinking.. "She's packing an awful lot of meat....wait! maybe she heard me wrong!" So I ask her to stop and to weigh it where she was at... 1.5 kilos! I realized my error, but thought, WELL....we'll just use a lot of ground beef this week. SO..slightly embarrassed I tell her that's plenty and wait for her to put the price on it. Then I hear Sister Flores.. "Sister Stadler! I already got the meat. What are you getting?" HAHAHAHA! Perfect timing. The woman plops this HUGE bag of meat on the counter. You should have seen Sister Flores' face! She looked shocked for about 10 seconds and then just burst out in uncontrollable laughter. So we ate over 2 kilos of ground beef this week. haha! That's a lot of ground beef. But it was good! :) So...now I know! Hooray for knowledge and from learning first hand.
So the weeks seems to be getting harder when it comes to the work. The wheat and the tares of definitely being sifted when it comes to our investigators. We dropped one boy this week and another 2 or 3 we might have to drop soon too. BUT...Brother Jayson Subrado was baptized on Saturday and he, and we, couldn't be happier for him! These boys who were just recently baptized: Jayson, Gino, Jeonil, Japhet, Froilan, Aram, and Antonio (who will be baptized in 2 weeks) will all have the chance of a lifetime! The youth in the Bago city stake were invited to participate in the cultural events in the Cebu temple dedication in June! They are so excited and we, as missionaries, are incredibly jealous because we are craving the temple! (seriously, when I get back, we might just have to go stay with a friend in Vegas and go to the temple for a full day!) But we are so excited for them to have the chance to be in the temple and be there when the first presidency is there to dedicate it! I have totally taken for granted how many times I have had the chance to witness temple dedications. The adults here have never witnessed one! Only a few of the real pioneers here were able to be at the Manila dedication. Amazing! So we will be able to see it on satellite because there won't be church on that Sunday, just the broadcast in the stake centers. I'm excited for that...and guess what??? GENERAL CONFERENCE IS IN LIKE...2 WEEKS!!!! GOOD GRIEF! I'm so pumped! although we don't see it when you all do...luckies....we have to wait for another week or two to have it rebroadcast here. BUT...its ok! I'm excited for it none the less. Ward one is..well...not progressing. It's pretty much ridiculous. We had interviews with President today and he may put elders in that area specifically for ward one. It's kind of sad that they won't grasp the importance of their callings, or take our gentle guidance as sisters...but somehow people tend to respond when elders tell them they need to reorganize. SO..it will be best for the ward. But sisters will still be in ward 2...which continues to thrive. Transfer announcements are coming soon! I keep having dreams that Sister Flores transfers and I stay....I'm not ok with that. If anyone should transfer..it should be me! haha! She had a dream about that too and another Elder joked about it in the office. I'm starting to worry. haha! Joke! Whatever the results, it will be great. Well, I don't have much else to add. I just love the mission. The work continues to go forth...regardless of the help from the members, and the Lord continues to prepare His elect. I love this gospel and I love the blessings that it brings. I love you all and pray for you every single night. I had a really good experience with prayer yesterday where I had a quality discussion with my Heavenly Father. As I started to pray for each of you individually I had this extreme peace come over me and I knew that you were all being watched over. The thought came to me of the promises our Loving Heavenly Father makes to those who serve Him. I love you all and I hope we can each do our parts in helping the gospel of Jesus Christ move forward. Mom, how is the produce guy? How is JoAnne too? Invite them to church! Well, my time is up. I love you I love you I love you! Stay strong! Until next week, God Speed!
All my love,
Sister Stadler

P.S. I'm finally starting to get tan! woohoo! The ward members are all commenting of how I'm getting dark and they all get this sad look on their face and I go to give them high fives with a little "WOO HOOO!!" to go along with it. haha! I love it! hooray! oh! Tara! Thank you for the cd mixes and the valentines card! I've read it only about 10 times...yeah...I'm cool like that. love you!

HELLO!!! :) I have missed you! How are all of you doing today? I included you all in my fast yesterday. Hey, before i forget, random question, Mom, ask Aunt Vicki if there is anything she knows that helps with hair loss...haha...that sounds really weird. But...I have been losing large amounts of hair each day here when I shower, I'm not bald or anything..but its probably double the amount I used to use each day. Someone told me here it's a lack of zinc in their water, I don't know if that is true, but whatever. So, is there anything I can take to help me with that?
This week was really good, emotional, hard, draining, but rewarding as well. We are no longer allowed to tract at all. Our focus in the mission is retention and reactivation. We are only getting new investigators through members referrals and through part member families. The Bacolod Mission has been the top baptizing mission in the world for many years, it isn't currently, but it has been...the problem is retention. If we can't keep them strong in the church, what is the point of baptizing? So...that is our new focus. We are to have 5 new Melchezidek priesthood holders each week and at least 2 families each month. Anyone who knows anything about missionary work would agree thats a difficult thing to do. BUT...we have faith it will happen. We actually have had 4 families we visited come back to church this Sunday, so we're feeling pretty darn good! Plus we have our 9 regular investigators at church. We are gonna have to drop 4 people this week we think. They are all younger, they seemed really solid and interested in the gospel, but they have stopped progressing. That is one of the hardest things about teaching. You put so much work and effort into someone and then they just don't grasp the concept. But it's ok, they still like coming to church and activities, and they are youth, so hopefully they will continue coming and maybe later the missionaries will pick them back up again. Mom, before I forget, the only beans here are Pork and Beans. So I'm not eating a lot of beans. I tried to go buy some black beans ..they were in this miniscule foil pouch for WAY WAY WAY too much money. But thats ok. I'm eating vegetables. I don't know where you got the "human fertilizer" idea from ...perhaps a dream. haha! I gagged a little when I read that. Um...the vegetables I usually get are ones I can peel because of how difficult it is to really steralize anything here. SO...no worries. Same with fruit, I haven't had an apple with the peel on it for a good 4 months now. Ok...I'm freaking out that I'm a week away from being 1/3 of the way done with my mission. Sister Adams reminded me of that. I told her to stop gyping me of my time! haha! She cracks me up. So transfers are in 3 weeks and its going way too fast to be ok with me. Let me see, what is going on with our investigators? OH!...I spoke with Rodelyn, she was my 2nd baptism here in Bago. She has been missing in action for awhile and yesterday she just showed up at church...I was so excited! She asked if she could speak with me after church about some problems she has been having. So I went to talk with her and she told me all about her Uncle, who is her guardian, and this guy who has been talking to him about marrying her. Everything is so different here. It is crazy...count your blessings for the freedoms you have. Basically, long story short, this guy wants to marry her and she can't stand the guy, but her uncle believes the guy more than her and thinks they are courting. Well, because Rodelyn is denying it, her uncle has cut off all money from her, so she can't take her college exams this week. So..her education is on hold. She asked if I had money to pay for her exam, and she could pay me back. Well, its moments like this where you wonder if it's ok just to break the rules. It's 850 pesos, roughly 10 dollars....and yet I can't do it. Mission rules say we can't lend money. So instead, I explained to her that it isn't allowed, but I would pray for her like crazy. And I said my family would be willing to pray too, So mom, could you put her name in the temple there, Rodelyn Ulberio. Thank you! I asked if she was living the Word of Wisdom and Law of Chastity completely and the other commandments as well, including tithing. She said yes and started crying, so I testified that if she is doing all she can, the Lord will bless her. It may take some time, but the Lord will bless her. As I sat there comforting her I was thinking, "man...I would give anything to just pull out my wallet right now and give her the money." But then the thought came to me what Elder Oaks said about the Philippines, nothing will help them more than the truths and blessings from living the gospel. She looked at me after we hugged goodbye and we started walking to the waiting shed for her to get a trik and she said, "Sister Stadler! Sagad ka sa Ilanggo na!" Meaning..."Sister Stadler, You're so good in Ilanggo now!" haha! I am definitely not good....but it is coming. I can say so much more than I used to be able to. My trainer complimented me too when I saw her last. So hooray! I knew you would all want an update on the language.
OH!!!! MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Guess what I got yesterday?????????????? Your package you sent 4 months ago! HAHAHAHA! I was so excited! You should have seen my happy dance! It was intense. The toilet paper came just in time..we just ran out and it was Saturday night. And twizzlers and peanuts!! Good grief...I haven't had twizzlers in forever. My comp figured they must be pretty good when I freaked as I pulled them out of the package. She grabbed one to taste it...HA! You should have seen her face...I told her she didn't have to eat it if she didn't like it. Her response.."....ok...yeah ..I don't like it." haha! I was laughing so hard. she's so dang cute. I would do anything for this girl.
Mom, we get the Liahona, not the Ensign. I miss the Ensign for sure. Everything is like....abreviated versions. Send your articles...I love the articles you send. They are usually inspired too, because they always help me with something I'm currently dealing with. So..the message from Monson was about a firm foundation of faith too....that's a common topic lately. Yesteday I realized how close general conference is again... I was a little too excited I think. I can't wait to hear from the Prophet and the apostles. I just started reading the 2008 general conference magazine again. I just started at the beginning and everything has related perfectly..although I guess that can happen with any talk you read when you're trying to follow the spirit. Di ba? OK, so ...Sean, thank you for the mission support! Britton, your son is so stinkin cute! He totally looks like you too! I love it! Amanda, I haven't read your email yet, except the first line..and you're not boring! Good grief...I miss ya like crazy! I was walking to our next appointment last week and I saw some girl burst out laughing with her sister walking down the street and I teared up a bit. haha! But...then I lost it and just started laughing and my comp I'm sure though I was insane. I remembered the night I went through the temple and then we went to Olive Garden with mom! haha! Holy heck...I don't think I've ever laughed that hard in a public place in my entire life. Mom's response was awesome! I felt like I was like 10 years old again! I loved that day. It is probably one of my favorite days of my entire life so far. I was thinking about it yesterday, my last 2 years of life are so far from what I ever planned, and yet I wouldn't change a single thing. We have had some really hard things we've dealt with as a family. I never thought I would be opening my mission call in Havasu with Paul and Holly on one phone, Mom and Amanda on another phone, Sean and Dad and Dallin there with me in the living room. I never thought I would be going through the temple with mom in a wheel chair...but because of that I was able to have Amanda and Mom there with me--which has been a dream of mine since I was like 12. The blessings of the temple are remarkable. My comp and I taught our beloved Brother Aram about the temple this week and you should have seen his eyes light up. The desire he has to go in undeniable. We both shared our love of the temple and how much we missed it and he was so excited and asked all these questions. These boys are so solid. There are 5 of them that are so solid! Aram is probably the most solid though. He has been doing an in depth study of the scriptures and has questions for us every time we teach him. His last question was about who the Gentile nations are. haha! AND..then he asked about why Nephi was commanded to kill Laban when the 10 commandments say not to kill. HE's just so...AH! He's a future leader in the church. I love this work! I love that I can work with people every day to bring them the gospel. Paul was right. In a letter he wrote me he said, "it seems there are no normal days on the mission." It is so true! They are either SUPER awesome and spiritually high or you're just exhausted and you wonder if you'll ever have a good day again. haha! I know the terrible sorrow and "devastation", as preach my gospel puts it, when your investigators don't keep their commitments, and I know the sweet joy that comes when they do. I love this gospel. I know this church is true! Christ Lives! We need to be firmly rooted in the gospel, because there is no doubt in my mind that big things will be happening in the next few years or so. I miss you all like crazy and you are on my mind often, mostly at night, when I lay down and everything gets quiet and I begin to think and pray about each of you. Let's all be a little better this week that we were last week! Raise the Bar. Until next time, I LOVE YOU!!! God Speed!

All my love,
Sister Stadler

P.S. MOM! Awesome job with the produce man! Definitely get his name and number, maybe his address and see if you can set up a time to go with the missionaries to visit him. They always are more successful with members present. Just see if he has a time to do it. Even if it's on his lunch break some day or something. His wife may not be receptive at this point, but if he embraces the gospel, she will see the changes, and the spirit will be felt through him. Keep it up! The Lord provides opportunities to teach daily! We just don't notice them. Love you tons!